//------------------------------// // Funerals and Frustrations // Story: Flying With the Dusty Bolts // by Pony Bones //------------------------------// The day of the funeral came bright, clear, and freezing to Appaloosa, the seasons had a twisted way of changing without warning even with the Dusty Bolt’s intervention. There was frost on the ground and rooftops as the Dusty Bolts huddled together for warmth around Crazy Wing’s gleaming, immaculate coffin on the steps of town hall, shivering with chattering teeth and foggy breath for the procession to the newly established graveyard and the committal. They had polished their goggles to a gleam and they wore new black bandanas with the dust devil and lightning bolt insignia in honor of Crazy Wing. The cold added a particular stiffness and solemnity to their movements and a rosiness to their cheeks, each of them had come to accept the fact of Crazy Wings passing in their own way. Mirage flew in from his meeting with Mayor Straight Shooter and his team gathered around to hear the final instructions, “Ok Dusties, here’s the plan, while we were off Mr. Trench worked his hooves to the bone, not only on the coffin there, but also surveying and staking claim to the Appaloosan cemetery, digging the grave, and constructing a beautiful memorial for Crazy Wing. I think you will like it, but let’s show Mr. Trench and more importantly Crazy Wing our gratitude by getting this ceremony right.” Sand Blast complained through chattering teeth, “Boss, couldn’t we wait until it warmed up for this ceremony? Everypony else is going to be wrapped up in scarves and coats when all we have are our goggles and bandanas for our uniforms.” “I’m freezing right along with you big dog but it is what it is, this is when we earn our bits. The schedules been set and some very special ponies will be visiting from out of town.” Filly the Kid rolled her eyes and growled, “Oh joy, what did Crazy Wing mean to them?” Mirage looked sadly to Kid and replied, “Crazy Wing’s life touched more ponies than you know, don’t demean their grief.” “Any changes to the plan boss?” Tumble Weed asked with anxious anticipation, “No, thankfully no changes to the ceremony. Of course that itself may change as the situation dictates, you know how these things are, ponies can’t make up their minds. We have Mayor Straight Shooter to thank for keeping the ceremony the way it is.” The team shared a grim satisfaction in that fact and breathed a small sigh of relief, “Any other questions or complaints?” If anypony had anything now it was already too late, but nopony did, good. “Alright, I’ve got to go get ready for my part of the ceremony.” The entire team looked surprised and Mirage wondered how much Brayburn had told them as Sand Blast asked, “You aren’t flying with the procession boss?” If all they had been told was their part in the ceremony then a pleasant surprise wouldn’t hurt them. “No I’ll be watching though, if nopony has anything else standby for the procession.” With that Mirage flew off, “So much for leading from the front, what a schmoozer.” Kid complained for the sake of complaining, none of the others said anything to stop her, they were too cold to care and they also knew she didn’t actually mean it. Either that or deep down they actually had the same feelings, they picked up the coffin and put it on their shoulders standing at rigid attention with Tumble Weed out front since he was the only pony who actually knew where they were going. They knew the start time of the ceremony was still half an hour out, they just hoped it wasn’t any longer from unforeseen delays. The first ponies started showing up five minutes before the procession, and as Sand Blast had said they were wrapped snugly in their scarves and coats. They each dug down into their personal happy place and tried to keep the menacing scowls from detracting any of the ceremony’s reverence. “I really don’t want to be here.” Kid muttered out of the side of her mouth, “Shut the buck up Kid.” Tumble Weed hissed a little too loudly, “When does the procession start?” Sand Blast asked breaking his granite bearing just a twinge of nervousness in his voice, “Mirage said we’d know when to step off.” Tumble Weed responded praying nopony had anything else to say. Out of the corners of his eyes Tumble Weed didn’t see anypony out of the regular, they were all Appaloosan townsponies, he shifted his weight ever so slightly to keep from passing out, if the wait was long for him it had to be even worse for the rest of the team but there was no resting now, too many ponies had gathered. “Come on Mirage what’s the hold up?” he muttered echoing Kid’s feelings, the sun had risen enough that it was now warming their numb wings and hooves but it was still bitterly cold and with the sunrise came a biting breeze. It was already an hour past when the procession was supposed to start, and Filly the Kid who practically had the coffin on her head began swaying dangerously on her hooves. Then cutting through the clear morning air and startling them all was the unmistakable sound of a pegasi horn and the crowd chatted quietly in anticipation. Tumble Weed blinked purposefully coming back to the present and stiffly took his first pace of the procession with painfully locked joints. Behind him he heard the coffin bearers stumble before they found their footing as they descended the steps of town hall. The crowd gave a small gasp then continued chatting with a critical tone of witnessing a heinous scandal, they could all go to Tartarus if they didn’t have the grace to overlook the stumble of a frozen pegasi. “Buck.” Sand Blast grunted through clenched teeth catching Silver Lining as she dived face first for the steps while still holding the coffin, “Keep it frosty.” Tumble Weed murmured chuckling quietly to break the tension. Once the Dusty Bolts had started they continued much more easily their hooves striking the frozen ground in complete unison, the rhythmic hoof falls were almost hypnotic even above the shuffling racket of the procession behind them. Tumble Weed moved mechanically like a piston, front left leg, right rear leg, front right leg, left rear leg. His measured pace was maybe a little too fast for a funeral procession but honestly he wanted to get on with the ceremony so he could go home and warm his frozen body, but not with liquor this time. The march out of town to the cemetery seemed to take forever, but as they came in sight of it they could see why Mr. Trench had chosen the sight, It was a grassy knoll alongside a river bed bordered by cloudwood trees. Crazy Wing’s memorial was more than any of them could have expected, it gleamed dully in the sun a life size cast bronze statue of Crazy Wing on a polished marble altar, rearing back with wings outspread, wind in his mane, and the goofiest smile on his face that they all recognized. Mr. Trench had truly outdone himself. Placing the coffin as gently as they could on the stand next to the grave was more like a hasty but dignified fall from their dead shoulders. Facing the coffin in unison, Tumble Weed raised the front half for the committal and the team saluted, then marched to their position at the side of the orators podium. Mirage flew in to join them falling in at the head of his team, first to speak was Mayor Straight Shooter, “Fillies and Gentlecolts, I want to keep this short in consideration of our Dusty Bolts, what they have to say is more important anyways. In my time as mayor I have come to depend on the Dusty Bolts for the wellbeing of Appaloosa and our orchards, I remember when they first came to Appaloosa and I thought to myself, ‘This town is doomed.’ If you had seen the Dusty Bolts back then you would not recognize them from the pegasi you see before you today, they put aside their differences and took the weather head on. I have seen them work themselves to deaths gate to keep Appaloosa a safe and thriving town. None more so than Crazy Wing, Appaloosa is less of a town after losing him, I know I’ll miss him, but I also know he’s flown on to clearer skies, and to our brave Dusty Bolts, thank you for all you do for Appaloosa.” Without further pause the Mayor left the stage and made his way to his seat, next to speak was Brayburn stepping up to the podium he opened his mouth to speak when from the skies above there was the sudden blast of wing wash. Everypony looked up to see the Wonder Bolts led by a sky blue pegasus mare with a rainbow mane and tail pulling a carriage alongside Fluttershy carrying Applejack, and another Apple family pony. She had curly rose colored hair bright caramel colored eyes a yellow coat and a black plaid bandana. Out of the corner of his eye Mirage saw Tumble Weed break his bearing to stare at the new Apple mare completely captivated. Spitfire apologized for the blunt entrance with the carelessness only a pegasus could display, “Heh, sorry everyone, we came as soon as we could, please continue.” Mirage’s blood boiled, next to him he heard Sand Blast grinding his teeth like a rock crusher and Mirage had to fight the urge to turn to Sand Blast and shout, “Sick em’!” Brayburn looked just as aggravated as the Dusty Bolts as he brushed the invisible dust off the shoulders of his jacket, popping his collar, lowering his hat, and clearing his throat deliberately he expressed just how Appaloosa welcomed such visitors. “Well Ah’l just wait fer ya’ll ta fahnd yer seats.” The Wonder Bolts and Ponyville visitors slunk to the back everypony turning their heads hostilely watching them. “Friendly crowd ain’t it coz?” asked the new Apple mare, “Hush Apple Bumpkin.” Applejack hissed. Once they were well settled Brayburn began again, “Thank ya’ll fer comin’ out an showin’ yer support fer our Dusty Bolts. Ah jus want ta say, tha Dusty Bolts and Ah never seen ah ta ah on a lot uh things. Ah wouldn’t pruhtend ta know what ya’ll do on a day ta day basis, but Ah know ya put yer lives on tha lahn for this town an for that mah hats off te ya an fer Crazy Wing wherever ya are pardner Ah got yer bits from that last game uh poker even if ya cheated.” Mirage couldn’t be sure but he thought he saw the slightest glimmer of tears in Brayburn’s eyes as he put the bits on Crazy Wing’s chest. After Brayburn it was Mirage’s turn to speak, walking up to the podium there was a cough from a young colt in the front row. He looked out at the crowd with panic written on his face obviously out of his element, as he began speaking his voice cracked nervously, “Uhhh… thank you all for coming, I didn’t expect this much of a turn out after a freeze.” The colt coughed again trying to clear his throat, a foal started crying in her mother’s hooves. Mirage closed his eyes took a deep breath then began, “Crazy Wing meant a lot to me and my team, he was one goofy pegasus and he always had a way of brightening my day. I’ll never forget when I first met him, I came as an ice handler fresh from the Cloudsdale snow factory, he walks straight up to me and says, ‘I heard they’re looking for a pegasi with a couple screws loose to work the weather here.’” There was a chuckle in the crowd from the ponies that knew Crazy Wing and Mirage continued, “That’s just how he was, he lived his life without fear…” Mirage turned his head to the side trying to choke back the tears that threatened to flood his vision, being unable to he continued brokenly, “Putting his fellow ponies life above his own… was what he did.” Looking back at his team but particularly at Tumble Weed he said, “I know he wouldn’t have gone out any other way than looking after his wingmate.” There was more that Mirage had wanted to say but he couldn’t continue, so marching to Crazy Wing’s peaceful form he placed his goggles on Crazy Wing’s chest, saluted, then returned to his team. Next to speak was Tumble Weed, who had also teared up after Mirage’s eulogy. Sniffing loudly and wiping his nose and eyes he said laughing, “You owe me for this one Mirage, you stole my thunder.” Laughing back Mirage answered, “That’s what I’m here for.” Once the crowd had settled down from Tumble Weed continued, “Thank you Mirage, to be honest I’ve been really torn up after losing Crazy Wing. I’ve wondered why he chose my life over his, because really I’m nopony special…” After that Tumble Weed broke off putting his face into his cannon, “Buck it, Crazy Wing why’d you have to go?” Silver Lining came over to him and pulled him from the stage taking him to the coffin where he placed his goggles below Mirage’s and walked back to the team. The colt who had coughed started stomping his hooves, slowly he was followed by Brayburn, his parents, and then the rest of Appaloosa cheering, whistling, and throwing their hats into the air. “That’s alright Tumble Weed! Ya done em’ proud!” After that the rest of the Dusty Bolts put their goggles on Crazy Wings chest saluted and closed the lid, then carrying the coffin to the grave they unwound the ropes from the palls and slowly lowered the coffin into the soil. That was the conclusion of the ceremony, the Dusty Bolts were given permission to fall out and Mr. Trench came over to talk to them, he had put on his old Equestrian Royal Guard Dress Blacks from the pre-Nightmare Moon era with stacks upon stacks of medals clinking like wind chimes just to look at him you could tell each of them was earned. Pinned on his chest was the Engineer’s insignia proudly proclaiming “We Built Canterlot.” And tucked into his belt in place of the regular officers sword was an engineer shovel polished to a brilliance that made it hard to look at. Silver Lining was the first to say, “Mr. Trench thank you so much, I’m sure it’s exactly what Crazy Wing would have wanted and we owe it all to you.” The rest of the Dusty Bolts also thanked him over and over. Mr. Trench just smiled and said, “Well I’m glad you like it, seeing you happy was all I needed to make this job worth it.” “You certainly did that, again thank you.” Mirage said gratefully, “Was that you on the pegasi horn earlier boss?” Sand Blast asked eagerly, Mirage gave an malicious smile, “Yes that was me.” The Dusty Bolts mobbed him, “Omygosh! A pegasi horn? Where did it come from? Can we see it? The last time I saw a pegasi horn was back in the Fillydelphia tornado water transfer.” Mirage laughed, “Ok, ok, I’ll take you to see it, Mayor Straight Shooter had it commissioned at Cloudsdale specifically for Appaloosa and this funeral.” The Dusty Bolts began flying off after Mirage, “Have I said that I always liked Mayor Straight Shooter?” Tumble Weed said jokingly, “You got some road apple on your nose there Tumble Weed.” Sand Blast chuckled. Filly the Kid stayed behind shuffling her hooves awkwardly, “Aren’t you going to go with your team?” Mr. Trench asked, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in uniform.” She said looking down and blushing, “Oh that sounded stupid!” Mr. Trench adjusted his cover out of habit, “I don’t wear it except for special occasions.” Pulling a pipe out of his pocket he packed it and light it filling the air with fragrant apple scented smoke. Speaking around the pipe he asked, “So why did you stay behind really?” Kid shuffled her hooves a bit more before finally admitting, “I wanted to help bury Crazy Wing.” Mr. Trench smiled kindly, “Well who am I to deny such a request? Of course you can clever feather.” Hoofing her his shovel they went to the grave site and laid Crazy Wing to rest.