//------------------------------//
// Onward To The Airshow 
// Story: The Final Crusade 
// by Enfield 
//------------------------------//

The day of the air show soon came. James had gotten up earlier that he usually did in order to take the seats, pedals, gear leaver and steering wheel out of the buggy and fit in a plastic bin that would hold the cooler steady as he drove it around on the beach. As he was checking the oil the Crusaders entered the garage, they were all rubbing their eyes and yawning. 
“Hi girls,” James said as he filled the fuel tank up. 
“When do we get going?” asked Apple Bloom.
“In about an hour,” said James, “You did get some breakfast and are all dressed right?”
“Did all that,” said Scootaloo. 
“Your mother told us to wear swimming gear,” said Sweetie Bell. 
“She told me as well, but I’m not going in the ocean,” said James. 
“Why not, James?” Scootaloo asked.
“The beach we are going to is probably the biggest ashtray and dumping ground in the world,” said James, “I had one bad experience, I don’t want a repeat.”
“What happened?” Apple Bloom asked. 
“It sort of involved the ocean and about twenty metric tons of garbage and medical waste,” said James. 
“They dump garbage in the water?” Sweetie Bell asked.
“It is New Jersey,” said James, “It’s okay for me to say all this because it’s true and I live here.” 
“Ew,” said Scootaloo, “When was that?”
“Only two years ago,” said James. 

James’ dad opened the door to the garage from the outside. There were several bags and beach chairs sitting by the car. James wheeled the buggy outside and, with Dave’s help, attached it to the roof of the SUV. The Crusaders helped as well, packing in some of the bags and one rather large cooler in the back of the car. After waiting for several minutes, Katherine then came out of the house, she had been trying to put Dart in a cage until they got back. Soon, everyone was in the car and riding down to the beach where the air show was taking place. 

Sadly, Dave had forgotten to fill the SUV up for the trip. So they pulled into the gas station of James’ former occupation, there were several beat up Buicks that contained old people. Two unfamiliar gas attendants walked out of the building and went to serve the Buicks, James had to find out about the two new guys. He went into the building and was relieved to see Darryl and Ed in one of the bays. 
“Hi guys,” James said.
“I never thought that you would come here again after Tony fired you,” Darryl said.
“Who are the two newbies?” asked James.
“Their names are Burt and Bart,” said Ed, “I’m not joking, those are their names.”
“And I’m guessing they aren’t very good at this job?” James asked.
“They’ve asked me three times to break a twenty for them just in one hour,” Darryl said.
“So Laurel and Hardy replaced me then?” James asked.
Darryl nodded. Ed however was looking out the window of the bay, he was trying to see the Buggy on the SUV.
“James, what the hell is that?” he asked.
“The Ecstasy 550,” replied James, “I won it a couple of weeks ago.” 
“Is it fast?” Darryl asked.
“I got up to thirty but it can reach fifty,” said James. 
“That thing looks sick,” said Ed.
“I’m testing the remote control later today,” said James, “I would show it to you here but I don’t want the hassle of taking it down.”
“Can you show it to us later?” Darryl asked.
“I’ll bring it around when Tony is here, just to annoy him,” James said. 


James then went into the office and rummaged around the desk until he found the drawer that contained the paychecks. James looked at each one until he found three that were his, one was pay for the week before he left for North Carolina, the second was one from the day where he forgot to pick up his pay. James found the third to be rather interesting, the envelope was heavy and seemed thick. He decided to wait until he got home before he opened the paychecks. James went back to the SUV, got in and then Dave started driving down to the beach.  

While they made their way to the beach James was fiddling with the remote control for the buggy, seeing if there was anything he missed.
“So what’s going to be at the air show?” Scootaloo asked. She was sitting next to James watching him toy with the remote. 
“I have the schedule here,” said Dave. 
“Can I see it?” Scootaloo asked. Dave gave her the paper with the schedule of the air show, Scootaloo then gave it to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell.
“What’s a Thunderbird?” Apple Bloom asked.
“The air demonstration team of the US air force,” said James.
“So are they like the Wonderbolts?” asked Scootaloo.
“Kind of, only louder,” said James. 

After an hour of driving they finally made it to the beach, or at least the spot where the beach was located. James looked up and down the strait and saw that the only buildings that were large and glimmering were the casino hotels that stood above the massive boardwalk. Once a parking spot was found James and Dave took the buggy off of the roof of the SUV and set it down a few feet away from the trunk, James did some last minute checks on the buggy while Dave fitted the cooler in the newly fitted compartment. The Crusaders were amazed that the buggy’s cabin could double as a drink carrier. James started the buggy up and drove it around the parking lot a couple of times, he stopped it and then span it around to the ramp onto the boardwalk. The Crusaders and James’ parents took some bags and chairs, leaving James with the parasol and a small shovel.
“Can’t forget my E-tool,” said James. He strapped it to his waist and took the E-tool out of its holder. 
“So that’s some sort of military shovel?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Very good Abigail,” said Dave, “I see James has been teaching you a lot.” 
“I do my best,” said James. 

Dave and Katherine started to make their way up to the boardwalk with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bell was following them when she turned around and saw James stuff something under his shirt. He then started the buggy up again and drove it up the ramp.
“What was that thing you had?” Sweetie Bell asked.
All James did was put a finger to his lips and then faced forward, motioning Sweetie Bell to keep up. James took the lead and he drove his buggy toward a large walkway that went over the dunes. He stopped just before the walkway started and shook his head.
“Too small,” he said to his parents, “We’ll have to find one of the larger on-ramps.” 
James backed the buggy up and tried to look for another ramp but as he turned around to see if there was one, he ended up walking right into a cop.
“Sorry, didn’t see you there,” James said. 
“You know that you can’t have this on here,” the cop said. 
James had no idea what he was talking about.
“Can’t have what?” he asked.
“The buggy,” said the cop, “No motorized vehicles are allowed on the boardwalk.” 
“When did that take effect?” James asked. 
“You’re violating ordinance 34738-D,” the cop said, “I’m going to have to conf-”
But before the cop could finish his sentence a patrol car pulled up next to him. The window went down and another cop leaned out the window. 

“Hey there Rick,” the cop said, “I’m getting donuts, you want any?”
The other cop had his back to the car and James had to do everything in his power to stop himself from laughing out loud. The cop was seething and the other cop in the car had no idea what had happened three minutes prior.
“Is that an Ecstasy 550?” the cop in the car asked. 
“Sure is,” replied James, “I had the cooler attachment fitted before I came here.”
“Nice,” said the cop, “So do you want anything Rick?” 
The other cop turned to his buddy and leaned down on the window.
“Get six donuts and two large coffees,” the cop said. 
“Okay then,” said the other cop. He drove off down the boardwalk, leaving his buddy with James.
“Go on then,” James said, “I know you were just about to tell a funny joke.”
“I forgot the punch line,” the cop said. He then went in the direction of his buddy. 
“Ironic and hypocritical,” James said, “That was too close.” 

James managed to find his parents and the Crusaders standing next to a large ramp. James guided the buggy up the ramp and onto the sand, he gunned the engine for a second so that he could get it onto the more firm sand to avoid the buggy getting stuck. This annoyed some people on the beach. James slowly drove the buggy around the sunbathers while his parents and the Crusaders followed closely behind, James’ maneuvering skills were excelling as he carefully drove between tents, parasols, beach towels and a mix of annoyed and impressed beachgoers.
“Now all we have to do is find a place to set all this down,” Katherine said. 
“Ah no,” James though, “The Crusaders aren’t going to like this.” 

Katherine and Dave then spent the next several minutes choosing a ideal spot to set the chairs down, the only problem was that they chose another spot right after everything had been set down. The Crusaders were getting annoyed because of this and James couldn’t help but agree with every complaint they uttered.
“How long now?” Apple Bloom moaned.
“The bloody show will be over by the time we find a spot,” said James. 
Katherine finally found a spot where they could set everything up, the Crusaders dropped everything they were carrying and set up a few chairs. James parked his buggy under the parasol his dad had set up, he wanted it there so that the engine wouldn’t absorb too much heat and probably explode. As Dave set the beach blankets down a lifeguard came over.
“You better not cause any trouble with that,” the lifeguard said.
“I turned it off and I’m not turning it on until the show is over,” James replied.
“James,” Scootaloo whined, “There’s tape and signs near the water.”
“They said we’re not allowed in,” said Sweetie Bell.
“What gives?” James asked.
“Some sort of boat dumped a cargo hold’s worth of medical waste and sewage,” the lifeguard said, “No one is allowed in.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the water is radioactive as well,” James said. 
“You enjoy the show anyway,” the lifeguard said as he walked away. The Crusaders then went over to James. 
“Now what?” Apple Bloom asked. 
“Well there’s the show and the sand,” James said. 
“When doe’s it start?” Dave asked.
“In a few minutes,” said James.
“What’s up first?” Scootaloo asked.

Before James could answer a squadron of F-16s screamed past, followed by a massive KC-135R tanker plane. James settled down on the chair closest to the buggy and the Crusaders sat on the blanket in front of James. Dave had a pair of binoculars and saw scanning the sky for any more jets. Katherine was too occupied with the phone, James found out who she was talking to a few minutes later. Seth and his family joined James’ family. 
“Hey there,” Diane said to Katherine.
“Good of you to join us,” said Katherine. Seth walked over to James, James stood up to greet his friend and to show off his buggy.
“Hi James,” said Seth. 
“I really am glad you turned up,” James said, he looked over to Jenson then Diane, Chip and Dean were nowhere to be seen.
“They’re with my grandparents,” said Seth.
“Hi Seth,” Scootaloo said.
“Hi,” Seth replied, he then turned back to James.
“Hey, you want to go in the sea?” he asked.
“It’s full of medical waste,” Apple Bloom said as she watched a AT-6 perform tricks in the sky.
“Wait, we can’t go in?” Seth asked.
“No, and I didn’t want to anyway,” said Sweetie Bell, “The water smells funny.”
“There you have it,” James said, “You can go and catch a nasty genital disease if you want.”
“No thanks,” Seth laughed, he pointed to the buggy, “Tell me about this.”
“Wow! B-16 bombers!” Scootaloo said.

James went on to explain how he won the buggy at Dave and Busters with the Crusaders help. Seth was impressed with the buggy and it’s ability to carry drinks, he go a soda out of the cooler and was amazed that the engine hadn’t melted the ice in the cooler.
“Can you use this on roads?” Seth asked.
“Funny enough, yes,” James said, “I looked it up and you can drive this on the roads.” 
“James look!” Apple Bloom said, “There’s a Spitfire like yours up there!”
James sank down on his seat and Seth sat next to him. 
“Shall we shut up and watch the show?” James asked. Seth nodded in reply.