*Buzzzz* *Buzzzzzzz* I slapped the alarm clock off and rose from my bed. Time to beat the traffic I thought as I headed to the shower. 5:57 the time read... plenty of time to freshen up for the day. All throughout my shower I was prepping myself with the many scenarios of what may happen in the meeting with the CAG. I put all my fears to rest as brushed my teeth and mane. Spotless Skies....Spotless I reassured myself as took a glance at myself in the mirror. My flight suit with my name and Air Group waited on me, hung up right next to the sink. I fitted it on me and made sure that i was looking my best. The time now was 6:30. I made my way out of the barracks and looked at the sun rising over the bay, next to the base.

"Ahh today will be lovely!" I told myself under my breath.

I walked by the Maintenance Hangar towards the 3rd Air Group's Hangar with an intent on being the best pilot in the Navy. The sight that greeted me was worth remembering. About 20 F4F Wildcats were sitting, waiting for us to fly them. All the planes had their wings folded, and stared beautifully at me. The only pony in the hangar was the CAG, Glory. He turned and looked at me and smiled. He proceeded to stand waiting for my arrival.

"Good morning Lieutenant Skies." He said not breaking his grin.

"Good morning sir! How are you doing Sir?" I responded with a salute.

"Just fine, mind I ask what brings you so early?" Glory asked while returning the salute.

"Sir I make it a goal of mine to be punctual." I said with respect.

"Good it seems I was right about you yet, Ready to take the fight to the enemy."

I stood waiting for time to catch up to the two of us. As the time passed, the other pilots from Squadron 3 began to show up until the whole Squadron was present.

"Gentlecolts good morning! Today will be a day of finding yourselves. Until now you've been playing around with the Texan Trainer Aircraft, today that ends and another phase begins. Today is the day you will be receiving your F4F Wildcat. After our meeting is concluded you will find the plane with your name on it and get to know your new marefriend. I hope you have been thinking of a name for her! You! Second Lieutenant Hoofeildson! What is your name for your mare?

"Sir I am undecided! Sir! He replied nervously.

"Damn, you better be thinking pilot!" Glory said with an irritated tone. "Lieutenant Skies! What is your Marefriend's name?"

"Sir! Her name is the Lavender Express! Sir!" I exclaim as the emotion seeps through into my voice.

"DAMN RIGHT SHE IS!" Glory responds, feeling off my emotion. "Today we are just going to get a feel for her, and go on our first flight together. Tomorrow we will tattoo our mares respectively, today you will earn the pride of owning your F4F. You have 25 minutes to play around with her, then we will execute taxing and managing her folding wings... meet back here in 25, dismissed!" And with that we scrambled to see which plane was ours.

I frantically walked around the hangar looking for my plane. I started with the planes in the front row, trotting frantically and looking for the names inscribed right below the cockpits. I must have passed at least 4 planes before I noticed Leut. Cloudy Skies marked on the fuselage. Is this one really mine? I question as I check the name again. Cloudy Skies.

"Here you are! Even more beautiful up close.." I say to myself as I admire my government issued weapon.

The wings were locked in the folded position, which when looking at the plane, makes the wings look like that of a Pegasus... resting on its body. The body of the plane was a medium sea blue with a white underbelly, standard plane camouflage for the U.S.S.N. Close to the edge of the wing was the cutie mark of the United Solar States' Princess. we called it the "Heightened Sun" signifying Celestia's magnificence, and leadership. I took my time inspecting her... making sure no external part was out of order. I lifted the elevators, moved the rudder, checked the battery, and lastly tested the ailerons. With the external systems checked, I ducked under the restraining cables for the folded wings and climbed on the wing. The canopy slid back with ease, and I climbed in. The Grumman F4F isn't known to have the most comfortable seat, but I did not care one bit. This was My baby. More importantly this is what would lead me home to My Lavender.

Giving the canopy a tug forward, it closed and locked in the forward position. I observed the differences between the Texan, and the Wildcat.

"Manual Cowl Flaps! Manual gear extension! You're already killing me Lavender!" I say in dismay as I look at the cranks for the systems.

Cowl flaps allow the engine and the oil to cool on taxi and takeoff. when your pulling up to the runway you have them fully open, and bring them to half on takeoff. After you're airborne, and Rates Per Minute look stable, you bring them to a complete close. Other planes like the SBD dive bomber, have hydraulic cowl flaps AND gear extension/retraction. Taking time to crank these can be costly in a scramble, but I'm not complaining because shes my problem now.

The wheels retract into the nose of the plane, which is unique to this aircraft only. In the Training courses, we had to read the manual for the aircraft 5 times over... then they tested us on the knowledge. I didn't mind this because i wanted to know how it worked more than anything. I scoped out the switches and leavers and looked through the gun sight. I got a slight jolt of adrenaline at the thought of a Yaksabuchi A6M Zero passing through it, then being torn to shreds by the Wildcat's MGs. Looking to my right and left, I noticed the machine guns on the wings.

"One day soon you shall pounce..." I affirmed to my F4F with swelling pride.

I looked at my watch and noticed that i needed to reform with the squad and CAG. Unlocking and sliding the canopy back, I climb out of the cockpit and down the wing. I quickly trotted back to the rest of the squad, where they gathered around the CAG's plane.

"Alright Squadron 3 we are going to learn how to fold and unfold your planes. Watch closely! One day YOU might have to do this, but normally the stallions of the flight deck do this for you." Two ponies proceeded to take the wing and push it to the extended position. The third pony unlocked a hatch with a crank in it, then proceeded to crank until it was locked.

"There will be a red piece of metal on the wing if your wing is not locked correctly. DO NOT, I repeat... DO NOT FLY WITH YOUR WINGS UNLOCKED! That's a good way to getting a 21 gun salute!" Glory shouted at a short pony in the front.

"As I said, we will take her up for a quick spin, then land on the regular runway, carrier simulation begins tomorrow. get in your planes, wait to be pulled out of the hangar, then begin start up protocol. Wait for my command, Ill be in the Tower for this one." Glory seemed to feel very proud of each of us... like a father who had bought his little colt his first gun.

With that being said, I trotted back over to My plane... The Lavender Express. I climbed on the wing and then into the cockpit. Magnetos on, full position. *Click!* Battery on I flipped the switch to on. *Click* The avionics came to life and the artificial horizon leveled out. At that time I felt a jolt as my plane was being towed out of the hangar. Tailwheel unlocked I pulled the lever back and allowed the aircraft to be towed.

The plane stopped and the tow detached and drove off. I buckled in, strapping my parachute on, then my harness. I looked down to see my leather pilot cap and goggles on the stick. I grabbed it and put it on, plugging the headphones into the radio and waited. The ground crew began unfolding the wings. The right wing locked into place and the red flag receded into the wing. The left wing was given the same treatment and it succeeded as well. The ponies quickly began pushing the prop blades to force any stale oil out of the pistons. The ground crew leader signified everything was in accordance by saluting, which I returned. I pulled the "Engine Start" switch up and the propellers began to spin slowly.

*Grr Grrr Grr GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR* The engine poured out smoke started to purr, signifying that all was well. I switched the engine start to off, and waited. The smoke blew through the open cockpit and the fumes hit my face. Combustion... what a lovely smell.... I thought as I smelled the gas fumes.

"Gentlecolts, look next to your artificial horizon, there will be a number, that will be what I refer to you as when we begin taxing and through the flight." Glory's voice crackled through the radio.

4, I'm number 4. ok.

"1 and 2 taxi to runway 34... 3 and 4 Taxi to runway 12."

"Affirmative, 1 copies."

"Affirmative, 2 copies."

"Affirmative, 3 copies."

"Affirmative... 4 copies!" I say with a hint of enthusiasm as I let off the parking brake.

I followed behind the third plane in the row and taxied to the end of the airfield. Three broke off and turned left onto the runway and took the far right half of the pavement. I applied a little brake and turned to the left half of the runway. looking down, I grabbed the cowl flaps wheel and cranked to half open. my hands pushed forward the canopy and it snapped to the lock position.

"Flights 1 and 2 you are cleared for takeoff."

We saw the planes climb slowly off the runway and into the sky, eagerly awaiting our takeoff clearance.

"Flights 3 and 4 run em' up!" Glory beamed through the radio.

R.P.M. 100%, Throttle ease to full power. I pushed in the knob for the propeller rates and eased the throttle forward. The engine shook the whole plane, the propellers began to move faster around, and I started moving forward at a rapid pace. The stick felt comfortable in my hand... I gently pulled it towards me and I was off the ground. Quickly I turned the wheel retraction around and around until the gear lever would not budge. I pulled the R.P.M. lever out and the prop decreased in rotations, after I did I also adjusted the throttle.

Wow.. I'm really flying the F4F... Sweet Celestia....

Author's Note

Wow what a rush! Now that Cloudy Skies is flying, what is he in for next? will his training prepare him for combat? Stay tuned for the next chapter! Keep it real guys and thanks for reading! - Lambof God