Chapter 7: Fools in Love

It was another new day in Pilotwash Junction. Owen was with a customer who is wearing a Mike antenna thing on his head. As he left, Vinny, who is helping out with the Mole, calls out, "All right, come back soon."
Two customers arrive at the stand, looking around as one of them asks, "Any chance you got anything new?"
Owen pauses, shrugging as he smiles. The fat boy comments, "Well, I'm glad you asked!" The Mole pushes in a new cart filled with items with Owen begins to show off. "Yours truly got beach wear, dinner wear, silverware, Tupperware, hardware, software and of course...the back hair!"
Owen shows some back hair that looks like Mike on his back, making the customers groans in disgust, "Ick!"
"Well, that is kinda...interesting." The other customer said with an uneasy smile.
"Thanks! Know who else is interesting?" Owen asks with a smile as he took out some mugs. "The Mole and I made these mug babies! We are now selling one of a kind Mike commemorative mug," The fat boy pours a drink into one cup, causing the toy wings on it to flap. " Huh?"
"Whoa!" The customers exclaims in amazement. That is amazement!
Just then, Mike's voice came out of the radio, "Hey, this is Mike calling..."
Owen, hearing that, quickly put a 'Will Return Soon' sign onto the cart, saying, "Hold on. We will be back in 10!"
Owen, Vinny and the Mole heads back to the shed where the rest of the gang are watching the race on TV. Audrey smiles as she calls out to Mike on the radio, "Hey! Mike, you are in eighth place!"
"Yeah, good work, Dustmeister!" Joshua exclaims to Mike with a smile.
"You also finally removed your M5000!"
"His what now?" Owen asks Audrey confused, not sure what she's talking about at first.
"His Micro-Air-5000-D-L-Aerial Applicator," Audrey explains clearly to Owen.
"Big words confuse Mole!" The Mole whines a bit, still not understanding.
"Yeah, me too; Put it in words we understand." Owen explains to Audrey in concern.
Audrey rolls her eyes as she explains with a groan, "His sprayer."
"Right, sprayer!"
"Nice work!" Vinny remarks with a smile at what Mike has done. "I won't be surprised if Jack Sparrow gets upset."
"What is he gonna do? Fire him while the race is now?" Joshua asks Vinny with a smirk of amusement.
"Well, that's true."
"Mike, Gwen, Cameron, you got a big leg tomorrow." Peppy said to his friends through the mike in the radio with a nod.
Mike and his pals back in their current location are responding, both say at the same time, "Yeah."
"So how are you two feeling?"
"To be honest, we are dealing with a lot." Cameron answers Peppy with a weak smile. The trio is still in the race thank goodness and is glad to still be alive!
"Geez, I wonder if Fileas Fogg had these problems when circling the globe in 80 days." Mike remarks, cringing at the travelling he and his pals had done so far, comparing to that of another well-known travelling.
"Wow, you are there! The mighty Himalayas," Owen exclaims to his friends with glee.
"Boys and Gwen, the vertical wind shear is going to be wicked over those mountains."
"Right! There's one good thing about being that high up: there isn't a lot of oxygen up there! That way if you crash, you won't worry about an explosion!"
"Oh, thanks, Owen." Mike said, getting a bit nervous by what Owen just said.
"Oh, oh, you could also die of hypothermia or maybe an avalanche can bury ya!" The Mole adds, making Mike more nervous. "And there's pneumonia...frostbite..."
"And don't forget that crazy big snow man living up there too!" Owen exclaims, freaking Mike out some more.
"Right! Like Bad Mr. Frosty....or that Hugo monster guy or..."
"Owen, Mole! You two aren't helping!" Joshua scolds his two pals for freaking Owen out with what they're saying.
"Yeah, I think we get it by now." Gwen said to her new friends with a nervous chuckle.
Hearing that stuff is making Mike very nervous; He doesn't want to deal with all that stuff that was mentioned! The boy looks at a map nearby, glancing at the charts, hoping to find another solution.
"Say Peppy, any chance a guy would wanna fly through the mountains instead of over them?" Mike asks Peppy hopefully.
"No, bad idea; The Star Fox team fly through terrain like that in the Assault of Kemming; And Audrey is right. The wind coming over the peaks could stir up rotors that could drag you right down. In my opinion, time for you to lug-nut up," Peppy said to Mike sternly, making the boy yelp a bit. The hare wants him to go high. "Come on, you can fly a whole lot higher than you think."
"Right...sure, roger that."
"Over and out," Cameron exclaims as the connection was cut. The boy frowns at his friend Mike. He knows that his pal wants to do what it takes to take the high way out. "Come on, Mike! Fly up high for our sake! There's no reason to be scared."
"I am not scared, Cameron! I...well...don't like to go that high." Mike said quickly, making an excuse. Gwen and Cameron frown at this however. They knew of his true reason.
"Mike, come on. You won't be able to win this if you can't conquer that fear of heights of yours." Gwen said to Mike seriously.
"Gwen, it's not that, it's just..."
"Hey there love." A voice spoke out. Mike and his pals turn to see Soarin'. Once again the male Pegasus pony is trying to speak with Rainbow. "Aren't you tired?"
"What?" Rainbow asks Soarin' in disbelief. Is he crazy?
"Because you have been flying through my mind nonstop."
"Oh, I see. In that case, why would I be tired flying through a small teeny space, huh?"
Rainbow scoffs, leaving Soarin' who sadly spoke to the love that he may never get, "Come now. You can only pretend for so long..."
"Hey Soarin'" Cameron calls out to Soarin' as he and his pals came over in hopes to help him. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, Rainbow Dash. I am like Icarus while she is the sun. When I flew too close, I melt."
"Hmm..." Mike said with a ponder. Perhaps it's time to give his pal some advice on love. "Perhaps you are trying too hard. Look, you just got to go over to her, open your mouth and say..."
"Hello." A familiar voice spoke up. Mike yelps, very startled by the interruption. Gwen and Trent has arrived, the girl is wearing a beautiful Indian clothing.
"Whoa, uh, whoa, hey there."
"Wow, Mike." Gwen remarks to Mike in amusement. "Maybe you should try better to..."
"Hey, Gwen," Trent said, making Gwen blush a bit like mad.
"Hey Trent. Hee hee."
"Oh brother," Cameron remarked, rolling his eyes in amusement. "Perhaps we should leave these love birds alone."
Indeed, even Soarin' is sensing what's going on here. The pony backs away while speaking in a small voice as if someone's calling him, "Soarin'!" Soarin' then spoke in his normal voice, "Oh! Someone is calling me. Better go."
Soarin' and Cameron heads off, leaving Mike and Gwen alones with Zoey and Trent. The girl grins while saying, "Hey, my navigator and I want to congratulate you two and Cameron on your success, Mike. You know, you're doing very well for your first race."
"Hey thanks, that mean a lot...coming from you," Mike said sheepishly, rubbing his feet together.
"And you did good too, Gwen." Trent said to Gwen, making her grin a bit, "Much better than I did when I did a first time."
"Really; What's that?" Gwen asks Trent curiously, wondering what he meant.
"Oh, I was a band member to 'Heavy Metal Fuzzy' one time."
"Wow."
As the conversion continues, Soarin' and Cameron peeks out from behind a building, a cow passes them both. Mike spoke, "Anyway, come on, Zoey, you were named most aerodynamic racer by Air Sports Illustrated a few times in a row! That proves you are indeed an aerodynamic."
"Awww, Mike." Soarin' said with a proud smile. Mike is doing better at love himself...if only the male Pegasus pony can use that to his advantage.
Cameron remarks in amusement, "And even Gwen is doing good."
Gwen and Trent chuckles a bit but move by as a bunch of cows moo while passing between the group; Mike and Gwen note a lot of cows roaming through this town.
"Can anyone tell me why there're so many cows around here?" Gwen ask Zoey and Trent puzzled. What's with the cows in this town?
"Oh, they're sacred." Trent explains to Gwen with a grin.
"Huh? Since when are cows going extinct?"
"No, as in being idolized here."
"Right; the folks of India believe that when we die, we get reincarnated as cows." Zoey explains to Mike and Gwen with a grin. "Which is why I'm wearing a India outfit."
"Or other sort of interesting animals," Trent adds to his friends with a nod. "It's kinda recycling a car to make it into a tractor...or whatever."
"Well, I do believing in recycling." Gwen remarks with a blush. The girl wants so much to win Trent's heart and attention.,
As Zoey and Trent prepares to leave, the girl gasps as if having a fun idea, "Say, have you two been to the Taj Mahal?"
"No, not really," Mike remarked to Zoey with an arch of an eyebrow. Where is his love interest going with this?"
"Come on. How about we go; on a double date; you and me with Gwen and Trent?"
"Come we can't use our planes until the next race!" Gwen points out to Zoey in concern. It's true. All the planes that the contestants are using for the race can't be used for anything else!
"Well, I managed to get two loaners just for touring." Trent said with a grin, making Gwen's heart proud. "You and I can share a plane."
"Okay, sure! And Mike can share a plane with Zoey!"
"Yep, big love," Cameron remarked to Soarin' with a grin. Things are going to be fine for his lovestruck friends.

And so, the two couples took the loan planes into the sky, flying along as if on a date. As they begin having a good time, a song begins to play.

(dum dara dum dara mast mast dara
Dum dara dum dum
Oh hum dum bin tere kyaa jeenaa)

The couples flew above pastures where a lot of cows roaming. Mike smiles while saying, "Cool. Must be nice to be back home...if you lived here."
"Well, it's complicated." Zoey said to Mike seriously. "I got a lot of billion fans, expecting me to win no matter what."
"Well, who knows? Perhaps this time, you will."
The planes flew near the waters with birds passing them and some flew away to avoid ramming into the planes by mistaker.

Tere bina beswaadi beswaadi ratiyaan, oh sajna
Rookhi re oh rookhi re, kaatore kaate katena
Tere bina beswaadi beswaadi ratiyaan, oh sajna
(dum dara dum dara mast mast dara
Dum dara dum dum
Oh hum dum bin tere kyaa jeenaa)

Trent and Gwen look at birds flying by in amazement. The boy opened the window to the plane, chuckling while letting his head out and waving his arms in the air.
"I know we're not on a boat and this quote is overused, but I'm king of the wor-" Trent begins to say. But then he was interrupted by a bug landing into his mouth, causing him to choke on it, before spitting it out.
"Well that really killed the moment." Gwen remarks with a laugh, making Trent smiles in embarrassment.

Naa jaa chaakri kaa maare
Naa jaa souten pukaare
Saawan aeyega toh poochegaa
Naa jaa re
Pheeki pheeki beswaadhi
Yeh ratiyaan
Kaatore kate naa kate naa
Ab tere binaa sajnaa sajnaa
Kaate kate naa
Katenaa katenaa tere binaa
Tere binaa beswaadi beswaadi
Ratiyaan, oh sajnaa oh
(dum dara dum dara mast mast dara
Dum dara dum dum
Oh hum dum bin tere kyaa jeenaa)

Soon the four arrives at the Taj Mathal. Mike and Gwen looks amazed as they both say, "Wow." The two never been here...until now. The palace looks amazing.
As the four watch folks going about their business with some doing whatever in the palace, Gwen adds, "This place is awesome."
"Really is." Trent said to Gwen with a smirk.
As the two planes flew around the building, Zoey spoke to Mike thoughtfully, "I know that tomorrow, you will fly over the magnificent Himalayas. Wouldn't that be amazing?"
"Oh, those little hills?" Mike asks with a scoff. Of course, he was trying to be brave for her sake, "Come on, well...no big deal, right?"
"Oh really? From what I know, you like to fly low."
"Oh. Oh, that? Well...that's strategic...air density and...err...combustion."
Zoey took a thoughtful look as she spoke as if having a suggestion, "You know...you didn't hear this from me, but you could follow the Iron Compass instead."
"Iron Compass," Mike asks Zoey puzzled.
"Yes, as in rail road tracks. There's a valley in the mountain so you can still fly low; Just a thought."
"Really; Cool."

Tere binaa chaand kaa sonaa khotaa re
Peeli peeli dhool undaawe jhootaa re
Tere binaa sonaa peetal
Tere sang keekar peepal
Aaja katenaa ratiyaan
Dum daraa dum daraa mast mast daraa - 2
Dum daraa dum dum
Oh hum dum bin tere kya jeena
Tere binaa beswaadi beswaadi
Ratiyaan, oh sajnaa oh
Rukhiri re rukhire kaatore katenaa
(dum daraa dum daraa mast mast daraa - 2
Dum daraa dum dum
Oh hum dum bin tere kyaa jeenaa)

With the date done and the song ending, the two planes begin to depart from the place. Mike gently held Zoey by the hand, saying, "Hey, thanks for everything, Zoey."
"No problem." Zoey said with a warm smile. She just hopes that her advice helps.

"Leg 4: India > Nepal"

It was the next day as planes are on their way to Nepal now. The planes zoom through the mountain. And as usual, Mike's group in their plane stays down below.
Jet's voice spoke as this race continues on, "Every racer's nightmare is scaling the Himalayas. It will be a short leg ahead but extremely treacherous, especially the rumored abominable snowman creatures that could hurt or hug you, calling you George."
"No worries, he only goes after rabbits." Moltres's voice adds in amusement.
Mike's plane zooms on downward, following the railroad tracks. As they zoom through, the trio spots a tunnel up ahead, causing Cameron to call out, "Mike, pull up! Pull up!"
"Oh man!" Mike exclaims. What will he do now?
Mike looks at the high mountain, gulping as he flew upward. After a while, the boy gasps a bit, looking below. The ground looks farther from him! Mike he yelps while flying back downward, covering his eyes in one insane panic.
Gwen in horror snatches the controls, yelling, "Mike, are you crazy?!"
"Sorry, sorry, I panicked!" Mike exclaims to Gwen frantically as the girl manages to get the plane under control.
"Well, nice work, dummy. We're going to be out of this race thanks to you."
Mike pauses, looking back at the tunnel. He remembers Zoey's advice about taking the Iron Compass; Perhaps...
"No we're not!" Mike exclaims in determination. To his pals' shocks, he turns the plane towards the tunnel, heading to it.
"Mike, what are you doing?" Cameron asks Mike nervously. Is his friend trying to get everyone killed again?
"Relax, trust me. I got an idea!"
Cameron and Gwen held on for dear life as Mike tilts the plane, causing it to zooms inside. As the trio goes through, the wings barely touch the ground, with some of it breaking parts of the glass that almost hits the trio. At this rate, Mike's wild stunt could get them killed doing this!
"Mike, watch it!" Cameron exclaims frantically. "I mean, what if a train comes through here?!"
"Relax, Cameron! The train won't be here for another hour." Mike assures Cameron in assuration. "What could happen..."
Suddenly a train whistle is heard, much to Mike's shock. Gwen yelps, "You were saying?!"
A train is coming. Mike got to get out of this tunnel and fast! He steps on the gas, zooming through the tunnel. Of course, the train in question with a man named Casey Jones is coming from the other direction! He gasps in horror as he saw the plane about to collide with him, forcing Casey to pull the breaks, making the train screech.
Mike and his Pals gasps, screaming as they are closing in to the train very fast; Looks like this is it, their race ends right here!
After a moment, a white flash appears...

Mike and his pals find themselves in some clouds in their planes, flying through. Cameron was covering his eyes, freaking out.
"We're dead, we're dead; we're really dead." Cameron mumbles a bit.
Eventually though Mike's plane arrives at a strange place before it lands onto the ground. The boy opens his eyes, looking around then falls back into his seat.
"Is this heaven?" Cameron asks Mike while looking around. "It isn't...what I expected."
"If this were heaven, shouldn't we be eaten Pop Tarts with Kim Novak?" Mike asks his pals in concern.
"Maybe with Marilyn Monroe, I mean Kim Novak IS still alive, you know." Gwen remarks with a scoff. The trio jumps out of their plane, looking around. Not heaven.
"Hello? Hello?" Mike's voice echoes 'hello' throughout the place. As they look around, the friends spot a bunch of monks coming at the platform. "Say, Shaolin monks from Mortal Kombat? Any chance this is where we are supposed to be at?"
"Oooooohm," The monks said as if responding to Mike's question.
The leader of the group spoke, "Yes; that is one of life's great questions."
"I knew it! I'm dead! Awww, man! My life was flashing before my eyes!" Mike exclaims frantically, now believing the worst. "Wow, it's kinda boring."
"Mr. Mike, Mr. Cameron and Miss Gwen," Another voice spoke. Mike's group saw more Shaolin Monks arriving to greet them. "Welcome to Nepal."
"What part of Nepal to be precise?" Gwen asks the lead Shaolin Monk puzzled.
"Why, the ones from Mortal Kombat of course." The lead Shaolin Monk explains gently to the newcomers.
"Well, uh...that kinda makes sense." Mike said, rubbing the back of his head in amazement yet bewilderment. So he and his pals aren’t dead after all! But then…where’re the other racers?
"Did the others left already?" Cameron asks the Shaolin Monks in concern. If that's the case, this race is truly over for the gang.
However the other head Shaolin Monk gave a puzzled look as he explains, "Actually, no. No one else has arrived yet. You, Mike, and your friends are in first place." This made the three gasp in surprise.
"Wait, we're in first place; really?!"
"Oh yeah, we got the lead, guys!" Mike exclaims as he and his Pals cheers on wildly. Looks like the detour through the tunnel has worked and they survived. "But wait...why were we almost killed?"
"What person told you to use that tunnel anyway?" Gwen asks Mike, pondering who did he even listened to to go in that tunnel in the first place. The boy frowns. He remembers who suggested using the Iron Compass...
"I know who..."

The other pilots had arrived at Nepal soon after and they are surprised that Mike and his friends has arrived here first. Scott looks ticked off at Courtney and the Beagle Boys while the other pilots looked stunned at what the new first place winners has done.
"He flew through a what?!" Scott yells out angrily and in disbelief.
"A tunnel," Homer asks in amazement.
"That is crazy!" Rainbow exclaims in shock yet amazed. Mike has taken a risk, going through a tunnel and almost getting himself, Gwen and Cameron killed getting here.
"Right, crazy like a Fire Pony," Soarin' said proudly as he arrives on the scene. The Pegasus is proud of what his friends has accomplished so far. Mike could actually make it and win the whole thing.
Mike and his pals find themselves surrounded by reporters who ask them questions. One of them asks, "Gwen, Cameron, Mike; How does it feel to be in first place?"
Mike chuckles as he begins to speak, "Oh, feels great, but more than anything, my buddies and I were lucky to fit through that tunnel, getting out of there alive. I got to tell you, if you're ever in a tight squeeze, just..."
However Mike and his pals spots Zoey moving her plane. There's something new on it: a new propeller on the plane itself. How odd that Zoey got a new one after giving the advice to Mike that almost got him and his pals killed...
"Uh, will you excuse me?" Mike asks with a frown. He lefts with the reports while Gwen and Cameron frowns, following their friend. Zoey has an odd look on her face which was interrupted when the boy arrives, speaking, "Crazy day, eh Zoey?"
Zoey gasps a bit as if not realizing that Mike was behind her. She nervously speaks, "Oh...Mike. Err, what an exciting win for you today. That's some risk you took..."
"Well, Cameron and I were against it at first." Gwen remarks to Zoey with a scoff. "But after that squeeze, we were lucky to be alive."
"Yeah, I know. Say, you got a new propeller, right?" Mike asks suspiciously, motioning to the propeller which Zoey tries to hide futilely; Very suspicious...
"Oh yeah...suppose it is." Zoey said with a nervous smile.
"Let me guess: Sky Slycer Mark Five, right?"
"Hang on...those are made exclusively for Scott and Courtney's race team, aren't they?" Cameron asks Zoey suspiciously. Why would the girl even have one if those propellers are for Scott, Courtney and their goons?
"Are they, really?" Zoey ask Cameron nervously.
"Oh yeah, they are; Odd how you managed to get one."
"Or did Scott and Courtney ask you to do something for them?" Gwen ask Zoey with a frown, making Zoey looks down a bit, "In exchange for maybe...putting us out of the race, perhaps?!"
"Mike, guys..." Zoey said with sadness. Mike got a shocked look on his face. So his suspicions are true.
"Argh! Scott and Courtney bribed you to tell me to go in there, right?" Mike asks Zoey in shock and disbelief. "You set me up, didn't you?"
"Mike, I didn't want to hurt you, honest!"
"Why?!"
"It's complicated, okay?" Zoey ask with a sigh. She didn't want Mike to know why.
"My friends and I were almost killed! We would've been killed thanks to your insane advice!" Mike snaps to Zoey angrily with his pals giving out angry looks at her.
"Mike, I was hoping you would turn around like what Scott told me that you would do!"
Zoey gasps as she covers her mouth, but the damage's been done. Scott has indeed told the girl to give the advice to Mike in hopes to force him to quit or maybe get the pilot and his friends seriously hurt!
"Well, looks like Courtney isn't the only girl that got into a bad relationship trouble." Gwen remarks to Zoey with a sight.
"Scott said that I could have the title for once...if he let it slide and I tell you." Zoey explains to Mike in sadness. The boy felt hurt. He thought that the girl racing for fun, not for being a champion!
"Well, you were wrong...and I was wrong about you." Mike said to Zoey sternly as he leaves her. The girl looks down in guilt. She has betrayed the boy that she herself cared for...just for a new propeller and title.
"Honestly? I thought we were friends." Cameron said, upset as he shook his head, following his friend.
"Trent must be ashamed of you if he knew what you did." Gwen adds, making Zoey more sad. Just then, an upset Scott came over. As Gwen leaves, she taunts him, "Hey, dirty loser. Thanks for the first place. Better make sure to give the job of almost killing us to someone we don't like."
Scotl growls angrily as Gwen leave. He really hated that group!

The race resumes as a crowd at China's great wall is watching excitedly at the flyers zooming overheads.
"Flying low and quick, Mike and his pals are holding onto the top shot!" Jet's voice adds as we see a list of Current Standing. Mike's name is over Scott and Courtney's. "But the reigning champs, Scot and Courtney, are just seconds behind Mike!"

"Leg 5: Nepal > China"

Back at the studio, Jet smiles as he spoke, "Amazing. This surprise battle for the first place has made Gwen and his pals the ones to watch during this."
Indeed, in China, farmers are watching the flyers fly, noticing and cheering for Mike and his pals. They are getting fans from the world all over!
"They are becoming working class heroes all over the world." Jet's voice adds excitedly.
Folks are watching Youtube which shows a clip of Mike's group flying, with an auto tune playing on the phone while another person is wearing a hat that looks like Mike. The boy is becoming a celebrity, despite being a dust cropper.

I wanna fly
Makes everything alright

Folks are dancing and cheering, watching Mike's trip on TVs at a sales.

Way up in the sky (Yea, yea)

Asians are also watching, one of them is wearing a hat. They are also cheering for the up and coming flyer Mike.

Got to feel alive (hey)

At the Hylian pub, the same folks from before smiles as they spoke to each other. The women add, "Told you he could do it."
"Though we did kinda doubt him a few days ago," The Hylian man adds with a laugh at the irony.

In a stop at China, the Beagle Boys are watching the familiar clip of the success of Mike and his pals. They could actually be able to do the impossible and win, beating out Scott and Courtney!

I wanna fly
Makes everything alright-

However, Scott stomps on the pad, breaking it like mad. Courtney said in concern, "Geez, Scott, calm down."
"No, I had has enough!" Scott snaps, glaring and growling in anger. Mike and his pals are out-flying him and Courtney. This cannot be happening!
"Wha....awww!" Burger groans a bit in disappointment over the loss of the pad.
"Hey, Scott, that was my skyPad." Bigtime complains to Scott over what he did.
"Who cares? A new one is coming out in two weeks anyway." Courtney reminds Big Tme, rolling her eyes at the beagle's complaint over his broken pad.
"But it is too expensive!"
"Don't care!" Scott snaps angrily, getting more ticked off. He got better things to worry about than hearing the Beagle Boys' complaining over his lost pad.
"Can't we have yours?" Burger asks Scott and Courtney, making them groan in annoyance.
"Honestly, why did we even put up with you three numbskulls?" Courtney asks the Beagle Boys in annoyance. If she had known that these three Beagle Boys were stupid...
"Because we cost less," Bouncer asks Courtney confused.

"Shanghai, China: Latitude 31 14' N, Longitude 121 27' E"

As the pilots are in the pits, getting prepared for the next leg of the race; Mike, Gwen and Cameron are listening to their friends on the radio.
"You three had been showing those big-time racers what for, eh?" Peppy's voice asks the trio, showing proudness over Mike, Cameron and Gwen's success.
"You got it." Cameron said with a smile. "We're going to be heading across the Pacific tomorrow."
"Right, Peppy. Weren't you stationed there for a while?" Mike asks Peppy with a grin. The hare did mention being stationed out in the Pacific on time.
"Yes, yes, I am." Peppy's voice said. Weird, the trio thought that they heard a scent of hesitation in his voice.
"So got any advice for us for when we go out there?"
At the hangar in Pilotwash Junction, the rest of Mike's group looks like they are packing to go somewhere. While they do so, the friends, along with Peppy, spoke to Mike's group through the radio.
"Back in '41, during the battle over Orange Islands, the Star Fox team ran into some serious monsoons with embedded CBs. Those could tear your wings right off." Peppy explains, making Mike, Gwen and Cameron gulps a bit. "But...as long as you two are careful, you should make it. Oh, and one more thing: Mike, I'm proud of you and your friends."
"Thanks, Peppy." The trio said with assuring smiles. At least it's good knowing that Peppy is proud of his trainees who has become somebodies overtime.
"Oh hey guys and girl, we got a surprise for you." Audrey said smirking a bit. She and her friends got a surprise to give Mike, Cameron and Gwen, much to their curiosity.
"Oh, oh, oh, let me tell them, come on!" Owen exclaims eagerly, wanting to tell his pals what the surprise is.
"Well, go ahead and tell them, Owen." Joshua said with an amused look. Owen of course just ponders, trying to remember what the surprise is.
"Okay...hang on, I know this. It...it was on the tip of my tongue. I'll remember, uh..."
Audre shakes her head then speaks to Owen, who is scratching his head, to help him tell Mike, "We're going..."
"We're going..." Owen said with a slow nod as he remembers a bit.
"To...mmm..." Both said at the same time in helping Owen remembers.
"Malays..."
"Mexico." Audrey said with a smirk, correcting Owen a bit.
"Oh yeah, Mexico," Owen exclaims with a laugh, remembering now. "Yeah, that's it! Guys, we're going to meet you three in Mexico!"
"Really," Mike, Gwen and Cameron ask in surprise and amazement. Their friends are going to meet them in Mexico?
"Yeah, you betcha," The Mole exclaims to Mike with a smile.
"Right, the tickets are on me, Rob 64, Vinny and the Mole." Owen said proudly as he and the ones mentioned motions to an empty counter marked 'Sold Out'. The four has sold out a lot of merchandise involving Mike and his pals. "We sold 326 Mike bobble heads, 143 Gwen antenna balls, 203 spinner mugs..."
"Along with plush Mike, Cameron and Gwen dolls, bath toys, PEZ dispensers, t-shirts, coin banks..." Vinny said, counting off what he and his pals has sold off to make money during the time Mike has been gone.
"And 1,000 whistles," Rob 64 exclaims as he blows a whistle. "Go, Team Mike; Yeah!"
Some of Mike's pals chuckles a bit. The boy said in amazement, "Whoa! With all that money, I'm surprised you got our permission to do that!"
"Who cares? Our pals are coming to meet us!" Cameron exclaims to Mike with Gwen cheering a bit. It has been days since they last saw their supporting friends and now, they get to see them again in Mexico!
"Say, you sure you're up for it, Peppy?"
Peppy just nods, saying to Mike, "You betcha; Someone else is doing the flying."
"Whoa, great noises, guys." Gwen said with a smile. She hopes to see her pals once Mike, Gwen and Cameron get to Mexico soon. Won't that be much of a good reunion!
"See you guys in Mexico." Mike said with a smile as he prepares to hang up the radio.
"Right! Buenos noches! I will bring the salsa! Yahoo," The friends' voices are heard. Mike and his pals smile, knowing that it would be great to see their friends again.

Mike's group is heading on their way back to the hotel for a good night's rest. But then, the trio heard cans crashing. They turn just in time to see Soarin' head off as if wanting to get somewhere.
"Hey, Soarin, where's the fire?" Mike asks Soarin' curiously.
"The one in my soul," Soarin' said in determination. "Yes, tonight, I shall win the heart of Miss Dash."
"So how are you going to be doing that?" Gwen asks Soarin' puzzled. "So far, all your attempts to win her over weren't so good."
"True, but I am not giving up yet, Gwen!"
"Did you try Flamingo dancing?" Mike asks as he and his pals follow Soarin' to a part of the area near the hotel where Rainbow's staying at.
"Oh tried that, didn't end well. But I got something better." Soarin' said as he flung his cape a bit. This time, his next attempt should hopefully do well.
The four arrives at the area. The time has come to win Rainbow's heard. A spotlight is turned on as Soarin' turns on a player, causing it to play Mariachi music loudly, much to the alarm of his friends.
Inside her bedroom, Rainbow was trying to sleep but the music is causing her to have troubles. She groans while frowning, "Ugh! What dummy would wake me up at this hour?!"
"Ooooooohh-ho-ho-hoy," Soarin' laughs as he begins to dance with a sombrero on the ground. The Pegasus dances around it while singing.

Soarin': Mmm-mmm-mmmmmm yeah! Hey!

Rainbow looks outside. There's the idiot who has been bugging her so far. She groans, "Awww, no, no way; A thousand times no's; why can't he leave me alone?!"
Soarin' smirks as he twirls a bit, dancing backwards; looks like he is doing it. Unknown to the male Pegasus pony, the folks in the area, including the annoyed Rainbow, closes their windows and doors to shut his noise out.

I'm just a love machine!
And I won't work for nobody but you!
Aaaah! Ha!

Suddenly without warning, the music and power went out. Soarin' was singing, unaware at first, "I'm just a love..." The pony stops and looks confused. Where's the music? "...machine?" He saw that the door is close, much to his dismay, "Huh; Rainbow Dash?"
Soarin' saw the extension cord from the spotlight and the player loose. He looks around and saw the ones responsible for pulling the plug literally: his friends Mike, Gwen and Cameron.
"Errr, Mike, Gwen, Cameron, what are you doing?" Soarin' ask his friends quietly. They are ruining the moment.
Mike shakes his head, saying, "Soarin', no offense, but if you keep that up, I don't think you will get any hearts won."
"Right; it’s bad enough that Mike messes up with Zoey. No offense, Mike." Cameron explains to Soarin', apologizing to Mike on the last part.
"None taken; Listen, perhaps you should do this another way."
Suddenly, some candles on a stick are put down before bit lit. Soon some Mariachi men begin to play a somber tune with maracas and a Spanish guitar. Soarin' stunned watch as the candles were given to him. The Pegasus pony saw two of the Mariachis approaching as the third one plays he trumpet.
"Low and slow, my friend," Mike said to Soarin' with a smile.
Another man held a sign that is marked 'How Low Can You Go'? Noticing the error, he quickly changes it to 'Mas Suave' as the Mariachis go near the Pegasus pony. It's soon by the time that Soarin' finally understands.
"Oh..." Soarin said with a nod. He then looks towards Rainbow's room and begins to sing once more...only more slow and gently.

I'm just a love machine.
And I won't work for nobody but you.

Some Mexicans with their own instruments came, playing as the mariachi sang along.

Mariachi: He's just a love machine

Soarin': I only work for you, baby.

Mariachi: A hugging kissing fiend

Soarin': Yeah.

Mike's group and the remaining person smile, motioning their fingers with the tune.

My voltage regulator cools,

Mariachi: Regulator cools

Soarin': When I taxi next to you.

Mariachi: Next to you

Suddenly the windows open as Rainbow look out to see Soarin' singing. He is doing better...as if his singing is attracting her somehow.

Soarin': The electricity starts to flow.

Soon the spotlights are turned back on as the man uses a kite to use color on the spotlight, making this more romantic.

And my indicator starts to glow.

Mariachi: Ooooooooh!

Rainbow, getting more interested and awe, leans in closer to Soarin'.

Soarin': Ooooh! I'm just a love machine.
And I won't work for nobody...
But you!

Mariachi: Hmmmmmm!!

Soarin' took a hopeful look and got a sight that he wanted to see: Rainbow is finally smiling at him with a warm heart. He has done it! The male Pegasus pony has won this female over.
"Thank you, Miss Dash." Soarin' said as he and the band bows to Rainbow.
"Awww, man! You are sooooo awesome." Rainbow said with a grin. She spoke a bit of some language, then giggles before closing her window, returning to her room.
"Errr, what does that mean?"
"No sure, but she is speaking Ancient Equestrian, which is the language of love back in Ponyville." Mike explains to Soarin' with a grin. "It's got to be good!"
"Way to go, Romeo!" Gwen exclaims with a smile to the smiling Soarin'. "Looks like you slow that Dash down."
The group begins to leave. As Chinese lamps flew up into the sky, Soarin' grins as he said to his friends, "My friends, I am in your debt always. If you need my help, I will be there."
"Hey, an eternal debt," Mike remarks, smiling at what Soarin' just said, "Yeah, I like that."
"Me too," Cameron remarked in agreement. It's good to help a friend in need.

Author's note
Well, although Mike messes up with Zoey thanks to her being bribed by Scott and Courtney, he and his pals helped Soarin' in winning Rainbow over. More to come so read, review and suggest.

Bad Mr. Frosty is one of the Clayfighters. Hugo the Abominable Monster is a Looney Tunes character.

Trent being a band member is a reference to the 'Heavy Metal Fuzzy' short.

That King of the World quote is an obvious reference to Titanic, and the bug getting in Trent's throat is a reference to Shrek the Third.

The gang's arrival in the Shaolin Monks Temple is a little reference to Rango is included in here as well as the Mortal Kombat series.