“Um… Sure. I think the portable diesel and the air pump are still at the lake, but I only have a short length of hose there~~” Before she even had time to finish speaking, Crash Dive had already bolted off towards the shore, desperately trying to not trip up again with her helmet attached. Pressure Cooker could only let loose a disbelieving sigh. “Just gonna be one of those days, isn’t it?…”
–~~
Hardly a minute after the diesel had begun purring away quietly and the pump had begun sending air down to the already-submerged pegasus - so desperate she didn’t even wait for the air to start before going below - a bright cyan pegasus came flying over, leaving a rainbow contrail behind her. She stopped above the water, diving down to where the earth pony was tending to the small three-cylinder engine, Pressure Cooker looking up at the element bearer. She seemed in a bit of a panic, to say the least. “Hey, you’re one of Crash Dive’s friends, right? We need all the pegasi in Ponyville, the weather factory needs the water from our reservoir and this recent feather flu epidemic has left us seriously short-hooved. Have you seen her anywhere?”
Pressure Cooker couldn’t help but take pause at hearing that, thinking for just a moment. Lifting water to the weather factory, and Crash Dive would rather go diving… well, I mean, it’s not unreasonable to expect her to do that, but she couldn’t help but feel that perhaps her diver friend might’ve been the slightest bit dishonest with her. At the same time, even she knew that Crash Dive was hardly a strong flyer… Pressure Cooker let off a sigh. She’ll be the better friend, but she’s gonna do something to make Crash Dive make up for this… “Sorry, haven’t seen her all day. Been trying to get this pump working so the reservoir’s got more water in it for you guys, damn thing’s been too finicky.”
Rainbow let off a groan, rubbing a hoof across her face. “Alright, thanks anyways, but if you see her, tell her to report to the Ponyville reservoir as soon as she can, we need all the wingpower we can get!” After a nod, the cyan pegasus lived up to her name, and vanished in a rainbow contrail, heading over the hills and towards the town. Once she was sufficiently far away, the dark grey earth pony moved to the other side of the engine, placing a hoof on the throttle. Opening it wide, the three cylinders revved loudly for a moment, translating instantly to the flywheel spinning faster and the pump sending a significant amount of air down the hose in short order, Pressure Cooker simply waiting.
A stream of bubbles eventually was replaced by the sight of a very heavily ballooned diving suit, the pegasus inside of it flailing her booted hooves about rather cutely as she bobbed on the surface. Shutting the throttle and stepping around the engine, Pressure Cooker grabbed hold of the hose, giving it a mighty heave and dragging the buoyant ballooned pegasus over onto shore, leaving her flailing for a moment. She trotted up beside the helmet, looking down through the glass faceplate, and to the very surprised eyes of the pegasus inside. “So, a little birdie just told me that you’re supposed to be helping out with some flying today at the reservoir. You wana explain why you’d rather be diving and avoiding all contact instead?”
Crash Dive only blunk at her for a moment, before releasing a weak, guilty giggle. Of course. Pressure Cooker answered her with a sigh, bringing a forehoof to press against her head. “Alright, come on ballast flanks, I’ve got an idea…