"You probably won't ever respect boundaries. Well, we should probably head home before it gets too late."
"Yea, I guess, so we're leaving now?"
"We've been here four days Raptor, I think it's time we went home." Nora said as they walked back to the suite they had to pack up their things and head back to where they belong.
 
2000 Hrs. Avalon's Shadow.
Mobius is out with Sergei and talking a little about his exploits around Yellow and managing to best them.
"Oh they're back."
"What? Who back?"
"Nora."
"Great now nuisance home again."
"Sadly I understand who you're talking about." Mobius said with a sigh knowing he was talking about Raptor.
Though after those two land they're walking towards your shop as you're about to close up for the night.
"Hey Rex, can you do me a huge favor?"
"Well, it must be important if you're bugging me at closing time."
"Raptor, your issue?" Nora said as you sigh and pull the both of them into your shop.
"I've been having issues controlling my bladder."
"Because you get scared too easily and decide to wet yourself."
"And the solution?"
"Seriously?" You say as this is what you've been stopped for, Raptor's loss of bladder control when scared.
"Yea, what do I need to do for this to go away?"
"You're fucking serious right?"
"Yes."
"Stop being a coward." You say with a straight up deadpan.
"What? How do you expect me to do that?"
"I don't but you've got to learn some self control Raptor. That's not going to cut it. There's frankly nothing I can do without reprogramming your computers, and that's going to mess up who you are." (though that actually wouldn't be terrible) you say informing them there's nothing you can do.
"Well, thanks Rex."
"Welcome and Raptor, that's a hundred and fifty bits for this consultation." You say charging her for wasting your time.
"A hundred and fifty?"
"Yes, thanks for wasting my time." You say as you shoo them out and then lock the doors.
2030 Hrs. Your home.
"Rex, Sasha and Lightning won't let me see Lilya."
"Boo hoo Twilight. So what?"
"I'm a princess I think I should"
"Well, she's all of two days old now. I kind of doubt that Sasha and Lightning are going to let anyone they don't trust near Lilya. It's not that they don't trust you, it's just that they don't know you" You say trying to talk a little sense into Twilight.
"You're in an awful mood."
"Of course I am, try I missed closing time by thirty minutes because of Raptor asking a stupid question about why she looses bladder control when she's scared."
"I didn't need to know that much."
"Well you asked. That was a colossal waste of my time."
"Why?" Thunder asked as you're digging around in the kitchen for a snack.
"Because there's nothing I can do other than have Raptor face what terrifies her more often and she learns to control it herself. There's no easy fix, and that's a biological problem not mechanical."
"Oh, so you're not good with biology?"
"Thing is I'm still learning the biology, and being one helps, but it also throws me off. Like how the fuck am I holding this glass with no fingers?" You say as you're holding a glass up and have your hoof pointing towards Thunder. Though only a few seconds later it falls from your grip and shatters on the floor.
"Damn it. I said fingers, that always fucks me up when I'm holding things." You grumble as you get the broom and dustpan out to clean up the mess.
"Rex, I think you need to calm down a little. You're kind of wound up."
"Right, then I'll probably sleep at mom's or the shop."
"You don't have to go away."
"You rather me stay here and break things?"
"No, go break your own things."
"That's kind of what I thought." You say with a sigh after cleaning up the broken glass and head out for a walk, though when you leave Morgan's not far behind you.
"Dad, is there something wrong?"
"I'm just irritated right now Morgan." You say as the two of you walk
"Dad, there's something else on your mind isn't there?"
"Yea, there is."
"So what is it?" Morgan asked as the two of you stop to look up at the dam.
"Morgan what if I were to say that this is only for me to know."
"Why?"
"Because it concerns a very sensitive matter that only pertains to Patches and I. I really do want to tell you more, but I can't."
"What's stopping you?"
"You. If I tell even one pony, word will spread." You say saddened by telling Morgan this.
"But I won't."
"I know, but I'm not taking any risks on this one. It could have horrible consequences if not handled properly. Morgan I hope you understand." You say as Morgan nods.
"I think I do. And that's why you want to be alone right?"
"Alone helps, but company never hurt anyone, we just can't talk about what's on my mind." You say as that keeps her from walking away on you.
"Great, so how's work going?"
"Which end? Diplomatic or repairs?"
"Either, it's work isn't it?"
"True, diplomatic end is pretty boring at the moment. They're just trying to get along without breaking into a massive argument. The fact that they actively avoid arguments annoys me. I'd rather see the ponies arguing tooth and nail, but that's not their nature. I'm the only person in this world that ever tells Celestia no and to go fuck off. Though politely of course."
"Wow, Luna says there's something you tell her sister in private that really bothers Celestia. What is that?" Morgan asked as you now laugh.
"Celestia always has a terrified look on her face when I tell her to go eat a dick."
"What?"
"Human phrasing."
"No I know, but really? You could have said much worse."
"Like what?"
"Well, I'm not sure exactly, but you'd probably make some comment about her marehood and she is pretty old."
"That's low Morgan. That's real low." You say laughing and Morgan laughs too.
"I know, but I'm surprised you haven't stooped that low."
"I try to be better than her."
"That's probably a good thing dad." Morgan said as you give her a hug.
"Yea, thanks for distracting me, I needed this more than talking about the issues."
"Still not going to tell me?"
"You really think that I'm going to tell you about something?"
"No, I know you too well." Morgan said as you laugh a little and continue you walk around the city. Alyona comes out to talk to the two of you for a little bit. The grip of the Sukhoi family on her seems to have relaxed, as she's actually out alone. She's said that Nora has made an effort to get to know her, though Raptor still stays away from her despite being shown that Alyona is harmless. It's a nice waste of twenty minutes before you and Morgan set out about the town again. For once Ivan's not in Edge of Space blacked out as per usual. You take this as an odd sign, as Ivan's usually drunk to see him sober, that's interesting.
"Hey Ivan. You know you're sober right?"
"Da, there problem with trying to not drink for day?"
"No, it's just that you're usually wasted."
"Da, today I feelings that I do something different for change. See if I like it." Ivan said as you and Morgan pass by during the walk.
"Hey dad, it's getting kind of late, I'm gonna go and sleep."
"Alright, if you see Luna in your dream, tell her I say hi."
"Ok, don't do anything reckless dad."
"I won't. Good night sweetie." You say as you give Morgan a kiss on the forehead as she blushes a bit and heads home. You continue to walk around and then as you're walking near the paved area near the river, a lily catches your attention.
"Hmm." You say as you take a closer look at this flower, oddly it's a lone white lily. You're just looking at it for about five minutes before leaving it alone and continuing your walk in the dark.
 
0005 Hrs. Your shop.
You've done some busy work and are now creating a makeshift bed after cleaning the pads that Sasha used when she was in two days ago.
"It's not pretty but it'll due. Probably not the most comfortable either, but it's a bed, kinda." You say as you sigh and go lay down on the makeshift bed
Sleep comes to you quickly, though the night passes rapidly, you manage to get a very good amount of rest out of it, and are awake by 0500. With that you're up and about checking things over in the shop and readying things for the day. It's still very early and nopony is awake, so when you hear the sound of what sounds like leaves crunching you go outside to see who or what was making that sound, you need not to grab your laser or missiles, as your cannon will do just fine.
Though what you see from the open hangar doors amazes you, a lone Yakovlev on foot walking into Avalon's Shadow.
"No way." Is all you can say as you go out to investigate who this is.
"Privet, I lookings for a particular pony."
"And who might that be miss?"
"A B-17F, you know one?"
"I can help a lot more if you give me a name ma'am." You say as the two of you approach eachother, still no names given as to who is who.
"Names not important. I lookings for a B-17F from 44 family."
"And I happen to know a B-17 from the same family. What happened to your wing?"
"Is not important, I needings to find 19." She said as that sparks who you think she is.
"If it's 19 you're looking for, you're not doing that in that sorry state."
"What?"
"That hole in your right wing, it's kept you from flying hasn't it?" You say as this Yak-1 looks at you in surprise.
"How you know?"
"It's location and size."
"But how you know I not fly?"
"You walked into Avalon's Shadow. Everyone flies in. Tell me, why are you looking for 19?"
"She a friend from long time ago."
"The same time when you got that? It doesn't look like any mechanic has looked at it."
"Da. You know 19 or no?"
"Like I said I know her, but you're not seeing her like that, come with me, White Lily."
"What you call me?"
"Your nickname, it's White Lily right?" You say as she's a little shocked. A Yak 1 with a Yellow 44 on her sides.
"How do you know that?"
"My mom told me stories about a friend of hers, a Yakovlev 1 like yourself, with a yellow 44 on her sides. Patches told me about you Litvyak, now before you see her, I want to fix your wing, to let you fly again with my mom."
"I... 19 have child? Your mother is?
"In terms I know you will understand, my mother is 44-6719, and you're Litvyak. Right?" You say as the pony seems to either be having an emotional event or a sense of conflicting thoughts.
"19... She alive?"
"Yes, very much so, and she's waiting on you Litvyak."
"She waitings for me?"
"Yes, she is, but I really want to have that wing fixed before you meet her"
"Da, but you tellings me who father is. She bomber, you fighter and jet, how possible?"
"I can do that, as long as you let me fix your wing up" You say as you lead Litvyak to your shop. Her reactions to what you were saying said it all, this is Litvyak, the White Lily. She may have been injured, but she's still alive, and except for the damage to her wing, she appears to be no older than Patches, which for living with a two by three foot hole in her wing is remarkable. She must have been taking excellent care of herself
"So who is father?"
"I'm actually adopted"
"Your actual parents?"
"Well, easiest way to put it is that they're dead. I lived for a while on my own and then recently Patches, well you know her as 19, adopted me"
"I know name Patches, was nickname for 19. You not say your name." Litvyak said
"Rex."
"Litvyak. You correct in guessings name."
"Thank god. That hole in your wing, I'll have it fixed up before lunch."
"Wait you mechanic Rex? How?"
"And that Miss. Litvyak rests in my shop." You say as you let her into your shop and then close the doors.
"Let's take a look at that damage." You say as you swap to your robot to begin repairing the damage to her wing. Plywood skin, and it's damaged so badly that the best way to fix this is just to replace all the skin and repair any underlying damage.
"How long has this been a hole?"
"Since it happen. So sixty something years."
"For having this much damage, I was expecting you to be a little more weathered than you actually are. How's every other part of you?"
"Is good. Engine good despite not flying on it. Regular checks in Celone for maintenance."
"You live in Celone?"
"When not lookings for 19 da."
"You're the one who dusted her spot in her old hangar."
"Da, you know that how?"
"A while ago, I accompanied her on a trip to Celone to honor 21."
"She was one who carve 21 name into monument?"
"That was actually me, but I did it for her." You say as you and Litvyak talk while you work diligently and incredibly carefully, as you don't want to hurt her at all.
 
1150 hrs. Your shop.
Every call for this morning you've turned away saying that you had an emergency case that required your full attention, which was a full out lie.
"And there we have it. Your wing's been repaired and better than before." You say as the plywood and wood you used to replace all that was damaged was of much higher quality than what she was born with.
"I owings you money da?"
"No, I did this for a friend of my mother. She deserves to have one happy thing in her life other than me. You both deserve to be happy now, especially after that hell."
"Da." Litvyak said as she becomes misty eyed.
"Well, let's go see my mom shall we?" You say as you get a smile from Litvyak, who's freshly painted wing glistens in the sun, it's practically dry
1200 Hrs. Patches'
"You've got the honors."
"Spasiba. And Spasiba for wing."
"No problem. I'm just hoping she's happy to see you." You say as you stand back as Litvyak walks up to Patches' door and knocks several times loudly.
"Whoever it is can go away. I'm not in the mood for guests."
"Why you say such thing 19."
"Your voice......"
"Answer door 19."
"It' can't be...." Patches said all from the other side of the door.
"Open the door Mom, someone was looking for you." You say as the door opens and Patches is looking down at her long lost friend.
"Litvyak... You...... you're alive!" Patches said as she hugged Litvyak in a near crushing hug
"19, too tight, hurtings me."
"You're alive. I was starting to give up hope." Patches said as she put Litvyak down.
"I too losing hope you still alive. Then come along distant nephew sayings new Yakovlev born in Avalon Shadow, a place I not been. He found me in Orel, while I lookings for you."
"I was looking for you too Litvyak, but and I hate to sound skeptical of you, but tell me one thing that only you would know about me."
"I am your ballerina, and yours alone."
"Lily." Patches said as tears streamed down her face as she laid down so she could be close to the same level as Litvyak.
"Da, I findings you 19. I find you. Not leavings you again." Litvyak said as you just watched feeling a warm feeling in your heart. Thanks to you, the two of them have been brought back together.
"19, must tell you, wing did not look like this when I arrive. had hole in it."
"Rex, did you fix her before bringing her here?"
"Well, I may have had something to do with her current condition."
"Thank you."
"No problem mom. I'll let you two catch up, I'll be at the shop."
"No. Rex, stay here with us. She found us here, and you brought her to my doorstep. You need to stay." Patches said as she stood up to get your attention, and it did, so you go and sit with them while they just talk.
The two of them just talk while you're standing with them.
"When 21 die?"
"After the war. A year or two after, brought down by friendly fire while he was doing SAR work."
"Very sorry. Wish I was there to help."
"You're here now Lily, that's all that matters to me." Patches said as they take the conversation into Patches' home
"You were one to take photo from hangar."
"Oh? This was yours?"
"Da, you keepings it. Is good for you to have."
"Lily, what were you planning on doing once you found me again?"
"I not sure. I know you live through war, but not how far after. Was unsure I find you."
"Well, I had part of a plan for when or if I found you. I'd bring you home. You're the only one I've got left from that time, I want you to live here with me. Rex is more than skilled to take care of the both of us mechanically and mentally, he kept me from losing faith in you, and it brought you to me." Patches said tearing up again, though this time it's you who goes up to her with a clean towel to wipe her eyes.
"Mom, it's alright, go ahead and let it out." You say after blotting her eyes and letting her have the towel
"Rex, you don't know how happy I am."
"I can kind of tell" You say as Patches was partially crying when she said that, and Litvyak who was very stubborn in trying to get to Patches before you stopped her, softened up and was there to comfort her oldest friend, and possibly last true family member. You know that was the case for Patches.
The two of them talk and take turns wiping each other's eyes and you're just an observer. There was very little talk about the past, more about where they have been looking for each other and when, it appeared that they always missed each other by a day or a few minutes, and if the two of you would have stayed in Celone for five more minutes, that would have been the time you found her. But, that was all just bad timing, of which no one really had control over. And you definitely do not feel guilty about getting Patches out of Celone
"Rex, why you not talk?"
"Oh, it's because I shouldn't be talking."
"Why you say that?"
"Well, today's about you two. The two of you haven't seen each other in about 70 years, so I think it'd be better if I didn't distract either of you." You say getting Patches to smile.
"Well said Rex."
"Thanks mom."
"Lily you know Rex rules over the entire Avalon Territoy?" Patches said as she was very proud of this
"He run all Avalon?"
"Yes, he does. Been doing a really good job at it too."
"When he become son?"
"A few months ago."
"So he part of our family?" Litvyak asked.
"Yes, his family and ours are one big happy somewhat adopted family. Rex, Lily's my little sister, adopted of course, so she's your aunt." Patches said as what she just said takes a bit of time to have things connect.
"So, why wasn't I told of this earlier mom?"
"Oh, I didn't think it was terribly important to tell you that during the war, since we were sisters in arms that we practically adopted each other as a sibling. We just never told anyone until now."
"So...... would it be a meet the rest of the family time?"
"If you think it's appropriate."
"The two of you have adequate time to catch up with one another?"
"Yes, we lived through the war we don't need to talk about it." Patches said as Litvyak was under one of Patches' wings.
"You're not shy are you Litvyak?"
"Nyet, just wantings to be close to 19."
"Ok, I would too if I were shorter." You say with a slight chuckle as you go and open the doors for the two of them.
"Right, off to your home Rex."
"Of course Mom. One warning though Twilight's over."
"Of course the smart purple one is over. If she's any sort of smart she'll stay out of this." Patches said and you for once heard her annoyed side.
"I hope so, and let's go shall we?" You say and lead the two of them to your home.
 
1500 Hrs. Your hangar
"Thunder, we've got a guest."
"Your mom?"
"Naw, the one under her wing."
"Who is that?"
"My aunt, believe it or not." You say
Thunderbolt doesn't seem to be the least bit surprised.
"I always guessed there was a Russian in your family Rex. So who is she?"
"Litvyak." You say with a smile as Litvyak goes and pokes around the front rooms of your home, looking at the photos and other things around the home.
"Patches, how are you two."
"Sisters in arms became adopted sisters. My half of the family is pretty adopted, whereas yours is not so much adopted."
"Oh, that explains that much at least." Thunderbolt said as she went back to doing whatever it was that she was doing.
"Hey dad what's all the noise abou..... Is that?"
"Who do you think it is Morgan?"
"She's in our home? White Lily is in our home!"
"Yea, and she's my aunt." You say as Morgan giggles near hysterically and then rushes over to Patches and Litvyak.
But before Morgan can open her mouth you walk up and place a hoof on her mouth.
"Litvyak, this is my eldest daughter, Morgan. Morgan, this is my aunt Litvyak." you say doing things rather formally.
"Dad, why couldn't I introduce myself?"
"Because I'm your dad and I get to do stuff like that."
"No fair." Morgan said as both you and Patches smile a little.
"Many things not fair Morgan, life have way of doing that."
"Well, I know, I thought for once dad would let me introduce myself."
"Fathers do thing like that."
"Yea, just wait until you meet my brother, that is if we can separate him from his little purple tumor." Morgan said as Falken walked past with Twilight on his back
"Were you saying something?"
"Falken, this is my Aunt., Litvyak, and that is my son, Falken, and his purple tumor."
"I do find that offensive dad, Twilight is not a benign tumor. I don't even have skin, therefore I cannot get cancer or tumors for that matter"
"I know. You think I'd know Falken" You say a little frustrated with him, but what can you do, he is your son
"And last member is your wife da?"
"Yea, Thunder isn't in the greatest mood right now, she's just not too happy about that purple tumor of his" You say
Falken wasn't home to complain and so that just meant that you Patches, Litvyak, Thunder and Morgan were home to talk, and as soon as Falken left with the tumor, Thunder came out of hiding to join you.
"So, you're his aunt?"
"Da, and you?"
"I'm his wife."
"Rex, you do good for self." Litvyak said as she and Thunder were talking a little.
"We've been good to each other Litvyak. I wouldn't cross her and she means the world to me."
"Da, you two very happy yes?"
"Well, that depends on the day. If the purple tumor is over then no, we're both pretty unhappy, and that's a whole other story when she's cranky." You say as Thunder smiles, knowing that you full well mean every word you're saying.
It gets pretty late into the night and you walk with Patches and Litvyak back to your mother's hangar and leave them there, though as you walk them back you see a plane you haven't seen before sitting outside of your shop, and since it's not a pony, it can wait until tomorrow. So after dropping them off you come home to Twilight and Falken arguing about something.
"He seems nice enough."
"And I do not care what you think of him, I don't want you flying with anypony other than me."
"Falken, how often is it that I can find a pilot to contract for flights between here and home that can take me and my friends."
"Twilight, I understand that you wish for your friends to be here as well, but, one of them can be a hoof full." Falken said as you walked past them not giving them any attention.
"Rex, you know that other human don't you?"
"Huh? Oh you mean Ark?"
"Yea, that was his name you know him right?"
"Well, not really, he's more asked for help on how to get some plane of his back into running order. Speaking of such, I need to bill him. Thanks for the reminder." You say not really helping their conversation
"But don't you have anything to say about his character or anything?"
"I've never spoke to him, I've seen him once, once, all the communications we do is by letter" You say walking off
2100 Hrs. Mobius' hangar.
"Our brother's daughter was born two days ago."
"And we missed it?"
"Nora missed it. You missed nothing other than rejection."
"How do you know that Mobius?"
"He hates you. Not difficult to tell." Mobius said as all three of them were in their hangar.
"Well he can go live his happy life alone."
"All the Yakovlevs are coming in to see her. I got to see her." Mobius said making Raptor's face scrunch up in irritation.
"Of course he let you see his little foal."
"Don't get mad."
"I'm not mad Mobius."
"Yes you are."
"I AM NOT! I'm just irritated that my own brother won't let me see his foal." Raptor said as Mobius looked over to Nora.
"And your reaction is why. Raptor, how you're reacting to this is exactly why Lightning doesn't want you around her. You're a bad influence." Nora said deflating Raptor's attitude.
"I'm a bad influence?"
"Raptor, all the time you were around Lighting all you did was drive him into his own little world. Really what did you do when he was still living with you?"
"I... Uh..."
"Exactly, you did nothing. You were supported by contracts and didn't need to work, all you really did was drink, party and fuck that harrier." Nora said peaking Mobius' attention since he and Raptor didn't really communicate very well.
Raptor didn't really respond as Nora completely hit the nail on the head there.
 
2130 Hrs. Your hangar, well outside of your hangar.
Falken and Twilight have toned down their argument to a light discussion.
"How can I trust him if my dad has only written letters to him?"
"Trust me Falken, ever since Pinkie fired off her party cannon inside of Gulf, they've kind of been self banished from Avalon's Shadow since nopony wants to bring them out here."
"I know, it's frustrating, but to my father it just proves why he refuses to carry a passenger, though he is capable of it." Falken said as the two of them were out on the porch.
"Well, your dad also wasn't a pony to begin with."
"I know Twilight." Falken said
"It's just you and I go everywhere together. I don't want to let go of you."
"You don't have to."
"Really?"
"Yea, just fly as our escort."
"I really think you'd be safer if you rode with me." Falken said his voice filling with a bit of concern for Twilight.
"Of course you do, but I haven't seen my friends in a while, and when I'm around stallions I know, you act differently."
"How so?"
"Well, it's like I can only belong to you. The girls you're fine with, but all the guys, you're about ready to crush them." Twilight said pointing out how possessive Falken is of her.
"I'm not that bad Purple, I just let them know that I don't want any funny business." Falken said with a slight smile, denying that he truly is possessive of Twilight.
"Falken."
"Twilight, you really think arguing with me is going to help?"
"No, but there's one thing your dad hasn't taught you yet."
"And that is?"
"Don't argue with mares." Twilight said as that got Falken to shut up and try to figure that out.
"And that's another point for me. So that makes our score about 3 to 8, with me still leading." Twilight said as Falken had completely shut off socially to figure the issue out.
"And you've tuned everything out again. Of course you have." Twilight said as she moved herself underneath Falken's head, kind of in the same area where you slept under Thunderbolt in a warm cocoon. Though it's unlikely they'll be outside much longer.
 
2200 Hrs. Your living room.
"So, she was the one you wouldn't tell me about yesterday?"
"Yea, Litvyak, I knew she was still alive thanks to Sergei, but I didn't need word to spread in case it wasn't Litvyak that came here."
"Just so you could protect Patches?"
"Yea, just so I could keep the hope that Litvyak was alive still going."
"Dad, you really do try to think of everything don't you?" Morgan said as you just smile, Thunder has fallen asleep on the couch, leaning against you. This really isn't anything new, but with Twilight here, Thunderbolt usually stays away
"Try is the key Morgan, there are things I can't foresee myself."
"True, but you do manage to get a lot of them."
"Yea, I do, but sometimes I am caught off guard. Though that's kind of hard now, but it's whatever really. We should probably sack out." You say as you slide out from Thunderbolt to get her a blanket.
"Rex, I think I broke Falken."
"Again? you got to stop making him shut down socially Twilight, this is the twelfth time this has happened. I'll go talk to him."
"Thanks. There anything I can do to repay you?"
"Yes stop calling him the C word."
"He's not going to like that."
"Twilight, do me a favor and go to bed, I don't want to argue about this." You say as you go outside to see how badly Twilight cause Falken to reset.
"Dad, why haven't you taught me not to argue with mares?"
"Because I haven't learned that myself yet either, but it's because I'm also their mechanic so I have to argue with them, and they know I'm right but they hate admitting it. Come in side and go to bed, it's pretty late for you."
"Yes it is. I still don't get it though. Is there a reason I shouldn't be arguing with a mare?"
"Son, that was a lesson I learned long ago on earth, arguing with a woman gets you nowhere, same applies here, but it's arguing with a mare gets you nowhere." You say as he gets up and walks inside.
"Well, it's a nice night. Oh well." You say as you go back inside and head off to bed.
 
0800Hrs Just outside of your shop.
"The fuck? Tap on the fuselage lightly? You're kidding me, I have no sense of what's heavy and light in this body against aluminum." You say as you've read Ark's note on the door to your hangar after you've moved around the aircraft he parked on the doorstep. So you've got two options, fire your gun into the air, probably waking up a lot of ponies in Avalon, or get the steel plate that you once used to beat with a sledge hammer and kick it like a giant gong. And that's the option you decide to go with, as it's harmless, just loud
After you kick the steel plate and the loud bang it creates you yell out "Ark! Get up! You wanted to talk to me?"
Ark comes stumbling out of the aircraft looking around for what made the loud noise that awoke him.
"There a problem Ark?" You say as he stands there shielding his eyes from the morning light as he stares at you and the steel plate hanging behind you.
"Yeah, there's a slight problem...I'm slightly hung over from the Hornets last night, and now I'm triggered from whatever the hell that was.." Ark said, a slight grumble to his voice.
"Well, I did kick that plate to wake you up, my version of lightly tapping on your plane would probably have damaged it. Word of advice, don't try to drink with plane ponies, it don't work out too well for humans."
"Well when you use music to kind of pass time, and it's music they like, they tend to want to buy you drinks." he says holding his head.
"Either way, yeah, I needed to ask something...possibly get something installed.."
"What'd you want installed?"
"Well, since I got this thing working, and Belle seems a bit more confident now to fly on her own, I was wondering if you knew of any ways to retrofit the copilot's seat in this to something that'll be able to control Belle if something were to go wrong."
"Hmm, that seems like a tall order there Ark, but I think I can come up with something that would work. It's going to take a little bit to figure out the connections and disconnect the copilot controls from this thing. Commercial craft aren't my expertise." You say as you then begin to think of a way to set it up.
"Yeah, it's a long shot, but I figured if anyone knew how to do it, it'd be you. Though this thing's like a big fighter jet, just no afterburn and doesn't go over the speed of sound."
"Well, I do know one thing that would work, and retrofitting the pilot end to work like you're asking for would be pretty simple, though since it's going into Belle, I need to check her avionics and neural connections" You say
There's a slight quite period as you're thinking of how to re purpose a COFFIN system to fly an airbus from a small executive aircraft.
"So there anything else you need me to do while you're here?"
Well, if you're able, I'm still not 100% sure about the repairs I did to this thing. I mean, I followed the instruction to the letter, but like you said, your expertise isn't commercial aircraft. But most of the systems that run it are just about the same. Think you could do a check of it to see if my repairs were up to snuff?"
"Sure, that'd be easy enough. Give me a minute, I'm not terribly suited for inspections at the moment." You say as you walk into your shop to switch to your robot and then walk back out with a few inspection tools as you notice Ark staring at you.
"What?"
"How the...what the....Okay, I don't even want to know, but how in the hell did you do that?"
"That's a long story, and an explanation that might go over your head."
"Well, we got time until Belle gets my message and heads back from Hornet. She's out there with her parents, whom decided to stop by. What an experience that was...so I'll trade stories with you." Ark said as he follows you around as you go and begin inspecting his aircraft
"Well, if you really want to know, what went on, there's a military system called COFFIN, or COnnection For Flight INterface, which allowed a pilot to remotely control an aircraft, using just his thoughts. Not many aircraft are equipped with it, but Morgan and I are, and when I was still human, I had to make a connection with her to help her cripple a T-50, she did most of the work, I was there for the ride, but due to the COFFIN system she and I are sort of mentally linked together. So some time after that there was an accident involving lasers, an Ursa Major, and me dying kind of, which ended up putting me into the AFDX over there, which is what I am here. So as for controlling this robot, Falken made it compatible with the COFFIN system and that's how" You say
While you're inspecting Ark's GLEX, you tune him out and answer with uh huh, and yeah, and just continued to inspect his aircraft all the while thinking of some absurd reason to charge him a ton of money. You had the idea of charging him a BACN tax, a completely bullshit charge just because he's still capable of eating bacon.
 
1100 Hrs. Your hangar.
"Falken, could we maybe talk about the pilot and my offer to contract him?"
"Can we not talk about this Purple?"
"No, we're talking about it now."
"Fine, why do you have the desire to have a pilot when I can fly you places and I do take you places."
"Yes, but I want my friends to come with me too, and that's really hard when you can only hold one of us." Twilight said starting to try to get Falken to cooperate again.
"Yes, then why not just contract him to fly your friends?"
"That's what I wanted to do, but I also want to fly with them."
"Twilight, isn't there anything I can do to even remotely convince you to fly with me all the time?"
"No, I don't think you can, but I'll tell you what, you can fly next to us, I'm sure he'll allow you to be our escort."
"You're reducing me to just an escort? I thought you and I were very close friends?"
"We are, and I don't trust anypony but you or your dad to protect me."
"I would not trust my father, or sister with that."
"They wouldn't let anything happen to me." Twilight said as she very slightly got Falken to consider what she is saying.
"I don't like it, but it is a better arrangement than before. As long as I am the only one escorting you, I will not mind as much if you are flying with your friends in that aluminum death trap."
"That plane is in decent shape, why are you saying that?"
"As a failed attempt to get you not to fly on it."
"Falken."
"Yes, I know. Remember I don't like the idea, but I'm going to allow it." Falken said as the two of them hugged, finally coming to somewhat of a decision on what to do
"Great, now I guess now all I need to do is get in contact with him to find out when he's able to fit into my schedule to fly us out here."
"Well, I'll go with you."
"Of course you're coming with me on this."
"Heh, guess I was a bit silly there." Falken said as the two of them went out to go and look for Ark.
After the two of them left, both Morgan and Thunderbolt got a bit of private time to talk.
"How does your father put up with their antics?"
"I wish I knew mom. I really wish I did. Dad just seems perpetually annoyed with them just like we are."
"Well, at least the three of us are on the same page with their shit."
"Mom!"
"What?" Thunderbolt said as she began to giggle.
"Nothing, I'm just happy they've taken their business out of our home."
"Yea, though he is really possessive of her."
"I don't know, I don't want to know, and I don't care if Falken is a possessive nutcase, at least it's not over me."
"Well, I should get Rex to work on that."
"Is dad really going to listen?"
"He will, whether he does anything about it, well that's different." Thunderbolt said as the two of them just talked in the kitchen.
 
1200hrs. Patches' Hangar
"Lily, did you put any thought into the offer?"
"Da, is very good offer. I not know what to do since I now find you."
"Well, I think you should stay here with me. I have more than enough space."
"Da, I not havings job, is very difficult outside of fighting."
"Lily, just stay with me, I make more than enough to support both of us, since I'm in charge of Avalon SAR." Patches said as the two of them were talking over lunch.
"Maybe I need little more time."
"Well, if you do decide to go back to that dreadful place, know that you're always welcome here Lily. I don't want you to go though."
"19, you very generous. I wantings to stay but feel I owe you for it."
"Lily, you don't owe me anything, just as long as you stay." Patches said getting Litvyak's eyes to water.
"You makings it very hard to say no."
"Then don't. I'm just saying what I want. I don't want you to leave Avalon's Shadow, and I think Celone is a terrible place for those of us who have survived."
"Da, Celone terrible place now. It make heart heavy every day I there. I think I not able to go back. I thinkings I stay."
"Wonderful. oh, weren't you also here to see Lilya?"
"Who Lilya?"
"Sasha's little foal. You know the newborn Yakovlev."
"Oh she born already? I thought Sergei say December."
"Well, Rex was wrong." Patches said as it was decided that Litvyak would stay with Patches and here in Avalon's Shadow. With their change of subject it brought them to a much happier subject.
"Well what we doings here?"
"Talking. So you want to go see her?"
"Da. Of course. Lets be goings."
"Alright. Follow me." Patches said as she lead Litvyak over to the VTOL hangar.
 
1230 hrs. VTOL hangar.
As they walked they noticed a human walking to Edge of Space, but neither of them really paid much attention to him as they went off to see Lilya.
"Hey Lightning, Sergei, somepony home to let us in? It's Patches and Litvyak."
"Yea, sure give me a minute."
"Thanks Lightning." Patches said as Lightning went to get the door for the two of them and then let them in.
"Hey Sergei! Is this the one you were talking about?"
"Da, but when I see her last, she had hole in wing."
"Looks like Rex got to her before anyone else and made that hole history."
"Da, it look like Rex's work." Sergei said as he walked around Litvyak.
"Sasha! Bring Lilya, White Lily is here."
"You jokings."
"Nyet, I not. She here." Sergei said as Sasha walked out of her room with Lilya on her back, who was partially asleep.
"She precious. Who is father?"
"Lighting, you are here, White Lily. I honored you here."
"Nyet, I nothings special. Just stubborn survivor. Your little foal, Lilya her name?"
"Da, her name Lilya. Is just you very famous among Yakovlev family, you fly like ballerina." Sasha said as Litvyak was a flattered by this.
"It was long time ago. I have only had wing fixed recently. It been a long time since I been in air."
"Oh, well, you thinkings it possible if you fly for us?"
"I can try, not sure if it will be like what I did during war."
"Spasiba." Sasha said as she bowed her head, and everyone went outside and to the runway to watch Litvyak fly.
"19, I nervous about gettings back into air."
"I'll go with you. There's nothing to worry about."
"Spasiba."
"You're welcome." Patches said as the two of them went out to the runway to hopefully put on a show for the VTOLs and Lilya who was currently being stopped from eating grass by Lighting.
"Ok, remindings me all I need do for takeoff?"
"Start your engine, then set your flaps, warm up before you take off." Patches said as she was rotating her props to keep from having hydraulic lock in her engines.
"Spasiba."
"Welcome, I'm just going to start up, it's going to take me a little longer than you to start up."
"Da, startings engine now." Litvyak said as she began to turn over her prop. It took her a few tries, but she eventually got running by the time Patches had started her third engine.
"Your RPMs good?"
"Da, RPM good, pressure good, all green." Litvyak said as she was checking herself over before taking off.
"Ok, set your flaps, and then follow me." Patches said as she now added power and began her run down the runway to get into the skies. Litvyak then took off after her, struggling a little bit trying to keep herself level, but after a few minutes of wobbling around, she leveled her wings and flew straight as an arrow. When she caught up to Patches there was a smile on her face.
"I flying again."
"Yes! We're flying together again!"
"Da, is time for me to dance."
"Don't strain yourself, I don't need Rex putting you back together after your first time back into the air."
"Do not be worried about me, I know I fine." Litvyak said as she gunned her engine to pull away from Patches in a very graceful arc, up and to the left which ended as a low pass by the VTOLs. Over the radio there could be heard laughter and giggling, most of it from Litvyak as she was regaining her former skill after only a few minutes in the sky.
"19! Look! I still good!"
"Yea! You're doing great! It's wonderful!"
"Da! Is great to be back in sky." Litvyak said as she rolled from Patches' left wing to right, by flying above Patches
"You can still fly like you used to. I'm so happy that you can Litvyak"
"Da, I think I put on enough of display. This take lot out of me"
"Alright, go ahead and land Lily, I'll be right behind you" Patches said as the two of them lined up for their approach
Patches touched down first, then Litvyak did, and as she slowed to a walking pace, she was very proud of herself, for not having flown in 60+ years it was remarkable that she was still able to, though it did take a toll on her endurance though, 60 years without flight lowered her endurance level, and now she's got to build it back up.
As Litvyak walked over to Lilya who was looking up slightly at her, she just smiled as Sasha was slightly dumbstruck, and Lightning was impressed to say the least.
"Wow, when they said you were a ballerina of the sky, they weren't kidding."
"Da, I wantings to do aerobatics but being born during war, I become fighter. Not aerobatic, but it not stop me from flying like aerobatic pony."
"Well, you're really good at it."
"Spasiba. You are?"
"Lightning, Lilya's father. Lilya, please don't eat the grass around the runway, it's not healthy for you." Lightning said as he picked up Lilya and placed her on his back.
"She is a little sweetie. Such a cute little foal."
"Yea, she is, looks just like her mama."
"Da, very much like Sasha." Litvyak said with a smile as Lilya was motioning to be held.
"It lookings like she want me to hold her."
"Oh, go ahead. I'm sure Sasha won't mind."
"Spasiba. Privet Lilya." Litvyak said as she pulled Lilya off Lightning's back, with his help, and held Lilya to her content.
"She's very compliant."
"Da, is Lightning's fault."
"How so?"
"Because he too docile. He not speak for self often."
"Oh, maybe it's something she got from you too Sasha." Patches said making Sasha's face turn red.
"She does act like me little bit."
"Of course she does dear, she spends the most time with you."
"Lightning, you can take her more often."
"Why? So I can take away the things you let her do that I don't like?"
"Nyet, so she can know her papa." Sasha said as Lilya squirmed out of Litvyak's grasp and trotted over to Sasha.
"Mama."
"Lighting did you hear?"
"Mama!"
"Yes, my little one?"
"Up!" Lilya said as both Lightning and Sasha were surprise to hear their little filly speak.
"She spoke. Her first word was mama." Lightning said with a smile on his face as he went and kissed Sasha.
"Papa!"
"She knows my name." Lightning said as he started to laugh out of excitement.
"That's cute, isn't it Lily?"
"Da, is very cute. I here for little one's first words. We will be goings now."
"Alright where are we going?"
"For lunch. I hungry." Litvyak said getting Patches to let out a laugh.
"Yea, lunch sounds good. Edge of Space?"
"Never been."
"Then that's where we're going, KC's a good chef, has a good variety of things." Patches said as they walk off leaving the new parents to dote over their daughter who has just said her first words.