The clatter of tools filled the air inside the aircraft hangar, a dark-blue pegasus stowing and sorting them inside the newly-added toolbox. Things were always improving and growing at the little airstrip northeast of Ponyville, in more than one definition of the word in the latter case, and today would be no different - after all, this newer hangar meant another spot for a brand new type of aircraft, one that herself and the other frequent flyer here would be getting to work on soon enough. Shutting the last drawer, after giving it a few smacks to get all the tools settled in it, a pleased sigh escaped her lips, looking over to the workbench. The blueprints for the new aircraft sat hung from the corkboard above it, drawing a smile to the pegasus’ muzzle - won’t be too long before that bird’ll grace the sky. Hopefully this year, at any rate…
 
A commotion from outside the hangar caught her attention, the sharp bark of an order followed soon thereafter by a burst of rounds from an autocannon signifying Hispano having caught something snooping around. Ever curious, Night Strike headed for the side door of the hangar, trotting outside to see what unlucky creature got introduced to Suiza today. Looking skywards, she could just about see Hispano having grabbed hold of a pony, flying up above the runway a fair ways. from the sounds of things, that mare was none too happy to’ve gotten caught… didn’t look like Blitzy, though… “Nngh! Fer go- gyah! Lemme go! Put me down!”
 
“Okay!” Being herself as ever, Hispano let go of the struggling mare, allowing her to fall rather ungracefully to the dirt taxiway below. With a heavy thump, the white-coated mare landed nearby Night Strike, the cannon-armed gryph flying lower to chat with the pilot pegasus. “Found this one trying to hide in the bushes, I think, said she knew you. Guess I need to practice my aim with Suiza a bit yet, just startled ‘er, still caught her in the end though. You recognize this one?”
 
Night Strike looked down to the mare at her hooves, thinking for a moment. Blond mane, white coat, glasses… wooden gear cutie mark? But, that was… She stammered a bit, looking up at Hispano. “U-uh, yeah, I think I do know her. You can go back to the watchtower, I’ll handle her from here.” The gryphon gave a nod, heavy flaps of her olive-drab wings carrying her back to the brick building along the runway, while Night Strike turned attention back to the dazed mare. “Parchment? Is that really you? Uh… you know there’s easier ways to get here besides sneaking through the forest…”
 
The mare gave her head a shake, picking herself up from the dirt track and stretching out her back. It cracked loudly for a moment, before she finally managed to get on her hooves. “Guh, yeah, well, in my defense I don’t remember there being armed guards here. She coulda been a bit more gentle… ow…” Parchment stretched her back again, letting loose a sigh, before focusing her eyes on Night Strike again. Unlike other times when she… well, he, would look at the pilot, this time those eyes carried more of a pleading, worried look. “Listen, Night Strike, I need your help. I mean… look at me! I tried going to Twilight, Zecora, hell, I even tried asking Applejack, none of them could help! I need to get back to being a stallion again!”
 
Okay, yeah, this is definitely a way different Parchment than she remembered. Night Strike took a step back as Parchment fell to her haunches, grabbing hold of the pegasus’ shoulders with her hooves in a pleading motion. “Woah, okay, take it easy! What happened to you? Spell accident, drank a bad potion, or…”
 
Parchment let off a slight whimper as she sat on the runway, biting at her lower lip. If Twilight and Zecora couldn’t help, then… “It’s… it’s like a curse, or something. I dunno! Listen, if it’ll give you more reason to, I’ll leave you alone for a week, just help me fix it soon, please!” A curse… hm… Night Strike paused to think, bringing a forehoof to her chin. Well, I mean, Blitzy probably has some kinda potion or something that could change her back into a him, but if it’s a curse then maybe it’d just nullify the effects. We needed a more permanent fix… Her eyes widened as she finally remembered someone that could help, while Parchment fidgeted anxiously. “Listen, all you need to do is sa~~”
 
“Don’t worry Parchment, I know a guy. C’mon!” The earth pony stumbled on her hooves as she was dragged behind the pegasus, being pulled into the new hangar quickly. Night Strike moved aside, letting Parchment stumble over a toolbox ~~ heading straight for a rather large air compressor on the far wall.
 
Perhaps getting Night Strike’s help might not’ve been the best idea after all…