Untouched Apologies

It's been months ever since Neo's drones caused a commotion.

It's been months ever since she resigned her position with regret trailing behind her.

Neo smashed the autopilot button as she flew to the highest windows of her building. Taking a loud huff, she frowned, "Maybe I should have apologized to Jimbo, instead of leaving. Pity me.". The night stars began to cover the dark sky, as the whirring of drones faded. They've been hustling and bustling for hours until they shut down for the night. Neo flew back to the control panel and looked at the vast valley that spread across her eyes. It was completely silent and it drove Neo crazy, so she turned on her radio to play music.

"The World Airport's marketing stocks have gone sky high, with the introduction of 3D printing! I'm here with Storm, and I would like to ask: what is the secret to your 3D printing success?"

A young boy confidently spoke through the speaker, "Well, my sis Sky has told me about the constant upgrades we've been getting. From Astra's holograms to literal superheroes, I decided to join in the fun! With my 3D printing, the packaging business has been a HUGE success! It's all thanks to my creative mind! Heh, not to flex though."

Creative.

CREATIVE.

Neo furiously shouted, "I'm the one that introduced the DRONES!! After years of hard work, they never gave credit to ME?! I made those drones, and they never credited me, nor accepting my mistake!". Holding her head, she zipped around the building like a fly and grumbled loudly. Suddenly, Neo bumped into a pole and shook her head. The cheerful voices continued the broadcast, "Sky, Jimbo, and the rest of the Super Wings, if you're hearing this, I would like to congratulate all of you for making the World Airport the best! Especially for the world!". Tears began to stream through Neo's eyes as she floated aimlessly across the air. Grief began to overwhelm her as Storm's voice continued, "Although, my uncle told me that we had some other members that haven't been in our airport lately. One of them was Neo, and I would like to congratulate her hard-".

Beep.

Neo turned it off as she began to mutter, "Congratulate me...? Heh heh. Heh....". Dilating her eyes, she began to chuckle even more, eventually defeating the silent night. Neo wiped her tears and slid her left hand to her cheek. She laughed loudly, "W-Why thank YOU S-STORM!! AHAH-HAH..!". As soon as Neo began to cackle, she scooted to the autopilot button of the control panel and deactivated it. Her pupils suddenly lit a bright blue and lemon yellow.

THUD!

Neo whipped around to hear a large thud in the ceiling. Turning on autopilot for the second time, she flew up and entering outside, Neo found a Blackbird-like aircraft slanting on the yellow dome of her building. "What are you doing here?", Neo demanded.

"See the smoke coming out from my inlets? Does that answer your question brat?"

"Whatever. What's your name?"

The jet transformed into an anthropomorphic robot and brushed himself off, "Phantom. You?"

"Neo."

Phantom nodded as he looked across the sky and back to Neo, "You look like you had a rough night. What's up with that?". The helicopter fumed and took a breath, "It's a long story. Are you a Super Wings member?"

"Hell no."

Neo smirked, "Makes sense. I just got 'fired'.", she said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Phantom widened his eyes, "You got to be kidding me. What happened?". Neo opened the hatch of her depot building and lend Phantom in, "I'll explain it while I help you get back to the skies. It makes me feel better when someone has a similar fate like I have.".

"Whatever. Make it quick."
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"Not just you, but there are more members that have been neglected for months? Geez, do they even care?"

Neo nodded as Phantom huffed, "Indeed. It's a shame that not one of them has been sent to a mission."

"Perhaps they're way too busy."

"An old Super Wing comrade I know, who is Bello, told me that he felt upset about feeling unwanted."

"Maybe Jett hasn't found a mission that requires him."

"You're missing the animal part: he and Paul went to a light festival and helped a kitty. Bello would have done that instead."

"But I've heard Jett comforted a young elephant."

Neo shut her lips to cease the conversation and let Phantom go. The Blackbird approached the back window of the building and looked out, "Is rage still boiling in yourself Neo?".

"A little bit, after I told you the story."

Phantom leaned on the window sill and continued, "I've been outclassed by Jett's speed. I was supposed to be the World Airport's delivery plane, but that tomato decided to take my place. I was supposed to be their star, but no. He had to take Jett in.". Neo knew who this 'he' was and frowned. She didn't want to feel greatly disappointed, but instead it was guilt that swept her. The helicopter jumped to a conclusion, "Let me guess: you want to-".

"Vow revenge. It's what I have been planning to take Jett out and be the star once again."

"That's very cliche."

Phantom rolled his eyes and spotted a pile of drones toppled on each other. He shifted his view to the helicopter and smirked, "You could be useful.".

"Wh-No. I'm-I'm better off alone. I can let go of that incident-"

"By shutting down World Airport for good?"

Neo fell silent as she pondered on Phantom's incoming plan. She didn't want to hurt her friends, nor corrupting her record. "Well? Any thoughts?", Phantom tapped his foot. Suddenly, Neo's eyes slowly transformed a bright lemon as she snapped her fingers.

"Do you want an upgrade?"

The drones whirred a storm.