Chapter One: Renaissance Bound

Shimmer lazily rolled over onto her side, the faint glimmer of evening sunlight floating down into her face. Her deep blue eyes fluttered open and immediately shut as those piercing rays overwhelmed her. The warmth soaked her silver coat through and through with honey colored light. The groaning of the hull and the clumsy thumps of boots on deck were among the noises heard. Shimmer listened closer and could now perceive the voices of many crewmen chortling as they trotted across the deck. Shimmer shut her eyes once more and took a deep, relaxed breath...

"ALL 'ANDS ON DECK!!! GET AH MOVE ON YAH MANGY CURRENT JOCKEYS!!!

Shimmer, somewhat frightened by the thunderous voice, tumbled out of the hammock and smashed into the floor of her cabin. She lifted her head from the unforgiving wooden floor and stared about as she got her bearings. The cabin shifted occasionally now, which had gone unnoticed as she slept. Shimmer now felt the sway far more intensely as she skittered about in a clumsy attempt to acclimate to the environment. With a stumble she flung her saddlebags from their post and scattered the contents about on the floor; tomes and papers, quills and ink, all rolled and fluttered about as Shimmer tried to recapture them with a breathy whimper.

Her cabin door opened and a elderly grey pony poked his head through the door. His mane was unkempt and grey with age, his coat was only a shade darker than Shimmer's and concealed behind a rich assortment of garments. A pitched together flight jacket and a multitude of eccentric jewelry and trinkets covered what wasn't obstructed by the intriguing piece. A eye patch hid what once must have been a blue grey eye and a ivory pipe hung loosely out of his mouth. He frowned at Shimmer, "We're 'bout an hour away, Lass."

"Thank you Captain Grim," Shimmer blushed as she levitated the papers back into her bags, "I'll be on deck shortly."

Grim rolled his eye and slipped out the door which slammed with a clatter. Shimmer let out a breath and took a seat at her desk. A small and already opened envelope lay in front of her. It was typical of her parents: Gold borders and a red wax seal with a gold ribbon hanging loosely from underneath the wax. Shimmer retrieved the letter from within with ginger care. She opened the letter and skimmed the contents as she began to awaken fully:

Dear Daughter Shimmer,

Your father and I will have sent ahead of time your admittance fee to your mentor and have already received correspondence from him as well. Your father is concerned however that you will not take the fullest advantage of what we have so graciously granted you. Daughter, you can be quite free spirited and I warn you to do away with such an appalling feature as it is unbecoming of a young cultured mare such as yourself. Upon your return from your formal education your father and I have agreed that perhaps a stern husband would be able to cast away your strange affliction of carelessness. Do well in your schooling darling and we will see about getting you engaged to that nice young stallion Marzipan.

Mother

Shimmer enveloped the letter in a silver glow and floated it out the window. She suspended it in the air as it flapped about in the gentle breeze then released it. The letter crackled as it drifted away in the wind and Shimmer put her head to her desk with a sigh. Just the thought of going back just to marry that self righteous mining stallion made her stomach knot in frustration. It was all too typical for her mother to try and marry her to some rich businesspony, and a thug at that. Marzipan was a cruel stallion to his workers such that his cruelty was known far beyond his mines.Shimmer sighed and slid off of her chair, slung her saddlebags over her back, taking only a moment to reflect and pushed her way out the cabin door.

Never, Shimmer thought, I'll die first.

^^^^^Silver Wings^^^^^

The atmosphere on deck was much more foreign than the quiet comfort of Shimmer's cabin. Ponies dressed from head to toe in flight outfits were scampering about, the wind was now racing across the deck with violent howls, and the sound of loud machinery was abound. Shimmer took a contemplative step out onto the deck and narrowly evaded a box that crashed where she moments ago was standing. She wobbled back to her hooves with a slight groan. The ships rocking had not intensified since Shimmer had left her cabin but out on the deck it seemed to be far more apparent than down there.

Shimmer swayed and stumbled across the deck, the flight ponies laughing and shouting raunchy remarks as her blouse blew every which way. They were quickly sent back to work by a very upset overseer and Shimmer had managed to stumble all the way to the port side of the airship. She clung to one of the railings and peeked over the top with a nervous laugh. Before her were massive columns of white clouds. The great clouds also lay below her in a sea of brilliant white, however for a moment she was lost in the unparalleled freedom of flight.

"Nothing like it!" an ecstatic and eccentric voice called out from Shimmers left side. She turned to find a thinly mustached pegasus leaning over the railing. His cream colored feathers ruffled in the vicious winds and his green eyes stared out into the wondrous, infinite field of white cushions. Shimmer could only stare at this strange pegasus who simply stared out into the skies. Then without any form of incitement he turned quickly and lifted Shimmers hoof, giving it a small kiss, "Cannon N. Dive, at your service!"

"Umm..." Shimmer blushed, "Thank you, Mister Dive. I am Silver Shimmer, a pleasure."

Dive smiled and waved elegantly out to the skies, "Out there my darling, is a world that every aeronaut dreams of and even fewer get to see. Only a pegasus can feel the skies though. Ever since I was a young boy I flew the skies every day. You would have to tie me to the ground with two lead weights tied to my wings just to keep me grounded. I would fly all day and most of the night until I became one of the best fliers in Equestria!"

"That's very impressive Mister Dive." Shimmer rolled her eyes with a grin.

"My dear Miss Shimmer, I mean not to boast but to impress!"

Shimmer let go of the railing to cross her arms but was soon clinging to them once more as a gust blew over the side of the airship, "Why Mister Dive, do you find the need to impress me?"

"Well Miss Shimmer," Dive smiled coyly, "I have noticed that you are a fair and beautiful young creature..."

Shimmer groaned as the inevitable unfolded and Dive continued, "...and it would be to no surprise that you have likely received a multitude of gentlecolts who would beg to bask but a moment in your loveliness! Even out there does not compare to the great luminance that I can see in your beautiful face! I would only wish that you would be my own, dearest Silver Shimmer!"

Shimmer tried to backpedal from Dive's enthusiasm and spun around, "Well that is beyond sweet, Mister Dive..." She turned to face Dive, "...but I am not really ready for-"

He was gone.

Well that is beyond rude, leaving before I could even answer! What nerve! Shimmer snarled in her mind.

Shimmer looked back over the railing and sighed, the thought of being pursued up here never passed through her mind but at least Dive had the courtesy to approach her and not try to win her through some underhanded arrangement like the many others orchestrated by her mother. Shimmer would consider it a miracle if she was able to go three weeks without having to escape through the back door of a chapel or wear anything other than extremely tight dresses. The latter being the least missed of either.

Shimmer continued to stare off into the skies until a flash of cream colored feathers flew up right before her. Shimmer fell back in shock as Dive appeared from the sky and began to roll. He extended his wings and dove back into the cloud sea below. Dive continued his performance, skimming the clouds with his wings and performing acrobatic feats that Shimmer had never witness before. Though not interested in Dive's poetic flattery, she was enraptured as the boisterous pegasus maneuvered his way about that cotton white playground.

With a final twist, a roll, and some flair Dive glided onto the deck only feet away from Shimmer. She applauded slowly and felt a warm smile etch across her face that she seldom gave to an "admirer". Dive preened a misplaced feather, leaning confidently against the railing as his only audience member continued to applaud. Shimmer dropped her hooves and tried to act as if she was in no way amazed by Dive's aerial antics. Dive could see right through Shimmer however, "My dear Shimmer, I could sail upon the winds for a thousand years and I would never find the vehement passion for another that I do feel for you! It is your radiant smile that makes my very heart ache and your flowing black mane which dances in the wind. Your eyes, a deep blue that pierces my very being with an unmatched and definite loveliness! Would you only allow me to take your perfect hoof in marriage so that I may not have to suffer another day without your presence?"

Shimmer felt a small chuckle escape her, Dive staring bewildered as she did so. She forced a hoof to her mouth feeling her rudeness emanating noticeably. Shimmer cleared her throat and put a hoof on her new pegasus friends shoulder, "Mister Dive..." she was forcing herself to turn him down. She knew that she had to do it but even now it was dreadful to put such a vivacious stallion down. To Shimmer, he was the sweetest of her callers but she did not feel the same way as he. Her eyes dropped to the deck in an almost shameful way, "...Mister Dive, I'm sorry but I won't marry you. I am not ready to settle down. You are very sweet Mister Dive, and I know that you will find someone who truly appreciates your kindness and... flattery even more than I."

As Shimmer spoke, Dive's expression turned gloomy. His ears drooped as did his eyes with an intense sadness. His vibrant mannerisms were nowhere to be found. Dive nodded and looked off the port side trying to find something to distract himself as a single tear sipped down his face. Shimmer was dying inside as this poor stallion himself was dying for her. He gave her every bit of his heart and found nothing in return. Even the rambunctious crew were now casting looks of disdain towards Shimmer.

"Very well... my fair mare..." Dove sniffled as he swept up Shimmers hoof and kissed it again, "I am glad to have shared this time with you, Shimmer. I only pray that you find one that is perfect for you in every way and that your happiness is unmatched by god himself."

Without another word from either side Dive flew away into the clouds. The crew were now shaking their heads and returning to their duties. Shimmer leaned on the railing and watched with a knot in her stomach. She hadn't been cruel to him, she hadn't cursed at him, she tried to let him down gently but even that sent surges of regret through her. Shimmer had tried to be as amicable as anypony could and now, to Shimmer at least, she had become the most dreadful pony on the ship.

She sighed and watched as the evening sun sank into the clouds, an entrancing red sky being born beyond.

^^^^^Silver Wings^^^^^

It had taken Shimmer a slightly longer time than she would have preferred to find the captains cabin. The large wooden door was covered in scratches and the metal accents only further emphasized the mystery of this door. It was curious that this door caught her attention more than anything else on the ship. For all that could be seen, it was simply a large wooden door leading to another area as most doors have done in the past. For the most absurd of reasons Shimmer could not remove her gaze until the door swung open and nearly knocked her out cold. The world spun as Shimmer regained her stability. Captain Grim stared down in concern and put a hoof to her head, "Ya alright, lass?"

"Yes, Captain Grim." Shimmer blushed as she slowly removed his hoof.

"Well," Grim began, "Come on in an we'll see 'bout gettin' these here papers signed!"

Inside was even more spectacular than Shimmer imagined. Numerous maps lay sprawled out upon walls and tables, the rooms great golden chandelier only complemented the rich wooden paneling, and the amount of strange but rather intriguing objects could not be counted in a single sitting. Shimmer stared about the cabin with awe as Grim wobbled over to a large ash wood desk that lie in the center of the room. He looked up and saw the glimmer of wonderment in Shimmers eye, "'Fore I was a Skyferry, I was partial to spendin' me time searchin' for all manner of riches n' secrets."

"This is amazing Captain Grim, did you fancy this life of yours?" Shimmer said with an elated tone.

"Aye," Grim laughed lightly, "But the terrible truth 'bout adventurin' is: some secrets aren't meant to be discovered."

Shimmer was intrigued by the captain and opened her mouth to inquire but was stopped as Grim waved her transit papers in the air, "Allllright then, you'll be wantin' to give these 'ere papers to the port master in Port Regal."

Shimmer sighed and levitated the papers over from the captain. In doing so, something caught her eye and she was helpless to her natural curiosity as she wandered over to a large glass sphere resting in a throne of twisted silver. Shimmer deposited the papers in her satchel and approached it with great caution.

Inside the sphere was something akin to a storm. The swirling mass inside flashed as a cloud would with lightning in a great tempest. Shimmer almost touched it when Grim spoke up, "Got that durin' an expedition to the uncharted islands of the southern skies. A wicked thing that, old magic not suitable for young lasses such as yourself!"

"The southern sky islands?!" Shimmer gasped, "You mean you visited the floating isles?!"

"Aye I have," The captain leaned back in his chair, "Twas several years ago n me last expedition. We were swept up in a great storm and were steered off course for hundreds a' miles and when we emerged fro that devils maw I could nary believe me own eye!" The captain pointed at his patch for emphasis, "A giant palace with spires so elegant it brought me crew to tears. Below lay a city an' its streets were paved with such delicate care that nopony would ever believe such a place existed in front of their very eyes! I'm surprised that a young lass such as yourself is familiar with such a tale."

Shimmer chuckled lightly, reaching towards the orb, "Sound like your.... expeditions brought you some form of joy."

As Shimmer's hoof just touched the glassy surface her mind was instantly overpowered with voices and images.She was thrown back onto the wooden floor and rolled about in agony as the demented chorus of voices slowly died to a whisper. Grim had hardly moved, only now leaning over his desk intrigued. Shimmer looked up at the captain and whimpered, "What... happened?"

"You saw something didn'tcha!" The captain suddenly shot up from his desk with a wild eye, "Tell me girl, what did you see!"

Shimmer backed into the wall as the captain advanced upon her, "I don't... I'm terribly sorry Captain Grim, I heard something and I fell and I-I-I may have-"

Grim grabbed Shimmer by her shoulders and threw her into the wall. He pinned her tightly to the wall, now raving like a madpony, "WHAT DID YOU HEAR?! WHAT DID SHE TELL YOU?!

Shimmer cried out and used her magic. Her horn glowed a brilliant silver and she no longer felt the tightening grip of Captain Grim but now a cool breeze. She looked about and saw the night sky and the stars. Shimmer lowered her cowering hooves, and to her terror, groped the open air.

She had teleported off the airship.

Shimmer began a steady descent through the sky, tumbling and groping desperately out into nothing, flailing and screaming as she grew nearer to the ground. She felt the cool rush of clouds over her body as she fell through the cloud layer. Lights below her illuminated the port where the ship would have landed should she had chosen to remain on the ship in question. The stone and metal catwalks sped up at her and Shimmer covered her face awaiting the inevitable stop.

A pair of hooves wrapped around Shimmer's chest and she was turbulently turned upside down. She looked up and saw the ground rapidly approaching. Shimmer closed her eyes as she and the stranger plummeted. A strong force pulled on Shimmer's lower body and bright lights filled her eyes as they faded into blackness, a distant voice echoing with concern.

Author's Note

Also, the amount of traffic on this story will dictate the amount of work I put in. If you like what your reading, I'll keep doing my best to keep on keeping on.

~Trixie