Chapter 1: The Seeds of Flight.
Chapter 1 The Seeds of Flight
The dawn’s early radiant light floods into the land to welcome it into a new beautiful day. As the moon retreats with it’s soft and cool majestic night, two great and regal sisters stand high upon the towers of Canterlot Castle, controlling this wondrous and magnificent event with unrivalled magical ability. Yet there is no cheering or fanfare from their subjects below who begin to awake and start their new day. To those in this wondrous kingdom of peace, it is the same as any other day. The subjects are blissful and contempt with all around them. However, from the new dockyards of this mountain top city, sounds of construction which have rained out all night have finally ceased with the gesture of large hanger doors beginning to groan as they open to welcome in the new sunlight.
Both the royal sisters notice the out of place shipyard awaken like a lumbering dragon and so they with their tasks done, they stretch their imposing wings to soar down upon the hanger. Elegantly they land in front of the now fully open hanger doors.
“Alright, pull her on out! nice and easy ya hear! don’t you hurt my pride and joy!” Shouted an orange mare with a greasy and braided brown mane. The goggles to which protect her eyes from her hazardous work prevent her from noticing the royal princesses now standing just off to the side in her peripheral vision.
From within the jumble of ponies in the hanger struggling with a large contraption comes running a brown pegasus stallion adorn with a leather aviators jacket and cap. His green scarf flaps behind him as he rushes towards the royal sisters and greets them.
“Your majesties! My apologies for not greeting you sooner! To what do I owe your visit today?” Shouted the pegasus as he slowed down and stopped in front of them.
The taller one with a soft pale white coat and flowing magical mane of pastel spring colours spoke. “My sister and I have come to great you on what we assume is launch day of your marvellous contraption.” “Yes! We have viewed you all night and your unwillingness to do anything but work on your intriguing device!” bellowed the shorter midnight blue sister with a mane that mirrored that of the night sky.
The orange mare now walked up beside the brown stallion while she pushed her goggles to atop her head. “Aye, sorry if we were to loud last night Princess Luna. We’re all so eager to put the finishing touches on the Aquila and get her ready for today. If all goes well, we’ll be launchin’ by lunchtime.”
“Most excellent!” Exclaimed Princess Luna. “Princess Luna and I plan to be there to see you off, and, Captain Colts. May we speak in private? I wish to discuss the task of your first voyage.” “Of course Princess Celestia.” The brown pegasus, Captain Colts looked at his companion. “Mel…I mean Gears. Make sure everything goes as scheduled.” She glared at his stutter, then with a quick “Aye” trotted back toward the Hanger and began to bark orders.
A little over a year earlier…
“So let me get this straight Colts. You want us to build what now? In how short a timeframe?” Gears growled at me.
“I thought jokes on me twin sis was my area of expertise?” spoke up Cogs who stood beside his twin sister with a half smile as if holding something funny back from me.
I sighed. “Look guys, when I saw your work at the Aviation Expo in Vanhoover I knew that the La Forge twins could do this no problem. You’re the best at what you do and my talent alone with aviation is only a cloud in the sky compared to the vast storm of knowledge you two know. And your latest prototype was the final missing piece of the puzzle I was looking for in this project.”
“Colts, It’s not as easy to build somethin’ of this size and complexity. We’d need that new Canterlot ship yard just to try anythin’. And on top of that it would cost a hoof and wing just to increase it to the size needed to build this before we started this project.” Cogs defence was strong, but my vision and motive was stronger. I didn’t just want this, I needed it from the pit of my soul.
“Money is of little object here” I finally uttered those words I held as my ace. “I’ll sell of my home, my relics and my company Colts’ Aviation. My treasures belongings don’t mean anything to me anymore. I need to make the Aquila a reality.” I stomped my hoof down as I finished my sentence. It’s arrival onto the wooden floor was met with an echoing thud and then a fall of silence. Finally gears broke the silence.
“Well then, if anypony can make this crazy fantasy a product of reality, It’s good ol’ earth pony engineering and the La Forge twins amazin’ conviction.” Gears said with a smile and I turned it as we shook hooves.
8 months ago…
“Look, Firefly. We’ve been best friends since junior flight camp, heck even before that we were friends. I trust no other pony to be in my crew more than you.” I said to my closest friend. Her bright yellow coat with fire red mane was enough to light the sky on fire when she flew. But those bright orange eyes with so much confidence and pegasus pride behind them made her glare enough to stop a cockatrice in its tracks.
“Colts, you are one hundred percent grade “A” crazy train to loonyville psycho if you think you’ll get me on that death trap of a ship you’re building.” She continued, glaring at me. “And you of all ponies know of my… “gift”” she spat that word out as if to regret it. “Having me on a ship full of explosive gas is the dumbest idea you’ve had to date! And I followed you into that pit of moray eels just to get some stupid book!”
I smiled “I know, and I already have that covered for other reasons. There will be unicorns within the crew who can perform a null spellS on the gas bags to prevent them from reacting to heat or flame. I may take risks to get what I want, but I’m not stupid and you know that Firefly.” I looked over at her. She had broken her gaze and redirected a softer look to her mug of cider. She smiled and with that same softer looked turned to see me sitting next to her.
“You’re still completely insane, this whole idea is complete buffalo crap but I trust ya and besides, who’s gonna get ya out of trouble when you need it. Not some silly unicorn, you need somepony who can handle any crazy stunt you pull.” She spread her wings as she moved to get up. “But I have one condition.”
6 Months ago…
“No! No! No! Not there! That framework is off by 2 meters! Did you ever bother to looking at my plans!” Gears shouted in anger towards a group of construction ponies assembling the skeleton of the Aquila. Cogs walked up behind her as he lay his hoof on her back in comfort and looked over to her with a smile. She sighed
“I know brother, but this has to be prefect. This ship has become more important to me than I dare say Colts himself views this ship. It’s becoming my pride and joy project, it has to be perfect.” She glared over the construction ponies, eyeing them up like a hawk. Cogs Chuckled.
“Sis, ya’ll need to relax more, I got this as well. Lighten up.” Cogs turned and began to walk away as he chuckled more to himself. Gears eyes widen as she realised.
“Oh you son of a motherless goat! What in Celestia’s name did you do this time!” She shouted turning to she her brother break from a walk into a gallop as he made for the hanger door. His chuckle transforming into a wild laugh of joy as he disappeared behind the door.
“Oh I’d kiss ya, but earth ponies are not really my type.”
Firefly barked from behind as She and I walked up to greet her. Both of us holding back a laugh with snickering. Using my wing I brushed the sign off her back and onto the floor then looked at her as she turned to see us. “I didn’t know you wanted to a mare that badly, but try to not mix business and pleasure.”
Gears was steaming bight red as her eyes poured over her brother’s handiwork. “All pretty mares kiss me, I’m begging you! I need somepony!” the note read.
“RATCHET LA LORGE I WILL END YOU I PROMISE CELESTIA!” Gears voice rivalled that of the most powerful of dragons as she turned in circles looking for her twin brother. A distance voice rang out in reply. “Love ya to Melody!” it was followed by more distance laughter and looking at her, I didn’t believe it was possible, but seeing her hearing her first name made her even angrier and she stormed off in pursuit of her brother with a vengance.
“Perhaps we came at a bad time?” I grinned as I looked at Firefly she was snickering even more.
“Melody is hear real name? Not much of a name for a tough tomboy mechanic. I mean, really Melody?”
“Well I always wondered what their real names were, Cogs and Gears are to perfect to be real names.” I smiled.
“Ya Mr…”
“Ah da da zip it!” I acted quick to cut her off “I choose not to use my first name, but I didn’t go and use a fake name instead.” I was only that quick to shoot her down from knowing how she loved to tease me on it. With that thought I realised how Mel, um I mean Gears must have felt about her own name.
We moved around the hanger to find our run away companions leaving behind the construction within the hanger we continued into the office area. After a short moment later we discovered Ratchet, or Gears as he was originally know to us. Hiding in one of the side offices under a desk chuckling away to himself with tears staining his face. He’d obviously been laughing himself silly over his prank. Firefly announce our presence by proposing a question as if hoping for the answer she wanted.
“So, your sis. She’s a filly-fooler then eh?” Way to blurt that out Firefly I thought. I also remembering her on countless times saying how Pegasi are the master race and nothing but a Pegasi should be by her side. Astonishing after all these year’s she could still surprise me with her interest in anypony but a pegasus.
“Psssh, Nope. She’s just uber sensitive about her image. Has been since we started this company.”
I asked, now being intrigued by what Cogs had meant. “How is she sensitive about her image?”
“Well.” He cleared his throat as he stood up from his hiding spot clearing his eyes in the process and gaining some composure. “She’s been ah, worried that being a mare earth pony like herself, that nopony would take her serious in the Aviation industry. I told her is was goat balls if that’s what ponies thought. But before we started this company she was soft spoken and well kept. She loved havin’ nice outfits on and havin’ her hair down and purdy like.”
“No way, you’re yanking my chair.” Firefly interrupted now seeming to be as intrigue as I was. She was now hovering in the air with her wings giving off a gentle breeze in these stale yet warm office builings.
“Nope, swear to the princesses I’m tellin’ ya’ll the truth! She took pride in her look so much she invented this tomboy look to get ponies to take her serious because image is important to her. She’s bright and all, and heck even the brains in our duo but sometimes she can’t see past the veil she puts on herself. She gets so worked up on the image she…”
“Ratched, You will pay big time for this!” Gears interrupted. “And another thing, I told you never to use my real name in front of customers and workers in the entirety of existence! Or so the princesses help me.”
I intervened seeing that Gears was not thinking clearly. She had been blinded by anger for getting revenge. “Gears, Cogs,” using their business names I got their attention.
“Enough of this. Now I don’t know you two to well outside from our working together on this project. But I will not stand by while you two fight some sibling rivalry. Perhaps it’s time we got to know each other better. After all I’ve decided that you are the only ponies who should be my lead engineers on board my ship when we depart.” They both viewed me with puzzled expressions.
“You would invited my Brother and I aboard to be your lead Engineers? Why?” The anger melted in her face as she almost tried to hide a smile. She was still angry with her brother and didn’t want to show anything but anger but this news changed her mood.
“Well, I figured, since we will be far away from Equestria at times and may not return for months or years that I would need some top engineers for this task.” Firefly stopped hovering and landed on a desk then proceeded to flop on her side. I continued not even phased by my friends clear boredom. “And who better to be top engineers than the ponies who built it. You know the Aquila better then even me. So, what do you say to my offer?”
A chuckle rang out. “Well sis, ya’ll got what ya wanted!” Cogs said with a teasing tone as he beamed. That quickly melted into a face of sorry when he gazed upon his sister’s expression turning into a death stare as she kept her eyes on him. She then quickly smiled pleasantly with a move towards me. She grabbed my Hoof and began to shake.
“I wanted to ask you if you would allow us to accompany you on your voyage as my brother over there has hinted to. And please call me Melody when we are not in the presents of others. My pig brained Brother over there, call him what ever you like.” Her tone was so polite and elegant it nearly threw me off balance. I heard Ratchet say behind me. “Ah shit, she’s bein’ all nice.. that’s my notice to run.” With that I heard him scurry out of the room. I was still in awe of her voice, I now could see why she was named Melody now. However it was shattered when she adopted the same western accent and shouted toward her fleeing brother.
“You’d better run you no good pig scratching toe tootin’ son of a donkey’s ass worthless brother of mine!”
4 months ago…
Firefly and I were flying toward the front gates of Canterlot Castle. We’d been summoned by the Princesses. Apparently word of our project and what we were planning to do had finally reached the top. I wasn’t really worried about meeting the princesses. I had met them once before when they had hired me to help scout and map the northern mountain ranges and tundra. However, still within my mind a voice was screaming in confusion trying to figure out why they wanted to see us now.
“This is totally weird Colts. What do the Princesses want with us?” I glanced toward Firefly on my left as we continued flying above the streets and buildings. “I don’t know, but it can’t be to bad or they would have sent the guards.” I beamed thinking it was funny but that quickly fell off as I noticed Firefly was giving me that look of “Really?” that she did so well. A device on her right fore hoof clicked as it marked out something.
“2000meters, pfft, I wish I could tell this thing to not go off at such low altitudes. It really should only count after 5000meters!” she said as if trying to ignore the device. I had met her acquaintance long before junior flight camp a few times and she never took that thing off. Even when back then when it was to big for her she still wore it with pride. The old pegasus altimeter had a couple dials switches held in with metal and glass. The larger dial was cracked with aged glass matching the charred and weathered leather that fastened it to her foreleg proving just how old this device truly was however all the more important. The altimeter had once belong to her father who was an aerial ace and set the record for flying higher than any other pegasus and this was a goal Firefly frequently tried to break.
“Halt!” The guards announced as we landed in front of the gates to the castle. The Castles imposing white façade towered high into the sky with towers and turrets abound it was always a marvellous site to behold I thought.
“We were summoned by the Princesses. I am captain Colts, and this is my first officer Blazemane. We are here on official business” I’m sure the guards won’t have bought the ranks if it hadn’t been for the fact I was wearing my trimmed aviators jacket with a old naval captain’s hat. And that Firefly had been wearing an aviators jacket tailored to her as well.
“Stand By” The one guard announced as he stood at attention. The other clicked his hooves together and marched around into a guard hut. Then returned as the gates opened. “Proceed sir to the main foyer” he bellowed as he the stomped to Attention matching the other guard position opposite side of the gate.
We continued into the castle and up a large staircase into the main foyer as the guard had instructed. Another stamped to attention and announced “Proceed to the room on the right sir.” In front of us was another staircase which lead further into the castle and the room on the left was the grand ballroom where the Grand Galloping Gala was held. With that look around we turned right into another almost equally large room and at the other end upon raised steps was two thrones. One adorn with gold and carved with a sun rays of light. The other throne was of ebony with a peal inlay of a moon and stars. Sitting with regal poses both princesses smile and beckoned us forward.
I bowed once close enough and Firefly did the same. Upon rising I noticed beside Luna stood a pony I had rarely seen within Equestria except one place. She stood almost as regal as the Princesses but more obviously was a subject of Luna. Her pale blue coat made those dark purple bat wings pop from her sides and with her two tone mane of purple and midnight blue cut simply swept aside made her a pony of stature and more importantly intellect. Her dark colours where only outdone but those bright yellow bat eyes with slits instead of normal pupils however with that observation I appropriately notice her cock an eyebrow in curiosity as I quickly realised she knew I was staring at her. Firefly was doing the same, but unlike me I believe this was the first time she had seen a bat pony and wasn’t as quick to regain her composure.
“I see you have noticed my Student. This is why we wish to speak with you, but we will let my sister Celestia start this meeting.” Luna’s voice was commanding yet pleasant.
“Thank you my little sister.” She then looked at me, with Luna’s announcement I had regained my composure but I could see out of the corner of my eye Firefly was still staring. Come on Firefly snap out of it I kept thinking you’re making us look bad. With that thought she seemed to hear me and closed her open mouth and adopted a pose of prideful boasting. Ah good ol’ Firefly you always have to show that Pegasi are the best. I wanted to role my eyes but focused back on Celestia.
“I have heard of your airship captain Colts and would like to bless you on this endeavour you are undertaking. These airships are still new to me but I think they can provide wondrous opportunities for Equestria and my sister agrees. But the real reason I wish to see you was to give you this.” With her Magic she levitated a scroll and floated it gently down toward me with pale yellow magic. I grabbed with my mouth as the magic evaporated and tucked it under my wing so I could listen to what it was.
“This scroll gives you permission to act as Emissaries of Equestria to the nations beyond our boarders. Though we have since lost touch with much of the outside world since the… banishment of my sister Luna. I feel your mission can help reinstate Equestria among the other nations. I will also wish to call upon you if needed for other missions for Equestria. Do you accept my offer?”
I looked at the scroll tucked under my wing. I knew of the other kingdoms from old books I read, but besides a couple nations most outside information was hundreds of years old. This could easily open doors in other kingdoms which would normally be locked. But something about the other missions made me cautions. I ignored the nagging pony in my head and looked back at Princess Celestia. “I accept.” I replied proudly then added
“However on one condition I wish to impose before I truly accept your offer.”
“And what might that be captain Colts?” She gave me a look of intrigue.
“That any missions you give me that my jeopardize my own mission or the safety of my crew I can choose to deny if I find the risk to great.” That stopped the nagging pony in my head
“I accept this additional term.” Her polite face faded away for a mere blink while she spoke as if she knew I had caught her on something. I could not think on this for long for right after princess Luna entered in.
“Now that we have my sister’s business out of the way. I would like to continue on to mine.”
“Of course Princess.” I replied now focusing my attention on her.
“We have heard that you are traveling Equestria assembling a crew for your voyage and we would like to make a recommendation.” She gestured to the bat pony still standing next to her with her wing.
“Aurora Starlight is one of my best students. She is an expert in navigation by the stars and cartography. We wish for her to join your crew as her skills as a navigation are some of the best and her knowledge of equestrian maps is nonpareil. What do you say to this Captain Colts.”
“I thank you Princess Luna but…” I was then cut off by Aurora.
“Captain Colts, do not think you can cast me off that easy. I was the one who wished to join your crew however being a student of Princess Luna I needed her blessing. I will not however let myself be cast out without speaking my own mind first.”
Well, she was definitely straight forward and bold enough I thought. That accent though, it wasn’t one from Hollow shades, it was that of Tottingham a place I had yet to visit and met few ponies from but that accent stood out noticeable. I noticed Luna sit back with a smirk, as if she was confident in her students handling of this. Celestia was more intrigued by the outburst and was looking to her sister for answers.
“Nowhere in Equestria can you find a pony who knows more about the old maps who has also revised and made countless newer ones than myself. If you would be foolish enough to cast such a skill set aside then you are one who will not do well as a leader.” She ended with a huff.
“On the contrary.” I added, catching myself as I almost mimicked her accent. Damn it sure was infections I’ll add that. “I care less about skill than I do about character. A pony can have the best skills in their class but could be that of such a poor character that they will not provide what is needed when the time comes. However seeing how you handled yourself just now, I do accept to have you on my crew. I was afraid earlier that you were using you stature and position to get into something you had no right to be in. No offence Princess Luna but now I see you are your own pony.” I felt a rush of power as those worlds flew out of my mouth so fluidly. I have to admit, I did get a kick out of having power and commanding a presence like that especially within the royal throne room. I noticed Luna had now stood straight up looking down on me but still smirking. Celestia was doing the same, did I just impress both princesses at the same time? Really? That made me a little giddy at the thought.
Aurora took a long slow breath in, then let it out with a smile. “Excellent” she exclaimed.
[b3 months ago…
“Captain Colts, I’d like you to meet my best friend Rosemary Meadow. When you said you were looking to add a naturalist to your ranks yesterday afternoon I figured she would impress you.” Aurora spoke.
I was meeting them at the Castle Café in Canterlot today since Aurora had told me she wish to discuss something. I didn’t expect her to introduce me to a friend or future crewmate. More over I expect her to complain again about the library and map room aboard the Aquila. It was already pushing the limits in size and weight but that hadn’t stopped her from saying it was inadequate for her needs. This Rosemary however look pleasant enough, She was a unicorn of soft mint green with a pink mane tied back in a bun.
“Nice to meet you Rosemary. Now what can you provide to the crew of the Aquila, but more importantly. Why do you wish to join?” I chuckled in my thoughts, Ah yes, “Why” is my favourite of the W’s to ask. It always answers so much and gives me so many more questions in return.
“Well, Aurora was telling me about you trip and…” She looked worried as a large crowd of ponies trotted by chanting “Wonderbolts! Wonderbolts! Wonderbolts!” the obnoxious sports fans even pressed me a bit but they where gone as fast as they showed up.
“And, well it sounded wonderful. I dedicate my life to understanding the ecosystem. I know almost all flora and fauna species of Equestria, even those within Everfree forest.”
I stopped her there and questioned. “Everfree forest? So can I assume you are comfortable in places like that and you’re not afraid to be in places such as the Everfree forest?”
“She practically lives within that accursed forest.” Aurora intervened before Rosemary speak.
“Well, I like it. It’s peaceful in there and not so dangerous if you know what to watch out for. For a matter of fact.” Her voice changed to a stricter tonne. “I have two good friends who practically live there. Zecora lives right in the middle, and a nice mare named Fluttershy lives just on it’s boarder. Both have no trouble with the forest thank you very much.” I caught myself before I laughed out loud. This Rosemary had a spirit with her but this Zecora sounded interesting and what an peculiar name. But my train of thought soon ran off as Rosemary continued.
“Sorry. It’s just ponies never seem to give that place a proper look. There’s a magic to it, something in there allows those plants and animals to live in a way the rest us are not use to.”
She then focus more on me. “To answer your other question as to why I want to join your crew. is for selfish reason I must admit. I want to expand my collection with rare and exotic plants and animals species. I was one day hoping to write a bountiful guide to all things flora and fauna related.” She finished by levitating a cup of tea with pink colour magic she had order before my arrival and pressed it to her lips slowly. Then softly drinking some before placing it back onto the saucer it began on.
“Well. I’m impressed. From what I understand, you can handle yourself well. Further more you’re not afraid to speak your mind or admit to goals. I think it would be a pleasure to have you aboard the Aquila and I’m certain you’ll have lots of time to expand and increase that collection. Just don’t overrun the entire greenhouse onboard. We still need food after all.”
She reply with a smile and nod and we continued our conversation as Aurora piped in.
“Now About my library Captain.” I felt my hoof hit my face as I sighed.
1 week ago…
I entered the massive hanger of the Canterlot ship yard. Before me sat an almost complete and ready to go Aquila airship. The finishings where the final things to be installed before we loaded supplies. By this time next week we would be able to start this adventure and further more I may finally get the answers I wanted.
“O’Captain! My Captain!” piped Firefly as she landed next to me.
“Hey Firefly, how was your flight?” I gestured to her old altimeter “Break the record yet? Or did you crash and burn.”
“Har Har Har.” She let out a slow sarcastic laugh and I just smile back. We stopped and I stood there admiring the Aquila, for what is a Captain with out a ship, and what is a ship without a crew.
The mix of painted metal, wood and glass made up a gondola like no other before it. The shape was taken from that of olden pegasus days when massive sky chariots meant for war known as biremes or triremes sailed oceans of clouds with armies of pegasi. This however to save on pony power was held aloft with earth pony ingenuity and science. A massive ridged blimp of red canvas with a cream tarp tied over the top was painted with the eyes of those same triremes. On the front of the airship it was modeled to be the shape of a birds beak as to resemble that from which she was named for: The Aquila, or “Eagle” in modern terms. This airship was finally sealed with all sorts of magic to allow more weight to be carried with a greater endurance and rigidity and mounted to the front under the beak with wings spread and a long horn was a golden coloured alicorn with a blissful and contempt look to represent the Princesses and Equestria’s unity as one.
This past year I have made new friends, and seen my dreams take hold as we all signed up to start this grand endeavour together. But this isn’t an end by any means. This is only the beginning and from here the only way is onwards and upwards.
As I admired the details more I again thought, What is a Captain without their ship? and what is a ship without its crew? This was finally it; the seeds of flight had spouted into a marvellous and beautiful crop ready to be harvested. It was time to begin the true story of our lives.