Corruption

{6 years later}

The silver arches and gilded golden towers of Canterlot sparkled in the light of the morning sun. The kingdom bathed in the soft oranges and yellows of the sunrise. To the northeast of the highest balcony of the castle, Celestia could see the workers finishing the final stages of a tower that was recessed into the mountain itself. The newest venture of the famed inventor of House Star. She couldn't have imagined that this was the end result of the inventors investors gathering seven years ago. As it turned out, the sphere floating on that pedestal had further reaching implications than anypony besides Shade himself could have seen. Dirigibles, ships that split the clouds instead of waves, drifting amongst blue skies and twinkling stars. Equestria now sat at the precipice of a great change. A revolution in trade and commerce to rival the invention of the wheel itself. The greatest empires in all of history were defined by their capability of trade and moving their number from place to place. And now her ponys were at the heart of one such historical event. All thanks to the... Human

A few hours pass.

"No! How could you suggest selling weapons to potential enemies! "

"Please councillor, we have agreed that the market for ships will be made available to those Equestria has a peace treaty or non-aggression pact with."

Morning Star sat to the left of the stallion who just bellowed. They and the others of the Noble Council were gathered around a massive oak table in the centre of the room. 30 members representing all walks of life. From the Mages to Merchants Guilds were present even the Nobles of the fishing trade to the Captain of the Solar Knights. The Cathedral of Light had hosted the gatherings of Nobles since its construction 400 years ago. Serving as neutral ground and a peaceful environment for discussion and the betterment of all. Princess Celestia presided at the head of the table.

The captain chimed in.

"Griffonia's King changes every couple of decades. What's to say the next King keeps to the treaty's or even the current one! Giving those barbarians airships that can be armed and armoured will only make the inevitable conflicts worse. Not to mention doing the same for a bunch of monkeys in the Storm Kingdom."

"What can and will happen are entirely two different things. Besides the compensation for Shades false imprisonment was granting him a Guild's license for free market trade. As long as the selling of goods is to allies then you don't have a say in the matter! " Morning Star Retorted.

Celestia stood and began to speak.

"Enough! The reason we are here is to discuss the military applications of the Hydra class and above, not some cargo ships being sold to the other countries. The selling of military ships doesn't fall under the exchange of normal goods and as such will not be included."

The human cleared his throat to gather the attention of those present. "I believe what needs to be addressed first and foremost is the definition of a military class vessel. I proposed three categories. For those that are of the more cautionary sort, there will need to be an armoured version of standard cargo ships as well as their luxury variant. Civilian, hybrid and Military. The military will of course possess both offensive and defensive capabilities. Though mercenary groups and other private forces will require a more broad definition. Perhaps a case-by-case basis."

The Noble on the far side of Celestia spoke. "There isn't a space large enough for the production of some of these size ships. The projected expansion rate and market demand will quickly outpace factory capabilities. Unless you plan on using some of your library space then where is it going to be built? "

With a raised eyebrow the human replied. "I recently bought out a company by the name of Blackgate Industries, based in the settlement of Manehattan. I will be moving all factory functions to its industrial quarter over the next few years. As of now the transition will be based off of demand-driven expansion rates. "

"All factory functions?!" Another Noble shot up and seethed. "Don't think for a second we've forgotten where you got those factories and businesses human! You come in and cause those that trusted you nothing but grief and financial ruin! Then you announce that the very things they built, their businesses and livelihoods you all but stole are to be cast aside!"

Morning Star gave a scathing glare as her hooves hit the table. "How dare you! I'll have you kno..."

"Hahaha!" Shade's laugh echoed through the grand halls and bell towers. A deep and cold thing, more than a little foreboding. "I think you're forgetting some crucial details Mr. Forge." His voice traveling across the room with a much lower tone than usual. "It was those Guilds and Nobles that stifled my work for nothing more than their own greed. Lining their coffers at the expense of progress. Raised efficiencies in material refinement, metallurgy and more were kept quiet because it threatens their already-established infrastructure. Healing potions driven to prices only the rich could afford because the ingredients necessary was in a cornered market. Gold over the health and well-being of their fellow kind. The prototype magically drawn carriage I gifted to the Princess would have taken 50 more years to produce if they and their ilk have their way. Not to mention what that implies."

The humans eyes pulsated with an inner glow for all to see. Celestia noticed that unlike before, he now had the pupils of a snake. The glistening white of fangs was seen in the light of day. The form of his smile never leaving even as his voice grew more aggressive. The few shadows in the room became deeper and quaked as he stood and continued.

"It was only after I had shown I was every bit as greedy and heartless as them could my plans continue. They invited me to their parties and social gatherings. I waited patiently through Inane drivel, proposals of courtship, marriage and partnerships. I waited for the opportune moment and finally I was "gifted" the opportunity to invest in their own markets. But what they didn't realize, however, is just how greedy and heartless I can be. So you are correct Mr. Forge, I all but stole from them. I took from them what had been taken from others. I took what had been given to them by those of the past that actually earned their Noble titles. I took all of it and more... All perfectly legal mind you. I used the very system they created, I exploited their rules and loopholes against them... "

Shade placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. The indentation of invisible claws pressing grooves into its surface. What came next was a tone so low it rumbled like distant thunder and the very foundations of the cathedral subtly shook as he spoke. "They became corrupt and I showed them what corruption really looks like."

With the flash of a spell far faster than the blink of an eye, Celestia looked to Shade again. (His mana well is threefold what it had been the first time it was measured.)

As he took his seat the room was silent. The shadows were normal and the glow had vanished. All that remained was his peaceful smile and the slight rocking of the chandeliers. Morning Star was looking to the human with a shocked expression. Celestia gathered this was the first time anypony had ever seen him anything more than irritated.

"I wasn't aware there was a potions market, nothing past the internal trading and purchases of the Alchemists Guild." Celestia stated as she looked to the Captain.

"Nor was I, Your Majesty. "

"It's been taken care of Princess. The difficulty of growing the reagents made it impossible to grow in regions non-native. Those that owned those areas dictated their prices. Soon my own lands will be cultivated and ready to produce. The market will be flooded and either the prices will find equilibrium or I will all but own the majority market share. They will no longer have a choice."

"Why haven't you brought this to my attention before now? Had I known then something would have been done to correct the situation."

"A situation enabled by the system they made, the opportunity given and left unchecked. It is as I have done, all within the rules and laws."

A stallion with a blue coat stood and spoke to the human with a livid scowl. "The Noctis Bellflower is one of the main components in a healing elixir. A flower that only grows in the Everfree or in the marshes of my lands. I know for a fact you would never be able to buy a part of that forest. Lady Evergreen wouldn't allow it and neither would I allow a part of my lands to be sold."

"You signed a contract finalized two weeks ago with a small family of farmers. The Vines, are an acquaintance of mine. What was entailed in that deal is and I quote. "The collected seeds and crops can be used and sold as long as 30% of its price is given to the Noble family of Bloomberg."

"That was for produce!"

"The word "produce" wasn't used once in that contract, only crops and seeds. Only the resources gathered could be sold and the percentage of gold you would make, and they did indeed sell them. All of them. I purchased the entire shipment of seeds... for a single gold coin."

"I... I... You!"

"You are sent a letter that asks if a family can gather seeds for their farm. Seeing another source of income you agreed. If it occurred to you that the broad words used could potentially include the bellflower seeds, one crop among the others of your land, they only grow in two places. It wouldn't matter if they tried to grow them. I knew that you, Mr. Bloomberg and your family would never sell them to me. Even knowing they couldn't be grown elsewhere. I also knew you would be perfectly fine exploiting a small family of farmers."

"I WILL SEE THAT YOU PAY FOR THIS!"

"You will try, but will find it far to costly."