The Fairy Flies

Airy watched as the two ponies in front of her examined the designs, before turning to her "Yes, miss Airy: I think we can construct this... ship model as you've specified. Is there anything else you require?" the older mare asked, straightening her glasses while her young apprentice continued to look through the designs with confusion on his expression.

"No, everything I need from you is there: when you've finished the construction, have it brought to my workshop" Airy instructed, watching as the older mare nodded her head "Yes, ma'am" she replied, before turning back to examining the designs, flipping the pages of the notebook she had been given by Airy and pulling out a fresh sheet of paper to make notes on.

With the business done, Airy turned around and flew to the door, waiting as Shard Tackle followed her out of the carpentry shop and onto the street "So, where shall we go next?" Shard asked, shifting another notebook and some loose papers in her hoofs as she looked at the tiny fairy looking around them "Next, we'll go to the blacksmith. Can you lead the way?" Airy asked, watching as Shard nodded her head and started walking towards the blacksmith's guild.

Her designs for the airship's scaled down model were pretty much complete: all she needed to do was commission it and the prototype pedestal for her Skystone and if everything worked just as intended, she could design a proper airship. Sure, it would probably take most of Crystal Empires wood and linen to build but it would be worth it. The pedestal itself wouldn't needed to be changed at all, as it would connect to the rest of the ship and channel the magic of the Skystone throughout the airship.

After her talk with Sombra, she had begun to grow her first Skystone, based upon what she remembered seeing from the games and the manga. Made of black tourmaline, she was growing it layer by layer into a octahedron the size of basketball in her laboratory, with each layer having it's own set of intricate and tiny runic scriptures that worked as a ship's brain, controlling everything from hydrogen production for the balloon to altitude controls, reinforcing the hull and making the entire ship several times lighter, controlling the turbine speed/direction and so many more things she couldn't be bothered to list.

Of course, the greatest feature she had hidden within was the remote detonation sequence: she wasn't going to build airships and not make sure she could bring them down like the Hindenburg, a reason why the balloon would be filled with hydrogen and enchanted with runes to prevent accidental fires while enabling her to cause intentional fires remotely... not that she needed to, since the remote detonation sequence carved into the first layer of the Skystone, which would shatter it instantly.

If she was right, then as soon as the Skystone shattered the airship should regain its true weight and integrity while the balloon would be set ablaze, plummeting the whole ship to land below (or sea, depending on where that particular airship was) and shattering due to sheer force of the impact. A perfect way to destroy a stolen airship... or to wipe out an entire enemy fleet and blame it on whoever she wished.

Such devious trap she was weaving...

Airy watched as the two ponies carried the crate of pedestal parts into her workshop, stepping to the side and putting it before assisting the four other ponies carrying the model airship model through the doorway, carefully making sure that the edges did not hit the doorway on either side before lowering it slowly onto the wooden frame she had commissioned to hold it. All in all, the ship model was one twelfth the size of the real one, just little over four meters in length and little over a meter in width: the real airship would be over fifty meters in length and fourteen meters in width (or beam, as the proper ship term was) so she'd probably need to ask Princess Amore some empty plot of land to build it on.

Well, more like the carpenters and other workers would build it but whatever.

As the six ponies finished setting the ship on it's frame, two more ponies walked in carrying the ellipsoid shaped balloon of similar length and width, only far lighter than the model ship "Just set that on the table over there" Airy directed, watching as they set it on the nearby table next to the model. The balloon wasn't a real balloon of course, it was just linen covered wooden frame that would hold the hydrogen, once she used magic to make it airtight and flame resistant: linen wasn't exactly a prime material to creating airship balloons but since it was the only material she could get her hands on in this medieval time period, she'd just have to adjust and adapt to the situation.

She put on a fake smile and waved the workers goodbye as they left, before turning her gaze towards the crate of pedestal parts. A wave of her hand caused it to open and the parts to emerge, softly floating into the air around her before holding still as she went on examining them carefully.

It was two weeks ago since she ordered the parts and she had to send the last patch back because of the manufacturing errors by the apprentices: the forge master had apologized profusely and given his word that he'd make sure they'd be remade exactly to her specifications, after which she had heard some of his yelling to his apprentices while she was leaving: he had not been kind to hearing them mess up such an important order, especially after hearing that Airy would require a lot of high quality metalwork from them in the future before she had implied (well lied) that she might have to use golems to make the parts she required if the blacksmiths couldn't deliver.

Golems were known to be as stupid as rocks, so for the forge master to hear that the quality they'd produce might be better than the work of his apprentices must have bruised his ego quite a bit... not that she'd ever admit her lies.

It took better part of two hours of examining the parts before she was satisfied, using her magic to start putting it together: screws and bolts and metal coming together as the runic parts were hidden within the blank steel shell around it, with seven segmented metal cables peaking from the holes at the bottom. The cables themselves held no runes, they merely connected pedestal to whatever part of the ship they needed to connect to. There was also a transmitter and receiver build into the pedestal, which would allow her to transmit signals to the balloon without running a cable to it.

As Airy finished putting the pedestal together, she observed it's cylinder shape before turning her gaze to nearby table, removing the linen covering before levitating the finished Skystone on top of the pedestal and finally setting the glass dome over it, smiling as she observed the finished product.

Now, all she need to do was connect the cables to the airship, install the turbines to the sides, hook up the balloon and then she'd be ready to run her first tests: if it worked out, she could schedule a meeting with Princess Amore and her ministers to be first thing in the morning.

It was all coming together...

Airy raised an eyebrow as she flew across the room and took her usual seat at the table, glancing at the empty spots of Glimmer and Thunder Shield "Where's Glimmer and Thunder? They aren't usually this late" Airy noted as one of the maids brought her the usual cup of water and a bowl of crystal berries "Glimmer told me earlier that they would not be attending dinner tonight: she and Thunder are having a family dinner with Daisy today. If you needed to talk with them, i'm sure they'll be at their quarters" Princess Amore answered, taking a sip of her warm tea.

Airy on other hand shook her head in response "No, your highness. I was merely curious, as they usually spend their dinners here with us. I do have some business with the three of you however" Airy said, motioning her hand towards Princess Amore, Radiant Hope and Sombra, latter two raising their heads as their gaze fell upon the little fairy "Oh? Did something happen? I'm sorry I haven't paid attention recently, I've just been so busy studying the emotional magic and helping the doctors at the hospital" Radiant spoke, glancing at Sombra who raised his shoulders in obvious sign of not knowing either.

"Well technically something did happen, however it's a good thing" Airy spoke, watching as Princess Amore made a motion to continue with her hoof while she was still chewing her salad "I received the parts I had requested from the different stores and put them together... and I'm confident to say that my model Airship is ready for full demonstration, at your earliest convenience of course" Airy spoke, addressing the latter part to Princess Amore who's eyes widened at the news.

Radiant on other hand decided it was perfect time to choke on the water she was swallowing, starting to cough at the news.

"Wait, what?" Sombra asked, confusion spreading on his face "I know that it's been less than two weeks since the ministers were bickering about the manufacturing of those friesers you recently introduced, but I did not expect you to already finish the Airship project. Shouldn't it have taken months of studying to design before even first prototypes were ready?" he asked, glancing at Radiant who was finishing clearing her throat.

"Well technically it would have taken years for you to come up with the solution from nothing, however I am already quite familiar with airships and how they work: it was only a matter of figuring out how to translate that knowledge into magical runes of this world and replicate them. Most of the ship designs are mere replications of those I saw in Luxendarc, while the enchantments required for it could easily be tested at the same time. Once I figured out how to replicate the effects, it was merely a matter of designing a way to apply them to the entire ship... or in this case, the airship prototype model" Airy replied, before smiling at him "And they're called freezers, not friesers" she finished, giggling as a slight blush spread on Sombra's face.

"Really? Can we see it?" Radiant asked, eyes sparkling with interest as she stared at Airy with genuine curiosity "Well of course, I was going to ask you two to come by the workshop and check the rune designs yourself: I wanted to make sure everything was perfect before a demonstration" Airy answered, watching as Princess Amore nodded her head "I agree, the safety of those involved in creating and using these airships should be a top priority. Sombra, how long would it take for you and Radiant to look over the designs and determine if they work as they should?" she asked, turning towards the stallion in question.

"No more than an hour, maybe two your highness: With Airy guiding the two of us and explaining the functions, it should be relatively easy to determine if there are any faults in the rune designs" Sombra replied, with Princess Amore nodding her head "Good. For now, I shall schedule the demonstration to be first thing in the morning: Report to me tonight when the two of you have finished examining the designs, so that I know whenever to keep or delay the scheduled demonstration" she ordered, watching as Radiant and Sombra nodded their heads "Yes, your highness" they spoke, nearly in sync as they glanced at each other and smiled.

Afterwards, Princess Amore turned her attention towards Airy "If the airship model works as intended, I fully expect to see the designs for full scale one before I permit any construction. Radiant, Sombra and I shall also inspect the runic designs of the full model before any construction begins, as well as the blueprints for the ship itself should any design changes be required... but other than that, you have my eternal gratitude: should the Airship work as intended, then a new era of prosperity and expansion will begin for the Crystal Empire" Princess Amore spoke, bowing her head in gratitude.

"Oh, there's no need to thank me yet, your highness. As you said, there's still the demonstration and the final designs to go over before no doubt a months long construction begins: it will take considerable time before we'll get to see it in action, especially if there are modifications to be made" Airy spoke with false modesty, watching as Princess Amore raised her head "And I shall wait with anticipation to the day we may soar across the skies with your Airships, Airy" Princess Amore said, glancing at Radiant Hope and Sombra who nodded in agreement.

"This is going to be exciting" Radiant exclaimed as she clapped her hooves together in excitement...

"I already said everything was fine" Glint said as he stood next to Shard, ignoring the slight headache he was having.

Shard Tackle looked at Glint Hoof with narrowed eyes, observing the circles under Glint's bloodshot eyes and slightly mangled mane, with a slight tremor on his shaky breathing "Clearly, something is wrong: have you looked at yourself recently? There's also the fact that you've been getting more aggressive in the past weeks and avoiding people, so clearly something's wrong with you. You should visit the doctor" Shard replied back angrily, both angry at Glint's behavior and slightly worried for him.

"I said everything's fine! leave it be!" Glint yelled at her, refusing to admit that she had a point. So what if he had lost his appetite or felt tired? it wasn't her business just because he had a cold or whatever.

"Um, excuse me" A voice interrupted the two, causing them to look at where Airy was softly hovering in the air, watching them with curious expression "I don't mean to interrupt but... Glint, could you take a night off? Not because I think you're sick" Airy interrupted as Glint opened his say something "but because I need both your and Shard's help tomorrow with my demonstration. I'll be fine, so how about the two of you turn in for the night and come by my workshop first thing in the morning, alright?" Airy asked, watching as Glint ground his teeth.

"Fine, see you in the morning" he said before walking away, not even bothering to wait for response as he started walking down the hallway away from Airy's bedroom towards the barracks, with full intention of getting a full night's sleep.

Shard let out an angry sigh before turning towards Airy "I'm sorry if we interrupted anything, I'm just worried about him: I know something's wrong with him but he refuses to talk or visit the doctor" she explained as Airy nodded her head "I understand how you feel, that's why I asked him to take the night off: technically I don't need his help since Sombra and Radiant will be helping me with the demonstration tomorrow but he looked like he needed a time to gather himself. When the demonstration's done, I plan to have a doctor take a look at him and make sure that whatever he has is not fatal" Airy spoke, lying about her intentions with Glint.

Her plans for revenge were nearly at an end: few weeks of drugging him every night where he had no memory of it gave all the physical signs of drug abuse and with what she had planned for the demonstration... well, she'd come out looking like a benevolent advisor who cared about these ponies.

Shard Tackle let a relieved sigh at Airy's supposed plans with Glint "Thank you... are you sure you don't need anypony here tonight?" Shard asked, glancing around the empty hallway.

"I'm quite sure. Now, how about you go get some sleep, it's going to be a busy day tomorrow and when we're done, you can come with me and Glint to the infirmary just to make sure he's alright" Airy answered, watching as Shard nodded her head in understanding "Alright, I'll see you first thing in the morning" Shard said, smiling as the little fairy waved her hand at her before turning around and following the same path Glint had taken towards the barracks.

"Goodnight" Airy said, waving her hand as Shard paused to wave her back, before continuing on...

Airy sat on the lobby desk as Shard and Glint walked in, though the way they kept glancing at each other gave her a hint that they already had argument on the way to her workshop. Still, it mattered very little in the end "Good morning you two. Are you ready for today's work?" Airy asked watching as Shard gave her a smile and nodded her head, while Glint grunted an agreement while rubbing his head.

From the tremors of Glint's hooves, Airy guessed he had an headache from withdrawal: it was pretty potent drug she had managed to make after all.

"Good, now... Shard, would you mind going out and fetching Sombra and Radiant? I believe they said they had some minor business at the market before they'd come here. I have a couple of things to talk with Glint here" Airy said, watching as Glint turned his head towards her, eyes narrowing in annoyance as Shard glanced between them "Yeah, sure. I'll be back with those two soon" Shard said, turning around and walking out, closing the workshop door behind her.

It was then that Glint spoke "Airy, I know you might be angry with me for that prank a couple of weeks ago but i'm fine, there's no need to pressure me to visit a doc-" Glint's speech was interrupted as his eyes widened a split second before Airy's spell hit him straight in the face, causing him to take a step back as he shook his head, before turning his attention back to her, his irises glowing purple.

Airy smiled as she waved her hand, making a vial behind her desk float through the air to him "Here, take this and put it on your pocket. When the others return, excuse yourself for a moment and go into the alleyway before drinking the contents of that vial, then put it back in your pocket and come help with the equipment. You must pretend nothing's wrong, do you understand?" Airy asked, watching as hypnotized Glint nodded his head "Yes, mistress" he said in monotone voice, making Airy smile even wider "Good. Now remember, when the magic ends, you have no memory of anything that happened here this morning, got it?" Airy asked again, watching as Glint nodded his head.

By the time Shard came back with Radiant and Sombra, Airy was humming some unknown song to herself was Glint sulked there "Excuse me, I need to take a leak" Glint spoke, walking past the three as Airy waved her hand "Don't worry about him, the model, the balloon and the pedestal are in the back workshop" Airy said, gesturing to the back of the workshop where the room in question had the door open "Shard, when Glint comes back he'll help you carry the balloon. Sombra, you carry the ship and Radiant, you carry the pedestal" Airy instructed, before flying up and leading them to the back.

"Ooh, this is so exciting: think about it Sombra, if this really works then we might see ships flying across the sky like birds. Imagine the sights we'll get see" Radiant spoke excitedly as Sombra looked at her, nervously biting his lip as he deeply considered the slight idea in his head before he gathered the courage to speak "From what I've read on the library, there are quite a few amazing locations all over Equestria to enjoy.... Radiant" Sombra paused, with Radiant, Shard and Airy turning their attention to him "If... If the Airship does get approved and build, would you... Would you like to come with me to see them?" he asked nervously, watching as Radiant considered his proposal.

Shard Tackle's eyes widened as she realized what Sombra was asking, her mouth opening to speak before she noticed Airy holding a finger against her lips. It didn't take a genius to realize Airy wanted her to stay silent as they both turned their full attention to Radiant. Sadly for her, Radiant didn't seem to realize what Sombra was really asking as she smiled at him "Yeah, let's make it a proper expedition: I'm sure we can explore all kinds of places that were hard for non-pegasi to access, so we'll have great time. Of course we'll need to gather exploration crews and maybe hire some specialists from Equestria..." Radiant continued talking as Shard cringed at accidental friend zoning from Radiant, while Sombra merely gave a smile that betrayed a slight hint of sadness and disappointment at Radiant missing his point.

Oh well, Airy had time to help them get together: there was nothing better to push someone into villainy than a broken heart after all...

"I LOVE ALL THE COLORS!"

Princess Amore pursed her lips as she turned her gaze from where Radiant and Sombra were finishing setting up the pedestal and the airship to the doors, where one of the guards was making a fool of himself.

"Glint, what is wrong with you?" the other guard, Shard Tackle if Princess Amore remembered correctly, angrily hissed at the giggling guard who was stumbling around "I like all the rainbows, I feel like i'm flying" Glint said, swaying as his head moved this way and that, clearly not understanding what was going on. Thunder Shield motioned towards the other guards present "Get him out and take him to the infirmary, I want a full report when I get there" He ordered, with two of the guards moving to obey as they took hold of the delirious Glint before dragging him out, with Glint screaming randomly and struggling the entire way before the throne room doors closed behind them.

The throne room was silent for a moment, no one daring to anything before Princess Amore started speaking "Radiant, Sombra: please continue" She spoke with soft tone, ignoring the awkwardness as they hurriedly finished the preparations.

The demonstration on other hand made them all forget the rogue guard (at least temporarily) as they witnessed Airy controlling the ship model to rise from the wooden frame it had been set on, observing as she flew it around the room in a circle, with Sombra carrying the pedestal behind it with his magic. Airy also explained how it all worked, from magic making the ship lighter to the balloon itself lifting it to the air, to the 'turbines' on the sides of the ship controlling the direction and speed of the ship (Airy even demonstrated the airship coming to a stop before moving backwards: a sign that it would not be limited to merely moving forward like regular ships).

Of course, her ministers questioned whenever the airship model was really flying and not floating in the air because of Sombra's magic, at which both Sombra and Radiant explained to them how the gas within the balloon was lighter than the air, so it lifted the whole ship thanks to the runes that made the entire ship a fraction of it's true weight.

When they questioned the impracticality of building a giant pedestal to drag behind a real sized ship, Airy revealed that the pedestal was designed for full sized ship: when build, the pedestal she was using to lift the model airship would be fully capable of lifting a real ship into the air, meaning there was no need to build a giant one when that small pedestal could just as easily be installed in the bridge.

Few of the ministers expressed questions of the Skystone in the pedestal and how Airy expected the ponies to replicate it, at which she explained that she had no intention of sharing how they were created and that she would take sole responsibility to creating the Skystones: a comment that angered them until she explained that the process required the use of magic, so since most of the crystal ponies did not wield magic and since they couldn't expect Sombra, Radiant or even Princess Amore to dedicate long periods to this menial task, they'd either have to trust her or risk a foreign unicorn stealing the secrets and creating a monopoly within Equestria.

After that, the ministers were forced to admit that Airy had a point and yielded. Of course, the next biggest issue was the site of the construction, because to create such a vessel was too much for Airy's current workshop, it became a debate among the ministers as to where they would construct this Airship: it wasn't until Glimmer noted that there was a patch of land near the south border of the Crystal Empire that was currently free with nothing but grass currently growing there, a perfect spot for the construction that the ministers agreed upon.

Finally, they moved on to the final part of the demonstration and proposal: the costs of construction.

"This is outrageous! You'd have us nearly bankrupt ourselves with these material costs?" The minister of finances asked, flipping over the papers that Airy had provided on estimated material costs of the construction "And these do not even include the cost of construction itself: we'll need carpenters, metal workers, weavers... and even guards just to make sure nopony starts stealing the materials for themselves" he ranted, flipping through the pages with critical eye.

Airy merely smiled at that as she finished parking the airship model back into the wooden frame, glancing as Radiant and Sombra waited before they started disconnecting the pedestal from it before she turned her gaze back to the ministers.

"I am quite aware of the costs... however, I am quite confident in my designs. Already you pay great prices for what few minor supplies the merchants that dare to travel the frozen north bring you, yet with this airship you can transport massive number of supplies to and from Equestria at a great deal, with no extra costs or supplies to the merchants while also cutting the travel time from weeks to mere days" Airy spoke, flying off the deck until she was hovering in front of the ministers.

"Imagine all the financial gain the airship will provide while cutting the travel and trade costs, including the increased tourism to the Crystal Empire: Right now, only the most dedicated of travelers would dare to visit the Crystal Empire, yet with the airships thousands of new ponies can come and visit the amazing sights of this city every month, maybe even some of our former citizens might decide to return when they see how prosperous we have become" Airy spoke with confidence, watching as the ministers followed her words carefully as their expressions turned from frowns to more pleasant passive expressions.

"Of course, this might not convince all of you as to the importance of the airships, which is why I propose a deal" Airy paused, watching as Princess Amore gazed at her with curiosity "If you agree to construct a single airship and it fails to provide what I have promised you, then as compensation I am willing to give up both the ownership of all my inventions so far and all future royalties tied to them" Airy finished with confident smile, watching at the shocked expressions of the ministers as they began whispering among themselves.

It was then that Princess Amore decided to speak "The financial compensation that is expected from your current creations in the coming years exceeds the material costs of a single airship that you have proposed. Are you absolutely certain of your decision? Once it becomes official, there will be no going back on this" She asked, watching as Airy's smile widened in return "I am absolutely certain" she answered, watching as the ministers nodded their heads one by one and turned their gaze towards Princess Amore.

Princess Amore pursed her lips, thinking about the proposal as she glanced at Radiant and Sombra, who were both staring at her with anticipation.

"Very well, Airy" Princess Amore finally spoke, turning her gaze towards the little fairy "I permit a construction of a single Airship, on the condition that you deliver all the required instructions for production, assembly, maintenance and controls that are related to the airship, with additional condition that you will modify them as we see fit before production begins" she spoke, watching as Airy curtsied in mid-air.

"As you wish, your highness" Airy agreed with a smile and gleeful spark in her eyes...

Thunder Shield's eyes scanned all over the infirmary, eyes sweeping over doctors, nurses and patients before they landed on the bed Glint Hoof was tied to: His armor was on the side, with doctor going through his examination while a guard holding down Glint made sure the doctor could finish his job without any issues. As he walked closer to them, he noticed that somepony had added a muzzle on Glint: no doubt the doctor himself ordered it for a reason.

Stopping at the side of the bed, Thunder stayed silent as he let the doctor finish examining Glint's eyes, before he nodded to the guard and backed away, with guard doing the same as let go. Glint of course immediately tried to speak as he struggled against the restrains, his eyes wandering wildly as the muzzle made it impossible for him to say anything.

"Report" Thunder spoke, addressing the doctor who turned his attention to the captain "I've finished my examination. From the description of Glint's rambling and the physical signs, I've come to the conclusion that mister Glint Hoof here suffers from drug-induced state... he had an empty vial on him and he is showing signs of long-term drug abuse" The doctor spoke, gesturing to the guard who walked over and handed the said vial to Thunder Shield, who observed it for a moment before turning to the guard "Are you certain this was is Glint's?" he asked, watching as the guard saluted him.

"Sir, Yes, Sir" the guard replied, looking straight at Thunder Shield "I personally removed Glint Hoof's armor and found it in his pocket, though the vial was empty when I found it" he answered, receiving a nod of acknowledgement from Thunder as he turned towards the doctor "Can you identify what drug he used?" he asked, watching as the doctor shook his head "Unfortunately, there isn't any sample left in the vial: without more I cannot analyze what it is, since the signs do not match any specific ones I am aware of" he answered, with Thunder nodding his head in understanding.

"Alright, keep him here under observations and report to me if anything changes. I'll be informing Princess Amore of this... and as for you" Thunder paused, turning towards the guard still standing next to him "Send Glint's armor and weapons to the armory: I'll tell the lieutenant to inspect the barracks he was staying in to confiscate any contraband or royal guard property they might find" Thunder Shield ordered, causing the guard to salute him once more.

"Sir, Yes, Sir" The guard spoke, before he started gathering Glint's gear while Thunder gave a nod to the doctor before turning away, walking out of the infirmary with the vial in hoof.

It was always a shame to fire somepony due to a drug problem...