Cause of Progress

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Chapter 1

***

It was early morning, not any different from other ones before this. First rays of sun start peaking trough curtains of still dark rooms of the apartment. The light revealed the poorly decorated walls of the common area, old sofa and almost empty shelfs that hold a couple of first place trophies and medals. Sink in the kitchen was filled with dirty cups and a couple of unwashed plates from the dinners of yesterday and three days ago. On a simple wooden table was a small glass ashtray with a couple of cigarette butts and unfinished pack with a lighter near it. The old fridge hummed his usual song quietly. Moving to the bedroom - on a messy bed laid a lean figure under the sheets.

The accursed alarm clock started his loud serenade and was qickly grabbed by small metallic right hand and turned off, after wich was set back to the nightstand. The figure under the sheets shifted and rose to a sitting position, revealing a resident of this mess. It was a woman in her mid twenties, judging by her looks. She had a pleasant toned skin, short bob hairstyle of a warm black colour and a couple of freckles on her still sleepy face. She opened her eyes and here is where the unusual things about this girl started to come out. Instead of a normal eyes - she had both of them replaced with prosthetic ones, pure black with bright yellow pupils. She lazily blinked and shook her head, throwing the covers off and revealing her damaged body to the world around her. On top of her eyes - she missed both of her legs and her right hand. The metal on her hand started from the middle of her ulna, while her legs was gone from her knee and to the end of the limb. The girl stretched sitting at her bed and then rose to her legs. She wore a simple black t-shirt and her panties for the sleep.

Meet Abigail Reznik, 22 years old. Single, no criminal records, wich was rare among her age group back home. Certified automaton engineer, or so it was back at her former shithole of a home planet. Scratching the back of her neck and the side of her torso under her clothes - she moved to the bathroom/shower to start her day.

The year was 2310 on Terra, former name Earth. The air is heavy with smog, no more snow since 2149, there are currently 7 billion residents on the planet and staying still. Technology is very advanced, to the point where you can learn to be a doctor under an hour with the help of the Memory Chips and muscle stimulants from the brightest of minds in their range of knowledge. Of course, it will cost you a fortune, but still - it could be done. The last great achievement of humanity for the past century is automatons, that basicly a metal dolls, programmed to obey their puppeteers. They can do a lot of things : from cleaning dust from the shelves and cooking to serve as secretaries and bodyguards. It goes without saying that a single unit cost a fuckton of money. Anything was for your money in that century.

Returning to our hero - she finished her morning ritual and start to dress for work. Underwear, t-shirt, cargo pants, steel tip boots, advanced rebreather, for working with blowtorch later, hanged on her neck - she was set for the day. Looking at her apartment and nodding to herself - she leaves, heading down. Down the stairs and into her workshop behind two inch thick metal door and concrete walls.

***

If you ask Abbi - 'how to get rich?' - she would ask in return - 'What kind of world is around you?' In her case - she's in world of no mechanisms, but instead they have... Ugh... Magic. Specifically, she's at Stormwind Isles, or how they were called outside of this archipelago - 'the land beyond Equestria'. Everytime Abigail remembers this - she's uncontrollably furrow her brows at this name.

Apperently, some deity thought it would be funny to rip Abigail from her world and shove her in this one. Good thing her home/workplace was transported with her, or she would be... more than mildly infuriated. She appeared here not even a year ago, and changed what was around her. Good thing the citizens of the Isles warmed up to her pretty fast after she had... disagreement with former Storm King. Why former, you may ask? Well... Abigail didn't appreciated, when giant (7.1 ft) white baboon like creature tried to basically tell her 'get down on your knees and pledge loyalty to me while sucking my penis'. So it escalated pretty quickly into her, almost creating two half's of former king using her photon enduced knife and cutting his belly wide open when he tried to grab her. She had a hard day, can you blame her?

***

Anyway, after that all of the Isles had a little revolution and elected the new king - Raiju the Storm Caller, who is a giant blue half man, half... crab? Lobster?... anthropod. Instead of legs he had six pairs of limbs like anthropods had, his upper body clad in dense blue shell, strong hands with four digits and a face resembles of you-know-who, but somehow more expressive. He said, that Abigail was welcome to stay as long as she wanted and was always welcomed to the castle, which Abbi used and was eager to learn about the new world from castle library. In there she met the most lovely and infuriating mare in her life - Tempest Shadow, a.k.a Fizzy.

Tempest told Abigail about the world she now was resident of. About different races, countries, creatures and about the bane of her existence - magic. It was infuriating to Abigail - how low Equis was in terms of technology because of magic. Planes? That's evil to think of, use pegasus powered blimps. Combustion or electric engine? No, use steam, coal or magic filled engine. Pen or pencil? Chop off her hand if she didn't use feather and ink. After that revelation Abbi cried for at least two hours in her pillow.

***

Back on topic of 'how to get rich'. The answer would almost immideatly left Abigail's mouth - 'reinvent'. She talked to Raiju about economic side of Stormwind Isles and turns out - they were cut off from outside world by the former king that was plotting against country called Equestria, home of ponykind that sprouts the word 'friendsip', while also being somewhat xenopobic. So she suggested to Raiju that if she will live in this new world - she will make it more advanced. Medical equipment, new forms of buildings so they would fit a lot more residents, crystalline engines (because creating combustion engine will be the end of this world), batteries with a lot of stored electric energy, windmills to produce electricity, electricity utility usage itself, railed carriages to transport citizens from one island of achipelago to another, inventions was popping out like Abbi was a technological cornucopia. And finally, hopefully today, would be launched her latest invention - automaton.

***

Abigail entered her workshop, flickin the switches and turning the lights and powering up her machine tools. She walked up to her latest invention and smiled like a kid to her new toy. It was fully sized automaton from 'Maid' series in female complexion, made from aluminum with some of the parts made of porcelain in the future. Now Coco was just bare carcass with reqired wires and crystal in her chest, acting as power source. She spent two weeks making the details and assembling the whole thing from scratch. Now it just needs to finish charging up and Coco could be launched. She didn't had any clothes on, but that was not important. If Coco will work as intended - Abbi could start negotiations with Equestria. All this time Stormwind Isles were still isolated, even after Raiju came to ruling the archipelago. This was because of the inner shifts of progress. As such - all of Abigail inventions were applied to just this country. And that means - leaders of other countries would have a stroke at how advanced the Isles compared to the other countries.

The door to workshop opened slowly and Tempest walked inside, moving akin to the stumbling of a zombie. She needed her morning coffee, badly. Tempest, in her sleepy state, moved to Abigail and plopped on her, pressing her chest into womans back, hugging her from behind around the neck.

"Told you to go to sleep, Fiz. But nooo, you wanted to hear new episode of 'Continental threat' on the radio. Now you look like overcooked fish." - Mocked Abigail, lightly stroking Fizzy's mane with her left hand, looking at still charging Coco.

"That bad, huh? Well, it's not my fault that they delayed the time of the airing on a whole hour." - Mumbled Tempest in bliss at the light strokes of her lover, nuzzling with her nose the back of human's head.

"They will repeat it today at lunch, you doofus. It's not like you choose your favourite show over cuddles... right?" - Asked Abbi sceptical, looking at half asleep mare with a side glance. She wouldn't show it openly, but it warms her heart that she was able to restore Fizzy's horn. She almost broke Abigail's spine with a hug when she saw the thing in human's hands. The horn was syntheticly constructed in secret with medical department. It was a perfect fit, thanks to that cast of her 'stump' she made while Tempest was asleep.

Tempest froze mid nuzzle and guiltily laughed. - "Ehe-he... well..." - Started Tempest, but Abbi pinched her side with her metal hand.

"You digging your own grave with those words, hun." - Smirked Abigail. Tempest yelped from the cold touch and looked at human annoyingly for a second, but then finally noticed the metallic form of automaton.

"You finally finished it?" - She asked, straightening up and walking to the automaton, letting go of the human's neck.

"Yeah, yesterday actually. Finally attached everything required and set the core to it's place. Now we need to wait for it to charge. Which will happen in six to eight hours." - Explained Abbi.

Their relationship was a dangerously fun combination of an experienced military officer and a smartest magicless engineer alive. Often behaving nothing like a lovers, more like a very close friends or even sisters. But even then - they could be romantic and sweet to each other when they feel like it.

Abigail found comfort in Tempest. On the outside - the unicorn mare was tough, stoic and overall professional, when she was at work or out and about in the city. When she was with Abigail or at home with her - she's childish, bubbly and adorably curious when her lover tinkering with something. Also, Fizzy has a very cute face, when Abbi kiss her in public or calling her 'my mare'. She became Abigail's rock in this world. They talked a lot about their feelings towards each other, and found out that both of them wanted to be closer. Four months of friendship and now seven months of relationship do their job and make them closer than ever.

From the other side - Tempest thought that Abigail is amazing. She's not posessing any magic, but could easily compensate the lack of it with her intellect and wits. She came to Equis not by her choice and do not own anything to others, but still bringing something new to this world, even if she says that it's for her own comfort and not others. Abbi is sarcastic and her mouth need to be washed with soap, but still - she's loyal, smart, kind and beautiful. Even with fake limbs and eyes - Tempest find her human lover gorgeous.

"Do you think it could be working when equestrians arrive?" - Asked Tempest, looking at an amazing skeletal structure of the automaton.

Abbi raised her brow at that. - "If it is working without a major problems - I still need to attach the covers and put her in clothes. Why the sudden question?"

"Raiju received a letter yesterday from Princess Sunbutt. One of their ships spotted our fishiers near their borders. Captains of both ships exchanged greetings and our fisher told equestrians about Stormwind Isles. Apperently, Celestia didn't knew about us and going to visit tomorrow morning. Whorse is probably already think that she could have our country to herself." - Fizzy spat out the last part, adoring the angry scowl.

"Wow, repressed anger much?" - Asked Abbi, patting Tempest on the shoulder for comfort. -"But in all seriousness - she would be here tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah... Sorry for my reaction, you know I don't like Equestria." - Tempest said, covering Abbi's hand with her own, looking back at human with worried expression.

"Yeah, I could tell from all the times our conversation touched ponykind. You don't like Celestia and most of the ponies, I get it. But I figured - you will be near them tomorrow as king's most trusted commander. Try to repress your anger, we don't need a war because of the tounge slip. Our technologies may be superior, but they have numbers." - Advised Abigail, giving the mare a small, hopeful smile.

"I know, Abbi. Raiju knows it too, that is why you will be there too." - Smirked Fizzy.

"Uhh... run that by me again?"

"Raiju asked for your presence during the meeting too, since you are the one that invented everything around us." - Answered Tempest, sitting down on Abbi's lap in rider's position face to face, putting her hands on the shoulders of surprised human.

"But... that's stupid. If Celestia sees me - she would precisely know - who could do the same upgrades for her country and that means I'll have a mark on my back. I respect Raiju, but this is, for a fact, stupid." - Argued Abbi, lowering her head on Fizzy's shoulder.

"Sorry, love. I wish we're not require your presence." - Said Fizzy, lightly kissing her on the cheek. - "Look at this from the different angle - you could receive the look of amazement from those ponies. You are a genius, after all. Showing off your loin fruits could be fun."

"While yes - it is fun, I'll still put my ass that you so love in danger." - Said Abbi, furrowing her brows a little.

"Let them try and get you, I'll tear them apart." - Snarled Tempest.

Abigail just laughed silently at this. - "Of course you do, my mare." - She sneaked both of her arms on Fizzy's waist, hugging her tightly. - "But... You could do nothing on an empty stomach, and I believe you didn't had any food yet, as well as I am. Let's go have some breakfast."

"But I'm soooo cooomfy..." - Whined unicorn.

"Damn it... should've seen this coming."

She got up after some bribing with visiting her favorite place.

***

Later that day - Abigail was sitting at the workbench with almost charged Coco before her. Abbi and Fizzy spend most of the day relaxing. While Tempest was eager to go somewhere and do something - Abbi was like a metronome in this case. Some days she wanted to go out and see - how's everything working and maybe fix something, while the other days she would spend in her workshop without seeing the sunlight for a few days. As for today - it was the day to walk around with Fizzy, talk to each other and do some shopping (which was vocally disliked by human, but she still does it for her beloved unicorn).

Back on track - Abigail disconnected the charging cable from the Coco and gently dragged her from the table to the floor, laying her horizontally on her back. With a silent prayer to Omnissiah - she flipped the switch inside of Coco's head and the crystal started give out dim glow, the 'veins' in robotic body adore the same glow and soon - Coco started to smoothly move, getting up from the ground, as would any other human. Abbi took a step back to give her some space and not too long after - she was standing tall, awaiting for the command.

"Alright... So far so good... Coco, execute protocol two." - Abbi Said, starting to slowly walk away from automaton. Command, or 'protocol' as was said - is basically a shortened version of full request, written down in automaton to follow. Protocol two was 'follow'. And lo and behold - Coco adored a relaxed posture and started to follow Abigail, being two step behind. Taking a lap around the workshop - Abbi didn't noticed any problems, which is a good thing. Stopping at the start/finish of their walk - the human turned to automaton, looking her over with a proud smile.

"Alright... let's try something else. Coco, finish protocol two and execute protocol four with correction two. Let's see how good are you on your own." - Protocol four was a command for 'look around and clean' and 'correction two' was to do only big stuff. Suffice to say - human's working place was often clear, but today she left her workshop in mess with parts of metal laying on the floor, some dirt marks of her boots on the floor and dust in some places. Coco, after she recived the command, looked around and spotting parts of metal walked to it and crouch to pick it up. After filling up her hands - she walked to the nearest box for scrap and deposit her findings, returning to do the same cycle again.

Abigail was grinning with a glee in her eyes. She raised both of her hands and shouted at the cealing. - "Yes! Eat your heart out, Boston Robotics, I am the superior engineer!"

While Coco was busy in her job - Abigail comes up and get Tempest to look at her work. Fizzy was mighty impressed, which was reflected in a tight hug Abbi recieved from behind. The day could not get any better.

***

The day could not get any worse. On the next day, Tempest and Abigail came to the Castle for the meeting. Unicorn mare was dressed in her uniform, represented as black coat with grey fur on the collar, flexible scaled steel armor (courtesy of Abigail), a black turtleneck, dress pants and a dark red scarf around her neck, as well she had a sword on her belt. Abigail was similar, only she wore a grey coat with brown fur on the collar, black turtleneck, thick cargo pants of dark green colour and army boots with metal tips. They sat at the meeting room, waiting for Raiju.

When the towering figure of royal lobster arrived, which was accompanied by numerous 'tik's' of his lower limbs at the marble floor, he greeted both his first commander, and brightest mind of the Isles with happy but calm attitude. Tempest humbly greeted him in return, while Abigail was not very pleased she need to be here.

"Remind me again, Raiju, why you wanted me here?" - Asked the human displeased.

"As much as I know - Princess Celestia will come with captain of her guard, small squad of guards and her student - Twilight Sparkle. To my knowledge - Twilight Sparkle is a scholar and The Element of Magic. You may find a common language with her to strengthen the relationship between Stormwind Isles and Equestria." - Answered Raiju, sitting in the head of the massive table, on his wide chair.

"If you forgot - I'll remind you. I don't have magic. Even without it I could create crystal batteries and engines. Why should I talk to this Twilight Sparkle?" - Argued Abbi.

"I remember, Abigail. But you also will be needed for some explanations that would come up regarding your inventions. We need to try and open a trade agreement with Equestria." - Answered Raiju, standing up. Tempest joined him on his right.

"For fuck sake... fine, I'll shut up about it, but! I'll not answer about my work in details." - She crossed her arms.

"I'm not asking you to do it, that would be unwise." - Agreed the anthropod, walking to the balcony with Tempest in tow.

"By the way, I finished first test's of automaton unit. It could be produced in small amount at the end of next week." - Added Abbi, walking to the balcony and standing on the left of a giant figure of Raiju.

"Splendid! I'm very happy to hear that, Abigail. I'm sure Tempest congratulated you for that already." - He said with amusement in his voice.

"Oh yes... Yes, she did..." - Said Abbi smirking, while Fizzy's face started to heat up. There was a lot of bedroom activities that evening, along with cuddling and whipped cream.

"Oh, here they come..." - Anounced Raiju, looking at the small blimp on the edge of the farthest island.

"Let's just hope that they will not be there for long..." - Quietly said Tempest, glaring at the blimp.

Chapter 2

***

While the royal disappointment of an aircraft was advancing in the direction of the Castle - Abigail pull out of her coat a round frame sunglasses, putting them on. She purchased them a long time ago, when some of the locals have been put off by her eyes. In truth - Abbi didn't need any kinds of glasses at all - her prosthetic eyes make them unrequired. But still - it was a good way to hide her eyes from others. Also, she looked good in them.

When the small blimp touched down on the dock of the castle - the doors have been open and guards started to come out. At this - Abigail and Tempest could only laugh in their minds. They greatly overestimated equestrians.

Tempest looked over the guards, checking their equipment and comparing it to the equipment of Stormwind army. Gold armor and helmets of ponies, compared to steel plates of stormdwellers. Iron shortswords and spears compared to steel halberds and longswords. The captain of the guards that came out after his squad wore the same armor. Only diffidence is his red cape with an insignia of the golden sun and instead of a spear he held a round shield. Not only gold was a bad choice for armor - the design was too bulky. At this moment - Tempest was glad that they had Abigail and her ideas on their side.

Speaking of the human, she too looked over the guards, but was more focused on the blimp. Not only the whole construction was partly made of wood - the main balloon was unprotected. The overall lenght would be around 30-35 meters, 6 meters in width. Two rotors for gaining speed and a simple wing on each of the rotors to change the direction of the thrust. An incredibly simple construction, she wouldn't let this lay down and if this piece of work was her - she would get to upgrading it in an instant. Speaking of 'pieces of work'...

After guards and captain exited - next was the Princess Celestia herself with a purple mare in tow. The mare held a notebook and a quill in her magic, looking around and taking notes."This must be Twilight Sparkle, student of Celestia. I should keep an eye on her..." Abigail thought to herself, adoring the neutral expression. While Raiju and Celestia greeted one another - Abbi caught the questionable stare of Twilight. She looked confused at the sight of the human.

"...This is Tempest Shadow, commander of the troops." - Introduced Raiju, holding his hand to Fizzy. Many of the pony guards looked at her, adoring the look of interest and a cheeky one sided smiles.

"She looked underdressed, king Raiju. No armor, only clothes and a weapon. Care to enlighten me on this?" - Politely asked Celestia, looking at Tempest.

"Make no mistakes - she is dressed as she should. The armor that she's wearing under her coat is strong enough to stop a bolt, launched from arbalet. Courtesy of our lead innovator." - Answered Raiju.

"Pff, please... Not even our armor could stop a direct hit from arbalet." - Annoyingly said equestrian captain.

"Captain Armor, stand down. I'm sure - king Raiju seen this armor in action, but we didn't. For now, I'll trust his words." - Said Celestia, changing her gaze from her captain to human, raising a brow. - "And who's on your left, your majesty?"

"This is Abigail Reznik, our lead innovator. Thanks to her - Stormwind Isles entered the new age of technology." - Introduced Raiju, while Abigail stood relaxed with her hands in the pockets of her coat.

"An interesting name... While we were in the air - we looked at the main city and I must say it looks... strange. Don't take this the wtong way, but it just differs from our home." - Admitted the alicorn, examining the human with careful gaze.

"Ah yes. Again - thanks to Abigail and her affinity with constructions - our city started to thrive. More space thanks to the new buildings, transportation from island to island within minutes, medicine, even entertainment and everyday aspects of life were redone by her and our workers hands." - Praised the king, looking at Abigail.

"And what, pray tell, is she? She's not any of the races I've seen in my books. And also - I can't detect her magic." - Voiced Twilight, looking at Abbi with caution.

"If she want - she will tell you." - Raiju said, turning to let the guests past to the throne room. - "Now, what about we transport our future conversations into the castle? It looks like rain..."

Twilight reluctantly nodded to this, as well as Celestia and Shining Armor. Raiju lead them inside with Abbi and Tempest in tow.

***

While Raiju and Celestia were talking out their future trades and agreements - Abigail was in her own world, writing down the ideas in her notebook and doing a little sketches of her future work. She left her house this morning with Fizzy unhappy. Not only because of this whole thing with ponies, but because she wanted to finish Coco. While yes, first tests of some of her abilities were successful - she still need a lot of work. Correctly place all of the 'veins', create a schematic of the 'skin' made of porcelain, check the connections of her limbs and maybe redesign them... There was a lot of work to do. She was close to complete her latest invention, just a little bit more...

"No, I'm against it!" - Loudly said Tempest, gaining attention of Abigail. She zoned out for the most parts of the talk, but when Fizzy was screaming with true emotions in her voice - it meant that something bad is going to happen or already happened.

"But it would be beneficial to Equestria, not to count the terms we're giving to king Raiju with our import and export." - Said Celestia, looking between Tempest and Abigail.

"Care to repeat your request, Princess?" - Calmly asked Abigail with a raised brow

"I was wondering if I could hire you to do the same job as you did in here. As to my understanding - you are quite capable of doing so many things." - Said Celestia, looking at Abigail.

"Well, I get enough money in here doing my job. What can you give me, so I would agree?" - She asked, closing her notebook, but keeping her thumb on the page she was writing on.

Alicorn opened and closed her mouth, seemingly thinking at human's question. Tempest looked at Abigail, thinking about her question too. Finally, Celestia spoke. - "To tell you the truth - I can think of nothing to give you as a reward. Maybe you could name your price?"

At this, Abigail smirked, fully closing her notebook and hiding it in her coat, along with the pen. Tempest could already see that she is had an idea. - "As a fact, yes. You see, I came to Stormwind Isles eleven months ago, soon it will be a year. Just think about it - it took me less than a year to make everything around us..." - She gestured around the throne room. The walls were covered in dark wood with metal corners on the columns, a giant mechanical clock covered half of the empty wall, displaying it's insides trough glass clock face. Complex mechanism of metal cogs and springs, always working. The chandelier was made of a different leveled crystals, like a staircase. In the center was half-sphere that indicated the position of the moon.

"What I want is the truth. As any other engineer and inventor - I care about details, so I could get the full picture, and now the said picture is just described, but not actually showed to me. I heard rumors and read a lot of historical books for past couple of months about Equestria. About you, about your sister, about history overall..." - She paused, taking a breath. - "And to say I'm disappointed in my experience so far - great understatement. I'm going to say this without any malice - your country degraded. Why? Because they too sheltered and because ponies put too much faith into magic and their governer. Look out from the balcony at the Isle. They achieved it not because I told others - what to do. I give them ideas. Made a showcase example. And they catch it and applied it to their lifestyles, because they see the effectiveness of new ways of life."

"What did you want to recieve for your work, Miss Reznik?" - Quietly asked Celestia, holding onto her dress and looking down, like she was being yelled at by her parents.

"If I'm going to work for you - I want to make sure that I'm working for the right persona. I heard things like 'ponies are xenopobic' and many things that could happen if I was going to enter the rich part of the city. If, and it's a big if, you could look into my and Tempest eyes and say 'you have nothing to fear in terms of populace while visiting my country' and swear to me that you will not abuse my inventions and my trust - I will agree to work for you." - Finished Abigail, leaning on the backrest.

All who was present in the throne room was stunned. To not request increased monetary reward, but a promise from Princess Celestia is something else entirely. Abigail was skeptical about the whole 'ponies are not great', and it was a good way to make sure of what is the truth. She would not only see other country, but dispell the nasty rumors. Or she hoped so.

Celestia raised her head, looking at Abigail, then at slightly frowning Tempest and slowly stood up. She took a couple of steps and when she was standing in front of unicorn mare - she looked in her eyes and said. - "You have nothing to fear from the population of Equestria while visiting my country."

To this Fizzy looked deeply into her eyes, past anger and distrust clearly showing in her gaze. She stared into alicorn's eyes for a couple of seconds, after which lowered her eyes and give out a heavy exhale. - "Be thankful that my beloved gives you a chance, Celestia. I wouldn't do that in her place." - She added silently for only Celestia to hear. The alicorn give her a small nod and slowly turned around, only to see the human before her.

"My turn." - Abigail said shortly, removing her sunglasses and revealing her prosthetic black and yellow eyes. Celestia was taken aback by this, covering her mouth and continuing to stare in Abbi's eyes.

"What... What happend to your eyes?.." - She silently asked the human.

"Higher up abused his position, which leads to me no longer having my eyes, my right hand and both of my legs. Now, please say what I asked you to say and let's finish this. I need to get back to my work."

Celestia reluctantly nodded, adoring more determined expression and while looking in the black and yellow eyes repeated her words. Abigail looked deep in the eyes of Celestia, trying to see - is she telling the truth or not. In the end - she closed her eyes for a couple of seconds, then looking at alicorn mare again. - "I trust you... for now, at least. Raiju?" - She called the king, turning her head.

"Yes?" - he answered with a calm yet surprised tone.

"Due to my soon-to-be absence - I'm stopping my active research and trusting the Research Group with weekly basic inspections and maintenance of anything technical wise. They have blueprints and instruments required for this job. Also, I want to request one of the ships to transport my instruments in Equestria and then return to Stormwind Isles. Finally, as much as I trust given promises - I need a guard to come with me on a unknown amount of time to Equestria. Can you do thath?"

"Hmm... Very well, lead innovator. You will receive the requested support. Anything else?"

"Yes. If I'm not needed right now - I would like to take my leave with Commander Shadow and start to pack our stuff."

"I will dismiss Commander in an hour. You may go, Miss Reznik."

***

"So we are going to Equestria? Didn't thought you would agree, Abbi." - Said Fizzy not too amused. They currently sat at the kitchen table of Abigail's house after dinner.

"Fizzy, as much as I trust your judgement on many things - I'm not convinced that ponies are that bad. This would be a good opportunity for me and you to learn - how things in there. Maybe Equestria is not that bad as you say." - Answered Abigail, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Maybe... But I'm still going to be on edge. All those years did a number on my perception of Equestria." - She admitted, leaning her head on the shoulder of her human.

"I'm not asking you to outright trust them and be buddies, hun. Be open minded but still have your guard up. Maybe in the future, if we agree on this - Equestria could become our second home." - Quietly said Abbi, lovingly stroking Fizzy's mane and rubbing her scalp with fingertips.

"We'll see, love. I'll trust you on this one." - She snuggled closer, her face adoring a peaceful expression.

"Thanks... wanna go to bed? Equestrians will leave after lunch and we have a busy morning with all the packing my stuff." - At this the unicorn just raised her head slowly and after nodding sharing a brief but loving kiss.

"I will prepare our bed and check our luggage, you deal with the dishes. I don't want you to leave a dirty sink." - She winked, starting to walk away with with a slight sway in her hips.

"Hate to see you leave, but love to watch you go..." - Abbi whispered, slightly hypnotised.

***

Morning came and currently Abigail monitored the process of transportation of her tools onto the aircraft. Hired workers carried everything important : her machinery, boxes with instruments, couple of cases with notes and files and a coffin-like box with unfinished automaton, disassembled of course. Those were set inside of a carrier aircraft, designed to move relatively fast and being able to carry the weight of 30 tons, counting with the crew. The whole thing looked like a medium sized barge, but instead of moving on the water - it used rechargable source of electricity in form of a cores with high capacity white crystals to move in the air and land if recharge is needed (white crystals are actually rare and used specifically in an industries, unlike usual blue crystals).

The barge itself was made out of light sort of wood painted in black and gold, steel and some more complex details made out of titanium, specifically the engine and both vertical and horizontal thrusters. It was forty meters long and thirteen in width, able to move at the distance of fifty thousand kilometres at 120 km/h without any weight on one white crystal core. Of course, this number was decreased to fifteen thousand fully stocked with the same speed, but it still was an absurdly effective craft. Hard to built, sure, but effective. It had a rooms for the crew and for the passangers, having a space for total count of thirty passanger on board without counting the crew.

Anyway, after everything was set - equestrians with both Abigail and Tempest got on the board - they were ready to depart. Captain of the equestrian blimp left yesterday and probably already landed in Equestria. Both unicorn and human choose the cabin for two and now were on the main deck, looking at the midday horizon of the sea. Captain told them that the whole trip would last around 5 hours if they don't meet any troubles on the way, to which Twilight's jaw dropped on the floor. Abbi honestly forgot about her, until she met her today. She was quiet and like Abigail was frequently lost in thoughts. As long as she didn't interferes with her work or started to spy on her - the human had no problems with that mare. Captain Armor was quiet as well, which was good and bad at the same time. Celestia was looking around the aircraft, amazed at the construction.

In 13:27 the barge successfully departed from Stormwind port and headed towards Equestria border. Abigail was in a good spirit, awaiting their arrival and seeing the famous Equestria for herself.

Chapter 3

***

"Seventy bottles of wine on the wall, seventy bottles of wine. You take one down, pass it around... heeey, I know what we could do this..."

"Finish that fucking sentence and you will be sleeping on the floor tonight, Fizzy. I'm not in the mood on replying to your horny attitude right now... Hah, horn-y..." - After that Abbi recieved a light pinch on her left tigh, wincing silently but chuckling afterwards.

They almost arrived to the Canterlot castle after four and a half hours of flight. Abigail and Tempest spend their trip mostly hanging out in their room, laying on the bed together and doing their preffered calm activities. They were both on the same bed, Abbi laying and Tempest sitting and having her legs over human's. Abigail was solving a 9x9 Rubbic's cube, while unicorn was reading some kind of an adventures book. They did took some time off of their activities, talking or walking around the barge, but ultimately were sticking together.

"What do you think will happen in next week or so? Do you think Celestia will keep her words?" - Asked Tempest, making the bookmark and closing her book for the time being.

"It's either we will work as we need to, or some form of shenanigans will occur. And honestly? I would prefer the shenanigans. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy the quiet times of work and spending time together, but... it's like... all of the time." - She exhaled, lowering her cube and looking at Tempest. - "We did the same thing on the Isles day in and day out. It was too consistent. With this - we can do something different, and for me - I could see the other country of this world. Country you from, hun. As much as you dislike Equestria - it's still the place you from."

"Then... The real reason for you to ask Celestia that promise waaaas..."

"Oh, just to make sure she did want my help for a reason, not just because I'm one of a kind, like a collectable piece. If there will be problems like a specism or other dumb reason to despise me - I can have my fun and have a banter with them or even kick some faces. I won't have an argument, demanding with foam coming out of my mouth to respect me, that would be stupid and gross. I'm going there not just to work, but also to have a good time." - Abbi smirked, throwing the cubical object from hand to hand.

Fizzy just exhaled and with a smile and shake of her head said. - "You are, indeed, one of a kind, Abbi..."

"Hey, what do you think Celly-Belly doing right now?" - Human asked aloud, looking up in thoughtful expression, holding the cube in her right hand.

"Probably something related to her duties. Paperwork, maybe? Or just relaxing."

***

In the meantime, Princess Celestia, with both Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor, were sitting in a room, not far from the room of Abigail and Tempest. Twilight had time to walk around, trying to figure out the construction of this aircraft, taking numerous notes and having the time of her life. Shining Armor sat on one of the beds, mulling over what he saw in the Stormwind Isles and figuring out how he can improve his guards. Celestia was seated beside the round window in deep thought. She can't stop thinking about this Abigail Reznik and her supposed lover - Tempest Shadow. For starters - Celestia was curious of the reason to why the crimson unicorn had that amount of loyalty to the innovator and seemingly hostile to her. Next, she was astounded by the amount of work Abigail did and how it changed the population. Lastly, she was afraid and scared. Afraid of the possibility to have someone do harm to Abigail and null their agreement and scared of how she could retaliate. From what Celestia and everypony saw yesterday and today - Stormwind Isles could be a dangerous enemy, but at the same time - great friends. Raiju was pleasant and wise as a ruler and judging by the scratches and marks on his shell covered body - great warrior.

Twilight was back from her walk an hour ago and yet stopped to write or talk aloud about how this barge actually worked. No magic? Ha! Impossible! Or so she said.

"Twily, you talking aloud again." - Called out Shining Armor to his sister. In turn she didn't even aknowledged him, continue to write and talk. - "TWILIGHT!" - He said louder this time, frowning.

"Huh, what?" - She raised her head, looking questonable at her brother.

"You talking aloud again." - He said unamused.

"Oh... sorry..." - She sheepishly smiled.

"It's alright. Just what are you working on to have this much enthusiasm?" - He asked, standing up and walking to her, looking at the filled parchments.

"Ahem, I'm trying to figure out - what type of magic miss Reznik used to create this aircraft."

At this - both Celestia and Shining raised a single brow, looking at Twilight. Celestia decided to say her part. - "Twilight, I believe Abigail and King Raiju himself said that she don't have any type of magic and every piece of technology was constructed using her intellect and hands."

"But... But that's impossible! There must be some kind of a hinch..." - She tried to argue. - "If I could figure out - how she did what she did - our researchers will not be needing miss Abigail's assistance."

"Can I ask you a simple question? If what you saying is right - then do you feel any magic around you? Specifically in this barge?" - Said Celestia, looking calmly at the purple unicorn.

Twilight concentrated, lighting up her horn and closing her eyes for a couple of seconds, but her face took dissapointed expression after couple of seconds. She opened her eyes and looked at her notes. - "No... not a single spark of magic. But... How is that possible?..."

"This is going to be explained, hopefully... I notified my sister about arrival of our guests. I just hope that nobody will provoke miss Reznik." - Said Celestia, looking out of the window again at the familiar scenery. - "Looks like we will arrive soon. It indeed took us couple of hours to get back to Equestria."

***

The landing the castle grounds was successful. Guards of the Princess Celestia left first, leading her and the guests on a small tour, showing both Abbi and Fizzy - where they will be sleeping, eating and where the innovator will be working. The new workshop was... spaceous. Forty by fifty five meters was enough to fit every machinery Abbi brought with her and more. As they were about to leave - Abigail asked Celestia to stay for a minute to have a pip talk. They currently were alone in the workshop.

"Look, Celestia, let's talk like adults. Not by our ranks. Can you do that for me?" - Abbi asked the mare, jumping and then sitting on the high workbench, taking a relaxed pose. Her stuff was already brought from the barge and placed as she asked in the workshop.

When Celestia slowly nodded with a raised eyebrow - human continued. - "Alright. First of all - take a breath and relax, I'm not going to make threats or anything. Just clarify something. And that is - how I hope this will going to work between you and me. I'm not an uptight, conniving bitch, just someone with ideas. So please - feel free to drop the act of a princess and behave like an actual being with emotions."

The white mare was stunned for a couple of seconds, but then actually took a breath in, exhaled and answered. - "Well, thats a relief... I honestly took you for a major... bitch, as you described yourself."

Abbi just grinned in reply. - "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for that, my beloved taught me about Equestria, as I said before, and I had some reservations. Still - we should not have any problems. I promised to give you the benefit of a doubt and decided to actually talk to you face to face without political bullshit. My point is - I'm more simple than you might think. The reason I'm agreed to this whole shindig is to see what Equestria is about. Sure, as to our agreement - I will work on modernization of your country. But I wouldn't throw a fit if some pony said something mean to me. Sure, I can get angry if the right buttons pushed and punch someone in the face for that, but most of the time - I'm laid back and asking for you to act the same if we are alone, or with Tempest. I'm not going to judge the real you and neither she will. Tomorrow day will come a shipment of details for me to work with and a catalog of what blueprints we could share with adjustment's to your country. So... are we good?"

Celestia gave a small smile and nodded again. - "Yes. That's a major fear out of my mind..."

"Peachy. Now, let's go have something to eat. Pretty sure you are starving as well as I am." - She jumped off of the workbench, heading to the exit and leaving Celestia behind.

The mare herself had a moment to process everything that was said, having a genuine smile for a second or two, not before it vanished and the word 'Blueblood' left her lips, as she hurried to catch up with Abigail.

***

The scene looked comical for human. In span of half an hour Abigail was called an animal by prince Blueblood, which earned him a mental nickname Ballsy. He almost got his face caved in by Tempest for those words, but luckily - Abbi quietly bribed her with a midnight cuddles if she will do nothing for now. Twilight and Shining Armor didn't yet knew about the talk between Abbi and Celestia, so they started to innerly panic about human retaliation for the act of a prince. Then, Ballsy threw a hissy fit to 'Auntie Celestia' about 'that dirty animal', at what Abigail almost exploded with laughter, covering her mouth with a gloved hand. She still wore that coat, gloves and sunglasses.

After this incedent was dealt with and they finally were seated at the table (without Ballsy) - came the second princess. When she arrived - waiters took their respective orders for dinner. Tempest took an eastern fish soup, name of which was oddly sounded like something from Terra, while Abigail requested the only thing that caught her attention - dumplings with potatoes and mushrooms. The name itself was a heavy throwback to her childhood. Being an ex-citizen of the United Federation of Terra, or 'First United and Capitalised Kingdom', as she loved to call her former home - her mother cooked dumplings with miced beef or lamb on weekends. It was a long time since she had something among the food that would remind her of home. She should cook something herself... Fizzy might enjoy it.

"Ahem... While we waiting for our dinner - I should introduce myself. My name is Princess Luna, co-ruler of Equestria along with my sister - Princess Celestia. And your name is... Abegail?" - Asked Luna, looking at the human.

Abbi in turn slowly removed her glasses and looked at the Princess of the Night with calm expression. - "It's Abigail. Abigail Reznik. Innovator of Stormwind Isles. Beside me is my guard and beloved one - Tempest Shadow." - She said, after which put her sunglasses in the inner pocket of her coat. After the glasses - gloves came off and were put in the outer pockets, revealing her metal hand. Fizzy in the meantime just nodded politely.

Luna was mildly disturbed by the sight of black and yellow mechanical eyes, but didn't dared to ask about it, avoiding to look directly into them. - "I-I umm... I s... Ahem... What can you tell us about your home? We didn't knew that there was an archipelago that technically advanced. From what my sister wrote me yesterday - it's quite the sight."

"Oh, it's lovely. I always preffered misty and cold coastal cities and towns. Mornings with fresh, salty smell of the ocean that comes trough the open windows... As to the technologies - most of them are mine inventions. And I'm not boasting, not in the slightest. When I came to live on the Isles - it was more ragged, disorganised... Previous ruler was... not very bright, and even this description is generous ... oh, what was his name, dear?" - Abigail asked Tempest with a small smile.

"He didn't had one, my beloved. As long as I remember him - he always called himself by the title 'Storm King'." - Calmly answered Tempest, giving out a small smile to Abigail.

"Interesting... And what happend to him?" - Luna asked, intrigued.

"His ultimate goal was to 'steal the magic of alicorns' and... ugh... rule the world. What a foolish goal that was, never understood that kind of mentality. He wanted to use my knowledge and his magic-stealing staff to do that, making me in process his... for a lack of better words - concubine. I declined and when he was about to attack - I killed him. After that - King Raiju risen to the throne, citizens were cheering when they learned about the death of former King. Raiju gave me a permission to stay as long as I wanted to and in turn - I decided to modernize Stormwind Isles. After almost a year I finished the essential work and now just bring up things that are not vital but netherless making the life easier."

Both alicorns and unicorns were dumbstruck by this. They didn't even knew about the danger and tragedy that could happen, if Abigail did nothing, or worse - agreed to help. They literally dodged the deadly arrow by sheer luck. - "And... What about that 'magic-stealing staff' you mentioned?" - Asked Celestia with a drop of cold sweat on her forehead.

"Destroyed. I turned it to ash and fishers dumped the remains into the ocean. So yeah, you welcome." - Abigail smirked, looking at the Princess of the Sun.

"Yes... You... indeed prevented a disastrous incedent. On behalf of Equestria and from myself and my sister's very being, we thank you, Abigail Reznik. I can't even imagine the scale of destruction this invasion may cost us..." - She lowered her head, holding it in both arms. While she was in that position - doors to the dining room opened and waiters with trails of food started to put everything in place.

"Hm, I could answer that question... But it's not the time for being gloomy. Our dinner is arrived and honestly? I'm pretty famished." - Abbi said, picking up her fork.

***

With dinner finished and nothing better to do - Abigail decided to visit gardens, as Celestia advised. Tempest was whisked away by Shining Armor, who wanted to try himself in a friendly sparring match against the unicorn mare. While it was tempting to watch Fizzy in action on the ring - it was more tempting to hear it from her before they would go to sleep.

Walking around the garden - Abigail lit up a cigarette, smoking as she walked. Her robotic eyes trailed the forms of statues and smooth edges of flowers, calming her down. Among the statues were warriors, magicians, poets and important noble figures, but one of the figures was put away from everything. It was not decorated by the flowers around it, nor it was in any inspiring pose. It was a female in her maybe late twenties or early thirties, wearing a toga with an exposed shoulders and left leg without any form of a footwear. Long, straight hair that was turned, like the owner whipped her head in the direction she was now staying. Her hands were raised, cowering her twisted in fear face that was braced foe an impact. It looked like she was turned into stone, or the author was incredibly talented in making faces of his creations. Abbi looked down to find a name, only discovering a dust covered tablet. Swiping away the dust - she finally learned the name of a mysterious figure. Eris, Spirit of Chaos. She now remember this name. According to history books - Eris pledged Equestria into disharmony, creating chaos everywhere she go. Eris was imprisoned by Celestia and Luna by turning into stone for her crimes. But...

"...are you really deserve that fate, Eris?" - Whispered Abigail to the statue, her face gained a sorrowful look. - "History is written by winners, after all, and there is no word about you killing someone. If anything - you actually could be victim here... I wish I could ask, there is a lot of things that didn't explained your history. But with anything I know about you for now - I would like to think that you are misunderstood." - She finished, plucking a cream rose from a nearby bush and laying in before the feet of a statue. Looking at the scared face of a statue a little more - she gave out an exhale, turning away and walking back to her and Fizzy's room. This night she would be the one who will be hugged, Abigail felt like she need that. Human didn't heard nor see the crack that formed on the right cheek of a statue after she left the garden.

Chapter 4

***

Morning came with a knock on the door. Abbi stirred awake from her sleep, already annoyed by the unknown guest, while Fiz just grimaced and covered her head with a blanket. They currently were on the bed, hidden under the warm covers. During the night they didn't much change their positions - they were closely together, holding each other in sleep. It was comfortably warm and the idea of leaving the said warmth was unappealing to both unicorn and human.

A second pair of knocks was followed by a polite, femine voice. - "Miss Reznik, I came to notify you that Princess Celestia asked for your presence in the throne room within a next hour."

To this - the mentioned human only mumbled something far from polite, raising her head and after an exhale - lifting her top half with the help of her left elbow. She looked down at still frowning Tempest, smiling in amusement at the sight and lightly kissing the base of her horn - a trusty way to give her unicorn lover a pleasant feeling and make her relax. Abbi risen onto her feet and headed to the door. She as usually wore her black t-shirt and panties, showing off her metal legs and a hand.

With silent clanks of metal feet against the stone floor - Abigail reached the door, opening it and looking at the... maid. White and black outfit with a long dress that ended a couple of cantimeters above the floor. With questonable and sleepy face - Abbi looked at the face of a maid, asking. - "Celestia asked for my presence to do what, exactly?"

"Umm... Princess didn't specify that." - The maid awkwardly admitted.

"Of course she wouldn't... Thank you, we will be there in due time." - Nodded Abbi, closing the door and rubbing the bridge of her nose.

She walked to the bed, sitting on the edge of it and gently shaking Tempest. - "Rise and shine, Fiz. We have a day ahead of us and we need to get dressed. Come on, love." - To which the unicorn begrudgingly moaned and opened her eyes a little.

"What time is... it?" - She asked, yawning at the end.

"Time to get up, you sleepy mare. Celestia's waiting for me in the throne room within an hour and you supposed to guard me. So come on, time to hit the shower." - Said Abbi, who stop shaking Fizzy and headed to the bathroom. - "Are you going to join me or nah?"

"I will. But I could use a boost..." - Tempest said, slowly sitting up with half closed eyes.

"Of course you will..." - Abbi said, shaking her head and walking back to the bed. Leaning down - she turned mare's head with a finger on her jaw and planted a quick yet passionate kiss on her lips. - "Come on... We need to get going..." - She said softly this time, looking into mare's sleepy eyes.

Tempest's frown turned to a satisfied smile and more open eyes. She nodded to her lover in return. - "Alright, gimme a minute to wake up a little bit more and I'll join you..."

"That's more like it. And if I don't see your cute flank in the shower in five minutes..." - She leaned to Tempest's ear. - "I will adress you today only as 'my mare'." - After which gently bit the tip of her ear and with a slight sway walked to the bathroom.

Now wide awake and red faced - Fizzy could only watch her leave, tempted to actually push her luck and stay for a little bit more in the bed. But she knew better - if Abigail promised something then she will do it, either out of principal or for her own fun.

***

After a steamy shower with a short adult interlude and dressing up - both human and unicorn now stood in the throne room before Princess Celestia and supposedly friends of little purple bookworm. Fun fact - the temperature of this world was colder than on Terra, meaning that when others would dress in a t-shirts and a short skirts - Abbi would dress in her cargo pants, steel-tipped army boots and a light khaki sweater with rolled up sleeves, like right now. She still wore her sunglasses, because she was more comfortable in concealing her eyes from others. Also they looked cool.

"So... What do you want from me, exactly?" - Abigail asked, raising a brow at the Princess, ignoring others for now.

"In early morning arrived the supply of details for your work, Miss Reznik. My sister and her Night Guards supervised the transportation of the said details to your workplace. We would be pleased to look at the master in the process of her craft." - Explained Celestia, while Twilight and her friends were quietly chatting on the side.

Abigail rolled her eyes at that. - "Just say 'I want to see - how you do things', no need to be like that. But fine, gimme a minute to have a coffee, a smoke and i will be good to start."

At that - Celestia only smiled with a hint of confusion, while Tempest nudged her lover with the elbow and whispering. - "I told you to not smoke on the empty stomach..."

"Relax, I will eat first thing after this. After all - I want to see what they shipped to me." - After that - Abbi with Tempest and Celestia with the group headed to the workshop on the lower level of the castle.

While they were walking - Abbi was asked a lot of questions by others from the group, like :

"Why you don't have a fur?" - Evolution.

"Where are you come from?" - My mum and dad, when they decided to have a kid.

"What is your favorite flavor of the cake." - Chocolate with bits of strawberry, soaked in rum.

"Why do you have that horrid looking metal on your arm?" - Because I don't have an arm and it was polished and repainted two weeks ago, thank you very much.

Only one of them didn't said anything, silently hiding behind her straight pink... hair? Mane? Whatever, it's probably mane giving their race name - ponykind. Also Fizzy called it like that. Girl looks cute though, that green sweater and skirt really suits her.

Speaking of the group. In there they had : a westerner blonde in cowboy hat that probably work on a farm, a pink hyperactive LSD addict, Twilight the Nerd, a boastful rainbow-colored adrenalin junkie that I want to smack upside the head more I hear her speak, a diva that acts like she is the centre of a beaty and fashion, and of course that cute pink maned shy mare.

When the group arrived at the workshop - Abigail stopped them and anounced. - "Alright, now you are on my territory, meaning that I have rules in my workplace : don't touch my instruments without permission to do so, don't screw with things you don't know on how they work, if you have a question about something related to my work - speak up. Anyone have something to ask?"

"Pffft, like something there is THAT dangerous. It's just a bunch of scrap." - Dismissed the rainbow colored mare, rolling her eyes.

At this - Abbi only raised her brow once again, removing her sunglasses and looking at the mare with the look that said 'you are stupid and that's a fact'. She then proceeds to grab a short 1,5 mm square shaped construction pipe and her plasma cutter, which is a fancy name for a high-powered welding torch with green 'flame', that's used to work with high density metals. Turning the valve and condensing the stream - Abbi slashes the pipe, touching it with the flame and cutting the chunk from it that falls onto the floor with a clank. At the amazed looks - she lays the remaining of a pipe on the workbench and turned off the cutter, looking at now wide-eyed pegasus. - "Any more questions? No? Cool. Hun, please put the coffee pot on. I'll start with the unpacking."

Tempest nodded with a hidden glee in her eyes at the pleasant scene that happened before her. After all - Fizzy loved when her lover showed off her intellect or wit to silence someone or to put someone in their place. She walked to the other side of the workshop, turning the crystal-powered coffee-maker on and preparing two cups for both of them, while Abbi started to calmly converse with the others from the group, simultaneously cutting the straps that held the details together.

***

Fifteen minutes later, when Abbi's coffee and smoke break was finished (others didn't take the smell that good) - human took a shipment document, checking the delivered things. With everything she had - Abigail couldn't make much, but she could work with it for now. The amount of materials and details was actually enough to make a functional airsurf board. The concept was simple, same thrusters like on the barge, but with lower power output and attached to a sheet of refined steel with perpendicularly placed horizontal handle for navigating the directions and controlling the speed. Of course the control panel could be fit into the board itself and controlled by stepping on the buttons without a handle, buuut... nah, too dependant on leg agility and vestibular apparatus. Version with handle only required the former.

The other things she could potentially do with her stock is... well, a lot actually. The airsurf is the first that came to mind. There also was a couple of boxes labeled 'CAUTION!' and 'Fragile package', which she believed contained that porcelain details she request a week prior. She should see the details later. Well, time to work.

She set her empty cup on the table and walked to the standing stacks of a thin, refined sheets of metal, looking over the smallest one, which had parametres of 150×40×2.5 respectively. - "Let's try this one..." - She mumbled to herself, putting the working glove on her left arm and picking up the sheet, taking it to the workbench. The others quickly surrounded her, watching as she proceeds to mark the shape and places for holes with marker and took the sheet to the first stop, where it will be fixated and cut. Laser cutter was programmed and with precision produced the requested shape of the board. Next was to put the layer of sandpaper-like fabric on the standing side to prevent the slips....

***

"This umm... looks... " - Tried to complement Twilight, looking at the strange mechanism.

"Oh, oh! Unknown? Alien? Like a bomb?" - Supported the hyperactive pink mare, hopping in place, making her 'girls' jumping up and down. Does she wearing a loosened bra?...

"It looks like a bunch of hodge-podged scrap." - Bluntly voiced Rainbow, that started to get on the nerves of both Abbi and Fizzy. The former only glanced at her for a second, placing a small cilindrically shaped crystal into the battery port.

"Maybe it is..." - Agreed Abigail, lifting the board and placing it on the floor. - "But alas - I'm making it for showing the concept, you could make it pretty afterwards." - She finished saying, standing on the board.

"What is this thing anyway? Looks like a scooter..." - Wondered Rainbow.

"Well..." - Started Abbi, clearing her throat. - "It's an airsurf. I used to built them from a bunch of scrap back when I was younger. As to what this thing for?.." - She flipped the small switch, making the construction come to live and hover above the ground with silent hum of engine, to yet another amazement of others. - "I could say 'personal transportation', but truly? It's more for fun." - And at that - she used the control handle to gain thrust, speeding away from the group, being half a metre from the ground and producing a loud 'YAHOOOO!' while travelling up the stairs and into the halls of a castle at 15 km/h.

The group could only hear the innovator's echoing voice deeper in the castle, as well some female yelps, presumably maids. Tempest silently laughed at the expression on the faces of the group. - "And she didn't even tried hard. Abigail could do a lot better job, when motivated." - Admitted the crimson unicorn, having her hands crossed and looking around the workshop.

"Is she always like that?" - Asked Twilight that regained her composure.

Tempest furrowed her brows. - "Like what?"

"Wild? Unrestricted? Unladylike? Careless?" - Supported Rarity.

"Are we talking about the same person? Abigail is careful when it needs to be, she doesn't need to be restricted, because she's a grown up and... Wild? She just like to have fun when she could. As to 'unladylike'... She just more coltish." - Argued Tempest.

"Ooh, me likey, me likey..." - Said Pinkie with a mischievous smile.

"Hands off, she's taken." - Glared the crimson unicorn.

"There's always room for one more in having fun!" - Exclaimed the pink mare with wide smile.

Tempest could only deadpan. - "Nope, not in this case."

***

After the whole demonstration of a crafted airsurf and it's abilities, Twilight's small mental breakdown on the 'lack of magic in it' - the group disolved. Celestia, Twilight, Applejack (snort, Jappleack), Rainbow Dash (snort times two, Dainbow Rash) and Fluttershy (shy cutie) decided to stay at the castle and do whatever, while Abigail, Tempest, Pinkie Pie and Rarity wanted to go in the town as separate groups. Rarity wanted to visit the local boutique (shocker), Pinkie (to noone surprise) - bakery and Abigail with Tempest wanted to have something to eat, as they slept trough the breakfast. Celestia said, that after lunch there would be a small court that will be consisted out of scientists and engineers from the local university, Luna as well, so Abbi could discuss with them the possibility of future upgrades and make a plan of applying the said upgrades. In short - boring stuff. Until that - free time. Abbi left the airsurf in her workshop, before leaving with Fizzy.

During the walk trough the streets of Canterlot - Abbi was undeniably eyed by the local residents, royals and workers from different shops. Abbi felt like she was once more on the Isles during her first week in this world. Countless eyes were watching her every move, like she was a museum exhibit. She almost had a fit after the next encounter.

When the pair arrived at seemingly alright restaurant, that served meat - the waiter thought that Abbi was an animal that belonged to Tempest, sooo...

"No animals inside, miss." - Said the waiter, keeping the neutral expression and looking at the crimson unicorn.

"We don't have animals with us." - She qickly answered, furrowing her brows and holding hands with Abigail, who had her glasses on once again.

"I'm sorry miss, but you certainly are. You holding it's paw right now." - The waiter said, pointing with his hand at Abbi.

"Did you just called my lover an animal?..." - Growled angrily Fiz, clenching her teeth.

"Do you sleep with it? By Celestia, you are gross..." - He covered his maw, imitating puking sound.

"Chill, Tempest." - Interrupted Abigail, not wanting for a fight to break out, holding her arm with her left. - "Let's just find a place with more polite workers that don't assume... wait, is that Shining?" - Abbi nodded at the table with the white unicorn stallion and an unknown mare.

"Huh?..." - She followed the direction and indeed it was the Captain, sitting with someone. - "Oh yeah, it is Shining. And looks like he's on date."

"Oh, it talks. What an unusual beast you have..." - Commented the waiter, reminding of his presence.

At this - Tempest was ready to snap the waiter's neck, but fortunately Abigail had a better idea. - "Oi, Shining! Might help us out there, would ya?" - She asked loudly, making the white unicorn jump and look at the entrance, as well the half of the guests.

After recognising the pair - he quickly got up and after saying something to his date came to the entrance. - "Good day, Miss Reznik, Tempest. What's seems to be the problem?" - He asked, already on edge.

"This muppet think's that I'm a pet animal of my lover, and was assuming that she's into bestiality." - Said Abigail bluntly, nodding at now sweating waiter. - "Could you please clarify to Mr Rude here - who am I?"

Shining, now both surprised and angered - looked at the covering waiter and strictly said. - "This is Abigail Reznik, an important visitor from another country and her guard - Tempest Shadow. Miss Reznik is definitely NOT an animal... Do you understand?"

The waiter nodded a couple of times, seemingly turning pale with every word.

"Excellent. Now, would you mind showing them an empty table so they could have something to eat?"

"O-of c-"

"No need." - Interrupted Abigail, looking at Shining Armor, then at the waiter. - "I've lost my appetite... Come on, Tempest. We have some more time before we need to go back to the Castle. Let it be lesson of politeness for this bloke. Sorry for interrupting your date, Captain." - At this, he nodded with saddened expression, while Abbi and Tempest left to find something more easily accessible, like a stall with fast food. Shining could only think for the rest of his date that it will bite them in the future.

***

The pair did indeed found a stall maintained by griffin male and had some food, which was consistent of a simple fish kebab on a stick and a cold tea with ice. After the light late breakfast and another smoke for Abbi - they returned to the castle for the biggest shows imaginable, unbeknown to both of them and Princesses.

It started calm - Abigail arrived with Tempest at the Court room, guided by two guards, and sat at the other end of a long table. Then Celestia and Luna came with a group of scientists. Some of them were old, some of them young. What's important was their interest in Abigail specifically. Like Twilight Dorkle - they couldn't understand, that not everything must have magic in it. The talk about the future modernization was dragging pretty slow, one scientist arguing with another, showing research papers and diagrams, while Celestia, Luna and Abigail could only look at the chaos. Finally, after one hour, Luna had enough.

"Silence! I had enough of your bickering with each other. All me, my sister and Miss Reznik hear is an unending argument." - Luna said in a loud, glass trembling voice.

"I don't know, Princess..." - Lazily said Abigail with a sleepy voice. - "All this discussions almost lulled me to sleep. If this is an example of how your brightest minds do their jobs - I'm surprised your country was able to invent steam-powered engines."

"It's magic heated..." - Somepony mumbled.

"And that's your problem." - Continued Abigail. - "Magic this, magic that. Roughly two thirds of Equestria's population aren't unicorns. They don't have horns, don't have active magic. Think about every... pony, not just yourselves. Let's see..." - She picked up the list of possible inventions, that were already invented and needed to be implemented into Equestria's society. She scanned the sheet with her eyes for a couple of seconds and finally voiced her verdict.

"Start with something small yet important. For example - change the engines of your trains. Then you can redesign the houses and overall city planning. For crying out loud, you still doesn't have a normal streets! Lay a cobblestone roads for walking and... I don't know, rock slab mosaic for carriages. You have a lot of problems as it is, and didn't even concidered fixing them. What is the point of me being here and create something new and improve your stuff, if you can't finish what you started and make it at least passable to others?"

"A wise words, Miss Rez-" - Celestia tried to say, but was cut off.

"You are at fault as well. For my understanding, Princess, you had a lot of time to do that. What, you don't walk on the streets of your country? A wise ruler always think of how to improve the lives of citezens he or she's leading. You two, a more than thousand year old beings with unfathomable powers could do that without me, a magicless 22 years old female long time ago." - She stopped, taking a breath and continuing. - "If you want pointers and a plan - here it is : first you indetify a problem, then you think about upgrading. I didn't create and invent back on the Isles just by myself, no. I gave ideas and present examples."

When Abigail finished speaking - nobody dared to speak against her, not even Celestia. Because they knew - she was right. There's going to be a lot of work ahead. Unfortunately - the creation of a plan was no more possible, due to the pair of guards that entered in the Court room, gaining everybeing's attention. They were breathing heavily and had a sweat on their brows.

"Your Highness! One of the statues from the Gardens is gone!"