The Last Duke

by TheronActs

Chapter 1 -A Promising Venture-

-A Promising Venture-

The facade of masonry and timber wither to bridge the brief absence of time and soon, it became apparent as the being took shape. Unmistakable, it was a creature of legend, a one of few that bore such caliber pertaining to its one's only source of both power and disaster chaos.

Both in awe and terror, baffled by the image that seems so vivid, seemingly within my grasps. It, or Discord descended, grounding himself upon the timber surface and clinging upon a post of masonry to lean upon. Then it took one step, which was quickly followed by a 2nd step, striding both too quick and accordingly across the glistened surface of waxen timber, clawing the mason walls which trembled upon contact.

A sizzle of orange and yellow became apparent when those very same claws etched ever further to the inner foundation of the masonry walls, further alongside, its footings dulled the waxen wooden planks till the very surface became uneven with light motion in weird ways that came into contact upon the flooring semblance.

Discord stopped, the stature of masonry prevented the deity of chaos to be fully visible when he halted just several feet from my position and several dozen from the doorway. Then asunder torn my vision, as the walls began to erode and the floor planks screamed as it waxes, wanes.

At the very moment spoke the being which tore my spirit apart, "Are you willing to wait?"

I screamed, wailed. Yet, I remained, having never did concoct my actions as the being bore its glares of regurgitating spasms of magic, wonders and dull, rot. Soon the fabric of the dreams which both us inhibit began to tear and crumble, the foundations disappears and I find myself flung across the dark chasms below.

---

*Thunk*..*Jingles..CRACK*

A sudden series of breaking ceramics and movement of bedding furniture abruptly, ears perked upward. Roll turns his head towards the noise, trying in identifying where the noise of disturbance came from. 'its coming from upstairs', trotting quickly towards the cause of noise, Roll turns swiftly arriving upon the the doorstep leading to his master's bedroom. "Concrete, are you alright sir?!"

I was presently shook from whatever had ailed me within my sleep. The nightmare had haunted me to the daylight waking hours, Princess Celestia's sun soon broke the veil of Princess Luna's night, the peeking of orange hue across the horizon of mix lighting blue and white.

My mind wrought from the thoughts of the chaos deity depictions, "...-re you alright?!" I turned to gaze to Roll who with genuine worry, wore a frown.

"ye...-Yes, I'm fine Roll, just a spooked dream" I stammered, "If you're tired, I could cancel all appointme-" "Cease your worries...I'm merely shaken" I bellowed.

"Concrete..., I'll take heed of your clothes ready and transportation", "Do as you need to and...thank you" I replied albeit with a less enthusiastic tone.

The dream was indeed a worrying thought, the thought though chilling however it be, shouldn't be taken too seriously. Discord, the chaos deity had been sealed for decades by the Twin Royal Sisters. It may just be the gravity of today's importance that had conjured such apparitions.

Trotting through the usual routine of bathing, wearing the apparel provided by Roll and storing of documents to my satchel for proper sendoff in regards to the legislation of the first commercial rail line by the authority of the Royal Civil Administration of Funding.

The arriving coach carriage was provided by the bureau for its most accomplished investors, the travel from my estate to the bureau's external perimeter grounds was a rather breezy endeavor.

Dropping off, a group of judicial ponies and myself are then escorted to the pavilion outside of the administration legislation halls to greet the team responsible for later handling the public unveiling of the commercial rail line opening, and the proper procedures of introductions with the required demeanor to the Royal Princesses.

Excusing myself to greet the the lead earth pony Ink Tipper, his companion Ink Dipper and marefriend Shale Bank.

"Good morning, Inkers", "Good morning sir Lime, I've sure you've met my family?! Haven't you?" replied Ink Tipper. "You're a lovely bunch. That I surmise", "Please, let us proceed to the engagement. Dear could you lend the plans, please" Ink Tipper asked, Shale Bank nods and reaches for her saddlebags for the papers relaying the engagement course and reason for action.

The course of engagement would be for Ink Dipper guiding the Royal Solar and its appropriate counterpart the Royal Lunar guards to the venue station, whereas Tipper's mare will guide the media outlets to the venue areas appropriate for them specifically.

Ink Tipper would give the speech and small mentions of my contributions and enterprise works, then would proceed to greeting the Royal Diarchy and presenting the finished product with a ceremony of a moving railroad hand cart.

----

I motion the crew to finishing the small discrepancies on the stage's props, then following up with the motion for letting the ceremony move accordingly with schedule. Ink Dipper trots to the Double Barracks for his part and Shale Bank begins filing in the reporters to the designated spots. I give notice for Ink Tipper to prepare whilst himself moving towards the stage prop.

"Good afternoon fillies and gentlecolts to the grand unveiling of Equestria's first public railway", announced Tipper. "The event of which marks new beginnings for the progression of industry and transport of all beings sapient-", finishing the sentence, I and Tipper see notice of the Royal Diarchy of Sister Celestia and Sister Luna arriving by carriage onto the surface of the venue. "-and I would like to honor our sponsors of the project, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!"

Setting upon the stage of the event. The Princesses announced "We thank thee for yourself mentions of our contributions" said Princess Luna, "-and I wish for all others make use of these carriages for all future travels", interjected Princess Celestia.

"We are delighted of our workers and bright minds of Plymouth in their excellent works of craftmanship and impeccable speed in finishing establishing the railway!" "Thus we would like to announce the commencement of function to begin tomorrow!" said Princess Celestia.

The crowd cheered and showered the princesses and representatives alike on-stage with petals together with shredded papers.

The news to the announcement of the revolutionary public service that would propel the travel of ponies to anywhere at speeds comparable to sky carriage services in a more stable and price affordability-orientated. To begin operation tomorrow incurred great reception.

----

As the crowd cheered, I had signed the contract of dual proprietorship which the Equestrian government owning the operation of train carriages and use of railway connections including its future expansions. Whilst, Plymouth.co will own the trainyard R&D department works.

I had included a 99-year maintenance warranty of the railway construction and its other branches attributed to the function of people, economic and statesponyship movement.

"Thank you for working with the Equestrian Royal Civil Administration of Funding Works or Royal for Civil Finances (R.C.F) Concrete Lime", commented Rising Graph.

"Pleasure doing works with yourself included public servant Rising Graph", "I'm hopeful for the future dealings we, Plymouth.co will be doing. Once completion of our other assignments are done that is".

"You mean the other two projects we helped commissioned" Inquired Rising Graph, "That's precisely what I'm referring to Rising Graph"

"Nevertheless, I won't be hindering your leave then sir Concrete." spoke Rising Graph. Trotting away to the exit channel of the bureau, sitting outside the exit way stood a carriage that would direct myself towards Plymouth Excavation Works for a haste look.

Seeking to promptly, look upon the progression rate of a certain project that had been commissioned, assisted with a royal decree marking indicating its utmost importance to the Equestrian government. Whatever it may be, It suggests an request of monstrous magnitude.