Chapter 8
Pipsqueak guided the ship into the dock designated to him by the two Griffons leading him in. One the ship was tied down, he cut off the engines and pulled himself out of the pilot's seat, making towards the upper deck to join his friends. As he climbed on to the upper deck, he looked around and was in sheer awe at what he saw.
Airships of all sorts littered the sky, swarming around the Skyport like bees to their hive. Among the cacophony, he could make out several trade and cargo ships, as well as a good number of war vessels. Their was even a few lavish and ornate ships, signifying they likely belonged to some foreign dignitary or some form of high-society buff.
Suddenly, he was pulled out of his reverie by Cornelius swatting him in the back of the head with a hoof.
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"Pip!" Still no response. Cornelius's pilot continued to gaze out at all the ships moving about the Skyport, lost in his own little world. He sighed, and proceeded to give a solid 'THWACK' to the back of Pipsqueak's head, which seemed to do the trick.
"Ah!" He lost his balance, and fell flat on his face. Cornelius sighed yet again, and picked his friend off the ground, leading him to follow the two gryphons who were to be taking them to their leader... heh.
The Skyport gave way to a sweltering industrial district, causing the group to sweat as they passed blacksmiths and smelters, forging weapons of war. Swords, shields, spears, arrow heads, and any other manner of weapon that could be imagined were being piled as high as a pony, ready to be shipped to whatever their destination may be.
The Indstrial District fell away and molded to what seemed to be the Market District, completely abuzz with gryphons going about their daily lives. Through all the hard faces and steely glares, they could see a culture far from apposed to art and learning. There were stalls selling paintings and little knick-knacks, sidled right next to ones selling spears and shields... for the kids of course.
This eventually died off, and they were left in the Nobles District, at the top of the city. Everything here shone with steele trim, and the structures were crafted from the great pine trees that stood in the valley at the base of the mountain. All manner of high-society gryphons stood around them, shopping or conducting business with their partners. There was even a few mercenaries milling about, their weapons and gadgets giving them away. Though it was certainly nothing like Canterlot, it was still far more... refined than he rest of the city.
After a few more moments of walking, they finally stood at the doors of what they assumed to be the 'castle'. Though it could hardly be called as such, for it was only slightly bigger than the surrounding homes. Their escorts walked up to the doors and spoke with the guards standing there, then ushered for the ponies to follow them inside. As Cornelius stepped through the door, he was momentarily blinded by the drastic change in light level, but when his eyes cleared, he was in awe at what he beheld. A long, open room with columns rising to meet the ceiling, banners spread in between depicting scenes of battle and glory. A long, red carpet with golden trim led from the door to a throne on the other side of the room. A great feast table rested atop the carpet, roughly midway to the throne, and was covered in food. Cheeses, wines, fruits, vegetables, and... meat littered the table.
The two gryphons led them towards the throne as a burly, scared gryphon walked in from the side and sat in it. Cornelius assumed this to be the Flock Father, and braced himself for whatever came next. The older of the two gryphons gestured for them to wait, and sent his soldier to the edge of the room. He approached the throne and removed his helmet. He places his right arm across his chest, bowing low, and the Flock Father did the same, only dipping his head in response.
"Iron Claw, my old friend, how are you?" The Flock Father stepped down from his throne, and gave his friend a strong hug.
"I am well, Flock Fath-"
"What did I tell you? We are friends, and there are no nobility here, save myself." Iron Claw gave a small laugh.
"As you wish Razor. How are things up here? I hardly ever get to see you anymore, what with that promotion you gave me."
"I'm as well as I can be, what with all the nobles pining for my attention. And don't even TRY to pin our lack of each other's company on me, you wanted to take command of our forces just as much as I wanted you in command. And besides, your hatchlings will need a good strong role model if they are to take your place one day."
"You can hardly call them that anymore, Steel Feather is almost ten, and the rest aren't far behind!" Razor gave a laugh at this, and moved back to his throne.
"I shall have to come visit them and your wife soon then. So, did you do as I requested?" His gaze shifted to Cornelius and his friends, giving them a wary look.
"But of course." Iron Claw turned towards the group of friends, "Whoever is in charge, step forward. The rest of you, go stand with Silverwing."
Cornelius nodded to his friends, and they did as they were told. He then stepped toward the throne, bowing to Razor, and awaiting his fate.
"Rise, pony, introduce yourself, and tell me what business you have in my kingdom flying an un-marked airship." Razor hardly sounded angry... in fact he almost sounded welcoming, but that must have just been Cornelius's imagination. Regardless, he did as he was told, and stood up straight.
"Well sir, my name is Cornelius. My friends and I are-"
"Wait... Cornelius? Are you the Cornelius who developed these marvelous airships by chance?" He raised an eyebrow, awaiting the stallions answer.
"The very same, why do you ask?" Razor's eye's visibly lit up at this bit of news, and what could pass for a smile graced his features.
"Wonderful! I can't tell you how happy I am to finally meet you!" He got up and walked over to Cornelius, vigorously shaking his hoof. "You changed everything around here you know. Trade, travel and transport, warfare. Our new prosperity is all thanks to your inventions. I couldn't possibly hold you captive after all you've done, albeit indirectly."
"Uh... you're, welcome?" Razor put his hoof down, and motioned Cornelius's friends over.
"Now then, allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Razorbeak, and I welcome you to my hall. Your friends as well. By all means, introduce them to me as well." Cornelius still wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but it seemed luck was on his side, so he just decided to 'roll with it'.
"Of course, hehe. This is my pilot, Pipsqueak; my weapons specialist, Zach; my engineer, Apple Bloom; my radio operator, Sweetie Bell; and Scootaloo, who pilots the Mousquito." Cornelius pointed a hoof to each of his friends as he named them off, and turned back to Razorbeak when he was finished.
"Radio, weapons, and this... Mousquito. It all sounds so wonderful. Perhaps we can make a sort of deal, hm?"
"Well, I don't see why not... I can easily have my company ship over any number of things you may need, though what do you have to offer us in return?" Now was Cornelius's turn to quirk an inquisitive eyebrow, waiting to hear the gryphon's offer.
"Only that which you came here to get in the first place. your princesses. They are alive and well, i assure you. I treat my guests fairly. I never wanted them in the first place, but the Blueblood fellow made us several side offers that we could not refuse, all in return for us starting a war with your people that I have no desire to see come to fruition. So, my offer to you is this: Supply us with what we ask from your company, all of it to be paid for of course, and we will return your rulers with a promise of peace and kinship between our people. How does that sound?" He waited to hear Cornelius's response, wondering why it was taking so long to accept such a generous offer.
Cornelius was completely dumbfounded... this was a GREAT offer. Though... was he really in such a position to accept this? He was just the owner of the most powerful company in the world, and was on a mission to save his princesses to restore order to his lands... yes, yes he was.
"I will accept your mot gracious offer Razorbeak... on one condition." Cornelius's gaze turned hard, ready to jump in case this didn't go as planned.
"Oh? And what might that be?" Razorbeak took a single step back, once again wary of the stallion standing in his throne room.
"You allow me to visit from time to time, and see my new friend!" Cornelius's gaze instantly turned to one of laughter, as he trotted up to Razorbeak to shake his talon once again.
"Haha! But of course! I'm glad we could work this out. Iron Claw, bring the princesses from their chambers, they're going home!"
"Of course Razor!" Iron claw flew off up a flight of stairs.
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The princesses stood in front of the airship that was newly repaired and ready to take them home as Cornelius and Razorbeak talked behind them.
"Roazorbeak, I can't thank you enough for this. Equestria needs her leaders restored to their rightful places, and I'm sure that punk Blueblood will get what's coming to him."
"Think nothing of it. I'm not a war monger, we're just really good at it." They chuckled a bit, and shared a small hug.
"I'll be sure to send a premium shipment over as soon as this whole mess is sorted out, free of charge. I'll also deliver it myself. We can discuss future relations then." Razorbeak nodded, and Cornelius walked to the princesses.
"So, Celestia, Luna, ready to go home?" The sisters looked at one another, then to Cornelius.
"Of course... where will we be staying while aboard your ship?"
"I do have a couple extra rooms available. Right this way Celestia." He trotted aboard and went below deck, the princesses in tow. "Pip," he called out as they passed the cockpit. "Take us home."