//------------------------------// // 158. Blueblood's Business Blues - Part 2 // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// After arriving in Canterlot, the guys decided to grab a bite and were treated to lunch by Blueblood at a nice bistro. As they ate, Midnight asked, “So what’s this trouble going on at your company?” “I am unsure,” Blueblood replied after a swig of nectar. “Auntie Celestia’s message didn’t elaborate, but she’d made it clear I was to handle this myself, that she couldn’t do it for me.” “Tell us a little about your business, Blue,” Thunderlane asked, “I’ve always been curious!” “Well, New Heights Avionics was started by my father,” Blueblood answered as he examined a breadstick before dipping it into marina and taking a nibble. “As a young stallion, after being inspired by the invention of air-travel, he studied it and started looking for ways to innovate the original airship, improve it for not only air-travel but for shipping cargo, and also to make them more durable to wild weather, like thunderstorms or powerful gales. “He constructed a prototype and presented it to the Princess, who saw fit to sponsor his invention and help him, which is why my family was able to get such good connections with royalty. But since we were lesser nobility, others among the Canterlot Elite frowned upon us, envied us. When Celestia made me her nephew and an unofficial prince they only started treating us relatively kinder as a way to endear themselves to the princess. “Anyway, my father founded New Heights Avionics with the hopes of revolutionizing air-travel to become even more significant than traveling by train. But these days, only the richest patrons are able to afford personal airships, and they usually use them to show off their wealth or ship their own cargo.” “That’s true,” Midnight spoke up, “and some of them are business-ponies who use their airships for crime.” “Crime?!” Everypony except Blueblood and Soarin looked at Midngiht in shock, Big Mac asking, “Wha’ do ya mean by that?” “Don’t forget, guys,” Midnight reminded them, “I acted as Celestia’s eyes n’ ears for several years, and did a lot of cloak n’ dagger stuff. Is it really a surprise that the rich and influential of Equestria wouldn’t deal in illicit activities?” “Not to me it is,” Blueblood sighed. “It pains me that my father’s dream is tarnished by these sorts who use the byproducts of New Heights to carry out crime but I can’t let that stop me from producing more advanced airships.” “As a Wonderbolt, I’ve heard my share of rumors about airships being used for smuggling but we could never get anything concrete enough,” Soarin brought up. “The Wonderbolts might not see as much action as they used to, but we’re still a standing military unit.” “I once foolishly recommended to Princess Celestia about tightening the control of airships,” Midnight added, “that only officials of the royal court could designate trusted ponies in owning and utilizing airships but she shot the idea down and helped me realize that regardless of what the airships could be used for they deserved their chance to be used to help ponies. Airships can transport passengers, goods, and supplies a lot faster than trains can, even the Pegasus Moving Company pales in comparison.” “And to deny earth ponies and unicorns the chance to fly, even if it’s not the same as pegasi…” Blueblood agreed. “No, my dream is make air-travel as common in Equestria as traveling by train. There will be those who would abuse the use of airships just as there are for any new advancement in society, but to not take risks is not to advance at all. I wouldn’t have Rarity’s love had I not done the same…” “Hear, hear!” Midnight cheered. “That’s the spirit, Blue!” Soarin encouraged. “Eeyup.” “So is there anything you can tell us about this business with New Heights?” Thunderlane asked. “Actually yes,” Blueblood explained, “New Heights Avionics is on the verge of combining with its former long-time rival in the airship production industry, Jet Set’s Get Set Aeronautics. Jet Set had always been my biggest business rival but after my time in Ponyville and learning from all of you my friends, I decided to bury the hatchet. “The last time I came to Canterlot I invited Jet Set and his wife Upper Crust to a dinner at a high-end restaurant I own. We talked, smoothed things out, and admitted our mutual respect. Truth be told, while my company is the most successful in the industry, Jet Set is the greater businesspony It’s why he comes to such a close-second, but my designs are superior, in engineering, flight dynamics, energy efficiency, but if Jet Set had someone like me on his payroll designing his airships, he could likely overthrow me as the biggest name in the industry.” The guys listened, quite enthralled by Blueblood’s words, “So we came to the agreement of becoming partners and merging our companies. I even agreed to have Jet Set be in charge of our office here in Canterlot while I move my own personal operation to Ponyville.” “Wait, so does that mean you’ll be operating a branch of your combined company back home?” Thunderlane asked. “Exactly. My warehouse will expand, I’ll have my own team of workers,” Blueblood confirmed with a determined smile, “and I won’t have to leave town as much as I used to. Also, Soarin?” Soarin leaned in when his friend addressed him. “We’ve been living together as roommates for a while now but I feel it’s time we each got our own place. That’s not to say I’m kicking you out, it’ just… I’ve been thinking of getting more serious with Rarity.” “Just how serious?” asked Soarin. Blueblood smiled sheepishly before admitting, “I’m thinking of asking her to marry me!” Almost at once, the guys cheered and encouraged Blueblood but hushed after he made them shush. “Lately, I’ve been thinking of Rarity more and more, and now I know she’s really the one! So, while I’m in Canterlot for business, I may go to a jeweler and buy a rock worthy of my sweet Rarity!” Seeing the smile on his friend’s face, Soarin said, “Huh, seems to me that I’ve gotta consider my own relationship with Dash.” “Oh yeah, you two are going out, right?” Thunderlane inquired. “Yeah, but… Now that I think about it, it’s never felt serious,” Soarin admitted, “I really do like Dashie an’ all, but… she’s so self-conscious of her image and ‘mushy stuff’, it took a while just to get her to go out on our first date.” “Well, Soarin,” Big Mac spoke, “Ah think ya gotta be straight with Rainbow an’ stop beatin’ around th’ bush! Make `er understand jus’ how much ya care about her.” Soarin considered Macintosh’s words when Blueblood spoke, “As much as I’d like to keep conversing, my friends, I’m pressed for time. Midnight? Would you mind getting everypony settled in the castle while I head to my meeting?” “Not at all, break a leg, Blue!” Midnight gestured the guys to follow him as they all added their own words of encouragement, making Blueblood smile. I’m lucky to have such good friends, he thought to himself as they exited the bistro. Once outside, the guys started towards the castle while Blueblood made his way to New Heights Avionics. Upon arriving, he gazed up at the facility – Standing tall and proud, with several warehouses holding prototypes in progress next to it, along with an airfield where experimental airships were being tested. The hangars contained the prized airship models they had in production to serve in air-travel and cargo shipments. Straightening his tie and making sure not a hair was out of place, Blueblood entered. The interior of the entrance was rich and well-flourished, subtle indications to Blueblood’s wealth and success. As he passed through, his employees, going to and fro, all got out of his way, saying hello. “Good day, Prince Blueblood.” “Good day.” “Looking good, Prince Blueblood!” “Excuse me.” “How’s your day going, Prince Blueblood?” “None of your business.” Blueblood remembered the sucking up and behavior of his employees, how tiresome it was that all these sycophants tried to get on his good side. It, combined with this out-of-nowhere business meeting that had made him miss out on spending Fashion Week with his beloved, began to sour whatever good feelings he still had today. “Is that a new tie, sire?” “Back to work.” “Have you been working out, Your Highness?” “No lunch for you.” “How’s life treating ya, sire?” “Get a life.” Approaching the reception desk, the receptionist was giving herself a hooficure when she noticed her employer approaching and startled. “P-Prince Blueblood, sir! Uh, how are you?” “Alert the board of my arrival,” Blueblood said without giving her a glance as he passed through. Blueblood knew the building like the back of his hoof – He’d been over every square inch of the property since he was a colt. He still had fond memories of his father taking him to see the airships and riding some of them. He still remembered that very special flight he’d taken with both his parents, back when he was still seven, shortly after his birthday when Celestia had made him her honorary nephew and a prince. His father had said to the young colt that one day, he would make the company even greater, he would give all ponies the joy of flying and seeing the world in a way they’d never known, and inspire them to find their own paths in life. It had given Blueblood a sense of pride, purpose, and direction, it had inspired him on what he wanted to do – It had enlightened him enough to gain his cutie-mark. His compass rose meant he knew who he was and what he was meant to do, to lead ponies into a new and glorious era with the company airships, airships of his own design. Only he had lost that path for a while after his parents were gone, and it had taken his Auntie Celestia and Cousin Cady no small amount of effort to remind him of his dreams and goals and the lessons his parents had given him. Whatever this is about, Blueblood thought as he approached the board room, it will not get in the way of that… With his magic, he threw the doors open, revealing the lavish board room, around which sat his board of directors, six in all. They looked up from their conversation, faces stoic and disciplined, just as he had taught them. However to Blueblood, noticing the flash of nervousness that crossed their eyes, the twitches of their ears and the abrupt end to their previous conversation, it was plainly obvious that his arrival had startled them, and there was clearly something going on. "Sir, we didn't expect to see you here today. Was there something we need to be made aware of?" the lone earth pony, Number Crunch, asked, the least anxious member since Blueblood's arrival. Next to him, Air Force, the most recent addition to the board, nodded her head, trying to hide the slight flutter of her wings. Instantly the remaining pegasi and unicorns parroted them and nodded as well. This further concerned Blueblood, as while he had cultivated an aura of respect from the board, they had never seemed so nervous or twitchy speaking with him. Deciding to cut straight to the issue, Blueblood replied, "I'm afraid there is, Mr. Crunch. Despite having cleared with you all that I would be taking the week off to visit Manehatten with my beloved, the lovely Miss Rarity, I was forced to cancel due to an urgent summons to my company. More concerning is that it did not come from any of you, but from Princess Celestia herself. Up to now, the royalty of Equestria has steered clear of business affairs unless criminal actions have drawn their notice, so having been called by Her Grace to return has given me a great deal of stress and worry. Your behavior here also makes it quite clear you are all hiding something from me, and as I trust you to run the company directly when I am not present, this is very concerning. So, I would like to cut right to the heart of the matter, with no excuses or lies. Why was I summoned by Her Highness to my company, and what are you all hiding from me?" An aura of concern spread across the board, with all of them turning to look at each other, a silent conversation crossing their eyes as they worked out what to do. After a few minutes, Blueblood cleared his throat to get their attention back to the matter at hoof. Finally, with air of professionalism that had come from years of hard work and dedication, Number Crunch stood up and faced him. "Sir, we do not intend to hide anything from you, however we had yet to formulate a proper response to you. While I am unsure how Her Majesty came to know what we have been discussing, I can only assume a lower level employee has overheard one of our conversations and gone to her without our consent or knowledge. Nonetheless, while we haven't formally comprised a response for you, we all have had discussions pertaining to the topic and reached a verdict. Sir, I'm afraid that by majority vote we are, effective tomorrow morning, halting the merger with Jet Set's Get Set Aeronautics and having you placed on suspension for behavior unbecoming of a New Heights Avionics corporate member." Blueblood was speechless for a moment before a flash of anger crossed his face, his brows furrowing, "What vote has taken place without my knowledge or consent regarding the merger, and what behavior have I displayed that would give you the legal authority to lock me out of my own company!?" This time the unicorn mare Business Sense spoke up, "I am afraid, Sire that the vote occurred to indefinitely suspend the merger, after a vote of no confidence was taken regarding your character. We have seen over several years a number of actions and decisions on your part that have reflected badly for the company. You have displayed very rude, aggressive, dismissive and abusive behavior towards several members of the Canterlot nobility, as well as making decisions that have created significant problems for the company at large, such as your decision to isolate yourself from the company and move to Ponyville, leaving several delays and for advisory decisions, as well as a placing significant pressure upon our engineering and marketing departments." Before Blueblood could speak up, now the other unicorn member, Clear Oversight added on, "Relating to the merger, we believe the decision to combine our business with a well-known rival is very bad for the company. Having Jet Set in charge of day-to-day operations will severely damage our staff relations as well as commit further delays to our suppliers and put significant risk on our engineering department, which carries great risk, as our airship productions are our most profitable products. It has been decided that, for the safety and security of the company, you must be removed from a control position and the merger must be halted." Blueblood could barely restrain himself from screaming – They wanted to kick him out of his own company due to his 'Prince persona', of which they all knew was a fabrication, as well as halt a not only profitable, but extremely wise business merger that would help out both businesses in the long term far more than an escalating rivalry and feud ever would. What was going on! "Now see here! You are all well aware about my nobility persona and the actions needed to maintain. You are also all very aware of the necessity of this merger in the long term, even if it does carry risk. You are all making some very ridiculous decisions and I assure you that if attempt to lock me out of my own company, I will have my lawyers informed!" While his threat clearly intimidated them, Number Crunch still stood tall. "I'm sorry sir, but the decision has been made. You can have your lawyers brought in, but it will not affect the decision to halt the merger, and we have a several eyewitnesses and security tapes proving to back up our decisions regarding your behavior. Now, unless you’ve anything else to discuss, kindly remove yourself from the premises or else we will be forced to call security." Blueblood was stunned. They had truly done it – They had truly locked him out of his company and set themselves up to fail by cancelling the merger on Jet Set. He wanted nothing more than to yell and scream and throw things around the office, but his professionalism and noble behavior that had been drilled into him since he was a child held him at bay. Remember his cousin’s calming technique, he tempered his outrage and gave them a look so malevolent it made them all cringe as he promised, “You are all going to regret this…” And like the catastrophic promise of a tsunami, he retreated from the board room with what dignity he had left.