A/N: I had the original premise for this story several years ago and forgot about it until recently I rediscovered my notebook with my notes in it, and thought it would make a great au for Rumbelle. So here it is my Rumbelle airship AU.
A/N: On a side note, to those who are reading my other stories, I've decided to discontinue Shadows of ourselves, and put Misdirection and Misconception on hold for various reasons. There is a companion piece for MM called The many adventures of the spinner and the Pied Piper ( I really should name my stories shorter) which follows Rumple's and Nico's relationship before the curse. Ok, now enough rambling from me, on to the real story.
Prologue
Week 32 Year 2365:
It's been 3 weeks now, at least I think it's been 3 weeks since the Blackout as it's officially called. It's hard to tell without the sun. I still get nightmares of that day, the day the sky vanished, the day it was swallowed by smoke. I wake up everyday from the fear of being swallowed by that smoke. In a way I suppose it did engulf us all, we live, if you can call it living, in bunkers underground, afraid of that smoke. They say its too toxic to go up to the surface. They tell us that we can return in a a few days, but then they said that last week, and the week before that. They tell us that to keep our spirits up but you can see it on their faces they really have no idea what were facing, if we'll survive. It's days like this that I forget what the sky looked like before all this. But I can't forget, because that's what keeps me going. Hope that maybe one day I'll see the blue sky again.
Author Unknown
Week 12 Year 2485:
There has been a dramatic rise in the number of individuals with abnormalities. These abnormalities include night vision, rock-like skin, shape shifting. We have labeled these individuals as "Uniques" as we can not find a common trait between them. My colleagues and I believe these is to the rise in exposure to the toxins in air above ground. Further research is necessary.
Dr. David R. Win
Week 18 Year 2557:
Groundbreaking Reunion
After almost two hundred years of living beneath the surface the Ministry of Health has deemed the surface's toxin levels to be safe. The government is now beginning it's re-habitation project. While humanity can count this as a victory, there is still work to be done. Those with the necessary skills and their families will be relocated from the underground to the surface to begin the rebuilding process. Many of the cities our ancestors built are in a desperate need of repair. It will be a long time until we can live like our ancestors once did beneath the blue sky.
The Daily Informer
Week 32 Year 2683:
If there is one collective desire of humanity has had over the last 300 years it is the desire to the see the blue sky of our ancestors. And we've accomplished that. But then we are not the types to settle. Once upon a time our ancestors stepped on the moon and left their mark on it forever. They were once able to soar like birds high above the clouds. But with the great Blackout that ability was lost, and were grounded in land beyond repair. Our wings were taken. But it's time we take back our wings and soar above the clouds once more.
I introduce you to the Hermes, the first ever airship. It seats two and is capable of flight at an altitude of 1.3km.
It's time we make a new nest in the sky.
Wright Corp. At T3 expo
Week 33 Year 2693:
"28km. 30km 30.1 km 30.4km 30.9km 31.2km"
"Congratulation Captain, on being the highest flying pilot since the rebirth of aviation."
"Thank you ground control. Beginning Decent."
" What is like up there?"
" Everything is rather small. Right above the clouds. It's breath taking really, both figuratively and literally."
" we'll lets get you back down here, so you can celebrate."
"Roger that ground control. Currently at 28 km."
" So what's the first thing you'll do when you get down here capt?"
" Have a nice cold beer. Currently at 20 km."
" Captain we are picking up some kind of unidentified flying object approximately 2m long with a 3m wingspan about 30 degrees west, about 60m from your current position , do you have a visual?"
" Nothing in sight ground control but will be on the alert. Currently at 19 km."
" Captain the flying object is heading your way. It will be at your current location in 3... 2..."
"I see it... No it can't be. It's a person. A person with wings. How could it be flying up here? That's not possible. Do you think it's an Unique? Do you want me to follow it?"
"There are no registered Uniques with those features. Follow it with caution."
" Understood. It's ascending, currently in pursuit. It moves with such ease, like a falcon. It's clothed in some strange garb, nothing like I've ever seen on the surface. It looks to be wearing some type of uniform."
" Do you see any identifiers?"
" It has some strange markings on its forearms and chest. It has an insignia of a lion on its back."
" Captain, fall back now. You have company, 4 of them 40 degrees east of you, they will be at your location in approximately 2 minutes."
"Alright. Falling back...grah...I've been hit. Left engine damage critical. Right wing at 50%. "
"Get out of there now. Initiate defense code delta 3."
" Understood. Initiating delta 3. Currently at 30%"
"43%, 56%, 72%, 8-..."
"Captain?"
Communication log terminated.
Capt. Jack Icarus Communication's Log for flight 128 Wright Corp.
Week 1 2710:
Home Among the clouds: The first sky city
Wright Corp. has announced that the long awaited construction of their first sky city, named Avonlea, will begin next year. Avonlea will be floating approximately 10km from the surface,through the use of electro-magnetism and thermal energy,a result from a collaborative design by world renown architect Mr. Bucky Fuller and Mr. J. Swift. Encased in Mr. Fuller's signature geodesic dome the city will be free from toxins left behind from the great Blackout. With the surface still suffering from the effects of the Blackout,Avonlea might just be the breath of fresh air humanity needs. The city is currently accepting applications for residency.
The Daily Informer
Week 12 2840:
Hope extinguished
Yesterday Hope's Peak was raided by an army of Wingers. A fleet of black large Winger's air-carriers appear on the east side of Hope's Peak yesterday midday. Swarms of Wingers clothed in black military armor descended from the air-carriers and into the small town. After scouring the town, the Wingers returned back to their ships. It is currently unclear as to what the Wingers were looking for. Fortunately there were no causalities but at least 50 people were reported with severe injures.
Officials are currently investigating the origin of the army in hopes of discovering the whereabouts of the Wingers' homeland which is still unknown. While attacks from Wingers have become more common in recent years the attack on Hope's Peak is the first Winger's attack on a city. This attack appears to be entirely militaristic. Which raises the question: Are our cities, our skydoms safe? Is war in the horizon?
The Daily Informer
Week 13 2840:
Skydom of Avonlea
"Belle?!" A deep voice echoed from the halls.
"Belle." The voice softened as he found who he was looking for.
"Oh hi father." The young beauty said looking up from today's newspaper. "Have you been looking for me long?"
" I should have known you would be here." He said with a smile, looking down at his daughter sitting in her fortress of books.
" Did you hear what happen at Hope's Peak?" she asked as she stood.
"Yes. It's unfortunate. Those winged savages are getting more bold by the day."
" Do you think they'll be bold enough to attack here?"
" No need to worry Belle. Our people are safe here. Remember we have "it" for protection. Those winged monsters won't be able to get defenses."
" But what about the other skydoms? They don't have that kind of protection, we should open the gates and help them." She pleaded, her blue eyes shining fiercely.
" Petal, look at me. I'm so proud that you've grown into such a compassionate lady. You'll make a fine ruler one day. But remember our duty is to protect our people. Their safety is our top priority. We have to make sacrifices. We don't have the resources to save them all. Our people come first."
"Now enough of this talk of war... how was your new book?"
A/N:
So that was the prologue, sorry for the bombardment of information, it was a bit of a history lesson of this world. Can you guys guess who I based my inserts from? Chapter one will be up shortly. Questions and comments would be much appreciated.
Next time: We meet Capt. Raimund Spinner and his crew the Red Daggers.
Hmmm... I wonder who he could be? Also, I have most of his crew decided, (4) but would like to add a least one more member. So my question to you guys who would you like to see as part of his crew? And if you're wondering who's currently on his crew, all his current members have some relation to an animal.