Blue Beauty 3:
A Magical Past and A Technological Future
Story written by Smirkyguy
It was a calm, spring morning at Immortalabs. Doctor Foxworth was having his usual breakfast at the cafeteria bar: two biscuit sandwiches and a mug of cold brew mocha. Quietly he finished his meal, until, as he was nearing the last bite...
A voice came across the bar intercom "Doctor Foxworth, Doctor Amin wishes to see you out by the old helicopter landing pads."
"Huh...? I wonder what this is about... Thanks for the message, Sophia."
He quickly stuffed down the last bite, savored it the best he could, and stood up from the barstool.
"Delicious as always, Chef!" he declared.
"Generous as always, Doc!" Chef tossed back.
Doc grabbed his mug and swiftly made his way out the back cafeteria exit.
He looked around the field. A rubber-paved runners’ track, Chef's gardening house, and two concrete pads that once accepted helicopters... but notably, no sign of the fennec.
He was just about to pull his phone out to text Mikey, when a swift hum caught his attention. He looked to the sky, and could barely believe what he was seeing!
A silver spacecraft, straight out of a science fiction movie, gently landed onto one of the concrete pads.
It looked to be a shuttlecraft. Eight meters long, with two nacelles along each side, and a slim, tinted windshield wrapping around the front of the tapered hull. A side mounted hatch pivoted upward on a hinge. The fennec calmly stepped out.
"Is... is this what it looks like? Your time pod...?" Doc stammered as he tried to speak through a cloud of disbelief.
"Well, it was. I got it flying again, but the temporal generator was a total scrap. Too many shattered injectors, and there wasn't enough power to fire it up again anyway."
"That's still incredible though. How long ago did you find it? How did you get it running? I have so many questions!" Doc was clearly enthused by this reveal.
Mikey waved Doc over to come explore inside.
"Found it three months ago in the forest over to the north. Two of those months were spent just getting the ion reactor to ignite. It's outputting forty percent of its original capacity, but that's all it needs to fly in earth's gravity."
"So what was and wasn't fixable?" Doc asked as he gazed over the pilot's console. The large, single screen was cracked in the corner, but the display itself had no dead patches.
"Well it was more hell than a Venusian volcano to get it fixed. The entire center console was ripped out of the frame, the computer's data storage was scrambled, the ion reactor was cracked... Be glad I'm a capable small spacecraft mechanic."
Mikey hit a button to open a door behind the cockpit. The back compartment had been gutted and converted into luxury passenger space.
"The gravity plating still needs parts to be reliably steady past half a G, but the shuttle is safe for atmospheric and orbital travel."
"So basically, Immortalabs has a private jet now, huh?"
Mikey grinned at the description.
"You got it. I converted the navigation systems for current day GPS tracking. It should be able to carry four passengers anywhere in the world, as long as I'm in the pilot seat monitoring."
*VWORP*
"Did I hear that correctly? We have a flying vessel now?" the teenage vixen that appeared out of thin air asked Mikey.
"Oh hey Dewdrop." Doc greeted the dragon's avatar, recognizing her immediately.
"Yes, we do..." Mikey replied, "...and the fuel supply won't be exhausted for a good fifty years, if we conserve it."
"Seems sturdy and capable," Dewdrop commented.
"Osmiridium hull. High explosives would barely scuff the finish."
"It shall work to take us to Arizona?" the dragoness inquired.
"Not a problem. It's a one hour flight if we skim the atmosphere."
"I get the feeling you have a destination in mind already..." Doc butted into the conversation.
"I do, and it is important for my quality of life to make this journey, Doctor Foxworth."
"I have no plans to deny this request. Shall I come with you, Dewdrop?"
"I wouldn't trust any other anthro to join my quest."
Mikey chimed up. "Very well, I'll make the flight plan. Destination?"
"The lower length of Antelope Canyon, in Arizona."
***
It had taken the two foxes three hours to prepare for the journey, with Dewdrop's help. Mikey prepared the shuttle for flight, while Doc and Dewdrop loaded the back with canyon hiking supplies.
Doc decided that Roger, chief of security, was to be put in charge alongside Sophia.
The last step was to obtain Dewdrop herself, who was still hiding in Doc's quarters. He arrived to find her uncloaked, in portable dragon head form. Doc made quick work carrying her to the shuttle, where he strapped her physical self into a chair.
"So, how will we avoid being spotted?" Doc asked Mikey.
"Selective electromagnetic absorption. We will be invisible to all common and uncommon technologies, as well as to the unaided eye."
"Sounds perfect. Are we okay to depart?"
"All systems report within acceptable tolerances... Are you two ready to visit space?"
"Engage." Doc stated with an outstretched point. Mikey couldn't help but chuckle.
The thrusters barely made a murmur as the shuttle accelerated upward, approaching the speed of sound in half a minute.
As the sky outside grew darker and colder on the camera feed, Doc settled into his chair. He took a sip from a thermos full of cold brew.
"So Dewdrop, what exactly is at Antelope Canyon?" Doc asked
"The following details do not leave this vessel, understood?"
"Deal." "Agreed." Both foxes stated.
"The destination is an ancient magic well, claimed by dragons long before even I was hatched. It is an ideal location to channel my spells and... reallocate their strengths and weaknesses."
"So you're going to improve your avatar’s abilities?"
"As much as the well will permit. It will be a vast upgrade. My avatar was originally only used to... persuade and distract adventurers who stumbled upon my cave. It was never meant to be used long term. Obviously it has become my primary form at this point, and should be altered accordingly."
"You'll really let us visit such a place?" Mikey asked.
"I have little choice, though I would prefer it if only Doctor Foxworth joins me into the cave."
"No worries, I understand." Mikey seemed perfectly okay with this. He continued, "We've reached our altitude, a low orbit grazing the edge of space. Gravity strength is a third of what it is on the surface due to our orbital speed and trajectory. Do you want the gravity plating turned off?"
Doc was not one to prioritize fun over safety. "As much as I would enjoy that, we have a lot of cargo back here. Next time for sure though."
"Would it be safe if I summoned my avatar outside the vessel? I am curious as to what it's like out there."
"Go ahead. Just don't open any panels or touch the thrusters."
Her fox form spawned on the upper hull.
"This is what it's like in an environment without air, I see. Very... calm."
The universe had other ideas, as Dewdrop was soon struck in the chest by a micrometeoroid. The sight was... not pretty. She quickly despawned the wounded avatar.
"Calm, but hostile." She commented. Mikey chuckled yet again.
***
"Three minutes to landing." The fennec announced. "Let's hope the well is still there."
"Even from this distance, I can feel it. It's there."
"Searching for a good flat spot to land... There we go. I can drop us within a hundred feet of your mark, Dewdrop."
The dragoness looked to be deep in thought as they touched down onto the dusty sandstone clearing.
"Temperature, ninety two degrees. Humidity fifteen percent. Be careful out there, Justin."
"Keep the air conditioning running for me." Doc said as he got his backpack and rock sandals on. Finally he unbuckled Dewdrop's head and picked her up. In this shrunken form she weighed merely a pound.
Mikey popped the seal on the hatch, and it opened to reveal the arid environment before them.
"Keep tabs on our health through the nanites, Mikey. If we aren't back in twenty-four hours, or our health goes critical, come find us."
"Will do. Good luck."
Doc slipped on a sun visor, and stepped out onto the roasted landscape. The hatch closed behind them. Dewdrop's avatar appeared to scout ahead.
"There's a walkable path into the canyon this way."
Mikey occupied himself with a Switch console he had brought along. Primitive by his standards, but still plenty enjoyable.
***
Despite the short distance, it was still a grueling hike over rough, rocky terrain. It was thirty minutes before the two got deep enough into the crevasse for adequate shade.
"Just a bit further and it will be much cooler," Dewdrop assured the doctor as they struggled for every foothold. Doc could finally see the cave entrance. Cool, dark, and damp. He made the final push to get inside, and got just deep enough to cool down and rest. This was a rare moment where Doc guzzled water instead of coffee.
"GIVE ME ONE REASON WHY I SHOULD NOT INCINERATE YOU WHERE YOU STAND, ANTHRO."
The voice was loud, booming, all encompassing. It penetrated Doc’s soul.
A large black dragon male stepped forth from the shadows. Doc was reasonably terrified, but kept calm and still.
"I brought him here because I trust him, Obsidian."
"SILENCE, YOU IMPUDENT WHELP! NO ANTHRO MAY KNOW OF THIS PLACE! HIS DEATH SHALL BE A LESSON TO YOU."
Dewdrop had clearly had enough of this nonsense. A force locked all of Obsidian's joints solid. He was completely immobilized.
"Is that any way to treat your elders? I was the one who declared that rule."
The dark-scaled dragon had a look of confusion, then understanding.
"My apologies, Master Dewdrop. I did not expect to see you in such... condition."
"I am still alive and well, thanks to this anthro. He is a healer among their ranks. He saved both myself and Luna."
"This anthro ensured the continued life of two dragons? Unusual."
"I trust him enough to have let him carry me here."
"...Then I shall hesitantly abide by your judgment, Master Dewdrop."
The grip on Obsidian's joints relaxed, and an illusory rock wall faded behind him. A faint teal glow emanated from the depths.
"The anthro may cool and bathe himself in the pool over there. And do not touch the gold," Obsidian said as he escorted them into the main living chamber. Doc slipped off the backpack and sandals, then sat on the edge of the pool with his foot paws in the water.
"So, the rumors are true. Master Dewdrop is a mere head now."
"Still capable of defeating you in fair combat," Dewdrop stated as Doc set her down, and she expanded back to her true size.
"No doubt. Let us trade the last two hundred years of memories we have spent apart." Obsidian pressed his paw against Dewdrop's forehead, and the two shared a telepathic bond.
Doc watched silently as the two perused each other's mental journals.
Dewdrop took note of Obsidian's rather sedentary life. Being appointed guardian of this well did greatly restrict his freedom. Most of his time was spent sleeping or greeting visiting dragons. He hadn't left this cave in eight months.
Obsidian took note of the many months Dewdrop recently spent around Doc's lab and residents. A kindhearted village, led by a fox who went against many preconceptions Obsidian had about anthros. The rapid technological advancement also caught him off guard.
"...I see now why you trust this fox so vehemently. It is clear that he honors our kind."
Obsidian broke the bond, and approached Doc. "I apologize for harshly misjudging you. You are welcome here any time, Foxworth."
Doc smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. He cupped his hands to drink the cool spring water.
"It seems I have much to learn about the new generation of anthros. They have come quite far."
"Do not forget your obligation as guardian of the well," Dewdrop reminded him.
"Of course, Master Dewdrop. Shall I carry you to the well?"
"You shall."
The two dragons headed off down a nearby tunnel...
***
Doc sat in silence by the pool, drinking spring water and eating a granola bar with a bag of jerky. It was quite relaxing. The hoard of gold nuggets sparkled beautifully in what little sunlight trickled through the cracks. Oddly there were no gems or anthro artifacts. The nuggets were all large and high quality, clearly a collection spanning thousands of years and billions of dollars in value.
Looking around further, he noted what was presumably Obsidian's preferred sleeping patch. Nearby, a pile of deer and cow bones indicated his diet and preferred eating spot.
He wondered if he might be permitted to study Obsidian for the science journals. Surely dragons had some degree of difference between males and females...?
"In due time, Foxworth. In due time. Today's visit is about Dewdrop, is it not? Besides, it would be rude to leave the fennec waiting."
Of course, Obsidian was a capable mind reader too.
"Although, could you assist with my wounded wing?"
Obsidian unfurled one wing, revealing a six foot long tear in the leathery membrane.
"It has been nine months with no sign of healing."
"Well even from this distance, I can tell you that it needs sutures... I do have a rope I can unravel for thread... and I think I can manage with a swiss army knife."
"As long as it restores my flight..."
***
"There, that should hold. Give it another month before you attempt flight. I can come back to remove the sutures once it has healed. Remember, keep it clean and away from anything alive or formerly alive. I would prefer to cover it, but I don't have a sheet large enough."
Doc had used up all of his nylon rope to repair the wing, but he doubted they would need it to get back.
"I believe this will work. You have my gratitude, Foxworth, and you have my word; not a single flap for thirty days."
"As long as you follow my instructions, it should heal just fine."
"Flawless timing as well. Dewdrop has completed the ritual."
Obsidian folded his wing back up, and left to retrieve Dewdrop. Doc took the time to pack his supplies into the backpack, as well as refill his water bottle.
Obsidian soon returned, carrying the blue dragoness head in one arm. Doc felt a tap on his shoulder...
"What do you think? I'm just as tall as you now, Doctor."
Behind him stood a naked adult vixen, with the same recognizable features as Dewdrop's usual teenage avatar.
"You look beautiful, Dewdrop."
She smiled. "My avatar has vastly improved freedom in size, shape, and distance. It is also more deeply linked to my mind, allowing me to... properly enjoy its senses."
Doc knew exactly what she meant by that.
"Excuse me while I go feel the wind in my wings once again."
Dewdrop's avatar grew exponentially, into a form he had only briefly seen, but remembered vividly.
"You... you're you again!" Doc declared, seeing the full sized dragoness return in all her glory.
"It is... an effort to keep this form, however..." She leapt out into the air outside the cave, and was absolutely euphoric as she flapped to gain several hundred feet of altitude. Oh how she missed the freedom of flight!
Doc and Obsidian watched from the mouth of the cave. Ten minutes passed of Dewdrop flitting about over the desert canyons of Arizona.
She soon returned, however, as her full size was an immense strain on her magical reserves. She reverted to fox almost before she landed, and had the most genuine smile Doc had seen from Dewdrop since meeting her. She hugged Doc unexpectedly, then looked over at Obsidian.
"Thank you for not incinerating Doctor Foxworth, but I think we should be on our way now."
"Wait, before you go..." Obsidian bent down to address Doc. "I understand keeping two dragons nourished, alongside your village, can be a strain on your resources. I have an offering for you to take with you."
A lone deer feral stepped out from the shadows... was that it? Only one deer?
"This is no ordinary doe, Foxworth. On death, it will respawn nearby, leaving behind its meat for consumption. It feels no pain, and does not suffer. It is yours now."
The doe walked up to Doc, licked his hand, and spoke."Master Foxworth?"
This took Doc by surprise.
"I... suppose it would be rude to decline. Sure, I accept your gift," Doc said, which left the deer joyfully prancing around the cave.
"Off you three go now. I wish to sleep." Obsidian shooed them off with his foreclaw. They obliged, glad to make two new allies.
***
Arriving at the shuttle four hours after they left, Mikey immediately took note of their new passenger.
"No need to recap, Dewdrop already told me everything. Is the deer in good health?"
"Obsidian treated me well, yes," the doe herself responded. "You can call me Dorothy. I've been with Obsidian for nearly a hundred years, alongside five other deer."
"So you don't age... What else should we know?" Doc asked as they boarded the craft.
"I have no need for food or water, and I don’t leave any pellets."
"Curious. Do you mind if I study you as well?"
"I will gladly agree, cut me all you like. It doesn't hurt me at all."
"I wonder what meals Chef can make with venison?" Doc pondered out loud.
She laid on the floor as Doc strapped Dewdrop back into her seat. Once everything and everyone was secure, Mikey lifted off to return everyone home to Immortalabs.
First draft finished June 13
Proofreading finished June 17
