Ropes cascaded across the deck of the airship, pulling it into the dock. The sound of metal grinding against itself screetched out as the ship came to a halt. The ship was in total ruin, I had only managed to escape with it still intact. I trotted out onto the deck to survey the damage for one last time. The helm of the ship was cracked open like a walnut, half of the structure still remained. Hanging, crooked, from the remainder of the building was the ornate bronze inscription Yekaterina, Catherine, my poor ship... I stepped down from the gangplank onto the cobblestone docking bay. I turned in the direction of the previous battle, gazing off the cliff. I was daydreaming when I heard the pounding of hooves approaching me. I turned towards a towering stallion, his coat a gleaming bronze, he wore the traditional captain’s garments and the flashy hat as well. A glare pressed through his heavy facial hair. Finally, he spoke
“I do not have words to describe how disappointed I am in you, Skies...” His words stung like molten fire pokers, a higher ranking officer’s opinion could sway your entire career as a captain. “Fleeing a battle, midway through, abandoning your comrades to DIE!” I stepped back and adverted my eyes in shame.
“Sir, I had no choice, the crew had nearly died and the ship was nigh destroyed! I had to think about my own crew...” my voice trailed off as I took my chance to gaze past the stallion and see the train of ponies being carried from the hull of the ship on stretchers. One, a name whom i forget, had taken a canon ball to the stomach as he was reeling, tearing him wide open. I winced at the sight and turned back to the furious stallion that I stood before.
“Leave my sight, impudent worm, go drown yourself in ale for all I care.” He pushed past me quickly, nearly knocking me to the ground. I felt absolutely terrible, I had deserted my fellow sailors to die... I was not lying in my purpose though, I had to make a decision and I did, whether it was the right one or not, I do not know...
* * *
I stumbled down the cobblestone walks of Stalliongrad, the ailment of alcohol pressing me down as I tried to walk. I reached my home and pressed into it, searching for my keys. When I could not find them i angrily tried the handle, in the off chance i had forgotten to lock it. Much to my surprise the door opened into the dimly lit living room of my house. I stopped cold in my tracks as my eyes adjusted to the light, the alcohol didn’t help. Inside was chaos, furniture was broken, glass shattered, papers strewn across the ground, bookshelves toppled. Somebody had vandalized my house, and I knew why. You see, in Stalliongrad, a stallion’s honor is everything. I had made a bad example of my city, neigh, my entire republic with an act of dishonor, this was my punishment.
I searched through the mess slowly and carefully, cold tears stinging at my eyes. I felt and heard something crunch beneath my hoof. I raised it to find a shattered picture frame, inside it the picture was still intact. I saw myself, standing next to a beautiful mare. She wore an elegant white gown... a wedding gown. I myself wore a black tuxedo. We were both smiling brightly, without a care in the world, happy. We were happy... I clung tightly to the frame as I curled up on the floor, the tears now flowing down my face and onto the floor.
“I miss you Catherine... I miss you so much...”
* * *
Hundreds of miles away, across many mountain ranges and rivers, stands a stallion clad in his traditional Canterlot airship captain attire. A cool breeze blows through his black mane as he gazes off in the direction of his most recent victory.
‘The silly little captains of Stalliongrad refuse to accept that they cannot beat us, maybe they will hear more from the one who got away...’ A smirk spreads across his muzzle at the thought. A door slides open as a mare calls to the captain
“Gray, would you just come back inside please? your dinner is getting cold...”
“Yes dear...” the stallion stops to admire the view once more before retiring for the night.