//------------------------------// // How I Met the Wyvern // Story: The Road to Ornithia // by The FraudulentBrit //------------------------------// The Road to Ornithia Part 1; How I Met the Wyvern A clear sky with few clouds and a good wind, the kind of weather Old Silver would admit is the best kind. Looking down to the deck from the wheel of the Hawkins, his ship, Silver couldn’t help but feel his heart soar. He stretched his new metal wings out, relishing just how well they fit, compared to his previous pair. If you asked him a month ago, he would say he would never have expected to be where he was now. Back then, Silver was the ship’s cook and, in practice, the first mate, to the pony he considered the closest thing to a father he’d ever had. But now, he was captain, he owned the ship that he had spent his life on, he no longer felt any anger towards his sister Spitfire, and perhaps the most extraordinary part, he was in love. “Captain Silver!” a familiar mare’s voice called out. Silver snapped out of his day-dreaming by the voice of Angel Wings, his new weather officer, and more importantly, his mare-friend. Angel Wings set herself down next to Silver and, a cheeky grin growing on her face, asked, “Were you daydreaming?” “What? No. I was just…” Silver “defensively” said as he realized he had been caught. Letting out a playful sigh, Silver replied, “Maybe just a little bit.” Angel Wings made her way up to Silver and continued, “Well you are kinda cute when you zone out.” Silver let out an embarrassed laugh as he asked, “So what’s up?” Angel Wings answered, “Well, We’re out of Cloudsdale’s jurisdiction, we’re making good time, and I made sure we shouldn’t have any trouble with any rouge storm clouds for a while.” Silver then gave Angel Wings a cheeky smile as he asked, “You didn’t show off, did you?” Angel Wings replied, “Maybe just a little bit. Really I just did it so we wouldn’t have any trouble with rogue winds.” Silver couldn’t help but start giggling. “What’s funny?” Angel Wings asked. Silver answered, “You didn’t have to go all out like that.” “I know. But I wanted to.” Angel Wings replied as she gave Silver a quick peck on the cheek. As Silver began to blush, Angel Wings playfully said, “Tell me you didn’t like that.” She was surprised when Silver grabbed her and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. He then answered, “This answer your question?” “Don’t you two think you should get a room?” a low and gravelly voice said from behind the two. As Angel Wings jumped into the air in surprise, Silver sighed and asked, “What do you want Mr. Wyvern?” As he turned around, he was greeted by the sight of an elderly yellow-green earth pony. The older earth pony then reported, “Engines are doin’ well, and in general, morale is excellent.” Unfortunately, Silver noticed a slight shift in Wyvern’s posture, as well as his generally positive disposition had now softened. “So what’s the bad news?” Silver asked. Wyvern answered, “I think some of the new crew are givin’ Skibby some trouble. I saw a few of ‘em roughin’ the poor lad up.” Silver sighed and glumly replied, “Figures.” Silver knew Skibby had a tiny problem; bad luck seemed to follow him wherever he went. “Alright, I’ll have a word with the others. I won’t allow this sort of behavior on my ship!” Silver said defiantly as he began to head towards the stairwell leading towards the lower decks. Angel Wings gulped, worried Silver would do something regrettable or brash, the kind of thing his sister had done. “No, Don’t think that.” She said to herself, trying to shake the thought out of her head. Wyvern then asked, “Don’t think about what?” Angel Wings answered, “I’m just trying to get the thought of Silver doing something stupid out of my head.” Wyvern let out a gentle laugh and answered, “Don’t worry, Silver isn’t as hot headed as his sister, though I’d still not try to anger him.” Angel Wings then asked, “So, how did you and Silver meet?” “Uh, What?” Wyvern asked, not expecting this question. “Yeah, I noticed that Silver Seems to be the closest with you, so I take it you two have some sort of long history?” Wyvern then pulled out his pipe and said, “Well for starters, I think you and I might be rivals for the Cap’n’s attention now.” Both ponies couldn’t help but let out laughter at the idea of them being “rivals” before Wyvern continued, “Well, it started many years ago.” Las Pegasus Docks, Many Years Earlier “Alright, that should be about everythin’.” Silver said to himself as he checked off the last task on his checklist. He had been sent into the city to fetch supplies for the ship on Cap’n Black Watch’s orders, and he felt that he had done a fair job. Now he just had to make it back to the Hawkins. There was just one problem; he was lost. “Oh shite!” Silver said to himself, before realizing what he had just said. “Thank Celestia Mom wasn’t here, otherwise I’d be eating soap for dinner.” Silver was so distracted that he almost didn’t notice the filly bump up to him. “Oi, watch where you’re goin’!” Silver shouted as the filly walked away, not even acknowledging him. It was at this moment that Silver noticed the black knapsack. A knapsack that was almost identical to his. And it was about now that Silver realized his back was no longer bearing any weight. It took about four seconds for Silver to put two and two together. “Get back here you pickpocket!” He shouted as he chased after the filly. The Filly, for her part, quickly dashed into a crowd. Silver wasn’t going to lose her, or the supplies he had been sent to get. “You’re not gonna get away that easily!” He shouted as he charged into the crowd after her. Clearly, this filly was not some amateur, but rather a skilled thief. Of course, Silver wasn’t going to let her just steal from him and walk away. Bumping into pony after pony, Silver noticed a pair of police ponies walking their rounds. Not hesitating, Silver shouted, “That filly stole my backpack!” the police ponies immediately took notice; one focusing on Silver and the other on the pickpocket. The second officer immediately said, “It’s her! Get her!” The filly realized she was caught and shot towards a dark alley, Silver directly in tow. As he continued, Silver could tell that the filly was panicking. As she paused for a moment, Silver took advantage of the opportunity and charged right into her, tackling the filly to the ground. “Get off me!” the filly shouted as Silver began to punch her. Silver shouted back, “Not until you give me back my knapsack!” as he left blow after blow, Silver heard hoof steps from behind him. Turning around, he saw the two police ponies making their way up to him. Silver started to panic, worried that the officers would be unhappy with his less than civil method of dealing with the pickpocket. Las Pegasus Police Department Silver was surely surprised by the fact that he hadn’t been punished. Of course, he had been on the receiving end of a lecture about how violence was never the answer, but other than that, his knapsack had been returned, as well as all the contents inside. Even better, he had overheard the filly being berated by her mother. That put a massive smile on Silver’s face as he left the police station. That smile faded when Silver remembered that he was, once again, lost. “Crap.” Silver said to himself. “Well, at things can’t get…” before he could finish, rain began to pour down, and pour hard. Starting to panic, Silver began to run towards the only source of shelter he could; the police station. Then, he heard something. It was the sound of some-pony coughing, and from what he could tell, some-pony who was very old. Silver turned to find, huddling himself in a cardboard box, was a yellow-green earth pony stallion. “Oi, what are you doin’ out here?” Silver called out to the stallion, who to his surprise, started running away. “What? Where you goin’?” Silver called out as he chased after the stallion. He didn’t know where this stallion would take him, but, he hoped, maybe he would lead him back to the docks. As Silver continued to chase this stallion, he couldn’t help but admire his determination as well as his clear knowledge of the area. The older stallion was leaping over barrels and crates, ducking under fences, and making sharp yet swift turns. Clearly, this stallion was incredibly familiar with the city. That made it all the harder for Silver to catch up to him. “Come on sir, stop runnin’!” Silver cried out, trying to persuade the stallion to stop. Then the stallion tripped, face planting into a muddy puddle. He then angrily exclaimed, “Oh, bother!” his voice was low and raspy, the kind that sent a freezing chill down Silver’s spine. As the Stallion tried to rise, he slipped and fell right back into the puddle. “Oh, for cryin’ out loud.” Silver said as he approached the stallion. “Let me help you.” As Silver made it closer to the stallion, he tried to escape again, only to, once again, slip, this time landing back first in the puddle. “Oh, curse this old body.” The stallion lamented, lying in the puddle, having given up trying to flee. As Silver wrapped his hoof around the stallion, trying to lift him up, he asked, “You alright mister?” The stallion let out a gentle laugh and, with a small smile growing on his face, replied, “I’m right as rain boy.” Silver noticed that the stallion’s smile was rather forced, as if he were keeping it up to hide something. “Then why run? Afraid I’m gonna turn you in to the police?” The stallion began to sweat nervously, prompting Silver to ask, “Wait, you’re not in trouble are you?” The stallion then answered, “Well, if you take me home, I can explain everything.” Silver pondered for a moment. Though he wasn’t expected back at the ship just yet, he didn’t want to risk being late. And yet, he couldn’t just leave this stallion all by his lonesome. “Alright.” Silver said helped the stallion get to his hooves. “So, where’s home?” Some Alleyway It was a series of large boxes. Not a small shack, not even a renovated outhouse. This stallion was living in a large wooden box, only about twice as tall as the stallion was. “You sure this is where you live?” Silver asked the stallion, hoping that this was all some sort of massive prank. The stallion replied, “Yup. This here is my little patch of heaven.” As Silver released the stallion, the stallion made his way towards the edge of the crate and grabbed a bucket of water, splashing it all over his body. Silver then asked, “So, what’s your name sir?” The stallion answered, “Name’s Wyvern. What about you?” “Old Silver.” The young colt answered. As the stallion began to giggle, Silver asked, “What is it?” Wyvern answered, “That’s an odd name for a young colt like you.” Silver could swear he heard the voice of his sister teasing him, calling him “Stumpy.” Shaking that thought away, Silver responded, “Well it’s my name, and I wear it with pride.” Wyvern, drying himself off with a dirty towel, retorted, “Well, if it’s your name, it’s your name.” As Wyvern tossed the towel near his new guest, Silver asked, “So, why are you livin’ in this…” Wyvern interrupted his young “houseguest.” “I know it don’t look like much, but it works.” Silver couldn’t help but admire the simple set up. Inside the larger box was a simple hammock, a series of pots, a few boxes of food, and a simple furnace. It almost seemed as if it were what he would be using if he hadn’t found, or rather, crashed into the Hawkins. He was so mesmerized that he jumped in surprise when Wyvern said, “Sorry I don’t have much to eat, but help yourself.” As Silver continued to take in the environment, he noticed something about this Wyvern pony. His cutie mark was that of a ship’s wheel. “So…” Silver began. “You a sailor by any chance?” Wyvern happily replied, “Do the fishes live in the sea?” This overjoyed Silver, who immediately demonstrated his own cutie mark. “Same here.” Wyvern noticed the sail mark on his young guest and complimented it. “Very nice. Didn’t know sailors hired so young.” “Well…” Silver began before realizing he was starting to give too much information away. “Well what boy?” Wyvern asked. Silver nervously answered, “It’s nothin’.” Wyvern then let out a deep breath and said, “Son, the way you answered that question is the way some-pony who is hiding something does.” Realizing he was caught, Silver sighed and said, “Promise not to tell anyone?” the older stallion made an X motion across his heart and pointed to his eye. “Secret is safe with me son.” Silver then admitted, “I’m a runaway.” “Really?” Wyvern asked. “You certainly seem too upbeat to be a runaway.” “Well, about three months ago…” He then began to tell the older stallion everything. His trouble with Spitfire, the accident, his falling out with his family, his meeting with captain Flint, and his daring (as well as dangerous and stupid) escape. “Oh my word.” Wyvern said in shock. “Your sister seems to be quite the… how do I put it?” “Gobshite?” Silver answered with a deadpan expression. “Oi!” Wyvern sternly scolded the young colt. “Best be careful with that kind of language!” “Sorry Mr. Wyvern!” Silver panicked. Wyvern softened his posture and voice as he replied, “Well, given you’ve been around sailors for a bit, I bet it’s not surprising you’ve picked up a few… foul words.” Silver started giggling and said, “You should hear cap’n Black Watch. This one time I swear he was turning blue. Or rather, bluer than normal.” At that moment, the two ponies heard the voice of some-pony unfamiliar. “Hey, I think he’s down here!” another voice answered, “Finally, we’ve been on this gink’s trail for a week.” Silver then noticed that Wyvern was panicking, hiding inside his crate. From around the corner, two pegasi guards arrived, both dressed in security guard uniforms. “Excuse me young one.” One of the guards asked Silver. “Yeah?” The young colt asked, trying to eye Wyvern without looking like he was. The other guard, this one a mare, asked, “We hate to bother you, but have you seen a yellow-green earth pony stallion of advanced age?” Silver hesitated for a moment. Something about these ponies were rubbing him the wrong way. They were both wearing smiles, but they were forced and masking an unsettling feeling of anger. That and, despite only knowing him for a short time, Silver couldn’t help but grow a little attached to Wyvern. Thinking quickly, Silver quickly lied, “I think I saw some-pony like that near that Gladmane’s resort.” The stallion guard sighed, “Ugh, that’s on the other end of town.” The mare gave her partner a slap and said, “Thank you young fella. If you do find a stallion by the name of Wyvern…” she reached inside her shirt pocket and gave Silver a business card. “Bring him here.” Silver accepted the card, nodded, and replied, “I’ll keep me eyes open.” The two pegasi guards then departed the way they came. Silver waited until he was certain the guards were gone before turning to the crate and, not quite shouting nor whispering, “I think they’re gone.” Almost immediately, the older stallion leapt out from the crate and tackled the young colt in a massive hug. The hug was already rather awkward, and became even more so when his hooves rubbed across his wing stumps. “Oh, sorry about that.” Wyvern nervously said as he let Silver go. “Ugh. Thanks.” The younger colt thanked. Wyvern, however, replied, “No, I should be thankin’ you!” Silver then asked, “So why are you runnin’ from those guys? I hardly think they’re police.” Wyvern sighed and answered, “No, they’re from this place I’ve been….” He took a deep breath before continuing, “You see, I’m also kind of a runaway meself.” That statement shocked Silver to the core. “What? Why would you want to run away from…” Silver paused as he pulled the card out and read it out loud. “Greener Pastures Retirement Center?” Wyvern then began to speak. “Kid, me family forced me into that prison. Kept sayin’ I was too old to keep goin’ out on voyages. They had to drag me, tooth and hoof into that nightmare.” Silver was about to say something, but Wyvern interrupted him. “From what you’ve told me, you know what it’s like to want to follow you’re callin’, but everyone else keeps standin’ in your way.” This last statement hit Silver in the gut. Yes, he did know what it was like to have his family disapprove of his dream, and he did know what it was like to want to leave. Wyvern continued, “I’ve been hidin’ down here for the past week, doin’ at the docks so that I can still feel like a sailor. Though it seems those goons will eventually catch up to me.” He then started to shed a few tears. “I just can’t stand being stuck in that prison with nothing to do! It’s in my blood to sail the skies and seas, and…” Silver then spoke up. “Wait, you know where the docks are?” “Aye.” Wyvern answered, “Why?” Silver then said, “How about we make a deal, you get me back to my ship, and I can see if the Cap’n will hire you.” “You sure he’d hire me?” Wyvern asked, feeling this deal was too good to be true. Silver straightened his hat as he answered, “Well, what have we got to lose?” The Hawkins, “It’s been three hours, Mr. Flint.” Black Watch sternly reminded his first mate. “Are you certain I was right in trusting such an important errand to such a young boy?” “He’ll have to prove himself somehow Cap’n.” Flint answered nervously. It had been three months since the crew had accepted their new “cabin colt” as some of them referred to Silver as. Sure, he was young, somewhat sensitive, and occasionally pushed himself a bit too far, but neither Flint nor Cap’n Black Watch could deny his enthusiasm and love of sailing. Perhaps that was why he was trusted to run the relatively simple task of picking up a few supplies and documents. And he was now three hours behind schedule. “That’s it. I’m goin’ after him.” Cap’n Black Watch said, annoyance clearly seeping from his voice. As he made his way to the gang plank however, he noticed two ponies approaching from one of the alleyways. One was an unfamiliar yellow-green earth pony of very advanced age, and the other was a far more familiar young colt. “Where in the name of Davy Jones have you been?” Silver found himself slinking down as he answered, “Well, My pack was stolen by a pick-pocket.” He then took his pack and nervously added, “Obviously I… I got it back.” Cap’n Black Watch was still frowning, feeling that Silver may have been lying. Then, To Silver’s surprise, Wyvern spoke up. “However, this young lad slipped in the mud. I took him to a bath house and washed him up. Didn’t want him coming home all dirty.” Cap’n Black Watch waited for a moment, his eyes darting between Silver and this older stallion. He finally asked, “What’s your name sir?” “Wyvern.” The old stallion answered. Cap’n Black Watch then asked, “Wyvern, like the armless dragons?” “Aye.” Wyvern answered. Cap’n Black Watch then shook Wyvern’s hoof. “Thank you for keeping an eye on our cabin colt. Is there anything I can do for you?” Wyvern eyed Silver, who gave him a confirming nod. “Well, I am in the need of work.” He then turned his body, showing his cutie mark. Black Watch hesitated for a moment before he said, “I think we can arrange something. Pay not be too much but it’s steady.” Wyvern then wrapped the dark blue stallion in a massive hug. “Oh thank you mister!” Quickly realizing what he’d done, Wyvern released his new employer and meekly apologized. The group of ponies then boarded the ship, hoping to enjoy a hot meal and a good night’s sleep. The Next Morning Silver was scrubbing the gun deck when he heard Cap’n Black Watch call for him. “Mr. Silver, a word please.” The tone of his voice made it clear that he was not particularly happy. Gulping, Silver made his way to the Cap’n. Cap’n Black Watch plainly stated, “We had a few visitors a few minutes ago. Some ponies from Greener Pastures Retirement Center say you seen with an escaped resident. An earth pony that matches Mr. Wyvern’s description.” Silver felt his heart beat faster and faster. He’d been caught. Black Watch then said, “I take it you know that Mr. Wyvern is a runaway, just like you?” Silver simply nodded. He knew what was likely next; Wyvern would be sent back, and he would be sent to a troubled colt’s home, prison, or worse, back to Spitfire. Cap’n Black Watch then said, “Under normal circumstances, you would be in a lot of trouble. However, Wyvern begged me not to send him back, but he begged harder not to do anythin’ to you.” Silver was stunned speechless by this statement. “He did?” “Aye.” Cap’n Black Watch replied. “So I have a unique punishment for you.” From behind the Cap’n, Wyvern entered the room. “Mr. Silver!” Cap’n Black Watch sternly began. “I am making Mr. Wyvern here your personal responsibility. You are to make sure he gets acclimated to the ship and does so safely.” He then stared into the colt’s eyes and, though a smirk made its way onto his face, sternly continued, “I expect you will not disappoint.” Silver felt the determination well up in him and, straightening his hat, he replied, “I don’t plan to sir.” The Cap’n then turned to Wyvern and ordered, “You will follow Mr. Silver’s directions, is that clear?” “Aye aye Cap’n.” Wyvern happily answered. Cap’n Black Watch nodded and ordered, “Then to your posts.” Once Cap’n Black Watch was out of the room, Wyvern turned to his new “Superior” and said, “I can’t thank you enough.” Silver smiled and answered, “I don’t keep debts Mr. Wyvern.” Wyvern then asked, “Then if I may, is it true about your wings?” Silver hesitated for a few moments before he figured, ‘What the hay?’ He then took off his coat and showed the older stallion where his wings once were. Wyvern then added, “I know nothin’ will give ‘em back, but if I may, at least it lead us to each other.” Silver started to feel a little anger, but then said, “I guess it did. The Hawkins, Present Day. “And that about sums it all up.” Wyvern said as he finished his story. Angel Wings was touched by the older stallion’s tale. In fact, she was so touched she didn’t notice Silver ask from behind them, “What’s goin’ on over here?” Angel Wings turned to see her colt-friend and answered, “Wyvern told me how you guys met.” Silver let out a playful laugh and replied, “Ah, he did?” Wyvern then added, “I may have embellished it a little bit. You know I told Spitfire the same story, though I gave her the abridged version.” Angel Wings then added, “Either way, that was very sweet of you Silver.” Silver shrugged and answered, “I just did what was right.” “And we’re all thankful for it.” Wyvern added. After everyone had a good laugh, Silver said, “Ok everyone, back to work.” Angel Wings and Wyvern both replied, “Aye aye Cap’n.” As both ponies returned to their duties, Silver couldn’t help but say to himself, “It’s gonna be hard to think of meself as Cap’n.”