The Road to Ornithia

by The FraudulentBrit

Feathered Friends

“Over there Cap’n!” Nelson said as he pointed towards the ship in the distance. It was a large galleon, and if Old Silver could tell, was being held in the air by airbags rather than sails, giving the ship a slight resemblance to a zeppelin. However, that wasn’t what Silver was focused on. He was more surprised by the fact that the ship had taken severe damage; it’s hull was scratched and scrapped, wood was chipping all over it, and the ropes and rigging were cut in some placing and missing in others. All in all, the galleon appeared to have seen better days.

“What do we do?” Angel Wings asked, worry evident in her voice. Silver pondered for a moment. A ship dead in the air could be hiding a group of pirates, but there could also be ponies trapped inside. “Get us up to that galleon.” Silver ordered. Nelson and Wyvern were shocked by this command. “Sir, are you sure? There could be pirates or marauders on that thing!” Wyvern protested. Silver replied, “That is a possibility, but if not I want to know why that ship is dead in the air. We’ll be gettin’ close enough to fire a warnin’ shot, then I’ll take a boarding party over IF there’s no response.”

Silver then turned himself to face the Hawkins’s pilot. “Mr. Copper Bottom, get us up close to that galleon!” He shouted. “Aye aye Cap’n!” Copper Bottom replied as he began to rotate the ship’s wheel. Silver then turned to Nelson and said, “Mr. Nelson, Get a boarding party ready.” As Nelson nodded, Silver then turned to Angel Wings and said, “Ms. Wings, Go tell Mr. Perry to prepare a warning volley.” “Aye aye Cap’n!”Angel Wings replied as she ran towards the stairwell. She just hoped that they wouldn’t need to actually prepare for another fight.

“Mr. Perry!” Angel Wings cried out as she entered the gun Deck. Perry replied, “Angel Wings? What’s going on up there?” The pink mare replied, “Silver says t….” she caught herself as she remembered to use the proper rank. “Cap’n Silver says to prepare a warning shot for the ship out there.” Perry then turned to the other ponies on the deck and barked, “Alright powder monkeys, you heard the mare! I want each gun loaded with a blank in ninety seconds!”

The other stallions wasted no time. Angel Wings was amazed as the others seamlessly sorted themselves into small groups and began to perform their duties. They opened the cannons’ breaches, loaded bags of powder into the barrels, locked the barrels, and prepared fuses. “Good job boys!” Perry complimented the other sailors. He then turned to Angel Wings and said, “Now, we wait ‘till we’re close enough.”

The next few seconds passed slowly, far too slowly for Angel Wings to feel comfortable. Perry then leaned against her and whispered, “The anticipation is palpable, isn’t it?” “You could say that.” Angel Wings replied nervously. She then asked, “So, how do you know when to fire the cannons?” As an excited smile grew on his face, Perry replied, “Once we’re close enough, we wait thirty seconds, then I set off the cannons.” “Ooh.” Angel Wings replied. “Don’t worry.” Perry reassured her. “These cannons have been loaded with nothing but gunpowder. Unless they’re right in front of them, any-pony on that ship will be fine!” One of the other stallions called out, “All guns are primed and ready sir!” “Alright then!” Perry shouted back. He then pulled out a fob watch from his coat and opened it. “And now, the countdown begins.”

The thirty seconds passed without any response from the other ship. Perry then began to call out, “Alright boys! Open f….”

He was interrupted by a parrot with a pilot’s hat and goggles sticking his head through one of the gun ports. “Squawk!” the bird chirped, momentarily startling everyone on the gun deck. Angel Wings herself was so shocked that she fumbled backwards, even knocking her hat off as she fell. “What the hay is that thing?” She nervously asked as she struggled back to her hooves. The large parrot climbed through the port and collapsed onto the deck. It was now that Angel Wings noticed that this wasn’t just some mere parrot. On top of his hat, he wore a brown outfit and even had a lifesaver around his neck. All in all, he looked kind of ridiculous, and as he fumbled to his feet, Angel Wings couldn’t help but giggle.

However, Perry was incredibly infuriated. “You!” he angrily bellowed as he grabbed a broom. “What are you doing on my gun deck?” he shouted as he began to charge at the large avian. Unfortunately (For Perry), the parrot creature noticed and began to run away. “Get that feathered freak!” Perry shouted as he chased after the “uninvited guest.” Though some of the sailors began to join in on the chase, others, including Angel Wings, simply found the scenario too hilarious. Angel Wings herself was rolling on the deck and barely able to hold in her laughter after witnessing one of the other sailors trying to bash the bird with a rod, only to hit Perry in the head.

Sadly, much like all other good things, the slapstick event came to an end, with Perry eventually catching the bipedal bird. “Finally got you ya little bird brained buccaneer!” Noticing the fear that was now evident in the bird’s eyes, Angel Wings protested, “Come on Mr. Perry, what’s wrong with him? He’s adorable!” Perry firmly stated, “Because this little bilge rat is part of a crew of….”

Perry was once again cut off, this time by the ominous sound of metal striking one of the decks above them. “Oh no!” Perry ominously whispered. “It’s her!”

Silver should have known it was her. After all, she was the only person he could think of that would use that kind of airship, especially this deep in Equestrian territory. Not only that, but she had hailed as a hero for her role in the Storm King’s fall. Still, it was worth dealing with her in person, muzzle to beak.

As he made his way to the railing, the crew of the other ship took a large plank and set it up so someone could walk across ships. Someone who happened to be a peg-legged, bipedal, female ornithian. Someone who Silver knew he’d possibly have a run in with, but didn’t actually think would happen. And yet, here she was, making her way across to his ship.
“Old Silver.” The Ornithian Captain said very sternly, a scowl present on her face. Silver could only grow one of his own as he replied, “Captain Celaeno!” Both beings made their way up to each other, both wearing serious looks on their face. Nelson leaned to Wyvern and Ishmael and whispered “How do you think it’s gonna end?” Ishmael replied, “The way I said it would.”

Silver then sternly said to Celaeno, “You have a lot of guts showin’ up in my face, after what you’ve done.” Celaeno then began to slowly reach for her something on her hip, an action that Silver began to do likewise. Wyvern then whispered, “here it comes.” Both Silver and Celaeno then made their move, shifting and swinging their arm and metallic wing with lightning speed…

…And then proceeded to give each other an incredibly firm handshake. “Good to see you’ve finally embraced your true colors.” Silver complimented, a friendly smirk growing on his face. “Good to see you still have that poker face!” Celaeno replied. She then pulled Silver into a massive hug, surprising the other sailors. Before they could react Silver returned the embrace. Ishmael then turned to Nelson and quipped, “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.” Nelson simply rolled his eyes in “annoyance.”

Angel Wings then emerged from the lower decks and called out, “Cap’n Silver, there’s this weird parrot person down on the gun deck, and Perry is….” She now found herself staring at a tall, bipedal, peg-legged, parrot being dressed similarly to herself. “Uh….” She stammered, too surprised to try and formulate words. Silver then made his way over to Angel Wings and said, “Miss Wings, this is Captain Celaeno, an old acquaintance of ours.” Celaeno then walked over to her and extended her arm. “Ah, I see you’ve found some new blood for your inner circle.” She then leaned closer to him and quipped, “And it’s about time. Last time we met, I had a feeling your ship here was a bit of a man-cave.” Silver just rolled his eyes and sighed. “Yeah, it has been a while.”

Angel Wings then remarked, “Wait, now I remember! Rainbow Dash told us all about you!” This statement got Celaeno’s attention. “You know Rainbow Dash?!” The Ornithian asked. “Yeah! She was one of my instructors at the Wonderbolts Academy!” Angel Wings replied. Silver then added, “Aye, Miss Wings here could easily have been a Wonderbolt if she wanted to.” However, he suddenly realized what he had said and noticed the uncomfortable expression on his mare-friend. “Sorry, I forgot it’s kind of a…” He began before Angel Wings interrupted, “It’s ok. Guess I’m still coming to terms with it.”

Celaeno noticed the tonal whiplash and asked, “Uh, what’s going on?” Silver then answered, “Why don’t we talk about it over a cup of cocoa?” “You got it.” Celaeno replied. She then turned her head to face her galleon and added, “As long as it isn’t actually on our ship.” Silver simply let out a gentle laugh as he added, “Follow me.”

Angel Wings, Silver, the other Sailors, Celaeno, and her crew began to line up the tables into the galley, unifying them into a massive table. Silver then said, “Alright, I’ll get some cocoa ready. You all get comfy.” Before he turned, however, he faced Perry and ordered, “And best behavior Mr. Perry.” “Aye aye Cap’n.” Perry grumbled. Angel Wings noticed the look of contempt the gunnery officer had, and was about to say something about it, but she was interrupted from her train of thought by a tapping on her shoulder.

She turned around to see a large muscular, and dark green Ornithian with an eye patch and red feathers forming a crest behind his head. “I heard you learned from Rainbow Dash.” The Ornithian asked. “Uh…” Angel Wings stumbled, put off by his intimidating posture. “Yeah?” From behind her, she heard Celaeno call out, “Hey, try not to scare her Mullet.” “Sorry Cap’n.” Mullet replied. He then extended his hand to Angel Wings. “Name’s Mullet. First Mate.” “Angel Wings.” The Pegasus mare replied as she reciprocated his hand/hoof shake. “Weather Officer.” She then noticed Wyvern sneak up behind Mullet and add, “And she’s a darn fine one too.” Unsurprisingly, Mullet found himself jumping in the air in fright.

Once Mullet had gotten over his shock, Silver joined the conversation. “Aye. Saved our hides when she alerted the guards to the Raiders at Botany Bay.” This statement got Celaeno’s attention. “Wait, you guys were down at Botany Bay? Last I heard the Raiders took it over.” “They had.” Silver continued. “Turned out they were lead by a former Wonderbolt named Wind Rider.” Mullet then asked, “Wait, isn’t he like one of the greatest Wonderbolts ever?” “Past tense.” Wyvern added, once again startling Mullet. “Turned out he was a real bilge rat.” Angel Wings then continued, “Rainbow Dash told us he tricked Spitfire into thinking her mom was sick and she had to go halfway across Equestria to find a cure. Then he framed Rainbow Dash for the crime.”

Celaeno then asked Silver, “So, is it true?” “Huh?” Silver asked in confusion. Celaeno continued, “Spitfire. We heard a rumor about a year back. Is it true she’s your sister?” Silver let out a gentle laugh and answered, “Aye. She is. We ran into her about a month ago. Rescued a wee filly who’d been blown off deck during a storm, and ran into her in Manehattan.” Nelson then continued, “Then a few weeks later, that filly, a young Pegasus named Scootaloo, showed up out of nowhere and told us that Princess Twilight’s map had summoned her to fix Spitfire and Silver’s relationship.”

“Wow.” Celaeno replied. “I mean I heard that you two weren’t exactly friendly but….” Silver raised his metallic wings up and countered, “However, after she tried to drive us away by accidentally hirin’ a group of Raiders, The Wonderbolts, Miss Wings, the lads and I…” He paused before adding, “Excluding Mr. Ishmael, who was experiencing fatherhood for the first time.” As Ishmael began to slightly blush, Silver continued, “We went down to Botany Bay to rescue Cap’n Flint and Scootaloo. Not only are they now safe and sound, but the Raiders are now either in prison or on the run.”

Another of the Ornithians, a short pink one, asked, “Hey, where is old black beard any way?” “Lix Spittle?” Celaeno said. “What did we say about nicknames?” Lix Spittle let out a nervous laugh as she replied, “Sorry. I meant where is Cap’n Flint anyway?” The other sailors were awkwardly silent for a few moments before Silver answered, “Flint has retired. I’ve taken command.” “Well, congratulations.” Celaeno complimented as she began to clap, an action the other Ornithians joined her in. Angel Wings then spoke up. “I was in the Wonderbolts’ training program when Silver and the others arrived, and I volunteered to join them on the voyage.” Silver then made his way to her and added, “And I can’nae honestly thank you enough.”

As both Silver and Angel Wings began to nuzzle each other, Celaeno began to “ooh” the scene before her. “Awh. I should have figured someone like you would have won his heart.” Both Angel Wings and Silver found themselves blushing, and Celaeno then continued, “So you two ARE dating, I knew it.”

Silver then began to sniff the air and said, “Sound like the cocoa is done.” As he left to get the hot cocoa, Angel Wings asked, “So, how did you guys meet Silver?” Celaeno gave a wistful sigh and answered, “Now that is a story.” “I think we have some time to tell it.” Silver said as he returned to the combined tables with a tray full of mugs of cocoa. “We’re ahead of schedule and I don’t think you guys are goin’ anywhere anytime soon.” He said this last part with a slightly cheeky smile, one that Celaeno playfully rolled her eyes at. “Well, we weren’t the awesome swashbucklers you see before you today.” She said. Angel Wings then added, “I know. Rainbow Dash said the Storm King forced you guys to be his errand runners before she met you guys.” Celaeno replied, “Aye. We were. Not long after the Storm King press ganged us into his service, we ran into a cast away Pegasus.” She then pointed to Silver. “A Pegasus with metal wings.”

Silver then added, “We’d sailed into a maelstrom and I was unlucky enough to be on the top deck when a rogue wind brushed me off.” Wyvern added, “We were so busy just trying to the ship in the air we didn’t notice Silver was gone until after the storm passed.” This surprised Angel Wings. Silver had proven himself to be the most skilled sailor she had ever met (granted she hadn’t met too many), and she couldn’t imagine the sight of him getting blown off of the ship. Celaeno continued, “We ran to him when he slammed into our deck out of nowhere.” Silver, still blushing with embarrassment, remarked, “Wasn’t me best idea, but I could’ne think of a better one at the moment.” Angel Wings couldn’t help but find the reply humorous, as well as a little cute.

Celaeno continued, “Well, the Storm King’s instructions were to throw him overboard. However, he had a certain way with words.” Silver then continued, “What she’s tryin’ to say is I was kickin’ and screamin’ the most unpleasant words you’ve ever heard.” Mullet then joined in. “And we were impressed by that kind of vocabulary, so we figured we’d keep him. At least until we made port.” Silver then continued, “And then I started askin’ questions. Questions like why they obeyed the Storm King, or why they didn’t just rebel or desert.” Celaeno then rejoined the story. “We explained that we were afraid of his wrath, and Silver here said we were just a bunch of cowards.”

Silver explained, “I told them that they needed to follow their own path and stop humblin’ themselves to that wanker.” Then, to everyone’s surprise, Perry spoke up. “Other than being a no-good gang of pirates.” As Perry suddenly found himself receiving glares from the other sailors, Angel Wings asked, “Wait, you guys were pirates?” Celaeno shrugged and answered, “Once upon a time. Don’t worry, we never actually attacked any Equestrian ships.” Once again, Perry interrupted, “Except the treasure fleet you…” he was then bonked on the back of the head by the same Ornithian from the gun deck. “Squabble!” Celaeno shouted. Unfortunately, Perry rose again and began to get into a fight with the Ornithian sailor, even finding him and his rival consumed by a small cloud of smoke.

As Perry and Squabble fought their way out of the galley, Celaeno sighed and gripped, “Ok, so one time we attacked what we thought was a Griffon pirate fleet but was really an Equestrian treasure fleet.” Sighing, she continued, “Anyway, we decided to allow Silver to take a long boat and try to find his way back here.” Silver then added, “It wasn’t exactly a pleasant row. Took almost a week, but I eventually made it back to this old girl.”

As the sound of fighting (as well as laughter) made its way to the galley, Angel Wings asked, “Wait, if only Silver met you guys, how come Perry is so… well, hostile to you guys?” Celaeno then began to guiltily scratch her arm and answered, “About that treasure fleet, well…” Nelson then joined in. “You see, Perry was stationed on that fleet when Celaeno here attacked. Apparently he wasn’t able to stop them and it MAY have been a factor in his…” he paused nervously before he finished. “…Discharge.”

Celaeno then began, “Speaking of ship battles, there’s a reason our new ship may be heading for the scrap yards.” Silver replied, “I noticed. There’s no storm in the area that could cause that kind of damage.” Celaeno took a deep breath and replied, “It wasn’t a storm.” Silver began to realize what she was implying and asked, “Was it pirates?” Angel Wings asked, “Wait, I thought you were pirates?” Celaeno replied, “We WERE pirates. After the Storm King died, we were hired by the new Ornithian Government as privateers to fight of any remaning storm king ships.”

“Privateer?” Angel Wings asked, confused. Silver scooted over to his mare-friend and answered, “It means they’ve been asked to act like pirates, but they only attack ships bearing the Storm King’s colors.” He then faced Celaeno and asked, “But I thought his fleets were disbanded after he died.” Celaeno replied, “So did I. Apparently, when he attacked Canterlot, he only used a fraction of his armada. Now they’re forming up under some upstart by the name of Ecks.”

Ecks. That was a name Silver thought he wouldn’t ever hear again. “Do you mean Ecks as in E-C-…” Silver began before Celaeno cut him off. “K-S? Yeah, him.” Angel Wings then blurted out, “Ok I am totally confused, and its giving me a headache.” Silver let out a deep breath and answered, “Ecks was a commander in the Storm King’s navy the lads and I fought about ten years ago. Last I heard he had been sent to govern some backwater part of the empire.” Lix Spittle replied, “That “backwater” is our home. When the Storm King was defeated, we drove Ecks out, so he’s building an armada to take it back.”

This revelation stunned everyone silent. Did this mean they were going to fight an armada? Celaeno then spoke up, “Luckily the EUP and other privateers have been putting dents in his plans, so Ecks shouldn’t be too much of a problem.” Silver let out a breath of relief and replied, “That’s good, now, about your ship….”

“That should help you at least get to a nearby port for repairs.” Silver said to Celaeno as he, Angel Wings, and a few others made their way back from Celaeno’s galleon to the Hawkins. They had agreed to perform a few repairs to help the ship limp its way to the nearest settlement. “Thanks Silver.” Celaeno thanked her friend as she handed Silver two bags of coins. “This should be enough to compensate you guys.” Angel Wings replied, “It was kind of fun. I hope we meet again. Under better circumstances that is.” Celaeno wrapped the pink mare in a massive hug and said, “As do I.”

As Celaeno’s crew began to make their way back to their own ship, Celaeno realized someone was missing. “Where’s Squabble?” sure enough, her friend had managed to wrestle himself away from Perry and scurried across the gangplank and back to the galleon. “Squawk!” He cried out. Perry then shouted, “And don’t come back you dirty pirate!” Silver simply sighed and said, “Sorry about Mr. Perry. I think he still has a grudge.” Celaeno replied, “I don’t blame him. Maybe someday I can apologize without him snapping my arm off.”

“Cap’n!” Mullet called from the galleon. Celaeno called back, “I’ll be there in a sec!” She then turned back to Silver and said, “Guess I better be going.” As Silver and Celaeno shook hands/wings again, Silver cheekily said, “Stay awesome.” “You too.” Celaeno replied. As she began to make her way to her ship, she paused at Angel Wings and whispered, “Keep the soap near this one. His mouth is dirty.” Neither Angel Wings nor Celaeno could help but start laughing. Celaeno then returned to her galleon and ordered, “Ok scallywags, let’s get out of here!”

As Celaeno’s galleon sailed off into the sunset, Angel Wings turned to Silver and said, “She was much more awesome than Rainbow Dash said she’d be.” Silver shrugged and replied, “You meet a lot of interesting people up here, ponies or otherwise.” She then nudged him and added, “None more so than you.” Silver couldn’t help but blush and replied, “I could say the same of you.” He then pecked her on the cheeks, an action that left Angel Wings feeling her heart soar.

Then they heard the sound of something breaking. “Of course.” Silver said as he shook his head. “I think Perry is having a temper tantrum.” “Need help calming him down?” Angel Wings asked. “I’d like that very much.” Silver replied as he extended one of his wings to her. Angel Wings locked her wing to his as both pegasi made their way to the gun deck, hoping Perry wasn’t setting too bad of an example to the other sailors.