The Road to Ornithia

by The FraudulentBrit

Catching Their Breaths

The Road to Ornithia

Part 17; Catching Their Breaths….

The air was filled with smoke and blood. All throughout Ornithia, buildings were consumed by crimson flames as they cast reflections on the canals. Where there had once been a bustling city on the path to a bright future, there was now an ashen wasteland.

And it was in this wasteland that Old Silver and Angel Wings desperately ran along the canals, hoping they could make it to the city garrison and get help for the young Ornithian child on the latter’s back before it was too late. “Silver, I think she’s going into shock!” Angel Wings called out as she felt the child begin to shake.

“Oh shite!” Silver exclaimed. “We’re almost at the garrison.” As he and his mare-friend ran, he turned to face the child as he tried to reassure her, “Hold on, just a little longer.”

As the two pegasi made their way up to the garrison, Silver sped up as he called out, “We’ve got a kid here! She’s burned pretty badly!” Without any delay, the garrison doors were opened as two Ornithian crossbowmen (or rather birds) rushed outside to ensure they made it inside safely.

Once they were inside, Angel Wings called out, “I’ve got a kid with severe burns! We need help!” Sadly, it seemed that her pleas were falling on deaf ears, as Ornithians were running all over the place. Some were carrying supplies, while others were carrying their wounded comrades.

Angel Wings was so shocked by the sight before her that she almost didn’t notice Silver trying to get her attention. “Angel Wings, follow me! I think I see Nelson!” Managing to regain enough of her composure, the pink mare followed her captain and colt-friend towards the quartermaster.

Without wasting time, Silver ordered, “Nelson, we need to first aid for the kid!” Nelson turned to face the child on the mare, and when he caught a glimpse of her burned leg, his eyes widened with horror. He didn’t say anything, but simply began to guide Angel Wings somewhere. After a few moments, she and Silver found the quartermaster had brought her to a makeshift first aid station.

Making their way to the station, Angel Wings tried to gently set the Ornithian child down. Unfortunately, when her wings gently rubbed against her burned leg, the child screamed in agonizing pain. Silver and Angel Wings felt their hearts sink; no one should be in this kind of excruciating pain. From behind him, Silver heard the voice of Perry call out, “Silver! What happened to you?”

Silver turned to see Perry and Ishmael run up to him, their faces expressing worry yet slight relief. Turning back to the child, the metal winged Pegasus replied, “We were chasin’ the buggers, and found this girl trapped in a burnin’ building. I managed to get her out, but her leg took is almost barbequed.” Perry walked over to the child and, after taking a quick look at her charred limb, said something that many of them were thinking, but no one wanted to say.

“Sir, there’s no way to save the leg.”

Silver closed his eyes and let out a resigned sigh. Facing Perry, he regretfully ordered, “Mr. Perry, get a tourniquet ready.” As the unicorn nodded and began to rummage for anything he could use, Silver turned to the others as he said, “Any-pony who is squeamish, I need you to leave.”

Angel Wings nervously asked, “What’s going on?” Silver, turning to his mare-friend, solemnly replied, “You saw how bad the kid’s leg is. We don’t do somethin’ and the infection will spread. We have to amputate the leg.”

As Angel Wings gulped in horror, Silver continued, “I don’t want to do this, but this is the only way.” The pink mare nodded as she excused herself from the group.

Once Angel Wings was gone, Silver sighed as he returned his attention to the Ornithian child. “Mr. Perry?” he asked. “You have a tourniquet ready?” Perry, levitating a leather device with knobs, glumly nodded yes. The metal winged Pegasus turned to Nelson and said, “Mr. Nelson, get me an anesthetic.” The three legged Pegasus nodded as he began to look for said anesthetic. Soon he found some, and turned to Silver and reported, “Awaiting orders sir.”

With that, Nelson gave the child the anesthetic. Once she was out, Perry applied the tourniquet above her leg. After a few minutes, Silver unsheathed the saber he had received from Prime Minister Garibaldi, and said, “Alright boys, let’s do this.”

Garrison Central Building

As the chaos began to subside, Staff Sergeant Aquamarine began to search through the garrison, hoping to find the one person she never thought she’d actually want to see. She wasn’t looking for Captain Silver, or Arrow Bolt, or even Prime Minister Garibaldi. No, she was looking for Major Andre.

She didn’t have to look too hard. Aquamarine found the good Major helping several soldiers, giving them hot beverages to ease their stress. “Drink up gentleman.” The satyr said. “You’ve made your people proud.”

“Major?” Aquamarine spoke up, her voice nervous and weak. Major Andre turned to see he had a visitor and replied, “Sergeant. Is there something that requires assistance?” Aquamarine shook her head as she replied, “No, but there’s something I need to say.”

Taking a nervous breath, Aquamarine said something no one expected. “Major, I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you.” Major Andre was stunned speechless by the mare’s apology. He knew she held a particularly deep (and entirely justified) hatred of the Admiral’s forces, and given his status as a former intelligence officer in his armada, an apology was the last thing he expected.

Aquamarine then said, “I’ve been nothin’ short of hostile to you, and not only have you been civil but…” She began to tear up as she continued, “…You saved my live. If it weren’t for you, I’d be dead.” As she struggled to regain her composure, Aquamarine asked, “If you don’t mind me askin’, why did you save me when I’ve been nothin’ short of a jackarse?”

Major Andre took a step towards Aquamarine and began to reply to her question. “Indeed, you have made your contempt blatantly obvious from the beginning. However, I cannot help but feel your fury is somewhat justified. After all, I was an intelligence officer in the Admiral’s forces.” He then took a deep breath and continued, “But I wanted to show that I meant what I meant when I said I can no longer serve his madness.”

He then knelt down to the Staff Sergeant and added, “That and I couldn’t let you get hurt. Besides….” He then leant towards Aquamarine’s ear, with a cheeky grin, remarked, “I recognized our friend as one of the Admiral’s favorite toadies, and I always wanted knock the prick down a peg.”

Aquamarine couldn’t help but laugh at the Major’s remark. “Heh heh.” She chuckled. “Well, he weren’t exactly the cuddly type.” Major Andre then replied, “Either way, I don’t think he’ll be bothering anyone again.”

From behind the two, an Ornithian soldier called out, “Maggiore, we need your assistance.” The Major nodded as he refocused on his visitor and said, “It seems I am needed. If you’ll excuse me.” He then began to make his way towards the soldier who requested him, but was stopped when Aquamarine called out, “Major!”

When Major Andre turned to face the Staff Sergeant, she continued, “I’m gonna do somethin’ I never thought I’d do.” Major Andre gulped, wondering what she was implying.

He was pleasantly surprised when Aquamarine saluted with her wing. While he wasn’t familiar entirely familiar with Equestrian military customs, but he knew a sign of respect when he saw it. The Major replied with a salute of his own.

Once Major Andre was gone, Aquamarine decided to take her leave, figuring she had finally put one of her demons to rest.

The Garrison Central Building, the Rooftop

Angel Wings sat on the roof, struggling to comprehend the mix emotions that were running throughout her very being. All around her, the city was in flames, Ornithians were running around in panic, and to top it all off, she couldn’t get the sight of the yeti at the end of her blade out of her head. If there was anything that could come anywhere close to what she was feeling, it was painful confusion.

“Angel Wings?” Silver’s voice gently called from behind her. The pink mare didn’t reply, simply continuing to stare out into the city. Silver let out a sigh as he walked up to his mare-friend and sat down next to her. Neither Pegasus didn’t say anything for several minutes, and simply just took in what little beauty they could find.

After a few minutes, Angel Wings finally broke the silence. “I killed him.” She said with resigned horror. “That yeti. He charged at us and I….” she struggled to remain calm as she continued, “I stabbed him. He fell backwards and stopped moving.”

She then turned to Silver and, tears in her eyes, finished, “And the worst part is, I don’t regret it. If I had to, I’d do it again and….” As she finally broke down, Angel Wings desperately asked, “Am I a bad pony?”

Silver rested his hooves on Angel Wings’s shoulders as he said, “It does not! We were all placed in a situation not even Princess Twilight has faced.” He then took a deep breath as he continued, “I’m gonna admit somethin’ I’m not real proud of.”

When Angel Wings gave a confused look, Silver admitted, “When Wind Rider was threatenin’ Spitfire, I had to do somethin’. I wrapped my hooves around his head, and pulled until…” He sighed as he continued, “If I had to, I’d do it again. But it’s still been hauntin’ me.”

Angel Wings then asked, “So, how does some-pony cope with doing something like this?” Silver could only reply, “I don’t entirely know.” Angel Wings then wrapped her wing around Silver as she replied, “But whatever it is, we do it together. You me, Wyvern, every-pony.”

Silver simply wrapped one of his metal wings around Angel Wings as he replied, “I guess we will.” The two pegasi then simply took the opportunity to catch their breath. After all, they needed it.

The Medical Station

Nelson and Wyvern sat next to the Ornithian girl, herself nestled in a simple hospital bed. It had been a few hours since Silver had been forced to amputate her leg, and she was still out from the anesthetic. All in all it had been a very unpleasant experience.

Turning to his friend, Wyvern asked, “When do you think she’s gonna wake up?” When Nelson gave a confused look, the elderly earth pony replied, “She’s gonna wake up eventually, and when she does, it’s not gonna be pretty.”

“I know.” Nelson glumly replied. “Losing a limb is a horrible thing to go through, especially when you wake up with one shoe too many.” Wyvern gave a somber nod as he turned back to the child.

This time, she was actually starting to stir, meaning she was about to wake up. “Bloody ‘ell!” Wyvern exclaimed. “I think she’s commin’ to.” Sure enough, the child’s eyes began to slowly open, betraying the fact she had a horrible headache.

“Oh, la mia testa.” The child managed to groan out. Opening her eyes, she began to look around before she asked, “Where am I?”

Nelson and Wyvern shared glances to each other before the former replied, “Our captain found you in a burning building. Right now you’re in the city’s central garrison.” As the girl shook her head to fight off a migraine, the quartermaster continued, “It’s actually a miracle you’re alive.”

The Ornithian girl then looked down at her body, covered by simple bed sheets. “I can’t feel my right leg.” She remarked as she wiggled her left toes under the covers.

Sighing, Nelson began to speak with pained resignation. “You see, you were burned very badly. For the most part it wasn’t too serious but….” Wyvern interrupted as he said, “You might want to take a look now, get it over with.”

The Ornithian Child found herself growing worried by the tone of the ponies before her, especially now that her right leg felt impossibly numb. With great hesitation, she lifted the sheets and took a peek at her legs, only to come face to face with the horrifying realization that one of them was gone. From the knee down, her right leg simply wasn’t there.

“No….” She began, her eyes beginning to tear up as her voice broke. “It can’t be. I have to be dreaming. This has to be a nightmare of…..” She would have continued as Nelson rested a hoof on her shoulder as he said the only thing he could.

“I’m so sorry.”

With those three words, the child began to cry, her tears streaming like a gentle river. Neither Nelson nor Wyvern knew what to say or do. Things didn’t help that Perry entered the tent and asked, “Hey, I heard screaming. Everything alright?” when he saw the child was awake and consumed by grief, He simply let out an embarrassed chuckle as he replied, “On second thought, not important.”

Twenty Minutes Later…

Silver walked up to the medical tent, hoping to check up on the child he and Angel Wings had rescued. Angel Wings herself would have accompanied him, but she had told him she needed some more time to process everything that had just happened. He didn’t blame her, as even he was struggling to keep a straight face and not scream into a massive pillow.

As he approached the tent, Nelson emerged, a concerned look on his face. “So….” Silver began. “How is she doin’?”

“She’s awake.” Nelson replied. He then began to look down and scuff his left hoof as he added, “She also knows about her leg. Took her ten minutes to let it all out.”

Silver let out a sigh as he replied, “At least she did’ne need to be knocked out again.” As Nelson let out a guilty chuckle, the metal winged Pegasus continued, “I think I know what will cheer her up.” With that, he walked into the tent, followed closely by Nelson.

Making his way towards the Ornithian child, Silver noticed that Wyvern was standing next to her bed as she just lied there, staring into the sky. Once he had made it up to the two, he asked, “How’s goin’ Wyvern?”

“’Bout as good as you’d expect.” Wyvern replied as he turned to the child. “It’s not easy losin’ part of you.” Silver nodded as he replied, “I know what that’s like.”

“Excuse me sir.” The Ornithian child asked Silver. “Are you the pony who saved me?” Silver gave a small smile as he tipped his hat and replied, “Old Silver at your services.” The Child couldn’t help but giggle as she said, “Thank you Signor Silver.”

Silver then took a deep breath as he said, “I’m so sorry about your leg.” The child simply lowered her eyes towards the empty space where her leg should have been as she sniffled. Silver then rested one of his wings on her shoulder as he asked, “Would you like to see somethin’?” The child simply nodded yes.

Silver then gave a reassuring smile as he fiddled with the base of his right wing before he slipped it off, revealing the vestigial stump of his original wing. The child’s eyes widened as she said, “Oh mio Dio. Your wing, it’s…” She couldn’t finish as she found herself stunned speechless.

Silver let out a guilty chuckle as he replied, “I know it’s not much, but I figured it’s important to show you that you’re not alone.” The Ornithian child then gave a small smile of her own as she replied with a simple, “Thanks Signor.” Silver took off his other wing as he replied, “You’re welcome miss, eh…” He paused as he realized that, in all the confusion, he hadn’t even bothered to ask for her name.

The child noticed her savior’s confusion and properly introduced herself. “Venicia. My name is Venicia.” Silver nodded as he replied, “It is an honor to meet you Venicia.”

From behind the group, Angel Wings’s voice called out, “How is she doing?” Silver turned to see his mare-friend approaching him, her bloodshot eyes betraying the fact that she had been crying to release her pent up frustration and confusion. Silver answered with a simple, “As well as any-pony can in her shoes.”

Angel Wings then made her way up Venicia and asked, “How are you feeling?” The child replied, “About as well as you can when you wake up with one shoe too many.” Though Angel Wings felt a ping in her heart at the reminder of what she had just had happened to her, the fact that she seemed to be doing somewhat alright made her feel somewhat better.

The child then extended her winged hand and said, “I’m Venicia. Thank you ma’am.” Angel Wings then extended her own hoof to shake the hand, but was surprised when Venicia wrapped her arms around her in a massive embrace, a sight Silver and the others couldn’t help but find adorable. When the child released her, the pink Pegasus introduced herself. “Nice to meet you Venicia. I’m Angel Wings.”

Once she had released her savior, Venicia turned to Silver and asked, “Uh, Signor Silver?” As Silver turned to face the child, she continued, “When you rescued me, did you find my parents?” Silver and Angel Wings gave each other confused a concerned looks as the former could only awkwardly ask, “Your parents?”

“Si. My mamma and papa.” Venicia replied. “We took shelter in that building, but those….” She paused as she took a shaky breath. “… Those ponies with the armada were burning buildings all over the city. Papa told me to head to the top floor while they looked for survivors.”

Before Silver or any-pony else could say anything else, Prime Minister Garibaldi stormed into the tent, his eyes frantically darting around in a terrified panic. When his eyes locked on to the group huddled around the small child, he called out, “Venicia!” Running towards her, he began to blurt out, “Thank the gods your safe!” Once he was at the bed, Venicia managed to move close enough to him to wrap him in a massive embrace, one he enthusiastically returned.”

Unfortunately, this was when he, as well as everyone else, got their first look at the healed stump where her right leg should have been. “Venicia! Your leg!” Garibaldi exclaimed. “What happened?”

As Venicia began to look away in shame and fear, Silver walked up to the Prime Minister and answered, “Angel Wings and I found her trapped in a burnin’ building. I was able to get her out but….” He then let his eyes drift towards Venicia as he continued, “Her leg was too badly burnt.”

Garibaldi then sighed as he reached into his pocket. “By building, you mean an apartment complex?” As Silver nodded in confusion, the scarlet politician pulled out two pieces of jewelry; two gold rings, one with a ruby and one with a sapphire. “These were found on two bodies in an apartment building, one that has been destroyed by fire.” He then handed the two rings to Venicia, who proceeded to tear up once again.

“No. It can’t be.” Venicia said in full denial. Wyvern, feeling incredibly confused, asked, “I don’t want to intrude, but what’s so special about those rings?”

Venicia turned to the elder pony and, to everyone’s shock, angrily shouted, “THEY’RE MY PARENT’S RINGS!” Everyone was horrified. If the two rings were her parents’, and if they were found on two deceased Ornithians in the same building where she was rescued, then the implication was nothing short of tragic.

Venicia tried to rise from her bed, struggling to maintain her balance on only one leg. “Out of my way!” She shouted. However, Prime Minister Garibaldi intercepted her and, in a voice full of regret, gave a simple, “I’m sorry.” With that, Venicia broke down again, crying into his shoulder. Silver and Angel Wings could only take off their hats in respect before joining the two Ornithians.

One Hour Later…

After what was possibly the most emotionally taxing hour in their lives, Venicia finally gave in to her exhaustion and fell asleep. Silver and Angel Wings tucked her back into her bed before they, as well as everyone else departed, hoping to give the young child some peace and quiet.

Once everyone was out of the tent, Wyvern broke the silence with a simple, “Poor thing. I can’t imagine losing everything like her.” Angel Wings, wiping a few stray tears from her eyes, replied, “I know. I wish there was something we could do to help.”

Silver, on the other hoof, turned to Garibaldi and asked, “Prime Minister, how do you know who she is?” The Prime Minister sighed as he answered, “Her parents, Arditi and Savoy, led the charge that banished Admiral Ecks from our lands. Since I was one of the resistance leaders, I became very familiar with them, as well as their daughter.” He then turned to the tent and continued, “Poor girl has had an eventful life. She spent the last few years following her parents, helping in the camps while they fought off the yetis.”

Silver felt his heart drop. While Venicia wasn’t exactly an infant, she was clearly very young, which meant that she probably spent most of her life following her parents on campaign. Even though he had practically spent his entire life behind the mast, Silver knew that was because it was his choice, and it hadn’t been forced upon him.

Lowering his head, every-pony was stunned when they noticed a few tears escaping Silver’s eyes. “She’s had her life stolen from her.” Silver said, his voice mixing sorrow with rage. “She’s just a girl, and not only did she see war, but now she’s lost her parents.”

Garibaldi sighed as he replied, “And hers is not the only one. We all have suffered under the constant assault from Admiral Ecks.”

Raising his head, Silver turned to the Prime Minister and, with a fire in his eyes, said, “Then it ends now. We’re stoppin’ the Admiral.” Angel Wings walked next to him and said, “I’m in.” She then gave him a confident smile as she added, “Someone has to show that guy what it means to mess with Equestria.” Silver could only smile at the determination that had come to define his mare-friend.

Garibaldi then exclaimed, “Eccellente! Gather your sailors Capitano! I will gather my advisors and we will meet at the dry docks!” The Prime Minister then ran towards the central building, leaving Silver and Angel Wings to gather the rest of the crew. Hopefully, every-pony would be in on the idea, right?”

The Dry Docks…

“You sure about this sir?” Arrow Bolt asked, worry clear in his voice. Silver had managed to get the entire crew to see what the Prime Minister had wanted, and while many of them like Nelson, Wyvern, Ishmael, and Skibby were more than willing to come along and see what Garibaldi had in mind, several others, such as Arrow Bolt, Bully Beef, Barricade, and Perry were more skeptical.

“I’m certain Mr. Arrow Bolt.” Silver replied. “Besides, our ship has been….” He paused for a brief moment of hesitation before continuing, “Severely damaged, which means we’re practically stuck here.”

Perry, on the other hoof, sighed as he asked, “Am I the only here who remembers that we came here to deliver weather clouds?” When no-pony replied, he continued, “You know, before we got dragged into a revolution against a bunch of albino monkeys led by a sadist?” Angel Wings, Skibby, and Aquamarine simply rolled their eyes at the gunnery officer’s ranting.

Once the crew made their way to the dry docks, they were pleasantly surprised to see Celaeno and her crew were also waiting. Silver trotted up to the Ornithian captain as she noticed him and extended her hand. The metal winged Pegasus firmly grasped it as he said, “Good to see you made it out alive. The Prime Minister wanted to see you too?”

“You bet.” Celaeno replied. She then said, “I heard you saved Venicia. Sorry about her leg and…..” She couldn’t will herself to finish her sentence. Silver nodded as he said, “When this is over, I’m gonna help her get set up with someone.” Celaeno nodded in solidarity, though she was interrupted by the sounds of Squabble squawking and Perry shouting several obscure profanities.

Before either captain could interrupt the growing scuffle, Prime Minister Garibaldi emerged from the dry dock, followed by none other than Crassus. “My friends….” The scarlet politician began. “I bring news both good and bad. The bad news…..”

Crassus interrupted with a blunt, “Your boat has been incinerated.” Garibaldi gave his associate an annoyed look as Silver and several sailors gave him furious glares.

“Indeed.” Garibaldi said in a deadpan tone. “Sadly your vessel was severely damaged, and will have to practically rebuilt from the ground up.” Silver sighed as he said, “I should have figured.”

Garibaldi then began, “However, I do have a present for you.” He then turned to the dry dock as he motioned for both crews, Equestrian and Ornithian, to follow him.

As the large group entered the dry dock, the Prime Minister continued. “To lead the attack against Admiral Ecks, you will need a new vessel. Something that will drive fear into the hearts of those monsters.” With that, he dramatically clapped, signaling the lights to come on.

What everyone found waiting for them was nothing short of amazing. There, ready to be christened, was a massive ship. It sported three masts that had to be at least several stories tall, four mortars on the top deck, and row after row of cannons, one deck after the other. Perhaps what was most perplexing was the ship’s colors, consisting of horizontal yellow and black paint going all across the ship just like the Hawkins.

Everyone was amazed by the ship that was before them. Garibaldi then walked up to Silver and said, “She is yours Capitano. All she requires is a crew and a proper name.” Nelson said, “My goodness, she’s just like a ship of the line!” Perry remarked, “I never thought I’d see one of these again.” Celaeno herself, overcome with the awe of the vessel before her, said, “I’ve never seen a ship this big before.”

Angel Wings turned to Silver and asked, “Silver? What kind of ship is this?” Silver, unable to divert his gaze from the vessel, gave an answer that filled his mare-friend with dread, yet confidence.

“This, Angel Wings, is a Mare O’ War.”

Author's Note:

Next Time; Silver and the rest of the crew finally sail off to fight Admiral Ecks.

Author's note; we are actually approaching the end of "The Road to Ornithia." This story has grown in scope and, to maintain a healthy schedule, I've decided to decide this story into two major parts. More on that part at a future date.