Story of Maverick

Story of Maverick- Chapter 10: Takeoff and Flight (part 2)

The next morning, Maverick got up early to do warm-ups. He stretched, sprinted and flew a few practice laps in the sky. After completing his warm-up routine, Maverick flew to Farron’s front gate and waited. As the hours passed, more ponies arrived and waited for the Pegasi to arrive.

“Still haven’t given up, I see,” stated Hard Oak. The older stallion sat patiently next to Maverick and stared ahead.

“It’d be a real waste if I gave up now, old timer.”

“Yeah, it would be.”

Eventually, a squadron of Pegasus soldiers soared up to Farron and landed in front of the village. Cyclone Cuts led the squadron, just like he led previous teams visiting Farron over the past ten years. He scanned the crowd like a hunting falcon, quickly pinpointing Maverick amongst the villagers.

Like clockwork, Cyclone thought with a chuckle. He’s a persistent one, I’ll give him that.

On his command, the other soldiers cleared the clouds over Farron and reigned in a wave of summer heat. As soon as they completed their task, Maverick trotted over to Cyclone Cuts and stood face to face with him. Nopony uttered a word or budged an inch as the two stallions stared each other down.

“Show me what you’ve got, hot shot.”

Maverick bolted past Cyclone and quickly took to the sky. He soared, glided and dove through the air. Trails of green fire danced behind him, tracing erratic patterns on the sky. Scarlet watched in awe, her eyes wide and mouth agape. Mint, Clover and Sapling wore mile-wide smiles and their eyes twinkled with fascination. All of Farron’s residents eagerly spectated Maverick’s aerodynamic display.

The kid’s gotten better after all these years, thought Cyclone.

“East Early.”

“Yes, Sergeant Cyclone?”

“Let’s see how hot shot here performs with a challenger.”

“Yes, sir,” she said with a salute.

Early galloped a few feet and took off. She quickly caught up with Maverick and swooped in front of him, forcing him to halt.

What the heck?

Maverick let out an annoyed snort, swooped beneath her and then angled back up. As he resumed his previous flight path, East Early flew alongside him. When he banked right, she did the same; when he sped up, she flew even faster.

“What is your deal? Buzz off!”

Early rammed into him, making him stumble and fall a foot.

“Why don’t you make me buzz off?”

She slung her body at Maverick again, but this time he was ready. Maverick looped below and around her in a barrel roll and then slammed into her. He cackled impishly at Early’s creased brow and clenched jaw.

“Okay, but I’m the wrong pony to play this game with.”

Maverick’s attitude shifted from serious and focused to mischievous and playful.

If she wants to screw around, then that’s what we’ll do!

He crashed into her, impeded her flight paths, tugged at her tail and embraced her in midflight. Maverick did everything he could to infuriate, startle and fluster East Early. Much to his delight, his efforts succeeded.

“I’m getting really SICK of your bullshit games!”

“Really? That’s a shame. I’m loving them!”

Early screamed in fury and dove at him. Maverick flipped himself belly-up as he allowed himself to drop from the air, howling with laughter all the while.

“Officer Early, stand down,” commanded Cyclone.

However, the Pegasus mare ignored his command. All she hear was Maverick’s provocative, mischievous laughter. His cocky and devilish grin consumed her vision.

I’m going to wipe that stupid grin right off his face! She thought as she hurtled towards him.

“I said stand down, officer!”

Cyclone launched into the air like an arrow and snatched Early up in his forelegs. Both Pegasi grunted as they were rattled by the impact. Maverick spun around and snapped his wings open, slowing his short descent to the earth. His right ear twitched at the sound of a thwack.

Ooh, that sounded like it hurt! He thought with a grin.

Early hissed in pain as she rubbed her head, stinging pain radiating from her skull.

“You didn’t need to stop me, sergeant. I wasn’t going to hurt him—much.”

“That’s not why I told you to back off, Early.”

Cyclone grabbed her head and forced her to gaze downward. Less than twenty feet below was terra firma.

“If you’d kept your cool, you would’ve noticed two big things.”

“What were those things, sir?”

“For starters, the ground, obviously. Secondly, you would’ve seen that he was baiting you.”

Early facehoofed, her cheeks burning.

Biting blizzards! I can’t believe I fell for such a simple ruse!

She glanced at him as she and Cyclone touched down. He was trotting their way, still grinning like a foal in a confectioner’s shop.

“Thanks for jumping in. I had a blast! You’re a great flier.”

Maverick extended a hoof, but Early didn’t respond to the gesture. After a few moments, she hesitantly tried to shake his hoof. Maverick yanked his hoof back and then hoof-bumped hers.

“Your performance was decent…for a rookie.”

Maverick then turned his attention to Cyclone, expectation reflected in his eyes.

“Well, old timer?”

The scarred soldier remained silent for a few moments.

“You’ve got to be one of the most knuckleheaded, persistent and determined colts I’ve ever met. After ten years, I’d say you’re worth a rain cloud’s piss. Welcome to the Cloudsdale Army.”

I…I did it. They’re going to take me where other Pegasi live!

At Cyclone’s command, the soldiers departed Farron in a V-formation. Maverick started to take off, but paused and galloped back to the village. He squeezed Scarlet in a warm, loving embrace and did the same to all of his siblings.

“I love you guys.”

“Come on, recruit! Get moving!”

Maverick flashed a brilliant smile, then flew off and joined the other Pegasi. Scarlet Plume watched him vanish over the horizon with a sad smile on her face.

“I love you too. I’m so proud of you, Maverick.”

Bittersweet tears dripped down her face to the warm earth.