Story of Maverick

Story of Maverick- Chapter 9: Takeoff and Flight (part 1)

Starting that winter, Maverick worked hard on his flying to impress the Pegasi. As soon as spring came around, Maverick displayed the fruits of his months of practice. The Pegasi were unimpressed, but Maverick tried again when they changed spring to summer. He kept practicing and testing himself, undeterred by naysayers or repeated failures. Seasons passed and his flying improved bit by bit. Years passed and the fire within him burned hotter and brighter as he grew from a colt to a young stallion.

Marmalade walked around Farron, searching every nook and cranny.

“Maverick! Maverick! Ugh, where is—“

She then shrieked in fright as she was suddenly drenched by a shower of sleet.

“MAV!”

Maverick cackled as he hopped off of his cloud perch and hovered over his sister.

“You should’ve heard yourself scream, sis! And the face you made? Hilarious!”

Marmalade swatted at her younger brother, then shook water off of herself.

“You know I hate it when you do that!”

“Duh. Why do you think I do it?”

Two young stallions wolf whistled at Marmalade as they walked by, making her blush and Maverick hiss at them.

“Where were you, Mav? You missed all of your chores.”

Maverick scoffed and waved a hoof dismissively.

“Yeah, that’s why I was gone so long. Forget about that! Do you know what day is coming up soon?”

“The first day of summer, thank the Alicorns.”

Marmalade shivered and rubbed her soaked orange fur before walking towards her family’s field. Maverick grinned wider and wider as he walked beside her.

“Not the day I’m talking about, but that day’s important too.”

“Mav, you’ve been at it for ten years. Don’t you think you should give it a rest and just leave things be?”

“No way, Marmalade! I’m not going to be a sad little farmer. Besides, I’m going to pull it off and wow them this season! I know it!”

He walked backwards and pointed at his flank.

“I can feel it in my—“

Maverick ate a hoof-full of soil as he face planted into the ground. Okay, that was NOT funny.

He spat out dirt and checked his rump for hoof prints before turning around with a glare.

“Oh, sorry Maverick,” said a tan and brown stallion. “I thought this lovely little mare was being pestered by a nasty, oversized bat. Turns out I was just kicking you.”

Just when my day was getting really good, THIS plot hole has to show up.

“It sucks to see you too, Mudslide. What do you want?”

“Maverick, be nice,” Marmalade scolded. She gave a smile to Mudslide, which he returned with his own. Their relationship was common knowledge in Farron; likewise for Maverick and Mudslide’s rivalry.

Of bucking course. Sucker punch me to make me look stupid, then hide behind Marm.

Maverick glared sourly at Mudslide as the three of them walked home.

You’re playing against the wrong pony, lovercolt.

An impish grin spread over Maverick’s face as he let himself lag a few hoofsteps behind Marmalade and Mudslide. He lined his wings up with their plots and fanned his right wing. After a few repetitions, a small green flame flared out from the tip of his wing and ignited Mudslide’s tail. Perfect.

“Hey Mudslide, you’re tail’s on fire.”

Mudslide’s eyes widened and he galloped away screaming in panic.

“Mudslide!”

Marmalade punched Maverick in the foreleg as he erupted into a fit of laughter.

“Real mature, Maverick. Keep it up and you won’t get any marmalade on your birthday.”

“Oh come on! Don’t be that way, Marm.”

The orange mare sat down and crossed her forelegs, her expression far from amused.

“Aw, fine. I’ll behave…mostly. Just let me have some marmalade!”

He sat on his hind legs and clasped his hooves together pleadingly. After a few moments, Marmalade smiled and returned to all four legs.

“Three days. Think you can stay out of trouble that long?”

“For your marmalade, I’d actually do my chores for three days.”

As promised, Maverick stayed out of trouble for the next three days. He completed his chores with vigor, cut back on his backtalk and even refrained from his usual antics. By the noon of the third day, Maverick could barely contain his excitement.

“Happy birthday, Mavvy!”

“Thanks Mint, thanks Clover. You little mares ready for the best part of my birthday?”

The three of them chanted “marmalade” as they strolled over to their family’s shack. Once inside, Maverick was greeted by a chorus of “happy birthday”s. Scarlet, Mudslide and each of Maverick’s siblings embraced him warmly. Failsafe gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.

“Eighteen years old. How does it feel to be a full stallion?”

“Dunno. Ask me again when I meet a nice mare.”

Failsafe playfully punched him in the shoulder.

“Welcome to full adulthood, knucklehead. Try not to do as much stupid crap from now on.”

Sapling prodded Maverick’s hind leg, prompting him to turn around.

“How does it feel to be old, big bro?”

“Well, I’m still in one piece and good-looking. I’d say pretty darn good so far!”

Scarlet and Marmalade set up eight jars of marmalade as everypony sat in a circle and wished Maverick well. Even Mudslide gave him his best wishes.

This is nice, Maverick thought as he sipped his marmalade. I’m…I’m going to miss this.

He locked eyes with his rival and the two stallions stared in tense silence for a few moments.

“You take care of Marmalade when I’m gone. And you better treat her right. Got it?”

Mudslide was taken aback by Maverick’s sudden blessing.

“Yeah. I will.”

“Where are you going?” asked Sapling. Scarlet and Failsafe’s smiles slowly vanished. Even Maverick’s smile faltered for a moment.

“You know, away from Farron. I’ve been planning to leave for a long time, remember?”

“Are you coming back?”

The atmosphere thickened further as silence rang through the shack.

I have no intention of coming back. This’ll be my last day in Farron.

“I’ll think about it. But I can’t tell you when, little Sap. Got to keep ponies guessing.”

Sapling laughed as Maverick affectionately ruffled his mane. The family kept celebrating, laughing and playing until sundown. After his siblings went to bed, Maverick stepped outside and gazed at the moon.

Could I reach the moon right now if I tried?

He extended his wings and crouched, his muscles taut and ready for action.

“Maverick.”

He swiveled his head to see his mother sidling up beside him.

“Is there anything I can say to get you to stay? If Cyclone recruits you this time.”

Scarlet examined Maverick closely. She noted his wild and messy mane, the fire always burning in his eyes and his now apparent size.

I never noticed how big he’d gotten over the years.

Her heart ached with a long-forgotten heartbreak as she stared at his face.

He looks so much like his father.

“I know this is going to hurt, Ma. But I’m going to impress the Pegasi and get out of here.”

Scarlet sighed, hanging her head.

“I know. Just take care of yourself, okay?”

Maverick wrapped a foreleg around her and pulled her in for a warm embrace.

“I love you, Ma.”

“I love you too, son.”

The two of them sat there gazing at the moon in silence long into the night.