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"Whenever you're ready Luna."

Maverick sat on the balcony of the castle with the Princess of the Night close by his side. She was much taller than he, her dark flowing hair often obscuring his view of the day-lit Canterlot. Luna seemed a little more alert than usual, brighter, almost cheerful which Maverick was relieved and comforted by. She still looked visually exhausted but she sat up straight in a particularly royal fashion. Her gaze never left the spatter of buildings which splayed out many, many meters below them. Rooftops of reds, blues and purples darted the city below them in an almost artistic style. Grids upon grids of homes and businesses, places ponies had the confidence to call home. A small group of ponies could be seen stumbling through the streets, laughing and supporting themselves on one another.

The sun had been shining for three days. The heat could be felt throughout the land. The fields beyond Canterlot which could be seen from the balcony were turning a brownish shade of green, as were the broad leaves of the expanse of trees that was more commonly known as Sweet Apple Acres, many miles away in Ponyville.

Maverick loved this spot and he envied Luna, that she could take her leave to this wonderful refuge whenever she pleased. The balcony itself was not that large. It curved out of the side of the tallest tower of the castle out from the Princess's bed-chambers. The floor was wooden, purple and had swirling patterns that appeared to be carved into the very wood itself. Each stroke unique, almost telling a story of the stars and of ponies come and gone. The balcony itself had a large curtain drawn over it to protect those who reside in it should it happen to rain, or should the suns rays become too much for any normal pony to bear. In the far corner was Luna's enormous telescope, large and blue, it stood proudly out over the balcony and far into the air, yellow, venetian patterns had been decorated the side of it. On the other side was a small writing table. A half written letter took up most of the desk-space and Luna's iconic quill lay next to it. Made from one of the feathers of her dear sister, it shone an almost impossibly bright white, The Departed Princess's aura seemingly radiating from it.

Maverick closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Inhale. Exhale, before he pushed Luna further. "Luna, it's time."

Luna set out a deep sigh. "Yes Maverick, I am well aware of that."

An awkward silence hung in the air. Maverick repeated himself, "Whenever you're ready." But again, silence. Maverick looked up at the Princess for the first time since they came onto the platform.

Luna looked concerned, and Maverick's ears drooped by the side of his head. "Maverick... It hurts. You know... Doing this."

"I know it does Luna, but I'm here to help you. Every step of the way, you're not alone." Maverick encouraged.

Luna closed her eyes and lifted her head slightly. A deep inhale. A deep exhale. Without warning, her head swooped down besides Maverick and she began nuzzling into his neck softly. Maverick was taken aback. In all his years as Captain, he had never seen an act of affection like this from the Princess of the Night. Her muzzle rubbed against his neck softly, her horn occasionally and gently batting against his ears. Maverick smiled to himself and leaned into the Princess, mirroring the movements of her head against hers.

This went on for some time before Maverick had to pull away from the warm embrace of the Princess.

"Just like we practised, Luna. Deep breathes. Relax your body. Try and stand up-right." He gently placed a hoof on hers, feeling small amounts of magical energy flow up his arm, "And remember, I'm here with you. And... I'll always be here with you."

Those words made Luna's lips quiver slightly, but she shook her head and portrayed a determined look across her face. Once more, she closed her eyes and a glow of purple light focussed out the tip of her horn. Her eyes tightened and she began sweating from the brow profusely, grunting slightly and letting out a small whimper. Maverick placed a hoof gently on her arm in reassurance. The light began glowing brighter and brighter with each passing second, the enormous entity in the sky slowing shifting downwards, distorting Luna and Maverick's shadows to stretch out behind them as the sun began to lower. A small tear left Luna's right eye. A beautiful red glow began to cover the sky as the sun began to reach the horizon in the distance. Luna's legs faltered slightly but Maverick held her upright. A scream. A bellowing scream left Luna's mouth as she mustered all the strength she had to carry out her duties. The bird's ceased chirping. The magic of the street-lights below leapt into action as the city became darker and darker under Luna's immense power. In the distance, as the light faded, Maverick could see the eery blue glow of the moon begin to over-power the bright, warm light of the sun. The temperature shifted dramatically, causing Maverick to illicit a shudder. He could see his breath hang momentarily in the air before being blown away by a harsh wind, generated from Luna's magic. Luna's breathes became heavier and heavier and she began to weep gently. She gritted her teeth and with one last force of energy and strength, positioned the moon high above the sky, looking down over the world. The sun had vanished and so had it's bright, unforgiving heat.

Luna began to shudder as her horn's glow began to fade slowly. Maverick once more felt her foreleg shake, but it was too late. Luna fell to her knees, Maverick unable to support her any longer. He quickly reached down and attempted to help her to her hoofs.

"Luna?" Maverick whispered gently towards her as he tried to lift the limp Princess. "Luna, you did it. You were amazing."

No response. Maverick began to panic. His Princess was unconscious and shuddering violently, her breathing light. He called out.

"Guards! Guaaards! Help, anyone!" He screamed at the top of his lungs in the direction of the Princess's bed-chambers. Two guards promptly appeared, two mares. One of them gasped and dropped her lance, before rushing over the assist Maverick. The other stood there in shock, seemingly unable to move as she gawped down at the royalty before her. Maverick rolled his eyes and frustratingly pointed to her "You! Fetch a nurse, a doctor and Jorah. Immediately!"

She didn't move. She didn't so much as look at Maverick. She was clearly in shock. Maverick shouted louder, "Soldier, I will have you court-marshalled for in-sub ordinance if you do not tail out of here in under five seconds and fetch a nurse, a doctor and Jorah. That is an order, go or so help me I will see that you spend the remainder of your young life begging for bits on the street."

Her gaze suddenly averted to Maverick. The flames in his eyes startling and scaring her. "Y-Yes sir, right away!" She dropped her shield and lance where she stood and, before they hit the ground with a mighty thud, she galloped out of view shouting for the doctor.

The other guard, a light grey pegasus with a pastel blue mane, had placed Luna in the recovery position and was gently stroking her mane. Maverick snapped and slapped her hoof away, "How dare you, take your hands off her." His tone was sharp and menacing and he bared his teeth viciously. His breathing was heavy.

Then, unexpectedly, the guard before him narrowed her eyes into a piercing stare. She began shouting, "Princess Luna is in a state of shock you idiot! She needs to be reassured that she is surrounded by care, it will reduce her heart-rate, level her breathing and calm her down far quicker than if we were to just sit around her like she was a bucking campfire. So I suggest you follow my lead, Sir."

Maverick was speechless, furious even. But now wasn't the time. I'll deal with her later, he thought to himself as he groaned and began stroking Luna's radiant mane. The guard did so as well.

"Talk to her, Sir. Let her know she's safe."

Maverick did as he was told. He whispered many things to her whilst they waited. What a good job she had done, that he was there, that everyone was so proud of her, that help was on the way. The wait seemed eternal and Maverick began to sweat an unhealthy amount. He was surprised to notice that Luna's breathing had returned to a safe pattern and her shuddering had ceased.

"She's asleep. It would still be worth letting the physician examine her further, just to be on the safer side of the fence, Sir."

He paused briefly before nodding. He understood.

The physician arrived surround by about three nurses and four or five other guards. Only the doctor galloped forwards and knelt by the Princess. He beckoned for one of the nurses to come over so she could help him, and she obediently did so. As she came over, the doctor glanced towards Maverick.

"Captain, I'll need some space, if you don't mind." Maverick nodded and ordered the physician to keep her safe and well, but he only smiled back at him, "Don't worry Sir, I can already see that she'll be fine. You and Mary did a phenomenal job. Well done. You two can go now, she's in safe hands. I'll stay here with my nurses and those guards there. Get some rest, you look like you haven't slept in days." He then gave Maverick a sly, encouraging and joking grin, "And don't forget we have an appointment the day after tomorrow. Don't keep me waiting again, aye?" He winked.

Maverick felt like he had forgotten how to smile or talk, so he simply walked towards the doors of the bedchamber, with Mary following some distance behind him. He turned in the corridor towards the entrance to the hall and could hear the mare behind him. He pushed open the door and let it close behind him, deliberately not holding it open for the other pony. And there he waited.

The door creaked as it swung open. Mary gasped in surprise when she saw her Captain glaring back at her in the hall. He trotted up to her and stood inches from her face. "How dare you speak to a superior like that!" he yelled, drawing a few gazes from the other guards patrolling the wide halls of the castle, "You think I don't know how to handle a crisis? I could have had that situation under control! The disrespect you showed today would make Shining Armour turn in his grave, I should have you stripped of your rank and sent to work in the kitchens!"

She hung her head, her demeanour completely changed from what it was on the balcony. She mumbled something inaudibly under her helmet and began to blubber pathetically. Maverick continued.

"Do you think the Captain of the Royal Guard doesn't already know everything you so rudely commanded me to do on that balcony? I didn't get to the position I am in now to take orders from a guard like you." His voice was still raised and echoed through the now deathly quiet hallways.

Mary began to weep. "I'm... sorry," she replied. Almost a whisper.

"But," Maverick bargained, "Where you took control of the situation, I completely froze."

Mary looked up, as a tear left her jaw and hit the tiled floor below.

"You were not callous, you were controlled. You knew what you were doing and you most certainly didn't panic like I daresay I was."

A gleam entered her... eyes. Maverick was slightly taken aback by those eyes of hers. Bright yellow. Golden almost. Piercing yet soft and sweet. But, completely... wrong. One looked like it was staring towards the ceiling, the other down towards the floor. Maverick couldn't tell if she was looking at him at all. He shrugged it off momentarily as he got back to his point.

"I daresay you may have even, in that room, saved Princess Luna from severe harm, you may have even saved her life. I suppose what I'm getting at is that I'm proud of you, kid." Mary's tears soon seemed to be forgotten and she beamed in pride towards Maverick, a broad and very generous smile stretching across her face. She looked like an excitable school-girl before she regained her Royal Guard poise and stood up straight.

She proudly saluted the Captain, "Thank you Sir, I would do it a thousand times more, Sir."

"That's what I like to hear. And please, for now, call me Maverick. I believe we're now off duty, doctor's orders." He grinned smugly as Mary seemed to relax a bit and chuckle back at him.

"Are you hungry, Mary? The shifts we give you guards seem almost cruel." He said jokingly.

"Absolutely starving, sir."

"Maverick," the Captain quickly corrected. "Let's make our way to the refectory, see if they've got any scraps left for us."

Mary smiled as she and the Captain left the hall together, side by side. But not before he apologised for giving her such a scare.

*****

Mary and the Captain sat opposite from one another on the guards table. They had been talking for a while. Maverick often did this, ate with the lower ranks. It built character and developed a better relationship between him and the mares and colts that his life may one day depend on. He treated them as equals in this hall, unless a fight broke out, of course. But that had not happened since Maverick last intervened in a brawl between two young colts. The kitchen staff treated Maverick like a regular guard upon his arrival, at his request. He didn't get extra food or champagne rather than water. In this dining hall, he was a guard, a guard like he never was.

"So," Mary scoffed mid-chew, "I just became fed up of the name calling and the snide comments. I knew I wasn't like my mother or her mother before that. I was fully capable to becoming something like the Captain of the Royal Guard, so I spent the next few months in initiate training to try and become the best soldier I could. Unfortunately..." She took another large bit into her sandwich and spoke through a mouthful of food, "- I still find myself drawing gazes from visitors to the castle and even the other guards themselves. I have plenty of friends here, even they tease me, but I can handle it. I have a heart of steel, they can throw whatever they like at me. So long as it's not a tomahawk, I might be less inclined to survive such a projectile."

Maverick chuckled. He had inquired about Mary's eyes, almost completely accidentally. The conversation seemed to run a bit dry earlier so he said she had nice eyes, not realising that it might have been a sensitive topic. Mary knew what he was getting at but she mostly took it as a compliment and explained how her entire family had developed a condition which caused their eyes to wander. She assured Maverick that she was just as mentally dependable, if not more dependable, than any other soldier on the force, which Maverick strongly believed.

It was Maverick's turn to speak, again through a mouthful of bread. A strand of leaf hung from his mouth as he spoke, trying to stuff the majority of the sandwich's contents into his mouth. "So you joined the Royal Guard to prove to the ponies who doubted you that you were dependable. I can vouch for you if they ever decide to find that out for themselves."

"That's just the thing, I'm sure they've pretty much just forgotten about me by now, so it doesn't matter anyway. But I found so much more in the Royal Guard than I could have ever imagined I would find. It's the best job in the world, and strike me dead if there's a better, more fulfilling and worthwhile career choice. Um, don't say Doctor." She grinned.

Maverick spoke, "Well, personally, I joined the Royal Guard because of the stories I read as a child. I always imagined the Royal Guard as being this glamorous job which would get me fame, fortune and mares. They weren't wrong on that account," Maverick smiled to himself as Mary laughed, "But it did take ten years to reach the level I'm at now. It's a miracle it even happened if I'm frightfully honest. You know I never passed a single officer's test? Never even took one."

"You're joking. Then how the hell are you... you?" Mary inquired, almost shocked to the core.

"Because I'm the best." Mary rolled her eyes. "No, I just worked hard and used instinct over rank. It's one thing being able to regurgitate knowledge of military tactics onto a piece of paper, it's another thing putting it into action. That was my strength. I started out in transportation, and was part of the artillery squadrons. I didn't even fire the blasted canons, I just carried the artillery from the cart to the 'experts.' It was only when things began getting a bit bothersome when we were trying to keep the Changeling revolts at bay that I stood up and took command. No-one argued, they were just about desperate enough to listen to my insane plans. Too much detail to go into now. But anyway, it worked. The sergeant who was in charge of the platoon initially took all the credit. The bastard. For about a month he bathed in my glory before the rest of the squad believed it would be the right thing to do to tell the honest truth about who it was that had saved Canterlot. I remember, I was scrubbing dishes in these very kitchens when Shining Armour himself came in and personally congratulated me. Not only that, I got the Medallion of Cunning, the Medallion of Bravery and the Medallion of Leadership. Three of The Six Medallions and I wasn't even an infantry soldier. It seemed like one bizarre dream. Needless to say, the Sergeant was disgraced and stripped of his rank, and I became sergeant in his place, at Shining Armours own risk. The rest is history really. From there I began working up the ranks until I became a Lieutenant and from there, after Shining Armours departure, the Captain."

"You make it sound so fucking easy, Sir."

"Maverick."

"Oh, of course. All this talk of how you became Captain... I must have just forgotten. But that is quite an amazing story. So tell me, Captain of the Royal Guard, why the hell should I bother studying for these written exams if the Captain himself never passed a single one?" She raised an eyebrow, accompanied by a sly grin so Maverick knew she was only joking.

"Because you're Captain tells you so. That, or you could pray for another Changeling revolt? Which, I regret to inform you, is nearly impossible now they're practically all dead," He teased.

"Well, maybe one day something will happen that'll make me prove my worth." Mary pondered.

"It may come sooner than you think." Maverick teased more, keeping the fact that he intended to award Mary with the Medallion for Leadership and The Medallion for First Aid the very next day to himself.

*****

"Maverick, I need you to leave Canterlot."

Maverick nearly fell on his haunches. Those words had hit him like a sack of bricks and he actually felt like he was about to faint. What did I do? Is she taking away my rank? Have I angered her. No, I couldn't have. She nuzzled me for a whole five minutes on the balcony. He struggled to find the words, "W-What? Luna, I can't... Captain... Need to be here."

Luna laughed gently at his nonsense and passed him a loving gaze. "And you're the best Captain I've ever known, or for that matter, ever will know. But there are important matters that only you can attend to." A deep sigh. "And I can't think of anyone I would entrust such a task more to... than you."

Luna had been awake for a few hours. She slept for nearly a day, which was a relief to see and it appeared as though some of her strength had returned to her already. Maverick had gone straight to her side and although she wasn't particularly talkative, Maverick never left.

Maverick turned ninety degrees to face the Princess, head on. "Your highness, I cannot possibly leave... there's... too much I would be... My duties, I need to see to my duties, I have ponies to lead, ponies to guide... Who-"

Luna answered before he could finish, "Jorah. I will make Jorah the temporary Captain. I trust him too, I believe he will do a grand job. You will leave your rank behind when you leave for your... mission." That word, mission, made the entire situation change. Maverick's initial fear and confusion was soon forgotten and he regained his professional poise. Another long silence.

"I didn't need to have told you so bluntly, Maverick. I'm sorry." The Princess apologised in a most sincere manner. Maverick nodded his head, half in agreement and half in understanding. Luna leant into Maverick slightly unexpectedly, sending a shiver  down his spine, "I wanted to tell you here. When it was just you and me."

Maverick was silent.

"I suppose you want to know what it is I'll be expecting you to do?"

"Very much so, Luna." Maverick looked at her and nodded his head as he spoke.

"Very well. Maverick, you know plenty about the elements of Harmony I presume?"

"I have read many books on them, yes."

"I shan't explain them in too much detail then. The elements are the most valuable weapon us ponies have ever held in our hooves. Entirely unsustainable without the right chemistry of emotion and the right psyches of the right ponies. Those ponies you can see in the town square were the last ponies that were able to control the elements. It was because of these elements that I ceased to be Nightmare Moon, it was the elements who banished Discord and The Changelings. It was Celestia who purposely sent her student, Twilight Sparkle, to Ponyville so she could deliberately join with the other five of the six.

Applejack; honesty. Fluttershy; Kindness. Rainbow Dash; Loyalty. Rarity; Generosity. Pinkie Pie; Laughter, and of course, Twilight Sparkle who acted as the Element of Magic.

Five of these ponies are now departed from this world. Their elements returned to the castle and locked away for safety. Twilight Sparkle still resides in Ponyville although I can see her time coming to an abrupt end soon. And when that time finally comes round, we will need to search for the new keepers of the Elements."

"Is that my mission, Luna, to find new souls for the Elements?"

Luna chuckled, "You make the elements sound like they're some sort of voodoo. The Elements are the purest thing on this earth, to wield them is an honour beyond imagining. I believe that the six ponies who can can take up direct control of the elements are residing in Ponyville. I have seen it in many dreams, and the dreams of those who used to watch over at night.

"Most importantly, Maverick. I believe the Elements can be used to restore Equestria to it's natural self. Not even Equestria, but the entire world. Again, I have seen it and I believe it with all my heart and soul. Celestia has been gone for four years, I do not believe she will be returning any time soon, so, it is up to us to try and find this solution, even if it kills us." She grinned in a mockingly evil fashion, "And by us, I mean you."

Maverick chuckled at the Princess's dark joke. But he simply nodded in agreement and confirmation.

"Do you believe Jorah can handle the position of Captain, Maverick?" The Princess asked.

"Pfft, please. He's practically been salivating over this position for years. He'd never dream of squandering it. Not only that, but to have him as the Captain would certainly ease tensions between Equestria and Theria."

"You're right. I knew I was making the right choice." Luna closed her eyes and breathed softly.

"Luna? May I make a request."

She stayed put, unfazed, but perked up an ear to show that she was indeed listening.

"I want to award two of the six Medallions to a guard. Her name is Mary. When you were unconscious, on the balcony, she arrived and may very well have saved your life with her leadership skills and first aid knowledge, even in the presence of higher ranking officers. Heh, she reminds me of me in many ways. I would like to grant this award to her before I leave."

"Maverick, relax. My intentions were for you to leave in a week's time. You do what you believe is right. What was the young colt's name?"

"She's a mare. And it's Mary."

"The one with the crooked eyes?"

"You know her then."

"I only know of her, Maverick. Those eyes of hers seem to be a popular topic amongst the guards." Luna paused and sighed before smiling, "You really believe she may have saved my life?"

"I know she did. I'm almost certain of it." Maverick pushed.

"Then I shall give her my personal thanks as well, when I am ready. You do what you feel the right thing to do is, Maverick."

"Thank you, Luna." Maverick smiled and gently placed his hoof on Luna's foreleg.

"Now get out of here, you've been at my side for far too long." She grinned, jokingly, "I'm sure you have more important duties to attend to. Go on you daft colt, scram."

Luna's apparent informalities came as a pleasant surprise to Maverick. He simply smiled, stood and left.

*****

The auditorium erupted into applause as Mary held her Medallion of Leadership and Medallion of First Aid proudly before saluting Luna, Jorah and Maverick. Even without the light of day, the outdoor venue beamed with a magical aura. Maverick beamed with pride at Mary who seemed to be bouncing around in excitement, squealing with joy on the stage after having received her awards from the Princess. Some of her friends had pushed their way onto the stage and began jumping around with her and hugging her tightly, which made both Maverick and Luna smile almost uncontrollably. Jorah clapped formally but didn't smile. Always a professional. Maverick didn't have anyone to celebrate with when he was presented with his three Medallions, nor did he receive quite the bout of applause, say for the squad members who he arguably saved that fateful day.

When the venue began quieting down and ponies began dispersing, Maverick trotted over to Mary. He kept his distance initially while she shook hoofs, bro-hoofed and hugged her fellow guards and then when she had a moment of budding quiet he finally approached.

Mary saw him and didn't hesitate to lunge towards him. Embracing him in the tightest hug he had ever received. Maverick, although thrilled for the young mare, raised his voice. "Soldier, we are currently on duty you with treat me with all due

respect!" Mary suddenly let go and looked worryingly towards Maverick, clinging onto her Medallions tightly, almost as if he was going to rip then out of her hoofs then and there.

Maverick simply winked at her before lunging at her, embracing her in an even more unrelenting hug. "I however am a Captain and I can do as I please." Mary sighed in relief and returned the hug, resting her head on Mavericks shoulder. When the hug broke, Maverick spoke, "I'm fucking proud of you kid. The first Medallions of many I hope. No, I expect."

Mary was still exploding with delight, "Sir, I couldn't have even dreamed of this, you've already given me far more than I could have ever asked for or hoped to achieve!"

"Non-sense, filly. I have full confidence that you'll achieve much more than that. Remember, when I stood up to my superiors, I was yelling at a bunch of cowering soldiers with their tails between their legs and a couple of Sergeants who were smoking a pipe because they believed they were experiencing their last moments on this planet. You stood up to the damn Captain, you crazy, crazy mare. Now that is Leadership." Maverick beamed.

Mary seemed to be lost for words, she whimpered and smiled as she wiped a single tear from her left eye, a tear of happiness. She and Maverick looked over as one of her friends was beckoning her over. Maverick raised his hoof and smiled at the other pony, indicating for one more moment.

"I wanted to be the one to present you with these awards. Mary, you see, I won't be the Captain for much longer. I'm leaving Canterlot and heading to Ponyville on matters of high importance." Mary's grin faded and her ears dropped. "It's only temporary. I've been given a task which only I can attend to, apparently. Jorah will be taking over as Captain during my leave."

"But why, Sir? What are you going to do."

"I can't divulge that information for obvious reasons. You understand, of course. Anyway, I'm here for another five days so I'll be around until then. Oh, and Mary, please don't go off telling everypony what I just told you, okay? Our secret, as it were. Leave Jorah to answer everyone's questions when it transpires that I have vanished off the face of the planet." He winked slyly.

Mary refrained from smiling, and simply leapt into another hug. Maverick didn't protest and hugged back, comfortingly. "Thank you Sir, You've given me everything and more."

Maverick smiled to himself before motioning for Mary to leave and join her friend. As she galloped away she turned and waved back to the Captain, who simply beamed and waved back.

Maverick thought back to his time on the stage a moment ago, and his brow lowered slightly. Who was that pony in the black hood? Maverick had only noticed it briefly but in rafters, nestled amongst the other guards was a hooded figure who seemed to be staring at Maverick the whole time. He glanced back to where he saw the pony but they had since moved away.

Maverick shrugged and passed it off as his imagination before getting lost in the celebration with his fellow Royal Guard.