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MAVERICK

"Princess," Maverick said delicately in the direction of the clearly exhausted alicorn pony. "The court awaits your presence."

Maverick shifted in his royal attire. He never liked the feel of silk. If it wasn't for making appearances, he would have settled quite happily with tanned leather. Silk felt too light and feathery. Almost as though he was naked. As Captain of The Royal Guard being naked was never a comforting thought. His duties as the Captain meant he must be ready for spontaneous combat at any time, rain or shine, night or day, warmth or cold... dragon or chicken. To think that his life may be ended any moment and that he would lie where he fell dressed as though his bloody mother had laid out his clothes for the day was always his biggest fear. A fear he could brush off quite easily however, nothing like that could happen from within the royal throne room of Canterlot Castle. It's stone walls were constantly guarded by ponies of the Royal Guard, with regular patrols and scouts surveying every inch of the building at Maverick's command. And it was only here he had to wear this monsterous outfit. Still, he always kept his sword, he could not afford to put the Princess's safety at risk. The throne had been rotated so it faced away from Maverick. From the other side came heavy panting, followed by the occasional audible sip of a drink.

"I will be out shortly, Maverick. Thank you." The Princess replied eventually.

"I will take my leave your grace." Maverick turned to leave, utterly dreading having to face the ponies on the other side of that door. Sometimes he wondered if he might prefer there to be a war raging. A foolish thought from a colt as young as he. But it was during the Changeling revolts where he finally found his voice and his respect. War had always held a profound place in Mavericks mind. Just as Maverick reached the large arching door, the Princess spoke.

"Maverick." The Princess whispered, barely managing to say his name. She was so weak. Maverick felt a great deal of sadness at the thought that he could not help her. Although he knew, and all of the governing factions of Equestria knew exactly what would solve her burden, it was too late for that now. She said his name again, "Maverick, how many times must I insist... I can't stand the term 'your grace.' It is far too formal. You are a friend, we will treat each other as such."

Maverick smiled to himself. He never tired of hearing that the Princess considered him a friend above a colleauge and a Captain. It made their relationship that much stronger, a trust that went deep and a bond that united the two in friendship. "Very well... your royal highness." He ducked out the way as a pillow billowing with a magical aura shot towards him from direction of the throne. He heard the Princesses gentle and soothing chuckle echo through the hall, and Maverick laughed too.  A comforting sound.

"Take as much time as you need, Luna."

*****

Maverick slid through the large doors and shut them gently behind him, trying his best not to startle the young Princess in any way. A voice crept up on him from behind.

"How is she, Maverick?" It was Jorah, Lieutenant of the Royal Guard. A tall, stocky earth-pony with brown fur and narrow red eyes. He wore a full suit of royal Canterlot armour which gave off a radient blue sheen in the natural light entering from the nearby window. Maverick saw his reflection in the chestplate of Jorah's armour. He looked sullen and weary. Maverick himself was an earth-pony, which had it's limitations, of course, especially when escorting the Princess. A short, slim white coated pony with a thick black mane and large blue eyes. He was never praised for his looks, but he had an intellect that would keep Celestia on her hind legs, that much was for sure. Although very smart, Maverick never passed any formal exam, infact he never took a single. As a result of this, he barely managed to maintain a job in the military initially. He started off his career as a mere transport-pony. His impressive attitude and thought provoking suggestions during the Changeling Revolts gave him the edge he needed to begin moving his way up the ranks until several years later he was Lieutenant for Captain Shining Armour himself, alongside Jorah. They became strong allies and firm friends over the years, Shining Armour slowly and progressively taught Maverick the complexities and duties of Captaincy to prepare him for the next chain of command at his passing, much to Jorah's disappointment. A written note by Shining Armour, in the event of his death, proclaimed Maverick to take the place of Captain. This was of course an unorthadox method of appointing a new Captain, and a vote was taken from within the court, all the same, between Maverick and Jorah. Maverick won, just barely.

Jorah was clearly disheartened. He was older than Maverick and possibly saw his defeat as being an overall failure to himself and his future prospects. But Jorah persisted with his duties, never allowing to get what little jealousy he had against Maverick get in the way. He was loyal and worthy of everyponies trust.

"Maverick?" Jorah questioned. Maverick blinked and looked back up to Jorah from his chestplate. They stared at each other for a while, Jorah looked a little worried, "Maverick? The Princess. Will she be attending the meeting?"

Maverick finally replied. "I didnt get a direct answer. Lun- The Princess always turns up to these congregations though." Maverick held a hoof to his forehead and sighed deeply. "Would they miss her Jorah? For one hearing couldn't they just give her some time? Some rest? Our only Princess is exhausted and I'm not sure how much strength she has left in her."

"If I had it my way, no. But the laws are clear. A defined monarch must attend all royal hearings for matters of legitimacy," Jorah proclaimed. He suggested a nod and turned to walk towards the court doors. Maverick knew he was right. The Princess had to sign each legal document before her peers if new laws, regulations and decisions were to come into effect.

Maverick was a hard worker and rarely spent time with his family. Sure he could go out some nights into the city and let off some steam with a few close friends but it was hardly in the spirit of freedom. Maverick reflected on Equestria. Truth be told, the whole country was far worse than any other pony thought. Maverick, Jorah and Luna knew that better than all others. The most worrying thing of all was coming to terms with the fact that they may never see Equestria as it was again...

*****

Maverick had been seated at the hand of the Princess for about twenty minutes. The room shook with conversation from nobles from all corners of Equestria. Many provinces of Equestria had given up sending their highborns to attend to matters such as this. It was mostly for show, a chance to show everypony that the kingdom is still functioning and still united. Now more than ever, Maverick thought, we must utilise exactly why we all meet here.

The courtroom was impossiby tall. So tall infact it appeared to tower up and up and up, beyond any mere mortal's view. It was of course, simply an illusion. A luminescent glow filled the room from that same same ceiling and covered the ponies below in a gentle blue light. Tall marble pillars held the whole structure up, each one showered in vines and impossibly red roses. Petals would often fall from the pillars and disintergrate as soon as it hit the ground in a haunting green glow. There were three levels to the building, the lower terrace, the middle terrace and the higher terrace. The lower terrace was uninhabited, say for a squad of royal guardsmen. The middle terrace was home to the politicians and the leaders. It seemed respectful to meet these ponies at eye level when adressing them, building on a mutual respect. No hierarchy. And the higher terrace, held the highborns. 'The snobs', Maverick thought. The room was decorated with flowers and tapestries, each one telling a story of triumph over evil from many years ago.

Maverick glanced around the room. On the far side of the court sat the recently widowed Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire, Shining Armours beloved wife. She was chatting with an elderly gentlepony, laughing and smiling as they engaged in conversation. Cadence still looked as young as she did in the wedding photos displayed in the castle library.  She was beautiful beyond words, but Maverick felt strong and difficult sensations of loss whenever he looked at her. How selfish, Maverick thought, of course I lost a Captain and a friend, it hurts but... she lost a husband and a lover. Maverick had only spoken to her a few times, always at formal events so there was never a chance to properly get to know her. Shining Armour's younger sister, Twilight, spoke very fondly of her though. Maverick was trying to recall exacty what she was to her... An old nanny or something along those lines. Maverick had heard the tales of how Twilight and her dragon had stopped Prince Sombra from taking the Crystal Empire with the combined help of Cadence and Shining Armour. The stories tell of how the enormous dragon soared into the sky and with his green fire melted the crown of Prince Sombra as it rested on his head. An amusing tale, but utterly embelished.

He looked around some more. He saw Paul, an old friend and a close aquaintence. Paul was a Pegasus who made his fortune in the Rainbow Industry in Cloudsdale. Maverick never showed to much of an interest in exactly what it was that he did, although Paul had tried explaining it. The chemistry and biology behind the whole thing was far to overwhealming for Maverick to handle on the best of days. As long as Paul kept the Rainbow Factory running, it took pressure off of Luna. Paul was a pony worth keeping a hold of. Also a very fun drinking partner. Maverick smirked.

He looked up into the rafters. He saw the unimportant ponies. Nobles and Ladies born into wealth who only show up to tell brazen tales about how they were invited to the royal court to discuss politics and blah blah blah. Maverick groaned. He resented them being here. They just cheer, chat and drink wine. If they're going to have no input to the running of the kingdom, they have no place here. But alas, they're here because they pump good money into the economy, something we all need right now.

Maverick saw many more familiar faces. Shooting Star and Soundwave, two defined members of the Wonderbolts. The Wonderbolts had always fascinated Maverick. He adored their aerobatic displays and would always go to a show if possible, espeicially when he was younger. Star and Soundwave still kept up the entertaining flight patterns, although the Wonderbolts now consisted of over two-hundred members. It was now utilised as a fighting deterrent/force now as well as a form of entertainment. The Wonderbolts would be used strategically in a time of war. Most of the time it consisted of Soundwave leading a squad of fliers to cover certain areas of land in storm clouds, disorientating and scattering the enemy before the Royal Army even had to raise their lancets. They were most certainly useful, and no less impressive than they were when led by the legend herself.

"All rise." A council member said loudly. The room went silent and showed their respect as Luna trudged into the room. Her once flowing mane was tatty and split, and hung past her head. The stars that once shone in it have left and now it resembles a black rag. She hung her head, clearly struggling to think let alone run a counsil meeting. Maverick was concerned. Every year she got worse, it had to end soon. He feared losing the Princess to exhaustion or worse... Luna dropped herself into her cushioned seat and took a few audible, deep breathes.

"I..." The Princess began. "I would have Maverick speak for me."

Maverick nodded. This had become the normal thing. Maverick understood tha-

"No." A voice came aloud from one of the upper balconies. The court turned simultaneously to look at a yellow coated unicorn. She stood and rested her forearms over the edge of the bannister. She was clearly just a noblewoman, not someone who earned her place on the council. She wore expensive clothes and large diamonds adorned her head. Her husband, or at least Maverick presumed he was her husband, looked just as shocked at the rest of the court for her sudden interruption. She began to speak once she was sure she had everyone's attention. "No, I believe you should speak Princess. With all due respect it is you that claims to be ruling this kingdom, so I find it insulting that you would have someone else speak on your behalf."

Audible gasps emerged throughout the audience and gentle chatter soon ensued. Soundwave rustled his wings as he glared at the mystery pony. Maverick was fuming. She has no right to say this. She is utterly clueless about what is happening. Maverick cleanched his jaw, fighting back from barking a command at her to be quiet. She continued to speak. "We place our trust in you, Princess. It encourages us to hear the words come from your mouth and not from one of your Subjects." Subject? Maverick swore under his breath as the court began murmering amongst themselves once more. Maverick opened his mouth to speak but she had more to say. "The day our monarchy begins placing all the responsibiliy in the people who achieve their place, not through bloodline, but through talents and skill is the day that we should eliminate a monarchy and establish a parliamentary government. Is that what we all desire? Is that what you want? Because we may soon find that's it's going to be a reality, and I for one am beginning to welcome the idea."

How utterly irrelevant. The lot of it. Maverick didn't quite know how to respond. He stood to address the court. "Firstly, I graciously accept Princess Luna's request that I speak on her behalf. Secondly, my lady, I suggest you watch what you say." Maverick saw her husband nod. "You seemed to forget in that brief rant that you are addressing the only Princess that Canterlot currently has. Although I admire your dexterity to speak before a court and bring up a matter such as this, it is not needed at this time in Equestria. We are all governed not just by a Monarch but a group of counsil members, each experienced in what they do, each appointed by the Princess herself. Through mutual appointments and hearings, like the one we find ourselves in now, we can ensure that each member shows support towards the others and shares ideas about the kingdom which will be beneficial and profitable. Now, my lady, this is not an invitation to a debate. If you wish to discuss this furthur, find me after the meeting. For now, we must discuss more important matters." Maverick wasn't going to meet her afterwards, Celestia forbid.

Maverick allowed the sour-faced noblewoman to take her seat before continuing. "Now... the first matter to attend to..."

Maverick was soon lost to the business at hand. The meeting didn't drag out for too long. Only the important issues were raised. Wonderbolt funding, Agricultral Profits, Ponyville renovations and demolitions... Maverick knew none of these issues would reach a conclusion today, but it was a time to discuss and come to preliminary agreements, and if that was what was holding Equestria together... then so be it.

When the list of matters was dealt with Maverick signed the paper. He then handed it to Princess Luna and allowed her to sign it. 'Damn, her exhaustion even shows in her signiture,' Thought Maverick as he watched Luna barely manage to hold the pen in her dry mouth. Maverick stood once more and said loudly, "Are there any other matters to attend to? Anything anypony would like to bring up." Most of the ponies shook their head and remained silent. "Anypony at all. Anything at all. Speak now." Silence. Maverick shrugged and began to dismiss the court when a loud confident voice came from the entrance. The pony figure was silhoutted and unidentifiable. A long shadow entered the lower terrace where her hooves met the ground. All Maverick could see was that she was a pegasus. "I have something to say." Her voice was harsh, almost tom-boyish and had a slight rasp. "If it pleases the court." She spoke with vigour and assertiveness.

"Proceed young pegasus," a slightly surprised Maverick held out his hoof as a gesture for the mare to continue. She flew up at lightning pace to be at eye level with Maverick. As she did, the royal guards held up their spears and pointed them towards the confident pegasus.

"My question to you, Captain." She added emphasis to the 'captain'. She was clearly not afriad or shaken by the fact a Princess sat merely meters away from her with her guard ready to attack should she put a single hoof out of place. "What's the deal with these days and nights?" The court was a mixed bag. Some seemed to find it strange someone would ask such an obvious question, other nodded and murmered amongst themselves.

Maverick responded. "Go to Ponyville, search your local library. I'm sure you'll be able to find something there." Maverick didn't like to feel like he was patronising the poor girl but he really didn't want to be here all day.

"No, Captain. That answer will not suffice. We all need an honest answer now. Ponies all over the kingdom have been affected by this. We're not getting the answers we need. And..." She turned to the Princess who looking ashamed, "We need guidance." She said that last bit with almost an element of sorrow. Almost as though it were a plea for help.