Maverick: Coming Home

by The Drifting Bard

First published

the tale of an unfortunate Human, thrown around through dimensions like a ragdoll.

They called me a maverick. so thats what i chose to go by for a while.
i've been to many worlds, i've suffered pain, both physical and emotional.
i've known life, love and loss.

my story is a long one.
and these damn watchers seem to think its funny, like im just a plaything, passed from one universe to another. solving a problem, but in this case, my work is now done.


i began writing this a month or two ago, on paper. after getting feed back from a friend, he told me to go for it.

so here it is.

tags will be added as i see fit.
still working out the kinks to it, so hopefully soon the rest of the story will be up in a few days...weeks...or months hah..

Prologue: Stay the ride alive

View Online

after finishing TMDGB, I felt it was time to get some new ideas flowing.
this is one of the results.
a bizarre tale of interwoven stories of a dimension hopping man.


The world had suddenly decided to take a joyride on the road of irony and not to take me with it


With everything exploding around me, I took a deep breath.
Clearing my mind of everything, I began to continue pulling the trigger on my Carnifex handcannon.
I was down to my last thermal clip. I picked my self up off the ground, wary of my surroundings. A bolt of pain shot up my right leg. I made my way slowly to the self destruct switch. "Shepard!, get these people out of here!" I shouted.
"But what about" i cut him off.
"I've lost too much Commander, you know this!! now don't let my death be in vain!! take that Hades cannon and shove it up the reapers ass!!" with a final war cry, I hit the button.

The husks clambered in through the broken windows. "three rounds left" i thought to my self "lets make it count" I chuckled.

Within minutes, the base of operations was reduced to burning rubble.
but life always has a funny way of throwing a lifeline.


the sounds of silence was all I heard.
I opened my eyes to see three figures standing before me.
"young jumper, your journey is at an end" an ethereal voice echoed, breaking the silence.
"does that mean I get to go home?" I asked, expecting my voice to be raspy and haggard.
it wasn't.
"no, your world is locked forever" a second, feminine voice began to perforate my eardrums.
"why? i've done as you asked!" the third figure shook its head.
the third figure sighed. "we cannot send you back, but we can send you to a new home, a realm of peace"
i laughed at the third voice's words.
"Peace?, i've fought against the undead, gigantic robots, dragons and aliens," i sighed.
"and you expect me to know peace?"

"you will know peace if you seek it"

With those final cryptic words, i heard a breeze rushing past my ears.
i felt myself hit something solid, then there was a loud crack.

once again, i slipped into unconsciousness.


If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans.


I awoke a few hours later, hearing two voices. "Oh come now Spikey-wikey, I know what you mean but" the first voice sang out, but the second... He seemed worried. "all I'm saying is that, ever since Celestia sent those strange things to Twilight," he paused, and slowly crept across towards me. "What is it Spike?"
"Exactly what I'm worries about"

They took in my battered form, the injuries i sustained. The hard-suit i had been wearing at the time had been shattered, a large chunk had been seemingly gouged out the breast plate. The right greave no longer existed. the armored plating hung off by a thread.
Spike had gotten a stick and was prepared to put me down. The other voice then began to speak. "if this thing is...
don't hurt it Spike, I'll go get twilight, maybe she would know what to do"
Spike huffed, knowing the voice was right. "Alright then, Rarity, but hurry"

I had lazily raised an arm at this point. an orb of light appeared in my hand.
"sure as hell hope this works" I whispered to myself. Within a minute or two, my minor wounds were healed.
I then sat up. Spike then bonked me over the head.

"Hey watch it you little..."
What i saw both made me fear for my life and wonder just where i was. "Dragon?"
The small dragon then gasped. "you spoke!!"
"so, lots of things can speak, like you for instance"
the small dragon then proceed to prod my leg with the stick.
after five minutes of expletives and me grabbing said stick, the voice belonging to Rarity and a brand new voice returned.

I blacked out, still in agony from my more serious wounds. the sound of footsteps across wooden floors seemed to rouse me from my sleep. i awoke to the smell of coffee. "ugh, remind me to never blow myself up again" I grunted as I sat up.
The new voice echoed from another room "Your awake!" the voice belonged to a young woman, possibly in her late teens.
"thankfully yes," I smiled as the woman entered the room. "I'm going to take a guess and say that this is a library" She grinned sheepishly.

I then noticed the three bags, "okay, so either I have finally gone mad, or this can mean one of few things"
she watched as i opened a bag, within the bag was some fresh clothes. i pulled out a black t-shirt in my exact size.
"looks like i'll be calling this world home" she heard this and pulled out a scroll.

"excuse me sir but, i have a letter from Princess Celestia for you" I sighed upon hearing this.
"Thanks miss...what was your name?"
she again grinned sheepishly. "My name is Twilight Sparkle"
"really?" i smiled as i offered a hand "nice to meet you" she took my hand in hers, her hands were delicate.
"so your name is?" she asked.

"Call me Maverick, or Rick for short"

after she had graciously let me use her shower, she asked a pivotal question.
"so where are you from originally?" I sighed, lowering my head, concentrating on the mug of coffee now sitting on the table before me. "To be perfectly honest, I don't remember much about my homeworld," i took a swig. "i remember the day i left but before that, everything is hazy"
she could see I was being honest by the way i was getting solemn.
"so, what about the other worlds you visited?"
"i'll tell you my life story when i'm good and ready," I sighed "i've just got to place events in the right order again" I chuckled.
she simply nodded, letting me drink the coffee.


next time on Maverick

Rick meets the rest of the gang, and we see just how deep the scars run.
Celestia welcomes the human to Equestria. Luna seems to be skeptical of the human.
and Pinkie Pie throws a party.
i do?
yes you do

all this and more, on the next exciting episode of Maverick: Coming Home

Chapter 1: Nightmares

View Online

get up put on the light, dreading the oncoming night
Scared to fall asleep and dream the dream again


The screaming, the constant screaming. i walked through the dark corridors with several other soldiers.
the beeping of the motion tracker sounded off as my eyes darted around, searching for a hint of light reflecting off the beastial creature's pitch black skin. it was as if the demon was simply toying with us. I looked around only to watch as one of the damned things jumped and tore Rodrigez's throat out. I took aim with a shotgun, but was soon forced to reconsider as i was pulled away from the corridor. We were out of that hellish place. as we sat in the VTOL awaiting lift off, i couldn't help but look back. there was nothing i could do. i looked around only to be face to face with a Xenomorph, saliva dripping from its mouth.
with one fell swoop, i drew the pistol to its chin.

too late. everything went black.

I awoke in a cold sweat, Twilight had a look of worry written on her face.
"I heard screaming, is... is everything alright?" she asked...
I simply sat on the bed, shaking like a leaf. "J-just a nightmare"
"want to talk about it?" she asked again.
"not really" i sighed, as i got back into the makeshift sofa-bed.
"okay, well try and get some sleep okay?" i nodded in agreement.
but i soon felt compelled to read something to take my mind off things.
I grabbed the first book i could find, soon i fell asleep with the book on my face.

Once again i found myself in dark corridors, the sounds of metal footsteps clanking across the floor. the stench of certain death was in the air. as the cybernetic beings turned the corner the red lightbeam had found its way directly on my forehead. cyborg raised its arm forwards as it grabbed a crewman "Resistance is futile" i watched as two proboscis plunged into the neck of the poor crewman, i raised the photon rifle and shot him in the head. "we are the borg, Resistance is futile".
they had modulated, now i was rendered powerless. so i ran, being the only one left on board.
i fought my way to engineering with a battle'th, told the crew to get to safety.
i took one look at the warp core, turned off the shields and fired.

everything went black.

I soon felt water hit me. "Spike, why did you do that!" Twilight smacked the small dragon on the back of the head.
looking at the two, i noted that they acted like siblings. "Its alright, Twilight," i sighed "i was having another nightmare" i stated glumly.
Spike raised an eyebrow "you still have nightmares at your age?"
"believe me kid... you don't want to see mine"
Twilight was about to say something.
"what were these dreams about?" she asked.
I sighed as a towel was draped over my shoulders, "Things that would send cold chills down your spine, and wake you up in the middle of the night. No, it is better you do not know."
I dried myself off and got into the shower.

needless to say, i stank.
the water cascaded over me as i remembered other events i had lived through.
the constant fighting i've done. i helped take down a skrull invasion force, just by being drunk.
needless to say, you can blame Tony Stark for that.
it took me ages to wash the blood off the suit i was wearing at the time.

but now, there was nothing. i wasn't prepared to take a step back into normality, that was until i saw my clothes being levitated in by Twilight. yeah, levitated. suddenly i heard a squeak as the clothes hit the floor.
i was covered in scars, acid burns, cuts and bruises. she abruptly left the bathroom.


Getting dressed, i took a deep breath. i was preparing myself for more questions.
"i found your books" Twilight shot me an apologetic look.
"stay away from the one titled... Alien," i took said book away from here.
she watched as i shivered upon saying the word.
"okay, but... how about i use a memory spell?"
i again denied her curiosity. "too dangerous, you'll end up like me... or worse"

She looked at me in confusion, "perhaps Celestia could do it instead"
I shrugged my shoulders as I picked up the scroll and read it.

To the dimension jumper,

we have reason to believe that your arrival may be an omen of great importance.
there shall be a chariot waiting for you outside the library at noon.
Twilight and the other elements of harmony will be joining you.

Princesses Celestia and Luna.

"oh great, so now i have to meet royalty and the elements of harmony" i huffed.
she looked at me for a moment, then smiled. "well, you've met two elements so far" she giggled.
I raised an eyebrow. "let me guess, You and miss Rarity?"
she nodded.

she walked to the door, i looked at the time. eleven o' clock.
"We've got one hour to gather the elements, hah, i've completed missions in less time" i muttered.
stepping out of the library, i scanned the area. noticing people going about thier daily. I was, however soon brought back into the world upon hearing "look out below". A mass of cyan was headed towards me, i dug my feet into the ground.
upon catching the young flying woman, i fell backwards. "ohmygosh, I'm sorry dude" she started flustering, i got up off the ground, "it's okay, not the first time i've had to stop someone from crashing" i chuckled. I then noticed the wings.
"ohhhhkay, i've seen some crazy shit in my 200 years of life but...never have i seen a person with wings"

"Rainbow dash, could you go find Fluttershy? tell her to get to the library for twelve" Twilight relayed information to her.
Rainbow dash gave a mock salute and flew off. Twilight turned to me, "so what did you mean by 200 years of life? are you an immortal?"
I sighed, "sadly no, i've died so many times... the nightmares are just me reliving the more....horrific moments"
"and the books?" she asked.
"you can read them, but not before these princesses do" i chuckled.
"no...what are they about?"
"each book is basically like a diary, written as a novel, however... Alien... is basically nightmare fuel,"
i sighed, "after my departure from... people...they..." Twilight pulled me into a comforting hug.
"hey, Sugarcube, what's up with him?" a southern voice sounded off softly.
"I'm remembering things i don't want to" i stated glumly.
"well, that sucks" the southern woman sighed.

Rarity walked across, looking at the small crowd gathering around me.
"whats going on?" rainbow dash and Fluttershy arrived, both looking slightly worried.
i blacked out.

"get out of here!" i shouted over the roars and crunches of cars being thrown.
"but what about you! we leave together or not at all!" a young woman, in her thirties shouted back.
i pulled the shotgun off my back, "tough shit!" i shouted "GET OUTTA HERE!" I ran towards the ungodly massive wall of flesh and muscle that was a Tank. It roared once more, sending a car my way. i slid below it and began firing round after round of shotgun shells. it picked up gas tank, i fired. shrapnel tore the creature apart, i watched as a piece flew towards me, embedding itself in my chest.

everything went black.

chapter 2: A lesson in mystery

View Online

books can generate a sense of self worth and fear


I had regained consciousness on a seat just outside a large room.
"wha, where the fuck am I?" i asked nobody in particular.
a voice echoed from the door. "you, young sir, within the walls of Canterlot Castle"
I looked around, as the mighty doors opened.
"follow me please" a young man in a suit stated.
I obliged, knowing that the others were either behind me or already inside.
"ah, you must be the maverick," a gentle voice sounded out through the hall.
"my Faithful student here has told me a little bit about you" I simply bowed.
"please, don't bow before me" the woman sitting there had her wings folded behind her. her hair flowed mysteriously.

I then watched as Twilight levitated a bag to me. "your books, Rick" i grabbed the bag.
"so, whats your name?" I asked. the woman then giggled.
"forgive me, i'm Princess celestia" my jaw hit the floor.
"no, you forgive me, I was... expecting someone older" i chuckled.
"as was I, you are 219 years old, are you not?" she asked.
i shrugged my shoulders. "depends on how you look at it, the amount of jumps i've done accumilates the years away from...my...homeworld, oh crap... thats why i cant go back" all the people in the room watched as I began to clench my fists


within a few moments, i had calmed myself down. "Princess, I must ask that instead of invading my head, as Twilight may suggest, i think its best to let you read these books," the second princess levitated the bag of books towards herself, she reached in and grabbed the first book "that was I think the 5th jump, I started documenting them before I forgot them"
"what jump is this one then?" Celestia asked.
"my 50th and hopefully my last"
Luna had begun reading, intrigued by my adventures.
truthfully though, I wouldn't be surprised if she began to weep when she hits book 4, or as those of you behind the fourth wall would call it.... Skyrim.

I glanced over to Twilight, she had been reading the book entitled "assimilate this". the poor mare thought it was a comedy.
she was, like the rest of the crew of the starship prometheus, dead wrong.
she threw the book at me, "you could have warned me!" i sighed.
"that was only book 7" i chuckled. before long, each pony in the room was reading one of the books.

i suddenly felt a pair of wings envelop me. "I.... I am truly sorry for your loss" i felt a few tears land on my back.
i returned the hug. "don't be, she and i both knew the risks of travelling with a Dragonborn" i sighed.
the moon princess could see the telltale signs of tears forming in my eyes.
"I just didnt anticipate Bandits" I took off an amulet of mara. "please, add this to your collection of things" I smiled.
"It must be hard, jumping from... world to world"
Celestia simply nodded.

"truth betold, the ones I actually wrote about, were the ones I felt were important," I chuckled.
"the last jump hasnt been written... didn't have time"

however, it's when Celestia picked up two books with both the same title, I sighed. "act one and two... I let the captain of the Prometheus read them, she liked 'em... hell, make copies of them if you wish" for a moment, the horn on Celestia's head glowed. and each book had been copied.
"It's quite funny actually, Dr Light always got my name wrong, so I simply called myself Joe in that world"
Celestia began to skim-read the first act, "No mention of Joe here"
"Second book dear" I chuckled.

"you blew up?" She looked dumbfounded.
"wasn't the last time"
she looked at me with worry.


"that was... quick" I blinked.
"what about that book behind your back?" Luna asked.
"It's something I wish i didn't go through... the whole ordeal left... mental scars"
All of them looked at me for a moment, I handed the book over to Luna. "Inside there is a tale of something worse than you could possibly imagine" She began to read, then saw the images. she looked angry for a brief moment and then looked at me, seeing I was visibly quaking with fear. "oh my.... you've seen too much death my friend"
I simply nodded.

"so, the last jump?"
"I blew up again, self sacrifice"
she simply gave an Ohhhh...