//------------------------------//
// Chapter 91 (The Gift of the Maud Pie) 
// Story: Spike The Brony Dragon 
// by red4567 
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The Summer Sun Celebration came and went, marking the second anniversary of Twilight and I moving to Ponyville, and me coming to Equestria. I had to admit that all the preparation the girls and I did for the festival paid off, and for once there weren't any major catastrophes.

With Season 5 already done, I focused on what future episodes to change. It was possible that Season 6 and 7 would happen together and out of order, so I would have to prepare for that.

For Season 6, Flurry Heart wasn’t born yet, but when that happens I could prevent the Crystal Heart from breaking, or convince the citizens to evacuate early if that doesn’t work. I don’t know if anything changed with Thorax, so I would have to wait to see if he still shows up before determining anything. Again, like in Season 5, I would skip any map episodes. I could still let the “Gauntlet of Fire” play out like in the episode, but I would react more positively with Garble. With Twilight being neutral to Trixie, I bet that “No Second Prances” would end with them being on better terms than in the show. Obviously, I would have to remind Rainbow how the Wonderbolts come up with embarrassing nicknames to prevent her from being called “Crash,” and I should talk to her so she wouldn’t pull any more pranks in “28 Pranks Later”. I didn’t know where the old Spike was during “the Saddle Row Review,” so I planned to join the girls to help with opening Rarity’s boutique in Manehattan. I could try to convince Zephyr that failure is nothing to be worried about, and not fall for his schemes to get out of work.

For Season 7, I could take care of Flurry while Twilight helps the fillies and colts at the hospital. I could also call out those “experts” that tried to make Fluttershy’s sanctuary into their idea instead of hers. I wanted to prevent Rarity’s mane from messing up, or at least find a way she can have her mane back. I also had to find a way to get rid of the Friendship Journal to prevent “Fame and Misfortune” from happening. When the changelings get reformed, I could get Dragon Lord Ember and Thorax together early instead of keeping them apart.

The rest of the episodes for the two seasons would have to be decided when they show up.

Wow, I’ve sure got quite a lot of events to change, and I didn’t even think about the movie.

The movie itself had a lot of ground to cover. I felt like as long as I called the girls out and prevented Twilight from being separated and captured, the events should play out better than in the movie.





One day, Rarity, Pinkie, and I were riding on a train to Manehattan.

“I do appreciate you coming along with us, Spikey,” Rarity said as she filed her hoof.

“No problem, Rarity,” I replied. “I haven’t been to Manehattan since last year, so it would be nice to visit it again. I hope you’re excited.”

“Oh, I am. Although, not as much as Pinkie.”

Pinkie Pie hopped around the train car singing about going to Manehattan, much to the annoyance of some of the passengers.

My attendance wasn’t just from the sheer desire to sightsee Manehattan once again. This episode was “The Gift of Maud Pie.” In the show, Pinkie and Maud would get gifts for each other while Rarity finds a boutique. However, in order to get Maud’s gift, Pinkie gives up her party cannon. While she does get it back in the end, I was left wondering why Pinkie couldn’t just get Rarity, who is a fashion designer, to make a pouch exactly like the one she needed. My plan was to suggest just that.

“Yes, yes, Manehattan, the height of sophistication, elegance, culture...” Rarity put her emery board away. ”Since my boutique in Canterlot has been doing so nicely, it only makes sense for me to open one there as well.”

“And hopefully be extra cautious when hiring a manager to run the shop,” I added.

“Not to worry, Spike. I learned my lesson last time.”

Pinkie squealed like a pink pig. “We're almost there! Why don’t your faces look like this?!” She stretched the corners of her mouth upwards.

“I don’t want to get too overwhelmed by the big city,” I replied.

“This is just a business trip for me, Pinkie, dear,” said Rarity. 

While the fashion pony attempted to remain humble before arriving at the city, one look at the skyscrapers slung all those unsuccessful shots out the window. Rarity kept that fawning attitude even after we left the station.

“This city's simply amazing!” She announced. “It's just... everything, ever!”

“And it's about to get everything ever-er!” Pinkie shouted. “Because guess who I see!”

The three of us saw a familiar deadpanned pony at the bottom of the steps.

“Oh, hey, Maud,” I greeted as we descended down the steps.

“Hey,” Maud replied with the same tone of voice she always used.

BOOM!!

Pinkie’s party cannon went off, showering the surrounding area with confetti.

“Maud, Maud, Maud!” Pinkie gave us all a group hug. “Yay!”

“Well, I have to say it’s a coincidence meeting you here, Maud,” I said as I brushed the confetti off my head.

“Oh, it’s not a coincidence, silly,” Pinkie said as she broke up the hug. “I told Maud to meet me here.”

“How so?” Rarity asked as we walked down the street.

“It’s part of the Pie Sister’s family tradition! Every year, I set aside a special day to spend with each of my sisters! I do separate trips with each one, and we make it super fun by picking a different location every year! We see the sights all day and then swap gifts at sunset!”

“Oh, you Pie sisters have just about the sweetest family traditions!”

“Maybe we should do the same for our siblings, Rarity,” I suggested.

Pinkie continued, “And since Maud's getting her rocktorate nearby, we figured this would be the perfect spot for PSSSD!”

“Okay…what’s the secret?” Rarity whispered.

“Huh?”

“You were making a ‘pssst’ sound,” I replied. “Or was that something else?”

“It was something else,” Pinkie replied. “P-S-S-S-D stands for Pie Sisters Surprise Swap Day!”

“I guess Twilight’s not the only one who uses overly long acronyms.”

“Well, I'll just leave you two to your PSSSD,” Rarity said. “And now, Spikey-Wikey and I are off to scout possible locations for my new boutique!”

“Before you two go,” Pinkie said, “can I ask you a quick question?”

“Shoot,” I said.

Pinkie checked to make sure Maud, who was near a stack of postcards, was out of earshot. Then she quickly grabbed our legs.

“Will you please help me?!” She screamed at the top of her lungs. How Maud never noticed was beyond me.

“Only if you let go of our legs and stand up…” Rarity nervously replied, seeing the crowd drawn to us.

Just like in the show, Pinkie said that she always had trouble finding a gift better than Maud’s. But this year, she planned to turn things around by buying a rock pouch for Boulder. She showed Rarity and me a poster for a rock pouch store.

“A rock pouch would be perfect for Boulder, and I know Maud will love it!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Wait a minute, doesn’t Maud’s dress have pockets?” I asked. “Why a rock pouch?”

“Because from what Maud told me, Boulder complained about her dress pockets being too small and stuffy lately, probably because he’s growing up.”

“How can a pet rock…?” I shook my head. “Nevermind, I’m not gonna question it.”

“For the sake of my sanity, me neither,” Rarity concurred. “But that rock pouch really is the perfect gift for Maud.”

Since Pinkie hadn't purchased the pouch yet, we three agreed to route a sight-seeing path to the store and keep Maud distracted so that she wouldn’t notice. Plus, it would give Rarity a keen opportunity to find potential spots for her clothes store.

Maud returned from the postcards. Apparently, Boulder couldn’t find a suitable postcard for his cousin. The fact that rocks had relatives made just as much sense as them outgrowing dress pockets.

“Maud! I'm giving you the greatest PSSSD gift in the history of ever!” Pinkie shouted as she fired her party cannon again.





The four of us toured the city, taking in the sights. I wondered if there were a lot of book series that took place in Manehattan. I have read some comic books that took place in a big city similar to Manehattan, but the name wasn’t mentioned explicitly.

We also took this time to look for available estates for sale. Unfortunately, so far the ones we found were either too expensive, too small, or both for Rarity’s potential store.

Each of our visits concluded with Pinkie Pie firing off her party cannon. Honestly, she was using it more often than usual this time. It’s a wonder how she never got in trouble for disturbing the peace or littering the city streets. I also hoped that the confetti was biodegradable.

We took a respite from our roaming at a restaurant. Pinkie was doodling on a map with a pink crayon.

“Pinkie, put down that crayon!” Rarity hissed. “The Cantering Cook isn't that kind of restaurant!”

“Oh, let her have a little fun,” I said. “We’re in Manehattan, not Canterlot.”

“That does not matter, I don’t want ponies to think we’re…uncouth.”

“Fine,” Pinkie sighed as she gave me her crayon.

Rarity looked around the restaurant. “A pony could get used to eating at places like this!”

“I know,” replied Maud. “It's the only restaurant in the city with nepheline syenite in their bathroom tiles.”

“Good to know,” I said enthusiastically.

“You know what, Pinkie and Spike?” Rarity pulled out a tall menu. “Uh, maybe you could help me figure out what to order.”

Rarity, Pinkie and I huddled close together.

“We're so close to the pouch store,” Pinkie whispered. “It's just a block away. I could practically smell it from here…if I knew what a pouch store smelled like.”

“Okay, remember the plan,” Rarity quietly responded. “I will stay here and distract Maud while you two go get a pouch.”

“Gotcha,” Pinkie and I said in unison.

Rarity put the menu down. “Oh, why, thank you for the kind assistance, Pinkie and Spike. And now I know exactly what to order.”

“You’re welcome, Rarity,” I said. “Oh, I need to use the restroom. Could you excuse me for a sec?”

“Oh, I need to use it, too,” Pinkie replied. “Let’s go together.”

We hurried out of the restaurant and down to the city streets. 

“Follow me, Spike!” Pinkie pronked down the sidewalk. “I know where the pouch store is.”

“I’m right behind you!” I quickly followed Pinkie as we traversed over the crosswalk.

“Ooh, I can’t wait to see what the pouch store might have for Maud!”

“I hope they’re open.”

“Of course they’ll be open, Spike. It’s still daytime, and it isn’t a weekend.”

“I know, but I still—HEY! WOAH!”

A taxi screeched to a halt in front of me.

“Careful, kid!” The driver shouted.

“Watch it! I’m walking here!” I retorted.

I should’ve known I’d make that reference while I was in Manehattan.

Pinkie and I got to the other side of the sidewalk.

“Anyway, I still have a bad feeling about this,” I said, “and my gut feeling is usually right.”

“Oh, don’t you worry, Spike. We’ll be fine.”

The last minute, we arrived at the pouch store. Pinkie pressed her face against the glass window.

“Look at that hand-stitched ten-thousand-thread-count velvet-lined rock pouch!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Maud will love it!”

“Hand-stitched?” Does a non-pony own this store?

I looked at the door and noticed a familiar sign.

“Oh, no,” I said.

“What?” Pinkie enthusiasm dropped like an anvil. “Don’t tell me that this is a display model and they can’t sell it because it’s the only one left!”

“I’m afraid it's something worse. Look at the sign.”

Pinkie read, “‘Took a sudden vacation to Canterlot with my grandniece. Back in a few moons.’ Oh, no. Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no-no! Well, maybe, just maybe, he's already back from vacation.”

I squinted at a date on the sign. “This was put up yesterday.”

“NOOOOOO!!”

I could see the bystanders staring at us.

“S-sorry,” I said as I pushed Pinkie away. “She just changed her prescription recently.”

We walked back to the restaurant.

“Okay, so buying a pouch is off the table,” I said. “But what if we had Rarity make one for us?”

“Wow, great idea!” Pinkie clapped her hooves. “You think Rarity can make an exact duplicate of that pouch?”

“I’m sure she will, or at least be very close since she has hooves and not hands.”





Pinkie and I went back up the restaurant just in time to see Maud concluding her story about how she met Boulder. Rarity was clearly trying to feign interest.

“Oh, you two are back,” Rarity said.

“Yeah, the restrooms were busy,” I replied. “Oh, and there was something that you should see, Rarity. I think it could help you with your next design.”

“Uh, sure thing.”

Rarity left the table, and Pinkie immediately took her spot.

Once Rarity and I were out of the Pie sisters’ earshot and viewpoint, Rarity turned to me. 

“So what is that you wanted to show me?” Rarity asked.

“Okay, I’ll be honest with you,” I replied. “I got you out of the way because I have some bad news to discuss in private.”

“Oh, dear, what’s the issue?” Rarity looked behind her. “Did Pinkie not get what she wanted?”

“It’s that obvious, isn't it? The pouch store was closed because the owner had just left to visit Canterlot with his grandniece and won’t be back for a few months.”

“Well, we'll just have to help Pinkie find a new present for Maud. We have plenty of time before the gift exchange at sunset and all of Manehattan to explore.”

“Actually, I’ve got a better idea.” I took out some bits. “You wouldn’t happen to accept last-minute commissions, would you?”

Rarity widened her eyes in realization. “You want me to create the pouch?”

“Of course. Pinkie and I agreed on it. Plus, there’s a market nearby if you’re in need of supplies.”

“I suppose, but it doesn’t feel right accepting money from friends…”

“Then you can think of this as a business transaction. After all, this could be your first sale in Manehattan.”

“Oh, alright. I’ll see what I can do. It was a good thing I brought my emergency sewing kit with me today.”

“Great! Now, let’s head back.”

Rarity and I returned to the table.

“By the way,” I said. “How did Maud meet Boulder?”

“To put it simply, she found him in the rain when she was just a filly. There was a bit more to it, but it’s more or less the jist of it.”





After our time at the restaurant, we continued scouring the city. We still went to the big toy store and the jewelry shop, and Maud still didn’t show any interest in the potential gifts.

We arrived at the market square, and Rarity immediately found a stall that sold fabrics.

“Ooh, excellent!” Rarity exclaimed. “Er, Pinkie, why don’t you help me decide which fabrics to use for my future shop while Spike and Maud explore the market district?”

“Okie dokie loki!” Pinkie replied.

I quickly escorted Maud to the other side of the market square.

“So, Maud,” I said, “did you already get your gift for Pinkie?”

“Yes,” Maud replied bluntly.

“Oh, good. I was worried you might get a last-minute gift.”

“Like what Pinkie is doing?”

I stopped walking. “What makes you say that?”

“Maud Sense.”

“So it runs in the family. I wonder what Limestone and Marble’s senses are like, and whose side you get it from.”

“Similar to Pinkie and mine. Mother’s.”

“Heh. Thanks for solving that brief mystery.”





When sunset arrived, the four of us traveled to the central park. I watched as the swan boats floated by.

“Do hurry, Spike,” Rarity called out. “It’s almost time.”

“Coming!” I hurried to the blanket and sat down.

Rarity said to Pinkie and Maud, “After the day we've had, I'm probably looking forward to the swap part of the Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day even more than the two of you! And I'm not even a Pie sister!” 

“Yeah, we can't wait to see what gifts you got for each other,” I added. But I already knew what the gifts would be.

“Well, you're both going to have to,” Pinkie said. “We don't just swap, silly. We always sing the ‘Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day’ Song first! Ready, Maud?”

“As I'll ever be,” replied Maud.

“It's the Pie Sisters' Swap Day Song!” Pinkie sang loudly.

“Hey.”

I lightly applauded. “Best song of the season.”

“Okay, time to swap presents!” Pinkie announced.

Pinkie and Maud exchanged their gifts. Just like in the show, Pinkie got cupcake-scented confetti for her party cannon.

“Maud,” Pinkie said tearfully. “You know me so well. You really are the most thoughtful gift-giver in the world! I'm gonna love it five-ever! That's even longer than forever.”

Maud opened her present. It was a rock pouch designed like Pinkie saw on the store window. 

Rarity did a good job replicating the design. At least, I hope she replicated it.

“Thanks, Pinkie and Rarity,” Maud said.

“W-w-why are you thanking me?” Rarity nervously asked. “I-I had nothing to do with this.”

“You made this.”

“Oh, p-please. Even I wouldn’t…” Rarity saw Maud staring at her, despite the latter not changing her expression. “Oh, alright, it was me. Did Spike tell you?”

“She already knew,” I replied. “Maud Sense.”

“I knew you'd love it!” Pinkie exclaimed. “It was all worth it! Next year, I’ll step up my game and make sure your next gift is—”

“Pinkie, wait,” Maud held up a hoof. “Gift giving isn't a competition. It's an expression of love, and you always make sure to give your gifts with lots of love. That's why I'll always love them, and you, five-ever. That's even longer than forever.”

“Aww!”

The two sisters hugged each other for the longest time.





We left the park after that event. Maud had her rock pouch, and Pinkie with her cupcake confetti.

“Before we leave for Ponyville, I wish to show you three something,” Rarity said. “Follow me.”

We did just that and came up to a building that had boarded up windows and a locked gate. There was also a “For Sale” sign nailed to one of the boards.

“Voila! Welcome to the future home of ‘Rarity For You’!” Rarity announced. “I found it on our way to the park. What do you think of the place? Is this the right location? Did I pick a good spot?”

“No,” replied Maud. “You picked the perfect spot.”

“You know, I think this might be my favorite PSSSD ever!” Pinkie exclaimed. “But I can't wait 'til next year's PSSS-D-W-R-S!

“Wait. PSSS-D-W-R-S?” Rarity tried to pronounce “What's that?”

“P-S-S-S-D-W-R-S! It's a new tradition that Maud and I came up with! Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day...”

“...with Rarity and Spike,” Maud concluded.

“Uh, thanks,” I said. “I’ll look forward to that.”

Rarity also showed interest, but was worried about the gift she had to bring. Pinkie assured her it didn’t matter what gift it was as long as it was given with love.

“But now that you mention it,” Pinkie said, “I could use more confetti for my party cannon. You wouldn't believe how much of that stuff I go through in a day!”

Her cannon went off one last time.

I liked how this episode turned out. Pinkie was able to get Maud a rock pouch for Bolder without sacrificing her party cannon, and I got to experience PSSSD first hand. I just had to remember this annual tradition from now on.