//------------------------------// // Ground Control to Major Maud // Story: Maud Base Alpha // by ArcadePonyFubuki //------------------------------// “And that is why, if my calculations are correct, one ‘moon’ when discussed in units of time should be equal to-“ Twilight paused as she turned back and noticed Pinkie and Maud were already deep into their own discussion. Twilight observed, wondering if it would be appropriate for her to cut in. Just then, Pinkie’s mane suddenly deflated after Maud seemingly told her something shocking. Twilight stepped back a bit, concluding this conversation wasn’t one she was going to be apart of. Twilight sat on her haunches and looked over at earth, looming in the far distance. ‘Huh, never took the time to process all this have I? I mean, I’m on the moon for Celestia’s sake! But somehow, after everything I’ve been through down there, this feels almost.. quaint. I’m not up here to defend Equestria against an extra-terrestrial beast or anything like that. For once, I’m on an adventure just for the heck of it. I don’t like it.’ The familiar spring of Pinkie’s mane reinflating broke Twilight out of her thoughts as the two sisters regrouped with her. “So, what were you two talking about over there?” Twilight asked. “That’s actually what we were gonna talk to you about.” Maud said. “I’m.. planning on staying here, for awhile.” Twilight stared blankly for a bit before blinking. “Hehe, must have space dust in my ears or something, cause it sure sounded like you wanted to STAY on the moon.” Twilight chuckled. “I do.” Maud reconfirmed. “Oh. Well, that is, umm. Hm. I’m… are you sure?” Twilight winced. “Yes.” Maud rereconfirmed. “Right. Yeah. I guess I’ll.. I’ll see what I can do.” Twilight processed Maud’s request. “Thanks.” Maud smiled. “How long do you wanna stay, if I may ask?” Twilight inquired. “A year at least.” Maud answered. “Right… do you have a plan for communication?” Twilight asked further. “Indeedaroony!” Pinkie chimed in. “I’m gonna write to her everyday!” Maud nudged Pinkie. “I’m gonna write to her every month! And I’m gonna send her treats and gifts and pictures and every new issue of gravel monthly and-“ “Yes Pinkie I get that, but HOW are you gonna send all that?” Twilight wondered. “Through Luna of course!” Pinkie stated like it was obvious. “I mean honestly Twilight she can teleport a rocket ship, I think she can send a cupcake or two.” “Oh great, ruler of a nation reduced to a mailing service. Real classy Pinkie.” Twilight facehoofed. “Somehow I doubt she’ll mind an excuse to send stuff to the moon.” Maud commented. “She gets it, just trust us on this one Twilight.” Pinkie winked. “Ok, you’re right, your business not mine. Sorry about that.” Twilight apologized. “No need to apologize. I know you only have my best interests in mind.” Maud consoled Twilight. Maud lowered her eyes to the ground, staring distantly. Pinkie noticed the change in demeanor and sat next to her sister. “Something on your mind sis?” Pinkie asked. “I’m not sure how mom and dad will react to this. I don’t see them a lot as is.” Maud worried. “Maudileena Daisy Pie. If I know one thing about mom and dad, it’s that they’d wait a lifetime for you.” Pinkie stared intensely. Maud and Pinkie held their stare for what felt like too long. “Good point.” Maud blinked. _______________________________________________ “Judging by the position of the sun, it should be around 3:36 PM back on earth. Sounds like it’s time to head back.” Twilight calculated. “Aww already? But I was almost done with my snowman!” Pinkie whined, pointing to a stack of rocks. “She’s right Pinkie, if you leave too late you might end up on the other half of Equestria. What with the passage of time and the rotation of the moon around the earth.” Maud said. “You’re so right, how could I forget that!” Pinkie said, not understanding what Maud what was talking about at all. “Well, then I suppose this is… goodbye. For now, at least.” Twilight solemnly turned to Maud. “Yes. For now. I’ll see you both in a year. Good luck on reentry.” Maud flatly replied. Pinkie immediately bursted into tears. “I’m just gonna m-m-miss you so MUUUUUUUCH!!” Pinkie cried as she wrapped her hooves around her sister. “I’ll miss you too Pinkie.” Maud said, hiding any hint of oncoming tears. With that, Pinkie released Maud from her hug and glumly followed Twilight back to the ship. Before entering, Pinkie looked back and gave a slow wave of her hoof towards Maud, who returned the gesture. Twilight and Pinkie strapped into their respective seats in the cockpit. Twilight turned to Pinkie, who was seemingly staring down at nothing, and placed a hoof on her friend. “Hey, she’s gonna be ok.” Pinkie simply smiled and wiped any remaining tears. “Yeah, she will.” Pinkie stared out the window. “Now how about we head home.” Twilight said as she manned the controls. With a few quick presses and a push of the steering controls, the rocket began its take off. Maud watched as the far away rocket slowly lifted off back to her home below. She caught a glimpse of Pinkie through one of the windows. “See you later party pony...” _______________________________________________ “Oh my, I hope they’re back soon. They’ve been up there awfully long haven’t they? Is it supposed to be this long?” “Flutters they’re alright.” “Are you sure? I mean, who knows what could happen!” “I can assure you they’re ok.” “Oh I just wish we could know for sure somehow.” “Well I can think of one thing.” “Oh, what? Did they send a letter somehow?” “They’re right th-“ “Did they tell you how long it’d take?” “They’re coming right n-“ “Ooooooh I’m just so nervous! I knew they shouldn’t have go-“ “FLUTTERSHY! They’re. Right. There.” “Oh. T-thanks Rainbow.” “Tsch, don’t mention it.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. The rocket slowly landed onto the same pad it “left” on, rattling only a slightly concerning amount. The sealed door released, revealing the two mares onboard. “Who-wee! Lookie what we got here, how was your little vacation?” Applejack chuckled. “Yeah! Spill the beans already, is space as awesome as I think it is?” Rainbow Dash egged on. “I am just dying to hear about it darling!” Rarity practically begged. “Well, it was a surprisingly smooth trip I have to say. Thanks in no small part to Maud’s ingenuity.” Twilight answered proudly. “Hey, where is Maud?” Fluttershy asked. “She… she stayed.” Pinkie solemnly replied. “WHAT!?” “What the hay do you mean ‘she stayed’?” Applejack questioned. “Maud thought it better she stayed back, she said she’d be up there for about a year.” Twilight explained. “I told you that mare was crazy.” Rainbow whispered to Fluttershy. “And you just left her? That might be the most plumb crazy thing I done ever heard!” Applejack scrutinized. “It’s what’s gonna make her happy, and am I really the element of laughter if I deny her her happiness?” Pinkie argued. “But are you really sure it’ll make her happy?” Rarity questioned. “I saw it in her eyes. The most sparkirific light I’ve ever seen. Trust me girls, I don’t use sparkirific lightly.” Pinkie retaliated. “She has a point there.” Fluttershy concurred. “Well then, who am I to argue with the element of laughter on what makes ponies happy.” Applejack conceded. “Several arrangements are being made to ensure Maud’s wellbeing, so nopony has to worry.” Twilight explained. “Right! Which reminds me..” _______________________________________________ KNOCK KNOCK Marble Pie opened the door, finding her pink coated sister on the other side. Marble gave a warm smile and led Pinkie into the pie family rock farm home. “Heya Marby! Do ya know where ma and pa are?” Pinkie asked. “Mh-hmm.” Marble pointed out to the farm fields. “Oh right, should’ve guessed that.” Pinkie chuckled. “Thanks Marble!” Pinkie dashed out of the house in a blink, honing in on her parents in the wide field. As she drew in closer she planted her hooves into the dirt and skidded to a halt. “Hiya!” Pinkie introduced herself. “Oh Pinkie! Why didn’t you tell us you were back?” Cloudy Quartz greeted. “I am right now!” Pinkie smiled. “Good morrow my dear, I pray you had a bountiful journey.” Igneous Rock said. “Oh it was the most amazinginst, wonderific, super super duper trip ever!” Pinkie praised. “Why that is just wonderful to hear.” Cloudy said. “But um, pardon my questioning, where would Maudileena be dear?” “Oh, yeah, that’s what I needed to tell you.. Maud, didn’t come home. She decided to live up there, for a while..” Pinkie answered. “Wh..what ever do you mean?” Igneous asked. “When can we expect to see her again?” Cloudy added on. “In about a year… oh please don’t be mad at her she just really wanted to stay there and it makes her so ha-“ “Pinkamena, you need not worry. If that is what our dear Maudileena wishes, then so be it.” Igneous said as he placed a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder. Pinkie beamed as she threw her hooves around her parents. “Oh thankyouthankyouthankyouTHANKYOU!!! She is gonna be so excited to hear that from you!” Pinkie bounced. “Yes of course dear, now if we could breathe please.” Cloudy said as Pinkie continued to hold them. “Oops, hehe, sorry.” Pinkie let go. “Well now that you’re here, why don’t we go in for dinner.” Cloudy suggested. “Oh! Oh! What are we having? Rock soup? Rock casserole? Rock candy?!” Pinkie continued to ramble off more rock based dishes as she followed her parents inside. As they sat around the table, the light of the moon glittered through the window as it rose above them, bringing another day to its end.