“HAPPY ‘EARNING YOUR ROCKTORATE’ DAY!!” Pinkie Pie yelled, blowing a party horn.
“Thank you Pinkie. This party is amazing.” Maud Pie complimented.
“We are so proud of you Maud, we always knew you’d do something amazing.” Igneous Rock smiled to his daughter.
“Thank you Father. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without everyone’s support.” Maud addressed to everyone in the room.
Marble and Limestone beamed a smile towards Maud, a proud look in their eyes.
“Oh, I still remember when you were just a filly, always telling us about a new rock you had found out in the farm.” Cloudy Quartz began to tear up, reminiscing about Maud’s fillyhood.
“Please don’t cry mom. If you start crying I’ll start crying.” Maud said.
“Ooooh I just can’t believe you finally graduated! You can do so many big rock themed things now! Are you gonna discover a new mineral? Are you gonna find Boulder a date? Are you finally gonna make rocks sentient?!” Pinkie bounced.
“Well, there is one thing I’ve always wanted to do. But it probably won’t happen.” Maud admitted.
“Aww come on, tell us! Prettyprettyprettyprettypretty pleeeeeaaase?” Pinkie begged.
“Ok. I’ve… always wanted to go to the moon.” Maud revealed.
The pie family stared at the newly graduated, a mix of bewilderment and confusion in their eyes. Finally, the words processed in Pinkie’s head.
“Oh. My. GOODNESS! That is the most amazingly amazing dream I’ve ever heard! Why didn’t you tell us about this before?” Pinkie asked.
“I thought you’d think it was silly. Nopony’s been to the moon. Without being banished.” Maud lowered her eyes to the floor.
“Nopony’s dream is silly if it’s gonna make them happy! Besides, I love silly stuff!” Pinkie smiled. “Maudileena Daisy Pie, I promise you I will do all I can to fulfill your dream and bring you to the moon, you can count on me!”
“Oh Pinkie. I can’t ask you to do tha-“
“Nuh uh! There’s no stopping me now! If it’s my sister’s wish, then I’m gonna make it true!” Pinkie proudly declared.
Maud simply smiled, bracing herself for whatever Pinkie had planned.
Twilight Sparkle nearly toppled off her reading chair as her front door was slammed open.
“Pinkie!? What have I told you about doing that!” Twilight reprimanded.
“Sorry! But I need a travel to the moon spell really badly!” Pinkie explained.
“Pinkie, why would you possibly need to go the moon?” Twilight questioned.
“Not me silly, my sister Maud needs that spell. It’s been her life-long DREAM to go to the moon, and I promised I’d get her there!” Pinkie clarified.
“Well, while that is very kind of you, I’m sorry to say I don’t have a spell that can get you to the moon. At least not one that lets you come back..” Twilight reported.
“Aww sugar dough, thanks anyway Twilight.” Pinkie solemnly turned to exit the library.
Twilight watched her friend walk away, she could tell this was important to Pinkie. This was the most dedicated look she’d seen in Pinkie’s eyes in a while now.
“Wait!” Twilight called out. “I might not have a spell, but I’m sure the princess of the night might have one”.
Pinkie looked back at Twilight with a shine in her eyes.
“Oh thankyouthankyouTHANKYOU TWILIGHT!!” Pinkie squealed as she pulled Twilight into a tight hug.
“Hehe, d-don’t thank me just y-yet..” Twilight gasped through Pinkie’s bear hug.
_______________________________________________
“I can’t believe I’m doing this..” Twilight Sparkle muttered under her breath as she stood at the doorstep of Canterlot castle.
The sheer magnitude of the structure serving as a reminder of not only the importance and integrity of the castle itself, but the princesses that reside inside.
“Princess Luna is a figurehead of history and culture and I’m about to just walk into her house and ask for a favor like it’s NOTHING?! This is ridiculous, I’M ridiculous!” Twilight rambled in a last minute panic.
“Is she ok?” Maud asked her sister.
“She’s fine, she does this before making most decisions!” Pinkie happily explained.
“Doesn’t seem very healthy.” Maud observed.
“Ok, I just need to knock on the door and humbly request a meeting with the princesses. Simple! Easy...” Twilight psyched herself up.
As Twilight raised her hoof to knock on the castle’s entrance, the door suddenly swung open. Twilight looked up to see Princess Luna standing before her.
“Oh, er, hello there Twilight Sparkle. I was just going out to get the grocer- I MEAN, meet… important diplomats..” Luna smiled awkwardly.
“…HELLOLUNACANYOUSENDHERTOTHEMOON?” Twilight quickly spat out before putting a hoof over mouth.
“This is painful to watch.” Maud commented.
“Ehehe.. sorry about that. It’s just, I have an, odd, favor to ask you. You see, my… friend? I think so at least.. anyway, my friend Maud here has always wanted to go to the moon, and, I was hoping you may have a spell to help with that? Maybe?” Twilight gave her best smile.
Luna stood in thought, quickly mulling over the, truthfully, odd request. She herself has been to the moon plenty of times, but she had never considered sending another pony there.
“I will be honest with you Twilight Sparkle, I have no idea if I posses the power to do what you ask of me. I have never explored my abilities in such a way..” Luna began to ponder.
“Oh, well, thanks anyway Luna.” Twilight smiled, sincerely this time. Twilight turned tail and began to trek back to Ponyville.
“Well now hold on, do not leave yet. Why don’t you come inside so we can study your theory further.” Luna invited.
“That would be amazing Luna, but what about those important diplomats you were meeting?” Twilight asked.
“Oh, it’ll be fine, sister can go another day without coffee creamer.” Luna brushed off.
“What?” Twilight tilted her head.
“NOTHING let’s go inside now!” Luna rushed the three mares inside.
_______________________________________________
“Ugh, another failed test.” Luna huffed as she zapped a chair with an attempted “send to the moon” spell. The chair was teleported half way through the ceiling, half of it poking out the floor above.
“Hmm, maybe your stance is off. Try pushing your back left hoof three inches back.” Twilight suggested. “And Pinkie, have you come up with a better name for this spell yet?”
“How about the ‘I went to the moon, now you can two!’ spell?” Pinkie happily wrote down and presented.
“Uhh.. no.” Twilight declined. Pinkie frowned and ripped out another piece of notebook paper.
“I thought it was a good name.” Maud complimented.
“Ok, we’re go for attempt #42!” Twilight announced. “Ready when you are Luna!”
Maud placed a potted plant in front of Luna and stepped behind Twilight. Luna prepped her stance, with Twilight’s suggested alterations, and aimed her horn.
With a spark of blue light, a beam shot across the room and struck the plant dead on. A flash of light enveloped the room as the plant disappeared with nothing but smoke in its place.
“So far so good, do you feel an added presence on the surface of the moon?” Twilight asked optimistically.
“I.. I think I do! Pinkie Pie, check the telescope!” Luna quickly ordered.
Pinkie bounced off the floor and ran to the balcony to scan the moon through Luna’s telescope.
“I see it! I see it! There’s a little potted plant near my 4th favorite crater!” Pinkie bounced excitedly.
“I can’t believe it, we did it! This is extraordinary!” Luna cheered. “Thank you dear Twilight Sparkle, I can see why my sister takes such a liking to you.”
“T-thank you princess.” Twilight blushed, crossing her front hoofs over.
“This is so exciting, I just might scream. Ah.” Maud cheered(?) enthusiastically(?).
“Wowie Luna! That was the most amazingly awesome spell I’ve ever seen! Can you do the part where you bring it back now?” Pinkie asked with anticipation.
“Y’know, the part of the spell that brings the plant back to earth.” Pinkie Pie happily clarified.
Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna looked at Pinkie in horror. Maud looked with contempt.
“Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I forgot to think of a return spell!” Twilight facehoofed.
“How could I be so foolish?” Luna slouched in embarrassment.
As Twilight and Luna scrambled to create a return spell, Maud thought through the situation at her own pace. She silently started to write down notes on one of Pinkie’s notebook pages.
“Whatcha doing sis?” Pinkie peered over Maud curiously.
“Hypothesizing.” Maud answered blankly.
“I tried that before, it started to hurt after a while..” Pinkie rubbed her forehead. “Looks like you’re way better at it than me!”
As Maud wrote down her final calculations, she picked up her page and walked over to Twilight and Luna.
“Ok, what if we try an instant portal loop-around spell?” Twilight threw out.
“Unfortunately, I fear that would bring a chunk of the moon back with it..” Luna turned down.
“Excuse me.” Maud cleared her throat. “I think I have something.”
Maud placed down her notes before Twilight and Princess Luna, who stared at it intently.
“Goodness Maud, this just might work!” Twilight gasped.
_______________________________________________
“Now let me get this straight, you want me to help you build a whole gosh darn rocket?!” Applejack gasped.
“..More or less..” Twilight chuckled awkwardly.
“Oh please AJ, you gotta help us! If you don’t then Maud will never make it to the moon!” Pinkie begged.
“Look, I build barns. I build silos. Sometimes even stables for.. special.. clients.. but I don’t know the first Celestia-forsaken thing about building no rocket ships!” Applejack said exasperated.
“No need to worry! Maud already made blueprints. Show ‘em Maud!” Pinkie ushered.
Maud stepped forward and handed her blueprints to Applejack.
“While these do look thorough yet easy to follow, I still don’t think I’m up to it. Besides, it says right here you’d only have enough power for a one way trip.” Applejack pointed out.
“It’s all apart of the plan, Princess Luna is going to transport the ship to the moon with me, Pinkie and Maud inside it. After we’re done exploring, we’d use it to get back home.” Twilight explained.
“I’m had a lot of time to think this through.” Maud added.
“Come on Applejack, if any pony can pull this off, it’s you.” Twilight placed a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder.
“…Okay, if my friends think I can do it then gosh darnit, who says I can’t?” Applejack smiled confidently.
“Woo-Hoo! Thank you so much AJ!” Pinkie said as she launched into hug.
“Thank you Applejack. I owe you greatly for this.” Maud said in appreciation.
“Don’t sweat it missy, but if I’m going to build this thing I’m gonna need all hoofs on deck. I’ll get the Apples to help and you round up the girls.” Applejack ordered.
“We’re on it!” Pinkie saluted.
_______________________________________________
“Do you mind running this by me one more time?” Rarity politely requested.
“Ugh! Twilight’s ran it by you at least 20 times now Rarity!” Rainbow Dash huffed.
“Well I apologize if I’m not used to ponies asking me to build a rocket to mars for them!” Rarity scoffed at Rainbow.
“It’s actually only to the moon.” Maud corrected.
“Oh of course, that changes everything.” Rarity hissed under her breath.
“C’mon Rares, how can you not think this is the most AWESOME thing ever?! There hasn’t been a pony on the moon since… ever, now that I think about it.” Rainbow blew her own mind.
“You seem to have forgotten Princess Luna dear.” Rarity attempted to fact-check Dash.
“That’s actually a common misconception, Luna was banished to INSIDE the moon, not on the surface of it.” Fluttershy successfully fact-checked Rarity, joining the conversation.
“Oh my goodness is it ‘International Correct Rarity Day’ or something?!” Rarity said irritated.
“That’s not until the 24th!” Pinkie happily informed.
Rarity simply lowered her head in defeat and continued to follow everyone along to Sweet Apple Acres.
“Looks like Applejack’s getting a head start on us, come on girls!” Twilight called out, seeing the Apples hard at work as they got closer to the barn.
“Move that sheet of metal over here Big Mac, Applebloom I need to you to go find my wrench, and Granny Smith keep that cider flowing! We’ve got a heck of a day ahead!” Applejack commanded in order to keep the operation in order.
“Hey Applejack, how’s everything going so far?” Twilight asked, arriving back at the acre.
“Howdy Twilight, everything’s going just swell! I gotta tell ya Maud, this here rocket you designed is gonna be a real beauty.” Applejack praised.
“Thank you Applejack, this means the world to me.” Maud said.
“I can’t believe it Maud, your dream’s coming true! Can you believe it? Cause I can’t! Wait I just said that.. my point still stands though!” Pinkie enthusiastically asked her sister.
“To be completely honest Pinkie, I always thought this dream was impossible. But when you told me you’d make it come true, it became possible in my heart. Thank you Pinkie.” Maud smiled.
Pinkie’s eyes swelled as she looked at her sister’s smile. She wrapped Maud into a loving hug and burst into tears.
“Y-y-you’re welcome M-Maud!” Pinkie stuttered through her tears of happiness.
“Come on sis. Let’s go build a rocket.” Maud said as she rubbed Pinkie’s head.
“Y-Yeah! Let’s do this thing!” Pinkie said as she wiped her happy tears and pulled a construction hat out of her mane.
_______________________________________________
“By thy lucky stars...”
Pinkie and Maud both perked their ears at the familiar voice entering the farm.
“Oh my goodness, you’re finally here!” Pinkie jumped up from where she was working on the rocket.
“Pinkie Pie, you didn’t tell me they were coming here.” Maud looked at Pinkie as surprised as she could.
“Sorry Maud, but I wanted this to be a super duper surprise! By the way, SURPRISE! Our whole family came to see the rocket!” Pinkie announced.
“My word Maud.. this just might be the most revolutionary thing I’ve seen in my lifetime..” Igneous Rock stared in awe.
“It is quite unlike anything I’ve ever seen..” Cloudy Quartz joined in staring.
Marble Pie was stunned into her usual silence.
“This is crazy, there’s no way it’s gonna actually work.” Limestone Pie said, skeptical.
“No need to worry about that Limey, Maud’s got it all figured out!” Pinkie said as she presented Maud’s rocket blueprints to her family.
The visiting pies observed the intricate instructions and illustrations, bringing their already high amazement to a new peak.
“Goodness me, I wasn’t aware we had such a bright filly under our roof.” Igneous claimed, deeply proud of Maud. Limestone raised an eyebrow at his comment.
“Thank you. I couldn’t do this without your support.” Maud thanked in response to the flurry of praise.
“Me and Maud and almost everypony in Ponyville have been working super hard for like a month now, a month is sixty days right? Anyway, we’re almost finished! We just need to build the thrusters, windows, doors, fins, the bottom half and the entire inside! So yeah, basically finished.” Pinkie innocently bragged.
“I suppose you wouldn’t mind a couple more hoofs helping out, would you?” Igneous asked rhetorically.
“We are only here for the day, and we’d like to spend as much of it with our two soon to be astronauts.” Cloudy added.
Maud simply smiled at the offer, the rest of pies also smiled in return as they joined in the construction at hoof. As night fell upon Equestria, Maud stood with her family as they looked at the moon shining behind the in-progress rocket.
“I’ll be waving to you from up there.” Maud smiled as she rested her head on her father’s shoulder. “Be sure to wave back.”
Igneous put a hoof around Maud as the rest of the pies joined in on the family group hug.
Twilight was also observing the moon, but was more interested in the growing number of noticeable new additions to its surface. She decided a quick visit was in order. _______________________________________________
KNOCK KNOCK
“Come in.” Princess Luna responded to the knocking.
The door opened with Twilight Sparkle coming around the other side.
“Hello there Luna, I was just looking at the moon and noticed some, additions, and just wanted to ask if you’ve been practicing transporting larger items like we discussed.” Twilight greeted.
“Indeed I have, I was just about to practice on this fridge actually.” Luna prepped herself.
“How many things have you teleported, exactly?” Twilight cautiously inquired.
“To be honest, I lost count after the carriage.” Luna admitted. “By the way, I’d advise against attempting to use spells on mirrors, they have quite the reflective properties. If you see a Ms. Hooves on your trip tell her I deeply apologize.”
“Right…. well, it’s good to hear progress is being made. The build back home is going good, a group is currently going out to Dodge Junction to pick up parts for the fins. It’s funny, after nine weeks of construction you’d think I’d be used to saying stuff like that.” Twilight reported.
“That’s wonderful, now stand back for your own safety.” Luna said as she aimed her horn.
Twilight quickly scurried away from the fridge and behind Luna, who then fired off her now familiarized spell. In a flash, the fridge had completely vanished.
“Another successful attempt, not to tooteth my own horn.” Luna smiled proudly.
“While I’m glad to see how quickly you’ve mastered this spell, are you sure all this excessive transportation is totally safe?” Twilight asked, skeptical.
“I can assure you Twilight Sparkle, these items I’ve practiced with will be of no issue.” Luna promised.
“Hm, if you say so princess. I mean, who am I to question YOU on the moon?” Twilight laughed. “Anywho, I suppose I should be heading back to Sweet Apple Acres now. I’ll see you soon Luna!”
“Farewell Twilight Sparkle, shall our next meeting be soon.” Luna bid farewell.
Twilight bowed as she exited. Despite Luna’s reassurance, she was still unable to shake the feeling that something bad was gonna come from this excessive magic..
It was July 21st at 1:42 PM. After two and a half months of nonstop construction, it was finally launch day. All of Ponyville was invited to Pinkie Pie’s ‘Completing My Sister Maud’s Dreams By Launching Ourselves To The Moon’ party at Sweet Apple Acres to watch the takeoff, with even the princesses attending.
“Hello! I would like to thank you all for attending our launch day celebration!” Twilight Sparkle called as she stood upon a raised stage, using a voice amplifying spell to address the large crowd in front of her.
Twilight, Maud and Pinkie were suited into their specially designed space suits, created by Rarity of course. The suits shined brightly with a corresponding color to the pony wearing them, dark blue for Maud, pink for Pinkie and purple for Twilight.
“It has been quite the experience building this rocket for Maud. And while it may seem… rickety, it is the first rocket built in pony history, so maybe they’re supposed to look like that.” Twilight chuckled. “But through any tribulation, I’d say we came out the other side with something extraordinary. Now I think it’s time I have the floor to the brains of this operation.”
“That’s the first time I’ve heard someone other than her be called that.” Rainbow Dash snickered as she bumped Fluttershy on the shoulder.
“Hello everyone. Thank you for being here. This is truly the most exciting day of my life. I want to thank my mom and dad, my sisters, everypony that helped with construction, Princess Twilight, Princess Luna and especially my sister Pinkie Pie. I would not be standing on this stage if not for them. I’ll be sure to bring back a postcard while I’m up there. That was a joke.” Maud spoke to the crowd, Twilight using the same voice amplification so everypony could hear.
“That’s our girl!” Cloudy Quartz shouted from the audience.
“Hi mom.” Maud smiled.
“Hi ma!!” Pinkie called out.
Maud stepped back from the front of the stage and motioned towards Twilight.
“Alright everyone, it seems the time has finally arrived. We’ll see you all when we come back!” Twilight announced.
The three ponies began to board the rocket, the crowd cheering them on. Princess Luna flew up from her spot next to her sister and gracefully landed upon the stage. As the space faring mares got strapped in, Twilight made her horn glow to tell Luna they were good to go. Luna assumed her heavily practiced stance.
“Alright everypony, stand back.” Luna cautioned. She aimed her horn and enveloped the rocket in a blue glow. Before long, the rocket sparked and suddenly vanished in a flash.
_______________________________________________
A tiny blue spark flickered on the moon’s surface before fizzling out. Then again it appeared, slowly fizzling and growing until eventually it fully expanded and popped with a splash of light. Right where the spark was lit now stood the hoofmade rocket, confirming Luna’s transport successful.
A large sliding door slowly slid upwards until it locked into place, allowing a small ramp to extend out and create a path for the mares to walk onto the moon’s ground. Twilight Sparkle began to walk down the ramp, followed by Maud walking closely behind and Pinkie bouncing out, not factoring in the lack of gravity.
Maud felt the moon beneath her hooves, staring down at it as everything around her faded out. The rough terrain almost exactly matching what she imagined it'd feel like. Maud snapped back into reality and took her eyes off the ground as she noticed something rolling off in the distance.
“This is one small trot for Equestria, one giant le- wow there’s a lot of trash here.” Twilight stopped mid sentence as she took note of all the items laying about that Luna previously tested her spell on.
“And the health inspector said MY place was dirty.” Pinkie huffed as she continued to float away.
“PINKIE!” Twilight shouted when she noticed Pinkie’s continued ascension. She quickly activated her horn and grabbed Pinkie’s tail, pulling her back down. “You’ve got to be careful Pinkie! One wrong move and you’ll be stranded in space forever.”
“That sounds fun! Not forever fun, two hours at most, but still fun!” Pinkie beamed. “Hey Maud! Do you wanna be stranded forever with… where’d she go?”
Twilight looked over her shoulder and confirmed Pinkie’s observation. Maud had completely vanished.
“Uh.. Maud? Maud, where’d you go?” Twilight called out.
“Oh no I hope she’s alright! What if a moon monster got her but we didn’t hear because you can’t hear screams in space! What if she slipped and flew away forever! What if she forgot something at home and went to go get it!” Pinkie panicked.
“Pinkie calm down, I’m sure she’s alright. She was probably just eager to explore.” Twilight rationalized.
“Well then we better catch up!” Pinkie said as she grabbed Twilight and ran in a random direction.
“Hold on slow do-“ Twilight hurriedly tried to calm Pinkie before being pulled away.
_______________________________________________
“Pinkie! Pinkie slow down!” Twilight chased after the crazed pie.
“MAUD!! ARE YOU DOWN THERE?!?” Pinkie screamed into a giant chasm that seemingly went down forever.
“Pinkie please listen!”
“Are you down here!?!” Pinkie called out as she looked under a pebble she picked up.
“PINKIE!” Twilight yelled.
Pinkie’s head shot up and she locked eyes with Twilight. Twilight took in a deep breath and placed a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder.
“Pinkie. Why don’t we think rationally and check places Maud could actually fit into first.” Twilight suggested.
“Oh. Yeah, that might work.” Pinkie said.
“Yes. It would. Now, if you were Maud where would you wander off to?” Twilight asked.
“Do you want the top twenty spots or just the top five?” Pinkie asked in response.
Twilight answered her question with a mix of silence and an unimpressed look in her eyes.
“You’re right let’s just skip to number one.” Pinkie sat on her haunches and placed a hoof on her chin. “Hmm, I’d probably go to a big hole with a lot of rocks if I had to guess.”
“Doesn’t exactly narrow it down in this situation, but it’s a start. Let’s get to searching.” Twilight said as she pulled Pinkie up and traveled to the closest crater.
There was a beat of silence between the two mares until Twilight took the opportunity to get an answer to the question that’s been eating at her for a while now.
“So, Pinkie… this might be a weird question, especially from me, but do you think me and Maud are.. friends? I understand she doesn’t present her feelings like how other ponies do, but I still can’t shake the feeling there’s something not connecting between us.” Twilight admitted.
Pinkie looked at Twilight with a glare of endless regret, before promptly replacing it with a fit of uncontrolled laughter.
“Hey! I’m being serious!” Twilight huffed.
“I’m sorry! It’s just silly that you’d think you two aren’t friends.” Pinkie calmed herself and regained her composure. “I mean, Maud’s the one that said we should ask for your help from the start.”
“Wait, really?” Twilight raised a brow.
“Yeah! She said you were the only pony with the heart and dedication we could depend on, the way you never let anypony down and are always determined to give a hundred percent into everything you do. Something like that at least, she used a lot of big words.” Pinkie smiled.
“She.. she really said all of that?” Twilight asked.
“Yes.” Maud answered as she poked out of a nearby crater. “Pinkie was right though. I did use bigger words.”
“AHH!” Twilight yelped as she fell back.
“MAUD!!” Pinkie jumped forward and wrapped Maud into her tightest bear hug.
“Hello Pinkie. Sorry if I made you two worry, I saw an anorthosite rolling away and couldn’t miss my chance to meet it.” Maud explained.
“Maud, do you.. really consider us friends?” Twilight asked.
“Of course I do.” Maud confirmed with a smile.
“OhthankCelestia that is a HUGE relief.” Twilight relaxed. “Well, I’m glad to also call you my friend, Maud Pie.”
Pinkie began to tear up as she watched her Best Sister Friend Forever and her Best Pony Friend Forever finally bloom a connection.
“I just loVE YOU TWO SO MUCH!!!” Pinkie squealed as she squeezed the love out of her Best Pony Sister Friends Forever.
“We love you too, Pinkie Pie.” Twilight and Maud said in unison through bated breath.
_______________________________________________
“Alright girls, it’s time for the exciting part of this trip. Researching!” Twilight squeed.
“I’m practically brimming with anticipation.” Maud said.
“Who knows what amazing advancements in science can be made with the samples we bring back! Oh the possibilities are endless!” Twilight beamed.
“Is this a good sample Twilight?” Pinkie asked, holding an ovoid item that seemed to have a dim green glow within it.
“Pinkie, where’d you find that?” Twilight asked.
“There’s a big pile of them right over there!” Pinkie happily answered, pointing a hoof at a nearby crater.
“I think it’d be best if we leave this.. ‘rock’ with the other ones.” Twilight awkwardly smiled.
“Eh, I thought it was neat.” Pinkie shrugged as she threw the ‘rock’ over her shoulder.
“Right… anyway, what have you found Ma-“ Twilight turned around before stopping immediately upon seeing Maud’s large array of rocks she’s already collected.
“This is the anorthosite I found earlier, It’s made of plagioclase feldspar, most of it at least, and judging by the density, is most likely an igneous rock. I also have a basalt formed from lava, it is rich in iron and magnesium in addition to plagioclase feldspar.” Maud throughly explained.
“Wow, that is.. and you.. how did you figure all that out already?” Twilight questioned.
“I can just tell.” Maud said plainly.
“Right, I probably should’ve guessed that.” Twilight figured.
As Twilight continued to ramble on with theories and studies of anything that crossed their path, Maud was quickly zoning out as she just stared at the surface she was walking upon. She had spent years fantasizing about the very moment she found herself living, and yet something still didn’t feel entirely right to her. Sure, she was on the moon, that was her ultimate goal, but it all felt fleeting.
“Heya Maud, you ok?” Pinkie leaned over to ask, noticing the look of disassociation in her sister’s eyes.
“Uh, yeah Pinkie. I’m fine.” Maud answered.
“Not so fast, don’t think I didn’t catch that! You hesitated. You never hesitate! What’s really going on?” Pinkie asked again.
“I guess I’m feeling a little.. empty. Like I’m missing something. And I think I know what my heart wants, I just don’t know if I want it.” Maud sighed.
“Well what is it? You know you can tell your lil sis anything.” Pinkie winked.
“I.. I think I want to.. stay here. For awhile at least.” Maud revealed.
“Wait.. like, here here? Like on the moon here? Like I’ll never see you again here?! Like we’ll literally be worlds apart here?!? B..but you and me and.. how will we.. I ju-“
“I know, Pinkie. It’s a lot. But.. it feels right. It makes me feel happy.” Maud smiled.
“But.. but I..” Pinkie looked at Maud and could see the sincerity behind her eyes. She was telling the truth, not that Pinkie thought her sister was lying, she was just hoping Maud was mistaken somehow. Pinkie slumped over, losing some bounce in her mane.
“But I… I guess it’s fine. If it’s gonna make you happy.” Pinkie gave a melancholy smile. “Just hope you know this means you’re getting ten times as many letters from me.”
“I don’t think the mail pony delivers this far.” Maud replied. “That was a joke.”
Pinkie laughed at Maud’s joke, regaining her energy and the poof in her hair. Regaining her composure, Pinkie put her front hooves around Maud’s shoulders, holding her close.
“I’ll be missing you, and I’ll always be loving you.” Pinkie whispered, holding back tears.
“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.
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.
Princess Luna sat unbothered in her study, combing through another centuries old book. A dreadfully boring one at that, some rubbish about the invention of the quill. Not much to do when you only work at night.
But as the princess of the night slowly flipped through page by page, there was a subtle gleam of blue out the corner of her eye. She lowered the book slightly and stared at where the light had just been, only to find nothing out of place.
“hmph..” Luna huffed.
Settling back into her reading chair, Luna raised the book back up to her face. But before she get back to where she left off, the same gleam appeared. Only it didn’t immediately dissipate this time, it continued to shine in its spot, slowly fizzling more and more.
“What in the..” Luna said to herself as she got closer for inspection.
Suddenly, the light flashed brightly and completely enveloped Luna’s vision. All she could make out was a blunt thud noise.
“Oof!”
As Luna’s vision came back to her, she found a grey coated pegasus laying before her.
“Ms. Hooves?! How ever did you get here?” Luna asked in pure shock.
“Ummmmmmm… I dunno.” Derpy shrugged. “Last I remember I was making moon dinner and then I popped in here.”
Luna was still too shocked to properly respond. She began to pace around her room, theorizing on the situation. Just then, another flash of light appeared right above Derpy.
“Ouchies!” Derpy yelped as the light dropped a potted plant.
Luna honed in on the plant, instantly recognizing it.
“Oh no. Oh nonononono.”
“What wrong Luna?” Derpy wondered.
“Of course.. the spell had a timer..” Luna muttered to herself.
“Spell what? Timer? Ok, t-i-m-u.. wait no.. a? Is it an A or U?” Derpy asked sincerely.
Luna couldn’t process the question as she was scrambling to minimize any incoming damages. Quickly flipping through book after book looking for any reverse spell. Soon enough, another flash, spawning a chair. Unable to react in time, Luna tripped over it, breaking her concentration.
“Oof! Ugh, Ms. Hooves, I advise you evacuate immediately.” Luna warned as she got to her feet.
“Aww man, but I wanna see what shows up next.” Derpy flashed her best puppy dog eyes.
“Please, it’s for your own good!” Luna ordered.
“Alrighty..” Derpy moped as she went for the door. Before she could reach the handle, another light emerged, placing a dresser where the door stood.
“Hm, I don’t think that’s good.” Derpy surmised.
“Blast this spell and its addictive qualities!” Luna cursed.
Before long there was flash after flash, slowly invading the whole room.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m getting kinda cramped in here.” Derpy pointed out.
“I should’ve stayed in the moon.” Luna sighed.
_______________________________________________
“Sister, the diplomats from Klugetown have arrived and they request both of us are present.” Princess Celestia called out as she climbed the stairs leading to Luna’s room.
No response.
“Sister? Are you in there?” Celestia called again.
Still no response.
“If you’re asleep in there I get the last pancake in the fridge!” Celestia yelled as a last ditch effort.
Once again, no response. Now she knew something was wrong. Celestia grabbed hold of the door and pulled it open, finding what seemed to be the back of a dresser blocking her.
“Well this seems like a bit much.” Celestia whispered under her breath.
She attempted to move the barrier with her magic but found it was stuck in place.
‘That’s.. unusual’ Celestia thought.
Finally, Celestia grew tired of the obstacle and wrapped it in her magic, teleporting it behind her and out of her way.
With the dresser out of her way, Celestia could finally see what was being blocked. A wall of seemingly random items.
“Uhh-“
The wall quickly spilled out of the room, taking Celestia with it. As the flood smoothed along the floor, Celestia poked her head out of the rubble.
“I told her she had a hoarding problem..”
“I heard that!” Luna then popped from the rubble, glaring at her sister.
“Well am I wrong?” Celestia gestured to the mess.
“It’s complicated.” Luna groaned.
“Hiya princess!” The door to the previously obtrusive dresser flung open.
“Hello Derpy.” Celestia waved.
A book fell on Luna’s head, who levitated it right side up to inspect the cover.
‘The Comprehensive History of The Quill and its Many Uses.’
