The Gift of Maud Pie
Pony's Log Number 603: The best gift anypony can give is one that comes from the heart. But sometimes it might require some sacrifice...
It was lovely day as a train chugged down the track. But the train ride was anything but peaceful.
"We're going to Manehattan," Pinkie sing sang as she appeared between two random ponies and then bounced down the aisle, "we're going to Manehattan, we're going to Manehattan...!" Pinkie then leaned back so she could look at Rarity and Mario with a big smile on her face. They were accompanying her on the train and were sitting together as the former was using a horseshoe file on her fore-hoof.
"Yes, yes, Manehattan, the height of sophistication, elegance, culture..." said Rarity in a nonplussed tone, "Since our boutique in Canterlot has been doing so nicely, it only makes sense for us to open one there as well."
"Indeed," said Mario, "It's time the ponies of Manehatten experience the true definition of fine couture, which is...Rarity!" Rarity chuckled. It was then Pinkie squealed with excitement.
"We're almost there!" said Pinkie excitedly, "Why don't your face look like this?! Eee..." Pinkie then stretched her cheek to make her smile even bigger.
"Pinks, if that smile of yours gets any bigger, you'll swallow your face," Mario remarked.
"Very funny!" said Pinkie indignantly as Rarity and Mario chuckled to each other.
"Oh, Pinkie, dear, this is just a business trip for Mario and I," said Rarity casually as Pinkie's face just looked more dreadful as she kept speaking, "We need to scour the city for the most perfect location for our new shop. And while it's lovely how excited you are, there's absolutely no chance of me or Mario getting swept up into the-"
"Rares, we're here! We're here!" said Mario excitedly as he looked out of the window. Rarity then looked out the same window beside Mario with a huge grin on her face.
"...Energy, the beauty, the majesty of the greatest city in all of Equestria!" Rarity finished. It wasn't long before their train pulled into the station. She and Mario then opened the doors to exit the train station.
"This city's simply a-ma-zing!" Rarity said with a sigh, "It's just...everything, ever!"
"Yes it is, Rares," said Mario, "And it's an experience I enjoy sharing with my Twinsie." He and Rarity shared a hug as Pinkie walked up to them from the background.
"And it's about to get everything ever-er!" said Pinkie, "Because guess who I see!" Rarity and Mario looked and there at the bottom of the stairs waiting was a familiar greyish-blue pony in her blue dress.
"Hey, it's..." said Mario but was interrupted when Pinkie jumped in front of him.
"M-A-U-D!" Pinkie sing sang as she bounced down the steps to her big sister and got into her face, "You know what that spells?"
"It spells Maud," said the bluish-grey pony in her usual deadpan tone. Pinkie then gave her a hug and squeed. She then grabbed her party cannon.
POP WHISTLE!
And fired confetti into the air.
"Maud, Maud, Maud! Yay!" Pinkie cheered as Rarity and Mario just smiled nearby...nervously.
"What did we get ourselves into?" Mario asked discreetly. Rarity didn't bother to answer.
(Main Theme)
It wasn't long before the four ponies were walking down the street together as Pinkie filled Mario and Rarity in about why Maud was with them.
"Oh, you Pie sisters have just about the sweetest family traditions!" said Rarity, "Every year, you set aside a special day to spend with each of your sisters?"
"Yep!" said Pinkie as colt roller-skated across the foreground to show the group walking past Bridleway , "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! And since Maud's getting her rocktorate nearby, we figured this would be the perfect spot for PSSSD!" Maud then stopped walking as the other three ponies continued moving forward.
"Okay, what's the secret?" Rarity asked in a hushed tone.
"Yeah, fill us in!" Mario asked in the same tone.
"Huh?" Pinkie asked puzzled.
"You just said "pssst"," Rarity remarked.
"No, silly, not pssst," Pinkie corrected, "PSSSD! P-S-S-S-D! Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day!" She then put a fore-hoof around the shoulder of a colt that look like a brown colored variant of Bulk Biceps. The stallion snorted at her. Pinkie giggled nervously and let go of him. Rarity and Mario then looked back to realize Maud wasn't with them.
"Maud!" Rarity called out.
"Is something up?" Mario asked.
"Boulder promised his cousin a postcard," said Maud as she held Boulder in her fore-hoof so he could "look" at the postcards.
"Is this the sedimentary one or the igneous one?" Mario asked.
"Neither, the pompous one," Maud replied, "he and Boulder like to go swimming. Even if Boulder isn't a good swimmer." Mario chuckled as Rarity gave him a funny look.
"Pompous rock floats in water," Mario explained to the marshmallow filly.
"Oh," said Rarity plainly, "Well, Mario and I'll just leave you two to your PSSSD. And now, we are off to scout possible locations for our new boutique!"
"Got the map marked of optimal locations right here, Rares," said Mario as held the map with his magic, "Let'sa go!"
"Before you both go," said Pinkie, "can I ask you two a quick question?"
"Oh, of course," said Rarity.
"What's up, Pinks?" Mario replied.
"Will you please help me?!" Pinkie pleaded loudly as she grabbed Rarity's fore-leg and lay on her stomach before them.
"Only if you let go of my leg and stand up..." Rarity said nervously.
"Ponies are staring at us!" Mario said through his teeth as he saw a small crowd gathering around them. Pinkie quickly let go of Rarity's leg, got up, and recovered, which made the crowd go back to their business.
"Every year, Maud's PSSSD gift always blows mine away!" Pinkie explained, "But this year is going to be different! For the first time, I'm finally getting her a gift that's as good as the one she always get me!" Pinkie then pulled out a sheet of paper from her mane, "There's a specialty store here in Manehattan that sells nothing but rock pouches! A rock pouch would be perfect for Boulder, and I know Maud will love it!"
"Why, Pinkie, that really is the perfect gift for Maud!" said Rarity.
"Maud will love having a pouch to carry Boulder in," Mario added as Pinkie tucked the paper back into her mane.
"I know, right?" Pinkie replied, "Problem is, I still need to buy one, and the store is downtown."
"Hmm, and you want to get a pouch for Maud without ruining the surprise..." Rarity pondered.
"Hmm..." Mario pondered as he began to think of an idea on how they could help the pink pony.
"Well, luckily for you, I know exactly what you should do!" said Rarity, "Why not sight-see on a path that leads right to the pouch store? That way Maud won't get suspicious! We'll come with you to distract Maud, so..."
"...I can sneak away to pick out a rock pouch!" Pinkie gasped, "And if you two are coming with us, you can look at boutique locations along the way!"
"It sounds like a plan!" said Mario.
"It's the perfect plan!" Pinkie shouted, startling and annoying several ponies nearby.
"Y-yes, yes, yes, let's not get too excited until you actually get a pouch for Maud," said Rarity.
"Good point, Rares," said Mario and looked at Pinkie, "You gotta stay cool, calm, and collected."
"Of course," said Pinkie calmly, "Got it. Absolutely." It was then Maud approached them.
"Nothing moved him," said Maud.
"Bummer," said Mario, "Well, there are other post card stands in town..."
"Maud! I'm giving you the greatest PSSSD gift in the history of ever!" Pinkie exclaimed excitedly as she hugged Maud and zoomed off.
"Why do I even bother telling Pinkie to keep calm?" said Mario remarked as he and Rarity rolled their eyes.
"Because you love her, dear," said Rarity with a sigh, "and she understands you and your situation."
"True," said Mario remarked when he was taken by surprise when Maud gave her a hug.
"Pinkie told me how you've been feeling lately," said Maud, "I understand what is feels like being trapped by several strata's of earth and sedimentary rock with no way to get out. You have good friends that will help you escape, including me." Rarity was then stunned when Maud gave Mario a small smile. Mario was touched and smiled back. It was then Pinkie came back with her party cannon.
POP WHISTLE!
And fired more confetti into the air. Rarity used the distraction to lean into Mario's ear.
"You are amazing you know that," said Rarity, "I thought Pinkie was the only pony who could make Maud smile." Mario just chuckled to himself.
With the map being shown of the big city, a red line showed the groups first destination was the ponified version of the statue of liberty. Maud, Mario, and Rarity were standing inside the part of the statue where the crown was located to view the city.
"Oh, what a spectacular view!" said Rarity, "You really can see everything from here!" Rarity then smiled.
"Especially the glaciation of the sloping strata," Maud added, "It's breathtaking." Rarity just smiled sheepishly.
"Don't forget all the tall buildings and structures made out of mineral aggregates of gravel, sand, iron ore, and even water," Mario added, "the last factor is rather impressive considering water usually tends to break down or decompose most rock minerals and elements."
"Indeed," said Maud, "They are also just as breathtaking." Rarity just kept smiling, but deep down she was feeling rather jealous that Mario had such an easy time carrying a conversation with Maud.
"But not as half as breathtaking as the gift I'm giving you!" Pinkie called out in the fore-ground as she floated upward using some balloons. Then her party cannon hovered up from below her.
POP WHISTLE!
And fired more confetti.
"Does she do that every year?" Mario asked.
"Pretty much," said Maud.
"At least she didn't say what the gift was," said Rarity in a hushed tone to the alicorn prince.
"I'm more concerned what could happen if she can't get the...you know what," said Mario in the same tone.
"You're not the only one," Rarity remarked wearily as Mario just had a worried look on his face. The map then showed them heading to another spot on the map that was marked with Rarity and Mario's heads on it. They had found their first empty storefront. While the decor was nice and place was clean and in good condition, the storefront space was very...tight.
"I-It certainly is-cozy," grunted Rarity as she, Mario, Maud, and Pinkie were squeezed together inside with very little...knee space, "but this simply won't do! Working in a space this small would make me lose my mind!"
"You're not the only one who feels that way, Rares," Mario grunted, "and I think my hind leg fell asleep. Ugh...and it's driving me nuts!"
"Just like Maud's gonna lose her mind and go nuts when she sees the gift I'm giving her," said Pinkie as she managed to pull out he party cannon above the three ponies. Rarity and Mario cringed.
"Pinkie..." Mario warned frantically, "Don't you..."
POP WHISTLE!
Pinkie fired her party cannon, stunning all the ponies walking past the super narrow storefront.
"PINKIE!" Mario shouted as they were now covered in confetti.
"Oopsy," said Pinkie sheepishly.
The map then reappeared as it showed that the four ponies were now heading to the skating rink. Rarity was now wearing a glittery purple body suit with a dark pink over dress, mane put up in a bun that was tied with a glittery scrunchie, and had on a pair of pale pink ice skates. While Mario had wanted to just wear his winter outfit with his skates, Rarity had made Mario wear a glittery yellow long sleeve dance shirt with matching glittery black pants with light brown skates. Maud was also on the ice wearing some white skates and her usual blue dress. She and Rarity skated up to each other. Rarity was about to speak up when Pinkie skated up to them wearing her light blue winter outfit. Pinkie's braking also made a ton of shaved ice smack Rarity in the face.
"Whatever you were about to say isn't nearly as good as the gift I'm giving Maud!" Pinkie said excitedly as her party cannon slid up to her.
POP WHISTLE!
Then fired confetti again, but the kickback also sent the party cannon sliding away in the opposite direction.
"You'll be pleased with yours too," said Maud as Mario came to a stop beside Rarity. The marshmallow pony shook the shaved ice off her face and glared at Pinkie, "I need a skating partner Mario."
"Sure thing," said Mario, "Come on!" Together the two ponies skated side by side together. Despite never practicing, the two ponies were able to skate together rather gracefully. Rarity and Pinkie were rather impressed. Then Maud made Rarity's jaw drop when she did a triple axel jump into the air and posed on her hind legs perfectly. Mario followed with a double triple axel jump right after. Pinkie just smiled, which hinted she already knew Maud could do that. Then Mario lifted Maud into the air as the mare did a swan pose as Mario skated on just one hind leg and set her down. Their routine continued until they began to spin in place together. Then managed to stop their momentum on a dime and mirrored each other's finishing pose. Nearby ponies gave them a hearty cheer as Maud and Mario headed over to Pinkie and Rarity.
"Woo-hoo! You two were amazing!" said Pinkie. Rarity was still speechless.
"Thanks," said Maud, "Mario's a great dancer. I can see why you had a crush on him. He's a gentlecolt. And he's cute." Mario blushed and looked away sheepishly.
"Yes he certainly is," said Rarity with a smirk.
"Mario is the cutest," Pinkie added. Mario just groaned in embarrassment and skated away to go hide the fact his face was bright red. Rarity and Pinkie snickered to each other. Maud kept her usual demeanor, but she did crack a smile...for about half-second.
After they had finished ice skating, they soon arrived at a high end restaurant for lunch. The map showed them heading to the location...in purple crayon?!
"Pinkie, put down that crayon!" Rarity chastised as she saw the pink pony holding the said object in her mouth, "The Cantering Cook isn't that kind of restaurant!" Pinkie just replied by spiting her crayon out of her mouth...right into another stallion's bowl of soup, who just eyeballed the crayon dumbly.
"It wouldn't have been a problem if we had gone to Luigi's Pizzeria Cafe," said Mario, "They have a kid's meal after all."
"Hey! I'm not a little filly anymore!" Pinkie said indigently.
"I was talking about you using a crayon wouldn't have been a big deal if we had eaten there," Mario retorted, "Plus I was hoping to show Maud some good Manehattan pizza. She told me Boulder loves a good slice of hay-pepperoni!"
"That is true," said Maud.
"Well, there's always next time, darling," said Rarity, "Even Maud can appreciate some fine dining if you get my drift."
"Fair enough, Rares," Mario conceded with a sigh, but then perked up, "Even Boulder appreciates fine cuisine."
"Indeed," said Rarity, "Oh...A pony could get used to eating at places like this!"
"I know," said Maud, "It's the only restaurant in the city with nepheline syenite in their bathroom tiles."
"They used refined marble and onyx tiles at the pizzeria," Mario pointed out.
"Very common for most Italian restaurants," said Maud.
"...Well, isn't that something!" Rarity stuttered with a chuckle and noticed that Pinkie was still looking at her map.
"You know what, Pinkie Pie?" Rarity said deliberately, "Uh, maybe you could help me figure out what to order!" Rarity then used her magic to set up a big and tall menu book so she and Pinkie could hide and talk with each other. Mario looked indignant until Pinkie peeked out from the menu.
"Keep her busy!" she whispered so loudly that Mario was surprised Maud acted like she didn't hear anything.
"Alright," Mario said uneasily through his teeth when he noticed Maud just looking at him.
"A-heh-ehh...umm...so...what are you studying at the university if I might ask?" Mario asked.
"Rocks," said Maud. Mario just blinked and then sighed.
"Maud, I was referring to what kinds of rocks," said Mario bluntly.
"My bad," Maud replied but said nothing else. Meanwhile, Pinkie and Rarity were talking behind the menu as quietly as they could.
"We're so close to the pouch store!" Pinkie told Rarity, "It's just a block away! I could practically smell it from here! If I knew what a pouch store smelled like." There was a brief pause as Rarity peeked out from the top of the menu. She noticed that Mario was speaking to Boulder and Maud was just watching. As much as she questioned how Mario could speak rock, she decided against it since he was doing what they asked, keeping Maud distracted.
"Okay, remember the plan," Rarity told Pinkie once she ducked back behind the menu, "Mario and I will stay here and distract Maud while you go get a pouch!"
"Gotcha!" said Pinkie and they finally put the menu down as Mario gasped.
"Dude, you're family is bigger than mine!" Mario said to Boulder, "and that's saying something since the Apple family has alot of relatives in its own right. How do you keep in touch with 'em all?"
"Boulder sense," Maud replied.
"Is that anything like seismic sense?" Mario asked.
"Yes, but way more effective," said Maud.
"Nice," said Mario, clearly impressed.
"Oh, why, thank you for the kind assistance, Pinkie Pie," said Rarity deliberately, eager to get back into the conversation, "And now I know exactly what to order."
"You are very welcome, Rarity!" said Pinkie in the same tone, "Now pardon me whilist I go wash my hooves!" Pinkie then went to zip away when she bumped into a waiter, making him drop the dish he was carrying.
"Sorry!" said Pinkie quickly before she zoomed away and smashed a cookie cutter hole though the door. Mario then scooted over to Rarity.
"Does she have enough bits for her present?" Mario asked quietly.
"I think so," Rarity replied and then asked in a normal voice, "By the way, what's seismic sense?"
"Remember that time you, me, and Fluttershy got cornered by a Timberwolf," said Mario, "and Fluttershy got so frightened she accidentally kicked dirt in my eyes?"
"Oh that's right!" said Rarity, "by focusing on the vibrations of the ground and the sound of the wolf howls, you were able to dodge and attack them without being able to see them with your eyes."
"It also useful when navigating a mine and you don't have any light," Maud added.
"True," said Rarity, "So, Maud...that Boulder of yours is such an interesting...ahem...character. You must tell me, how did the two of you first meet?"
"It was a dark and stormy night," Maud began.
"Oh, this is gonna be good, I can tell," said Mario excitedly as he leaned against the table with his fore-knees on the table.
"Little did I know that my life was about to change forever," Maud continued as Rarity smiled, but also looked a bit weary as well.
The map was then shown once again as a red line showed Pinkie's path to the pouch store. When she got there, the ringing of a cash register was heard as she pasted her face to the display window.
"Look at that hand-stitched ten-thousand-thread-count velvet-lined rock pouch!" Pinkie gasped as she eye-balled a spotted rock pouch with gold twinkle stars on it with some velvet lacing, "Maud will love it! I need it!" Pinkie then rushed to the front door, only to crash into it since the door was apparently locked.
"Ungh!" Pinkie grunted as she tried to open the door, "Huh, must be stuck!" It was then she saw a note pasted on door.
""Took a sudden vacation to Canterlot with my grandniece"," Pinkie read aloud, ""Back in a few moons". Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no-no! Well, maybe, just maybe, he's already back from vacation and just forgot to take the sign down!" Pinkie had actually put her fore-hooves on the shoulders of a little filly, who looked rather disturbed as the mare that might be considered her mother pull her away from Pinkie protectively. Pinkie didn't notice and started banging on the door.
"Hello, Mr. Pouch Store Owner," Pinkie shouted, "I'd like to hear all about your sudden vacation in Canterlot with your grandniece while buying a pouch for my sister please!" As Pinkie was shouting, the mother of the filly was reporting the pink pony to a nearby police mare, whose name was Deputy Copper. The police mare wasted no time approaching Pinkie.
"Miss, the store's clearly closed," said Deputy Copper.
"But it can't be," said Pinkie, shaking Deputy Copper by the shoulders, "It just can't be! If I can't get that pouch...then not only am I not getting my sister the greatest present in the history of PSSSD, but now I have no PSSSD present for my sister at all!" Pinkie was now starting to panic and wasn't sure about what to do.
Back at the restaurant, the waiter that had dropped his dish had just arrived with a new plate in his magic grip. Maud was just finishing her story about meeting Boulder. Rarity clearly looked rather bored while Mario was smiling and tearing up.
"...and Boulder's been by my side ever since," Maud finished.
"Wow," said Rarity in a deadpan tone, "What a surprisingly suspenseful and compelling story. I completely get what you see in him now."
"So do I," Mario sniffled as he used a napkin to wipe his tears away, "You two were always meant to be..." Mario then blew his nose with the napkin and then used his magic to throw it away. Rarity flinched when Mario blew his nose and gave him a funny looks.
"Something's wrong with you," Rarity remarked.
"You already knew that, Rares," Mario replied bluntly.
"I was referring to..." Rarity then saw that Pinkie had returned. Though Mario took notice that Pinkie didn't look as upbeat as she did when she had taken off, "Pinkie Pie, you're back! Oh, your hooves must be sparkling clean!"
"Huh?" Pinkie replied cluelessly before she remembered the act, "Oh, right." Pinkie just sighed sadly as she put her fore-knees on the table.
"Pinkie, are you alright?" said Mario, "wanna tell..." Mario was cut off when Rarity put a fore-hoof to his mouth and shook her head, tilting her head to remind him that Maud was still with them. Mario looked worried but nodded to Rarity to let the marshmallow pony handle things.
"Garcon!" Rarity called out, "One super-deluxe two-mile-high hot fudge sundae, stat!" The waiter then quickly zipped away. Mario was rather puzzled.
"What good would a-" Mario was then interrupted with a huge sundae that was a good four ponies high and as big as the table was set before them, "Whoa...now that's a sundae!" Mario licked up lips and went to take a bite when.
"Wah!" Mario yelped as Rarity pulled him behind the massive sundae so they could talk to Pinkie.
"What happened?" Rarity asked eagerly, "Did you get a pouch for Maud? Tell me everything!" Mario gave Rarity a funny look, but it was unnoticed as Pinkie looked upset.
"Something tells me things didn't go as planned," said Mario, "Go on, Pinks. Spill." Pinkie inhaled deeply.
"The door to the rock pouch store is locked because the owner's on a sudden vacation to Canterlot with his grandniece for a few moons," Pinkie explained in one breath, "and so there's no way I can get a perfect present for Maud, and now I don't have any present for her at all, so it'll be the worst Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day ever!" Pinkie inhaled again before she faceplanted the side of the giant sundae and stared sobbing.
"Oh Pinks," said Mario, "I'm so sorry you lucked out. That happened to me once before too."
"Mmm-mmm?" Pinkie said, her voice muffled from her face being buried in chocolate ice cream.
"Yeah, when I was a colt, Twilight and I were walking home when her book bag fell apart," said Mario, "she was really upset about it since it was a special edition Daring Do book bag that Shining Armor had given her. So I went searching and found the exact book bag at a specialty store. But, like you, the storeowner was on long vacation and Twilight needed a book bag right now."
"Mmm...mmm, mm, mm?" Pinkie asked, which translated to "So...what happened?"
"I spent all night trying to make her a saddle bag from scratch," said Mario, "I pricked myself at least a dozen times and when it was finished, the book bag was a complete mess since I was still an amateur at sewing and I was too embarassed to give it to Twilight. So Mom made sure I couldn't hide what I made and gave it to Twilight despite my protests that it wasn't good enough. Twilight ended up loving it, because I had made for her myself. In fact, I even got a cheek kiss, which back then were pretty rare. So it all worked out."
"Mmm-mmm mmm!" Pinkie remarked, which translated to "lucky you" and clearly wasn't feeling better. Rarity then leaned away from the sundae to check on Maud, who was just sitting quietly at her seat. Rarity just gave her a nervous smile before joining Mario and the still crying Pinkie.
"Pinkie, my point is that everything will work out," said Mario, "You'll find Maud a present."
"Mm, mm-mmmmmmmm..." Pinkie moaned as she began sobbing once more.
"Oh, not to worry, dear!" said Rarity as she used her magic to pull Pinkie's face out of the sundae, "I'll just have to help you find a new present for Maud. We have plenty of time before your gift exchange at sunset and all of Manehattan to explore. We're bound to find something Maud would like. Maybe even more than a rock pouch!"
"Rarity's right," said Mario, "There's plenty of other gift ideas out there. We just gotta look around and we'll find one." Pinkie smiled and felt better, despite that her face and front of her mane were now covered in chocolate.
"You're right!" said Pinkie, "Thanks, Rarity and Mario!" Once the group had lunch and the giant sundae had been consumed, with Pinkie eating nearly most of it herself and not getting a tummy ache, they headed to their next location, which was the Manehattan Toy Store. Inside, a stallion and little colt were using their hooves on a hoof piano to play the My Little Pony theme song. That is until Pinkie knocked them over and did an upwards glissando as she slid across the keys from left to right. In the foreground, Rarity and Maud were looking at some giant sized plush toys. Rarity noticed that Maud was eyeballing a giant giraffe plushie.
"Maud, I can't help but notice you're staring at that marvelous giraffe," said Rarity, "I was just wondering if you could see yourself with it?"
"Only if I had a mirror," said Maud. Rarity just smiled sheepishly before she noticed somepony was missing.
"Oh! Now where did that stallion go running off too?" Rarity asked rather impatiently.
"Try that way," said Maud as she pointed to a section of the toy store that was loaded with Monopoly merchandise.
"Rarity, just look at all this Monopoly stuff," said Mario excitedly, "They've got more than just game boards here! They've got tee shirts, coffee mugs, actual Mr. Monopoly top hats, plush ponies! Even pencil holders and notebooks, oh my! They even got a strategy guide! It tells you all the algorithms for landing on all twenty eight properties and their investment ratios and more! With this in my hoof, victory will always be mine! Mwa-hahaha!" As Mario spoke, he grabbed each item and presented them to Maud and Rarity as Pinkie walked up. The latter two ponies just had unamused looks on their faces, especially when Mario hugged the strategy guide and looked a little maniacal when he laughed.
"Mario...sweetie...do we need to drag you away from here?" Rarity asked the alicorn prince.
"DON'T TAKE THIS AWAY FROM ME!" Mario screamed in desperation as he lightly shook the marshmallow pony with his wings open, making Rarity and Pinkie wince as Maud just remained calm. Mario then gasped dramatically.
"Is that...it is!" Mario exclaimed as stars appeared in his eyes, "A train with a Monopoly design on it! Two of my favorite things at once! SQUEEEE!" Mario then zoomed away and looked at the train excitedly.
"I think we've lost him," Pinkie said bluntly as all three ponies had a deadpan expression on their faces.
"No you didn't, he's right there," Maud replied and pointed at the still fan-boying stallion.
"She meant in the head, dear," said Rarity.
"No, he's just got train on the brain," said Maud. Rarity and Pinkie just rolled their eyes. Eventually Mario had calmed down to purchase both the strategy guide and the Monopoly train. Then as some gems floated across the foreground, they were now at a jewelry store. Rarity had quick-changed into a black gown with a pair of black long sleeved fore-gloves, a double beaded pearl necklace with a cream colored gem pendent, and her mane in an updo with a cream colored maid style headband. Mario had also changed into a blacks tuxedo with top hat and some white gloves on his fore-hooves and black shoes on his hind hooves.
"Now, Maud," said Rarity, "I know you're a big fan of rocks, so get your camera ready, because these are some of the most spectacular rocks in all of Manehattan! Surely there must be something here that catches your eye." Pinkie then appeared nearby wearing gems in her mane, a stylish gold tiara, a couple of necklaces around her neck, and a gold gem-studded waist belt. Maud just lifted Boulder up to her ear.
"Boulder says they're all too...stuck-up," Maud said in a whisper. Pinkie just looked disappointed and Rarity just rolled her eyes. Mario just groaned.
"I'm gonna see if I can find my wife something before we go," Mario muttered. It didn't take him long before he found some purple pearl stud earrings for Twilight and then found a sterling silver necklace with a gem-studded kite pendant for Starlight. Then the group headed over to an open market place to find something there. Maud was just looking around when Rarity whistled to capture the bluish-gray pony's attention. As some western duel style music was heard, the screen narrowed to show that Rarity was trying to initiate a stare down. Mario was just standing nearby watching the stare down with a worried look on his face.
"All right," said Rarity, "You and me, Maud, you and me. What do you think about...this? Or this? Or this? Or this? Or this? Or this? Or this? This? This? This? This? This?..." As Rarity spoke, she showed Maud a football, a buckball, a wheel of cheese, a large vase pot, a scepter, a rubber shark, a stone book tablet with spikes on the front, and...was that a smarty pants doll?! Maud just watched all the items appear in front of her as Rarity's talking sped up to where it was almost gibberish. Mario cringed since Rarity was soon speaking to fast that he was afraid she was knock herself out. Then Rarity just sat down once she had gone through a bunch of various items and piled them all in the background.
"I like...that," said Maud as she pointed at something.
"What is it?" Rarity asked anxiously, "You have to tell me! Was it the bike? This lamp? The grappling hook? What do you like?!" Rarity then picked up the items she had suggested and then tossed them aside. Mario leaned away to avoid getting clocked by the discarded items.
"I like that fissure in the sidewalk," said Maud as she pointed to the very crack on the ground, "It's an elegant example of thermal expansion and soil settlement." Mario and Rarity's jaws hung open as Maud pulled out a camera to take a picture of the fissure.
"Maud!" said Mario irritably, "We were asking if any of the objects Rarity was showing you caught your interest?"
"Just the fissure and the soil," Maud replied.
THUD!
Mario plopped to the floor in a comedic fashion as the sound of a kettle boiling came from Rarity as she bit her lower up.
"Fissure in thhhhhhhe soil...? What?!" Rarity spluttered, "But...! All of this...! And she likes a crack?!"
"And I thought shopping for presents for Fluttershy was a headache," said Mario as he face-hoofed himself.
"We already spoke to her about being firm with what she would like and what she wouldn't, darling," said Rarity before adding in frustration, "But I can certainly see your point in this particular situation!" Maud just walked away as Rarity fell into her back in a mock faint. Mario just held one of her fore-hooves and patted it in a comforting manner. It was then Pinkie popped out from the pile of leftover items.
"Did she like anything?" Pinkie asked.
"That sister of yours is simply impossible to shop for!" Rarity retorted angrily in a hushed tone, "There's nothing she needs or wants."
"You're better off just chipping off a chuck of the sidewalk and giving it to her!" Mario added, "it's all she seems interested in!"
"Boulder. Boulder. Where'd you run off to?" Maud called out until she found the said rock sitting on a counter, "There you are. Sure wish I had something to carry you around in." Pinkie winced, Rarity leaned back, looking dumbfounded, and Mario just groaned.
"Oh for the love of..." Mario remarked as he face-hoofed himself again.
"A rock pouch was the perfect gift for Maud!" said Pinkie, "Aw, and I know she would have loved the one I saw in the window! It had double stitching, a red drawstring..." As Pinkie was speaking, Rarity looked behind herself as a huge smile appeared in her face.
"...and ochre-flecked velvet lining with reinforced triple-crosshatched seams?" Rarity finished.
"Yep, that's the pouch," said Pinkie as she looked away sadly, but then blinked, "Wait, how'd you know?" Rarity pointed to a tan colored stallion with a double-toned grey mane and tail, wearing a red shirt, diamond stud earrings, and had the very rock pouch Pinkie was looking for. Pinkie now had a big smile on her face.
"Because, I'm looking at one just like it!" said Rarity, "Maybe if you can catch up with him, you could ask-"
ZOOOOM!
Pinkie was gone.
"Pinkie! Wait!" Mario called out.
"Just let her ask, darling," said Rarity, "The worst that can happen is that he'll say no."
"Maybe," said Mario, "but that guy doesn't look very...trustworthy."
"Oh, Mario," said Rarity, "you should never judge a pony by their cover. Besides, Pinkie Pie is a very smart pony. She won't let him swindle her. Now come on, let's walk around some more together. All the tension is making my joints stiff."
"Right, Rares," said Mario as he followed alongside the marshmallow mare. Deep down, he was very worried.
Back with Pinkie, she wasted no time rushing right up to the stallion and startling him.
"Excuse me, sir!" Pinkie said, "I couldn't help but notice your nifty rock pouch! Is there any chance you'd be willing to part with it? I really need it. Like, really-really-really!" Pinkie was now pleading on her hind knees to him.
"So lemme get this straight," said the stallion, whose name was Street Rat, "You, uh, really-really need this pouch, huh?"
"I believe I said really-really-really," Pinkie replied, still on her hind knees begging.
"Well, you know," said Street Rat with a sly tone, "pouches like this are really hard to come by these days. But I might be able to part with it for the right price."
"So you'll sell it to me?" Pinkie said excitedly in one breath, "And I'll finally be able to give my sister the perfect Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day present? Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Pinkie then pulled out her party cannon.
POP WHISTLE!
And fired it right into Street Rat's face.
"Hmm," said Street Rat, "that's one sweet party cannon you got there. Tell you what. I'd be more than happy to give you the pouch for the low, low price of...that cannon." Pinkie gasped dramatically.
"M-My...party cannon...?" Pinkie spluttered as she hugged her party cannon protectively.
"Well, if you really wanna give that sister of yours the perfect present," said Street Rat, "then you'll have to give up that party cannon. So, what do you say? The pouch for the cannon." Pinkie bit her lip and began to panic. She wasn't sure about what to do.
Meanwhile, Mario and Rarity were with Maud, who was now examining the fissure again.
"Do you see the exposed chalcedony in the fissure?" Maud asked the two ponies.
"Probably?" Rarity said sheepishly.
"Is that the rock closest to the flora that managed to grow inside the fissure?" Mario asked.
"That is correct," said Maud, "Glad to see you read my rock classification book I gave you for your birthday." Rarity glared at him jealously as Mario just smiled sheepishly.
"Thanks..." Mario replied modestly as he adjusted his beret. It was then Pinkie arrived.
"What you guys lookin' at?" Pinkie asked in a despondent tone.
"Oh, you're back!" said Rarity as she put a fore-hoof on Pinkie's shoulder and then turned to Maud, "Darling, I want to get one more picture of you with that astounding fissure in the sidewalk, and the inspiration just struck me for the perfect shot! Uh, be a dear and go stand behind it." Rarity then took the camera as Maud went to go stand on the other side of the fissure.
"Okay, now just, uh, back up a little bit!" said Rarity as Maud obeyed, "Little more! And now just a little...uh...twenty yards more!" Mario couldn't help but give Rarity a funny look as Maud actually obeyed so she was standing on the other end of the market.
"Perfect! Now hold that pose!" said Rarity as Mario just rolled his eyes behind her, "I think we found your new holiday card!"
"Good grief," Mario muttered to himself as he shook his head. He knew Maud wasn't that clueless and wondered why she hadn't blown the whistle about what was going on. Maud had to know what they were up too. Right?
"So, how did it go?" Rarity asked anxiously to Pinkie in a hushed tone, "Tell me, tell me, tell me!" Pinkie just gave her a glum look.
"Well, I got the rock pouch for Maud," Pinkie said plainly, "and...that's really the only thing that matters."
"Oh, I'm so glad to hear that!" said Rarity, "She's going to absolutely love it!"
"Yup," said Pinkie in the same tone. Mario and Rarity were both stunned.
""Yup"?" said Rarity, "You got your sister the greatest PSSSD present in the history of ever, and all you can say is "yup"?"
"Yup," Pinkie repeated as she leaned against a counter and batted some hanging necklaces with her fore-hoof. Now Mario was feeling very concerned.
"But...you're Pinkie Pie," Rarity spluttered before Mario could reply, "You're supposed to be all..." Rarity then made Mario's jaw hit the floor as she imitated Pinkie's usual over the top behavior.
"Oh, I'm so excited I bought the rock pouch!" Rarity said quickly as she jumped up and down like Pinkie would do, "And I know I say excited a lot when I'm actually just kind of excited, but this time I'm really excited about how excited I am about being this excited over the rock pouch!" As Rarity continued talking like Pinkie, she then started bouncing about, even doing a wrap around from one end of the screen to the next and even did a high leap into the air and shook all four of her legs like she had eaten too much sugar. She then went back to being normal once she finished her sentence.
"And then you fire off your party cannon," Rarity finished in a normal but blunt tone. Mario just blinked.
"I didn't know you could bounce about like Pinkie, Rares," said Mario in surprise.
"Guess after all these years, her personality just rubs off on me from time to time," said Rarity, "I've seen you have your Pinkie Pie moments where you act just like her too."
"And surprisingly," said Mario slowly, "I'm totally okay about it. Guess I don't mind having a little Pinkie in my personality after all."
"Just shows how close you two are a friends, darling," said Rarity, "You do love your sister after all."
"I also love my twinsie," said Mario as the two shared a chuckle and a hug. Pinkie, however, just remained glum and didn't bother to look back or even smile.
"Say, where is your party cannon?" Rarity asked and then gasped, "Did you lose it? Is your party cannon lost somewhere in the big city?!"
"Calm down, Rares," said Mario, "In all the years I've known my little sister, she's never managed to lose her party cannon. Well...there were a few occasions, but then she managed to find it in the most strangest of places."
"True," said Pinkie as she looked at the two ponies, "Well...I wouldn't say it's lost. I mean, I know where it is. It's just..." Pinkie just sighed as she turned away from them.
"Pinkie..." said Mario gently, "you're starting to sound like me when I get the case of the blues."
"Mario's right about that," said Rarity, "We can clearly see that something's bothering you, and we want to help, but we can't help you unless you tell us what the problem is."
"Yeah, Pinks," said Mario, "You can tell us. What's got you so sad baby sister?"
"Oh, there's no problem," said Pinkie in her dreary tone, "It just turns out that the going rate for a rock pouch in Manehattan is one party cannon. Who knew?"
"WHAT?!" Mario exclaimed loudly in shock and anger.
"You gave away your cannon?!" Rarity exclaimed dramatically, "But, but that party cannon is your everything! You absolutely love that cannon! How could you possibly part with something that means so much to you?!" Rarity then put both her fore-hooves to Pinkie's cheeks as she looked the pink pony in the eye as she pointed a fore-hoof into the air.
"Well, I finally got Maud a gift that's just as good as the ones she always gets me," Pinkie said with a sad smile on her face, "and that's all that really matters."
"Well, I guess I understand...maybe," said Rarity with plenty of uncertainty in her tone. Mario just shook his head disapprovingly.
"Wait till I get my hooves on that stallion," said Mario angrily, "No rock pouch is worth giving up your party cannon over!"
"It was for me!" Pinkie snapped angrily, "What if a pony owned a super rare book and the only way you could get it for Twilight was giving up your priceless solid gold locomotive?" Mario's eyes shrunk as he gave a strained whinny.
"Are we...talking about the solid gold train with diamond crusted wheels and side rods Cadance gave me for my fourth birthday?" Mario said meekly.
"The same train!" said Pinkie, "If Twilight wanted that book more than anything, would you give up your train? Even if you knew deep down inside that no book was worth your gold train, but doing so would make your wife happy?" Mario cringed but then sighed in defeat.
"Point is...well said," said Mario as he sighed, "I guess I do understand too."
"Maud's going to be so excited," said Pinkie, "I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees the pouch!"
"I know," said Maud as she suddenly rejoined the group, "the camera loves Boulder."
"I'm surprised Boulder hasn't auditioned for National Geography Magazine," Mario remarked.
"He's not interested in being famous," said Maud as Rarity and Mario shared wearily smiles with each other.
Soon, the group headed to Manehattan park, where several ponies were walking about, playing games, and even riding some swam boats. The four ponies were now sitting on a checkered pattern blanket that Mario had brought. He and Rarity sat next to each other while Pinkie and Maud sat across from each other and faced one another.
"After the day we've had, I'm probably looking forward to the swap part of Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day even more than the two of you!" said Rarity with a giggle, "and I'm not even a Pie sister! I can't wait one more second to see the wonderful gifts you've gotten each other!"
"Present time, present time, open your present and see what's inside!" Mario sing sang and then tossed some confetti into the air.
"Nice confetti toss," said Pinkie, "Thought next time, try tossing the confetti a little more of an angle so it spreads out more."
"Sorry," said Mario sheepishly, "I don't toss confetti as often as you do. Besides, I'm just as excited about the gift exchange as Rarity. I can't wait!"
"Well, you two are gonna have to," said Pinkie, "We don't just swap, silly. We always sing the Pie Sister' Surprise Swap Day Song first! Ready, Maud?"
"As I'll ever be," Maud replied. It was then Pinkie started singing and dancing behind her.
[Pinkie Pie]
It's the Pie Sister's Swap Day Soooooong!
[Maud]
Hey
Mario chuckled.
"I'd love to see how Limestone and Marble act when Pinkie does the song," Mario said to Rarity in whisper.
"What do you mean?" Rarity whispered back.
"Limestone can be rather grumpy," Mario explained, "and Marble never talks cause Pinkie doesn't let her."
"Can't imagine how that feels," Rarity remarked.
"I know right?" Mario replied as they both chuckled to each other.
"Okay, time to swap presents!" said Pinkie as she sat back down and pulled out a nicely wrapped package and set it down in front of her. Maud then did the same with a tube like package that was wrapped in some brown paper wrapping. Then each sister grabbed their own present. Mario and Rarity watched anxiously as she saw Maud just shifting her present about and Pinkie used her tongue to lick her present. Rarity and Mario were getting more and more antsy by the second as their eyes shifted from one Pie sister to the next. Soon the suspense got to be too much for the two ponies.
"JUST OPEN THEM ALREADY!" Mario and Rarity both shouted. Maud went first, ripped the paper off and pulled the pouch out from the box.
"Thanks," said Maud in her usual tone.
"I know you'd love it!" said Pinkie with a teary smile on her face as Maud put Boulder into the pouch, "It was all worth it! Look how happy she is! And I couldn't have done it without you both. Thank you, Rarity and Mario." Pinkie then gave the two ponies a hug.
"Aw, you're welcome-yipe!" Mario yelped as Pinkie then shoved Mario and Rarity away.
"Okay!" said Pinkie excitedly, "Time to open your present to me!" Pinkie then opened her package and looked inside of it.
"Oh! You did it again!" said Pinkie happily, "You got me the best present in the history of PSSSD! This is perfect! This is amazing! This is incredible! I love it, love it, love it!" Pinkie then blinked.
"What is it?" Pinkie asked, now looking puzzled.
"It's little pieces of cupcake-scented paper," said Maud, "you know, confetti. For your cannon." Mario winced discreetly as Pinkie just got choked up.
"Maud..." Pinkie sniffled and gave her older sister a hug, "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 then for-ever." Pinkie then just sighed happily as she held her sister. Mario and Rarity just exchanged smiles with each other as Mario put a fore-leg around the marshmallow mare's shoulder.
Later, Maud, Rarity, and Mario walked up to a giant rock that was just resting in the park.
"You're right, that is impressive," said Rarity, "But it's no fissure on the sidewalk."
"True," said Mario, "but you gotta wonder how it got here considering ponies had to build the park around it."
"That is a good question," said Rarity. Maud said nothing as she set Boulder in front of it.
"Play nice," Maud told the rock. Mario looked a little puzzled.
"Why would...oh never mind," said Mario, "I'm living proof that the little one can beat up the big one."
"That's why I told Boulder to play nice," said Maud, "He can be a bit territorial."
"I believe it," said Mario wearily.
"Oh, I'm so relieved to see that you like the pouch," said Rarity, "Especially considering what Pinkie Pie had to give up for it."
"Rarity!" Mario hissed.
"Oh!" Rarity gasped as she covered her mouth with a fore-hoof.
"What?" Maud asked.
"I mean...forget I said that!" said Rarity as Mario smiled nervously, "I'm, I-I-I'm glad to see that you like the pouch. You can remember that part. Just forget the second part. You know, the second part where I said that Pinkie Pie had to give something up-"
"Rarity!" Mario snapped, making Rarity shriek.
"Perhaps I should just stop talking now," said Rarity, "Nothing!"
"You should've stopped talking right after you said "forget I said that"," Mario retorted thought his teeth. Rarity just glared back at him until they saw Pinkie a short distance away.
"Hee-hee, yay!" Pinkie cheered as she tossed about her new confetti, "I love my sister and my new confetti!"
"Why isn't she using per party cannon?" Maud asked Rarity and Mario.
"Gahhh..." Rarity stuttered.
"Ehh..." Mario stuttered as well until Rarity stamped her hoof into some dirt, getting it dirty.
"Ooh! Wow, look how filthy my hooves are!" Rarity said, "I really should go wash them!" Mario just stared until Rarity jabbed him with a fore-knee to say something.
"Ooh! Oh yes, I just remembered!" Mario added, "I need to use the little colts room. We'll see you...WAH-HA-HA!" Mario yelped as he and Rarity turned to leave when Maud suddenly appeared in their way after they had only taken two steps away from her!
"Where's her cannon?" Maud asked and then stared at the two ponies. Rarity and Mario began to panic as Maud gave her own version of "The Stare".
"No, no, stop, stop giving me that look!" Rarity pleaded as she and Mario took a few steps back.
"Make it stop! Make it sto-o-op!" Mario begged desperately as the two ponies held each other fearfully, but Maud didn't back down.
"We can't take it! Nnnnn..." Rarity retorted trying to resist, but it was losing battle. Mario couldn't take anymore as tears were pricking his eyes.
"Rarity, just tell her," Mario pleaded as Rarity saw Mario was going to cry.
"Pinkie Pie feels bad that the gifts that she always gives you are never as good as the ones that you give her!" Rarity said quickly.
"What?" said Maud.
"That's why she was willing to give up the party cannon for the pouch!" Rarity finished.
"She heard you say that you wished you had a pouch to carry Boulder and was willing to do anything to get you one," Mario added sadly, "especially after the specialty store that sold the pouches was closed!"
"She gave up her party cannon?" Maud said blankly as she saw Pinkie put some of the confetti on her fore-hoof and blew it away.
"Pinkie Pie!" Rarity called out, "You might want to come over here for a second!"
"We need to talk to you about something," Mario added, "like now!"
"I think I know what this is about," said Pinkie with a sly smirk on her face, "You guys wanna ride the swans. Well, there are swan boats, but there are real swans here we can ri-" Pinkie was then cut off Maud shoved her nose into Pinkie's.
"You gave away your party cannon?" Maud asked. Pinkie leaned to the side to look at Rarity and Mario. Rarity inhaled as Mario just sniffled.
"She broke us," Rarity said sadly.
"It was worst than Fluttershy's stare!" Mario cried out and then started sobbing dramatically. Rarity pulled him into a hug and patted his back.
"There, there, darling," said Rarity gently, "it's all over now." Pinkie then noticed that Maud hadn't backed down.
"Nnngh, it's just...it's just..." Pinkie stuttered, "You always give better presents than me! That's why I had to get you the perfect gift!" There was brief silence where Maud finally backed down, said nothing, and then just walked away. Pinkie, Rarity, and Mario, who had calmed down, all looked very concerned.
"Are your hooves dirty?" Pinkie called out, "Where're you going?"
"To get your cannon back," said Maud as she looked back at the three ponies and then kept walking away. Pinkie, Rarity, and Mario all shared worried looks with each other before they went after the bluish-grey pony.
The sun was already setting as they continued to follow Maud without saying a single word to her or each other. Then Maud suddenly stopped walking.
"There," said Maud as she pointed a fore-hoof across the street. There was Street Rat, smirking as he was busy polishing Pinkie's party cannon.
"Yep!" said Pinkie, "That sure is the pony I got the pouch from!"
"That's amazing!" said Rarity impressively, "How did you know where he'd be?"
"Maud Sense," said Maud, which made Rarity and Mario blink.
"Runs in the family!" said Pinkie proudly.
"And don't try to question it either," Mario advised to Rarity, "You're medical expenses will thank you later."
"I still can't believe you let Twilight drag you into trying to figure out the Pinkie Sense and got yourself injured so much from the research," said Rarity, "Why did you let her do that to you?" Mario smiled sheepishly and sighed.
"Because back then I thought if I said anything, she wouldn't want to be my friend anymore," said Mario, "Remember this was before the Gala. Before I told you guys I was afraid to speak up for myself."
"Well, now you know that you can stand up for yourself and you're friends won't leave you or love you less," said Pinkie and Rarity nodded in agreement. Mario smiled. By now, Maud had already made her way across the street and tapped Street Rat on his back.
"I'd like to return this pouch for my sister's party cannon, please," Maud told the stallion.
"Sorry, missy," said Street Rat as he started walking away with the party cannon, "All sales are final." He was then stunned to see Maud had instantly reappeared in front of him.
"I'd like to return this pouch for my sister's party cannon, please," Maud repeated but in a more forceful tone. Rarity and Mario then approached the stallion.
"Ooh, I've never seen her like this!" said Rarity, "Look at the fire in her eyes! You'd better do what she says!"
"My sister is right," said Mario, "when the fire appears in that mare's eyes, it will burn into your soul and torment you for all of eternity!" Mario made a face filled with fear as he sank slowly to the ground. Maud just stared at the stallion in the same way she had with Rarity and Mario. The stallion just looked rather puzzled.
"Fire in her eyes?" Street Rat remarked in confusion, "burning my soul?!"
"Oh! Did she just clench her jaw?!" Rarity said fearfully and Mario cringed and held her close as the former stuck her face into Street Rat's, "I think she clenched her jaw!" Street Rat began to sweat a little, feeling rather frazzled and confused.
"I didn't see," said Street Rat timidly.
"Oh, no!" Rarity gasped dramatically as Mario held her fearfully, "When she clenches your jaw...you know what that means?!"
"What?" Street Rat asked, now starting to panic, "What's it mean?"
"Trust me, you do not want to know!" Rarity told him sternly.
"In other words, you're doomed," Mario said darkly.
"I'd like to return this pouch," said Maud as she continued her stare. In less than two seconds, Street Rat cracked.
"Here! Take it, take it, please!" Street Rat whimpered as he squatted down and cowered in fear, "Just relax that jaw of yours and turn down that fire in your eyes! I don't want my soul burning for eternity!" He then whimpered again as Maud gave him back the pouch and pushed the cannon toward her. Pinkie, Rarity and Mario smirked to each other. Of course Mario and Rarity couldn't help but share a hoof-bump with each other. Their little trick had worked.
Later, Maud was just walking down the street when Pinkie rolled up to her while riding her party cannon.
"Maud!" said Pinkie as she hugged her cannon, "I'm so happy you got me my party cannon back! Yay!"
POP WHISTLE!
Pinkie fired the cannon happily and then jumped into the air. But then her moment of joy was stopped when she realized something.
"Uh-oh," said Pinkie as she came back down, "I just realized something. 'Cause you gave back the pouch for the cannon, this is now the second gift you've gotten me today! And it's something I really, really wanted! You did it again! You gifts are always better than mine! Next year, I'm gonna have to really step it up and-" Pinkie was cut off when Maud put a fore-hoof over the pink pony's mouth.
"Pinkie, gift giving isn't a competition," Maud told her, "it's an expression of love, and you always make sure to give your gifts lots of love. That's why I'll always love them, and you, five-ever! That's even longer than for-ever." Maud give Pinkie a very rare smile.
"Awww!" Pinkie cooed as the two sisters shared a hug together. It was then Rarity and Mario arrived.
"There you two are!" said Pinkie, "You've sure been washing your hooves for a long time! We've got a train to catch here!"
"We know, but there is one more sight you two simply must see before we leave," said Rarity.
"Allow me to escort you ladies to our destination," said Mario in a formal tone and bowed his head and waved his beret with a fore-hoof. Rarity and Pinkie giggled at Mario's chivalrous behavior.
The map then showed the group heading to another location where Rarity stood by what was currently an empty but rather spacious storefront.
"Voila!" said Rarity, "Welcome to the future home of "Rarity for You"! And just so you know, the store name was Mario's idea. He found my name would make for a catchier name than his own, which is true, but I still feel bad I couldn't include him in the name." Mario just patted Rarity's shoulder supportively when they both noticed that Pinkie and Maud were just staring at the building. Their silence made Rarity and Mario nervous.
"What do you think of the place?" Rarity asked anxiously, "Is this the right location? Did we pick a good spot?"
"Think we'll draw enough customers here?" Mario asked in the same tone, "Did we make the right call?"
"No," said Maud, leaving the two ponies shocked, "You picked the perfect spot." Rarity and Mario both smiled, relieved that their two friends did like the location.
"You know, I think this might be my favorite PSSSD ever!" said Pinkie, "But I can't wait 'til next year's PSSS-D-W-R-M!"
"Wait...PSSS-D-W-R-M?" Rarity asked, making faces as she tried to say the acronym.
"What's that?" Mario asked curiously.
"It's a new tradition that Maud and I came up with!" Pinkie told the two ponies, "Pie Sisters' Surprise Swap Day..."
"...With Rarity and Mario," Maud finished. Rarity and Mario felt tears prick their eyes as they smiled.
"Aw, Pinkie, Maud..." said Mario as he put a fore-hoof to his heart.
"Oh! Ohh! Why, that's the sweetest..." Rarity said with gratitude before a realization hit her, "Oh, no. Oh, no-no-no-no-no-no. I know how good you are two are at giving gifts! I'm going to have to get you both something amazing, and I only have a year to do it!"
"Ugh, you're right, Rares," said Mario as he began to panic, "You all deserve the best and I have to make sure each gift is the best that I can offer! Oh so many ideas...so little time..."
"Oh, Rarity!" said Pinkie, "It doesn't matter what you get us! As long as you give your gift with love, it'll be perfect!" She then gave the marshmallow pony a hug as she gave Maud a wink. Maud winked back at her sister in a very sluggish manner.
"Why, thank you, Pinkie," said Rarity as the pink pony let go and turned to Mario.
"As for you, big brother," said Pinkie in a firm tone, "you need to give yourself some more credit. Ever since we've become friends, you always blow everypony away with these amazing gifts. I have no worries that your gift next year will be something amazing," Pinkie then leaned in and whispered, "You have a better chance at beating Maud for the best gift, but you didn't hear that from me." Mario chuckled.
"I didn't hear a word," said Mario, giving the pink pony a wink.
"Buuut now that you mention it..." said Pinkie as she grabbed her party cannon, "I could use more confetti for my party cannon. You wouldn't believe how much of that stuff I go through in a day!"
POP WHISTLE!
Pinkie than fired more confetti into the air. Mario smiled.
"Well, this might not be confetti, Pinks," said Mario, "but..." He then surprised Pinkie by using his magic to place a barrette clip in the design and color of her cutie mark into her mane. She then did the same to Rarity. Since he didn't know what Maud's cutie mark looked like, he just placed a very simple pink gem barrette clip into Maud's mane.
"Thank you," said Maud.
"Oh Mario, you shouldn't have!" said Rarity as she admired her barrette.
"Well, all this talk about siblings and gift made me want to give you two something," said Mario, "Maud told earlier that she considers me a sibling too. So this is just my way of saying how much I love you guys. And I got barrette clips for the other sisters in my life and my wife. I even found Shenran a dual sword gem pin for his sword sheathe."
"Well aren't you the sweetest," said Pinkie and then her smile flipped over, "Awww...but we don't have anything for you!"
"You guys are my friends and call me your honorary brother," said Mario, "You love me and are helping me deal with my gloominess. That's enough of a gift in my point of view."
"That's very humble and sweet," said Rarity, "but we are not leaving the city until we each find you a present. After all..." Rarity stood to the right of him while Pinkie and Maud stood at his life.
"We love you, Mario!" Rarity and Pinkie cooed as they made smooching noises as they pecked his cheeks.
"Yes we do, ya big dork," Maud added. Despite her deadpan tone, Mario knew Maud was teasing him and gave her an annoyed look.
"Oh, now don't you go start calling me that too!" Mario warned.
"Isn't he the cutest thing?!" Rarity and Pinkie teased and then laughed. And Maud, for the third time that day, cracked a smile. Mario just blushed and rolled his eyes. But was soon smiling afterwards.
As much as he still had an issue with teasing, he didn't really mind this kind of teasing.
He knew it was out of love.
There! I finally put Luigi in the story. Now you know he's a pizzeria owner in Manehattan and not a plumber. Plus they are not related.
And if you're puzzled as to why I had Mario have that Monopoly fanboy moment. It was just my way of reminding you readers that he's alot like Twilight in terms of being a bit nerdy and geeky. I mean...do you find Mario a-dork-able? (and I get it. This is like the Twilight moment from Equestria Girls, and I'll say it again...I. AM. NOT. PLANNING. TO. DO. EQUESTRIA GIRLS YET. Thank you...)
I also tried to show that Mario has learned to better understand Maud's behavior and even taken the time to learn a few geometric terms to help her open up with conversations. I mean...he got Maud to smile three times in one day! Who else other than a certain stallion is season eight has accomplished that?
Next time: Mario helps the CMC with the next chapter of their lives. Now that they have their cutie marks, where will they go from here?
Peace Pony Fans!