A REWRITTEN FAMILY HISTORY

The Plot Thickens both on the show and in this little world I've crafted...I've just come up with a fun twist that if I pull the trigger and roll with it should drop around the chapters 33-35 range...I'm also now into chapters I have written after this present run has started and so if you haven't seen episode 3x9 The Put a Moonlander on the Earth there may be some spoilers as I drew some inspiration from that episode

It had only been a fortnight since Penumbra and her fellow Moonlanders had been stranded on earth and it had been just shy of a fortnight since she had been trying to build a ship to return to the moon. She had assumed that whether Lunaris succeeded in his takeover or failed like he had that she would have taken at least a small group of her people back to Tranquility however instead here she was.

"Stupid Gravity," she muttered to herself as the sound of a tool falling crashed down from the rafter she'd been working on to the floor a ways below.

"Careful you could have taken someone's eye out," Della replied from below causing the moonlander to smile. Della was the only thing keeping her sane about her whole situation as she'd grown fond of the duck who had called Tranquility her home for the past few years for better or worse.

"If I wanted to incapacitate someone's retinas, believe me, I know where to aim."

She listened to Della as she let out a slight chuckle clearly knowing that it was the truth.

"So...this is just like old times...except instead of me fixing my rocket and plotting my escape it's you."

Some time ago on the moon…

Penumbra had stood in the distance as she watched Della begin to rebuild her ship.

"So, what do you miss most about earth?" She asked with a curious gaze as she took a step closer to the outsider before handing her a tool.

"Thanks," Della replied. Penumbra watched as the duck began to work some more on her project before stopping to take a seat in a more relaxed position. "What I miss most...well that's a loaded question. I know I should say that what I miss the most is my family but what I want to say is warm showers."

As Della let out a laugh, Penumbra just tilted her head. She didn't know what a shower was and what was so special about a warm one however she did like it when she saw her companion smile.

"So, tell me more about your family, you said you had some small Della's."

"Three Boys, they hadn't hatched yet when I left however sometimes I like to pass the time trying to imagine what they are like."

"I bet they have your smile."

"I'd like to think at least one of them has their fathers know it all smirk."

Nodding Penumbra handed Della a tool that she needed thinking that if she had ever met the earth male who had stolen Della's heart she'd have to compliment him on his craftsmanship as she'd seen the initial blueprints for the ship that was in the process of being rebuilt and they were impressive.

"Why the rush to leave so soon anyway Pen? The other Moonlanders seem to be settling in..I hear Gibus even has a job. Granted it's with Glomgold who will eat him alive."

"Cannibalism!" she exclaimed climbing down off the rafter to stand toe to toe with her friend.

"An expression."

She would never get used to earth speak she thought to herself as she let out a sigh.

"Back on Tranquility I had a purpose, I was a warrior, a leader...but here…"

"You're one of my best friends, here to help me celebrate what is sure to be the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! Well, in the past decade at least."

Only for Della would she agree to go out for this 'girls day' whatever that entailed though it wouldn't be her first time leaving the confines of the garage where she'd been hunkered down for the better part of the last two weeks.

"I did go out once, for Earth Coffee."

Making a face of disgust as she thought about the ordeal wondering if that was how all earth outings were like and if so she really wasn't looking forward to the afternoon even if it would make her friend smile.

"And," Della spoke, her eyes lighting up with a sense of eagerness and excitement at just the thought that she had stepped out of the garage.

"It was horrible...so BITTER, why do you earthlings like it so much?"

"I take it you didn't add cream and sugar to it?" Della said with a simple shake of her head making her now realize that was why Launchpad had poured many many many packets of a white powdery substance into his mug.

Penumbra shook her head.

"Negative, instead I slammed the mug down and stormed out. Little Della popped her head in later that day saying something about going viral whatever that meant."

Watching as Della pulled out a device she had she had learnt was called a phone, Penumbra watched as her friend began to type in a few things before her beak soon opened up to a shocked expression.

"That bad huh?" Penumbra asked.

"YOU WENT ON A DATE WITH LAUNCHPAD!"

"He asked me out for coffee and I thought I'd try to at least make an effort and….no wonder why he's been acting strange-er then usual around me the past few days. He probably thinks I hate him after storming off."

"And do you?"

Penumbra shook her head not knowing that at the moment Launchpad had been making his way toward the garage, pausing when he heard the duo conversing about him.

"Sure, he comes on a bit...strong...but if I WERE to remain here on earth for a while he'd make an adequate companion."

"Just a companion?"

She could just see the visions of double dates dancing in Della's head and she hated to burst her bubble but she knew she had no choice.

"I'm not interested in earth males," Penumbra spoke matter of factly waiting to see what Della's reaction to that confession would be. Would Della realize that she was harboring a pathetic one sided crush that would never be reciprocated beyond a platonic level?

"I'm sure Launchpad will understand."

"I do understand," Launchpad replied as he moved into the room letting out a slight sigh, "Relieved actually. I've never had a bad date before and so when you stormed off I just thought you really REALLY didn't like me."

Penumbra shook her head before removing her helmet, a sign that she was letting her guard down if only ever so slightly.

"As far as earth males go you're an okay guy."

She watched as Launchpad shrugged back his shoulders proudly before running a hand through his hair.

"We should have a do over sometimes...as friends...maybe burgers?"

"I'll think about it," she replied as she watched as Launchpad began to leave the room before turning on his heels.

"I almost forgot, Della, I got you something."

Penumbra decided to let them have their moment as she climbed back up toward the rafter though she supposed that she wasn't going to continue to work but instead listened in to the conversation.

"A mixtape," Della said with a surprising look, "I didn't think people made these anymore."

"I know. But I drove Dewey to a music shop in St. Canard last week and we got to talking about your old mix tapes and all the years of music that you missed and we thought making you a new mixtape would be something fun and retro and…."

"I love it," Della replied, tilting herself on her toes and giving him a quick hug before he actually did head out.

"He's sweet on you too I see," Penumbra called down from the rafter when she had been sure that Launchpad had left the room.

"We're old friends, honestly he's practically another brother to me."

Penumbra nodded thinking that while there was a sparkle in the way that Launchpad looked at Della that was NOT there when Donald looked at her nothing came close to the way it looked whenever her friend laid eyes on that...chicken of hers. Speaking of sparkle it was in that moment that another being had entered the room. The ibis had an ethereal glow about her with her flowing white dress and delicate features. She watched Della and the ibis gave one another air kisses on the cheek before taking one another's hands.

"I missed you so much!" the Ibis spoke.

"I've missed you more." Della replied as they then embraced. Once they pulled back Della turned toward her with a smile.

"Penumbra this is Selene, goddess of the moon, Selene this is Penumbra my bestie when I was living on the moon...I'm so glad that you've finally met. The three of us are going to be such good friends I can already tell."

Penumbra nodded her head in agreement however at the same time she doubted that she'd ever be friends with someone so...so..bubbly.