Flight of the Avali: Season 2

After only a few moments they arrived at where Dash and Einuli had settled down. Twilight having arrived a bit earlier thanks to her flight.

“All she’s done so far…” Einuli was muttering.

“I know. After everything that’s happened I know you, and everypony else is on edge and… after nearly dying, you especially. But… we’ve gotten a little too mad at her. She’s… not very social.” Twilight was explaining.

“Tha-”

“Einuli. Just… listen. She won’t take social cues, or anything of that nature. She’s… strange like that. But… just wait until we get her underground, alright? I’m sure we’ll be making off with a haul. Don’t worry.” Twilight assured.

“How can…”

“You, knock it off. You are making things worse.” Twilight cut Dash off. “Just… apologize. You and I both know she won’t.” She tapped her foot. “Do you both understand me?”

“Yeesss mother…” Dash groaned.

Einuli was quiet, his ears twitching slightly.

“Einuli?” Twilight asked.

“Sorry… I thought i heard something.” He sighed quietly, turning back around. “Fine… I’ll apologize.”

“Thank you. And… after we’re back, I’ll make sure she won’t come breaking down doors again… she was told just to find us… and that’s more than likely what lead to all of this.” Twilight smiled slightly. “Though… I will have to talk with Pinkie… no more ponies are allowed up without permission.”

Both Dash and Einuli returned to the group.

“Maud, I’m… sorry I snapped at you.” Dash said.

“It’s fine.” Maud replied.

“And, I’m sorry I snapped too… just…”

“It’s fine.”

“Alright…” Einuli sighed. “We should… get going on the exploration.”

“So, what ores are we looking for exactly?” Maud asked, occasionally tapping her foot against the ground.

“Tungsten, gold, silver, iron, copper… anything is good really.” Suzy said.

“About fifty feet below us, large vein of I believe iron.” Maud stated, stopping on the spot.

Everyone else stopped completely. “What.” Suzy said, now digging through her sack. She pulled out a hand held device, one which Einuli knew to be the Ore Detector. “Hold the hell up… there can’t be a large vein of…” She activated it. Within seconds she froze up. “And she’s right.”

“There’s also some other ore just under it.” Maud added. “I don’t know what it is, as I don’t recognize the sound.”

“Sound?” Einuli asked.

“Just… she’s on the same level as Pinkie, don’t question her.” Starlight said.

“One is… harsh. I don’t know what it is, but it seems important, there’s only a small amount of it.” Maud continued.

“Tungsten and… god damn it she found Densium.” Suzy said. “I think Dandy might just hug you after this.”

“So.” Maud began.

“Well… she’s useful. Definitely useful.” Suzy looked to the others. “I say she stays.”

“I told you she’d prove herself.” Twilight grinned.

“Let’s… just get Dandy and the others out here, we can set up a small quarry, that way we don’t get trapped… and, well… She might have to get samples of the other ores.” Einuli nodded slowly.

“This thing is worthless compared to her… It didn’t even detect the other ores until I moved and she… just found all of them at once.” Suzy put the Ore Detector away.

“I was… more than wrong about you.” Einuli fully apologized.

“Einuli. Stop, it’s fine.” Maud stated, “I know I damaged somethings, and I do want to make up for it.”

“Keep up this good work and you’ll more than make up for it… hell, you might be able to join the crew eventually.” Suzy joked. “But, first lets extract these ores… Don’t want to let a good vein of anything go to waste.”

Thirty Minutes Later:

After digging for a little bit with a mixture of lasers and pickaxes, they reached the ores.

Sure, what they found wasn’t what they were looking for but they weren’t willing to pass up the Densium. Now it was fully realized, they had been treating Maud a little terribly. Though, she was quite alright to just forgive them, much to Dandy’s honest surprise. He was used to others holding grudges.

“Well… Um, when we do head fully underground… I say, we all…”

“If you are… I’ll slow you guys down.” Einuli said. “If you find a shaft… set up a teleporter of some kind, and I’ll come down regularly to check on everyone.”

“Einuli…”

“Look, I know you want me down there… but I’d just be a risk. I can’t really supply much additional strength that we already don’t have tenfold of. But, if I’m needed I won’t waste time in coming down.” Einuli said with a smile. “And… I just need a bit of time on my own.” He teleported himself back up to the ship.

“Dandy.. Wh…”

“Just leave him be. If he wants to be alone, no need in stressing him out by breaking th-”

“He’s depressed.” Maud said simply.

“W… I don’t think he is… he just feels…” Suzy began.

“No. He’s depressed. I’ve seen those reactions before. I may not pick up on much, but, dealing with Pinkie… you know when somepony’s depressed and hiding it.” Maud said. “I’d go up to help him, but I’m more useful down here, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, we’d honestly prefer your help.” Dandy nodded.

“Dash, you’d be useless underground.” Maud stated.

“I wo...uld not be.” Dash huffed.

“Go up and make sure he’s alright.” Maud said firmly. “You’re more useful helping him then falling asleep underground.”

“I… Alright.” Dash didn’t even fight, she teleported herself up to the ship.

“Wow.” Ayaka muttered.

“Those two care about each other a lot.” Maud said. “He’d listen to her the most out of any of us.”

“You aren’t wrong…” Suzy said.

“So… uh, when are we going underground?” Spike spoke up.

“We started a mine in the camp, and found a cave entrance… we’re going to begin there.” Dandy said. “Everyone… let’s fall back to camp.”