Dear Maria,
I just got some news from Ms. and Mr. Cake, and I honestly don't know what to think about it. It makes sense, inevitable really, as this building can only house so small, and they're growing up so fast...
They haven't told Pinkie yet as she's out in Canterlot for a Hostess conference. (Glad she decided to go to that, even if it sounded really boring) I don't know how Pinkie's going to take this... but I have a feeling it's not going to go over too well.
Love,
Shadow
"YOU'RE WHAT?!"
Pinkie was shocked to hear the news.
Mr. And Ms. Cake were playing with their children as an order of cupcakes were baking. They were all in the kitchen. Shadow was at work. Pinkie was about to go start her shift at the bakery.
Ms. Cake spoke until she was cut off. "Now I know this is going to be a big adjustment Pinkie-"
Pinkie interrupted her, at first still loud, but quickly changing her tone. "YOU'RE- You've both decided you're moving out?"
Mr. Cake picked up Pound. "This is still our main business Pinkie, but the twins are growing, and they need more space. We need more space."
"But there's plenty of space here!" Pinkie protested, waving her hoof around her.
Ms. Cake laughed lightly. She turned to Pinkie and walked up to her. "Pinkie, you'll still get to see us everyday." Ms. Cake put a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. "And besides, you and Shadow need this space too."
"But, I-"
Ms. Cake interrupted her. "It'll be fine deary. This is just a small change."
Ms. Cake turned around to get the cupcakes out of the oven, while Pinkie's expression fell.
"O-Okay. I understand."
She turned with defeat and solemnly walked out of the kitchen to start her counter shift.
As the day went on, Pinkie was less chipper than usual. The Cakes began boxing up their belongings, and one by one, the hallway became crowded with them.
When Pinkie finished her counter shift, she went to play with the twins. They were playing hide and seek, the twins hiding and Pinkie searching.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are!"
She bounced up the stairs, hearing a silent giggle from one of them. She smiled, and looked around the hallway. Boxes were everywhere, some filled with kitchenware, some with clothing, etc. Pinkie ignored it as she searched for the kin. She didn't want to think about it too much. She noticed a tuft of orange hair in one box, and heard another giggle. Pinkie giggled, walking up to the box. When she did, the twins popped out of the box, giggling with glee.
"Found us!"
Pinkie smiled at them at first. "He he! I Did!"
She noticed the box they were in. She remembered that this wasn't going to last. She picked up the twins and hugged them. "I'm going to miss this."
She couldn't help but tear up.
"Untie Pinkie?" Pound Cake said, hearing a slight whimper from her.
Pinkie held the twins back to look at their faces. Pumpkin Cake looked sad. "Why cry?"
Pinkie quickly wiped her tears and put on a smile."I-I'm fine, Pound, Pumpkin."
She put the Cake twins down. "Let's go play upstairs alright?"
Pinkie was bouncing on her bed with the twins, trying to forget they were ever leaving. As they were, Shadow walked into their room, setting down a bag of paperwork, his quills were a little frizzled.
"What's happening in here?"
The twins got super excited to see their favorite unrelated uncle. "Unkl Shady!" They hopped off the bed and ran over to him, Shadow greeting them as he always did.
"Hey little ones."
He walked past them as Pinkie bounced off her bed and over to him, giving him a hug. "It's good to see you today."
She kissed his cheek, then noticed the slightly messy quills. She giggled. "What happened?"
Shadow sounded a little grumpy. "Go into a scuffle at GUN. Recently an insider's been stealing information. The place is now on high surveillance and everyone's being questioned. I brought some paperwork home for safety reasons."
Pinkie hugged him, lending him a light joke. "Heh, you have weekend homework now?"
Shadow sighed slightly. "I'm not planning on bringing them back until I can figure out who has the stolen information, and who is responsible."
He let go of her, and petted her head. "But, I probably shouldn't bother you with all that drama. Did the Cakes tell you the news?"
Pinkie's smile twitched. "They already told you?"
Shadow nodded. "Before I went to work."
He noticed her wilted grin. "Are you alright?"
She sighed, and glanced away. Pinkie looked at the twins with remorse. "The Cakes have been like a second home for me. I've watched the twins grow up so fast.. Ms. Cake has taught me so many recipes.." She held her tears back, abruptly hugging Shadow tight.
"I'm not ready to say goodbye!"
"Pinks.."
Pumpkin and Pound Cake were saddened at their Aunt's sadness. "Auntie Pinkie Pie?..."
Pinkie relented to her husband. "I'm trying to stay strong, but it's so hard! So many memories were made, but-"
Shadow interrupted her, taking a long sigh and hugging her back. "Pinkie. Drastic changes will always be hard to deal with. But it'll be okay. They may not always be with you, you may see them less. But that doesn't make you any less important to them."
He pulled her back to look at her. "Mr. And Ms. Cake trust you. That's why they're letting you stay here. You've run their business well, and have been a good-hearted mare. It's time for them to get some new experiences."
Pinkie smiled weakly at his advice, even though he really didn't need to. "Thanks." She glanced away.
"But it still doesn't help that I feel sad."
Shadow closed his eyes and thought for a moment. After a second, he brushed his hand across her front leg.
"Well, what would you do? This does seem like an occasion."
Pinkie blinked, for a moment she was silent. Suddenly she gasped, getting an idea. "Of course! Why haven't I thought of that?"
She grinned, and gave Shadow a peck on the cheek. "Thank you Shady! They're definitely going to need a proper send-off!"
For the first time that day, Shadow gave a smile as Pinkie let go of the embrace and started to bounce around. "Do you wanna help?"
Shadow pointed to his paperwork. "Apologies Pinks, I have some sloughing to do."
Pinkie brushed it off. "That's fine! You keep on saving your world!"
She hummed to herself as she scooped up the twins and hopped back downstairs. Shadow smiled as he watched her leave. For the time being, things were peaceful.
Through the night Pinkie set up a little surprise for the Cakes, excited and peppy about their reactions.
Shadow was already in bed when Pinkie finally clocked out for the night. He was in the process of falling asleep when the covers shifted and Pinkie immediately fell into slumber. He felt himself smile, just a little bit.
She did need to get up early.
It was morning, and the Cakes were moving their boxes of stuff out of Sugarcube Corner. They loaded them onto a cart to carry across town.
Pinkie silently sneaked into the kitchen, and finished setting up the little occasion.
Ms. and Mr. Cake came into the front of Sugarcube Corner, looking for Pinkie. "Pinkie! We need you to carry the main store keys!"
Ms. Cake came up to her husband, concerned. "Carrot, have you seen the kids dear?"
He suddenly became worried. "Uh, no. Not all morning since breakfast in fact. Where could they have gone?"
The two started looking around for their foal and filly.
"Pound! Pumpkin! Where are you?"
When they entered the kitchen, they found the lights to be off. "I thought these were on."
Suddenly the lights turned on, and there was Pinkie Pie and the twins wearing party hats and blowing party favors.
"Surprise!"
The room was decorated as an old fashioned Pinkie Pie party. Plenty of streamers, balloons, and a small cake.
"Oh! What's all this for?" Ms. Cake was presently surprised.
Pinkie beamed, throwing her hooves up into the air. "It's your moving party!" She placed two party hats on the Cakes, and the twins ran around their parents' legs.
"You got over your slump yesterday?" Mr. Cake asked, relieved she felt better.
Pinkie nodded. "At first I was really upset at the thought of you leaving, including the twins. I didn't know what to do! But Shady gave me some perspective, and I understand now."
Pinkie appeared in between the two, smiling.
"But, can we least have a little fun before it's time for you to leave?"
The Cakes smiled, picking up their kin. Ms. Cake spoke. "That sounds like a swell idea."
Mr. Cake walked over to the party cake. "Is Shadow joining us?"
Pinkie brushed him off. "He was some secret agent work to do, it's best I leave him to it."
Meanwhile, Shadow was upstairs, looking through entry logs, security scripts, and clock ins.
'At around 5:00 P.M, something jammed the silent alarms. Or rather, someone. A Mobian. He came to steal something... but what? Wait, one of my pages is missing. But not a G.U.N file. Was it...the research that Tails gave me on Equestria? No, it couldn't be. Surely no one could have even known about the portal.'
'Could they?'