//------------------------------//
// 06: A Piece of Cake to Bake a Pretty Cake 
// Story: MLP: One as a Family: A Golden Week in Exile 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


A Piece of Cake to Bake a Pretty Cake



It was a beautiful day in the Golden Land. The sun was in the upper part of the sky, shining down on the golden horizon and the palace.  Ponies were wandering about with a single care in the world.  Some of them were enjoying the warm sunlight that showered on their fur and mane.  Some went to the Ruby Building and checked out the books.  A few explored the Emerald Woods while some enjoyed some time at the Sapphire Lake.
But inside the castle, deep within its kitchen, Pinkie Pie was hard at work mixing as many bowls full of batter, with Gummy the Baby Gator watching on, blinking his eyes once.  The filly quickly moved towards the oven and opened it up before pulling out a tray full of fresh, hot cupcakes and placing them on a nearby counter.   With a bag of frosting in her hooves, Pinkie Pie covered the tops of the cupcakes with a swirl of icing right on top.
But directly in the doorway of the kitchen, Mr and Mrs Cake just stood there, confused and surprised by the speed of Pinkie Pie’s tasks.
“Pinkie, dear,” Mrs Cake said.  “Don’t you think you deserve a break after all you’ve done?”
“Not yet, Mrs Cake,” Pinkie Pie said as she went back to bowl mixing.  “I’ve got a task to do and that involves baked goods for everyone in the Golden Land.  No way are we gonna be stuck here without a tasty sweet.”
“I’m afraid she’s that stubborn, hon,” Mr Cake said, turning his head to Mrs Cup Cake.  “In all my years of being a baker, I’ve never seen a pony work that fast, much less a little filly like Pinkie Pie.”
“One thing that surprises me is how she got all that flour in the Golden Land,” Mrs Cake said.  “And not just the usual wheat flour, but also these gluten free flour blends.”
Pinkie Pie, overhearing Mrs Cakes’ words, stopped mixing the contents of one of the bowls and ran up to the two adults.
“Oh that’s easy,” Pinkie Pie said.  “I foresaw something like this happening.  So I went ahead and stacked the pantries full of various flours in advance, making sure there’s no form of cross contamination.”
As Pinkie Pie walked back towards the bowls full of batter, Cup Cake and Carrot Cake looked at each other with a worried look on their faces.
“Pinkie,” Carrot Cake asked.  “Are you sure you can handle this all by yourself?”
“Oh don't you worry, Mr Cake,” Pinkie Pie said, mixing as much of the batter as possible.  “I can handle all of this by myself.”
Pinkie's words only worried Cup Cake, who place her hoof on her forehead while Carrot Cake placed his arm around his wife's back.
“As much as I do appreciate Pinkie Pie’s work ethic, I think she needs all the help she can get,” Mrs Cake said.
“We’re not the only ones who agree with that,” Mr Cake said, pointing to the door leading to the dining roo .  “Case in point, Pinkie’s own parents.”
But before Cup Cake, also known as Chiffon Swirl, could speak, Pinkie Pie rushed back up to the two adult ponies, holding up a tray with some cupcakes on it.
“The cupcakes are ready for my family to enjoy,” Pinkie Pie said.
“I will deliver them, Pinkie,” Cup Cake said as she took the tray from Pinkie Pie's hooves.
As Pinkie Pie made her way back to the bowls, Mrs Cake looked at her husband, holding the tray of cupcakes in her hooves.
“We should talk with her parents,” Cup Cake said.  “After all, even they are concerned for Pinkie Pie's well-being.”
Carrot Cake nodded as he led Cup Cake out the kitchen and into the dining area.  There were only a few ponies in the room enjoying their baked goods.  But sitting in a group together were Igneous Rock Pie, Cloudy Quartz Pie, Maud Pie, Limestone Pie and Marble Pie, who sat there patiently. 
“I'll go deliver these to the Pie family,” Mrs Cake said, holding her arms out.  “Get some coffee, or some herbal crystal tea.”
“Understood, hon,” Carrot Cake nodded.
Carrot Cake held the tray out, allowing Cup Cake to scoop it up.  Carrot Cake immediately ran back into the kitchen while Cup Cake carried the tray of desserts to the Pie Family, who eagerly awaited the goodies.
“I knew you were fast in terms of service,” Cloudy Quartz Pie said.  “But I didn’t expect this to be that fast.”
“Well, it’s all thanks to Pinkie Pie,” Mrs Cake said as she sat the tray of food on the table.
“She did all of that?” Igneous Rock Pie asked, surprised and yet worried.
“Well, she did all of that by herself,” Cup Cake responded.  “We wanted to pitch in.  But she was just too caught up in the moment.”
Cloudy Quartz let out a sigh as she grabbed one of the cupcakes and bit into it before chewing and swallowing the piece.
“I appreciate how she dedicates herself to her craft,” Cloudy Quartz said. “But I think she's pushing herself too far.”
“You don't need to tell me that,” Cup Cake said.  “Carrot and I have been trying to convince her to take it easy, but she's been a bit too stubborn about it.”
But as Cup Cake talked with Cloudy Quartz and Igneous Rock, Carrot Cake walked out of the kitchen holding a tray with two empty cups and a metal moka pot right next to it.  He placed the tray right next to Igneous Rock Pie and picked up the pot before pouring coffee into the cups.
“Pinkie Pie is far from the only member of our family who's a bit overworked,” Igneous Rock explained.  “We have a son who also has a knack for pushing himself.  Before then, he was a real pain in the rear.  Though I wish he was still with us and not stuck all alone on our rock farm.”
As Igneous Rock finished speaking, Carrot Cake picked up the cup of coffee and placed it next time the rock farmer.
“Thank you,” Igneous Rock said. “I appreciate it.”
“It's my pleasure to serve, Mr Pie,” Carrot Cake nodded.
As The Cakes continued their discussion with the heads of the La Maresa Pie Family, Limestone sat nearby, overhearing the conversation while Mrs Cake placed a cupcake each next to her, Marble and Maud.
“It was one thing for Octavio to be this overworked,” Limestone sighed.  “But Pinkie Pie?  She pushes herself too hard with her new job.”
“She does,” Maud Pie said.  “We tried talking to her about helping out.  But she declined, stating that she still has a full responsibility.”
“It's still about the loss of her branch of the Sugar Cube Corner, I take it,” Limestone asked.
“Exactly,” Maud said.  “She poured her heart and soul into that place and now it's gone.  I think she's only doing this to escape the pain of losing her dream.”
“How are we going to convince Pinkie to take it easy?” Limestone sighed.  
But as Marble Pie looked around, she noticed Wanda Young sitting in a nearby corner, wearing her casual dress.  Next to her were Abigail Albright, Starlight Glimmer, Spike the Dragon and Misty Brightdawn.  Marble immediately tapped Limestone's shoulder, catching her eldest sister's attention.
“What's the word, Marble?” Limestone asked.
Marble immediately pointed to Princess Wanda Young, still sitting in that corner, waiting patiently with her friends.
“Wait,” Limestone said.  “Are you really sure you want to horseshoe Princess Wanda into this?”
Marble Pie only nodded with a smile on her face.
“That might be something,” Maud Pie said.  “After all, Pinkie Pie is good friends with Princess Wanda.  She even planned that birthday party for her.”
“I don’t know,” Limestone Pie said with a worried look on her face.  “Involve one of the Princesses in getting this mess fixed?  We’re already down by three Princesses, and the other is occupied with Princess Sunset Shimmer’s well being.  The last thing we need is to horseshoe the last available princess with a request.”
“It doesn't hurt to ask, sis,” Maud Pie said. “Better than doing nothing at all.”
But as Limestone Pie and Maud Pie continued to take, Marble overhead someone whistling to her.  She turned around, where Misty Brightdawn signaled to the silent rock filly.
“Over here,” Misty whispered while waving at Marble.
Marble gulped quietly before she slowly climbed off of the seat and walked over to Misty Brightdawn.  The rock filly looked up to also see Wanda, Starlight, Abigail and Spike look down at her, causing her to gasp silently.
“Hey, it's okay,” Wanda whispered.  “We overheard what's going on.”
But before Marble could say anything, Misty placed her hoof on Marble's nose, causing the shy rock filly to pause for a moment.
“We know what you're going to say,” Misty said.  “But you don't have to say it.”
“Yeah,” Wanda said.  “I know it sounds like they don't want to horseshoe me into solving this problem, considering what my sisters, mommy and auntie are going through.  But I'm willing to do what I can to help.”
Marble Pie was at a loss for words.  She turned back to her sisters, who were still talking amongst each other.  She then turned to her parents, who spoke with Mr and Mrs Cake.  Finally, she turned back to Wanda and nodded to the Man's Cub without any hesitation.
“That's the spirit,” Wanda said.  “Now all we need to do is to take up their task.”
“Allow me,” Starlight Glimmer said as she jumped out of her seat before landing her hooves on the floor.
As Starlight Glimmer made her way up to Limestone and Maud Pie, Wanda Young, Misty Brightdawn, Spike and Abigail got out of their seats and began to follow from behind.
“This is something I didn’t expect from Glimglam,” Wanda said.  “She sure is full of surprises.”
“I’m surprised she’s so upbeat right now, considering what we’re going through,” Misty responded.
“That’s true,” Wanda said. “In fact, despite that cheerful attitude, there’s a part of her that still misses Sunburst and Trixie.”
“That I can agree on,” Misty nodded.
While Limestone and Maud Pie continued to speak with each other, Starlight Glimmer approached Maud and tapped her on the shoulder, catching the monotone filly’s attention.  Maud turned towards Starlight Glimmer with a smile on her face.
“Starlight,” Maud said.  “I take it you heard what Limestone and I were talking about.”
“We were,” Starlight Glimmer said.  “That’s why Princess Wanda wanted to address you and your sister, Maud.”
“Wait,” Limestone said, dumbfounded.  “Princess Wanda overheard our conversation?”
“Well to be honest, you were a bit on the loud side,” Starlight explained.  
With her face blushed red, Limestone Pie covered her mouth while Starlight Glimmer giggled a bit.  Even Maud could help but let out a slight chuckle.
“Alright,” Limestone said, reluctantly. “Bring her over.”
Starlight Glimmer turned to Wanda and waved her right arm into the air.  Without a sense of hesitation, Wanda, Misty, Marble, Abigail and Spike walked up to Starlight Glimmer, to which Limestone and Maud Pie turned their attention to them.
“So you overheard what I was talking about,” Limestone Pie asked with an awkward tone.
“We have,” Wanda said.  “Even though it’s true that the rest of my family is out of commission for the moment, I’m still able to help.  And don’t you worry.  Even though my mommy will be alone, my auntie Luna is out there somewhere, and my sister Sunset is out cold, I can still help out.”
“I don’t know, Princess,” Limestone Pie said, scratching the back of her head with her hoof.  “To be honest, I don’t want to sound like a selfish pony by asking you to help us.”
“It’s okay, Limestone,” Wanda said, holding her hand out.  “Besides, Pinkie Pie is my friend, and friends help one another.”
Limestone Pie looked up at Wanda’s hand.  Though she pulled her head back for a moment, she turned back and began to reach her hoof out towards the Princess’ hand.
Suddenly, everyone came to a pause the moment a loud crash combined with a blood-curdling scream came out of the kitchen area.  Everyone turned their attention towards the kitchen entrance, horrified at what was going inside.
“That sounded like Pinkie Pie,” Cup Cake said.  “I hope she’s alright.”
Wanda stood next to Mr and Mrs Cake, keeping her eyes on the doorway.  Marble, Maud and Limestone stood next to the human princess, with their eyes fixated on the kitchen entrance.
“Wanda,” Limestone Pie said.  “Will you help Pinkie out?”
“I will,” Wanda said.
“Then come with us,” Limestone Pie nodded.
Limestone Pie ran towards the kitchen entrance with Wanda Young, Starlight Glimmer, Misty Brightdawn, Abigail Albright, Spike the Dragon, Maud Pie, Marble Pie, Igneous Rock Pie, Cloudy Quartz Pie, Mr and Mrs Cake right behind them.  But when Limestone opened the door, she gasped at what she saw.
“Oh my goodness,” Limestone yelled.  “Pinkie.  Are you alright?”
Within the confines of the kitchen, the whole place was a mess.  Cake batter was spread across the walls, floors, cabinets, counters and even on the stove.  The ovens were wide open with what appears to be remnants of cakes that somehow exploded.  Bowls were scattered across the room.   Pinkie Pie laid on the ground with cake batter on her face, looking up at everyone else with shame in her teary eyes.
“I…I’m sorry,” Pinkie Pie said, looking as if she were on the verge of crying.  “I…think I pushed myself too hard.”
But before Pinkie Pie could break out in tears, Wanda and Starlight ran up to the pink earth pony, with Starlight reaching out and hugging Pinkie Pie close.  Wanda pulled a handkerchief out from the sleeve of her right glove and wiped a tear from Pinkie’s eyes before wiping some of the cake off of her.
“I think I know why you pushed yourself too hard,” Wanda said.  “You miss the Sugar Cube Corner of Canterlot.”
“I…guess so,” Pinkie signed as Wanda continued to clean the pink pony’s face.
“You’re not the only one,” Starlight Glimmer said as she let go of Pinkie Pie.  “We still remember when you first opened that shop in Canterlot not long ago.  The desserts you made were so delicious, but the atmosphere, the energy surrounding it, and being with my friends was the best part.”
“That I can agree on,” Misty Brightdawn said as she emerged from the crowd and approached Pinkie Pie before turning her head back to Mr and Mrs Cake.  “In fact, I think you have the best teachers a baker or a party planner would ever have.  They taught you everything on how to make these delicious treats, and I’m glad to have paid a visit to your shop.”
“And it was too bad I missed out on the opening of your shop,” Wanda said.  “I bet the first ponies who came there enjoyed every minute of it.”
“They did,” Pinkie Pie said as she wiped what’s left of her tear from her eye.  “So you all missed it.”
“We do,” Misty Brightdawn said.  “As much as you miss the Sugar Cube Corner.”
“We may not have a store to visit in Canterlot for the time being,” Wanda said, holding her hand out.  “But we can still make great memories with your skills in cakes, cookies and brownies.  And if you need any help, we’re here for you.  You’re not alone on this.”
Pinkie Pie looked up at Wanda’s hand before she reached out and grabbed it with her hoof.  Wanda pulled Pinkie Pie up before the pink pony reached out and hugged her.
“Thanks,” Pinkie cried.  “We may not have any Sugar Cube Corner and a good load of our friends are not with us.  But I’m glad you still have faith in me.”
“Pinkie, darling,” Mrs Cake said.  “We’re all here for you in case you’re not up for baking.”
“Oh I am up for baking, Mrs Cake,” Pinkie Pie said before looking around at the mess in the kitchen.  “But first, I think we need to take care of the mess I made.”
Starlight Glimmer looked at Pinkie Pie with a smug look on her face and said “Allow me.”
Starlight Glimmer’s horn glowed brightly as it filled the room with a bright light.  When the light was gone, the cakey mess that was around the whole room was gone.  The ovens were closed properly, and the bowls were placed back on the counter.  Pinkie Pie looked around and smiled deeply.
“Thanks, you guys,” Pinkie Pie said.  “I’m glad to have friends like you around.”
“What are friends for?” Maud said with a smile on her face.  “They were only looking out for you.”
“Aww, thanks Maud,” Pinkie said before she reached out and hugged Maud close.
“Now how about we all pitch in and make some of the best cakes ever?” Wanda chanted.
As most of the other younglings cheered before they made their way to the counter, oven and the pantry, Limestone Pie approached her sister Maud with a surprised look on her face.
“I guess I was wrong,” Limestone said.  “I didn’t want Princess Wanda involved because I didn’t want to overburden her.  But she sounds like she’s willing to take up any task thrown at her.”
“Pinkie Pie always told us about how wonderful her friends are,” Maud Pie said.  “It’s something we often take for granted.  After all, friends in a way do count as family.”
Marble Pie nodded in agreement as Limestone scratched her head in embarrassment.  Igneous Rock and Cloudy Quartz walked up to Limestone, Maud and Marble with a warm smile on their faces.
“To be honest,” Igneous Rock explained, “What Pinkie went through does remind us of Octavio’s own stubbornness when he often overworked himself.  Something that I hope we can truly address when we return to our rock farm.”
“But for now, why don’t we let the kids have a little fun,” Cloudy Quartz said with a wink.
“No argument with that,” Igneous Rock laughed.

Later that day, there were a number of ponies in the dining hall as Wanda Young, Starlight Glimmer, Limestone and Marble Pie, and even Spike and Abigail made their way out, with Wanda pushing a cart that had cakes, cookies, donuts, brownies, and pie.  
“Who knew taking the burden off of Pinkie Pie was so much fun,” Starlight Glimmer said as Spike grabbed a plate with a cake slice on it and placed it next to one of the pony refugees.
“Well one shouldn’t have to be given all of that burden by his or herself,” Wanda said.  “After all, we work together as a team so that no one has to deal with all that stress.”
“One thing I did learn was to at least ask for your help instead of holding myself back,” Limestone Pie said.  
“I know you didn’t want to burden me with this request,” Wanda said.  “But it never hurts to ask.  Promise?”
“Promise,” Limestone said.
Suddenly, Starlight Glimmer paused as she heard someone say “Punky Wumpkin.  Is that you?”  Starlight looked up to see Firelight and Starseeker Glimmer sitting at one of the tables, looking down at her.
“Uhh dad,” Starlight blushed.  “I can explain.  I was just…”
“Helping out a friend in need?” Starseeker interrupted.
“Yeah,” Starlight said before Firelight reached down and gently rubbed Starlight on the mane.
As Starlight giggled at her father’s touch on her mane, Wanda grabbed two plates, each with donuts on them and placed them on the table next to Firelight and Starseeker Glimmer.
“There you are, Mr and Mrs Glimmer,” Wanda said before she bowed to the two adult ponies.
“Princess,” Starseeker said before Wanda placed her hand on the cart.  
“Yes, Mrs Glimmer?” Wanda asked.
“I want to thank you for at least staying by our daughter,” Starseeker Glimmer said as Firelight took his hoof off of Starlight’s head.  “She’s been a bit lonely since we all arrived at the Golden Land.”
“Actually, I have Starlight to thank for staying by my side,” Wanda said.  “I was devastated when we were trapped in the Golden Land.  But she, along with my other friends, reminded me that I’m not alone.”
“I hope we get out of this mess that Gold Banks got us into,” Firelight Glimmer said.  “I bet Starlight’s missed all her other friends.  Twilight Sparkle, Sunburst, Moondancer, Danged Spell and even her favorite from La Maresa.  Who was her name?”
“Trixie,” Starlight cheered.  “The Great and Powerful Trixie.”
“Oh yeah,” Firelight said.  “And when we get out of this mess, we will make sure Starlight sees her friends again.”
“Well as much as we want to hold you up and make sure you keep smiling,” Starseeker Glimmer said.  “You have others that need your attention.”
“That’s right,” Limestone Pie said.  “Everyone is in the mood to have their spirits lifted up.”
“Well what are we waiting for?” Wanda cheered.  “Let’s continue on.”
As Wanda grabbed the cart, she passed Firelight and Starseeker Glimmer by, nodding to the parents of Starlight Glimmer.  Starlight waved at her folks before she followed Wanda from behind.  Limestone, Marble, Abigail and Spike stood there with a smile on their face.
“As much as I appreciate those two, there’s still a lot of work to do,” Limestone said.  “Besides.  No work means total boredom.”
Marble nodded in agreement as she and Limestone followed Wanda and Starlight, leaving Spike and Abigail with Firelight and Starseeker.
“Boredom?” Abigail asked.
“Well it’s how some ponies live their life,” Firelight Glimmer said.  “But don’t tell my punky wumpkin.  I happen to be a bit of a workaholic myself.”
Spike and Abigail couldn’t help but giggle.

But at the far end of the room, Pinkie Pie, Misty Brightdawn, Maud Pie, Mr and Mrs Cake, and Igenous Rock and Cloudy Quartz Pie watched with amusement as Wanda, Starlight, Limestone and Marble continued to deliver baked goods to the ponies within the dining hall.
“Isn’t it great to see ponies enjoying your cuisine, Pinkie?” Misty said.  “I bet that calls for a celebration.”
“It does, Misty,” Pinkie Pie said.  “But right now, I am going to take it easy.”
“Awww,” Misty said, disappointed.  “I wanna see one of your famous Pinkie Pie parties.”
“Well, just because Pinkie Pie is supposed to be the reincarnation of Discord doesn’t mean the whole world in her hooves,” Igneous Rock Pie said.  “She needs all the help she can get.”
“And that’s a lesson we all need to learn, time and time again,” Cloudy Quartz laughed.
“By the way,” Pinkie Pie said.  “We have some leftover batter.  Wanna bake up a cake for a post-dining party?”
But Pinkie Pie’s words only made her parents, along with Mr and Mrs Cake, laugh.
“Pinkie,” Cup Cake laughed.  “That’s just like you.  Wanting to throw random parties out of nowhere.”
“Well it is my destiny, and it is what my cutie mark is telling me,” Pinkie Pie giggled.
“Well what are we waiting for?” Misty said.  “Let’s go take care of that.”
With that, Pinkie Pie, Maud Pie and Misty Brightdawn made their way into the kitchen area, leaving the Pie and Cake adults behind.
“Mr Carrot Cake,” Igneous Rock Pie said, taking off his hat.  “Thanks for teaching our daughter the ways of the cake.”
“It’s been an honor, Mr Pie,” Carrot Cake said.  “And I hope you get to see your son, once more.”
“I know we’re not parting on any terms,” Igneous Rock said.  “But there is always one thing I always say…May providence fare thee well.”


	To Be Continued in…


	A Buggy Camp Out at the Ruins