"Here it is," Rainbow Dash announced, "Sugarcube Corner. The best bakery in Ponyville."
Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle all stood outside of a building. It looked like a gingerbread house that someone stuck a cupcake on top of. The cupcake even looked like it had candles on it.
"How many bakeries are there?" Twilight asked.
"Well..." Dash thought a moment. "There's some restaurants, a few cafes, and even a candy shop, but Sugarcube Corner is the only bakery." Twilight pursed her lips as she looked at the pegasus, but said nothing more for the moment.
"You're not coming with us?" Fluttershy asked.
"I'd like to," Rainbow replied, "but I'm still on duty. I should probably report back to Captain Hearstrings before I get into any more trouble. Maybe I can catch with you after though." Her wings gave a flap as she took off and headed back toward the town hall.
As Fluttershy and Twilight entered, the smell of sweet baked goods filled the air. It was sweet and warm, making the two of them begin to feel hungry. First thing first, they needed to locate a certain little alicorn filly. Fluttershy lifted her goggles up to her forehead as she looked around.
"I reckon," they heard Applejack say, "that since yer here as a representative of the princess, there ain't no harm in lettin' ya try a few samples for the celebration."
The earth pony walked toward a table in the corner, carrying a tray on her back. She grinned as she walked up toward the single occupant, the little dark blue alicorn who now looked excited.
"Yay!" Luna cried out, clapping her hooves. She leaned over, looking at the tray filled with miniature pieces of various baked treats.
"You aren't planning on eating all those by yourself, are you?" Fluttershy asked as she moved up.
"I can try," Luna replied. She gave a lick of her lips as she reached for one.
"Now don't you worry none," Applejack replied with a grin. "There's plenty of samples for all three of ya."
"Thank you," Fluttershy replied, reaching out to take one.
"Well," Twilight said as she looked out them, "I think my stomach has settled enough from the flight for me to enjoy a snack." Her horn lit up as she took on, bringing it to her mouth.
Each of the three took a bite of the their own samples, letting out a little noise of pleasure at the taste.
"I see you found the place alright," Applejack said from behind Fluttershy and Twilight. "So how was..."
Fluttershy and Twilight both stopped chewing, eyes going wide. They turned to look behind them, seeing Applejack standing there. The batpony and unicorn then turned toward the table again, seeing Applejack grinning at them with the tray of samples on her back. The pair looked back and forth between the two Applejacks, trying to process what they were seeing.
"Applejack?" Twilight asked. "Do you have an identical twin sister you didn't mention?"
"No," the Applejack behind them said as she moved closer. "I have an older brother, but my sister is a little filly who is currently in school." She stopped to face the other Applejack, eyes narrowing and lips puckered. The other Applejack set the tray on the table and moved to face Applejack, making the same face.
"A'right," they both said simultaneously. "You had your fun. That's enough."
They furrowed their brows.
"Stop it."
They both pointed their hooves at the other.
"I mean it. Cut it out!"
The two Applejack's moved closer, pressing their heads together as they got eye to eye.
"I'm serious!" they snarled at each other. "You cut it out this instant,missy!"
"PINKIE PIE!" One of them shouted.
"Okay, okay," the other said with a sigh, rolling her eyes. There was a flicker of energy
Where the Applejack that had carried the tray had been standing now stood a pink earth pony with poofy pink mane and a heart shaped balloon on her flank. She grinned painfully wide as her blue eyes shifted from Applejack to Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle.
"Hi," she said. "I'm Pinkie Pie."
"I'm-"
"How did you do that?" Twilight asked, moving to stand right in front of Pinkie Pie. "I mean, you're an earth pony. Earth ponies are supposed to be able to use transformation magic like that. At least not that I know of. You have to tell me." She grabbed Pinkie by the face pulling her close. "Please. Tell me your secret."
"Twilight," Fluttershy said, moving to place a hoof on the unicorn's shoulder. "I think you're scaring her."
"Oh, sorry." Twilight let go, grinning with embarrassment. "I have to know though. How are you able to shift into other ponies without using unicorn magic."
"She's not a pony," Luna called out, grabbing another piece from the sample tray. "She's a bug."
"Luna," Fluttershy said gently, "what do you mean she's a bug?"
"She is," Luna replied. "Pinkie Pie is a big bug that can make herself look like anypony she knows." She huffed. "I wanted her to look like you, but she didn't know what you looked like."
"Applejack?" Fluttershy turned to her. "Do you know what she's talking about."
"Yeah," Applejack said with a sigh. "I know what she's talkin' 'bout. Pinkie Pie, go ahead and show them."
There was another flicker of energy. In place of the pony was a smooth chitinous shelled form. The creature was a black color with a tinge of pink to it. It had insect-like wings on its back, and a spike on its head that was similar to -- and in the same place as -- the horn of a unicorn. The solid blue eyes looked at the two mares as it smiled. Although it had a pair of fangs, the rest of its teeth were like that of a normal pony.
"Fluttershy," Applejack said, "Twilight, this," she motioned to the creature, "is Pinkie Pie. She works here at Sugarcube Corner for the Cakes."
"She's..." Fluttershy sputtered. "She's..."
"She's a changeling!" Twilight finished.
"Yeah," Applejack agreed. "She was supposed to stay in her own pony form to until after the celebration so as not to scare any of the visitors." She turned to give a slight glare at Pinkie Pie before continuing. "But for some reason, she was in her changeling form when I got here with Luna."
Pinkie Pie shifted back to the pink pony form and shifted, letting out a chuckle. She rubbed a hoof against the back of her head.
"How did a changeling end up working here?" Fluttershy asked. "I mean, I thought they stayed in big groups."
"That," Pinkie Pie said, "is a tale of abandonment, accept, family, fear and friends. You see, it all started-"
"Pinkie," Applejack interrupted, "they still have to meet with..." she let out a groan. "...Rarity after this. I think that having to put up with one melodramatic pony a day is enough."
Pinkie Pie puffed out her cheeks and turned to look at Applejack. She let out face go back to normal as she narrowed her eyes at the orange mare.
"You're still mad at her about the magnets, aren't you?"
Applejack let out a huff and looked away. Her ears flopped back as her face turned pink.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure you do," Pinkie replied with a grin. "Remember? Rarity got all those letter magnets and used them to write-"
"NOPONY NEEDS TO HEAR ABOUT THAT!"
"So you are still mad about it," Pinkie stated, grinning again.
"Fine," Applejack relented. "Yes. But it don't change nothing. Can we just get back to trying samples?"
"That sounds like a good idea," Fluttershy said. "Especially since a little filly is on her fourth already."
She, Twilight, and Applejack each took a sample from the tray.
"I still want to hear about this later," Twilight said.
"Sure," Pinkie Pie agreed. "Come by another time and I'll tell you what I can. Now, excuse me, I'll get some more samples and something for you to drink." Grabbing the tray, she headed toward the kitchen doors.