Pinkie Pie was busy in the Sugarcube Corners' kitchen. She was baking up a storm! Mrs. Cake had given her full control of the bakery for the day, and Pinkie was determined to do her best! Rarity had come by earlier and placed an order for two dozen lemon-berry cupcakes, and three dozen heart-shaped shortbread cookies. Rarity was hosting a fancy tea party for some of her upper-class Canterlot clients later that afternoon, hoping to convince them to continue to order from her, and spread the word around to their friends.
Reading the order slip again, Pinkie gave a small laugh. "That would explain the gem-encrusted cupcake liners!"
Pinkie put the paper down, and bounced back over to the counter, and began placing the extremely sparkly and fancy cupcake liners into the holes on the baking pan. Pinkie stopped to marvel at one of the liners. It was white, with small purple and blue gems carefully arranged on the ridges on the liner. She was happy that the Cakes had purchased these at the bakers' convention they had attended earlier that month, and even happier she had the chance to use them!
Just as Pinkie Pie had finished putting the cupcakes into the oven and was about to start on the cookies, the bell on the front door of the bakery had rung, alerting her that somepony had entered the storefront. Not wanting to keep anypony waiting, she went up to the front counter. Looking around, she spotted three very familiar fillies.
"Hi girls! What can I getcha today?" Pinkie asked.
"Hi Pinkie Pie!" All three Crusaders said in unison.
Suddenly, the fillies took in the sweet aroma of something delicious baking.
"Something smells really good, Pinkie Pie! What are you baking?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Oh! Rarity came by this morning and dropped off an order for some treats she needed for a tea party she's hosting later this afternoon!" Pinkie replied, making wild gestures as she did so.
Sweetie Belle had noticed that Rarity had been in quite a rush that morning. Her older sister had shoved her out the door as soon as she had finished her breakfast. Until now, Sweetie had been unsure of the motivation behind her sisters' actions, but surprisingly, Pinkies' explanation had made things much clearer.
An audible ding came from the kitchen, snapping Sweetie Belle out of her thoughts.
"Oh! The cupcakes are ready! Be right back girls!" Pinkie said excitedly, running into the bakeries' kitchen.
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The Crusaders turned to face each other, they needed to come up with a plan--and fast.