//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Sweet Destruction 
// by Quark_LeStrange 
//------------------------------//

	Spike's head spun as he watched Twilight Sparkle racing around the room. She was always rather obsessive when she worked on a new spell or experiment, but this was too much. "Does it really matter, Twilight?" he asked, covering his eyes as a flash of light flared from a test tube. "Equestria has plenty of food. We're not going to have a shortage any time soon."
"I told you, Spike," Twilight said as she examined the instructions in her book. "The sugar plantations are producing less each year. I need to find a way to maximize production so that we don't find ourselves in a sugar shortage."
"I know, but I mean, it's just sugar. I like it just fine, but it's not like we'll die without it."
"Princess Celestia herself entrusted me with this task, Spike."
"Personally, I'd rather have a nice big ruby," Spike said, beginning to drool. Twilight, fully concentrating on her work, didn't answer.
***
"Hi, Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she hopped across the street toward the rainbow-maned pegasus. Rainbow Dash looked around nervously.
"Hi, Pinkie Pie," she said.
"Rainbow Dash, would you like a cupcake?"
Rainbow Dash's ears perked up. "Sure!"
"Follow me!" Pinkie Pie said, hopping toward Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow Dash had to fly to keep up with her. "I spent all night making a new cupcake recipe!" Pinkie called behind her.
"That's nice," Rainbow Dash said, zipping into the bakery after her and looking around at all of the baked goods.
"Hi there, Rainbow Dash," said Mr. Cake with a big grin. "Here, have one of these cupcakes that Pinkie Pie made last night." He held out a rainbow-streaked cupcake to Rainbow Dash, who snatched it and barely chewed as she ate it.
"It matches your mane!" Pinkie Pie squealed in delight. Rainbow Dash nodded absently and licked the remaining crumbs from her hooves.
"Thanks, Pinkie Pie," she called as she flew back out of the bakery.
"Rainbow Dash is so nice," Pinkie Pie said to Mr. Cake. She bounded into the kitchen to make more cupcakes.
***
Shining Armor trotted into the home that he shared with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, the love of his life. "I'm home!" he called.
"I'm in here!" Cadenza shouted from the library with an irritated tone. Shining Armor went into the library where his beautiful wife was reading a large book which he wasn't particularly interested in.
"Hello, my love," he sighed, racing to her side and kissing her on the back of the head.
"Yes, hello," Cadenza replied, looking up at him, smiling widely, and immediately returning to her book. She took a sip from the tall glass goblet that sat on the table.
"Do you want more nectar, dear?" Shining Armor asked, running into the pantry for another bottle. He scanned the shelves and picked a bottle from the dozens that nearly filled the pantry, and returned to the library  while trying to uncork it in his mouth as he walked. Cadenza didn't look up as he poured the clear sweet-smelling liquid into her glass.
"Thank you," she said, taking another sip. "We're not running low, are we?"
"No, my love. We have a lot more."
"Good," she said, and returned to silence. Shining Armor sat and gazed at her indifferent profile for the rest of the evening.