//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: You Need Help 
// Story: Dessert Eaters Support Group 
// by stupidhand14 
//------------------------------//

        Canterlot, the jewel of Equestria, was bathed in glorious sunlight. It was close to evening, yet the sun was still shining bright enough for ponies to bask in its light. The birds sung in the trees, and the nobles weren’t as stuck up as normal. The fineries and trends were discarded by the heat, only to make way for a more free attitude in everypony. 
        Princess Luna was taking her weekly tour of one of the barracks. She examined their weapons and armor, the beds, and the general cleanliness of the room. She found that everything was satisfactory.
        “Well done, Captain,” Luna said, turning to the guardspony behind her. “You have my sincerest appreciation for keeping your stallions in line.”
        “Of course, Princess Luna,” the captain replied, saluting. “It is as you ordered.”
        “Unfortunately, I must leave now if I am to look at any other barracks.” Luna exited the building, walking through the small courtyard full of soldiers. Many of the soldiers were lounging around on their time off, though Luna did notice some of them reading.
        It was at that point that Luna noticed one of them was reading a newspaper, with a picture of her sister on the front. I think I have enough time for a slight diversion, Luna thought with a smile while walking over to the guardspony with the newspaper.
        When she got close, the guard practically threw his newspaper down and saluted, which Luna promptly returned.
        “Good afternoon, Sergeant, I was curious what you were reading there,” Luna informed him, picking up the newspaper in her magic. On the cover page was a picture of Celestia with a piece of cake in hoof. Luna’s eyes widened her pupils shrinking slightly. 
        “It’s a newspaper from Ponyville,” the guard informed her. “A friend sent it to me, thought it might be interesting.”
        “Sergeant, do you mind if I take this newspaper for the day?” Luna requested.
        “O-of course, Princess.” Luna gave a nod, placing the paper in her saddlebag as she turned away. As soon as she was a safe distance from anypony else, she hurled herself into the sky, her wings spread out. Tia needs to answer this, now.
        Princess Luna flew to Canterlot’s highest tower, her sister’s. At the top was a balcony where they usually switched off controlling the sky.. It was just about to be sunset, so Celestia would be ready to give control of the sky over to the night. However, Luna needed an answer to the question of the cake.
        Celestia exited her room, moving to the balcony in a graceful slide. She had over a millennia to master her motions, and she spent the time well. Upon seeing her sister, she paused.
        “Hello, sister,” Celestia greeted, a smile on her face. “Do you wish to spend the final moments of the day with me?”
        “Not quite,” Luna answered. Her horn lit up as she levitated a newspaper up to her. Turning the paper, she showed Celestia an article by Gabby Gums, with Celestia eating a large slice of cake on the cover. Celestia’s eyes widened while her pupils dilated
        “I can assure you, that picture is taken out of context,” Celestia quickly said, trying to cover it up. Her cheeks flushed. It could have been the heat, but Luna doubted that. Celestia turned to look out over the balcony, but Luna flew over to block the view, suspicions growing.
        “Tia, you promised you would give up cake for this month.” Luna glared into her sister’s eyes. “Has your word lost its value in my absence?” Celestia was temporarily taken aback. 
        “I assure you, that photo is taken out of context,” Celestia tried again. “I didn’t actually eat any cake, and what does it matter if I did?” Honestly, she wasn’t unfit or out of shape. She was an immortal alicorn, she could enjoy a cake every once and awhile. She turned to walk back inside, only for her sister to block the door.
        “Tia, you promised me you would stop eating cake,” Luna repeated. She crossed her hooves, anger clear on her face. “You know what ponies are saying how you have… grown in the last few years. You need to stay healthy, sister. You have a problem. Why can’t you just admit that?”
        “I do not have a problem!” Celestia claimed. “I can stop eating cake whenever I want.” Celestia teleported herself past her sister and into her room. Scanning the room, she noticed her servants had already delivered dinner, with a plate of dessert to one side. Rushing over to the plates she stood in front of them as her sister burst through the doors.
        “Tia, you need to stop eating cake, it’s not good for you!” Luna marched to her sister, her chin set.
        “I told you, I don’t eat cake, nor do I need help to stop. Now, can you please take over the sky?” Celestia rushed the sun’s lowering, trying to force her sister to exert some focus on the sky rather than examining her.
        “Did you lower the sun faster?” Luna asked, her eyes narrowing. Celestia wouldn’t purposely lower the sun faster, would she? No, Celestia’s word was golden. She wouldn’t lie to me, right? 
In the end, she accepted her sister’s trick and took the mantle of the sky, raising the moon up. As soon as she was done, she saw a slight glint of silver from behind her sister. While her sister was distracted, Luna teleported behind her and opened the smaller of the two platters. Inside was a salad.
        “Really, Luna? Do you truly trust me so little?” Celestia feigned an injury to her heart. Come on, take the bait. No need to look under that other one, nothing suspicious or cake related here. Taking a step away, trying to muster an air of nonchalance, Celestia moved to her bed. An itch was quickly developing on her head. Must not scratch. Luna knows that’s my tell!
        “My apologies, sister,” Luna finally said, replacing the cover over the salad. Her head was lowered, her lip formed a frown. “I should have trusted you more. I will try do it more in the future.” Luna looked over at the dinner platters and smiled. “Perhaps we can share dinner, for once. I confess, I am quite hungry.” Luna began to levitate open the platter containing the main dish before Celestia saw what was happening.
        “Wait, Luna, don’t!” Celestia shouted, forcing the lid back down with her own magic. The two locked eyes for a moment, Celestia’s fearful and Luna’s confused.
        “Tia, is something wrong with this food?” Luna finally asked, trying to force it open again.
        “No, Luna, it’s fine. Would you please, please just leave it be?” Celestia pleaded. “We can go somewhere out for dinner, have a nice public dinner.”
        “Tia, I want a private dinner with my sister. Now, please, let me open the main dish. I am hungry.” Luna pulled harder with her magic, now also incorporating hooves to force it open. The two fought over for a few seconds longer until Luna won out. Forcing the lid up, Luna’s eyes beheld a three layer cake, completely sliced. Luna was silent for a few moments before looking at her sister.
        “Luna, I know what you’re thinking, but I assure you it is not the case.”
        “Tia, did you lie to me, again?” Luna asked with incredulity. “After all we’ve been through, and you lied to me? After all that we’ve been through, you’re trying to hide a cake from me? You said you weren’t eating cake! You made a promise to us!”
        “It was just one cake, Luna,” Celestia tried to explain. “I craved cake and sweets so badly, I just had to eat it.”
        At that moment, a small cloud of purple and green flew in through the window, coming straight to Celestia. The two alicorns watched as the smoke turned into a scroll. Celestia tentatively opened it. Scanning the contents, her eyes widened again and she quickly tried to cover it up.
        “Tia, what’s in the scroll?” Luna asked, trying to regain some composure.
        “It’s something from Twilight,” Celestia said. “It’s nothing important.” She tried to put the letter away, but Luna quickly teleported it to her side, opening it. The contents were from Twilight, but it wasn’t a letter; it was a cake recipe, with a photo of said cake attached.
        “Why is Twilight sending you cake recipe?!” Luna demanded, now taking flight once more. “That is it, Tia, we will accept no more lies. Tell us the truth, or we will punish you.” Celestia, finally beaten, sighed.
        “I have been eating cake, but only once a week,” Celestia finally admitted. “I asked for Twilight to give me a new recipe, some exotic cake, for my chefs to try out.”
        “Tia…”
        “Yes, Luna?”
        “Why are you eating cake?! You promised us on your word, on our mother and father, that you would not eat anymore cake! How can you turn around and abandon your word? Has it truly been so long since you respected us, since you valued what worth your honor has? You would throw away everything, even your honor, over a pastry? Do you have no love for us or the ponies under your charge? By the stars, I don’t understand…”
        Luna continued for hours, scolding her sister, before she finally ran out of breath. She was about to start off again before Celestia interrupted.
“Luna, if I promise you on all my power to stop eating cake, and to join a group to help me, will you let me go to bed?” Luna looked at her sister for a few seconds, before answering.
“No, I’m doing this because I love you.” Luna took another deep breath and continued to talk until the next morning, where she promptly fell asleep.



        The next week, after much pestering from Luna, Celestia found herself outside a small room with a sign that read, “Dessert Eaters Support Group”. Celestia, being unable to show her true self in such a vulnerable position, had adopted an alias: Sun Beam. Sun Beam was much like Celestia, minus the horn. Both were white, though Sunbeam’s hair was a lovely golden color. The feathers on her wings were alternating at the tips, going from light orange to faded yellow. Celestia couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s idea of the new supposedly modern fashion sense.
        Entering the room, Celestia found she had arrived a bit early, and only a couple other ponies were there. One she recognized as a Wonderbolt, while the other she didn’t know. The Wonderbolt had a cyan coat and navy blue hair. It took only a moment for Celestia to remember his name, Soarin, her favorite Wonderbolt. The unicorn was mint green, with green and white stripes in her mane.
        She gave her best smile as she entered. The two other ponies smiled back. Sun Beam introduced herself to the two, and discovered that the unicorn’s name was Lyra.
        “So, have you two been a part of this group long?” Celestia asked after initial pleasantries.
        “No,” Lyra answered. “I only joined the group last week because of a... friend.” Lyra’s eyes shifted to Soarin as her grin grew. “Soarin here has been part of the group since its beginnings last year.”
        “Really?” Celestia quirked an eyebrow at the Wonderbolt in question. “Has it helped you?”
        “Yeah, I got over my addiction pretty well, then I missed a meeting… which brought the addiction right back.” Soarin looked away for a moment before turning back with a sad smile. “As long as I don’t miss a meeting, I’m good.” He paused, looking at Celestia for a few moments thoughtfully. “Don’t worry about it, though. This group is really good and accepting of everypony’s addiction.”
        “T-thanks,” Celestia said with a smile. Celestia took a second look at the Wonderbolt, analyzing him now that his flight suit was off. He still has a lean physique, with more muscles on his wings. I wonder what those muscles feel like, probably rock hard… no. No. No looking at stallions, Celestia. You are more than a thousand years older than him, no.
Shaking her head, Celestia waited for the rest of the group to come in. It struck her that she was incredibly early, but soon the group was there. In total, there were 10 ponies, including herself. They all sat in a circle, and began to introduce themselves.
        “Hello,” the mint green unicorn said, “my name is Lyra Heartstrings. I work as a musician, and I’m addicted to candy.” Lyra sat back down.
        “Hey everypony,” Soarin said upon standing up. “My name is Soarin, and I am a Wonderbolt. I am addicted to pie.” He sat down, and looked to Celestia. Celestia stood still for a few seconds while everypony looked at her. It took her a few seconds to realize what they were waiting for. Celestia attempted to stand gracefully.
        “Hello, my name is Ce-un Beam. I work as a servant at the palace and I am addicted to cake.” Celestia sat down, cursing herself for nearly saying her real name and embarrassing herself in front of Soarin. Wait, why am I suddenly concerned about what he thinks of me?
        “Alright,” Soarin said, getting out of his chair. “Now that we’ve all introduced ourselves, I think we should hear about some progress. Lyra, have you made any progress since last week?”
        “Yes, I have,” Lyra announced proudly. “I haven’t had a single piece of candy all week. I haven’t taken any from my friend, I haven’t asked her to make me any, I’ve been candy free for a whole week.” All the ponies began to applaud and stomp their hooves in approval.
        This is nice, having somepony else in charge, Celestia thought. I can actually enjoy the events, with Soarin in charge. I wonder if I can get him in charge of other things.... No! Not going to think about that. Bad Celestia.
        “I have a confession to make,” came an earth pony. Thinking back, Celestia remembered his name was Donut Joe. “I… I couldn’t make it last week. I ate over a dozen donuts in one day.”
        “Why, Joe?” Soarin asked, moving over to the stallion. “What happened?”
        “My marefriend broke up with me, last Tuesday,” the stallion answered, tears forming. “She broke up with me through a letter, not even to my face.” Tears began to fall down his face. “Said she was leaving by boat to Zebrica, that she didn’t want to see me again.” Donut Joe could no longer form words as he cried. 
Everypony gathered around him and gave him one big hug, except for two mares: Lyra and Celestia. The two mares looked at each other awkwardly, not knowing what to do.
“Joe, don’t worry about it,” Soarin said, patting his friend on the back of his neck. “We understand, it was a hard time for you. We can help you get through this.” The stallion began to recover, taking shuddering breaths.
“Th-thanks, everypony. You’re all great friends,” he said with a smile. “I promise, I will do better this week, I won’t be eating a single donut to make up for it.” He took his seat next to Soarin, who was still patting him on the back, tissue in hoof. Ah, Soarin, always loyal, always there for others. 
“Why don’t we hear from our newcomer, next?” Soarin asked, gesturing for Celestia to get up. Celestia got up and stood in front of everypony.
“Well, I have a cake eating problem,” she started. “I made a promise to my sister that I’d stop but… I didn’t. Now she’s really mad, and forced me to come here, to get help. I just… I can’t stop eating cake, it’s too good. I crave it every day, at least once.” Everypony in the room nodded, knowing the pain and need for something.
“How many pieces of cake have you had in the last week?” Lyra asked.
“I’ve had three whole cakes,” Celestia answered to the shock of everypony in the room.
“That is a lot,” one griffon commented. 
“Well, you need a goal to aspire to, Sun Beam,” Soarin said, turning his attention to her. “How about limiting yourself to one cake per week, this week, and then we’ll check in next week with you. How does that sound?”
“That sounds… nice,” Celestia found herself saying. Taking her seat, everypony else provided a progress report, until it came around to Soarin again.
“I have been pie free for a whole month now,” Soarin announced with a smile. “Not a single problem with it, no need to eat it. No wanton need or binge eating of a pie. I’m all good this time.” Everypony applauded his achievement, but he looked troubled.
“Are you okay, Soarin?” Celestia asked upon seeing him looking around.
“Where is she?” he  murmured. “She said she would be here…”
Before anypony could ask what he meant, the doors burst open to reveal a pink pony with a small cannon in tow. Celestia recognized her as Pinkie Pie, and suddenly fear began to build up.
“There you are, Pinkie Pie,” Soarin greeted with a smile. “And here I thought you’d miss a meeting for once.”
“Noperooni,” Pinkie answered. “I was just a smidge late because of the Cakes’ babies. They can be a real hoofuls.”
“Why don’t you introduce yourself to everypony?” Soarin instructed. “We have a new guest.” Pinkie’s eyes locked onto Celestia and a manic grin formed on her lips.
“No problem!” She shouted, hopping into the group. “Hello, my name is Pinkie Pie, and I have a cupcake condition. This week, I only ate 125 cupcakes.” She only ate 125 cupcakes?
“That’s an improvement, Pinkie,” Soarin commented with a smile. “I see you kept to your limit this time. That’s always great to see.”
“I know, right? I can’t believe I was able to do that!” Pinkie stared at him for a few seconds before realizing she forgot to give out something. “I brought some punch, for this meeting.” She passed around bottles of punch, which each pony drank with zeal.
Celestia took a sip of hers, and instantly loved the taste. The burgundy drink smelt faintly of grapes, though with a bit more kick. It almost caused Celestia to forget her question. She made her way over to Soarin, who was chugging down a drink of his own.
“Need something?” he asked while taking another swig.
“I suppose I’m just a bit confused,” Celestia told him with a sweet smile on her lips. “Did Pinkie really eat 125 cupcakes in one week?”
“Ha, yeah, I can see why you’re asking.” Soarin tossed his bottle over his shoulder, landing in a plastic bag. “Yes! Anyways, yeah. Pinkie has a bit of an addiction to sweets, especially cupcakes. We’re doing our best to wean her off slowly, like we’re doing with you.”
“But 125 cupcakes? Surely--”
“Trust me, Sunny,” Soarin interrupted with his award winning smile. Sunny? “She ain’t lying, she’s being completely honest.” Soarin looked confused for a second as he stared at Celestia. “Do I know you? Your voice sounds really familiar.”
“I work at the palace,” Celestia said, waving a hoof as if to brush the issue aside. “You’ve probably seen or heard me there before.” Come on, nothing wrong here. Nothing suspicious, no reason to ask anymore questions about it.
“No, I would remember seeing a mare as beautiful as you hanging around the palace.” Is… is he hitting on me? Soarin looked thoughtful for a few more seconds. “Huh. Maybe I’m just going insane.” Soarin shook his head and trotted over to another pony nearby.
Celestia saw him giving a few words of encouragement, but her mind was distracted. His words still resounded in her ears. Does he really find me beautiful?
Looking over the group of ponies around her, each one having fun, talking, and drinking, Celestia knew one fact for certain.
This was definitely going to be an unusual few weeks.