Chapter One
Pumpkin Cake, daughter of Carrot Cake and Cupcake, sister of Pound Cake. All of them were in the living room of the Cake family home talking, Pinkie Pie was there as well. A special letter had just arrived for Pumpkin Cake.
Pumpkin Cake was still a young filly, she didn’t a cutie mark yet, but she was going to school with other fillies and colts her age. It was her second year in Ms. Cheerilee’s class.
Pumpkin Cake had always been a little different than other unicorn fillies, her parent's are earth ponies, and her brother was a pegasus. That in itself was pretty uncommon, but unlike most unicorns her natural talent for magic didn't fade away fully as she grew up.
She never considered herself powerful, and compared to other unicorns she was average, but she did learn magic quicker and easier than most unicorns. She did have some spells other unicorns didn't. She still knows how to phase through solid objects and levitate herself.
But those are not simple task for her anymore, it takes a lot of focus to phase through walls. Levitating herself was easier but she had a limit to how high and fast she could move before she started tiring herself out.
Right now though her parents were talking about the recommendation for her to attend Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. She wanted to be with her parents and help run the bakery, but her parents wanted her to the school in Canterlot and become a powerful unicorn.
“Pumpkin, sweetie, this is a great opportunity for you,” Cup Cake tried to assure her daughter. “You know we want what's best for you... and you can get that in Canterlot.”
Pumpkin looked at Cup Cake then to her father, Carrot Cake, before looking back to her mother. “I know you do mama,” she sighed softly, “But I want to help you and papa here at Sugarcube Corner.” She folds her ears back looking at the ground, “How did the school even hear about me...?”
“I told them silly!” Pinkie explained jumping out from behind a counter. “Surprise! I told Princess Celestia all about you and she was very interested, not many unicorns your age can do that fancy magic like you can. Even Princess Twilight was surprised!”
“Aunt Pinkie... you really shouldn't have,” Pumpkin sighed again before smiling, “But you always were looking out for me.” She shook her head, annoyed but she couldn't stay mad at Pinkie. “Do you really think this is best?”
Pinkie Pie, Cup, Carrot and Pound Cake all nodded at Pumpkin. “Yes sweetie we do, we want you to be the best you can be.” Cup Cake smiled at Pumpkin hugging her softly before nuzzling her mane softly.
“Alright mama, papa. I'll go, I'll miss you both so much though.” She looks at Pound Cake, “I'll miss you also bro.” She hugs her brother, who had remained rather quiet during the talk.
“I'll miss you too sis,” He hugged Pumpkin close tears threatening his eyes. “Write me alright?”
“I promise,” Pumpkin smiled at Pound Cake tears of her own forming. “You just promise to write back.”
Pound Cake nods at Pumpkin, “I promise.”
“We'll miss you Pumpkin,” Cup Cake smiled teary eyed at Pumpkin Cake hugging her softly, “Study hard and do your best, we're all proud of you. Don’t worry about school here. We’ll let Ms. Cheerilee know what’s going on.”
“I'll miss all of you too,” Pumpkin Cake sniffed softly wiping at her eyes. “I'll write and visit as often as I can… and thank you, I would hate for her to worry about me.”
Pinkie held up a saddle bag to Pumpkin, “I got your saddle bag ready.” She smiled, but she had tears in her eyes as well.
Pumpkin smiled at her family as she put the saddle bag on. “I'll write as often as I can, I promise. Come and visit me okay?”
“We will Pumpkin, do you want us to walk you to the train station?” Cup Cake asked smiling at Pumpkin Cake.
Pumpkin Cake shook her head, “No... I'm afraid if you did that... I might change my mind.”
“Alright, have a safe trip.” Cup Cake said giving her a sack with some treats in it, “For the trip there, I'll miss you so much.”
“I'll miss you to mama,” Pumpkin hugged Cup Cake as she put the sack in her saddle bag. “I better hurry I don't want to miss my train.”
Pumpkin hugged her father, brother and Pinkie as well before hurrying out of the bakery and to the train station. The train was just pulling into the station so she knew she had to hurry. She reached the station and got to the ticket booth.
“One... for Canterlot... please.” She panted looking up at the mare at the booth.
“Little young to be travelling alone aren't you?” She asked looking down at Pumpkin Cake.
“I... I have... a letter...” She replied taking out Celestia's letter showing it to the mare at the booth. The one that invited her to the School, also supplied her with passage on the train to Canterlot free of charge.
The mare took the letter and read it over, “Alright, seems in order, you're just in time the train will be pulling out soon.” She replied giving the letter back along with the ticket. “Hurry now their already boarding.”
“Thank you,” Pumpkin smiled putting the letter away and hurried to the train showing her ticket. The conductor checked her ticket before letting her on board informing her of her location on the train.
“First class seating...” She mused impressed as she moved to the proper car and took seat looking around quietly but already started to feel out of place seeing the other passengers.
They were all high class ponies wearing fancy travel outfits. She only had on her saddle bags which, compared to the others, looked ratty. She felt lucky none of them seemed to pay any attention to her.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” She heard someone speak to her causing she jumped a little with a squeak.
“W... who me?” Pumpkin asked looking around before spotting the pony looking at her, one of the trains staff, and older mare with kind eyes. A little older than her mother, with light berry colored hair and a dark cyan coat. Her cutie mark was of a serving tray.
“Yes of course,” The mare smiled at her, “First time traveling?”
“Yes ma'am... it is.” Pumpkin replied giving a soft nod. “I'm a little nervous.”
“I can see, would you like some apple juice? It might help you calm down.” The mare offered, she had a sweet voice.
“Yes please, that would be nice.” Pumpkin answered.
The mare smiled at her before moving off to her the drink. Another mare, who looked less nice, but put on a good act, was explaining safety rules up front but Pumpkin only half listen. Equestrian travel had a very good safety record, plus she planned on staying in her seat the whole ride unless she had to get up.
A few moments later the nice mare with the serving tray cutie mark arrived and gave her the train. “Here you go miss.” She smiled at Pumpkin, “If you need anything, just ask.” She added before going off to tend to other passengers.
Pumpkin smiled before sighing looking at the glass. She took a drink before relaxing, hearing the whistle blow she knew she didn't have a chance to turn back know. She was on her way to Canterlot to join Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, she just hoped things worked out for the best.
