Twilight stared out the window of the Golden Oak Library, watching in barely subdued horror at the eating contest going on in Town Square, not one-hundred meters from where Twilight now sat.

Ponies of all stages of obesity were cheering on Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Golden Harvest as the trio ate pie, after pie, after pie. While Twilight was slightly fascinated at the display, most of her could focus on the number of calories the three were pouring down their gullets.

All Twilight could think of was Rainbow's once muscular wings, laying buried in so much fat that they now resembled large pillows strapped to her sides. Golden Harvest's flanks were the largest part of her, allowing her to quickly shovel pie, after pie into her mouth with little difficulty in comparison to Rainbow and Pinkie.

Pinkie's stomach was so large, that she could barely reach the table with her hooves. She had grown the largest out of Twilight's friends back in the 'real world', and Twilight could guess that Pinkie was likely to win.

Shaking herself, Twilight magically pulled her cart over, and kept it still as she lifted herself off the floor with her magic. Twilight hated to admit it, but the cart was becoming a tighter and tighter fit all the time. As was, her gargantuan flanks and belly hung over the sides of the cart. Twilight internally shuddered at the thought of gaining yet more weight. Though part of her wondered what it would be like, gaining more weight on purpose…

“Twilight!” Spike called from the kitchen, “Are you going to eat the cake the Cakes sent over?”

“No!” Twilight called, “You might as well have it,” Twilight internally cursed, but sighed, “Try not to eat all of it in one sitting!”

There was no reply, indicating Spike was face deep in the cake already. Twilight sighed, “I'm going out to help with the apple harvest! I might be a little while. See you soon!”

With that, Twilight rolled herself out the door, and on the path to Sweet Apple Acres. As Twilight rolled her way into the outskirts of the town, she noticed that everypony seemed to be gorging themselves on the new restaurant’s food, or just gorging themselves in general.

A horrible, chilling feeling ran up and down Twilight’s spine. Maybe this is what he wanted all along? To make us so fat we can’t fight back? Shaking herself, Twilight pushed the thought to the back of her mind; the harvest was what was important right now. After that job was done, Twilight could try to tackle this gargantuan problem.

Twilight arrived at Sweet Apple Acres and was amazed at the sight she was greeted with.

Big Mac had pulled Applejack and her cart to the top of a hill, and pushed her down. The impact of Applejack hitting several apple trees made them, and several more in proximity, to lose their apples.

Twilight rolled herself over, being careful going down the hill. Applejack was smiling, and laughing, looking around her her ‘work’, “Howdy, Twi!” Applejack beamed, her fourth and fifth chins squishing together with her jowls, “I’m glad you could make it!”

“It’s not a problem at all. Where’s everyone else? Aren’t they supposed to come help?”

“I’m sure you saw Pinkie and Rainbow in that eating contest,” Applejack replied, gesturing for the Twilight to begin picking apples with her magic, “Fluttershy is helping her animal friends with their newfound weight. Rarity is off in Canterlot for a fasion-y thing or another. We were the only ones free.”

“Oh,” Twilight muttered, directing the load of apples into awaiting buckets.

“Have you tried that new fast food place?” Applejack asked, watching Big Mac throwing his weight against nearby apple trees and collecting the fallen fruit.

“No I haven’t. I’m not one for fast food.”

“You should try it, Twi-”

“Twilight couldn’t hold back her incredulity or frustration any more, “Weren’t you going to lose weight? Aren’t you worried about the farm?”

“I was,” Applejack conceded, “but I know if you and Big Mac can’t take care of it, we’ll be okay. You remember Stout Rangler? The mare that came in when we were with Celestia? She came over herself and promised she would help get the crop in herself?”

Twilight gaped, “What about losing the weight?!”

“Y’think I haven’t tried? It doesn’t seem to matter what I do. I’m stuck at this weight, Twilight. I figured I should at least enjoy myself, and I do what I can to help. Besides, you told me yourself to ask for help when I really need it.”

Twilight stared, then shook her head sadly. Applejack noticed Twilight’s mood, and smiled reassuringly, “I’m sure the princesses will work something out, Twi. When we’re done for the day, why don’t you write a letter to them, and ask if they’ve found anything out? Or I could ask Stoit if she wouldn’t mind you looking at the files?”

“No, no. Thanks though. I’ll ask the princesses,” Twilight offered a fake smile.

Applejack nodded, “Alright then. If you don’t mind, I’m gonna get Big Mac to push me at that grove of trees over there. You’ll see Twilight, being fat with no health problems isn’t so bad.

As Twilight continued to work, watching as Applejack began to ‘work’ once more, she had to keep reminding herself that being thin was better than being trapped in a prison of fat.

(LINE BREAK)

Twilight managed to get Spike out of his food coma long enough to send an inquiring letter to Celestia. Then, trying to ignore the rumbling in her own stomach, Twilight began to look into the files at City Hall, looking into the files for the BucDonalds and other new businesses that had sprung up in response to the obesity crisis.

Nothing. No names matched Stout Rangler or her associate business owners. Twilight made copies of the records anyway, and was rolling herself past the BucDonalds when a whiff of greasy food made her direct herself into the restaurant.

Surprisingly, it was relatively empty. A few ponies of varying sizes ate large meals by themselves or in pairs, but there was no line up. Twilight rolled herself to the counter, where a middle-aged stallion waited.

“Hello, dear,” The stallion greeted, “Welcome to BucDonalds. What would you like to order today?”

Twilight found herself at a loss, and the stallion recognized this. He chuckled, the fat hanging from his face and neck jiggling, “First time? If you’d like, I can fix up a catering tray together for a reduced price. So you can try a bunch of our food at once.”

“How much would that be?” Twilight asked.

“Usually 100 bits, but I’m willing to offer it for 60. I’m a relatively new pony to Ponyville, but from what I understand, I have you to thank for saving Equestria a few times over.”

Twilight nodded numbly, “You’ve heard of me?”

“A lot of ponies have, from all over Equestria,” The stallion replied steadily, “Now, it seems rather rude of me not to introduce myself. I’m Quick Serve. Would you like me to whip up a tray for you?”

“Yes please,” Twilight replied cautiously, “and a water. Would you mind if I asked you some questions? About opening up your business here?”

“Once the food is done, I can chat with you. Go make yourself comfortable. I’ll be over once everything’s done.”

It wasn’t until after Twilight had paid, and rolled herself to a deserted corner of the restaurant that she thought it was odd for Serve to be offering catering trays to anypony who came in. She shook herself, reminding herself that restaurants had to carry more food because of everypony’s appetites.

Twilight took out the files, and scribbled a note. Investigate the greenhouse company. They might be behind this, or at least the CEO might be. Less than half an hour passed before Quick Serve arrived, holding the massive tray on his wide back.

Now Twilight could see him, she saw he was almost immobile. The only thing keeping his stomach off the ground was a thick, reinforced, board on wheels. With a practiced, if jiggly, motion, the tray was deposited in front of Twilight. She took in the sight of fries, burgers, and an array of other greasy food, and her hunger rose. After the first bite of salty, hot fries, she almost forgot Serve until he laboriously sat down in front of her.

“Good, huh?” Serve smiled, dimples forming in his spherical face, “What did you want to ask?”

Another bite of food, and Twilight had to look down at the files to remind herself, “I wanted to know why you opened here.”

“Well, we’re a new chain restaurant. I opened here because it was a good spot. That’s why there’s a new BucDonalds in almost every city now,” Serve shrugged, “I just enjoy serving ponies.”

Twilight nodded, “Do you know who owns the company?”

“Phealix Gudman,” Serve replied, “He also is opening up a bunch of new services for those who are too fat to be taken care of by their families anymore. He’s trying his best to help the Princesses, thank Celestia.”

Twilight frowned, “Do you know how to contact him?”

“Not directly, sorry. I think you’d have to go to Vanhoover for that.” The bell over the door rang, and Twilight saw the near blobs of Cheerilee’s students walk in, going to the counter. Serve heaved himself up, and smiled, “Sorry. Gotta go, work calls. Have a good day!”

Twilight nodded, almost inhaling a spicy oat burger. She soon forgot herself in the bliss of hot food, tearing into it with a ferocity that made the folds in her face, chest, and neck wobble enough that she could feel them. She only thought of one thing: trying to silence the growling, painful hunger in her stomach.

So, that's what she did.

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait. Lots of reasons why I haven't uploaded recently; including family issues, computer problems, exams, and the like.

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks again to PhealGud for the plotting and planning we tend to do on a regular basis.