Sugarcube Corner was looking particularly festive on this day. As well it should be. For it's not everyday this Ponyville establishment hosts royalty.

"Hmm, let's see," mused Twilight as she scanned the checklist. "Rarity, how's the decorations coming?"

"Faboulous, darling. It puts the decorations at the Grand Galloping Gala to shame."

"Good. Rainbow Dash?"

"I'll get to it shortly."

"Rainbow Dash, Princess Celestia will be here in ten minutes! The sky should be cleared before her arrival."

"Don't worry, I can take care of it in ten seconds flat!"

Twilight sighed and looked to Spike, who merely shrugged. Turning to the next thing on the list, she asked, "Applejack?"

"Ah've got the Sweet Apple Acres Premium EditionTM cider."

"Great."

"Cider!" cried Rainbow Dash.

"No cider for you sugarcube until you clear the clouds."

Rainbow dashed out of the building to clear the sky.

"Good thinking, Applejack."

"Eeyup."

"Now, we just need the cake - "

"Did somepony ask for cake?" came a voice from the kitchen. A moment later the door swung open and a massive cake was wheeled into the storefront.

"Whoa, that's a big cake!" cried Rainbow Dash as she reemerged into Sugarcube Corner.

Twilight sighed, "Pinkie, you know that the rumors of Princess Celestia being obsessed with cake are just those - rumors?"

Pinkie Pie bounced over and booped Twilight on the nose. "That's not the reason the cake is so big."

"Why then?" asked Twilight.

"For all the candles, silly."

"Ah don't see no candles," observed Applejack.

A pink blur swirled around the cake until there were hundreds of candles adorning the frosting. "Ta da!"

"That'll take a long time to light," noted Spike.

Pinkie grabbed Spike and aimed him at the cake, squeezed his tail, and a moment later was shooting fire like a flamethrower at the cake.

As he was set back on the ground, a disoriented Spike said, "Objection withdrawn."

TV STATIC

Author's Note

It's my birthday, so here's a present for you. Also go check out my new story, Far From the Tree.

V/R,

Dreadnought