Upper Crust

The kitchen in The Castle of Friendship was probably ten times the size of their little bakery back in Manehattan and it only had to cater for probably one tenth of the ponies. Cookie wondered why they needed so much equipment for basically one permanent resident of the castle. ‘Entertaining guests and dignitaries.’ was what Starlight had replied. She had just accepted the answer.

Pinkie had managed to track down a bag of the sugar as promised and had brought it to the castle first thing, the two had made sure it was right and then got on with baking. Pinkie initially had wanted to help out, but Pinny had managed to convince her that it was best she perhaps go and ensure her friends were alright and with that, the two had been left alone.

‘Okay, so lets say they like it? Which they will. Then what?’ Cookie asked as she pulled a batch of cookies from the oven to cool.

‘Then they’ll be easy to convince that we can open up a new place here to feed the town. I was thinking the bouncy one who is eager to help would be the perfect choice, she is already a baker.’ Pinny replied.

‘True. I’m still not sure about all this. I have my reservations.’ Cookie said.

‘Me too, but if we can get Ponyville on board, with a Princess at the helm it will be so much easier to convince everypony else.’ Pinny carried on. ‘I know that The Mayor likes to keep royal ties with Ponyville so if Twilight tells her its good, I am sure she’ll be back at our door wanting us to open more branches in the city.’

‘Perhaps. Anyhow this batch is done. What about you?’ Cookie asked him.

‘Five minutes and it’ll be ready.’ he said. Out the corner of his eye at the kitchen door he saw the small purple dragon appear, waving a claw. ‘Yes?’ he asked.

‘I’ve been asked to come check on progress and make sure you’re not up to any...funny business.’ Spike said.

‘We’re nearly done actually. You can go and tell the rest of them that we’ll be up in five with a selection of baking for them to try.’ Pinny replied. Spike just turned and vanished. The two loaded up a small trolley with everything they had made.

‘You’d think they’d have help to move food around.’ Cookie commented.

‘Well, at least this way we can just get it to them.’ Pinny said. It was a short trip from the kitchens back up to the small meeting room where Starlight Glimmer, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were waiting accompanied by Spike. Rather unceremoniously, Pinny wheeled the cart into the middle of the room and parked it.

‘Here you are, a selection of our baking. I suppose really it only matters what you prefer to eat as they all contain the same sugar.’ he said, sitting down on a spare seat with Cookie joining him on an adjacent one. There was a moment's hesitation, before he saw Pinkie Pie lean forward and grab a cookie whilst the rest watched on as she chewed.

‘Well?’ Rarity asked.

‘Just as they said! Super scrummy! The sugar really makes it sweet! Try something Rarity!’ Pinkie jovially exclaimed, with Rarity and then the rest of the ponies (as well as Spike) digging into various offerings on the cart.

The room was filled with ‘Mmmmm’s!’ and ‘Ohhhhhhhhh’s.’ as all the ponies ate and discovered the sweet and delicious taste of the sugar laden treats. It only took one cookie or cake, the effect of just how addicting it was meant that immediately after consuming it already they were going back for more. The entire trolley, which had taken several hours to fill with all their baking was consumed within about ten minutes. Cookie smiled to herself as she watched Rainbow Dash scan the now bare surface for crumbs before looking disappointed and retreating to the chair she was sat on, letting out a small belch as she sat down.

‘Okay, I have to admit that was all extremely tasty and I want more.’ Starlight said. ‘So what did you want to do going forward?’

Cookie was a bit shocked at her sudden change of heart, but she decided not to quibble and laid out their thoughts. ‘We were thinking we could teach Pinkie Pie how to bake with the sugar and perhaps she could start selling it on our behalf here in Ponyville. She could also keep Twilight supplied rather than her having to order from us constantly.’ Cookie said.

‘That seems like the easiest and most obvious solution, what with Pinkie already having knowledge of baking.’ Starlight said before she was interrupted by Pinkie, now bouncing in her chair.

‘Of course! We could even get the Cakes on board! I’m sure they’d love to be able to sell more! Ohh errr, did you want the bakery to carry your name though? Ponies have known it as Sugarcube Corner forever…’ she said.

‘No I think just as long as we can work out some sort of deal for a cut of the profits that’s all. And you know, just let ponies know it’s down to us.’ Pinny said.

‘Can do!’ Pinkie replied. ‘I’ll talk to them later, oh can you bake some more treats! Best for them to try it just to see how good it all is!’ Pinkie replied.

‘Of course, we’ll make some more up soon.’ Cookie said.

‘Now then, I think we-’ Starlight began to speak, but was interrupted by a loud Zap!

Twilight had teleported herself right into the middle of the room, the poor cart that the pair had used to bring the baked goods in with was immediately crushed beneath her flab. Having been confined to her room, her flab was no longer pressing against walls and squished into a space. It was now free to spread and there were several whumps as what was previously squished rolls found new space and flopped onto the floor. There was silence in the room, her entrance had been unexpected.

‘I was getting a little jammed in that room, what with my size and all. I didn’t know we had visitors…’ she said, seeing the two bakers out the corner of her eye and turning to Starlight. ‘I assume you asked them to come Starlight?’

‘Twilight! Er, yes! I did, we were concerned…’ the mare stammered.

‘Don’t be! I haven’t felt this good in years!’ Twilight replied, giving her vast belly a little wobble for emphasis. It seemed her somewhat comatose state and previously inattentive nature had vanished. Starlight was perplexed.

‘Spike said you were somewhat buried in studies?’ she asked.

‘Oh yes! Oh sorry if I came across as somewhat inattentive. You know how I get when I am engrossed in a book! Now then, you two are responsible for all this?’ Twilight asked, turning her attention to Pinny and Cookie and once more jostling her huge rolls to get her point across.

‘Well yes, we already explained to everypony here Princess. Our goodies are laden with…’ Cookie started to say, but was cut off by Twilight.

‘Highly addictive sugar. I know. I figured that out as soon as I bought a bag from you on my visit. I just didn’t know how fattening it was.’ Twilight said.

‘Yes, well we were planning to keep you supplied and well, the town as well…’ Pinny said.

‘Good! Good!’ Twilight said. ‘Seriously you guys, have you ever been this large? The feeling is…’ Twilight trailed off. ‘You’ll just have to experience it. Whatever plans you have to supply the town, I approve.’ Twilight said.

‘Ya sure Twilight? This is all awfully sudden…’ Applejack said.

‘Yes, as good as these treats are darling, you’re gigantic! I can’t see myself that size. I’d have to let out my entire wardrobe several times over!’ Rarity replied.

‘And what about me!? I doubt I could even fly!’ Dash said.

‘It will be hard to tend to the animals…’ Fluttershy said.

‘Look it’s not something I can explain, it’s something you need to feel.’ Twilight said. ‘But it sounds like you’ve all already tried some of their baking and have agreed how good it is. I think we can get everypony else on board too. Maybe best they discover it for themselves too rather than seeing me. I’m sure it would be a shock!’ Twilight laughed, her rolls jiggling in response to her deep belly laughs. ‘Anyhow back to studying, I’m going to find a larger room though. Spike when they’ve finished baking me another batch, come find me.’ Twilight said, there was another Zap! and Twilight was gone, only leaving the now flattened and crumpled remains of the cart behind.

Starlight just eyed the two bakers.

‘Go on then, get to baking. You’ve got the Cakes and the rest of Ponyville to convince before you can go.’ she said. ‘...And bring us some more too. Pinkie Pie can help, seeing as she needs to learn how to make this stuff.’

Cookie and Pinny, along with Pinkie Pie, went back to the castle kitchens to bake.