A/N: Listen I was watching the last ep of the series and saw the twins with the bakery and I had to write! Enjoy. Tried to keep it in the spirit of the show, like this could be an ep or something.
"Are you two ready?"
Pound and Pumpkin Cake gazed at each other, nodding. They were inside Sugar Cube Corner, their parents surrounded by luggage.
"Are you totallyyyy sure?" Mrs Cake asked. "Because, you know…"
"This is the first time we've left you two alone for so long!" Mr Cake added.
"We'll be fine!" Pumpkin Cake waved a hoof. "Right, Pound?"
Her brother looked up, getting his face out of his cupcake.
"Yeah!" he cheered. "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, we got this!"
Mr and Mrs Cake stared at each other, sweating all over.
"You know exactly what to do, right?" Mrs Cake asked.
"Especially when the princess visits!" Mr Cake added.
"We've got it all prepared!" Pumpkin Cake assured them. Using her magic, she lifted up a list of preparations.
"Just go, guys!" Pound Cake flew over to his parents, leading them to the exit. "Enjoy your vacation!"
The parents took a deep breath.
"Alright," Mrs Cake sighed. "And remember, you can always ask Aunt Pinkie Pie for help, okay?"
The Cake twins nodded once more. Finally, their parents began to leave.
"Goodbye!" Mrs Cake waved.
"Stay safe!" Mr Cake added, walking out of the door.
"See ya!" Pumpkin waved.
"Don't worry 'bout a thing!" Pound added.
The twins were left alone at last. Pumpkin stomped the ground.
"Okay!" she declared. "Let's get down to business!"
She trotted over to the front counter, placing the baked goods in their displays. Meanwhile, Pound went into the kitchen, rolling out some cookie dough.
Pumpkin opened up the bakery's door, waving out to the town. She headed back to the counter, wearing her best customer service smile. Twist came in, adjusting her purple-rimmed glasses.
"Welcome!" Pumpkin greeted. "How are you today?"
"Doing great," Twist replied, her impediment slipping through. "So, I ordered a box of powdered donuts?"
"Ah, yes!" Pumpkin looked through the boxes of orders. Spotting the correct one, she lifted it with her magic, placing it in front of Twist.
"Thank you!" Twist grinned, cheerfully taking the box.
Next up was an earth pony with a blue and pink mane.
"Sweetie Drops!" Pumpkin greeted. "How's your wife?"
"She's doing great," Sweetie Drops beamed. "She still loves that wedding cake you made!"
"It was our pleasure!" Pumpkin cheered. "How can I help you today?"
"Hmm," the older pony eyed the displays, "just two blueberry cupcakes, please."
Pumpkin got out the cupcakes, placing them in a box. After paying, Sweetie Drops took off, giving Pumpkin a friendly wave.
"How's it going?" Pound stuck his head out of the kitchen.
"Piece of cake!" Pumpkin assured him. "Get back to work, Pound!"
"Bossy hooves," Pound uttered, returning to the kitchen.
Pumpkin grinned to herself. Mom and Dad had nothing to worry about. This'll be fine!
"That went swimmingly!" Pumpkin grinned, walking over to her brother. It was evening at last; the twins were cleaning up for the day.
"Well, it's only the first day," Pound admitted. "Mom and Dad haven't left us alone for more than three days. This is a whole two weeks!"
"It's practice for when we completely take over," Pumpkin reminded him. "We can handle it. Mom and Dad trust us!"
"I know, I know," Pound rubbed the back of his mane. "What about the lunch with the princess? Shouldn't we get started on that?"
"We're already ahead of schedule!" Pumpkin levitated the list of preparations. "Right now, all we need to worry about is getting a good night's sleep!"
"If you say so…" Pound muttered.
Things were still going well, just as Pumpkin predicted. She stayed behind the counter, her brother cooking up some of his famous pound cakes.
That was until a pony came in, an angry glare in his eyes.
"You got my order wrong!" he grumbled, placing a box and receipt on the counter. "I asked for a vanilla cake, not chocolate!"
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," Pumpkin lifted up the box. "Come back later today, and we'll get you the right order!"
"Hmph," the stallion took off.
Just one little mishap, Pumpkin assured herself.
"Pound, you made the wrong cake!" She barged into the kitchen, levitating the cake. "It's meant to be a vanilla cake!"
"Don't blame me!" Pound whined. "You told me it was chocolate!"
"Did not," Pumpkin snapped.
"Did too," Pound flew into the air, hooves on hips.
"Did not!" Pumpkin argued.
"HEY!" A voice called from the counter. "Is anypony there?"
Pumpkin glowered at her brother. "Just make a new cake, okay?!"
She returned to the counter, where a que was starting to form. She put on a bright smile, serving away. Things were relatively back on track.
Everything's fine, she told herself. Everything's a-okay!
"There's a feather in my scones!" a pony complained.
"Mine has blueberries in it!" another pony held up their cupcakes. "I'm allergic!"
"I'm so sorry about those," Pumpkin bowed her head. "Let me get replacements ASAP!"
She headed into the kitchen, steam almost pouring out of her ears.
"Pound!" she slammed the desserts on the bench. "How could you get a feather in SCONES?!"
"I was in a rush, okay?!" Pound snapped. "There's just SO many orders to do!"
"Then pace yourself," Pumpkin told him. "You're not the one who has to deal with angry customers!"
"You really think it's that easy, huh?" Pound got in her face.
"Yeah," she glared at him. "In fact… I bet I could take care of all these orders, twice as fast as you!"
"Bring it!" Pound rebutted. "Meanwhile, I can take the EASY job and handle the customers!"
He dashed out of the kitchen, leaving Pumpkin alone. She gazed over the stack of orders. Using her magic, she lifted them up, gazing over them.
Oh… a pie! She thought. That's easy! I make those all the time.
She immediately got into baking, grabbing out all the ingredients. She eyed the oven; Pound had some cookies baking inside.
She gazed over the orders once again, grimacing.
Ten batches of chocolate cupcakes, and two batches of donuts?! she mumbled a curse. I better get started on those, too…
She mixed up the ingredients for the pie crust, placing it in the tin. She got out some chocolate chips and sprinkles for the donuts.
Okay, cupcakes, cupcakes… she thought, getting out more ingredients. Ugh, I need more flour!
"Hey, sis!" Pound poked his head in. "Are those gingerbread cookies done?"
"Oh, I forgot about those!" Pumpkin cursed.
She opened the oven, only to reveal the burnt cookies.
"Crap!" Pound cursed. "A customer was asking about those!"
"It's fine!" Pumpkin waved a hoof. "I'll make a new batch!"
On top of all these orders… she cursed, gazing at the list. It's fine! I can do it!
Meanwhile, Pound was… not having a great time with the customers.
"Where are my cookies?" a customer demanded. "I need them for my son's birthday!"
"My cupcakes aren't meant to have icing!" another cried.
"My pie has a bug in it!" another shouted.
"Uhhh, calm down, everypony!" Pound whimpered. "We're, uh, working on it!"
The shouting grew louder. Pound covered his ears with his wings.
How does Pumpkin handle all of this?! he cursed.
Pumpkin sweat-beaded, stirring up the batter. She gazed at the order.
Okay, cupcakes done, she put them in the oven. Now for… oh no, the tarts!
She gazed over the tarts, then at the recipe.
Oh, come on! she whimpered. I made them the wrong flavour… ugh, I was thinking about those cookies…
She sighed, wiping off her mixing bowl. She started on a fresh new batch of tarts. She gazed at the preparations list.
And I haven't even started the stuff for the princess' lunch… she sighed.
Using her magic, she got out more bowls, cluttering her desk. She grimaced, gazing over the sugar.
Where's the brown sugar?! She lifted up the bowls, peeking into various containers.
Meanwhile, Pound Cake was still not having great luck with the customers.
"HEY, THIEF!"
Pound gasped; a pony was making off with a bunch of cookies! He flew after the thief, chasing her down the street. He certainly wasn't a Wonderbolt-level flier, but he knew how to get around decently fast. He needed to bake fast, after all.
The pony took a sharp turn. Pound gasped, crashing into a sign.
"Ow…" he groaned, his wings stinging.
Back in the kitchen, Pumpkin was still looking for the brown sugar.
How does Pound make things so fast?! she thought. I'm behind on everything!
She went through the cupboards, scowling to herself. Her ears perked up; there was a huge crowd inside the bakery.
What in Equestria is going on out there?! she thought.
She went outside, eyeing the gaggle of angry ponies. Her brother was nowhere to be seen.
You've gotta be kidding me… she facepalmed into a nearby cake.
"Well… that was a disaster," Pound admitted, leaning on the counter.
Finally, the bakery was closed, the twins absolutely exhausted.
"It was worse than that!" Pumpkin snapped. "We're behind on everything! Where in Equestria were you?"
"Somepony stole some cookies!" Pound held up the aforementioned goods. "It took a lot of chasing, but I got them back!"
"And you totally deserted the bakery!" Pumpkin scolded. "Everypony was fuming!"
"So you're fine with ponies just stealing our stuff?" Pound argued.
"It's just cookies!" Pumpkin replied. "You had much bigger priorities!"
"Like making sure you don't mess up every order?!" Pound got back.
"At least I didn't ditch the bakery!" Pumpkin stomped the ground. "If you'd rather take off then look after our business, then you may as well just leave!"
She gasped, covering her mouth with a hoof.
Pound's limp quivered. "You know what? Since you think you can do it alone… then fine."
The pegasus stormed off, flying away from the bakery. Pumpkin felt her eyes watering. She wiped away the tears, picking up her list.
There's no time for that, she returned to the kitchen, gazing over the orders. I've got a lunch to prepare for!
Pumpkin wiped her baggy eyes, letting out a yawn. She'd been up all night, baking non-stop.
She splashed water on her face. Wake up, wake up…
She gazed at the oven, bringing out the next batch of tarts. She levitated a piping bag, adding icing to some cupcakes.
What's the time… she gazed at the clock.
Oh, 10AM… she thought. She jumped straight up. Wait, 10AM?! The lunch is in two hours!
She grimaced, looking through the desserts she'd made. She grabbed the ones for the lunch, as well as a tablecloth.
Don't panic, she told herself. I can just get Pound to…
She trailed off. She was standing in the bakery, all alone.
Well, whatever, I don't need him, she waved it off.
She pulled out the table, placing chairs around it. She placed the tablecloth on top. She placed some of the desserts on, as well as a bowl of fruit punch.
Now, for the main event… she raced back into the kitchen.
Sitting on the kitchen bench was a large cake. It was five layers tall, consisting of a huge pound cake with pumpkin batter and sprinkles. It was somewhat like the Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness, the cake Pumpkin's parents were famous for, but with her own twin spin, as she and her brother had dubbed it.
Pound…
Pumpkin forced out the thoughts of her brother and returned to the cake. She had been up all night working on it, and it was nearly complete.
She got out another piping bag, turning her attention to the giant cake.
She smothered on a layer of frosting. The cake wobbled; she grimaced. Pound had always been better with cakes.
She gave a quick glance at the clock; how had thirty minutes passed already?
She turned to her list. It's time…
Pumpkin ran over to the door; a group of ponies were waiting outside.
"Sorry for the delay, everypony!" she said. "Come inside!"
Ponies gathered inside Sugarcube Corner, seating themselves at the table. Pumpkin rubbed her head; she still hadn't put up half the decorations!
Ugh, she looked over her list once again. There's still so much to do!
"Pumps!"
Pumpkin jumped; standing there was Lil' Cheese, his mother Pinkie Pie right behind him.
"Cheese!" Pumpkin greeted. "Uhh, hold on a sec!"
She raced back into the kitchen, pulling out Lil Cheese's favourite cupcake.
"Yay!" Cheese jumped up, grabbing the cupcake. "Thanks, Pumps!"
"Of course," Pumpkin couldn't help but smile around the young foal.
"Pumpkin!" Pinkie Pie spread her arms, giving Pumpkin a hug. "Wow! This party is a bit…!" She paused, looking around. "... unfinished?"
"I'm nearly there, don't worry!" Pumpkin assured her. "I'm making great time!"
Pinkie just stared at her honorary niece; her frazzled mane, her baggy eyes.
"Where's your brother?" Pinkie asked, raising a brow.
"He's gone," Pumpkin replied, casually.
"Oh, I see," Pinkie waved it off. She suddenly spun around. "Wait, GONE?! What do you mean gone?!"
"He doesn't want to be here anymore," Pumpkin huffed. "That's all."
"Poundy is gone?" Lil' Cheese whimpered.
"But he's your brother!" Pinkie Pie gasped. "He loves working here!"
"Not anymore," Pumpkin turned away. "Besides… I don't need him. I can run Sugarcube Corner alone!"
Pinkie tilted her head. "Well, you are an amazing baker, Pumpkin… but it's a lot of responsibility. Are you sure you can handle it?"
"Why, responsibility is my middle name!" Pumpkin replied. "Pumpkin Responsibility Cake!"
"Déjà vu…" Pinkie muttered.
"You two go sit and enjoy yourselves," Pumpkin waved a hoof. "I've got a lunch to set up!"
She raced off. Pinkie Pie sighed, shaking her head.
"Is she okay, Mama?" Lil' Cheese asked.
Pinkie Pie grimaced. "Well, she THINKS she is…"
Pumpkin continued putting up decorations. A wave of fatigue came over. She shook it off, blowing up some balloons.
She returned to the kitchen, grabbing some more snacks. She served them to the ponies, giving them all a friendly smile. She felt another yawn coming on.
Come on, she told herself.
She raced back to the kitchen, getting up the crude poster of Princess Twilight Sparkle. She put it on the wall.
Awesome… she thought. So awesome…!
She stared at the poster, closing her eyes for just a moment. She shook herself awake.
No… must stay awake!
She yawned, her eyes slipping close once more.
"Uhhh, Pumpkin?" Pinkie tapped her back.
"AUGH!" Pumpkin jumped right up.
"Whoa!" Pinkie stepped back. "Are you okay?"
Lil' Cheese, who was sitting on his mother's back, made a face.
"Fine," Pumpkin grinned.
"Are you sure?" Pinkie asked. "Want me to write to your parents?"
"No no no," Pumpkin looked away. "Everything is fine!"
"If you say so," Pinkie made a face. "By the way, the princess is here."
Pumpkin gasped. "Sweet Twilight Sparkle!"
Princess Twilight Sparkle stood at the front of the bakery, her long mane flowing. Her royal advisor, Spike the Dragon, stood behind her.
"Your highness," Pumpkin bowed. "Thank you for honouring our bakery with your visit."
The other ponies in the bakery bowed as well.
"Heya, Twilight!" Pinkie waved, casually. Lil' Cheese waved a rubber chicken.
"'Honouring'?" Twilight chuckled. "I've been here plenty of times before, Pumpkin. The honour is all mine."
"Yeah," Spike agreed. "I still remember the sapphire cupcake you guys made me! That was the best!"
"Right, of course," Pumpkin chuckled, nervously. "Uhh! Take a seat, your highness!"
Using her magic, she pulled out two chairs.
"Thank you," Twilight took her seat, alongside Spike. "Where's your brother Pound Cake?"
"Oh, um, he's not here anymore," Pumpkin waved it off, "but don't worry about him! Help yourself to some treats."
She returned to the kitchen, gazing up at the large cake. She levitated the piping bag.
She felt another wave of fatigue. She splashed more water on her face, putting swirls of frosting on the cake.
"Um, excuse me?"
A mare was standing outside of the kitchen.
"We're out of punch," she said.
"Already?!" Pumpkin snapped. She smiled. "I mean, just a minute!"
"Somepony spilled the donuts everywhere," a stallion came forward.
"Can you get some more tarts?" another mare asked.
Pumpkin groaned. All she wanted to do was sleep.
Deep breaths, she reminded herself. I can handle this!
"Here!" She tossed some donuts and tarts at the ponies. She grabbed another bowl of bunches, handing it to the other pony. "Off you go! Now shoo!"
She ignored the annoyed ponies in favor of the cake. She grinned, her eyes going wide.
This cake is gonna save the day!
She placed the final sprinkles on the cake. Finally, finally, the pound-pumpkin cake was done! For a moment, Pumpkin wished her brother were here, if only to see the masterpiece they'd created.
She took in another deep breath, ever so carefully placing the cake on a trolley. She wheeled it out into the main room, still ignoring the angry ponies.
"The cake is here!" she declared.
"Yippee!" Lil' Cheese cheered.
"Looks delicious," Princess Twilight commented.
"Oh yeah," Spike drooled.
Pinkie, on the other hand, furrowed her brow.
"Pumpkin…" she muttered.
Pumpkin felt her cheeks burning. She held her breath. She moved towards the table, placing the cake down…
… and then it fell right on top of Princess Twilight.
Everypony sat and stared at the princess in horror.
"Twilight!" Spike gasped.
Pumpkin felt like a piece of glass. Her eyes watered; she fell to the ground, groveling.
"Your highness!" she sobbed. "I'm so so sorry! Please, forgive me, it was all my fault!"
Twilight Sparkle said nothing. She licked some of the frosting off her face, then began chuckling.
"Oh, don't worry about it, Pumpkin," she told the young unicorn. "I've gone through much worse than a bit of cake getting on me. Besides… I think you're the one who's been having a rough time."
Pumpkin nodded. "Yeah… I thought I could handle everything by myself… but it was too much responsibility."
"Perhaps there's somepony else that needs to hear that," Twilight told her, gently.
Pumpkin stared at her hooves. She sighed.
"Could Pound ever forgive me…?" she whimpered, walking away.
Twilight was about to speak up, but Pinkie interrupted her. The pink pony took a bite of the cake on Twilight's wing, before following after Pumpkin. Spike shrugged, taking some of the cake for himself.
"I don't know if I can do this, even with my brother's help…" Pumpkin admitted. "I guess we let Mom and Dad down after all."
"Don't say that, silly!" Pinkie Pie put an arm around her. "There's no two ponies more capable in all of Equestria than you and your brother! You two are the Cake twins, for Twilight's sake!"
"Really?" Pumpkin's eyes lit up.
Pinkie nodded.
"There's no shame in asking for help," she reminded Pumpkin. "Responsibility is easier to handle when there's others with you!" She sweat-beaded. "Trust me, I learnt that the hard way…"
Pumpkin wiped her eyes. She got up, adjusting the bow in her mane.
"You're right," she nodded. "I gotta go out and find Pound!"
Pound Cake sighed, rolling over on his cloud. He poked holes in its fluff. He hated to admit, but he was… lonely.
"Hey!"
He perked up, staring down at the ground. His sister was standing far below him.
He glowered at her. "What do YOU want?"
Pumpkin levitated a bag of flour over her head, before dumping it over herself.
Pound stared at her, blankly. He flew down to the ground, dumping some of the flour on himself. The twins broke into erratic laughter.
"There's no way I can run Sugarcube Corner by myself," Pumpkin chuckled. "I could use some help." She waved a hoof. "But only if you're interested."
Pound rolled his eyes. "Hmm… I'll think about it."
The twins broke into laughter again.
"This sure was a disaster," Pumpkin sighed. "Mom and Dad are going to be so mad."
"Not if we don't get things back on track," Pound put a hoof around her.
"We'll need to have a bath first," Pumpkin shook out some of the flour.
"... after that," Pound chuckled.
The two clasped hooves, grinning at each other.
The twins worked together, cleaning cake off the floor. Pumpkin offered some punch to the party guests, bowing her head.
"Sorry about the mess," she apologised. "These are all on the house!"
Pinkie Pie grinned; she and her son blew up more balloons. Pound brought out one of his famous pound cakes, placing it on the table.
"Sorry, it's not quite as extravagant as our Twin-Spin cake," he admitted.
"This still looks delicious," Twilight commented. "Thank you, Pound!"
"You're welcome, your majesty," Pound bowed.
Everypony took a slice of the cake.
"I think you two both learned an important lesson," Twilight levitated her slice.
"We sure did," Pumpkin stepped forward.
"How about a letter?" Twilight asked Spike. "For old time's sake."
"Wow, this brings me back…" Spike got out his parchment and quill.
The twins nodded at each other. "Dear Princess Twilight…"
"Running a bakery is a lot of responsibility. Sometimes, it's hard to admit you want help, especially when you're trying to impress somepony. But it's important to know that even between fighting, your friends will always be there to support you. After all… you can't have your cake and eat it too.
"Yours faithfully, Pound and Pumpkin Cake."
At last, Mr and Mrs Cake returned from their vacation. They gasped; the bakery was spick and span. The twins were in their places, baked goods on display.
"You're back!" the twins raced forward, hugging their parents.
"Yes!" Mrs Cake beamed. "The place looks fantastic!"
"We're so proud!" Mr Cake added. "We weren't sure if you two could really handle it… but you definitely proved us wrong!"
The twins gazed at each other.
Pumpkin chuckled. "What can we say?"
"All in a day's work," Pound added.
Thanks for reading!