Chapter Three

Sweet Treats

It was a busy day for the mares and stallions of Ponyville. Ponies were rushing about, buying all sorts of things, chatting about how they didn't have enough time for anything that day and yet they had enough time to stand and complain. Trinny would greet every pony by name and a friendly hello, but they would just quickly smile and go back to whatever it was that they were doing or complaining about.

"What a shame," Trinny clicked her tongue, "Nobody seems to be enjoying the day. It's so lovely and beautiful," she smiled to the Sun, "The day is perfect to be giggling and laughing… not moaning and groaning. That's the problem with adults," she sighed as she turned to the girls, "They think too much about the impossibilities to not see the possibilities."

The girls smiled in agreement. Adults always concentrated on the problems and never on the solutions. That's what made them so cranky and disagreeable most of the time.

"Yeah," Apple Bloom nodded her head, "My sister has been in such a rush lately. All day long she bucking apples and helping Granny Smith in kitchen. Even Big Macintosh is having a problem keeping up with her. I do what I can," she sighed, "but it's never enough and I'm just too small..."

"I know how you feel," Sweetie Belle frowned, "Rarity has always been a little too busy with her dress making to spend a lot of time with me, but now whenever I go over there, she just dashing about saying that she has no time for anything… especially me," she sniffed.

"At least you two have a sister to ignore you," Scootaloo huffed, "Rainbow Dash, my idol and mentor," her eyes sparkled for a moment, "has been too busy perfecting the Sonic Rainboom, that she can't even spare a moment to teach me some of her sweet moves… or how to fly better," she fluttered her wings in frustration.

"Sounds like you girls are starting to sound like the adults you're flustered with," Trinny pointed out.

"Well… you see," all three turned their eyes away from her.

"Come now," she went back to smiling, "You know that your sisters and mentor work really hard. If they could, they would spend every moment of the day with you. However," she sighed, "As a responsible adult, they have duties to fulfill. They have things that they know that they have to do. They know this because of their Cutie Marks. And it's your jobs," she tapped each of them on the nose, "to pull them back to themselves when they begin to forget about more important things… like…," she rubbed her shin in thought.

"Oh! How about having fun?" Scootaloo suggested.

"Or doing what your heart desires?" Sweetie Belle smiled.

"Or," Apple Bloom smirked, "The most important thing of all."

"What's that?" Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Trinny asked at the same time.

"Family and friends," she answered proudly.

"Well said," Trinny laughed, "We often forget about the ones closes to us when the world becomes too hectic and they are the only ones that can remind us to stay calm and carry on."

"I sure wish my stomach knew that," Scootaloo rubbed her belly as it began to growl.

"Mine too," Sweetie Belle's started to whine.

"Me three," Apple Bloom tried to hush hers.

Trinny smiled, "Then lets calm them down with a sweet treat," she sniffed the air, "I swear I can smell the carrot cake," she bounced down the street following her nose.

The girls sniffed the air and they too could smell the delicious odors of baked confectionaries. Cinnamon swirled through their noses. Strawberry jam tickled their senses. Chocolate covered their thoughts with sugary goodness. They were soon bouncing behind Trinny with thoughts of filling their hungry bellies with sweet treats.

"There it is," the girls bounced out ahead of Trinny.

"Just like I remember," Trinny happily smiled, "Sweet delightfulness and airy fluffiness. I've been waiting for you," she was about to drool.

Even though their bellies were still growling, they still had to see if maybe, just maybe they earned their Cutie Marks. Turning to their flanks, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were filled with hope.

"Aww," they sat down in disappointment to see that their flanks were still blank.

"You may have not earned your Cutie Marks," Trinny stepped passed them, "But if it means anything, I am grateful to you for showing me the way."

"Yeah…," Apple Bloom was still a little sad.

"And to show my thanks," Trinny smiled, "I'll get you each a treat for your good deed."

"I want a cinnamon bun!" Scootaloo shouted.

"I want a strawberry shortcake!" Sweetie Belle joined her.

"A chocolate mousse sounds pretty good," Apple Bloom smiled.

"Carrot cake for me," Trinny started to open the door.

It all of a saddened flew open, throwing Trinny onto her back.

"You don't want to go in there," Golden Harvest rushed pass them.

"Huh?" the three little fillies peeked inside.

Inside the Sugarcube Corner, screams of little foals rang through the air. Tins of unbaked pastries lay next to bottles of baby power. Wooden blocks were scattered and covered with gloppy icing. The floor was littered with diapers and cupcake wrappers. It looked like a Pegasus had stirred up a tornado in there.

"Looks like Pinkie Pie threw one heck of a party," Scootaloo was the first to step in.

"I don't think those are screams of joy," Sweetie Belle held her ears.

"The mess is about right though," Apple Bloom looked around at the disaster zone.

"Oh my," Trinny poked her head in, "Hello? Mr. and Mrs. Cake? Is everything alright?" she took a step in.

"Hello… and welcome to Sugarcube Corner…," Mrs. Cake stepped out from the back.

She looked terrible. Her mane was in a tangled mess and her tail didn't look any better. A pair of silver spoons topped her unmanageable mane. Blobs of pureed foal food dotted her face and usually tidy apron. Heavy bags weighed under eyes; like she hadn't slept in a few days. Little Pumpkin Cake was wailing away in her arms.

"Do we have customers dear?" Mr. Cake entered the bakery.

He didn't look any better than his wife. Stubble of unshaved hair lined his chin. Bloodshot eyes and dark bags told of his sleepless nights. He probably didn't even realize that there was an upside down bowl on his hind quarters. His apron was barely hanging around his neck. A kicking Pound Cake struggled and cried in his arms.

"Yes dear," Mrs. Cake sighed.

"Ah…," Sweetie Belle looked around, "We can come back at another time."

"Oh no, its fine," Mrs. Cake insisted, "The twins are just being fussy today…"

"And yesterday," Mr. Cake tried rocking Pound Cake, "and the day before…"

"Four days to be exact," Pinkie Pie popped in, "Crying and screaming and crying and wailing and crying and I just can't stand it anymore!" she screamed herself.

Both Pumpkin and Pound stopped for a moment and stared at the freaking out Pinkie.

"Ahh…," both Mr. and Mrs. Cake breathed a sigh of relief.

But then the twins' lips started to quiver and quake. They both took in a deep breath and exhale with even louder wails and tears.

"Oh…," the Cakes' relief vanished.

"Look! Funny faces!" Pinkie Pie went through her all the best faces she could make.

The little foals ignored her and continued to cry louder.

"They've got a healthy pair of lungs," Apple Bloom covered her ears as did Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

Trinny just smiled and started to sing quietly.

Hush now little ones

Don't you cry

Hush now little ones

Let your tears dry

Just close your eyes

Say goodnight as the Moon rise

Dream of many wondrous things

While I see what the future brings

Hush now little ones

Let your dreams take flight

Hush now little ones

When you wake all will be right

She continued to hum and watch the little foals' eyes get heavier and heavier. They tried to fight the sleep that was filling their mind. It was a battle meant to be lost, but in the best of ways. They were soon off in lands that only they would see. Their little hooves kicked in the air and sweet little smiles formed on their faces.

"Works every time," Trinny winked to the fillies, "Hmm," she noticed something that made her smile, "I guess Pumpkin and Pound weren't the only ones that need some sleep."

Mr. and Mrs. Cake had collapsed onto one another and were supporting each other's weight. Pinkie lay on her back with her twitching hooves in the air and a healthy pool of drool flowing from her mouth.

The Crusaders started to giggle quietly to themselves. It was one of the strangest scenes they had ever seen. A disaster zone of pastries and baby items as the backdrop and five ponies asleep amongst it all.

"Huh!? What!?" Mr. Cake suddenly shot up, "What?" he looked down to Pound who was still asleep, "Dear… look…," he gently tapped her, "They're finally asleep."

"Huh?" Mrs. Cake groggily woke up, "Oh… they are," she smiled.

"We should put them to bed," Trinny whispered, "All little ones that is," she lifted Pinkie Pie with her magic.

Mrs. Caked handed Pumpkin over to Mr. Cake. Quietly he tipped toed out of the room with his foals in arm and Trinny following him with Pinkie in tow.

"Thank Celestia for that mare," Mrs. Cake commented, "Now girls," she turned her attention to the fillies, "What can I do for you?"

"We came for a quick bite," Scootaloo explained quickly.

"Yeah. Our stomachs could use some chow," Apple Bloom tried to ignore her growling stomach.

"Miss Trinny also needed and escort here," Sweetie Belle smiled, "She had forgotten how to get here."

"Well Miss Trinny and you all are welcomed to take any treat you wish as thanks for helping our little foals get to sleep," she generously offered.

"Did I hear someone mention a free treat?" Trinny suddenly appeared behind.

"Yes… I did," Mrs. Cake jumped in surprise, "Just tell me… what…," she looked around her bakery, "… you… want…," she realized what a mess the place had become.

Apple Bloom looked to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. They nodded their heads in silent agreement. They knew what they had to. Taking a step forward, Apple Bloom approached the depressed Mrs. Cake.

"We could help you clean up," she offered, "I can sweep."

"Yeah…," Scootaloo joined her, "it isn't that bad. I can mop."

"With all of us helping, we can clean it in no time," Sweetie encouraged, "I can organize everything."

Mrs. Cake smiled, "That's very nice of you three, but me and Mr. Cake can handle it. Let me just get your treats…"

Apple Bloom was about to say something, but Trinny stepped forward.

"No need to lift a hoof Mrs. Cake," her horn started to glow red, "I'll use my Squeaky Clean Spell. Every pony off the floor," everyone started to levitated over the floor.

Trinny's horn sparked and glowed as she concentrated on her spell. The entire room started to glow with her magic. Blocks and tins and even the spilt baby power lifted off the floor. One by one, the things started to disappear with a red pop. It was like they were balloons and an invisible pin was popping each one. Blobs of cake batter and baby food were being scooped up by unseen brooms and dust pans. The glow started to fade and every pony was set gently down. The red glow disappeared from Trinny's horn and she released a deep breath.

Looking around, the Crusaders were amazing by how everything seemed to sparkle and shin; as if it was brand new. The floors were waxed and the display cases were polished. The pastries and desserts were neatly displayed with their nameplate proudly in front of them. The place looked better than it ever had before.

"Wow!" Scootaloo bounced up and down, "That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen… or… at as amazing as Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom," she had to admit, "But still really, really cool."

"I wish I could do that," Sweetie Belle looked up to Trinny, "I could help my mom and dad around the house and maybe even Rarity would appreciate it."

"Sure makes it cleanup easy and quick," Apple Bloom commented.

"Oh my… Oh my," Mrs. Cake looked around at her now clean store front and then to herself.

Her mane and tail were back to their icing like swirl. The silver spoons no longer adorned her head. Globs of green and brown baby no longer dotted her face and apron. Her apron even seemed to shin like the sun. She still looked tired, but somehow she looked refreshed.

"Honey Bun!" Mr. Cake ran into the room, "Honey Bun! What happened!?"

He too had been cleaned up. The stubble no longer lined his chin. The upside bowl was absent from his hind quarters. His apron was pressed and looked like it had just come off the drying line. It was as white as freshly fallen snow. Like his wife, he still was tired, but looked like he just woke up from a good nap.

"The things…. Nursery… floating… disappearing… appearing…" he didn't know how to describe what he saw.

"Sorry if I scared you Mr. Cake," Trinny giggled, "I was just using my Squeaky Clean Spell."

"Oh…," he still seemed a little shaken up.

"Thank you so much dearie," Mrs. Cake thanked her, "I don't know how we would have cleaned this all up… or gotten the twins to sleep. Thank you, thank you so much," she continued to thank her.

"It's fine," Trinny smiled, "I would do anything for my good friends."

"Good friends?" they looked at one another in confusion.

"I… don't think that I… remember you…," Mrs. Cake thought.

"Oh it's fine," Trinny shook her head, "Not many remember. That's just my fate," she shrugged her shoulders without a care."

"Either way, there must be some way we can repay you for what you've done," Mr. Cake offered.

"Oh yes," Mrs. Cake remembered, "Please pick any treat you want. Pick as many as you like."

The girls' mouths started to water at the thought of picking any and every kind of treat their hearts could desire. Coconut cream pies, scones with creamy clotted cream, fresh fruit tarts, cookies with nuts and chocolate chips and so many other sugary delights of culinary perfection. They were all too tempting.

"… That's a generous offer," Trinny shook her head free of greedy thoughts, "But I think the girls and I will just take one treat each," she gave them a wink.

They looked to the floor in disappointment, but Trinny had a point. They may have been hungry, but not enough to sample each delectable pastry.

"Let's see…," Trinny thought for a moment, "Scootaloo would like a cinnamon bun… Sweetie Belle would like a slice of strawberry shortcake… Apple Bloom would like some chocolate mousse," she remembered correctly, "And I would love a piece of your carrot cake," she had a dreamy smile on her face.

"Coming right up," Mr. Cake was on it.

"Just take a seat dearies and I'll bring your order to you," she started to lift the tray.

"I'll take care of that," Trinny levitated the tray, "You've been working hard enough with twins," she set it down on the table and placed the desserts in front of the girls.

They could barely contain themselves as they dug into their well-deserved treat. The Cakes and Trinny began to talk about their business and how the foals were doing. Save for the last few days, they were doing well and business was booming. They started to laugh and smile as the conversation went on. They soon seemed to be back to their normal selves.

"Oh… one more thing," Trinny gulped down the last bit of the carrot cake, "May have two apple fritters and a strawberry shake?"

"Are you still hungry Trinny?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"No," Trinny delicately wiped the corners of her mouth, "These are for some special friends that will be dropping by very soon," she stood up.

"Who? Who?" Scootaloo asked excitedly.

"I'll give you a hint. Two are ones you see every day," she hinted, "and the other is one that you want to see more often."

The fillies looked to one another, seeing if anyone had a clue.

"Can we have another hint?" Sweetie Belle raised her hoof.

"Just wait," Trinny pulled out some gold bits, "Thank you so much Mr. and Mrs. Cake. As always, the carrot cake is the best one I've ever had."

"Well thank you," Mr. Cake seemed very proud of his baking skills, "but you don't have to…"

"I insist," Trinny placed the coins on the counter, "I'll see you girls around," she headed for the door, "Oh and one more thing," she turned just before she exited, "Keep trying and never give up on finding your Cutie Mark, but," she smiled, "Don't forget to have fun while trying."

"We won't" Scootaloo waved goodbye.

"Bye Miss Trinny," Sweetie smiled back.

"We'll see you again… won't we?" Apple Bloom had to ask.

"Oh course," Trinny assured them, "I'll be in Ponyville for a while. So you'll see me around. If you need help with anything, just come and get me," with that she left with a bounce in her step.

Mrs. Cake set down the treats on the table, "What an odd Unicorn…" she couldn't help but comment, "But a very kind one," she smiled.

"And generous too," Mr. Cake counted the bits, "She overpaid for the pastries."

The girls let them talk on about their strange visitor.

"I wonder who's coming by that Trinny ordered the treats for," Sweetie Belle couldn't help but wonder out loud.

"Two we see every day and one we want to see more often…," Scootaloo pondered.

"Mmm…" they all thought.

"Apple Bloom?" Applejack poked her head through the open door, "There you girls are," she trotted in, "I've got some exciting news."

"What is it big sis?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Look who's here," she stepped aside.

"Oh… hi Big Mac," her big brother stood in the doorway.

"No," Applejack laughed, "Behind him," she motioned for him to stand aside.

"BABS SEED!" the girls excitedly screamed.