A/N: This is Cupcake's chapter. I haven't edited it yet, so I'm not sure how great it is (especially Truly's speech pattern...), but I'm on my way to the beach right now, and my little brother will rip my head off if I don't go right now! XD Hope this is all right! I'll edit it when I get back!

Cupcake

"Cupcake, sugah! Where are you?" a voice called from the hallway.

"In the kitchen!" Cupcake replied, and not so easily as she was squeezing a bag of icing between her teeth.

Truly walked in a moment later, hair in a tizzy and hat hanging by its string from her neck. In turning around, Cupcake gasped, effectively dropping the icing bag.

"What in name of the Rainbow of Light happened to you?" she cried, rushing over and trying to fix the poor Southern Pony's curls. After semi-succeeding, she placed the cowgirl hat back on Truly's head, and the Pony smiled at her.

"Well, thanks, sugah!" Truly said, taking a moment to look at her reflection in the oven before turning back to Cupcake. "And to answer your question," a slightly disgruntled expression came to her face, "I was playin' with the Babies down by the 'fall, and things got rowdy, if you know what I mean."

Nodding, Cupcake bent down to pick up the icing bag. "That explains it! Those Baby Ponies can get a little rough, especially Baby Lickety-Split and Baby Gusty." She laughed. "But if you're here, who's looking after the Babies?"

"Magic Star volunteered to corral 'em for me upon seein' how up-and-about they were. If that Pony ain't a miracle worker with those youngins, I don't know who is!" Truly remarked, fondness for the green-haired Earth Pony coming through.

Grinning, Cupcake offered, "In that case, you're welcome to some of the cupcakes I've already made." She pointed with her hoof to several trays of white-and-chocolate-caked cupcakes topped with multicolored icings and a variety of sprinkles.

Truly licked her lips at the sight of the delectable treats—after all, Cupcake was the best baker in the whole of Dream Valley—but managed to shift her attention to Cupcake.

"Actually, I reckon those Babies rubbed off on me 'cause I'm feelin' a touch restless myself. You sure I can't help you with anythin' here, sugah?"

Cupcake grinned at her. It wasn't unusual for Truly to help her with her hobby, and she appreciated the company, as this kitchen could get rather lonely…

"Thank you, sweetheart! Of course you can help me! If you'd like, I mean." She gave Truly as pointed look, and the fellow Earth Pony nodded firmly. She loved hanging out with Cupcake, talking with her while helping her do what she loved. Besides, whenever Cupcake was in this kitchen there was a peaceful, loving atmosphere, one that pulled her in nine times out of ten. Cupcake brightened and gestured down the line to numerous trays of unfrosted cupcakes, setting a second icing bag on the counter. "Then you can start by icing those cupcakes. We'll add the sprinkles afterward."

Nodding, Truly took the decorative means and began her work silently. Having helped Cupcake bake more than any other Pony, she was nearly as skilled and quick as Cupcake in icing the cake desserts just right.

After several more contentedly quiet minutes, a roaring began, the smell of smoke filled the room, and smoke itself started to accumulate near the ceiling.

"What in Texas—?" Truly started, stopping when she saw the source: the cupcakes in the oven were on fire! Running for the faucet and grabbing a large bucket on the way, she quickly filled the bucket with water. Galloping at full speed toward a panicking Cupcake and a smoking oven, she called over the crackling of the flames, "Out of the way, sugah! The cavalry is comin'!"

Throwing the water straight onto the cupcake-inferno, there was a great sizzling as the flames were doused. Waving the smoke from their faces and opening the windows, the two Ponies stared at what was left of the cupcakes.

Putting an arm around a saddened Cupcake, Truly nuzzled her gently. "It'll be okay, sugah. We'll just go with what we have for now, and we can clean this," she motioned to the mess in the oven, "after we're done. The others'll be just as happy with 'em, I'm sure," she smiled playfully, "'specially those Babies."

Cupcake smiled at her gratefully. "Thank you, sweetheart. You're so kind." Nuzzling her back just as affectionately, she walked over to her half-frosted tray. "If we want these to be ready by dinnertime, we'd best get back to work."

"That's the spirit, darlin'," Truly praised, smiling as she followed suit.

A/N: Thanks for reading!