Author's Notes:

This is a collection of min-shorts all 500-1000 words in length, each detailing a tragic death in Equestria. Updates will come five a day with three original chapters, and two guest chapters. Should anyone wish to submit a guest chapter, PM the author or comment a link to a google doc. And yes. It will have 1000 chapters.

“Honey, is the next batch of bricks done?” Carrot Cake shouted in the general direction of the bakery as he applied a very conservative layer of icing to act as the mortar on his project.

“Just a few more minutes, dear!” Cup Cake replied from the depths of their house.

Carrot grunted and stepped a few paces back to admire his hoofwork. The life-sized gingerbread house was coming along well, despite his frugal use of the icing to hold it together. He knew he could save a few bits by making what they had work rather than spending money on materials they didn’t need.

“It’s looking pretty good, dad!”

Carrot turned to look at his 8 year-old son, Pound Cake, who was sitting a few meters away from the construction site. “Son, I told you to go play somewhere else! I don’t want you to mess up my work.”

“Oh come on dad, let me help! Please?” Pound cake begged, desperate to work just like his daddy.

“No son, maybe next year, ok? I’ve got it this year. If things keep going like they have been so far, I’ll have it done by tonight. Just in time for the Hearth’s Warming Day celebration!” Carrot explained excitedly. Normally he’d work late into the night on this project and be tired all Hearth’s Warming Day. This year he’d finish it on time, and be just as energetic as his family for the holiday.

“But daaaaaad....” Pound whined as he pawed at the ground in disappointment. He was sure he could be a big help if his dad let him. He had wings, after all. He could put the bricks on top of the growing walls without a problem.

“No buts, son. Go play with your sister or something, ok?” Carrot denied distractedly as he began to inspect the walls to make sure they were even. The building was just for show, so the walls didn’t need to be too sturdy. As long as nothing significantly heavy hit them, they would hold just fine for the show. “Now don’t touch anything, alright? I’m gonna go get my ladder...”

“Awww... fine...” Pound huffed as he sat back on his haunches and crossed his legs in front of his chest. As soon as his dad wandered out of eyesight though, Pound Cake’s smile returned and he picked up a brick. “When daddy sees that I can do this, he’ll let me help him finish the house!” he muttered excitedly as he flapped his wings a few times to get off the ground.

The large brick of gingerbread was heavier than he expected, and it was difficult for him to maintain a steady flight as he made his way to the top of the house. He set the brick down carefully, exactly where it was supposed to go. He panted a little as he released the brick, slightly more tired than he expected to be from lifting a single brick. He continued his work, managing to set down four bricks before his dad finally returned. He sat down in the same spot he’d been before and tried to look innocent.

“Didn’t I tell you to go play?” Carrot asked with a sigh when he saw his son. Pound looked kind of sweaty, and was panting heavily. “Hey, are you alright son?”

“Yeah, fine!” Pound shouted nervously, worried his dad would be upset about what he’d done. He decided to just let his father see it on his own.

Carrot shrugged and went inside of the house’s walls to set up his ladder. He continued his work for a few minuted before Pound began to be annoyed. He either hadn’t seen his work, or was ignoring it! He had to make sure his dad saw him helping so that he knew his son could be trusted to work with him.

Pound pondered how to go about that, when he decided the only way was to make sure his dad saw him helping. He lifted another brick, barely managing to lift it this time. He grunted and struggled as he lifted the brick up to the top of the wall his father was working on. He popped his head above the wall suddenly, struggling to maintain his flight.

“Hiya dad!” he shouted happily, moments away from his wings giving out.

“Gah!” Carrot shouted in surprise, lurching back unintentionally... sending him crashing to the ground. His hoof caught on one of the steps of the ladder as he fell, bringing it down on top of him as well. He grunted in pain. He was damaged, but he would be alright.

“Dad!” Pound shouted in shock as his wings finally gave out and he fell forward into the weak, poorly secured wall. It collapsed inward, sending hundreds of pounds of gingerbread tumbling down onto Carrot. The rest of the walls followed suit until the whole house had collapsed inward.

“Dad!” Pound shouted again. There was no reply.

That’s the way the cookie crumbles.