The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000

Twilight's POV

Twilight awoke in a tent next to Sweet Apple Acres and found Spike had fallen asleep on top of her. Twilight gently got him off her and she stepped outside to see the sun was about to rise and Night out of his tent stretching. "You guys got here early too?" Rainbow asked as she and Fluttershy showed up.

"Pinkie didn't tell you?" Night asked her.

"That she was camping out and told a bunch of other ponies what she was doing? No! She didn't," Rainbow answered.

"I'm sure you'll get your cider Rainbow," Twilight told her.

Rainbow growled as she flew off toward the end of the line. Twilight looked back and couldn't even see it. "She wasn't kidding about how many ponies heard Pinkie's idea," Night commented.

Twilight then saw a very fancy looking tent sitting right next to theirs and Twilight knew who was inside. Sure enough, Rarity stepped out. "Morning Rarity," Twilight greeted.

"Good morning, you three," Rarity said as she saw them, as Spike was also up now. After packing up the tents, they waited for the Apple's to announce the start of cider season.

"Isn't this exciting, Night and Spike? Opening day of cider season!" Twilight asked excitedly.

"Yeah! That means it's only thirty more days 'til sapphire season!" Spike answered.

"And you're the only thing in miles that cares about that," Night told Spike amused while Twilight and Rarity rolled their eyes.

"Attention, everypony! Cider season is now officially open!" Applejack announced. A few moments later, Pinkie walked past with at least 10 cups of cider.

"Glad we're close to the front of the line," Night commented.

"Believe me, she does that every single year," Rarity told them.

Once they were at the front of the line they paid for and it was as good as last year, maybe even better. Eventually came the inevitable words, "Sorry, everypony! That's it for today!" Applejack said.

"Surprise, surprise. You ran out again!" Rainbow told Applejack angrily.

"Yeah, you always run out!" Caramel added.

"Why can't you make enough cider for all of us? Or at least for me!" Rainbow wondered. This got everypony who hadn't gotten cider to start complaining.

"Hold on, everypony. We've done our best to improve supply this year-" Applejack started.

"You always say that!" Caramel shouted.

"And it's always true. But Apple family cider is made with love and integrity, and only the highest quality apples in Equestria. Sorry, but that recipe takes time," Applejack finished. This didn't seem to satisfy ponies as they walked away still complaining. "If y'all just be patient, we'll have plenty more tomorrow," Applejack said as they left.

"She's right, y'know! You can't rush perfection! And this year's batch was perfection! I'll never forget the cider I just drank! It was a moment in time that will never exist again," Pinkie told Rainbow. Rainbow looked like she was going to explode when a honk and some kind of machine approached the orchard.

"What in Equestria is that?" Applejack asked.

"I don't know, but I don't like it," Night said.

The machine stopped next to the fence and two almost identical unicorns stepped off the machine. The two started into a song.

[Well, lookie what we got here, brother of mine, it's the same in every town

Ponies with thirsty throats, dry tongues, and not a drop of cider to be found

Maybe they're not aware that there's really no need for this teary despair]

[That the key that they need to solve this sad cider shortage you and I will share]

Ponies seemed curious about what they were talking about.

[Well you've got opportunity

In this very community]

[He's Flim]

[He's Flam]

[We're the world-famous Flim Flam Brothers

Traveling salesponies nonpareil]

"Nonpa-what?" Pinkie asked.

[Nonpareil, and that's exactly the reason why, you see

No pony else in this whole place will give you such a chance to be where you need to be

And that's a new world, with tons of cider

Fresh squeezed and ready for drinking]

[More cider than you could drink in all your days of thinking]

"I doubt that," Rainbow told them.

[So take this opportunity

In this very community]

[He's Flim]

[He's Flam]

[We're the world-famous Flim Flam Brothers

Traveling salesponies nonpareil]

[I suppose by now you're wondering 'bout our peculiar mode of transport]

[I say, our mode of locomotion]

[And I suppose by now you're wondering, where is this promised cider?]

[Any horse can make a claim and any pony can do the same]

[But my brother and I have something most unique and superb

Unseen at any time in this big new world]

[And that's opportunity]

[Folks, it's the one and only, the biggest and the best]

[The unbelievable]

[Unimpeachable]

[Indispensable]

[I-can't-believe-able]

[Flim Flam Brothers' Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000]

"What do you say, sister?" Flam asked Rarity, who fainted in response. The crowd then started singing as well and Twilight noticed that Night was getting worried.

[Oh, we got opportunity

In this very community

Please, Flim, please, Flam, help us out of this jam

With your Flim Flam Brothers' Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000]

"Young filly, I would be ever so honored if you might see fit to let my brother and I borrow some of your delicious, and might I add spellbindingly fragrant apples for our little demonstration here?" Flim asked Applejack.

"Uh, sure, I guess," Applejack answered, looking skeptical. The crowd started singing along again.

[Opportunity, in our community]

[Ready, Flim?]

[Ready, Flam?]

[Let's bing bang zam!]

"And show these thirsty ponies a world of delectable cider!" Flim said as a large vacuum headed toward one of the trees and sucked the apples off it. "Watch closely, my friends!"

[The fun begins!]

"Now, here's where the magic happens. Right here in this heaving, roiling, cider-press-boiling guts of the very machine, those apples plucked fresh are right now as we speak being turned into grade-A, top-notch, five-star, blow-your-horseshoes-off, one-of-a-kind cider!" Flim explained.

[Feel free to take a sneak peek!] Granny Smith then interrupted them.

[Now wait, you fellers, hold it!

You went and over-sold it!

I guarantee that what you have there won't compare

For the very most important ingredient

Can't be added or done expedient

And it's quality, friends, Apple Acres' quality and care!]

[Well, Granny, I'm glad you brought that up, my dear, I say I'm glad you brought that up

You see that we are very picky when it comes to cider if you'll kindly try a cup]

[Yes, sir, yes, ma'am, this great machine lets just the very best

So whaddya say then, Apples?

Care to step into the modern world

And put the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 to the test?]

"What do you think, folks? Do you see what the Apples can't? I see it clear as day! I know she does! So does he! C'mon, Ponyville, you know what I'm talking about!" Flim shouted.

[We're saying you've got

Opportunity

In this very community

He's Flim, he's Flam

We're the world-famous Flim Flam Brothers

Traveling salesponies nonpareil!]

"You got a deal!" Apple Bloom told the brothers. The crowd started chatting excitedly, but when Twilight looked at Night, he was looking at the brothers and the machine in fear and hatred.

"Not so fast!" Granny shouted, calling Apple Bloom back. The apples then started talking to each other and Twilight used the opportunity to talk to Night.

"What's wrong, Night?" she asked.

"I don't trust them. There are too many similarities between them and business people on Earth," Night explained.

"But this isn't Earth," Twilight countered.

"And I plan to keep it that way," Night said coldly as he started walking toward the machine. Twilight quickly grabbed him.

"What are you trying to do?" Twilight asked.

"I plan to destroy that machine," Night told her. Twilight looked back at Applejack to see what she and the Apple's were thinking and noticed that Flim and Flam were talking to them.

Flim then whispered something to Applejack as Flam hopped on to their machine. "Don't you worry, everypony! There'll be plenty of cider for all of you!" he declared.

"Can we at least talk to Applejack?" Twilight asked.

"Fine. But I still plan on destroying that," Night said and the two headed over to the Apple family.

"You okay Applejack?" Twilight asked.

"Not really, Flim and Flam threatened to put us out of business," Applejack told them.

"I knew we couldn't trust them," Night said.

"I'm glad to see that someponies will still support us," Granny Smith said.

"You want me to blow that machine to bits?" Night asked Applejack.

"No. I wanna do this my way," Applejack answered.

"Well, you know where to find me," Night said.

The Next Day

The second day of cider season was in full swing and Twilight, Night, and Spike got their cider and stood by Applejack. "Still worried about Flim and Flam?" Twilight asked.

"Granny Smith says they were just blowing hot air," Spike pointed out.

"I'm not so sure. They sounded mighty serious when they threatened to run us out of business," Applejack countered.

"I'd take their threat seriously. Ponies like that usually can follow through with their threats," Night warned.

"That's it! Last cup!" Apple Bloom shouted as the tap squirted.

"Oh, for Pete's sake!" Rainbow shouted from down the line of ponies.

"C'mon back tomorrow, everypony!" Apple Bloom said.

Flim and Flam then returned and noticed what was going on. "What seems to be the problem here?" Flim asked.

"Oh my, oh my, out of cider again?" Flam asked.

"What have we here?" Flim asked as a barrel from the back of the Cider Squeezy 6000 landed on the ground. "Who'd like a cup?"

Ponies flocked to the Cider Squeezy 6000 and Flam pulled out a cup. "Don't worry, everypony, we've got the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 to make more in an instant!" he said, giving the cup to Rainbow. Applejack responded quickly and lassoed the barrel and pulled it towards her, hitting the cup in the process.

"You can't sell that cider! That's made from Apple family apples!" Applejack pointed out.

"Is this some kind of cruel joke?" Rainbow asked.

"Don't worry, everypony, there are plenty of apples in Equestria. We'll find some others and make more cider than all of Ponyville can drink!" Flim bragged. The crowd looked at them excitedly.

"We'll make more cider than you could ever imagine!" Apple Bloom shouted, drawing the crowd's attention. Big Mac then picked up Apple Bloom by the tail.

"Now, it ain't about the speed, young'un, it's about quality," Granny Smith told her.

"Who cares how good the cider is if I never get to drink any?" Rainbow pointed out.

"Oh, look at these poor, dissatisfied ponies," Flim said.

"Ponyville is Sweet Apple Cider country!" Apple Bloom told them.

"Our cider speaks for itself!" Applejack explained.

"Let's put it to the test," Flim said.

"Anywhere, anytime!" Apple Bloom said.

"With our machine, we can make enough cider in one hour to satisfy this entire town!" Flam told the crowd.

"We'll do it in 45 minutes!" Apple Bloom countered.

"Easy, Apple Bloom, easy," Granny Smith told her.

"What's the matter, Granny Smith? Chicken?" Flim teased.

"That's enough!" Night shouted as he walked up to Flim and Flam, ponies stepping out of his way.

"Prince Night! What a pleasure to be in your presence," Flim and Flam said.

"Save the flattery, it won't get you two anywhere," Night told them.

"Of course. So, what can we do for you?" Flim asked.

"I want you two to stop messing with the Apple family. I won't tolerate your kind behavior," Night warned.

"Well, if they're so confident in their cider, then what's the problem?" Flim asked. Granny Smith then got in between Night and Flim.

"Tomorrow mornin', right here!" she told Flim.

"But I'm afraid we haven't any… apples," Flam pointed out.

"You can use our south field! It'll be worth it to teach y'all a thing or two about cider making!" Granny Smith told them.

"Excellent! With his highness as our witness; we have a bet. Whoever produces the most barrels in one hour wins the exclusive right to sell cider in Ponyville," Flim declared.

"And after we beat ya, I don't never want to see you bambahoozlers around here again!" Granny Smith added.

"Until tomorrow," Flam said as they left.

"That wasn't how I wanted that to go," Night told Applejack.

"Don't worry, Applejack, I know you'll win tomorrow!" Twilight added.

"We'd better, 'cause if we don't, we're gonna lose our farm," Applejack pointed out.

The Next Day

Twilight and Night headed over to Sweet Apple Acres to watch the competition and found the Apple's getting ready. Big Mac was jogging in pace, Granny Smith was sniffing apples, and Applejack was kicking a sandbag with Apple Bloom hanging off it. "Applejack? Are you sure this is such a good idea?" Twilight asked.

"Me 'n' the family are... one hundred percent confident... in our cider making capabilities," Applejack answered as she kicked.

"And besides, nopony calls Granny a chicken," Apple Bloom added.

"Oh, and Night. You can destroy… that machine… when we win," Applejack added.

"Yes," Night cheered.

Mayor Mare's voice then rang out. "Attention, everypony!"

"Well, good luck," Twilight said as she and Night got out of the way.

"Thanks, Twilight. We'll need it," Applejack answered.

"The teams have one hour to produce as much cider as they can, after which the barrels will be counted and the winner will be named the sole cider provider for all of Ponyville!" Mayor Mare announced. "Are both teams ready?"

"Ready!" Applejack answered.

"Ready!" Flim and Flam answered.

"Then let's... go!" Mayor Mare announced.

Flin and Flam activated their machine while the Apple's headed over to their stations, with Applejack bucking apples, Apple Bloom collecting them, Granny Smith deciding which ones were good or bad, and Big Mac making the cider itself. Unfortunately, it wasn't going well, with the brothers taking an early lead. "This is just dreadful. Even at top speed, the Apples are only making one barrel to the twins' three!" Rarity realized. Twilight then got an idea.

"Um, Miss Mayor! Are honorary family members allowed to help in the competition?" Twilight asked.

"Well, I'm not sure... Flim, Flam, would you object to honorary family members helping?" she asked them.

"Are you kidding?" Flim asked in surprise.

"We don't care if the whole kingdom of Canterlot helps. It's a lost cause," Flam stated.

"Hm, I guess it's okay. Applejack? What do you think?" Mayor Mare asked.

"I think I'd love to have the rest of my family helpin' out," Applejack answered.

"All right!" the group said.

"Okay, everypony, we're not gonna let those smooth talkers take our friend's farm," Twilight said.

"Fluttershy, Night, help Applejack with the trees," Twilight said.

"You got it," Night answered as he and Fluttershy took off.

"Pinkie Pie, you're on apple catching detail," Twilight told her.

"Yessir, ma'am, sir!" Pinkie said as she ran off.

"Rarity, you've got a discerning eye. Help Granny Smith at the quality control station," Twilight said.

"Of course," Rarity said as she headed over.

"Rainbow Dash, do you think you can help Big MacIntosh press?" Twilight asked.

"In my sleep!" Rainbow answered as she headed over. Twilight headed over to where the barrels were being filled with cider and she used her magic to move them quickly.

"Based on these figures, we're making five barrels for every three of theirs!" Twilight noted after they had caught up.

"Keep it up, everypony! We're back in this!" Applejack encouraged.

Twilight then saw that the twins had decided to start cutting corners and she wasn't the only one. "C'mon, Rainbow Dash, keep grinding!" Twilight told her when she hopped off the treadmill.

"We don't have time for quality control if we wanna win this thing!" Rainbow pointed out.

"And if we start cutting corners we're no better than them! We'll just have to work harder!" Night countered.

"Alright then, double time!" Rainbow shouted as she hopped back on.

Eventually, the call happened. "Time's up!" Mayor Mare proclaimed.

Everypony collapsed right then and there in exhaustion. "I'm proud of you, Applejack," Twilight told her, panting.

"Thanks," Applejack said.

"Integrity like that will always be… rewarded," Twilight told her.

"Flim and Flam win!" Mayor Mare declared. The crowd looked shocked at the turn of events.

"Wh, wh–" Apple Bloom started but couldn't get a word out.

"We… lost?" Applejack asked in disbelief.

"Daww, too bad, Apples," Flim said.

"Guess you'll just have to find a new line of work that doesn't match your names quite so… perfectly," Flam told them.

"Now should we tear down all these tacky old buildings and put up new ones, brother?" Flim asked.

"I don't see why not, brother. After all, this isn't Sweet Apple Acres anymore. How about 'Flim Flam Fields'?" Flam asked his brother as a banner appeared on the property.

"I ought to press you into jerk cider!" Rainbow shouted as she tried to charge the twins.

"No, Rainbow Dash. A deal's a deal," Applejack told her before turning to Flim and Flam. "Congratulations to y'all. The cider business in Ponyville... is yours. C'mon, Apples. Let's go pack up our things," Applejack told them as they headed off.

"Fear not, everypony, there's more than enough cider to go around," Flim told the crowd before breaking off into chuckles. The crowd still looked at the Apple's.

"Go ahead, everypony. Go on, y'all. It's okay," Applejack told them. Pinkie started crying with Rainbow trying to support her. Night looked furious with grief while Twilight looked at the ground in defeat.

"Drink up, Ponyville! Down the hatch!" Flam said. Twilight then heard sounds of complaints and she looked at what was going on.

"I can't get the taste off my tongue!" one pony said.

"Mine's got rocks in it!" a second added.

"I wouldn't pay one cent for this dreck!" a third added.

"You wouldn't pay even one cent?" Flam asked the crowd.

"No!" the crowd shouted.

The twins then talked to each other "How about two cups for one cent?" Flam asked the crowd again.

"No!" the crowd shouted again.

"Two bits for a barrel?" Flim and Flam asked.

"NO!" they shouted even louder.

It looks like we've encountered a slight... problem here in Ponyville," Flim stated.

"Nopony wants our product. Next town?" Flim asked.

"Next town," Flam answered. Before the two could get on the Cider Squeezy again a blue beam blew the thing to pieces. Everypony looked to see who did it as Night blew on his smoking horn looking proud.

"What did you do?" Flim asked.

"Do you have any idea how much that cost?" Flam added.

"Oh sue me," Night told them. His voice then turned cold. "Now, get out of this town."

Flim and Flam didn't need to be asked twice and they sprinted away as fast as they could.

"They're gone," Applejack realized.

"That means Sweet Apple Acres is still in business!" Twilight said.

"Plus we can have high-quality Apple family cider!" Caramel added.

"Because of this silly competition, we've made enough of our cider for the whole town!" Apple Bloom told the crowd. Ponies started to line up and once the seven had their cider, they shared a toast.