Chapter 18: The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000

It was very early in the morning at Fluttershy's cottage. So early that the sun had not risen in the sky. Fluttershy was just snoozing soundly in her bed, dreaming peaceful dreams, when some knocking could be heard nearby. Fluttershy just yawned as she heard the knocking again.

"Who could that be?" said Fluttershy sleepily, "It's still dark!"

Suddenly, a Rainbow blur came bashing through her window and crashed into the other side of her room.

"C'mon, Fluttershy!" said Rainbow once she recovered and got into Fluttershy's face, "Cider season's about to start!"

Fluttershy gave a squee as Rainbow pulled off her blanket. Fluttershy blushed sheepishly and crossed her hooves to cover herself. Rainbow just looked annoyed. Didn't Fluttershy remember that they didn't wear clothes except for fancy occasions? Rainbow didn't think about it too much and Fluttershy shrieked as Rainbow pushed her out of the window at high speed and into the open skies.

"Oh, where are we?" said Fluttershy, still feeling rather drowsy. Since she hadn't fully woken up just yet, she hadn't really heard anything about what Rainbow had said to her, "What's the rush?"

The two Pegasi were still flying at high speed, but rather than try to keep up with Rainbow, Fluttershy kept pace by just riding the momentum Rainbow had given her when she was pushed out of her home. Whether it was because she was still sleepy or not, Fluttershy had adjusted to the speed easily.

"The rush?" Rainbow snapped frantically, "Don't you remember what happened last year? Or the year before that? Or pretty much any cider season ever?"

"Uh, well, uh-" Fluttershy stuttered.

"Pinkie Pie," Rainbow retorted with narrowed eyes, "She always ends up ahead of us in line, and then they always run out of cider!" Rainbow then began to push Fluttershy forward so they could go faster.

"I guess I-" Fluttershy tried speak but was cut off again. As they flew by at high speed, a bunny was waking up and stretching when they zoomed past and startled it.

"Well, not this year!" Rainbow said with determination as she rubbed her fore-hooves together, "This year I'm gonna get there before sunrise, so I can drink all the cider I want and laugh when she doesn't get any! It's the perfect plan. Y'know, I might even buy some cider and hold onto it for a while, drinking it drop by drop in front of her...GASP!"

Rainbow then came to a stop when she noticed a long line of tents had been formed in front of the stand and it extended for several miles.

"Gee, Rainbow Dash," said Fluttershy as she saw the long line of tents, "It looks like a few other ponies had the same idea."

Right at the front of the line of tents was a tent that was decorated in balloons. The front of it unzipped and after some balloons came out, was the pink party pony herself with a messy bed mane.

"Oh gosh, Pinkie," said Fluttershy with a smile, "I love your new style."

"Who are all these ponies?!" Rainbow asked with a worried look on her face.

"Isn't this great?" said Pinkie as she stood on her hind legs, fore-hooves on her cheeks for a moment, causing her mane to stick out before it went to being brushed on its own, "I couldn't sleep last night 'cause I was so excited about cider season, and I had this brilliant idea to come down here and camp out, so I told a few others about it, and they all thought it was a good idea too, and now it's just a big old cider party! Woo-hoo!"

She then got between the two Pegasi and hugged them tightly and smiled excitedly. Fluttershy just smiled as Rainbow had a dumbfounded look on her face. It was then she noticed just how many ponies had camped out.

"Oh, gosh, that's alot of ponies," said Pinkie innocently as she walked away, "Hope they don't run out before you get any." Fluttershy just continued to smile as Rainbow growled angrily.

*Main theme*

The sun was high in the sky as the Apple family were getting things ready to begin selling the cider. Granny Smith was already at the main stand with a visor on her head. Apple Bloom was there as well at the mechanism where they would tap each barrel to pour the cider into wooden made mugs. Big Mac was with the stack of barrels that were loaded with freshly made cider just waiting to be sold. Applejack was busy setting up the mega-phone so they could announce when selling would begin.

Several other ponies were now out of their tents and standing in line. Pinkie was right up front while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were a good couple of miles away. Rainbow was fuming to herself at her unfortunate luck. However, Chase, Twilight, and Rarity were much closer to the stand thanks to Pinkie telling them to come early.

"Isn't this exciting, Spike?" said Twilight happily, "Opening day of cider season!"

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

Spike licked his lips as Twilight and Rarity just rolled their eyes at him while Chase gave him a blunt look on his face.

"Spike, ponies don't eat any gems, you eat them." Chase said with a matter of fact tone. "Besides, did you sneak into Jade's room to snatch one of her fire rubies the other night?"

Spike stiffed with widened eyes before he became nervous.

"No! I was just, uh, well…" Spike stuttered nervously before he gave up. "Yes, I did."

Chase and Twilight glared at him.

"Spike, we really need to work on your diet because my family and I have a huge load of expensive gems to be kept safe from dragons snatching them like you." Chase said sternly.

"Yes, Chase. I'll give Jade her fire rubies back." Spike said, honestly.

Twilight giggled at Spike's punishment.

It was then the sound of a megaphone being adjusted was heard.

"Attention, everypony," said Applejack, "Cider season is now officially open!"

The ponies in line all cheered and chattered about excitedly. Apple Bloom and Granny Smith smiled at each other as Pinkie approached the stand. She wasted no time dumping two large sacks loaded with bits into their treasury box. With a nod from the elderly pony, Apple Bloom pulled a lever to pour some freshly made cider into a wooden mug. Pinkie took the mug and drank the cider greedily before walking down the road with about nine full mugs filled with delicious cider. Rainbow noticed her walking by and began to feel worried once more.

As time went by, pony after pony came up the stand, paying their bits and getting their mugs of delicious cider. The process was simple: a pony would put 2 bits into the treasury, Apple Bloom would pull the lever to pour the cider into the mug, and the pony would take the mug and drink up. Ponies afterward would look rather satisfied or have foamy lips with their tongues hanging out. Then the moment would come in which Apple Bloom would pull the lever and the tap would clink, showing the barrel was out of cider.

Rainbow could feel her worry grow as time went on. Even as she seemed to get closer and closer to the cider stand. She could see the barrels of cider were disappearing one by one. Fluttershy had managed to get herself her own mug. Rainbow had finally reached the cider stand at last. She eagerly put her two bits into the treasury and was nearly drooling as a mug was placed under the tap, but...the tap clunked. Rainbow had been just one pony too late. Rainbow's eyes watered and her lips quivered before she growled angrily.

"Uh, sorry, everypony." Applejack said. "That's it for today!"

The ponies just awed in disappointment.

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

"Yeah, you always run out of cider!" said Caramel angrily.

"For the record," said Fluttershy, wanting to make peace, "I don't mind-"

"Why can't you make enough cider for all of us?" Rainbow yelled as she jumped in front of the yellow Pegasus, "Or at least for me!"

The rest of the ponies agreed with Rainbow and began to complain and grumble. Applejack was nearly surrounded until she jumped into the stand in front of Apple Bloom and Granny Smith.

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

"You always say that!" Caramel retorted.

And what I said about supply is 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."

The rest of her family nodded in agreement. The rest of the ponies just continued to grumble and complain. Only Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy looked worried.

Chase became annoyed with the crowd before he came to Applejack's aid and gave everypony a stern glare.

"Alright, everypony that's enough!" Chase said, making everypony stop complaining and turn to him. "Applejack has already her final statement."

"No one asked you to-" Caramel tried to retort when Chase beat him to it.

"I'M SPEAKING!" Chase shouted sternly at his direction, making everypony flinch at his attitude before they felt rather intimidated and scared by him.

"If you all want some apple cider, then come back tomorrow and they will have the barrels ready!" Chase said before he finished. "And I don't want to hear any more complaining coming from all of you! That includes you too, Rainbow Dash!"

He pointed at Rainbow Dash, who listened carefully with a fearful look before she smiled nervously.

"Yes, sir." Rainbow complied.

"If y'all just be patient, we'll have plenty more tomorrow," Applejack agreed as the other ponies walk away.

Rainbow turned to leave as well with a huff, but was then stopped by Pinkie.

"She's right, y'know!" said Pinkie, "You can't rush perfection. And this year's batch was perfection."

"Uh, Pinkie Pie-" Fluttershy warned, but Pinkie just wrapped a fore-hoof around Rainbow.

"I'll never forget the cider I just drank," Pinkie continued as she leaned against Rainbow's back, "It was a moment in time that will never exist again."

Pinkie sighed contently as Rainbow began to growl and tremble angrily.

"And Pinkie Pie." Chase said sternly, making Pinkie yelp before she stood at attention with the unicorn stallion with a scared look. "It's time you need to stop telling everypony about this. Do you have any idea how long Rainbow wanted to get some cider? Well news flash, you ruined it!"

"Me?!" Pinkie spluttered nervously. "But I, uh, I was just-" She was cut off as Chase gave her a stern glare. Finally she gave up with a sigh before she turned to Rainbow Dash with an apologetic look. "Sorry, Rainbow Dash. I'll try hard not to make you wait in line again."

Rainbow Dash was speechless at Pinkie's sincere apology and was about to comfort her when…

HONK-HONK!

Pinkie and Rainbow both turned their heads in the direction of the honking. It was then they noticed some sort of motorized contraption coming down the road as some others ponies took interest in it as well. Many of them looked in awe as Applejack stepped aside to get a good look at the machine. As the machine continued to make electrical sparks and noises, Pinkie and Rainbow looked at it excitedly and approached it. Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith were examining the machine now as the machine came to a stop by the fence. Correction. A corner of the fence was damaged as the front of the machine crashed through it, which angered Granny Smith.

"What in Equestria is that?" said Applejack curiously.

"Some sort of machine I guess." Chase said.

Several others ponies were also looking at the machine with curiosity as two unicorn stallions climbed off of the contraption. They clearly appeared to be brothers, each with the same pale yellow coat with red and white stripped manes and tails. The brother on the left donned a mustache while the brother on the right was clean shaven. They also wore matching blue and white striped shirts with large black bow ties and straw boater hats. Their names were Flim and Flam.

[Flim -addressed Flam before zipping up to a mare whose face was hanging out. He closes her jaw as he looked back at Flam with a smirk on his face.]

Well, lookie what we got her, 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

[Flam]

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

[The other ponies gasp and chatter excitedly.]

[Flim and Flam - begin to sing together, waving their hats before zipping apart]

Well you've got oppertunity

In this very community

[Flam]

He's Flim

[Flim]

He's Flam

[Flim and Flam - began to dance and mirror each other]

We're the world famous Flim-Flam Brothers

Traveling salesponies nonpareil

"Nonpa-what?" Pinkie asked puzzled.

[Flim - he then heads to the other ponies as he answered Pinkie's question, he also lifted up Apple Bloom and kissed her forehead. Chase took notice and growled defensively at him.]

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

[Flam - uses his magic to make a giant vacuum tube appear]

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

"I doubt that," said Rainbow Dash skeptically with her fore-hooves crossed.

[Flim and Flam - one brother begins to can-can]

So take this oppertunity

[Flim, Flam, and Crowd - both brothers are singing and dancing in sync]

In this very community

[Flam]

He's Flim

[Flim]

He's Flam

[Flim and Flam]

We're the world famous Flim Flam Brothers

Traveling salesponies

[Flim, Flam, and Crowd]

Nonpareil

[Flim - gets into the face of some ponies as he pointed back at he and his brother's contraption.]

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

[Flam - stepped in front of his brother]

I say, our mode of locomotion

[Flim - stood before a podium]

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

[Flam]

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

[Flim - stands between some mares]

But my brother and I have something most unique and superb

Unseen at any time in this big new world

[Flim and Flam]

And that's opportunity

[Flim]

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

[Flam]

The unbelievable

[Flim]

Unimpeachable

[Flam]

Indispensable

[Flim]

I-can't-believe-able

[Flim and Flam]

Flim Flam Brothers' Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000

"What d'you say, sister?" Flam offers to Rarity, who is so bedazzled that she fainted and Spike caught her before the marshmallow mare could hit the ground. Twilight just looks worried as the crowd was now singing.

[Crowd]

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," said Flim to Applejack, "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?"

"Uh, sure, I guess," said Applejack reluctantly as Chase gave Flim a suspicious glare.

Big Mac and Granny Smith looked both worried and skeptical about the two unicorns. Apple Bloom was the only pony eager to see what their contraption could do. Applejack just looked at Granny Smith afterward.

[Crowd]

Opportunity, in our community

[Flam]

Ready, Flim?

[Flim]

Ready, Flam?

[Flim and Flam- use their horns to activate the machine]

Let's bing bang zam!

"And show these thirsty ponies a world of delectable cider," said Flim.

[Crowd - some ponies were showing desperation on their faces and even Rainbow had her tongue hanging out. The giant vacuum sucked up some apples from the trees. The apples then headed into a large barrel. The barrel then rotated at a high speed.]

Cider, cider, cider, cider...

"Watch closely, my friends!" said Flim.

[Flam]

The fun begins!

"Now, here's where the magic happens," said Flim quickly, "Right here in the heaving, rolling, 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!"

The ponies, now including Twilight, Rarity, and Spike were now chanting "cider" with the other ponies.

[Flam - pulled a level showed off a display window as several ponies gathered around to take a peek.]

Feel free to take a sneak peek!

[Granny Smith - gets in Flam's face before walking away once she finished her stanza]

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!

[Flim - approaches Granny as he sang and even offered her a sample of their cider, which she sampled. She nearly smiled before quickly retracting it and flinched when she hears a crunching sound.]

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

[Flam - showed a display of the apples at they go through a conveyor belt. Good apples pass without fuss while bad apples are disposed of.]

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

So whaddaya say, Apples?

Care to step into the modern world

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

[Crowd - continued to chant as Applejack, Mario, and Big Mac look uncertain. Apple Bloom was on her hind legs cheering them on.]

Cider, cider, cider, cider...

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

[Flim and Flam - mirror each other as they dance]

We're saying you've got

[Flim, Flam, and Crowd - now cheering and even Rainbow was dancing happily on the background]

Opportunity

In this very community

He's Flim, he's Flam

We're the world famous Flim Flam Brothers!

Traveling salesponies nonpareil

[Flim and Flam]

Yeah!

As their little singing promotion came to an end, Apple Bloom rushed up to them.

"You got a deal!" said Apple Bloom and the crowds began to chatter excitedly in agreement.

"Not so fast!" said Granny Smith as Applejack and Big Mac stood behind her with blank faces. It was then the four Apple family members huddled up. "No way no how that machine matches up with the care we put into our cider!"

"But if it really does work, we could make everypony in town happy!" said Apple Bloom.

"I just don't know, y'all," said Applejack, "We've always made cider the same way."

"Eeyup. Huh?" said Big Mac in agreement when he noticed two uninvited ponies had joined the huddle.

"We'll sweeten the deal," said Flim, "You supply the apples..."

"Then we split those sweet-sweet profits," said Flim and Flam together.

"...seventy-five..." said Flim.

"...Twenty-five," Flam finished.

"Deal-" Apple Bloom nearly agreed.

"Hold on," said Applejack, "Who gets the seventy-five?"

"Why, us, naturally," said Flim.

"And, we'll throw in the magic to power the machine for free," said Flam.

Chase glared at them.

"Cider sales keep our business afloat during the winter," Applejack told the others, "We'd lose Sweet Apple Acres if we agreed to this."

"So? What will it be?" Flim and Flam asked with smirks.

"No deal," said Big Mac firmly to the two brothers.

"Hmph, very well," said Flim as she got into Applejack's face, "If you refuse our generous offer to be partners or to buy our machine, then we'll just have to be competitors."

"You wouldn't dare," Applejack warned.

"Oh no," said Flim.

"Don't you worry, everypony!" said Flam as he stood by a podium near their machine, "There'll be plenty of cider for all of you!"

"Once we drive Sweet Apple Acres out of business," Flim said quietly to Applejack.

The Apple family all gasped. Chase was surprised by this.

"What?" said Apple Bloom agape.

As if the quantity shortage wasn't enough of the problem, two more competitors just entered the cider market and were looking to monopolize the market.

"Oh, boy." Chase said with a look of fear.

(Scene changes)

The next day, it was business as usual and of course Pinkie had gotten first in line again and Rainbow was grumbling miles away as the cider was being sold and the tap was clunking about. Twilight and Chase came to approach the orange pony, along with Spike, as they each held their own cider mugs in their fore-hooves.

"Still worried about Flim and Flam?" Twilight asked.

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

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

"That's it!" Apple Bloom announced, "Last cup!"

"Oh, for Pete's sake!" Rainbow yelled from her spot in line, which was much farther away then yesterday. The rest of the crowd just sighed in disappointment.

"C'mon back tomorrow," said Apple Bloom, trying to say cheerful, but the rest of the ponies just walk away complaining and grumbling once more.

Then a dark shadow appeared behind Applejack. It was then the Cider Squeezy 6000 came clunking back to the stand. Granny Smith had just finished repairing the damage to the fence when the contraption crashed into it again. Chase groaned.

"Ugh, I gotta hand it to those two," Chase said to Applejack and Twilight, "they knew when they would have the competitive advantage. Right when you guys run out of cider!"

"What seems to be the problem here?" Flim asked in a smug manner.

"Oh my, oh my, out of cider again?" Flam replied over-dramatically, making Chase and Applejack glare. Flim then leaned against the machine as a barrel loaded with freshly made cider was deposited on the ground.

"What have we here?" said Flim, "Who'd like a cup?"

The other ponies began to chatter excitedly as Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, Applejack, and Twilight look worried. Suddenly a large crowd of ponies rampage past them toward the Super Cider Squeezy 6000. The brothers just leaned against the barrel smugly as the crowd gathered around them. Flam then handed Rainbow a mug filled with cider, which she took eagerly and went for a drink. Then out of the blue, Applejack used her lasso to grab the cider barrel and pulled it away from them. At the same time, she knocked the mug of cider out of Rainbow's hoof making it spill onto the ground in front of the blue pony.

"You can't sell that cider," said Applejack as Chase held a hoof on the barrel defensively, "That's made from Apple family apples!"

Chase nodded in agreement. Poor Rainbow was so devastated over her lost cider that she went so far as to shove the dirt the cider had soaked into her mouth.

"Is this some kind of cruel joke?" Rainbow asked with her mouth covered in dirt and eyes filling with tears, but nopony was paying attention to her.

"Don't worry, everypony," said Flim, not phased at all by what Applejack had told them, "there are plenty of apples in Equestria. We'll find some others and make more cider than all of Ponyville can drink!" The crowd gasped.

"We'll make more cider than you could ever imagine!" Apple Bloom challenged and the crowd gasped a second time, but Flam didn't seem to impressed. Big Mac then carried Apple Bloom away by her tail as Apple Bloom pouted despite the fact she was now dangling upside down.

"Now it ain't about the speed, young'un," Granny Smith pointed out, "it's about quality." The crowd just sighed in disappointment.

"Who cares how good it is if I never get to drink any?" Rainbow yelled angrily.

"Oh, look at these poor, dissatisfied ponies," said Flim as he grabbed Rainbow's face to make her cheeks puffy and obviously use her as a sympathy case.

"Ponyville is Sweet Apple Acre country," said Apple Bloom waving her fore-hooves about until Big Mac dropped the little filly on her head.

"Our cider speaks for itself!" Applejack added sternly.

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

"Anywhere, anytime!" Apple Bloom called out. The crowd was shock and began to mutter to each other.

"Well, that's enough now," said Granny Smith, trying to make peace.

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

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

"Wow, really?" the crowd muttered as well as other comments that showed that they were interested in a challenge.

"Easy, Apple Bloom, easy," said Granny Smith gently before she began to walk away.

"What's the matter, Granny Smith?" Flim taunted with smirk, "chicken?"

That made Granny freeze in her tracks as a stern glare appeared on her face. Big Mac felt a cold chill behind his back he made a fearful look. They knew Flim had crossed the line, but the unicorn didn't seem unnerved about it.

"What did you call me, sonny?" Granny Smith asked in a slow but stern tone.

"If you're so confident in your cider, than what's the problem?" Flim asked smugly.

"Tomorrow mornin', right here!" Granny Smith yelled in Flim's face.

"But I'm afraid we haven't any...apples," Flam pointed out in mock concern as he spat just before saying apples.

"You can use our south field," said Granny Smith as she shook her fore-hoof at them, "It'll be worth it to teach y'all a thing or two about cider making!"

"Excellent; we have a bet," said Flim, "Whoever produces the most barrels in one hour wins the exclusive rights to sell cider in Ponyville."

Applejack then began to sweat and her eyes shrank. She hoped that Granny Smith knew just how much was at stake right now if they accepted their challenge. Flim and Flam just smiled smugly.

"And after we beat ya," said Granny Smith, making it clear she accepted the terms and conditions, "I don't ever want to see you bambahoozlers around here again!" The crowd continued to chatter as Granny Smith exchanged a hoof bump with them.

"Until tomorrow," said Flam before their Cider Squeezy 6000 drove off and out of sight.

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

"We'd better," said Applejack as the crowd began to disperse, "'cause if we don't, we're gonna lose our farm." Applejack walked away feeling rather worried as Chase looked worried for her.

He looked down with more concern before it was replaced with anger. He finally had enough of this foolishness.

Well, if Flim and Flam want a fight, they've got one coming to them. Chase said in his thought as he turned and went for home while he used his magic to write a letter.

(Scene changes)

The next morning, everypony was getting themselves ready for the competition. The Flim Flam Brothers and their Cider Squeezy 6000 were at one end of the cider stand while the Apple Family was on the other.

At least the Apple family were warming themselves up for the competition. Big Mac had put on some goggles and was jogging in place. Granny Smith was examining some apples while wearing her glasses, even giving a few apples a sniff. Applejack was busy kicking a sand bag in order to work out the muscles in her hind legs. Apple Bloom was just riding the sand bag for both fun and to give her big sisters some encouragement.

"Applejack?" said Twilight as she and Chase approached her, "Are you sure this is such a good idea?"

"Me 'n' the family are...one hundred percent confident...in our cider making abilities," said Applejack as she continued to buck the sand bag.

"And besides, nopony calls Granny a chicken." Apple Bloom added just as Applejack bucked the sand bag so hard that Apple Bloom went flying off of it. This was also the moment when Mayor Mare, the overseer of today's cider challenge, chose to speak through the microphone.

"Attention everypony," Mayor Mare called out. Twilight looked back before facing Applejack once more.

"Well, good luck," said Twilight and Chase as they took their leave.

"Thanks, Twilight and Chase." said Applejack when right behind her, Apple Bloom wobbled before the orange pony before falling onto her back and passing out.

"We'll need it," said Applejack wearily once she saw her little sister knocked out.

"The teams have one hour to make as much cider as they can," said Mayor Mare through the microphone, "after which the barrels will be counted and the winner will be named the sole cider provider for all of Ponyville."

Flim and Flam just simply smirked as they sat comfortably on a red sofa that was a part of their contraption. The crowds just gave some shocked gasps and murmured to each other.

"Are both teams ready?" said Mayor Mare. Granny Smith just snorted to herself.

"Ready!" said Applejack as she blew the front of her bangs out of her face.

"Ready!" said Flim and Flam, clearly showing their confidence.

"Then let's...go!" said Mayor Mare as another pony turned over a giant hourglass and the sand began to pour into the opposite side of it.

The Apple family took off to get to work. Flim and Flam simply yawned and used their magic to activate their machine, which made the giant vacuum tube extend over an apple tree to gather up the apples for their cider.

As for the Apple family, Applejack was gritting her teeth as she bucked the apples off the trees. Apple Bloom was nearby so she could catch the falling apples into a bucket. Once the bucket was filled, she would rush the apples to Granny Smith, who began to check the apples for their quality.

"Ugh, bad 'un, Good' un! Bad 'un..." said Granny Smith aloud as she checked each apple one at a time.

The good apples were then tossed onto a chute where they rolled into a stone press that was powered by Big Mac, who was now wearing the goggles over his eyes, was racing on a treadmill. As the apples were pressed, they turned into cider which a tap filled up a nearby barrel. it wasn't long before the first barrel was filled and Big Mac quickly sealed it, replaced it with another empty barrel.

"Great job, y'all," said Applejack, "We've already filled our entire barrel!"

"I'll bet you those guys don't even have-" Apple Bloom remarked when...

"GASP!" Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith said at once. They turned to see that the Brother's machine had already produced six full barrels loaded with cider in the same amount of time.

"What?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. It didn't help that Flim and Flam were still reclining and just waved at the Apple Family.

As the challenge continued, Flim and Flam's machine was hard at work collecting apples, checking quality, and filling up barrel after barrel with cider. The rest of the family, except for Applejack, were feeling rather discouraged and their cooperation was suffering.

"C'mon, Apple Bloom, focus!" said Applejack as she bucked another tree, "We gotta forget those guys if we're gonna have a chance of winnin'!" Apple Bloom had missed the apples from the tree when she shook her head to recompose herself.

"Sorry, Sis!" said Apple Bloom as she collected the dropped apples and sent the bucket over to Granny Smith, who was overwhelmed by all the buckets of apples surrounding her.

"Granny, we're fallin' behind," said Apple Bloom worried before she headed back to the orchard.

"Egh..." Granny Smith groaned, wiping sweat from her brow as she sniffled another apple, "Good 'un...Ugh, Bad 'un."

"Rest when it's over, Big Macintosh," Applejack called out, "Ride! Ride!"

Big Mac then got the energy he need for a second wind and picked up the pace, which allowed him to fill the cider barrels much more quickly. Twilight, Chase and the rest of their friends were still worried.

"This is just dreadful," said Rarity "Even at top speed, , they are only making one barrel to the twin's three!" Twilight pondered to herself before she got an idea.

"Um, Miss Mayor," said Twilight as the other four ponies stood behind her, "Are honorary family members allowed to help in the competition?"

Mayor Mare blinked for a moment.

"Well, I'm not sure..." Mayor Mare pondered before turning to the two brothers, "Flim, Flam, would you object to honorary family members helping?" The two brothers just smiled smugly.

"Are you kidding?" said Flim.

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

"Hm, I guess it's okay," said Mayor Mare, "Applejack? What do you think?" Applejack bucked another tree, sweating heavily before giving them a smile.

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

"All right!" said the five ponies before Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rarity, and Rainbow stood side by side as Twilight and Chase took command.

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

"Yeah!" the other four ponies replied in agreement.

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

"Got it," Fluttershy replied.

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

"Yessir, ma'am, sir!" Pinkie replied and saluted.

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

"Of course," said Rarity.

"Rainbow Dash, do you think you can help Big Macintosh press?" Chase asked with a determined look.

"In my sleep!" said Rainbow confidently.

It was then a checkered tablecloth was shown with six apples that had each of their faces in them.

"Alright, everypony," said Twilight, "let's save Sweet Apple Acres."

"All right!" the other four ponies chanted as they headed off do their jobs. Applejack continued to buck the trees while Fluttershy flew inside the leaves of a tree, shook all the apples off and then flew to another tree to repeat the process.

"Over there, Apple Bloom! Don't miss them!" said Pinkie as she carried a bucket on her head to catch the apples. Apple Bloom made a dive and caught the apples just in time.

"Right behind you, Pinkie Pie!" Apple Bloom called out as Pinkie did a backward somersault and caught the apples behind her. Rarity had already taken her seat with Granny Smith at the quality control station.

"Good 'un, bad 'un, bad 'un, good 'un," said Granny Smith.

"Lovely, horrid, horrid, lovely..." said Rarity.

Rainbow and Big Mac were already running side by side as the barrels began to fill up much faster and Twilight was busy sealing up each barrel when it was full, replacing it with an empty one, then stacking the full barrel with the others with Chase by her side. With six more ponies, productivity had improved drastically.

"Based on these figures," said Twilight, "we're making five barrels for every three of theirs!"

"If we can get our pace to at least six or seven barrels," Chase pointed out. "We can out produce them before time runs out!" The crowd cheered.

"Keep it up, everypony!" said Applejack, feeling her confidence return, "we're back in this!" This change did not go unnoticed by the two brothers as Flim did a spit take at Flam.

"Come on, brother, we've gotta pick up the pace!" Flim panicked as he shook Flam.

"Right, uh, double the power!" said Flam as he and Flim increased their magic so the machine would operate faster. However, this caused a problem.

The increased power was causing the vacuum tube to suck up entire apple trees into the machine, which caused the quality of the apples to suffer. This meant fewer apples were being made for cider as more apples were being rejected.

"We've gotta try something else." said Flim when he noticed the increased number of rejected apples.

"I've got it, brother of mine," said Flam as he disabled the quality control mechanism, allowing apples to be used whether they were good quality or not.

"Well done, Flam," said Flim as they exchanged a high hoof, "We're at top productivity!"

The crowd cheered, unaware of the change they had made to their machine. Meanwhile Rainbow had stopped running to see what the commotion was all about, causing Big Mac to trip and was now stuck on the speeding treadmill.

"Come on, Rainbow," said Twilight, "keep grinding!"

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

She flies over to grab some apples when Granny Smith yelped as Rainbow hovered above her.

"Get back you!" said Granny Smith, "One bad apple spoils the bunch!"

"Applejack, help me!" Rainbow retorted.

"There's no point in winnin' if we cheat," said Applejack.

"We'll just have to work harder!" said Twilight, "Come on, everypony!"

"All right then, double time!" said Rainbow before heading back to Big Mac to help with the treadmill.

Spike grew more worried as time began to wind down and the Super Cider Squeezy 6000 was still producing cider barrels at a fast pace even through the quality was clearly suffering for it. Applejack and Fluttershy were shaking the apples off the trees as Apple Bloom and Pinkie were moving at top speed to collect them. Rarity, and Granny Smith were moving as quickly and carefully as they could. Flim and Flam seemed just as confident and relaxed as ever. Applejack narrowed her eyes in determination as time was running out. Spike closed his eyes from all the suspense as the last bit of sand in the hourglass dropped.

"Time's up!" shouted Mayor Mare. The mane seven and the rest of the Apple family froze for a second before they all groaned and plopped to the ground in complete exhaustion. The crowds cheered as Mayor Mare got to work counting the barrels.

"I'm proud of you, Applejack," said Twilight softly since she was tired.

"Thanks," said Applejack, still out of breath.

"Integrity like that will always be...rewarded," said Twilight.

It was then Mayor Mare had finished counting the barrels.

"Flim and Flam win!" said Mayor Mare and the crowd gasped and murmured to each other. Applejack was shocked.

"We...lost?" Applejack added as Apple Bloom looked just as devastated.

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

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

"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." Flam added, "After all, this isn't Sweet Apple Acres anymore. How about Flim and Flam Fields?"

Applejack took offense to that remark. Poor Apple Bloom looked ready to cry and no one could blame her for it either. Granny Smith placed a fore-hoof on her shoulder to provide some comfort. The two brothers then used their magic to make a banner appear over the cider stand.

"I ought to press you into jerk cider!" Rainbow said angrily and went for an attack when she felt somepony hold her back. Rainbow turned around to see that it was Applejack who was holding her back by the tail.

"No. Rainbow Dash," said Applejack, "A deal's a deal." The two brothers laughed.

"Congratulations to y'all," said Applejack in a gracious but also very solemn tone, "The cider business in Ponyville...is yours. C'mon Apples. Let's go pack up our things."

"Fear not, everypony," said Flim, "there's more than enough cider to go around." The two brothers began to laugh again, paying no attention to now gloomy mood that surrounded everypony else in the crowd. Many of the ponies in the crowd were now looking very sad, many of them fighting back tears.

Applejack then addressed the crowd, who were unsure about buying the cider from the stand's new owners.

"Go ahead everypony," said Applejack bravely, but as she turned around a few tears left her eyes. It was then Pinkie began to bawl her eyes out as Rainbow patted her back for comfort. Rainbow and Twilight just eyed the Apple Family sadly.

"Well, brother of mine! We've got quite a load for everypony!" said Flam, seeing the giant load of barrels full with rotten apple cider.

"Now let's get down to business!" Flim said.

"Drink up, Ponyville!" said Flam, trying to lighten the mood and fatten their pockets as three mugs of crude looking cider were placed on the stand, "Down the hatch."

"I think not!" A stern voice came from behind the crowd, making the Flim Flam brothers flinch in surprise as the crowd gasp in surprise at this event as they turned around to see three unicorn stallions in black health inspector uniforms glaring at Flim and Flam.

"And who might you be?" Flim asked indignantly as the unicorn stallions approached the stand looking at the Flim Flam brothers sternly.

"I'm lead health inspector Stan Hoofington. The others are Woody Woodchuck and Quarry Breeze." Stan introduced themselves in a stern tone. "We're officially closing down your business at Sweet Apple Acres for good!"

"What?!" Flim and Flam said in disbelief as everypony watched.

"But we haven't done anything wrong. Just a little competition with the Apples and what not. Besides, we just got started on our business." Flam said with a smug smile along with his brother.

"Ha. Well that's not what this says." Woody Woodchuck said with a smirk before he said in a stern tone as he used his magic to slam a newspaper in Flim and Flam's faces.

They tore the newspaper off with shocked looks as it showed a picture of Flim and Flam smirking triumphantly with loads of bits as the Apples were in the picture devastated.

"'Flim and Flam cheat with a machine.? Task masters attempt to take over the family business.'?" Flim read the article as everypony listened. "'Flim and Flam brother masterminds threaten Apples for Sweet Apple Acres for a competition in exchange so they can rake in the dough like buffoons.'?!"

"WHAT?!" Flim and Flam shouted in shock.

"And what is this pathetic rubbish?" Stan asked as he took a mug and sip the cider before he spat it in the brothers faces. "What kind of sick joke is this anyway? These apple cider mugs are sick and inhumane! As well as threatening to take a family business!"

Three ponies then took a mug of cider, hesitated for a moment, and went to drink it. Then they spat it out at the brother's faces again and grunted in disgust.

"He's right!" Cherry Berry grunted. "I can't get the taste off my tongue!"

"Mine's got rocks in it!" said Bon Bon in disgust.

"I wouldn't pay one cent for this dreck!" said a pony named Comet Tail.

Flim and Flam suddenly looked more uneasy at the crowd.

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

"No!" the crowd shouted. Flim and Flam huddled up quickly.

"How about two cups for one cent?" Flam offered.

"NO!" the crowd answered more firmly.

Flim and Flam huddled up again.

"Two bits for a barrel?" They asked sheepishly.

"NO!" the crowd yelled angrily.

Stan, Woody, and Quarry glared at the two sternly.

"The jig is up Flim and Flam." Stan said in a warning tone. "If you two don't get out of here and close up this pathetic excuse of a business right now, we can place you both under arrest for personally threatening to take a family property!"

That scared Flim and Flam even more as they were in big trouble.

"It looks like we've encountered a slight...problem in Ponyville," said Flam nervously.

"Nopony wants our product," Flim added, "Next town?"

"Next town. Let's go, Flim!" said Flam.

"Let's go, Flam!" Flim said as they tipped their hats farewell, removed their banner, and rushed over to their Super Cider Squeezy 6000. The machine chugged its way down the road and out of sight. Applejack smiled since the fact they had left meant one thing:

The deal was off.

"They're gone," said Applejack.

"That means Sweet Apple Acres is still in business!" said Twilight as Stan, Woody, and Quarry approached them as Applejack smiled gratefully at the three health inspectors.

"Thank you three so much!" Applejack said emotionally. "If there's anything I can do for ya'll, name it."

Stan, Woody, and Quarry smiled.

"How about if you give us a barrel of high quality Sweet Apple Acer family cider and you can have your farm back." Stan suggested with a smile.

"Deal!" Applejack said as she shook his hoof before Twilight used her magic to give the three health inspectors a barrel full of the family's apple cider.

The health inspectors took it as Stan gave Applejack a bag of bits before they walked off screen with the barrel of fresh apple cider.

"You know, there's just one thing I don't get." Applejack said with a confused look as she looked at Twilight. "Who exactly called the Health Inspectors?"

The other girls just shrugged as a meaning they had nothing to do with it.

"Actually, AJ." Chase said as he walked up next to Applejack, making her and the others turn to him. "I'm the one who did it. I sent a letter and the newspaper article regarding your concern to Stan Hoofington and led them here to help you. Everypony knows that health inspectors are suppose to be here to taste the product before something is done."

Applejack was shocked as was the rest of the group before they gave him teary smiles.

"Ya did all of this for me? For us?" Applejack asked as Chase smiled with a nod before he was taken by surprise as Applejack hugged him with tears falling from her face.

"You're the most sweet, kind, loving, caring stallion I've ever met, Chase." Applejack said emotionally as Chase just smiled and hugged her back with a foreleg.

Twilight came up and hugged Chase as well.

"You really are the most caring stallion to help any pony I've ever met too, Chase." Twilight said sweetly as she kissed Chase on the cheek as he blushed before the rest of the group and Apple family hugged the unicorn stallion.

"Plus we can have high quality Apple family cider!" said Caramel as he pointed to the huge mountain of barrels.

"Because of this silly competition," Apple Bloom added, "we've made enough of our cider for the entire town!"

The crowd cheered as Applejack smiled.

(Scene changes)

"Dear Princess Celestia," said Applejack as the Apple family was back to selling cider to everypony in town, "I wanted to share my thoughts with you..." Applejack then cleared her throat as she carried a mug of cider on her head, "...I didn't learn anythin'! Ha! I was right all along! If you take your time to do things the right way, your work will speak for itself. Sure I could tell you I learned something about how my friends are always there to help me, and I can count on them no matter what, but the truth is. I already knew that too."

As Applejack continued her letter, Rainbow was smiling excitedly about finally getting her own mug of cider. Apple Bloom went to pull the lever and...all gone...again. Apple Bloom just gave Rainbow a worried look as the blue Pegasus was ready to cry.

Pinkie then gave her a smile and offered Rainbow a mug of the cider she had paid for. Rainbow smiled as she happily took the mug. Applejack then raised a toast when she noticed that Chase was just sitting by the fence in the distance on his own.

"Did ya get your share of cider, Chase?" Applejack asked him.

"Not yet," said Chase, "I'm still waiting for my barrel..."

Big Mac's eyes then went wide as he faced-hoofed himself once again as Applejack glared at him. Chase just chuckled.

"Well...always next year I guess," said Chase with a smile when Apple Bloom appeared with a mug of cider on her head.

"Not exactly," said Apple Bloom, "I saved this just for you."

Chase smiled as he took the mug in one hoof and gave Apple Bloom a kiss on her cheek. Despite being told they were only friends, Apple Bloom went stiff before collapsing into her back in a flush of red hearts and a dazed smile on her face. Chase then joined his friends as they all shared a toast together.

Author's note: Hey, guys.

Here's the other chapter for my second season. I'll be back to posting the other chapter on Saturday since I was gonna take a break, but I've decided to keep working at it.

Peace out!