//------------------------------//
// Catch The Wave. 
// Story: Pony-Cola 
// by King Genesis 
//------------------------------//


Day 1


Flim and Flam, after leaving Ponyville, failing their attempt at showing to the pony world a way to replace the familiar apple cider of the town, remembered a while ago an old recipe their father used to make for a special drink they had in the house. Both brothers remembered that weird beverage to be some kind of refreshing sweet soda. At first, they were scared because of its strange colour, which was black, but then they got used to its taste and considered it to be an interesting mix of kola nuts and other ingredients they have completely forgotten, and even didn't know if they still exist.

When their father passed away, a long time ago, they thought that recipe was going to disappear over time. However, one day, when they decided to visit their mother at their old home in Manehattan, they discovered an old wrinkled paper under their bed. It was old and barely readable, but minutes later the brothers realized that was a list. A list of something special. Flim took it out and both of them decided to take a look at it.

After several minutes of talking about the old recipe read on the list, Flam says: "Well, I remember dad used to call this the Pony-Cola."

The brothers laughed but at the same time, they realized something good could come out of this. An old recipe from a drink that nopony knows about. They looked at each other and thought the same: They should do something related to this recipe. With their old dad's recipe.






Day 2


The brothers woke up early, on his dad's apartment, due to they wanted to recreate that recipe, the thing was... how? The ingredients which were on the list were stranger than they thought before. Where would they get them?


Day 4


Finally, all the ingredients have been bought or earned. Flim tried to scam two sellers while Flam only tried with one, but both of them failed while trying to do it.

Both brothers are conscious of how hard may this be, but they don't give up. They seriously never gave up before, why would they give up now? What if their father is looking at them, trying to perform one more show for the last time? With his aura? His presence? They know that, despite he is not there, his infamous cola is still a way of being with their late father... even if they can't talk to him.

"We can't give up, brother," said Flam to his long-time partner, his blood brother. "We need to do this."

Flim took this as an inspiration to keep working, in a way to redeem themselves of all the scams they did in the past. While making a list of all the ingredients they have just bought with their little money, both men listen to something on the TV: Sweet Apple Acres, the best apple juice in all of Equestria! The ultimate taste! Great skin, great being! From the best apples of all Ponyville... how will they do against the apple world? The Apple Company? The biggest beverage seller around Equestria?

Flam tried to calm down because of this. He decided that the drink will only be sold for several days to make ends meet. Of course, he thought... of course, Flim and Flam's mysterious and even considered weird dark drink couldn't even touch the cider they tried to face a while ago. They failed, and now they think, from another point of view, it's not worth it taking the challenge against Sweet Apple Acres again. It may be suicidal.

At midnight, the first bottles were finished after so long. They finally achieved their father's knowledge, and the evidence was now in front of their faces. They only need a new name to throw their recipe to the world... but no one knows what name would be better for the drink, which dark colour makes the brothers think about investigating and looking up for information, inspiration to have a name. The name.

"What about keeping the name that dad gave to it? Pony-Cola?" said Flam, due to the drink was made by kola nuts. The name seemed so original to his brother that he eventually decided to keep it, especially in honour of his dad. It was so original, so home-made, so inspiring. How far would this thing reach?


Day 5


A couple of ponies looked in shock at the drink's strange colour. The brothers tried to convince everyone the colour didn't matter, but nobody fell on their game. Nobody... except for one good pony out there, Derpy Hooves, which eventually thought it was a good idea to try it. Once she drank a small sip of the mysterious, dark drink... she said to the brothers it was an interesting experience to have on the mouth. Sweet flavour, a small trip over the tongue that ended up with a fresh puff. Feedback like that was really appreciated, so much that even called other ponies' attention around there. The bottle, which cost only ten coins, eventually gained attention over the Manehattan community. 

The brothers knew this couldn't be left alone, there.


Day 6


More and more. So many clients they had to think about what to do on the next days. So many clients waiting to have that sweet flavour on their tongues, as many of them were describing that experience the day before. Even some of them said that this flavour couldn't be compared to the apple cider, something that even led into a fight between those who loved cider and those who didn't. Flim and Flam, despite being conscious of how many bottles will have to produce after this, they show a smile. At least they don't have to scam ponies with this experiment. The best experiment they could ever have done.


Day 10


The public has become bigger and bigger. Obviously, Flim and Flam decided to promote their drink in a much better way: instead of staying only in a corner of Manehattan, they decided to walk around the city while carrying the bottles... a plan, idea that eventually worked. Everyone talked about the famous Pony-Cola which brought so much attention. Everyone wanted it for the day, the afternoon, the night... it was a passionate beverage for everyone!... 

...

... Everyone?


Day 16


The Pony-Cola finally arrived in Canterlot, which made everypony crazy. Higher classes of Canterlot drinking the Pony-Cola, which is now being produced by third parties administrated by Flim and Flam. Eventually, the brothers became the Kings of Equestria and may live happily ever after! Wouldn't they?

However, not everyone is happy because of this. Apple cider's sales have been lowering since the Pony-Cola arrived on the market. Applejack thinks about something... what if she tries to experiment something else with the apples? Flim and Flam already said Pony-Cola was made by kola nuts... they showed the truth to the world... even to her. Why doesn't she try to do something else?


Day 22


Oh my... Oh my Celestia! Pony-Cola has arrived to Ponyville! May Applejack be in danger right now? Yes or no?

According to the pony, there is nothing to worry about... because of her experiment, her test... Which already had, in her opinion, a good result. Her family drank a sip, Applebloom said it was much sweeter than Pony-Cola, Big Mac said it was fresh and Granny Smith also added a commentary, congratulating her relative for succeeding with her idea.

Now, what would be the name of that new drink?


Day 27


Apple-psi arrived onto the market and crashed everything, but Pony-Cola is still climbing the mountain of fame. It is now everywhere on Equestria, and rumour has it even Princess Celestia has drunk it. Thanks to that massive hit, Flim and Flam have become two of the most successful entrepreneurs of the new pony era... but what would they do when they find out Apple-psi has just broken its first window?


Day 31


Ponies start to notice and comprehend there's competence. There's a fight. Pony-Cola has to face now its first enemy in his short life, showing everypony who is the real winner of this contest. However, the Canterlot Gazette said, on a recent poll, most ponies would prefer Apple-psi rather than Pony-Cola because of its sweet flavour, which is more notable than on Pony-Cola's. Flim and Flam have to face their old rival one more time, something that makes them laugh a bit because it turns out that no matter how high they are... the apples will still be there.

"Look at this," says Flim, reading a newspaper while enjoying the benefits of Pony-Cola, looking at the whole city of Canterlot and its landscapes while laying on a bed. "The Apple Family wants to test us one more time."

Flam looks at his brother, laughing, and eventually says, jokingly: "Challenge accepted."

Which drink may be the best?