//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: How It Works 
// by Crazypurplebat 
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  The crowd of ponies surged around the small wooden stand owned by the Apple Family. Jubilant noise filled the air as they clamored to purchase the surplus mugs of the fresh apple cider, the family had just spent the past hour making. Together they worked on weary hooves to placate the masses, though a sense of ease filled the air, safe in the knowledge that everypony would now get their fill and then some.

The young purple mare glanced over her shoulder, the entire Apple Family Farm was abuzz with ponies and cider and sales. Nopony would notice if she slipped away, over the crested hill and down the path beyond. Rarity and Fluttershy were helping hand out mugs of the frothy beverage to eager ponies while Applejack filled order after order. Behind the stand Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie stood laughing with each other.

Everypony was busy within their own worlds as Twilight trotted away from the scene at a brisk pace, small clouds of dust billowing from beneath the impact of her hooves on the dirt path. Once she had put enough distance between herself and the organized chaos that engulfed her friends she paused, and began to conjure a picture of the strange machine from earlier that day, the, what had they called it? The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy? She allowed the image of the marvel of technology and magic to fill her mind. Purple magic flowed from her horn and enveloped her body. In the next instant, she was gone, transported to another spot, another place, several miles outside of Ponyville. 

To her right was a not too unfamiliar stout wooden cafe owned by Vanilla Latte. It was a nice cafe, much like Sugar Cube corner, but their focus being more on hot drinks than sweets and deserts. In front were several tables shaded beneath brightly colored umbrellas, two chairs were placed artistically around each table, intricate wire details sculpted into the backs. One of the chairs had been tipped over on its back by the front end of the large machine parked out front. There it stood, in all its complex, mechanical glory, The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000. 

The odd form of transportation brought memories of earlier that day to the forefront of Twilight's mind. The two charming stallions that had showed up the previous day, the two who had challenged her dear friend to a battle of productivity in which the very livelihood of the Apple Family was put at stakes. Together with the help of her friends and a firm belief in hard work and quality everything had turned out alright. 

It seemed like the day had been won, but questions still nagged at Twilight, questions that she couldn't answer without the help of the two entrepreneurs. From behind the machine stepped one of the brothers, the one who lacked a mustache, the one named Flim. His eyes, shaded by the hat he wore. 

"Hey!" Twilight called out trotting forward a few steps, "Hey, I need to talk to you!"

Flim tensed at the demand from the small purple mare. "We're leaving," he said quickly. "There's no need for any more trouble." He was clearly anxious about her sudden appearance. 

"I'm not here for trouble," she clarified, standing up straight. "I'm here for answers." Standing her ground she locked eyes with the taller stallion who stood several yards away from her
.
Flim's shoulders relaxed and a grin appeared on his face. "And what would those answers be little filly?"

"Your machine!" the words tumbled out of her mouth, her thirst for knowledge getting the better of her as she any seriousness was quickly replaced by curiosity. "I've never seen anything like it! Not even in Canterlot! How does it work? The mix of machinery and magic is amazing!"

For a moment Flim just stared, stunned by the sudden rush of questions. Then his grin turned into a goofy, lopsided, smile, "Well that's quite a lot of technical talk my dear. Would you be interested in discussing it over some sparkling cider?" 

Twilight turned the offer over in her mind, considering the time of day. It was still early enough. Nopony would miss her for just one afternoon. "That sounds wonderful," she decided. 

They sat together at one of the small tables, sipping from their cups as they discussed the inner workings of the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy. The afternoon drifted sleepily on, the sky darkening slowly into night. As the last rays of sunlight colored the sky orange, and pink, and red, Twilight took the last sip of her cider, leaving her third and final glass empty on the table. She wobbled as she stood and Flim walked around the table to help steady her. Her head was fuzzy and her heart felt warm and happy, the world blurred at the edges as the stallion came into view. She took a step forward, but tripped over her unsteady hooves. Falling forward her lips pressed against Flim's and the two fell to the ground, the rest of the night lost under the haze of sparkling cider.