The next day, Flim and Flam pulled up to the gates of Sweet Apple Acres, piles of renovation equipment loaded onto their trainlike cider-squeezing wagon. One can only imagine their surprise to see a banner hung from the side of the barn, reading SWEET APPLE ACRES: UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. They dismounted the SSCS 6000 and marched up the path into the front door. After a few impatient knocks, Gemstone opened the door and showed them in.
"Good day, gentlemen. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, soon to be the apple-producing giant of Southern Equestria."
The brothers were too shocked to hear her. The interior had become a modern office lobby, indistiguishable from that of a five-star Canterlot business. How the Apples had changed this pig-sty into such a place so quickly was completely beyond them, but that didn't help their irritation or suspicion. Gemstone took her place behind the reception counter.
"What can I do for you fine gentlecolts?"
"My name is Flim..."
"...and I'm Flam. We are the Flim-Flam Brothers."
"And we were supposed to take ownership of Sweet Apple Acres today."
It took all of Gemstone's skills as an actress to keep up a facade of politeness with these ruffians.
"Well, as you can see, Sweet Apple Acres has come under new management. If you have a dispute, you can take it up with the owner."
"We plan to."
"Where are the Apples?"
"I'm sorry, gentlecolts, but the Apples vacated the property several days ago. They have severed all connections with this establishment."
On cue, a tall, golden-skinned stallion wearing a white-brimmed cowpony hat stepped in, carrying an air of importance in with him.
"What's this, Mrs. Pearl?"
"These gentlecolts are saying that they have some claim to this property, Mr. Honcho.They wanted to speak to the Apples."
The pony turned his slightly annoyed gaze towards the brothers, and adressed them with a thick Southern drawl.
"Well then, I suppose we'd best get this settled. Friends, my name is Head Honcho, and I'm an apple baron from San Manetonio. I've heard great things about this land, so I met with the Apples a few days ago to discuss buying it from them. When they informed me of their, well, less-than-favourable situation, I agreed to give them a quick purchase in exchange for a lower price. In short, gentlecolts, Sweet Apple Acres belongs to me. I'm thinking of renaming it. How do you like "Honcho Orchards"?"
The brothers were indignant at having what was almost-rightfully theirs taken away from them.
"I do hope you mean "Flim-Flam Fields."
"Now see here, my good stallion. My name is Flam..."
"...and I am Flim."
"And we won Sweet Apple Acres from the Apples three days ago. This land is ours..."
"...and we can produce the documents to prove it."
Head Honcho was taken aback at the arrogance of these two unicorns, to simply barge in and claim they owned his new farms.
"Is that so? Well I have the only document that matters, and I have it right here."
Out of his business coat pocket he drew and unfurled the deed to Sweet Apple Acres. There was no arguing with that, and Flim and Flam knew it.
"Brother of mine, huddle up."
"Indeed, brother."
Flim and Flam turned away and started whispering to each other, as Head Honcho rolled his eyes. After a few seconds of deliberation, Flim turned back to him, and Flam walked towards an over-filled bookshelf across the room.
"Mr. Honcho, we apologize for the disturbance, but Sweet Apple Acres belongs to the Flim-Flam Brothers. We could go to court and argue about this in front of Celestia herself..."
"...but we believe that we'd all find it more advantagious if you simply left right now."
"After all, this is a dangerous piece of property. Am I right, brother of mine?
"Indeed, Flim. We'd hate to see you involved in any accidents."
At this, Flam's horn lit up a venomous green, as did the bookcase. With a tilt of his head, it came crashing down onto the glass table in front of it. Gemstone gasped, as Head Honcho looked on in shock.
"You good-for-nothing varmints..."
Flim started up his magic as well, levitating Honcho up into the air.
"And if you don't leave soon, you just might get hurt in one of these accidents."
"That would be very, very unfortunate, now wouldn't it, Mr. Honcho?"
Gemstone, almost earnest in acting terrified, screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Security!"
R.D. burst in from double doors behind the counter, showing off sunglasses, flared wings, and a scowl. She launched over the desk and onto Flim, dropping him and Honcho at the same time. Flam sprinted over to her, but was met by another enforcer. Pinkie had followed in right behind R.D., sporting the same attire, but with her scowl inverted into an irremovable smile. She clearly couldn't pull off the look as well, but she had blocked Flam's path. Head Honcho walked over next to Pinkie, and stared him down.
"I think we'd all find it more advantagious if you simply left now. This land is mine, and any low-down scumbags that try to take it from me get this!"
He spun around and bucked Flam clean out the door, with R.D. tossing his brother out behind him. The doors slammed shut, and the brothers returned to their vehicle with their tails between their legs. Inside, Head Honcho dissolved back into Starswirl, as she undid her own disguise spell. Out of a closet came Applejack, not as pleased with the encounter as would be expected.
"Twi, I mean Starswirl, you know they won't just give up like that. They'll come back, and probably come looking for a fight."
"I know, A.J. In fact, I'm counting on it."