Green Fields

by Jakomi of the Rose

Chapter 4: Super Cider Challenge

The majority of the day after my birthday I spent helping Big Mac with the cider barrels. Applejack and Apple Bloom were away since lunch, being busy setting up and preparing the stand for tomorrow. Lidding the 13th barrel since this morning I rolled it to the cart and grunted when I lifted it up to place it with the others. I panted in exhaustion and leaned on the cart to take a break. My chest started to ache.
“Ben, min yer heart.” Mac said as he got of the cider-squeezer. Well, for me it looked more like a mill for when you crush wheat.

I unscrewed the thermos and poured a warm green liquid into the cup and drank it slowly, wincing when a bitter aftertaste followed. The pain in the chest faded and I inhaled deeply. Letting out a sigh as the herbal remedy did its work.
Mac trotted towards me but had a very straight face. Drinking down the rest of the remedy I turned around to look at the barrels. We stood quiet for a long time, just staring at the barrels of homemade apple cider that was more sought after than pretty much anything, at least amongst the adult ponies.
“Think we have enough?” I asked simply.
Big Mac looked on the barrels and nodded.
“Eeyup. Ah have no doubt it’ll be enough.” He said after some time.
He turned his gaze to the barn.
“We made sure to make more than last year.” He continued.
I nodded but couldn’t help but thinking that a lot of ponies were without cider last year. Ponyville had a population of 5000 ponies give or take. Last year I noticed ponies who camped near the stand. Something that reminded me of over-dedicated fans back home that camped outside of the game-store just so that they could be the first to get the first copy.
Taking a bit of water to drink down while counting the barrels I got to think of the letter I asked Twilight to send to Celestia. She told me that she sent it but so far only Twilight and Lyra knew. If I got answers I’d break it to the rest of them. Either way, they’d found out. The heartbreak of Fluttershy I could live with. The heartbreak of Apple Bloom would kill me. She was like my sister and I loved her. Applejack was strong enough but that didn’t make me feel better. Leaving the Apples, my friends here. Hopefully they could explain it in the best way possible.

“Ben!” I heard behind me, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Apple Bloom galloped towards me with Applejack following in a fast trot. I scooped her up like usual to give her a hug.
“Yer done helpin’ Big Mac with the cider?” She asked while I let Apple Bloom on the ground.
“All set for tomorrow. Hope it’ll be enough.” I answered and turned to look at the barrels.
Applejack looked at me but sniffed and scrunched her muzzle like something foul had been released near us. Did she smell the herbs I drank earlier? She grimaced and frowned at me.
“Did ya have another attack?” She asked worryingly.
Not letting her worry, I ushered Apple Bloom to help Mac. When she was out of ears reach I whispered in a tone only hearable to Applejack.
“Only a little. Mac and I were just about done and I might have pushed myself a little.” I said in a very sheepish tone.
She raised an eyebrow when looking into my eyes. She later sighed.
“As long as ya don’ overdo yerself. Ah don’ wanna lose a family member.” She gave me a look she always gave Apple Bloom and Mac. The look of a sister.

I knelt down, removed her hat and snuggled my forehead against hers in affection. She smiled and began to nuzzle my face. I got up to walk into the house. Evening came fast but I remained awake outside. I was in the barn and sketched on the drawing board. I sketched on a house for the carpenter’s office since I recently got employed by Hammer’N’Nails’ son Sledge and I finally got my drawing skills to good use.
But I did get time to draw and design my future house and several of furnishing. It was a good way to get my thoughts onto a blue-print. In case I couldn’t get home I’d have a lot of free time to make them. My house, however, was marked on a different page. I always wanted to either build one or renovate an old house to my own liking. Maybe someday.

“Are ya alright?” Applejack said as she came through the barn door.
I turned to her as she came closer. I looked at my drawings to finish up. I hated to leave these un-finished. She trotted to my table to check the papers then looked at me. I strained a smile but she probably didn’t trust it.
“Ah spoke with Mac before an’ he told me about yer work today.” She spoke softly.
I nodded. Was that all? She wanted to speak or criticize my work? She let up a hoof to assure me that it wasn’t like that. She fixed her hat and by her expression she was looking for words. She looked around to see if Apple Bloom or Macintosh was around. Seeing as the only ones around was the two of us, she fell serious.
“Ah meant that ya worked yerself out. Mac told me that ya had three attacks. And that ya almost fainted.” She said concerned and, from what I could see, tired.
Placing the pencil lightly on my drawing table I tried to come up with a good answer. But before I could speak up she motioned me to kneel down. I did so and she looked into my eyes for several seconds.
Her face softened as she gave a tired sigh combined with a light yawn.
“How are ya doin’? Ah’ve seen ya work but Ah can’ help but notice ya wince once in a while.” She asked with more concern than I’ve wanted her to feel.
It was now my turn to sigh. Sure, I drank more of Zecora’s herbs than I’ve wanted but the pain I occasionally felt was sometimes too much to bear. Lack of breath didn’t help.
“I’m fine. Nothing I couldn’t work with.” I said still bearing my false and strained smile.
She raised her eyebrows in suspicion. I hoped that my smile was enough for her to back off. It was a long moment of silence between us with her looking more determined. She shook her head and removed her hat, something she only did when she was serious.
“Ben, ya’ve been in our family for a whole year. Ah know when somethin’s botherin’ ya.” She pressed, her muzzle scrunched up in a frown at my stubbornness.
I sighed in slight defeat. I rubbed my chest with a grimace which she caught on.
“My chest’s been hurting more than usual.” I winced and gritted my teeth when I massaged my chest. “Even when working after taking my medicine.”
Applejacks ears drooped and she had a bit of a sad frown.
“Isn’t there anythin’ the doctors could do? Ah mean, can’ ya get help?” Her voice was worried and I didn’t blame her.
I’ve been here for a year and I’ve come to see her as my sister. My family. But I had to shake my head at her question.
“They don’t have the charts for my anatomy. Performing a surgery could kill me unless they know how I work.” I explained, getting a sadder frown from her.
I kneeled down to her level. She lifted her gaze to me. I gave her a strained smile as I placed my hand on her cheek. We looked into each other’s eyes. Our emerald eyes.
“I’m not in the danger zone yet. As long as I stick to my medicine, keep my diet and doesn’t work myself out I should be safe for a couple of years.” I ensured, stroking her cheek the same way I did with the horse Addie owned.
She closed her eyes and sighed happily at my stroking and from what I could tell; she seemed to be more at peace. She opened her eyes to look at me. But the smile she had once again turned to a sad frown. She nodded and closed in to give me a hug.
“Ah already lost mah parents. Ah don’ wanna lose ya to an illness.” She sighed on my shoulder.
I stroked her back gently at her words. The only hope I did have of surviving was to return home and get the surgery. Like I was supposed to. Before coming here.
________________________________________________________________________

I woke up early to eat breakfast before the Cider Season to an official start. Applejack and I exchanged looks and after what happened last night I didn’t blame her. But we decided for now to take our full attention on the job at hand and hoof. My job was to take away the empty barrel while Mac took the full barrel.
And of course, like last year, Pinkamena was the first in line. She had just finished packing her tent. Her smile wide and teeth white which surprised me due to the amount of sweets she ate on a regular basis.
She dropped several bits on the counter and got just as many mugs of cider in return. And I found out why so many ponies were without cider each and every year.

After a few hours the line was about half gone and only two barrels remained. I saw Rainbow Dash in the distance, filled with anticipation for the chance to get a mug of sweet cider.
When it was her turn Apple Bloom placed a mug and poured… but all that came was foam. Empty. I looked at Rainbow who in the matter of 10 seconds changed her look from anticipation to disappointment to anger. She flew up and flared with anger.
“Oh look! You’re out of cider! Big surprise!” She accused in a more than sarcastic tone.
Applejack trotted in front of her but Rainbow went on with her rant.
“How come you never have enough cider? Always the same thing every year! I get to wait in line and don’t get any cider!” She continued and I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow when she actually meant herself.
The crowd murmured in the same disagreement. Granny and AJ stepped fourth to explain the situation. If it was enough was up to debate. I only waited to be the scapegoat in all of this. How did I know? You tend to fear the worse when you’re the only one of your species on this planet. And judging how long I’ve been here, I found the hints.

Applejack stomped her hooves on the ground to get their attention, sadly without effect.
“We make more cider every year but the amount ya drink is always hard to determine. We will make more but Ah’m askin’ ya’ll to be patient.” AJ explained in hopes that it would be enough to calm them down.
The crowd once again murmured but eventually fell silent at the sound of a… locomotive? I turned around to the source of the noise to see that the sound indeed came from a strange looking locomotive that stopped not far from us but parked right into the fence. I raised my eyebrows at the machine as two unicorn stallions stepped down. Both with a lemon colored coat, green eyes and red and white mane. Only one of them had a mustache.
They donned a blue and white striped 50’s vest and flat hats, looking like 1950’s commercial salesmen. They looked at the crowd and one of them smiled. No. Grinned.
~“Well lookie what we got here, brother of mine. It’s the same in every town.”~ He began singing.
~“Ponies with thirsty throats, dry tongues, and not a drop of cider to be found.”~ He continued his singing, motioning to a purple mare named Berry Punch.
~“Maybe they’re not aware that there’s really no need for this teary despair.”~ He looked at his brother.
~“That the key that they need to solve this sad cider shortage you and I will share.”~ His brother with the moustache sang out, getting a few excited chatter from most of the ponies around us.

I crossed my arms and glanced at Applejack who looked just as surprised. She glanced at me and shook her head. The stallions sang with such confidence as they actually tried to charm all of the ponies that was around us.

I shook my head but the eyes Pinkamena gave were enough to ask the one question I had in my mind.
“Nonpa-what?” she asked… okay, maybe not.
The stallion without moustache answered through a very good way: Dodging the question.

Flim gazed up to his brother who seemed to be at the suction (?) How did he end up there?

~“More cider than you could drink in all your days of thinking.”~ He sang as he slid down and landed next to his brother.

Looking at the ponies that seemed to catch on the tune my stare turned to disbelief. It was like they knew how the lyrics went. And they even seemed happy about it. One thing I’ve come to understand is that singing can come whenever and wherever. Where the instruments for the music came from I’ve given up trying to find out. The dance and song went on until I had to drop the long awaited question:
“Who are you kooks?”

The two brothers looked at me still wearing smiles. They grabbed their hats and bowed.
“We’re the world famous Flim Flam Brothers. Salesponies who travel far and wide over Equestria.” Flim explained with enough pride to outdo Rainbow Dash.

I sighed and rubbed my temples.
“Okay.” I breathed through gritted teeth. “I heard that. But I still think I need to ask that question again: Who are you kooks?”
They looked at each other for a while then smirked at me.
“Well, our little primitive, I’ll tell you.” Flam said and trotted closer. Did he call me a primitive? “Can your little pony friend let me and my brother borrow some of their delicious, and might I add spellbindingly fragrant apples for our little demonstration here?” He asked and looked at Applejack.
Applejack shrugged and that was all they needed. The suction was placed above a tree and took all the apples. He guided me to the locomotive do show me what it did. It took apples, mashed them and extracted the juices to boil then created the cider. Not to different from what they did back home. I’ve been to a cider house during my days at the farm. I looked at the machine then the mug of cider that Flam hovered in front of me.
I took a sip and let the taste sink in. It indeed had the sweetness that cider was known for. It was sweet and all around delicious. It was slightly ruined by the machine. I stared into the mug then at Applejack who showed concern.
“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 in a more sing-song voice.

I still looked at the mug and looked at the Apples. They were indeed worried. This machine created cider that was close to perfect in a faster pace than we were able, even with the help I could provide. I’m far from lazy but the fact that this could provide the help to satisfy the ponies and get Rainbow Dash of the rant. As I was about to answer Apple Bloom spoke up.
“You got a deal!”
She reached a hoof and the crowd murmured excitedly. I quickly placed the mug on the vehicle and scooped her up. Facing Flim and Flam I said very politely:
“Excuse us for a moment.”
I dropped her carefully on the ground and Granny Smith motioned us to a family discussion.
“That machine can’t possibly match up to the care we put in our cider!” Granny huffed.
Applejack shook her head. I agreed.
“But if it really does work, we could make everypony in town happy!” Apple Bloom spoke up, giving a good point to the table.
“Ah don’ know, ya’ll. We’ve always made the cider the same way.” Applejack said in concern.
I nodded. The care we put in making cider made it taste better. The machine ruined the taste slightly. They then looked at me.
“Ben, whaddya think?” they asked in unison.
I thought for a while. We made cider on our farm as well. The hand-made way brought forth the taste without ruining the sweetness or flavor. On the other hand: The amount the machine could make in less time could make up for it. What to do? More taste but less cider or more cider with less taste.
“I’m in agreement with Applejack and Granny. The work we put in our cider-making brings out the flavor.” I said, seeing Applejack relax. I later sighed. “But the amount of cider we can make with the locomotive is enough to satisfy all the ponies in Ponyville.”
At this, Applejacks smile fell. At this I continued.
“I’ve been to a cider house. They make a large amount of cider in a minimal amount of time. The taste and consistency is slightly ruined by this. I agree with you Granny but think of the workload that gets lifted off our backs.”

There was some movement from Flim and Flam. Clearly they weren’t impatient. That’s good. We kept our circle tight.
“So, Ben? What’s yer answer?” Granny asked.
I sighed again.
“We don’t need their machine if we could get enough to satisfy the others.” I finally answered.
“Eeyup.” Mac said as we broke our circle.

Flim and Flam apparently closed in without our notice. I and Mac looked at him suspiciously but all Flim did was straightening his bowtie.
“We’ll sweeten the deal.” He said in a business-like fashion. “You supply the apples…”
“… We supply the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000.” Flam said after his brother.
“Then we split those sweet sweet profits. 75/25.” They finished in unison.
Applejack looked at them in suspicious to which I agreed.
“Hold on a minute. Who gets the seventy-five?” She asked, pointing a hoof at Flim who stood unfazed.
“Why, us, naturally.” He replied matter-of-factly.
Flam stood beside his brother.
“And we throw in the magic to power the machine for free.” He said in a just as business-like manner as his brother.

There was a silence in the air, save for the murmuring of the ponies around us. Mac answered in the same thought we all had in our minds.
“No deal.”
I thought for a moment that this would trouble the brothers. Flim simply huffed untouched. I could feel that this was going to go to hell in a hand carriage.
“Very well. If you refuse our generous offer to be partners, then we’ll just have to be competitors.” Flim said, closing the distance between him and us.
Applejack as well as I froze up. The shock apparently reached our friends as well. Applejack snorted.
“Ya wouldn’ dare!” she growled angrily.
Flim smirked and glanced at me. I don’t know when I did it but I growled.
“Oh no?” Flim said completely without worry.
He nodded to his brother who in turn nodded back. They turned to face the crowd of ponies that by now went cemetery quiet once the bargain with the Apples was denied.
“Don’t worry everypony! There’ll be plenty of cider for all of you!” Flim announced but snickered when looking at his brother who in turn looked at us with the same confident smile.
“Once we drive Sweet Apple Acres out of business.” Flam quietly said to us.
As he said this my stomach turned to ice. If they drove Applejack and her family, my family, out of the Acres I was going to be homeless. Not to mention what would happen to the Apples. Flim and Flam jumped back onto their vehicle and waved their hats as they backed away and drove off. Applejack looked at me, nudging me slightly. I clenched my fist in aggression. I curse my heart-trauma for making me unable to do more.
There were murmurs among the crowds but right now all I wanted was to find a way to not lose Sweet Apple Acres. Not to lose my only family.

* * *

It was a busy evening. First running out of cider which I spent the majority of the evening helping AJ and Mac with. I found myself in the barn again with my drawings. Not trying and thinking about what the Flim Flam brothers wanted to do. I took my ruler to put a line when I realized that I accidently drew their machine. I sighed and crumpled the paper. As I threw it I saw Applejack entering. Déjà vu?
“Ya didn’ come in for dinner. Everythin’s alright?” She asked worryingly.
I looked at my drawing table. All the blueprints I made these couple of days. In truth I was far from okay. But I gave her the benefit of the doubt.
“Just contemplating. What the Kook Bros said about running us out of business.” I said, taking my pencil to start drawing.
AJ nodded. She looked at me when I sketched for several minutes. Coming closer she looked at the sheets of drawings from furniture to houses. I even took my time to draw a fireplace and a few designs to make a stove. She placed her hoof to gently push one of the sheets of paper aside. She raised her eyebrows from time to time but sadly still not smiling.
“Plans?” She asked but she didn’t have to ask.
I chuckled while I drew the last line that showed a moderate-looking house. She placed the prints in a pile to look at me.
“Granny thinks they were just blowin’ hot air. An’ Ah don’ think they would actually go that far.” She said and took of her Stetson to blow of a bit of hay.
I nodded but I still felt a tinge of worry. If this was anything like in my world the greed and ambitions of human as well as ponies remained the same. When you advertise Equestria as the land of friendship you might as well advertise America as the land of tolerance or Sweden as the land of the workers. My point? Just because something is advertised doesn’t mean it holds up to everyone’s expectations.
She placed her hoof on my thigh and smiled at me.
“Ben, don’ ya fret. Even if it comes to competition we fight to win.” She told me and winked. “Alright?”
I sighed and gave her the same smile.
“I know, Jackie. And I’ll do what I can to help you.”

* * *
The line was just as long as yesterday. I lifted the barrel on the stand to begin day two. Apple Bloom started and the like yesterday Pinkamena was in first. I glanced at the barrels, taking a small sip of some herbal tea I brought just in case.

Hours went, as did the cider. Twilight was speaking to Applejack as the dreaded note was sung:
“That’s it! Last cup!” Apple Bloom yelled.
All the ponies sighed in disappointment and one pegasus, a mare with rainbow mane to be precise, sounded her disappointment in the distance with a very loud and angry: “Oh, for Pete’s sake!”
I took the empty barrel from the stand and placed it on the cart with the others. The few that were more disappointed left without a word.
“Come back tomorrow for more cider!” Apple Bloom hollered with a strained smile but the ones that were left didn’t seem to care.
As the barrel I placed on the cart the sound of a locomotive sounded its presence and crashed into the fence Granny repaired yesterday. The Kook Bros stepped down with smiles wide enough to make Pinkamena jealous. I stood next to Mac who stood without any expression. I mimicked him when Flim and Flam addressed the ponies in the crowd.
“What is this? Out of cider again?” Flim asked with mock confusion.
I noticed Applejack standing in a challenged stance at their arrival. They paid no heed to her expression but instead looked at his brother. He nodded and activated the machine with his magic and the suction hovered above the nearest tree to suck up the apples. Mac trotted to Applejack who practically growled.

Flim turned to the crowd and announced with insulting glee.
“So, who wants a cup?”
The crowd gathered around them like bees over a table full of cakes. If there was a time when Applejack was literally pissed, this was the time. After a few of the ponies got their mugs of cider she grabbed a rope to grab one of the barrels from the brother’s machine and through luck I managed to catch it. It seems that her trick had knocked the mug from Rainbow Dash’s grip. She snorted angrily.
“Ya can’t sell that cider!” She accused, pointing a hoof towards the brothers. “That’s made from Apple family apples!”
I saw Rainbow mourning over her spilled cider and said something I couldn’t hear from my position. I stood near Applejack to stand by her decision. Flim just seemed to shrug it off as a meaningless effort. Straightening himself to act as prideful as possible he once again turned towards the crowd.
“Don’t worry, everypony!” he announced to the thirsty crowd. “There are plenty of apples all over Equestria. We’ll find some others and make more cider than all of Ponyville!”
The crowd gasped in glee of what they could manage. And from what I could see, Rainbow was in seventh heaven with this announcement. I growled quietly and stepped fourth and suddenly the crowd grew quiet. The kooks looked at me with grin still proud and wide.
“Let me get this straight;” I began, clearing my throat. “You pricks come to Ponyville and say that you can give these ponies the cider the Apples have made for generations. And then dare say that you can make it better?” I said and couldn’t help but say that I made it into a challenge.
The brothers just snickered.
“We never said that we could make it better.” Flam said proudly.
“We just stated that we could make it faster and better.” Flim continued matter in fact.
I grinded my teeth but had to keep my pulse from rising. I took a sip from the tea I brought to slow my pulse. Having Apple Bloom bellow her opinion did not help.
“Well, we can make more cider than you could imagine!” she exclaimed but stopped as I put my foot in front of her to stop her from doing more.
The crowd already heard this. Too late. They have begun their chatter in enthusiasm over this. I glared at Apple Bloom bit the prideful voice of Flim cut me off. If he was on Earth, pride itself would’ve gained him their right hand in Hell.
“Well then. Let’s put it to the test, shall we?” He challenged.
I stepped in front of Apple Bloom to prevent her from any more mishaps. Okay, this was a habit from my home. Could you blame me?
“There is nothing to test.” I said in an attempt to not escalate this.
Flim snickered as if they already won this.
“Really, now?” Flam questioned, still smiling.
I took more sips from the tea but decided to drink more.
“Really.” Mac said from behind me.
I didn’t turn when I saw Applejack trot near me. She sighed, trying to calm herself. She heightened her gaze to the brothers.
“Ben is right. We have nothing to test. Ponyville is Sweet Apple Cider country. An’ have been for years.” She explained. “We have made the best cider for years. Something your machine could never copy.”
She was proud. And I agreed. But this didn’t face the brothers in the slightest. Instead, they saw this as a challenge.
“How about proving it?” Flim said.
The crowd gasped and I could almost feel my heart stop… and with my already weak heart that wasn’t good. Applejack, Granny and Mac stood by my side when they heard this. Flim continued.
“How about a challenge? If you can measure up to our machine we leave and you’ll never hear from us again.” He explained.
“But if you lose.” Flam continued. “You have to leave and we get the right to produce and sell cider in Ponyville.”
Once again the crowd gasped and I with them. My heart pounded hard and I had to greedily drink down the rest of the tea to calm it down. Granny shook her head.
“Easy now, sonny. We’ve nuthin’ to prove. An’ Ah suggest ya leave. We’ve a lot to do.” Granny reasoned and turned to leave.
I followed suit to pack the mugs on the cart. That was until Flim said:
“What’s the matter, Granny? Chicken?”
Granny stopped and I mouthed a curse. She turned to Flim with a glare that matched Fluttershy’s Stare.
“What did you call me, sonny?” she asked with grit and anger.
Flim smiled and sat down on a couch. Lounging as lazily as he could.
“If you’re so confident in your cider, then what is the problem?” he asked in the same confidence he displayed.
I really wanted to strangle him right now. He looked at me with a smile I hated. Granny walked right up to him with gritted teeth.
“Tomorrow mornin’, right here! Ya’ll get the challenge of yer life, sonny!” she barked.
Flam cleared his throat as he levitated a freshly picked apple in front of him.
“But I’m afraid we haven’t any apples.” Flam stated as he ate the apple he levitated.
I sighed but it sounded more like a huff. Granny bit hard on her false teeth and told them to use the south field. This made them smile. I and Applejack on the other hand didn’t like this at all. The Flim said the rule troubled me more: The one team that produces the most barrels of cider within one hour wins. And judging by the way Applejack and our friends looked at me I knew I was going to be in trouble.
They waved their hats to signal their goodbye but I couldn’t help but hear them laugh over the noise of the locomotive. I sighed irritated, really cursing my weak heart. But this was how it was going to be. A challenge to save the farm.

* * *

“We can’ let them do this!” Apple Bloom yelled over the dinner table.
I looked at her while eating supper after this day. The conversation automatically shifting to the one most relevant. Chewing on an apple I pretty much fell silent on this part. Applejack shook her head.
“Ah know, Apple Bloom, but this is how it is. We can’ pass up on it now. If we lose we lose the farm.” Applejack tried but Apple Bloom was still upset with this.
I looked at the table, taking another bite. The machine wasn’t perfect. It had to have some kind of weakness. I blocked out their argument while thinking back to when they “sang” their explanation. The machine checked the apples for quality. The way it checked them it had to run smoothly and carefully to detect and process the fresh from the spoiled. High enough pull from their magic could make the machine go wrong.
“But what about Ben?” Apple Bloom had said in a tone that snapped me back.
My eyes darted between Applejack and Apple Bloom in confusion.
“What about me?” I asked confused.
Applejack placed her hat on the table then looked at me.
“She worries about yer heart, Ben. If yer goin’ to help us tomorrow yer going to not only exhaust yerself but that there heart of yers is gonna stop.” She said with sad concern.
I nodded, getting back into the conversation. She was right. If I exerted myself I would die. And this was a race. I had to make sure we’d win this. I removed myself from the table to gather pencil and paper. I drew something on the paper, a rough sketch of the machine they had. Mac looked at the paper and whistled with raised eyebrows.
They gathered around while I pointed to the paper. While I wasn’t as smart as Twilight or Addie back home I had knowledge of certain construct. Dad taught me whenever our tractor acted up as well as the machines we used.
“The machine they have is driven by their magic.” I began, pointing to the receptors on the top of the machine. ”The amount of magic they need to drive it is on a per second interval. They need to produce the amount of magic to power it enough for the machine to be able to do a precise quality check. For them to screw this up we need to make enough barrels to match their pace.” I finished my explanation.
Their stare could’ve given a cockatrice a challenge. Applejack looked at the machine and then at me.
“Ben, how in the name of Celestia are we gonna do that?” she asked, puzzled.
I looked at the drawing to get myself the idea on how we were going to manage this. Even with my help we weren’t going to be able to put much effort to match that of the machine. I needed something that could help me through this.
“Don’ get me wrong, Ben. Yer are a very good worker but how are ya gonna help us if ya keel over?” She asked cheaply and skeptically.
I thumped my finger on the table, looking vacantly at the floor when I thought. The idea came and I stood up and rummaged in one of the cupboards until I found what I was looking for. I grabbed a brown glass vial with a rough liquid. I held it in front of the others with a smile. I gave it a slight shake.
“This will suffice.” I said with a smirk.

__________________________________________________________________________

We were preparing while the brothers lounged. I stood next to Macintosh making my position. It was clear what we were going to do. Granny gathered us for a routine check.

“Apple Bloom, yer goin’ to be in charge of catchin’ those apples while Applejack bucks the trees. Yer givin’ me the buckets so Ah can check’em for quality. Macintosh will mash’em an’ Ben will be in charge of lidding the barrels. If that there drink of yers is as good as you say we have no margin for losin’.” She explained and glared daggers at the brothers.

I nodded at my assignment and walked to the basket I brought that contained the vial and several of remedies for after. I only wished I wouldn’t die from this. Dying before even coming home. That would’ve been funny enough. I picked up the vial, sighing in nervousness. The mayor of Ponyville, an earth-pony mare with a light-tan coat and grey mane, stood with another earth-pony with brown mane and tan coat. They stood next to a giant hourglass. It was a few minutes until the time.

A few light hooves trotted towards me. I turned around to see Fluttershy closing in. She was concerned and brushed her hoof on the ground.
“Um… Ben? Are you going to be alright?” she asked timidly.
I kneeled down, elevating my eyes with hers. I gave her a falsely confident smile.
“Don’t worry. I have something that will ease the pain… for thirty minutes, at least.” I said as I held the vial in front of her.
She studied it carefully. She then looked at me, not dropping her concerned expression.
“What does it do?” she asked.
I looked at the vial, trying to remember what Zecora told me.
“If working too hard will make you weak, I may have something you seek. A brew that will help you up but be careful not to let your heart stop. Take the brew and drink it down, it will last for half an hour but will cause a frown. If you continue to work after the brews effect passed, the beating of your heart will not last.” I recited as I looked at the liquid.
Fluttershy’s expression was as cute as it could get when she looked confused; one of her ears twitched and she had her head slightly tilted to the side. I took a breath.
“Simply put: It will last for half an hour, after that I will probably pass out or die.” I explained but the concerned face she previously wore was once again plastered on her face.
As I was to ensure her the mayor cleared her throat. Fluttershy motioned me to kneel down. She gave me a hug and whispered a gentle good-luck and joined Twilight and the others.

The mayor picked up a megaphone to announce the competition. Standing with my family with vial in hand, we awaited the mayor’s word.

“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!” she announced, looking at the brothers and us equally.

I swallowed nervously and went to the post we were assigned. I opened the vial and drank its contents. A bitter and sharp taste burned my throat until it was empty. I cringed and felt the immediate effects kick in. A warm feeling spread through my chest and flowed throughout my body.

The mayor stood between us, once again looking at both teams.
“Are both teams ready?” She asked.
Clenching my left fist to rid the tingle in my fingers. Signaling our readiness, the brown stallion, Time Turner (or the Doctor from what I heard) turned the hourglass and the race was on!

The procedure was the same as before, only now we were under a timer. Applejack bucked the apples off the tree, Apple Bloom caught them. She in turn placed the buckets with Granny to check quality and roll them to Mac. He squashed them with the treadmill press and I placed the barrel under the crane, lidding and shoved it aside. Next one: fill, lid, and shove.

By the time we had two barrels the blokes already had their fifth done. I noticed Applejack encouraging Apple Bloom to keep going. Motioning Granny to hurry, Mac to speed up and then turning to me when bucking the next tree.
“Ben! Get a move on!” she called to me when I finished the next barrel.
Panting and sweating heavily I yelled back: “Yes, ma’am!” like a soldier given an order to fight on.

The minutes after was more than enough to be harrowing. Even with my herbal remedy we had nowhere enough to match their pace. The remedy was losing its effect due to my exertion with the filled barrels. And I could tell by the tingling in my left arm and chest. I think it was after the half hour when Twilight and the others asked if they could help. I was panting and sweating like crazy. The burning in my lungs as I hungrily gulped as much air as possible. And with Twilight nearing I more than welcomed her.
It was now divided responsibilities: Fluttershy helped Applejack with the trees, Pinkamena helped catching the apples with Apple Bloom, Rarity assisted Granny and Rainbow helped Mac with the cider-mill. Twilight helped me with the barrels.
“I place the barrels under the crane. When full; lid and levitate.” I explained as I placed the next empty barrel for filling.
Twilight nodded and flared her horn and the magenta aura surrounded the barrel. While she did I noticed her looking at me. The tingling in my arm was now like needles just like the pain started to flare in my chest.
“How are you holding up?” she asked and eying the next barrel she levitated.
I panted and took the next barrel. I felt like throwing up.
“The remedy is wearing of and it’s starting to feel. Let’s get this done. And quick.” I answered with a now raspy voice.

It was painful. I mean, really painful. The remedy was now worn off and I felt like dying. The lungs were burning and my chest hurt like it was on fire. It was after Twilight had levitated the next barrel and when I placed the empty one under when my knees gave in and I fell to the ground for a short time.
“Ben!” Twilight gasped but I got up and placed the next barrel.
“I’m fine! Just get going!” I rasped through gritted teeth.
Twilight nodded with great concern and continued. I wanted to vomit or just something to alleviate the pain from my chest and regretted not taking my medicine while under stress.

“Times up!” Mayor announced through her megaphone.
Immediately after that I collapsed on the ground, lying on my back. I panted heavily and started to hyperventilate. The pain in my chest and the numbing feeling in my left arm warned me that I was starting to get a heart-attack. My heart beat so hard in my chest that it threatened to break free from my ribcage. I heard Twilight, Fluttershy and Applejack calling my name as they galloped to my side and I squinted to get a good look at them. The sweat pouring into my eyes and making it hard to see.
“D-d-did we-we w-w-win?” I stammered through my panting and the pain causing me to wince.
Applejack nuzzled my face and Twilight sat on her haunches to my right, also panting. She looked at me and ignited her horn.
“Here. Let me help.” She said and the aura became centered to my chest. The burning of my heart started to fade as it started to calm my heart.
My lungs breathed at a normal speed and the dizziness washed over me like rain. I got up, Applejack snuggled herself under my left arm as Fluttershy did the same for my right to help me get up. I wobbled, trying to find my equilibrium and rid the dizziness. Twilight levitated the medicine from the basket I brought to my face. I took it and drank greedily from it.

Applejack looked at me with deep concern and I now noticed that the rest of her family gathered around me. I sighed when the herbs took their hold and the effect was instant. I needed to get the stronger herbs from Zecora when I had the time. I looked at Twilight with one question in mind:
“Did we win?”
She was unsure but before she could answer Mayor made her announcement.
“Flim and Flam win!”
My heart dropped to my stomach. Once again, I fell to my knees. I looked at the stacked barrels, noticing that they had won by few barrels over ours. The crowd as well as our friends gasped. I saw and heard Apple Bloom trying to form something out of disbelief. I held her close to my side.
Flim and Flam on the other hand was smirking and gloat us in their victory. Flim closed in and with added insult said:
“Aww, too bad, Apples.”
Flam stood by his brother and if I wasn’t currently weakened I would’ve strangled them both right here. Flam upon seeing my frown only smiled.
“Guess you’ll have to find a new line of work that doesn’t fit your names quite so… perfectly.” He said in his most insulting way. Until he looked at me. “And your best attempt to help them primate was for naught.”
I bit down and did my best not to jump at them. Applejack placed her hoof on my shoulder and gently nuzzled my face. I sighed sadly. Despite my best efforts, we lost. I lost my family again. Flim and Flam were in a conversation and deliberately made sure that we were within earshot just to put salt in our wounds.
“Should we tear down these tacky buildings and put up new ones, brother?” Flim asked his brother, his smile still apparent on his muzzle.
Flam, not being any better, wore the same smile.
“I don’t see why not, brother. After all, this isn’t Sweet Apple Acres anymore.” He sneered at us. “How about ‘Flim-Flam Fields’?”
I darted for them only to fall over again. My muscles had given in. I wasn’t recovered yet. Luckily, Rainbow made the draw.
“I ought to press you to jerk cider!” she snarled only to be stopped by Applejack. I turned to her, noticing that she had tears.
“No, Rainbow Dash. A deal’s a deal.” She said, turning from us.
I sighed deeply, my heart twisting with sadness over her. The brothers laughed in triumph and from what I could hear, devilish delight. Gloat. Applejack turned to me again and with tears nuzzled me. I recuperated the nuzzling and stood up weakly to walk with her.
“Congratulations to y'all. The cider business in Ponyville... is yours.” Applejack said shakily before turning to her family. “C'mon, Apples. Let's go pack up our things.”
I sighed again, my lungs aching slightly. Joining the Apples, Apple Bloom trotted towards me. I knelt down to hold her and she buried her face in my lap. Flim and Flam still laughed as they faced the crowd.
“Fear not, everypony. There is enough cider to go around.” Flim announced proudly.
The crowd didn’t seem to take losing the Apples to good as a few of them were shedding tears. Pinkamena was crying and Fluttershy trotted next to me, even she had tears in her eyes. Turning my head to the brothers and the ponies who wanted to drink their cider.
“Ben?”
Applejack’s voice snapped me back to her. Her tears matting her coat but fighting back sobs. She formed words that was incoherent to me.
“Maybe it’s for the best if ya stayed with Fluttershy since ya won’ be stayin’ with us anymore.” She said in a slight whisper.
No. No way. I was going to say different when a sound of several spitting and grunting made us shift our head to the brothers again. The ponies that drank the cider was apparently not satisfied with their cider.
“I can’t get the taste of my tongue!”
“Mine’s got rocks in it!”
“I wouldn’t pay one cent for this dreck!”
Their argument hearable and noticeable… I was stunned. Applejack and the others too. The brother stood flabbergast at this and seemed to figure out a business plan or a deal. Each deal met a denying reply.
Wobbly, I stood up and walked to one of the barrels they placed. I looked into it. Besides cider were branches, gravel and leaves. The machine was stressed by their magic and somehow absorbed the trees whole.
With their final argument failing they galloped to the machine and removed their hats with nervous faces.
“It seems that we’ve encountered a slight… problem here in Ponyville.” Flim said, sweat noticeable even from where I stood.
“Nopony wants our product.” Flam said after, glancing to his brother. “Next town?”
“Next town. Let’s go Flam!” he stressed and with their machine kicked into high gear they took off.

I stood dumbstruck and stumped for a second, trying to process what the hell had just happened. They… left?
“They’re gone.” Applejack said next to me.
A smile and a chuckle escaped me. Tears forming in my eyes as realization hitting me like a rock. They’re gone. We won by default.
“You get to stay!” Twilight exclaimed with joy. “Sweet Apple Acres is still in business!”
I was about to laugh out in happiness when I was tackled by Apple Bloom. She giggled in happiness as she nuzzled my face. I was then knocked down by Applejack and Mac. We wrestled on the ground, laughing in the knowledge that we got to stay here.

It was strange. The moment we shared here made me forget about the letter I wrote to Celestia. I got to stay for another day. Stay with the Apples. Stay with my family.