//------------------------------// // Chapter 25 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// Later that afternoon, the friends gathered at the barn. “A challenge, huh?” asked Platinum when the siblings finished the story. “Ain’t just really a challenge,” said Raisin. “It’s for the sake of this land.” “*gasp* NOOOO WAAAYYY!!!” shrieked Pepper. “If I were you all I would never ever give up this precious little land!” “If only I hadn’t met them,” admitted Fiji, still feeling guilty. “This would have never happened.” Melody patted her. “Looks like your act can’t be really forgiven. But if Applejack welcomes help from any of us, we’ll be glad to come.” “Don’t let the presence of these frauds let you down. With us here, we can outwit them,” agreed Beryl. “Real guys win against useless frauds,” went on Greenie. As the rest said words of praises, Raisin spoke to her. “See that? Everyone’s supporting for you. There’s no reason to feel bad about your act.” “Thanks everypony,” said Fiji. “You guys have given me new spirits to deal with them tomorrow. I’ll be expecting you all.” “Count on us, Fiji!” replied Thunder excitedly. The next morning came. The crowd, as usual gathered to watch the second round between the brothers and the Apple Family. The family was prepared, but the brothers hadn’t arrived. “Okay, we’re gonna do this,” Niku whispered to Big McIntosh at the press machine. “We have to get everything done before the whole family arrives!” “Eeyup.” “Wonder where are they?” asked Malinae. “The brothers or our friends?” asked Fiji. “Them.” “Whoa, nelly, here they come,” declared Applejack. The brothers arrived, chugging in their machine. “Now then,” announced Flim. “Let’s see how they win without that old chicken around!” “You dare call our late Granny a chicken?” shouted Malinae, enraged. “Malinae, chill,” calmed Apple Bloom. “Okay, I do not wish to explain the rules again, it’s the same like you did last time,” said the Mayor. “Are you ready?” At once, both parties readied their stances. “Go!” Instantly both parties started. Applejack and Apple Bloom bucked the apples, with Malinae collecting them. Babs Seed sorted them out while Niku and Big McIntosh ran on the press. As the collected barrel was full, both Fiji and Raisin covered it and stacked them up. The brothers, meanwhile had put their machine to their extent. It was in fact, stronger and more efficient than the one they used before, so it made four barrels in a row, compared to the family’s two at the same time. While everypony watched the competition with amazement, Twilight Sparkle, with her children and friends arrived. “Whoa,” gasped Discord with amazement. “What a competition.” “But we just can’t slack here now,” said Chaos. “Alright everypony, listen up,” Twilight rounded everyone. “What are we supposed to do, Princess?” asked Pepper. “While we were your age, I did help Applejack with my friends in winning these smooth talkers. I discussed with them and we decided that it’s time you help Applejack. We’re not helping this time.” “Oooohhh,” cried Pizza. “I’m going to test your leadership skills, Melody,” continued Twilight. “Wait here, I’ll go speak to the Mayor.” Twilight left to find her, then returned with a smile. “The mayor has given you the light,” announced Twilight. “I’ll leave the rest to you all now.” “No problem, Mom!” promised Melody. “Just give them the worst humilatey they’ll ever expect!” motivated Pinkie Pie. “Okay, listen up, folks.” Melody rounded her friends and started their discussion. In no time, they advanced to the action. Melody, Honey Drops, Chaos, Beryl, Pepper and Pizza entered the orchard to help pick down the apples. “Malinae, right there!” called Melody as a dozen apples fell to a place without a basket. “Whoa!” Malinae thought she was unable to catch them, but Chaos laid out one in the nick of time. “Thanks!” “Don’t mention it!” replied Melody as she used her magic to bring down a tree of apples. “That’s one, two, three and four!” counted Pizza as Pepper bucked the trees one by one. As the baskets were handed over to Babs, Platinum and Prudence sorted the apples out. “Is this good?” Babs handed them a seemingly perfect apple. As Prudence levitated it to examine it, a worm popped out of the apple. “Yuck!” cried Prudence and she tossed it away. “Bad apples should go there, sweetie,” advised Platinum. Greenie and Thunder approached Niku and Big McIntosh. “Hey uncas, rest aside, let us do the rest.” Both stallions gladly let the siblings do the work. Amazingly, it was pumping out cider faster than ever. Peanut went to Fiji and Raisin. “Care to need a hoof?” He asked as he moved an empty barrel to them. “Yes… badly!” moaned Raisin desperately. “Go for it!” cheered Fluttershy. The friends’ combined efforts had doubled the ciders’ production. The brothers watched in amazement. “Well, I think we should resort to this,” said Flim as he tipped a lever. The machine instantly went maniac. It was driving itself sucking everything along its way, trees and all! Honey and Beryl were shaking the branches when they saw the machine coming towards them. “What the hay…?” “Beryl! Get out of the way!” The sisters dodged in time and watched in horror as the machine went deeper into the orchard. “Oh, my…” sighed Honey. “Uh… what’s that I’m seeing?” asked Applejack as she saw the machine after hearing the loud chugging noise. “Something’s not right,” deduced Chaos. “High tail outta here!” “Hey! I was about to deal with that one!” exclaimed Pepper as the machine ripped off the tree she was about to buck. “No time to explain!” called Beryl who just arrived at her side. “We need to tell the rest!” Those outside the orchard glared with amazement as they saw the machine charging out of the trees. Peanut nearly dropped a barrel. Suddenly, the machine blew up into smithereens. Everything inside the machine splattered out in all directions. Just as Greenie and Thunder gasped as the debris was about to contaminate the product, Melody appeared just in time to cast a barrier to shield them, saving them from the mess. The rest, however, weren’t lucky. They were all showered by a mixture of apples, leaves, wood, soil and rocks. “Yuck! Who would want to taste that junk?” vomited Pepper after licking away the mixture from her lips. As Flim and Flam recovered from the shock, they were confronted by hundreds of angry faces. To make matters worse, all other members of the Apple Family have arrived. Among them was Applejack’s cousin from Appleloosa Braeburn, who was wide-eyed at what he saw. “Oh wow,” gasped Braeburn. “What the hay is this going on?” Then all Apple Family members turned to the brothers. “Who’s that outsider here?” “I’ve never seen them before.” “Want to take away our land, huh?” “They never deserve to be in Ponyville!” Gradually the Apple Family joined the others in jeering and mocking them. “I think that’s it,” whispered Flam to his brother. “Scram!” And they escaped away, never to return to Ponyville. “Sorry for all the inconvenience,” apologized Applejack to the arrivals. “Guess we have to clean this up first before I can arrange.” “You don’t have to do it your own, Applejack,” said Rarity. “What?” “Three cheers to Applejack and everypony who helped her and her family!” shouted Cheese Sandwich, and everypony followed suit. Melody and her friends were amazed. “Hey, why don’t we help them clean up the mess?” suggested Melody. “Then we can celebrate.” “Well then, who wants to volunteer?” asked Twilight. Everypony cheered. “Alright, let’s get workin! As a reward for y’all come and celebrate the Family Reunion with us!” declared Applejack proudly. “So we got a chance to celebrate with them!!?” exclaimed Greenie, saying “omigosh” as many times as she can. “C’mon, Greenie. Let’s get started!” called Melody. At the end of the day, everypony had fun although tired being with the entire Apple Family. Soon, all of the family went back home, except for Babs Seed, who only left for the next morning. “I guess… that’s it,” sighed Fiji, slumping tiredly on the couch. “Have some of this to cheer you up,” said Niku, handing her a mug of cider. Fiji drank it. “Can’t believe this was the one we made just now.” “You deserve it. Now we’ve got more barrels of cider to serve all of Ponyville!” said Applejack. “And our friends got one barrel each as well.” “Really?” “In addition from those made by the brothers until they screwed everything,” explained Raisin. “They really got none at all.” “What else do we have here?” “Who was that?” cried Apple Bloom, startled by the voice. “Isn’t that Granny?” asked Malinae, pointing to a corner. Everyone stared in awe. Granny Smith had come to visit them in the form of a spirit. “You did a good day in organizing the Family Reunion,” congratulated Granny Smith. “Granny! I missed you dearly!” Malinae went to hug her. Surprisingly, she was able to touch her directly. “U-unbelievable!” blurted Niku. “You have made me proud. I have loads of praises for you all.” She started with Fiji. “Your way of lying with everypony is not what I expect. However, there is still a heart of gold within you. Be always loyal and everypony will respect you.” “Why… thank you Granny!” She hugged her with tears. “I’m impressed with your gardening, Raisin,” she turned to him. “Just that you don’t need to overwork so that you can spend more time with your family.” “Oh… okay…” “Malinae, my sweet dear. You’ve been trying to be the center of attraction. Just keep up your sweet ways and you’ll be loved.” Malinae was too excited to speak. “You’re doing better since the first day I met you,” she said to Niku. “May the spirit of friendship continue to go with you.” “Gee…” “Applejack, my favorite granddaughter. You have displayed true leadership in dealing with the brothers today. You really are my chosen heir to this family.” “Err, how did you know everything?” “Ah, haven’t you all realized this? I’m watching you all, all the time.” The others gasped. “For the rest of you, keep this family’s name up high!” “Sure will!” promised Apple Bloom. “Eeyup!” said Big McIntosh. “I shall leave now. We’ll meet again someday…” And her spirit eventually drifted away into the night. “This is nostalgic,” concluded Babs Seed. “Err, can I deliver one barrel to Canterlot tomorrow?” asked Fiji. “Why?” “I just remembered Orion Galaxy. It’s a shame not to deliver one to him and his mates, since he’s my childhood buddy.” “Now that’s loyalty wasn’t it?” asked Niku. “Alright, we’ll make the order tomorrow!” said Malinae. “But first, can I have another mug of cider?” Everypony laughed.