Heirs - Hide and Go Sekai

by FlaxSeedbp

Ch 2

Both Twilight and Applejack bombarded Flim with questions.
“Right. I will try to summarize this, as time urges. Thanks to Granny Smith, my brother and I managed to make some bits at Applecon (note: see IDW Friends Forever #09), and could travel some. We went to Neigh Orleans, where we befriended this unicorn named Trixie. She was also a bit down on her luck, and we decided to make business together… strength in numbers and all that. Oddly enough, for somepony so street-wise, she insisted on us having a pretty… straightforward and orthodox approach to business.”

“Yes” said Twilight “we had some encounters in the past and she seemed interested on getting her act clean.”

Flim nodded and kept going.
“But I digress. We decided to adapt the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 into an apple harvester and rent its services to farmers all over the land.” He levitated a glass of water and sipped some. “It was a success. Too much a success. We had lines of farmers wanting to use the machine. Trixie, my brother and I used our magic to power it morning, evening and noon nonstop. By nighttime, we were so tired we couldn’t hold our tools to build other machines to meet the demand.”
He lowered his eyes “Fact… matter… bottom line is we were losing possible clients and bits with the situation. Something we could not allow. So we tried to make some research for a spell to speed things up.”

“Y’all remember how well that went the other time.”

“Yes… but we found a possible solution. Instead of moving the big and cumbersome machine around the orchards, we found a spell that would make the trees come to us.

“Come again?”

“Basically, a spell that give mobility to any object… the spell came with a warning, something about a wizard, an apprentice and walking brooms, but we pay no attention to it. The enchantment gave not only mobility, but also a not pleasant personality to the trees. During the night, they destroyed the property and there’s now a patch of destruction behind the trees. Every orchard, every plantation, every garden in their way… gone. The other trees either destroyed or recruited… conscripted… dragooned.”

“Haven’t you tried a counterspell?”

“It didn’t work. The spell… is like a virus. The enchanted tree infect others that infect others…”

“Wait a bucking minute. There are trees attacking ponies right now?”

“No, they don’t seem to move under the sun.”

“So the trees attacked you. That’s where Roseluck tale enters.”

“Quite. We tried conterspells and everything, but the trees were destroying us… until they sensed the approaching morning and went away.”

“Where to, Flim?”

“Hide, I suppose.”

“Hide. And where in tarnation a tree could hi…”

Before Applejack could finish the phrase, she and Twilight looked at each other, knowing the answer. The alicorn turned to the stallion.
“How fast are those trees?”

“We could – and did – trot circles around then.”

“Half the speed of a regular pony?”

“Maybe even a bit slower.”

“Right. We have something. I have to crunch some numbers, and…”

“Excuse me, your Serene Highness. I may have some ideas to help.”

“Just Twilight is fine.”

Applejack shook her head
“And y’all already did too much, creating the mess in the first place. We will deal with it.”

“Let me put it another way. I know the spell, know what does not work, and I am half of the team that designed the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000. I know how to stop the trees.”

“And almost killed Granny Smith.”

“Having a whole city after you is also hardly healthy, Applejack.”

“Applejack! I am sorry, but I have to agree with Flim. If the situation is like what he described, we will need every helping hoof. Can we take him to the castle, doctor?”

“Given the circumstances, the physician… the healer… has not much to say” Flim stood on all fours, trying to hide the pain he was feeling. “Just tell me when my brother and that partner of ours wake up, right?”

---

Soon, the mane six, spike and Flim were around a table in the castle, quills flying over paper, controlled by the magic of the alicorn and of the male unicorn.
“Right” said the Princess of Friendship. Closing a large book. “I think we figured out the trees.”

“So, do you know why they want to destroy mah farm… and every other orchard in Equestria?”

“Oh, no, they don’t want to do that.”

“Phew. That is a relief.”

“Sorry, Applejack, I will say it other way. They will destroy it, they just don’t want to do so.”

“WHAT?!”

“The princess is a scientist, country fellow of mine. You have to make exact questions.”

“First, Flim, ah am nothing ‘of yours’; second, ah know Twilight very well, so keep your big mouth shut.”

“Guys, let’s not lose time arguing. Applejack, it’s simple. The trees - more specifically, the spell - want what every critter wants, to reproduce, to pass itself to other trees. And to do so, they eliminate everything in their way. It’s exciting, actually. First, Luna’s Tantabus, now this. Do you know how much is there to be researched and learned about these self-aware, sentient spells? It’s a complete new field…”

As Twilight kept talking, Pinkie Pie whispered to Flim.
“We’re losing her.”

“… rethink our definition of ‘life’, and everything we know about the environment of magic fields and… OUCH!” said Twilight as Rainbow Dash’s hoof hit her head.
“Hello-o? Menacing trees will destroy Ponyville at nighttime, remember?”

“Oh. Right. Sorry. So, the spell in the trees will actively look for other similar trees.”

“Shoot, and Sweet Apple Acres is the largest orchard in miles.”

“Yes, but it is an advantage. We now know where the trees will go once Luna raises the Moon. Luckily, they were too far away to reach Sweet Apple Acres last night, or things would get really messy. I think Flim and I have a plan that might just work.”

“Allow me to summarize, your Hig… Twilight.” Flim made three cards float out of a pocket. “Sweet Apple Acres is like the Red Princess and we will make traps like these two black numbered cards…”

Orders were given and the group dispersed. All but Pinkie Pie, who stood in the middle of the room, still looking at the card on her hooves and screaming:
“But where did the Joking Discord card came from?!”

---

Twilight went quickly to her private library and started to write a letter.
“Spike, send this to Princess Celestia, then bring Doctor Hooves here ASAP. After that, make coffee and keep it coming. We’ll need a lot for tonight. I will check if Trixie is available.”

The dragon made a military salute and the letter disappeared in a burst of magical fire.

---

“…and then the trees will make a cool magic trick, with is amazing, ‘cause Trixie is here, and we are all going to join the red princess to stop the sentient thingee that wants to destroy us all! Destroy us all! Destroy us all!”

At Sugarcube Corner, the Cakes looked at Pinkie Pie and blinked twice. The pink pony opened a shy smile.
“… or let’s just bake what Twilight asked.

---

Rainbow Dash rallied a group of pegasi over the field spot over the remainings of the wagon of Flim, Flam and Trixie.
“Alright, listen up, pegasi. Yesterday, the trees ran for about an hour before sunrise. Twilight says it gives us a radius of six to seven miles. What I want from each and every one of you is a hard-target search of every forest, woods, park, orchard, garden, backyard, gazebo and bonsai maker in that area. Checkpoints from here to Sweet Apple Acres. We are looking for enchanted apple trees. Go find them.”

---

There is no time to complain, though Flim. Twilight said a pony named Doctor Hooves will be there shortly to help him. So, he tried to forget the pain or the fact he was working alone. Alone, inside a barn that lacks most of the tools that he is used to. And, to top it, the owner of the barn was not exactly sympathetic over him. But reason must speak louder. Sweet Apple Acres was the most logic place to build what they need to stop the trees, knowing they would come to that very place. Still, he certainly was not used to any of those experiences and…

“Why is that machine there?”

A young voice took him out of his thoughts. The little pony was pointing to an intricate collection of cogs and axis around a tube covered in mystical symbols, connected together on a frame a bit larger than a saddlebag.
“That, my curious young filly – Apple Bloom, is it? – is a magical transmission we salvaged from our cart. It converts magical energy to mechan…”

The little brat pushed Flim away “Ah know what a magical transmission is, Twilight showed me on one of our get-togethers. Ah asked why it’s THERE. Wouldn’t be better if it was down here? You could save lots of space and roller chains.”

Flim pondered for a while.
“Ah… it’s kind of the default position on our machines…” Flim bit his lip and didn’t add that they use to put the transmission on top, so ponies on the furthest row could see him and Flam powering the machines. But showmanship should not be a concern now, should it?
“You know, little one, you are right.”

“Ah know you were building several machines to help beat the trees, so ah brought you this.” Apple Bloom gave Flim a small flask.

“What…?”

“A lubricant ah learned to make with Zecora. Makes our carts really go.”

“Say, little one, don’t you have homework to do?”

“Yes…” Apple Bloom lowered her ears “I will go now, sorry bothering you.”

“Because I am sure that sister of yours can make some nice note excusing you. Right now I am naming you junior designer and general assistant… appointee…coadjutor. Grab a tool and come help me.”

“Really?” Flim could see the stars on the eyes of the excited filly. “I mean, sure, Flim. Cutie Mark Crusader coadjutor!”

After some time, Doctor Hooves joined Flim and Apple Bloom and the work really took speed.
“Well, thanks for the help, little coadjutor of mine, but I think is time for you to get inside before Applejack gets worried.”

“Aaawww, but we’re so close to finish it all.”

“And the good Doctor and I can handle it now, thanks to you. Go on.”

“Fine. But only if you tell me more about the Super Squeezy tomorrow.”

“We have an agreement.”

And the filly ran to her house:
“Applejack! Applejack! I build an amazing machine.”

Another hour passes and Doctor Hooves checked a pocket watch.
“This is really amazing, my friend. We finish the construction with almost three hours to spare from the entrapment time. I shall alert the princess, and soon we will be here to pick up our conceptions.”

“You do it, doctor. And have my gratitude.”

---

Flim went inside and gave a machine some more tweaks, upon hearing another familiar voice.
“Is the doctor gone already?”

“Oh, hello. Applejack. Yes, we are ahead of schedule.”

“Pity. Ah brought something for y’all.” She put a tray with two cider mugs over a hay square.

After some though, she got one of the mugs for herself.
“Just because is impolite to let a guest drink alone. And because ah want you to taste a real cider for a change.”

The stallion took a sip.
“It’s exquisite. Quite enjoyable. Certainly above average.”

“Ya know, your description is right there with Maud Pie’s in disappointment.”

“I wish you could taste the one my brother and I make.”

“How is he, anyway?”

“They said he fractured his leg in two places, and will have to stay at the hospital for about a week. Trixie is fine, she will be staying at Twilight’s Castle during that period.”

“Good to know. Look, Big Mac is with the others patrolling the limits of the farm, so, if y’all want to take an hour nap, you can use his room.”

“Thanks, but I prefer to stay alert until everything is over.”

“Then ah guess ah will make you company.”

“You don’t need to.”

“Nonsense. Ah need to thank y’all about Apple Bloom, anyway; ah think you made her a step closer to her cutie mark.”

“Most likely. You have a very talented… adroit… sister.”

“Yes, that’s she is. A bit of pain on the flank, sometimes, but a very special filly. And totally mark-obsessed. You have no idea how excited she entered home. Trinkets and potions are really her call, ya know”

“How about you?”

“What’s about me?”

“How did you got your cutie mark?”

“Ah.” And Applejack told about the city, the Oranges, and the Sonic Rainboom.”

“Oh, my, that’s quite a tale. I must say it fits you very well. Nice colour combination.”

“Ah have to say ah am also curious about yours…”

They both stopped, noticing they were checking each other flanks with a bit too much of interest. They blushed and turned quickly their heads away.
“Ah mean, why an apple?”

“Well, you see, fifteen years ago, there was this Equestria-wide apple shortage…”

“Flim…”

“I jest. I was trying to make it sound as epic as yours. We used to live in the outskirts of Fillydelphia. Our neighbors had some small orchards, and we started to sell apples to the busy businessponies downtown. They didn’t had time to go out and lunch, and welcomed the apple-selling colts at their office doors. And didn’t mind our huge mark-up. So… my mark is the cost, Flam’s the profit.” He thought for a while, disappointed with his own bland tale, and shrugged “The end.”

“But it has nothing to do with making machine and… sorry, and then tell tales.”

“Oh, it does. In order to sell the most apples, we learned a lot about how to calculate, how to work with tendency, possibilities and percentage…”

“Ah run a farm. Ah know those are important for business, but…”

“Business? No, Applejack, I am talking about finding how many classes we could skip without
failing school. We were colts, remember.”

They both laughed.
“I remember one time…”

And before they could notice, several ponies arrived to put the traps in place.
“Whoa. Ah didn’t noticed it was time already.”

“Quite. It was very nice to have this colloquy… tete-a-tete with you.”

“Same. Now, let’s hunt some trees. YyeeeHaw!”

Author's Note:

I pay homage to two movies in this chapter. Can you name them?

Thanks a lot for reading

Comments

[Starlight Nova]

What's "Sekai"?

[FlaxSeedbp]

6287595

Hello, Starlight Nova, thanks for the interest on the Story. The answer to your question is in the first seven paragraphs of the first chapter. If you are not able to visualize it for some reason, I am sendong you a message.

[Empress]

Lol you used my hometown name and ponified it
Neigh Orleans lol