A Wise Decision

Chapter 1: Deal!

The first day of apple cider season had arrived! Everypony in Ponyville was lined up from the Apple family farm all the way back to town, just so they could get in on the fun. No one wanted to miss out, so most residents took to camping out on the road from the farm to the town. This came to the chagrin of those who didn’t camp out and were stuck at the back of the line. One particular cyan pegasus was fuming when she found out about the townsponies’ tactics, but respected the event too much to make a scene.

As the day went on the amount of cider dwindled. A growing concern spread down the line as the prospect of getting cider seemed slimmer and slimmer. As Rainbow Dash grew closer to the front, her anxiety wouldn’t stop attacking her heart. Fluttershy, a yellow and pink pegasus, had just ended her journey for the elusive cider. Rainbow Dash was next. She politely gave the stand owners  two bits, and stared in awe at the cider tap. With one pull of the handle, the cider was going to pour out like liquid gold.

Imagine the disappointment when a dry cough was the only thing to come out.

“Oh, it looks like we’re done today!” A filly named Apple Bloom announced.

“Ugh!” A resounding groan met the announcement. Rainbow Dash started to cry.

“You always run out!”

“Yeah, what about the rest of us?”

“It’s not fair!”

A round of jeers and complaints were hurled at the cider making family. They were taken off guard until the middle child Applejack, Element bearer of Honesty, jumped on the stand.

“Now, everypony calm down. We’re tryin’ our best every year to make more cider--”

“You say that every year.” A stallion from the crowd yelled challenging the claim.

“And it’s always true. But Apple family cider is made with love and integrity, and only the highest quality apples in all of Equestria! Sorry but that recipe takes time.”

The whole crowd was in an uproar. Year after year, they would spend hours waiting in line and never get anything out of it. Applejack tried to calm the crowd down with the assurance there would be more cider tomorrow, but it did little to help. Just then an odd noise came out of the distance.

“What in tarnation?” Applejack spoke for the group.

It was a strange contraption that was somewhat similar to a wagon. It was a mode of transportation, that was for certain. However, the alien craft had one large dome and a couple of spires sprinkled over it, the sight was completely unseen in Equestria. Nevertheless, curiosity was always a pain in the flank, and it forced everypony to investigate the peculiar sight. The group didn’t have to go far as the machine went directly to them. Before the townsponies could wonder about what was going to happen next, two male unicorns came out of the machine.

“Well looky what we got here, brother of mine, it’s the same in every town.”

______________________________________________________________________________________

One song later:

The Apple family were gathered together in a huddled group. They were discussing what the true implications of dealing with Flim and Flam would be. Granny Smith and Big Macintosh, the older brother of Applejack, seemed to agree that Flim and Flam were not to be trusted. Apple Bloom was in an entirely different camp, believing that the brothers could be of great benefit. Granny Smith and Big Macintosh weren’t really upset at the young’n, given the fact she was just a filly. But it was offsetting that Applejack hadn’t said two words. This fact wasn’t dwelled upon as two more ponies joined the huddle,

“We’ll sweeten the deal! You provide the apples. . .” One of the unicorns, named Flim, began.

“. . . And we’ll provide the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000.” The other unicorn, named Flam, continued.

“Then we split those sweet, sweet profits.” The brothers spoke together.

“Seventy five...”

“...Twenty five.”

“Deal!” Apple Bloom proclaimed.

“Now Apple Bloom, we aren’t just going to end years of tradition, and integrity for some whippersnappers’ fancy invention!” Granny Smith said, scolding her granddaughter.

The salesponies watched in amusement as the two Apple family members bickered. While that was happening, another pony was taking into consideration the options laid out in front of her.

‘Granny’s right, we can’t just give up years of tradition fer some namby-pamby machine! But, I keep hearin’ from Rainbow that she ain’t got cider in years, and I coulda swore she was on the verge of tears when we ran out. I don’t wanna hurt Dash and everypony else, but I can’t give up on everything I knew. If there was only a . . . Wait, if their machine could actually mass produce cider, that means with a seventy-five/ twenty-five we would actually lose. . . And if it was only . . . Plus a few strings pulled here would . . . I GOT IT!’

“Well, if you refuse our generous offer to be partners, then we’ll just have to be competitors.” Flim said, getting close to Granny Smith’s face.

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Oh?” Flim motioned to his brother who was standing atop the machine.

“Don’t worry everypony, there will be plenty of cider for all of you! The Flim Flam brothers guarantee it!” Flam boasted on top of his and his brother’s machine.

“Conflabbit, I tell you the Apple family will never--”

“That wasn’t your final offer was it? ‘Cause I really want to come to a deal, but we have to come to something better.” Applejack chimed in.

“WHAT!” Everypony in the small group shouted.

“Are you serious Applejack, are we gonna make a deal?” Apple Bloom asked, barely holding back her excitement.

“I think we can work out a better deal. But yes, we can come to a compromise.”

“A-Applejack you can’t be serious.” Granny Smith whispered in shock.

“Sis, what are ya’ thinkin’?” Big Macintosh inquired, equally confused.

“W-Wait, you’re actually going to make a deal?” Flim didn’t seem to be faring any better.

“If we can do some talkin’, then sure.” Applejack flashed a simple smile.

Flim was at an absolute loss for words. He and his brother had been traversing the countryside for as long as they could remember. Every town they went to had gone the same exact way: arrive, boast about machine, get general approval, be denied a deal, end up doing some wacky stunt, get kicked out of town. It was disheartening after some time. They put their heart and soul into the machine, and they would get nothing out of it. Rejection just came as a usual event in their life. Acceptance was too odd to truly understand. But maybe that alien feeling was a good thing.

“Flam!” Flim called out.

“Yes ponies, the Flim Flam brothers can be the answer for your every need!” Without hearing his brother, Flam continued to pander to the crowd.

“Flam!”

“You’ll never go thirsty again!”

“FOR THE LOVE OF CELESTIA, FLAM!”

This got the attention of everypony in the nearby area. Flam looked at his brother, perplexed by his tone, but his brother’s face told him that the situation was urgent. Hopping off the machine, Flam quickly made it back to his brother.

“Brother, what seems to be the problem?”

“T-The Apples want to make a deal.”

It was Flam’s turn to have his jaw unhinge. Even his mustache was shocked as it stopped defying gravity in light of the revelation. His line of thought began to go down the same road that his brother’s did. This was the epitome of a miracle. Could they really stop moving from town to town and actually settle down? The salesponies were quite tired of going from town to town. But they believed in the invention they put their entire life into, and there was no way they’d just give up on it.

Getting the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 accepted amongst other ponies was, at the beginning, the brothers number one goal. Most ponies don’t know but the brothers had dozens of prototypes of their machine, hence why it has '6000' in the title. As foals they tried several times to make a cider machine, but failed miserably multiple times.

The brothers were so occupied with their invention, they alienated themselves from any friends and family. Their parents found their distant behavior so odd that they legally disowned their sons. They felt as if Flim and Flam were detriments to the family image. So since mid-foalhood the brothers have been on their own looking for a place that the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 can do some real good.

But as their time as salesponies dragged on, their motives and goals changed. Their childhood naivety didn’t fair well in the cold, hard cynical world of business. They had to adapt and become something that they never intended to be in the beginning. But now, there’s a chance to be something different, to be something that they always wanted to be.

These thoughts preoccupied the brothers so, all they donned on themselves were blank expressions.

Applejack started to chuckle because of the brothers. Seeing them now as partners instead of possible threats really shines a new light on the humorous duo. Apple Bloom felt the same as she jumped around for joy. The citizens of Ponyville also joined in on the celebration, hooting and hollering at the promise of all the cider they could drink. Not everypony was excited about the revelation though.

“Applejack, how could you go back on everything I taught you?” Granny Smith asked more hurt than anything.

“But Granny, I’m doin’ this for everypony, and ain’t the best fer everypony something you taught me too?”

“You’ve lost sight of what’s important, Applejack.” Granny Smith said as she slowly walked back to the family house.

“C’mon, you understand, don’t you Big Macintosh?” Applejack pleaded with her older brother, who met her with a mile long stare.

“Nope.” He walked away.

The celebrations were still going on at this point, the roar of the crowd too loud to hear the conversation. It wasn’t until Twilight Sparkle noticed the downcast Applejack, that the festive mood began to change. One by one the audience stared at the orange pony wondering what happened. For now though, everypony stared at Applejack who was on the verge of tears. Apple Bloom kept to her sisters side, just as downcast as a result of her family's decision. It wasn’t long before the rest of the Elements of Harmony moved in to comfort their friend, but they were stopped by an unexpected force.

“Please, let us handle this.” Flam said standing in front of the five mares and baby dragons.

“Our friend is hurt and you want us to what?! Fat chance pal!” Rainbow Dash said, no longer caring about the situation with the cider.

“Yes, and that’s why my brother and I ask you to let us help her. This is our fault and we need to make this right. Please, let us do this.” Flam pleaded while his brother in the background was with Apple Bloom comforting Applejack.

The group was skeptical of the brothers intent, and they wanted to help their friend. But Flim and Flam wanted to make up for an offense, who were they to take it away? Granted some of the more enthusiastic friends were still against the idea of leaving Applejack to Flim and Flam, but Twilight made it clear that the brothers deserved at least one chance. Grudgingly, the group made their way with the rest of the town back to Ponyville. Flam made his way over to the remaining group.

“Apple Bloom, could you check on Granny and Big Mac?” Applejack whispered.

“But sis--”

“Please, Apple Bloom, just. . . Please.”

Apple Bloom flinched at the foreign tone in her sister's voice. Applejack was always the strong one in the family. Her being so hurt and defeated was deeply unsettling. Apple Bloom took granted her sister’s request, just to cheer her up a little bit.

Left alone with the orange mare, the brothers looked at each other nervous for what was to come. They always had a plan for everything they did, so impromptu was the polar opposite of their forte. If it was for the mare that gave them a chance, the discomfort was well worth it.

“Hey, Applejack was it? On behalf of my brother and I, I would like to say that we’re deeply sorry for the trouble we caused.” Flim said taking off his hat, his words awkwardly tripping out of his mouth.

“Most definitely, brother of mine, we didn’t mean for this to happen! We are deeply regretful about this entire situation.” Flam said, not fairing much better than his brother.

Applejack raised her head looking at both the brothers. Even with tears obscuring her vision, she could see that what they said was sincere. Taking a few deep breathes, Applejack regain her composure. Her eyes narrowed substantially as she tried to do her best to hide her hurt.

“So, are we gonna hammer out a deal or what?”

“Um, are you sure you want to do that now? We can wait--”

“I think now would be the best time.” Applejack firmly stated.

“Okay then. How about we go over to the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000? It has a place to sit down.” Flim offered, gesturing towards the machine.

“I do feel mighty tired. I think taking some weight off my hooves would be helpful.” Applejack walked over to the machine, still wary about its capabilities.

“Don’t worry, it won’t bite!” Flam shouted, receiving another chuckle from Applejack. While she was getting herself situated the brothers took the time to hammer out a quick strategy.

“Brother, we can’t go with the seventy-five/twenty-five.” Flam began.

“I know that brother, but we can’t lose focus on making doing what’s best for us too.” Flim flimsily retorted.

“Can we really say that after what we’ve done.”

“We’re businessponies; this is what we do. You’re acting as if this is the first time we’ve done something uncouth.”

“This would be the first time we did it to somepony who gave us a real chance.”

Flim inhaled as if to say something, but quickly deflated. He couldn't argue with that sentiment.

“You boys just gonna stand there all day or are we makin’ a deal?” Applejack yelled out from the sofa.

Shaking the brothers out of being lost in thought, the duo made their way to their machine and subsequently Applejack. She sat in the middle of a sofa built into the machine, and the brothers sat on each side of her. To the brothers the couch seemed a lot smaller than usual, as they were a lot closer to Applejack than what was expected. Applejack sensed the discomfort as well, so she began to wiggle uncomfortably as her face heated up.

“Um, if we’re gonna make a deal, I think it should be in writin’.” Applejack said trying to shift the focus.

“Y-Yes, of course.” Flim quickly agreed.

He proceeded to open up the back of the podium which had several stacks of unused paper and pens, just for this occasion.  Also in the back was a small wooden board that held the papers. Flim took that out as well, to use as a surface to write on. Hoofing over the materials to his brother, Flam levitated the pen over the paper.

“So where do we begin?” Flam asked

“Well, I think we need to talk about the profit share.” Applejack suggested.

“OK, what do you think the split should be?”

“Fifty/fifty” She responded coolly.

“WHAT!”

“You heard me.”

“Don’t you think that’s a bit much?” Flim asked sweating. This deal was a little more difficult than expected.

“Not really, considerin’ the other fifty/fifty deal I want to propose.” Applejack spoke clearly, grabbing the interest of the brothers.

“When I first heard about your offer I was scared. The farm is my life, and losing it is one of my worst nightmares. I knew your invention would do my family so much good, but we still love working the farm. So I thought we could have it both ways. You could help with gettin’ cider to everyone in Ponyville. My family on the other hoof, will make the cider we do now, and sell at a higher price. A special hoof-made brand, I guess.”

“So you’re saying that you want to share profits,” Flim said slowly.

“Eeyup.”

“With a product that we don’t have any part in making of.” Flam said slower.

“Eeyup.”

“While we get half the profits.”

“Eeyup.”

“And you’re doing this why?”

“Eey. . . Oh, that was a question. Um, I’d say it’s just a sign of trust.”

The brothers looked at one another, losing count on how many times they’ve been stunned today. This was unprecedented in any area of reality. Show much generosity from one pony, how is it even possible? All they did was try to scam to make a living, and now they’re being treated to kindness only worthy of saints or kings. This was too good to be true.

“What’s the catch?” Flam inquired, quirking his brow.

“Only that you make the first deal fifty/fifty.”

“Deal.”

The group of three continued to debate the merits of the contract until the ending hours of twilight. Several provisions were made, such as: The Flim Flam Brothers can only use Apple family apples, the mass production of cider must be done with the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, If the Apples run out of apples it is Flim and Flam’s obligation to help them expand the orchard, If the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000 breaks down the Apples have to put bits into fixing it, etc.

Dwindling sunlight alerted the group of three to the hour of the day. They looked at each other, surprised at how quickly the time went. Without a sufficient amount of sunlight to continue writing properly, the brothers conjured a dull green light with their horns. As the contract stipulations were being edited, a more casual environment was created.

“So uh, how did you guys come up with your machine?” Applejack asked, still focused on the document in front of her.

“You want to explain, brother or should I?” Flam inquired his brother, who sighed.

“How about we both do it?” Flim offered, getting a nod from his brother. Applejack turned her attention to the brothers. She could tell when ponies were going to relieve a heavy burden, she was the big sister figure after all.

“You see, as small foals we loved to make things.” Flam began.

“Usually it ended up being a complete failure.” Flim continued.

“But one day we were brought to the shopping district by our parents.”

“We saw the most beautiful inventions, and wondrous technologies.”

“The only thing we wanted to do in life was to be a part of that world.”

“But our parents thought differently, they wouldn’t allow us to stray from the family traditions.”

“Like what?” Applejack interrupted.

“Like living in the Church of Celestia, worshipping the goddess almost twenty-four seven.” Flim answered.

Applejack was a little confused by that answer. She was a loyal subject of the princess, hay, she even goes on missions specifically assigned by her. But she was completely unaware of churches dedicated to her. It seemed more like flank kissing than anything.

“Anyway, my brother and I thought we could prove them wrong if we showed them what we could do.”

“We worked every night and day on this foal.”

“But before we could ever show them what we had, they left us in the dust.”

“Told us they failed, and they couldn’t stand living with their failures.”

Applejack sat, aghast. Hearing that Granny Smith was disappointed in her, was one of the worst feelings she had ever experienced. Hearing that she was seen as a complete failure? It wasn’t even fathomable. The fact that these two boys went through that, it showed that they were more than business. They were just normal ponies looking for their place in the world.

“Ever since then we’ve been on the road.”

“Town to town, waiting for a chance to show what we could really do.”

“For years, that never came.”

“Until you gave us the chance.”

Taking a cue from Big Macintosh, Applejack turned a shade of deep red. The happy gazes and smiles shining down on her was enough to make any mare blush. Feeling uncomfortable under the pressure, she cleared her throat and said, “I think maybe we could finish this up in the mornin’? Reviewin’ and finalizin’ it?”

Flim and Flam looked at each other and agreed. The sweat pouring down their faces from the constant magic expulsion was taking it’s toll. Putting out their makeshift flashlights, the surrounding area turned into a black pitch. Applejack was the first to explore, taking the first step, followed by the brothers. All was well until Applejack took a step off the machine. She stumbled her way to the ground, and let out a pained groan. Worried about her condition, Flim and Flam quickly made their way over to her.

Only to fall directly on top of her.

With two stallions’ limbs strewn across her body, Applejack felt as if she would combust on the spot. She couldn’t lie though, being the Element of Honesty and all, it felt kinda good. The brothers seemed to be ignorant of this, as they jumped to their hooves to see if Applejack was alright. Making her way to a vertical position, Applejack denied any claims of injury. Not wanting to stay any longer, she quickly said her goodbyes, leaving the brothers to themselves.

“This isn’t going to get any easier, is it brother?”

“Nopony’s that lucky.”