You Say Tomato, I Say Tamater

Chapters

It...is...on!
The Science of the Lands
Pride and Prejudice
A bit of a problem

It...is...on!

The sun shone brightly on the Ponyville market square. Ponies of all ages were bustling about from stall to stall, seeking out everything from carrots to celery to oranges and apples. As she made her way through the crowd, Twilight Sparkle looked around to see where one particular vendor had set up shop for the day. She was tempted to take to the air like some of the pegasi shoppers but decided against it. The smells of the fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables were too enticing, and Twilight wanted to be able to take a closer look at the cornucopia of produce that was available.

Eventually, Twilight spied the weathered red paint of the Sweet Apple Acres market stall, set a little further back than its usual place. Breaking into a trot, Twilight made her way toward the back of the marketplace where she could see her friend Applejack waving to potential customers, hawking her wares.

As Twilight approached, the scent of the fresh apples was like a little slice of heaven as it wafted on the breeze. Twilight closed her eyes and just took it in, her mouth watering slightly.

"Howdy, Twi!" Applejack called out cheerfully when she saw her friend standing in front of her stall. "You come to get you some of the best apples of the season?"

"Good morning, Applejack!" Twilight beamed in return, and the two friends shared a brief hug. "Actually no, I'm not here shopping for food, though I must say your apples are very, very tempting. Rather, I came here to see you."

"Oh! Well come on over and set a spell," Applejack said, fetching a stool that Granny Smith sometimes used when she tended the stand and offering it to Twilight. "If it's alright with you, I'll jus' keep on mindin' the store while we chat."

"Of course, I know how important market day is for you," Twilight nodded as she moved over to take a seat on the stool. A couple of nearby ponies stopped to sample the ripe, juicy apples and Applejack excused herself for a moment. When she returned, she stuffed a hoofful of bits from the sale into a sack behind the counter. "Land sakes, if this keeps up I'll haveta get word to Big Mac back at the farm to bring out a couple more bushels."

"Well, you do grow some of the most wonderful fruit in all of Equestria!" Twilight proclaimed. "And that's exactly what I wanted to come see you about today. I can't think of anypony better than you to consult about starting a garden." A smile crept onto Twilight's muzzle as it always did when she started to research a project.

Applejack smiled widely in return. "I'd be honored to help ya, Twilight! I think it's a great idea for you to start a garden, it's the perfect time o' year for gettin' it all set up." Applejack rubbed a hoof under her chin a moment thoughtfully. "I reckon you'll be starting out with simple things, the basics an' all that. Perhaps a nice herb garden? I bet Spike'll love having fresh herbs for his cookin'."

Twilight held up a hoof, interrupting Applejack's train of thought. "Actually, I was thinking of something a bit more advanced than just herbs. I'd like to plant a full vegetable garden."

Applejack gave a nervous chuckle before looking back at Twilight. "I sure do admire yer spirit Twi, but gardenin' ain't all that easy, 'specially for a beginner. I think you'd be better off stickin' to a few herbs an' such until you get a feel for it."

Twilight shook her head slightly. "I appreciate your concern, Applejack, but I'm sure I can manage it. I do have over twenty books at the library on the subject, which won't take long at all for me to read. I came here hoping you might toss in a few pointers to complement my research."

Applejack took a deep breath before replying. "Now sugarcube, no offense, but you jus' can't read a bunch o' books an' expect to be able to jump hoof-first into the deep end when it comes to working the land. I really think you'll find it's a mite more tough than you're thinkin'."

Twilight shifted a bit on the stool. "Well, in addition to my studies on the subject, I do have the advantage of magic. Between my understanding of agricultural sciences and the ability to control conditions optimally with my spells, I'm confident that I'll produce great results."

Applejack picked up an apple off the stand, blew on it a little and then rubbed it on her coat until the fruit positively sparkled. "Twilight, I don' wanna sound like a broken record, but it's not as easy as it seems. What it really takes is that good ol' Earth pony magic to really shine as a gardener." Applejack placed the polished fruit back on the front of the stand where it could attract the eyes of more potential customers.

Twilight cleared her throat before she replied, this time in a tone that was decidedly cooler than before. "As you know, Applejack, I am an Alicorn, I do have the ability to channel Earth pony magic. I'm certain that would be sufficient to rise to the challenge."

Applejack dug a hoof firmly into the ground, her voice taking on a more stubborn note. "Well, I know you can, Twilight, an' I don't rightly understand all of how that works, I'm sayin' that having a mix of all magic ain't the same as bein' an Earth pony. I'd bet it's jus' not the same, so I don't want ya to get disappointed on your first try."

Twilight narrowed her eyes, and shot the farm pony a challenging look. "Are you betting me I can't grow a garden as good as you can, Applejack?" Twilight asked.

Applejack pushed her hat back a little further on her head, gritting her teeth a little. "T'aint a bet as much as a matter of fact."

For several moments, the two just stared at each other. Finally, Twilight broke the silence. "I think you're wrong, and I'm willing to make a bet to prove it. What do you say to a little green-hoof competition, hmm?"

Applejack gave a confident smirk. "I'd say yer soundin' more like Rainbow Dash than yourself, but if you wanna bet who can grow the best garden, you're on! What's the wager?"

Twilight pondered that for a moment, before her muzzle broke into a sly grin. "If you lose, then you will have to write for me a five page research paper on the theory of how Alicorns channel each of the three types of magic."

Applejack gulped, then said, "Fair 'nough. An' if you lose, then you got to come spend a weekend out at Sweet Apple Acres workin' the fields with me an' Big Mac to get a better 'preciation for Earth pony traditions."

Twilight stuck out a hoof. "It's a bet!" The two friends shook hooves to seal the bargain. "Now then, we'll need objective criteria for judging and an impartial panel, some equipment to measure the resultant product..." Twilight began.

"Whoa now, hold on. I think all that might be a bit much to manage. I'd rather keep this bet friendly-like. How about we agree on one thing to grow, an' whoever grows the biggest result wins?" Applejack countered.

Twilight mulled that over a moment. "Alright, I suppose that would be fair enough. What do you suggest?"

"How 'bout tamaters?" Applejack suggested.

"Tomatoes?" Twilight repeated.

"That's what I said," Applejack confirmed.

"Tomatoes are technically a fruit, not a vegetable," Twilight started to object, but acquiesced seeing Applejack's grimace. "OK, OK…tomatoes it is, then.”

“Hope yer lookin’ forward to some farm work, Twi. We’ll see who’s got the biggest in say, two moons?” Applejack offered.

“Two moons,” Twilight agreed, nodding her head.

“I’d best get back to business, sugarcube. I’ll see you later tonight with the rest o’ the girls,” Applejack said in way of parting.

“See you tonight, Applejack,” Twilight said before making her way back to the library to start her research for her winning garden.

The Science of the Lands

The door to the Golden Oaks Library glowed with a faint purple aura before it was flung open violently, smashing into the wall. Unlike the previous times this had happened, however, no rainbow-maned pegasus was involved.

Twilight burst into the room, looking around for her number one assistant. "Spike! Spiiiike!" Twilight called out. "I need you, it's urgent!"

Spike came rushing down the stairs, rubbing at his eyes to shake the last vestiges of his interrupted nap out of them. "Twilight, what's wrong? Is it Timberwolves? Parasprites?" Spike gulped. "An...an Ursa Minor?"

Twilight blinked at Spike with surprise, before her serious expression softened. "Oh...no, nothing like that! I just need you to go and pull all of the books on gardening and horticulture and bring them to the table in the study room."

Spike crossed his arms and cocked his head and gave Twilight a mild scowl. "Seriously? All of that fuss for this? I know we were one day late on the last re-shelving day, but I don't think that constitutes an emergency."

Twilight giggled and walked over to give Spike an apologetic hug. "I'm sorry, I just got a little excited. And no, we're not re-shelving again. I'm starting a new research project to grow a vegetable garden."

Spike returned the embrace, then let go to walk to the shelves containing the books Twilight had requested. "A garden? Why don't you just talk to Applejack?" he called over his shoulder as he climbed up the ladder for the first tome.

"Oh, I did. In fact, I ended up making a bet with her who could grow the biggest tomato," Twilight replied.

"You made a bet against Applejack on growing plants?" Spike asked, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice. He climbed down from the ladder, setting down the book he had taken from the shelf and walked back over to Twilight and put one claw against her forehead. "Hmmm...I don't feel any fever," Spike said.

Twilight rolled her eyes at Spike. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

Spike grinned at Twilight, "It means I need to see if anypony is taking odds." Spike drew his claw back and went back to his task to fetch the rest of the books.

Twilight shot Spike a dirty glance, then headed down to the basement to gather the equipment she needed, referencing her mental checklist. She wanted to get a good head start on testing soil conditions, the average duration of direct sunlight, and a host of other variables.

It took Twilight the better part of an hour to assemble all of the equipment and re-route the wiring from the basement up to the sensors she had placed around the patch of ground she had set aside for her garden and get the equipment running. While she waited for the initial data collection to finish, Twilight levitated over the first book from the stack that Spike had arranged on the table in the study room and dove into her reading eagerly.

Twilight quickly became engrossed in her research, so much so that when she finally drew her attention out of the book she was reading, the sun had started its slow descent over the horizon as Celestia made way for the coming night. Twilight levitated the book back onto the table with the others and rushed downstairs into the basement to review the preliminary findings.

It didn't take Twilight long to isolate a few issues that needed to be addressed for the optimal growing solution. Happily, all but one could easily be rectified with either tools or simple spells. Twilight walked back up the stairs, looking around for Spike.

"Spike? Can you come take a letter to the Princess for me?" Twilight called out.

"Sure thing, Twilight!" came the quick reply. Spike fetched a parchment and quill and nodded his readiness to take the dictation.

Twilight cleared her throat slightly before beginning.

Dear Princess Celestia,

As part of a continuing research project on horticulture, I have determined that the amount of direct sunlight over Ponyville is not optimal for growing fruits and vegetables. I would request, if possible, that the duration of early morning sunlight be extended by 27 minutes. I am certain that this minor alteration to the

"Wait, are you serious?" Spike interrupted, lowering the parchment. "Are you actually thinking about asking Princess Celestia to change the path of the sun for your garden?"

Twilight paused as she reconsidered the idea. After a moment, Twilight blushed, a sheepish expression forming over her muzzle. "A little over the top?" Twilight inquired. The look on Spike's face was answer enough.

"Disregard that letter then. I should get ready to go see the girls, we're meeting for dinner at Fluttershy's place," Twilight said, trying not to sound too awkward before heading upstairs to freshen up.

Spike crumpled up the parchment, tossing the wad into a trash bin near Owlowiscious' perch. "Some days, I worry about her," Spike said out loud.

"Hoo?" Owlowiscious hooted in response.

"Exactly," Spike nodded in agreement.

The dinner party at Fluttershy's cottage had been wonderful, with everypony eating their fill of the new recipe that Fluttershy had prepared, a very tasty Gratin Dauphinoise that incorporated two varieties of potato. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie had excused themselves to the kitchen to put away the dishes and prepare some after-dinner tea while the remainder of the group settled down in the main room to chat.

"So, Twilight, I hear you are venturing into cultivating a vegetable garden of your own?" Rarity asked.

"That's right, I am," Twilight confirmed.

Rarity's eyes glimmered a little, as if she were savoring a particularly juicy piece of gossip for dessert. "I also understand that there is a modest wager riding on the outcome?"

Twilight did a slight double-take, before recovering. "Where did you hear that, Rarity?"

Rarity gave a wan little smile. "Oh darling, you know news travels fast here." Rarity's gaze drifted lightly over Rainbow Dash for a moment. "One could even say it travels in ten seconds flat."

Twilight turned her attention to Rainbow Dash, who was hovering beside Applejack. "And how did you hear that, Rainbow?" Twilight pressed.

"It's prolly because somepony was hangin' around sleepin' all day in the trees at Sweet Apple Acres while I was gettin' things set up." Applejack replied, giving Dash a playful grin.

"I was not sleeping all day!" Rainbow Dash started to protest, but the looks from the others quickly shot down her objection. "OK, I wondered what Applejack was doing, and so I asked and I may have said something to Fluttershy before she went to the spa with Rarity," Rainbow Dash confessed.

Twilight chuckled, "It's not a problem, girls. I just find it funny you all have such an interest in this little bet. It can't be that interesting, can it?"

"It's super-duper fun!" Pinkie Pie chimed in as she and Fluttershy came back from the kitchen with a pot of tea and six cups. "It's the ultimate throw-down between Alicorn magic versus Earth pony tradition! We should totally have a killer tomato party to celebrate the competition," Pinkie added, beaming a bright smile.

"Oh goodness, that makes it seem so serious," Fluttershy commented, starting to pour tea around for everypony.

Applejack held a hoof over her cup. "None for me sugarcube, I gotta head on back to the farm, I have bedtime stories to read an' it's already gettin' late."

"That's sweet, Applejack," Twilight smiled. "I would have thought that Apple Bloom was past the age for wanting a bedtime story."

Applejack shook her head lightly. "It ain't for her, it's for Toby, Tomas, and Terry."

"For who?" Rainbow Dash asked in a confused tone.

"For the tamater plants! Oh my stars, those little fellers are just so cute! It's their first night out in the field, an' I jus' wanted them to feel all comfortable-like." Applejack said a little dreamily.

"Oooo-kay," Rainbow Dash said. "That's a little weird, AJ."

Applejack just scoffed at Rainbow Dash before giving each of her friends a quick hug good night. "I'll see y'all around tomorrow after chores. Y'all sleep well t'night!" Applejack then made her way to the door and departed, leaving five sets of surprised glances in her wake.

Rarity broke the silence after a minute. "Well, I trust she knows what she's doing. What about you Twilight? Everything going according to plan?"

Twilight sipped the last of her tea and levitated the cup down to the saucer. "So far, yes. I actually need a little of Rainbow Dash's time soon regarding rain clouds, but otherwise everything is doing just fine."

"That's good, Twilight," Fluttershy said softly. "I just hope you don't get too disappointed if things don't turn out as you expect."

"Why wouldn't they?" Twilight asked, looking over at Fluttershy.

"Oh, no, I'm sure they will!" Fluttershy stammered hastily. "I just remember how huge that apple was that they grew for the Appleoosa State Fair." Fluttershy involuntarily licked her lips, as she started to drool a little. "That enormous, ripe, juicy....apple," Fluttershy cooed lovingly.

Twilight and Rarity glanced over at each other, then at Rainbow Dash, who just shrugged. Twilight then turned back and smiled at Fluttershy.

"I appreciate you looking out for my feelings, Fluttershy, but I have every confidence that I'll prevail." Twilight assured her confidently. Glancing around, Twilight noticed each of her friends avoiding her gaze.

Twilight took a moment to study the face of each of her friends. "Wait...none of you think I have a chance?" Twilight asked and was rewarded with four sets of eyes looking down or away. Eventually Rarity looked back up at Twilight.

"It's not that we don't believe in you dear, it's just that well...this is Applejack's forte, after all." Rarity replied with a little embarrassed cough.

Twilight drew herself up sharply. "I see," she said coolly. "I should turn in, thank you for dinner, Fluttershy." With that, Twilight turned to leave for the night.

"Oh, Twilight, please don't..." Fluttershy started, but Twilight didn't acknowledge Fluttershy, opening the door with her magic and passing through quickly before shutting the door behind herself.

The awkward silence lingered over the living room like a shadow, before Rainbow Dash finally spoke up. "Oops?" she said to nopony in particular.

Pride and Prejudice

Two weeks later...

"Thanks for coming over this morning, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, smiling at her friend who had just touched down in front of the library. "I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to help me."

"You mean time out of my nap schedule?" Rainbow Dash shot back teasingly. Seeing Twilight's light flush in confirmation, Rainbow Dash gave a little laugh. "It's no problem, Twi'. I think it's totally awesome that you want to learn more about the Weather Team and how we do what we do."

"I have to confess, I haven't really given much study to pegasus magic outside of those elements that are directly necessary for flight," Twilight admitted as the pair walked around to the back side of the library where Twilight's garden had been sown. The small little plants had poked their way through the soil over the last couple of weeks, soaking in the warmth and light from the bright, sunny day.

"Yeah, most ponies don't really pay much attention to the weather. They just assume we'll handle it, and don't give it a second thought," Rainbow Dash mused. "But I suspect you'll be a faster study than Scootaloo was when I was explaining the basics of pegasus magic to her."

"How is she doing, by the way?" Twilight asked, genuinely interested in how the young filly was progressing with her training.

"She's doing good, I saw her and the other Crusaders just yesterday while I was visiting Sweet Apple Acres, they were driving Applejack crazy running around gathering wood to build apple barrels trying to earn their cutie marks as coopers." Rainbow Dash replied. Her expression grew a little more curious. "So, what was it that you wanted me to show you?" Rainbow inquired.

"Well, one of the variables that has the greatest impact on the success of my garden is proper watering and maintaining the correct moisture levels in the soil. What I wanted to learn was how to gather up a personal little rain cloud like I've seen you do so many times so that I can make sure the plants are getting enough water regularly," Twilight answered, nodding over the the neatly spaced rows of tiny plants.

"Oh, sure, that's easy enough," Rainbow Dash said. She turned her gaze upward, searching the sky for any stray cloud formations that were nearby. "Give me a moment and I'll..." Rainbow Dash's voice trailed off for a moment, before she turned to look at Twilight. "Wait a minute. You're still serious about winning this bet with Applejack, aren't you?" Rainbow asked pointedly.

Twilight nodded her head vigorously. "I sure am! I'm going to show her and everypony else that science can be just as strong as Earth pony magic."

Rainbow Dash just sighed. "Twi', I know you got your feelings hurt a couple of weeks ago, but that's no reason to carry a chip on your withers. And besides, you've used magic too as a part of all this, haven't you?"

Twilight shook her head. "Only indirectly. For example, I've levitated tools like any unicorn would. But I haven't used any spells that might directly affect the growth rates of the plants themselves."

Rainbow Dash gave Twilight an appraising look. "Why not?" Rainbow Dash demanded.

Twilight paused, she hadn't expected that question. "Well, if I were to use a spell to artificially produce an enlarged result, that wouldn't prove my hypothesis at all that the scientific method is just as adept if not superior for producing results in this test case."

"So it's egghead-ism over ethics, right?" Rainbow Dash asked, a little frown creeping over her muzzle. "It's more important to prove your point than worry about the consequences of how you go about it?"

Twilight balked a bit. "No, it's not that. It's..." Twilight paused, withering a little under Rainbow Dash's look. "OK, perhaps there is a bit of pride at stake. But it's not meant in any way to undermine Applejack or Earth ponies in general. I just want to prove to myself that the science can prevail."

Rainbow Dash's expression of skepticism didn't fade, though. "Prove to yourself, or everypony else?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You said that earlier, you know."

Twilight looked down and didn't answer at first. Rainbow Dash couldn't remember the last time she had seen her friend at such a loss for words. Rainbow Dash softened her voice and gave Twilight a friendly nudge. "Hey, I'm not trying to scold you Twi', and I know this isn't something you are used to hearing from somepony like me. Friendly competition is a good thing and can be a lot of fun, but not if you take it too far and you don't consider others feelings."

Rainbow Dash gave an embarrassed cough before continuing. "I remember during that one Running of the Leaves what Applejack and I did to each other and how bad we felt afterwards. I don't want you sprinting toward that same finish line over this bet. One of the things that you guys finally beat into my feather-brain is that nopony likes a lousy winner just as much as they dislike a sore loser."

Twilight looked up and gave Rainbow Dash a thankful smile. "You're right. I guess my belief in science blinded me that I was putting too much emphasis on the result without worry over what it might cost. Thank you, Rainbow, for reminding me that one type of magic will always triumph, the magic of friendship."

Rainbow Dash grinned, "OK, just don't get too sappy on me now. You still want me to show you how to grab a cloud?"

"Yes, please!" Twilight exclaimed. "And it's only fair that you make similar arrangements for Applejack, I don't want to claim any unfair advantage over her."

Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Oh, I've been offering for as long as I can remember to steer a little extra rain or whatever over to Sweet Apple Acres if she wanted. But every time I do, she just shakes her head and says she has her own ways to manage. I just roll with it, I've seen her do some weird things on the farm, but they always seem to work."

Twilight cocked her head curiously. "What kind of things?"

"Well, she talks a lot to the trees and the plants," Rainbow Dash replied, thinking over what she'd seen. "Sometimes she even sings to them. When she's about to start a planting season, I've seen her sniffing at the dirt, or smearing it over her hooves. And as far as the weather goes, she never asks for any special consideration from the Weather Team, she keeps a little diary of the patterns we do and the rogue storms that come out of the Everfree."

Rainbow Dash flared her wings, pointing up and to the northeast. "Let's go find you a little cloud. There should be a bank of cumulonimbus not too far we can go steal one from. Remember how I first taught you that pegasus magic is all about controlling the air around you? We'll just need to regulate the air temperature around the cloud so that it will sink lower to the ground without condensing the water vapor too fast as well as direct some micro-bursts very gently to steer it right over your garden."

Twilight nodded, taking mental notes. "That's a pretty good explanation, Rainbow Dash. Very scientific if I may say so."

Rainbow Dash chuckled. "What, you think we all talk like 'Go kick the grey ones and push the white fluffy ones around' on the Weather Team?" Rainbow Dash teased. "You might want to come spend a shift or two with me, it's more involved than you think.

Twilight spread her wings and the pair took to the sky, soaring upwards towards the billowing grey tower of clouds in the distance that Rainbow Dash had indicated. "I think I will take you up on that, Rainbow Dash." Twilight replied once they had leveled off. "Just promise me you won't make fun of my dance moves when I hop up and down on the cloud to shake the rain loose."

"No promises, Twi', no promises," Rainbow Dash quipped, pulling ahead of Twilight. "C'mon, slowpoke, I need to get back to my busy schedule of naps!"

A bit of a problem

Two months later...

Applejack woke to the sound of glass breaking, followed quickly by a soft "Oh, horseapples!" curse of frustration. Applejack rolled out of her bed and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, then trotted down into the kitchen to see what incident had befallen Granny Smith. To Applejack's surprise, the elder mare wasn't the one fetching the broom and dust pan, it was Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom? What in tarnation are ya doin' up so early? An' what mess are ya makin' in here?" Applejack asked, walking into the kitchen, careful not set hoof on any little pieces of broken glass.

Apple Bloom turned to face Applejack, her eyes pleading for quiet as she held up a hoof in front of her muzzle to shush her older sister. "Shhh! Don't wake Granny, Sis. I'm gonna be in enough trouble as it is already!" Apple Bloom begged, her eyes brimming with frightened tears. Apple Bloom gulped and turned back to the mess on the floor, trying to sweep up the fragments quickly and quietly.

Applejack took a closer look and noticed that the glass in question had come from one of Granny Smith's Zap Apple Jam jars. 'Enough trouble' was an understatement. Once Granny Smith learned what had been broken, Apple Bloom was certain to be grounded for quite a spell. Still, the little filly clearly understood the gravity of her plight and Applejack crossed over to help finish cleaning up the mess.

Once the "evidence" had been swept up off the floor and the broom and pan put away, Applejack gathered up the sniffling filly in a hug. "Now what in Equestria possessed you to take one o' them jars off the shelf, anyhow?" Applejack inquired gently.

"Well, today's Twilight Time, an' I'd been workin' hard all last evenin' on my homework. I wanted to practice early today an' mix up a batch of my latest project an' take it with me to the lesson." Apple Bloom sighed. "The jar jus' slipped outta my hooves when I went to get it off the shelf."

"Ya coulda waited until somepony taller was awake to help, ya know," Applejack chided teasingly. "Let me put on some coffee, an' then I'll get ya another jar from somewhere other than Granny's Zap Apple stash." Applejack set Apple Bloom down and went to get the coffee brewing, then rooted around in the pantry until she found a spare jar tucked into the back. It took a little work to extricate it, but soon she got it free and handed it to Apple Bloom, who beamed as she took it.

"Thanks, Sis, you're the best!" Apple Bloom smiled. "Now I can get to the barn and work on my 'speriment."

"What sort of tonic are ya workin' up this time?" Applejack asked curiously.

"It's a potion that helps plants grow bigger!" Apple Bloom exclaimed proudly. "It's almost like a miracle growing potion, I can't wait to show ya once I finalize the formula." Apple Bloom paused, lost in thought for a moment. "Hey, Sis, you want some for yer tamater crop?"

Applejack smiled, but shook her head. "Nah, but thanks fer the offer, sugarcube. Today's the day Twilight an' I compare our results, it wouldn't be right to try an' use magic to change the outcome."

Apple Bloom perked up at that. "Oh, today's the day?" She rubbed her hooves together triumphantly. "That means I'll be a few bits richer then!"

Applejack tilted her head as she looked at Apple Bloom. "What do ya mean by that?"

Apple Bloom grinned from ear to ear. "I bet Sweetie Belle that you'd win, an' she bet on Twilight. When ya show her the tamater that Toby grew, I'm gonna be 10 bits richer!"

Applejack blinked, taken aback. "Y'all made a bet on this?"

Apple Bloom looked up at Applejack in surprise. "Well, sure. We ain't the only ones neither. Last I heard, Pinkie Pie was givin' 7 to 3 odds on ya to win."

"Now hold on one minute," Applejack protested. "This was a friendly lil' challenge between me an' Twilight. It ain't right for anypony to be bettin' bits on this."

"How come?" Apple Bloom countered.

Applejack thought about that a moment, then said, "It jus' don't feel right. It's one thing to say 'I betcha Applejack can do something', but by makin' a wager like that, you're also bettin' on the other pony to fail. I don't like that, not one bit, pardon my pun."

"So why did ya make a bet against Twilight that if you won, she'd have to come work at the farm fer a weekend?" Apple Bloom inquired innocently.

Applejack had no immediate answer for that. Leave it to her little sister to show her that she hadn't followed her own principle.

"I don't rightly know, I guess I was a mite stubborn in defending our traditions as farm-ponies," Appleack replied truthfully. "I guess in hindsight, I should have been more willin' to help rather than gettin' my mane in a tizzy." Applejack gave Apple Bloom another hug and went to fetch a cup of coffee. "Now run on an' get about yer chores an' such. I'm sure Twilight will be eager to see this here 'Miracle Grow' stuff ya came up with."

Apple Bloom smiled widely, "Thanks, Applejack!" she burst out before dashing out the door towards the barn.

Applejack poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table to savor it, turning her thoughts to her meeting with Twilight at noon. Toby's tamater would stay out of the competiton, Applejack decided as she came to a decision regarding her "bet" with Twilight.

"OK, Twilight, I've finished cleaning the kitchen, can I go see if...Gahhh!" Spike jumped as Twilight walked up behind him, levitating a pair of something that looked like over-sized tweezers.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you, Spike!" Twilight apologized. "I'll be out in the garden, selecting the tomato to take to Sweet Apple Acres."

"What is that thing?" Spike asked, pointing a claw-tip at the device suspended in Twilight's magical aura.

"These are calipers. They're a measuring tool. I want to make sure to pick the largest, roundest fruit for going head to head against Applejack," Twilight replied, demonstrating how they opened and closed.

"Oh yeah, that's today, item number 14 on the checklist," Spike confirmed. "I have to say, I was very impressed with your results! You really outdid yourself with your garden, Twilight."

Twilight gave a light blush, "Thank you, Spike. I'm pretty sure I can give Applejack a run for her money at least."

Spike grinned and nodded. "Oh yeah, and speaking of money, I'll have to decide what to do with all the bits I'm going to win."

"Bits? What bits?" Twilight asked.

"Oh, the bet I made with Lyra," Spike answered. "We made a bet on who would win your wager with Applejack, and today is the day I get to collect!"

"Spike, I'm flattered that you would have risked your bits on a novice like me. Just promise me you won't spend all your winnings in one place," Twilight smiled.

"Ah, yeah, heh, right," Spike nodded, looking away. "I, uh, think I forgot to make my bed this morning, I better go do that." Spike quickly turned and ran back up the stairs.

"But that was number two on the list!" Twilight called after him as Spike disappeared into their bedroom. Before Twilight could head up to see why Spike was so suddenly interested in housework, a knock at the door interrupted her. Twilight levitated the calipers down and then used her magic to open the door.

"Good morning, Twilight!" came Rarity's cheerful greeting. "I was hoping to catch you before you left for Sweet Apple Acres. I have a little gift for you." Rarity turned to look beside the door and her horn lit up as she levitated a little box through the door. The light glinted from the sequins that had been affixed to the lid as Rarity maneuvered the box in front of Twilight.

"I made this so you would have something to transport your tomato to the farm in safety. You wouldn't want some unforeseen mishap to cause you to default." Rarity stated.

"Wow, Rarity, that is very generous of you," Twilight said gratefully.

"Not at all, darling. It's just something I tossed together. Best of luck, I know that Sweetie Belle is pulling for you. In fact, I'd say a fair number of unicorns are betting on you to win." Rarity added.

"They are?" Twilight asked in surprise. "What about everypony else?"

"Well, I'm not one personally to take sides, but from what I understand, the betting seems to be split fairly evenly between the unicorns wagering on you and the Earth ponies favoring Applejack. The pegasi by and large haven't expressed a great deal of interest. While I myself am not much of a gambler, I did give Sweetie Belle a few bits towards her own wager." Rarity answered.

"I see," Twilight said, not entirely certain she was comfortable with the idea of her research being the subject of mass wagering, certainly not if it was dividing Ponyville along tribal lines. "Thank you again for the tomato box, Rarity. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?" Twilight asked, stepping aside to allow Rarity to enter.

"No, thank you, Twilight. I need to return to the Boutique and finish the disguises I promised to make for Sweetie Belle and her friends for their study session this afternoon. The ones they wore for their last visit were simply ghastly!" Rarity declared.

Twilight giggled, remembering the outfits the Crusaders had worn for their last trip to the library. "Alright, I'll see you later then, Rarity." Rarity took her leave, and Twilight picked up the calipers again in her aura before heading outside to the garden.

It didn't take too long to select the largest, most round and heaviest tomato from her small crop. Twilight secured the fruit in the box that Rarity had made for her, then levitated the calipers and a small scale into her saddlebags. Satisfied she was ready, Twilight set off for Sweet Apple Acres. The walk would give Twilight time to ponder her growing discomfort over the news Rarity had shared regarding the gambling.

High Noon...

As Twilight passed under the arch at the entry to Sweet Apple Acres, she spied Applejack over by the barn, near a table with three apple buckets set on top. The time for the showdown had arrived. Before she could call out to Applejack, the orange farm pony turned around, and for a brief moment, the two friends locked their gazes on each other. The faint sound of the Ponyville clock tower gong striking twelve broke the silence.

"Come on over, Twilight," Applejack called after a moment, waving a hoof for Twilight to come over to the table. Twilight walked up and levitated her box onto the table next to one of the buckets.

'I guess this is it," Applejack said a little hesitantly. "Unless, of course, ya'd rather jus' call the whole thing off."

"I have to admit, I'm feeling a little trepidation about this as well," Twilight admitted. "I found out this morning that apparently lots of of ponies are betting on which of us will win. I can't say I'm entirely comfortable with that."

"Me neither," Applejack agreed. "Apple Bloom was tellin' me this mornin' how she and Sweetie have made a bet, an' the last thing I want is fer them to get upset with each other over who wins an' who loses."

Twilight nodded her head. "I know. But I don't think we can call it off." Twilight's horn glowed, and she used her magic to open the lid to her box, levitating the large ripe tomato out from within. The tomato was just a bit larger than the size of her hoof, and it floated gently onto the surface of the table.

Applejack took a long hard look at Twilight's entry before her face broke into a large grin. "Hoo-wee! Now that's a right nice tamater, Twilight. That's really good fer yer first garden ever!"

Twilight blushed proudly at her friend's praise. "Thanks, Applejack."

Applejack reached into the left-most basket, and drew out a red, juicy tomato and set it down next to Twilight's. "This here's from Terry, the little feller worked so hard."

Twilight looked back and forth between the two fruits. Visually, they appeared to be just about the same volume and diameter. "This is going to be very, very close. Let me get my measuring tools." Twilight used her magic to draw out the calipers and scale from her saddlebags, but paused when she felt Applejack's hoof on her withers.

"Maybe we call it a draw? That way nopony loses their bet an' nopony has to be upset over the result?" Applejack suggested gently.

Twilight looked at Applejack and then back to the tomatoes. Slowly, a little smile worked its way onto her muzzle. "I think that's a great idea, Applejack." The tools floated back into Twilight's saddlebag. Twilight's gaze drifted over the other two buckets. "What is in the other buckets?" she inquired.

"Oh, nothing, no need to worry 'bout them at all," Applejack replied hesitantly. Something in her voice was off, which made Twilight suspicious. Using her magic, she levitated the bucket on the far right onto it's side and before Applejack could lunge to stop it, a huge tomato rolled out. It was easily four times the size of the ones that were already sitting on the table.

Twilight gasped in surprise, "But...how?" she sputtered.

Applejack moved to scoop the tomato back up into the bucket. "That was Toby's, I knew it would be hard ta beat, but we've already settled our bet, an' it was a tie." Applejack said resolutely.

"But how could you grow something so huge?" Twilight stammered. "I mean, I accounted for every variable, soil moisture, proper sunlight, everything."

Applejack chuckled. "Well all that's important, o' course, but what matters more is a little love an' attention, jus' part of that Earth pony magic I reckon." Applejack's expression turned more serious. "I know ya were tryin' to prove that science could do jus' as well, but that's not really the point. Jus' because yer friends don't do things the same way as you, doesn't mean they're doin' it wrong. If yer willin' to believe in your friends and how they do things, sometimes ya might learn something along the way."

Twilight drank that in for a moment. "That's a really good viewpoint, Applejack. I think I need to write that down in our diary."

Applejack smiled. "Before ya go, let's go to the house fer a glass of apple juice to beat the heat. An' take both of the tamaters home so Spike can make up some of his 'mazing 'mater marinara."

"Only if you come share it with me for dinner tonight," Twilight countered playfully.

"Ya got yerself a deal, sugarcube!" Applejack accepted happily. Twilight levitated the two tomatoes into the box Rarity had made for her, then the two friends set off for the farm-house to get out of the midday sun. As for how Ponyville would react to the outcome of the great tomato challenge, all bets were off.