The Split Core

The next morning was bittersweet. Source Code was happy that he'd finally get to go back home, but he didn't want to say goodbye to his newfound family. Alas, he had responsibilities to get back to in Las Pegasus. The fact that he left for Appleloosa entirely unannounced to anypony back home didn't help either. The family all gathered at the train station to see Braeburn, Corn Maize and Source Code off, since the train would be making a stop in Appleloosa on the way to Las Pegasus. Source Code gave the mares all hugs, and the stallions all hoofshakes, and held back his tears so he wouldn't embarrass them. Applejack decided to give him something to remember them by: a black cowboy hat, similar in shape to her own, that once belonged to her grandfather. He tried it on immediately, and it was a perfect fit. He then got on the train with his brother and cousin, and said,

"Thank you, Apples, for helping me learn just what it means to be in a family." The train departed, and they all wept tears of pride for their cousin Apple Crisp.

The three stallions were now miles away from Ponyville. Braeburn and Source Code could only look at each other and smile, as if they didn't need words to express how much they each valued this experience together. That's all they did for the rest of the train ride. Just look at each other and smile. Whether it was brotherly ESP or simply lack of emotions other than pride, the fact is that's all they could do. Corn Maize occupied his time by writing in his journal about the contest. After about 2 hours, the train finally arrived in Appleloosa. Braeburn stepped off the train, as the other two followed him to the door, and Source Code said,

"Thank you, Braeburn, for everything. I found my brother, discovered my family again, and got to help settle an old family score. I couldn't ask for anypony better to have this experience with. "

"Aw, it's nothin', Apple Crisp. I should be thankin' you. If ya never showed up that day, I'd never have found a partner for the contest, and Flim and Flam might not have been stopped. You're really a hero, ya know that, Apple Crisp?"

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess you're right," Source Code said as he chuckled. "Anyway, goodbye, Braeburn. I'll be sure to visit you again very soon. Same to you, Corn Maize."

"I'll be lookin' forward to it." Braeburn trotted off, and Corn Maize said,

"It's been a pleasure, Apple Crisp." Source Code smiled, as his cousin followed his brother out. The train door closed behind them, since it was getting ready to depart for Las Pegasus.

Source Code was alone with his thoughts for the rest of the ride. Only a few other ponies were on board, and none of them looked too interested in talking to him. He decided to take a quick nap, out of ideas for what to do. He dozed off, and had another dream. This time, he was back at him home, instead of a void, and his biological father came into his room.

"So, you finally discovered, and fulfilled your purpose in Ponyville, I suppose?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"I'm proud of you, son."

"Thanks, father." Source Code then remembered something he had been meaning to ask. "Hey, father, Braeburn told me that you passed on when you were hit by a lightning bolt. If that's the case, when did you have time to write me a letter as a last will?"

"Who said I was the one that wrote it?"

"Wait, you didn't write it?"

"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't."

"Wait, was that letter even real?"

"I think you should be the one to answer that question. You did take it upon yourself to go to Appleloosa, when I gave you the choice not to." Source Code had never felt more confused in his life, but at least he finally had answers to all of his questions. His father walked out of his room, and he woke back up. The train was back in Las Pegasus.

Source Code made it back to his home. Luckily for him, it turned out his boss gave everypony the next few days off, due to a corporate meeting. He made it back to his home, and when he got to his computer, he saw the same envelope still there, lying on the right-hoof side. He opened the letter, but this time there was no writing. It was just a blank piece of paper. Source Code didn't know what this meant, but he wanted to use it for something, so he took his pencil, and drew a picture of himself with Braeburn, just like in the photo album the two of them looked through.