The Split Core

Source Code has just left the cottage, and was on his way into town. He realized he left his vest there, but it was an especially hot day, so he didn't run back to get it. He eventually got back to town, and saw everypony walking everywhere. It was even busier than when he arrived. He decided to visit the saloon he went to yesterday, and the bartender greeted him happily.

"If it ain't the city-slicker himself. You're back already?"

"Yes, sir, I am."

"Braeburn came here earlier and told me everything. So you're his brother, huh? Since yer family of my best customer, how about a free cider, like yesterday?" Source Code was flattered to have been offered this, plus he realized that his money was still in his vest back at Braeburn's cottage, so he accepted. The bartender prepared a mug of cider for him, and Source Code drank it like it was nothing.

"Ya sure know how to down that stuff. You sure are a lot like your brother. By the way, another stallion came by here, looking for Braeburn. I imagine he's probably on his way there now.

"Really? What did he look like?"

"'Kinda like you. Tan coat, dirty blonde mane, only he had a corn-covered flank."

"Thank you, sir." Source Code quickly ran out the saloon, and tried to look for the stallion the bartender mentioned. He came to a dirt path, when he saw a figure in the distance. He dashed to him, and as he got closer, he recognized the stallion as one of them from the Cobbletown picture in Braeburn's album.

"Hey there! You! Are you Corn Maize?" Source Code shouted. The stallion turned around, and saw him.

"Howdy, stranger! Yeah, I'm Corn Maize. Why do ya ask?" Source Code caught up to him, and said,

"You're looking for Braeburn, right?"

"How did ya know?"

"A friend told me about you. Anyway, this might sound hard to believe, but Braeburn's my brother." Corn Maize didn't respond for a few seconds. He then started laughing.

"His brother? You tryin' to fool me? He doesn't have a brother."

"Actually, he does. My name is Source Code, but you may know me as Apple Crisp." Corn Maize's laughing stopped, and he said,

"Apple Crisp? You mean, you're the long-lost colt he'd been hoping to see? Well, then, howdy cousin!"

"Oh, so your family is cousins with Braeburn."

"Well, we're kinda related. We're not directly related, but we're in the same family tree."

"Oh, I get it. Anyway, I was already on my way back to Braeburn's house. I guess we might as well go together."

"Sure, why not?" Both stallions started walking on the path, as they talked about their family histories. Both were surprised to learn about each other's stories, and both became instant friends.

The two eventually made it to Braeburn's cottage, and saw him working in the orchard. Corn Maize quickly ran to see Braeburn, while Source Code found his way inside the cottage. Braeburn noticed Corn Maize, and turned to him.

"Hey, Corn Maize! Hey there, cousin! You sure seem happy to see me."

"I sure am. Now we can go to the Apple Pie Contest together. By the way, I met your brother, Apple Crisp."

"Oh, he goes by Source Code. I guess after he was adopted, he changed his name, or something. Anyway, you two are getting along, right?"

"Oh yeah, we're tighter than bark on a tree."

"Nice! Speaking of Source Code, where is he?"

"I think he went inside. I'll go get him if ya want."

"Alright. I need to tell him something, anyway." Corn Maize walked toward the cottage, and saw Source Code walking out. He ran to him, and said,

"Hey, Source Code, Braeburn wants to talk to ya." Source Code wasn't sure what Braeburn could want.

"Braeburn does? Alright, lead the way." The two then trotted over to Braeburn, and he told them,

"Now that you're both here, I should remind you both that the competition is tomorrow. I've already arranged for a train to take the three of us, and I just want to tell both of you that my cousin Apple Bloom hasn't met either of you, and Applejack only knows about Corn Maize from stories Granny Smith told her. I want you both to make a good impression on them. Is that clear?"

"No problem, cousin!" Corn Maize replied.

"Will do, Braeburn." Source Code said.

"Good. Now, I need some help with the orchard. Can both of ya lend me a hoof?"

"Of course!" Source Code and Corn Maize replied.

The three stallions all spent the rest of the afternoon working in the orchard. This was good training for the three of them, too, since the contest was to take place the next day. Source Code and Corn Maize were feeling tired, considering neither of them had as much experience as Braeburn. They all went to bed that night, and Source Code and Corn Maize agreed to share a bed. They both thought about how they would perform at the contest, and eventually dozed off. The next morning, Braeburn made breakfast for all three of them, and after Source Code got his lucky vest on, they all left the cottage, and dashed to the train station. When they finally arrived, the train was there, waiting for them. It was obviously a private train, as it had the Apple family emblem on it. The three all got on, and as the train departed, they all put their hooves together, as if to pray for each of them to do well.