The Split Core

The train to Ponyville was within minutes of its arrival, and the three earth stallions were all getting their final preparations out of the way. Source Code and Corn Maize were especially excited, since Source Code had never met the Sweet Apple Acres ponies, and Corn Maize had never met Apple Bloom. They all went over the rules to the contest one more time, and as the train came to a stop, Corn Maize was the first to walk off the train. As he looked around, he saw a yellow filly in the distance, next to a familiar green mare.

"Granny Smith, is that Corn Maize?" the filly said.

"Sure is," the mare replied. The filly trotted up to Corn Maize, and introduced herself.

"Howdy! I'm Apple Bloom, your cousin."

"Howdy there, Apple Bloom." He looked to see if anypony else was with her. "Where's the rest of your family?" Apple Bloom immediately trotted back to her family, and Corn Maize followed. He was greeted with a hug by the familiar green mare, who was of an old age. "I take it you're Granny Smith?" She nodded.

"This is my grandson, Big Macintosh, and my older granddaughter Applejack. I see you've already met Apple Bloom." Applejack then walked over to him.

"Howdy! Welcome to Ponyville! We'll be sure to make your visit somethin' to remember."

"Eeyup!" Big Macintosh said in agreement.

"So, Corn Maize, what is it your family does?" Applejack asked.

"Nothin' much, really. I grow and harvest corn, and sometimes chase critters and help Ma with the cookin'."

"We do that, too, but with apples." Corn Maize laughed in relief to his cousin's explanation. Braeburn and Source Code were now getting off the train. Braeburn rushed over to them, with pure excitement.

"Howdy!" Braeburn shouted. Source Code was casually following behind him.

"Hello," Source Code said. The Sweet Apples all seemed confused by Source Code's lack of a southern accent.

"Ah, this is Source Code, everypony. He's not like most of us." Apple Bloom commented,

"I'll say. He sure looks a lot like you, Braeburn, but his cutie mark ain't an apple, or even corn like Corn Maize."

"Oh, that's because I'm a technology enthusiast." Source Code responded. "I found out that I'm Braeburn's brother only a few days ago."

"Braeburn's brother?" Applejack asked is surprise. "Wait, could you be Apple Crisp, the colt that went to live with a family in Las Pegasus?"

"That's me. I'm the same little colt. My name was changed when I was adopted, I guess." Everypony else was speechless, except Braeburn and Corn Maize, who had already learned the story.

"Well, then, should we head to Sweet Apple Acres?" Braeburn's question was answered with smiles, and all six earth ponies walked together on the path to the farm.

When they all arrived at the farm, Source Code marveled at what he saw. It was almost like a paradise. It had the greenery he came to know in the city of Las Pegasus, while it still had the rustic appeal of farm life that Appleloosa had. Corn Maize broke the silence.

"So, I reckon y'all are gonna be in the contest, too, right?"

"Sure are," Braeburn replied. "I even got Source Code here interested in competin'."

"It's true," Source Code commented. "I was already going to come, but thanks to Braeburn, I now have the skills to compete in this thing."

"Well, I wanna participate, but I don't have anypony to enter with." Applejack said. "I was gonna ask a friend if she'd want to try it, but it ain't exactly somethin' she'd agree to do."

"Maybe you could enter with me," Corn Maize replied. "I wasn't really sure about entering, but if it means Applejack can participate, I'll do it."

"Wait, ya weren't gonna be in it?" Applejack asked.

"Nope. But if it means you can enter, I'll be your partner, Applejack."

"That's mighty kind of ya, Corn Maize. Thanks!"

"I'm already competin' with Source Code," Braeburn said. "So don't worry about us. Sure he's not the most experienced with apples, but I've been training him, and I know he's ready."

"Geez, Braeburn, you're such a flatterer." Source Code said as he blushed. Nopony else had anything to say, so they all went inside the house. Because contest entries didn't open until the next day, all they could do was wait until evening, where they had a family supper, and then went to bed.

Braeburn and Source Code had to share a bed. Braeburn couldn't get much sleep, but Source Code slept like a log. Source Code started having a dream about finding himself in an open void. He saw a figure that looked familiar. He walked to it, and he saw a pony that looked familiar. The pony started speaking.

"Hello, Apple Crisp. It's great to finally see you again."

"Again, what do you mean? And how do you know who I am?"

"You don't remember me? That's no surprise. I'm your biological father." Source Code was shocked to hear this. "I know this is hard for you to take in, but I need you to do whatever you can to help your brother out in the competition. Braeburn needs you now. Also, be on the lookout for two unicorn brothers. They're nothing but trouble." Source Code didn't know how to respond to this, and could only reply,

"Yes, sir!" As the pony figure nodded in agreement, he faded away, and Source Code woke up. He saw that it was already sunrise.