The Split Core

The day of the competition was finally among them. Source Code and Braeburn were beaming with energy, along with the other competitors, except for the Flim Flam Brothers, who still didn't stress at all. Source Code was a little nervous, as this was his first time competing in any kind of apple competition. Braeburn told him not to worry, and he kept his head straight, and his drive to win in full force. After an hour and a half of last-chance preparations, all the pairs (except for the Flim Flam Brothers) were looking sweaty. Source Code noticed that Applejack couldn't stop glaring at the Flim Flam Brothers. He tried to encourage her, be saying,

"Hey, Applejack! Corn Maize! Good luck to all of us!" she barely acknowledged him with a smile. He saw her tear up, as Corn Maize tried to console her. Source Code looked to his brother, and asked him,

"Hey, Braeburn? What's wrong with Applejack?" Braeburn looked toward the mare, and saw her crying.

"Maybe it's somethin' about the Flim Flam Brothers. They did almost cause Granny Smith to lose her life with their antics. She doesn't cry much, so if that ain't it, I have no clue."

"I guess that makes sense." Suddenly, the training bell rang, signaling the end of preparation time. The pairs all started to cool down (sans Flim and Flam).

"Hey, wanna get some cider?" Braeburn asked.

"Oh, why not?" Source Code replied. It would be another hour before the contest started, so everypony took the rest of this time to enjoy themselves.

The contest was now ready to begin. All the pairs were taken to different parts of the orchard, each one far enough from the other so that nopony could see another pair anywhere near them. The announcer said over the intercom,

"You have one hour to buck as many trees as you can! Ready! Set! Go!" Source Code suddenly came to the realization that his performance here actually mattered. He was now feeling incredibly nervous, despite his eagerness before the contest started. Braeburn turned to him, and shouted,

"Ya need to quit worryin' and get buckin'! I know you have strong legs. I've seen ya buck before." Source Code then found a tree full of apples, tried to buck, but his nerves got the better of him, and all he could do was get one apple down.

"I'm sorry, Braeburn, but it's just that when I was training in Appleloosa with you, not everypony was watching me. I get nervous in front of other ponies."

"Everypony does, but that doesn't mean you should give up," Braeburn replied. Source Code shook his head, and tried again. This time he got most of them down. It still wasn't as good as he did in training, but it was a big improvement. The two spent the rest of the time trying to get as many trees bucked as they could. Source Code saw the Flim Flam Brothers in the distance, seeming to just stand there doing nothing. He wanted to get closer, but before he could move toward them, he remembered the rule about no spying, and stopped himself. The bell then rang, signaling the end of the round, as volunteer ponies gathered all the filled baskets.

After each went for another mug of cider, Source Code and Braeburn took a seat in front of a barrel full of apples. There were 100 apples in the barrel, as they expected. The bell rang again, and the round started. Source Code handed the apples to Braeburn, as he peeled them, since Source Code wasn't very good at peeling during his training. The two of them ended up peeling ten apples, before the bell rang signaling that another team already peeled all 100 of their apples. Both Source Code and Braeburn were confused.

"How in the hay can somepony peel that many apples that fast?" Source Code asked.

"I have no clue. We know the unicorns can't use magic, accordin' to the rules, so I got nothin'," Braeburn replied.

"You think this could be the Flim Flam Brothers' doing?"

"It could be. I know Applejack doesn't trust them."

"Well, we'd best not get involved. We don't want to get ourselves disqualified for spying, or anything like that." Braeburn agreed with this statement. The third round came about, and Source Code and Braeburn were at their station, ready to bake their pie. They were dead-set on making sure they didn't mess up on this part, since they could tell they were in the bottom of the rankings. They were just about to put theirs in the oven, when they noticed Applejack confronting the Flim Flam Brothers. The rules didn't allow for this, since doing so could be interpreted as spying. Source Code wanted to run to her and convince her that this was a bad idea, but Braeburn stopped him in his tracks.

"Hey, we're already in last as it is, we need to make up for lost points with this pie. I know ya care about Applejack, but we got our own problems here."

"You're right, Braeburn." Source Code returned, and monitored the pie as it baked. As soon as it was ready, the bell rang for the last time. This meant the contest was over, and the results were now up to the judges to decide. Braeburn, feeling relieved that the contest was finally done with, said to Source Code,

"Y'know, I'll bet our pie is the best one in the contest. What do you think?"

"Yeah, I'm sure it's perfect," Source Code said with hesitation. "But, to be honest, I'm worried about Applejack and Corn Maize."

"What for?"

"I saw Applejack going to confront the Flim Flam Brothers. I know that spying on the other contestants is against the rules, so I was going to try to stop her, but then you brought me back."

"Why didn't ya just say somethin'?"

"I guess I just didn't want us to lose because I thought a family member needed help."

"Wow, that's mighty thoughtful of ya, Apple Crisp. I think she'll be fine, though."

"I hope so." The judges called everypony forward. They had an announcement to make.