"Mystical Ponies of Equestria, today, we begin the Market Harvest!"

The Apple Spectrum

Chapter 4: Gesellschaft

4:1: The Start

The duo of Applejack and Rainbow Dash finished morning routines and began getting ready before heading for breakfast. No words were spoken as the events of the previous night were still fresh in mind. Neither made eye contact and they both held their heads down until fitting on the day's accessories.

"How long has it been since we started preparing?" Rainbow asked, fitting into her harness.

"'bout a month an' a half," Applejack replied, hoisting saddlebags over her back.

"Really, It feels like, I dunno, two years."

"An' you're still here, so good f' ya."

"As I said, I never leave my friends hanging," Rainbow said, fastening the final strap onto her harness.

The uneasiness vanished in that moment as Rainbow snapped her view up to face Applejack. A steely look entered her eyes as she felt the situation dawn on her. Applejack tilted her head up to meet Rainbow's gaze and instantly shied away before her eyes glanced over to Rainbow.

"Well, thanks an' all. Ah reckon that's why Ah regard you so highly when we ain't thrashin' each others skulls," the farmer responded, getting louder near the end.

Rainbow smirked, jumping on each individual hoof in preparation. Applejack was warming up, forgetting the kiss temporarily. She tossed her stetson onto her head and cracked her neck. With a single glance as confirmation, the two ponies quickly bumped hooves and turned for the door.

The arrogant stallion, Fullbody Moneybags, had a different morning. It was without awkwardness or confusion. He enjoyed a luxurious spa-style morning routine complete with massages and a sauna. At the end of it all, he put on his tuxedo, slapped on a monocle for good measure, and fit his top hat onto his scalp. He checked himself in the mirror multiple times, giggling and smiling to himself as he struck several poses.

"You look good, dear boy," he said, chuckling as he departed.

Upon leaving his personal quarters of the factory, he was immediately met with serving ponies whom pampered and made sure no dust or fur came onto his pressed tux. Routinely, he ordered the typical; a wine glass filled with his pride and joy, a list of the other teams, and a chequebook. Once equipped with his usual items, he worked his way to the outside of the factory. Once left the building, he took in the scent of the morning air and stepped into a carriage that was waiting, ponies at the ready. Once settled in, he sighed, taking a sip of his wine and opened up the list. He skimmed the pages quickly while a pen marked down certain teams. The doors of the carriage opened and another pony stepped in, then it started moving.

"Mmm, g'morning, Merci," he said, absent-minded.

Merci sighed, resetting her bowtie. She nodded at Fullbody, humming in response. The carriage ride was in silence, typical for the duo. Upon arriving at the Market Harvest grounds, they were met with a plethora of ponies. Being the first day, every pony in the competition arrived and Fullbody frowned.

"I really wish the dirt poor would step aside for those with business," Fullbody said, stepping out of the carriage after Merci.

Without breaking stride, Fullbody stepped forward as several ponies were shoved by his guards, forming a path for the snob. He entered the building as the ponies outside idly waited for a reason to enter the grounds. Fullbody had his intentions set.

Stepping into the office of Flat Breadbasket, he sat down on the leather chair that Flim sat in previously. Flat didn't so much as glance at the pony to know who it was.

"Mornin'," Flat said as he scribbled down words onto a document.

"Mornin'," Fullbody replied, setting his chequebook onto the desk.

"Flim 'n Flam causing you trouble yet?" Flat asked, sipping out of a coffee mug.

"Not yet. They causing you trouble yet?"

"Tons. I have to do last minute changes to your roster, which, by the way, is incredible. Nice, long; I'd say you'll sail through this competition," Flat responded, chuckling.

"Mmm yes." Fullbody sipped from his wine, smacking his lips delightfully. "But one can never be too sure, can they? I have already started rivalries with several small fry groups."

Flat chuckled. "Of course you have. Any concerns there? Anything worth noting?"

Sighing, Fullbody leaned against the desk. "Three. As per usual, Moonshine Soda as my rival. The two were . . . unexpected." He bit his lip, shuddering as he remembered the apple cider.

"Oh?" Flat asked, genuinely surprised.

"Sweet Olive Garden's or whatever has a new advertisement team, and typically, I'd be set. But, the team isn't from Equestria, so finding details on them isn't easy. I don't know whether or not I can buy them out, and I don't even know names and faces. All I have is a team list," Fullbody replied, guzzling the rest of his wine.

"I'm being lenient, allowing you the team list on our good friendship, but if I sense any dishonesty from you, I'll have to disqualify you," Flat said in a routinely fashion.

"Yea, yea, but remember: my publicity is what allows this competition to thrive so well. I wouldn't want to make us angry at each other and lose," Fullbody said.

Flat nodded and continued working. "So, foreigners. What about this other team?"

Fullbody grumbled, mumbling several incomprehensible words to Flat's delight. After a few seconds, Fullbody averted his gaze, nodding his head and bit his lip. He clucked his tongue and exhaled coarsely.

"Sweet Apple Acres since they have a full team. Top that off with their popularity to the children and ladies which, if I may remind you, take up 70% of this nation, and we've got a problem. They've always been a problem regardless of their incompetence. But that's not all, oh no. They have a team that, after talking to Flim and Flam, that can get the job done and keep up even without fancy machinery," Fullbody spat out, spitting into his empty glass.

Flat chuckled, shaking his head as he stopped writing, holding his gut while preventing an outburst. Fullbody glared at him, bemused as his horn lit up. A wine bottle poofed into the room as well as a new glass. He disposed the old one and poured himself another glass.

"Now, as I was saying, the main issue for Sweet Apple Acres isn't advertising. They have enough good word to get sales while their main issue was production. They could never meet demands yet here they are with a full team. I'd buy them off, but the two hicks that run the joint happen to be as stubborn as a mule." Fullbody exhaled heavily, visibly loosening up. "That's been swirling around for a while. So yes, those three are my main concerns."

"So it seems. Are you going to buy out, bribe or hire the other competitors? Or would you actually let your wine do the talking?" Flat asked, cracking his neck while taking a break.

"Why not all four options? It ensures total victory, and keeps the hicks down in the nether from whence they depart from," Fullbody responded, swirling the liquids inside.

Taut once more, Fulbody allowed silence to take in the room's ambiance. Few dust particles floated in the air as the two friends looked at each other, taking in the exhausted expressions. The scent of food tickled their noses, but Fullbody continued this silent battle against his friend. Flat's eyes twitched and he leaned back, sighing.

"Okay, you have my moral support. I trust you to keep to yourself and play the game, and as an added bonus, you have a small, generous financial donation of 30,000 bits as per our prior agreement," Flat responded, smiling.

Fullbody loosened up once more, smirking. "So the agreement is still on. Lovely, and I'm glad you could see things from my perspective. Ah—" He stood up, sipping out of his glass. He placed the wine bottle onto the desk, and smiled at Flat. "Have this as a token of my unyielding gratitude. Enjoy it with the misses, tonight."

Flat wasted no time picking up the bottle and reading the label. "Aha, you old dog. A little mind-oil this time of year would do well for myself."

Fullbody straightened his suit and the two nodded to each other before Fullbody left the room. Outside the building, Fullbody returned to the carriage, sighing with content.

"Planted?" Merci asked dully, staring out the opposite window.

"Of course. Confidentiality of other teams, at my disposal. Oh, how I love magic," Fullbody said, giggling gleefully as he rubbed his hooves together and took another sip.

Merci rolled her eyes and leaned her head against the window.

"Roll over."

The white furred beast obediently rolled over in the tall grass.

"Sit."

Then he sat down on the ground, wagging his tail.

"Fetch."

A ball was launched across the field and the beast ran at top speed before dashing back, ball in mouth. He dropped it on the ground and panted with excitement.

"Good boy. Now go die in a fire you miserable waste of pony resources."

The beast in question, Chance, whimpered and pouted, puckering up his upper lip and using his best puppy dog eyes. The mare that insulted him was Spry, clad in a stained yellow robe and had droopy eyelids as well as hair that blew to the left. She groggily guzzled from a cup of coffee, watching Chance run around as she woke up in the morning. It wasn't long before Chance came running back, Masato following in a gallop. Spry groaned as her short-lived peace died.

"Can you not run next time? I didn't finish burying the landmines," Spry spat out, rolling onto her side so one of her eyes could see the two.

"Sorry! Order! Run! Grab! Teammate! Market Harvest! Praise me, PRAISE ME!" Chance shouted, jumping around the area while running on all fours.

Masato rubbed his eyes and yawned, stumbling right above Spry. "Yeah?"

"Just making sure that you weren't hit by a train, knocked into a ditch, and laid there until vultures picked out your dried up internal organs. Y'know, all that 'be a team player' crap," Spry said, swatting a hoof at Masato. "Don't get me started on the blue ass blaster."

"Where is boss, anyways?" Masato asked, peering through the woods. "And can we actually sleep in a bed for a change? I'm sick of sleeping in dirt pits under a terrible grass tent."

"Trixie thinks that you need another bout of shock therapy!" the magician's voice boomed from the woods.

Masato twitched, preparing for an impact only for nothing to happen. Chance was still running and Spry continued her completely productive planking.

"Who wants a treat?" Trixie said with mock-playfulness.

Chance immediately altered his course and ran up straight to Trixie and impatiently stomped around the area he was in. Quickly, he realized there was no treat and sat down with a grumpy look. Masato followed as did Spry. Each member of the group looked unenthusiastic.

"Now that Trixie has you all together, she would just like to say: Good luck, Blue Stage. Today, we officially separate from each other until the planned meet up time. Until then, do not so much as look at each other funny." Trixie glanced over at Spry. "How much have you told her?"

Spry sighed. "You knew, huh? Figures. I told her everything, but refused to tell her about you."

Trixie grinned. "Even if you did, what would possibly pop up? That Trixie was once a two-bit showmare attempting to one-up the protogé of Princess Celestia?" Trixie scoffed. "Besides, there is no way he can get anything on Trixie without alerting Trixie. Merely ghastly sightings here and there yet nothing conclusive. He can play his games and bribe us but we are not a money-grubbing patch of pumpkins to be devoured in societal conflicts!"

"Did you breathe once during that?" Spry asked.

"Actually we do need money so maybe a little bribe? I kinda like eating," Chance barked, tail wagging as he watched a fly buzz by his snout.

"That's fine, there are others who could use that money," Masato whispered to himself.

"Silence! Bring me news, what has occurred in this city that Trixie should know of?" Trixie shouted with a slam of her hoof.

"I did some snooping and some Rainbow Dash pony has been spotted in the city, flying around hastily," Spry muttered, yawning.

Trixie's ear twitched and her eyes grew wide. "Rainbow Dash? That's that cyan pegasus from Ponyville!" Trixie grumbled. "What is she doing here?"

"Uh, Rainbow is apparently the model for Sweet Apple Acres," Spry muttered, ignoring the two whining next to her.

"Trixie meant Twilight Sparkle! If Rainbow Dash is present along with Sweet Apple Acres, Trixie has reason to believe that Twilight Sparkle has also attended. She has come to outshine me yet again!" Trixie groaned and pranced in place, letting several whinnies escape her mouth. After a few seconds of observation, Masato cleared his throat. Trixie froze in spot before taking her place, letting a deep sigh. "Nonetheless, Trixie has improved and will best Twilight Sparkle this time! And then she will know that the Great and Powerful Trixie is the most spectacular unicorn in all of Equestria!" she bellowed, sparks shooting from her horn.

"Twilight Sparkle is a team manager. She's not performing," Spry muttered once more.

"Oh." Trixie avoided gazing into her teammates eyes while she rubbed a hoof against her foreleg. After a brief moment of silence, Trixie glared. "Begone with you, Trixie must practise firework control!"

"Rainbow Dash, twenty flybys around the city. Medium-sized banner, mild drag with a 8km wind North-East, so fly in that direction. We want the flag to be wavy and elongated rather than dragging." Twilight glanced down at a clipboard while Rainbow continued to do pushups. "Applejack, with the competition start so close, we want to generate as much hype as possible."

"I hope we don't run into that dreadful Fullbody pony today lest he criticize my ensemble for the team," Rarity pondered.

"Just get Spike to roast him if he comes near us," Rainbow said with a grin.

"Hey, I'm no murderer," Spike grumbled, folding his arms.

"I can tell by your luck with the ladies," Rainbow said with a wink.

"Rainbow, quit it, boys don't like t' be teased 'bout that stuff," Applejack said with a frown.

"Girls—" Twilight interjected.

"And Spike," the dragon whispered.

"We have to focus. Zap Apple trees don't need much focus for the first few days so we do nothing with that. We get a set amount of tools and anymore has to be ordered through the main office with our own cash," Twilight reminded.

"I need cash," Rainbow muttered nonchalantly.

"There's no rush, at least not initially. But freebie supplies will vanish the instant the competition starts. Then we have 30 days to prepare confectioneries and sweets for the judge as well as make sure the apples are healthy—Rarity can continue with quality control like when Flim and Flam attempted to win Sweet Apple Acres but she'll need help. Spike can do that since he's generally good with that stuff," Twilight rambled on.

"Sweet," Spike exclaimed, doing a fist pump. Rarity gave him an off-side glance with a smirk before he coughed once, anxiety setting in. "I-I mean, booyah, love apples."

"Applejack, Big McIntosh and Apple Bloom, they'll proceed with first harvests while Fluttershy can assist Pinkie Pie with washing and baking the initial treats. Tomorrow we sell candies and by the end of the week, we'll have sold our sweets quota before moving onto beverages and normal apple bushels and maybe candy apples." Twilight smiled. "Okay, now we have an hour until opening ceremonies so meet back here—" Twilight glanced around the area briefly, remembering it was just outside portapotties. "—or, how about we meet in our hotel rooms to go about final preps before the start."

"Ballin'," Rainbow shouted as she took off instantly, the small banner dragging behind as she soared.

"Rainbow, wait a minute," Applejack shouted, one eye closed as dust clouded up.

"Well, she was gone rather fast," Pinkie Pie bounced.

"Almost three fast," Spike exclaimed.

"What?" the group asked simultaneously.

Spike nervously glanced around. "I-I mean, booyah, apples."

The Sweet Apple Acres team stood in a group, mixed in with the mass of competitors amongst the crowd. Rainbow leaned forward, glancing passed Big Mac and Apple Bloom to spot Applejack. She looked neutral yet Rainbow felt suspicion.

There is no way she hasn't thought about last night. So pensive and mysterious, she's content to just torture me, isn't she? What are you thinking? Rainbow asked herself mentally.

What if mah legs didn't know they were legs? Applejack thought.

A horn blared, surprising the pegasus as she stared forward. A familiar stallion took the stand, adjusting a bowtie on his white tuxedo.

"Mares and stallions, mystical ponies of Equestria, today, we begin the Market Harvest!" Flat Breadbasket exclaimed. Ponies stamped briefly before silencing, allowing the stallion to continue. "Thirty days. You have thirty days to reach several quotas; sweets, if you're eligible; meals, advertising, revenue, and most importantly: appearance. You must be appealing to make money, and to make money, you must have products for sale. Some will only have beverages, so you will only be graded on beverages. Some will have beverages that fit with meals, so we'll include that. Supplies will be given for free and they're first come, first serve. Each of you will be judged fairly and without bias of the judges and the winning team, having successfully rationed out their supply of ingredients—grown right here on this lot, I might add, shall win the grand prize of sponsorship from the Market Harvest committee and free advertising." He paused, letting silence hang with the exception of traditional city noises.

"Go."

Rainbow blinked and when she opened her eyes, already chaos erupted as teams scattered to retrieve free supplies. Rainbow didn't understand the deal but upon fluttering off the ground, she spotted Applejack at the helm of a crowd, holding what looked like a regular watering can.

"Back off, y'all, Ah found it first," she shouted, swinging the metal object.

Rainbow felt her instincts take over as she launched forward, easily brushing by several other pegasi attempting to reach the tables of supplies. Dipping down, she outstretched her forehooves as she looped them through Applejack's, the latter pressed against a wall holding the watering can away from clingy hooves. With a single tug, Rainbow removed Applejack from the crowd and saved the watering can in one fell swoop and they took off down the path. Several teams had already started to converge on their lots to begin harvest prep, including Sweet Apple Acres.

"R-Rainbow, Ah can't hol' on to you an' th' waterin' can at th' same time," Applejack stated with worry in her throat.

"Drop it," Rainbow shouted.

Without wasting any time, Rainbow gave a mighty flap so the two were hoisted several feet in the air allowing her just enough time to swat the watering can with a wing. Applejack stared in horror as her hard-earned battle prize dropped, before sighing in relief as it fell directly into Pinkie Pie's mane. Glancing up at the pegasus that carried her, Rainbow winked back and the duo smiled. Rainbow allowed herself to come close to the ground as they flew over a hill, eyes locked onto the Sweet Apple Acres lot just ahead.

"Alrighty then!" Rainbow shouted with a grin.