Endless booze. Fountain upon fountain of limitless alcohol. Enough so every pony could be inebriated forever.

More cider than one could possibly drink.

A fool’s dream, ponies told him. The very notion of such an idea was absurd.

And he had made it a reality. Well, the two of them had. They had taken the impossible and laughed in its face all the way from Canterlot to Trottingham.

Sure, there had been hiccups. No fantasy made into reality can exist without them, but they had made it past every single hurdle fate had put in their way. Expect that one time in Ponyville, but that wasn’t important.

“Hey, Flim, are you okay?”

Flim sighed, letting his head drop. The beeping noise from the equipment in the room was very slowly grating his nerves. He blinked a few times, and turned to the voice.

“Yeah, just a bit exhausted, Flam. Hasn’t been easy sleeping lately.”

Flam hoofed his brother playfully in the shoulder. “Too busy brewing up some new treats, huh?” He gave a goofy smile.

Flim chuckled, “Nah, the brewing has been put on hold for a while. I just… can’t be around cider for a bit.”

Flam frowned, “We’ve talked about this, Flim. A lifetime of brewing cider comes with its risks and rewards.

Flim scoffed. “I think the situation is a bit past ‘risk’ now.”

“I couldn’t think of a better way to end it actually, Flim. Staying with one’s profession until the end is really something only a few ponies can brag about.”

Flim shrugged, shifting on his hooves awkwardly. “They haven’t told you anything new recently, have they?”

“No, they just avoid eye contact and refer to the chart. I’m sure nothing’s gotten any better.”

They both sat quietly, the only noise in the room being that of the vital monitor, and the low dim of other ponies yelling in the hallway several corridors away.

Flam’s smile faltered, “There’s nothing you can possibly do to change it now, Flim.”

“That’s exactly the problem, Flam, if I had done something sooner, maybe it would-“

“And what exactly would that be, Flim?” Flam asked, raising his voice. “Stop making cider? Stop drinking cider? Give up on the life we made for ourselves for something that we wouldn’t even be able to predict? We had a good run, pal, but jeez, considering what we have done in the past few decades, it’s a miracle both our organs haven’t become a blood/cider hybrid.” He shrugged, “I guess my body finally decided enough was enough.”

“I’m sorry, Flam.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. We’ve done what most ponies can barely dream about. Speaking of cider…” Flam reached over to the nightstand beside the bed.

“You’re not being serious, are you?” Flim looked at his brother inquisitively. “How did you manage to sneak that in here?”

Flam grinned, “Just because I’m dying doesn’t mean I still can’t sweet talk a pony.” He used his magic to levitate out two mugs.

“At this point, I’m starting to think you really are trying to kill yourself.” Flim took the mug in his hoof as Flam floated it over to him.

“This could be the last time we’re able to do this, brother of mine.” Flam toted the mug high in the air. "Might as well make the best of it. To a life with no regrets.”

Flim lifted his mug as well, “To a dream made possible.”

“To the best damn cider Equestria will ever see.”

“Cheers.”

“Cheers, brother.”

The mugs clunked together.