Flam of the Flim and Flam brothers was nervous even though he didn't show it.  The unicorn pony with the red mustache was not having a great vacation without his brother.  An excited crowd ready to switch to an angry mob pressed him into service.  One moment he was walking into town ready to kick back and drink, next moment he was faced with a Diamond Dog twice his height.  Behind him was a small army of his kind.  All were armed with mean looking, pony killing weapons.  Flam's task was to negotiate the town's surrender.  Flam had nowhere to run.  

No pressure.  

“I am Zurask the Tall.  You will give up and bow down to my terms.  Who is this pointed headed pony?” demanded Zurask.  

“Flam of the famous Flim and Flam brothers, friend.  Not sure why I was picked for this particular task.  Must be because some keen pony recognized me from my time as head-stallion of the Friendship University,” guessed Flam.  

A bunch of ponies nodded their heads.  The unicorn wished he never pretended to be a friendship guru.  

Flam fidgeted around then replied “Well then, I am here to talk terms.  Err... what are they?”  

“Ponies will give up, put on these chains and mine for us,” Zurask stated with an evil smile.  

“Why?”  

“Because we will beat you all up.”  

“No, I mean why use weak ponies to mine at all?  You and your kin, friend, are clearly better suited for said task, Zurask.”  

“These ponies mine rock already,” which they did because this was a mining town.  “You don't matter!  We're tired and have no rest from mining.  Ponies will do our work.”  

Flam smiled wide “Nonsense my tall buddy.  I have a better idea other than our surrender!”  

“My idea is best.  You stop stalling,” frowned Zurask.  

“Wait, wait!  Here me out.  Using ponies for mining is a pain!  You have to water them, feed them, house them and clean up after them.  It's more work than it's worth.  Your arms would tire out from swinging those whips.”  

“We have pretty strong arms.”  

“But it would still be work.  Be just trading one task for another of the same type while adding on more responsibilities of taking care of hundreds of ponies.  That doesn't sound like the best idea.”  

Zurask pondered this for a bit and asked “What is your best idea horned pony?”  

“Machines son!  I can lead you into the steam age.  Drills and mechanized shovels.  Hoes...”  

“... err, not sure that is respectful...”  

“... the likes you have never seen to dig, scrape ditches and channels. For a small,tiny fee of course.”  

“Oh.  We can then just take you and make you build these machines.”  

“No.”  

“Why not?” Zurask asked, annoyed.  

Flam laughed “I don't know how, but I do have access to creatures with these skills.  And before you think about just enslaving them, they wouldn't build these while in chains.  As I said, for a small pittance, I can make this happen for you.  You'll live a life of ease at the price of not having a whole nation of ponies declare war against you and your band.”  

“Ha.  What can small four legged, no hands ponies do?”  

“You know what magic is?” Flam asked as he levitated a good size rock before dropping it.  

“Yes.  It's that sparkly thing you are doing, “Zurask replied worriedly.  

“Well, we have a Princess that can control the sun and moon via magic.  You wouldn't want to get on her bad side.  Trust me.  Take this deal or risk getting hit by them.  She could even shoot a rainbow at you.  Those hurt!”  

“I hate rainbows.”  

“Me too, me too.”  

“Zurask will consider your deal.”  

“Great, I know a guy who will help write this contract up.  Total trustworthy and an expert.  Almost as good looking as me!”  

And Flam got Flim to write it up, eventually after the vacation.  And they all lived profitable ever after.