When Applejack comes of age for her courting to begin, she's far from excited. She doesn't need any special somepony in her life. But, when two colts show up, both wanting her hoof, she decides to put them through a few tests to see who would be best suited for her. Will she find that special somepony? Or, is a certain unicorn just in it for the wrong reasons?

When you have a reputation to be a liar, it isn't easy to win back the trust of others.

Especially when "Others" means the element of honesty.

Resisting the temptation to lie again and sell another product hoax, the Flim Flam brothers decide to go back to Ponyville and make a fair living on the Apple family's farm. And while gaining trust from the ones you've tricked is hard, it just might be worth it.

This story is a sequel to The Mess We're In

Flim was never one to argue with Flam. In fact, if the situation had been any different, they might have been able to work it out. But, fate being the fickle thing that it is had other plans. After a heated fight, they split up. There was no going back, the bridge was burned and the damage done.

It soon becomes apparent that things are never as easy as they seem. Several failed attempts later, Flim is out of energy and ideas. Just when he's about to give up, a chance encounter with Applejack changes everything. Working beside the Element of Honesty was the opportunity he needed. If he could prove his sincerity to her, then nopony would question his desire for an honest life. But, as the days drag on, he realizes a truth that may just jeopardize everything. How can he prove his sincerity when he must constantly hide the truth?

Cover is fanart from Kell95 on deviantart. Thanks so much! It's wonderful.

This one has been a long time coming. An Honest Life takes place in the same universe as my long running story, What Changes May Come and runs parallel to This Cruel and Random World. There are some aspects from those stories in this one, but there's no need to read either to enjoy this one. Essentially the events are cannon until the middle of season 4.

Prereading by Asher-N-Hunt-Editin, SageBrony07, and Nomad_Sigma. Cover art by me. This story would not have been possible without wonderful advice from SageBrony07. I can't thank them enough for their time and effort on this story.

“I'm afraid I know exactly who I'm messing with, Flim Skim. And I know exactly why. And I know you don't know the same about me. Therefore, I am at the advantage... aside from the obvious hostage, of course.”

A mysterious horse appears in the dead of night, and brings a catastrophe on the Flim Flam Brothers that neither of them could have ever been prepared for: he kidnaps Flam, and leaves Flim with only a set of strange instructions in order to get his brother back. He must search all over Equestria to find certain things written on a scroll, and he must find the most reliable pony he knows to lead him to the Mordant Phooka.

Unfortunately, when he finds her, she doesn't know if she's willing to help him out. Just how is she supposed to trust him after all he's done? How does she know it's not another scam, or some way to get back at her for messing up the twins' schemes before?

When the only other pony in Equestria who Flim trusts most besides his brother is Applejack, how is she supposed to trust him back?

Edit: The amazingly talented C-Puff has generously and amazingly drawn an amazing cover picture for my story (did I mention it and the artist are both amazing?) Please give the amazing C-Puff a huge round of brohoofs! (and also tell them they're amazing. And go see C-Puff on deviantart!)