//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Making Amends // Story: Second Chances // by Nailah //------------------------------// Fluttershy had to hurry there wasn't much time to spare. She ran as fast as her hooves would carry her, she had to tell Applejack. She panted as she finally made it to the farm and took a second to catch her breath. “Applejack!” she shouted not seeing her in the fields. She glanced around and noticed Big Mac plowing the fields. She hurried on over to where he was. “Big Mac, have you seen Applejack?” asked Fluttershy softly. “Nope,” replied Big Mac softly. “Do you know where she is?” questioned Fluttershy. “Yep.” and he pointed his hoof towards the town. “Oh dear...” replied Fluttershy. Maybe Applejack was just gathering supplies or visiting Twilight. She just really hoped she hadn't already fallen for Flam's scam of wanting to help his brother. The only thing Flam cared about was bits and she knew for a fact that Flim really did want to change, and she knew the kiss they shared hadn't been fake. She believed in him, she really did care about him and wished the best, and she began to wonder if she was falling for him, but he wouldn't be safe for long. Not if Flam had his way. She had to hurry! Fluttershy hurried into Ponyville as she looked all over for Applejack. She had no idea where she might be, but she had to find her before Flam did. “Applejack? Where are you?” she asked as she had to stop in midst of a dash to catch her breath. “Fluttershy, why are you in such a hurry?” questioned Twilight whom just happened to be on her way to Sugarcube corner to get an order she had placed a few hours earlier. “I need to find Applejack, it's important. Flim...he's in trouble. Flam trying to ruin his second chance to have a new...start,” replied Fluttershy panting slightly. Twilight Sparkle blinked as she had to listen carefully to what Fluttershy was saying, she was sure she got it, Flim was in trouble from Flam? “Alright so Flim is in trouble but why would you need to tell Applejack? She doesn't trust either of those ponies.” “That's exactly why I need to talk to Applejack! Flam is planning to use our kindness to his advantage to get his brother to come back with him to Las Pegasus. And if I don't stop him he'll ruin what Flim has accomplished since coming here.” replied Fluttershy. “Alright, calm down Fluttershy. We'll figure this out. Let's meet up at the Library in an hour. I haven't seen Flam around town so he must be planning something in the background,” replied Twilight in thought. “Oh okay...but I still really think I should find Applejack,” replied Fluttershy. “Find me for what?” questioned Applejack as she had just come out of Sugarcube corner with two empty baskets on each side of her, That had apples in them, and she had delivered them to Sugarcube corner. “Applejack!” smiled Fluttershy as she hugged her closely. “Oh, I'm so glad I found you.” “Ahem, it's good to see you too Fluttershy, but what's all the fuss about?” questioned Applejack a bit confused. “It's Flam he's up to no good.” began Fluttershy. Applejack raised a brow at Fluttershy, glanced over towards Twilight with a shake of her head. “When isn't he up to no good?” “Um...well never?” replied Fluttershy. “Exactly, the Flim Flam brothers are nothing but a nuisance, I'd be happy if they both up and left this town for good,” replied Applejack. “Applejack, Flim isn't the pony he once was, he's changed really I know, I've seen it first hoof.” “Listen, Fluttershy I realize that you are willing to give any pony, any one a second chance but I just can't trust him after what he did in the past.” “Please Applejack, you have to believe me. Flam is going to use you to get Flim back. He's planning something and I'm not sure what but you've just gotta believe me...please,” cried Fluttershy tears rolling down her cheeks. “Fluttershy...Listen I really wish I could... began Applejack. "I just can't...even if I wanted too, I can't trust him. He hasn't really proven anything yet.” Fluttershy ears flopped down and a frown appeared on her face, with a sad look in her hues. Twilight put a hoof onto her shoulder. “Don't worry Fluttershy, I'll make sure that doesn't happen okay?” smiled Twilight softly, wanting to at least attempt to cheer her up. “Oh, thank you Twilight,” replied Fluttershy as she couldn't help but wish Applejack could see it too, but she also knew why Applejack felt that way. She wanted to find Flim, but she had no idea where he was now, last she knew he was looking for a job so that he could get a new start here in Ponyville. She had to find him, before Flim did. *******8 Flim had just finished talking with the manager of Quills and Sofas and had gotten a job with them. Apparently, all they cared about was his history and success of being a good sales pony and they knew that denying him was beyond idiocy. Flim smiled as he walked out the door, but what he saw when he walked out the door didn't surprise him in the least, and an annoyed expression crossed his features, his eyes focused on the pony now standing in front of him, with that same all too familiar smirk on his face. “Flim...it's so wonderful to see you.” smiled Flam with a plan in mind. He knew how to manipulate ponies to his advantage, he wasn't going to let Flim just leave without a fight. And he would win... “It won't work. I don't care what you say or what you do, I'm not going back with you. You of all ponies betrayed my trust and threw me out on my own, and I've been given a second chance here in Ponyville, and you brother won't ruin it if I can help it.” replied Flim in a huff as he turned on his heels to walk away. “I wouldn't be so hasty if I were you brother, after all if you don't come with me, I'm going to use the kindness of this stupid town to get you to leave. Ponies will feel sorry for me and want to reunite us and before long you'll be driven out of this town.” “Really? That's your elaborate plan? Brother you've lost it. You just don't have talent without me by your side. We were best as a team and you should know it,” replied Flim. “Of course I know! No team better than us. Can't you find it in your heart to forgive me?” questioned Flam. “If I believed you were serious I might consider it, but you're just trying to manipulate me now and I'm not blind, nor am I stupid. Leave this town Flam, I don't need you to find success. I'll find it on my own without your help,” replied Flim as he walked away without letting Flam get in another word. Flam just smiled, it seemed this town was famous for turning a crooked pony good, but he wasn't finished here yet. ********8 Flim couldn't help but sigh to himself and wish even for a brief second that Flam had really come here to make things right, but he knew it was simply another lie. He knew his brother better than anyone else, and that's why he knew he had to be careful. Who knew what he might do now. He had to talk to Fluttershy...though in all honesty he was wishing he could talk to Applejack about what to do but he knew he wouldn't get anywhere with her. As far as she was concerned this town would be better off without either of the Flim Flam brothers and as long as he was here, so would Flam be. Flam wasn't one to give up on a heist or a scandal and this was no different. He would pull off his own tail if it meant he got what he wanted. Flim sighed, what was the right thing to do? He couldn't help but wonder if maybe leaving was the best thing he could do. After all, Fluttershy had given him hope in a new beginning but perhaps that new beginning wasn't in Ponyville. The only way to fight his brother was to play his own game and he knew if he left, so would Flam and then he could take care of things his way. He wouldn't leave without seeing Fluttershy though, he wanted to at the very least, thank her for all she had done. With a sigh and a heavy heart he made his way towards Fluttershy's cottage. As he knocked on the door, then he noticed something rather peculiar, the door seem to be jammed from the inside. He managed to pull it open with his magic as he walked in to find it mostly empty, except a mess of materials on the carpet and Angel up on the chair sitting feet propped up on the coffee table enjoying a carrot. “Is Fluttershy home?” he questioned towards the rabbit. Angel just looked towards this strange stallion, he knew it wasn't the one whom locked them in here because he didn't have the beard but that didn't mean he trusted him one little bit more. He just shrugged his shoulders and hopped off. “I'm guessing that's a no,” replied Flim with a sigh. He had been hoping she would be home, but he guessed he was just having false hopes. He had to do what was right for the town, no matter how much it would hurt his heart to not see Fluttershy for who knows how many moons. He wrote a note with his magic and left it on her coffee table. “Dear Fluttershy, "I am truly touched by your kindness and your willingness to accept any pony into your home, despite their past history. Thank you so much for everything you've done, but now it's my turn to do what's right, even if doing what's right is so damn hard. I love you Fluttershy. Goodbye. Your friend, Flim." With tears in his eyes, as a teardrop landed on the note, he turned on his hooves and began to head out of town. He dropped by Quills and Sofas and let him know that he would be out of town for some time and had to drop the job opportunity and once that was taken care of, he left Ponyville. He had no idea where he would go now, all he knew is that wherever he was, Flam was sure to follow and Ponyville would be spared from his schemes and mischievous acts. ******8 Twilight returned to her castle, alongside Fluttershy. She had to compose her notes of what she knew about the two brothers, which wasn't a whole lot, besides the obvious. The two were obviously very good business ponies, and they could convince any pony to buy just about anything. After all she had heard from Applejack about the tonic they had sold to Granny Smith and how it had made her realize no matter how hard the truth could be, you had to be honest or you could end up hurting a pony's health and feelings. Flam seemed to be more well rounded overall. Even though the two worked together, he was in charge of the plans, and Flim was much better at drawing in the attention of the crowd, and when the two were together, they were like a match made in heaven, if there was such a place. Of course, she had studied theories about it, but that wasn't important now. She was deep in thought as she composed notes separating the differences of each brother on her board. If Flam had a plan to use the town's kindness then Twilight had to have a backup plan, on the off chance his plan even remotely worked. Granted, she was almost positive it wouldn't. Come on Twilight, a plan to use the town's kindness to get his brother back? It was beyond ridiculous. There was no way anyone would be convinced that he was really serious about apologizing especially after what Flim had told Applejack and Fluttershy. Though suddenly she realized something, if Flim really did change, like Fluttershy had said then what if he left town in order to protect them from whatever Flam was planning. If there was one thing she knew, if Flam really wanted to get his brother back, manipulating his own brother to do exactly what he wanted, wasn't out of the question. She didn't want to alert Fluttershy, she was worried enough as it was, but once the rest of the gang arrived, she would arrange a plan to get rid of Flam once and for all. Even the magic of friendship couldn't help every pony, she had realized that now. ********8 Fluttershy was really concerned about Flim and she really hoped that everything would turn out okay, she couldn't help but worry. She knew Twilight would know what to do, Twilight always seemed to have a plan even when times were tough, she was always there right by her friends, as they all had stopped evil ponies from taking over Equestria. Of course, she hadn't always been that helpful, but she was just happy to be among friends and she had even gotten braver because of it. She had even done something no pony thought possible, she had reformed Discord, and he really was a sweetheart when you got to know him. Fluttershy knew any pony, any one discovered a second chance and she began to wonder if there just might be a way to resolve this whole mess peacefully, but even she wasn't sure how to get Flam to see that if he really cared about his brother, he wouldn't care so much about their business in Las Pegasus. Oh dear...what was she getting herself into? Did she dare even suggest a thing to Twilight? Maybe...she should...or maybe not.... Oh she just didn't know. She was a mess. She couldn't help but to cry. “Oh, Twilight what do I do?” questioned Fluttershy. “You just try to relax okay? Every pony should be here any second now,” replied Twilight when Applejack came walking through the doors of the castle and sat in her seat by the cutie map table. “Well, I reckon I'm here, though I'm still not sold on the idea of Flim being good now.” Right behind her was a very soft and sophisticated voice. “I'm here too darlings, really what is all the trouble?” questioned Rarity as she sat down at her seat. It wasn't even ten seconds until Rainbow flew through the door and took her seat. Pinkie was the only one missing, but they didn't have to wait very long. Very shortly Pinkie came bursting through the door all excited. “I'm planning a huge party for Flim! He's going to love it. It's a welcome back to Ponyville, we're so glad you're good now party!” smiled Pinkie as she bounced up and down until she reached her seat. Fluttershy then took her seat, as did Twilight as the six all gathered around the cutie map table. Though what truly surprised Twilight was how Fluttershy's and Applejack's cutie marks lit up and the map began to glow as it was sending them out of Ponyville and to an area not far from the dragons. “Oh dear,” spoke Fluttershy. “I reckon this can't be a good sign.” replied Applejack. “The map chose you two for a reason. Fluttershy, you should probably check in at your cottage before you leave, I have a feeling...just a feeling you should go there,” replied Twilight with a sigh. If she was right, Flim would go to Fluttershy's before doing anything rash, she just hoped it wasn't already too late. If he had already left town then she might know just what the map wanted. It seemed she was learning more and more about the map each day, and she knew that whatever purpose it had in mind, only Fluttershy and Applejack could solve it. “Okay. I'll go but Applejack, will you go with me? I don't want to get locked in my cottage again and I'll feel better with you there,” questioned Fluttershy with a big eyed look. “Anything for you Fluttershy.” smiled Applejack wanting her to feel better. She stood up from her chair. “Well...we'd best get going. We'll see ya'll later.” Applejack waved towards the rest of her friends as she and Fluttershy would head for Fluttershy's cottage to see if Flim might be there or find Flam or some clue as to why the map called them. It didn't take them long to get there but when they arrived Flam was standing there with a big smirk on his face. “I've won. It's already too late, he's long gone.” he smiled holding up the note Flim had left. “Just like I thought the kindness of you ponies got into his head, convinced him that once I showed up the only thing he could do to get rid of me was to leave himself. Like I said, no one knows Flim better than me.” smiled Flam. “Why I outta....” began Applejack, when it was Fluttershy that put her hoof up so that Applejack wouldn't do anything rash. “Flam you should be ashamed of yourself. Flim was doing so well even without you, he even got a job with Maud for a bit and he was looking for another one. And then you came here out of nowhere suddenly wanting him back. Why would you say a thing like that just so you could keep your business? Shouldn't you be more concerned that your brother is trying to do the rest thing? You should really think about your actions. No matter how many lies, and no many how many ponies you manipulate, your brother was willing to give all of that up for a better life. Why can't you see it? Why can't you see that what your doing is wrong,” spoke Fluttershy. “You think I care? I got what I wanted. Goodbye Fluttershy, see you later Applejack,” replied Flam with that all too familiar grin as he tapped his hat towards the two and walked off. “Fluttershy...I know you are trying to help him but I'm not sure that even your help can get through to him. He just doesn't care about anything but bits. That's why the map called us...they want us to find Flim and bring him back to Ponyville and show him that leaving us wasn't the right thing to do. He wanted to spare our feelings so that his brother would leave town, and Flam probably thinks he's heading back to Las Pegasus, but he's heading out towards Dragon territory a place most ponies wouldn't even dream of going. Ah darn it, now I feel like a real piece of....” explained Applejack with a sigh. “I think some pony owes Flim an apology.” smiled Fluttershy with a bright gleam in her eyes. Maybe...just maybe things would work out okay now that Applejack could see what she saw, Flim wasn't a bad guy, he had just been on the wrong path for so long, he didn't even realize there were other options, other paths he could take to gain success. “Alright Fluttershy, let's spend the night here and we'll head out in the morning, alright?” smiled Applejack. “Alright, I'll be ready, and Applejack....thanks.” smiled Fluttershy and with that the two went their separate ways for the night and would get ready for a hike towards Dragon territory come morning.