Second Chances

by Nailah

Chapter 9: Finding Flim

“Oh Applejack, I'm so worried what if one of those awful dragons got a hold of our friend?” she questioned in a concerned tone. She was terrified of dragons, well most dragons, she was quite fond of Spike but he wasn't like other dragons. He wasn't mean, big and scary...nor did he try to hurt ponies. She knew how dangerous dragons were which was all the more reason why they couldn't linger. They had to find Flim before something terrible happened. Fluttershy shivered at the thought, but she hoped her fears were just that fears...She couldn't bear the thought of losing such a good friend.

“Listen Sugarcube, I know your scared but Flim isn't just some pony. He knows what he's getting himself into. Why else would he even go out here? My guess is he's trying to fool his brother into going home by acting like he's gone so he went to the one place his brother would never look. Dragon territory.” explained Applejack as she placed her hoof gently around Fluttershy's neck and nudged her head against hers in an effort to comfort her.

“Thank you, Applejack, it really means a lot to hear you say that about him.” smiled Fluttershy softly as she wrapped a hoof around Applejack and the two hugged briefly. Fluttershy had to focus, she couldn't afford to get distracted or be frightened by the prospect of going into dragon lands, she had to find Flim and she had to let him know just how she felt. He had a right to know, especially after the letter she had found in her cottage.

Applejack and Fluttershy both walked out of Ponyville and towards Dragon Territory, though it would take a little while to get there. Applejack wondered if it might've been better to bring Spike along but there was no sense in turning tail now. She would just have to see this through. Applejack still couldn't believe that Flim actually wanted to make a change for himself, though she was starting to realize more and more that when it came to Fluttershy, anything was possible. After all she had reformed Discord so who's to say just what she could do? Applejack was awful proud of her, she sure had come a long way from the shy little pony she had gone on a journey with to gather the elements of harmony and defeating Nightmare Moon. Whew! She had to shake herself out of memories of the past as they were quickly approaching dragon territory, though she couldn't help but notice how Fluttershy didn't seem scared about the dragons, though she was more worried about Flim then she was about the big scary dragons that she usually did.

“Oh I hope he's alright.” spoke Fluttershy with a concerned look as they entered the dragon lands. They weren't seeing any dragons in the immediate area but that didn't mean they weren't aware they were there and just waiting to ambush them.

****8

“Hey guys look it's ponies!” spoke Garble with a huge smirk on his face. “We should attack them.”

“I don't know, you really think that's a good idea?” asked another dragon who knew if Ember heard about them attacking ponies she wouldn't be very happy with them.

“Ah come on! Am I the only one here that actually acts like a dragon? All of you are weaklings. Just watch me and see!” he spoke as he flew out towards the two ponies, flying directly towards Fluttershy, in an attempt to grab her in his claws and carry her off to make her panic.

Just before he grabbed her, he felt his whole body freeze and it was like he couldn't move even a single claw. His eyes widened as he then realized he was being held by a unicorn's magic. “Stupid Ponies. I hate all of you!” he grumbled towards the ones he could see.

Applejack was about to put herself in harm's way to prevent Fluttershy from being grabbed but right before she got there, Garble was being held frozen by unicorn magic and not far behind him was none other than Flim himself.

“Now, that's not the way you introduce yourself to such lovely ladies.” smirked Flim as he let Garble fall to the ground with a loud thud. Garble then quickly got up and ran off before they could do anything else.

“Flim!” smiled Fluttershy as she tackled him down into a hug. “Oh I'm so glad you're okay. You're not hurt are you?” she questioned realizing that she was on top of him so she then got off of him.

“I'm fine, Fluttershy, I appreciate your concern but I know how to handle dragons, now my brother that's an entirely different kettle of beans.” explained Flim towards Fluttershy as he stood up dusting the dirt off his coat.

“Ain't that the truth.” replied Applejack with a nod. Applejack couldn't help but take off her hat holding it against her neck as she looked towards Flim. As hard as it was, she knew it was right. She took a deep breath before speaking, “Flim...I'm real sorry about not believing a lick of what you said, when you first came here to my farm. I just couldn't believe anything either of ya'll said after what you did to Granny. I just couldn't look past it. It was short sighted of me, and I realize now more than ever that I should've at least listened, but instead I turned you away without a care in the world, for what happened to you. That's not right and for that I truly apologize, I only hope you can forgive me.” explained Applejack.

Flim couldn't help but smile softly towards Applejack and Fluttershy. Flim never thought he'd ever hear those words. “I accept you're appology Applejack. I understand why you didn't believe me but what made you believe me now?” he questioned looking directly towards Fluttershy and then back towards Applejack.

“Well... Fluttershy told me about what your brother did, and how you were willing to leave Ponyville and give up on a new future just so we could be burdened of having to deal with your brother. It was that act, and saving Fluttershy from Grable that's truly made me realize that you were truthful when you came here, and that I didn't even give you a chance, and I should've. Truly, I am sorry.” replied Applejack as she then placed her hat back atop her head.

“No need to apologize again, Applejack. I understand you had your reasons. My brother is he gone?” questioned Flim concern in his hues showing for his fellow pony.

“Yep, as soon as he heard lick of you leaving town, he assumed you went right back to Las Pegusus. He'll feel real sorry when he discovers you aren't there. Ya'll know he's just going to come back right? I realize you thought leaving was your only option, but ya got to understand this Flim...we need you.” began Applejack.

“Need me?” questioned Flim who couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had to look towards Fluttershy.

“What Applejack means is that you know your brother best...you know how to stop him from doing something to hurt the town. You can help Ponyville in a way you were never able too before, and it would show everyone, even the doubters, that you really do want to change for the better.” explained Fluttershy softly.

“Oh...” replied Flim as he rubbed a hoof behind his neck rubbing it and sighing softly. He never thought he'd see the day where he'd be helping Ponyville and fighting against his brother's scams. They were right though. He couldn't just run away from his problems. He realized now more than ever, he had to face them head on, and if he never confronted Flam, nothing would ever be accomplished. He smiled towards Fluttershy and Applejack. They had come all the way out here just to find him, and Fluttershy had been concerned for his safety. Truly this warmed his heart.

“We probably should get back. I really don't like dragons much...well except Spike.” spoke Fluttershy softly.

“Yeah I reckon you're right, no sense in dawdling around.” replied Applejack. They turned around and they could hear Garble in the background getting a scolding from Ember and with a slight smile on his face, Flim was heading back into Ponyville, but he couldn't help but have this lingering feeling in the back of his mind. He wondered just how Fluttershy felt about him, and wondered if she had ever even read his letter, he didn't even want to think that she had just ignored it. He was sure she would have read it...she had to right? A drop of sweat ran down his brows and his teeth chattered slightly, so when Fluttershy spoke up suddenly, he about jumped up in the air like a scared little colt whom was afraid of a monster under the bed.

“Flim...there's something you need to know...and well it's not about your brother.” began Fluttershy softly. She wasn't quite sure how to go about this, she wasn't even sure what Applejack would think, but she knew how she felt in her heart. She couldn't deny that she cared for Flim as more than just a friend. There was so much more to him than most pony's even realized.

“What is it Fluttershy?” he asked softly. He didn't look at her the same way he would've if he was trying to swindle some pony. When he looked at her, he saw not only a friend, but a mare whom he wanted to spend the rest of his days with. He only hoped she might feel the same about him, but how could he hope for the impossible? He was just so grateful for even the chance to be around her, and to be accepted by Applejack was truly a miracle. So what came next, truly surprised him.

“I read your letter, it was very sweet but yet sad, when I thought of never seeing you again, it really really hurt. I don't want that. I want you to be a part of Ponyville and more than that, I care for you. I think...I think I love you.” spoke Fluttershy with a soft deep flush of pink that rose to her cheeks. She couldn't help but want to hide behind Applejack but she had more composure than that. She was determined to see this through.

“Really? You mean it?” questioned Flim, hardly able to keep from embracing her in a deep embrace, while kissing her passionately.

Fluttershy nodded and before Flim could do anything, it was her that embraced him in a passionate, loving hug as she looked back towards Applejack, inviting her into the hug as well.

“Nah, you two should have this moment to yourselves.” replied Applejack respectfully.

“Thank you Applejack.” smiled Flim, as he brushed Fluttershy's mane out of her eyes as he stared at her, admiring her beauty, but more than that, admiring everything about her. He leaned down, his frame being a bit taller than Fluttershy's as he pressed his lips to hers in a deep kiss. He couldn't help himself, he pulled her tightly against his frame as he wrapped both his hooves around her and held her close but not so close that she wouldn't be comfortable in his arms.

Fluttershy returned the kiss, she hesitated at first to do a deep kiss but when he wrapped his hooves around her, she felt safe in his arms, and returned the kiss. The two held onto each other for a few minutes before Fluttershy broke off the kiss. She smiled up towards Flim.

“You're more than welcome to live with me at my cottage until you find your own place.” smiled Fluttershy.

“You can work on the farm anytime if you need some extra bits, we could certainly use the help, and gathering apples would be a heck of a lot faster with that magic of yours.” smiled Applejack towards Flim.

Flim couldn't believe it, he couldn't believe this was real. He felt like he might wake up and realize it was all just a dream. He wanted to pinch himself to make sure it was real but he knew it was real, because he knew love like this wasn't just a dream...it was reality, and he was loving every second of it. He smiled towards the two wrapping a hoof around Fluttershy as they walked back towards Ponyville. Now there was only one piece of business to take care of...his brother...and that was no easy task. It was going to take teamwork and they were right about one thing. The only one whom knew how to stop his brother was him. After all the two of them had worked together for so long, it was very easy to see how Flam had manipulated his emotions but he wasn't about to let him win so easily again, no not this time. This time he was going to stand his ground for he had something worth protecting...Fluttershy...for her....and for the town but mostly for her.

Comments

[Tranquil Stone]

I love this! Great work!

[Nailah]

8717858
Thank you! That means so much to me.