Behind the Curtain

by flimjack154

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Romance, Fluttershy, Flim and Flam
Length: 2984

During the episode,"Viva Las Pegasus", Applejack and Fluttershy run into Flim and Flam, which they work together to stop Gladmane from taking over. Another story between Applejack and Flim is being shown "behind the curtains".

When Applejack and Fluttershy are summoned by the Cutie Map to Las Pegasus to solve a friendship problem, Applejack thinks they are here to help the acrobatic and animal act to become friends again while Fluttershy tries to help Flim and Flam become friends again, but after Applejack over hears one of the directors say the acts would be better off some where else beside here at Gladmanes, Fluttershy agrees and suggests they get Flim and Flam to help. Now, Applejack and Fluttershy are working together with Flim and Flam to stop Mr.Gladmane from taking over Las Pegasus with his unfriendly ways. While they are their trying to stop Gladmane, Applejack is deciding whether or not she should tell Flim her feelings for him. After what had happened in Ponyville, Applejack is not sure what the outcome may be for the two. Will being able to work together bring the to two closer? What is going to happen between the two? Does Flim feel the same way about Applejack?

Published 2016-10-11 06:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-11-13 21:45:46 UTC

The Master Plan

Author's Note

This is my first MLP fanfiction. If you enjoy it, please like and comment another MLP ship you would like me to do.

The Master Plan

"Flim and Flam," I said through gritted teeth.
These two again? I thought. After what had happened back in Ponyville. Their sly tricks were stunning, I must admit, but their lying and manipulation to my friends and family was just unacceptable.
"I know you and your family have had problems with Flim and Flam in the past, but any friendship problem is worth fixing, right?
"I suppose that's true," I said, lowering my head," For anypony but those two!"
Fluttershy sighed, but I just couldn't allow my self to help them.
"I will search this hotel top to bottom if I have to so I can find another friendship problem."
I galloped away quickly before she could see a pink blush appear on my orange fur. She could never know the truth of why I didn't want to help the twins.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Just because I can't tell Fluttershy, I guess I could explain my predicament to you while walking throughout the hotel.
I like Flim.
I know what you're thinking,"How in the wide, wide world of Equestria could Applejack like Flim?!"
Well, it's complicated. You see, when they came with the Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, I was impressed by it, but after realizing their plan, I completely denied them partnering with us. When me and family got into a circle to discuss what we thought of the plan, Flim and Flam joined us with Flim holding up my right hoof.
I couldn't help but notice how warm is hoof was in mine and how it seemed to be the perfect fit to my own.
Although they were complete and total jerks, I just couldn't resist not feeling upset when they left. Ever since then, I just hoped they would come back.
When the twins came back once again to sell that tonic, I was ecstatic, but I kept it to myself, not wanting anyone else to know my feelings for a conman.
At one point when I was arguing with them, Flim had put is hoof around me, and I began to think if he liked me, too. Of course, that wasn't possible, considering I had ran them out of town.
**********************************************************************************************************************
After making my around the hotel, I found out that the acrobatic and animal act were both fighting a lot and that they would be better off working somewhere else. I already had my suspicions on who it could be.
I found Fluttershy near one of the casino games and told her what I had found. She told me it was a total bust for her because the twins wouldn't talk to each other.
"I think it's Gladmane himself," I suggested,"It seems that with the two acts here, it does more good for him than if the acts were somewhere else."
"Well, how are we supposed to prove to everyone that Gladmane is treating friendship likes its nothing?"
"I don't know but maybe we can get him to admit it himself but how?"
"Maybe we could get a trickster to trick a him...or a pair of tricksters," Fluttershy said, with emphasis on "a pair" while pointing at the twins who were arguing.
"Fine," I said, giving in,"I guess getting Flim and Flam to be friends again might be why we're here. Maybe."
To be honest, I was overjoyed at a chance to work with Flim.
We walked over towards the twins, who were now standing at the podiums assigned to them.
**********************************************************************************************************************
After explaining to Flim and Flam what we thought was going on at the hotel, they agreed to help.
Once we got ready to perform our act for Gladmane, I waited behind the curtains for Flim, Flam, and Fluttershy to finish the first part of the plan.
The plan was to get Gladmane frustrated with the fact that some competition, Impossibly Rich, was trying to run him out of business. Fluttershy was Impossibly Rich and Flam was with her to help her out. Flim's job was to get Gladmane to the game floor where Impossibly Rich was going to be seen.
After a few minutes of waiting, Flim sneaked back through the curtains, careful not to let anyone, especially Gladmane, see him. Now that it was just Flim and me, I began to feel my butterflies in my stomach.
"So Applejack," Flim said, causing me to jump from it being so quiet,"How is the farm?"
"It's doing great. The whole family's doing their part, and Applebloom finally got her cutie mark."
Why was I telling him this information? I don't know, but it was a lot better than sitting in complete silence.
"That's good to hear," Flim said, coming closer to me,"To be honest,"He laughed to himself," I'm sorry for what me and my brother did to your family. Trying to take your farm and then giving Granny Smith that fake tonic, I realized after we left Ponyville for good that what we did was awful. I understand if it will take a while for you to trust me and my brother, but I'm willing to do whatever the cost may be to become better pony to you and your family."
Flim hung is head and had his ears pinned back. It was obvious he was telling the truth, so I reached out my hoof and placed it on his shoulder. He looked up as I began talking.
"To be honest," I said, both of us giving a grin at our inside joke,"I enjoyed your guys antics. Although you guys did some rotten things, I'm able to forgive you of your past actions. Although, I do expect you and your brother to apologize to the rest of my family, as well."
"Thank you, Applejack. I truly am grateful at another chance to be a friend to you."
Flim pulled me in for hug, and I returned the gesture. It felt so good to have his hoofs wrapped around me. I nuzzled slightly against his chest to show I'm more than willing to become a friend to him, as well.
We stayed like this until we heard Fluttershy and Flam returning. I felt a blush begin to appear on my cheeks, and I glanced up at Flim who had a small blush beginning to appear on his cheeks, too. I don't know how Fluttershy and Flam didn't notice our blushing on our light-colored fur as they walked in.
Fluttershy walked in first, with Flam right behind her.
"Are you guys sure this is a good idea?" Fluttershy asked.
"Why of course it is," Flam chimed in,"With us brothers working together-"
"-No one can outsmart us," Flim said, finishing his brother's sentence.
"I can believe that," I said.
"Mr. Gladmane wants to see me in his office for a few minutes, so you guys just stay here. Part two of the plan will begin shortly."
Flam left the curtains and walked his way to the office.

Exposing the Truth

After about thirty minutes, Flam returned to get Fluttershy ready. Once they left, me and Flim talked some more.
"I bet after everything that happened in Ponyville the last time we were there," Flim started,"You're still earning back people's trust?"
"Yeah, it is still hard for many ponies to trust me gain, but lucky for me, my friends and family still trust in me."
"That must be nice. Me and Flam could never be trusted again after we performed in a town. All we had was each other." Flim turned around from me, trying not to show me his solemn face. I got up and sat in front of him, only a few mere inches were inbetween mine and Flim's muzzle.
"Well, now you have me."
"You can trust us? Even after everything that we did to you?"
I gave a Flim a genuine smile before I responded.
"It may be hard at first, but let's just say I have a feeling you won't be pulling any tricks anytime soon."
For the first time, Flim gave me a genuine smile. Not a forced smile that I was to seeing when he was performing but genuine smile that melted my heart. He lifted up my hoof, making me blush slightly, and began to talk.
"You have no idea how much this means to me and my brother. From now on, I will tell the truth to you and anypony else."
I looked into his light green eyes and saw, for the first time, the truth being shown throughout him. I don't know if it was a trick of the lights or something else, but it seemed that Flim got closer to me. Right when Flim was about to close the gap between us, we heard footsteps approach us. I blushed as Flim jumped at the sudden sound. I walked over to the side of the curtain where the hoofsteps were coming from and saw Fluttershy and Flam following Gladmane.
"They're coming!" I whispered to Flim. I scurried to the other side of the curtain to where Flim was levitating a microphone in his magic, ready to lower at his cue.
"Impossibly wants you to know she's very impressed," Flam said," But doesn't think you can a resort of this calibur going for long."
"Oh," Gladmane responded," And why is that?"
"Because you've got the best talent in the industry. What stops them from just leaving to join any competitor?"
"Hehehe," Gladmane started, as Flim lowered the microphone," Well, you see, I have a trick for that, I must confess, and it all has to do with how I handle my employees."
"And how is that?" Me and Flim glanced at each other before leaning out of the curtain to listen to what Gladmane had to say.
"Well, like friends, of course!" I felt my heart drop, and I think Flim's did too when I felt his jaw drop to the rim of my hat.
"O-oh, t-that's it?" Flam stuttered," T-that's y-your secret? There's nothing else?"
"Nope, just friendship, but you know all about friendship, don't ya... Fluttershy!" Gladmane ripped Fluttershy's wig off of her head, exposing her true self to him. I began walking towards them with Flim right behind me.
"You knew this whole time?" Flim said, obviously devastated.
"Never try to con a conpony. Ahahahaha!" Gladmane walked away, laughing to himself over a job well done. Little did he know our that this was just one part of the plan.
**********************************************************************************************************************

Now it was mine and Fluttershy's turn to finally expose this ruthless conman. We made our way up to his office, with some help from Flam to guide the way, and opened the door to find Gladmane looking out over his theme park resort.
"I would've thought you hit the road by now," Gladmane said with a smug look on his face.
"Whether we were able to fool you or not," Fluttershy began," You can't just go on keeping ponies from getting along. It's just...mean."
"Now maybe it is..., but it's a meanness that works. Unlike your pathetic little ploy. I practically invented the "High Roller Hustle", but I suppose I should be impressed. You are the only ponies to ever figure out the secret to my excess. Takes a lot of work keeping everpony fighting, but as long as I keep them convinced I'm their only friend, all of Las Pegasus will be mine. You can't trick a confession out of a pony like me. I'm always one step ahead."
"Well," I said," You might want to check your hooves because you just stepped into a confession."
Looking at his desk, Gladmane realized that Fluttershy was holding down the intercom button, making sure everypony heard just how maniacal he really was.
"Oh, oh no, wait wait!"
"Did that sound okay?" Fluttershy said into the intercom.
"Never better!" The brothers responded together.
"Flim and Flam told us you see right through the "fake rich pony" bit," I explained," And that once you did, you couldn't help to resist gloating about it. This was all part of the plan."
"Oh, now now, friends. Listen I-I can explain everything."
With his prize acts leaving his resort, Gladmane ran after them, hopefully to never be seen again. Fluttershy and I made our way back to the lobby to find Flim and Flam sweeping up the statue of Gladmane that had been knocked over.
"Must of felt pretty nice to put all conniving and cheating skills to good use," I said to the twins.
"In fact," Flam responded," We'd like to think of it as a once in a life time opportunity."
"Emphasis on the 'once'," Flim added. I looked at him for a clue of what was going on, but the only thing I got from him was that he was not okay of what his brother was about to say.
"What do you mean?" Fluttershy asked.
"While this establishment goes under a slight change in management," Flam said into the microphone," My brother and I want to assure you that it remains the pinnacle of Las Pagasus' entertainment. Which is why we invite each and everyone of you to experience the wonder of the Pony Fantastique theater at half the normal cost of admission."
Flam passed the microphone to Flim, who was less than willing to add on to his devious plan to win over the resort.
"And while you're appreciating this historic venue, a great experience to all kind, we invite you to use to wonder of your imaginations to fill the space at no additional charge!"
With that, all the ponies in the resort charged into the theater to begin their own performance.
"FLIM AND FLAM!"

After the Performance

Escaping the mob crowd that charged into the theater, Fluttershy and I galloped away to a far away room where we could just relax for a few minutes. We figured the performance would last for a while, but I wanted to go find Flim to finish our conversation from earlier.
"I'll be back, Fluttershy," I said," I just want to go thank Flim and Flam for all the help they did."
"Oh, no problem," Fluttershy muttered back," If you don't mind, I would rather stay here away from all the loud ponies."
"Sure thing, Sugarcube."
My first instinct was to follow the sound of the many ponies that were enjoying themselves. Up ahead, I saw Flam talking to what looked like some business ponies. When I got close enough, Flam noticed me and walked over.
"My dear, Applejack!" Flam said," Why are you still here?"
"Fluttershy and I wanted to rest for awhile before a long train ride back to Ponyville."
"Oh, I see. Where is Fluttershy? I would like to thank her for her magnificent performance today."
"She's back behind one of the curtains over there. Do you know where Flim is? I would like to thank him personally for all the effort you guys did today to help us."
"He's where you and him were hiding while waiting for Fluttershy, me, and Gladmane to appear."
"Okay, thanks!"
I walked towards the curtains where me and Flim had recently been, and I could hear the faint sound of somepony sobbing. As I looked behind the curtain, it was Flim, crying. I cleared my throat to let him know was I there, and he looked back at me with the saddest, green eyes I'd ever seen.
"Oh, Applejack," He began," I'm so sorry for what we did back there. I only wanted to make my brother happy. I didn't even think about the friendship I had made with you. I understand now that I don't want our friendship to disappear. I hope you can forgive me, eventually."
Flim hung his head, still sobbing but silently. I walked over to him and sat down. Looking at him this way just made my heart ache to see how much pain he was in.
"Oh, Sugarcube," I said, as he lifted his head to look at me," I saw how upset you were when you had to add on to your brother's idea. I understand you didn't want to disappoint him and that's fine. You have to know that I forgive you for what you did. I know your heart is in the right place."
I gave Flim a smile, telling him it was okay, and I got a smile back from him.
"Thank you, Applejack. You truly are an amazing friend."
Flim pulled me in for a hug, and it just felt so good to be in his cream colored arms as they embraced me. I leaned back and looked up at him. We were so close to each other, our hooves wrapped around one another. I never felt so safe in all my life. I knew that this was right, and I knew Flim knew it, too. We looked into each others' eyes, knowing just what the other wanted. Finally, we closed the gap between us as we came together for a memorable kiss.
It was a pleasantly, gentle kiss. His soft, warm lips up against mine were amazing. The taste of apple cider filled my mouth as we continued to kiss. We knew that this was how things were meant to be between us. No more competitive competitions or lying to one another. Just embracing each others love. We pulled away, and we both smiled at each other. I nuzzled up against him, and I felt the vibration of his throat as he began to speak.
"You know what else you are, Applejack?" Flim asked.
"What?" I said, looking up into his malevolent, green eyes once again.
"An amazing kisser."
We chuckled quietly as we both fell asleep after a long days work in each others sweet embrace.