The map is sending us where?
Las Pegasus.
But Las Pegasus is a wild vacation spot!
It's just one big party.
All those lights and sounds…
Not to mention the crowds.
Just the thought of it is overwhelming!
I know Las Pegasus doesn't seem like either of your cups of tea,
but I have total faith you wouldn't have been called
unless you were the perfect ponies for the job.
Probably not as bad as we think.
It can't just be a loud obnoxious party all the time.
Right?
Applejack?
It isn't as bad as we thought.
You're right. It's worse!
Do you think the map could be on the fritz again?
I mean, this place looks more suited to Pinkie Pie.
Or even Rainbow Dash.
If Twilight trusts the map, then so do I.
All we have to do is solve our friendship problem and get back home.
'Course, we have to find it first.
And make sure to experience our signature show,
Pony Fantastique!
Trust me when I say you've never seen anything like it!
Unparalleled acrobatics!
Unique animal antics!
Your only regret would be that you didn't see it sooner!
And like everything at this amazing incredible
I-can't-believe-it-even-exists hotel Pony Fantastique
is brought to you by the chairpony of kindness,
Gladmane himself!
This Gladmane sure seems impressive.
Well, uh, it is a little embarrassing
But the crowd seem to like it.
Mr. Gladmane?
Just Gladmane'll do.
And it's a pleasure to meet actual cohorts of the Princess of Friendship!
Thank you for coming. Thank you very much.
You know who we are?
I'm what you might call a friendship connoisseur,
so naturally I'm familiar with the friends of the great Twilight Sparkle!
Applejack, Fluttershy, it's an honor to have you here.
I have to admit, you're not the type of pony
I expected to find in Las Pegasus.
Well, my guests may be lookin’ for lights, music and parties.
But working hard and making friends is how I turned
this hotel into what it is today.
And how I plan to make it even bigger.
Excuse me one second.
Wise ponies may say that folks that come here are customers,
but I can't help but thinkin' of each and everyone of you as friends.
That's why there's a three-to-one special
on apple fritters in the café for the next hour.
Enjoy!
Would you two like a tour of the place?
I'm just about to do my rounds
and check on my friends who work here.
We do have a firendship problem to find?
Lead the way, Mr. Gladmane.
Just Gladmane now, you hear?
Gladmane, you're just in time to see my newest move!
New moves or not, I'm glad to have a star like you
working for me, I'll tell you what.
Do make me blush!
Now watch this!
Stellar!
Monsieur Gladmane himself is here!
Let's run through the whole routine!
Now don't make a fuss, for old me,
I'm just gonna keep on giving a tour to my new friends,
Applejack and Fluttershy.
Howdy!
Hi.
If this pony calls you friend,
you are welcome backstage anytime.
I owe him my entire career.
Aw, shucks. Well, let’s leave the artists to their work.
Doesn’t look like there’s any friendship problems here.
I’ve never seen a pink prairie dog before.
I like the folks that come here to have a unique experience
Und we love him for it.
With gladmane’s help, we’ve been able to take care of all these little guys.
Now this place is overwhelming in a good way.
Glad you like it.
Fluttershy?
Coming!
There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong around here at all.
I figured lookin’ for a friendship problem in Las Pegasus
would be like trying to find a needle in a stack of needles.
But everypony seems to be gettin’ along just fine.
Ladies and gentleponies,
despite what my competition might say,
I know you've come to this fair city so you can be entertained!
And I assure you there is nothing more entertaining
than the astounding acrobatics in Gladmane's Pony Fantastique!
Now I suppose that might be true if it weren’t for the existence
and far superiorly entertaining presence
of the show-stopping exotic animal act that Pony Fantastique includes!
Those voices sound familiar.
They sure do.
Flim and Flam.
Why, I won't even dignify that asseertion with response!
Except to say that if you were to consider buying your tickets from me
I might consider offering them to you at a substantial discount.
But I've always thought you get what you pay for.
And in my humble opinion these tickets are a value at twice the price
Don't take this price-gouging charlatan take you for a ride.
Charlatan? How dare you!
How dare I?
I call ’em likes I see ’em.
Yes, how dare you?
I was the one…
Well, they certainly don’t seem to be getting along.
You don’t suppose we’ve been brought here to help them?
Absolutely not!
I know you and the rest of the apple family
have had your issues with Flim and Flam in the past.
But they’re definitely having trouble.
And solving a friendship problem is important,
no matter who’s having it.
Well, of course that’s true…
For anypony but them!
I’m sorry you had to see that.
I don’t know why, but those two have been fightin’ ever since they got here.
I thought giving them these jobs might help,
but I — I guess it just made matters worse.
Trust me. I know those ponies.
And you’re better off with them apart.
The two of them together will cheat the hooves right out from under you.
Yeah, I suppose you’re right.
Flim’s such a show pony.
And Flam has such a head for business
Why, if they ever did work together,
they’d be runnin’ this place in two shakes.
Speakin’ of which, I’d better get back to work.
Y’all enjoy your stay now, you hear?
I’m pretty sure we should help Flim and Flam.
And I’m pretty sure there’s another friendship problem here.
And I’m gonna search this resort top to bottom till I find it.
I hope you didn't travel all the way from Ponyville
to try to get me to reconcile with my no-account brother.
Brother?
I don't believe i have one of those.
No! I already know what he thinks of me —
all show and no substance.
Well, if he's so smart,
he should have no trouble becoming a big success on his own.
Ooh, why.
He's the greatest salespony that ever lived, of course.
Just ask him, he’ll tell you all about it.
I'm sure you could work out your differences if you just sat down and talked to each other.
I'm never speaking to that pony again!
No!
You are ruining my show!
It isn't just your show, and I'm improving it!
You don't pull out rabbit out of the hat on the trapeze.
That's the point!
To give the audience something they've never seen before!
Acrobatic magic!
Ta-da!
It's called blending genres.
And it's awesome!
Shouldn't somepony do something?
They've been doing this since they started working here.
Too bad, really.
If they ever stopped shouting at each other, we could take the show on tour.
They'd be way more successful than staying at Gladmane's.
Now that sounds like a real friendship problem.
Stop! What are you doing?
It's supposed to be a pink prairie dog pyramid!
It’s alliterative!
You said a tower!
Why do keep changing everything?
I'm not changing anything. You said pyramid!
You are driving me crazy!
I thought you two got along.
But we just can’t seem to agree on anything anymore.
We used to perform all over Equestria.
But if we can't agree on a new act, we might as well stay at Gladmane's forever.
Two friendship problems?
In the same theater?
Now we're talkin'!
If you count Flim and Flam,
that's three big friendship problems all in the same place.
Well, I don't count Flim and Flam,
since those two not being friends isn't a problem.
It certainly isn't for Gladmane.
Sounds like he's better off with them fighting.
Actually,
the other ponies' problems seem to be good for Gladmane, too.
Both the trapeze show and the animal act
would be better off if they left.
But everypony's so busy arguing that they can't.
Do you think he knows?
I don't know.
But I'm startin' to think we should find out.
Of course Gladmane wants everypony to get along.
He’s the nicest, most genuine pony I’ve ever met.
Did the director put you up to this?
I tell you, if Gladmane is your friend,
you are welcome backstage.
But
if you are speaking of him poorly,
you leave!
Gladmane is the kindest, most gentle…
Most compassionate pony I've ever known!
My problem is with him!
I just can't figure it.
The only pony who benefits from all this feuding is Gladmane.
But by all accounts, he's the best friend any of these ponies have.
Well, Bernard, that adorable bunny from the acrobat's hat,
claims that, every morning Gladmane tells the director,
that the star want to control of the show.
And every afternoon tells the star
that the director wants to get rid of her.
But neither is true.
And the flying prairinos.
The pink prairie dog family.
Said Gladmane keeps changing their act to make each trainer think the other is doing it.
So all his talk about friendship is just a load of apple sauce.
He's gettin’ ’em all to fight with each other on purpose.
But how can we get everypony to believe that's what he's doing?
There must be a way to trick him into telling a truth.
Gee. If only there was a pony who knew how to trick a trickster…
Or maybe a pair of ponies.
Fine.
Guess, bringin' Flim and Flam back together might be why we're here.
Maybe.
Sorry If I don't take a word somepony off the street.
Even if that street is in Ponyville.
But Gladmane is behind so many other friendship problems.
How can you be sure he isn't the cause of yours?
Because the only problem I have is standing right there.
Same here, buster!
Do either of you even know what you're fightin' over?
Gladmane let me know that ex-brother of mine thinks I'm just a mouthpiece without a single good idea.
Gladmane assured me, this former fraternal foal here thinks I couldn’t sell heat lamps to yaks.
Sounds to me like neither of you said those things.
Why'd you believe Gladmane when he said you did?
Why would he lie?
Because he's afraid that the two of you together could move in and take over his resort.
And If I'm tellin' you he said it, you know it's the absolute true, because…
You never lie!
Well, brother of mine.
I think it's time for a little payback.
The Canterlot two-step?
We don't have the chickens.
How about the Baltimare flair?
Oh, my flair isn't what it used to be.
Listen here, y'all.
If you're a friend of mine,
you’re entitled to a free night’s stay.
And everypony here's a friend of mine.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Are you thinking what I am?
The High Roller Hustle!
The what now?
Trust us. When we are done, there won't be a pony in town
who doesn't know the applejack-iest truth about Gladmane.
That is assuming you two are willing to help.
What size gown do you wear?
What was all the fuss now?
It's the grand matriarch of the Rich family.
Impossibly Rich.
She's one of the wealthiest ponies in Equestria.
Well, why didn't somepony tell me?
You know how I like to give VIP guests my personal touch.
Well, she's not exactly a guest.
Word is, she's planning a resort of her own.
I think she's here to scout the competition.
Oh, really?
And with her bits, she could take over the whole strip,
hire away anypony she wants.
Not me, of course.
I love it here.
My good for nothing brother, on the other hoof…
Impossibly Rich, what an honor it is to have you
at my humble five-hoof resort.
I'm sure Flam has done an excellent job showing you around.
But nothing could beat a personalized tour from the Mane himself.
You'll have to excuse miss Rich.
She saves the energy other ponies spend talking out loud
and uses it to make more money.
She'd love a personal tour say in… about an hour?
Well, that sounds right pleasant.
And if you can break away for a moment, Flam,
I'd love to see you in my office,
so I can get ready.
Are all of you sure this is a good idea?
Absotively.
Gladmane is one fish that's hooked but good.
I sure hope you two know what you’re doin’.
Oh, don’t you worry.
When it comes to throwin’ ponies off their game…
No two ponies do it better than us.
Can’t argue with that.
Hey there, boss. Impossibly Rich is just about ready for that tour.
So what did you want to see me about?
Actually there's something I want you to see: The Grand Plan.
Every hotel on this strip as amazing as this one,
and every one of 'em mine.
And all it'll take is a little salesponyship, like this.
Hey there, friends.
If you think my resort is fantastic, wait 'til you see Pony Fantastique!
Tickets are on sale now, two for the price of one!
Thank you, thank you very much.
Now I know Impossibly Rich has probably been made you
a tempting offer to come work for her.
Well, now that you mention it…
And as your friend, I'd never tell you what to do,
but nopony's gonna stand in the way of my plans no matter how rich she is!
And I sure wouldn't want you to end up on the losin' side.
Think you might consider staying here?
Yes.
Well all right then.
They're comin'!
And last but not least, Ms. Rich, the jewel in my crown.
Impossibly wants you to know she's very impressed,
but doesn't think you can keep a resort of this caliber going for long.
And why is that?
Because you've got the best talents in the industry.
What stops them from just leaving to join any competitor?
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?
Well, like friends, of course!
And I treat every one of my employees with the kindness they deserve.
I, uh, uh, that, that's it?
That's your secret, heheh?
There's nothing else?
Nope.
Just friendship.
But you know all about friendship, don't you…?
Fluttershy!
You knew the whole time?
Never try to con a con-pony.
Yeah!
I'd have thought you'd have hit the road by now.
Whether we were able to fool you or not,
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're the only ponies to ever figure out the secret to my success.
Takes a lot of work keeping everypony fighting,
but as long as I keep 'em convinced that 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, you better check your hooves,
because you've just stepped in a confession!
Oh no.
No, no, w-w-wait, wait!
Did that sound okay?
Never better!
Flim and Flam told us you'd see right through the fake rich pony thing,
and that once you did, you wouldn't be able to resist gloatin' about it!
This was all part of the plan!
Oh now, now, friends!
Listen, I, I can explain everything!
I think you've done enough of that!
Darling?
I cannot believe we let him almost ruin our friendship!
And our act.
Good luck finding another one!
Wait!
No!
You, come back!
Come on, I'm gonna be ruined!
This is Gladmane's, y'all!
Come on, you can't do this to…
Gladmane has left the buildin'!
I guess the map wasn't on the fritz after all!
If it weren't for your history with Flim and Flam,
you never would have been so determined to find somepony else to help,
and we never would have found out what Gladmane was doing!
And if it weren't for you wantin' to show even those two con-ponies kindness,
we never would have been able to trick the trickster.
Must've felt pretty nice
to finally put all your connivin' and cheatin' skills to good use.
In fact, we might think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Emphasis on the 'once'.
What do you mean?
While this establishment undergoes a slight change in management,
my brother and I want to assure you
that it remains the pinnacle of Las Pegasus entertainment!
Which is why we invite each and every one of you
to experience the wonder of the Pony Fantastique Theatre,
at half the normal cost of admission!
And while you're appreciating this historic venue,
totally devoid of any performers of any kind,
we invite you to use the wonder of your own imaginations
to fill the space at no additional charge!
Flim and Flam!
SCHASTLIVY PONEC