Applejack shivered, her teeth chattering in protest of the freezing tempuratures as she hazily inched her eyelids open. She blinked slowly, taking in the vision before her. Endless blue sky extended in all directions, as far as the eye could see. The sun shone brightly overhead, doing nothing to banish the icy chill that had settled over Applejack. She perked her ears, listening carefully, but was greeted with nothing but utter silence.
After shakily pushing to her hooves, Applejack reached up and adjusted her hat. Her hoof brushed over the long, flowing strands of her mane, done up in her usual ponytail. For some reason, the sensation elicited a slight sigh of relief.
Still, something didn't feel right. The ground beneath her hooves was damp and pliable, and the cool air and chilling wind seemed out of place for such a bright day. Applejack looked around her, trying to get her bearings, only to have her eyes snap wide open in shock. She was standing on a cloud.
Open sky surrounded her little cloud on all sides, nothing more than a fluffy, white speck floating lonesomely through a sea of endless blue.
Applejack's heartbeat increased, and her breathing quickened to rapid, shallow gasps. Her own reaction confused her, as she sat down on her haunches to steady herself. She couldn't explain why, but the revelation of her location shook Applejack badly. All she knew was that she didn't want to be there. She wanted down, now.
Something in the distance caught her eye, momentarily distracting her. A gigantic spire of rock stood out from the featureless blue void around her, jutting into the sky like some sort of natural monolith. Details were hard to make out from such a distance, but Applejack noted the sun glinting off what could only be some sort of waterfall running down the side. The flat top of the spire was covered mostly in grass, but for another glint that looked like a river, and a long, flat line of gray concrete, painted with a broken white line down the middle. The concrete strip resembled a straight segment of the asphalt streets one would find in a city like Manehatten, only it didn’t seem to go anywhere in particular. Lastly, there seemed to be a few buildings hovering around it. The constructs of hardened cloud looked so much like normal clouds from her distance that Applejack honestly wasn't even sure they were buildings, but for a strange feeling of déjà vu that insisted it was so.
One thing was for certain, however, she was getting closer. The wind picked up, making Applejack's ponytail flap behind her like a golden banner. That, combined with the strange spire growing ever-so-slowly closer, was the only indication to Applejack that she was even moving in the featureless blue void. It was slow going, however, and her heart rate hadn't slowed. She still felt the pressing urge to get down, to touch her hooves to the hard earth and never leave it.
It was taking too long. Applejack was never going to reach the spire. She decided to risk a glance over the side of her little cloud, and inched over to the edge. Instantly, she regretted it. The ground was so far beneath her that Applejack couldn't see her shadow. Rolling plains and vast forests stretched out under her, appearing as nothing more than patchwork shades of green. Winding ribbons of sparkling blue accented the contours of the landscape. Even hills and mountains were barely bumps in the magnificent tapestry of the world that was laid out before her.
She reared back from the edge, clutching at her chest as her heart began pounding relentlessly. She fought to control her breathing, which had nearly devolved into hyperventilating. Only one thought consumed all her mind.
Too high. She was too high up. She needed to get down. She didn't want to be there anymore. She was too high up.
Applejack didn't notice as the sky began to darken. Only when the wind picked up, gusting hard enough to cause her to sway slightly, did Applejack pull herself from the confines of her panic spiralling mind.
The spire of rock was lost to her sight, replaced by a void of unending blackness. The temperature had dropped even more, causing Applejack's teeth to chatter. She had to hold her hat down with a forehoof as a blast of wind threatened to rip it from her head.
Thunder rumbled, sounding all too close for Applejack's liking. Moments later, a sharp *KRAK-BOOM* accompanied a brilliant flash of light that blinded Applejack. She yelped in surprise and alarm, screwing her eyes shut against the searing brightness.
She finally managed to coax her eyes open, blinking away the spots in her vision as the blindness faded. The windows rattled in their frames, rain pelting against the glass mercilessly. Thunder boomed again, shaking Applejack to her core. The floor pitched and tilted suddenly, nearly throwing her from her hooves.
An ominous creaking sound pierced through the air over the noise of the ever-worsening storm as the floorboards beneath Applejack's hooves groaned and bent. The sound of the gale force wind was nearly deafening, causing Applejack's ears to fold back against her head. Another clap of thunder sounded, and the entire floor pitched to one side. Applejack was sent flying from her hooves, bouncing and rolling painfully across the floor.
She tried to grip the soft, damp surface of the cloud with her hooves, but was unable to find purchase. Her tumbling descent lasted only a few moments more, before the cloud beneath Applejack was suddenly gone. Like that, she was falling, plummeting gracelessly through the bright blue sky.
Before the sensation of falling even had a chance to take hold, it was replaced by a feeling of weightlessness. It took a few breathless moments for Applejack to realize the truth of the situation: she was underwater.
Applejack thrashed and kicked, struggling to push towards the surface. Her sense of direction had been completely turned around, however, and Applejack had no idea which direction held her salvation. Her lungs began to burn, crying out for sweet air, and still Applejack was no closer to breaking free of the water.
Birdsong floated by on a pleasant breeze.
She flailed hopelessly as the edges of her vision faded to blackness. Her struggling became weaker and weaker, devolving to nothing more than listless swishing back and forth with her forelegs.
The gravel path crunched beneath her hooves, her saddlebag bouncing along on her back.
Something appeared in the center of Applejack's ever-darkening vision. Her eyesight had faded to a pinprick, but it was suddenly consumed with a point of bright light dead ahead. Applejack attempted to renew her struggles, but it was no use. With the very last gasp of her fading strength, she reached out with a single foreleg, and…
Pushed open the intricately decorated wooden door before her. A small bell tinkled overhead as she stepped into the immaculate shop. Warm summer sunlight spilled through the windows, giving the place a cheery glow as the door shut behind Applejack with another ringing of the bell.
"Coming!" a refined voice sing-songed from the back room. It was almost immediately followed by an equally refined mare floating several bits of fabric behind her in a light blue aura. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is chic, unique, and magni—" Rarity cut off suddenly as she noticed just who was standing in her entryway. "Oh, Applejack, it's you."
As Rarity went and laid out the fabric she'd brought, setting up the very beginnings of a dress, Applejack shifted from hoof to hoof uncomfortably. "Yeah, uh, it's me."
Rarity levitated a pair of red-rimmed glasses and set them into place on the bridge of her muzzle before leaning forward and carefully weaving a thread through a small needle. After a few moments of silence, she asked without looking up from her work, "What brings you around here today, Applejack? Dare I even entertain the hope that you've finally come to commission a proper dress?" Rarity finished with a light chuckle that went unreciprocated from the oddly silent mare at her door.
"No…" Applejack muttered, her gaze locked on her front hooves. "N-No dress, or… or anythin' like that. Just, uh… just wanted to talk, y'know?"
"Hmm," Rarity hummed in agreement. "Well, as you can see, I'm a tad busy finishing up one last order before I pack my bags," Applejack winced at that, but Rarity didn't appear to notice, "but I can certainly spare some attention for a friend. What's on your mind, darling?"
Applejack sat on her haunches with a sigh, her eyes flicking about the room rapidly. "Well I… I just…" She trailed off, scuffing a forehoof across the floor.
Rarity sighed, pausing in her dressmaking momentarily. "You didn't just come here to talk about any old thing, did you?"
"What'dya mean?" Applejack asked defensively.
Rarity simply nodded pointedly towards the packed saddlebags on Applejack's back. Applejack chuckled mirthlessly. "Oh, yeah…"
When it became apparent that Applejack didn't plan on continuing, Rarity went back to sewing and said, "To be quite honest, I knew what you were here about before I even noticed the saddlebags. It is, after all, well… today." She smiled a bit as she went on, "Personally, I'm fairly excited. You don't seem to share the sentiment though."
Applejack winced at the truth in Rarity's words. "That's just it… I don't even know why I packed these… these darn bags this mornin'."
Rarity paused in her work once more, giving Applejack a critical look. "Yes, well, I can certainly see why it would be hard for you after… that is to say, with your…" She trailed off under Applejack's sudden intense glare.
"Please," Applejack muttered, her voice dangerously even. "Go on."
"Now, dearest Applejack." Rarity coughed into her hoof nervously. "I'm not calling into question your courage or your integrity. Why, I wouldn't dare. You're one of the bravest and most dependable ponies I know, bar none."
Applejack attempted a smile at the praise, but found the gesture beyond her at the moment. When she next spoke, the edge had vanished entirely from her voice, revealing the soft quaver that she'd been hiding behind it. "I-I just…" She sighed heavily. "I just d-don't know what to do…"
"I know you'll do what's right. I know that your friends can always depend on you. As I was trying to say earlier, I certainly know that it won't be… easy for you," She smiled sheepishly at Applejack's half-hearted glare, "but sometimes you just have to 'buck up', as it were."
The wind picked up, and was soon howling like the fury of the Windigos had been unleashed.
"Oh, really?" Applejack rolled her eyes. "And here I thought life was all cider and roses. Silly me!"
"Really, Applejack. Sarcasm is hardly—"
"I work on a farm, Rarity," Applejack cut her off. "I think I understand the concept of a little hard work."
Thunder rumbled ominously, closer than the last time. Every one was closer than the last time.
Rarity smiled softly, stepping away from her unfinished dress. "Ah, but that's just it. You've always worked on a farm. Yes, farm work is physically tiring—I'd be the last to deny that—but it's rarely hard for you to do it. You're in your element on the farm. The problem arises when you're thrown out of your element, especially when you're forced to confront things you are afrai—" She cut off with a strangled cough, blushing slightly as Applejack raised an eyebrow.
The rain was merciless. Pitter pattering quickly escalated to deafening downpour. Applejack held her forehooves over her ears, but couldn't drown out the incessant noises of the horrific storm.
"That is to say, when you are forced to deal with things that may be… hard for you. Nopony likes to leave their comfort zone, Applejack, I dare say it's just too comfortable." She chuckled airily, meeting only silence from Applejack, before continuing, "I, for one, would never think to find myself working in an apple orchard—no offense—or facing down a rude dragon," Her smile softened, "but sometimes we do these things because a true friend is worth any perceived hardship."
Applejack didn't know what to say. She glanced out the window, spotting a lonely, grassy hill on the outskirts of town, dappled in the rays of the afternoon sun. Eventually, she settled for, "I… I need to go think."
Rarity nodded. "Take your time. We'll send Fluttershy to fetch you."
An immense boom split the air as white-hot light forced Applejack's eyes closed. The raindrops against the glass in the windows created a cacophony of noise as Applejack's eyes reopened. The floor creaked and groaned as it shifted and tilted beneath her. Rarity sat across from Applejack, attempting to keep her balance on the constantly moving floorboards.
The motions stopped for a few moments, but the storm continued in its rage outside. Howling winds blared, punctuated by intermittent flashes and none too distant rumblings of thunder. Rarity shifted where she sat, more out of nervousness than actual discomfort.
*KRAK-BOOM*
A blast that sounded like it came from right next to her head made Applejack jump, as her coat stood on end. Rarity did the same, albeit with the addition of a rather unladylike yelp. She blushed as she resituated herself, tugging gem spangled saddlebags back into a comfortable position.
"I say," Rarity mumbled, tossing her mane with a forehoof for the umpteenth time. "It certainly is bracing, is it not?" She chuckled nervously, forcing a smile onto her face that was even more unconvincing than her laughter.
Applejack didn't respond. She sat perfectly still with her back straight as a rod. She sat on her haunches with both forelegs firmly planted for support, attempting to get her breathing under control. She could feel her mane fraying with static, and the tips of her hooves suddenly began to tingle.
Rarity looked over Applejack in silence for several moments before releasing a sigh. "Look, dear, I know it's not exactly… pleasant." She cringed as a nearby boom punctuated her statement. "Rest assured, everything will be just—"
*BOOM*
Applejack forced her eyes shut from the blinding light. Her ears popped and all sense of hearing was lost to a high-pitched ringing. Wooden splinters and fragments of glass stung as they pelted against her skin, riding on the force of a shockwave that knocked the air out of Applejack's lungs.
While her head had become a muddled and hazy mess, Applejack did eventually regain her hearing. The sounds of the storm were overpowered by six voices joined in panicked screaming.
Dreams? Or memories?
Hard to say with the way Rarity is acting, but... I'm guessing its probably a mix of both...
Still... That's another dream involving one of her friends. But I forget... Who's left to visit her?
~Skeeter The Lurker
Damn cliffhangers. I am so exicted for the next chapter!!
Either on an airship or boat, they were.
And now, an ambiguous flashback, in which the focus character is confused and the other is conspicuously less so! It's getting impossible not to compare this to Lost.
Not that this will keep me from reading on. I really like that.
Welp, so much for answering any questions I had from the last chapter.
I can figure out that there were a journey, a boat, and a high-seas thunderstorm involved in Applejack's current predicament... and it eerily explains Pinkie's saddlebags. Oh dear...
I'm...still so horribly confused...
Thought of this song, though. High in the void of the sky, a bit of rough conflict going on, a storm, some birds chirping, latent confusion and uncertainty. Kinda fits with the whole of what just happened here.
3319318
I'd say it's opening is clearly a dream while the scene in Carousel Boutique is probably a memory. The last scene could be either.
And Rainbow Dash is the only one left now.
M'kay... I'm not upset at all... I'm smiling! Isn't it a NICE smile?
Don't... Don't mess with my head! The only way of dealing with confusion is to make someone suffer. Oh yeah.
Please. Something has to make sense. PLEASE.
Anyway, I hope this mindfuck of a chapter is going to make sense soon.
I'm starting to wonder if the Mane 6 weren't on a ship, who sank during a storm, then Applejack drifted to a beach.
Hmm. You lost me back there somewhere. I don't... what this is?
I think I speak for the majority of us when I say that as well-written as your prose is, I'd appreciate a bit of context for this chapter. I can't tell whether she's dreaming, remembering, having visions, or all of the above. Or if this is a dream, whether she's just plonked herself down at her camp for the night and we're getting a livestream from her brain.
And what about what AJ thinks of all of this after the fact if it really is a dream, memory, vision, hallucination, space whale, french toast sundae, ... okay, that got away from me there.
Is AJ losing her mind? Am I? I can't even tell that much.
3319318
3319373
Me too!
3319445 3319513 3320444
I can't comment on specific theories, but I can say that at least one very big question will be answered soon (tm).
3319540
I've never played the game, but I'm starting to realize that Ace Combat has a pretty sweet soundtrack.
3320221
Your confusion sustains me.
3320473
The blurred lines are intentional, I assure you.
Not to say that being stuck alone on a mysterious island would be... detrimental to one's sanity.
But no, she's not quite insane.
3320529
Pfffttt.
Soooo descriptive... Haha.
~Skeeter The Lurker
3320529
Truth be told, I've never played any of the games, either. I was just exposed to it by a friend through a game music mod and watching him play via livestream.
I'd have to say that Ace Combat 5 is my favorite, though. The story and music are fantastic. I would give some of my internal organs to see some of the songs performed live.
3319540 Do you get commission for each time you link that. I swear I've seen you linking AC5 OST all over the place
There is a point where adding yet more questions without answering the old ones and letting them pile up begins to make me lose interest in the story rather then become more invested, this is approaching that point, if SOME answers are not found soon this may become a real problem. I love what you have done with the story so far, and I have never read a story that imparted the feeling of isolation as well as this one has, but feeling like you are missing something only helps draw the reader in if we feel like we are moving towards the truth.
That makes an appearance from the rest of the mane 6. Something is going to happen next...
♪ Be more quiet now, and wait for a voice to say… ♪
3321597
Give it a couple more chapters. That's all I'm gonna say.
3321647
Things will, in fact, happen. Soon (tm).
Alright, so the Mane Six were on a boat because of Applejack had something she needed to do that she needed emotional support for, the boat sank in a storm, and now Applejack and (probably) Pinkie are on an island that's somehow shielded from even an Alicorn's eyes.
How was that?
3321755
I can neither confirm nor deny that anything you've said may or may not be partially correct in some cases.
The truth will be revealed... soon(tm)
I finally got it! This is all some form of test for Applejack's ascension into alicornhood.
3322085
fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/089/5/8/princess_applejack_by_nianara-d4tim5v.png
"as she hazily inches her eyelids open." -> "inched"
I want to comment with something more but I am at an utter loss. I'm thinking I should I re-read all the "dream" chapters and then things will make more sense.
3324536
Thanks for the catch! Fixed now.
And don't worry. Everything will make sense... in time.
It should be either just "shook" or "had shaken," I think.
Shipwreck. That's our first answer, I'm pretty sure. I lost count of the questions. Twenty chapters in, one answer, more than four tens of questions, and naturally we're on Valve Time. I really love/hate you, zapo.
3326259
Ah, yes, that was supposed to be just "shook".
Thanks for the catch! Fixed now.
I can't answer any specific questions in the comment (that would ruin the fun ) but don't worry. Things and stuff will be explained soon(tm).
Well, there's clearly quite a few things that occurred back in Ponyville before AJ left, most of which she doesn't seem to remember.
Speaking of memories, did AJ ever actually say what her last memory before waking up on the beach was?
3319540
JUST.
YES.
3320865
Nah, posting music fitting for chapters is just a thing of mine, and I just like AC music. It's not all I've been posting, though.
MAN, I started and couldn't stop. Very descriptive. Makes me think of Lost as well... Sounds to me like her friends had to do something or something happened to her?? I'm thinking it's all in AJ's head, but I'm not certain.
3328984
She did not. It's kind of all vague and fuzzy like. She can't recall exactly what she was doing last, only that it probably wasn't on a beach on a strange island.
3330688 3331273
Thanks! Glad you like it!
I'll admit, there are LOST similarities here and there, though I'm not trying to parallel the show.
In truth, though, I was much more inspired by the movie Castaway. If you haven't seen it, do so. It's flipping brilliant!
>>Zaponator
That movie was great! You definitely have more isolation than Lost. A few times I thought you were introducing another physical character, but I'm glad you didn't.
Sooo get to work on the next part already! :P
3331302
Stetson = Wilson?
So, I was just wondering if you might have an estimate of when the next chapter might be? Pretty please?
That is, if it's all right with you...
3400561
I'm looking to finish up editing it over the weekend, so I'd say early next week.
...hopefully.
Sorry about the wait, though!
3400568
Hey, don't rush perfection is what I always say.
Although, from the looks of your comments, the wait from the next chapter to the one after is going to be impossible to bear.
3320613 Why do I read all of your posts in discords voice?
This story. THIS STORY!
I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT'S GOING!
20 chapters in and I'm still not sure how Applejack got to the island, where this island is, or anything else!
So at this point I think they all had to go on some crazy trip and were on a ship when they ran into a horrible storm and applejack was thrown overboard? As plausible as anything at this point I guess.
3335966 more like the rubber chicken
Okay, so. A cliché crash, and Applejack is the only survivor.
I don't believe that. I really don't.
Something else is going on, I'm 94% sure of that.
1:01 in the morning.
I'm gonna hate myself tommorow
hmmm... I'm beggining to think that this storm is very plot significant. Possibly a memory that has been blocked out? But then again... that seems a little too obvious.