When I close my eyes, I saw myself in the dream world or perhaps merely an alternate reality. It is night, just like in real Equestria and as I suspected, everything continues as normal as before. Luna is next to me and we're both almost translucent, like specters.
"So, Rainbow Dash, you see something different here?" She asks me, admiring the scenery a bit more than me.
"No, this is Ponyville at night, all is calm and quiet even without me."
"Are you sure it's night?"
"Of course, everything is dark and the moon is shining in the sky. Good job, Luna, can we go to the real Equestria now?"
"It's two o'clock in the afternoon is a bit early to leave."
"Two o'clock? No way. Look at the sky and tell me if it's two o'clock in the afternoon."
"I can see the sky clearly, Rainbow, and I can tell you that it is two o'clock."
"I think we're in the wrong alternate universe."
"No, no. We are in Equestria where you do not exist."
"Very funny, I do not control the day and night, neither time."
" It’s true, this is mine and Celestia function. Discord loves playing with this too. Now , as you may notice , there are merchants selling their wares . "
I looked absolutely stunned . How was that possible ? Do those ponies did not have a clock? I did not invented the clock for them no longer exist . Clocks are not even my job but Doctor Whooves job."
All the vendors I knew were there, though their goods were scarcer than usual. Some had changed their merchandise like the sellers of fruits and flower ponies.
The old fruit vendors now sell hay and its derivatives as chips and bacon. Lily, Rose and Daisy still selling flowers, but definitely were not lilies, daisies and roses. Were exotic flowers like primroses, moon flowers and night gladiolus. There was a kind of lily and exotic too, but were not lilies of the field. Only flowers that bloom at night.
"Wait a minute, where is the tent of Apple Family?"
"I expected you asked me that question. Our first destination, Sweet Apple Acres."
I flew the routine way to the farm AJ, I knew she would have some explaining for me, since Luna wanted me to find all by myself.
Why the moon was in the sky if it was two o'clock in the afternoon? I am not the mother of Celestia for her not exist. Luna is probably bored and is playing this absurd game with me. She's driving me crazy.
Definitely crazy. In place of the apple trees leafy there is only a hayfield. Hay everywhere, no apple trees. How this place is still called Sweet Apples Acre? 'There's only hay and hay, and more hay. What the hay is going on? Infamous pun, I know.
I took the little movement through the skies to do some of my signed maneuvers, maybe Applejack saw and come talk to me.
Nothing yet, I alight on the road leading to the barn and I spot another known pony. Big Macintosh.I said a "hey, big guy" loudly, but he seems not to have heard me. This is frustrating, every pony hears me, even if I say something really dumb. Being ignored is not a cool thing.
"Hey, Big Mac!" I scream again.
"It will not work, we are not visible to him. Neither audible, if it is your next question."
"Mother of Celestia!"
"Hey, it's my mother too! Some respect with her, young lady."
Big Mac carried a large amount of hay to the kitchen, probably Granny Smith will do an afternoon snack. Apple Bloom also has a quantity of hay to load much lower than that of her brother, of course.
Taking advantage of my non-visibility, followed them into the kitchen with Luna behind me.
"So, little sister, how was school today?" I heard the stallion say.
"Fine." But for her face, nothing was fine. "Miss Cheerilee had taught us some fancy maths."
"Our sister, Applejack used to say the same." The big stallion chuckled.
Used? What happened to Applejack? Why Big Mac is the speaker now?
"I wish that Applejack was here. She would defend me from those cruel girls. Why do they imply me so much? I never did anything to them, but they make fun of me because Ah did not have mah cutie mark yet.”
"I'll talk to her again about this." Big Mac dropped the hay in the kitchen doorway.
"No. They will look at me like I'm a crybaby. I do not want it. Why Scootaloo is so cruel?"
Scoots? Cruel? I thought she was talking about Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, not about my little sister. I looked at Luna, asking for answers.
"Still seems normal to you?" She just asked me.
"Obviously not! My little sister is a bully! And Applejack? Where is Applejack?"
She said nothing and watched the hayfields . I grabbed her by the ethereal mane , my eyes burning with anger as my pupils decreased .
" Where ... is ... Applejack ? Answer me ... now ! "
I felt an aura engage in and the next second we were in Bridleway , Manehattan . Since I had only gone once that place was strange to be in strange circumstances . I realized we were in one of those balconies for chic ponies .
And there she was . Her blonde mane elegantly tied with a red bow tie, also his tail tied with a red bow . Another similar to Apple Bloom red bow adorned her head . She was sitting on a tall stool and skillfully played a cello . Beside her was Octavia Melody . I knew Applejack was good with string instruments , but not to that level . Octavia is simply the best cellist of all Equestria , playing with her is considered an honor for any amateur .
Except that Applejack did not seem to be an amateur but just the opposite. The honored there was another. AJ played with grace and elegance, as if she had dedicated his whole life to the cello.
They finished their duet and raised to thank the public. All beat their hooves in approval, even I had to admit that it was good and I do not like classical music.
"Thank you for welcoming me here, Manehattan.It is an honor play alongside the best cellist of all Equestria, the great Appletini." Octavia smiled at the audience.
The two musicians left the stage under a hail of red roses. Octavia was crazy, her name is Applejack, not Appletini.
"Appletini is just the stage name, Rainbow. Offstage, out of sight of the whole society she remains being Applejack." Luna touched my shoulder. "It is a sophisticated and acceptable name for the bourgeoisie. How classical musician and citizen of Manehattan, she has a name and a reputation to maintain. Follow me , we will follow Applejack to her house . "
Luna and I waited for my friend outside the theater . It was already strange enough , but the princess seemed to have more plans . We follow Applejack and her cab through the streets of Manehattan to a simple condo . I knew it! I knew Applejack was not so changed . A false name , a strange profession, but she is still my good friend Applejack .
"She does not know you . " Luna said, reading my thoughts again. " She doesn’t have true friends here, if that's your next question."
We entered the room and found her lying on the couch. Where's her cutie mark? I just see a goblet with green liquid and a cherry inside in its place. Where are the three red apples that indicate her love for the farm and the family?
I approached her and I could hear her sobbing. She was crying. On the table beside the couch was a photo of the Ponyville Apple Family.
And there I was, finding myself unable to cheer up Applejack, saying a word of support or show her the way and reasons to return home.
"We already have sufficient here." Luna stared at me and I could see my sadness reflected in her eyes. "We can not do anything for her, Dash. We're just spectators, remember?"