The difference is as stark as day and night - and so is it reflected in the tale.
When Applejack is set upon by a series of unnatural nightmares, she turns to good friend and confidant Pinkie Pie to try to figure out exactly what's causing them. Day after day they struggle to learn the skills that will allow her to make sense of it all, as they discover what is needed to walk the realm of dreams.
And as time goes by, the clearer the picture becomes.
But still it remains - the mystery and the clues that lay scattered across her nighttime episodes where words do not exist, only to be analyzed during the day where conversation is all she has.
Join Applejack and Pinkie as they work it out together and traverse a story where nothing is ever as it seems.
Jesus, this story sounds amazing! Time to get ready for one long night of reading. . . .
2873029 IT IS SO WORTH YOUR TIME
I am so glad I jokingly asked you to write me something, Kitsune, because you blow me away AGAIN.
Damn.
2873091
I try my best. =)
2873091
Is the feature box going to blow up once again? Because I am ready for it to.
2873098
Noooo! Don't jinx it!
Well, I can only cross my fingers, but... I'm happy it's even here. This has been a long time coming.
2873110
I won't jinx it, trust me. But I will make sure to hand over that like and favourite . . . once I am done reading it.
2873113
Only if you think it's deserving, of course. =)
And I hope you enjoy it, sir.
The description in my notifications intrigued me. Then I saw the tags. I think I'll enjoy this.
Suddenly I feel much better about not being able to make sense of my dreams.
Damn, but this is beautiful.
2873255
Holy moley that was fast!
Glad you enjoyed it, Dusty. Thanks always for the support.
2873162
Yo yo yo yo, DPV! My man! I hope you do as well. And for once I didn't go too far out of the characterizations, hahaha!
2873255 I KNOW ISNT IT?? :D
2873318
One of the few things I learned in my younger days was how to read in a big hurry and still pay attention. (Now if I had any idea how to write in a big hurry, my life would be much less complicated.)
I'm going to have to give this a look but I have to ask; why did you upload all the chapters at the same time?
2873369
Because I believe that the story warranted the reader to choose how fast they want to read it, not the author to dictate. The impact of the story would be lessened if someone wanted to get to the end but couldn't simply because the author just didn't want to release it all for whatever reason.
I have a complete story, so people ought to be able to read a complete story.
Hope you enjoy it.
There's a lot of "cheering up Luna" stories out there. There's a lot of different paths that they take, and all sorts of pitfalls and variables that get added into them to make them unique.
This is, without a doubt the most interesting and original take on the concept to exist on FiMfiction. It is beautifully written, perfectly paced and the dichotomy between the sequences makes it all the more engaging. You could win awards with this thing. The only possible gripe I could have is that it's over.
But it really ought to be "tarry" not "tally" when Celestia is speaking to Applejack. :)
I like. Onward to the next!
Apple-Jay definitely sounds like a nickname Pinkie would use.
Double "what"! I'm sure one of those isn't supposed to be there.
Misspelled! Missing one 's'.
Uncapitalized 'y', there.
Flibbelty-jibbley good story. Will elaborate further after acquiring enough sleep to be semi-coherent.
Warguffles!
2873519
Whoops! Nice catch! Thank you very much for the comment and your eagle eye.
And such nice words ;_;
I am very humbled by them. Thank you!
2873526
2874023
Hi! Nice spots, man! There's always a couple few that sneak through the cracks. Thank you very much for pointing them out. *fixie fixie*
2874236
Warguffles to you too, Esle.
This is very, very beautifully written, I'm very astounded at the quality, at the words, at everything. You don't find stories with this qualities a lot. I'm betting this story is even better than some stories that are published, it's... it's beautiful. I don't know how to say more to the story, because I just feel there's no words good enough for it.
*Bows slightly* You are a great author, and this story is a proof of it (I didn't mean that your other stories are bad, of course, but this is the only story of yours that I read). This is really great, and deserve to be on the featured box forevermore if possible.
Here, have 5 moustaches.
The dreams parts are interesting so far, but I'm just loving the dialogue parts. Pinkie and AJ such a great funny/straight pair.
I think I've figured it all out... This isn't Applejack dreaming at all! The fear she feels is just what her role is supposed to feel, and the sadness is the feeling the dreamer is supposed to be left with! Sadness and guilt, and a longing to see her family and friends! The real dreamer is Luna, and AJ is stuck in the crowd.
This story is so absolutely wonderful... I just don't know what to say!
It's odd when you read through the dreams, and the reader tends to cling to the day, but, over time, as AJ tried to make sense of the mess we started analyzing the night more and more until we figured it out, and AJ's realization helped affirm us figuring out the riddle. Well done. I don't do this (as in, ever...) and I only vaguely understand this, but I hear it is courtesy to offer moustaches for a job well done.
Here, have some.
2873368
I think we ought to be able to take our time with writing. It's never about speed. I mean, of course some modicum of speed would help ultimately. But... I guess in the end it's about writing what feels good. Besides, you're a great writer yourself. You take your time, and knock them out!
2874414
Wow, your words really do me great honour. Thank you. Thank you so much! The mustaches too. Hahaha. Well, I'm honestly just happy that it's even in there, really. The exposure can't help. I have a horribly high word count and a really thick writing style that doesn't really appeal to a large demographic, so this is like... already insanely past my expectations right here. So thank you very much! And don't let me stop you if you ever want to change that 'I've only read one story' thing, heh heh heh..... Thank you again!
2874526
Yeah, I love dialogue dynamics. But you already know that, right? Haha. This fic was a really good exercise for me too, in free writing dialogue. Was very fun! Glad to see it paid off.
2875352
Figured it out on night 5, eh! Not bad! Not bad indeed! That's some impressive deduction right there. What finally gave it away?
But from your second comment it sounds like I was successful in exactly what I was trying to go for, so, yay! Yes, as one of my friends put it, the days were meant to feel like 'safe houses' and the nights those bits which are a bit upsetting. So, thanks for reading, thanks very much for the comment! And no, honestly, I don't understand the mustache thing either, but thank you for them regardless. Have one of your own in return for being clever and figuring it out early! =D
That was....I'm almost at a loss for words.
It was incredible. I've only read a few stories in the short time I've been here, but this story...It was so deep. The descriptions, the details, they were all so...vivid, so breathtaking. I could put myself in Applejack's position, I could see the dreams in every twisted, confusing detail. I could relish in understanding, the meanings of the dreams becoming clear as the fog was slowly lifted. It sucked me in, I needed to continue, I had to finish what was started.
A beautiful story, wonderfully written, and concluded with an amazing ending that tied it all together with a shiny red ribbon.
Kudos to you, you have reminded me of how a simple story can affect someone in countless ways. I am honored to like and favorite this story, and I will-without a doubt-be waiting for your next story.
2875876
Hi, Michael! Thanks once again for the triple threat, haha. Well. First of all, let me welcome you to FimFic, and hope you have a lot of good experiences here! I'm glad you really enjoyed the story. I had a lot of fun writing it.
I always hope, above all things, that my stories can affect people in some way or another, be it through the heart, or just having an enjoyable scare, or anything else. But I always like to write things that give people something to think about. So thank you once again for everything!
Also, why wait for my next story? You can check out the ones I already have, eh? *wink wink nudge nudge*. I would highly recommend Romancing the Clouds, Outdated Communication and, for those who like something a bit edgy and different, Six walk In. Once again, thank you very much for the lovely comment, the watch and the favourite.
Cheers and good luck with your own writing endeavors!
2875984
I will check out those stories as soon as I touch up my stories a little more. With this and all the other fanfics I've been reading, I've come up with some things I can do to beef up my own...
2875728
The favorite was well-earned, my friend.
The thing that sold it to me was the fact that what AJ did didn't matter. In a dream, you're in charge, unless it isn't yours. If I am not mistaken, I also had a vague idea where the 'mystery door' led early, but as I have read through, I can't say. Additionally, the ballroom thing (I think I read that part before my first comment) is nowhere near AJ's style, and I wouldn't see her conjuring up a masquerade party either. Royalty (or more generally, somepony from Canterlot) would be more well-versed in fancy things then 'I think galoshes would do well on a gala dress' AJ. Add to that the fact the dresses 'looked old' and the fact Luna was gone for 1000 years, the puzzle fits pretty well.
I'll have you know I seldom write long-worded anything. (Just look at my story(s) ) For having coaxed this much out of me, you obviously did a good job
Atta girl AJ, bound and determined to solve the problem even if it isn't hers.
2876678
That was some brilliant deduction, sir.
Down to the little hint I gave about the ball. Also, the masks are also part of a very old tradition more befitting someone of ancient stock, hm? Well done. Excellently played.
And it's really nice to see people get the little things I left behind ^_^
2876863
Yeah, AJ! You go, girl!
*fistpump*
Nicely done, AJ.
I believe this should be "unidentifiable".
2875212
A strange way to connect with others...
2879008
Thank you! Fixed. Done. ^_^
"Single" and "one" seem rather redundant. I assume only one of those words was supposed to be there?
Anyways, this chapter made this whole story worth it.
Well, this was quite an interesting read.
I really enjoyed the split between description and dialogue, between night and day. It gave the story a unique feeling, and it really drew me in.
Anyways, I pointed out some possible errors in my other comments, so please check them when you have the time!
2879226
Hruegheg. Yes, that was a mistake but for other reasons. I meant to write 'one single' instead. It is a redundancy but I do tend to use that for effect. Thanks for the spot.
This is what happens when you edit after 26 hours no sleep.
And I have already made the fixes. Cheers for reading, friend. Thank you for the help!
That was wonderful.
2879008
We're talking about Luna, and you're expecting better social skills?
That was simply fantastic. I really like the conclusion and where you left the relationship between the two of them.
A great reading experience, so thank you very much!
2880898
Thanks brah. It's probably a good opening for future ideas, eh?
"Never again. Never again."
Oh.. well....
2884673
And thank you for leaving the comment! It's very appreciated. ^_^
This is quite good so far, and I'm eager to read more! The only nitpick is that I think Twilight, being the science-savvy unicorn she is, seems like she'd be on board with trying to interpret dreams; And it wouldn't have been too hard to come up with another excuse for her not being available. Still, that's only a small issue.
Onward!
2885370
Hi, Statoose! Thanks for the feedback! The reason why I decided to use this excuse is quite particular. I could have explained it all away with "Oh, she was busy", but I wanted to have the theme of 'choice' running perpendicular throughout the fic for certain reasons! By the end of the fic you will hopefully see what I mean, if I've done a good enough job >_> but the idea that Applejack chooses not to see certain people (and to see others) is part of this theme.
Thank you for reading, and I humbly hope you enjoy the rest.
I've always loved stories, like this, that show how special these ponies really are, and how they will go a step further than anyone else in the world to help someone in trouble.
Also, the style was pretty neat. There was almost no clutter here (the only exceptions being inherent to Pinkie's character). There was no (irrelevant) details, but the story still felt complete.
This story is probably one of the most meaningful things I've read in a long time. I haven't felt this way since I finished Madoka Magica back in February. The contrasting writing styles for night and day, the deep hurt that permeated throughout, the first step towards healing, everything worked.
I'd love to see a story with Applejack as Luna's student. The idea just enthralls me. This story proves how well they work together and I want to see more of it.
Mere words cannot do this justice, nothing can truly do this justice, so I give you the next best thing: X Infinity and X Infinity
2888673
Thank you for the feedback! Glad to hear I managed to make something out of this potential mess. There was a lot that could have gone wrong. ^_^
2889008
Wow, thank you! And as for a sequel... well. I have a habit of writing 'beginnings', so... we'll see =)
The ending of the story was left open for a reason, eh? I might think about doing a more light-hearted fic of ministories about AJ helping out Luna to do some dream-stuff. Or... maybe a story about Pinkie instead.... We'll see! But I'm working on a couple other things right now, so those first!
Thank you very much for the feedback. Thanks for reading, and keep watch! I'm always coming out with new things in this vein. =)
This story.... IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! A like and a favorite for you, great storyteller of dreams.