I walked quickly through the small alleys. I had this sensation again, but this time, It really felt like there was someone right behind me... I had heard hoofsteps close to me numerous times and every time, when I turned around, there was no one in sight. It just had to be my crazy imagination... right ? I had been walking for forty-five minutes as Sweet Apple Acres was pretty far away. But you might ask : why am I heading towards that apple farm when I could be catching hours of sleep ? Well you are about to find out.

After a stressful walk, I finally saw the barn in the distance. Suddenly, I heard a noise behind me, I turned around... I could swear I saw a shadow sweeping in the darkness... I accelerated my pace and arrived at my destination. I had elaborated a step by step plan, but I took in account that I could mess up at any moment, so I would have to be careful.

Once I was right in front of the building, I bypassed it. I was at the place where Twilight and I saw Applejack bucking those trees. I approached the back wall of the farm and I executed phase one of my plan : I put my bag on the ground and started to take out my equipment. To tell the truth, I hadn't choose this weird-looking stick for nothing : its extremity was not only made out of metal but it had a very interesting shape, just like a grappling hook.

I tied the stick to one end of the rope. It was heavy but I was sure I would still be able to throw it. And if you still haven't figured it out yet, yes I was breaking in. but it was for the case, Applejack was hiding something from me and I had to find out. I really hoped that that little filly did had something important to say... Otherwise, I was going to be in big trouble. But it was my job, I was used to deal with those sorts of tricky situations. I grabbed the rope on its middle, I swung it a few times to see the weight. It was manageable. I aimed for the nearest open window, there was only one...

I threw my ingenious and home-made device as far as I could, it pierced the air at high speed but missed the window, before falling on the ground. Hopefully, it didn't do any noise as the ground was moist from previous rains. I had to retry four times before, finally, it was steady hooked on the windowsill. I very carefully put my feet on the wall and started climbing with the help of my arms. At that moment I thanked myself for agreeing to take climbing class twelve years ago, and I thought they wouldn't pay off... It took me a few minutes to get to the window as the wall was very slippery. I had adrenaline pumping in my veins as I had climb the entire wall in under five minutes.

The window was already opened so I pushed it gently and entered in the farm. I then carefully closed the window behind me. The room wasn't in total darkness, as a cone of light coming from the moon was filtering through the window I had just used. I looked around me and I suddenly realized... I was in Applejack's room, her bed was one meter away from me... I could see the orange pony's head snoring under her blankets. One mistake and I was done for. I had seen a few things like that in movies, so I swallowed my saliva and started crawling. It might not be the fastest way to get to the other side of the room, but at least I was not in Applejack's line of sight. I got so close to the ground that I could smell its aroma... It smelled like... apples, now that I was starting to understand this farm and it's inhabitants, it didn't surprise me... I very slowly and carefully progressed in the room, one centimeter at the time. Every one of Applejack's breath startled me : I was so close to being caught. But I had to keep a cool head and focus if I wanted to survive...

I eventually managed to reach the door. It was the moment I tested Applejack's sleep depth. I got up from the ground and opened the door. Luckily, it didn't do any sound, and Applejack didn't seem to have notice anything. I exited the room and closed the door with such lightness I was barely touching it. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and smiled, so much adrenaline ! I had lost its taste, it felt so good when it is pumping in your veins.

I turned around, I was a in a small corridor. I knew where I was going, I just had not to fall on the wrong room again... There were two other doors, one on the left and one on the right. I sighed, I didn't have time to use any sort of childish eliminating method so I decided to go for the door to my right. I carefully opened it and peeked in the dark room, I could barely see anything so I had to get closer, still very silently. As I did, I saw the pony I was looking for, sleeping in the bed.

Applebloom !

Bingo, I had hit the jackpot. I got closer to the bed and looked around the room, making sure that she was alone. At the end of the room, there was a window in case of emergency, but I hadn't decided yet if I'd rather get caught and explain, or jump of ten meters above the ground...

This would probably be the hardest part of my plan. I didn't know how a filly would react if she would found a complete stranger stalking on her while she sleeps... Right now, I literally felt like in one of those spy in an infiltration movie. I put down my bag, but instead of living it in the room, I carefully opened the window and dropped it, I had a feeling it might be more helpful down there. I was going back to the bed when, suddenly, I saw a little face, the face of a tired little pony, staring at me...

I froze, having no idea what to do. Applebloom had lifted her head off of her pillow and was looking at me with big, tired eyes. She actually didn't look surprise. I didn't know if I should keep her from screaming or try to talk to her or... do something. As my thought were going crazy, the little filly yawned and said in a sleepy voice :

"Hello mister, you are that human Applejack was talking too this evening, but, what are you doing in my dream..."

I slowly started to realize what was happening. I had to act fast.

"Oh, yes, this is a dream, and I am here to ask you a question, Applebloom."

The little filly was starting to get suspicious as she stayed silent. I was about to blow it... But, at the last moment, I remembered something, my brain was just grabbing to any information that could save me, and the one that it had found came from one of the book I read at Twilight's house. Something about Princess Luna and her also being some sort of dream guardian.

"No, no, don't be afraid my child, I was sent by Princess Luna to tell you something important, since I couldn't in the waking world."

After this sentence Applebloom calm down and smiled at me :

"Oh, you are with Princess Luna, isn't she sure duper nice ? Ok, but what did you want to tell me ?" Applebloom said

Ok, I had regained control of the situation, now, all I had to do was to make her spill the secret.

"Listen Applebloom, when I was taking to Applejack about the crime, there were something off, and I might think that she is hiding something from me, do you know anything about that ?" I asked

"Hmm, but if you really are sent by Princess Luna, can you tell me what is her favourite colour ?" She asked me, with suspicious eyes.

"Dark Blue"

"Favourite music style ?"

"Acoustic blues"

"Best Equestria satellite in her opinion ?"

"The moon"

"What is her favourite flight pattern ?"

"The double reverse centrifuge echo-light tornado"

"three hundred and thirty-three thousand eight hundred and ninety-one times six hundred and forty-seven thousand six hundred and thirty-eight ?"

"two hundred and sixteen billion two hundred forty million four hundred and ninety-nine thousand four hundred fifty-eight." I answered

...

Well, the books I read on the Princesses of the sun' sister sure did come in handy... Well except for that last one, where did it even come from... ??
"Listen Applebloom, there isn't much time !" I said

"Oki doki mister, you seem like a nice person. I'll show you what Applejack didn't want to tell you" Applebloom said.

"Thank you Applebloom, and remember, I am only doing this to save Rainbow Dash's life."

"Rainbow Dash... ? I thought she had a broken leg..."

I stopped in horror, realizing my mistake.

"Oh, no, did I say life, I meant leg, I am only doing this to save Rainbow Dash's leg, hehe...."

"Oh... alright, follow me !" She said

The little filly seemed to have forgotten her fatigue as she hoped out of the bed and started trotting to the door. I just hoped that she wasn't going to attempt anything crazy, thinking that she was in a dream...

She slowly pushed the door with her hoof, making not a single noise. Then, she indicated to me that the path was clear. We both walked along the hallway and then took the stairs to the first floor. We were both very quite and manage to not wake up Applejack or... any one else living in this gianormous farm. Finally, we opened the front door of the building and ended up outside. I didn't know how long I had been in there, but it sure did get cold. Applebloom didn't seem to care much about the temperature, but I had better things to do right now than ask questions.

"Ok, now, this way, mister !" The little filly said

She started hoping and I followed her. We went around the barn and entered in a little wood behind the farm, I didn't even noticed it when I arrived. We progressed deeper passing by the trees. Luckily they were not like the one in the Everfree forest. I was getting kind of worry but I was sure that Applebloom knew what she was doing. Right ?

After ten minutes of walking, we arrived in a large clearing. I was about to ask Applebloom why she brought me there when suddenly, I realized something : the trees in this particular clearing weren't like any other tree I had ever seen. Their bark was of a very odd green and their branches were zigzagging everywhere, creating shapes when they connected with each other. But what really gripped my attention, were the apples on the trees. They were abnormally big, as voluminous as a watermelon almost. In addition, they were surrounded by a green aura. Even the apple itself glowed in the dark. All these apples created such an effect that it seemed like the whole clearing was lightened up by the moon.

"What... what are those ?" I asked, amazed by those funny-looking apples

"Those, mister, are my big sister's magic apples" Applebloom responded

"Magic apples ?"

"Yes, they are the apples that Applejack use during the annual apple celebration. They are like her secret weapons. Each year, these apples grow on those particular trees for a certain period of time. This period delimits the apple festival. You see, during the night, those apples glow, but in the day light, they are as red as any other apple. And they are used during the big event as they are the tastiest apples that ever grew on the trees of Equestria."

Alright, this is definitely weird, but I think I get why Applejack didn't tell us this

"Does anyone else knows about these apples ?" I asked

"Yes, only Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith and me" She answered, all proud

I ignored the names I didn't know.

"Ok, but if those apples were to be missing, could the festival go on ?" I asked

"Oh, no mister, I don't think it could ever be the same."

Hmm, interesting...

I had gather enough information for now, all I needed was a sample... But now that I knew the way in and out of this place, I would wait until Applebloom was sleeping again to take one of these magical apple.

"Thank you Applebloom, you can be proud as you helped me save someone's life. Now, we can get back at your house."

"Are you kidding mister !! This is a dream, I will fly and carry us to the farm, this is the perfect plan, yaaaaaaaaaay"

*gulp*...

"No, ehh, what I forgot to tell you... is that Princess Luna told me that, as soon as my task was over, you had to get back to your bed so I could be free of the dream world..." I said, very uncertain

"Hmm, that doesn't seem very logic, mister..." Applebloom said

"Yea, well it is dream logic, we wouldn't want to disappoint Princess Luna now would we ?" I said

"Oh, no, no, I'll get back to my bed don't worry mister" She said, smiling

"Thank you Applebloom, you are such a nice filly."

We both traced back our footsteps (and hoofsteps) and arrived, once again, behind the barn. I knew we could have gone in by the front door, but I had a feeling like this wasn't going to work out.

"Ok, Applebloom, we are going to have a epic dream climbing adventure to your room." I said

The filly didn't even asked any questions this time, and started hoping around me.

"Yay, I'm going to climb with a rope in my dream, wait until I tell Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell about this amazing adventure."

I really needed to learn more names in this archive book...

I wasn't planning on carrying her and I was glad I dropped my bad out the window. The filly was roughly the same size, she would probably fit. The grappling hook tied to the rope was still in position. I was ready.

"Ok Applebloom, hop in" I said while pointing at the sack.

She did, but not before saying 'yay' another gazillion times...

I was actually surprised by how heavy she was but I would manage. I carried the bag on my shoulder to be able to use both my hands and, slowly but surely, we both reached the top without problems. Of course, it would have helped if she didn't yell something about the cutie mark crusaders during the entire climb but it was still fun.

After this exhausting little activity, the little filly hoped in her bed, under her blankets and smiled at me.

"Thank you a lot mister from the dream world, that was a great adventure ! When you will wake up, tell Princess Luna I said 'yay' to her." Applebloom said.

"I will, now go to sleep please" I said

"Sleep ? But I am already asleep..."

"Oh, right, well I meant... sleep, like... deeper sleep, sleep in a dream, yep, that is what I meant." I said, very uncomfortably

After that, she didn't ask any more questions and started snoring again. I slowly climbed back down the rope and packed everything in my bag. It was now time to go get that magic apple. I was about to start walking when a familiar voice stopped my heart.

"Ehh, howdy pardner..."

The voice was coming from behind me but I knew who it was. I had froze, I didn't dare to breath or move. I had two options : either confess and explain what happened or run, but I doubt I could out run a pony with that strength... Oh please tell me that she didn't see that I involved her sister in this...

I choose option one, as it would save me energy and probably would cost me a friend if I tried to run. I decided to risk it for the case, I just hoped that Applejack would understand why I did this. I slowly turned around, ready to face the consequences.

"Listen Applejack, I..." I started

Applejack took a step and interrupted me, I notices that she was holding her hat in her hoofs :

"No need Christopher, I know why you are here..."

"...You do ?" I asked, quite confused

"Yes, listen, I am sorry if I lied to you... After your interrogation, I knew you had something in mind. I... I just didn't want the apple festival to be a failure, I just didn't want everypony to be disappointed just because of some hooligan stealing our magical apples..." She said, sadly

"Wait, just hold on a second there, you were following me and Applebloom... ?" I asked, a bit scared

"Well of course, you wouldn't think I'd let my little sis' alone with a stranger ?"

"Yea, I guess..."

"So, I couldn't sleep this night, I never can when I tell lies... When I heard some noise outside, the noise of metal being throw against the wall, I pretended to sleep, because I didn't want to make this awkward... Anyway, I think we both did something wrong today, so... how about we call it even. Friends ? She said while handing me her hoof

I smiled.

"Friends !"

She shook my hand but a lot smoother than the first time.

"So, these magical apples had been disappearing and you need more to make the annual apple festival work ?" I asked

"Yes pretty much" she said while putting back her hat

"Well, I am happy that you told me the truth, this might not have to do with the attack of Rainbow Dash, but it will surely help."

"Yea, I am glad I got this out my mind, I can finally go to sleep. And I suppose you will too ?" Applejack said

"Yea, I think I am done meddling for today" I said, smiling

"Well, good night then"

"Oh wait Applejack, I almost forgot, I didn't ask Twilight yet, but, she told me you were a part of the Elements of Harmony, just like your other friends. I wanted to ask you, what is your element ?" I said

Applejack seemed embarrassed.

"Oh... well, funny story, I actually am the element of... honesty... hehe" She said

On these words, she turned around and entered the farm. I was left in the dark of the night. It was quiet, so peaceful.

Well, that went A LOT better than I expected !

It was now time to go to bed. but before, I still had that sample to get...

*30 minutes later*

I had finally reached Twilight's house, it had to be at least two o'clock, but I was so tired that I couldn't even check the clock. I entered, put down my bag and observed what I got so far : a bottle of shampoo and a magical apple, well, that was progress right there. I was happy with my day. I was so tired that I fell on my bed, I didn't let any more emotions disturb me, In a few minutes I was already plunged in the dream world, for real this time !

It was quiet... so quiet... and yet, I didn't hear twilight's breathing coming from upstairs. It might have been my imagination, or the fact that I was so tired but... It was so quiet... Tonight would be a dreamless night.

Author's Note

IMPORTANT NOTE

I thank anyone who read my story until this point and I hope that they enjoyed it as much as I enjoy writing it. As you can probably tell, this story is far from over, but I wanted to stop here for a moment. This is my first story and I am new to this whole site. I really enjoy it but I don't have a lot of experience, so I am stopping here to hear feedbacks and suggestions. So please don't hesitate to leave a comment, a like or a dislike : everything helps :)

Once I will have enough suggestions and comments, I will continue writing it, but first I really wan't to know what people think of this story.