My Little Issue: Trapped in Equestria

Ditzy's home was a lot larger than he expected.  Then again, we never did see where most people live, besides the mane six, so I shouldn't have been surprised.  I looked around, admiring the wooden furniture and wondering what kind of pony would figure out that carpentry is their special talent.  Eventually she led me into the kitchen, and ordered me to sit.  Which took a moment; my legs were a good amount longer than hers, and I wasn't completely used to them yet, so I had to focus on bending them right so I didn't look completely ridiculous for sitting like this.

Soon, the mail-mare joined me at the table, a muffin of her own.  After she nibbled on it a bit, she turned to me and gave me a contagious smile that I soon wore on my face.  "So, where are you from?"

"Well", I began, looking at my horn and scratching my mane.  "I came from Fillydelphia.  I used to be an entertainer there.  Nothing big time, though, not a lot of ponys knew my name.  I ended up leaving to try to see if I can find some slower pace place for me to live in.  Not being surrounded by some popular names."

As I spoke, Ditzy nodded, looking at me with interest… or confusion.  I can't tell since her eyes are crossed.  Eventually she interrupted my story, and shook her head, smiling.  "You don't have to lie to me, Mr. Hutton.  I already know who you are.  Although you do have a really good backup story."  My shocked, horrified face must have been pretty funny looking, because she began giggling.  "Surprised?  Don't you remember that according to those fanfics, I know more than I let on?"

I felt my cheeks flush in embarrassment.  That was true, most of the time Ditzy seemed to have a special kind of sight that allowed her to see things most ponies ignore or try to hide.  Or at least, that was what the fan base seemed to believe.  It was interesting to learn that this part of the fan base was true.  Maybe it was from the intense stare she had given me before she invited me to her home?  "So… do you know how I got here?"

At this, she frowned for the first time, and something about it… unnerved me.  "Nope.  I'm sorry, but I don't know how magic works.  And besides, I'm just a pegasus that sees the world differently.  Doesn't mean that I understand how it ticks."

I slumped, whimpering a teeny bit.  "And here I thought I was getting out of here…"

Ditzy patted my mane reassuringly, making sure to avoid my horn.  "It's okay.  Now, if you're gonna stay here, you're gonna need a proper name.  No matter how much you wanna avoid her, you're gonna run into Pinkie Pie sooner or later, and then the whole town will know you're here."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I asked, sighing.  "Here I am in an awesome world that I dreamed of, and you're telling me nothing I do will prevent the story from changing."

That comment made her put her hoof to her chin.  "Maybe you should think of it like this; whatever brought you here put you in at this point for a purpose.  Maybe you're supposed to run into them?"

That piqued my interest.  "I am?"  I scratched my chin next (albeit with some difficulty, since I didn't have fingers anymore… I'm really gonna miss those buggers.)  "Maybe I should just… act like I usually do?"

This made Ditzy smile again, with her lopsided grin.  It was rather comical, with her eyes crossed like that.  "I wish you luck… but before you go, what's your name?"

Of course, she meant the name that I was supposed to pick for myself, seeing as she already knew my useless human name.  I thought for a moment, before I looked at my rump again, spotting that bass clef cutie mark once more.  I smiled, and looked back at her.  "Emerald Elegy."

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Elegy", she said.  "I wish I could let you stay, but unfortunately, I live with my daughter, Dinky, and… well…"

"No problem, Miss Doo", I said, standing up.  "I better get going.  I need to find some work before I do anything else… I think it's off to Sweet Apple Acres for me."

She smiled, and quickly gave me a second muffin, this one chocolate chip.  "For good luck", she told me, before she escorted me to the door.  We said our farewells, and like that, I was munching on a delicious muffin, heading out to the town of Ponyville once more.

XxXxX

It took me a minute, but soon I found the path to Sweet Apple Acres.  And everyone would have laughed at my amazed expression.  This place had way more trees than I'd ever seen before!  I had never been to an apple orchard, and if this was any indications, as soon as I get home, I definitely plan to make more trips out into the country.

When I got up there, I saw all the ponies working in the field.  Obviously, either Twilight already arrived, or hadn't yet.  Judging by the size of Granny Smith's belly, though, I'd have to say that they already had lunch and Twilight was no doubt either on her way to meet Rainbow Dash or getting her mane fixed by Rarity.  Applejack was helping clean up the table that Twilight had eaten at when I managed to step on the only stick in the middle of my path.  Her head shot up faster than a dog hearing his owner call his name, and immediately her green eyes made contact with my yellow ones.  "Another 'un?" she said, obviously surprised.  "We seem to be gettin' a lot of new ponies around here."  She smiled as she walked over here.  "So, what's yer name, stranger?"

"Emerald Elegy", I replied, bowing my head a bit.  "I'm assuming that I'm at Sweet Apple Acres then, since there are so many beautiful apple trees?"

At least she was modest, as she blushed and kicked the dirt with her right fore-hoof, a small smile on her face.  "Shucks, it ain't that impressive."

"Of course it is!" I said, smiling.  "I've never seen so many apple trees in one spot!  But…"  At this, I looked at her, concerned.  "Isn't it kinda hard, bucking all these apples?"

She shook her head, to my surprise (and disappointment), smiling.  "Naw, we got Big Macintosh", she said, pointing at the red stallion.  "He's stronger than ten stallions, and can buck a good chunk every day.  As long as he's healthy, we'll be just fine."  She then seemed to realize something, and giggled sheepishly.  "I almost forgot!  My name's Applejack.  I'm the owner around here.  So what brings you to Sweet Apple Acres?"

I look at the ground.  It was my turn to kick the dirt, looking a little depressed.  "I WAS going to ask if I could have a job here, but by the sound of it, you don't need anyone."

"Oh", she replied, looking a bit upset.  "Well… I'm sorry, Mr. Elegy.  But we got all the help we need.  I'm sure you're a hard worker, but… Sweet Apple Acres is a family business.  I can't give you a job here."

I sighed.  Well, there goes that idea.  Then again, I shouldn't be surprised.  I never saw anyone ever work here in the show that wasn't a member of her family, not counting the episode that the rest of the mane six helped her with.  So, why should I assume that the orchard hires outside workers?  "It's okay, Miss Applejack", I said, smiling a bit sheepishly.  "It was rude of me to assume that I could get a job here."  I bowed my head.  "I'd best get back to Ponyville and find someone else who can get me a job.  I need a place to stay too…"

"You do?" she said, surprised.  "Wow, you must be BRAND new if you don't got a place to rest your rump.  Y'know, you can stay here if ya like."

I shook my head, smiling.  "Thank you, but I can't.  If I'm not gonna work here, then I shouldn't take advantage of your generosity and take a bed that I didn't earn.  If I can't find a place to stay before tomorrow night, then I'll be back to see if your offer is still open."  I started to trot back to Ponyville, not intending to return the next day.  "See you at the Summer Sun Celebration, Miss Applejack!"

As I headed away, I sighed, once I was certain the Element of Honesty wasn't near.  I really did want to stay in the barn, since it was such a generous offer after meeting me five minutes ago.  But first, it was a cliche I had seen way too many times in some stories, and I couldn't bring myself to it.  Plus, my damn pride got in my way, and I wouldn't let myself do it without earning my place, as I said before.

… did I call her Miss Applejack?

XxXxX

So, on to my next location, the Carousel Boutique.  I was hoping to run into Twilight Sparkle, since she may be the only one besides Celestia herself that might have an idea of what happened to me.  Of course, I was caught up by Rarity, who was determined to find me an outfit that would match my natural color of emerald green (all the while being insulted for having such an ugly birth color.  "Not that there's anything wrong with that!" she says…)

Finally, I stormed out, unable to take so many poorly concealed insults at once, and grumbled angrily.  I understand that she was being generous and offering to make me some new clothes to wear, but still, green is my favorite color.  And plus, it's the color I am now, so I can't help but be angry.  The sun had set at this point, so it meant that Pinkie Pie's party for Twilight most likely had begun.  And I definitely didn't want to run into that pink hyperactive pony, so instead, I headed for the pavilion, where Night Mare Moon was bound to return.  I sat far away from the actual structure, unwilling to look at it.  I already knew how it would play out.

"Hey, stranger", I heard a voice say, and turned to see Ditzy nearby, smiling at me with her eyes crossed.  "So, how did it go at Sweet Apple Acres?"

"I can't work there because I'm not a member of the family", I replied, sighing.  "Again, I'd probably be allowed to volunteer, but I can't work for money."

"Aw, that's too bad", she said, sitting down next to me.  "So, who're you gonna ask next?"

"Definitely not Rarity", I grounded out, talking with clenched teeth.  "I understand she doesn't like the color green, but still, she didn't have to insult it so much."  I then thought some more, and groaned.  "I can't work at Sugar Cube Corner… Pinkie would drive me crazy with her randomness and singing…  Her songs may be catchy, but her voice… ugh…"

"Well, looks like you're hard-pressed for a job", Ditsy said, putting a hoof to her chin.  "And only pegasi can be mail-ponies, so I can't help you out there…  Ooh!  I got it!  Why don't you ask Fluttershy?  I'm sure she could use some help with all of those rowdy pets she has to watch over."

At that, I immediately felt my face flush.  Fluttershy was one of my favorite ponies when I was human… and to be honest, I think I'd try to avoid her so I wouldn't end up scaring her or insulting her by accident.  I tended to say the wrong thing at the wrong time, so it was something I wasn't so sure of.  But I didn't have much of a choice at the moment; I didn't know what else I could do.  I didn't even know my special talent was (although judging from my cutie mark, had something to do with music).

I shook off the feeling of my face blushing and conversed with Ditsy Doo.  As we spoke, we barely noticed the pavilion being filled with ponies of all kinds until the Mayor went to the stage and began the festival.  While everyone else was distracted, I took the moment to sneak out.  There was no point in staying here since I knew what was going to happen.

As soon as I was outside, I heard that chilling laugh, and immediately took off in a gallop toward the library.  Canon or not, I needed to do something about it.  I was here now, and I should help however I can.

I needed to help end Night Mare Moon's eternal night.