Shots of Applejack (Patreon)

As a tiny bit of the glowing, golden liquid Link passed Applejack's lips and washed over her tongue in my Equestria dreamscape everything in the bar went away.

     The walls of Bombay's Bombastic's Barbecue and the booming music of the jukebox suddenly evaporated and AJ found herself peacefully floating over a vast landscape of rolling hill covered with a vast orchards. A warm breeze tussled at her hair and when she looked down she realized that she was naked. The air was filled scent of countless flowers and white swallows swooped and cavorted around her. It was late in the afternoon and sun was starting to descend toward the western horizon.

     It was at this point that Applejack noticed another being approaching her. At first she mistaken it for being glare from the setting sun, but as she looked upon it more carefully she realized it was some great, glowing serpent-like being of golden light that floated on the air like some gigantic ribbon in the breeze. Slowly and gracefully the creature approached her. Although it look long enough to wrap itself the farmstead she lived in Applejack felt no danger or hostility from the gigantic being.

     When the great creature got up to her it began orbiting around her in a clockwise fashion. On its third orbit AJ was suddenly aware of a voice in her mind. It felt immensely powerful, and yet its presence in her mind was neither threatening or unwelcome.

     Greetings visitor. It said.

     Um, howdy. Applejack found herself responding in her own mind. Pardon me, but where am I, and who might ya be?

     I am the protector of precious trees that produces the fruit you've partaken of. It said as it orbits grew tighter. I am the one who distilled the elixir you've consumed. My masterpiece. My passion. Did you enjoy it?

     Does a pig love mud!? Applejack replied. I've had Granny's finest brew and it ain't nothin like this! She looked out at the orchards below her. If ya don't mind me asking. Where am I?

     The being laughed. It's laughter was like a spring rain gently rattling the leaves in the trees. Well now that's a rather philosophical question. You are obviously not a being of the Dream Realm. So your physical body is still wherever you left it when you fell asleep and entered the Dream Realm. Here you've created a visual avatar which helps you orient yourself and allows you a way to rationally explain the sensations you're perceiving. That form is still sitting on the bar stool drinking the fruits of my labors, but now. Thanks to my creation. You've projected your conscious mind even further and deeper into the Dream Realm. So welcome to my world. My creation.

     AJ nodded her head. Well it looks like a got ya yerself a really peaceful piece of paradise. Not like that....Wait second. How did ya know I was sitting on a bar stool?

     The serpent was now orbiting with multiple coils around AJ. Making it a vast column of golden light with her in the center of it. I am aware of all who consume my creation and where they originated from. Because in many ways my creation is an extension of my own existence. Now I would love to speak with you some more, but outsiders can only project themselves into my creation for so long. So I must bid you adieu. Good night and sweet dreams. Then the serpent kissed AJ on lips.

     A brilliant golden light burst from Applejack's body for an instant as she sat upon the bar stool. Her eyes snapped open and for a second they were pools of glowing white light. Then she closed them again and shook her head when they opened again they were normal leaf green. A grin spread across her face and she looked up at the horny toad Rex Link who still standing there with bottle in his hand. He grinned himself.

     "Good" He asked.

     "Good. R askin me if it was good? Pardner this here is the most amazing stuff I've ever had!" She took a bigger sip and was a little bit disappointed that she wasn't transported back to that amazing place, but quickly she was swept away by a wave of euphoria and energy. Applejack looked around the bar. Everything seemed to be in sharper focus. Every color was more vibrant. Every smile on she looked upon seemed to be brighter. This was great!

     AJ downed the remaining contents in the sniffer and then slammed it back down on the bar. "Hook me up with another one of those!" One of Rex's spiky brow ridges arched up a tiny bit but his grin grew bigger as he refilled glass. Applejack snatched it up and slugged back most of it in one great gulp.

     It was like an electrical charge had raced through her body, and the tune currently booming out of the juke box had some mighty fine fiddle playing in it. Without even thinking AJ leaped off her stool and started dancing around. She'd never danced in this body before but it seemed to come naturally for her. Twirling around she grabbed her glass and slugged the rest back.

     "Gimme another Rex!" She yelled. The horny toad looked at her for a second before filling her glass for the 3rd time.

     "Okay ma'am, but I am cutting ya off after this. This stuff ain't cheap and if ya have too much yer mind can wander off into weird places!"

     AJ giggled and downed the contents of the glass. "I've already had a chat with a big, glowy, serpent thingie. So I'm not worried about my mind moseying off!" She resumed dancing which was accompanied by much cheering, whistling and shouts from the crowd. Taking this as being encouragement She leaped up on the bar and started dancing some more. As she made her way down the bar spied a coiled up rope lasso that was hanging as a wall decoration. In one quick motion she yanked it off the wall and started performing rope tricks with it. Just like she would be doing at the Ponyville County Fair in a few weeks.

     For her efforts the crowd let loose another chorus of cheers, whistles, clapping, and words of encouragement. It was at this time that King Trafalgar Maximilian Augustus Leopold the III stepped back out into the restaurant having concluded his business with Bombay Bombastic who was following right behind the king. The 2 stopped and stared at spectacle unfolding at the bar. Rex spied the king staring dumbfounded and grinned at him. The horny toad held up the bottle of glowing liquid for his majesty to see. Trafalgar swallowed and then said softly.

     "Oh, sweet mercy." He then sprinted up to bar as the bartender came sauntering over to meet him.

     "Did you serve her that!?" The king yelled over the cheers, whistles, and the music.

     "Oh she's on her third." Said the bartender casually. "But don'tcha worry. I've cut her off now."

     "You've let her partake of 3 glasses of that! By the gaze of the King of a Million Eyes! She's just started projecting! You do comprehend the risks of giving that!" The king pointed at the bottle. "Concoction to a fledgling projector?!"

     Rex dismissed the king's comment with a wave of the hand. "Don'tcha worry yer majesty. She's doing fine. Apparently she met Ladon on her first glass."

     "She met Ladon!" The king exclaimed in a higher than usual pitch of voice.

     "Yep!" Said the horny toad. She closed her eyes and then she got all glowy like. Then when her eyes popped open again they were like 2 headlights. Also she says she had a chat with what she described as being a big, glowy, serpent thingie. So yeah, I reckon she met Ladon."

     The king was still processing the information when he heard AJ call out.

     "Well there ya r ya rascal! I was wonderin where ya gotten ta!" Suddenly a lasso came sailing down around him, and before he could react the rope was cinched around him pinning his arms at his sides. AJ moseyed over and sat down on the bar looked at him with a big grin on her face. Holding the rope with one hand she pushed her Stetson back on her head. The king arched an eyebrow as he spoke.

     "Well dear. You um, seem to good spirits."

To be continued.