Dreams that Bind

I returned to my room and went back to sleep. As I drifted off, a dream took shape.

***

I was sitting on a balcony on the old castle in the Everfree forest, looking up my handiwork.

" It's so beautiful, such a shame nopony is awake to appreciate it." a familiar voice said behind me.

I looked behind me, finding the source of the voice. Behind me was Nightmare Moon, armor and all.

"The last time you said that, I made the biggest mistake of my life." I replied.

"You told me it was what you wanted." Nightmare replied.

"When I told you I wanted to overthrow my sister, I didn't mean to kill her, just to be more powerful so I could have complete control of Equestria so ponies would pay more attention to me. I never wanted the night to last forever, that would kill the population."

"Oh sure, blame me for 1000 years in the moon, it wouldn't of happened if you didn't make the deal."

"You speak the truth, but overlooked something."

"First the marshmallow, now you. What is that then."

"Was it me who was so incompetent as to only have lasted three minutes in a fight with Celestia? It was you who had control"

Nightmare huffed. "You're going to regret that." She disappeared without another word, most likely going after Rarity again.

Unfortunately, I can't help Rarity this time, but the good news is she wouldn't need my help.

Nightmare's POV

I sure am glad I went back to the castle and retrieved my old Nightmare Moon armor. Such a shame its only purpose is to make me feel more intimidating, but oh well. I made my way to Rarity once again, careful not to make my presence known just yet. This gave me a chance to look inside her memories. When I had seen enough, I made the black void back drop and waited. At last, she showed up.

"Ah, perfect timing." I greeted.

"What is it this time?" the marshmallow asked annoyed.

"I was think, if you have weaknesses, you have strengthens as well."

"Right, so your point is?"

"If you represent the element of generosity, then that must be one of your strengthens, right?"

"Right."

"Wrong!"

The marshmallow look confused. "How do  you figure that?"

"You're not generous, you're greedy."

Rarity took the defensive. "I am NOT greedy."

"Oh really? Tell me, was it generous when you used your beauty to manipulation Spike to give you his fire ruby? Was it generous to push those other mares out of way to catch the boutique at the royal wedding. What about  the time you went to Canterlot  by yourself and hardly worked on  that dress you wanted to make for Twilight's birthday in favor for experiencing life in the upper class?"

Rarity tried to think up a response, but couldn't come up with anything.

"That's what I though, you hypocrite." I laughed. "Have a good morning."

Rarity's POV

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

I reached over to turned the alarm off. I dragged myself out of bed and went through the motions of my usual routine. Then I went downstairs to get some breakfast. Nopony else was up, so I started make some toast and eggs for everypony. They came down just I had finished.

"Good morning Rarity." Mom said cheerfully.

"Good morning Mom, I made breakfast."

"What did you make?" Sweetie asked.

"Just toast and eggs." I replied, serving Opal her breakfast. We sat down and ate. Just as we had finished, there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it."

I opened the door to find Applejack on the other side.

"Morning Rarity." she said.

"Good morning Applejack, what brings you by?" I asked.

"Well, cider season starts tomorrow, and I was wondering..."

"Of course I'd help Applejack."

"Great, let's go to the library, the rest ought to be there."

"Okay then. I'm heading out, see you tonight!" I called to my family and left with Applejack. As we walked, I noticed puddles everywhere. "Did it rain last night?"

"Eeyup, and that's not all. Apparently, there was a robbery at Sugarcube Corner last night. Fortunately for the Cakes, Mare Do Well was there and was able to stop the thief. I heard from Pinkie Pie this morning when she dropped by."

"Wow, that amazing. Wait, why did Pinkie visit you so early?"

"She came by for some apple for a pie she's making today."

"I see." We were silent for a moment. "Applejack, am I greedy?"

Applejack gave me a look. "You, greedy? Well ,everypony can be greedy now and again, you nor I are no exception. But I think you already know the answer to that Rarity." I looked at her. "Look at what you've done in  the past, and then answer your own question. Actions speak louder than words after all."

Before I had a chance to consider, we arrived at the library, the other four where already there.

“Hey everypony!” Applejack called. The four ponies turned to us just as Applejack and I walk in. “Yall know that cider season starts tomorrow, so I was wondering if yall can help us again?”

“Of course we will, just this time, let’s not bust out the Vodka.” Twilight laughed.

“Hey, it was time for celebration, they would have been nuts not too.” Pinkie said defensively. Only she could party so hard as to keep some level state of mind after 30 mugs of spiked cider.

“Your right their Pinkie, we did beat Flim and Flam at the contest, but yall did get slammed, especially Rainbow.” Applejack teased.

“Hey, I had to wait three days for one mug, and everypony knows it tastes better spiked.” RD said defensively.

“Alright, come on girls, we gotta set for tomorrow.” Twilight said.

With that, we left for Sweet Apple Acres to set up for Cider season.