**5**
Applejack was sobbing.

Luna immediately recognised one of the element bearers,even though she did not see them often. And she was confused.

Applejack had always seemed to her the type to contain her emotions, the most steadfast of the six. Even in a dream she would not break down like this if it was any normal occasion.

She walked closer, willing her clanking shoes away, until she was directly behind the orange mare.

“What is wrong, Applejack?” she said, so quiet it was almost a whisper.

Applejack’s head whipped around, her eyes widening as she saw the princess. She hurriedly sank into a bow, sniffling and wiping her eyes as she did so.

“Princess. It’s-It’s nothing. Ah’m fine.”

Luna sat, looking as the crouched mare.

“Applejack, dispense with such formalities.”

Applejack quickly righted herself, sitting in the same position she had been in before.

“Applejack, I am only sent to the dreams of those who are deeply troubled. You may confide in me, I am sworn to secrecy. I also have millenia of advice at hoof.”

Applejack sniffed again, before looking her.

“It’s just that it was today that mah ma and pa died. Train back from Manehatten derailed.”

Luna sighed. She had seen thousands of her little ponies pass, and each one pained her. To live a short mortal life, to be devoid of so many wonderful experiences, was painful. Especially when it was unusually short.

“Applejack,” She said, wrapping her wing around the mare’s shoulder. “Every little pony on this earth passes. Except for my sister and I. I have been with each one, and each final breath brings me sorrow. Do you know how I have continued all the days?” She said, staring into the mare’s green eyes.

“I remind myself that they are well. That they are in a place beyond us, looking on with amusement and love. That though I will never join them, all those they love will. It is a small burden to bear.”

Applejack had lowered her head again. She looked at the ground as she uttered her next words.

“Princess, that's a mighty nice thought, but Ah- Ah just can’t convince myself of it. Ma and Pa didn't always think that way, and Ah can't convince myself they're happy in a place they didn't think existed. Really, Ah'm grateful for your help, but Ah’d like to be alone.”

Luna hung her head a bit and folded her wings as she stood.
“I see, Applejack. I am sorry I could not be of more help, and I pray thy sorrows abate.”

Applejack only nodded, distracted. Luna knew she wouldn’t recognize the old condolence given to the families of deceased soldiers of the guard, she probably just thought it was Luna slipping back into her old speech patterns. It didn’t matter.

Once she was out of Applejack’s dream, she began crafting a new one. She pulled thoughts of warm sun on apple trees, a red and white checkered blanket, and of Gala Apple and Satsuma Jr. When the dream was as perfect as she could make it, she stepped out and pulled Applejack in.
She could just barely hear the shouts of "Ma! Pa!" as she walked away.

**4**
The next dream Luna walked into was Rarity’s.

The idea of Rarity having a nightmare made enough sense, but this particular one didn’t make any. Rarity stood in a pristine navy dress, with her mane styled and her hooves shod. She looked ready for the Grand Galloping Gala, but her face wore an expression of distress.

Luna was puzzled, until she stepped forward and saw them.

Ponies. All starving, shivering with cold or fever, and all begging for help.

She stepped still closer, into the sight of the white coated mare.

“Princess! Please! Do something!” She cried, struggling on the spot. Her hooves were rooted her to her place, her shoes a part of the ground itself.

It all clicked. The element of generosity, known for her occasional bouts of arrogance. Nightmares tended to present a pony’s fears in strange situations. Rarity feared that she would fail those who needed her, or become irreparably selfish, or something of the sort.

“I am afraid I cannot.”

Rarity whipped her head around, though her mane remaining in place.

“What do you mean you can’t? You’re the immortal alicorn princess of the night! Surely you can at least free me!”

She shook her head.

“I can do nothing for ponies thank are naught but a creation of your mind, or for bindings you put upon yourself.”

“A creation of my mind? What does that mea-... Oh. Princess Luna. I guess this is a dream, isn’t it?”

Luna nodded.

Rarity’s face brightened a bit, and she attempted to walk away. She succeeded in nothing but tangling her legs.

“Why am I still bound?”

“Like I said, these bindings but are a figment of your imagination. Bad dreams are created from fears. What about this scene do you fear?”

The white mare bit her lip, looking around as if to insure privacy.

“I... I fear that I'll be selfish and oblivious. That others will suffer and I will not care to help.”

Luna nodded. Now she had something to work with.

“Well, is that true? Are you a shallow mare who does nothing for others in need?”

Rarity shook her head.

“No… No, I’m not.”

Luna nodded encouragingly.

“Then your fears are needless. Without a fear to base themselves on, those ‘bonds’ should crumble to dust. Why not give it a try?”

Rarity looked determinedly at her hooves, and took a step, then another. Soon she stood by the princess.

“Thank you, princess. But, if I may ask, Why are they still there? Why am I still in this putrid dress?”

“Well, you are free to take it off, are you not? You are free to help them now? I can not do everything.” She ended her words with a smile, hoping the mare would catch the joke.

Rarity nodded. “I can, and I shall!”

She ripped the dress from her body, and stepped out of the shoes. With a final smile at the princess, she walked confidently back into the fray.
Luna smiled at her back, the slowly turned to walk away.

Author's Note

This will be a three-shot, and I'll try to update every day or two.