The sound of birds made a alabaster unicorn wearing a pink fluffy bathrobe, blinders for her eyes, and her hair held in place by pink curlers wake up. She took off the blinders and yawned.

“Goodness, its early...” The mare said through her yawn just as another unicorn mare walked in.

The mare had orange hair and tail in a black dress that hugged her frame very nicely and showed off a decent bust. The mare cleared her throat making the alabaster look over in confusion.

“Good Morning, Rarity. I'm here to help you get ready for the evening.” The mare said as Rarity rubbed her eyes. Once the sandman's sand was cleared, she looked at the mare and shot out of bed.

“Sassy?! What are you doing here?! Where's the Overlord! The Gala!” Rarity exclaimed in a panic, much to Sassy's confusion.

The mare in question calmly rang a bell and two other ponies appeared at her side. They didn't need any indication as they saw the panicking mare. They grabbed her and set her in a chair, massaging her shoulders and making her coo in delight. Sassy presented a steaming cup of tea to which Rarity daintily drank from it.

“I hope you're not having the nightmares about that night a year ago,” Sassy said soothingly as she started to pull out dresses. “It was VERY touch and go there until you managed to overpower the Overlord's magic. Last I heard, he was put on display in the royal gardens in Discord's old spot. The other three Princesses were VERY happy about that and gave you a loan to make three shops here in Canterlot.”

Rarity's eyes went wide at the information. It had been a whole year already? Time really did fly by when one was busy.

“Three?!” She squeaked out.

Sassy nodded as she hummed in thought before shaking her head. She put the dress she had back and then grabbed another.

“Yes, three shops. I run one, Coco Pommel runs the second, and Fleur De Lis is running the third. There's your original Ponyville one too, but only you run that one. You come here every weekend to attend one of the Noble's various parties, another nod to you saving them from the Overlord as well as keep up on the fashion.” Sassy explained before snapping her fingers. “Ah, the perfect dress!”

Sassy pulled out a purple dress, but it was different then the others. The reason being was that it was lined with scales instead of cloth. It was a purple strapless dress gown that was elegant while leaving enough to the stallion or mare's imagination. Rarity was taken from the chair and put onto one of her mini stands, the dress sliding over her like a glove. After a few moments of posing, Rarity smiled.

“Delightful, darlings, simply delightful! This dress is my best work yet!” Rarity gushed to the three making them smile. “Oh I was waiting to show this little number off for MONTHS!”

Rarity did another twirl and stopped in front of the mirror. When she looked at her reflection, she froze in shock and fear. The mirror in front of her did not show her perfect skin tone or height; it showed instead a very dark and tall Rarity. The mirror Rarity smirked coyly at the real Rarity as she jiggled her much larger bust some, making Rarity give out a small snort of anger. The mirror self laughed before winking. Rarity blinked and it was gone. She shook her head.

It was just the imagination of hers running wild she assured herself. With a smile, She got off the stool that had been provided and began to head out for her work.

“I best go out for the day, see the sights and then get to the party. Toodles!”

MLPOV

Rarity rode in the open chariot in Canterlot's square, touring the fine city that it was, stopping at various shops to window shop, picking up some souvenirs for her friends and little sister back home. As the sun started to set, Rarity went on her way to the noble's party, pasting the royal gardens along the way. She saw the Overlord's statue in the pose he was in, defending himself from them. She gave a sniff at the statue as the driver turned down the road. She didn't see the aura of darkness rising up nor did she see it take on a shadow form of her time as Nightmare Rarity, leaning up against the Overlord Statue with a shark like grin. The shadow flew after the chariot that Rarity was in, cackling all the way.

MLPOV

The party at Fancypant's uptown suite was in full swing when Rarity arrived. She smiled at the nobles, who gave nods and smiles in return. Fancy himself complimented her on the dress she had making her blush. Several of the nobles asked her how her businesses were doing, how her family was, the usual. Rarity answered them all with a smile on her face, telling them that the businesses were flourishing, her parents were still traveling abroad while her sister trained under Sapphire Shores in the art of singing.
There was a lull in the conversation to allow Rarity time to recover and get a little something to drink. As she poured the fruit punch into a cup, she looked at the scene. It actually reminded her of Twilight's birthday and she had come along to be a good friend to the Unicorn at the time. Ah, memories that made Rarity's heart glow with warmth always filled her with spirit.

“That wasn't the REAL reason and you know it, Rarity.” A voice said, echoing in her mind and making her freeze.

“Who-?” Rarity began when the voice spoke again.

“Look at the window, Dear Rarity.”

Rarity did so, biting back the gasp that threatened to escape. Staring at her, once again, was her Nightmare self, holding the same cup she did. The nightmare giggled making Rarity's skin crawl. The Nightmare smiled as she leaned up against a reflection of a nearby pillar sensually making Rarity's face explode in red.

“As I said, that wasn't the real reason you went to Twilight's party so long ago,” N.Rarity said as she took a sip. “You came to satisfy your greed; the connections you 'needed' to bolster your sales and earn some fame.”

Rarity bristled at that.

“I did no such thing, Nightmare.” She hissed at the reflection once again making N.Rarity laugh.

N.Rarity finished off the drink she had before standing up, thrusting her chest out and making the much bigger orbs compared to Rarity's wobble and jiggle, making Rarity growl. Nightmare looked at Rarity with a teasing look as she pressed the two orbs together, her face one of smugness as Rarity gritted her teeth. N.Rarity gave out a little moan as she rubbed the nubs that poking out of the top part of the dress, much to the shock of her lighter half.

“By Faust, do I look sexy as hell.” N.Rarity teased. “And the little bookworm of a princess MAY have forgiven you...but it wasn't your only mistake was it?”

The window suddenly showed memories of Rarity's past; the time when she tired to use Fluttershy to promote her own works, when she had turned her back on Twilight at her brother's wedding since all she wanted was to be the dress-maker to one of the princesses, or when she tried to get Trenderhoof to focus on her and her alone, going so far as to harm Applejack. On and on the memories played making Rarity's eyes mist up.

“S-stop it...” She said weakly making the Nightmare end the memories with a scoff.

“So weak...can't even take the truth can you? Oh, but that was just you showing the physical side of your Greed, Rarity. I've yet to show you the emotional.”

Rarity looked at the Nightmare with a watery glare, her mascara smeared on her face.

“W-what do you mean?! I have been nothing but Generous! Trenderhoof and I departed on good terms and Fluttershy was...well, she wanted out of the fashion business, a business I put her in.” Rarity snapped making N.Rarity scowl.

“And what about the drake?” N.Rarity said with biting cold making Rarity stop dead.

“W-what about Spikey?” Rarity asked cautiously making the reflection's scowl to deepen.

“Spikey...oh, you call by a pet name...at least when I was in control last year, I was honest with him.” N.Rarity snarled. “I did want him...ALL of him...with his dragon stamina, riding my pussy and ass over and over and...”

Rarity cleared her throat a bit harshly making N.Rarity stop in her monologue. N.Rarity sniffed before continuing.

“You call him by a pet name, yet lead around by the nose.”

Rarity was about to retort when several more memories sprang up; all of them featuring Spike. She winced at each memory; her ignoring him despite all that he had done for her. Getting Photo Finish and Hoity Toity to see her works not once, but twice and her not even giving him a thank you. Seeing the pain he was in when she had used him for a pin-cushion but he bore a smile with it. She saw the destroyed look on his face when she said that Spike would never know what it was like to obsess over someone like Trenderhoof. That single look made her heart shatter and the tears flowed from her eyes as N.Rarity looked at her with disgust.

“You claim to be generous, but you're so greedy you'd make a better DRAGON than unicorn. Least with Dragons...they're honest with themselves,” N.Rarity said as she leaned back. “You're not generous with the one thing that matters most; the Heart. Before I go, ask yourself this one question.”

Rarity looked at the Darker form of herself who was glaring at her with an evil grin on her face.

“How did you acquire those scales in that particular color scheme?”

Rarity looked down at her dress and stared, REALLY stared before shrugging it off. She figured N.Rarity was just trying to psych her out. Well, it wasn't going work! She faced down Discord, she could face down this! She turned away from the window and rejoined the party.

MLPOV

Rarity ignored the rest of her friends and the other ponies as she headed for her home. The setting sun was the end of the party and she had a tiring journey back to her quaint home. But despite the feeling of being tired, she was still bugged by what N.Rarity had said to her about the scales of her dress. Something...made her uneasy and the feeling just kept on getting stronger and stronger as she headed to her home. She stepped through the threshold of her door, closed, locked, and shuttered it before trooping upstairs to her room. The feeling didn't leave like she thought it would, it just got even stronger.

“Feeling something eating away at you, Rares?” N.Rarity asked as she passed by the mirror making Rarity jump in fright.

“Nightmare, I do not have time for this. The Overlord is defeated and I have more clients to deal with in the morning.”

The laughter from N.Rarity made Rarity pause and glare at the mirror. She sat down on her tiny seat, faced the mirror, and leaned on the vanity. She watched the Dark counterpart of her laugh for well over fifteen minutes. When the black mare was done, Rarity glowered.

“Just what is so funny?” She asked through gritted teeth. N.Rarity made a bemused look at Rarity's as she mimicked the posture the R.Rarity had.

“What's funny is you,” N.Rarity said, snorting in derision. “You're still don't get it, you're still just thinking of yourself and no one else. Guess that's why.”

Rarity was half-tempted to grab the hairbrush in her magic and smash the mirror in rage, but her curiosity was peaked and she looked at the reflection.

“Why what?” Rarity asked, intrigued. The inquiry made N.Rarity look behind R.Rarity's shoulder, a small scowl forming. Rarity followed the reflection's gaze and saw a door she had never seen before. Instantly, she was taken over by something that was familiar yet foreign at the same time. She felt her body get up, walk over to the door it feeling like it was forever with the slow, halting steps she was taking, the dread feeling returning full force. She grasped the handle and slowly turned it, the door silently opening.

She tried to gasp, but her mouth remained shut as she stared inside the small closet. There, kneeling on the floor, bound in chains, several scales missing and scars in place, was a dragon. Not just any dragon, no, this dragon had green frills, the remaining scales were a light purple and green underbelly. Rarity felt her body move again, the soft noise making the dragon look up and making her heart stop dead.

The Dragon was Spike. The bound dragon gave a smile, but it was unlike any smile she had seen, it was...not alive, yet not dead. Almost like he was under the same spell that Chrysalis had Shining Armor under back at the Wedding. When he spoke, it shattered her heart and she felt herself back in her body again.

“R-rarity...how was the party, did they love your dress?” Spike asked in that same eager tone, but it held a plea to it. Rarity didn't answer, she just stood there, looking in disbelief.

“W-who did this to you, Spikey?” She asked in a whisper. The dragon didn't reply, but another voice did from behind her.

“Isn't it obvious, Rarity?” N.Rarity said with a long drawl, echoing in the mare's mind. “You did. The chains...well, just look down at your neck.”

Rarity did look at the chains and followed them, her heart beating so loud she'd think a band was in her body. The chains wove through the darkness, not connected to any wall, but yet holding Spike. Her eyes soon rested on a gold necklace that hadn't been around her neck with a large red ruby in the shape of a heart; here, was where the chains started and ended. Here was the reason for Spike's bondage. N.Rarity spoke as Rarity fell to the ground.

“You took his heart, Rarity...but never gave him yours. You did this to him and every stallion that has ever looked at you. You just take, take, and take from them until there is nothing more. Like I said...you'd be a better dragon then a unicorn.” N.Rarity said as she waltzed over to Spike and leaned up against his catatonic body. “You just consume...like Greed.”

Rarity did not hear this, just continuing to stare at what her greed and stupidity had cost her.

MLPOV

The Overlord snarled as he spied the Fire Ruby necklace and tossed the orb away, glaring at Twilight who shrunk back from his glare.

“Of all the...Celestia I do not blame you, but for your mother's sake! You should have told Twilight the significance of THAT! Now that bitch of a Mare holds our son hostage!”

Twilight listened to the rant, her body numb and her ears echoing with the last part. Son? Spike was the son of the Overlord? If the Overlord was Spike's father then who was the mother? The Overlord seemed to catch onto Twilight's near panic attack and settled down.

“Your son?” Twilight asked dumbly making the Overlord smile behind his helmet.

“Aye, my son. Mine, Celestia's and Yours. Spike is a Firstborn Dragon, my crown jewel of the race before it fell. Firstborns had power untamed; the elements of fire, earth, water, and air bowed to their wills, their intelligence unmatched, their power uncontested,” The Overlord said with pride. “Celestia and I changed into dragons to mate after the fifth year of the terraforming. Needless to say, a LOT of mountain ranges sprang up from that action!”

The Overlord paused in his story telling, his eyes getting a far off look that screamed 'worth it' before he resumed.

“Of course, such an action had an equal but delightful reaction. Celestia became pregnant with Spike's egg. Yes, his egg and let me tell you, Alicorns and Pegasi are not meant to lay a fucking egg! She blasted me back with her CRV so far it took me the better part of a month to get back home. Sadly, due to Spike being Firstborn, we needed a third source to actually get him born. The Firstborns had three parents; two mothers and a father. The primary mother would share biological information with the father, but the secondary mother would provide the spark of life so to speak. They breathe a magical fire to tie it to the Ether, the source of life.”

Here, the Overlord paused and took a sip of his soda, Twilight listening intently to the lesson. He chuckled as he set the cup back down and continued.

“That in turn would help the embryo to grow until hatching,” Here the Overlord sagged a little. “Sadly, Spike was a unique case; the offspring of a Chaos Mage and an Alicorn. Light and Darkness, polar opposites of one another. That meant that the only way for Spike to be born was that the secondary mother had be equal or even greater in terms of power. Yet no pony lived that long back then. Hell, even Luna could not birth him, the power of myself and Celestia overloading her. So...she was forced to wait...until you came along, Sparkle. Congrats, you are Spike's magical mother.”

Twilight's eyes went wide; her? A mother?! She recalled how Spike had been born and feelings of pride and joy overcame her; she raised Spike...well, helped raised him, but that was besides the point! She had a baby boy! A child that...her world shattered as she recalled what she had done to Spike. Making him work while she practiced, taking him away from Celestia, his true mother to live in Ponyville. Denying him the right to an education and working him to the bone while she frolicked with her friends. The Overlord chuckled sinisterly as he saw the myriad of emotions fly through Twilight's face.

“Realizing the horrible truth? I should hope so. But there is also the matter of the Fire Ruby. Despite the 'legends', a ruby cannot and does not form into a heart through natural processes or aging. The Fire Ruby is in actuality, the Heart of a Dragon who is reaching maturity and is prone to emotional surges. BUT! If the dragon parts with the Fire Ruby to one they love most dear...well, the emotion surge will still happen yet they will return provided the recipient of the heart feels the same. So...still think that Spike's crush is just that? It is the most powerful form of Love that can be given.”

Twilight's mind reeled from the implications; love, powerful and the Fire Ruby all tied. She nearly passed out from the information overload but managed to remain conscious. She watched the Overlord take a pink orb and shake it, her mind dreading what she would see in Pinkie's mind.

Author's Note

Yo, people. Sorry for the long silence. Work, life, and Pokemon Sun/Moon. Yep, i got both of the games so I've been playing that...and nopony say a thing! You have your addictions out there that keep you from writing. So, while this is similar to Applejack's chapter, i modified it some with N.Rarity. So, now that's done, bit of news.

the other two chapters i have a rough idea for, its just getting them started. I'm not giving up, but i ask you all to be a mite chill with me; chapters like this require the right wording to set the mood otherwise it'll be a train wreck. Enjoy and happy 2017.