Edited by Narlepoax III

Sarah strung the water out of her hair with her fingers and let out a small sigh, technically, taking the shower beneath the faucet of Project Purity was a waste of time. In realty... she’d taken about ten steps down the hallway and decided that it was the number one priority. Luna, who was using the stall beside her, had agreed emphatically.

“What a bother,” Luna said from behind the slim divider, “I never realized how... dirty the act of making love makes you.”

“Me neither,” Sarah agreed, suppressing a shiver as the freezing cold water rained down on her.

“Still... I would consider it worth it, wouldn’t you?” Luna continued.

“Oh, definitely. It was... amazing,” Sarah said with a grin on her face which was quickly joined by a blush at the recent memories, “You almost done over there?”

“Indeed, we feel clean once more,” Luna replied as she stepped out from behind the shower divider and took the opportunity to look at Sarah, a smile appearing on her face.

“Like what you see?” Sarah asked her with a small chuckle as she reached for a towel that she’d had stored in her bag for God alone knows how long.

“I do,” Luna told her, the mare’s grin widening as she took a step forward and gave Sarah a light kiss.

Sarah met it for a moment before pulling away, not wanting to get too caught up and waste more of the valuable darkness. Luna pouted slightly, but backed up enough for Sarah to leave the stall all the same.

“So the plan is that you shall ride me until we come to the coordinates that have been inserted into your Pip-Boy, correct?” Luna inquired while she watched Sarah towel off.

“Yep, and with it being a little before midnight we should have plenty of time,” Sarah confirmed with a nod, “You’re up for that; right? I don’t want to push you too hard after... what happened to you.”

Luna shuffled her wings and they spread halfway and gave a flap, “Oh, do not worry about me,” she replied, “I am up for a bit of flying... if nothing else, it will help us clear our mind.”

“Great,” Sarah said with a grin as she walked by the mare and began to walk towards the room they’d stored their things in, “I wasn’t sure if you would be able to or not.”

“You shouldn’t worry,” Luna told her, “I am more than capable of flight... though I believe you should look into making some way to secure yourself to my back...” she added, giving Sarah a sidelong look as the two dressed.

“You think I’ll fall off?” the woman asked.

“More like I do not wish to be distracted by the need to avoid sending you careening towards the ground if we come under fire and I am forced to evade,” Luna answered calmly, pulling on her armour via magic, “Nor do I wish to rush headlong towards the ground in a hapless attempt to catch you if you happen to fall asleep while we’re flying,” she finished with a joking chuckle.

Truly, that is the type of thing which we have always disapproved of, Nightmare mentally commented, sounding uncharacteristically invested, We have seen the dreams of far too many pegasi parents who have feared for the lives of their children being brought low by such a fate.

Was that a note of affection I sensed? Luna asked her with a ‘raised eyebrow’.

No, not at all. We simply do not wish to experience it with someone we consider presciou-

Ah-ha! I knew I heard something! You like Sarah, admit it! Luna crowd.

We appreciate the way she makes us feel, nothing more, Nightmare replied snootily. Luna simply sent a feeling of smugness at her in response.

Sarah, who had been too busy pulling her armor on as well digging a few leather belts out of her bag to notice the lapse in conversation looked up to find Luna looking at her with a soft smile.

“So, are we ready?” the woman asked.

“Indeed,” Luna confirmed as she led the way up the stairs and they headed for the building’s exit, “I take it that the belts are to help you latch on?”

“Yes, I think I can do something with them,” Sarah replied while they stood before the exit door to the building, “Would you mind bending down so I can see if this will work?”

“But of course,” Luna agreed with a slight smirk as she bent down slightly.

Sarah frowned as she looked over Luna’s scavenged armour, the mare had not shaped it with the intents of it being used as a saddle, but she could make do. In a few short minutes she had prepared a harness of sorts and felt reasonably comfortable that it would hold er weight.

“And that should do it,” the woman said with a smile as she gently slapped Luna’s side and mounted her, “And just to make sure, you’re fine with night flights right?”

Luna let out a snort, “Sarah, we are the Princess of the Night.”

“Point taken,” Sarah said with a small blush.

She pulled the newly attached harness around her waist tight and fastened it. In the end she’d ended up creating a rudimentary harness that should keep her from falling or being thrown off of Luna’s back... of course, whether or not it would work was yet to be seen.

The blue alicorn took a running jump, causing Sarah to hold on tightly to her harness, and sprang into the air with a great flurry of flapping wings. Sarah let out a shriek, though whether it was out of surprise or excitement was unknowable. Luna quickly rose high into the sky, before leveling out.

“Sarah, I am in need of a direction,” she said over her shoulder as she flew in a slow circle.

“Oh, right. Sorry Luna,” Sarah said as she looked down at her wrist mounted computer, “Okay... head north-north-west and keep at it for I’d say about three hours.”

Luna nodded and turned to the north-north-west while Sarah leaned into the back of her neck, resting against the soft fur. They stayed silent like that for a time, Luna concentrating on flying and keeping their course straight as Sarah took the time to look down at the Wasteland below them. It was not slumbering.

She could make out the flashes of gun and occasionally laser fire crisscrossing the streets below them as raiders fought mutants who both fought the Brotherhood. Sarah frowned down at them... the Wasteland was more of a war zone then it’s name implied. The word Wasteland described a place without life, but that wasn’t what played out below here. There was life down there... the problem was that it was all focused on killing itself. What did that really say about it?

Sarah sighed and turned away, she wasn’t a philosopher and probably shouldn’t try her hand at thoughts like that. They hurt her head. It was then that she realized just how tired she was. Sure, she hadn’t really done much for most of the day other than flying on Luna’s back and worrying about the mare... but somehow the time she’d spent doing that had exhausted her.

“Hey, Luna,” Sarah said, tapping the mare’s neck slightly.

“Yes Sarah?” Luna asked, turning her head slightly so that she could look the woman in the eyes.

“I’m going to try and get some sleep,” the woman announced, “Do you mind?”

“No, go right ahead. I shall wake you after three hours and we shall consult your map to see how much further we have to go,” Luna told her kindly, “Just make sure that harness is tight; alright?”

Sarah gave it a quick tug and then said, “It’s good,” She then leaned her face into the back of Luna’s neck, her starry mane playing softly across her cheek like a blanket. The woman’s eyes drooped despite the uncomfortableness of the position she was too tired and Luna’s fur was too soft for her to resist sleep’s call.

Luna continued flying for several minutes before Nightmare suddenly said.

We... are happy, she announced.

Do you mean you are... or we are? Luna inquired puzzledly.

We mean that for possibly the first time in our existence... we are happy, Nightmare replied. It... is hard to understand, yet ever since we were birthed from our mind we have never truly felt happy. Even as we rained death on our enemies, we only felt satisfaction... not happiness.

Well... one of our main goals was to be loved, was it not? Luna replied as her perfect night vision observed a group of raiders eating someone.... she turned away quickly, And despite the circumstances of this land... we have found that here, in Sarah.

True... Nightmare agreed quietly, She has become very important to us. Despite our best efforts.

Indeed she has, Luna said, unable to keep a small smile off of her face, Now then... we have some time to ourselves... shall we discuss Equestria?

We suppose... what we saw and witnessed does need some form of addressing outside of you weeping and screaming about it, Nightmare replied, her voice losing its momentary affection and becoming once more a bit harsh.

Luna sent a mental snort at her but Nightmare ignored it and pressed onwards.

When we return what are we to do? Nightmare asked. Are we to lay down our dreams of being Queen and once more become subservient to our sister?

No, Luna stated firmly, We will ask for her respect and her love. We will both be queens.

That sounds workable, Nightmare agreed, Considering the great deal of emotion and pain she was obviously feeling and the withstraint she showed in order to create a peaceful world for us... well... it was commendable. She remained silent for a moment before adding, But what if it doesn’t work? What if she truly refuses to give us our proper title and our little ponies continue to hate us?

Then... we will leave.

What?!

We will leave and find a new place. Build a new kingdom, Luna stated, We will not cause our sister to suffer so again. We will gather those who support us and we shall leave to settle anew.

Just... leave? Give up? Nightmare asked, still caught so off guard by the suggestion that she could not even muster up any anger at it.

Yes.

We... but where would we go? Nightmare pondered. Most of the world has been claimed in some form of another.

I seem to recall a group of islands that Discord raised from the sea which were still unoccupied when we were sent here... perhaps when we return they will still be available? Luna replied with a small mental frown. Regardless... I will not hurt Tia again. Ever. The resolve in her voice was strong enough to make Nightmare flinch slightly.

Very well then... perhaps it will not even come to that, Nightmare suggested, rallying herself, If the pain our sister suffered was truly that immense then she might simply give us the title of Queen.

That is my hope, Luna agreed before she let out a mental sigh, Nightmare... I have a question for you.

Hmm? What’s that? Nightmare replied with a frown.

You are a part of my mind, are you not? Luna asked.

You know this to be true, we do not see why you feel the need to ask, Nightmare replied.

Well... I was just wondering... you are your own mare in a sense... would you mind greatly if I gave you a nickname of some sort? Luna inquired, I mean no disrespect to your current title... but... Nightmare is far too sinister for my tastes.

Nightmare was silent for a long moment before she slowly replied.

Nightmare was never a name for us... it was a title. We were formed out of your need for a companion who understood you and the things you longed for. We took Nightmare as a ‘name’ so that we could spite those who hated us, she said slowly, What... would you prefer to call us?

Would you object to Nightie? Luna inquired.

Far too playful, we refuse to be addressed as such, Nightmare replied flatly.

Hmm... what about Dream?

Too whimsical, Nightmare replied flatly. If we were but a dream then we would not exist.

Luna chose not to point out that a nightmare was by and large considered a type of dream...

Drat, this is far harder than I thought it would be, Luna said with an internal growl of irritation.

If we might volunteer a suggestion? Nightmare spoke up.

Hmm? Go ahead, Luna replied.

Perhaps something simple and short, Nightmare said, One syllable.

Hmm... Night?

Far too obvious.

Mar-

No, fool, Nightmare said, truly scolding her for such a stupid thought. You wished to give us a name yet you cannot even come up with a good one!

At least I am trying, Luna replied irritably before a thought struck her. Why not Nim? It combines both parts of your ‘title’ and is easy to say.

Nightmare remained silent for a time before she cautiously said, I... like it. I shall be called Nim from this point onwards!

Huzzah! Luna cheered before a thought struck her, Hey Nim... I’m having a conversation with a portion of my personality which now has a true name... does that mean that I am insane?

You’re asking us? Night-Nim asked in return, Personally we would rather not think too hard on it. There could be negative repercussions.

That’s... a very good point Nigh– Nim, Luna said with a small nod as she flew a bit to the right to avoid the shine of a spotlight which was somehow still functioning.

All of our points are good ones, Nim replied pointedly.

Luna frowned slightly, but put the thoughts out of her head. The last thing she needed now was to go through a mental breakdown. She flew on for a bit longer in silence as Sarah’s hot and steady breath played across the back of her neck, it was a surprisingly comforting feeling, one the mare had never truly appreciated before.

After around three hours, even she couldn’t be exactly sure with the sky as cloudy as it was at the moment she turned her head back and gently nuzzled Sarah awake.

“I-hwa?” Sarah asked, shaking her head in surprise at the intrusive muzzle’s sudden touch. Then her eyes widened as she remembered where she was, “Oh... hi Luna.”

“Hello Sarah,” Luna replied with a quiet laugh. “It has been approximately three hours since you went to sleep.”

Sarah let out a loud yawn and looked around for a moment, trying to clear her head. “Man... I’m going to need a longer sleep after this,” the woman said.

“I’m sure you will have plenty of time for that later,” Luna said, “Once we find your father things should proceed smoothly.”

“Yeah, I... can’t wait to see him again,” Sarah said slowly, “If nothing else... we can just talk.”

“Indeed,” Luna agreed with a slim smile, “I look forward to meeting him. And if he is the way he is in your nightmares, scolding him. Painfully.”

“He... isn’t,” Sarah replied, shaking her head, “My brain just does stupid things sometimes.”

“Like any time it has numbers put before it?” Luna snarked with a smirk.

“Oh screw you,” Sarah snorted.

“Don’t tempt me,” the alicorn stated, her smirk widening. Sarah’s face flushed and Luna just chuckled.

“Maybe later,” Sarah said softly, still not completely used to the idea. Then she looked down at her Pip-Boy, “Alright, we’re here. Take us down Luna,” she commanded.

“What are you, Captain of the HMS Luna?” Luna asked her snarkily.

Sarah just shook her head as Luna began to slowly descend from the sky. They came to a stop in front of a garage of some kind.

“Well... he said it was hidden in his log,” Sarah said as she looked at the garage.

Luna simply shrugged and gestured towards the door. Sarah unbuckled herself and dismounted Luna. She walked towards the door and tried to open it. However it was apparently locked.

“Hmm...” Sarah mused as she looked at it, “I wonder who locked it?”

“Your father perhaps?” Luna inquired with a small shrug, “Whatever the case, shall I open it or shall you?”

“You can take i-” Sarah was cut off in mid sentence by a surprised shout.

“Holy fuck! It’s them!” A male voice suddenly shouted.

The pair turned to see four Talon Company Mercenaries approaching them, weapons drawn.

“I can’t believe you were right!” one of them shouted to the other.

“Fuck yes, I’m always right!” another replied as he raised a laser rifle up to aim at the pair, “You two lovely ladies are dying today.”

Luna looked over at Sarah, a completely confused look on her face.

This was why we flew! Nim shouted within Luna’s head.

“How... how in the hell did you find us?” Sarah asked, temporarily too stunned to do anything but gawk.

“I guessed,” the one with the laser rifle answered with a smirk.

“You threw a dart at a board!” the first exclaimed.

“It worked, didn’t it?” the second replied.

"Would you two stop arguing and just kill them?” one, the sole woman in the group asked with an irritated grunt. It was hard to be a woman in Talon Company... most of the men were either idiots or intolerable. And they were all sexist pigs.

“Fine,” the second one said with a shake of his head. He raised his laser rifle to aim at Sarah. “Well, I hope you like ash bitch, cause you’re about to be–”

“Enemies sighted,” a robotic voice announced loudly.

“The fu–” the dart throwing mercenary was obscured by an explosion, sending a plume of dirt and blood flying.

“We killed that thing already!” the woman shouted as she and her squad turned to face down a black armoured robot.

Sarah and Luna, who had stood dumbstruck for a moment turned to each other and shrugged, turning back to the door.

“So... shall we?” Sarah asked.

"Of course,” Luna agreed before she turned on her front hooves and bucked the door with her rear hooves. The metal dented and the door slid open on creaky hinges. Sarah raised an eyebrow and looked at Luna’s hips with new appreciation.

“I thought you’d cut through it with the sword...” Sarah said with a small whistle.

“It’s unkillable–”

“I had thought of doing that as well,” Luna agreed before walking forwards and through the door, “Then I decided otherwise.”

Sarah shrugged and followed the mare through, hoping that she’d finally find her father within. Meanwhile, the Talon Mercs died screaming.

Author's Notes:

A small portion of this was written at 2:30 in the morning, I hope it came out right. Anyways, Nightmare now has a name, Nim of course, and I hope you guys like it.