"Okay, Okay. What if we enter through a hole in the fence, make our way to the entrance after we take out the night watch?"

"Can't. We don't have the muscle nor the weapons. The griffins are well equipped to alert of any form of attack. Spook one, you stir up the hive." Twilight, Draco and Knit-Pick had gathered around a pool table they had put back together, now blanketed by every scrap of information that they had gathered over the time they had spent in the desert. In the center was a crude map drawing out the layout of the griffon camp. All it had were a few squares around a massive circle that simply read "massive-fuck-off-hole", becoming clear that Gilda was the one who drew up the map.

The three ponies sent out idea after idea to think of a way to rescue their friend and if possible all the prisoners. Yet every idea Twilight had come up with was immediately shot down due to imminent failure or lack of resources to pull off the plan. The three ponies grew more and more frustrated as they now became a small think tank to try to solve an unsolvable issue at hand. "What if we smuggle some synthetic magic in? We could send somepony in and hand off a few vials so they can join us to fight the griffins?"

"We already tried that." Knit-pick said. "The guards there know who we are, regardless they are quite thorough with their searching of new prisoners. VERY thorough."

"H-How do you know that?" A look of shame crossed Knit-picks face, Twilight coming into realization about what he meant. "Okay then, I guess we won't go into that. But, how do they know who you are?"

"They approached us." Draco said. "Once they caught on, they came to meet us and showed just how out matched we were. They even know Gilda is an informant to us." Twilight didn't know how to feel about this news.

"So why haven't they done anything?! Why aren't any of you dead!?"

"Because, they're toying with us. It is only out of entertainment we are still alive."

"Its obvious why." Knit-pick said. "It's really boring out here for both of us. I think they take pleasure in messing with us. Hell, sometimes some of the soldiers come here to fuck with us." Twilight sighed in frustration, looking over the piles of information at her fingertips. She had the information, she just lacked the means of executing them.

"What if we send a letter out? Get more soldiers to take the prison?"

"Uh, that won't... be happening." Draco said a little flustered. "We... aren't exactly supposed to be here."

"So, you're a rogue unit then?"

"Not necessarily."

"But we totally are."

"Shut up, Knit-pick. We're here on personal matters. Rainbow gave us something, gave us hope, gave us something to fight for. A chance to have a life before being controlled so heavily. But after Rainbow got caught, there has become a bit of a conflict of powers."

"As in?"

"After Rainbow was captured, her second in command did all she could to keep things in check, and for the most part she has. Scootaloo is a great leader, sure she makes a few mistakes here and there but she has managed to keep us safe. However," Draco said, a tinge of venom filled his words. "Blueblood happened." Twilight let out a groan, understanding fully of what he was going to say.

"Okay, so, why aren't you supposed to be here?"

"After Scootaloo made her latest mistake, Blueblood, like the fucking snake he is, exploit it and started to squirm his way into power. We were ordered not to go near Appleoosa under any circumstance, deeming it treason. We only managed to get out here after Scoots may or may not have told her guards to take a break from guarding supplies after she may or may not have told us to go and get Dash." Twilight smiled from amusement. Scootaloo had always been a rule breaker, Twilight was glad that she was using it to help out a good friend.

"Okay, no reinforcements." Twilight said as she began to ponder on another plot to attack the griffons. "What about me? What if I turn myself in and-"

"I'm going to stop you right there. If you gift wrap yourself, you'll most likely be shipped off somewhere else and keep you locked down away from any pony. You're a valuable mark, Twilight. If you turn up, they'll swarm you like flies." Twilight sighed and sat back in her chair, thinking for a minute. It would seem she had come across a difficult situation.

"What about your friend?" Twilight looked up at Draco with a raised brow. "That strange thing that travels with you. We could use him for something. The griffon don't know who he is or that he's even affiliated with you."

"I don't know. Aaron's not the first po- I mean first one I'd consider for a mission this important. I don't really know what he could do." While Aaron was in as deep in this fight as Twilight was, she wasn't sure about using Aaron in their plans. At least without his consent first. "Is he really the best resource we have?"

"He's the best we got. They know who we all are and if we aren't careful, they'll know you and Applejack are here as well. Once they know, they'll storm this place to take you both into custody, or worse." Twilight could see the logic in Draco's words, they are after all criminals to the crown.

"But that just presents a new problem." Knit-Pick said. "If we were to get your companion in, what would he do? The griffins don't go in from what Gilda says. They just take the supply, but we aren't gonna be able to communicate with him once he's in the prison." Twilight and Draco groaned as they now returned to where they began. Having an idea but no resource way to execute it.

Standing up, Twilight rubbed her neck, finding it have growing soar after some time of sitting against her chair. "How about we take a five-minute break. Cool down a bit and all that."

"Best idea we've had thus far." Draco said with a chuckle. "Knit-Pick, see if you can get Boom-chew to start dinner up for us. It's getting dark soon." With that, the three dispersed for the time being to cool their heads so they could think things through for the best plan they could have.

Walking out of the town hall building, Twilight found Applejack and Aaron continuing their training. She could hear Applejack cheer him on to continue running laps from one end of the street to another. She was unsure how many they had done, but by the amount of sweat on Aaron's face, they had run for some time. Applejack on the other hand didn't have a single glisten of sweat on her coat as she jogged behind him with ease.

"Come on Aaron, let's go let's go let's go. I wanna see you sweat! I want ya to feel that burn!" She chanted, urging him on to keep going as he huffed and groaned the whole way.

"Why... won't... you... kill me." He said in between breaths, his voice crackling with each word.

"Because I don't feel like it. Just make it to the end of the road and we can stop for the day." With a light at the end of the horrid and sweaty tunnel of his exercising hell, Aaron forced his way to the end of the street. He pushed himself further and further, ignoring the burning sensation in his muscles to reach the invisible finish line.

By the time he reached it, he came a full stop and fell forward, collapsing in the sand as he was finally able to rest. "Good job Aaron. We'll continue tomorrow." He didn't care, that was future Aaron's problem. Now he was just focusing on relaxing, regardless if the sand was warm against his face. Done with training, Applejack took a seat on the steps next to Twilight. "Hey Twilight. How goes the planin' in there?"

"Not good, AJ. Every plan we think of is always one step forward, two steps back. It's tiring to say the least."

"Well, I'm sure you smart ponies could think up somethin'. Y'all seem like smart. With your help, I'm sure you could think up something."

"Thanks Applejack. You don't know how much I needed that." Applejack smiled and sat back. "I don't suppose you have any ideas that would help us by chance?"

"Not really. Why, is it really that bad?"

"Oh yeah. The best idea we have is using Aaron for infiltration."

"What's the problem with that?"

"Its dangerous is what. I don't wanna see him get hurt. I don't want him going into something he isn't ready for." Applejack looked to her friend wide-eyed with a small grin forming.

"Ya like 'em don't ya?"

"Wh-What?! Applejack, that's absurd." Applejack's grin only grew as she saw a faint blush form on her face. It was one of Twilight's greatest weaknesses. Her dark coat emphasized her blush to nearly luminescent levels. "E-even if I did... sort of, maybe liked him... in a way, it still wouldn't change things. This is a dangerous mission and I don't think he's ready for it."

Applejack sighed to herself. "Then ya best start thinkin' of something fast. Otherwise, Aaron's the best tool we got for the job. So if ya got any other ideas, ya best lay 'em on the table." With that, Applejack walked inside to let Twilight think in silence. She turned her gaze to the human in the sands, looking as if he had spontaneously died. Her mind raced with thoughts and equations that could try to help them. Yet she came up with about as much as she did in the think tank.

She weighed her options carefully, placing forward of what she knew about him that could help against what was hazardous. She knew that Aaron was brave, almost naïve at times. She knew he was kind-hearted and would aid strangers he had just met. His trustworthiness could get them in trouble. He had no combat experience, but has shown to be a quick thinker in danger. He didn't need magic to survive, which gave him a new sense of survival. With each thing she came up with, there was something that could counter it.

Then, there was one thing. Something that gave her a small glimmer of hope and an idea they could use to their advantage. "Aaron." Twilight called out. "Aaron, get up." The human merely groaned out, shrugging off her calls to try and sleep. "Aaron, get up now! I need you to do something for me." That was all he needed to hear. Waiting a few seconds, he placed both arms into the ground, forcing him up off the sands as he suddenly weighed more than led.

"What can I do for you?" He said with a yawn. He had nearly achieved sleep, something Twilight would need soon.

"I need you to talk to Nightmare."

"Why?"

"Because, she may be able to help us. I want you to tell her of our situation when you sleep and see what she can do to help out." Aaron let out a groggy moan as he tried to awaken himself.

"I doubt she could do much."

"No, but whatever she can do is enough." Aaron nodded in agreement, or nearly fell asleep as he stood up, it was kind of hard to tell. "Thank you, this means a lot to us." Without warning, twilight brought Aaron in for a hug in gratitude, giving him the jolt of energy he needed to fully awaken. His eyes darted around, unsure of what to do, his hands slowly began to wrap around her, only for her to pull away with a smile. "Come on. I think they're done with dinner."

~~~~~

Night had soon come to the ghost town, and with it the cold soon followed. Twilight didn't have a warm wagon to keep the cold at bay. Instead, the group relied on a fire pit that had been dug into the ground. There, the smell of food cooking on an open flame filled the town hall. Draco and Applejack had pulled their food supplies together for the time being, but they would still have to ration their food supply.

Passed around to each pony was a bowl with a limited supply of beans and corn. Each pony got a few spoonfuls of food per bowl as to make sure no one got more than the other. Yet Twilight was continuously offered more due to the royal status she used to once hold. She denied them time and time again, saying she had all she wanted.

As they sat around the fire, Applejack was bombarded with question after question about where she had been, how she survived, and where the other apple-family members were. She told them of how she survived in the Everfree forest for three years, escaping Tirek's soldiers to hide in the forest. The strange beasts that dwelled within as she fought for survival against the hordes of changelings that now dwelled within. Aaron could see some of the soldiers shutter at the mere mention of changelings, the looks of fear in their eyes at the mention that they had taken on strange traits that mimicked the walking dead.

Applejack assured them that they stayed in the Everfree and don't wander out of the borders. For what reason she didn't know. All she knew was that they stayed in the dark confines of forest. Other than the changelings, all Applejack had to tell them of was the random patrols that met an ill fate within her home and allowing her to scavenge whatever it was that was left. The group paid close attention to everything she said, wanting to know what became of the mare and the family she had that vanished overnight.

She merely told them she didn't know what happened to them. Saying she was cut off from the outside world. While it was half-true, Draco could tell she wasn't being front with them, she was never the best liar. Yet he knew that Applejack lied when she had to and he would keep up the illusion, but he would be sure to get the truth out of her later on. For now, he did not wish to start the first dinner with guests on dragging out secrets they didn't want to share.

"So, Twilight." Draco began. "How have you been? We've talked business for the last few hours, we haven't gotten time to chat as friends." Twilight looked up from her food, mixing her corn in with the sweet sauce of the beans.

"Well, I've mostly been on the run. Always moving, always busy. Always looking. My life hasn't been all that worth discussing until now. Other than the close calls I've had with capture or death, I've mostly just been wandering about."

"So, what's with the full transition to action."

"Lets just say my original plan..." Her gaze drifted to Aaron, talking with Boom-chew and Knit-Pick as the three stallions ate together on one side of the fire. "Didn't turn out as it should have."

"Care to elaborate on that?"

"I spent the latter part of my time on the run researching a spell that could change the tides of this battle to our favor, only to be severely disappointed with the results."

"Wait... was that beacon of light... you?"

"... It may have been."

"Cool, so what happened."

"I didn't get a monster like I wanted, but I did get a new ally." It was Draco's turn to look Aaron's way.

"So, what is he?"

"Supposedly, the most dangerous thing in existence. Though, in my time spent with him, he's relatively harmless." Twilight finished the contents of her bowl and set it aside. "I've asked him if he was willing to help us with getting Dash out. He says he will help."

"Really? wow. That saves me the trouble. I thought I'd have to make some rousing speech of doing what's right and all that junk."

"You weren't the only one." Twilight let out a yawn, stretching her arms as she stood up. "I'll be heading off to bed now."

"Oh, the guys set up a room for you. It's in the old Mayor's office."

"Thank you, Draco." Twilight turned her attention to Aaron, clearing her throat to get his attention. "Aaron, could you come with me please. We need to talk."

"Ooh, trouble in paradise?" Sneaky said with a chuckle. Aaron didn't bother to respond to Sneaky Quick's remark. From what he was told, he was the joker/oddball of the group Draco had cobbled together and was told not to take anything he said too seriously. While Twilight blushed in a faintly from the remark, Aaron merely shrugged it aside as he went with Twilight.

Leaving the rest behind, Twilight and Aaron found their way to the Mayor's old office. The room itself was bare, having been stripped down of anything of value long ago. On the floor was a mat in the middle of the room, next to it sat her belongings. Once Aaron was inside, Twilight shut the door behind her for privacy. She wanted to make sure it was just the two of them for the time being. "So, what do you need Twilight?"

"I want to give you the message before you go to sleep tonight. I want it to be as fresh in your memory as possible."

"Oh... okay then."

"Okay, here goes. I want you to tell her that we are outnumbered, we have no way of talking to Rainbow or any way for her to talk to us, we don't know what we're dealing with in terms of the griffins stationed here. Basically, we need something to turn things in our favor. Something, anything at all that can help get Rainbow out, or allow us to talk to her. Can I trust you to deliver this message to her?"

"Of course. That sounds simple enough."

"It may sound simple, but I'm counting on you for this. If Nightmare is telling the truth and does want to help us, then this is the time to prove it." Aaron nodded as he made sure to memorize her message to Nightmare. Once he figured he had it down, he turned to make his way out. "Wait." Twilight had stopped him dead in his tracks. "Do you... think you could sleep in here? I-I want to... know what she has to say as soon as you wake up."

Aaron looked to her in a daze, trying to process what she had asked. With a shrug and a smile, he spoke. "Sure. Let me go get a sleeping mat." She refrained from showing too much of her excitement, but did let a warm smile slip by her.

"Thank you. I'll... be here when you get back." He nodded before leaving the room and Twilight to fetch a mat, or at the very least something to substitute for one. He returned to the room where they were eating in and started to look for Draco. Once he had returned, he found Applejack fawning over the stallion, only to stop and blush at the sight of Aaron. "Excuse me, Draco?"

"Yeah, what do ya need, kid?"

"Do you have any other sleeping mats?"

"HA! Totally called it! Trouble in the bedroom!"

"Sneaky, shut the fuck up." Draco said as he left Applejack's side to take him where he got the mats. "Sorry about him. He's an idiot, but he's the best spy we got."

"It's fine." Aaron said, an awkward silence coming over them as they walked down the hall. "So... you and Applejack?"

"Huh? Oh. No no. Not anymore. That was... a long time ago." Aaron could see a look of regret flow through his eyes. "She an I are just friends now."

"That didn't look like friendship to me."

The stallion let out a small sigh. "I know. She was my first marefriend back in the day and I was hers. I had to leave, it was... hard on both of us."

"Ya don't say."

"Yeah. We tried to stay in touch, but my job got a little too demanding after a while. Thus, the letters... sort of stopped sending." Aaron nodded, trying not to say anything stupid. "Though, I tell ya. Seeing her alive, it eases a lot of pain when she and her family went missing. Though... I sort of wonder what would happen if I stayed with her." They came to a closet and showed Aaron the mats they all used for sleeping. "Here you are." He said, presenting the black sleeping mats. "Sorry in advance. I gave Twilight the best one."

"Playing favoritism I see."

"No, its called being respectful. She is a princess after all." He looked about for a second, making sure they were alone. "You and her... you two aren't... you know."

"Huh?"

"Are you two... preening your feathers? Cause if you are, we can give you some privacy."

"I-I don't... what?" Draco was about to continue on, only to hear a crash in the living room.

"Celestia dammit, not again. Look, whatever is going on between you two is fine, just leave a horseshoe on the doorknob and we'll understand." Draco ran off down the hall, yelling once he got to his team again. Aaron didn't really care what it was, mostly due to the fact that he was trying to comprehend what the hell just happened. Shrugging it off, Aaron took what he believed to be the cleanest bed from the closet and to make his way back to Twilight.

He passed by the room where Draco had gone too, now arguing with Gilda who had disappeared for some time now. Not wanting to get involved, he merely passed by the scene as if he never saw it. He was sure that the room was now empty and everyone had gone to sleep.

Opening the door, he froze as he saw Twilight slip on a loose shirt, catching an image of her bright purple bra. "Oh, hello Aaron." Twilight greeted him again with a shy smile. "Um... did you-"

"NO! I-I mean, no. I just got here."

"Good, good." Things became quiet for a sec, an awkwardness forming in the room, growing thicker by the second. "So, would you like to..."

"Oh, yes. Yes please." Twilight moved her mat aside, letting my make room for his own. Aaron sat his down and tried to get comfortable. He was starting to see why Draco meant best, these things were lumpy as fuck. He was convinced that they filled them with rocks and some sort of stale styrofoam. Yet, that didn't explain the flexibility, but that didn't matter much compared to how uncomfortable it was. Once he was sitting down, Twilight handed the blanket to him, immediately recognizing it as her green cloak. "Here, I don't want you getting cold."

"Oh, no Twilight. It's yours, I don't want to intrude any more than I am."

"Actually... I was thinking you and I could share. Its cold out and I don't want you catching anything." The two blushed, avoiding the other's gaze. The cloak functioned great as a blanket, the only problem is that Aaron was too big, thus the two would have to huddle together. Seeing no other way, Aaron laid beside his friend in awkward silence as she draped themselves in the dark green cloak. Aaron could feel the heat coming from Twilight as they laid together. It was a strange feeling, sure, but it he felt comfortable next to her in a way.

"So... I guess... good night." She hid her face under the blankets.

"Y-Yeah. Good night.Twilight turned away from Aaron, trying to get some sleep, or at least look like it. Aaron did the same, only his sleep didn't come so naturally due to the uncomfortable mat he lay on. Remembering Nightmare's words and tried to think of her before he went to sleep. Her grace, her beauty, her determination, her long purple hair, her warm smile and her deep pools of purple for her eyes. He connected the dots and realized that it wasn't nightmare he was thinking about. Twilight was invading his mind as he slept, what with the mare beside him and her scent coming from the thing keeping him warm, it was no mystery why he was thinking about her. Yet, strangely, he felt something else. Closing his eyes, he tried to ignore this sensation so he could focus on Nightmare. He had a job to do and he was set on seeing it through.

~~~~~

Aaron found himself floating in the void of nothing. He felt the sensation of falling without end, a cool rush of wind on his face as he seemed to race faster and faster down to nothing. Aaron screamed uncontrollably in his sleep as he raced faster and faster, only to be blinded by an incredible light that enveloped him.

The falling sensation stopped as he held his eyes shut, scared that he would hit the ground any second. But when he would open his eyes, he would find himself in a strange place. Aaron found himself sitting in a circular booth with music booming through the room. Looking closely, he found himself in a dance club. The people were moving to the beat, dancing with no end in sight. They were merely silhouettes in garish clothing. Upon closer inspection, he realized what kind of club it was. It wasn't just any dance club, but it was a disco club. He looked to the dancing shadows with reflective jackets bell bottom pants. To say Aaron felt confused, as to why he was dreaming about a music genre he had no interest in, was a bit of an understatement.

"Greetings, thine foxy mothers!" Came a familiar voice. Slowly turning to meet the voice, his eyes shrank to the size of pins as he saw the one other thing in the club with real features. She wore platform shoes/fish tank, lifting her a foot or so into the air as a gold-fish swam about in them. Moving up, Aaron could see a vibrant purple pair of bell bottom jeans that looked like they could actually function as parachutes. Coming up next was a leopard skin jacket with a low-cut shirt and a few medallions hanging around her neck. But the thing that drew Aaron's attention was her face. She had a smile on her face as her eyes were hidden behind two round dark sunglasses, seemingly attached a massive ethereal afro, swaying as she moved her head. "You called me up, so I thought I'd bring us to a funky fresh location and not that totally uncool nightmare you were having."

Aaron couldn't help but retreat into his hands as he tried to hide from the sight. "I'm starting to wonder which one was the true nightmare." Nightmare scoffed as she joined him in the booth.

"Hey, don't be putting down the funk. This music is pretty fly."

"What exactly happened to you? You look like a walking disco ball."

Nightmare responded with a giggle. "And that's the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it."

"Why are you talking like that? Seriously, you sound like that mom who tries to be cool with their son but has no idea what is currently popular."

"Ha! But you are not my foal and I care not for impressing you. I was rummaging through your mind and honestly, your music is quite interesting. Why do you not like this genre? Never before have my hips felt so fluid."

"The caretaker liked to blast the stuff in the orphanage. After nights of it, I've grown sick of Disco almost in its entirety. It also cemented my hate for roller-disco as well." Nightmare nodded and understood his reasons.

"So be it. That won't stop this groove train from headin' down to Funky Town however."

"If you say one more word like that, I'm going to-"

"What, send that guy who can stop me? What was his name?... Michael McDoesntexist?" Aaron groaned as he sat back in his seat. "Oh don't be so melodramatic. But, I do suppose I must tone down the funkiness for business. I know why you summoned me."

"Oh" Aaron said, seemingly perking back up. "Fantastic, saves me the trouble of repeating it. Please tell me you can help us. As quick as possible please, I think my ears are bleeding. If this place starts playing Do the Hustle, I might go in a blood rage."

"Just for insulting my favorite song, I shall tell you in my new accent."

"OH GOD DAMMIT!!!" Aaron growled as he slammed his head against the table.

"Here's the skinny, while I can't do nothin' involving my fine, silky touch, I can give you a sensational means of communication with your fellow companions." As Nightmare spoke, Aaron half listened to her as he slammed his head again and again to drain out the dead form of slang he so wished had stayed dead. "However, I cannot let ya call any of your crew. Their minds have been blocked off from my influence, so ya best find a pony that's pretty fly and with an open mind, in more ways than one. Ya feel me?"

"Great!" Aaron said throwing his arms up. "So, I just gotta find some other poor soul to introduce this fucking genre to!"

"No... another genre of music."

"If it ain't disco, I could care less."

"Quite so, but I do know somepony quite close to you. She has not yet had her mind protected from my influence and I could connect your mind to hers." Aaron looked to her a little concerned, knowing full well who she meant.

"I... Dunno. Applejack is a friend of mine, that seems like an invasion of her privacy."

"Then ask her for permission first. If she consents, you and her can get cozy."

"Please... Nightmare, stop with the slang. Just... let it die along with the 70's in general." Nightmare sighed, pouting like a young filly.

"Fine. After one more."

"Just get it out-of-the-way." She smiled and tried to think of her next disco-ism.

"May the force be with you."

"That's something else entirely, but whatever. Are you done now?"

"For the time being." She said with a giggle. Nightmare had to admit to herself. She had more fun in the short time she spends with the human than she does in the waking world. "Now, since we got all the droll stuff out-of-the-way, how goes your progress on the bu-... I mean, your trail."

"It's fine. Hit a few road blocks here and there, but we are making progress none the less." Nightmare's eyes go half lidded as she looks at him, giving Aaron a small chill.

"And it also seems you've tasted the fruit of my fine land. Rather interesting to have your first time with a different species, is it not?" Aaron freezes as he turns redder than a tomato, trying to find a way to lie to a pony who can and has seen all his thoughts. "Oh, don't be shy now. What happens in your dreams stays in your dreams, I promise you that much. However, your technique could use some... how do I put this, passion."

"I'm... sorry, I thought we were here to discuss the prison break, not my sex life."

"I know, but I do so enjoy our time together, so I thought you and I could get a little more friendly." Aaron raised a brow as he looked to her skeptically.

"Just how friendly here?" Nightmare responded with a giggle.

"Friendly enough." Her voice had turned sultry, throwing Aaron off of his guard "I don't intend to invite you to my swingin' pad... at least not now that is. We hardly know each other." Aaron's blush had returned, this time in full form. "Besides, I'm a married mare, technically. It totally uncool, even for a ruler of the land, to cheat on her beloved. That's just wack." She practically spat out the last word. "But, if you do save this bunny from the man, I might be inclined to join your herd. Oh wait... you don't know what that is, do you?"

"N-Not really. Applejack won't tell me unless..."

"You strike her. I know, I saw the memory. You seem to not like hurting others. Its understandable, but no pony ever said you had to hurt any pony. I had asked you to learn how to defend yourself, not to start random bar brawls. You have nothing to worry about, trust me.

"Can we... Can we drop the subject please. I don't wanna talk about it." Nightmare shrugged, seeming to float closer to him to bring the human in for a hug. Froze as he felt the her large breasts press against him. He could practically see them starting to pop free from the low cut shirt

"I will... under one condition. I'll even tell you what a herd is." He let out a groan as weighed his options.

"Fine... what do you want." she turned his face to her, a look of passion floating about in her brilliant blue eyes as they stared him down. He looked back into her as their faces slowly moved closer to each other.

"I want..." She whispered, her lips began to pucker up. Aaron couldn't help but do the same as his eyes closed. "I want..." He waited for their lips to meet, but they never came. Instead, he got the rest of the sentence. "I want you do get funky." Aaron's eyes shot open as the music soon returned, the two in the center of the dance floor yet again.

"Son of a-...!"

"Oh come on, Aaron." Nightmare said, swinging her hips to the beat of the music. "Come dance with me, at least for a little bit. It won't kill you." She started to move her hands in a way like she was pulling rope like a mime, only to feel an actual rope around his waist, being pulled closer to her.

"Ya always get what you want, don't you."

"When I'm with you that is. Come on, one dance, and I'll tell you everything you want to know. You got nothing to lose my non-blood related sibling." Aaron let out a groan, looking about at the silhouettes as they copied Nightmare's moves. Even for a music genre he loathed, Aaron had to admit she knew how to swing those hips.

"Fine... but this doesn't leave the dream. And no more 70's slang either!"

"I make no such promises." She took hold of him and swung him about on the dance floor. "But, I will tell you what you want, and need to know." With that, the song changed, one that would have been a deal breaker for Aaron, but he was curious and wanted questions. Plus, who was she going to tell. With a sigh, Aaron joined Nightmare on the dance floor. Shaking his hips to hers and moving to the song of Staying Alive by honestly who the hell cared. Repressed memories started to flow back in as he soon danced with the mare. "My my, you're quite light on your hooves." She said, as she found her way into Aaron's arms.

"Don't push it. Now, why does Applejack want me to hit her so much?"

"It's simple." Nightmare said, pointing to the skies then to the ground, Aaron matching her dance moves as the did this repeatedly. "Applejack merely wishes to see how strong you are. She's not asking you to punch her in the eye, just in the arm at least. Trust me when I say she can take anything you can dish out." Aaron let out a groan as they met each other again, their feet seemingly sliding along the dance floor like magic.

"I dunno. I'm still uncomfortable about it."

"It's like your kind says; like a band-aid, it's best to get it over with quick. It'll hurt for a bit, but you'll be glad it's over." Aaron sighed as he lifted her up as they spun around. Nightmare was practically weightless, though he understood why. You can do what you wish in dreams.

"Okay, I've heard the word 'herd' for a while now and I'd very much like to know what it is." Aaron sat her down on the dance floor, refusing to dance any further until he had his answer.

"Ugh, you're bringing down my groove, Aaron. That's not very cool of you."

"Nightmare, please."

"Oh..." She looked to him, a smile forming on her face. "Fine, but for stopping our lovely time together, I won't tell you what it is entirely." She snapped her fingers as two familiar faces soon joined them. Twilight and Applejack, dressed as equally ridiculous as Nightmare was, had found their way to Aaron's Arms. The two had a sultry look on their faces as their eyes were covered by a pair of sunglasses. Applejack's being shaped like apples, while Twilight had a pair of sparkling stars. The two fakes looked up at Aaron into his eyes, liking their lips hungrily. "A herd simplified is an intimate relationship with two oro more mares. Though, its purpose has shifted over the years."

Aaron had no idea how to respond to that. He had always been told that a relationship should only involve two people and any more was frowned upon. Still, he wasn't particularly against the idea. "O-Okay. But, why are Twilight and Applejack here." She never responded, merely blowing him a kiss as Aaron seemed to float away.

"You'll know when you see it, be vigilant. The clues are right there, you just need to look at those closest to you. Catch ya on the flip side!" Nightmare and the two dream clones of Applejack and Twilight waved him goodbye, their time together coming to an end. Aaron had no way of controlling himself as he seemingly tumbled around in the air without any way of stopping himself. But regardless, he had a message for Twilight. One where he may be able to help turn the tides of their issue.

~~~~~

Finding himself awaken, he was momentarily blinded by the first rays of sunlight to leak in through the cracks of the boarded up window. He let out a groan as his body began to awaken with him. With a long yawn, Aaron laid in his bed to give his body a chance to fully awaken before he goes through his new morning routine. He didn't want to continue though Applejack's insane workout regimen, the thought of such made him only want to sleep more. Yet, he still had to get up today. He had a job to do, and to deliver Nightmare's message to Twilight. He had to tell her what they now had at their disposal.

After five minutes, Aaron began to rise from his bed, only to feel something pulling him back down. Around his neck were two familiar purple arms holding him in place on the mats. He tried to turn himself around but the arms refused even the most basic of movements, thinking that he was trying to escape their grasp. After a struggle, Aaron managed to see the face of who had held him down. He wasn't surprised who it was, yet was surprised at how she looked.

Her mane was an utter mess and a thin line of drool ran down her muzzle to the mat. A soft snore could be heard along with a faint puff of morning breath right into Aaron's face. He managed to pass through the smell, only to suppress a chuckle. He was unsure if Twilight had done this intentionally or not, and frankly he didn't care. He liked where he was right now and he liked being with Twilight. Making a quick decision, Aaron decided a few more minutes of sleep wouldn't hurt. He knew Applejack would understand.

Turning himself around, he got back into his original position on the bed. He could feel Twilight spooning him in her sleep, even adjusting herself to hold him closer to her body. He didn't mind it at all, even going as far as to say he enjoyed it quite a bit.

Closing his eyes, he reached up to Twilight's arms, taking hold of them for as he rested for another five minutes. A term which meant to Aaron as 'Whenever I stop enjoying sleep'. Though with Twilight close to him, he figured it would be a while.

Author's Notes:

I didn't do the star wars reference, that was just a happy accident for may the fourth. I wanted to fill Nightmare up with a bunch of 70-isms as possible. That one was just a happy accident.