"Train tracks?"

"Yes, Aaron. Train tracks," Twilight stated as the group scanned the dark floor of the Everfree, following Twilight and Applejack's memory. The group had dropped down to ground level after traveling for a few hours. Twilight had planned on using the train tracks to lead them through the desert so they would not get lost. Their hooves feeling around for the large rails that would aid them on their journey. "We need the train tracks so we can follow them out of the Everfree and through the desert. Otherwise, we'd follow it aimlessly through the desert."

"Oh. I see. But if there are trains, why aren't we taking one to Appleoosa?"

"There are two reasons for that actually. One is that we can't ride trains due to the guards patrolling them, and secondly, there was only one railway system going to Appleoosa. It was either shut down when the Everfree began expanding or when the town became a prison town." Aaron understood now and continued looking for the rails, now made clear of their current objective. Though he was a little terrified of encountering more changelings. Even the thought of the leathery skin and dead eyes sent shivers down his spine.

A faint glow had come closer to them that was all too familiar. It was changeling blood, and the one handling the light was Applejack. She had left for a moment to clean off the blood that had faded on their hours of traveling in the trees. Instead of using her body to hold the gore, she brought out a bowl and found a lone changeling and milked it of its glowing blood. "How goes the search, y'all?"

"Well, if memory serves, we should be close. The light is making things much easier." The area was now illuminated in a green glow and made their search a bit easier now. Applejack was about to say something only to be caught by cling of metal and a cry of pain. Aaron managed to find the rails with his toes with a surprising amount of force. "Oh, looks like he found it for us. Good job, Aaron." Aaron had a small smile as he tried to work through the pain. "Now we can get out of here."

Twilight sighed with relief; she had enough of being in the forest and desperately wanted to get out of there. "Okay then, Applejack. Please lead us out, if you will."

"Sure thing. Come on y'all. Lets get a move on." Applejack began leading them through the darkness with her lamp of changeling's blood. As they did, Twilight came up to Aaron and smiled at him. He was a little confused at to why and he merely just smiled back at her, letting the awkwardness wash over him. After a minute, he finally asked.

"Can I... help you, Twilight?"

"Just... curious is all."

"Curious about what?"

"About you and why you are considered the most dangerous being in existence." Aaron raised an eyebrow at her statement, yet would wonder the same thing. Aaron wasn't a very dangerous person, in fact he wasn't all that violent. Why anyone or anything would consider him dangerous was a complete mystery to him. Though it could be more of the species than him specifically.
"Well, whatever the reason, I'm actually glad I'm here."

"Why?" Twilight asked utterly confused. "We've been chased by soldiers and survived an army of walking corpses, and yet you are still glad you are here?"

"Yes. In fact, I'd even take it a step further and say that it's quite fun." Twilight didn't know how to respond as the human started to give her more and more questions. The biggest one however was how was anypony able to find their current situation be fun. Though, for a second, Aaron reminded her of Pinkie Pie. She was the one exception to that demographic as the outrageous pink mare could find the bright side to even the darkest of situations. If there was a pony Twilight wanted to see, it was Pinkie Pie so she could lift her spirits.

Before she could continue on with her questions, Applejack used her blade to cut some foliage as they were all suddenly blinded by the first sight of sunlight they'd seen in quite some time. Applejack managed to block the brunt of it, but Twilight and Aaron took the whole light. "Agh! Dammit that's bright!"

"Oh yeah, spending hours in the forest with no sunlight is the worst. It's not like you've been here for about three years or anythin'," Applejack said with a tone of sarcasm to Aaron, her hands blocking the suns rays from her own eyes. Aaron looked onto the rays of the sun pouring into the dark forest. His vision was the first to return and he saw his first real sight of the new world he was in. First was the small field of grass that immediately turned into a desert. After that, it was just desert for miles on end with a bright blue sky hanging overhead.

"Huh... you know, when you told me that this place was ruled by a madman, I was expecting red sunlight, dead trees and a seas of blood. This... doesn't look all that bad."

Twilight came out of the forest, heavily squinting to ease herself reentering into the sun's bright light. "Well, not out here. You'll get your fair share of horrors in the cities with some random locations of brutality."

Applejack took her first footsteps out of the forest, taking small steps to slowly ease her eyes to the suns rays after so long. "Ach, by Celestia! Did the sun get closer or somethin'?" Twilight and Aaron giggled to each other as they saw Applejack's difficulties and soon Twilight reached into her bag to bring out something that could help Applejack.

"Here AJ, these may help." In her hand was a pair of purple glasses. Applejack took them and placed them over her eyes and found seeing much easier.

"Heh, thanks Twi. These look a bit familiar? Where'd you get 'em?"

"Vinyl."

"Vinyl? You mean the DJ pony?"

"Yeah. She gave them to me as a gift when I went to her show to refill my synthetic magic." Applejack looked through the lenses and saw everything in a purple tint and found that seeing was a much easier task.

"Well, thanks for letting me use them. I'll give them back when I'm done." Twilight smiled and turned her attention to the tracks leading into the desert, sighing as she looked out into the distance.

"This is going to be one hell of a walk."

Twilight heard a chuckle next to her, seeing Aaron sitting down and tying shirts to his feet. "Well, I'm sure that we can find something to talk about on the way." He had one topic in particular, though he was hesitant on bringing it up. Aaron stood up and took a few steps with his makeshift shoes.

"Surgarcube, what are you doin'?" Applejack said with a bit of confusion.

"What? Oh, the shirts. Well, we're going into the desert." Twilight and Applejack stared at him silently, waiting for more in his explanation. "Well, I need to protect my feet because they're sensitive to touch and walking in a vast desert with hot sand and who know's what else could damage them and slow me down." Twilight and Applejack looked to each other with a quizzical look but just let Aaron do what he needed to.

With his feet properly protected and their path laid out before them, they began their long walk. "So, besides Aaron's odd fashion statement, what do y'all wanna talk about?"

"Well, I would still like to know why Aaron is considered dangerous or maybe some key similarities and differences in our cultures?" Aaron shrugged and was fine with answering more questions. Plus, he would actually like to deduce why he or at least his kind was considered dangerous.

"That's a mighty fine question actually. Fella looks like he hasn't been in a fight in his life."

"Mostly because I haven't. I've never been in a fight before."

Applejack giggled as they walked along in the vast area of sand. "Bullshit Aaron. Everypony has been in a fight once or twice in their life. Hell, I remember a time when I was a school filly and got into this tussle with this colt. He was pickin' on this other pony and I just wouldn't stand for it. He came up ta me and shoved me. Next thing we both knew, we each had two black eyes, bruises, and broken muzzles."

"So, what happened to him?" Aaron asked.

"Hm? Oh, we talked a little bit in detention, got to know each other and found we had a bit in common. A few years later, he became a farm hand and we began seeing each other."

"Um... Cool. What about you, Twilight? Been in any school fights yourself?"

Twilight giggled. "Oh good heavens, no. I would never descend to physical violence when I was in school. Celestia would have none of that. However, in the debate pull I was a reigning champion. There wasn't a pony who could dethrone me."

"That sounds interesting. Were you on your local debate team when you were younger?"

"No, I was in the Canterlot City Council. Though, I sort of outgrew them when I wanted to focus more on my studies." Aaron was stunned by her remark and had no idea how to respond. He just remained silent as Twilight stared back at him awkwardly. It was only then when Applejack cleared her throat and spoke that he was brought out of his trance.

"So, uh Twilight. Didn't you have a few questions about Aaron's culture or somethin' or other?"

"Y-Yes, thank you, Applejack. Aaron, would you care to answer a few questions?"

"Sure. I don't see anything else to help pass the time."

Twilight's face lit up as she brought out a small notebook and a small pencil, ready to take notes of every word Aaron said. "Great, now first question. How technologically advanced is your species?" That was the first of many questions asked by the purple pony. Her hands scribbling away on the small piece of paper as she paid attention to every word that left his mouth. Applejack kept walking, listening to their conversation. It was a long walk and hearing the sound of somepony's voice would make the time pass much quicker.

~~~~~

Hours had passed since they first departed and Twilight was still going strong with the questions. It was the only sound in the desert for miles, and the utter glee in Twilight's voice as she wrote put a smile on Aaron's face for two reasons: One was that no one had ever taken a liking to him like she had. It made him feel like he meant something to the mare. Though, it did push one important bit of news to the back of his subconscious.

Second was that he liked to see her smiling for once. They had been going through so much danger on this journey of theirs and Twilight seemed so absolutely serious and dead-set on her mission. It was nice to see who she really was for a change and he liked it. Even though he never got a chance to toss in a question of his own so he could learn something about her species and culture instead of what he could deduce from what he had already been told or could find out on his own.

The sun was setting and the pop quiz of Aaron's species was over for the day. Their legs burned from the long distance and the light to guide their way was quickly fading away. Applejack came to a stop and dropped her pack on the ground with a loud thump. "Alright y'all. I think that's enough walking for today."

Aaron gave a sigh of relief as he fell to his knees, his strength taken up from the walk, though he didn't have much to carry besides their clothes. Fetching the tent from Applejack's bag, Twilight began to set up for their first night in the desert. "Hey Applejack, would you mind fixing us something to eat?"

"Sure, what'll it be? I got canned corn, canned beans, or canned carrots?" The sound of liquid filled cans could be heard as she rummaged through the bag, as well as the sound of other metallic objects. Aaron carried the clothes while Applejack carried the heavy stuff, what else could be in there was unknown.

"Hm, tough choice. Aaron, what do you want?"

"Can of beans, please." With a nod, Applejack picked up a can of beans, not really paying attention at what kind they were. Taking a dagger that was a little all too familiar to Aaron, Applejack began to cut the can open. With no fire, the the three would have to eat them cold, raw, and straight from the can as well as sharing it. With limited amount of food, they wanted to make what they had last. Grabbing a few spoons, Applejack handed one to Aaron and Twilight, who was half finished with the tent. The three huddled together, and began to take small bites, making sure everyone got their fair share.

"So, how are y'all doin'?" Applejack started, wanting to lighten the mood.

"Meh, doing okay I guess. Not that much to do in this desert but talk."Twilight turned her attention to him with a quizzical look.

"Oh? But I thought you liked talking to me?"

"I do, Twilight, I do. Its just... we're kind of in a void right now. There isn't a single object out here to look at but us." They heard a chuckle come from Applejack as she took a small bite of food.
"Oooh, you been lookin' at us, stud?"

"What! I-... No!" The mares broke out into a small fit of laughter, making Aaron turn a light shade of red.

"Aw, come on sugarcube, it's only a little bit o' fun. If you want to look at us, just take your fill. I ain't gonna get mad at ya." Applejack finished with a small chuckle before taking another bite.

Twilight giggled a bit as well, finally looking up at her friends with a smile. "Hey Aaron, I got one more question for you."
"Alright, shoot." He said, not making taking any thought into it as he took another small bite.

"Do you find us attractive?" Twilight said in utter innocence. Though, the question nearly made Aaron choke on his food, not expecting such a thing to be asked. She mostly just stuck with his people's culture and history. Asking if he found the two of them attractive was a curve ball he was not expecting.

"E-Excuse me?" He said, dumbfounded.

"Applejack and I, do you find us physically attractive?"

"Yeah Aaron," Applejack said playfully, taking up a seductive pose to mess with him. "What do ya think about us?" It was true, that Aaorn had ogled at them once or twice, but he never actually put any real thought into it. Truth was, he liked being around Applejack and Twilight. They meant a lot to him. Clearing his throat, he decided to give an answer.

"Yes, I do find you two attractive, both physically and personality wise." The answer made the two mares smile, making Aaron sigh with relief.

"So, would you ever consider mating if you can't go home?" He was about ready to stand up and head off to bed, until he began to think about the question a bit.

"What do you mean 'if I can't go home?'" Aaron was a bit curious now. These questions came out of left field with no rhyme or reason, something was up and he could tell. Twilight had grown quite red herself and was avoiding eye contact. Something was up. "Twilight?"

The sound of her name made her yelp a bit. "Uh... i-it just might so happen that... the spell I used to summon you... was... one way only." A look of fear had developed on her face, terrified of what he would say next.

"Okay." That was it, he made no fuss nor did he make any angry outburst that Twilight was expecting. Twilight turned to Applejack, who only shrugged to her in confusion as well.

"You're taking this... pretty well actually. I was expecting you to burst out in rage, maybe yell at me, call me a bitch."

"Why would I do that? I couldn't do those things to you. Hell, I should be thanking you for what you did." Now Twilight was really confused, this was not what she had thought would occur, in fact it was the exact opposite. "When you summoned me, I... I admit I was terrified. Waking up in some strange place with a stranger looming over me with a knife, that's some grade A horror shit right there. Of course, when you explained the situation to me, I was... grateful that I was brought here. I didn't have anyone who needed me nor wanted to be around me. I was just dead weight. But then I met you guys." Applejack and Twilight look to him, surprised by his response. "Sure I may have been an accident, but you guys haven't turned me away thus far. In fact... what if I told you there was another ally, someo- erm, pony, who I thought could be of help?"

Now they were truly confused, they don't remember him going off on his own. Twilight and Aaron had been together since they first met. It was impossible for him to meet somepony else that was willing to fight in the time he was here. "Aaron, what are you talking about?" Twilight wanted to know who this ally was, her curiosity demanded it so.

"When the changeling bit me and I passed out-"

"Fainted." Applejack stated.

"Passed out, I met somepony in my dreams." Twilight's smile slowly began to fade as he spoke, starting to understand what he was talking about. "She said she wanted to help me on my quest, saying that I could use all the help we could get."

"Holy crap! Luna spoke to you?" Applejack stated with a smile.

"Who's Luna?" The smile on Applejack's face soon began to fade as well, thought Twilight had a look of absolute horror as she stared at Aaron.

"Oh dear sweet Celestia you didn't." Twilight began to tremble as Aaron spoke once more.

"Her name was Nightmare Moon." The utterance of the name made Twilight's eyes shrink to the size of pins, refusing to believe what he had said. Yet she could tell that he was serious. He did not snicker, nor did he make any comedic reference stating that it was all just a weird joke. "Uh... Twilight, are you okay? You're lookin kinda pale?"

Twilight was frozen, refusing to process the information that she had just been handed. Applejack could see tremors from Twilight's body. Finally after a few moments of silence, Twilight spoke. "What... have... you... done?" Aaron couldn't hear her all that well, as she was practically whispering. "Aaron... do you have any idea what this means?"

"I thought I did, but the way you're looking at me says otherwise."

"Aaron," Twilight started to make her way towards him, grasping his arms for support as her legs kept trembling. "Nightmare Moon is the enemy."

"N-No, Tirek is. She's merely his queen."

"Wait, what?!" Applejac stated as she heard them speak.

"Yes, she is. And you spoke with her." Aaron looked about, waiting for her to continue on. "Aaron, you let her into your mind. She knows everything."

"Yeah, I know that. Wish she didn't tell me that."

"Which means she knows of our plans!" Twilight was starting to develop tears in her eyes, her legs finally gave out and she fell to the ground. "She probably told Tirek about everything... and it's all your fault." Aaron was a little hurt by that statement.

"Hold up there Twi. I may not have been around for all this, but why don't we start looking this over. If Nightmare is back and she went into Aaron's mind, that doesn't mean it's his fault. He's a victim in all this."

Twilight paused for a moment. "Besides, what's to stop her from going into your mind and see what you were planning or where you were that instant?"

"Mental barriers. When Luna turned back into Nightmare, the resistance movement started to develop mental blocks to keep her out."

"Okay fair enough, but Aaron doesn't have those mental blocks." Twilight paused for a moment and then looked up to him. He saw a look all too familiar as it resembled the look he saw when they first met.

"You're right AJ," She mumbled. "Which is why he's a danger to us both. Aaron has to go." Aaron was now scared out of his wits.
"Not so fast Twi. I don't have these blocks either. Nightmare could easily come into my head and see what goes around in my noggin." Twilight was stuck now. If she wanted to send Aaron away as to avoid spies, she would also have to send Applejack away as well, and that was not an choice she wanted to make.

"So... what do we do?" Twilight's voice was dripping with defeat, stuck in a corner with nowhere to go.

"Simple. If Nightmare is in fact helping us, I say we take advantage of it." Twilight looked to her friend in utter amazement.

"You're not seriously suggesting we-"

"Yes I am, and until you have calmed down, I don't want to hear another word from it."

"But... she could be telling Tirek of our every move! We could be walking right into an ambush!" Twilight was venting her fears to the two, letting them know of what she believed would occur.

"Twilight, if Nightmare was going to spy on us, why did she pick Aaron of all ponies... creatures?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, why did she choose him? Why didn't she choose me? If she knew where I was, could see what I was thinking, and witness all the things you said to me, why didn't she come to my dreams instead of Aaron's?" Twilight didn't know how to explain this. She could just as easily talk with her if she let down her own barriers, but she was too afraid of what Nightmare Moon could find. Secret bases, names of those that had been smuggling synthetic magic, even her own plans. The risk was too great. However, Aaron knew none of this. He had not seen any secret bases nor any sign of the resistance soldiers.

Twilight sighed and got back onto her hooves. "Fine. I guess... we'll do it your way. Aaron, how is Nightmare helping us exactly? Supernatural powers or incredible weapons of some sort?"

Aaron shook his head. "No, she said that giving us such would bring too much attention to herself. The best she can do is supply information to me, to pass on to you."

"And did she say anything important then?"

"Well, she did tell me the location of one of your friends. Someone named Pinkie Pie." Twilight was now curious, if she could learn the location of her friends, it would make things so much easier.

"So where is she then?"

"Someplace named Vanhoover."

Twilight sighed once more, knowing full well where that was. "Flim Flam."

"Flim Flam?" Applejack said in confusion. "Wait, those con artists are holdin' Pinkie hostage?"

"Not exactly. From what I was told, they're using her as some sort of power source." Aaron explained. Twilight could see that, Pinkie was a rather hyperactive pony. Using that seemingly bottomless pit of energy would make sense.

"Alright then... it looks like we have a new destination set. After we rescue Rainbow and Fluttershy, we head out to Vanhoover." Applejack nodded in agreement as well as Aaron. "Now, lets get some sleep. Aaron, I would appreciate it if you didn't speak to Nightmare for a while. I'm still not comfortable with this whole thing."

"Sure. Whatever you say." With that, Twilight went back to work on the tent so they had somewhere to sleep for the night. Applejack soon came up to talk with Aaron.

"Hey, I just want ya to know somethin'. While I'm not all that wild of Nightmare helpin' us, just promise me that you won't get hurt. She's really dangerous and not to be taken lightly."

"Thanks Applejack. I'll be sure to keep my wits about me." AJ smiled at him and gently patted his shoulder in a friendly manner before going off to set up the bed for them. Twilight had finished putting up the tent for the night and Applejack was setting up their stuff so nothing would steal them. Not that anything was out there, it was just something she did before going to bed. Aaron waited patiently and stole a few more bites of beans from the can, leaving a spoon full or two for Applejack or Twilight if they were still hungry.

Once they were done with setting up, Twilight sat down and undid the straps to her leg. Placing it aside so she would not kick her companions and because her leg was sore from walking in the desert for the day. Applejack laid down next to her, taking up a bit of space. Finally, after yawning a bit, Aaron went in after removing the shirts from his feet and taking the space next to Applejack. After zipping up the tent, they all began their slumber as the last light of the day shone its beautiful colors before the cloak of darkness covered the land.

~~~~~

Aaron had trouble sleeping that night. After hours of walking, he would think he would pass out almost immediately. And yet he laid awake at night, thoughts upon thoughts plaguing his mind of his situation. He could hear his friends breathing beside him, and on occasion Applejack would moan in her sleep then. What she was dreaming about was a mystery, but he had some ideas.

Slowly sitting up as to not wake them, he slowly unzipped the door and began to make his way out into the cool night air. It was far more welcome than the sweltering heat. The sand was now cool beneath him as he walked about the camp site, begging for even an inkling of feeling tired. He walked for a while until he finally sat down in the sand, staring off into the nothingness.

The moon provided some lighting in the vast wasteland, yet there was not an interesting thing in sight. Not even a cactus. Sitting with a sigh, Aaron began to wonder about his current situation. About what he was doing there and how he was supposed to help his new friends. He was practically useless and he knew it. "Hey." He heard someone call out to him, luckily it was a familiar voice. Turning back, Aaron could see Twilight poking her head out of the tent with an awkward smile.

"Hey." Aaron replied back, just as awkwardly as her smile. "What are you doing up? Shouldn't you be asleep?" She slowly emerged, wrapped in her cloak like a blanket.

"Shouldn't you? What are you doing out here?"

Aaron chuckled a bit as she came closer to him, sharing her cloak for warmth. She had somehow hopped over to his side without her prosthetic and sat down beside him. "Can't sleep. You?"

"I heard you opening the tent, thought you were a bandit or something." Aaron chuckled again.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."

"Eh, it's okay. I've been sleeping with one eye open for a while now. Besides, Applejack's moaning is kind of distracting." Aaron could agree on that. Though they weren't all that frequent, it could be kind of distracting at times. Even though Twilight and Aaron could see both of her hands at the time. "So um... I have a question for you."

"What didn't get your fill from this evening?"

"I did, you have an interesting culture. What with your self propelled carriages and self maintained weather." Aaron still couldn't quite grasp the concept that nature was manual in this world, even the sun having to be moved by hand... or magic. "Its concerning Nightmare Moon, I'm still... skeptical about it."

"I was to at first, she's quite intimidating yet beautiful."

"She's mostly just terrifying to me."

"Yeah, but I've never really seen anything like her."

Twilight giggled a bit at his statement. "She is... something. But she pales in comparison to her sister."

Aaron's eyes widen at the mention of a sister. "Holy crap, what's her name? Darkie... dark darker mare?" Twilight merely roled her eyes.

"No. Her name is Celestia. She was our ruler, just as Nightmare Moon was. Although, she went by the name of Luna back then."

"So that's who Luna is. I thought there were two ponies that walked about in other people's dreams."

"No, it's just Luna." Twilight paused for a moment to get her thoughts together before she proceeded. "I want to know what you think of her and why she wants to help us?" Aaron began to think it over a bit, pondering for a moment. He didn't exactly trust her completely, but he did have some for the mare.

"She's... hm. I'd like to think that she's unhappy and wants to make things right. I mean, she's actually being careful with this. She doesn't want Tirek to know about our connection at all. As for why she's doing it, I don't know. She wants to keep to herself." Twilight had her answer. Though it wasn't something she was looking for, it was still an answer and that was much better than I don't know.

"Its an interesting situation to be honest." Twilight began. "I personally wouldn't really let Nightmare out of my sight."

Aaron didn't really agree with her, he wanted to give some trust to the mare. "So, what is your deal with Nightmare anyway?"

Twilight let out a sigh as she pulled her cloak around her a little more. "A long time ago, Luna and Celestia disappeared. No pony knew where she went. We were all terrified that we had lost one of our leaders. One day, Nightmare Moon shows up and Celestia is no where to be found. We all assumed the worst." The two got a little quiet as they looked out into the void.

"Do you think she..."

Twilight shivered a bit, not from the cold but from the fear. She didn't want to think that Celestia was dead, she absolutely refused to think that. "I-I don't... She has to be alive." Aaron caught her hesitation and her shiver, instinctively bringing her closer for comfort, not really realizing that he did so. Twilight realized though, and she welcomed it a bit. She found Aaron to be rather warm and strangely inviting.

"Hey." Twilight said at random. "You never answered my question from before." Aaron looked down at her with a raised brow.

"When I asked if you'd ever consider mating with our kind. You dodged me on that one."

"Well, you keep dodging me when I ask why you grabbed my hand." Twilight giggled a bit.

"Alright touche, touche." SHe paused for a moment. "Tell ya what. I'll answer your question if you answer mine. Deal?" Aaron looked down at her, debating her offer. He didn't have much to lose here.

"Well... I do admit, your species has some traits that human males find... desirable. So, since I may not be going anywhere, I'd say... yeah. I guess I would... m-mate with your kind. Of course, if one would find me attractive first." Twilight smiled warmly as she dug into his side, all of her questions answered. "Hey, not so fast there. You still have a question."

Twilight opened her eyes in realization. "Oh... yeah, I forgot." She smiled a bit as her failed attempt to dodge the question was realized. "The reason I grabbed your hand back in the Everfree was because... I-I was scared, okay?" Aaron deadpanned a look at her, clearly unamused.

"Twilight, I can guarantee you that I was terrified as well. In fact, I was practically shitting bricks."

Twilight looked at him in confusion. "Your species defecates brick? That sounds painful."

"N-No, Twilight. It's a figure of speech. It means I was terrified beyond all comprehension. I mean, we were surrounded by an army of walking corps-"

"That's not what I was afraid of." Twilight interrupted. She had a look of shame on her face. "I was afraid of... failing." She said with a sigh. "I've always been afraid of failure. Staring into the face of death back there, it made me think of all the things that I would be leaving incomplete. My friends would still be trapped in their prisons, Tirek would remain in power, all those ponies that gave their lives to help would have died in vein. I-I just couldn't handle it. So I needed somepony to... comfort me." Twilight finished her explanation, glad to have it out of the way and into the open. To much of her surprise, she soon found herself wrapped in a hug. Twilight blushed at the sudden gesture of affection and would have ended up pushing him away, though just this once, she would let him have it.

"Thanks Aaron." She said a little groggy.

"No problem." He said. "Come on, lets get back to bed." Twilight agreed, it was late and they needed some rest for the long walk. Aaron offered himself as a crutch for her to use in order to get back to her spot in the tent and gently lowering her down so she could go back to her bed. Aaron was finally tired, yawning as he hit the bag that functioned as his pillow with a satisfied thump. Soon letting his consciousness drift off to God knows where. He was tired and he didn't really care much.

~~~~~

The sound of water dripping from the stone ceiling of the Canterlot dungeons as prisoners laid in the damp cobblestone of water and their own fluids. Having been kept in captivity for as long as there had been ponies that would oppose Tirek's reign. Though the big offenders were executed or put to work in Appleoosa or elsewhere. The prisoners that lay in their own filth looked up to the oncoming visitor. It was the same time every day as she held onto a tray of mashed potatoes and peas. Among the prisoners it was a four star meal prepared by the greatest of chefs of Equestrian history.

The black hands that held the tray walked down the halls with the food, the sound of her dark blue horse shoes tapping against the puddles as she walked the dark holes. The ponies looking up to her with their sad eyes, begging for the food she had with her. Yet, she paid them no mind and kept walking to her destination. A look of determination in her sapphire eyes as she walked down the hall of cells.

Finally she came to her destination at a random cell that looked like all the others, and yet it held one of Tirek's greatest trophies. Her arms shackled with the strongest chains, attached to the walls of her cell as she was restrained from all movement. Her once beautiful white coat now soaked in dirt and made crusty from any soldier wishing to use her for their own pleasure. The once aetherial-like mane that reached her hooves was now a tangled mess of hair and dirt. Finally, on top of her head was a small stub of what used to be the source of her magic. Now it was a small horrid reminder and a trophy that now rested on Tirek's new crown.

"Hello sister," Nightmare Moon said as she opened the door and entered, using her magic to suspend the tray in the air. The once proud Celestia lay silent in her bondage as Nightmare Moon looked down at her. "I brought you more food." Celestia said nothing to her. She had not said a word to a pony in a long time, specifically Nightmare Moon. Though, she was making some progress. Celestia was eating and on occasion she saw some movement. Still, Nightmare Moon longed for the day she could hear her sister's voice.

Nightmare brought a spoon of hot food to her sister's muzzle. She didn't move a muscle, but she knew she wasn't dead. Even though she didn't have her magic, alicorns were extremely difficult to kill. Starving was not something that would kill an alicorn, with or without magic. Still, that didn't stop Nightmare from bringing her food. "I have news of Twilight." Nightmare had said, bringing the spoon of more food to her sister. Keeping track of Twilight was the only way she managed to get her to start eating again. She didn't say much, but accepting the food was all she needed. "It appears Twilight is moving. I know not what her plans are for sure, but she has a new companion."

Another spoon came to Celestia's mouth and she took a bite of the food. "She's off looking for her friends, she already has one traveling with her as I speak." Nightmare liked to think that Celestia would respond to her words. It made her feel a bit comfortable with her sister nowadays. But in all the times she was not expecting this. Nightmare had heard a small peep from her sister. She didn't believe it at first but as she leaned her head forward, she could hear what she had said. "...who?..." Nightmare was stunned that her sister had finally spoken, yet sounding more so of Fluttershy than the pony that had commanded so much respect.
Still, it was much better than nothing at all. "Tis the pony of honesty. Applejack." Nightmare gave her sister another spoon full of mashed potatoes and peas, scooping up a bit that had fallen from her muzzle like a mother would to her child. She leaned forward, hoping to hear another word and after listening for a minute, she got her wish. "...tree?..." Nightmare cocked a brow at the word but knew what she was talking about.

"The tree is... gone. The Everfree is too thick, even for me and something about it has changed. I've tried to send some scouts in, but they don't come back. At this point, it is a lost cause." She brought the last of the food to Celestia's lips, smiling that she had not spit up her any food this time. Before she could leave, Nightmare heard her say one last thing. "...com...pan...ion?..." Nightmare looked back to her Celestia with a bit of confusion.

"Ah, you mean Twilight's new companion. Tis a strange creature if I've ever seen one. His name is Aaron and he is a being from another world. He is... well, he needs some work. But I have some things that could help him along his way. I only hope he doesn't die before then." Celestia looked up slowly to her sister with glossed over eyes, as if a doll was looking at her. Nightmare remembered a time when her violet eyes would gleam like the sun itself and just as warm. Now she saw only lifelessness and cold milky pupils, sending a chill down Nightmare's spine.

Nightmare took the tray and gave her sister a hug before she closed the cell. "I'll see you tomorrow sister and I'm sorry... for everything." Celestia merely gave her a small and weak smile before returning to her original state with her head hanging low. Nightmare felt awful seeing her sister in such a state, she wanted things to go back to the way things were. Back when they ruled in a time of peace. At least when they were free and fighting Tirek and Sombra. Mostly Sombra but regardless she wanted her old life. But she knew she could not do so. A deal was a deal after all.

Author's Notes:

My apologies for taking so long. A big thanks to all you guys who decided to stick to this story... for whatever reason. In all honesty, I'm terrified of what you guys think of my story.

Anyway, next time; Chpt 6: Lets make a Deal. The group meets some travelers in the desert and offer to make a deal with them to shorten their trip through the desert. Hopefully the cost is reasonable.