David walked through a thick fog. He couldn't see more than ten feet in front of his face. The only sound that filled the air was the faint whistling of the breeze as the fog rolled over him and carried on into oblivion.

"Hello?" David's voice echoed through the air, slowly fading into nothing.

"Is there anyone here?" He called out. Again, there was no answer.

David continued to blindly walk forward in the haze, his pace slow and cautious. He hoped that further ahead there would be answers in the thick mist. He walked for hours, calling out the whole time. There was never an answer. Just the fog and the whistling breeze. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a dark blue mist, but as soon as he turned to look, it was gone. Only the same gray haze that surrounded him gently floated about in its place. Reluctantly, he decided to press on.

As he pushed onward, David could not help the sinking feeling that he was being watched. He searched everywhere but there was nothing but fog. It seemed to stretch on forever. No matter where he looked it was all he could see. It was all that was present. The damned fog was the only thing that seemed to exist anymore.

Until he heard voices.

"Hello?!" David called.

The voices became louder.

"Is anyone there!? I can hear you! Show yourselves!"

Silence.

"Who are you!?"

"You know exactly who we are, David." A sickly voice spoke through the fog.

David froze. Distorted as it was, he recognized that voice.

"I-Isaac?

"Why didn't you save us, David?" A new voice called.

"I-I..." David stammered.

"You killed us, David." A third voice spoke. It was so low and menacing it made David shake.

"No! I-I tried! I couldn't get the door to open!" David screamed, tears now filling his vision.

"YOU KILLED US, DAVID! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!" All three voices screamed in unison.

"No... I-I didn't mean to... Oh god... I-I'm so s-sorry..." David's tears flowed freely as he fell to his knees and whimpered.
The fog suddenly vanished, leaving a sobbing David kneeling in an open field. Sensing that something was suddenly different, David managed to stop his sobbing and look up, tear streaks still evident on his face.

Standing there, not ten feet in front of him, were his friends, only, they weren't. Where there had been flesh, there was now only bone. Where there had been hair, there was now a ghostly mist. They had ghastly appearance; their clothes torn and burned, and their faces, or rather their skulls gave no sign of emotion. They looked as dead as they truly were, the only sign of life being the fact that they were standing not ten feet in front of David.

David could only stare at the ghostly remains of his friends. A knot formed in his throat and his stomach twisted upon seeing their forms.

"Isaac.... Roman... Rich... I-I'm so sorry..."

"Sorry won't bring us back, David..." With that, the figures of the fallen crew vanished in the wind, not even a trace was left behind as they disappeared.

"No, wait! Please! I'M SORRY!"

David woke in a cold sweat, panting heavily. He looked around the room and saw that it was the same white and blue room he woke up in three weeks before.

"Oh... Oh yeah..."

As he calmed himself and slowed his breathing, David recalled the events of the previous day. He was living with Midnight now. As for the nightmare, well it wasn't the first time he experienced it. David had the same nightmare almost every night. He dreaded going to sleep because of it.

Rolling over to the side, he noticed the moonlight filtering through the window. His eyes then fell to the clock on the dresser.

"Damn... Fuck going back to sleep. I need some fresh air." David groggily said to himself.

David rolled out of bed and grabbed his clothes off of the floor. He slipped them on quickly and made for the door. He still didn't have shoes, but a trip to the seamstress the week before had promised a pair of shoes that would actually fit within the next few days.

As David walked through the dark house, only an hour or so before sunrise, he found it oddly peaceful. His footsteps made little noise on the hardwood floor and the dark nature of the cozy little house proved very calming after his nightmare. David found himself at the front door and opened it, the early morning breeze bringing him a slight chill as he stepped outside. Looking to his right, he saw two rocking chairs sitting beside a small table.

"Maybe watching the sunrise will be nice..." David said softly.

David sat in the chair and lost himself in thought.

"Everything that's happened, everything the ponies have done for me, I don't deserve it. It's all my fault. If they knew, what would they think of me? I should have died in that ship, not them..."

David was startled from his thoughts when he heard the front door open. He swiveled his head to see Midnight walking over to him with a blanket wrapped around her barrel.

"Did you uh... have a hard time sleeping?" She asked.

"Yeah... I-uh, I guess you could say that."

"Have any interesting dreams?" Midnight asked inquisitively.

"No, not really." David said quickly.

"Okay... guess that's a bit of a sore subject then..." Midnight mentally chastised.

"Well, uh... I hope you sleep better tomorrow." Midnight said with fake enthusiasm.

"Yeah. How about you? Did you have a hard time sleeping too?" David asked, a little too eagerly.

"Yeah, I guess it was a little hard to sleep last night. Just a little unused to having guests" Midnight chuckled awkwardly before tapering off and falling silent for a few seconds. "...Especially guests from another world."

Midnight grinned, but David just frowned, causing the grin to drop right off Midnight's face.

"What's wrong? I-I didn't mean to offend you if that's it. I'm sorry."

"N-No, no, you're fine. It's just... I am an alien... I guess that's just... still sinking in. Not sure if I'll ever really belong here."

"Hey now, don't say that. You might look a little different, sure, but don't forget, we're still very much the same." Midnight said as she hopped onto the chair opposite of David. "Just because you're different doesn't mean you don't fit in. In fact, if anything, that makes you more likable."

David slowly turned his head to look at her, a sad smile forcing its way onto his face before speaking.

"Thanks."

The duo fell into a comfortable silence before David's shivering caught Midnight's eye.

"Are you cold? You can have my blanket if you want."

"Thanks Midnight, but I'm okay. Besides, if you gave me your blanket, then you'd just be cold."

"I have fur, I'll be alright." She said, already levitating the blanket off her body.

"Really, I'm, fine Midnight, you don't have to-" David started, only to be cut off by the blanket forcing itself onto his body. Midnight's body heat, still filling the blanket as it reached David, felt absolutely divine. It was a complete contrast to the cold world surrounding them.

"Damn, are ponies just little furnaces?"

David wrapped himself in the blanket before turning to Midnight.

"Uh, thank you. Really, you didn't have to." He said, trying desperately to hide just how much he appreciated the gesture.

"No problem." Midnight said with a smile.

David felt every fiber of his being bathing in the warmth of Midnight's blanket as the two sat together. The only light in the early morning night sky was the beautiful star display and the moon. Midnight and David sat there in relative comfort for a few minutes before David decided to break the silence.

"You know, my favorite part about making the trip to Horizon V was just after we left Earth. Just being able to look out the cockpit window and see the stars without any obstructions before we went into cryo... I think that was the most amazing moment of my life. "

"How does it compare to this?" Midnight replied, turning to see David's eyes still glued to the sky.

"You know, I gotta say this is pretty close." David said, turning to smile at Midnight. "I've always loved the night sky, especially here. There's so little light pollution that you can see everything. We don't get that many places on Earth anymore. Er, at least, we didn't. I don't know about now."

"Yeah. The night sky has always been one of my favorite things about Equestria. I always wanted to be an astronomer. Spending my time looking up at the sky, wondering what was out there. Most ponies are too busy to just stop and enjoy the stars for a moment."

"Sounds just like Earth then... Funny, you wanted to be an astronomer, maybe make first contact one day, but it looks like the alien came to you instead." David said with a slightly forced chuckle.

"Hehe, y-yeah. I guess s-so..." Midnight stuttered.

David looked over at her to find that she was shivering.

"Midnight, you're shivering. Here, take the blanket back."

"N-no no, I'm fi-iine... Prom-ise." Midnight faked a smile through chattering teeth.

"I'm not gonna sit here and be warm while you shiver over there. Either take the blanket back, or I'm going inside to get another one."

"I-it's... fi-ine. D-d-don't wo-orry ab-b-bout it..."

"I get that you're trying to be nice, but you're cold. Alright, you know what, you are definitely taking this back."

"But I wanna snuggle with you under the blanket..." Midnight thought with a pout.

David moved to get up but was stopped by Midnight's magic.

"Wait, I-I have an i-idea..."

"And what might that be?" David asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Im just gonna go for it. Please don't get upset, please don't get upset." Midnight thought to herself.

Midnight hopped off the chair and shakily walked over towards David. Using her magic, she pulled the blanket off his body and hopped up onto his lap, earning a surprised yelp from him. She then wrapped the blanket around both of their bodies as she nuzzled her head against his shoulder.

David was startled but not too surprised.

"Well... Uh... Pretty much every mare I've met has been cuddly with me at some point so far, why should Midnight be any different? I think..."

The concept of personal space seemed completely alien to the little equines. Taking a moment to let her stop squirming in his lap, David wrapped his arms around her barrel and pulled her body against his.

"Oh my god she is a little furnace! How was she even cold?"

"Ah... That's much better. So warm and cozy." Midnight gave a happy sigh.

"Mission Accomplished." Midnight happily proclaimed in her head.

"Well, I'm glad we found a compromise." David chuckled.

With his hands awkwardly holding onto Midnight's body and her warm fur all too tempting, David followed his instincts and started rubbing her back with his left hand as he brought his right hand up to scratch her ears.

"What are youuuuuu-oh... ah... that's nice...." Midnight gave a happy sigh as David's fingers found their marks and scratched her soft ears.

"You ponies. I swear the ears are like the easiest way to your hearts." David said, shaking his head.

"Not our fault it feels so nice. Just keep scratching."

"Yes ma'am."

David and Midnight sat there, enjoying each others warmth and company until the sun rose. The only sounds filling the air were their steady breathing, the sound of David's fingers as they burrowed into Midnight's fur, and her occasional coos and happy sighs. After a while of sitting there, bathed in the suns warmth, as well as their own, Midnight slowly rose off of Davids chest.

"Do you want some breakfast? I'm kinda hungry."

"Breakfast sounds really good right about now." David said as his stomach grumbled in agreement.

Midnight hopped off of Davids lap and trotted to the door and held it open for him. David walked into the house, reveling in the ambient warmth the building had before Midnight walked past him into the kitchen. He followed her in to find her preparing the stove.

"So what do you want for breakfast?" Midnight asked.

"Uh, pancakes sound nice, but you don't have to make them. I'd be more than happy to."

"I like cooking. Besides, you're my guest, I'm happy to cook for you."

"Well, thank you. Tell me, do you treat all your alien guests this nicely?"

"Only the cute ones..."

David fiercely blushed as he stammered for a response.

"W-well... I-uh... uh... C-Can I at least set the table?" David finally managed to say.

"Sure." Midnight said with a wink.

"Hehe, he's so cute when he's flustered."

With that, Midnight pulled the ingredients out and proceeded to make the pancakes. A delicious smell soon filled the air and the bellies of both creatures in the room grumbled in desire. Midnight glanced over her shoulder every now and again to watch David as he set the table although, she was quick to avert her gaze when he turned towards her direction. Time seemed to pass quickly and before long, the pancakes were ready.

Midnight turned the stove off and levitated a stack of steaming hot pancakes over to the booth and set them down on the table while David brought over the syrup and set it down as well. Midnight and David took a step back to admire their handiwork before Midnight realized something was missing. She quickly went to the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice and set it on the table. Midnight filled each glass with the citrusy liquid while David divvied up the pancakes. They sat down opposite of each other and dug into the delicious fluffy pastries. While David put a moderate amount of syrup on his pancakes, Midnight completely drenched her plate in the viscous liquid.

"Geez... Someone likes her syrup." David said in awe.

"Whaph? Is gud." Midnight said through a full mouth.

David simply chuckled and continued to eat his breakfast. As the duo finished their meal, conversation finally found its way onto the table.

"So... What are your plans for the day?" David asked.

"Well, I'm gonna have to go into work tonight, so I don't really have any plans other than to just sleep for the time being."

"But we just got up?" David asked, confusion evident in his tone.

"Yeah, but my job requires me to work nights... hehe, maybe that's why I couldn't sleep last night." Midnight said with a sheepish smile.

"Oh... that makes sense... I remember you said that you're the Director of the Night Guard or something. What exactly does that mean?"

"I'm the director of special affairs for the Night Guard. Basically what that means is that when the Night Guard needs some special equipment or technology, I'm the one that tries to get it for them. It's my job to ask the princesses for more funds and other necessities for the Night Guard."

"Wow, so you're actually really important to the princesses then aren't you?" David asked, intrigue written all over his face.

"Well, I wouldn't say that. I'm just a small part in a very large machine. Honestly, sometimes I wish I could go back to being a medic. I loved saving lives and helping injured ponies. You know, do some actual good. Now I don't really get to do that anymore."

"What are you talking about? You saved my life not three weeks ago."

"That's true, but that wasn't me doing my job, that was me helping out a creature who desperately needed it. It's a good thing too. I don't think anypony else would have been able to save you. I had to use a lot of the equipment I uh... 'acquired' through my time as a medic."

"Ah, I see. 'tactically acquired' supplies." David said with air quotes. "I was in the military too. I get it. Still, thanks for that. I owe you my life."

"Oh stop it, you'd do the same for me if I was the alien on your world." Midnight said with a blush.

David thought for a moment before he found the next topic he wanted to cover with the graphite pony.

"So working in the Night Guard, you pretty much have to be nocturnal, don't you?"

"Yes, sometimes I have to work into the day as well."

"So why did you join the Night Guard? You're not a uh... oh what did Twilight call them?"

"A thestral?"

"Yeah, that. You're not nocturnal by nature, so what made you decide on the Night Guard."

Midnight was about to answer when a knock on the door tore her attention from the conversation.

"Hold that thought."

Midnight walked over to the front door and opened it. She was greeted by two Royal Guards.

"Oh no... not again..." Midnight pleaded in her mind.

The guard on the left was the first to address her.

"Ma'am, Princess Luna has requested your immediate presence at the castle. We're here to escort you."

Midnight's heart sank. If Princess Luna wanted to see her, then it must be for something bad.

"Uh-I.... A-alright..." She turned and called back to David. "David, I have to go see Princess Luna, will you be alright here for the day?"

David walked to the kitchen doorway before responding.

"Yeah, I'll be ok. What's with the guards?"

"We're here to escort Miss Shadow to the Princess's quarters." The unicorn guard on the right replied.

"I'll hopefully be back later today. I'll see you then David." Midnight forced a smile. She had to look brave in front of David, even if she felt the opposite at the moment.

"O-okay. I'll see you then." David said, concern evident in his voice.

The Royal Guardsponies led Midnight away from the house and back down the country road towards Canterlot. Midnight could not shake the feeling of dread in her stomach. Surely something bad was going to happen. Something bad always happened in times like these.

"Why does Luna want to see me? Did I do something wrong? Oh I hope she doesn't fire me..."

Midnight arrived at Canterlot Castle with her escort after a short walk back into the city. The walk had only taken roughly twenty minutes, but for Midnight, it felt like hours. Her mind was tormented by the thoughts of what Luna could possibly want with her.

As she was escorted through the castle to the princess's private quarters, Midnight searched for something, anything to help put her racing mind at ease. Nothing worked.

"Oh please don't banish me to the moon." Midnight thought to herself as the trio reached the doors to Luna's room.

The guard to her right knocked on the door three times, and a muffled "Come in" came through the heavy oak doors. The guards opened the door and ushered Midnight into the room, closing the doors behind her.

The room that greeted her was nothing short of gorgeous. The carpet adorned a black and crimson swirling pattern while the walls contrasted well with dark blue as a base and teal waves rolling low on the trim. There were several lamps that mimicked small black trees throughout the room, and at the center of it all was Luna's crescent moon bed. It appeared to by riding a small wave as well. Midnight's eyes traced every detail of the immaculate room before falling upon its lone occupant, standing on the balcony. Midnight trudged into the room, fear evident on her face as she approached the Night Princess.

As she neared Luna, Midnight found her legs trembling. Celestia was easy to deal with; she had always been kind and compassionate. Luna on the other hoof, had a checkered past. Her short reign as Nightmare Moon left many ponies fearful of the dark pony princess. True, she had done much to fix her damaged reputation, but that fear was still there, albeit fleeting.

Once she was within a few feet of Luna, Midnight bowed low, as low as her body could go, before speaking.

"You wanted to speak with me, you highness?"

Luna turned and smiled. It was a friendly smile that managed to alleviate some of the stress in Midnight's mind.

"Please, rise. This is not a formal meeting Midnight Shadow. I simply wish to speak to you as a friend."

"A friend? We're friends? When did that happen?"

Midnight rose and put on a brave smile before speaking again.

"Of course princess. What did you want to discuss?"

"I wanted to speak with you about David."

Midnight felt a pit form in her stomach upon hearing those words. If Luna wanted to talk about David, then something was going on. Something bad.

"Did he do something wrong princess?! I've been with him the past day and I didn't notice anything!"

Luna only chuckled at Midnight's panicked response.

"Relax Midnight. Nopony is in trouble here. I simply have some concerns I wish to address."

Midnight relaxed slightly as Luna continued.

"As you know, it is my duty to enter the dream realm as ponies sleep to help them with their nightmares and help preserve their mental health."

"Yes, I've seen you in my dreams once or twice." Midnight nodded.

"Well, I'm very concerned for David's mental health. I have been since he got here. I've entered his dreams many times these past few weeks and every single time he's been having terrible nightmares. It's always the same thing; his dead comrades confront him and blame him for their deaths. I fear it will have dire effects on his psyche. As you've already seen, he's stronger than most ponies, and he is also an omnivore. I'm sure you can put two and two together and figure what I'm afraid of happening." Luna explained.

Midnight's eyes fell to the floor. She thought over Luna's words for several seconds before coming to a conclusion.

"You're afraid that David has PTSD or something similar after the crash. You're afraid that he'll lose his mind from the guilt, snap, and start hurting ponies as he loses his mind." Midnight frowned.

"Not just ponies, I'm afraid for David as well. Believe it or not, I do care for him. I've had the chance to speak with him several times and he seems a lovely stallion. I don't want any harm to come to him or the ponies of Equestria, but yes... I am seriously concerned about possible PTSD in David... much like what you went through."

"I remember... and I think I understand, but..." Midnight hesitated for a second. "If I may, if you're so concerned about David's well being, then why haven't you intervened in his dreams? Surely that would be the way to fix him. I don't exactly see where I fit into all this."

"I have tried, Midnight Shadow. For whatever reason, I can't seem to reach him. It's as if he can't hear or see me. I'm not sure if it has something to do with his biology or if his mind is that far gone already, but when I enter his dreams, I'm simply an observer. I can't help him."

Midnight sighed as her eyes fell to the floor. She finally got over her fears of David, only to have new fears arise.

"I see... What should I do? I don't know how to help somepony get rid of their nightmares."

"On the contraire, I believe you are the only pony that can help David right now. He trusts you. I think you're the only pony he would open up to about this issue. You did save his life after all. If anypony can help him, it's you."

"I-I understand... I think."

"Midnight, I can't understate this. We can't risk something bad happening because of these nightmares. As such, helping David is your job now. Until his nightmares subside, and we can determine that his mental health is no longer at risk, I'm placing you on paid administrative leave. I'm not firing you, just to be clear, but you can't really help David if you're asleep when he's awake. You're going to need to work the same hours as he does."

Midnight stood there in shock. Her jaw dropped and her heart nearly stopped.

"B-b-but... I don't... w-who will handle m-my job?" Midnight stammered.

"I will have your position filled by the most qualified pony in the Night Guard. Again, Midnight please don't worry. You're not being fired. You're not being replaced. You're not losing your paycheck, and you are not being punished. I'm asking you as a friend, to make a friend. Help David out of this hole his mind has fallen into. If you do this, you'll be saving a life. Isn't that what you loved doing while you were a medic?"

Midnight sighed. She knew Luna was right. She was probably the only pony that could help David. The other princesses were far too busy to spend all their time helping him with his nightmares and Luna had all of Equestria to tend to, not just David. At the end of the day, she was the only one that could really help him.

"Alright. I'll do whatever I can. Where do I start?"

"I'm afraid I cannot say. I don't know what you'll have to do to help him, but a good place to start might be to just talk to him. Get to know him better. Learn about his past and then work from there."

"Okay. I'll try. Thank you princess."

"No, thank you, Midnight Shadow. You are not only doing a great service for a friend in need, but you are also helping Equestria. Remember, the easiest way to help him will be to get him to help himself. It might not be a good idea to reveal your knowledge of his nightmares to him. It might be best to get him to tell you. Afflictions of the mind can be difficult to cure, but I have the utmost confidence in you. Go now, I will monitor his dreams and inform you if I find any change in his subconscious. "

With that, Midnight gave one more quick bow and left the room. With only one thought on her mind, she trotted out of the castle and headed straight for home.

"How in the hay am I going to do this?"

Alright, that was a cute chapter. Things are starting to move forward finally. I hope you guys enjoyed this one. I loved writing it. The kinda awkward cultural differences are something I was really eager to cover. This way, the future of the story will make more sense. Things are going to get saucy in the future, so I hope you keep reading. First, we need to fix those nightmares.