The door opened slowly, swinging inward. All six mares entered the room with caution. All, except Pinkie Pie, were amazed at how it looked. Sage green sheets, violet velvet blankets, and canary yellow cotton pillows. The smell of lavender filled their nostrils. There were four pots in the room, each containing a different flower: Aloe Vera, Lavender, Jasmine, and English ivy. He explained the reason for these plants. They were the solution to his problem: restless nights.

The walls were sky blue with a rose red trim. The window overlooked outside, towards the trail the six mares had traveled. Underneath it was a desk, made from a chestnut tree. Upon the desk laid papers, textbooks, and a pencil. At the desk was a unicorn, focused on finishing an essay on the Reign of King Sombra.

"Hello?" Pinkie asked, unsure if this was him or an illusion. The unicorn was startled, not knowing six mares had entered. He turned, and smiled when he saw who it was. A sudden expression of realization overtook him. He looked worried, for only he and the other two could access this place at will.

"What are you doing here? You can't be. You shouldn't be," he said in a panicky tone.

"Nice to see you too," Pinkie said jokingly.

"And to answer your question, somepony sent us here. Goes by the name of 'the Third'. Ring a bell?" Rainbow Dash scorned.

"He sent you here? I'll speak with him later. You didn't say his name did you?"

"No, we didn't. Came close to saying it, but we stopped just in the nick of time."

"How in Equestria could we possibly say his name?"

"You don't know it?"

"Apparently only Pinkie figured it out. We still don't know why we can't say it."

"You can't say it, for he would be able to enter your dreams. Turning them into living nightmares. Only the three of us can say it, because we are already one in mind."

"That's grand and all, but who was that pegasus? He seemed rather... off. As if he was in his own little world."

"The Second. He's no threat. Anyway, I'm just glad you're all okay."

As he finished his sentence, Pinkie ran up to him, giving him a hug. "I thought we lost you. I thought I'd never see you again." By now Pinkie started crying. Never before had she felt joy and sorrow at the same time. She felt two hooves wrap around her, returning the hug.

Whispering so only Pinkie could hear him, the First said, "Pinkie, it's okay. I'll never leave you."

"Pinkie Promise?"

"I Pinkie Promise."

"How sweet." The two stopped hugging. Both recognized the voice as the Third.

"What do you want now, Nightmare?"

"To see how my favorite mares are doing," Nightmare replied sarcastically. "You know what I want: my freedom. Being trapped within your subconscious is boring. Same with being locked in that bunker of yours."

"You'd ruin the dreams of many ponies. You can't leave. I won't allow it."

"We won't allow it."

"You two are a problem. A problem I intend to solve. Just a simple slip up is all it takes." With those final words, Nightmare left as he had before. Both the First and the Mane Six were watching where he last was: the ceiling.

"I don't mean to interrupt the reunion, but we still need to get out of here."

"Right. Everypony stand together. You'll wake up where you fell asleep." To Pinkie he said, "Don't worry. I'll meet you there. Trust me." He aimed his horn down upon them, and sent them to the waking world.

After escaping the underground hideout, they reentered the house. They trotted over to begin climbing the stairs. Once at the top, Pinkie approached the door marked "Master bedroom", and repeated the answer to the door. The door opened once more, and Pinkie was greeted with the face of a familiar unicorn. This time, it was him who started the hugging.

"Thank Celestia you're safe. I was worried about you."

"I missed you too." Pinkie didn't feel embarrassed this time. She didn't care if anypony thought the two of them were dating. She cared about him, and he was safe. That's all that mattered.

"Pinkie Pie. Me and the others bin thinkin'. We're gonna go home now, give ya two some privacy."

The other five mares left. Now it was just Pinkie and him. Alone once more, as they had been for a week. Pinkie's heart started beating fast. It wasn't due to embarrassment though. It was because both of them were together. She had nothing to worry about anymore. She couldn't just tell him her feelings though. What if he doesn't feel the same way? she thought.

As if he read her mind, he locked lips with her. Pinkie's eyes closed, lost in her fading thoughts. I guess I know his answer. They held the embrace for what seemed like hours. They pulled away, looking into each other's eyes.

"How long have you loved me?"

"Since I caught you staring at my flank," he teased.

"I was looking at your cutie mark," she protested. She knew he was playing with her. Once more they locked lips. Pinkie had never expected them to be more than friends. She didn't mind, though. After parting, he let her stay the night in his place yet again. He even let her sleep with him in his bed.

It was eleven o'clock. Both Pinkie and her new coltfriend lay in bed awake. I wonder when Nightmare will return. She couldn't know, nor did she want to think about it. Another thought came into her mind. We never told the others his name. I guess we'll tell them tomorrow.

"Pinkie, what're you thinking about?" he asked her.

"We never told the girls your name. I was thinking we could do that tomorrow."

"Of course. Just hope Nightmare and Madness don't get in the way."

"Those two never called you by your name, just 'the First'. Why?"

"I've no idea. For Madness, it may be because his mind is in shambles. For Nightmare, I think it's because I'm the only one he will ever fear."

Pinkie nuzzled up to him. He put one hoof around her midsection. They were not going to stop until Nightmare was defeated. Pinkie wondered where their journey was going. Just you what Nightmare. We will stop you. Pinkie looked at the clock on the wall, moonlight making it readable. It was 12 o'clock now. Awake at the time he is named. She hoped that no matter what happened, he would be who he is: Midnight.

Author's Note

(audioLink = Thank you)

There's no knowing where we're going.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope the rest of the story will be great.
Enjoy the Show.