They dreamt in the night, the realm becoming the mountain where they had found the first of the elemental magic pieces. As always, the moon was high in the sky and there were no clouds, allowing them a view over the Everfree Forest, the leaves on the trees fluttering gently in the night-time breeze. It was an uneventful night, they said nothing to each other and just enjoyed the companionable silence that fell between them as they sat side by side, surveying the trees stretched out before them. Eventually, sleep called to them in proper and they bade each other farewell, each caught up in their respective thoughts. Twilight thought of her future, namely what would happen when Luna regained her natural powers and would need to go back to Canterlot to resume her duties from her sister. Twilight knew that she would have to go along with Luna, there was no questioning that, she was just wrapped in thoughts of having to leave the friends she had found here in Ponyville, it was the first time in her life that she had felt socially accepted. Luna on the other hoof, was absorbed in thoughts of her sister, of their need to pressure her further with the news of Nightmare Moon. However, she truly believed that with Princess Celestia’s help they would be able to do something about her evil counterpart in a more permanent way.
They awoke earlier than usual, Luna rolling over and falling off the bed, taking Twilight with her. Twilight awoke to the sound of a grunt and a muffled ‘Ow’. She sleepily manoeuvred herself off of the uncomfortable object under her, only then finding the other mare on her back, rubbing her muzzle with a faintly irritated expression on her face.
“Whur?” Twilight mumbled nonsensically, blinking a couple of times to wake herself up fully. Luna turned to face her and smiled.
“Remind me not to hold on so tight when I sleep.” Luna told her, stretching her limbs and climbing to her feet.
“Sure.” Twilight replied with a grin as she realised what had happened, she then followed suit and stood.
“So,” Luna began, getting straight to the crux of the matter, “have you thought further about including my sister in all of this?” Twilight guiltily nodded, while she had thought about it, the majority of her thoughts went towards her own future.
“So what do you think?” Luna asked.
“I think it would be best if we did ask for help, I mean, we’ve tried ourselves and only managed to delay the problem.” Twilight said, Luna nodded in agreement, she had been thinking the same things.
“I see, then let’s get the letter together.” Luna declared and the pair of them went into the main room where the notebook and quills were still out from their previous night’s planning. They knew that Celestia was awake at this time as the sun could be seen slowly rising above the horizon, casting a red glow over the skies.
They ignored breakfast, focussing completely on the wording of the letter, they had to make sure it conveyed that the matter was urgent without having Celestia worry too much. Once they were satisfied with the outcome, Luna sent it along the magical pathway that she and her sister shared for private messages to each other, it would make sure to get straight to Celestia herself, much like Spike’s link. The spell, which previously exhausted Luna last time she had used it, merely winded her slightly. ‘Maybe she’s regaining some of her magic.’ Twilight thought, which led her back to her imaginings of when Luna was back to her full power, but they were guiltily dispelled when a reply arrived. The well-known seal of Celestia was upon it and the familiar cursive writing adorned the inside of the letter.
Twilight wondered how Celestia had replied so quickly until she actually read the scroll. It was just a two word sentence that while reassuring was certainly not what they expected, or really hoped for:
‘I’m coming.’ It read, and that was all. Twilight and Luna turned to each other with matching slight frowns upon their faces before re-reading the sentence several times and turning it over and over to check if there was anything that they missed, there was not.
“Perhaps we made it seem too urgent?” Luna reasoned. A thump from outside on the balcony drew their attention away though. They ran up past the telescope and onto the balcony where a certain familiar alicorn was perched.
“Greetings.” She said simply, stepping past them and regally entering the library. Twilight and Luna followed her back inside as she walked over to the most comfortable chair in the library and sat herself down facing the table.
“Come and sit.” Celestia told them in a way that managed to seem friendly and at the same time commanding, only a millennium of practice could have mastered that. Twilight and Luna took place opposite Celestia on the couch they had sat last night.
“Umm, hello.” Twilight began.
“Hi Tia.” Luna added.
“Hello to the both of you.” Celestia leaned forward slightly, “Now then, I understand that you called me here to discuss urgent business.” It wasn’t a question. Celestia looked seriously at them, no trace of the happy smiling face that talked with them just a couple of days ago, this was the face she put on when discussing war.
“Yes.” Twilight began with a small gulp, “It’s about Nightmare Moon.” Celestia face darkened.
“She returns?” Celestia asked.
“Yes, well she returned several days ago, just after we reclaimed the first of the elemental pieces.” Luna explained.
“So why are you only telling me this now?” Celestia asked, a flash of confusion appearing on her face, but it was banished before anyone could tell if it was ever really there.
“Well, we knew you already had so much to deal with, we didn’t want to burden you further.” Twilight explained with that guilty expression returning to her face.
“I see.” Celestia said, she smiled slightly at her former student to reassure her that she wasn’t angry before continuing, “I want you to tell me everything, omit nothing.” Luna nodded and began telling their tale. She told Celestia of when Nightmare Moon first appeared, the blinking trick, the inescapable torture and their attempted banishing.
When Luna finished talking, Celestia leant back, closing her eyes in thought. Twilight and Luna stayed silent, watching the sun princess’ face for any indication that she had a plan of action. Eventually she opened her eyes and let out a regal smirk.
“I have an idea.” Princess Celestia told them, Twilight let out a breath she didn’t even know she was holding. “However, it is complex and most likely very painful, it is also temporary, though hopefully more permanent than your attempts.” She cast a look over at her sister for confirmation that she was ok with this, Luna nodded at her.
“What do you propose?” The moon princess asked.
“From what I understand of you and Nightmare Moon, you have separate consciousnesses that are connected to one body, right?” Celestia began, Luna gave another nod, “Well, I propose that we perform a bit of ‘advanced cognitive disjunction’ for the first bit.”
“You mean...” Luna said.
“Yes. I think that if we use that magic on you it could split your two personalities, we could then insert the one of Nightmare Moon into a temporary body while you build back your magic enough to take her back inside you.” Celestia continued.
“I never would have thought of that...” Luna replied, awestruck at the seemingly simple solution, though of course it would be a temporary one, Nightmare Moon would probably not be able to withstand being separate from the body she was connected to for much for than half a decade at the most.
“Yes, ponies rarely think of a solution which would harm them is some way in the process.” Celestia explained, “And yes, this will hurt a lot.”
“I understand, what do we need to do to prepare?” Luna inquired.
“Since the spells required will be so difficult, I believe we need:” Celestia listed off several items needed for the spell to take place.
For the entirety of Celestia’s explanation Twilight was silent, willing just to sit and listen to her former mentor’s plan, however once Celestia listed the objects needed to help them with the execution of said plan, she jumped to her feet, searching around the library for the various things. Twilight arranged the apparatus in the set manner she had memorised from her studies, along with some help from the two princesses. Whilst she did this, Celestia talked to her sister about the ramifications of performing such a spell in a case like this, along with calculating chances of success. However, Luna was willing to go with the plan and sat still, the apparatus surrounding her and ready for the magical input.
Luna took a deep breath and steeled herself for the pain that was sure to follow. Twilight quickly leaned in and planted a kiss on Luna for reassurance, Luna looked up at her and drew her back in for a more passionate, long lasting one. Celestia stood awkwardly, not sure where to look.
“Thank you Twilight.” She eventually broke in, Twilight pulled away with a blush on her face, Luna smiled mischievously. “Now then, I trust you are, maybe familiar isn’t the right word, but you know the spells we are going to perform?” Celestia asked. Twilight nodded, they would have to perform three spells in quick succession to make this work, one to split the consciousnesses, one to create a temporary host body, and one to input Nightmare Moon into it.
“Then we shall begin, these spells will weaken you Twilight, make sure you rest after this.” Celestia told the unicorn who nodded in reply, the necessary spells already running through her mind. “Ready?” She directed this question to her sister.
“You know I am.” Luna replied, taking a deep breath that belied the fear beneath her calm exterior.
Celestia initiated the casting by directing her magic into the first of the items, a crystal sphere placed in front of Luna. The beam spread from the ball, engulfing the blue mare on the coach and getting absorbed into the bits of apparatus around her, this gave the general shape of an orb to the magic. Now Twilight kicked in with the first of the spells, powering it through the orb and straight into Luna, this was shortly followed by an increase in magical flow from the both of them as the other two spells were cast together. Pained yelps came from inside the bubble but Celestia and Twilight forged ahead, the magic flowing quicker and quicker from their horns until it cumulated into a bright glowing ball. The ball imploded, the flash momentarily blinding them so that they did not see the magic get absorbed into Luna and her body duplicate to leave two Lunas laying unconscious on the sofa.
When the spells were complete Twilight fell to her rump and Celestia staggered slightly.
“Well done.” Celestia said, catching her breath slightly and wiping her brow.
“You too.” Twilight replied, rather more winded than the princess, “How do we know which is the real one?” She continued once she had mostly regained her breath.
“Now here’s where I’m not sure, I can’t do any mind probing for a while, her mental state is too fragile for the moment, she needs to get used to being the only mind in her head once more before I even attempt anything like that.
One of the Lunas on the sofa groggily sat up, rubbing her head with a wince. Twilight darted forward past Celestia and swiftly pecked her on the check. The Luna stopped rubbing her head and turned to Twilight with a smile.
“Thank you Twilight.” She said, but Twilight was frowning and ignored her, instead turning to Celestia.
“It’s Nightmare Moon.” Twilight said, immediately the Luna jumped to her feet, anger clear on her face, but promptly fell over, her body too weak to support her. Celestia nodded and cast a magical cage around ‘Luna’.
“I trust you.” Princess Celestia told her.
“Thank you Celestia, for everything.” Twilight said, Celestia gave a nod.
“I will take care of Nightmare Moon, make sure she is secure, farewell.” Twilight nodded and Celestia made her way to the door, Nightmare Moon in tow, mouthing words that couldn’t be heard through the cage. At the door Celestia turned around and faced her protégée.
“Twilight?” She said quietly, Twilight looked up from her gaze at the real Luna.
“Hmm?” She replied.
“I miss you.” Celestia told her.
“I miss you too.” Twilight said, but she had already departed, the door closing behind her.
Next to Twilight, a groan sounded. Twilight looked back and saw Luna sitting up, rubbing her head with a wince. Twilight darted forward and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Luna stopped rubbing her head and looked at Twilight with a smile, before pulling her over for a passionate embrace.