Celestia lifted up the clear brown bottle to get a closer look. As well as she could see with just the glow of her horn, there was a powder inside, a mysterious crystalline white substance.
“What is this, Luna?” Celestia asked, her head cocked to the side.
“Oh, just a substance I acquired a while ago that can help put ponies and creatures to sleep. Something I confiscated from one of the nobles who had planned to use it on another pony,” Luna replied. Celestia gasped.
“Is it dangerous!? What’s it doing in your room?”
“Don’t worry it’s not dangerous, however, do not and I repeat: DO NOT smell it. Just inhaling it will put you to sleep; I don’t want you passing out in the middle of the room. It will cause suspicions,” Luna commanded.
“Okay, okay, I get it. What are we even going to need it for?” Celestia asked while keeping a watchful eye on the contents of the bottle. She didn’t dare open it.
“I’ll explain later, just head back to your room,” Luna said urgently.
“I’d still like to know what this-”
“Head back, now,” Celestia flinched at the words, not expecting such an answer from her sister. “If you ever want to save me, you need to act quickly, you cannot ask such unneeded questions.”
“O-okay…” Celestia walked out of the room, she didn’t want to be there any longer than needed. Closing the door, trying to be as silent as possible, she turned her head, finding the same maid she had run into earlier.
“Princess? What are you doing?” the maid asked. Celestia hastily hid the bottle behind her.
“Do not tell her anything, dear sister,” Luna said to her. Though Celestia didn’t like it, this was a time when she absolutely needed to lie to one of her subjects.
“Nothing of your concern, my little pony,” Oh no, oh no, I’m gonna get caught! Despite her inner panic, Celestia gave her signature motherly smile, an expression she used often and one she had long ago mastered. Shuffling her hooves, and suddenly taking quite an interest in the rays of light dancing along the floor, she said, “I was simply returning something to my sister’s room, she’ll be returning soon and I’d like to make…sure…” Celestia paused as she registered her own words. The maid’s eyes narrowed, then turned to ones filled with concern. She lifted up a hoof towards the distraught alicorn.
“Huh? Isn’t Princess Luna…are you alright, Princess?” It was the last thing Celestia heard before she fled the scene.
Slamming the door behind her, Celestia wheezed as she caught her breath.
“Ce-le-sti-a,” Luna said slowly, there was a sharp hostility in her voice. Celestia’s heart raced, and she could feel the blood pounding in her ears. “WHAT IN TARTARUS WAS THAT?” Celestia's ears flattened; the action proved no use as Luna’s volume did not decrease even a fraction of a decibel.
“I-I’m sorry…” Celestia said quietly. Guilt creeping up on her consciousness, she tried to make herself appear smaller. It was quite unusual for her to act this way; it was a side of her nopony, not even Luna, had ever seen before. Celestia hung her head in shame.
“You could have damaged the entire plan! Perhaps you are not up to the task, should I have asked somepony else?” Celestia’s eyes widened and she shook her head quickly.
“N-no, I can do it, Luna. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize what I’d said until the last moment. I promise I will make it up to you by bringing you home,” Celestia said, determined once more.
“Good,” Luna replied. “Perfect, dear sister. Though we were dangerously close to being caught, I think we can still work with our plan.” Celestia could imagine Luna pacing back and forth around the room. She missed her sister dearly and chided herself, do not be so careless next time, Celestia! If you don’t get this right, there may not be a next time. Fighting herself, she almost missed what Luna said next. “In a few moments, we should receive a knock on the door requesting you meet with Cadence. It will be the perfect opportunity for the next part of our plan so I hope you are ready.”
“Huh? How do you know that?”
“It is simply the expected response. Since it will be a while till they arrive, I’m going to inform you of the plan.”
“Uh, okay…” Celestia complied, setting herself down on the floor. “I’m listening.”
“I’m going to warn you that you may not agree with this part of the plan, but I want you to trust me,” Luna explained.
“Don’t worry, dear sister. I put my full trust in you always,” Celestia said.
“Thank you, Celestia. I know I can count on you.” A smile crept onto Celestia's muzzle. “So, unfortunately, Cadence knows my captors quite well.” Celestia’s eyes widened.
“What!?” She exclaimed. Luna shushed her.
“Shh, somepony could hear! Just calm down. Don’t worry, Cadence isn’t involved, but I’m afraid she won’t believe you if you claimed I was still alive. On top of that, Cadence will most likely defend these ponies. To combat this, I want you to secretly get Cadence to ingest the substance I have given you.”
“You want me to…feed Cadence this, this unnamed substance!?” Celestia shouted in surprise.
“Yes, but there is nothing to fear, the substance only puts ponies to sleep, and no harm should come to her when she takes it,” Luna assured. “You will request to have tea with Cadence, then you will mix the substance with the sugar. Once you offer her the spiked sugar, she will put it in her tea. Once she passes out, you will teleport the both of you to a spare room for her to rest in. If anypony asks where Cadence went, simply tell them she went home. I trust you can do this, Celestia.”
A knock sounded at the door as the white alicorn nodded her head. “I will not fail you this time, dear sister.”