As princess Celestia’s alarm rang out in the night, the princess of the sun yawned as she turned over in bed to turn it off. As the machine stopped its incessant ringing Celestia stretched with satisfaction as she reveled in her first good night’s sleep in ages.
“By the elements, how could I have been so foolish?” Celestia chuckled to herself. “I should have asked for Luna’s help ages ago.” She said as she focused her magic to raise the sun. With greater ease than she had in the past week, princess Celestia raised the sun into the sky, allowing the moon to rest for the day. “Well that can’t be right.” She said, looking up at the sky and seeing that the moon was still there.
Now slightly worried, Celestia began making her way down the hall and towards her sister’s chamber. “Luna? Sister, are you okay?” She asked as she pressed herself to her sister’s door. “Are you not feeling well?” She asked as she began inching the door open little by little.
“Uuuugh…” A groaning sound emanated from within the room as the door opened the rest of the way.
“Lulu? Are you okay?” Celestia asked just before gasping in surprise at her sister’s condition. Luna was lying perfectly motionless with her head up and her mouth hanging open. She was staring into the distance, and her eyes had glazed over and pulsed with a dim green light. “Luna!” Celestia cried as she ran to her sister’s side. “Sister, speak to me!” She yelled as she shook Luna with a hoof.
Luna’s eyes closed and she fully slumped down onto her cushion once Celestia touched her. She did not move, and she did not make a sound.
“Hold on Luna. I’ll help you.” Celestia said as she focused a strong pulse of positive energy into her horn and willed it to her sister’s prone form.
The room began to glow with an angelic light as Celestia struggled to focus her magic in a ray of light brighter than the sun itself. In the midst of her concentration though, Celestia began to hear the same high pitched buzzing sound that had plagued her for the past week. She soon found herself unable to concentrate as her spell failed to cause any change in Luna’s condition.
“You can’t fix this problem yourself.” A voice said in Celestia’s mind. “It’s all your fault. All you can do is wallow in despair, as your sister’s fate remains uncertain. Best leave her to the royal healer so you don’t do any more damage.”
As Celestia panted from the exertion of the spell, she realized that she couldn’t do this herself.
“Guards! Help!” Celestia called, craning her head towards the door as three royal guards appeared in the doorway.
“What is it, Princess?” The guard at the head of the group asked.
“Fetch the royal healer immediately! Princess Luna is not well!” Celestia commanded as she pointed out the door with a hoof.
“Yes! Right away, Princess!” The front guard said with a salute just before he and his subordinates rushed down the hall.
“Hold on, Luna. You’ll be alright.” Celestia said as she stroked her sister’s mane. “What have I done?” She mentally asked herself as she hung her head in shame.
“Princess. I have unfortunate news.” The white robed unicorn mare said as she exited Luna’s room, closing the door softly behind her.
“Were you able to find anything out?” Celestia asked. “Anything at all that I might have missed.”
“I doubt I found anything that you missed, considering I learned my skills from books you yourself wrote.” The healer said, removing the hood of her robe to reveal her face to the princess. Her pure white coat and pitch-black mane brought out her emerald eyes; Emerald eyes that betrayed a sorrowful expression. “Unfortunately, princess Luna seems to be in a deep sleep. Nothing I’ve done has been able to rouse her.”
Celestia sighed as she looked down sorrowfully at the younger mare. “Thank you for trying, Heart Murmur. I appreciate you coming on such short notice.”
“I wouldn’t dare pass up this opportunity.” Heart Murmur said. “I’d gladly do anything to help you and your sister.”
“I just wish there was something that could be done.” Celestia sighed. “I’ve never been at a loss for what to do like I am now.”
“Sudden occurrences like this can rattle anypony, princess.” Heart Murmur said with a gentle shake of her head. “Princess Luna is alive and well. It’s just a matter of finding out how to awaken her.”
“I appreciate your kind words. I suppose all we can do is hope she recovers soon.” Celestia sighed.
“Actually. There is one thing I could try.” Heart Murmur said, raising a hoof to her mouth thoughtfully.
“Really?” Celestia asked, confusion crossing her features. “Something that hasn’t been tried yet?”
“There have been recent breakthroughs in medical magic, and they have revealed some experimental spells that may help in this particular case.” Heart Murmur said. “The procedure is very safe, but I cannot guarantee success.”
“I knew contacting you would be a good idea.” Celestia said with a smile. “Please, do whatever you can to help my sister. She means the world to me, and I don’t want to lose her again.”
“The procedure is new, but it has been showing favorable results.” Heart Murmur said with a smile. “With any luck, your sister will be back to normal within the week.”
“Thank you so much.” Celestia said. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She said as she gave a grateful bow. If you’ll excuse me, I have matters that need attending to. I’ll be back to check on my sister in a few hours.”
“Very well, Princess Celestia.” Heart Murmur said with a bow. “Hold on to hope for your sister. If these procedures are as effective as predicted, we should see an improvement within the next few days.” She said as Celestia returned the bow, turned around, and walked away. Once the princess was down the hall, Heart Murmur took a deep breath and went in to see her patient.
Princess Luna was in her bed, eyes closed and breathing deeply. It seemed as if she was simply in a deep and peaceful sleep, but the younger unicorn knew better. “This has to be the most powerful and complex sleeping spell I’ve ever seen.” She said, looking the sleeping alicorn over. “My glorious Queen has really outdone herself.” She said with a smirk as her horn glowed green and coated Luna’s head in a same colored aura. “Hello, my little princess.” Heart Murmur said as she leaned in close to Luna’s ear. “You may be used to giving orders, but it’s time for you to listen to me now. Very. Very. Carefully. Our Queen has some very big plans for you.”