Days later, dawn came over Equestria as it always had. A slow buildup of red and orange along the distant horizon, then the sun came - a brilliant orb of light peeking into just view. Princess Celestia stood with vigilence, her horn sheathed in a brilliant yellow glow that matched the sun for all of its glory. "Easy now... Not too fast, not too slow. And there! Equestria sees another day!"
Beaming with pride, Celestia retreated into the main hall where most of her guardsponies (some had been dispatched to Ponyville to oversee the reconstruction) awaited their orders. "Good morning one and all. Today, many of you will be manning the same stations as yesterday. There have been some changes to the guard postings in light of recent events in Ponyville.
"Day Break, you will head to the sun room to preside over the weekly cleaning of the dome. Stormy, I need you to collect Twilight Sparkle from the Canterlot Clinic for me. I have business for which I would like her to be present before the week is out. Her friends will likely wish to come. They may."
"Oh, Princess. Can I go get her? It's been so long since I've seen my little sis!"
"I wish it could be so, Shining Armor. However, there has been an assignment for which only you are suited. We shall speak in private after the meeting."
"As you wish, Princess."
"Flash Sentry, I would like for you to attend the royal artifact chamber. I trust you know the ones which must be seen to the most. Finally, I am sending you, Champion and Victory Horn, to guard my sister's quarters while she rests. She has been busier than usual of late and should not be disturbed. That is all. Please do remember to enjoy this day, for it is supposed to be a nice one!"
Collectively, the guard snapped its hooves together and stood tall, belting out a hearty "Thank you, Princess Celestia!" before breaking away to complete their separate assignments. All but Shining Armor, who approached and presented her with a graceful bow which Celestia happily returned.
"Shining Armor. Thank you for sticking around. I know you probably want to go meet with Princess Cadence again, but I wouldn't be keeping you if it wasn't important."
"Anything Princess."
"Walk with me." And up the stairs they trotted. "Armor, I have received some troubling messages from my advisors of late. Now, it's probably nothing to worry about but-"
"-You need my horn." It wasn't a question.
Princess Celestia halted in place, and quickly scanned to make sure nopony was eavesdropping. "Well, yes but... What I need is a shielding spell which, for lack of a better term, nopony can know about." They resumed their march and took a turn down the hall leading towards the royal resting chambers.
"Oh, uh. I haven't practiced invisible shielding spells in a long time. I would need to brush up on them in the library if that's okay with you. Picking up new spells quickly is more Twily's thing."
"Indeed. Your expertise on the matter combined with her gifted learning ability may be just what we need to cast the right spell. Twilight will be here soon to help. In the mean time I need you to make preparations for the spell."
"As you wish, Princess. But may I ask why the need for secrecy?"
They were outside of the door to the chambers. "Of course. For now I must just say that I do not want the people of Canterlot to fall into a panic. Remember the last time?"
Shining Armor let out an uneasy laugh. "Yeah. We don't want that happening again."
"Fantastic! And with that, I must take my leave. Best of luck on your research, and I look forward to seeing you and your sister reunited." This time it was Celestia who bowed first.
"Thank you, Princess Celesta!" And with that Shining Armor was cantering down the hall back the way he came.
Celestia exited in the opposite direction, opening the doors to the chambers and halting outside one along the farthest wall, just as their doors swung open. It was Luna, and she looked tired. "Long night, sister?"
"Long doesn't even begin to describe it."
"How is she sleeping?" Celestia asked, concerned.
"Better now. After going through such a shock, any rest is an improvement. But she still has nightmares. Bad ones."
Celestia placed a hoof upon her sister's shoulder. "Are they getting to you too?"
Luna nodded woefully. "It's hard to keep fighting them like this, and remember these are no ordinary nightmares. What she went through was something this kingdom hasn't seen since... Well, for over a thousand years."
"I understand. But we must not give up. Whatever is causing these is an ill omen such that we have not seen. Your efforts are most vital, that we may prevent these nightmares from spreading to all of Equestria." She changed the subject. "That reminds me, how has Rainbow Dash been faring?"
Luna smiled. "She's been having sweet dreams for the first time since I've started watching her. It is such a relief that she is doing better. When evil comes to the land nopony is spared, but she was affected worse than any... well... Almost anypony. It saddens me that she lost her wings, but she has more hope than ever before. If hope can find its way into her heart after being touched by such darkness, perhaps we stand a fighting chance."
That made Celestia smile. "We need more good news like this."
This prompted Luna to ask. "More good news, sister? What of the Elements of Harmony? Has your magic been able to stop the spread?"
Celestia hung her head. "My magic seems unable to recover the Element of Laughter, and now the Element of Honesty is starting to wane. I would like for you to observe Applejack starting tomorrow night. We can't afford any surprises at this critical juncture."
Nodding, Luna stifled a yawn. "We have a long road ahead of us, and I feel we are no closer to understanding what forces are at work here."
"Indeed. We cannot comprehend it quickly enough, for I greatly fear what this portends. It is of the utmost importance that we are ready for what comes next. Now, I must insist that you take your leave. Get your rest, and come nightfall I will see you once more."
Luna smiled at her big sister. "Will you go see her?"
"But of course. Rest well!"
Luna edged past her sister and into the room across the hall where the guards had already taken their post. Celestia pushed through the doors into the royal guest bedroom where a small figure was bundled beneath a pile of silk, satin, and linen sheets. It stirred as she approached.
Celestia placed a hoof over the sheets and pulled them back. "Good morning, Pinkie. I hope you slept well."
Pinkie Pie yawned as her eyes flitted open. She gently massaged the sleep from them, which called attention to the round scar which framed the right side of her face. "Better tonight. Your sister keeps visiting me when my parties go bad again."
Celestia nodded. "She is only too happy to help, and so am I. May I get you anything?"
Pinkie shook her head. "No thank you, Princess." She paused "I suppose you want to know what I dreamed about last night." Celestia nodded. Pinkie's face distorted as unpleasant memories came back to her. "Same as last night's, but I remembered something else..."
Celestia took a seat on a large cushion next to the bed and placed a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. "Good, Pinkie. This is good. I know it's difficult, but please tell me as much as you can remember."