Although the situation was resolved, Courage was still uneasy. He whined at the locked door, standing outside the Apothecary, and tugging at its locked handle. He was glad that the fog had lifted, but was still worried about his friends.
Luna gave him a sympathetic smile. "Well, seeing as the building is no longer inhabited, I suppose it's alright if we go inside," she said, and blasted the lock with her horn. The tumbler caught, and the lock opened, falling to the ground with a metal clank. Courage wasted no time in dashing inside, his spirits lifting as he found what he was looking for.
Fluttershy, Twilight and Pinkie Pie were in the back room, looking dazed. They brightened up as soon as they saw the pup, however. The giant cauldron into which they had been thrown had been overturned, thick purple slime spilling out into the corners. It looked like hardened magma, and no longer posed any danger.
"Courage!" Fluttershy squeaked, and rushed to him. "You did come back! What happened? My head feels funny..." Courage returned the hug that he was given, and patted her head in sympathy.
"Look, it's Princess Luna!" Spike suddenly exclaimed, perched in his usual spot on Twilight's back.
"Agh!" Twilight yelped, nearly jumping a foot in the air. "Spike, how'd you get here?!"
"I've been here the whole time," Spike deadpanned. "You brought me with you."
"Oh. I guess I sort of forgot you were here," Twilight admitted, cheeks burning red. "Sorry." Spike huffed and crossed his arms.
Luna smiled at the reunion, and then coughed. "I think a ceremony is in order, but there are still a few things to clear up. The citizens of Canterlot very narrowly escaped a bleak existence of slavery today, but I want you three to return to Ponyville at once to ensure that the residents there are returned to normal as well. They were under the curse more than a day longer than Canterlot was, and there may be lingering side effects."
"Like what?" Twilight asked.
"I'm not sure," Luna admitted. "I've never experienced this particular curse before. But generally the longer the one is hypnotized, for I think that's partially what this was, the longer a full recovery takes. There might even be a small risk of body switching."
"Body switching?!" Twilight gasped.
"Well, there's a lot of minds trying to get back to their host bodies," Luna said. "Since those minds have been floating around Ponyville for two days, there's a small risk they might get mixed up upon return. It's an extreme example, so just make sure everything's in order."
Pinkie nodded in understanding, then yelped as Luna turned her gaze on her.
"As for you," Luna said. "I have nothing against Changelings, but I must ask you stop impersonating my little ponies. It makes things... confusing."
Pinkie hesitated, then returned to her insectoid carapace in a flash of green fire. Twilight shivered.
"I'm never going to get used to that," the unicorn said.
"Now then, enough talk," Luna said. "To the castle! It will be sunrise soon, and my sister will want to hear of what has happened."
---
Two hours later, Luna and Celestia stood side by side in the main entryway of Canterlot Castle. Courage stood before them, feeling quite intimidated.
The night mare stepped forward."Courage, in commendation for your acts of selfless bravery and determination, we would like to hereby award you the Pony Medal of Honor," Luna said. and looped a large gold medallion around his neck.
Courage looked down at it, beaming.
Luna continued. "Young pup, before we return you home, is there anything that you would like to have as a reward? Anything at all."
Considering this, Courage's eyes widened after a moment, and he darted up to whisper in Luna's ear.
Luna listened, and looked at him with surprise. "You could have anything at all," she said. "Are you sure?"
Mmhmm!" Courage said, tail wagging.
Shrugging, Luna agreed. "Very well," she said. "Safe travels, Courage. You are always welcome here should you wish to visit."
The two alicorns both lit up their horns, blasting Courage with their respective magics, and the powers of night and day. The dog was consumed by red smoke, and then was gone. Sighing with relief, Luna looked over at her sister. "Thank goodness that's all over with," she said. "I suppose that makes us even for the Changeling invasion. I slept through that, and you slept through this."
Celestia nodded.
"Are you alright?" Luna asked. "You haven't said a word since I woke you up. That's not like you. Usually I can't shut you up."
Celestia shrugged.
"...Sister?" Luna asked, now sounding alarmed. "You sure you're alright?"
"Eeeyup," Celestia said, and Luna facehooved.
---
Back in Nowhere, Courage arrived on his front porch in a plume of red smoke, looking incredibly excited to see it again. The medal still hanging around his neck, he looked around expectantly. There was a second burst of smoke from his paw, and when it cleared he looked down to see himself holding a brand new yo yo.
Courage grinned widely, showing off his crooked teeth. "Yes!" He exclaimed, and bounced the yo yo up and down on its string several times, before tucking it away.
"Courage, is that you?" Muriel called. "Wherever have you been? You're going to be late for tea!"
Eustace grunted from behind his newspaper, never looking up to see who was at the door, and not really caring. "I don't see what you gotta let that stupid dog in here for," he complained. "The more time you spend with that dog, the less time you spend making me my dinner!" He huffed. "Leave him out there."
Courage sighed contentedly, and entered through the front door of his house, the door swinging shut behind him. Things were already getting back to normal, and things were going to be perfectly alright.