Luna opened the doors to Celestia's room. Cadence turned around when she heard the door.
"Tis done?" asked Luna walking beside Celestia's bed.
"Yes, I made sure to be very precise. She should wake in a few hours," said Cadence.
A soft knock was heard from the doorway. Both princesses turned to look.
"Sorry am I interrupting?" said the pony with a small bow.
"No. What do you have to report?" said Luna.
"I've finished writing the official press release based on the information Princess Cadence gave me. I thought that you would like to review it before I finalize it," said the pony pulling a small bundle of papers from her saddle bag.
Luna grabbed the papers from her with her magic. Cadence moved over to read them as well. Several lines caught Luna's eye as she read.
...accident involving Princess Celestia and her student Twilight Sparkle...
...Twilight died from brain damage due to magical feedback...
...Princess Celestia kept in magic comma to prevent further damage during recovery...
...Twilight's body was retrieved by her friends and family...
"It will suffice arrange the press meeting for tomorrow afternoon," said Luna handing back.
"Yes princess. I also wrote letters for her friends and...," began the pony before Luna held up a hoof.
"No. I will write the letters to her friends and family," said Luna.
"Yes princess," said the pony. She took a small bow and left.
"How do you believe they will react?" said Luna turning to Cadence.
"I don't know," said Cadence shaking her head.
Luna turned back to Celestia and sighed.
"I need you to make sure the Sparkle's don't challenge the story," said Luna turning back.
"I can ask them not to but I can't force them not to challenge it," said Cadence.
"Tis all I can ask but please try," said Luna.
Cadence turned and walked towards the door.
"I know you don't agree with what we did but it was for the good of Equestria," said Luna. Cadence stopped with the door half open.
"It may have been for the good of Equestria but that doesn't make it feel anymore right," said Cadence and then walked out and shut the door.
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Shining Armor was sitting on the couch. He had just spent the last few hours explaining the special protocols to his parents. He was starting to fall asleep when the sound of the door opening awoke him.
"Special protocols?" asked Shining as Cadence closed the door.
"How did you know?" said Cadence letting out a sigh as she laid down next to him.
"I guessed from what mother told me," said Shining pulling Cadence closer.
"It was exhausting," said Cadence," Celestia was heavily resistant. She tried to escape through a hole in the roof. I had to restrain her with magic while Luna administered the potion. Then as she fell asleep she verbally attacked Luna saying that she deserved far more punishment than a thousand years on the moon."
"I'm surprised she didn't resist more," said Shining.
"She wasn't eating or drinking and had been crying on and off for days," replied Cadence.
"You had been trapped in that cave for days and you still helped defeat an entire army," said Shining. Cadence sighed again.
"I guess your right... I need to talk to your parents. I need to convince them not to challenge the official story," said Cadence while looking around," Where are they?"
"Dad took her out to an early dinner. Don't worry I already told them," said Shining.
"What did they say?" asked Cadence.
"Mom said something along the lines of she didn't deserve to love her and dad thought it was morally wrong but doesn't want to stir anymore trouble," said Shining.
"How about you? How do you feel about this?" said Cadence.
"I don't like it. I mean I'd never want anyone to take away my love for you. That said I understand why the special protocols are in place. A lot of ponies rely on the princesses to be able to do their job," said Shining.
"I feel the same way," said Cadence closing her eyes.
Shining Armor started to stroke her mane. Cadence gave a quiet coo of approval. After a few strokes he stopped.
"Why did you stop?" said Cadence with a small groan.
"There's something in your mane," said Shining pulling a small blue crystal out of her mane.
Cadence opened her eyes and raised her head.
"What is it?" asked Shinning.
"Must be a little shard of one of the windows," said Cadence taking the crystal and throwing it away.
"That makes sense," said Shining Armor as he started stroking Cadence's mane again. After a few minutes Cadence was fast asleep.
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Luna stood on the balcony of Celestia's room. She strained a little as she moved the sun below the horizon and raised the moon in the darkening night sky. When she was done she stepped back inside and closed the door behind her.
Inside Celestia still laid on her bed asleep. Her chest rising and falling slowly. Luna took a seat next to her and continued to watch her sleep. She would be awakening anytime now.
As Luna sat waiting her mind began to drift. The voice of the sister rang through her head.
You deserved far more than a thousand years on the moon... You monster...
The last words repeating over and over in her mind. The hate that had been in her sisters eyes as she said those words. She had truly meant what she said. A few tears began to roll down her cheeks at the image.
Before she could continue her thoughts a weak voice called out.
"Luna..." said Celestia as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Sister your awake," said Luna wiping her tears.
"Luna what happened?" said Celestia slowly as she tried to sit up.
"Careful sister. You were in a terrible accident," said Luna helping her sister up slowly.
"Is everyone okay? What happened?" said Celestia when she was finally sitting up.
"You and your student Twilight Sparkle were charging a spell. At some point the spell started to become unstable. You tried to stabilize it but the spell failed and the energy discharged into your horns. You were able to resist it but Twilight died almost instantly. There wouldn't have been enough time for her to feel the pain," said Luna placing a comforting hoof on her sister's shoulder.
"I don't remember anything...," said Celestia looking down at her hooves.
"It's okay. The doctor said amnesia would be a likely symptom," said Luna.
"I need to write a letter to her family," said Celestia as she tried to summon a pen and parchment. When she couldn't she looked up and could see the tip of a magic blocker on her horn.
"The magic blocker is on to make sure that you didn't hurt yourself and to help discharge the extra magic after the accident. You should be fine now. I'll go get the doctor so we can take that off. Then I'll fill you in on everything that you've missed," said Luna as she turned and walked out of the room.