Celestia explained her plan.
And when she had done, Luna had to admit that, if one were to attempt anything so foolish as loosing Discord once again upon the world, Celestia had chosen just about the wisest way to carry out such folly.
And the least selfish. For Luna saw that Celestia's plan would, indeed, be very unlikely to result in Celestia regaining Discord's love. His friendship, perhaps. But not his love.
That was forever gone, and probably unrecoverable. Even if Dissy might be regained.
Indeed, the plan would work best if Discord came to love another.
When Celestia was done explaining, and Luna with more than a few trepidations assented to the plan, and made some suggestions as to their backup should the Elements fail of application -- Discord was, after all, neither weak nor stupid, though his playfulness had cost him the victory fifteen hundred and three years ago, and once again just two years ago -- when that was done, the Sisters sat together and watched the setting Sun, leaning companionably against each other, toasting Mimic and Wind Whistler and their other beloved dead who had once been Undying, especially poor confused Shady who, at the end, had been neither so weak nor so stupid as she had seemed. They had all been heroes, and Shady not the least among them.
There was not enough wine to get them drunk. They were, after all, both Alicorns, and to get truly drunk they would have to down wine not by the bottle, but rather by the hogshead barrel.
But, then, they didn't really want to get drunk. They just wanted to be together, to be Sisters, as they had been for over two thousand five hundred years, if you measured it one way, and over thirteen billion seven hundred million years, if you measured it the other.
So they drank together, until all the wine was gone, and never got any farther into drunkeness than a comfortable warm glow, which in them was their regenerative factor neutralizing the alcohol. And they were happy, here together overlooking the world, and possibly the end of the world, if Celestia's plan went poorly. Even Luna was happy, because one cannot be the High Lady of War of a great Realm, without being aware that every plan carries with it some risk and cost of failure, especially down here at the Incarnate Level.
Celestia set the Sun, and Luna raised the Moon, and they watched the Moon and stars together for a while.
And then Celestia said to Luna, very gently. "I know this plan can fail. I always knew it could fail."
"I knew you knew that," Luna replied. "I know that thou art no dunderhead."
"If it fails," Celestia said, "then this part of our lives together may be about to end. Discord will probably not harm us, but he may harm those we love. He may drive them mad."
"I know," said Luna. "And I see now that thou didst always know as well."
"If I were you, dear Sister," Celestia said, "I would take care of any unfinished business you have, before -- well, you know."
"I do," replied Luna. "I can think of some that I've been putting off a few years now."
"Then do it," said Celestia. "I won't release him for some more days, and I'll tell you the exact date and time, of course, once I've finished my preparations. But -- don't put it off any more."
"I won't," Luna promised. "I won't."
"I must go to bed," said Celestia. "The wine seems to have made me sleepy." She smiled at her Sister. "Good night, Luna."
"Until the morrow," replied Luna.
Her Sister padded back toward her bedchamber.
And Luna was once more alone.
Now she stood in shadow, upon the branch of a tree overlooking the Golden Oak Library in Ponyville. It was a potentially-undignified position, but Luna feared no exposure, because she could almost entirely disappear into shadows at night, simply by willing it. It had been one of the very first of her powers to emerge.
Not that I need worry regarding my dignity. I am a Ruling Princess of Equestria! I am the High Lady of War! I am ... not certain how to approach her.
Her gaze was fixed upon the balcony, where Twilight Sparkle stood behind her telescope, gazing at the heavens.
Little stargazer, Luna thought fondly. We've come a long way since I first saw you, looking up at the Moon, when I was still trapped there, ridden by a Night Shadow, poor mad Nightmare Moon. Now, you lead Celestia's current Champions. And I am restored to my rightful place at my Sister's side. Free of the Nightmare.
Because of you. Oh, Twilight, if you do Ascend, and are my friend for another two and a half millennia, still it will not be time enough to pay you back for that great gift. Do you even suspect this?
Probably not. Twilight Sparkle was remarkably humble, for a Pony with her great gifts, intellectual and magical.
It was one of the reasons Luna loved her. And had loved her when Luna had been Moondreamer, and Twilight had been Dusk Skyshine.
Twilight had looked at various objects during the course of the night, taking notes in her journal. Luna noticed that Twilight was now looking at the Moon, as she had been when Luna had first seen her, all those years past.
It was nothing if not an opening.
Luna took a deep breath, and teleported to Twilight's side.
Twilight turned and did a little half-jump, gasping. “Oh!”
In that moment of surprise, Luna found her utterly enchanting.
“Greetings and well-met, Lady Twilight Sparkle,” said Luna.
It was a beginning.