Assaulted

“Ow...my head.”

“Shuuu, it’s alright Twilight Sparkle.  Just relax for now.”  Luna cooed, softly laying a comforting hoof on Twilight's forearm.

“What happened?”  Twilight groaned looking up at Luna.  “The last thing I remember was…”

“After we changed you back…” Sunset interrupted, walking into the room “ you had passed out.  Luna, Rainbow Dash and I had brought you back to Equestria.”

“Thank you, for everything.  I don’t know what I would have done if Midnight had kept possessing me like that.”  Twilight whispered, trying to sit up.  Only to grunt as she fell back down onto the hospital bed, finding her body to painful to move.

“You don’t have to thank us.  We’re your friends.  You’d do the same thing for any of us.”  Sunset sat down on the edge of the bed, before grabbing a glass of water.  Holding Twilight’s head up, she helped her take of sip of water, much to Twilight’s relief.

"Still, thank you.”

“And I have to thank you also.”   All three mares turned to see Celestia walking into Twilight’s hospital room.  “I’m so happy you’re awake Twilight.  And, thank you.  You guys rescued me, and brought Twilight back to me.  I have no way of showing my gratitude.”

“ How exactly did you figure out how change her back?”  Celestia asked, taking a seat next to Luna.

         “I think the best way to explain it, is to start after Luna changed into Nightmare Moon.  We’ll explain that part later on.”  Sunset thought for a moment, timidly rubbing the best of her neck.

“I’ll explain.”  Luna sighed, looking down towards the floor while she recalled the details.

“I won’t…I won’t let you hurt anyone!”  Sunset did her best attempt at a growl as she could muster, but her wavering voice gave away the fear.

“You need not worry Sunset Shimmer.  After the original Nightmare Moon incident, we created a filter preventing massive amounts of dark magic to enter my body.  Enough had gotten through to change my appearance, but I am capable of changing back.”  Luna took a deep breath, as her body started to glow returning her to  her normal form.  She couldn’t help but smile as Sunset visibly relaxed.

“We need to come up with a plan to save my sister.”  Luna sighed, as both herself and Sunset sat down on the floor.

“To save Celestia, we need to save Twilight.  Where are the Elements of Harmony?  I know it’s a long shot, but perhaps I could use magic in Twilight’s place?”  Sunset used her magic to grab a scroll and quill from the desk, and brought it over to them.

“I’m afraid that the elements are no more.  They had to be returned to the tree in order to keep Everfree from killing everypony.  Even if we did have them and it were to work, it would be still be too late.  My sister and I sent the other girls away after finding the two of you, for safety concerns.  I trust you retrieved your memories by the way you acted earlier?  Are you alright?”  Luna took the quill and started scribbling something in old equestrian.  Sunset knew a little of the language, but not enough to understand what Luna  had written.

“I’m fine.  I’ve been in her position before, so I understand more than Celestia thinks I do.  I hadn’t expected the crown to corrupt me like it had, and once it controlled me...no matter what I did, I just couldn’t free myself.  Never mind that for now though.  Who’s the closest to here?  I have an idea, but we will need to work fast.”  Sunset took another quill off the desk, unrolling the scroll all the way while waiting for Luna’s response.  Luna looked down and tried to push back her emotions, telling herself to talk to Sunset later about it.

“Rainbow Dash remained here in the castle, in order to provide extra security with Shining Armor.  Fluttershy and Applejack had gone back to Ponyville.  Pinkie Pie and Rarity are helping Cadence in the Crystal Empire.”   Luna attempted to see what Sunset and started drawing on the other end of the scroll, but the fiery haired girl kept unintentionally covering up her work.

“Perfect, I have a plan.  Also Rainbow Dash and Shining Armor are here for security?  Twenty bits they’re playing hoofball and have no clue what just happened.”

“Thirty bits.” Luna smirked, before walking over next to Sunset.

“Here is the plan.  I am going to go to Ponyville and explain what happened to Applejack and Fluttershy, and then go into the human world and explain what happened to my friends over there.  I need you to explain everything to Rainbow Dash, and then I will then have our Rainbow Dash come here and meet up with Applejack.  Applejack can give Rainbow any directions before flying here.”

Sunset looked over her notes really fast before looking to Luna again.  “Can you  enchant two more journals, so that you can contact Applejack?”

“Of course.  I keep some spare notebooks that would be good to use.  They are half the size of yours, so it would be more portable and convenient.”

“Perfect. Then when both Rainbows and you’re  prepared, put on your Nightmare Moon appearance and tell both Rainbow Dash’s that they need to  pretend to be changelings. Pony Rainbow has fought them before, so she can explain to human Rainbow how to act.  Ok, this is getting confusing.  Pony Rainbow will be Rainbow, and human Rainbow will be Dash. Ok, now while I’m over there, can you use a scrying spell to find Celestia?”  Sunset took a deep breath, after explaining way to fast out of habit.

“Of course, and I think I understand where this is going.”  Luna stood up and started pacing across the room.  “So you  want to bring Twilight over to the human side. That way you and your friends can use the elements on her, since they are unavailable on this side?  You plan on using Rainbow and Dash’s speed and strength to force Twilight over there.”

“Correct.  Unless you can think of a better plan.”  Sunset looked over her work again before rolling the scroll back up.

Luna shook her head, before walking back over to Sunset.  “Not at the moment.  Why do Rainbow and Dash, have to act like Changelings?”

Sunset shook her head, the pain from her previous injuries starting to cause her immense pain.  Closing her eyes, Sunset took a deep breath and started using a numbing spell on the areas that hurt the most.  “So you can get close to her.  Twilight mentioned Chrysalis, and from what I have heard  she is willing to  go to any length in order  to get to Celestia.”

“What if the elements don’t free Twilight though?  What if they turn her to stone or…”

Sunset placed her hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “I know we don’t know each other, but I know that it isn’t like you to worry.  You faced the elements twice.  Do you honestly think they would hurt or punish Twilight for dark magic she had no control of?”

Luna bit her bottom lip, her eyes gazing down. “I suppose not.  It is a concern though.”

“It’s a risk that we have to take.  We don’t have any other options, and still save Twilight.”  Sunset started licking her lips.  Noticing this, Luna went into the next room and grabbed two glasses of water. Bringing  them back to the room, Luna handed one to Sunset who graciously accepted the glass.  Closing her eyes, Sunset let herself enjoy the relief of the cold water going down her throat as she downed half of the glass.  Setting it on the bedside table, Sunset finished the numbing spell happy to finally be able to stretch her muscles.

Closing her eyes, Luna could feel her heart racing.  Is this how Celestia felt during the Nightmare Moon incident?  What kind of monster had I became, all because of something as stupid as jealousy?

Sunset wrapped her hoof around Luna’s neck, and pulled her into a hug.  Luna pulled back slightly, but instead hugged Sunset back.  If it were any other pony, she wouldn’t allow herself to act like that.  Sunset Shimmer wasn’t like any other pony.

Pulling back, Luna grabbed her glass and took as sip of water.  “Thank you Sunset Shimmer.  How are you doing? I know this can’t be easy for you.”

“It’s easier on me then it is for you.  I promise we’ll save them Luna.  Also, thank you for not banishing me to the moon, for hugging you like that.”  Both Sunset and Luna started laughing.

“I should banish myself for breaking down like that.  This isn’t the time.”

A moment later, the doctor came running back in with the crystal vial.  “What happened in here? Where is…”

“They're gone.”  The doctor handed Luna the vial,  Taking it  in her mouth, Luna took the lid off with her magic, before tilting her head back and drank half of the clear liquid.  Coughing a couple times from the strong taste, Luna handing the vial  to Sunset.

“Here, drink the rest.  It will disperse any dark energy that seeped into you from Twilight.  We can’t take any risks..”  Nodding Sunset took the bottle in her magic and drank the rest.”

“It’s really sweet.  It reminds me of a drink we have in the human world called horchata.  The only difference is horchata is white, and this is clear like a simple syrup.”

Luna’s smile grew at the mention of something similar.  “I will need to try that.  Can you give me the recipe before you return?”

“I don’t know it by heart, but I can write it down in the journal and hopefully have Twilight give it to you. Speaking of Twilight…”  Sunset looked towards the door and Luna understood.

Luna started heading towards the door  “I’ll go find Rainbow, you go get Dash.”

“That explains things. I think.”   Twilight closed her eyes, her head still hurting from the magic.

“That was a good plan.  And obviously it worked.  After all this time, you’re still as sharp as ever Sunset Shimmer.  I’m proud of you.”

        “Thank you, Princess.”  Sunset got off the bed, and gave her former mentor a nuzzle.  Not wanting to hut her any further with a hug.

“Alright, you two get some rest.”  Luna used her magic to dim the lights, noticing Twilight already asleep again.  Celestia nodded before limping back into her own room.  Satisfied, Luna took to Sunset with a serious face.

“Sunset Shimmer, now that this is over...we need to talk.”

“Fine.  But can we get coffee first?”