The lunar guards rushed toward Luna. She tilted her head. Had something happened? Didn't they escort Twilight out of the castle? Did Twilight go through the mirror? If that was the case, would Twilight ever return? She didn't want Sunset to overhear the conversation, but the young unicorn would still figure it out. Had her former student left because of jealousy? The lavender filly had no reason to be jealous. She wasn't the type to play favorites.

"Twilight Sparkle surprised us. She-" The pegasus said.

"She what?" Luna prompted.

"Took us by surprise. Teleported to the mirror and left."

Luna didn't know what to say. She opened her mouth, then closed it. Was this related to Twilight's test score? It had to be just a phase, right? Maybe she was too strict. And Twilight's family! How would she break the news to them? She couldn't just say that Twilight entered another world and might never come back. It would shatter their hearts, yet she didn't want to lie to them.

"Guards, you can return to your posts," Luna said.

Once the guards left, Luna and Sunset began walking. This night had been shocking enough. It would take a while for the conflicting emotions to wear off. She expected Sunset to say something, but the unicorn had been silent the whole time. It seemed that she wasn't the only one affected by the revelation. She couldn't blame her for feeling upset. Perhaps she shouldn't have mentioned the archives in the first place. Twilight had found the dark magic too tempting to resist.

They walked into Sunset's room. The empty bed was a reminder of Twilight's current absence. Sketches were left on the mattress, and so was the homework. Miss Storybook would be shocked to discover the truth. Luna sighed. From now on, nopony would be allowed to enter the archives or to touch the mirror. Who knew what Twilight could be doing in another universe? She stared at the window.

Sunset frowned. "I don't understand. How could Twilight do this to us? I've told you, and now I'm not sure if I've done the right thing. All I wanted to do is to be a good friend to her. What should I do now?"

Luna understood how Sunset felt. When she had banished Daybreaker, she wasn't sure what to do without Celestia by her side. She tipped Sunset's chin up so that they would make eye contact. The unicorn's eyes glistened, but no tears fell.

"Maybe Twilight will come back someday. We never know what will happen in the future. You still have other friends. I'm here if you want to talk," Luna said.

"The future seems so distant," Sunset replied. "Speaking of the future, do you ever wonder if your sister will return?"

Luna hesitated. Although Twilight wasn't banished like Daybreaker, she could relate to Sunset. They both lost a close friend. Twilight had ran off to another world, while Celestia had succumbed to Daybreaker's influence. Silence filled the room. She reminded herself to remain strong in Sunset's presence.

Finally, Luna spoke. "Yes. I think about her every day. Not a single day passes..." Her voice caught in her throat. "...that I don't miss her. I still need her. I can't access her dreams due to Daybreaker's magic, but I still hear her singing a lullaby." Tears stung her eyes.

"That's sweet of your sister. By the way, does she sing to you every evening?"

"We would sing to each other, but there are some times when I'm too busy to sing."

Sunset inclined her head. "So, that singing voice from the courtyard is yours?"

Luna nodded. "Yes. I'll attend to my royal duties." She walked toward the door. As she navigated the hallway, she became deep in thought. When she founded the School for Gifted Unicorns, she didn't expect to watch some potential bearers of the Element of Magic run off. At least Sunset stayed.

The reason Luna could no longer use the Elements was because all six of them were used to banish Daybreaker. Consequently, Celestia was no longer qualified to bear three of the six Elements. She approached an orange stained glass window and pressed her hoof against it. If the vision she had at the moment she banished Daybreaker was true, her sister might indeed return on the longest day of the thousandth year.

And hopefully, Celestia would be released from Daybreaker's grip...

Author's Note

Did you enjoy the story? This chapter was shorter compared to the others, but that's how it ended up for me. I'll write a sequel.