Equilibrium, Book 2: The Second Nexus.

Equestria, Canterlot, 4:18 P.M.

"-so as you can see princess luna we really need your help to make this work." Starlight had finally finished her explanation of her own research. The two sisters looked from one another and smiled.

"If thou doth truly require mine services then we shall gladly aid thee." Luna said with a bow. Celestia to inclined her head.

"We can finally put a stop to these random accidents and reports of ponies vanishing only to appear without their memories of the time they lost, then so be it." Looking to her sister the two gave a nod.

"In the name of the great Faust we the diarchy of Equestria vow here and now to help fix this Ill magic that has befallen us." The princess's declared binding themselves to their oaths with powerful magics. Starswirl looked through his notes and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Well with that long winded introduction out of the way how's about we get down to business?" He asked as Starlight just rolled her eyes. The Dr just smirked as he looked at his watch.

"Hmm yes, we are a bit behind schedule." He made a note to take a look at Starlight's map before they all went to their rooms for the night.

7:58 P.M.

"So in summary we are once again back at square one?" Starswirl asked as he, Starlight, Dr Hooves, and the royal sisters all looked into each other's progress over the past few months. Starlight shook her head.

"No, haven't you been listening old man?" She scowled as she once again pulled out her map and began to frantically point out places of interest.

"These locations are saturated in heavy aeitherial as well as temporal energies." She then pulled out more notes.

"Which means that someone powerful has to have had a direct interaction with high level time magic in this exact location, meaning that someone and not something is causing this to happen." Starswirl sighed as he rubbed his horn.

"Yes my dear but we still don't know the who or the why's of it all." He looked outside and saw the moon full in the sky.

"It's late and I grow weary of wagging our tongues in circles." The Dr to have his agreement. Celestia and Luna to gave their nods.

"Yes, tis a late hour and many tasks await us during our night." Luna got up from the table and stifled a yawn.

"Let us reconvene in the morning my friends." Celestia said as they all began to file out of the rather cramped conference room. As they all trotted down the hall Luna became lost in thought as Starlight and Starswirl bickered back and forth.

"Old man, I'll have you know that I'm only 54 years old. Time doesn't hold sway over the void." Starlight rolled her eyes.

"Please your still considered ancient by most everyone else in the thaumaturgical community." She smirked as Starswirl huffed indignation.

Luna meanwhile had other things to think about.

"With all of the disturbances in the aeitherial weave the dream realm has become unstable as of late." She sighed as she began to dread the coming nights sleep.

"We must consult Nightmare and the about these grave findings at once." She was brought out of her waking dreams by a small nudge from her sister.

"Bit for your thoughts dear Lu Lu?" Celestia asked as her sister snorted in laughter.

"Nay dear sister, we are fine, just thinking about the situation and the many anguished as of late." She sighed again.

"Tis horrible, all of the suffering our subjects have to endure just so they may live in harmony." She said. Finally reaching her chambers Luna gave her sister a hug.

"Stay well sister. " She asked as Celestia reciprocated her hug enveloping her younger in a blanket of white downy feathers.

"Take care sister." She said trotting off down the hall to her own room. With all company gone, Luna gave out a final breath before she retired to her room for the night.

12:00 A.M.

Luna had finally finished her preparations. Closing her eyes she cast the spell and cried out in an ancient and long forgotten tongue.

"Verily now we must speak to thee!" Her horn flared to life as she cast her soul into the dream realm, searching for one being in particular. When she opened her eyes she was greatest with a sight she had prayed to never set hoof in again.

"So you have returned." The voice echoed throughout the dreamscape, causing Luna's hair to prickle. Not allowing her voice to pick up her fear she spoke.

"I have need of your help Nightmare." Luna said, her studies in modern equestrian proving their worth as her old tongue dissipated. Nightmare just laughed, a hideous laugh devoid of all joy.

"So you banish me to the deepest, darkest pits of the abyss and now you come crawling back to ask me for my help!?" Nightmare shouted, making the very world around Luna tremble and distort. Luna stood firm, her grasp of the immaterial far stronger now than in their previous encounter. She smirked as the Nightmare fell silent.

"Yes, Nightmare I do." She demanded. Nightmare having enough of the lunar princess's pride appeared before her, fangs barred, eyes red, black body now alight with ethereal light and purple flamed mane blowing in a raging whirlwind.

"You dare to come to my home and make ideal demands!?" Nightmare was absolutely seething now, her breaths short and ragged, her body tense, ready for a fight. Luna once more smirked as she stood there unflinching.

"What do you want more than anything else Nightmare?" The question caught her off guard, so much so that her flames left her, her eyes went back to their normal deep shade of goldenrod, while her mane turned a bright fusha, and her body went from deep black to simple royal blue.

"What?" She asked utterly dumbfounded. Luna smiled before she pulled out a jar from behind her back, Inside locked away was the Tantabis.

"I'll ask you again Nightmare Moon, what do you want most in this world?"