Luna placed each hoof down one by one as if the fate of the world depended upon it. Each step sent silent thunder up her legs and straight into her aching skull. Despite the pain, she held her head high as she waited for the room to stop spinning. Just that little tilt of her horn to direct Rainbow had almost been too much. A lesser mare might have lost her lunch.

A part of her yearned to give up, to just collapse right there. Yet she had to remain strong if not for her pride, then for the morale of the others here. She was Princess Luna, the Alicorn of the Night. She was not weak. She would never be weak, or at least that was the image long experience demanded she portray.

So, instead of any outward signs, she silently counted the remaining steps one by one as she strode to her assigned place.

Twelve

Eleven

Ten

Nine

Eight

Seven

Six

Five

Four

Three

Two

One

To most ponies, she would have simply laid down, but to her shame, any with the precision of an Alicorn's senses, it would have seemed practically an uncontrolled tumble.

Relief flowed through Luna as the silken softness of the cushion embraced her. The only thing that held back a sigh of contentment was the nauseating vertigo that still haunted her. She closed her eyes and tried to stop the world from spinning.

Even in this mental space just walking the straight line across the wooden floor had taken utter concentration. She wanted to snarl or stomp her hoof in frustration, but she dared not. Any such display would just reveal how long her journey to recovery still was. Even if there was nothing visible for others to see, the damage her Sister had caused was still there, no matter how much she tried to ignore it.

Hoofsteps drew near and she did not even need to look to know who approached. The feel of her magic was one Luna could never forget. It called to memories, both pleasant and not.

Night found her own cushion and settled beside her. Almost silently, Night got comfortable in her place. A place too close to be mere acquaintances yet too distant to be anything but awkward. Luna opened her eyes and glanced to the side to the gaze of the one that had been so much to her once.

It was only the slightest narrowing of the eyes, but to Luna, Night's worry might have well been spelled out with blazing stars. Night nodded, a small, respectful thing that had nothing of her normal arrogance or bombastic nature. "Luna."

"Night," Luna answered as she regarded the mare that had been controlling her physical body for her. She was no longer the Night that had been Twilight's companion, nor was she Nightmare Moon. She had settled into a visage that blended the two. It was an enchanting combination, she had to admit. Perhaps Twilight might have looked the same after a decade or two. Or is this your way to honour the fallen?

Luna reached out and rested her hoof against Night's. It was a slow action. By necessity, the gesture was too important to risk missing, and in her state, it was a real possibility. It was such a small thing, but it said everything that was needed. 'Together'.

Night gave another little nod and then tipped her head to the center of the room. Slowly, smoothly, Luna turned her neck. Even then, something very much like sea sickness stirred inside her. This is just one more indignity you are going to pay for, Sister.

The pink blur striding into the middle of the room resolved itself into Cadance. This was no longer the meek yearling that would whimper and mewl at the slightest thing. No, this Alicorn had steel in her eyes as she addressed the gathered ponies. "Thank you all for your attendance. As lovely as it is just to get this chance to finally meet you all and socialise, there are important things we must discuss." She scanned the crowd, only seeing nods in reply. "Then let this Conclave of Alicorns formally begin."

Conclave of Alicorns, just the title of the event brought very different memories to mind. Different faces and ponies from so very long ago. Selfish souls peered from glaring, indifferent eyes as their ancient minds judged every action, even the slightest twitch. The assassins and guards were primed and eager to act from within each of the Masters' entourages. The distractions and entertainments both divine and perverse. The ever-present cloying scent of narcotic pipe smoke. Her Sister's disappointed eyes that had tracked her as she fell into the arena. The feel of her ribs cracking on impact, the manic laughter as she ripped into her last opponent.

The memory fought to drag her, to bury her in the past, but she was not some weak thing to yield to it. No, she was the Alicorn of the Night, and her mind was hers to command. The fleeting touch of Night's wing almost made her jump, but it was the last little bit of grounding needed to completely banish the past back where it belonged.

Thankfully the situation here was so very different from the past. Everypony listened to Cadance, not because of fear nor even tradition. No, they listened out of respect and even common courtesy.

This was how things were always meant to be. No wordplay as lethal as an assassin's dagger, no feasts that cost hundreds of pony lives for each morsel. Her eyes found Night's again, then moved to the true oddity here, Queen Chrysalis.

The Changeling mare was no longer the tattered beast with more holes than that one type of cheese. Now, she looked complete, whole, lethal and even beautiful after a fashion with her smooth armoured carapace.

You made this possible. Luna offered to the deceased Twilight with a bittersweet smile. In a way, it was a relief. A release of tension now it had finally happened. Now that she was dead.

What will be, will be. What is, is. It was the founding principle of her sanity. The bedrock they allowed her to keep going day after day, despite everything. If you were almost immortal or had any ability to divine the future, then such a philosophy was essential. Luna had both.

As dark as the situation was, it proved hard not to smile. Even with so much lost, that which was gained would prove to be infinitely more valuable. This did not mean she did not hold regret for what was lost. But what surpassed it was pride, not in herself but in Twilight.

Twilight's time was cut tragically short. Yet there was a beauty in it. Her determination had burnt so brightly she outshined the sun. She achieved so much in those last few seconds. The restoration of Nova's siblings. The protection of her friends. The gifts of power to their daughter.

If I were to achieve half as much with our last act, we would be content. Her wing twitched as the ghost of the scent of paint called to her. There were two new paintings that needed to exist. Their Dance upon her Moons surface and Twilight's Last Sacrifice. As her mind conjured the needed stokes to make these images manifest, she maintained her cold, somber gaze.

Her eyes found Twilight's surviving fragments. Sweet Dreams was nothing but a mask of serenity despite the turmoil that raged beneath that too-perfect veneer.

Grey, cold, bitter, logical but with a softness to her eyes when her gaze fell on her siblings that spoke of a deep-seated protective streak. Clockwork turned in her mind as plans formed. It was a little too similar to the scheming side of her Sister for Luna's liking.

The Child was easy to find but impossible to distinguish. She mingled with her daughter and her fragment. The only difference between them was what garbed them.

Little Sunchaser was trying to remain unnoticed behind Insight while petting her familiar. Who could have imagined a miniature tantabus would have made such an adorable pet? Perhaps she could make more to ward other foals from danger.

Rule Breaker watched everything with bored contempt. Well, everything other than the snacks she gleefully devoured. It was hard to see why Twilight paired the rash and impulsive mare with the methodical and logical Candice. They were like oil and water, so unless some alchemy happened, the oil would catch a blaze, and the water dumped on it would explode.

Dancer settled herself next to Luna with the grace of her namesake. Two plates with artfully arranged samplings of Nova's treats were held in her aura. Luna offered a smile and a small nod in thanks for the treats. She was not in a state to fully enjoy them, but in this case, it was the thought that counted.

Dancer, Twilight's last gift to her. Every bit of her grace and artistic talent was bundled into a form most alluring. With all of the love Twilight held for her behind Dancer's eyes there was never a question as to if Luna would accept her.

So, despite the effort, Luna's blue wing stretched out and pulled Dancer against her side. She welcomed the nuzzle it provoked. Luna did not even need to do anything before a treat most tasty found its way into her mouth. Like everything in Twilight's Bastion, it was an utterly faithful reproduction of reality. The moreish taste dragged her mind back to the fair, to the first real date, to their wonderful bloody dance before the crowd, the feeling of her heart pounding to the beat as they fought. It has been so different from the softer one they shared on the moon but just as meaningful. You will be missed, my Twilight.

What will be, will be. What is, is. Only that mantra kept the tears from Luna's eyes.

As she watched the gathering around her. They were all so young, still not used to moving past tragedy after tragedy. The vision of the burning crystal skull had come to pass, and all in all, the cost was minor. Not that she expected a single mortal to agree. At least three-quarters of everything that made Twilight up was still here, still alive, even if spread across multiple fragments. That was far better than Luna could say about herself.

Cadance's glance dragged Luna back to the moment, back to the words, the pointless words that meant nothing. What did it matter that Celestia still loved Twilight right up until the attack happened.

Luna knew full well what Tia could do to those she loved if she decided it was expedient.

Breathe in, breathe out. The simple act was the only thing that kept the Royal Canterlot Voice from exploding out from her.

Luna rubbed her hoof against her foreleg, the same hoof she had used to crush Twilight's throat. She could still see Twilight's calm, disapproving eyes and even the memory pierced Luna's heart. "There are some things where what you intended no longer matters." Luna breathed out, mirroring the words Twilight had said to her in that bath. It was a lesson her Sister needed to learn.

Luna closed her eyes and remembered the world pivoting, the horrible certainty slamming home as her Sister's trap crippled her. That one prepared trick that disrupted her control of both her magic and body. In a way, it was the only reason she was alive. In another, it made her the perfect captive audience to watch Twilight's final moments. Was it meant to be a mercy? Sister? Or another example?

Dancer pressed closer as Night rested a reassuring hoof on Luna. This time, there was no pretence to Night's action, no subtly that could be overlooked as an accident. Her soul drank deep of the comfort offered and craved more. If almost all of Twilight was still here, still looking at her through Nova's eyes, why did her chest hurt so much?

A polite cough drew everypony's attention. Queen Chrysalis looked more than a little uncomfortable as if the weight of all the eyes upon her might crush her.

"Yes, Queen Chrysalis?" Cadence asked in a surprisingly cordial tone, considering their past.

"My children have relayed information. Before you decide what course of action to take, would you like to know what Princess Celestia is telling the public, what her messengers are already spreading to the other nations?"

Cadance's eyes narrowed even as her tone became warmer. "Please, go on if you would."

Queen Chrysalis respectfully bowed her head, then cleared her throat. "It is with great sadness that we must report Princess Twilight Sparkle and the bears of the Elements of Harmony are missing in action. Yet again, they have saved the nation and defeated a powerful foe, the evil that unleashed the Blight upon the world. Unfortunately, their actions were not without cost, and the magics involved had a temporal component. I have every faith that my former student will find her way back to us. I just pray to Harmony and the stars above that her time of absence is less than my Sister's was."

Two things vibrated in the silence that followed. Disbelief and the intense anger of a united herd with a target before them.

Nova froze stock still as her mane flared. "And ponies believe her!?"

The oppressive heat hit Luna almost like a physical blow. The fury that backed it was twice as bad. Only the shadow of Night's shielding wing made it bearable. Most of the non Alicorns recoiled or took shelter. Starlight and the Little Stars raised shields. Captain Candice and Queen Chrysalis just ignored it. Candice trusted it would not harm her, and the queen was too prideful to show weakness, even here.

Nova's little plushy friend braved the heat to hug her. Like a switch was thrown, most of the fire vanished, going from an angry blaze to 'mere' seething embers.

"Why would they not? She is their perfect infallible princess, after all." Night's sneering vitriol was just as hateful as Nova's furry. At least the bite of her icy contempt soothed Luna's abused senses.

Cadance was more collected, more controlled, but the eyes in her kind face had a cold edge to them she had never shown before. None of that showed in her voice, though. "And the other nations?" She inquired.

"So far, they can see the way the wind is blowing, and they either believe her or are playing along out of caution," Queen Chrysalis said.

Nova scraped her hoof over the wooden floor, leaving scorch marks in its wake. "What are we going to do about this?"

"Well, Sister, put her story out first, so no matter what the truth is, hers will be the first that comes to mind."

Rainbow's wings quivered with her outrage. "But she's lying." She blurted out.

Returning to Equestria alone, forgotten and unknown other than the scraps of attention Celestia gave her. Everything she stood for, everything she tried to inspire, undone and buried under the foundations of Celestia's Harmony. Bitter words made their way to her tongue, and she did nothing to restrain them. "You would trust the one that removed her own kin from the history books to value Honesty?"

A mix of agreement and various degrees of willingness looked back. Luna sat a little taller and spread her wings. It seems the tables are turned, dear Sister. "Even with everything, it still pains us to speak the truth." The thrill of excitement blended with guilt for a moment. It was as if she was looking down upon the broken form of Celestia crumpled on the arena sand. "Our sister is unworthy of her crown."

Some words had power. Some could change the course of a life. These words, one way or another, would change the face of the world, and everypony could sense it. The following silence was so thick you could cut it with a knife or perhaps take a bite out of it.

Night, Sweet Dreams and all of Twilight's restored progenitors were only undecided on how things would be done and how bad Celestia's fate should be.

The Little Stars debated among themselves over what mix of grief, anger, and I told you so they should be displaying. Her Crusaders, her friends gathered around, lending their support, each in their own unique way.

Luna met the eyes of Meteor Crash. His gaze only lingered long enough for a slight nod before he turned his full attention to his duty, to his charge, who had become so much more to him. A small part of Luna bristled at the fact that one of her guards had something more important to pay attention to than herself, but a large part wanted to rub its hooves together with glee despite how important the moment was. He will grow to be a dedicated stallion for you, my daughter.

Loyal Knight Rainbow Dash looked torn between agreement and a deep wish to be able to honestly disagree. Gilda would stick on her wing come thick or thin.

Starlight's silent focus was firmly on Nova. The countless thoughts behind her eyes prove the mare was thinking, at least, despite her apparent passivity.

Cadance could not hide her sorrow, but it did nothing to hinder her resolve. By the way, her eyes lingered on Nova, it was clear the Alicorn of love held Twilight closer to her heart than dearest Tia.

Nova was still seemingly calmly waiting due to the comforting murmurs and mane petting her plushy companion provided. Yet even with that appearance, tense muscles and the restrained thrashing of her mane proved she was a volcano waiting to erupt.

Everypony slowly looked at each other, reading each other's reactions in their eyes and subtle movements. Their micro expressions told sagas and painted the space between them with unspoken arguments.

Bit by bit, a consensus of sorts was reached. Then Starlight spoke.

"Princesses… are we sure that was the real Celestia?" As Starlight saw the rage and incredulity build and many voices about to explode, she rushed on. "Changeling, possession, illusion, there are so many ways somepony could have pretended to…"

Night stood and stomped one hoof for attention. Into the following silence, she spoke softly. "You have done us and our ponies many services despite your prior actions, so we will offer thanks for the calm council you intended to offer."

Starlight bowed but still looked like she had objections, but an edge of fear, or perhaps respect, held her tongue.

Night flicked her tail in annoyance but still kept her tone as she continued. "Most of the conflict was mental… the battleground was here, Luna's Bastion and Celestia's. Such could not have been faked…"

Trixie leaned against Starlight. The simple act banished enough of her fear to hold her tongue. "Is there any chance she could have been mind-controlled?"

Nova rounded on Starlight, eyes blazing. "Why are you defending her?"

The only thing that kept Nova in place was her plushy companion clinging to her foreleg. The adorable sight, when rendered in pigment, would make an interesting conversation piece.

"Peace, Nova. Peace. No matter who may stand accused for such betrayals, such questions must be asked." Luna said before turning her attention to Starlight. "My sister has had thousands of years to hone her mental magics. We truly doubt any could best her at such."

"If we are done wasting words, are we ready to move on to what we are going to do about it?"

"Aunty Celestia still has those she could use as… leverage against us within her reach…"

Nova's ears fell as her mane threatened to flair up again. "Shinny… Mum… Dad….”

With a flash of magenta, one of the Little Stars teleported into an embrace, calming the fiery Nova. "Don't worry, Mummy…"

That one word, a simple title used every day by foals all over Equestria, seemed to break something in Nova. She enfolded Little Star in wings and hooves as if shielding her from the world.

"Don't worry, we will save them." From a foal, such words would normally mean nothing. With the other two Little Stars and the Crusaders gearing up as they slipped out of the room, it was clear these words were about to be acted upon.

Pride and worry welled up inside Luna's heart. By the looks on the other's faces, she was not the only one with concerns. Night glanced to each, forcing them to hold their tongues. When Night's eyes met Luna's own, they held only confidence and faith in their daughter. It was enough for pride to tip the scale, and before worry had a chance to rally, the Crusaders were gone.

Be safe, my daughter.

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait, life got in the way. Anyway ponies, hope you enjoy and thank you for reading.