To Chase The Shadows of Redemption

Several days later, Luna lay in her bed, mind a complete mess and sweating profusely. Her meeting with Celestia had sent her through the ringer. She knew that using her magic excessively would exacerbate her issues, but her current feeling shook her to the core and she was reeling. Voices had started whispering to her, but these were nothing like she had ever experience before, not even with the Nightmare.

She just... needed to continue resting. This would subside.

Luna looked to her table and saw her bucket that she knew had water in it. She went to lift it with magic, but before her eyes that was the last thing to happen. Blinking, she realized that some time must have gone by without her realizing it, but coming to the slow realization that she was outside was harrowing. Wait... why was she...

She looked down and saw the wooden floor of her cabin. It dawned on her that the walls had gone missing. She remembered trying to use magic, and then... this. Was there really such a big mistake?

She got up. Help... she needed help. Something about this screamed that to her in the back of her mind. Yes that was right, Twilight had told her about local ponies, surely they could help right?

Luna slowly started making her in the direction of the north. Her mind shifted and weaved, never staying centred on any given thought except that she needed to head towards help.

Lofts of darkness sprung up from ground all around her, and there was a thin screeching sound that you could hear like it was just loud enough only you could register, no one else. The entire forest grew darker.

Celestia slammed her hoof down.

"What do you mean you can't go now! I know you're the best specialist for this!"

Professor Keyfried shrunk back in fear. He couldn't believe that the very princess of the sun Celestia had sought him out like this, at his own dwellings. You came to royalty, not the other way around. It was insanity. He chose his next words carefully.

"Your majesty... you must understand. I just retired no less than two months ago, all my life I would've been privileged at such a request. I dedicated my life to understand many aspects of magic, diagnostics even being one of my specialties. However..." he sighed, he couldn't back down here, even if it was Celestia before him, "I have a responsibility to my family now. I could understand if the patient was here in Canterlot, but around a week out to the western wilderness? I simply cannot do that. Loathe am I to admit it, but my wife and I... were not expecting the latest. It is all I can do to keep up even now with the three young ones. Please understand."

"How much, name your price. I'll have it here by tomorrow."

"Princess... please..."

Celestia grit her teeth before him, and he instantly shrunk back in fear. Seeing this, a slight look of what seemed to be shame crossed her features before she became the very image of distant.

"Fine, I'll look for the next best candidate, but I know they will be far less meritorious than you. If something happens to my sister..."

Shock filled him. Sister?! Combine that with the death glare she gave and he thought he'd pass out. Slowly, she was gone and he could breathe again. While what he heard had shocked him, it would've never changed his mind. But the revelations rang through his mind. Surely that couldn't be right? He had misheard. Slowly, he crept back indoors and started to hear the distinct echo of a burgeoning family. A slight smile graced his features as he made his way back in, but he wouldn't feel right for quite some time.

Celestia's headache tripled.

"These useless aristocracy..."

The aid near her let off a nervous quiet chuckle and then coughed into a hoof.

The team she had left behind had not been nearly as efficient or prolific as they should've been. Being inundated by cases that had piled up that she could've handled in a days time for her was not exactly her idea of what she had envisioned. Catching up due to their failure had cost her time to search for someone to send out to Luna by four days now, and she still shook with anger at the memory of Keyfried. She had secretely attended lectures of his before and seen how impressive his work was, so it angered her all the more.

No matter, tomorrow she had plans to meet with several potential candidates.

It was within this musing that she came across a file that different than the rest.

"What's this?"

"Ah! That's the new relay news update. It was collected and brought fourth to you in format to keep you updated more accurately on the happenings of the kingdom. While still a work in process, I believe it is a remarkable work of logistics and pegasi tenacity."

"Hm, let's have a look shall we? I do believe I'm starting to remember my earlier efforts to get this project started."

She started scanning through the document after having opened and unravelled it. It was a strong collection that showed how different places across Equestria developed and changed, information like population size, new construction and industry data presented itself. Extraneous points and comments were occasionally added in for remarkable situations or happenings. It made her smile briefly seeing some of them. As she shifted through the contents, something caught her eye. Or at least she thought it did.

"Say, how many towns have been connected to this so far?"

"Almost all of them, your highness. It's truly amazing how fast it has spread, and the amount of jobs it has provided has been a small local boon."

"Yes indeed, but could you do me a favor and bring me an official list regardless?"

The aid went over and started digging documents on the other side of the office, and Celestia started tapping a hoof on the table. Surely it was a coincidence, right?

"Ah! Here it is, your majesty."

Celestia quickly took the list into her magic and started scanning it. Her eyes slowly settled on one word.

"Riftly. Why did they not report anything this quarter? They're on the list."

"Umm... the next closest town did not receive any pegasus with any documentation to pass on towards Canterlot for collection. It was removed before it made it to you, but I was there when the work was being revised and compressed for your reading. They definitely had a note about the no-show from Riftly for whatever reason and reported it."

Celestia sat back in her chair. That was... odd. She remembered her recent visit there before seeing Luna, and suddenly felt bad about not paying more attention. It was the least she could do for places she'd likely see few times.

Suddenly a chill went down here spine. There was no way that—

She got up.

"Princess? Is everything alright?"

"No... there is something I must check, you are dismissed for today.

Celestia was already out the door.