To Chase The Shadows of Redemption

Young Celestia tucked little Luna into bed, the poor thing had already passed out. The day they had spent the day today together and it had been one of the best days of her life. She couldn't believe that she'd get to spend the rest of it with somepony so fun, so full of life.

Already they had become best of friends, and she knew that they would have a relationship that would trump all others. As her older sister, she would ensure it would be so, hehehe. They had already done so much together. Staring down at her little sister now, sleeping peacefully brought such contentment to her heart.

She made a solemn promise to herself as her sister, that for the rest of her life she would watch over and protect her, and lead her in the right direction if need be.

"What I am about to show the four of you will not be discussed outside these doors or unless under my permission. You will not be forgiven if this is broken. Can I have your words that you will abide with this, no matter what you learn, see and discover?"

Glint Presley, Suture Gadget, Manfred Song, and Ruby Aura stood before her in a line and slightly nervous. One by one, they sore to secrecy just like she asked.

"May I ask a question? You brought a diagnostician, a technical analyst specializing in medicine, a professor from the college of wizards and a magical construct analyst. What could possibly warrant combining these skill sets? Are we trying to revive some ancient evil?" said Ruby.

They all gave nervous chuckles that died out as they arrived.

"Perhaps that would have an inkling of truth, but it is better that I show you right away. I will explain the rest in due time today. You will all be receiving payment for any time spent on this working as a team. Are we good to proceed?"

They all murmured assent and Celestia did a double check that there was no bystanders, before unsealing the rooms enchantment with her signature to allow them entry. The enchantment would re-engage in thirty seconds to continue its function of maintaining secrecy and prevention of exposure to any source.

She led them to a bed in a room that had been lit up only partially, with the bed being the darkest area. There lay a dark alicorn who slept softly, a small bubble of cyan magical liquid surrounding her as though she was in an aquarium like a fish, and the only hint something was wrong the slight grimace on her face.

"This is my sister. Her name is Luna. Yes, I have a sister. Yes, she was Nightmare Moon once. I am completely unable to figure out what ails her, but I know that anything that could do this to her has severe implications. It is my task to you all that you both figure out what's going on to her and find a treatment for it. I do not know which one of you will be able to find something, which is why I have brought you all who have such multifaceted disciplines. I believe combining your expertise would be best. I will not tolerate failure, my sister must live above all else." She paused and gave a soft sigh, "but please, ask any questions before you even consider starting research, I will answer anything within reason, now go ahead."

The next thirty to forty minutes Celestia patiently answered question after question. They were all stunned to learn the history of Nightmare Moon, and how true it had all been. After the shock had faded, they all started drafting early mental theories, these ponies were academics who had made it this far through curiosity.

"Your highness, would you allow me to test this layer of magic we currently see around her? I can already sense a peculiar quality about it. I assume her situation has stabilized by now, yes?" Ruby showed no hesitation to begin work.

"That is exactly the reason I brought you here. Go right ahead, I do not need remind any of you to be careful. Your assumption was correct, she is stable but I can tell that she is only getting worse as time goes by slowly."

She started casting several exploratory spells one by one that would not affect the encasing around her, which was critical for keeping the situation the same as how she found it and not causing any reactions. She sat down and started considering what she had found on her initial look, trying to coalesce and consolidate the information in her mind.

"It is a complicated mixture your highness... that is for sure. I think I can sense some form of life energy, some magic that has what I believe to be her signature that is entwined with something else that I do not yet know. That is what I'm seeing so far. What kind of life do you suspect died for it to be squeezed into this kind of form? It horrifies me to imagine the possibilities."

Celestia was once again being pushed to maintain her poker face against an onslaught of guilt. Her sister's sins had become her own, or had they ever been separated in the first place? "That's right, I believe I saw dead animals in the forest where I had found her, she must have wandered for quite some time. While the local wild life would be devastated, I believe it can still recover over a long enough period, please rest assured."

"I see... based on the density range I believe it to be in, it must've been a lot. How such a pony could cause this is heartbreaking, and I know you said the Nightmare is no more but I cannot help but shake the feeling of how ominous this realm of possibility enters into."

"Please be at ease, as you can see she is of no harm to any pony. She is weak, the very opposite of what we'd expect to see of the Nightmare. I suppose I didn't explain well enough, but that form is predatory. It cannot resist being in control, and we would for sure see that it had any involvement. Rest assured that is not the case."

Before their conversation could continue, Manfred broke in: "I have enough information now, I will be stepping away to look into several of those topics, by our next meeting I plan on having a strong understanding of each, so I must make good time to balance this with the rest of my life. Forgive me, but I shall be making my leave." He made to bow, "your Highness," and left.

"He is exactly right. I believe you all get the picture now, and I will be leaving shortly. Any final questions?"

"Yes... has this form wrapped around her changed at all?"

This gave Celestia pause. After confirming her memories, "I... do think that it has been shrinking slowing, as though she is absorbing it. But do not take my word for it, please observe yourself as shes in your care now as well over the coming weeks."

"That's enough for me. We'll begin. Have a wonderful rest of your day, your majesty."

"You as well, may your research and findings be as swift as your wit lifted you into these stations. Goodbye."

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

There has been a development in the situation with Luna. If you could make your way to Canterlot fairly soon it would be appreciated. I will explain everything in person, just like last time.

Princess Celestia