It has been a while since I last wrote in you, my faithful journal. A recap of events is in order.

After some more research, I put my plan into motion.

We waited until a change of the guard happened to ensure that the throne room would be deserted. My friends and I steeled ourselves as best we could and ventured inside.

Nightmare Moon was surprised to see us. Her bemused smirk did not last long. Not when I spoke her name. Her real name. I shall try to transcribe what I remember.

“Luna,” I said. “Princess Luna of the night and of Equestria. Thou used to be a good and kindly ruler.”

Nightmare Moon sneered at that. “That weakling has long been buried,” she said. “Just what do you think you’re trying to do, my faithful ‘pupil’?”

“The Elements of Harmony are here, aren’t they? Still in the throne room after they failed you. Too useless to use, too valuable to throw away,” I said. “They failed thou in banishing Celestia, right here. Didn’t they?”

Nightmare Moon’s sneer became a growl as she rose from her throne. “And they will be of no use to you,” she snarled.

“No, they will be. Generosity, Laughter, Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, and Magic are more than mere gemstones. They’re the Elements of Harmony, of friendship,” I said firmly. I felt my friends shift beside me, but I stood firm. I do not blame them wilting under that freezing glare.

What happened next, I could scarcely believe. A large panel in the floor opened before us, kicking up ages of dust. The gemstones—the Elements of Harmony—appeared before us. Just like I had seen a thousand times before in the records, each over a foot in length.

Beyond their glow, I could see Nightmare Moon’s shocked visage, but it turned into an animalistic snarl. She made a move towards us, horn crackling with dark energy.

I felt a light fill me, with such magic and such warmth as I had never felt before. For once, nor silvery and cold, but golden and warmth. And somehow, with that light and with my friends beside me, Nightmare Moon was banished.

Everything after was a rush, so I shall try to be brief.

We met Princess Luna—she really was buried underneath of Nightmare Moon, inside her own body. We had barely gotten our introductions completed before she raced off to the deepest dungeons. Freeing Celestia and the other prisoners was our next task—nursing Celestia back to health took a great deal longer.

But together, with the Princesses restored and with the Elements, we have righted Equestria. Day and night reign in equal measure. The ponies rejoice our names as heroes, but I do not value such praise.

We have—everypony has—their will back, to do with as they please, and I think that the greatest joy to come out of this.

I still marvel, looking back at how we managed to do all this together. Perhaps, through friendship, any magic is possible. And that is more powerful than any threat or tyrant.

Now, I wonder what is in store for all of our futures. As for myself, I have always wanted to try my hoof at practical magic.

-Moonbeam Cerulean

Author's Note

"Were thou expecting a code of some sort? A hint at what might yet be? Nay, just my thanks for reading our story."