Twilight hadn’t felt this strung out since she had first brought home Nyx. More strung out. Terrified. More terrified than when she had been foalnapped even.

Luna knew. Luna knew about Nyx and she was going to tell Celestia and—

She had spent hours that morning pacing about, trying to think of a plan before Spike finally came in and found her curled up on the floor. He had tried to get her to calm down and had almost succeeded until he burped out a single small scroll, the royal seal clear as day on the front.

Inside, the message was brief:

Dear Twilight,

I know what happened with the spell.
Please prepare for our arrival tonight.

-Celestia.

The princesses were coming. The princesses were coming. The princesses were coming for Nyx.

Unable to keep Twilight from Twilighting herself into a panic attack, Spike had done the only thing he could think of at that moment: he had rushed out to find the rest of the Element Bearers and call forth the Nyx Support Network.

Hearing their friend was in trouble it didn't take long to mobilize all of them, and within the hour Twilight had found herself in the protective aura of her friend’s company, Nyx happily crawling between them. If Twilight was to face Celestia, she wouldn’t do it alone.

Soon Pinkie Pie had brought over a miniature cupcake that Nyx scarfed down with delight, and the day had been spent with the Element Bearers and Spike keeping her occupied and entertained.

Twilight had been determined that no matter what happened, she’d make sure these past few hours with Nyx would be as happy as she could make them.

Even if they ended up being the last few hours she’d have with Nyx.

“Aren’t we just overreacting?” asked Rainbow Dash as she paced around the room, a giggling Nyx on her back. “It’s Celestia we’re talking about here. We ruined her party and she just bought us donuts. Heck, Fluttershy birdnapped and killed her chicken and she’s not on the moon!”

“Um, Philomena is actually a phoenix, but—”

“Right, magic royal chicken. The point is Twilight hasn’t done anything wrong! Nobody has.”

“Nightmare Moon has,” said Twilight quietly.

“But Nyx isn’t Nightmare Moon!” protested Rainbow, looking back at her passenger. “Right?”

“We’re not the ones that need to be convinced of that, Dash…” Twilight said, lifting Nyx off her back and setting her down next to a few of the new toys her friends had brought.

“Well, I don’t care what the princesses decide! Alicorn or not, Nyxie’s not going to the moon or ANY other planet without a fight. That’s why I got this!”

Pinkie pulled something out of a corner. It looked like her confetti cannon, but far more streamlined and without any patterns or adornment. She bounced a cannonball in her hoof.

“I’ve got my newest secret weapon.”

Rarity glared at her. “Pinkie, dear, you’re not using that.”

“Not if I don’t have to.”

“Pinkamena Diane Pie,” hissed Rarity, “You are not to shoot royalty in Twilight’s house!”

“We’ll see, Rarity. We’ll see…”

Twilight looked them over. Rarity was now struggling to get the cannonball out of Pinkie’s hooves, Dash and Applejack taking up sides to encourage the chaos. Fluttershy and Spike sat with Nyx, dangling a pair of plastic keys in front of her.

Her friends.

Her family.

They were here for this.

For her.

It made her feel like she could take on the world.

It made her feel like she could take on Celestia.

“No matter what happens… thank you,” Twilight declared finally. “Thank you all so much for helping me try.”

There was a polite knock at the door. Everyone froze, and Twilight tensed up, before slowly, painfully inching towards the entrance. She looked back at her friends. At Nyx. She didn’t know what she had expected to see. By the warm light of the library’s lanterns, the filly looked… Just like a normal baby.

She swallowed hard and reached for the doorknob. Applejack nodded at her.

“We got your back, Twilight. Y’all are gonna do fine.”

She opened the door.

Luna had tried to convince her to go without her crown or raiments, to try and make things feel casual, but Celestia had argued otherwise. She wanted to project an air of authority, or at least assure her little ponies that she knew what she was doing. It had turned into another fight, one that almost made them late.

Now, standing here in Twilight’s library home, she started to think Luna may have once again had a point. Seven pairs of eyes watched her intently.

“Um…”

“Twilight.” Celestia gave what she hoped was a calming smile, but her beloved student continued to look away.

“I have your book. There was a tiny bit of water damage, b-but it should be okay.”

“I’m not concerned about the book, Twilight.”

“Right, right.”

Ignoring Luna’s glare, Celestia coughed awkwardly. This was not going the way she had expected. Best to get everything over with.

“May I see her?”

“Right. I mean, yes. I mean… She’s there.”

Twilight shifted to the side, pointing over to the foal on the floor. The tiny black filly looked up at the princess curiously, slowly getting to her hooves. Her legs wobbled, and then she flopped back down.

“She’s… she’s not really at the age where she’s afraid of strangers yet. She’s also not at the age where she can really walk…”

Both she and Celestia sat there in silence. This was an awkward situation right? It had been a little too long since the princess had really been in one.

“Well, she certainly looks the part,” Celestia spoke. “Though last I checked, Nightmare Moon is quite a bit taller.”

Nobody laughed at her joke. Tough crowd tonight.

“Princess, please. I’m not really certain if she’s—”

“I think you already know what she is, Twilight. I’m unfamiliar with this particular magic, but if I might hazard a guess as to what happened: A brief return by you to the scene of the crime, an ominous black orb, and a filly with no apparent origin?”

“...Eggshell,” Twilight said quietly. “There were bits of black eggshell.”

“That still doesn’t surprise me. I wish you had told me about this from the start, Twilight. The incident with the cult was over a month ago, this just means further complications. If you had just been honest with me, we could have resolved everything without any sort of…”

Confrontation? Is that what this was? She felt like a hanging judge in a courtroom right now, with the stares she was getting.

“Princess, I wanted to. I did, but…” Twilight glanced back at the filly on the floor, who was giving the whole ‘walking’ idea another try. She smiled gently at the display, and the foal smiled back at her.

Ah. So it was like that then.

“Please, what’s going to happen to her? What are you planning?”

Celestia sighed. You banish one sister to the moon and every visit afterwards has to be a matter of life and death. What would keep Twilight calm in this situation? What would convince her?

“Tests, Twilight. It’s all just a matter of tests. To borrow an idiom from the pegasi: We’re flying blind here. Everypony here knows what the aims of the cultists that foalnapped you were, but the result, and whether or not they succeeded is obviously…” she eyed the filly, who was making a third attempt at walking, this time buzzing her tiny wings in the hope that they’d help. “To be decided.”

“But I’ve done tests. I’ve done research!”

“I’m not questioning your dedication, dear. Stars know that if there was anything to be learned about anything you’d have learned everything there was to know about anything. But to hazard another guess: I’m going to say Golden Oaks doesn’t have a lot of books on resurrection magic.”

“There’s… Three. Four, if you count Bananacus the Instantaneous’ response to Respawnia’s Lazarus Device.”

“And you’ve read them all.”

“I’ve memorized them all,” replied Twilight indignantly.

“The Canterlot royal library and my own private archives have over six hundred volumes on the subject. It’s not a matter of ability, but a matter of resources and experience. You’re an incredible student Twilight, and your grasp of magic is an inspiration but… Some things are beyond any one pony. This requires a princess and a team of experienced unicorns to get to the bottom of, and if, uh…” She motioned to the foal on the floor.

“Nyx. Her name is Nyx.”

Celestia smiled. “If Nyx is simply the happy filly she appears to be, then there’ll be no harm done, at all.”

“But she’s not-”

“What if you’re wrong, Twilight?” the unicorn shut her mouth, letting Celestia continue.

“If I’m being honest, this isn’t the first time someone’s made a pony through magic. We could go into theories or debate on the philosophies of how sacred life is but I’ve dealt with magic mirrors, magic pod plants, and I won’t even get into how many errant bronze golems I’ve had to track down and grant citizenship.”

“Where this filly comes from is obvious, but what she is, what she truly is, that is the problem. When you look at her you see a baby. When I look at her I see a thousand years of my mistakes staring back at her. Of my sister being banished. Of a night that lasts forever.”

“You’re afraid of her?” Twilight was stunned.

“I’m afraid of being right, my faithful student. It’s entirely why I wish you had told me about this as soon as possible. It would have made everything easier. We could have learned more and planned this out together. But circumstances have changed.”

She put her hoof around Twilight, giving her the warmest smile she hoped she could manage.

“None of these tests are going to be invasive. Complicated, maybe, but I promise you, I won’t hurt a hair on her head. It’s all just about confirming that things haven’t gone… strange,” she waved a hoof. “So to speak.”

“I- I could come with you,” Twilight suggested. “I’ve been with her long enough that she’d—” Celestia shook her head.

“And I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, either. If there is something wrong, or if something goes wrong, the safest place for you would be here, in Ponyville. Equestria will need… it will need the Elements of Harmony if it comes to that.”

Silence, from every pony. She’d take that as acceptance, at the very least.

“I’m glad you understand. Now we’ll want to move fast. If you could give us the foal and some…” she looked around. “Some supplies, me and Luna will be on our way. With luck, there will be nothing wrong and she’ll be back by tomorrow. We could even make headway on tracking down the cult, and—”

“No.”

The word was spoken as a whisper, barely audible. Everyone turned to look at Twilight.

“I beg your pardon?” Celestia said.

“I said no. Y-you’re- you’re not taking her,” said Twilight, louder this time. “It’s not right. You haven’t seen her, you can’t make that kind of decision just like that. You can’t make that decision for me! She’s my responsibility now.”

She moved in front of Nyx, poised to do… What exactly? What would she do against Celestia?

“Twilight, I know this can be difficult to understand, but it’s your own best interest, and the best interest of the foal if she comes with us to Canterlot, we have-” Celestia moved forward, only to find Applejack stepping in front of her as well, blocking the path and eyeing her.

“The gal said ain’t nopony going nowhere, princess. She’s made her decision.”

All the other element bearers moved forward as well, forming a shield of ponies trying their best to look intimidating.

“I’m sorry princess, but um… Please don’t try anything.”

“Apologies, Your Highness, I do respect you, I do. But… Twilight is right. Absolutely right.”

“I’ve got a cannon and I ain’t afraid to use it!”

“Pinks, seriously, not right now. Look, Princess Celestia, are you seriously gonna tell me THAT thing is a threat?” Rainbow Dash pointed over to Nyx, who had given up trying to stand and was now content on trying to shove a plastic block into her mouth.

Celestia looked over at Luna, who said nothing but was certainly giving her a look.

Seven against one, then? Celestia had seen them gaze upon her with awe, respect, and relief. But she had never seen them like this.

It had been a very long time since she had faced a room full of ponies that were angry at her.

Because they were right. What in the world was she doing? She sighed.

“I… very well. I would be a poor princess if I didn’t consider the words of six of Equestria’s greatest heroes to not be credible evidence of Nyx innocence. If you truly wish for it, Nyx will stay.”

“Then why are you—”

“But perhaps… I am not the one who needs to be convinced.”

Celestia stood to the side, nodding to Luna.

“As Nightmare Moon came from her, her magic would be best suited for any sort of… investigation. Truly if we brought her back to Canterlot we could be absolutely sure. But if you’re certain—”

“Yes.” All six ponies said at once.

“Then if you’d let her, perhaps we can all get the answers we seek. Luna?”

Luna began to approach Nyx. The Element Bearers hesitated.

“You have my word, friends. I will not harm her in any way.”

Not taking their eyes off the younger princess, each pony moved aside. Twilight still remained rooted to the spot, not daring to move, not daring to even breathe as she watched Luna pass her by to reach Nyx. Luna laid down low as she could go, until her eyes were level with her tiny doppelganger.

Nyx affixed her with a curious stare of her own, still chewing on the plastic block. After some consideration and with a small pop! she took it out of her mouth, holding it up to Luna.

“Book,” Nyx proposed.

Luna raised one eyebrow, her lips twitching upwards just a bit as she levitated the drool-coated block out of Nyx’s hooves and into the saddlebags.

“Your peace offering is accepted, little one,” she said, finally allowing a broad smile to grace her face.

Any tension in the air evaporated, seven other creatures (and one owl in the rafters) let out a breath they hadn’t even realized they had been holding in. Pinkie Pie’s test may have been passed, but Luna’s stamp of approval held a far greater weight. Her horn glowing, she levitated Nyx back over into the arms of Twilight, who snatched her up and held her close, regarding Luna with wet, thankful eyes.

Sharing an understanding glance with Celestia, Luna finally spoke.

“She is Nightmare Moon.”

The room exploded, six mares yelling at Luna in a mix of anger and betrayal.

“Dude, are you KIDDING me?”

“Y’all can’t believe that—”

“Why does everypony keep interrupting me?” Luna said, rearing up. “May I please finish before you all start swinging swords and jumping off tables? We will not take Nyx.”

“But y’all said—”

“And can we save the questions until I’m done?”

“Sorry.”

“Thank you. As I was trying to say, she is Nightmare Moon. But that does not mean she is the same villain that terrorized Ponyville.”

Luna looked over and Celestia, who nodded in understanding. She began to lecture.

“Throughout our world, magic occurs naturally. Healing springs, lost forests, standing stones. Places of power that all too often have a life of their own.”

“But even in a controlled environment, wild magic still exists. Effectively any spell cast is wild magic until the moment it is complete. All spellcraft works off the same basic principles: An incantation is cast, ambient magic is imbued with the potential action of that spell, and that coalesces into the result.”

Twilight nodded. This was basic magical theory, of course.

“Even if the result of that spell never manifests the magic that would be needed to cast it still lingers. In most cases, this results in explosions, sparks, and the typical signs of failed spellwork. But in more complex spells or even simply more ambient spells, the magic will linger around places of power, enchanted objects, or more likely the half-finished result of that spell. When it occurs naturally, this is what ponies think of when they normally say ‘wild magic’.”

“Nyx reeks of wild and unfinished magic.”

“Are you sure?” Twilight said. “I just changed her, so—”

“Again, interruptions. A little bit of respect, please?”

“Sorry, princess. Please go on.”

“The spell that created Nyx has not failed. The spell was intended to grow a new life for Nightmare Moon; a new alicorn body from her remains before filling it with her memories and her mind. Not a resurrection, but an entirely new magical birth.”

“This is a working theory, mind you. What we’ve seen supports it, but to even accomplish this was… something we thought impossible,” Celestia clarified as Luna nodded.

“Thanks to my sister’s intervention, the spell was interrupted far too early. A new life was formed, just barely, but there are no memories of Nightmare Moon and no mind of Nightmare Moon within Nyx.”

“She is Nightmare Moon. Not Nightmare Moon reborn, but Nightmare Moon incomplete.”

Twilight gasped. Staring down at the filly. It made sense, it did. But that just made it worse.

“Princess Luna, if that means what I think it means, then are you saying…?”

“I’m sorry, Twilight. Your nightmares and fears… they are justified. The spell that made Nyx still swirls around her. If the cult were able to find her, to recover her, they could complete the spell. They would destroy Nyx as she is now.”

“Nightmare Moon truly could rise again.”

Twilight’s forelegs began to shake. Panic, her old familiar friend, had arrived back from its brief vacation and was now making itself at home in her mind.

“But that will not happen!”

To the surprise of everypony in the room, Celestia had strode forward, facing Luna and Twilight and standing tall. She looked angry. She looked determined.

“I let this go on for too long. Our actions have already put you in danger Twilight, and as Luna says, this filly is innocent: A helpless bystander in a sick and twisted delusion. Nightmare Moon still casts a shadow over Equestria that pulls everyone into it. I’ve been letting it influence me for far too long and for that, I am sorry. But no more. No tests, no need for you to prove what you know in your heart. I’m through with it all.”

She snorted, wings flared.

“And I will not allow anypony else to come to harm so long as my sun shines. I swear it to you, to all of you.”

“But how—”

Celestia’s horn glowed. From another room, a table floated down in front of them.

“How indeed? Now comes the time for us to do what royalty does best, Twilight, dear: We will scheme.”

An hour later, a whole herd of mares sat hunched over maps and sketched up diagrams. Crumpled up paper plans and half-baked ideas littered the floor as the group’s brainstorming session had dwindled to a mere mind drizzle over the best way to protect and hide the foal sleeping the night away in Twilight’s arms.

“I still feel like the vest would be the most elegant solution. Some way to hide her wings and pass her as a unicorn would offer the most flexibility if we ended up having to ‘wing it’, as one says.”

“Rarity, seriously, it always comes down to clothes with you,” Dash rubbed her temples. “The whole point is to make her not stand out. Nopony else in town really wears a vest, she’ll stick out like a bucking thundercloud on a sunny day.”

“Vests are in season!”

“Y’all even think she’d even wear the vest? Kids can get mighty good at wiggling out of whatever ya dress ‘em in. Applebloom’s bow wasn’t something she’d even consider till she was about three.”

“Um, excuse me? What about her eyes?”

Luna frowned. “I could cast a spell to periodically hide her wings and eyes, but it would require constant application. Such regular exposure to heavy illusion magic at a young age might cause long-term consequences.”

“Well, we wouldn’t want that, would we? It sounds like we’re all in agreement that a nice vest would be perfect.”

“Dude, enough with the vest already!”

“You’re all being duuuuuuuuumb!” a voice sang out. The rest of the library turned, looking at Pinkie Pie as she waltzed down the stairs, a plate of late-night planning muffins on her back. Nobody was quite sure where she had found the ingredients for them.

“Pinkie, now’s not the time—” Rarity began, only for Luna to hold up a hoof.

“Ms. Pie, could you elaborate?”

“Oh, come on, silly billy,” said Pinkie, plopping down in front and shoving a muffin into her mouth. “How many times have we been through the whole ‘keeping world-ending secrets’ from each other and how many times has it gone kaboom in our faces? I mean, we JUST tried to keep Nyx a secret from you two princesses and that whole secret train didn’t so much derail as it did fly off a bridge and explode, right?”

“I’m still not certain I see where you’re going with this.”

“You keep talking about hiding Nyxie over there or doing some complex spell or magic headband to let her blend in like a normal filly, but everypony here already knows she’s not a normal filly! Sure, it might work for a little while, but as soon as she starts walking and talking she’s gonna start knowing something’s wrong. And believe me, magical filly plus insecurity equals di-sas-tar!”

Another muffin entered her mouth. Pinkie was surprisingly coherent even with her mouth full.

“It’ll probably be something like some spooky voice in the forest telling her that it can show her her true destiny, or she’ll get into a school play where her disguise fails in front of the whole town, or some weird old wizard will start sending her letters inside egg cartons and then what have you got? Probably some hurt little filly and a lot of unpredictable craziness that you could fill a whole book with. Anyone else want a muffin?”

The group just stared. At least some did. Luna and Twilight looked fascinated.

“The way I see it I’d say you just rip that band-aid off the elephant in the room so we can cross that bridge as soon as we come to it. Why not just tell everypony the truth: that Twilight’s got the cutest sweetest new baby and a bunch of creepy mean ponies want to hurt her? I might not know cults, but I do know that everyone in Ponyville loves Twilight and loves their foals! Plus ain’t her being an alicorn also mean she’s a princess? I bet most ponies here would go berserk on any creep that tried to hurt a baby princess.”

She popped the final muffin into her mouth.

“Oopsies, out of muffins. I’ll go get some more!” she sang and trotted out of the room, leaving behind a host of dumbfounded ponies.

“That…” Luna finally said, “...is absolutely brilliant.”

“WHAT?”

“She’s right,” said Celestia. “Sooner or later, one way or another, the truth about Nyx would come out. If the cult doesn't know of her existence, they will eventually. Any action to hide her carries a lot of risks, to say nothing of the potential psychological damage. Rumors, misconceptions, and panic would set in. But if we send a clear message to ponies, one that tells the story how we want to tell it instead of letting them draw the wrong conclusions, then we’re not only able to steer the narrative, but we’d be able to turn the tables on the Children of Nightmare.”

“The what?”

“The cult,” said Luna. “It’s what we’ve elected to call them.”

“Hold on now,” Applejack said, raising a hoof. “Y’all are talking about stories. Papers? News stories? Yer just gonna turn a little girl into a… a sideshow attraction. That ain’t right.”

“We’re not going to treat Nyx like the newest curiosity, the goal would be to tell the truth in the simplest way: An evil cult’s failed spell inadvertently created an innocent alicorn foal. One who is being happily raised by the Element of Magic. We focus not on the potential return of Nightmare Moon but on what lies before us now: a young mother and her daughter simply trying to stay safe. The Children thrive off paranoia, so let’s use that against them.”

“But would that even work, your highness?” said Rarity. “Forgive me for saying so, but no matter how heartwrenching a story you write, and even if it preemptively redeems dear Nyx in the public eye, it sounds like you’re simply bringing a lot of national press and attention to Twilight’s doorstep. The poor dear has enough troubles as it is. And that’s to say nothing of the mass panic the knowledge of a cult among us would bring!”

Luna smiled. “A changeling invasion descended upon Canterlot and took out Celestia. For what little time has passed, the only thing that has changed as a result is the occasional bug-zapper on a street corner. I know panic, I know fear, and I know how to temper it into caution.”

“As for the press…” Celestia grinned devilishly. “Haven’t you ever wondered why a town home to six of Equestria’s greatest heroes and the princess’ personal protege has never been swarmed with cameraponies and paparazzi? We princesses have our ways.”

The rest of them fell silent. It was Twilight who finally spoke up. She had been silent ever since the table had been brought out, mostly having spent her time staring at Nyx.

“Her daughter…” realized Twilight. “You said… this press release would tell the tale of ‘a young mother and her daughter’.”

She looked up at the Princess of the Night, hope in her eyes for the first time in what had felt like a very very long time.

“D-does that mean…?”

Luna smiled. She loved it when her intuition was right. Horn glowing, she reached into the saddlebag and brought out a series of forms, passing them over to Twilight along with a quill and inkwell.

CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION

the top of the first page read.

“Twilight Sparkle, just as we have sworn an oath to protect Nyx, we charge you thusly: Take this filly, and be what she needs you to be. Teach her of the world, of happiness, and of friendship. Let her days be filled with the laughter and innocence that she deserves, and keep her safe from those forces that would see those taken from her.”

“In summary, Twilight Sparkle: we charge you with motherhood. Think you can handle that?”

Once again, Twilight was grateful that she used magic to write. She didn’t trust her hooves or mouth not to shake from every emotion she was feeling at this point. She felt like her heart would burst.

Trying to keep calm, she read through each line and signed each empty box that she came across, Luna helpfully pointing from line to line. It was all so official, so calm. A form! A form for parenthood. It was almost as wonderful as having to write an essay on parenthood, and with each new page the smile on her face got wider and wider.

Until she got to the final page. The final signature. The pen hesitated in midair.

“Twilight?”

“Is this… is this what I’m going to be condemning her to?” Twilight frowned. “Chased by cults, me having to look over my shoulder at every shadow or strange pony? Not able to enjoy any moment with her because I’m always going to be afraid it’ll be our last?

“Am I going to spend the rest of her life always afraid for her?”

“Ha! Finally, y’all get it!”

Everyone turned to look at Applejack.

“Shoot, Twilight, that’s the most basic part of being a parent. It ain’t ever gonna go away but trust me: if you weren’t afraid I’d be worried for y’all. You gotta be the one alert and aware so they don’t have to be. That’s probably rule #1 for being a momma.”

“Momma.”

The group froze, turning towards the filly in Twilight’s arms. She had awoken and was fussing a bit, evidently getting uncomfortable.

“Momma!” she said again, beginning to whine.

With an inarticulate cry, Twilight held Nyx close, hugging her, embracing her as if everything in the world was trying to take the foal away from her.

In many ways, it was.

And she wouldn’t let that happen, no matter what.

An aura of pink magic lifted up the discarded quill and scribbled her signature on the final line of the form.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” Twilight said, tears streaming down her eyes. “Momma’s here.”

“Momma’s finally here.”

“Oh my GOSH!”

There was a clatter of baked dishes from upstairs, followed by a blur of fuzzy pink hyperactivity. Pinkie Pie had returned and had overheard enough.

“Twilight’s officially a mom! Adoption party time!”

She zipped towards Twilight before noticing the baby in her arms and opting instead to sweep up another pony in a huge hug. In this case, the victim was Luna.

“I feel that it is a bit late for that, Pinkie Pie. There will be plenty of time for that later. I believe everyone, including Twilight-” motioned Luna as she tried to break away from the hug, “-Is quite exhausted.”

“Awww,” Pinkie pouted for a moment, then perked back up. “Okie dokie, just oooone little thing~”

Before anyone could react, she pulled a small camera out of nowhere, snapped a picture of Twilight (who barely had time to react), and was now shaking out a freshly printed photo.

“Polaroid! So glad I got to use that instead of my non-confetti confetti cannon. Much less messy.”

She slapped the picture into Luna’s saddlebags with a satisfied whinny.

“There you go, princess, put that in your papers and print it! Now—”

She went back upstairs to fetch the baked goods tray she had dropped.

“Who wants a muffin?”

The two sisters sped along in the night. It wasn’t a long way back to Canterlot as the alicorn flies but it gave them enough time to think, to plan, and to reflect.

“Luna,” Celestia spoke up. “Those adoption forms you had—”

“Filled out and signed. Twilight is not one to forget a signature, dearest sister.”

“Yes. Many of the details I noticed had been filled out.”

“They had.”

“And they had been filled out before we arrived in Ponyville.”

“Merely part of a possible spell.”

“A possible spell.”

“A legal spell.”

“A legal spell?”

“Indeed. Certainly, Celestia, you would have thought it best to be prepared for any possibility?”

Celestia sighed, slowing down before coming to rest on a nearby cloud. Luna followed suit, landing and facing her sister, her face impartial and emotionless. All the same, she could almost feel her sister’s disappointment radiating out.

“Luna… I should have told you about the cult. About the ritual.”

Luna sighed back.

“You were… doing what you felt was right. It wouldn’t be the first time. Had there been ‘no lasting consequences’, I perhaps could even see the logic behind it. That is not what upsets me, they will be dealt with.”

“Then what-”

Luna had fished something out of her bag. It was the small plastic block from earlier, which she was now looking over impassively.

“Celestia… If I had not been there, if the other Element Bearers had not been there, if it had not been six against one and merely Twilight Sparkle facing you alone… What would you have done with Nyx?”

Celestia sat there, unsure. Luna often liked to say that Celestia was better with children than she was, but for all her denial Luna still liked to tell tales of the nightmares she had defeated. Little fillies rescued from drowning streams and headless horses because of her actions, colts snatched from teeth of pure darkness and delivered safely back to the waking world.

Then there were the other nightmares. Ones far worse than common fears and imaginary boogeyponies.

She recalled a recent incident several months ago in Fillydelphia. The reports had described it as a horrific case of mob justice against a stallion accused of… certain things. She did not approve of vigilantism, no matter the alleged crimes.

But it had taken a stern lecture from Luna to learn everything else about the stallion. The nightmares of children she had visited in his wake, the memories she had seen.

And a revelation that Luna was very good about organizing shared dreams.

She had seen a different side of her sister that day. For all her claims of being unable to deal with foals, the children of Equestria were well protected. All of them. Luna having been all too willing to call the filly “Nyx” hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Oh, sister, you’re a better pony than I deserve, thought Celestia, before steeling herself. Best to avoid another fight.

“I am often too brash in my actions, Luna. There have been too many times when uncertainty would have risked too many ponies’ lives to count. To be decisive, it seems, is a double-edged sword. But I spoke truthfully to you and Twilight. I would not have harmed Nyx.”

“Harm comes from more than just actions, Tia. To use your own ridiculous metaphor, I fear that your decisive sword did damage all the same.”

“How? We’ve pledged an oath of protection to them, we’ve got a plan of action. I meant it. I will use everything in my power to see that filly safe—”

“She is not the only pony you need to protect!” Luna shouted.

Celestia sat there in silence, Luna continued.

“What do you know of the nightmares of mothers, Tia? Did you know when I first appeared to try and help Twilight Sparkle that my appearance made her more terrified than any dream could?”

“Did you think it was simply cultists leering over her daughter that she was frightful of? Or did you not realize that in the depths of her mind, there were other parties she feared would take Nyx from her? Other royal parties.”

“Despite her claims, despite all she’s done, it took the testimony of six other mares to sway your opinion. Do you not trust your own student? Do you not trust her own judgment about the filly she loves?”

“Did you not realize that deep down, she’s become afraid of us?”

Celestia was stunned as the weight of it all came crashing down. The magnitude of it all. Of Twilight’s change in personality, in the way Twilight’s friends had stood against her.

She would have been willing to tear a child away from the arms of her mother.

Celestia hung her head in shame.

“Oh, Luna… I’ve made a real mess of it all, haven’t I?”

Luna sighed.

“The failure is mine too, sister. It was I who told you of Nyx’s existence, and I who spurred you to action. But… I do not know Twilight Sparkle like you do. She’s your student, your friend. It should not have been me who urged caution and mercy… over a baby.”

Luna inched across the cloud to her sister. She put a wing on her shoulder, her stern look replaced with one of compassion.

“Let me lead the charge against this Nightmare cult, Tia. Let my guards stand watch over Nyx, and let me gentle Twilight’s fears. Make your proclamations, spin your stories for the press, keep an eye open, be the dignified face of the kingdom I know you can be. But in the matter of our newest little alicorn, please, leave it to me. Terror is my domain sister, let me wield it as a shield.”

Celestia chuckled to herself. “Luna, you don’t need to ask permission. I’m more surprised you’re chomping at the bit to dawn a cowl and put the fear of the night back into a few ponies.”

Her sister’s eyes glittered mischievously.

“I’ve spent more than a few Nightmare Nights playing that role to entertain. If even one tiny foal needs me to play that role to protect, then I will do it to my fullest.”

“You’re a wonderful sister, Luna. Truly. I have one request though.”

“You cannot be my sidekick. The Night cannot work with the Day.”

“Not that,” Celestia said giggling, “My investigation was already underway, mostly in trying to find out the exact effects of the original ritual. Take what I’ve already uncovered and take the unicorns that have been helping me. They’re being led by Spell Nexus.”

“Your headmaster?”

“When it comes to spell research, he’s the greatest I’ve ever known. This will be your fight, but allow me to help where I can.”

“At my discretion?”

“Of course.”

“Then we have an accord,” Luna spread her wings. “When do Equestria’s newspapers push their morning editions?”

“Several hours, why?”

“I would not deprive Twilight of even a day’s delay in this matter. We will finish your story and publish it tonight. And, as soon as I can—”

She reached into her saddlebags and pulled out the adoption forms.

“I need to get these to Canterlot’s civil services.”

The moon shone brightly through the window of her bedroom, illuminating it in a pale blue glow. Twilight assumed that was deliberate; a signal from Luna. Or maybe a promise? The Princess of the Night had a weird way of doing things sometimes. After all, right now it shone brightest on the crib in the corner. The same crib Twilight was leaning over. Inside, her daughter slept peacefully.

Not her ward. Not her charge. Not merely a curiosity she was keeping watch over.

Her daughter. By tomorrow, it would all be official.

Her daughter.

Twilight didn’t realize that having a weight lifted off one’s shoulders could hurt this much.

Celestia hadn’t banished Nyx to the moon, Luna hadn’t wielded a sword of dark fire and struck her down. They hadn’t taken Nyx from her.

Her daughter was still here. Her daughter’s second word was “momma”.

Sweet Celestia, it was okay. It was finally going to be okay.

Wasn’t it?

“You know… I don’t wanna say I told you so, but I told you so.”

Spike wandered in, his own blanket under his arms.

“If you had just written to Celestia from the start it would have been fine. I mean come on Twilight, she did one moon banishment once. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t something she made a habit of.”

Twilight smiled at that, still not taking her eyes off Nyx.

“You doing alright, Twilight? Even I’m pretty rattled, and I’m not the one who signed the adoption papers.”

“Oh, I’m fine. Just fine. I’ve got a working theory that there’s only so much blank terror and anxiety a unicorn can handle before it sort of reaches what I’m tentatively labeling an island of tranquility. Essentially: one freaks out so much that you end up calm.”

“Really?” said Spike, looking for the telltale eye twitch.

“No. Absolutely not. But the girls went out and got me some tea from Zecora. Special zebra tea. It’s been doing wonders, trust me.”

“It’s going to be okay, Twi. Celestia and Luna are on the case, and Nyx has you watching out for her. I mean look at her, this is the longest I’ve seen her go without crying.”

Twilight sighed.

“I’m sorry, Spike.”

“What, about the whole me being right about telling Celestia thing? Meh, I’m used to it.”

“Not that. These past few weeks must not have been easy for you, with Nyx taking up so much of my time.”

Moving back from the crib, she used her magic to pull Spike closer to her, wrapping her forelegs around him as they both leaned over the crib.

“I was so young when you hatched and you grew up so fast afterward, I never really had time to think about any of it. Nyx… isn’t the same. She’s going to take a lot longer to grow up and need a lot more attention.”

“Yeah, Twilight, I know how babies work. I’ve been here, too, you know.”

“It’s just…” Twilight hugged him tight. “No matter what happens, you’ll always be my #1 assistant.”

“Twilight, come on, give me a little credit. I’m nearly old enough to get a cart-driving learner’s permit. And I’ve read enough comic books and novels where some parents have a new baby and the older sibling gets jealous and there’s some dumb misunderstanding and honestly, I’d like to think I’m above that.”

“You started a one-dragon crusade against Owlowiscious because Rarity gave him a bow.”

“That’s different. He’s able to read. Nyx can’t even stand up without help.”

“Oh, so if Rarity came along with a cute little bow and onesie ensemble for Nyx and went on about how cute she is you wouldn’t be turning a little bit more… green?”

“Baby cuteness is in a different category than my cuteness, Twilight. I’d be more weirded out if any of our friends didn’t find her cute, but it’s not mutually exclusive to my cuteness. It’s like saying that Ponynich Manuscript is a better book than The Count of Monte Cristo But Everyone Is A Horse.”

“Spike, one of those is a novel and the other is an untranslatable pre-Celestia compendium of imaginary plants.”

“Sure. But they’re still books, see?”

Twilight sighed again, turning back to Nyx.

“Twilight, if these jokes aren’t landing, I can go see if we have any more of Zecora’s tea.”

“It’s not that,” she leaned in closer, rubbing her hoof along Nyx’s cheek. A tiny smile crossed the filly’s face as she nuzzled her new mother’s hoof. Twilight couldn’t help but smile back.

“She’s Nightmare Moon. I know she’ll be a sweet, wonderful filly with a lot of friends and family that will do anything for her.”

Twilight frowned.

“But she still is Nightmare Moon. She’s an alicorn, the same as Celestia, Luna, and Cadence. That kind of power and past will hang over her like a shadow. There’s already going to be a cult after her before she’s even potty trained!”

“You’re going to protect her, Twilight. You promised her.”

“I won’t always be there, Spike! I want to think I will, but I know better. Pinkie Pie’s rubbing off on me. I just know there’ll be some friendship problem or some insane dictator that steals everypony’s cutie marks or an evil unicorn with a broken horn that invades Canterlot with an airship fleet or Discord turning into a creature of pure order and trying to enslave everypony in a hivemind or—”

“Twilight, do you need the tea?”

“I just… I need you to promise me something.”

With that, Twilight gently sat Spike down on her bed, before lifting Nyx out of her crib. Gently, as if she was made of eggshell, she placed Nyx into Spike’s arms. She stared at her two children. One brave enough to face down a unicorn made out of shadow, the other unaware of the thousands of dangers that would be lurking around every corner for her.

“Protect her, Spike,” said Twilight finally. “Let your baby sister never know fear, or hurt. As much as you can. Let her know she is loved, that she’s more than just an unfinished spell. Be the big brother she needs to be. Promise me.”

“Twilight…”

“Pinkie promise me you’ll protect her.”

“I can’t do the gesture while holding Nyx.”

“Promise!”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” he said. “I promise. Nopony’s getting to her, not on my watch.”

Twilight closed her eyes. It was going to be okay. So long as she had her family.

“Uh… That doesn’t mean I’m going to have to be in charge of diaper duty from now on, am I?”

“Spike, I all but made you just swear a blood oath, and we’re going to be fighting a cult. Do you still want to be making jokes?”

“Oh, no, I’m down with the whole knight errant thing. Shining Armor told me once that chicks really dig the whole caring protective older brother shtick.”

Twilight froze. So did Spike when he realized what he said.

“You never told Shining Armor about Nyx.”

She squeaked.

“And… you haven’t told your parents either.”

She began to twitch. Just a bit.

“And the princesses said they’re going to try and publish that story about her as soon as possible.”

More twitching.

“And your dad likes to read the newspaper. He does it every morning.”

A bit of whimpering.

“More of Zecora’s tea?”

She nodded. Evidently, there was not an island of stability in the sea of anxiety.

Author's Note

Whew, longer chapter than normal but there's no real good way to split this up without if being cliffhangery. We got another big one coming after this, so strap in.

Thanks to Toonwriter for helping with the proofreading on this one.