Crowley found herself in a room of the old castle. With Nightmare Moon. She should not have mentioned Aurora. "What do you want?"
"Don't be so disrespectful to me, Crowley. Have your loyalties changed?"
"Well, yes. Of course they have! You changed a lot, Luna, if that is even your name.", answered Crowley. "Taking over Equis! Equis! That is too much! You lost yourself."
"Of course. If you haven't noted, I was stuck on the moon the last millennia and was separated from my daughter.", said Nightmare Moon, toning down a bit. She sat down. "But I am still Luna, just... changed." Her looks changed, closer to the Luna Crowley knew and admired. "Tell me, what happened to my Aurora?"
"She is alive and well. She... after you were banished, something dark tried to take her. We don't know what it is. To protect Aurora, and to reunite her with you as she wasn't sure about how a natural Alicorn ages, Celestia send her into the future. Aurora is short of being twenty one today.", explained Crowley. She saw Luna – or what remains of her – relaxing. "She send me along as a care taker. Just sending a new born would have been bad. When landing her, ponies attacked me and took her from me. She got adopted, is given a new name, all that."
"But won't an Alicorn be notable?" inquired Nightmare Moon – Luna.
"Celestia cast a glamour over her, one that just changes her wings and horn. I can't tell you who she is – I had to promise Celestia in a truce – but I try to give you hints, if you just calm down and try to fix things with her. You two need to talk, Celestia would be open for that. If not, Cadenza may force her to."
"Apropos, who is Cadenza?"
"Mi Amore Cadenza – often called Cadence – used to be a Pegasus from Maredrid, a princess of Roam.", said Crowley, "She ascended – somehow despite Pegasi having more difficulties for that – and Celestia adopted her as her niece."
"To replace Aurora?"
"No, to protect her from the crazed royals of Roam.", said Crowley. "Alicorns are desired. We never stopped to track Aurora down. In fact, we found her by coincidence. Also, she is aware she is an Alicorn – she can switch the glamour – but she is not aware that she is Princess Aurora. Only I, Cadenza and Celestia are. In general, her Alicorn status is a secret. She is only allowed to tell people if Celestia approves."
"How did she grow up?", asked Nightmare Moon just so slightly worried.
"Quite well. She got adopted by minor nobles that treated her well – albeit her adoptive mother is still very insecure that Aurora may ditch her for being adopted – she is, ah, I can't tell you, that would be too many hints. The point is, she is in regular contact with Celestia and Celestia tries to spoil her without revealing anything.", said Crowley. "Cadenza and I have been trying to convince Celestia to come clean to Aurora about everything, but she won't budge."
"I see…" Sounds like her sister's stubbornness hadn't changed in a millennia.
"If you just talk to her, we may convince her to come clean.", said Crowley. "Cadenza and I think she has to know now that you're back, but that mare won't listen." She punctuated that with rolling eyes.
"That's why I can't just talk to her.", said Nightmare Moon.
"Try it. Cadenza is great at mediation. Just-Just try it.", said Crowley. "Or face the elements again."
"The elements? That I don't laugh!"
"Remember Starswirl and his group? They each could use them, they represented them.", said Crowley, "We found a potential, new set. The physical stones are meaningless."
"Anyone else under that truce of yours?"
"I think Cadenza is, but I am not sure.", said Crowley, "On the other hand, she did say she would just reveal the truth to Aurora if she could. She may just respect Celestia too much to go against her in any way. She is a diplomat and ambassador for Roam after all."
"I need to think.", said Nightmare Moon as she retreated into her shadows, leaving Crowley all alone.
Now all Crowley can do is to wait, have faith in the princess's and munch on a few apples she carries in her backpack. She can eat the catering, but only fruits actively nourish her. This will be a long wait...
As they stepped into the old castle, they felt something just feels weird about the place. Fluttershy asked, "What do we do if we don't find the elements nor the Princess?"
"Mm, we don't really have to find the elements.", said Cadence. The group looked at her as if she had grown a second head. "The elements – Honestly, Loyalty, Laughter, Generosity, Kindness and Magic or Friendship – they are concepts, they are the base of our society. Everyone at least to some extend lives them. Even if we don't find the stone artifacts, they are never gone.
"According to Celestia, Starswirl and five other ponies represented one each. They didn't have to carry the physical stones, they just needed to be together and acknowledge what they represent.", explained Cadence. "Maybe we can do that."
"I think I understand what you mean, but what do you mean with 'Magic or friendship'?", asked Rarity.
"Friendship is magic, so we aren't sure if the element is specifically friendship or magic.", answered Cadence. "Either way, it is the glue of the set and the key to the activation, be it the stones or Starswirl's method."
"Mm, if we do that... Apple Jack would be Honesty. She sensed Crowley's lie.", said Twilight nonchalantly.
"You knew she lied?", asked Apple Jack shocked.
"Yes, but I do not know why or about what she lied about. I just can read her mimic very well.", countered Twilight. "Now, if Apple Jack is Honesty... I would say Pinkie is Laughter, Fluttershy is Kindness..."
"Mm, I suppose. I mean I can sense when one lies.", decided Apple Jack. "I guess that makes me Honesty!" A glow appeared between the gaps of the bricks of a wall. "Girls!" She ran to it and pushed the bricks. The wall fell and they saw five orbs. One glowing. Apple Jack walked to it. Five orbs were set on a structure, forming a five pointed star. A colon in the middle.
"Oh, their theories are right!", said Pinkie cheerfully. "Then I am Laughter!" The second orb glowed.
"I am Kindness?", whispered Fluttershy, more as a guess to test the theory. A third orb glowed.
"Mm, I don't want to brag, but I consider myself pretty Loyal!", said Rainbow, when her orb glowed. "Told ya."
"Mm, I can't be magic-" "You're a Unicorn, Rares!", said Apple Jack. "-of average magic.", finished Rarity, "But I am very generous!" Her orb glowed as well. She also walked to it. "Now where is the sixth?"
"Who may it be?", wondered Twilight. "Cadence?"
"Nah, not me. Celestia and I already tested that one, Twilight.", said Cadence. "And I think you have more the Cutie mark to boot."
"You say I am magic?" Nothing happened.
"What?", asked Cadence. "But... Celestia always assumed you..."
"Cadence, you said our society is based on the elements.", repeated Twilight. "Some noble Unicorns may think this – think about Unicornia – but ours doesn't. We base our land on friendship between the tribes. If anything, I may be the element of friendship." With that, the colon – more specifically the orb on it – glowed. The orbs floated to their ponies, forming necklaces. But Twilight's became a crown.
"Smart thinking, Twily.", praised her Cadence. "Now, we need to find Celestia... or Luna."
Celestia found herself in the throne room of the old castle. She doesn't get it. She was just in a void of nothing, why is she back?
"Sister."
She saw Nightmare Moon, but she looked different. She looked more like Luna's more tame light palette.
"Luna?" She knew it was Luna, she just wasn't sure if she wanted to be called that. "Why did you let me out?"
"I... want to talk.", was her answer. "Like we should have a millennia ago."
"We should. I should have listened to you. I am sorry.", said Celestia. "I was wrong. Cadence made that clear to me."
"Yes, Crowley told me she and that Cadence have been trying to reveal my Aurora.", said Luna. "I... thank you that you send her forward, away from that danger."
"You know what it is?"
"I am not sure, but I think it is her father... even though... that is not of matter now.", said Luna. "What matters is, you tell me where and who Aurora is. Crowley said something about a new identity."
"I can't. The thing, it returns. I had a vision, Luna. I have to hide Aurora. Especially from you as you are prone to fall for him, if it is really him.", said Celestia. "I am sorry."
"I, by Discord, I know you have a point – especially when I am like this – but it hurts! But Aurora has to be save, from it. Even more if it is him!", she cried. "I... we have to fix that."
"Already on it, Lulu.", said Celestia. Even if she said other to Cadence, she can't need her to worry over this. "But now we need to fix us."
"Crowley said I just need to talk to you and you would take me back."
"She's right.", said Celestia. "Talking. Fixing things. I should have fixed the nobles… Please understand that I am not keeping Aurora to hurting you..."
"But to protect her from that leech... I know.", said Luna. Her form changed again to the Luna she knew. "Are the bat ponies really extinct?"
"No, they are hiding. Some left Equestria, though.", said Celestia. "Crowley is just the only one openly living in Canterlot. Your Night Guard exists, many bat ponies are part of it still. Now where is Crowley?"
"In an old servant's chamber, I better let her out.", said Luna, before running off.. She soon returned with Crowley.
"You do realize all that drama could have been avoided if you two just talked form the beginning?", she said as she saw the sisters together. "But what do I know, I just had like ten siblings growing up..."
"Now what?", asked Luna.
"Finding Twilight, her friends and Cadence, because they made their way here to find the elements.", guessed Crowley.
"Cadence came to help?", asked Celestia surprised. "Good, good."
"She defeated my traps for the group.", said Luna. "She sure was a good pick to ascent."
"I... did not ascent her.", revealed Celestia. "Her ascent was randomly, I only met her afterwards."
"Oh." Luna had no idea what to think of that. This is nearly weirder than a natural born Alicorn.
"Oh, are you talking about me?", asked Cadence as she walked into the room. Twilight and the gang followed her. "Also, we found the elements, Starswirl's method."
Celestia and Luna stared at them in disbelief. "Not needed now but you never know when that changes.", said Celestia. She then walked to Twilight and hugged her and then Cadence. While Cadence is somewhat understandable, the group and Luna was a bit surprised by how close Celestia is to her student. "Everyone, this is Luna, my sister."
"About the Nightmare Moon stuff... um, I am sorry...", she said. "After being stuck on the moon for so long... and the stuff before... I was in a bad mental place. I hope you can forgive me."
"In that case I am sorry for blasting you with my magic.", apologized Twilight as well.
"What?" asked Celestia shocked. Did she hear this right?
"Your pupil is very good with battle magic. Albeit she could use some refinement.", explained Luna. "Maybe I could borrow her for some lessons?"
"Mm, I ran out of stuff to teach her anyway.", said Celestia. "Albeit Twilight is ripe for a vacation."
"I'm not! I'm always ready to learn.", argued Twilight. Even if it is battle magic.
"Nope, you're ready.", said Celestia.
"Yes! My lady in waiting also claimed she doesn't need a vacation and see how she is now!", chimed Cadence in. "Take a break, Twily."
"Fine...", said Twilight. "Could I spend that vacation here in Ponyville?"
"Of course, Twilight.", said her teacher.
As they all left the castle, they saw the sun had risen.
"Oh bucking, we missed the sun rise.", said Apple Jack.
"At least we meet all the princesses.", said Rarity. "Besides that Aurora Cadence and Crowley mentioned her."
"Princess Celestia, who is Aurora?", asked Twilight.
"Someone we need to keep a secret for now. Long story you can't know.", said Celestia.
"She's my daughter.", dropped Luna. "But sadly Celestia has to hide her even from me..."
"Not forever, Lulu.", tried Celestia to cheer her up. "Apropos secret princesses. You all need to keep Cadence a secret. I would like to avoid a war with Roam."
"How long do you need to hide me, auntie?", wondered Cadence annoyed.
"When your grand mother stops being so crazy."
"Fair point." admitted Cadence.
As they arrived in Ponyville, without Cadence as she left to Canterlot straight, the ponies realized the danger was over. Celestia spoke to them, "While this years Summer Sun Celebration was different than planned, I still thing celebration is overdue, as thanks to these brave mares,", she gestured to Twilight, her friends and Crowley, "Luna, my sister, had been returned and redeemed. So celebrate the return of Princess Luna!"