Though it creaked and swayed, the bridge nevertheless held true as Twilight made her way over. Now, she was here, staring at the castle of the two sisters, dark and menacing in the night. In time, she knew she'd become quite familiar with this place, but for now, she had work to do. As she entered, she and her friends gazed upon the ancient and crumbling ruin, with it's shattered windows and cracked columns. Fluttershy and Rarity in particular looked quite fearful of this place, glancing at every shadow as if some monster hid within it. Twilight, by contrast, kept her eyes forward, navigating the group through the intricate maze of hallways and corners, until eventually, she came upon the room she knew was there. A vast chamber, littered with many broken pieces of the walls and ceiling, and there, in the middle, lay the resting place of the Elements themselves, still in their original spherical forms. Looking up, Twilight glanced at the massive and gaping hole there. This is where it happened. Where Luna and Celestia fought. Her heart sank as she thought on it. Siblings shouldn’t' fight like that.

However, her melancholy was, for the time being, cast aside, as she instead focused on the task at hoof, walking to the Elements and pointing to them. Getting the message, Rainbow gave a salute, as she and Fluttershy then busied themselves with lifting up the ancient stones and carefully placing them on the ground before Twilight. The young unicorn looked at them, still pondering her situation. It's hard to believe they stayed here, in this place. I always wondered why Celestia never moved them when Canterlot was built. Surely they could have been used for good things in those centuries? However, she let out a sigh, dropping to her knees as she narrowed her eyes at the lifeless Elements. I know what happened the first time. I try and use my magic to awaken them. But I know that doesn't do any good. It's my friendships that do that. Still, it's only when they leave me alone for a while that Nightmare Moon comes to isolate me. But...if all the rest has already changed...what if that doesn't happen either? The worry on her face was clear, leading to Fluttershy placing a hoof upon her shoulder.

"Um...Twilight? Are you okay?"

The unicorn glanced up at her, putting on a smile to keep her at ease.

"I'm fine, Fluttershy. I guess I'm just a little nervous about trying to get these things to work."

That, at least, I know is the truth. Turning to the stones, she gently poked one of them, perhaps hoping to get some kind of reaction. But, as expected, there was nothing, and it was here that Rainbow Dash gave her thoughts on the matter.

"So...you are going to be able to make this happen, right?"

Twilight looked up at her, giving a single, serious nod in response. Returning to look at the stones again, she took a deep breath before lowering her horn, causing it to glow as she focused her magic. The others looked on warily, already aware of how powerful her magic was after the river incident. Applejack, perhaps realising that this was a delicate moment, cleared her throat, gaining the attention of the other four mares. With her head, she gestured to the entrance of the chamber, and the rest of them nodded, silently understanding her meaning. So, Twilight heard their hoofsteps as they left, knowing they intended to give her some space as she worked her spell. But, in truth, there was no spell to be concentrated. This is just a show, to make things happen as they should. I doubt that Nightmare Moon will show if they're all here. As she kept her eyes closed, she was unaware that, from one of the holes in the ceiling, a swirling mass of blue magic emerged, heading straight for the six stones. A chill went down Twilight's spine as it approached. That feeling...she's here!

Even knowing that, Twilight kept her eyes closed, waiting patiently as she began to hear what was happening right in front of her. It was as if a great gust of wind had come, engulfing the Elements and ready to carry them off elsewhere in the castle. And it was here that Twilight finally opened her eyes, seeing the magical vortex before her. This is it! Narrowing her eyes, she took an almighty leap within the swirling mass, and as such, both she and the Elements were taken together, hoisted away by the power of the fallen Luna. The young unicorn didn't know how long she was being transported, only that it was a most unpleasant experience. Feels completely different to my own teleportation spell. The influence of dark magic no doubt. However, it wasn't long after that thought that Twilight felt the impact against the cold stone of the floor. After a brief moment of recovery, she looked up, her eyes widening with genuine shock as to what lay before her. There she is...with the Elements. Sure enough, Nightmare Moon stood at the end of this new and distant chamber, looking down at Twilight with triumph upon her face.

"You've done well to get here...but I'm afraid this is where it ends!"

Rearing up high, the dark alicorn slammed her hooves into the ground, shattering the ancient stones and leaving them as little more than cold fragments. Twilight, confident that they would not remain that way for long, nevertheless put on a look of horror, to which Nightmare Moon merely chuckled at.

"Did you think me a fool? I knew the Elements were the only way you could vanquish me! And I will suffer no rival!"

Twilight looked up at her, feeling a true sense of confusion at her words.

"But...if you knew what we were doing...why didn't you stop us? You could have halted our journey here a dozen times by now!"

Nightmare Moon gave a single nod at that as she started to walk towards Twilight.

"Indeed. And in truth, I was most tempted to do so. However...I realised that...I actually wanted you to arrive in this place."

Twilight raised an eyebrow at that. She wanted me here? Well, I guess that explains why it's been so easy getting here. But...why? Almost sensing her unspoken question, Nightmare Moon gave her answer.

"When I saw you, back in the village, I knew there was something different about you. Something that set you apart from the other ponies. When I appeared, you were not shocked. When I bellowed, you did not flinch. When I threatened, you stood your ground."

For a moment, a pang of fear struck the heart of the lavender mare. Oh no! Does she...does she know? But still, she remained silent, watching as the dark alicorn drew ever nearer.

"It is a rare thing, to meet a pony with such steel in her heart. And more than that, you knew who I was when nopony else did. Needless to say...you've piqued my curiosity."

As Nightmare Moon came within a few feet of her, finally stopping, Twilight stayed still, never giving an inch. Seeing this display, the alicorn narrowed her eyes.

"So tell me, young one...who are you?"

Twilight took a deep breath. Okay...I have to play this carefully.

"My name is Twilight Sparkle."

Raising an eyebrow, the elder mare regarded the younger, examining her face carefully and seeing the honesty there.

"Then tell me, Twilight Sparkle...how is it that you came to know of me and my return?"

Twilight's expression became more serious as she considered her options. If my plan is going to work, I need to get her attention. And there’s only one way I know for certain that can do that.

"I know more than that. I know...you're Celestia's sister."

Exactly as Twilight predicted, Nightmare Moon's eyes widened with shock after hearing that, to the point where she actually took a step backwards from her. The look on the elder mare's face told the whole story. Look at her. She never even considered that I might know that. She's completely at a loss on how to respond to this. I wonder how long it has been since somepony took her by surprise like this? A long and uncomfortable silence fell between them, and Nightmare Moon had more than a few false starts during that time. Eventually, her expression became more steely as she appeared deep in thought over something.

"Yes...it makes sense now. You are an acolyte of hers, aren't you? I should have sensed my sister's influence on you from the start!"

As Nightmare Moon grew increasingly angry, Twilight remained calm, taking a single step forward.

"I am Celestia's student, yes. But I didn't learn about you from her."

That caught Nightmare Moon's interest immediately, as she looked to Twilight with curiosity upon her face. Staying calm and collected, Twilight began to explain herself.

"The ancient story of the two sisters. One raising the sun, the other raising the moon. At the end of their conflict, the elder sister remained to raise them both. In all of Equestria’s history, only one mare has ever done that, and that's Celestia. Once I understood that, it wasn't much of a leap to figure out who you were."

So much so that I'm a little ashamed I didn't figure it out the first time in fact. With her explanation given, Twilight watched as Nightmare Moon regarded her carefully, weighing and assessing the young unicorn before assuming her previous imposing stance. Putting on a smirk, she let out a chuckle as she finally spoke, her voice full of power and authority.

"So then, student of the sun...what is it to be? Shall you represent your great teacher on the field of battle, to duel me for the sake of Equestria?"

But Twilight did not fight. She did not threaten. She did not make any kind of challenge whatsoever. Instead, to the utter shock of Nightmare Moon, she simply let out a sigh and carefully knelt on all four knees, looking at her opponent with a soft and understanding expression.

"No, Princess. I'm going...to talk to you."