"Princess Luna?!" The shocked mare managed to say.
The lunar alicorn backed away a little and looked at anything but Twilight, "Oh…um, are you…not happy to see me?"
"Huh? No, no-I mean, yes I, uh," Twilight stuttered. She quickly bowed down, then rose back up. Both ponies were blushing. Twilight decided to restart her sentence before things got more awkward, "What I mean is that I am happy to see you, I just wasn't expecting you to come and visit me, that's all."
Luna stepped forward now that she became less sheepish, "Oh, please forgive my sudden arrival, but for the past week, my sister was behaving quite strangely. When I asked her what was wrong, she showed me your letter. It said that you had a seizure and, well, I guess I was worried about my…friend," She began to reminisce about Nightmare Night and how Twilight had comforted her. Now, she wanted to return the favour.
As Luna's blush faded, Twilight's increased, "Oh! You came all the way here…because you were worried? That's so sweet of you! I'm so sorry that you had to go through so much trouble. Wait, you said…Celestia was acting strange? Oh no, this is my fault…" Twilight now regretted telling the princess about the shocking events.
"Twilight Sparkle, please, do not be so cruel to yourself. This was not at all your fault! It is impossible for a pony to stop a seizure!" Luna's voice was more commanding than she wanted. She didn't like the fact that her voice always had to sound like that. She had always envied her sister's sweet voice.
"Maybe not, but it is possible for a pony to not send a letter that would worry Celestia," Twilight would have banged her head against the gravel if Luna weren't right there.
"Believe me, it is better for my sister to be informed rather than finding out about something so…unusual."
Then Twilight realised something, "Oh my goodness! Luna, please make yourself at home! I completely forgot to invite you in!" Twilight opened the door with her telekinesis. She allowed Luna to enter before she did.
Twilight's guest looked around curiously at her home. She marvelled at the vast amount of books. Luna noted that she had everything from research books to up-to-date reference materials to instruction books to books for enjoyment. She turned to Twilight, "You have a beautiful home."
"Thank you, Princess."
"Please, call me Luna. Say, did you not have a little dragon apprentice the last time I came?"
"Well, Luna, my apprentice, Spike went to Fillydelphia to buy some books that I needed."
Luna wondered where she would fit those books, "I see," She looked around at the bookshelves when something caught her eye, "Oh wow! You have every book in the Daring Do series?!" She walked over to the bookshelf containing said books and marvelled at them as if they were treasures from the series.
"Ah, yes. My friend Rainbow Dash and I are really into it."
"As are w-um, as am I. Forgive me, I am still trying to avoid the royal Canterlot voice. My sister encouraged me last week to read this to practice the more modern language. It really helped and I loved it!" Luna had a wide grin plastered onto her face. Her smile shone beautifully as a light contrast to her dark fur.
She 'loved it'? So she already finished the series in one week? How the BUCK?! "Did you like the last book?"
"I loved it! The ending was so beautiful!" Luna, much to Twilight's surprise, squealed. " Oh listen to me, I sound like a small foal," She giggled.
Twilight didn't know how to respond to Luna so she decided to change the subject, "So, Luna, I saw the chariot leave as you stepped off. How long will you be staying?"
Luna paused for a moment to gather her thoughts, "Well, I am hoping to stay for the rest of the month. I have not really received too many duties as the moon princess yet. Well, except for raising the moon. The moon! Twilight Sparkle, I beg your pardon, but may I please borrow your balcony to raise the moon?"
"Why, of course, Luna. Please, be my guest," said the unicorn.
"But am I not already your guest?" Luna tilted her head in confusion.
"Well yes, but it's- what I'm trying to say is that you may go to the balcony."
Luna quickly dashed upstairs after saying thank you. Then, Twilight remembered when she saw Celestia raise the sun as a foal. Now, Luna was about to raise the moon. From her balcony! And she would be the only pony to see her do it! She absolutely could not miss out on this, "Luna, wait for me!"
The alicorn stared at the fading twilight. She waited for the sun to set completely before she began. Once it did, a thin aura, the same colour as her eyes, surrounded her horn. She closed her eyes as she concentrated while Twilight stood next to her. Luna's brow furrowed and she squeezed her eyelids together as her aura became thicker. There was a light vibration from where she stood. Not anything heavy like an earthquake, but a subtle shake similar to that created by a loud bass. Twilight's eyes went wide as stars became visible in the dark sky. Then, the moon rose from the horizon and took its place in the darkness, it ruled over the stars like a princess ruling her subjects. Slowly, the aura around the princess's horn faded away and she opened her eyes. She looked up at her work in a blank expression. It was as if she were modest enough to not brag and give a cocky expression, but rather just look at what she had done and acknowledge its presence. Twilight on the other hoof, gasped at Luna's finished product. The light glow reflected off of her wide eyes as she stared in amazement. Never, had she really paid so much attention to the night's beauty.
Luna noticed that Twilight had been staring at her night. She was worried if Twilight was mentally criticizing it, "I-Is something wrong, Twilight?" Her voice was full of worry and fear.
Twilight did not stop staring at the gorgeous night sky, as she spoke in a whisper, "No, not at all I just…I just really like the night sky. It's beautiful," Twilight turned to Luna with a small smile, "Luna, did you really create all of this?"
Luna blushed and gave a slight nod, "When I was a filly, I thought that my sister's day was beautiful. I wanted to make something as gorgeous as that, but…darker and with only a little bit of light. So I worked very hard on the night whenever I could. I wanted to make it perfect. Each time somepony was kind to me I would place a star in the sky. Then I realised it needed something more. All those little stars needed a grand ruler. Then one night, I thought about how I always wanted to be the best princess I could be; I wanted to be just like my sister. I did not rule many ponies when I was young, but a filly can dream. So I decided that I should make the moon to symbolise me as a wonderful princess who reigns over the little stars and protects them. When I showed Celestia my work, she said she was proud of me. I was so happy," Luna looked at the moon. She wondered if some day she could be that beautiful princess she still wants to be.
"What about the constellations? Did you intend to make them or did ponies just find them?"
"I made the constellations every time I walked around the kingdom and heard other foals talk about their dreams and what they liked. Some said they wanted to cook, others said they loved great birds like swans. And then other foals just wanted to be remembered by others no matter what their talents were. For them, I simply made their stars bright so everypony could know that those stars that wanted to do the best they could in what they did would shine brighter. At least, that's what I wanted it to mean, but I hope that ponies will not ridicule me for such thoughts," Luna looked down at the wood of the balcony.
Twilight patted the princess on the back, "Luna, Nopony would ever make fun of you for being creative. Everypony loves your night,"
"I wish that were true, but that is why I became so envious of my sister and-" Now Luna couldn't even look at Twilight. How could I speak of something so dark? Now Twilight is probably remembering all of those wicked things I did as Nightmare moon! Why must I be so foolish?!
Neither pony had spoken for a while. Luna was mentally cursing herself while Twilight was thinking about how to avoid the Nightmare Moon topic. She decided to offer something, "Hey, Luna, How about some chamomile tea?"
Luna nodded and they both stepped back inside, relieved to not talk about the horrendous subject.
"So Luna," Twilight said as she placed her cup of hot tea on the wooden coffee table in front of the couch, "where will you be staying while you're here?"
Luna moved the cup away from her lips with her telekinesis before she answered, "I was thinking about staying in a hotel. Despite the fact that I do not fancy receiving all the attention as a princess, I should be fine."
"Hm…" Twilight put a hoof on her chin. Spike is going to be gone for a while since the books I asked for are pretty rare…"Well, if you want, you can stay here."
Luna spoke quickly, "Oh, nonononono. I could not possibly accept that offer. I would hate to cause trouble,"
"Please Luna? Spike is going to be away and I won't have anyone to talk to in the library. I promise it's no trouble at all," the unicorn's eyes were hopeful and begging. Twilight really didn't want to be alone. After all, she had a certain problem to deal with.
"Well…all right. If you insist," Luna sheepishly sipped her tea as Twilight smiled and clapped her hooves in excitement.
The rest of the night, they just talked about happy memories they had as foals. They both shared a good laugh every now and then. Twilight was most excited when they began talking about great ponies of the past such as Star Swirl and Clover the Clever. It was a simple, nonchalant conversation; they talked about topics they both liked or knew about. Eventually, Twilight recalled why Luna was here in the first place. Now all she wondered was if she should tell Luna what would happen or not.
Luna seems really trustworthy. She also doesn't seem to take anything too hard as long as she doesn't feel rejected. Still, I wouldn't want to worry her nor Celestia, if she asks her about anything. But then again, I'm sure Celestia would just be worried like a friend is. Besides, Celestia wouldn't take it too harshly. All I need is somepony to talk to, and Luna's right here…looking at me…waiting for me to say something…wondering about my face that probably has worry written all over it! Oh, buck my life. And hurry up because it'll be gone soon. It's only a matter of time before she asks me-
"Is something troubling you, friend? You seem to be in distress. Is everything all right?" Luna asked, concerned.
Oh no, time's up! Looks like now I'll really have to say it…or maybe not? Hm… "Yes, everything is fine. I just…I just forgot what I was going to say, that's all. I was trying to remember what I was going to tell you. It wasn't anything important or anything. Heheh," Twilight laughed nervously. She shifted uncomfortably on the couch. She was about as good of a liar as Applejack.
Luna scooted herself closer to the lying pony and draped her wing around her to ease her worry, even if it worked only a little bit, "Twilight, I'm afraid to tell you that I know you are not telling me the truth. Frankly, it hurts me as a friend, but it hurts me more to see that you are in distress. You do not have to tell me what is wrong if you wish, I shall not force you to tell me. However, I want you to know that no matter what, I will listen to you. I am by your side if you want to talk to anypony."
I hope Spike meant Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie when he said 'others'. If not, then…I'm sorry Spike. Twilight took a deep breath. She shuddered, "Do you Pinkie P- Um…Do you promise you will not tell another living soul? I really cannot let anypony else but you know. I trust you, so…do you promise?" Twilight would have made her Pinkie Pie Promise, but she figured she would be confused.
"I promise."
Twilight took another deep breath; this one was a bit faster than she meant it to be, though. She looked away from Luna, as if to hide behind her bangs, as she spoke, "Well, you know you're visiting me because you want to be a good friend and see me since I had an epileptic seizure, right?" She gave Luna time to nod before she continued, "Well, I…it was because of the ischemic heart disease. I lied when I said it was epileptic."
Luna's eyes grew a bit wider, but she kept her calm, "I'm sure it's fine. My sister told me they now treat many cardiovascular diseases. You will be fi-"
"No I won't!" Twilight snapped, her voice cracking. Luna flinched and the unicorn even surprised herself. She just didn't want to hear that right now, "I won't be fine." A tear fell to the wooden floor, making the spot darker, "I have a friend who predicted my near future. Luna, I'm going to die!" Twilight turned to Luna to reveal her wet, and terrified face.
Luna, as well, wanted to cry, but she would not allow herself to cause more trouble for Twilight. Instead, she tightened her winged embrace around the lavender pony, "I am so sorry, Twilight." That was all she managed to say.
Twilight buried herself into Luna's side and released her tears. She was ashamed to soak and soil the princess's smooth coat, but she needed this right now. She needed comfort, and Luna seemed to be giving it to her.
"I truly am so sorry, Twilight. If only there were something I could do." If only there were something I could do…If only I were not useless! Why must I lose my only friend that is not Celestia?! All I can do is let her cry and keep her secret, but why can I not save her? I do not want this! Why must this happen…Probably because I do not want it? Of course, if I wish for something I will not receive it, and if I do not want something, I will receive it. This is my fault. Curse it all! Why must I be so worthless?!
She was relieved that Twilight could not see her right now. So without sobbing, without letting Twilight know, Luna let a warm tear slowly run down her face.
"If only…" she murmured so Twilight would not listen over her sobbing.