Twilight flies to Canterlot , the royal guards blowing to her as she passes the gates. Twilight swiftly makes her way to the castle of the two sisters, eager to talk to Princess Celestia. Twilight runs to the castle gates, the guards letting down the draw-bridge for her. Twilight runs through the entrance, her royal shoes making loud clacking noises on the floor, her tiara almost slipping off her mane.
Twilight finds Celestia sitting on her throne, reading manuscripts and sending letters.
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight calls out, out of breath, as she enters the room.
"Ah, Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful stu- are you alright?"
"Y-*huf* yes, Princess, I'm fine, I just *huf* hurried to get here." Twilight sits down on the floor, catching her breath. Princess Celestia puts down the manuscripts and walks over to Twilight, her multicolored mane flowing gloriously about.
"My Twilight, whatever is the matter?" Celestia looks at Twilight, curious about why she rushed to Canterot in such a hurry. Twilight clears her throat, and looks up at Celestia, with a mixed expression of sadness and happiness.
"I just...I lost Applejack about 37 days ago... I'm having trouble dealing with it."
"Oh, Twilight...I am so sorry for your loss. Applejack was a very kind, dependable Pony, but there was nothing we could do to stop nature's course."
"Y-yes...I know that, Princess. If there was some way I could have helped, I would still have the others too...But, I'm useless...I couldn't help anypony. My magic is useless..." Twilight begins to sob lightly, as she sits on the floor. Celestia looks at her, saddened by her struggle. Celestia hugs Twilight in a soft, warm embrace.
"It's OK, Twilight, please don't be sad, my student." Twilight hugs Celestia back, still crying.
"B-but I couldn't help them, all of them. Th-they are gone because of me. I...I miss them all so much, I wish there was some way I could bring them back, I, I-"
"Hush, Twilight, it's okay...such is the lifespan of a princess...it is much longer than that of normal ponies. I know, it hurts, I know what you are feeling. There are so many wonderful ponies that are gone now. I, too, wish I could bring them back. It's ok, Twilight, please don't cry..."
Twilight cries in Princess Celestia's arms for a while, before calming down, her tears drying on her cheeks. Celestia helps her up, and dusts her off.
"Now, let's try to talk about this without all the tears, alright?" Princess Celestia flashes a kind smile at Twilight, before walking to her throne, signalling for Twilight to sit next to her. Twilight walks over, her shoes tapping on the floor loudly, she sits on a soft, red pillow, and faces Celestia.
"Now, what is troubling you, exactly. If you feel like crying, you may take a moment to cry before continuing." Celestia Smiles gently, and sits motionless, awaiting Twilight's answer.
"Well...I miss all of my friends. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy...and now Applejack. Spike has grown too big to live alongside me, and my castle is so empty and cold. I miss their friendly faces, sitting with me, laughing with me, playing with me. I miss all of it. I even miss our arguments. I wish I could bring them back. I...." Twilight begins to tear up again. She wipes her warm tears with her hooves ".I-i'm okay...I...I don't know if I can be a princess without their help. They've always been there for me in my time of need, but...I couldn't be there for them, when they needed me most." Princess Celestia looks at Twilight patiently. She looks towards the hall, and makes a slightly sad expression, with a dim smile.
"I, too, have felt hopeless at times. When I banished Luna to the moon, I thought I would never see her again. I have gone through many students as well, each time feeling grief for losing them. I have gone through much pain, but what is the alicorn's gift of immortality, is also our curse." Twilight looked at Celestia, about to speak, before Luna appeared from the side of the wall, out in the corridor.
"Sister, urgent business for you."
"Ah. I am so sorry Twilight, I will finish this later. My apologies." Celestia quickly stands up and walks off, following a guard, while Luna is left looking at Twilight, immediately knowing what her face of sadness means.
"Come with me." Luna beckons Twilight over. Twilight walks over to her, as Luna shows her to a balcony. By now it is quite dark, the sun is just on the brim of the horizon, as Luna walks to the edge of the balcony. She stretches her wings outwards, as she begins to fly upwards, raising the moon, bringing night upon the land.
Twilight watches in awe as Luna does this. Luna flies down onto the balcony, and beckons Twilight to the edge. She places her hooves of the railing as Twilight walks over.
Luna looks out to the moon, and begins to speak to Twilight,her voice calm, and unnerved.
"You see, Twilight Sparkle, the sun must set so that the moon may rise, such as the moon must set for the sun to rise. Such is life. Ponies must fall, while others rise. When one pony dies, another is born. The cycle of life is never ending. In the course of an alicorn's life, you will see many deaths, and many new lives. One candle is blown out, as another is lit. You are the princess of Friendship. You will always make new friends, and you will always lose friends. Life has much sadness, but also, equally as much happiness. Mourning the deaths of those you love, is a natural process. I do not feel you will ever stop losing those you love. We are the immortal, the gods. We will forever see the light and dark of this world. It is okay to cry, Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight is touched by Luna's words, and begins to tear up a bit, but wiping it away with a smile on her face. Princess Luna smiles, and gives her a small hug, before putting her hooves on Twilight's shoulders.
"Twilight, you must got to the Crystal empire. You must see your brother. It is urgent."
"Y-yes. I will." Twilight is confused as to why she must go to the Crystal Empire, but heeds Luna's words, and makes her way to the nearest train station.
"I wish you luck, Twilight Sparkle!" Luna calls out, as Twilight leaves.