Ch 2: The Midnight Meeting

…This... This is incredible. I never would have thought... I’ve been reading for hours now. Starry and Tesla went home ages ago, but I kept going. I just couldn’t stop...

It really puts things in perspective. Apparently Scootaloo was never able to fly, but she still lived up in a cloud house after Rainbow Dash, one of the keepers of the Elements of Harmony, adopted her as a sister. She got her cutie mark when she discovered she was really good at daredevil stunts, but when Rainbow Dash got older she started writing books because Rainbow Dash liked to read...
But anyway, that’s not the point. A pegasus that couldn’t fly still became a daredevil— she took a... a misfortune, and flipped it in her favor. The possibilities that could open up... The things I could do in a year...

What the... it’s already dark out? What time is it? “Hey Mo—” Geez! She’s asleep! Where’s the clock?
I can’t believe it. I was reading for a good four hours. It’s already after 11. Hey, wait! Perfect timing! Please please please please tell me there aren’t any...
YES! No clouds tonight! Perfect for stargazing. Oh, Princess Luna thank you for doing what you do.

“We must say, We are glad to see that Our efforts are not in vain, but shouldn’t you be in bed, young colt?”

Oh great, busted by one of the nurses. Can’t they let me decide on my own when I... wait... our efforts? Who...

“P-P-P-P-Princess L-Luna?”

---

I don’t know how or why she’s here, but there is a princess in my room right now. I... I don’t know what to say.

“You look rather shocked, young one. There is no need to be frightened.”
“Um... P-Princess? Excuse me if I sound rude, b-but why are you here?”
“Well, young colt, your father is responsible for this visit, though he does not know We— ahem, excuse me. Princess Twilight does keep telling me to be a bit less formal around town. Your father does not know I am here. Nor does your mother.”
Huh? But she’s... I turned around to look. “Hey! What’s with the glowing around her head?”
“Relax, child. It is merely a sound barrier. This conversation is just between you and I. Your mother need not stir from her sleep. Now, before I continue, what is your name, young one? It would be more proper if I addressed you as such.”

“Um, Crimson Star, Your Highness. My name’s Crimson Star. But ponies usually just call me Crimson.”
“Very good. You may call me Luna if you wish.”
“R-really?” Woah, the Princess is letting me call her by her name... and I get to have a private conversation with her! Cool! “Okay! Well, can I just say that I love what you did with the stars tonight! I... hey wait— you were talking about my dad. You said you’re here because of him. What did he do?”

“Well Crimson, as I am sure you already know, you have a father who wishes for nothing more than your well-being. For the past week I have been receiving prayers for you from him. He has mentioned in his prayers that you are quite fond of the night, and so he chose to seek my blessings for you. I am here to give them, and to meet the young colt who so adores my work. I also wish to thank you for that. It is always a pleasure to see ponies enjoying the fruits of my labor. After my Nightmare Moon phase all those years ago, I began to wonder if anypony truly admired my work. It is nice to see somepony that does.”

Coooooool. Dad, you RULE!

“Ah, I see you are also enjoying the latest book by a Crusader I was quite fond of.”
Huh? How did she... Oh, I left it on the bed. “Uh, Prin— I mean, Luna? Did you know Scootaloo?”
“I met with her a few times, so you could say that.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Allow me to explain. Do you remember when you dreamed you flew to the moon right after your first successful flight with your father?”
How... “How do you know about that?” I only told my dad about that dream... I had it right after he taught me how to fly.
“I was there. I enter the dreams of all my subjects every now and then. When Scootaloo was young she was prone to nightmares, so I checked on her fairly often until she was able to overcome them. You just may read about it later. But for now...” She smiled at me, then I watched as her horn began to glow.

“Woah! Hey!” Suddenly I was floating through the air towards my bed.
“...it is time for young colts to go to bed. While I am pleased that you enjoy my night time, you need your rest. My blessings only go so far.”
Wait, what? “What do you mean?”
“Dear Crimson, while I wish I could say giving you my blessing guarantees you will get better, alas, it is not so. If it was, I would go through this whole hospital, but you need to do your part in helping yourself heal. That means you must sleep. Who knows? I just might be having another talk with you sooner than you think.” She smiled again and winked at me. “Have a good night’s rest, young Crimson, and get well soon.”

Suddenly, she vanished with a flash. I recognized it as the classic teleportation spell. I also noticed a fading blue sphere out of the corner of my eye. The sound barrier spell on Mom! If she sees me awake I won’t hear the end of it! I turned away from her and began to fake a light snore. Hopefully she’ll buy it if she wakes up.

...Wow. I just had a private talk with the Princess of the Night. Starry and Tesla won’t believe it. I should have asked her more about the stars. Maybe... I dunno, she... I... *zzzzzzzzz*

---

The doctors unhooked me from the machines and let me go outside with one of the nurses. They said they’re starting my first treatment tomorrow, and I won’t get the chance to go out again anytime soon after they do. The nurse that brought me outside is a pegasus stallion named High Flyer- they told him to bring me out so I could get in one more flight before my wings lay flat for a while.
It’s late afternoon so it’s getting darker, but it’s still bright enough to see where I’m going. High Flyer brought me over the park so it isn’t too far from the hospital. Hey, there’s somepony coming at us- they look familiar... Wait a seco—

“I told you, sooner than you think, Crimson.” She slowed to a stop, then smiled and winked at me. Again.

“Princess Luna! Oh, I’m so glad to see you again! Last night was amazing! Thank you for visiting me!”
“Yes, last night.” She put a hoof to her mouth and chuckled. Weird... “I wanted to see how you were doing. Most foals in the hospital tend to feel depressed. I am glad to see that you have not let your situation get the better of you.”
“Well, yeah, it stinks. But I’ve got stuff to occupy me, and I got to meet you! I also realized some of the other ponies on my floor have it worse off than me, so I shouldn’t feel so bad.”
“A fine way to approach the situation. You said you are able to occupy yourself, and I assume one such way has been stargazing, correct?”
“Yeah! Of course!”
“Would you like an opportunity to do it outside?”
“Huh?”

I looked up. Woah. It got dark FAST. And the sky was crystal clear. “Come, Crimson. Your telescope is below us.”
“Huh? How?”
“Let us say I had the nurses bring it out here.”
“Um... okay. Hey, speaking of, where’s High Flyer? He was right here!”
“Do not worry, Crimson. Nothing will happen to you.”
“Oh, I’m not worried about me. I have you here! I was just wondering where he went.”
“I... believe his shift ended. He went back to the hospital to sign out. Now here, take a look in this direction...”

She led me down to where my telescope sat, and pointed it out towards the moon, then shifted it a few degrees. We stood there for a while just looking at the sky, and I watched as she moved a few stars around, like an artist changing the sky as if it was a piece of artwork. It reminded me of Starry. I’d seen him painting before and the actions were very similar, even the facial expressions. It was so cool watching the Princess in action.

Just then, something occurred to me. “Hey wait! What time is it? How long have we been here? My mom is probably— ...what’s so funny?”
Princess Luna was standing there giggling like I’d seen Tesla do before. It was like she knew something I didn’t.

“You have no reason to fear, Crimson. It pleases me that you are still young enough that your imagination can fool you so easily. It makes these dreams so much more realistic for you, and quite honestly, much more fun for me! I don’t reveal myself to my subjects in their dreams too often.”
“Wait, WHAT? This is all—”
“I believe your doctors are here for your morning visit. I just might see you again soon, young one. Keep up the lively dreams!” She poked me on the nose with her hoof before she vanished again.

---

“Ah, good timing. Our young patient is awake!”

Aw man, I can’t believe that was all a dream. But then again, Princess Luna was real! And I got to stargaze with her while she worked! Well kind of, but still, that was so cool!

“Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” Mom was standing at my bedside.
“...Yeah. It was definitely an interesting night.”
“Oh? How so?”
“I... I’ll tell you later.”

“Well then, let’s get to business.” Wow, the doctors certainly didn’t waste any time. “Mrs. Harmony, Crimson, we want to start the first chemotherapy treatment tomorrow. After we do, Crimson will need to remain inside for a while, so we’re going to have the nurse bring him outside today. Here he is now— this is High Flyer. Crimson, we want you to get in some flying time with him before treatment starts because you won’t be allowed to fly again for a while.”
The stallion stepped forward. “Heya, buddy. I’ll have the nutritionists bring in your breakfast, then when you’re ready I’ll unhook you from the machines and bring you outside. Sound good?”

“Uh... yeah.”  

Woah... déjà vu...