meta - prefix: 1. Later in time 2. Beyond; transcending; more comprehensive

“What troubles you, dear?” Luna held her young lover close and stroked her mane. Twilight had been shaking slightly, the way she always did when a disturbing thought entered her mind.

After some moments, Twilight began shakily “Luna, what happens after?..” She trailed off.

“After? Pray tell, after what?”

“After… After I’m gone.” Twilight choked back a sob. “I know I’m not immortal like you and Celestia. I’m not even sure I want to be, but what will happen?” Twilight’s voice broke, and she could not continue coherently for some minutes.

“Will you remember me, or forget me. Will you pine away out of loneliness, or be taken by the darkness again? Luna… I’m frightened, I didn’t think this through.” Twilight’s body shook with sobs against Luna’s chest.

Luna simply held Twilight, stroking her mane and enfolding her in her large wings until the worst of her sobs had ceased.

“Twilight, my love. The answer I have is probably not one you want to hear, but it is truthful.” Luna pressed her lips to the top of Twilight’s head, letting their horns gently touch. “The truth is, I don’t know.”

Luna raised a hoof to Twilight’s lips before the younger pony could interrupt. “Twilight, I am about to tell you something that is for your ears only. I do so only because I trust you completely. This should not be spoken to any other living being. Promise me?”

Twilight gulped, turning to Luna’s forehooves to face her, and swore that most sacred of oaths, the Pinkie Promise.

“Very well.” Luna leaned in so that her lips brushed Twilight’s ear. “My sister and I are not as immortal as you have been led to believe.” Twilight gasped as Luna continued. “It is not all as you would have it, I fear. Our bodies will not age, so long as the Sun and Moon are in the sky, but as for injury and illness, we are just as susceptible as the next pony.

“So, the truth is that I do not know. I may outlive you, or you may outlive me, or we may die together in celebration, or in ignorminity. What is important is that we have now. What comes after is a matter for a later time.”

Twilight was silent for some time, her eyes clearly showed that she was digesting this piece of deep philosophy. Finally, she spoke. “Luna?”

“Yes, my dear?”

“Shouldn’t we give some thought to what comes after, like leaving some kind of legacy? I… I always pictured having foals, even though I could never picture a husband.” Her eyes darted to the side and her muzzle flushed scarlet.

Luna chuckled and held Twilight close again. “My dear, that is a wonderful idea, and I believe we can accomplish it.” Luna brought her lips close to Twilight’s ear again and gave it a little flick with her tongue. “An adventure is called for. For, we may not even require a donor stallion, unless all the ancient secrets have been lost. It will be dangerous, will you journey with me?”

Twilight shivered pleasurably. “Luna, I would love to share my now with you.”