Luna closed her eyes. How many times had she done this? It wasn't any easier, but she had decided years ago to visit her wife more than the other princesses. It hurt her to see Chrysalis like this, watching her grow old, knowing that soon, her beloved would be gone. She pressed her hoof to her chest and held it there, allowing a tear to slip down her cheek.

She started walking again, passing changelings who greeted her with silence, pain etched in their eyes. She couldn’t look too long; it would pierce her heart more than it already was.

Turning toward a hall, she entered a room that a nurseling gestured her to. Inside lay Chrysalis, sleeping peacefully in her bed. Her mane was a mess, the once-luxurious strands now sparse, and Luna bit her lip to stifle her tears, holding in a sob as the sight broke her heart.

The nurseling asked softly, “Princess Luna, do you want me to wake her up?”

“No need...” Luna responded, stepping forward. Each second felt heavy on her hooves, but she summoned her courage and brought herself closer. Brushing her horn against Chrysalis's head, she began to weave a spell, preparing to enter her beloved's dream state.

As Luna's magic enveloped them both, the room around them blurred and faded, replaced by a warm, ethereal glow. In an instant, she found herself swept into a vast field bathed in moonlight, where stars sparkled like diamonds scattered across an endless tapestry of velvet sky.

“Luna!” Chrysalis exclaimed, a broad smile lighting her features, a spark of her old self shining through the murk of forgotten memories.

“I always come,” Luna said softly, though her heart felt heavy. She looked upon her wife’s face, vibrant and full of life, yet the joy that blossomed within her soon gave way to a somber expression. This radiant image of Chrysalis was only a fleeting illusion, a mere reflection of the love they once shared. Deep down, Luna knew this was just her beloved’s sleeping state—an ephemeral fragment of the past.

As she stepped closer, Luna’s gaze fell upon Chrysalis’s body, which appeared faded and almost transparent. The harsh truth of time weighed upon her, a stark reminder of the little time that remained. Luna’s heart ached with the knowledge that Chrysalis only had two more days—two more days of life before she would slip away into darkness.

Memories came rushing back, unbidden: all the others she had lost over the years—Shining, Starlight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity—their families scattered like fallen leaves on the wind. And then there was Snowdrop, the cherished friend from three thousand years ago, whose memory lingered as a bittersweet ache in her heart.

Each passing had carved a deeper wound in Luna’s soul, driving her to visit those beloved souls in their dreams as they lay on their deathbeds. She had given them wonderful memories to take with them, ensuring they wouldn’t pass away alone. But now, the thought that she would have to do this for Chrysalis felt like a dagger to her heart.

In that moment, the overwhelming weight of affection and grief coiled around her heart, and she could no longer hold back. Luna closed the distance between them, wrapping her forelegs around Chrysalis in a tender embrace. The warmth of her vibrant wife enveloped her, and Luna squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could freeze this moment in time.

“I love you,” Luna whispered, her voice a fragile echo in the stillness. “I always will.”

As they stood together in that dreamlike realm, Luna clung to her, savoring the fleeting preciousness of their shared love, even as the shadows of reality loomed ever closer.

Chrysalis returned the hug, her forelegs wrapping around Luna’s neck as she leaned into the embrace. With her heart pounding, Luna held her wife tighter, wishing to capture this moment forever, even as the underlying sorrow gnawed at her.

A soft, ethereal glow surrounded them as Luna concentrated, tapping into one of their most cherished memories. Images fluttered to life around them—the wedding of Starlight and Trixie. They stood together in the vibrant garden, surrounded by shimmering lights and laughter, the air filled with the scent of blooming flowers. The sunlight painted everything in warm hues, creating a joyous atmosphere.

Luna watched as young Chrysalis, in a guise of a shimmering luminescent mare, stood proudly by her side. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with mischief as they plotted to steal the spotlight from the wedding party. Laughter echoed in the air as they danced together, vibrant and carefree, their hearts intertwined in that single, perfect moment. It was a memory of love untainted, a beautiful reminder of the connection they had forged amidst chaos.

In that delicate space of dreams, Chrysalis smiled, her expression radiant and content. “I remember this day,” she said, her voice soft amidst the vibrant recollections. “The way you made me laugh when everypony else took everything so seriously...”

Luna’s heart ached at the sight of her beloved so genuine and alive, even if just in this illusion. “You were so radiant, so full of life,” she replied, her voice laced with bittersweet affection. “We were unstoppable together.”

As the memory flickered around them, the light began to shift, the happiness fading as reality sank in both their hearts. Chrysalis leaned back slightly, looking into Luna’s eyes, and a somber expression filled her face. “Luna,” she said slowly, “there’s a part of me that’s sorry you have to do this for me. Time is cruel, and I know it’s not truly me you’re holding onto right now.”

The admission struck Luna like a physical blow, and she fought to keep her composure. Even in this dream state, knowing that a piece of Chrysalis was aware of the toll it took on her was like a knife twisting in her heart.

Chrysalis continued, her tone gentle yet firm, “But please, understand that I feel happy in these moments. Even if it hurts you, I can still feel your love. It lights up this darkness.”

Tears welled in Luna’s eyes as she cupped Chrysalis's face with her hooves, gazing into those kind, emerald eyes that still held echoes of the past. “You deserve so much more than this,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You deserve all the time in the world.”

Chrysalis smiled, a serene expression mingled with sadness, and for a brief moment, it felt like the shadows receded. Luna held her wife close, wishing desperately to stop time in this beautiful memory, even as she knew it was just a flicker—a fleeting glimpse into the life they had built together. They were on borrowed time, but in that moment, wrapped in each other's warmth.

As the vibrant memory began to fade, Luna felt a familiar surge of sorrow swell within her. She knew the moment was ending, that the spell she had conjured—the beautiful dreamwalk they had shared—could only last so long. With a heavy heart, she reluctantly let the magic slip away, feeling the warmth of Chrysalis dissolve like mist in the morning sun.

Tears streamed down Luna’s cheeks as she released her hold, the beloved image of Chrysalis fading until she could see nothing but the lingering ghost of her wife’s smile. It felt like ripping her heart from her chest, leaving behind an emptiness she feared she wouldn’t be able to bear.

As the dream faded entirely and she found herself back in the cold reality of their dimly lit chamber, a sob caught in her throat. Luna stood there, breathless, grappling with the aching loss of those precious moments. She had wanted to stay, to curl up beside her beloved and bask in the warmth of their love, but she knew that she could only visit for a short hour—too long and she would risk overwhelming Chrysalis’s frail body, pushing her further away.

Turning away with a heavy heart, Luna stepped quietly from the room, the haunting silence enveloping her like an unwelcome cloak. The door creaked softly as she pushed it open, her heart aching with every step away from the one she cherished the most.

But before she could fully retreat, she paused, glancing over her shoulder at the still figure lying peacefully, the ethereal glow of her dreams barely clinging to her essence. The love Luna felt was tangible, a fierce bond that transcended even the boundaries set by time and fate.

Taking a deep breath, she whispered, more to herself than to the fading visage, “I love you.” The words hung in the air, a fragile promise entwined with the echoes of their shared laughter and tender moments—words that could never truly articulate the depth of her feelings.

With one last, lingering look, Luna turned away, letting her heart carry her toward the uncertainty of the future without her beloved. Each step felt like a chasm opening beneath her, but she knew she had to keep moving; her beloved would need her strength and love in the days to come. And so she walked away, the weight of every loss pressing down upon her, each memory a bittersweet reminder of what was, and what she would soon have to let go.

Author's Note

Just two more chapter left, I really hope you guys are ready for the ultimate feels department and tears to flow, I have been having a lot of fun rewrite this entire story. You can join my discord also here