Luna slowly awoke, glanced out her window, and watched as the sun neared the horizon. As the bright orb finally began to disappear her horn alit, bringing the moon up on the far side of Equestria. Luna smiled as she rolled out of bed, stretching. She yawned as she quickly brushed through her mane, combing it into something presentable. Now that I look at it, I believe my mane is getting darker. Luna looked down at her coat, noting it’s darkening shade as well. With a shrug she stretched before exiting her room, intent upon some food before her night court.

Sitting in the small dining room, reserved for just Celestia and Luna, the sisters idly talked about their plans. “Well Tia, I am glad to hear the Ponyville children will be coming up next month. Where will they be touring through? There is so much in the castle to see.” Luna asked, taking a sip of her tea.

“Well,” Celestia responded thoughtfully. “I was planning for them to tour the gardens, they’re always nice this time of year. And I was also hoping they could visit the Window Hall.”

“Ahh yes.” Luna settled back into her chair, munching slowly on her toast. “The gardens are wonderful in late summer. And the Window Hall is beautiful, in either the morning or afternoon, when your sun passes through the windows just right. I do hope they enjoy it.” Luna smiled as her sister rose, yawning. “Good night sister. I shall see you in the morning.” And with that, Celestia left, retiring to her chambers for the night.

Luna slowly and calmly made her way to the throne room. She sat on her chair, relaxing happily, waiting for the first petitioners to arrive. The night slowly wore on, and yet nopony arrived to talk to her. Luna’s smile slowly faded as she waited, and still nopony arrived. Well Mare, it looks like another quiet night. What shall we do? Luna thought to her so far silent companion.

“...” Luna sat, waiting for a response. When none had come after a few minutes Luna began to panic.

Mare? Are you okay? Still there was no response, Mare was staying as silent as the grave. “Guards! I need a moment of privacy.” Luna cried out, starting to panic. “Do not allow anypony into this room for the next half hour!” Her guard quickly scurried about, following the order of their princess.

The captain of her guard, Dusk Shine, ran over bowing low. “Princess, if I may ask, what’s wrong? Is there anypony you wish to speak with?”

“Nothing is wrong Captain. I just, I need a moment with my thoughts.” Luna responded, doing her best to stay calm. As Dusk Shine bowed away, an idea came to Luna. “Captain wait. I would like you to call my sister. Tell her,” Luna stopped, not sure how to inform her sister of what may be happening, without worrying the guard. “Tell her I need somepony to talk to.” Dusk Shine nodded, still slightly confused, before spreading his wings and taking off, flying out the window.

Luna closed her eyes and began to retreat into the depths of her mind, into the white space. Though she was able to make it, it was harder than ever before, harder than just a few days prior even. It was a struggle for Luna to bring herself from her consciousness, her mind trying to blink itself awake, like an awake pony trying to fall asleep in a bright room. Eventually she was able to enter the place inside her mind, and was immediately hit with a wave of claustrophobia. The space was smaller, somehow less infinite in magnitude.

Turning around, Luna began to frantically search for Mare. It didn’t take her long to find her, laying on a small bed, asleep. She sprinted over, shaking her frantically awake. “Mare! Please wake up. I need you. You can’t just leave me like this!” As Mare failed to respond, Luna fell, resting her head on the bed, her tears beginning to flow.

Mare slowly opened her eyes,  groggily taking stock of her surroundings. Sitting up, she placed a hoof around a scared, and slightly weeping, Luna, holding her close. “What’s wrong Luna? You okay?” She asked slowly, still obviously tired.

Luna head jerked up, her body leaning into her friend’s embrace, smiling. “I thought you were gone. I was scared. I’m not ready for you to go just yet.” Luna gave a small hiccup as she calmed, wrapping her hooves around her friend.

“I’m sorry Luna. I’ve been worn out lately.” Mare explained. “It’s been getting harder and harder to just be.” The two mares sat in silence for awhile, holding and comforting each other. “I think you’re healing Luna.” Mare eventually said. “You’re starting to actually care.”

“I do not want you to leave Mare. You have been my closest friend.” Luna rested her head on Mare’s shoulder. “And I do not know how to feel. I do not know what to do with these emotions.”

“You’ll have to figure that out Luna. I can only guide you so much.” Mare slowly stroked Luna’s mane, trying to calm her down. “I’ll stay as long as I can. I promise you that.”

Luna slowly smiled, nodding her approval. “Thank you Mare.” They sat a moment longer before a thought drifted into Luna’s mind. “Shall we call in Twilight? I think we should talk with her. Maybe she can help us figure this out.”

“Agreed.” Mare quietly responded. “Send for her. Talking with her has always been good. Now, do you need to return? You’ve been here awhile.”

Luna gave a small laugh, giving Mare one last hug. “I guess you are right. Thank you Mare, for everything.” And with that, Luna blinked, snapping her mind back to reality, finding herself face to face with Celestia. “Ohh, hello Tia. Glad to see you got here. How long was I out?” Luna asked cheerfully, trying to mask her inner worry.

“Almost an hour.” Celestia sighed, her body relaxing as her sister finally opened her eyes. “I was getting worried. Is everything okay?”

“Oh, sorry. I did not mean to be gone that long.” Luna sheepishly admitted. “And no. I need you to call Twilight.” Luna added in a whisper. “Mare is starting to fade it would seem. I am scared.”

Celestia nodded, smiling at her little sister. “Alright Woona. I’m glad to hear progress is being made, even if it’s faster than you were expecting.” She chided. “I’ll get Twilight. Knowing her, she’ll be here tomorrow, ready to talk with you. Would you rather talk morning or night?” Celestia gave her sister a hug, holding her.

“I would rather talk with her in the morning. Though if she is willing to stay up all night with me, that would be much appreciated.” Luna returned the hug, though quickly pushed away. “And do not call me Woona.”

Celestia laughed, letting go of her sister. “Alright, alright. I’ll send a letter to her right away. And take the night off. I don’t think anypony is going to be showing up if they haven’t already.”

As much as it stung Luna to hear her sister say that, she knew it was true. “Alright Tia. I will be in my room. I need to talk with an old friend.” Luna rose from her throne, spread her wings, and took off into the night, flying towards her room. She made her way slowly around the castle, winding around towers and flying through archways, trying to distract herself from the reality creeping up on her. Eventually, unable to ignore it any longer, she turned, descending towards her room.

Alighting on her balcony, Luna gave a small shiver of fright. Her future had just sped up, the end she dreaded looming on the horizon. She silently entered her room, climbed onto her bed, and curled up. Once again she fought her way into her mind, slowly relaxing as she entered the familiar area within her mind.

“Mare!” Luna called out. “Where are you? We need to talk.” She began wandering, hoping to find her friend amongst the white.

“Over here Luna.” Mare’s voice was soft, but not weak. Luna turned and sprinted off, quickly finding Mare. “I’m tired. I’d like to stay here if I can.”

“That is fine Mare. Rest.” Luna sat next to her friend, wrapping a wing around her. “Tia has called Twilight here. We can talk with her tomorrow.” Mare slowly nodded. Luna’s face fell, her eyes betraying her sorrow. “Is there anything I can do?”

Mare slowly shook her head. “No. Not without destroying all the progress we’ve made.” Mare took several deep breaths. “We knew this had to happen Luna. You knew I would have to go away.”

“I know Mare, I just was not expecting it so soon. I don’t know how to deal with what I’m feeling. I don’t know what these emotions are even called.” Resting her head on Mare’s shoulder, Luna began to silently weep. “I still need you Mare, you can’t go yet.”

“I’m not going anytime soon Luna.” Mare responded, wrapping a hoof around Luna. “And I promise to work with you on your emotions. I won’t just leave you alone.”

“Thank you Mare.” Luna whispered, her tears slowly stopping. “I need some help.” The princess gave a small shiver. “I am scared. And I hardly know what fear even is!”

Mare chuckled. “Alright. Fear is a normal reaction. It comes from when we need to get away from something bad. Usually fear comes from pain. Nopony wants to be hurt, and so we try to push pain away. Fear is our mind’s way of warning us of pain.”

Luna slowly nodded. “So, is it okay to fear you leaving? To fear being alone?”

“It’s perfectly natural Luna.” Mare held her other half close. “But you won’t be alone. You’ll always have Celestia. And as I’ve said before, if you want Twilight, you can have her. Or anypony for that matter.”

Shaking her head, Luna gave a small laugh. “That’s another thing. I don’t know how I feel about her.”

“Well, how do you feel when you think about her?”

“Calm. Whenever my thoughts turn to her I calm down.” Luna looked down at her hooves as she thought. “I feel light and warm when she’s around. I am always sad to see her leave. What does that mean?”

“You’re starting to fall in love with her.” Mare answered. “And there is much about her to love.”

Luna turned to Mare, puzzled. “What is love? Why do ponies love?”

Mare chuckled, sighed and shook her head. “Love is many things Luna. Everypony you ask will likely give you a different answer. Some would say love is the natural reaction to the fear of being alone. By having somepony by your side, loving you as you love them, you’re never alone.” Mare tilted her head back, staring into the distance. “Some more cynical ponies would say that love is a reaction in the mind, designed to lead to mating, and eventually the propagation of our species.” She rolled her eyes as she spoke. “I say those ponies are the ones who have never felt love. But me, I say love is joy. Love is when you’d rather be with a pony than anywhere else. When you’re willing to give up yourself for them.” She took a breath, smiling at the thought. “Love is the most wonderful thing in the world.” Mare turned to look at her friend, still smiling. “I hope that explains love.”

“Mare?” Luna asked after thinking for a moment. “Is this love I feel for her mine, or yours? The only place my emotions are coming from is you. What if the love I feel for her is just your love spilling into me?”

“I don’t know Luna.” Mare answered, thinking. “I think some of it is from me. But I also think that you may be starting to develop feelings for her as well. You’re creating your own feelings, not just feeling mine. But when I’m gone, you’ll need to figure out if it’s your love or mine you feel.”

“I don’t want you to leave Mare.” Luna whispered, curling up slightly.

“I know Luna. I don’t plan to yet.” Mare whisper reassuringly, stroking Luna’s mane.

“Can we get back to you teaching me about emotions?” Luna asked, wanting to get away from the harsh reality looming over her. “I don’t know any other emotions, and I need to.” The black alicorn nodded, giving her other half a hug. They talked for hours, Mare imparting everything she could about emotions, and feeling.

“Luna!” Celestia called down the hall. “Twilight is here!”

Luna sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She had been having such a nice talk with Mare. She looked at her clock and found that she had not only slept through the rest of the night, but also the following day. With a small chuckle she climbed out of her bed and trotted to her door. Slowly opening it she found Twilight standing on the other side, a smile on her lips, and her glasses on her muzzle.

As Twilight saw Luna however, her smile faltered. “Princess Luna, are you alright? You look, well different.” The purple unicorn tried to stay tactful as she commented on the princess’s looks.

Luna looked down at herself, slightly puzzled. As Twilight’s comment finally made sense, she laughed. “It’s nothing Twilight. Yes, my coat is darker, along with my mane. Nothing more than me growing. As I’ve said, an alicorn’s magic is tied very closely to their emotions. And it is our magic that keeps us young, and so controls how we appear. When I returned, all of my emotions were gone, and so my coat and mane reflected that. Very light, almost empty. Now that they have started coming back, my body has changed to reflect it. Please come in.” Luna stepped to the side, allowing Twilight entrance.

“So Princess Luna-” Twilight began, walking in.

“Please Twilight. Call me Luna. No need for formalities between friends right?” Luna interjected, sitting on her bed, motioning for Twilight to join her.

Twilight hesitantly climbed up next to Luna, frightened at being so intimate with the princess. “Well, Luna, is this sudden shift in your emotions why you called me? Is something wrong with Mare? Celestia wouldn’t say when I asked her.”

Luna nodded slowly, a small smile on her lips. “Tia would leave you in the dark like that.” Luna chuckled to herself, idly wrapping a wing around Twilight. “Mare is starting to fade Twilight. And I’m scared. Her emotions have started rushing into me.” She stated, barely a twinge of fear in her voice.

Twilight’s eyes went wide at Luna’s quiet response, her jaw dropping open. “So quickly? But, we’ve been meeting for weeks now. She’s never been this bad. And just last time she was fine. Are you sure?”

Luna slowly nodded. “Yes Twilight. She’s been tired and worn out lately. I have also been having trouble getting to our space together to talk with her.” Luna’s voice was small and scared as she continued. “I don’t know what is happening.”

“Shall we all talk? I’m sure if I cast the hypnosis spell you’ll get to her.”

From the back of Luna’s mind Mare’s voice drifted in, saying “No. I would love to, but I’m in no state to. The two of you talk.”

“Mare has just said that she would like to, but can’t. She has told me to talk with just you.” Luna reported quietly, scared for Mare. Twilight sadly nodded, understanding. “So, Twilight, where would you like to begin?” Luna asked, her voice on the verge of cracking.

“Well, I’d like to try and figure out what changed.” Twilight quietly replied, picking up on the distress in Luna’s voice. She quickly wrapped a hoof around Luna, trying to comfort her. “If we know what changed in your mind, what caused this sudden shift, we can try to slow it down, make it more gradual. We may even be able to reverse it a little, give you even more time with Mare.”

Luna smiled at the idea, calming down greatly, and quickly. Though she knew it wouldn’t work, it still calmed her. “Thank you Twilight. That would be wonderful.” Resting her head on Twilight’s as she spoke, Luna continued. “What would you like to start with?”

“Well, I note that you’re feeling more emotion that before.” Twilight remarked, slowly stroking Luna’s side to keep her calm. “Do you know what started this?”

Luna shook her head. “No. I have noticed it myself. Back when we first met, I don’t think I felt anything beyond curiosity at the world. I’ve always enjoyed learning, and suddenly I found myself in a world where I could learn about everything. But that’s all I could feel.” Luna’s voice was solemn and tired, as if thinking back to that time hurt her. “After Mare first spoke up though, I started to feel. I think when she finally returned, the emotions started to bleed back into me.” Luna sat back for a moment, thinking of an analogy. “Think of Mare and I as being connected by a pipe. Through the pipe flows the emotions. And the emotions can flow in either direction. It had been tipped such that everything flowed to her. But now, the pipe is tipping back, so the emotions are starting to flow into me. However, it is only those emotions that make up Mare. So as they start to flow back to me-”

“Mare starts to fade.” Twilight finished, beginning to understand. “Then the only way to help stabilize her is to go back on your emotions. Force them back to her...” Twilight trailed off, realizing what that would mean. “We would have to undo the progress you’ve been making. And then she’d reach this point again. It wouldn’t help in the long run, just prolong the inevitable.”

Her head hung, her eyes closed, Luna began to silently weep. “I know Twilight. We can’t undo this. I’m just so scared. I don’t know what to do with all these emotions.” Luna’s wings curled in, hugging into her body. “I am so scared Twilight.” She whispered.

Twilight’s hoof came up, slowly, and began stroking through Luna’s mane. “I understand Luna. The unknown frightens everypony.” She leaned in, gently stroking Luna’s cheek. “I think the best way to go from here is to keep moving forward.”

“Do you think there’s a way we can slow it down? I don’t want her to disappear by the end of the week.” Luna asked hopefully. The pace was starting to scare her.

“I don’t think we need to Luna, even if we could.” Twilight responded after thinking for a moment. “To use your pipe metaphor, before yesterday, the pipe was still mostly tipped to Mare. So while some of her would spill over into you, almost everything went to her.” Twilight took a breath, choosing her words carefully. “Sometime yesterday though, it tipped a little more to you, changing the balance. Now, instead of you draining into her, she is draining into you.”

Luna’s face fell, as Twilight’s words hit her. “So there is nothing we can do?” The unicorn shook her head. “So all I can do is let it happen? And hope it goes at a reasonable pace from here on out?” Twilight nodded. Luna sighed deeply, not liking Twilight’s answers. But it’s not like I can do anything about it, is there? She thought to herself. “What else do you want to know?” Luna asked, shaking her head. “Let’s move on. I don’t want to keep thinking about this.”

Twilight nodded, sitting back from Luna. Luna’s head trailed slightly after her receding friend as she tried to delay their separation. “Well Luna, something that has started bugging me is some issues surrounding your banishment.” Twilight spoke slowly and calmly, trying to not upset her charge. “You said that Mare fell a week before the banishment, and that it was you who was in control when Celestia used the elements. How did Mare regain control?”

Luna chuckled. “Ah yes. I didn’t explain that. Well, when the Elements banished me, Tia meant to use them to trap me in the moon, so I wouldn’t notice the passing time.” Luna hung her head as the memories began to flow. “And she did, partially. My body was trapped on the moon, my mind in the moon. However, a portion of me stayed in my body. But, since I could no longer control our body, Mare took over again. She let me walk around a few times, but I couldn’t stay for long before I had to return.” Luna gave a small shudder. “It was weird Twilight. I didn’t like it.”

Twilight stared at Luna in surprise. She hadn’t expected that answer. “Oh. Sorry to bring it up.”

“It’s okay Twilight. Please continue asking your questions.” Luna smiled at her friend. “They’re distracting me from what is happening.”

Twilight nodded. “Well, these emotions you’re feeling, are they yours, or are they spill over from Mare?”

Luna smiled. “I actually talked with her about that earlier.” Luna lay down on her bed, staring at her ceiling. Twilight laid back and gasped. She hadn’t noticed before that the ceiling was a perfect representation of the night sky. It was as if there were no roof at all. “She believes that some may be spill over, but that they are also mine. I know my fear of losing her is mine, but I don’t know how much of my other emotions are mine.” Luna stretched out a wing and pulled Twilight closer.

Shifting uncomfortably at the sudden closeness, Twilight soon relaxed against Luna. “Wow... I hope you can figure that out.” Luna nodded before Twilight continued. “What emotions are you feeling? And how are they?” When Luna stared slightly puzzled at Twilight’s questions, she clarified. “Do they feel right? Do you think you’re feeling the right emotions at the right time?”

“Ah. Well, I’ve felt fear, joy, sorrow, and I think maybe a bit of love...” Luna’s voice quickly dwindled to a whisper at the end, just loud enough for Twilight to know something was said.

“What was that Luna? I didn’t catch that last part.” Twilight leaned in, genuinely curious as to what she said.

“I said, maybe a bit of love.” Luna repeated, her voice just loud enough for Twilight to hear.

“That’s wonderful Luna!” Twilight exclaimed. “Who’s the lucky stallion?” Luna blushed, mumbling something about not wanting something. “Luna,” Twilight sighed, still happy. “You need to speak up.”

“I said I don’t want to talk about it.” Luna shot back, giving Twilight a jolt. “Not yet.”

“Oh, okay.” Sensing it was a touchy topic with Luna, she decided to move back to safer questions. “So how are the emotions?”

“Strange.” Luna answered, thinking back. “I think they’re much too strong, and fluxuating much too fast.” Twilight slowly nodded, understanding what Luna meant. “I’ll be fine one moment, in tears the next, and bouncing with joy after that.” Luna shuddered. “It’s weird, and it somewhat scares me.”

Twilight nodded. Noticing that Luna didn’t want to continue talking about it, the purple unicorn decided it was time to move on. “So, I understand that Mare holds the emotions, and you hold the business side of things. Or at least that’s how it started.” Luna gave a small nod, confirming Twilight’s comment, glad to be away from her love life. “But what does that mean? What is it that you have? What do you care about? And what does it mean to you?”

Luna was stunned. She hadn’t thought much about that. Luna spoke slowly as she formed her thoughts. “Well, as I’m sure you know, there is more to running this country than just my nightly royal court. There are forms to fill, petitions to consider, and sometimes sign, international diplomatic relations, and nobles to placate.” Luna’s eyes narrowed as she mentioned the nobles. Shrugging , she continued. “That’s my job as princess Twilight. The ponies may just see Tia and I when we make a public appearance, but our work goes far beyond that.” Luna’s voice quickened as she talked about her work. “That’s what I cared about. And nothing else. It’s still what I mostly care about. At first I couldn’t understand why anypony would want to go out and do anything other than work. If you had asked me to join you for lunch, I would have declined in favor of a stack of paperwork. The things I’m supposed to do as princess were the only things I wanted to do.”

“What about now Luna? Has that changed?” Twilight rolled over to stare at her friend as she asked.

“Somewhat.” Luna continued to stare at her ceiling as she answered. “I understand the value of enjoying myself outside of work. And I know how to go out and have a good time. But to me, I still see it as a way to keep my mental health up. I want enjoyment in life, but not to the degree Mare does. All she wants is fun. To me Twilight, I am defined by my work. If I’ve done well, I’ve been a good ruler. If not, then I could’ve done better.” Luna hung her head. “I know I should care about having fun and enjoying life, but I just don’t.”

“That’s okay Luna.” Twilight calmly replied, giving her a hug. “For the longest time I just wanted to study. I was invited to parties and stuff all the time, but I turned them all down in favor of my books.” She gave a small shrug, as if saying ‘oh well’.

Luna smiled at Twilight’s words. So she used to be like me, a shut in, she thought to herself. I think some of my love for her is actually my own. She thought happily.

“That’s always good to figure out.” Mare calmly replied, sitting up in Luna’s mind. “If she has a question for me, now is the time to ask it. I’ve managed to gather enough strength. You’ll have to relay my answers to her though.”

Luna nodded quickly, explaining to a confused Twilight “Oh, well then, I’ve got one for both of you. What do the ponies of Equestria mean to you? How do you see your relationship with them?”

Luna allowed Mare to respond first, knowing her time was limited. She nodded slowly as she listened before relaying Mare’s answer to Twilight. “Mare says she still sees them as the ponies who hated us. She knows that it’s been a thousand years, but the pain is still there. I don’t think it will ever go. But despite all that, she loves them. However begrudgingly, they have still accepted us back, and she couldn’t ask for more at this stage.” Luna smiled sadly giving an inward hug to Mare. “She’s happy with how things have turned out.”

“And you Luna? What about you?”

Luna looked away, unable to face Twilight. “I’m not sure. They are my subjects. It is my duty as their princess to serve them as best as I can. I want them to like me. I can’t say anymore than that.”

Twilight looked at Luna stunned. Luna had seemed so calm and happy to her. She hadn’t thought that she couldn’t feel any love for her subjects. “Wow... I know that it’s not that you don’t care, so much as you can’t. But still. Wow.” Twilight leaned back, thinking for a moment before an idea came to her. “What about on an individual level? Are there any ponies you care about specifically?”

Luna slowly nodded. When Twilight stared expectantly, she answered “I said I won’t say who Twilight. Not until I know for sure.”

Twilight’s face fell, but quickly perked back up again. “Okay. Well, if Mare can, I have one last question for her.” And a pause and a nod from Luna, Twilight continued. “Why do you want to recombine with Luna? You know it’s going to destroy you, in some sense, so what do you see in it for you?”

Luna closed her eyes as she listened to Mare’s response. Slowly her eyes began to water, a smile growing on her face. “She says it’s because she cares about me above all else. While she wants fun in her life, she cares so much more about me. She knows it will destroy her, but she doesn’t care.” As Luna explained, Twilight’s eyes began to tear up as well. “To her, the most important thing is to make sure I’m happy and okay. That’s what’s in it for her. She doesn’t need more than that.” Closing her eyes, Luna allowed her tears to flow freely. Twilight wrapped a hoof around her, holding her close.“I think it’s because she came from me. She’s a part of me, so she has to look out for me above herself.” Luna rationalized between breaths.

Twilight chuckled, recognizing Luna’s failed attempt to stop crying. With a smile she comforted Luna, nuzzling her neck. “I promise to stay as long as you want me to Luna.” Twilight whispered softly.

“Forever.” Luna whispered back instinctively, too quiet for Twilight to hear. Next Chapter: Of Empty Hearts and Missing Minds Estimated time remaining: 29 Minutes