That evening afternoon while Sky Brush was engaged pleasant pastimes in my Equestria dreamscape.

Far away in Canterlot several ponies were dealing with a far less enjoyable situation.

Doctor Steady Pulse methodically cleaned his pince-nez. He considered his glasses like most of his equipment to be precision tools of his trade. So he was always careful and methodical when cleaned and maintained them. Although there was a part of him deep down that admitted that he also doing it delaying the task in front of him. Finally he’d stalled for as long as he could and he levitated the glasses on the bridge of his muzzle. He then he addressed the Royal Sisters.

“Your Highness’s. I regret to inform you that Last Thing’s condition is continuing to decline. Her vital stats are beginning to deteriorate at an accelerated rate. In fact I am strongly recommending that we place her once again into a state of magically induced coma immediately until we’re able to develop a treatment for her. I fear that unless this course of action is initiated her chances for survival are slim. We maybe looking at as little 36 hours before she’s beyond our aid.”

Slowly the unicorn extracted a manila envelope from a pocket in his bag. He stared at it for a moment and then floated them over to Celestia. “The Royal Court recognizes you as being Last Thing’s legal guardian when it comes to making medical decisions that she’s incapable of consenting to. You previously authorized this treatment. However your Highness I am legally required to get your written permission every time this procedure is initiated.”

Celestia’s face remained neutral as she accepted the envelope. However Luna observed her sister’s ears twitch the tiniest bit a couple of times. Luna recognized this as a sign of her sister keeping her emotions in check. “Of course doctor.” The Princess of the Sun said in a matter of fact fashion.

Celestia looked over at Luna “Have you had any success in gaining access to Last Thing’s dream fabric? Since if I understand correctly once Last Thing is in a state of magical coma further dream observations will be impossible.”

Luna finished last of her glass of champagne, then she refilled the flute glass again. She took a deep breath and sighed. “Alas sister. I fear my attempts to enter her dream fabrics have failed to glean any meaningful information concerning what brought on her initial condition when she was having brunch with you Celly.

Nor has this enterprise provided me any reason for why Last Thing assaulted my student.”

The doctor took a sip of his coffee, then he glanced over at the Defender of Dreams. “Your Highness. I’m curious. I rarely remember my dreams, and I am certain I’ve never ventured out of my own dream fabric. So I’m ignorant to how you ply your trade. What is preventing you from entering Last Thing’s dream fabric?”

The alicorn took a sip of her champagne and gave the doctor of a sidelong glance before lowering the glass. “At first I was baffled by what was thwarting my attempts myself. I thought it was some type of exotic force barrier that I’d never encountered, but upon further experimentation, observation, and reflection I’ve come to a different conclusion.

The Prussian Blue alicorn swirled the contents of her glass. “Even though you and your staff have worked very diligently, and Evening’s team at the Time Anchor have succeeded in anchoring Last Thing’s body physically to this timeline that’s not true about her psyche.”

Luna topped her glass off again. “Mentally Last Thing is either still voluntarily attempting to, or something pulling her mind against her will forward into the future. Her fabric is constantly flickering in and out of this continuous time. As a result I’ve been thwarted every time I attempted enter her dream fabric. I would enter it and then suddenly the fabric is no longer there in this timeline, and once again I’m floating the Dream Realm outside Last Thing’s dream fabric again.”

She proceeded to slam back the contents of the glass. “Needless to say I find this most frustrating and unsatisfying for several reasons. First because I pride myself in fulfilling my duties and obligations, but also because I wish to help the mare who’s suffering mightily. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I wish to understand how all this is interconnected to my star student!”

Luna stared at her sister. “I’ll be honest with you sis. If Last Thing wasn’t one of your Scale Bearers and Mare-in-Waiting in the court we wouldn’t be having this discussion about her medical condition because I would’ve vaporized her into a pile of smoldering ash. That mare was threatening the life of that filly. A filly who has immense potential! So please understand if I am a bit protective of Apple Bloom, and I have my own motives for attempting to understand Last Thing’s rationale. “

Celestia took a sip of her bourbon. The ice in the tumbler clinked as she tipped the glass. “I understand Lulu. If a pony had threatened Twilight in a similar fashion I to would be tempted to be equally protective of them. But for the immediate future this will have to remain an unresolved issue. If Last Thing perishes then her motives and secrets will go to the grave with her. Therefore…”

The white alicorn opened the envelope and extracted the paperwork. She then produced a fountain pen and blotter. Over the next minute or so the Princess of the Sun signed all the appropriate documents. Then rolled the blotter over the signatures. Then she returned the documents to envelope and gave it back to the doctor.

“I believe that takes care of that. Please proceed with the procedure and inform me immediately doctor if there’s any change. In Last Thing’s condition.”

The doctor stowed the envelope in his bag and then rose to his hooves. “Understood your Highness.” Then the stallion got up and bowed to the princess’s then turned and left Celestia’s office.

To be continued.