...beep...beep...beep...
The sound of the crystal beeping is all that can be heard. Twilight Sparkle sits on a chair nearby, asking herself, Why her? Why not me? Twilight looks down at the now visible lump extruding from her belly. She sighs and gives it a rub.
“Twilight?” She looks up and sees Valder standing in the doorway. “How long have you been here?”
“Not long, I've been thinking.” Valder walks over and sits beside her.
“Now how many times have I told you; that's a bad habit,” Valder puts his wing around Twilight and smiles.
“I know but, I just want her to come back,” Twilight grabs hold of Valder sobbing heavily.
“Twilight, I might know of a way to save her,” Twilight lifts back her head and looks at Valder straight in his eyes.
“Really!?” Twilight looks back at the hospital bed and it's occupant.
“Yes, what do you think I’ve been doing for the last three days?” Valder lifts his wing from Twilight and walks over to the bed, “I have been searching the Royal Library for any information on Luna’s dream walk gift.”
Twilight sits on the opposite side of the bed and stares down at Luna, “So you can save her?” Twilight looks up at Valder. “You can bring her back?”
“Maybe, I don't know...It's just a very complex spell; but I think I can.” Valder places his right hoof on Luna, “Though I'm not sure how her body and mind will take it!”
Twilight walks around the bed, “What do you mean?”
“The spell involves somepony going into Luna's mind and literally dragging her out; but it's never been done before.” Valder looks back at the heart crystal beeping every time Luna's heart beats. “There's more though, only I can go in!”
Twilight suddenly jumps forward, “No! Y-You can't!” Twilight grabs Valder around the waist.
“I have to Twilight, I'm the only one who can perform the spell,” Valder pushes Twilight away from his chest and looks her in the eyes, “I have to do this Twilight, it was my fault she's in this state; I-I have to go!” Valder walks to the door, “I have to prepare for the spell, I have gone over it with Celestia and she agrees; I'm the only one strong enough to do it.” Twilight approaches Valder and hugs him again.
“Are you sure it will work?” Twilight asks, tears in her eyes.
“Yes, now I have to go; if you have any questions I'm sure Celestia can help you.”
Twilight kisses Valder and he returns the kiss, “Hurry back!” Valder turns and winks.
“Don't I always!”
Valder walks down the corridor of the hospital noting the empty rooms; he smiles. That is until Rainbow Dash almost walks into him. “Oh hey, Valder,” Rainbow Dash states while rubbing the back of her head.
“Greetings Dash, going to see Luna I take it?” Valder looks confused as Rainbow doesn't answer. “OK, I won't keep you then, um nice talking to you”, Valder nods and continues on his way; yet he can't help but think 'what was that all about?'
Rainbow walks past several doors looking at the fact they're mostly empty. she stops when she comes across the room holding Princess Luna, Rainbow sighs and pushes open the door.
“Hey, Dash,” Rainbow looks over to the nearby seating and sees Twilight lying there; with a book between her front hooves.
“Same old Twilight, huh!” Rainbow says gesturing to the book.
“Oh, yeah just passing time, um how are you doing?” Twilight folds away the book while sitting up.
“I just came by to check on you; and Luna,” Dash trails off slightly.
“Dash, what's wrong?” Twilight asks.
“We're all worried Twilight!” Rainbow says, tears forming. “None of us think Luna will come out of it! Or what state she'll be in when she does!” Rainbow cries putting one hoof over her eyes trying to wipe away her tears.
“I know, I'm worried too but we may have a chance to save her!” Twilight explains.
“What!?”
“Yes, Valder may have found a way to save Luna; but it involves a lot of risks,” Twilight turns and walks to the window overlooking Canterlot.
“What kind of risks?” Rainbow asks, walking over and sitting beside Twilight.
“Well, the main one is the fact that the spell is mainly unknown, second is that whoever does the trick might put their life at risk.”
Rainbow taps her chin, “But Twilight, what pony is doing the spell?”
“Valder is,” Rainbow jumps back slightly.
“What!?”
“Apparently, he's the only pony strong enough to do it!” Twilight says as she looks down.
“Oh, don't worry Twilight; Valders a strong pony he can handle it!” Twilight nods.
“I suppose your right, I mean if he can't do it; no-one can,” Twilight says looking back at Luna's figure, unmoving.
Valder reaches Canterlot by the late evening, after spending a few hours at Twilight's. He lands on Luna's balcony noting the dark curtains and dreary colour scheme. He pushes open Luna's balcony doors. After walking inside he sits next to Luna's bed sighing to himself.
“Luna, right now you would have something important to say; but me my mind is blank,” Valder sighs again only for the bedchamber light to switch on.
“Valder! What are you doing here?” Celestia asks walking towards him.
“Sorry princess, I just came to...” Valder looks down at the bed.
“You came to get answers, didn't you?” Celestia sits next to him, “But you didn't find any?”
Valder looks up at Celestia, and seeing her smile; lifts himself up. “No! I didn't, I don't understand Celestia! I thought coming here would settle down my anxiety. Now I'm not so sure.”
“I understand,” Celestia says. “I have come here ever since the 'accident', but I can find no answers either!” Celestia walks over to the door, noting the damage from before has now been repaired.
Valder joins Celestia and he to notices the damage gone, but his eye's never leave the spot Twilight fell.
“Princess, can I ask you something?” Celestia turns around.
“Sure, what's on your mind?”
“How would you proceed?, I mean if it was you?” Celestia sits on her haunches.
“Well, I would say you have covered every base, but...”
“But?”
“But have you considered what might happen when you enter Luna's mind?”
“Yes, which is why I came here! I wanted to see if what I was doing was the right thing” Valder leaves Celestias side and walks to the window. “This could kill Luna or me, or both of us! Do I have the right to do this? Do I have the right to save her!?”
Celestia feels the confusion in Valders voice, “You are her father! If anyone has a right to do this it's you!”
Valder looks back at Celestia seeing the tears in her eyes, “You're right! If I'm going to do this I need a positive frame of mind, I have to get a final few things ready before the spell” Valder turns and hugs Celestia. “Thank you my daughter, even though I wasn't there for you; I will be now!”
Celestia holds Valder closer, feeling the warmth of his embrace. “Be safe father!”
Valder breaks the hug and walks out onto the balcony, after stretching his wings and getting his bearings; he turns back to Celestia standing in the door way. “I will start the spell at first thing tomorrow, please I would like you there,” Celestia just nods. “Thank you!”
After Valder takes off Celestia turns back to the bedchamber and gives a long sigh, looks like she'll be raising the moon again. When the moon finally rises above the city Celestia stares at it for some time, remembering the good times she and Luna have had since her return; a tear rolls down her face. “Please my sister, come home!”