//------------------------------//
// 2: Wolf's Play 
// Story: Ventures of Dreams 
// by xXSilverLiningXx 
//------------------------------//

	Luna slammed the door behind her, with a still-unfamiliar cascade of sound.  All other noise was suddenly gone, as even the very ground shook from the force.  The waves around her seemed to move with each echo.  The pearl columns were buzzing in place, filling the chamber with a low rumble.  She could feel herself trembling in rage, but it felt distant, as if she was watching someone else do it.  Why is this happening?
It was then she noticed her guards.  The foals were cowering in place.  Luna screamed in her mind, This is how you think a real thestral would act?
Yet among all the fools and cowards, one pony stood bravely at the forefront.  The captain stood valiantly in his ebony armor, looking all too much like a soldier of old.  His batlike wings lay flat against his side, glossed to perfection.  Even his armour shined like the pearl columns around them.  Perhaps not all of them are bad.
Noticing his Princess’s strife, the stallion spoke up.  “Is something the matter, Your  Grace?”
The Regent of Night remained silent, keeping her steadfast gaze upon those around her.  Her eyes wandered around the room, searching every corner and crevice.  It has to be around here somewhere.  All else aside, I doubt she’d leave me without it.
Then she saw the door.  It was the only thing that stuck out in this vast sea.  There were ornate carvings along its entire surface, carvings of air.  Such an oddity could only mean one thing.
“Captain, it occurs to me that I never learned your name.”
“Sir Morningstar, Your Highness,” he curtly replied.
“For the star?” she followed up cautiously, “Or the weapon?”
The captain sighed.  “My parents might have meant it as the star, but I’ve always thought of it as the weapon.  Either way, I’d prefer a sharp rapier, any day.”
“A good answer, sir.  But tell me, do you recall the star’s name?”
He thought for a moment.  “I believe it’s Ven.”
“Which is derived from?” Luna lead on.
“A legend from long ago,” he responded automatically.  “I believe it had to do with seven brothers.  They had some sort of falling out, and resolved to leave each other alone, scattering themselves amongst the cosmos.”
“Their names.  What were they?”
The captain paused, still pondering the question.  “Ah, that’s tricky.  One was Mer, and his twin Mar, so that’s three.  I think the others were Ura, Tano, Tor, and...  I’m sorry,” he sighed.  “I don’t remember the last of them.”
“Taka,” Luna scolded, “but I suppose that’s not very important.  However, my question was not without reason.  You see, to be an effective officer, one cannot rely solely on knowledge of battle.  You need to get information from many places, or it grows old, and stagnant, along with your wit.  Do you see?”
He nodded.
Satisfied with her test, Luna asked what was really on her mind, “Do you know what is behind that door?”
“I believe that’s the Chamber of Ether.  A rather mysterious name, if you ask me.”
So that’s what she called it in my absence.  “I have an idea, but I must be undisturbed.  Let nopony in, not even my sister.  Is that clear, Sir Morningstar?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”

The world of dreams had always had its own feel to it.  Sight didn’t work the same, nor did many of the other senses.  Rather than seeing in color, as one normally did, Luna saw waves of intensity all around her.  It was rather like looking at a pond, where each wave distorted the world around you, bringing a wash of color in its wake, only to fade away once more after its passing.
Beyond that, each wave had a different attraction to it.  Some might be very strong, while others were physically repelling her.  Each of these unique waves were the dreams she sought, but none of these demanded help.  All of these dreams could be overcome.
Then a fierce wave of blue swept through Canterlot from far away.  It was quickly followed by one of red.
Luna shuddered in place.  Such a thing had not occurred for a long time.  While the first wave had drawn her in, the second threw her back with tremendous force.  For the first time in millennia, Luna felt small.  Even in her own world, there seemed to be a greater power.





Fluttershy wandered through the dark night’s forest.  The music of night surrounded her, crickets chirping, owls hooting, frogs croaking; it filled the air.  Then, as the sweet sounds rose in a swift crescendo, a wolf’s howl pierced the air.
The night went silent.
Fluttershy looked around to see a whole new woods.  While before the air had glowed in a sweet blue, it now looked a blood red.  Everything was darker, from the moon, to the stars, and even the path before her.  She could barely see her hoof in front of her face.  She ran.
She heard them howl once more, and this time, all went cold.  She could see her breath in the air, taking on its own shade of red.  The ground iced over and she struggled for purchase.  She tried to fly above it, but her wings refused to unfurl.
The wolves took up a chorus of howls, a dissonant tone piercing the air.  Then she was back at the cottage, but things were strange.  There was red everywhere, even aside from the world’s new, sadistic glow.  Blood...  It’s everywhere...
And yet, out of all that red was a speck of pure white, a blank spot on the dark canvas of reality.  It was only when it moved that Fluttershy knew what it was.
"Angel!" she cried, running to him.   "Not you too!"
It was bad.  The wolves had only played with him, as if to leave a message.  She knew instantly that he would never recover, if he survived at all.
She cradled the poor creature, softly singing him to his final rest.  When he passed, the madness set in, and all went silent.





Luna gazed at the apocalyptic scene before her, taking in all that could be seen.  Various entrails were scattered around the area.  Bits of bone and fur could also be seen, savaged beyond recognition.  So much blood...  Why?  What could drive a pony to this madness?
She wandered through the gore filled grove, moving in silent strides.  Everything seemed off about this place.  The world was red, the trees had grown faces, and even the wolves were a pale facsimile of their true nature.  Wait, wolves?  I was under the impression they'd gone extinct and been replaced by timberwolves.  Perhaps I was misinformed.
In either case, she eventually found the cottage, and nearly lost her breakfast on sight.
Just as in the wood, icy blood covered the area.  There were a few things of... less pleasant mention as well.
Unlike the wood, however, this section of the dream was inhabited.  Luna could see a yellow mare sobbing in the middle of the clearing.  She held a white blob up to her chest, rocking it back and forth.  By this time, she was almost unintelligible.
Is that Fluttershy?  But what could drive her to this madness?  How in Equestria does the Element of Kindness even think of these things?
Luna walked away.  This is not good.  I... need to do further research.  Perhaps there's a simple explanation for all of this.





Twilight lay in her bed, pondering the day.  Things had been rather strange, with her friends so suddenly absent; it was rather troubling.  After all, what were the odds that every one of them were busy just before the new telescope got in?  Do they just not enjoy the stars?
Her solitude didn’t last long, of course.  It rarely does when you live in a library.
“Twilight!  Twilight!” Spike yelled, running up the library steps.
“What do you need?” the annoyed mare replied.  “Don’t you know what time it is?  We should both be asleep by now.”
The young drake held a scroll in front of him, not with the usual golden seal, but this time one of silver.  “It’s from Princess Luna.”
“Why didn’t you say so???  Read it!”
“If you say so...”  Spike said, worried—but unsurprised—at her sudden change in mood.  He cleared his throat and opened the letter. 
“Dearest Twilight Sparkle,
I have been wanting to visit you all for some time now, and I believe a gap has finally appeared in my schedule.  First, however, I wanted to confirm it with you.  I am not as familiar with your other friends, so I was hoping that it could just be you, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie for the time being.  I am... not as practiced in social affairs as I would like to be.
In the meantime, I had hoped you could fill me in on what has been happening lately.  I do not want to make too large of a blunder.  Any news is appreciated, especially regarding your friends.  I’ve heard some fairly troubling things myself, and I need to know you are okay.
Sincerely,
The Regent of Night,
Princess Luna of Equestria”
“Bad news, huh?” Spike mused.  “I wonder what that could be.”
“Princess...  Coming... Here?”  Spike quickly turned around, to see Twilight beginning to lose it.
“I’ll make some tea,” he said, quickly running back down the stairs.
gabe appleton:
This is new.  I was thinking about adding it before, but had previously decided against it.  I think it needs to be there, in some form, however, because it shows that Luna cares about her officer's performance and knowledge level.  It shows that she wants the best for him, and for him to be the best.  Does that make sense/seem good?  If not, how can I fix it?


gabe appleton:
Also, the "seven brothers" are the other planets, with Equi being the one that they're on.  Just a little head-canon that I picked up, and plan on adapting later.