Princess Luna quickly composed herself upon recieving the scroll from her sister. She had been asleep, but the two siblings didn't get to see each other all that much anymore outside of work, and it was a pleasant surprise to her; enough to give her energy to remain awake for a few hours. A gentle buzz of adrenaline ran through her as she returned the letter. Oh, this was fun.
Dearest Celly,
Thank you for your message of affection. It was just what we needed to lift our spirits.
We love you as well.
-Lulu
With the scroll sent, Luna sat in the center of her room, closing her eyes. She could sense things that others couldn't, an ability that was not easily explained, not even to Celestia. She could tell when she was needed when awake, although most of the time she worked tirelessly even in her sleep while her physical body regained its energy. To the outside world, it appeared merely as if she was in a trance. But to Luna, complex spells were being put in motion.
Away from all the action, Fluttershy was taking a much needed break from all the shenanigans that had been going on that day. She was dressed in bright pink, fuzzy hooved pajamas, her favored teddy bear kept close and tucked under her foreleg. "Oh, gosh, I wish I was brave like the others." She whimpered. She really didn't like the thought of the Changelings running around town. Hurting her animals. Impersonating her friends. Wreaking havoc in the-
*SQUEAK!* Fluttershy dove beneath the blankets of her bed. Like everypony else, she has her good days and her bad days. Today she just wanted to hide from the world until this was all over. Her animals were fed and cared for until dinnertime, and unless an emergency arose unexpectedly, she had some time to herself.
"Maybe I'll just rest... for a moment..." In what seemed like moments, the pegasus quickly fell asleep.
Fluttershy opened her eyes quickly, standing in a large field of beautiful flowers of all colors. Some were small, barely reaching the tops of her fetlocks, others towered over her head. She gasped both in astonishment, and in alarm. "Wh-where..." It was a beautiful place, but she did not recognize it.
Princess Luna emerged from the shadows, her mane billowing majestically even in the complete absence of any wind. "Do not be alarmed, Fluttershy. Thou art safe in the world of slumber. Dreaming, in fact."
"Oh!" Fluttershy immediately began to genuflect, but Luna halted her.
"Rise, Kindness. There is no need for that."
Fluttershy interjected. "Am I sleeping? How are you here? Wh-why are you here? Did I do something wrong? I'll do better, I promise!"
Luna raised her hoof. "Thou hast done nothing wrong, only become frightened, and we are here to soothe you. The magic behind doth not be important. Why art thou scared of the Changelings?"
Fluttershy thought about it for a moment. "One came to my house, and he was going to be hurt me, and-"
"Was he? Dost thou know that for sure?"
"They did last time... and they look mean..."
Luna shook her head. "They were under improper leadership now. If anything, now they hath been lost. Thou art Kindness, you thine should know of deceiving appearances."
"So they weren't going to hurt me?" The pegasus asked.
"We do not believe so. We believe... how to put this... they were more like baby ducks, separated from their mother." Luna explained.
Fluttershy gasped. "Oh, no!"
"Precisely. It is good that you and your friends art giving them a chance to find a place in society, perhaps there is hope for them yet. Of course, if they do attack, the response will be swift and merciless."
Fluttershy yelped, pinning her ears back, then tilted her head. "Um... your accent keeps going in and out... that is, if you don't mind my saying..." How DID one ask a princess why she was talking funny?
A soft smile graced the lips of the Princess of the Night. "We are getting better, but do not quite have it down yet. We will get it. Continue doing what you've been doing, Fluttershy. Thou art in no danger. We are always watching." Luna assured her, and began to walk back into the trees.
"Oh, wait, don't leave me here by myself!" Fluttershy exclaimed, and rushed after her. She tripped on a branch and squeaked her way down a hill, head over hoofs. "Oof!" She said finally, finding herself on the floor next to her bed, tangled in blankets.
"Well... maybe I'll just make some tea and try to calm myself down." She decided. Her rabbit, Angel, had other ideas however. He tapped his large foot on the ground angrily, pointing to a pocket watch.
"It's not dinnertime for another two hours. You have to wait." She said firmly.
Angel stomped the ground again, but got no further by being impatient.
"I said no. You'll spoil your appetite." The rabbit glared at her, then went off on his way. Fluttershy smiled weakly. If she could handle a bunch of animals, how hard could a Changeling be? Maybe she'd go find Twilight with this new bravery of hers, and ask if she could have a turn! Yes, that'd work! She made her way towards the front door, and charged out of it with a sense of confidence. She had only gone a few steps, however, when a cricket jumped from a nearby branch and landed on her nose.
"AGH! MONSTER!" She shrieked, and dove back into the house, door slamming. The Changelings could wait.