I have good news and bad news.

Let's start with the good. Things are kind of normal again. Rarity has filed her horn down to a nub, a little too late for her story, but at least consistent with it. I think she's been wearing more perfume lately, but that's not exactly "weird". I haven't spoken about it to anypony else (yet) but I think I should start confiding some of these secrets now that two of my friends are acting nuts. Applejack is suspicious of Rarity's story, I'm sure, though she hides it well. Pinkie Pie asks too many questions but I doubt she suspects anything. Oh, and Rainbow Dash actually took me aside and asked if I've noticed anything weird about Fluttershy lately. I told her I had chalked it up primarily to her deepening relationship with Big Macintosh, but Dash is still really concerned, and she knows Fluttershy better than anypony. We're going to meet at her place tomorrow, so maybe we can put our heads together and come up with some answers.

Now for the bad news. Last night I had a very vivid dream. I was running down the beach at full gallop while these strange sort of gelatinous monsters would rise up out of the sand and try to engulf me, and my magic wasn't working (a typical nightmare, in other words). But suddenly, the scenery changed, and Princess Luna was standing next to me. I'd heard she could do this sort of thing, but it's pretty cool to actually see it in pony.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle. I apologize for the intrusion into your personal space," she said. (She's always so formal.)

"Not a problem, Princess. Is there anything I can do for you?" I noticed we were in the middle of a grassy clearing at night, with a bright full moon overhead.

Luna's voice softened. "Please, sit with me," she asked, and sat down on the grass. "I have some very concerning news to share."

"Oh?" I sat with her. I was trying to hide my nervousness.

"You seem anxious, Twilight Sparkle. Have you noticed anything strange occurring in Ponyville, of late?" asked Luna.

"A couple of my friends are acting very strangely," I said. "It would take some time to explain, though."

"I see. As are my night guards, and their odd behavior has vexed me greatly in recent nights. Yet, that is not my reason for this visit. I have come into your dreams to issue a dire warning to you."

"A warning? Warning about what?" I asked. In retrospect, I think I was probably equal parts frightened and curious. My curiosity has gotten me into a lot of jams in the past (mainly in my youth).

"Princess Cadance has been having highly unusual dreams for many evenings now. I do not like to intrude upon the privacy of others, and as such I cannot provide details to you. But I can tell you that these dreams are very disturbing. Allow me to repeat my description, with great emphasis: very disturbing. I am worried for her safety, and for the safety of the Crystal Kingdom as well."

"I'll do whatever it takes to ensure her safety," I promised, emboldened by the need to protect my sister-in-law. "Do you have any ideas that you can share with me, without the, um, gory details?"

Luna shook her head. "I am afraid I have few insights upon which to base a course of action, Twilight Sparkle, but I do have one suggestion. I think it would be very wise for you to visit the Crystal Kingdom and speak with Princess Cadance herself, but you should hide your true intentions. Speak with her, but do not press her. Speak with your brother, as well. See if you can uncover any information as to what the source of this trouble might be, without raising suspicions. I fear a subversive entity may be at work here, perhaps even Chrysalis herself. In the meantime, I shall speak with Princess Celestia regarding this issue."

That's when I woke up.

Rainbow and I have a lot to talk about tomorrow.