The Dreamcatcher's Snare

Dear Twilight,

It has been quite some time since we last exchanged letters. Unfortunately, this one comes under more dire circumstances. You remember your old teacher, Arcane Surge? He was always one of your favorites. He still served his job faithfully long after you finished your studies at my school. However, something has happened to him. Last week, he simply did not appear at work; you and I both know that Arcane Surge is not one to miss work without reason. I was suspicious, but I decided that it did not warrant any more notice. He did not show up the next day or the day after. At that point, I decided to send some guards to his house to investigate. They reported back and said that he was gone. Within his bedroom were two objects of note: a strange dreamcatcher and a journal detailing an experiment. I read through the journal and informed my sister; she believes that something dark has befallen him. She requests that you come to Canterlot immediately.

I don’t know what exactly has happened to Arcane Surge, but Luna seems confident that the two of you will be able to rescue him. I have faith in your abilities, Twilight. I hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

Twilight sighed dejectedly as she read through the letter one more time. She magically unlatched her satchel and levitated the letter inside. She rest her head back against the seat cushion and looked outside the train window. Vibrant, green hills raced past as the train continued its journey towards Canterlot. She looked up and saw a cloudless sky dominated by the brightness of Celestia’s sun.

“How ironic,” she thought, “this day is perfect, but I feel awful.” She had gotten the letter before the sun had risen. Upon reading it, Twilight had hurriedly gathered some papers and quills in her satchel and rushed to the train station, catching the first train to Canterlot. Her eyelids began to droop as her mind began to settle in tandem. “I just hope that he’s okay.”

Twilight had stopped to gaze at the grand halls that surrounded her. Statues stood tall while paintings of what appeared to be the entirety of Equestria history covered the walls.

“Come along, Twilight.”

Twilight was snapped out of her stupor by Celestia’s soothing voice. The purple filly quickly trotted up to the side of the immense, white alicorn. They continued walking down the hall when Celestia stopped at a classroom door.

Suddenly, an older-looking unicorn with a faded blue coat opened the door. He initially failed to notice the duo standing in front of his before jumping back in shock.

He then smiled before speaking. “Oh, Princess Celestia! Sorry, I didn’t know you were heading to my room, I was actually about to go on my lunch break. What did you need?” His voice conveyed wisdom but also kindness and warmth.

She smiled back. “Hello Arcane Surge, I just came by to introduce you to our newest student, Twilight Sparkle.” The little filly peered out from behind one of Celestia’s legs.

Arcane Surge turned his attention to the filly and continued his warm smile. “Why hello there, Twilight Sparkle! My name is Arcane Surge, and I’m the teacher of both psychology and most psychic-based spells.” He extended his hoof, which Twilight slowly grabbed in a shake. She stepped out from Celestia’s leg and gave a small smile in return.

Celestia looked down at Twilight, “Arcane Surge is among the best teachers at our school. At times, he can be a bit eccentric and even wild-”

Arcane Surge interrupted her, quickly blurting out, “It was only one tree! I told you a hundred times, I didn’t mean to make it explode, especially not the second time!”

Celestia let out a small chuckle, “But he is also one of our kindest and most well-loved teachers as well. The students here adore him and I’m sure you’ll grow to love him as well.”

Arcane Surge blushed slightly. “Oh, I’m sure the kids like the others a lot more than me! I mean, Beanstalk brings his students ice cream every week. Granted, it is made from leftover plants from his experiments, but ice cream is ice cream!”

Twilight giggled as Celestia nudged her. “It’s time to go to our next stop, Twilight.”

As they started down the hall again, Twilight turned to Arcane Surge one last time.

“Goodbye, Mister Arcane Surge! It was nice meeting you!”

“Goodbye, Twilight. I look forward to meeting you again!”

Twilight snapped awake as the train pulled into Canterlot Station. She quickly disembarked and grabbed a taxi straight to the castle. Once inside, she was greeted with a quick hug from Princess Celestia.

“Twilight, I’m glad to see you made it so quickly.” Twilight noted the somber tone in her voice. “I know you have many questions, but I believe they will be answered much more quickly if you come with me. We need to go to my school.”

Twilight nodded and the two alicorns set off for Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. They entered the building and Celestia led Twilight to the lower level of the building.

“Why are we here, Princess? Shouldn’t we be at Arcane Surge’s house?” Twilight asked.

“No,” Celestia responded. “I had the journal and the dreamcatcher moved here, to the spell laboratories under the school. While I hate to bring potentially dangerous items to my school, these labs are among the safest places to put dangerous magic. They are able to entrap many kinds of magic; I hope that it is enough.”

They entered a large lab where Princess Luna waited for them. The Princess of the Night retained a stoic look, but Twilight noticed that there was a hint of worry in it as well. The regular lab tables and equipment had been pushed to the sides of the room, with only a single table remaining in the center which held Arcane’s journal. Behind the table, dangling from the ceiling, was the Dreamcatcher. Twilight looked at it curiously; it was unlike any dreamcatcher she had ever seen. It was made of crystal that seemed familiar but was somehow different; this crystal looked warped and unnatural. The Dreamcatcher was also tinted sickly green color and almost seemed to irradiate the same color in the air around it.

Luna spoke up, “Twilight, you are here. Good. Before you ask questions, it would be best if you read the journal. We have marked the pages of note.”

Twilight stepped up to the table and flipped the journal open to the first page.

Day 1

It’s been a while since I’ve done an experiment on my own time! I’m not exactly excited to be experimenting on a topic like this, but I suppose it is necessary. Last week, I passed by a shop I hadn’t seen before. I decided to take a peek inside. It was some sort of antique shop or something; it mostly looked like junk to me. However, one thing did catch my eye: a black book with no cover or anything on it. Curious, I flipped through the pages; the book was very old and written in some language I didn’t recognize. I figured that studying this thing would make for an interesting side project, so I went ahead and bought it.

When I went to bed that night, I had a nightmare unlike any I’ve ever experienced. I was on a small island, surrounded by a vicious ocean. In the center stood a tall, black tower surrounded by some smaller buildings attached to its base, all of it coated in a green glow. I walked to the complex but before I reached it I was snatched up by some...beast; I’m not really sure what it was. It grabbed me by my back legs and flew me into the tower. I was dazed, but when I came to, I was locked up in a cell at the top of the tower. I could see down into the tower and saw a dark abyss; on the sides, I could barely make out what seemed to be other cells. I could feelthe anguish radiating from the place. Eventually, one of the guards came...if it even be called a guard; it was more like a hellish abomination. He...it walked up to the bars of my cell and simply said “The Warden’s here.” I heard a sound...it was like a roar, but it seemed other-worldly. The tower began to shake and soon the whole place was enveloped in the ethereal glow. The roar grew louder until I felt like my head was going split. I looked down and saw two great eyes of green closing in on me.

After that, I jumped out of my bed, shaking and covered in sweat. I sat there for while, simply holding myself. After composing myself, I went through that day like normal, constantly telling myself that the nightmare was a one-time thing. That night and the night after, I experienced the same dream: an island, the Dark Tower, the prison, and finally the Warden. At that point I knew this wasn’t natural. I figured that it had to have come from that book I bought (I mean, the thing practically screamed evil, why did I even buy it in the first place?). I tried to return it, but somehow, I couldn’t find the store! It was like it didn’t even exist! I tried to burn it, but its enchantments protected it. The only thing I could think to do was bury it, so I headed just outside of town and buried next to a tree (the one I use for my Advanced Telekinesis class field trip). It didn’t help.

Every night, I still see that damned tower. So I’ve decided to investigate this thing and stop it once and for all. I’ve ordered some crystals from the Crystal Empire; apparently they’re very receptive to magic, which will work perfectly for my experiment.

Once I receive the crystals, I’ll try casting a mind reading spell on it and locking the spell towards myself. That way, I should be able to analyze the cause of the nightmares and rid myself of them. Hopefully.

Day 3

My crystals arrived, and early, too! I even got a chance to put my sculpting skills to the test and made a dreamcatcher out of them. Fits pretty well, huh? I put the spell on the crystals. All I have to do now is sleep…

Day 4

I had the nightmare again, so the spell managed to snag it. I analyzed the dreamcatcher for hours, but nothing was conclusive. As I studied it, it almost seemed like something was alive in there...I need to solve this quickly, I don’t want to see what happens if I wait any longer.

Day 7

Still no results. However, something is happening. The nightmares have been getting less…”intense,” for lack of a better word. They are still terrifying and feel very real, but it doesn’t seem to be as bad as the earlier instances. The dreamcatcher itself also seems to be changing. The refined look of the crystals looks more jagged and twisted than it did before, and I swear that the glow is surrounding it.

Day 15

The nightmares...they’re gone! Last night was the first good night I’ve had in what feels like a long time. The mind reading spell, combined with the crystal, must act as a sort of trap for the dark energy (did I just create the first mind-trapping spell!?). I’m not sure, but I didn’t study it too much; I’m ready for a good night’s sleep.

Day 16

The nightmare came back. But this time, it was a little different. Right before the Warden got to me, I could hear what I can only guess was his “voice” (I use that word in the loosest sense as it sounded more like a chorus of pure anger and agony). He said to me a simple few words “NO ONE ESCAPES MY PRISON!”

(No Date)

I dont know whats  happening the dreamcathcer is doing something I can feel one of those beasts grabbing my leg it feel slike its pulling me

I dont know why I didnt get help surely the princesses could have done something

If anyone reads this I want to let everyone that counted on me that Im sorry

Im sorry Im leaving I should have gotten help

Twilight stared at the last page; she could tell that it had been written extremely quickly from its sloppiness and grammar. She gently closed the book and looked up at the two sisters waiting for her to finish reading.

Luna was the first to speak. “Now you understand what has happened to your teacher.”

Twilight was still at a loss; thoughts flew through her mind at the speed of light.

“What was that book he bought? What is in that dreamcatcher? How can we rescue him? Why did this have to happen to him?”

Tears started to well in her eyes, but Celestia put a hoof on her shoulder. “Twilight, I know that Arcane Surge was one of your favorite teachers and very dear to you, but right now we must work to save him.”

Twilight wiped her eyes and sighed, “Okay, what do you have planned?”

Luna nodded her head in agreement. “Yes, that is also what we have concluded. We have come up with an idea to rescue him. It requires you, Twilight Sparkle, to do a great deal of work; the task will be daunting and dangerous.”

Twilight looked at the ground, before turning her head back to Luna. “I’m ready for it. What do I have to do?”

Luna walked over to the Dreamcatcher. “Normally, I am able to open the dreams of others and visit them. However, the power of the evil in this Dreamcatcher is too much for me to be able to do both, so I need you to physically enter the nightmare. I will hold it open while you cast a mind reading spell and ‘enter’ the nightmare. My sister will stay here in case anything else tries to leave the Dreamcatcher.”

“Once you are inside, there should be another copy of the Dreamcatcher wherever you arrive. When you find Arcane Surge, you must bring him back to that Dreamcatcher as that is the portal back to reality. Twilight, I am not sure what will happen to you if you are incapacitated in there, so do your best to stay safe.”

Twilight nodded before turning to Celestia. “I have the utmost confidence in you, Twilight Sparkle, but please, stay safe. I do not want to lose another dear friend.”

She embraced the white alicorn and said assuringly, “I will, Princess.”

After their hug, Twilight turned back to the Dreamcatcher.

“Are you ready, Twilight?”

“Yes. Open the Dreamcatcher.”

Luna’s horn flared a cobalt blue as the Dreamcatcher became coated in the same blue. Twilight could feel the evil energy beginning to seep out, but a golden glow forced it back within the crystal. Twilight’s own horn flared purple as she delved into the nightmare.