The Vanishing of Twilight Sparkle

Entry for 3rd November

After many past ‘failings’ with regards to my encounters with ‘mythical’ creatures, and having to rely on my friends, such as the time I was turned to stone by a Cockatrice, I have decided the next step in my education regarding magic will be the area of Mythical Creatures of Equestria. This is to further develop my understanding of these creatures so that in the event I cannot rely on my friends, I will be able to take care of myself.

As I have just started my research, this entry will be rather short. Please refer to Appendix A: Creatures of the Everfree Forest, where I will start my research, since this is where I have had most problems.

Appendix A – Creatures of the Everfree Forest

Cockatrice
The Cockatrice can be easily identified as having the head of a rooster and the body of a baby dragon. What makes these creatures especially deadly is the ability to turn anything into stone with its gaze. This effect is reversible, as evidenced by me being here.

From what Fluttershy has told me, the Cockatrice had started turning her to stone, but failed. Due to willpower? Her way with animals? Worth looking into further. Otherwise, avoid it’s gaze / develop a mirror spell possibly.

Manticore
Manticores are identified as having the body of a lion, a scorpion’s tail and a pair of wings. Whether this tail secretes poison is unknown. The Manticore is quite tough and fast, being able to take a kick from Rarity and being able to hit Rainbow Dash while flying. Slowing spells, cloaking spells and running away might be the safest bet.

Tupla
Tupla are very rarely found, as they live deep within the Everfree Forest, deeper than most ponies dare to go. Records and concrete information seem to be sketchy on this creature; some say it takes the form of whatever a wayward pony is fearful of, or that its body is actually gaseous. One final myth suggests that these creatures are actually created by the imagination, and that the stronger the imagination, the more power they draw from it. Unsure how to deal with this one; too little information. Possibly worth looking in the Royal Canterlot Library.

Hydra
Hydra resembles a large four-headed dragon, although it doesn’t seem to breathe fire or have the ability to fly, a rather odorous gas cloaks is body. Possibly toxic? Again, as with the manticore, slowing spells / running seems to be the safest bet.

“Ah well, that didn’t’ seem too bad did it?” asked Applejack.

Rarity was about to reply when the bell above the door tinkled. Everypony turned around to see Fluttershy walking in. She looked a bit flustered.

“You ok?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Why yes, thank you, if a bit tired” replied Fluttershy. She trotted over to the rest of her friends and took a seat. Pinkie trotted off to get Fluttershy a cupcake and a drink.

“I’ve been up since early going around Ponyville asking did they see anything last night. No pony noticed anything, but some of the animals told me about some fog. I’m sorry I couldn’t find anything more.” Fluttershy looked down and rubbed her hooves together nervously.

“Hey, don’t sweat it. You did your best.” Rainbow Dash said, with an accompanying slap on the back, which brought a little ‘ouch’ from Fluttershy.

When Pinkie Pie got back with Fluttershys’ cupcake and drink, they filled Fluttershy in with what the first entry said. After reading it for herself, Fluttershy remembered all of those scary creatures – except the Manticore, he was just adorable – and shuddered.

“Everypony ready to move on?” asked Rarity. Everypony nodded and a faint glow turned the page to the next entry.

Entry for 5th November

Nothing much has happened since yesterday –“Must be why there’s no entry for the 4th” said Rarity – except I feel a bit more confident now I’ve read about these animals. I’ve worked on some new spells to help in case we ever meet any of these creatures again; a cloaking spell, a mirror spell for the Cockatrice, and spell that should make moving difficult.
Other than that, studies are going fine, although a bit slower than before, due to other duties, and working on spells. I’ve learnt a bit more about some other creatures that habitat the Forest (see Appendix A).

I haven’t been sleeping to well though, on another note. Keep having night terrors (see Appendix B), and these keep waking me up. Maybe this isn’t the place to write it. Maybe I should start a dream journal, keep everything nice and orderly.

Appendix A

Timberwolf

A wolf that lives in the Everfree Forest. Identified as being made out of what seems like wood. Very fast and vicious. Also incredibly territorial, the wolves will attack anything that it sees trespassing. Safest thing will be to stay out of its territory. Failing that slowing spells (I can see that spell coming in handy a lot) and teleportation.

Parasprite

More of a pestilence than dangerous. Multiplies when fed. Not much else to say on the subject, as Pinkie Pie as already shown us how we can get rid of them.

Appendix B

Unsure if these night terrors are related to my recent studying. I remember having a similar restless night when Pinkie Pie went on about Zecora and her curses.

Night Terror 1
First night terror; happened on the night of 3rd November.

Details are kind of blurry. All I can really remember is being chased by a pony with no face, with a cockatrice on its head. Cockatrice for a horn, making it a Unicorn? Not sure. Everything else is too blurry.

Night Terror 2
This night terror happened on the 4th November.

This night terror was slightly sharper. Not detail wise, but there seemed to be more…colour to it. The details are still blurry. This one involved a faceless Pegasi, just looking (?) through the window. Except the wings were those of a Manticore.

Maybe I shouldn’t study so late into the night.

The table was silent.

“Ya know, Twi did seem a bit out of it when I saw her. She seemed tired.” Rainbow Dash said.

The table fell silent again, everypony pondering what this could mean.