Twilight Sparkle shut the last book she had read, of which also gave less information than she already knew. She then looked at the unread pile, seeing only 3 left.

"All right, what is next." she said picking the three up with her magic.

One's title read How to Kill Vampires and Marewolves, the next was The Tales of the Lycan Hunter, and the third read Lycan.

Twilight had little confidence in these last ones, but with no other options, she decided that The Tales of a Lycan Hunter was too fiction, Lycan was too blunt, and How to Kill Vampires and Marewolves was involving something she did not want to do, yet it may hold more information.

She lifted the latter mentioned towards herself, and opened into the cover. By Omnitreza, it read on the inside cover. Twilight did not recognize that name, perhaps it was a pen name.

After flipping to the contents, she read through, and decided to go to the part marked "History of Lycanthropes". In doing so, she was met with this.

Lycanthropes, whether or not you want to believe it, have been around in Equestria since pre Discordian times. Back then, there was not much recorded information, but ancient art and scrolls hint towards it, but give no information otherwise. The theory behind this is knowledge of lycanthropy was spread by word of mouth back then.

Back then, though it is uncertain, an estimated 10% of the population, give or take, were imbued with this curse. In fact, they often had their own small clans, as in some places like early Fillydelphia, lycans were hunted like witches.

Fast forward to post Discordian times, when Equestria was uniting, the young Princesses formed a less brutal plan, as found in a single document. They decided rather than brutally kill off ponies with the lycan curse, they would keep them on "reserves", to avoid alarm in the population that a lycan might start eating ponies.

This strategy was part of the plan to form Equestria into a more harmonic place. Ponies could visit these reservations, and make business deals with them and such. But every full moon Luna's Guard sealed off the reservations. This process worked, until after the fabled "Nightmare Moon" incident.

After Celestia had locked her sister in the moon, Luna's Guard dissipated, and the Royal Guard took authority of the reservations. Though, there are no more recordings of them after this, suggesting perhaps either lycans slowly died out from a plague of sorts, or Celestia felt the lycans needed to be secluded more from society to avoid panic.

Due to the lack of information present, one is only left to theorize what may have happened to the lycanthrope population. Perhaps they still reside in reservations at the ends of Equestria, or they died out from a plague. Though these are only theories, one should be capable of knowing how to deal with a lycan if the population ever returns. Even though the authorities in Canterlot say staying away from dangerous places like the Everfree and the dragon plains will keep one safe, all should still know how to protect themselves if need be.

The page ended there, and Twilight thought about the text she just read. It was rather short, but it sounded more realistic, not too mention the writer talks about a few documents that contained a little information. Although the author still seemed odd.

"OmniTreza..." said Twilight, "That name sounds... odd to say the least. Does it derive from omnipotent? Perhaps he has other books."

Twilight shrugged, and flipped to the next page, entitled "Oddities and Weaknesses".

She then bit her lip. It did not feel right to read up on a way to possibly hurt or even kill her friend. Yet still, she really wanted to know the information in this part. Twilight looked around the dark room, it was around 11:00 pm, and everything was still quiet. So Twilight looked back to the page and began reading.

Lycanthropes, otherwise known as "marewolves" by those who dislike Jargon, are not invincible. If you were to stab a pony with the curse, they would die. If you were to poison them, they would die. If you were to starve them, they would die....

Twilight looked back from the book in slight shock, it sounded rather violent. It also suggested that perhaps the author tested on somepony... Twilight shook her head, dismissing the idea that cruel tortures like that ever happened, and continued on.

Then again, when they are in wolf form, they are a lot more durable. Along with that, their strength increases about 10 times, give or take. So you would need an easy way to either neutralise or scare them off. Here is a list of substances and items that have odd effects on them.

First off, I found that Lycans, no matter if they are in pony or wolf form, greatly despise the presence of Jewelweed. It seems to give off a pheromone that irritates them, and often enough they will run away, or at least try to. But, if one were to be mauling you, I doubt this would help too much.

The next item on our list is Cannabis. A lycan will drop whatever they are doing and stuff their faces in this substance until there is none left. Something about it makes lycans, either in pony or wolf form, delve into primal instincts to get to it. But, whatever you do, do NOT try to get in their way when they have had a taste of it, you will end up dead.

Twilight stopped reading their, "Cannabis?! THAT is what caused Fluttershy to go crazy? Remind me never to invite her to one of those clubs..."

Third, and likely most important on this list, is silver. Only in wolf form will this work, but it burns a lycans flesh. This fact makes it the most useful metal to fight them with, as a Silver sword would neutralise one faster than a normal sword.

Fourth, is the "Luna's Glory" flower. This flower absorbs moonlight in a odd fashion, and creates a chemical which actually keeps lycan cursed ponies from changing. It is most effective BEFORE the full moon, but will still work when they are in wolf form. That is, if you can make them ingest it.

"So that was the flower Fluttershy mentioned..." said Twilight quietly to herself.

Fifth, is the Yellow Morel Mushroom. It is pretty much the opposite to the Luna's Glory flower, and will cause a lycan to change on the spot. Interestingly enough, if it touches their hide, that spot will change slightly, but no other spot. But if it is ingested or injected into the bloodstream, they will turn for a few hours.

Twilight thought about that, "Morel... I think that is a fungi rich ponies eat."

Sixth, and last on this list, is actually a melody...

"huh?"

If a melody or song that a lycan is familiar with is sung to them while they are in wolf form, they will often seem to regain some of their own conscious. Such as for me, the Eight Melodies work just fine.

Twilight stopped reading here to think. One, the author broke the rules and used the word 'me' in this last sentence. But, that also suggest that the one who wrote this is also a marewolf...

Twilight shook her head again, and received a hoot from Owlowicsious, suggesting for her to go to bed.

"Well, I guess that is enough for tonight..." She said closing the book.

_______________________________

Fluttershy stepped back inside from feeding the outdoor animals, and set down some empty food cans in the corner. She readily trotted into her living area and sat down for a break. She laid down on her back and sighed. Most of the days worries were still getting to her, mostly about what Luna had said about the teachings she would get.

"I don't know Angel, that seems too dangerous. I mean, what if I can't control it, and I hurt the princess!"

Angel looked at Fluttershy with a "Are you seriously going on about this again" look.

"I know, I probably should not worry too much..." said Fluttershy as she sat up again.

With a look out the window, she realized something, Pinkie Pie was about to knock on her door. Then, right on cue, she did.

Fluttershy quickly trotted up to the door, and greeted Pinkie "Oh, hi Pinkie, how are you?"

Pinkie gasped "This is not about how I'm feeling, this is about how you're feeling!"

Fluttershy took a step back, "Uh, what?"

Pinkie hopped into Fluttershy's house, and continued "I know you have been really down lately, so I wanted to give you a get well card! But then I realized I could give you a get well seminar!"

Fluttershy took a second to think through the rambling, "You want to, uh, what?"

Pinkie jumped over to Fluttershy and showed her the window, "What do you see?"

Fluttershy stared at the window blankly, "U-Uh, glass?"

Pinkie quickly responded "Not that! what do you see deep down?"

"Um, molecules...?"

Pinkie facehoofed, "No, I mean how does this make you feel?"

Fluttershy thought for a second, "Oh! you mean what do I think of first, right?"

"Yes!"

Fluttershy began to think, but her thought was interrupted by Pinkie, "You know what! This isn't working."

Fluttershy gave a sigh a relief, before Pinkie said "How about we go see the show in town instead!"

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow "What show?"

Pinkie gasped loudly, again, "You haven't heard! Some pony from Canterlot is here giving a seminar or something on the Everfree Forest!"

"Oh, I see, I guess I don't have anything to d-" started Fluttershy.

"GREAT! let's go!"

Fluttershy couldn't say anything else before Pinkie Pie shoved her out the door and nearly dragged her toward town.

--------------10 minutes later-----------------

Pinkie and Fluttershy came to a crowd at the hedge maze in Ponyville, which was rented out often for such seminars and musical performers. Fluttershy recognized being here before when Iron Will was in town.

"Uh, Pinkie..." said Fluttershy quietly.

"What?" asked Pinkie as she led Fluttershy further into the crowd.

"I-I didn't expect there to be so many ponies here..."

Pinkie giggled, "Don't worry Fluttershy, Auntie Pinkie is her so you won't get lost!"

Fluttershy began breathing heavily from the crowd, "C-Can we just go? We don't need to be up front..."

Pinkie looked at Fluttershy, "Come on! we’re already in the middle we might as well push to the front!"

"Isn't that rude..."

Pinkie cocked her head, "Oh, I never thought about that!"

"So then, why don't we just hang out at the back, where no pony will notice us..."

Pinkie looked at Fluttershy and sighed, "Fine, but I was hoping for a better view."

From the back Pinkie watched the crowd grow with excitement, while Fluttershy just watched up front, a little more comfortable now the she wasn't surrounded by ponies.

Suddenly, multiple royal guards went onto the stage, and the sound system gave its checks.

"Oh! it's starting!" said Pinkie as she smiled big.

"Okay, I guess..." said Fluttershy, not sure what to think of the royal guards being there.

Suddenly, some pony on stage spoke through the microphone "Alright ladies and gentlecolts, it is good to see such a big crowd here today for awareness, so why don't we introduce the guest of the hour! He is a professor and lawmaker at Canterlot, and he studies creatures, such as those from the Everfree. Here, is Professor Omnitreza!"

Fluttershy cocked her head, "Omnitreza? Is he from Saddle Arabia or something?"

Pinkie shrugged, and Fluttershy turned back to the stage. She could see a dark green earth pony with a black mane in front of the microphone now. He seemed sophisticated, with a suit and all. And his cutie-mark was an old lock.

The pony presumed to be Omnitreza spoke, "Hello everyo-pony..." he then mumbled something no pony could hear, "I am here to raise awareness of my studies on creatures such as cockatrices, manticores, changelings, dragons, and other creatures of which may reside in the Everfree."

Fluttershy became a little bit interested, she had always lived next to the Everfree, maybe this professor could give some more knowledge on the other creatures in it.

Omnitreza continued "I can only give a fraction of what I know on stage here due to time constraints, but much more can be found in my books, of which we are selling for 5 bits apiece at the entrance."

Pinkie hopped up, "Five bits!? that is a steal!"

Fluttershy shrugged, "I don't know, seems alright."

Omnitreza continued, "Now, first off, you all are not completely safe. Especially in this area, with you all living near the Everfree forest, there’s a chance, or certainty, that something from there will attack somepony. Even though we live in harmony with most of Nature, the creatures there are truly wild, and will take any pony for a meal. I am sure one day they will wander into civilization, if not already."

Multiple ponies in the crowd looked at each other, thinking about the parasprite incident.

Over the next half hour, Omnitreza went on about the possible dangers and disastrous events relating to the Everfree, and some common knowledge on different creatures. Through all of this, he somehow managed to keep ponies in the crowd interested, possibly because some of them were spending time trying to figure out what his jargon meant.

"And that concludes why you should hide instead of running from a Manticore..." concluded Omnitreza.

Fluttershy looked at Pinkie "I don't know, maybe if we show some more kindness to them, things will go smoother."

Omnitreza paused for a bit, and looked back to the crowd, "Now before we move on, there is one more creature that I want to talk about, although I don't know if many of you will take me seriously."

The crowd nodded for him to continue, and he said "Lycanthropes..."

The majority of the crowd mumbled in confusion, but Fluttershy stood there stone cold.

"D-D-Did he say... Lycan?" muttered Fluttershy.

Pinkie stood there blankly, "I think he did."

Omnitreza continued on his rant thing "I know when most of you think of lycans, you think of horror books or plays, but I am here to tell you they may be real. In fact, I would say that they ARE real, but I know many of you want to believe that they aren't. Lycans are dangerous, and Equestria formerly had a system of dealing with them back in my-I mean Celestia's day."
Fluttershy began wondering how much this professor actually knew about her condition.

"Ponies with the curse of the lycan aren't monsters at heart, but they are still too dangerous to stay in civilization. At any full moon, one could kill any pony. I for one am working with others in Canterlot to form a new system to find and keep these ponies with the curse safe from themselves."

The crowd was silent while Omnitreza paused, and he then said "Well, now let's move on to hearing from what all of you know."

Pinkie smiled at Fluttershy, "Maybe you should raise your hoof, you know a lot about the Everfree!"
Fluttershy backed slowly away, "I, uh, don't feel like it..."

"YOU! In the back! Yes you Pink Mane!" barked Omnitreza, startling Fluttershy.

Omnitreza cleared his throat, "Sorry, but I can tell that you know something from that look on your face."

Fluttershy stood there stone cold, as the ponies in the crowd stared at her, some wondering how Omnitreza could see her face from the stage .

"Now don't be shy, come up here and tell me."

Pinkie nudged Fluttershy, "It's alright, I will be right here!"

Fluttershy gulped, and trotted up to the stage. The ponies in the crowd moved for her, as she eventually came up to Omnitreza face to face.

From here, she could see he had some green in his mane, and his countenance was very judgmental.

"So." he started, "Where do you live?"

Fluttershy stood there silently, until she remembered she had to say something.

"I-I, uh, live at the edge of the Everfree" she mumbled.

"I am sorry, but you need to speak louder."

Fluttershy gulped, "I live next to the Everfree"

Omnitreza spoke up, "Ma’am, look at me, not the crowd, and speak louder."

Fluttershy looked at him, and something about his gaze calmed her slightly, "I live at the edge of the Everfree Forest."

Omnitreza raised an eyebrow, "So I assume you have seen some of the creatures within."

Fluttershy felt a bit more comfortable, "Um, yeah..."

"Like..."

"Um, a cockatrice... and then there was a hydra one time."

Omnitreza then asked "So do any of them scare you?"

Fluttershy quickly responded "I'm really afraid of Dragons..."

Suddenly, Omnitreza growled rather loudly, "Oh, uh, they growl like that?"

Fluttershy stood there for a second, "Um, yes, sometimes."

"Well, uh, would you mind getting off the stage. I will be meeting up with you later."

Fluttershy looked at him rather confused, "What for?"

"Certain, purposes..."

Author's Note

Sorry this took awhile, I have been busy.

I did not get much proof-reading done, but I will edit it more tomorrow.

PS: Don't do drugs, man...

(Edit): Edited by Keatslocksley.