(Everfree forest, Tal’I’nek, nine hundred ninety second celestial year, thirty fifth day of fall)

The wooden planks creaked as she walked upon them, their forms bending ever so slightly as her hooves touched upon them, her lavender coat minorly stained from the wilderness paths she had traveled her worn and stained saddlebags brimming with alchemical ingredients gathered along her travails. She sighed as she looked upon the familiar scales and gear, she smiled somewhat as one of the scaled beings walked forward to greet her as she walked down the pier. As she reached the midway point the creature held out its scaled palm at the same time the lavender filly reached out her hoof and they met calmly.

The scaled creature began “Dia duit mo óg chapaillíní chara. Conas atá tú?” It spoke softly to the lavender filly before it, while softly gazing into her indigo eyes.

“Tá mé go maith. Cé go bhfuil do ainm eludes dom, An bhfuil tú go maith?” the lavender filly returned softly. the green scaled creature nodded understanding and continued.

“Is féidir liom go maith, Is é mo ainm Silvina, tá tú ag Glimmering Phléasc glacadh mé?” The lizard like creature answered.

The Glimmering Wisp popped her neck muscles with a long liquid stretch then sat back down with a contented sigh.“May we speak in equus Silvina, linguid is somewhat difficult to pronounce sorry.” She muttered sheepishly. Silvina nodded agreement to the lavender filly’s request. “Thank you. umm do you know where I can find the Zaurask seer of Tal’i’nack?” The filly queried.

Silvina turned and pointed with her soft green scaled arm towards A long structure at the end of the third branch off the pier.“ You will find Elder Shiazu within. If I may ask, why do you seek the Elder, young child?”

“I seek his teachings i wish to learn how to fully use my ‘staff’, I also wish to seek his wisdom in guiding me towards inner peace, and where i should continue with my life once I complete my studies under the masters.” Glimmering wisp spoke sagely to Silvina.

The young juvenile nodded. “He will be pleased to meet you, however be warned that what advice he does give should be taken as deeply as you would trust you mentor.” the unicorn shook her head gravely.

The lavender filly’s eyes shot open in realization “I almost forgot the chiral roots have regenerated, monitor Azon wanted me to get that bit of information to you.” she swiftly interrupted Silvina before she could continue. “Sorry.” She quickly apologized for the action.

“Understandable, thank you for the information the item in question is one of the main ingredients for some of our stews” She smiled lightly in amusement at the flustered unicorn.“Until we meet again, dul ar aghaidh I síocháin.”

“Dul ar aghaidh I síocháin.” The lavender filly reciprocated with a nod. They then parted ways the unicorn heading down the pier into the village the juvenile cow towards the untamed woods beyond. ‘Wow Twilight you actually made it by yourself this time I wonder what the elder can teach me.’ Twilight thought to herself as she meandered down the moss stained, waterlogged pier taking a left at the third junction. She paused to gaze upon the large building at the end of the junction the arched shaped portal opening into a warmly lit yellow room. she continued forward and looked around as she entered upon the interesting devices within, however before she could study them further a voice at the back of the spacious room began.

“I’m afraid our lessons must continue at another time hatchlings it seems my esteemed guest has arrived, do remember though to practice the skills learned this eve.” immediately twelve small youthful Zaurask young sprang up and bowed to the resting elder with a chorus of “Yes Elder.” before they rushed out of the room with youthful energy. Twilight cracked a smile at their youthful antics before turning back to face the Elder with full concentration. “So why does A young lavender unicorn filly wish to grace my humble village with her presence, let alone myself?”

Twilight cleared her throat quickly and began vocalizing her question as a miasma of elemental energy began flowing off her back with a simple thought. ”I was wondering if you could teach me a bit more on what this is and how I could use it better, I figured out during my journey here how to give it basic commands but i was wondering if you could teach me how to actually control it?” She spoke sheepishly, ears folded back as the miasma lazily coalesced into an orb slowly revolving around the lavender filly.

The shaman smiled softly chuckling a little at the filly’s mild consternation. “Ah I knew the striped one was teaching you well but to have actually created the ‘staff’ is a feat few who have used magic can accomplish.” Noticing the unicorns surprised look the elder continued. “Only this one and Elder Yako have attained our own staffs it is interesting to see that yours retained multiple hues whereas ours...” He lifted his scaled hand and almost instantly, a bright green miasma converged from all four corners of the room into a central point solidifying into an emerald staff topped with a diamond crystal set within eight prongs, which he then grasped with his hand. “Were saturated by a single vivid image after their creation.”

“Erm... what are you talking about? She just gave me directions on how to make it and I did, it was all part of my magic training, It was my … final … magic … training exercise with her...” Immediately she realized what it meant when zecora said she could teach no more, she had already taught all she could with the abilities she had. “Oh... that's what she meant, alright what knowledge do you seek that seer Zecora could not teach?” Twilight lightly spoke to the Zaurask Elder.

“What has the striped alchemist revealed so far?” The mottled blue elder asked cocking his head to the side.

“As far as i know she has shown me how to cast basic magics such as fire, light, water, wind, earth, and shadow.” she demonstrated by summoning each of the orbs respectively for the elder to see. “She has taught me how to control these without the use of my horn though it’s immensely more difficult, she has also taught me alchemy and how it works.” Twilight smiled as she reminisced over the moments she shared with her mentor. “She has taught me the basics of ward making and runecrafting. The orb above us is the culmination of all the magics she’s taught me, she has helped me understand the creatures and plants in the Everfree and how best to survive in the forest. I come to you because she wanted me to learn from the masters that helped her develop her magical prowess.” The lavender filly spoke solemnly.

“That you have attained the staff, volumes it speaks of your magical prowess. Shiazu shall teach thee as the bearer Sylvack asks, however there is not much left to teach unless you wish to learn the art of the hunt.”

Twilight quickly shook her head in rejection of the idea. “I would rather not, I came to learn how to further control my abilities not to learn how to kill, so what can you teach me?” she inquired innocently.

The sapphire blue elder smiled at the naivete of the unicorns wishes but however decided to grant them. “Teach you I can of shadow and dream walking, how to wield the ‘staff’, the other teachings are of the hunt. I will also teach you the ways of the watcher.” The Elder nodded to himself, knowing the filly would be a fast learner. When the cerulean blue seer next opened his eyes he knew it was time. “let’s begin.”

Twilight nodded agreement. “Yes let’s” She spoke strongly.

Shiazu walked over to the unicorn and quickly sat on his haunches. “Sit lower yourself. Equal we are in all but knowledge and practice.” Twilight swiftly sat and looked upon the Zaurask Elder seeing his features, the aged wrinkles and deformities, yet also seeing the calm serene smile, sharp knowing eyes that have seen many years and may yet see many years more. “to learn the ancient art of shadow walking you must first understand the art of dream walking for they are of the same plain. Now calm yourself, imagine the night sky, the cooling fall breeze, the scent of the night air...”

The elders voice swiftly fell to the background as the lavender filly slowly began to fall into calm her mind swiftly constructing the scenery as her eyes closed and she let sleep take over.

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Her eyes opened as she looked upon the plain she rested upon, the moon flowers in bloom as the full moon covered the sky the stars shining brightly. She delicately sniffed one of the nearby flowers A small innocent smile forming upon her face as the soft midnight blue scent touched her nostrils. Hesitantly she stood up and looked over the massive expanse her eyes adjusting quickly to her surroundings as she looked upon the field is beautiful dark blue and white glow almost melting completely with the sky she gaped at the beauty of it all.

Unnoticed by the young filly a shadowy form rose from the field and calmly walked over to her its mottled blue features fitting in with the scenery as the creature silently walked up behind the lavender unicorn. “A beautiful place, don’t you think?” The creature whispered softly into her ear so as not to disturb her. receiving only flick and a nod in response. “This place is crafted from your thoughts and memories, the vivid imagery you have created speaks volumes of your imagination. The beauty of it all and the clarity tells of your calm and open state of mind.” Twilight realizing what was going on turned around swiftly to look into the two softly glowing reptilian eyes before her, the creature softly smiling as it looked around at the dreamscape crafted by the young filly before turning back to her. “Be not alarmed for i am here to help you learn to travel amongst the dreams of the living, the true power of dream walking is the ability to heal the mind and control ones own dreams. you could join others dreams as I have yours. You cannot control another’s dream as a mind mage would. You would only be able to influence your own actions within their dreams.” Twilight nodded taking in the new knowledge as she looked upon the now youthful countenance of the Zaurask elder the lithe features betraying years of control and skill. “Now to truly begin your lessons.”

The lavender filly sat back down calmly. “thank you.” she replied simply.

Shiazu sat down on his haunches before the filly and began. “The night is the easiest way to teach this skill because the moon provokes imagination and learning. Now look upon your dream scape and witness its beauty.” Twilight took a few seconds to familiarize herself with the field much as she had before, then turned back to her current teacher as he continued. “Now imagine that the dreamscape is a fabric something you can touch or feel, soft yet solid and malleable. Now imagine lifting a piece of that fabric from the tapestry.”

Twilight did as asked and almost immediately one of the flowers on the ground lifted before the unicorn tho her eyes were closed, the delicate petals softly swirling in the air. The lavender filly opened her eyes and gazed softly upon the glowing flower before her floating in the air without any signature aura, as before she shifted her head over to the flower and took a deep breath of its honey sweet scent. “Its beautiful... but I don’t fully understand why this is so important, I mean to be able to control your dream, how does that have any relation to walking between each others dreams?” She queried the aged creature before her, lifting her large inquisitive eyes to its own, seeking answers that only they know.

“It is important to first control your own dreams for they hold the secrets you wish to know, the door between is woven by the maker of the dream stepping through the passage between is simple for there you must think only of who you wish to visit, then another door shall open on the other side that you could pass through.” The elder paused a second to allow the information to sink in, then continued. “The return trip is simple in that all you have to do is try to break their dream and the illusion will fade, you will immediately return to your own dreamscape, however that is also the limitation of dream walking as long as you are within another's dream you cannot affect it without being returned to your own first. In essence you are free to speak and interact with the host of the dream you enter however you cannot change it as equally as it is unable to affect you.” Shiazu smiled towards the lavender filly signalling an end to his lecture, his Sapphire blue scales glowing brightly within the moonlight.

Twilight looked upon the shimmering countenance of her current instructor opened her vocal orifice and began. “So what you are saying is that through these portals of thought we can travel to those we know and speak to them in their dreams?” A nod. “Next you're saying the ability is limited to just visiting, and playing along with the dream if you wish?” another nod. “If i were to try and enter your dream now what would happen considering your not within it?” she said lifting a lavender eyebrow in query.

The elder chuckled softly understanding the question perfectly. “Then your dream fades and we find ourselves within a white or black expanse depending on our moods the reason is that my dream is inactive due my entrance to yours, it is more relaxing to speak within this dream you have constructed tho rather than the plane between dreams.” Shiazu looked upon the field with calm eyes taking the detailed beauty of the construct within Twilights mind then turned back to the fields creator and flashed a quick smile before speaking again. “If you wish to try then I would suggest you enter the striped ones dreams, however I shall return to my own and reconstruct this peace you have constructed here, when you are finished with her come and join me and i will give you some final insight into this art, after we wake I will begin your training in the art of shadow walking.”

Twilight nodded thanks as she allowed the flower twirling before her to fall to the floor as she summoned the door she walked towards it but stopped at the entrance. “I will be back soon.” with that spoken she was off, through the door, and into the plain between dreams. Twilight glanced back upon the closing door that led to her deteriorating dreamscape its form breaking apart like wisps of white ash and floating away into the grey expanse surrounding her, she called upon the quick lessons she took with the elder and immediately started feeling for Zecora’s presence, calling her name as she searched almost immediately a portal appeared before her like a window, she gazed upon its surface framed in white portal energies that softly warped around the stable rift. She looked into the frame and past the surface seeing the other side, the sandy dunes glowing a soft golden yellow in the bright noonday sun she watched as a striped figure balanced at the crest of one of the dunes atop her walking staff. She inspected the portals edges realizing that it wasn’t just A window but also an opening to the dream before her, quickly she stepped over the frame and into the image. Instantly the frame disappeared and she fell into the dream. “Eep... Oof!” she called as she fell through landing on the scorching, sun bathed sands.

The zebra cocked open an eye barely even disturbed from her meditation she continued balancing upon her pole while she addressed her new visitor. “Ah Twilight walking through dreams, Shiazu has taught thee.” the zebra let out a small smile as her journeyer picked herself back up off the sands, onto her hooves.

“Yes, its actually a lot simpler than I realized the only problem with it was that I have to be dreaming lucidly.” Twilight scrunched her eyebrows together carefully thinking about her next words before continuing. “However I think the solution to that problem is going into a sort of meditative trance or simply practice. Well what do you think, am i correct?” Twilight turned to her mentor who was still balancing in the air.

“you are correct I must confess. Sometimes I find it difficult still to open the mind.” Zecora then swiftly dropped down from her staff holding it in place so she could balance on her hind legs, she then looked to her pupil and gave a bright disarming grin.

Twilight smiled in kind and allowed herself a bit of respite before continuing, “Ok Zecora I plan on contacting you through this method once per town to tell you how far my progress is and how long till I think I’ll be returning. At the current rate i think it’ll be less than a month depending on interruptions and difficulties. Nzuri na mshauri.”

“Nzuri na Glimmer” Zecora bid goodbye in turn.

Twilight turned with ease in spite the sweltering heat daring not to turn back to face the zebra knowing the cultural offense that would give, so she continued across a few dunes till she arrived at an appropriate distance from her mentor and began weaving the threads of the dream into a door as instructed earlier, and walked through the shining portal. she summoned the proper memories of the teacher she is currently underneath and immediately a portal similar to the one to Zecora’s dreams appears before her, she notices the other side is almost a complete replica of the field she had created upon entering her dreams. Twilight then looked inside the portal and noticed the small differences and changes the moon flowers didn’t glow as bright and neither was the night sky as lively as the one within hers.

Knowing what to do she gently leaped through the portal hooves first, passing through the veil into the moonlit meadow feeling only a tingling sensation in the back of her thoughts as she landed upon the soft grass beneath bed of floral moon tinted beauty with nary a stumble. She smiled at her success her physical prowess having been achieved over the months of training with her mentor tests of balance, stamina, and physical strength were among her favorites. Her smile grew and she turned around as her ear twitched in recognition of the soft padding behind her, and looked right into Elder Shiazu’s soft green slitted eyes. “This is amazing, what more is there for you to teach me of dream walking?”

The sapphire scaled creature before her gave a small chuckle, impressed at the ponies eagerness to learn having seen many of the young hatchlings take months before they form their first lucid dream from meditation, yet this pony has not only formed her first one on her first try but has also been able to travel between dreams on her first attempt. ‘Either this filly is the most talented unicorn in Equestria or the bearer is not saying everything, either way doesn’t matter the student can learn at any pace set.’ Shiazu chuckles again as his thoughts about the lavender filly before him scatter and realign like water over the rocks. “Dream walking is speaking, it allows for communication without being in the waking world or needing magic for all creatures at some point or another enter the dream realm to rest their waking minds. the last thing i can teach you for dream walking is how to efficiently arrive and leave the lucid dreams so that you may visit others. are you ready?” The elder asked knowing the answer before the filly even spoke the words.

Twilight nodded affirmative moving to sniff one of the moon flowers before turning back to the elder and letting loose a beaming, innocent, youthful smile. “I’m ready, As Zecora learned I don’t need many breaks, so let’s begin.”

The elder smiled having his prediction answered correctly.“There are multiple ways to enter a lucid dream the one complete requirement is a clear mind, the others vary one method is the one that originally brought you here. Lucid dreams through meditation, the next is gradual lucid dream where you go to sleep and gradually free yourself into the lucid dream, then the final method is to sleep and have another join your dreams helping them become lucid.” The elder nodded sagely noting that the filly was paying distinct attention throughout his lecture from the beginning. “the only thing left to do about that part from now is practice and enhance your abilities. Let us head back to the waking world where this one can better Teach the art and methodology behind shadow walking.”

Twilight nodded agreement turned her head and bit herself on the foreleg. Her eyes slowly opened and closed as her mind awoke from her trance induced sleep. She opened her eyes finally and stared into the bright green eyes of her current teacher. “So what now?” The young filly queried.

“Now sit and rest look into the shadows feel the breeze, watch them as they move in the light.” He watched as the filly slowly looked over the room noticing the shadows cast by the objects nearby, she watched with a determination uncharacteristic of one so young. The elder smiled knowing this would be a memorable lesson even if it would be a swift one. “Now you see the shadows moving in opposition to the light yes?” A nod. “Watch what this one does.” Slowly the elder steps forward into the grasp of a shadow away from the nearest lamp then slowly calmed himself looking deep into the inky blackness then simply disappeared as if he didn’t exist.

However Twilight knew better, having sensed the strange magical energies thrumming forth as the sapphire lizard stepped into the shadow and as he melted away she felt a ping of the same energy signature as he reentered the room from her right. she turned and faced him just as he finished re-entering and asked the first thing on her thoughts. “What power is that it didn’t feel like any ability I’ve ever seen before.” She choked out in astonishment.

“That young filly was shadow walking there are three essential forms shadow can take. The first is the kind you see everywhere day or night, the second is a physical manifestation of the shadows within, and the third is metaphysical they are dealt through connection by shadow.” The elder demonstrated first pointing to the shadows around him, then rapidly lifting his arm in an arc summoning a trail of darkness in the form of a blade, then finally stepping back into the shadow he came out of and dissipating on the edge of it appearing on Twilights right. “the methods, abilities and applications for the shadows are many.” The sapphire Zaurask sat down, then stared into deep Twilight’s eyes, then smiled. “you know two manifestations already and how to contact them, however in order to fully utilize them you must use your imagination. Now in order to metaphysically affect the shadows you must first understand how to contact them, you already know how to dream walk, contacting the shadows is similar. Now enter the shadow beneath the wooden post.” Twilight acted by stepping into the shadows with the elder her eyes beaming with intuitive curiosity. “Now feel the shadows try to grasp them, push and pull them like the wind.” He paused as the unicorn’s eyes sharpened, falling half lidded in concentration her horn beginning to glow a faint magenta, the light melting somewhat with the shadows rather than banishing them as such light normally would. “you have connected with the shadows I see.”

Twilight nodded her lavender features slowly loosening as her grasp upon the shadows was realized, she felt them, the dark energies banished by light but ever connected. To say feeling was weird is like saying the sun is cold, it was as if she had stepped into a puddle of water yet it was dry and warm. However it rippled over her fur like a fluid, back and forth rippling slowly as it caressed her flesh invitingly, silently rising and falling on an invisible current up and down her legs, she smiled the shadows comfortingly gathering around her. “Amazing.” Was all she could state as she rested in the shadows calming presence.

The elder continued smiling as he watched the mare melt into the shadows like A master. “You truly learn fast young unicorn, you have even mastered entering shadow without further prompting, you should know how to exit the shadows comforting embrace.” He hinted softly testing again the filly’s thirst for knowledge. He was not disappointed as the Twilight’s lavender coat melted out of the darkness like wisps of ash.

“Amazing I didn’t think shadows could be like that, but i’m assuming there’s more to it. isn’t there.” She queried quietly in hopeful anticipation.

Shiazu watched the lavender filly from the corner of his eye. “Yes there is more to learn however i will only teach you how to melt through the shadows between destinations however other parts will be learned through imagination and ingenuity.” He stepped forward into the shadows melting into them like before then walking out of the shadows behind Twilight stopping right next to her patting her back softly before continuing. “To shadow walk is to enter the world of shadows and leave again, how you leave is always the same, however where you leave is based upon your desire and perception of the world around you. Similar to the dream void if you will, The place between dreams taking us between minds, here we travel between areas. Similar to the dream void you must watch the shadows, walk through them envision your destination and walk. now test what i have told.” Twilight nodded understanding that she wouldn’t know until she tested the theory given.

She walked into the shadows grasping them as she had before, knowing what she was looking for she disappeared almost instantaneously, melting into the dark realm with ease. Twilight quickly envisioned her destination like she did in the dream realm, however unlike the dreams there was not a silvery white portal to pass through, but an image becoming clearer as she passed through the dark liquid shadows around her she smiled as she appeared behind the elder and trotted forward stopping next to him and taking a seat. “You are right it is like the dream walking... but why do shadows act that way, their warm and comforting, I thought they would be cold and dark, unfriendly and isolated?”

The elder sighed deeply as he sat, gathering his thoughts. “The reason they are warm and comforting rather than unfeeling and disconnected as you would find outside of this village, and forest is because of the influence placed upon them. Our benefactor the ‘bearer’ wields the power to influence the area. Be warned however, influence is not the same as control. he guides the forests growth and holds the beasts at bay but will not directly bind them to his will. he softens the shadows so we may travel great distances comfortably however he encourages that we should only use the power of shadow walking when deemed necessary. So we traverse the forest through the old methods only using shadow walking when given assignments or protecting our equine charges.” he sighed again knowing many of the questions the filly would ask and knew he was not the one to speak the Zaurask history.

Twilight looked up at the aged Elder noticing the glint upon his slitted pupils as he looked down upon her then sighed as well. ‘Those questions will have to wait.’ She nodded sagely to the more knowledgeable elder standing before her. “Alright you said you would train me on how to use my ‘staff’, i’m ready.“ Shiazu in answer called his staff to him its clear white crystal glowing a deep emerald green from the inside. Twilight already had hers floating above her acting on her emotions without any intelligent thought as to consequence, she glared at it as if it were the bane of her existence. She took a deep breath calming herself down her ire melting as she breathed in the calming smell of the incense burning within the brazers.

“If you wish to control the ‘staff’ then you must first think of it as an extension of your body like your magic, however unlike your magic you cannot control it on a whim but however it is a piece of you therefor vocal and mental commands are your focus for control.” He nodded as the lavender filly jolted with a new realization.

“like when I had it join with my cloak in the forest. I was upset about it floating around all the time so I sorta told it off asking ‘why it wanted to be visible all the time’, and in response it hid in my cloak.” She beamed up at the elder lifting her hoof to her muzzle in thought.

The sapphire elder chuckled and nodded “Test your theory and see what comes of it.” Shiazu gently prodded.

Twilight nodded her violet mane bobbing up and down. “Alright lets see how this goes.” She looked up at the miasma above her, the energies within it pulsing regularly like her heart, she then turned to the elder and smiled before calling out in a level voice, in her mind already forming the shape the ‘staff’ was to take. “cloak.” immediately the miasma flew down and started solidifying eventually fully coalescing into the traveling article spoken of. its color a dull brown. Twilight swiftly donned it over the one given by her mentor. “I guess we are finished with the teachings?”

“If you wish.” the elder calmly explained. “however there are four other villages with their own unique paths. three of which, you might wish to visit before you return seeking your mastery. Stay here and visit, rest here for the night before you go.” Twilight looked upon the elder knowing a few of the Zaurask customs she smiled and nodded agreement.

“Sure, i’ll stay.” Twilight agreed knowing that the Zaurask never offered something unless the offer was sincere. to reject would be similar to hitting princess Celestia in the middle of one of her speeches. “What do the other villages teach?”

Elder Shiazu smiled softly “Vah’I’lahn’s shapers can teach how to create and summon life and call the elements to your aid. Lahn’I’tal where you find tamers who teach how to befriend the forest not only respect. The healers of Ru’I’Vah teach methods and spells of healing your mentor learned from them the advanced pieces of her healing arts. Nek’I’ru teaches the ways of the hunt and battle you would learn much from their experience, however your choice it is where and what you learn.” The elder explained the other villages without inflection, careful not to sour the fillies decision with his own preferences.

Twilight Sparkle lifted her hoof to her mouth in thought, her eyes glancing from object to object then finally back to the Sapphire elder as she finished deciding. “I will start by visiting Ru’I’vah, Zecora would be pleased If I learned the advanced arts of healing first. the next village will be Vah’I’lahn their spells of summoning and elemental magics will be quite interesting to learn, and the last village will be Lahn’I’tal the forest is my friend as I have realized over the past month, however it would still be nice to befriend some of the animals here.” she nodded her decision finalized, she then asked the final question. “So where will I be staying till morning?”

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Twilight spent the night inside one of the Zaurask lodges. “Yeughhh...” Twilight yawned her eyelids fluttering as she woke up, feeling refreshed and reinvigorated the lavender filly quickly gathered her saddlebags. she looked over the room she rested in the basilisk scale bed untouched since she rested on one of the mats she made under Zecoras tutelage. The lavender mare smiled and exited the room into a small wooden foyer heading straight for the front door deciding to get a jump start on her day. ‘The couple will be pleased that I left them less work to do.’ As she stepped onto the pier from the small thatched hovel, she turned and nodded a slight bow thanking her hosts. Twilight continued her walk down the pier until she reached the end, running into the same female she met entering town. “Thank you for the directions earlier Sylvina. Did you find what you needed?” Twilight inquired curiously.

The Silvina nodded “yes, The Chiral Roots are tricky to retrieve at best however, they are useful in healing potions and arrows for our less experienced hunters. A few of our warriors fought a raging cockatrice and are petrified Did shaman Zecora teach you any potion recipes to combat that?” Sylvina asked ruefully.

Twilight's eyes opened wide. “Wait! I thought you taught her potion making?” The lavender mare said more as a statement than a question.

The gecko green female smiled. “She learned little from us, most knowledge she taught you was learned through ancient Zaphree texts. Such books can only be read by shaman and seers for they cannot use the knowledge magically. rare it is that shamans to take up apprentices, that is why we are pleased to see you..” The Zaurask gazed softly down to the unicorn.

Twilight blinked “Thank you. now as for the potion well what you’ll need is basilisk venom, wormwood, and about a bowl full of boiled water the wormwood when placed in the boiling water with the basilisk venom should lose its bark once that is done pull the wood out then pour the mixture over the stoned victim, it should work on those turned to stone naturally.” Twilight explained. they both nodded agreement that their conversation was finished, Twilight smiled and walked the rest of the way off the pier into the forest beyond.