//------------------------------// // Beginnings and Endings // Story: Slender // by Armalite //------------------------------// Dear Miss Sparkle, I'm afraid we had to send your daughter Twilight home from school today. She was having another panic attack during class. I wish I didn't have to do this, but she was scaring the other kids. As much as I loathe to say this about a child, I recommend a psychological evaluation. She has been having panic attacks more and more recently, and I'm starting to worry for her. It hurts to see her this upset, and she won't tell me anything. She just keeps repeating, “Strange pony.” Canterlot Mental Institution, File 3679857 Subject: Twilight Sparkle Date: June 14th, 1991 Patient, Twilight Sparkle, experiences symptoms of disorders such as: Insomnia, panic disorder, anxiety disorder, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, paranoid schizophrenia. Subject experiences acute feelings of fear and anxiety when alone for long periods of time. However, subject also avoids large crowds, and other ponies in general. Subject reports see a tall bipedal figure, with a black suit, long arms, and a blank face. Subject also reports hearing fillies laughter or screaming at night. Subject becomes unresponsive when asked what the tall figure is doing. Subject experiences paranoia and fear when presented with an artist's rendering of the tall man. When left alone, she says the tall man is with her. When she is in public, she says the tall man watches her. Subject says the tall figure avoids her babysitter, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. I recommend psychiatric therapy, as well as a more in depth evaluation. ~Lead Medical Doctor, Mentis Medicus PONYVILLE TIMES August 7th, 2001 LOCAL LIBRARIAN AND ELEMENT BEARER, TWILIGHT SPARKLE MISSING! Late last night, Spike the dragon, Twilight Sparkle's librarian assistant, filed a missing mare's report for Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic. Police searched her residence, and found no sign of a struggle, and no clue. None, except for a small burned note on Twilight Sparkle's desk. The rest of the desk was unharmed. The details of the note have yet to be released, but sources claim it was a goodbye letter. The whereabouts of Twilight Sparkle is still unknown, with no clues as to where she has gone. If you see Twilight Sparkle, please contact your local authorities. Sister, if you are reading this, please come home. I miss you so much. Why didn't you tell me about this before? I could have helped you. Luna, I don't know where, you are, what you're doing, what you're fighting, or if you are even coming back, but know this. I love you. Please be safe. This thing you described... It is unlike anything I have ever seen before in all my life. And if what Twilight said is true, it has been shadowing her, her entire life. Luna, I don't know how long this has been going on, but you should have told me. When you get back, I am going to lay you out. Please be careful. I've already lost you once, I can't lose you again. I've sent my finest guards, and the remaining Elements into the Everfree. Luna, if you don't come back. I love you. I have always loved you. Good luck Lu-Lu. Trottingham Observatory report #8135 September 4th, 2001 I witnessed a most spectacular display this evening. Around 3:00 AM, a large explosion of magical light erupted from, what looks like the epicenter of the Everfree forest. It was a deep purple light, almost blinding, and sent a shock wave of magical force across Trottingham, and I assume, other nearby cities. I believe it is likely this has something to do with Princess Luna's disappearance, after all, they were sending ponies to look for her there. This has been the most exciting this to happen since her disappearance, as the night sky has been almost devoid of the beautiful stars she brings. Equestrian Royal Guard after action report September 5th 2001, Everfree Forest Objective: Locate and secure Princess Luna We had been walking for a good two days. We were finding no trace however. The zebra, Zecora, said that she heard somepony outside her residence, but found nothing. We followed the trails at first, then started combing the forest off the paths. Each team was sent with an Element Bearer, all of whom were grieving, but still functional enough to operate. We were attacked relentlessly throughout our campaign. It was like the animals were trying to stop us. Rainbow Dash's team finally happened upon a large ravine, it's walls carved with strange rune like symbols. There was a large scorch mark in the middle, and Princess Luna unconscious nearby. She was banged up pretty bad, and we had no medical staff on hoof. Rainbow Dash refused to leave her side, and one of my lower guards was required to fetch the rest of the platoon. We were able to haul the princess back to the trail, and out of the Everfree where medical evacuation was on standby. Oddly enough, we were not attacked on our way out. Not once. Princess Luna was evaced, and her condition is pending. ~ First Sergeant Serrated Blade Canterlot Royal Medical Facility file 69374068 Subject: Princess Luna Date: September 7th, 2001 Princess Luna was admitted into intensive care at approximately 3:32 AM, and sported six minor lacerations across the shoulders and barrel, one major laceration diagonal from her horn to her cheek, three leg fractures, one broken leg, a concussion, exhaustion from magical overload, and is in a comatose state from which she may never recover. It has been two days since she was admitted, and there have been no changes in her mental condition. Princess Celestia has been going rampant for us to try and wake her up, but there is simply nothing we can do. Physically, she's fine, but mentally. Even if we do wake her up, there is a high chance she will be mentally unstable. Only time can tell. We've done all we can. The elder sister sat her her younger sister's bed. She'd been there all day. The royals knew better than to pester her with her duties. Her sister's chest rose and fell rhythmically, and the constant, reassuring sound of her thaumocardiogram beeping endlessly was the only sound. The elder sister had felt that magical explosion. And when she did, she'd felt relieved. Like a dark presence had been lifted. All that was left, was for the dragon assistant to return, and her younger sister to awaken. Although deep down, she knew both of those were unlikely to happen. Her sister had risked her life to keep the land safe. She'd been through so much in the past years. The elder sister leaned over and gently gave a whisper of a kiss on the younger sister's forehead. She had done it. She had defeated it. Now, she could be at peace. Now she could sleep soundly. The elder sister stood, and slowly left the room, knowing that one day, her sister would awaken to a better world for herself. When she was gone, the room was thrown into a calm order. The thaumocardiogram beeping, and her chest rising and falling. The stillness was broken by a slight movement in the closet across from the younger sister. The door creaked open slightly, and one clawed, paled hand grasped the edge. It growled lowly, then, shut the door. And cast the room to stillness once again.