Twilight took another petite sip of her tea. "So I was hoping you might know something about magic vampires, Zecora. Unfortunately, the Royal Canterlot Library didn't have any mentions of them." Twilight sighed. "Even after I used a time travel spell to retrieve a bunch of important ancient texts all those years ago, it seems like there's still so many limits to pony knowledge."
Zecora took a sip of her own tea. "My homeland does have a few stories on the subject, though their accuracy is not perfect."
"All myths have some truth. I'm sure whatever you could tell me would help."
Zecora put a hoof to her chin. "There is a tale of a zebra mare, known far and wide as kind and fair. One day she went to gather fruit alone, in a forest where dark things had once grown. In the forest she got lost, and across a clear spring she happened to cross. To cure her fatigue she decided to bathe, and in this, the spring did aid." Zecora leaned in. "But as she bathed she fell asleep, and as she slept, her magic and soul began to seep. All her powers eventually leaked free. Some say it was absorbed by plant and tree."
"And what happened to her?"
Zecora turned to stare at a shelf. "She eventually found her way back, but of magic and energy, she had a lack. Her husband offered to lend her some of his own. She refused, but he convinced her to take this loan. Magic regenerates, as you know, and for a time it was easy to let go. Neither had their full supply, but they managed to get by."
Zecora turned back. "After a time, that was not enough for her. She sought another zebra to magic transfer. For one as pretty as she, there were many volunteers to agree. She had all the strength she needed and more, and every donor she did adore."
"So what happened to her?"
"Eventually, she had the entire village in her snare. After that, I do not know--the story ends there."
Twilight put down her cup. "Thank you, Zecora," she said humbly. "I had best go. I have a lot more research to do on magic vampires."