General
Insects rarely are magi companions, mostly because of their size but also due to their short life spans. Emerald and onyx mantises, however, are quite different. Reaching up to three feet in height, these insects live longer lives, are more intelligent, and possess powers quite unlike regular mantises. Their exteriors are hard and difficult to pierce, and their coloration allows for easy camouflage. Females of the species are the more dominant of the two. Onyx mantises are perfectly colored for the nocturnal lifestyle they prefer and usually hunt in the nighttimes. They are mostly black, with bellies marked in blue, and their large wings are capable of sustaining them in flight. These dark mantises are even more bad tempered than their emerald colors, hunting not only for food to sustain them, but also for enjoyment's sake.
Egg
This wrinkled black egg is extremely tough under your hands, making you wonder what sort of hatchling could possibly break its way out.
Hatchling
A shaky, gangly hatchling has forced its way out of this shell. Already the size of your hand, this mantis youngling has sharp ridges along its fore claws and small wings tucked close to its body. Upon emerging from its egg, it promptly devoured a fish you offered and fell asleep. It clearly isn't one of the more affectionate companions. Upon waking, the dark insect left the cave immediately and did not return until the sky had grown yellow with the morning light. The other hatchlings are a little unsure of this strange insect, and prefer to avoid it. The gryphons and cats in particular seem to want to attack it, but know better.
Adult
Upon reaching adulthood, the exterior of a mantis hatchling hardens almost completely. The insect also leaves the side of its magi to join the others of its kind, just outside Sylva forest. Unsociable even amongst themselves, intruders to their homes are not tolerated and meet quick ends. When a magi has need of their mantis companion, they summon the insect from far away. These mantises are known to be wonderful spies and assassins, often used by dark magi. An onyx mantis can all but disappear in the dark, and any wayward traveler will swiftly meet their end at a mantis's claws. Unlike emerald mantises, onyx mantises are nocturnal, hiding away to sleep in the day. Unlike their green brethren, that makes them useful in most terrains.
Notes
Obtained from: Donation (Jul)
Breeding: Yes
Renaming cost: 2000 gold
Release date: July 1st 2010
Element: Neutral 
Breeds with the following:
Onyx Mantis + Onyx Mantis = Onyx Mantis (Guaranteed) Cost: 3 shards
Emerald Mantis + Onyx Mantis = Emerald Mantis (Guaranteed) Cost: 3 shards
Emerald Mantis + Onyx Mantis = Onyx Mantis (Guaranteed) Cost: 3 shards
July 2010 5-shard Donation Pet
Sprite art: GlassWalker | Description: Damien