//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Swirling Magic // by treegrowth //------------------------------// Landing upon the ground, Twilight surveyed the line of trees as she, Rainbow, and Spike waited for the rest of their friends to reach them.Twilight didn’t even feel all that tired despite the lack of experience with her wings. She doubted that they would have to wait long for the others. White-tail Woods was not far from Ponyville—only half a mile or so. Oakwood trees and various bushes blanketed most of the landscape before her save for the traveled dirt path that cut through the forest. The paved road of pebble and soil flowed past the great collection of trees like a river. The only signs of life being cart ruts and holes carved out by pony hooves with the odd patch of grass trying to reclaim the land for the forest. “Well, at least it is not the Everfree this time,” at the voice rising behind her Twilight turned looking behind her to see a slightly winded Rarity walk to her side with Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie in tow. “Celestia knows how many times we have entered that dreadful place,” the unicorn complained, shivering over the memories of the dark woods. Twilight couldn’t help but agree with the prim mare, Twilight may have not traveled to White-tail Woods very often but she could tell the vast difference the two. Unlike the wildwood of Everfree, sunlight flew through the branches, creating pillars of light throughout the forest. The breeze drifted lazily through the colored leaves, creating a song of welcome—a calm and kind contrast to the Everfree’s dead silence. Twilight could even see several chattering squirrels racing one another though the branches as easily as the wind. While the Everfree promises fear and strife, the White-tail Woods promised a relaxing stroll through the painted forest. “So, what’s the plan?” Rainbow asked eagerly, dropping into the middle of the group. “Give me a moment.” Twilight answered, she closed her eyes, cutting herself off from all distractions and focused her senses on the strange numbness. It was most certainly here, the magic felt stronger. All that remained was to follow it to its source and… It was gone. Alarmed, Twilight frantically looked around trying to find the source again, but she could no longer feel numbing tug on her horn. “No, no, no…” Twilight muttered in a frenzy as she searched the curtain of trees. It couldn’t be gone, not when she was so close! She felt a hoof on her shoulder, “Settle down there, Sugar-cube.” Applejack cautioned, “Just breathe in, and tell us what’s wrong.” Twilight following her friend’s advice, breathed in like Cadance had taught her and brought her hoof to her heart. As she felt it battering away at her chest, trying to escape, did she then realize her unwanted panic. She needed a clear head in this situation, panicking would only leave her unfocused. Exhaling, she brought her shaking hoof outward, feeling the anxiety leaving her. She repeated the action twice more until she no longer felt the dismay and could think clearly again. “Thank you, Applejack.” Twilight said, giving a grateful smile to Applejack, who nodded in return. She looked at her awaiting friends. “Okay,” she began, “I lost track of the magic, I can’t feel it anymore.” “So, now what’s the plan Twi?” Rainbow asked again, concerned. Twilight thought for a moment. They obviously couldn’t go together, without the magic they likely wouldn’t be able to find the source for weeks. So they would need to split up, but that would leave them more vulnerable to whatever it was in the forest. They would also have to be close enough to contact one another quickly, but how to divide the group? “Rarity, you know a flare spell right?” Twilight asked. “Well of course darling.” Rarity replied confidently, giving an air of mock arrogance. “Magic may not me my forte, but I am quite certain I could cast such a simple spell.” Nodding, Twilight looked back to her rest of her friends, “Alright so here’s the plan. Rainbow, and Pinkie will go with Rarity. Meanwhile, Fluttershy and Applejack will follow me. We’ll split up and search the forest to find the source. Rar-” “Oh, Oh, Oh!,” Pinkie chimed in with a hoof in the air, as if a foal in kindergarten. “Yes, Pinkie?” Twilight answered cautiously, preparing herself for whatever was to come. “How about we give it a name, like ‘The Source of the Mystery,” Pinkie said in a deep voice and playful, ominous tone; waving her hooves like the claws of the least intimidating predator to ever wander Equestria. “Now’s not really the time Pinkie.” Twilight smiled despite herself, this was Pinkie Pie and she wouldn’t stop simply due to a ‘no’. That was part of her charm. “Okay, I’ll think of something better, like…” “Um, excuse me?” Came Fluttershy’s quiet voice, surprisingly able to silence the Living Pink Radio. The unexpected silence seemed to surprise her, giving Fluttershy pause before she spoke again. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but, are you’re sure we have split up?” “Yes,” Twilight replied confidently, “Since I can’t feel the magic anymore we’ll have to search the forest.” Twilight then placed her hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder to help reassure her. “But I know what you mean, that is why I assigned our groups as they are.” “Ah, now I see.” Rarity nodded with new understanding, “You and I shall launch a flare should we find anything unusual or if we meet anything untoward, yes?” “Exactly,” Twilight confirmed, “Meanwhile, Rainbow and Fluttershy will fly above the trees and trade places every thirty minutes or so, that way we can keep eachother updated.” “Can do.” Rainbow enthusiastically exclaimed. “Okay,” murmured Fluttershy quietly, looking a little more sure of herself. Looking at Spike, Twilight gave the little dragon a sympathetic smile, “Spike.” He saluted his baby claw to his forehead, attempting to give a face worthy of the Royal Guard, “At your service.” Twilight giggled at the little dragon’s antics, he always seemed cuter when he was trying to be serious, “I need you to get back to the castle and send a scroll to the Princess.” “Alright, Twi.” Spike nodded, turning to the group, “All of you be careful. I’ll see you back at the castle.” Twilight nodded,watching the little dragon running off back to Ponyville. She then turned back to her friends, “So we’re all good with the plan?” A chorus of assent from the group greeted her. “Alright then, good luck everypony” Twilight wished as she and her group trekked off to the forest’s right, while Rarity’s group traveled to the left. Twilight heard air being forced down by beating wings and rustled leaves from above. Looking up she could see Rainbow Dash coming though the green. “Hey there Twi.” she greeted. “Hey Rainbow.” Twilight returned, “How are things with Rarity?” “Eh,” Rainbow shrugged, “you know her, always fussing over her mane. But so far, nothing.” “That’s good.” Twilight accepted this information with comfort, though they hadn’t found anything yet, she had long since learned that sometimes no news is good news. “Well, we better get back to it then.” Applejack said as she marched on ahead. Twilight nodded in agreement, gesturing Rainbow to follow, the three ponies continued their search through the woods. The grass and leaves crackled beneath their hooves with every step. She swept her vision as much as she could, blinking only when she felt them beginning to smart. The search began to take on a familiar pattern. They would travel the trail for a time, searching high in the trees and low in the grass. Every so often, Rainbow and Fluttershy would trade places, always returning with the same news: nothing. Still they ventured past countless trees and innumerable wild plants. As they walked Twilight gazed hopefully above, looking to spot Rarity’s flare flying in the air. She saw birds of a variety of colors fly through the branches above, singing and dancing. Celestia’s sun poured its light through the gaps between the leaves, creating natural curtains that, when paired with the wildwoods, created a beauty that Rarity could only wish to replicate. Though, it wouldn’t stop her from trying. Twilight couldn’t help but smile as she imagined Rarity staring down the plant made alicorn that was Mother Nature, declaring ‘It is on!’ with her usual conviction. The unicorn would never take ‘no’ for an answer when it involved with her art. Twilight shook herself, this wasn’t a good time to get distracted. She still could not find a trace of the sensation, and her group hadn’t found anything noteworthy. No magic that she could sense, no ancient artifacts, not even a new villain trying to takeover or destroy Equestria. Frustration began bubbling to the surface, anything would be better than nothing! Once more, she breathed in as per Cadence’s lesson. When she exhaled, she opened her eyes to a sight that she doubted she would forget for a long time. Ahead of the group was a large cliff face that reached just above the treetops, and from above came a stream of falling water. The droplets shined like soft orange jewels, reflecting the light of the setting sun. Below; the falling, liquid gems plummeted into a pool of equal beauty, its surface mirrored the outside world perfectly and gleamed under the orange sunlight. The falling jewels slammed into the pond continuously, creating a sound not too different from thunder, yet it was more like a calm, quiet purr rather than the roar of a storm. “Wow.” was all Twilight could say about the astounding beauty on display. Now Mother Nature was smirking at the fashionista, smugly challenging her to do better. “It’s beautiful.” offered Fluttershy, with wide eyes. “It sure is.” Applejack nodded in agreement, doffing her hat, “But ah doubt that this is what we’re looking for.” Twilight sighed, “No, it isn’t. And I still can’t get a read on the source.” “And it’s gettin’ dark out.” Applejack added, gazing up at the fading rays of sunshine “I’m mighty sorry Twi, but we need to be gettin’ back.” Twilight sighed again. Applejack was right, they couldn’t search an entire forest during the night, they wouldn’t be able to see anything in the dark, risked injury or getting lost. Not to mention all of them had important duties. Maybe she could work out a plan where they could search again during some free time. But, for now, it would be best to call it a day. “Alright AJ.” She said, before turning to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy I need you to find Rarity and-” “Hello?” The sudden shout gave them pause. It didn’t sound too far out and it had been a distinctly pony-like call. “Hey, I’m a little lost. Mind helping a poor guy out?” “Fluttershy,” Twilight whispered, “Go get the others.” The meek pegasus nodded and took to the air as fast as her wings could take her. Relieved that her friends would soon be able to support her, she turned back to the woods. “Hello there,” Twilight called back, “I’m Twilight Sparkle.” “Twilight Sparkle?” puzzled the voice, who chuckled, “Who names their kids Twi-” The bushes rustled harshly as they revealed the speaker. The first thing Twilight learned was that he was not, in fact, a pony. Instead he stood on two legs, with soft claw-like appendages at the end of his arms. He was dressed in a light blue coat, perhaps a robe Twilight couldn’t be sure. The coat was well worn and even had gashes in the fabric, telling of an arduous ordeal that the owner had gone through. And his side sported a bag, hanging from a strap across his shoulder. The only natural fur Twilight could see, however, was a black mane that sat atop his head. The rest of his face was pure skin, and Twilight believed that the rest of his body was similar. His brows were raised high, while his jaw had dropped low. His eyes were a simple, brown color that shined with amazement and curiosity. Twilight recognized it as the same face she was showing at this moment. For a brief moment, the woods were still and all was silent. Only the rustling of the leaves and  the crash of the waterfall were to be heard. This silence then ended abruptly with the stranger’s laughter, that grew to a point where Twilight questioned his grasp of reality. “A unicorn!” he shouted into the sky, fueled with child-like excitement that rivaled the exuberance of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Before Twilight could react, the two legged creature bounded well within her personal space. “To think I’d live to see a Unicorn, and a talking one at that!” he exclaimed, grabbing Twilight’s head and forcefully pulling her downward. She then felt his hand tugging on her mane. “Does your mane normally grow like that? It’s an odd pattern.” He turned her head slightly, touching her neck to her shoulder, oblivious to Twilight’s growing discomfort “And purple? That normal for you?” His attention shifted from her coat to further along her side, “A star? That can’t be natural, wait-” He yanked her head back to face him, “You get tattoos? No wait, that’s stupid, it’s dyes and highlights isn’t it?” Twilight tried to draw back from him but he maintained a tight grip, his eyes fixing to her forehead. “Oh, I wonder can you actually cast a spell?” His arm stretched up toward her horn. “Interesting...” Twilight felt his fingers graze her horn, her coiled mountain of discomfort sprang into a panic. “Get off, Get off, GET OFF!” with that final cry, she teleported herself out of his grip, and then poured kinetic force into her horn and launched it at him. He only had time to give a quick gasp of surprise before he flew across the pond. He crashed through the waterfall with a splash before he fell into the water. Once Twilight’s adrenalen gave out, she looked back at the water Twilight and Applejack stared across the pond, Twilight worried that she had added too much power to the attack. Had she injured him? The mere idea froze her heart. She hadn’t meant to hurt him, just get him away from her. The two-legged creature staggered out of the pond on one knee, breathing heavily. Twilight immediately felt relief, she didn’t seem to have harmed him. He sucked in a deep breath and then he reached into the air with one of his hands. From it bloomed a navy blue dome of pure magic. “Alright, alright.” He said, gesturing slowly, “I’m sorry for touching you.” Though Twilight didn’t listen much to his apology, instead focusing on his shield. However her gaze was not drawn to the shield itself. It was the way he casted the spell that fascinated her. The spell itself was structured the way any unicorn would, however Twilight could not sense a internal well from which he drew and focused like she would from another pony. Instead he seemed to be drawing the energy to maintain his spell from the air. But that was impossible! It was against the very fundamentals of spellcasting. Every unicorn learned to draw from their own innate magical potential and project it outwards. It was the reason why Celestia and Luna were the only ones who could move the Sun and Moon. And if anypony could pull magic from the air then why didn’t earth ponies and pegasi cast spells? “Well ya should be sorry!” Applejack yelled, interrupting Twilight’s musings. “What sort of varmint just jumps on ponies and marehandle’s them?” “I understand that your upset,” the blue robed creature gestured placatingly, trying to calm them. “But understand that what I found would make me the most famous mage of the multiverse!” “And why, in Celestia's name, does that let ya be such a low-bearin’, dirt-eatin’, son-of-a-donkey!” “Applejack!” Twilight interjected, appalled by her friend’s language. Applejack blinked as she caught herself. She turned to Twilight with red cheeks , “Sorry Twilight, got myself all fest up.” “Oh don’t worry,” The creature chuckled, lowering his hand and allowing the shield  to fade. “I’ve been called called far less appealing things in my travels.” He added as he stood back on his legs, but made no move towards the shore. “That still doesn’t tells us who you are, or why you were touching me.” Twilight inquired. He raised his hands defensively, “Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself. I mean, do you have any idea just how rare you unicorns are!” “What?” Twilight was now puzzled, unicorns, rare? What nonsense was he talking about? “Well yeah!” He laughed excitedly, “Let’s start of with that you’re a unicorn, that is rare in it of itself, that you are capable of speech, three times as rare, though with your cowgirl friend there I’m guessing that is common in this world. And…” before he finished his list, he stopped and stared at Twilight, seemingly dumbfounded. “Are those… wings?” Now Twilight was perplexed, he was going on about this nonsense about unicorns being rare, and only now does he notice her wings? What was going on inside his head right now? “Umm… yes?” she answers. “A winged, talking, purple UNICORN!!!” he cheered. He jogged in place like a foal getting a cutie mark, water being kicked into the air in all directions. “I can’t believe it!” He continued, “Nothing like this has ever been documented in anything ever!” Immediately he ended his childish dance and reached into the bag that hung from his shoulder. From it came a fairly sized brown book with what looked like gold trimmings, amazingly dry. Twilight noticed it bore no title, instead there was a symbol  made of five interlocking kite-shapes that created a star, each tip pointed into a colored circle. However she couldn’t memorise it as he opened the book and started turning through its pages. His page turning ceased, with a quiet ‘aha’ he walked closer to the edge of the water. He stopped about halfway when he revealed the pages to Twilight, “Can I take your card?” he asked excitedly. Twilight looked at the pages quizzically, but couldn’t see anything. Why would he show her a blank page? Wait… it wasn’t completely blank. In both pages of the opened book had faded circles within them, hard to see but they were there, and they appeared to be runes of some sort. But for what purpose? “Whoa there Sugar-cube.” Applejack cautioned. “Let's wait for the others to come by before we agree to anything.” Twilight didn’t hesitate to agree with her friend; they didn’t know who he was, what he wanted, or even what he was. All she knew was that he was a male two-legged being that wore torn blue clothing, possessed unknown magical abilities, and was very excitable. Still, knowledge was built on the foundation of curiosity, and her curiosity was pulling her strongly towards that book. What did he knew that she didn’t? The question alone brought her heart to quake in anticipation. “Others?” he asked, excitement still evident in his tone. “Yes,” Twilight answered, “We already sent Fluttershy ahead to let everypony know about you, they should be here pretty soon.” He hummed to himself as he gazed at her, “You said your name is Twilight Sparkle, right?” “Oh right, yes.” Twilight, feeling a little embarrassed for forgetting introductions, pointed a hoof to the farmpony at her side. “And this is my friend Applejack.” “Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Applejack eh?” He chuckled, shaking his head, “Still weird names.” Applejack raised a brow, “Oh really,” She challenged, “And what would yer name be?” He smiled, no smirked more like, as though he was more than what he seemed, “You can call me Taylor Chase.”