The chariot descended from Canterlot with clear determination, the two occupants inside looking out over the landscape as they made their way toward the small desert town on the outskirts of Equestrian territory. As this was dubbed 'royal business', the chariot was pulled by two of the Princess' royal guard, whose mastery of flight was almost unmatched. In short, there weren't more capable hooves for their journey.
It wasn't long before the chariot touched down just outside Dodge City, and Starswirl and his assistant stepped out a moment later. The chariot, highly decorated and instantly recognizable as belonging to the royal family as it was, drew some attention from the inhabitants of the dusty town. Auburn smiled nervously at the growing crowd, while Starswirl, in his familiar clothing, looked around, clearly focused on his task. "Our manner of investigation is simple," the aging unicorn stated, completely ignorant of the murmuring crowd. "We emulate the journey to Los Pegasus, and hopefully discover the missing ponies."
"Sir...are you sure that's wise?" Auburn asked quietly as he watched the crowd, unable to make out what some were saying. They seemed like a depressing lot of ponies. Their harsh way of life was etched across their features; the ponies looked upon them with sleep-deprived eyes and dirt-covered faces. Auburn, in his mix of uneasiness and confusion, felt bad for the denizens of Dodge.
"I may be old, but I am far from defenseless, my friend. Make haste!" Starswirl said loudly, galloping away toward the Everfree Forest which loomed in the distance. Auburn, caught off-guard, followed after a few moments of hesitation, trying to keep up with his mentor. The crowd did not follow, but the chatter increased, and Auburn could understand why. They had made no explanation for their presence, and he knew Starswirl didn't intend to explain any time soon.
"I've heard a lot of stories about this place..." Auburn said quietly as he approached Starswirl, who was standing at the edge of the Everfree Forest. "None of them were good."
"In quality or tone?" Starswirl questioned sincerely. Auburn gave him a stern look, shaking his head. "...Just a bit of humor," Starswirl murmured, shrugging.
"Shouldn't we ask around the town first?"
"What's the point? We know the situation and what better way to discover the cause than to go in ourselves? It is a simple matter, really."
"The hydras, dragons, and manticores would be inclined to disagree, sir."
Starswirl chuckled. "I may spend my days writing and researching, Auburn, but I am one of the most experienced magi in Equestria. A few mere beasts are of no concern to us."
"I hope you're right."
The two slowly entered the Everfree Forest. It was much more like a swamp than a forest, Auburn found, damp and dark as it was. He had only been in the forest once before, and it was a very unpleasant experience that involved a family of bears. Needless to say, he was not looking forward to this journey, even though he did not doubt the abilities of his mentor. Starswirl was undeterred, however, and Auburn couldn't help but admire the old stallion's courage. Even the hardened residents of Dodge, close as they were to the forest, rarely ever ventured inside. They were content to deal with the dangers of the badlands rather than brave the forest. And here were two Canterlot scholars, searching for danger.
Starswirl and Auburn both carried packs which contained essentials such as food and water, and, in the case of Starswirl, things of a more magical nature. The sound of birds was almost deafening as they ventured further into the forest. Quite a contrast to the barren scene in Dodge. Although it was morning, the density of the forest made it seem like dusk, and Auburn was thankful that, at least, they did not venture into it any later in the day. The thought of the forest at night was an unpleasant one indeed.
Technically the two were on one of the more well-known paths through the forest: the path to Los Pegasus, the closest settlement to this particular region. Frequently traveled as it was, it was only popular by the forest's standards, which meant it averaged a few ponies every few years or so. The path was visible, but still overgrown with vegetation. The feeling of isolation was not lost on the two ponies, but if Starswirl was affected, he surely did not let it show. As the dank, dangerous nature of the place began to eat at Auburn after what seemed like hours of wandering, Starswirl suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"W-What's the matter?" Auburn stammered, clearly shaken by their current surroundings. Starswirl's expression was of interest mixed with confusion.
"I sense something..." was all the old stallion said, but it was enough to frighten his assistant. Anything capable of magic here was dangerous to them. For all they knew, it could be a cockatrice, a beast that could turn a pony to stone with a single look. Or perhaps a dragon, as some were rumored to be capable of magics of the strongest variety.
"Calm yourself," Starswirl said suddenly, looking back at his trembling assistant with a smile. "I am certain we are not dealing with any beast here."
Auburn was only slightly consoled by this fact. Normally, dealing with a fellow pony was better than dealing with one of the many creatures living in the forest. But one had to ask, what sort of pony lives out in the depths of such a place?
"Rather than continue on blindly, I would rather know what we are dealing with. Give me a moment," Starswirl explained, searching the edges of the path for something. Finding what he was looking for, which appeared to be a rock, the old unicorn's horn began to glow, lifting the rock, which was about the size of his hoof, over their heads. In a small flash, the rock appeared to be covered in a translucent web of blue energy, with a large eye, made of the same material, at one end. Streaking up toward the canopy like a comet, the rock disappeared from sight beyond the treetops. Auburn looked to Starswirl for answers, and found him in a state of meditation, his eyes closed.
"There is a structure," Starswirl said after a few silent moments, his eyes still closed. "A tower, due west from here."
"But sir, hundreds of ponies have traveled this path over the years...none of them ever said anything about a tower, or any structures for that matter, for miles."
Starswirl nodded, the glow surrounding his horn disappeared, as the rock plummeted from above a few feet away from them, creating a small crater as it landed. "I'm not sure what to make of it either, Auburn. But something tells me we should proceed carefully."
Auburn could see why the recent travelers could not see the tower before they were upon it. If it weren't for Starswirl's earlier observation, he wouldn't have seen it either. The density of the forest made sure of that. But surely, something so close to the path would have been seen over the years? Auburn could feel, without any magical abilities, that something was off about the place. Even Starswirl's determined demeanor had become interest mixed with caution.
"How do you wish to proceed?" Auburn asked, unsure whether he wanted to investigate further or not.
"We find out who lives here," Starswirl responded simply. Auburn was about to question how his mentor knew anypony lived there, then remembered his earlier feeling. After a moment, Auburn nodded.
The two made their way off the path and to the structure itself. It had no visible entrance from their current perspective, nor did it have any windows. It was harsh stone, unlike the mostly wooden structures of Dodge City. It seemed extremely old, despite not being seen any of the years prior. Vines snaked up the sides, while the base was overgrown with foliage. Starswirl made an inquisitive "hmm" and continued toward the other side, while Auburn continued to ponder the possibility such a large structure could be hidden for so long.
"Auburn, there's a door here."
The statement snapped the young colt to his senses, hurrying over to where his mentor stood. Sure enough, a simple wooden door was before them, though it lacked any sort of knocker. Clearly, whoever designed it did not expect visitors.
Starswirl pounded on the door with a hoof, undeterred by the impossibility of the situation, or the uneasiness that surrounded them. Both of their eyes widened a bit, both feeling a change in their surroundings.
"Get back, Auburn," Starswirl said suddenly, his expression changing to extreme focus.
"What-" Auburn began, when he was suddenly lifted from the ground and tossed away like a ragdoll, Starswirl's horn glowing in response. Suddenly, the door swung open, and a bubble of energy appeared around Starswirl, blocking the doorway. A crackling sound emitted from the space between Starswirl and whatever was inside, and it was clear the old stallion was struggling.
"I am no defenseless traveler. I will not be bested by such vulgar magicks," Starswirl snarled, pushing whatever was in front of him back further into the structure.
"Ah, there is fight in this one!" another voice, one filled with spite, responded, as a bright flash of light engulfed the two, forcing the fallen Auburn to shield his eyes with a hoof. When the light subsided, the bubble was gone, and the colt could see Starswirl standing almost nose-to-nose with another unicorn.
"This is what has become of those pony folk?" Starswirl questioned, his voice strained, and Auburn knew the two were still struggling, but in a way he could not see.
"It is important I am not interrupted," the other unicorn growled. "They would have the Princess herself breathing down my neck if I had not interfered!"
Like the structure, Auburn felt something was off about the pony. The unicorn was completely white in color and, perhaps the most distressing of all, were the pony's eyes, which appeared as if they were blind, the pupils blank and unseeing. It seemed far from a defenseless crippled unicorn, however.
"And what do they call you? Do you even have a name, hermit?"
The other unicorn laughed, a very harsh, unforgiving sound. "Long ago, perhaps. But time is not kind to an aging mind," the white unicorn sneered. "But you may call me 'the Magus'."
"Now, for the matter of my stolen work," The statement was made so casually, yet Auburn was astounded. How long had Starswirl known the two events were connected? The two unicorns had only known each other for less than a minute...
The other unicorn smirked. "Oh, I was unaware I was dealing with the acclaimed Starswirl the Bearded! Forgive me for my hostility."
The two seemed to relax slightly, as if the struggle had ended. The Magus backed off, allowing the two entry. The old unicorn looked back at Auburn, who was finally on his hooves again, and gestured for him to follow them inside. Unsure, but taking comfort in his mentor's display of power seconds ago, Auburn followed. The tower, on the inside, was impossibly large for what he had seen moments ago. Everything he could see was as large as the library itself, and it only included one floor. It did not take a master of magic to know these dimensions were unnatural.
The harsh, stone exterior was replaced by a surprisingly homely cabin feel inside, where shelves upon shelves of text stretched out in all directions. Auburn glanced upward, and the contents of the tower only continued to grow in size. He wondered just how much forgotten knowledge was contained in the wretched place.
"What do you think? Its been a while since I've some guests."
"Enough games. Where are the ponies you've kidnapped?" Starswirl responded, deadly serious. Auburn had rarely seen him so focused.
"In due time, Starswirl. We need to get to know each other first, have a drink, share some laughs," the other unicorn said mockingly, clearly enjoying the presence of such a well-known pony. "Oh, and I assure you, your work has not gone to waste."
"You have a lot of nerve."
The other unicorn merely grinned, and Auburn couldn't help but be disgusted at the expression. Everything about this pony was unnatural, and made him uneasy. He wanted to leave...but he wasn't sure that was possible. As crazed as this one was about his secrecy, Auburn doubted he would let them leave peacefully, no matter how renowned Starswirl was. The owner of the tower gestured for them to follow, as they ascended one of the many grand staircases, heading toward what appeared to be a study.
As they entered the study, both Auburn and Starswirl were amazed by the sheer number of books it, too, contained, putting Starswirl's own study, and the library it was a part of, to shame with just one room. At the end of the central aisle between bookcases was a large desk, with various instruments thrown about it, many of them things Auburn had never seen before.
"You have quite the collection," Starswirl said after a few moments of silence.
"Years of isolation give a pony lots of free time. I like to think this is the result of all that dedication," the Magus explained with the same condescending tone. "Pardon the cliche, but we are very much alike, Starswirl. Our goals, our aspirations, are much the same. Or, they were," the white unicorn continued with a mocking frown.
Auburn's eyes widened. They had only received the letter from the Princess the day prior. Few in Canterlot would know about it, let alone a hermit living in the depths of the Everfree Forest. For that matter, how could this Magus take from the market, or the study, without leaving his tower? Regardless, Starswirl seemed unaffected by the remark.
"Where are they?" was all he said, and the master of the tower sighed, clearly not happy with Starswirl's lack of participation in his little game.
"They are safe. But they are not yet fit to leave," the Magus explained innocently. "And, I'm afraid, neither are you."