//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 - Skeletons in the Closet // Story: True Magic // by CodeMonkey //------------------------------// Chapter 13 - Skeletons in the Closet When she crossed the threshold the door closed behind her, getting little reaction from her as, by now, she was used to doors inexplicably closing when she stepped through them. Besides, she was far too focused on the incredible chamber before her to notice anything else. The room was enormous compared to the previous one. Shelves upon shelves stretched endlessly into the distance and reached high above her head, all filled with a variety of bottles and jars. The room looked like a library of peculiarities, with each shelf being labeled with a few crooked symbols and a number. Some of the containers glowed, like the ones in the front room, holding an abundance of plants or small creatures inside that appeared to be frozen within some kind of fluorescent, viscous liquid. Trixie could make out small candles hovering high overhead, supported by nothing but an aura-less magic, illuminating the hall with a pale yellow glow. Each aisle that the shelves created was marked with a number on its side accompanied by intricate magical circles with strange writing printed along their curves. Trixie wandered the hall, glancing down each aisle that she passed, hoping to find some sign as to where Magus and Ginger had gone. The further she wandered down the seemingly never-ending hall, the more she started to feel a sensation like energy vibrating the air. It was powerful, so much so that it seemed like the air was warming up from the intangible friction. Trixie guessed it was Magus, who else had this kind of power that could heat the air like fire? Although she could feel it, she was unable to pinpoint the source in this repeating maze of shelves. As she passed by another indistinguishable aisle, a wave of the energy pulsated down it with tremendous force, startling Trixie as it hit. The power was violent. Whatever was happening, the amount of energy and warmth in the room just tripled. Trixie took a deep breath and began heading toward the source of the power, uneasy about finding an angered, fire throwing pony. The shelves were riddled with a number of unsettling sights. Minotaur horns, shriveled up parasprites, having the appearance of winged raisins, and even amputated Pegasus wings were being preserved in jars. 'What could you possibly make with all these?' Trixie thought in both astonishment and horror. She hurried by the strange ingredients until her eyes locked onto the most disturbing of the items on the shelf, a severed pony’s head in a jar. The head appeared to be a unicorn’s, with its horn sawed clean off. Its mane swayed in the murky liquid that preserved it as its eyes remained closed, appearing to be sleeping. She observed it closely, unable to believe such a thing could be real. What pony would keep a head in a jar anyway? Without warning, the head’s eyelids bolted open, as if aware of her presence, and stared at her with featureless, white orbs. Trixie reared back as she let out a sudden scream before flying down the hallway, galloping until she was out of breath. When she neared a less creepy part of the corridor, Trixie stopped to ease the burning in her legs and lungs, sitting down and leaning against a shelf. “What…in the name…of Celestia…was that?” she said to herself, still trying to catch her breath. Before Trixie could recover from the horrific experience, voices came from nearby. She couldn’t make out one of them, but the other sounded like Magus shouting in anger. Trixie got up and followed the sounds, feeling relieved that she no longer had to search though this crazed storeroom. The aisle ended, opening into another hallway, similar to the one she was on when she first entered this place. The voices led her deeper into the room, and she came upon a large clearing that was far brighter than any part of the room she had seen yet. The stacks of shelves formed an enormous hall, perpendicular to the one she was on, that stretched up so high that it disappeared into the darkness above. Likewise, the corridor extended farther than she was able to see in either direction. It was like being in a castle’s grand hall save for the numerous categorized containers that lined the bookshelf walls. Trixie was amazed that she didn’t come across this place sooner with its immense scale. It was certainly a question on whether she was really in the backroom of the house or in some alternate dimension where space was irrelevant. The floating candles from before were present, brighter and more numerous here, lighting the area in a warm glow from their closer proximity to the ground. As she stepped into the hall, her heart jumped into her throat, for Magus stood mere hoofsteps away! She leapt back behind the shelf, trying to move swiftly, hoping he hadn't seen her. However, he didn’t appear to have noticed, and she carefully peered around the corner at him. He faced away, down the passage, oblivious to her presence as he waited for something. “Sorry,” Ginger’s voice echoed, sounding as if she were somewhere down the long hall, “I still can’t find any.” “How can that be?” Magus replied. “You’re the largest alchemic supplier in the region.” The sound of rumbling wheels resonated down the hall, getting louder each moment with a faint squeaking sound periodically interrupting the otherwise steady noise. In seconds, a wheeled ladder came into view in the distance with Ginger clinging to the steps as it rapidly approached. The rolling ladder slowed as it neared Magus before Ginger jumped off, landing on the floor without incident, which was quite a feat for one of her age. “When I’m out, I’m out,” Ginger said, approaching Magus. “There’s nothing more I can do.” “You don’t understand,” Magus said, for the first time sounding worried. “I need it.” “So your experiment will have to wait a while longer. It’s not that bad--” “It’s not for that!” he shouted, alarming Ginger as she gave him her undivided attention. After a couple heavy breaths he began again in a calmer tone, “I’m running low on the formula. I’ll run out soon if I can’t make more.” “You’re running out!?” Ginger said, surprised. “How can you almost be out? Last time, I supplied you with enough ingredients to make plenty. What have you been doing?” She narrowed her eyes as she asked curiously, “…More importantly, how much have you been taking?” “Just…a little more than I usually do,” he unconvincingly said. “How much is a ‘little more’?” Magus hesitated with the answer, before saying quietly, “About four, five times--” “Five times!” Ginger shouted, almost falling over in disbelief. “How long have you been doing this!?” “It’s alright. I’ve only started recently.” “Alright? Alright! Magus, do you realize what this stuff can do if you take too much? Especially in one day!?” “…I have a few assumptions,” he calmly replied despite the frantic worry of the elder mare. “This isn’t a joking manner, dear! You can’t take that much! No wonder you’ve almost run out.” In her hysterical state, Ginger inspected him up and down before saying, “I’m surprised you’re still able to stand. What could possibly possess you to take so much!?” Magus avoided her eyes, appearing conflicted as what to say. “Things have come up that have increased the…need to take it,” he said as he looked to the floor, sounding almost ashamed at what he had admitted. “Magus,” Ginger said steadily, lifting his head by the chin so that he would look at her. “You’re only supposed to take a drop. No more, no less.” “I know, I know!” Magus snapped, as he swatted her hoof away, turning to one side as he did. “Which is why I need your help so badly.” Ginger let a long, tired sigh as she scratched the back of her head. “I’m sorry, but as I said, I’m all out.” The two were silent for a time, both not sure what to say. Magus appeared stricken with grief at the answer he received. Changing the subject, Ginger said, “So I suppose I can also assume that you’re still trying the experiment then?” “Yes,” he solemnly replied. “And?” “…Inconclusive.” “Magus, dearie, you can’t keep doing this.” He quickly spun around to face her before saying with determination in his voice, “But I’m so close. I’m certain I’ll get it right if I can just attempt it once more.” “And if it doesn’t work? What then?” He went silent again, glancing away as if he was deep in thought. “I’ll take precautions.” “You have a companion now. You shouldn’t be running these kinds of tests with somepony else around. You might--” “I’ll think of something!” he snapped again, glaring daggers at her. Ginger held firm though, appearing unfazed by his outburst or his angered stare. With another deep breath he returned to his calm demeanor. “Apologies.” “See, this is what I’m talking about. You need to stop this before it’s too late. Move on and live with it.” “How can I!?” he shouted. “You don’t understand my predicament as well as you believe!” Ginger sighed again as she thought for a moment. “How sure are you that it will work and you won’t end up…you know--” “Completely!” Magus said quickly, before she had a chance to finish. She mumbled something to herself as she shook her head. “Alright, I wasn’t going to say anything, hoping you would abandon this foolish quest, but” she hesitated, “…there is someone that would have what you’re looking for and perhaps everything else you’ll need.” Her words caught his immediate attention as his eyes widened. “Who?” Ginger scratched her chin as she looked around, thinking. “Uh… Ah, dang it, what was her name…?” Magus’s eyes never left the old mare, even to blink, as he waited for her to continue. “She’s that zebra, with the odd name. I think it ended with an ‘a’. You know the one.” “Zebra…? You mean the herbalist?” “Yeah, her. She came by about two days ago. Said something about going to Hayseed Swamp. If you hurry, you might be able to catch her there before she leaves.” Magus thought for a moment, trying to remember where Hayseed Swamp was. “Alright,” he said nodding his head, “I should be able to make it there in plenty of time. Thank you Ginger, this really means a lot,” Magus said with what sounded almost like joy even if his face didn’t show it. “Yes, yes, just…be careful, alright?” Ginger replied, sounding like a concerned grandmother. “You’re still young and have so much to enjoy. Don’t throw it all away over something you had no control over.” Magus nodded in response as he said, “I thank you for your concern, but I must follow through with this. No matter what. But, I will exercise caution and take care that nothing happens.” “I suppose that’s all I can ask,” Ginger replied, with an uncomfortable smile. “Before you go, may I ask again when you picked up your friend?” “Last night.” “Uh-huh and when did you say you had to increase your dosage?” “They’re not related,” he sternly stated. “You sure?” she said, unconvinced. “I know what I’m doing. You needn’t worry.” “I wish I could believe that,” she said quietly, as if hoping he wouldn’t hear. “Wait here; I’ll go get the other ingredient you wanted.” She boarded the wheeled ladder and when she was on, the ladder rapidly rolled down the hall on its own, disappearing into the darkness as Magus watched her leave. Trixie continued to watch, amazed at what she had heard. She knew the stallion was hiding something, but what that was remained a mystery. Normally, he appeared so calm, and she'd never seen him behave this way. Whatever this formula was, it was probably the same clear liquid she saw him pour into his drink. Why he wanted to hide it was strange, but it was apparently used for something important. 'If it's something for his attitude,' she thought, smirking, 'it isn't working.' All joking aside, Trixie was intrigued. It sounded as if this zebra was the key to finishing it. Magus turned his back to the hall and shut his eyes. He inhaled deeply before allowing his head to fall and hang down as he exhaled, as if he was trying to collect himself from the stressful affair. In a flash, his eyes shot open, immediately catching Trixie in their chilling gaze. Trixie gasped as she quickly hid behind the corner of the shelf, praying that he didn’t get a good enough look at her and would pass it off as a shadow. Her heart raced as she waited, listening for hoofsteps to see if he would come to investigate. By some miracle, he did not approach. It was a foolish idea, but she peeked around the corner, only to find that he had disappeared. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she anxiously considered her options. Trixie turned to leave, hoping she had not been noticed. As she did, she bumped into something and had to step back. Trixie’s heart jumped into her throat for the second time that day as her eyes fell upon the hate filled stare of Magus before her. “What are you doing here!?” he wrathfully demanded, taking a step towards her. “I-I--” Trixie tried to speak, but no words would come out. He had been angry before, but not like this. The look in his eyes and the sound of his voice paralyzed her with fear. The air, literally, sparked, igniting tiny flames around him. She backed away, into the hall, as Magus kept his uncomfortably close distance to her. “I told you to stay put. Was that so hard!?” “Please, Master, I--” “What did you hear!?” “Noth-nothing.” “Liar!” he shouted, as the flames became larger and more numerous. He assumed an aggressive stance, as if he was preparing for a fight, and said, “How dare you disobey my orders and spy on me. I should--” “Magus!” Ginger’s voice rang out, stopping him and his threat in its tracks. Their attention shifted to the old pony as she was getting off the ladder, with a small, burlap bag hanging off her neck. Her hazel eyes stared at him with a questioning gaze, her mouth set in a disapproving frown. As if her voice had just tamed a dragon, Magus calmed down, and the flames and sparks dispersed. Exhaling a large breath, his body eased as he looked back at Trixie. His face softened when he saw the terrified look on her face. He took a couple steps back and sat down before clearing his throat and straightening his robe, appearing to be over his infuriated episode. “Trixie,” he said, sounding as if he was never angry in the first place. “You need to learn to take orders. I expect you to be more obedient in the future. For both of our sakes. Is that understood?” Trixie was unsure how to respond to his sporadic behavior. She looked over to Ginger, possibly the only other sane pony in the room, who nodded in approval. Looking back to him, she chose her words wisely as she replied, “Y-yes, Master. I’m…s-sorry.” At this point she would say anything to avoid him getting angry again, even apologize. “It’s alright. Just see to it that this doesn’t happen again.” “Alright then,” Ginger said immediately, wanting to put an end to any further conflict. “Regardless of who did what, I think it’s about time we start heading back.” She turned her attention to Trixie before saying, with a bit of sarcasm, “And I’m sure my husband is worried sick as to where you ran off to dear.” She motioned for them to accompany her before walking off down the hall, the hovering candles ahead of them glowing brighter to light the way.