"Wait, wait, what?" Exclaims Arden as he pulls Izzy's leading charge toward the village.

"Hm?" Inquires Izzy as she turns to face Arden.

Silence reigns between them. The two ponies stare into each other's eyes. This can't be. All myths and stories involving unicorns point to magic in some way. How come they lost their magic?! It doesn't make sense, unless, no. It can't be. Did someone steal their magic? Concludes Arden while holding his chin. His gaze shifts from Izzy's eyes to her horn. It has engravings on it. Based on the paintings and general presentations of unicorns, they don't match. The usual design is for unicorns is a single spiral line toward the tip of the horn. Then again, this is the real world. I can't assume that the horn should be one way or that way.

"Is something stuck on my horn?" Asks Izzy as she goes cross-eyed while looking at the tip of her horn.

"No. I'm just wondering here. Is there an explanation as to why we can't use magic?" Replies Arden while waving his hand in front of Izzy's face. "Also, don't do that. You strain your eye with that. And it can cause some problems with your eyesight."

"Oh, no. It went, poof! Gone, disappeared, finito, never to be seen again. And that was a lo-oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-ahem-oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-ong time ago," Replies Izzy while opening her arms wide as if to measure the time. "Everyone thinks the pesky pegasus has something to do with it," She adds as her eyes pop open whilst staring at Arden. "You're glowing again!"

"What did you expect me to do?! There are pegasus ponies too?!" Exclaims Arden before Izzy nods. "This is amazing! What else is there? Are there dragons here?! Maybe some other magical creature?! I have to see all of this!" He adds while hugging Izzy. However, as soon as he realizes Izzy's giggles, Arden puts her back to the ground. He then coughs a bit before speaking, "I'm sorry. I got overly excited."

"I like it. And you're strong," Says Izzy while tilting her head. She then pats Arden's head as if handling a child. "You're short. But you lifted me without a problem. I thought I was the only one that exercises, besides Alphabittle, of course."

Holy crap! She's right. I'm just below her shoulders. How the fuck did I overlook this!? Notes Arden as he measures Izzy from her hooves to the tip of her horn with his eyes. Wait. She just patted me on the head!

"Don't treat me like a kid!" Orders Arden while taking a step back.

"I know you're not a kid. I just thought it would be funny to do so," Replies Izzy while holding her hands behind her back. "And it was," She adds with a chuckle. "But back on topic, don't go saying the word magic around the village. Unicorns are very superstitious," States Izzy with a concerned look as she starts to walk backward.

"That's a new one. Is it like a taboo word or something?" Inquires Arden as he starts to follow before Izzy responds with a nod. "Ok. I will say this right now. That's a bit alarming. Any other taboo words I should know about?"

"Magic, wing, feather, and mayonnaise," Izzy replies almost immediately.

"I will restrain myself from commenting on how weird that sounds," Replies Arden with a deadpan. Izzy smiles as she turns around to walk forward. Their conversation dies for a couple of minutes as Arden keeps pondering about the situation. After a while, Arden speaks once more, "So, there are pegasus ponies. What other species are there around?"

"Besides the Pegasus? Just the earth ponies," Says Izzy while looking over her shoulder.

"Oh, do they have any traits like unicorns or pegasus?" Inquires Arden as he steps aside while a strange little rat runs by. "Did that rat have little wings?"

"Well, I hear earth ponies smell like rotten sardines and not the brightest crystals in the forest," Replies Izzy while doing a quick spin to look at Arden. Arden replies by letting out a confused oh. "Yep! And I was told pegasus ponies are mean brutes that eat their young," She adds as Arden trips over his hooves and nearly face-plants on the ground.

"You were told? You heard that's how they are? Izzy, did you ever meet another breed of pony?" Inquires Arden as he picks up the pace to walk beside Izzy.

"Nope!" Izzy replies as if the answer was obvious.

"Are those things passed down to you guys? Like granny stories to scare the young?" Pushes Arden before Izzy nods positively. "Izzy, have you ever questioned those stories?" Arden adds with concern.

Izzy's expression changes in response to the question. Her march stops as she lowers her head and starts rubbing her arms. She begins to fidget in place before repeatedly adjusting her mane. Arden starts to try and look Izzy in the eye. The smile is gone as Izzy actively avoids looking back at Arden.

"You have, haven't you?" States Arden as he backs away. Izzy doesn't respond. "I think that's good!" He adds while putting on a smile. Izzy hesitantly raises her head with a surprised face. "What? Were you expecting me to criticize you?"

"I've been told that I was wrong so many times now," Izzy says with a happier tone. She rushes Arden and picks Arden up and hugs him while spinning him around. "You're the first one to tell me otherwise! WAIT!" She exclaims as she immediately lets go of Arden, causing him to fly and land on the dirt. Rummaging through her mane, Izzy pulls out an old piece of paper. "I found this when I was a filly! And I've been wanting to go there for a LONG time!" She adds while rushing to Arden's side and showing a childish drawing of all three breeds.

"You have friends in Maretime Bay?" Reads Arden after shaking his head. "Do you know where this is?"

"No," Replies Izzy while slowly deflating.

"Well, we just need to get a map. And some supplies to travel there. It should be a fun time, right?" Proposes Arden while trying to reassure Izzy.

"Wait, you're coming with me?" Questions Izzy with a growing smile.

"Why not? I said I wanted to see the world. And now we know of another place to visit. So long as we prepare, we can visit all sorts of places. Besides, you're my guide aren't you?" He retorts as he gets up and offers his hand to Izzy.

"I'll guide you all across Equestria!" Replies Izzy as she takes Arden's hand. "Traveling buddies! First, we explore the woods! Then, Maretime Bay!"

"Yep. Now, what else is there to know?" Inquires Arden as they resume their walk down the path.

"Nothing much," Answers Izzy while rapping her chin with her index finger. "Oh, we might be too sparkily to Bridlewood."

"Too much excitement equals strange looks?" Proposes Arden before Izzy nods. "Any friends in town?"

"No, too bright for most ponies," States Izzy while holding her hands behind her back.

"This is going to be interesting," Mumbles Arden as they walk by a chunk of crystal about as high as Arden's elbows. Eyeing the thing, Arden tilts his head, "That is a huge crystal. Is that normal?"

"Yep! They are ALL around the woods," Replies Izzy as she skips behind the rock and leans over it. Her feminine features becoming more evident due to the pose. "We can use them for sculpting."

"That's a bummer. And what's your currency?" Asks Arden as he comes closer to the chunk and taps it with his knuckles. "I imagine gold coins."

"We don't have mines or miners here in Bridlewood. So, we mostly trade stuff. Or bet it in games," Replies Izzy while changing her position to sit on top of the crystal. "It's pretty fun!"

"Gambling, that's another good sign," States Arden as he averts his eyes from Izzy's legs that were more exposed due to the sudden change in posture raising her skirt.

"It's fun! Unless you're dealing with Alphabittle, then you're in for a bad time," Comments Izzy as she hops off the crystal.

"Too intense?" Questions Arden as he scratches his head.

"More like, I never lose! And he can smell fear," Tells Izzy with a nervous chuckle.

"Sounds charming," States Arden with a smile. "Can I take a shot in the dark and bet he has a hoard?"

"Yep," Answers Izzy while nodding. "Most of his things, if not all of them, came from ponies making bets against him."

"Amazing," Comments Arden as their road broadens. Looking forward, Arden halts his march before speaking, "Is this it?"

The village stands before them. Color-wise and design-wise, the place screamed fantasy land. However, the moment Arden's eyes see the villagers, Arden can't help but feel a familiar sensation. Ponies walking hunched over with saddened and bored expressions, their colors dead when compared to the rest of the woods around them. A jarring contrast between the two makes itself uncomfortably evident as all the ponies move as if being out and about is a deathly boring obligation. Ponies listlessly poured water over one bud of an entire garden. Children hang by their torsos on the swing. An old pony stands on a spot where she repeatedly gets hit by falling apples on the head.

"Izzy," Calls Arden as they enter the village. A child is precariously balanced at the center of a seesaw before another causes it to fall by sitting on one end of the toy. The fallen child lays on the ground with dull eyes as they stare at a grass leaf waving in front of their face. Witnessing this scene, Arden lets out a nervous chuckle before speaking, "I was about to say something. Now? I have concerns for our safety here. You said a BIT too bright for the town. Right now, I think we are the sun! And I don't think magic is the only thing taken away here."

Letting out a series of gasps, the ponies on the street halt their routines. All of their eyes turn to Arden as if they are under a spell. All of them raise their hands to point at Arden before the closest to Arden yells.

"U-uh! You said a bad word! Quickly! We need to get rid of the Jinxies!" The pony exclaims before the entire group starts to make a bunch of noises and move around almost rhythmically around Arden and Izzy.

"Izzy, I don't think we should linger. This place is sounding more and more like a cult. I don't like the idea of being around cultists," Whispers Arden while leaning closer to Izzy.

"Don't worry. They're just being silly," Reassures Izzy as she leans closer to Arden as well.

"It looks like a ritual," Retorts Arden with growing concern as the ponies start to make donkey noises.

"That's because it is a ritual. To ward off bad luck," States Izzy whilst acting as if she is telling a secret.

"Just hit the wood three times then! It's less freaky than whatever that is!" Shoots back Arden while pointing to the ponies standing on one leg while stretching the other backward with their mouths open and fish eyes. "Does everyone do this?"

"Pretty much," Nods Izzy as she tilts her head right.

Sighing at the response, Arden runs his hands over his mane pulling it back. Ok.This is not ok. Can I even argue here? I'm going to regret this.

"Alright, time to be stupid," Mumbles Arden while holding his mane in place. He turns around to face the crowd that seems to have resumed their routine. Taking a deep breath, Arden braces himself before letting out his voice, "LISTEN UP!"

All of the unicorns within the reach of Arden's voice stop in their tracks. Once they turn to face Arden, he continues, "These taboo words are nonsensical! Bad luck is a supernatural phenomenon! And all of us are living proof the supernatural is nowhere to be seen! None of us can use spells or do any of the things that were supposed to make us unique! So, how in the living hell would bad luck be a thing?!" Arden argues as he steps towards the crowd. With each word that leaves his mouth, Arden slowly turns whilst stepping forward until he's done a complete one-eighty. "So, wake up! These superstitions are false! And if these stories are full of baloney, what's the proof that the stories about the other species are true!?"

All of the ponies stare at Arden while they slowly back away. All of them seem to be shrinking as if they are looking at something big. Dropping his shoulders, Arden facepalms before continuing his speech, "Ok! So, I will assume that you're not backing away out of surprise. But you're backing away because some big pony snuck up behind me. If I'm right, please nod!" Requests Arden as he looks between his fingers to see the ponies nodding. "Great," Arden grumbles as he turns around.

Standing at least four inches taller than Izzy, a gray stallion approaches until he casts a shadow over Arden. "Hi, you're tall. I'm Arden Sila."

"I'm Alphabitle. And I don't recognize you," States Alphabitle as he towers over Arden.

Oh, size intimidation. That's a great start to a conversation. Groans Arden while he takes a deep breath.

"I just arrived. Is there a problem?" Questions Arden as he puts on a dumb smile on his face.

"There is when a pony is breaking tradition. On top of spreading lies about our enemies," Replies Alpha as he arches his back to bring his glare closer to Arden's face.

"Enemies you haven't seen or heard of in, how long?" Questions Arden while making circles with his hand before pointing to Alpha, who doesn't respond. "See? Not even you know. And you do know that posture will cause you back pain later, right?"

"I do not need to see something to believe it exists. The Jinxies are unseen. Our enemies are unseen. But I believe them to be out there. Seeing is believing isn't a safe way to live in our woods," Retorts Alpha with a deep voice.

"I never questioned their existence. The so-called enemies, that is. As for the bad luck, sorry, friend. It doesn't exist. I just said one of your taboos and nothing bad happened," Retorts Arden as Alpha puts on a smile.

"I came here. And I stopped your speech," Says Alpha with a smug smile.

"So, you're calling yourself the embodiment of bad luck? Sorry, pal. But you're not very bright. By that logic, you became the thing you're all afraid of. But no one is making the dumb ritual now, are they?" States Arden while gesturing to all of the ponies around him. "Here is my take on it. There was a commotion. You're a prominent figure. Someone warned you of a stranger making a problematic scene. You came to verify it. You stopped the speech because you disagree with the contents. It's all cause and effect. Not an ounce of bad luck there," Replies Arden with a deadpan.

"Oh really? How about a bet then?" Proposes Alpha as a suspicious grin appears on his face. "A challenge to prove that the Jinxies exist and that you're wrong?"

"Solving this problem with a bet to see who is right, are you serious?" Inquires Arden as he drops his shoulders.

"Not only that, I'll bet one item of mine against that cloak of yours. You can pick the item after," Responds Alpha with a confident chuckle.

"Do you have a detailed map of the land? That can guide us out of the woods and to Maretime Bay," Inquires Arden as Alpha raises an eyebrow.

"Yes? Why would you want that?" Questions Alpha.

But as Arden prepares his response, he notices Izzy hopping behind Alpha whilst shaking her head. "I'm new around here. So, I want to know the lay of the land."

Alphabittle eyes Arden top to bottom before gesturing Arden to follow. The stallion leads Arden through the town as Arden sees more of the same from the village's entrance. They walk around a large tree with a teapot sign over a door. Once on the other side, Alpha continues to walk into the woods. There are faint signs of an old trail on the ground.

"How attached are you to that cloak?" Inquires Izzy as she pops from Arden's side before he jumps away from her. She chuckles at the reaction as Arden shakes his head with a smile.

"Not much. I just got the darned thing," Replies Arden while opening his arms as he held the edges of the cloak.

"Good. Cause I don't think you'll be keeping that," States Izzy with a nervous smile. "He's taking you to the sword trial."

"The what now?" Asks Arden while nervously turning to look at Izzy. "I can't fight. I can throw a straight. But I have never been in a fight," He explains as his eyes dart toward Alpha.

"Oh, no-no," States Izzy dismissively while waving her hand at Arden. "You just need to pull it out."

"That's worse! I'm not a chosen hero," States Arden as each of the words sink into his brain. His eyes go wide as he facepalms. "Wow. This will be stupid."

"Here we are," Says Alpha as he points to a clearing with a sword resting on a stone. There are no trees near it. It's a blade well-preserved with a golden guard. A red piece of cloth hangs wavers in the wind as the sun reflects over the metal surface. "That sword is magically kept in place by a riddle. Solve it, and the sword is yours. Fail, and the blade shall curse you with a shock. To activate the riddle, one must read the words out loud and then answer them. And the riddle contains a cursed word," Explains Alpha in an overly dramatic voice.

"How many ponies tried this before?" Asks Arden while slowly walking towards the sword hunched over and with an annoyed expression.

"Many. And ALL of them failed. Until none of us ever tried it again," Replies Alpha with his overdramatic tone.

Casually strolling toward the weapon, Arden hears a different sound as he stands near the stone holding the sword. What the? Questions Arden as he taps the ground beneath his hooves. This sounds like metal. Oh, God. Exclaims Arden as he crouches to analyze the ground and notices the engraving at the base of the stone.

"Hello, friend. It seems you found your way here. I've set a few things for you in case you went exploring. I know you will remember this reference. So, it will be easy. Speak friend, and take it. The blade will be light as a feather," Reads Arden out loud in disbelief as he sees the symbol of the doors of Durin etched on the stone.

Holy shit. Did someone leave this for me? Or was it for another human traveler? Muses Arden as he looks up at the sword. Arden then gets up and analyzes the blade. There is nothing unusual about it. It looks like a fancy sword. Concludes Arden as Alpha coughs from behind him.

"Scared of the curse? Well, go on. If you don't believe in the Jinxies. Take the sword with your answer," Dares Alpha as he breathes down Arden's neck.

Arden turns around halfway to look at Alpha as he stretches his left hand toward the handle of the blade. Arden grips it hard before staring Alpha dead in the eye. He takes two steps towards Alpha. Without saying a word, Arden pulls the blade off the stone without any effort. Alphabittle's jaw drops as he loses his balance and falls on his flank. The stallion starts sputtering a bunch of unintelligible sounds before Arden gestures him to be quiet.

"There is no magic now. And no bad luck. So, nothing is powering this thing. I think you guys drained the battery keeping this thing in place. It's a magnet trick. You step into the immediate area around the stone to pull the sword. Or you step on the stone itself. The pressure plate allows a circuit to flow freely activating a set of magnets as well as charging the blade. When you try to pull it, you raise the stone at the base a bit. And the circuit discharges a shock on the fool that tried it. But so many of you tried it, the thing lost its juice. It's an old trick," Explains Arden as he repeatedly steps with one of his hooves into the area around the stone. The ground sinks a bit as he does so. And whenever Arden raises his hoof, the ground rises. "And just so you know, the answer was Mellon. It means Friend, in another language."

"B-but, the shocks? How could we not notice it before?" Inquires Alpha while grabbing his head.

"You were too worried about the taboo word to notice it. Not to mention this village is filled with superstitious ponies. It would be a matter of time before everyone knew about the curse of the sword. And by then, they would be too worried about the curse to notice the trick," Replies Arden while looking at the sword. "In other words, your superstitions prevented you from seeing what was right in front of your face."

Alpha grits his teeth at the answer as he gets up. "No magic? Do you want to tell me that there never was magic in this world?! What about our history?! What about these? HUH!?" Yells Alpha as he points to the horn on his forehead.

"I said that there is no magic now, as in present time. All stories hold some sort of truth in them. And your magic is true, that much I believe. However, that doesn't change the fact that you lack magic now. But what did you do about it?" Questions Arden as he sinks the blade on the ground. Alpha doesn't respond, Arden rolls his eyes before continuing, "You isolated yourselves in the forest! You created scary tales to frighten your children! You didn't bother to look into a problem that affects ALL of the unicorns!"

"What did you expect us to do?! Without it, we are nothing! We have no means to defend ourselves against the pegasus aerial attacks! Let alone the brutish strength of earth ponies! We are sitting ducks!" Fires back Alpha with a scowl.

"LOOK AT YOUR SIZE! You're a fucking wall! You can defend yourself! But you're cowering in a forest! Hiding beneath the trees! Allowing your friends and family to turn apathetic! They are bound to end up with severe depression! What then?! They might start to kill themselves!" Shoots back Arden without backing down.

"If you're so confident about those claims of yours, why don't YOU solve this then?! Huh!? If you're so courageous, why won't you go out there and find out?! Why are you here?!" Replies Alpha before pushing Arden back with his hand.

"Maybe I will! I will get ready and see what the hell is out there! I'll get your stupid magic back. And then you'll eat your stupidity while I point my finger at you and laugh!" Arden replies with a scowl as he tries to keep his balance.

"You won't be able to take two steps out of the forest without getting attacked!" Voices Alpha with rage.

"We will see about that! I'll get to Maretime Bay and back without a problem!" Declares Arden with a defiant smile.

"I doubt that!" Laughs Alpha before stomping his way back into the woods. "Come, you'll need the stupid map to die out there," He orders as Arden picks the blade and follows.

As Arden makes his way back, Izzy rushes Arden before lifting him off the ground. "You did it! You beat Alphabittle! And you're shining again! You're like a happy magic beacon!"

"For now, it's Magic-schmagic. But we will get your magic back Izzy," States Arden with a smile as she spins him around in her arms.

Author's Note

Here it goes! Thanks for reading!

These are getting done. Please, let me know your thoughts about it in the comments.