open Into Limbo: Worlds Collide

[Jesse Terrence 2,968]

@Kujamih @Illiad Easle (sorry about the delay, been a bit too busy)

On 2023-02-08 at 2:48 AM, Kujamih said:

" Sorry... You ponies alright?" She panted.

The clown was panting and grunting.

"Sorry... I'm not feeling well" he replied. His pupils were shrinking as he brought his hooves to his head.

"Maybe you guys should leave me behind. I'm out of tricks anyway. That was my last bomb, and it wasn't supposed to be a flashbang. I didn't even mean to throw it at all" he added as he gasped for air. His heart rate rose and his legs trembled.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Jesse Terrence @Illiad Easle

" You know... You were mostly at my back having a free ride right?" Lyra recalled to shamrock.

" For someone brave and random you sure are surprisingly weak... You seem to look like a long range kinda guy....hmmm" lyra ponders.

AD they catch their breath Lyra was shocked that the dragon haven't attacked them yet.

" Whats going on?... I think your weapon really scared it off..." Lyra whispered to Blu.

 

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Kujamih

(Fuoco)

Fuoco didn't look too happy about the explanation, as it seemed to confirm what Alpha had told her when she first arrived: It was only because she had proven useful that she hadn't been killed on sight.

She turned to leave the room once dismissed, again leaving behind the extra flutes. Further, she was now suspicious of the flute that she had been provided, as well as if her original flute had now somehow been tampered with.

Once in the privacy of her room, she would start to carefully dismantle both flutes to properly clean them after the manner in which she'd been taught, with fire. While her family flute was made of wood, it's primary enchantment was to not only be protected from fire, but that fire would repair any damage. Further, she had not been entirely truthful when she told Starlight that she didn't know the enchantment. In reality she knew it by heart, or rather she knew how it felt when cleaned. If any part of it were changed, she would detect it during the cleaning.

Once the family flute was cleaned and reassembled, she'd start on the other one with the same process, disassembling it and running each piece through her fire. If the enchantment were properly transposed it would emerge unharmed. Otherwise, it would be destroyed. And if anything had been added to the flute magically, she would know.

It would take her two hours to clean both flutes, then she would rest until called for, unless someone came to visit her.

 

(Blu)

3 hours ago, Kujamih said:

" Whats going on?... I think your weapon really scared it off..." Lyra whispered to Blu.

He shrugged, "Getting shot in the eye tends to do that. I just hope I have enough time for some upgrades before it comes back. It should have killed it on the spot, but clearly it still isn't powerful enough."

He was getting impatient standing in the open, but wasn't about to run off by himself if he didn't have to. "If he wants to be left behind then let him, we've got bigger problems than waiting for him. Don't forget all the young ponies with us who still need protecting."

He was of course referring to Silver and Shallow who were still with them and not in a position to defend themselves.

[Jesse Terrence 2,968]

@Kujamih @Illiad Easle

"Buck off agent. I just... I n-need... just... I need the bathroom!" replied Shamrock as he looked around the place, hyperventilating. He put a shaky hoof over one of the pockets of his jacket.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle @Jesse Terrence 

"... Usually at a time like this, you won't have time to think about taking a dump... Are you that nervous mister shamrock?" Lyra replied to the clown.

In addition, Blu's remark did not help Lyra as it made her more tense and panicked.

" Uuuhhhu your right Blu! Shallow and Silver needs our help..." GASP... " WHAT IF THE DRAGON TARGETED THEM!?" Lyra in a frenzy grabbed the clown with her shadow claws that came out from her shadow. She also grabbed Blu, carefully enough not to touch Blu's metal briefcase.

" We have to hurry! Mister clown, you'll just have to take the dump while we gallop." Lyra said with a serious face.

before they could say anything or react to the shadow, Lyra bolted towards the castle as fast as she could.

with the assistance of her shadow skills, she was able to move faster as she slips her body from the shadows.

 " Blu! if anything comes up, im counting on you. While im using this skill, i quickly get tired and cant think straight. I'll focus on the road while you focus on the sky... And shamrock... You focus.... On you... I believe in you." Lyra said to the clown with a pitied face.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle

As Fuoco looks through her flute, as promised, no changes were made. A hint of Starlight Glimmer's magic would be detected but not enough to even cause decay or disturbance. One can say that the magic would not be traced back to her. She did her work masterfully.

And the silver one was masterfully done. The Head mare did end up breaking a lot of copies to masterfully replicate and copy the flute. But this one was more powerful and Faster to clean. It seems the headmare likes to show off and gave her all on making the silver one.

 

Seeing how the head mare masterfully copied the enchantment and improved it. It would make others think if it was wise to have shown ones ability to her... Now.... She knows how to use her magic... How to counter it ... How to exploit it.

Soon a loud knock on the door would take her attention. It was enough to rattle anyone who wasn't cought aware.

A muffled voice could be heard from the other side. You can't tell who it is but it seems a voice of a filly could be heard saying:

 "Please... Would you open the door for me?"

 

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Kujamih @Jesse Terrence

(Blu)

Blu was once again less than happy to be carried, but didn't outwardly complain this time.

When asked to watch the sky he shrugged, "I won't be able to shoot at anything while you're carrying me like this, but I'll let you know if I see anything."

 

(Fuoco)

11 hours ago, Kujamih said:

A hint of Starlight Glimmer's magic would be detected but not enough to even cause decay or disturbance. One can say that the magic would not be traced back to her. She did her work masterfully.

One could say that the disturbance in the magical flow wouldn't be traced back to Starlight, but they would of course be lying. Starlight was the only other one who had touched the flute, and had herself made it, so it made sense to suppose that any flaw was her doing, intentional or not. Still, Fuoco wasn't about to put herself or anyone else at risk. she would do her best to use her magic to correct the enchantment, removing anything extra that Starlight had added, until it was an exact replica of the original. If she found herself unable to do so, she'd leave the flute disassembled. It simply wasn't safe to use in conjunction with her magic unless the enchantment was perfect.

11 hours ago, Kujamih said:

and improved it

'Improved' was a relative term. While it may be true, Fuoco was not a runemancer, and thus could not verify for herself if the alterations were an improvement or not. So any 'improvements' would need to be purged before she would be comfortable using it.

Frankly she was disappointed that she'd have to put so much effort into making it into something she could use. But she supposed it was just these ponies' way to try and go beyond the mark. Good intentions killed the alicorns. She sighed but continued.

11 hours ago, Kujamih said:

It would make others think if it was wise to have shown ones ability to her... Now.... She knows how to use her magic... How to counter it ... How to exploit it.

The enchantment on the flute was hardly representative of Fuoco's magic, as she was still powerful without the flute using just her voice. The enchantment on the flute amounted to nothing more than increased durability, the ability to repair damage when burned, and the ability to enhance the music played through it. Starlight would not learn much about Fuoco's magic from her flute, much like one would learn little about a song by studying the singer's microphone.

Besides, if Starlight tried anything, Fuoco was not above burning the place to the ground.

11 hours ago, Kujamih said:

Soon a loud knock on the door would take her attention. It was enough to rattle anyone who wasn't cought aware.

A muffled voice could be heard from the other side. You can't tell who it is but it seems a voice of a filly could be heard saying:

 "Please... Would you open the door for me?"

Depending on if she were able to make the alterations to the silver flute, it would either still be in pieces or reassembled. In either case she would store it away separate from her family flute before heading over to the door and opening it to see who was outside, "Hello? What's wrong?"

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle

... Im confused... Starlight didn't change anything with your original flute. There were traces of her magic because she did copy your flute and thats the only reason why there where traces of magic residue on it. As promised by starlight. The silver one is a "perfected replica" of the flute with the same enchantments " improved in a way" like ive said. Like if burning it heals it up but more quicker and using it makes more umpf to it etc. So im pretty sure if you burn the silver one you wont be able to burn what starlight did since it would just geal it. And i think you wont be at a level where you could just remove starlight glimmers magic that easily.

 

[Jesse Terrence 2,968]

@Kujamih @Illiad Easle

15 hours ago, Kujamih said:

"... Usually at a time like this, you won't have time to think about taking a dump... Are you that nervous mister shamrock?" Lyra replied to the clown.

"Wait... what?" the shaky clown was confused.

15 hours ago, Kujamih said:

" We have to hurry! Mister clown, you'll just have to take the dump while we gallop." Lyra said with a serious face.

The clown's face flushed at Lyra's words. "I-it's n-n-not THAT! OH dear LUNA!" he gnarled.

15 hours ago, Kujamih said:

 " Blu! if anything comes up, im counting on you. While im using this skill, i quickly get tired and cant think straight. I'll focus on the road while you focus on the sky... And shamrock... You focus.... On you... I believe in you." Lyra said to the clown with a pitied face.

Shamrock went from shame to grief in a snap. "S-so y-you knew my name all.. along?" he asked as the trembling became so strong the feathers from his wings started to shed. He sighed as despair took him over, and then muttered with a broken voice "don't say that... you know of my failures... I'll disapoint you and I'll let you down..."

Edited February 23, 2023 by Jesse Terrence

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle @Jesse Terrence 

" What're you talking about mister clown? You told me i can name you right? Then I'm naming you Shamrock! He was a legendary super hero that i really liked."

" Wait so your name really is Shamrock!?... Could it be?" Their conversation would be halted as something fast dropped by their side and took them by surprise. 

luckily, Lyra was fast enough to dodge the debris that were coming their way.

she'd then hide within the dust that the projectile made, and scattered the team in different locations but was near enough that they could still see and hear each other.

"..it looks like you haven't scared it off Blu... It just changed tactics.... Luckily its blind in one eye and cant aim properly anymore..."

Lyra then started to go limp and almost fainted at where she stands.

"... Sorry. I think i over did it."

Lyra did zoomed across Ponyvil with incredible speed and is almost 5 blocks away from the castle. The problem now is Lyra is too tired to be of use and is a sitting duck. Almost the same as the clown's situation.

 Lyra would then hand over a slingshot to the clown. 

" You can do it." And gave a hoof of approval to Shamrock.

 

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle

" As soon as she touched the door the ceiling, walls and flooring starts to collapse and spiral her into the unknown...

She was sent to the sleep realm... Or to be precise... She was already in it.

"what is it that ties you with this flute" a calm yet powerful mare's voice could be heard echoing within Fuoco's head as she continues to slowly spiral down into the abyss.

" Is it home?" 

she would then instantly appear in the fields that she is very familiar with and could see the city she grew up in from the distance.

" Family?.... Or your Duty?"

the City starts to burn and slowly darkens the sky.

[Jesse Terrence 2,968]

@Kujamih @Illiad Easle

12 hours ago, Kujamih said:

" You can do it." And gave a hoof of approval to Shamrock.

"A super hero named Shamrock... pfft. Now, that's a good one" the clown snarked as he gave a doubious look at Lyra. Then he smiled lightly as he closed his eyes and reached for the inner pocked of his jacket.

"I didn't want the kid to look at me doing this. I'm not a hero. As a matter of fact, I'm a terrible example to follow" he added as he took out a bottle of pills from the pocket.

"But I really don't want you guys to die here" he said as he removed the cap and took a few pills out, then, he swallowed them.

"I just... needed my fix agent..." he chuckled ashamed.

Still trembling, he looked up to locate the monster. Once spoted, he picked Lyra up and ran into what seemed a random building, his bones cracking with each hop and prance he did as he dodged the debris. It was some sort of shop with several bottles on shelves. He looked around and spoted a staircase to a basement. He hurried down still carrying Lyra on his back and once down, he bend over to let her down. This basement was full to the brim with wooden barrels.

"You should be safe from the debris down in this cellar. I spoted this wine shop while you carried us through ponyville. Please, stay safe. I'll be right back" he explained to Lyra. Then he went back upstairs and picked a few bottles on his way out. He went back out and tried to locate Blu. He smashed a bottle against a rock and started to shout.

"KID! Are you alright?" he asked, panting. "That thing -gasp- it reminds me of -gasp- dragons" he said. "If he's like a dragon -gasp- his belly will be a softer spot" he concluded.

Edited February 25, 2023 by Jesse Terrence

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Kujamih @Jesse Terrence

(Blu)

Once Lyra was tired to the point that she finally set him down Blu quickly sought cover that he could shoot out of. Preferably something that would hide him from above that he could shoot through if necessary, like an awning or covered patio. Any roof would do though, he could always pop out to shoot if needed.

He had been about to fire on the dragon again when the clown got his attention. He shrugged, "Bigger target anyway, let's see if you're right."

He'd adjust his aim to go for the belly, which should be rather exposed if the dragon was flying. Once he had a clear shot he'd take it, and immediately prepare to fire again in case he missed.

 

(Fuoco)

The world falling apart was the last thing that Fuoco needed right now. As she had just finished evaluating the enchantment on the silver flute and found it different she was already on edge. That combined with everything she had been through in these past few days...

She recoiled from the door when it fell away along with everything else, "no... no no no no NO NO NO!"

She barely registered the voice as she broke down sobbing, "Stupid STUPID foal! Did I learn nothing from my sister?"

She didn't notice, but being in the dream world the memory materialized for whoever was watching to see: Her sister, the pride and joy of house Cantabile, reduced to a mindless husk after she had accepted a gift with a strange enchantment. Brilla was supposed to have been the one to receive the family's flute, not her...

And now it appeared Fuoco was suffering the same fate as her sister. "I never should have trusted that unicorn after what she did. It should have been obvious when she destroyed the flutes that she had no respect for me or my magic. She felt threatened by me, and now... and now..."

"I've given away the enchantment... twice in one day I've betrayed my family's trust and honor. I deserve to die here."

She shakingly reached up, ready to end it all, but faltered, going back to a sitting position, "weak." "The runt of my family. Only accepted as a last resort, and a failure at that. They were right..."

She would continue sobbing, having fully collapsed inward on herself, until or unless something changed.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle @Jesse Terrence

Up in the grey dirty sky a dark dragon with one bleeding eye, clinches and shakes in anger.

"... What the HELL!!....."

Suddenly out of nowhere a chaotic portal opens up and an eldritch monstrosity of a mare is seen inside.

" .....Dragon... The job is done. Let us leave right now." The eldritch invited him to enter the portal.

" Leave me be abomination..." He replied.

the mare grimmingly stares at him and slowly closes the portal and gave her last words to the dragon.

"... You will... Die... And i will be the last one you'll see in your dreams... And i will have you."

the dragon stares at her silently and looks at her as someone who've lost her mind.

"Finally...."

HE would scan the area and detect his target, and they are moving very fast.

" I see the earth pony is an expert Shadow user."

he'd pluck one of his scales and flung it towards to them with such strength and speed that it explodes on contact. 

but his projectile missed and caused a dust bowl.

" Damn it!..." Hed rub his bloody eyes in frustration.

"This is unacceptable..." He grumbles to himself.

then he hears a noisy stallion. He looks at the direction of the stallion and sees the clown... A familiar clown...

" ... I lost my eye because of you...."

it plucked 3 of it's scales and proceeds to aim.

" I suppose this is enough to hit you with my bad eyes." He got neer and flings it once more with great speed.

the scales didn't hit Shamrock directly but the speed and power caused whatever it hits explodes and the debris would instead kill him if he didnt dodge.

this would give the Dragons location. 

certainly the dragon has his pride as the unpenetrable skin as his previous actions show that he did not care what hits him. But now he has an injured eye and wing, witch shocked him. He could not accpet that someone was able to pierce his skin. But also injured him.

his furry has clouded his mind and just wishes to kill the one who did this to him.

fear? Anger? Or maybe both.

" Die!! Filthy pony!" It yelled.

Edited February 27, 2023 by Kujamih

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle

A floating weird shadowy ghostly mare, would inconspicuously float above her and whisper.

" Trust no one? Why? Such a dreadful dream..." 

Before Fuoco could lift her head and properly view the mare who whispered at her, she would be awoken by Diamond Tiara.

"WAKE UP, FUOCO!"

As soon as she sees Fuoco's eyes open, she quickly hugged her.

" Are you alright!? Thank Celestia i checked on you. The guards near your room had all fallen asleep... Or rather was in a nightmare." Diamond Tiara checked you out and took your pulse.

[Jesse Terrence 2,968]

@Kujamih @Illiad Easle

5 hours ago, Kujamih said:

the scales didn't hit Shamrock directly but the speed and power caused whatever it hits explodes and the debris would instead kill him if he didnt dodge.

Shamrock jumped as the scales exploded. The explosion scared him and his heart rushed. This gave him a pump of adrenaline.

"Above us kid!" he shouted.

As the debris blew in all directions, Shamrock, in his adrenaline rush, managed to dodge most of the debris, but still got several cuts and scratches. He was trying to spot the monster, but the dust around him limited his sight.

"Try again dimwit!" the clown yelled in a mocking tone. "A blind mole wouldn't have missed me!" he laughed sticking his tongue out as he happily pranced around the collapsed houses and the debris.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Kujamih @Jesse Terrence

(Blu)

Blu paused when he saw that the scales were explosive, as it gave him an idea. "Hold on a moment." He unloaded the round he had chambered, and swapped it with one enchanted to be explosive. If everything worked out, the dragon was about to be a former concern. Even if he were wrong, the explosive round should still do heavy damage to the less armored portion of the dragon.

As the dragon was not trying to hide, or dodge apparently as he was more concerned with aiming, taking the shot would be easy. He leaned out of cover just enough to have a clear line and fired.

 

(Fuoco)

Fuoco was frankly an absolute mess when Diamond found her, hyperventilating with a very high heartrate, muttering to herself between breaths how weak and stupid she was.

When she did calm enough to come to her senses, her initial reaction was to distance herself from Diamond, her eyes and expression full of panic and suspicion, "What is this? Another trick? I only have one more secret, and it will be the death of you all."

She wouldn't hear what Diamond was saying to her, and would react violently if Diamond tried to stop her, as she quickly made her way over to her family's flute and started to play. It was a chaotic sound, discordant even, but it seemed to calm her. As a side effect, any active magical effects in the area would be disrupted as the song played.

At the end of the song Fuoco seemed to have gotten ahold of herself, still breathing heavily her expression was cold, "Either I am truly awake, or I am fully enthralled, and have been for some time."

She finally turned her attention to Diamond, "What happened?"

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle @Jesse Terrence

The Dragon was not concern at the clown prancing around. But it seems the dragon was up to something... waiting.

Blu would fire his gun  and the Dragon was prepared.

he  deliberately lowered himself and gave away his position.

he was able to grab the bullets by his large hands and compressed it.

" Foolish child! You think that would wor-" the bullet explodes with greater force since compressing explosive or covering it makes it more potent. Which was a wrong move for the dragon to do.

It would reap it arms of as it explodes.

"... I'm... Impenetrabuuugghh..." The dragon cried as he faints and fall from the sky.

It seems the Clown didn't distract the dragon from the bullet but from what it is.

The dragon crashed into th building with great force.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle

,  Diamond Tiara was taken aback by the chaotic music she played and couldn't react properly to her.

She tried to calm the panicked pony but sees it as a dangerous move and would gently and calmly try to approuch her.

5 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

She finally turned her attention to Diamond, "What happened?"

" Uhmm what happened? I don't know either... But i do know that you need a hug." Shed then try to approach her with open hooves giving a signal to hug each other.

" This usually calms down panicked individuals." She added.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Kujamih @Jesse Terrence

(Blu)

Blu was impressed that the dragon was able to catch the round, it was another thing that would have to be improved. Sure, making the rounds supersonic would make the gun VERY loud, but it looked like it was a necessary sacrifice for the increased power. The increased range and accuracy at range that would supply were also welcome additions, assuming he had the chance to attack from range rather than this run-and-gun that he'd been subjected to lately.

Once the dragon was downed he wasted no time in encouraging everyone to get moving, "I'm not betting we're safe yet. We need to keep moving."

 

(Fuoco)

Fuoco shook her head, "Maybe later. The enchantment on the silver flute was modified, it may have been the cause. If it wasn't, we need to find out what was. It's clear that we're not safe here, not anymore."

She gathered up the disassembled silver flute into a bag and secured it, along with her flute, to her back as she moved to leave the room. "Where's Starlight? She has some questions to answer." 

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle

Diamond Tiara was still worried, but would brush it off for now.

She'd nod to Fuoco's suggestion, and reply: "actually i came here to pick you up, so we could leave for the mission. I believe starlight glimmer and the rest of our team is waiting for us at the rendevou."

Tiara would lead you to the meet up point. They'd pass by some guards who are being accommodated by some nurses and a doctor. They seem very tipsy and miserable.

They'd soon exit the castle and into a hidden path at the gardens.

There they'd meet up with some creatures and familiar faces.

Misty and Starlight glimmer were one of those faces.

Misty would wave joyfully as they approached. While the others would stare at you from a distance.

Two earth ponies, a mare with a western hat and a royal guard stallion. A male griffon and a female dragon.

" It looks like everyone is accounted for." Starlight announced to grab everyone's attention.

"I've just heard on what happened to you Fuoco. It appears our enemy is more cunning and dangerous than I've expected. No matter... I have the perfect stallion for the job."

She would then call for the royal guard and would stand by her side.

" This here is White Light, a Royal guard tasked to aid and assist you on your mission." 

The stallion hade a black mane and snow white fur. His posture is straight, but he is not as bulky like the other stallions.

"He wields an artifact that can absorb magic. He is masterfully trained at using such devices. He has been my personal guard for two years now and i completely trust him."

The royal guard would face the headmistress and bow to her.

" It is only natural for someone to serve and give their all to the one who saved them. I owe you my life headmistress. Whatever you will, it shall be done."

"And yet you still talk like that to me. I've told you before not to talk like that... It's embarrassing..." Starlight pointed out.

".... Um...Sorry headmistress..." White bashfully replied.

The headmistress would pat his head and give off a smile.

" Anyway you have your missions. Stay safe and make sure they come back home White." 

White would stand up and give his salute before being dismissed.

" Fuoco, let me introduce you to the rest of the team.

"Next up is Agent Apple Bloom. She will be our aide related to anything with the S.M.I.L.E. agency. They're communications through out Equestria is still online and would be a great help for information and navigation."

Apple Bloom would then interrupt.

" Ahmm... EX agent... Ave(I've) quited a long time ago."

The mare with a western hat was beautiful and strong, but whats noticable about her is the bandage thats wrapped around her eyes. She can still walk around without bumping on to anything or anyone and face them when they speak.

"I'll be your guide and protector.

Next up was the green dragon.

"These hear is Basher... She'll be one of your arial teams and go to when interacting with other dragons. Shes  a bit shy and dosn't talk much, so excuse her for that."

The dragon would only nod slightly and avoid eye contact with the rest of the group.

"And last but not the least is Griff... He's fast and silent. Good for stealth operations."

"Hello everyone, it's nice meeting you all. lets succeed and bring back peace to Equestria." The griffin replied.

His an owl variant of the griffins and his feathers are a mixture of brown and green. Has a slim and tender posture, might be due to his nature of skill.

Starlight would call Diamond Tiara's attention to come up front.

"Starlight will be leading your team. I'm sure everyone knows her and would agree that she is the right mare for this job."

" I will not fail headmistress..." Tiara's reply.

The headmistress would hug her before sending off. "That's why i picked you. Any questions on you mission before you head off?"

" I believe Fuoco has some for you headmistress."

The headmistress would then go near Fuoco and ask.

" What is it you wish to ask me, friend?" She asked.

 

 

 

 

 

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Kujamih

(Fuoco)

The longer she went since her experience the calmer she got. She nodded politely to each of the team members as they were introduced, she was a bit surprised that she wasn't asked to introduce herself, but she assumed that Starlight had simply already told the rest of the group about her before she arrived. If not, they'd probably ask about her later.

22 hours ago, Kujamih said:

The headmistress would then go near Fuoco and ask.

" What is it you wish to ask me, friend?" She asked.

Fuoco would move to distance from the group out of respect for Starlight, so they could have a semblance of privacy. "I'll be the first to admit that I'm far from an expert in rune-mancy, but I am skilled enough to know when two sets of runes are not the same. Unfortunately in my examination of the enchantment you put on the new flute I found that it simply did not match. Either you were unable to correctly copy the enchantment and neglected to tell me, you made some modification to the enchantment without my knowledge or consent, or it was modified by another between when you gave it to me and when I examined it. Further, it was immediately after I examined the runes in the flute that I was effected. If the enchantment was modified, that may be the cause."

Fuoco didn't leave Starlight much room to maneuver with this query, and given the accusations it was to Starlight's benefit that Fuoco had offered her the opportunity to discuss this privately. But in short, according to Fuoco's question, Starlight had either lied to Fuoco about being able to duplicate the enchantment, lied about duplicating the enchantment properly, or it further confirmed that someone in the castle was able to affect them and their items undetected.

If Starlight admitted to the second case, or asserted that a third party had trapped it, Fuoco would ask her to redo the enchantment correctly, so that it was an exact match for the old enchantment. If Starlight admitted to the first, Fuoco would simply ask that she remove the enchantment entirely. Even unenchanted it would serve as a decent replacement if ever she couldn't use her family's flute.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle

"Oh, please forgive me. I had to change some of the runes to fit the materials used upon.

"Yours was originally made out of wood and the new material was made out of minerals from the earth. Although the old runes would still work. But would not bring out the full potential of the flute. So i tinkered it a bit.

"But i was sure that it still matched the style of your runes... In fact this might as well be the runes that your smiths have enchanted for this kind of materials." She analyzed.

" But if you want the old runes... I can easily do that." She sighed and was a bit sad.

 

Diamond tiara would lead the way as they'd exit the safety of the castle's makeshift walls and into one of the entrances of what seems to be a forest.

" Alright everyone, our first destination is Everfree Village." Diamond Tiara announced as you all enter the forest.

This time misty is beside Diamond Tiara leading the way, as she controls the mist infront of them.

While Basher stays behind them and griff is everywhere chatting his mouth off and being friendly with everyone.

Meanwhile White Light is always placing himself at the back of the team.

Eventually Griff would strike a conversation with you.

" Hey there Fuoco! The names Grievous but everyone just calls me Griff.

" Hey i was there too when the black shards started raining on the castle. At first i was shocked that an earth pony with no weapon or armor just headed out and faced danger with just a flute! Then boom! You used magic! I was like WOOOO!!! AND YEAAAHH!!! that was so hype pony! Hey! You think i can learn magic too? I wanna be the first griffin to do magic too! That'd be epic!" The griffin enthusiastically talked to you.

Meanwhile white light at the back would just smile at both of you and reply.

" I was there too, and your actions inspired me heavily. Ashamed i tried to stop you... Now it's an honour walking by your side."

Apparently this was not the first time you have met with this specific royal guard... It seems he is the familiar guard that you kept on bumping with.

" Oh and Griff. Dial down the volume a bit. Everfree forest isnt as safe as it was since the invasion.... So please stay stealthy for now." He calmly asked Griff.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Kujamih

(Fuoco)

Fuoco sighed deeply when Starlight went to justify herself, ad at her sad expression at the end, but Fuoco steeled herself before continuing. "The fact remains that you kept that information from me. It may not have been malicious, or perhaps even intentional, but you lied to me. It will take some time before I'll be able to trust what you say going forward."

In regards to changing the runes she decided to leave them the way they were, "It might be a mistake, but I'll trust that you're telling me the truth now. However, if I find out that you are still lying, or have kept any other secrets that put me in danger, I'll never give you the opportunity to lie to me again."

There wasn't a lot of fire in her assertion, it was more of a disappointment, indicating that Fuoco wasn't threatening to kill Starlight for future deception, but rather would distance herself if it came to it. "I hope you can understand just how dangerous it could be if the runes are not properly configured. If you made a mistake in your adjustments, it could kill everyone when I go to use it."

 

Assuming that she was still allowed to go on the expedition, she would keep mostly to herself towards the front of the group unless approached as she was. 

19 hours ago, Kujamih said:

" Hey there Fuoco! The names Grievous but everyone just calls me Griff.

" Hey i was there too when the black shards started raining on the castle. At first i was shocked that an earth pony with no weapon or armor just headed out and faced danger with just a flute! Then boom! You used magic! I was like WOOOO!!! AND YEAAAHH!!! that was so hype pony! Hey! You think i can learn magic too? I wanna be the first griffin to do magic too! That'd be epic!" The griffin enthusiastically talked to you.

She would smile at that, still too wary of the unfamiliar surroundings to be entirely comfortable. Her magic would prove quite destructive here if it came to it. Still, she was polite. "I've heard tell that the griffons, at least where I'm from, were quite talented with string instruments, given how their talons were quite dexterous and how their beaks don't really lend themselves to playing more... orally inclined instruments. I'm not knowledgeable enough to teach you myself, but maybe the power is within you?"

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle

Starlight was a bit worried and disheartened that Fuoco was upset 

" Oh i see. I thought it was common sense to adjust the runes to the materials it was intended too.

Plus the reason why i adjusted the runes is so we could avoid endangering the user.... For you to avoid misfiring."

" Anyway... Please dont be offended on my actions. I mean no I'll will. Then perhaps i should also inform you that i gave the golden flute to Diamond tiara, and the rest of the flute to Misty. You just left the flutes on the table... I didn't want it to go to waste so gave it to them and who knows... They might learn a few spells on the way... If thats alright with you. And don't worry. Ive studied your magic and made sure nothing bad happens. And a precautionary, IF something brakes my failsafe spell it would warn me and pin point your location. I can easily teleport there to save you all... So in dire situations you can brake the flute to call me.... But ONLY if its an emergency. Misty don't accidentally brake the flutes. Basher make sure the flutes are safe."

Both nodded in agreement to starlight's request.

Diamond Tiara approached Fuoco.

"You don't mind do you?"

[Distortion in process]

The royal guard suddenly fell to his knees.

It took everyone's attention, especially Griff. He was trying to hold out his laughter.

" Pfftt... What happened to you White?"

" Ouff... Sorry. Im good im good."

White bashfully proclaimed.