//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: Tune of the Piper // by Bookpony579 //------------------------------// Tired from the recent activity, the group decided to look for some picnic tables in a well lit area of the park to sit and talk things over. "Sorry about the flute." Twilight finished after a quick explanation. "I felt like I didn't have much choice. I couldn't let him get his hands on it." Daring held the broken pieces and sighed. "It's ok. And you're right: nobody should have that kind of power. That's why the Piper and Aurella both hid it when they did. I've actually had to bring back a few broken artifacts myself in order to prevent their powers from getting into the wrong hands again. Even if the museum curators whine about it a little." "Now that that's been settled. There's still one more question I have." Flash turned to the man. "Who the heck are you!?" The man grinned, and held out his hand for Flash to shake. "The name's Osprey Hilfe, ich just retired from being an offizer a few years ago." "Wait!" Twilight flattened her hands on the table excitedly. "Your Officer Osprey Hilfe!? That Officer Osprey Hilfe from my Grandmother's journal!? The one who called her in and helped her take down the crime boss!?" He nodded. "Ja. I worked with Aurella when she came to help us. Ich had heard of her reputation and ich knew she was the perfect person to help us. I told you I was friends with a puzzle solver." "So hang on a sec...did you know we were looking for the Piper's Flute?" Flash asked. "Ja. Ich realized it as soon as you showed me the drawing. Ich saw very similar drawings in her journal. Not to mention when Ich saw your face." He turned to Twilight with a smile. "I knew immediately you had to be related to her." "Wait..." Daring's eyes widened with realization. "You knew where she hid the flute, didn't you?" He nodded. "I'm the one that helped her set up those puzzles in the first place Du siehst, the crypt was where the Flute was hidden originally, ze Pied Piper had it buried with him. That was where Don Mob found it. Apparently he found it by accident while burying some illegal goods. After we arrested him, she decided to use the crypt as a....what do you call it....a red herring!" "She made it seem like she put it back where it was first found; deep underground and hidden. But she actually did the opposite of that, put it out in the open where people would never guess it would be! That's brilliant!" "Genau! She was worried about others coming to look fer the flute. So after you all visited me, I decided to keep track of your progress." "Thank you again so much for helping back there." Twilight offered. He waved it off. "It was my pleasure. Anything for the Granddaughter of the woman who helped save my home." "And...could you keep word of this whole adventure to yourself please?" Daring asked. "We'd....prefer that our names not get out. Especially in Equestria. This mission is kind og hush hush for me." He held up a hand. "Scouts honor." He looked at his watch. "Now I'm afraid I must be going. It was a pleasure to meet you all and if you ever find yourself in this wonderful city ever again, please give me a call." The three adventurers gave a wave of farewell to their new friend before Daring spoke up. "I have to get going too, it might be broken, but the sooner the flute is behind glass the better. Besides, the less people see me leaving the city, the better." "Glad we could help." Flash nodded. "We're happy to help anytime." "Thank you, both of you, for helping me with this." With that, Daring went off and the two teens decided to head back to the hotel for some much deserved dinner and a good night's sleep. The next day was full of walking around, sight seeing, enjoying the local cuisine, and, (at Twilight's insistence) learning about the history and culture of the town, which they both enjoyed and found fascinating. The day after that, they woke up early, packed up, and headed to the airship docks to head home. "I can't believe it's already over. Flash sighed on the waiting bench next to Twilight. "So much happened in so little time. I can barely believe it." "You'd be surprised how often that happens." Twilight said, looking up from the journal. Flash raised an eyebrow. "You're still reading that? But we already found the flute." "I know, but there's so much more in here! Stories of her adventures, descriptions of lost artifacts, and drawings and codes that don't seem to make sense!" She bore an excited grin. "Plus, this is just one of her journals. Imagine what what we could find from the others!" "No kidding! You said she always kept one on her cases, right?" "Exactly, who knows what secrets we can uncover!" "I take it you two had a nice time?" Velvet asked, approaching them. Quickly, Twilight hid the journal in her backpack and she and Flash did their best to act casual. "Yup! Great time! Thanks for inviting me along!" Flash said a little two quickly. "And I'm assuming you got good information for you 'report'?" "Our what?" Twilight asked, her mind blanking for a moment. "Yes! Our report! You know, the reason we came here!" Flash quickly reminded her. "Oh! Yes! Got all the information we needed. We're definitely getting an A!" Twilight said, grinning nervously. Velvet just gave an amused grin. "Well, I'm glad, I got all the info I needed. I'll just go check where our airship is docked." As she walked towards the gates, she called over her shoulder: "And I hope you at least told Daring Do I said 'Hi'!" She gave an amused chuckle and Flash's and Twilight's jaws practically dropped to the floor. 'What.....how.....?" Flash mumbled. "I guess Grandma wasn't the only one with secrets either...."