//------------------------------// // Working with Enchantments // Story: Unforgotten // by Riddle-Me-Think //------------------------------// I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Six circles, five out in a pentagon shape and one larger central one. One pentagon connecting the five outer circles. One larger circle encircling it all. Five sets of ancient words between each set of the five outer circles. One star placed around the center circle piece and connecting the five outer circles to the main. Five single symbol words between each star limb. Twilight let out an slow and easy breath as she looked over this new format of runes, glancing to Masquerade as he finished making a strange goop from more rare ‘changeling’ ingredients for this little enchantment experimentation. In a way, she smiled and placed the metal plate with the rune on the table and watched as her colt friend work, a bit surprised he knew quite a bit about alchemy and transmutation— though it was far from being anything like her understanding. It was still a pleasant surprise. What made it an even greater treat was the point that it was mostly changeling magic that was at work for both, not pony. “Is it ready Mask?” She asked, curious to know if their little project would work while she retrieved a gem off the shelf. It was going to be the main target for their work. With a flash of green magical fire, Masquerade carefully cooked the ingredients he had and told, “Just about.” Then glanced to Twilight as he said, “So.. think this will work?” Really, it was just an idea the two of them had and wanted to try. After making a cloak able to make him invisible 24/7 as long as he had the magic— he was admittedly curious to see if they could make a stone that allowed him to teleport. He was very fast to agree to this idea and try it. But so far, after nearly seven different fail ours, they were no closer to figuring out the problem. The first attempted had more or less warped the ‘test dummy’ beyond all recognition, something looking similar when a Changling tried a teleporting spell. Then the next one resulted in a pile of goop. After that was randomly teleporting into things. The fourth attempt made the test dummy turn.. inside out. Attempt number five just ended up in a mangled mess. Attempt number six had made turn into a bushel of flowers. And the seventh attempt… they’re not sure what happened, since the Test Dummy never returned after it teleported ‘out’. “I’m… keeping an optimistic hope it will.” Twilight decided to offer to the faux pony. Really, after what happened with the seven other tries and the conclusive testing with it to show them ‘unsafe’ for use, she was wondering what other testing they would have to try before teleporting was a possible thing for Masquerade. Mask himself knew that Twilight had some doubts this would work, he could feel it. But, she was denying it and keeping a hopeful mindset. “Eh, good enough for me.” He soon shrugged, figuring that if anything, the mare would enjoy the data that she would collect from this. When he was sure the mixture was done, Masquerade nodded to Twilight, whom placed the gem in the center of the rune’s circle. With that done, she helped place in small indents into each of the outer circles, where upon Mask poured a bit of his strange mix into. With that done, both began to power their magic and place it into the rune. Both had to stop from shivering of the sensations of their magics maxing, the strange feeling of warm, inviting emotions, and that of cold, refined and almost hungry magic. The rune lit with a strange light, the lines blurring the magical power as it traveled towards the center where the gem was. It flashed and shinned, a pinkish core showing while the rest was overtaken with green magic. Mask was carful to craft the changeling aspect of the magic, while Twilight busied herself with making sure the magic could convert to a changelings needs. Slowly the liquid mixture drained away, the green goop following the lines of the magical rune before meeting at it’s center, where it began to stick and absorb into the gem itself. Then, with a final plus of magic from both unicorns, the gem seemed to contract on itself, becoming a eerie green light and clanked on the metal place with a enthrall sound. While Twilight took a breath to relax, Masquerade fall on his rump, letting out a, “Oye! That was something!” Feeling a bit winded by it. His magic wasn’t drained, he had plenty of it thanks to his romance with Twilight, but the effort of molding the magic so finely— he was sure he had a slight headache. Casting a slightly concerned look over to him, Twilight asked, “Are you aliright Mask?” Making her way around the table to place a hoof on his shoulder, held tilted to the side as she watched the stallion rub the area just under his pointed horn. “Just a headache.” He said before looking at her and asking with pleading eyes, “Kiss to make the boo-boo go away?” She rolled her eyes and said, “You’re such a foal.” Though still humored him and kissed Mask’s forehead, giggling at his goofy smile before turning to the gemstone. “Now, if you’re done being silly, we need to see if this gem can use teleportation magic!” As silly as it might have been to the mare, for Mask the kiss that was filled with love and affection was like a aspirin, ebbing the slight headache away. Still, he chuckled and got up, looking to the gem before lighting his horn to hold it up, saying, “Sure. All we need is…” Pausing as he… became confused. Twilight looked equally confused, her ears perked as Mask once more spoke, though his voice was… distorted.. and high-pitched. “Is that.. my voice?” The stallion clearing his voice before saying, “Is that really, my voice?” The helium toned voice seeming to persists while he held the gem in his magic. Pressing her lips together, Twilight felt her giggles wanting to escape, but with a added hoof, she contained them. For a moment. Mask’s next words with that voice only made the dams burst, “It appears our experimentation has yielded some very odd results.” Having the most straightest face she had ever see, it just made her fall back laughing. “Twinkles, really.” Mask went on with that same serous look and tone— but it only made her laughter rise, “This is no laughing matter!” But stopped to that and admitted, “Alright, maybe it is. But I am trying to be serous, and it is utterly failing.” Watching as the mare continued to laugh and giggle on the ground. Huffing, though secretly smiling at how happy Twiight was, Mask place the gem back on the table and said, voice returning to normal, “How about you scan it. I think we did something wrong.” With her laughs dieting down, Twilight agreed, “Yes, I think we did.” Getting up and lighting her own horn to pick up the gem that soon shifted to her magic’s coloration. she began scanning it carefully, trying to find out what they did wrong. “I can’t find anything.” She soon concluded, before blinking as she released her voice was now high-pitched. And looking at her colt-friend, he looked ready to laugh. “You’re not—” A snicker escaped the stallion as he heard that same voice— even though it wasn’t from him, but rather Twilight. “Oh, you are so not laughing at me, are you?” Twilight tried to sound threatening, but for mask, it sounded both too funny and adorable to sound threatening. The way her cheeks slightly puffed out and her lips pressed into a cute little pucker— it was too much. It was the lavender mare’s turn to huff and place the gem back on the table, nose up high and body slightly turned away to show she was upset. That however didn’t long as Mask took the chance to jump next to her and say while having a foreleg over her back, “OH come on Twinkles, it’s funny!” Then poked her side, horn lighting up as his voice went helium high, “You know you want to laugh.” Twilight gave him a glance but went back to trying to ignore him… but what was done next made her turn around… and have a hard time not laughing. Masquerade had flashed into green fire to change back into a colt, and with gem in magic, spoke in that high-pitched voice, “I will warn you, with this gem in my grasp, I will rule the world using fluffy bunnies and pie catapult! Muhahahaha! Fear my cuteness!” The sight, as well as ridiculous monolog mage Twilight snort and shake her head. “Alright, I think that’s enough messing around, Mask.” Using her magic t first take the gem away and begin scanning it, while Mask turned back to his ‘normal’ self. He waited patently with an amused grin for a while before Twilight placed the gem down an let her magic die out. Breathing in, she said, “I have no idea what went wrong.” Honestly confused on how they got this result. It could have been that the mixture Masquerade made was… off by an ingredient, or had too much of one. Maybe she had missed something on the rune she made, or misspelled one of the markings. Maybe they shouldn’t have used changeling and pony magic. But the gem didn’t make a warped space of reality to produce a instantaneous move from one location to another— it just effected the sound that the voice made. How or why that was… Twilight was still trying to puzzle it out. Looking back at the gem and using her magic, Twilight passed it over the Masqurade and motioned him to go on and try casting a spell. He gave an uncertain look at the gem before shrugging and giving it a little juice, only enough to see if they could get a reaction. There was a very bright flash and buzz that made both close their eyes and fold their ears and Masquerade cut the magic. “That hurt!” Mask shouted, currently blind and deaf. “What?” Twilight shouted back, just as blind and deaf. “Huh?” Mask soon responded, “Did you say something?!” Trying to hear through the ringing in her ears and understand the slightly muted voice, Twilight slightly stumbled around, “I said, what!” Blinking her eyes trying to make the now big black blur to go away. “What about what!?” Mask soon shouted when he felt that he understood what was said— but not sure why Twilight had said it. The doors from upstairs opened and Spike rushed down the steps, calling out, “Did something happen, Twilight, Mask, are you… all… right?” Comming to a slow stop, as he watched in confusion as both ponies shouted out to the other… and looked as if they couldn’t tell where the other was. Scratching his head, Spike asked, “Um… are you both alright?” “What?” Came the shouting response from both unicorns. After some time to regain their sight, hearing and sense of the situation, did both Twilight and Masquerade place any further testing on hold. Though the stallion was quick to pilfer the gem for himself, claiming he could use it for something. So, with what was possibly a bad judgment call, Twilight let Mask have it. She hopped she would not regret letting him have it. While he was placing it away, and organizing his things in that little corner of his, Twilight occupied herself with her notes on changelings for her little guide book, searching through her data as well as anything new she had. One of which being the ‘dislike towards cold’ she had found out. She had talked it over with Masquerade, and the facts surrounding it were rather simplistic. Changelings, in their default forms, had a hard time surprising in cold weather to the point that anything reaching the freezing point could be potently lethal. It wasn’t information they freely gave out, and Twilight intended not to completely mention it. Really, as long as a changeling had a stage-2 transformation, they would be fine in cold weather. Having a curious thought, Twilight glanced up and spoke, “Mask.” Making sure she had his attention as she asked, “When do you think is a good time to head for the Lue Clan’s hive? Professor Intrusive has given me permission… but I”m not sure… where it’s at.” Thinking about that, Masquerade said, “You might have to find him or one of the Lue to bring you there— once they know you are allowed inside.” Then thought about it for a moment as he said, “He might still be in Canterlot, made sure Bard’s working and he’s smoothing things over. Maybe next time I head up to get my next little work project, you can go and visit their Hive for a few days.” Twilight let out a sigh to that, thinking of just… how much has been going on and how often she went to Canterlot not a days. She didn’t want to miss this chance, but she didn’t want to be gone for too long. And the planning she needed to put in for her absents! “I might need to think on that Mask.” She admitted, “I still have the Library to manage, and I’ve been away so much lately…” “Hey, no rush Twinkles.” Masquerade assured from where he stood, using his magic to rearrange a few other things. “Take your time, the Lue aren’t going anywhere. If you want, take a few weeks before deciding to go.” Twilight slowly nodded to this thought, and knew that she in a way had time to think it over. But while she did, Spike came in with a small bowl of chips, placing it on the table for his adopted sister to have some while saying, “So what’s at the Lue Clan that’s so important again?” Taking and popping one of the salty treats into his mouth, crunching away. “Information, Spike.” Twilight reminded, “The Lue Clan is one of the most knowledgeable changeling Clans to ever exist, and not only could I look up changeling cultures, rules, history and even their biology in general— but maybe find other things I never knew about!” In a slight perk of curiosity, Spike asked, “Think they have anything on Dragons?” Smiling some at this, Masquerade said, “I’d be surprised if they didn’t.” Walking around his things and moving over to the table to take his place right next to Twilight. After feeling comfortable enough on his hunches, he went on, “Changeling’s don’t really like getting near dragons often, but there are plenty that have. Mostly during the migrations. I won’t be surprised if they have a few books or scrolls on the subject.” Now Twilight felt her interest perk as she asked, “Scrolls with information on Dragons?” Knowing that sort of method was very much left in the past. Books dominated the way to hold and retain information, more effective than a scroll was now of days. The dark stallion however, gave a shrug and told, “Maybe. I find it possible that they’d still have some of those more ancient and older documents that were first made. Buuut…. they could have also converted most of them into books by now.” Pondering on that in his head before shaking it, “You can ask the Lue, the’d know more than I would. I’ve never been to their main Clan Hive before.” “You haven’t?” Twilight questioned, ignoring her research in preference to this. From what she understood and how well he knew the clans, she would have thought he was in the Lue’s Hive more than once. Mask shook his head no though, and told her, “I’ve been to their ‘shared’ hive back in my… well, former home in the Badlands.” Trying to ignored his inner guilt as he went on, “The Lue always came to Equestria to be around ponies. So, it only made sense they had another Clan Hive. The question was always where.” Twilight could only give a nod of understanding to that, already getting the hint of just how big it was that she was being given a chance to not just see the books this Clan held, but it’s location. In a way, she felt a bit honored at being given this opportunity even more, and it made her both anxious and excited on what secrets she was being allowed to read up on. Glancing twords Spike for a moment, Twilight turned back to Masquerade and asked, “I didn’t think of it at the time, but do you think they would let Spike come with me?” Knowing that he might enjoy being with her while they read up on whatever facts they could. Maybe ind something on dragons they con both read up on. “You can sure ask.” Mask shrugged, not wanting to get Spike’s rising hopes up, “Intrusive would be the one to ask, since it’s sort’a his library you’ll be looking into.” The tapped his chin and told, “But if you can’t ask him, I’ll be sure to let him know, and try telling you as soon as I can what he says.” Turning and leaning up to give kiss to his cheek, Twilight smiled, “Thank you Mask, I’m sure Spike appreciates it.” Turning to give a smile to the small drake that looked a bit excited by the idea of a small trip. “Anything for you, Twinkles.” Chuckled the stallion in turn. Calming breath in, calming breath out. She just had to keep calm and figure out what to do. Evening Harvest, as much as she wantted to doubt it, was confident she could handle this situation with a nice, calm and even mindset. She marched twords her office, knowing that she had to prepare for the Infiltrator and plan for how to implement his skill set to it’s fullest. OMG, OMG, what am I going to do? Captain Spitfire looked ready to tear into a new batch of recrutes and make them quite from sheer pressure! How am I going to deal with somepony that can make Mount Spitfire active again!? Her mind, was far from calm though, and trying to figure out any plan for this changeling-in-pony-form sounded more harder than it should. She took her time to read over the report with her fellow Overseer’s… and felt as much dread as the others possibly felt relief when pinning him on her. High grade lock’s undone, sneaking into private courters quarters to place in a prank, give her a headache over every singe detail with never ending quips and remarks— or worst of all, finding a way to get some of the other troops mixed into the pranks! She started to wish she spoke up sooner and let somepony else deal with the Infiltrator, the Warrant Officer felt too ill equipped, too ill prepared. What was I put into? She asked with a groan while reaching her office and entering inside. Closing the door behind herself, the mint-green mare made her way to a chair, roughly sat down, and slammed her head into the desk, laying there. She just kept that position, trying to think of anything that could save her the trouble, use Masquerade’s skills fully, and save her fro possible humiliation. All this, and after words she needed to report her findings on how effective he was. If she could, she would just pawn him off to someone else, let them handle him so she could continue her work in peace! It would certainly make things easier with more eyes on him, since she herself would be busy. Wait, Evening Harvest thought with a jolt, head rising and eyes lighting in realization, I can do that! I can assign him to a unite, one that’s doing an investigation, maybe that one request for aid in Lospegasus, that would be perfect! Nearly scrambling, the Solar Guard Overseer began going through her desk’s dowers, going through the current files she had and placeng them on her desk. Looking it over, she read, Lead Pony being Sergeant Cleats. Under his command is Staff Sergeant Winds, Private First Class Errant and Corporal Chain. They could do for this, she personally knew the Staff Sergent, as he was acting as a veteran advice for this somewhat fresh team. She could rely on him for the reports fully. Just mark Masquerade as a Specialist in the group and rife hem on a slight change in their numbers, and I should be good! Thinking aobutit though, she made sure to re-read the file to be sure what she was getting the stallion into. It was with her intent, that he not only stayed out of trouble and didn’t cause her some humiliation, but also use those skills. And from the looks of it, they could be very well used. The local law inforcement has been apparently having trouble with a small local crime group that refuses to stay down. They were hopping that a few of the Solar Guard were willing to come and resolve the situation. Considering Masquerade’s apparent skill in not just infiltration and deception, but also possible investigative skills, tracking, knowing how a ciminal mind might work and other tricks she might not be aware of… Evening Harvest felt this was a good mission to send him on. Looking at the time frame, she grimaced and noticed that it was a good six day type mission. She could spare a few days for Mask and the team to get familiar with the other… But my time with him would run over a bit if I send him on this mission. She knew that she was supposed to test him over a week, that was the agreements. But she also didn’t want to keep him around and cause too much trouble. She was fine with him possibly pointing out possible holes in their defenses— but she wasn’t sure if she could handle the pranks and humiliating situations. Letting out a slow and concerned breath for her position, Evening Harvest decided that she would take it up with both Shining Armor and Masquerade if they could allow a bit more time for this idea to work. Spitfire didn’t have time to place him on a mission for some evaluation, she she herself was hopping that this could be used to make up for it. She was just frightened by the aspect of having to keep him around the Solar Guard and what trouble he might cause. They did have an image to uphold after all! Shaking those thoughts away, Evening Harvest began to review the reports that were given out. From what they were hinting out, the activities of the suspected ponies behind these crime had suddenly changed direction. From what the investigators could tell, they are trying to shake off their attempts of figuring out what they are up to. The Solar Guard being sent were going to act in coordination with the local law enforcement, acting as extra muscle while they did their work. Not many could just stand up to a Solar Guard, and even fewer could resist the teamwork of a unit of them. Though apprehending of the suspects was top priority, those being sent were to also help locate the said criminals. With the addition of a ‘Shadow Guard’ to this mix, it might make the mission end sooner— or find something her Solar Guards could not. Shining Armor was adamant in sharing how well the Shadow Guard had been working so far, and it honestly shocked her how well they operated without much of a structure just yet. But at the moment, she figured it was something changeling related, seeing as most of the Shadow Guard were changelings. Something she still wasn’t sure how to feel about. I pray to Celestia that it doesn’t come to bit us in the plot. She soon sighed, hoping she knew what they were all doing when involving the emotion feeding bug-ponies.