[-----AMBIENCE PORTION-----]

Free City, Truce - Fountain
A tiered fountain marks the center of Truce, water gushing from its
summit and trickling into a deep, wide basin, wrapped by a ring of benches.
Roads flow like rivers away from the fountain, and houses sprout like weeds
all around them. Not far to the east, the ocean roars in the harbor.

The evening is scattered with clouds that block the setting sun in the distance, though this does little to deter the temperatures that have been increasing of late as the warmer weather muscles its way into the region. Even as the sun paints an orange canvas against the backdrop of clouds, Ambience is seen coming in from the south, a familiar pearl-handled hilt sticking out of the sheath that is slung over a shoulder.

Ambience seems relatively complacent, given the situation he was in the last time he was even near Truce. He appears unwounded, without sign of bandage or lasting injury, but focused and determined, as though his mind were set on something specific. He inadvertently kicks a rock out of the way as he heads up to the center of Truce, apparently on his way elsewhere.

Solaire stands in the center of town, almost absent-mindedly watching the sky as the sun was on its way down to meet the horizon. The sunlight shines off of his helmet, as it appears he's staring directly at the orange ball in the sky.

Meanwhile, from the North, a farmilliar spherical, hovering drone and the accompanying cloud of flakes wanders in. Helios glances up at the sunset. "We wonder what will happen tonight..."

As before, Twilight Sparkle is once again making her way to the fountain. though she's got a large book held aloft in front of her with magic and, as such, doesn't see you until she runs into his leg and ends up falling. "Such a fascinating b-Wah!"

Bahamut laying back lazily resting on the bench, watching the scene with a smirk.

Sylana stands a bit away from the fountain, leaning against a lamp post and silently watching the activity going on. She frowns a bit as Twilight falls over the boy, but makes no comment on the matter.

Helios winces at the blunder similar to the one he had made last week. He goes over and pokes the dazed librarian and toppled boy. "Are you two alright?"

Helios says 'Ambience, it is good to see you again. You made it away from the fight alright, we see.'

Solaire breaks off his trance-like state and looks over at the group gathering by the fountain.

Ambience, in his focused state, seems to manage to see this coming, and though he isn't able to prevent the unicorn from falling entirely, he does brace himself against her quickly, to at least prevent any real injury. He grunts somewhat from the collision, but holds steady. "Whoa, hey hey. Careful there, you alright?"

Ambience glances up at Helios as he is addressed, and nods somewhat, though his attention at the moment is decidedly elsewhere. Last thing he needed upon coming back here was someone ELSE getting hurt, whether by accident or a giant beast's ire.

"Oh my, I'm SO sorry." For a moment, Twilight IS dazed, though she shakes her head to clear it and smiles sheepishly. "I should be, as long as I don't try reading something about scientific concepts while I'm walking somewhere..."

It's only at this point that Ambience realizes what he's bumped into, though it takes another moment for it to click in his brain the significance. "Hey, you're jus' like Rarity. Did you come from, uh... what'd she call it? Equain.. Equals... something. Sorry, brain's kinda fuzzy." He grins boyishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Bahamut slowly gets off the bench, his boots rasing a strangly odd amount of dust from the ground, as he wonders on over too the fountain and fills a flask. As he turns too the bench he makes a loud remark under his breath "Children Should have a Curfew."

Helios thinks. "Well, it was something like that. We can't really remember."

Solaire watches as the sun makes its final descent until it can't be seen anymore. Now without the natural light it appears a ever faint glow could be seen from under his bucket-style helmet. "Till morning we shall meet again." He says in a stoic manner before moving from his spot to a more comfortable position.

"You mean Eques-...wait. You know Rarity?" Somewhat cautiously, Twilight Sparkle narrows her eyes and begins studying you intently, though she refrains from using her magic to help. "How, exactly, do you know her, and where is she?"

Helios says 'She became a Lich some time ago. '

Helios says 'She showed up here, same as most everyone else.'

Ambience looks between Helios and Twilight, apparently confused. He certainly didn't seem to know what a lich was, and if it was bad, he wasn't indicating it as such, considering where (he assumed) Rarity was. "I'm lettin' her stay with me and my Da, until she can get her own place built here. She didn't have anywhere else t'go, and I couldn't just leave her by herself. It's.." He stops, trailing off as he thinks back on the last few nights.

Ambience shakes his head, clearing his thoughts. An interesting last few nights, indeed. "She's safe. I can promise you at least that much. She told me a li'l bit about where she came from, which is why I was s'prised to see another one like her so soon."

You say 'If it makes you feel any better, she and a few others all-but saved my life. I felt like it was a favor that needed returning, t'say th' least.'

Helios nods. "And the beast was disposed of, we take it?"

Solaire is pulled back into his own dimension.

The declining sunlight glints off the pearlescent handle of Ambience's longsword's hilt, flashing its light briefly at the specific angle it is held.

"Well, I've got no reason not to believe what you're saying..." Relaxing considerably, Twilight steps back and smiles somewhat at the reassurance of her friend's safety. "I'm relieved that she's in good hands... Thank you."

Helios says 'So, who was it you were protecting, anyway?'

"It was. I chopped one of its arms, but it got me before I could finish it off." At this point, Ambience casts a somewhat annoyed look in Bahamut's direction for the child-related remark, but doesn't say anything, looking back between the two of them. "Thankfully a bunch of others came in, and everythin' turned out okay."

Bahamut leaning back on the truce bench begins too snore and every so often shifts too a differnt sleeping postion.

"There was a... uh, girl, who was lost in Crysta. She got injured by some wolves that attacked, but before I could help her, that beast came out and I distracted it away from her an' the town." Ambience nods. "We saw her off, though. I think she'll be okay."

Helios says 'Well that's good then. '

For her part, Twilight casts a disapproving stare in Bahamut's direction, before huffing indignantly and turning her attention back to the conversation. "No tact, at all... Hmph. Anyways, it's good to know that there are guardians fighting for the greater good here, just like Equestria."

Helios slowly looks over at the sleeping man. "We havent tested out our warning siren yet..."

Guardians... Ambience wasn't sure if the Pony was referring to him, or that of whom were actually slated to be fighting those beasts. Humble as he generally was, though, he opted not to outwardly accept the credit. "We all have'ta look out for each other. Y'only get one life, so ya gotta protect it no matter what."

Ambience looks sad for a moment about something, but it passes rather quickly, returning his complacency afterward.

Helios says 'Backups are the smart drones' way to go.'

Bahamut shifts about on the bench and then sigh's "Just how do people sleep on these things.." with a loud yawn, Bahamut stands and streches out as he does so small amount of energy escape giving him a glowing silver aura.

With only a small amount of focus, Twilight Sparkle levitates the discarded book back into a slightly larger saddlebag, before casting a high-powered identification spell on Bahamut. "Necessity, I would think."

Bahamut shrugs helplessly.

Bahamut says 'Soo little miss Twilight was it?.. did you learn anything from that.'

Helios begins scanning the man near the fountain as well. "That was an interesting aura there, sir."

Bahamut says 'Ah i see.. it happens from time to time.. an old scar.'

Ambience seems relatively uninterested in Bahamut or his antics, now figuring on what kind of person (?) he was just from his earlier remark. Nevertheless, he nods between the three of them, adjusting the weapon strap on his shoulder. "So, what did you say your name was..?"

Bahamut says 'I didnt.'

Bahamut smirks.

After listening to the conversation with an idle, bored look on her face, Sylana's attention eventually turns to Bahamut, studying Bahamut with a critical, but in a non-threatening matter.

Ambience couldn't seem to remember if Twilight had given it to him or not, but if there was going to be more around like the Pony staying at his place, he felt it might be opportunistic to know. He ignores Bahamut's remark, with the same eye-rolling as was received for the first one.

Twilight says 'I'm picking up something very... OFF about you, but I can't really pinpoint what it is...'

Helios says 'Same here.'

Helios sighs. "This place screws with out scanners so much it's not even funny. We hardly know what half of the stuff we scan means anymore."

Helios says 'We miss our own universe, where things made sense...'

Bahamut says 'no, your not wrong. im just a very old esper. so im not suprised your having troubles.'

Lunaria crosses her arms and eyes the fountain crowd for potential prey. This town wasn't her normal proving ground, so she had no idea what kind of people she'd find here.

Bahamut sits down on the bench and sigh's "but its hard to go without a name, i supose i should use my name or make a new one i wonder"

Helios says 'You have no name?'

Ambience gives Helios an odd glance, but it isn't negative in any aspect. True, he'd concerned himself before recently about the 'Wishborn' status of those he'd been running into, more and more. But over the last day or so... maybe he was being indignant, this whole time. He shook his head, nodding instead. "It is tough to get a read on things, anymore, Helios. I even know how you feel 'bout that."

With a grunt of agreement, Twilight turns to Helios, releasing her identification spell. "Tell me about it. I normally don't have quite this much trouble identifying sources of magic, but I'm in the dark as to how to identify the biggest source here..."

Bahamut says 'i have a name.. thats not the problem.. the problem is that people remember my name.'

Helios nods sadly. "Back in our home universe, our data catalog was updated regularly. We could identify almost anything we came across, but here everything is a jumbled mess. It was better than staying there, though."

Bahamut nods slightly, a strange focus fills his eyes and a tension builds in the room. "You havent been here long enough to know all the stories of this place. Very well, I am the Esper Bahamut."

Helios says 'Well, it is good to meet you then, Esper Bahamut.'

Helios says 'One more thing to add to our catalog.'

Seeming to not particularly take concern in Bahamut's magical potentials or his name, Sylana stops analysing the esper and continues glancing about the area. When she spots Lunaria, however, she raises an eyebrow, looking over the new face intently from the corner of her eye.

Out of instinct, Twilight Sparkle simultaneously conjures her Element of Harmony in a flare of magic from her horn and retrieves a spell-book from her right saddlebag. "How was I not able to pinpoint dark magic before...? I'm really not getting a good feeling about this..."

Helios finishes his direct scan and switches back to a local scan. Almost immediatly, he detects the dard aura eminating from the woman sitting on the bench. He turns to her. "And you are?"

Ambience seems a little unnerved as the tension builds in the immediate area. He really doesn't seem to desire another altercation right now, and clears his throat as such. "Well, anyway.. I gotta get goin'. It's good to see you're okay too, Helios. And I might see you sometime again, uh..." He stops, still realizing he hadn't gotten this new Pony's name.

Lunaria raises her eyebrow at the orb floating and talking. "Me? I'm not really important." she says almost glaring.

Casting a distracted nod in Ambience's direction, the unicorbrarian readies a fire-based spell at the tip of her horn in the event she's drawn into a fight. "My name's Twilight Sparkle, and I'll see you later, Ambience..."

Helios turns around, facing Ambience. "Leaving so soon? Well, if you must, take care then." He turns back to face the woman near the fountain. "Well, arent we pissy."

Bahamut Glances at Lunaria. "Nothing special, although you are on a dangerous path"

Helios says 'No need for such hostility here, we're all friends. We think...'

Bahamut says 'Well Bad peace is always better then good war.'

Bahamut beams a smile at Helios.

Helios says 'We suppose it is.'

Lunaria changes her expression to a smile. "Sorry, I'm just not the little social butterfly like I am at home." she explains.

Ambience frowns, now fairly uncomfortable. He didn't recall actually giving his name, either. Nevertheless, he slides aside and heads north toward another intersection, leaving the group to deal with whatever was about to happen as they would. Helping people was one thing, but he wasn't really sure who was the instigator this time. Besides, he had work to do.

"She did nothing wrong, and suddenly you both seem to be quite wary of her. If I were her, I would likely not be... pleasant, either." Sylana moves a bit closer to the group, frowning slightly. "Perhaps more appropriate introductions would help sooth this issue?"

Helios watches Ambience leave. "It's quite alright." He mutters distractedly.

Bahamut blinked once and looks at sylana "I belive we meet once before recently? oh well it doesnt really matter.. see the thing with first impressions are you only get one"

Despite the spell she's conjured, Twilight keeps her defensive posture, stepping back for room to use her ranged spells and relaxing only slightly.

Helios nods. "That is a good point, Sylana. We are known as Helios to others here. It is nice to meet you."

Ambience disappears down the northern avnue, one hand holding the strap of his weapon's band tightly as he moves on.

Lunaria blinks for a moment, and sighes a little bit before standing up. "I'm Lunaria." she says as she looks over at the boy as he leaves. She stands up and stretches out her bat-like wings for a moment.

Sylana turns to Bahamut, then nods. "Ah, yes, we did, but much was going on. I must admit, if you didn't have as a commanding presense, I likely would not have remembered." She watches Ambience leave with a slight frown, before looking to Twilight. "I don't think you need to be so... ready to fight."

Bahamut says 'Hrm, fight between those two? Dont worry to much i wont allow them too.'

"I apologize for that, but I'm just too used to having to fight not to be on guard and have a spell ready to defend myself..." With a decidedly weary sigh, and a faint pop, the spell Twilight conjured with her horn dissipates into the air in a faint rush of heat.

Sylana says ' That is good... We really do not need to fight over this, so that is greatly appreciated.'

"Indeed. We would break it up." Helios looks between the two of them.

Sylana smiles lightly at Bahamut.

Helios says 'Well, what brings you to this part of Cleft, Ms. Lunaria? You are a new face around here.'

Lunaria says ' Not that its any of your business, but I just got bored, I guess is the best way to put it. Staying in one place for long can be tiresome.'

Helios says 'But it is safe.'

Bahamut says 'i dunno, A few 100 years here and there isnt too bad.'

Helios says 'We were brought online only seven years ago...'

Bahamut says 'some of us, have existed for alot longer. young one.'

Helios says 'We know. We doubt we will. It is just one of the many sour facts of life.'

Bahamut says 'All you can do is use your time.'

With a silent nod, Twilight Sparkle trots away from the fountain, closing her eyes and laying down to rest so she can think to herself. 'Discord's not here, so why am I feeling so nervous...?'

Sylana chuckles lightly at Helios. "I'd worry not about that too much... I'd think you're likely to say the same to another someday."

Helios seems quite skeptical of that fact, but seems to shrug anyway. "That will happen someday, unless we are found first."

Helios says 'That would not be pleasnt.'

Bahamut says 'which part, being found or the many years of life.'

"Found? Are you being hunted?" Sylana raises an eyebrow and looks intently at the floating robot.

Helios says 'Being found. That would most likely result in our swift... deactivation.'

Helios says 'you could say that, yes.'

Bahamut says 'anyway the magical uneasy is probbly generated by myself... as for the dark energy...'

Helios says 'We are being hunted by out old masters, to put it simply.'

Following a deep breath, Twilight opens her eyes and looks westward, then up to the night sky. "So much I'd like to know, that I'm aware I shouldn't..."

Lunaria was quickly getting lost in their conversation.

Bahamut pulls out a small box, containing 4 small jewels that feel dead.. more then dead. He starts too juggle them in his right hand. "these are my greatest treasures."

Helios perks up at the sight of the gems. "Oh, can we see one of those? If they are what we think they are, it will answer many of our questions."

Sylana suddenly looks a bit grim. "If you do not mind me asking, why would your old master be hunting you...?" She glances over at Bahamut's juggling act, taking note of the gems.

Bahamut says 'im not sure thats a good idea, these are pretty dangerous even to your kind.. '

Helios picks up the crystal in his telemagnetic grasp. He begins to run an identification/comparison scan on it. "Where did you get these, anyway?" He asks as he runs the scan.

Bahamut says 'i got them about 900 years ago, as part of an effort to seal my powers away.'

Helios says 'Were they from some sort of beast?'

Bahamut says 'from what im lead to understand they where crafted from the reflections of the mana crystals at the beging and end of each month.'

Twilight focuses on a teleportation spell once she's gotten enough distance from the square, disappearing with a 'POP', and reappearing on the northern path near Ambience.

Helios says 'oh dear. I hope that micro reactor can handle that'

Helios says 'Well, it dosent seem to match the corrupted soul gem signature we detected.'

Helios hands the crystel back to Bahamut.

Bahamut says 'huh, no these things have other propties that are extreamly useful.'

Helios says 'Like what, if you do not mind us asking?'

Bahamut smiles as he carefully puts the jewels back into the box and closes it.

Soul Gem. That word hung in Lunaria's mind and caught her attention. "Souls come in gem form?"

Sylana frowns, then turns to Lunaria. "Not exactly... there are those, wishborns, that have had their souls turned into gems in order to obtain power..." She frowns more deeply as she explains. "Of course, that holds its own risks..."

Bahamut says 'I dont mind, They disrupt the flow of mana and create a revrse stream of it... in other words it great for stoping powerful magics. or magic users in their tracks.'

Helios turns to Lunaria. "Yes, they are ripped from oneself and put into a gem form if you have a wish granted by the not- cat,"

Helios turns back to Bahmaut. "Then it is a good thing we do not use mana."

Bahamut smiles happily.

Bahamut says 'oh i think you misunderstand what mana really is.'

Bahamut says 'they consume energy.. well no thats not entirely true, more like change the flow of energy..'


[-----MEANWHILE, NORTH OF THE FOUNTAIN...-----]


Truce - Intersection
The city's northern artery flows out to the gates of Truce, due north.
Intersecting it, a narrower residential lane runs east to west. A gas
streetlamp stands at the intersection, and a traffic sign has been tacked to
it.

Ambience is here, half-hunched and half on his knees, apparently scouring the area for... something. A pair of tiny, tree-shaped women are floating nearby, giving off subtle green auras as they hover around, apparently seeming to try and help in whatever the boy's search is of.

Ambience completely seems unnoticing of anyone else nearby, as do the small, grassy-haired little creatures.

Amid the remnants of the teleportation spell, Twilight half-kneels on her front legs, conducting a thorough scan of the road with her horn and a strong supply of magic.

Ambience sighs after a long moment, getting to his feet. "I'd figured maybe we'd find a clue where the others are, if we came back to where th' first one was." He turns halfway around, brushing the dirt off the knees of his pants. "If only Erim were-- gah!" He jumps about half a foot, only just now noticing Twilight's presence.

In so doing, as well, the two creatures following Ambience give tiny, unisoned yelped of surprised, before poofing into thin air in a burst of green light each, leaving a few blades of grass in their wake that dirfts harmlessly to the ground below.

"Well, it'd help to know what you're looking for..." Seeing how you reacts to her unexpected tele-arrival has Twilight rubbing the side of her head with one upturned hoof. "Sorry if I startled you there, and I owe you an apology for earlier..."

Ambience composes himself after a moment, with a half-certain nod. "Uh, yeah. That's okay, I was jus' surprised. And I'm just tryin' to find a little black crystal thing that might still be around. I don't know if it is here or not, 'cause they don't give off a mana flow to trace. So y'kinda jus' have to be lucky and see it." He sighs somewhat.

You say 'I've been lookin' for 'em for awhile, while waitin' for Mama to come back from the Holyland. Kin'a jus' somethin' to keep me busy, sorta.'

Twilight says 'Well, if there's anything I can do, as far as tracking goes...'

Ambience shakes his head. "Nah, it's jus' a... hobby, sorta. I have a collection goin' on at home, and I know they're out there, just not sure where. The hunt is part of the fun, y'know?" He smiles, but its a little lopsided. He has a bit of dirt on his face, but this seems oddly normal for him.

You say 'But thanks, I 'preciate the idea. You're just as helpful as Rarity. Guess I could've expected that, if you both came from th' same place.'

Twilight says 'Well, then, at the very least, I'll keep you company. And I'm not surprised she didn't mention my intelligence - not that I'd want her to. I'm not one to gloat about what I've got.'

Ambience thought back to what he'd been told. It wasn't a lot thus far, or if it was, maybe he didn't remember all of it. Either way... "Yeah, that sounds like what she'd 'ave mentioned. She gave me a couple of names, but 'course I don't have anything to note them to." He looks at Twilight, up and down, for a moment. "An' I'm gonna assume you're not 'Rainbow Dash'."

Twilight says 'Oh, far from it. For one, I'm not as worried about losing as she is. And I'm also more methodical and studious than she is.'

Ambience looks like he's drawing a blank. "There are a lot of you out there, aren't there?" Simply put.

Twilight says 'Of just my friends, or my world in general?'

Ambience thinks for a moment, then nods fully. "Yes, and yes."

Twilight says 'You're right. Besides my friends, there are a lot of others I respect. Zecora, Applejack's family, the Princesses, the Mayor, Rarity's family... It's a very close circle.'

Ambience perks his attention at that particular moment. "You know a princess, too? I guess that ain't so rare, then." He seems pleased, from the sound of it. "I feel like I heard Rarity make a mention of it at some point, too, but I don't 'member exactly."

You say 'Guess I could'a guessed that you were close to Rarity herself, too. You seemed pretty jumpy when I mentioned her name earlier.'

With a nod and a quiet chuckle, Twilight Sparkle turns her gaze to the night sky in reminiscence. "I happen to be very close with the others, even if we don't always see on the same level. And I've also got my family there...

Ambience looks a little uncertain, recognizing that almost-longing gaze that he seemed familiar with, having witnessed it at least once from Rarity herself, by now. "But you're stuck here now, too, aren't you..?"

Twilight says 'I suppose I am, but I've got more than enough magic and quite a bit of spells to use while I'm here. I hope I can see my family soon, but I'm content to have my friends.'

Ambience takes a moment to glance around his surroundings, apparently realizing at that point that he wasn't going to find anything there. Regardless, he doesn't seem too dispirited by it, and gives Twilight an affirming nod. "Of course. I can even tell Rarity that you're here if ya want, and pass on any messages." He pondered then possibly inviting her over to join Rarity, but wondered about how his Da would feel about a house full of ponies. He probably shouldn't be assuming liberties. On the other hand... "Its a bit of a walk to where I live, otherwise I'd invite you over to see her. But I can promise that I'll make sure she stays safe, even if she prob'ly doesn't need my help for that." Ambience seems rather adamant about this promise, for some odd reason.

Twilight says 'Even if I was a bit unsure about you earlier... I trust you fully to keep Rarity safe from harm, especially given what I've heard about her choosing to become a Wishborn.'

That wasn't something Ambience really wanted to worry too much about, but the thought had crossed his mind. The last thing he needed was to be helping fend off ridiculous beasts from his otherwise-solitudinal place in the woods. But beyond that, a promise was a promise. Even he knew that. "Everyone makes their choices... but we should prob'ly try and look past it." These words seem a bit difficult for him to say, given his past experiences with the 'Wishborn'.

You say 'But I will. Besides all of this stuff I don't agree with, friends are s'posed to protect each other. I won't let her down.'

Twilight says 'As it stands...'

You say 'But don't be in a rush to do the same, if I may offer an opinion. Everyone wants t'be stronger, but... y'gotta find it yourself, y'know? Y'shouldn't have to wish for it.'

Ambience frowns softly, thoughtfully. "That's... how I feel 'bout it, anyway."

Winking playfully, Twilight Sparkle turns her full attention on you. "Something's telling me you've become quite close to her... Call it a hunch. And of course."

Ambience scrunches up his face somewhat, apparently not falling in line to play dumb about it. This isn't to say that he won't try, though. "Wh.. I was jus' helpin' her out. Y'can't leave someone behind when they have nowhere else to go." He pauses, then adds. "But she does seem a li'l different. I ain't used to havin' people I can talk to about... well, anythin', really."

Twilight says 'Honestly, though? I really appreciate that you're doing what I can't here, by looking out for her. It really means so much to know that my friends are with such good people.'

Ambience nods, his expression going a bit distant. He offers a small, almost sad smile. "I'm just... doin' my part, I guess. But thank you."

Out of gratitude, Twilight moves closer, lifting one lavender foreleg for a friendly hug. "And that's very comforting knowledge."

Ambience seems a little confused for a moment, but acknowledging Twilight's acceptance of his situation, he does give the Pony a hug, albeit a light and halfhearted one. Apparently he wasn't used to the action.

You say 'I will do the best I can. But I forget how late it gets when half the day is a walk. I shouldn't leave Rarity by herself for this long, especially since Da doesn't know she's there yet. I can cut some time with a few shortcuts, at least, though.'

Twilight says 'Well, you should move quickly, then. I doubt you'd enjoy being teleported there.'

Ambience starts to say something, but thinks... and thinks... and smiles, all of a sudden. "Actually, if that's a real offer..." It seems apparent at that point that he isn't used to openly asking for things, either.

Twilight says 'It is, but I'm kind of wary about leaving you looking singed once you're there - I've heard enough of it from Spike, when I teleport him.'

You say 'Does it actually hurt? 'Cause if it not, I can always clean up later. I was jus' kinda thinkin' that saving on walk time would be nice, if it were possible. Realizin' I shouldn't be leavin' Rarity by herself for too long, but I got caught up in my own stuff I needed t'do today.'

Shaking her head, and beginning to concentrate on a teleportation spell, Twilight smiles reassuringly. "It doesn't hurt. It might just surprise you for a moment or two."

Ambience braces himself as he senses the magic coming in, and smiles openly. "If there's one thing I've had a lot of lately, it's surprises. Another one won't kill me, I don't think. And thank you, too."

Simultaneously, Twilight Sparkle lowers her horn and focuses more energy on the spell, just before a brilliant flash gets fired off at you. "Gratitude, here, goes both ways... Be careful, and protect her. You've got my blessings and support."

Ambience declines his head in a half-sort of bow as he is hit with the flash, and assumedly whisked away by magical means, far toward the south.


[-----BACK AT TRUCE FOUNTAIN...-----]


Lunaria was a bit entralled by the fact of there being souls that were already out of the body. It would make her job way easier, admittedly less fun.

Bahamut says 'of course the effect grows with more stones, but yeah. they are great for all kinds of things where i need to break down magic.'

Helios says 'So, you can render enemies basically useless, are we right?'

Bahamut says 'you are.'

Helios says 'Ah, good.'

Bahamut says 'one will stop a magic users magic entirely. two will start too sap it at an extream speed. three and their life force is shortened ...'

Helios says 'Four and they die?'

Bahamut says '... no-one but me has ever survived more then four.'

Helios says 'Then it is definetly a good thing that we cannot use mana.'

Bahamut says 'but im pretty strong with out these, and the set is made of 12.'

Helios says 'Overkill, basically.'

Sylana says ' I do not understand... How can you wield the stones? Do they not hurt you, somehow, when you are controlling them?'

Bahamut says 'They where very scared of me, and wanted to make sure i was sealed and could never get out.. they came very close to achiving that.'

Helios says 'Paranoia. One of the worst things about Homs. It leads to all sorts of trouble.'

Bahamut says 'they do effect me. but im alot older then i was then and ive learned to bind mana to my form.'

Bahamut says 'so i can minimize, the effect. the box i got seals their power away.'

Helios says 'We see.'

Helios says 'That seems efficent.'

"How interesting..." Sylana looks to be deep in thought, considering the esper's words.

Bahamut says 'well, there was the mirror itself, but i damaged that beyond repair. i dont think they can make another.'

Helios says 'Mirror?'

Bahamut says 'that and the large lapse in time. but im curious. you havent asked why they where afraid.'

Bahamut nods.

Bahamut says 'The mirror was used to create and enhance them.'

Helios says 'Well, you seem like a tough indivudial. '

Bahamut says 'live through a few wars and a few thousand years.'

Helios says 'Besides that, We do inspire some fear in the local farming community.'

Helios says 'We arent really sure why, but we do.'

Bahamut says 'true, Im also looking for the remaining set as well. i know one ended in truce.. somewhere.'

Helios says 'We can preform a scan and try to find it for you, now that we know the item.'

Bahamut says 'cant find them without being in an extreamly close range due to their nature.'

Helios says 'Ah, but our long- range scanning systems are online again. We could most likely find it.'

Bahamut says 'You can try. I wonder where it ended in truce, after all these years.'

Helios nods. He hovers up above the fountain while the cloud of flakes takes on a circular orbit around him. The ring of flakes begins to pulse with blue energy.

Helios says 'We will find it in no time.'

Bahamut says 'i dont know much about the others so, ive been waiting around here to find a rumour about them... some times i hope they are destroyed.'

Bahamut sighs.

Sylana says ' Destroyed? I suppose that would be ideal, since you have a fair amount... but are they not powerful weapons? They do not seem easily destroyed...'

Bahamut says 'its conflicting emotions.. these things have cause me alot of pain and where meant to be used agenst me.'

Sylana nods. "I can't say that I understand completely, although... that would make sense. At the very least, it would be good to make sure such objects do not fall into the wrong hands..."

A rythmitic beeping begins to eminate from Helios. "We can detect it somewhere to the North West from here."

Bahamut says 'north west, huh? well thats a good as a start as im gonna get. as for people holding onto them. i dont think they would.'

Bahamut says 'put simply, why would you hold onto an item that seals the abbility to use mana.'

Helios says 'We would no doubt find some use for it; if only for decoration.'

Helios says 'Then again, we do not have very much stuff.'

Sylana shakes her head lightly, seeming a little confused. "I suppose that is true, however... if one found the ability to control it, as you have with your box. It is always a possibility to consider..."

Bahamut says 'one such person wondered about useing them as a weapon like you did.. he revrse engineered a energy drain spell..'

Helios says 'It didn't end well, did it?'

Bahamut says 'they dont consume energy at all... like a really big battery.. he was right in his theory... he just couldnt control it.'

Bahamut says 'however he didnt die due to the nature of it sucking the energy back up, but it created a backlash of power.'

Bahamut says 'he just couldnt do anything for a week after..'

Helios says 'He was flung into a wall?'

Sylana says ' At least he was forunate enough to live...'

Helios says 'That is always good.'

Bahamut says 'it was very anti-climatic in that respect.. the power drain from the backlash simply drain all the power from his body and i do belive it weakened his life force tremdiously.. but i cant be sure.'

Bahamut says 'from your point a view, he would have just fallen over... not everything is so flashy.'

Helios says 'Oh well.'

Helios says 'It could have been worse.'

Bahamut says 'this is true and he was only using one.'

Helios says 'Never mess with forces you don't understand.'

Helios says 'That is a good philosophy.'

Bahamut chuckles politely.

Bahamut says 'honestly i dont quiet fully understand them myself. im still confused on how the seal was mean to be finished..'

Helios says 'Best not to find out.'

Bahamut says 'oh ill never find out now... there civilaztion itself has collapased and resurfaced anew.. so all the power and knowelgy they once had is gone.'

Helios says 'That's good.'

Helios says 'We think.'

Bahamut says 'But, the world is moving again. its a good time to look for such items. As they have a habbit of apearing.'

Sylana glances over to the northwest, before shaking her head. "If you'll excuse me, I must be going..." She nods to the assembled, and mumbles something to herself distractedly before heading south.

Helios says 'Well, we must go and make data backups in case we meet with unfortunate circumstances.'

Bahamut says 'Well, thankyou for the lead, hopefuly it will pay off. '

Bahamut snickers softly.

Helios says 'We will direct you closer to it next week, then.'

Bahamut says 'Thank you.. oh and please be careful when reading histroy about me.. they arent very nice keeping records on us espers.'

Bahamut grins evilly.

Helios nods. "We will keep that in mind. Fare thee well, friend." With that, he hovers up into the airspace above Truce and heads North.

Bahamut yawns, as he starts to walk off towards the west gate. "perhaps a little time sleeping will do me some good."