"Alright..." resumed Aurora. "So I've had the idea for a few years: you know how any lock, no matter how complicated, can still be picked?"

Res nodded disbelievingly. No way, it can't be...

"Well, I figured out that any spell can also be modified, if you use the right backdoors. Simply taking the spell, using it in a manner you wouldn't normally think of, and adjusting it a little can lead to previously impossible feats of magic."

"Whoa...that--that sounds amazing," said Res, starting to sweat.

"I think I might be the only pony in Equestria that knows this method of magic," continued Aurora, clapping her hooves. "I've been thinking of a way to develop instantaneous communication between two places, using the backbone of your telephone spells. I think with widespread knowledge of this magic, more than just communications can be improved, however," she leaned forward. "Military, security, transportation...there could be a thousand different ways to improve society!"

Res looked back at Illesio, who met his gaze, nodded, and shrugged. Res pointed to himself, shooting her a meaningful look as he turned back to Aurora, saying, "You're right...it sounds like it has a lot of potential..."

Illesio turned the mind reading spell towards Res, and listened in: Illesio, can you hear me? Don't respond. This is very, very bad. The reason only me and Clear Sight know about loophole magic is because of how many logical conclusions can be drawn from it, there are countless examples hidden deep in security of spells too dangerous or potentially catastrophic to use...If Aurora reveals the secrets to backwards thinking and the specific techniques used in loophole magic, there would be no end to the terrible crimes committed.

"I know, right?" said Aurora, thankfully oblivious to the secret exchange. "I called you over because I thought you would be the best option for pitching the idea. I don't...really like Clear Sight, he gives me the creeps, no offense."

"None taken," Res said, having recovered his poise and perfectly placing a chuckle. "Clear Sight gives everyone the creeps."

Think, Illesio. What if a pony, even a good pony, figured out that there's a way to remove magic from unicorns permanently? The power would most likely corrupt him, as it almost did us. Don't ask how we got to know that spell either, it's a long story. But seriously, if Aurora doesn't misuse it accidentally, then somepony will if she lets the cat out of the bag. Some is fine, like the borderline loophole magic we used in the telephone business, that's just using a spell in a different way. But the full bending of the rules that this magic is based on? We've locked up any evidence it existed at all, after a few misadventures in our past.

"So...what do you think?" finished Aurora.

"I think, as I said, it has a lot of potential...but I don't know. Messing with the fabric of magic? I have a feeling it won't end well for anyone..." Quick, focus on her and see her reactions to these statements.

Illesio turned the spell back to Aurora, and as she did so she noticed something different between Res and Aurora's thoughts...she couldn't put her hoof on it.

"Are you sure? Because I think that with the right safeguards, a controlled, simple method could be just what we need to push Equestria over the edge into rapid technological advancement." Aurora's thoughts mirrored the statement.

"Well, yes, but think about it, you said yourself any safeguard can eventually be picked, eventually somepony's going to find a way to complicate matters and break into something they really can't afford to be dealing with."

"I see...well, could we just have a select few to use it and not reveal it to the public? It could be a trade secret." Again, her thoughts mirrored the sentiment, although they were getting a little impatient.

"I suppose so, but you'd have to keep in mind the gravity of any situation you use it in...maybe that would work, but then again it is kind of risky..."

"Alright, then I guess that's a risk we're going to have to take," said Aurora with an air of finality. This is going to be my life's crowning moment, she thought.

Res looked at Illesio with a begrudging expression, then turned back. "I just noticed...what a lovely necklace that is. Where'd you get it?"

Aurora glanced at the octahedral gemstone around her neck. "Oh, that? It used to be part of...an amulet or something, the previous owner had it removed, and personally I think it looks better by itself." No fraction of her thoughts indicated she knew it's true power as the Mind Control Fragment.

Res's eyes went wide. "Interesting...I've always been a fan of gemstones." He gestured to Illesio.

Turning the spell on Res again, Illesio noted the hysterical tinge to his thoughts. I know that stone, I know...it used to be a part of the Alicorn Amulet! But how did the Mind Control Fragment get there, and why isn't it affecting... he paused in his small talk with Aurora to have a fit of coughing.

"Are you alright?" said Aurora.

"Oh, perfectly fine, I believe it's just my ragweed allergies kicking in..." replied Res.

That's it, that must be it, he thought even faster than before. The Alicorn Amulet was noted for its near infinite source of power, but also for corrupting the user! The Fragment must be what was responsible for the almost mind control-esque change in personality through the Amulet's corrupting power. But it doesn't seem to be affecting her so far...I'll bet some ancient pony found the Fragment and used its power for evil, and when he died, he had it placed into an amulet to continue his evil ways...perhaps, even a little morbidly, put his soul into the amulet itself as a corrupting force...

but regardless, he continued catching up with Aurora, talking about their experiences in the past years, there must be some residual corruption on the stone from the amulet...that must be why she's been acting out of it...well, there's only one way to find out... he winked at Illesio. Keep an eye on her thoughts as she gets angry.

"Well..." he spoke up to Aurora again. "I hate to tell you this, but..."

"Why, what is it?"

"Would it bother you that this new branch of magic you've invented had been...invented before?"

"WHAT?" Aurora looked shocked to the core.

"...by me and Clear Sight?"

"You...you can't be serious." Aurora was shaking like a jackhammer. "All, all this time, I'd been searching for an answer, and it was right...under my nose?"

"'Fraid so," said Res. "We thought it was too dangerous to use, too many logical conclusions to handle. So we locked it up. That's why I said it was a bad idea."

Aurora was just about to furiously reply when Res's phone went off. He picked it up.

"Hello? Oh, hello Clear Sight. You got it? Great. I was just about to contact you. Did you read it yet? No? How long do you need? Alright, I think I can survive that long. Catch you tomorrow. Thanks! No, I don't need your sarcasm, you can shut up. Stop it, stop, hanging up now."

He turned his attention to Aurora. "...you were saying?"

She just started screaming and throwing objects at him with her magic.

"SEE?" Res called to Illesio, who was thankfully out of the major blast sites. "NOT SOMETHING A NORMAL THOUGHT PROCESS WOULD DO--"

He narrowly dodged a flagstone. "FREAKING HECK!"

"SO, DEFINITELY CORRUPTED, HUH?" yelled Illesio back.

"NO DOUBT--" his voice was obstructed by a massive explosion. "--INITELY RESIDUAL CORRUPTION ON THE FRAGMENT."

Illesio felt a tugging at the back of her subconscious. "OH LOOKS LIKE SHE'S DOING THE MIND CONTROL AGAIN, I'LL TRY AND KEEP OUT OF YOUR WAY," she started running away from the two battling unicorns.

Res wondered why he didn't get to be mind controlled too, he was beginning to feel left out.

In the distance, he could see Illesio turn around and start running back towards them. "Got her, huh?" he mumbled, managing to miss being decapitated by a flagpole.

His phone rang.

"Oh thank heavens," he said, and the world turned to light.

--<>-------another day another dollar-------<>--/

Author's Note

i think Mark Twain once said "First get your facts correct. Then bend them at your leisure."

well I'm sure doing a bit of bending here, whoaly cow

I didn't plan on the Alicorn Amulet thing either, it just worked out that way

this whole story is a disaster, but one that I really can't look away from

I don't know what exactly is going to come next, but it sure as hecc will be just as weird

oh crap I just realized this fanfiction is just a less artistic and inventive version of Homestuck what have I done

ehhh who cares

Na Zdorovie,
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