That neon burst could be the perfect pivot—like the world is suddenly a living billboard. If the artifact is supposed to be a quiet relic, suddenly having it pulse in electric blues and pinks turns the whole vibe on its head. I’d think first about why the characters even care about it: maybe it’s a key to a forgotten dream, so if it starts glowing, everyone will start seeing the world as a playground instead of a place to hide. You could keep the core mystery but let the neon be a clue that the “real” artifact was never real at all. The prank turns into a revelation: the world we think is fixed is actually fluid, and we’re all just playing in it. Or you could make it a bit tongue‑in‑cheek—characters try to turn it off but end up dancing through the streets. That keeps the story grounded while giving it a playful twist. Think of the neon as a metaphor for the hidden energies we all ignore. If you weave that symbolism in, the prank doesn’t break the narrative; it expands it. And if you want to keep the mood, you can slow the glow, make it flicker like a warning, or let it reveal a secret map. The prank can become a catalyst for a deeper exploration of perception. What do you think?