//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: Mane Six In the World of Music // by Snakes0 //------------------------------// The Necromancer Azeun rests in a building he rented. Despite his talents, he struggles with playing the music of dead healers and thus had to recover slowly. He is annoyed that he took so much damage from fighting amateurs. He was planning on killing them, but the risk of facing Mel while he was injured wasn't something he was willing to make. He wasn't a fool. He knows their songs aren't from this world and their untapped potential. But now that he recovered enough he puts together a new plan. Azeun grabs a bloodied draconic mask and places it over his face. He had stolen the face of a "Note" and wears it. He walks into the same prison he escaped from. The Warden and the prison guards being on higher alert planned to be more strict on security, but they did not expect to be attacked. Azeun's melody was haunting and almost soul-crushing to hear. It wasn't pleasant to listen. They didn't get a chance to fight back before they shriveled and collapsed. Azeun didn't bother to kill them as they couldn't stand a chance against him anyway. Taking the keys he goes down to level 3 and then unlocked a secret trap door leading to a level 4. "A pity I wasn't placed at this level. I more than met the requirements. But then it would have been difficult to escape. Let's see who the lucky person in this prison is," Azeun says. Level 4 is a classified level that is built to contain even a master conductor. Only a handful of people know of this level and it is cleverly inaccessible as only one key opens it and no one would suspect it was a low-level key. The only ones who knew about that last bit can be counted on one hand. This entire level is meant for one prisoner per prison with a level 4. "Knock, Knock. How would you like to be free?" asks the figure inside. Azeun chuckles, "I thought that was supposed to be my line considering I'm not locked up." The prisoner giggles before bursting out into full laughter, "He he he! I know a puppet when I see one! You want to be free alright~ To cut the strings and be king!" "Touchy subject. Indeed. What more is there than to be king? I'm more than enough to rule this world, but I grow bored with these old toys and want the worlds beyond," Azeun admits. "But I know you. You call yourself the reaper jester. How edgy and unoriginal, but I can't complain about your resume." "Too bad~ I like my freedom here as I watch the world tear itself apart thanks to you. Oh?~ You aren't at your best. How risky of you coming here in that state~" the "Reaper Jester" points out. "I know your type~ You came here hoping to bribe me and offer me something you think I want. And the answer will always be the same~" "You are trying my patience. The guards would have sent out an alarm by now. You are straight-up crazy and broken mentally. I just thought you would like to have fun with a couple of pastel-colored ponies seeing how they fit right in your whole clown theme." Azeun says successfully striking a nerve. "Clever, Clever..... Why not? It's been a while since I played with somepony~ Hehe~" A unsettling melody is introduced to the world again and the harmony wanes. The Mane 6 is unaware of the danger that is coming. The Mane 6 are taken to the academy's library. Twilight's eyes sparkle she is ready to pull a hundred books down and devour knowledge. Frost Lunar stops her with a quick response, "You can't read them. I won't let you. This academy has been the best of the best. Mel and his brother Clef both were taught here. And you think it is right for you random ponies who haven't worked as hard to gain the same benefits? I covered for you all because I do intend on using you all to my own benefit so I can tear down this horrid system." Applejack makes an angry pony noise, "And why are you telling us that?" Frost Lunar sighs realizing her words didn't reflect her motives, "... Now I'm the one who didn't think things through. Forget it. Read all that you want. Not that it will be very helpful. I hate my mother. She is intolerable. Her ideals are that perfect concerts should be preserved forever. That means she traps those whose music she considers perfection in a time loop to preserve that 'perfect' moment forever. And the worst part is that everyone knows and she even managed to convince them that it is the highest honor. It makes me sick." "I understand wanting to preserve a beautiful moment, but forever? That's ridiculous! Things go out of fashion all the time. What might be considered perfect at one time is sooo last season the next. Darling, I get you. While the way you presented the problem was uncouth... You still were able to correct yourself." Rarity says while adjusting her mane as she shudders at the thought of what it would be like if she never changed things up. "That's... Seriously messed up." Rainbow Dash says while looking around and seeing that the rest agree with her. "I know I always go out to create the PERFECT and BEST parties for a pony in question, but I know that there is always room for improvement as I come up with new ideas for parties all the time!" Pinkie Pie exclaims as she speedreads through a book on historical birthdays. "WHAT?! Mozart and Beethoven were Master Conductors?!" "Moza... Who now?" Applejack says scratching the side of her head with her hoof. Of course, Pinkie Pie tends to know things that don't make sense. "Just because they are Master Conductors doesn't mean they have to remain here. They can influence this world even while in others. Mel is a perfect example of that. He is always off in some other world playing for a massive crowd. Those two you mentioned were Notes that were born here but moved to Earth." Frost Lunar says. "But that is beside the point. I need help and I can't trust anyone here because my mother has eyes everywhere. Having even a single amplifier makes my plan work even better".