Mane Six In the World of Music

by Snakes0

Chapter 2

"Alright, here's the plan," Twilight declared, her voice carrying a sense of determination. "We're all going to head to the front desk and inquire about this room. If any of you prefer to stay here, that's fine."

Rainbow Dash let out a playful chuckle, her adventurous spirit shining through. "No way I'm staying behind! We got pulled into some crazy portal to an unknown place, and I'm not one to just sit around. Count me in for the front desk adventure!"

Applejack nodded in agreement, her characteristic honesty evident. "You betcha, Twilight. Can't let ya go alone. We're all in this together."

Rarity, basking in the comfort of the luxurious room, expressed her preference to remain behind. "Well, darlings, this room is simply divine, and I must say, I quite agree with Fluttershy. We'll stay here, soak in the ambiance, and perhaps await your return with some tea."

Pinkie Pie's eyes sparkled with excitement, eager to contribute her unique brand of joy. "Oh, count me in for the front desk too! If there's a kitchen, I can throw us a 'Welcome to a New Place' party! It'll be epic!"

With their roles assigned, Twilight turned her attention to the door. As she approached, a peculiar sight greeted her—a doorknob. It was a departure from the handles they were accustomed to. Curiosity sparked within her, and she couldn't resist experimenting with her magical abilities. With a flicker of magic, she grasped the doorknob and turned it, causing the door to swing open.

Twilight and her companions stepped out of the room, taking note of the number 48. However, their realization that Equestrian magic was nonfunctional in this realm quickly dampened their spirits. Rainbow Dash's frustration was evident as she flapped her wings, only to find herself grounded.

"What the hay?! I can't fly! Ugh! This is so not awesome," Rainbow Dash complained, her wings drooping in disappointment.

Twilight, ever the level-headed leader, tried to find solace in their unity. "There is magic in this world, but I can't seem to access it either. We may be without our usual powers, but as long as we stick together, I'm confident we can handle anything that comes our way."

As they followed the enchanting melody, their ears guiding them toward the front desk, they were greeted by an unexpected sight. Instead of a pony attendant, a human woman stood behind the desk. The unfamiliarity of the situation made Applejack and Rainbow Dash tense, their instincts urging caution. The woman's beauty was striking, her singing voice rivaling that of the sirens. Twilight, having encountered humans before, remained composed, while Pinkie Pie shared in her familiarity for some reason.

The atmosphere surrounding the woman was filled with unseen magic, evident in the floating dishes and the immaculate cleanliness of the floors. Twilight discerned that it was the woman's magic at work, an impressive display of her abilities.

"Oh! Good morning, Twilight Sparkle, and... who are your friends? I wasn't told that anyone else was coming with you," the lady greeted them, curiosity coloring her tone.

"Told by WHO exactly?" Applejack's skepticism seeped into her question, as she eyed the mysterious woman with a hint of suspicion.

"The Master Composer. Well, seeing that I haven't seen your kind here before, I think an explanation is in order. First things first, call me Emillya. The Master Composer is essentially the title of the 'king of the world.' You see, in this realm, music is magic. Singing, rhythmic beats, and instruments are all forms of music, and they manifest as magic!" Emillya explained with a warm smile.

Twilight nodded, processing the information. "Hmm... I have to assume that means if this person is 'The Master Composer,' then his music or magic in this world is considered the best of the best and perhaps he guides the flow of music in this realm?"

"Very observant! Indeed, that is the case," Emillya confirmed. "He is a very kind and hard-working Note. 'Note' is the name of his race. If I were to describe his appearance, it would be like a shapeshifter, a human, and a dragon all rolled into one."

Excitement sparkled in Pinkie Pie's eyes as she couldn't contain her curiosity. "Oh! I have a question! What kinds of food do they eat? Do they like parties?! I brought everything I need for a party! So, where is the kitchen?" she exclaimed with her trademark enthusiasm.

"Well, last time I checked, he had a little bit of a sweet tooth and loves pastries. I was planning on making some for him if he drops by here. Would you like to help me make some?" Emillya offered, her smile widening.

"Yes, yes, yes! I would love to! Let's make it a super-duper mega-special pastry!" Pinkie Pie eagerly responded.

Applejack interjected, her practicality shining through. "Whoa! Hold ya horses, Pinkie! Ya can't go around making fancy bread with people ya don't know!"

"Why not?" Pinkie inquired innocently.

Applejack sighed, realizing that she couldn't stop Pinkie's enthusiasm. "Ugh... Talking about pastries... I'm starving," Rainbow Dash interjected, her stomach growling audibly.

Emillya gestured towards a nearby table. "We have breakfast set up over there. Feel free to help yourselves," she offered kindly.

The group of ponies approached the table filled with a variety of delectable breakfast treats. The tantalizing aroma of fresh fruits, pastries, and warm beverages filled the air, making their mouths water even more.

Pinkie Pie wasted no time and immediately dove into the array of pastries, sampling one after another with sheer delight. "Mmm, these pastries are super-duper scrumptious! I bet the Master Composer will love them too!" she exclaimed, her mouth full of a cream-filled delight.

Twilight, while still intrigued by their new surroundings, couldn't resist the temptation either. She picked up a delicate fruit tart and savored each bite, her mind buzzing with thoughts about their mission and the musical world they had entered.

Emillya joined them, gracefully selecting a small pastry and nibbling on it with elegance. "You have a good taste for pastries, Pinkie Pie. The Master Composer will be delighted by your enthusiasm and culinary skills," she commented, a twinkle of anticipation in her eyes.

Rainbow Dash, who had managed to find a plate piled high with muffins, relished the sweetness with a satisfied grin. "Hey, if the Master Composer loves pastries, maybe we can use them as a bargaining chip or something. I mean, who can resist a good muffin?" she suggested, her mischievous spirit shining through. Her comment was ignored.

Applejack, ever the practical one, approached the table with a more measured approach. She opted for a hearty bowl of oats, adding a sprinkle of cinnamon for flavor. "I reckon we shouldn't forget the reason we're here. Pastries are fine and dandy, but we gotta focus on finding this 'Master Composer' fella," she reminded the group, her voice steady and determined.

A mesmerizing melody resonated through the room, its ethereal notes weaving a spellbinding tapestry of sound. As the harmonious strains of the violin filled the air, a mysterious figure entered, capturing Twilight's attention. She could sense a familiarity in the melody but couldn't quite place it. The man wore an impeccably tailored black suit, and his face was adorned with a dragon-themed mask, giving him an aura of mystique.

"Princess Twilight, I'm happy to see that—oh. Your friends are here too... I did not expect that. I had only intended to summon you. Not that there is a problem with them," the enigmatic figure spoke, his voice carrying an air of authority and intrigue.

Rainbow Dash, ever the skeptical one, couldn't help but voice her doubts. "And now that she is here, she can't use magic. Sounds more like a fillynapping to me."

Applejack chimed in, her suspicion evident in her voice. "Ya know, it's mighty suspicious to take her in the middle of the night and leave us all without our magic. What's your game, Mr. 'The Master Composer'?"

Mel, as he introduced himself, raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "Oh, dear! I must apologize if I have given you that impression. Call me Mel. You all can use magic, even here. It's just that magic works differently in this world, and perhaps you're holding on to the old magic laws of your world."

Twilight's curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn't help but ask for clarification. "Different how, Mel? How does magic work through music?"

Mel's eyes gleamed with a mixture of wisdom and excitement as he began to explain. "Well, you see, music is the very fabric of magic in this realm. Every note, every melody holds incredible power. Through music, one can tap into the essence of magic itself. It's a language that resonates with the very core of this world."

Rainbow Dash scoffed, her skepticism still lingering. "As if I'm going to be singing just to fly! That's ridiculous!"

Twilight raised a hoof to calm her friend and considered Mel's words. "Rainbow, let's hear Mel out. Perhaps there's more to it than we realize." She turned her attention back to Mel and asked, "Is there a way for us to harness this magic through music? We're eager to help and restore harmony to your world."

Mel smiled, a glimmer of hope evident in his eyes. "Absolutely, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Perhaps a demonstration is in order."

With a swift motion, Mel raised his violin to his chin and began to play. The air around him shimmered, and three colorful orbs of fire materialized, spinning in a mesmerizing dance. Each flame represented a different color of the rainbow, illuminating the room with their vibrant hues. As Mel continued his melody, the flames transformed into various objects, their forms changing with the rhythm and intensity of the music.

Twilight watched in awe as the flames morphed effortlessly as if Discord himself was creating them with nothing but the power of music. It was a spectacle that ignited her curiosity, urging her to inquire further.

"Fascinating! So we don't even have to sing! Do you have to have an instrument if you aren't singing?" Twilight asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Mel lowered his violin, contemplating her question. "Not necessarily. In some cases, humming or even the drumming of your feet is enough. Eventually, it becomes like a dance of music and magic. But the strongest magic comes from the music within your soul. Everyone, or Everypony, has a music or song in their soul. When played, you become as attuned to the fabric of magic and music as you can get."

Applejack couldn't resist a playful jab. "Oh? And what song is in Rainbow Dash's Soul? Heavy metal?"

Rainbow Dash smirked, ready with a retort. "Probably. But I bet he'll just say that 'the music in your soul can only be seen by yourself'."

Mel, however, surprised them all with his response. "Not true. I see the music in the souls of others. Her song is certainly interesting. I can play it. Listen well."

Mel's violin transformed into a guitar, and he began to play a tune, starting with some awesome riffs to get his fingers adjusted to the new instrument. With each strum, his magic flared to life, and his long flowing white hair took on Rainbow Dash's vibrant mane colors. It was an auditory representation of all her highest moments and her lowest moments, a tapestry of her experiences.

As the performance continued, the atmosphere filled with electrifying energy. Mel's music seemed to transcend the realm of notes, touching the very core of Rainbow Dash's being. The song summarized and encapsulated her spirit, reflecting her courage, daring, and unwavering determination. It was a musical journey that lasted fifteen minutes, transitioning to the song "Awesome As I Wanna Be."

Caught in the spellbinding spectacle, Rainbow Dash found herself unable to speak. Tears streamed down her face, but they were tears of joy and connection. This performance understood her for who she truly was, resonating with her on a level she had never experienced before.

As the last chord rang out, Mel concluded the performance, his voice filled with pride. "Yeah! I'm awesome, take caution! Watch out for me, I'm awesome as I wanna be!"

Rainbow Dash's mouth hung open, her eyes wide with wonder. She knew that this moment would be forever etched in her memory, a testament to the power of music and the depth of understanding it could convey.

"T-that was... AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash finally managed to utter, her voice filled with a mix of awe and gratitude. "That's at least 20% cooler than I expected it to be!"

"You don't need to sing, play, or hum the whole song. Even just a small section of it is enough. Nor do you have to maintain it throughout. Music lingers and so will the magic. But I must ask. If music is magic here then what about magic in Equestria?" Mel asks.

"Friendship is magic!" says Twilight proudly.

Mel listened intently to Twilight's response, his expression thoughtful. "Friendship is magic," he repeated, mulling over the concept. "That sounds awfully tedious. So if you have no friends, you have no magic?"

Twilight shook her head, understanding the confusion in Mel's words. "No, it's not that simple. Friendship is the source of our magic, but it's not limited to having friends. It's about the power of connection, understanding, and compassion. It's about the bonds we form with others, be it friends, family, or even the world around us. Friendship is the bridge that allows magic to flow."

Mel's confusion began to fade, replaced by a spark of curiosity. "I see. So friendship is more than just having companions. It's a force that transcends boundaries and fuels the magic within us."

Twilight smiled, glad that Mel was starting to grasp the depth of the magic of friendship. "Exactly. It's the strongest form of magic because it brings ponies together, inspires us to help one another, and creates harmony. Through friendship, we can accomplish incredible feats."

Mel's gaze turned serious as he spoke again. "Well, I hope that holds true here. This world needs help. I have been working tirelessly, but I suspect that someone is actively stirring up discord, whipping up fear, and planting the seeds of disharmony. They know to avoid me because I am The Master Conductor, one of the strongest beings in this world."

"Can you tell us about what kinds of trouble you are having?" Twilight asks.

"Several songs and wonderful music have been forever silenced. Murder, Twilight," Mel replied with a grave tone. "I am The Master Conductor, but only recently. The last one died a hundred years ago from an attack. I suspect the culprit is connected to this chaos. I've been looking into several worlds for possible heroes to help."

Twilight's eyes widened in shock, and her friends exchanged concerned glances. The weight of the tragedy and the urgency of the situation settled upon them.

"And? Did ya find any?" Applejack asked, her voice laced with anticipation. Her skepticism towards Mel had melted away, replaced by a genuine desire to aid him in his quest.

"I did find a potential ally," Mel continued. "The dream traveler Cabbit himself. Klonoa. I reached out to him, explaining the gravity of the situation and the importance of using music for magic. However, he politely declined, stating that he found the concept of music-based magic to be silly."

Mel reaches out and grabs a pastry and partially lifts his mask to eat it. He was hungry.