Melody of Darkness
Chapter 3
Later that night...
“You seem to be carrying a lot of stress and apprehension in your mind, Galaxy,” Castiel said to Galaxy as he meditated during a training session at Galaxy Nebula’s cottage for his newly discovered angel powers. “What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing. Nothing’s wrong,” Galaxy lied as he tried to focus on his meditation.
“I can sense distress inside you, my friend,” said Castiel, seeing right through Galaxy’s lie. “Talk to me. Is everything alright?”
“It’s about my daughter, Melody Note,” Galaxy sighed. “She’s growing up so fast, and I fear she isn’t happy working at Icy Mocha with me.”
“Ah, yes. It seemed like only yesterday that Melody Note was a tiny, naive little filly. But why do you claim she isn’t happy?”
“Well, she’s almost always late to work. She never properly focuses on the job and she sneaks out during the day to practice singing. Most of the time, she just stares longingly out the window, waiting for the day to be over. And just today, she wouldn’t stop talking about how the talent show she signed up for would be her ticket to kickstart her music career.”
“A talent show?” said Castiel with curiosity. “Why does this concern you? Do you not believe your daughter will do well?”
“My daughter’s an excellent singer! But if talent agents and musical producers will be there like she claims, and she does really, REALLY well-”
“You fear they will take Melody Note away from you,” Castiel said after figuring out Galaxy’s inner struggle. “Is that correct?” Galaxy nodded in a gloomy manner and let out another deep sigh. Castiel walked over to Galaxy and placed a hoof on his shoulder.
“What am I going to do?” said Galaxy. “It was bad enough when Crystal took her along to defeat my brother, but now she’s thinking of leaving on her own!” Galaxy’s words became more panic filled, and his breathing increased at an alarming pace. It was like he was a dog panting on a hot day. “After everything my family has been through! How do I know something isn’t going to happen again?! What if some new evil leaps out of the blue the day after she leaves me and targets her?! If I’m not there to protect her, she’ll probably get killed or eaten or influenced or-”
“Galaxy, please calm down!” shouted Castiel. “Take a deep breath and relax!” Galaxy did as he was told and began to calm down after his little panic attack. Once he was calm enough, Castiel continued to speak. “I understand that as a parent you are obligated to protect your daughter at any means necessary. But you must realize that you cannot hold on to her forever.”
“I promised myself before she was born that I would always be there for her. To protect her at all costs and to make sure nothing bad ever happens to her.”
“An admirable promise, Galaxy. But I’m afraid that such a promise is not possible to keep.”
“What do you mean?” asked Galaxy, slightly flabbergasted at the angel’s response. “Why would I not want to keep horrible things from happening to Mel?”
“Galaxy, things are going to happen to Melody Note whether you like it or not,” explained Castiel. “Life is not all tea and crumpets. There will be moments in Melody Note’s life that will not be so pleasant for her that will happen whether you keep her in Ponyville or you let her go start her own life. It’s a part of life that you cannot control, Galaxy.”
“I understand,” Galaxy sighed. “By the way, there’s something I wanted to tell you earlier.”
“What is it?” asked Castiel.
“Well, the strangest thing happened to me today. After Mocha and I had finished shooing out a pair of vulgar thugs from Icy Mocha, I suddenly felt a sharp chill up my spine and my head began to hurt.” Castiel said nothing. But judging by the worried look in his eyes, Galaxy knew that what he said was no laughing matter. Castiel paced over to a window and looked out into the dark night.
“Are you certain?” Castiel asked in a low and serious tone.
“Yes,” responded Galaxy. He was confused at Castiel’s sudden anxiety. “What’s wrong?”
“Angels, or those with angel blood in their veins, can sense when an evil presence is near. In particular, some sort of foul demon.”
“Are you saying there was a demon in the cafe today?!” asked Galaxy, feeling frightened at what he was hearing. “But there wasn’t anything unusual there. Just the usual customers.”
“Perhaps this demon is of the crafty sort. Perhaps he or she is a shapeshifter and he is disguised as a normal pony.”
“What if this demon is pretending to be somepony close to me? Like Mocha or Quillton?” asked Galaxy.
“Perhaps. But I would not jump to any conclusions unless you are certain who the demon is. We do not want to cause a panic. I would be careful about who you talk to until this demon is found. By the way, where is Crystal Harmony at?”
“She’s out on a walk with my sister and Redvelvet Melody.”
“She should not be out this late, for my angel senses have been tingling as well.”
“Oh no!” Galaxy gasped, “Are you saying there’s more trouble out there other than what I felt at Icy Mocha?!”
“I am highly certain,” Castiel answered, feeling discomforted at Galaxy’s terrified facial expression. “I fear for the safety of your wife and friends.”
“Then I’ve got to go help her!” Galaxy shouted, bolting out the door of his home without so much as a second thought.
“Galaxy, wait!” Castiel shouted, “We don’t know exactly what this enemy is! Galaxy!!” It was too late. Galaxy had already disappeared into the night to search for Crystal Harmony before something terrible happened to her...