The next morning, as Ms. Melody was entering the Opera Theater, she picked up the papers to see what today's headlines are in store. While looking inside, there was a major headline regarding of the performance:
OPERA THEATER REPLACES ADELE FOR A NEWBIE! INSIDE SCOOP!
"Pitiful." she responded. "Many ponies would believe in this garbage? That is why I don't mention any information to the public. I wonder if any pony mentioned anything about this."
"Madam!" called her director Stage.
"Stage, what seems to be the problem?"
"It's Ms. Adele! She's blackmailed us!"
"Is that so? How did she do such a thing?"
"Look!"
He showed the same paper Ms. Melody glanced at before and reviewed it before. According to the news, it was told that by Adele herself that Ms. Melody accused Ms. Adele's performance so much that due her "harassment", she replaced her for a tramp.
"If she believes that dropping a certain background counts as a harassment, then she seems to be more insane as the next pony."
"So, what should we do?"
"Not to worry. Once Ms. Adele comes in, we'll discuss this matter carefully at my office and we will resolve this matter."
"There's no need for that." a new voice responded.
As both Stage and Melody turned aside, they saw a silver unicorn with a broken horn enter. His mane was black as the night sky, but his eyes were as dark as his twisted mind within him.
"Welcome back, Sir Star."
"Has my prize been treated fairly since I was away?"
"I can say no, according to this news." Melody responded with harsh words.
He glanced throughout the news with his magic for a few moments, then walked away towards Ms Adele's room.
"Sir?"
"She's one to believe that threatening words can scare the manager. Not to worry, I'll have a word with her. She'll listen."
He started to walk away as Melody glared at him. Concerned of his actions returning, she knew something strange will occur during their season. At the exact same moment, the unicorn entered the actress's dressing room.
"How is my plum blossom this morning?"
"You left me in the hooves of that monster!" Adele announced angrily.
"Whatever do you mean? From what I can tell, you intended to use your wits against her kind heart. Though she is the sister of the opera's manager, bless her soul, she has been taught by the best."
"That still doesn't give her the rights to accuse me for my talent."
While she continued ranting, he slowly went behind her and massaged her shoulders with his hooves.
"Tell you what? If she intends to attack again, I'll make sure she's fired for good, understand?"
"Of course. And what about that newbie?"
"Don't worry. I have some pony to take care of her."
That same hour, Gale stood outside the roof as she glanced at the streets of Manehattan. Even though she met that mysterious stallion the other day, Gale wanted to ensure that he was real.
"Why are you out here, Gale?" asked a familiar voice.
"Oh, Angel." she replied, "I was just getting some fresh air."
"Well, if you don't hurry soon, you'll miss your chance of practicing your role."
"To be fair, it was a runner up option that we took. I'm sure your mother wouldn't allow me to play another role again."
"You never know if you try."
"Alright. You should go back. I want to stay out a little longer."
"Okay. Be back soon."
When Angel was out of sight, there was a shadow appearing near Night Gale.
"Miss Gale, was it?"
"Oh, monsieur. Greetings."
"No need for that. I came as soon as your friend was out of sight."
"Oh. I should've introduced her to you. She's friendly."
"I don't think she would appreciate me due to... my complexion."
"Oh."
"Do you say 'Oh' every time? Or is that your favorite word?"
"Sorry about that."
"Well, since you are here, I was able to write out the beginning part of the play as we discussed, but I seem to be stuck on something."
"What's wrong?"
"Well, if the ballerina you suggested follows this mysterious pony, what would happen next?"
"She would then listen to the song of his heart."
"The song of his heart?"
"Yes. The love he has for her."
"But why would he sing? Couldn't he say that he cares for her?"
"No. He wants to tell her the truth through song."
"I see."
"However, being the overprotective type as he is, the mysterious stallion ensures no other pony can have her."
"Very well," he responded.
As he wrote her suggestions, he could hear other ponies preparing for the next scene. Maris knew they had to depart again.
"Miss Gale," he responded, "we should depart for today."
"So soon?"
"Break time shall soon come to an end. We'll meet another time."
"Very well. Until we meet again, Monsieur -"
"Maris."
"Monsieur Maris," she replied with a smile on her face, "Good day, sir."
As she bowed lightly, Gale started to trot towards the auditorium to prepare with any help from backstage. Maris, on the other hoof, knew something was wrong. While glancing at the window above, he knew that his master would surely catch him in the act of being outside the world. Though he never knew why this new master told him to stay inside, Maris then thought of Harmony Tune when she was still alive. She treated him like family and never thought of him as a monster. However, when she met Monsieur Star, things then started to change for good. When Harmony died during that stead, Melody was told by Mr. Star to never see him again to prevent his monstrosity from ever reaching the stage. However, according to Harmony's last breath before reaching death, she demanded that he would have one chance to be able to perform on stage when the time is right.
"Do not worry, Madam Tune." he vowed in his heart. "I will have my chance. With this new play we're working on, I'm sure that my dream will come true."
Meanwhile, as the actors and actresses were working on their parts for the upcoming skit, Gale then started to think of Maris. Though he was in broad daylight, something about his eyes started to caught the attention of the mare. What really struck curiosity in her soul was the mask he wore on the left side of his face. What was truly behind that dark mask and why must he hide it from other ponies? Was it because he like being so mysterious or was it due to a bad mark that he doesn't appreciate to other ponies? Whichever the case may be, Night Gale intended to help her friend no matter what to get his chance to perform on stage.
"CUT! CUT!" Melody called out.
"What now?!" Adele asked.
"This scene is wrong. The mare is suppose to be distinctive and mysterious, not the other way around. Try again."
"We've been doing this scene so many times!" she complains. "Can we do something else?"
"Fine. Gale."
"Yes ma'am?" she called.
"Come here for a moment."
As she started to walk towards the platform, she saw both Melody and Monsieur Star sitting near the front two rows. Though Star didn't seem to know why Gale was summoned, he assured his client that she would not perform on stage.
"Would you do us a favor?"
"What would you request, madam?"
"Please read the part of Ms. Adele's lines to us to see if you understand the concept of the story."
Gale glanced at the script, noticing that this scene is meant to be a mystery skit. Ms. Adele is to perform as a crime solving detective with a hint of seduction in her tone. She tried to get into character and started to perform.
"Madam," she remarked, "I assure you that this case will be solved. One way or another."
"Oh please," Adele sneered, "She can do better than I can? This mare's has no acting skills at all."
While she continued criticizing her, a large banner started to fall from the top of the stage towards the two mares. Gale noticed the event happening and pushed Ms. Adele towards the side to prevent her from hurting herself. As the banner rested towards the ground, most other ponies ran towards the two mares to see if they were alright.
"You see," accused Adele, "She planned it the whole time! Attacking me with that banner, then rightfully try to save me!"
"I didn't do it!"
"You must have. How else can you explain the banner falling?!"
No matter how much she could say to prevent Mistress Adele from complaining, Gale, thinking that her hope was out the window, saw Monsieur Star walked towards the platform.
"What if it's the Theater Phantom?" Angel asked.
"There is no such pony that exists in this theater." Mr. Star announced.
"What if he's real? I mean, no other pony would be angry at Ms. Adele except him."
"No matter the case, we shall not have any more interruptions of this performance. I assure you that there's no Theater Phantom and no other problems shall cause this evening to fall into waste. Understand?"
Silently, most of the ponies agreed and went back to work. Gale, who quietly agreed, also wanted to know who did such things. If it was Maris for wanting to harm Adele or was there another pony who would want this production to be stopped by any means necessary?