//------------------------------//
// Part Six: Ta-ta For Now! 
// Story: End of Days, End of Nights 
// by The REAL Mister Pkmn 
//------------------------------//

Janice had made it to the party welcoming her to Ponyville just on time, and was having a blast. She also managed to assuage Cloudkicker and Melia’s fears, explaining that she got intense pains every once and awhile, but that they were becoming less frequent as of late. Now, it wasn’t the full truth, no, but it was all they needed to know. Janice was surprised, however, at how well the two fliers got along so well, not to mention how the Thestral residents were just about as openly accepted in this town as the Day Pony residents. She saw the two halves of the country’s citizenry, which were typically at odds with each other in any other city she’d been to getting along like they were old friends. This made Janice think. If it can happen here, why not across Equestria? This small town basically embodied the world Maestro was trying to build, in a sense. And for some odd reason, she thought of those she was working with on the Extravaganza with as friends. She couldn’t quite put her hoof on as to why, but it just felt… right, somehow. She even felt that she could honestly consider Maestro a true friend. Speaking of him, she pulled him aside. “So, are you the only one here, or is Chessmaster here as well?” She hadn’t seen him in about a year, and she was curious as to what had happened on his end.

Maestro grimaced. “No. Haven’t seen him since he vanished a few months back.”

“Vanished?”

“Yeah. He defeated some rookie that was so big-headed, it could fill this room. The guy was after the title of Chess Champion of Equestria, just like all the other challengers. After that cakewalk of a match, Chessmaster kinda just vanished into thin air.”

“Have you heard anything from him?”

“Well, there was a letter he sent to me not long after his disappearance. In it he kept babbling about ‘finding the solution’ and ‘fixing Equestria’s true problem’ and junk like that. It made no sense, sounded nothing like him. Other than that, I haven’t heard anything from him.”

"What of Aurora and Story? Are they alright?"

"They found a small town to live in about a month ago, but I haven't heard from them since... I'm getting worried."

Janice was about to reply when a mint green unicorn mare with golden eyes and a Lyre cutie mark interrupted her. "Woah! You know Maestro Spectrum personally? That is so cool!”

Janice recalled that the mare that had interrupted her was called Lyra Heartstrings, and decided to reply. "Well, Lyra, it's kinda hard for me not know him personally. After all, he is my half-brother, y'know."

Lyra's eyes widened. "You're related to him!? That is epic! Could you get me his autograph? I'm a huge fan of his I Roll My Way, You Roll Your Way album!" Using her golden magic, she pulled out a CD case with a pic of Maestro in rollerblades on the front that had the name she'd said on it. "Could you get him to sign it for me?"

"So, a fan of mine, are you?" Janice and Lyra swirled around to face Maestro himself. Lyra's jaw went slack with shock. Maestro chuckled." Speechless, eh? You must be a really big fan, then." He took the CD case in his turquoise magic. "So, who should I make it out to?"

Lyra got her thoughts in gear. "Oh, but don't you need a pen for that?"

Maestro's horn glowed brighter. "Who needs a pen when you can use magic to etch the autograph into it permanently?"

Lyra was shocked again. "You can do that?" Maestro nodded. " Okay then! *ahem* To my wonderful fan, Lyra Heartstrings." She saw a flash of light.

Giving it back to Lyra, Maestro spoke. "So, is that all, or would you like me to sign a gift of yours to your special someone?”

Lyra blushed, and pulled out another album that had Maestro with a halo above his head wielding a bow that had an arrow with a stylized heart as an arrowhead notched in it. The title was My Heart Beats Only For You. "How did you even guess that?"

Maestro blinked a bit. "The answer was in your eyes, Lyra. As the Ancients decree: The eyes are the windows to the soul."

Lyra cocked her head to the left. "The Ancients? Who are they?"

Janice cut in. "The Ancients are great deities that those in our family believe created all the races of the world, tens of thousands of years ago. This belief goes back far beyond Equestria's founding even."

Lyra blinked. "Wait, didn't Queen Faust make everything?"

Maestro scoffed. "Nope, not even close. Seriously, what are they teaching children nowadays? Ah, never mind. Back to the task at hand. So! Who do I make this out to?"

Lyra blinked when Maestro used the word “hand”, but decided not to bring it up. "*ahem* To Lyra's precious Noteworthy, I hope you fill her life with love and respect until the ends of time. From, Maestro Spectrum." Another flash, and the CD was returned to Lyra.

"That Noteworthy of yours is one lucky stallion, Lyra. I hope he enjoys the Hearts and Hooves Day present!"

Lyra grinned. "I'm certain he will! Bye!" And, with a small wave, she left the party.

Janice noticed that it'd died down, and very few ponies were still there. Maestro then spoke up. "Well, this has been a wonderful party, but I'm afraid I must go to my abode now."

Pinkie then replied. "Okie dokie lokie! It was fun while it lasted! Get some good rest, 'Kay?"

Maestro chuckled, and gave her a mock salute, which she returned. "Of course, General Pinks! Farewell!" They dropped the salutes, and Maestro went on his way.

Janice then spoke. "Pinkie, this was a great party. I hope to experience one of your signature parties again in the future."

As Janice exited, she could hear Pinkie call out: "Bye now! I hope your stay in Ponyville is absolutely wonderful! Ta-ta for now!"