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Description
  In preparation for their confrontation with Crescendo, the three mares rested after the festival of the two sisters was wrapped up. Despite how tired she was, Melody couldn’t sleep very well, anxiety coursing through her veins. Despite Heartbeat’s efforts to provide Melody with a much-needed confidence boost, Melody still couldn’t get her mind off of the potential consequences that Crescendo will enact on them. Despite this, Melody knew that she needed to put an end to her Mother’s authoritarian ways, and if Twilight said that this was the best solution, then she would hold out faith in her.
---------------------------------------------

  After the three mares were well rested, the three of them set course to Melodious. Twilight couldn’t just teleport into the city since she had not been there yet, and didn’t have a perfect image of where she was taking the two ponies. Twilight brought Melody and Heartbeat on a carriage pulled by two other ponies geared in golden armor.

  Upon arrival at the city border, Twilight was surprised to be greeted by a gray, concrete wall that blocked their path. Twilight had seen similar situations in previous friendship problems, but this was on a new level. Looking down below she could see two of the border guards on alert and ready to attack.

  “Land on top of that wall, we’ll take it from here for now,” Twilight told the two pegasi carrying the carriage. The guards did what was told and landed close enough to the guards for Twilight to confront them, but not too close as to alert them. Twilight stepped out of the carriage standing tall and proud, a shield of confidence that would serve to protect her against those who remained skeptical of the new alicorn that had just arrived. “Hold on, I come in peace.” Twilight said, “I am princess Twilight Sparkle, ruler of Equestria.”

  “Whoever you are, you shouldn’t be here!” The Guard shouted. “Princes Crescendo doesn’t like outside visitors. So either go back to where you came or things are going to get rough”

  Twilight used her magic to pull away the spears that the guards were aiming at the princess, leaving them defenseless. The guards were left scared and uncertain of what would happen next, but they were lucky that the alicorn in front of them preferred pacifism over violence.

  “I’m not here for trouble. I only wish to speak with Crescendo directly, and to return her daughter”

  The guards looked past Twilight and saw Melody nervously peeking out from the carriage where she had just come in, along with a blue, wild-maned unicorn that they didn’t recognize. The guards knew that any confrontations at this point would only put Melody at risk, and the guards did not want to witness Crescendo’s fury if such a thing were to happen, so they complied with Twilight’s demand and stepped aside, clearing the path for the three outsiders.

  “Apologies, uh… your majesty,” One of the guards said. “Please, go ahead. But I must warn you, our leader is very cautious, one wrong word or action could be your last.”

  “I’m sure I can handle it.” Twilight replied, “Heartbeat, Melody, let’s go.” She took flight with Melody following closely behind and Heartbeat in pursuit from the ground not far below as they made their way to the central tower.

---------------------------------------------

  “Your majesty, there is somepony to speak with you. They said it’s extremely important.” One of the tower guards said to Crescendo.

  “Important? As in, ‘bring back real music’ important, or something actually useful?” Crescendo asked scoffingly.

  “But your majesty. Your daughter is with her”

  “Melody?” Crescendo’s expression perked up at the mention of her daughter. Crescendo didn’t care much for her subject’s complaints about the music in her city, but if her daughter was involved, she had to drop everything and focus on what was happening. “Um… bring them in”

  “Yes, your majesty” The guard pushed the doors wide open, allowing for Twilight, Melody, and Heartbeat to all enter.

Twilight kept up her shield of confidence, but she’d be lying if the nearly grayscale interior of the throne room didn’t spark a little bit of fear in her. Nonetheless, this was a dire situation and she wasn’t about to abandon this dire situation.

  “Princess Crescendo, is it?” Twilight asked before Crescendo nodded “I am princess Twilight Sparkle, ruler of all Equestria”

  “Odd, if I remember correctly, It was Celestia who was ruler”

  “I was her top student, but knew she has gone to retire, and I take her place.”

  “Is that so? Well, then it seems to me that you lack experience in the ruling. Compared to me, you’re merely a foal in a grown alicorn’s body.” Crescendo looked past Twilight and saw Melody cowering behind Twilight’s legs, like a scared dog clinging to its owner for protection. “Nonetheless, I understand that you have my daughter with you.”

  Twilight looked behind her seeing Melody shiver, her anxiety overcoming her, and there was nothing that she could do to hide it. “Melody, come on, you can do this. I’m right here next to her if anything happens.” Twilight said putting a hoof on Melody’s shoulders.

  Melody made eye contact with Twilight. There was something about her that made Melody feel safe, like how her own other would be before she became corrupted by fear and power. Melody slowly trotted over to stand next to Twilight, doing her best to remain brave. She looked over at Heartbeat seeing that her aura has changed from the optimistic cheerful unicorn from before, to a stern, skeptical one, like two predators confronting one another before the strike.

  Melody drew her attention back to her mother and spoke meekly “Mom. Listen, the reason why I ran away was to find help. In doing so I’ve met Twilight Sparkle here, she can help us. Please listen to her whatever she has to say could be beneficial for our kingdom.

  Crescendo was still unsure of Twilight, but at the same time, but also had a certain amount of faith in her daughter, even if that wasn’t saying much. “Very well, ‘Princess’ Twilight” Crescendo said almost mockingly “What is it that you have to say”

  Twilight wasted no time and began to compromise “Your highness, according to what your daughter had told me. You’ve seemed to have gained an iron grip on your kingdom and the subjects that inhabit it. While your level of control over this city is impressive, you must realize that it is drastically affecting the emotional health and well-being of your subjects. If you don’t act soon, your kingdom is at risk of collapsing on itself.”

  “And, what makes you say that?”

  “Because everypony needs freedom. Don’t let them go crazy, obviously, but allow them to make decisions about what’s best for themselves and others. Their free will is what makes them unique, and what makes life worth living”

  Crescendo stood from her throne, a fierce expression in her eyes that nearly sent Melody into a panic. “It’s also the very thing that nearly destroyed this kingdom. Ever since this city had been attacked by the fallen angels, I’ve done absolutely everything within my power to protect this city from future destructive events. By restricting their ‘free will’ I’ve been able to protect my subjects from themselves, and this kingdom has been at peace ever since.”

  “But what’s peace when it’s forced by fear and authority rather than love, guardianship, and hope? Your actions are draining this city of its life and your subjects will find some way to rebel, at which point you’ll have a bigger problem.”

  “If they choose to challenge me of my authority, then I’ll simply retaliate, put them back into their place, even if I have to take drastic measures”

  “Drastic measures?” Heartbeat said as her attitude spiked up, alerted by the implications of Crescendo’s words. “What in the hay do you mean by that?”

  “Uh… who is this?”

  “Mother, this is my friend Heartbeat” Melody answered.

  “That’s right, and I’m not fond of your ways or ruling her, filly” Heartbeat said, sending both Melody and Twilight on alert as she provoked Crescendo’s temper.

  “How dare you! I am a princess, and as a princess, I’ll teach you not to have that kind of attitude with me!”

  “Well, how about you stop being such a jerk and let your subjects, and your daughter free!”

  “Heartbeat” Twilight shouted “This is not the time! Stand down!”

  “But your majesty…”

  “That’s an order!”

  Heartbeat stepped back and sat on the red rug reaching the front and back sides of the throne room. “Fine” she huffed, “but please don’t let her walk all over Melody”

  “I don’t intend to.” Twilight said before redirecting her attention back to Crescendo “What my fellow subject her was impolitely trying to say; fear isn’t the answer. I’ve ruled my kingdom through love, unity, hope, and friendship, and it’s reached new heights that no pony could have ever imagined before. Please take my advice, your highness, I beg of you”

  “No! I will not do such a thing. I’ve worked hard to keep this city in perfect order, and I don’t intend of letting that go! I will not allow my city to go up in flames again!”

  “Well, it’s gonna go up in flames anyways if you keep this up!” Heartbeat yelled.

  “Heartbeat, that’s enough!” Twilight shouted.

  “Indeed, I’ve seen enough, and I’m done wasting my time!” Crescendo raised her voice in a tone close to the old Canterlot voice that Luna used to speak with. “Guards, arrest these two outsiders, and bring my daughter back to me”

  As if a switch had been flipped, the guards shifted from perfectly still like statues, to aggressive and hostile as they slowly approached the three mares with spears in their hooves.

  “Heartbeat! I’m disappointed in you” Twilight scolded

  “Me?” Heartbeat said in confusion and frustration. “What are you blaming me for? That uptight jerk is the bad guy here!”

  Melody hid between both of them, she panicked and flew away as quickly as she could, unsure of what to do, or how this situation could be turned around.

  “Heartbeat! Wait!” Heartbeat ran to follow her but was blocked by one of the guards. Twilight rushed to put her left wing over Heartbeat and used her teleportation to escape the throne room and pursuit Melody.

  “Melody! Slow down, we can still fix this!” Twilight yelled.

  “No! No, no, no, no,” Melody repeated anxiously as her voice trembled. “We just made it worse. We need to get out of here!”

  “Melody, calm down! Just come with us, we can get you out of here safely!”

  Heartbeat spoke too soon, however, as a group of guards tackled Heartbeat to the ground. Twilight tried to push away the guards trying to bring her down with her wings, but there were too many to fight back, and Twilight was too rushed to realize that she could use her magic to flee, and by then it was too late. The guards put a metallic necklace around both of their necks, preventing either of them from using any kind of magic.

  “Oh great, we’re busted,” Heartbeat said in defeat

  “You think?” scuffed Twilight.

  Melody looked back, seeing her two new friends about to be dragged to the dungeon. She trembled, unsure of what to do. She knew how risky it would be for her to help them, lest she would be dragged back into her mother’s grasp.

  She had to choose, escape and seek freedom elsewhere and never return, or risk it all to rescue her friends.

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Coming Soon...
Previous Chapter: Melody's Arc pt. 12 - Plea for Help

Description
  In preparation for their confrontation with Crescendo, the three mares rested after the festival of the two sisters was wrapped up. Despite how tired she was, Melody couldn’t sleep very well, anxiety coursing through her veins. Despite Heartbeat’s efforts to provide Melody with a much-needed confidence boost, Melody still couldn’t get her mind off of the potential consequences that Crescendo will enact on them. Despite this, Melody knew that she needed to put an end to her Mother’s authoritarian ways, and if Twilight said that this was the best solution, then she would hold out faith in her.
---------------------------------------------

  After the three mares were well rested, the three of them set course to Melodious. Twilight couldn’t just teleport into the city since she had not been there yet, and didn’t have a perfect image of where she was taking the two ponies. Twilight brought Melody and Heartbeat on a carriage pulled by two other ponies geared in golden armor.

  Upon arrival at the city border, Twilight was surprised to be greeted by a gray, concrete wall that blocked their path. Twilight had seen similar situations in previous friendship problems, but this was on a new level. Looking down below she could see two of the border guards on alert and ready to attack.

  “Land on top of that wall, we’ll take it from here for now,” Twilight told the two pegasi carrying the carriage. The guards did what was told and landed close enough to the guards for Twilight to confront them, but not too close as to alert them. Twilight stepped out of the carriage standing tall and proud, a shield of confidence that would serve to protect her against those who remained skeptical of the new alicorn that had just arrived. “Hold on, I come in peace.” Twilight said, “I am princess Twilight Sparkle, ruler of Equestria.”

  “Whoever you are, you shouldn’t be here!” The Guard shouted. “Princes Crescendo doesn’t like outside visitors. So either go back to where you came or things are going to get rough”

  Twilight used her magic to pull away the spears that the guards were aiming at the princess, leaving them defenseless. The guards were left scared and uncertain of what would happen next, but they were lucky that the alicorn in front of them preferred pacifism over violence.

  “I’m not here for trouble. I only wish to speak with Crescendo directly, and to return her daughter”

  The guards looked past Twilight and saw Melody nervously peeking out from the carriage where she had just come in, along with a blue, wild-maned unicorn that they didn’t recognize. The guards knew that any confrontations at this point would only put Melody at risk, and the guards did not want to witness Crescendo’s fury if such a thing were to happen, so they complied with Twilight’s demand and stepped aside, clearing the path for the three outsiders.

  “Apologies, uh… your majesty,” One of the guards said. “Please, go ahead. But I must warn you, our leader is very cautious, one wrong word or action could be your last.”

  “I’m sure I can handle it.” Twilight replied, “Heartbeat, Melody, let’s go.” She took flight with Melody following closely behind and Heartbeat in pursuit from the ground not far below as they made their way to the central tower.

---------------------------------------------

  “Your majesty, there is somepony to speak with you. They said it’s extremely important.” One of the tower guards said to Crescendo.

  “Important? As in, ‘bring back real music’ important, or something actually useful?” Crescendo asked scoffingly.

  “But your majesty. Your daughter is with her”

  “Melody?” Crescendo’s expression perked up at the mention of her daughter. Crescendo didn’t care much for her subject’s complaints about the music in her city, but if her daughter was involved, she had to drop everything and focus on what was happening. “Um… bring them in”

  “Yes, your majesty” The guard pushed the doors wide open, allowing for Twilight, Melody, and Heartbeat to all enter.

Twilight kept up her shield of confidence, but she’d be lying if the nearly grayscale interior of the throne room didn’t spark a little bit of fear in her. Nonetheless, this was a dire situation and she wasn’t about to abandon this dire situation.

  “Princess Crescendo, is it?” Twilight asked before Crescendo nodded “I am princess Twilight Sparkle, ruler of all Equestria”

  “Odd, if I remember correctly, It was Celestia who was ruler”

  “I was her top student, but knew she has gone to retire, and I take her place.”

  “Is that so? Well, then it seems to me that you lack experience in the ruling. Compared to me, you’re merely a foal in a grown alicorn’s body.” Crescendo looked past Twilight and saw Melody cowering behind Twilight’s legs, like a scared dog clinging to its owner for protection. “Nonetheless, I understand that you have my daughter with you.”

  Twilight looked behind her seeing Melody shiver, her anxiety overcoming her, and there was nothing that she could do to hide it. “Melody, come on, you can do this. I’m right here next to her if anything happens.” Twilight said putting a hoof on Melody’s shoulders.

  Melody made eye contact with Twilight. There was something about her that made Melody feel safe, like how her own other would be before she became corrupted by fear and power. Melody slowly trotted over to stand next to Twilight, doing her best to remain brave. She looked over at Heartbeat seeing that her aura has changed from the optimistic cheerful unicorn from before, to a stern, skeptical one, like two predators confronting one another before the strike.

  Melody drew her attention back to her mother and spoke meekly “Mom. Listen, the reason why I ran away was to find help. In doing so I’ve met Twilight Sparkle here, she can help us. Please listen to her whatever she has to say could be beneficial for our kingdom.

  Crescendo was still unsure of Twilight, but at the same time, but also had a certain amount of faith in her daughter, even if that wasn’t saying much. “Very well, ‘Princess’ Twilight” Crescendo said almost mockingly “What is it that you have to say”

  Twilight wasted no time and began to compromise “Your highness, according to what your daughter had told me. You’ve seemed to have gained an iron grip on your kingdom and the subjects that inhabit it. While your level of control over this city is impressive, you must realize that it is drastically affecting the emotional health and well-being of your subjects. If you don’t act soon, your kingdom is at risk of collapsing on itself.”

  “And, what makes you say that?”

  “Because everypony needs freedom. Don’t let them go crazy, obviously, but allow them to make decisions about what’s best for themselves and others. Their free will is what makes them unique, and what makes life worth living”

  Crescendo stood from her throne, a fierce expression in her eyes that nearly sent Melody into a panic. “It’s also the very thing that nearly destroyed this kingdom. Ever since this city had been attacked by the fallen angels, I’ve done absolutely everything within my power to protect this city from future destructive events. By restricting their ‘free will’ I’ve been able to protect my subjects from themselves, and this kingdom has been at peace ever since.”

  “But what’s peace when it’s forced by fear and authority rather than love, guardianship, and hope? Your actions are draining this city of its life and your subjects will find some way to rebel, at which point you’ll have a bigger problem.”

  “If they choose to challenge me of my authority, then I’ll simply retaliate, put them back into their place, even if I have to take drastic measures”

  “Drastic measures?” Heartbeat said as her attitude spiked up, alerted by the implications of Crescendo’s words. “What in the hay do you mean by that?”

  “Uh… who is this?”

  “Mother, this is my friend Heartbeat” Melody answered.

  “That’s right, and I’m not fond of your ways or ruling her, filly” Heartbeat said, sending both Melody and Twilight on alert as she provoked Crescendo’s temper.

  “How dare you! I am a princess, and as a princess, I’ll teach you not to have that kind of attitude with me!”

  “Well, how about you stop being such a jerk and let your subjects, and your daughter free!”

  “Heartbeat” Twilight shouted “This is not the time! Stand down!”

  “But your majesty…”

  “That’s an order!”

  Heartbeat stepped back and sat on the red rug reaching the front and back sides of the throne room. “Fine” she huffed, “but please don’t let her walk all over Melody”

  “I don’t intend to.” Twilight said before redirecting her attention back to Crescendo “What my fellow subject her was impolitely trying to say; fear isn’t the answer. I’ve ruled my kingdom through love, unity, hope, and friendship, and it’s reached new heights that no pony could have ever imagined before. Please take my advice, your highness, I beg of you”

  “No! I will not do such a thing. I’ve worked hard to keep this city in perfect order, and I don’t intend of letting that go! I will not allow my city to go up in flames again!”

  “Well, it’s gonna go up in flames anyways if you keep this up!” Heartbeat yelled.

  “Heartbeat, that’s enough!” Twilight shouted.

  “Indeed, I’ve seen enough, and I’m done wasting my time!” Crescendo raised her voice in a tone close to the old Canterlot voice that Luna used to speak with. “Guards, arrest these two outsiders, and bring my daughter back to me”

  As if a switch had been flipped, the guards shifted from perfectly still like statues, to aggressive and hostile as they slowly approached the three mares with spears in their hooves.

  “Heartbeat! I’m disappointed in you” Twilight scolded

  “Me?” Heartbeat said in confusion and frustration. “What are you blaming me for? That uptight jerk is the bad guy here!”

  Melody hid between both of them, she panicked and flew away as quickly as she could, unsure of what to do, or how this situation could be turned around.

  “Heartbeat! Wait!” Heartbeat ran to follow her but was blocked by one of the guards. Twilight rushed to put her left wing over Heartbeat and used her teleportation to escape the throne room and pursuit Melody.

  “Melody! Slow down, we can still fix this!” Twilight yelled.

  “No! No, no, no, no,” Melody repeated anxiously as her voice trembled. “We just made it worse. We need to get out of here!”

  “Melody, calm down! Just come with us, we can get you out of here safely!”

  Heartbeat spoke too soon, however, as a group of guards tackled Heartbeat to the ground. Twilight tried to push away the guards trying to bring her down with her wings, but there were too many to fight back, and Twilight was too rushed to realize that she could use her magic to flee, and by then it was too late. The guards put a metallic necklace around both of their necks, preventing either of them from using any kind of magic.

  “Oh great, we’re busted,” Heartbeat said in defeat

  “You think?” scuffed Twilight.

  Melody looked back, seeing her two new friends about to be dragged to the dungeon. She trembled, unsure of what to do. She knew how risky it would be for her to help them, lest she would be dragged back into her mother’s grasp.

  She had to choose, escape and seek freedom elsewhere and never return, or risk it all to rescue her friends.

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Coming Soon...
Previous Chapter: Melody's Arc pt. 12 - Plea for Help