Cold winds blew through Manehattan as Leo and Rara who was dressed as Kitana from Mortal Kombat X walked around enjoying all the Nightmare Night decorations as their adoptive daughter Flawless Victory who’s dressed an albino Xenomorph relaxed in Leo’s chest plate before the three went off to enjoy a family picnic. “It’s a shame there aren’t any decent haunted houses around here.” Leo said his tone saying that any who displeased him would meet a slow and painful demise.
“Guess that means we’ll have to make one next year.” Rara replied.
“Maybe it should also be an obstacle course so there can be a ‘real’ monsters chasing Ponies.” Victory suggested.
Leo looked at Rara and she smiled. “We could also have a custom door installed and split the key into four pieces and hide them around the house. If the participants find the different parts and escape they win a prize.”
Half an hour later Victory said. “Hey Papa, Mama, I’m getting hungry.”
Leo chuckled. “Let’s go eat then.” The three then made their way to a nearby park saying hello to the fillies and colts from the orphanage that Victory used to live at.
Once they reached the park Leo spread the blanket while Rara got some sandwiches out of the basket. As the trio relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere Victory’s ears twitched. “Does anyone hear a buzzing sound?”
“I don’t hear anything like that. What about you Leo?”
While the rest of the city was full of activity and noise the park was relatively quiet and empty which allowed Leo to hear a faint buzzing sound above him. “I think so. It sounds kind of like a giant insect.”
“I hope it’s not like those Bugbears I heard the Slayers had to deal with.” Rara said moments before a huge green scarab beetle with a purple and gold collar and scythe like arms. On the scarabs back is an old man with graying skin, silver hair and open brown vest which showed that despite his age he had a very muscular body, he also had metal gloves and boots and in his left hand is a large scythe with made of a glowing green metal and on his belts is a jagged dagger made of the same material as his scythe.
“Next time, be more careful when you land! I almost fell off!” The old man said.
“Oh I’m sorry. Next time I’ll ride on your back and you can fly us into the city…oh wait you can’t carry me or fly.” The scarab deadpanned.
“Excuse me.” Leo said grabbing the newcomer’s attention. “You just interrupt our family picnic.”
“Sorry about that.” The scarab said using one of his arms to somehow rub the back of his head before he looked at the old man. “Perhaps introductions are in order?”
The old man got to his feet easily maintaining his balance on the scarabs back and roared. “My name is Xul. Xul do you hear me?! XUL MOTHERFUCKER XUL!”
“If I knew you were going to yell like that I wouldn’t have offered you a lift.” The large scarab beetle said shaking his body and knocking Xul off his back. “Names Ricky by the way.”
Leo looked at Rara unsure and her expression told him she was trying to hold in her laughter even though Victory was already giggling. Xul shot to his feet and glared at Ricky “You didn’t have to fling me into the dirt Ricky!”
“You would have done the same thing in my position.” Ricky said.
Xul sighed and nodded before looking at the trio again and changing his posture to a much more relaxed one by placing the blade of his scythe in the dirt and leaning on the handle. “So how can this old Necromancer help you this fine night?”
“Necromancer? Why are you in the middle of a park and not near a cemetery?” Victory asked.
Xul smiled. “Why would I need a cemetery when I can summon my skellies anywhere? Here let me demonstrate.” Raising his scythe the ground around Xul broke as fifteen human skeletons climbed out of the ground but the strange thing was each skeleton was holding a different instrument. Trumpets, violins, harps, everything needed for a small orchestra. “No idea why they’re an orchestra but I’m not complaining considering I was a conductor before arriving here.”
“Do you know any good Halloween songs?” Leo asked.
“Do I know any good Halloween songs?” Xul repeated. “OF COURSE I DO! Halloween is my favorite holiday! Here’s an old favorite of mine that I would listen to every year.” Leaving his scythe for a moment Xul drew his dagger and got into place while the skeletons readied their instruments. “Three…two…one… here we go.” And with that the skeletal orchestra began to play. The music flowed over the park.
Once the song was done Leo looked at the sky. “Good old Nightmare Before Christmas.” (This gives me an idea)
“What did you do back on Earth and how do you know Xul, Ricky?” Victory asked.
“I worked as a librarian. Ever since I was a kid I loved getting lost in fantasy, sci-fi books and comics. Xul is an old family friend. He was my dad’s roommate when they were at collage. Heck he practically raised me since my parents were always away due to being in the military.” Ricky explained.
“I’m also the one who introduced him to most of his favorite anime and games.” Xul said. “I’m still surprised how much you like Hellsing Abridged considering how much you hated seeing blood.”
Ricky shrugged. “I’m not sure why myself but something about it just clicked with me.” Ricky then looked at Xul and grinned. “You know… I was planning to dress up as a certain character this year.”
“Ricky!” Xul growled turning to Ricky.
“He’s from one of my favorite games.” Ricked said ignoring Xul as Rara, Leo and Victory watched hoping this was going where they thought it was.
“Don’t you do it!” Xul ordered.
“You want to know who?” Ricky continued.
“Don’t you fucking dare!” Xul threatened.
“Riky is hero-pon!” Ricky said holding up his arms and making his voice high pitched but moments after he said it all the skeletons had surrounded him pointing their instruments which had somehow turned into weapons at him.
Both Rara and Victory lost it at this and fell onto their sides laughing.
“RICKY!” Xul roared while Ricky shook with laughter.
Leo chuckled and looked at his mare-friend. “Maybe we should introduce Xul to Emerald Jester. Xul’s skeletons can be a backup orchestra and he can also work as a conductor. Didn’t Maestro Medley say she’ll need a little help with her niece being born soon?”
Rara nodded before an idea struck her. “How about we go find Jester and Medley so we can introduce her to Xul and Ricky?”
“It’s going to be difficult to find her in the crowds. It is Nightmare Night after all.” Leo said.
Xul looked at Leo and grinned. “Well if we’re going to have trouble going to find her then we make her find us. Ricky are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“I think so Xul but why do they call them the Lost Boy’s when Peter always knows where he can find them?” Ricky said bringing an arm up as if pondering something of great importance.
“Sometimes you just can’t beat the classics.” Xul chuckled
This time Leo joined in the laughter and it actually scared a few bats who had come to see what had made the music earlier. “Good old Pinky and the Brain.”
“So what are you planning to do?” Victory asked.
Xul grinned. “It’s really simple. You see all we have to do is…”
Jester walked along the Manehattan with his friend Medley. Jester’s wearing a NiGHTS costume while Medley is Aika from Skies of Arcadia. “I hope we find a good conductor soon. I’ve already asked some of my colleague who wouldn’t mind working with Leo but they’re all going to be too busy for the holidays and won’t be able to help. If we can’t find someone soon then we’re going to have to close the theater until next year.”
“We’ll figure something out Medley.” Jester said. “But closing the theater down for the holidays isn’t the worst thing that can happen to us.”
“True, but I don’t want any of the new plays to be put on hold and the kids always love seeing the Hearth warming stories.” Medley said before music started to fill the air. Looking around Jester quickly saw Leo with Rara hanging around his neck. Behind them She saw a giant scarab beetle with an old man standing on his back facing away from them and waving a glowing green dagger like a conductors baton. Much to Jester’s and Medley’s surprise fallowing behind the group was an orchestra of humanoid skeletons each one playing an instrument. When Rara saw Jester and Medley she called something up to the old man and the song effortlessly changed to one more upbeat and energetic with the old man looking like he was having a blast conducting this particular song.
Medley grinned. “Looks like Leo found the solution to our little problem.”
“Or did he find Leo?” Jester asked with equally wide grin.
“Either way let’s go introduce ourselves.” Medley said.
As the two got closer Leo held up his hand and the giant beetle stopped his march as the old man sheathed his dagger and they now saw that the beetle was holding a sinister looking scythe with its arms.
“Hello Leo. Who are your new friends?” Jester asked.
“The big guy behind me is Ricky and the old man is…” Leo started.
“My name is Xul. Xul do you hear me?! XUL MOTHERFUCKER XUL!”
“Are you going to do that every time to introduce yourself?” Ricky asked.
“I don’t see why not.” Xul said as he jumped to the ground and turned to Ricky holding out his hand.
“Oh is that yours?” Medley asked as Xul grabbed the scythe and rested it on his shoulder.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, the scythe is new to me as well. But I must admit I'm starting to like it." Xul said with a grin.
“Where did you find all of those skeletons?” Jester asked.
“I summoned them. After all I wouldn’t be much of a Necromancer if I couldn’t control the undead. Don’t have much use for undead who don’t obey.” Xul grinned. “No offence meant Leo.”
“None taken.”
“You seemed to be very comfortable conducting your skeletons. I was wondering how much experience do you have leading an orchestra.” Medley said.
“I was a professional conductor for about thirty years before I had to retire.” Xul said.
“Yeah.” Ricky agreed. “Heck the old man here had his orchestra play at my college graduation.”
“Who you calling an old man?” Xul asked shooting a glare at Ricky.
“You.” Ricky deadpanned. “You’re an old man.”
“I’d like to see an old man keep up with you when you were flying!” Xul growled.
“You were being carried by a few of your skeletons!” Ricky accused. “They were doing all the hard work!”
Raising the scythe Xul brought the back down on Ricky’s head. “Why you little!”
“Perfect!” Medley squealed ignoring Rick and Xul’s argument. “I’m sure Leo or Rara has already told you but my sister River Petal is going to give birth next week and want’s me around to help watch her herb shop for a while. Jester and I have been looking for someone to be my substitute until I return.”
Xul shrugged. “I don’t mind. It’ll be good to conduct professionally again.”
“At least you can continue doing your old job.” Ricky said. “How the heck am I supposed to read a book when my hands are freaking razor blades? I can’t even hold one let alone turn the pages. Not to mention I’m probably to big to fit into a library.” Xul then bonked Ricky on the head again. “OW! What was that for?!”
“What’s the lesson I was trying to ingrain into your skull?” Xul asked.
“When faced with a problem or obstacle you can’t break through try looking for a way around or change your view point entirely.” Ricky said in a voice that told everyone he’s said this hundreds of times. “I still don’t see how that helps.”
“Did you forget about audio books?” Victory asked from inside Leo’s armor.
“No but I personally like reading books a little more.” Ricky said.
“I’m sure your find a way you enjoy books again.” Jester said. “Until then you could always help with stuff backstage if you want.”
Ricky shrugged. “Wouldn’t be the first time and it most likely won’t be the last.”
“Come on you two.” Jester said beckoning for them to fallow. “I’ll show you two the theater then we can figure out where the two of you can spend the night.”
“Just so you know.” Xul said as he handed Ricky the scythe and climbing up on his back. “I’m going to have my skellies playing the entire time.”
“As long as I don’t have to bunk with Xul I’ll be fine.” Ricky commented. “Man can snore so loud it sounds like a growling panther.”
“HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU I DON’T SNORE!”
Author's Note
Started this around Halloween and only now do I finish it. I hate writers block.
