The Ritardando

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Chapter 1

It's 2030 hrs Equestria Standard Time, a month earlier, silver moon hotel, amphitheater ward, City of Canterlot, room 220, Miss Octavia Melody Rented room, second floor of the hotel.

Walking down the carpeted hallway to her rented room on the hotel's second floor was an attractive ash gray earth pony mare with styled cadet gray colored mane and tail. Her elegant 5ft 10in equine figure was attired black short-sleeve lace evening gown. On her long muscular legs were jet black thigh-high stockings. Why on her ten inch long stocking-clad feet were black closed-toed stiletto pumps. This earth pony mare was Miss Octavia Melody, a famous Canterlot Cello player.

'Finally, finish this month-long concert tour of Equestria twenty cities at different venues across the kingdom. Now I have a full year off to rest and relax. With Vinyl Scratch, begin her concert party tour soon. It should be quiet around the house for a few months that will give me time to compose a new music score for the next concert tour.' Octavia thought, carrying her Cello back to her room.

Soon the lights from the hallway stream through a crack in the door into the darkened room. The sound of the clicking heels is muffled by the comfy carpeted room. She reaches for the light switch on the wall next to the door and turns on the lights in the room. The moment Octavia Melody steps through the door into the room and closes the door behind her, she rests her Cello case against the wall of her room.

She collapses into the bed, exhausted as the soft thuds of stiletto pumps fall to the carpeted floor of the room, leaving a slender pair of nylon-clad ash gray bare feet with mulberry colored toenail polish revealed. As her mulberry colored eyes begin to close their knock on her rented room door, a look of indignant annoyance appears on her face. The sound of the soft pitter-patter of mare's nylon-clad bare feet is muffled by the cushy carpeted floor of her room as she walks up to answer the door. As she opens the door standing in the hallway was a sharply dressed earth pony stallion wearing a business suit holding a briefcase.

"Greeting, sir, how may I help you?" Octavia asked politely as the stallion straightened his tie and clears his throat.

"Are you Miss Octavia Melody?" the stallion asked.

"I am stallion." Octavia answers.

"I am the executor of the estate of Baron Argo Lyric, as the last living relative to Baron Argo Lyric you Miss Octavia Melody are the sole heiress to Lyric estate in Coltfornian in the city of Grazing Hills. To claim your inheritance, just head to the estate in Coltfornian and City of Grazing Hills; if you feel uncomfortable going alone, take someone with you, Miss Octavia Melody." The stallion explains, handing her a copy of Baron Argo Lyric's will and a map to the estate.

It’s 1400 hrs a few days later, Justice's and Celestia's Home, Residential District, Capital City of Ponyville, Friendship Kingdom, and Living room.

Sitting on the chair in the living room looking at the copy of Baron Argo Lyric will, was majestic looking dark blue unicorn stallion with crimson red mane and tail. His 6ft 5in athletic equine figure was encased in the dark gray solid short-sleeve polo shirt and black straight leg regular fit jeans. On his socked, dark blue bare feet were charcoal-black training shoes. This unicorn stallion was Royal investigator Justice Silverlight and Princess Celestia's fiancé.

Sitting on the sofa in the living room attired in the midnight, teal-colored gathered neck short sleeve blouse and white mid-rise straight-leg jeans was Miss Octavia Melody. On her ten inches, long ash gray bare feet were a pair of black ballet flats. After rest overnight at her rented room at the hotel, Octavia caught the late afternoon train back to ponyville from Canterlot. She heads home to drop off her Cello case and change into something more comfortable. Before heading over to Justice's and Celestia's home, she phones her friend Justice asking if she can talk to him about something. He said yes, and she heads over to his house in the Residential District of ponyville.

Went Octavia arrived at Justice's home; she discovered a second mare with him, not Princess Celestia. Sitting on the other sofa was gorgeous, looking pearly purple unicorn mare with fern green mane and tail. Her toned 5ft 9in equine figure was attired in red short-sleeve stretch pique knit polo shirt and Wheatfield tan-colored jeans.

On a pair of eleven and one-third inch, long pearly purple flawless and unblemished shaped bare feet sported a mare's size thirteen pair of black pumps with one and one-half heel. This unicorn mare was Lieutenant Colonel Emerald Luster, one of Colonel Justice Silverlight command staff from the Princess's Elite protection Brigade and closest friend of his.

"This uncle Lyric's will is very legit, Tavi. As the executor explains to you, you are the sole heiress to Lyric estate in Coltfornian in the City of Grazing Hills." Justice comments, passing the will over to Emerald so she could confirm what he was saying. She quickly skimmed over the will.

"I totally agree with Lord Silverlight assessment, Miss Melody," Emerald comments as she setting the will down on the coffee table in front of Miss Melody.

"So Lord Silverlight and Miss Luster, you both agree on this legit will for my Uncle Lyric. And I am sole heiress to Lyric estate in Coltfornian in the City of Grazing Hills." Octavia comments as she pick up her Uncle Lyric will from the coffee table. As the two unicorns shook their heads simultaneously.

"With that squared away, Tavi. Do you want someone to accompany you to Lyric estate in Coltfornian in the City of Grazing Hills to claim your inheritance, Tavi?" Justice asked as Octavia shook her head 'yes.'

"If you don't mind, Tavi, I'll send Emerald with you to Coltfornian. Coltfornian has a few strange rules about claiming your inheritance. With Celestia's help, I can clear up a lot of rules for you. So all you have to do is sign some papers, and inheritance is all your, Tavi." Justice explains as he asked her to leave the will with him.

"Thank you, Justice, for doing all this for me. If you ever need some music made or played, just call on me. And I get to work on it for you." Octavia said, grateful as Octavia and Emerald left home to pack for their trip to Coltfornian and City of Grazing Hills.

Its 1000 hrs Equestria standard time, a few days later, Small Greek revival style mansion home, Trotsdale estates Neighborhood, Grazing Hills, Coltifornia, Los Ungulas.

Driving toward the hillside community of Trotsdale estates in City of Grazing hills was a crystal power luxury car being driven by Lieutenant Colonel Emerald Luster, and in the passenger seat was anxious Miss Octavia Melody. As they were leaving the Los Ungulas airport, a shot ring out; it grazed Miss Octavia Melody's leg before embedding itself in the sidewalk.

Emerald shoved Octavia into the nearest airport shuttle and showed the driver her Solar Guard badge without thinking. She told him to take them to the closest Police Department quickly. At the station, the two mares filled out the report of the incident at the airport. Slowly the large gold gates open up with the inputted gate code that the executor gave to Miss Octavia Melody to get onto the estate grounds.

The long driveway leading up to the main mansion home was lined with trees; it soon gave away two stories wood and stucco Greek revival style mansion home painted white with an elaborate front entrance. Several columns lined the front of the house with a low-pitched roof covered with fake cedar shingles. All windows around the home were plain-looking but double-hung with six panes in each sash.

Waiting at the front entrance were two ponies; the first pony was beautiful looking dark blue bodied unicorn mare with an apricot-colored mane and tail. Her 5ft 6in very fit equine figure was attired in black loose fit T-shirt dress with v-neck and on her dark blue ten and third inch long feet were black buckle open-toe pumps. The second pony was a handsome dark blue bodied unicorn stallion with an apricot-colored mane and tail. His 5ft 7in equine figure was attired in a white dress shirt and light gray straight fit pants. On his socked, dark blue ten and one half inch long feet were black dress shoes.

These two unicorn ponies were the Lyric estate caretakers of Baron Argo Lyric and the last of his household staff. Head Maid Mavra Curator and Steward Duncan Curator, a brother and sister team, worked for Baron Argo Lyric for some time. As the vehicle stops, Miss Octavia Melody climbs out in front of the home, and the two unicorns bow in front of Octavia.

"Welcome your lady ship, Baroness Octavia Melody. We are Head Maid Mavra Curator and Steward Duncan Curator. We have worked for your uncle Baron Argo Lyric for many years." Duncan explains and blinks with surprise went the other unicorn climbed out of the driver's side of the vehicle.

"We didn't expect another guest with her lady ship. But we are glad one did come with her." Duncan comments as Emerald pop the trunk on the car so the head maid could get their luggage.

"Thank you, Mr. Curator; my name is Miss Emerald Luster; I am a friend of Baroness Octavia Melody. She didn't want to come alone, so she asked me to accompany her." Emerald explains as Mavra took the luggage and escorted Octavia into the home as she spoke to Duncan.

"Are you two the only ones here?" Emerald inquiry as Duncan shook his head.

"My sister and I are the only ones left here at the Lyric estate after the mysterious death of Baron Argo Lyric, the original owner of Symphonic hall," Duncan explains as Emerald faces glazes with shock.

"Mr. Curator, did you say the mysterious death of Baron Argo Lyric!" Emerald exclaims as Duncan shook his head.

"How so, Mr. Curator?" Emerald inquiry as the two unicorns walked the grounds of the estate.

"The death of Baron Lyric was attributed to a massive heart attack. I will be the first to admit the Baron really didn't care about himself why living here. But went we found him, his face retained the expression of horror." Duncan explained as Emerald looked very confused with the statement from Duncan.

"What do you mean horror?" Emerald inquiry wondering.

"Their old legend first Baron Dionysus Lyric wrote this musical score to mourn his late wife Baroness Amara Lyric went she died. The score was called the Sunset Lament; the notes in the score are so perfect that once played, the player is calling for death to come to the recital to judge their soul. Many musicians have played the Sunset Lament and never finish it because they see death sitting in the audience, fearing their death, they stop. Death then takes their soul with him out of displeasure. If a Musician can make it to the end of Sunset Lament without fearing their own death. Death will be pleased and leave the musician alive. He will also release the souls of musician that couldn't finish the Sunset Lament, and the curse musical score will be broken." Duncan explains as Emerald gape in stunned silence.

"Do you know if the Sunset Lament exists, Duncan?" Emerald inquiry as the two unicorns standing in front of a garden fountain at the garden center.

"That I can't say, Miss Luster. But someone sure does." Duncan said sourly as his nostrils flaring.

"Has something happened before Baroness Octavia Melody, and I arrived at the estate?" Emerald inquiry as Duncan shook his head.

"Since the death of Baron Lyric, someone had been sneaking onto the estate and searches the Baron's room looking for something," Duncan explains as Emerald taps her finger against the lower half of her jaw.

"My sister or I do a final check of full symphonic hall check all the doors and windows making sure they are locked. Went we get to the Baron's room on the second floor, the windows are wide open, and papers are spread everywhere." Duncan explains as Emerald listens closely to what Duncan tells her.

Meanwhile, at the main mansion home head maid, Mavra Curator escorts Baroness Octavia Melody to the master bedchamber of the Symphonic hall on the second floor, as the two mares reach the first landing, Octavia gawk in disbelief. In front of her is a huge painting of ash gray earth pony mare with cadet gray mane that looks like her but quite a bit older.

"Mavra!" Octavia calls

"Yes, your lady ship?" Mavra answers

"Who is this mare in this picture?" Octavia inquiry

"That is Baroness Agatha Lyric, which is Baron Argo Lyric late wife. She was a renowned violin player went she was alive. The symphonic hall is filled with beautiful violin music. Went Baron and Baroness played together. Symphonic hall came to life with beautiful music. But after her death, beautiful music never again filled Symphonic hall. The Baron sealed the music room and never played music again." Mavra explains open a drawer on the small table under the painting and hand a small gold key to Octavia.

"As the new Baroness of Symphonic hall, you may choose to unlock the music room if you like. It the last room at the end of this hallway." Mavra explained as Octavia ran down the hallway toward the music room.

She finds herself standing in front of double wooden doors with a gold lock on it. She inserts the gold key into the lock and turns it. They're a very soft click as the door swings open Octavia walks through the door into an octagon-shaped room. Several different types of musical instruments fill the space. The single most significant musical instrument in the place was a grand piano. Against one of the walls was a low cabinet on top the cabinet sitting on two display stands well cared for Stradivarius violin.

She walks over to the Stradivarius violin and puck the instrument; it produced a dark, low tone that lingers in the air. As the vibrations bounced around the octagon-shaped room, the grand piano seems to begin to play a similar musical note. As the two musical notes enter her ears, it sparked a memory. It was her as filly sitting on the floor at the feet of her aunt playing a Stradivarius violin for her.

'My aunt was a great violinist in Equestria; she knew how to make the instrument sing with such elegance and grace. She never told me I had to learn how to play the violin. She told me to find the instrument that speaks to me and listen to it.' Octavia thought as she carefully took hold of the Stradivarius violin and the bow.

She started to play the instrument; this causes the other instruments in the room to join in with the concert filling the Symphonic hall once again with beautiful music, which it lacked since the death of the Baroness Agatha Lyric and Baron Argo Lyric. Bring the home to life after so many years of silence.

Chapter 2

Its 2000 hrs Equestria Standard time, several years earlier, Symphonic hall, Small Greek revival style mansion home, Trotsdale estates Neighborhood, Grazing Hills, Coltifornia, and Los Ungulas.

Exiting the detached garage after parking her vehicle was an angry older attractive ash gray earth pony mare with styled cadet gray with a hint of white mane and tail. Her 5ft 11in elegant equine figure was attired in black fit and flare dress with keyhole neck. On her ten-inch, long ash gray bare feet with navy blue colored toenail polish were light natural colored heeled sandals. This older earth pony mare was Baroness Agatha Lyric, a renowned violin player and wife to Baron Argo Lyric. She is also the aunt to the famous cello player Octavia Melody.

"Argo!" Agatha bellowing ferociously, burst into the music room of Symphonic hall.

Sitting behind a grand piano in the music room, writing musical notes on sheet music, was a handsome older pinkish-purple earth pony stallion with dark purple with a white mane and tail. His 5ft 9in fit equine figure was attired in a russet orange short-sleeve polo shirt, and medium stonewash relaxed fit jeans. On his ten and two-third inch long socked foot were taupe slip-on shoes.

This older earth pony stallion was Baron Argo Lyric, the owner of Symphonic hall and famous music composer in Equestria. As the door slams against the music room wall, he cringes after pressing a sour note on the grand piano, and he quickly erased the note on the sheet music.

"Enjoyed the concert at Applewood bowl in Griffon Park, dear," Argo comment calmly as he watches his wife walk over to her Stradivarius violin and begins to play it.

To calm her mind and alleviate her anger. The sound she produced from her instrument was beyond beautiful to the divine. Each pass over the Stradivarius strings with the bow was a heavenly sound, an angelic chorus. With Baroness Agatha Lyric lost in her own musical world, she never realized that other music room instruments begin to play along with her. As each instrument had a small bit of unicorn magic enchanted upon it from the unicorn artisan that built the instrument in Canterlot.

As Agatha's mood begins to improve, she stops playing her Stradivarius violin and sets it down on top of the low cabinet. Before reaching down and unbuckled her sandals from her feet.

"Feel better, my dear?" Argo asked as Agatha pip-pops barefooted over to Argo before she kisses him.

"Somewhat Argo, but to answer your question about the concert at Applewood bowl in Griffon Park. There was no beauty in the music being played at the concert by the ensemble. The only highlight at the concert was the playing of my niece Octavia Melody. She knows how to make the instrument sing." Agatha comments as her light purple eyes are haunted by some inner pain.

"Did you go and try to talk to her? And find out why she left Ponyville for Canterlot?" Argo asked as Agatha stand as if shot and waiting to fall with the question from her husband.

"Miss Agatha Melody, you have told me over and over that, your niece is like your sister and her mother. But still, you willn't go talk to her and find out the reason she left Ponyville for Canterlot!" Argo said hotly as he quickly calms down.

"It very complicated, Argo," Agatha said, her voice edged with tension as Argo shook his head.

"It is not complicated at all, Agatha. You fear that it was your fault that Octavia left for Canterlot. Don't forget I knew your sister Aretha Melody; she was a wonderful Cello player just like her own daughter is. If I remember right, she left Ponyville to try her luck in Canterlot; it had nothing to do with the family. She wanted to try the large stage of Equestria." Argo explains as Agatha looks at a small photo of Octavia in her locket.

Its 1000 hrs Equestria standard time, a few minutes later present time, Applewood forever cemeteries, Downtown Los Ungulas, Coltifornia, Los Ungulas, Gravesite of Baroness Agatha Lyric.

Slowly the spirit of very attractive ash gray earth pony mare with styled cadet gray mane and tail rises out of the ground upon hearing her Stradivarius violin was being played with such grace and elegance. Her 5ft 11in elegant equine figure was attired in finely made black top of the knee-length fit and flare dress. Why her ash-gray bare feet with dark red nail polish were attired in black heeled sandals with a three-inch heel. This spirit is Baroness Agatha Lyric.

'Huh? Am I dead?' Agatha thought, looking at her transparent hands in front of her.

"Huh? I can hear my Stradivarius being played with such grace and elegance. How my Violin should be played." Agatha comments as her spirit is pulled toward Symphonic hall with music being played.

"By Celestia's light! It my niece Octavia Melody! No wonder my Violin was being played with such grace and elegance." Agatha exclaims as hearing her name been called, breaking Octavia's concentration from playing the fine Stradivarius violin.

"Hello! Is there anyone here?" Octavia asked, looking around the music room, trying to figure out where the voice came from, but couldn't find it.

'I still must be tired from that concert tour of Equestria. Octavia, you old girl, you are starting to hear things. Besides, the Stradivarius violin has such a beautiful voice reminds me of my Aunt Agatha Melody. But why would Baroness Agatha Lyric have my aunt's Stradivarius violin' Octavia thought, putting the Violin back on the display stands and leave the music room.

Its 2100 hrs Equestria standard time, the evening of that same day, Symphonic hall, Small Greek revival style mansion home, Master Bedroom, Trotsdale estates Neighborhood, Grazing Hills, Coltifornia, Los Ungulas.

It 9 pm as Baroness Octavia Melody rolls out of bed and pulls on her robe; she padded barefooted down the staircase and across the porcelain tiles of symphonic hall first floor to the other side of the mansion home. She is drawn to a room with a fine wood door; she turns the knob and walks into the darkened room. She feels around the wall for the light switch and turns it on.

As the lights go on, Octavia finds herself standing in a large study; six bookcases stand against the walls, three on each wall. Each bookcase is filled with books about various music genres that have been heavily used (as the color on the book covers has begun to fade from the oil on the fingertips). As she moves into the room, the pap-pops of her bare feet were muffled by the cushy carpet of the study.

She makes her way over to a large wooden desk toward the back of the room in front of the canted bay window. On top, the desk was a larger blotter heavily stained with writing ink from repeated uses. As she pulls open each drawer on the desk, some drawers have blank sheet music paper in it. Why other drawers have incomplete music scores in various degrees of completeness.

Most drawers buried under several new looking music notebooks in the center was a notebook much older than the rest as the pages inside had that yellow tint of age on then. As Octavia carefully flip through the older notebook, it was written in ancient Equestrian language. As she couldn't read the ancient Equestrian language characters written on each page. She could make out it was musical scores using ancient musical instruments. Before she could look any deeper into the old notebook, she feels something hit the back of her head, and everything goes black.

(Thud)

"Hey, Tavi! Are you all right?" A familiar mare voice inquiry as Octavia felt someone shaking her awake as she lifts her head up and rubs the back of her head with her hand.

She turns her head toward the voice standing next to her wearing a pale pink long-sleeve mid-length knit robe was Emerald Luster. As Octavia continues looking Emerald over, she noticed that her eleven and one-third inch long pearly purple flawless and unblemished feet were bare. From Emerald, Octavia turns her head toward the front of the desk and saw Duncan and Mavra Curator standing there wearing white long-sleeve mid-length knit robes like Emerald.

"Ow! What in Celestia's light hit me, Emerald?" Octavia asked look at the three unicorns standing around the desk as she rubs the bump on the back of her head.

"That I don't know, Tavi? I was come out of the manor library with a book to read went Mavra caught me. She told me that she saw someone running away from the Baron's study window on the first floor from her second-floor bedroom window. She told her brother who came to investigate the Baron's study and found you unconscious at the Baron's desk." Emerald explains as the other two shook their head in agreement.

"I see. It gone!" Octavia answered as she looks around the desk for the notebook she was looking through.

"What is gone, Tavi?" Emerald inquiry a bit puzzled.

"Something drew me to this room, and this desk. I found an older notebook written in ancient Equestrian language. As I couldn't read the words, I could make out the music characters on the pages." Octavia explains as Mavra and Duncan look at each other before walking over to a door into a walk-in closet on one side of the study.

In the closet, numerous three drawer wooden file cabinets stood. Duncan pulled out one of the drawers and retrieved an identical notebook that Octavia said she found in the desk drawer. He set it down on the desk, and Octavia flip through the notebook; she was shocked to see another ancient notebook.

"His lordship would sometimes write a musical score on fake old paper and write it in ancient Equestrian language. As he couldn't understand, the ancient equestrian language on the lower shelves of that far bookcase is numerous books written by A.K Yearling on ancient Equestrian languages. He, through writing the musical score that way, he could understand how the ancient composers wrote their music scores." Duncan explained as the four ponies head back to their bedrooms to sleep till morning.

In the society rooms, a small bar in the conservatory in the city of west Applewood, two ponies sit in a booth in the restaurant part of the establishment. A dark brown earth pony stallion hand a white earth pony stallion the ancient notebook he took from Baroness Octavia Melody. The white earth pony flips through the ancient notebook before tearing the notebook in half. He tells the other earth pony stallion that is not the score he is looking for.

It 1130 hrs Equestria standard time, the following day, Swindle and Dupe Law Firm, Civilian sector: Judicature Ward, City of Canterlot, and Capital of Equestria.

Driving down the road heading toward the Swindle and Dupe Law firm in the Civilian sector: Judicature ward was Royal investigator Justice Silverlight. Joining him this day sitting in the car's back seat was breathtaking gorgeous white with a hint of pink Alicorn mare with golden blonde mane and tail. Her Perfect 6ft 5in equine figure was attired in a light blue short-sleeve mid-knee-length fit and flare dress. Folded on her back were her large white with a hint of pink feathered bird wings.

Her twelve-inch long white with a hint of pink bare feet with mariner blue colored toenail polish was blue wedge sandals with one-inch platform. On her head behind her horn was her gold tiara and around her neck was a gold collar. This Alicorn mare is Princess Celestia Borealis, the ruler of Equestria and Royal Investigator Justice Silverlight fiancée.

"You know, Celestia, you didn't have to come with me." Justice comments as Celestia's chuckles into the back of her hand in the back seat.

"I know Justice, but you came for my help in this. Now I have invested interest in seeing this through to the end." Celestia explains as Justice looks at her through the rear view mirror.

"If that what my Princess what to do, how can I stop her. Besides, any investigator would want a breathtaking gorgeous assistant helping him." Justice said, complimenting as Celestia blush a bit and giggled nervously.

"Plus, I noticed you were wearing blue wedge sandals with a one-inch platform, my love. Maybe after finish this meeting up and during one of your breaks from the court, those sandals will disappear from your plushy feet. For some playful tickle torture upon your large white soles." Justice comment as Celestia giggled playfully.

"That sounds wonderful, my love. Besides that, I thought everything was squared away with inheritance for Miss Melody?" Celestia comments a bit puzzled with having a meeting with the Swindle and Dupe Law firm.

"It was Celestia after getting the will notarized. The notary mentioned that the last page of the will was missing. She had enough of the will to notarize it for me. She suggested I should find the last page of the will and read it over a bit. I found the will was made by Swindle and Dupe Law firm here in Canterlot. So I set up a meeting with owners to look at the will." Justice explains as he pulls the car in front of the law firm.

"By Celestia's light! That is the Princess getting out of that vehicle with Mr. Silverlight!" A stallion voice exclaims, looking out the second-floor window of the law firm.

Quickly a pleasing-looking dark brown earth pony stallion with ebony black mane and tail packs his briefcase. His 5ft 7in very fit equine figure was attired in a taupe colored glen plaid classic fit suit. On his eleven inches, dark brown socked bare feet were tan oxford shoes. This Earth pony stallion was Charlatan Clancy Bicker, a master burglar and a con artist. He was paid by a third party to pose as a lawyer went the real will was delivered to Miss Octavia Melody.

But the third party never thought the Princess would get involved with something like this. As the Princess and Justice walk into the front door, he ran out the back door into the back alleys of Canterlot. After about an hour, the secretary mare went up to the office and found it empty. With the fire door wide open on the second floor, the secretary informed the Princess and Justice that Mr. Bicker has fled the office. Celestia and Justice search the upper office for clues.

"It looks like this whole Swindle and Dupe Law firm was fake business; all the cases filed in the file cabinets are blank. The only real case file is Baron Argo Lyric estate, and it looks like the Golden Dawn Law Firm run by your older sister Lady Serena Silverlight is the law firm that put together the original will." Celestia explains as Alicorn and unicorn look at the case file in front of them lying on the desk.

"Shall we go see my older sister, my love," Justice said as Celestia and Justice walked out of the fake law firm.

It 1300 hrs Equestria standard time, Golden Dawn Law Firm, Lady Serena Silverlight office, Civilian sector: Judicature Ward, City of Canterlot, and Capital of Equestria.

In her office, sitting behind her desk was a magnificent looking dark blue unicorn mare with a crimson red mane and tail; she was resting her chin on the back of her hands. Her 6ft 8in athletic equine figure was attired in a grey skirt suit. On her eleven inches, long dark blue bare feet with red toenail polish were black pumps with two and one-fourth heel. This unicorn mare was Lady Serena Silverlight, the oldest sister of Royal investigator Justice Silverlight and owner of Golden Dawn Law Firm.

"That particular case file was stolen from my law firm about a month ago. I was going to begin to investigate the next of kin for Baron Lyric estate. I suspected that Miss Octavia Melody was the sole heiress to Lyric estate in Coltfornian in Grazing Hills. Because Baroness Agatha Lyric maiden name was Agatha Melody. Miss Octavia Melody, aunt." Serena explains as Celestia and Justice look at each other, very surprised with the news.

"Lady Silverlight, why steal the will of Baron Argo Lyric, who every takes it can't claim the inheritance with Miss Melody being the sole heiress of the estate?" Celestia inquiry as Serena shook her head.

"That is right, your highness, but their strange provision that Baron Argo Lyric has me put into his will. Upon finding the next of kin that next of kin must play on the Stradivarius violin a musical piece called the Sunset Lament, and finish the whole score. If the next of kin can't play the Sunset Lament or doesn't want to. The estate may be bought by anyone. That whole estate is not worth many bits. But the real prize is the Sunset Lament score. That Sunset Lament score is worth quite a lot of bits to the musician that plays it first. Because no musician had ever finished the score." Serena explains as Justice and Celestia gasp simultaneously.

Chapter 3

It's 0900 hrs Equestria Standard time, Rhapsodic School, several years earlier, Downtown Los Ungulas, Coltifornia, City of Los Ungulas, Beginning violin class taught by Baroness Agatha Lyric.

Walk up and down the rows of colts and fillies' learning how to play their violins in her classroom was Baroness Agatha Lyric attired in black slightly below the knee-length fit and flare dress with black heeled sandals with a three-inch heel on ash gray bare feet with Tahiti gold toenail polish. She would swing her finger in time with the music score her students were practicing went the student hit a sour note. She tapped the student on the shoulder to tell them to stop and show them how to position the bow and how much pressure to put on the instrument's string.

(Bell rings)

"All right, beginner classes continue practicing that music score; next week, we have a test with the music score," Agatha said, reminding her class of the test next week with their violin as the whole class sighs at once.

As her students file out of the beginner violin class, Agatha walks over to her desk and opens her briefcase to retrieve another music score. She walks down the rows of music stands and chairs, replacing the beginner music scores with a more complicated music score for her intermediate violin class. As she finishes replacing the music scores, their commotion in the hallway, Agatha peeks out a crack in the door.

Storming down the hallway was a handsome white body earth pony stallion with purple mane and tail. His 5ft 6in fit equine figure was attired in steeple gray short-sleeve button-down shirt and safari night tapered regular fit jeans. On his ten and two-third long socked white bare feet was brown leather walking shoes. This earth pony stallion was piano player Diomedes Discordant the self-proclaimed great piano player in Equestria.

"I will play the Sunset Lament, Argo! If you like it or not, ex-master. I am the greatest piano player in Equestria! No in the World!" Diomedes yelled arrogantly as he's puff up with self-importance.

'The greatest piano player in the world? I think not!' Agatha thought as Diomedes passed her classroom and pushed aside one of her intermediate students walking down the hallway.

It 1300 hrs Equestria standard time, present time a few minutes later, Golden Dawn Law Firm, Lady Serena Silverlight's office, Civilian sector: Judicature Ward, City of Canterlot and Capital of Equestria.

"Was there any interest in the estate, Serena?" Justice asked as his older sister shook her head.

"Not very much, justice. I have received maybe four offers for the land it on and nothing else. Most of the offers are because the Golden Dawn Law Firm and Silverlight unicorn family name are on the temporary deed as the property owner. Because once the score is played, the property reverts over to Miss Octavia Melody." Serena explains as she floats a bottle of water out of her small fridge in her office. She offers Justice and Celestia a bottle of water from her small fridge, and they decline.

"Were there any strange offers, Lady Silverlight?" Celestia inquiry as Serena unscrewed the top and takes a drink from the bottle.

"Come to think about it, your highness, I received an offer from Mr. Diomedes Discordant to not only buy the land. But the house and all the contents for more than the listed price. I dismiss the offer because it was too good to be true." Serena explains as justice regards his sister curiously.

"Fess up, dear big sister, you didn't just toss the offer aside of Symphonic hall buyer. You look into the buyer's background to make sure he could pay the offer." Justice said, knowing as Serena smile too much.

"Ooh! Justice, you can sometimes be a pain in your older sister tail." Serena said bluntly as justice smiles at her.

"But yes, I did look into his background to see if he could pay the offer. Mr. Diomedes Discordant is a former music student of Baron Argo Lyric from the Rhapsodic school in Downtown Los Ungulas. It seems that Mr. Discordant was not the best Piano Player in the music world as he thought. All the reviews I read on him say he should go back to music school. But still, he had the bits to pay off the offer." Serena explains as her secretary tells her that her next appointment will be arriving soon.

Serena hugging her brother and his fiancée as the two ponies leaves the Golden Dawn Law Firm and stand outside the building to talk a little longer before return to Grand Royal palace for Celestia's next court session.

"So, what do you think is going on, my love?" Celestia inquiry wondering as justice leans against the car.

"That is a million-dollar question, my love." Justice answers opening the back door of the car so Celestia can climb into the back seat once again.

"What we know, this Sunset Lament must be played by Miss Octavia Melody for the will to be fulfilled," justice said, climbing into the driver side of the car after closing the door for Celestia.

"A Mr. Discordant is very interested in the property and is willing to pay more than the asking price. Which includes the house and contents?" Celestia explains as justice starts the car up.

"Mr. Discordant is a former music student of Baron Argo Lyric from the Rhapsodic school. It sounds like his career is not going well for him." Justice comments as he pulls into traffic to drive the Princess back to the Grand Royal Palace for her next court session.

"We can assume that the Swindle and Dupe Law firm was created for the sole purpose of having the will giving to Miss Octavia Melody without the last page of the will and strange provision that Baron Argo Lyric put into his will," Celestia explains as she taps her finger against the lower half of her snout thinking.

"And that all we know, my love. Besides, let get you back to the Grand Royal Palace for your next court session. It always helps me to think clearly by tickling those wonderful sexy deep sets arches of your large white with a hint of pink bare soles." Justice comment as Celestia chuckles playfully with her fiancé plan for her went she finish her court session.

"Well, if that what it takes to help you think, my love. Then after I finish my court session, I will surrender my bare soles to my beloved Lord Silverlight to torment as he likes." Celestia comments, blowing a magical kiss to her fiancé.

Its 1600 hrs Equestria Standard time, that same day, Rhapsodic School, Downtown Los Ungulas, Coltifornia, City of Los Ungulas, and Auditorium of the Rhapsodic school.

Sitting on the bench in front of a grand piano on the stage was Emerald Luster attired in black short-sleeve below knee length striped fit and flare dress. On a pair of eleven and one-third inch, long pearly purple flawless and unblemished shaped bare feet with red toenail polish were black peep-toed stiletto pumps with three and one-fourth heel. She was manipulating the grand piano keys at a concert level pianist impressing the staff and students at the Rhapsodic school.

That morning the Curator at Symphonic hall informed Emerald and Octavia that one of the duties of the Baroness was to go to the Rhapsodic School for the performing arts in downtown Los Ungulas for an inspection tour of the school, which include a concert from the current student's body and staff members.

They also informed them that the mares must wear a nice black dress and black pumps, the standard attire for the school's female staff. They might be asked to demonstrate their own musical skill during the concert. Octavia has a huge smile on her snout with a chance to perform at the school. Emerald told them not to worry about her; she knows how to play an instrument. Lord Silverlight insists that all the Solar Guard unit members learn to play an instrument to help with concentration and relieve battle fatigue with some of the duties they perform.

Standing just off stage behind the curtain was Baroness Octavia Melody after finishing her performance attired in black sleeveless below the knee length fit and flares dress. On her ten inches, long ash gray bare feet with blue toenail polish were black heeled sandals with three and one-half heel. Octavia was dumbfounded with emerald skills at the grand piano. As Emerald's performance comes to an end, they're a huge round of applauds from the crowd as she leaves the stage after taking a bow.

"How can you play a grand piano like that, Emerald?" Octavia inquiry as she walks behind the curtain with Octavia.

"I always liked playing the piano, Tavi. So went Lord Silverlight insist that I need to learn how to play an instrument, I went back to playing my favorite instrument, the grand piano." Emerald explains as the two mares walk into the rows of the auditorium's seat to watch the performance of students and staff.

In the empty hall, Emerald Luster stiletto heels click-clack down the ceramic-tiled hallway of Rhapsodic school of the performing arts after going to use the little mare's room. On her way back to the auditorium to watch the other performances, she heard someone moving around one of the empty classrooms. The small plaque on the wall read 'piano room'. slowly Emerald draws her twenty-two revolver from her thigh holster; she was told by a staff member that all the students and staff would be in the auditorium at the concert.

So the school would be empty till the end of the concert. Quickly Emerald Luster slips her feet out of her pumps she was wearing and pip-pops quietly toward the classroom door. She looks through a crack in the door into the room to see a tall pegasi mare dress from head to toe in a black outfit searching around the room for something. Emerald figured the pegasi mare got into the school by way of the skylight removed from the roof.

Her foot pushes open the door cause the bell on top to ring. A moment later, the frosted glass window in the door shattered when she heard a shot; the bullet embeds itself in the wall across from the classroom. Quickly Emerald closes the door and waited a moment before kicking open the door with her gun at the ready. After looking around the room and find it empty, she figures the pegasi mare flew out of the room through the open skylight. Sometime later, the Los Ungulas Police Department arrives at the Rhapsodic school to report the incident, and Emerald shows them her Solar Guard badge.

"What was that pegasi mare looking for here, Emerald?" Octavia asked as Emerald pap-pops in her bare feet on the porcelain tile, searching the room for what the pegasi mare was looking for.

"She was carefully looking around the room, trying to find something in this room. Huh? Octavia, why would you bolt down a grand piano like this?" Emerald asked Tavi went she found metal bolts through the feet of the instrument.

"I really don't know, Emerald I never learned to play the piano. I know how to play a cello and violin." Octavia answers as Emerald followed the legs up to the keys and discover two keys were broken. She pushes down on the two broken keys.

"Emerald looks at the far wall!" Octavia calls as a door swing open, revealing a small room.

"A secret room!" Emerald exclaims as the two mares walked over to the secret room. Inside the secret room were two metal locked files cabinets and few shelves full of well-worn books.

"Miss Melody, let call Lord Silverlight; we don't know what your uncle is hidden in that secret room we discovered. Better to be safe than sorry." Emerald suggests as Octavia agreed with Emerald's suggestion.

"Agreed, Lady Luster, this has become more than I have an inheritance. So calling Justice and Solar guard in is the best option for this." Octavia said as Emerald pressed down the broken keys on board and closed the secret room.

Chapter 4

Its 1100 hrs Equestria Standard time, the following day, Rhapsodic School, Downtown Los Ungulas, Coltifornia, City of Los Ungulas, and the piano room and the secret room.

In the piano room of Rhapsodic school, two Solar Guard Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists kneels on the ground uses a 10ft extended pole grip with a Core articulating scope to scan the interior doorjamb of the secret room looking for booby traps. Due to a high level of caution, the whole school and surrounding buildings have been evacuated by the Solar Guard unit with the Los Ungulas Police Department's help. Down the block from the school at the command Post-Lord Justice Silverlight, Baroness Octavia Melody, and Lady Emerald Luster speak about what Justice learned in Canterlot.

"So in my uncle's will, I must play a score called 'the Sunset Lament' on my aunt's Stradivarius violin. Duncan told you Emerald 'the sunset lament' is a curse musical score; if I don't finish it, I could die. But if I finish it, Lyric estate is mine. Either way, 'the sunset lament score' is the key to this whole thing." Octavia recaps as the two unicorns shook their heads.

"Even if 'the sunset lament score' is the key to this. We don't have it, and we don't know where your uncle Baron Lyric hid it and why?" Emerald explains as the earth pony mare and unicorn stallion shook their heads in agreement.

"I am going to head back to Canterlot and continue digging into this with the help of Celestia. So I called up someone to help you." Justice comments as Emerald forces a nervous smile.

"Justice, please...Tie me up and tickle my feet till I can take anymore. Just don't say you called her up to help." Emerald said struggle to control the quivering in her voice.

Walking up to the three ponies was appealing, looking white pegasi mare with Spanish blue mane and tail. Her 5ft 7in physically fit equine figure was attired in a claret-red short-sleeve classic fit button-down shirt, and simple white classic cropped jeans. Her ten-inch, flawless, and unblemished shaped bare feet with red toenail polish were blue ballet Flats. Folded on her back were her white-feathered bird wings. This Pegasi mare was Captain Anita Stormchaser and another member of Justice's Command staff.

"Greetings, Emerald, did you get over your head again and need the help from pegasi," Anita comments as Emerald gives the pegasi an icy stare.

"For your information, Anita, this was all Justice Idea and not mines," Emerald said sourly as the two mares begin to argue over calling her up.

"Justice, what is up with those two?" Octavia's inquiry watching the two mares continues to argue as she follows Justice to a waiting car.

"Well, Emerald and Anita are both senior parts of my Solar Guard command staff. Went I team them up it like oil and water. Because they formed a small rivalry between them. But don't get me wrong, Tavi. I would take either of them on a mission with me. They are the best team I know. So let them get it out of their system, and everything will be fine." Justice explains as he heads back to the airport to head back to Canterlot.

(A few hours later)

In the piano room of Rhapsodic school, after the bomb techs clear the whole secret room of traps, both Emerald and Octavia wait for Lady Anita Stormchaser to arrive. Emerald informed Anita that the school had a dress code for the female staff members; this information caused Anita's face to pales as she doesn't like wearing that type of clothing. Whistling could be heard echoing down the hallway along with the click-clack of heels on the hall's ceramic tile. Slowly maneuver herself into the room was Lady Anita Stormchaser attired in black three-fourths sleeved lace mid-knee-length fit and flare dress. Why on her ten inch long flawless and unblemished shaped bare feet with fuchsia-colored toenail polish were black closed-toed wedge heel with two and one-half heel.

Anita had a huge blush across her snout as Octavia was aghast that this pegasi mare has a supermodel figure accentuated by her clothes. But the pegasi mare seems a little embarrassed by it.

"Nice, choice Anita." Emerald complements as Anita's cheeks pouf up.

"Oh, stop it! Emerald!" Anita snapped more from embarrassment than from anger as she walks over to Emerald and Octavia, waiting in front of the secret room.

The secret room is eight by eight square windowless rooms with a single fluorescent light to lit-up the room. To the back of the room are two twenty-nine inch tall metal vertical locked file cabinets. Along the two side walls are open-shelf files with numerous worn notebooks chronologically organized. Octavia immediately knows what the notebooks are because she seems then at the Symphonic hall.

"All these notebooks are a collection of written music scores by Baron Argo Lyric. I have seen similar notebooks at Symphonic hall." Octavia explains as she unintentionally rubbed her head with her hand remembering being hit on the back of her head by something went; she was looking at a notebook.

"You are right, Tavi?" Emerald comments, taking out a random notebook from the shelf and flip through the book, see written music scores in them.

"If these are written music scores, why hide them in this secret room? Surely everyone knows about them because Baron Lyric was a famous composer in Equestria." Anita comments as Octavia looks at the music scores in the notebook and notices something unusual about the staff's note placement.

"Is there something wrong, Tavi? You are looking at that music score pretty intently." Emerald comment as Octavia reach up and take another random notebook from the shelf in front of her looks it over just as intently as she did the other one.

"I have played several of Baron Lyric's music scores at my concerts over my career. As a matter of fact, I end my concert with one of Baron Lyric's music scores. I found the music score I end my concert every time. But these music scores were written by another composer. The only difference between the Baron Lyric music score and this one. Is the changing of one whole staff in the music score?" Octavia explains as Emerald and Anita give a startled gasp with an accusation from Tavi.

It's 1400 hrs Equestria standard time, a few weeks later, Crystal Libraries, Crystal Empire, Crystal city, History section main area of Libraries.

After finding no more information in Canterlot Royal investigator, Justice Silverlight traveled to Crystal City in the Crystal Empire to look into the Crystal Libraries as the Crystal ponies are good at keeping Equestria history. Today, assisting him to search for information was a beautiful light pink Alicorn mare with moderate violet, moderate rose, and pale gold streaks mane and tail. Her 5ft 9in curvy equine figure was attired powder blue short-sleeve top of the knee-length floral lace fit and flare dress.

Why on her ten inch long light pink bare feet with seashell white toenail polish were white criss-cross strap gladiator sandals with a one-inch heel. Folded on her back were medium-sized light pink feathered bird wings. On her head behind her horn was a gold tiara and round her neck was a gold choker with heart cut pink sapphire in the center. This Alicorn mare was Princess Cadence Sparkle, the ruling Princess of the Crystal Empire and soon to be adopted niece of Lord Justice Silverlight.

A mischievous smile forms on Justice's snout went he notice that he could sneak a single finger between the straps of his niece's gladiator sandal to tickle the shallow arch of her foot. As he was about to insert his finger between the straps of Cadence's gladiator sandal to tickle her shallow arch, a very light cornflower blue magical hand forms and slaps the back of his hand. Cadence sits on the top step of the portable warehouse ladder with a knowing smile on her snout and holding a large newspaper almanac under her arm.

"Now, uncle, you behave yourself; I am not going to let you make me laugh in the library," Cadence comments quietly as she climbs down the rest of the way.

"All right, Cadie, I'll behave myself," Justice said quietly as he hugs and kisses his niece on her cheek.

"But anyway, Cadie, did you find what you were looking for?" Justice asked as Cadence shook her head.

"I did, uncle; I came across an article in one of the other almanacs about Music Composer Argo Lyric. He was accused by several other music composers of stealing their music scores and sells them as his own." Cadence explains as she taps her painted fingernail on top of the article.

"Huh? Were the accusations resolved, niece?" Justice inquiry as Cadence shook her head 'no.'

"It seems that the authorities couldn't find enough evidence to charge Mr. Lyric with a crime. Plus, by the time of the charges, he was a respected music composer. Those that accused him were questionable music composers who were his rivals." Cadence explains as the Alicorn mare and unicorn stallion walks out of the crystal library into the Crystal Empire's warm air as it was summer season for the Empire.

"It seems the deeper we dive into Baron Argo Lyric background, the more question comes up. This was a simple case to make sure that Miss Octavia Melody got all her inheritance, but this case has mushroomed into a more complex case." Justice said, frustrated as Cadence kissed Justice on his cheek.

"Now, uncle, don't start to doubt yourself; it a complex case, yes. But I know you will figure it out. You will not let Miss Melody down; I know you will not." Cadence encouraging as Justice hugs her again.

"Besides that, with that done, uncle, let take a walk in the park; I don't have to be back at the Crystal Palace till an hour for now. I know a hidden area of the park where you can take my sandals off to tickle me for any hour went I have to return to the palace." Cadence suggests as the two ponies walk toward the park as Justice only comes to visit during the summer season or during a case.

Its 1100 hrs Equestria Standard time, a few minutes later, Rhapsodic School, Downtown Los Ungulas, Coltifornia, City of Los Ungulas, and the secret room.

"Are you sure, Tavi, that your uncle Baron Argo Lyric didn't write this music scores?” Emerald asked as Tavi shakes her head.

"That means he stole another Music Composer work and says it was his own," Emerald said, shocked as Anita manages to unlock the twenty-nine-inch tall metal vertical locked files cabinets with a small key she found on top of the cabinet.

Inside the drawers were more notebooks and a small fine made square wooden box. That had some weight to it. Anita carefully kneels on the ground and set the box in front of her. Inside the box was thirty-eight service-six Ruger revolver; as Anita took the revolver out of the box, she notices one of the cartridges was spent.

"Hey, emerald, this revolver has been shot," Anita said as she handed the revolver to Emerald, who empties the remaining cartridge from the cylinder and finds an empty cartridge.

"Well, not recently. They no smell of gun powder from the cartridge." Emerald explains look at the empty brass between her fingers.

"So yet another question being asked, who shot this revolver? If it was shot at someone, who was it? And why did the shooter fire at that pony?" Emerald explains as mares continue looking around the secret room.

Its 1100 hrs Equestria Standard time, several years earlier, Symphonic hall, Small Greek revival style mansion home, Trotsdale estates Neighborhood, Grazing Hills, Coltifornia and Los Ungulas.

Agatha attired in a pepper green short-sleeve knit polo shirt and meridian blue relaxed fit straight leg jeans pip-pops barefooted up the staircase from the first floor of the mansion home across the porcelain tile of the hallway head toward the music room. She was given by one of her students from the Rhapsodic school a piece of sheet music. The student told her it sounded like a piece of music from an ex-instructor from the school before she become a teacher at the school. He had the original work of music from that ex-instructor because the instructor made it for him to play, and it was the only copy of it.

"Argo, what is the meaning of this?" Agatha said sharply as she slamming the sheet music on top of the grand piano.

"Why is your name on this piece of music?" Agatha said hotly as Argo take hold of the piece of sheet music.

"Because I wrote it," Argo said with little emotion as Agatha gave him a scorching look. Before turning on her heels and left the music room.

Chapter 5

It's 1100 hrs Equestria Standard time, a few minutes later, Symphonic halls, Estate garden of a Small Greek revival style mansion home, Trotsdale estates Neighborhood, Grazing Hills, Coltifornia and Los Ungulas.

After slipping on a pair of black comfort flip-flops upon bare ash gray feet with orange toenail polish Baroness Agatha, Lyric walks out onto the concrete path that weaves through the estate garden as the shoes slap the soles of her feet, leaving red marks upon them. She prides herself on being a sincere musician and music composer. But now learning that Baron Argo Lyric might have stolen the music scores from other composers and call them his own work. Has put Agatha in a moral quandary; she figures that the only reason the Baron married her was that she is honest.

'Should have figured it was too good to be true, me a respected violin player. Marrying a famous Music Composer. If my sister Aretha Melody was here, she would tell me, you are so easily taking in Agatha. I always hate her being right all the time, even as fillies. Big sister Aretha protecting her little sister Agatha. But after she mysteriously vanished, I took care of her daughter Octavia Melody and found out I am more like my big sister than I care to admit' Agatha thought as she sits on the edge of the fountain crossing her legs, one knee tossed casually over the other to think.

"They must be a way to catch Argo and expose him for the fraud he really is," Agatha comments, tapping her flip flop clad foot soundlessly in the open air.

"If you create a music score anonymously that the Baron can't resist, he will steal it and claim it as his own. With you being an honest musician and moral music composer. You can catch him." A mare voice from behind a hedge said as Head maid Mavra Curator step out from behind hedge followed by her brother Steward Duncan Curator.

"Mavra and Duncan, do you know about this? How the Baron been stealing other composer music scores and saying it his own?" Agatha asked as the two unicorns shook their head 'yes.'

"Yes, your lady ship, one of the stolen music scores, was written by our mother. My sister and I run a small production company in Downtown Los Ungulas. Our mother continued to fight for her rightful credit for the music scores. She gains the authorities' attention, which seems to have received a report from some questionable music composers. Our mother was a well-known music composer, so authorities investigated the claims. After she died, the investigation stopped; we think that Baron used his connections to stop it." Duncan explains as his sister Mavra took up the story.

"After the investigation stopped, we heard that the Baron was looking for some household help at his Symphonic hall. So we handed over our production company to our siblings to run why we find the evidence to back up our mother's claim." Mavra explains as Agatha's face glazed with shock with the news.

"I see Duncan and Mavra. I am sorry your mother was not giving credit for her work. But I think I know what music score it was that Baron stole from your mother. 'The Sunset Lament' was the one music score that was uncharacteristic of the Baron's writing style." Agatha explains as the earth pony rests her chin in her hand.

It 1000 hrs Equestria standard time, a month later during that same time, Golden Dawn Law Firm, Lady Serena Silverlight's office, Civilian sector: Judicature Ward, City of Canterlot and Capital of Equestria.

Sitting in Lady Serena Silverlight's office at the Golden Dawn Law Firm attired in ice blue colored laser-cut embellished 3-piece skirt suit and tan-colored heeled sandals with two and one-half heel was Miss Agatha Melody. After her latest concert in the City of Canterlot and Capital of Equestria, Agatha set-up a meeting with Lady Silverlight to talk about copyright for a musical score for a production company.

"Miss Melody, why does Silver Clef Production Company want you to make copyright for them here in Canterlot? It would be better for that production company to ask for the Copyright in Los Ungulas." Serena comments, a bit confused with the request from Miss Melody.

"As I explain earlier, Lady Silverlight, the Silver Clef Production Company, wants to protect the piece of music they created in all of Equestria." Miss Melody said as Lady Silverlight begins to write up the copyright for Silver Clef Production Company to cover all of Equestria.

It's 1300 hrs Equestria standard time, Present time, Canterlot Archives, Canterlot Grand Royal palace, Royal ward, City of Canterlot, and Equestria's capital city.

Why Royal Investigator Justice Silverlight was in Crystal Empire with Princess Cadence Sparkle looking for more information about Baron Argo Lyric background. After her latest royal court session ended, Princess Celestia Borealis head down to the Canterlot Archives to search the archives for any kind of information about Baron Argo Lyric or Baroness Octavia Melody to help with Miss Melody inheritance for the Symphonic hall.

A fine layer of dust covers the dress and feet of Princess Celestia Borealis after searching the Canterlot Archives for some time. In a section of the archives dealing with Equestrian law and legal documents, Celestia came across an archive number in the leading archive directory that mentioned a Miss Melody. After getting the archive number and section that it was in Celestia's head to that section, she found the file she was looking for after cleaning off the dust from several files.

'Huh? This file is for Miss Agatha Melody. It looks like she filed for a copyright for a musical score for a production company. The music score was named 'The Darkness Lament.' It looks like it was flagged went someone tried to steal the score and say it was their own work. This file says an investigation was launch into the charges. But a month later, the authorities stop for no reason.' Celestia thought as she reads the file in front of her.

"I wonder why the authorities stop the investigation. The only reason they would stop it is if the guilty one was charged or one that helps launch the investigation was dead." Celestia comments, walking back over to the main archive directory to search for information on Miss Agatha Melody.

It's 1530 hrs Equestria Standard time, that same day, the present day, Rhapsodic School, Downtown Los Ungulas, Coltifornia, City of Los Ungulas, and the secret room.

In Baron Argo Lyric's secret room at the Rhapsodic School, Baroness Octavia Melody, Lady Emerald Luster, and Lady Anita Stormchaser continue going through the stolen notebooks connecting the music scores to the rightful composer who wrote it. Suddenly Octavia's face glazed with shock, followed by her light purple eyes mist over with tears that Emerald noticed quickly.

"What is wrong, Tavi?" Emerald inquiry as she held a notebook in her hand, looking at a musical score on the page.

"My mother wrote this musical score, 'The darkness Lament.' But she disappeared a year earlier before all this happened. How could my mother write this musical score?" Octavia said as tears ran down her cheeks.

Meanwhile, in a small airport in Mountreal near the Crystal Empire, an attractive older slate gray colored earth pony mare with puce (dark pink) colored mane and tail buys a shuttle ticket to Crystal City carrying a cello case with her.

"Miss, could you put your name down on the manifest." The ticket seller asked the well dress mare.

"Very well, the name is Miss Aretha Melody," Aretha said as the ticket seller gives the well dress earth pony mare a ticket.

"The shuttle to the Crystal city will be boarding in a few minutes. And it is confirmed that your ticket to Canterlot will be waiting went you arrive in Crystal City. Do you have planned to fly to a different location from Canterlot, Miss Melody?" The ticket seller inquiry as she's typing on her computer.

"No, I live there," Aretha answers as the ticket seller type more on her computer.

"Very good, Miss Melody, here give this paper to the ticket seller in Crystal City for your ticket to Canterlot." The ticket seller said, handing the earth pony the paper she printed.

"Thank you," Aretha said politely as she walks over to the waiting area.

Sitting in the waiting area to board was an attractive older slate gray earth pony mare with puce (dark pink) mane and tail. Her elegant 5ft 11in equine figure was attired in black three-fourths inch sleeved slightly below the knee-length fit and flare dress. Her slate-gray athletic legs were encased in a black thigh-high stocking. Her eleven-inch long slate gray bare feet with deep teal green toenail polish were clad in black heeled sandals with three and one-half heel. This older earth pony mare was Miss Aretha Melody, the mother to Miss Octavia Melody.

It's 1130 hrs Equestria Standard time, a week later, in the past, Symphonic hall, Small Greek revival style mansion home, Trotsdale estates Neighborhood, Grazing Hills, Coltifornia and Los Ungulas, music room.

"You ruined me! Agatha!" Argo said, dripping with spite.

"You ruined yourself, Argo! By stealing the hard work of others for your own greedy gain! All those other music composers worked harder to make it! Then you stole the work and said it your own! Went they try to claim they proper credit, you destroy them!" Agatha said sharply as their guttural scream follow loud pop.

Its 1300 hrs Equestria standard time, Present time, a few minutes later, Canterlot Archives, Canterlot Grand Royal palace, Royal ward, City of Canterlot, and capital city of Equestria.

"According to this News report I found, Miss Agatha Lyric (Melody) was found dead in the Music room of the Symphonic Hall by her husband, Argo Lyric. He reports that she tried to play a cursed music score." Celestia said out loud read through the file.

"Strangely, no music score was ever found to back up the report from her husband Argo Lyric account. But maybe there was never a music score played, maybe he killed her. With all evidence pointing toward him stealing other composer's work and saying it was his own. Maybe she found out about it and was killed for it. From the background that Justice and I found out about Miss Agatha Melody, she was quite a wonderful mare." Celestia comments on closing the file on this case.

It's 1900 hrs Equestria Standard Time, two months later, Sun and Moon amphitheater, amphitheater ward, City of Canterlot and Capital city of Equestria, Miss Octavia Melody Concert.

"Thank you all for attending this very special tribute concert for my Aunt Agatha Melody; all but a few musical scores were written by my Aunt Agatha Melody. All other musical scores were written by other composers whose name appears on the screen behind me as I played them." Octavia said as she takes her final bow before walking off the stage.

"Octavia!" A familiar mare voice called

As she turns around standing there, was a very attractive ash gray earth pony mare with styled cadet gray mane and tail. Her 5ft 11in elegant equine figure was attired in finely made black top of the knee-length fit and flare dress. Why her ash-gray bare feet with dark red nail polish were attired in black heeled sandals with a three-inch heel. This was the spirit of Miss Agatha Melody, Octavia's aunt.

"Auntie!" Octavia exclaimed as tears come to her light purple eyes.

"Hello Tavi, I don't have much time. But I should have asked went I was alive. Was it my fault that you left ponyville for Canterlot?" Agatha inquiry.

"No, Auntie, like my own mother, I wanted to try a bigger stage. So that why I left Ponyville for Canterlot." Octavia explains as Agatha smiled.

"Now I can rest, Tavi. Please take good care of my Stradivarius violin. It a very special instrument from our family." Agatha said as she fades away. A moment later, a stagehand arrived carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers with him and give it to Miss Octavia Melody.

"An older slate gray earth pony mare with puce mane and tail asked me to give you them and told me to tell you to check the card with it." The stage hand explains as Octavia looked at the card.

"From your mother, Aretha Melody." Octavia read off the card as she knew her mother's own writing.