"Princess, we are not so sure about this."

"Do not worry Salem, it won't be much of a party and you need to relax. From current events that have transpired recently, I believe that you and Malo deserve to 'take a break' as they say," Luna explained while eyeing the suit that Rarity whipped up, who was currently packing her bag. "But I do say that suit does look nice on you."

"I guess... I just feel naked without my armor," Salem explained, causing the two mares to blush at the memory of him trying to explain what he was 'lacking' under his suit.

Shaking her head, Rarity packed up her bag. "Darling, surely you don't expect to wear that suit of armor all the time? Even knights must trade their armor for suits for special occasions. Although, if I had more time and some of that new changing silk perhaps your suit could be more stunning. But I must say, even though I had to make two miracles happen in such a short amount of time I believe I outdid myself yet again," she beamed over the dress suit she had made for Salem and a special piece that Malo currently had who was gently hugging the first piece of clothing that wasn't made with combat in mind.

"/Tell her I love it!!!/"

"/Alright alright./ Rarity, Malo loves the dress but I still don't know how um... she will be seen in it," Salem explained to which Luna held his shoulder.

"I have that covered dear Salem and besides there is one more thing we are missing," Salem and Malo looked up at the princess. "This is a Masquerade ball, it wouldn't be fitting if the two of you didn't have masks."

Turning to Rarity who seemed a little upset by the princess's comment, Salem assumed it had to do with her doing more sudden work. His answer, however, came in the form of a door knock to the room prompting the Princess of the Night to call out, “Enter.”

Entering the room was a peculiar pony wearing a pair of sunglasses on top of his head and a zipped-up fancy-looking black coat with a pair of dress pants with white shoes. He walked forward with something underneath his right arm and wore a smile on his light purple-furred face.

"Ah, Princess! Is this the one you want me to work with?" The pony spoke in a very heavy German accent to Salem's surprise.

"Task Mask, I can't thank you enough for you to come by so suddenly. Yes, this is Salem," Luna introduced while turning to the abhuman in question, "Salem, allow me to introduce to you Task Mask, the number one mask maker of Canterlot."

"Wait... Task Mask?"

"Ja, the princess is correct! Your face is the perfect canvas for me to experiment on! I have worked with Dragons, Hippogriffs, Griffons, and so many others in the past, but never have I worked with someone of your facial structure before! Although, that suit might make things tricky for me to work with."

"HEY!" Rarity snapped at Task Mask who just noticed the Element of Generosity.

"Ach nein... Hello Rarity. Still making dressing from cheap material?" The pony grumbled while Rarity walked over to him.

"I’ll have you know my material is not cheap you oversize mule! My dresses come from nothing but the best; from crushed red drake velvet to Abyssinian silk," she fired at the earth pony.

"Really, putting those two together? Do you want our guests here to pass out from heat stroke before the ball?" Task countered.

As the two argued over choices of fabric and heat dispersal Luna leaned into Salem and Malo, "Before you ask, yes we do have a country similar to your 'Germany' but it's named Germaney,"

"You’re joking,” he deadpanned.

"I wish I was," Luna shrugged.

Salem eyed the two fashionistas who were still arguing. "So, what's the beef with these two?" he whispered.

"Well, a few months ago a contest of designers came together to form an outfit that would be judged by the nobility and other elites. Rarity was invited by recommendation of Lord Fancy Pants whilst Task Mask has been the winner of said contest for ten years running," Luna explained. "Long story short... he won this year and Rarity believed he cheated.”

"Cheated how?"

"Enchanted clothing."

"Did he?"

"No. Task Mask's talent is... well masks. His masks are crafted in such a way that it seems as though it emulates the very soul of the wearer. That is why I requested him to make your masks for the ball."

Salem eyed her, still wondering what she was planning. His thoughts were interrupted however when a pony stood in front of the door, catching his attention.

"/Guess Rarity had enough/" Malo sighed.

"/Seems so/" Salem responded back.

"Now then, how do you say it, 'Let's get down to business," Task Mask announced, putting the case down on the table closest to him.

Popping it open Salem and his impossible partner couldn't help but lean in to look at what was inside. It wasn't at all what they expected, but then again neither one of them ever made any masks back on Earth. Metal tools that looked more like something a surgeon kit would have rather than a craftsman; tubes filled with strangely colored material, and something that looked like a giant white plate.

Task Mask turned to Salem while bringing his hands close to the Chimera's face, to which he was slightly taken aback by the action while the pony's crimson-colored eyes stared right into his own.

...

"Uhhhhh-"

"STILL! I'm trying to focus," Task Mask ordered as he maintained his observation a while longer before snapping his fingers, turning back to his case, pulling out a notepad and began writing down notes. "Ja! Ja! That's it! I must see the other's face now. Where is this lady I was told about?"

The moment was interrupted when Luna stepped forward. "Task Mask, you do remember our discussion about Ms. Malo's 'unique' nature, correct?" she asked.

Task Mask nodded, "Of course Princess, but where is our invisible guest?"

"She is in this room, Task. However, you will need a spell to see her."

"Oh?"

"Allow me to cast it so that you can do your work," Luna lit her horn before she cautioned, "Please don't panic once you see her."

Task Mask chortled at this, "Princess, I doubt that it can be-" Task Mask’s eyes turned from Salem to the now revealed SCP, ending his trail of thought with the usual reaction, "-WAS ZUM!"

He stepped back with his arms raised in a defensive manner at the sudden change of his vision revealing the grinning bone-faced creature before him, the likes of which he never in his wildest dreams (or nightmares for that matter) could ever imagine. His shock however soon turned into morbid curiosity as Malo waved at him, slowly lowering his arms.

"Erstaunlich..." he muttered, amazement plastered over his face while he stared into her white eyes, a smile slowly creeping across his face.

Nodding rapidly, he promptly snapped towards his case, inspiration fueling his movements.

"What just happened?" Salem questioned, watching the pony pour out two tubes of the strange-looking material.

"His talent Salem," Luna replied as they silently watched as Task Mask began his work on what seemed to be two masks at once on the giant white plate with a metal.

"Dis goes here! That goes there! This is like this and- WAIT! No!" Stopping himself, Task Mask stared at the two molded pieces, darting his head to each piece he then slammed the two masks together before rolling them both into a ball.

None dared to interfere with the expert as they watched him pull and tear the strange material in his hands, completely mesmerized at the process. They continued to observe as he stretched the material like clay as its colors almost seemed to be folded within one another.

Black, White, Red, Grey, and Amber.

They weren't blending together but rather shifting together in a pattern, almost like flowing Damascus Steel. Task Mask tore two equal pieces apart and began to mold them again. The two Terrans could swear this pony could be an SCP with this level of skill since both had a hard time trying to understand his almost supernatural ability in his mask-making.

The way Task Mask’s hands worked and moved to form similar but different patterns in each mask on the plate. The colors changed and shifted while the pony worked on the masks to solid colors while still holding that flowing pattern. It was like watching life being formed right in front of their very eyes.

Throwing a cloth on both masks, the mask maker collected his things and slammed his case shut.

"W-what?" Salem blinked, still trying to register what had just happened.

"Thank you Task Mask," Luna gave the artist a nod.

"Of course Princess, it was my pleasure," Task Mask returned the gesture with a bow.

"What?" Salem spoke aloud, still trying to comprehend what he just saw.

"All I ask is that the two wear the masks during the ball, not before. Have the masks settle where they are and they shall be their faces for tonight’s ball," Task Mask advised.

"I will see to it," The princess nodded.

"What?!"

"Malo, Salem. Thank you for allowing me to sculpt from your souls. Auf Wiedersehen!" With that Task Mask left without another word leaving a still baffled Salem.

"WHAT?!!!"

(Night time, Ballroom)

"Introducing Lady Nightshade Throne the Second of House Quilling

Salem and Malo stood behind the door to the ballroom, waiting for their names to be announced.

"I still think this isn't a good idea," Salem whispered.

"/I'll be fine. I always wanted to be at an actual party like this ever since we watched Berserk together./"

"Wait... when was there…? Oh, right. Still, I'm not sure about it," Salem spoke silently.

"/Come, please. Just This once?/" Malo pleaded, "/For me?/"

"Alright. Just don't tell Titus. We wouldn't hear the end of it if he learns we went to a ball without him."

"/What?/"

"Politicians love social gatherings or something like that," he explained as he pulled off a piece of cloth, revealing his mask. "We're up,” he said as he donned his mask before holding an arm out in invitation.

Malo gently slid her arm around his elbow as they stepped forward while the announcer cleared his voice.

"Introducing Salem Grey and Malo, the stalwart defenders of the Crystal Empire." The doors opened for them while they stepped forward.

The lights of the chandeliers shined down upon them revealing Salem and his partner for all to see, to which the former was sparkling from the light. Stepping down the stairs into the ballroom, the duo walked forward as all eyes were on the both of them.

"Think that special dust Luna gave you is working?" Salem whispered to which Malo nodded shyly, not used to being seen by so many at once. "Don't worry you look beautiful.”

Taken aback, Malo was glad for the mask she was wearing, keeping her expression hidden from Salem.

While walking forward in their red and black appeal they overheard the other guests whisper as they took the final step to the main floor.

"Are they the ones who beat Sombra?"

"Yes, they even defeated those ghastly three who stormed the palace."

"I heard Salem is Discord's son."

"What? Where have you heard that?"

"One of the guards heard him 'my boy'."

As the whispers continued the announcer called for the next guest while music played across the ballroom.

"Salem, glad to see you made it," a familiar voice greeted them.

It wasn't hard to guess who it was as the familiar prismatic mane and tail gave her away.

"Rainbow Dash. Never thought someone like you would wear a dress," Salem quipped.

"Yeah, don't get used to it. Only here for keeping up appearances with my friends, y’know, being the Elements of Harmony and all," Rainbow Dash exasperated while rolling her eyes beneath her thunderbolt-like mask. "Anyway,” she turned to his partner, “is this Malo?"

"That’s right," Salem held out his hand towards Malo who silently greeted with a wave.

"Wait, isn't she supposed to be... well, you know?"

Gathering what she meant Salem nodded, "Yeah, but Luna was able to create something called 'Revealing Dust' or something. She said it can make her visible. Well, until the next few hours or when she 'shifts'," Salem explained while another familiar figure stepped forward in a butterfly-styled mask.

"Hello again, Salem."

"Fluttershy. You look nice," Salem complimented Fluttershy's attire.

"And you look quite handsome, even though your mask looks a little scary," Fluttershy stated.

At that Salem wondered what his mask looked like as he didn’t take the time to see it.

"Oh hello. Are you Malo? It's so nice to finally meet you," Fluttershy greeted Malo with a gentle handshake, to which Malo gladly accepted in a similar manner.

"Anyways, I believe the others are in the catering area. We have been trying to talk to you after the whole mess the other day," Rainbow Dash stated.

"Why?"

"To thank you two silly," Fluttershy answered with a smile while holding her hands together, "You two were so brave to stand up to those three and protect us, even though we haven't known each other long."

"Come on, you two love birds," Rainbow Dash waved for them to follow.

The two flinched at the ribbing comment but unable to retort as the Wonderbolt practically bolted off. They shared a look before silently walking forward, with Malo still keeping her arm wrapped around Salem's.

(Backstage)

"Ow hey! That's my tail!"

"Well, you should have moved."

"You did that on purpose"

"How do you know?"

"You've been stepping on my tail ever since we came back. Just like when we were kids!"

"That's enough girls! You're going to give us away."

The two went silent as the third spoke.

"The last thing we need is to be tearing at each other like last time! This is exactly how Sunset and her precious friends managed to beat us!" the orange-maned one berated the two, "Equestria has forgotten about us, and with our sudden return back home we have ourselves this golden opportunity to remind the world who we are."

The two looked at one another before smiling towards their leader who shared their mirth. All three held out a red jewel around each of their necks as they began to glow.

"Let us remind them why they once feared our Siren's call!"

Author's Note

Sorry, for the delay. I had a tire go out on my car the other day and now I'm having to deal with the American automotive repair industry in my area. (Bunch of money-hungry lying bolt unthreading jerks who can just change a tire)

Besides that here's part 2 of the masquerade symphony!

I do apologize for the cliffhanger and especially to all my fellow mandorians who saw this week's episode that ended in it's own cliffhanger. But can't keep writing an entire arch in two chapters.

Alright back to the story, I had to rewrite the first part because of my introduction of Task Mask and the magical dust that allows everyone to temporarily allow others to see Malo. But I really hope you enjoyed this and it does seem the duo can't seem to change a break in this new world.

This time however they wouldn't have their advanced earth equipment to help them this time. All they will have is their wit and will along with whatever they have on hand at this party to go against the sirens.

Which will be a fun one, to say the least.

Till then gang!