Once upon a time, not too long ago,
on a night when many shooting stars rained down,
many beautiful stones fell down onto this planet.
These stones had a mysterious power that no one had ever seen before.
People all over the world tried to study them and discover their secrets.
But then, on another night filled with shooting stars, many years later...
This time, onyx stones as dark as night rained down.
Many terrifying creatures appeared from the black stones,
sending everything into chaos and destroying the people, animals,
flowers, and trees of this world.
Just when everyone was about to give up hope...
They appeared.
Hey, Mommy. What are these?
Hm? They're the Musicarts.
The people over here are the Conductors.
They possess the powers of the mysterious stones,
and they fight using music.
Music?
I'm sorry, my love.
I never got to let you experience music.
But I'm sure you'll be able to hear it someday soon.
Are we gonna be able to stay in this town?
Hopefully.
Huh...
I'm gonna have a look around.
Don't wander too far.
I'm just going to check out that market near here.
What's this thing?
This is called a piano.
A pia...no?
Not bad. It's even tuned properly.
An upright that sounds this good...
Of course. You've been waiting all this time...
For the moment when music comes back.
Music?
What's music?
Mommy... What... What is this?
That guy's amazing!
Whoa, you're kidding me!
Run!
It's a D2!
Run away!
Jimmy!
"Symphony No. 5"...
"Destiny."
Let the performance begin!
A Musicart!
Now play!
Jimmy!
This is music.
M-Mister?
I'll need you to shape up, Maestro Takt.
If this is how you are after dealing with a single mid-level D2,
we'll never make it to New York.
We need to increase your stamina and mental strength.
It's because you're always fighting inefficiently...
and wasting my life force!
They say that a lion will use all of its strength to hunt a rabbit.
You're just not controlling how much power you use!
For crying out loud!
To be perfectly honest, I am rather disappointed about that, too.
This is, objectively, a serious flaw as a weapon.
Once we reach the New York Symphonica, I would like to request a tuning adjustment.
Could you at least give me a hand here, you good-for-nothing Musicart?!
Takt! Did you make a mess again?!
Anna...
We left for ten minutes to go shopping! Why couldn't you just stay put?!
You're unbelievable!
But she—
But Maestro—
Shut up! We're gettin' outta here!
I do apologize for the interruption.
Please continue to enjoy your everyday lives.
Let's go, Cosette.
Understood, Big Sister Anna.
Listen, Takt. Do you really understand the situation we're in?
New York is really far away. We've got a long way to go.
We don't even know what lies ahead.
There's no way we're gonna make it if we don't cooperate.
No acting on your own. Understood?
Seriously, give that a rest.
I need to play more.
It's annoying as hell!
But that was a real keyboard! It actually played sound.
Do you know how long it's been?!
Did you hear a word I said?
I'll die if I don't get to play!
Logically, it would have been impossible for you to continue playing there, Maestro.
You don't get to talk to me about what's logical, you good-for-nothing Musicart.
So D2s appear. All you have to do is defeat all of them.
That is a fine plan.
Now, if you'll provide the calories necessary for...
They appear to be gone.
I'm sorry, Cosette.
Those were the only snacks I could find in that town.
I see.
Her fuel efficiency sucks.
And you spoil her too much! Just stuff a potato in her mouth!
She's my one and only little sister.
You've got another sister named Charlotte in New York.
Yes, and Lotte is my older sister.
Cosette is the only little sister I have.
How is this going over your head?
Right, Cosette?
Yes, Big Sister.
If we're being real here, we really need to pick up the pace.
You want to get checked out as soon as possible, don't you, Cosette?
I also require sweets.
Yes, I know.
Of course.
Now, how the hell did you guys end up here?
Conduct
This is honestly the worst timing.
Here you go.
What? But isn't this road the quickest way to get to New York from here?
There's no way you're gonna make it through.
The route to the east coast runs right through the middle of that town, yeah...
But the D2s have nested there.
Just when business was booming and things were getting back on track...
A bunch of them just showed up outta nowhere.
Then everyone in town fled, so now we're back to zero.
Basically killed all of our traffic, too.
It's only a matter of time before we're gonna have to close up shop, too.
Oh, my.
It sucks, I tell ya.
So if we avoid this route...
You'd have to circle around down south,
but they've got their own issues trying to get back on their feet.
The roads are all torn up,
there's a bridge down, and apparently there are spots you can only get through by boat.
You didn't plan this out very well, did you?
Yeah, you're the last person I want to hear that from.
It's been four years since Grand Maestro Sagan said he was gonna end all this.
How much longer are we gonna have to live this way?
You guys are all hopeless.
Maestro, I have replenished the necessary calories.
May I now execute the command from earlier?
Command?
I sense a number of D2s in that direction.
Of course, I could immediately eliminate them all.
Then we can secure the route to New York,
and you'll be able to enjoy that particular musical device.
Okay, do it.
Stop!
M-Missy, don't tell me you're a...
How many times have I told you not to break any windows?!
Why didn't you stop her?!
Music takes priority over everything else.
And it'll be easier to get where we're going now.
What's there to complain about?
Oh, for crying out loud!
Come back here, Cosette!
The static is pretty intense.
How many are there? Wait, this is...
Yeah, we're screwed.
Cosette! Cosette, are you okay?!
I failed.
Cosette!
You okay, kid?
Never would've guessed they were a Conductor and a Musicart.
Maybe they're here to save us!
Let's go over everything one more time.
What is our goal?
To play music.
Eliminating all of the D2s.
No! You're both totally wrong!
We're going to New York, aren't we?!
We're going to get Cosette fixed at the Symphonica, right?!
How are you two forgetting that?!
At this rate, we're never going to get there!
Yes. I believe that both the Maestro and I will run out of strength
and cease functioning before we get there.
If you understand this, then just listen to me!
God, I can't even...
Do something.
This is all your fault for being so selfish, Maestro.
Music will save the world.
If eliminating D2s is your mission,
why didn't you finish them all off?
I mmm mrgh mradon brf I mmf evmryfing...
Eat first, then talk.
I did everything that I could.
Many D2s attacked.
And I shot the lot of them,
but I started to realize there was no end to them,
so I emitted a huge kaboom.
And then, suddenly, I was also hit with a kaboom,
very underhandedly, by something enormous that remained hidden.
Of course, I precisely and desperately tried to drag this thing out of hiding
by attempting various maneuvers.
But you failed.
You didn't have enough calories, Maestro.
I believe that you should have at least gone to the scene as a Conductor.
I thought you took off because you were confident enough
that you could handle them all yourself.
I guess I overestimated you, you good-for-nothing Musicart.
Shut up! No more being reckless! No more sudden attacks!
So we won't be able to listen to music around here
until we take care of this giant thing.
I guess we won't be able to move forward, either.
Don't give that lower priority.
It appeared determined to stay underground.
Of course, if we pass by it, it will attack ruthlessly.
Underground, huh? I wonder if something's really down there.
Who cares what the reason is?
We just have to make sure it can't stay hidden and drag it out.
And then I shall inflict
a great kaboom upon it.
Got any bright ideas?
I'll make them listen to their beloved music so much that they start to hate it.
I can't even remember the last time I heard a live performance.
I was so hyped!
Since that Musicart took care of that D2,
I think we'll be safe around here.
Hey, can I try touching that thing?
Sure.
Yay!
Please excuse me. I shall be borrowing this for a little while.
D2s loathe the sounds that humans create.
Especially music that has amazing harmony and rhythm.
The more exquisite the piece, the more unbearable it is to them,
so they'll seek to destroy it.
Now, let the recital begin.
A black stone... Of course.
So they came to this town because the Black Night Siderites attracted them.
No wonder they don't show themselves so easily.
How long do you plan on napping?
Let the performance begin!
Perhaps you're so powerful because of that giant Black Night Siderite.
Well, that won't do.
Then I will just have to shatter
that stone itself.
Unleash the sound!
Well done.
We made it through that by some miracle.
Hopefully this means it'll be smooth sailing to New York from here.
I feel like I'm going to be in the best mood today.
Why do humans invest so much technique and passion into the act of acquiring nutrients?
We somehow squeaked by this time,
but I'd like it if you'd keep me in the loop so we can keep up this journey.
I'm talking to you over there.
Now I just need to find a grand piano.
There has to be one somewhere.
My only regret is this hole.
How could such a flaw be permitted?
Listen to me, please.
What a nice day...
These calories shall provide me with new strength.
I'm begging you! Someone listen to me, please!