//------------------------------// // Passing Time: Part II // Story: Taismo: The Equestria Games // by RockStarMLP //------------------------------// The main balcony of the castle was always where members of the royal family would address the crystal pony citizens, and a great place to overlook the Crystal Empire and some of the land beyond its border. It was also an ideal place to watch the aerial greatness that was Rainbow Dash, who was taking a quick practice flight to show off to the group she was spending time with; the majority of the Team JAG Band. The group of Dan, Aelita, Ami, Yumi, Kim, Ron, Phineas and Ferb were given, as quoted from the pegasus mare, an exclusive performance of flight by one of the greatest fliers in all of Equestria. It was indeed quite the show, even to some's experiences with their own missions or projects or from the battlefields against villains. The pegasus was giving a nice display of her speed and agility, along with some tricks and techniques for added entertainment. Perhaps the only tricks she did not try to do included the Buccaneer Blitz, and the legendary Sonic Rainboom, the latter of which the group heard of after hearing about a brief race between Rainbow Dash and Tails. The flight capabilities being shown made her audience wonder just how much capability pegasi had with their abilities to fly and control the elements of the everyday weather. The final trick in Rainbow's routine was flying up and making a cloud-made model of her cutie mark, done in just a few seconds. Upon completion she flew back down and landed on an open spot on the balcony, standing behind the group that was mostly lined along the railing. Phineas and Ferb were standing farther back, towards the entrance back into the castle, and they were each holding foreign, strange devices. The devices, according to the two brothers, were mechanical-like devices that were far beyond Equestria's levels of technology that monitored the pegasus while in flight. "That's incredible," Phineas said, looking down at his device. "You were doing most of those tricks at Mach 2. I don't think I've ever seen a pegasus do that. Then again, I'm still getting used to seeing ponies fly and use magic." "Yeah, but I tend to be awesome all the time, so you should always expect it," gloated the cyan mare. She then arched an eyebrow looking at the device. "So that thing kept track of everything I did, huh?" Phineas gestured his open hand at his device, and the dish-like object his brother was holding. "Yep. It locks onto a target and helps monitor their speed and vitals, analyzing how much pressure the target puts on themselves and uses the surrounding environment as an advantage. It's a great tool to have when we survey when anyone with extra-ordinary talents does just about anything." "And it makes a great music player," added Ferb. He pressed a button on his device and it began to, as if by magic, emit the sound of a song. If Rainbow's memory served correctly, she believed the song was from the Team JAG Band's first concert in Ponyville, called 'A Light That Never Comes.' The two let the song play for a few more moments before putting their gadgets away. "That was some cool moves you did up there," Dan said, complimenting the pegasus. "It took me a couple months to get full control of flying right. How long have you practiced flying?" "Since the moment I could," Rainbow replied. "Any chance I get, I'm always training. The Wonderbolts won't just let anyone join them, you know; only the best of the best." Ron was then reminded of something he recollected about the Wonderbolts from earlier at the Crystal Stadium. "Wonderbolts, huh? I saw a few ponies dressed up in these blue suits and chanting out their name down the row from us. So what are they, your world's version of the Air Force, or some kind of professional stunt performers?" "They seem to be both to me. You don't see military guys celebrated like athletes too often," added Yumi. "Then again, I've never seen that any other time myself." Rainbow Dash took a few minutes to take a page from the book of eggheads, most specifically Twilight, and explain the history of the Wonderbolts. Fortunate for her that the studying technique Twilight and their friends helped her receive the history lesson that got her in the Wonderbolts Reserves, and it stuck with her the weeks following the test she took. She also threw in the story about how she first met the Wonderbolts in Cloudsdale a few years ago during the Young Flyers Competition, and how she saved Rarity's life. "So what you're saying is,..." Ron went on to say, "they're celebrities and soldiers?" "Pretty much," confirmed Rainbow. "And you're competitng against them in some aerial relay event tomorrow afternoon with a team consisting of yourself, Fluttershy, and that one pony with the massive muscles?" Ami asked. "Yeah," said the mare, "and Bulk Biceps is his name." "Really? Well, now I feel embarrassed. I've been calling him Snowflake," Yumi said. Aelita asked her friend "You mean that nickname for him that we heard about in Ponyville?" The purple-haired rockstar just shrugged. Ron then noticed that Kim was distant from the conversation. His red-haired, world-renowned lover was standing over by the balcony's edge, her arms supporting her off the railing and her eyes fixed on the scenery that surrounded the crystal castle. The evening sky above made the Crystal Empire emit a calm and twinkling shine, creating a sanctuary of an atmosphere that caught her gaze enough to wait on joining the others' conversation. He decided to walk over towards her, standing to her left and stretching his right arm across her shoulders. "What are you looking at, KP?" he asked her. Kim smiled and let herself lean towards him and set her head on his shoulder. "Just the view," she replied. "This Crystal Empire is really something to see. It really stands out compared to what we've seen in Ponyville and Canterlot." Ron looked out at the empire, and then said "Yeah, with all the crystal buildings and that Crystal Heart and the crystal ponies, you're right; it really does stand out." "It just makes me wonder about what else we'll find out there," Kim added. "When we did the Showing Our Marks shows, it was said each night that it was the start of showing the ponies everything from Team JAG, and vice versa at some point. I know the show is just the hobby sort of way we'll be doing that, but with how some of these other guests are acting when it comes to strangers, I wonder if the Master Four's plans will actually happen. "But then I think about how Tails and Cosmo were treated during their week here. All the people- I mean ponies, that we've met here have treated us the same way, so it isn't like most ponies question strangers like us. This is the first world you and I have gotten to know better through being in the band, and I just hope we find what we're trying to represent." Ron just pulled her in closer and said "Come on, KP, since when did you begin to doubt? You can do anything, remember? The whole band can do anything, especially the Master Four and Team Sonic; no one else could compared to them and all they've done. I wouldn't worry so much, especially since this is all about making new friends, and damn me if we won't." Ron Stoppable has been called many things in his life, nearly all of them degrading or insulting him because of how most of those from the Team Possible dimension saw him. Kim, however, saw through the titles he was given, and even though some were more than true, she found the best and positive out of him. She grew up with him as best friends, turning that into a romantic relationship, and is now engaged with him to be married, and moments like this reassured her he was the one for her. Only so often, as proud and sure as she would be most times, it was these rare moments of confession and concern from her that could be laid to rest by the one who could break through to her the best. "You're right," she said, and then kissed Ron on his cheek. She couldn't help herself but chuckle a moment after the quick peck. "What? Does my face taste like nacos again?" Ron asked. "No," Kim replied, "but there was a hint of diablo sauce. I'm just thinking about you calling me KP. That's about to change soon, you know." Little to their notice, the Crystal Heart below the castle began to spin around and build up the magic of love to spread across the land. "Do you two want to be left alone?" The two turned back to see the others looking at them smiling, supposively seeing their cute moment together. Rainbow Dash, who asked the question that caught their attention, was the only one not smiling, and instead looked awkward. She was never one who could stand around a couple who were acting cute like that. "Sorry Rainbow Dash," Kim said. "I take it you don't like seeing couples having little moments?" "No, no, I'm fine with that. I just don't like being there without feeling like that third odd pony in the group," the mare replied. "That's more of Rarity or Fluttershy's territory." "But you're not the odd one out. You're with us as well," Aelita pointed out. "Well, uh.. It's just... I..." The pegasus stammered in her speech, feeling all the more awkward and rubbing a hoof at the back of her head, turning her attention away and trying not to show her embarrassing blush. The rest of this group found her behavior strange. Just a few moments ago she was her usual Rainbow Dash self and gloating about having what it takes to rival the Wonderbolts in the aerial relay. Now she couldn't say a full sentence after seeing Kim and Ron have a minute with each other and having a brief display of their romantic side. "Rainbow, you OK?" Ron asked. The mare decided to try shifting the conversation away from her weird behavior with a new topic. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'd be more worried about those stiffs we'll meet at dinner later. After how they didn't want to meet all of you and just the guys that lead your band, I'd think you'd be more worried about it." The group looked amongst each other at her comment. Dan spoke first and said "Actually, we're not too bothered by it, at least towards us." Rainbow managed to look back at the group with a straighter face than her awkwardness. "This isn't the first place we've come to and people looked at us the wrong ways. We are aliens here after all, and there's a lot of other worlds we've been to. I mean, A LOT, of worlds," Yumi added. "Seriously, after we began to play with our friends in this band, our manager Kaz has tried booking us everywhere you could imagine." "Or where he saw the biggest dollar signs," Ami added. The duo couldn't help but a small laugh. "He means well, but his favorite color is green for a good reason." "Green?" Rainbow asked in curiosity. The group then realized something about dimensional monetary difference with Equestria. "Green is the color that most worlds color their cash amounts of," Ron said. "Like there are green five dollar bills that equal your five... What is it again; gold bits?" Rainbow Dash looked like she began to understand what, and more relieved her plan had worked. "But when it comes to these dignitaries," Aelita said, "we can understand why a bunch of visitors like us are deemed 'unwelcome' in their presence. We're not exactly Equestrian, as you can tell." She gestured her hands towards her body. "It's really how Tails and Cosmo, who had made themselves known to ponies before us, and Nyx were specifically requested not to join Twilight and that Royal Suite earlier. Obviously Nyx has a greater role in this, given what we learned about her, but Tails and Cosmo not able to go and join them surprised us more at first. It just looks like we need to show our good colors to them so they could begin thinking otherwise," said Kim. Rainbow Dash took a moment to digest this information, which wasn't too far outside her own territory. Given what she knew Nyx has had to go through and how Twilight did her best to handle things along with it, it all sounded similar to what she has done in attempt to make herself a worthy image to the Wonderbolts by impressing them with her flying abilities. Only later on did it include not just her flying capabilities, but the challenge with her personal views and virtues against the Wonderbolts'. But what Team JAG and Nyx were dealing with was a different level of perspective; it was darker, for lack of a better word. To put it bluntly, as done most times, she responded to this was "I think that's a load of horse-apples. Ponies can't just judge a book by the cover, and you guys, as different as you are, deserve just as much of a chance as anypony. If those guys can't see you past what you are, they'll never know the awesome friends Tails and Cosmo introduced us to." Rainbow felt proud of what she said, but the grin she started to wear mostly came from her joy in succeeding to change the topic. The rest of the group only stood around both appreciative and slightly amazed to hear such a deep thought from their pegasus friend. "I guess we can all learn a lot from each other. It just doesn't tend to get easier sometimes I suppose," said Aelita. "Thanks, Rainbow." "No problem," the cyan mare said, with a small tone of bragging. "I actually learned that from Twilight. She's really smart when it comes to that kind of stuff, not to mention being quite adork-" Rainbow immediately went mute as she realized what she was just about to let her thoughts slip out of her mouth. "Are you alright, Rainbow?" Ami asked. "Y-yeah," Rainbow replied. "Just realized I was about to say something I shouldn't, that's all." Her nervous tone and reddening cheeks showed her embarrassment once again, and just as she had kept the attention away from that. "Oh, alright," said Ami, and then took a look back at her group. "How much time do we have before the dinner?" Dan, for some reason wearing a watch, looked down at his wrist and read the watch's time. "We still have a while before we even need to get ready. Twilight said she or one of the Princesses will come get us when the time comes around," he said. "Speaking of which, where did she go off to?" "I think she said something about meeting with Princess Celestia," Kim said as she recalled last meeting their alicorn friend, "and then she was going to find Nyx and the Crusaders." They heard a laugh come from Rainbow Dash, who couldn't help but think of what the fillies were up to. "Oh man, I feel sorry for Fluttershy for offering to foalsit them until dinner, and I can't imagine how the couple is trying to handle them." With an eyebrow arched, Yumi asked "Are those kids really that much trouble?" "They can be, with the right motivation," replied the cyan mare, who had another small laugh to herself. "But they're all good kids, just a hoofful sometimes. I just hope Cadance doesn't have to call in the contractors... "Again." Rainbow gave her wings and body a good stretch, and then added "Since we got some more time before having to head back in, let me show you a few more moves." Without waiting for a response, she was back in the air and doing her aerial acrobatics. The rest of the group turned around and went to the balcony's railing to watch their friend in action. "She really loves flying, and I bet more than your usual pegasus," Aelita stated. "Well we haven't gotten to know her as the best flyer from Ponyville for nothing," said Kim, "but her acting all embarrassed about Ron and I having our little moment, and then when she called Twilight a dork..." "You mean, 'adorkable,'" Ron said, "that little petname we've heard Twilight being called a couple times?" "Yeah. All times from Rainbow..." Everyone's mind began to wonder to themselves as they watched Rainbow Dash flying around in the skies over the Crystal Empire. It would seem that there was something going on with the pony that she didn't want to admit, but as like other things, some secrets are hard to keep hidden, and most of the group got a good idea about what it was. It wasn't for sure to be true, but the fingers, or hooves in a pony's case, pointed in the certain direction. Kim said, as quietly as she could to the others, "If I didn't know better, I think she's majorly crushing..." /)∞(\ "And that's why most Mobius guys like me and Sonic don't need to wear more clothes than gloves and shoes, and girls like Cosmo and Amy do." "Wow. I didn't think it was because of your-" "STOP! I don't want to hear it again!" Tails had just finished answering one of the many questions being asked by Nyx as he, Cosmo, Fluttershy and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were walking around the crystal castle's corridors. The little black alicorn began to feel more comfortable around the couple her mother befriended a few months ago, so much so that her shyness was completely gone by the time the Equestria Games' opening ceremonies had ended. Since the large group divided up earlier, she began to ask question after question about the lifestyles of the interdimensional guests; the most recent question one her best friends couldn't take more of knowing. Scootaloo, in an almost pleading form, made sure thay topic wasn't furthered talked about and cut off her friend from any elaboration. Their current location seemed unknown to them all, the group deciding to just walk around the castle and plan to stop somewhere when they'd choose to. So far that stop wasn't found yet, but it also didn't help that none of them knew their way around the palace enough, or at all, to know where what was. For the visiting couple, they didn't care for that. Spending time with their new friends and the newly acquainted Nyx was more than enough for their pleasure, with the 'impromptu' tour of the castle a small added bonus. Nyx's behavior has improved so much since earlier that day, and it showed in her thirst of knowledge. She had asked Tails and Cosmo so many questions already about them; how they met, what their home was like, what they do for fun, really a lot of stuff Twilight had already told her about but more added. Unfortunately, as intrigued as her friends were at first, they grew tired of Nyx's ongoing questions after she asked about why only Mobius girls were wearing clothes. Tails's explanation of that was more than the trio would've wanted to hear, so they tried to steer back to a topic that they had just after the earlier ceremony. "I'm thinkin' we should give Tails and Cosmo a breather from talkin', Nyx," Apple Bloom said. "We need to talk about some crusadin' at the Crystal Empire level." The fillies failed to see the panicked pegasus walking behind them, her experience with these crusades a princess's level of a hoofful, to put it kindly. "Yeah. Flag-carrying cutie marks didn't work out, so there must be something we can do here that we haven't tried in Ponyville," Sweetie Belle said, with a squeak coming from her when she said 'something.' Nyx then said "Well, I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Do you have any ideas? Maybe we can show Tails and Cosmo the effort ponies put in to earn their cutie marks." The fillies each gave a "Hmmm..." as their eyes looked off into space as they thought of ideas. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, wanted to try to keep things as calm, and safe, as possible to avoid any unwanted circumstances. "Don't worry about that right now, girls," said the kind pegasus. "There will always be a time for you to try and discover what your-" "I got it!" Scootaloo said, cutting off Fluttershy. "We can try getting cutie marks as competitors in the Games! There's plenty of events we can choose from." "And how are we gonna do that? We're not old enough to compete," Apple Bloom pointed out. "Why don't we try something else that doesn't involve getting in trouble," suggested the little unicorn. "Like what? I don't hear you giving any ideas," the orange pegasus said back. "Girls, that's enough." The group stopped walking as Fluttershy got the fillies' attention with a stern, yet soft, tone. "I'm sure you can think of something to do later. You shouldn't go off on one of your adventures, especially when we have friends from far away with us." "It's alright, Fluttershy," Cosmo said. "We don't mind at all. Besides, it makes me wonder what cutie marks Tails and I would have if we were ponies. The whole idea of a mark that defines your talents still intrigues my friends and me. "Then again, I may have an idea for them to try and earn their cutie marks." "YOU DO?!" Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo turned around and stared wide-eyed at the Seedrian. Nyx was also looking towards her, but having that feeling of what trouble she and her friends were about to get into. "I knew we'd be doing a crusade, and I was hoping to just enjoy my time here without worry," she moaned quietly to herself, slapping her hoof in front of her face. "What's your idea Cosmo?" Apple Bloom asked. "Yeah," Tails said, "I'm interested in hearing this myself." Cosmo wore a smile that was trying its best to hold laughter in. Her idea may not be exactly a winner, but it was a humorous thought she had after learning about the trio's attempt as journalists. "How about you try to earn cutie marks as musicians?" Moments of silence followed before the trio sighed in despair. "We..." Scootaloo said, pausing and looking down to the floor. "We already tried that a few years ago. It didn't really work out in music; just comedy." All three crusaders looked down to the floor with some shame in their embarrassing attempts to perform that infamous rock ballad at Ponyville's school talent show. It wasn't their proudest moment to be laughed offstage, even if they unintentionally won the Best Comedy award afterwards and were cheered for it. But then they heard a chuckle, not one as if they were being mocked, but more as if it was for amusement. They looked up to see Cosmo being the one chuckling, having a hand over her mouth to cover her grinning. "Ah yes, we are well aware of your performance, but that's not exactly what we mean," Cosmo told them as she put her chuckling under control. "I meant something more on the lines of playing an instrument." All the fillies arched an eyebrow at her. "Play instruments? We don't know how to play any," Apple Bloom said. Tails then signaled Nyx to walk closer up, the little alicorn obeying and walking up to her friends. He then kneeled down the four and said "I wanted to ask you guys this beforehand so we can get what we need ready before the band plays our show. We brought some of our extra custom percussion drums to put on stage for our Full Band Jam. It was originally planned to bring the Mane 6 up on stage with us, but we were told, after our first show in Ponyville, that some aren't as comfortable in front of audiences." It was fairly easy to guess that it was the present pegasus pony, who started to hide behind her mane and blush in embarrassment. Tails turned around to her and added "And we didn't see any shame in that. In fact, I was terrified at times when our band first started out." He then turned back to the filles and continued with "Since the band wanted to do something special for the jam, we decided that if we can't get some friends to join us on stage, we'd ask you if you'd like to play some drums with us. You'd be free to play them however you'd like, after hearing the instrumental we have for you to be recognized with as well, and be an example of how we want our worlds to be a part of yours. More importantly, however, is your world being a part of ours." Cosmo then asked the four the question: "Would you like to join the Team JAG Band for their Full Band Jam?" The fillies' jaws were left in a gasp, but for the original three Crusaders, it was for reasons far greater than Nyx's. It would be their chance to redeem themselves for their talent show fiasco, help show an example for other ponies, AND a possible chance to earn their cutie marks. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo responded together with a loud and exciting "WE'LL DO IT!" Tails and Cosmo both grinned at their expressions and excitement for the offer, and more so for them agreeing. They then noticed Nyx, whose expression seemed a little more mixed, but she did say "Sure, I'll do it." Her tone, however, sounded unsure. "What's wrong, Nyx?" Fluttershy asked. "Do you not want to join your friends on stage?" Nyx looked down to the floor, circling her hoof around the ground. "No, it's not that. I'm just thinking about what the dignitaries might think if they see me on stage in front of everypony." She paused and let her hoof stop circling. "Or... them seeing who I used to be." Everyone's eyes turned towards Nyx, some just confused as others were more apathetic, the latter emotion from the older members of the group. Apple Bloom told Nyx "Well that's just a load of rotten apples, Nyx. You shouldn't worry about that." "Yeah," added Sweetie Belle. "This is us having even more fun participating. I mean the three of us did Ponyville's opening routine, and now all four of us can help close the Games." "But what if they complain about having Nightmare Moon participating in a performance? What if I disrespect the Princesses by doing that?" Nyx asked. Cosmo stepped closer to her and looked down at the alicorn filly. "How would you disappoint the Princesses?" She stopped and realized what she just elaborated with the term 'Princesses.' She couldn't imagine the Princesses of Day, Night and Love thinking otherwise to the idea, mainly because she didn't know them as well as another Princess who she'd believe to very open minded. "Nyx, are you thinking that Twilight wouldn't want you to do it?" Nyx looked up and replied "Mostly. I know she's upset about me not being allowed to sit with her in the Royal Suite. For all I know, she might refuse to sit in the suite and would want to be with me instead. I don't want to get her in any trouble for choosing me over her royal duties." "Horseapples," Scootaloo retorted. "Twilight wouldn't be in trouble for that. You're her daughter for pony's sake; of course she'd choose you first." "And as for earlier, I could tell she was not pleased with what was going on at all," Tails went on to say, "and if her parenting is anything like the dedication she had for helping Cosmo and me get home, she wasn't going to rest until she found the source of the problem and fix it." Nyx didn't look any more positive. She knew what her mother was capable of; Princess Twilight could do a lot of amazing things. But in the terms of royal matters, she felt conflicted over how big things could get. She looked over to Tails and asked "But what if she says no anyway? I don't want to make her mad." "You wouldn't make me mad at all." Nyx jerked her head back to look behind her. She and the others saw Twilight flying her way over, landing on the ground just before them and walking up to her. None of them expected to see the alicorn again until dinner, including Nyx, but this was a nice surprise. Not so much, however, as Twilight was, even though she was showing a caring smile. "Nyx, why would you think I'd say no or be mad at you?" Twilight asked. "I thought you would love to do it, so I gave Tails my permission to let you." Nyx began to look even more surprised, and so did her friends. "You mean, they already asked you? When did they do that?" Nyx asked. "Back when the opening ceremonies were done, but that's not important," Tails said, "is it Nyx?" The little alicorn nodded, and turned her turquoise-dragon eyes back to her mother. "So you wouldn't be mad about me having fun on stage in front of everypony? What about those dignitaries that wouldn't allow me to sit with you?" "I just had a conversation with Celestia about that," Twilight said, the smile she had turning into a disgusted and angry scowl. "Ignoring the fact that this is 'Prince' Blueblood's fault, we hope to change their opinions soon. I'm not going to let some half-flanked 'stallion' ruined everypony's time or let his arrogant, selfish, rude behavior have me shove a hoof..." "Twilight!" Nyx caught Twilight's attention before the Princess would go on ranting. "Calm down before you rageshift again." After taking a deep breath, the alicorn regained her self control, and began to talk to her daughter again. "What I'm trying to say, Nyx, is that if you want to go on stage, go ahead. I won't be mad at you because I have no reason to be, and I want you to have fun with your friends, and your new friends as well. Forget about those dignitaries; I'll handle that matter with the other Princesses. You just worry about having a good time." Nyx began to smile happily with some of the stress she had was lifted. She faced Tails, Cosmo and the others with the same expression and told them "Alright, I'll do it!" Tails, Cosmo and Fluttershy each smiled happily as the Crusaders cheered a little in excitement. The alicorn mother then nuzzled the alicorn daughter's cheek with her own, and wrapped a leg around her for a hug, both of which were returned. "Thanks, Mom," she said quietly. "You're welcome," Twilight replied with her kind, motherly tone. She then picked her head up and asked "Now you and your friends haven't been up to anything mischievous, have you?" She asked that with a suspicious grin to whatever Nyx would answer with. "Not as far as we can tell," Cosmo answered humorously. She and Twilight shared a chuckle. "So where were you all heading to?" Twilight asked. "Nowhere in particular. We've been walking around the castle, which seems so much bigger from how it looks on the outside," Fluttershy replied. The purple mare took a moment to think to herself before speaking again. "Well we still have a while before dinner, so why don't we find some of the others and relax until then?" The others agreed and resumed walking through the castle's corridors, with Twilight and Nyx in the lead. Other than Twilight asking how Tails and Cosmo were enjoying the impromptu tour, it was relatively silent up until they reached a staircase that they began to ascend. If memory served the oldest mares correctly, it was the residents' floor, where everypony and all of the Team JAG visitors would be staying during the course of the competition. As they continued to ascend the stairs, Tails decided to ask about what Twilight learned from Princess Celestia regarding earlier's ordeal. After having a disappointing sigh, the alicorn Princess explained what she was told from her teacher turned peer. It wasn't exactly a fun conversation to have for any of them, but at least the majority knew what the plan was to resolve the conflict, which started with that evening's events. Nyx was disappointed in herself about what she had unintentionally caused, but Twilight assured her that it didn't matter because she was going to be shown under a better light, along with the interdimensional visitors that were attending. By the time they reached the top of the staircase they had climbed, that conversation has ended for the most part. But before anyone could say anything else, they began to hear a muffled sound from down the new corridor. It was hard to tell what it was at first, as it sounded so faint they couldn't recognize it. After a few moments, Tails's hearing improved enough to recognize what it was. "What is that noise?" Fluttershy asked. "It's music; rehearsal music if you ask me," Tails answered. "Doesn't sound like it's a full band style of song, but a quartet-style." He then smirked at the realization of what it was. "The Master Four are rehearsing right now. I figured they would." "Really? That's so cool," Scootaloo said. "Can we go check it out?" "Yeah," agreed Apple Bloom. "It's better than all the walkin' we're doin', and my hooves could use a break." "I don't see why not," Cosmo said. She then put her focus on both Twilight and Fluttershy. "Would you be alright with that?" The yellow pegasus nodded with a smile, saying "I wouldn't mind at all." "Of course we can," Twilight added, "as long as they wouldn't mind that is." The Seedrian shook her head and said "They wouldn't mind at all." "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go check it out!" Sweetie Belle said. And with that, all four fillies began to race down the corridor to find the exact room where the sound was coming from. Fluttershy began to gallop in pursuit of them, and Cosmo walking behind her. Twilight only grinned as she began to take another step forward, only to be stopped by Tails, who had held himself back. "Twilight," he said to her, "I know you know we don't mean to cause you any trouble, so if there are limits on what we do..." The alicorn shook her head and replied "Don't worry, Tails. I'll do what I can do, and you and everyone just think about having an enjoyable visit." The two-tailed fox nodded and said in return "We will, but that still leaves us with another thing we should talk about." Both of their eyes looked up at the now distant fillies, more specifically the alicorn of the four. "Applejack told us the abridged story about Nyx, but if it's alright with you, the rest of us wanted to ask you for the full story some point before our performance. We just want to know Nyx the best we can, and how she came into your life." Twilight, already having promised this to him and his group of travelers and friends, gave him a promising look. "After dinner tonight, we'll meet in Cadance and Shining Armor's family room. I'll tell you everything then." "Sounds good," Tails replied with a smile. "Now come on. We should catch up before your daughter and her friends barge in on the Master Four." With that, both took flight in their own manners, going only fast enough to catch up with the fillies, Fluttershy and Cosmo. All the while, putting what was a bother to an enjoyable visit to the Crystal Empire to rest and enjoy the now.