//------------------------------// // Closing Ceremonies // Story: Taismo: The Equestria Games // by RockStarMLP //------------------------------// "Will everypony with their hoofbands please enter the field at this time... the concert begins in ten minutes!" The waving flags, the marching troops, and the fireworks firing off in the sky began the closing ceremonies of the Equestria Games. It was a marvelous display for everypony, and they roared in cheers as they saw Spike set off the fireworks as he watched them go off with newfound confidence and self-praise. It was all an appropriate way for Equestria to send off their annual competition and celebrate the spirit of competition between fellow ponies. But the night was far from done. In the time it took to prepare for closing ceremonies on the ponies' part, Team JAG's best stagehands, Phineas and Ferb, used their unique know-how and skills to build a massive stage within the confides of the arena. The stage was set opposite to the still blazing torch and adjacent to the Royal Suite, all of which was hidden behind a semi-solid black curtain. Because of this, the ponies in the stands that would've been unable to see the stage properly were asked to leave their seats, and in return were given hoofbands to enter and be part of the standing crowd on the competing grounds. After them, anypony else was welcome to step down from the stands and find space on the field. In mere minutes, the green grass of the arena grounds became covered by the many different coat colors of ponies. From just a few feet of the front of the stage stretching all the way under the mounted torch, ponies filled the grounds and left just enough room for themselves to move and breathe. The gathered mass still only made a small dent in the audience still up in the stands. Team Sonic and their Ponyville friends remained in the same location below the Royal Suite, content with the sitting view they managed to obtain all day. Compared to there, the Royal Suite was absent of several of its VIPs. Within the backstage area of the newly erected stage, the entire Team JAG Band was at work preparing themselves for their performance. Some practiced their guitar work in silence with headphones. Others were going over the night's setlist and know what, and who, to cue at certain points. One stage manager and a Master Four member were preparing things at the command deck behind the scenes while another of each were out above many ponies at the 'front-of-house' location that was the Games' torch. Over in a corner, Cosmo sat quietly and happily next to one of Equestria's princesses on a tour crate. They were watching Tails, kneeled down with a guitar strapped on his back, was giving some last instructions to two of the Band's special guests to join them at certain points of the night. After an offer made by the Master Four to the Crystal Empire's favorite hero, a last second change was made to how one of the songs would be performed, so Tails offered to take it upon himself to make sure things would make the change possible. Tails did well to make sure the two knew their roles, and they in turn made sure to take it seriously so things would go off without a hitch. Without too much more that could be done to prepare, an unseen timer that the Band was aware off signaled off with less than five minutes being left before show time. This was brought to the attention of Tails and Cosmo's group when Ash and Ferb appeared out of thin air, courtesy of the former's ability of instant transmission. "Five minutes to go. Time for the huddle," Ferb said to the two-tailed fox. "Good. Let's find the others," Tails replied, getting back up on his feet. Cosmo got up and walked alongside him, and the trio that was the Sparkle family walked along his opposite side. Spike held onto a pair of drumsticks and a headset microphone in his claws with the happiest face anyone saw him wear in days, and Nyx, although not needing anything until much later on, was just as giddy and excited as any filly would be. The group managed to find the rest of the Band gathered around the center of the backstage area, standing under the highest tier of the stage setup on the other side. Gohan took a quick headcount of the gathered group to make sure everyone was there. "Good, everybody's here. Are we all set to go?" "Special effects and pyrotechnics are good to go," Phineas commented, holding a strange device with a bright screen on it. "Instruments are tuned and ready to go," added Ron, holding one of his guitars he would play later on. "Got the setlist all up here," Yumi added as she tapped her cranium with her finger. "Excellent," Yugi said. "As for the new changes, how are we on that, Tails?" Tails gave a confident grin and a thumbs-up gesture. "We're all set. Spike and Nyx know what to do and when to do it. The rest of the CMC will join us a few songs before the main set ends." "Great work, guys," Jason said, "it looks like we're ready. Now bring it in." The entire band came together and formed a huddle together, their arms stretched across each other's shoulders and their heads facing one-another. As always, Cosmo was welcomed in beside her beloved, but she wasn't satisfied. Before anyone could say a thing, she asked them to wait and turned her head back to the trio that were left out. "Would you like to be a part of this, too?" she asked. "Really? We can?" Nyx responded, and then turned up to Twilight. "Can we, please?" After a chuckle, Twilight said yes, and the trio made their way into the circle. She walked up between Cosmo and Aelita, with Spike poking in while standing on Twilight's back. Nyx found a spot under her mother to stand, but Tails said she could climb up on his back and hold on there. Doing do, she managed to get her head between him and Yugi, making the total count from thirteen to all sixteen friends together. Twilight did feel bad, though, not having the rest of their friends involved. "So, who wants to start this?" Ami asked. "I say we give the honors to our host," Tails suggested, "if she doesn't mind doing that and introducing us before we go on..." All eyes turned to the Princess put on the spot. She tried to argue and say it wasn't her place to do so, but the rest of the Band unanimously agreed with Tails, and wouldn't be convinced otherwise. Twilight took the defeat of her arguing and took a moment to take a deep breath and collect her thoughts to find the right words to speak with. Once she found them, she began to give the Band their annual preshow hype huddle. "When Tails and Cosmo first arrived in Equestria, I didn't know what to think of them, as they were strange to us as everypony was to them. But the more I got to know them, and the more we got to know all of you, I learned that there was nothing to be concerned with. Friendship is something that should not have boundaries to just Equestria, but to any sort of creature that exists out there, whether it is this world or any world that you've all seen. In the last couple of days here during the Equestria Games, you proved that to us time and time again, no matter what kind of obstacle was thrown in our directions. You showed us your patience and open minds, from our issues with the delegates, to learning the story of how I became blessed with my daughter, to sharing your greatest heartaches with us in return. I have no doubts that the ponies of Equestria have come to welcome you as my friends and family and myself have done already, and to see you practice your unity through your talents of playing music may just be the best ending to a trying few days we could all enjoy... "But before you go out there and rock out, I need to know something-" Twilight paused and gave a challenging expression of a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "Are you ready to rock and roll with Equestria?" "We were ready when we got here," Jason said. "About time, too. I want to shred my axe," Yumi followed. "Not before I get to have some fun with my new guitar," Yugi said. "Do I even need to answer that? Of course I am," Aelita followed. "That goes double for me and KP," Ron added. "The Games were great, but it's an honor to do this, too," Gohan stated. "Let's make Equestria a new capital of rock and metal," Dan said afterwards. "Tonight is going to be the best way to prepare for our next show," Ami added. "We don't have too much on stage," Phineas went on to say, but Ferb concluded with "but we'll have fun making it a big one." "Then it looks like we're ready to rock this without a sitch," Kim said. "Not quite yet," Tails said, with all eyes turning to him. "I want tonight dedicated to the bravest family in Equestria. Spike, for saving the Crystal Empire; Nyx, for toughing through problems she had no right to have; and, of course, Twilight, for refusing to back down for her family and her friends. Tonight, this concert is for Equestria, in the name of the Sparkles." "The most heavy metal words ever spoken before a heavy metal concert," Spike said, with words laced entirely with sarcasm that caused the huddle to erupt with laughter. When the laughter faded out, he added "but to be serious, thanks guys." "We have you three to thank," Cosmo replied. "You gave us a warm welcome, told us more about yourselves, and saved the Crystal Empire. It is an honor to show how much we appreciate our new friendship with you." "Us too," Twilight said, who felt so overwhelmed that she was fighting the need to cry. Somehow she got to suppress the urge through her own determination to help them have a grand conclusion to their visit she didn't know how exactly she felt she could do so, but she had just one idea to start. "Are you ready to rock now?!" "Yes, Princess!" the Band said in unison. "Come on," Nyx said, trying her own way to help with the hype. "That's my mom you're talking to, and she expects nothing less than your best! I want you to mean it! Are you ready to rock out Equestria?!" "YEEEAAAHHHHHH!!!" "Hands in!" yelled Tails, and in an instant there were thirteen hands, two hooves, and one claw stretched out in the middle, stack up like a freshly baked batch of Pinkie Pie's pancakes. "This is it, guys. Ponyville got the first taste of what we do, but let's get out there and give Equestria a full serving! For the Sparkle family, for our friends from Ponyville, and for the Princesses, too! Tonight, friendship is hard rock and heavy metal! "On a count of three, let's say..." Too invested in his hype, Tails couldn't think of something for everyone to say together to break the huddle. He tried hard and he tried quick, but no words added up in his head. He started to show a slight panic, never having this problem before, and felt like he'd let the excitement die down before it could be used on stage. Lucky for him that Nyx came up with her own idea. "Go Pony Metal!" 'Pony Metal.' It rang nicely in the ears of the Band. It sounded a brand new genre of music, yet it was only a humorous way to describe their performance for the night. It was with that that Tails brought the hype of the huddle full circle. "OK, guys, Go Pony Metal! Ready?! "1... "2... "3!" "GO PONY METAL!!!" /)∞(\ "Good evening, ponies and friends of Equestria!" Twilight greeted the filled arena from the front side of the stage curtain. Using her magic to levitate a microphone, she used it to echo her voice through the speakers that were set up at the stage's sides, and the ones unseen behind her. The sound of her voice caught the attention of everyone in the stands, shrouding them all in a state of silence as the nation's newest leader spoke. "It is my esteem honor to welcome you to the final event for the closing ceremonies of the Equestria Games! These past few days have been full of excitement as ponies have come together to celebrate our nation's unity, and as we are joined by guests beyond our nation's borders, some were gracious enough to share a sense of what brings them their own form of unity with us. It is a wonderful pleasure to have them here with us and help bring our Games to an end. Mares and Gentlecolts, fillies and colts of all ages, put your hooves together for our musical guests- "THE TEAM JAG BAND!!!" As the crowd began to cheer out their excitement, Twilight vanished from the stage with a teleportation spell. She relocated herself backstage to where the others were, but only brief enough to be thanked by members of the Band, and then to teleport again. She, Nyx and Cosmo went off to enjoy the concert in the stands, but not those in the Royal Suite as they were going to enjoy the show with the ponies and Mobians in the stands. Any light in the arena that was on turned off, only leaving a crowd of excited audience as the audible sounds of the introduction took place. The first ever Team JAG Band concert for the whole of Equestria had now begun- /)∞(\ AN OLD MARE'S TALE - Audio introduction/all lights off THE ECSTASY OF GOLD - Ennio Morricano/audio introduction/light choreography until four band members enter stage/curtain rises towards end of song HIT THE LIGHTS - Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar EPIDEMIC - Slayer/Jason + rhythm guitar RATTLEHEAD - Megadeth/Yugi + rhythm guitar THE DEVIL YOU KNOW - Anthrax/Ash/Tails on rhythm guitar TIES THAT BIND - Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar ACES HIGH - Iron Maiden/Yugi/Tails and Dan on rhythm guitars, Ron on keyboard "WHAT'S UP, EVERPONY?!" Gohan called out to a cheering crowd before him as the rest of the band was preparing itself to perform. "It is an honor for me to say these words to you... "HELLO EQUESTRIIAAAAAA!!!" The crowd cheered louder and louder as he went on speaking. "We are the Team JAG Band, and it is our honor to perform for you tonight! If you never heard about us, we are a group of friends from many different places, covering songs of all different bands and musical artists you've never heard of, with the talent to mimic the voice for each song at their best. We put together a great collection of songs for you tonight, and we're ready to give you all we got!" He wanted to ask how ready everypony was, but their roaring cheers they sounded made it unnecessary as they shared their excitement. "This next song is one of my favorite songs of all time, so I want you ponies in the stands to cheer! I want the ponies on the ground to trot! I want you to WALK- WITH ME- IN HELL!" WALK WITH ME IN HELL - Lamb of God/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar DESIGN YOUR UNIVERSE - Epica/Ami with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar and growl vocals, Tails on piano, Ami and Aelita on symphonic keyboards RUN FREE - Asking Alexandria/Ash/Kim on rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboard/programming/samples WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND [GRAND FUNK RAILROAD] - Rob Zombie/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboards/audio sample intro SAVE YOUR SOUL - Shadows Fall/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar The next lineup was setting itself up as Dan walked across the highest tier of the stage, stopping at the microphone stand that stood at the center. He grabbed the microphone sitting on it, and then took a left-to-right view of the crowd before him. As he turned his vision back the opposite way, he said "Look at all the ponies here right now! The whole arena is packed! This is AWESOME!" The audience cheered out for him for a few seconds, and he went on to speak again. "It means a lot to see all of you want to stick around to see us perform. You gave us quite a bit of kindness since we got here, so it's only fitting to feel that we're here right now to give back that kindness to you. Before we keep going, I'd like to give a shout-out to all the competitors that took part in your land's history, and took part in the Equestria Games. If you're out there right now, I want to thank you for making history here, and I give our band's congratulations to who will be wearing their medals back home! "This next song goes out to all of you, and all the effort you gave out on this field! It's a new song for us to play, so we hope you enjoy it! This is for the strong, the willing, the mighty- the Unbroken!" UNBROKEN - Black Veil Brides/Dan with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboard WHAT IF? - Godsmack/Gohan + rhythm guitar FROM THE INSIDE - Linkin Park/Ash and Dan/Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples/extended intro STAND HERE WITH ME - Creed/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar PERFECT - Flyleaf/Yumi with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar "So how's it going out there?! Is everybody enjoying the show so far?!!" The ponies cheered loud and hardy for Yugi as he spoke to them. Basking in the positive energy the crowd was giving, his eyes narrowed and pinpointed on one specific spot to his left, where a certain group stood out from all the other ponies surrounding them. "Before we continue, I have something to say." He went on to speak again as he pointed one of his digits out at the spot his sights were on. "Look over there, at the group sitting below the Princesses. You see them all? There, right there, are a group of ponies from a little town called Ponyville. We met them a few months back and played a special last second show for their town, and they have been wonderful guides for us during our stay here. To our friends, the Mane 6 and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, on behalf of the Band- thank you for your friendship. Now show them some love and make some noise ponies!" He paused to let the crowd cheer for the group of friends, some showing embarrassment in their flattery while a selected couple basked in the glorious attention. But it was a brief pause for Yugi. "Now with that said, we have a special surprise for you next..." Ash, taking his place on the main drum kit, began to play the opening rhythm of the next song. "It's time to bring out a very special guest to join us. This is his second chance at performing for you. You better know who he is, because he has saved the Crystal Empire twice!" He then motioned his hand to stage left and made his final announcement. "Walking out with our main man Tails, he is among our newest and best of friends. He is the Great and Honorable! The Brave and Glorious! SPIKE THE DRAGON!" Tails and Spike made their way out to the stage, walking across as they received a massive cheer from the ponies, most so for the heroic dragon. They positioned themselves at the stage right custom drum setup used for a couple particular songs each show, the fox armed with his favorite green guitar and the dragon jumping up on the drum setup wearing a wireless microphone headset. "What's up everypony?! Are you ready to rock?!" Spike called out to the crowd and helped generate the loudest cheer and applause of the show thus far. It was followed by Tails playing the opening riff to the next song, and the rest of the instrumental players followed suit as Yumi took to the second custom drum setup. The two extra percussionists played their respective kits briefly before the dragon spoke again. "Let's show Team JAG what it means to be in Equestria! LET'S GO!-" DEVOUR - Shinedown/Yugi/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard/joined by Spike and Yumi on custom percussion, Ami on co-vocals with Maria Brink vocals, extra background vocals from Tails and Spike THE LIGHT BEHIND YOUR EYES - My Chemical Romance/Yugi/Kim on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano, Aelita on keyboard SO FAR AWAY - Staind/Gohan + acoustic guitar, Tails on symphonic keyboard HALO THEME (MJOLNIR MIX) - Steve Vai/Master Four on lead guitars, Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan and Yumi on bass guitars, Ami and Ron on drums, Kim and Aelita on keyboards/synthesizers/samples SAY YOU'LL HAUNT ME - Stone Sour/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar COMING HOME - Avenged Sevenfold/Yugi/Kim on rhythm guitar "You still doing good out there?!" Standing center stage in front of the audience, Ash listened to hear everypony give out another roar of cheers and stomps. "You guys really know how to rock and roll, and I love it! Thank you so much!" He paused again, hearing another round of cheering, but this one was much briefer as he pointed where Yugi did just a little while ago. "I want you all to look at the same place Yugi showed you before, because there's another group of friends you need to know. Over there, with our pals from Ponyville, are some of our oldest friends that, like us here on stage, are from places far beyond Equestria. They are some of the best friends anyone could ask for, and have been declared heroes in so many worlds. A lot of ponies already know Tails and Cosmo, who we'll get to about later, but right now, I want Equestria to meet our friends! Our brothers and sisters of Mobius. Everypony make some noise for TEAM SONIC!!!" Another roaring cheer sounded from the crowd, arguably as loud as that for Equestria's heroes right by Team Sonic. Some waved out to the ponies, Cream and Amy standing up to give a polite curtsey, but only Shadow only shut his eyes and grunted at the unneeded attention. Lucky for him Ash let the cheer go on so briefly before he regained the crowd's attention. "We want to thank them for always being there, and joining us on our wild rides from place to place. This next song goes out to them, and it goes out to all of you out there who share our strife and travel down the wildest rails of life. But most of all, Equestria, I want you all to live up to this one quote, from a heavy metal legend- "GOOO BUCKING CRAAAZAAAYY!!!" CRAZY TRAIN - Ozzy Osbourne/Ash/Ron on rhythm guitar DOC HOLLIDAY - Volbeat/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Tails on banjo intro DIGNITY - Bullet For My Valentine/Yugi + rhythm guitar GIVE IT ALL - Rise Against/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar WINGS OF LIBERTY - Dragonforce/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano/keyboard, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer For the next song in the set, it was one that was particularly special to the Band. It was a song premiere not only for Equestria, as all the other songs are, but one for them to perform with a unique lineup. After a little bit of silence on the stage, Ferb saw a signal from Kim of her nodding, which was his sign to help set the stage as she began walking out on stage. As she did, a spotlight shown at the top of the stage setup, lowering itself as its focus did. Its focus was a wired microphone, reeling down until its descent stopped above one of the stage's two grand piano setups. It stopped so it was just high enough in the air for Kim to step up onto the piano's lid and speak right into her microphone. "You know," she said to the audience, "there's something very special about being here. You see, I've performed on stages before when I was in school, but not at this scale. It wasn't until this past winter, a little while after I got engaged to my best friend Ron, that I started to join our friends in Team JAG more... consecutively, so to speak. We played a show in my home dimension, and then in a world our friends in Team Sonic call their second home, but after that, we went on to play two full shows with the Band. At the end of the last one, Ron and I were welcomed as the newest performers in the Team JAG Band. "But just a little while back, we had a sitch that ended up sending two of our friends here. When we finally found them, we thanked the ponies we've come to know in Ponyville with a full concert like tonight's show for you. That's very special to me, to myself and Ron, because of what Ponyville and Equestria as a whole had become... Equestria was our first world to perform as members of the Team JAG Band." Ponies started to cheer happily, letting out roars of yelling voices and clapping hooves. Kim allowed it just long enough for the rest of the needed band members to take their positions, and Ron to run up and give his fiancé a quick peck on the cheek. "To show our thanks to every pony here," she concluded, "this is a brand new song we're going to perform for you, our first effort at giving this song the justice it deserves. This is 'One More Day' by Mushroomhead..." ONE MORE DAY - Mushroomhead/Ash/Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Jason on piano, Yugi on drums, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Dan on symphonic keyboard, Gohan and Ron on custom percussion, Kim on female vocals NO WORLD FOR TOMORROW - Coheed & Cambria/Yugi + rhythm guitar/Ami on acoustic guitar, Kim on keyboards WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER (QUEEN) - After Forever/Yumi with Ash lineup/Ash on male vocals, Ami on rhythm guitar/backing vocals, Tails and Aelita on keyboards/synthesizers THE UNFORGIVEN - Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Tails on acoustic guitar FROM YESTERDAY - 30 Seconds to Mars/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar, Tails on synthtar, Ami on keyboard CHANGES - 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals THE THINGS I'VE SEEN - Tremonti/Ash + lead guitar The Master Four walked off the stage for the first time in several songs, but the stage wasn't unoccupied for more than a second. As they disappeared, a familiar two-tailed fox stepped out onto the stage, a spotlight tracking him and his favorite guitar that was strapped around his back. There was no questioning what happened next, not to the fox's ears. The entire arena was up in cheers at his presence; several for knowing him, but most for having his heroic efforts with the Crystal Empire's iconic dragon hero as well. He took his place at a microphone stand solely there for his use, adjusted to his height and his own choice of microphone sitting on top. It was perhaps a good solid minute of cheerful noise being sounded when it was Tails's turn to have a chat with everypony. "I like how loud you still are. That means you got more energy to go and see the end of the show. Am I right?" he said, and then paused to let the crowd cheer again. "Normally I ask again if you really do, but I think it's... oh the hell with it, AM I RIGHT EVERYPONY?!!" His answer came at a volume louder than the last and just as loud as his welcome. It made Tails smile very happily, and a quick glance to the side of the stage saw his beloved smile the same. "So I know we did this two times already," he went on, "but this one really needs to be done. I want to acknowledge a very special group of ponies, the most important ones throughout all of Equestria..." Tails raised his hand and pointed up above the stands where his friends were sitting: up at the Royal Suite. He faced the suite and went on to say "I want to give my sincerest thanks to your Princesses, who allowed this great group I'm a part of to join in watching the Equestria Games, and to allow us the honor of closing it out for you all. They are truly some of the greatest and kindest leaders I've ever had the pleasure to meet and spend time with, in the highest and lowest times, and treating my friends and I like honored guests. From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of Team JAG... "Thank you Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Cadance, for your warm welcome to us, and allowing this to happen. And, of course, a big thanks to Princess Twilight who sent us our invitations to be here tonight, and organized this to happen. But here's the deal: I want this entire arena to outdo my thanks, and in the only way you can do it at a rock show. Everypony, for your Princesses!... "MAKE THEM SOME NOISE! NOW GIVE THEM ALL YOU GOT! GIVE THEM ALL YOU GOT! THANK YOU PRINCESSES!!!" The uproar from the entire arena could've shattered the sound barrier. Ponies of all corners of Equestria, and those from beyond its borders, let out yells, claps, stomps, all the noise possible to their beloved Princesses. The four princesses themselves began to give a grateful grin and wave a hoof, saving a certain lavender alicorn who just smiled nervously as she took in all the attention she'd still have to get used to in time. Lucky for her, she got her favorite thanks in the form of a strong hug and nuzzling from her alicorn daughter, which she returned with a more genuine happy smile across her face. "Now let's get back to the music," Tails spoke again. He swung his guitar from his back to his front, his favorite Les Paul from his lovely Cosmo, and grabbed the guitar pick that was on the stock. He looked back at the rest of the band, who came out on the stage during Tails's well-executed distraction, and saw they were ready to go. He turned back to his microphone again and concluded with "Here's a classic from where we're from. This is for Princess Twilight and her family," and with that, he began to play the opening notes of the next song... SWEET CHILD O' MINE - Guns 'N Roses/Ash/Tails on lead guitar, Ron on extra rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboard/extended guitar intro by Tails THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - Europe/Yugi/Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Ami on rhythm guitar REPRESSED - Apocalyptica/Tails, Dan, Ami and Yumi on cellos, Kim on drums, Ash and Yugi on co-vocals, Jason and Gohan on custom percussion "Who's ready for something awesome and new?!" Ami, who had taken the main lead as the next frontwoman, earned a joyous cheer in return as the others got in their respective positions. She then had a small laugh at what she said and how she meant it. "Actually, all of what we're doing is new to you, so let me illiterate a bit. We have a brand new song we've never performed before, and this is really special for me. That's because for this one, my best friend is doing backup vocals for me, and shredding on the lead guitar! Are you ready, Yumi?!" The young woman of mention walked out from stage left with her guitar, which she nicknames her 'axe,' in tow for everypony to see. It was a remake of her all-time favorite, a Flying V six-string, but this had a different coloring on its body: a blue base with a jagged yellow line going across it, and towards the bottom of the V's lower extension, the symbol for the Wonderbolt. When she reached the front right microphone stand, she yelled out "You bet I am!" and held her guitar in the air. A projection of her axe showed on the background screen, bring ponies, especially the pegasi, to cheer loud and proud. Yumi then said "For this next one, we send it out to all the high-flying, altitude-breaking, air-bound daredevils out there! This goes out to the Wonderbolt for their win at the aerial relay, and it goes out to my favorite badass pony Rainbow Dash! And to all the little ones who are still learning to take flight, maybe we'll see you in the air with those guys soon. This is for the daring, the heroic, the thrill seekers... "This is Dangerous!" DANGEROUS - Within Temptation/Ami/Yumi on lead guitar, Jason on Howard Jones vocals, Tails and Aelita on keyboards/synthesizers/fadeout outro to a darkened stage WINTER KILLS - DevilDriver/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar LIFT ME UP - Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Tails on lead guitar, Phineas & Ferb on rhythm guitars, Yugi on Rob Halford vocals A KIND OF MAGIC - Queen/Ash/Tails on keyboard/synthesizer BLACKBIRD - Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar IF EVERYONE CARED - Nickelback/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Tails on piano/extended piano intro of "Nothing Else Matters" by Tails A LOOKING IN VIEW - Alice in Chains/Ash/Kim on rhythm guitar The stage was dark once again as the ponies cheered loudly, waiting for the next song to begin. They were partially rewarded as an eerie, almost haunting sound emitted from the speakers, red lights turning on behind a thin mist of machine-made fog. The light revealed the majority of the Band set for the next song, saving one member of the Master Four who was walking his way back out with a microphone in hand. Jason, the last of the Four to have a turn to speak, took his opportunity at that moment. "Equestria, SHOW ME YOU'RE STILL ALIVE OUT THERE!!!" His exclamation was replied with another uproaring audience before him, cheering loud with hooves sticking up proudly in the air. "Excellent. We still have everybody's attention in front of us. That's very good, because we're reaching the home stretch for the night, to finish our show, and close the Equestria Games... WITH A MOTHERFUCKING BANG!!" His bandmates behind him played a quick little set of notes behind him, exciting the crowd even more. "We've got a few more to go, to rock the socks right off your hooves, and this next one is by one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE BANDS- SLIPKNOT! "It is time... for every single one of you out there... from the highest seats to here on the floor... to become one thing, and one thing only. Join me, everypony, and let's go PSYCHO... FUCKING... SOCIAL!!!!!" PSYCHOSOCIAL - Slipknot/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples BRAVE THIS STORM - Trivium/Yugi + rhythm guitar/Tails on extra rhythm guitar, Dan on extra bass guitar, Ron on extra drum kit THIS CALLING - All That Remains/Jason/Yumi and Kim on rhythm guitars NEW DIVIDE - Linkin Park/Ash/Dan on lead guitar and backing vocals, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/MIDI pad/extended synthesizer intro /)∞(\ Everypony within the Crystal Arena began to show impatience as they were forced to wait again. After the song New Divide, which the crowd seemed to enjoy a lot, the stage was barely lit, only enough to show the stage and its setup clear to see. It was just clear enough thanks to the new night brought forth by Princess Luna a short time ago, but it was still unoccupied by the Team JAG Band. They were all backstage, waiting to get the final preparations they needed for the next performance to be done. That meant waiting on the entire group to be prepared in their roles, and the arrival of four very important ponies. And when Twilight had brought them backstage, they were ready. To the crowd's pleasure, music was heard again. The Master Four had walked back out onto the stage, with Jason and Ash with their guitars, Yugi with his bass guitar, and Gohan walking out with drumsticks in hand. The four teased the ponies with the opening riff of a personal favorite song as they appeared, stopping after having their playful fill. When they stopped, the crowd cheered again, much to the four's delight. "Wow," Ash said at one of the microphone stands, "you ponies still got a bit in you, don't ya?" Answered with another cheer from them, he grinned and added "We like that." "So who out there wants to know a secret?" Yugi asked from another stand, pausing to hear the ponies' roaring reply. "Who out there wants to know a secret... about this band?" he added and received a louder response than before. "I guess we'll take that as a yes," Gohan followed humorously, earning another cheer from everypony. "Besides, you've been strong all night with us, so we think you deserve something special in return. But first, here's the secret..." Motioning a hand to Jason, the crowd's attention turned towards him to hear this secret of theirs. "About a month ago, we were preparing for our upcoming anniversary show on the world of Mobius. Our bandmate and his loved one received a message from Princess Twilight Sparkle, inviting this cover band to honor your world in closing out your Equestria Games. Everyone agreed to do it, but we knew we had to do what we always do: go big or not come here at all, and we make damn sure we go big every damn time. But for here - for Equestria - we have relearned how important friendship is with other worlds, and our own little world here on stage, even with those who are unsure or against us here to begin with. So with that in mind, we came here to treat you the ways we hope you could treat us in return. "You see, we came here with a mission. Our mission, our time here in Equestria, is this: we are here, with the hope, to earn your friendship! We are here to have fun with you, by giving something fun for us to make your Games more enjoyable! You have already given us so much, sticking around all the way to right here and now, and watching us rock out on stage, for which we thank you! But now, we need to ask you- "Have we earned your friendship, Equestria?!" The answer to that question was just like every other answered question throughout the concert. The audience of ponies roared in thunderous cheers and applause, sounds of whistling voices and stomping or clapping hooves mixed in as well. Many ponies began to stand from their seats, including one happily and explosively bouncing Pinkie Pie. Even the three Princesses still up in the Royal Suite showed their respect, from a collected applause from Celestia to her whistling little sister. It was just the response the Master Four, along with their bandmates and Ponyville friends, were hoping to hear. The positivity and energy everypony was sharing got the Band more than hyped to get the next part of the set underway, so they didn't spare anymore time. "Thank you, Equestria! You are all incredible!!!" Jason exclaimed. "Now let's give that energy you have to a big use..." He then motioned his hands around the four corners of the stage. "You see up here that we have many instruments always on stage, and these extras always have a reason. Throughout the show, they're here to help give you great entertainment, but for right now, they're equipped for something very special. This is a new part of our shows when we celebrate being able to do what we do, and share with you the friendships the Team JAG Band have made and strengthened together. So right now, we'd like to invite out the entire Band to come together for this awesome jam." As Jason waved his hand for them to walk out, the other members walked out from stage left, each having their respectful instruments to use for the next song. The crowd cheered loudly again as they appeared and waved back out to them, and then most of them made sure their equipment was set for use. The last one to emerge on stage was Tails, having been held up another few seconds to ask a favor. When he approached his microphone stand again, this time with a black Dimebag Darrell replica guitar in tow, he was given a second turn to speak to everypony. "I guess now's a better time than ever to give some proper introductions," he said. "This is who makes up this band... "First off, for their first appearance of the night, these are the brothers from Danville that help make our shows a reality. They're our stage managers, stage hands, and great musicians to boot- Phineas and Ferb! "Next up, they introduced themselves to you before, but not as the biggest pop duo of their world! They're our original leading ladies, and the very talented in their own rights- the girls of Puffy AmiYumi! "Here with his Spectar Stratocaster guitar, he's the sixth recruit of this group and the Phantom Hero of Team JAG. Hailing from Amity Park, I would like everypony to meet my man Dan, or as he's also called- Danny Phantom! "Now this next girl, she's like the princess of an entire different universe. She is our resident DJ, remixer, and the biggest dubstep fan on this stage. Make some noise for own vinyl scratcher, Aelita Hopper of Lyoko! "Up next here are the two newest recruits for the Team JAG Band. They make up the crime-fighting duo of Team Possible, legends of their hometown of Middleton. On top of that, they're engaged to be married in less than two years! Meet the happy couple of Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable! "And, of course, we have the founders of this band and everything we do. They are champions, warriors, guardians, legends in each of their own rights. They made this band the way it is today, and none of us here would be doing this without them. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mares and Stallion, and Fillies and Colts of all ages... "The warrior of darkness: Jason! The Pokemon champion: Ash Ketchum! Warrior extraordinaire: Gohan! The King of Games: Yugi Moto! The founders of the Team JAG Band: THE MASTER FOUR!" Tails paused to allow ponies across the stadium to cheer long and loud for his fellow bandmates. Each of his friends showed respective returns of bows, hand-waves, or holding a confident fist with their instruments in the air. However, he had no plans to introduce himself, mainly because his welcome from earlier got him the thought that Equestria knows who he is already. Instead, after quieting the crowd down, he made a final round of introductions. "Thank you for that, everypony," Tails addressed the audience again. "That means a lot to hear your warm welcome of us here, but I'm not done yet... "We have a very special surprise for this next song on top of having the whole band out here. There's a group of friends of ours that we invited to join in playing with us. We got to meet most of them when we first came to Equestria, but in the last couple day, we not only got to know them better, but we got to meet and know a very important filly we didn't get a chance to meet before. Above all else, there was nothing more special for us to do for our first concert in front of all of Equestria than to invite our friends from Equestria to join us for the Full Band Jam! "So now, Equestria, I want you to welcome our new little friends! They are the Ponyville chapter of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the sisters and daughter of the Elements of Harmony! We also got another appearance from the heroic savior of the Crystal Empire! So I want to hear EVERY SINGLE PONY WELCOME TO THE STAGE- "APPLE BLOOM, SWEETIE BELLE, SCOOTALOO, AND SPIKE AND NYX SPARKLE!!!" From backstage, Twilight motioned a hoof to let the younger ponies and dragon to run out on stage. They were waiting for this moment the entire night, Spike of which asking to join just after the main set concluded. To keep things helpfully balanced, the group split into two, each taking positions at each of the custom percussion setups where they'd join in for the performance. Nyx and Spike stayed at the setup at stage left, closer for Twilight's view, and the other trio raced over to the setup at stage right, all while the crowd roared loudly for their appearance. As the Team JAG Band positioned themselves to perform, the last few words before they could begin went on to be said. "Oh YEEEAAAHHH! Are you ready for this, ponies?!" Ron shouted out excitedly. His response was another roaring sound of the crowd's excitement. "We hope you are! This is our most complicated jam to date, so we're going to do this right, and we'll need your help to do it!" Dan added, bringing forth another cheer from the audience. With final check around the stage, it looked like the Band was finally ready to get things rolling. Each member was at their respective positions, their guests all set according to Tails and Aelita, and the crowd was still feeding them energy. There was nothing like it to them, the all set feeling of rocking out as one full unit, but the wait was finally over, and as it was his lineup to lead, Jason gave the crowd the last needed push. "Alright, enough stalling. It's time to for every single one of us, on this stage, to bring our love for heavy metal, and bringing our full teamwork to life, for the Full Band Jam!" he exclaimed. As he and his bandmates predicted, they all received an audience cheering loudly, some of which beginning to chant "Full Band Jam!" over and over. With an almost devilish grin on his face, Jason kicked things off. "This song is by one of the best of the best metal has to offer! They go by the name of Machine Head, and to borrow a quote from them... I WANT TO SEE YOU HEADBANGING MOTHERFUCKERS!!! "EQUESTRIA, THIS IS YOUR CALL TO ARMS! THIS... IS... HALO!!!" HALO - Machine Head/Jason + rhythm guitar/Tails on co-lead guitar and guitar solo, Yumi and Dan and Phineas on extra rhythm guitars and backing vocals, Ron and Ferb on extra bass guitars and backing vocals, Ami and Kim on own drum kits, Aelita on stage left custom percussion kit with Nyx and Spike, Cutie Mark Crusaders on stage right custom percussion kit/Tails performs guitar solo standing on custom percussion kit with Nyx and Spike, rising into the air during and lowering when winding down The sounds of the instruments faded out as the last notes were struck, and everybody on the stage was grinning. They had played the song without a hitch, staying in sync with each other as they performed. But what was most satisfying after they were done was the audience before them showing their thoughts on the Band's effort. The response was loud - insanely loud - and the energy they gave off was beyond expectations. The performers felt like champions, and showed it with high-fives, raised fists, some hugs with one-another, and the five special guests showing their enjoyment. "WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT!" the fillies chanted, the four reuniting together and jumping up and down. As for Spike, all the troubles he felt since the start of the Games had evaporated, and he posed himself as the champion he felt to be as ponies cheered for him. And along with hearing his own name being chanted, Spike heard it mixed in with the names of several others. Even the name of his sister. "THAT WAS AWESOME!" exclaimed Gohan having come down to the join the others on the stage floor. His words echoed out to the crowd, but his focus was on the ones standing around him. "Thank you friends. It's an honor to rock out with you guys every show. It's never a dull moment rocking out whatever songs and whatever location. Thank you so much!" "But more importantly," Dan added a moment later, "we need to give it up for our special guests that joined us her tonight! They practiced with us, and only had two days to get it down, but they were the best help we could ask for! Come on, Equestria, make some noise for your friends and ours- Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Nyx Sparkle, and the mighty Spike!" The mentioned five tried to wave out to the audience again, but this time they were interrupted. The Master Four and Tails put them up on their shoulders to give them a higher view and put them atop of their own momentary pedestals. Ponies as far as their eyes could see cheered for them, and they basked in the glory. Even Nyx, who was not too keen on attention like Twilight, enjoyed the attention she thought most ponies would never give her. For her, she was just fortunate enough to share the fun with her friends old and new. The time came when the Band would return behind the stage again. They made their way off the stage with the CMC and Spike hitching a ride on the Master Four's shoulders, but not everyone left. In the shadows of the darkened stage, Tails kept his guitar strapped around his back and Nyx having jumped down off his back to stand beside him. Returning to his own microphone stand, he addressed everypony another time. "Can I just say one more thing?" he said to the crowd. Behind him, the background screen projected a giant-sized photograph out onto the crowd that displayed Twilight, Spike and Nyx during the last Summer Sun Celebration in Canterlot, with the former in the center. "Up there in the picture, you see her? Twilight is the reason we're here in Equestria tonight. She's the reason your Princesses allowed us to visit here for the Equestria Games and close it out for you all. When we first found this world, she gave us her hoof in helping us and making us feel welcome. Without her, there's a pretty good chance none of us would be here right now, and that means a lot to us, but nowhere as much as for Cosmo and myself. She's a fantastic friend, a great leader, and a marvelous mother to her dragon and daughter. So can everypony make some noise for Princess Twilight and all that she's done?!" The audience responded to his request with another loud cheer, waving hooves in the air and even a couple small flags that showed Twilight's cutie mark. Tails turned his head towards where Twilight was still standing behind the scenes, and waved her out. The alicorn hesitated, not wanting even more recognition than what was already given to her already, but her luck was against her. Having come down to the stage to watch the Full Band Jam, Cosmo was there to give Twilight the nudge and insistence to go out in front of everypony again. Her defeat now without question, Twilight walked out on stage. Phineas and Ferb had returned as stage managers and had a single spotlight shine down on her, much to her chagrin, but at least she wasn't alone as Cosmo offered to walk out with her. All that the crowd could see on that stage was the massive picture, their newest Princess and the lady Seedrian, but their loud volume only escalated further as Twilight appeared. They could barely see her nervous smile as she continued to walk across the stage. By the time she and Cosmo reached Tails and Nyx, the latter now under the casted light, she felt a little more relaxed, especially after she received a happy nuzzle against her neck from her daughter. All the while, the most her ears could hear was the chanting of her name. "Twilight! Twilight! Twilight! Twilight!" It kept going on and on, all of which being attention that will still take her a good amount of time to get used to. Even from backstage, the rest of the Band and even Spike did the same thing. That spell of focus was broken when Nyx decided to jump up on Twilight's back, and then reached over her head. "Twilight, how do you feel being the best pony ever?" Nyx asked. Twilight's nervous smile turned more genuine and heartfelt, her eyes looked up at the filly looking from above. "I'm not the best pony ever; just the best that I can be." her reply was followed by raising her hoof to boop her daughter's nose. "That makes me feel great." Unable to avoid overhearing, both Tails and Cosmo began to laugh as the two had an arm around one-another's back. This forced a laugh out of the two alicorns as well, and it lasted for the seconds until Tails decided to speak in his microphone one last time. "Alright, everypony," he went on to say, "I know we need to start to wrap things up, but I want to hear you make some noise one more time... for Princess Twilight Sparkle!" He paused to let the crowd cheer a little more and then added "And to thank her for jamming with us, and for being a great new friend to us, show your love for Princess Nyx!" That cheer was a few decibels shorter than for Twilight, mainly because of the shocked confusion some ponies began to feel. Nevertheless, there was cheering for the younger alicorn that then shared her mother's discomfort for attention. "Twilight, Nyx," Tails said, making his closing statements, "stay over at the side of the stage and enjoy the rest of the show with us." He then took Cosmo's hand into his own, and turned his focus on the rest of the crowd. "And everypony out there... Let's bring this to an end..." With that, the spotlight once casted on the four on stage faded out. The two alicorns had enough visibility to go the side of the stage where Cosmo and Twilight entered from, and turned to stand facing the stage. Tails led Cosmo to one of his main instruments already on the stage, the former setting his guitar on a nearby stand. As he positioned himself to perform, there was an audio song playing off the speakers. That song was the intro to the concert's closing encore. ENCORE: WORKING TOGETHER - Kingdom Hearts/audio instrumental NUMB - Linkin Park/Ash/Tails on piano, Dan on lead guitar and Mike Shinoda vocals, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/MIDI pad/extended piano outro HERE WITHOUT YOU - 3 Doors Down/Yugi + acoustic guitar/Tails on lead guitar and lead vocals WHAT IF - Creed/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar/guitar solo duel between Ash and Tails after second chorus, joined by rest of the Band during solos/outro jam of 'The Trooper' by Iron Maiden "THANK YOU EQUESTRIA, YOU WERE AMAZING TONIGHT!" Jason exclaimed as the Band closed their set. "THANK YOU FOR OUR WARMEST WELCOME EVER, AND WE HOPE TO PLAY FOR YOU AGAIN SOON! UNTIL NEXT TIME... "WE ARE THE TEAM JAG BAND! GOOD!!! FUCKING!!! NIGHT!!!" The show had finally concluded. The instruments went to silence, but the sounds of their audience filled the air. Cheers and whistles sounded, clapping and stomping hooves echoed all around, forelegs waved around in the air. The entire arena was a sea of ponies celebrating the biggest concert in the history of Equestria, and they enjoyed it a lot. The eleven performers, the two stage managers, and Cosmo stood in a line along the front of the stage, the latter and her beloved in the center of it. Arms across each other's shoulders and smiling dumbfounded at just how positive everypony was being towards them, they took a bow in unison before their night's audience. When they got back up, the crowd seemed to have gotten louder to their ears, but they also picked up a chant. It began sounding low, but more and more ponies added into the chant made its volume rise fast. "ONE MORE SONG!" They were chanting it over and over. In mere moments, all the cheering and applause was replaced with it. Some were especially more desiring than others, including the distant sight of Pinkie Pie jumping up and down as high as her energy sent her. Everyone on stage watched in disbelief as they didn't expect their first performance in Equestria to result with such a demand for more. Even their first shows on Mobius, including Revival, didn't end with such a reaction, and Mobius was the home world of the Team JAG Band as a whole. Not knowing how to respond, they turned their heads left towards Twilight and looked at her for some help. The alicorn princess was surprised herself by the crowd as a whole, not just the four fillies and one dragon near her doing the same chant themselves. In her mind, she was aware of the plan to end the night: The Band would bow, the lights would dim down just enough to keep the stage in sight, Equestria's National Anthem would play on the speaker system, and ponies would begin to flood out of the stadium. What had ended up becoming was not taken to her consideration, thinking that four hours of music would suffice. Twilight instructed Spike to keep an eye on the fillies and stay put, and then teleported behind the Band. She called for their attention and waved a hoof for them to huddle around her. Tails quickly turned back to the audience and raised a finger for them to wait before he and the others turned their attention towards Twilight. She told them how she didn't know how to handle it and admitted not being sure what they wanted to do, which they all responded with the same thought on their minds. The song 'What If' was the standard closing song for a full concert show the Team JAG Band has done for years. It was their tradition, and it was one that hadn't been broken for several years. It was a fact Twilight learned from Cosmo back in Ponyville, and it felt wrong of Twilight to ask a group of friends she practically just met to go against their ways by their given request. The idea of going against tradition, to do something unexpected for a brand new world with a crowd giving an unexpected wish for one more performance, was nothing done before. Tails advised the others his opinion, and everybody agreed with him. With the decision made, Tails turned around and faced back to the anticipating audience. He reached to the closest microphone stand and took the microphone into his hand. He tapped the head to make sure it was still active, and the echoing sounds of his actions through the speakers showed that it was. Everyone behind him cleared a path for Twilight to walk forward and use her magic to levitate the microphone for her use. "May I have everypony's attention," she said, using a calm and collected voice laced with kindness and understanding, much like her teacher's manner of speaking. The presence of the nation's newest princess gained the ponies' attention as silence fell upon the arena. "Thank you," Twilight continued. "It has come to our understanding that you would like to see one more song played by the Team JAG Band." She forced herself a pause to hear everypony exclaim their sounds of excitement. "Well I am afraid that after negotiating with the band, they have made it clear that their main set to close out the Equestria Games has been done." The crowd showed their displeasure with an "awww" of unison, but the alicorn just stood where she was with a smile. "However, they are willing to keep things going if you really want it. Everypony, welcome to the Equestria Games After Party!" Twilight's announcement brought out a new round of applause and excitement from the audience. "Our friends in the Team JAG Band have one more left in them, but they want to make this a very special show. They have a song that was supposed to play themselves off the stage, but now it's become your last song of the night!" Behind her, the entire Band got themselves in positions across the stage as Phineas and Ferb returned behind the scenes to prepare the stage's theatrical approach. Cosmo, having no performing role, returned to where Spike and the fillies were and used her comlink to contact her friends in the stands to get to the stage via Chaos Control. This impromptu after party wasn't going to be a full-blown show, but a more party-like adventure that Aelita would lead at the DJ setup. A quick turn of her head allowed Twilight to give the confirmation from the Band that they were ready to go. To do so, she returned the microphone to Tails for the ultimate start-off. "Who's ready for something very, very special?" Tails asked the crowd, who appropriately cheered in return. "Well if you want one more song, we have one more thing to ask of all of you as well. It has been agreed by Princess Twilight for us to have this permission- we're going to invite all of Equestria to our anniversary concert on Mobius! You welcomed us to your home, so now it's our turn to invite you to our home! So tell us, Equestria, will we see you there!?" His answer started low, only a fraction of. Ponies immediately calling out their accepting of the offer. Bit by bit it grew as the cheering got louder and louder as more and more ponies liked the idea. It wasn't a full house cheer, but to the fox and his band mates' ears, it sounded like a good majority had accepted the offer. "That's great, everypony, thank you so much. Now without further delay, this is a song that was our first Full Band Jam, for our first show of the year in Ponyville. For us, this song will always remind us of Equestria! I want to see jumping, cheering, a full-out party mode around this entire stadium! This is- "A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES!"