//------------------------------//
// Games Over 
// Story: Taismo: The Equestria Games 
// by RockStarMLP 
//------------------------------//

"Master Four, over here Master Four! Where exactly is it that you all come from?!"

"Are you here to solely promote your band and music?"

"Princesses, what are your thoughts of these new creatures in Equestria?!"

"Princess Luna, what motivated you to bestow a royal title to Nightma-"

It began the moment they exited through the Crystal Palace doors. Several reporters and journalists waited patiently for what felt like hours around the Crystal Heart, waiting for their targets of their questions. The Princesses did expect many reporters, but not over two dozen of them. The moment everyone was going through the doors, the bombardment began, ending up with the Princesses having to instruct the inquiring ponies to stand back and allow the groups of the Team JAG Band and the Mobius visitors some space.

But the sudden charge of press ponies didn't damper the enjoyable day the interdimensional visitors were having. It was a nice and quiet morning for the most part. Other than Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo lamenting not earning their cutie marks for the umpteenth time, and another unfortunate conversation between Celestia and Twilight just before walking outside, it was a morning everyone hoped for. The visitors packed their things, everyone had a delicious and filling breakfast of Crystal Empire delicacies, and Pinkie Pie managed to make every pony and person a goodie bag to take home. The latter was tried to be questioned, but the answer didn't matter. It was a kind gesture from the Element of Laughter.

They also prepared themselves for the press conference Princess Luna warned them about through their dreams, and the one told of it from Princess Celestia. It was offered by the Master Four that they would handle the press conference and allow everyone else to go their own ways until it was time to return to their dimensions. The offer, although appreciated, was declined, as everyone didn't want to leave the four of them with the task themselves. Nor did it help the crowd of ponies behind the press ponies that wanted to meet the Band and heroes of Mobius.

Once Luna got things in order, the group split into two: one for the press conference, and the other to engage with everypony else. The former group was indeed smaller, just being the Master Four and Tails along with the now five Princesses, the most recent addition in the castle taking a nap. With both sides in a momentary state of silence, Twilight motioned a hoof to her guests to engage with the press ponies. Jason accepted the role of addressing everypony first.

"Mares and gentlecolts, if I got that right," he said musingly, "thank you for this opportunity to talk with you. We are the Master Four, founders of the Team JAG Band, and of course we have Tails here with us, and we'll be happy to start answering whatever questions we can. Anypony care to start with-"

"Over here, please!" A crystal pony cut him off the dark warrior, jumping on the chance to ask the first question and start the slew of cameras going off all around them. "Miss Gem Cut of the Crystal Column. What are your reasons to perform what ponies consider today as 'heave metal' music?"

"Heavy metal is one of our biggest influences of music to perform, and an overall favorite for the Band," Ash replied. "We're always supporters of all music genres, having started to play instruments to rock and roll, but metal is a go-to for us because it challenges and inspires us the most."

"And do you perform every concert in a time period of four hours?"

"Our main concerts, yes. We perform abbreviated sets for certain events and at everyone's availability."

"Princesses, Princesses!" The next pony, a unicorn stallion levitating a pad and pencil in his magic, called out next. "I represent Manehattan's Mega Music Magazine. Can you explain your decision to hire said heavy metal band to close the Equestria Games other than those of Equestrian origin?"

"Allow me to answer your question," Twilight replied, met with a curious and ready to write stallion. "Through my friend here Tails and his girlfriend Cosmo, ponies were introduced to Team JAG's band with their first performance in Ponyville at the start of spring. After getting to know these new friends, and seeing how the Games have united ponies from within and beyond Equestria's borders, I wanted to introduce them to the whole of our great land in order to bridge our worlds together. Through these methods, I am certain we will be able to form new bonds with those who try to treat us above how we have treated them."

Another pony in the crowd spoke up next and asked "Does that mean they support all your endeavors in return?"

Twilight arched an eyebrow in curiosity. "Excuse me?"

"Over here, Princess Twilight!" Her gaze turned to another stallion that was a couple rows towards the back. "Mr. Headline, the Cloudsdale Forecast. It has been rumored that the filly you adopted has gained a Princess title. Can you confirm this and explain how the former Nightmare Moon could obtain this title? Master Four, Mr. Tails, your thoughts as well?"

Twilight could sense Nyx's fear as the filly tried crouching herself back. This inevitable action needed to be handled, and it was clear that some ponies wanted that now. More importantly, there was someone who overheard a private conversation in the castle that shouldn't have been public like this, not yet. She spoke in a firm tone, and with a stern expression.

"My daughter, Nyx Sparkle, is a member of the Royal family, and so she has been recently decreed a Princess. Due to her young age, she will not be an acting princess until she is an adult and ready for responsibility," she explained.

"And seeing how new we are here, Team JAG cannot comment on this other than we support the actions of your Princesses completely," Tails added. "Next question please."

The next pony to beat the rest to speaking was the same crystal pony from before. "How do you feel being the first non-pony performers to close the Equestria Games held for the first time in the Crystal Empire?"

"We are honored to have that privilege," Gohan replied. "What we do is all for fun, much like a hobby. We're what you can think of as a 'glorified cover band' in other dimensions, so for us to practice our hobby here for such an important occasion is a memory we'll never forget."

"Princess Celestia! A question please!" yelled another pony, this one a duo of a unicorn and a pegasus wearing Canterlot-colored fan shirts.

"Of course, my little ponies," Celestia said.

"Clip Note and Quick Snap of the Canterlot Gazette. What are your thoughts on both the band's performance and Team JAG's rapidly growing reputation as Equestria's newest music sensation and heroes?"

The grand alicorn smiled in returned and answered with "I found the Team JAG Band's performance respectful and enjoyable, thanks to the enjoyment our citizens showed during the show. Their reputations..." She paused as she thought about one of the two ponies' names, and then focused her attention on the pegasus photographer. "Excuse my asking, but are you the same Quick Snap from before?"

The pegasus said no response, but his body movement answered her. He crouched down a little, trying to step back into the dense crowd of press ponies as he tried to cover his face with the camera. Luck against him, nopony gave him room to escape, and he wasn't about to take off like a coward in front of royalty for the second time. His attempt to hide may have failed, but the response he got from Celestia stunned him.

"It's good to see you back at work. I haven't seen your talents in photography since before that Hearth's Warming Eve," she said, her voice still soothe and kind as ever. "How have you been?"

Quick Snap hesitated to answer, but with what little courage he had, he managed to form his reply. "I'm doing okay, Princess. Just started with the Gazette a month ago."

"So I see," Celestia replied. "I believe Shining Armor mentioned a request of recommendation from the Canterlot Gazette about your photography. He told them you'd be great for them." She used a hoof to motion his focus to the Master Four. "Would you be kind enough to photograph my sister and me with the Master Four after this is done?"

The pegasus's jaw dropped in a momentary stupor, but he quickly snapped back to attention. "Yes, of course," he answered.

"Thank you. Now, to finish your question from before, we are aware of how Team JAG's name has been spreading around ever since they first appeared in Ponyville. It's quite pleasing seeing how the group has made such a positive introduction to warrant such a welcome from ponies."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Clip Note replied, and then focused his next question towards Tails. "Mr. Tails, did you and your band mates have high expectations from Equestria's citizens for your performance last night?"

"Of course we had expectations," the two-tailed fox answered. "We looked forward to creating a fun experience that would get everypony involved. We saw them smiling, we heard them cheering, and we couldn't ask for a better first show for all of Equestria to enjoy." He then smirked as he added another comment. "I have to admit, though, Ponyville's crowd from our very first concert in this world can give the entire nation a run for their money."

"Master Four! Over here!" the next pony to raise their hoof was another crystal earth pony, this one a stallion. "Karat Stone, from Equestrian Entertainment Weekly. Can you comment on what Tails said?"

All four of them grinned, and Jason gave the pony his answer. "When Tails speaks, he speaks the truth. Equestria is a new favorite place for us to perform, and we always have an open door to come back for another show. As for Ponyville... well, we didn't expect the whole town to sing along with us during my favorite Slipknot song..."






/)∞(\






"Excuse me, Miss Kim?! Can I have your autograph?!"

"Oh... uh, of course. Anything specific I should write?"

"Uhhhhh- Equestria Rocks!"

This was the third time Kim was approached by a filly in under five minutes. It wasn't even an hour, not even close, since she and the rest of her group were surrounded by ponies during the group's walk around the Empire. At first, they all noticed the looking passerbys as they walked along, but only smiled and waved in return. It wasn't until several foals pointed them out and begged their accompanied parents to take them over to meet the strange beings with five of the Elements of Harmony. When that happened, all different ponies within the vicinity of the group gathered to meet the other-worlders.

For the most part, it was harmless fun. In fact, it was enjoyable all-around. Those of the Team JAG Band received many compliments for their performance, and several more asking for an autograph and a photo-op. Many ponies had saddlebags filled with souvenirs for the Equestria Games such as foam hooves, flags and shirts, and the Band members were asked to sign them with what writing objects ponies had to offer. Even those of Team Sonic garnered ponies' attention, being asked question after question for many reasons. It reached a point when Sonic and Knuckles began to show off their unique abilities. The blue hedgehog had a quick running sprint from point 'A' to point 'B' and then back to point 'A,' and the echidna showed off his strength by picking up a pile of Crystal Scouts above his head.

"Wow, mister, you're really strong!" said one of the fillies Knuckles was holding up.

"Yeah, I get that a lot," he gloated. He kneeled down onto a knee and told the foals to jump back down. When he got back up he told them "It always helps out a team when you have some extra muscle to back them up."

Knuckles failed to notice the looks some of his friends had glanced at him, their eyes metaphorically rolling at his showboating. They haven't seen him act like that so much since Team Sonic's time in Station Square several years ago, and it showed that some things haven't changed a bit. For some of their Equestrian chaperones, they just looked at the echidna curiously.

"Is he usually like this?" Rarity asked. She stood in a group that was off to the side and away from the commotion.

"Only when his ego begins to fill that empty head of his," Rouge answered. "Excuse me while I smack some hot air out his ears for a few minutes."

The bat was about to make her way over before being stopped by both Rarity and Shadow. The former spoke again with "Save that for another time, darling, preferably not in front of the children. He means no harm so long as nopony is at risk of getting hurt."

"Well if anyone asks, he was your responsibility," Rouge said back.

"Just get over it," Shadow told her. "You know him better than anyone, so you can hit him in front of kids if you feel that way." 

Rouge only huffed at the black hedgehog's comment, crossed her arms and turned her head away. Her new sight caught others of their large group split up in different parts talking to all sorts of different ponies. Some were being much humbler than Knuckles, others signing autographs and giving out fist bumps against hooves. She then saw a much better sight that Rarity commented on.

"Oh look at your dear Cosmo over there with those little foals. They must be running her mad by the sounds of all those questions."

Rouge only replied "You'd be surprised with that girl, Rarity."

Cosmo, along with Fluttershy and the duo of Ami and Yumi, was surrounded by several different kids and a few of their parents, as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. For the most part, the Seedrian was approached by many ponies who just wanted to say hello and welcome her and her friends to Equestria. Every time such an instance occurred, she responded as positively delighted as she felt. But then came all the younger ponies who came up to her at that moment, all of whom wanting to meet the 'strange new friends' of Equestria, as they worded it. Not being one to be rude to anybody, or anypony, Cosmo happily gave them her undivided attention.

"Is it true that you're actually a really big flower?" a little colt asked, probably no older than seven years old by his appearance.

Cosmo laughed a little as she answered with "Yes, I pretty much am. I am someone called a Seedrian, a being who is part plant."

"That explains those beautiful roses on your head," another little pony said, pointing her hoof up to the Seedrian's head, where two reddish pink roses were bloomed.

"That's right," Cosmo confirmed for them.

"Are you a superhero like all your other friends?" asked a crystal filly.

"Oh I wouldn't say anything like that..."

"What are you talkin' about! 'course ya are!" Apple Bloom told Cosmo. "Y'all helped save your whole world from a bunch of bad guys!"

"No! A whole GALAXY!" Scootaloo added, correcting her friend. All the other ponies shared a unison "WHOA!"

"Wow, you really are a hero!" added the filly. "Can I take a picture with you?"

"Now hold on there, Crystal," the filly's father, having a camera around his neck, told his daughter. "I said you could meet the Band, not bother them for anything."

"Awww but Daddyyyyy..."

"It's quite alright, sir," Cosmo told him. "I wouldn't mind it at all."

Although reluctant for a brief time, he nodded to the filly to stand by Cosmo so he could take a picture. The three Crusaders and other foals jumped in on things, surrounding around the two just before the stallion took the picture. Other parents that also had cameras asked if they could also take photos since all their children were in the same shot, and Cosmo happily agreed to it. When the flashes of the cameras stopped, they thanked her before they left so they could do a little more sightseeing of all the post-Games celebration.

"The young ones of this world are just adorable," Cosmo commented, not to anyone in particular.

"They are, aren't they?" Fluttershy, now standing next to her, replied. "They've really taken a liking to you and the others, especially after yesterday."

"I think we've noticed," said the Seedrian, motioning a hand to some of her friends being surrounded by ponies. She used her other hand, and Fluttershy her hoof, to try and stifle a laugh from getting out.

"Well seeing what Tails and Team JAG did, I think it's attention you all deserved," stated the pegasus mare.

"You know we don't do things to seek attention, Fluttershy. Tails and the others do what they feel is right, and I always make sure I'm there to support them. It's no different with the Band, since they perform music for the fun and enjoyment of it."

"I know, but anybody can have fans. Just ask-"

"This is so cool!" Fluttershy found herself cut off by an incoming dive from Rainbow Dash. "Everypony's asking for an autograph, and I just signed one for the mayor of Cloudsdale! Fluttershy, you have to get in on this. He wants to take our picture with Bulk Biceps and the Wonderbolts! And he wants to meet you too, Cosmo!"

"Oh... uhm... I don't know," Fluttershy said. "Why would he want a picture of us?"

"Well, he said he wanted a picture with me because of my place in the Wonderbolt Reserves and my time at the Wonderbolt Academy. I told him that he'd get it if I got you two in it because of how close we came in the Games. He wants us and everyone to wear their medals! Plus, he wants to meet everyone from Team JAG and invite them to some party in Cloudsdale he's having!"

"That sounds nice of him," Cosmo stated. "Did he say when?"

The cyan mare stopped to think and remember the exact date. It almost escaped her memory with all of her excitement. "I think it's the day after tomorrow."

"Oh..." Cosmo frowned. "That's the same day as the anniversary on Mobius."

"Oh dear," commented Fluttershy. She knew that everypony, especially Rainbow Dash, we're excited to visit Mobius for the first time and celebrate in a manner similar to the Games.

"Oh horseapples. I'll be right back!" Before anyone could say a thing, Rainbow darted back to where the mayor was, who was having a chat with Sonic, Dan and Aelita. The two watched for the minute it took to see them talk, their facial expressions, and a hoofshake before the cyan mare darted back to them. "OK, it's all settled. He said he'd reschedule it to the day before we come back here next week."

"Really? How did you convince him to do that?"

"I told him about the Mobius trip and he realized that Team JAG invited all of Equestria last night. He decided to reschedule the party so he can take his kids to the show."

Cosmo smiled in relief at the sound of that, and was glad that the Band's open invitation was being accepted by ponies. She knew they were kind-hearted and optimistic, perhaps more so than herself, but they were something else that she didn't expect so much of: supportive. From their new best friends from Ponyville made a few months ago, to meeting ponies all across Equestria today, she and her friends have been shown, for the most part, support and openness that made them feel welcome and accepted. She hadn't felt this since she first met Tails and the others over eight years ago. It was a wonderful feeling to have again as she continued to see ponies run up to meet her friends, to try and ask a hundred questions, to get their Team JAG Band souvenirs autographed by the entire-

Cosmo's focus immediately shifted to the latter sight.  "Where did that stuff come from?" she thought, and then walked up to where Kim, Ron and Pinkie Pie were standing. A couple ponies who competed for Ponyville in the Games asked the human couple to sign their Team JAG Band souvenir flags, and when Cosmo reached them and asked where the flags came from, they explained that a trio of ponies were selling 'official merchandise' just down the road. Curiosity began to control Cosmo as she and a few others decided to go investigate this.

Down on the sides of the road, there were several stands selling souvenirs and items brought in from all over Equestria. The merchants were selling the rest of their stock cheap so they didn't have any leftover inventory to take back home, many of whom selling their merchandise during the Games in the corridors of the arena. It was towards the end was a picnic table with one side's bench facing the road, covered in various items that had the Band's name printed on them. Multiple colored shirts, flags and keychains, among the several different items to choose from, all being managed by one mare with two kids, all of whom were earth ponies.

"That'll be eight bits." The mare had just sold some merchandise to another buyer. "Thanks again! Anypony next?" Turning to face more potential customers, her sight was met with a group consisting of only one pony and three bipedal creatures. It took her a moment, but her mind registered the majority of the group in front of her. "Y-you are from the Team JAG Band!"

"Nah, only half of us," said Yumi, who gestured a thumb towards herself and Ami next to her. "We heard there was some new merch with us on it."

The mare's color looked to have faded a couple shades from her natural green color. "Well, yes," she said, and then watched them scan the items she had laid out across the table. She noticed the pony of the group, a white unicorn with a purple mane, arch an eyebrow as she took a closer look at a pile of shirts. "Something you see, Miss..."

"Rarity," the other mare replied, "and yes, I just want to say how 'interesting' your merchandise design looks." The logo for the Band that was used wasn't anything too special: it was Crystal Empire script in a large and bold form, with two guitars in the background on both ends and a pair of crossed drumsticks behind the word JAG. "Did you design these yourself?"

"No!" the earth pony exclaimed with a new presentation of fear in her tone. She looked as if she committed a crime and got busted for it. With a quick recollecting of her composure, she explained "No, no, I didn't design these. They were actually designed by my two kids." The foals, both being young colts, were called over by her mother while they were busy making new items to put up for sale. When they reached the table, she introduced them as Signature and Grand Design.

The group noticed the two colts look at them with widened eyes and dropped jaws, stunned to see who was at their little stand. They tried to make some kind of audible sound, but failed in the process. Unable to contain herself, Cosmo giggled and kneeled herself down to get closer to their eye level. "So you two are the ones who designed this logo?" The two remained speechless until their mother gave them a small nudge to snap them out of their trance.

"Y-yeah, yeah we did," said Signature. "We were at the show last night and you guys were so cool! We could barely sleep after that!"

"Glad you liked the show," Yumi commented, "so that gave you the idea to make this stuff?"

Grand Design nodded his head frantically for a few seconds, and then replied with "Yeah! I really like to draw stuff, and since I also couldn't sleep back at our hotel, I just kept drawing stuff! Guitars, drums, that gesture you made at the end of your front legs." The duo of pop stars needed a few seconds to realize that he meant the devil horns, the classic sign for heavy metal. "I just kept drawing until Sig and I came up with what you see on everything."

Signature took over from that point and said "When we showed our mom earlier, not only did she like it, but other ponies who got to see liked it, too. That's when Mom decided to buy a whole bunch of stuff from another salespony, rent a crystal printing press and we began to make all the stuff to sell. We've been doing great with all the ponies that see our table!"

"We certainly noticed," Cosmo told him, shifting her focus back to the mare. "You certainly have a couple creative boys here. I can only imagine how proud you are of them."

"Yes, indeed," she replied. "Boys, could you please get some more of the keychains ready? We're starting to run low." The colts nodded and made their back to the supplies, the mare waiting just long enough to get them out of hearing range. She looked back at the four across her table with eyes that looked as pleading as her voice started to sound. "I hope we haven't upset you by doing this. We just needed extra bits to help us get home."

The four wore a confused expression, with Cosmo and Rarity's being more concerning. "What do you mean, my dear?" Rarity asked.

"Well, you see, my boys and I were staying at that hotel over there," she said, pointing a hoof down towards a building with a sign hanging off the front that read Shimmer Inn. "During our stay, we had an incident with Prince Blueblood. I sent my boys to get us breakfast at the inn's complimentary buffet and bring it back to our room, but from what the manager had explained, they rounded the corner where the prince was walking from and bumped into him, and our food into his clothes and fur. I could hear him yelling from our room, and he furiously demanded that we pay for his clothes to be dry-cleaned and a spa treatment to clean his fur. The bill was outrageous! All of the bits we had to pay, what he had for our hotel bill and selling back our train tickets couldn't cover it all! When I saw people show interest in my boys' art, I used what bits I had to get everything you see here, get it made and sell it to cover our expenses."

The four listeners were now as speechless as the colts were. Blueblood wasn't only being disrespectful and snobbish towards them, but other ponies - even children - without a good reason at all. It was an honest mistake, one that didn't need to cause stress to anypony. Yumi began to growl angrily at the sheer stupidity of what she heard, and both her and Rarity felt their blood boiling as their anger over him grew. Both Ami and Cosmo showed themselves more collected and masked their own upset anger with more concerning expressions.

But Cosmo felt so much guiltier over this. Yes, the prince's frustration was on the entire group, but he put his senseless anger out on her, her beloved and Nyx. He was sent to that hotel because of his behavior towards them at the dinner, and so in a way, she felt that unnecessary guilt of having him sent there in the first place.

"That's just horrible. I am so sorry for you all," she told the mare. "How much more do you need to earn?"

"Several dozen bits, nearly a hundred," the mare replied. "Prince Blueblood's treatment was the most you could get at once, thus being the most expensi-"

"THAT BRUTE!" Rarity exclaimed with an uneasy seething in her tone. "HOW DARE HE TREAT YOU LIKE THIS!" Little to her notice did some passing ponies heard and looked towards her during her outbursts. "Don't you worry, madam. I will make sure he meets the dirtiest stain that will NEVER get out of his coat! NEVER!"

"Rarity, please, take it easy," Cosmo told the unicorn, pointing out the staring ponies. During these outbursts, Ami managed to whisper something into Yumi's ear that managed to settle the purple-haired rocker's own display of anger and replace it with a grin.

"Excuse me," Ami said, "if I may ask you, Miss... uhm..."

"Blue Moon," said the mare. "I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself before."

"It's fine. Now, Blue Moon, you're trying to call this official Team JAG Band merchandise then, correct?" The mare answered with a nervous nod. Yumi then said "Well then there's only one way to deal with this..." Without another word, she made her way passed the others and grabbed one of the shirts. She held it up, at least to how a human could display a pony-sized shirt, and took a good look at it. She then cleared some space on the bench with her feet, stepped up and faced out onto the street.

"Step right up, ponies! Step right up! Come get your official Team JAG Band merch! T-shirts, keychains, ball caps, flags, come get it before they're gone!" She continued to call out to the passing ponies, most of whom caught her attention and started to trot over to the table.

Ami leaned in to Cosmo's unseen ear and whispered something to her before jumping up on another open section of the bench. She picked up a hat to put on her head, and keychains and flags to hold in each hand. "That's right, folks! For the first time in Equestria, get some Team JAG Band souvenirs!"

One of the passerbys walked up and asked "Wait a minute, aren't you two in that band?" He was given his confirmation from Ami. "Oh, sweet! That concert you played was incredible! Can I get something signed?"

"You bet you can!" Yumi answered. "For one extra bit, we'll sign whatever you ask! Just pay the trio behind the table! Come on up and get your merch right here ponies!"

The duo kept calling out as a crowd came up and surrounded the entire front side of the table. One after another, they asked for either one item or multiple of each, and every purchase saw a pile of bits dropped onto the table. While Cosmo had run off to back where they walked down the street from, Rarity jumped behind the table to help manage the sales and make more merchandise with the colts. The crowd drawn in got their merch and paid, and then held what they bought up to Ami and Yumi to have signed. It continued in such a manner until Cosmo returned with most other members of the Band, where they found themselves in sight of a pair of blinding lights emitting from Signature and Grand Design.






/)∞(\






"...and that's how we helped the family raise their needed bits to get home, and see how ponies earn their cutie marks for the first time."

"That's amazing!" 

"Rarity, don't you think your intentions for your next visit to Canterlot are a little, well... excessive?"

"Quite the contrary, Twilight. I find such a trip to be quite necessary. After all, nopony else plans to tar and feather that disrespectful, disgusting, despicable, good for nothing-"

"Don't worry about it. Let him be a prick."

"Miles!"

The once divided group remerged later on in the day, all taking one final stroll through the Crystal Empire together before having to depart. Cosmo had told Tails, Twilight and the others of what had happened during the press conference with the trio of ponies selling merchandise with Team JAG Band's name. The effort proved successful for the family, especially after the rest of the Band appeared, encouraging and autographing every single thing ponies bought, and the trio earned more bits than they needed to pay their debt and get new train tickets.

But even the successful outcome of their efforts didn't ease Twilight and Tails amongst several others. Blueblood's actions extending so far out from what he did around them was outrageous, and they thought they were done with his antics after he was sent home like a child. For the two-tailed fox, what patience he had left for the 'prince' seemed to have drained out of him completely as his usually positive attitude would not surface through his angry facial expressions. He had high respect for the Princesses and Shining Armor, but even with having negative experiences with royals in other dimensions, Blueblood's actions gave him no reason to hope for the better out of him.

As for Twilight, she was furious, and enough to make her start feeling responsible. If it wasn't for his big mouth and the negativity towards the presence of her family and friends, he wouldn't have been sent to that inn in the first place. She wished that the threat Tails made in the Royal Suite the other day could have been promised somehow, but at the same time, she was a princess now. She needed to set the right example not just for the ponies of Equestria, but especially for Nyx. Spike had the experience and maturity on how to handle Blueblood, so her concern for him wasn't as escalated. As she had both of them taking a ride on her back during their trek, she kept her negative comments to herself, and made a mental note to talk to Celestia about reimbursing the family of the money they lost and regained and invite them to Ponyville for dinner in their free time.

The group was nearing the train station when Tails made his remark. Cosmo's reaction to him - calling him by his real name other than his more commonly used nickname - showed her distaste for his reaction to her story's conclusion, especially with Nyx and Spike being right there, and the other fillies and colts they knew not too far out of earshot. His annoyed glare met with her disappointed gaze, one that she used at times but never often.

"I know you're mad about Blueblood, but you need to watch that temper and what you say," Cosmo scolded, gesturing a hand towards Twilight's little hitch-hikers. "You need to watch what words you use that these don't need to hear from you."

"Tails has a temper?" Spike asked curiously. "Since when?"

"He's gotten really angry a few times, Spike. How did you miss it?" Nyx said to him. "He pinned Blueblood to the wall after that fancy dinner the first night we were here, right in front of everypony."

Spike shrugged embarrassingly. "Guess I zoned out from that."

"That's enough," Twilight told the two, turning her head back just far to cast a glare of her own. "You two know it's rude to talk about something like that."

"It's alright, Twilight," Tails said, his voice sounding somewhat regretful for what he had caused. "I've developed and had a temper for quite some time. After years of dealing with jerks who do nothing but threaten your friends over and over and over again, a temper tends to develop more over the time, especially when the target is the person I love." He let his folded arms down, and reached a hand out to hold one of Cosmo's softly in his grip. "I'm sorry for what I said. I'll be more careful about my actions."

The Seedrian smiled and replied "It's okay. I know how you get with your temper. Just watch it around our younger friends from now on."

"It's a deal," he said, and leaned in to kiss Cosmo's cheek. The filly and dragon stuck out their tongues and made a gross groan, forcing a chuckle out of the couple. "Guess I’ll have to watch being openly romantic, too." Cosmo only responded with another chuckle and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Well I think it's sweet," Twilight stated. "You shouldn't hide your love for each other from anybody." This caused her two hitch-hikers a repeated groan, which in turn caused her to laugh. "Oh don't be like that, you two. Whenever you fall in love with that right one you'll be doing the same thing."

"I'd rather not think about it," Nyx deadpanned.

The adults dropped the subject and continued their trek with other conversational topics. At one point they merged with the rest of their groups and talked about things, such as the mayor of Cloudsdale's party and the plans made for the time between then and the big anniversary show on Mobius in a couple days. It kept them occupied all the way to the station, where upon entering they were met by several ponies who wanted an autograph from the Team JAG Band members or to thank Spike for saving the Equestria Games. Fortunately, the amount of ponies was small, so they made their way around before approaching the station platform to wait for the next train to Ponyville.

They still had time before the train would arrive, and thanks to the request of Shining Armor, some Crystal Guards had sent the ponies' luggage to the station early on. It was always a smart idea to arrive some time before a train arrives to exchange passengers, but this time the advanced arrival had a more important meaning. Seeing that the entire collection of friends wasn’t leaving for the same place, it was the time to bid a temporary farewell between Equestrians and Mobians, humans and heroes.

"Are you sure y'all can't come to Ponyville?" asked Apple Bloom, who was practically begging them to change their minds.

"Yeah," Sweetie Belle said, "we can help you rehearse for your big concert."

"I thought we were going to try and see if we'd earn our cutie marks in heavy metal music," Scootaloo added, revealing their real reasons for wanting the Band to stay longer.

"Sorry you three," Ash said after a small laugh, "but we need to get back to our homes like you need to. Besides, I have a gym battle coming up and I need to get ready for that."

"And some of us still need some quiet time to- rehearse! Yeah, rehearse stuff we haven't played yet!" Ron added on to defend him and his fiancé, but realized where his excuse was going and quickly tried to correct his excuse.

"Oh I can clearly see," Rarity mused, seeing clear through his rouse. "I'm sure you and Kimberly will use your time wisely."

"We will," added the mentioned heroine. She shot her beloved geek a quick glance before turning her focus back on Rarity. "And please, just call me Kim. You don't need to say my full name."

"But of course."

"Will you have a lot to do before that show?" Fluttershy asked. "I could imagine with how you all played your concert last night."

Yugi shook his head. "Not really, just a few unfamiliar songs and what adjustments we need to do now that we have Kim and Ron in our band."

"Plus Yumi and I have our own show to play tomorrow night in our world," Ami added. "We get to play a set at one of our own arenas and we don't want to let down our fans."

Yumi nodded in agreement and added "Not to mention I got some new riffs and licks to shred for them during my wicked solos." She noticed quite a few of the ponies trying to understand exactly what she meant with her rock n' roll slang.

"Sweet!" Rainbow Dash said. She was one of the only couple ponies who fully understood what the purple-haired rocker meant. "I can't wait to see more of that on Mobius!"

"Yeah, you'll be in for a treat," Ash commented. He and Yugi had a brief laugh, knowing what he had meant with his statement. The ponies looked at them curiously, asking what he meant to which he only replied "Wait until the show."



"So you sure you don't want any extra help with fire effects?" Spike was, in failing attempt, trying to offer help to Phineas and Ferb. A small talk about the duo's work with concert stage engineering and design brought up their pyrotechnics, which intrigued the fire-breathing dragon. He thought that, after all the fun from last night's show, he could offer his thanks by giving them some dragon fire to harness for the fire effects of future concerts.

"Nah, we're good, but we appreciate the offer," Phineas said. "We'd have to recalibrate our entire system to work with magical fire, and since we're still new to being Team JAG's stage engineers, we want to work with what we've got for a while before changing things up."

"Oh, sure, that's cool. I never remember that since your work with the stage looks like you've done it for years," Spike added.

"We tend to hear that a bit," Ferb said.

"But if ever change our minds and want to mix things up, you'll be the first one we call- I mean, write to," Phineas added.

A little while had passed since the giant group had several conversations circling around, and the train to Ponyville was due to arrive anytime. Many have switched around with each other when certain subjects picked up the attention of some, including the upcoming party in Cloudsdale. When Twilight heard what Rainbow Dash did to keep their plans to be at Mobius safe, she showed the pegasus her appreciation with a thankful hug. She didn't notice how Rainbow's cheeks turned a deep shade of red during a few moments after the hug ended, but the others did.

But to failure with their delaying, it was finally time for Team JAG to take its leave from Equestria. It wasn't the best weekend anyone could have asked for, but it was still an enjoyable time. The stories of their respective pasts being shared, the excitement and thrills during each competition of the Games, and the grand finale of the closing ceremonies were all great new memories to carry away with.

Nyx, on the other hoof, looked incredibly happy. She didn't want to say goodbye as much as the next pony, but Tails had made her a promise that made her very excited. He was going to show her one of his greatest inventions called the X-Tornado, a device that he explained would allow to fly her high in the sky and take a look at far reaches of Mobius.

"Can Twilight come up with us, too?" she asked excitedly.

"Of course," replied the two-tailed fox. "The X-Tornado can easily sit four, or five if you count Cheese with Cream." The little Chao overheard that and gave a "Chao-chao!" in confirmation.

"And we can give you a look at our home, too," Cosmo added. "We don't live too far away from Synthesis, so you can get a quick aerial tour of it during the flight."

Nyx looked as if she was going to explode of excitement at Pinkie Pie levels, which have somehow resulted in fireworks going off in one way or another. Nopony could explain it, so the general excuse they would settle on was some source of magic. Knowing this, and to try to keep the filly under control, Twilight set a hoof on Nyx's shoulder as a gentle means of keeping her grounded.

"Calm down, Nyx. Save your excitement for when we go there," Twilight said, managing to succeed as Nyx did what she was told.

"Well, I guess that wraps things up," Tails said. "We should really get back and see what we missed back home."

"We know," replied the lavender princess. "Before you go back, I just want to say..." Unable to set the example for her daughter and contain her own happiness, Twilight threw her front hooves around the shoulders of the Mobian couple. "Thank you. You really made this trip worth it for me... for all of us. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

Both Tails and Cosmo welcomed the hug and each wrapped an arm around her back. The latter of the two then replied "You don't need to say that. We were overjoyed to be here, and we can't wait to visit here again. We made so many new memories, and met your wonderful little girl to top it all."

Twilight would want to cry if she didn't have just enough will power to keep herself collected, and after the hug separated, cleared what tears tried to form with a hoof. Hearing that was wonderful reassurance of not only how accepting two worlds were being with one-another, but putting that Blueblood and his blind accusations in their place. Spike walked around her and gave his quick goodbye with a fistbump with Tails and a hug at Cosmo's waist.

It was then Nyx's turn to bid the two a temporary farewell. But she didn't race up and hug the two, at least not yet. Instead she began to go from one out-of-world visitor to the next, paying little mind to interrupting a couple conversations as she gave them each a wave of her hoof and repeated "It was nice to meet you!" Each time she gave them the message, she would leave them looking surprised at to her sudden appearance, but then grin just as quickly to the filly's kinetic kindness.

When she got back to Twilight and the couple, the first thing Nyx did was jump off her hind legs and wrap her forehooves around Cosmo's waist. She was just a few inches too short for her hooves to touch the ground, so without the support of the sudden weight, Cosmo almost lost her balance at the sudden hug. Tails had managed to keep her up so the two wouldn't fall, and kept a hand on his beloved's back to make sure falling wouldn't happen.

"Thanks for coming to visit. I'm really glad I got to meet Twili- Mom's new friends," Nyx said as she hugged her new friend tightly. "Will you visit us a lot?"

Cosmo had a smile stretching across her face, rustling the filly's mane with one of her hands in response to Nyx. "We'll make sure to visit whenever we can," she replied before breaking the hug to kneel down closer to Nyx's height. "You helped make Equestria a new home for us, and we're very happy to have met you, too." She then opened her arms up and welcomed Nyx to give her another hug, and the little alicorn gladly obliged. This time her front hooves wrapped around Cosmo's neck, and the Seedrian hugging in similar fashion.

When the second hug broke, Nyx had her eyes set on Tails to give yet another hug, but the fox prevented her with an open hand towards her. This managed to stop her long enough for him to kneel down to her eye level like Cosmo did, resting a knee on the ground with his other leg held up to allow himself to rest his arm on. His unrested arm reached out and did the same mane rustle as Cosmo did for a moment before he said "Nyx, I want you to remember something before you hug me, okay?"

Nyx's curiosity was expressed with an arched eyebrow. "What is it?"

Tails smiled back and said to her "No matter what, never let any single pony stop you from being happy. Have fun with your friends and love time with your family, and if anyone ever, Ever tries to stop you or your mother, you tell us and we'll help however we can. Twilight is one of our new best friends, and that goes the same for you. If there's anything Cosmo and I can do to help you out, always know we'll be there to do so, because we're glad to have a new friend like you.

"Think you can do that for me, Nyx?"

His answer from Nyx was just a nod, accompanied by a hearty smile. He opened his arms up and gave her the chance to jump up and give him a hug, throwing her front hooves around his neck as he hugged his arms around her back. Looking at his, Cosmo couldn't help but smile and chuckle happily, and Twilight brushed some tears trying to form in her eyes with a hoof again.

Tails had to be the one to break the hug, seeing that he wasn't sure if the filly would ever let go. "Alright," he told her, "time to get back down. It's time for us to get going now."

Nyx didn't argue, getting back on all four of her hooves and standing in place. She turned her eyes to Twilight and immediately recognized just how happy her mother was. After a few quick hops over, Nyx nuzzled against Twilight's side to comfort her, receiving a reward of a kiss to her forehead and giggling in response.

"It's been a blast, Twilight," Tails told the lavender alicorn, "and what I told Nyx applies to you, too. If you have any more trouble and need an extra hand with it, you know how to reach us."

"I know: one magically-fused dragon fire," Twilight said humorously. "I'll write to you when we're about to make the travel over to you."

"Sounds good. With how your magic works, you will all end up arriving at Synthesis near where the dimensional gates will coordinate the arrival of all the other travelers. We'll make sure we're the first faces you see," Cosmo replied.

"We'll look forward to seeing you there."

The four turned their heads towards the direction of the station building, where the new voice they just heard came from. Standing right next to them was Princess Celestia, whose presence was completely undetected by only the Mobian couple and two alicorns. "Forgive me, I was busy thanking Team JAG for their wonderful performance and patience for a short time. Since you were all still talking, I didn't want to interrupt."

Twilight shook her head and replied "You don't need to apologize. I thought you said you were preoccupied to join us here when we all left."

"Well I had a couple reasons for coming out this way," Celestia told her former pupil. "One was that I needed to talk to you, Twilight, before you leave back to Ponyville."

"What's the other reason?" Nyx asked.

Celestia, whose horn was glowing since they first saw her, showed her other reason by levitating a camera in front of her. "Twilight Velvet asked me to bring this to you. After some certain... situations regarding Skyla back at Cadance and Shining Armor's castle, she was too busy to come back and request to try and get a couple pictures of everyone before your departures. She also said that you wanted to have a few pictures taken yourself, Twilight."

A sudden look crossed Twilight's face after being told that. "Oh no! In all the commotion and talking after the press conference I almost forgot to get my camera!" Her expression saddened as she added "Thank you so much, Princess, but I'm afraid my friends are about to go home. I couldn't make them wait for a picture."

"We don't mind, Twilight. We'd love to take pictures with everybody," Cosmo said.

"Are you sure? I couldn't impose if it means making you late," the purple mare said.

"Hold on," Tails told her with a held up finger, and then turned his head over to call out. "Hey guys, we're taking pictures real quick! Wait one more minute?!"

Everyone agreed, sounding off their approval. Sonic, the first to approve, answered back with "No problem, pal!"

"I guess that settles it then," Celestia stated. "I'll help take the pictures for you, Twilight. What would you like top start with?"

The white alicorn's questioned was answered by several others as the group collected themselves around the alicorn's, Tails and Cosmo. "How about one with the medal winners?" Rainbow Dash suggested, holding up her silver medal in her hoof.

"I say we get one of the Band with a Crystal Empire backdrop," said Ron.

"What about one of all the couples? Wouldn't you like to do that, Sonic?" Amy said, mainly focused on the mentioned blue hedgehog.

"Why not just a whole group picture, and maybe one of each group together?" Fluttershy softly suggested.

Nodding in agreement, Twilight said "I think that's the best way to go. How about we group together on the end of the platform over there?" As she pointed a hoof over towards the suggested location, she felt Nyx tap the side of her foreleg still standing on the ground. "Yes, Nyx?"

Nyx motioned her hoof for Twilight to lean down. After being in a position to whisper, Nyx asked her question right into her mother's ear, covering her side with a hoof to keep her words out of earshot. Her response was a pleasant smile and a nod from Twilight, causing the filly to smile in return. She looked up at Tails and Cosmo, and asked them the suggestion she just got approved.

"Would you please be in a picture with my family?"

Cosmo chuckled and replied with "Of course, but why just us with everypony else?"

Shaking her head, Nyx explained more clearly what she meant. "No, no, not with everypony. I mean Twilight, Spike and me. They're my family, and I want you to be part of our family, too."

Several awes followed from their surrounding friends, majority being the girls. The guys, however, just grinned as a few chuckled; even Shadow couldn't help but grin himself, which Maria noticed. Tails, compared to the others, laughed amused quite loudly before giving the filly an answer. "Gee, Nyx, we didn't think you'd think of as family. Sure, we'd love to be in a picture."

"Nice," said Spike.

Grinning herself, Celestia motioned a hoof over to the end of the platform. "I see that we have our first picture set then. Why don't you get ready for yours, and then we'll do the entire group right after?"

Everyone agreed and made their way towards the end of the platform. Celestia stood before most of the group as her former pupil and the others positioned themselves. They positioned themselves with Cosmo in the center with Twilight to her left and Nyx in front of their middle, and Tails to the right, with Spike in front of them. When they knew they were set, they gave Celestia the okay to take the picture, to which she gladly did, followed by a second one for good measure.

"Alright, that's Twilight's family. Now let's get everyone in the next one," Celestia said, her motion for everyone to get themselves over to in front of the camera.

Everypony, the Team JAG Band and Team Sonic walked around the Princess and prepared for pictures. The tallest of everyone stood in the back row, with a couple kneeled down at the ends to be at similar height with some of the shorter friends. Where most of the Band took up the back row, the ponies and the Mobians were more scattered around as they all found a place to stand, or to hover in the air like Rainbow Dash, Rouge and Cheese. It took a couple minutes, but the giant group of friends got in comfortable places, but time was short as Celestia saw a cloud of steam rise from the horizon.

"Looks like the Ponyville Express is approaching," Celestia stated, "so let's try for one quick take. Everyone ready?"

"You bet," Sonic answered for the group. They all expressed themselves with smiles and their own gestures, from hooves in the air to thumbs-up and devil horns. As usual for Team Sonic, their only exception came from Shadow, who stood in a corner behind Maria and Gohan while focusing his eyes in another direction. But unlike most other times where his arms were crossed, he held one arm down and wrapped the other around Maria's back. 

"Ready!" Nyx yelled with glee.

Celestia nodded and set the camera in front of her, making sure she got the right focus and had the entire group in frame. Looking at the group one more time for a quick check, she could see the happy faces they all expressed, none looking happier than Tails, Cosmo, Nyx and Twilight. It had been a trying time for them throughout the Equestria Games, but they were about to depart having enjoyed their time together. That thought made Celestia smile herself, happy to see that no matter what was thrown in the way of Twilight, her former student still focused on the good that had come to them.

It didn't help that she felt sour about having to tell Twilight about the new requests the dignitaries from Maretonia had made to keep those present from their next meeting at a three Princess minimum.

"Alright then, here we go in one... two... three."

*FLASH*