Friends of other worlds travel the land with a self-titled festival to share with everypony
Welcome to JAGFest 2014!
The inter-dimensional tribute band, the Team JAG Band, returns to Equestria for several days of rocking out with ponies familiar or newly befriended. Princess Twilight, her family and her friends accompany them as they travel across the great pony nation for fun, excitement, unity, all with the harmonic sounds of music. At the same time, Tails and Cosmo, best friends of Ponyville's most recognized heroes and alicorns, get to discover Equestria even greater than before, and witness their worlds coming closer together in the process. Together, they make history as Equestria hosts a series of festivals like never before.
Crossover tag for Tails and Cosmo of Sonic X, as well as all other characters outside of My Little Pony.
Nyx is owned by Pen Stroke from the story Past Sins and all connected sequels
Throughout the land of Equestria, ponies had been in preparation. It was weeks ago when the land’s faithful princesses made the announcement for events that would be very new to ponykind, and no corner wasted any time in doing their part to help. Princess Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship and leading official of everything that was going on, had put her trust in her best friends, family, and good acquaintances as she was only available for mere moments at a time because of another commitment. Soon, the plans were to be put to fruition, and the hopes and goals that Twilight had aimed for would soon be tested to be met. It was no secret that, as stressed as she could have been, she was confident and prepared for this new mission.
It was a day of new beginnings for a single trek with multiple stops and adventures along its path. For most ponies, it was their greatest opportunity to come close with a group that promised their greatest mission for unity and peace amongst ponykind, and make as many new friends along the way as possible. For others, it would be a test for a band of strangers’ abilities and mission statements for a better, more connected nation that was promised. For Twilight, it was her chance to prove to her subjects what consequences would follow when her decisions and visions would become reality. But most of all, for Tails and Cosmo, heroes of Mobius and recognized friends of the Elements of Harmony and honored family of the Princess’s daughter, it was their chance to show everypony the strongest force of the Team JAG Band.
It was the first day of the Equestrian Masquerade, the next frontier for JAGFest.
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All across the Crystal Empire, ponies took part in various activities and events. It was like the annual Crystal Fair, but instead of solely bringing the hearts of crystal ponies together to strengthen the Crystal Heart, it served for only fun and enjoyment of all things such. Medieval combat demonstrations, empire-inspired delicacies, and traditions only found within the borders, the Crystal Empire served well as the inaugural JAGFest for Equestria.
Weeks prior, when the proposition of JAGFest coming to Equestria was confirmed, leaders and representatives of each hosting city voted for the order of which shows the band would play, in cooperation to the calendar dates they had requested. Along with the Elements of Harmony, the Princesses, the Master Four, and Tails and Cosmo, it was decided that the city that introduced ponykind to the Team JAG Band would be the very place to end the festival’s run. As for its beginning, it was Princess Mi Amore Cadenza who offered to have the Crystal Empire host the first day, as her offer to thank the heroes of Team JAG for their assistance in taking down Lord Tirek several months ago. Regardless of a few other ponies’ insistence for their cities to have the honor, it was Princess Celestia who seconded the motion, followed by Twilight, Cosmo, Luna, Tails, and eventually over half of the meeting’s participants.
For the first day, it was almost perfect. Families were enjoying the festival, friends were having great times together, even the empire’s royal family were having the time of their lives. Many events were going well, saving few minor setbacks from an attendance that included ponies who had traveled from across Equestria to join, if not able to go to any following days of the band’s residence.
The one thing that did show negative impact was the skeptical views of a few particular ponies. They were ones who questioned this event taking place, much like how ponies still have less than tolerating thoughts on the former Nightmare Moon’s ‘punishment.’ However, those of the band and of royal standings knew that such ponies were inevitable to come across, and it was Tails who addressed this to some ponies that were very much vocal about the festival, as he would say to anypony else during the residence.
“The point of the Team JAG Band and JAGFest is to always bring worlds together, whether it being within one world or connecting all worlds together. We are not here to cause any trouble, or to promote anything wrong. Like how some fear Nyx for who she was, we fear of not assuring you of our goals. Equestria, from the moment it was discovered, has always shown us the powerful bond that is friendship, and the Elements of Harmony – honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty, and magic – are the strongest examples of what we’ve been given, and what we intend to give in return.
“All I ask is if you give us a chance to prove ourselves. Twilight, her friends and her family have; your Princesses have; Ponyville did so, twice even; and the Crystal Empire allowed us to close the Equestria Games for you. For the next few weeks, JAGFest’s Equestrian Masquerade will make sure of that, because we want to earn your world’s friendship so much.”
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Sunset was drawing hear as the Crystal Empire Stadium was letting in the last of its attendees. Much like the JAGFests in previous dimensions, it drew in enough ponies to fill the arena to a maximum capacity, even if part of the sitting area was blocked off for the stage’s position. Much like other arenas the band have performed in, it was set at one end to view the most of the entire venue, allowing ponies to take whatever available seats possible if not able to stand in the open field at the ground level. The stage itself was exactly like what was used for shows before starting the Equestrian residency, with all the advanced technology and equipment taken from worlds beyond to provide the full experience the band intended to give. It was only done once before, to very mixed reactions from ponies, but there was confidence of great success from the interdimensional travelers, but their pony friends as well.
High above most of the stands was the Royal Suite, where those of highest recognition or privately invited were gathered to sit and watch. Each stop along the band’s trek would have a section like this for a very particular group of ponies; their best friends from Equestria. Sitting in the box included Princess Cadance and her baby daughter Skyla, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and the original three Cutie Mark Crusaders – Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. All but the Princess and foal were not only the honored guests of Princess Twilight and the band, but also the volunteering tour guides for the band during their travels, for they were all going to use a specially provided train to travel across Equestria for each city the band would perform at. For everypony, it had been one long and exciting day, but it was finally reaching the epic climax.
“Ah yeah, this is going to be sweet,” said Rainbow Dash, having becoming so excited that she could barely sit still. “I’ve been waiting for this start for weeks! These shows are going to be awesome!”
“I know I know I know I know!” Pinkie chanted, bouncing up and down over and over. “Can you believe it? Day after day of festival parties and night after night of musical parties! It’s like a super-amazing-unbelievable-exciting-mega-super party plus!”
Applejack only grinned and added “I suppose that’s one way to look at it. But, I have to say, it is excitin’. What about you, Crusaders? You lookin’ forward to-“ The orange mare couldn’t finish her question, let alone get an answer out of the trio of fillies, who were all talking to each other at once with a lot of excitement. Leaving them be, she could only chuckle and turn her head back down towards the stage.
“Tails and the others really enjoyed their day with the crystal ponies. He promised that they were going to kick off their tour here with some memorable songs,” Cadance stated, recalling earlier events. “I’m sure it’s going to be wonderful, especially when everyone else arrives. Right, Skyla?”
Cadance motioned towards her baby pegasus, Princess Skyla, who sat in her own little chair that sat right on the mother’s throne’s arm rest. The foal just waved her hooves up and shouted “Iwadarak!” Chuckling at the foal’s adorable actions, Cadance gave her little one a nuzzle.
“I have to say, I must give the band some recognition on what they have to perform with down there,” Rarity added, her eyes looking around at what was on the stage. The setup with the onstage instruments, the giant background screen behind it, the speakers walled up at each side of the front; it was, as some bands would describe, a heavy metal setup. “Those two brothers really put a lot of effort into setting that up just right. I look forward to see the band’s performance.”
“I know! They couldn’t do it any cooler if they tried!” Rainbow followed. This was followed by several surprised stares aimed at her direction, as if what she said was never expected. “What?”
Moving the conversation forward, Fluttershy said “Oh, I do look forward to some of the kinds of songs they play. Just… not the really, really loud ones. That music could scare some ponies… or, just me…”
“Oh don’t you worry about that, Sugarcube. You know it’s all for fun; plus, from what Twilight said, the band sure knows how to play it. I know they’ve been performin’ for so long before the first time we caught a concert, but I’ll be darned if they start slackin’ for a show like this.”
“Hey, that reminds me. Where is Twilight? And Nyx? And Spike?” asked the curious pink mare.
“They’re down with Shining Armor backstage,” Cadance explained, “so they could use their magic to teleport here together for the show starts. After all, Shining is the host for today, so he’ll be introducing the band in just a little bit.”
“And we look forward to the main event that approaches.”
Heads turned around towards the entrance into the suite. Joining them now were friends that nopony expected to see there, at least not yet. The first voice, spoken in older Equestrian tongue, came from one of the only two ponies amongst the arriving group. The second pony spoke next and said “It’s good to see you all again. We’re glad we made it just in time. We would have been here sooner, but there were some conversations that kept us busy back in Canterlot…”
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“Come on, everyone, gather around!”
In the backstage area, the entire Team JAG Band was making their final preparations before taking the stage. Along with Cosmo and members of the Sparkle family, they gathered into a single group and faced the one calling them out; Tails. “According to Phineas, we have a few minutes before the show begins, so now’s the best time to get all our preparations finalized. Shining Armor, are you ready to take the stage?”
“Yes I am,” replied the stallion. “Now, how brief do you want me to speak?”
“You’ve got a good few minutes, so don’t worry about it too much,” Phineas said, giving the Crystal Prince his instructions. “We have a microphone stand set up center stage for you to talk into, so you don’t have to yell as loud as you can like at the Equestria Games. If you’re ready now, we’ve got you all set.”
Shining Armor nodded and replied “Then I guess I’ll head out now. Twilight, would you like to join me as a surprise guest for the ponies?”
Before Twilight could reply, Tails spoke and said “Actually, we were hoping if Twilight and the others would join us in our first huddle. That is, if you all wouldn’t mind.”
“Sure!” Nyx and Spike yelled in unison.
Twilight, considering the offer, ultimately nodded once with her decision. “We’d be honored.” She then turned to her brother and add “Shining, I’m-“
“Hey, don’t apologize. It’s a nice moment for you guys to have together. Go enjoy it,” said the stallion, and the two then shared a hug. When the hug broke, Shining Armor walked out onto the stage to make his introductory speech to the audience.
“Alright then, bring it in everyone,” Jason said, as the group came in for the huddle.
Tails looked back to see Phineas, Ferb, and Cosmo standing aside. He grinned to the three and said “That includes you guys too, now get in here so we can start this.” The group opened up their circle to allow the three in, with the Seedrian getting between her beloved fox and the alicorn princess. It was then motioned for Tails to officially start their huddle, and help hype the band for what’s to come.
“Friends, this is it. This is the biggest JAGFest project we’ve put together; the Equestrian Masquerade. Other than Mobius, this is our very first residency playing several shows in one world in just so much time, and you know what, it feels right. No, it feels amazing. I can’t thank you all so much for making this happen, from our stage crew, to our everlasting support, to our first contacts with this world, and to all of my brothers and sisters that make this band possible. Let’s give these ponies all we got, in every song, every night, because I’ll be damned by the Brotherhood of Darkness if I don’t. Now I know your answers already, but I want to hear this, and I want Twilight and Nyx to hear this the most…
“Are we ready to make a difference in Equestria? Are we ready to give it all we got?! Are we ready for this whole new adventure!?!”
“A-Booyah!” Ron exclaimed.
“Bring it on!” Yumi added.
“Without a doubt to think of,” added Yugi.
“You know we got your backs,” followed Phineas.
“And your amps,” Ferb joked.
“You know I’m ready,” Gohan said.
“That goes double for me!” said Ami.
“Let’s do it,” encouraged Kim.
“It’s about time we do this,” Ash added.
“Ready when you all are,” followed Aelita.
“It’s about to get legendary,” Dan proclaimed.
“There’s nothing better we’d rather be doing right now,” Jason said, concluding the band members.
“Alright! Let’s start rockin’ out!” Spike yelled.
“I can’t wait! This will be amazing!” Nyx yelled, practically screamed.
“Thank you everyone,” Twilight said. “I know you’re doing to do great and have so much fun here.”
“And I am so proud of all of you,” Cosmo said. She then turned to kiss Tails’s furry white cheek and add “Now go out there and make me prouder than ever before.”
Trying to hide a bashful blush, Tails began to wrap things up with the huddle, and extended his hand into the open center of them all. “Alright, put ‘em in, everyone,” he said, and then they all extended out a hand, claw or hoof that piled up all together. “We are in Equestria. This is our time for harmony. This is, and never will be again, the ultimate tour! You know the name! Equestrian Masquerade in 1… 2… 3!”
“EQUESTRIAN MASQUERADE!!!”
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“…And so, fillies and gentlecolts, ponies and guests of all of Equestria, it is my honor to introduce to you… The Team JAG Band!”
A bright flash then illuminated around Shining Armor as he had seemingly disappeared from the lit up stage. The moment he was gone, it all went dark in the entire stadium. Where the stallion and his sister, niece and ‘nephew’ were teleported up to the Royal Suite, an audio sound was heard being played; the introductory song of the upcoming four-hour set. At long last, the Masquerade had begun…
CHRYSALIS REVEALED – William Anderson/audio introduction CONDEMNED– As I Lay Dying/Ash/Dan on rhythm guitar and clean vocals FIGHT ‘EM ‘TILL YOU CAN’T – Anthrax/Ash/Tails and Dan on rhythm guitars DIGNITY – Bullet For My Valentine/Yugi + rhythm guitar FALLEN WORLD – Dragonforce/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer
“Crystal Empire…” Ami said, standing center stage before the crowd of ponies, “…WELCOME TO JAGFEST!!!” Just then, the current backing back kicked in with a small jam, and the audience cheered loudly for them. She then went on to say “It is our honor to finally be back in Equestria, and see all of our new friends again. We have A LOT of surprises coming your way tonight, and the next night, and every single night that follows that! But for tonight, for all of you, are you ready to be shown what we got?!” She paused to let another cheer be heard, and then concluded with “Then let’s get this show back on track. Yumi, my best friend, if you would please…”
JUST DRIVE – In This Moment/Ami with Gohan lienup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Yumi on acoustic guitar and backing vocals SULFUR – Slipknot/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples WAY TOO FAR – Korn/Yugi/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards, Aelita on turntables/programming/samples ALL AROUND ME – Flyleaf/Yumi with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar FACELESS MAN – Creed/Jason/Tails on dual-neck electric/acoustic guitar
“How is everypony doing tonight?!” Tails called out, standing at his microphone stand and wearing his favorite guitar. The sight of the iconic fox caused every voice imaginable to cheer, every hoof possible to stomp or clap, any sign of respect or joy to see him presented, all of which he kindly took in and returned with a respectful bow. “I can’t describe just how amazing it is for us to be back in Equestria again, even more so with what we’ll be up to for the next few weeks. So, I think it’s fair to tell you part one of each night’s theme that we have in store; rehearsal sets.
“What that means is, we’re opening shows tonight with songs that the band has put together in the past to warm up and rehearse to during down time and before some past shows. Some of these songs we’ve played countless times, and others we’ve never played live before. For the Crystal Empire, we chose our rehearsal set from over a year ago, around the time this band had its Seventh Anniversary Concert back in my home world of Mobius. This next song, is by my favorite band; a bit of a darker tune, but I hope you like it like we do…”
BEHIND THOSE EYES – 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals STANDING IN THE SUN – Slash/Jason/Tails on lead guitar IN THE AIR TONIGHT [PHIL COLLINS] – Broach/Gohan/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard WITNESS THE ADDICTION – Suicide Silence/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Yugi on Jonathon Davis vocals HELL & BACK – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar
Ash and Dan then stepped out on opposite ends of the stage, each one looking out at everypony. The former spoke first and said “Hey Crystal Empire, are you having fun yet?!” He earned a fairly loud cheer before he repeated his question, and got an even louder one in return. Following that, he continued to speak with “I need to take a moment right now, and direct your attention, up where your Prince and Princess are with all of our friends from Ponyville… and Mobius. I want you guys out there to make a big, big round of applause to everyone up there, but none especially more than your own Prince Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, and little Skyla. So now, crystal ponies… MAKE SOME NOISE!” The citizens of the empire cheered loudly and proudly for their two rulers and the foal, allowed to do so for so long before Dan began to speak.
“Thank you so much, Prince and Princess, and to all of our friends up there right now, and spending JAGFest with us. Now, it’s time we kept this rolling, with another favorite band of ours. Like Tails’s favorite, this is one of the Master Four bands that always influences us every day, and thus we never try to play a show without their music included in each, and every, set that we play. This goes out, to the guys in Linkin Park, masters of their own craft back where they reign. This song is called ‘A Place For My Head…’”
A PLACE FOR MY HEAD – Linkin Park/Ash and Dan on co-vocals/Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples MARY ANN’S PLACE – Volbeat/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Ami on female vocals REDNECK – Lamb of God/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar BORN TO RUN [BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN] – Wolfsbane/Yugi
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
CAPSIZING THE SEA – Trivium/only Tails on piano, Kim and Ron on rhythm guitars, Dan on bass guitar, Ami on drums, Yumi and Aelita on custom percussion IN WAVES – Trivium/Yugi + rhythm guitar/transitions straight into next song BRAVE THIS STORM – Trivium/Yugi + rhythm guitar DOWN FROM THE SKY – Trivium/Yugi + rhythm guitar STRIFE – Trivium/Yugi + lead guitar ASCENDANCY – Trivium/Yugi + rhythm guitar
Standing on the high riser behind Ash on the drums was Gohan on stage right, Jason on stage left, and the current leader Yugi in the center, the third who had his turn to speak to the crowd of ponies. “I want to hear you alive, Crystal Empire, now make some noise!” His command was answered as great as he had hoped. “Welcome to the second theme of the set tonight, where we have chosen different bands that each member of our band hand-picked to play a ten-song set each and every night. The band we chose for tonight’s set, is none other than one of our newest additions to play; TRIVIUM! We are really excited for some of these bands we’ve chosen to play for you, because they’ve been very influential to us for the last several months, and it is our honor to play their music out of respect and admiration we have for them and make it a brand new experience for all of you.” He paused as the crowd began to cheer and whistle for a couple moments before, without so much as a warning, he began to play the opening riff to the next song.
A NEW BEGINNING – Devil You Know/Jason/Ron on rhythm guitar THROUGH WITH YOU – Anvil/Ash + rhythm guitar HUNTED – Device/Gohan/Ron on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard/synthesizer/samples THE STONE – Ashes Divide/Yugi + rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboards WISHES – Coal Chamber/Jason
“Who out there is having fun tonight?!” Yumi asked the audience, and a series of applauding and cheering filled the arena once more. “That’s what I want to hear, but who out there is still wanting more fun?!” She paused again and allowed an even louder cheer and applause to be heard. “Well, we’ll have Jason explain what this part of the set is all about, but right now it’s my turn to keep things going again. We have a special song we’d like to play for you, one that we played not too long ago, and has most likely become my favorite cover song to sing. To all my pony friends, this song is called…
“’Straight… Through the Heart.’”
STRAIGHT THROUGH THE HEART [DIO] – Halestorm/Yumi with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar DAMAGE CASE – Motorhead/Gohan + rhythm guitar THE GHOST OF TOM JOAD (2014 VERSION) – Bruce Springsteen/Jason + lead guitar/Ash on Tom Morello vocals as well as co-lead guitar, Tails on piano, Ami on violin, Yumi on mandolin, Aelita on keyboard, Dan on acoustic guitar, Kim and Ron on rhythm guitars FLUTTERWONDER – PinkiePieSwear/only Aelita on keyboard/programming/samples DESTINY ISLANDS – Yoko Shimomura/only Tails on piano
After the last song had ended, the entire band walked out onto the stage, taking each of their positions for the next performance. Jason, who was technically the ‘front’ of the current lineup, took a seat at one of the two grand pianos; one for his height, and the other specifically for Tails. A look up at the higher sections of seating showed a flash of magical energy, followed by a second flash back down at the side-stage exit. Four friends were there in the wait, ready for the next song to take place, and so Jason, adjusting a microphone that sat on the top of his piano, took his turn to say a few words.
“Before we start this next song, I’m going to tell you about the third leg of our set. As one of our ultimate challenges to ourselves and how far we can go performing music, during this part of each show we play here at JAGFest will consist of all different bands; none shall repeat unless having a different voice, no voice shall repeat unless used in other projects, brand new band and song premieres. There will be so much going on in these sets, including inviting out our new friends we made since Tails and Cosmo introduced as all to Equestria. This next song, is for all who search for their purpose, wanting to know who you are, who you will have by your side; how You’ll Play Your Part…”
YOU’LL PLAY YOUR PART – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/Princesses Twilight, Celestia, Luna and Cadance with Jason lineup/Jason on piano, Ash and Yugi on acoustic guitars, Ami and Yumi on violins, Tails and Dan on cellos, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim and Ron on extra percussion SAY YOU’LL HAUNT ME – Stone Sour/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar HELL TO PAY – Deep Purple/Yugi/Tails on keyboard/organ SOMETHING BETTER – Flyleaf/Kim with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Ash on male vocals, Ron on drums LIPS OF AN ANGEL (ACOUSTIC) – Hinder/Gohan/only with Ron on acoustic guitar, Aelita on symphonic keyboard EMPIRES (PART 1) – Kittie/only Ami on acoustic guitar EMPIRES (PART 2) – Kittie/Ami with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar, Yumi on extra rhythm guitar and backing/growl vocals
“Crystal Empire, I have a declaration to make,” Gohan said to the audience, making sure each and every pony had his attention before declaring “You have set us up to take on ALL of Equestria! All of you bucking rock!” He threw a fist in the air, as if becoming a champion, while all the ponies cheered loudly for what he said. When it quieted down some, he continued with “We only have a few more left for you tonight, so I want to keep this going as hard, as loud and as empowering as you’ve made this night for us. Let’s see how you like this…”
WHEN DARKNESS FALLS – Crematory/Gohan/Dan on rhythm guitar and clean vocals, Tails on keyboards THIS IS A TRICK – Crosses/Ash/Ami on keyboard, Aelita on turntables/programming/samples GOD OF THUNDER [KISS] – White Zombie/Jason CHILDLIKE – Mushroomhead/only Ron on Jus Mic vocals, Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Dan and Kim on keyboards/synthesizers, Aelita on turntables/samples, Jason on drums SON OF 7 – Mushroomhead/Ash on Jeffrey Nothing vocals, Gohan on J-Mann vocals, Yugi on Waylon vocals/Jason on drums, Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Kim on keyboard/synthesizer, Ron and Dan on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples/fadeout outro
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ENCORE: KING OF THE HOARD! – William Anderson/audio instrumental VICTIMIZED – Linkin Park/Ash and Dan on co-vocals/Tails on lead guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer/programming, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples GUILTY ALL THE SAME – Linkin Park/Ash/Tails on lead guitar, Dan on keyboard/backing vocals, Ron on Rakim vocals, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples SHATTERING THE SKIES ABOVE – Trivium/Yugi + rhythm guitar/outro jam of ‘You’ll Play Your Part’ IN MEMORIAM (OF THE CRYSTAL PONIES) – Carbon Maestro/audio instrumental
“THANK YOU SO MUCH, CRYSTAL EMPIRE!” Yugi called out from an available microphone. “You have helped us kick off JAGFest here with a huge bang! We hope to get to see you all again soon, and we’ll tell everypony in Cloudsdale you said hi! Until we meet again, my friends! GOOD NIGHT!”
And with that, the first night of the Equestrian Masquerade had ended. The band had fun, and their friends watching them enjoyed it all the same. It was time for a well-deserved rest in the castle before departing the next morning on a train filled with their equipment, their friends, and their drive to see each festival to the end. The Crystal Empire got the first taste for what was to come, and the hometown of two of Equestria’s most iconic pegasi hero would get a show like never before, or perhaps not ever again.
Sitting high above Equestria’s surface, the pegasus capital of Cloudsdale was bustling with activity. The city was in full swing for the second day of JAGFest: Equestrian Masquerade, with all sorts of events and activities that celebrated the ways of itself and all things pegasi. If it was anything related to aerial mastering, weather conducting and competitive spirit, it was made to happen.
The Team JAG Band, the Mane Six, and all their accompanying friends from Mobius and Ponyville arrived the afternoon prior, and nopony was more excited for the festival than Rainbow Dash. As she was happy to go back to her and Fluttershy’s hometown, she was more than excited to see everything that would take place, but a conversation on the train ride put her at ecstatic level Pink – for Pinkie Pie – when Nyx asked Twilight who was hosting the day’s events. The moment Twilight said who it was, Rainbow’s jaw dropped to the floor and then turned into the biggest grin possible; the Wonderbolts were hosting her hometown’s JAGFest.
But as fun and exciting as getting to Cloudsdale was, there was a setback that nearly drove the main event surface bound. Once the festival had officially begun, the ponies offered to give all the interdimensional travelers a tour of the city. Since only Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Twilight and Nyx were capable of walking on clouds naturally, the latter casted a spell to allow everyone unable to fly to walk on clouds, but only for one full day. The cyan mare, acting as the main tour guide, took them to explore the weather factory and see how all the seasons are prepared, and walk-bys at a familiar training camps and the Wonderbolts’ Cloudsdale headquarters, the only one in Equestria considered more important than the one in Canterlot.
Their last destination came at the Cloudstadium, an open Olympic-styled arena used for the annual best flyers competition, but rebuilt and expanded for JAGFest. A look inside revealed enough seating and standing area to accommodate far more attendees than just Cloudsdale’s population; the size could invite all winged creatures as far as an aerial eye can see. It was very nicely designed, even with having a single cloud mass allowing pegasi to stand if not hover, and a private section specifically for honored guests and hosts. The stage section, an open break in the arena facing southeast, currently sat as open space until the band’s handy stage crew could assemble things.
However, there was one vital error to everything the pegasus construction crew couldn’t do.
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“What do you mean you have no support clouds for the stage?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. The moment she heard that news from a pegasus who worked on the stadium’s remodeling, she and Twilight lead the group on a hunt. They searched for and found the chief engineer, who was fortunately and conveniently on site making a final inspection.
“I mean we couldn’t do it,” the engineer said, with an annoyed and disrespectful tone to the cyan mare. “We got the weight amount and what was gonna be built, and we tried as many times as the sleepless night I had trying to find a way to make it work. There was nothing that worked.”
“And you couldn’t have told us this BEFORE TODAY?!”
“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said sternly, “that’s enough!” The pegasus looked over at her friend, snorted to let out some frustration, and then stepped back. The princess turned her attention to the engineer and, in a more respectful voice, said “I’m sorry if the demands were too great, but my friend is right. You didn’t inform anypony and have the message relayed to us. I’m afraid I’ll have to ask for a brief audience with your superiors before my friends and I leave tomorrow afternoon.”
“I understand, Your Highness,” said the engineer, trying not to grunt. “I’ll let them know at once.” He then flew off, but nobody held high hopes for him managing to relay the message. Regardless of that, the more important issue still had to be dealt with.
“This isn’t good,” Ron Stoppable said. “How are we supposed to play in a city of clouds if there aren’t any clouds to play on?”
“I don’t know. The show is mere hours away, and if that rude pony was correct, Cloudsdale doesn’t have the means to support a stage,” said Rarity.
Sonic, scratching his head with a finger, half-jokingly half-seriously commented with “I can imagine ponies that can fly can have their heads in the clouds, but that guy’s thinking cap was as hard as a rock.”
Silence fell for a few moments; some trying to ignore the terrible use of puns the blue hedgehog had just made, and most thinking of some sort of solution. Applejack suggested looking for decent land to use and move the concert down there, but Rainbow Dash argued that it wasn’t the Cloudsdale way, and the two ended up quarrelling back and forth about the topic. Even Apple Bloom and Scootaloo got involved, defending their big sisters’ statements and ended up fighting with each other as well. They didn’t even consider how Fluttershy was the one in a rare amount of pegasi who preferred being on the ground rather than the air, and it took her to get between the two and break up the fight.
Following that was more silence, but much briefer than before. Tails and Cosmo, both just smiling and waiting for things to calm down enough, stood next to their solution, who all were right by Twilight, Spike and Nyx. They waited until the two alicorns of the group, after much deep thought, turned their heads to the answer to their unforeseen dilemma.
“Phineas & Ferb!”
/)∞(\
JAGFest was proving more and more successful as the hours passed by. Everypony enjoyed the festivities that were offered, and some got to meet the interdimensional travelers and ask about worlds beyond their own. At long last, it came down to the final portion of the night, and that was the Team JAG Band taking the stage.
Pegasi from all around Cloudsdale, and many from all across Equestria, flew right in and took their respectful seats in the stands or space on the cloud-made floor. Twilight and most of the group of friends had already gathered in their private sitting area, awaiting for the band to perform. They did so by looking down at the stage, and the marvel that it stood as with some updated technology, thanks to the band’s stage managers/engineers. Phineas and Ferb made a quick return to their home dimension to collect parts from the hovering superdome they built for their hometown’s JAGFest just days ago, and used the same technology for the stage itself. Now the structure stood high above the ground below, at the perfect levels for ponies to view and fully prepared to use.
But it still had to wait a little longer, for as part of their agreement to host, the Wonderbolts were given time and airspace to make a performance. Once they saw the sun at the 7pm position, they began their routine. Spitfire led Soarin, Fleetfoot and four other Wonderbolts in a routine that paid tribute to one of the original flight squads of their well-known military. Rainbow Dash, who was down at the backstage area with Cosmo and Nyx, watched the performance with much joy as she still thought of earning her place with them in the skies rather than a sideline Reserve, as she had begun to think about. Nyx, however, had seen the Wonderbolts perform during private shows for royalty and honored guests when tagging along with her mother on Canterlot business trips, and instead spent her time with Tails and Cosmo, helping the former prepare for the concert by asking question after question about his instrumental setups, warm-ups, and performing ‘secrets.’
Along with that, she learned of another secret regarding the show that evening, and why the Master Four had asked the Wonderbolts to not invite a certain flying champion to join them during the routine.
The hosts’ routine was ended when a blinking light came down from Ferb, who used the lights of the main control panel as a bright beacon to bring the pegasi down. Following one last lap around the arena, the Wonderbolts landed on the stage and Spitfire walked up to a microphone stand she was promised would be waiting for her use. The plan was for her to make an opening speech as the band made their last second preparations, and when they were done they’d swoop around and offer Cosmo and Nyx a flight to their common destination, the private suite.
“Alright, Cloudsdale, are you ready to rock?!” Spitfire said, in a commanding tone just a few degrees short of her military command voice. The large audience of pegasus ponies cheered for the military icon, and she went on to speak more.
Meanwhile, the band had gathered together backstage for the annual huddle. The challenge they had at that moment was to see if they could beat the hype they got from huddle in the Crystal Empire, and each show coming up would have to beat the one prior. As always, the challenge was accepted as they began, and also knowing a certain little filly who was trying to poke her head in.
“Guys, we had a close call with the stage being set in place, but lucky enough we solved that problem,” Tails said to start things off. Since he and Cosmo were the first ones to find Equestria, the band had asked him to start off each huddle during their Masquerade run. “Phineas, Ferb, we owe you guys big time for what you pulled off today, but right now we have the city of Cloudsdale waiting to see what we got. Who’s ready to give them that, and all of the more?”
“All that we’ve got, we’ll give,” Ash said, on behalf of everyone.
All the others nodded in agreement and said in unison “Right,” with determination and drive.
“Then hands in,” said the fox, and each one put a hand in the center. “Tonight, we will send sonic booms of music throughout the skies of Equestria. Let’s make Cloudsdale shine so bright that we’ll become one of Princess Luna’s stars of her night sky. I want to make heavy metal thunder loud and proud! Heavy Metal Thunder on three. 1… 2… 3!”
“HEAVY METAL THUNDER!!!”
And with that, the huddle had broken apart, with Nyx stumbling down. She tried to reach her hoof up and join in the hands-in part, but she couldn’t reach far enough. Tails helped the filly back up and said to her “And next time, you can just ask to hop on my back and look over my head.” He then rustled his hand playfully in her mane, chuckling while she laughed and nodded. “Now, I could use one more thing to get this show going…”
“Well, here’s one,” said Cosmo, who had walked up next to the two in order to lean down and peck a kiss on his cheek.
“And here’s another,” added Nyx, who raised her hoof up for a fist/hoof bump, which he gladly returned. “Now go break a leg.”
“Well, not quite yet,” said the fox. He got back up and added “You get ready to go back to you mother and the others. There’s one more thing we need to do before the Wonderbolts finish with their speech.” He then turned his head to call out “Hey, Rainbow Dash, you got a second?”
The cyan pegasus trotted over to them and said “Sure, what’s up? The Wonderbots are almost done out there.”
“We know, but the band and I were wondering if you did us a favor later. You see, towards the end of our set, we wanted to give you this signal, and when you see that,…”
/)∞(\
THE SUMMER SUN CELEBRATION – William Anderson/audio introduction BULLETS – Creed/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Aelita on symphonic keyboard/triple-length intro CREEPING DEATH – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar THE SOUND OF TRUTH – As I Lay Dying/Ash/Dan on rhythm guitar and clean vocals MY OWN HELL – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar
“HOW ARE WE DOING TONIGHT, CLOUDSDALE?!” Jason yelled to the crowd. Everyone cheered loudly and most raised hooves as their answer to him. “In case some of you don’t know where you at, allow me to address that… WELCOME. TO. JAGFEST!” He paused to allow the crowd to cheer once again, looking up at all their in-crowd friends doing the same, with a few clapping or whistling instead. “It’s an honor to be here and perform for you guys tonight, so much so that we picked a special variety of songs, just for you. There are three phases to this show, and right now we’re in the first one, but more on that later. I don’t want to hold up this show for too long, I don’t want to be stopped, because I… Am… UNDAUNTED!...” With that last exclamation, the band began to play the next song of the set.
UNDAUNTED – Adrenaline Mob/Jason/Ron on rhythm guitar WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE – Kill Devil Hill/Yugi WHERE WILL YOU GO – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Jason on male vocals, Tails on piano/keyboard/samples, Ami on drums CHANGES – 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals SIMPLE MAN [LYNYRD SKYNYRD] – Shinedown/Yugi/only with Tails on acoustic guitar
“So, Cloudsdale, have you been enjoying your day of the Equestrian Masquerade?” Tails asked, standing at his microphone stand and with one of his favorite Les Paul guitars. The audience of pegasus majority cheered happily in return before he continued with “Well, I couldn’t ask for anything different. So, like Jason said earlier, there are three phases we have for each set we’ll be playing, and this first one is special because it’s comprised of songs we practiced and rehearsed before several shows from a couple years ago. These were songs that really drove us to actually do JAGFest in the first place, including this next song. We hope you like it as much as I do. This song is called ‘Anastasia…’”
ANASTASIA – Slash/Jason/Tails on lead guitar, Dan on acoustic guitar intro LIMELIGHT – Rush/Yugi/Tails on keyboard/synthesizer ERUPTION – Van Halen/only with Jason on lead guitar, Kim on bass guitar, Ron on drums INTOXICATED – Lacuna Coil/Yumi with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Tails on keyboard BURN IT DOWN – Linkin Park/Ash/Dan on lead guitar and co-vocals, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Yumi on bass guitar, Aelita on keyboard/programming/samples, Jason on turntables/MIDI pad GET UP! – Korn/Yugi/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on turntables/programming/samples
As the band was lining up for the next song, Gohan stood at the center front of the stage, a microphone in his grip to use. “Alright… I think it’s time we throw in a real special treat for you guys now,” he announced to the filled arena. “Where we’re from, there are two bands with very unique identities, but a rivalry formed from their fans. For us and for what we do, we play both bands’ music as often as we can, because both are equally important and influential, and they go by the names of Slipknot, and Mushroomhead. Before the second phase of the set begins, we’re going to show you some epic goddamn metal performed with every bit of energy we got, but to do this, we need you to show us the same energy. WILL YOU DO THAT FOR US?!” He allowed the entire crowd to cheer, which they did and held for a few moments, and concluded with “Then let’s get this going with one of our favorite songs for the Filthy…
“’Solitaire… Unraveling.’”
SOLITAIRE/UNRAVELING – Mushroomhead/Ash on Jeffrey Nothing vocals, Gohan on J-Mann vocals/Jason on drums, Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Yugi on synthtar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Dan and Ron on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples THE HERETIC ANTHEM – Slipknot/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples
“You are awesome tonight, Cloudsdale! Make some noise!” Ash called out to the audience, and they responded with a long, loud round of cheering. “Come on, ponies, I know you got more than that. I SAID MAKE SOME NOISE!” He paused again and allow the stage to be crashed by a wave of the loudest cheering they’ve heard from the audience that far into the night. “Welcome to the second part of tonight’s set, where we pay tribute to a band that has really put a spark in our motivation, and tonight, just for you, we pay tribute to one of the original forgers of heavy metal: SAXON! But before we go on any further, I want to dedicate this song to all the fillies and colts here tonight, especially those in search of their cutie marks. Like our little friends from Ponyville, who are in attendance tonight, you are all… Crusaders.”
CRUSADER – Saxon/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on acoustic guitar, Aelita and Tails on symphonic keyboards RAINBOW THEME – Saxon/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar REQUIEM (WE WILL REMEMBER) – Saxon/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar
Ash took another brief turn to speak to the audience before the band continued. “Alright, so we have a few more songs coming up before the third phase of the set, and the more I think about these next songs, the more I’m thinking of all you pegasi out there. We got to know quite a bit of your history from Princess Twilight and her daughter, not to mention everypony we met around the festival today, and the more I learned, I thought of three things. #1- I can see that you take your stand at fight at the moment’s notice. #2- When you succeed, you hold that pride you’ve earned greatly. And #3- Rainbow Dash may be the biggest amongst you, but Cloudsdale as a whole are all motherfucking METALHEADS!” As the audience began to cheer once again, the band automatically got right back into performing.
METALHEAD – Saxon/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar STAND UP & FIGHT – Saxon/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Dan on extra rhythm guitar and guitar solo intro POWER & THE GLORY – Saxon/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar/outro jam
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
SANGRE POR SANGRE (BLOOD FOR BLOOD) – Hellyeah/Gohan/Dan on rhythm guitar, Ron on megahorn vocals BLOODDRUNK – Children of Bodom/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard BOUND BY THE MOON – DevilDriver/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar THE AGE OF HELL – Chimaira/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer/extended outro NEVER ENOUGH – Epica/Ami with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar and growl vocals, Aelita on symphonic keyboard SHOUT [TEARS FOR FEARS]/DEIFY/HAUNTED/WARRIOR/INTOXICATION (MEDLEY) – Disturbed/Gohan/Kim on rhythm guitar ESCAPE [METALLICA] – Hatebreed/Jason/Dan on rhythm guitar VAGABOND – Hey Ocean!/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar, Ron on Shad K vocals, Tails on keyboard, Ami on flute
The stage began to clear, where all but Ron left as Aelita and Dan made her way out to join him. The former decided to talk to the audience for a moment before a very special introduction would be made. “Cloudsdale got it going on tonight!” he declared, bringing up another uproar of cheering from the crowd. “So we have a little treat for our new friends from the Wonderbolts, who were real cool with hosting everything today…” He had to pause himself as the name of the aerial military was mentioned and celebrated with, inarguably, the loudest cheer of the night. “We’re gonna give you some Wonderbolts 101 before kicking these back in our full gear. Aelita, you may have the honors…”
Aelita, who stood at the stage’s DJ setup, used the nearby microphone to say “We invite out one of our best friends from Ponyville, and one amazing musical intervention machine. Show some love for the Element of Laughter herself- MC Pinkie Pie!” Just then, a familiar pink earth pony slid out onto the stage, wearing an outfit that nopony’s seen her wear since last spring. The crowd did not have a moment to cheer this time as the band kicked right into the next song…
THE RAPPIN’ HIST’RY OF THE WONDERBOLTS – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/Pinkie Pie/only with Aelita on turntables/samples, Ron on backing vocals REMEMBER THE NAME – Fort Minor/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Ron on Ryu vocals, Pinkie Pie on Tak vocals with own voice, Ami and Yumi on violins, Aelita on turntables/samples WALK THIS WAY – Aerosmith/Ash/Dan on rhythm guitar IT’S MY LIFE – Bon Jovi/Yugi/Ami on rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboards YOU KNOW MY NAME – Chris Cornell/Jason/Ami on rhythm guitar, Tails on symphonic keyboard MR. CROWLEY – Ozzy Osbourne/Ash/Kim on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards STILL REMAINS – Stone Temple Pilots/Gohan ROMANTIC DREAMS – Deftones/Ash/Aelita on turntables/samples
Yugi stood on the stage’s highest riser and looked over the sea of pegasi standing on the one massive cloud, and all the spaces for seating filled. He then put his sights towards the private area where Cosmo, Twilight and everyone were currently at. He waved a hand towards them, but the rest of the crowd it was meant for everypony, and returned it with cheers and waving their own hooves in the air. After having a small laugh, he took his turn to speak with the audience.
“We’re coming down towards the end, just to give you all that fair warning. Before we go on, I need you all to do me a favor and make some noise for our stage engineers, who managed to keep this show going at the last minute. Show some love for Phineas and Ferb, come on!” Cheers and applause filled the air as fans, friends, and band showed the brothers their well-earned respect, to which they just gave the Master Four a couple thumbs-ups (a gesture nopony can still understand). “To show our gratitude, we made a last second change to tonight’s set, and we’ll be playing the two’s favorite song, from a band called Breaking Benjamin. We hope you enjoy it as much as they do, so let’s start bringing today to its close…”
THE DIARY OF JANE – Breaking Benjamin/Yugi + rhythm guitar SUICIDE NOTE, PT. 1 [PANTERA] – Zakk Wylde/Gohan + lead guitar/Yugi and Jason on acoustic guitars, Ash on acoustic bass guitar AMARANTH – Nightwish/Yumi with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar, Tails and Ron on keyboards/synthesizers WONDERBOLT – dBPony/Ash/Tails on rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboard DEVOID/POSSIBILITIES OF AN IMPOSSIBLE EXISTENCE – Whitechapel/Jason/Ami and Yumi on rhythm guitars, Tails on piano
/)∞(\
ENCORE: HANGIN’ WITH DRAGONS – William Anderson/audio instrumental SPECTRUM (RAINBOW DASH’S THEME) – AcousticBrony/instrumental with Ash lineup/Ash and Tails on co-lead guitars with Gohan
“CLOUDSDALE, YOU’VE BEEN FANTASTIC TONIGHT!” Ash called out to the crowd. As he allowed them to cheer for a moment, he took a quick glance up to find a certain pegasus. Once he saw what he needed, he spoke again with “We have had an amazing day with you this JAGFest, and we can’t wait to keep this going! For all of the out-of-town travelers from Manehattan, tell them we’re coming for them next! This is our last song, so let’s ROCK THIS SHIT!”
Once the final note of the last song was made, it happened; a Sonic Rainboom appeared over the stadium, casting its vision across the upper rim of the arena before a rainbow was casted in the dark, starlit and moonlit night sky. This was all thanks to Rainbow Dash, who was asked to do this for the band to give the pegasi of Cloudsdale a true Equestrian way to close the day’s events. Now, another JAGFest was done, and the Masquerade was making its way to the city next.
An afternoon train ride from the grounds below Cloudsdale took the Team JAG Band and all their accompanying friends to their next destination. During the trip, Twilight and her friends told the band about what the next couple days would be like there, nopony more so than Rarity. Stories were told about the largest metropolitan city in Equestria, with it being the capital of all things fashion, the sights and monuments that makes the city stand out, the cultures and livelihoods of ponies there, and much more. It was all intriguing, but the one thing that could equal it all was coming within seeing range of the very city in the late evening. Just before the night had begun, the travelers and main core of JAGFest had arrived at the infamous city of Manehattan.
And just minutes after Celestia’s sun traded places with Luna’s moon, the city was in full activity with the third day of the Equestrian Masquerade. Every road and street corner had something to help celebrate, and all the businesses one could imagine left their front doors open to welcome ponies into their worlds, whether it is the infamous acting of Bridleway, some of the city’s finest food services, or anything imaginable. If any place was voided of so much attention, it was Maredison Square Garden, the city’s largest venue for almost any event imaginable, and tonight would be for the festival’s main event, and their host/opening act. Nopony was in there because of last second details being done by the venue’s staff, especially since word of the small incident in Cloudsdale the other day found its way there.
It was towards the end of the morning when the large group of band mates, Mobians, ponies and dragon were planning to check out the festival and give the newest first-time visitors a tour when a luxurious-styled taxi pulled up to their hotel. Twilight, her family and three additional guests were invited to a private event at the Museum of Pony History – or MoPH, according to Pinkie Pie – as an attempt to apologize for the less than respect towards royalty the citizens showed her during her previous visit for Fashion Week. It was a part of Twilight’s royal title that she was still uneasy with, as it separated her with her friends during a nice occasion such as JAGFest. After insisted by her friends, she took Tails, Cosmo and Yugi with her, Nyx and Spike into the taxi, and the six went to the event, not before agreeing with everyone to meet for a preshow dinner at a restaurant near the concert venue, a place called Elements of Culinary.
/)∞(\
The group divided into a few smaller groups to check out the city’s festivities, along with seeing the sights of the metropolis closer for the first-time visitors. Rarity, who had been to the city the most, led a group that included her little sister Sweetie Belle, Rouge, Knuckles, Gohan and Dan through the main fashion district of Manehattan. For some, it was a nice display of Equestria’s variety of fashion tastes, while others did not find it so appealing themselves, but for two, it was like walking through paradise.
Both Rarity and Rouge enjoyed every single site and display there was, although the former was much more professional as she mingled and conversed with both fans and entrepreneurs alike. She even got to see Coco Pummel again, who had become quite successful on the Bridleway costume scene and starting to work on clothes requested by pony elite. As for the former, the bat had her eyes fixed on the more ‘valuable’ aspect everything put on display.
It was worst when a jewelry shop was sitting at a street corner where the fashion district met the music district, with Maredison Square just up the road. A line for the arena had already built so long that it reached the intersection, ponies of all kinds talking about their excitement and what they heard from those who attended the previous two JAGFests already. When Gohan and Dan began to converse to some of the ponies in line, the others were at the jewelry store as both Rarity and Rouge decided to take a closer look at the fine gemstones, although one was getting too close for others’ comfort.
“Of all the stores we had to find during this trip, it had to be one with gems,” Knuckles complained, mainly to himself.
“You make that sound as if it couldn’t be anywhere that can be worse,” commented Sweetie Belle, who overheard the echidna.
“You’ve never had to deal with Rouge when around… well, all this,” he said, motioning a hand towards all the surrounding jewels.
The filly looked up to him with a deadpanned face and replied “Trust me, she can’t be worse than Rarity when it comes to…”
“Well hello, gorgeous!”
The two’s conversation drifted over to Rouge, who had her eyes locked on a very particular gem. It was one that took a very familiar emerald shape, and having a beautiful ocean blue color that made it look as if it was actually a gem filled with water. The bat’s eyes couldn’t turn away from such an exquisite find, taking her an extra minute to notice that Rarity had walked up beside her to look at the diamond herself.
“My goodness, what a marvelous jewel there. Such a refine cut and color, and the light reflects off of it so nicely. Oh, the ensembles I could design around this thing alone would be magnifique, a lot of repeating colors mind somepony, but still magnifique," Rarity said, falling for the jewel’s beauty like the Mobian bat.
“Forget your fashion statements,” Rouge said, a hand reaching towards it. “This would look great sitting around my neck or on my finger. All I need to do is-“
“Keep your eyes off,” Knuckles interrupted, grabbing her arm with his hand. “Did you really think you could try and snatch up a diamond when we’re here for a peaceful visit? I don’t feel like being kicked out because of you.”
Rouge scoffed, whipping her arm out of the echidna’s grip before replying “You’ve got some nerve, redhead. Who said I was planning to do that? Who said I didn’t plan to ask how much it was?” She then thought to herself, and kept in her mind, the exchange rate Equestria would have to establish with Team JAG, considering how their monetary system worked.
The two unicorn sisters didn’t like what was going on in front of them, having heard of their ‘infamous’ blowouts from Tails and Cosmo in previous conversations. Where Sweetie Belle stepped back, unaware that the front door was opening for others to enter, Rarity got between the two Mobians with her magic and tried to divide them before who knows what could happen.
“That’s quite enough, both of you,” she scolded. “I may be aware that you don’t always get along, not everyone can, but I won’t allow that during your visit here. I think it’s needless to mention that all our friends can say the same, so it would be appreciated if you both calmed yourselves and put a halt to your unmatched views.” She then recollected herself into a more calm state as both Knuckles and Rouge just stared at her near dumbfounded before staring back at each other, and then dropping the subject with silence.
“Now, that’s much better,” said Rarity, and she got the attention of the store’s clerk. “Excuse me, good fellow, I was wondering if I could bother to ask you about that jewel you have here.” She pointed a hoof to the gem of topic.
“Sorry sweetheart, that one was preordered. It’s already sold,” said the clerk, who had a heavy Manehattan accent in his voice. “In fact, she’s just walked in.”
“Well if it ain’t Miss Rarity,” said a familiar voice. Rarity’s head snapped around to see that the pony in question was none other than the Pony of Pop herself, and the opening act and host for the concert that night, Sapphire Shores. She was in the company of another pony, a white unicorn who was well known on the DJ circuit of pony music, and an invited guest of Sapphire’s to perform together later on. “I was wondering where I would find you, and I should have known it was in one of the finest jewelry stores in town. Got your eyes on my newest gem I see?”
“Oh, well, yes, I mean, I was, that is,” Rarity said, in attempt to speak a full sentence. It wasn’t always that a pony like her would run into their most prominent client in the random hours of the day. She paused her speaking in order to recollect herself once again and say clearly “It’s so nice to see you again, Sapphire.”
“And same to you, Miss Rarity,” Sapphire replied. Introductions were then made, mainly between Sapphire and her friend with Knuckles and Rouge, and a small reintroduction for Sweetie Belle as certain events of the past created a ‘random’ encounter.
Soon the group shifted into conversation about the special jewel Sapphire bought, which she explained was partly inspired by her headdress’s dolphin, and that it was the perfect size to be used as new jewelry for both performance and personal decoration. She also mentioned how it was one of the rarest gemstones in all of Equestria, said to be a one-of-a-kind if another wasn’t discovered elsewhere. Eventually, all the talking worked its way to having Sapphire pick up and leave with the gem, the entire group walking out of the store and noticing the even longer line for the concert venue. That’s when the other musician with Sapphire Shores, Vinyl, decided to ask a little question.
“So, I heard you guys got a pretty sick DJ?”
/)∞(\
“THANK YOU, MANEHATTAN!”
Sapphire Shores had just completed her performance in front of the sold out Maredison Square Garden. The Team JAG Band was kind enough to offer her, her backing band and performers full use of their stage, including the more advanced technologies, for their own performance, and it truly helped make her performance all the more spectacular. It also helped out her special guest musician, who managed to become very familiar with the band’s DJ setup. As an endless sea of ponies cheered and stomped for the Pony of Pop, who had performed an extended second encore, time was running low as it was about time for the main event, so the performing host began to make her introductory speech.
“You were all very wonderful tonight, ponies, but I think you are MORE than ready for the MAAAIIIIIIN event of the night! JAGFest has been a big hit – I know, I’ve seen it up close for myself – and now it’s time we…”
As she made her speech, the entire Team JAG Band had gathered together backstage for their annual huddle. As promised back in Cloudsdale, Nyx was permitted to stay and sit on up of Tails’s shoulders and head as the band began to hype themselves up, agreeing to leave with Cosmo when the huddle broke and meet with Twilight and everyone in the venue’s private seating, for the royal guests. It was also decided that, since he was starting the last couple huddles, the fox would do so for each show across their Equestrian Masquerade.
“Listen up, guys,” Tails said with pride and admiration, “I think it’s safe to say we all learned something about this city and everypony who lives here. When Nyx, Cosmo and I were at the private event with Twilight, we met many new friends there, most of which of higher culture who were intrigued about who we were, and what we do outside of playing music. This shows me that Equestria is getting to know us better and better, and I want to keep that same relationship building. Tonight, Manehattan gets a dose of how we do hard rock, heavy metal, and, for Aelita’s night to shine, dubstep.”
The pink-haired Lyoko warrior nodded and decided to add “I look forward to it. I met that other DJ before, and she’s got some great work of her own. Looks like there will be a little more to tonight that any of us have thought.”
Tails just smiled and nodded, followed by everyone else in the group. “We got our three phases mapped out, a good rehearsal in earlier, and the stage all warmed up and ready to go,” he added, and then looked up to Nyx and ask “Are we ready to go?”
Nyx turned her head back to where Phineas was at the main control panel, and Ferb dropping out of nowhere from above. They both gave a thumbs-up to the filly, who turned back and looked down on the group and informed them “We’re ready to go! Everybody, hoov- I mean, hands in!” A couple members of the group, most notably Cosmo, chuckled at the filly’s near ‘mistake’ in pronunciation, and threw all their hands into the center to pile them all up in one stack.
“This is it, guys. Third show for JAGFest’s Equestrian Masquerade. Third show showing ponies what we got to give for music; what we got to give for unity! After tonight, they’re going to start calling Manehattan the pony city of rock & roll! Pony Rock City on 3. 1… 2… 3!”
“PONY ROCK CITY!!!”
/)∞(\
TWILIGHT’S POWER AWAKENS – William Anderson/audio introduction WHERE ANGELS DARE TO ROAM – Kill Devil Hill/Yugi YOU THINK YOU KNOW – Device/Gohan/Ron on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboards/samples HONOR NEVER DIES – Hatebreed/Jason/Dan on rhythm guitar
“WHAT’S UP, MANEHATTAN?! WELCOME TO YOUR TURN FOR JAGFEST!!!” Dan yelled, addressing the audience of Manehattanites first. They cheered long and loud in excitement, as any fresh crowd would, but it didn’t last too so that Dan could continue talking. “We are very honored to be here at Maredison Square Garden and spend the night rocking out with everypony we could cram in here. We’ve got a lot of great surprises for you tonight, and we’ll start things off with this special rendition of a classic song. Let’s get back to getting tonight REALLY started with Metallica’s hand in remaking a little song called… ‘You Really Got Me…’”
YOU REALLY GOT ME [THE KINKS] – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Dan on extra rhythm guitar and Ray Davies vocals YOU’RE COMING WITH ME – The Agonist/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Yumi on acoustic guitar intro I’M NOT JESUS – Apocalyptica/Jason/only with Tails, Dan, Ami and Yumi on cellos, Kim on drums THE SPEED OF LOVE – Rush/Yugi/Tails on keyboard/synthesizer
“So, Manehattan, are you having fun yet?!” Yumi called out, to which her reply was a cheer as great as when Dan spoke earlier. “Are you ready for some more awesome rock and metal?!” The second response was much greater than the first, something that made Yumi grin. “Alright, then we have a real treat for you next. To do this, and explain a little more about tonight’s set, I need you guys to welcome by best friends Ami out to the stage…” She motioned the crowd to cheer louder and louder, some of which began to stomp their hooves, until Ami ran out with her own microphone in hand. The two shared a fist bump before the pink-haired musician began to talk to the crowd.
“First off, I want to thank everypony who came out and filled this place beyond capacity tonight!” she yelled, pausing for just a moment to hear the audience respond once again. “Now, onto business: tonight’s set, like all our shows during our Equestrian Masquerade, has three segments. The first one, which we are in now, consists of songs that we played during our rehearsals before certain shows for months at a time, and for you guys, we’re playing songs we rehearsed before our very first show here in Equestria earlier in the year. Here’s a song that we’ve barely been able to play live before. We hope you like it as much as we like do, and it’s called ‘Abracadaver.’”
ABRACADAVER – Treyarch Sound/Ami with Gohan lineup/Gohan and Tails on rhythm guitars, Yumi on screaming/creepy vocals, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Kim on symphonic guitar STAND HERE WITH ME – Creed/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar THE HANGMAN’S BODY COUNT – Volbeat/Gohan + rhythm guitar WIZARDS IN WINTER – Trans-Siberian Orchestra/instrumental with Yugi lineup/Yugi and Ron on rhythm guitars, Tails on co-lead guitar, Kim on extra bass guitar, Ami and Yumi on violins, Dan and Aelita on keyboards/synthesizers WISH I HAD AN ANGEL – Nightwish/Yumi with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Tails and Ron on keyboards/synthesizers ABSOLUTE ZERO – Stone Sour/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar
“Alright, are you ready for some heavy metal hip hop right now?” Gohan called out, taking his turn to speak to the ponies that cheered and stomped loudly in excitement. “Well for the last year we’ve been playing this song a whole lot, especially with one of our newest recruits to the Team JAG Band. So, with Ron helping me out on this one, I want to see everypony on the floor jumping in the air! ARE YOU READY!” He barely let the crowd respond before he gave the band the cue to get this going, which involved four hits on the cymbals by Jason before the song began.
MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT [LL COOL J] – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ron on Tech N9ne vocals STAND UP – All That Remains/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitars and backing vocals with own voice IT’S THE FEAR – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim on co-vocals with own voice WORDS DARKER THAN THEIR WINGS – Alter Bridge/Jason + lead guitar/Ash on co-vocals as well as rhythm guitar
“Get those hooves in the air, everypony!” Aelita cried out from the DJ setup, and her request was answered with an additional roaring cheer. She then went on to say “Welcome to the second part of the show, where we play a short set of songs by bands that greatly influenced us individually, and tonight it’s my turn to show you what of the guys that’s inspired me the most; Skrillex! Is everypony ready to enjoy a little dubstep party tonight?!” Perhaps the entire audience, including a good majority of everyone in the private area, yelled a long and loud “YEAH!” in response, perhaps the loudest the group has heard since the Masquerade began. It was no secret that DJ ponies had some of the biggest success in Equestria’s music scene, but to show the respect for another who appreciates the craft made the entire band feel very respected and happy. Aelita got things back in action as she said “Come on, everypony! LET’S. GET. DOWN!”
WHAT IS LIGHT WHERE IS LAUGHTER – Skrillex/only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples REPTILE – Skrillex/only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples SCARY MONSTERS AND NICE SPRITES – Skrillex/only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples BANGARANG – Skrillex/only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples/stage blacks out and new figure appears on stage as pony silhouette
DUBSTEP DISHWASHER – The Living Tombstone/only DJ Pon-3 on turntables/programming/samples VINYL’S BAD DAY – MandoPony/only DJ Pon-3 on turntables/programming/samples
WITH YOUR FRIENDS – Skrillex/only Aelita and DJ Pon-3 on turntables/programming/samples/transitions into next song LOST IN THE ECHO (KILLSONIC REMIX) – Linkin Park/only Aelita and DJ Pon-3 on turntables/programming/samples/extended outro of Linkin Park’s ‘Blackout’ bridge
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
NEON KNIGHTS [BLACK SABBATH] – Anthrax/Ash/Tails on rhythm guitar ACT OF GOD – Fear Factory/Gohan/Dan on keyboard/synthesizer HEROES OF OUR TIME – Dragonforce/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keytar IMPERIUM – Machine Head/Jason + rhythm guitar
“YOU STILL WITH US OUT THERE?!” Yugi yelled out. He stood on the stage’s high back riser with a Flying V guitar, standing stage right with Gohan and Jason down the line with their respective instruments as they heard the crowd cheer and stomp loudly for them. “You better be with us, because we just entered the third part of the night’s set, where we play a different song by different bands for you guys to enjoy. Every set like this is different, and no city will have the same band lineup heard twice, meaning what you hear tonight will NOT be repeated, Manehattan!” Then, without another word said, Yugi broke out into a quick guitar solo, more specifically the intro of the Megadeth song called ‘Burn!’ Following that, after hearing Ash bash a cymbal four times, the next song began…
ALONE – Bullet For My Valentine/Yugi + rhythm guitar EVOKE – After Forever/Yumi with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer BROKEN HANDS – Lamb of God/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar DOWNFALL – Exodus/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar LET IT GO – Adrenaline Mob/Jason/Ron on rhythm guitar FOREVER – KISS/Yugi + acoustic guitar
When the previous song ended, the Master Four left the stage, and Tails took their place with a warm welcome from the audience as they cheered and applauded for him, going on moments after he positioned himself at his microphone stand. He enjoyed such admiration from the crowd, but yet did they know that the bigger treat had yet to take place. When the crowd’s cheering lowered enough for him to speak and be heard clearly, he took his turn to have a conversation with Manehattan.
“Earlier today, my best friend, myself and a very close friend of ours were invited to join your Princess Twilight and her family to a private gathering, where we met several distinguished ponies from throughout your city, a few known all over Equestria. I mentioned one of the names of our closest friends from your world, from the little town of Ponyville, and she was immediately recognized so positively for what she had set out to do in order to chase after her dreams. It was incredible to know such ponies who excel at what they do and have their work establishing that success, especially considering how Manehattan is the fashion capital of your great land. For this next song, we need the help from that very same pony; a pony who is the best fashion designer I’ve ever met here, with a great singing voice to boost. To the new Manehattan friends of Team JAG, for ‘Art of the Dress,’ I introduce to you our dear friend… Rarity!”
ART OF THE DRESS – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/Rarity with only Tails on lead guitar, Kim on bass guitar, Ron on acoustic guitar, Ami on drums, Aelita on keyboard/tambourine 20 PERCENT COOLER – Alex S./Dan with only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples WE’RE NOT GONNA FALL – Daughtry/Gohan/Kim on rhythm guitar, Ron on acoustic guitar, Aelita on keyboards IT’S THE ONLY ONE YOU’VE GOT (ACOUSTIC) – 3 Doors Down/only Tails on lead vocals and acoustic guitar FALLING TO THE GROUND – EarlyRise/Ami with Jason lineup/Jason on piano/keyboard, Ron on acoustic guitar
“You still have some energy left for us, my friends?” Jason asked the crowd, who responded with great cheers once again. He stood before the center microphone stand, holding his hands onto it as if he was using it for support, where in reality it was used for display. “We still got a few to go, but before we do, I want to give a quick shout-out to Sapphire Shores and DJ Pon-3 for helping make tonight a whole lot better than we thought it would with their roles on this stage. Go ahead and make them some noise, Manehattan.” He paused for a couple moments so that everypony could do so, and the recognized ponies, sitting with Cosmo and Twilight and the others, waved out as a stage light and camera focused onto them, putting them on full display on the background screen.
“There’s a classic rock song back where I’m from that we only get to play so often. It’s from a band that has established themselves as one of the driving forces of a little genre called grunge, much like how Tails described our friends earlier. We only got so much left in the set tonight, but let’s continue things with this little song, simply called ‘Jeremy…’”
JEREMY – Pearl Jam/Jason/Ami on rhythm guitar END OF THE BEGINNING – Black Sabbath/Ash UNHOLY – Black Veil Brides/Dan with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar and solo ALL THAT I GOT – Tremonti/Ash + lead guitar SHADOWS IN THE FLAME/VISIONS – Judas Priest/Yugi/Kim on rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Tails on acoustic guitar BURY ME IN SMOKE – Down/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar
ENCORE: FASHION SHOW – William Anderson/audio instrumental BIG BLUE WAVE (REMIX) [HEY OCEAN!] – Aviators/only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples
“MANEHATTAN, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!!” Ash cried out to the crowd, all while Aelita was playing her own samples and the entire audience of Maredison Square Garden making noise, stomping hooves and showing their spirit. “We had a blast playing for you guys tonight, and we can’t wait to come back. We’ve got one more song for you, before we get some rest and head out to Vanhoover. This is our last chance to rock out together, SO LET’S MAKE THIS COUNT! FOR MANEHATTAN, FOR TEAM SONIC, FOR PRINCESS TWILIGHT AND ALL HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY, THIS SONG… IS CALLED…
“’A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES!!!’”
A LIGHT THAT NEVER COMES – Linkin Park/Ash and Dan on co-vocals/Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on bass guitar, Aelita on keyboard/programming/samples, Jason on turntables/double-length outro jam
With Manehattan’s JAGFest officially over, the Team JAG Band boarded their train and traveled to the next stop of the ongoing festival. It was a long train ride this time, their journey taking them from one end of Equestria to the other with two stops along the way for supplies, but it was a relaxing and enjoyable trip as well. With an entire train to do as they wished, everyone from Team JAG, Team Sonic, and Ponyville spent their time together with numerous conversations, some musical practice, seeing the sights that the train was passing, and overall calming with no issues whatsoever.
That is, of course, you weren’t caught in a intellectual lecture from Twilight regarding politics and magical sciences. Nyx, Tails, Cosmo and others may have had a good understanding of what she was talking about, but others would have preferred seeing what the band had called a ‘video recording’ of one of their anniversary shows on Mobius.
Fortunately, the Cutie Mark Crusaders began to ask their older sisters about what Vanhoover was like, and the older mares could not give an answer. Even Twilight and Nyx, the two smartest alicorns anypony could ever know, had nothing to say. It became clear that none of the band’s Equestrian friends had ever visited the city before, the closest being Rainbow Dash when she flew around Equestria during Nyx’s surrender as Nightmare Moon and only got as close as the Galloping Gorge. Otherwise, this was truly going to be a treat, where it would be the first time all of the train’s passengers would be visiting a destination in the Equestrian Masquerade. It would be new sights and new ponies to meet for all of them, but there was still one lingering thought in all of their minds…
Without any knowledge of the town, visiting Vanhoover will be an interesting time.
/)∞(\
Vanhoover was a wonderful city!
JAGFest in Vanhoover was another success for the group’s mission, and very fun all around. The city itself had an atmosphere that met in the middle between a rural area like Ponyville, and a modern metropolis like Manehattan. The moment the festival began, there seemed to be no rest to take place until the main event, and that was a nothing short of desiring for Princess Twilight and Team JAG.
The entire group was given accommodations at a bed and breakfast owned by a business-savvy married couple, who owned the only place that had a secluded house for royalty only on the property. Twilight didn’t enjoy having such ‘advantages’ as the Princess of Friendship, but she couldn’t deny a pony’s offer of hospitality, especially after they came eye-to-eye with Nyx. The stallion owner of the business mentioned that he personally knew ponies that were Blessed into the Children of Nightmare sternly, but wore a smile and kindly thanked her for choosing to be a better pony than a vile monster. Although a lot wished he used better grammar, he did show his acceptance of Nyx by providing her and her friends the worst thing a mother or sister would want for a filly; an all-you-can-eat homemade dessert buffet.
As for the city itself, it was bustling and hustling with activities almost as much as the Crystal Empire, but it was well worth it for all the visitors. The entire group stuck together at first, only breaking off about a quarter at a time when ponies wanted to meet some of Equestria’s most notable citizens and their interdimensional friends. When Twilight led her group around, she spotted a familiar zebra at an herbal remedy stand, who was also the host of JAGFest that day; Zecora.
The day went on and on, and nothing but positivity and joy filled the air. All events went along smoothly, all attendees were enjoying themselves, and, as a more of a mixed-feeling event, everyone in the group was approached by ponies who wanted autographs of the visiting celebrities. Well, all but the little fillies that is, who didn’t really care either way, especially after they managed to cause the most epic photo-bomb possible when a photographer was trying to take a serious picture of the Master Four for the local paper, The Van-Herald. The photographer insisted on getting a better picture for the paper, but Ash insisted that the first one wouldn’t be bettered, for it was a funny example of what JAGFest can do to attendees that the band didn’t mind having shared.
However, it didn’t help from a few older sisters and a mother briefly scolding the fillies about how they acted.
/)∞(\
“Welcome, all, to our final event, where our visiting friends will surely attempt, and share with you a new invest for the adventures that take place at JAGFest.
“It’s not every day, I must admit, to see bipeds with a musical outfit. I have, however, come to truly know, what this band means, thanks to Tails and Cosmo. Many ponies here have had their chance, to meet and talk with these visitors before their metaphorical dance. I, myself, was intrigued enough to learn, that like the season of Hearth’s Warming, a strong fire burns.
“Like the Elements of Harmony and what they symbolize, this group of heroes act in ways you’ll recognize. Loyalty, laughter, generosity, honesty and kindness; the magic that ties them makes our pessimistic visions to blindness. And like the shield of Nyx, they serve to safely keep worlds intact, something I’ve seen proven, in fact.
“But for now, we are here as one, waiting on the climax from when JAGFest begun. Equestrian Masquerade is what they call their tour, but tonight it is us and them, and nopony more. Without any further wait, I present friends so grand; the talented, the great, the diverse…
“The Team JAG Band!”
With her introduction concluded, Zecora received cheer after cheer from the audience before her. She stood on the stage that faced the full capacity venue, the Vanhoover Hoofball Stadium, and took a bow before departing offstage. She had caught the mentioned band ending their huddle with a final encouragement from Tails.
“Alright guys, enough waiting for this to happen. Let’s make this happen! Let’s show this city what it means to be a part of the Team JAG family, give it all we got, and make this a night they’ll never forget. Vanhoover Victory in 1… 2… 3!”
“VANHOOVER VICTORY!”
The entire band, plus Cosmo and Nyx, broke open from their huddle and quickly got themselves prepared to take the stage. All that needed to happen was giving Phineas and Ferb the signal to dim the lights and get things started, but something else had to happen first. Tails made sure to thank Zecora personally, on behalf of the band, for hosting the day’s events, promising whatever herbal ingredients the zebra could use from Team JAG’s inventory. Then, the host, the Seedrian, and the alicorn filly had to be rushed over to where Princess Twilight and all the others sat amongst the audience, and that was a roped-off section on the grounds only several feet away from the front of the stage.
With the correct positioning of his hand and fingers, Tails used a little technique known as the Instant Transmission to take the trio to the private area. Following a quick good luck hug from Nyx and kiss from Cosmo, he raced back to the stage using the same technique. Having him returning was the signal the stage managers needed to get things going, and the moment he arrived, Ferb flipped four switches that put the stage into darkness, and the crowd starting to cheer in excitement. With the introduction done, the atmosphere set, and the introductory song being played on the speakers, the next show of the Equestrian Masquerade had started.
/)∞(\
PRINCESS LUNA! – William Anderson/audio introduction MINE – Disturbed/Gohan/Kim on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard INSPIRATION – Mushroomhead/Ash on Jeffrey Nothing vocals, Yugi on Waylon vocals/Jason on drums, Gohan on second drum set,Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Kim on keyboard/synthesizer, Dan and Ron on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples CHAOS LIVES IN EVERYTHING – Korn/Yugi/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on turntables/programming/samples THE CONSTANT – Anthrax/Ash/Tails and Ron on rhythm guitars
“HELLO, VANHOOVER! HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING TONIGHT?!” Yugi yelled out to the crowd, and received a loud, excited cheer in return. “It is my honor to welcome you all to your night of JAGFEST! Have you been having fun so far?!” The second replying cheer was just as strong as the first. “Now let’s get down to business: we have three parts of tonight’s set, and we’ll be trailblazing through as much as we can, and as long as you stay with us! Let’s get right back to it with a rock and roll classic…”
POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME – Def Leppard/Yugi/Ron on rhythm guitar BULLY – Shinedown/Yugi/Tails on rhythm guitar/audio children’s choir OCEANS – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer HIDE – Creed/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar SHE SHINES – Linkin Park/Ash/Tails on lead guitar, Dan on backing vocals and keyboard, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples NARCISSISTIC CANNIBAL [KORN] – EarlyRise/Ami with Jason lineup/Jason on piano
“Are you having fun yet, Vanhoover?” Gohan asked the audience, who cheered and stomped in return. “So, regarding what my friend Yugi was saying earlier, we are currently performing, and about to play all the way through, the first part of our set. Now, for our JAGFests here in Equestria, we dedicate the first hour or so to performing songs that we had repeatedly rehearsed in the past, prior to some other shows we’ve played, some songs of which we actually never played live before. This next one, however, is very different to my last statement, because it’s a song we have played many times, and has become one of my personal favorites by this band that created it. By the band Five Finger Death Punch, this song is called…
“’Remember Everything.’”
REMEMBER EVERYTHING – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar FINAL DESTINATION – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards I AM HELL (SONATA IN C#) – Machine Head/Jason + rhythm guitar JUST A BULLET AWAY – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar INSURRECTION – Lamb of God/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar PARALYZED – As I Lay Dying/Ash/Dan on rhythm guitar and clean vocals WASTED YEARS [IRON MAIDEN] – DevilDriver/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on co-lead guitar and solo
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
BIRTH – DEATH – 10 Years/only Tails on piano …AND ALL THE OTHER COLORS – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano ACTIONS & MOTIVES – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar THE WICKED ONES – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar SEASONS TO CYCLE – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Ami on acoustic guitar, Aelita on symphonic keyboard
Dan stood at the center microphone stand on the stage and looked out onto the audience, and all the ponies that filled the venue. “Vanhoover,” he went on to say, “do you love to rock and roll?!” He allowed everypony to let out their answers of screaming cheers and stomping hooves before continuing to speak. “The rock and roll spirit is definitely here tonight, for we can feel it! We are currently in the second phase of our set, when we pay tribute to a band that has been heavily influential and important to us, but mostly to those who lead our own ways of representation; for me, that’s a band called 10 Years. They have been very supportive of what we do with their music, and we’re proud to share that with you tonight. Now, here is the title track of their newest record, and I hope you like it as much as I do…”
MINUS THE MACHINE – 10 years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar WASTELAND – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar SCREAM AT THE WALLS – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash and Kim on rhythm guitars FIX ME – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano KNIVES – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar CHASING THE RAPTURE – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar/outro jam
[ONE MISSION INTERMISSION]
COME DOWN – Sevendust/Yugi/Dan on acoustic guitar, Gohan on acoustic bass guitar SHOW ME HOW TO LIVE – Audioslave/Jason MORNING AFTER – Dead By Sunrise/Ash/Ami on rhythm guitar, Tails and Aelita on keyboards MY DYING TIME – Black Label Society/Gohan + lead guitar THE CHOSEN FEW – Kreator/Jason+ rhythm guitar FEATHERS – Coheed & Cambria/Yugi + rhythm guitar/Ron on keyboard/synthesizer
“I think it’s time we have a little fun with some more friends of ours,” said Tails, standing at his microphone stand and wearing what looked to be a brand new guitar: a seven-string Stratocaster with a turquoise body and a familiar emblem painted on the lower left. He took a brief look to the side of the stage, where he saw who the band needed for the next song, and went on to say “It should be no secret that my fiancé and I discovered your world earlier this year, and since then, we’ve come to know a lot of other ponies of all races and from all different locations. Tonight, where it’s been our turn to meet you and vice-versa during the Equestrian Masquerade, we have a few fillies from Ponyville who’d like to meet you, too. Vanhoover, put your hooves together for our three little friends…
“APPLE BLOOM, SWEETIE BELLE, AND SCOOTALOO: THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!”
And with that, the trio ran out onto the stage, and Phineas had three special microphone stands adjusted just for them rise out of the floor. When everyone on stage was set, Tails signaled Jason, who was on the drums, to hit a cymbal four times and get things going…
HEARTS AS STRONG AS HORSES – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/The Cutie Mark Crusaders with Gohan lineup/Gohan on acoustic guitar, Tails on rhythm guitar, Kim and Ron on custom percussion UNTIL THE SUN (ORIGINAL MIX + AVIATORS MIX) – Replacer &I/only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples, Ami on Feather vocals, Yumi on lead guitar/fadeout into next song ASTRAL BODY – Between the Buried & Me/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails and Aelita on keyboards/synthesizers TURN TO DUST/VENGEANCE IS MINE – Arch Enemy/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar
Ash, standing at the left side of the stage with his microphone in hand, took his turn to address the audience and said “Ponies, it’s time we kick things up another notch, and see if we can send a shockwave from here all the way across Equestria to Manehattan!” As the audience began to cheer once again, he began to walk to the opposite side of the stage. “I want to hear you singing with us, I want to see you jumping up and down, I want to hear you trot in circle pits, but above all else…” Pausing for a moment for one more good look at the crowd, he made his intentions for the next song very clear; “I WANT TO HEAR. THIS. WHOLE. PLACE. BOOM!!!”
BOOM – P.O.D./Ash SLOW SUICIDE – Scott Stapp/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar THE PRETENDER – Foo Fighters/Dan with Jason lineup/Dan and Jason on rhythm guitars, Ami on cello MEMORIES – Unsaid Fate/Kim with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Ron on male vocals FALLING – Staind/Gohan + rhythm guitar YOU DON’T BLEED FOR ME – Killswitch Engage/Ash with Jason lineup/Jason on lead guitar and backing vocals, Tails on rhythm guitar FORTUNATE SON [CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL] – John Fogerty/Ron with Jason lineup/Dan on co-vocals with Dave Grohl vocals and rhythm guitar, Jason on extra rhythm guitar
“Who wants to keep going a little more?!” Ami asked the crowd, who cheered long and loud to answer her. “I was hoping to hear that, especially with how many more songs we have planned for you guys tonight. Before we go on, can we give our host Zecora some more love and make some noise for her?! Thank you, Zecora!” She allowed everypony to cheer nice and loudly, and the hosting zebra, who sat with Twilight and the others, sat up for a quick bow. When the cheering began to quiet down, Ami talked again and said “As we are growing closer to the end of our night with you guys, we’d like to break out a rare treat for you; a song we barely play live. From the band Paramore, this is a staple for how alternative rock music flourishes. This song is called ‘Decode…’”
DECODE – Paramore/Ami with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboard CALL OF THE ZOMBIE – Rob Zombie/audio track SUPERBEAST – Rob Zombie/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboard/samples UNTIL THE END – Asking Alexandria/Ash/Jason on Howard Jones vocals, Kim on rhythm guitar, Yumi on bass guitar, Aelita on keyboards/samples ROCK AND ROLL ANGEL – Heaven & Hell/Yugi/Jason on bass guitar and Gohan on lead guitar POISON GIRL – HIM/Gohan/Tails on piano/keyboard FIRE FIRE – Flyleaf/Yumi with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar
“Alright, it’s time to me to be honest with you guys about something,” Jason said, taking his turn to speak to the crowd, but truly sounding if he had something to admit. “Tonight, we are doing something very, very rare for us, and that’s not play ANY music from one of our favorite bands. The band I’m talking about, they go by the name of Slipknot; they are one of the most vital influences to this band, and it was decided that, specifically for tonight, we’d go a show without playing their music. But we will let you in on a secret… I finally convinced these guys to give that band a special honor towards the end of JAGFest…
“But for right now, we have a brand new song that involves the same singer from Slipknot. We got our man Ron leading on the drums alongside Gohan, and if we’re going to get to the end of this set, we’re going the hard rock route! Come on, Vanhoover, let’s give it one more go!...”
ON MY OWN – Travis Barker/Jason/Ron on lead drum kit THE CRIMSON – Atreyu/Ash/Dan on clean vocals, Kim on rhythm guitar
ENCORE: CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS – William Anderson/audio instrumental NEVER WILL I BREAK – 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals THAT SMELL [LYNYRD SKYNYRD] – 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals/outro jam of ‘Duck & Run’
“THANK YOU AGAIN, VANHOOVER! IT’S BEEN AN HONOR PERFORMING FOR YOU TONIGHT!” Yugi yelled out to the cheering, stomping, clapping, whistling audience, praising the band for their now completed performance. “Thank you for giving us another wonderful ending to another JAGFest! We’ll tell Las Pegasus you all said hello, but until we meet again…
As the private train began to reach viewing distance of its next stop, everyone on board looked out to see what was ahead. They were still miles away, but it wasn’t buildings, monuments, or other similar structures as the ponies could point out to their interdimensional friends. What they were seeing were thousands of lights shining brightly together, and bright enough that the Princess of the Night would occasionally call this place the brightest star on the surface for the stars to see instead of the other way around.
It was the last time Pinkie Pie was allowed to teach Luna what comedic humor was like.
But it wasn’t being a massive ball of light that made this city unique. It was its culture of ultimate vacationing for ponies of all races and ages, a place where an entire world was packed into a small defined area. If anypony would tell you what they couldn’t find there, it would be one of three things: an alicorn princess, almost any kind of living thing imaginable that wasn’t a pony in a costume, and stopping in one place for so long. The only exception was the latter, if you were a pony that enjoyed going to a casino. However, the train approaching the city had those exact things on board, carrying the Team JAG Band, Team Sonic, Princess Twilight with her family and friends, and Tails and Cosmo as they traveled to their next JAGFest destination: Las Pegasus.
/)∞(\
The moment they arrived, the group of friends received some of the most professional and respectful treatment. Ponies working at the train station offered to help with any luggage or equipment, but the most the group asked for was a set of directions to their place of residence during the city’s Equestrian Residence, called the Celestial Palace, home of the location of the festival’s main event, the Lunar Gardens. It was no surprise to Twilight and her friends that the Royal Sisters had something named after them in Las Pegasus, for the city was known to take some of Equestria’s most well-known ponies. The Sapphire, Discord Discord, Ahuizotl’s Palace, the list goes on and on.
Upon their arrival at Celestial Palace, the front clerk called out for all available staff to wait to the every whim of Princess Twilight and her company. It was no surprise to see this happen once again, many or all ponies praising the lavender alicorn for her title earned by her deeds and experiences, and although it was still to her chagrin, Twilight allowed and thanked the hotel staff, who led them all to their own rooms to make themselves comfortable. Following that was a dinner and a show in the hotel’s own restaurant, which was cleared out just to allow the honored guests a private setting.
All in all, it was a nice time for everyone. The meal was delicious, the drinks they had were delicious, and the only ponies who bothered them were those who were working on last second JAGFest preparations and wanted to ask permission of the band and princess about taking care of some alterations if or when needed. When it was time for dessert, everyone was given complimentary drinks of coffee and cider, or juice and water for the younger members of the group. Around that time, the group was treated to a surprise performance from one of Las Pegasus’s newest performers, and chosen host for tomorrow’s festival. When it began to take place, a voice began to speak out of nowhere, one that caught the intrigue of Equestria’s interdimensional visitors, but put the ponies and baby dragon in jaw-dropping shock.
“Fillies and Gentlecolts, welcome to the Celestial Palace, home of tomorrow’s festival, JAGFest: Equestrian Masquerade! Tonight, you will behold one of the most magic-filled performances to ever arrive on the streets of Las Pegasus! Who will provide this show, you might ask, and it is none other than…
“THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE!!!”
When a familiar blue unicorn appeared on stage, wearing her performing attire of her hat and cape, she stared at who she was performing for with complete surprise herself. She was only told she was playing for exclusive guests of the hotel, not the guests of JAGFest.
/)∞(\
The festival proved to be another success for the Team JAG Band. Every corner of the town was celebrating all things pony and Las Pegasus, from charity drives for nationwide organizations to demonstrations from show-performing unicorns on how to use magic to provide a quality performance. Every building and their respective theme hosted events and activities of their own, helping to provide an even broader variety of things to do for all the attending ponies and guests.
The band and their friends walked around amongst the festival to see how things were, even going so far as to jumping in on some of the activities to participate themselves. At this point during the Masquerade, it seemed word about the band’s performances has spread, with much positivity to boost, thus ponies would walk up and try to ask questions and get autographs from the band. The same was done with Team Sonic and Princess Twilight and her friends, but to their own degrees for what they have become known for. For the princess and the band, receiving such praise and admiration was an element of recognition they were still not used to, especially for the former. They never expected, other than discovering and coming to know a dimension primarily consisted of colorful and phenomenally gifted ponies, that they would become the quickest-growing and most praising gathering of fans, a fandom, of the interdimensional supergroup.
Hours would pass and before they all knew it, the Lunar Gardens was allowing ponies in to attend the main event, the Team JAG Band concert. The standing area, the lower benches, the upper balconies, all being filled from one corner of the venue to another. If there was one section of the seating area that wasn’t filled completely was a closed off section in the middle of the upper balcony, which was made so for all the visitors from Mobius and Ponyville.
Trixie was given the stage to make a performance of her own and give her introduction speech for the band. Preparing backstage, the entire band was gathered and fine-tuning a few of their instruments, along with themselves, as Tails was sitting down with Cosmo, Nyx, Twilight and Sonic about the day’s events and various other topics, including Tails confessing some nervousness he was having about the approaching show. Thankfully he had the endless support of encouragement from the one he looked up to as his brother, praise from the princess he would call his best friend from Equestria, admiration the daughter of said princess who looked up to him like family, and of course the never withering love of his fiancé. It was good to have friends like them to help his confidence when it was needed, and unless it was when caught in a dire situation, it was a rare thing to happen since the Revival concert so long ago.
When they checked the time, Phineas and Ferb signaled both Trixie and the band simultaneously to get ready for the big show. Phineas used a flashlight and flashed it three times to signal the showmare to cease her performance and start her speech, and Ferb used a small bell he rang while walking around and gained everyone’s attention. Sonic, deciding to go meet the others at their seats, wished the band good luck and then raced off in a blue streak. Twilight and Cosmo, of course, accepted the band’s offer to participate in the band’s huddle, with Nyx jumping back up on Tails’s back and looked over him to participate herself. When the group was huddled together, Tails began to hype them up.
“Alright, guys, these are the facts. Tonight is our fifth JAGFest in Equestria, and there hasn’t been more recognition for what we do until today. Today we saw that we definitely have seen the development of a following for what we do and how everypony celebrates. Tonight’s set will have some of our favorite songs, special premieres, and some of the heaviest songs that we’ve ever played. Overall, Las Pegasus is going to get one of the heaviest JAGFests we’ve ever put together. Do we have what it takes to take that fact, and supercharge the hell out of it?!”
“Yes!” chanted the group.
“I said… DO WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!?!”
“YES!”
“Hands and hooves in, guys,” he continued. In just seconds, all their hands and two alicorn hooves were stacked. “I want Las Pegasus to love tonight’s show, but more importantly, I want to add this city to our long list of friends here in Equestria. I want to make my love and my best friends proud of us during tonight’s show. I want to hear ‘Heavy Metal Friendship’ as loud as we can get it! Sound off on 3! 1… 2… 3!”
“HEAVY METAL FRIENDSHIP!”
And with that, the huddle broke apart, and Trixie concluded her speech a moment later. Twilight and Nyx gave Tails good luck hugs, and Cosmo giving him a good luck kiss, before the Princess of Friendship used her magic to teleport the trio up to where their friends were in the balcony. As the band got its starting lineup in place, their host exited the stage, giving the two stage managers the signal to hit a series of buttons that got the next show of the Equestrian Masquerade underway…
/)∞(\
FASHION SHOW, TAKE TWO – William Anderson/audio introduction END OF THE LINE – DevilDriver/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar THE UNDERTOW – Lamb of God/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar BEFORE I DIE – Mushroomhead/Ash on Jeffrey Nothing vocals, Gohan on J-Mann vocals, Yugi on Waylon vocals/Jason on drums, Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Kim on keyboards, Dan and Ron on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples FIGHT OR FLIGHT – Fallen Captive/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards
“Fillies and Gentlecolts… WELCOME TO JAGFEST, LAS PEGASUS STYLE!!!” Dan called out to the audience, with much excitement and energy in his tone, and received the same from the ponies with cheers. He went on to say “We’ve been having a great day in your city today, but now it’s time for us to show you just what we do to have fun. Are you ready to have some fun with us tonight or what?!” The crowd cheered loudly once more before he concluded with “This next song is by one of our four greatest influences. We hope you like it as much as we do. This song is called Castle of Glass…”
CASTLE OF GLASS – Linkin Park/Ash/Dan on lead guitar and co-vocals, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Ron on acoustic guitar and backing vocals, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples SUPER CHARGER HEAVEN – White Zombie/Jason/audio intro FOREVER – In This Moment/Ami with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar YOU WASTE YOUR TIME – Tremonti/Ash + lead guitar HANGMAN – Kill Devil Hill/Yugi
Yugi stood at the center of the middle stage riser, looking out at the crowd with the aided height, starting with standing and floor seats before working up to the balcony above. “So who here in Las Pegasus has heard of us before?” he asked, receiving a low but fair round of cheering from the audience. “Well, for those of you who don’t know who we are, we’re known as the Team JAG Band, and we play concerts of tributes to the bands we love to listen to, or are just interesting to us, by gaining the ability to replicate the singing voices and practicing all sorts of instruments. For this show, we’ve decided to play a song that has had been ringing in our ears for over a year now; a cover version of a very successful song, and an exclusive premiere just for you guys.” The crowd began to cheer once again, this time the entirety of them. Without saying another word, the band got in place, Ron walked out to the center front of the stage with a microphone, and the next song began to be performed…
ROLLING IN THE DEEP [ADELE] – We Are Promise/Yugi/Dan on clean vocals, Ron on rhythm guitar, Tails on keytar THE HOWLING – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim on co-vocals with own voice ONE LIGHT – 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals BABY CAN’T DRIVE – Slash/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on female vocals WHEREVER I MAY ROAM – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Tails on sitar
“If you’re having fun so far,” Jason began to say, “I WANT TO HEAR YOU SCREAM!!” And scream the crowd did as they let out an intensely loud wail that surfed its way to the stage like a wave. “Now what’s about to go down next is that we’re reaching the end of our first part of tonight’s set. This first part was us playing song that we’ve used to rehearse before several other shows in our past, and with these songs, practiced before our inaugural JAGFest concerts. The next part will be us giving you a ten-song tribute to an important band to us, and I’ll tell you right now how excited Gohan is for that. For right now, however, we have a few more songs from our rehearsal times a couple years ago, and it’s going to get fucking heavier, and heavier, and heavier! Come on, Las Pegasus, let’s keep this going with a little Slipknot…”
GENTLY – Slipknot/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples ANODYNE SEA – As I Lay Dying/Ash/Dan on rhythm guitar and clean vocals SAY YOUR NUMBER – Volbeat/Gohan + rhythm guitar THE SENTINEL [JUDAS PRIEST] – Machine Head/Jason + rhythm guitar
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
ASHES – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar BURN IT DOWN – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar UNDER & OVER IT – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar DOT YOUR EYES – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Jason on Jamey Jasta vocals, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on drums A DAY IN MY LIFE – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar
Gohan stood front and center of the stage as he looked upon the audience and asked “Is everypony still having fun tonight?!” Almost every pony in the crowd stomped and cheered and whistled loudly, saving a couple of their friends in their sitting area, and the host that felt outshined. “Tonight, we play the songs by one of the biggest heavy metal bands we’ve come to known over the last few years, who go by the name of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH!” The crowd began to cheer again as he continued with “I’ve been looking forward to play these songs since the set was first drafted because if modern metal had any righteous representatives, it’s this band we play almost every concert we perform. Plus, this next song, is our dedicated tribute to all of Las Pegasus, and we have never played it live…
“Until now-“
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN [-TRADITIONAL-] – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ron on pan flute GENERATION DEAD – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar NEVER ENOUGH – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar BURN MF – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi and Ami on rhythm guitars WAR IS THE ANSWER – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on co-lead guitar
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN [RAINBOW] – Rob Halford/Yugi/Ron on rhythm guitar MY CURSE – Killswitch Engage/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar FALLEN – Soulfly/Ash + rhythm guitar BLAZING STAR – Dethklok/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ron on co-vocals, Tails and Aelita on symphonic keyboards GRACE – Apocalyptica/only Tails, Dan, Ami and Yumi on cellos, Kim on drums, Ron on lead guitar EXPLOSIA – Gojira/Yugi + rhythm guitar
When the next song’s lineup was in place, Ash stood at one of the microphone stands on the highest riser and spoke to the crowd of enthusiastic ponies. “Welcome to part three of our show, you guys. During this part of the set, we’ll be playing songs by all sorts of bands and genres just for you, and all the bands you’ll hear tonight will NOT be repeated during our Equestrian Masquerade in many of your cities. We’re going to tone it down, but just by a hair, as we get things set up for our pal Pinkie Pie, and us giving you another special premiere. Are you guys ready for round three?!” After allowing the audience to cheer out their excitement, Ash concluded with “Allow us to introduce to you a song by a band that goes by the name of Alice in Chains…”
HOLLOW – Alice in Chains/Ash/Kim on rhythm guitar CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT – Mastodon/Gohan + rhythm guitar RELENTLESS – Lita Ford/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar SHIMMER ON – MandoPony/Yugi/Aelita on keyboard SMILE, SMILE, SMILE – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/Pinkie Pie with Jason lineup/Jason on piano, Tails on keyboards, Ami and Yumi on backing vocals SIGNS – Creed/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar
Tails took off the guitar he used for the previous song and set it against the stage setup, and then turned back around towards his microphone stand. In his mind, an odd combination of fear and confusion blended as he was about to take on a familiar role in a new way, and he felt nervous regardless of deciding to go ahead with this. If it wasn’t for confidence Cosmo and his friends gave him before they arrived in Equestria for JAGFest, he would have reconsidered doing it altogether, at least not without doing something simultaneously. He could still feel his love’s lips on his own, and a little filly’s front legs wrapped around his legs, which would always give him extra confidence. He took a good look over to where Cosmo, Twilight, Sonic and everyone were sitting, seeing them all smile happily, and then began to speak to the entire audience.
“Everypony, I have a surprise for you for this next song,” he went on to say, gaining the crowd’s full attention. “We have a new band debuting we’re going to perform for you next, and I agreed to front this great band, but this is the first time where I won’t be playing an instrument. I have NEVER done this before, but for my friends in this band, and the love and support I get from my friends and family from Mobius and here in Equestria, I’m willing to give it a try. So, Las Pegasus, I hope you enjoy this next song, and for me at least, you guys get the best frontman I can bring out of me. Let’s do this…”
INVISIBLE TOUCH – Genesis/Tails with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar, Dan and Ron on keyboards/synthesizers NO MATTER WHAT – Papa Roach/Ash/Ami on rhythm guitar IN MY DARKEST HOUR – Megadeth/Yugi + rhythm guitar/Dan on acoustic guitar STOP THE SAILOR – Tech N9ne/Ron with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboard, Aelita on turntables/samples PROFITS OF DOOM – Clutch/Gohan/Ron on rhythm guitar
“Are you all still alive out there?!” Ron called out, standing at the stage right microphone stand and wearing a guitar. He received a loud cheering in return, but for them, an unfamiliar bell began to sound out of the speakers as an image of a bell appeared on the background screen. “Alright, we got a handful… or hooffu- whatever! We got quite a few songs left before the show is done, but I’m here to give a quick thank you to everypony who made tonight possible, and you know who you are.” He gave them a thumbs-up, to which the crowd responded positively with continuing cheers before he concluded with “This next one is a rock and roll classic, and no one can front this better than our man Ash, so let’s get this show down the home stretch as we hear the chimes of… Hells Bells!”
HELLS BELLS – ACDC/Ash/Ron on rhythm guitar WHOLE LOTTA LOVE [LED ZEPPELIN] – Santana/Jason/Tails on lead guitar, Dan on keyboard AIN’T TALKIN’ ABOUT LOVE – Van Halen/Yugi OUT OF TIME – Stone Temple Pilots/Ash with Gohan lineup/Gohan on bass guitar MYSTERY WALL – I See Stars/Gohan/Dan on clean vocals, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboard/programming/samples TRENCHES – Solipsist/Jason/Dan on rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboard/samples/fadeout outro
ENCORE: THE POWER PONIES – William Anderson/audio instrumental FROM CAN TO CAN’T – Sound City Soundtrack/Jason/Tails on co-lead guitar, Ami on rhythm guitar
“Las Pegasus, you have been an amazing crowd for us tonight! Thank you so much!” Gohan said, being the last to address the audience before the final song. As the crowd went on to cheer and stomp and clap loudly, he continued to say “Another night of our Equestrian Masquerade is coming to its close, but you guys made it memorable for us! So before we get a good night’s rest and head on over to Baltimare, we’ve got one more song for you! This is the song that helped make Five Finger Death Punch a staple in heavy metal today! We proudly perform for you our last song for tonight. It is called…”
THE BLEEDING – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar/outro jam of ‘The Pride’
Spike, who had his head poking out one of the passenger cars’ windows, was looking towards the train’s next destination. He and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were getting a mild case of cabin fever as they waited for the train to stop again, but it didn’t help that it was a nonstop train ride this time as compared to most previous rides. The long train had just rounded a mountain base and was heading straight towards Baltimare, one of Equestria’s quaintest cities and the next stop for JAGFest. A sense of relief went down the spines of fillies and dragon as they went back inside the car they were riding in, rejoining Twilight, Tails and Cosmo, and several others from both the Team JAG Band and Team Sonic.
“Finally! I can’t wait to get there,” Scootaloo said. “I can only stand being on a train for so long before I get the urge to ride my scooter.”
“But Scootaloo, it’s starting to get dark,” Sweetie Belle stated, motioned a hoof back out the window. The sun was shifted into the very start of the evening hours, and the sky above was beginning to change color. This meant that, to Scootaloo’s misfortune, it would be far too dark for anypony to allow her to ride around on her scooter, especially since it was a new town most of the group never visited before. The orange filly just sulked in her seat as the others continued conversation.
“Well I don’t know about you guys, but I have a hankerin’ for somethin’ good to eat when we stop,” Applejack said. “The food in the dining car is good, but I haven’t had much from the other towns since we started goin’ around.”
“Oh, that sounds like a great idea!” Pinkie added excitedly.
“I don’t know,” Twilight said, having some doubt in how good of an idea that actually was. “We are getting in fairly late today, and the band has a long day tomorrow. I wouldn’t want to stretch out their day longer than it needs to be.”
Aelita, who was sitting across the aisle, then said “It wouldn’t trouble us at all, Twilight. In fact, I’m with Applejack on stopping somewhere for a bite to eat.”
“I’m fine with it, too. We can get a little look of Baltimare while we’re at it,” added Phineas.
“Alright, then I guess we’ll see if there’s a restaurant near where we’re staying tonight,” Twilight said, cementing the idea into a plan. She looked over at the four fillies and asked “Girls, are you okay with that?”
“Sure,” all but one said in unison. The one who didn’t say anything immediately way Nyx, who looked up at her mother with hopeful eyes as she asked “It won’t be somewhere fancy, will it?”
Twilight looked down at her daughter reassuringly and said “No, it won’t be fancy, or at least we’ll try not to make it a fancy meal.”
“Aw, why not?” Amy Rose asked. “I think it would be such a nice way to spend the evening.”
“So do I,” agreed Maria. “I’d like to try anything to get Shadow out and do something enjoyable. I know he acts how he does but I’d still like to see him enjoy himself from time to time.”
“I wouldn’t worry about Shadow. I think he’s having the best and most awesome time EVER!” Pinkie said.
“What? How are you sure about that?” asked Maria.
The one to answer that question was Spike, who said “She just has a knack for knowing that kind of stuff.” He then shifted his attention to Tails and said “Speaking of knowing stuff, I asked you earlier about who was hosting tomorrow, but you never told me. Who did you get to do it?”
The fox only chuckled before replying “You know, I would tell you, but I don’t think it’s not my place to say. Maybe you should ask who made a certain suggestion, or who thought it was an amazing idea.”
“What are you talking about?” asked the little dragon.
“Perhaps I should explain,” Cosmo said, trying to retain a big smile into one of average size. “We decided that, for this part of the Equestrian Masquerade, we’d give a chance to someone special to us, rather than somepony special to us. I remembered the Equestria Games one day and talked to Twilight, and one thing lead to another before we had the idea of who to get.”
Spike wore the most confused expression on his face. He couldn’t make heads or tails of what she was trying to say, and after only a couple moments of trying to think, he let his temper get the best of him, enough to be a good fraction of Nightmare Moon’s when compared. “Well, who?! I don’t get why you just don’t up and say it!”
His focus turned to Twilight, who stepped over to him and leaned a hoof on his shoulder. What temper he had immediately went away as he saw a very nice, and very supportive, look coming from the purple mare. “Spike, we want you to host Baltimare’s JAGFest,” she told him.
/)∞(\
Another day, another successful JAGFest. The sixth day along the Equestrian Masquerade had proved to be another good one as the festival hosted all that it could. Baltimare’s atmosphere chimed with spirit that combined humble, considerate, and willful into a very optimistic attitude that the ponies lived and breathed. Sadly, not all ponies felt the same as rumors grew that a few remained inside one of the town’s inns because of reasons that numbered up more and more. However, the focus of JAGFest was to bring everyone together, and the Team JAG Band refused to try and force their ways on anypony who wasn’t willing.
The hours passed by, events occurred back to back or simultaneously, and Team Sonic and the band got another great look at Equestria’s inhabitants as they kept approaching them to make acquaintanceship with the interdimensional travelers. Yet the highlight of the day took place at the town’s biggest venue, and location for the day’s biggest event, which was a large outdoor amphitheater, with both floor standing and seats, and a balcony that wrapped around where the walls and ceiling met. The mayor of the city invited Princess Twilight, her family and friends to the stage, and declared that the city would celebrate that very specific day as “Baltimare Friendship Day,” and showed their appreciation with a plaque to Twilight that depicted the Mane 6, each wearing the now discarded Elements of Harmony.
But before they all knew it, the time had come for the band to take to the stage once more. The stage was all set up accordingly, and the band had just finished making sure that their equipment was ready to go. Ferb informing Tails that there was enough time to have the huddle and opening speech done separately, other than simultaneously, so the fox decided to get the whole group that was backstage together. The band, Nyx, himself, Cosmo, and this time Spike joined in as they circled together, and when they all had their places, he began to speak.
“Baltimare has been an awesome place to us, and their citizens even more incredible. Yes there are a few ponies who chose not to participate in JAGFest, but that’s not our problem, because we’re here to make friends with those who want to befriend us. Right now, there are a lot of ponies for us to hang out with out in front of that stage over there, and I want to make sure we all have a great time tonight. We got Spike here leading everybody to this very moment, and I want to say right now that, Spike, thanks so much for stepping up and hosting today. You’ve been doing a great job, and we’re honored to have the coolest dragon from Equestria as our friend…”
“Or most awesome brother. Don’t forget that,” Nyx interrupted, showing encouragement for her adoptive sibling. This caused the entire circle to share a small laugh in agreement, saving the siblings that shared a hoof-to-claw bump.
“Thanks, guys. Coming from you, that says a lot,” said the dragon modestly.
“Then I guess we have one thing left to do. Everyone, join in the center,” Tails said. Then, everyone threw in their hand, or claw and hoof, to rebuild a giant stack of band and friends as he went on to say “Tonight’s set is heavy, and tonight’s audience will NOT getting anything less! Let’s get out there, give it all we got, and rock this city so hard that Manehattan will feel it! Let’s Get Jiggy With It on three! 1… 2… 3!”
“LET’S GET JIGGY WITH IT!”
With that, the huddle broke apart, and they got ready to get the whole show started. As they did, however, the Master Four couldn’t shake a certain thought they all shared in their minds, regarding the rumors from around town and what Tails had just said. The most common rumor they heard about the non-attending ponies was because of a visiting Nightmare Moon, and being aware of Nyx’s whole story, it left them a bit uneasy knowing that refusing forgiveness would sever those ponies from their mission. Regardless, there were many, MANY more ponies who welcomed Nyx and were waiting outside, and the four weren’t planning on letting them down.
Ferb tossed Spike a microphone and said “You’re on,” his signal for the dragon to make his introductory speech before he and Nyx would go with Cosmo and join their friends in the seats via Tails’s instant transmission technique. As he got on the stage, the dragon was welcomed with cheering and applauding from all corners of the venue. He waved back in return, and caught eye of a certain princess who looked the happiest amongst everypony in the entire venue, which made him feel all the happier. He climbed up on one of the stage’s front platforms, more specifically the one in the dead center, and began to make his speech.
“What’s up, everypony?! Are you ready for the Team JAG Band tonight?!...”
/)∞(\
PINKIE SPY – Willaim Anderson/audio introduction SHOOT IT OUT – 10 Years/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar and backing vocals WRETCHES & KINGS – Linkin Park/Ash and Dan on co-vocals/Tails on lead guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples BACK THE FUCK UP – Fear Factory/Gohan/Dan on co-vocals, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer BWOMP – Mushroomhead/Ash on Jeffrey Nothing vocals, Gohan on J-Mann vocals, Yugi on Waylon vocals/Jason on drums, Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Kim on keyboards, Dan and Ron on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples
“HELLOOOOO, BALTIMARE!” Jason exclaimed, yelling as loud as he could to the massive crowd of ponies that cheered loudly in reply. “It is my honor to say from the Team JAG Band to all of you… WELCOME TO JAGFEST!!!” He paused to allow another round of cheers to be heard from the crowd. “We’ve got a big set in store for you tonight, with a big debut jam with some of our best friends of Equestria! But here’s the deal, Baltimare: we are here to have fun with new friends, and spread positivity and friendship to all of you tonight. But, if anyone out there chooses to be pessimistic and hateful, the door waits for you, because that’s not why we’re here. Why do I say this? Simple: because when it comes to haters…
“I Could Care Less…”
I COULD CARE LESS – DevilDriver/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar HERE TO STAY – Korn/Yugi/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer WELCOME TO THE FAMILY – Avenged Sevenfold/Yugi/Kim on rhythm guitar HIT THE WALL – Lamb of God/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar HEAVEN SHALL BURN – Demons Within/Gohan/Yugi on co-vocals as well as lead guitar, Ron on rhythm guitar
“You having fun so far, everypony?!” Yugi asked, standing on the middle stage riser with a Flying V guitar that shined like gold, and the remainder of the next song’s lineup positioned across the stage, as the crowd cheered loudly as their answer. “So, I’m not going to lie when I say I’m going to have to rest my voice after the last couple shows,” he said jokingly, with him and the rest of the Master Four laughing a little on stage. “But that’s a good thing, especially with the next few songs I’ll be fronting. All these songs I’m talking about mainly stem from this first part of our set, which is a collection of songs we used to rehearse before numerous shows a few years ago. This next song is by a legendary thrash metal band, dedicated to the ravenous and wild nature of that genre. We hope you enjoy this next song, everypony…” Without another word said, he immediately began to play the opening riff of the next song as the show continued on.
RATTLEHEAD – Megadeth/Yugi + rhythm guitar MISSION STATEMENT – Stone Sour/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar WILD SIDE – Motley Crue/Yugi/Tails on rhythm guitar YOUTH GONE WILD – Skid Row/Yugi/Dan on rhythm guitar THE TALISMAN – Iron Maiden/Yugi/Tails and Dan on rhythm guitars, Ami on acoustic guitar, Ron on keyboard
“You know Baltimare,” Gohan said nonchalantly, “you have a pretty damn awesome town here, and you’re a fantastic crowd, too. I think you guys deserve a very, very, very rare treat.” That last sentence caused everypony to roar out in cheers and stomp, but none more excited than their close friends over at their sitting area, especially Pinkie Pie. “We got a cover song that has a vitally important place to be performed, but under specific reasons. What we plan to do now is play that very song, as it is, in its entirety, for the first time in quite a few years. Before we do this, however, I need you all to promise me one thing- give us all you got, make some goddamn noise, and let’s shake the foundation of this entire place!” As the crowd to began to cheer louder, he concluded with “This is song is called… ‘AM I EVIL?’”
AM I EVIL? [DIAMOND HEAD] – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar LEAVE IT ALONE – Disturbed/Gohan/Kim on rhythm guitar STILL REMAINS – Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
PARTY STARTER – Will Smith/Ron/only with Aelita on turntables/samples MEN IN BLACK – Will Smith/Ron/only with Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Kim on female vocals, Aelita on turntables/samples LOST & FOUND – Will Smith/Ron/only with Tails and Dan on cellos, Ami and Yumi on violins, Kim on drums, Aelita on turntables/samples PARENTS JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND – The Fresh Prince/Ron/only with Aelita on turntables/samples SUMMERTIME – Will Smith/Ron/only with Tails on lead guitar, Kim on keyboard/synthesizer, Ami and Yumi on backing vocals, Aelita on turntables/samples
Ron walked around the stage as he spoke to the ponies in attendance and the lineup for the next song was setting up. “Are you feelin’ good out there, Baltimare?! If you are, stomp for me!” He paused to hear the echoing sounds of stomping ponies. “If you really are, make me some noise!” he added, and allowed the crowd to do so before speaking again. “If you’re in love this show with us, I WANNA HEAR YOU SCREAM!” The scream was powerfully immense, with a few whistles coming from Rarity and some of the other ponies they knew very well, but none could beat the screams of Cutie Mark Crusaders, Pinkie Pie, even Princess Twilight.
“So here’s the info of what you’re all listening to right now, my pony posse,” Ron continued, in attempt to be hip like the music he was performing, but it didn’t last following that. “Welcome to part two of your show tonight, where we play a select set of songs by a particular influence, but this is no ordinary set. No, my friends, this is our WORLD PREMIERE – or, actually, inter-worldly premiere – of the rap legend known as Will Smith! We’re gonna keep things going with a few more of his classics and ‘newest’ songs, and I’d like to personally send this out to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, ‘cause you know what you do when haters hate on a blank flank?... You Wave. Them. Off!”
WAVE ‘EM OFF – Will Smith/Ron with Jason lineup/Jason on piano/keyboard, Aelita on turntables/samples GETTIN’ JIGGY WIT IT – Will Smith/Ron with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar, Aelita on turntables/samples WILD WILD WEST – Will Smith/Ron/Master Four on backing vocals, Tails on lead guitar, Kim on bass guitar, Dan on co-vocals, Ami on drums, Aelita on turntables/samples MR. NICEGUY – Will Smith/Ron/only with Kim on lead guitar, Aelita on turntables/samples SWITCH (REMIX) – Will Smith/Ron/Gohan on co-vocals, Jason on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on turntables/samples
Yumi began to walk out on stage, with a microphone in tow, as the rest of the band got into their positions for the next lineup. “How many ponies here are like me and love some heavy bucking metal?!” she asked, trying her hand in some pony ‘cursing,’ which earned her a good cheering from the audience. “The Equestrian Masquerade has been a great success so far thanks to guys like you who come out and support what we stand for, and I just have to say that you guys are, hands down, the coolest fans. Thanks a lot for your support, especially with how big it’s gotten. It’s really blown us away, and we can’t thank you enough.” The ponies stomped, clapped and cheered at what she had said for a few moments before she spoke again, this time concluding. “Here’s a little rarity for you guys, from one our home world’s music scenes. We hope you guys like it…”
FALLEN ANGELS OF SUI CAEDERE – Cellbound/Yumi and Yugi on co-vocals/Kim on rhythm guitar and backing vocals SLITHER – Velvet Revolver/Gohan/Tails on lead guitar DREAM POLICE – Cheap Trick/Ash/Ron on rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer WINTER WRAP UP – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/Mane 6 with Ash lineup/Ash and Tails on acoustic guitars, Kim on keyboard and backing vocals, Dan on symphonic keyboard A BEAUTIFUL LIE – 30 Seconds to Mars/Jason/Ron on rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer BLOW ME AWAY – Breaking Benjamin/Yugi + rhythm guitar YOU’RE GONNA LISTEN – In This Moment/Ami with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboard/samples DARK ALLIANCE – Eternal Tears of Sorrow/Gohan/Dan on rhythm guitar and clean vocals, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard HEROES – Fort Minor & Eminem/Dan and Ron on co-vocals with Ash lineup/Ash on extra rhythm guitar, Tails on lead guitar, Kim on keyboards, Aelita on turntables/samples
“Baltimare, you ponies are nothing less than AWESOME!” Ash called out to the crowd, and received a calling out of chanting cheers of the band’s name. “In fact, you guys are getting near Rainbow Dash levels are cool, and for anypony who doesn’t know, that says A LOT to us. How about we give you guys another treat, and play a brand new artist debut?!” The cheer this time was far greater than before, just as he expected to hear from them. He took a quick look behind him, seeing those on stage with him were good to go, and without wasting time, he just said “Then let’s bring out some Nightmare,” and the next song immediately started, courtesy of a certain two-tailed fox at a grand piano…
NIGHTMARE NIGHT – Glaze + Mic/Ash on Mic the Microphone vocals, Dan on Glaze vocals/only with Tails on piano, Aelita on turntables/programming/samples EVILUTION – Datsik/only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples, Yugi on vocals WHAT DO THEY KNOW? (MSI VS JULIEN-K & CHESTER BENNINGTON MIX) – Mindless Self Indulgence/Yugi/only with Master Four and Dan on backing vocals, Aelita on turntables/programming/samples COLD – Static-X/Ash + rhythm guitar/Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer RIP IT OUT – KISS/Yugi + rhythm guitar/Gohan on lead vocals with Ace Frehley vocals HEAD LIKE A HOLE – Nine Inch Nails/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on keyboard/turntables/samples ONLY – Anthrax/Dan with Ash/Ash on rhythm guitar
“We’re almost done, everypony, so I hope you have some energy left!” Next to speak was Kim, who stood on stage with a very special guitar, a Les Paul specifically made by her friend Wade that had the color scheme of her original Kimmunicator, but made up of little lights so it could light up while used. Everypony let themselves heard in one form or another, much to Kim’s liking. “This third part of the set was made up of songs by all different bands and lineup, all of which won’t be repeated for other JAGFests. To be able to get to play such a variety of songs and bands and genres, especially with Ron and I being full band members for the festival for the first time, it’s been an amazing experience, so thank you all so much for that. This song’s from me to you guys…”
EVERY LAST THING – Stars in Stereo/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on keyboard/synthesizer, Kim on rhythm guitar THE STRANGER – Tenafly Viper/Yugi HAND IN HAND – Kingdom Hearts/only Tails on piano
ENCORE: HE’S SO CUTE! – Willam Anderson/audio instrumental TORN (ACOUSTIC) – Creed/Jason/Ash and Tails on acoustic guitars, Yugi on acoustic bass guitar HERO OF THE DAY – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar
“Baltimare, I can’t thank you enough for coming together with us tonight!” Tails called out, standing at his microphone stand and being the last to speak to the audience that night. As they all started to cheer and applauded once more, he went on to say “The Equestrian Masquerade continues to go on strong, and it’s thanks to everyone here tonight to make it happen. I would also like to give a very special thanks to our friends, the Mane 6, for joining us earlier on Winter Wrap Up; you ponies are our best friends, thank you! Now, everypony, this is our last song for you tonight…” He paused, adjusting the guitar he wore across his back to his front, grabbing a guitar pick off the stand and prepared to play.
“We’ll tell Appleloosa just how awesome you guys are when we get there, but for now, let’s end this just right, with one of rock and roll’s modern legends…”
LOSER – 3 Doors Down/Yugi + dual-neck electric/acoustic guitar/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals/outro jam of ‘Winter Wrap Up’ reprise
The train drove nonstop from Baltimare, arriving at its new destination halfway through the afternoon. The group of ponies, Mobians, heroes and musicians decided to leave early from their previous stop of the Equestrian Masquerade, their special touring event for the year’s annual JAGFest festival, in hopes to avoid getting to their next stop so late in the day again. If this was how the Team JAG Band wanted to get to know the ponies of Equestria better, traveling around to several different cities, they at least wanted to take in some of the sights outside of the festivities that would take place every other day. Perhaps it would have been better to space out some of the tour dates more, but with the time of year and numerous holidays each dimension were also in festive spirits for, it was the best compromise to go with. After all, Hearth’s Warming only came to ponies once a year, just like how Christmas and other holidays across the dimensions were taking place as well.
Applejack began to lead the massive group out of the train when, not so surprising, she came face to face with members of her clan. Her cousin Braeburn, who was leading the group of Apples, stared at the new arrivals with a grin even bigger than when Applejack and her friends first visited their then new settlement. Before anyone could say hello to the settler ponies, Braeburn gave him his usual town greeting-
“HOWDY, AND WELCOME TO AAAAAPPLELOOSA!”
“Good to see ya again, Braeburn, but y’all didn’-“
“Come now, cousin, are your manners still that bad? Ya haven’t introduced us your out-of-worldly compadres, not to mention a Princess.”
Not taking aback to being interrupted, Applejack attempted to speak again. “Now, Braeburn, we weren’t expectin’ anypony to greet us here at the station. We were plannin’ on findin’ you and making introductions anyways.”
“But thanks for coming to find us instead. That saves time I can use to go for a run,” joked a certain blue hedgehog, who walked forward and let out his hand. “Name’s Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog. I take it you’re most of AJ’s relatives we heard about on our way here.”
“Darn tootin’, but not all of us are Apples. The name’s Braeburn, but before I can show y’all AAAAAAppleloosa…” He paused and turned his attention to the group’s alicorn princess, bowing before her in respect with the other townsponies following the same action. “It’s a pleasure to have you here, Princess Twilight. Might there be anythin’ we can do for you or your friends before starting a tour for our newcomers?”
Treating this with any and all casualty she could express, Twilight replied “Your welcome is more than appreciated, and another of your town sounds wonderful. Perhaps, though, we may walk over to where the main event will be held, so that my friends can start their own preparations.”
“Of course, Your Highness. Right this way,” replied the stallion, and he led everypony – and every Mobian, Seedrian, part-Saiyan, and human – down off the platform and around the train to go to the other side of the tracks where the town was. They then began to make their way down the main road of Appleloosa, all of the buildings and once open areas prepared and filled for the festivities to take place the next day.
The four Cutie Mark Crusaders were talking about how cool the town was, at least those who hadn’t been there before, and how excited they were for tomorrow’s next JAGFest. Apple Bloom then began to talk about how she and most of her immediate family traveled to check out the town’s competitors for a then upcoming produce-growing competition, only to be disappointed that their entry was sacrificed to undo a spell that created the Flutterbat. A couple of the others overheard this, primarily Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who both led the pack with Braeburn, and being far enough away from Nyx to not be overheard back, a couple concerns could be addressed then and there.
“Brae, did Big Mac and Granny Smith get here yet?” asked the orange mare. “I doubt it if they weren’t at the station to greet us.”
The cowpony shook his head and replied “Not yet. There’s another train comin’ ‘round in an hour from Ponyville, and that’s the one they booked to come here.”
“I see. I guess Granny’s still tryin’ to avoid her…”
Braeburn turned to face his cousin and asked “Avoid who?”
“Nyx. You know, Twilight’s kid,” Rainbow Dash explained, carefully pointing a hoof towards the black filly’s direction. “Granny Smith isn’t exactly the biggest fan of Nyx, let alone her granddaughters traveling all over Equestria with the filly that used to be-“
“Oh, so that’s little Nyx?” interrupted the stallion, followed by an upset sigh. “When the kin were here visitin’ for a few days, somepony mentioned Nyx in passin’, how Nightmare Moon was defeated and Equestria was safe again, but Granny Smith began to rant about Nyx. I didn’t quite know exactly what she was sayin’ until Apple Bloom and Big Mac told me about her, and how she was a filly under Twilight’s care. That, and the incident back at your home, cousin; that wasn’t a pleasant tale to hear.”
It was no secret back in Ponyville that Granny Smith was one of several ponies who disliked the fact that Nyx was pardoned for her actions and allowed to remain Twilight Sparkle’s daughter. It went so far that she kept the alicorn filly trapped under a basket, with Apple Bloom sitting on it to prevent any escape, so she could get a police officer to re-arrest ‘Nightmare Moon’ for her crimes. Even with all the time that had passed since, the old mare still resented Nyx, and never approved of her family going anywhere near the filly to this day. This made this JAGFest all the more difficult, because Nyx was one of the closest ponies to not only the Team JAG Band, but to Tails and Cosmo, the two who helped connect Equestria with all the others that have been introduced.
There was no choice in the matter for Applejack: she’d have to pick up Granny and Big Mac from the station personally and have a stern conversation with her grandmother about how to act around Nyx, and at JAGFest. The festival promoted togetherness and celebration of music after all, and she didn’t want anypony’s pride or stubbornness get in the way of that. There was an old saying she learned from Dan and Gohan, about how you can’t make a horse drink out of the same pond as everypony else, and this case was no different, except that Granny Smith would say everypony who accepted Nyx would be drinking poison.
If all else would fail, Applejack wouldn’t leave her grandmother’s side until the festival was over, or keep her as far away from the Sparkle family, some of her best friends, as possible.
/)∞(\
Evening came faster than anypony could have imagined. JAGFest resulted with even more success as the ponies of Appleloosa celebrated all of their small town ways with one-another, along with some visiting buffalo and out-of-town ponies that came in by train, or flight if they were pegasi. By this point, the image the band had given itself had made them recognizable and iconic even more, as nearly the entire town kept coming up to band members and those from Mobius with offers of hospitality and respect for what the festival was providing. It was, indeed, all a positive sight to behold, but the Master Four did admit with each other that the ponies supplying all eleven members, technically thirteen when counting the two stage managers/engineers, their own custom-styled Stetson hats for them to wear.
Being treated like celebrities continued to stupefy the Team JAG Band, as the lingering thought that remained was how their biggest following, for music most would consider the sounds of evil, were multi-colored and cute ponies.
All of the festival-attending ponies gathered along the main strip of the town and most of the open land towards the end opposite of the railway. The band’s stage stood tall and proud over towards where the flatland met with the hillside, allowing as much open space in front as possible for ponies and others to stand. Most of the traveling visitors, however, sat farther back on rooftops and balconies of buildings closest to the edge of town, two balconies of which faced opposite of each other.
One was treated as a smaller-sized royal sitting section, made for Twilight, Nyx, Spike, Cosmo, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to sit or stand comfortably. Opposite of that was specifically for members of the Apple family: Applejack and her immediate family, Braeburn and Pinkie Pie, the latter of whom still having slight hope for blood ties with the Apples. Among them was Granny Smith, of course, who was as calm and content as can be. After a lengthy conversation with Applejack last night, and another with Big Macintosh on the train ride, she didn’t make any fuss regarding Nyx being there. In fact, she offered to take care of all four CMC during the afternoon and caused no trouble whatsoever. When AJ asked about her actions, Granny simply explained “I guess it was from that certain tune yer friends offered to play; it struck a thought in me like a needle sewing pants about this whole dang JAGgyFest.”
It was a thought the mare carried in her mind happily as she and her little sister made their way backstage with Nyx and Cosmo, spending some time with the band before having to make the final hosting speech. Throughout the day, many members of the Apple clan had a turn to host: Braeburn opened the festival, the Oranges welcomed all the relatives from all corners of Equestria, even Babs Seed, who announced a mini Iron Pony competition for both kids and adults to partake in. At Twilight’s suggestion, it was more than fitting to have the closest of the Apples to Team JAG have the opportunity to make the main introduction, and they couldn’t agree more.
Phineas and Ferb eventually gave the two their signal to walk out on stage, where two microphone stands elevated up at respectable heights. As they did, Ash called everyone in the band together for the annual preshow huddle, with Cosmo and Nyx joining them right beside Tails. The fox waited a moment for everyone to get comfortable before starting to hype his friends for another show.
“We’ve made it to day number seven, everyone. It feels like this trip is going so fast now that we’ve come this far, but we still power through each and every night giving the show all that we can, and more importantly, having everypony enjoy the show. Out there waiting for us right now is Appleloosa, and all the Apple family relatives and buffalo herds you can fit into that one strip of street, stretching as far back as the train tracks. They welcomed us like family, and treated us like family, so I better not see anyone here show that same love and respect in return! Hands and hoof in!”
Everyone then reached in the center of the huddle to stack their hands in a tower, with Nyx’s hoof topping them all. “Let’s make tonight loud, and let’s give the music we love justice! Tonight is all about getting wild in the west! At the count of three, I want to hear ‘Aaaaaappleloosa!’ Ready?
“1… 2… 3!”
“AAAAAAAPPLELOOSA!!!”
And with that, the huddle broke open as hands and hoof were thrown in the air. From when that concluded, it seemed to be perfect timing as they overheard Applejack and Apple Bloom on stage. The two said their final words to the audience before they’d go meet with Nyx and Cosmo, and rush their way back to their friends.
“Appleloosa, it is our mighty pleasure of introducin’ to y’all some of the most talented friends anypony could meet!”
“Now put your hooves together for…”
“THE TEAM JAG BAND!”
/)∞(\
YOU’RE YOU – William Anderson/audio introduction DEVOUR – Shinedown/Yugi/Tails on piano intro and rhythm guitar BACK IN THE DAY – Megadeth/Yugi + rhythm guitar ACE OF SPADES – Motorhead/Gohan + rhythm guitar EVERYTHING ENDS – Slipknot/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples OLD FRIEND – Disturbed/Gohan/Kim on rhythm guitar, Tails on synthtar
“WHAT’S UP, APPLELOOSA! WELCOME TO JAGFEST!” Yumi said, the first amongst the band to speak to the crowd. They cheered loudly and full of energy in return, just as she wanted, up until she began to speak again. “Now’s the time where we show all of you the power, the energy, and the togetherness that comes from rock and metal. Tonight is, without a doubt, going to be my favorite night so far with what my best friend has in store for you later. But before this show goes anywhere, I need to know something… ARE. YOU. READY?!” She allowed the crowd to cheer once again before concluding with “Here’s a little rarity that doesn’t always make it into our sets, but tonight it has a special place. This is ‘Say You Will…’”
SAY YOU WILL – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano/keyboard PHOTOGRAPH [DEF LEPPARD] – Santana/Gohan/Tails on lead guitar, Aelita on keyboard/organ, Ami on tambourine EVERY TIME YOU GO – 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals A THOUSAND FACES – Creed/Jason/Tails on acoustic guitar, Ash on Mark Tremonti vocals as well as lead guitar
Jason walked around the stage, using his microphone to say to the crowd “I hope you guys are ready for some big surprises tonight, because we’ve got quite a few set up for you tonight!” He paused because of the audience beginning to cheer excitedly, waiting for that to quiet down before continuing. “Just to let you know, we are currently in part one of our three-part set, and this is the part when we play songs our band used to rehearse with before shows we’ve played a few years ago. It means a great deal to us to play these songs because some have become our favorites, others have never been played live before, and some of these were challenging for us to give proper justice and formulate the right lineups. This next song, however, is one that we’ve played before, but we have a special way of doing so tonight…”
He paused and let Ron appear on stage with one of his Les Paul guitars, decaled with the album cover design related to the next song to be played. After Ron stood stage center as the crowd cheered for his presence and was ready to play with the Master Four, Jason concluded with “Instead of me playing rhythm guitar as I normally would, we’re going to give Ron his fair share of shredding and have him play my part every so often. Here’s a song by one of our most respected bands that we can call our friends, Alter Bridge. Now, Appleloosa, answer me one thing… HOW’S IT FEEL… TO BE ALIVE!?!”
ONE DAY REMAINS – Alter Bridge/Jason/Ron on rhythm guitar MISTRESS DREAD – Lou Reed & Metallica/Dan with Gohan lineup/Dan and Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer IN THE END – Anthrax/Ash/Tails on rhythm guitar WHO WE ARE – Machine Head/Jason + co-lead guitar/Tails on rhythm guitar, Ami and Yumi on violins, Dan on cello/audio children’s choir
“Do you want some more?!” Ash called out to the Appleloosans, all of whom began to cheer loudly and excitedly once again. “Come on, that was weak. I Said… DO YOU WANT SOME MORE?!?!” The response this time sounded if it tripled the previous cheering, almost quadrupled if Pinkie Pie and the CMC cheered just a slight louder. “We’re near the end of the first part of our set, and we’d like to play one of the heaviest electronic/percussion/melodic songs by one of our Master Four influences- Linkin Park! Now, everypony, we want you to join us for a few minutes in a nice, dark… Blackout.”
BLACKOUT – Linkin Park/Ash and Dan on co-vocals/Tails on lead guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Kim and Ron on custom percussion, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples, Ami on own drum kit NARCISSISTIC CANNIBAL – Korn/Yugi/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on turntables/programming/samples EMPTY SPACES [PINK FLOYD]/BORN OF DESIRE – Mushroomhead/Ash on Jeffrey Nothing vocals, Gohan on J-Mann vocals/Jason and Yugi on drums, Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Kim on keyboard/synthesizer, Dan and Ron on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples HOUSE OF CARDS – Solipsist/Jason/Dan on rhythm guitar, Gohan on Jason Popson vocals, Ami on drums, Ron on keyboard
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
WHY NOT ME – Within Temptation/audio introduction SHOT IN THE DARK – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard OUR SOLEMN HOUR – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard LET US BURN – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard ICE QUEEN – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim joins on co-vocals with own voice SAY MY NAME – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim on backing vocals with own voice MEMORIES – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano, Ron on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim on co-vocals with own voice
“Thank you so much, everypony! Y’all are just amazing!” Ami yelled, humorously mimicking the country accent of the townsponies, who were cheering and stomping loudly. Listening carefully, she could have sworn she heard a few “Yee-haws” somewhere in it, causing her to smile and giggle a little. “What you’re watching us perform now is part two of our set, where we make a tribute to some of our favorite bands and influences, and tonight is my turn to share with you my favorite band to help perform: Within Temptation. This is a very special set for me, and I hope it becomes just as special to all of you. But, in order to really make this tribute memorable, we’d like to play one of the band’s newest songs, and to make it happen, I’ll need some help making a new vocal debut…”
She paused to allow Yumi to walk out to the stage, but towards Gohan in order to take his bass guitar and prepare to play it herself. Gohan then walked up to one of the microphone stands and took said tool off the stand, and then said “It’s about time we add a little twist to the sounds of symphonic metal. I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks, because this was a setup that took literally months to make satisfying for us to give the music justice. We dedicate this song to all of those in the Apple Family, every citizen of Appleloosa, and our friends in the buffalo herd and Chief Thunderhooves. Let’s keep this shit going; this is called…
“’And We Run…’”
AND WE RUN – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim on keyboard/synthesizer and backing vocals, Gohan on Xzibit vocals, Yumi on bass guitar FASTER – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi and Dan on rhythm guitars, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard THE HEART OF EVERYTHING – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim on co-vocals with own voice MOTHER EARTH – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim on keyboard and backing vocals, Dan and Ron on backing vocals during male chorus
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
LORDS OF SUMMER – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar SAVE YOUR SOUL – Shadows Fall/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar PANDEMONIUM – Venom/Jason + rhythm guitar REFUSE/RESIST – Sepultura/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar ABIGAIL – King Diamond/Yugi/Ron on rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboards
The band members needed for the next song were already positioned, all set to go to keep the show going. The only one out of place was Tails, who was supposed to beat his piano to play, but instead was at the front of the stage at his microphone stand. It was his turn to say a few words, but not before she turned his head to the right to see the remaining band members, and then to his left to see the two stage managers, and a few members of the Apple family awaiting their cue. With a smile across his face, the fox looked out into the crowd to find the happiest stares coming from his beloved, his best friends and his pony friends, and then began to speak.
“Appleloosa, we’re now in the third part of our set, and this is when we play a collection of songs by certain bands that are not repeated on other nights of the Equestrian Masquerade, so these songs are only for your enjoyment. Now I say that because, we have this new song to play next, and it’s only fitting that we play this in the biggest town of Apple family relatives, and I’ve come to understand that this is the next-biggest Apple family reunion in history! It is very important to have your family, whether you share a name, or a bloodline, or just all the love and care that takes to make a family strong and meaningful. For myself, I have my best friends from Mobius, Princess Twilight and her family from Ponyville and Canterlot, and the most wonderful fiancé I never thought could exist before her. Now, this next song is all about that, and it’s only fair that we bring out some of our closest friends from the Apple family that we met when we first discovered Equestria!
“Mares and Gentlecolts, I am excited to bring out on stage the following amazing ponies- Applejack, Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and the honorary Apple, Pinkie Pie! Now let’s get to it! This song’s called ‘Apples to the Core!’” He then stepped back from his microphone stand and quickly greeted the five ponies now on stage. Once he was back at his piano, he gave an okay symbol that allowed the Master Four to start clapping their hands, with the audience following suit by stomping their hooves or feet to the opening rhythm to the song, and the band began to perform once more…
APPLES TO THE CORE – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Apple family with Yugi lineup/Yugi on acoustic guitar, Tails on keyboard, Ami on banjo, Yumi on violin THANKS – Volbeat/Gohan + rhythm guitar SAY HELLO 2 HEAVEN – Temple of the Dog/Jason/Kim and Ron on rhythm guitars ADDICTED TO CHAOS [MEGADETH] – Primitivity/only Tails, Dan, Ami and Yumi on cellos HOME – Jeff Burgess/Ami and Yumi with Ash lineup/Ash on acoustic guitar, Tails on piano DON’T YOU LET ME DOWN – KISS/Ash with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Ron on drums GOD SAVE ROCK ‘N ROLL – Kid Rock/Jason/Ami and Yumi on rhythm guitars and backing vocals, Tails on piano, Dan on saxophone HOW YOU REMIND ME – Nickelback/Gohan + rhythm guitar
Yugi had walked onto the middle section of the stage setup and stood at one of the end microphone stands to talk to the crowd. “Everypony,” he said, “we’re reaching the end of our set, and you guys have been amazing keeping up with us for so long. Do you have it in you to keep going for just a little longer?!” His answer came as another round of powerful cheers from them, a great sign to the band at just how strong the wills of ponies continue to be. “Since we’ve been powering through this set, we’re going to keep that momentum going and get through the rest of our set. As for this next song, this one goes out to some of the best friends any world can have, and a core reason why this band exists today: Team Sonic! By the band Crush 40, here’s ‘Never Turn Back!’ Sonic, everyone, we love you guys!”
NEVER TURN BACK – Crush 40/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar HEADSTRONG – Trapt/Ash NEVER LET ME DOWN AGAIN (SPLIT MIX) – Depeche Mode/Dan with Jason lineup/Jason on keyboard/synthesizer, Tails on piano, Kim on keyboards/audio symphonic intro COLD BLACK DAYS – Atrocity/Jason/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards/samples NO SAVING ME – Walls of Jericho/Yumi with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard APPLEPLOSION – The L-Train/Tails + lead guitar with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar
ENCORE: APPLEJACK – William Anderson/audio instrumental THE HUMAN INSTRUMENT – Volbeat/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Yumi on slide guitar intro A LINE IN THE SAND – Linkin Park/Ash and Dan on co-vocals/Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples FORGIVEN – Within Temptation/Ami with only Tails on piano, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Kim and Yumi on co-vocals
“Appleloosa, you have been an amazing audience tonight!” Kim said to the crowd to end the festival. “Thank you for all of your kindness, and thank you all for our new friendship with yet another great town of Equestria! Rainbow Falls has a lot to measure up to during our next show, but we’ll make sure you send your regards! From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU, AND GOOD NIGHT!”
The beautiful town of Rainbow Falls was in full swing for their turn of JAGFest as ponies from that town, and many from all across Equestria, covered every sidewalk and street. It was rivaling with all the other shows in terms of attendance, coming dangerously close to matching that of the first festival at the Crystal Empire, where the largest location the band had played thus far was. Part of the reason was, of course, the reason there was JAGFest, the Team JAG Band, and their ongoing crusade of meeting ponies they called the Equestrian Masquerade. Another reason was all the activities that were going on, including a smaller-scale return of the annual Traders Exchange that took up most of the open field, the same location where the Aerial Relay tryouts were held for the Equestria Games. But an inarguably major reason was the host of the day’s festivities, who was there to promote her books and get acquainted with some former companions, known as A.K. Yearling.
Or to Rainbow Dash and the Mane 6, and only them, under her adventurer’s name of Daring Do.
She hosted a stand to sell some of her books, including her newest release and re-releases, but left it in the hooves of an assistant to act on her hosting duties. She was also included as the main speaker of a seminar for authors and literature lovers alike, and sitting in the front row to enjoy every word A.K. Yearling was saying were Rainbow Dash, Princess Twilight, and Nyx. The author was familiar with the two older mares, but she had not met the black alicorn filly, that is until a private catering service offered the Princess, her friends and a few selected guests to enjoy a private meal before the main event.
And between Rainbow’s fan-gasming of her hero and Nyx trying to contain her excitement of spending time with an author of amazing books, both on top of meetings Tails and Cosmo and those of Team JAG, it was a less than peaceful to put it kindly, but still enjoyable at the same time.
The day as a whole was filled with fun and relaxation, and the visiting band and their Mobius friends took in as many activities and adventures as they could. Aelita managed to trade a couple of her touring scratching records for a set of records with music by many different Equestrian musicians, Knuckles and Gohan participated in a miniature Wonderbolts training seminar for physical strength, and a few of the band members made an impromptu acoustic jam session with ponies who asked about some of the ways they enjoy music, almost like a Storytellers setting. Some even took the time to check out some of the sights, including a fox and flower whose combined silhouette could be spotted by many attendees flying across some of the falls and through a rainbow.
/)∞(\
“Fillies and Gentlecolts, it is time for our main event of the day! It has been an honor and an adventure to serve as today’s host, and I could see at every corner that you were all having your own adventures, too. Did you all have a great time today, everypony?!”
A.K. Yearling was out on stage making her introductory speech to the crowd, who had all gathered in the field before the stage. Because of the restricted amount of space, and lack of upper seating in the outdoor location, the Mane 6, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Team Sonic were all given private seating on the upper balconies within the stage setup: one on each side of the stage, only a couple feet higher than the stage’s highest riser. The band had gathered into their huddle backstage near stage left, with Cosmo, Nyx, and for tonight especially Fluttershy, were all together and ready to prepare themselves. As during the entire run, Tails gave his own speech to get the band hyped up and ready to go.
“So here we are with the eighth night of JAGFest in Equestria, everyone. I’m not going to lie to you when I say that I’m sad that we’re closing in on the end of this fun masquerade, but all good things must come to a close at some point, and I’m glad that we put Rainbow Falls near there. This city is beautiful, it’s serene, and it’s going to get one of the biggest concerts that this town will ever see! I know I’m ready, I know Kim’s ready, I know Fluttershy is ready, I know that all our friends sitting above us are ready, I know that every single concertgoer out there is ready, and I will never doubt that all of us here are ready! Tell me right now- Are You Ready?!”
“Yes Sir!” the entire circle yelled, as if obeying a top military commander.
“Um… uh, yes sir,” Fluttershy said in her normal, quiet tone.
“Come on, guys, I know you’re more ready than that. ARE. YOU. READY?!”
“YES SIR!”
“Yes sir, Tails, sir,” added the pegasus.
“HANDS AND HOOVES IN!” The stack was rebuilt with all the band members and Cosmo’s hands and Nyx’s hoof, along with Fluttershy’s hoof somewhere in the middle. “Let’s get out there and give it all we got for Rainbow Falls! But for tonight, I need help with what we end this hype with. Fluttershy, give us a word for us to use, if you would be so kind.”
The yellow pegasus thought for a moment, and then inspiration struck. She whispered her chosen word into Tails’s ear, who chuckled and nodded in agreement. “’Yay’ it is then. Alright, everyone, I want to hear a ‘Yay’ worthy of Fluttershy here. Ready? 1… 2.. 3!”
“Yay!”
The entire group shared a small laugh as the huddle broke apart, and just in the nick of time as their host had ended her introductory speech and was making her way off the stage. Phineas gave the band a quick signal and stated “Alright, guys, it’s showtime!” Ferb kindly pointed out to Fluttershy and Nyx that there was one seat in each balcony open for each of them, the latter’s being with her mother and Cosmo, and the trio left to join the rest of their friends. The band was set and ready to go as Phineas hit a series or rainbow switches that got the stage in a pitch black shroud of darkness, the audio introduction beginning, and another concert having finally gone underway…
/)∞(\
FLUTTERSHY’S SERIOUS WORKOUT – William Anderson/audio introduction ALL THE THINGS SHE SAID [T.A.T.U.] – Rising Overlight/Yugi/Ron on clean vocals, Dan on rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboards FALLEN ANGELS – Black Veil Brides/Dan with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND – Kill Devil Hill/Yugi
“WHAT’S GOING ON, RAINBOW FALLS?!” Gohan called out to the crowd, receiving an uproar of cheering in return. “It’s my honor on behalf of our band to say three little words… WELCOME TO JAGFEST!!!” The response this time sounded even louder than the first as he stood at the center microphone stand grinning. “We’re very happy to see all of your faces here tonight, to help continue our celebration that is the Equestrian Masquerade. We have a fantastic set for you guys tonight, so without wasting too much more time, let’s get right to it! This is a great song we love to play, written about a fallen loved one who helped guide a certain person to a great destination. This goes out to the guys in Volbeat: this song is called ‘Dead But Rising…’” With four cymbal smashes from Jason, the band began to play.
DEAD BUT RISING – Volbeat/Gohan + rhythm guitar FEAR INSIDE – Unsaid Fate/Kim with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Ron on male vocals ARE YOU READY? – Creed/Jason/Tails on dual-neck electric/acoustic guitar FALL INTO YOU – David Hodges/Tails + piano/only with Yumi on Amy Lee vocals ALL ABOUT US – t.A.T.u./Ami and Yumi with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboards, Aelita on turntables/MIDI pad/samples
“Is everypony doing good out there?!” Yugi asked loudly, and was answered with an energetic cheer from the ponies in the audience. “I know Gohan gave you all a great welcome to our show for you tonight, but I’d like to welcome you to part one of your night with us. What that means is, like each show we’ve played during JAGFest shows around Equestria, we are performing a collection of songs that this band rehearsed before several shows in the past. And what makes this very, very unique for tonight is how fresh these songs are to us, because this is our first new rehearsal set from this very year!” He found himself pausing as the crowd cheered and whistled excitedly at that piece of interesting information that was shared. “Now that I’ve given my say… Ash, tell them about the next song!”
“With pleasure,” Ash replied, and then facing the crowd to make a quick explanation. “Nearly every JAGFest show we’ve been playing here, there has been a band we would play a song of theirs in tribute to them; they go by the name of Mushroomhead. This band is one of the more interesting bands we’ve ever gotten to know, and whose music we began to play, and that’s especially so after their annual Halloween concert over a year ago. That night, we were reminded about how important it is for friends and family, current or former, should stick together, support each other, and become stronger because we had each other. They played a song that night, that we felt was finally given proper justice, and now, we are here to do the same for them, and for you. Always remember, ponies, to hang onto those close to you, and… what do they go Gohan?!”
Just then, Gohan exclaimed as loud as he could the title of the next song-
“NEVER…
“LET IT…
“GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”
NEVER LET IT GO – Mushroomhead/Ash on Jeffrey Nothing vocals, Gohan on J-Mann vocals, Yugi on Waylon vocals/Jason on drums, Tails on lead guitar Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Kim on keyboards, Dan and Ron on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples BROKEN, BEAT & SCARRED – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar RAINBOW IN THE DARK [DIO] – Corey Taylor/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar MY LITTLE PONY INTRO [DANIEL INGRAM] – Insomnia/instrumental with Jason lineup/Jason on lead guitar, Tails on keytar LIFT ME UP – Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Yugi on Rob Halford vocals, Tails on lead guitar, Kim and Ron on rhythm guitars
“So I’d like to say something about your lovely city here,” Ami said, taking her turn to speak to the crowd. “It is very colorful, it is quite peaceful, and it Knows How To ROCK THE HELL OUT!” She paused herself to allow the crowd to cheer at her exclamation, which wasn’t as thunderous as she had hoped, but instead filled with spirit, which was all the better. “I want to keep that spirit going with a song that couldn’t make the cut to our previous show in Appleloosa, where we played a tribute to a band called Within Temptation. Now we have another tribute, a one-of-a-kind you may think of it as, but this next song is a hardcore symphonic beauty of music that can be called an ‘example’ of what tonight’s set’s second part will be like. This one goes out to our friend Rainbow Dash, your heroic Wonderbolts, and that amazing adventurer Daring Do…” Without another word said, the band began to perform once again…
DANGEROUS – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Jason on Howard Jones vocals, Yumi on lead guitar and backing vocals, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard WHAT I’VE DONE – Linkin Park/Ash/Dan on lead guitar and backing vocals, Tails on piano, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples WHEN I’M GONE – 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals YOU’LL BE IN MY HEART – Phil Collins/Tails + lead guitar/only with Kim on rhythm guitar, Yumi on bass guitar, Ami on drums, Dan on keyboards, Ron on bongos, Aelita on symphonic keyboard WHO I AM [DR. DYCER] – The L-Train/Tails with Yugi lineup/Tails on lead guitar, Yugi on extra rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer/fadeout outro
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
THE PATH TO DECAY – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard SEVEN WIDOWS WEEP – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard THE TWILIGHT IN YOUR EYES – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard LED ASTRAY – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Tails on piano, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard THIS DARKNESS – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Tails on piano, Ami on synthtar and backing vocals, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard
Kim stood at the center of the stage’s highest riser, with Jason on the right end and Ash opposite of him. She waited until Ami and Yumi were in their positions for the next song before saying “Alright, Rainbow Falls, it’s my turn to share a tribute with you tonight! Right now, we pay tribute to a band I’ve come to name as one of my new favorite bands, but a brand new band premiere by us: SIRENIA!” The audience began to cheer, whistle, stomp, clap, and make any possible sound in general to show just how excited they were, which made Kim all the more excited to keep things going. “This means a lot to me because, like my man Ron with his debut a few shows ago, I have an opportunity to show you just how strong this band is when we work together and play some rocking music! Speaking of which… are you ready for more?!” Allowing the crowd to show their anticipation once more, she concluded with “Then let’s rock out together, my friends! This song is called ‘My Destiny Coming to Pass!’ NOW LET’S DO THIS!!”
MY DESTINY COMING TO PASS – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion ONE BY ONE – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Tails on piano, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard VOICES WITHIN – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard WINTERBORN 77 – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Dan on extra rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard PROFOUND SCARS – Sirenia/Kim with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar and male vocals, Aelita on keyboard/programming, Ron on symphonic keyboard, Dan on pan flute
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
WALK WITH KNOWLEDGE WISELY – Crowbar/Ash + lead guitar KINGDOM OF DUST – Demons Within/Gohan/Yugi on co-vocals as well as lead guitar, Ron on rhythm guitar SEEN THROUGH TIME – Cellador/Yugi/Tails on rhythm guitar KING OF THE UNDERDOGS – Newsted/Jason + rhythm guitar SO FAR AWAY – Crossfade/Ash/Dan on rhythm guitar and extra vocals FIND THE MUSIC IN YOU – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/The Ponytones with only Master Four on clapping and backing vocals
Standing at the DJ setup, Aelita used the nearby microphone sitting on a tabletop stand to get the ponies’ attention. “Can I get those hooves in the air?!” she called out, and before she knew it, what looked to be over a thousand hooves reached for the sky as a wave of cheering crashed onto the stage. “Now can I get some cheers for our awesome friends and guests: the Ponytones?!” The response this time sounded much, much greater than the previous. “Now I want to see if we can get a little party started here, and I mean my kind of party! Here’s some jungle DJing style for all you awesome guys out there, and a lot more greatness to follow!...”
ROUGH THIS YEAR – DJ Starscream/only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples SPIKE IN MY VEINS – Korn/Yugi/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards, Aeltia on turntables/programming/samples CLEAR THE SKIES! – DusK/instrumental with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards STARGAZER – Rainbow/Yugi/Kim on keyboards MASTER OF DISASTER – Seether/Gohan + rhythm guitar BLACK HOLE SUN – Soundgarden/Jason + rhythm guitar PSYCHODALIA – Jeffrey Nothing/Ash/Kim on acoustic guitar, Aelita on keyboard/organ
Dan walked across the stage with a microphone in hand and spoke to the crowd next. “You have been an unbelievable crowd to play for, Rainbow Falls! Thank you so much!” As they cheered on and on, he continued with “Now we don’t have too many songs left for you guys tonight, but we still have a few surprises left up our sleeves. You see, we’ve been playing through the third part of our set, which includes a set of songs by bands that we haven’t repeated during our Equestrian Masquerade when it comes to the same lineup, or the same bands for the most part. We’ve got this next song by a band that, as often as we try, don’t seem to play as much as we’d want to, but tonight’s Equestria’s night to give this band such opportunity. Here’s a little song by a cool band I like, who go by the name Incubus…”
THE ORIGINAL – Incubus/Dan with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard, Aelita on turntables/samples SHE SAID – Cold/Ash + rhythm guitar/Tails on piano STRANGERS YESTERDAY – Doro/Yumi with Jason lineup/Jason on rhythm guitar, Kim and Aelita on keyboards LUNA – Moonspell/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar and female vocals, Ami on symphonic keyboard
“Do you still have some life left to spare?!” Jason said, seeing how much attention their audience still had to give. Without a doubt, the ponies in the audience, and their friends in the hidden balconies, cheered and applauded as much as possible to show what they had left. “Listen up, because I’m only saying this once: we’re down to our last couple songs for tonight, and we want to make sure you’re ready to keep going. If you are ready to do that for us, I WANT TO HEAR YOU SCREAM!” Before he knew it, the crowd did just what he asked and scream loud and proud, much to his pleasure. “And like your wonderful and beautiful Princess Celestia, always remember… to Shine Forever!...”
SHINE FOREVER – Fozzy/Jason/Ron on rhythm guitar HERE COMES THE NIGHT – Europe/Yugi/Kim on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer
ENCORE: RAINBOW AND DASH – William Anderson/audio instrumental SO MANY WONDERS [MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC] – DusK/Fluttershy (from backstage) with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar HEROES OF THE SKY – The L-Train/instrumental with Yugi lineup/Tails on lead guitar, Yugi on extra rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Kim and Ron on custom percussion
“Rainbow Falls, thank you for giving us another amazing day, and another memorable night!” Tails yelled from his microphone stand, gaining everypony’s attention. “You’ve helped make JAGFest another amazing success, and here’s hoping Fillydelphia can do the same next! This is our last song for you guys tonight, and it’s a favorite back home on Mobius! Thank you all again, and we hope to see you soon! Our last song for you… is called… LIVE- AND- LEARN!!!”
LIVE & LEARN – Crush 40/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar, joined by Sonic on second rhythm guitar before first chorus/extended outro jam
The train carrying the Princess of Friendship and her family and friends pulled into the borders of Fillydelphia, the next stop for JAGFest. Having left their previous location, Rainbow Falls, early that morning meant that the group could travel around the town and take in some of the sights before having to return to their private train. Normally they wouldn’t until they would have to leave for the next stop for the touring festival, but on the ride to Fillydelphia, Spike belched out a letter from Princess Celestia that contained some unexpected news-
My Dearest Twilight,
I write this letter with news regarding your current travels across Equestria. It would seem that your friends’ performances has grown the highest interest out of ponies, many of who have already participated in the events advising others they know to do the same, or even try to attend another. I had just received word from the mayor of Fillydelphia that because of this Equestrian Masquerade you are all enjoying, all places to reside for your time there have become non-vacant.
Because of this, it would seem that you and your friends will have the greatest of difficulty finding a place to reside for the night, so I thought to forewarn you to take advantage of your private express and reside in there during your stay in Fillydelphia. Normally, the Hotel Palomare would have provided you all with accommodations, but with the overwhelming amount of ponies arriving at the city, that was where I was notified and made the decision to offer those rooms to those who needed somewhere to sleep.
I didn’t mean to make any inconvenience for you or our guests during the festivals, but I promise to make this up to you all. Luna and I are looking forward to when you stop in Canterlot next and have already begun preparations for your stay at the castle as we anticipate what excitement and surprises that’s in store for the concert. I wish you all the fun you, your family and your friends can have in Fillydelphia, and tell your Crusader friends to have fun hosting the event.
Sincerely, Princess Celestia
Little did the Princess of the Sun could comprehend how a trio of Ponyville fillies shot out of the train the moment it came to a stop at the station…
/)∞(\
The flooding streets of Fillydelphia showed that the festival continued to prove its success once again. The enjoyable times that the Team JAG Band and Team Sonic were having with the Mane 6 as they explored the festivities kept them believing that the interdimensional visitor’s intentions for the Masquerade continued to thrive. The presence of the Princess of Friendship and her adoptive daughter resulted in bowing respect for the former and occasional concerned for the latter. The fact that three fillies were serving as hosts of JAGFest: pleasantly insane.
It was a choice that the Master Four were semi-agreeable with, choosing the Cutie Mark Crusaders to host a JAGFest. They weren’t against the idea, in fact they supported it, but to allow them free reign to host an entire festival seemed a little stretch, not without providing a form of guidance to help them out just in case. A couple older sisters, on the other hoof, didn’t approve of the idea unless there was that proper guidance there, and at least one other to stick by them for safety reasons, a somewhat overreacting request but understandable nonetheless. After all, Team JAG takes on each course of action expecting the unexpected.
They were young fillies who, although trying not to, let their excitement take advantage as they performed hosting duties, and fortunately their antics didn’t erupt into anything destructive. The one time where things got slightly out of hand was the impromptu autograph signing they started with both the band and heroes of Mobius, but the two groups decided to not mind this as it gave them a new opportunity to meet new friends, and big fans as the ponies called themselves. Unfortunately, Shadow’s overprotective nature for Maria took control of him as he began to block ponies as far away from her as possible, after allowing only so much time to pass, and thus the two left with Applejack to go somewhere more peaceful as less hedgehog provoking: backstage.
But the hours continued to pass until the sun began to reach the last couple hours of descent into a night’s rest. Phineas and Ferb set up the stage at the town’s hoofball field, the biggest open area the city offered the band to perform, the setup facing the setting sun. Bleachers that stood along each side of the field became crammed with ponies, and the open ground filled quickly. Atop the bleachers were two press boxes, one of which was offered for the royal group, but since it could not hold everypony and their guests, Twilight offered the box to the ponies sitting on the two bleacher lines below the box so that she and her friends could sit together. Once that was settled, she teleported herself away for a few moments to find her daughter.
/)∞(\
“Nyx? Cosmo? Tails?”
“Hey Mom!”
Nyx, who was actually standing behind the suddenly appearing Twilight, trotted up to her side with a grin. “You’re just in time,” said the filly. “The band’s about to do their huddle, and then the opening speech will start.”
“That’s great,” Twilight said happily, but then a curious expression crossed her face. “Wait, your friends aren’t making the speech during the huddle?”
“Not this time,” Nyx replied. “Ami suggested that they can be part of the huddle tonight, and everyone agreed to the idea.”
“Alright guys, bring it in!” called out Yumi, who was standing a small distance away with her favorite guitar. She had just finished fine-tuning it for the show, and the others were conversing amongst themselves waiting as they had finished with their preparations. The eleven band members grouped together, with the addition of Cosmo besides Tails, Nyx on the fox’s back, and the trio of hosts poking their heads between the Master Four’s sides. Before they could start, Cosmo turned her head out to the alicorn in the room.
“Twilight, would you like to join us?” she asked.
The purple mare grinned and replied “I’d love to,” and walked her way over to join them. Tails and Yumi opened the space between them to allow her entry, and when she was in and ready, the fox began to speak.
“It’s time, you guys,” he said. “Time for another show and another chance to rock out with Equestria. This is a big night, because we’ll have only two more shows here before we end things back home, so tonight really has to count. Some of the heaviest songs we love, some of the rarest songs we play, and some big moments are packed into the next four hours for Fillydelphia, and we’re going to make our way through this as the crusaders we are! And speaking of crusaders… Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo got me HYPED to take the stage tonight! I know they did the same for us all, and gave us the example of life and energy that we’re taking out on that stage! Cutie Mark Crusaders, thank you!”
The trio of hosts, even Nyx just to be included, saluted their fox friend and said “Yes Sir!” It was like one of the previous huddles, where everyone treated him like their lead soldier, which he appreciated very much.
He then continued with “Now listen up and answer me one question… Are we ready for tonight, or ARE WE READY TO ROCK TONIGHT!”
“WE ARE READY!” everyone yelled, even their included princess.
“Hands and hooves in!” Tails ordered, and in an instant the pile of hands and hooves stacked together in the center. “It’s time we give this town the taste of Team JAG! It’s time to show how us friends work together when the going gets tough, and when the fun has yet begun. Tonight… we are… Cutie Mark Crusaders: Rock & Roll Warriors! I want to hear that in 3… 2… 1!”
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: ROCK & ROLL WARRIORS! YAY!!!”
The huddle broke apart after the cheer, and the band divided up to get what they needed to start the show out themselves. The fillies grouped with Twilight and Cosmo for a few moments until Phineas walked up and said “Alright, CMC, you’re all set to go. Once you’re done with your intro for the band, look for the light Ferb has on our control desk and walk over to it to meet with Twilight and Nyx.” He then turned to the mentioned alicorn and added “Twilight, we have space here if you’d all like to stay backstage.”
Twilight smiled but shook her head as she replied “No thanks, Phineas. I’ve been with everyone during each show, and I think it’s only fair to do so for the last few. Thank you for the offer, though.”
“But of course, Your Highness,” he replied, and them motioned the hosts to the limelight of the stage. “Fillies, if you would…”
“You got it,” Scootaloo said confidently. “You ready, Crusaders?”
“You know it. Let’s give ‘em an introduction they’ll never forget,” said Apple Bloom.
“Then let’s go!” Sweetie Belle squeaked.
The three then began to run out onto the stage, but unfortunately without looking close enough to who was going where. The moment they were in the view of the audience, they crashed into each other and began to tumble their way to the three microphone stands waiting for them to us. After they landed, and feeling awfully embarrassed, the crowd began to laugh. Backstage, both Twilight and Cosmo were trying to stifle their chuckling as Nyx just put a hoof between her eyes and groaned.
“What’s wrong, Nyx?” Cosmo asked in her chuckling.
Nyx let out a sigh and replied “You know that strange feeling that something was going to mess up somehow? I don’t know why, but I thought we finally moved past that in our lives, and I didn’t feel it all day. I think I was dead wrong about that.”
Cosmo couldn’t help but laugh at what the filly said, and waited until she had it back under control before saying anything. “Oh Nyx, everybody gets a little clumsy at times. The stories I can tell you about my friends when we’re together will prove that, including when Tails tried to call me beautiful one day. Somehow, he ended up unconscious after tripping and falling off a ladder in his workshop…”
/)∞(\
STAKEOUT – William Anderson/audio introduction COME ON – Mushroomhead/Ash on Jeffrey Nothing vocals, Yugi on Waylon vocals/Jason on drums, Tails on lead guitar, Yumi and Gohan on rhythm guitars, Ami on bass guitar, Kim on keyboards, Dan and Ron on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples FUCKING HOSTILE [PANTERA] – Machine Head/Jason + rhythm guitar RIGHT NOW – Korn/Yugi/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer PEOPLE = SHIT – Slipknot/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples 3 – Disturbed/Gohan/Kim on rhythm guitar
“FILLYDELPHIA,” Yugi bellowed out to the crowd, “MY NAME IS YUGI, AND I WELCOME YOU ALL TO JAGFEST!!!” The audience cheered on and on in great volume, excitement a plentiful in their tone. “We’ve got a big night in store for you guys tonight, and it all starts out right here… Right Now! ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?!” He let the crowd cheer once more before concluding with “This first part of our set has A LOT of great songs put together for you guys to enjoy, and from all the love and respect you guys gave it today, we don’t want to give you any less than all we’ve got! To keep this show starting up, here’s a song by a great band known as Avenged Sevenfold… This song is called…
“Not Ready to Die…”
NOT READY TO DIE – Avenged Sevenfold/Yugi/Kim on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer SIN & SACRIFICE – DevilDriver/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar SUDDENLY – Creed/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar DIAMOND EYES (BOOM-LAY, BOOM-LAY, BOOM) – Shinedown/Yugi/Tails on piano and rhythm guitar AGAIN – Flyleaf/Yumi with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar JORNADA DEL MUERTO – Linkin Park/Ash and Dan on co-vocals/only with Tails on keyboard/synthesizer WAITING FOR THE END – Linkin Park/Ash/Dan on lead guitar and co-vocals, Tails on keyboard, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples
Jason, positioning himself on the middle riser with one of his black Stratocaster guitars, called out to the pony audience with the microphone on the stand before him. “If you’re alive out there, everypony… MAKE SOME FUCKING NOISE!!!” Ponies as far he could see began to cheer and scream long and loud, filling the air with all they could give, pleasing him very much. “Good, THAT’s what I wanted to hear. We’re winding down on our first portion of tonight’s set list, which is a collection of songs our band has rehearsed before shows that we played in the past, these ones going all the way back to my birthday a few years ago. This next song, it gives me a bit to think about, such as the fact that we’re winding down on the amount of JAGFests we have left with all the great ponies across Equestria, and everybody in the band looking forward to where we’ll be heading next. When JAGFest is all said and done, home is where you’ll find us…” Without another word to say, the band got back into performing as the next song began.
HOME – Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar WHEN YOUR’E YOUNG – 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals AMONG THE LIVING – Anthrax/Ash/Tails on rhythm guitar SUDDEN DEATH – Megadeth/Yugi + co-lead guitar/Tails on rhythm guitar DISCIPLE – Slayer/Jason + rhythm guitar
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
SWEET SACRIFICE – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards GOING UNDER – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards MADE OF STONE – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards EVERYBODY’S FOOL – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards, Aelita on symphonic keyboard
“Who out there is ready for part two of this concert?!” yelled Yumi, who received a round of roaring cheers in return. “Tonight, it is my pleasure to share with you the second portion, where we play a tribute to a favorite band of a member of the Team JAG Band. Tonight, it’s my turn to share with you my love and appreciation of the music by a band that goes by the name of Evanescence! We plan to power on through all these incredible songs, but only if you’re ready for it! You want us to keep going or what?!!” She paused to hear the crowd cheered loudly with anticipation, and then concluded with “Well then, with an attitude like that, the title of this next song fits what you deserve. Tails, if you’d please…”
ANYTHING FOR YOU – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Ami on extra rhythm guitar and backing vocals COULD NINE – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards SICK – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Ron on keyboard SAY YOU WILL – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer WEIGHT OF THE WORLD – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards, Dan on acoustic guitar MY LAST BREATH – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Jason and Kim on backing vocals, Ami on drums
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
INFERNO – Marty Friedman/instrumental with Yugi lineup/Yugi on co-lead guitar BURIED IN BLACK – Kingdom of Sorrow/Jason/Ash on co-vocals as well as lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar SHADOWS – Fallen Captive/Ash/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/samples DEATH BLOOMS – Mudvayne/Gohan MAGNOLIA BLVD. – Butcher Babies/Ami and Yumi with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar
Dan walked out with one of his guitars worn on his back, but swung it around to his front when he stepped up at the front left microphone stand. “Now it’s time to really have some fun!” he declared to the cheering and still excited ponies. “We’re now in our third portion of the show, where we play a different song by all the different bands we perform… with a few premieres thrown in here and there to mix things up. With tonight’s set, we’ve decided to make things a little heavier than previous shows along the Equestrian Masquerade, and play some songs by some of the heaviest bands we’ve come to know and perform ourselves. Here’s a little number for you guys, with a touch of melodic death metal thrown into it. This is ‘Extinction Mantra…’”
EXTINCTION MANTRA – Scar Symmetry/Gohan/Dan on rhythm guitar and clean vocals, Aelita on keyboards ALL HOPE IN ECLIPSE – Cradle of Filth/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboards, Ami on keytar WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE – Napalm Death/Jason CASTLE OF SHADOWS – Slyphstorm/Yugi/Gohan on rap vocals, Ron on rhythm guitar, Kim on bass guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Ami on keytar, Tails on symphonic keyboard LIES GREED MISERY (DIRTYPHONICS REMIX) – Linkin Park/only Aelita on turntables/programming/samples DEATH TO ANALOG – Julien-K/Dan with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboard/synthesizer, Ron on keyboard/programming/samples
“I think it’s time that we have a little, more relaxing and calming, music to get the night by,” Ash said, talking to the crowd from the front center microphone. “Before we start things again, I just want to give you a small, early surprise by saying that our good friend, the lovely lady Rarity, will be joining us for the song following this one, so we hope you look forward to that. But for right now, we have a rare treat for you, with a song that we’ve only played a couple times ever, by a band we always try to play. We’d like to send this one out, to all the ponies out there looking for that one very special somepony, and to anyone who already has that pony in their lives… well, you can disregard this entire meaning.” A small round of laughter came from both the crowd and those currently on stage, including Ash. When it settled back down into silence, he began to sing the opening words of the song…
SOMEBODY TO LOVE – Queen/Ash/Tails on piano THE TYPE OF PONY EVERYPONY SHOULD KNOW – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/Rarity with Gohan lineup/Gohan on acoustic guitar, Tails on keyboards, Aelita on symphonic keyboard BELIEVE – Orianthi/Ami with Ash lineup/Ami on lead guitar, Ash on extra rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboards, Tails on piano LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL – Sixx A.M./Yugi/Kim on acoustic guitar ATONEMENT – Pitch Black Forecast/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar DIE, DIE MY DARLING – Misfits/Ash THRONE OF THORNS – Testament/Jason/Ron on rhythm guitar SYSTEM – Jonathon Davis/Yugi/Dan on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer
Ron ran out onto the stage, yelling into his microphone “Fillydelphia, you are awesome! Who’s ready for a few more songs?!” The entire crowd cheered immensely once again, but he kept hyping them up to cheer louder and louder until he could hear Pinkie Pie cheer louder than ever. “We’ve reached the near end of our set for you guys tonight, and even though we hate how fast it’s gone, the old saying goes: all good things must come to an end. So, we need your help, and that’s to make damn sure we end this with a BANG! Will you help us with that?!” After another round of cheers from everypony, he concluded speaking with “Here’s a new song for you guys, by one of our most recent debuts. This song is called ‘Leaving…’”
LEAVING – Fight or Flight/Ron with Gohan lineup/Gohan on acoustic guitar, Tails on piano/keyboard CURSE OF IMMORTALITY – Insomnia/instrumental with Jason lineup/Jason on co-lead guitar, Tails on rhythm guitar BREATH – Scott Weiland/Gohan/Ami on rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboard PARADISE CITY – Guns ‘n Roses/Ash/Tails on lead guitar, Ron on extra rhythm guitar, Kim and Aelita on keyboards/synthesizers
ENCORE: TRAPS – William Anderson/audio instrumental/fadeout outro SNUFF – Slipknot/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Kim and Ron on acoustic guitars, Dan on keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples THOUGHTLESS [KORN] – Evanescence/Yumi with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano
“Fillydelphia,” Tails said, addressing the crowd from his microphone stand as the rest of the band positioned themselves on the stage, “this is it. This is our final moments of JAGFest with you tonight, but we have a special surprise…” He paused to take in a deep breath, but not before looking towards his beloved and his Mobius family. “You see, there was a song from our original rehearsal set that we didn’t play, mainly because that song has only one place to be performed. So for tonight, and tonight only, everyone in the band wants to come together and perform you a similar song… A song that has brought us all together to jam on before for our All Band Jams, and never being performed like this in Equestria. This rare occasion goes out to the Cutie Mark Crusaders for doing a fantastic job hosting today. This song is called ‘Overkill-‘”
OVERKILL [MOTORHEAD] – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Tails, Phineas and Yumi on extra rhythm guitars, Kim and Ferb on extra bass guitars, Ron and Ami on own drum kits, Dan and Aelita on custom percussion
“Thank you, everypony! You have been awesome to us tonight!” Gohan yelled, receiving a great cheer in return as most of the band left the stage. “It all comes down to this, Fillydelphia, the last song of the night. After tonight, Canterlot awaits us for one more go before a much needed rest to enjoy the holidays, before we return for one more dance. This is the time we need you to keep up with us one last time, and send us to your capital city for one more big night! WILL YOU HELP US?!” He allowed the audience to show their respect through another round of loud cheers before concluding with “Then let’s do this right, with one of the greatest heavy metal anthems of all time! It is time, friends, to SEEK… AND… DESTROY!!!”
SEEK & DESTROY – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar/outro jam of ‘One’ outro
LUNA’S BANISHMENT SUITE – William Anderson/audio introduction STRAIGHT FOR THE SUN – Lamb of God/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar/entire band shrouded in dark up until drum solo for Jason DESOLATION – Lamb of God/Gohan/Yumi on rhythm guitar EVELYN – Volbeat/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Jason on Mark Greenway vocals, Ami on drums THROUGH THE NEVER – Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar SOLDIERHEAD – Newsted/Jason + rhythm guitar SIMPLE & CLEAN (ROCK VERSION) – Kingdom Hearts/instrumental with Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Dan on bass guitar, Ami on drums
The previous lineup exited the stage as the Master Four made their way back out, each taking on their respective roles in Ash’s lineup. Jason walked out with a bass guitar as Gohan walked out with his guitar, Yugi ran up to the main drum kit, and Ash stood at the center stage microphone stand, removing the microphone to use. “GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO JAGFEST, CANTERLOT!” he cried out to the audience, who returned his greeting with a great round of cheering. “I know you had a fun time during the festival today, but are you ready to have some fun with us tonight?!” After hearing another strong cheer from the crowd, he went on to say “We’ve got a hell of a night planned for you all, so let’s do this thing with this next song! From the heavy metal architects in Black Sabbath, let’s rock out to this next song. It is called ‘Naivete… in Black-“
NAIVETE IN BLACK – Black Sabbath/Ash RU486 – Stone Sour/Jason/Tails and Ron on rhythm guitars and additional chanting vocals OVERCOME – Creed/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar THE ROAD I’M ON – 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals KAIRI II – Kingdom Hearts/only Tails on piano, Aelita on keyboards CAGE ON THE GROUND – Flyleaf/Yumi with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Kim on co-vocals with Kristen May vocals ALWAYS – Killswitch Engage/Ash with Jason lineup/Jason on lead guitar, Tails on rhythm guitar
“I want to hear what a Canterlot stomp sounds like,” Dan said to the crowd, “so I want to hear those hooves stomping! Come on and STOMP!” He watched out at saw all the hooves he could see by the naked eye stomp on the ground and bleachers, saving the more collected Princesses and guests in their private suites, as it mixed with a good level of accompanying cheering. “Now all of us on this stage knows that JAGFest has been the talk among ponies, so I’d imagine you heard about how we have three different parts of our sets for each night. The first part we’re playing for you is a collection of songs we used to rehearse to before previous concerts we performed, songs that stand out to us when we rehearse with them. Here’s a prime example of one of those songs…”
LOST IN THE ECHO – Linkin Park/Ash and Dan on co-vocals/Tails on lead guitar, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer/programming, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/samples/extended intro PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE – Queen/Ash/Tails on keyboards GUITAR BATTLE VS. SLASH – Slash/instrumental with Yugi lineup/Tails on lead guitar, Yugi on extra rhythm guitar RADIO NOWHERE – Bruce Springsteen/Jason + lead guitar/Tails on keyboards, Dan on saxophone, Yumi on mandolin, Ami on glockenspiel, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Kim on extra rhythm guitar, Ron on harmonica ANGELS – Within Temptation/Ami with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano/keyboard, Aelita on symphonic keyboard
“Alright, who’s ready for a real special treat before part one of our set is done?” Yugi asked the audience, who cheered nice and loud in return. “So there’s this song that we’ve rehearsed a lot, but only having played it live twice before, both times at the home world of our best friends from Team Sonic: the planet Mobius. Tonight marks the third time we will play this, and after today, who knows how long until we’ll play it again…
“This is the song, ‘Dance in the Rain…’”
DANCE IN THE RAIN – Megadeth/Yugi + rhythm guitar/Ron on extra rhythm guitar, Kim on extra bass guitar, Tails and Dan on cellos, Ami and Yumi on violins, Aelita on symphonic keyboard, Gohan on David Draiman vocals WE’RE AN AMERICAN BAND [GRAND FUNK RAILROAD] – Rob Zombie/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboard BEFORE I FORGET – Slipknot/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE – Suicide Silence/Jason/Yumi and Ron on rhythm guitars
Jason stood at the main microphone stand, removing the guitar he wore and held it above him as he yelled out to everypony “Canterlot, I welcome you to part two of your night with us, as we pay tribute to one of our most favorite of rock and metal bands: ALTER BRIDGE!!!” He was welcomed by a nice and loud cheer that put a grin across his face, but the cheering tripled as the audience had their turn to have their own moment to grin as Tails returned to the stage, walking towards Jason. “Throughout the entire Equestrian Masquerade, we’ve been playing ten songs by various bands to show them our admiration and respect, and to give them a shining light onto the great ponies, like all of you with us tonight.” He handed Tails his guitar, who put it on and adjusted it to hold comfortably. “Here’s a rare treat in more ways than one, that nowhere but this city will be able to see. This is ‘Broken Wings…’”
BROKEN WINGS – Alter Bridge/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar COME TO LIFE – Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar/Kim on extra rhythm guitar, Dan on extra bass guitar LOVER – Alter Bridge/Jason + co-lead guitar/Tails on rhythm guitar, Yumi on acoustic guitar FALLOUT – Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar
“CANTERLOT, I WANT TO HEAR YOU! MAKE SOME FUCKING NOISE!!!” Jason exclaimed that the moment the previous song had ended, and got inarguably the loudest cheer so far during the show from the ponies, even from some of the usually more collected ponies, most notably a cheering ‘HAHA!’ from Princess Luna. “Without a doubt in my mind, you are with us tonight in strength of spirit, and on behalf of this entire band, I thank you for that! Above all else, I want to hear you motherbuckers make some noise, to your four princesses, who honor us with their attendance tonight, and allowing JAGFest to come to Equestria! NOW FUCKING CHEER!!!”
He allowed the ponies to cheer, stomp, clap, provide whatever noise possible for a couple moments before he concluded with “That love and respect you have for your princesses, it’s the same that fuels us to play music. I want to show Alter Bridge even more of that respect with this next song, one of their newer ones. I hope you like it as much as we’ve come to…”
FARTHER THAN THE SUN – Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar/Ami on second drum kit BURIED ALIVE – Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar OPEN YOUR EYES – Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar/Tails on extra rhythm guitar
[ONE MINUTE INTERMISSION]
STARSTRUCK [RAINBOW] – Biff Byford & Motorhead/Ash with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Dan on bass guitar CONSTITUTION DOWN – Roadrunner United/Gohan/Dan and Yumi on rhythm guitars, Tails on guitar solo intro SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT – Dragonforce/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboards ANGEL OF DEATH – Slayer/Jason + rhythm guitar
“How many mares do we have in the house tonight?!” Yumi called out to the crowd, receiving a strong cheering from the female ponies of the audience. “I won’t lie to you guys when I tell you that we’ve seen and met many successful ponies in your nation, but you know what… the ladies DOMINATE!” She allowed another round of cheers before she continued with “In the spirit of strong women, we’d like to play one of our newest bands added to our long list of performance options. We dedicate this song to all the amazing mares out there that help make a difference, and to all the equally awesome stallions of course. It’s time for you guys and girls to encounter…
“Huntress!”
TERROR – Huntress/Yumi with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar I’M ALIVE – Shinedown/Yugi/Tails on rhythm guitar COMATOSE – Skillet/Ash/Ami on rhythm guitar and female vocals, Tails on keyboards BAD SEED CRYING OUT LOUD – Jason Popson/Gohan/Yumi on acoustic guitar I WILL WAIT – Hootie & the Blowfish/Jason + rhythm guitar, Tails on keyboard AT THE GALA – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic/Mane 6 and Canterlot Choir with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Tails and Aelita on symphonic keyboards, Kim and Ron on keyboards, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Dan on extra rhythm guitar
The previous song ended the most well-received from the audience the entire night as everypony – and every single pony in attendance – roared in cheer, applauded with their hooves, a symphony of excited whistles, expressed their enjoyment in any positive way possible. As the choir made its exit, the Mane 6 began to follow, but not before giving various members of the band a small hug, with only Tails getting one from all six. When the stage had mostly cleared out, Tails grabbed one of his newer guitars and put it on, ready to go for the next song, and walked up to his microphone stand. Before the next song would begin, he had his opportunity to speak with the many ponies of Canterlot.
“Canterlot, what you just saw is the meaning of our Equestrian Masquerade tour for JAGFest. We wanted to bring our world to yours and come together as one positive force, and to bring our six best friends from your world on stage with us, it means so much to us to make that happen and work together with them to make something we would always love to do whenever we can. We will always strive to do this, to come together from different worlds and enjoy our time with a common appeal, and I want to thank everypony here and across Equestria for making that possible.
“Now, I don’t want to hold off this fun for too long, so let’s get right into this next song, which is actually a new debut for us. We saved this debut specifically for Canterlot, because it’s based on some previous events many of you may be aware of. It’s a name you may know as…
“’Chrysalis.’”
CHRYSALIS – Equestrian Lord/Jason/Tails and Yumi on rhythm guitars, Kim on keyboard/synthesizer PRETENDERS TO THE THRONE – Dark Arena/Yugi/Tails on rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboard/synthesizer THE BEST OF TIMES – Dream Theater/Dan with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboard/synthesizer PUT TO REST – Born of Osiris/Ash/Tails on keytar, Aelita on keyboard/programming/samples
“Alright, I need to know something,” Gohan said to the crowd, standing strong on the middle riser of the stage setup. “Do you have enough energy left to go for another few songs?” The ponies gave him the answer of another great round of cheers and applause, one that was very satisfying to hear. “Well, we have just a few songs left for you guys during this set. And since we didn’t explain this earlier, this third part of our set is dedicated to playing songs by all different bands that were only played here for you tonight. Not one band from this part of the set was played during any of these portions of every JAGFest across Equestria, and that includes this next song coming up next. Enjoy the hard rocking sounds… of Philip. H. Anselmo…” With that, the band went straight back into performing with the next song of the night.
WALK THROUGH EXITS ONLY – Philip H. Anselmo/Gohan BAD BLOOD – Lullacry/Ami with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar METHADONE – Rise Against/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar
ENCORE: BREATHE – David Hodges/Tails + piano/only with Yumi on Amy Lee vocals
As the band began to shift its lineup around for the next song, Ron spoke to the audience and said “So we got another little surprise for you Canterlot ponies tonight: a double encore!” Ponies from all corners of the venue cheered loudly as he went on to say “We decided that a couple ‘gentler’ songs deserved some special recognition, with that last one performed by Tails and Yumi being a song never played lived by us before, and one that’s been played by this band many, many times. We send this out to all the ponies out there who make their dreams come true every day, and with all those amazing friends by your side who help make it happen. This song also goes out to everypony who got involved in JAGFest, because when we came together, ‘We Made It…’”
WE MADE IT – Busta Rhymes & Linkin Park/Gohan, Ash and Dan on co-vocals/Jason on piano, Tails on lead guitar, Ami on rhythm guitar, Yumi on bass guitar, Ron on first verse with own vocals, Aelita on turntables/samples
ENCORE II: THE SUMMER SUN CELEBRATION – William Anderson/audio instrumental THIS DAY ARIA – DusK/instrumental with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, audio vocals RISE TODAY – Alter Bridge/Jason + rhythm guitar/outro jam of ‘Metalingus’
“THANK YOU, CANTERLOT! THANK YOU FOR HAVING JAGFEST BRING US ALL TOGETHER!” Jason called out at the very end of the last song’s jam. “It has been our honor to play for you all, and bring the majority of this tour to its end! We’ll see you all again soon, but for some of you, we’ll see you one more time. Our last show of the Equestrian Masquerade is going to take us back to where all of this began, and it will be like no other show the tour has seen. Until we meet again, my friends, we bid you all a GOOD! FUCKING!! NIGHT!!!”