Enjoying the Equestria Games becomes difficult as Twilight tries to host her visiting guests, acquaint her family to her newest friends, and disfavoring royal ponies
The Equestria Games are underway and ponies from across Equestria have come together to celebrate the spirit of competition. On the other side of the arena walls, Princess Twilight Sparkle must face the challenges of being a host to her own group of honored guests and performers, and face against the less than accepting approval of her fellow princesses' guests of them and a member of her family. Will her guests be provided a memorable experience for the better, or the worse as a fox, a flower, and a filly are shunned away from her?
The Crystal Empire, a place with a dark past, but a brighter present. With the help of the Crystal Princess and several friends from Ponyville, the city returned from a millenium-long banishment courtesy of its former ruler, King Sombra. Not long following its return, a group of friends returned to help Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or perhaps better known as Princess Cadance, opened a new door of opportunity for the empire to serve a great purpose of Equestria, and finally the time had come to do so. For the Crystal Empire, and for everypony across the land and beyond, it was time for the Equestria Games.
Whether a competitor, a cheer section, a reporter, or just members of the audience, ponies and other creatures from every region had traveled from afar to be part of history. Was it ten, perhaps twenty, years since the games were last held in Fillydelphia? The Equestria Games only happened so often that some would lose track, but in the end, it didn't matter, for this year the Games had so much more meaning. Along with the Crystal Empire's return, it was also the first to have new delegates from Saddle Arabia and Maretonia to be present, the first with Equestria's newest princess, an opportunity to honor the Empire's greatest hero, and some very special guests who would help close the events, the latter of whom including Princess Twilight Sparkle's newest friends from Mobius and beyond.
It wasn't long after the Ponyville Express arrived where Spike was talking to the Cutie Mark Crusaders when he was whisped away by two Crystal Guards, and one particular Crusader racing behind them. The little dragon, who was responsible for safely getting the Crystal Heart to Cadance when the empire reappeared, was being treated like a hero. Twilight explained to him about his role of saving the empire, and showing proof in the form of a giant crystal statue that depicted him heroically posed, holding a replica of the Crystal Heart in his claw. He was then asked to do the honor of lighting the official torch at the Crystal Stadium, which he gladly accepted.
The young pony, a filly with a close relationship with Equestria's newest princess, that raced behind Spike arrived just before Twilight explained what the dragon was being celebrated for. She was tired from her surprise race across the empire, and having left her bags, along with everypony else's, behind at the train station, made her feel even worse as she had to go back. Fortunately, her Aunt Cadance asked her guards to help take care of that, a volunteering hoof coming from the only non-crystal guard on duty. Twilight had instructed her to go fetch something to drink, and to make sure that, with Cadance's permission, to visit the newest addition to the royal family. The filly loved both ideas and was immediately off to do so, but as also instructed, promised to be back soon.
All the while, Twilight was waiting for her special guests to arrive. Between interdimensional letters that somehow magically worked with Spike's fire breath, it was agreed that they would meet in the castle chamber near the main balcony. After only so much time began to pass, the alicorn began to pace back and forth anxiously, and became worried of worst case scenarios verbally.
"Ohhhh," she said, "they should've been here by now. The opening ceremonies are going to begin soon. Where are they?"
"Twilight..."
"I know they know about interdimensional travel better than us, but it's still so tricky. What if they ended up on the opposite end of Equestria? Or... What if they didn't make it to Equestira? What if they're somewhere completely different? What if..."
"Twilight..."
"This is bad. Maybe I should open a new dimensional rift like how that new spell taught me and look for them myself, maybe even guide them here. But what if I end up..."
"TWILIGHT!"
The purple alicorn snapped out of her own universe and returned to reality. She stopped her pacing with a wide-eyed glare before she shook her head back and forth a few times. That was stopped when the claw of her number one assistant grabbed her attention, a task that is often done, much to his chagrin.
"You really need to lighten up," Spike said to her sternly. "I'm sure they'll be here. It's not even the time you guys agreed they'd show up at." He pointed a claw towards the outside, where the sun's position showed it was still a couple hours before the opening ceremonies.
Twilight, taken aback some by the baby dragon's comment, replied with "Spike, this is the first time Equestria has hosted a major event that involved guests not only viewing the games, but participating in the closing ceremonies as well. It took me a while to convince the Princesses to allow this, and I don't want to disappoint them, my friends, or anypony."
The truth behind her worry was based on the first encounter with a couple that had 'discovered' the land of ponies. They had friends who had searched for them from another world, and when successful, introduced themselves to Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance. Ever since, Celestia has thrown the thought of outer-world relationships, in fear that Equestria could be put to jeopardy. Although it was fair to fear that, she was convinced by Twilight to allow them an opportunity to get to know each other better, and by their offer, share an experience that in ways brings worlds together.
"Twilight, you know these guys better than I do, or anypony else for that matter," Spike told her, acting as the voice of reason for her once again. "I think it's safe to say that you know they wouldn't let you down like that. After the way you and everyone else helped out, they act like they'd repay you for that, and a lot more. Don't worry so much and just wait a little while longer."
A small smile crossed Twilight's face as the mare put a hoof on the dragon's shoulder. "You're truly the best, Spike. Thanks."
"That's why I'm here, sist- I mean, 'Mom.'"
The two shared a small laugh at that last comment. A couple years ago, during a certain time between the Canterlot Wedding and the Crystal Empire's return, Twilight had pointed out how they have their family 'statuses' with each other after a certain filly came into their lives. And with that in mind, Twilight said "That reminds me. I wonder what's keeping Cadance so long with N-"
Before she could finish speaking, a light began to glow brighter and brighter near them. Both Twilight and Spike turned their heads to the same side and saw this sphere of light expanding just several feet away. In just a few seconds, there was a flash so bright that it illuminated the entire room and out the balcony opening like an up-close solar flare. The two needed a couple seconds to have their eyes recover from the sudden flash, but when they did, their ears picked up sounds of steps making their way into the room and towards them.
The alicorn and dragon saw many familiar faces come through this light, but this light was no ordinary light. It was a larger scale dimensional portal, the very one they were waiting for. They saw several creatures known as humans walk through, all different shapes, heights and ages. Following them were more animal-like beings, all from the same world known as Mobius; ten in total that included a bat, a rabbit and her pet chao, an echidna, the majority of them being hedgehogs, and the remaining two being a two-tailed fox and a humanoid plant. At last did Twilight's guests arrive for the Games; her good friends Tails and Cosmo, their best friends that make up Team Sonic, and the members of the acclaimed and rapidly famous in Equestria, the Team JAG Band.
The light faded to reveal the group standing together, all smiling (saving one hedgehog). The defunct leader of Team Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog, spoke amongst them all first and said "What's up, Princess? Hope we didn't keep you waiting. Had some slowpokes hold us up for a bit." The few he was referring to had their smiles faded and grunted aloud.
The purple alicorn just showed the happiest face at the sight of her interdimensional friends, and replied with "You're here at a great time! Welcome back, everyone!"
She gave her first and foremost attention to Tails and Cosmo, as she stepped up to the two and hugged them. The happy couple hugged back with one arm each wrapped around her back. Tails then said "It's great to be back." The hug then broke off, and Cosmo spoke next with "Thank you so much for inviting us to your world's competition. It's an honor for us to be guests for it."
"I'm just glad you decided to come," Twilight said in return. "After all you showed my friends and me during your week-long tour, the least I'd want to do was to show you more of Equestria."
"Plus what better way than with the Equestria Games," Spike added, "am I right?"
"Good to see you too, Spike," Tails said, and the two shared a fist-bump, followed by Cosmo giving him a little hug. "Like Sonic said, I hope you weren't expecting us sooner. We had a few things back home that needed taking care of and took longer than we expect."
"Oh, nooo, not at all," said the alicorn, trying her best to not show per anxiety from just minutes ago. She gave a pretty awkward laugh that Tails and Cosmo picked up on easily.
To move forward from the awkwardness, Ash Ketchum, one of Team JAG's Master Four, spoke next and said "So what's planned for today? From what we could understand in your letters with Tails and Cosmo, we know your Games begin today and end in a few days, give or take from the competitions."
"Oh there's plenty," Spike answered, "including see yours truly light the torch to start the whole thing."
"Really? Well that must be quite an honor for you," said Master Four warrior Gohan. "Then I guess we haven't missed a thing yet."
"That's good," added Yugi, the Master Four's King of Games, "because we wanted to make sure that our equipment for closing night can be put somewhere until it's needed..."
Before he could continue, the sounds of running hooves came from afar as a pony was racing up a staircase towards the group. Judging by the rapidness and pace of the hooves, it seemed that this pony was smaller, or younger, compared to Twilight's stature, which was proven correct a few seconds later. The assumption was proven true as another pony appeared running up the steps and entering the room.
It was a filly who had a black coat and purple mane and tail, and a cutie mark showing what looked to be a shield. She looked to be around the same age as the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but what really stood out was three physical traits about her. She not only had a unicorn horn, but a pair of wings, making her an alicorn pony, and then there was the set of turquoise eyes with narrow slits that resembled more like Spike's eyes than another pony's. There was something very particular about this filly, that the group did see, but they still failed to know the biggest detail about her.
As for the filly, when she got up to the steps, she looked up at Twilight and Spike and was about to ask what had just happened, but the sight of the interdimensional group stole her chance. She began to act as quiet and timid as Fluttershy, quickly galloping to behind some nearby furniture and trying to hide herself. This would happen any time when meeting new ponies, or people in this case, because a lot of times others who knew of her immediately passed judgment that rivaled that of a judgment made by Princess Luna a couple years ago.
Curious about the newly arrived pony, Amy Rose asked "Is she alright?"
Twilight gave a small sigh and then replied with "Yes. She is just very shy when meeting new friends." She turned her attention to the little pony, and spoke to her in a nurturing voice. "You know we talked about this already. They're some of the nicest people you can meet, so you don't need to be afraid."
The purple mare then stood aside so that the little black alicorn could be seen in full view. The filly remained quiet and still until Twilight used a wing to move her forward. "Go on. Say hello to Tails, Cosmo and everyone."
"H... Hello. Nice to meet you," said the filly in the shyest way.
"Hello there," Cosmo replied with a tone as close to nurturing as Twilight's. "What's your name?" The pony didn't reply, so the purple mare stepped up to help with introductions.
"Everyone," Twilight said as she stood next to the filly, "I would like you to meet my daughter. Her name is Nyx."
Almost the entire group went wide-eyed and opened jaws after hearing what she just said. Tails and Cosmo were shocked most of all, not once being told that Twilight had more than a royal title, but also having, as they said together-
Tails, Cosmo, Sonic and the gang, and the Team JAG Band arrived to the Crystal Empire and were met with a big surprise to start off their visit. Princess Twilight had just introduced to them an alicorn filly named Nyx, who the mare called her daughter. This was definitely an unexpected surprise to the visiting group, for not once were they told about their alicorn friend being a mother to anypony; well, other than Spike, but that story was very different and fairly aware of. They've known the ponies for a few months now, but not once did the purple alicorn mention anything about having a family of three, which brought up a few questions in each of their minds; when did Twilight have a foal, where was Nyx when Tails and Cosmo first came to Equestria, who is the father, and the list goes on.
Seeing how shocked the group looked, Twilight gave a forceful grin and laugh. "I see you're a little more surprised than I expected," she admitted. "I guess I can only blame myself for that. I never had the chance to properly introduce Nyx to you all until now."
"Well... No... It's just..." stammered a shocked Tails, trying to find the right words to say.
Nyx bowed her head down to hide her saddening eyes. Part of her believed that her mother's new friends wouldn't be as judgmental about her as many ponies have been, and accept her without judgment whatsoever. Now she felt like a fool for believing such a thing. Granted, she was starting to overreact and feared the worst case scenario out of this meeting, and she let it begin to take over.
Little did the filly notice, Cosmo was looking down at her. Where the Seedrian was as shocked as the others, she felt a greater sense of nostalgia from this. This gave her a reminder of when she first met Tails, Amy, Cream and Cheese on Mobius several years ago; the shy timidity, each having come from out of nowhere, but the big difference was that then was a call of help for her as this was just meeting new friends. Cosmo took it upon herself to help the little alicorn break out of her current state, starting with walking up to and crouching down in front of the unnoticing Nyx.
"It's very nice to meet you Nyx," said the Seedrian. "Don't be afraid. You have nothing to worry about us. We just never expected meeting Twilight's daughter." She watched Nyx trying to brave herself to look back fully.
"Nnice... It's... I'm glad to meet you, too," Nyx replied in a very nervous tone.
Cosmo grinned and reached her hand out towards Nyx. At first, the filly jerked herself back a few inches and shut her eyes, but she then felt something on her head. Her eyes opened up to find Cosmo's hand rustling on top of her head playfully. "You're an adorable little one, much like the saplings of my clan. You must take that from Twilight." She turned her sight up towards the mentioned princess and added "When did you become a mother to this cute little filly?"
"And if you don't mind us asking," added Ron Stoppable, "when did you have a kid?"
Twilight replied with "Well, you see, she is my daughter through legal adoption. I'll explain all the details when we get everyone together, but to summarize, I found Nyx one evening in the Everfree Forest and have been taking care of her ever since... even if there were a few 'obstacles' along the way."
"I see," said Tails, "but how come we didn't meet her before? A family member wouldn't have been hard to miss."
"He's got a good point," agreed Cosmo. "I'm a little surprised you never mentioned her before."
"Well, there are a few reasons," Twilight began to explain. "For one, even though we spent some of our time with my friends around Ponyville, we did have our focus put on finding a way for getting you two back to your world..."
Before she could continue, another pony began to call out "Mr. Dragon? Mister the Dragon..." The source of the voice came from an approaching Ms. Harshwhinny, the head of the Equestria Games, who was followed by two Crystal Guards. The very professional pony stepped forward and eyed Spike, neglecting all the others in the room. "There you are, Mr. The Dragon. We need to get your prepared to open the Games and here you are..."
She then noticed the large group he was standing by, including the two alicorns. She put her attention towards Twilight and said "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I did not realize you and our torch lighter were with company." Her tone didn't seem so apologetic, just her same and professional tone she always tried to maintain.
"It's alright," Twilight told her. "We were just getting reacquainted with our honored guests and friends. I take it we are starting to prepare the opening ceremonies now?" Miss Harshwhinny nodded. "Very well, then don't let us hold you up."
She then turned her attention towards the honored dragon and said "Spike, you go ahead and get ready. I'll take everyone else down to meet with everypony, and we'll all meet again after opening ceremonies."
"Sounds good. I'll see you guys then," Spike replied, and then told the group of guests "Welcome back, guys. You're in for a real treat!" He then began to walk out with Harshwhinny as she began to explain in every detail about his role in starting the Games.
"Good luck!" Nyx called out to him as he started to disappear, some of her nervousness having been lifted thanks to Cosmo.
"What was that all about?" Shadow asked in his low, usual, and quite apathetic tone.
"Aren't you your usual chirpy self today, Shadow," said a sarcastic Rouge. "Lighten up, or there's going to be a pony here who will forcefully try to do that to you."
Before anypony could reply, one of the guards spoke up. "Princess Twilight, the other Princesses and royal guests are arriving at the stadium as we speak. We have come to inform you that you and your four guests’ presence are requested now."
"Of cour... Wait, four?" Twilight was surprised by that amount. "I had told the Princess we would have at least six joining us."
"Princess Celestia's nephew has decided to join the group as well," replied the second guard, "and the dignitaries from Maretonia and Saddle Arabia have requested that..." He gave a small cough, and then added "The alicorn princesses were only necessarily..."
/)∞(\
"Hey, you made it!"
Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity were waiting outside the arena for their friends to arrive before getting their seats, and Pinkie was first to catch sight of the large group coming from the castle. The group, however, stopped and lost five members as Twilight and the Master Four took flight and went to a different entrance inside the stadium, but not before the Twilight comforted Nyx with a nuzzle. The three ponies didn't think much of it as they saw Tails lead the group towards them. Pinkie raced up to intercept Tails with a hug so sight, it squeezed air out of the fox's lungs.
"IT'S SOOOOOOO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Pinkie said happily.
"It's... Good to see... You too," Tails barely replied. He waited another second before having to say "Pinkie... I can't... Breathe..."
"Oh. Sorry," said the pink mare, and let go of him. As Tails tried to catch his breath, she made her rounds hugging everyone else, with Applejack and Rarity catching up to greet them as well.
"Welcome back, everyone," greeted Rarity. "How lovely to see you all again."
"We're glad to be back," replied Dan Fenton.
"We were wonderin' when y'all would get here. The opening ceremonies are startin' soon and we wanted to try to get us all a place to sit together," Applejack said.
"We got here a while ago," Yumi told her, pointing her thumb towards the nearby palace, "but we got a little held up inside that castle."
"Oh but of course," Rarity said. "Did you get all caught up with Twilight and..." Her eyes then noticed the little black filly standing next to Cosmo. "I see you finally got to meet our dear little Nyx."
"Yes we did," Cosmo replied.
"Well the others wished they could've seen you arrived, but they had to get ready with the other teams from Ponyville for the ceremony. It's not every day Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo perform an opening routine for Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and the other Ponyville competitors," added the elegant white unicorn. "You must have been especially surprised to meet a pony like our dear Twilight's daughter after all this time since you first discovered Equestria."
"That and then some," responded Tails, in a less than pleased tone.
"What do ya mean by that?" Applejack asked.
The trio of ponies then heard a sad sigh come from Nyx, and saw her head bowed down and her eyes closed. It looked like she wanted to cry, but wasn't. Pinkie Pie, perhaps the friend of Twilight's the filly was least tolerable with, popped up between her and Cosmo and asked "What's wrong, Nyx? I thought you would be super-dooper happy to meet Taismo and all their friends from home."
"Taismo?" Cosmo asked curiously.
"Yeah!" Pinkie elaborated. "It's your new little nickname. I took the 'Tai' from Tails and 'Smo' from Cosmo to create 'Taismo!' Pretty cute, huh?"
Cosmo gave a small smile and said "It is. Thanks, Pinkie, but..." Her smile faded a little as she said "I don't think Nyx is in a good mood, and not because of us."
"Well what's up, Nyx? You shouldn't be totally frowning today, not on opening ceremony day! Anypony who's anypony is gonna be here, and your mom and all the Princesses and super special guests are gonna meet you and Taismo and the Band and Sonic and..."
"NO!" Nyx exclaimed. "They don't want to meet me!" The three mares took surprise to her outburst of anger.
Rarity took it upon herself to ask "Now what makes you say that, darling?"
"It seems that some of your world's big shots don't want to be anywhere near the kid. It had something to do about what happened with this Nightmare Moon that was around," Rouge said.
"Excuse me?"
Kim Possible took over explaining from Rouge's slight bluntness. "Some of Princess Cadance's guards came to make sure Twilight and her guests," she gestured her hand towards the interdimensional group, "were ready to meet with the other Princesses, and these guests that are also attending your Games. When Twilight mentioned about a mistake in the amount of her guests that were to go with her, they said that these guests have heard of Nyx, and mentioned that they didn't want anything involving this Nightmare Moon and her past sins with their time here. For some reason, they just wanted the Master Four, not even Tails and Cosmo, or us until later on."
Applejack and Rarity looked at each other sadly, and Pinkie immediately picked Nyx up for one of her 'famous' Pinkie Pie hugs. Tails spoke next and said "We don't mind not sitting with royalty. We'd rather route for everyone with our friends in the crowd. But there's something about Nyx that bothers other ponies that we don't know about. Is it that bad?"
Applejack gave a small sigh and replied "I guess Twi didn't have the time to tell y'all the whole story about Nyx. It's complicated to define it, Sugarcube, but Nyx's comin' into our lives was a blessin' and a challenge, especially for Twilight."
"What do you mean?" Cream asked.
Applejack took a deep breath and decided to give them a good but brief summary of Nyx's origins. She explained about the cult that kidnapped Twilight and tried to resurrect Nightmare Moon, and now Twilight found Nyx and watched over her until Princess Celestia got involved, which brought out Nightmare Moon in her 'complete' form. Without too much detail, she went on to say what Nightmare Moon had done and how she began to change for the better, including saving all of Ponyville from an appropriately titled Everfree Invasion. The story concluded with Princess Luna's judgment and how Nyx returned to her filly form and was legally adopted by Twilight.
As the group listened, the more surprised they became to hear it all. It was almost too crazy to believe; almost being the key word. Each of them have witnessed and/or victimized by events of equal or worse levels in their lives, primarily the ongoing struggle against the Brotherhood of Darkness, and especially the Metarex for Team Sonic. It still didn't explain where Nyx was in events of the previous months, but it did give better clarity of how Nyx came to be.
Sonic kneeled down to Nyx, who was finally released from Pinkie's hug in order to breathe, and say "So that's your story, huh, Nyx?" The filly only nodded, not even looking up at the hedgehog. If only she did as Sonic wore a grin and gave a thumbs up as he said "Well we're glad you chose to stick to the good side."
Nyx looked up at the iconic hedgehog with wide open eyes. She was a little surprised to be treated so nicely by strangers that wasn't her family once before. "You're okay with me once being a terrible pony?" She asked.
"We don't think you're terrible," Cream replied. "We met you as Nyx, not this Nightmare Moon."
"You seem like a really nice and good pony," Amy added, and then said with admiration for her beloved, "and if Sonic sees that then it has to be true." Sonic chuckled to himself a little.
"And you're not the first person to go all bad and go back to the good side. We've all seen that happen before," Ron stated.
"Some people anyway," Knuckles said under his breath, mainly implying towards a certain bat who didn't take that too kindly.
Rouge smacked the echidna upside the head and told him "Way to help the topic, 'Prince Charming.'" The two glared at each other, failing to notice their friends trying not to laugh.
"What I think they're trying to say," Yumi said, "is that we don't think anything bad of you. Besides, you seem too gentle to cause any harm, like Fluttershy."
Nyx tried to smile and replied "Thank you. That means a lot to me." Unfortunately her mouth failed to form a smile as another fact lingered in her mind. "I wish it would change the minds of some ponies."
She then looked at her surroundings, checking to see if ponies were staring at her. Most of them were Crystal Ponies, who were absent during Nightmare Moon's times because of the curse that plagued them and the Crystal Empire, and had only heard of Nyx. A couple were caught glancing over at her, just out of curiosity as it appeared, but other ponies making their way to the stadium were staring at her. Some looks were of fear, others angry, and many just cold and stern. The other ponies noticed this and tried to comfort her.
"Now don't you pay anypony any unwanted attention, Nyx," Rarity said to the filly. "Remember that you're here to spend the Equestria Games with your friends and family, and not to mention help Princess Cadance with the new foal. Focus on that for now, okay?"
Nyx only weakly replied with "Okay, Rarity."
"Come on, y'all. Let's get inside so we can grab a big enough section to all sit together," Applejack stated, and the group agreed.
"I'm on it," Pinkie said, and in a flash she disappeared into the arena to find a big enough open section. Her speed was impressive to the fastest members of the group, but more confusing too.
Applejack and Rarity led them all to the front gates to enter the stadium, with most of Team Sonic behind them, followed by the Band members, and trailing in the back was Nyx, Tails and Cosmo. The two made a promise to Twilight that they would all keep a close eye on her after she had asked for that. They promised the filly's safety, but her well-being as a whole was a different story with her disappointment and sadness.
Unknown to the visitors, it was the first large-scale Equestrian celebration she could be a part of following Twilight's coronation and the last Summer Sun Celebration, but because of who she once was, she was denied the chance. It felt like being separated from her family again, and the first time it happened was too heartbreaking to want to remember.
Regardless of their sudden introduction to Nyx, the Mobian couple felt sad for the filly. No one deserves such a harsh treatment at such an age, yet sympathy for others' reformation such as Dr. Eggman has taken its time to happen as well, even years after the Metarex Wars took place, so who knew how long this filly would have to take such treatment.
Walking with her head bowed and ears flattened, she didn't notice Cosmo looking down at her sadly, or Tails walking along with a cross look across his face. He needed more information about what was going on with Nyx, and there was only one alicorn princess who could provide him with it.
But for that moment, he couldn't help but feel concerned for Nyx. This trip was meant to be enjoyed by all his friends from home with everypony they knew, and that now included the daughter of his and Cosmo's closest pony friend. He let his arms down and let them fold still across his back, and then turned to Cosmo and used his head in a motion that pointed towards Nyx. It took a moment for her to understand what he meant, but when she understood him, she reached down and picked up the filly into the air. This, however, startled the pony with much fear, having not pay attention to who grabbed her all of a sudden.
"Hey! What's going on?!..." Nyx began to speak and almost started flailing around, only to find herself put on Tails's back. She noticed how Cosmo was the one holding her, but then let go after Tails had her secure on his back.
The two-tailed fox turned his head around as far as possible to look at the filly, wearing a fresh, happy grin on his face. "Come on," he told her, "cheer up. Forget about those other ponies right now. You're with us now, and we want to have some fun. And that means with your mom, your friends, and you, too. You ready?"
"I don't know," said Nyx with uncertainty. "I want to, I really want to, but I don't want anypony to... WOOAAAHHH!"
Before she knew it, she found herself soaring into the air. Tails used some of his strength and flight abilities to soar the two into the sky, reaching towards the upper rim of the nearby stadium before going back down to the ground. He made it look so easily going up, and even easier returning to the ground as he landed on his feet and folding his legs in only so far. He did it again, sending the two even higher into the air where you could see the highest level of stadium seating.
Unlike the first time, Nyx wasn't terrified during the second jump. She felt excited, and amazed, and enjoying what the surprise soaring to the sky so much that she had a small laugh to express it. It took her mind off her troubles, much like how her fellow Crusaders have helped with before.
After seeing her smile, Tails asked "So did you like that?"
"Yeah," Nyx replied with a laugh. "That was fun."
"Want to go up one more time?" The filly nodded. "Alright, now hang on..."
His third jump was aided with a little push of energy through his feet as he and Nyx soared into the sky again. She giggled as they went up more and more, her eyes wide open for the view. But their descent lasted for no more than a second when Tails landed on the upper wall of the arena, where they both took a look down to a spectacular view.
Inside the Crystal Stadium was the freshly cut field, all set and prepared for the various competitions that would soon take place. Surrounding the perimeter were guards from all corners of Equestria, keeping their eyes open for any unwanted activity as Captain Shining Armor was talking to a large group of ponies, most likely the competitors. Then there were the grandstands, each and every entrance they could see having ponies making their way into the arena to watch the Games take place and cheer for their respective hometown teams. But perhaps the most notable sight was the yet lit torch, a sculpture that had not been used since the last Equestria Games.
It was breathtaking. Ponies, and a few griffons from all across the land, gathered together in the healthy spirit of competition to see who would come out on top. For Nyx, it would be the first time witnessing the greatest gathering of groups together in a peaceful manner. For Tails, it was a new opportunity for him to see a different world's form of unity, with building anticipation for him and his friends to share their own. All they were waiting on was to witness the torch being lit by Great and Honorable Spike-
"FOUND A SPOT!"
Pinkie Pie, the only earth pony that can jump to heights pegasi could fly to, must have found a spot for the large group to sit at. The pink mare saw two bug-eyed friends just a few meters away when she reached as far up as she could jump. She said "Hi guys," and then "Bye guys..." as she began her descent back down.
The two shook their heads to return to normal, and Tails watched Pinkie's descent carefully. He watched until she was out of sight, primarily because of the roof overhanging below that covered some of the seats. When he was done, he said to his passenger "I think I figured out where we can find Pinkie. What do you say we head back down and walk in with everybody?"
With a nod from Nyx, he jumped back and began to descend down to the ground, where the others were close to the gate. They rejoined them and led their way into the stadium to locate Pinkie and their seats. For the fox and filly, it was better for them to take that route rather than just jump into the arena itself, or the two would have floated down in front of the reserved seating area for Equestria's royalty and honored guests.
Every corner of the Crystal Stadium was occupied by ponies from all across Equestria patiently waiting for the opening ceremonies to begin. On the field, each city's representatives had their flags and routines ready to begin as all the athletes waited to make their first official entrance onto the battle zone that was the stadium grounds. All the while, Miss Harshwhinny was guiding the Dragon of Honor through the hallways, making sure that he was aware of his role in the ceremony.
Set high in the stadium grandstands was the Royal Suite, where sat several of the nation's most important ponies sat as guests, including a few of those from beyond the borders of Equestria. There were three tiers where the guests were sitting; the lowest contained town mayors and icons, the middle contained honored guests and others of royal status (some more so than another), and the top having four thrones for the Princesses. On one end was Princess Cadance, with Princess Luna next to her, and then Princess Celestia, but the last throne remained empty. The three Princesses were waiting patiently for their newest addition to the Royal Four, as some could call them, to arrive.
And then entered Princess Twilight, who looked over and found her once mentors and now peers sitting. She gave them a smile and bow to greet them silently, looking up with a face that was read as an apology for possible tardiness. Celestia, the grand and majestic alicorn as she was, only smiled and motioned for her former pupil to take her seat. Twilight, however, motioned her hoof towards the entrance as each member of the Master Four made their entrance.
First came Jason, followed by Ash, and then Gohan, and lastly Yugi. When all four were made present, they gave a respectful gentlemen's bow, as done by the biped manner of humans, to the familiar alicorns, to which the three gave small bows of their heads in return. Celestia then motioned her hoof to the open seats on the middle tier for them to take their seats, to which the four wore kind smiles and respected the silent gesture as they sat down, with Twilight taking her place at her throne. The Master Four, however, had to adjust their own sitting to the accommodations given by the ponies, having to sit in their places in a so-called 'Indian style' that was most comfortable to them.
Twilight, when not trying to lose her temper regarding the situation with the amount of guests that were supposed to join the Royal Four, explained about some of whom would be sitting in that section. There was Mayor Mare, who the Master Four previously met, Cherry Jubilee from a place called Dodge Junction, Canterlot's notable elite Fancy Pants, 'Prince' Blueblood, among most, and the groups from Maretonia and Saddle Arabia that were the other Princesses' most honored guests. They, like the Master Four, had come from afar for this event, and would receive any and all of the best treatment from Equestria's most notable ponies.
It was somewhere amongst that information that only the Master Four were alright to sit among them, without anyone, or anypony, else.
Of anyone there, Twilight kept that well in her mind as she tried to keep her blood from boiling. It didn't help her that, although she was among fellow ponies and humans she knew well, she was not with her best friends or family. Granted her sister-in-law waved and smiled, which she did in return, the purple alicorn couldn't help but feel that she didn't have her entire intended group with her. Her closest friends from Ponyville and most of the Team JAG group had to be declined, but she didn't expect nearly everyone to not be permitted.
Her eyes fixed down, noticing that her friends were all sitting together in the stands below the Royal Suite. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, the Band, Team Sonic, and Nyx were all grouped together in a section of three rows. She saw how each of them were happy and content with their location, but her focus was primarily on Nyx, sitting in the highest row among the group between Tails and Cosmo.
It looked as if the trio were having some conversation, with Tails doing the talking at the time. When he finished, Cosmo looked to have had whispered something in the filly's ear, but not so close that the fox was outside of hearing what she had said. Whatever it was, it caused Nyx to laugh, and Tails to act a little embarrassed as he crossed his arms and turned his head away to hide his face turning red, and trying to keep himself from laughing as well.
Taking a shot in the dark, Twilight assumed that it was one of the stories from Tails and Cosmo's adventures, most likely the one the couple shared to her about a certain party that was held on the vessel they called the Blue Typhoon during an intergalactic war. If she remembered correctly, which was a tendency for Equestria's greatest egghead according to Rainbow Dash, it should be the first war she learned about, the one that brought Tails and Cosmo together but tragically separated them for a while before the Revival event.
Nevertheless did it bother the princess that a position her friends helped her earned separated them for events such as this. It was her title, but she wanted to share the benefits and opportunities with those she cared for, especially Nyx. She made a mental note to talk to Celestia, in a private setting with only the two of them, but that had to wait as the crowd began to cheer. Curiousity got the better of her as she looked to see what was happening, and found that a little purple dragon standing near the torch.
That was when the ceremony commenced as each city's flag carriers performed their routines, mounting each flag pole collectively together in the ground. Twilight cheered for her hometown team, an action that is normally deamed out of character for a princess, and an understanding grin from Celestia forced her to collect herself more appropriately. The Master Four only grinned and applauded, just as they felt being best to do. Unfortunately there came the point where Spike was in position to light the torch, but didn't because of unexpected stage fright. The purple alicorn saw that and said to herself:
"Equestria, we have a problem."
The warrior of Darkness couldn't help but feel nostalgic over what she had just said, mainly because he knew he heard a similar statement back in his childhood.
The entire crowd watched the dragon's trouble with the torch, and the point came when Twilight couldn't bear to see him continue it further. She checked around her for anyone watching before using her magic to cast a fire lighting spell in the torch's bowl, igniting it with a royal blue flame. A stunned Spike just stood in his place confused as Shining Armor announced "Let the Games...
"Begin!"
The entire arena applauded and cheered, many ponies standing on their hind legs doing so. Even the members of Team JAG and Team Sonic stood up and clapped their hands, with Nyx up on Tails's shoulder cheering. The torch was lit, and the athletes were ready to compete as the Equestria Games had officially begun, but there was still matters to focus on in regards to Twilight, her friends and family, and some of the guests.
/)∞(\
Within the walls of the crystal castle, the Royal Four and their guests were all spread out in numerous places. There was a grand dinner to be held later on, hosted by the Crystal Princess and the Captain of the Royal Guard. With the actual competitions not starting until the next morning, it was the best night to have everyone in one place before the events ahead would complicate another chance from happening.
With Princess Cadance and Shining Armor tending to the newest addition to their family, and Princess Luna with the Royals' honored equines, Twilight had her chance to speak to Princess Celestia privately at the castle's highest rotunda. The two flew up to there, with the purple mare leading the way after asking her former mentor politely, but firmly, for the time to talk. They each landed gently through the rotunda's pillars, their hooves touching the floor with barely a sound, just as Twilight would have wanted. The least amount of ponies who would join them, the better.
"Twilight," Celestia said in her elegant tone, facing the back of the purple mare, "what was it you wanted to talk about?"
Twilight didn't move at first when she replied "I think you are already aware of what, Princess." She then turned her whole body around, trying her best not to flare out her wings as she wore a mad expression on her face. "Cadance's guards told me about what some of your guests requested regarding Nyx and my friends. They told me how Nyx, Tails and Cosmo were asked to stay away from them." Her anger was rising, but she kept it so she wouldn't unleash it on her mentor. "Could you please explain why they were not permitted to be with us?"
Celestia was expecting this. In fact, she was waiting all day for this conversation to come up, having some expectation that it would have happened right when Twilight and the Master Four appeared in the Royal Suite. Keeping her composure and compassion maintained, she faced this with all the respect and honesty Twilight deserved.
"I'm afraid that the histories with Nyx and your interdimensional friends have been exposed a number of times; some more tainted than others," the Sun Princess explained. "When Luna and I first greeted the dignitaries, we told them about you and when you, Nyx and some of your friends would be sitting with us. They asked about Nyx and we explained about she was your adoptive daughter, and being the positive pony she symbolizes to us, and when asked about Tails and his company, it was only said that they came from different frontiers beyond their own that you have your full trust in."
"But..." Twilight would almost never do that to anypony, but her patience was too thin at that point.
Celestia sighed and continued with "I'm afraid that joining our conversation was Prince Blueblood; he in attendance against my wishes. He took the liberty of saying how Nyx was once the malicious Nightmare Moon who banished Luna and me to the sun and the moon to plunge Equestria into everlasting night, reborn by the cult that ponynapped you. Then, he mentioned on how he heard that Tails and Cosmo were mutations from a world that could endanger ponykind if becoming too close with, as nearly all of Equestria are not familiar with them or their friends at all. I know he's always had a less than approving view towards Nyx, with nothing I have discussed with him giving him second thoughts at all. However..." She paused for a moment to find the best words to form a proper sounding confession. "I fear that Blueblood has taken words that I thought were spoken in private to my sister and Cadance and exaggerated them to his own degree."
The purple alicorn stood still as a surprising, and angry, look crossed her face. Making sure she remained so composed that her temper wouldn't slip, she asked "And what exactly did you say?"
"It was after you brought your friends to Canterlot to meet Cadance, Luna and myself," the grand alicorn continued. "We had sitten down to discuss about Tails and Cosmo first coming to our world from theirs, and the possible dangers that could come from the crossed paths. I will admit that I said that regardless of what exactly the two and their friends are, whether its animal, plant, human or any other sentient being, I had come to know Cosmo on her quest to find you and Tails enough to know that none would intend to pose a threat. But one opinion of mine was how fortunate it was that Nyx was with her grandparents at the time, or their association with her would have immediately labeled them negatively in the eyes of ponies, like my nephew, who refuse to see the filly for her better side.
"After they heard everything Blueblood told them, the dignitaries weren't comfortable with sharing space with such, and I quote, 'creatures,' nor did they enjoy that a Princess allows them to become so close with other ponies. I tried to insist otherwise, but they were stern about making a specific minimum of guests of yours to join us. In an act of compromise, I convinced them to accept four guests - the Master Four - to be granted into our suite, and to have all of us together for dinner in hopes to establish more peaceful relationships; and after that, I warned my nephew to keep his thoughts to himself and stay away from the castle tonight, or be sent to Canterlot early. He is currently residing in a private suite at the Shimmer Inn on the edge of the empire."
Celestia sighed, and looked down at her former pupil sympathetically. "I am sorry, Twilight. I did not mean for things to end up as they are now, but I did what I could to preserve the most enjoyable time our friends and guests can be given."
Twilight didn't know how to respond, verbally at least. She wasn't sure whether to argue on how close-minded the dignitaries are, or go find the so-called prince and blast him to Appleloosa and back with rage shift magic. But no. She couldn't do that, for it would not make the situation better, and he was worth no time or effort investing in for anything, even if he did deserve it. For him to say all that and know nothing about the truth, it was despicable.
"Because of Blueblood, my friends and my daughter are being shunned by more ponies?" Twilight was used to many ponies acting this way with what happened a couple years ago, but it still wasn't comfortable to deal with. At that moment, she was just angry; comprehensive, but angry still.
"Why, for the sake of making new bonds and friendships, is this being allowed to happen? It's not fair to those who also came from their homes to join us to see Equestrian ponies come together, only to be blocked away because they're not welcome. That goes against what the Equestria Games are supposed to stand for!"
"I understand, Twilight," Celestia said calmly to the angry mare, "and I don't like it any more than you."
"Then what are we supposed to do?! With all due respect, Celestia, you don't expect me to just sit in my seat knowing Nyx isn't allowed to be with me because these ponies don't know the entire truth, do you?!" Twilight's stressful anger was getting the better of her, as he allowed to a certain degree. She could only keep in so much.
Keeping her elegance, but becoming more strict, the while alicorn answered "I expect you to know what is best, Twilight, just as I expected you to react as you are. I know this isn't easy for you, and I have not made it much better for our groups to be a whole. All I can ask from you is to try to show Nyx and your friends to our guests under a different light than what Blueblood has casted."
"But that doesn't stop me from being separated from Nyx!" Twilight argued.
"I'm aware of that," Celestia said, "but it is what we have to do. Please, Princess Twilight, help me be the right example that needs to be seen."
The purple mare didn't say anything, and instead grumbled to herself as she paced back and forth in a straight line. Last time she did that was during the first Hearth's Warming she had Nyx share with her parents, brother and sister-in-law. If it was up to her, she would just bring her daughter, and Tails and Cosmo, with her to the Royal Suite without any notification until it would happen, but with her being a princess now, she had to watch her actions in front of her mentors turned peers and others. She needed to make sure that, like Celestia had said, a better example is made. Her role as Nyx's mother cemented that, and given the confession to Spike over the torch lighting earlier, she had to watch the seriousness of her actions much more closely.
Then she began thinking about all of the friends who came to Equestria. Ever since meeting Tails and Cosmo's huge group of best friends, she discovered just how caring, respectful, and open-minded they were. They have been through so much more than her with everything from their history she learned about combined, and no matter what the case being, always tried to approach things with understanding. A lot of it was said it was because of how the Mane 6 and the Princesses treated Tails and Cosmo when the two first arrived in Equestria, but to Twilight, her perspective of them was that it was their nature. It was the same nature she and everypony else needed to apply in order to make all things for the better.
Not one part of her was eased about the circumstances, but she did recollect herself and put on a calm look. Her focus redirected from irrational anger to rationality in general.
"Princess, with all do respect to you and your judgment, I see this as incredibly disrespectful to my friends and my family," said Twilight. She then sighed and added "I do, however, understand what you had to do, and I'm sorry for becoming angry towards you because of it. I will respect your decisions and do my part to make things better, but I need to make this perfectly clear when I say that if anypony openly disrespects my friends or family in front of them or me, I will have to..." She stopped to see Celestia calmy shut her eyes and raise a hoof for a moment.
"Twilight, I will not let that happen, but if it does, you do what you feel is best," Celestia said, stepping up and resting a hoof under the purple mare's chin. "I care about Nyx, too, and would like her and your friends in our company as well. For now, we need to establish a foundation of peace and of friendship, and be patient in that process. And if a line is crossed, you have my full support, but let's not come to that."
Twilight shied her eyes away from Celestia for a few seconds, but turned back to her to say "Thank you, Celestia." The two shared a nuzzle, which did help make the two feel better, and allowing the purple alicorn to smile a little. "Now if you excuse me, I have to find Nyx and the others before the Crusaders draft Team JAG into one of their quests."
Both alicorns couldn't help but chuckle behind their lips, knowing how true that could be. "I think I'll join you," Celestia said happily, and the two alicorns began to fly out of the rotunda. They flew down to the main balcony, and made their way inside with the hope for an enjoyable, and peaceful, evening.
Two of the Royal Guards found Princess Luna to inform them of a blue blur that was appearing around the Crystal Empire, and at some points beyond the borders. The princess showed no concern for this, but instead addressed the guards about interrupting her when with honored guests of the Royal Four. The two bowed their heads in shame, to which Luna couldn't help but laugh and offer them forgiveness for the misunderstanding.
"You have none to fear," Luna said, "for the 'blue blur' you hear of is only a joyous run."
Both guards were confused about what she meant, looking at one another as if they were lost. One of the guards then asked "A joyous run, Your Highness?"
"Yes," she replied, "of a friend who wished to get out and stretch his legs for a few minutes."
"It's a normal thing for him," added another. This voice belonged to another female's voice, and one of the guards saw it coming from a pink hedgehog neither could recognize.
"For who, exactly, do you mean?" he asked.
"Well, Sonic, of course..."
"And I wouldn't call it a blue blur; more like a blue streak faster than the speed sound."
All of a sudden, the aforementioned hedgehog appeared, just having returned from one of his runs. He stepped around them to rejoin Amy, the majority of Team Sonic, Luna, Applejack and Rarity. They were in one of the castle's living rooms, the second largest one to be exact, invited by the dark blue alicorn to relax with some refreshments and to spend time with to get to know more about the otherworlders while the equine guests were in their own suites. Sonic took a seat on the room's sofa with Amy, Cream and Cheese and Knuckles. Rouge, Shadow and Maria sat on an adjacent loveseat, Applejack and Rarity on another, and Luna resting on a large pillow of Cadance's.
"I believe that addresses your concern, so please leave us," Luna said. Both guards saluted and exited the room, shutting the double-door entrance behind them. She turned to Sonic to say "You seem to have made yourself present, Sonic, a surprise considering your group was amongst the crowd in the stadium."
"Yeah," he said with a shrug. "I guess I have a way of doing that sometimes."
"And even in adulthood you're so charismatic," Rouge stated sarcastically, to which the hedgehog only chuckled semi-apathetically.
"Neither positive nor negative, but it is not a problem for ponies. Just be more careful with your actions during your stay," advised Luna. "I am glad you have decided to rejoin us. I've been asking about your home world of Mobius, and I have wanted to ask you about it as well."
"Sure. What do you want to know?" Sonic asked.
"Well, Rouge and I were just holding a nice conversation about your world's fashion sense and sophistication," Rarity said. "It seems that Mobius has a good taste in the former and a fair amount of the latter."
"But then we talked about the wonderful world of diamonds and jewelry, and all things that have a nice, bright shine," Rouge added. "That ended up telling Luna here more about the Chaos Emeralds and the fun adventures we've had with them."
"Hmph. That depends on what you define 'fun' as," Shadow humphed. He had been mute throughout most of the conversation since it started, predictable but disrespectful to their host. Fortunately for the others, Maria acted as his better half.
"Don't start, Shadow," Maria told him. She then told Luna "I'm sorry, Princess, but Shadow tends to have a more 'negative' outlook on some topics."
"More like 'a lot' of topics," joked Sonic. "Lighten up a little, won't you, Shadow? This is supposed to be an enjoyable trip but you haven't turned over a frown in... Well, too long really."
The black and red hedgehog's face remained its typical way, frowning and apathetic, as he shut his eyes and said "I'm only here because Maria wanted me to come with her. That's it."
"Well I'm sure your attitude will get better when ya get to know everypony and Equestria more," Applejack stated, but the looks across most of the Mobians faces responded to that grimly.
"Something tells me you might be incorrect," Rarity whispered to her friend.
Luna took it upon herself to lead the conversation back to where it was before. "As we were saying, Sonic, you possess these Chaos Emeralds that, when used in certain ways, allow you to control the most unwanted affairs. These gems sound as if they mean to you as the Elements of Harmony mean to ponies such as Applejack and Rarity." She motioned her hoof towards the two ponies present.
"Well that all depends on who gets them. The Chaos Emeralds aren't always used by us," Sonic said.
"Such as who?" Luna asked.
"A Chaos Emerald can be used by almost anyone who has a way to tap into their energy and use it for what they want. The more that you collect, the more power you have," Cream explained first. Following her was Amy.
"And what they're used for depends on who uses them. Individually they can help do great things, like boost Sonic's speed, power a device, or even let those like Shadow use Chaos Control."
"Chaos Control?" Rarity pondered, with Applejack adding "What in tarnation is that?"
"It is the ultimate power, only accessed when all seven Chaos Emeralds come together," Knuckles explained. "Those such as Sonic or the Master Four can use their combined energy and ascend themselves to powerful states of being known as their Super transformations. Only those who serve for good can use that power to combat an opposing force that threatens the balance of chaos and harmony. But for those who serve for the darker motives, the power can only create chaos and destruction everywhere and to everyone in their wake. The Metarex, the Brotherhood, any villain or enemy who can collect them all could bring about the end of whatever the power is applied for."
The three ponies' faces were gasping, each of them incredibly intrigued by this new information. The echidna continued with his explanation of Mobius's greatest magical tools, his eyes having shut as he focused on an old saying used by his clan for generations.
"The Chaos Emeralds are the servers. Our hearts intensify their power. The controller serves to unify the Chaos..." He reopened his eyes before continuing with "The emeralds can only serve who takes control of them, but can only be controlled by the Master Emerald that alone can stop the use of the Chaos Emeralds altogether...
"If not siphoned by those who take their use so far."
A moment of silence fell amongst the group. Knuckles's description of the emeralds may not have been the full history of their existence, but enough to keep their hosts amazed. The Princess of the Night was very fascinated by this, as it sounded like another form of the Elements of Harmony, making her imagine what more can be known beyond Equestria, and Mobius.
"My goodness," said Rarity, breaking through the silence, "that sounds very... well, dare I say, dangerous. We have only seen what one of your Chaos Emeralds can do when dear Cosmo and Tails were here the first time, but this..."
"Sounds crazier than Granny Smith high-divin' off Canterlot Castle," added Applejack.
"You can say that," Sonic said with a smirk, "but we've handled the evil side with the emeralds before. Nowadays we keep them locked up tight where no one can get them, especially after what happened a few months ago with the Metarex."
"Ah yes, the ordeal that helped you discover Equestria, if I'm not mistaken," stated Luna. "I only know so much of that from what your friends have told Twilight Sparkle. She knows most about your worlds and history than most ponies do, or likely will."
"Well with all the time she invested helpin' them get back home, she's our out-of-dimension expert," Applejack said.
"Speaking of Princess Twilight, where did she go?" Cream asked. "We haven't seen much of her since we first arrived."
All that Rarity and Applejack knew was that she had to take care of royal business, and then check in on Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, making their friends busy until dinner. Only Princess Luna knew what the true intentions were, seeing the mare ask Celestia for a private time to talk a while before she met with the Mobian guests. It was clear from how she heard it that Twilight was very angry and putting her position as Nyx's guardian far above her royal position; predictable, and notable, but still inexperienced of the newest Princess to do so.
It did, however, provide Luna the opportunity to spend time with Twilight's guests and get to know them better as the Mane 6 have. The only time Equestria's royalty really spent time with them was the entire group's visit to Canterlot, and when Cosmo saught out help from Celestia when she first arrived in their country. In order to provide a better foundation of peace between Equestria and all, it was decided on the Royal Four, excluding Twilight, that they would need to get to know their new friends better as Twilight and the others have, with great hopes for success for all sides. They continued on with their conversations regarding Mobius and worlds beyond, starting with another question from Luna.
"The Metarex Wars you spoke of, what severities did you have to endure on your journeys?"
/)∞(\
"Okie dokie, looking good so far."
Pinkie Pie was keeping herself busy in the dining hall with a small troop of guards. She nominated herself to decorate the hall with more than its crystal interior to give all who would be attending a fun atmosphere to be in. "Now we need to line the tables with streamers, and I'll need two cannons for me to party-ize like my party cannon. Then I'll get the balloons done and hang them around each door,..."
As she trailed on with preparation ideas, her troop attempted to keep up with her pace in order to get everything done. Some kept on working even as they began feeling tired, others grumbled behind their teeth, and the rest just silently wondered why the Crystal Princess would want all this done. The dinner was supposed to be a formal evening with the Royal Four's honored guess after all, but now, it began to look and feel like a party for the foals attending the event.
The grand dining table, originally one long table but now U-shaped with the use of multiple additions, was draped with a royal-designed cloth that showed three images of the Equestrian flag, but was covered with streamers and confetti squares. There was a grand centerpiece that was a duplicate of the Crystal Heart sitting on a golden holster, but going across the table included several little crystals that were heavy enough to hold four balloons each, and each balloon having the coat colors of the Royal Four. The walls hung with multi-colored streamers over the crystal shine the walls tend to give, and all the windows having beautiful, untouched curtains tied to the sides to look out over the Crystal Empire. Even the outer rims of the main entrance and the kitchen doors got decorated with a colorful blast from the party cannon.
The pink party pony's attention was so focused on getting things ready, she failed to notice the Princess that entered the hall. She was looking at an empty corner of the room very, very seriously, as if its bareness was making a mockery of her attempt to decorate every cubic foot of space there was. But what would she do to make it match with the rest of the room's party decor? For all the ponies and otherworlders that will be in that one room, what was the best thing Pinkie was to do?
"You have done quite well in here, Pinkie Pie."
Pinkie snapped out of her focused thinking as she heard the kind and elegant voice of Princess Celestia. She turned around to see the alicorn walking her way across the room, everypony else bowing down to her as she did. The pink mare bowed as well, and then immediately jumped back up to say "Thanks, Princess! I'm giving it the best party makeover I can think of right off the top of my Pinkie party thinky-tank!"
Celestia smiled nicely and replied "Indeed you have, and I can't thank you enough for you volunteering to decorate the dining hall in honor of all the guests that are here for the Equestria Games. I didn't expect that you would go to your great lengths for this formal gathering." The tone in her latter sentence didn't sound as positive as the former did, and Pinkie picked up on that.
"What's the matter, Princess?" The pink mare asked as if she had done something wrong.
"Well, I have to admit that I'm afraid you've done too much of your signature party preparations," the alicorn said as kindly as she could sound. "I wished I had the extra moment to explain that I wanted you to make the room have a more festive feel of the Equestria Games. You have done the marvelous job I know you're always capable of, but I feel that you've done too well in doing so."
The pink mare didn't think twice of what she's done. Of course she was doing more than marvelous work, as she always aimed to do for any occasion, and doing too well was always her objective to boost her morale and her drive for making the best parties she could. But the way Celestia, the Princess that brings day to Equestria, told her that it was beyond what was needed, she felt that her work must be defended.
"But everypony has done such a great job helping me set things up. I couldn't just tell them to tear down so much of their hard work, especially with what's still left to be done," Pinkie said.
A curious, yet awkwardly smiling, expression crossed the Princess's face. "You still have more to do?"
"But of course," Pinkie replied. "I mean, we do have little kids coming to this, so they should feel like they're in a super important and super special place like how all the guests and Princesses will, so why not make it look so colorful and fun? Plus we have Cadance and Shining Armor's new foal joining us that should LOVE all the bright colors and balloons, and she's a baby pegasus, so the balloons can help be cushiony if she starts flying around like crazy." She then gave the Princess a very serious look drawn from certain foalsitting memories. "Trust me, those balloons can save her if needed to stop her from crashing into crystally walls."
"Well, Pinkie, I..."
Before the alicorn could say anything more, one of Cadance's messenger ponies entered the hall. On their back was a large square box, but judging by the pony's posture, not too heavy to haul. "Excuse me," said the pony, "but I have a last second flag banner for Pinkie Pie...
"Princess Celestia! I am so sorry for interrupting. I had no idea I was walking in..."
"It is quite alright," Celestia said. "You have no need to apologize..."
"YAY! My new flags are here!" Pinkie yelled, and as if she was the fictional Fili-Second, left from the spot she was at to where the messenger pony was. She took the box and ripped open its top and pulled out a large string with flags, and the more she pulled out, the even more different appearances each flag had. Celestia saw each one and recognized them all too well.
"Pinkie Pie, those flags have..."
"The flags of every place in Equestria? I know!" Pinkie said excitedly. "I managed to get these printed at THE very last minute to string around the entire room, just as if they were the flags mounted on the field in the stadium earlier. That way we have a symbol of every corner of Equestria for everyone to see!"
Celestia found herself at a loss of words for several moments. Pinkie would always find some of the most unique ways with decor when it came to parties, but this flag banner was a perfect way to display the diverse nation of ponies to the guests. Then again, anypony could leave it to Pinkie Pie to do anything unexpected to give any kind of party an extra special treatment. The alicorn could only put on a happy grin, and chuckle to herself.
"You know Pinkie," said the Princess, "you're decorating the hall just right. I'm sorry for ever questioning your actions. Continue with your preparations and do what you wish." She did, however, wait for Pinkie to walk back over so she could lower her head and add "But, if you could take it easier on the streamers, and finish this corner before the Master Four, Tails, Cosmo, Nyx,..."
Nopony could ever explain how, but Pinkie Pie's head began to rattle like it was the bell of an alarm clock, and her face having a smile a mile wide. "THAT'S IT! The Master Four! Thanks, Princess Celestia!" After that yell, she quickly instructed the working guards to hang the flag banner, and then raced out the door.
Celestia started in shock at Pinkie's outburst, but only for a few moments before having an open laugh to herself. She wouldn't wonder exactly what was going on with Pinkie's 'thinky-tank,' but it seemed that the party pony got an idea that would soon be revealed later. The Princess decided just to wait and be surprised, and made her way towards the kitchen, hoping to have a small spoiling of her dinner with a slice of Crystal Empire double chocolate cake with cherry toppings. Much to her chagrin, it was an addictive delicacy.
The main balcony of the castle was always where members of the royal family would address the crystal pony citizens, and a great place to overlook the Crystal Empire and some of the land beyond its border. It was also an ideal place to watch the aerial greatness that was Rainbow Dash, who was taking a quick practice flight to show off to the group she was spending time with; the majority of the Team JAG Band.
The group of Dan, Aelita, Ami, Yumi, Kim, Ron, Phineas and Ferb were given, as quoted from the pegasus mare, an exclusive performance of flight by one of the greatest fliers in all of Equestria. It was indeed quite the show, even to some's experiences with their own missions or projects or from the battlefields against villains. The pegasus was giving a nice display of her speed and agility, along with some tricks and techniques for added entertainment. Perhaps the only tricks she did not try to do included the Buccaneer Blitz, and the legendary Sonic Rainboom, the latter of which the group heard of after hearing about a brief race between Rainbow Dash and Tails. The flight capabilities being shown made her audience wonder just how much capability pegasi had with their abilities to fly and control the elements of the everyday weather.
The final trick in Rainbow's routine was flying up and making a cloud-made model of her cutie mark, done in just a few seconds. Upon completion she flew back down and landed on an open spot on the balcony, standing behind the group that was mostly lined along the railing. Phineas and Ferb were standing farther back, towards the entrance back into the castle, and they were each holding foreign, strange devices. The devices, according to the two brothers, were mechanical-like devices that were far beyond Equestria's levels of technology that monitored the pegasus while in flight.
"That's incredible," Phineas said, looking down at his device. "You were doing most of those tricks at Mach 2. I don't think I've ever seen a pegasus do that. Then again, I'm still getting used to seeing ponies fly and use magic."
"Yeah, but I tend to be awesome all the time, so you should always expect it," gloated the cyan mare. She then arched an eyebrow looking at the device. "So that thing kept track of everything I did, huh?"
Phineas gestured his open hand at his device, and the dish-like object his brother was holding. "Yep. It locks onto a target and helps monitor their speed and vitals, analyzing how much pressure the target puts on themselves and uses the surrounding environment as an advantage. It's a great tool to have when we survey when anyone with extra-ordinary talents does just about anything."
"And it makes a great music player," added Ferb. He pressed a button on his device and it began to, as if by magic, emit the sound of a song. If Rainbow's memory served correctly, she believed the song was from the Team JAG Band's first concert in Ponyville, called 'A Light That Never Comes.' The two let the song play for a few more moments before putting their gadgets away.
"That was some cool moves you did up there," Dan said, complimenting the pegasus. "It took me a couple months to get full control of flying right. How long have you practiced flying?"
"Since the moment I could," Rainbow replied. "Any chance I get, I'm always training. The Wonderbolts won't just let anyone join them, you know; only the best of the best."
Ron was then reminded of something he recollected about the Wonderbolts from earlier at the Crystal Stadium. "Wonderbolts, huh? I saw a few ponies dressed up in these blue suits and chanting out their name down the row from us. So what are they, your world's version of the Air Force, or some kind of professional stunt performers?"
"They seem to be both to me. You don't see military guys celebrated like athletes too often," added Yumi. "Then again, I've never seen that any other time myself."
Rainbow Dash took a few minutes to take a page from the book of eggheads, most specifically Twilight, and explain the history of the Wonderbolts. Fortunate for her that the studying technique Twilight and their friends helped her receive the history lesson that got her in the Wonderbolts Reserves, and it stuck with her the weeks following the test she took. She also threw in the story about how she first met the Wonderbolts in Cloudsdale a few years ago during the Young Flyers Competition, and how she saved Rarity's life.
"So what you're saying is,..." Ron went on to say, "they're celebrities and soldiers?"
"Pretty much," confirmed Rainbow.
"And you're competitng against them in some aerial relay event tomorrow afternoon with a team consisting of yourself, Fluttershy, and that one pony with the massive muscles?" Ami asked.
"Yeah," said the mare, "and Bulk Biceps is his name."
"Really? Well, now I feel embarrassed. I've been calling him Snowflake," Yumi said.
Aelita asked her friend "You mean that nickname for him that we heard about in Ponyville?" The purple-haired rockstar just shrugged.
Ron then noticed that Kim was distant from the conversation. His red-haired, world-renowned lover was standing over by the balcony's edge, her arms supporting her off the railing and her eyes fixed on the scenery that surrounded the crystal castle. The evening sky above made the Crystal Empire emit a calm and twinkling shine, creating a sanctuary of an atmosphere that caught her gaze enough to wait on joining the others' conversation. He decided to walk over towards her, standing to her left and stretching his right arm across her shoulders.
"What are you looking at, KP?" he asked her.
Kim smiled and let herself lean towards him and set her head on his shoulder. "Just the view," she replied. "This Crystal Empire is really something to see. It really stands out compared to what we've seen in Ponyville and Canterlot."
Ron looked out at the empire, and then said "Yeah, with all the crystal buildings and that Crystal Heart and the crystal ponies, you're right; it really does stand out."
"It just makes me wonder about what else we'll find out there," Kim added. "When we did the Showing Our Marks shows, it was said each night that it was the start of showing the ponies everything from Team JAG, and vice versa at some point. I know the show is just the hobby sort of way we'll be doing that, but with how some of these other guests are acting when it comes to strangers, I wonder if the Master Four's plans will actually happen.
"But then I think about how Tails and Cosmo were treated during their week here. All the people- I mean ponies, that we've met here have treated us the same way, so it isn't like most ponies question strangers like us. This is the first world you and I have gotten to know better through being in the band, and I just hope we find what we're trying to represent."
Ron just pulled her in closer and said "Come on, KP, since when did you begin to doubt? You can do anything, remember? The whole band can do anything, especially the Master Four and Team Sonic; no one else could compared to them and all they've done. I wouldn't worry so much, especially since this is all about making new friends, and damn me if we won't."
Ron Stoppable has been called many things in his life, nearly all of them degrading or insulting him because of how most of those from the Team Possible dimension saw him. Kim, however, saw through the titles he was given, and even though some were more than true, she found the best and positive out of him. She grew up with him as best friends, turning that into a romantic relationship, and is now engaged with him to be married, and moments like this reassured her he was the one for her. Only so often, as proud and sure as she would be most times, it was these rare moments of confession and concern from her that could be laid to rest by the one who could break through to her the best.
"You're right," she said, and then kissed Ron on his cheek. She couldn't help herself but chuckle a moment after the quick peck.
"What? Does my face taste like nacos again?" Ron asked.
"No," Kim replied, "but there was a hint of diablo sauce. I'm just thinking about you calling me KP. That's about to change soon, you know." Little to their notice, the Crystal Heart below the castle began to spin around and build up the magic of love to spread across the land.
"Do you two want to be left alone?"
The two turned back to see the others looking at them smiling, supposively seeing their cute moment together. Rainbow Dash, who asked the question that caught their attention, was the only one not smiling, and instead looked awkward. She was never one who could stand around a couple who were acting cute like that.
"Sorry Rainbow Dash," Kim said. "I take it you don't like seeing couples having little moments?"
"No, no, I'm fine with that. I just don't like being there without feeling like that third odd pony in the group," the mare replied. "That's more of Rarity or Fluttershy's territory."
"But you're not the odd one out. You're with us as well," Aelita pointed out.
"Well, uh.. It's just... I..." The pegasus stammered in her speech, feeling all the more awkward and rubbing a hoof at the back of her head, turning her attention away and trying not to show her embarrassing blush.
The rest of this group found her behavior strange. Just a few moments ago she was her usual Rainbow Dash self and gloating about having what it takes to rival the Wonderbolts in the aerial relay. Now she couldn't say a full sentence after seeing Kim and Ron have a minute with each other and having a brief display of their romantic side.
"Rainbow, you OK?" Ron asked.
The mare decided to try shifting the conversation away from her weird behavior with a new topic. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'd be more worried about those stiffs we'll meet at dinner later. After how they didn't want to meet all of you and just the guys that lead your band, I'd think you'd be more worried about it."
The group looked amongst each other at her comment. Dan spoke first and said "Actually, we're not too bothered by it, at least towards us." Rainbow managed to look back at the group with a straighter face than her awkwardness.
"This isn't the first place we've come to and people looked at us the wrong ways. We are aliens here after all, and there's a lot of other worlds we've been to. I mean, A LOT, of worlds," Yumi added. "Seriously, after we began to play with our friends in this band, our manager Kaz has tried booking us everywhere you could imagine."
"Or where he saw the biggest dollar signs," Ami added. The duo couldn't help but a small laugh. "He means well, but his favorite color is green for a good reason."
"Green?" Rainbow asked in curiosity. The group then realized something about dimensional monetary difference with Equestria.
"Green is the color that most worlds color their cash amounts of," Ron said. "Like there are green five dollar bills that equal your five... What is it again; gold bits?" Rainbow Dash looked like she began to understand what, and more relieved her plan had worked.
"But when it comes to these dignitaries," Aelita said, "we can understand why a bunch of visitors like us are deemed 'unwelcome' in their presence. We're not exactly Equestrian, as you can tell." She gestured her hands towards her body.
"It's really how Tails and Cosmo, who had made themselves known to ponies before us, and Nyx were specifically requested not to join Twilight and that Royal Suite earlier. Obviously Nyx has a greater role in this, given what we learned about her, but Tails and Cosmo not able to go and join them surprised us more at first. It just looks like we need to show our good colors to them so they could begin thinking otherwise," said Kim.
Rainbow Dash took a moment to digest this information, which wasn't too far outside her own territory. Given what she knew Nyx has had to go through and how Twilight did her best to handle things along with it, it all sounded similar to what she has done in attempt to make herself a worthy image to the Wonderbolts by impressing them with her flying abilities. Only later on did it include not just her flying capabilities, but the challenge with her personal views and virtues against the Wonderbolts'. But what Team JAG and Nyx were dealing with was a different level of perspective; it was darker, for lack of a better word.
To put it bluntly, as done most times, she responded to this was "I think that's a load of horse-apples. Ponies can't just judge a book by the cover, and you guys, as different as you are, deserve just as much of a chance as anypony. If those guys can't see you past what you are, they'll never know the awesome friends Tails and Cosmo introduced us to."
Rainbow felt proud of what she said, but the grin she started to wear mostly came from her joy in succeeding to change the topic. The rest of the group only stood around both appreciative and slightly amazed to hear such a deep thought from their pegasus friend.
"I guess we can all learn a lot from each other. It just doesn't tend to get easier sometimes I suppose," said Aelita. "Thanks, Rainbow."
"No problem," the cyan mare said, with a small tone of bragging. "I actually learned that from Twilight. She's really smart when it comes to that kind of stuff, not to mention being quite adork-" Rainbow immediately went mute as she realized what she was just about to let her thoughts slip out of her mouth.
"Are you alright, Rainbow?" Ami asked.
"Y-yeah," Rainbow replied. "Just realized I was about to say something I shouldn't, that's all." Her nervous tone and reddening cheeks showed her embarrassment once again, and just as she had kept the attention away from that.
"Oh, alright," said Ami, and then took a look back at her group. "How much time do we have before the dinner?"
Dan, for some reason wearing a watch, looked down at his wrist and read the watch's time. "We still have a while before we even need to get ready. Twilight said she or one of the Princesses will come get us when the time comes around," he said. "Speaking of which, where did she go off to?"
"I think she said something about meeting with Princess Celestia," Kim said as she recalled last meeting their alicorn friend, "and then she was going to find Nyx and the Crusaders."
They heard a laugh come from Rainbow Dash, who couldn't help but think of what the fillies were up to. "Oh man, I feel sorry for Fluttershy for offering to foalsit them until dinner, and I can't imagine how the couple is trying to handle them."
With an eyebrow arched, Yumi asked "Are those kids really that much trouble?"
"They can be, with the right motivation," replied the cyan mare, who had another small laugh to herself. "But they're all good kids, just a hoofful sometimes. I just hope Cadance doesn't have to call in the contractors...
"Again."
Rainbow gave her wings and body a good stretch, and then added "Since we got some more time before having to head back in, let me show you a few more moves." Without waiting for a response, she was back in the air and doing her aerial acrobatics. The rest of the group turned around and went to the balcony's railing to watch their friend in action.
"She really loves flying, and I bet more than your usual pegasus," Aelita stated.
"Well we haven't gotten to know her as the best flyer from Ponyville for nothing," said Kim, "but her acting all embarrassed about Ron and I having our little moment, and then when she called Twilight a dork..."
"You mean, 'adorkable,'" Ron said, "that little petname we've heard Twilight being called a couple times?"
"Yeah. All times from Rainbow..." Everyone's mind began to wonder to themselves as they watched Rainbow Dash flying around in the skies over the Crystal Empire. It would seem that there was something going on with the pony that she didn't want to admit, but as like other things, some secrets are hard to keep hidden, and most of the group got a good idea about what it was. It wasn't for sure to be true, but the fingers, or hooves in a pony's case, pointed in the certain direction. Kim said, as quietly as she could to the others, "If I didn't know better, I think she's majorly crushing..."
/)∞(\
"And that's why most Mobius guys like me and Sonic don't need to wear more clothes than gloves and shoes, and girls like Cosmo and Amy do."
"Wow. I didn't think it was because of your-"
"STOP! I don't want to hear it again!"
Tails had just finished answering one of the many questions being asked by Nyx as he, Cosmo, Fluttershy and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were walking around the crystal castle's corridors. The little black alicorn began to feel more comfortable around the couple her mother befriended a few months ago, so much so that her shyness was completely gone by the time the Equestria Games' opening ceremonies had ended. Since the large group divided up earlier, she began to ask question after question about the lifestyles of the interdimensional guests; the most recent question one her best friends couldn't take more of knowing. Scootaloo, in an almost pleading form, made sure thay topic wasn't furthered talked about and cut off her friend from any elaboration.
Their current location seemed unknown to them all, the group deciding to just walk around the castle and plan to stop somewhere when they'd choose to. So far that stop wasn't found yet, but it also didn't help that none of them knew their way around the palace enough, or at all, to know where what was. For the visiting couple, they didn't care for that. Spending time with their new friends and the newly acquainted Nyx was more than enough for their pleasure, with the 'impromptu' tour of the castle a small added bonus.
Nyx's behavior has improved so much since earlier that day, and it showed in her thirst of knowledge. She had asked Tails and Cosmo so many questions already about them; how they met, what their home was like, what they do for fun, really a lot of stuff Twilight had already told her about but more added. Unfortunately, as intrigued as her friends were at first, they grew tired of Nyx's ongoing questions after she asked about why only Mobius girls were wearing clothes. Tails's explanation of that was more than the trio would've wanted to hear, so they tried to steer back to a topic that they had just after the earlier ceremony.
"I'm thinkin' we should give Tails and Cosmo a breather from talkin', Nyx," Apple Bloom said. "We need to talk about some crusadin' at the Crystal Empire level."
The fillies failed to see the panicked pegasus walking behind them, her experience with these crusades a princess's level of a hoofful, to put it kindly.
"Yeah. Flag-carrying cutie marks didn't work out, so there must be something we can do here that we haven't tried in Ponyville," Sweetie Belle said, with a squeak coming from her when she said 'something.'
Nyx then said "Well, I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Do you have any ideas? Maybe we can show Tails and Cosmo the effort ponies put in to earn their cutie marks."
The fillies each gave a "Hmmm..." as their eyes looked off into space as they thought of ideas. Fluttershy, on the other hoof, wanted to try to keep things as calm, and safe, as possible to avoid any unwanted circumstances.
"Don't worry about that right now, girls," said the kind pegasus. "There will always be a time for you to try and discover what your-"
"I got it!" Scootaloo said, cutting off Fluttershy. "We can try getting cutie marks as competitors in the Games! There's plenty of events we can choose from."
"And how are we gonna do that? We're not old enough to compete," Apple Bloom pointed out.
"Why don't we try something else that doesn't involve getting in trouble," suggested the little unicorn.
"Like what? I don't hear you giving any ideas," the orange pegasus said back.
"Girls, that's enough." The group stopped walking as Fluttershy got the fillies' attention with a stern, yet soft, tone. "I'm sure you can think of something to do later. You shouldn't go off on one of your adventures, especially when we have friends from far away with us."
"It's alright, Fluttershy," Cosmo said. "We don't mind at all. Besides, it makes me wonder what cutie marks Tails and I would have if we were ponies. The whole idea of a mark that defines your talents still intrigues my friends and me.
"Then again, I may have an idea for them to try and earn their cutie marks."
"YOU DO?!" Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo turned around and stared wide-eyed at the Seedrian. Nyx was also looking towards her, but having that feeling of what trouble she and her friends were about to get into.
"I knew we'd be doing a crusade, and I was hoping to just enjoy my time here without worry," she moaned quietly to herself, slapping her hoof in front of her face.
"What's your idea Cosmo?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yeah," Tails said, "I'm interested in hearing this myself."
Cosmo wore a smile that was trying its best to hold laughter in. Her idea may not be exactly a winner, but it was a humorous thought she had after learning about the trio's attempt as journalists. "How about you try to earn cutie marks as musicians?"
Moments of silence followed before the trio sighed in despair. "We..." Scootaloo said, pausing and looking down to the floor. "We already tried that a few years ago. It didn't really work out in music; just comedy."
All three crusaders looked down to the floor with some shame in their embarrassing attempts to perform that infamous rock ballad at Ponyville's school talent show. It wasn't their proudest moment to be laughed offstage, even if they unintentionally won the Best Comedy award afterwards and were cheered for it. But then they heard a chuckle, not one as if they were being mocked, but more as if it was for amusement. They looked up to see Cosmo being the one chuckling, having a hand over her mouth to cover her grinning.
"Ah yes, we are well aware of your performance, but that's not exactly what we mean," Cosmo told them as she put her chuckling under control. "I meant something more on the lines of playing an instrument." All the fillies arched an eyebrow at her.
"Play instruments? We don't know how to play any," Apple Bloom said.
Tails then signaled Nyx to walk closer up, the little alicorn obeying and walking up to her friends. He then kneeled down the four and said "I wanted to ask you guys this beforehand so we can get what we need ready before the band plays our show. We brought some of our extra custom percussion drums to put on stage for our Full Band Jam. It was originally planned to bring the Mane 6 up on stage with us, but we were told, after our first show in Ponyville, that some aren't as comfortable in front of audiences." It was fairly easy to guess that it was the present pegasus pony, who started to hide behind her mane and blush in embarrassment.
Tails turned around to her and added "And we didn't see any shame in that. In fact, I was terrified at times when our band first started out." He then turned back to the filles and continued with "Since the band wanted to do something special for the jam, we decided that if we can't get some friends to join us on stage, we'd ask you if you'd like to play some drums with us. You'd be free to play them however you'd like, after hearing the instrumental we have for you to be recognized with as well, and be an example of how we want our worlds to be a part of yours. More importantly, however, is your world being a part of ours."
Cosmo then asked the four the question: "Would you like to join the Team JAG Band for their Full Band Jam?"
The fillies' jaws were left in a gasp, but for the original three Crusaders, it was for reasons far greater than Nyx's. It would be their chance to redeem themselves for their talent show fiasco, help show an example for other ponies, AND a possible chance to earn their cutie marks. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo responded together with a loud and exciting "WE'LL DO IT!"
Tails and Cosmo both grinned at their expressions and excitement for the offer, and more so for them agreeing. They then noticed Nyx, whose expression seemed a little more mixed, but she did say "Sure, I'll do it." Her tone, however, sounded unsure.
"What's wrong, Nyx?" Fluttershy asked. "Do you not want to join your friends on stage?"
Nyx looked down to the floor, circling her hoof around the ground. "No, it's not that. I'm just thinking about what the dignitaries might think if they see me on stage in front of everypony." She paused and let her hoof stop circling. "Or... them seeing who I used to be."
Everyone's eyes turned towards Nyx, some just confused as others were more apathetic, the latter emotion from the older members of the group. Apple Bloom told Nyx "Well that's just a load of rotten apples, Nyx. You shouldn't worry about that."
"Yeah," added Sweetie Belle. "This is us having even more fun participating. I mean the three of us did Ponyville's opening routine, and now all four of us can help close the Games."
"But what if they complain about having Nightmare Moon participating in a performance? What if I disrespect the Princesses by doing that?" Nyx asked.
Cosmo stepped closer to her and looked down at the alicorn filly. "How would you disappoint the Princesses?" She stopped and realized what she just elaborated with the term 'Princesses.' She couldn't imagine the Princesses of Day, Night and Love thinking otherwise to the idea, mainly because she didn't know them as well as another Princess who she'd believe to very open minded. "Nyx, are you thinking that Twilight wouldn't want you to do it?"
Nyx looked up and replied "Mostly. I know she's upset about me not being allowed to sit with her in the Royal Suite. For all I know, she might refuse to sit in the suite and would want to be with me instead. I don't want to get her in any trouble for choosing me over her royal duties."
"Horseapples," Scootaloo retorted. "Twilight wouldn't be in trouble for that. You're her daughter for pony's sake; of course she'd choose you first."
"And as for earlier, I could tell she was not pleased with what was going on at all," Tails went on to say, "and if her parenting is anything like the dedication she had for helping Cosmo and me get home, she wasn't going to rest until she found the source of the problem and fix it."
Nyx didn't look any more positive. She knew what her mother was capable of; Princess Twilight could do a lot of amazing things. But in the terms of royal matters, she felt conflicted over how big things could get. She looked over to Tails and asked "But what if she says no anyway? I don't want to make her mad."
"You wouldn't make me mad at all."
Nyx jerked her head back to look behind her. She and the others saw Twilight flying her way over, landing on the ground just before them and walking up to her. None of them expected to see the alicorn again until dinner, including Nyx, but this was a nice surprise. Not so much, however, as Twilight was, even though she was showing a caring smile.
"Nyx, why would you think I'd say no or be mad at you?" Twilight asked. "I thought you would love to do it, so I gave Tails my permission to let you."
Nyx began to look even more surprised, and so did her friends. "You mean, they already asked you? When did they do that?" Nyx asked.
"Back when the opening ceremonies were done, but that's not important," Tails said, "is it Nyx?"
The little alicorn nodded, and turned her turquoise-dragon eyes back to her mother. "So you wouldn't be mad about me having fun on stage in front of everypony? What about those dignitaries that wouldn't allow me to sit with you?"
"I just had a conversation with Celestia about that," Twilight said, the smile she had turning into a disgusted and angry scowl. "Ignoring the fact that this is 'Prince' Blueblood's fault, we hope to change their opinions soon. I'm not going to let some half-flanked 'stallion' ruined everypony's time or let his arrogant, selfish, rude behavior have me shove a hoof..."
"Twilight!" Nyx caught Twilight's attention before the Princess would go on ranting. "Calm down before you rageshift again."
After taking a deep breath, the alicorn regained her self control, and began to talk to her daughter again. "What I'm trying to say, Nyx, is that if you want to go on stage, go ahead. I won't be mad at you because I have no reason to be, and I want you to have fun with your friends, and your new friends as well. Forget about those dignitaries; I'll handle that matter with the other Princesses. You just worry about having a good time."
Nyx began to smile happily with some of the stress she had was lifted. She faced Tails, Cosmo and the others with the same expression and told them "Alright, I'll do it!" Tails, Cosmo and Fluttershy each smiled happily as the Crusaders cheered a little in excitement. The alicorn mother then nuzzled the alicorn daughter's cheek with her own, and wrapped a leg around her for a hug, both of which were returned. "Thanks, Mom," she said quietly.
"You're welcome," Twilight replied with her kind, motherly tone. She then picked her head up and asked "Now you and your friends haven't been up to anything mischievous, have you?" She asked that with a suspicious grin to whatever Nyx would answer with.
"Not as far as we can tell," Cosmo answered humorously. She and Twilight shared a chuckle.
"So where were you all heading to?" Twilight asked.
"Nowhere in particular. We've been walking around the castle, which seems so much bigger from how it looks on the outside," Fluttershy replied.
The purple mare took a moment to think to herself before speaking again. "Well we still have a while before dinner, so why don't we find some of the others and relax until then?"
The others agreed and resumed walking through the castle's corridors, with Twilight and Nyx in the lead. Other than Twilight asking how Tails and Cosmo were enjoying the impromptu tour, it was relatively silent up until they reached a staircase that they began to ascend. If memory served the oldest mares correctly, it was the residents' floor, where everypony and all of the Team JAG visitors would be staying during the course of the competition. As they continued to ascend the stairs, Tails decided to ask about what Twilight learned from Princess Celestia regarding earlier's ordeal.
After having a disappointing sigh, the alicorn Princess explained what she was told from her teacher turned peer. It wasn't exactly a fun conversation to have for any of them, but at least the majority knew what the plan was to resolve the conflict, which started with that evening's events. Nyx was disappointed in herself about what she had unintentionally caused, but Twilight assured her that it didn't matter because she was going to be shown under a better light, along with the interdimensional visitors that were attending. By the time they reached the top of the staircase they had climbed, that conversation has ended for the most part.
But before anyone could say anything else, they began to hear a muffled sound from down the new corridor. It was hard to tell what it was at first, as it sounded so faint they couldn't recognize it. After a few moments, Tails's hearing improved enough to recognize what it was.
"What is that noise?" Fluttershy asked.
"It's music; rehearsal music if you ask me," Tails answered. "Doesn't sound like it's a full band style of song, but a quartet-style." He then smirked at the realization of what it was. "The Master Four are rehearsing right now. I figured they would."
"Really? That's so cool," Scootaloo said. "Can we go check it out?"
"Yeah," agreed Apple Bloom. "It's better than all the walkin' we're doin', and my hooves could use a break."
"I don't see why not," Cosmo said. She then put her focus on both Twilight and Fluttershy. "Would you be alright with that?"
The yellow pegasus nodded with a smile, saying "I wouldn't mind at all."
"Of course we can," Twilight added, "as long as they wouldn't mind that is."
The Seedrian shook her head and said "They wouldn't mind at all."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go check it out!" Sweetie Belle said. And with that, all four fillies began to race down the corridor to find the exact room where the sound was coming from. Fluttershy began to gallop in pursuit of them, and Cosmo walking behind her. Twilight only grinned as she began to take another step forward, only to be stopped by Tails, who had held himself back.
"Twilight," he said to her, "I know you know we don't mean to cause you any trouble, so if there are limits on what we do..."
The alicorn shook her head and replied "Don't worry, Tails. I'll do what I can do, and you and everyone just think about having an enjoyable visit."
The two-tailed fox nodded and said in return "We will, but that still leaves us with another thing we should talk about." Both of their eyes looked up at the now distant fillies, more specifically the alicorn of the four. "Applejack told us the abridged story about Nyx, but if it's alright with you, the rest of us wanted to ask you for the full story some point before our performance. We just want to know Nyx the best we can, and how she came into your life."
Twilight, already having promised this to him and his group of travelers and friends, gave him a promising look. "After dinner tonight, we'll meet in Cadance and Shining Armor's family room. I'll tell you everything then."
"Sounds good," Tails replied with a smile. "Now come on. We should catch up before your daughter and her friends barge in on the Master Four." With that, both took flight in their own manners, going only fast enough to catch up with the fillies, Fluttershy and Cosmo. All the while, putting what was a bother to an enjoyable visit to the Crystal Empire to rest and enjoy the now.
A harmony of dual guitars and heavy rhythm echoed in a guest bedroom remade into a rehearsal hall towards the end of a corridor. It was a song of the hard rock and metal genre, the title track to the newest album by a band Equestria wasn't too familiar with called Alter Bridge. Performing this song was Jason, Ash, Gohan and Yugi: the core founders of the Team JAG Band. They were all well-rounded multi-instrumentalists as they've proven many times before, currently in the Jason lineup, where the mentioned would be the frontman as the others played in their respective roles. They played through the song to its very end, concluding it with each of their instruments' sounds fading into silence.
The way they were positioned was having Gohan on the drums with Ash on guitar to his right and Yugi on bass guitar to his left, with Jason on vocals and guitar across from him, and all facing into the circle their positions formed. They set up their equipment mostly in a space back behind the drums so they could all hear the sounds of their playing. After their speakers no longer emitted any musical notes, each person grabbed themselves a mug of Crystal Empire nectar that was provided by Princess Cadance's staff. Not exactly tasteful to them as ponies would like it, they couldn't turn down the hospitality of their hosts, and enjoyed it as a taste of their visit.
Finishing his drink, Yugi set his mug on a nearby table. "It isn't bad when you get used to the taste," he said, talking about the drink. "Just a little strong at first."
"Yeah I guess," Ash half-agreed. He then took another drink, with a small wince from his shut eyes as he did.
"I'm fine with it," Jason added, "and I think we got Fortress down. That middle makes a fun jam session, don't you think?"
Gohan nodded and then said "I'm thinking you want to make it a jam session with the others. Are we talking full band or just a few?"
Jason just laughed a little as the others eyed him, all knowing too well that he did indeed have that idea in mind. "Just a few, maybe Phineas, Ferb, Kim and Ron." After a drink of his nectar, he set his mug down and adjusted the les paul guitar he was wearing. "So did you guys want to go through 'Aesthetics,' or one of Yugi's next?"
Going over the setlist that was made for them, Yugi skimmed at what songs he would be the frontman for. "Nothing on the Anniversary set, but maybe we should go over the last song of this set." He then showed the paper he was reading and pointed a finger at a song listed towards the bottom of the main list.
"I'm good with that," Gohan said.
"So am I," agreed Ash. "Just let me get adjusted for my role."
"Go ahead. I'll do a quick refresher."
Without a second to breathe, Jason began to play a legendary guitar solo from a song simply called 'Eruption.' What he was playing was the latter half of the overall song, and he was showing his mastering of performing it note to note.
But little did the four know was the incoming visitors that bursted through the door into the room. When the door flew open, the Cutie Mark Crusaders rushed in and caught the guitar player at about three-quarters of the way into the solo. The guitar's volume shrouded any other to be heard that wasn't another instrument, so hearing the door slam open was not easily possible. It was only when Jason began to let the guitar have a fade-out outro when the Master Four noticed their newest visitors at the sound of a unison "Whoooaa..."
The four turned their focus towards the fillies with some slight surprise. A moment passed before Ash said "Looks like we have some unexpected visitors."
"We could hear you down the hall."
Cosmo and Fluttershy then walked in, followed by Tails and Twilight a couple seconds later. Cosmo then added "Was that one of the new songs that came out a few months ago?"
"One of them, yes," Jason replied, and left it at that.
"We wanted to see what you're practicin' for your concert," Apple Bloom said.
"Well what you heard wasn't one of those songs," Yugi replied. "It was one we plan to play for our big Anniversary Concert on Mobius a couple days after the Games. You came in just in time, though, because we were about to rehearse one of the songs we do plan to perform."
"Sweet!" Scootaloo said excitedly.
"But since you guys are here, maybe we can rehearse a particular song for our encore set," Gohan said to the fillies, and then turned his attention to their Mobian bandmate. "Tails, did you already ask them about-"
"Already done," Tails interrupted, with a small laugh. "They all agreed, even though Nyx wanted to make sure she could from Twilight first."
"Speaking of which," Jason said, and threw his guitar around his back to approach the alicorn filly. He kneeled down in front of her and her friends to be closer to eye level, even though he still towered them by over a foot. "Nyx, the four of us owe you an apology. It should have been you sitting up in the Royal Suite with Twilight instead of us. We wanted to make it that it was you, Tails and Cosmo instead, but we didn't wanted to cause any upset reactions from these other visitors and refuse. With that said, we want to make that up to you."
Nyx's eyes saddened and her ears dropped. "It's not your fault. The guests of the Princesses heard about me from this Prince Blueblood, and refused to let me up there. You guys were allowed there because there wasn't anything bad said about you. It's just me they don't want."
"Well they're wrong," Twilight said, stepping up to her daughter's side. "Once they get to know you - the real Nyx - they'll come around."
"And we'd like to spend some time aside from viewing the games to get to know you better. If you are Twilight's daughter, then I'm sure we'll become fast friends," Jason added. The filly looked up and gave a smile. "That's one of our ways of making things up to you, but there is something else."
"What is it?" Nyx asked.
"We have a couple idea for songs that we found recently and want to add to a certain setlist," Jason started to explain, but it was carried on by another.
"Then we thought it would be fair to have someone - or more specifically, somepony - else to help judge and decide on which songs to choose." Following Ash was Gohan.
"And during our practicing, we first thought of Twilight and her friends doing it, but then you came to mind. That's when we realized somepony new would make the choice more interesting." Yugi picked it up from there.
"This is where the most important factor is put in: Tails single-handedly chose every song in this entire set, so we would want you to pick the songs, show them to him, and see who he thinks should do what for each one." It then rounded back to Jason to conclude the explanation.
"Nyx, we want you to be a part of Team JAG history, and for what will be following the Equestria Games, this is the best opportunity we could offer. Would you like to do this?"
Two offers. Two offers to be a part of Team JAG's plans in what was probably a five minute time span. Nyx couldn't react to this as her mind was comprehending this, yet had an easier time doing so than with the first one. This would make trouble for no one in any way, reason or form; just helping friends with their mission of celebration and having fun. With that conclusion in mind, she smiled.
"I'd be happy to help," Nyx said.
Twilight put her head down next to Nyx's and said "Good call," and her daughter looked back happily.
"Wow Nyx, that's so awesome!" Scootaloo said, she and the other Crusaders standing around her.
"Yeah," added Sweetie Belle. "I wonder what songs they'll have you choose."
"We'll give her the songs to listen over later on," Ash said. He then played a quick little solo on the drums, a small warmup on his part. "Right now we'll practice another song and see how we're doing. Yugi, you ready to sing?" His friend nodded.
"Oh, what song are you going to try and play? A nice soft ballad, or even a romantic song?" Fluttershy asked, seeming quite a bit excited.
Tails and Cosmo couldn't help but have a small chuckle to themselves. "I'm sorry Fluttershy, but I'm afraid there aren't a lot of those we have picked out for our show here," the fox said to the yellow mare. "...Unless they're rehearsing for Mobius instead."
"Not this time," Yugi responded. "In fact, this is one of the newest songs by a band we only just started playing last winter." He then put one of his guitars over him, and gave it a quick tuning with a few chords, followed by a solo. "This one's become a new favorite to play, so I'm sure we'll nail it here and get it right during the show."
"Only one way to find out," Jason said. He then put his sights on the ponies and asked "Why don't you make yourselves comfortable around us and watch? Just as long as you don't mind the volume of course."
"Sure!" The four fillies bolted around the Master Four, two between the guitarists and two between the rhythm section. Their eyes were wide opened and ears pointing up as high as they could reach with much anticipation.
Twilight and Fluttershy made themselves comfortable sitting on ground over by the large window overlooking a portion of the bustling Crystal Empire. Cosmo sat with them as well, sitting right next to the alicorn princess. Tails, on the other hand, spent his time at one of the guitars leaning on one of the walls, looking it over before taking it and putting it on, adjusting it to fit on him better.
Gohan, as he and the others were all set to go, noticed this and smiled amusedly. "You want to join in on this, I take it?"
"Sure, why not?" Tails replied in a humorous tone. After getting his guitar set up to play, he looked over the set to try and find the song they were talking about. He pointed his finger at one towards the end of the list. "Is this the one here?"
"That's it," Yugi replied. "You ready?" The fox nodded, borrowing one of the available guitar picks. Yugi then spoke out the band itself. "Alright, we all set? Start us off, Ash."
The song stopped, all five performers grinning. They managed to get the song down just as it needed to be with barely a note missed; Tails, not needed to play the song live, missed at a few points, but nothing that was jarring to hear. On occasion they would notice their audience's reaction to it, but after it had ended, they had turned their heads to see several different ones.
Twilight and Cosmo clapped their hands and hooves, impressed with the group's performance. Although the former wasn't exactly the biggest fan of songs that were, as described to her, 'thrashingly heavy,' she couldn't deny enjoying it just for watching how well the friends work together to create the 'symphonic' sounds of heavy metal. The latter, having been there since the last quarter of the infamous Revival show, applauded out of both enjoyment and pride.
Fluttershy, on the other hoof, became so timid when the song just started that she crouched herself down as low as physically possible against the floor. Metal music was more on the lines of Rainbow Dash's tastes in entertainment compared to her own. She was already well aware that the Band plays this kind of music the most, but not once said anything negative about, as it was not her place to judge musical taste. Still, it didn't change the fact that she would have much rather heard a calmer, gentler song for them to practice.
But the four Crusaders remained stiff like statues, their jaws dropped in what they just watched. The five played with a lot more animation than what they had come to expect from a rehearsal, as if they were not rehearsing at all and up on a stage in front of the crowd. Tails was perhaps the only one who was collected with his behavior, not moving around unless it was a little walking, nor any jumping or headbanging moments. This was the same energy they introduced themselves with in Ponyville a few months ago, with Nyx witnessing this for the very first time, and she was both astonished and confused at the same time.
"That was so awesome!" Scootaloo yelled out. "The ways went off on guitar solos, and the singing, and it felt so fast that the room was shaking, and-"
"No wonder you guys are big time performers! Y'all are just full of energy," added Apple Bloom.
"All part of being our tribute band," Ash laughed. He then got off his stool, setting the drumsticks on top of it, and filled his mug up with nectar to have a nice, big drink. "Some songs, though, still require getting used to."
"Why? Was that hard to play?" Sweetie Belle asked.
He shook his head and replied "Not really, just new to us." He took another drink of his nectar before continuing. "When it comes to the new songs we start playing, it takes a few times to fully get used to it. Some are easier than others, but practice makes perfect." He then put his notice on Nyx, who looked at him intriguingly and silent.
"Hey Nyx, what did you think of it?"
"It was... I think it was... I think it's just," Nyx tried to say. She couldn't find the right words to describe it so quickly. "You guys were... Great." She just settled for that description as she lacked a better one, her tone sounding unsure still.
"What's wrong, Nyx? Did you not like the song or something?" Tails asked her.
"No, it's not that," she said. "I guess... I guess I just don't get it. You're all basically superheroes from what my mom told me about you, but you're all known to be these rock stars here. How is it that you're not known to protect your worlds and others more than playing music?"
The members of Team JAG looked at each other for a couple moments with smirks on their faces. It wasn't a question they haven't heard before, as it had come up in almost every new dimension they've discovered since the band's formation. Gohan responded to Nyx's curiosity with "Well, your mom and her friends are national heroes, aren't they? Have you ever seen their actions praised by ponies, or are they known for being who they are?"
"Well," Nyx replied, thinking of any examples, "only when I heard about when they saved Equestria from evil forces." She left it at that, not wanting to make any referrals to what, or who, was involved.
"They do it for fun, Nyx," Twilight said, "to bring worlds together to have fun with them."
Nyx turned towards her mother to ask "Is that it; fun?"
"Well, there's a little more to it. Tell you what, we'll tell everypony about the band's full reasons at a time set aside during the Equestria Games," Cosmo offered the curious little alicorn. "Twilight, Fluttershy and their friends know most about it, but we'll also explain to you girls and the Princesses all at once."
"Is it a big story?" Nyx asked.
"A really big story," the Seedrian joked. "Now, let's let the others practice some more."
"Well, we have time for a couple more practices before we have to get ready for dinner," Jason said, pointing out how much free time was left. "Maybe we should open the doors for the others to try and hear. What do you guys think?"
"I agree. We can give the Crusaders a quick rundown of their part anyway," Yugi stated. "Which song should be lure them with?"
It was no secret that there were a certain few songs that, when played in a manner for the rest of the band to hear, they come down to join in as well. One of those songs included a newer version of a classic song by a heavy metal legend gone before his time, covered by a collection of inspired musicians. When the Master Four heard this song, it became a new favorite, and it had a special place in one of the two sets they had drafted out and would bring the others when played. Jason gave the idea to practice that one, and the others agreed, all positioning into his lineup formation.
When they were set to go, all without making as much of a sound that wasn't from their current instruments, Jason looked at each pony in the room. "Friends, I wanted to wait to tell you this, but I think it's safe to say that we'd like you to be in the front row for our shows with everyone in Team Sonic, especially with songs like this next one."
"What song is it?" Fluttershy asked, fear trembling in her voice for another song like the previous one.
Tails just smiled and answered the pegasus's question. "Don't worry, it's not too heavy. In fact, we know you'll love it..." He then turned to his 'band of brothers' and said "You guys ready?" The four nodded, and then he turned his attention to the fillies. "You four ready?"
"Play it!" Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo replied. Nyx, however, gave a calmer "Go ahead."
"Alright guys, Dio's 'Rainbow' by Corey in 1! 2! 3-"
And with that, they began to play the song, having the doors wide open for the entire castle to hear. As their playing went on, the sounds of the song reached the ears of the remaining Mane 6, Team Sonic and the rest of the band. They all began to follow the sounds of the music, some flying as most ran, making their way towards the source of the sound of heavy metal greatness that fueled the band to love. Nyx was given a small demonstration of the whole band's mission statement thanks to this...
/)∞(\
Cadance was resting nicely on an alicorn-sized floor pillow that sat in a brightly-decorated room. What made this room stand out was the fact that the castle's crystal walls didn't make the walls shine, but instead the covered colors of a bright pink with a small crystalluy trim. The room, adjacent to the royal couple's private quarters, was the Princess's favorite, because it was the castle's royal nursery.
She sat on her pillow with a little foal wrapped in her hooves, who had fallen asleep a little while ago after some much loved time with Mommy Cadance. Once the baby fell asleep, the Princess didn't want to move and chance disturbing her little one, so she took advantage of the opportunity to sit still and relax in a peaceful environment, unlike what she sensed at the Royal Suite earlier. To say these moments were rare would be a lie as her life was blessed with many rewards; being a princess, a wife, and now a mother, just to name her greastest blessings. Moments like this, the peaceful and silent, are among her favorites.
At the same time, she thought about how Twilight's life has progressed. The purple alicorn she once foalsat for so long has been going in a very different order, having become a mother before a princess, and yet to be a lucky pony's bride. It isn't the ideal life, at least compared to a progression perceived as normal, but Twilight has made it work beyond anypony's expectations. She proved to be a wonderful mother to Nyx, and she truly earned her ascension into an alicorn princess with her helpful studies of friendship. Twilight Sparkle was always a pony to beat the odds one way or another, no matter what the situation may be, and Cadance thought of how such actions can be influential towards others, as well as how it was something that ran in the family.
As she was expecting, the door into the nursery opened in, only so barely to allow Shining Armor to enter. He had in levitated magic a tray of items and drinks, and a small stuffed toy, as he walked inside and gently shutting the door behind him. The look on his face, however, showed a confused look that Cadance could see from her location.
"Something wrong, Shining Armor?" she asked.
"There's some noise coming from the lower corridor. Sounds like Twily's friends are enjoying their time before dinner, but I don't know exactly what it is," he replied. He took a seat next to his wife, setting the tray on the floor in front of him. Looking down at the slumbering foal, he chuckled a little and added "Looks like it's not loud enough to get in here."
"I guess not," Cadance said. She then took a look at what he had brought in, most notably the stuffed toy. From all her years foalsitting Twilight, and the occasional times with Nyx, she knew what that toy was. This one, however, looked brand new and right out of a store, but not one you'd find in the Crystal Empire. "Shining Armor, where did you find that Smarty Pants doll?"
The stallion had a small laugh, and then replied. "I had a letter mailed to Twilight just before the baby was born if I could have her old doll. Apparently I forgot that Nyx now owns it, and after some sisterly scolding, she told me that there's a store in Canterlot that still sells them. I put an order out last week, and the train from Canterlot with their competitors that arrived this morning brought it down."
He levitated the Smarty Pants doll down next to the cradled foal, causing some squirming on their part. Unintentionally, he woke the baby up as a big yawn came out and two little, marble-like eyes began to open. Turning over, the eyes opened wider as the sight of the doll came to vision, and the foal let out a big open smile towards it, and then towards the two parents.
"Look what daddy has for you," Shining said in a loving fatherly tone, and used his magic to pick up the doll again. "This is Smarty Pants, and she's your new little friend. Do you like her?"
The foal's little eyes widened as the smile worn grew bigger. Two forearms reached out for the doll, which was magically given and taken into a happy embrace. The doll was smothered with the foal's delight, making the two parents very much pleased, especially Shining Armor.
"Looks like she loves it," Cadance said, giving her husband a kiss on the lips. "Nice job, mister dad."
"Why thank you, misses mom," replied Shining Armor, returning her kiss with one from himself. "I think it's about time we got ready for dinner, don't you think?"
The pink alicorn turned to look out the window and judge the time by the sun's position. Dinner wasn't that close, but only for so long. "I think you're right. You go ahead and I'll watch her for a while longer."
"No, you go ahead. I'll watch over her until you're done," said the stallion. "Who knows, maybe I can get her all dressed and ready before you get back."
Upon hearing that, Cadance began to laugh to near uncontrollable levels. He had tried many times before to take care of the filly, but having nearly no experience with baby pegasi, he bit off more than he could chew at every attempt. After each attempt, it was always her to clean things up for him, which she didn't mind at all. Before she was an alicorn, she was a pegasus pony, thus having a more natural handle of the foal's unintended antics.
She controlled her laughing down to a minimum and said "Shining, I love you, but I'm not holding my breath to that." She stood up off her feet, leaving the filly on the pillow with her new doll, and added "Spend some fun, peaceful time with our daughter, and I'll get her ready when I'm done. Okay?"
The unicorn stallion would've taken aback to that if it was another pony saying that, making a joke about him being the best father he could be. Hearing that from his wife, however, was a different story, even if it would've been the truth either way. Without argument, he just wore a grin and flatly said "Alright."
Following a quick, loving glance at her husband, Cadance walked out of the nursery and into the master bedroom to get herself ready. Shining Armor watched her exit, and then focused on the filly playing with her new Smarty Pants doll as she giggled happily. That put a smile across his face again, and he laid down onto his chest to get down to her eye level.
"Do you like Smarty Pants?" he asked, and she just smiled the biggest smile possible to him. "Then come along now, Skyla. Let's have some fun until Mommy comes back."
He stood back up and used his magic to levitate the foal and doll up. One of his favorite games was once that his wife was not quite fond of, but it always make Skyla happy. Keeping her in a magical orb, he lifted her in the air, released her to fall, and caught her in his magic just at his eye level so he could say "hi" in a cute manner. He loved the time he had with his daughter; that is, until she went back up and did not come back down as quickly, all thanks to her little wings flapping.
All of the castle's guests had gathered in the dining hall to share their dinner together. The Royal Four, who were there the earliest, greeted each guest as the royal announcement made their arrival known. As Shining Armor and Skyla joined Cadance before anyone else arrived, Twilight was joined by Nyx, who was insisted to be there by her mother and aunt so that all of the present family could greet together. Now the large group of forty-two sat around all sides of the giant U-shaped table in their formal gala, saving perhaps a couple hedgehogs and an echidna who wouldn't even compromise with a collar or neck-tie spared from ponies.
Cadance used her magic to lift one of the utensils and a half-filled dinner glass, using the former to tap the latter gently and gain everyone's attention. When all were silent, she said "Good evening, everyone. My husband and I are very happy that you joined us for dinner. As we are about to enjoy the Equestria Games tomorrow, it is an honor to be graced with the presence of many representatives from faraway lands. Let us enjoy this evening and our meal together."
"Cheers!" everyone said together, raising up their own glasses by each of their own means. Cadance took a drink and sat back down, which caused a stream of conversations to begin all around the table. Each group, be it friends or dignitaries or the band, had themselves spread out diversely, an unintended maneuver that would surely help support any conversation.
Any reserved seating that was made was the table that stretched between the two tables standing parallel to each other. Across the back, facing the entire party and from left to right, was Cosmo, Nyx, Twilight, Cadance and Shining Armor with Skyla in between them, Celestia, and Luna. Tails sat right at the corner of Cosmo, allowing himself to stay next to his beloved and face both rows of the table. Sitting right were the two pairs of dignitaries and Jason of the Master Four, the latter having sat down towards the Royal Sisters when finding an available seat.
Celestia, after taking a drink from her glass, opened conversation with "It is good to see you again, Jason, and a pleasure to have you and all our guests join us for the Games."
The warrior of darkness grinned and replied "You are too kind, Princess. The pleasure is all ours. I will admit that we have been quite excited ever since we got the invitation from Princess Twilight through one of her interdimensional letters with Tails and Cosmo."
"I'm glad you enjoy being here," added the white alicorn. "We always try to make Equestria as welcoming as can be. With that, allow me to formally introduce you to the Duke and Duchess of Maretonia."
Jason turned to meet them, only to be stared back at almost disgustingly. He lent his hand out to shake hand and hoof, but was not shown the courtesy as the Duke said "Hello," in a less than appealing tone.
Withdrawing his hand, Jason tried to ignore that and start friendly conversation, as force as it seemed. "I haven't heard of places outside of Equestria's territory. How far away is Maretonia from here?"
The two didn't reply immediately, just both glaring at him for a moment. The sense of cold filled the atmosphere before the Duchess shot her eyes down the table. "Not too far away, but far enough from any 'situations' Equestria has had to face."
Luna's eyes stared at the Duchess for a moment before she shifted her own in the same direction. Her sight caught Nyx within vision, and it left her unsettled in thought. Clearly there was going to be difficulty to the Princesses' mission regarding Nyx's image, but not compared to the ideas of how to make Blueblood face her judgment for his stupid actions.
"I see," replied the dark warrior. He, too, noticed where the glare was being put, and another who noticed down at the receiving end.
"And what of you and your friends? Princess Celestia has said you are from Team JAG, correct?" asked the Duke.
"Yes, but Team JAG isn't specifically a place," Jason explained. "It is an organization, a coalition of beings from all different worlds, mostly those who serve as warriors, guardians, heroes, anyone who fights to protect the places they call home. The Team acts as a hub for interdimensional communications and allegiance so that we can all work together and stand against forces that threaten the peace and prosperity of any world. I guess the best summary is that we are all different places that act united for good."
"I see," the Duke said. "That does partially explain, if I may be openly descriptive, that you are... well, a difference species. Not many creatures that I've seen are bipeds like yourself."
"I believe that, as he said, the coalition consists of those of different worlds. I would imagine that there are many other beings than those here we have come to know that exist elsewhere," Luna stated.
Jason nodded and said "Indeed, and humans, as my species are called, are the majority of known beings we work with." He redirected to the Duke to add "So your open description is accurate. If I may admit, with no disrespectful intention, we never thought that we'd come across a world such as Equestria. Such extraordinary equines like yourselves and all who we've come across have really intrigued us. It is a truly amazing world you have here."
"It is," said the Duchess, but in a lighter tone rather than before. "That is why we are here, to know more about Equestria and build a bridge not built before between our homes. Maretonia, however, has never seen... certain instances that Equestria has seen."
Celestia gave an understanding look and nod, replying with "It is true we have seen multiple events that brought disharmony and conflict to our home, but we have always managed to persevere and overcome them. My former student, Princess Twilight Sparkle, has had a leading hoof in making sure in that, with the help of her studies and her friends." A gentle smile crossed her face as her eyes looked out at Twilight, her family, and her friends.
Both Luna and Jason nodded in agreement to that, but the Duke and Duchess were less than agreeable about the land's newest princess. In passive aggression, the Duke said "Yes, your student has had her roles when it comes to some things that can give ponies nightmares," and left his sentence at that.
/)∞(\
Twilight was enjoying a conversation with her friends and daughter, and the two dignitaries of Saddle Arabia as well. The topic was about magic and how it connects and disconnects with what an alicorn's cutie mark represents, using the run-in with the Diamond Dogs a few years ago as an example. The conversation had good length to it, especially with the dignitaries and two Mobians asking a variety of questions about the topic, receiving answers from both alicorns. The younger's intelligence started a shift in topics, as done so by Arabian Night.
"I must say," he said intriguingly, "you have quite the knowledge of magic, young one. Not many unicorns from our land even know some things you have mentioned. You must have quite a quench for knowledge like the mare that was once Celestia's pupil."
"Well, maybe not just like Twilight's, but a lot for her at least," Tails added, emphasizing humor in his tone in reference to all he told her and the Crusaders earlier.
Nyx could only grin happily, but she enjoyed that feeling so much. Instead of pointing out the topic of Nightmare Moon right off the bat, the conversation went straight into a different territory that wouldn't make her feel down or awkward as in numerous previous chats. Besides, that was a topic that she knew was best left for later.
Her mother told her how they would explain to Tails and Cosmo, and all their friends and came with them to the Crystal Empire, the entire story of past sins.
Continuing the conversation, Twilight went on to say "Yes, Nyx always has a desire to learn something new if given the opportunity. Give her a novel and she'll try to read it in a day. But restarting where we left off, I'd love to learn how your country has govern-"
"I'm sure the knowledge she has had helped her in many ways, including being the short-term 'Queen of Equestria.'" Arabian Night's wife, Desert Oasis, cut off the purple alicorn without warning, her tone and words shot out like a sword through sand. Twilight tried to keep herself posed and collected like Celestia, but her eyes furrowed crossly. Tails and Cosmo became tense and tried better to hide a surprised reaction. Nyx took the sting, having just thought positively of not discussion about what her history, her ears drooped down and eyes saddened as her head bowed a little.
Arabian Night cleared his throat after a moment, trying to break from the sudden awkwardness, while maintaining himself calm when he spoke. "Yes, that is something we were... 'informed' of before. I'm sorry that Desert didn't say that in such an out of term approach, but that mention does intrigue me of another topic of your friends from, well, farther away than us, Princess." He turned his head towards the couple he referred to. "Like how this little filly is here, I learned that you two have come here under, well, 'interesting circumstances.'"
Twilight didn't know what to say. She knew he was trying to be kinder with his speaking, but given what she knew, she took that as disrespectful and passive-aggressive. Even with how Nyx became who she is and how Tails and Cosmo became involved with Equestria, the topics could have been addressed in a politer manner; a much, much politer manner. Then again, this was exactly what to expect those foreign to the events Equestria had endured throughout all the passing years, yet she always hoped for ponies to be better when it came to approaching such topics.
"I... I can't say that is true," she responded. "What took place during that time had no negative impact on Equestria through Nyx's love for learning before then. In fact, it was the cult who assisted her that used their knowledge to cause the majority of what happened."
"Ah yes, the Children of Nightmare. Forgive my correcting, but I don't think they were responsible for brainwashing everypony, having the moon raised for so long, and infiltrating Canterlot to attack and banish Celestia and Luna to the sun and moon, respectively," Desert Oasis said.
Nyx's head dropped further in shame, unable to focus her vision upward. She was spared seeing Tails and Cosmo's shocked expressions, those that were greater than the shock of meeting the filly earlier. At that moment, she just tried to pluck up courage and engage in the conversation to speak for herself.
Twilight took no time to respond to the mare across the table from her, all the while struggling to maintain her collectiveness. "Nightmare Moon's actions were based on the cult's guidance, and anger and jealousy born from matters over a thousand years ago. If anything, what happened was all from a temper tantrum."
"I must admit that it was something quite beyond being just a tantrum, but I do understand the sources of it. We are vaguely familiar with Equestria's history, not expert historians," said Arabian Night. "Regardless of what we were told, we were intrigued how one little filly was the... well, the catalyst, as it were."
Little to the filly's knowledge, he looked down at her before speaking again. "Nyx, if I may ask, is this all true and you were indeed this land's most dangerous enemy, Nightmare Moon?"
"Y-yes," Nyx replied, braving herself just enough to raise her head to just barely make eye contact with the stallion. "I used to be Nightmare Moon, but that's not who I am anymore."
"I see," said the stallion. "Then I guess there was some truth from that blubbering fool Blueblood."
Both Twilight and Nyx were taken aback by what he just said, so much that they were trying to stifle laughter at what the so called prince was described as.
"What kind of things did he say about Nyx?" Cosmo asked.
"Well," Desert Oasis answered, "in short he said she was a diabolical monster disguised as a filly, plotting to take control of us all and enslave ponies of all lands under her rule. He stressed quite a bit that she was that and nothing good." She paused to look down at the filly, who had just composed herself from laughing. "Normally I wouldn't dare say such thing about a foal, but as my husband has said, Equestria does have its... unique history, and such eyes and coat can make a pony stand out."
"No it doesn't." Tails spoke with a firm and disapproving tone of what the mare had said. "Looks do not determine that, not through that kind of viewpoint."
Desert Oasis turned her attention to the fox and replied "Perhaps you are correct, but forgive when I say that I don't see you being in a position to say that. Blueblood did have some things to say about you and your grou-"
"I'm aware he spoke of us as well," Tails said, cutting her off before she could finish and sounding even more displeased. "If I may speak from personal experience, it's not the image of a person that makes them stand out alone. It's who they are and what their actions are that determine who you see, not solely from what you may or may not hear about them. Prince Blueblood has never even met us, so what he told you about us has no credibility at all.
"As for what he has told you about Nyx, I cannot go against him fully. In fact, my friends and I have just met her this morning, so I doubt I can change your perspective with my current understanding of who she is. What I can say, however, is that I've spent nearly this entire day with her and her friends, getting to know her and who she is. Based on that, I can tell you she is a wonderful, smart, and kind filly, just like the mare you sit across who is raising her, who I also come to know very well in the last few months. With all due respect, if Nyx was indeed Nightmare Moon before, that isn't who we're sitting with right here and now, so get to know the pony you see here, rather than imagine her from the opinions of a fool who seems to not know better..."
Tails would have continued on, but he felt something on his knee. Cosmo reached her hand under the table to grab him, giving him a small squeeze in order to gain his attention and stop him from saying much more. He saw her give him a firm stare and a gentle shake of her head, and he got the message clearly. A part of him began to feel embarrassed for going on that small rant, and he would admit to himself regret. That is, if it wasn't for catching a stare from Twilight, but hers wasn't as stern as Cosmo's.
The purple mare would have been upset with what the fox had just said, if she didn't want to react that way herself. In fact, he beat her to the punch before she would begin defending her daughter from what the dignitaries were saying, and she was unsure of just how composed she would have kept herself if given the opportunity to speak then and there. She noticed all eyes were on him, so she took the opportunity to give him a small grin and use her lips to silently say 'Thank You' to him. Then, she took control of the conversation and spoke.
"I apologize for that, Arabian Night. In the time I've come to know Tails and his friends, he can be very defensive."
"It's alright," he replied. "Perhaps we did poke some buttons too hard. I apologize is we insulted your friends and your daughter, and yourself, Your Highness." The last two words he spoke carried heavy sarcasm in his tone.
Twilight, ignoring how he spoke, then said "Perhaps we may take this in a more positive direction." She then turned to her two interdimensional friends and asked "Tails, Cosmo, why don't you tell us more about where you and most of your friends are from? Your world is known as Mobius, correct?"
"Twilight, I'm so sorry for what happened with Tails. I hope we didn't cross the line there," said Cosmo.
"Are you kidding? I wish I could have said that myself," replied Twilight. "If anything, I thank you for standing up for Nyx. It meant so much to see him take that stance for not just yourselves, but for her, too. "
The dinner had finished a while ago, and after changing out of their formal attire, all the friends met together in the castle's grand living room. Dinner went smoother than how it started, for the most part. Conversations lasted and improved as histories and stories were shared between Equestrians and their guests, a delicious meal of vegetarian cuisine, with an exception for Spike with a bowl of turquoise gems, and a special treat Pinkie Pie helped to provide: a three song performance by the Team JAG Band.
When Pinkie had the idea of the band performing for everypony, she raced off and found the Master Four to share her idea and convince them to play. The four agreed and offered to take some of their equipment to the dining hall, but once she got their confirmation, the pink party pony packed a pile of playable instruments in her front hooves and raced back to set it up, and having the instruments sitting in the once empty corner since.
For the party, the band decided to play three songs that would not be included in the upcoming set for closing the Equestria Games, but also including one from their upcoming anniversary show. The first they played was a song they played in Ponyville a few months ago, a long instrumental that was found appealing, especially to a hoof-tapping Luna. Following that was a song they had rehearsed earlier, but this time allowing other members of the band to join at a specific point. Lastly, and after a warning of explicit contents, the entire band played a brand new song from one of their most frequently-played bands, and only having first heard it a week prior to their Equestria vacation.
It was a song they were just barely able to finish entirely.
Abruptly making his way into the dining hall was Prince Blueblood, the stallion whose title was without any worth. He had stormed in, expressing his dislike of being so rudely treated as to not be invited to the dinner, but it was a short rant. The moment his eyes caught glance of Nyx, Tails, Cosmo and all the other guests of Twilight's, it brewed an absolute storm of displeasure and disrespect as he insulted them all with whatever words came to his (arguably existent) mind first. Hours that passed during the dinner to strengthen positive and peaceful bonds with all those present had been deteriorated in less than five minutes.
Then again, it gave way to the wonderful opportunities for Twilight to lash out for a moment by backing him into a corner with a tongue-lashing, promising to zap him in the middle of a javelin competition if he spoke anything of her daughter and friends again. Before he could say anything back, Cosmo spoke up herself and called him an insulting prince to Equestria, only for him to spit in her direction and promised to be rid of the invading monsters and nightmare. Twilight had had enough and used her magic to grab some of Pinkie Pie's flag banner to wrap around and tie tightly on his muzzle to prevent another word to escape his mouth, and used a locking spell only she or another alicorn could undo to keep the knot tied. At that point, Twilight considered the dinner over and escorted her family and friends out, but not before giving Blueblood one more taste of his medicine:
Rarity having a small turn to yell at him as well, and then whipping her tail right across the side of his face. To her misfortune, she kept herself collected enough to not do more, but it was to not fully lose her temper in front of her little sister and the CMC.
That, however, didn’t stop a certain fox glaring eye to eye with the unicorn snob and snarling at the now cowardly prince. He decided that, against his better judgment, wait until Cadance had distracted the dignitaries long enough for him to untie the banner just enough to wrap one of the ends in a bowline knot, hold it in Blueblood’s face and gave one cold warning: “If you even lay a hit on Cosmo, Nyx or any of my friends, I’ll swing you around and make you the fastest flying unicorn in Equestria.”
He dropped his noose, and then backhanded the side of the prince’s head so hard that he hit the crystalline wall and fell unconscious where he sat tied up. Tails walked out of the room fuming, his eyes narrowed and arms crossed as he just walked his way back to his and Cosmo’s suite to unwind, and walking passed everybody that watched him make his threat.
Following the time to dress down and some stress relief, the friends got together in the living room, and apologies were given amongst each other for the apologizing ones' actions. They were more than understanding for each other, and the apologies were accepted if not dismissed for being unnecessary. With Celestia and Luna attending to their guests and Cadance and Shining Armor focusing on their own family, the Mane 6, the CMC, the Band, and Team Sonic were all the ones together, and a solemn Spike keeping to himself by the room's hearth as he lit the logs with a green-glowing fire.
"So are we done saying we're sorry to each other? I thought we were going to have a story time!" Pinkie Pie said.
Rainbow Dash gave a glare to the pink pony. "Seriously, Pinkie? After what just happened, you want to just forget about it and go into sharing stories?"
"I'm actually with her on that," Sonic stated, getting everyone's attention. "That dinner was too stiff for my liking, and I'm not going to let one guy ruin my evening with paranoia. I say forget about it and change topics."
"Of course you'd feel that way," Knuckles commented without surprise.
"Well where I may not fully agree with how he meant that, I'll have to agree with him and Pinkie myself. I'd rather forget about that... 'Prince' and talk about far more important subjects," Rarity added, with a certain hiss at one point in her sentence.
Ash nodded and said "Same here."
"Agreed. I know you wanted to give us Nyx's backstory, Twilight," Gohan added, "mainly with what happened when 'Nightmare Moon' was here."
Twilight, having herself sat on a throw pillow with Nyx next to her, nodded in agreement. "I know. I did promise you that explanation earlier, and a good friend should never break a promise."
"Cross your heart and hope to fly," Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said in unison, chanting the Pinkie Promise, "stick a cupcake in your eye." A round of chuckling came from the group, mostly the ponies who were more familiar with what that meant.
Tails, who was standing a short distance away from the alicorn princess, began to walk up to her and say "Applejack gave us, from what we took it as, the abridged version of the story. We were hoping that you could add some more details to this, seeing as nopony is closer to this story or to Nyx than you." He then took a seat near them on the floor and added "I do feel that I owe you for my outburst earlier, and if I- no, we ever need to defend Nyx, we want to know everything you want to tell us."
"Yes," agreed Cosmo, taking her own seat next to him. "Even if anything Blueblood said is true, we want to know her better ourselves and hear the truth."
Twilight looked around the room and saw everyone comfortable at their seats, saving an apathetic Shadow who only sat in his seat because of Maria's arm around his own and her head on his shoulder. She debated whether or not waiting to see if her brother and sister-in-law would be joining them after putting Skyla to sleep, but they heard the whole story through multiple parts, just not all in one continuity. Thinking of how long they would might take, she concluded it was no worth to wait: family did come first after all, something she understood a while before them thanks to Nyx. Her friends saw discomfort on her and decided to give her a little boost of morale.
"Come now, Twilight," Rarity said first, "they do deserve to know the story of Nyx like everypony else knows."
"Do you not want to tell the story?" Fluttershy asked.
"No, no, I don't mind," Twilight replied. "I just don't want to say it in a way to prove Blueblood was right in any way."
Applejack then said "Just stick what the heart wants to say, Sugarcube, and nothin' but the honest truth. There's no better way."
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash added. She then made herself sit down comfortably next to her alicorn friend and said "And if you need a hoof in explaining, we'll help out, too."
"Totally!" Pinkie yelled, jumping up from the seat she shared with Amy, Knuckles and Rouge.
Taking a deep breath, Twilight gently smiled and said "Alright," but the smile immediately faded away. "Perhaps I should start things from where it all began for me; the night I was ponynapped." Following a brief pause to recall the horrible memories, she collected enough to get her story started.
"It was a little while after the big wedding in Canterlot for Shining Armor and Cadance. I was just walking outside when I was ponynapped by a cult who were trying to resurrect Nightmare Moon in the Everfree Forest. I didn't see much of what they were doing other than just a few moments, but during the ritual spell to bring back Nightmare Moon, Princess Celestia and her guards intervened and stopped them; as far as they knew, that is. Celestia made sure I was alright before leaving for Canterlot, where she had a research team begin an investigation of what the cult was truly planning to do, as everypony didn't know for certain then. The next day I was trying to get my mind off of things by focusing on my studies when I realized that I had lost some very important books when I was ponynapped, so I went to the Everfree Forest and found them. That's when I discovered a sight I couldn't believe at first sight: a little filly tangled in a thorn bush, fearing where she was and what was going on. I decided to take her back to the library with me, and out of a storm that began to downpour on us.
"I invited her to stay, and I gave her the name Nyx, a name from one of my fillyhood storybooks. I wasn't fully sure Nyx was Nightmare Moon, because I had no proof other than being a filly reflection of the Mare in the Moon, so I took her to Rarity in order to get her a disguise and pass her off as a cousin who was visiting me for a while. It took a little convincing to get Rarity to help, but-"
"But a true friend should always help a friend in need," Rarity interjected. "Plus, I did visit her after the incident and promised her a favor for being so negligent and visiting her last."
"And I thank you again for that, Rarity. She began to see the innocence of Nyx, even going so far as teaching her proper etiquette every now and again. With Nyx having a disguise, I then enrolled her at school to take classes with the other fillies and colts, especially after discovering her never-ending thirst for knowledge. I think that was something I unintentionally rubbed off onto her." Twilight paused to chuckle before could continue.
"Then there was a day when a couple fillies in her class tricked her into going into the Everfree Forest, making her way to the Castle of the Royal Sisters, and having memories of Nightmare Moon, as she described to me. When I found out she was missing, I was afraid, more afraid than I've ever been in my life, and after confronting the two fillies who tricked her, raced into the forest and to the castle. I found Nyx sad and crying, but her mane and tail very different than what she has now: they were flowing with the exact kind of mane and tail that belonged to Nightmare Moon.
"I didn't tell Nyx about the truth, not then at least. It wasn't until after the school put on a play for a spring festival in Ponyville that told the story of the Royal Sisters reuniting, a story based on Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and myself were a part of. Nyx played the role of Nightmare Moon, and after the play, she mentioned how everypony called her an exact doppelganger to Nightmare Moon. That was when I told her the truth, at least all the truth that I knew then, but also that she was not the evil pony that Nightmare Moon was. She was born from Nightmare Moon's remains, but she lacked the spirit and attitude that was Nightmare Moon, and that's what mattered the most.
"It was after Nyx doubted having her own family when I thought of who I was to Nyx, and who Nyx was to me. I called myself her mother, and she loved to be my daughter." She paused at the feeling of Nyx leaning her head against her and wearing a happy smile. Twilight, who wore a big smile from her previous sentence, nuzzled the little filly and opened up her wing to wrap around her. Her smile faded when she continued her story again.
"After that, things kept going as normal as possible, including a Learn & Play Day at the school where Nyx demonstrated greater levels of her magical power. I still had my doubts she was Nightmare Moon, but what happened that confirmed it for me, and I had a hard time accepting it. It took a good talk with Rarity to help me see that, even if my theories were proven true, Nyx was exactly who she was: Nyx. Things went by smoothly since then...
"But then came the last day of school." Twilight had to pause as she could feel her whole body cringe and her heart ache. "It was the worst day of my life." Nyx's expression showed the same as Twilight's, and she leaned herself against her mother harder. Everyone in the room kept their attention even closer than since the story started at this sight, and most unaware of two ponies that were standing outside the door.
"Princess Celestia saw through my lie and visited the library, planning to take Nyx to Canterlot to make sure she was truly Nightmare Moon or not. Spell Nexus, the headmaster of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, was not only the one in charge of operating a spell to make the test, but also the mastermind behind the cult I mentioned earlier, the Children of Nightmare. I was broken: I didn't want Celestia to take Nyx away, but I did, and I fell apart where I sat. I heard Nyx crying as Celestia took her out the front door, lost in my own thoughts until I heard a word that snapped me back into reality-"
"Mommy." Nyx had cut her off that time, having of the saddest and depressing tones one could hear. Then again, Twilight's tone was no better as she sounded depressed, ashamed, and trying her hardest not to cry.
"It was a trap," the alicorn continued. "Spell Nexus betrayed Celestia and managed to use the full power of the resurrection spell to his advantage. He and the Children of Nightmare had accomplished what they worked for, transforming Nyx into the Mare in the Moon: Nightmare Moon."
Twilight had to pause for a couple moments. She had reached the point of the memories where some of the worst heartaches and greatest pains would surface within her again. She would need to keep herself collected, if not herself altogether, for her friends learning of this story and her friends who were there to experience it. Before continuing, she was surprised to feel a wing lay across her back. It wasn't Nyx's, as the filly's wings were too small to cast across an entire mare's back. She turned to see that it was Rainbow Dash who extended out the laying wing.
"It's ok, Twi," said the pegasus. "You've told this story before. Just keep going, unless you want to stop and let somepony else take over."
Twilight was touched by the offer, but it was the gesture that helped keep herself collected and continue on. Following a deep breath, she went on speaking again. "Nightmare Moon succeeded in her original plans. She casted eternal night across Equestria, and banished both Celestia and Luna to the sun and the moon. She proclaimed herself Queen of Equestria, but... I... I refused to believe Nightmare Moon was Nightmare Moon. I still believed she was the little filly I called my daughter. I still believed she was Nyx, and I infiltrated her palace, Night Stone Castle, to confront Nyx and convince her to stop everything. But my efforts weren't exactly successful-"
"I put her in a dungeon," Nyx interrupted, expressing her sadness over the pass strongly in her tone. "I was doing everything I was told to do. I was doing everything I thought, I believed I had to do. I banished the princesses, I conquered Equestria and stole the Elements of Harmony, and I locked up Twilight and my friends in the dungeon. I was a monster: a horrible, evil monster..."
Twilight nuzzled Nyx again to help calm her down, but it wouldn't be so effective, not until the story was fully told. "But I didn't believe that," she continued, "not one bit." The nuzzling stopped as Twilight refocused her vision towards everyone.
"I believed in Nyx every moment I was in that dungeon. She thought I just gave up on her, but there wasn't a single moment when I did. As the weeks passed, she proved me right. She didn't cause harm to anypony, she began to raise the sun and brought back the day, and she even let her once captured friends go so that they could go to their friend's birthday party. My faith was right the whole time: Nyx was Nightmare Moon in body, but not in heart, mind or spirit. Deep down, she was always the little filly I took in and began to raise, and I was very proud of her for making the turn for the better.
"Spell Nexus, on the other hoof, wasn't as pleased with it. He was infuriated, confronting me in the dungeon and aimed the blame and his anger onto me. He decided to put Nightmare Moon back in line, and have me be the one to do it with the help of the Blessing..."
"The Blessing?" Tails asked.
"The Blessin' was used to make ponies follow and obey Nightmare Moon," Applejack explained. "It's like mind control, right Twilight?"
"Yes," the purple mare confirmed. "The Blessing, which was a physical manifestation of Nightmare Moon, was used to take complete control of me for Spell Nexus's using. He used me to have Nyx come see me..." She paused to cringe again, this time with great regret. "...and I- I attacked her. He gave me a knife to attack her with, and I ended up cutting her. I still hate myself today for doing that, even if I didn't have control of myself at that moment, or later on... when I was nearly hung by a hangmare's noose."
There was a pause as several took in the last bit of information, a few taking their hand or hoof and putting them at their own necks, including Twilight. Nyx took over talking for a minute and said "I saw her fall. I saw her from my balcony as she stood on the platform on top of a tower, and then started to fall down. When I saw what was happening, I managed to save her just before the rope would have snapped, cutting her free and taking her to the castle in the Everfree Forest. Twilight was still Blessed, and the proof was how her eyes were like mine, just like everypony else who was Blessed.” She raised a hoof to point to her turquoise, dragonesque eyes. “I used my magic to find the Blessing, extract it and destroy it, setting her free."
"And that's when I first saw you regretting what you've done," Twilight said, speaking to her little filly. "I was so proud of you, even if I was scared of what might have happened." She returned her focus to the others and continued the story again.
"After Nyx saved me, I went to Zecora's to stay out of sight from Spell Nexus and the cult. I didn't need to see how unhappy his Blessed form was when he didn't see me left for head on the noose. From what I learned from Nyx, she talked to Nexus privately and extracted the Blessing, the true negativity that was Nightmare Moon, and destroyed it. The rest of the cult followed, all of them set free from being Blessed and returning to their homes and lives. She even dethroned herself as Equestria's queen, but remained isolated inside Night Stone Castle. Day after day, I went in to try and find her, to talk to her and see her again, but she remained hidden from me, from everypony.
"That is, until the creatures of Everfree invaded Ponyville."
"Creatures of Everfree? What are those?" Amy asked.
Tails recalled back to his first visit to Equestria, and his first trip through the said forest to visit Zecora with Twilight. He had learned about this subject a little during that trek. "Ursas, lupises, timberwolves," he said, listing them out as he thought of their names. "They're animals of the more... well, supernatural, I guess you could call it."
"Not exactly," Nyx said. "They are mystical creatures who originated from before the Princesses' rule and the founding of Equestria, named after constellations that none see to exist today. Archaeologists have discovered that they used to live all across the land until ponies began to migrate here, but they took refuge in the Everfree Forest to avoid contact with ponies after Celestia and Luna began their rule. The invasion... I was the cause of it. Since I banished the princesses, the creatures no longer felt threatened to stay in the forest and-"
"It was not your fault," Twilight interrupted, pulling the filly in as close as possible with her wing. Another moment of silence fell as the many guests became speechless at Nyx's intelligent explanation. They would have imagined an explanation to come from Twilight, as they knew her as the most intellectual of facts and histories compared to the other ponies, but never in the short time they knew of Equestria did they come across such a young intellectual. If anything, that could be one of the biggest signs that adoption didn't have to make Nyx the purple mare's daughter.
"What happened when these creatures invaded?" Sonic asked.
"Ponyville was sent into chaos, but nowhere as chaotic as Discord pulled off. Everypony ran for their lives and tried to find shelter, and my friends and I tried to do our part. It wasn't until Nyx arrived, using one of her powers to separate herself into dozens of forms of herself to combat the creatures all at once. She advised us to get out of Ponyville and go to her castle for safety, as it was far enough away to shelter us. I formulated a plan to make sure everypony could get there, but I couldn't have pulled it off without my friends."
"Don't be modest there, Sugarcube," Applejack said. "We all had our parts to play, and you were more important, if not the same."
"Absolutely," Rarity agreed.
"And if it wasn't for the many many many Nyxies, we would have been doomed. Doomed I tell you! DOOOOOOOOOMED!" Pinkie Pie added.
Twilight couldn't help but smile thankfully, and Nyx managed to put on a weak smile and blush at Pinkie's compliment. When her smile faded away after a few seconds, Twilight began to speak again.
"It took a while, but we managed to get the entire town to Night Stone Castle, some better than others. When it seemed the coast was clear, Nyx gathered all her duplicates in one place and merged back into one, and taking all the energies each individual duplicate had all at once. Then... It came; a Lupus Major, at full charge. It was blood-thirsty and ready to attack, but Nyx promised to take care of it and told the remainder of us to get to the castle. Even though I was against it, I found myself away from where I left Nyx, when I saw something that still makes me shake to this day. Out of the sky shot a magical lightning bolt that Nyx charged to not only strike the Lupus Major, but herself as well." She paused for a second to let out a shake of her spine.
"I waited to see what would happen next, but nothing did, not immediately. After a little time, I saw Nyx limp her way into the castle courtyard, and so did everypony else. She saved us all from the attacking creatures, and she saved Ponyville from being completely destroyed. But then... Nyx collapsed, falling unconscious and too weak to do anything for herself. I tried to wake her up with no luck, and then I- I lost it. I cried and yelled and begged for somepony to help, but nopony would do anything. They didn't want to help, not after what Nightmare Moon did to them for all those weeks. At that moment, I didn't care what anypony thought of her; she saved us and wouldn't do anything to help. They stood there not sure whether to help her live or watch her die, and I couldn't stand it.
"I didn't want to lose Nyx. I didn't want to lose my daughter. And I... And I thought I was about to..." Twilight stopped herself again, her voice cracking through her sad emotions and trying her best not to cry at the horrible memories. Nyx felt the same, but was more open of letting her own eyes cry tears. She put her head in her mother's crook, and the mare rested her head on her daughter's. Rainbow Dash tried to help by clenching her wing tighter, just a little tighter, across Twilight's back.
Then, the Cutie Mark Crusaders got up from where they sat and walked over to their friend. They each found their own place around Nyx- Apple Bloom to the side, Sweetie Belle by the front, and Scootaloo popping up on top. They hugged or nuzzled their alicorn friend, while each giving their own say on the whole story itself.
"It didn't matter to us Nyx did some bad things back then," Scootaloo said.
"Yeah," followed Apple Bloom. "She saved us from those monsters, and we always knew she cared for us."
"Besides, she's our friend, and we never leave a fellow Cutie Mark Crusader behind," added Sweetie Belle.
To most, it sounded as cheesy as it comes, but it was still a heartfelt moment. Several grinned, others tried to turn their heads away to hide their emotions, and the rest just shed a tear or two and swiped them away with a finger. The other ponies, the Mane 6 according to the adopted nickname, each reacted accordingly to their own fashion from hiding under hats to trying to mask the 'sappy' feelings that surfaced. Or you could be Pinkie Pie and start flooding the room with tears.
"Anyway," Twilight said, having recollected herself once more, "I was fortunate enough to have my friends step forward to help Nyx, and then a doctor and a nurse did as well. We got Nyx to the throne room and the nurse and Fluttershy bandaged her up while I waited outside and everypony else tried to recover from what had happened. Rainbow Dash and a team of pegasi went around to inform Equestria that things were turning for the better, regardless of that the sun and moon were not revolving as a result of Nyx being incapable of doing anything at the time. When I was allowed to see her again, I didn't leave her side, and when she awoke, convinced her to help me free Celestia and Luna from their respective prisons, but not before doing a few things we enjoyed doing together when she was still a filly.
"We freed Celestia and Luna to the castle, and then Nyx surrendered as Nightmare Moon, prepared to accept all the consequences for her actions, and make a small proclamation that instead of placing ponies in eternal night and constant fear, she wanted to dedicate herself to protect ponies and make sure nothing like Nightmare Moon would ever happen again..."
"That explains the cutie mark," Cosmo thought to herself as Twilight was speaking.
"After Nyx surrendered, Celestia made the decision that Luna would be the one to pass judgment and decide what Nyx's consequences would be. Luna accepted the responsibility, and to keep her judgment unbiased, she decided to go out to Ponyville and ask for their opinions and see what those viewpoints were. As she was off doing that, we waited in the throne room for Nyx to keep resting, and in case of the worst... To have our final moments together.
"Eventually, Luna returned, speaking to Celestia before stepping into the throne room again, and where I had to leave. Nyx told me that it was like a court, where Luna addressed the accusations against her, which she accepted. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear a thing, as the doors had a soundproof spell casted to keep the passing of judgment private. It was unbearable, and in no time I feared that the worst possible thing was happening, and Nyx was being banished to the moon forever. I began to beat on the door as hard as possible, wanting to stop the banishment before it was too late..." Twilight paused again and took a deep breath, allowing herself to calm down for the near end of the story.
"The moment the doors cracked open, I lost my temper, and entered an accelerated angry state called a rage shift. I began lashing out at Celestia before she eventually broke through to me and calmed me down, and then told me to take a better look. I stepped inside and saw two things: I saw Luna in a taller and grander form, the one you see today, and then, I saw somepony I thought I lost. I saw a little black filly, with a horn and wings, her purple mane and tail, and her little body still bandaged as she laid where she was resting. I saw Nyx: my little Nyx."
The latter sentence saw a smile break across Twilight's face, and her eyes beginning to cry again. This time, this was a crying of joy, as she told the most wonderful part of the story. "Luna's decision was to strip Nyx the magic and form that made her Nightmare Moon, transforming her back into the filly she was reborn as, but with all her memories intact. The magic was transferred to Luna, who in turn transformed into the form you've met her in, as the magic of Nightmare Moon was originally hers after all. She declared that Nyx would have to face the trials that other ponies would make towards her, and that would be done by living a life like everypony else would. To make sure this task would be seen through, Luna decided that since I discovered and took Nyx in that I would be the one to oversee this personally.
"To put it short and sweet: Nyx was given her original life back, and I had my daughter again. I took her back home and told her what the Princesses decided that night, and-"
"I had my family again!" Nyx said, cutting off Twilight mid-sentence. "I had my mom again, I had my brother and friends again! I got my life back!"
Unable to stifle her laughter, the purple mare let herself laugh at the outburst of happiness Nyx displayed. Once her laugh began to stop, she said "After that, we went on to celebrate both Nyx's return, and upon changing bandages, discovering her new cutie mark.
"Life went back to normal after that day... Or, as normal as you can try to call our lives. I never expected to become a mom so soon in my life, but I wouldn't trade what happened for anything. I've learned so much since I found Nyx, and still do to this day, and I love all the memories that we make together. There are ponies who don't like what Luna decided, and how Nyx is still amongst ponies, but we've faced those trials together, and we always will face them together. We have each other, and we have wonderful friends who have stuck by our sides to help keep our family together, and I couldn't be more blessed to have them in my life, friends old and new..."
Twilight felt herself getting squeezed a little harder from Rainbow Dash, who now had a leg and her wing around the alicorn for a more intimate hug. Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie got up from their seats and joined the two, surrounding them and the fillies for one big group hug. Following enjoying the hug for a couple moments, Twilight ended the story.
"Now you know how Nyx became my daughter and where she comes from. Before you say anything, I just need to say one more thing- thank you for listening. I hope you welcome Nyx as a friend as you have with the rest of us."
The groups of Team Sonic and the Band left little hesitation to respond to what they had just listened Twilight explain. A child born from magic, intended to be the greatest threat of an entire species, yet there she sat: a child, surrounding by friends and family, who they all come to know as just that and nothing more. Many began to give their responses to the story and past sins of Nyx, and what it all resulted to.
"Thank you, Twilight," Tails said. "I must admit, that is quite a story."
"But it was amazing. A little girl looking to find who she wanted to be, and going through all that she did, she came out with a wonderful outcome," added Amy.
"I've got to say, we've seen some people turn to the dark side and come back, but this is a story that really stands out," Gohan stated. "We don't always hear stuff like this happen to kids, even for most of us at that age."
"Unless you count King Grump over here," Rouge added, motioning a thumb pointing towards a certain red and black hedgehog. She then said towards Nyx "I have to hand it to you, kid, you've gone through hell and back to have a cushy life as a princess's daughter."
Catching quick that the bat said something potentially wrong, Jason tried to correct her and say "I don't think it's too cushy of a life, Rouge. Remember what Twilight said the conditions were for Nyx to have her current life..."
"She has to face lifelong trials."
Everyone turned to the doors that revealed Shining Armor and Cadance, the former of whom was the one who spoke the previous statement. "Nyx has had to face ponies who aren't as forgiving of her actions as most Equestrian citizens would be. That includes normal citizens, upper class citizens, and those of higher positions...
"Myself included."
Taken aback by that last comment, the group learning of Nyx's origins didn't take long to want to know what the prince meant by what he said. Kim was the one to ask the question: "Including yourself? You weren't pleased with Nyx's presence as other citizens would be?"
Shining Armor only nodded and replied "I did treat Nyx coldly when we first met, but that's another story. We were outside when Twily was telling you the story of Nightma- I mean, Nyx's first weeks. We didn't want to interrupt, and we almost didn't come in if your friend, Rouge if I'm correct, said what she did."
Cadance, deciding to add a little comfort to what her husband said, went on to add "Besides, our roles were minor to how Nyx became who she is, given that we first properly met during the following Hearth's Warming Eve."
"What's Hearth's Warming Eve?" Cream asked. Twilight gave a brief explanation of what the holiday was about, mainly how the three pony tribes became one and founded Equestria.
"That sounds like another holiday we celebrate during the winter," stated Ami.
"But getting back to Nyx," said Ash, "like what Tails said, that is quite the story of your family history. It actually makes me think of many others from Team JAG and how their own bonds with others have formed."
"Indeed," agreed Gohan. "At the same time, now it's easier to understand where the dignitaries' viewpoint comes from."
A moment of silence fell at the warrior's statement at that thought. Now the visitors knew of Nyx's dilemma of being with her mother in the Royal Suite, and it was easy to see the connection between the deeds of Nightmare Moon, and the fearful thought of strange, more powerful beings like Team Sonic and members of the Team JAG Band. More importantly, they now knew of how Nyx became a part of Twilight's life. Cosmo became the one who broke the silence.
"The dignitaries aren't us. They didn't take the time to listen and understand where Nyx came from, and more importantly, who Nyx is. I'm glad we did hear that story, because now we all know just how special Nyx actually is. It also confirms my thoughts about her after spending nearly the entire day with her." Cosmo reached down through the CMC and under Twilight's wing and brought the filly up to her hooves to look at her face to face.
"Regardless of her past, and what she will have to do in her future, she is a wonderful, kind, loveable little pony. She saw what she was doing wasn't right, and was willing to make things right for everyone she cares about. In fact, her life reminds me a lot about mine: I was born for a reason, and became close to wonderful friends who I came to call my family, and even though I did not willingly choose to cause anyone any trouble, those same people who cared about me fought for me. Like Nyx, I was given a second chance at life, and even though there are still rough times for us to fight through, I couldn't have asked for anything better, because I have that family to return home to.
"I guess what I'm getting at, to best word it, is that I see a kindred spirit with Nyx. But more importantly, above anything else, I see a little filly who I'm glad I met today; a little filly that is my new friend, and am willing to help her spend this trip with her family happily. Nyx, I am grateful - no, all of us are grateful - to have met you today. Thank you for helping share your story, and thank you, Twilight, for telling us..."
Nyx smiled ear to ear as Cosmo was speaking, but it wasn't until she finished that the filly began to feel truly accepted by Twilight's interdimensional friends. Unable to hold herself still, she leapt up and wrapped her front hooves around Cosmo's neck. Cosmo gladly returned the surprise hug, letting out a small chuckle to the surprise 'attack' as a few of her friends would describe.
"You're the wonderful and kind one, Cosmo," Nyx said joyfully. "You heard all about me and still want to be my friend."
"Now why wouldn't I? Like I said, you're an amazing little girl, and I'd love to be friends with you," replied the Seedrian.
"That goes for all of us," sounded the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog. Giving a classic thumbs-up, he went on to say "You're good in our book, Nyx. No snotty upper-class jerks will change that, because you are who you make yourself, and who you are now is cool to me."
Nyx's grin grew just so much wider that she couldn't grin anymore. "Thank you, Cosmo. Thank you, everyone," she said in a humble tone.
"You're very welcome," Cosmo replied, and the two continued their hug a little longer. When it broke, Tails seized an opportunity to land a kiss on his beloved's cheek, and his eyes met hers for a few seconds. Without warning, Nyx's muzzle was a few inches away from watching the two share a public display of passion with a lip-meeting kiss.
The filly couldn't help herself from letting out an "Awwww" right in earshot of the couple, where most of her friends acting the same, saving a little pegasus filly. When the couple broke apart, both Tails and Cosmo grinned and looked down at the fillies, with the former scrunching his hand in Nyx's mane. She stood back on all four hooves and looked up at the couple to say something, but she didn't right away. She noticed her mother get up from her huddle with her friends, and from under Rainbow Dash's wing, and step next to the Mobian couple.
"It means the world to me to hear you say what you just said," Twilight told them. "I knew you were open-minded, and open-hearted, but to know that Nyx has your trust and friendship after hearing of her past transcends that meaning for me. Thank you all for treating her like this; for treating her like family."
Both Tails and Cosmo gave a small nod with the former saying "You gave us a chance and helped us. It's only fair we do it for you as well."
"That's mighty appreciated," said Applejack. "Now I think it's time we all hit the hay for tonight. We got a big day tomorrow, and it's just about bedtime for these fillies."
All four fillies sighed - or more so groaned - and Apple Bloom said "Can we stay up longer, Applejack? We're not tired y..." A long yawn then came from the yellow filly's mouth, making her argument fruitless.
"Sorry, little sis, but it's time for shuteye for y'all," the orange mare said, more firmness in her tone.
Nyx bowed her head, feeling a little disappointed. "But we didn't get to hear about Tails and Cosmo's past. I thought they would tell their story after mine."
"I think that's a long story that can wait another day, Nyx. A lady must be patient when she wishes for something," Rarity said. Since she occasionally gave the alicorn filly lessons in being a proper mare, she wanted to apply one of her past teachings that a child would, of course, not often remember. But in a selfish manner she would refuse admitting, she didn't want to revisit two tragic stories in one night, having recalled the visions she and the Mane 6 shared when Tails and Cosmo opened themselves up to their past a few months back.
"I agree," Twilight said. "We should all get some rest for the Games tomorrow. I'm sorry you came in so late to join us, Shining Armor and Cadance. I guess we could've waited longer before talking-"
"Don't worry about it, Twilight. You know that Skyla comes first for us now, so we'll just have to try and join you again tomorrow," said Cadance.
Jason, stretching out his back for a moment, followed that with "I think some sleep sounds good right now. Today has been quite eventful, and we all should get rested up to watch what kind of competition ponies have."
"Or you want to get to sleep early and wake up earlier to practice," Yumi stated.
"Actually, we have more than enough time to practice for our concert. I just want to check out Celestia and Luna trade off the sun and moon. We didn't get to see that happen last time we were here," he replied in full admittance.
"Then I guess it's settled," Shining Armor said. "I'll get the guards to escort you to your rooms."
Yugi put his hand up in a motion to stop the stallion from carrying through his offer. He then said "Thanks, but you don't need to waste their time with that. We remember where our rooms are at."
"Thank you for the kind offer," Cream said sweetly, with Cheese adding "Chao-chao!"
"Of course," Cadance replied.
"Alright, let's get going. I want to check on Spike anyway," said Twilight, who said the latter sentence with remorse from the events that took place earlier. She didn't like how he kept himself isolated from everyone since dinner and wanted to see if he was feeling any better, and hopefully not worse.
The group exchanged their goodnights with each other and left the living room to their own suites. The massive group divided in half after exiting the living room, each group dispersing after each door they passed. One of the groups consisted as the Mane 6, minus Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and half of Team Sonic, including Tails and Cosmo, with the Mobian couple and Sparkle family the last to separate. The four exchanged their goodnights again, the two ponies being very grateful again, and then went into their respective rooms. Twilight and Nyx found Spike in his bed, already fast asleep in a curled ball on his bed, so the purple mare couldn't check on him until morning, and just tucked her daughter in bed before going to sleep herself.
As she began to drift off into sleep, she thought back on how her best friends from beyond her own dimension being so kind to Nyx, and how lucky she was to have such wonderful friends in both them and all of their friends that heard Nyx's history. But another thought began to surface, a thought from when they all were in that room to talk, and who was right next to her during her telling of the story. The last thing on Twilight's mind as she drifted into sleep was the loyal support of Rainbow Dash.
Princess Luna watched over the Crystal Empire, shining in the light of her moon's glow. She watched over her domain at the quiet tranquility that was across the empire, not a disturbance to be found or sensed. Many ponies were dreaming of wonderful thoughts, especially those excited to view or be competing in the Equestria Games, and Luna saw each dream occur as she searched for anyone having a nightmare. All was well across the empire, even with those who had attended the dinner earlier that evening.
But the Princess of the Night could not ease her mind from the in-directed disrespect she felt she had received. Blueblood's outbursts, the lesser of her concerns, made the guests she and Celestia invited to watch the Games become cold to Nyx before even meeting her. Their actions during dinner did nothing to improve things, and it made her feel that Nyx's current life - the one Luna had herself judged Nyx could have - was not deserved. The Princesses welcomed their guests and their ways into Equestria with open minds, but not receiving some, if not any, in return insulted Luna. Where she does try to follow her older sister's example of patience and hopeful expectations, it didn't change the fact that one of her greatest decrees is seen as despicable.
At least she saw hope in Princess Twilight's guests, who welcomed Nyx with open arms since they first met from what it looked like to her. Seeing as they established a good bond with the land's newest princess, that didn't come to much of a surprise. Luna, Celestia and Cadance still questioned if this interdimensional relationship was worth it, in case of opening Equestria up to new risks and threats, but if they were willing to open up to new places of their own dimension, it was fair to allow Twilight to do the same.
That's when she sensed a new presence standing some distance behind her.
"I see I'm not the sole one awake this night," Luna said, turning her head back to see who was in her presence. She saw a biped creature standing there with a red and black body coloring. "Thou's name be Shadow, if I am correct?"
Shadow the Hedgehog just looked towards Luna and nodded slightly, confirming her guess correct. He remained standing where he was, not taking any step towards her, as he was making his way in another direction to find a more solitary place. Yet the hedgehog didn't begin walking away, and just stood there cold and quiet.
The alicorn tried to put on a kind face and say to the surprise guest "There's no need to be distant, Shadow. Join me for a moment, if you do not mind."
Shadow decided to honor her request and stepped forward towards her. He still wished for the solidarity he was looking for, but he didn't want to become another source of trouble. That would make Maria upset, and he would never want that to happen. He stood next to the royal blue alicorn, standing out on the main balcony of the castle that overlooked the Crystal Empire. For the following minutes, he didn't make eye contact with her and just stared out over the quiet city.
Luna broke the silence and asked "This is your first time here in Equestria, is that correct? How do you find our subjects and world?"
"Not that different, at least as to where I'm from," the hedgehog answered.
"I see," Luna replied, partially surprised to hear that answer. "It is my understanding that your company and yourself heard the history of the daughter of Twilight Sparkle, the alicorn filly Nyx. If you so wish, share your thoughts of what you were told."
Shadow didn't reply immediately, making sure to think before he spoke. One of his more admired qualities, for better or worse reasons, was learning all he could before making a decision of the upmost absolution. He took the time to think of a collective and clear response to the alicorn's question, and when he did, he made it nice and blunt for her.
"I don't care for it, personally." A quiet pause set for a moment before he continued. "This Nyx was born from a part of your former self, meant to enslave and control your kind. It's a story I haven't heard before, but different as to your peer willing to mother a reborn villain. For me, it's just another way of hearing something bad turning into something good...
"But, I have to admit one thing: making Nyx suffer through a second chance at a life she can try to call 'normal' is definitely a different direction. Others either got wiped a clean slate, or don't even get an opportunity for redemption. In the end, regardless of everything that took place, it's no concern to me."
Princess Luna took in the response of the red and black hedgehog with understanding, but a little conflicting as well. Judging from what he had meant, the story of Nyx's coming of being didn't bother him in any way, but at the same time, he admitted to not care for it at all. To her, it was similar to how the dignitaries she and Celestia invited treated her judgment, showing barely any respect for her actions as one of Equestria's rulers.
Yet regardless of that pessimism, Shadow showed the open-mindedness that only a few ponies all across Equestria have been giving to the alicorn filly. He may not be showing any respect in care for the Princess of the Night's judgment, but he did respect it enough to not argue against. And from what she understood from Twilight, this creature was the stubbornest of Mobian inhabitants, but still only second to his boss. Seeing him show this actually gave her great hope and faith in Twilight's guests for accepting Nyx, information she made plans to acquire directly.
"Your opinion is very admirable, Shadow. Thank you for sharing those thoughts with thy," Luna said to him, with his response only an affirming nod and grunt. "However I must admit that your optimistic perspective seems very much... Limited."
"It is," Shadow replied bluntly. "Your point being...?"
"I understand stubbornness to great extents, but are one of the more unique eyes I've seen look out onto the world," Luna said in return. Deciding to shift topics, she went on to ask "By the way, what brings you out so early in my night? I raised the moon only a few hours ago and imagined all to be resting by this time."
Shadow just turned his head so slightly so his eyes could look towards her before he gave his response. "I could ask you the same, but to answer your question, I prefer to take some time for myself."
"I can understand that," Luna replied. "My domain is what my title says: the Princess of the Night. Most nights I spend to myself watching over subjects to assure them peaceful nights."
"How so?" Shadow asked.
She explained with "By monitoring any suspicious activity lurking about, and making sure none experience nightmares to put ponies in states of fear, sadness, or paranoia."
The hedgehog didn't ask for any further detail regarding what she said, as he really had little concern for the specifics. All he did was give another nod, and then looked back out at the Crystal Empire silently, his arms crossed and his mouth a usual scowl. There was only silence for a few minutes as both looked out at the scene before them, neither knowing what to say next, but more so on the Princess. Where he would normally keep to himself unless had attention directed towards him, she could not think of a conversation starter, especially when it came to his demeanor.
She did think of a subject to bring up, and that was to apologize for Blueblood's interruption. That, however, was not brought up right away as he said something first.
"So you're supposed to be responsible for bringing the night to this place?"
Luna hesitated with her answer. His tone was, as usual, apathetic and displeasing, thus making her unsure if it was just a question or an intentional insult. She didn't want to discover that the guests of Princess Twilight would be just as close-minded as the dignitaries she and Celestia had invited. With an arched eyebrow and treading caution, the alicorn gave her response.
"I am. The moon and stars are mine to bring forth each night."
The hedgehog took another moment to look up at the night sky above him, thinking of how it was a form of artwork to the pony next to him. "It is nice, Your Highness," was all he said before he began to walk away from her, going forward. He jumped up on the rail and prepared to take off, but found himself stopped by the voice of Princess Luna.
"Wait, Shadow the Hedgehog," she said, in her royal tone. She changed it softer to say "I mean, thank you, Shadow. It pleases me to see those who enjoy my night."
Shadow didn't turn himself around, but slowly nodded his head in response to her. Then, he jumped down from the railing, gliding himself straight down to the ground and immediately darted down one of the pathways through the empire.
/)∞(\
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!"
The entire arena heard the cheering of Pinkie Pie as the Ponyville team just won the gold in the javelin throw competition. Shining Armor was handing out the medals to the top three teams that included the Crystal Empire taking silver and Manehattan winning bronze. Ponies cheered and applauded the victors as the Ponyville anthem began to play, and those foreign to Equestria acted no different.
Most of the Team JAG Band were sitting alongside Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity in the stands, enjoying a few rounds of the Equestria Games before the aerial relay event, where they'd leave for a little while to get some food and try to squeeze in some rehearsal. Elsewhere in the crowd were the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Team Sonic, who were unable to join the others because of the fillies trying to get Miss Harshwhinny to allow them to do their opening routine for the Ponyville competitors again that morning. Amy and Maria nominated their group to look after the trio after having to separate from the others earlier, and they were quite alright with that.
However, the Master Four, Tails and Cosmo were not with either group and in two separate places. The Master Four were invited by the Princesses to join them in the Royal Suite again, which they were respectful enough to accept and watch the games alongside them, other higher-class Equestrians and the visiting dignitaries. They found the atmosphere of the suite a little more comfortable than the day before, but only by so much. They and the ponies manage to engage in friendly chats from time to time, commenting on the competitions taking place and those foreign asking questions that were given nicely-given answers.
And even though Prince Blueblood voiced his own thoughts at the start of the events, a glare from Princess Celestia managed to shut his mouth before he would blather out any more nonsense. He was rubbing a hoof over the entire javelin competition in hopes he wouldn't find one going through him at any given moment. Luckily for him, Princess Twilight was not in the suite.
Perhaps the only few ponies in Equestria not crammed in the stadium, Twilight was waiting on the platform of the empire's train station. The patience she had once she got to the station was nearly gone as a train she was waiting on was running very late. She, along with Nyx, Spike, Tails and Cosmo, were at the station waiting on a train traveling from Canterlot, carrying with it two ponies that were supposed to have arrived just before the games had begun.
A train finally came into view as it blew its whistle pulling into the station. Unlike most of the trains that had come through in the last few days, this one was much shorter, only carrying a few coaches and a couple boxcars. It pulled in and stopped at the station with the engine whishing steam, momentarily blocking the group's vision of who began departing the train. Nyx was the one to recognize two ponies departing from the middle coach; middle-aged unicorns named Night Light and Twilight Velvet. They had other names that were heard yelled as Nyx ran up to them.
"Grandma! Grandpa!"
The two unicorns turned their heads and saw the filly running up towards them, noticing a worried princess, a down-looking dragon, and two very different beings following. As Nyx closed in on them, they each opened a hoof and let her run into them to share a hug together.
"Hello Nyx! It's so good to see you again," Twilight Velvet said, nuzzling cheek to cheek with her before the hug broke apart. "We missed you since your visit a few months ago."
"And it looks like somepony's grown a little bit," Night Light said, putting a hoof at a level about an inch under the top of Nyx's head. "Yep, I was right." Nyx wore an open grin and her tail swaged a couple times back and forth.
When Twilight and the others caught up, she looked at them with the same worried expression she trotted up with. "What took you so long? I thought the Canterlot Express left last night."
"Yes, we know, we know," her mother replied, becoming just as anxious as her. "We were running on time until the boiler on the engine started to rupture out of nowhere. They had to stop dead on the tracks just under Cloudsdale and shut down the train to investigate. We were stuck here for hours waiting until-"
Night Light put a hoof against his wife's chest, his attempt to help her calm down before continuing on with her rant. "All that happened was that the train had more steam than it could chuff. Turns out somepony wanted to try a set of new special-burning logs to make more steam, without telling the engineer. Fortunately, a pegasus passenger flew up to Cloudsdale to send for a different engine to take us the rest of the way."
After hearing this explanation, as vague as it seemed to sound, she still had a sigh of sweet relief that her parents had finally arrived. Her worrying dropped completely and stepped forward to give her mother a quick, and then the same for her father. "I'm glad it all worked out. I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it."
"You and me both," Velvet replied with a sigh of her own. "Have we missed a lot already?" Another thought immediately came to her mind. "Wait, aren't you supposed to be with the princesses right now, Twilight?"
Twilight scratched the back of her neck with her hoof and said "Well, y-yes, but Cadance knows that I'm here and can explain that to Celestia. It shouldn't be a problem, though, considering what you dealt with." She mentally kicked herself for not being in the Royal Suite with the other princesses. Then again, some distance from certain ponies there wasn't something she had complaints for.
"I'm sure the Princesses will understand," said a certain fox, who then caught the sight of Twilight's parents. The two looked at him and the young woman next to him, never in their lives coming across such creatures before. Twilight then realized some introductions were in order between the two couples.
"Oh, right! Mom, Dad, I'd like you to meet two friends that I met a few months ago. This is Miles Prower, who usually go by his nickname Tails, and his marefr- oh, excuse me, girlfriend Cosmo the Seedrian." She turned from her parents to her friends to do the vice-versa. "Tails and Cosmo, these are my parents, Night Light and Twilight Velvet."
Both sides raised their respective limbs out to shake with one-another. Cosmo spoke between the two first, and with a realization. "It's so nice to meet you both... Wait, Twilight Velvet? Haven't I seen your name on books back in Twilight's library?"
The gray mare chuckled. "I'm sure you might have. I am an author of a few books, specifically ones I'm sure my daughter keeps on some sort of 'must put on front display' shelf for everypony to see. She always tries to promote good books, especially whenever I release a new novel." Twilight scrunched her muzzle in embarrassment and tried to cover herself from a blush.
"So you're the couple who accidentally found your way to Equestria? Twilight wrote us a letter telling about you following your visit," stated Night Light.
"That's us," Tails replied, with a small laugh mixed in his words.
"And if I'm correct, you brought some friends to perform at the closing ceremonies?"
"Yes, and some friends from our home world are with us, too. In fact, I think they're waiting for us at the stadium. Forgive me for sounding like we should rush, but we should make our way there," Cosmo said.
"Yeah, whatever," Spike said, those being the first words he muttered out all morning.
Twilight's parents both noticed the gloomy dragon since they first saw him. Velvet leaned in and quietly asked "What's wrong with Spike?"
"It's a long story. I'll tell you about it at dinner," Twilight replied just as quietly. Her voice returned to normal and added "Cosmo is right. We should get going, but we might miss the aerial relay."
"But that's the competition Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are in," Nyx said disappointingly.
Tails let out a small chuckle. "Don't worry, we won't miss it," he said. "I have a way to get us there in seconds."
Everypony turned to him, especially a now excited Nyx, who asked "You do?"
"Yep," he answered, and opened his hand out to Cosmo. "Cosmo, may I please have your hand? Twilight, you put a hoof on her shoulder, and everyone else do the same."
The Seedrian reached her hand and took hold of his, and then the ponies did as he instructed. Twilight put his hoof on Cosmo's shoulder, with Velvet's hoof on hers, followed by Night Light, Spike and Nyx, even though they were curious about what he was planning to do.
"Tails, what are you going to do?" Nyx asked, her eyebrow arched in curiosity.
The fox grinned and replied "Let's just say I picked up a few tricks from my friends as I grew into the warrior I am, including this one particular technique called Instant Transmission." He then took his open hand and put his index and middle fingers on his forehead, his face showing deep concentration as he sensed familiar energy sources. It didn't take him long to find what he needed. "Hang on. We're heading to the Royal Suite hallway."
Twilight became worried and tried to say "Tails, wait, I don't know if that's the best i-"
/)∞(\
"-dea."
Before she could finish her sentence, Twilight and the group found themselves in the corridor leading out to the Royal Suite. Judging by the sounds that were echoing through the hallway, one of the Equestrian anthems had reached its conclusion, which was followed by a round of cheers from the arena packed with ponies and guests alike. Then they heard Shining Armor make an announcement-
"Congratulations Ponyville! Next up is the Aerial Relay!"
"We made it in time!" Nyx said, and she began to race her way out of the hall and towards the corridors between the seats and the outer walls. "Let's hurry and find everypony!"
"Nyx, wait!" Twilight called out to her just loud enough to get the filly's attention, stopping her from getting out of the hall they were in. "Don't go running off like that. Wait for the others to walk with you to the seats."
The alicorn's mother turned towards her, very curious about that last statement. "The seats? Isn't she sitting in the suite with you, Twilight?" Twilight Velvet just watch her daughter's head drop and shake side to side in response, a saddened look in her eyes. "What?! Well why not?"
Since Twilight's parents were unfamiliar with what was going on, Tails and Cosmo took it upon themselves to answer for their friend. "Long story short, your 'prince' is a prick," Tails said bluntly.
"Tails!" Cosmo looked at her beloved crossly. "That's not the way to describe him." She turned to the unicorn couple and said "What he means to say is that some of the dignitaries aren't as welcome to some of Twilight's guests, or even Nyx, as they should be, so she hasn't been in the suite at all."
Both unicorns didn't say anything, but instead looked at the saddened face of their daughter, and then nearly exactly the same pose from their granddaughter. Night Light, thinking it was best to steer clear of any unneeded anger, stepped over towards Nyx. "Well, their loss is our gain," he said, giving a grin doing so. "Come along Nyx, Velvet, let's go find where to sit."
"Dad?"
"Night Light?"
"Let the 'prince' be a 'prince.' Their loss is my gain, and that's spending some quality time with my granddaughter. Tell Cadance we'll meet her, Skyla and Shining Armor after today's events are over… and on the way, I have a few extra bits with me. How would like to pick up a few souvenirs, Nyx?"
Nyx began to show a happy smile. "Can I get a giant foam hoof?"
"Sure. I'll get one, too," he replied, and the filly squeed in joy.
The others showed happy smiles, with a couple having small giggles, at the more positive spirit Night Light brought back. Spike, however, kept himself in pout as he sulked over what happened yesterday, and the others failed to notice.
Velvet walked up to the two and said "Hold on, dear, I'm not sure if we have time to make it to a souvenir stand and find seats before the next competition. We can try, but we'll have to be quick. Celestia knows how many other ponies are trying to get their own things before then."
Night Light turned his head and gave her a confident grin. "Relax, dear, I'm sure we're not too short of time. They might have something preoccupy time between games, perhaps a presentation of some kind."
Without a word said, a metaphorical light bulb lit over his head. He may not have lit the torch fire to get the Games started, but that didn't mean he couldn't make some other sort of contribution. The little dragon darted out of the hallway, not even saying goodbye to his family or friends, racing down the arena corridors to find a certain uptight mare. It was hard for the others not to notice.
"Where do you think he's racing off to?" Cosmo asked.
"Who knows, maybe he wanted to get in line for a souvenir before us," Night Light said humorously.
"Then let's go!" Nyx said excitedly. She cocked her head around her grandparents to put her sights on Tails and Cosmo. "Will you come with us?"
Tails had a laugh, and said "Alrig-"
"I'm afraid not, Nyx."
Twilight cut him off before he could finish. She didn't want to not let them go off with her daughter, but she made a decision regarding where they could be. Turning her attention towards the couple, she made her offer.
"Tails, Cosmo, you've been very patient with everything that's happened so far. I know I can't have everyone I'd like with me in the Royal Suite, but I'm not going to let the disrespect towards you go any longer. I want you to come and sit with me and the others there today."
Tails and Cosmo, as honored as they were with their friend's gesture, felt uneased with it. The latter of the two spoke and said "But Twilight, we don't want to cause you any more trouble with the delegates or Blueblood."
"Besides, Nyx deserves to be with you more than us. We don't want to go out there in favor of her," Tails added.
Twilight answered them both with "I don't care. You've been patient with everypony, you've been helpful and caring however you could, and most importantly, you accepted Nyx from the moment you met her. You deserve to be given something I have promised you with."
"T-Twilight?" Nyx said.
"I plan to have Nyx join me for the whole entire day tomorrow from start to end to see the end of the Equestria Games together. Whatever any delegate or 'prince,' even the other Princesses, have to say about it can be kept to themselves because I'm not giving in to their paranoia. For today, I'll let my daughter be with her grandparents, but I swear in Celestia's name that she and I will spend the day together and enjoy the band's performance with all our friends and family.
"If anypony has anything to say about it, they can go straight to-"
"Twilight!" Velvet interrupted. "Do you always speak this way in front of Nyx?"
Caught off guard for a moment, the alicorn mare replied with "Of course not. I just won't allow this disrespect to continue any further."
After what she said to them all, Tails and Cosmo didn't only feel flattered by her kindness, but got an extraordinary example of just who she was as a pony and a princess. They arrived in the Crystal Empire and watched her keep as much of a collective demeanor as possible, trying her best to handle the troubles they had to face from other ponies. It was so impacting that it was nostalgic to them, looking back at who their Mobius family was and all they went through together, and to find that same spirit with Twilight and the others has so much meaning to the couple.
On top of that, they got a greater glimpse at just how Twilight takes on her role as Nyx's mother after hearing that history last night. To say those words and willingly turn a back on those of equal authority and respect to her, that was a true display of motherhood if either ever saw one.
"Twilight, I still think Nyx deserves to go with you to the suite," Tails said, his tone starting with firmness but softened into a kinder pitch. "But if that's what you want, we'd love to join you to watch the games."
Twilight smiled at his response and replied with "You deserve it. A friend should never break a promise, and I won't start breaking them any more than those ponies have made me already."
She then turned her attention to her daughter and grandparents. "I think we're all settled now. Why don't you all get going and find the others? They sat in rows a few levels down from the Royal Suite, so you could check for them there."
"Fair enough," Night Light said in agreement. He and Velvet began to step away, but Nyx began to run full gallop. She was making her way down the hallway to the main corridor, but stopped halfway to turn around and gallop back after her grandmother called out to her. The filly galloped back, went straight through the two unicorns and two her mother to hug one of the mare's legs. She didn't say anything and the hug was only a few seconds long, and then the little filly began to gallop back down the hallway, this time with chasing grandparents in tow.
The fox and flower couldn't help but have a small laugh at how adorable Nyx was being, but Twilight didn't. She read it more than just an excited filly ready to spend a fun time with her family. She could see just how happy Nyx was after Twilight had said what she did about the delegates and 'prince.' Nyx wasn't going to have to be separated from her mother anymore, not because some ponies don't like the thought of a filly version of Nightmare Moon would share the same sitting area with her.
Yet even as the former Nightmare Moon, what right-minded filly like Nyx wouldn't get excited to spend some time with her grandparents and, against her mother's wish, be covered mane to hoof in Equestria Games souvenirs?
/)∞(\
The aerial relay competition was well underway, with Rainbow Dash having just started her leg of the competition. As the crowd cheered on, Spike had arrived at the opening of a corridor that led from the arena field back into the stadium. It was there that he found the pony he sought out to ask them something important.
"Ms. Harshwhinny? I know you're really busy but-"
The mare in charge of keeping the Equestria Games in check was finishing writing on a checklist provided by one of the Crystal Guards. Not one who enjoyed being disturbed for any reason, she kept his back turned towards him as she said "What is it?"
"Maybe there's something else I can do for the Games. You know, something really worthy of the Crystal Empire's admiration?"
She turned around and faced the little dragon with an arched eyebrow. "What are you talking about? You lit the torch for the whole thing!"
Spike kicked his foot against the dirt and tried to reply. "Uh, well, actually... That wasn't really-" He found himself being cut off again.
"That wasn't enough for you?" She said, sounding quite annoyed and rolling her eyes. "Oh for pony's sake. Next thing you know you'll be asking to put on a rock concert. It isn't like we don't already have one of those earaches already planned. Ugh, celebrities..."
Ms. Harshwhinny began to walk down the corridor as she left Spike to think. Little did she realize that she gave him an idea to work with.
"Wait... That's it!"
He looked up at the current continuing competition to see how much time he had left. If he was going to make another contribution to the Games, he had to act as quickly as he could. Instead of seeing Spitfire and Rainbow Dash cross through the final loop of the relay, he got a glance of the Royal Suite and those that were there. He saw Cadance and Starla, and then Celestia and Luna. Then he noticed Twilight in her throne, with an empty throne that was Nyx's beside her, and in the seats a row down he saw the Master Four and...
"Tails? Cosmo? How did they manage to-"
His outer-thinking was cut off by a roaring cheer from the audience as the competition ended. The sight became a dropped topic as he went off to act on his plan.
But what he did indeed see up there was Tails and Cosmo in the Royal Suite. Twilight led the trio out and greeted the other Princesses, and then motioned the couple to have a seat just in front of her and next to the Master Four just a couple minutes before the competition was prepared to go. After taking her seat, Twilight turned to Celestia, who was looking back with a content grin.
"I'm glad you were able to make it, Twilight," said the grand white alicorn. "I assume your parents arrived from Canterlot?"
"There was a delay in their journey, but they did arrive safely, yes," Twilight replied.
"That's good. I also see you decided to let young Miles and Cosmo to join the rest of us."
Twilight cringed a little, mainly because she was uncertain of how to read Celestia's tone. It didn't sound disapproving, but not happily either, just a calm and collected manner. She shied her eyes away from her former mentor, unsure how to reply, but regained her composure with her motives behind bringing her friends to the suite with her.
"It's good to see you keep your promise to them, Princess. That takes a lot of commitment, especially with what offenses were put against you. Here's to that you all enjoy the rest of the day's events with us."
Hearing those words made Twilight smile in relief, and returned the kindness she was given. "Thank you, Princess. That means a lot coming from you."
"Of course. Where did Nyx go off to?" Celestia asked.
"She's with my parents right now. They're going to watch the games with my friends, hopefully without too much trouble finding them."
A small chuckle was kept behind Celestia's lips. "I'm sure it won't be too difficult. Your friend Pinkie Pie has been very vocal in cheering for-"
"GO PONYVILLE! WOOOOOO!"
"...Ponyville's competitors."
The two alicorns heard the pink mare's cheering, along with everyone else packed in the stadium. Both couldn't help but share an amused laugh by that, and how right Celestia was. Then, Twilight's ears caught the sound of other voices, but these one being much closer in location.
"...so their train was halted for a couple hours before getting to the station. Once they arrived, we made our way here."
"Well that can be understandable. Locomotion can have the tendency to stop you in your tracks from time to time. But regardless, we're glad you could join us. As respectful as my wife and I mean this, and after some conversation with your Master Four here, we would like to know more of this place you call home... Mobius, was it?"
"Yes, that's it."
"What would you like to know?"
"Well, they told us about a civilization of other-worldly beings called Seedrians..."
Twilight could overhear Tails and Cosmo sharing a conversation, a friendly conversation, with the Saddle Arabian delegates. As it went on, she could hear Fancy Pants and Cherry Jubilee joining the conversation as well. It looked quite clear that her Mobius friends seemed to have no problem having been welcomed by the others, giving her a happier feeling in her heart that their acceptance and presence wasn't an issue. Now they could all enjoy the Games together, which was good because she, along with Tails and Cosmo and the Master Four, could watch their friends compete.
And making things all the easier for Twilight to start her next plans of having her daughter join the suite the next day.
To the ears of Pinkie Pie, Spike had sung the Cloudsdale anthem to the entire, full capacity stadium following the Wonderbolts' victory in the aerial relay. To the rest of the crowd, it was an awkward, cringing experience to watch such a butchering.
Other than Pinkie or at least one crying foal, the said foal being Skyla, all viewers were silent. The dragon's attempt of singing was something no one expected, and they couldn't even bring themselves to show their displeasure for what he did. Unfortunately, Spike knew this more than everyone, and he stood there under his unnecessary spotlight in embarrassment and shame.
The lot of Team Sonic, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the most recently joining Nyx and her grandparents, sat in their seats stirring. The filles couldn't believe what had happened, and the group from Mobius fared no better as they felt tense of how to react.
"Well... that just happened," Knuckles said.
"Yes," responded Amy, "yes it did."
"I don't know what that was but I don't think anybody liked it," Cream said with innocent bluntness. Cheese chimed in and added a low "Chao-chao."
"At least it could've been worse," Maria said.
Rouge replied to that with "Sorry, hun, but I don't think that's possible. Ask any of the ponies surrounding us and try for a different response."
Shadow, sitting between Maria and Rouge, didn't pay too much mind to the performance. He remained his usual and quiet self with crossed arms and closed eyes. It was pointless for him to say anything, for he found it just as unpleasant as the others were saying, and no one would care to bother him about it as his presence was usually the same as it's been for years: to be at Maria's side.
"Oh man, that hurt to watch."
The hedgehog's ears picked up the groan of one of the fillies, the one who did being Scootaloo. He raised his eyelids halfway and looked in front of him where the Cutie Mark Crusaders sat directly in front of him.
"I... don't know..." Sweetie Belle attempted to say something. "I think... he at least... I guess he tried the best he could..."
"Are you kiddin'? I think I can feel my eardrums hurtin' from that," said a complaining Apple Bloom. "This is worse than when we sang at the talent show."
"Yeah, no kidding," agreed Scootaloo.
Sitting to their right was Sonic, with Amy next to him, and the trio caught his attention over the murmuring the ponies were starting to do. He looked down at them to say "I don't think it was a total waste. You gotta give the little guy sticking it out for the whole thing," he stated. He was responded with a collection of confused stares.
"You really think it wasn't that bad?" Sweetie Belle asked. "I wish I can back you up on that."
"But you were just saying how hard he could've been trying."
"Well..." The little unicorn tried to think of something to defend her last statement. "...what I mean to say is, he... I think... Maybe, singing doesn't run in the family?"
"Hey!"
Sweetie Belle and the others jerked their head over to the left, where they saw a mad look on Nyx's face, and arched eyebrows from her grandparents. She wore a giant foam hoof with Ponyville's flag on it, and a Princess Twilight Sparkle drink hat with two cans of soda that her grandfather got, along with his own foam hoof, but both couldn't hide the rising temper of the alicorn filly.
"Oh no, no, no! I didn't mean it like that. I meant to say..."
"Dragons!" Scootaloo said, trying to back Sweetie Belle up. "Yeah, that's it. Dragons must stink at singing, like really, really stink. I mean, since when have you ever heard a dragon sing anything? All they do is roar with fire shooting out of-"
"That's not what you meant," Nyx said, cutting off the pegasus with a mad tone.
Apple Bloom tried to settle things before Nyx would get any angrier, knowing how the alicorn filly's temper can get. "She's right, that isn't what you meant. Spike can sing just fine, and that goes double for Twilight and Nyx. Don't ya remember when we started singin' carols at the last Hearth's Warming party? The three of 'em sang 'Puddinghead Got Snowballed by a Windigo' great, and Spike and Nyx hit those high notes like pros."
"Puddinghead Got Snowballed by a Windigo?" Sonic said. Of all the song titles he's heard of, that one left him the most lost in understanding.
"Yeah, I remember that," said the little unicorn. "That's when Discord buried everypony in a giant snow mound when they finished singing." That memory brought a small laugh out of the four fillies.
"Don't forget Twilight going into a rage shift and melting all the snow in the room," added the little pegasus, which caused them to laugh louder.
"Yes, yes, we can all agree that it was an 'interesting' party," Twilight Velvet said, her words sounding seethed. From her memory, she could only remember the unexpected snow ruining a beautiful line of clothes she asked Rarity to make for her family, including her then new velvet dress. "Girls, don't you think you owe Nyx an apology for that? What you said was not nice at all, and I'd rather not have to tell your families about it and ruin the fun... we're... um, trying to have."
Seeing the mare turn from being stern to becoming uncomfortable again set the mood back to where the conversation began. Only this time, the two that caused things to get a slight worse and they needed to set things right.
"I'm sorry Nyx," Sweetie Belle said. "I shouldn't have said that."
"Me too," Scootaloo added, "I’m sorry. You and Twilight and Spike can sing... Spike just dropped a monumental bomb out there today."
Nyx turned her eyes back out to the field to still see a petrified baby dragon standing dead center in the arena. Perhaps Scootaloo's apology could have been a little nicer, but she knew behind what her friend was saying. Nevertheless, it didn't change the reality of the truth.
"Yeah, it was bad... really bad. I feel so bad for him," she admitted, a sad look in her dragonesque eyes. "He's been sad since Twilight told him about the torch lighting, and now he's going to feel worse."
Velvet then added "I can only imagine- wait, what about the torch lighting?" Nyx explained to her what happened with Spike's stage fright and how she had to aid in lighting the torch. "Oh dear, I guess that must be what Twilight meant earlier."
"Wait a minute... I don't get it," Amy said.
"What don't you get?" Night Light asked.
"Well if Spike had stage fright with the torch, then why didn't he have it again for singing... Or, try, to sing?"
"Hmmm good point," replied the blue unicorn. "Maybe he got over it easily."
"I don't know about that," stated Knuckles. "The Master Four were stage fright before and it took them a while to get over it."
Nyx looked up to ask "They were?"
"Yeah. They didn't play their first full show until after the first war against the Metarex," Cream explained.
"Really?"
"Well, more or less," stated Sonic, "but that's a story for another time."
The two unicorns decided to keep going with the blue hedgehog's redirection of the conversation. Night Light started with "Let's just try to enjoy the rest of the today's Games. Any chance you can fill me in on who won the earlier competitions?"
"Sure thing," said the yellow filly. She put her hoof on her chin and began to think about the events prior to the three ponies' arrival. "I think Canterlot won the weight pulling competition, and Cloudsdale just won the-"
"Canterlot didn't win that one. Ponyville won that easy, and Canterlot won the ground relay," Scootaloo interrupted.
"Canterlot didn't win that either," added Sweetie Belle. From that point, the trio began to fight with each other what teams won which competitions. Most of Team Sonic bowed their heads or moaned at this, with the exclusions of a silent Shadow and a chuckling Sonic.
Nyx turned her head over at Night Light and said "Way to go, Grandpa."
Feeling back for unintentionally starting another argument, all he could think of doing was putting on an innocent smile. "Sorry."
"Oh for the love of Celestia," an unamused Velvet said, putting a hoof between her eyes.
"Grandma, are you mad again?"
The grey unicorn looked down at her granddaughter, moving her hoof away from her face. "I'm not mad, Nyx. I just wanted a more relaxing vacation, not one issue after another."
/)∞(\
Elsewhere in the stands, down below the Royal Suite, the majority of the Team JAG Band were enjoying the Games with a few of their Ponyville friends. The performance Spike just made wasn't something that would be described as 'enjoying' and more so cringing and uncomforting. All except for one pony, of course.
Pinkie Pie, after crying out her enjoyment over the shrouding silence of the stadium, turned to the others with the biggest grin in the group. "Was Spike great or what?!"
Everyone else didn't know how to return the pink pony's enthusiasm, let alone find any to begin with. "I think that falls under the 'or what' category, Pinkie," Applejack said.
"Not that there's a nicer way to put it anyway," Ron stated, only to have his fiancé jab him in the chest with her elbow.
"You could try to put it better next time," Kim told him.
Dan made his own comment next. "That was... interesting to sit through. I'm sure others enjoyed it like Pinkie Pie did..."
"Are you out of your mind?!" Rarity cut off the half-ghost human. "That was absolutely horrid, and I hate to even say that. Poor little Spikey-Wikey, having to go through such a terrible event. I would despise even the thought of how he must be feeling right now...
"Of all the worst possible things he could go through, this is The...
"Worst...
"Possible...
"Thing!"
The group, and some other fellow spectators, watched her go through that action as she put on a dramatic pose with casting her head back and a hoof over her forehead. The members of the Band had learned how she could be overdramatic at times, but didn't think it would reach such an extent. She took a moment to realize that there was still the silence following the performance, and her eyes looked around her and saw her friends' glaring.
The one to break the silence was Pinkie Pie, who said "Wow... I guess it was bad if Rarity feels like that."
"Yeah..." Yumi said. "I'd never put it like that, but she's right. That was BAD."
"It was probably one of the most awkward things I've ever seen," added Ami. "Makes me wonder what the actual anthem sounds like."
"I've heard it once before, Sugarcube. Poor feller didn't come close to right," Applejack told the pink-haired human. "Still, Rarity's right about one thing..."
Aelita added on to that with "Spike must feel terrible. That won't help with his behavior since the Games began."
"No kidding," agreed Dan.
They then noticed the little dragon making his way from the field into one of the corridors leading back to the arena's inner walls. He was slouched and his head bowed down as he walked, unable to hide his shame and embarrassment or even run away from his regretful moment. The group felt awful for their little friend, and Kim decided to try making a helpful suggestion.
"Should we go try and find him? Maybe we can help him out of that slump he must have right now."
"I wouldn't try that, darling," replied Rarity. "Spike will try to isolate himself away when he's upset, and if you try you'll be talking to a wall."
"Is there anything we can do to help him?"
"Unfortunately there's not much we can do right now. He just needs some time to himself before we should do anything. Besides, this might be a job for somepony else to handle."
Pinkie put her head between the unicorn and red-haired hero and said "Say no more! I'll throw him the ‘From-Down-in-the-Dumps-to-Super-Totally-Cheery’ Party the empire has never seen!"
"A 'from-the-what now?'" Ami asked curiously.
"I got lost right after 'say no more,'" added Ron.
Pinkie turned her attention to the two questioning what she was trying to offer and said "I'm gonna throw Spike a cheering up party! Parties are my specialty, after all," and then she swung her flank right in front of them. "I mean, if it wasn't then I wouldn't have this cutie mark to show that I'm the most Super Duper Party Pony of Ponyville. A-Duh!"
Compared to the Band and Team Sonic, Tails and Cosmo knew about the ponies' cutie marks and their special talents better than all of them combined. The couple did give an explanation of the ponies and their ways of society to a certain degree, but not with too much detail. Not to mention that since they spent the most time with their pony friends, they had the extra time and learning experience to grasp the meaning of it all.
An attempt to change Pinkie's party subject, Kim asked Rarity a question. "You said tending to Spike was somepony else's job, right? Who were you talking about?"
The glamorous unicorn turned her head towards her and replied with "Well Twilight, of course. She is his care giver, of course, having taken care of him since she hatched him from his egg. I presume you had not learned that history yet, have you?" Kim shook her head in response.
"I think Twi said she told Tails and Cosmo that story, but I guess it wasn't passed on to y'all yet," Applejack stated. She then turned her head side to side, searching the quiet grandstands. "Speakin' of which, where are those two?"
"No idea. I figured they ran into Sonic and the gang and your little sisters and decided to sit with them," Yumi said in assumption.
Several sets of eyes looked around in search of the fox and flower amongst the crowd of ponies. There seemed to be no sign of them, only the fairly clear sight of the rest of Team Sonic and a few griffons from Griffonstone, but the fact that ponies had all sorts of color shades for coats didn't make it any more helpful. It was only when one of them stopped looking left and right and looked up in the higher stands above them.
"Hey, they're up there," Ron said, pointing a finger upward for everyone else to aim their sights.
"Well I'll be hit in the head by a whole bushel of apples," said the orange mare. "They're in the Royal Suite."
"But I thought they weren't welcome up there," Aelita stated.
Yumi followed with "I guess they were allowed to be with Twilight today."
"Y-yes, I suppose so," Rarity said. A closer look allowed her to notice an important absence from the interdimensional group that joined the Princesses and honored pony guests. Without voicing her observation, she thought to herself "It looks as if Twilight has decided to allow our favorite visiting couple to join them, but not her dear Nyx. Hopefully we won't hear of any negative consequences for this later on..."
/)∞(\
"Well... I must say that was... To best put it... It was..."
"Nothing we expected," said the Maretonia Duchess, finishing what the Duke was trying to say.
"Wh-why yes," replied Cadance. "Spike can surprise us all sometimes, just like... that."
"Y-yes, Your Highness," said Fancy Pants. "That was, quite the surprise..."
The entirety of the Royal Suite was trying to ingest the vision and sound of what they just saw with Spike's 'rendition' of Cloudsdale's anthem. It was surely an unexpected surprise to them all, but none more so than Twilight, who had her hoof against her face and eyes shut when the little dragon was performing. She peeked an eye open when her sister-in-law spoke, seeing her wearing a forced grin and the Royal Sisters practically bug-eyed in shock. The purple alicorn couldn't help herself but groan behind closed lips, seeing that, like her own, their minds were processing what had just occurred.
"Oh for Celestia's sake, Spike, why?" Twilight thought to herself. "Why would you jump in like that? How could he not know that there's an anthem for every city and territory in Equestria? I can only imagine how he's feeling right now..."
"Twilight... Twilight?"
She snapped out of her train of thoughts as she began to hear someone say her name. Her eyes focused in front of her where Tails and Cosmo were sitting, the latter being the one trying to get her attention. "Huh... What?"
"What was that he just sang?" Tails asked, trying to sound as kind as possible. "That's not a national anthem I've ever heard before."
Twilight let out another groan into her closed mouth before replying. "That wasn't an anthem, and believe me, I wish I knew what that was."
The three looked back down at the stadium grounds, seeing Spike still shining under his spotlight of shame and shrouded by silence. Along with the rest of the suite, the Master Four were looking down with confused and uncomfortable expressions. It took them a couple minutes before being able to find some safe, and respectable words to say.
"Well... I have to say, that was… unexpected," Yugi said.
"Indeed," agreed Jason. "I remember Cosmo telling us he was multi-talented, but I didn't know improv was one of those talents."
Ash then added "Yeah, improv isn't too easy, having to be quick on your feet a lot. He was certainly-"
"Absolutely painful! That was like banging pots and pans right next to my ears!"
All eyes and ears then turned from down at Spike to over at Blueblood, who for some reason decided to voice his opinions for another time. Most eyes just looked over at him as the few sets of eyes belonging to the Princesses, Tails and the Master Four shared a more distasteful glare at hearing him speak again. However, none had a stare much like Twilight's, and fortunate for the stallion, he failed to see just how mad her eyes showed her to be.
Cherry Jubilee, the cherry farm entrepreneur of Dodge Junction, responded to Blueblood's criticism first. "Oh I wouldn't say it was as bad as that, or as bad as rusty horseshoe nails scraping a chalkboard. I know that sound quite well myself. I think the fella was just... Stage-frightened."
"Oh please, stage fright had nothing to do with that atrocity," the 'prince' argued.
"Please, Prince Blueblood," Celestia said in a calm tone she wished was scolding. "There's no need to say it like that. It was an interesting experience, and that's where we should leave it at."
He kept himself silent for a minute until he contemplated the 'right' words to say. "Yes, of course. After all, we can't blame him for such heinous actions unless we remember that he comes from such an absent-minded family. I should probably add life-threatening see how we have a rodent and a freak joining us with the other...
"Unwelcome outsiders."
Those words caused several degrees of different reactions from everyone in the Royal Suite. As most just processed it as disrespectful, the Master Four felt greater results of insulted as Cosmo and Tails both became very, very infuriated. Out of the corner of his eye did Tails notice the growling scowl coming from Twilight, who looked as if the stallion just threw a Blue Typhoon's capacity of hooves right into her face, her once together mane beginning to split in a few places, and a stare to go eye-to-eye with Fluttershy if the pegasus was needed to keep the alicorn still. In his position, he wasn't sure what to say to fight back in a war of words, not without possibly making things worse for them all.
"How could you be so rude? I thought Equestrian Royalty was supposed to be respectable and welcoming."
Tails almost went bug-eyed in surprise as he heard Cosmo speak towards Blueblood. This caught the attention of the Master Four and the Princesses especially, as both Luna and Twilight were about to give him a piece of their minds before Cosmo spoke up. The stallion, along with the other guests and dignitaries, turned their attention towards her to hear what she had to say.
But he had a quick retaliation of his own to make.
"Respect only goes to those who live up to royal qualities. None of this 'inter-dimensional' nonsense and Nightmare Moon horsesh-"
"Do NOT finish that word." Cosmo interrupted him like none of her longest friends have ever seen her do before. If Tails didn't know any better, he would swear she was reaching lividness of dangerous levels.
"What gives you the reasons to be such a ridiculous pers- forgive me, pony, to those who have no impact on you whatsoever? Being rude to me and the person I love is one thing, and being rude to my friends is another, but to treat all of us AND children like we're no better than scum under your horseshoe makes you no different than half of the enemies we've encountered fighting the Metarex and the Brotherhood of Darkness. You should be ashamed to call yourself a royal pony of Equestria."
Although many of the ponies watched Cosmo in shock as she spoke towards Blueblood in her tone, nopony was staring like Twilight. The alicorn was doing all she can from blowing off steam and going into a rage shift on the disrespectful stallion, but her friend basically stood up and did it for her. Literally. This was perhaps the best consequence of her action of bringing her best friends from Mobius to the suite with her-
"How dare you talk to me that way," Blueblood responded, keeping his rude tongue as much as ever before. "You weren't even permitted here in the first place."
"Don't change the subject," Cosmo said back. "We're here under the privilege of our friend to watch the Games. You're here with the right to do so, to watch your nation unite and spend it with peers, NOT talk down on anybody, and you know what, it's clear that you won't show any respect if it doesn't mean keeping your opinions to yourself."
Celestia watched the two go back and forth, and prepared to end the argument. As she was about to, she caught the eyes of the dignitary guests she and Luna invited, as well as all of Twilight's guests, noticing how their faces reacted. All of them looked at Blueblood cold and annoyed, as anypony would, but when they turned to hear Cosmo have her say, she noticed their expressions lighten. A few even began to nod in agreement. This wasn't something she wanted to experience in the Royal Suite of all places, watching different beings from different places fighting, but it showed that their attempts at winning over the dignitaries seemed to have begun to sink it to a certain degree.
This was the Equestria Games after all, and even though a competition in a private suite wasn't an intended contest, the more deserving side, the side of those she wanted good faith with, was winning.
The argument, however, came to its boiling point with Blueblood's next choice of words. "Leave it to Twilight Sparkle, the pony with the most despicable, disliked and pathetic excuse of a family, to try and ruin this event with her choices. She's clearly a mistake to be a princess, and a lost cause of a 'mother' to Nightmare Moon."
All eyes turned towards Twilight Sparkle, and she turned completely livid at that point. She didn't feel that angry for a long, long time, not since her own brother said similar things about Nyx during her first Hearth's Warming. "What did you say?!!!" She exclaimed.
"You call yourself a prince? You're a jester, a joke in pony form!" Cosmo added with her own rage that boiled like Twilight’s.
Deciding to try and help put things in better control, Gohan stood from his seat and focused on the two fury-fueled females. "Calm down. Don't go down to his level," he said with a firm tone, gesturing his arms to have them sit down from their standing positions.
"He is right," followed the grand Princess of the Sun, now seeing her time to intervene. "Princess Twilight, Miss Cosmo, I must ask you both to calm yourselves before things get out of hoof. If you don't, I will have to ask you to leave."
With barely any control of her seething tone, Twilight turned to her former teacher and said "He has NO RIGHT to talk about my family that way. NOT. ONE. RIGHT."
Being collected but firm at the same time, Celestia turned to her former student and said "I agree, Twilight, but this is not the time or place to argue. We will settle this after today's events."
Prince Blueblood wore the most undeserving smirk on his face, hearing his dear auntie defend him. "Absolutely. Why let a pitiful dragon and Nightmare Moon cause a rift in-"
Before the stallion could finish his always insulting sentences, someone appeared directly in front of him, as if out of thin air. The being was a two-tailed fox whose patience had finally run out from the current argument. He found Tails staring at him, his arms crossed and eyes furrowed with a ferocious glare. Without even a second to comprehend what had just happened, the fox threw in his two bits with a tone that could give a foal nightmares.
"I am only going to say this once, so you better listen close," Tails said, beginning a clear and intentional threat on Prince Blueblood.
"What you're doing right now is uncalled for and not wanted. My friends and I are here, and we're here for the entirety of the Games, and there is nothing that will change that. If any part of that nonsense is true, we don't deserve to be here, because Nyx deserves to be with her mother, not shunned out because of the likes of you or any other pony. As long as I'm around, I suggest you don't say anything else before I make regretful decisions in front of my friends and the Princesses. Oh, and let me make this perfectly clear..."
Tails grabbed hold of his collar and pulled the stallion in close for an eye-to-eye confrontation. He wanted to make sure his more-than-likely absent mind would turn on to comprehend this.
"Nyx will be sitting with Twilight, her mother, for tomorrow's events, and I will personally make sure she does, and if you do or say anything to her or any of my friends or Cosmo again, I’ll take back my promise from last night and do much, MUCH worse to you! The threatening thought of Nightmare Moon to all of this world will be NOTHING compared to what I'll do to you, but not until after Twilight shocks you with an Everfree-grade lightning bolt in the throat!"
"ENOUGH!"
Princess Luna called out in her royal tongue to stop the two-tailed fox from doing anything more. She allowed her sister to have the argument carry out as long as it did, but she had heard enough. Her loud call caught the entire suite's attention, as well as several dozen ponies that surrounded the suite.
"I believe you've had your say, Miles Prower, but we've had enough of your own thoughts. Let us enjoy the rest of the day with the most enjoyent possible, so please, return to the Seedrian Cosmo. And as for you, Blueblood..." She put a cold, icy glare on the white unicorn stallion.
"Meet with me after the Games. You are long overdue for a lecture..."
/)∞(\
How could he do something like that? What was he thinking, trying to add another musical performance to the Equestria's Games schedule? How did he not know every region had their own anthem? Wasn't the Equestria National Anthem enough for any competition?
Many, many questions began to flood Spike's mind as he walked slowly out of the stadium and into the crystal streets outside. Slouching like how he did yesterday after Twilight explained the torch lighting, he paid no attention to everything around him, including several ponies that had their attention on him. There were ponies who tried to get his attention as the hero he was, and there were others that just gave awkward glances after seeing his performance.
Spike shut out the entire world around him, not noticing any of that or anything else for the matter. He felt ashamed and disgraceful, questioning on why even bothering to come to the Games in the first place. There were no dragons allowed to compete, all he was doing on the way to the Crystal Empire was helping to haul luggage as he usually does for trips, and all he had intended to do was spend the Games with his friends and family.
His family. The thought of them caused his body to feel as if two wagons of gemstones fell down on his shoulders. Twilight was having to deal with enough trouble between some ponies and her friends from 'out of town,' as it were, and Nyx was being treated no better... no, even worse because of Blueblood and ponies who didn't want to be near her at all. The closest two ponies in his life, going through terrible circumstances of their own, and there he was, giving them his worst to add to it.
Twilight had enough to fight against, so worrying about him is not her top priority. Nyx is spending more times with friends than with family, and not by her own choice. All he could feel was stupid: stupid for acting so foolish when there were more important things he should have worried about before.
All he wanted to do was get to Cadance and Shining Armor's castle, go somewhere private, lay down and mope and do nothing, before he goes off to do something foolish again.
"Leave it to the most pathetic and rude of stallions to shovel such filth out of his mouth."
"I say you should have thrown him off seat into-"
"Alright, alright, let's all calm down." Twilight managed to calm down the reconvened groups of the Mane 6, Team Sonic, the Band, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She, along with Tails and Cosmo and the Master Four, had run into her family and her Mobius friends first after the day's competitions came to a close, getting to hear what happened with Nyx and how she was enjoying herself. Her parents, however, did not stay with them as they decided to pay a visit to Shining Armor and Cadance, who were both with Skyla in the castle nursery.
The next set of friends the alicorn princess's group found was two of the trio of competitors from the aerial relay. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were strolling down the corridor wearing their silver medals, giving out an occasional high-hoof to passersby offering. Scootaloo managed to spot the cyan mare's colorful mane from afar and ran up to congratulate their success in the competition, to which she received a hoof noogie as thanks. Fluttershy asked the inevitable concern about Spike, which Twilight only responded with giving him some time and space before she would try helping him herself.
But the topic was addressed again when the group finally found the Band and the other half of the Mane 6 outside the stadium. Rarity asked the same question and Twilight gave the same answer, with Applejack suggesting checking on him before getting dinner. The now reunited group made their way back to the castle to enjoy the rest of the day there, allowing themselves a hopefully more peaceful evening compared to yesterday.
It wasn't until they were all safe in the private confides of the castle when the topic of Tails and Cosmo joining the Royal Suite came up. Twilight and the couple told them what happened, from Celestia showing acceptance to Blueblood opening his mouth again. The others were not pleased to hear about that, and a few were showing their disgust of it before Twilight stopped the group ranting.
"I'm sorry, but I won't calm down about this, Twilight," Amy said, sounding furious. "That jerk has been giving you too much trouble. I'd like to give him a smack of reality from my hammer if he even tries-"
"Amy, take it easy!" Cream said, with Cheese adding his own "Chao-chao!" They tried what they could to keep their friend in check.
"Trust me, dear Amy, I would LOVE to have you do whatever you could to that obnoxious colt, but we can't make matters worse than they can be," said Rarity.
"But didn't you openly threaten him in front of all the Princesses last night?" Rouge pointed out. The white unicorn just turned her attention away and focused elsewhere.
Adding to that was Twilight, who said "She's right, but both Celestia and Luna understood the reasons. This isn't the first time they had to clean up one of his messes...
"Rarity is right too, though. All of this began with him making up lies about all of you who came to visit, so having any of you do anything to him will just prove him right. What Tails and Cosmo did, though..." She couldn't help but sigh in self-disappointment. "Tails did what I should have done from the start."
Although he didn't care for openly threatening a prince, the fox did feel guilty for potentially putting his alicorn friend in a tough position. During the entire trek over, he held hands with Cosmo, with the fillies taking turns in sitting on their hands and forearms like a swing. When this conversation started, he crossed his arms and having his beloved's hand shift to his shoulder. His eyes, however, made this more reserved pose mean nothing as he looked disappointed in himself.
He turned his head to where Twilight was and said to her "I'm sorry, Twilight, but part of what you said is right. You had every right to go eye-to-eye with Blueblood after what he was saying."
Twilight's eyes focused downward as her ears drooped down. Nyx, standing between her and Cosmo, walked up to stick her head up in the nook of Twilight's neck and tried to nuzzle against her. It did help the mare, just enough to look at her little filly with a small smile and wrap a leg around her back.
"Believe me, I wish I could," Twilight replied to Tails, "but I was conflicted. If I did anything I chose, I'd be disrespectful to everypony that I respected in that suite, especially my friends. Most of all, I didn't want to prove him right about anything, not if it meant disgracing my family."
"We understand," Cosmo said. "It's more important to you to set a right example to your family than fellow ponies and peers. You had one outburst about this, and I'm sure you'd have plenty more to stand up for Nyx and Spike, but..."
"But outbursts do not solve problems," Tails added. "I know what I did was worse than that, but it was going to happen at one point. If anything, you'll be spared of any consequences, Twilight, just Blueblood and us." He motioned one of his hands towards himself and Cosmo, and then everyone else that traveled with them. "Along with them, I'd imagine, as well."
"I think it's best we just cross that bridge when we get there," suggested Jason. The Master Four warrior of Darkness fiddled with a technological possession of his that was far advanced compared to Equestria’s modern-age technology. From what the ponies understood, it was called a ‘handheld,’ and he was sifting through the songs Nyx had suggested to Tails before with a pre-existing setlist draft. "Maybe some winding down would do us all some good. There's a big story to tell after dinner, after all."
Fluttershy couldn't agree more and said "Yes, indeed, I think that's a great idea. I don't know about anyone else, but I could go for a cup of tea."
"That sounds absolutely divine," Rarity agreed. "Who would like to join in on that?"
Everyone in the group threw in their thoughts of what to do and went their own directions from there. Fluttershy and Rarity led their little group consisting of Amy, Cream and Cheese, and Maria, with Shadow in tow, towards one of the closest kitchens in the crystalline palace. The Master Four, as reserved as they tried keeping themselves, decided to have a rehearsal session with the rest of their band mates, minus one, at the room they rehearsed at yesterday. Rainbow Dash decided to have a well-deserved nap before dinner, an idea that Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo liked a lot, so that group and Applejack went off to rest.
This left Sonic to go out for another run around the Crystal Empire and a fair distance into Equestria, Rouge and Knuckles being roped in a tour of the empire by Pinkie Pie, and the last group of the undecided. The group, consisting of the two alicorns and Mobian couple, stood in their own places for a few moments before anyone said anything.
"Twilight, about what we'll be talking about later," Tails said, a certain thought coming to his mind, "you weren't intending on using that potion again, were you?"
"Zecora's memory spell? No, not this time," Twilight replied. "The thought of you guys wanting to retell your story again during your stay never came to mind. Besides, most of us are already... Well aware, of what took place." She sighed at what she and her friends saw through that spell a few months back.
"Is the story that scary, Twilight?" Nyx asked.
The mother looked down at her daughter and answered "Not entirely scary, no. It can be... Well, you'll see."
"Is what happened to them worse than when I was Nightmare Moon?"
Twilight was speechless, unable to respond to that question so quickly. From her viewpoint, both events have their same levels of danger and tragedy, but compared to the events she witnessed first-hoof, she only saw the climatic events of Tails and Cosmo's history. To her own bias, having lost Nyx to the Children of Nightmare and her former self was the worst experience of her life. However, it was unfair to say that the story that included death and destruction wasn't as bad or worse, even if Nyx's history fortunately lacked the former.
"I... Well, uh... The thing is, Nyx... Uhm-"
Cosmo interjected with her own answer to the filly's question. "Let's just say that there are ways it was worse, but it's not like your past at all, Nyx. You'll just have to hear it and decide for yourself."
"Okay," Nyx replied. She looked at Twilight to ask another question. "So what can we do right now?"
"Well, something that we can relax to, but you can decide what we do," Twilight said.
The filly started to think of ideas. Given the choice of what to do for fun was always something she enjoyed, because it was only so often she was given the chance to. There were so many new choices since they were in the Crystal Empire, and with their relatives, too. But with everything going on with the dignitaries and Blueblood, and what she was going to learn from her new Mobius friends soon, her options were limited to ideas that didn't involve too much energy.
"I think," Nyx said, coming to her decision, "I think I want to just find something to read."
Twilight nodded approvingly. "Alright, what would you like to read?"
"Didn't you say one time that there was a book about the traditions and history of the Crystal Empire?"
"I did," said the mare, but her smile disappeared, "but I believe Cadance kept that book after the empire's return. She wanted to get it redone and fill it with more information and that from missing pages, and I'm not sure if it's been restored yet."
"Oh, okay." Nyx's eyes looked down and her ears drooped in disappointment. Reading was one of her favorite things to do, especially if it meant learning something new. She just wanted some quiet time, nothing but a book and good company.
"Don't look so disappointed, Nyx," Cosmo said to the filly. She kneeled down to be closer to Nyx's level. "Maybe you'd like to do something else in the mean time?"
Nyx looked up again and spoke with a down tone. "I don't know. I thought I'd try to cheer up and read something and learn something new."
An almost devious grin crossed the Seedrian's face, for she came up with an idea of her own. "Well, you don't have to read to learn something," she said, getting up and giving Twilight a small wink. The alicorn caught on to what she was trying to do, and return that expression with a caring face. "Maybe you'd like to learn about somewhere new... Somewhere you've never been to before...
"Maybe you'd like to learn more about Mobius, or the Seedrians, or maybe... I know, how would you like to know about other worlds beyond Equestria?"
The filly's turquoise dragon-like eyes opened wide and her ears perked up as she looked up at Cosmo. "You mean your home worlds and everywhere beyond that?!"
Cosmo chuckled and replied "I thought you'd like to hear about that."
"But," Nyx said, backing her excitement towards confusion, "weren't you going to tell everypony about that later?"
"Well, not necessarily everything," Tails said, showing his approval of his idea. "Our plan is to just talk about the first time period Cosmo and I spent together. There wouldn't be the time to talk about every single detail of every little thing," he began to try to lure Nyx with a few topics, "such as our home world, Mobius, or Cosmo's clan called the Seedrians, and so much more-"
"Yes! Yes! I want to know that!" Nyx said, jumping up and down in newfound joy.
A strong laugh came out of Twilight, for both her daughter's happiness and excitement for the idea itself. She knew quite a lot already about these topics, but she never went in full detail about it when discussing all her interdimensional friends to Nyx, nor did she know all there was to learn about her newest group of friends. "I guess we have something to do now," she said as her laugh faded out of her, "so let's go find somewhere to enjoy ourselves."
"Would you mind leading the way then? We can start as we go, and we still don't know the palace that well yet," said the fox, the latter half of his words said through a small laugh.
Nodding and starting to walk in front of the others, Twilight led them to one of the living rooms that would most likely be available, up on the next floor of the castle. Nyx managed to get herself between Tails and Cosmo as they followed along. She began to ask what was going to be long series of questions about anything and everything the couple was willing to share, prepared to mentally ingest new information of new subjects of all ranges.
It was going to be just what the doctor ordered for the second most inquisitive pony everypony knew, and a great warmup for the couple to tell their history later on.
/)∞(\
Princess Celestia made herself comfortable on a large pillow sitting in a private chamber of the castle. She was there for quite a while, and she was beginning to feel uncomfortable, but not from sitting for so long. All the centuries spent on her throne helped her with that physical challenge.
Princess Luna was lecturing and scolding Prince Blueblood for his actions, and not just from his time in the Crystal Empire. The alicorn was ripping him apart in every possible way for everything he has said about Twilight and her family ever since the second reign of Nightmare Moon. She showed no hesitance with her temper or disapproval for what he's said and done, almost too much at times. It was all because that after what happened in the Royal Suite earlier, she flat out explained to her older sister that because the result of Nyx returning to Twilight's care was of her choice and judgment, she took control of the situation out of Celestia's hooves.
Although Celestia agreed to this plan, she began to feel regret for that decision. There were moments that Blueblood's words or out of place, and Luna's tone began to revert back to her royal Canterlot tongue. Somehow, the unicorn showed no falter to her growing anger as arguments heated up again and again, neither side holding back.
But regardless of the heating atmosphere and personal discomfort, Celestia trusted Luna completely. She was responsible for Nyx's judgment and sentencing for living a normal life with her family in Ponyville, and so it did make sense for the Princess of the Night to take charge of a subject she had control of. If anything worried the grand white alicorn was being where Blueblood will end up from a princess's wrath.
Celestia only waited until the second subject of her former pupil's honored guests would come up. It was technically not the jurisdiction for either sister, but with Twilight spending needed time with her friends and family, she would stand in to deal with the prince about that. She just needed to wait and see what he was going to do to add unneeded stress during the Games she didn't ask for.
"For the hundredth time, you can't trust her!" Blueblood began to argue as loud as his worthless voice would echo. "She will bring trouble for everypony in those stands! She'll recreate her brainwashed army and overthrow us all!"
"And as I said a thousand... Five thousand... No, it must be over nine thousand by now- you speak nonsense! Nyx has surrendered herself and accepted her consequences! She no longer has the power, or the means, to repeat her mistakes again! She is nothing more but Twilight's filly and-"
"NO! She's no daughter of a no good princess!" Blueblood lashed back. "A wretched monster should NOT be mother by a wretched cu-"
"SILENCE!" Luna began to exclaim in her former tongue again, immediately seething her angry side back inside again to prevent an outburst. "You will NOT speak of Twilight Sparkle that way again, even if she's here to deal with you herself." The prince winced at the thought.
"All you have done is disgrace yourself, your aunts, your superiors, and everypony and everything Equestria stands for." Luna spoke as she circled around the unicorn stallion. "Your actions here in the duration of the Equestria Games gives us all headaches, and the fact that you were succeeding at one point leaves me livid. I may have put my judgment on Nyx to face what ponies think and see of her, but you are of royalty. You do not have to agree, but seeing you degrade her in every manner is not acceptable."
"But-"
"No buts, nephew!" She cut him off fierce enough to have her mane wave in a way to match her anger. "Argue however you will, but there's nothing you can say to change anything."
Blueblood fell silent for a moment, bowing his head in a defeated appearance. He was just hiding his gritting teeth and narrow eyes for a few moments, and trying to think of the next best argument he could make. From his perspective, it was clear that his aunts were too ignorant to see through the monster ponies like him knew Nyx is. He decided to reinforce his views of the filly with his views of Twilight's friends.
"Well, what about those monsters that Nightmare Moon is spending time with?"
From her seat, Celestia raised her head with narrow and furrowed eyes. He just opened the door for her to intervene and give her words of wisdom and discipline, but she didn't get the immediate chance. Luna, having a similar stare that she wore for the entire conversation, spoke up first.
"What about them? They are only visiting for the Games, just as Nyx is doing."
"They're freaks from a place we have no idea about, and they have strange powers that could be a threat to ponies!"
"To ponies, or more specifically, you?" Luna asked coolly.
Blueblood put a hoof to his chest as he said "Well of course for ponies, especially for me! For all we know they could turn out to be alien conquerors that want to enslave Equestria under a new empire of their own-"
"FOALISH!" Luna bellowed out at him. "The guests of Twilight Sparkle have been nothing but respectful and open-minded to the circumstances YOU caused! They show no reason to conquer Equestria. They only wish to befriend everypony."
"Not in the eyes of everypony, and you know that as well as I do!"
"You cannot speak on behalf of Equestria. You do not know how everypony thinks, nor can you think that anyone can force a single mindset for an entire nation!" Luna seethed.
The prince then seethed out the words that never had a place to be said: "Says the princess who was once Nightmare Moon and tried to make ponies suffer everlasting night! That threat of a filly will brainwash those freaks to do her bidding just as you would have to get what you want!"
The princess found herself speechless for the first time since the arguing began. His words, regardless of how true they were, left a painful sting in her chest as her entire being boiled with anger. What he said, what he meant, was out of line. As she tried to collect her train of thoughts for words to lash out at him like a barrage of a thousand knives, the other alicorn in the room spoke up.
"Blueblood, you've got too far," Celestia lashed at the unicorn. She had stood from her once physically comfortable position to walk toward and have her turn confronting her nephew. "What Luna's actions were when she was once Nightmare Moon are different than the actions Nyx has made. Nyx's decision, regardless of right or wrong, were of her own to make, being her own pony then as she is now. You are in no place to compare Nyx to Luna like that.
"Furthermore, our guests from different worlds have shown no signs of becoming hostile to us. Twilight has done her absolute hardest to prove that these new friends of hers can benefit Equestria. I would admit that there are some doubts I have when opening our world to so many more we have only just come in contact with, but your eavesdropping in Canterlot showed us you already know about that."
"But Aunt Celes-"
"Don't even bother." Celestia cut off the prince with a sharp tongue and a more furrowed expression to down on him with. "You have done nothing but degrade and look down on Nyx since Nightmare Moon's resurrection, and your treatment of Miles Prower, Cosmo and their company is no better. You have caused nothing but trouble from Canterlot to all the way here at the Crystal Empire."
The unicorn stallion crouched himself down as the white alicorn talked down at him and his actions. Her disapproving tone began to get at him on the inside, as he tends to be talked at in such a manner quite often. However, he refused to back down as he started to raise his head and return Celestia's gaze with one of his own.
"It's not safe anymore," Blueblood said. "It's not safe for us to have Nightmare Moon roam across our land and give those mutated monsters something to latch onto and want to stay."
"That, Blueblood, is not your decision to make," Celestia said back.
"Then whose should it be then? Who should decide what's best for us all?"
"I did," Luna said, returning his attention towards her once again. "I was the one who Nightmare Moon presented herself in surrender and for judgment. I was the one who decided to return her in the care of Twilight Sparkle as the filly she was reborn as; Nyx, the daughter of your new superior. I allowed her to have a life of her own that she did not once have."
The Princess of the Night leaned her head down to stare eye to eye with the prince, their muzzles barely a few inches apart. She stared at him with a fierce brow and angry growl, and he stared back with a fraction of immensity. "From all you've said, Prince Blueblood, you are questioning the decisions I had made. Tell me, do you truly believe that I have made a mistake with my judgment of Nyx Sparkle, and Twilight's judgment of our Team JAG guests?"
"Yes."
The answer she received came immediately. He truly had no remorse for what he said or how he was saying it to her. The two shared an icy stare at one another for a moment before she raised her head back up and kept her eyes shut for moments longer. When she did open them, she called out for guards to enter the room, almost reaching vocal levels of her royal Canterlot tongue.
Two of the Crystal Guards had opened the door a second after being called upon. Both were earth pony stallions with their crystalline coats and empire armor, but they were much larger and bulkier than most other guards. They were, in fact, the strongest and largest of all of those under Shining Armor's command.
"Your Highnesses," one of the guards said in greeting.
Luna walked passed the prince and stood between him and the guards. "Escort Prince Blueblood to the train station immediately. Have it ordered to have the Canterlot express send him back to our castle at once, by my order."
"What?!"
"His belongings are located at the Shimmer Inn. Stop there and have the staff gather them to take back as well," she added, ignoring the prince's outcry.
"Yes, Princess," replied the second guard. "Is there anything else you require of us?"
"No, that is it." Luna then turned her head back to say to the prince "You have overstayed here, Blueblood. You are to return to Canterlot where we will finish this discussion. Until then, I recommend you behave yourself accordingly."
"But... But that's not fair!" Blueblood began to throw a fit as if he was a young colt. "Send Nightmare Moon away instead of me. I don't deserve such treatment!"
"I'd disagree," Celestia told him. "If you're going to behave like a foal, then we'll treat you like one. There is only so much mess you can make that we can clean up tolerably. Now, go with the guards."
"But-"
"No buts. Go, Blueblood. Now."
Prince Blueblood looked at both princesses. They were both giving him a stare that come to a close second of the fabled talent 'the Stare,' and he ran out of things to say to break through to them. In his mind, his hating thoughts of the alicorn filly and interdimensional visitors only grew, for now they were getting him excluded from the remainder of the Games. That fuel could help him argue further, but it was clear that the two were in no mood to continue.
With a childish humph and stomp, he stood from his seat and began to walk for the door. He kept himself from showing a scowl at either alicorn as he walked passed them both. The two guards made an opening for him to walk in between them, turned around and began to walk alongside him out the door. They made their turn towards the closest descending stairs to take them out of the palace. The moment they were out of sight, the doors slammed loudly shut and locked tight.
Perhaps she used too much force in her magic to shut the doors, but Luna cared little for that thought. Her anger was still seething out of her behind gritted teeth for what that so-called prince was saying to her. Clearly her disrespectful treatment bothered her, especially when it concerned about a matter that was from her own decisions. She stood still in her spot as her eyes fixed on the crystal floor under her hooves.
A hoof then rested on her shoulder, snapping her out of her angry trance as she turned her head up to see her sister looking at her with a concerned expression. Her big sister barely got involved in the argument to help support Luna's argument, but she was aware that she trusted enough to handle some matters on her own. That, however, never stopped Celestia for caring for her younger sibling.
"You said the right things, Luna," Celestia said to her in a sooth tone. "Blueblood is sadly a very hard-headed stallion."
It took a few seconds, but Luna replied to her sister with "I've come to see that myself." She then walked her way over to one of the room's windows and looked out its panes at the Crystal Empire in its evening hours. It wouldn't be long until her royal responsibilities would have to be enacted for another night, but that was not her focus.
Silence fell for a few moments before Celestia stepped forward and stood behind her sister, her taller stature looking out at the empire over her. "Luna, what's on your mind?"
Luna took a deep, long breath before replying to her big sister. "I was the one who chose what to do with Nightmare Moon. I chose to return to her the life she was robbed us because of my sins, to be cared for by the mare she calls her mother, all with the consequence of facing her own sins and take responsibility for them. Harsh it could be to do to a filly, I understood it would not be easy for her, but not so serious that 'royal' blood would object to her so childishly.
"I can't say much about Miles Prower and his company and beloved Cosmo. That is under Twilight's responsibility. They, however, see purity in Nyx that I believe she possesses greater than I ever could have in all my years. She earned their respect for who she is, not what or who she once was..."
Celestia arched an eyebrow at her sister's words. "Yes, that is true..."
"But," Luna continued, "as hard as she will try, Nyx will have to regain respect from ponies who still have ill opinions of her. Not everypony will accept her, or my decisions for that matter, but there is something else.
"I think we have overlooked something about Nyx, my sister. Something that should be brought to light now."
"And what would that be, Luna?" Celestia asked.
"She has shown vigilance for other ponies. She has a spark of bravery that can develop into a greater strength. As far as I can tell, Nyx's actions to repent herself as once being Nightmare Moon can be a greater benefit to Equestria than just a part of my casted consequences."
Luna then turned herself around to ask a question. "Celestia, there are two things that have crossed my mind. First, Nyx’s adoption to Twilight Sparkle is now indefinitely legal since Twilight’s coronation. And second, is it true that pure-blooded alicorns automatically earn the right of royal title if they are proven deemed to be so, like how we were deemed all those years ago?"
It took a moment for the grand alicorn to think about that. It was a subject only touched upon once over a thousand years ago, during the times of several calamities and chaotic catastrophies. Back then, and until a millennium later, they were the only two pure-blooded alicorns to exist. It was decreed that alicorn ponies are the only race of ponykind to earn the right as being the highest-ranked rulers of Equestria.
But, it was never specific on the number of alicorns, including the pure-blooded ones.
"To my recollection, yes," Celestia finally answered. "I think I am seeing what you are getting at here, my sister."
"Perhaps, but what I'm getting at, Celestia, is that we have an alicorn who is overdue for her official coronation. I think it's time we have that changed immediately."
Celestia showed a content smile across her face and shut her eyes for a moment. Following that, she gave a Luna a confident and supportive stare. "Very well, Luna. You have my support in this decision, but only if you think it is best."
"I do," Luna replied confidently. An honest smile crossed her face for the first time since being the Royal Suite earlier. "We will have this happen between the conclusion of the Equestria Games and the closing ceremony concert. We will inform everypony that needs immediate knowledge of this after we hear the origin story of the bond between Miles and Cosmo..."
Spike chose to seclude himself in his room at the castle. All he wanted to do was lay around and do absolutely nothing, and his method of doing that was laying back on the room's sofa. He stared at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts, shutting the world out around him.
He didn't want to bother himself with anypony. He didn't even bring himself to get up and join the gang for another dinner, but if it was anything like last night's meal, there was nothing good to miss. Any noise was drowned out, even with the occasional knock on the door by whoever did. All he did was keep himself in isolation.
In one day's time, he couldn't lend a helping claw to two important events of the Equestria Games. Thanks to losing his confidence facing tens of thousands of ponies, he was unable to find a spark of flame to light the torch, only to have Twilight bail him out. Then, thinking he could contribute to the winning team of the competition his friends came runner-up in, his misfortune led him to sing an anthem he did not know, and made up one worse than a horrible parody. It must have been a new Equestrian record of how bad one could embarrass themselves in such a short time, and nopony could beat it so easily.
But above feeling disappointed and embarrassed, he felt worthless.
He let down the Crystal Empire as an icon and a hero. He let down the citizens of Equestria in two massive failures. He felt no better lying around then than he did earlier, only worse.
It took the opening of the bedroom door to remotely snap him out of his trance. Someone had walked in and called his name twice, catching his attention the closer the voice got to him. He turned his head to see three of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"Hey Spike, it's time for us to get together for Tails and Cosmo's story. You ready to go?" Sweetie Belle said to him.
The little dragon didn't reply with words. He just let out a long, and fairly loud sigh, as if he was contemplating whether to go or not.
"Spike, you okay?" Scootaloo asked.
After another deep breath, he gave a response. "Whatever. I'm ready." He got up from his seat, stood with a heavy slouch and a depressed face looking down at the floor. Walking right through the group of three, he made his way out the door as they started to follow.
The fillies walked behind the dragon for a minute, watching maintain the same posture as he moved along. They shared a confused look with each other before one of them spoke up.
"What's with you, Spike? You're limpin' more than a tree branch with too many apples," Apple Bloom said. Her response was another heavy sigh. "Aren't you excited like we are for the story?"
"Yeah. We finally get to learn how Cosmo and Tails fell in love," Sweetie Belle added. "I bet it was super romantic."
"Romantic? I heard it was during some big battle. I bet it was more action than romantic," Scootaloo said.
The little unicorn looked over at the pegasus with an arched eyebrow. "How does action turn into falling in love?"
"I don't know," argued the pegasus. "That's just what I heard."
The yellow filly decided to put in her two bits for thought next. "I bet it will be more like an adventure story. That sounds about right considerin' what we know about them."
"Yeah, I guess that's also true," Sweetie Belle stated. The group continued their trek around a corner and down a staircase to the hallway they were looking for. As they walked along and continued talking, she gave a try of getting Spike's attention. "Hey Spike, you going to be okay?"
"Yeah," he replied, his voice hollow and depressed as its sounded every time he made a sound.
The trio had run out of things they could say to him, and fortunately they lucked out as they approached the doorway into the room everyone would be in. The sounds of muffled voices came through the door, just enough where you couldn't recognize what was said but could still recognize who was saying it. They made their way inside as Spike pushed open the door and they heard what was another little quest of knowledge for Nyx.
"So that's why you're able to move around in space without needing any sort of object to help you breathe? That's incredible! I wish I could do that!"
After Nyx had said that, all eyes turned to the four new guests to join the massive group that had already gathered. As they walked in, Applejack, being closest to the door, rustled a hoof in her little sister's mane and said "About time y'all showed up. You're the last ones we were waiting on."
"We are?" The younger Apple asked, and then she noticed that her older sister was correct. Nyx and Twilight, Tails and Cosmo, all of Team Sonic and the Team JAG Band, even Princesses Celestia and Luna, everypony and everybody were already there, even the youngest foal Skyla. "Oh... I guess we are. Sorry," she added, with a weak laugh.
"It's quite alright, little ones," Luna said. "We have only just finished quite the intriguing discussion of some of our guests' anatomy anyway."
"Yes," agreed Rarity, "although I'm just fine with learning about that than testing my own capabilities to such extremes myself. Now come here and sit down with us."
Each of the incoming group found their own place to sit. Apple Bloom found a seat and Applejack sat next to her, Sweetie Belle next to Rarity and Scootaloo between Rainbow Dash and Twilight on a sofa, with Nyx on the other side of Twilight and all sitting adjacent to another sofa with Tails and Cosmo on that. Spike, however, put himself on the ground at a corner of one of the pieces of furniture furthest from everyone, still wanting his distance, but at least facing everyone rather than looking away.
"Well now that we have everyone together again, perhaps we can get started with what everyone's here for," said Tails.
"I don't see why not," Celestia said, herself sitting on an alicorn-sized throw pillow next to her little sister. "Of course, I would like to ask if you are sure for telling us your tale. We wouldn't want to oppose if you feel unwilling in any way."
Several of the interdimensional guests shook their heads in response, but only Cosmo gave a verbal reply. "We said we would share the story, and we never intend to break our word. Besides, it's not a story we haven't shared more than once."
"Then by all means," Twilight said, her tone as kind and supportive as she could be, already well aware of most of the couple's history. She motioned a hoof to the two and added "Start however you wish."
All eyes were on the couple, even their friends they've known for years. Deep down, they knew retelling their story was not the easiest task to accomplish. It was both the brightest and darkest part of their lives to date, and there was no easier way to explain it than flat out and in specific detail. But seeing how welcome their new pony friends are, and how their values of friendship make the two feel trusted and respected, they deserved at least so much to retell their past.
"I guess... I guess, it would be my place to start," Cosmo said, taking a deep breath to maintain and calm and collected demeanor. Her eyes took a glance over at Nyx, seeing the filly with the most anticipating expression her face would allow to show, all the while looking as kind and content to hear the tale as Twilight. "But before I do, I just want to warn you one thing: this will reach a few points that might be too much, so if any of us need to pause or let out some... Well, emotions..."
"We'll understand. Go ahead and tell your story!" Nyx said, almost too eager to listen. It allowed the Seedrian to give a smile, but a brief one, then took a deep breath to begin. Her memories let her mind go as far back in her knowledge as how it all began; the times of the Seedrian's Great Calamity.
"Many years ago, my race, known as the Seedrians, became involved in a war zone with an opposing force wanting to conquer our old home, the planet Greengate. Many of our warriors, mostly male, sacrificed themselves to defend who was left of our people, but it came to the point when they had to leave the planet and start traveling across the galaxy. Some of our people, however, were indifferent, refusing to surrender to our enemy. They wished to become stronger to overcome any opponent and obstacle, to uncover their fullest potential and be the strongest there was to become. The few survivors of the Great Calamity became the commanding generals of an evil force of robotic and mechanical/organic threat.
"They would call themselves... The Metarex."
"Their quest started with the first mission, and that was to travel the galaxy, conquer any planet that would cross their path, and steal their planet eggs."
"What's a planet egg?" Nyx asked.
Tails answered with "It's a very powerful crystal that feeds a planet life. The earth and all that would grow out of it, anything natural, is fueled by each planet's own egg. Without the planet egg, a planet would become a cold and barren stone, unable to support life on its own." There was no response from anyone, only some stunned faces and a few spines having a brief cold spell. After a moment of silence, Cosmo continued.
"For many years, the Metarex fought other planets, but only a small few were able to fight back for so long. The Seedrians who had fled away during the calamity traveled as far as they could, under the leadership of my mother Earthia, who managed to help our clan's survivors evade the enemy for a long time. As time passed, she eventually gave birth to me, the last sapling she could produce.
"For the first several years of my life, I lived aboard our clan's space colony, living a life as close to normal as one can imagine when trying to survive in a dangerous war. Sadly, the Metarex finally sent the strongest force of brutality they had to destroy our starship. It was a dark day for my clan... And I... I was the only survivor.
"I fled as far as I could in an escape ship," she continued, holding back tears as hard as she could. "When I was young, I was told a legend that spread across the galaxy about a being who had a special power, a being who harnessed the power of legendary artifacts called the Chaos Emeralds. Using my ship's guidance system, I sent myself to crash-land on the planet Mobius, home of the said being of great potential: Sonic the Hedgehog."
Many eyes turned to the mentioned blue hero. He was sitting next to Amy, Cream and Cheese, sticking his nose out just a little in the air with a boastful posture, one that others like Shadow and Knuckles didn't particularly enjoy. "It was cool to know how far our adventures have gotten," he said with a sincere tone. He lowered his head and added "I'm glad it did or we wouldn't be where we're at now. Am I right?"
"Sure," Shadow responded, sounding sarcastic.
Maria, who was next to the black and red hedgehog, looked at him briefly with stern eyes. "Shadow, you said you'd behave." He gave no response, but several could see small trickles of appearing sweat on his head.
The next to speak up was Celestia, who had a question for the blue hero. "So you are a hero of legend from your world? I must say that's a tremendous reputation to have, but I've only heard little about these gems you mentioned. What are the Chaos Emeralds?"
"The Chaos Emeralds are a collection of gems that contain immense mystical power," Knuckles explained to the princess. "There are seven in total, and when they are all combined they unleashed their full potential in the form of Chaos Control."
"Chaos Control?"
"Yes. It's the unleashed energy from the emeralds, and how it reacts depends on who is using it. If it is for good, then only good can result of their power, but if used by an enemy, only chaos and destruction follows."
Celestia gave a small understanding nod and replied "I believe I can a good understanding of what you mean."
"Well that covers the Chaos Emeralds for later," stated Amy. "Now where do we start with the story from our beginning?"
"I'll continue," Tails volunteered, taking control of telling the story. "Sonic ran into a new enemy high above Mobius, just beyond the planet's atmosphere. Even with the Chaos Emeralds, he was unable to win, and since the enemy, the leader of the Metarex, was after the emeralds, Sonic used Chaos Control to send them far across our galaxy. After that battle, the Metarex began their quest for the emeralds, but it wasn't until a week later that we got our... Well, messenger from the stars."
The little joke brought out a little laugh from behind Cosmo's lips, while the ponies, especially the fillies, looked at her with full attention. "Does he mean you showed up falling from the sky or something?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"That sounds kinda painful," added Scootaloo.
"But she said something about an escape ship," Nyx pointed out, and then asked the Seedrian "Is that how you traveled to Tails's planet?"
Cosmo nodded and went on to say "Yes, it was. A meteor shower was passing over Mobius one day, and I managed to drift through space before it was too close. I don't remember much of landing because I passed out, my ship crash landing on the planet."
"You were really lucky that night, Cosmo. You flew out of the escape pod without a scratch and landed nearby where we were watching the shower," Cream added in.
She nodded again. "Yes, but what followed was something I couldn't avoid." A sad look began to cross her face before she continued. "A powerful Metarex descended onto Mobius not long after me and began its search for the planet egg. The fight only lasted a little while, but we were unable to stop the Metarex from succeeding, so the planet's life slowly began to wither away.
"I told Tails and everyone what I knew of the Metarex then, and they all agreed to help stop them from threatening our galaxy and hunt down the Chaos Emeralds. We took off in our ship called the Blue Typhoon and began the long quest to stop those monsters for good, managing to save however many planets we would come across. Many of them we were able to keep safe and protect their planet eggs, but some... All you could see would be cold and barren rocks, desolate with the crumbling remains of civilizations. The more of those planets we saw, the worse they would get, just showing how heartless the Metarex were..."
Cosmo lowered her head and looked down at her legs as she described the sadder side of the Metarex War, her eyes showing a reflection of how upset it was to see it all. Tears she had managed to hold back began to overcome her as she let one shed down the side of her face. Her hands clenched in open fists on her legs, Tails reached a hand to place on top of hers and gently wrapped his hand around hers. He wouldn't say it, but it did surprise him how well collected she had kept herself so far, especially since she explained some of the darkest memories of that war.
"It's sad to hear how much war can affect more than just two opposing sides," sounded the voice of Shining Armor. He was laying on a large throw pillow that comfortably sat him, his wife and daughter together. "My position has taught that there are casualties in the battleground, including those victimized without having a choice. To hear such measures, though, is beyond my history of experiencing."
"War can bring out the worst of anything, Shining Armor," Luna said.
"Yes," agreed Gohan, "and many of us have a lot of experience with that from our respective pasts and worlds."
"But that's not ALL that we saw during that journey." Speaking next was Amy, who wanted to shed a better light over the topic of the Metarex War. "We all got to spend time together, even getting stronger and witness new and amazing things. We saw new planets and met new friends, and we got to see how other worlds act and the ways they live. On top of it all, there was the whole point of telling this story to begin with..."
The pink hedgehog let a hand out towards the fox and flower sitting nearby. "It was seeing these two fall in love with each other, and building on that love ever since."
Smiles crossed the faces of the couple, but Tails's being a little bigger than the other. Cadance decided to ask them "So when was it that you discovered that bond?"
"I think I can start that explanation," the fox said, sounding quite happy at even the thought of those memories.
"I didn't see it at first, when I first held Cosmo when she crashed onto Mobius. I was more curious of who she was and where she came from, and after learning about the latter, I began to learn more and more about who she was. As the weeks passed, I saw someone compassionate about the well-being of all living creatures and sentient beings, and would far out of her reach to try bring peace to the galaxy in any way possible. Even if she didn't intend to do something wrong, she would apologize a hundred times just to show how much she didn't mean to cause trouble that she never made. She wasn't the strongest like a Super Saiyan or a savvy scientist, but she was second to none with the biggest heart and most caring spirit I've ever seen."
Cosmo eyes turned over to look at Tails, a small hint of rose in her cheeks that got darker as he continued speaking.
"We were trapped underground on one of the desolate planets during our journey, having found a Chaos Emerald somewhere on the planet. We took a nasty fall but got a stronger reading on where the emerald was, so we continued the search on our own..." Tails reached a hand on his head over where a certain scrape used to be as he said "But not before she showed her caring side again and wrapped me up where I got hurt. It's funny, really. I was dizzy, but I wasn't too injured, and she wouldn't let me go without making sure I was healed even in the smallest ways.
"That's when I first thought she was truly special."
Fluttershy then said "That sounds very beautiful... Well, not the falling and the injury. I'm sorry, that's not beautiful at all."
"It's alright, Fluttershy," Cosmo replied, but still looking towards her beloved. "Love can like that sometimes, it can happen anytime and anywhere."
Continuing his storytelling, Tails went on to say to everypony "Eventually we found a Metarex factory where they were using a real Chaos Emeralds to make dozens of fake emeralds, so we managed to take the emerald back and find a way to throw them off our tails for a while. As we were finding our way out of those caves, I explained the power of the emeralds to Cosmo, but that didn't go too easy.
"Because of what the Metarex did to the Seedrians before, Cosmo was afraid to embrace the good a Chaos Emerald can bring. She felt dark, thinking that her hatred for those who took her clan away would only fuel the emeralds to cause even more pain and destruction. Even after knowing her for only so long and who she was as a person, I refused to believe in her fears. Thanks to the help of our friends, we proved to her that those who are good can only bring the brightest light to the darkest times."
"My my, that sounds quite poetic, dear," Rarity stated. Her attention focused more on the other Mobians and said "Clearly you have a strong influence on one-another to encourage such beliefs."
"Some more than others, Hun," stated Rouge. "Not all of us were around during that time, nor did all of us travel together. Shadow and I were part of a similar mission with a different team."
"Really? Which team was that?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.
The filly wasn't looking towards Rouge for an answer, but towards Shadow instead. The hedgehog didn't notice until Maria helped show him with a forceful adjustment of his vision. He didn't want to be bothered about anything, but clearly that hope was diminished by a curious little pony.
"It was another crew with other plans in mind. Rouge and I travel and serve for Dr. Eggman," Shadow said, barely even looking towards Apple Bloom before turning his head and shutting his eyes.
Nyx tapped her hoof on Twilight's shoulder, and then motioned the same hoof to bring their heads closer. Trying to whisper as quite as she could, the alicorn filly asked "Why does Shadow always have a bad mood, and what's an Eggman?"
Twilight shook her head and replied in a quiet tone "I'm not entirely sure," and then she raised her head to ask "Is that the Eggman you told me was a reformed enemy?"
"Well, I wouldn’t go that far," Sonic replied. "If he was really reformed he would have lost some of that egg shape of his."
"Sonic!" Amy yelled at him disappointingly. "Dr. Eggman is not our enemy anymore, and that joke was uncalled for!" She put on a more pleasant tone to say to Twilight "Dr. Eggman was someone who caused us a lot of trouble in the past, but he began serving our side since the Metarex War. He's now the chief scientist of all of Team JAG."
"I see," replied the alicorn mare. She was a little intrigued about this subject, knowing of another scientific prodigy from Mobius other than only Tails.
"So what happened after you had your underground adventure?" Fluttershy asked.
Thinking of the last two topics, Tails began to tell the next adventure they had. "There came a point when all but two Chaos Emeralds were found, but it didn't take long to find the last two in a massive Metarex base. We worked with Eggman's team to infiltrate and get through the base, and came close to getting the emeralds ourselves. That was also when we all came face to face with Dark Oak, the second time for Sonic, and we saw them mutating a planet egg into evolving."
"What does evolving mean? Sounds weird," Scootaloo said curiously.
"Evolving is basically saying the planet egg was growing up," Nyx explained. "It grows bigger and becomes stronger than how it was when first born. It's just like how I turned to Nightmare Moon, and how my body grew and my magic was more powerful than it is now."
Tails smiled and said "Actually that's pretty accurate, Nyx. A planet egg evolves with the planet that it belongs to. As time passes it becomes stronger and feeds the planet more energy to sustain its life force. The Metarex, however, was forcing a planet egg into evolving, which meant its energy supply was becoming massive and they wanted to use that power for themselves. That planet egg they had was a test subject, only to eject it from their base when we interfered."
"But you found all the Chaos Emeralds then, right? That meant you had what you needed to win, but we know what happened..." Rainbow Dash tried to finish her sentence, the sudden recollection of the memories she saw before rushed in her mind, even causing her to shake for a second.
"Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said, noticing her number one idol acting strange, "are you okay?"
The pegasus looked as if she shook it off and replied "Yeah, squirt, I'm fine," but her assuring tone only masked her true feelings of hating what she recalled.
"You're right, Rainbow Dash," Cosmo said, "we finally did have all seven emeralds, but... Chaos Control happened, and we lost them again."
"And what happened during this 'Chaos Control' you speak of?" Luna asked.
Twilight took the liberty of explaining for her fellow princess. "As they explained a little while ago, Chaos Control is the reaction of energy when the seven emeralds come together, fueling the sources they feed to. My guess is, somehow they got all seven of them in one location for the phenomenon to occur, but only to be used in manners that would inevitably separate them."
"That's right," confirmed Tails, "and after the Chaos Emeralds are used and the Chaos Control hits its climax, they separate again and travel to several different places than before."
"So then what happened?" Nyx asked.
Thinking of the following events of that battle, the entire group of visitors began to smile, some even chuckling, but not Shadow as he just kept his head turned away from the others. Maria, although was only told the story, found just as much amusement as the others, but not even she could get him to lighten up enough to enjoy a more positive memory of the war. When the chuckling ceased, Cosmo took another turn in telling the story.
"We spent a little while getting the Blue Typhoon repaired and ready to go into battle again, mainly maintenance repair. Tails handled most of the work until a few other friends of ours in the Chaotix Detective Agency found us and had problems with their own ship, which Tails offered to repair. Everyone was busy with their own things, so I took what free time I had to prepare something special for my new friends. So far it was coming together nicely," she turned her eye towards her beloved fox with a certain glare, "until somebody helped take the surprise out of my surprise party."
Pinkie Pie sounded off like a screaming bottle rocket, jumping up from her seat and beginning to appear at every available corner around Cosmo. "You threw a surprise party?! That's the best kind of party ever! I mean, what's better than putting together a party that no one would see coming and see the surprised looks on their faces that there's a party?! I mean, that's what a surprise party is! I threw so many of those that I actually lost count because of all the times a surprise party can happen in Ponyville! Twilight's welcome party, Twilight's gala ticket surprise, Luna's 'welcome-back-from-the-moon-for-a-thousand-years-and-not-be-Nightmare-Moon-surprise-party-during-the-Summer-Sun-Celebration' party, the one I threw when Cranky and Matilda got engaged, the party for Cadance's baby announcement, and of course I can't forget Nyx's 'Thanks-for-saving-Ponyville-from-a-bunch-of-scary-monsters' party, plus the-"
"We get it, Pinkie Dear." Rarity interrupted the party pony's endless list of parties by putting a hoof over her mouth. "A surprise party is certainly a delightful thought. What made you decide to have one, Cosmo?"
"I wanted to thank everybody for helping to stop the Metarex, so the party would be my way of giving them something fun to do for a day. It was going well setting up, but Tails accidentally discovered my surprised. He offered to help, along with the Chaotix, and together we managed to get it done just as I needed it to be.
"As I grew closer to Tails, I learned just how helpful and kind he was to anyone. I saw more of his personality and expertise the further we traveled, and the more we did together, the more I saw that, combined with his bravery and determination, when put into action. When he helped me set up the party, I wanted to offer him the same gesture in return, and I'll never forget what he told me-
"'You don't have to thank me, Cosmo. I like being with you.'
"At that moment, I felt something new in my heart. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I had developed stronger feelings for him the more I was with him. There were a couple... 'Incidents' before the party started, but it turned out just as I wanted, and that was everyone having a good time. But for me, the best moments were when I knew I liked Tails more than just a friend."
She reached one of her hands inside her dress for a moment, grabbing something she left inside there to show everypony. When her hand came back out, she held it out to reveal a brightly shining broach shaped like a flower with two sets of petals that shined their own shades of purple. It shined and sparkled in the light as the sight caught the ponies' attention. The younger fillies' eyes opened wide at the sight, especially the royal foal of the Crystal Empire, and Rarity's gaze was just like that if not more.
"My, what dazzling jewelry you have there, Cosmo," the white unicorn said.
"Thank you, Rarity," she replied. "This was a gift from my clan when we were traveling on our starship. It was one of the couple things I managed to escape with when Scarship attacked. During my preparations for the party, I didn't realize I lost this at one point, but Tails found it and polished it up for me. It was one of the most wonderful things anyone had ever done for me and I felt happier than I had for a long time."
Tails took the broach from her hand and began to attach it to her dress, putting it to the left of her Seedrian Spirit Stone already on her chest. "Truth be told, it was just something small I wanted to do. I had a feeling she'd like it, but seeing just how happy she became was more than I expected. I knew she was special, and beautiful, but if there's anything I could do back then..." Tails paused, unable to help himself from having a quick laugh.
"It was being too afraid and unable to say how I felt about her and panicking myself silent."
Laughter, as contagious as some would claim it to be, was expressed from nearly everyone in the room through their own forms, from small giggles from the princesses to uncontrollable laughter from the Element of Laughter. It took a few seconds, but the laughing faded away.
"Well, love isn't always the easiest thing to express at first," Cadance said, as if admitting to that fault herself. "It can take its time before that super special somepony comes arounds that allows you to open up those rare and special feelings." She felt the leg of her Shining Armor wrap around her neck, their heads coming together so she could rest hers on his shoulder.
"It is true," agreed another pony. Twilight Velvet shared a large chair with Night Light, comfortably leaning herself against him. The dark blue unicorn didn't mind at all, as he showed with a kiss on his wife's cheek.
"It took a while for Tails to build up the courage to say anything," Ash said, almost teasing his friend, "but he did manage to find a different way of expressing himself."
"Really? What did he do?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Jason took the next position of continuing the story. "There was a small stage, so we decided to play a few songs for fun. This was long before we began to play for all the different worlds for four hours at a time. During one of the songs called My Sacrifice, Tails took Cosmo's hand and brought them out onto the dance floor, and the two shared a nice, sped up slow dance, I guess would be the best way to explain it."
"A fast-slow dance... So just dancing then?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well, it was like a slow dance," Cosmo tried to explain, "just a little faster than what a slow dance is usually like. It was fun for me, just pulled right into a dance like that, and there was a point at the end when we locked eyes with each other that just made it... I felt even happier to be with him. I never saw him being so spontaneous like that before, and it was... Cute."
A hint of rose appeared through the white fur on Tails's muzzle at that compliment from her. Hearing from her that he was cute was something he can admit still getting used to, even after all their time together, but how she would say he was in fact cute would be what got him to look embarrassed.
After getting a couple jokes from Applejack and Rainbow Dash over the fox's rosier cheeks, Twilight spoke up next. "I remember some of the events you told me about during your first visit here. Wasn't it at that point when you had to face the commanding officers of those Metarex face to face?"
Tails nodded and kept the story going. "Technically, we only faced two of the three ourselves, as Dr. Eggman had his own ordeal with the third. They were some of the toughest battles of the whole war up to that point, and we knew it was only going to get more severe. Luckily we caught a break from fighting for a few days and focused on trying to find the Chaos Emeralds more, especially after we found another fake emerald factory just before," he explained.
A disgusted groan came right out of Rouge's mouth after the last bit of history was told. "Good riddance to that factory. All those fake gems made me sick to my stomach to see. I could never stand counterfeit diamonds all my life."
"Oh I can relate to that sentiment all too well, my dear. Faux gemstones don't have that true shine of genuine and value as the real thing. It's the reason I only gather the grandest of jewels to use for my dresses," Rarity said.
"It's too bad you didn't meet Tails and everyone before, Rarity," Sweetie Belle said to her big sister. "You could have helped them with your magic." The elder sister just smiled a little and rustled her hoof in the filly's mane, just gentle enough to not have a single hair go astray.
"So back to y'all huntin' down those emeralds," Applejack said, curious of where the story will lead to next. "How long was it until you found the next one?"
Thinking back carefully, Cosmo calculated how long before starting to answer. "Well like what Tails said, it was only a few days after the previous battle before we found one of the Chaos Emeralds. We found it from a traveling trio of people from the planet Marmolem, who found it during their voyage to find help for their world. We agreed to help their planet and got the emerald back in exchange.
"This was a planet that was very rich in spirit and life from its people, but the nature of it was not sick: it was nearly fatal. It wasn't something to ignore, but it seemed that the people didn't care at all and let their planet crumble and decay around them. I do digress, though, because their spirits and personality were very positive giving the circumstances, even though I couldn't feel the same."
"Just because their home was sick, it doesn't mean their happiness should fade away," Fluttershy said, trying to break through Cosmo's solemnness. It only worked for a second, just long enough for a grin and a nod from her.
"Yes," the Seedrian continued. "My perspective didn't change for a while, especially after one of the Marmolems took us to the best fortune teller on the planet. He was very kind, and funny at the start, using a special collection of coins to made his predictions, but I didn't enjoy it as much and expressed that. He told me how the future may not be set in stone, but what will be will be, and then he gave me my prediction as he read his coins. Without being far from the truth with my description, he showed the coin of my evitable fate: a skull, his symbol for pain and misery, and... Death."
Faces began to fall again, especially those who were familiar with the history, as she continued with "I never felt as useless then than ever in my entire life. All I wanted was to help stop the Metarex and protect the galaxy, but to be told that I would end up causing pain and misery to those close to me..." Her tone became sadder and sadder as she kept speaking. "I didn't want to believe it. I couldn't believe it if I tried. How could I cause others to suffer because I wanted peace for everyone? I wanted to finally live a happy life with my new family, not go away forever because of my actions..."
Silence fell as Cosmo took a moment to recollect herself again, keeping a calm composure and trying not to cry. Most of the ponies shared a similar expression as their eyes looked just as sad, but a selected few felt the sadness much more, if not to her level. None felt the pain so closely than four of the five alicorns in the room, each of them having a relatable feeling to what Cosmo was talking about.
Celestia, normally keeping a grand and elegant posture even during times of rest, had her head drooped just so much for her muzzle to face the floor. She thought back of her own actions when having to deal with her sister becoming Nightmare Moon, and how she went on a thousand years knowing she could have done something different. She knew that Luna regretted her actions from back then to her return, and she knew that Nyx, the once reborn Nightmare Moon, did not want to be that threatening mare. She also knew of Twilight's pain of separation, to be forcefully pushed away from her family because of reasons beyond her control, and it was something both she and her former student hope to never happen again.
"It is a heavy burden," she said solemnly. "Sometimes we have to face a future we cannot control. I am aware of that agony all too well."
"Just as I am aware that our own actions can cause others to suffer. That too is just a heavy burden to carry," Luna added.
"But to stand against it and believe what your heart tells you is right is the correct choice to make," said Tails, throwing in his viewpoint from that day. "Besides, I refused to believe that prediction from the start. No one can really predict the future, but instead work at achieving the future they want."
Celestia looked over at Tails as if staring at a being of great wisdom and knowledge. She saw the good faith he had for those closest to him, and like her student turned peer, a great amount of intelligence to see through an illusion fortune telling can occasionally be. Before she could add anything else, more of the fox's friends spoke up next.
"It wasn't the only prediction we got from the Marmolem's anyway," Cream stated, thinking back to that session of predictions. "He couldn't see whether or not Cosmo would be alright, but he did say there was romance in her future. He added how plants and animals don't always get along, but with the friendships Cosmo made with us, there was a sign that both sides could live peacefully together."
"Chao-chao," her pet Cheese added.
Amy followed that by saying "Marmolem had a ton of different charms and spells, including love spells. Us girls stopped to see a few other fortune tellers that gave us love predictions as we kept going around the bazaar. We stopped at one point and we saw Cosmo blush when I asked her about how she felt about Tails. It wasn't hard to see that those two liked each other a lot..."
She looked over at her mentioned friend, seeing a smile crack through her lips and a new blush on her cheeks. Tails laughed behind a closed smile and tried to hide another shade of red cheeks to no avail. Amy then added "That romance was as clear as day, but I'll admit that my own was still being... worked on. Luckily, one of our Marmolem friends taught me a love spell that was supposed to do the trick.
"That is until these two accidentally received the spell's effect themselves." Her tone turned a little sour at that mention, still not exactly pleased how her then ultimate plan to capture Sonic's ever-loving attention backfire on her.
Yet her eyes directed to the sight of a certain trio of fillies. She noticed Scootaloo's face cringe for a couple seconds before her vision redirected to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, who looked just as cringed.
"What's with you three?" Rouge asked, noticing this reaction as well. "You look as if you did something wrong."
The three shared a unison "Uhhh..." before Twilight provided the reason behind the trio's shared expression. "Let's just say they had their own experience with love 'potions' a little while before Nyx came along. It involved trying to hook up their teacher with a romantic date with Applejack and Apple Bloom's big brother, and it went to the length of possible marriage."
Cadance giggled and said "Oh yeah, you told me about that during the wedding preparations." Following that was a cute laugh from Skyla.
Tails looked around at the trio and asked "You know that's not how love works, right?" His tone sounded a comedic blend of seriousness and sarcasm.
Apple Bloom sighed and replied "Eeyup. We ended up doing Big Mac's chores for a whole day."
"Ugh," Scootaloo added. "I think my back is still sore from hauling so many apples."
"Your back? I couldn't feel my legs for a week," Sweetie Belle complained.
Keeping a hoof over her mouth to keep it shut, Nyx tried holding back what laughter she could. Her friends told her about that story before, but her always curious mind got all the information from one of the main sources, Miss Cheerilee, not long after hearing the story. Since then, even the slightest mention would make her giggle. She got a nudge from her mother, who looked down at her with an arched eyebrow and a face that said "Save it for later," so the alicorn filly swallowed all the laughter she could.
Nyx then turned her focus to Amy as her curiosity took over to ask "How did this love spell work? Was it really complex?"
"Hmmm..." Amy thought to herself before answering. "No, not too complex. The spell involved a few steps to it, and it started at Romance Rock. You had to break the rock to activate the spell, but that was the easy part. Next step was to get both lovers together near the Lake of Love and look into each other's eyes. After that, both must look out at the full moon casted over the lake, and then the two would be together forever. It worked out, but all by accident."
"Let me guess," said Night Light, "there was a different couple that took the spell's effects." His eyes, along with all the others, turned towards the couple in question.
"You could say that," Tails said jokingly. "I found Cosmo at the top of a cliff near the Lake of Love not long after we managed to save the planet from a disease that replaced the missing planet egg. I told her how much Cosmo meant to our team, and briefly to me. I was beginning to walk away when she tripped over a rope and right into me. I managed to catch her, but the next thing I knew we were flying in the air over and towards the lake." He then reached an arm around her shoulder and started to hold her closer to him.
"It was a feeling I had for a while that I couldn't bring myself to say. Heck, I could barely confirm it until the moment I stared into her eyes shined by the light off the lake. I was staring in the eyes of a girl that never expected to bring me into such adventures we shared so far. I was staring at the girl I wanted to spend each and every day with, doing anything from sharing a small chat to being inseparable from day's start to day's end. I was holding onto the one I'd allow myself to come closest to, to let all of me out to.
"Love spell or not, I fell in love with Cosmo that day."
Smiles were seen all around the room, saving one hedgehog of course, but they paid no mind. Cosmo, leaning herself onto Tails since his arm wrapped around her, couldn't help but close her eyes and remember that moment they shared. What he said about her, it was just like how she felt about him, with her own reasons of course. As she recalled being in the air with him, she told more of that moment to everyone.
"I had no idea of Amy's trap when I tripped over her rope, but even though I didn't mean to ruin her plans, I must admit that I'm glad it happened. As we were in the air, I looked into the eyes of someone who made me braver, more confident in defeating the Metarex, and above all else, the one who would always make me feel the happiest I've ever been. When we fell into the shallow water, we just sat there wondering what happened, and then our gazes focused on the full moon and, for me, that's when I felt I was truly in love. I was held in his arms, looking upon the same beautiful sight with him, and to this day, I discovered love for someone more than a friend or family.
"For me, that was one of the happiest moments of my life; falling in love with my best friend."
Several ponies began to go "Awwww..." In unison, mainly the CMC, Fluttershy and Pinkie, with a couple quieter tones from other ponies and some girls of the Band and Team Sonic. Even Celestia and Luna grinned at the new happy sight of the couple, the Princess of the Sun having a chuckle when seeing Tails give Cosmo a quick peck on the cheek.
One of the quieter ponies was Twilight. She was happy to hear such a cute and lovely part of her friends' love story, but they were slowly making their way to the climax of the final battle. It was the second main focus of sharing this history, so that Celestia and Luna may understand their new interdimensional friends better, and hopefully keep that connection for a long future, even though her former teacher already trusted her with her decisions.
But above all else, it was her maternal instincts kicking in. Regardless of who she was once before, Nyx would be hearing about a story that Twilight and her best friends witnessed firsthoof with the memory potion. How Nyx would react to being told about was unpredictable, and she needed to be ready to comfort her daughter if needed.
And, in her own twisted way, she may need her family to comfort her, if she were to react to hearing the story just as she did seeing it.
Twilight decided to try to progress the story once more and went on to say "I've studied several books about love and love spells, most of which didn't end too well. But if I may elaborate a little bit regarding your spell, you both said you began to fall in love with each other before you went to the planet Marmolem. Keeping the thought that the spell worked, wouldn't it only have just accelerated you two fall in love and nothing more? It seems that the spell was unnecessary when compared to the rest of your story thus far."
It didn't take Tails more than two seconds to answer with "That's likely. To tell the truth, that's what I've always thought, but I didn't really care to look too deep into it because it was something I felt for a long time then. Having the spell just bring it all out was just as you said, an accelerator."
"But none of that really matters since you got your happy ending," Amy stated, stressing the focus on who the spell ended up being cast on.
"Besides, Twilight," Cadance said, "love isn't something that magic can simply conjure. It takes a pair of very special someponies who care about each other and accept one another for who they are for it to be born."
"Well said, my niece," Celestia said in agreement.
"Plus what's the point of loving somepony if you don't think they're almost as awesome as you anyway?" Rainbow Dash added, a surprise to everyone. "It's a gut feeling to have, Twi, nothing one of your books can make you really know about."
It took a moment for her to notice, but every single being in that room, even a depressed little dragon, stared at her blankly with several jaws dropped. She hadn't felt this awkward since her conversation with most of the Band the night before or Spike's attempt at singing the Cloudsdale anthem. She looked at Twilight, then Tails and Cosmo, then Nyx, then Twilight again, then at Scootaloo and the other CMC, and one rounding stare at all her friends before her sight focused on Twilight for a third time.
"What? I know how to be deep too, you know," she told them, trying to avoid embarrassment rising in her.
A small snicker came from Sonic and Tails and a few others, but they ultimately decided to divert from discussing how to fall in love back to the war.
"Now let me see..." Tails said, thinking back to after the time on Marmolem. "I think the next big thing after that was falling into a Metarex's galactic web trap. The Metarex had joined forces with Eggman to ambush us with an entire fleet of ships."
"What's a galactic web?" Nyx asked.
"It's a large structure of threads made out of energy that work as boundaries between known galaxies," the fox explained. "Dark matter and various other energies weave together and contain its power inside that keeps the web's structure maintained. The Metarex used one to lure us into an ambush, but we lucked out and escaped using the web's energy to our favor."
"What happened during the ambush?" Scootaloo asked.
"The Metarex had an entire fleet to attack us, and their weapons were too strong for us to defend. They attacked us with all they had, even blowing up some of their own ships in the process. We tried using the Sonic Power Cannon against them, but they were prepared for that with a powerful shield of their own," and from there Tails's face showed some weakness. "It was actually one of my weakest moments, because my decisions put my friends in harm's way. I lost faith in being the captain our crew needed."
"Don't think like that again," Knuckles said. "If it weren't for you we may have not escaped that fight. So we got a few scrapes and tears, it's better than the alternative. You did great, Captain."
"That's right," Amy agreed.
"I may not have had such grand scales of combat under my best, but a captain must always believe in his soldiers and himself to succeed in battle. Sounds to me you did just fine," Shining Armor said next.
Tails smiled again before saying "Well, I can't take all of the credit. Like you said, it takes a good team to work together and win, but sometimes, a good pep talk can put a person back in line." He felt Cosmo lean his head on his shoulder, and then gently leaned his head onto hers.
"And the same can be said for you, you know," she said to him, to which he chuckled in agreement.
"That's so sweet," Fluttershy said, happy to see such loving support between the two.
Keeping the story on track, Ash spoke up and said "Sadly the rest of us were dealing with our own troubles with the Brotherhood of Darkness. Battles were coming up left and right, and it took some extra help to keep peace in other worlds."
Cream then added "It was lucky we had the needed quiet time to repair our ship again. It took a few days, but we got back to traveling ready to face more Metarex."
"Sounds like you didn't waste any time, just like me," stated Rainbow Dash.
"Yeah, we know how to keep up good speed," Sonic replied. "Metarex began attacking again and again without stopping for a while before we got to fight one of the commanders one more time."
"You mean that Yellow Zelkova, right? He had a head bigger than his metal body could hold," Rouge commented.
"Yeah," Knuckles confirmed, his expression turning grim. "That was the final battle he fought during that war, and the first real casualty we came across."
"Casualty?" Sweetie Belle questioned. "Does that mean he lost?"
Rarity, knowing this topic was coming but was completely unprepared for, tried to answer her little sister's curiosity. "Well... Yes, Sweetie. He did lose that battle, but sadly he also lost his involvement in anything further on after that. That's because a casualty is... Well, it means..."
"He died in that battle," Nyx said, finishing Rarity's attempted answer. How she said it felt hollow, as she realized where the story was starting to go, yet she didn't sound too troubled.
Twilight looked down at Nyx, partially surprised that the filly said it without as much as a tremor in her voice. Even though her daughter's past included both of them reaching levels dangerously close to death, the topic was still a sensitive perspective for a child to take in.
"That commander fought you to his last breath, didn't he? I did the same thing to save Ponyville, but ponies knew that it was to protect them. But that guy, he asked for it."
Twilight's attitude snapped back to motherhood as she said "Nyx, you shouldn't describe it that way. As true as it could be, we shouldn't just say or believe that."
"No, Twilight," Cosmo told her, "Nyx is right. The Metarex commanders were willing to fight to their deaths to serve Dark Oak's plans. Red Pine lost his life because of that gravity field, and Zelkova kept fighting until he couldn't fight anymore."
"That's... Kinda messed up," Apple Bloom commented.
"War is like that," Gohan stated. "We've all seen death before. It isn't always easy, but it happens to anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Indeed," Celestia agreed, nodding her head.
Fluttershy, wanted to avoid this topic until much later, then said "W-what happened after that?"
Her reply came from several sets of eyes of the interdimensional friends looking over towards two certain partners. One just shied his attention aside with apathy, and the other just shut her eyes and turned her head before making a response.
"Don't look at us that way," Rouge said to them. "We were under Eggman's orders to stop the Metarex however we could. It's not my fault he sent out a loose cannon hedgehog."
"Hold on there. What did y'all do that was so bad?" Applejack asked.
Neither would reply, refusing to discuss it freely. Sure they were forgiven for their actions since then, but at the same time, it was thin ice to break through when it came to holding even the slightest grudge, especially for Sonic and Tails. The former of them answered the farm pony's question:
"They snuck on board the Blue Typhoon and Shadow tried to attack Cosmo."
"Thanks for being so blunt," Shadow said back in full sarcasm.
"What made you turn on your friends like that? That's not super-duper nice at all," Pinkie Pie said.
Tails took initiative once more and began to explain things further. "Shadow and Rouge were doing something wrong, but they did have the right reasons for doing so. You see, what happened was that after I got the Blue Typhoon's security system back online, it detected their presence right when they were beginning to attack.
"Shadow was right there by Cosmo, but Sonic and our friend Chris helped protect her long enough for me to get her and start to run away. We knew that Shadow was powerful, and had the determination to not start something without finishing it. Everywhere we went we shut doors and activated security systems to try to slow him down, but it was no use. I even tried flying us away on the X-Tornado and that didn't work out, even the Sonic Power Cannon only bought us a few minutes of false relief.
"I didn't know why he was after Cosmo, but I didn't care. Our friends were putting themselves in harm's way to save her, and I'd be as evil as the Metarex if I did anything less. I refused to anyone hurt Cosmo, no matter how powerful they were and how powerless I was to go against them fist to fist. Believe me, I was sore in the final moments of that fight."
"Well we've seen your dedication to keep her safe firsthoof, and we have no doubt you gave it your all, Sugarcube," Applejack said.
As others nodded in agreement, several others put their attention towards a certain hedgehog. Shadow noticed that attention being put onto him, more so than who's been his partner in his missions from Dr. Eggman.
"Why did you go after Cosmo? What did she ever do to you?" Nyx asked.
The red and black hedgehog didn't say a word at first, but he then noticed a cold stare from Maria. She had warned him several times to watch his behavior, and for the most part he's kept up his usual attitude that she wished he'd loosen up. He hid a cold shiver he felt seeing that stare, let out a disapproving sigh, and began to share his side of the story.
"We had our orders to travel around the galaxy and try to find whatever information on the Metarex we could," Shadow explained, speaking for himself and Rouge. "There was a planet we found that had nothing but trees and plants, and a fake Chaos Emerald. Then we found a group of soldiers from a resistance we ran into when we had to deal with Pay Bay Leaf, but they... Let's just say they got what they asked for."
"And what does thou mean by that?" Luna asked, picking up no remorse from his tone.
He continued with "Dark Oak used them to fuel his own plans, and they had those plans with them. They gave us a device that contained all the information regarding the Metarex and their operations. From that information, we discovered their undercover agent who was spying on us the whole time as they saw and heard everything. Codename: White Seed..." He then pointed a finger straight at the aforementioned spy: Cosmo.
"The Metarex programmed a remote signal in her brain to send them everything she would see and hear. Wherever they went and whatever they did and say, it was fed back to the enemy. I only saw one thing that could be done to keep Dark Oak in the dark, and that was to get rid of the spy."
"Hold on a second," Rainbow Dash said, "are you saying you tried to kill her?"
"And how could Cosmo send messages without even knowing it? That doesn't seem to make sense, unless someone used a spell of dark magic," Twilight added, trying to understand the thought of it herself.
"Well, that kind of ties in with the history of both the Seedrians and the Metarex," Yugi stated.
Thinking back to earlier in the conversation, Celestia thought of what he meant. "You mean of how the Metarex were beings that were once Seedrians as well?"
Cosmo nodded and said to the princess "He used the natural connection Seedrians have with each other as it's similar to how we are connected to plants, and combined it with his Metarex technology to put the remote signal in my mind. It's the only explanation we could result with after Tails and other Team JAG scientists researched the cause of it after the war. I felt as if I betrayed all my new friends, and I just wanted to leave and keep them safe from Dark Oak's schemes. Luckily, I had those friends - my new family - to have me stay and tell me that they cared for me no matter the cost."
"Well sure," Sonic commented. "You think we'd just watch you take off like that? We knew what the Metarex were really up to, so we knew what course of action to take next, and that included everyone sticking together."
"Why absolutely, especially having to handle the weight of war on your shoulders," Rarity stated.
"So what were the plans the Metarex had for the galaxy?" Cadance asked.
Tails took the next role of explaining. "The Metarex began because the founders wanted to prove their power to the entire galaxy. According to their data, they figured out how to unleashed their fullest potential by combining what they've been collecting throughout the war..."
"You mean the Chaos Emeralds and planet eggs?" Nyx asked, unintentionally interrupting Tails.
"That's right," Cosmo replied.
Twilight began to put pieces of the story together, thinking aloud as she calculated everything. "The Chaos Emeralds provide a significant amount of energy that could fuel whatever resource that is drawing out their power. But a planet egg, it's a provider of life energy to the planet it belongs to, or like the emeralds, anyone who can use it as a supplemental energy source.
"To have a planet egg begin premature evolution, they would need a substitution to give it a purpose to evolve, and resources to draw out that power to fuel themselves. Which means... that the Metarex were to be the ones to harness all that power themselves, to make themselves evolve into an unseen and unheard state of being..."
Nyx put herself in the same train of thought as her mother, and continued where she left off. "So if the Metarex were Seedrians, and Seedrians are actually plants, that means they could force themselves to evolve into plant monsters of some kind. Is that right?"
"Exactly right, kiddo," Rouge commented.
"Wow, Twi, she is definitely your kid. That was a double dose of egghead if I ever saw any," teased Rainbow Dash.
"That was actually quite impressive," Jason said. "It took us the entire war to put all those pieces together."
Both Tails and Cosmo weren't too surprised to see the two alicorns tie together all that was already said. They knew how intelligent and information-savvy they have been ever since first meeting them, making their process of formulating the information coming to the correct conclusion. From there, it was time to prove that correct with the war's climax.
"Twilight, Nyx, you were both right about everything, but there's still more to it," Cosmo told them. "The plan of the Metarex was indeed galactic conquer, but their real plan to do so was by performing the biggest known forestation process."
"What does that mean?" Fluttershy asked. "It doesn't sound threatening, but still very scary."
"So it's a happy-scary plan?" Pinkie followed.
"Happy-scary?"
"You know, when something is supposed to be really, really scary but it actually makes you happy. Just like how Nightmare Night scares everypony's pants off with scary pranks, even though ponies don't wear pants too often, even for our super fun costumes-"
"We get it!" Several others spoke up and helped stop the pink pony go on with another ultimate rendition of a run-on sentence.
"Sorry, Pinkie, but that's far from being happy-scary," Tails commented. "It's time we get to where Twilight and the others are familiar with the most..." He paused himself in order to take a deep breath and keep his composure together, most of his best friends and the Master Four doing the same. This was going to be the hardest part of their history to retell.
"When we crash-landed on the planet Greengate and found out the Metarex's plans, we got an emergency message from Dr. Eggman. He warned us that the final plans were to take place at galactic coordinates 0-0-0, where an ancient prophecy was due to occur, so we immediately took off and traveled our way there. At first, it was quiet, and all we could see was the entirety of the Metarex together in one place, until they spotted us first and that's when the battle started. It continued on as a stalemate for only a short while, just long enough for our entire team to unite together and save Eggman from being Dark Oak's prisoner. When that ended, we saw what they had in store...
"It was a tree, several of its branches clenching the seven Chaos Emeralds. It floated there in space, only for a couple minutes until Eggman's suggested prophecy began to take place: an astronomical anomaly."
"A what now?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It means that something extravagant happened there," Nyx said to her friend.
"Something 'what' happened?" Sweetie Belle followed.
"If y'all will stop interruptin' and let Tails explain you'll find out," Applejack told the questioning fillies, getting them to pay their attention back to Tails.
"Here's what happened," he continued. "Two interdimensional portals opened up from different universes, and their energies merged together. The result was an immense energy source that can only occur once in a millennium and supply the galaxy with a resource that could only happen only so often. From those energies, a new planet egg was created, and the Metarex's tree rooted itself right to it. The power of the egg combined with the Chaos Emeralds, and in turn combined with Dark Oak and his two remaining commanders, Black Narcissus and Pale Bay Leaf, forcing them into their ultimate transformation..."
Before he could continue, Twilight asked "You mean that sphere that-?" However, her question was cut off by Cosmo.
"No, not yet," she said. "They transformed themselves into a three-headed chimera of nearly unstoppable power. Each of them managed to do to us in seconds what all our hard work did to just dent their forces throughout the war. Our ship lost two wings and engines, infiltrated and becoming destroyed from the inside out, and everyone becoming powerless to fight them..."
"One of us even swallowed by that horrible monster," Amy said, sounding saddened as she remembered those memories.
"What do you mean?" Shining Armor asked.
Sonic took over next to say "The Metarex offered to let me join them and conquer the galaxy, and rule over every planet that was becoming filled with trees and plant life. I refused, so they decided to eat me instead."
"They what?!" Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and all the fillies asked.
"Ooh, were you tasty?" Pinkie asked.
Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash facehoofed and groaned to themselves "Pinkie Pie, you. Are. Random." The unintentional simultaneous reaction forced a chuckle out of them.
Helping move the story along, Gohan spoke next and said "That's where we came in. The energy was so powerful that our scanners and detectors at Team JAG Headquarters nearly went out of control. All dimensions were told to stay alert as the four of us made our way to meet with Team Sonic and help fight the Metarex."
"We arrived just after Sonic was trapped in the massive planet egg and met with everyone," Ash followed. "Tails and Eggman gave us the summary of what have happened before we arrived, and then we all combined our forces to plan and fight the Metarex."
"Seeing how powerful you've described your opponents, I can only presume that you would needed a plan to counteract them with more than power alone," Luna stated.
"That's right, but luckily we got our plan from Knuckles here," Yugi replied, motioning a hand towards the echidna.
Knuckles took the rightful opportunity to tell of his shining moment of that war. "It was the best plan we had. Dark Oak and his commanders may have had the Chaos Emeralds, but we still had the Master Emerald and its almighty power. My idea was to counter the Chaos Emeralds with the Master Emerald, hoping to cancel each other out and cause a Chaos Reaction."
Shining Armor thought to himself for a second before he began to murmur aloud. "Fighting fire with fire by using an original source to cause a magic null... I must admit that's a brilliant but gambling tactic."
"Majin Boo?" Skyla tried to pronounce her father's words but to no avail. It only caused the foal's parents to chuckle and nuzzle her, but several of the interdimensional guests to cover their mouths to hold back a grin that would make Pinkie Pie proud. Little did they know that the filly's attempted speech named one of the greatest threats in the history of the Z warriors.
Knuckles continued speaking with "It was a gamble, and apparently it was possible that the Master Emerald alone couldn't pull it off. After Eggman offered to use the combined power of his ship and ours, we just needed to put our plan into work."
"And that's where the next round began," commented Shadow, speaking of his own free will for the first time the entire conversation.
"Why do I want to guess you fought that big bad guy again?" Pinkie asked, pressing her assumption as being correct.
Jason provided her an answer. "We did, and it too-'"
"I KNEW IT!"
Ignoring the pink mare's interruption and continued with "It took all the fighting power we had available to us just to hold them back. Our fighter plans, any available weaponry, our naturally gifted powers, everything and our then highest power forms to fight them."
"You mean becoming a Super Saiyan? Tails showed us that power before when... Well, you remember joining in that fight," Twilight said.
"Not exactly," Tails said, raising his finger to make a point. "Only Sonic and Shadow could use that power at the time, at least the basic Super Saiyan state. The Master Four have been much stronger than us as long as we've known them, and they had a higher state called Super Saiyan 4 they transformed into to fight."
"Was it enough for you to fight as long as you needed to?" Nyx asked, Tails replying with a nod.
Knuckles then continued with "It took every last ounce of energy from the Master Emerald, but the plan was made possible. We shot it right at the base of the three-headed Metarex and managed to cause Chaos Reaction. It stopped them from attacking us, and allowed Sonic time to escape."
The blue hedgehog only rubbed a finger under his nose for a brief moment before feeling some added weight on his shoulder. Amy leaned her head on him, her eyes shut and smiling wide. Seeing this, he just closed his eyes and smiled as well until his attention was drawn to another.
"I'm intrigued to hear how you escaped your opponents, Sonic, especially after having been swallowed as you've told us. How did you make that possible?" Celestia asked.
He just smirked a little and replied "I saw and heard Amy and everyone else calling out, and that's really it. I don't really know how I got out of there other than that."
"Hmmm we never did figure that out, did we?" Amy pondered aloud. "No matter, it all worked out for you then and that's all that matters."
Celestia was left without a real answer, but she gently smiled and nodded with satisfaction. "Indeed, Amy Rose. So what did occur with the Metarex after your Chaos Reaction took place?"
"Dark Oak was the only Metarex remaining, and he managed to fuse himself with all the power of the Chaos Emeralds and the planet egg to mutate himself. The result was transforming the egg to harness all the power within and spread its energy across the galaxy. It was all part of the forestation process," Tails explained.
"Yeah, that's what you said earlier right? What exactly does that mean?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"It's the development and growth of plant life that covers large areas where the environment is supportive," explained the knowledgeable purple alicorn.
"Yes," Cosmo said, "and Dark Oak did not show signs of slowing down his plans any further. Using his powers, the planet egg began to draw life from the farthest points he could reach, draining animals like Tails and the others to fuel his plans. The more he fed, the more planets across the galaxy reacted to his command. With a fake Chaos Emerald planted at each desolate planet, they reacted and caused the plants to grow out of control.
"But we couldn't fight back at that moment. The seven Chaos Emeralds were retrieved by our friends the Chaotix, but they were drained entirely. Dr. Eggman proposed an idea to refuel the emeralds, but he would need the combined power of both our ships to do it. Dark Oak was unable to drain my life force as we were both the same species of plant, so I decided to take matters in my own hands and take the emeralds to the Doctor myself."
"You refused to give in to the Metarex, and kept pushing forward with to the love and tolerance you found in Tails and the others," said Jason.
"And that same drive helped reactivate the Chaos Emeralds," added Ash.
"How so?" Applejack asked.
From that point, Gohan started to explain. "The Chaos Emeralds began to react to the energy Dark Oak was feeding on, even after an attempt to stop Cosmo. We stopped losing our life energy as the seven emeralds began to replenish themselves, giving us another shot at winning the war."
"And that's where Shadow and I come in," Sonic stated, continuing things from there. "At the time, we were the only ones who could use the emeralds to transform into our Super forms, so we stood on the front lines and used that power again. The Chaos Emeralds transformed us into Super Sonic and Super Shadow, and we took on the Metarex head on. We managed to stop forestation all together, making all the plans the Metarex made wasted..."
The Mane 6 began to mentally vision what was being told, memories of memories they got to witness themselves coming back to the forefront. They remembered starting to see the flashback of that battle, involving two golden streaks causing a bright flash of light that blinded everyone, but brought out cheers from Team Sonic. It was the very beginning of what they saw, the start of the events that were to follow and were already aware of. It had reached the point for them, for their friends, and especially Tails and Cosmo, to revisit those memories.
"That's where our vision started, the visions from the memory potion," Twilight said. "It was that point when Dark Oak... He turned into that new sphere, the black one that was going to destroy your galaxy..."
"That's right," Yugi said, almost solemnly.
That confirmed the six mares of what remained to tell the others, and their faces fell to sadness as a result. The fillies looked at them with concern for the sudden sad expressions, even noticing a couple of them fighting back the urge to tear up. When Nyx saw Twilight being one of those fighters, she immediately asked "Twilight, what's wrong?"
Managing to keep her composure strong enough to reply, Twilight looked down to her daughter and replied "Nyx, this is part of the story that's the hardest to sit through and listen. This is what we saw in those visions I told you about..." Nyx's ears dropped and her eyes saddened as well, but without the urge to cry herself.
Twilight turned over to the central couple of the story to tell them "Go ahead, whenever you're ready. Just keep going with it, and we won't interrupt..."
Looking solemn and starting to let small portions of his inner walls to break with his own feelings, Tails nodded twice. He took in a deep breath and reached his hand over for Cosmo's and held hers tightly. After a glance at all his friends, and then his beloved, he continued to tell the story once more.
"Twilight was right about her description of Dark Oak. He transformed himself into a giant black sphere that created an incredibly powerful gravity field. Without any other option to go with, instead of transforming the galaxy in his own image, the new plan for the Metarex was to destroy everything and everyone with a massive explosion by pulling in every planet within galaxy borders. Unfortunately, we were out of options ourselves, other than Sonic and Shadow racing out to keep the field from expanding out, but that would only last for so long...
"Sonic decided that the only choice we had was to fire at Dark Oak with him through the Sonic Power Cannon, a potentially fatal move to make. We began preparations, using every ounce of energy left in our reserves to fuel the cannon. It didn't stop us from having our doubts that it would actually work, even after the Master Four tried using their own power to fight back the field with no better results. A Super transformation and Super Saiyan 4 forms are actually equally powerful, but it didn't make any more of a difference with the gravity field. That's when... When..."
Tails began to choke on his own words, unsure of how to explain the next events, even though he's had to say it time and time again. Then again, it wasn't his place to continue, as the right truly belonged to Cosmo, who took over the story from there.
"That's when I had a calling, a spiritual insight from my mother Earthia. She told me that the time had come to fulfill my destiny to stop the Metarex, and act upon the purpose I was born. I released my inner powers, powers that the people of my clan have had since the beginning of our existence. With the breaking of my original chest amulet, I allowed myself to mature myself in mind and body and become my adult form. The power I released allowed me to travel through and neutralize the gravity field with ease, and I went straight towards Dark Oak for my final transformation...
"For many female Seedrians, the end of their humanoid existence is followed by transforming into a grand tree, planting themselves where they found best to be. For me, I turned into my tree form atop of Dark Oak himself, my roots spread down the sides of his sphere and leaving him immobilized. I was able to provide an open window to fire the Sonic Power Cannon, to destroy the Metarex once and for all, and myself in the process...
"But, it wasn't acted on immediately. No one wanted to go through with the plan-"
"Of course we didn't want to!" Amy said, cutting off Cosmo and showing her own upset emotions. "How could we just agree to do that and lose you?"
"If we had to lose you to win the war and stop the Metarex, there was nothing to win for," Cream added.
"Cosmo was the one who found us and asked to help her stop the Metarex and save the galaxy in the first place. Doing that by killing her, it was... I... Hated it. I hated the idea, and I didn't want to act on it. I just wish we had another choice that moment," Sonic stated, showing some of his angrier side thinking about it.
"We didn't have a choice..." Tails managed to find the words to help continue. "...there was nothing left we could do. Even the strongest forces we put against the Metarex became useless. I told everyone to leave the bridge we were on, to leave me alone at the controls, to leave me alone with the trigger...
"Dr. Eggman gave the necessary commands, and both Sonic and Shadow loaded the cannon for maximum fire power. Everything was prepared for one last chance to save the galaxy and end the war altogether. But when Eggman ordered the attack, I... I couldn't do it. I couldn't... I wouldn't fire the cannon. I refused to do it. I didn't want to do it. I couldn't lose Cosmo like this, not after we made a promise to stay close to each other and have her stay with us on Mobius. I wouldn't do it... I refused to do it!" He slammed his fist onto the end of his seat, his rage seething out as his eyes started to water.
"It took both Dr. Eggman and Cosmo to convince me to fire the cannon. I hated it... I hated the idea of doing, and I hated the resorts we were left to deal with. But I knew we didn't have another choice, and that it was now or never. If anything good came during those moments of potentially saying goodbye to Cosmo, to saying goodbye to the most special person I've ever come to know, it was the Master Four finding a solution for us with the Phantoms..."
"That's an advantage that comes with having Team JAG," said Yugi. "To have a vast amount of friends and heroes with a vaster amount of powers and abilities to help any and all worlds, they were the only ones we could think of to help us out of losing Cosmo." He then motioned a hand to Dan, who took over speaking next.
"An emergency call was made through Yugi, reaching my family's home and Fentonworks. We got the brief info about Cosmo and told of how I, and my cousin Danielle, could use our powers to help..." He paused at a small realization he made about some of the ponies learning this for the first time. "Perhaps I can give a quick demonstration of what we mean..."
With that, Dan allowed himself to turn into his heroic form, or best known as his ghost form. A ring of light appeared around him, and then went directly up and down his body, transforming his look with a black and white jumpsuit and his eyes and hair turning different colors. When the transformation was done, he presented himself to the ponies for the first time as the ghost hero known as Danny Phantom.
He continued on to say "Where I'm from, there is another dimension that is home to all sorts of ghosts and creatures of the like, all having some set of unique powers. I have a set of my own that can do several different things, but I had one power that was specifically needed: the power of intangibility."
Gohan then added "That's why we called for him and his little cousin, who has many powers like his as well. Since we couldn't remove Cosmo off of Dark Oak, we needed a way to keep her from becoming an unwanted player of martyr. They arrived just before Tails was willing to pull that trigger, and immediately went to action and placed themselves on the sides of Cosmo's tree form and made her intangible..."
Tails took over once more and said "It was brilliant. Having Cosmo intangible like that, and still being able to immobilize Dark Oak from doing anything, it was sheer brilliance. That meant the war could end and Cosmo could return and stay with us, and with me...
"I wasn't going to let this last ditch effort be lost, and with the full belief that everything was going to be okay, I acted. I hit the trigger and fired off the power cannon, destroying it in the process, but launched Sonic and Shadow straight for Dark Oak. We all had that one ounce of good faith left, but...
"We were proven wrong again."
Tails couldn't help himself at that point. He clenched his eyes shut as his face scowled furiously, trying his hardest to fight off his tears again. Cosmo saw this expression on her love, and just clenched one of his hands in both of hers, trying not to tear up herself. All around, members of their groups from Mobius and the Band, especially those who were there that day, let her heads bow down and her own expressions become nearly as upsetting in their own ways.
The fillies and most of the princesses noticed the Mane 6 doing the same. Where the older ponies had a good understanding about what might come up next, the fillies only cared about their older siblings and friends at that moment. Scootaloo never saw Rainbow Dash look so heartbroken, and Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle couldn't understand why Applejack and Rarity tried to hide their emotions aside. As for Nyx, she's seen Twilight in a broken state before, in fact multiple times, but those times were based around her and having been lost on more than one occasion. The little alicorn nudged the side of her mother's leg, trying to gain her attention.
All that Twilight could do was wrap her leg around Nyx's back, and held her close. Nyx tried to ask what was wrong again, but she didn't get the chance. When her eyes looked around at everypony else, she saw how they were acting the same, but nowhere near as looking troubled as Tails, Cosmo and the others. She didn't know what was next, except that now she was scared to find out.
"Tails... Cosmo... What happened after that?" Nyx asked bravely.
Tails barely looked over at Nyx before his eyes stared at the ground in front of him. With once last breath in and a new tremor in his voice, he went on to say "The cannon was fired as I said, but there was an interruption. The Brotherhood of Darkness, the organization of villains and foes from across all different dimensions, intercepted the attack and diverted it out of the way. Galvatron, leader of the Decepticons and the Brotherhood, managed to do that and separate Cosmo and the Phantoms from Dark Oak, who survived and reverted back to his former body. Sonic, Shadow and Dan managed to be thrown away far enough to not be captured, but Danielle and Cosmo were not as lucky...
"Throughout the war, we crossed paths with Galvatron and the Brotherhood, but they weren't as involved with the Metarex until this point. He hated us, especially everything Cosmo stood for, and he was tired of us getting in his way, so he decided to make us pay. The Master Four tried to go out and fight him, but after everything that they had to do already, he swiped them right back to the Blue Typhoon, knocking them out cold and reverting them back to their normal states.
"Then, he... He drew out his dark cyber energy into one hand as the other still held onto Cosmo... I ran out on the deck, demanding him to stop as she tried to free herself, and Danielle having her intangibility negated. And then he... Clenched his other hand together and..."
Tails just started to growl furiously, the first thing he could think of doing to try and mask him starting to cry. It was his breaking point, and he didn't want to break down too much in front of the ponies. His friends, however, only faired just so much better in controlling their own emotions.
Finding the bravery to say it, Cosmo finished where Tails left off. "Galvatron killed me. He killed me and Dani as revenge for stopping the Metarex."
The room fell silent for a moment. Most of the royal ponies took in what Cosmo had said and showed their own mix of reactions to it, but it didn't compare to how the other ponies reacted. Where Fluttershy and Rarity just let their tears flow down their cheeks, Pinkie Pie's mane and tail went from their poofy cloud-like states to flat and droopy. Applejack only tried to hide herself under her Stetson, and Rainbow Dash clenched her teeth together and eyes shut in a state of anger she had when she saw the visions of that moment. As for Twilight, she let herself just open up with quiet sobs as she attempted to bow her head in despair.
But out of all the ponies, it was the Cutie Mark Crusaders who took it the worst. They couldn't believe it, they tried to refuse believing it. Even Spike, who had kept himself in his small corner the entire time, couldn't help but do the same as them. When the fact registered in their minds, their eyes watered with tears, their lips frowned and trembling, all until they finally let their hearts out and began to cry. It was exactly what the older mares were afraid of, even if it was the inevitable reaction.
"Wh-what? You died? How could you die?" Apple Bloom asked in her disbelief.
"Yeah... That doesn't add up," Scootaloo followed.
"It's true... I'm sorry girls, but it's true," Tails tried to tell them before his voice seethed even angrier than before. "It happened, and that damned Galvatron's laugh echoing in my ears was our proof."
"But... But... But..." Sweetie Belle couldn't even form a sentence as she squeaked out each word. All she could do was nestle herself against her big sister, who embraced her in a comforting hug.
The only filly, other than the royal foal Skyla, that remained silent was Nyx. What she heard, what she could understand, it hit her hard, right into the heart. It was like she knew this pain before, and it was a kind that would leave her crippled in internal pain and despair, almost like her world falling apart in front of her. Yet, she couldn't put a hoof on it, at least not yet, so she instead let herself hide behind her mane as much as possible and let out her gentle sobbing. Even feeling Twilight wrapping a wing around her back did close to nothing for her comfort.
"Miles Prower, Miss Cosmo," Luna said to get their attention. "I can see you and your friends share immensely torn hearts from this. I do sympathize with you, but I can also see there is more to this story that most probably includes a solution to what had transpired. By mere request alone, please continue to the greater results of your tale."
"Y-yes," Rarity added, slightly hesitant because of her sobbing sibling. "Perhaps that's best at this moment."
"Well, that leaves the next portion of our story... The breaking point of the whole war..." Jason stated.
Celestia, maintaining her composure to be read like a clear slate, simply replied "If only that's what you wish..."
Nodding, the dark warrior took the reins of storytelling. "As I said, that was the breaking point of everything. Every ounce of sadness, rage, and practically primal tempers, took over most of us. But Tails... Well, needless to say that him breaking down at the bow of the ship and hearing his pain was... Expected.
"There's a funny thing about how loss and rage go hand in hand- or, hoof in hoof, so to speak. It drove us, all of us out there on the launch deck, back up on our feet getting angrier and angrier, plus tapping in to what power we could still release. As we cried, we growled and glared our way into our Super Saiyan states. However, for Tails and Dan, it was the drive for them to achieve that power level themselves."
"Super Saiyan?" Shining Armor said curiously.
Gohan took that to motion himself into giving a small demonstration, much like Dan did with his ghost powers. "It's a legendary status of my father's race of incredible fighting ability. For any of you who can sense power levels from us, you can see we're not showing any, but with Super Saiyan..." Then, he powered up to show his increased power, as seen by the now golden hair and solid green eyes and an aura of energy surrounding him.
"That's the same power Tails had fightin' those dragons a few months ago," Applejack pointed out.
"Wow, that's... Impressive," Shining Armor added.
"It can be, but it still wasn't enough," Ash went on to say. "All the fighting we've done so far, it left us too weak to find more energy on our own, or charge more up quick enough. Fortunately, we had Tails's compassion for Cosmo and our good faith for our friends to tap into exactly what we needed: The Chaos Emeralds.
"The emeralds helped us achieve something new and beyond the limits of Super Saiyan 4. Where the emeralds can give its user power levels equal to that state, putting that on top of the basic Super Saiyan state allowed us even greater heights to reach. For most of us, it was an incredible new level to reach, but not all of us stopped there..."
Tails looked up from where his eyes were fixated towards with a look into the darkest corners of his soul. "I barely went on the battlefield during the whole war," he went on to say, "keeping myself at the captain's chair to make the calls for attacks. It was where I was needed most for all the weeks we traveled the galaxy, but at moment, that ended. I was done sitting behind, watching and formulating. For what had been done, I wanted to avenge Cosmo and get all the pain I could out of my heart. That focus, that rage, was something Dan and I shared at that moment, so we used that to our advantage. We were Super Saiyans, and we just became new users of the Chaos Emeralds, so we combined our powers, and ourselves, into one being...
"Tails Phantom, the ultimate form for us, was born through a combination of the Chaos energy and Dan's ghost abilities."
"But Galvatron had more tricks of his own. He called on a few of his higher-ups in the Brotherhood to aid him in fighting, including that good for nothing Dark Oak," Knuckles said.
Taking an observation, Luna went on to say "It was the final bout between the two sides, I presume? From what we can take from your tale, it sounded like there was no end in sight."
Amy nodded and replied "It was the final fight, for that war at least. The Brotherhood of Darkness is a different problem that's lasted a lot longer."
"Most of us stayed inside and watched the whole thing. Everyone out there fighting just kept going on and on without holding back," Cream added.
"That isn't a complaint. From what they were throwing around out there, it was good to be safe inside the ship," Rouge stated.
Tails took over once again and said "It was going back and forth, but it wasn't until we were at the final standoff. That was the point to end everything once and for all, and teach the Metarex and the Brotherhood a lesson on what happens when you do so many unforgivable things again, and again, and again... The Master Four collected themselves together to combine their Ki into one powerful blast, the Four Masters Cannon, and they summoned some of the most powerful creatures from Yugi's dimension to lend their godlike powers as additional force. The three of us left positioned ourselves around certain spots to unleash our full power of Chaos Control, and all the while our enemies prepared to counterattack us."
"Tails," Nyx said, a tremor of fear in her voice, "what happened next? Did anyone else..." She found it hard to finish her question, the thought of Cosmo's death still troubling her.
"No, Nyx, no one else died," he replied in a flat-out manner. "We fired our energies at one-another, and it ended up being a stalemate. It took one last effort in my state with Dan's powers to try the most powerful ghost technique there is; the Ghostly Wail. I flew behind the Master Four and warned the others to cover the ears, and then unleashed the wail. Its power, and combined with everything I had, screeched its way around the others and amplified our Ki blasts, managing to overpower our enemies.
"It took a minute, but it finally came to an end, and the group of us landed back on the Blue Typhoon, and we defused and powered down back to normal. Dark Oak, Galvatron, they and their peers only floated there in space, weakened and unable to fight anymore. I wanted them dead. Right then and there, I wanted to make sure they'd never do what they did again, but a couple of their own allies managed to get to the scene and help them escape back where the Brotherhood's base is.
"But that did it. That ended the Metarex War. We had finally stopped Dark Oak and his plans to take over the galaxy with plant life, and make sure that all the planet eggs they stole and that were still salvageable returned to their home planets as they shot by like stars. In the end, it just costed us one major hit, one fatality that we tried our hardest to prevent. We lost a friend... I lost a friend that I became so close to... I lost the best friend I fell in love with during our journey together, and I couldn't bring her back. I couldn't save her. I was broken. I... I-"
After telling the ending of the entire story of the war, Tails had reached his limit. Even if it was only a slight fraction of how he felt back then, the fox had to let out the heartbreak that always came with those ending moments. With his head bowed he let himself cry, and he let every drop of pain fall down his face in tears, trying to cover his face with his free hand. He couldn't help himself to do it, and even if there was royalty and youth in front of him, it didn't matter.
His oldest friends shared his pain, but tried their best in avoiding the same kind of behavior. Some just shed their tears as others just shut their eyes in shame, and others in between. Even Celestia, a grand mare of strong composure, hid her sight from all the expressed pain to hide her own discomfort. She found some recovery, courtesy of Luna draping a wing across her back.
But for the other ponies, they showed their own pain their own ways. The youngest of them tried their best to hide how sad they were, but they couldn't find the strength to do so, and began to sob against the closest sibling or role model near them. Nyx, on the other hoof, did not do the same as them and took a different approach. She jumped down from her mother's embrace and stepped her way towards the crying fox. After nudging against him with her head did she get his attention, and that was when Tails was looking down at a very sad and teary-eyed alicorn filly.
"Don't cry, Tails. You did everything you could to do the right thing. It's not your fault you lost Cosmo, because everyone knew you tried your best to help her," she told him. "You didn't let yourself do things you'd regret later on and hurt those around. Cosmo is very lucky to have someone like you... any pony in Equestria would think you're very nice and brave, and not just some freak of nature..."
The fox used the back of his free hand to wipe off the tears that still flooded his eyes, and then looked down at the little pony. He wore the weakest smile he could and said "I know that, and I'm glad that you think that about me like my friends always have. The problem was, and is today, having lost Cosmo in the first place. She didn't deserve to die... and it was just not fair to her, to anyone, to me..." He had to pause himself as he felt the urge to cry once again, and turned his head away to allow himself a chance.
Nyx turned her sight over to Cosmo, who just looked at him with teary eyes of her own as her hands clenched his. Unlike him, or anyone else in the room, she wore a weak but genuine smile on her lips. She didn't to explain it, but when the filly asked about her smile, she simply said "Even though it pains him so much to feel that way, it always reminds me just how lucky I am to love the most caring and wonderful person I know."
Although Tails heard what his beloved said, he couldn't turn his head to face het quite yet. He needed to let out some of his sadness more, and he didn't want to do that on her shoulder and smear his tears on her, even though she wouldn't mind it at all. There was a bit more left in him still, and he tried his hardest to control his emotions better, but that attempt ended up being interrupted.
Coming out of nowhere, Nyx jumped up between the couple. She wrapped her forearms around his neck and began to give him a hug before he had a chance to turn his head at the sudden extra pony between him and Cosmo. When he did, he found her head to his left as she hugged him as tight as she thought was needed, wondering just what she was doing. His answer came when she spoke up again.
"Please stop crying, Tails. I'm sorry you were hurt so much. You don't need to cry anymore if Cosmo's here now."
His mind continued to try and register why she was doing it, but such a sweet little filly didn't need the overthinking over. With his free arm, he wrapped it around Nyx's back and returned the hug to her, but only for a moment before he decided to inquire about her actions. "Thank you, Nyx, but why are you so concerned about me? I may not be my most collected self, but you don't need to show so much worry over me."
"Because you remind me of Twilight," she began to reply. "When I became Nightmare Moon and abandoned her, I knew deep down that she was hurt because of how close we became. She was my mom back then, and my stupid thinking made me make her sad and alone, almost like how those Metarex made you feel when they took Cosmo away. But I got better and was given back to my family, just like how Cosmo's still here to be with you and all your friends, so you don't need to feel sad or guilty anymore."
The words the alicorn filly spoke echoed in the minds of every being in the room. The way she compared what happened during that war and that of Nightmare Moon's reign over Equestria was incredible, and very closely accurate. Such relatabilities between the two conflicts, when registered, made sense to everyone who thought harder about it, confirming her to be right about what she meant. When that registered in Tails's mind, a big and more genuine smile was put on his face as he pulled Nyx back off of him.
"You're right, Nyx, I shouldn't, but just like how you and Twilight would be sad about what happened for your history, I get sad about mine. What you said, though, does mean the world to me because you are right." He then pulled her back into the hug before adding "Thank you for saying that. You really are a good little pony, just like your mother."
"Well, she is Twilight's daughter after all," Cosmo added, her emotions better in check as her tears had been cleared out of her eyes and her voice calm. She let her right hand off from her grip of Tails's, wrapped her arm around his back and leaned herself in to share the hug with him. "You're such a sweet little thing, Nyx. Thank you."
The hug only lasted briefly longer before breaking and the couple gave the filly some room between them to sit. When she turned herself around, Nyx noticed Twilight having one of the happiest looks on her face, which made her feel all the prouder for trying to be nice. She also caught the sight of Rainbow Dash, who looked to be hiding herself from crying. Her sight became interrupted when Tails's hand rubbed playfully through her mane, forcing her to shut her eyes and try to swipe his hand away with her hoof.
Then came the chance for Nyx to ask the question that lingered in the mind of several ponies. "So if Cosmo died during that battle, how is it that she's here now?"
That was the final topic to be discussed for the entire tale, and for those telling it, the most uplifting part of their history. "Well, that's where the Band comes in," Tails answered, "so I'll let them take over for a while."
"Wait, the Band?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.
"That's right," Jason answered. "This was an idea we had during our voyage back to Mobius after we prepared our ships for travel. After a few days spent in mourning, or more so depression for everyone, there had to be something we could try to do to undo what had happened. Unfortunately, so many options we would have in other dimensions couldn't be applied elsewhere, even the Chaos Regeneration ability only produced one white seed that Tails held onto. I can't speak completely on behalf of everyone of how exactly they felt, but I can say that I was especially livid for just how unfair things were. It took a talk with Gohan to push me through it, and spark an insane but possible idea to fix it all."
Gohan took over from there and said "The two of us got Ash and Yugi, and we all discussed about using our hobby of music. You see, whenever we play music together, there's a great sense of energy that we feel being built up through the fun and excitement of doing it, and the small amount of times we performed in front of others, we sensed that energy emitting from our audience. It was decided that we would play music together in front of the biggest crowd we could invite to Mobius, and combine that with the magic of Chaos Control for a massive revival project."
"The Team JAG Band Revival Concert," Twilight stated. "That was your first big show you ever played, according to Tails and Cosmo."
"That's right," Dan confirmed.
"But to pull it off, we needed more than the Master Four," Ash went on to say. "We called on everyone across both the Blue Typhoon and the Egg Crimson to pitch the idea, and we agreed it was worth the chance. When we asked about additional musicians joining us, Dan volunteered as he was already practicing with us beforehand. We then thought of Ami and Yumi joining us, as it was Jason's discovery of their dimension that helped us discover our unique way of performing music."
"And when we heard what happened and if we wanted to join in, there was no way we'd turn down the ultimate jam," Yumi followed. Ami then added "So we said we were in and began to practice the moment we got to our instruments."
"But not all of us were part of the Band back then," Aelita stated. She motioned her hand to herself, Kim and Ron. "Back then we only heard of what happened and what the Band was going to do, so when we got the invite to be in the crowd, our friends and family joined us and we were there for the show. A few of us even helped Dr. Eggman program the technology needed to maintain and record the energy levels being gathered to pull off the Revival."
"It sounds as if you needed a bountiful amount of energy to collect in order to bring back Cosmo and this Dani from the dead," said a curious and slightly mused Celestia. "How much energy does it take for you to counter against the nature of death?"
Yugi spoke next and explained "For two lives, it would take some extra energy, perhaps the whole Ponyville population, to pull that off. However, we were aiming for a higher goal: reviving the entire Seedrian race lost to the Metarex and their prior war. In order to accomplish that, we needed to get enough energy to put the Metarex's peak potential to shame as there were thousands to bring back to life. That's why we recruited Eggman to create an energy containment chamber to collect the radiated energy and keep it in storage for us to use in the revival process. There was just one more friend we needed to be involved with us in the Band, who had every right to try his hardest in our cause."
Eyes from all around began to look towards the room's sole two-tailed fox, who only reacted with shutting his eyes, letting a couple tears flow into his already stained furry cheeks, and smiled contently. He then went on to say "I lost all hope in practically everything after losing Cosmo. I locked myself in my room, shutting out all my friends - my family - just to lay on the floor to cry. I cried for so long and so hard without end, and I paid no mind to the time passing by until the Master Four finally broke into my room and told me about the Revival concert."
"No offense, but it doesn't sound hard for most of you to break into anything," Cadance pointed out. "I'm a little surprised no one tried harder to get to you when you were... heartbroken."
Shadow gave a deadpanned response to the pink alicorn. "It wasn't hard to figure out the combination to his door's lock." He then pointed a finger at the story's focused Seedrian. "Anyone could have just walked their way in anytime they wanted, with the exception of my use of Chaos Control with just one of the emeralds. But most of us knew it wasn't our place to be invasive, only up until their plans for Revival was made."
"But then you were told about it and were immediately involved in the Band from that day on, if I'm not mistaken of course," Rarity said, with a confirming nod from Tails.
"From the moment we landed back on Mobius, we began to make our preparations," Ash went on to explain. "Yugi and I found a field big enough to hold the concert and to give the Seedrians a new place to settle and civilize at. Their home world wasn't fortunate enough to be rejuvenated back to life as its planet egg was lost during the Metarex's quest. We showed the land to the others later on, and from there we began to put all the pieces together to create the stage, the setup, and the energy chamber."
"Then came the nonstop practicing," Yumi added. "We all met up together at different times to rehearse song s, assign certain amount of people to songs, and made the initial Band lineups with what music we played back then."
"You mean how the Master Four play nearly the entire show while the rest of the band switches in and out?"
Jason replied to Sweetie Belle's question by saying "That was something we decided to do back when we first began playing music. From where we're from, there are bands with multi-instrumentalists and singers, so they would tend to rotate those responsibilities when needed. We decided to do the same for what we do so that everyone can be well-rounded with multiple instruments and singing abilities, and the same rule applied to everyone who helped create the Team JAG Band."
"And about a few months later," Gohan said, "we were ready."
"When the day of Revival finally came up, we invited everyone we could from every known dimension, even some that we hadn't seen for a very long time," Tails explained. "We got the turnout we were hoping for as beings from all different universes traveled to the field and nearly filled the entire area to full capacity. To see that sea of people and beings filling the open land, it meant so much how those within Team JAG, and many still outside, care for each other and are willing to help others out when needed.
"It wasn't until I saw that crowd when I felt completely confident in the Revival concert. Even with all the practicing and preparing, even with all the hope I had, I was afraid that we wouldn't bring Cosmo and everybody back. We waited until the day turned twilight, and with everything set in place, the Band got together, had a quick huddle to hype ourselves up, and then we hit the stage."
"Was it scary to play your first concert that was so.... big?" Fluttershy asked. The thought of a massive crowd of thousands watching the stage got to her fears, even after having competed in front of practically all of Equestria earlier that day.
"You know, Fluttershy, it wasn't as bad as you'd think," Yugi replied. "I mean, we all enjoy music, and didn't mind going up on a stage to play for so many people before. If anything, the mission we had set for Revival gave us a greater drive to get up there and play. We were there to support our friends and try to fix an injustice that went against what was meant to be."
"And you succeeded," intervened Cosmo.
"Did your mission carry out just as you expected?" asked a curious Celestia. "I hope you may forgive my mentioning, but seeing how this Brotherhood of Darkness has fought against you before, it would not be a surprise if they tried to intervene with you again."
"They did," Dan said in return. "After playing for a few hours and gathering the energy we needed to start the revival process, many of us who could turn Super Saiyan and harness the Chaos Emeralds' power gathered on the stage and powered up. We combined our powers with the collected energy and activated Chaos Control, and it opened a rift between the Sonic X dimension and the realm of the dead, allowing us to detect and give energy back to all the Seedrians we detected."
"And then, one by one, they came down from the rift and landed in an open spot of the field that the crowd opened up for the newly revived race to reappear at," Sonic went on to say. "We started with the Seedrians, and then managed to bring back Dan's cousin. Then, it came down to just Cosmo, and that was when there was a slight interruption."
Shadow rudely commented with "Of course you would put it mildly. You know as well as we all would Galvatron's appearance was the biggest obstacle we had all that night. If it wasn't for me or Goku, Tails would have never gotten Cosmo back."
"What's a Goku?" Pinkie Pie asked.
Gohan answered by saying "He's my father, and the strongest warrior of Team JAG. When Galvatron attacked, he helped hold him back long enough for us to finish the reviving and protect Tails and Cosmo."
"Yet it is apparently clear from Cosmo's appearance here that this Goku thwarted that Galvatron's plans to stop you," stated Luna, to which the half-blood Saiyan nodded in confirmation.
"We did it. We managed to fix all the damage the Metarex had done with the Revival concert," Tails said. "All the Seedrians were brought back, Dani was revived, and, even as selfish as I sound, Cosmo was brought back to life, and to me. I couldn't live with myself knowing I didn't try something to bring her back, but we found an option and we succeeded. Our group of friends- no, our family was brought back together, and we could continue living our lives as we promised each other we would-"
"Together and in happiness," Cosmo interrupted, intervening once again. "I owe a lot to all the friends I made since first finding Mobius, especially after what they did with Revival." Her eyes, as well as many of the ponies', began to tear up again. "I was given another chance to help bring good to our galaxy, and even beyond through Team JAG. I was reunited with my family, both Seedrian and Mobian, to live a full and happy life again. And above everything else, I was given another chance to learn about love and how it would make me and Tails stronger than we ever could have been on our own. After the Band finished their set of songs for the Revival concert, we began to continue our lives, for better or for worse, and so long as I still had Tails in my life, it has been a wonderful, wonderful several years."
And with that, the story of Tails and Cosmo's meeting and blossoming love had come to a close. The story of the Metarex War was shared and the event of Revival explained, and the minds of every pony and dragon took in and digested the history. Some knew how to take it in fairly easy, but the minds of others stirred with just how vast or bizarre the world's beyond Equestria sound to be. There was definitely a lot more ponies could learn from the connection with Team JAG, but what can be offered to learn from was, to the mind of the Princesses, best to be taken in moderation, and with the story they were just told, there was no need to ask about more.
No, the love story between the two was more than a mental quench of thought, with all the adventure and tragedy that was just explained. It was a trial of challenges and determination that would bring out the strongest might within themselves, and the proof of their accomplishment sat and stood around the room. A translation to make from it all was how it exemplifies the lengths those who care for one-another will go towards, much like the ponies from Equestria.
Princess Celestia stood up from her cushion, and walked her way over to where Tails and Cosmo sat. Her expression regal and poise, she approached them as collectively as she carried herself, disregarding the thin and faint streak of a tear she let trail down not long ago. When she reached the couple, they and the little alicorn sitting between them looked up at the monarch of the day to see a kind and gentle smile.
"It is clear that what Twilight has said about you both - about all of you - is genuine and honorable. I know you didn't have to tell us your history, as it clearly troubles you very much, but I cannot say it wasn't very kind and respectful for you to tell us anyway. Thank you for sharing yourselves with us and allowing us to know more about you all," Celestia told them.
"Of course, Your Highness," Cosmo replied, "and thank you for listening."
"Please, Princess Celestia is just fine."
Cosmo grin and gently nodded. "Of course, Princess."
"The ponies from Equestria can benefit from associating with creatures- no, fellows such as yourselves," added Luna, walking up beside her older sister. "You have faced trials some ponies can only fear of, and others could relate to in numerous forms. I am sorry for what you had to suffer, especially you Miles Prower."
"It's alright," replied the fox. "Like we said, as bad as it all hurts, it all worked out in the end. We tried so hard and got so far, but in the end, we knew how to repair the damage done." He then let out a disappointing sigh in response to another thought that came to mind. "I only wish we could help repair what that prince of yours managed to do."
The next sound to be heard was a huff from the in-room prince, Shining Armor. He didn't like what Blueblood's actions caused everypony, and would have taken care of things himself if his wife didn't keep him from being irrational. "He's finally out of our manes for now, sent on a train back to Canterlot like the spoiled brat he is. It's a shame that wasn't done sooner."
"Agreed," added Twilight, the mere mention of the prince's name making her mad as well.
"Let's not allow this moment to be ruined by Blueblood," commented Celestia. "His behavior has no place here right now."
"But it does make two openings here, my sister," Luna followed. She then turned her attention over to a certain silent princess, who was preoccupied looking out one of the room's windows with her foal. "You sensed and saw the great outburst as well, didn't you Cadance?"
The pink alicorn nodded and replied "I did, and it's a beautiful sight."
All eyes turned to look outside to see what bit their curiosity of what she had meant. What they discovered was a beautiful and spectacular sight in the skies above the Crystal Empire. Streams of light waved in multiple directions, their movements acting as if they were dancing with one-another as they stretched for the farthest corners in Equestria. It took no effort to think about where the source of the lights originated from as the ponies knew, and their guests realized, about the Crystal Heart that sat beneath the crystalline palace. The essence of love the centered couple have emitted from themselves fed the Heart greatly, so much so that it nearly equaled what the Crystal Ponies have done in the past, and the sky lit sights was proof.
"Woah, that's so cool," Scootaloo said, she and the other fillies staring out with amazed expressions. They never saw such light displays before, only hearing about it from other ponies.
"That all came from the Crystal Heart?" Apple Bloom added.
Applejack answered her little sister's questioned by saying "Sure is, Sugarcube," and then turned her sight over towards Cosmo. "I knew you two had a special bond and all, but seein' that kind of light show really shows it off."
"I guess so," the Seedrian replied, a giggle mixed in with her words. "I have to admit myself that your world has such wondrous ways to display its magic, and this really takes the cake."
"Sure does," added Pinkie Pie, "and I bet it'd taste delicious. Hmmm, I wonder if I can make Taismo-flavored pastries, maybe cupcakes..."
The room was quiet for a few moments, curious about what the mare had on her mind with such an idea. In an attempt to change the subject matter, Rarity made a comment about the sights from outside the window.
"Well that was a very touching story to listen to, and I thank you Tails and Cosmo, and all of your family here as well, for sharing it with us. I'm afraid that behind the lights in the sky looks like it's time for Luna to raise the moon, which means a few certain fillies should be getting their little heads to bed."
"Already? But we're not even tired yet," whined Sweetie Belle.
"No 'buts' Sweetie Belle," Rarity said to her firmly. "We've all had a long day and it's time to get some rest for tomorrow."
"I think I can agree with that idea," added Twilight Velvet. "That train ride was more exhausting than it needed, so some sleep would do me some good."
Luna, on the other hoof, had some disagreement to the proposed idea to turn in for the night. "Our business here is not yet over, I'm afraid. There is a certain matter that needs to be addressed first."
"There is? What would that be?" Gohan asked.
"It doesn't directly involve everyone here, but it is a subject that your visit has put to our attention," Celestia answered, and then turned her attention fixed towards the filly sitting between the fox and flower on the loveseat. "This matter is about you, Nyx, and about your identity in relation to Twilight."
A scared look crossed Nyx's face as she began to cower herself against the seat. "Wh-what do you mean? What's wrong with me being with Twilight?"
Twilight, automatically in a motherly defensive position, got out of her seat and walked up to stand in front of her daughter and friends. The look on her face showed an expression of curiosity mixed with slight anger. "I would like to know this problem as well, because there shouldn't be one at all."
"Calm yourself, Twilight Sparkle. This has nothing to do with jeopardizing you being Nyx's mother, only her identity as being more than only your daughter," Luna said in attempt to calm the parent down.
Tails, a curious look on his own face, looked over to the Princess of the Night with little interest to hear any more negativity. "You mean with Nyx once being Nightmare Moon then?" The alicorn shook her head to deny that claim. "Then what identity does that leave?"
"Allow me to explain," Luna requested, having gained the attention of everyone in the room. She maintained a regal and serious composure as she began to walk herself around the room, allowing her to project her voice around the room without the need of her former royal tongue, and stretch out her legs after being still for so long.
"Although I cannot deny that his actions didn't change things for our time here, the actions of Prince Blueblood were out of place and unwelcome. He labeled Nyx as his own twisted view of her former identity and a foal's worst fears, making selected ponies' own fears come to their surfaces. Something that he chose to now acknowledge considerately was her connection with Twilight, and how that a filly named Nyx Sparkle was her daughter through a legal adoption that carries through unless only an Equestrian princess can overrule if deemed possible.
"This fact still carries through everything that anypony can say about Nyx, from anything when the adoption was made official, and to everything that happens afterwards. Where she was born an alicorn, based on the mare that she and I were when one and the same, she was not of Equestrian royalty when Twilight took her in as her own daughter. However, there is an event that makes a rather important and overlooked difference between what the Sparkle family was then, and what they are now."
"What are you talking about? What was overlooked?" Rainbow Dash asked, standing out of her own seat.
Luna held a hoof up to calm the cyan mare, and then returned to her explanation. "You should be aware of this event, Rainbow Dash, as you and the other Elements of Harmony fell under the effects of the last and uncompleted spell of Starswirl the Bearded. Do you not remember your destinies - who you were - being exchanged to identities that were not yours to live with? Twilight does, as you all helped her finish the spell and create new magic that day. Because of your friendship, you helped Twilight achieve the greatest ascension a pony could earn."
Twilight eyes opened wide, thinking back to that day of the magical mystery cure. She remembered reading Starswirl's spell, and unintentionally swapping the lives and talents of her friends, and then going around reminding them of themselves through what their friendships mean with one-another. It all resulted in returning everypony to their own identities, finishing the spell, meeting Celestia in the magical plane and-
"When I became an alicorn," Twilight said in her realization. "It was when I became a princess."
"That is correct," Luna confirmed, and continued with her explanation. "When you became an alicorn princess, you earned the rights, and the title, that came with being a princess. This kind of identity can also be applied to immediate family, just like your brother becoming a prince after becoming Cadance's husband. Although Spike, who has been by your side since you became my sister's pupil, is not connected to you in any legal manners, there is a pony that is technically in your immediately family. Through legal documents, Nyx is your daughter, and since your Princess Coronation, it means that she automatically inherited the rights and position to share the same image as you in her own identity.
"Nyx Sparkle is, as officiated with the title for Princess Twilight Sparkle, a princess of her own identity: Princess Nyx."
A surprise through silence spread across the room once more from what Luna had said. The mentioned filly and her family, however, were in a form to be audible as their jaws dropped down and left their mouths wide open. Eyes became needle pricks, and the metaphorical cogs of the younger ponies' minds failed to mesh together.
When reality clicked back on in her mind, Twilight shook her head and collected her thoughts to speak clearly. "I guess it is true," she said. "I had thought about how Nyx and Spike are both affected by my title, but I didn't actually believe she had automatically become royalty."
"Wait, I AM a princess?!" Nyx said, sounding as if she was disappointed.
Celestia took her calm demeanor to address the filly and say "According to Luna's logic, and the rules set on royal statuses, yes you are." Her attention then turned to her former student. "You had thought of this yourself, Twilight?"
The purple alicorn nodded her head. "It was a few months ago. I was teaching the fillies here some things they wanted to learn about, our Twilight Time as we started calling it. It seemed that some other fillies at their school were bullying them again, so they persuaded Nyx to remind them that their mother was a princess, and that would make her a princess, too."
Feeling like the entire room was looking at them, the four Cutie Mark Crusaders crouched down where they were sitting and flopped their ears down in embarrassment and shame. What they did back then wasn't the best of ideas to get a couple certain spoiled brats to leave them alone and show that the four of them were just as great as anypony else. Their Twilight Time was almost over for good, and Nyx was almost grounded for a good while until Nyx's trio of friends confessed everything was their fault. Twilight forgave them, so long as they learned their lesson, and that was when she told her daughter that she could be a princess, so long as she wanted the title that she turned down. Nyx just wanted to be Nyx, and Twilight was very proud of her for that decision.
However, the thought of royal status rattled around in Twilight's thoughts from time to time since then. She knew her new title would have an effect on those around her, and she has seen many examples from ponies bowing when she was present to being approached for autographs like a celebrity. Spike was never really affected by it, other than having longer checklists to help her write and check off that resulted in some more frequent claw cramps, so nopony bothered him too much about it. But for Nyx, it was a different situation of its own.
"I always thought that Nyx could fall under a royal title because of a technicality, but I didn't consider it to be something official," she went on to say. "As time went on, I began to think that it wasn't mandatory for her to be a princess, at least not until she was old enough and be asked."
"That may have been an option if time went that direction, but instead we are where we are at today," Luna stated. "As you earned your royal title, your daughter has received it as well."
"No! I don't want to be a princess!" Nyx yelled with a whining tone that would go against everything she learned about being a proper mare.
Attention was drawn towards the filly after her outburst, and Rarity was the first to address it. "Why Nyx, what reasons would you have with not wanting to be a princess?"
"Yeah! You thought you were one before, and now you really are!" Pinkie added cheerfully.
"But I don't want to be treated like a princess," Nyx said. "Ponies will start starting to see me as some kind of important pony, just like when I was Nightmare Moon, and I hated that. I don't want ponies to be forced to treat me different because I'm royal again. Why can't I just be me? Why can't I just be Nyx?"
On the verge of entering a temper tantrum again, Twilight leaned her head down and gently nuzzled her cheek, but picked her head back up to give a glare just firm enough to try and keep her in check. Luckily it worked, as it only managed to work only so often with a stronger glare or having to say something. Wanting to help as well, Cosmo took her arm once wrapped around Tails and wrapped it around Nyx.
Commenting next was Yugi, who, although with chagrin of going against the filly's feelings, went on to say "It does make sense. Anyone closely related to a king or queen, or princess in this case, does inherit their own status."
Celestia followed with "It isn't my more favorite way to approach what has been going on with Blueblood and other ponies who share his mindset, but the damage he has done brought this to our attention. If Nyx was still Nightmare Moon, then none of this would be an issue, but Nyx is not Nightmare Moon. She is a pony of her own identity with the past sins of a former identity."
"But those disbelievers, would they argue about Nyx being a princess of her own right?" Night Light began to question. "I can understand the legality of it, but that still doesn't change how Nyx's presence is as pleasing as-"
"Dad!" Twilight yelled, almost appalled by what her father was saying, the rational stallion that he was.
Luna spoke next with "My judgment on how Nyx is the pony she is today is an action that is still my responsibility. Ponies who do not appreciate that have to answer to me, because they cannot question my decisions through anypony else."
No one else could find the right words to say, other than Nyx, who just wanted to argue against the idea more and more. Twilight even tried to argue the idea, saying how her daughter had the right to choose to be a one if she wanted to again and again, but both Celestia and Luna were firm with their observations. The Master Four couldn't think of a way to help the situation, and Yugi felt guilt for accidentally causing more harm than good with his comment, but at the same time, it was not their place to say much at all.
"Do I have to be a princess?" Nyx asked, almost pleadingly.
Before one of the two sisters could reply, Tails decided to give his own say on the matter. "Like what Twilight said, only if you want to be." Eyes turned towards him as he continued to speak. "It seems like that there's another aspect we haven't touched upon yet, and that's what the title does in opening opportunities for you."
Nyx looked up at the fox curiously. "I don't care about opportunities. I just want to be me. Why do I have to be a princess and not just Nyx?" she asked.
"Well," Tails said, putting on a pondering expression as his hand was placed on his furry chin, "for starters, you couldn't avoid it if you tried. You are an alicorn after all, and so you may end up becoming Equestria's princess one way or another. Plus, seeing who your mother is, the odds are too likely you will be very excelled and become an incredibly gifted pony, maybe more than you could ever dream of. Such great potential can really come useful with protecting Equestria, just like what you promised to do and earned your cutie mark.
"Second, this means that it breaks down boundaries. No one will be able to say you are not allowed in certain places because you have rights that cannot be overruled. This would mean that, if you choose, you can place yourself wherever you think it's best for you to be at, like by Twilight's side for anything that may take place from dinners to appearances... even suites."
He began to think harder about other reasons. "Come to think of it, just because you would be a princess doesn't mean that you wouldn't always be treated as a princess. There will be anybody who will just see you as Nyx, the daughter of Twilight Sparkle, or just another filly in a group of foals. Besides, we know princes and princesses and kings and queens from all different dimension, and they let us drop formal respect if they know us so well. I don't think anyone here will have to treat you different just because you're a princess. Isn't that right, Cosmo?"
"Of course not," said the Seedrian, hugging the filly a little tighter. "We always respect someone's title and authority, but they're still our friends to the end."
Nyx felt a little comfort from that, but it still wasn't enough to shake her dislike of being a princess. Perhaps Tails was right about what he said and how true it actually was when she thought about it more. She thought of when Twilight became a princess and, with only a couple exceptions she came to understand, her friends never treated her any different than before. Anypony that got close to Twilight for that matter acted just the same, and Nyx and Spike just thought that she was just a more important pony in the eyes of Equestria, but still the same mother and caregiver to them.
Those same things could be the same in Nyx's life, yet it still wouldn't change everything. Princess or not, she needed to keep having to deal with ponies still angry at Nightmare Moon and her one-time reign. Even if Luna said they would have to answer to her if they braved to question royal judgment, not all ponies would accept it.
The whole scenario did not appeal to the alicorn filly, but it still all came down to one problem. That problem was her wanting to be a princess in the first place, and now Nyx went from being completely against the idea to becoming conflicted. She did not want the lifestyle and power that came with the title of a princess, yet the opportunities that came with it would allow her to do what Twilight could do and what the other Princesses have done themselves. She could grow up and become the greatest defender she wants to be as her cutie mark shows, protecting the citizens of Equestria from whatever threat that could lurk.
"Nyx," said Luna, interrupting Nyx's train of thought, "I know you must feel overwhelmed by this, but I'm afraid there's no changing the facts. You are a princess in your own right, and there is no escaping it when you become older. In the end, this is still a fact that I did not consider when Twilight earned her own title, and it is only fair I make this right for you. Now tell us, will you finally accept the truth and your royal title?"
Twilight began to glare at Luna with more disapprovement than before with her peer's pressuring on Nyx. Her rationality and level-headedness began to be pushed aside in order to decline in the name of Nyx as what this was being very unfair to put on a child, let alone her daughter. Her mouth opened as a breath was taken in to say-
"No."
Without a word to escape, Twilight heard Nyx give her answer. Eyes around the room jumped back and forth between the filly and Princess Luna, who began to look disapproving herself. Nyx then escaped from between Tails and Cosmo and stood on her hooves, facing Luna with a look of absolution.
"I don't want to be a princess. It's not fair. I feel like I'm pushed in a corner by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon while they bully me for being who I am, and that happens too much as it is. If I have to be a princess, I need to earn it."
Nyx's words sank in, and although Celestia raised a hoof to try and ease the filly and speak herself, Nyx went on again. "That's why I'm not going to choose until I do exactly what you did with me: I want to ask my friends and family and see what they have to say. If they think I'm good enough, then I will be a princess, but if just one of them says no, then I'm not changing my mind and I will not be a princess... at least until I'm older."
"But Nyx, there is no choice-"
"No, my sister," Celestia said, cutting off her sister with an extended wing. "She is right in her eyes, and forcing this is still not in my personal favor. Allow this and let's see where this goes."
The dark blue alicorn did not have a choice in this matter, and started to see what she had been putting Nyx through with this topic. Against her stubborn will to refuse, she just let out a long breath through her nostrils, shut her eyes, and nodded. "Very well, but if one decline is made-"
"Just be patient, Luna," Celestia insisted, trying to keep her in check. The grand alicorn then turned to Nyx with a content smile and said "Very well, Nyx. You may ask for judgment, but only those who you feel will give the strongest opinions. We can't do too many, given how many we have here already and how little some know you."
Jason leaned towards Ash and whispered "She's got a point. Perhaps we should leave this to the family."
"I know," Ash replied quietly, "but there's no leaving at this point."
"I know," Jason said, knowing his suggestion would be shot down. "Still, we'll talk to Gohan and Yugi later tonight. We're going to have to discuss how open of borders between Team JAG and Equestria should be made." Ash nodded in agreement.
The attention of everyone in the room was drawn back to Nyx, who thanked Celestia for allowing her the opportunity to judge what others have to say. "If I want to know if I'm good enough to be a princess, there's only a few here I think can give me the best answers," said the filly. She then focused on her three best friends in the world to ask first. "Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, you told Applejack what you thought how I should be punished as Nightmare Moon, and you stuck up for me. I need to know what you really think about me being a princess-"
"JUST DO IT!" yelled the Cutie Mark Crusaders in unison. Then in the same order they were named, they told their friend what they thought.
"You're goin' to be a princess no matter what. Why not now and be super important?"
"It's not like you'll have to be super important all the time. You're still you and can still be the same best friend."
"And you could be the ultimate CMC and help ponies looking for their true talents and earn their cutie marks all over Equestria!"
"So you wouldn't mind me being a princess?" Nyx asked again.
"Not at all. You practically are a princess already," replied Scootaloo, "and don't forget that we always got your back."
Nyx didn't expect anything less from her best friends, and she smiled as she felt a little better about becoming a princess. "Thanks, girls. You're the best," she told them, and the trio just stood in their spots smiling back.
"Now," she continued, "I need to know what my family thinks." She walked over to where her extended family was sitting, but closer to where her uncle and aunt were sitting. Her grandparents, not being too far away from them, were close enough to address as well.
"Uncle Shining, Aunt Cadance... Grandma and Grandpa, I want to know what you think, too. I want your opinion because you're my family, and I've already done things none of you really liked. Do you all think I should be a princess?"
Her family was not as immediate with their answers where the Crusaders didn't even let Nyx finish her question. The reason why she asked them for their opinions wasn't too hard to understand why. After all, everything Nyx has done had really started when Twilight brought her into their family, and even though they never knew Nyx directly before the Hearth's Warming after the return of Nightmare Moon, they managed to spend more time with her since. Nyx could see their minds in thought and in questioning, and she immediately began to fear them not supporting her.
But what the filly failed to see was what those thoughts actually were. Twilight Velvet, never having disapproved of Nyx as compared to her and Night Light's questioning of their daughter as a parent sooner than she should have been, thought back to that holiday season if being introduced to Nyx, and bonding with her so close that she spiraled when the filly ran away. She also thought of times that followed when Twilight and Nyx, together or just the latter, came up to Canterlot and stopped by for a visit, including the times of Twilight's coronation and during the time while Tails and Cosmo first found the ponies in Ponyville. She got to know Nyx even more and grew closer to her granddaughter, and at one point, forgot all about Nightmare Moon's reign unless it was brought up negatively, which she fought back with rage-shifting fury.
Similarly, Night Light shared the same thoughts about Twilight and Nyx's actions and decisions, but he never showed disapproval of his new granddaughter. The more he began to know Nyx, the more he saw the filly that she was, and the strong resemblance she had with both his daughter and his wife, of course more so in the former. He was never a pony to hold a grudge, or even become disgruntled or mad unless he needed to be that for his family, and even with everything Nightmare Moon had done, Night Light never took that into consideration when Nyx's adoption was finalized, just how young Twilight was to take on the role of a mother.
"To be honest, Nyx, I can't be one to tell you if you're ready or not for a lot of things," Night Light said to her. "I can't tell you if you're up for this or not, but I will do what I did for Twilight and Shining Armor. Whatever you decide, your grandmother and I will always support you, because we know you will try to make the right choices for yourself."
"So, it's not a no, right?" Nyx made sure to clarify what he was saying.
A gentle smile crossed his face as the unicorn stallion replied "I'm not saying no. I'm just saying you do what you feel is right, and we'll support you however we can."
Twilight Velvet nodded and added "Your grandpa's right, Nyx. I think you deserve to be a princess, and that's solely because I have no doubt that you'll be a great leader when you grow up, but that's up to you to decide. And to see my son, my daughters, and all my grandchildren all become such important ponies, that would make this old pony proud."
Nyx had an eyebrow arched at the last statement Velvet made. She took in what she had said prior to that, but the last part wasn't something she thought was true. "But you're not old, Nana Velvet. Who told you that?"
The grey unicorn mare couldn't help but laugh a little, charmed by her granddaughter's observations. "It's just what I am, Nyx, but you are the sweetest thing for saying that. And remember, whatever you decide here, Grandpa and I-" She was interrupted when Nyx made a quick gallop over to nuzzle between her grandparents for a moment. Both unicorns returned the affection, and let her get back to the matter at hoof. The filly walked back over to her aunt and uncle, who just said what they had to say before the question could be repeated.
"Becoming a princess does mean more responsibility and a proper image to show other ponies," Cadance said, "but you wouldn't have to worry about that for quite a while. In that time, I'm sure you'll grow up to be a great alicorn, so I have no reason why you shouldn't be a princess. Besides, it's only a title you've earned, and doesn't change who you are now."
Shining Armor followed up on that with his own thoughts. "Cadance is right, but I'm with Dad when I say it isn't my place to say much about what your choice should be. However, I will say that it's unfair for you to feel as if you don't have a choice, Nyx. Your identity is all up to you, and how you go about it are decisions you will have to face, just like how I acted at Hearth's Warming last year. If this is what you want, then your Aunt Cadance and I will have your back if anypony complains. Nopony should disrespect my niece as much as some have already."
The approval from her extended family made Nyx feel better, but not accepting, of the subject as she knows that the family she once feared wouldn't accept her have shown their loving support. She tried to walk up and hug her aunt and uncle, but ended up finding herself under Uncle Shining's playful nuggying first, and instead got a nuzzle from each of them and a hug from an open-hooved and happy Skyla. Nyx didn't try to ask the foal as the pegasus filly showed her support with a big smile and no fear as compared to how other foals have acted around her: kindness.
Then Nyx was left with only a few others to ask. She decided that, because of the little she feels she knows about the majority of Team Sonic, Team JAG and the Team JAG Band, and how short of time they've known her, it wouldn't be right to ask them such an important question. Even Twilight's friends, who were in a sense her adopted aunts, were ruled out as well, seeing as if there were just so many ponies and beings in that room and only so many she wanted to ask overall.
She walked over to where Spike was, who had still kept himself isolated however possible. When she saw him, the first time she really got a good look of him since much earlier, he looked very depressed. He looked defeated, as if he competed in every event in the Games and lost every time. She took a minute to reconsider asking him what he thought of her being a princess and put the attention onto him instead. He just laid against the furniture, not having any investment to show, even if how he felt differed. Spike didn't need to be dragged into something when Nyx thought he'd need others more than she would, because that's what she learned about families doing that for each other.
That's the word that she wanted to focus on next: family. Her family, her mother and brother, who had stuck by her side longer than anypony else. Above all others, what they had to say would have the most importance for her, but to see one of them upset, clearly more than how she felt at that moment, made her own issues seem meaningless. She'd rather ignore the very alicorn that granted her the life to be with her family in order to help those that could use her however she could help. Her cutie mark defined her as the pony who would help others who would need her. Her family were those she would do anything for no matter what, just as they did for her.
She put her intentions aside. She couldn't worry about being a princess when she sees her brother in such a crippling state. Sitting down and facing him, she gave a try in getting his attention.
"Spike? Why do you look so sad? What's wrong?" Spike didn't give Nyx a response, keeping his eyes staring out in a glare as the sound of hoofsteps of an approaching mare making her way over. "Are you sad about before, Spike?" Still no answer. "Is it from Tails and Cosmo's story? Talk to me, please." Nyx put a hoof on his shoulder and leaned her head in closer in hope of gaining his attention. The most she got was his eyes making a quick glance over to her, and then darted back to look into an empty space.
"You should do it," he finally said, but his voice sounding hollow and no enthusiasm to show. "You deserve to be a princess, and to be recognized as a hero ponies forget you actually are. Take the honor and don't do what I would when you get it."
Nyx was taken aback by Spike's words. What he said was supportive, but it didn't have the feel of support that those words would emit. She knew that it wasn't that he didn't care, because she knows that he cares about her and their family very much. It just seemed that what was happening with his time during the Equestria Games was taking a far worse toll on him than many would anticipate. But the filly knew her brother, and the way he was acting wasn't going to be broken through easy, not unless some sort of extreme was taken to get him to snap out of his behavior and break through to him with such opportunity.
She knew it wouldn't do much, but Nyx leaned her head in and gave a "Thank you" to the little dragon, and then nuzzled the side of his face. As expected, he didn't try to do anything back during the nuzzle. But as she began to pull her head back up, he reached an arm around her neck and brought her head back down for a quick cheek-to-cheek kind of hug. His eyes were shut for the moment the hug lasted, and he said nothing else, but it was just the kind act Nyx's family has always shown her. When the hug broke, she picked her head back up as Spike repositioned himself into his solemn state of attempted absence.
That left the last one in her family for Nyx to ask. Although the opinion was probably what she expected, Nyx felt that it was only right for her to hear the full truth in order for her decision to have proper judgment. She walked around, sat down, and began to ask her mother for her thoughts.
"Twilight, you're the only pony left I really need to ask. You know I don't want to be a princess more than anypony, and you don't like me being forced to be one like this. But I need to know this because there's nopony I trust more than you." Nyx's eyes stared up, showing her curiosity but some worry as well.
"Do I have to be a princess? I don't want to be one, but if I do have to become a princess, do I need to be treated and act like one every day? Would I be good enough to be a princess someday, a princess just like you? Would you support me no matter what I choose?"
The answers to those questions were ones Twilight already expressed to Luna and Celestia. She did not want her daughter to be forced in a corner and accept something that shouldn't be forced on anypony. But that was her opinion, which couldn't be Nyx's decision.
If anything, Nyx was handling this very well, and very maturely too. She made her choice already, and yet she was willing to change her mind by asking her family and best friends for their opinions. It was exactly what she had intended, to act as how Luna did when the Princess of the Night had to make her own judgment on how the former Nightmare Moon needed to answer to her actions. On top of that, Twilight became a princess in a similar method, but her title was one she earned through her studies on friendship and magic, and the combination of the two, something that weighed on her mind as she argued earlier.
Perhaps, just perhaps, she was wrong. Maybe Nyx did deserve to be a princess. Disregarding how the title would be given, it was something that would have to be focused on after Nyx had gotten older. If it was inevitable, would it be best to deal with it right then and there? Maybe it would be best to-
"Twilight?"
That's when Twilight realized that, as she was taking her time to think, she left an awkward silence in the room. She noticed that the eyes of everyone in the room were focused onto her as they waited for her opinion. If it wasn't for Nyx saying her name, she may have not snapped out of her thoughts for a while longer. She raised a hoof to her chest and exercised Cadance's breathing technique, and then looked down at her daughter to weigh in on the subject.
"I'm sorry, Nyx," she said apologetically. "I don't think you deserve to be a princess like this. Like you said, you want to earn the position of a princess, just like how I did." Nyx began to drop her head, her ears drooping and her eyes trying to form tears. Twilight reached a hoof down and raised her head back to finish.
"Don't cry, Nyx. I'm not done yet. As inevitable as this is, this is up to you and you alone. You told me you didn't want to be a princess and to just be you, and I think that you're just as special being just you as you would be a princess. If you want to change your mind, I will not stop you. I will support you no matter what you choose. Yes, some ponies will give you some different treatment if you become a princess, but you don't need to be a princess every day. You should be who you choose to be every day, and no matter what you decide-"
"I'll always be your little girl?" Nyx interrupted with a smile and a more positive attitude.
"Yes, you'll always be my sweet little filly. Princess or not, no matter what may happen. You'll always be my little pony, my little Nyx Sparkle." Twilight paused at the thought of pronouncing her daughter's name. "You know, I never thought of that."
"Thought of what?" asked Tails.
"I don't think I ever mentioned this before," the alicorn repeated, and then explained herself. "When I filled out the adoption papers, I had to choose what Nyx's second name would be or check off one of two boxes. One box said there was no second name, and the other saying it was open for Nyx to change when she was old enough. I was so excited about it all that I gave Nyx my second name. It may have been selfish of me, but I wanted her to be as close to her family as she could be."
"And that decision is what strengthens the reasons Nyx is a princess," Luna stated. "The adoption papers on file showed Nyx's name as Nyx Sparkle, hence the closer connection with you, Twilight. The files were more than enough to support my reasons, but it was your desire to have her as close to your family as possible that supports it even greater."
Nyx had turned her head back from facing Luna for those few moments, looking at her mother in disbelieving joy. "You really shared your name with me? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Because the morning I got back from Canterlot to finalize the adoption, you tackled me to the floor for a hug before I could show you. Then you began to jump around the room like Pinkie Pie to let out your excitement." Twilight had a small laugh while Nyx blushed in embarrassment.
"But Nyx, I want you to remember that whatever you choose to be, you will always be Nyx Sparkle. Knight Nyx Sparkle, Princess Nyx Sparkle, Cutie Mark Crusader Nyx Sparkle, and whatever else you can be, that will never change who you are. Everybody who cares about you, especially those in here, will support what you choose, and I promise to do the same."
Nyx felt a lot better after hearing all of that, and even more so after the new nugget of information about her new second name. 'Nyx Sparkle' echoed in her mind over and over, and she enjoyed the sound of it the more it repeated. She sat up on her hooves and walked up to nuzzle against her mother's neck, all the while wearing the happiest smile. "Thank you, Twilight. You're the best mom ever."
Twilight reciprocated with wrapping a leg around the filly's back and leaned her head down to kiss her on the forehead. "Have you made your decision?" she asked. Nyx nodded her head while she was still nuzzling. "Then go ahead and tell Celestia and Luna."
The embrace was broken, and Nyx took a deep breath before she turned around to face the Royal Sisters. Her questions were answered by her closest friends and family, and as her mother said, she felt supported by everybody else she called a friend. Her face showed confidence and absolution behind a strong grin and focused eyes. She took two steps forward to face the princess, the only two she was allowed before a voice stopped her.
"Wait, Nyx," Cosmo said, "would you mind hearing one more opinion?"
Nyx turned her head towards the nearby Seedrian, her once confident face now expressing curiosity. "You have one, too?"
Cosmo nodded, and she got up from her seat to walk in front of Nyx and kneel down to be as close to eye level as their different heights can get. "I know you've only known me for a couple days, and Tails and all our friends from Team JAG, too. However, I wanted to tell you something that I discovered about you after all the time we spent together and all that we learned about one-another. You see, it may not make too much sense to you, but I see you as a kindred spirit."
"What's a kindred spirit?"
"It means Cosmo sees something about you that she also sees about herself," Tails answered for the curious filly, before allowing his beloved to continue.
"You see, Nyx, you and I are a lot alike. Much like how you felt lost about who you were and what you were meant to be, I had to deal with that myself when I traveled with everyone on the Blue Typhoon fighting the Metarex. I didn't know what I was meant to do, what my purpose was, but during the final battle of the Metarex War, I made that discovery. Just like how it took you realizing what you did as Nightmare Moon was not what you wanted to be and felt lost, I felt lost period. But then I discovered what I was to my friends, what I was meant to do for my galaxy, and regardless of what happened with that final battle, I got my second chance.
"You felt lost as Nightmare Moon, and then you discovered what kind of pony you believed you were meant to be. You weren't a threat, you were a guardian, a hero who others could count on to help. I had my confidence in knowing who I was and what I wanted to be for everyone I cared for, and I see that same spirit inside of you. That's why I have absolute confidence that, whatever your decision is, you would be an incredible pony and a wonderful princess. You have the support of so many who care about you - your friends, your family, your mother and brother - just know that you have the support from Tails and I, too."
Tails kept sat in his seat with his arms crossed and a smug grin. "No one could word that even better. Of course she'll have our support," he said.
Nyx reached up on her hind legs to wrap her forehooves around Cosmo's neck for a hug. Cosmo gladly returned the gesture and had the hug last the few seconds that it did. When she got back on her hooves, the filly said "Thanks. I'm glad my mom's friends support me, too."
"No, Nyx," Tails said, having the need to correct her. "We're not just Twilight's friends. We're also your friends, so don't ever forget that, either."
After giving an affirming nod, Nyx asked for Cosmo to let her pass. She then walked up towards the Royal Sisters, more specifically Luna, and wore the same look on her face as she did before Cosmo decided to say something. It was finally time to share her judgment to the very alicorn that granted Nyx her life as it is.
"Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, before I tell you what my decision is, can I say something?"
"Of course," Celestia replied.
The filly took a deep breath, keeping herself calm when she was feeling very nervous deep down. "I just want to say thank you. It means a lot to me how much you care about me to have time with Twilight and my family and friends. One day I hope to be just as important to other ponies like any princess, but not too soon." Luna's eyebrow arched, sensing the answer wasn't going to be to her liking. "With all due respect, I refuse to be a princess."
"WHAT?!" Multiple voices across the room cried out simultaneously upon hearing Nyx's decision. The Princess of the Night, however, only showed a disliking frown on her face.
"I don't care if I am a princess, but I don't choose to be one. Twilight worked hard and earned to become a princess, and if that's the case for anypony, then I'd rather do the same if I don't have a choice. I want to enjoy being who I am, to be Nyx Sparkle, but not be a princess if it means it's forced upon me."
The words sunk in with everybody for a minute. Each one that Nyx had asked for their opinions were the same, to support her no matter what the choice was, and this was the resulting judgment. With all the positive reinforcement, some would admit that they thought she'd accept her royal title. Instead, they saw a filly who knew what she wanted and who she wanted to be, just like how she surrendered to the Royal Sisters. It may not have been the result some had anticipated, but something stronger took that place. They were proud of Nyx and her stance, and nopony felt more proud than Twilight.
As for the Royal Sisters, Celestia just stood in place calmly and collectively, maintaining a poise that kept her still as stone. Luna was very different and more expressive. "Nyx, I do respect your judgment, but I'm afraid one fact still stands. You are a princess's daughter, and as such you inherit the title whether you want it or not. Ponies will recognize you as-"
"No thank you," Nyx interrupted.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm sorry, Princess Luna, but no thank you. I don't want to be a princess like this. If I have to be one, let me earn that right. I want to be my own pony, but I want to earn things just like Twilight did."
"I'm afraid that isn't an option. You are a prin-"
"Luna, stop." Celestia interjected between the two alicorns before things could escalate, and knowing her former pupil, she knew that more ponies would be involved. "Nyx has made her choice."
"B-but my sister, surely you don't suggest we let it go like this. Nyx is, to her right, a-"
"A pony of her own free will, Luna. We have to respect that. I do agree with you, and that Nyx has the right to be a princess. That, however, cannot change what Nyx chooses for herself, and we have to take her wishes into consideration." She paused to let a gentle smile form on her lips. "Perhaps we can find a different avenue to take and form a compromise."
This was the point Twilight had to step up beside her daughter. She didn't know what the princess had in mind, but much like how she wanted to be in the same room where Luna's judgment was passed, she needed to make sure she was at Nyx's side. "What kind of compromise, Celestia?"
Celestia, having a more optimistic tone in the idea she had in mind, looked down at Twilight to make her reply. "If Nyx only wants to be a princess by earning the title one day, then let's settle on what that day will be..."
/)∞(\
The description Shadow made was very accurate to a certain fox. The night sky was a marvelous sight in the Crystal Empire's skies. The stars were beautifully designed, and the occasional aura from the Crystal Heart made it even more beautiful. Tails, unable to fall asleep quite yet, stared up at the night sky lost in thought. Not wanting to disturb his beloved, he left the bedroom they shared to look out the window in the Team JAG Band's practice room, where he wouldn't disturb anyone as no one wished to practice so late into the night.
His mind was racing with everything that had transpired during the last couple days, more so from the most recent moments. He shared the history of creating his relationship with Cosmo in full detail for the ponies and princesses, his darkest memories resurfacing to front of his mind once more. It wasn't something he regretted, because he and Cosmo chose to tell the story as a compromise of learning of Nyx's history, but it didn't change how much he would hurt from it. Cosmo felt the same, if not more, from those memories, and yet she was sound asleep in bed as he could not sleep.
The discussion following the history of the first Metarex War was an equal reason for being awake. Princess Luna addressing Nyx's royal title was something no one, especially him and his friends, would see coming, as it seemed too private to bring up with the large group that was together. How it was handled by the Princesses, and most of all Nyx, was very impressive and understandably conflicting with the Sparkle family. Yet the end result, the suggested compromise from Princess Celestia, found a way to meet both sides in the middle and avoid inner conflict between ponies. The subject, although very important to Nyx and Twilight, was handled better than Tails found in several worlds from his travels with Team JAG and his friends.
But from that unexpected conversation, Tails's thoughts stirred around. Was it necessary to go to such lengths to let a mother and daughter enjoy quality time together without having to worry about others' judgments? Is the judgment Luna had given Nyx needed to be taken by such a young filly? Did the telling of his and Cosmo's love life go into too much detail for the younger ponies to take in, or give a wrong impression to the three princesses who heard it all for the first time? How would it affect relationships between Equestria and all the worlds beyond the nation?
More and more questions surfaced in his mind, but at one point he needed to stop thinking. Perhaps he was taking the events of the past and present too seriously, and not taking the after the fact of it all into consideration. Cosmo was happy, his friends from home and the Band were happy, his Equestria friends were happy, not taking the downsides of their time at the Games and having it weigh down their spirits. That is, saving one certain baby dragon.
Before his train of thought could continue, the two-tailed fox began to sense something. He sensed a very faint power level, coming from outside the practice room and in the hallways. Weak it may have been, it was drawing closer to him, making it easier to pinpoint just how close the source was. Only when it reached the room's door was he able to read whose energy signature that was, and found it standing still on the other side.
The door creaked open and revealed a magical glow emitting a couple feet off the ground. The figure stepping inside was indeed one of the ponies, as the source of light was the purple aura of a certain mare's magic. However, the light from the magic revealed a concerned look across the mare's face, and dark lines underneath her eyes from lack of sleep.
It looked like Tails was in for some company after all, and perhaps a long discussion with one of the princesses. “Couldn’t sleep either, Twilight?” he asked the entering alicorn.
"Spike doesn't want to let what happened go, does he?"
"I guess not. You saw him packing his stuff. Looks like he just wants to go home and forget about the Games."
"That's how he gets when he feels upset. He won't want to have to do anything with anypony until he gets over it."
Reminding Spike that the final rounds of the Equestria Games were underway was answered with a dragon in depressed apathy. He remained back in the palace to pack things and be left alone until everypony was ready to head back to Ponyville the next morning. The Cutie Mark Crusaders felt sorry for their friend, wishing that they'd enjoy the rest of the Games with the entire group together. Nyx gave them silent denial that they'd get through to him, so they left to join the others in the arena, being escorted by Tails and Cosmo.
The six were fairly silent about the subject until they were within the arena halls, which were practically vacant as everyone was crammed in the stands for the remaining couple events. The only ponies they saw were the security guards, making sure to still negate the magic of any pony to enter, including the small number of alicorns. When Nyx had to have her magic negated after Sweetie Belle, the guard monitoring the negation gates showed more pleasure of doing so than was necessary for anypony to show. It took Cosmo escorting her away, and a frightfully cold glare from Tails at the guard to keep the pony back.
Following their entrance, the subject of Spike was brought back up by Apple Bloom, resulting in the other Crusaders talking about it. They felt sorry for him, but didn't know how to help him out. The four fillies went around in circles over the subject, only to come to the same conclusion.
"There's no talking through to him. I guess we'll just have to wait until dinner to see if he feels any better," Sweetie Belle said.
"I guess so," Nyx said. "I just don't like not being able to help him out. He is my brother and stuck out for me when I needed help, and I don't like not being able to do the same."
"We know. Spike's just as stubborn as Applejack competin' with Rainbow Dash. That won't stop us from enjoyin' the rest of the Games," Apple Bloom added.
"I suppose not," Tails commented, but any thought of continuing the subject halted when the group approached one of the two stops. "Well here's where you're going, Crusaders. Our friends shouldn't be too far down the stairs from when you enter the stands."
On the walk over, the two-tailed fox offered to jump up and see where everybody was sitting at, like how he jumped in the air with Nyx the other day. For this trip, he took Scootaloo up for an overhead view of the arena, looking down at the sea of ponies as he spotted where the others were at. Since the six were splitting up here to go to different seats, Tails made sure that at least one of the fillies knew where to go and help lead the others.
The now two groups bid their farewells, with three Crusaders going down to the stands and leaving the rest in the corridor. Tails, Cosmo and Nyx had to walk their way up a few more floors in order to reach their destination, but fortunately enough, having to walk or fly wasn't a necessary option. Picking up Nyx into one of her arms, Cosmo rested her open hand on the fox's shoulder, who focused himself to use the same technique to get to the arena yesterday. His eyes showed his focus while placing his left hand's index and middle fingers on his forehead, pictured the destination in his head, and before anyone could say anything, the trio vanished.
They reappeared a few floors above, right outside the corridor towards the Royal Suite. When they appeared, they found Twilight standing there waiting for them. Nyx got her hooves back on the ground and walked up beside her mother, giving her a quick nuzzle against Twilight's lower neck, to which she gave in return on top of the filly's head. The smile Twilight wore was one both Tails and Cosmo could tell was fairly forced, and the former had the better idea why.
"Ready for the rest of the Games, Twilight?" Cosmo asked.
"I am," Twilight replied, "especially now I can finally enjoy it with Nyx. Princess Luna has prepared a special surprise just for her out in the suite."
A shocked look appeared on Nyx's face. "A surprise?!"
"Yes, one she had specially done last night. She had this planned before we got together for the story yesterday. I didn't know about it until I got here earlier."
"Then let's go see it," Tails said. "You all ready?"
"Yeah!" Nyx said happily. Twilight, however, only nodded behind a now less forced smile. She motioned a hoof to let Tails lead them, but he motioned his hand to allow her to do so instead. She obliged, and led herself and Nyx down the corridor as the Mobian couple followed. Cosmo used this opportunity to help her newfound curiosity. She leaned her head close to her beloved's ear to whisper.
"Does Twilight seem nervous to you?"
"A little," he whispered in return. "She's concerned about how everypony out there is going to react."
"But Celestia's compromise should help avoid that."
"Well we're about to find out..."
The quartet walked their way out of the corridor and into the Royal Suite, and their eyes laid on everyone in attendance. Along with the dignitaries the Royal Sisters invited and all but one of the other very important ponies, the Master Four sat on the same bench as the dignitaries, leaving enough space at the end for Tails and Cosmo in front of Twilight's chair. Then, after a second-long glance of the packed arena of ponies, they found Nyx's surprise: a throne.
It was her very own throne, placed between Twilight and Celestia's, colored a dark shade of purple with the filly's cutie mark carved on the backboard. Just by looking at it and compared to the other thrones, Nyx's was indeed brand new in its appearance, having that brand new shine to it compared to the thrones that were made weeks ahead of the Games. It was even proportioned to fit the filly's smaller stature, being about half the height and just over half the width. On the seat sat her very own cushion for her to sit comfortably.
It was indeed a surprise for Nyx to see, regardless of last night's discussion. She didn't think that the Princesses would act on their compromise so quickly that it would give her a guaranteed place beside Twilight. The offer Celestia gave yesterday began to echo in her conscious as a reminder for what she agreed to-
"If you don't wish to become a Princess unless you want to earn the title, then your title is one you will earn later on. Upon your eighteenth birthday, if you do not earn your title before then, we will hold your Princess Coordination in Canterlot. Until then, you will be granted a limited amount of liberties through your connection with Twilight Sparkle, including attending events where Equestrian Princesses are required to attend. This way, you are not forced to have a royal title while you enjoy your childhood and become a grown mare of your own. However, Luna's judgment will not be suspended from these conditions, nor will how ponies may or may not treat you after Luna and myself decree your status. But in the end, you still have full royal privileges in order to spend however much time with Twilight you wish."
Nyx may have loathed the idea of princesshood, but if it meant treatments such as this, to be with her family and friends without question, who was she to argue? She jumped up onto her throne and sat down, facing down towards the current competition taking place on the field surrounded by the thousands of spectators in the stands. There was no way she could control the smile that crossed her face, or her dragon-esque eyes darting from corner to corner to see all the sights there were. Fortunately, she was speechless, otherwise she would be running her mouth a mile a minute with excitement.
Twilight took her seat as Tails and Cosmo sat before the mother and daughter on the bench below. Nyx finally made a sound with a joyous little squeal as she sat comfortably on her throne so happily. She then heard somepony greet her, and looked towards the lowest tier bench to see it was from Fancy Pants. He, along with Fleur and Cherry Jubilee and several others, had their heads turned towards her to either verbally greet her or wave a hoof hello, making her feel welcome to the Suite. But turning her head towards the dignitaries and Master Four, the two ponies from Maretonia paid the arriving alicorns no attention.
"Glad to see you finally made it," Cadance commented, trying to echo her voice from the opposite end of the line of thrones. "Looks like you like your new seat, don't you Nyx?"
The filly nodded. "It's fantastic! Thanks so much!"
"You are welcome, Nyx," Luna replied. "Twilight, if you could please..."
"Of course," said the purple mare, and then she leaned her head down next to her daughter's. "Nyx, I know you don't like having to be fancy, but you need to watch how you behave here. Be calmer and more collected of yourself, okay?"
A frown of disappointment crossed Nyx's lips at that request. It was part of the compromise that she'd had to swallow down her personal preferences and act as a member of royalty, which she wasn't fond of in the past. "You mean like how I was queen?" she whispered back.
Twilight nodded gently and replied with "Not all the time, but when in a setting like this, you need to behave. Just remember the lessons Rarity has taught you and you'll be just fine."
"Okay," sighed the filly.
"Look at it this way, Nyx; we finally get to spend time together during the Games. Isn't that what I- I mean, we, wanted all along?"
Nyx began to laugh, unable to control herself. "Y-yeah, it is. I guess that's totally worth it," she managed to say. Her mother laughed a little herself, and then the two sat up properly to watch the Games currently taking place.
The mother and daughter caught the sight of the Mobian couple in front of them, smiling at the adorable sight of the bonding family. The two turned around to sit more comfortably, but not before Tails looked down the row to wave and greet the others. The Master Four responded in the same manner, but the ponies from Saddle Arabia and Maretonia only glanced over with their eyes. They raised no hoof, nor a verbal greeting. They just made their glance and focused back on the current event.
The couple felt taken aback by this. After what happened during the last couple of days, they hoped for at least getting along with everypony they had met, but it seemed clear that the efforts ultimately failed. Tails could only mentally kick himself as he looked back at what happened with Blueblood yesterday and how it applied to how he and his beloved were now being treated. He decided to push the matter to the back of his mind, because that wasn't the important thing to focus on. He and Cosmo were with friends, Nyx was with her mother, and the Equestria Games were still taking place, so it was more important to him to enjoy who he was with and where he was.
But little to his knowledge, Celestia was more than aware of the damage done.
/)∞(\
Ice Archery, the last competition of the Equestria Games, was well underway. The competing ponies were going as fast and precisely as possible, trying to land one of their arrows on their respective targets in order to coat them in a magically-created sheet of ice. It was a competition with many stakes for the competitor, including the overall won medal count, a count which Ponyville could come out on top on at competition's end. All eyes were focused on this last event; all, that is, except for one princess and one dragon.
"Honestly, Spike, I don't see why you're being so hard on yourself," Twilight said, escorting her number one assistant into the arena. After seeing how Nyx didn't know what Spike was up to and going down to find her friends to not find him there, she went back to the castle and bring him out of his self-imposed isolation from everypony.
"I let everypony down - twice," Spike replied, keeping his identity 'hidden' with sunglasses, a hat and a coat. "You never let anypony down, so you have no idea what that's like."
Twilight stopped short upon hearing this, taken aback by that. "Are you kidding? I've totally let ponies down, even you and Nyx. That's not the point. The torch got lit, the aerial relay teams got their medals, no harm, no foul."
Spike didn't register those words in his head, himself more focused on how they exited the corridor and were inches from the playing field. "Can we at least watch them from here?" he asked, motioning a hoof back towards the corridor. "I'm not sure I'm ready to face crowds in the stands just yet."
Little did the two notice was the incident that took place out on the field. A mistake made from one of the competitors accidentally sent one of the magical arrows soaring into the air. The arrow made contact with one of the clouds hovering over the stadium, the magic turning the once collected cumulus into a solid block of ice, its sudden new weight bringing it down to crash somewhere within the arena walls. Rainbow Dash and other pegasi all across the arena went into action in attempt to slow it down, but their efforts proved to be in vein as the ice cloud continued to drop.
"Somepony cut the disabling spell!" called out Shining Armor.
"There's no time!" was the only response security could give.
Within the next few seconds, there were many simultaneous occurrences. Ponies panicked everywhere in the arena, unsure of what was to come. Team Sonic and members of the Team JAG Band began to act in ways to protect everypony. Those with speed raced to various corners of the stands, those of strength prepared to use their might to power against the ice, and those with other skills focused on keeping ponies sheltered. However, it was two figures that took the matter into their own hands.
"Rainbow! Fluttershy! Move!!!"
"Spike, jump on!!!"
Without magic to assist and the pegasi not quick enough to get their strength in numbers, Spike jumped into action and hopped up on the backs of several airborne pegasi to gain height. At the dragon's call, the pegasi closest to the ice cloud dispersed immediately, but he was still not as close as he needed to be. That's when he heard Tails call out to him, and landed his feet on the back of the fast-flying fox, propelling himself as his two tails needed him to go. A quick sight from the corner of his eye noticed the Master Four were standing where they sat prepared to take action, but did nothing.
"Hang on tight," the fox said, and flew straight up in the air. As Spike held on his shoulders, Tails reached his hands out above him and pushed against the ice. "I'll lift this thing high enough where nopony can get harmed. You take care of the rest."
"Got it," Spike responded.
It took a moment, but Tails managed to use his strength to stop the ice cloud from falling, keeping it still in the air. He pushed up with all his might, managing to elevate it back up into the sky, but it was heavier than anticipated. His plan was working, but his pace wasn't quick enough to his perspective.
"Guess I'm going to need some extra power for this," he thought to himself, his mouth only able to emit growls of his effort. The growls began to make way for a great yell from Tails as he tapped into his inner powers to unleash. Before Spike or anypony watching knew it, the last few seconds of the yelling revealed Tails in his Super Saiyan form, a sight the Mane 6 and several others have seen before, but a first for Nyx, the other Princesses, and the rest of Equestria.
As the bright golden aura shined around the two, Tails grunted out his extra power to lift the ice cloud above him and Spike on his back. It showed success as he kept flying higher into the air. It the seconds it took to reach the highest rim of the arena, the Master Four called out to him that he was clear, and with one last effort-making yell, he shoved the ice cloud up higher into the air.
That was when Spike took his action. He jumped off Tails's back so that the fox could get his hands under the dragon's feet and lunge him up in the air. Taking his deepest breath in, Spike blew out a powerful stream of dragon fire and struck the ice. The fire's heat melted the ice cloud down behind a cloud of steam, shrouding the dragon and fox within it. Everybody below to still see a minimum glow of the fire's light, but only briefly.
Twilight was the first to notice her friends falling down from the steam, one more controlled over descent than the other. Tails let Spike grab hold of his back again as they made their way down to the ground, and melted ice water above them following down. To keep those in the arena safe from a soaking, the Master Four used some of their own energy to push the rainfall more towards the center of the arena. The results of everything they did was Tails and Spike landing just outside the corridor where Twilight was watching, the former's Super Saiyan aura still glowing around them as the rainwater came crashing down onto the ground.
When the water stopped falling, the crowd erupted in a celebratory cheer. If he didn't know better, Tails would say it was the most vociferous cheer he's heard from the ponies throughout all the Equestria Games. Spike, however, looked around in surprise, not expecting for everypony to cheer for him like that, not after the last couple of days. Next thing they knew, the sounds of running steps and flapping wings came within earshot.
"That. Was. AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, she and the other Mane 6, along with Cosmo and Nyx, making their appearance. All looked overjoyed, especially the two-tailed fox's beloved.
"You were great, Tails. You helped save everybody," Cosmo said. She wrapped her arounds around his neck and gave him a loving hug.
"It wasn't a big deal, Cosmo. You know that," replied the fox, sounding modest. She pulled back from the hug so that she could kiss his cheek, which caused a slight hint of red to appear through his white furry cheeks.
"It's a big deal to everypony out there," Pinkie Pie said, pointing a hoof out at the roaring, cheering fans. "You're a hero here, too!"
"You have our eternal gratitude for what you've done. Thank you, Tails." The sound of another's voice was heard as several others appeared with the rest of the group. Spike showed no notice, just standing still and mute at what praise was going around. He felt a hoof on his shoulder, and turned his head to notice Princess Cadance, who spoke her thanks to Tails, along with Celestia, Luna, the Master Four, and Sonic. "I just wanted to thank you personally for saving everyone and the Games, O Great and Honorable Spike, the Brave and Glorious," said the pink alicorn as she bowed down to the dragon in respect.
"Great work thinking fast like that," Sonic added, giving Spike a thumbs-up with his hand. "You must be very proud."
"Yeah, I guess."
"YOU GUESS?!"
Spike's glum and apathetic response was not what anyone expected. How could someone not have some pride in their great work was the thought in their minds, and it was too curious to leave alone. "Why do you just guess?" Nyx asked.
"I just saw what needed to be done and reacted. Just so happens I can breathe fire, and... if any of you could do that you would do the same. Tails helping out just made it easier to get the job done," explained the dragon.
"Forgive me for bein' blunt Spike, but you're not makin' a lick of sense," said a puzzled Applejack.
Spike only grunted and replied with "It's just how I feel."
The Master Four shared a glance with once-another, and then with the three Mobians with them. They were familiar with such behavior themselves throughout their years, some more so than others. Looking back on past adventures in his memories, Tails said "You know you did something great, but feel no pride because of your previous actions."
That's when Twilight, having been hovering in the air with Rainbow Dash, came to a conclusion to Spike's dilemma. "Wait a minute, I think I got it!" she said, landing on the ground next to Spike, whose back was turned to her. "You keep saying you let everypony down, but we all keep saying you didn't. You know who is disappointed in you, Spike?
"You, and only you can make it right with you again. What would that take, Spike?"
"I don't know. Can you turn back time? 'Cause I'd sure like a do-over on that opening ceremony."
Spike's hopeless-toned reply was answered with a more optimistic sounding Cadance. "We can't turn back time, but would you do me the great honor of lighting the fireworks in the closing ceremony tonight? It's the last thing we do before ponies will go on the field for the concert."
"That sounds like a great idea," Cosmo commented.
"Come on, Spike," Twilight said with an encouraging smile. "You saved the Crystal Empire - twice! I think you can light some fireworks."
Spike picked his head up, seeing the sight of Cadance, Celestia and Luna nodding in agreement. Looking around, he saw Sonic and the Master Four giving him confident smiles, as well as the other ponies and Tails and Cosmo nodding too. He then felt Nyx nudging his side with a hoof, and turned his focus to see her give an encouraging expression herself.
"You should do it, Spike," she said, "and you shouldn't feel disappointed in yourself. Anypony can mess up sometimes."
Taking the idea and everyone's support to mind, Spike took a moment to consider it. With a shrug of his shoulders, he made his choice. "Mmm... I guess I have to at least give it a shot."
Everypony cheered in joy at the dragon's choice, happy to hear him give his efforts another chance. Tails, Cosmo and the others smiled, a couple of them patting him on the back. It helped him manage to break a smile out for the first time all day, a showing that he was beginning to feel better and not so disappointed in himself. With that, the group started to disperse in their respective directions, with the majority returning to their respective seats as Spike and Cadance remained behind to make their way out to the field to oversee having the closing ceremonies prepared.
As for the Master Four, they made their way back to the Crystal Castle and begin to recollect most of the Team JAG Band. During their trek, Jason used a handheld device to contact the two stage managers and architects to begin their work for the night's big event.
"Phineas, Ferb, they're preparing closing ceremonies. Get the Band to meet us behind the stands where we need the stage and then do your thing."
"You got it."
"Also, I need you to relay a message to them. We'll need to make an adjustment with at least one song for an extra guest. Access the Team JAG database for lyrics of all the songs in tonight's set, and prepare a headset microphone for use..."
"Will everypony with their hoofbands please enter the field at this time... the concert begins in ten minutes!"
The waving flags, the marching troops, and the fireworks firing off in the sky began the closing ceremonies of the Equestria Games. It was a marvelous display for everypony, and they roared in cheers as they saw Spike set off the fireworks as he watched them go off with newfound confidence and self-praise. It was all an appropriate way for Equestria to send off their annual competition and celebrate the spirit of competition between fellow ponies.
But the night was far from done.
In the time it took to prepare for closing ceremonies on the ponies' part, Team JAG's best stagehands, Phineas and Ferb, used their unique know-how and skills to build a massive stage within the confides of the arena. The stage was set opposite to the still blazing torch and adjacent to the Royal Suite, all of which was hidden behind a semi-solid black curtain. Because of this, the ponies in the stands that would've been unable to see the stage properly were asked to leave their seats, and in return were given hoofbands to enter and be part of the standing crowd on the competing grounds. After them, anypony else was welcome to step down from the stands and find space on the field.
In mere minutes, the green grass of the arena grounds became covered by the many different coat colors of ponies. From just a few feet of the front of the stage stretching all the way under the mounted torch, ponies filled the grounds and left just enough room for themselves to move and breathe. The gathered mass still only made a small dent in the audience still up in the stands. Team Sonic and their Ponyville friends remained in the same location below the Royal Suite, content with the sitting view they managed to obtain all day. Compared to there, the Royal Suite was absent of several of its VIPs.
Within the backstage area of the newly erected stage, the entire Team JAG Band was at work preparing themselves for their performance. Some practiced their guitar work in silence with headphones. Others were going over the night's setlist and know what, and who, to cue at certain points. One stage manager and a Master Four member were preparing things at the command deck behind the scenes while another of each were out above many ponies at the 'front-of-house' location that was the Games' torch.
Over in a corner, Cosmo sat quietly and happily next to one of Equestria's princesses on a tour crate. They were watching Tails, kneeled down with a guitar strapped on his back, was giving some last instructions to two of the Band's special guests to join them at certain points of the night. After an offer made by the Master Four to the Crystal Empire's favorite hero, a last second change was made to how one of the songs would be performed, so Tails offered to take it upon himself to make sure things would make the change possible.
Tails did well to make sure the two knew their roles, and they in turn made sure to take it seriously so things would go off without a hitch. Without too much more that could be done to prepare, an unseen timer that the Band was aware off signaled off with less than five minutes being left before show time. This was brought to the attention of Tails and Cosmo's group when Ash and Ferb appeared out of thin air, courtesy of the former's ability of instant transmission.
"Five minutes to go. Time for the huddle," Ferb said to the two-tailed fox.
"Good. Let's find the others," Tails replied, getting back up on his feet. Cosmo got up and walked alongside him, and the trio that was the Sparkle family walked along his opposite side. Spike held onto a pair of drumsticks and a headset microphone in his claws with the happiest face anyone saw him wear in days, and Nyx, although not needing anything until much later on, was just as giddy and excited as any filly would be. The group managed to find the rest of the Band gathered around the center of the backstage area, standing under the highest tier of the stage setup on the other side.
Gohan took a quick headcount of the gathered group to make sure everyone was there. "Good, everybody's here. Are we all set to go?"
"Special effects and pyrotechnics are good to go," Phineas commented, holding a strange device with a bright screen on it.
"Instruments are tuned and ready to go," added Ron, holding one of his guitars he would play later on.
"Got the setlist all up here," Yumi added as she tapped her cranium with her finger.
"Excellent," Yugi said. "As for the new changes, how are we on that, Tails?"
Tails gave a confident grin and a thumbs-up gesture. "We're all set. Spike and Nyx know what to do and when to do it. The rest of the CMC will join us a few songs before the main set ends."
"Great work, guys," Jason said, "it looks like we're ready. Now bring it in."
The entire band came together and formed a huddle together, their arms stretched across each other's shoulders and their heads facing one-another. As always, Cosmo was welcomed in beside her beloved, but she wasn't satisfied. Before anyone could say a thing, she asked them to wait and turned her head back to the trio that were left out.
"Would you like to be a part of this, too?" she asked.
"Really? We can?" Nyx responded, and then turned up to Twilight. "Can we, please?"
After a chuckle, Twilight said yes, and the trio made their way into the circle. She walked up between Cosmo and Aelita, with Spike poking in while standing on Twilight's back. Nyx found a spot under her mother to stand, but Tails said she could climb up on his back and hold on there. Doing do, she managed to get her head between him and Yugi, making the total count from thirteen to all sixteen friends together. Twilight did feel bad, though, not having the rest of their friends involved.
"So, who wants to start this?" Ami asked.
"I say we give the honors to our host," Tails suggested, "if she doesn't mind doing that and introducing us before we go on..."
All eyes turned to the Princess put on the spot. She tried to argue and say it wasn't her place to do so, but the rest of the Band unanimously agreed with Tails, and wouldn't be convinced otherwise. Twilight took the defeat of her arguing and took a moment to take a deep breath and collect her thoughts to find the right words to speak with. Once she found them, she began to give the Band their annual preshow hype huddle.
"When Tails and Cosmo first arrived in Equestria, I didn't know what to think of them, as they were strange to us as everypony was to them. But the more I got to know them, and the more we got to know all of you, I learned that there was nothing to be concerned with. Friendship is something that should not have boundaries to just Equestria, but to any sort of creature that exists out there, whether it is this world or any world that you've all seen. In the last couple of days here during the Equestria Games, you proved that to us time and time again, no matter what kind of obstacle was thrown in our directions. You showed us your patience and open minds, from our issues with the delegates, to learning the story of how I became blessed with my daughter, to sharing your greatest heartaches with us in return. I have no doubts that the ponies of Equestria have come to welcome you as my friends and family and myself have done already, and to see you practice your unity through your talents of playing music may just be the best ending to a trying few days we could all enjoy...
"But before you go out there and rock out, I need to know something-" Twilight paused and gave a challenging expression of a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "Are you ready to rock and roll with Equestria?"
"We were ready when we got here," Jason said.
"About time, too. I want to shred my axe," Yumi followed.
"Not before I get to have some fun with my new guitar," Yugi said.
"Do I even need to answer that? Of course I am," Aelita followed.
"That goes double for me and KP," Ron added.
"The Games were great, but it's an honor to do this, too," Gohan stated.
"Let's make Equestria a new capital of rock and metal," Dan said afterwards.
"Tonight is going to be the best way to prepare for our next show," Ami added.
"We don't have too much on stage," Phineas went on to say, but Ferb concluded with "but we'll have fun making it a big one."
"Then it looks like we're ready to rock this without a sitch," Kim said.
"Not quite yet," Tails said, with all eyes turning to him. "I want tonight dedicated to the bravest family in Equestria. Spike, for saving the Crystal Empire; Nyx, for toughing through problems she had no right to have; and, of course, Twilight, for refusing to back down for her family and her friends. Tonight, this concert is for Equestria, in the name of the Sparkles."
"The most heavy metal words ever spoken before a heavy metal concert," Spike said, with words laced entirely with sarcasm that caused the huddle to erupt with laughter. When the laughter faded out, he added "but to be serious, thanks guys."
"We have you three to thank," Cosmo replied. "You gave us a warm welcome, told us more about yourselves, and saved the Crystal Empire. It is an honor to show how much we appreciate our new friendship with you."
"Us too," Twilight said, who felt so overwhelmed that she was fighting the need to cry. Somehow she got to suppress the urge through her own determination to help them have a grand conclusion to their visit she didn't know how exactly she felt she could do so, but she had just one idea to start. "Are you ready to rock now?!"
"Yes, Princess!" the Band said in unison.
"Come on," Nyx said, trying her own way to help with the hype. "That's my mom you're talking to, and she expects nothing less than your best! I want you to mean it! Are you ready to rock out Equestria?!"
"YEEEAAAHHHHHH!!!"
"Hands in!" yelled Tails, and in an instant there were thirteen hands, two hooves, and one claw stretched out in the middle, stack up like a freshly baked batch of Pinkie Pie's pancakes. "This is it, guys. Ponyville got the first taste of what we do, but let's get out there and give Equestria a full serving! For the Sparkle family, for our friends from Ponyville, and for the Princesses, too! Tonight, friendship is hard rock and heavy metal!
"On a count of three, let's say..."
Too invested in his hype, Tails couldn't think of something for everyone to say together to break the huddle. He tried hard and he tried quick, but no words added up in his head. He started to show a slight panic, never having this problem before, and felt like he'd let the excitement die down before it could be used on stage. Lucky for him that Nyx came up with her own idea.
"Go Pony Metal!"
'Pony Metal.' It rang nicely in the ears of the Band. It sounded a brand new genre of music, yet it was only a humorous way to describe their performance for the night. It was with that that Tails brought the hype of the huddle full circle.
"OK, guys, Go Pony Metal! Ready?!
"1...
"2...
"3!"
"GO PONY METAL!!!"
/)∞(\
"Good evening, ponies and friends of Equestria!" Twilight greeted the filled arena from the front side of the stage curtain. Using her magic to levitate a microphone, she used it to echo her voice through the speakers that were set up at the stage's sides, and the ones unseen behind her. The sound of her voice caught the attention of everyone in the stands, shrouding them all in a state of silence as the nation's newest leader spoke.
"It is my esteem honor to welcome you to the final event for the closing ceremonies of the Equestria Games! These past few days have been full of excitement as ponies have come together to celebrate our nation's unity, and as we are joined by guests beyond our nation's borders, some were gracious enough to share a sense of what brings them their own form of unity with us. It is a wonderful pleasure to have them here with us and help bring our Games to an end. Mares and Gentlecolts, fillies and colts of all ages, put your hooves together for our musical guests-
"THE TEAM JAG BAND!!!"
As the crowd began to cheer out their excitement, Twilight vanished from the stage with a teleportation spell. She relocated herself backstage to where the others were, but only brief enough to be thanked by members of the Band, and then to teleport again. She, Nyx and Cosmo went off to enjoy the concert in the stands, but not those in the Royal Suite as they were going to enjoy the show with the ponies and Mobians in the stands. Any light in the arena that was on turned off, only leaving a crowd of excited audience as the audible sounds of the introduction took place.
The first ever Team JAG Band concert for the whole of Equestria had now begun-
ACES HIGH - Iron Maiden/Yugi/Tails and Dan on rhythm guitars, Ron on keyboard
"WHAT'S UP, EVERPONY?!" Gohan called out to a cheering crowd before him as the rest of the band was preparing itself to perform. "It is an honor for me to say these words to you...
"HELLO EQUESTRIIAAAAAA!!!" The crowd cheered louder and louder as he went on speaking. "We are the Team JAG Band, and it is our honor to perform for you tonight! If you never heard about us, we are a group of friends from many different places, covering songs of all different bands and musical artists you've never heard of, with the talent to mimic the voice for each song at their best. We put together a great collection of songs for you tonight, and we're ready to give you all we got!" He wanted to ask how ready everypony was, but their roaring cheers they sounded made it unnecessary as they shared their excitement. "This next song is one of my favorite songs of all time, so I want you ponies in the stands to cheer! I want the ponies on the ground to trot! I want you to WALK- WITH ME- IN HELL!"
DESIGN YOUR UNIVERSE - Epica/Ami with Ash lineup/Ash on rhythm guitar and growl vocals, Tails on piano, Ami and Aelita on symphonic keyboards
RUN FREE - Asking Alexandria/Ash/Kim on rhythm guitar, Aelita on keyboard/programming/samples
WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND [GRAND FUNK RAILROAD] - Rob Zombie/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboards/audio sample intro
SAVE YOUR SOUL - Shadows Fall/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar
The next lineup was setting itself up as Dan walked across the highest tier of the stage, stopping at the microphone stand that stood at the center. He grabbed the microphone sitting on it, and then took a left-to-right view of the crowd before him. As he turned his vision back the opposite way, he said "Look at all the ponies here right now! The whole arena is packed! This is AWESOME!" The audience cheered out for him for a few seconds, and he went on to speak again.
"It means a lot to see all of you want to stick around to see us perform. You gave us quite a bit of kindness since we got here, so it's only fitting to feel that we're here right now to give back that kindness to you. Before we keep going, I'd like to give a shout-out to all the competitors that took part in your land's history, and took part in the Equestria Games. If you're out there right now, I want to thank you for making history here, and I give our band's congratulations to who will be wearing their medals back home!
"This next song goes out to all of you, and all the effort you gave out on this field! It's a new song for us to play, so we hope you enjoy it! This is for the strong, the willing, the mighty- the Unbroken!"
UNBROKEN - Black Veil Brides/Dan with Gohan lineup/Gohan on rhythm guitar, Ron on keyboard
PERFECT - Flyleaf/Yumi with Yugi lineup/Yugi on rhythm guitar
"So how's it going out there?! Is everybody enjoying the show so far?!!" The ponies cheered loud and hardy for Yugi as he spoke to them. Basking in the positive energy the crowd was giving, his eyes narrowed and pinpointed on one specific spot to his left, where a certain group stood out from all the other ponies surrounding them. "Before we continue, I have something to say." He went on to speak again as he pointed one of his digits out at the spot his sights were on.
"Look over there, at the group sitting below the Princesses. You see them all? There, right there, are a group of ponies from a little town called Ponyville. We met them a few months back and played a special last second show for their town, and they have been wonderful guides for us during our stay here. To our friends, the Mane 6 and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, on behalf of the Band- thank you for your friendship. Now show them some love and make some noise ponies!" He paused to let the crowd cheer for the group of friends, some showing embarrassment in their flattery while a selected couple basked in the glorious attention. But it was a brief pause for Yugi.
"Now with that said, we have a special surprise for you next..." Ash, taking his place on the main drum kit, began to play the opening rhythm of the next song. "It's time to bring out a very special guest to join us. This is his second chance at performing for you. You better know who he is, because he has saved the Crystal Empire twice!" He then motioned his hand to stage left and made his final announcement. "Walking out with our main man Tails, he is among our newest and best of friends. He is the Great and Honorable! The Brave and Glorious! SPIKE THE DRAGON!" Tails and Spike made their way out to the stage, walking across as they received a massive cheer from the ponies, most so for the heroic dragon. They positioned themselves at the stage right custom drum setup used for a couple particular songs each show, the fox armed with his favorite green guitar and the dragon jumping up on the drum setup wearing a wireless microphone headset.
"What's up everypony?! Are you ready to rock?!" Spike called out to the crowd and helped generate the loudest cheer and applause of the show thus far. It was followed by Tails playing the opening riff to the next song, and the rest of the instrumental players followed suit as Yumi took to the second custom drum setup. The two extra percussionists played their respective kits briefly before the dragon spoke again. "Let's show Team JAG what it means to be in Equestria! LET'S GO!-"
DEVOUR - Shinedown/Yugi/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard/joined by Spike and Yumi on custom percussion, Ami on co-vocals with Maria Brink vocals, extra background vocals from Tails and Spike
THE LIGHT BEHIND YOUR EYES - My Chemical Romance/Yugi/Kim on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano, Aelita on keyboard
SO FAR AWAY - Staind/Gohan + acoustic guitar, Tails on symphonic keyboard
HALO THEME (MJOLNIR MIX) - Steve Vai/Master Four on lead guitars, Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan and Yumi on bass guitars, Ami and Ron on drums, Kim and Aelita on keyboards/synthesizers/samples
COMING HOME - Avenged Sevenfold/Yugi/Kim on rhythm guitar
"You still doing good out there?!" Standing center stage in front of the audience, Ash listened to hear everypony give out another roar of cheers and stomps. "You guys really know how to rock and roll, and I love it! Thank you so much!" He paused again, hearing another round of cheering, but this one was much briefer as he pointed where Yugi did just a little while ago.
"I want you all to look at the same place Yugi showed you before, because there's another group of friends you need to know. Over there, with our pals from Ponyville, are some of our oldest friends that, like us here on stage, are from places far beyond Equestria. They are some of the best friends anyone could ask for, and have been declared heroes in so many worlds. A lot of ponies already know Tails and Cosmo, who we'll get to about later, but right now, I want Equestria to meet our friends! Our brothers and sisters of Mobius. Everypony make some noise for TEAM SONIC!!!"
Another roaring cheer sounded from the crowd, arguably as loud as that for Equestria's heroes right by Team Sonic. Some waved out to the ponies, Cream and Amy standing up to give a polite curtsey, but only Shadow only shut his eyes and grunted at the unneeded attention. Lucky for him Ash let the cheer go on so briefly before he regained the crowd's attention. "We want to thank them for always being there, and joining us on our wild rides from place to place. This next song goes out to them, and it goes out to all of you out there who share our strife and travel down the wildest rails of life. But most of all, Equestria, I want you all to live up to this one quote, from a heavy metal legend-
"GOOO BUCKING CRAAAZAAAYY!!!"
CRAZY TRAIN - Ozzy Osbourne/Ash/Ron on rhythm guitar
DOC HOLLIDAY - Volbeat/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Tails on banjo intro
DIGNITY - Bullet For My Valentine/Yugi + rhythm guitar
GIVE IT ALL - Rise Against/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar
WINGS OF LIBERTY - Dragonforce/Yugi/Yumi on rhythm guitar, Tails on piano/keyboard, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer
For the next song in the set, it was one that was particularly special to the Band. It was a song premiere not only for Equestria, as all the other songs are, but one for them to perform with a unique lineup. After a little bit of silence on the stage, Ferb saw a signal from Kim of her nodding, which was his sign to help set the stage as she began walking out on stage. As she did, a spotlight shown at the top of the stage setup, lowering itself as its focus did. Its focus was a wired microphone, reeling down until its descent stopped above one of the stage's two grand piano setups. It stopped so it was just high enough in the air for Kim to step up onto the piano's lid and speak right into her microphone.
"You know," she said to the audience, "there's something very special about being here. You see, I've performed on stages before when I was in school, but not at this scale. It wasn't until this past winter, a little while after I got engaged to my best friend Ron, that I started to join our friends in Team JAG more... consecutively, so to speak. We played a show in my home dimension, and then in a world our friends in Team Sonic call their second home, but after that, we went on to play two full shows with the Band. At the end of the last one, Ron and I were welcomed as the newest performers in the Team JAG Band.
"But just a little while back, we had a sitch that ended up sending two of our friends here. When we finally found them, we thanked the ponies we've come to know in Ponyville with a full concert like tonight's show for you. That's very special to me, to myself and Ron, because of what Ponyville and Equestria as a whole had become... Equestria was our first world to perform as members of the Team JAG Band." Ponies started to cheer happily, letting out roars of yelling voices and clapping hooves. Kim allowed it just long enough for the rest of the needed band members to take their positions, and Ron to run up and give his fiancé a quick peck on the cheek.
"To show our thanks to every pony here," she concluded, "this is a brand new song we're going to perform for you, our first effort at giving this song the justice it deserves. This is 'One More Day' by Mushroomhead..."
ONE MORE DAY - Mushroomhead/Ash/Tails on lead guitar, Yumi on rhythm guitar, Ami on bass guitar, Jason on piano, Yugi on drums, Aelita on keyboard/synthesizer, Dan on symphonic keyboard, Gohan and Ron on custom percussion, Kim on female vocals
NO WORLD FOR TOMORROW - Coheed & Cambria/Yugi + rhythm guitar/Ami on acoustic guitar, Kim on keyboards
WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER (QUEEN) - After Forever/Yumi with Ash lineup/Ash on male vocals, Ami on rhythm guitar/backing vocals, Tails and Aelita on keyboards/synthesizers
THE UNFORGIVEN - Metallica/Gohan + rhythm guitar/Tails on acoustic guitar
FROM YESTERDAY - 30 Seconds to Mars/Jason/Kim on rhythm guitar, Tails on synthtar, Ami on keyboard
CHANGES - 3 Doors Down/Yugi/Tails on lead guitar and co-vocals
The Master Four walked off the stage for the first time in several songs, but the stage wasn't unoccupied for more than a second. As they disappeared, a familiar two-tailed fox stepped out onto the stage, a spotlight tracking him and his favorite guitar that was strapped around his back. There was no questioning what happened next, not to the fox's ears. The entire arena was up in cheers at his presence; several for knowing him, but most for having his heroic efforts with the Crystal Empire's iconic dragon hero as well. He took his place at a microphone stand solely there for his use, adjusted to his height and his own choice of microphone sitting on top. It was perhaps a good solid minute of cheerful noise being sounded when it was Tails's turn to have a chat with everypony.
"I like how loud you still are. That means you got more energy to go and see the end of the show. Am I right?" he said, and then paused to let the crowd cheer again. "Normally I ask again if you really do, but I think it's... oh the hell with it, AM I RIGHT EVERYPONY?!!" His answer came at a volume louder than the last and just as loud as his welcome. It made Tails smile very happily, and a quick glance to the side of the stage saw his beloved smile the same.
"So I know we did this two times already," he went on, "but this one really needs to be done. I want to acknowledge a very special group of ponies, the most important ones throughout all of Equestria..." Tails raised his hand and pointed up above the stands where his friends were sitting: up at the Royal Suite. He faced the suite and went on to say "I want to give my sincerest thanks to your Princesses, who allowed this great group I'm a part of to join in watching the Equestria Games, and to allow us the honor of closing it out for you all. They are truly some of the greatest and kindest leaders I've ever had the pleasure to meet and spend time with, in the highest and lowest times, and treating my friends and I like honored guests. From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of Team JAG...
"Thank you Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Cadance, for your warm welcome to us, and allowing this to happen. And, of course, a big thanks to Princess Twilight who sent us our invitations to be here tonight, and organized this to happen. But here's the deal: I want this entire arena to outdo my thanks, and in the only way you can do it at a rock show. Everypony, for your Princesses!...
"MAKE THEM SOME NOISE! NOW GIVE THEM ALL YOU GOT! GIVE THEM ALL YOU GOT! THANK YOU PRINCESSES!!!"
The uproar from the entire arena could've shattered the sound barrier. Ponies of all corners of Equestria, and those from beyond its borders, let out yells, claps, stomps, all the noise possible to their beloved Princesses. The four princesses themselves began to give a grateful grin and wave a hoof, saving a certain lavender alicorn who just smiled nervously as she took in all the attention she'd still have to get used to in time. Lucky for her, she got her favorite thanks in the form of a strong hug and nuzzling from her alicorn daughter, which she returned with a more genuine happy smile across her face.
"Now let's get back to the music," Tails spoke again. He swung his guitar from his back to his front, his favorite Les Paul from his lovely Cosmo, and grabbed the guitar pick that was on the stock. He looked back at the rest of the band, who came out on the stage during Tails's well-executed distraction, and saw they were ready to go. He turned back to his microphone again and concluded with "Here's a classic from where we're from. This is for Princess Twilight and her family," and with that, he began to play the opening notes of the next song...
SWEET CHILD O' MINE - Guns 'N Roses/Ash/Tails on lead guitar, Ron on extra rhythm guitar, Kim on keyboard/extended guitar intro by Tails
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - Europe/Yugi/Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Ami on rhythm guitar
REPRESSED - Apocalyptica/Tails, Dan, Ami and Yumi on cellos, Kim on drums, Ash and Yugi on co-vocals, Jason and Gohan on custom percussion
"Who's ready for something awesome and new?!" Ami, who had taken the main lead as the next frontwoman, earned a joyous cheer in return as the others got in their respective positions. She then had a small laugh at what she said and how she meant it. "Actually, all of what we're doing is new to you, so let me illiterate a bit. We have a brand new song we've never performed before, and this is really special for me. That's because for this one, my best friend is doing backup vocals for me, and shredding on the lead guitar! Are you ready, Yumi?!"
The young woman of mention walked out from stage left with her guitar, which she nicknames her 'axe,' in tow for everypony to see. It was a remake of her all-time favorite, a Flying V six-string, but this had a different coloring on its body: a blue base with a jagged yellow line going across it, and towards the bottom of the V's lower extension, the symbol for the Wonderbolt. When she reached the front right microphone stand, she yelled out "You bet I am!" and held her guitar in the air. A projection of her axe showed on the background screen, bring ponies, especially the pegasi, to cheer loud and proud.
Yumi then said "For this next one, we send it out to all the high-flying, altitude-breaking, air-bound daredevils out there! This goes out to the Wonderbolt for their win at the aerial relay, and it goes out to my favorite badass pony Rainbow Dash! And to all the little ones who are still learning to take flight, maybe we'll see you in the air with those guys soon. This is for the daring, the heroic, the thrill seekers...
"This is Dangerous!"
DANGEROUS - Within Temptation/Ami/Yumi on lead guitar, Jason on Howard Jones vocals, Tails and Aelita on keyboards/synthesizers/fadeout outro to a darkened stage
WINTER KILLS - DevilDriver/Jason/Yumi on rhythm guitar
LIFT ME UP - Five Finger Death Punch/Gohan/Tails on lead guitar, Phineas & Ferb on rhythm guitars, Yugi on Rob Halford vocals
The stage was dark once again as the ponies cheered loudly, waiting for the next song to begin. They were partially rewarded as an eerie, almost haunting sound emitted from the speakers, red lights turning on behind a thin mist of machine-made fog. The light revealed the majority of the Band set for the next song, saving one member of the Master Four who was walking his way back out with a microphone in hand. Jason, the last of the Four to have a turn to speak, took his opportunity at that moment.
"Equestria, SHOW ME YOU'RE STILL ALIVE OUT THERE!!!" His exclamation was replied with another uproaring audience before him, cheering loud with hooves sticking up proudly in the air. "Excellent. We still have everybody's attention in front of us. That's very good, because we're reaching the home stretch for the night, to finish our show, and close the Equestria Games... WITH A MOTHERFUCKING BANG!!" His bandmates behind him played a quick little set of notes behind him, exciting the crowd even more. "We've got a few more to go, to rock the socks right off your hooves, and this next one is by one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE BANDS- SLIPKNOT!
"It is time... for every single one of you out there... from the highest seats to here on the floor... to become one thing, and one thing only. Join me, everypony, and let's go PSYCHO... FUCKING... SOCIAL!!!!!"
PSYCHOSOCIAL - Slipknot/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar, Dan on keyboard, Ami and Yumi on custom percussion, Aelita on turntables/samples
BRAVE THIS STORM - Trivium/Yugi + rhythm guitar/Tails on extra rhythm guitar, Dan on extra bass guitar, Ron on extra drum kit
THIS CALLING - All That Remains/Jason/Yumi and Kim on rhythm guitars
NEW DIVIDE - Linkin Park/Ash/Dan on lead guitar and backing vocals, Tails on keyboard/synthesizer, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/MIDI pad/extended synthesizer intro
/)∞(\
Everypony within the Crystal Arena began to show impatience as they were forced to wait again. After the song New Divide, which the crowd seemed to enjoy a lot, the stage was barely lit, only enough to show the stage and its setup clear to see. It was just clear enough thanks to the new night brought forth by Princess Luna a short time ago, but it was still unoccupied by the Team JAG Band. They were all backstage, waiting to get the final preparations they needed for the next performance to be done. That meant waiting on the entire group to be prepared in their roles, and the arrival of four very important ponies.
And when Twilight had brought them backstage, they were ready.
To the crowd's pleasure, music was heard again. The Master Four had walked back out onto the stage, with Jason and Ash with their guitars, Yugi with his bass guitar, and Gohan walking out with drumsticks in hand. The four teased the ponies with the opening riff of a personal favorite song as they appeared, stopping after having their playful fill. When they stopped, the crowd cheered again, much to the four's delight.
"Wow," Ash said at one of the microphone stands, "you ponies still got a bit in you, don't ya?" Answered with another cheer from them, he grinned and added "We like that."
"So who out there wants to know a secret?" Yugi asked from another stand, pausing to hear the ponies' roaring reply. "Who out there wants to know a secret... about this band?" he added and received a louder response than before.
"I guess we'll take that as a yes," Gohan followed humorously, earning another cheer from everypony. "Besides, you've been strong all night with us, so we think you deserve something special in return. But first, here's the secret..." Motioning a hand to Jason, the crowd's attention turned towards him to hear this secret of theirs.
"About a month ago, we were preparing for our upcoming anniversary show on the world of Mobius. Our bandmate and his loved one received a message from Princess Twilight Sparkle, inviting this cover band to honor your world in closing out your Equestria Games. Everyone agreed to do it, but we knew we had to do what we always do: go big or not come here at all, and we make damn sure we go big every damn time. But for here - for Equestria - we have relearned how important friendship is with other worlds, and our own little world here on stage, even with those who are unsure or against us here to begin with. So with that in mind, we came here to treat you the ways we hope you could treat us in return.
"You see, we came here with a mission. Our mission, our time here in Equestria, is this: we are here, with the hope, to earn your friendship! We are here to have fun with you, by giving something fun for us to make your Games more enjoyable! You have already given us so much, sticking around all the way to right here and now, and watching us rock out on stage, for which we thank you! But now, we need to ask you-
"Have we earned your friendship, Equestria?!"
The answer to that question was just like every other answered question throughout the concert. The audience of ponies roared in thunderous cheers and applause, sounds of whistling voices and stomping or clapping hooves mixed in as well. Many ponies began to stand from their seats, including one happily and explosively bouncing Pinkie Pie. Even the three Princesses still up in the Royal Suite showed their respect, from a collected applause from Celestia to her whistling little sister.
It was just the response the Master Four, along with their bandmates and Ponyville friends, were hoping to hear. The positivity and energy everypony was sharing got the Band more than hyped to get the next part of the set underway, so they didn't spare anymore time. "Thank you, Equestria! You are all incredible!!!" Jason exclaimed. "Now let's give that energy you have to a big use..." He then motioned his hands around the four corners of the stage.
"You see up here that we have many instruments always on stage, and these extras always have a reason. Throughout the show, they're here to help give you great entertainment, but for right now, they're equipped for something very special. This is a new part of our shows when we celebrate being able to do what we do, and share with you the friendships the Team JAG Band have made and strengthened together. So right now, we'd like to invite out the entire Band to come together for this awesome jam."
As Jason waved his hand for them to walk out, the other members walked out from stage left, each having their respectful instruments to use for the next song. The crowd cheered loudly again as they appeared and waved back out to them, and then most of them made sure their equipment was set for use. The last one to emerge on stage was Tails, having been held up another few seconds to ask a favor. When he approached his microphone stand again, this time with a black Dimebag Darrell replica guitar in tow, he was given a second turn to speak to everypony.
"I guess now's a better time than ever to give some proper introductions," he said. "This is who makes up this band...
"First off, for their first appearance of the night, these are the brothers from Danville that help make our shows a reality. They're our stage managers, stage hands, and great musicians to boot- Phineas and Ferb!
"Next up, they introduced themselves to you before, but not as the biggest pop duo of their world! They're our original leading ladies, and the very talented in their own rights- the girls of Puffy AmiYumi!
"Here with his Spectar Stratocaster guitar, he's the sixth recruit of this group and the Phantom Hero of Team JAG. Hailing from Amity Park, I would like everypony to meet my man Dan, or as he's also called- Danny Phantom!
"Now this next girl, she's like the princess of an entire different universe. She is our resident DJ, remixer, and the biggest dubstep fan on this stage. Make some noise for own vinyl scratcher, Aelita Hopper of Lyoko!
"Up next here are the two newest recruits for the Team JAG Band. They make up the crime-fighting duo of Team Possible, legends of their hometown of Middleton. On top of that, they're engaged to be married in less than two years! Meet the happy couple of Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable!
"And, of course, we have the founders of this band and everything we do. They are champions, warriors, guardians, legends in each of their own rights. They made this band the way it is today, and none of us here would be doing this without them. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mares and Stallion, and Fillies and Colts of all ages...
"The warrior of darkness: Jason! The Pokemon champion: Ash Ketchum! Warrior extraordinaire: Gohan! The King of Games: Yugi Moto! The founders of the Team JAG Band: THE MASTER FOUR!"
Tails paused to allow ponies across the stadium to cheer long and loud for his fellow bandmates. Each of his friends showed respective returns of bows, hand-waves, or holding a confident fist with their instruments in the air. However, he had no plans to introduce himself, mainly because his welcome from earlier got him the thought that Equestria knows who he is already. Instead, after quieting the crowd down, he made a final round of introductions.
"Thank you for that, everypony," Tails addressed the audience again. "That means a lot to hear your warm welcome of us here, but I'm not done yet...
"We have a very special surprise for this next song on top of having the whole band out here. There's a group of friends of ours that we invited to join in playing with us. We got to meet most of them when we first came to Equestria, but in the last couple day, we not only got to know them better, but we got to meet and know a very important filly we didn't get a chance to meet before. Above all else, there was nothing more special for us to do for our first concert in front of all of Equestria than to invite our friends from Equestria to join us for the Full Band Jam!
"So now, Equestria, I want you to welcome our new little friends! They are the Ponyville chapter of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the sisters and daughter of the Elements of Harmony! We also got another appearance from the heroic savior of the Crystal Empire! So I want to hear EVERY SINGLE PONY WELCOME TO THE STAGE-
"APPLE BLOOM, SWEETIE BELLE, SCOOTALOO, AND SPIKE AND NYX SPARKLE!!!"
From backstage, Twilight motioned a hoof to let the younger ponies and dragon to run out on stage. They were waiting for this moment the entire night, Spike of which asking to join just after the main set concluded. To keep things helpfully balanced, the group split into two, each taking positions at each of the custom percussion setups where they'd join in for the performance. Nyx and Spike stayed at the setup at stage left, closer for Twilight's view, and the other trio raced over to the setup at stage right, all while the crowd roared loudly for their appearance. As the Team JAG Band positioned themselves to perform, the last few words before they could begin went on to be said.
"Oh YEEEAAAHHH! Are you ready for this, ponies?!" Ron shouted out excitedly. His response was another roaring sound of the crowd's excitement.
"We hope you are! This is our most complicated jam to date, so we're going to do this right, and we'll need your help to do it!" Dan added, bringing forth another cheer from the audience.
With final check around the stage, it looked like the Band was finally ready to get things rolling. Each member was at their respective positions, their guests all set according to Tails and Aelita, and the crowd was still feeding them energy. There was nothing like it to them, the all set feeling of rocking out as one full unit, but the wait was finally over, and as it was his lineup to lead, Jason gave the crowd the last needed push.
"Alright, enough stalling. It's time to for every single one of us, on this stage, to bring our love for heavy metal, and bringing our full teamwork to life, for the Full Band Jam!" he exclaimed. As he and his bandmates predicted, they all received an audience cheering loudly, some of which beginning to chant "Full Band Jam!" over and over. With an almost devilish grin on his face, Jason kicked things off. "This song is by one of the best of the best metal has to offer! They go by the name of Machine Head, and to borrow a quote from them... I WANT TO SEE YOU HEADBANGING MOTHERFUCKERS!!!
"EQUESTRIA, THIS IS YOUR CALL TO ARMS! THIS... IS... HALO!!!"
HALO - Machine Head/Jason + rhythm guitar/Tails on co-lead guitar and guitar solo, Yumi and Dan and Phineas on extra rhythm guitars and backing vocals, Ron and Ferb on extra bass guitars and backing vocals, Ami and Kim on own drum kits, Aelita on stage left custom percussion kit with Nyx and Spike, Cutie Mark Crusaders on stage right custom percussion kit/Tails performs guitar solo standing on custom percussion kit with Nyx and Spike, rising into the air during and lowering when winding down
The sounds of the instruments faded out as the last notes were struck, and everybody on the stage was grinning. They had played the song without a hitch, staying in sync with each other as they performed. But what was most satisfying after they were done was the audience before them showing their thoughts on the Band's effort. The response was loud - insanely loud - and the energy they gave off was beyond expectations.
The performers felt like champions, and showed it with high-fives, raised fists, some hugs with one-another, and the five special guests showing their enjoyment. "WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT!" the fillies chanted, the four reuniting together and jumping up and down. As for Spike, all the troubles he felt since the start of the Games had evaporated, and he posed himself as the champion he felt to be as ponies cheered for him.
And along with hearing his own name being chanted, Spike heard it mixed in with the names of several others. Even the name of his sister.
"THAT WAS AWESOME!" exclaimed Gohan having come down to the join the others on the stage floor. His words echoed out to the crowd, but his focus was on the ones standing around him. "Thank you friends. It's an honor to rock out with you guys every show. It's never a dull moment rocking out whatever songs and whatever location. Thank you so much!"
"But more importantly," Dan added a moment later, "we need to give it up for our special guests that joined us her tonight! They practiced with us, and only had two days to get it down, but they were the best help we could ask for! Come on, Equestria, make some noise for your friends and ours- Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Nyx Sparkle, and the mighty Spike!"
The mentioned five tried to wave out to the audience again, but this time they were interrupted. The Master Four and Tails put them up on their shoulders to give them a higher view and put them atop of their own momentary pedestals. Ponies as far as their eyes could see cheered for them, and they basked in the glory. Even Nyx, who was not too keen on attention like Twilight, enjoyed the attention she thought most ponies would never give her. For her, she was just fortunate enough to share the fun with her friends old and new.
The time came when the Band would return behind the stage again. They made their way off the stage with the CMC and Spike hitching a ride on the Master Four's shoulders, but not everyone left. In the shadows of the darkened stage, Tails kept his guitar strapped around his back and Nyx having jumped down off his back to stand beside him. Returning to his own microphone stand, he addressed everypony another time.
"Can I just say one more thing?" he said to the crowd. Behind him, the background screen projected a giant-sized photograph out onto the crowd that displayed Twilight, Spike and Nyx during the last Summer Sun Celebration in Canterlot, with the former in the center. "Up there in the picture, you see her? Twilight is the reason we're here in Equestria tonight. She's the reason your Princesses allowed us to visit here for the Equestria Games and close it out for you all. When we first found this world, she gave us her hoof in helping us and making us feel welcome. Without her, there's a pretty good chance none of us would be here right now, and that means a lot to us, but nowhere as much as for Cosmo and myself. She's a fantastic friend, a great leader, and a marvelous mother to her dragon and daughter. So can everypony make some noise for Princess Twilight and all that she's done?!"
The audience responded to his request with another loud cheer, waving hooves in the air and even a couple small flags that showed Twilight's cutie mark. Tails turned his head towards where Twilight was still standing behind the scenes, and waved her out. The alicorn hesitated, not wanting even more recognition than what was already given to her already, but her luck was against her. Having come down to the stage to watch the Full Band Jam, Cosmo was there to give Twilight the nudge and insistence to go out in front of everypony again.
Her defeat now without question, Twilight walked out on stage. Phineas and Ferb had returned as stage managers and had a single spotlight shine down on her, much to her chagrin, but at least she wasn't alone as Cosmo offered to walk out with her. All that the crowd could see on that stage was the massive picture, their newest Princess and the lady Seedrian, but their loud volume only escalated further as Twilight appeared. They could barely see her nervous smile as she continued to walk across the stage. By the time she and Cosmo reached Tails and Nyx, the latter now under the casted light, she felt a little more relaxed, especially after she received a happy nuzzle against her neck from her daughter.
All the while, the most her ears could hear was the chanting of her name. "Twilight! Twilight! Twilight! Twilight!" It kept going on and on, all of which being attention that will still take her a good amount of time to get used to. Even from backstage, the rest of the Band and even Spike did the same thing. That spell of focus was broken when Nyx decided to jump up on Twilight's back, and then reached over her head.
"Twilight, how do you feel being the best pony ever?" Nyx asked.
Twilight's nervous smile turned more genuine and heartfelt, her eyes looked up at the filly looking from above. "I'm not the best pony ever; just the best that I can be." her reply was followed by raising her hoof to boop her daughter's nose. "That makes me feel great."
Unable to avoid overhearing, both Tails and Cosmo began to laugh as the two had an arm around one-another's back. This forced a laugh out of the two alicorns as well, and it lasted for the seconds until Tails decided to speak in his microphone one last time.
"Alright, everypony," he went on to say, "I know we need to start to wrap things up, but I want to hear you make some noise one more time... for Princess Twilight Sparkle!" He paused to let the crowd cheer a little more and then added "And to thank her for jamming with us, and for being a great new friend to us, show your love for Princess Nyx!" That cheer was a few decibels shorter than for Twilight, mainly because of the shocked confusion some ponies began to feel. Nevertheless, there was cheering for the younger alicorn that then shared her mother's discomfort for attention.
"Twilight, Nyx," Tails said, making his closing statements, "stay over at the side of the stage and enjoy the rest of the show with us." He then took Cosmo's hand into his own, and turned his focus on the rest of the crowd. "And everypony out there... Let's bring this to an end..."
With that, the spotlight once casted on the four on stage faded out. The two alicorns had enough visibility to go the side of the stage where Cosmo and Twilight entered from, and turned to stand facing the stage. Tails led Cosmo to one of his main instruments already on the stage, the former setting his guitar on a nearby stand. As he positioned himself to perform, there was an audio song playing off the speakers. That song was the intro to the concert's closing encore.
NUMB - Linkin Park/Ash/Tails on piano, Dan on lead guitar and Mike Shinoda vocals, Yumi on bass guitar, Jason on turntables/MIDI pad/extended piano outro
HERE WITHOUT YOU - 3 Doors Down/Yugi + acoustic guitar/Tails on lead guitar and lead vocals
WHAT IF - Creed/Jason/Tails on rhythm guitar/guitar solo duel between Ash and Tails after second chorus, joined by rest of the Band during solos/outro jam of 'The Trooper' by Iron Maiden
"THANK YOU EQUESTRIA, YOU WERE AMAZING TONIGHT!" Jason exclaimed as the Band closed their set. "THANK YOU FOR OUR WARMEST WELCOME EVER, AND WE HOPE TO PLAY FOR YOU AGAIN SOON! UNTIL NEXT TIME...
"WE ARE THE TEAM JAG BAND! GOOD!!! FUCKING!!! NIGHT!!!"
The show had finally concluded. The instruments went to silence, but the sounds of their audience filled the air. Cheers and whistles sounded, clapping and stomping hooves echoed all around, forelegs waved around in the air. The entire arena was a sea of ponies celebrating the biggest concert in the history of Equestria, and they enjoyed it a lot.
The eleven performers, the two stage managers, and Cosmo stood in a line along the front of the stage, the latter and her beloved in the center of it. Arms across each other's shoulders and smiling dumbfounded at just how positive everypony was being towards them, they took a bow in unison before their night's audience. When they got back up, the crowd seemed to have gotten louder to their ears, but they also picked up a chant. It began sounding low, but more and more ponies added into the chant made its volume rise fast.
"ONE MORE SONG!"
They were chanting it over and over. In mere moments, all the cheering and applause was replaced with it. Some were especially more desiring than others, including the distant sight of Pinkie Pie jumping up and down as high as her energy sent her. Everyone on stage watched in disbelief as they didn't expect their first performance in Equestria to result with such a demand for more. Even their first shows on Mobius, including Revival, didn't end with such a reaction, and Mobius was the home world of the Team JAG Band as a whole.
Not knowing how to respond, they turned their heads left towards Twilight and looked at her for some help. The alicorn princess was surprised herself by the crowd as a whole, not just the four fillies and one dragon near her doing the same chant themselves. In her mind, she was aware of the plan to end the night: The Band would bow, the lights would dim down just enough to keep the stage in sight, Equestria's National Anthem would play on the speaker system, and ponies would begin to flood out of the stadium. What had ended up becoming was not taken to her consideration, thinking that four hours of music would suffice.
Twilight instructed Spike to keep an eye on the fillies and stay put, and then teleported behind the Band. She called for their attention and waved a hoof for them to huddle around her. Tails quickly turned back to the audience and raised a finger for them to wait before he and the others turned their attention towards Twilight. She told them how she didn't know how to handle it and admitted not being sure what they wanted to do, which they all responded with the same thought on their minds.
The song 'What If' was the standard closing song for a full concert show the Team JAG Band has done for years. It was their tradition, and it was one that hadn't been broken for several years. It was a fact Twilight learned from Cosmo back in Ponyville, and it felt wrong of Twilight to ask a group of friends she practically just met to go against their ways by their given request. The idea of going against tradition, to do something unexpected for a brand new world with a crowd giving an unexpected wish for one more performance, was nothing done before.
Tails advised the others his opinion, and everybody agreed with him.
With the decision made, Tails turned around and faced back to the anticipating audience. He reached to the closest microphone stand and took the microphone into his hand. He tapped the head to make sure it was still active, and the echoing sounds of his actions through the speakers showed that it was. Everyone behind him cleared a path for Twilight to walk forward and use her magic to levitate the microphone for her use.
"May I have everypony's attention," she said, using a calm and collected voice laced with kindness and understanding, much like her teacher's manner of speaking. The presence of the nation's newest princess gained the ponies' attention as silence fell upon the arena.
"Thank you," Twilight continued. "It has come to our understanding that you would like to see one more song played by the Team JAG Band." She forced herself a pause to hear everypony exclaim their sounds of excitement. "Well I am afraid that after negotiating with the band, they have made it clear that their main set to close out the Equestria Games has been done." The crowd showed their displeasure with an "awww" of unison, but the alicorn just stood where she was with a smile.
"However, they are willing to keep things going if you really want it. Everypony, welcome to the Equestria Games After Party!" Twilight's announcement brought out a new round of applause and excitement from the audience. "Our friends in the Team JAG Band have one more left in them, but they want to make this a very special show. They have a song that was supposed to play themselves off the stage, but now it's become your last song of the night!"
Behind her, the entire Band got themselves in positions across the stage as Phineas and Ferb returned behind the scenes to prepare the stage's theatrical approach. Cosmo, having no performing role, returned to where Spike and the fillies were and used her comlink to contact her friends in the stands to get to the stage via Chaos Control. This impromptu after party wasn't going to be a full-blown show, but a more party-like adventure that Aelita would lead at the DJ setup. A quick turn of her head allowed Twilight to give the confirmation from the Band that they were ready to go. To do so, she returned the microphone to Tails for the ultimate start-off.
"Who's ready for something very, very special?" Tails asked the crowd, who appropriately cheered in return. "Well if you want one more song, we have one more thing to ask of all of you as well. It has been agreed by Princess Twilight for us to have this permission- we're going to invite all of Equestria to our anniversary concert on Mobius! You welcomed us to your home, so now it's our turn to invite you to our home! So tell us, Equestria, will we see you there!?"
His answer started low, only a fraction of. Ponies immediately calling out their accepting of the offer. Bit by bit it grew as the cheering got louder and louder as more and more ponies liked the idea. It wasn't a full house cheer, but to the fox and his band mates' ears, it sounded like a good majority had accepted the offer.
"That's great, everypony, thank you so much. Now without further delay, this is a song that was our first Full Band Jam, for our first show of the year in Ponyville. For us, this song will always remind us of Equestria! I want to see jumping, cheering, a full-out party mode around this entire stadium! This is-
Blood soaked Tails's gloved hands as he tried pushing himself up from the ground. He had to push himself up, and get back up on his feet to fight on, but he was afraid to look up. The once glorious landscape of Mobius was shrouded in dust and brown after its transformation into desolation, without a living plant or breathing soul in vision's reach. It wasn't what he expected, especially for what was taking place only hours prior.
The Brotherhood of Darkness had done it after years of failed attempts. No more were their games of victory played, but instead Galvatron lead them to a full-blown assault with all the dark forces he recruited throughout the years. Their combined power was too great for the unprepared heroes of Mobius and Team JAG, especially with their resources scattered thin across the dimensions. Even the power of Chaos Emeralds and several warriors' Super Saiyan abilities had failed them. Sonic, Shadow, the Master Four, the Phantoms, and so many others were nowhere to be seen, nor could their energy be sensed.
"Oh, what do we have here? Still trying to stand a fight against me?"
Galvatron, the towering giant standing over the wounded fox, looked down at him amused. The sight of Tails broken and beaten down was one of glory and triumph for him and all he worked for, after he managed to defeat his longest adversary of his own dimension. No one could repair the damage that he had accomplished in such a quick time, not for many decades if there was anyone left to stop the Brotherhood. Even with all that in mind, his greatest trophy still remained clutched in his giant mechanical fist.
"All you fought to defend, all you wanted to protect, washed away in a sea of genocide," taunted the Decepticon. "Your world now a hollow shell of its former glory as Dark Oak has turned the Planet Egg into his own power source. To think it was all he needed to decapitate those hedgehogs and shut down your dimensional gates, leaving you alone and helpless from everyone else."
"I... I'm not done yet..." Tails's words struggled to be spoken as he climbed himself as high standing as his body would allow. "I will... save her.... from- AHHH!" Unable to finish speaking, he found himself crushed underneath Galvatron's foot.
"I don't think you'll live to see that chance."
"You didn't get to ask me..."
"After all the embarrassing failures my armada has had because of you, I'm going to make sure you pay."
"Why didn't you ask me sooner? Were you afraid of..."
"Your world is gone, your friends are gone, and I will take your last strand of hope and stretch it out until it breaks."
"Please... don't be afraid. You have nothing to be afraid of. Ask and have your answer..."
The shuffling between voices rang in Tails's mind like an overpowered bell. Through one ear was the voice of his greatest threat, and through the other was the voice of his life's greatest gift. One was his fears, and the other his conscious. He kept fighting harder and harder to get back up, but to no avail. The giant mechanical foot pushing him into the Mobian earth made it impossible to rise again as Galvatron snarled.
"That's enough out of you!" he yelled at his captive. "He had his chance and failed, and now he will fail to save you again."
The Decepticon lifted his foot just enough to reveal the fox's head, keeping the rest of the body trapped. He lowered his clenched hand, stopping just close enough to give a good view of his next intentions. When Tails focused his vision, he saw the mechanical hand that trapped Cosmo in its grasp, squeezing her just enough to not crush her, but still have her suffer. His grip squeezed her a little more, getting another cry of pain out of her, and Tails was helpless to save her.
"Cosmo-AHHHH!" Tails cried out as the pressure on his body increased as Galvatron's weight leaned down on him more.
Galvatron laughed, taking in the pain and suffering as a greedy and evil pleasure. "That's it, suffer! Let me hear your agony!"
The fox growled furiously, fighting with all his might to free himself and his broken body. The pain inside him was too much to work for him, even as he channeled all his energy throughout himself, so much so that he swore he saw the energy flash around him. It had a black aura unlike his usual power, but it's immense and beyond what he thought was his own energy. This power spike, however, did not stay and disappeared faster than he could sense it, so he remained trapped.
"Tails... please..." Cosmo tried to speak through her own pain inflicted by Galvatron. "Your question... what you wanted to ask... ask before-"
"Yes, the question," Galvatron said, interrupting Cosmo. "Go on, ask it. Ask it before you lose her for the last time."
"C-Cosmo," tried the struggling fox. "I... I-"
"Go on! Say it! Say it now or never say it at all!"
"W... wi..."
"Tails, please... save me..."
"ASK IT!"
It was no use. Tails couldn't take in another breath to speak anymore. At that point, he struggled to breathe and it turned to panic. He had to find it within him, the last push he needed to ask her before he could never have the chance. He fought to save her for years, to keep her safe and live their lives together, and he wouldn't live with himself if he couldn't ask just one question.
Galvatron squeezed Cosmo again, and caused her to screech in agony one more time. "YOU HAVE FAILED AGAIN! YOUR TIME IS UP!!!" Before another word was spoken by anyone, a new voice lent its sound out.
"NAY, VILLAIN! THOU'S TIME IS DONE!!!!!"
Without warning, Galvatron started to show cracks across his face. They started small, but grew rapidly and opening up as a bright light shined out from each new crack. It began to spread across its body, cracks of lights opening up around his entire frame. This put him in a panic, unsure of what was going on with his body as it continued to split apart. "No... NO..." A last few cracks split him apart right around his chest, revealing his Spark about to burst. Fight as he could try, it was too late as the bright light glowed brighter.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
A flash of white shrouded everything and everyone around it. All Tails could do was shut his eyes to prevent his eyes from suffering the light's intensity as it engulfed him. He kept them shut for a minute before he found the will to open them again, a will spawned from no longer feeling the intense pain from his body. When his eyes opened, he was still in the desolate Mobius, but there was nothing else. Galvatron was gone, Cosmo was nowhere to be seen, and to a big surprise, he jumped up on his feet in prime condition.
"Wha... what the heck?" he asked himself, checking his body and his surrounding another two times. "What the hell happened?!"
"Your fearful conscious has taken control of you tonight," replied a voice. Tails's ears pricked up at the familiarity of the voice, and looked around for any signs of its source. It wasn't until his eyes focused upwards, noticing the exchange of the sun with the moon, but the latter covering the former as it rose. The moon began to shine brightly as the silhouette of somebody - more specifically, somepony - was presented in the casted light. The light faded to reveal the being to be Princess Luna, who flapped her wings to hover herself to where the fox was standing.
"Princess Luna, why are you here? What just happened to Galvatron and Cosmo?" Tails asked in confusion. "How did you get here if the dimensions are blocked off? Only Twilight knows the spell to open portals by magic..."
"Take yourself to ease, young Miles," Luna answered, "for this place is not as real as it seems. I am here because your distress called out to me through your nightmare."
"Nightmare? You call this a nightmare?" Tails responded back, motioning his hand to the land around them. "This is an actual Hell for me, not a nightmare!"
Luna kept her calm and content form, but showed a firmer tone in her voice. "It may be that to you, but it is still a nightmare, a dream conjured by your fear-fueled imaginations. All that you see is that and nothing more."
"A dream?" he became even more confused, looking around him. "All of this, it's just a dream?"
"Tis the truth. Allow me to prove thyself," she told him. "Try to reach out for my crest." Her hoof lifted and tapped her moon-crest regalia on her chest. The fox answered her request and began to reach his hand out for it. He took not even a step forward when his hand hit something, some form of invisible barrier that sent a strange wave out around the two and distorting everything in view for a few seconds. The shocked expression was all she needed to confirm him seeing the truth. "Now, onto your nightmare..."
Tails arched an eyebrow at Luna and asked "Have you been watching my dream this entire time?"
She answered with a shake of her head, and then said "I only began to watch when your dream became restless and disturbed, only until the point I saw to intervene. You have a fear inside you, Miles Prower, a fear that made you have such a troubling dream. I am here to help you find conquer of it, but only after you explain what has you in fright."
"It's something private, Your Highness," Tails replied, crossing his arms and turning his eyes away from her direction. "I'd like to keep it to myself."
"Does it involve what lady Cosmo was saying about you asking her something? I heard her pushing you about it," Luna said, trying not to pry too hard in order to help the fox.
Tails's stubbornness grew as he responded "Like I said, it's private, and for my own reasons. It's not something a lot of my friends know about."
"I understand," consented the Princess of the Night, "but there's no help I can offer to prevent more nightmares such as that unless you are willing to let yourself open up to free your troubles. Whatever this private matter is, you have my word as an Equestrian Princess that it doesn't leave this realm."
It took him a minute to consider it, but Tails took a deep breath when he decided what to do. "Alright, I'll tell you," he said, and reached his hand around his back and into his furry tails. In a few seconds, he pulled out a small box from earlier in his dream, before it all turned into a nightmare, holding it up for both him and the alicorn to view.
"After our trip to Equestria, I was certain about one thing about my life with Cosmo. I never know where we may end up sometimes, but we're lost when we're not together, and I never want to lose her again. I want to see her every single day for the rest of my life, so I got this."
He opened the box and showed its content to Princess Luna. She took a good gaze and the dazzling item and quickly recognized what it was supposed to be, and grinned contently. "I see what you intend to ask her. Is that what fears you, the nervousness to ask for such a thing?"
"No... well, not the entire reason," Tails hesitated. "I know what's going to happen when... if I ask her, so it's just asking it the right way that makes me nervous about it."
"Then it's about if you ask her." She watched him bow his head, his eyes focused on the box in his hand.
"Yes..." His words were quiet at first, but the volume picked back up as he kept explaining himself. "I shouldn't be thinking if, but I'm afraid of what can happen. I'm going to ask her in two days, on the Anniversary Concert date, but I have no idea what can happen between now and then. Will there be another attack? Will the Brotherhood go after her again? Anything is possible, and I don't want anything to happen that costs me to forever lose the chance to ask."
Luna frowned for him, but not all for his sympathy. With the fraction of information she knew of all his past adventures and challenges, she understood what and who fuels his fears, but why they do so had to be addressed. She stepped forward and placed a hoof under his chin, picking his head up to speak face to face.
"Sometimes we fear of what can happen, but a lot tend to forget about focusing on what time will tell us," she told him. "Do not allow yourself to stress over what is not most important to you. Focus on what you plan to do for Cosmo the Seedrian, and earn your reward."
"I know that," Tails said, "but what if I don't get the chance?"
"Is focusing on the worst case scenario better than focusing for the best? You have told of how fortunate life has been for you, even in your darkest days, and for all that you've been through you are given this chance in the first place. To put it simply, Miles-
"Don't blow it."
Tails's initial response was surprise, to hear Luna be so forward and blunt with her ending advice. When that subsided, he laughed. Sonic was usually the one to tell anyone that for whatever encouragement he felt the need for, and more times than not it helped. It helped to have that kind of push from time to time, and it still held its worth coming from Princess Luna. After he was done laughing, he took another look at the box and its content, wearing a much more optimistic smile on his lips.
"You make a good point, Luna," he mused, and then closed the box and had it disappear from his hand. "I don't plan to mess up, and I plan to pull things off in ways Cosmo will never forget," he said with determination.
Luna looked down at him with a pleased expression. "That you should, and I have no doubt you will. My sister and I look forward to seeing what you do at your home world. Now get your rest for tomorrow. There will be much to do when the press conference starts," she said, catching him off guard.
"Press conference?"
"Yes. It seems many reporters and publications have a thirst for information from your band. Several ponies tried to get this from Celestia and Twilight Sparkle during and after your performance, so my sister had taken it upon herself to schedule a conference before we leave the Crystal Empire. It is set to take place near the Crystal Heart at noon."
Luna's explanation did not ease Tails's newfound confusion enough. "But what about our plans for our day tomorrow? Do the others know yet?" Little did he notice that the landscape around them began to shift, like an earthquake and hurricane taking place at the same time.
"Do not begin to fear again, Miles. I have already entered the Master Four's dreams to inform, saving one that is not asleep at this moment. I was on my way to speak with him when I sensed your nightmare. So far they have all agreed to this and have requested only they handle the conference to not burden the rest of the Team JAG Band. You are all welcome to do as you wish during that time," the alicorn explained. Looking around her, it had worked to settle the fox's nerves as the potential disaster within his dreamscape settled back to the quiet and desolate Mobius.
When her explanation sank, Tails immediately found calmness again. He should've known the Master Four would do that kind of thing for everybody, but he did desire one last calm time in Equestria before going back home. "Sounds good. I owed the Cutie Mark Crusaders a small show of my fighting abilities. They practically got on their knees and begged for it earlier," he said. "Then again..."
A pondering look crossed his face. Now that he knew where he was and what was going on, he wanted to see if there was enough control for him to try something new. "Several warriors of Team JAG had begun to discover a new level of power, one that could really give us an edge in fighting the Brotherhood of Darkness. I haven't practiced it awake, but maybe I can simulate it here," he pondered aloud, and then immediately changed his form to Super Saiyan. "Luna, could you stay for another few minutes? An outside perspective would be helpful."
The alicorn looked at him curiously. "I'm afraid I'm not aware of what you seek to obtain here. Perhaps you need another that's better suited to assist you," she suggested. Her horn began to glow, her magic casting a bright white strand out between the two of them. It opened a portal between Tails's dreamscape and another's, but whose dreamscape on the other side wasn't entirely known. "Someone from home would be better assistance for you."
It took him a few seconds to think about the idea, but Tails's decision was not what she was expecting. "No, I don't want to bother their rest," he told her. "All I'd need would be about five minutes of your time with this, because I could use an outside look on how I handle this. Please, Luna, just five minutes."
"Are you sure?" she asked him, and he gave her a reassuring nod. Closing the portal, she agreed to help him, and watched as the fox began to focus on his dreamscape, revitalizing the once desolate Mobius with its lush, grassy landscape and bright sunlit day. That transformation was only the beginning.
He imagined himself taking on a new form of power, one that only a selected few had managed to accomplish for real. His power and energy escalated enormously as his body turned a fiery shade of red, but he didn't stop there. With another focused effort, he unleashed a wave of energy that further heightened his power level, and changed his red color to a coating of blue, in both his fur and his aura. Below Luna knew it, he began to race around the surrounding landscape to test and theorize what this new power could mean if ever achieved.
/)∞(\
Not all ponies were able to sleep that night. The Equestria Games had ended and everypony had put out their last amounts of energy in the closing ceremonies. The former bearers of the Elements of Harmony, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and all the guests invited by Twilight Sparkle could attest to that if they weren't already, for the most part, enjoying peaceful slumber. It was supposed to be the last night of vacationing to the Crystal Empire before next week's formal events for the Duke and Duchess of Maretonia.
Princess Celestia was still wide awake.
Following the end of the concert, she had gone to retire to her private chambers provided by Cadance and Shining Armor. Unfortunately, she found herself unable to place herself under the covers of her bed and drift off to sleep, and instead kept herself on her hooves. She paced around in circles or in straight lines numerous times, she let her eyes gaze around at her surroundings, and she stopped by a large window to view the Crystal Empire under her sister's glorious night. It was a beautiful sight as the crystalline landscape and buildings shined a low glow that disturbed nopony's sleep. It wasn't enough to calm Celestia enough to go to sleep herself.
She couldn't blame herself for feeling uneasy stress. It had been a weekend with a lot more complications than what was necessary. A competitor caught cheating, a shortage of souvenirs or snacks, misplaced medals that were awarded to the winners, those issues and more could have been handled with some ease and, with a calm demeanor, little haste. It was very different when the burden of trying to build bridges between different lands involves unwanted situations and negative consequences. She did all that she could, but Celestia's guilt kept telling her more action could've been taken.
The return trip to the castle was not to what Celestia was expecting.
"Your former protégé does not show the same best interests for Equestria as you do. Her focus remains on that filly and her friends."
"I assure you, Twilight Sparkle has only the best intentions for anypony. She is our newest princess after all, no excuse mind you, and still has time to come to her own stature."
"I have to agree with my husband. Princess Twilight does not demonstrate the same attributes like yourself and your sister and niece. How can we put our trust in a nation where all their royalty does not know how to keep their bias aside?"
"She is both a royal alicorn and a mother. Ask her yourself and she will defend her friends as the very foundation of her title is earned from. She knows how to put her bias aside when needed, but her role as a mother-"
"Clouds her judgment too greatly. I am sorry, Celestia, but Twilight does not assure our trust to open Maretonia's borders with Equestria."
"Fair Duke, please do not let what troubles my nephew stirred to make an absolute judgment of a pony I have put my entire trust in. Twilight Sparkle has saved Equestria more times than I could have, more times than even she deserved to. Even Tartarus itself does not contain a danger she cannot handle."
"Yes, because the reincarnation of your sister's darker side is her adopted child, and she associates with those with abilities that can turn our very existence into-"
"ENOUGH!"
"Princess Celestia, as the representatives of Maretonia, my husband, the Duke, and myself, the Duchess, do not wish to associate with Twilight Sparkle until she has earned our trust. She is too young, too naive, and too protective of her own life for us to believe she can serve Equestria to standards similar to your own."
"In time she will..."
"But until then, we request that there is a minimum of who we may directly negotiate with and assure both our lands' best interests. Yourself, Princess Luna, and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Nopony else."
"Until then, until she knows her own worth for all of Equestria, until her adoptive daughter and her adoptive title are not her full attention, Princess Twilight Sparkle will remain an outside party. Your friends from Team JAG, they will have to prove themselves more on their own actions."
"We hope you will accept these terms, as we do see a long-lasting benefit for opening our lands between each other. Good night, Celestia."
How couldn't they see it? How couldn't the Duke and Duchess see in Twilight what those from Saddle Arabia said they would embrace whole-heartedly? Everypony is different in their own ways, but this was not what Celestia was looking for. This was what she tried to avoid, but with a helpful hoof from Blueblood, Maretonia had no trust in Twilight Sparkle, the prized student turned alicorn princess. It sickened Celestia, but she could not show it, nor her depression.
Celestia just stared out the window, unsure of what to think or what to do. All that she thought of was trying to explain what the Duke and Duchess had requested before they would tell Twilight themselves. Everything that did happen, she couldn't deny the bias display Twilight had for her friends and Nyx, but even Luna's decision to have Nyx earn her own royal title didn't fix the problem. Twilight was young and, argumentively, had the naiveté youth can provide, but her reasons were just enough for understanding when it came to a mother defending her daughter.
After all, Celestia faced that herself before having her own fears to cause one of her greatest mistakes result in the treachery by the Children of Nightmare.
But then again, she did remember something another pony had told her. Spell Nexus, the headmaster of her school and former betrayer under Nightmare Moon's Blessing, was told of the intentions of bringing dignitaries to the Games. His trust was restored rather quickly, especially after Nexus reshaped himself to return to his position after the last time he came in contact with Nyx, for Celestia to share her plans with him. His response echoed in her mind with earlier's quarrel.
"Those Maretonians are as stubborn to convince as an Earth Pony trying to cast a Rule 63 spell. And I mean a legitimate spell. They could just put on different clothes and be just as convincing. Maretonians, on the other hoof... I wish you luck, my faithful Princess."
She wished he was exaggerating his opinion. Then again, he wasn't too far off with how he put it, and always carried himself with a serious and collected manner. Nonetheless, what has happened had happened, and she was nopony to tell anypony what to think or believe. Celestia needed to inform Twilight in some way or form, any form that can keep her former student from entering a rage shift powerful enough to require fire extinguishing spells. How she'll pull that off is an idea beyond her imagination.
In an effort to relax herself, she opened the window in front of her to allow some night air in the room. Perhaps the breath of fresh air could clear her mind, if not for just a minute. The night air that made its way inside felt like an instant wave of calm, just at the right temperature to make it a cooling welcome. As she tried to clear her own mind, a faint sound caught her ears' attention.
*pop*
What the popping sound was from sounded familiar, and it was close. Celestia wondered if it came from behind her, inside the castle, but that pop wouldn't have echoed how it did indoors. Such an occurrence wasn't something she would usually worry about, but the small distraction could be warranted for personal investigation. That was her argument and she was sticking to it.
She decided to investigate, opening her grand wings and took flight out the window, going left towards the direction of the sound. Her flight was short as only a few seconds later, she found an open window to one of the other rooms. As she got to the window's front, she was met to the presence of Jason, one of the Master Four, pouring a drink from a glass bottle. Judging by the red liquid being poured in his glass, it looked to be wine.
"H-hello, Your Majesty," Jason said, a little surprised to see the white alicorn just flying by.
"My apologies," she replied, "I did not mean to startle you. I heard a sound from my suite and decided to find its source."
"No, no, it's fine. I just opened a bottle of merlot to enjoy." The warrior of Darkness could tell that she was more distracted than she would willing to admit. "May I interest you in a glass? I'm not sure if you enjoy a good red wine, but I have a merlot from my home that's just delicious."
Celestia raised a hoof to politely wave it side to side. "That's quite alright, but thank you. I wouldn't want to be a bother to you if you're wishing to be alone. I honestly assumed you would be asleep after your performance tonight."
"You are no bother, Princess. I don't think sleep is going to happen anytime soon anyway. Please, do come in."
Seeing that there was no other way to deny the invitation, Celestia welcomed the gesture and used her magic to teleport from outside the window to inside Jason's room. When she appeared, she found him handing her his already poured glass of wine. She kindly accepted the offer and grabbed it with a levitation spell, allowing him to pour another glass for himself.
"I can see I'm not the only one who won't sleep tonight. That's not a bad thing if you ask me, considering I thought those fillies would be live-wired all night," he mused, then taking a sip of his wine.
"Yes," Celestia replied, "Twilight has written me several letters about their activities when she was still my student." She took a drink of the wine, allowing the taste to stay in her mouth for a few seconds to get the full flavor before swallowing. "Hmmm, that's a very tasteful wine. You said you brought this from your world?"
"Thank you," Jason answered, "and yes, from my favorite local winery. It's one of their reserved merlots, aged a few years longer than their standard blend."
"My compliments to their craft, but if I may say, if you wished to have a stronger drink than Crystal Empire Nectar, all you needed to do was ask."
"I know, Your Majesty, but I have bottle of my own drink after some shows if I'm left with an afterglow of our fun work in the Band," he told her.
The two took a couple more sips from their respective glasses, an awkward silence falling between them. It was only broken when Jason's curiosity got the better of him. Most of his face was hidden behind a full beard and his head under hair and reached down to his mid back, but the latter was held together into a long ponytail by several headbands. His eyes, although looking as solid black as how he was first introduced, could see that something was bothering his surprise drinking company. She looked uneased, and he wanted to see what the problem was and hopefully help.
"Pardon my asking, Princess, but why are you still awake? Assuming because of all the activity the Equestria Games had today, and the last few days for that matter, some rest would be the only thing on your mind."
Celestia frowned at how readable she apparently looked. A grand pony as poise and stoic as her wasn't always in such a state, but even a complete stranger could read her. "I'm only... well, contemplating over near future events."
"Such as what?"
"I don't wish to go in finer detail about it, but there are certain arrangements regarding our foreign guests invited by myself and my sister and Twilight Sparkle that need handling, and I'm not sure how to explain this to my prized pupil."
"I see," Jason said. He could put two and two together in his head and guess it fairly good, but he refrained from prying. Instead he focused more on the issue in order to help provide what advice he could offer. "Twilight seems to be the understanding type... when no one's pushing her buttons. Have you considered making it a private conversation and just speak the truth as it is?"
"We have already had one of those during the Games," Celestia said solemnly. "I don't wish to add another to it. I would like her to leave the Crystal Empire for a few days happily without any extra baggage, so to speak."
"Of course, Your Majesty, but I'm sure I have no need to explain that what must be done needs to be done. From our understand of Equestria's history, you have experienced that yourself firsthand- forgive me, hoof."
Celestia nodded to confirm his knowledge true. "Yes, I have been placed in such positions multiple times over. But it never eases when dealing with more personal issues, especially to those who don't ask for their troubles."
"I can understand that completely," said the dark warrior. He then dared himself to ask a question that may push the white alicorn's limits. It was one that was obvious to answer, but sometimes the best words should come straight from the horse's mouth. "Princess Celestia, how badly has Team JAG made things for you since Tails and Cosmo came to Equestria?"
Celestia looked at him with a glare. She knew the truth as the answer, and she knew he knew the truth himself. However, without going into finer details, she explained herself. "Since your friends' first appearance, I saw nothing but good in them. They are a couple that, according to Twilight, bring nothing but shared happiness and a sense of family to my little ponies. The only exception to that was the first day of their arrival as they were lost in what was once a strange new world to them.
"Then when those dragons attacked the fillies in Ponyville, how the combined efforts of my prized student and Miles reopened the connection between our world with yours, was Equestria introduced to the rest of you. You've shown the same amount of respect to everypony since you first arrived, but I'm afraid to say not all ponies share a same sense of welcome to you all."
"Including yourself?"
"Only at first, when I was still in the dark of who I was meeting and what their capabilities were. It is thanks to the Elements of Harmony that my perspective opened up to, knowing what you're capable of, nothing less than understanding and willing to open our borders with the many other beings that share your beliefs and actions. You have shown me who you are as kind acquaintances and friends, and I think I can safely say the ponies of Equestria think the same of you.
"But it's sad for me to say that not everypony has expressed the same open minds as most others have..."
"Master Four, over here Master Four! Where exactly is it that you all come from?!"
"Are you here to solely promote your band and music?"
"Princesses, what are your thoughts of these new creatures in Equestria?!"
"Princess Luna, what motivated you to bestow a royal title to Nightma-"
It began the moment they exited through the Crystal Palace doors. Several reporters and journalists waited patiently for what felt like hours around the Crystal Heart, waiting for their targets of their questions. The Princesses did expect many reporters, but not over two dozen of them. The moment everyone was going through the doors, the bombardment began, ending up with the Princesses having to instruct the inquiring ponies to stand back and allow the groups of the Team JAG Band and the Mobius visitors some space.
But the sudden charge of press ponies didn't damper the enjoyable day the interdimensional visitors were having. It was a nice and quiet morning for the most part. Other than Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo lamenting not earning their cutie marks for the umpteenth time, and another unfortunate conversation between Celestia and Twilight just before walking outside, it was a morning everyone hoped for. The visitors packed their things, everyone had a delicious and filling breakfast of Crystal Empire delicacies, and Pinkie Pie managed to make every pony and person a goodie bag to take home. The latter was tried to be questioned, but the answer didn't matter. It was a kind gesture from the Element of Laughter.
They also prepared themselves for the press conference Princess Luna warned them about through their dreams, and the one told of it from Princess Celestia. It was offered by the Master Four that they would handle the press conference and allow everyone else to go their own ways until it was time to return to their dimensions. The offer, although appreciated, was declined, as everyone didn't want to leave the four of them with the task themselves. Nor did it help the crowd of ponies behind the press ponies that wanted to meet the Band and heroes of Mobius.
Once Luna got things in order, the group split into two: one for the press conference, and the other to engage with everypony else. The former group was indeed smaller, just being the Master Four and Tails along with the now five Princesses, the most recent addition in the castle taking a nap. With both sides in a momentary state of silence, Twilight motioned a hoof to her guests to engage with the press ponies. Jason accepted the role of addressing everypony first.
"Mares and gentlecolts, if I got that right," he said musingly, "thank you for this opportunity to talk with you. We are the Master Four, founders of the Team JAG Band, and of course we have Tails here with us, and we'll be happy to start answering whatever questions we can. Anypony care to start with-"
"Over here, please!" A crystal pony cut him off the dark warrior, jumping on the chance to ask the first question and start the slew of cameras going off all around them. "Miss Gem Cut of the Crystal Column. What are your reasons to perform what ponies consider today as 'heave metal' music?"
"Heavy metal is one of our biggest influences of music to perform, and an overall favorite for the Band," Ash replied. "We're always supporters of all music genres, having started to play instruments to rock and roll, but metal is a go-to for us because it challenges and inspires us the most."
"And do you perform every concert in a time period of four hours?"
"Our main concerts, yes. We perform abbreviated sets for certain events and at everyone's availability."
"Princesses, Princesses!" The next pony, a unicorn stallion levitating a pad and pencil in his magic, called out next. "I represent Manehattan's Mega Music Magazine. Can you explain your decision to hire said heavy metal band to close the Equestria Games other than those of Equestrian origin?"
"Allow me to answer your question," Twilight replied, met with a curious and ready to write stallion. "Through my friend here Tails and his girlfriend Cosmo, ponies were introduced to Team JAG's band with their first performance in Ponyville at the start of spring. After getting to know these new friends, and seeing how the Games have united ponies from within and beyond Equestria's borders, I wanted to introduce them to the whole of our great land in order to bridge our worlds together. Through these methods, I am certain we will be able to form new bonds with those who try to treat us above how we have treated them."
Another pony in the crowd spoke up next and asked "Does that mean they support all your endeavors in return?"
Twilight arched an eyebrow in curiosity. "Excuse me?"
"Over here, Princess Twilight!" Her gaze turned to another stallion that was a couple rows towards the back. "Mr. Headline, the Cloudsdale Forecast. It has been rumored that the filly you adopted has gained a Princess title. Can you confirm this and explain how the former Nightmare Moon could obtain this title? Master Four, Mr. Tails, your thoughts as well?"
Twilight could sense Nyx's fear as the filly tried crouching herself back. This inevitable action needed to be handled, and it was clear that some ponies wanted that now. More importantly, there was someone who overheard a private conversation in the castle that shouldn't have been public like this, not yet. She spoke in a firm tone, and with a stern expression.
"My daughter, Nyx Sparkle, is a member of the Royal family, and so she has been recently decreed a Princess. Due to her young age, she will not be an acting princess until she is an adult and ready for responsibility," she explained.
"And seeing how new we are here, Team JAG cannot comment on this other than we support the actions of your Princesses completely," Tails added. "Next question please."
The next pony to beat the rest to speaking was the same crystal pony from before. "How do you feel being the first non-pony performers to close the Equestria Games held for the first time in the Crystal Empire?"
"We are honored to have that privilege," Gohan replied. "What we do is all for fun, much like a hobby. We're what you can think of as a 'glorified cover band' in other dimensions, so for us to practice our hobby here for such an important occasion is a memory we'll never forget."
"Princess Celestia! A question please!" yelled another pony, this one a duo of a unicorn and a pegasus wearing Canterlot-colored fan shirts.
"Of course, my little ponies," Celestia said.
"Clip Note and Quick Snap of the Canterlot Gazette. What are your thoughts on both the band's performance and Team JAG's rapidly growing reputation as Equestria's newest music sensation and heroes?"
The grand alicorn smiled in returned and answered with "I found the Team JAG Band's performance respectful and enjoyable, thanks to the enjoyment our citizens showed during the show. Their reputations..." She paused as she thought about one of the two ponies' names, and then focused her attention on the pegasus photographer. "Excuse my asking, but are you the same Quick Snap from before?"
The pegasus said no response, but his body movement answered her. He crouched down a little, trying to step back into the dense crowd of press ponies as he tried to cover his face with the camera. Luck against him, nopony gave him room to escape, and he wasn't about to take off like a coward in front of royalty for the second time. His attempt to hide may have failed, but the response he got from Celestia stunned him.
"It's good to see you back at work. I haven't seen your talents in photography since before that Hearth's Warming Eve," she said, her voice still soothe and kind as ever. "How have you been?"
Quick Snap hesitated to answer, but with what little courage he had, he managed to form his reply. "I'm doing okay, Princess. Just started with the Gazette a month ago."
"So I see," Celestia replied. "I believe Shining Armor mentioned a request of recommendation from the Canterlot Gazette about your photography. He told them you'd be great for them." She used a hoof to motion his focus to the Master Four. "Would you be kind enough to photograph my sister and me with the Master Four after this is done?"
The pegasus's jaw dropped in a momentary stupor, but he quickly snapped back to attention. "Yes, of course," he answered.
"Thank you. Now, to finish your question from before, we are aware of how Team JAG's name has been spreading around ever since they first appeared in Ponyville. It's quite pleasing seeing how the group has made such a positive introduction to warrant such a welcome from ponies."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Clip Note replied, and then focused his next question towards Tails. "Mr. Tails, did you and your band mates have high expectations from Equestria's citizens for your performance last night?"
"Of course we had expectations," the two-tailed fox answered. "We looked forward to creating a fun experience that would get everypony involved. We saw them smiling, we heard them cheering, and we couldn't ask for a better first show for all of Equestria to enjoy." He then smirked as he added another comment. "I have to admit, though, Ponyville's crowd from our very first concert in this world can give the entire nation a run for their money."
"Master Four! Over here!" the next pony to raise their hoof was another crystal earth pony, this one a stallion. "Karat Stone, from Equestrian Entertainment Weekly. Can you comment on what Tails said?"
All four of them grinned, and Jason gave the pony his answer. "When Tails speaks, he speaks the truth. Equestria is a new favorite place for us to perform, and we always have an open door to come back for another show. As for Ponyville... well, we didn't expect the whole town to sing along with us during my favorite Slipknot song..."
/)∞(\
"Excuse me, Miss Kim?! Can I have your autograph?!"
"Oh... uh, of course. Anything specific I should write?"
"Uhhhhh- Equestria Rocks!"
This was the third time Kim was approached by a filly in under five minutes. It wasn't even an hour, not even close, since she and the rest of her group were surrounded by ponies during the group's walk around the Empire. At first, they all noticed the looking passerbys as they walked along, but only smiled and waved in return. It wasn't until several foals pointed them out and begged their accompanied parents to take them over to meet the strange beings with five of the Elements of Harmony. When that happened, all different ponies within the vicinity of the group gathered to meet the other-worlders.
For the most part, it was harmless fun. In fact, it was enjoyable all-around. Those of the Team JAG Band received many compliments for their performance, and several more asking for an autograph and a photo-op. Many ponies had saddlebags filled with souvenirs for the Equestria Games such as foam hooves, flags and shirts, and the Band members were asked to sign them with what writing objects ponies had to offer. Even those of Team Sonic garnered ponies' attention, being asked question after question for many reasons. It reached a point when Sonic and Knuckles began to show off their unique abilities. The blue hedgehog had a quick running sprint from point 'A' to point 'B' and then back to point 'A,' and the echidna showed off his strength by picking up a pile of Crystal Scouts above his head.
"Wow, mister, you're really strong!" said one of the fillies Knuckles was holding up.
"Yeah, I get that a lot," he gloated. He kneeled down onto a knee and told the foals to jump back down. When he got back up he told them "It always helps out a team when you have some extra muscle to back them up."
Knuckles failed to notice the looks some of his friends had glanced at him, their eyes metaphorically rolling at his showboating. They haven't seen him act like that so much since Team Sonic's time in Station Square several years ago, and it showed that some things haven't changed a bit. For some of their Equestrian chaperones, they just looked at the echidna curiously.
"Is he usually like this?" Rarity asked. She stood in a group that was off to the side and away from the commotion.
"Only when his ego begins to fill that empty head of his," Rouge answered. "Excuse me while I smack some hot air out his ears for a few minutes."
The bat was about to make her way over before being stopped by both Rarity and Shadow. The former spoke again with "Save that for another time, darling, preferably not in front of the children. He means no harm so long as nopony is at risk of getting hurt."
"Well if anyone asks, he was your responsibility," Rouge said back.
"Just get over it," Shadow told her. "You know him better than anyone, so you can hit him in front of kids if you feel that way."
Rouge only huffed at the black hedgehog's comment, crossed her arms and turned her head away. Her new sight caught others of their large group split up in different parts talking to all sorts of different ponies. Some were being much humbler than Knuckles, others signing autographs and giving out fist bumps against hooves. She then saw a much better sight that Rarity commented on.
"Oh look at your dear Cosmo over there with those little foals. They must be running her mad by the sounds of all those questions."
Rouge only replied "You'd be surprised with that girl, Rarity."
Cosmo, along with Fluttershy and the duo of Ami and Yumi, was surrounded by several different kids and a few of their parents, as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. For the most part, the Seedrian was approached by many ponies who just wanted to say hello and welcome her and her friends to Equestria. Every time such an instance occurred, she responded as positively delighted as she felt. But then came all the younger ponies who came up to her at that moment, all of whom wanting to meet the 'strange new friends' of Equestria, as they worded it. Not being one to be rude to anybody, or anypony, Cosmo happily gave them her undivided attention.
"Is it true that you're actually a really big flower?" a little colt asked, probably no older than seven years old by his appearance.
Cosmo laughed a little as she answered with "Yes, I pretty much am. I am someone called a Seedrian, a being who is part plant."
"That explains those beautiful roses on your head," another little pony said, pointing her hoof up to the Seedrian's head, where two reddish pink roses were bloomed.
"That's right," Cosmo confirmed for them.
"Are you a superhero like all your other friends?" asked a crystal filly.
"Oh I wouldn't say anything like that..."
"What are you talkin' about! 'course ya are!" Apple Bloom told Cosmo. "Y'all helped save your whole world from a bunch of bad guys!"
"No! A whole GALAXY!" Scootaloo added, correcting her friend. All the other ponies shared a unison "WHOA!"
"Wow, you really are a hero!" added the filly. "Can I take a picture with you?"
"Now hold on there, Crystal," the filly's father, having a camera around his neck, told his daughter. "I said you could meet the Band, not bother them for anything."
"Awww but Daddyyyyy..."
"It's quite alright, sir," Cosmo told him. "I wouldn't mind it at all."
Although reluctant for a brief time, he nodded to the filly to stand by Cosmo so he could take a picture. The three Crusaders and other foals jumped in on things, surrounding around the two just before the stallion took the picture. Other parents that also had cameras asked if they could also take photos since all their children were in the same shot, and Cosmo happily agreed to it. When the flashes of the cameras stopped, they thanked her before they left so they could do a little more sightseeing of all the post-Games celebration.
"The young ones of this world are just adorable," Cosmo commented, not to anyone in particular.
"They are, aren't they?" Fluttershy, now standing next to her, replied. "They've really taken a liking to you and the others, especially after yesterday."
"I think we've noticed," said the Seedrian, motioning a hand to some of her friends being surrounded by ponies. She used her other hand, and Fluttershy her hoof, to try and stifle a laugh from getting out.
"Well seeing what Tails and Team JAG did, I think it's attention you all deserved," stated the pegasus mare.
"You know we don't do things to seek attention, Fluttershy. Tails and the others do what they feel is right, and I always make sure I'm there to support them. It's no different with the Band, since they perform music for the fun and enjoyment of it."
"I know, but anybody can have fans. Just ask-"
"This is so cool!" Fluttershy found herself cut off by an incoming dive from Rainbow Dash. "Everypony's asking for an autograph, and I just signed one for the mayor of Cloudsdale! Fluttershy, you have to get in on this. He wants to take our picture with Bulk Biceps and the Wonderbolts! And he wants to meet you too, Cosmo!"
"Oh... uhm... I don't know," Fluttershy said. "Why would he want a picture of us?"
"Well, he said he wanted a picture with me because of my place in the Wonderbolt Reserves and my time at the Wonderbolt Academy. I told him that he'd get it if I got you two in it because of how close we came in the Games. He wants us and everyone to wear their medals! Plus, he wants to meet everyone from Team JAG and invite them to some party in Cloudsdale he's having!"
"That sounds nice of him," Cosmo stated. "Did he say when?"
The cyan mare stopped to think and remember the exact date. It almost escaped her memory with all of her excitement. "I think it's the day after tomorrow."
"Oh..." Cosmo frowned. "That's the same day as the anniversary on Mobius."
"Oh dear," commented Fluttershy. She knew that everypony, especially Rainbow Dash, we're excited to visit Mobius for the first time and celebrate in a manner similar to the Games.
"Oh horseapples. I'll be right back!" Before anyone could say a thing, Rainbow darted back to where the mayor was, who was having a chat with Sonic, Dan and Aelita. The two watched for the minute it took to see them talk, their facial expressions, and a hoofshake before the cyan mare darted back to them. "OK, it's all settled. He said he'd reschedule it to the day before we come back here next week."
"Really? How did you convince him to do that?"
"I told him about the Mobius trip and he realized that Team JAG invited all of Equestria last night. He decided to reschedule the party so he can take his kids to the show."
Cosmo smiled in relief at the sound of that, and was glad that the Band's open invitation was being accepted by ponies. She knew they were kind-hearted and optimistic, perhaps more so than herself, but they were something else that she didn't expect so much of: supportive. From their new best friends from Ponyville made a few months ago, to meeting ponies all across Equestria today, she and her friends have been shown, for the most part, support and openness that made them feel welcome and accepted. She hadn't felt this since she first met Tails and the others over eight years ago. It was a wonderful feeling to have again as she continued to see ponies run up to meet her friends, to try and ask a hundred questions, to get their Team JAG Band souvenirs autographed by the entire-
Cosmo's focus immediately shifted to the latter sight. "Where did that stuff come from?" she thought, and then walked up to where Kim, Ron and Pinkie Pie were standing. A couple ponies who competed for Ponyville in the Games asked the human couple to sign their Team JAG Band souvenir flags, and when Cosmo reached them and asked where the flags came from, they explained that a trio of ponies were selling 'official merchandise' just down the road. Curiosity began to control Cosmo as she and a few others decided to go investigate this.
Down on the sides of the road, there were several stands selling souvenirs and items brought in from all over Equestria. The merchants were selling the rest of their stock cheap so they didn't have any leftover inventory to take back home, many of whom selling their merchandise during the Games in the corridors of the arena. It was towards the end was a picnic table with one side's bench facing the road, covered in various items that had the Band's name printed on them. Multiple colored shirts, flags and keychains, among the several different items to choose from, all being managed by one mare with two kids, all of whom were earth ponies.
"That'll be eight bits." The mare had just sold some merchandise to another buyer. "Thanks again! Anypony next?" Turning to face more potential customers, her sight was met with a group consisting of only one pony and three bipedal creatures. It took her a moment, but her mind registered the majority of the group in front of her. "Y-you are from the Team JAG Band!"
"Nah, only half of us," said Yumi, who gestured a thumb towards herself and Ami next to her. "We heard there was some new merch with us on it."
The mare's color looked to have faded a couple shades from her natural green color. "Well, yes," she said, and then watched them scan the items she had laid out across the table. She noticed the pony of the group, a white unicorn with a purple mane, arch an eyebrow as she took a closer look at a pile of shirts. "Something you see, Miss..."
"Rarity," the other mare replied, "and yes, I just want to say how 'interesting' your merchandise design looks." The logo for the Band that was used wasn't anything too special: it was Crystal Empire script in a large and bold form, with two guitars in the background on both ends and a pair of crossed drumsticks behind the word JAG. "Did you design these yourself?"
"No!" the earth pony exclaimed with a new presentation of fear in her tone. She looked as if she committed a crime and got busted for it. With a quick recollecting of her composure, she explained "No, no, I didn't design these. They were actually designed by my two kids." The foals, both being young colts, were called over by her mother while they were busy making new items to put up for sale. When they reached the table, she introduced them as Signature and Grand Design.
The group noticed the two colts look at them with widened eyes and dropped jaws, stunned to see who was at their little stand. They tried to make some kind of audible sound, but failed in the process. Unable to contain herself, Cosmo giggled and kneeled herself down to get closer to their eye level. "So you two are the ones who designed this logo?" The two remained speechless until their mother gave them a small nudge to snap them out of their trance.
"Y-yeah, yeah we did," said Signature. "We were at the show last night and you guys were so cool! We could barely sleep after that!"
"Glad you liked the show," Yumi commented, "so that gave you the idea to make this stuff?"
Grand Design nodded his head frantically for a few seconds, and then replied with "Yeah! I really like to draw stuff, and since I also couldn't sleep back at our hotel, I just kept drawing stuff! Guitars, drums, that gesture you made at the end of your front legs." The duo of pop stars needed a few seconds to realize that he meant the devil horns, the classic sign for heavy metal. "I just kept drawing until Sig and I came up with what you see on everything."
Signature took over from that point and said "When we showed our mom earlier, not only did she like it, but other ponies who got to see liked it, too. That's when Mom decided to buy a whole bunch of stuff from another salespony, rent a crystal printing press and we began to make all the stuff to sell. We've been doing great with all the ponies that see our table!"
"We certainly noticed," Cosmo told him, shifting her focus back to the mare. "You certainly have a couple creative boys here. I can only imagine how proud you are of them."
"Yes, indeed," she replied. "Boys, could you please get some more of the keychains ready? We're starting to run low." The colts nodded and made their back to the supplies, the mare waiting just long enough to get them out of hearing range. She looked back at the four across her table with eyes that looked as pleading as her voice started to sound. "I hope we haven't upset you by doing this. We just needed extra bits to help us get home."
The four wore a confused expression, with Cosmo and Rarity's being more concerning. "What do you mean, my dear?" Rarity asked.
"Well, you see, my boys and I were staying at that hotel over there," she said, pointing a hoof down towards a building with a sign hanging off the front that read Shimmer Inn. "During our stay, we had an incident with Prince Blueblood. I sent my boys to get us breakfast at the inn's complimentary buffet and bring it back to our room, but from what the manager had explained, they rounded the corner where the prince was walking from and bumped into him, and our food into his clothes and fur. I could hear him yelling from our room, and he furiously demanded that we pay for his clothes to be dry-cleaned and a spa treatment to clean his fur. The bill was outrageous! All of the bits we had to pay, what he had for our hotel bill and selling back our train tickets couldn't cover it all! When I saw people show interest in my boys' art, I used what bits I had to get everything you see here, get it made and sell it to cover our expenses."
The four listeners were now as speechless as the colts were. Blueblood wasn't only being disrespectful and snobbish towards them, but other ponies - even children - without a good reason at all. It was an honest mistake, one that didn't need to cause stress to anypony. Yumi began to growl angrily at the sheer stupidity of what she heard, and both her and Rarity felt their blood boiling as their anger over him grew. Both Ami and Cosmo showed themselves more collected and masked their own upset anger with more concerning expressions.
But Cosmo felt so much guiltier over this. Yes, the prince's frustration was on the entire group, but he put his senseless anger out on her, her beloved and Nyx. He was sent to that hotel because of his behavior towards them at the dinner, and so in a way, she felt that unnecessary guilt of having him sent there in the first place.
"That's just horrible. I am so sorry for you all," she told the mare. "How much more do you need to earn?"
"Several dozen bits, nearly a hundred," the mare replied. "Prince Blueblood's treatment was the most you could get at once, thus being the most expensi-"
"THAT BRUTE!" Rarity exclaimed with an uneasy seething in her tone. "HOW DARE HE TREAT YOU LIKE THIS!" Little to her notice did some passing ponies heard and looked towards her during her outbursts. "Don't you worry, madam. I will make sure he meets the dirtiest stain that will NEVER get out of his coat! NEVER!"
"Rarity, please, take it easy," Cosmo told the unicorn, pointing out the staring ponies. During these outbursts, Ami managed to whisper something into Yumi's ear that managed to settle the purple-haired rocker's own display of anger and replace it with a grin.
"Excuse me," Ami said, "if I may ask you, Miss... uhm..."
"Blue Moon," said the mare. "I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself before."
"It's fine. Now, Blue Moon, you're trying to call this official Team JAG Band merchandise then, correct?" The mare answered with a nervous nod. Yumi then said "Well then there's only one way to deal with this..." Without another word, she made her way passed the others and grabbed one of the shirts. She held it up, at least to how a human could display a pony-sized shirt, and took a good look at it. She then cleared some space on the bench with her feet, stepped up and faced out onto the street.
"Step right up, ponies! Step right up! Come get your official Team JAG Band merch! T-shirts, keychains, ball caps, flags, come get it before they're gone!" She continued to call out to the passing ponies, most of whom caught her attention and started to trot over to the table.
Ami leaned in to Cosmo's unseen ear and whispered something to her before jumping up on another open section of the bench. She picked up a hat to put on her head, and keychains and flags to hold in each hand. "That's right, folks! For the first time in Equestria, get some Team JAG Band souvenirs!"
One of the passerbys walked up and asked "Wait a minute, aren't you two in that band?" He was given his confirmation from Ami. "Oh, sweet! That concert you played was incredible! Can I get something signed?"
"You bet you can!" Yumi answered. "For one extra bit, we'll sign whatever you ask! Just pay the trio behind the table! Come on up and get your merch right here ponies!"
The duo kept calling out as a crowd came up and surrounded the entire front side of the table. One after another, they asked for either one item or multiple of each, and every purchase saw a pile of bits dropped onto the table. While Cosmo had run off to back where they walked down the street from, Rarity jumped behind the table to help manage the sales and make more merchandise with the colts. The crowd drawn in got their merch and paid, and then held what they bought up to Ami and Yumi to have signed. It continued in such a manner until Cosmo returned with most other members of the Band, where they found themselves in sight of a pair of blinding lights emitting from Signature and Grand Design.
/)∞(\
"...and that's how we helped the family raise their needed bits to get home, and see how ponies earn their cutie marks for the first time."
"That's amazing!"
"Rarity, don't you think your intentions for your next visit to Canterlot are a little, well... excessive?"
"Quite the contrary, Twilight. I find such a trip to be quite necessary. After all, nopony else plans to tar and feather that disrespectful, disgusting, despicable, good for nothing-"
"Don't worry about it. Let him be a prick."
"Miles!"
The once divided group remerged later on in the day, all taking one final stroll through the Crystal Empire together before having to depart. Cosmo had told Tails, Twilight and the others of what had happened during the press conference with the trio of ponies selling merchandise with Team JAG Band's name. The effort proved successful for the family, especially after the rest of the Band appeared, encouraging and autographing every single thing ponies bought, and the trio earned more bits than they needed to pay their debt and get new train tickets.
But even the successful outcome of their efforts didn't ease Twilight and Tails amongst several others. Blueblood's actions extending so far out from what he did around them was outrageous, and they thought they were done with his antics after he was sent home like a child. For the two-tailed fox, what patience he had left for the 'prince' seemed to have drained out of him completely as his usually positive attitude would not surface through his angry facial expressions. He had high respect for the Princesses and Shining Armor, but even with having negative experiences with royals in other dimensions, Blueblood's actions gave him no reason to hope for the better out of him.
As for Twilight, she was furious, and enough to make her start feeling responsible. If it wasn't for his big mouth and the negativity towards the presence of her family and friends, he wouldn't have been sent to that inn in the first place. She wished that the threat Tails made in the Royal Suite the other day could have been promised somehow, but at the same time, she was a princess now. She needed to set the right example not just for the ponies of Equestria, but especially for Nyx. Spike had the experience and maturity on how to handle Blueblood, so her concern for him wasn't as escalated. As she had both of them taking a ride on her back during their trek, she kept her negative comments to herself, and made a mental note to talk to Celestia about reimbursing the family of the money they lost and regained and invite them to Ponyville for dinner in their free time.
The group was nearing the train station when Tails made his remark. Cosmo's reaction to him - calling him by his real name other than his more commonly used nickname - showed her distaste for his reaction to her story's conclusion, especially with Nyx and Spike being right there, and the other fillies and colts they knew not too far out of earshot. His annoyed glare met with her disappointed gaze, one that she used at times but never often.
"I know you're mad about Blueblood, but you need to watch that temper and what you say," Cosmo scolded, gesturing a hand towards Twilight's little hitch-hikers. "You need to watch what words you use that these don't need to hear from you."
"Tails has a temper?" Spike asked curiously. "Since when?"
"He's gotten really angry a few times, Spike. How did you miss it?" Nyx said to him. "He pinned Blueblood to the wall after that fancy dinner the first night we were here, right in front of everypony."
Spike shrugged embarrassingly. "Guess I zoned out from that."
"That's enough," Twilight told the two, turning her head back just far to cast a glare of her own. "You two know it's rude to talk about something like that."
"It's alright, Twilight," Tails said, his voice sounding somewhat regretful for what he had caused. "I've developed and had a temper for quite some time. After years of dealing with jerks who do nothing but threaten your friends over and over and over again, a temper tends to develop more over the time, especially when the target is the person I love." He let his folded arms down, and reached a hand out to hold one of Cosmo's softly in his grip. "I'm sorry for what I said. I'll be more careful about my actions."
The Seedrian smiled and replied "It's okay. I know how you get with your temper. Just watch it around our younger friends from now on."
"It's a deal," he said, and leaned in to kiss Cosmo's cheek. The filly and dragon stuck out their tongues and made a gross groan, forcing a chuckle out of the couple. "Guess I’ll have to watch being openly romantic, too." Cosmo only responded with another chuckle and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Well I think it's sweet," Twilight stated. "You shouldn't hide your love for each other from anybody." This caused her two hitch-hikers a repeated groan, which in turn caused her to laugh. "Oh don't be like that, you two. Whenever you fall in love with that right one you'll be doing the same thing."
"I'd rather not think about it," Nyx deadpanned.
The adults dropped the subject and continued their trek with other conversational topics. At one point they merged with the rest of their groups and talked about things, such as the mayor of Cloudsdale's party and the plans made for the time between then and the big anniversary show on Mobius in a couple days. It kept them occupied all the way to the station, where upon entering they were met by several ponies who wanted an autograph from the Team JAG Band members or to thank Spike for saving the Equestria Games. Fortunately, the amount of ponies was small, so they made their way around before approaching the station platform to wait for the next train to Ponyville.
They still had time before the train would arrive, and thanks to the request of Shining Armor, some Crystal Guards had sent the ponies' luggage to the station early on. It was always a smart idea to arrive some time before a train arrives to exchange passengers, but this time the advanced arrival had a more important meaning. Seeing that the entire collection of friends wasn’t leaving for the same place, it was the time to bid a temporary farewell between Equestrians and Mobians, humans and heroes.
"Are you sure y'all can't come to Ponyville?" asked Apple Bloom, who was practically begging them to change their minds.
"Yeah," Sweetie Belle said, "we can help you rehearse for your big concert."
"I thought we were going to try and see if we'd earn our cutie marks in heavy metal music," Scootaloo added, revealing their real reasons for wanting the Band to stay longer.
"Sorry you three," Ash said after a small laugh, "but we need to get back to our homes like you need to. Besides, I have a gym battle coming up and I need to get ready for that."
"And some of us still need some quiet time to- rehearse! Yeah, rehearse stuff we haven't played yet!" Ron added on to defend him and his fiancé, but realized where his excuse was going and quickly tried to correct his excuse.
"Oh I can clearly see," Rarity mused, seeing clear through his rouse. "I'm sure you and Kimberly will use your time wisely."
"We will," added the mentioned heroine. She shot her beloved geek a quick glance before turning her focus back on Rarity. "And please, just call me Kim. You don't need to say my full name."
"But of course."
"Will you have a lot to do before that show?" Fluttershy asked. "I could imagine with how you all played your concert last night."
Yugi shook his head. "Not really, just a few unfamiliar songs and what adjustments we need to do now that we have Kim and Ron in our band."
"Plus Yumi and I have our own show to play tomorrow night in our world," Ami added. "We get to play a set at one of our own arenas and we don't want to let down our fans."
Yumi nodded in agreement and added "Not to mention I got some new riffs and licks to shred for them during my wicked solos." She noticed quite a few of the ponies trying to understand exactly what she meant with her rock n' roll slang.
"Sweet!" Rainbow Dash said. She was one of the only couple ponies who fully understood what the purple-haired rocker meant. "I can't wait to see more of that on Mobius!"
"Yeah, you'll be in for a treat," Ash commented. He and Yugi had a brief laugh, knowing what he had meant with his statement. The ponies looked at them curiously, asking what he meant to which he only replied "Wait until the show."
"So you sure you don't want any extra help with fire effects?" Spike was, in failing attempt, trying to offer help to Phineas and Ferb. A small talk about the duo's work with concert stage engineering and design brought up their pyrotechnics, which intrigued the fire-breathing dragon. He thought that, after all the fun from last night's show, he could offer his thanks by giving them some dragon fire to harness for the fire effects of future concerts.
"Nah, we're good, but we appreciate the offer," Phineas said. "We'd have to recalibrate our entire system to work with magical fire, and since we're still new to being Team JAG's stage engineers, we want to work with what we've got for a while before changing things up."
"Oh, sure, that's cool. I never remember that since your work with the stage looks like you've done it for years," Spike added.
"We tend to hear that a bit," Ferb said.
"But if ever change our minds and want to mix things up, you'll be the first one we call- I mean, write to," Phineas added.
A little while had passed since the giant group had several conversations circling around, and the train to Ponyville was due to arrive anytime. Many have switched around with each other when certain subjects picked up the attention of some, including the upcoming party in Cloudsdale. When Twilight heard what Rainbow Dash did to keep their plans to be at Mobius safe, she showed the pegasus her appreciation with a thankful hug. She didn't notice how Rainbow's cheeks turned a deep shade of red during a few moments after the hug ended, but the others did.
But to failure with their delaying, it was finally time for Team JAG to take its leave from Equestria. It wasn't the best weekend anyone could have asked for, but it was still an enjoyable time. The stories of their respective pasts being shared, the excitement and thrills during each competition of the Games, and the grand finale of the closing ceremonies were all great new memories to carry away with.
Nyx, on the other hoof, looked incredibly happy. She didn't want to say goodbye as much as the next pony, but Tails had made her a promise that made her very excited. He was going to show her one of his greatest inventions called the X-Tornado, a device that he explained would allow to fly her high in the sky and take a look at far reaches of Mobius.
"Can Twilight come up with us, too?" she asked excitedly.
"Of course," replied the two-tailed fox. "The X-Tornado can easily sit four, or five if you count Cheese with Cream." The little Chao overheard that and gave a "Chao-chao!" in confirmation.
"And we can give you a look at our home, too," Cosmo added. "We don't live too far away from Synthesis, so you can get a quick aerial tour of it during the flight."
Nyx looked as if she was going to explode of excitement at Pinkie Pie levels, which have somehow resulted in fireworks going off in one way or another. Nopony could explain it, so the general excuse they would settle on was some source of magic. Knowing this, and to try to keep the filly under control, Twilight set a hoof on Nyx's shoulder as a gentle means of keeping her grounded.
"Calm down, Nyx. Save your excitement for when we go there," Twilight said, managing to succeed as Nyx did what she was told.
"Well, I guess that wraps things up," Tails said. "We should really get back and see what we missed back home."
"We know," replied the lavender princess. "Before you go back, I just want to say..." Unable to set the example for her daughter and contain her own happiness, Twilight threw her front hooves around the shoulders of the Mobian couple. "Thank you. You really made this trip worth it for me... for all of us. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
Both Tails and Cosmo welcomed the hug and each wrapped an arm around her back. The latter of the two then replied "You don't need to say that. We were overjoyed to be here, and we can't wait to visit here again. We made so many new memories, and met your wonderful little girl to top it all."
Twilight would want to cry if she didn't have just enough will power to keep herself collected, and after the hug separated, cleared what tears tried to form with a hoof. Hearing that was wonderful reassurance of not only how accepting two worlds were being with one-another, but putting that Blueblood and his blind accusations in their place. Spike walked around her and gave his quick goodbye with a fistbump with Tails and a hug at Cosmo's waist.
It was then Nyx's turn to bid the two a temporary farewell. But she didn't race up and hug the two, at least not yet. Instead she began to go from one out-of-world visitor to the next, paying little mind to interrupting a couple conversations as she gave them each a wave of her hoof and repeated "It was nice to meet you!" Each time she gave them the message, she would leave them looking surprised at to her sudden appearance, but then grin just as quickly to the filly's kinetic kindness.
When she got back to Twilight and the couple, the first thing Nyx did was jump off her hind legs and wrap her forehooves around Cosmo's waist. She was just a few inches too short for her hooves to touch the ground, so without the support of the sudden weight, Cosmo almost lost her balance at the sudden hug. Tails had managed to keep her up so the two wouldn't fall, and kept a hand on his beloved's back to make sure falling wouldn't happen.
"Thanks for coming to visit. I'm really glad I got to meet Twili- Mom's new friends," Nyx said as she hugged her new friend tightly. "Will you visit us a lot?"
Cosmo had a smile stretching across her face, rustling the filly's mane with one of her hands in response to Nyx. "We'll make sure to visit whenever we can," she replied before breaking the hug to kneel down closer to Nyx's height. "You helped make Equestria a new home for us, and we're very happy to have met you, too." She then opened her arms up and welcomed Nyx to give her another hug, and the little alicorn gladly obliged. This time her front hooves wrapped around Cosmo's neck, and the Seedrian hugging in similar fashion.
When the second hug broke, Nyx had her eyes set on Tails to give yet another hug, but the fox prevented her with an open hand towards her. This managed to stop her long enough for him to kneel down to her eye level like Cosmo did, resting a knee on the ground with his other leg held up to allow himself to rest his arm on. His unrested arm reached out and did the same mane rustle as Cosmo did for a moment before he said "Nyx, I want you to remember something before you hug me, okay?"
Nyx's curiosity was expressed with an arched eyebrow. "What is it?"
Tails smiled back and said to her "No matter what, never let any single pony stop you from being happy. Have fun with your friends and love time with your family, and if anyone ever, Ever tries to stop you or your mother, you tell us and we'll help however we can. Twilight is one of our new best friends, and that goes the same for you. If there's anything Cosmo and I can do to help you out, always know we'll be there to do so, because we're glad to have a new friend like you.
"Think you can do that for me, Nyx?"
His answer from Nyx was just a nod, accompanied by a hearty smile. He opened his arms up and gave her the chance to jump up and give him a hug, throwing her front hooves around his neck as he hugged his arms around her back. Looking at his, Cosmo couldn't help but smile and chuckle happily, and Twilight brushed some tears trying to form in her eyes with a hoof again.
Tails had to be the one to break the hug, seeing that he wasn't sure if the filly would ever let go. "Alright," he told her, "time to get back down. It's time for us to get going now."
Nyx didn't argue, getting back on all four of her hooves and standing in place. She turned her eyes to Twilight and immediately recognized just how happy her mother was. After a few quick hops over, Nyx nuzzled against Twilight's side to comfort her, receiving a reward of a kiss to her forehead and giggling in response.
"It's been a blast, Twilight," Tails told the lavender alicorn, "and what I told Nyx applies to you, too. If you have any more trouble and need an extra hand with it, you know how to reach us."
"I know: one magically-fused dragon fire," Twilight said humorously. "I'll write to you when we're about to make the travel over to you."
"Sounds good. With how your magic works, you will all end up arriving at Synthesis near where the dimensional gates will coordinate the arrival of all the other travelers. We'll make sure we're the first faces you see," Cosmo replied.
"We'll look forward to seeing you there."
The four turned their heads towards the direction of the station building, where the new voice they just heard came from. Standing right next to them was Princess Celestia, whose presence was completely undetected by only the Mobian couple and two alicorns. "Forgive me, I was busy thanking Team JAG for their wonderful performance and patience for a short time. Since you were all still talking, I didn't want to interrupt."
Twilight shook her head and replied "You don't need to apologize. I thought you said you were preoccupied to join us here when we all left."
"Well I had a couple reasons for coming out this way," Celestia told her former pupil. "One was that I needed to talk to you, Twilight, before you leave back to Ponyville."
"What's the other reason?" Nyx asked.
Celestia, whose horn was glowing since they first saw her, showed her other reason by levitating a camera in front of her. "Twilight Velvet asked me to bring this to you. After some certain... situations regarding Skyla back at Cadance and Shining Armor's castle, she was too busy to come back and request to try and get a couple pictures of everyone before your departures. She also said that you wanted to have a few pictures taken yourself, Twilight."
A sudden look crossed Twilight's face after being told that. "Oh no! In all the commotion and talking after the press conference I almost forgot to get my camera!" Her expression saddened as she added "Thank you so much, Princess, but I'm afraid my friends are about to go home. I couldn't make them wait for a picture."
"We don't mind, Twilight. We'd love to take pictures with everybody," Cosmo said.
"Are you sure? I couldn't impose if it means making you late," the purple mare said.
"Hold on," Tails told her with a held up finger, and then turned his head over to call out. "Hey guys, we're taking pictures real quick! Wait one more minute?!"
Everyone agreed, sounding off their approval. Sonic, the first to approve, answered back with "No problem, pal!"
"I guess that settles it then," Celestia stated. "I'll help take the pictures for you, Twilight. What would you like top start with?"
The white alicorn's questioned was answered by several others as the group collected themselves around the alicorn's, Tails and Cosmo. "How about one with the medal winners?" Rainbow Dash suggested, holding up her silver medal in her hoof.
"I say we get one of the Band with a Crystal Empire backdrop," said Ron.
"What about one of all the couples? Wouldn't you like to do that, Sonic?" Amy said, mainly focused on the mentioned blue hedgehog.
"Why not just a whole group picture, and maybe one of each group together?" Fluttershy softly suggested.
Nodding in agreement, Twilight said "I think that's the best way to go. How about we group together on the end of the platform over there?" As she pointed a hoof over towards the suggested location, she felt Nyx tap the side of her foreleg still standing on the ground. "Yes, Nyx?"
Nyx motioned her hoof for Twilight to lean down. After being in a position to whisper, Nyx asked her question right into her mother's ear, covering her side with a hoof to keep her words out of earshot. Her response was a pleasant smile and a nod from Twilight, causing the filly to smile in return. She looked up at Tails and Cosmo, and asked them the suggestion she just got approved.
"Would you please be in a picture with my family?"
Cosmo chuckled and replied with "Of course, but why just us with everypony else?"
Shaking her head, Nyx explained more clearly what she meant. "No, no, not with everypony. I mean Twilight, Spike and me. They're my family, and I want you to be part of our family, too."
Several awes followed from their surrounding friends, majority being the girls. The guys, however, just grinned as a few chuckled; even Shadow couldn't help but grin himself, which Maria noticed. Tails, compared to the others, laughed amused quite loudly before giving the filly an answer. "Gee, Nyx, we didn't think you'd think of as family. Sure, we'd love to be in a picture."
"Nice," said Spike.
Grinning herself, Celestia motioned a hoof over to the end of the platform. "I see that we have our first picture set then. Why don't you get ready for yours, and then we'll do the entire group right after?"
Everyone agreed and made their way towards the end of the platform. Celestia stood before most of the group as her former pupil and the others positioned themselves. They positioned themselves with Cosmo in the center with Twilight to her left and Nyx in front of their middle, and Tails to the right, with Spike in front of them. When they knew they were set, they gave Celestia the okay to take the picture, to which she gladly did, followed by a second one for good measure.
"Alright, that's Twilight's family. Now let's get everyone in the next one," Celestia said, her motion for everyone to get themselves over to in front of the camera.
Everypony, the Team JAG Band and Team Sonic walked around the Princess and prepared for pictures. The tallest of everyone stood in the back row, with a couple kneeled down at the ends to be at similar height with some of the shorter friends. Where most of the Band took up the back row, the ponies and the Mobians were more scattered around as they all found a place to stand, or to hover in the air like Rainbow Dash, Rouge and Cheese. It took a couple minutes, but the giant group of friends got in comfortable places, but time was short as Celestia saw a cloud of steam rise from the horizon.
"Looks like the Ponyville Express is approaching," Celestia stated, "so let's try for one quick take. Everyone ready?"
"You bet," Sonic answered for the group. They all expressed themselves with smiles and their own gestures, from hooves in the air to thumbs-up and devil horns. As usual for Team Sonic, their only exception came from Shadow, who stood in a corner behind Maria and Gohan while focusing his eyes in another direction. But unlike most other times where his arms were crossed, he held one arm down and wrapped the other around Maria's back.
"Ready!" Nyx yelled with glee.
Celestia nodded and set the camera in front of her, making sure she got the right focus and had the entire group in frame. Looking at the group one more time for a quick check, she could see the happy faces they all expressed, none looking happier than Tails, Cosmo, Nyx and Twilight. It had been a trying time for them throughout the Equestria Games, but they were about to depart having enjoyed their time together. That thought made Celestia smile herself, happy to see that no matter what was thrown in the way of Twilight, her former student still focused on the good that had come to them.
It didn't help that she felt sour about having to tell Twilight about the new requests the dignitaries from Maretonia had made to keep those present from their next meeting at a three Princess minimum.
"Alright then, here we go in one... two... three."
Mobius was an incredible place! The planet was in full celebration mode as Team JAG held the annual anniversary celebration for the end of the Metarex War, recognizing the events of the climatic end and the heroes who fought and sacrificed themselves for the better of their galaxy. Beings from distant planets and numerous dimensions came together to enjoy the day with fun, especially in the musical sense.
Twilight and her friends and family, along with many, many other ponies from Equestria, took in their new environment greatly. They had met so many new beings, got to explore the Seedrian civilization of Synthesis, and to see what happens when worlds come together for a party that both Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich could barely fathom. They got to see it all and then some, especially Nyx after Tails fulfilled his promise by taking her aboard the X-Tornado, a flying craft of his ingenuity, into the high skies above Mobius. It was indeed an adventure everypony would remember forever.
But the climax to the day was the annual concert performed by the Team JAG Band, and it blew them away from the very start. It made their concert that closed the Equestria Games look like it was played in a small concert club in Manehattan. Songs were played that the ponies had already heard before and got to sing along to, and heard the Band play brand new songs for the very first time, and so many others that were just as new. They even dedicated a few songs to Equestria, especially the ones Nyx got to help pick for them to perform.
The show also revealed some of the members in, what the ponies believed to be, some immersed and vulnerable states. It started with Ash, who had lead vocal duty for the opening two songs, and he let himself give them his all, and that was just the beginning. Gohan showed times of displaying aggression and rage, especially when his various roles called for complete attention. Yugi, perhaps the most collected that night, arguably had the most colorful roles to fill and voices to mimic as he sang, letting out powerful emotion each time. Similar to him was Jason, but the fillies and colts of the crowd saw both his moments where he might’ve cried, and his most furious and livid sides during a couple selected songs. Dan, Ami, Yumi, Kim, Ron and Aelita, all of them shared their roles respectively, one never outshining the other as they played with each other or the Master Four.
Tails, however, stood out above the rest, taking each role he had with honor and compassion. It was actually a very important concert for him, in more ways than one. With the input Nyx had given the Band, the two-tailed hero of Mobius made his official debut as a sole vocalist for new songs such as ‘Who I Am’ and ‘You’ll Be in My Heart,’ garnering a great celebration from the crowd. He cited both the Sparkle family and Cosmo for giving him that push of courage to finally take on the role of a lead vocalist more frequently. Every time he was on the stage, he would gesture to his beloved flower, who looked up at her lover celebrating a common interest that had a big help in the resurrection of her and her people. She couldn’t always get it with the music, but she always found it entertaining and intriguing to watch what the Band does on a regular basis. The annual anniversary concert wasn’t just about the defeat of the Metarex. It was a day of love for the fox and flower, and it was about to have an even greater importance for them.
Over four hours of performing had passed until the Team JAG Band made it to the show's final encore. The first song was a full-out jam session, having every member of the Band perform a song called 'Am I Evil?' all at once, and they even invited everyone from Team Sonic, Team Eggman, and even their new pony friends to join in on the jam. Then they played another two songs, both being very significant to the Band as they were part of every main encore, and having emotional connection with everybody’s favorite lovebirds Tails and Cosmo. The songs were called 'Numb' and 'Here Without You,' songs that the entire audience sang along with the band if not cheering loudly. The latter song had just concluded as those still on stage arranged themselves for the next song.
"Thank you so much, everybody! You helped make this day the most memorable anniversary yet!" Jason, the Master Four member that was fronting the band for the last song, addressed the audience for supposedly one last time. "We're down to our last song for you tonight, but I want you to make some noise one more time, for our friends here in the front row..." he pointed a finger down towards those he referenced while the stage cameras showed them on the giant background screen, "...I want to hear your cheer for our heroes of the day: TEAM SONIC!!!"
The camera showed the entirely of the present group, along with those from Team Eggman and their friends from Ponyville that accompanied them in the front row of the massive crowd in the field before the stage. Sonic, Knuckles, Chris, Amy, Cream, everybody was shown in attendance, sans a certain Seedrian heroine who was standing backstage to watch the show, as requested by her beloved. Nobody in the group questioned the fox's request, but only Sonic knew the real intentions. The iconic hedgehog gave a wink and thumbs-up when the camera was pointed directly at him, with Shadow and Rainbow Dash making appearances in the background. The gesture, however, was aimed directly for the fox onstage with his favorite guitar, who nodded with a grin in return.
"This is the last song we have left for you, and I know damn well you know what song I'm talking about," Jason said again, receiving a loud cheer from the vast audience. "This goes out to everyone out there who ask themselves about how to do what's best, to do the right thing, to stand up and fight! To all our friends and family, let's close this show out! This song is called, 'What If.' Mr. Ketchum, get us started..."
The mentioned guitarist played the opening notes to the final song, gently playing into the opening riff that Tails provided. The two guitars played their roles together as Yugi began to smoothly enter the sound of his bass guitar. A moment of their melody passed before Gohan banged his drums to cue a note from Ash. The four instrumentalists played full blast together behind the mimicle singing Jason provided as they performed one of their all-time favorite songs-
"I can't find the rhyme in all my reason
Lost sense of time and all seasons
Feel I've been beaten down
By the words of men who have no grounds
"Can't sleep beneath the trees of wisdom
With your axe has cut the roots that feed them
Forked tongues in bitter mouths
Can drive a man to bleed from inside out
"What if you did?
What if you lied?
What if I avenge?
What if eye for an eye?
"I've seen the wicked fruit of your vine
Destroy the man who lacks a strong mind
Human pride sings a vengeful song
Inspired by the times you've been walked on
"My stage is shared by many millions
Who lift their hands up high because they feel this
We are one, we are strong
The more you hold us down the more we press on
"What if you did?
What if you lied?
What if I avenge?
What if eye for an eye?"
The point of time came for Ash and Tails to share center stage together for a guitar solo duel. They each took a turn to play one solo after another, showing off their guitar skills with what fast and complex sounds they could make right there in the moment. Gohan and Yugi played a steady rhythm with their instruments behind the guitarists' echoing duel, and Jason stood on the highest riser behind the main drum kit. When each solo was played, the audience cheered loudly, but it was easily hearable that Tails was the favorite in volume of his cheers, to which he grinned as he shredded on his favorite Les Paul.
Four synchronized power chords ended the duel, then the guitar sounds made way to the rhythm from the background. Ash remained in the front center as Tails made his way over to the front left, the closest to where Cosmo was. As they separated, Jason called out "MAKE SOME NOISE FOR ASH KETCHUM AND TAILS!!!" The audience responded another long and loud cheer, both guitarists bowing in return. When the cheering lowered again, the band continued with the song, starting from where the song was left off at.
"I know I can't hold the hate inside my mind...
'Cause what consumes your thoughts controls your life
"So I'll just ask a question...
A really simple question...
I'll just ask one question!!!-"
"WHAT IF! WHAT If! What if. What iifff..."
Almost the entire audience began to sing the next part of the song, but they quickly found themselves not singing with the Team JAG Band. Right when Jason would sing, everything on the stage went quiet, and the lights turned off and the sight of the stage disappeared. “What was happening?” everyone began to think aloud. This had never happened before, with the only exceptions being during different songs from previous JAGFest concerts. A minute would pass before a single shining, moving spotlight gave any instance of an answer.
In the shrouded darkness, Tails had turned his guitar around so he could carry it on his back, and walked over to his beloved Cosmo. He took her hand and began to walk her out onto the stage, their presence shown by the spotlight Ferb was controlling backstage. Phineas had hit a button on his control panel that allowed a guitar stand to rise out of the stage next to Tails's personal microphone stand. The couple stopped there for a moment, allowing Tails to take off his guitar and set it on the stand and remove the microphone off his stand. When that was done, the other microphone stands along the front of the stage disappeared, leaving the whole area virtually open, saving the two custom percussion kits on the two ends. Tails and Cosmo arrived at the front center, standing there for a couple seconds before Tails raised the hand holding the microphone up towards him.
"Before we end this show, I need to say something," Tails went on to say. The background screen began to show an image of the two where they were, just distant enough to put then both in full frame and some additional black background behind them.
"It's been eight years… eight long years since the Metarex War had finally ended. After what happened that day, I was left very hurt and broken apart for what took place, and I honestly didn't believe that life had any worth anymore. Even if I refused to see it back then, I had the love and support of my friends when they tried to help me when I needed it most. We've been there for each other no matter what long before we fought the Metarex, and we've had that same bond to today, and we'll still have it for a long, long time ahead.
"All I can do is the simplest thing to show how much that means to me. Now for both myself and Cosmo here, we have been blessed to have met so many others through Team JAG, and all our connections we have with everyone from Station Square. We even had been happy enough to meet and befriend our newest friends from the world of Equestria, all of whom we're grateful to see join with everyone here tonight. But as grateful I am for everyone who supports us, there those right here that I need to say this to." He pointed one of his fingers down to the group directly in front of him and Cosmo, a certain group who the couple knew better than anyone else.
"Sonic, Knuckles, Amy, Cream, Cheese, and Chris: Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. No matter what has happened, you've stuck by us and supported all we've done and gone through. I know one thing for fact, that everything we do to this day is thanks to your friendship and our bond we share, and Cosmo and I are always grateful to have you to make up our core family. The same thanks go out to Vector, Espio, Charmy, Rouge, Decoe, Bocoe, Bokkun, Maria, Shadow and Doctor Eggman, because you've been just as supportive for us since that day. I can never say this enough, but I'll always say this with full meaning: Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the best friends I could ask for, and the same goes for the Team JAG Band and our Ponyville friends too!"
Tails gave an attempt to clap his hands, one of which still holding the microphone and clenched as a fist. As he did, the entire audience behind his mentioned friends began to do the same and the stage cameras and spotlight shined down on them. Many of them just smiled and waved, while a couple others either gave their own little pose or just stood still and stoic. The applause went on for at least a minute, but having been shining in the silhouette from the background screen's glow, one of the Master Four cued their stage managers to redirect the focus back to Tails and Cosmo. The refocused camera showed the two just on time for Tails to continue talking.
"But above all else, today is a day that has one very important meaning. I know everyone knows what I mean by that, so I'll try to keep this short. Today marks the worst day of my life, the day when I had lost the closest person in my life..." His focus turned from the audience to the young woman standing by his side as he continued. "Cosmo...
"Cosmo, I don't know how to begin to describe you. Since the day you fell from the sky to here on Mobius, you have always had this special aura surrounding you. You're caring, you're understanding, you're supportive, and above all else you're loving and selfless. During the Metarex War, I got to know so much about you, to know who you are, and although I couldn't say it to you then, I began to have feelings for you. I fell in love with you, the most beautiful girl in the universe.
"You became my best friend during our adventures, and you became my most important source of inspiration and support. Any time I spent with you then and spend with you now I can remember in full detail. But eight years ago today, when you were willing to sacrifice yourself to save us all from the Metarex..." Tails started to choke on his words as he kept talking, unable to hide the painful tears lining his eyes. "...it was the day I first openly said just how much you mean to me. It was the worst day of my life because I couldn't say those words to you the right way. It was the worst day of my life because... b-because I lost you. I lost the one person I love more than anything else."
Both the fox and the flower couldn't hide their emotions too well as they let tears fall down their cheeks. Cosmo covered her mouth with a hand to try and muffle what whimpers she thought could escape. That attempt, however, when Tails extended his hand up towards the same hand covering her mouth, lowering it off and holding it tightly as he continued on.
"W-what happened that day, I'll never forget it. I thought you were g-gone f-forever, and it destroyed me inside. I felt alone, I felt empty, I f-felt as if half of me died along with you. I even... I even... I never admitted this before, but I f-felt life have no meaning to me, that I was better off dead. I never felt such pain in my life because of how much you became an importance in my life. I had given up, and I almost even considered..."
Tails's choked on his words, causing him to leave his previous sentence unfinished. His eyes took a quick glance at the nearby audience, specifically the younger friends still in their childhood. He contemplated being slightly honest with his next words, rearranging his words just enough to soften the blow. The thought was as dismissed as fast the idea came to mind, as everybody, and everypony, in front of him was familiar with his past enough to hear what he had to say. With a deep breath, and a break in his dam of emotions, he went on talking again.
"I almost even considered suicide. The idea of life with everybody but you was too painful to me, and I didn't want to try it. It wasn’t fair to not have you with us, or with me. Your loss showed me something in my grief before the Master Four told me of the plans for the day of Revival, something that I still feel to this day. I know you know this already, but I need to make a change in my life, for both our lives...” The two-tailed fox smiled, allowing all his emotion to escape to say what he’s been wanting say for a long time.
"I love you, Cosmo. You're all I could every pray for and so much more. You're all I need to keep me stable and in my best mood. We have our friends, we have your family, we have so many people in our lives that have shown us time and time again how much our lives together are important to them. They know why our lives together are important to us. They couldn't accept you being gone or me in my lowest state, and I feel they deserve the proper thanks in the only way I see fit. Cosmo, you are my heart and soul, the brightest star in my night sky, and the most beautiful song I could hear sing to me, but I need to make changes for us to assure that never changes. I love you so much Cosmo, and I can't imagine my life without you there in it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and there's only one way I can do that..."
Cosmo stared at Tails as he let his grip of her hand go, and then use his open hand to reach behind him. He pulled something out of his namesakes, covering it from her sight she covered her mouth in a gasp as she watched Tails kneel down on his right knee while the audience couldn't help but cheer at what they were witnessing before them. He then showed the mystery item to be a small jewelry box, opening it to reveal a shiny new ring with a beautiful gemstone glistening in the limelight. Her focus shifted from the ring to her beloved fox who displayed a confident and emotional smiling face towards her as he asked her his proposal-
"Cosmo, will you marry me?"
The audience cheered for a few seconds before becoming silent, waiting with Tails for what was expected to be an obvious answer. What they got instead was seeing a very stunned Cosmo standing still, her pupils narrowed as small as possible as she fought the urge to cry. It was a look of sheer shock, but overjoyed nonetheless. When her hands lowered, a smile of quivering lips was revealed as she tried to find the words to speak clearly with. She found what she wanted to say, and started to lean herself down towards Tails to say-
"Yes! Yes! YES!" Amy and Cream cried out from just below them, chanting out the answer everybody was waiting to hear. Their eyes were wide open with high expectation, but the others had to reel them in from their interruption. All eyes turned to Cosmo standing in her place trembling and wide-eyed, waiting to see her response. The actions of excited friends, however, opened the door for others to do the same.
"YES! YES! YES! YES!"
It started with Nyx and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and then Pinkie Pie chimed in. Amy and Cream began to repeat themselves and join in with the others. They chanted on and on, but they weren't the only ones for long. The couple began to hear some of the Band members start to chat from the sides of the stage, then Team Sonic joined in, then the ponies, then everyone from Station Square.
"YES! YES! YES! YES!"
It didn't take too long to take what sounded as very few to many more to follow suit. One group after another around the sea of friends and allies joined in on the chant. The more they chanted, the louder the sound grew, echoing from every corner near and far, the farthest being the attending Transformers standing in the far back. The sheer volume echoed all around Synthesis, even a faint sound becoming heard in the distant Acorn Kingdom.
The massive amount of cheering began to overwhelm the two standing under the stage's limelight. Cosmo continued to stand still with her hands covering her mouth, but couldn't help herself from taking a glance out at the sea of chanters and laugh. She laughed at the sheer overjoy at where she was that point in time, alive and well on her home planet of Mobius and standing before thousands her best friend and one true love down on one knee asking for her hand in marriage. Tears leaked down the sides of her face like waterfalls, her only other method of showing her overjoyed feelings.
Cosmo began to see Tails laugh as well, himself very happy to be shown such anticipation for the answer he awaited to hear. She laughed again, and then tried to collect herself with a forced cough before lowering her hands down. She pointed a finger towards his hand holding a microphone, and then motioned her hand as her way of asking for it. He handed it over to her, and she took it in both hands and raised it up to her mouth. The entire audience fell into dead silence in ten seconds flat, and only after those ten seconds did she finally say something.
"Before I give you my answer, I want you to give me one good reason why I should say no."
She then handed the microphone back to Tails, who took it back as his mind tried to find a reason to say. He did think of one reason, one as cliché as such a response could be made. Then again, he didn't really care because there was truth with it, so he held the microphone up again and gave his response in a slightly sarcastic tone.
"Because I don't deserve you."
While some of the audience laughed or booed at the cliché, Cosmo only wore a sly smile and arched her eyebrows for a moment. She knew the truth in that, and she knew he would say something along those lines to amuse her, even if she did secretly hope for a reason she wouldn't have thought of. After a moment, she decided to let go of herself, and allowed herself to openly cry. She shook her head in response, but Tails handed the microphone back to her so she could finally answer.
"Tails… you’re the only one I could ever need. Yes... Yes! YES, I'LL MARRY YOU!"
The entire population within the concert grounds erupted in cheers and applause, saving a happily weeping Cosmo and now overjoyed Tails. Upon hearing that answer, Tails smiled and laughed happily. His eyes cried rivers of joyous tears as he stood back up, removing the ring inside the jewelry box and reaching for her extended left hand. He took her hand and gently slid the ring on her ring finger, and it fit her perfectly. Their eyes turned from the finger to each other's gaze as Cosmo almost choked on her emotions. Tails wrapped an arm around her shoulders and his namesakes around her waist as he brought them in to lean into each other as they laughed and cried happily before tens and thousands before them. When Cosmo recollected herself again, she threw his arms around him as she dived her lips upon his as they shared a deep and loving kiss together.
The kiss was actually a secret cue for the Team JAG Band. It was the point when Phineas and Ferb would have parts of the front gate blocking the audience from the stage and two ramps extend out from the stage to the ground. The opened sections were for all the heroes of Mobius to rush up and join the happy couple. As they began to rush up, along with all their Station Square and pony friends and the rest of the Band from the sides, the Master Four nodded together to close out the night. The four took hold of their respective instruments, Gohan hit his drumsticks four times, and the stage went ablaze with lights and fire as the concert came to its close...
"What If
What If
What If
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"What If
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"What If
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"What if you dared, what if you lied
What if I avenge, what if eye for an eye
What if your words could be just like a crime
"What If
What If...
"What If
What If
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"What If
What If
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"What If
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"What If
What If
What If
What If
What If I!
I!
I!
I!
IIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiii!"
Upon the last note Jason had to sing, Tails grabbed his guitar, albeit a struggle through his friends and bandmates that swarmed the stage, to join the Master Four in closing the show. They performed an outro jam with the ending of a song called 'The Call of Ktulu,' which the fox had the duty to play the guitar rhythm to start it. The instrument players, with Jason hitting Gohan's cymbals with his fists, ended the entire concert with one big boom of sound.
But even though the music had stopped, the noise levels were far from quiet. While the audience cheered and applauded in standing ovation, the sounds of overjoyed friends from the stage were displayed for all to see. Many were laughing happily, some crying overjoyed, but they all were wearing smiles at the wonderful occasion.
"Oh Cosmo, this is wonderful!" Amy said, she and Cream wrapping their friend in a hug. "Congratulations!"
"We're very happy for you and Tails!" Cream followed. "Chao Chao Chao!" Cheese added.
"Thank you so much, girls," Cosmo said.
"Well it was only a matter of time," Rouge mused from behind them. "We're really happy for you, Hun."
"Congratulations, Cosmo," Maria added, herself standing next to Rouge. It was all she could say before a certain pink pony chimed in out of nowhere.
"AAHH! ThisisthegreatestanniversaryconcertandweddingproposalEVER!!!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie as she bounced around all the girls. "I'M SOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU COSMO!!!"
Next to chime in were the Cutie Mark Crusaders, all four jumping up and down around the circle already formed Cosmo's center. "She said yes! She said yes! She said yes! She said yes!" they chanted over and over. Everyone couldn't help but laugh as Cosmo knelt down to their level.
"Oh thank you girls," she told them, and opened her arms up for all four fillies to jump into her and have a big hug together.
Meanwhile on Tails's end, he was bombarded with pats on the back and handshake after handshake. No one reached out to hug him, at least not yet, as he turned in all directions to see his friends.
"Way to go there, buddy," Knuckles said. "I was starting to wonder when you'd pop the big question."
"We're all very happy for you both," Chris added.
Sonic, the only one who was kept in-the-know about the proposal outside the Team JAG Band, patted his hand on Tails's back a couple times before resting it there. "You did great up there, Tails. Cosmo couldn't ask for anybody better," he said. "Congrats, little brother."
"Thanks Sonic," Tails replied, reaching up and hugging his brother in return. "That means a lot coming from you." He then felt a nudge at his shoulder as one of the Band's newest members got his attention next.
"Welcome to the club there, buddy," Ron said. "Looks like there's two big weddings coming up soon."
"I guess so," said the fox as thee two shared a fist bump. "Speaking of which, I should get Cos-"
"That was awesome!" Rainbow Dash flew from out of nowhere and appeared in front of Tails. "Your concert was even better than what you played in Equestria, and you pulled off the coolest proposal ever! Way to go, Tails!"
Applejack, appearing alongside Rainbow but with a more collective state, walked in front of the fox and said "Congratulations, Sugarcube. We're all so happy for y'all."
Their celebrating continued on for another couple minutes before Tails finally got to reunite with Cosmo. She greeted him by pulling him in for another long, lovely kiss in front of the massive audience, causing a roar of more celebration all around them. When it had died down, the Master Four knew it was time to wrap things up for the day with everybody's closing words. To start it all off, Gohan motioned to the Band's newest duo recruits to say what they wanted to say, and taking the reins at the microphone stand first were Phineas and Ferb, the now permanent stage managers for the Team JAG Band.
"Hey Mobius, did you all have a best day ever today?!" Phineas called out. He received a loud cheer in return before handing things off to his brother.
"We'll see you again soon," Ferb stated in his usual single tone volume. The two then opened up the spot for the next duo to have their turn to speak to the audience.
While the members of the Band took their turns to speak to the audience before them, Tails and Cosmo stood off in a corner with their Mobius family to watch. When Kim and Ron were about to speak, Cosmo felt a tap on her shoulder, turning to find the Sparkle family standing there. Twilight, amongst all the celebration going around, was unable to congratulate the two yet, allowing the others to go before her. There were visual tears of joy flowing from her eyes as she wore the biggest grin across her face.
"I'm so happy for you two," she told them. "That was such a wonderful proposal Tails, and Cosmo, you're the luckiest girl I know. Congratulations!"
"Way to go, you two!" Spike added, giving the couple a thumbs-up gesture.
"Can I help with the wedding?!" Nyx practically shouted, her childlike excitement still taking over her.
Cosmo chuckled and replied with "Thank you Twilight. Thank you all so much." Her direction then turned towards the excited filly and said "I'm sure there's something you can do to help, Nyx, but Tails and I need to make some plans and decisions first."
"But can I pleeeaaasse help?" Nyx practically begged. "You did so much for me back home, and I want to help you out, too."
"Nyx, don't try to bother them. Let them choose what they want to do. It is their wedding after all," Twilight told her daughter, her attempt of reeling the filly in a success. She turned her attention back to the couple and added "She does make a point though. If there's anything we can do for you, please tell us. We would be honored to help make your big day as special as you want it to be."
"That's right," agreed Spike and Nyx.
"Thank you again," Cosmo said. "If we think of anything, we'll keep you in mind. Isn't that right, Tails?"
What the Seedrian found was her beloved fox wearing a playfully devilish grin, his eyes looking off in a different direction. It was Cosmo would call his ‘scheming-surprising’ face. He hummed for a couple seconds before saying "Hold on to that thought for a second," and then motioned to Cosmo to turn around.
With the couple's back now facing them, the three became curious about what was going on with the two. Tails had whispered something to Cosmo's through her leafy green hair. After that, she whispered back, and the two went back and forth for a little bit before the conversation was ended with the fox kissing his flower's cheek. They turned back around to face the Sparkle family and explained what was just discussed.
"We just made our first decisions," Tails told them. "Twilight, we want you to be involved in the wedding. Would you do us the honor of marrying us?"
Twilight gasped in surprise. "Y-you want me to marry you? Is that even possible?"
"We don't see why not. You are a princess and we assumed you have the given authority to perform the ceremony," Tails explained. "I'll ask the Master Four to arrange it that your royal authority can be carried over to our dimension and other worlds so there's no future problems."
Cosmo then added "Since we met you and everypony in Equestria you've been nothing but friendly and open to us. You made Tails and me feel like family since we first met, and we want to make you feel the same with us and our world. It would be our honor to have you be a part of our wedding, and our way to make you part of our family, too."
"So what do you say? Do you accept our offer?" Tails asked again.
The offer was still processing in Twilight's head. She had already performed ceremonies and acted the roles her princess title had allowed her to in Equestria, but now she hit the jackpot of honors. Twilight was asked to marry her two new best friends. Nopony back home had asked her to do such a thing, not that she expected it to happen, like how Mayor Mare was announce to officiate the upcoming wedding back in Ponyville in a few months. To her, she would have felt just lucky enough to be invited to their wedding, but to participate it in spoke great volumes of just how much she and everypony meant to Tails and Cosmo, like the couple had said. All of that, and after the past weekend with the Equestira Games, she knew the couple meant a lot to her and the others.
She couldn't contain it anymore. The happiness swelling her heart took over and she cried more happy tears down her face. Smiling wide, she nodded as she gave her answer. "Yes, I'd be honored to perform the ceremony and marry you."
Cosmo walked up to Twilight and they hugged each other, their grip as tight as comfortable. "Thank you so much. I'm so happy you'll do this for us," she said.
When the hug broke, Tails walked forward next, playfully rustling his hand in Nyx's mane as he approached Twilight. He then had his turn to hug his friend, and when it broke he said "Thank you, Twilight. You're a true friend."
As Twilight reciprocated her second hug from the couple, she replied "I look forward to your big day, and if you need any help organizing things-"
"You're at the top of the list," the fox said. He cupped his hand and quietly added "But we'll see if Amy tries to organize the entire wedding herself."
Following a small chuckle from Twilight, Spike playfully elbowed against her foreleg. "Way to go, Twilight, your first wedding offer as a princess. That's a really big deal for you."
"Oh Spike," Twilight said to him, "it's not a big deal like that... even though it is a little exciting. I'm just excited to have my first offer to help my friends get married. That means more to me than having the authority."
"Yeah I can see that, but it's still a big deal," the dragon said, defending his previous comment.
"This is amazing!" Nyx jumped up and down ecstatically. "My mom gets to marry my new friends in a brand new place! No, a brand new dimension! I can't wait for the wedding!"
Twilight smiled at her overjoyed daughter, seeing her so happy just after walking away from the events of the Equestria Games. She let Nyx hop on her hooves another several times before she gently caught her with a hoof, resting it on her head and easily using the hoof to put the filly back at standing rather than jumping. She then got a good look at Nyx's face, a teeth-filled smile and wide eyes that could impress Pinkie Pie if she was paying attention. Nyx would become so excited when Twilight would receive some form of good news, and this was definitely up there on such a list. Above all else, having her family supporting her in this new honor meant more than the honor itself.
"Thanks, you two. I know I'll do a great job with your support," Twilight told the two, leaning her head down to nuzzle each of their cheeks. Spike and Nyx hugged in return for the nuzzle, a sight that made an overlooking Tails and Cosmo smile almost to a crying point. It was those sweet moments that they hope to have someday in the future- the far, far future.
Nyx then redirected her focus back towards Tails and Cosmo, put back on her pleading face and asked again "So is there anything I can do to help with the wedding? Pleeeeaaasse?"
Tails laughed and knelt down to be at closer eye level with her. "Don't worry about that, Nyx. We have a few plans already made with having your mom marry us."
Before Nyx could say anything again, the group overheard Jason, the last of the Band to have a turn to speak, giving his final words with the night's audience. "...I'm proud to announce that this is the biggest show with the biggest crowd to date here on Mobius! Thank you all so much for your support over the years! Mobius is, and will always be, our fucking home!" He paused to allow the crowd to cheer for the umpteenth time in the last several minutes. "And now, I think it's time we let our favorite fox friend and his girl- I'm sorry, his motherfucking FIANCE, and let them say a few words..."
Jason stepped away from the microphone stand, walking backwards and started to clap his hands. Everyone else on stage and in the audience began to applaud as well, any many more cheering loudly as the couple walked away from the Sparkle family. The two walked up hand in hand, and blushing heavily at such praise and celebration of their relationship. Tails reached and grabbed the microphone off the stand, lowering it to his mouth so he can close the books on another wonderful anniversary show.
"The only thing I can say first, on behalf of Cosmo and myself, is that we couldn't be happier to be here today, together, celebrating eight years of our first defeat of the Metarex. Every year we get together here to look back on what happened, and how hard we've worked to fix the damage that was done then and ever since has been rewarded us so, so much. Second, this year so far has been one of the most interesting ones we've all had for a long time, with bringing Kim and Ron into our fun tribute band as performers, and Phineas and Ferb as our stage techs to kick it up a notch. We always find a way to have fun with all the friends we make, and to see how the Team JAG Band has expanded has been an incredible ride so far.
"Third, and for me the most important thing, this day we remember with pain and sadness has turned into a day I can also celebrate happily: the day my best friend has given me her hand in marriage.” His attempt to continue was cut off by another uproar of cheers from the audience, so he waited a few seconds before he started talking over their cheers. “Cosmo means more to me than anything, and it means a lot to be able to share our engagement with all of you here tonight." He paused again and turns his eyes towards his beloved fiancé. "The fact that we're still together makes me the happiest fox on Mobius. I dare to say it makes me the happiest being in the entire galaxy! I'd be lost without my wonderful, beautiful Cosmo, but now I can look forward to a long life with my soon-to-be wife. Today's one of the greatest days of my life, and now, we'll plan our greatest day together..."
Pausing again, he focused back onto the crowd and said "...and as we make our plans, we'll hope to see any of you there to celebrate with us! Thank you all for your support, your care, your love, and your friendship! I am proud to announce that Cosmo and I will be married two years from today, on the tenth anniversary of defeating the Metarex! We will turn this day from remembrance for that war into a day for our ultimate celebration of life, the start of our new lives and Mr. and Mrs. Prower!!!"
With the first announcement made, everybody rejoiced with more cheers and applause. Their first decision, the date of their wedding, set to take place exactly one decade following the couple's tragic separation until the events of Revival took place. When Tails suggested in their private conversation about that, Cosmo liked the idea, even if she felt a little hesitant on making one of the biggest decisions so quickly. But the more she thought about it, the more she enjoyed the idea. It would become a day to never be forgotten for the greatest reason in her life, and to have it the same day that she, her love and her best friends stood against the Metarex in the war's climatic battle, and all its aftermath, her wedding would be the ultimate stitch to seal the wounds.
In Tails's mind, he had so many suggestions thought of as he planned the proposal, including the wedding date. He had many more ideas, ones that he thought would assure he and Cosmo will have the best wedding his beloved deserved. He was the idea mastermind of his group of friends, and arguably just behind the Master Four for Team JAG, but these decisions were best taken one step at a time. There were two years ahead of them to plan their special day, so there was no need to be too rushing. As for the moment, he decided to take the next step and make the last two announcements of their already planned decisions.
"I am also happy to tell you all that we've decided to have..." He paused again, this time for feeling selfish. He felt that he was starting to have too much time for himself to speak, and knew that it was his beloved's turn. "Actually, let me change things over to someone just as deserving to tell you. Cosmo, would you like to tell them?"
Tails handed the microphone to Cosmo, and she gladly accepted the offer. She got to dive her lips right into his and got a quick kiss, causing him to blush in surprise and she chuckled in amusement. The microphone raised up towards her mouth and she said "We are honored to announce that we have chosen a Master of Ceremonies for the wedding. With the recent events we've experienced in the world of Equestria, and all the new friends we've been blessed to make and have today, there was one pony that Tails suggested to me that we both completely agreed on. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to announce that our Master of Ceremonies will be our dear friend: Princess Twilight Sparkle!"
Twilight, who stood not too far behind them, was motioned by Cosmo to come up to some open space next to her. The announcement brought multiple different reactions from everyone. The crowd was cheering again, but quieter than usual as all but the attending Equestrians had little knowledge of who Twilight was. The members of the Band smiled and applauded for the princess, while those closest to Tails and Cosmo did the same thing with more enthusiasm.
As for everypony else on stage, they were ecstatic. Pinkie Pie gasped and then bounced around, Fluttershy shared her trademark 'Yay!' she did from time to time, and Applejack and Rarity did their best to fight the urge of tearing up, but only the latter would falter. Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, practically tackled the alicorn as she nosedived down for a hug around the neck. "Woo-hoo, way to go Twi! Best princess ever!" she yelled, not thinking before saying. Both mares suddenly began to blush, but more so Twilight after getting praise she was still getting adjusted to with her royal title.
"Thank you, Twilight," Cosmo said, still speaking in the microphone for all to hear. "It means so much to us to have you involved in our wedding, and it makes me even more excited to make the final announcement Tails and I have for today." She then stepped forward, closer to the front edge of the stage, but far enough away to avoid possibly falling. "Nyx, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, could you join me up here, please?"
The four little fillies galloped quickly up to Cosmo, lining up in a row to face her. All of them had a good idea what was about to happen, and they were fighting not to jump up and down again. "Nyx asked us if she could be involved," Cosmo went on to say, "and there wasn't any reason for me to not find a way to have her take part. But then I thought of how all four of them jumped around me chanting how I said yes, and with Tails's help, I got just the idea. I want my four friends from the Cutie Mark Crusaders to be my special flower girls for the wedding."
The crowd applauded and cheered once more while Cosmo looked at the fillies for their response. At first Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked shocked beyond belief, much like how they were asked to be the flower girls for Princess Cadance - the actual Cadance - in her and Shining Armor's wedding. Nyx, on the other hoof, opened her mouth smiling and her wings began to flap as fast as it took to hover in the air less than an inch. It took them all a moment and Cosmo kindly asking "What do you say, girls?" to snap back into reality and answer the request.
"YES! YES! YES!" the four chanted, hopping up and down each time they said it. Then they grouped together, high-hooving in the air and yelled as loud as they could "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS FLOWER GIRLS! YAY!!!"
Everyone on stage shared a laugh, none sounding happier than the older ponies related to the younger ones and Cosmo. The Seedrian kneeled down to say "Thank you, girls," and spread her arms open for a hug. Nyx led the ground as they jumped into their friend's arms and gave her a big group hug, all five laughing loud and happy. While they hugged, Tails leaned down to face Nyx directed and say to her "I told you we'd have a good idea for you, Nyx. Welcome to the wedding party."
Nyx smiled happily in return. She couldn't believe how happy she was feeling now, having a role in her new friends' wedding day. Now she could help Twilight with her role as the presider while also be in the wedding party, and with her best friends to top it all off. Nothing could change the fact that, even though this was Tails and Cosmo's moment, she was the happiest pony in Equestria, or technically for the moment, Mobius.
As for the now engaged couple, both Tails and Cosmo caught a glimpse of another familiar face in the front row of the audience. Earthia, standing there smiling and having tear streams staining her cheeks, was looking up at them. Cosmo began to feel a bit guilty all of a sudden, having celebrating her new engagement with everybody but her closest kin. Before the young Seedrian called for her mother up, Earthia had leaped up into the air and land on the stage's edge. She walked past several others and around the CMC before reaching her youngest daughter.
Cosmo looked up at Earthia smiling, but remorse laced her voice when she spoke. "Mother, I'm so sorry for not having you up here. When Tails proposed I lost sense of-"
"Be at ease, my little Cosmo," Earthia said, "or perhaps, not so little anymore." She let her hands up to hold under Cosmo's cheeks, looking down at her as only an overjoyed mother could: crying happily. "This is your moment, the moment you have deserved for so long. You and your friends have built bridges of peace and harmony across the galaxy and far beyond, and you did it to have all worlds experience happiness like yours. You've been through a lot, my daughter, and seeing you so happy right now shows me how well you and Tails will endure in the future. Congratulations, my daughter."
Even though Cosmo was taller than how she was when she and her clan returned during Revival, it didn't stop her from jumping up and throwing her arms around her mother's neck. "T-thank you, Mother. I love you so much," she said, speaking as hard as possible without crying again.
"I love you too, Cosmo," Earthia said in return. "I am glad to see you are in good hands," and as she spoke, her eyes looked towards the fox standing before her. After the hug broke was when Tails stepped closer, knowing is soon-to-be, but practically already, mother-in-law and hugged her next.
"Thanks for your blessing," Tails said to her. "I promise to treat Cosmo the best that she deserves."
"You already do, Tails," Earthia told him, and then their hug broke. "You show her the compassion, dedication, and respectful nature that I would hope she could someday find." Her eyes then wondered to her right, but her head did not turn to have direct focus on two beings in particular. "However I do sense that some of your new pony friends could learn to be more open as you and my daughter are."
Tails and Cosmo covered their mouths with their hands to hide their laughing grins, noticing full well of which two ponies Earthia referred to. That was a matter that wasn't any of their business, at least if not talked to by either friend.
When the laughter faded, there was a question Earthia did have that she wanted to ask. It wasn't necessary to ask about the matter, but after seeing the couple make a few of their first decisions and after spending the day with the new beings from Equestria, she felt it best to ask with the open opportunity. Her eyes quickly glanced over to where most of the others were gathered, specifically the little black alicorn with the turquoise eyes, and then looked back at her daughter. "Cosmo, are you familiar with the Seedrian marriage role of the gem granter?"
"Uh, guys." Sonic made his way into the conversation, leaving Earthia's question left unanswered for a time. "We still have to close the show and everybody needs to get home."
The two turned their eyes over to the massive audience still there, and they blushed embarrassingly for making them wait on them to finish things up. It was time to wrap up the eventful day, and after making a request to Earthia, Cosmo turned to Tails and then they both faced the crowd once again. They had one set of hands holding the microphone and the others locked together as they addressed the audience for the last time of the night.
"We know we've held you up long enough," Cosmo said musingly, "but it means so much to see you stay up with us. You have shown nothing but support, and respect, and care for us for all this time... since you helped me come back and spend my life with the man I love... I can't thank you enough for supporting our friends, supporting the cause Team JAG has, and supporting us. Thank you, my friends! Thank you all!"
The crowd began to cheer and applaud for the Seedrian once more, and even though she saw it before her, the sound was deafened by the support she was hearing behind her. The Band, everypony, and her Mobius family cheered loud, yelling out "Way to go, you two!" and "You deserve it, Cosmo!" among other positive phrases. Her eyes swelling with tears, Tails took over next, signaling the rest of the band to approach the couple, and Earthia to retrieve a photography use from Blood, the Seedrian Historian for Team JAG.
"Thank you everyone for making this the biggest party yet!" Tails yelled out proudly. "We got plenty more stored for the rest of the year, and that means a new JAGFEST on the way! There's two years before the big day for me and Cosmo, but we're looking forward to going even bigger next year than today! Thank you for the love and support, and thank you everypony from Equestria for joining us here at our home for the very first time! Until next time..." Tails paused to allow the entirety of the Team JAG Band, Team Sonic, and everypony that tried to squeeze in where they could came together in a massive group. He held out the microphone, and after Phineas turned up the instrument remotely, and they all cried out together-
"WE ARE THE TEAM JAG BAND! THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! GOOD... FUCKING... NIGHT!!!"