Asuka Yakushi

It's been less than a week since Attack on Mango reached the top of Equestria's music charts. Which, makes it a little weird that Nar has called a band meeting. With the band gathered in the living room of their shared house (Well, except for Scrappy.) all eyes are gathered on Nar. He stands beneath their large TV, a somber smile on his face. He looks a little nervous, but nobody knows why. The silence almost settles, but Nar breaks it before it can become awkward. "Guys. I know this might not be something you want to hear." Asuka raises an eyebrow, Scrappy begins to look nervous, but Juno remains his usual, unbothered self. (https://youtu.be/VNLk-DzL5V8?si=Hubd8XNiJBj99mrm) "I want to focus on life right now, so I was thinking-." Nar is interrupted by a shocked gasp from Scrappy. "We're breaking up?! But I only just joined!" Nar shakes his head vehemently. "What? No! I just... I want the band to take a back seat for a bit. Not be the focus of my life. You know? Like, we still play gigs every now and then, and release a single, or an album every so often. Just... I don't want to be doing band stuff all the time." There's a pause. The air in the room seems to get thicker. "Cookie's gonna start school this year, and I want to be there for it! I know we could still go further with the band, but that would mean trying to get to the world charts! We'd have to do so much traveling, and so much work to get there! Who knows how many more years it would take! There are so many firsts in Cookie's life she hasn't experienced yet, and I want to be there for all of them! Big, and small!" The passion in Nar's voice is unlike any Asuka has ever heard from him before. Sure, he's been passionate about stuff before, but never like this. Silence falls over the room once more. For a few moments, Nar is concerned his bandmates might not agree. Then, Asuka breaks the silence. "Well, it's not like we planned to stay at the top forever." She offers a smile, and pulls Scrappy into a side hug. "We've gone farther than we ever dreamed we would when we first started. Top of the charts, a whole city that's obsessed with us, and generational wealth we could pass down to our great grandchildren. So far as I'm concerned? We can afford to cut back on the band stuff. Or just stop entirely. Buuuut, we still want to have some fun, so I agree. The band should take a back seat, but not break up." On the recliner next to the couch, Juno nods in agreement. "It's not our style to be the top dogs anyway. Why not hand off number one to another band? We're going into the Equestrian Music Hall of Fame anyway!" At this, Scrappy seems to calm down. "But... What about the fans? They'll be devastated!" To this, Nar has an answer. "Then we give them one last, big show. The biggest we've ever had. Make it one they'll remember for the rest of their lives!"

Asuka hates being right. Last night, she said she'd expected a call from Spot the moment the news got out that they'd won the Battle of the Bands in Manehatten. Sure enough, not 30 minutes later, Spot had booked them a flight back to Vanhoover, and sent someone to go drive their tour van back to Vanhoover for them. The Equestrian Music Society wanted to hold a ceremony for Attack on Mango to claim the number one spot on the national music charts ASAP, and Spot chose the next night. The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind for the four members of the band, but they've managed to make it to the Glorian Amphitheater in time for their ceremony. 9 PM, Glorian Amphitheater, Vanhoover. The four members of Attack on Mango step out of a limousine in full concert attire. They step onto the red carpet leading into the building. A massive crowd is gathered on both sides of the carpet, only held back by a few golden poles, and the red, velvet ropes between them. Cameras flash, and fans scream for just a glance in their direction. The four friends stroll down the red carpet, smiling, and waving to as many fans as they can. The cheers coming from all around are almost deafening. They only get louder when the band finally makes it inside. As Asuka enters the amphitheater, only one thought crosses her mind. 'This place is WAY over capacity. The Fire Marshall is gonna have a stroke.' A sea of people crowds the amphitheater from end to end. At the other side of the amphitheater looms the massive, elevated stage with it's four massive screens, all now showing the band as they enter. On the stage stands one of the hosts of Equestria tonight, and a representative from the Equestrian Music Society. When she squints, Asuka THINKS she can see equipment for a band set up behind them. Splitting the sea of the crowd is a single, metal walkway, leading directly to a set of stairs that ascend the stage. The roar of the crowd echoes off of every surface in the amphitheater, increasing it's volume, and intensity tenfold. It's so loud that Asuka can't even hear herself think. The host from Equestria Tonight lifts a microphone to her lips, and takes a deep breath. "Ladies and gentlemen! Let's welcome!-" She's cut off by another voice booming over the amphitheater's speakers. "Attack on Mango!" A new figure appears on stage following a magical vortex. Oh. Oh shit! That's the CEO of Royal Records! "Nobody has ever defeated Royal Records, and we do not intend for that to begin with you!" The CEO claps his hands, and suddenly, swarms of suited stallions with sunglasses crowd the walkway. The CEO is joined on stage by multiple of the suited stallions. Shit. Royal Records still has one last trick up their sleeve! If Attack on Mango wants the top  spot, they're going to have to fight for it! (https://youtu.be/TnLAC5AJPuM?si=BrZaKnzB57VVRyzN) The CEO opens his mouth to speak again. Instead, what comes out is a gasp, as he's lifted into the air. A lone guitar begins to shred a solo from behind him. His minions are suddenly kicked off of the stage, and he is thrown after them. Now, standing on stage are the members of Dragonautica. The screens behind the stage focus on their lead vocalist, Ryuji as his voice bellows over the speakers. "You mess with Attack on Mango, you mess with us!" He then turns to look to Attack on Mango. "We'll keep these assholes off the stage! Get your asses up here, " The CEO's voice cries out from below. Royal Record's mooks rush forward, and Attack on Mango charges to meet them. Well, except for Scrappy, who takes to the air, hoping to avoid the brawl entirely. Fists fly, mooks careen into the crowd. Nar leads the charge as he throws combinations of punches, and kicks, knocking the mooks aside with relative ease. Juno pushes alongside him, helping to clear a path forward with Asuka behind them, picking off any of the stragglers. Above, Scrappy pulls of evasive maneuvers as pegasai, and gryphons rise to meet her.  On the stairs up to the stage, a swarm of mooks rush up towards it, only to stop as acid showers down from above. When they look up, they see the crazed, murderous eyes of Steeltrap, and his frothing maw staring back at them. "Any of you Royal Records mooks try to come up here and I'll One of the mooks is shoved forwards by the others, but he quickly retreats back into the swarm. Nobody is stupid enough to rush the black dragon who is more than crazy enough to commit mass homicide. Down below, Attack on Mango charges onwards, felling any Royal Records mooks that dare to try and stop them. Nar takes the brunt of the resistance, with Juno, and Asuka managing to avoid the rest. As Nar takes punch after punch, he continues to charge forwards, undeterred. However, his injuries from his previous fight the night before begin to take their toll, and as Juno, and Asuka press on, he begins to slow. On the stage, a pair of spotlights shine upwards as a majestic figure descends from the catwalks above. Dressed in the most regal, flashiest outfit anyone in the city had ever seen, Mandy Fullbright appears in Attack on Mango's time of need. Dressed to appear like the goddess she is, Mandy is handed a microphone, with which, she sends a message to not just the crowd in the amphitheater, but to everyone watching from all over Equestria. "C'mon everyone! Attack on Mango is fighting hard to reach the top! Cheer them on! Here, and at home! Let them hear your cheers!" The cheers of the crowd reach a fever pitch. The noise is so loud that seismographs in the city pick up the vibrations from the amphitheater as a minor earthquake! In their Ponyville home, Betty, and Kisho Yakushi cheer their children on, alongside their granddaughter. The excitement of the event makes the two feel like teenagers again. Cookie jumps up and down in front of the television as she cheers for her papa, auntie, and uncle to win. In the band's home, Deena clenches a fist. "Come on! You've worked so hard for this! Don't stop now!" In the back seat of a luxury car, Ruby screams at her phone screen as she watches her former bandmates charge towards number one. Thankfully for her driver, there's a soundproof window between them. The band continues their charge towards the stage, but... A fist collides with Nar's jaw, and he is sent reeling to the ground. Asuka tries to stop to help him up, but the Royal Records mooks begin to surround her. Juno stops, and turns to assist her, but now, the two are bogged down. A figure pushes through the crowd. Steve slams his hands into the metal walkway as he shouts in Nar's ear. "C'mon Nephew! Get up! You can't let these mooks beat you!" Nar groans as he attempts to rise, but is simply unable. Another figure pushes her way through, coming up beside Steve. Aroma waves her hand over Nar's face frantically. "C'mon Nar! Get up! You have to impress that girl you have a crush on!" Nar doesn't move. A third figure muscles his way to the walkway. Beside the two, Artuo shouts some words of encouragement. "Free, all you can eat nachos if you win!" One second, Nar is on the floor. The next, he's barreling through the Royal Records mooks with a mighty roar. Asuka and Juno find themselves freed as Nar bulldozes a path through the mooks, up to the stairs. Like a man possessed, he tosses mooks aside like ragdolls. Anyone not fortunate enough to be tossed is trampled beneath his feet, followed quickly after by Asuka, and Juno. The crowd's cheers somehow manage to grow even louder. It's as if the city itself is cheering for it's number one band! (https://youtu.be/paLP_WJ64MQ?si=KmmDzfHC2XfKbgyC) The last mook is thrown from the stairs, and Nar's feet reach the stage. Asuka and Juno follow close behind, and Scrappy lands beside the three as they all take up a position at the center of the stage. The Equestria tonight host claps enthusiastically a she begins to approach the four. Dragonautica's song finishes, and Juno motions for them to join the band. Attack on Mango, and Dragonautica wrap their arms over each other's shoulders, and form a line. Between Juno, and Ryuji, Nar's head drops as he appears to lose consciousness. The host lifts her microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen! For the first time in forty years, a band from Vanhoover has made it to the top of the Equestrian music charts!" She pauses for a moment to gather herself before continuing. "Your new, number one band in Equestria!" For nearly a whole two minutes, the only noise to be heard is cheering. On the stage, the two bands celebrate together with cheers, fist pumps, swaying, hugs, jumping up and down, and all other manners of celebration! Juno and Ryuji sway side to side with Nar between them as they loudly sing "We are the Champions." Asuka swings Wiggy around, who howls with joy. Sapphire lifts Scrappy onto her shoulders, and flares her wings, which Scrappy copies. When the two bands are done celebrating, they re-form their line, and the host asks one last question. "Now that you guys are number one, how do you plan to celebrate?!" Juno, Scrappy, and Asuka all look to each other before responding in unison. Nar's head jerks up, and he lets out a weak cry of "Nachos!" before his head falls once more.

After a long, 4 day drive, Attack on Mango has finally made it to the city of lights, Manehatten. The tour van pulls into a parking spot at a fairly well known Manehatten hotel, and the occupants all begin to pile out. As Asuka steps out of the tour van, she heaves a sigh of relief that she can finally stretch her legs. The band, and Deena meet on one side of the van to discuss plans for the rest of the day, but are stopped before any of them can get a word out. A group of 4 approaches the band from the hotel. Behind them, a camera crew appears to be filming their approach. Not just some local station either. That's an Equestria Tonight film crew. Oh shit, are they broadcasting to the whole nation right this second? Though, compared to the group approaching Attack on Mango, the camera crew isn't even an after thought. (https://youtu.be/dF6ZZe7fmYI?si=Ps6RCoJO8RwqBkso) Clad in their concert attire, Def Metal, the number one band in Equestria, approaches the band that would dare to challenge them for their spot a the top of the music charts. Attack on Mango forms a line, and Def Metal moves to match them. Def Metal stops around 10 feet from their challengers. On the left stands a gryphon in typical skater getup. Black graphic tee, checkerboard pattern jeans, skater shoes, oversized beanie, and skateboard tucked under his wing. Across from him stands Nar, an excited grin slowly forming on his face. Beside the gryphon stands a pegasus who looks straight out of 2008. Her mane is black with a single pink streak across the middle. It's long enough to cover her eyes completely, but she's swept it to one side, allowing her to see with her left eye. Her face features a nose, lip, and 2 ear piercings. Across from her, stands Asuka, a grumpy scowl on her face. Beside the pegasus stands an earth pony in what could only be described as a crude attempt at mimicking the band KISS. Across from him stands Scrappy, who is growing visibly uneasy. Finally, there stands a yak with the full metalhead getup. Long, curly hair that goes well past his shoulders, a black vest with no undershirt, black jeans, and a pair of military style black boots to match. Across from him stands Juno, stone faced. The first words to be spoken are by the yak. "You Attack on Mango?" Juno responds curtly. "Yeah." The pegasus spreads her wings in a flurry, and points one of them at Asuka. "Then you're here to challenge us for the number one spot." Nar's grin is now nearly ear to ear. "Hell yeah we are." The skater gryphon speaks next. "Then let us tell you how it's gonna go down. Here in Manehatten, we don't do all those 'challenges' you pussies in Vanhoover do. When we have a battle of the bands, we have a real battle. Mano e mano. One on one. The person across from you is your opponent." Nar can't GET any more excited! An excuse to let loose and brawl? Yes please! "Alright, then who's first?" The earth pony interjects. "We don't go all at once. Gotta keep things interesting see? We'll have one pair duke it out today, but after that..." The yak continues where the earth pony left off. "We, as the champions, can challenge you whenever, wherever. You leave the city before everyone has a go, you forfeit. We don't challenge you within a week? You win." At this, Juno, Asuka, and Nar all nod. Juno responds with "I'm game." Scrappy, however, begins to shake her head, visibly beginning to shake. "i-I'm not a fighter." The pegasus laughs. "Then you'll take an automatic loss, pussy!" Juno places a hand on Scrappy's shoulder, and gives her a reassuring smile. "Don't sweat it Scrappy. We've got this." At this point, Def Metal's agent interjects, informing the two bands of the waiver they must both sign before any fighting can take place. It essentially turns the fights into sanctioned events, in which both sides agree to not try to kill each other. After everyone, except Scrappy, and the Earth pony, signs, the Yak steps forward. "I don't like that look you've been giving me, shitbag. You and me, right now." Juno does not respond. He simply takes two steps forwards, and the yak steps to meet him. Def Metal takes a few steps back to give the two room for their bout. Behind the yak, the pegasus begins to shout cheers such as "Kick his ass!" and "Shove his stupid face into the pavement!" Juno simply looks back to his bandmates, and gets a solemn nod from Asuka, and Nar. 'Destroy him.' He gives a nod of his own in response.   (https://youtu.be/VVeQYr26ehI?si=JqDg8hCMg2lnoXaN) There is no indication of when the fight should start. The yak simply throws a left hook the moment he's within range. Juno weaves to his left, and responds with a quick right jab. His fist collides with the yak's snout, but he barely reacts. Instead, the Yak goes for a knee, which Juno quickly sprawls to defend against. He catches the knee with his hands, stopping it from colliding with his stomach. The yak's hands then come in for a grab, which Juno reacts to by pushing himself off of the yak's leg in order to narrowly avoid his grasp. The yak does not waste the movement. Instead of trying to stand back up straight, the yak charges forward, as if trying to gore Juno on his horns. Juno reacts by sidestepping, and twisting his body, like a matador escaping the charge of an angry bull. He lands a solid elbow on the yak's back, but the yak seems unfazed. He responds with a wild backhanded swing with his left hand. Juno is unable to avoid the blow, and ends up taking a fairly meaty hit to his side. He coughs slightly, then hops back a few times to get some distance. Scrappy lets out a concerned gasp. From the other line, the pegasus continues to cheer her bandmate on, while simultaneously calling Juno every vulgar insult known to Equestrian kind. The yak dips down as he goes for a leg sweep. Juno manages to jump just in time to avoid the sweep. When he lands, the yak is rising to meet him. Juno flashes his left wing out, and the yak begins to respond. Juno then ducks right, avoiding a left hook, and plants a right hook of his own into the yak's chin. That one seems to elicit a response, as the yak's head jolts to his right, and he stumbles backwards a few steps. The yak lets out a frustrated growl, then quickly lunges forwards with a left haymaker. Juno brings his right arm up to deflect the swing. The impact is so powerful that Juno feels as though his arm may have almost broken. Regardless, he responds with a left jab to the yak's sternum. The yak grunts, and throws a quick right kick. It connects with the side of Juno's left knee, causing him to momentarily crumple to that side. The yak goes to capitalize with an overhead swing from his left. That's when Juno pops up with a left uppercut that catches him in his jaw. The yak stumbles back once more, then... He topples backwards. The pegasus, and earth pony quickly catch their bandmate before he hits the pavement. He tries to rise again, but is unable. At this, Def Metal's agent steps in to call the match. With the yak unable to continue, Juno is declared the winner. He simply turns around, and is met with a grin, and a nod from Asuka, and a fist raised towards him from Nar. Juno bumps Nar's fist, and then moves back to his position in the line, now with a somewhat noticeable limp. "You won the first round." The pegasus growls, as she helps the yak to his feet. "But there's still two more to go." The earth pony adds. "Watch your backs." Ends the gryphon, as he slides a talon across his neck. The four then turn to leave, as a reporter begins to comment on everything that just happened to the camera crew behind them. Attack on Mango stands in silence as they watch their rivals slink away into the streets of Manehatten. This silence is only broken when Asuka lets out a frustrated sigh. "Can we check in now? I'm STARVING."