Asuka Yakushi

1/9/25, 12 PM, Solaris Amphitheater, Canterlot. (https://youtu.be/YQSeg8QrW2M?si=dt0QUNq_E0iYwXP7) Scrappy peers out of the amphitheater's west tunnel, to a packed crowd. With a capacity in the tens of thousands, there isn't an empty seat in sight. It's the first time she's playing in front of a crowd with her new band, and it's by far the most important performance of their entire careers. Panic grips at Scrappy's heart, and she feels herself becoming faint. "My music career is over." She mutters to herself. "And it never even started." A hardy clap on her shoulder causes Scrappy to jump. When she looks to her left, she sees Nar smiling wide back at her. He ruffles her shoulder playfully as he states. "Hey, we got this. Deep breaths. You're not going to be alone out there. We've got your back." Scrappy takes a deep breath, and attempts to calm her shaking. Too late. A stage assistant gives them the sign. They're on. The four members of Attack on Mango exit the tunnel, and ascend the steps to an elaborate stage. One side features the band's instruments. The other features a large well, where the many musicians of the Canterlot Symphony Battle Orchestra sit, with their conductor standing on a podium above them. He faces towards the orchestra, away from Attack on Mango. He doesn't bother to acknowledge their presence. Not even as a host from Equestria Tonight greets the crowd. Scrappy notices a multitude of camera crews all about the amphitheater. Right. This was being televised globally. She begins to shake once again as she unsteadily approaches her keyboard. Above the elaborate stage hangs a large, four sided display. It shows a camera feed of a closer view of the stage for those farther back in the stands. The feed currently shows a close up of the extravagantly dressed host. She sports pristine, white fur, a slender, polished horn, dazzlingly bright orange eye shadow, a yellow mane that sparkles, and ripples, and a brilliant, silver dress with a silver halo behind her head. Scrappy doesn't hear what the host is saying, even with her voice booming over speakers throughout the amphitheater. Her fear overtakes her, but this time, there's no shoulder clap to snap her out of it. As the host explains the concept of the battle to the crowd, and audience watching from afar, Scrappy completely loses herself in her panic. She completely freezes. Millions of scenarios play out in her head. None of them good. She nearly faints on-stage, only to be brought back by Nar's voice in her mind. "Scraps! You gotta pull yourself together! We're about to start!" When she looks up from her keyboard, she sees Nar staring back at her from the front of the band. His horn is aglow, and his expression is serious. "If you plan on us eating it out here, at least let us go down fighting!" The host tells the two bands to prepare. Two walls of arcane energy meet in the center of the stage. One emits from Nar's horn. The other comes from multiple unicorns within the orchestra's well. Scrappy slaps her face, hard, then steels herself. The host announces for the two to begin. (https://youtu.be/NpDrF6h-ZR4?si=jevcdoTItH_Z8wlS&t=207) Scrappy switches her keyboard to the organ sound font, and kicks things off. The orchestra responds with soft violins, and light percussion. Asuka and Juno join in with electric guitar, and drums. The orchestra adds some low brass, and cellos to respond. Nar joins in with his bass guitar, and the rest of the orchestra chimes in. Scrappy switches her keyboard to the synthesizer sound font, and begins in earnest. The two walls of arcane force push against each other. One gives way momentarily, only to push back shortly after. So far, the two combatants are evenly matched. Scrappy takes the lead for Attack on Mango. Her fears wash away as she leads the charge with her synth. She imagines herself, and her bandmates as maverick hunters, taking on a dangerous maverick. They can't afford to lose, or the maverick known as Royal Records will wreak even more havoc on the equestrian music industry! The two combatants momentarily break off. Things become a little less intense, as Scrappy switches back to her organ. The orchestra responds with strings, and high brass. Scrappy switches back too her synth, and the two combatants begin to crescendo. The two walls of arcane force clash more, and more. They push against each other, but the orchestra's begins to envelop Attack on Mango's. Scrappy hears Juno let out a yell as he's thrown from the stage. Scrappy tries to stay upright, but the force of the orchestra's wall knocks her to the ground. Asuka, and Nar hold the line for as long as they can, but eventually, Nar's bass falls silent, and Asuka is thrown from her drumset, leaving Nar to face the oncoming wall alone. The orchestra softens. Now, only the violins, and a single vibraphone play. They want to make an example of these upstarts. A lone electric guitar fights back. Juno stands resolute. He's visibly injured from his fall, but plays regardless. Then, Scrappy climbs back to her feet, and Asuka jumps back onto her drumset. The orchestra lulls for just a moment, and... Counterattack! The orchestra's wall of arcane energy is forced back as Attack on Mango pours every ounce of energy they have into their playing. Scrappy feels herself beginning to scream as she pours her heart into her keyboard, desperate to take down the behemoth that is the Canterlot Symphony Battle Orchestra. Her bandmates follow in kind. Four voices scream their defiance against the industry giant that seeks to crush them for good. One by one, instruments in the well fall silent. Attack on Mango does not relent. The conductor desperately clings to his podium. No longer able to conduct as the arcane force of Attack on Mango's defiance threatens to unseat him. He fails, and is thrown into the well, crashing into two french horn players, causing others around them to topple. Her bandmates slowly cease playing, and Scrappy slows the battle to a halt with her organ. As her organ falls silent, so to does the crowd. The amphitheater is deathly silent for what feels like an eternity. Nar raises his head, and bellows a cry into the sky. Behind him, Asuka begins to cackle like a madwoman. She hops from her drumset, and races to the foot of the well. She stomps her foot, and screams down to the dazed musicians below. "" Juno raises his fists to the sky, pumping them wildly in celebration. Scrappy begins to laugh uncontrollably, as the realization dawns on her. Claps slowly begin to emerge from the crowd. Many still unable to process what has just happened. The host slowly emerges onto the center of the stage. She takes a moment to swallow, and gather herself. "It appears the battle is over." She pauses. "And the winner is." She pauses again, looking into the orchestra well as if expecting them to continue. When they do not, she looks over to the cackling madmen, and madwomen on her right. "Attack on Mango!" "Yeah! Hell yeah! I knew they'd win! Serves those Royal Records stiffs right!" Ryuji Firefang cheers from his seat at Stinkin' Steve's bar. The whole bar joins him in cheering as he lifts his glass high. "Here's to the soon to be number one band in Equestria!" In unison, the bar lifts their glasses, and responds. "Cheers!"

After a long day of travel, Attack on Mango was happy to have made it to their hotel in Canterlot. With the holidays over, and a new year beginning, it was time for Attack on Mango to finally make their move for the number one spot on the Equestrian music charts. Juno unlocks the door to the suite the band will be staying in for their stay in the capitol. It's a snazzy 2 bedroom suite with a small living room/kitchen area, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a VERY luxurious bathroom. Not to mention the hot tub on the balcony. Who cares if it's below freezing outside? Temperature is just a number for citizens of Vanhoover. Asuka and Scrappy get one bedroom, while Nar, Cookie, and Juno get the other. After placing his stuff in his bedroom, Juno heads back out into the kitchen area to look for snacks. He manages to find some complementary 'upscale' chips in one of the cupboards, but as he turns to head back to his room, something catches his eye. On the coffee table in the living room is a sealed envelope. They hadn't noticed it when they entered, but it had definitely been there when they got here. Juno approaches the envelope, and gingerly picks it up. He instantly recognizes the stamp on the seal. "Guys." Juno calls out in an urgent, but calm tone. His bandmates emerge from their rooms one by one. Juno holds up the envelope, displaying the seal for all to see. Asuka's expression sowers, Nar's face becomes serious, and Scrappy looks like she's just seen a ghost. (https://youtu.be/k9c6n3ezBDE?si=aYzOUKtlcqY_HVmb) It's the Royal Records emblem. No words are spoken. Juno carefully opens the envelope, making sure to keep the wax seal in tact. He then pulls out the letter folded within, and begins to read. "To the constituents of Attack on Mango, You are formally challenged to a battle of the bands. This challenge is issued on behalf of Royal Records. Should you accept, you will be expected to arrive at the Solaris Amphitheater, ready to do battle by 12 PM, on January 9th, 2025. Should you fail to arrive, or be unready by 12 PM, January 9th, 2025, you will forfeit the challenge, and thus, your careers. We hope you are prepared to suffer defeat, just as all who have opposed Royal Records before you have. The Canterlot Symphony Battle Orchestra" They've only just begun their fight for the number one spot, and it's already do or die. The entire band is silent for what feels like an eternity. While the others sport serious, or somber expressions, Scrappy looks as though she's about to have a heart attack. Little Cookie waddles over to hug Scrappy's leg in an attempt to help her calm down, but it doesn't appear to have any affect. "They've been watching us for a while now. Probably since we left Vanhoover." Juno breaks the silence. Asuka, and Nar nod in agreement. "They even knew what hotel, and what room we were going to be staying in." Asuka adds. Juno immediately points to Nar. "Nar, you know Sending, right?" A quick nod is the response. "Tell Spot we need a secure place to practice." Nar's horn then begins to glow as he begins to cast a spell. Juno then points to the other two. "Absolutely NO band talk unless we're in the place Spot finds us. ESPECIALLY not here. No doubt they've bugged the suite." Finally, Scrappy begins to speak. Her voice is shaky, and panicked. "The Canterlot Symphony Battle Orchestra is undefeated in battles! E-every band that's ever went up against them has always disbanded afterwards! A-and we only have two days to practice! How can we even beta them?!" Juno shakes his head. "Royal Records isn't known for playing fair. They're the biggest record label in Equestria for a reason. We're gonna practice like hel-" Juno stops himself. His eyes momentarily look to Cookie. "Heck... for the next two days. We can sight see after we beat them." Asuka nods. Nar gives a thumbs up, followed by "Spot's got us a place." Juno nods back. "Good. Then get some rest guys. The next 3 days are gonna be rough."

//Disclaimer: No, I did not actually write a song for this. I claim no ownership of the song used for this. The music video begins with a 3 second roll of the production company's logo, then fades to black. White text then appears, showing a disclaimer. "The stunts featured in this music video were done by an experienced professional with a permit to street skate. Attempting to re-create the stunts performed in this video could lead to injury, or jail time. Don't skate in the street kids. Stick to the skate park, and always wear a helmet." (https://youtu.be/LXfLYYNpPvk?si=-jslE2rhKu30rek0) When the music kicks in, the first shot of the video shows Nar speeding down a sidewalk on his roller blades from left to right. As he passes out of frame, the shot cuts to a low angle shot of him hopping onto a rail. The shot follows him through a grind, and cuts after he hops off the rail. For the next 10 seconds, the video cuts between Nar doing some sort of trick, and a shot of the whole band in a grungy garage surrounded by audio equipment, performing. The segment transitions by rapidly flashing between the two shots before focusing on Nar, as he grabs a light pole to help him make a tight turn around a street corner. The following shot follows Nar as he skates through Vanhoover from an over-the-shoulder angle. The shot switches to a side view of him as he skates along a sidewalk, with a few grinds, and tricks along the way. Eventually, the camera's view is blocked by a brick wall, and transitions to a wide shot of the band in the garage again. Nar emerges from the left side of the shot, and gives himself a high five as he speeds past the bass playing Nar. The shot transitions to a front facing shot of a brick wall, which Nar appears to burst through while doing a judo grab (One leg out stretched, the other held behind him), landing  out of shot. The shot cuts to Nar skating downhill on a long road backdroped by various shops. Every few seconds, the shot cuts between the band performing, and Nar skating downhill. With each cut back to Nar, the camera is zoomed in a little more, eventually focused entirely on his face, which displays a wide, excited grin. As the song nears it's end, the shot cuts again, now showing a low angle shot from slightly to the side of a big stone art piece. It shows Nar making it to the bottom of the hill, and approaching the art piece. He ramps the art piece, and the shot cuts to a wide shot, showing him flying through the air over a large modern art piece in a plaza. He begins to initiate a viking grab with a backflip. The shot cuts again to a close up of him flipping 3 times, cutting to a different angle for each flip. It then switches to a shot of Nar landing on another downhill road from a diagonal, above angle. Then it cuts one last time to behind Nar as he lifts his head back, and lets out an audible, adrenaline fueled "Woooohoooo!" The video fades to black as it comes to an end.