Asuka Yakushi

//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.

"Knock knock!" Betty Yakushi opens the front door of her house to find the face of her son staring back at her. Oh! And he's carrying her granddaughter too! It's the first time she's gotten to see her in person! Betty's face lights up as her eldest children, and their best friend enter their home. "Kisho! Our favorite band is here!" She calls out to her husband, as she gives each of the young adults a hug. A few seconds later, her husband emerges from the kitchen with a 'Worlds Best Dad/Boss' apron on. As Juno, and Asuka go to set the food they brought in the kitchen, Nar holds Cookie for his parents to dote over. When they return, Nar takes Cookie to the living room to give everyone else room to cook in the kitchen. Around 30 minutes later, there's another knock at the door. Nar stands to answer, but Asuka beats him there. When she opens the door, she lets out a loud, excited squeal as she embraces someone in the doorway. When Nar approaches the door, his youngest sisters voice calls out from over Asuka's shoulder. "What's up, nerd?" Nar joins in on the hug, giving his youngest sister a playful noogie. "Hey! Shorty! It's great to see you!" "I told you not to call me that." "Well, as your older brother, it's my duty to annoy you as much as possible." "You're a real piece of work, you know that?" The embrace is broken. Asuka rolls her eyes. "He does that to me too. He called me 'Sock' at a fan meet and greet once, and I almost body slammed him." An hour later, the family sits in the dining room as they enjoy a holiday lunch together. An array of foods are laid out in the middle of the table while everyone eats. "Dad, you HAVE to teach me how to cook the turkey the way you do. You always get it just right!" Nar begs his father, mouth full of food. "Nar, don't talk with food in your mouth." His mother softly scolds. "Who made the sweet potato casserole? I'm gonna have to take the rest of it with me if nobody else does." Questions Hiari, as she scoops another heaping spoonful of sweet potato casserole onto her plate. Asuak beams with pride beside her. "I followed Meemee's recipe to the letter. Made it exactly like she used to, with my own little twist." As the time for desert comes around, the food is replaced with plates, and bowls filled with sweets. Juno points a spoon at a large bowl full of what could only be described as 'Yellow slop topped with whipped cream.' "What in the world is that?" Nar scowls. "It's banana pudding!" Juno feigns disgust. "It looks like vomit." Nar quips back "You look like vomit!" Across the table, Hiari, and Asuka shake their heads in unison. "Better comebacks, Nar." Beside Kisho, Betty lets out a soft "Awww" as she picks up a cookie, made to resemble a turkey. "These cookies are so cute! Who made them?" She then takes a bite, and is delighted by just how delicious it is! Nar, it's Nar's turn to beam with pride. "Cookie made them all by herself! Well, I put them in the oven, and took them out, but she made, and decorated them, all by herself!" Everyone else grabs a cookie to try, and soon, the whole table is gushing about Cookie's cookies. Sat beside her father, the little baker twirls back and forth in her chair, overwhelmed by all the praise. After the meal is finished, and everything is cleaned up, Nar picks up Cookie, and begins to head for the door. "Alright! Time to serve up some hot meals!" Juno grunts as he peels himself off of the couch from beside Hiari. "Can't we take a few minutes to let the food digest at least?" Nar shakes his head, vigorously. "The hungry people of Ponyville can't wait, Juno!" With a nod, Juno stands, helping Hiari up after him. Then, the family leaves the house to head to Kisho's restaurant. After all, it wouldn't be a Yakushi family holiday if they didn't open the restaurant to serve the needy.

The hunt for a new keyboardist for Attack on Mango was on. The four current members of the band sit behind a desk inside a rented out studio, and wave goodbye to their most recent tryout. So far, every candidate that's come in has either just tried to play covers of their songs, or played some half-assed original composition that usually sucked. At this rate, it looked like it might take weeks before they find their new keyboardist. With only 10 minutes left before the auditions wrap up for the night, another candidate is let in. She's a pegasus with cotton candy blue fur, and a long, deep blue mane. She looks to be in her early 20's. She wears a graphic t-shirt depicting Mega Man shredding an electric guitar, with a pair of simple sneakers, and blue jeans. So far, the most casually dressed of their candidates. Nar welcomes her with a smile, and motions for her to approach the keyboard in the middle of the room. "Sorry if we seem a little short with you. It's been a long day. Just give us your name, and you can start whenever." The mare nods slowly. "Scrappy Flats." Before she can begin, Asuka speaks up to ask a question. "Where are you from, Scrappy?" "Canterlot." Juno whistles. "You came a long way just for this audition." He then leans forward in his chair. "What will you do if you don't get the part?" Beads of sweat begin to form on Scrappy's brow, but she takes a deep breath, and re-assures herself. "Well, my grandma lives here, so I'd probably go spend a few days with her before heading back home... I was going to do that regardless." Asuka and Nar nod in approval. Juno relaxes back into his seat. Ruby remains silent. Scrappy doesn't give them any time to think of more questions. She quickly picks a specific synth on the keyboard, then begins to play a song as the band listens, fairly unenthusiastic at first. After around 10 seconds, Nar, and Juno both begin to sit up. Their eyes open wide with recognition, just as Scrappy begins the main melody of the song. Her right hand plays the melody, while her left plays the bass line. Nar's lips form a wide smile. "Hey! That's!-" Juno then joins in, as the two speak in unison. "The opening stage theme from Zero 4!" Scrappy continues, but she feels butterflies in her chest at the realization that Nar, and Juno know the song she's covering. "Man! I played the shit out of that as a kid!" Nar nearly shouts. At this, Scrappy just can't help herself. She loses focus as her eyes light up, and her music trails off. "I know! I was born a little too late for the Gamecolt Advance, but I got Zero 4 for my DS as a kid, and I still have the cartridge!" Nar smiles back. "I had it for the OG Gamecolt Advance." Juno smirks, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, but I had the SP." "Pfffft. Showoff." Nar waves a hand dismissively. The band shares a few looks, then Juno sits back up. Ruby offers a warm smile. "Well Scrappy, it looks like you'd make a worthy successor." Asuka nods in agreement. Scrappy feels her legs start to give out. Her stomach churns, and she feels lightheaded. Nar rises from his chair, and heads over to help steady her. Back at the table, Juno leans his elbows on it, and places his chin on his hand. "So Scrappy. We have just one question for you. How do you feel about moving to Vanhoover?"