Asuka Yakushi

The members of Attack on Mango, and their friends, Ruby, and Deena sit in their living room as they watch a movie together. Well, 'watch' was a generous description. It was more like they have it on in the background while they make conversation. Mostly about Ruby's career as a solo artist, and her explaining her history with the band's original 3 members to Scrappy. At some point, Asuka notices something new about her brother, and opts to point it out to the room. "Hey, Nar. When did you get a smart watch?" At this, Nar lifts his left arm, revealing a sleek smart watch on his wrist. "Oh, Aki gave it to me as a thank you for going to meet her sister with her. I told her I could just buy one myself, but she insisted. Even somehow got it to sync a new app onto my phone that she made herself." Nar then removes his phone from his pocket. He unlocks it, revealing an app that no one in the room has seen before. The icon appears to be a render of a chibi version of Aki, blowing a kiss. The text below labels it as "Ask Aki". Nar then closes his phone, and places it back in his pocket as he lifts his wrist to his mouth. "It's like Siri, but better, because it uses Aki's voice, and calls me stuff like 'dear', 'muffin', and 'sweetheart.' " He pauses for a moment before speaking again. "Hey, Aki." Then, a little 3d chibi Aki appears on the watch's screen with a "Yes darling?" Asuka is actually quite horrified at how the voice sounds JUST LIKE Aki. Maybe it's actually her, but with how quickly the app responded, she doubts it. "What time is Winston Dreamglow hosting the opening ceremony for his new HQ?" Ruby groans from across the room. "Can we NOT talk about him? PLEASE?!" The little Aki in Nar's watch responds regardless. "It will be televised on channel 5 at 12 PM Vanhoover time, my sweet. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Nar shakes his head. "No thanks." He then looks to Ruby. "Hey, I was just gonna suggest we watch it just so we can call him names and crap. You know? Let everyone vent a little." "Uhg, fine, but I get the remote so I can change the channel when I start to feel sick." 12 PM, Winston Arcane Technologies, Vanhoover. A large crowd gathers in front of the complex that serves as the new headquarters for Winston's Arcane Technologies. Gates have been set up in front of the courtyard so the crowd cannot enter. At the back of the courtyard stands a massive LED screen, which displays a shot of Winston standing in front of an object covered in a tarp in the middle of the courtyard. He's a fairly tall, lanky unicorn with slick, black hair, and pearl white fur. He wears a sharp white suit jacket over a striking blue button up shirt, with a sharp black tie, white slacks, black dress shoes, and a sleek pair of glasses. Behind the object stands the company's top executives. 5 on each side of the object. On the sides of the courtyard, an orchestra is split into two parts. News anchors in the crowd speak about the opening ceremony, and the excitement of the crowd. Above, a crew of pegasai begin preparations for removing the tarp. As the clock strikes twelve, the orchestra begins to play, and Winston takes a deep breath. (https://youtu.be/_c4cTsDOaRs?si=-N0m3ddp061ZIcT-) When Winston speaks, his voice booms through speakers placed along the front of the courtyard, despite no microphone being visible. "Ladies, and Gentlemen! I would like to thank you all for joining me for this momentous occasion!" The crowd claps in anticipation. "As of today, Winston's Arcane Technologies shall officially begin operations in our new headquarters here in Vanhoover!" The crowd cheers. Winston then goes on a quite long winded speach about how his company started out of an old storage container, and how he's built it up into the global brand it is today. With their arcane technology that 'leads the way to the future', and their line of popular arcane accessories that have 'taken the world by storm.' He even reveals a new product known as the 'Arcanawatch.' In doing so, he asks the watch what the weather will be like tomorrow. It responds by projecting a magical image of a sunny sky, to the delight of the crowd. Though, any unicorn, or mage with even a passing knowledge of magic could tell you this was a basic spell that children learn when first learning magic. Despite this, the crowd is enthralled. After his speach, Winston motions to the tarp behind him. "As a token of their appreciation, my investors have graciously decided to commission a statue of myself to act as the centerpiece for this new headquarters!" A blatant lie. Winston's Arcane Technologies has NO investors. Winston is the sole proprietor. Meaning, he bought this for himself. The crowd doesn't seem to know, or really care. They clap, and cheer anyway. "Without further ado!" He motions with an arm towards the tarp, and the pegasai begin to pull the tarp away. Sunlight reflects off of glittering gold underneath. The crowd begins to cheer even more than they had before! Only, after the tarp is fully removed, the cheering and clapping slows to a stop. Along with this, the orchestra peters out, leaving the courtyard in silence. Winston stands in silence for a moment, confused as to why the cheering stopped, but still smiling cheerfully. He turns to look at his statue, only to be met with shock, and horror. His likeness has been The glittering gold of the statue of Winston has been given a few new additions in spray paint. A twiddly mustache rests atop his lip, and one of his eyes has been blackened. However, that's not the worst of it. All along his likeness, someone has spray painted words such as "ASSHOLE", "ABUSER", and "MANIPULATOR." Winston quickly turns, and begins to make a speach about 'overcoming adversity', and 'integrity.' Back at Attack on Mango's house, Ruby cackles like a madwoman as she watches her ex-boyfriend try too save face on live TV. Asuka steals a glance at her brother, noting a slight grin on his face. It quickly fades. After a few more minutes of listening to Winston trying to save face, Ruby changes the channel. "If I listen to his voice any more, I'm going to hurl."

//This story is here to wrap up all the band stuff for Attack on Mango, so I don't have to make like, 5 posts about each individual thing. After this, Attack on Mango will essentially only exist when I want to make the occasional band post, instead of being the focus of Nar, and Asuka's profiles. (https://youtu.be/G1ZM9NJH6Cw?si=wsp47fWYhHBn21q3) Deena, Cookie, Betty, Kisho, Hiari, and a few other guests sit beside Mandy Fullbright in the deluxe lounge of the Glorian Amphitheater. The lounge serves as a place for the elite of Vanhoover to watch the shows that occur in the amphitheater without having to deal with all the noise, and crowding of the main floor. It features tinted glass windows so those inside can see out, but cannot be seen from those outside. A private bar with both alcoholic, and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a few choices of snacks. Plenty of luxurious seating, and big OLED screens posted at the corners of the lounge to give the occupants a better view of the stage. Sat behind the center window is a lone camera. Why it's there? Only one person knows, and he's not in the crowd. Below, the amphitheater bustles with excitement. It's a completely sold out crowd, with others outside trying to find ways in, and why wouldn't it be? After all, the number one band in the country was playing here tonight! Their first live show since they became number one! Not that the people outside need to worry about missing it. The show's being televised all across the world! Being backstage does little to dampen the sounds inside the amphitheater. Dressed in their concert attire, the four members of Attack on Mango listen to their opening act, Dragonautica, as the finish up their set. Nar gives the band a quick pep talk, but it's not really needed. It's hard not to be confident when you're the number one band in the country. As Dragonautica files into the backstage, high fives are given all around. "We got 'em nice, and amped for you guys. Knock 'em dead!" Ryuji cheers, as he, and Nar initiate their new, super secret handshake. Steeltrap's maw flies up over his shoulder to add "If you don't, I'll you!" Once the rest of the band has filed into the backstage area, Nar claps his hands together. "Alright guys! Let's do this!" The lights in the Glorian Amphitheater dim after Dragonautica finishes their set. When they brighten again, 10 minutes later, a group of figures emerge, taking their places on the stage. Cheers erupt from the crowd. After months, Attack on Mango has finally returned to the stage! Now, as the number one band in the country! As the band gets into place, they listen to the roar of the crowd. Asuka feels her chest well with pride, and maybe, a little smug satisfaction. She'd heard crowds like this dozens of times before, but something about tonight just made her feel so accomplished. Knowing all the people down there, and the people watching from afar are all here to see them, makes Asuka feel... Nar takes his position at the front of the stage, but allows the crowd to cheer for a bit before he grabs the microphone. "How are we doing tonight Vanhoover?!" The crowd's cheers swell. "I'm gonna take that as an 'awesome'! Which is great! We've got all your favorite songs lined up for you guys tonight, but before we jump in, we just wanted to say something." Nar looks back to his bandmates, who all nod. He then turns his attention back to the crowd. "The journey to the top has been a blast! We've enjoyed every moment we've spent clawing our way to the top of the charts, and seeing how excited all you guys are to see us get here makes it well worth it! We've loved every show we've played, every meet and greet, every time you guys have stopped us on the street, and every post on social media you guys make about us! Yes, even you, Juno shrine closet girl. We know. You guys have made every second of this journey a blast, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have fans like you all!" Nar pauses for a moment, allowing his words to settle in. "But... Being at the top isn't our style. We're meant to be the underdogs, not the ones on top. I know a lot of you are probably going to be upset with us for this, but, this will probably be the only show we play as the number one band in the country... Truth is... Things have changed a lot for us since we started the band over a decade ago. We've lost members, gained others, hell, we've even changed genres! Shout out to the guys who still have the CDs of our first album! The biggest change though, is... Well, I became a father!" Nar looks over to the tinted windows of deluxe lounge, and lifts up a hand to wave enthusiastically. "Hi Pumpkin! Papa loves you very much!" Behind him, his bandmates wave in kind. Then, Nar continues. "So... Well, the band's gonna take a back seat for a while! Now, don't go crying just yet! We're not breaking up! We're still gonna play shows, and record every now and then, just not as much as we have been! We're not just gonna up and disappear on you guys!" Following another pause, Nar begins again. "Thanks a bunch for all your support! We hope you guys show Dragonautica as much support as you did us when they shoot for the number one spot! Now, let's get rockin'!" (https://youtu.be/WwAjaPxgqUA?si=4b73oZ7RMf3rJn1P) Attack on Mango played their biggest, and best show in history! Magazines, and entertainment news channels across the world covered the show for a solid week before the excitement finally started to die down! After the show, Mandy hosted the biggest afterparty the city had ever seen! The city wasn't too happy with all the cleanup needed afterwards, but, the tax revenue they earned off of all the sales made at the city's bars more than made up for it. Attack on Mango earned themselves a spot in the Equestrian Music Hall of Fame, where they got their very own golden star in Canterlot! Back in Vanhoover, the band received their very own spot on the music charts, above number one, where the band will stay until they break up. Dragonautica took the number one spot in the city, thus, taking up the mantle from Attack on Mango. Another band approached Attack on Mango, looking to challenge them for their spot at the top of the Equestrian music charts. However, to their surprise, and eventual gratitude, Attack on Mango gave them the spot without a fight, eventually leading to them falling off of the national charts for good.  Attack on Mango would still periodically play shows, release albums, and singles, and do events, but only a fraction of the amount that they did before. Despite this, they were still regarded as the best band in Vanhoover. With the band taking a back seat, it's members began to focus on their lives, eager to see what lies ahead for them.

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!"