Scootaloo had recovered from her grief after reading the letters penned to her by her deceased mother and was more happy than ever. When Zephyr inquired if it was still bothering her at all, she shook her head. "Mom... my real mom I mean, wouldn't want me to be sad all the time. I could tell that from all the letters she wrote me. I made it my new goal to live my life for me, for my new family... and for her as well."

That got a soft smile from her adoptive brother. "You're a strong filly, Scoots. Don't let anypony say otherwise."

"It helps that a lot of the things she wanted to do with me, we have already done as a family!"

"Oh yeah speaking of, a couple updates I need to inform you of. Turns out your father was mom's... well, Harpsong's first husband."

That got a surprised look from the filly. "Really? Small world much? Though that might explain my current mom's attachment to me."

Zephyr shook his head at that. "I think she would've loved you regardless. She loved me for the longest time despite me having zero relation to her or her departed husband."

"Ah, right. Super moms are just built differently I guess." That got a chuckle from the brother. "What was the other update?"

"Heh, this one will be much more positive. You're getting a baby brother!"

"REALLY?!" Scootaloo started jumping around excitably after Zephyr nodded. "A baby brother! A baby brother!" She suddenly stops and gives a worried look. "W-what if mom--"

"Let's not think that! I understand, considering... ANYWAYS, think positive thoughts! Mom will get through it!"

"I'm sure she will!" Fluttershy had joined the conversation with a smile. "By the way, Scootaloo, you said you wanted to do something with me today?"

"Ah right! I realized I haven't done too much with you outside of just living at your place when big bro isn't there. I guess I just wanted to get more family time in after the other day, so... please?" Scootaloo gives her big sister a pleading look.

Zephyr chuckles at that. "Works out, I want to finish up a song I got planned for the Crystal Empire Concert coming up in a few days. Actually, I got the tickets I can pass out to friends and family and two of them are right here!" He gives his siblings crystal blue tickets.

"These are pretty!" Fluttershy admired the color before putting it away with a smile. "We'll be there! Who else are you inviting?"

"The rest of our friends of course, though mom and dad will be sitting out on account of their duties... and mom's pregnancy." Zephyr thinks for a moment. "Maybe I should hoof these out now while I'm thinking of it."

"Don't forget Rainbow Dash!" Was Scootaloo's cheeky remark.

"You kidding? She's going to be the VIP in a manner of speaking!" Noticing his sister's confused looks, he grins. "It's a secret! Anyways, you two have fun!" After waving them off, Zephyr sets out to give the tickets out.

Rainbow Dash took one without hesitation. "Considering the last time you gave me a ticket..."

"Heh, I'd say don't worry about it but... well, you'll see at the concert." That confused her, but decided not to question it and regarded it as a potential surprise.

Rarity accepted the ticket, but Applejack and Pinkie Pie were preoccupied with things and had to turn them down. Twilight, similarly, turn it down because she had to multitask her current interest and learning more about Princess duties. Zephyr remembered something. "Speaking of, did your brother ever ask you if you wanted me as a personal guard?"

That got a loud sigh from Twilight. "Yes and I turned it down. Not because it's you, don't get me wrong, but I really don't feel I need the protection. Plus... it would just add to that 'barrier' I feared would separate us as friends."

"I understand. I'll keep up my training because of everypony I want to protect, but just know I'll be available if you DO want a guard for some reason."

That left Zephyr with 3 tickets left over. While he did get Sweetie Belle to come along with her sister, Applebloom said she wanted to help her family with some things and couldn't go. Great, 2 tickets that'll go to-- hang on... I just got a cheeky idea that will surprise Rainbow!

On the day that everypony was departing for the Crystal Empire for the concert, Rainbow was being a bit impatient when Zephyr told her to wait for a surprise. "What kind of 'surprise' could it really be?"

"You'll see. In fact, they're coming now!"

Rainbow barely had time to turn around when she suddenly got hugged. "Rainbow! So nice to see you!"

"Hi, mom and dad." Windy and Bow smile lovingly at their daughter. "So you invited my parents as well?"

"Yup! We haven't hung out with them since you reconciled with them and figured why not?"

Windy giggled as Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Imagine our surprise when he shows up at our doorstep with tickets to the Crystal Empire Concert!"

"Plus, this will be our first family outing in... a long time!" Bow added with his own gleeful smile.

"Just make sure you two keep a lid on your overindulgence, okay?" While Rainbow knew it was something her parents were doing their best to improve with, she felt the need to remind them regardless. After a brief hesitation and remembering what Scootaloo just went through, she hugs her parents herself. "... But I'm glad you're coming along."

Zephyr chuckles at the situation. "Honestly, these two are going to be in for a ride with what I have planned!" Rainbow rolls her eyes while her parents look gleeful.

Scootaloo was ecstatic when she saw Bow and Windy along for the ride as they introduced themselves to Rarity. While they were a bit much, the fashionista warmed up to them since they clearly cared deeply for her friend. Rarity later admits to Rainbow that she preferred them considering how carefree and thoughtless her and Sweetie Belle's parents can be.

With the train pulling into the Crystal Empire station, Windy and Bow admired the crystalline structures. "We've never seen anything like it..."

"Yup, and we're here for tonight and tomorrow!" Rainbow did her best not to show it, but even she was excited about sharing something new with her parents.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle did their best to pretend they've never been to the Crystal Empire before. The fillies and parents were all shocked when Crystal Ponies called out Zephyr as the "Winds of Freedom" much to his embarrassment. "Yeah... that's a thing."

Rainbow grins as she nudges her boyfriend. "Come on, "Winds of Freedom"! We need to check in to our rooms!"

"After you, O Pegasus of Undying Loyalty!" Rainbow didn't expect the counter-attack as she blushed. Her parents swooned over their daughter interacting with her boyfriend more than her title, which amused Rarity greatly.

Zephyr managed to confirm his band mates had arrived before he did, though he was surprised when they insisted he lodge with his girlfriend. "Last time the two of you went to a concert, you were not on speaking terms. We all agreed that you should spend time with her this time, even if she's with her parents." Was Burst's statement.

"Are you guys sure?"

Snare snorted in laughter. "It's not like we NEED to be in the same room as a band. As long as we're all on time at the venue, that's all that matters."

"You say that, but the last time we all had separate rooms, you were the one who was late because nopony could wake you up on time!" Snare sputtered at Electron's words before she glared at the Unicorn.

Strings rolled his eyes at their continued antics. "I agree with Burst, no sense keeping you from spending time with future family. Don't take this as me teasing because that's not my style, but if you're dating you must be considering marriage at least some time in the future, yes?"

"I-I guess that's true. Would be weird to have a girlfriend and not consider taking the next step. I'm moreso just waiting for her to get further along in her dream first."

"Nothing wrong with that." Burst smiles at Zephyr, which catches Rarity's attention as she passed by. "While I'm sure you can still support her after proposing, letting her focus on her dream first is also commendable."

Zephyr couldn't help but chuckle. "I came here to confirm you guys will be fine without me, not to get off-hoof advice!" That got laughs all around.

With the concert the next day, the rest of the evening was spent touring the Crystal Empire. Since Rarity wasn't as familiar due to being stuck in the spa the entire time before, it was up to Rainbow and Zephyr to show the group around.

Zephyr had learned one new tidbit of information about Rainbow: she snores loudly on occasion, which she clearly got from her father considering he was doing the same. While it did amuse him, he knew it would have to be something he'd need to get used to if he wanted to live with her. Though it begs the question of why she snored loudly last night and not any other time...

Since he was part of a performing band, and the opening act besides, Zephyr went ahead of his friends and family to meet his band at the venue. Snare quickly noticed something. "Didn't sleep well last night? And here I thought you weren't as nervous?"

Wanting to spare his girlfriend's dignity, Zephyr chose to lie. "Moreso excitement I guess, considering what I had planned for this concert."

"I have a hunch considering the order we're playing our songs." Strings mentioned that before motioning towards the curtains. "Just a heads up, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor are here as well. Presumably to see how the Crystal Empire's first concert goes."

"Heh... the Princess is going to be in for a shock with our first song, especially with the imagery we were using from the Manehattan Concert." Burst shakes his head. "Regardless, best we can do for now is prepare."

Disrupted was one of the bands that came along for the ride along with an up-and-coming band called Within Temperance. Turns out the singer for the latter was inspired by Harpsong to start her own band, though she was saddened to hear Harmonecence had disbanded for now. Zephyr made sure to psych her up, which Snare quickly pointed out was a reverse of what happened in Manehattan.

As Three Night's Grace set up on the stage, Zephyr made sure to give his band a bit of extra time by picking up the mic. "Good to see everypony out there and welcome to the Crystal Empire's first ever concert! A pleasure to have you all here!" That was met with cheers, especially from the Crystal Ponies.

"Now, before we begin, I just have a message I want to say, especially to the Crystal Ponies, and... it ties in with what the first song of the day will be." That confused the crowd as Zephyr clears his throat. "Many of you have already heard me referred to as the "Winds of Freedom" and regarded as a hero. However, what I want to impress upon you is that... not all heroes have the best starts...

"When I started my music career in Three Night's Grace, I had gone the lowest I had been in life. Outside of my band... I was all alone in the world because of mistakes I made that drove friends away. I had gotten stuck in that downward spiral that felt... inescapable at the time." Cadance looked shocked at the revelation, considering the first time she met the Falconite, he DID have a girlfriend and was friends with Twilight.

"Now... I'm in a much better place, but I wish to give you all a taste today... of where my mind was during those dark times." And with that, Zephyr began to sing 'I am Machine'. Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy all remembered when they first heard it and it hurt their hearts to remember... that this song truly represented what he was going through. Cadance was further shocked when the same imagery shown during the instrumental of the song appeared again, especially the broken-heart with the words "If Friendship is Magic, then I am powerless".

After the song finished, Zephyr made sure to do a quick follow up. "Don't worry, everypony, we simply are getting the darker stuff out of the way first. The rest of the songs will be much brighter, so enjoy the concert!" That was met with wild cheers as the band went back-stage.

Electron rolls her eyes at her lead singer. "You just couldn't resist, could you?"

"Just wanted to make sure the Crystal Ponies know that not all heroes come from good places."

Burst chuckles at that. "Are you sure you weren't just trying to smash your own pedestal they had you on? The way I see it, they're just going to rebuild it higher than before."

"Ah... pony feathers..." It was clear Zephyr didn't think of that, earning a laugh from his band mates.

After the other two bands played their songs, to the enjoyment of the crowds, the concert broke for lunch. Zephyr's band decided to spend it with his friends and family, with Windy and Bow star-struck over being able to eat with a famous band like this. Rarity, not thinking of her placement, sat right next to Burst.

Fluttershy gives her brother a worried look. "A-are you okay now?"

"Ah, I probably worried you all with what I said and the first song we showed, huh? Rest assured, it's just my idea of showing my 'journey' as a singer, from my first written song to my current ones."

"Imagine our surprise when he pitched that idea." Electron put forward with a bemused look. "Though I suppose it helps put things into perspective."

Strings nods with closed eyes. "Retrospection is always a good thing to do every once in a while."

"Something we've been trying to do..." Bow admitted as his wife pats him on the shoulder comfortingly.

Zephyr cleared his throat, wanting to brighten the mood. "Well the concert is going to follow the same '3 songs per band' format and our second song will be 'The Mountain'. While a good number of ponies have already heard it, I feel it's still a good song to put in the middle."

"With the newest song being the very last one played as per usual?" Burst asked with a knowing grin. The rest of the band joins him with the same grins, much to the Falconite's embarrassment and confusion of everypony else.

Once lunch wrapped up and everypony was back at the venue, the concert continued uninterrupted. However, right after Three Night's Grace finished up 'The Mountain' as their second song, Cadance and Shining Armor decided to visit them. "Your highnesses! What brings you back here?" Was String's surprised outburst.

"Just wanting to check up on one of the Empire's heroes, at the insistence of some of our subjects, no less." Shining Armor had a hunch as to why. "You guys certainly made an impression with 'I am Machine', even Cadance felt uncertain."

Zephyr shakes his head with an awkward look. "Apologies, as much as I prefaced it by saying I AM in a better place, I guess I wasn't clear."

"No no, that's not it! It's just... seeing you so bright and carefree now makes it difficult to imagine how you were back then." Cadance made sure to clarify since she understood what Zephyr was getting at.

Snare rolled her eyes. "You should have seen him, always jumpy and unwilling to take risks. He always had a gloomy atmosphere around him as well. I can say with certainty that the difference between then and now is like night and day... no offense to Princess Luna..."

Cadance giggles at that. "Well I'm glad you were able to recover! That's all I wished to confirm, apologies if it caused any trouble."

"It's no problem. Besides... I'm sure our final song will meet your approval, Princess Cadance!" Burst made sure to say that. Zephyr was no longer getting embarrassed about it and just gave the two a sly grin.

As Within Temperance finished up their last song, Three Night's Grace's last song was up as the closing act. Just like with the first song, Zephyr made sure to address the audience. "Thank you all for making the Crystal Empire's first concert a roaring success! We couldn't have done it without you!"

He smiles at the crowd going nuts and his eye catches where Rainbow Dash was sitting. "Now climbing the mountain of life is an accomplishment, especially if you had fallen off in the past, but never forget that you never have to do it alone. As for me, this song goes out to a certain... special somepony in my life!" Rainbow realized what he was talking about as the song started up.

From the darkness, I see the light in you...

Don't stress, don't stress
No one knows what goes on in our heads, our heads
We are invisible to the rest, the rest
They don't know nothing 'bout what we have, we have

'Cause everyone's living in black and white
But we see each other in a different light

Infra-Red
I know that you're burning up for me
Fire in your bloodstream
Moving through you at light-speed
I see you, I see you in

Infra-Red
The heat and the light and the way you move
Like nobody else is in the room
I see you, I see you

It's okay, okay
They won't understand us anyway, no
You and I are on a different wave
So, doesn't even matter what they say (no)

'Cause everyone's living in black and white
But we see each other in a different light

Infra-Red
I know that you're burning up for me
Fire in your bloodstream
Moving through you at light-speed
I see you, I see you in

Infra-Red
The heat and the light and the way you move
Like nobody else is in the room
I see you, I see you

Everyone's living in black and white
We see each other in a different light
That's why I look at you like I do
Like nobody else is even in the room

During this brief moment, Zephyr managed to fly over and lift Rainbow into the air, much to her surprise, and bring her to the stage. While slightly embarrassed, she grins at her boyfriend as the two dance to the last of the lyrics:

We see each other in a different light

Infra-Red
I know that you're burning up for me
Fire in your bloodstream
Moving through you at light-speed
I see you, I see you in

Infra-Red
The heat and the light and the way you move
Like nobody else is in the room
If you fall into me, I fall into you
I see you, I see you

(From the darkness, I see the light in you)

The room burst into cheers so loud, the Crystal Heart activated outside the venue. Rainbow lightly jabs her boyfriend. "When you told me you had a surprise for me this concert, I wasn't expecting to literally become part of it!"

"Sorry, but I couldn't resist!" Rainbow's parents were nearly catatonic with glee while Rarity and the two fillies were all grinning widely at the sight. Fluttershy merely smiled warmly with hope that her brother and foalhood friend would continue to love each other. Zephyr made sure to grab the mic one last time. "Thank you all for coming and have a great night!"

"And remember to stay awesome!" Rainbow interjected into the mic as well, earning a laugh from Zephyr.

Author's Note

This'll be the last song for quite some time, I promise. I just really wanted to put Infra-red in here somewhere and figured, what better time than the Crystal Empire Concert? Also wanted Rainbow's parents to get more time in the sun as well.