Alright, here's the last chapter of the tale of Deep Bass. Will he get revenge on the evil bitch, Silver Sky? Maybe. I'm not gonna ruin it for you. Also, I don't own the rights to Swing Life Away, Poison, You are The One, or Ricochet. Swing Life Away belongs to Rise against, and the other three belong to Shiny Toy Guns. However, I do own the rights to Never Too Far... because I wrote it... and recorded it. (myspace.com/davidhansonmusic)- Original, kinda poorly prepared version.

Ch. 10

It was the morning of the show, and rumors had begun to spread throughout Steedston of the lineup change. Everyone was buzzing about some rockpony super group that was supposedly following Silver Sky. Bass and the other four ponies had loaded up a carriage with their equipment, and were riding on their way to Steedston for the show.

"I can't believe it!" The white mare was practically oozing excitement. "My first live performance! I'm so excited."

Bass, who was just finishing up with tuning his bass guitar, smiled at his excited lover. "It's an amazing feeling, Vi."

Treble looked across the carriage and smiled. "It really is. Think of your favorite feeling right now, and multiply it by ten."

Vinyl blushed. "Nothing could feel better than the day I met Bass."

Bass smiled, and kissed her on the cheek, then Kicker spoke up. "So, bud. How's it feel knowing that this'll be your first show as Deep Bass, not Lunar Black?"

Bass suddenly began to look nervous.

Treble nodded. "Yeah, now that everypony is going to know how you are, you'll never get a moments peace."

Bass sunk in his seat, and Vinyl kissed him softly on the cheek. "Don't worry, babe. Everything will be okay."

Bass forced a smile. "I hope so."

Meanwhile, in Steedston, Silver Sky was at the venue with her band, relaxing backstage. The keyboard player and drummer were chatting.

Ivory Keys, the keyboard player, was all abuzz. "So, did you hear about this supergroup that's supposed to be going on after us?"

Up Tempo, the drummer, nodded. "Yeah, I heard that they came into the set at the last minute, and tripled the ticket sales. I also heard that some big producer is coming to record the whole concert. Kinda puts pressure on us."

Sky turned, and laughed conceitedly. "Put pressure on YOU? Don't make me laugh. We all know that I'll be the one in the spotlight, and if you two screw up, I'll be the one who looks bad."

The two other ponies rolled their eyes at Sky and left the room.

It was time for the show, and apparently, the third band hadn't arrived yet. It didn't really matter, since they were the last group on anyways. Skyleaf was the first on, and as the first band, it was their responsibility to warm up the crowd for the other bands. About two songs into the setlist, it was clear that they had already held up their job, and did so beautifully.

At the end of Skyleaf's set, the carriage holding Deep Bass and the rest pulled around the back. Skyleaf had cleared the stage, and Silver Sky's roadies were setting up the stage for the group. Sky looked out through the curtains, spotting the cameras, and grinned. She then walked backstage, where her band was waiting. She slipped the guitar strap over her neck, and smiled conceitedly. "Alright, everypony. This is the moment. Let's go out there and show them that Silver Sky is the greatest rockpony who ever lived!" Ivory Keys and Up Tempo rolled their eyes, and left the lounge, and went to take their places on stage. Sky, herself started to head onstage, just as Bass, Vinyl, Treble, Kicker, and Octavia were walking to their lounge.

"Hello, Sky," Treble said confidently.

"Oh, hello, failure. I see you and your little band of misfits came to watch me claim my place in rock history."

Treble laughed in Sky's face. "Oh, no. We're here make sure the crowd gets their bits worth."

Sky raised an eyebrow, and laughed. "All you've got on your side is a washed up shell of a rockpony, two noponies, and a drummer who hasn't played with a band in almost a year. If this is the supergroup I've been hearing about, then the fans are going to be greatly disappointed I may have to come on again after you so the fans don't riot in anger." Then she turned her sights to Bass. "And hello, Bass. I wasn't expecting to see you still breathing. Pity. I guess I'll have to try harder next time."

Vinyl was furious, and gritting her teeth. She was just about to rip Sky a new one when a pony with a headset came back. "Miss Sky, you're on."

"Well, I'll see you in the hall of fame." Sky then laughed, and trotted out to the stage.

Vinyl looked at Bass who had remained silent the whole time. "I can't believe you dated that bitch."

Sky trotted onstage, smiling. "Good afternoon, Steedston! Are you ready to rock?" The crowd roared. "Well, unfortunately, we're not the last group, today, so I'm gonna go ahead and tell you what you've been waiting for. The 'super group' Bow to Beauty is coming on after me. And I know you've all been dying to find out who it is."

Bass and the group were watching from the side of the stage. "She wouldn't…"

Treble shook her head. "She would."

Sky looked at them from center stage, and smiled wickedly. "Bow to Beauty is none other than Speed Kicker of 36 Crazyhooves on the drums, Soft Treble on guitar, and… Lunar Black of Fasthor5 playing his first show since his onstage accident!"

Bass sighed, and lowered his head. "Aaaaaand she did."

Sky smiled, and started her set. The crowd seemed as though they could care less, knowing that Lunar Black was coming on next. After the third song, this made Sky furious. After the song was over, she walked back to her bandmates. "What is wrong with you two? You're missing beats left and right, and you're off tempo! If you two don't unfuck yourselves, you're finished!"

This made the other two musicians furious. Sky walked back up to the microphone. "Alright, everypony, here's a little song I wrote. You may have heard it on the radio. It's called Ice. 1, 2, 3, go!" Sky waited for Ivory to start the intro, but heard nothing but the crowd laughing. She turned back to see that her band had left her high and dry. She then looked back at the crowd, her entire face red in embarrassment. She then ran offstage crying, the entire crowd laughing as Ivory and Tempo were standing over by Bass and his crew.

Ivory looked at Treble, and nodded. "Sad thing is, I don't feel one bit of regret for that. She totally had it coming. I wasn't gonna let her claim your work, Treble."

Tempo nodded as well. "Yeah! Everypony knows that you wrote Ice, not Sky. And if you feel like you owe us, just buy me a copy of the show video when it comes out. I wanna remember this forever."

Treble smiled. "Will do, Tempo."

Bass smiled, although not completely satisfied. He still had one more thing to do.

The announcer came on, and apologized for what had just happened, and Bass and the gang started setting up their equipment, after the curtain had closed. Then, once the announcer had introduced the band, the curtain opened, to reveal the white Pegasus with the amber shades, and his Bass guitar around his neck, then revealing the rest of the band. The crowd went wild, chanting "Lunar Black! Lunar Black! Lunar Black!" Bass grinned, and looked out at the crowd, taking in the moment he had missed this. But something was wrong. Bass felt as though he wasn't the one on stage, but instead Lunar Black. Bass had pushed his stage persona out of his life a long time ago, and didn't have any plans of bringing him back. He leaned in closer to the microphone, and spoke softly, in his normal voice. The crowd went silent, mostly out of shock. "Good evening, Steedston. I know a lot of you are excited to see the return of Lunar Black, but I must regretfully inform you that this is not the return of Lunar Black, but the funeral of Lunar Black." The crowd began talking confused amongst themselves. "You see, Lunar Black died a few months ago. Although I was once the pony known as Lunar Black, I gave up that life long ago. While I was Lunar Black, I made a lot of bad decisions, and hurt some of the ponies who cared about me. I'm now proud to say that I've been completely sober for almost two months now, and I've found somepony special. But before I go into that, let's get our first song out of the way. All five of the songs we perform here, tonight have never been heard before, and have never been recorded, so here comes our first song, which was written originally by myself, and our keyboardist, and rhythm guitarist, DJ Vinyl Scratch. This one's called Ricochet!"

Bass immediately hit the opening bassline, leading Vinyl into the first verse. The rest of the band played through the song flawlessly, and when they finished, the crowd was roaring in excitement. After the song had finished, Bass smiled at the crowd, and pulled his shades off, tossing them into the crowd, letting everypony see his eyes. The crowd went wild at the gesture, as a group of mares fought over the glasses.

"Alright, everypony, it's high time I introduced the world to the rest of B.T.B.. First up, is Ponyville's own Octavia, one of the greatest cello players in all of Equestria." Octavia came forward, and took a bow, then stepped back. "Then on the lead guitar is my own twin sister, Soft Treble!" Treble waved from her spot on stage. "Then, on the drums, Speed Kicker, better known as Leadhoof from 36 Crazyhooves." Speed threw his hooves up, then slammed out a quick drum solo. "And last but not least, our rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, and backup vocalist. After my dear friend Steady Rhythm passed away, I moved into the small town of Ponyville. I met a few other ponies when I arrived, but they didn't make any real impression on me. So I spent the next few days cleaning up my new home, and getting moved in. Then, one day, a beautiful mare came to my door, and instantly, I knew there was something special about her. She asked me for some help with a song she was working on, and I was only too happy to help. Well, that song ended up being Ricochet, the song we just did. After that, she showed me around Ponyville, showing me all the cool and fun things around the town. In time, I fell for her." Bass looked at Vinyl, smiling, and using his hoof to bring the mic with him. "She helped me push away all the sadness from losing my foalhood friend, Rhythm, and she helped me find the inspiration and motivation to come up here in front of all of you, tonight. She was there for me when Silver Sky tried to crush my spirits for a second time." Bass then walked over to Vinyl, and kissed her softly. "She's the love of my life, and future mother of my foals." Bass then pulled Vinyl's shades off, and looked deep into her eyes. "Vinyl Scratch, will you marry me?"

All the other ponies on stage smiled at the couple, and the crowd went completely silent, waiting for Vinyl's answer.

Vinyl was in shock. She smiled, tears building in her eyes. "Yes, Bass! Yes I will!" She then wrapped her front legs around Bass, and kissed him passionately. The crowd erupted in a giant cheer, and Bass walked back to the microphone. The next song is a song that Vinyl inspired. This one's called 'Fly There Now!'"

The band played through the song at full energy, inciting cheers all the way up to the last note.

The crowd continued to go crazy. "Alright, everypony. The next song is a bit more on the emotional side. And by emotion, I mean the angry one. I wrote this song a few years ago, after Silver Sky wrecked my emotions and broke my heart. At first, I was happy being with her, but then I found out that she was doing every stallion on the block. When I asked her about it, she left me. After she did what she did, I had started in an uncontrollable descent into a dark place." The entire crowd booed at the mention of Silver Sky, and Bass looked at the side of the stage, and saw her standing, and watching. She had seen everything, and was standing there with her jaw dropped. "Bass grinned at her. "This one's called 'Never Too Far.'"

Treble and Vinyl both started off with a matching guitar line, playing a short chord progression twice over, then the third time, the progression changed a bit, and Bass joined in, playing the same progression on the bass. The three of them played the riff once more, then the progression changed into a lower, and heavier progression, Speed joining in with a fast punk-styled drumline. After they played through the riff a few times, they returned to the same riff as the opening, Speed changing to a more technical, and slower line, Bass stepping to the mic.

"I wipe the tears away and turn off the lights,

Cuz nothin bad ever happens in the night.

Right?

I gotta get away get away from you,

Cause everything that I heard turned out to be true."

Then the two guitarists and Bass returned to the low heavy progression for the Chorus, Speed going back to the fast beat, and Vinyl stepped up to her mic, and started singing.

"I wanted to live my life, so I'll live it alone!"

Then Bass came in with a mid range scream. "I'll live it alone! I'll live it alone!"

Vinyl sang again. "I had to run away, so I could find a new home."

"And I found a new home!"

"Don't know where I'm goin, but no place could be too far away from you. Too far away from you."

The band returned to the verse progression, as Bass began to sing again. "I hit the carriage station. The only one in town. Give me a couple hours, and I'll never be found. A fuckin ticket's worth every fuckin bit. Just so I didn't have to take any more of your shit!"

"I wanted to live my life so I'll live it alone!"

"I'll live it alone! I'll live it alone!"

"I had to fly so far away so I could find a new home!"

"And I found a home!"

"I don't know where I'm goin but no place could be too far away from you!"

"Away from you!"

"Away from yooooooou!"

Then the guitars rang out in a low note, then began a slow, and heavy rhythm as Bass turned his gaze to Silver, who was still stunned in amazement. The bridge of the song continued with Speed keeping a steady rhythm on the bass drum, and Bass began to speak into the mic, keeping a rhythm the whole time. "No matter where I go, you're always two steps behind me. Pointing out every flaw I have, every mistake make. Always trying to break me, when you should be building me up. It's not a healthy thing to do. Because now, I may just grin and bear your abuse, but when I snap, your name is at the top of my list. And I'm gonna make you want forgiveness, no. Beg for forgiveness, plead for forgiveness. But I won't listen. Today, you've seen what I can do with three days. Wait till I have a few years." Then Treble broke out in a guitar solo, as Bass grinned wickedly at Silver. Then at the last note of the solo, the song ended.

The crowd was going absolutely insane, as Vinyl went back behind her keyboard, and Octavia came back out with her cello. The band had planned a speechless transition into the next song.

"I'm going to meet you...

Voices are child in sound

Fades away..

For silence is walking, signs of you will leave.

What will happen is the same for you

Til the end of someones world

And the cradle says goodbye to yesterday..

Painfully, I prepare a release

And poison takes me away.

Poison takes me away..

Takes me away.

Listen, don't cry my child

When you awake..

My father's table set a place for you.

Contact, with firefull love

As you're to know my days

A season of poison will bring the darkness soon.

Painfully, I prepare a release

And poison takes me away.

Poison takes me away..

Takes me away.

On angels wings

You learn to fly.

From this world you left below

I'm going to meet you

I've come to take you home.

From this world you left below

I'm going to meet you

I've come to take you home.

From this world you left below

I'm going to meet you

I've come to take you home.

Painfully, I prepare a release

And poison takes me away.

Poison takes me away..

On angels wings

You learn to fly.

On angels wings

You learn to fly."

The crowd had settled down a bit, only due to the slow tempo, and deep lyrics to the song, but they were still obviously enjoying the show.

"Thanks, everypony, that one was called 'Poison.' Now, for our last song of the evening, I'd like to dedicate this song to the future Mrs. Deep Bass, Vinyl Scratch. This song wasn't actually written by me, but instead by my dearest foalhood friend, and one of the greatest drummers in all Equestrian history, Steady Rhythm. When she died, she gave me the lyrics to all the songs that she had written, and at the top of this one was message. I don't want to get into the emotional details, but she stated that it was her dying wish for me to perform this song, and dedicate it to the special mare in my life, whoever it may be." He looked at Vinyl. "And baby, that's you." Vinyl blushed from behind her keyboard, and the crowd erupted in one big collective Aw. Bass looked back to the crowd. "This one is called 'You are the One.'" With that, Vinyl began to play the opening of the song on her keyboard, and Bass started strong with the first verse.

"Black rose and a radio fire

It's so contagious

Is that something changing my mind

I'm gonna take what's evil"

Vinyl then picked up with the second part.

"Your cover melting inside

With wide eyes you tremble

Kissing over and over again

Your god knows his faithful"

Keeping perfect rhythm, Bass picked back up.

"I try to digest my pride

But passions grip I fear

When I climb into shallow vats of wine

I think I almost hear but it's not clear"

"You are the one

You'll never be alone again

You're more than in my head

You're more

You are the one

You'll never be alone again

You're more than in my head

You're more

Spin faster shouting out loud

You can't steal what's paid for

Is that something hurting again

Murder son, she's painful"

Having given Bass the chorus, Vinyl picked up again.

"You so believe your own lies

On my skin your fingers

Runaway until the last time

We're gonna lose forever"

Bass smiled at the blushing Vinyl.

"When you try, don't try to say you won't

Try to crawl into my head

When you cry 'cause it's all built up inside

Your tears already said, already said

You are the one

You'll never be alone again

You're more than in my head

You're more

You are the one

You'll never be alone again

You're more than in my head

You're more

You'll never be alone again

You are the one

You'll never be alone again

You're more than in my head

You're more

You are the one

You'll never be alone again

You're more than in my head

You're more

Alone again"

The crowd cheered loudly as the band took a bow, and began to head offstage. The crowd didn't let up, chanting BTB! BTB! BTB!" Bass turned his head back to the crowd, and smiled, then back to his bandmates. "Treble, let me see your guitar. I'm going to give our fans something they'll never forget."

Treble smiled, and passed her brother the guitar, which he quickly slung over his neck. Then he walked back on stage. The crowd erupted as he walked on stage. He didn't plan on an encore, and didn't have a song prepared. He was prepared to let everything out, though. He was about to sing from his heart.

Bass took his place at the microphone. "Good evening. We were just about to head out, but I felt like I couldn't leave my fans hanging. I didn't really have a song prepared, so I'm just gonna make this up as I go." He stood there, smiling, trying to think of a name for the creation he was about to unleash upon the thousands of cheering ponies. "I call this one 'Swing Life Away.'"

The crowd cheered as Bass began to play a slow, acoustic melody, each note ringing with pure emotion.

"Am I loud and clear, or am I breaking up?

Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck?

Are we getting closer, or are we just getting more lost?

I'll show you mine if you show me yours first

Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse

Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words

We live on front porches and swing life away,

We get by just fine here on minimum wage

If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,

I won't cross these streets until you hold my hoof.

I've been here so long, I think that it's time to move

The winter's so cold, summer's over too soon

Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow

I've got some friends, some that I hardly know

But we've had some times, I wouldn't trade for the world

We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go

We live on front porches and swing life away,

We get by just fine here on minimum wage

If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,

I won't cross these streets until you hold my hoof...until you hold my hoof.

I'll show you mine if you show me yours first

Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse

Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words

We live on front porches and swing life away,

We get by just fine here on minimum wage

If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,

I won't cross these streets until you hold my hoof.

Swing life away.

Swing life away.

Swing life away hey.

Swing life away."

As Bass let the last chord of the song ring out, the crowd went more wild than they had throughout the whole show. Bass smiled, as a tear fell from his cheek, and onto the microphone. "Thank you, everypony. You guys are what keeps me going through the hard times." Bass then took a bow, and walked off the stage. As soon as he was offstage, he walked right up to Vinyl, and kissed her passionately. The two lovers held the kiss for a moment, only breaking it when they heard a slow clapping of hooves. Bass looked at the source of the clapping, the grey Pegasus mare that had been watching the entire time.

"Well done, Bass. You've succeeded in absolutely nothing. Sure, my ban may have run out on me, but I can easily replace them, and then I'll be back on top, and you'll be old news again."

Bass was just about to lash out at the mare when the white unicorn stepped in front of him, taking her glasses off, throwing them to the floor. "Listen here, you little bitch!" Vinyl was furious. Bass stepped back, eyes wide. Sky, herself, was surprised at Vinyl's outburst. "Bass doesn't need you! He's a wonderful stallion, and you were too much of a whore to see it, so you let him slip through your hooves, and now you realize that he's better than you'll ever be! So you just keep trying to break him. Well I've got news for you, sweetie. You'll never break Bass's spirit because he's stronger than you! So don't you ever let me see your face again, or I'll beat you until you pray for death! Do you understand me?" Vinyl was breathing heavily, almost snarling as she stared down the grey mare, who stood silently. "Do you under-fucking-stand me?"

Sky nodded slowly.

"Good. Now get the fuck out of my sight." With that, Sky nodded quickly, and took off running. Vinyl turned to Bass, and slowly returned to a smile. "Did I do good, baby?"

Bass stood there, mouth agape, and Speed nudged him. "She's definitely a keeper, bro."

Vinyl blushed and giggled.

Treble and Octavia had left just after the show, and Speed had decided to spend time with the lead singer from Skyleaf, seeing as how they were dating, and all. And, surprisingly, Bass and Vinyl decided to skip the after party, to go back to Ponyville to rest. Next Chapter: Epilogue: Resonance Estimated time remaining: 6 Minutes