Chapters 'Cadance tilted her head, a small smile on her muzzle. "Why, do you know him?"
She paused momentarily. "Not exactly."
Applejack chuckled. "Ooh, somepony's got a crush on the new guy!"
Twilight blushed, shaking her head. "No. No, I don't."
She didn't know this Flash Sentry, it was true. But she knew another one, and he, well, had given her a lot of confidence in herself. She knew she wouldn't forget him either. And if she ever went back, which she suspected she would, she'd get the chance to talk to him again. To be honest, she'd kind of like another dance, too. He was a good dancer.
Rarity gasped, her eyes widening. "She does! She absolutely does!"
She sighed, rolling her eyes at her friends' reactions. "Don't be ridiculous. I don't even know him. He just..." she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
That was when Pinkie cut in. "Totally reminds you of a guy you met in the other world who played guitar, was in a band, and helped prove you didn't destroy all the decorations for a big dance, so you could still run for princess of the big dance, and then asked you to dance at that dance?!" she exclaimed loudly. "Right?"
Twilight could only stare at Pinkie Pie in shock. "How did you know that?" she demanded.
"Just a hunch!" she squealed.'
. . . |★| . . .
Twilight sniffled, wiping her eyes on the back of her hand. She'd discussed it with Flash already, but it didn't make this any easier. Her and her friends sat in Sunset's living room, and she was preparing to go back home, taking her daughter with her. Beside her, Sunset reached over and passed her a tissue or two, which she tearfully accepted.
"Ya know, sugarcube," Applejack commented, "ya don't have ta do this."
She gritted her teeth. "Yes I do, Applejack. I have to - I'm a Princess of Equestria, regardless of the fact I'm also the Princess of Friendship. My people need me. My friends need me. My family needs me. I can't stay here - it's been months already, and the girls are probably wondering if I'm still alright. I have to."
"But... Twilight?" Fluttershy asked meekly. "What about your daughter? Do you want her to grow up without a father?"
And there it was. The question she'd been dreading. "I-I don't have a choice, Fluttershy. It's better for her to grow up without a father, and knowing where she stands, than to grow up without her mother, and have her mother's friends tell stories about what she was like. She looks so much like me, I find it impossible to think Flash would able to look at her without seeing me. And both of us know that."
"Wait a minute, darling. You've already spoken to Flash about this? What did he think?" Rarity quizzed.
She sighed. "...He accepted it, I suppose. He loves me, but he also loves me enough to let me go. It's the right decision."
Rainbow Dash smirked. "He's a smart guy, that Flash Sentry. He knows you better ya think, Twilight. Trust me when I say we'll keep an eye on him. Isn't that right, girls?"
She got a chorus of agreement in response. Twilight smiled weakly at their display of faith in her, and slowly opened the hand which clutched a father's final gift to his daughter. She stared at the tiny pendant in silence, noting each detail in the design as she thought about what it would mean to her daughter. Rising to her feet, she slipped the necklace over her head.
Sunset Shimmer stood as well, holding out her hand. "Want us to come with you, Twilight?"
"That'd be nice, thanks, Sunset. I kind of need the moral support."
"Moral support?" Rainbow chimed. "We got ya, girl!"
"Uh-huh," Pinkie chirped, bouncing to her feet. "That we do. Yep, yep, yep!"
"Okay, so who's driving us to the school?" Sunset asked, shaking her head at Pinkie's antics. "Rainbow?"
Rainbow smirked. "Maniac. That's me alright."
Twilight groaned. "Girls, please. I don't need you to argue. Fluttershy can drive - at least she won't go breaking the speed limit. Or the law."
"Who says I'd be breaking any laws?"
Sunset rolled her eyes. "I don't know, past experience, maybe? You tend to be reckless, after all."
"Hell yeah, I do!"
"And ya just proved Sunny's point, RD. Nothin' else needs sayin'," Applejack drawled.
Twilight smiled, scooping the keys for Sunset's vehicle, which the former unicorn had dubbed Phoenix , up and tossing them to Fluttershy. The other girl fumbled as she caught them, and nearly dropped them, but managed to prevent the mishap before it occurred.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"It's okay, 'shy." Applejack assured her. "We know ya didn't mean it, sugarcube."
All too soon, everyone piled into their respective cars. Rarity went with Pinkie; and Rainbow had arrived on her motorcycle, so she left on it. Everyone knew the rebellious young woman would beat them there, and nobody minded. Not even Sunset. As she buckled up, Twilight cradled her infant daughter to her chest. Thank Celestia she was still sleeping - they didn't need a ruckus at four in the morning. Then again, they didn't really need to be sneaking into Canterlot High at four in the morning either. But they didn't have a choice.
They pulled up, and no-one wanted to make the first step into the school. There were hugs all round and heartfelt goodbyes, until Twilight at last stepped onto the path up to the portal. Pausing in front of it, she waved a final good-bye to her human friends (Sunset in particular), and stepped through. When she opened her eyes again, she stood in the bottom of her castle, her daughter at her hooves. Tiny lilac wings sprouted from the filly's back, and Twilight started to cry. A pegasus. A pegasus, like her father's pony counterpart.
The alicorn princess nuzzled her foal, trying to ignore the tears pouring down her muzzle. "Welcome home ... Melodia."
Melodia opened her eyes, and an excited grin formed on her muzzle as she thought of the day ahead. The young filly sprang out of bed, flapping her wings awkwardly as she nearly got tangled in her sheets. Humming to herself, she flew around her room. She didn't have much time - it was the day of the Ponyville School Talent Show and she wasn't about to miss it. Nuh-uh. No way.
She dragged a brush through her mane and tail, tapping her hooves to the beat inside her head. Done at last, she turned around and straightened up her room, before galloping down the stairs. Jumping the last few, the filly backflipped in the air, before landing on her hooves and skidding into the main room of the castle. Indigo flew around her, and she winced as she crashed into Spike, falling down in a tangle of legs and mane.
"Oops, sorry, Spike. I really need to watch where I'm going, don't I?" she apologised sheepishly.
The teenage dragon rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Get a manecut while you're at it, Diva."
She huffed in exasperation, blowing her fringe out of her face. "No can do - it grows too fast. Totally out of control."
"Like you and your friend Zap Apple?"
Melodia giggled. "That's all Zap. Not me. Besides, she'll be waiting for me at the town square, so I gotta dash. See ya!"
She shot to her hooves, spinning around and trotting out the front doors. Her mane bounced with each step, and as she always did, she eyed the blue streak in her mane curiously. Her aunt once told her that she'd gotten it from her father, and her mother had just nodded sadly. She didn't have much from him - just a few hazy memories, the star-shaped earring she wore, and his musical talent. Rumor had it that she had inherited both her parents' musical abilities, but this had never been proven. Twilight Sparkle didn't sing or play an instrument, after all.
Sighing regretfully to herself, Melodia trotted down the stairs and into Ponyville itself. The town was bustling for it being so early in the morning, and the filly couldn't help but smile at the cheerfulness of the locals. There was no place like home, for sure; but there was no place in Equestria like Ponyville. Some called it "New Canterlot", others "Friendship City" but to her it was just home. What did it matter that Ponyville had seen more action than a Aura Net chatroom? They'd seen villains, heroes and princesses. And while many remembered it; none forgot it.
Still smiling as she approached the fountain in the center of the square, the filly immediately started to look for a familiar powder-blue face and trademark Apple family smile. She scanned the market, but it wasn't until an apple hit her in the back of the head did she look up.
"Hey, Diva! You ready for the talent show?"
"You bet I am!" she replied, grinning at her friend. "It's going to be awesome!"
"Alright!" Zap cheered. "That's what I want to hear!"
"Oh, pull-ease," Melodia scoffed. "You like everything that's even remotely related to 'awesome'."
"Are you planning on beating me to school or not?" she demanded, zipping back and forth impatiently.
Melodia opened her wings, launching herself effortlessly into the sky. "You bet I am."
They were laughing when they arrived at the schoolhouse, much to the amusement of their teacher, Miss Cheerilee. She'd been teaching at Ponyville School for as long as anyone could remember. She'd been there for most of the Ponyville events - Discord's return; the Cutie Mark Crusaders' discovery of their cutie marks ... if not all of it. Every pony knew the familiar, welcoming smile of Ponyville's teacher, and they welcomed her cheerful attitude.
"Melodia, Zap Apple! There you are! I had hoped you pair weren't to going to be late." she called from the schoolhouse entrance.
"We ain't late, miss Cheerilee. Honest!" Zap protested, galloping past her into the classroom. Melodia followed, trying to hide her smile at her friend's country accent. It wasn't brought up very often, but then, Zap didn't get nervous very often either. She was an Apple and every, now and then it showed. Now was one of those times.
A hush fell over the fillies and colts crowded into the schoolhouse, and everyone watched nervously as Cheerilee trotted up the front of the room. "Okay, class! If you're ready, we'll begin. Caramel Cream, you're up first. Good luck everypony!"
The tan earth filly bounced eagerly up front and Melodia settled down next to her friend, watching and waiting nervously. She knew her turn would come soon enough - all she could do was wait impatiently and hope against hope that she didn't make a fool out of herself.
At last, Miss Cheerilee called her name, and she rose, picking her way slowly along the path her fellow students cleared for her. She could do this. She had to do this.
Only when she reached the front did she smile, and it was one of assured nervousness. "Okay... um, hi everypony. I'll be singing today, but I'm going to need your help. There are a couple of lines in the song which are meant to be sung to be somepony else ... and a lot of it is meant is to be sung by a group. So if you want to join in, join in. If you want to dance, dance. It's rather catchy. Are you ready?"
A chorus of agreement met her ears and she grinned at Zap's cheerful encouragement, "Go, Diva!"
"Alright. Let's do this. Zap, the music if you please?" she requested. The upbeat tune filled the building, and she saw a few of her classmates start bobbing their heads to the beat. Her courage grew, she counted herself in, and began to sing.
"We've just got the day to get ready, and there's only so much time to lose.
Because tonight, yeah, we're here to party, so let's think of something fun to do.
We don't know - we don't know - what's gonna happen; we just know - we just know - it's gonna feel right.
All our friends are here and it's time to ignite the lights!"
Giggles erupted from the crowd of schoolfoals as one of their classmates, a young unicorn filly by the name of Elegance, magically conjured a hoof-full of glittering, multicoloured lights. The beams of blue, purple and pink fell across the classroom in waves, and she saw more than one filly and colt start dancing along to the music - and they weren't alone. Miss Cheerilee joined them, stunning several foals with her dance moves.
"Shake your tail, 'cause we're here to have a party tonight; shake your tail, shake your tail.
Shake your tail, 'cause we're here to have a party tonight; shake your tail, shake your tail."
Melodia felt something bubble up inside her as her friends started singing along, one at a time, each note falling into place with delicate precision. It felt right. More than right - it felt magical, but she had no idea how or why or what sort of magic it could be. All she knew was that it was magic. And powerful magic at that.
"So what you didn't get right the first time?
Laugh it off, no one said it is a crime!
Do your thing, you know you're an original!
Your ideas are so funny that they're criminal!"
Melodia. Caramel Cream. Elegance. Zap Apple. Four fillies, joined by a fifth as Fluttershy's half-draconequus daughter Harmony added her voice to their collective one. The sensation of magic doubled, and Melodia found it hard to keep singing. She had a feeling it was narrowing in on her, however she didn't understand why. Just like she didn't know why the magic was there in the first place.
"Ohhh-aah! We just got the day to get ready and there's so only so much time to lose.
Because tonight, yeah, we're here to party, so let's think of something fun to do.
We don't know - we don't know - what's gonna happen; we just know - we just know - it's gonna feel right.
All our friends are here and it's time to ignite the lights!
Shake your tail, 'cause we're here to have a party tonight; shake your tail, shake your tail.
Shake your tail, 'cause we're here to have a party tonight; shake your tail, shake your tail.
Shake your tail, 'cause we're here to have a party tonight; shake your tail, shake your tail.
Shake your tail, 'cause we're here to have a party tonight; shake your tail, shake your tail.
Shake your tail, 'cause we're here to have a party tonight; shake your tail, shake your tail.
Shake your tail, 'cause we're here to have a party tonight; shake your tail, shake your tail.
Shake your tail, 'cause we're here to have a party tonight; shake your tail, shake your tail!"
Magic exploded from out of nowhere, encircling the filly standing up the front of the building. Prisms of light, edged with rainbows, lifted her into the air, and everyone fell into stunned silence at the sight before them. Her eyes glowed the power of a pent-up magic, flashing with kaleidoscopic colors - a magic that soon enveloped her completely as her eyes drifted shut.
Melodia's wings snapped open as they grew stronger; larger, large enough to lift her effortlessly into the air with a single downstroke - only an alicorn's wings were that large and that powerful. The filly tossed her head backwards, streams of magic running down her spine. A pale yellow streak joined the blue one already in her mane, darting down the length of her mane and tail until the ends brushed over the ground, filled with prinpricks of light. Stars. Her mane and tail were filled with stars. It was incredible. A single flash ended the spell, solidifying on her flank, and her classmates' jaws dropped.
Her hooves touched the ground and her eyes opened, staring in disbelief at the way her way body had been effected by the magic. "What happened?"
Miss Cheerilee shook her head. "I haven't seen anything like this since the Cuite Mark Crusaders got their cutie marks - and I thought then that was something special. Melodia, in all my life, I don't think I've seen a more magical way to get a cutie mark. Ever."
Violet eyes widened. "I got my cutie mark?!" she exclaimed, glancing at her flank. Sure enough, a cutie mark gleamed back at her. A black star sat in the center, surrounded by indigo and white musical notes. She was dumbfounded. "In music?"
"It would appear so,' Her teacher agreed.
Melodia couldn't believe it. She'd always thought finding her special talent would give her the answers, but all that was left was more questions. How on earth had she'd received a cutie mark in music? She didn't understand. And the magic just left her even more confused - she was no unicorn. Even her mother's Element and Rainbow magic didn't manifest like that. So how, and why, did she have magic?
One Thousand Questions...
Melodia galloped home, mane and tail streaming behind her. What surprised her was that when the spell ended, she stayed the same. The larger wings would take some getting used to, and it was difficult not to trip over her even longer hair. Zap flew high above her head, and the rest of their friends trailed behind them. Harmony and Caramel were trotting at the same pace, both nearly bouncing as they moved; and Elegance was only one hoofstep behind them.
"I have to admit, Diva, that what did you back there was pretty cool!" Zap exclaimed, zipping down to hover next to her. "I've never seen a pony with Wonderbolt colours in their mane!"
Melodia rolled her eyes. "Of course you'd obsess over the whole 'Wonderbolt mane' thing, Zap. Are you sure you're not related to Rainbow Dash?"
"Hey! My dad is a Wonderbolt! I'm allowed to go a little crazy - it's in my blood!" she protested.
"Sure, Zap, sure. Whatever you say." Melodia replied, flapping her wings. "Race you everypony!"
Her friends' laughter spurred her on as they galloped behind her, all pretense of appearances left behind in the moment. Tucking her wings in, Melodia dove towards the castle, marveling in her newfound speed. Suddenly she could understand why Rainbow Dash and Zap loved flying so fast so much - it was amazing. Grinning, she barrel-rolled to the left as Zap flew after her, desperately trying to catch her.
"Diva! Slow down!" she called. "I can't keep up!"
She chuckled. "This is coming from the daughter of a Wonderbolt?! Geez, Zap! I'm not that fast!"
"Speak for yourself, Sparkle!" her friend retorted.
With the castle looming ever closer, the group slowed down to a trot, out of breath and grinning. Melodia landed gently on the steps of the castle, folding her wings at her sides. Zap, however, completely misjudged the landing and crashed into the doors - sending her tumbling through the entrance when they opened and into the hallway with a groan. Melodia sighed, facehoofing in dismay. Typical. She'd been going so fast that she hadn't seen where she'd been going.
Harmony swallowed. "Is she okay?" she asked hesitantly, peering at her friend.
"Of course she is - she's an Apple and the daughter of a Wonderbolt. Zap's going to be fine. She's tougher than that." Melodia replied, wrapping a wing around the hybrid.
Caramel giggled, bouncing up the steps and cartwheeling into the castle. "Come on! Mama Pie said her and her friends were having a meeting in the throne room. If we're lucky we can catch them as they're finishing!"
They all trotted further into the castle, hoofbeats echoing on the crystalline floors. For one who was supposed to be so at home in this place, Melodia reflected, she didn't feel very comfortable at all. Harmony seemed to notice Melodia's anxiety and gave her a comforting smile, which the pegasus shakily returned. She was worried how her mother would react - and she had every reason to be.
The doors to the throne room opened and the hum of voices followed it - six mares and one teenage dragon talking easily, freely and without a care. The Friendship Council. As the other four fillies trotted inside to greet their mothers, Melodia hung back at the entrance, ears flicking back and forth nervously.
Spike was the first to notice her standing there, and he waved cheerfully. "Hey Diva!" he called. "How are you?"
"G-good thanks, Spike," she stammered, ears flat against her skull.
Scuffing a hoof on the floor, she slowly edged further into the room, glancing around through a curtain of hair. Seeing her nerves the drake slithered off his chair, frowning as he padded over to her. Eyes narrowing, Spike placed a claw under her chin and tilted her head up.
"What's wrong? And how'd your mane end up like that?"
"Uh... I got my cutie mark - but don't tell Mum, Spike, please! It was magic - like, really powerful magic."
"Magic? Well, of course getting your cutie mark is going to be magical!" he exclaimed, wrapping her in a hug.
"What?! Somepony got their cutie mark?" Pinkie Pie squealed. "This calls for the partiest party of parties! A cute-ceañera!!"
Melodia squirmed. "No!" she snapped, stamping a hoof on the floor. "This does not call f-for a cute-ceañera!"
Spike was dumbfounded. "But-but Melodia, don't you want one? Getting a cutie mark is everypony's dream! It's your destiny!"
"Destiny? Destiny isn't any good when you don't understand it!" she shot back. Her wings snapped open with a blast of multi-coloured light, flinging the dragon backwards into a wall. The mares' jaws dropped and her mother's eyes widened in alarm. "To have magic but not be able to figure how? Or why? To know what these songs in my head mean, or where they come from?"
Applejack was the first to move, stepping down from her throne and embracing the filly as she started to shake. "Oh, sugarcube. Why didn't ya tell us?"
"I didn't know!" she sobbed. "I didn't know, AJ! I was singing, and then this happened!" She waved a hoof at her mane and her wings, ruffling the feathers for emphasis.
"Ssh, Melodia, it's okay. It's alright."
Fluttershy's soft voice echoed in her ears as a hoof stroked her mane, and the filly cried all the more. She was so confused! They stayed like that for a while until she calmed down, sniffling occasionally. Wiping her eyes, Melodia smiled weakly at the two mares before she mumbled an apology. Her fears were wiped away with a sea of gentle smiles as she trotted forward to a bit of clear ground.
"I want to show you something," she began, shaking her head. "And I need you to pay attention. Can you, please?"
"Of course, darling!" Rarity exclaimed. "We will listen!"
"Thanks Rares, it means a lot to me." she muttered nervously.
"Nonsense, dear!"
"Okay, everypony. Here goes..."
Melodia closed her eyes and began to sing. Her voice was clear and confident, void of her previous nerves and the Elements couldn't believe their ears. Twilight most of all - she had tears in her eyes as she listened to her daughter, and couldn't help being reminded of her younger self. Melodia had definitely her parents' talents; that much was certain.
"Maybe you wanna be a pop star; get your fifteen minutes of fame, wa-ah! Ah, oh!
That won't last forever but friendship remains the same, ah-oh!
Things may come and things may go; some things go fast and some go slow.
Few things last, that's all I know!
But friendship carries on through the ages - but friendship carries on...
Things may come and things may go; some things go fast and some go slow.
Few things last, that's all I know!
But friendship carries on through the ages - but friendship carries on...
Ohhh-oh! Carries on..."
There was a flash of prismatic light half way through the song and the magic that flowed around the filly made all present gasp in disbelief - it swirled and eddied around her in gentle waves, seeming to follow the rhythm of the music. Zap let out a whoop, punching the air in delight, grinning as Melodia blushed, embarrassed by her friend's praise. When the light faded, Twilight jumped from her throne and tackled her daughter in a hug.
"I'm so, so proud of you!" she cried, nuzzling the filly. "You had the courage to do what I never could, Diva! And I know your father would be too!"
Melodia blinked in surprise, startled by the mention of her 'mysterious' father. "He would?"
Her mother nodded, brushing her fringe back with a hoof. "He would. You really are his daughter, you know. I never doubted it."
Laughing as her friends whisked her away, Melodia couldn't help puzzling in the back of her mind. It was great to know her dad would be proud of her, but now that she thought about it, her mother hadn't answered her original questions. So, in reality, she wasn't any closer figuring who she was. The answers plagued her just as much as they had before. Until a panicked voice called her mother's name, urgent hoofbeats growing closer to the throne room doors. The Princess of Friendship froze as the doors flew open to reveal an amber unicorn with cyan eyes and a red and cream mane.
"Twilight!"
"Sunset?!" she whispered.
The unicorn raised her head, panting as her lungs desperately gobbled up air. "I'm sorry, Twi. I've delayed him as much as I can, possibly by a few days, maybe a week or two, but it's nowhere near long enough. Flash is moving away from Canterlot City."
Melodia could only watch as her mother started pacing, wings ruffling. She opened her mouth to speak but Spike shot her a look, and she closed it again. This was no time to be asking questions. Her mother's friends looked worried, and Pinkie's mane had lost some of it's bounce. Sunset just looked upset.
"I'm sorry, Twilight. I tried, really, I did. But Flash, h-he's lost hope. He always thought he'd see you and Melodia again, and sure, he understands you're a princess and all, but you're still his wife. And he hasn't seen his daughter grow up. He missed a lot in her life, and your daughter needs her father."
Melodia was confused. "But can't my dad just move to Ponyville?" she asked.
Sunset sighed. "It's a bit - scratch that - a lot more complicated than that, Melodia. The Canterlot your father comes from isn't the one you know."
The pegasus frowned. "Come again? I'm more confused than a hippocampus out of water."
Spike groaned, massaging his temples with a foreclaw. "Oh brother. Here it comes."
Sunset blinked. "You... mean you don't ... know?" she said slowly, incredulously. "Twilight never told you?"
"Told me what?" Melodia queried.
The unicorn's eye twitched, and she growled, stomping a hoof on the floor. "Twilight! How could you?!"
Her mother stopped her pacing, eyes widening with fear and regret. "Yes, Sunny, I never told her. I-I couldn't - it hurt too much."
"Ponyfeathers, Twi! You mean to tell me your daughter doesn't a thing about CHS? The Sirens? Even her own father? Argh!"
"I... no. No, she doesn't."
"Oh, brilliant." Sunset replied sarcastically.
"Twilight..." Spike muttered anxiously.
"Okay, I get!" the alicorn snapped. "Spike, take a note."
"Righty-o, Twilight." The dragon snapped his claws and a quill and parchment appeared in his grasp. He began to write as Twilight started speaking, quill scratching the parchment.
"'My fellow Princesses,
Due to a personal emergency, I leave my duties in the hooves' of my friends. I do not know how long long I will be gone, but I'm more than confident in my friends' abilities. Come if you wish to see me before I leave, as I have to make preparations, but please know that I must do this alone. This is my mistake that I made, and thus it is my mistake to fix.
Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle.'"
Melodia had turned away as her mother finished speaking, ears flat against her head. Her wings folded themselves at her sides, and she slowly trotted away. She only noticed Sunset had teleported in front of her when she bumped into the unicorn, causing them both to fall.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Melodia apologised. "I didn't mean to, Sunset, I swear! Sorry!"
Sunset laughed, getting back on her hooves. "It's okay, Melodia. Your parents used to bump into things too. I'm not surprised, really."
"Really? I never picked my parents as the clumsy type,"
The mare grinned. "Oh, but they were. Twilight had the worst habit of bumping into people - er, ponies, I mean, and your father? Pfft. Flash ... Flash bumped into objects. Walls, tables, doors - once he even walked into a vase and broke it. So, yes, they were clumsy."
"How'd he walk into a vase ?" Melodia demanded. "Goodness, not even I can manage that!"
"I don't know. He just did. Although, playing guitar in the hallway probably wasn't the best idea," she added with a snort of laughter.
"My dad played guitar?!" she squealed, jumping to her hooves in excitement. "Did he really?!"
The unicorn chuckled. "Yes, he did. He was brilliant, you know. He taught me how to play, and it's something I'll always be grateful for."
"Can you teach me? Can you? Can you, please, Sunset? I've always wanted to learn how to play!" she begged.
"Hmm... why not? Sure! I'll teach you what I know - you've got the want to learn, and the natural aptitude."
"Yes, yes, yes !" she giggled.
There was a flash of light behind them, and Melodia turned in surprise. She hardly had time to push Sunset out of the way as a pale grey blur tackled her in a hug, squealing in delight. Her aunt giggled, waving in welcome. Melodia grinned back.
"Diva! Girl, it's been soo long since I've seen you!" her cousin cried.
"Oof! Sky, I'm happy to see you too, but you're crushing me!"
Sky's grin never left her face as she released her from her bone-crushing hug, and Melodia collasped in a heap. Sighing, the filly hauled herself back upright and shook out her mane and tail. Her cousin's blue eyes widened as she spotted her cutie mark, and she bounced in glee.
"Oh my goodness, you got your cutie mark! Diva, that's awesome!"
She grinned. "It's even more awesome when you hear how I got it, Sky. How's life as heiress to the Crystal Empire?"
Her cousin wrinkled her nose. "Boring."
Sunset laughed. "I, for one, am glad I never succeeded as Celestia's pupil. I wouldn't be able to handle the life of an Equestrian princess."
"You were Princess Celestia's student too? Like Aunt Twilight?" Sky asked curiously.
"She was, Sky Aria. And- Melodia, your mane!" Cadence's voice was shocked. "Let me see!"
The filly shuffled on her hooves as her aunt trotted closer, Sunset automatically backing away. Cool metal met her chin as Cadence tilted her head up, her eyes widening in amazement. Melodia half opened her wings and her aunt's eyes widened further, trotting around her niece's side to examine her wings more. She tried not to laugh at the look of complete shock on Cadence's face but couldn't help the snort that escaped.
"Pretty cool, am I right, Aunt Cadie?"
"Indeed, Melodia Sparkle," A regal voice agreed. "I do believe congratulations are in order, no?"
"Princess Luna!"
The navy alicorn smiled, dipping her head in greeting. "Not only did you receive your cutie mark, child, but it would seem you were granted royalty's wings. However did this occur? You appear to have accessed a new kind of magic."
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Princess Luna, but it is by no means 'new magic'," Sunset interrupted dryly.
"Oh? Do explain, Miss Shimmer."
Sunset waved a hoof in Melodia's direction. "Something similar occurred with my friends and I on the other side of the Crystal Mirror. I've come to call it Harmony magic, but this is by no means accurate. Each one of us would 'pony up', for lack of a better term, when we showed the truest part of ourselves. Loyalty, Generosity, Magic, etc. Whatever characteristics that person's pony counterpart had, they would gain one way or another. Wings, pony ears, longer hair and so on."
Luna was nodding. "Ah. But no horns?"
She shook her head. "No. My thought is because horns would look highly out of place with human anatomy. However, this doesn't mean unicorns cannot use magic. I've tried this myself, and my hypothesis was proven correct. Thing is, it only ever works if an Equestrian accesses their magic in the human world, or if they carry human blood and are exposed to Equestrian magic."
"Like my daughter. Her father was - is - human, and really, Diva owes her musical talent to him more than me. But due to my magical power, and the fact that she is half-human, it would seem her magic manifests in the way that Sunset is talking about," Twilight added as she trotted over.
Cadence grinned. "I think I understand now why the pony Flash always got sent off on missions when you visited. You didn't want him around, did you, Twily? Least of all meeting your daughter, hey?"
"Something like that," she mumbled.
"And it explains the whole situation with you bumping into him after you went through the Mirror. You weren't thinking of that Flash at all, were you? You were thinking of the one you knew. The guitarist; not the guard."
"It doesn't help that I pretty much bumped into him the same way," Twilight admitted. "I'm not that clumsy!"
Sunset snorted. "You bumped into people, Flash bumped into objects. Did Rares ever tell you about the time he stuck his head in during band practice? He wanted to know any of our 'out of town' friends were coming to visit, what with it being a charity event and all."
Twilight blushed. "She mentioned it, but I had no idea it was that bad."
"No, that wasn't bad. What was bad was that he kept asking me how you were - at least once every two weeks, too. It got the tiniest bit annoying, to be honest. Although I did find Rare-rares 'smitten kitten' comment pretty cute. And he wasn't the only smitten one~" she teased.
Twilight buried her face in her hooves. "Sunny!" she wailed. "Stop!"
Cadence giggled. "Oh my goodness! Twilight, are you okay? Sunset seems to have found a weakness!"
She groaned. "Don't you dare tell Shiny. I'll never live this down!"
Luna smiled. "I am curious, Sunset Shimmer. What other tales could you have to tell us?"
Sunset grinned. "Lots, Princess. All very embarrassing for Twilight. But since I promised Melodia I'd teach her how to play the guitar, I better keep my promise. Besides," Her grin grew wicked, "you can always ask Twilight. Or invade her dreams. I wouldn't though - you might get a shock!"
"Sunset Shimmer! H-how dare you!" Twilight snapped. "That was h-highly...."
"True, Twi and we both know it. For the Princess of Friendship, you sure get lonely."
Cadence winked. "Ah, I see. Auntie Luna, I think you'd best leave this to me. I am the Princess of Love after all."
Luna laughed. "Of course, Cadenza. I must admit, I'm sure Tia would be delighted to hear this."
"Luna!" Twilight wailed. "You can't tell Celestia! She'd throw a fit!"
"Aye, a laughing fit. Honestly, Twilight, you are incredibly silly sometimes."
"That," Melodia agreed, "I can attest to."
Sunset shook her head, smiling. "Come on, Melodia. Do you want those guitar lessons or not?"
"Are you a former student of Princess Celestia?" the filly retorted with a laugh. "Of course I do!"
"Ooh, did somepony say guitar?" Pinkie chimed. "I know where some are!"
Sunset chuckled. "I thought you would. Thanks, Pinkie - if you could go grab them, that'd be great."
The pink mare bounced towards the door. "Yepperoni! No problemo, Sunny! Come on, Mel-mel!"
Caramel Cream giggled, bouncing after her mother. "Coming, Mama Pie!"
Sky sighed. "You don't mind if I come and watch, do you, Sunset? I've seen Mum 'interrogate' ponies before and it's essentially a polite invasion of their privacy. I wouldn't want to hear the secrets Aunt Twilight keeps in her heart."
The amber unicorn shook her head. "Not at all, Sky Aria. You are rather wise for your age, and such a decision, to me, proves your capabilities as future leader of the Crystal Empire. You're more than welcome to come."
"Oh - thank you." Sky mumbled, surprised. "You're not too bad yourself."
Sunset chuckled. "Trust me - it's an accumulation of years of experience and mistakes. I didn't get this way overnight."
Sky grinned at that. "I suppose we all make mistakes - it's part of what makes us ponies."
"Very true," Sunset agreed. "Come on, girls. Let's go see about those guitar lessons."