Forgotten Legacy

“Let me get this straight,” Rainbow said. “You want us to go back with you through the mirror?”

I nodded. “Princess Twilight had a bad feeling and wanted to have as much magical backup as possible.”

“Well, what are we waiting for?” the athlete shouted, leaping to her feet.

“Us, I suspect,” a silky deep voice cooed from the doorway. I turned to find Adagio and her sisters entering, Aria moving over to sit next to Pinkie. I was still kind of surprised at that development, having been willing to lay even money on Pinkie ending up with Sonata.

“They’re coming too?” Rarity asked. “I thought they were banished from Equestria.

“Well, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to cross,” I said. “But if they can, their newfound healing powers would be great to have handy.”

“And if we can’t,” Aria said. “We can at least keep an eye on the place till you get back.”

“So, again,” Rainbow said. “What’re we waiting for?”

“This is, ah,” Fluttershy said. “Odd.”

I nodded, looking at the five ponies that had crossed through behind me, surprised at the appearances. Just as I had, they had all appeared different and with new cutie marks. The Sirens looked just as they had when the had lived here, which presented a problem that I had mentioned to Twilight before leaving. She had referenced a book to use when we got back.

Rainbow, looked at herself in the mirror, her dark blue coat darker than her counterparts’ hue, though still lighter than mine. Her mane colors were reversed, and instead of a rainbow lightning bolt, she had a soccer ball inside a rainbow set of victory laurels. She was already standing up and attempting to get a feel for her new wings.

Rarity was a photo reverse of her counterpart, a white mane on her purple coat. The triple gem cutie mark I was familiar with was now enclosed in a shield of white. She was giving her mane a few flicks, trying to recover from the disorientation I no longer felt.

Applejack was already standing and walking around, awestruck by the castle. Her coat evoked memories of the juicy golden delicious apples she grew on her farm and her mane, still as long as her pony version, was a coppery red, complementing the apple tree cutie mark she now bore.

Fluttershy, like Rarity, had her mane and coat reversed and her cutie mark looked like a pet bed with food and water dishes next to them. She was still adjusting to the feeling of wings and hooves, but it seemed like she just didn’t want to move just yet.

I looked at Pinkie and was shocked. The only thing that looked different was her cutie mark, a heart with a chef’s hat in it. Maybe the colors were a touch different, but she was obviously Pinkie Pie.

“It’s so good to be home,” Adagio said, using her hooves to pull herself forward, her aquatic tail dragging behind her. “But I suppose you might a plan for that?”

I nodded. “Spike,” I called. After a moment I followed it up. “Spiiiike!”

The dragon trotted out, carrying a book with him. “Do you have any idea how long it takes to find books in this place sometimes?” he huffed, catching his breath.

I levitated the book away, opening it to the index.

“What’re you about t’do, sugar cube?” AJ asked.

“There’s a spell that will allow the Sirens to move about as easily as we can,” I glanced up to watch as Rarity stumbled onto her hooves only to slide back into a seated position. “Relatively speaking.”

“Oh, I remember this one!” Sonata cried. “It tickles.”

I blinked. “It may take me a bit to find it and then figure out if I can even cast it,” I said nervously. “I haven’t had a lot of practice when you think about it. While I’m looking it up, figure out nicknames we can use to keep you separate when we meet up.”

“Already got that done,” AJ said. “The other AJ and Ah decided to call me Jackie.”

I nodded, flipping through the book while the others started murmuring. I found it and read it several times before turning to the Sirens.

“Who’s first?” I asked.

“I am,” Adagio said.

I started charging my horn just as Sunset and Twilight had shown me in the past year. I imagined the image and intent of the spell just as it was written and released my magic, striking Adagio full with it. She was covered by a glowing nimbus and when it faded, an equine form stood there, cloven hooves instead of solid like regular ponies. Her coat held an iridescent sheen to it, almost like fish scales. A set of small fins were hidden in her voluminous mane, almost like vestigial wings. On her flank was a Treble clef and a gem. She shook her mane and looked herself over.

“Well, this is different,” she said as she stepped aside.

I panted, exhausted. It had taken more mana than I had expected and I needed a moment.

“Ah, yeah!” Rainbow shouted as she managed to take off and hover. “Nailed it.”

“Good job, Dashie,” AJ - no, Jackie - said.

The dark blue Pegasus tried to fly over and stand by her marefriend but crashed into the ground and skidded a few inches. “Ow,” she groaned.

“Maybe we should call you Crash, RD,” Sonata giggled.

“Seems appropriate,” the Pegasus groaned as she regained her feet.

“Are you alright, darling?” Rarity asked me, supported by a remarkably steady Fluttershy.

I nodded. “Just winded,” I said. “That spell took a lot of mana.” I looked at the dragon. “Have you got that letter written and sent like Twilight asked you?”

He nodded. “They should be sending a reply any time now,” he said.

I turned to the two remaining Sirens, taking a deep breath. “Two to go, then we have a train to catch.”

I looked out at the fields of green as the train rushed along the tracks. It had been specially commissioned by Cadence, non-stop to and from the Crystal Empire for this express purpose. I glanced back at the girls, mentally reminding myself to use their nicknames. I now had an idea how hard it was for Sunset sometimes when my counterpart and I were present at the same time.

Rainbow had latched onto Hot Shot, after a jest by Jackie on her second crash landing. Jackie wouldn’t be too difficult, considering it was close to her actual name. Rarity had chosen to go with Elegance, stating that it “Matched her coloration perfectly.”

Fluttershy had blushed fiercely when Rarity had suggested Caren, given that she was a big bundle of care. I thought it cute, and fitting, though it would take a bit to remember. Pinkie, simply enough, asked to use her middle name for simplicity.

Spike belched next to me, a gout of green flame dissipating into a scroll. He opened it and skimmed it before handing it to me.

I read it and felt glum. “They won't come unless it gets dire,” I said. “Great.”

“I told Twilight I don’t have that much pull,” he said apologetically. “Even being friends with Ember only goes so far.”

I nodded, shifting in my seat. My element sat around my neck, along with the other girls, the heavy gold collars a reassuring weight. But I also felt a strange weight on my back, somewhat familiar and yet strange all the same. If I had to put a finger on the sensation, I would only have one that would fit.

It itched.