Forgotten Legacy

We all stood in the throne room. It hurt to see the bandage on my sister-in-law’s flank, but I knew she wouldn’t step down. A large contingent of the risen ponies was mustering near the eastern gates and the shield she held up was the only thing barring their entry.

For now.

“I’m still working out the kinks,” Sunset said, finishing her report on her research into using artifice as a method for the non-Unicorn troops to utilize fire magics. “But these boots are the best for front line combat for Earth ponies. I’d prefer some more time to develop some sort of alternative for the Pegasi soldiers, but needs must.”

Cadence nodded. “I’ll have my armorers begin replicating your prototype immediately,” she said, turning to my counterpart and our friends from across the mirror. While we had interacted with them mere weeks ago at their graduation, seeing each of them as ponies was a bit of a mind bender. I was still struggling to associate the nicknames with the pony.

The Sirens were also a tough sight, their iridescent coats almost begging to be stared at. I knew their song now healed, but I was still uneasy being around beings that had been your enemy at one point in time. It had been that way when I first went back through the portal after the Fall Formal, beginning to trust Sunset and even consider her a close friend.

Cadence smiled softly at them. “I understand that each of you have come through to help in the defense of my kingdom,” she said. “On the word of my sister-in-law alone. You are not beholden to us nor subject to the orders of Equestrian royalty, and still you stand here, and I thank you.”

The six ponies, Sunshine included, beamed with pride, blushed or set their faces in determination. I saw my counterpart glance over at Sunset, and moments later a smile flashed across my friend’s face.

Their bond allows communication now, I thought automatically. They’re closer to each other than anypony else in this room. I frowned as a small flicker filtered through my consciousness. I’m jealous. Not of them, but of the closeness they share.

Don’t get me wrong, I had no desires on either of them. Sunset was a good friend and that was it, and Sunshine, well…that raised questions I didn’t like thinking on. But seeing them together was like looking into the mirror, the image darkly reflecting a possible future missed.

“Twilight,” Cadence said gently, bringing me back to the present.

“Sorry,” I said. “What did you say?”

“I asked if you have objections to confirming Luna’s declaration of Sunshine as a Duchess and allowing her the same command Sunset and you hold while here.”

I blinked. “No,” I stammered. “Not at all.” When had that happened?

“In that case,” the Empress of the Crystal Empire said, shaking her mane out. “Sunshine, I proclaim you in conjunction with the title presented to you by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Luna and give agreement, witnessed by fellow Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Sunshine ducked her head, blushing fiercely.

“Now,” she said. “Outside of rushing headlong into the opposing army, does anypony have any ideas?”

“We should first get Flurry Heart and non-essential personnel out of the kingdom and behind the lines of the Equestrian royal guard,” I said. “We’ve all but declared a state of emergency, so we might as well make it official.”

Cadence nodded, and I saw the maternal concern in her eyes.

“We should also find somepony to relieve you in holding the shield,” Starlight said. “Twilight, Sunset, and I would be the wisest choices.”

“I’m going to be out on the front lines,” Sunset said, glancing at Applejack. “I made a promise, and your troops should see that an Alicorn is willing to lead.”

“And she’s not going out there alone!” shouted Rainbow Dash and Hot Shot almost simultaneously, the two pegasi hovering and crossing their forelegs. Mirrored by each other, the five ponies on both sides stepped forward. The Elements on the human girls’ necks gleamed with barely controlled power, and I smiled at the show of unity it created.

“I would suggest we pair up with our counterparts,” Sunshine said. “We would be able to coordinate with them easier than we could with anypony else.”

“I think I would be best served here, strategizing and spelling Cadence,” I said. “Plus, you and Sunset would work together much closer than you and I would.”

Sunset’s Element gleamed as she stepped forth. Her’s was the only one that had originated in Equestria, and from what she had told me it had rejuvenated the fledgling Tree in their world. She chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before voicing the question we had been avoiding since the attack by Sorla.

“Am I crazy,” she said. “Or was that unicorn with her Neighlin?”

“She did match the general description,” Starlight said. “But Neighlin was killed decades ago.”

“They never found a body,” I said. “All they could find was the end of her horn and her left foreleg. Which were conspicuously absent of our sorcerous friend.”

“Not to mention she was coated in Thaumaturgical symbols,” Sunshine said. “Drawn in blood from what I’ve been told. Granted, I’m not a magical expert or anything, but between the spells she had on her and the blood used to etch them, wouldn’t that make them more potent under Necromantic rules?”

I winced. The thought that a once respected magical genius would turn to forbidden magicks for unknown reasons bothered the logical part of my brain, the part that didn’t consider emotions into its calculations.

“Possible” Starlight said. “Sunburst and I did manage to find a single remaining text on Necromancy, and many of the spells within call for a sacrifice of blood. Usually a few drops from the caster, but some the spell can be enhanced by the amount offered up.”

Silence fell on the room.

“I will not ask any of you ponies to stand for this kingdom,” Cadence said. “We are clearly against a powerful foe, and the coming days are going to be fraught with danger.”

Jackie stepped forth, AJ stepping forward with her. They glanced at each other and nodded.

“All due respect, Princess,” AJ said. “But we wouldn’t leave now fer nothin’!”

Jackie nodded. “Aint like us to abandon a friend in need.”

Mixed assents and agreements murmured from ten ponies and three Sirens.

“Then it is decided,” Cadence said with a grim tone.

“We are officially at war.”