//------------------------------// // Welcome to the Show // Story: Friendship Kita: Band Together // by cyberlord4444 //------------------------------// Three girls walked out of a diner that was currently two steps away from a major brawl. They were dressed in outfits that wouldn't have attracted any major attention, hoodies and jeans, except for the fact that the hoods were down, revealing hairstyles that most would find over the top, to put it mildly, as well as a set of matching ruby pendants. "This is it girls," said the one with the massive orange fuzzy cotton ball for hair, who acted like she was the leader of the trio, "after so many years, it's time to regain what is rightfully ours." "Let's just hope this isn't a wild goose chase," said the one with purple twin tails that went down almost to her waist. "Well I hope they have tacos," said the one with blue ponytail that went to her knees. "Really Sonata?" twin tails said incredulously. "One of these days Aria, you will accept the power of the taco, and you will rejoice," Sonata replied, "right Adagio?" "Enough!" Adagio yelled, "right now what's important is getting there." "Allow me to assist you in that endeavor," said an unknown voice. "Who's there?" Sonata yelled. "Let's just say, I'm a potential partner," said the voice, as it's owner, a massive cloaked figure stepped out of a shadow. "And why would we be interested in anything you'd have to offer?" asked Aria. "The last time you tried to conquer Equestria, your power proved insufficient," the figure said as it pulled out 3 cylindrical objects, "I'm offering you, an upgrade." "And what is that going to cost us?" asked Adagio. "We'll take care of that when the time comes. For now, make a wish upon a star." Inside Twilight's new castle, Twilight was currently stocking her new library with the aid of her friends. Rarity was sorting the books that Applejack brought her, where Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash placed them on the shelves. Twilight herself was mapping out the library to figure out where to put everything with some help from Spike. And Pinkie was... being Pinkie, being helpful, but still. Jack had gone out to grab some lunch for them, but would be back soon. She turned her head to see that a delivery pony had come with a load of books from Celestia to replace the ones that had been destroyed, it was the 8th load so far. "Where do you want 'em?" asked the delivery pony. "Just leave them there," Twilight said, pointing to a neat pile that AJ was grabbing a few books from. "Even this one that's glowing and vibrating?" Twilight looked, and sure enough, one of the books on the top was buzzing like one of those cellphone things she had seen on the other side of the mirror portal. Curious, she levitated it to her and opened it, instantly putting any further thoughts of reshelving out of her mind. "I come bearing cheesy delicious gifts," Jack said as he entered the library, several boxes of pizza in hand. "No time for that," Twilight said as she pulled him towards her with her magic, 2 years of Zodiart busting honed reflexes being the only thing that saved the pizza. "What's so urgent?" Jack asked, setting the boxes down so no further harm could come to them, where they were immediately set upon by Dash. "7 Cheese Supreme, nice." "Well, one of the books that Celestia sent me was and old enchanted diary that she used to talk to Sunset when she was still her student," Twilight explained. "Anyway, Sunset used it to inform me of a potential magical problem that was at Amanogawa that she wanted me to look into. And I think it's this," Twilight pointed at an open book which had a picture of three aquatic looking equines on the page it was open to, "the Sirens, three being who tried to take over Equestria with the power of their enchanted singing before Starswirl banished them to another world." "And you think that world is the one on the other side of the mirror?" Jack asked before taking a bite of a slice of Godfather. "Exactly, I already told Sunset that we'll be on our way as soon as we could," Twilight said. "Not to be rude Twilight," Rarity interjected, "but I thought that the mirror would only open every 30 moons?" "Then it's a good thing that Jack and I already fixed that problem," said Twilight, "speaking of which..." "No problem," Jack said as he pulled a purple Astroswitch from his pocket, "made a pass by the library on my way back, I had a feeling we might have missed something." "A new switch darling?" asked Rarity. "A new version of the Gate Switch," Twilight proudly stated, "designed to allow us to open and close the portal at our leisure." "Sweet," said Dash as Twilight lead the way to the room Twilight had set aside for the mirror. After Twilight and Jack had returned from their adventure, Celestia decided that she would be its logical keeper, and had shipped it to her a week later. It's new home in a roomy chamber hidden behind a concealed, door was a much better place than the basement closet it resided in previously. "Are you sure we can't come with you this time?" asked Pinkie Pie, while doing a set of puppy dog eyes that would make any kid who wanted just one more scoop of ice-cream green with envy. "Sorry girls," Twilight said, "but it would get kinda confusing if there were two of all of you." "Besides," Jack said as he placed the Switch in a hole that wasn't there previously, "I might not have been there for it, but I do not want to be part of another Mirror Pool incident, small scale or no." "Fine," Pinkie sighed dejectedly, before immediately perking up when she put a slice of Vittoria in her mouth. "Here we go," Jack said, before flicking the Switch. Mirror Gate, On The surface of the mirror rippled as Cosmic Energy infused the runes that powered it to full charge, something that usually took 30 moons, "She's purring along nicely, ready." "You know it," said Spike as he took a runner's start position. "I'll be back soon," Twilight said to the girls before entering the portal, followed shortly after by Spike and Jack. After watching the mirror in silence for a few seconds, Dash spoke up, "So, who wants pizza?" Jack stretched as he exited the portal on the other side, he might not change as much as Twilight, but turning from a 24 year old to a 16 year old wasn't the most natural of experiences. "Good to see you again," Twilight said as she hugged Sunset Shimmer, who had been waiting with the rest of their friends from this side of the portal. "Pity it's not under better circumstances," Sunset replied. "Pft, it's the same problem with Cadance," said Spike. After greetings were exchanged, and Sunset explained the way that the new girls had instigated a near riot and turned the Musical Showcase into a Battle of the Bands with just a song, Twilight declared her suspicions confirmed. "And I think I know how to beat them," Twilight said, "since these Sirens are using music to weave their spells, all we have to do is use a musical counterspell to break the effects." "Fight fire with fire, I love it," said Rainbow Dash, "so what is it? It better have a guitar solo." "Well... I don't, exactly, know any" said Twilight. "Well not now," said Spike, "just give her a few hours, she'll come up with something, it's how she became a princess after all." "If you don't mind me saying," Jack interrupted, "it's always a good idea to have a backup, how about I also enter the Battle?" "Sounds like as good an idea as any," said AJ, "but uh, who you going to enter with?" "Um..." Jack snapped his fingers, "oh, I've got an idea." He then turned to the portal as he pulled out the NS MagPhone, "Nord, Sud, ready for a big one?" "You know it!" Nord exclaimed. "I'll do my best," Sud said a little more quietly. "Then let's do it." He flipped open the phone before scraping one end along the event horizon of the portal before flipping the cover to the Limit Break toggle and pressing it while holding it to his ear. "Calling all Kamen Riders!" His message, charged by the dimensional energy of the portal, echoed through the void, seeking out suitable recipients for his message. Hopefully at least one could sing.