The Little Pony Legend: Through the Vortex

by EquestrianKirin

Another to One

Still upon Korra's request, the mane six and Team avatar took, well, the 2nd team avatar, off towards Air Temple Island. Even if there were two team Avatars for the moment, the people and ponies among the area only slightly noticed. After all, in a world of magic, something like the presumed "doublegangers" could be easily explained by saying a magical spell had backfired, or something like that. To the new team avatar following their counterparts, the world around them look only slightly different. It's the brighter colors, and human ponies that made their worlds split apart. Their world didn't have multi-colored ponies or flying princesses like this world does. Only one not with them at the moment was that owner of the "Tardis", who insisted on staying behind to work on the Tardis as they went back, promising he'll tell them the results later. Even if they hardly knew the guy (they didn't even get his name), he was the only one who knew how his machine worked, so, they let him do it. On the way back, Pinkie Pie was the one asking the TONS upon TONS of question to the new Korra and her group, which the team didn't feel like answering (and barely followed for that matter). As far as they were concern, the walk was a lot longer than they'd thought.

Eventually, they did arrive back at Air Temple Island, a bit more prompt in color, but still the same all around. The Air Acolytes were sweeping around a bit, relaxing all the while, since Tenzin, the owner of the temple, was off on a trip with his family. On the stoop, A light yellow skinned girl, her hair yellow and red in stripped fire, was going through her various works of writing once the group showed up. Her clothes consisted of a leather black jacket, violet and black boots, and a skirt of violet and orange. The cutie mark of a red and yellow sun on her cheek made her a humanized pony as well. Her name was Sunset Shimmer, and since she'd got back, she decided to work out various books of her friend's past adventures. Here, she was looking back on her 3rd book, about half-way through until the original Team Avatar walked over to her.

"Oh, hi guys. Everything better now?" Sunset asked, setting the book down on her lap as Mako, Bolin and Asami walked over.

"Well, sort've. Can you promise us you won't freak out?" Bolin asked.

"Uh, sure?...What is it?"

Before the group could really say what it was, their answer soon appeared within Sunset's vision, as the 2nd Team Avatar suddenly appeared. At first, she only saw the wingless, short-haired brunette that was Korra, and thought that something had happened to her magic again...until she saw the second Bolin, Mako and Asami follow behind, joining up by the Mane Six. It was odd enough to see Korra looking 'normal', but seeing a literal 2nd set of the same people was something else. Sunset herself didn't know exactly what to say, but didn't really freak out, as promised by Bolin himself...that didn't mean she wasn't confused though.

"Whoa. That's some surprise," Sunset said, unsure of what else to really respond or react to seeing these doublegangers in front of her. Asami Sato walked over to Sunset shimmer, along with her newer counterpart.

"It is. Sunset, this is...well...my match, I guess," Asami introduced, though felt very awkward introducing 'herself' twice to someone she already knew. The newer Asami extended a hand as Sunset got up, and shook her hand as well. Sunset compared both Asami and, while there were some tiny differences, it was practically like looking in a mirror.

"What happened? Did a doubling spell go wrong?" Sunset asked, eyebrow raised. Then, Twilight appeared alongside the new Mako.

"Well, no. You see, they'd arrived in this odd machine, and they can't go back until it's fixed. So, we're hoping to have them stay around until things work out," Twilight explained.

"Oh? Well, sure if it's okay with everyone else."

The new Bolin looked over Sunset Shimmer a bit, curious as ever.

" You sure are colourful, aren't you?" Bolin asked.

"uh...thanks? It's not exactly rare nowadays," Sunset replied, a hand rubbing the back of her head. Even if he'd seen plenty of people as colourful, only now did he really see Sunset's cutie mark on her face, spiking his curiosity.

"What's that?"

"What's what?"

"That mark on your face, that a tattoo or something?"

Sunset didn't need to answer that part, being answered by Rarity who walked over to him.

"No, dear, we refer these as a Cutie Mark. There like a marking of one's special talent," Rarity explained, pointing out her own cutie mark on her cheek. The new Team Avatar looked around at the other human ponies, seeing their Cutie marks too, each one different from the other. Of course, questions were still raised. Before they could continue, Pinkie Pie suddenly popped up in between Sunset and new Bolin, making the new Bolin jump back a bit. Before Bolin could say anything, Pinkie Pie yanked him aside, just as a bucket full of water fell down to where he was just standing.

"What the?"

"Good call, Pinkie," Mako said, his new counterpart confused as heck by this sudden stroke of good luck. The new Bolin was confused too of what the heck just happened, if not a bit spooked.

"H-how did you -"

"Huh? Oh, it's my Pinkie Sense," Pinkie said with a big grin.

"Pinkie? Sense?" Bolin wondered, as he got back up onto his feet proper. The others looked up, seeing a few pegesi cleaning the windows above them, one missing the said bucket. Bolin didn't even bother to ask her about it: answers will come around later on. While that happened, the new Korra was looking around the place, seeing how different, yet how similar Air Temple Island was. Aside from the various ponies around, everything was pretty much the same as she remembered...Suddenly she saw something.

She noticed a group of sweepers around the area nearby, but, among the crowd stood a very tall female figure. Her clothes resembles that of Fire Nation origin, but what caught her attention almost instantly was the odd, eye tattoo mark on her forehead. Of all the people, she knew immediately who she was. At first, she felt a strong hit of anger, but so much more shock towards her, but, as she was told, different worlds equalled different experiences...but still, her past experiences with this girl were anything but pleasant. The same women looked up and noticed her standing there, as Korra instinctively went in a battle stance, ready to fight her! Of course, her behaviour caught the eyes of the others rather fast, as they followed her eyes towards the other girl standing nearby, who oddly also had a look of surprise (though mostly to the doppelgänger group than to the wingless Korra).

"Korra? Is that you? What happened to you?" She asked.

"Stay where you are!" Korra demanded, but her path was blocked by Applejack and Sunset.

"WHOA there, partner! Don't be hasty," Applejack advised, as P'li started walking closer, despite Korra's warning. The new Bolin, Mako and Asami too looked very shocked to see P'li here, of all places.

"But, she's with Zaheer!" Korra protested.

"She WAS with Zaheer. She's good now, and has been for a long time," Sunset corrected, walking to P'li's side. P'li still was a bit confused seeing the copies standing there, and the original team got the message to her unspoken question.

"Uh, P'li? This may sound a bit out of hand, but, these are...well...another version of us," Mako started, unsure how else to exactly put it. How could anyone put it out easily without any confusion, really?

"It's very complicated," the old Asami added. P'li simply looked to the others, who looked at her just as shocked as she was. Eventually, P'li gave a sigh, and turned to the other Korra.

"So...if this isn't the real Korra, then where is she?" P'li asked. Before anyone could answer her, the person in question suddenly came into view nearby, her brown-blue sparkling wings shining off the sun as she landed by the others, Celestia, Luna and Leilani with her as well. The mane six quickly saw Leilani's state of discomfort, and the fact she was lifted back rather than flown herself, and went over to her side, as Princess Korra quickly caught the intensity between the new Korra, and P'li.

"Oh, princess, it's you. I thought you lost your magic again," P'li said, giving a bow in her presence.

"Now, P'li, there's no need for that, I'm fine. I guess my friends told you about the other team here?" She assumed, looking to the other team. P'li rubbed the back of her head.

"Well, kind of," P'li admitted. However, the new Korra wanted some answers.

"Hold on, You're friends with P'li. P'li, one of the red lotus," Korra reminded. P'li looked away in a bit of shame, something she didn't want to be reminded of, though was slightly surprised she knew at all about that.

"Yes. You and I both know of her previous involvements, but, she had learned and turned good. She's a good friend now," Princess Korra assured, a wing around P'li. The new Korra wasn't too sure just yet; considering her own past experiences with P'li weren't as good as this one was, to say the least. Even if so, this world was different from her own, so, she stood casually, relaxing only a little bit. However, Leilani, despite being weakened, looked over to the new Korra, eyes glimmering.

"You there. I need to have a talk with you and the princess, alone," she said, Celestia and Luna letting her stand. Leilani could feel the power that both Avatar Korra and Princess Korra admitted, which Leilani wasn't used to by the point.

"Uh...about what?"

"We'll discuss inside. Come on," Leilani instructed, heading off inside, with her daughters nearby just in case she fell again. Unsure of why, Princess and Avatar Korra started on inside, the others staying outside. However, the new Korra glanced back at P'li with a untrustful look in her eyes, making P'li feel slightly guilty, even though she didn't do any recent crimes as of late.

What did she really do?

It took a lot of explanation to go through, but, after sometime, Leilani and both Korras ended up in what was formerly Princess Korra's room, while she was training with Tenzin. Princess Korra sat casually, wings tucked in behind her, as the new Korra stood by the wall, and Queen Leilani looking out the window to the city before them. both Korras were still confused, all the same; the new Korra much more so than Princess Korra, whom knew Leilani knew of the change in the first place from earlier that day. Speaking of which, Princess Korra was glad that Leilani wasn't in as much agony as earlier, telling her that whatever pain or migraine she was feeling was slowly recovering. For Leilani, though, even if the physical pain was removed, the emotional stress from the presence of 2 Avatars in one time made it all the more troubling to her, all the same. Still having her back to them, wings spread back so the feathers drag the floor, Leilani began to speak.

"Avatar Korra... Let me ask you something: How did you, and your friends arrive in Republic City?" Leilani asked, referring to the wingless Korra rather than the human alicorn.

"Well, that odd guy's machine brought me and my friends here. Why?" She asked, slightly confused, but, didn't show it. Leilani gave a sigh, still not turning to them just yet.

"Is he from your world?"

"Uh...well, I dunno, he looked a lot like many of the others here, including that uh - what do you call it - a 'cutie mark'?" Korra explained, remembering the hourglass cutie mark on the man's cheek.

"I see...Listen, there are rules in every realm that must be followed. The natural laws of the universe that mustn't be broken, by any means possible..."

Both Korras looked to each other in worry, before Alicorn Korra spoke.

"And what does that have to do with this?"

Leilani turned back to them, her eyes almost seemed to glow in the dim light of the room.

"Listen to me, both of you. Both of you, in your respected world, are the Avatars. Both Avatars have the great god, Raava, inside of them...But now there's two of you, in the same world...and as such, two Raavas," Leilani explained, her voice more serious than normal. Whatever she was getting to, it was not good, heck, it shouldn't be good! Both girls kept quiet as Leilani looked to them both.

"When Avatar Korra arrived in this realm, she took with her the spirit of the Raava from her realm, a god which was supposed to be only one of. Now that there's 2 present, the natural laws had been breached. We're lucky that the worlds didn't started to deplete instantly once the crossover had been made."

That last part made them both tense up in surprise, almost at once.

"Is there a way to return?! Last thing i want is the world gone," Avatar Korra said, desperate for a good answer. Sadly, Leilani turned back to the window.

"I'm afraid I'm not sure. What this supposed machine had done was far beyond our realm's knowledge. No machine made in our world, nor yours, had ever been able to breach the barrier that separates us from our alternate selves...Yet, i suppose anything is possible, now..."

"Well, It won't be TOO bad, right? That guy's working on it, we'll be home in no time, right?" Avatar Korra said.

"It's not that simple. A breach such as this is far more powerful than you know...*sigh* Once this man has this machine fixed, we'll have to undo whatever acts the other Team Avatar had done, and remove any memories of their encounters in order to keep both worlds safe from harm...That includes you, Alicorn Korra," Leilani advised...though something in her tone of voice sounded slightly hurt, for some reason...

"And in the mean time?" Alicorn Korra asked.

"In the mean time, remain put here. It'll probably be for the best, anyway," Leilani advised. Both Korras looked to each other, but had to agree; everything Leilani said made too much sense to them. With no other word, both Korras left the room, both understanding the risks of this...Leilani, however, looked up to the sky...

Something was coming...

And she knew it...

Meanwhile, back at the machine, the same man was still continuing like mad trying to get the Tardis fixed. Even if it wasn't his fault that the machine was activated (let alone broken), he was still the owner, and knew how the Tardis worked in it's entirety. Still trying to fix everything, a sudden cloud of smoke bellowed out of the Tardis entrance, a annoyed man tumbling back out, covered in silt from his work, coughing some out of his mouth.

"Come on, Tardis, let me look at you proper!" He whined, trying to work out the kinks and bugs in the Tardis. However, he needed sometime to get the clouds of silt out, so, he left the Tardis open to make things a bit easier. However, as he was working things out, the machine simply sputtered out, as another explosion admitted from the inside, even more smoke bellowing in his face. Whatever Bolin did to the machine, it wasn't gonna be an easy fix.

Back outside the Air Temple, the teams and Mane Six were pretty much trying to relax at that point, currently asking the other Team Avatar various questions about their world. At the point, Pinkie wasn't around, so, there was a break from her rambling. Still, though, questions still needed some answers, and these weren't as rushed or as hard to follow. The new Bolin, Mako and Asami Sato sat at one end while the Mane Six, along with Sunset, P'li, and the old Bolin and Asami stood around nearby to listen.

"So, how different is your world from ours? By the looks of it, you two seemed kinda lost at first," Rainbow started.

"Well, kind of. See, Republic city LOOKS the same, but, isn't as colourful as this one. Not to mention there weren't any rainbow people either," Bolin explained, not trying to insult anyone around, since most of them were multi-coloured to begin with. However, Rainbow Dash didn't take too kindly to the 'rainbow people' comment, but didn't say anything.

"That doesn't sound that bad," Applejack said, imagining the city just slightly duller in colour while glancing over at it.

"Did you guys have the same spirit portal over there too?" Rainbow asked again, her thumb pointing behind her to the portal by the city.

"Actually, we do. In fact, Korra and I just had a 2 week vacation in the Spirit World. A lot of fun," Asami said, looking to the portal too.

"That is sweet. Speaking of Korra, though, those two seem VERY different to one another," old Asami commented, comparing her Korra with their Korra.

"Well, like the doc said, different worlds mean different experiences. Odd how she stayed wingless and magic-less, dunno why she would," Rainbow thought aloud.

"Our world didn't have magic like yours, of course she wouldn't look like an angel with -"

"Alicorn, you mean?" Sunset corrected, catching new Bolin a bit off guard.

"Ali-what-now?" he asked. The others kinda saw that coming, they might as well try to explain, Applejack starting first.

"Listen, sugarcube, These 'rainbow people' you saw on yer way here ain't from here either. We ain't exactly human, per say," Applejack explained.

"Then what are you?" Asami asked, obvious confused. Before anypony/anybody could exactly say what, out came the pink pony, now in her normal pony form. Her skin turned fur was as pink as her cotton candy mane and tail, her cutie mark moving to her flank instead of her cheek like before. Pinkie Pie happily hopped over to them, cupcakes balancing on a plate on her head.

"Anypony want a cupcake? They're super duper yummy!" Pinkie beamed, her voice in a sing-along tune, still with her happy smile. The new Bolin and Asami just stared at this talking horse that bounded to them, mixed of shock, confusion, and even a bit spooked.

"Pinkie? That you?" Bolin asked.

"Is...this, what you guys really are?" Asami added, looking to the mane six.

"Well...yes. See, our kind has arrived here a few years ago, and as such, we're able to turn into humans at will. Naturally though, we're more equine than most," Twilight explained.

"So...You guys really are...whatever these things are?" New Bolin asked.

"I think the word you're looking for is 'pony'," Rarity said. That didn't exactly help them out. Sure, none of their animals were considered normal, but, none of them looked like they belong in a toy store than in real life and living. Pinkie was still waiting for anyone to take her well made cupcakes, but, Bolin and Asami.

"Uh, exactly how did you make those with hooves?" new Bolin asked, curious to how a pony would even make cupcakes, of all things...

That seemed to trigger something, as Pinkie got some sort of twinkle in her eyes...and then, Pinkie started to sing.

(Cupcakes song parody)

Pinkie popped up in between Sunset, and P'li, as she continued, giving them some cupcakes while singing.

Pinkie suddenly appeared in the center of the group, Cupcake plate spinning on her nose.

Pinkie Passes out cupcakes to the mane six.

Pinkie started bouncing and dancing around, giving cupcakes around, in the zone of singing her cupcake tune.

Pinkie ended her song with a knee slide, hooves held up high with a huge smile on her face...

There had never been such a blanker expression on Bolin, Asami or Mako's face, EVER...

"...O...K...?..." New Bolin said, taking a cupcake from the plate, along with Asami with the same blank expression. Soon after the song, Princess Korra and Avatar Korra walked back outside, still thinking over what Leilani had just said, about the risks this crossover could be on either world. If they should tell the others or not was still for debate though. However, Pinkie pie popped up right in front of them, two cupcakes left just for them. Course, Avatar Korra wasn't sure how Pinkie Pie ended up a pony, but, Princess Korra happily took her cupcake.

"Why thank you, Pinkie, looks delicious," Princess Korra said with a smile, taking a bite out of it, as Pinkie kept her beaming grin.

"There you guys are," Twilight said, getting back up to her feet.

"Hi everyone, sorry it took so long," Princess Korra said, as Avatar Korra sat down next to the new Asami. Almost immediately, the new Mako felt kind of...well, uncomfortable, being unwittingly reminded of his own experiences just from that. The new Korra took a bite of the cupcake, her eyes shot open when the taste hit her mouth.

"Whoa! These are really good!" She said, as Pinkie beamed.

"Thank you, New Korra!" Pinkie beamed, same amount of excitement.

"What'chu put in these?"

Pinkie gave a big smile again. then...

Pinkie was quickly stopped when Asami covered Pinkie's mouth, getting her to stop as the pony flaired around for a second or so.

"up up up, no need for another song, thank you," Asami said, trying to not sound harsh. Pinkie popped up her head so she could speak again, as the new Mako got back up.

"AWWW, but it's a great song!" Pinkie whined, as new Mako started walking away from the others, catching their attention.

'Where are you going?" Sunset asked.

The new Mako just sighed, and continued walking, not answering her as he went off. Old Mako got up too, sensing the problem inside his other self.

"Hold on, let me talk to him," He said, starting off after him...

Sometime later, Mako was still trying to look around for his newer counterpart and his whereabouts, walking around the island to look for him. Eventually, he did find the new Mako sitting alone by the dock, looking out to Republic City, as if thinking about something. If this Mako was anything like himself, then Mako knew what the issue was already before heading over to him.

"Hey, Mako," Mako said, as the new Mako turned to him. He simply sighed, and turned away.

"Oh, it's you..." He sighed, as the old Mako sat down next to him. Even if the new Mako didn't say anything, he could already guess on what the issue really was, all and all.

"It's something with Korra and Asami, isn't it?" He began, making the new Mako slump a bit.

"How'd you guess?" He asked sarcastically. The old Mako understood his unwillingness to talk, having gone through a similar ideal himself. After all, this guy is him, pretty much, apart from a few slight changes. The old Mako rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Believe me, I know how you feel. I've gone through this same feeling myself you know. And we both know it can be rough trying to handle the situations," old Mako said, as new Mako got him to let go of him. Old Mako knew he was right: he would've acted the same way a couple years ago.

"Looks like I don't need to explain too much to you, don't I? You're me."

"And I'm you, that's true. We both know that we made a promise sometime ago, to be alongside a particular Avatar, no matter how bad things get."

"What's that have to do with anything? I'm torn up here, and I dunno what to do!" New Mako snapped, a fist hitting the dock, leaving a slightly burnt fist print into it. He did calm down though, and looked down to the water.

"Mako, listen, i see how you can feel a bit uncomfortable when Asami and Korra are with you, believe me I know, but just be happy that they don't have any sort of resentment towards you still, even after what you've done," Old Mako explained. That piece of information surprised the new Mako a little bit, just how smart that sounded, and how much sense it made...But still, new Mako glanced down at the old Mako's finger, revealing a particular ring. Old Mako followed his eyes to the ring on his ring finger, sensing the question in the new Mako's head.

"Yes, I'm spoken for."

"What? But with who?!" New Mako asked. The old Mako turned back to the temple behind him, catching a glimpse of Princess Korra, flying around in the sky above them, her wings glistening in the wind and sunlight. The new Mako just stared in surprise: his counterpart's married to an Alicorn princess! However, new Mako didn't find this information anymore comforting to his own situation.

"Looks like you've decided, hadn't you?"

"That I did, and I'm proud for it."

The new Mako just sighed, bringing his head to his knees.

"I dunno, maybe I should stay away from girls for a while, maybe then I can figure out what to do..." The new Mako decided, thinking as he watched Alicorn Korra fly around in the sky, seeing how happy she was...then the old Mako gave a hearty laugh, not helping too much.

"What's so funny?" New Mako asked, as the old Mako calmed down.

"Oh, sorry, it's just so ironic for you to think that. I've managed to figure myself out because I've been around the girls. Korra, Asami, the princesses, my friends. They all helped me find who I am, and helped me figure out what to do...and you're friends can help you too, so long as you let them," old Mako said with a smile, turning to the new Mako. He thought over what his counterpart had said, and he found that he really hadn't come forth about the issue, and letting the others help him with it. Sure, it wasn't as bad as it used to be, but, it was still there, and Mako never explained too much about it before. There was a pause for a while, the new Mako letting it all sink it before he got up.

"Thank you, Mako," He simply said, as the old Mako got up as well, the new Mako began walking back towards the Air Temple.

"You know, even if you and me are the same, you know a lot more than I do...thank you for helping me figure it out," new Mako said. The old Mako placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder again, a warm smile on his face.

"You always knew, Mako. You just needed help realizing it," he said. He gave new Mako a pat on the shoulder, a wink, and went back himself. The new Mako smiled too, and followed him back...