Chapter 6
"UNICORNS?!" shouted the girls after hearing what Sunset and Twilight had to say. Sunset sighed and said, "Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but we know about the other Twilight, how she got to us, and all that. This should not be so odd."
"But that means they've been runnin' round with their doubles here," answered Applejack, "That'd be odd if they sorta run into each other."
"Their human counterparts ore in another state halfway across the country and in a stable home," answered Twilight, "That's not going to happen."
"Besides," answered Sunset, "There are reasons for all this…" and she read from the journal what pony Twilight had written, and the girls eventually stopped their work to hear this after a while, amazed at what they were hearing. "Sumpthin' ain't makin no sense," interjected Applejack, "why weren't they doin' the…thing…that happens t'us when we play?"
"Did you do that yourselves before knowing the other Twilight," asked Sunset, knowing the answer.
"Well, you do have a point," added Dash.
"Well, maybe all the ingredients had to be right," said Pinkie, "Can't make a good pie without all your ingredients. Maybe Twilight…well not YOU Twilight, but that Twilight who was Twilight before you, though I suppose you kinda were Twilight at the same time…"
"Ugh, we get it!" groaned Dash, to which Rarity then said, "I think of it more like making the perfect formal gown. You can make any gown over and over, but it has to have that something special make it unique for whomever you make it, because, to make that dress look right for that person, it has to have the extras that best accent the wearer, and no two are alike. We didn't fit until she came and brought out the right accent for what we are to emerge."
"In short," added Twilight, "When the other me came here, she awakened a connection between our worlds and caused the magic to emerge here, like a catalyst in a chemistry experiment. The components won't react unless there is something to get the ball rolling."
"Then why didn't that happen with me?" asked Sunset.
"Well, I hate to dig up old wounds," answered Twilight, "But, since you didn't initially get along, and did what you could to split them, the proper reaction couldn't be there, because you wouldn't allow your latent magic to affect them. My twin came over and put together the combination in our world that happened in hers, and, boom!"
"Okay, that makes sense," responded AJ, "But why not fer the twins? Ah mean, they were here in th'same world with their doubles an' all. Why didn't they're, whatchacall it, latent magic, come out?"
"Again, no catalyst," answered Twilight, "They had Equestrian magic in them that was not activated until it ran into others that mow have that running in them and interacted with us. That awoke what was in them."
"Right," said Dash, not sure she was quite following things, but she was getting the gist, and she said, "So, you're saying they need to go back to that world?"
"That's where they belong," answered Sunset, "And it was the dying request of a mother who wanted to come for them one day, but couldn't."
This caused them all to pause and ponder the gravity of it, but then Rarity then said, "But, darlings: how are we going to get them to go, or even to believe us in any of this for that matter?"
"That is a good question," answered Sunset, looking at her watch, "And that's something I can ask the other Twilight when she comes over. She may be the key to it all…I hope."
"She's coming over?" asked AJ.
"She's got the portal," answered Sunset, "She has to guide them through, but we still have our work cut out for us!"
After the sun had gone down, Sunset stood by the monument, making sure that no one outside the school who would not be in the know as they would not see Princess Twilight's entry into this world. Before long, she entered and immediately embraced Sunset in a warm hug, happy to see her friend once again. Sunset then said, "So, how goes it on the other side…" but Twilight cut her off, saying, "I'm sorry, but we have no time for pleasantries. We have to get the twins back as soon as possible."
Sunset horrified for the worst, said, "Has this supposed threat come back?"
"It's not that," she said, "You wrote me and told me that they did the change thing when they played with the Rainbooms, right?"
"Yes," was her tentative answer.
"Has there been any kind of color or scenery effects?"
"Yes, there has been, and it keeps everyone very entertained."
"Have they become more powerful?"
Sunset pondered it, and then she said, "You know, come to think of it, they have."
Twilight sighed and said, "It's what I thought might be happening."
"I don't get it."
"What has my twin here concluded?"
"She guessed that things awoke once in contact with people who were affected by Equestrian magic."
"She's…I'm…uh… You get it. We were right. If this were their human counterparts, it would only affect them as it does you all. But since they are the ones from my world, the magic in them has awoken, and that can be a problem."
"In what way?"
"Well, we're both unicorns…well, I started off…you know what I mean. Anyway, what's the rule of thumb of caring for newborn foals?"
"Always be careful and watch them because their magic can pop up at random and in odd ways."
"Right. Now, for them, they never had the chance for that to open up, and so it's been stored up."
Sunset was confused and had no idea where Twilight was going with this. "Are you saying they are having foal spurts?"
"It's worse than that," sighed Twilight, "First of all, look up on the Bardics, Moon Dancer and I have learned that they are very powerful unicorns magically when it comes to music. Second, as we already know, unicorns have to be taught to control their magic, and in the case of Bardics, it was done as early as possible. If not, think about a very young foal singing child tunes and having random things happen."
"Dancing lights and images; what's the problem with that?"
"They can take on solid forms with which to be interacted, and depending on the song, they can actually do damage in that someone might get hurt accidentally by the image, be engulfed in a ball of light and be asphyxiated… There's no telling what would happen. Now think about them: they are our ages. This means that their songs could conjure up some real odd things, and dangerous. I mean, imagine singing about the roaring seas. Everyone might drown if they get more powerful. That brings me to number three: because of the random nature of magic acting when it wants to and how it wants, coupled with growing power in them they know not how to control… Well, I don't know how bad it could get. I mean, it was not an issue for either of us because our magic was already under control and fully awoken, integrated into us where it wouldn't fly off the handle here. It's not the same with them, because they never had the chance to develop as normal unicorns. We have to convince them and get them back for both their sakes and yours."
"They'll be at the party. We're at AJ's apple orchard, in the barn. They should be there by now."
"Is my counterpart there?"
"Yes."
"I'll stay hidden then, for now, and you'll have to try at some point to convince them and tell them. If you have problems, then I'll come out, and we'll work on it."
They both then took a faster pace to the farm, now realizing that there might be problems. They had to be taken back and taught to control themselves, otherwise, there would be a disaster. Only when they learned to control things would they be able to return safely if they chose to come back.
By this point, the other girls had taken them back to the farm, surprised at the amount of things they were brining. They were bringing their normal things for the sleepover, but they also had a few instruments a piece that the others helped carry. "Goodness, darlings," said Rarity, surprised at the load, "Are you sure you need all this?"
"Well, considering you all play as well," answered Quill, "we thought it would be cool to bring a few of our other instruments and have a bit of a jam session."
"Well, I did bring some records," added Pinkie Pie, "I thought we could all dance as well."
"Oh that would be lovely," responded Downy, "but playing is fun, too."
"Hey, maybe you could teach me a few of your jams and we could try some folk rock," Dash interjected, "I mean, we want you to be Rainbooms, but we have to find a way to mix your styles with us."
"I get it," answered Quill, "I mean, some of the greatest groups were because they were able to mix styles and sound."
They got to the barn, and they were shocked to see how things were decorated. It was done all in 60s style, complete with psychedelic posters, peace signs, incense, lava lamps, and other such light effects to make it look like anyone from that era would feel like they never left their time period. Indeed, Pinkie Pie went all out, and Downy said, "You would do all this for us?"
"Of course!" she said, all happy, "I'd do this for any of my friends!"
"You consider us friends?" asked Quill, "After all that happened a couple of days ago?"
"Stuff happens," answered AJ, "You didn't do anythin' wrong. I was just glad my brother was there to teach them goons a lesson."
Downy wiped away a tear, and she said, "Thank you so much. Even though it can be hard from time to time for us to make friends, it's more than just folks trying to take advantage of us. Sometimes, it's hard because, just when we really have found a couple of good friends, a spot opens up in a foster home and we get uprooted again, have to start over again."
"Dude, that is rough," answered Dash, "I don't know what I would do if I had to bounce around all the time."
"But, hey," interjected Pinkie, "forget about that for now. Tonight your night! Let's have some fun!"
Pinkie grabbed a remote and hit a button, activating a stereo and the sounds of "Ina Gadda Davida" kicked through with that familiar organ opening, and the lights started to dance around in a liquid effect, and the party was underway. This was just about the moment Sunset and Princess Twilight entered through the other side of the barn, saw the effects and heard the music, and the princess said, "Wow…freaky stuff!"
"Trust me," said Sunset, "The whole era this comes from was freaky!"
She had Princess Twilight hide among the haystacks nearby to listen in on the action, and met up with the others.
The party was really starting to groove, as Pinkie Pie really picked an incredible track of music from the 60s, and Rainbow Dash had to say, "Wow, harmonies were sung so differently in that time."
"They're far too basic," answered Quill, "There feels like there's no effort, no layering, no true moving parts, or if there are, they are awfully dissonant."
Earth Twilight then said, "I can tell by this and our past talks that you really have musical theory down pat. Are you hoping to compose or something?"
"Well, we'd love to reawaken the world to folk music, and maybe usher in a new age of that style," answered Downy, "Maybe we can spread a new message of peace to the world that they seem to have forgotten."
"You really don't like fightin' do ya?" AJ felt obligated to ask.
"We abhor violence," Quill grumbled, "I don't know if war could ever end, but we hope maybe we can get people to always take that to be the last resort. We had a couple of foster parents who really taught us this, and taught us only to fight if there was absolutely no other choice. Always seek the peaceful way out, but never go so far in fighting for this that, if you have to martyr yourself for the cause, make sure it actually accomplishes something. The Great Mandala does not care how you live your life, only that you take your place on it, and it's only a very small part of the whole scheme of things."
"The Great Mandala," said Earth Twilight, which was echoed in the head of Princess Twilight as she listened in, and Earth Twilight said, "I understand what a mandala is, and they are incredible works of art."
"Oh, I think I've seen those in an Indian restaurant my family went to once," Rarity cut in, "They are exquisite and elaborate."
"Ah, so you understand the concept of a mandala!" said Downy, "Great! Well, the Great Mandala is created by every being living their lives and influencing the design, which is constantly changing and expanding. What we do is recorded on it, and its beauty, or lack of it, is based on how we live life and affect others. There was a war protest song written by Peter Yarrow called 'The Great Mandala,' who wanted to aim it at the folly of man and how illogical their outlook was on how someone tried to get the world's attention that the wars they were raging were wrong."
Quill jumped in here, now that everyone was intrigued by the story, and said, "But, the way I see it, he missed the whole point of the Great Mandala, and so much puts the point in the song, but doesn't really seem to understand the valid points he made. In the song, the main character dies in vain, and the rest of the world calls him a fool for doing so, and they could now go on doing stupid things without guilt. Yet, even that does not matter to the Great Mandala, because you pass through it as does everyone else. All it cares about is what you left behind. Therefore, if you fight for a cause, be wise and make sure it makes a big enough mark on the mandala for people to see and learn from, because if you lose at that, all you have lost is your life, and even wasted your life."
Sunset said, "It sounds sad, but now you have to sing this for us."
Yes, she wanted to hear it, but this was also a test: she wanted to see what happens. If it was getting stronger, she wanted Princess Twilight to see it and gauge where things were. With that, they began to sing "The Great Mandala," and sure enough, things started to happen. They took on the pony-ized look that the others could take on, and it now seemed like they were watching a music video, except they were in the middle of it. The twins, however, were so under the spell of their own music that they did not feel this odd. Once they were done with that, they said, "Hey, let's show you the other instruments, and we can teach you a few songs."
Sunset now understood Princess Twilight's worries. This was more powerful and vivid than before. Princess Twilight herself had all she could do to keep from falling under the influence of the music herself, and was amazed at actually seeing Bardic magic in full effect. The reality of it, however, was powerful and overwhelming, and she knew her conclusions were right. They had to get them back to Equestria without delay.
Meanwhile, Quill opened a couple of cases and produced a banjo and something that looked like an acoustic guitar, but only had four thick strings. He handed off the guitar to Dash and told AJ, "I thought you'd like this. This is an acoustic bass. It has a neat sound, and it won't get drown out by the other instruments."
She put it on and checked it's tuning, saying, "Hey, yer right. This does have a neat sound."
Downy then pulled out an hourglass shaped instrument with four strings, to which Fluttershy commented, "Oh, that looks so interesting. What is that?"
"It's called a dulcimer," answered Downy, "And it can either be played on the frets by an expert player, or you can use a small stick and a pick with it on your lap and play melodies by sliding the stick up and down the frets. I have all the notes marked out on it, so if you can read music, you can give it a try."
Fluttershy did know enough about music to give it a go, and she played a basic nursery rhyme, and was delighted she was able to get it so easy. "It is an easy instrument to learn," said Downy, "And I think you'll have fun with it."
She then pulled out a multistring instrument shaped like an odd pentagon with the bottom half almost flat, and on the long end was a box that went from top to bottom with 21 keys and a side button. Rarity then said, "It looks like a harp."
"Because it is technically a harp," answered Downy, "It's called an autoharp. The keys have all the major chords, minor chords, and major seventh chords. Yet, this one is special, because that extra button is the sharps/flats button. It's set in a spot that, when you push it, you can play all those chords in sharps."
She handed it to Rarity and gave her a pick, saying, "Since you play keys, I figured you could learn this one easy and play it. Just pick your chords and strum in rhythm."
Rarity took it and started fooling around with it, trying to get a feel for where all the chords were, saying, "I would say, it's not that hard a transition."
With that Quill pulled out some chord sheets and said, "If you can read these, you can play this song easily," and handed a sheet with three part harmony, saying, "Fluttershy, can you sing the high part? I think you can handle it."
"Well, I really don't like the spotlight all that much," answered Fluttershy quietly, "But I can give it a try, since this is just my friends."
She hummed the notes a bit, and then everyone started to toy with the chords and getting a feel for it. He then told Rainbow Dash, "Since you play lead, you can get lead licks over the top of us. Just improvise."
Pinkie, feeling left out, said, "What about me!"
"You can set up the cases as a makeshift drum set," answered Downy, "Just be careful not to hit them too hard."
After a bit of feeling it out, they played a song called "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes." Downy led them into it, and though it was rough at first, the magic now emanating from the twins started to permeate them, and it suddenly seemed easy to pick up on it. Before long, the twins and Fluttershy were soaring with their harmonies, and now even Rainbow Dash, who had had her misgivings about the music at first, now was absolutely jamming as if she was playing one of her favorite hard rock songs. Along with that came the phenomena from before, except the Equestrian Effect was hitting all of them, and now they were getting quite a powerful light show, and the barn and everything in it seemed to change into things that would fit the environment the magic was creating, and they almost seemed in another world now. Both Twilights and Sunset were stunned at this, and the three of them were now floating around. Princess Twilight was having all kinds of problems staying hid. When they finished, everything returned to normal, but the twins were on a roll. They broke into a song called "Across the Universe," and they started in on the first handful of measures, Quill in lead vocals. Now it was actually getting a bit more powerful, and the rest of them suddenly found it easy to improvise and sing backing choral runs as if a choir. The effect this time was to suddenly seem like they were in outer space, flying by galaxies, nebulae, and other heavenly things of which they had only been pictures. This time, everyone was floating, but they were so caught up in the magic that they were enraptured. However the two Twilights and Sunset, though hard pressed to do so, kept their heads about them, and Sunset managed to get her faculties about her and pull out her phone and get a video of this. If they were going to convince the twins, they had to see this for themselves, because those playing and singing, including the twins, were being bewitched by all that was happening. Once they were done, Pinkie was sighing in ecstasy, saying, "Ohh…galactic!" and then went back to bubbly and said, "Snack Time!"
That seemed to snap everyone out of it, and they headed over to the refreshments. Sunset and Earth Twilight said, "This is bad. This is real bad."
"If they weren't out of control," added Sunset, "I might have actually enjoyed it."
Now everyone was excited and talking, only remembering the music and how much fun it was, Pinkie handing out cake, chips, and drinks. Princess Twilight was busy taking notes, knowing this would be important when she got them back home in learning how to teach them about their own magic, and how to control and use it. "Everyone enjoying it?" asked Pinkie, which got a rousing response. Suddenly, Princess Twilight had Pinkie pop up in front of her, going, "Girl, how long are you going to hide back here? You're missing all the fun!" as she shoved some cake and punch in her hands, and then saying in a whisper, "Oh, sorry. We need to keep you secret until it's time."
She then popped back to the others as she turned the player back on saying, "Okay, game time!"
Twilight tried to figure out how Pinkie knew she was there, but she then just laughed and remembered that, even in this world, it was just best not to try to figure out Pinkie and go with the flow. After that, Sunset managed to slip over and ask, "How's it going?"
"Their magic is growing fast!" answered Princess Twilight, "It's not quite exponential, but it is close to it. That last song was incredible. I have no clue if it was real or illusion."
"Well, when do we tell them?"
"Play some games," she answered, "I can be patient. Wait until they are having such a good time that we can ease it on them and get them to accept it easier. Being blunt would be bad right now."
Sunset nodded and joined the others in the games. She'd try right before they headed to the farmhouse and call it a night.
They were laughing and having a ball at this point, and Quill and Downy felt so much like family now that they just felt…normal. Sunset knew they had to say something now, and Sunset said, "You know, those last songs seemed so magical."
"That's the beauty and power of music," said Quill, "There is magic in music, and power in harmony."
"Interesting you mention that," said Sunset, "But, I am curious: how have you two been feeling when you play."
That shook them a touch, and Downy said, "Well, that seems like an odd question, but…"
She pondered it a bit, and then said, "You know, I almost feel more and more like I'm becoming a part of the music in an almost tangible way as I play and sing as of late."
Quill pondered it, and then he said, "You know, Sissy, I've kind of felt that way too."
Earth Twilight then said, "How did you feel tonight?"
"It felt great," answered Downy, "In fact, with everyone involved, it seemed quite heavenly."
Now Earth Twilight and Sunset had to be careful. They were going to have to say something about what was happening, but they had to be believable. Sunset took a shot and then said, "Well, I'm going to tell you something. Something…"
She measured her words, trying not to drop a bombshell on them, and said, "…real magical was happening."
"Too straight," said Quill, but Sunset said, "Um…more than you think. Um… What do you believe about the supernatural and about magic?"
"Not sure what I believe," answered Downy, "But I don't believe that the universe is always closed and understandable. I mean, you can feel someone's vibes, for example, their inner energy, things their feelings give off, their aura…"
"Exactly," answered Sunset, "And I actually believe it more than you know."
"So, do you believe in karma?" asked Quill in return.
"Uh…" she muttered, and then she decided to roll with it and say, "Well, I more believe in kismet. Sometimes, things can happen…by magic for the lack of a better term…that causes one to meet their destinies."
Downy, more into such things than her brother, said, "Ooh…that sounds so neat! Tell me more!"
Sunset now had an inroad, but she wanted to take it cautious, because she was about to step into sensitive area, and even said, "Okay, in order to explain this, I may go into some personal turf, but just understand: I'm not trying to dig up painful memories, but I'm trying to help you learn something neat and interesting. Okay… Do you think things happen by random chance?"
"Oh, of course not," said Downy, "To everything there is a season," and she started to sing a few bars of "Turn, Turn, Turn," which gave the effect of a light magic touch, showing that they were still crackling with magic from their jam session. Not wanting her to break into song, she said, "Great. Now, from what you've told us at lunch and after classes through the week, you were left on the orphanage doorstep, right?"
"True," said Quill, catching on that Sunset was leading things somewhere, and he started to feel a bit uncomfortable, "And?"
"Okay," continued Sunset, "So, you never knew your folks. Are they still around?"
"We hope so," answered Downy, "I mean, they left a note that they would be back someday for us, but that has never happened."
Her face looked a bit down, from that, but she brightened and said, "But, you can never give up hope."
"Well," pushed Sunset, "Since you say things happen for a reason, why do you think it did? Do you think there might be a destiny for you two?"
Now they both were quiet, thinking about it, and Quill then said, "Come to think of it, I really haven't put much thought to it. But, what would be the purpose of doing that?"
"Perhaps it was for a reason we could learn some day," Downy answered, "If it was because of power higher than us… You know, we've been so busy just trying to get by that we've never put all that much thought into it."
Sunset then said, "Well, I am here to tell you that magic is real, but not really controlled in this world," and quickly pulled out her phone, pulling out past recordings, added, "Before you think I am crazy, I want you to see this."
She showed her the band in rehearsal and in school dances, and Quill said, "Neat special effects."
"Um…that's not special effects," said Sunset. She then looked at Dash and said, "Dash, give me some Miserlou, and really jam."
"Got it!" said Dash, ever the one to display her talents whenever the chance arose. She took up the guitar Quill volunteered to her and started to rip into it. She got into it enough that her ears and wings came out, with longer hair, and she was now floating off the floor. Now the twins were shocked, and Quill sputtered out, "What…just…happened!"
Earth Twilight was now scared that they were about to go into shock, but now that they saw it, she had to say something more towards the point. She said, "We've found magic is real, that you have it, and it ties into your fate and why you are here."
The pair looked at one another, not sure what to say, and Quill now took a defensive stance before his sister, saying, "Okay, what kind of crazy cult do you have going on here!"
"Please, don't be scared," pleaded Sunset, "We're trying to tell you something good."
They looked as if they did not want to believe, but then Fluttershy stepped forward and put her gentle hands, each one, on theirs, and said, "Please, you don't have to be scared of us. We are no cult, but we are your friends. You have to believe what we are telling you. It's okay. If we wanted to hurt you, we already would have."
Earth Twilight added, "It would make no sense to go this far and spend this much time partying if we wanted to do you harm."
Fluttershy's gentle smile and Twilight's logic started to calm them, and they began to feel a sense that there was something at the end of this they needed to know. It was not so much that they were being convinced as much as it was that they were under the effect of the leftover magic that was still running around the room trying to get them to see the truth. Now it was time for Sunset to get down to business. "Look," she said, "There was a reason why you are here in this world, and when I say that, I do not mean that some higher power created you for this time and for whatever reasons. You are here in this world by another…hand…"
She stopped, balking at saying the word "hoof", knowing it would sound odd to them, but not sure where to take it. Earth Twilight then said, "Because of the magic we know about, we have come to learn just why you were left on that doorstep."
Quill, suddenly a bit cross, not sure of the intent of what was being said or why, asked, "What do you mean."
Sunset then said, "I think this might help you to understand that we are not talking crazy talk. Twilight, you can come out now."
A bit confused at first, they were now stunned to see another Twilight emerge from the stacks and step up to the Earth Twilight, though it was clear there was a difference. This new Twilight wore her hair straight and long and had no glasses. At this, Downy fainted, Quill caught her, now afraid. He lightly tapped her face, saying, "Sissy! Sissy! Are you okay?"
The girls came up with some damp rags and laid her down on some haystacks, putting the cloths on her forehead, and Sunset then said, "Sit down, because we've a story to tell you."