In the subsequent few days since I had woken up it had probably been a week total. Princess Luna had come back to town to give her sincerest apologies to her subjects in this little sleepy town. While doing so, she even transferred funds to help pay for some, if not most of the damages to the town. She even contributed herself by working or giving insight. Within the week, the buildings that were damaged were repaired and ready for paint. The Town Hall was sided, insulated and ready for paint too. Nice thing about specters is that they can work nonstop until ordered. For the last week or so, they had worked dutifully to finish their tasks.

When I wasn't needed, I worked on the Liset in an attempt to make that final push to get it completely repaired. With everything repaired, it was time to close her in. Twilight was kind enough to help here and there with tools while I did most of the mechanical work. Speaking of repairs, Twilight and I were a couple. Skirting around the whole thing for as long as we did was not doing wonders to either of us. After a thoroughly embarrassed Twilight had returned from a very nosy marshmallow unicorn we sat down and discussed how things would work.

I think we could make this work… somehow.

I guess I might as well add too that the sex was amazing!

Twilight was addicted to sex, to put it bluntly, and I was more than happy to oblige. We went at it every night like rabbits. Ember on the other hand was not to overly thrilled about my latest relationship status, but she agreed to stay quiet. With what little down time I had that didn't involve helping the town with repairs, repairing the Liset, or fucking my girlfriend into the mattress, we simple just spent as much time as we could just being around each other.

For the first time in a millennium, I felt human.

Evidently as an apology, Princess Celestia had sent a crate full of books to the castle for Twilight to stock into her new castle library. I had been currently placing panels on the Liset and bolting them down before I was called into the castle's library. Upon walking in, Twilight waved me over towards a book that her and the girls had been gathered around, nearby Ember, Drax and Serenity listened on, seemingly having beaten me here. Explaining as to how this might have been sent by mistake, it still wasn't something to ignore.

“This is too serious to ignore,” Twilight stated. “It sounds as though Sunset needs our help!”

“How are we supposed to get there anyway?” I questioned while rereading the note a second time from the two-way book. “That portals closed. It won't open for another few years. Kinda hard to help now when our access isn't for some time.”

Twilight hummed in thought as she held a hoof to her chin before she gasped loudly and excitedly. Activating her magic, she got to work, magicking the mirror portal into the center of the room. We could only watch as she made multiple tubes, wires, and other bits and pieces of other materials and products appear before she started to assemble them around the mirror. It was a few minutes later that the thing was finished.

“Tada!” Twilight revealed, holding out a hoof towards the newly improved mirror while explaining the final calculation. The thing looked like some sort of steampunk engine when it was finished, in all honesty. It was crude, but if her calculations were correct -as I have learned, are- it theoretically should work. Levitating the book that held the message, she placed it atop the machine. “All I need to do is flip the switch and!” she led on, grasping the handle on the side. Pulling it down as hard as she could…

Nothing happened.

Twilight's smile faltered before she released the handle and slowly fell back onto all fours with a blank expression. Her ears pinned as a saddened expression took over when nothing else seemed to arise. She was devastated, I could tell. Examining the machine with a keen eye myself, I stepped up, running my hand through Twilight's mane reassuringly. I was sure I could get this thing to work, just needed some more tinkering. Rubbing my chin in thought, it appeared this was lacking a locator. Now, magical portals operate differently from Void Portals. Magic relies on the operator and the subsequent spell. Comparative to a manmade Void Portal, this type of portal requires not only the machine to create the portal, but a receiver as it were. One side to make the call and set the coordinates while the receiver receives the coordinates, together, they create the link.

We have the caller, we just need to find the receiver. I bet I could find it with a little bit of searching. “I can make this work, be right back,” I said, heading towards a nearby window. Jumping out, I headed for the ship, grabbed what I needed and came right back through the same window. “I bet I could Jerry Rig this thing to work,” I theorized as I held up the Kuria in my hand. Grabbing onto its ears, I pried the little head apart, revealing the micro-generator inside as I started to work on it myself.

A little rewiring here, some soldering here, and an attachment there, I was certain that I had it down. Creating a simple support arm from some scrap metal and a lamp post, I placed the Kuria in its grasp with the generator pointed towards the mirror. Running a wire along the arm and into a port in the back, she was attached. Stepping back, I held open my palm as a screen appeared. I had it configured for the Kuria.

“Alright, Twily,” I said while using her little nickname while examining the numbers and diagnostics on the screen while pointing a finger in her direction. “Flip the switch!”

With a grunt, Twilight flipped the switch again. This time the machine sputtered and flickered as its magical power source started to kick in. Everyone had been holding their breath but sighed disappointingly when nothing happened. With a bemused expression, I stepped closer and lifted my fist over my head.

Thunk!

The machine sparked to life thanks to that hit from my fist before firing a bright gold beam towards the mirrors surface, where it was immediately absorbed by the magical surface. Sometimes your best fix is hitting something really hard. Everyone cheered at my success, but I still had more to do to get it working. I quickly stabilized the portal before it started to collapse. Alright, all that was left was to find the receiving portal.

“Alright, I’m getting there,” I stated as I watched the screen full of numbers. Stability normal, energy levels stable, the final connection was the last thing I needed to connect. “Alright, I just need to find the receiving coordinates and we’re golden!” Swiping the screen, I quickly homed in on a faint connection. I worked the screen as fast as I could, boosting the outgoing signal.

The portal flashed a mix of purple and gold as it finally made the connection. The monitor screen in my palm flashed in success as the portal stabilized. “Numbers stable, power levels are holding, connection firm!” Closing the screen, stared at the shimmering surface. Stepping up, I placed my hand against the mirrors shimmering, water like surface. “Only one way to test it now.” Turning around, I faced my team. “Lock a load people! Ordis? We’re gonna need heavy weapons!”

Twilight grabbed a book from some of the ones that populated the library. She explained how these three girls that Sunset had described sounded similarly to those of ones from long ago here in Equestria in this universe. Sirens, but instead of tempting sailors at sea, they fed on negative energy. Powered by dark magic, their influence was near unstoppable until a great wizard fought back, banishing them from this very realm. If this were true, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibilities that this was where they were sent.

Quickly gathering our weapons, I grabbed my Odonata Prime archwing, Imperator Vandal and Rathbone hammer. Ember strapped on my Amesha medical-wing, Grattler quad-launcher, and Centaur sword, while Serenity used my Itzal stealth-wing with Phaedra heavy chain gun and Kaszas scythe.

With everything attached to our backs, I spoke up. “Let's take this like we did before. Low and slow.” Turning to Drax, he stared up at me expectantly. “Best we have someone stay here and out of the four of us, you don’t exactly blend in very well.”

The Dragon shrugged. “I will need weapon.”

“Get one from Ordis,” I told him. I started to walk away from the portal, rolling my neck. “Guess we better get on it.”

“Don't suppose we could join you this time around?” Applejack eagerly requested while the rest watched on expectantly.

“That’ll get confusing really quickly,” Serenity added as she too stepped up. “Two of everyone would just be horrible.”

“Agreed!” I nodded, while the girls each looked towards one another. They thought about it for a moment before agreeing themselves. Yeah, two of each of them would be more hassle that what it’s worth. Even with just the three of us and Twilight, less bodies means we don’t need to split our attention to protect them all.

“But I get to still go, right?” Spike requested. It was good to see him happier now. “I mean, there isn’t another one of me there! Besides, you might never know when you might need your trusty assistant!” he finished with a bashful smile while looking towards Twilight expectantly. Twilight leaned in with a smile of her own, adding an agreeable hum and a nod, nuzzling her little brother. “Yes!” he cheered, thrusting a claw over his head.

“We won’t be gone long,” Twilight informed as she approached the rest of her friends. Ember stepped up next me, elbowing me in the side playfully. Reaching over I pulled her into a playful headlock while the girls hugged their princess and said their goodbyes.

“We should be back within the week,” I added, releasing my squirming little sister. “Try to keep this brief.” Turning my head, I looked towards my squad. “So, what do you say? You all up for one last Op?”

“Hell yeah!”

“Let’s do this!”

“Alright!” I finished taking my running stance. Ember and Serenity followed suit, while Twilight did hers. Spike cracked his fingers, placed a claw on the floor and dragged his feet across the it in preparation. “I’ll go first!” I shouted, taking off as fast as I could. Once I was close enough, I dove through the portal.

“Here goes something!” Ember followed next, running towards the portal and jumping through.

“Good luck!” Serenity waved as she went through. Spike and Twilight shared a nod as they took off towards the swirling surface. Spike ran through first, followed by Twilight.

Time to raise some hell!

Human Fluttershy held out her hand as Rarity grasped it with hers, applying a bright pink nail paint to the girl’s index finger. Sitting atop the Canterlot High Wondercolt Statue pedestal, Pinkie and Applejack were playing a game of cards. Finally, resting against the statue's pedestal, Sunset stared at her magical journal while Rainbow sat next to her, tossing her soccer ball back and forth between her hands. All of them were starting to believe that their plea had fallen on deaf ears.

Rainbow sighed loudly as she stopped playing with her ball, finding it best to just hold it in her lap. “I’m starting to think she’s not coming…” she said, voicing the one thing everyone was starting to think.

I came flying out not a second later, surprising everyone there from my rather sudden and well timed appearance. Activating the jets on my archwing, both roared loudly as the flaps flared wide. Digging my feet in as best as I could I even added my hands as they started to drag against the concrete. Spinning around, on the ground, I finally came to a stop before I stood up.

“Excalibur!” The six human girls cheered happily.

“You might want to move!” I ordered immediately, waving my arm to the side to accentuate my point. Opening my shield, I held onto both edges. Just in time too, as Ember came flipping across the ground. Holding my shield forward, she planted both of her clawed feet firmly against its surface before I thrust her high into the air. Activating her jets, she used them to hover gently back to the ground.

Rainbow leaned to the side in surprise, shouting an accompanying ‘woah!’ as a bright orange wire made of pure energy shot past her. Grabbing it with my right hand, I wrapped it around my arm it and pulled with all my strength. Serenity came cannonballing out of the portal a second later, landing with a slide.

Now that is how one makes an entrance!

The six human girls came running up, shouting and hollering their cheers and overall excitement as they approached, smiles wide and inviting. “Where’s Twilight?” Sunset questioned once she was close enough. I gave her a stern glance before I stepped past her, pointing towards the portal. Standing not too far away, I held both arms open and took a firm stance.

There was a flash of light as the portal shimmered before spitting out the last two participants in our group. “GAAAAH-OOF!” Twilight screamed, then grunted as I caught her in both arms. She blinked and looked up at me before she smiled appreciatively before nuzzling against my armor. Smiling under my helmet, I squeezed her lovingly. Holding out my right arm, I caught a yelling Spike by his collar as he too came careening out of the swirling surface. I gently set him down on the ground where he shook his entire body. Next, I released Twilight, immediately she was swarmed by all of girls except Sunset. The same girl I decided to check up on.

“You been behaving?” I questioned the girl sternly while crossing my arms.

She shied away and held both hands close her chest as she nodded nervously. “...yes!” she squeaked, barely audible enough for me to hear. Reaching out, Sunset could only watch as I wrapped my hand around the collar of her shirt. “Gah!” she yelped as I aggressively pulled her towards me, pressing her face against my helmet. The girl grunted and struggled as she attempted to push herself away, but my stronger form didn’t budge.

I pointed back towards the girls that were currently distracted by my girlfriend. “They will be the judge of that,” I whispered into her ear, referring to the five girls that were meant to watch over her. Releasing her with a shove I turned around to face the group of still conversing females. “Well, you got us here," I said, turning my attention towards the group of teens, causing them to to and face me. Pulling a storage device from my back, I sent my archwing into lower orbit, the other two doing the same. Slapping the device against my chest, my armor, blade, and rifle went within it as it absorbed and digitalized them.

As my armor faded, it was slowly replaced with a pair of green cargo pants, nice shoes, a blue shirt and a ball cap with a spartan on the front. Holding up my pistol, I checked the chamber, making sure she was loaded before shoving it into a holster that was inside my waistband. Holding up my hand, my Dark Dagger appeared before I spun it in my hand and placed it in a large leather sheath in the small of my back. Said sheath was attached to my belt, holding the blade securely in place. Once I was set, I covered both weapons with my shirt and shoved the storage device in my pocket for safe keeping.

Serenity chose to opt with a pair of blue jeans, some nice open toed sandals and a simple black tank top. She opted to carry her Kogake knuckles in each pocket. Wiggling her toes, she sighed pleasantly, simply enjoying being free of her suit. Ember opted for a fire red short sleeve shirt and a jet-black skirt and a pair of running shoes. Holding her pistol in her hand, she shamelessly lifted her shirt over her chest and held it with her chin, receiving an eye roll from me. The only thing keeping her reasonably presentable was the bra she seemed to be wearing. Making a custom-made holster appear in her left hand, she placed her Euphona Prime in the holster and attached it to her bra, dropping her shirt.

Everyone looked to me for some sort of answer. “Leave her be,” I dismissed. Crossing my arms, I decided to relax a little. Something also occurred to me as I stood there. “Holy shit I’m the only male here!”

“Excuse me!?” Spike shouted from his spot on the ground, staring up at me with an annoyed look.

“You don’t count!” I countered, staring down at him. “Anyway. You might as well tell us what is going on,” I requested, returning my gaze back to the six expectant girls.

“Oh, I do hate that you had to return in a time of crisis,” Rarity said as all ten of us sat at one of the many booths that laid against the wall of the human worlds Sugarcube Corner. I laid back against the plush surface with my arm resting against the booths back with Twilight leaning against my side. Pinkie handed Twilight a soda while Rarity sat next to me. The rest of the girls sat around the table enjoying drinks or snacks of their own. Sunset sat on the arm rest next to Rarity while Rainbow, Applejack, Fluttershy, Serenity and Ember sat around the table. Spike resting in Fluttershy’s lap as she idly petted him. Pinkie opted to sit on the remaining armrest. “We have so much catching up to do!” Rarity finished excitedly.

“That’ll end in tragedy,” I joked, leaning forward I grasped my drink and took a sip from it. Next to me, Twilight held her drink in one hand and rested her other on my leg. All around us, everyone watched the two of us cuddle each other before everyone put two and two together. I could see the gears turning in their heads. “Guess?”

Rarity gasped loudly. I knew where this was headed. “Are you two a couple!?”

“I’ll tell you when I feel like it,” I hinted teasingly.

Twilight opted to blush brightly, shying away and further against my side as she decided to start sipping her drink more vigorously. Rolling my eyes, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled upwards and closer to me. She yelped at first, then giggled, blushing even harder as I smiled down at her. Sighing, she leaned forward and pecked me on the cheek while also resting her hand atop of mine and intertwining our fingers. Kissing the side of her head in return, I made it abundantly clear as to the answer they were seeking.

“So, how are things going here other then-” Twilight started, but she stopped when an arguing couple walked in, yelling obnoxiously. Everyone inside the building watched as the pair entered, yelling and shouting louder and louder with each step. Even from where I was sitting I could see the young lady was crying. Once the duo reached the counter, she turned around, yelled something at him, but he silenced her with a powerful slap.

I stood up reflexively, but Twilight held my arm, begging me not to do anything. I reassured her that I would be fine and gently removing her hand from my sleeve. I’m always fine. “Hey shithead!” I shouted at the man, turning away from the group and facing him. “Why don’t you leave the little lady alo-”

Smack!

Twilight and the rest of the girls gasped loudly, many of them holding both hands to their mouths as I spun around and planted both hands against the table we were all sitting at. I landed hard enough for the drinks on top of the table to sway, some spilling lightly. Every one of the girls were in a state of awe. Ember was halfway out of her chair, hand up her shirt and holding her pistol before I grabbed her arm. Waving her off, it shocked her, but she reluctantly sat down and waited.

“He caught me off guard, I’ll be ready now,” I said softly. Cracking my neck with a disgustingly loud crack I turned around and squared up the guy. With a scowl the man stepped forward. Cantering myself to the side I intertwined my fingers, extending my arms and pushing my palms out, cracking my fingers.

Just before my last finger cracked I abruptly turned towards the man and kicked him in the nuts!

Everyone in the room groaned, moaned, and winced in agony, many of the boys grabbing their crotches out of reflex as though they had felt the strike themselves. The man went cross eyed as he screamed out in agony, both hands snapping immediately to his nuts. He doubled over and landed face first against the floor. I stood over him victorious, not an ounce of pity to be shown. Heading over towards our table, I grabbed my drink and downed the remaining contents in one go with a satisfied sigh.

“I think we overstayed our welcome,” I said. Everyone silently agreed, rapidly finishing their drinks before rising from their respective seats. Escorting Twilight out first, we headed off into the streets. Ember, who was bringing up the rear watched as the man, still weak in the knees, stood up.

“I'm not done with you!” he wheezed, stumbling towards my sister with a growl. Pulling his arm back and making a fist, he came to a halting stop, going wide eyed at the large pistol barrel pointed right between his eyes.

Ember narrowed her eyes at him. “You touch her again and I'll kill you! You touch my brother again…” lowered her arm and pointed her pistol at his crotch. “I'll castrate you!” Simply out of fear, the man held up both hands, silently pleading for her to let him go. Lowering her arm, she lifted her leg and kicked him in the chest, causing him to fall backwards with a slide as the back of his head cracked loudly against the tile floor before she turned away from him.

Holstering her weapon, she left the man, letting him grovel against the ground as he held the back of his head in pain. Just down the street, the rest of us wondered with no destination in mind. Pinkie was explaining how there was a celebration for all the participants for the contest later tonight. Opting to go, Twilight wanted to see if we could solve this issue quickly. After several agreements and nods, Twilight held my hand as her and the girls gossiped. Ember on the other hand opted to hold my other arm, which caused me to roll my eyes, but otherwise, I accepted my fate.

During that time, Rainbow showed us a video of what they referred to as ‘Ponying Up’. Apparently, their magical potential was unlocked during song. A strange way to look at it but Twilight explained it as ‘Harmonic Magic’. With song, magic has been known to be amplified or even used. Some spells have even been created around the concept. So apparently it wasn't out of the realm of possibilities for this to happen. With them being the sole wielders of any Equestrian magical bleed off, it was only a matter of figuring out how to harness it without a conductor.

As we approached the school, I reached into my pocket and placed my armor holder against my chest, letting it replace my clothing. “Girls, Serenity and I are going to run overwatch,” I explained, slipping my helmet over my head while Serenity waited for her armor to finish, placing an Arcane Trickery in the back of my helmet with a click, I tossed her a second. “Ember just hang out and blend in,” I said, causing my sister to stop and look up at me in confusion before turning to face the girls. “If what you say is true, I want to get a good look without being recognized.”

Entering the school, I held my pistol in my right hand and hid it behind my leg. Serenity did the same as we approached the gym. The place was looking pretty good after the state we left it in, then again, we didn't do a whole lot damage to this half of the school. We could hear talking and music playing from the closed doors up ahead. Just as we reached the entrance, Twilight turned to face me with a look of worry and concern. Wrapping my free hand around the back of her head, I placed her forehead against my helmeted one.

“I love you,” she whispered, kissing my helmet.

“Love you,” I whispered back. Releasing her, both Serenity and I faded into nothing more than a blur in the dim lighting. “We'll be in the rafters, we'll keep in touch with this,” I said, slipping an earphone into Twilight's ear while Ember did the same. With one last firm nod of determination, the girls opened the doors. With Ember being the last one to fall in behind them, Serenity and I slipped in undetected. I made a jump for the rafters while Serenity clamored up the wall. Squatting, the two of us waited in the ceiling.

It also occurred to me that I have no clue what these Sirens even look like. Nothing seemed to happen for some time. It was just a bunch or hate glaring, an argument here and there, and our savior’s sitting right below us. I was starting to get bored waiting for something to happen or someone to show up.

“‘Cal,” I heard Ember whisper through her ear piece. “The three by the door.”

Adjusting myself, Serenity and I turned to face the door. Just in front of the door stood three teen girls. One with blue skin, one orange, and one purple. All three of them dressed like punks and delinquents. I continued to watch them as they made their way across the gym floor and up the bleachers to take their seats. Letting my cloak fade, the natural darkness up here along with us being above the lights let us blend perfectly. These three looked like anyone else other than their choices in fashion.

But as I found out once before, looks can be very deceiving.

As I watched them, I noticed they each wore a little red trinket around their necks. All three of them were identical. They looked very similar to-

…

I knew exactly where they came from! It was the same gem that the sirens in the pictures were wearing. As I saw before, magical power must have a catalyst. Twilight's crown is what brought power to this would, safe to say that their necklaces work the same. Scanning them from my position, I pulled up their diagnostics. Their material structure was that of a diamond, a blood diamond to be precise. But the power they held within was of major concern. But it appeared as though their power was fading. These three were on a time limit. So, if they were going to act, it was going to be soon.

Perhaps it would have been better to stay on the other side of the portal?

“Serenity,” I whispered. “Take a look at this.”

Sending her what I found, she examined them herself.

“That's interesting,” she whispered back.

“I know.” Adjusting myself, I glanced down and found the rest of the girls. All of who had looks of determination on their faces as they held hands. My eyes went wide, I knew what they were going to do. “Twilight stop!” I whisper shouted. She froze just as she was about to say something, both eyes shooting open. “I have what I need. Don't give yourself away.”

She looked around the room to see if anyone was watching before acknowledging me. “But what about the sirens?” she whispered.

“It's them, I know its them,” I answered. “If what you told us back at the castle is true, we don't need them to feed off the magical energy that has bled off into this world. We need to keep them weak.”

“What do you want to do then?” Ember questioned from her spot not too far away from the group. “We should deal with them right now!”

“To many witnesses,” I replied, surveying the number of students that populated the gym. “Pull out. We'll meet you out front. We can tackle it later. ‘Cal out.” Turning towards Serenity, I gave her a nod to follow me as we worked our way towards one of the ends of the gym. Popping open a vent, she crawled in first as I followed. Weaseling my way inside, I followed my partner until we popped out on the roof. Quickly jumping off, both of us swapped out our armor for our previous garb. Waiting by the door, it wasn't long before everyone else came out.

“What was that all about!?” Rainbow huffed angrily. “We could have taken them!”

“Or you could have lost,” I countered as I stepped forward. Everyone but Rainbow had a look of concern as I continued. “Or people could have gotten hurt. Maybe killed. Or perhaps both. But my point still stands.”

I opened my palm, a holographic image of the siren’s gems and the glowing power within. “These necklaces are the source of their power, much like Twilight's crown. It's a catalyst.” I closed the image before to many prying eyes could catch a glimpse. “They are probably looking for the one thing they need in order to gain enough power to cause some form of serious harm.”

“Do you think they are looking to attack Equestria?” Twilight asked, worry in her tone.

“I highly doubt it,” I replied. “If they have been here as long as I think they have, they have no idea that there is a means back.” I crossed my arms and pointed at the rest of the teens present. “I think they were drawn here by that ‘Orbital Rainbow Cannon’ you six fired off last time.” It's not like that thing was very subtle. Anyone paying attention could have seen that thing from space.

Sunset lowered her head in the back of the pack and rubbed both arms shamefully. Perhaps she has changed.

“So how do we fight them?” Serenity questioned.

Sunset lifted her head. “What about a spell?” I turned to Twilight expectantly. She looked away from Sunset and towards me, then to everyone else.

“Uhm…” Twilight started nervously as she grabbed some of her hair and spun it around her finger. Suddenly be placed on the spot made her step up next to me, leaning against my side. “I… might be able to come up with something… maybe?”

I wrapped an arm around her reassuringly, which caused her to smile appreciatively. “I'd like to do this as fast and discreetly as possible. But we need to keep a low profile. We have what they want, but they don't know we have it and I want to keep it that way. Understood?”

All nine girls nodded with determined affirmation.

“Hey guys, what did I miss?” Spike questioned as he wandered up.

All of us blinked down at him. “Spike? Where did you go?”

“The kitchen,” he shrugged. I could see crumbs on his muzzle and a slightly distended stomach as he spoke.

Twilight sighed and grabbed her head, shaking it. “Of course, you were…”