"That's the third time we've had to save Twilight this month," Amber grumbled as she sipped her coffee with her fellow Exarchs and Cosmos in the Coffee Room. "Don't ponies get it yet? It's not a good idea."
Diamond rolled her eyes. "Apparently not. And in Ponyville of all places. Her brother is cute though. So maybe it's just that." She gave Cosmos a pointed look. "I still don't understand why you're so interested in her."
Cosmos chuckled. "I have my reasons, Diamond. But ponies will learn one way or another to leave Miss Sparkle alone. The hard way if need be."
Ivy rolled her eyes. "Didn't you say somepony beat you to it, though, Amber?"
The Pegasus nodded. "Yeah. A Pegasus filly about the same age as Twilight. Aimed for that colt's most painful spot too," she giggled, as did the other Exarchs.
Cosmos' breath, though, hitched. Could it be? "Flaming red mane and pearl white coat?"
Amber blinked, as did the others. "Um. Yeah. How did you know that? I never described her."
Cosmos smiled, memories of a long-dead universe far from here returning, and the bond she had shared with five ponies—two in particular. The bond those two had shared with each other.
Ocean Breeze soon caught on and smirked. "You know them."
Cosmos nodded. "Yes. Quite well in fact, though not in this universe. A bond I will never share with them ever again, and everything we did together."
The girls all shared confused looks. Even after over a thousand years, there were still things about Cosmos they didn't understand, even as her Exarchs. Was this another thing on that already long list?
Cosmos stood and opened the door. "Raven?" She called to her secretary, who jumped to her hooves in surprise. "I need you to prepare a new decree."
Raven Inkwell blinked in surprise. "Of course, your majesty. But what shall it say? There is nothing scheduled for the foreseeable future."
Cosmos nodded. "This just came up, and it will not wait." She frowned, as the room darkened. "As for what it shall say? Anyone who threatens or harms Twilight Andromeda Sparkle and Pearl Alabaster Rose will answer to me. Any attack on them or their families will be considered an attack on the crown."
Raven gulped. In all of her years serving the crown, she had only ever seen the Empress this furious once before. A memory she pushed away as best she could. "Wait. Rose? As in the heir to the Storm family? That Pearl Rose?"
Cosmos nodded. "Indeed. And I'm sure you know the Sparkle family. I hear you're a fan of Twilight Velvet's novels," she giggled.
Raven blushed, even though there was no condemnation in the empress's voice. She finally composed herself. "Yes, well. This will take several hours to formally write up, before we need your signature, your majesty. I believe the Storm family just moved to Ponyville, did they not?"
Cosmos nodded. "They did, and I will not have them think twice about doing so. Baltimare is dangerous enough. Let us not add Ponyville to that list as well."
Raven nodded, as she turned to leave and begin the process, as Cosmos closed the door, a broad smile on her face, which left her Exarchs even more confused.
"I am so sorry about this," Cirrus sighed, as Velvet handed her a cup of tea, while Pearl and Twilight fidgeted beside them. "This isn't the first time my daughter's done something like this."
Pearl nodded, punching one hoof into the other. "Those bozos had it coming, Mom. Some of my best friends were ponies I saved from bullying."
Cirrus groaned while Velvet and Twilight giggled. "It's no harm done, dear," Velvet sighed. "This isn't the first time Twilight has been bullied either. I don't understand why though."
Twilight nodded sadly, while Pearl lay a wing around her. "I know some of them from school. Miss Sunflower has tried to stop them before, but they never listen."
Pearl winced. "Don't you have any friends?"
Twilight nodded. "Cadance and my brother. But she's visiting her family in the Crystal Empire, and he's stuck in Royal Guard training." She sighed. "Moondancer and the girls got called to the palace for some reason. I think I was meant to go with them too, but they cornered me before I could."
Pearl's heart dropped right out of her, as did her mother's. That wasn't right at all. "Then it's a good thing you've got me now," she smiled.
Twilight blinked. She rather liked being held by Pearl like this. Strange. "But why? We just met, and you don't know me at all."
Pearl snorted. "So? Some of my best friends I didn't know before I helped them. Now? I can't think of my life without them." She sighed. "And to be honest? I'm lonely. I don't know anypony in town."
Velvet's heart sank, as she and Cirrus shared a worried look. "Then you're in luck, dear. Twilight's one of the friendliest ponies on Ponyville," she chuckled. rustling her daughter's mane, much to her annoyance.
Twilight thought about it for a moment. It couldn't hurt to try at least. "Do you like to read?"
Pearl shrugged. "Depends. Do you have anything on dragons? Baltimare didn't have a damn thing on them. Or maybe fantasy."
Twilight nodded. "Several actually. I go to the Summer Sun Celebration every year. In fact," she whispered, leaning in, while Pearl did the same. "I've the Empress Dragon in her component parts."
Pearl gasped. "No way. How? I'd kill to see her in all her awesomeness."
Twilight blinked. "Really?"
Pearl nodded. "Not literally. But it's been my dream for as long as I can remember to be the world's foremost Dragon Scholar. I've been trying to get Mom and Dad to go to the celebration for years now, just so I can see them raise the summer sun."
Twilight smiled widely. "Well then. I can say for a fact that it is indeed as awesome as ponies say it is. Empress Cosmos appears to be doing most of the magic herself. But her Exarchs could also be doing something themselves. It's hard to tell."
Pearl squeed, while Cirrus rolled her eyes with a smile. "Oh, you have got to tell me more, Twilight! I can't take it much longer."
Twilight giggled before hopping from her chair and heading upstairs to her room, motioning Pearl to follow. "Well then, Pearl. Follow me. Do you have any books you no longer want? I've got plenty."
"Depends on what you got, Twilight," Pearl giggled, as the pair vanished from sight, their excited voices fading in a moment.
Cirrus and Velvet shared a knowing smile. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," Velvet giggled, as she sipped her drink.
"As do I," Cirrus giggled as well, glad for both fillies.