//------------------------------// // Aftermath // Story: Double Twilight Love // by Mystic Sunrise //------------------------------// Cirrus and Stratos tried their best to keep their heads from spinning as Princess Twilight finished explaining everything that was going on. At her side, Twi tried her best not to panic. “And that is where we stand at the moment,” the princess finished, as faint thuds could be heard from Pearl’s bedroom upstairs. “I am so sorry. I never meant to do this to your daughter.” Cirrus finally shook her head. “It’s not your fault, princess. This was not what either of us was expecting, but I see you both care deeply for Pearl.” Stratos nodded. “I always thought the multiverse theory was good only for science fiction or fantasy. I guess not. Now we can add love to that as well.” The trio chuckled, as an especially loud thud came from upstairs. Twi looked up in concern. “Um. Should we be worried about all of this noise?” Cirrus giggled. “Hardly. Pearl is always like this when she’s in a good mood. She has been dancing around this since we moved to Ponyville. Hiding her feelings and heartbreak at what she thought was a lost chance. One destroyed before she even got to try.” Stratos nodded somberly. “It got worse the more she watched the two of you spend so much time together. Now? Pearl has something to look forward to. No matter what may happen after that.” Twilight’s ears fell. She had been afraid of that as she wrapped a wing around Twi. “And you don’t find any of this weird at all? I know many ponies do.” Cirrus rolled her eyes. “Very, your highness. But love is strange like that. You don’t need to be a genius to see how much you love each other. I admit that I want to see Mount Aris now.” Twi tapped her crown, which seemed to glow for a moment. “Well. We probably could all go. But I’m not sure what could happen if I took this back. It’s been gone for so long now.” Stratos looked at it closely. He had heard the stories of seaponies all of his life but never paid them any mind. Now? What had he missed for so long? Pearl squeed as she flopped onto her bed, wiggling excitedly. “And ponies said I never had a chance. Ha! Who's laughing now, Thunder?!” She could almost see the look of shock on the colt’s face. He had been so damn smug about it as well, saying the princess would never be interested in a mouthy little redhead like her. And Twi? Well, Pearl sighed, calming down for a moment, she was definitely cute. And she could see why Twilight loved her. It was like a fairy tale, how they came together. “Who knew glasses could look so cute on a pony?” She asked her stuffed fox, who didn’t offer his two cents. But something was nagging her and had been for months now. Maybe she needed more sleep, but Pearl swore he looked like Kohaku in a way. Which didn’t make any sense. She barely knew him, and she’d had her fox for years now. “There’s no way in hell I did it on purpose,” she grumbled. “Besides, he’s not that good-looking. I don’t know what Flurry sees in him.” “Your guess would be as good as mine," a sly voice from her open window caught her attention. Sitting up she looked and saw Kohaku there, his front legs folded and leaning against the outside sil. “Ho… how long have you been there?” Pearl growled. “Since before you walked in.” Stretching a bit he remained outside. “Don’t blame me for not you noticing.” Walking over Pearl quirked an eyebrow. “How are you hanging on there? I have no balcony.” With a grin, he chuckled. “Yeah, I noticed that. Thankfully my claws help. And don’t worry, I’m pressed in the spaces between the siding so the claw marks won’t be noticeable.” Groaning Pearl dropped her head. “That’s the least of my worries. I’m more concerned about what my parents will say when they see a fox hanging from my window.” “Well, I see two options. You can close the window and I can keep hanging out. Or you can invite me in.” Pearl looked sharply at him. His look was almost identical to the look on her stuffed fox. Taking a long deep breath she stepped aside and spread her wing in a sweeping motion toward the inside of her room. She blinked as he effortlessly flipped and landed on all fours in front of her.  “Thanks.” Walking about, Kohaku spent several moments looking over the room. Nodding or shaking his head as he came to various places. “Not bad. I guess good taste does travel between dimensions. Although the lack of Gunpla is a bit disturbing.” “What’s Gunpla?” Pearl tilted her head as she blinked at seeing his stunned reaction. “What?” “I thought the world would collapse if I ever heard that pass from any Pearl’s lips. I guess you don’t have that here.” Sitting at the side of her bed, Kohaku picked up the stuffed fox and looked at it for a moment only for Pearl to snatch it away fast.  “Not that I mind, but was there a reason you’re here?” “I wanted to see how things between you and the double lavender twins went.” Pearl growled. Of course, he had known all about them. “Way better than I thought. Now I just gotta not do something really stupid between now and when I’m old enough and hope they still think a three-way is a good idea. I’m not ripping them apart. I never thought glasses would be so cute on a pony.” She poked him. “And you still haven’t answered my question. If this is something other me is into, then I am saying this now. I am not her. Whatever we might look like. Try to keep that in mind.” Nodding softly Kohaku leaned back and rested his head on the mattress a bit. “Oh believe me I know all too well your not her. For a start your much younger, she’s about the same age as Twilight. She is very well traveled, a bit more cultured, and…” Kohaku continued slowly, counting off the various differences on his paw fingers until Pearl snatched a pillow and slammed it against his face.  “Is putting up with you on that list?” She grumbled. “Second after Gunpla,” he chuckled as he took the pillow and playfully threw it at Pearl who swatted it away with a hoof. “But she and I grew up together and was the only playmate I had around my age.” Cracking his neck a bit Kohaku placed his paws on his raised leg and sighed. “I know your not her, I’m not going to confuse the two. But no matter the universe, I’ll always be your friend. So if you ever need someone to talk to. Especially about Twi, let me be that ear you talk into.” Pearl wasn’t sure what to make of the offer, but something told her it would be worth it in the end. “Thanks. Assuming I don’t do something stupid to ruin it all between now and then. Wouldn’t be the first time.” “Well being as you’re currently not a Gunpla superfangirl. Less chance of scaring away your girlfriends. My Pearl lost so many potential mates that way. I swear they ask one question and it’s a ten-hour lecture on various model kits or series.” Kohaku chuckled which made Pearl giggle in response. “And as for what Gunpla is. It’s a series of model kits based on an anime series in our world. It’s quite extensive and very engaging. If you have the patience for it. And don’t worry about messing things up. I have a feeling both Twilights have the same forgiving nature. OH, I almost forgot.” “What?” Pearl smirked watching the fox dig in his version of a saddle bag. Taking a step back she watched him pull out a thin black glass plate, with a large half mood on the back that looked as if her hoof could connect to it. “What is that?” “Well since I’m not in this world all the time, I thought I would give you the means to talk to me. Mother and Father set it up. It’s based on the journals our Twilights use. Only, a bit more modern. Catch.” With a swift up toss of his paw, the glass plate flew toward her. Eeping slightly, Pearl reached out and gripped the plate with her hooves, she found the half mood fit her hoof perfectly and she could hold it relatively easily.  “Tap the front with your wing or hoof.” A smile crossed his lips. Pearl looked at Kohaku suspiciously and did as she was told. The device in her hoof came to life as the screen lit up and various buttons appeared on screen. With each light touch of her hoof or wing, they responded quickly and easily. “What is this thing?” “It’s a cell phone. We use them in our world. Mother enchanted it so it will work between worlds and like mine. Never has to be charged.” Kohaku happily pulled out an identical one but was forest green. “I’ve already put my number in and I have yours in mine. Here I’ll show you how it works.” Pearl blinked as Kohaku came near and was almost shoulder to shoulder to her. She had never once allowed a boy to be this close. But she was curious about the device. For almost an hour he explained every small detail of its use and even how to make calls with it. “To think. This kind of Technology exists in your world.” “Yeah, it’s amazing. I’ll have to show you about one day.” “I’d love to see it. From what you’ve explained it’s a lot more exciting than here.” “Then it’s a date. Just call me when you want to visit and I’ll personally come collect you.” Pearl nodded excitedly, already thinking of just what the other world could hold and be like. Pinkie was used to seeing new ponies coming and going into Sugarcube Corner. But as she helped clean up another table, she couldn’t help but think something was off about one pony in particular as she looked over at one spot in particular. The mare sat at a table in a corner by herself, seemingly lost in thought. Her coat was a deeper shade of pink than Pinkie’s own and her mane was almost the same shade of blond as Applejacks. “Do you know who that is?” Rarity asked, seeing where Pinkie was looking. Pinkie shook her head. “No idea! Don’t think she ever said her name. Weird. Time to change that!” Dropping off her load in the kitchen, Pinkie hopped over to the lone mare with a wide smile. “Say. Not like the food?” The mare looked up at smiled. “I love it, miss Pie. I prefer my seclusion, however.” Pinkie noticed there seem to be a slight echo to the mare’s voice but thought nothing of it. “So I never got your name?” The mare shook her head. “I have had many names in my life. I am just a passing-through pony, coming and going as I please if you will.” Pinkie giggled. “Neat! Will you be staying for a while? Ponyville is the friendliest place in Equestria. Maybe the whole planet!” The mare chuckled. “Perhaps. Many things of great importance have happened in this small town. I feel more are to come in the coming years.” Looking at the door the mare blinked seeing a green fox walk in side by side with a white mare with a flaming red mane, talking together. “Oh yes, many great things to come.” Pinkie wasn’t sure what she meant by that. But as she turned back to look at the stranger, the mare had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only the bits needed to pay for her meal. Pinkie blinked, before giggling. “And ponies think I’m weird!”