//------------------------------// // Study Buddies // Story: What Might Have Been // by Mystic Sunrise //------------------------------// Pearl was sure she was drooling as she started on another scroll, but right now? She couldn’t care less. “Sorry to say, Twily, but this beats your note-taking by a long shot.” Twilight giggled, kissing Pearl’s forehead. “And I don’t mind, Pearl. I wish that I could meet them. I know Kohaku’s father is still alive, but I am not sure about his grandfather or great-grandfather.” Pearl snorted, as she leaned into Twilight on their shared bed. With time to spare, they were spending several days in the village, and Pearl was over the moon about everything, So many new creatures she didn’t even know existed before now, and some she was happy to call friends, or she hoped. It was hard to tell with some of the residents. Shaking her head, Pearl looked out a nearby window, which offered a great view of the Everfree Forest beyond. “Can Kitsunes even die?” Twilight shrugged. “I’m not sure. As well as we have always gotten along, it never felt right to ask.” Pearl rolled her eyes. “Goddess abo-” Twilight quickly stuffed a hoof in Pearl’s mouth and shook her head vigorously. “Pearl. If you value your sanity, do not finish that sentence.” The Pegasus blinked as Twilight removed her hoof. “Why? Is it banned or something?” Twilight nodded. “It in fact is banned, Pearl. As well as several other expressions we both know. And there is a good reason for it as well.” Pearl rolled her eyes before poking Twilight’s side playfully. “Yeah right, Twilight. Those are older than both of us combined. I’ve used them around Sakura and Sasuke, and they’re fine with it.” Twilight nodded. “Indeed. But they have power here. Far more than you can imagine. I made the mistake of saying one once.” She gulped. “I’d rather not go through that again.” Pearl went to argue, but the deadly serious look in her marefriend’s eyes told her that it was better that she never know. “Fine. Think Ponyville is still standing?” She smirked. Twilight smirked right back. “Now, Rosie. Ponyville is not that bad. Not anymore at least. Even then, Starlight has strict orders to call me if something happens.” Pearl blinked. “Really? Can she even reach us here?” Twilight smiled. “She can. Being where it is, and knowing how Ponyville attracts trouble like flies, Kohaku gave me a crystal to communicate with anyone holding the same. Starlight has a sister unit. If anything happens to her, Sunburst knows how to use it as well. And if all else fails, then Flurry Heart knows how to use it as well." Pearl nodded. That made sense, she guessed. It was a better bunch than Trixie at least. “If I’d known we’d stay for a while, I’d have brought some of my Gunpla with me. Sis just sent me a pile recently. I swear that if I miss the Witch From Mercury finale, I will blow my top. Someone has to stop Quiet Zero, and I double swear that if it isn't Suletta, then I'm marching into Bandai's offices, and having a few words with them! For crying out loud, we haven't even seen what the Gundam Calibarn can do yet." Twilight smiled. Pearl’s love of the hobby was well known. Ponyville even had a small community built around it, though only a few knew where the models came from. “Does Summer have anything to say about you calling your counterpart ‘Sis’?” Pearl snorted. “Hardly. Why would she? “The more the merrier,” is how she put it,” she giggled, before groaning and rubbing her forehead. “Oh. Damn, it all!” Twilight blinked. “Pearl. What is it?” Pearl shook her head. “Remember my first solo visit to the Human World? I saw Kohaku’s counterpart in his kitsune form one night. I think it was a test from his sisters.” She gulped. “His eldest, Kazumi, was waiting for me, Sis, and Twi, by the portal before I came back.” Twilight’s ears fell. “She knew…” Pearl nodded. “All about Equestria, me, and everything that had happened at Canterlot High. Sis and Twi were quaking in their shoes. I tried to fight her of course.” She snorted. “That didn’t work very well.” Twilight rolled her eyes. Typical. Pearl sighed. “I got the sternest lecture of my life. Kazumi couldn’t stop me from visiting, but she drilled into my head that I had seen something I wasn’t meant to and that I needed to do better.” Twilight tapped her chin. “Are you suggesting she did something to your memories? You seemed fine when you came back, and only mentioned a rather odd boy you sometimes met.” Pearl sighed. “No. I know she didn’t. I think because Kohaku didn’t always stop by, or run into me, I just forgot and never realized that since they shared the same last name, he and our Lord Everfree were counterparts.” “You girls seem to be discussing things rather seriously,” an upbeat voice chimed out as both Twilight and Pearl looked over to see a mare made of snow and ice. Wearing an apron and a soda jerk cap. “Here I brought you two something. My newest creation. Zap apple and Dragon fruit.” Placing a rather large sundae glass on the table. Filled with various colored ice cream scoops. “Thanks uh…” Pearl blinked as she shivered trying to remember the mare’s name.  “Thank you, Frosty.” Pulling out her bit purse “How much?” “For you two as usual. On the house. Lord Everfree’s acquaintances don’t pay here. I told you that the last time Princess.” Frosty Scoops giggled shaking her head before walking away. The drifting cold from the mare’s body vanished as she entered the parlor. “I still can’t believe how the sheer variety of mares there are here,” Pearl smirked as she watched a spider mare who looked a lot like Fluttershy scuttle past them, carrying half a dozen bags. Twilight nodded. “You will get used to it in time, Pearl. I remember how much it boggled my mind the first time I was here, the sheer variety of ponies and other species I’d never heard of.” “Ever tried to get them into the School of Friendship?” Pearl asked with a smirk. "With how open it is..." Twilight sighed. “Several times. But they can be remarkably stubborn, and my power is limited here. But, most of all it’s due to a law Kohaku’s father created when he founded this village. The mares here can’t leave the village unless for certain reasons. And I can’t go over anyone’s head as I did with the school.” Pearl’s ears wilted. “Remind me to never make any of his family mad, then. Assuming they ever come for a visit.” Twilight giggled, as she kissed her marefriend. “I’m sure they do, Rosie. In all my years of coming here, I have never once seen or heard Kohaku say act or otherwise. I assume it’s like how we live in a way. Letting him live and grow on his own, while always being there no matter what.” Pearl melted in the kiss with a moan. Part of her was still surprised she and Twilight were a couple now. It was a fillyhood dream come true, but it still felt like a dream. One that she never wanted to wake up from. She only wondered how they would explain all of it once they returned to Ponyville. Not that she particularly cared what others thought about her. How she would explain Summer and her relationship to her parents? That was a whole other story. And then there was her old gang back in Baltimare. Pearl was still slightly annoyed at Amber’s deception. Whatever the reason, no matter that she had been running on autopilot for most of the time, she had lied to her. Just how much did the girls know? As close as they all were, Pearl knew there were still things they didn't tell each other. Was this one of them? Kohaku hadn't said either way, so she would go to him, and wring the truth out of him if she had to, first.