The Edge Of Harmony

by Alazak


CH 3

A week had passed by and Pearl finally got her store set up thanks to her new friend, Autumn. There was junk everywhere, the jumbled mess of antiques reminded Pearl of her home in Manehatten. Every day, Autumn appeared and seemed to be overwhelming happy to help. She bound from here to there hastily placing objects on shelves. Her happy shy presence was little to break Pearl from her broken dream. A constant stream of questions from the peach pegasus about her Manehatten home to her family had flooded her days. She had a lot of time to talk to Fluttershy but she mainly spoke of her animals which she seemed to have a lot of wandering her home. Mostly injured and in need of attention and others that seemed to just linger in the warmth of the yellow pegasus' love. She had only visited a few times to see Autumn but every time was meet with a glare from about a half dozen white rabbits watching her every movement. It was funny that they intimidated her so, but Fluttershy told her it was their father that had done the same. Autumn called them guardian angels, a joke only Autumn and her mother seemed to understand.

Since the store had opened, she had a flood of the local town’s ponyfolk come to see the strange Manehatten wares. In a small way, the residents were able to welcome the new resident; they would give a happy welcome and browse her things. They meet her with happy cheery smiles and the best wishes, but Pearl only gave a dead hollow smile back. She tried with everything she had to make them feel as if she felt the same. But her mind was far off in a small paper world of betrayal and lies.

The tattered book Twilight had left her was confusing, it was mostly hoof/magic written, it followed no clear path and the words were hard to swallow. It was clear that she had driven those around her to despise her and hate her for something she couldn't decipher. A tragic decision that she had prepared for, but in its execution she failed to hold together. The book had read more as if it were a diary than a novel/story book. It was all so confusing, she would go on and on about the shattering of harmony. The book in its entirety was dark and grim at some points, it made Pearl shiver to think if it were real. That was until she came across a name that made her break into a cold sweat. One word leapt from the page and shook her to her very being, Fluttershy. It was Autumns mother. The yellow cream pegasus was mentioned several times throughout the jumbled work. The tiny tear stains smudged the hoof scratched writings 'I'm sorry'. Over and over next to it and other names as well; Rarity, which she recalled Fluttershy mentioning the name that first night, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. She had spent her nights with the book trying to make out what the fall of friendship was and how it related to Twilight's situation.

In that week since moving to Ponyville, Pearl had gotten to know Autumn Breeze very well. If Pearl wasn't working during the morning or piecing together Twilight’s unusual book, she spent her days wandering Ponyville with her friend. Pearl had always wondered how Autumn's peers saw her as a flightless pegasus, Autumn really didn't seem to mind a few questions about her fear of flying. She said she had been in Cloudsdale when she was small and fell through a thin patch of cloud, she was saved by her father but it left her unable to use her wings since. Pearl felt bad for her friend but she seemed happy, Autumn said her mother didn't like flying much either so it wasn't all bad.

“So Autumn, where are we going today?” The two ponies traveled a dirt road that seemed to lead forever out of town and surrounded by the most beautiful apple orchard she had ever seen, not that she had seen many apple farms in her time. “It's a beautiful scene, to think something like this exists outside a book is breathtaking.” Pearl looked to the trees and inhaled the sweet sent of fresh apples.

“We're going to meet a friend of my mom's. Since mom doesn’t like to talk about Twilight, maybe she will.” Pearl gave Autumn a quizzical look, she only gave Pearl a little smile back, “I've only ever meet her once but she was...” Autumn sank into her hair as she recalled her encounter with her mother’s friend. “Well, mother said she wasn't always that way.” her voice barely a whisper. Finally they had come over a small hill and the farm had come into view 'Sweet Apple Acres,' a grand sign over the entrance gate read.

They looked over the farm, its’ very stylistic traditional buildings were straight out of a children’s picture book, Pearl giggled to herself. It was very cliché in its grandeur she thought to herself. But as Pearl looked more, the fields of apple trees spread further than she could even see. But the name still nagged at the back of Pearl's mind, she strained to think where she had heard it, a few good hoof taps to the noggin and then it finally came to her.

“I've heard of them.” Pearl finally recalled the name from a street vendor on her usual route to school back in Manehatten. It was only a single apple but the taste was magical, unforgettable even. “I had one of their apples back in Manehatten, it was indescribable.” she flashed back to that moment as one of the new vendors greeted her as she had purchased a random trinket and had offered her the shiny treat as thanks to his first customer. To think the place it came from was here in Ponyville.

As they approached the front gate they were met by a farmhand mare, Pearl figured. She was a light yellow that reminded her of Fluttershy but she had a deep red mane that was set in curls tied back in a bright red ribbon. A toolbox with a flower adorned her flank. The pony was a little older than Pearl herself. “Well howdy tha'r Autumn. What brings ya out ta Sweet Apple Acres?” The pony’s southern drawn accent struck her as very in place but not quite fitting with the rest of the townsfolk and also strangely familiar. She wiped the sweat from her brow and placed a hammer back into her tool box. “And who be yer new friend?” The farmhand looked Pearl over. “I'm Apple Bloom.” She held out a hoof to greet Pearl.

“I'm Pearl; I run the emporium in town.” Pearl shook hooves with Apple Bloom, she had a strong firm shake to her greeting.

“Is your sister back from her trip?” Autumn asked as the two finished their greeting. “We need to see her, it’s important.”

“Yep, just got back.” She picked up her toolbox and started for the farm house. “Come on now. We'll go see her together.” The two ponies followed and headed for the massive red farm house in the center of the main property. The farm house had stood the test of time and many trials. Pearl could tell from just looking at it. It was a well maintained home without much wear or tare. Most likely thanks to Apple Bloom, Pearl could feel she was good with a tool kit.
The three entered the house and were met by a massive pony, the likes of which Pearl had never seen. He was a huge red stallion that dwarfed all three of them. He wore a large yoke and had a half cut green apple mark on him. Autumn got closer to Pearl as he approached. He gave off a presence of pure authority; he looked to Pearl and smiled.

“Ya headed to the fields there Big Mac?” Apple Bloom asked as they approached.

“Eyup.” He responded as he passed them and went out in to the orchard. His voice was deep and assertive sealing his authority.

They went up the stairs and to a long hallway. Apple Bloom knocked on the door they stopped at. “Applejack? Ya got visitors.” Pearl felt a chill run down her spine as Apple Bloom called out that name, she had been named numerous times in the Fall Of Friendship. Hoof scratched apples danced across the pages that described how Twilight let honesty slip away from her life. Pearl looked at the door, three apples adorned the front of it and the strange red blotches that she saw on the pages started to make since. The door opened and more surprises hit her like a runaway apple cart.
“Well, I'll be hogtied and left in the rodeo. If it isn't that book filly from Manehatten.” There stood Applejack, who wore the same cowboy hat she had seen only a week earlier. She was the pony in the park after her graduation. The orange pony and Pearl could only stare at each other in shock.

“You know this here pony sis?” Both Apple Bloom and Autumn Breeze stared at the two ponies in question.
“Somethin like that. Come in, ya’ll didn't come all tha way from Manehatten just ta stand in ma doorway, now did ya?” The four ponies stepped into Applejacks office. The walls were covered in framed newspaper clippings and pictures with dozens of ponies. But one particular stood out from the rest, it had been turned around to face the wall. Papers were strung about and set into piles and organized chaos, if you would call it that. “So...” Pearl snapped out of her daze 'Pearl' she filled in her host's gap. “So, Pearl, what brings you all the way out to Ponyville from the big city bustle?” Applejack sat and so did the other three ponies.

“This,” Pearl retrieved her book from her saddle bag and laid it on Applejacks desk. “You’re Apple Orchard from the stories, aren’t you?” Apple Bloom looked nervous. Applejack looked to the old tome and leaned back in her chair. Pearl had a serious look to her as Applejack pulled the book closer.

“Ah told ya this thang would only bring tears.” She looked to Apple Bloom. She looked as if she could have killed her with her icy glare. “Why don't you take Autumn and go see the new pups. I'd like a moment with our new friend here.” Apple Bloom and Autumn both rushed from the office and closed the door behind them. “Ta think that filly Ah meet in Manehatten turned up at ma front door with this accursed thang in tow.” Applejack picked up the book and flipped through it lazily. “So yar a fan of 'ers, Ah see.” Applejack silently chuckled and sat the book down.

“That was the reason I came to Ponyville in the first place. I dreamed of meeting my foalhood hero.” Pearl was trying to gauge the cowpony's stern face.

“Oh,” Applejack set the book down; a sly smile crept to her face. “And how did that turn out?” she waited for the answer she already knew was coming.

“Tears,” Pearl shied away a little. “And this,” Pearl went back into her bag and pulled the beaten and battered book from its’ recess. “It all doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. I’ve tried to ask Autumn's mother, but she always changes the subject.” Applejack's smile died out a little and was replaced with sorrow.

“Poor Fluttershy, she took it hard.” Applejack reached for the new book, and hoofed through it. “Ah wasn't much tha egghead like Twilight, and this looks ta be a mess. What is it?” She returned the book to Pearl. “She was, is, one of ma very best friends. Twilight.” Pearl could almost see a tear form in the hardened pony’s eye. “Her and tha others. Fluttershy, Rainbow, Pinkie and that prissy Rarity. And Twilight was tha lynch pin that held us all together.” Applejack walked to the flipped picture and pulled it from the wall and handed it to Pearl. It was a bright and cheery photo of six friends standing in front of a lively oak tree library. There was more smiles and cheer in that photo than Pearl had ever thought possible, Pearl saw both Fluttershy and Applejack, they were so young and vibrant in their youth. “We had done so much good for Equestria, all tha stories in yer book there are true, to a point.” Applejack's voice became very somber as she stared out the window overlooking her farm. “After we had done so much for Equestria, they still hadn't really recognized tha heroes involved. So Twilight sought ta fit ta tell them all, in tha only way she knew how. So, she started ta write them stories. But, something went wrong. She had changed tha names of those involved except herself and made tha rest of us look like foals. We didn't understand, Twilight thought she had done tha right thing, but some of us lashed out at her viciously.” She stared at her hoof as tear fell to the floor. “Ah was no exception. Ah struck her, and it was tha most painful moment of ma life. But it paled in comparison with what had happened between Rainbow and Twi. After that, Twilight lost it.” Applejack looked to Pearl, she had just as many tears as did Pearl. The Falls words all started to make since.

“And I cut loyalty to the bone. They couldn't understand, I did it all for them. I did it...” Pearl began to recite the words from the Fall of Friendship but was cut short.

“It was a terrible day, please say no more. Now sugar cube, I’ve got work to finish.” Applejack opened the office door and both a sobbing Apple Bloom and Autumn fell into the room. Applejack didn't even acknowledge their presence as she watched Pearl leave. “Fluttershy can forgive 'er, but it’s in tha nature of kindness ta do so, and know it was all a mistake but,” Pearl turned and looked at her as she replaced the picture back facing the wall. “Until she can forgive herself, Ah'm not sure if she'll ever come back ta us.” Apple Bloom and Autumn rushed out of the office and into the hallway as Pearl shut the door leaving Applejack alone with her tears.

“Mother always told me Twilight wasn't a bad pony, just a little lost. We all get lost sometimes.” Autumn peeked from her long blonde mane.

“All my chores are done, wanna go get something to eat? I'm sure Sugar Cube Corner has a fresh batch of cupcakes ready by now.” Apple Bloom wiped the last of her tears away and gave a hollow smile; she picked up Autumn and held her so she would stop shaking.

Pearl agreed half heatedly and with saddle bag in tow, the three set out back to Ponyville.


As the three set out for the cafe to ward away bad thoughts of the last few moments, Pearl seemed distant. She had thought a lot about the words in Twilight’s books and the shattered truth of the Fall of Friendship. She thought back to so many lovely memories that were now tainted with the present. Autumn’s voice did little to bring her back to reality and the destination they had reached. They had asked Pearl if she was alright, but Pearl shrugged them off.
“There's something I need to get at the shop. Wait for me, I'll be right back.” She called to her companions as she galloped off. She knew she had lied to them, but they would forgive her, there was something important that had to be done.


Pearl hurried through the sparely crowded streets toward her destination. She rushed past a myriad of ponies all on their way here and there in the late afternoon. And in the distance she saw it, the dying tree that held its recluse fast and safe. Pearl came to a sliding stop in front of the door. It had changed itsself to close just as it did that night she first arrived but she didn't care. Pearl stood in front of the door and the look on her face could have bore a hole straight through the barricade. “I know your listening Twilight Sparkle. I read your ill-gotten attempt of a redemption and I must say, it was a sad attempt to make amends with those that would help.” Pearl continued her verbal assault of the door. “You were once my hero, I looked up to everything you wrote about. I felt a connection to you where I couldn't find with my friends. I felt I could tell you anything and even though you were only a book character, the real you seems more fictional than anything you ever wrote.” Tears of anger fell as a few ponies had hushed past the scene of the pearl white pony talking to the dead tree but Pearl didn't care. “I spoke to Applejack, she may have thought she was fooling me but I know there is more that she was letting on.” As Pearl finished her sentence, she felt an audible pop in the air as the world began to spin and gave Pearl a sickening feel.

“I lashed out that day.” A small voice came from behind Pearl, She wanted to turn but her gut wouldn't allow it. “I knew they were mad. I know that now, but I couldn't handle it then.” The onlooker ponies rushed from the town square as the world faded into darkness. “I didn't want them to feel the weight of being a celebrity, they had real lives to live,” Pearl felt the sickening feeling fade to a deep sorrow. She turned and came face to face with a deep purple unicorn; it was like nothing she had ever imagined her hero to be. The Twilight that stood before her was a shattered shell of a pony. Twilight was withered and her coat and mane were unkempt, long and tangled. She oozed with blacked purple energy. It dripped from her legs and in to the ground and it withered the grass and began to kill the very ground. “There was yelling,” Twilight turned away and Pearl felt the sickening feeling return as she was swallowed up by Twilight’s darkness. “To think, it all started so innocently.”

Suddenly grey images appeared in the darkness as if a memory was playing out in front of her.