> Double Twilight Love
>  by Mystic Sunrise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Uninvited Guest
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the World Mirror powered up, Princess Twilight's frown grew. This was not what she had expected for today. Why would Sci Twi say they needed to talk, and now of all times? It sounded urgent whatever it was. But why couldn't they have done it over their Private Journal?

A moment later, her twin came stumbling out of the portal. Twilight was glad to see that she had been able to stick the landing on this side at least. Now if only they could work on the other side, as she walked over. "What is wrong? You said it was important."

Twi nodded, deciding that their usual greeting could wait. "It is. We have a problem, and I am not sure how much longer we can keep her from doing something."

Now Twilight was really concerned. "What do you mean? Who? Is someone else corrupted by magic? I thought the last of it had been taken care of with the Memory Stone."

Twi shook her head. "No, thankfully. But I would almost take rogue magic over this." She sighed. "It is Pearl."

Twilight's brows rose in surprise. "What about her? Rainbow's only said good things about all they have done together. We did find her counterpart. Well, Rarity did actually. But I will let Rainbow tell her that. And I trust her enough to not blab about what happened at the party. If she can keep Kiyoko and her family's secret to herself for as long as she has, I think Equestria and magic are fine. I don't know her very well, but she does not seem that bad."

Twi nodded, smiling sheepishly. "That is true. But-"

Before she could say more, however, the portal shimmered once more, before out stepped a young Pegasus, wobbling on her back legs for a moment, before falling down to all four. Once her eyes stopped spinning, she looked around and rolled her eyes. "Of course, it is in a library. Where else would it be?"

Twilight frowned in annoyance. The Pegasus's fiery red mane and brash temper said all she needed to know who this was as she stood to her full height. "Miss. Rose. Might I ask? What are you doing here?!"

Pearl, though, was unfazed, as she smirked. "What? You never said I could not come and visit. And after everything Rainbow's said about Equestria, figured now was as good a time as any. So here I am."

Twilight's eyes twitched. Damn it. She never had said anything about that, had she? "Okay. But how? You do not go to Canterlot High. I would think this would raise a lot of red flags with Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna."

Pearl nodded, her ears falling at something. "My family name carries a lot of weight in Canterlot, princess. Second only to the Everfree family in fact. Hell. Our name is on the founder list of the school. I hate throwing it around like this. But I could not take it anymore."

Twilight's ears fell in sympathy, as she shared a look with Twi. One look in the young girl's eyes told the princess all she needed to know. Pearl knew how much trouble she was in, that this had been a bad idea probably, but she had not been able to help it. She sighed. "You are right, Pearl. I never said you could not visit. But I would appreciate some warning next time."

Pearl nodded, as Twi put a wing around her. "How much trouble am I in, Princess Twilight? Are you going to throw me back through? Ban me from ever coming back?"

Twilight shook her head. "By all rights, I should, and bar you from ever coming back." She put on her best smile as Pearl sniffed and her head fell. "But I will not. It is not fair to you or anyone else."

That helped Pearl's mood as she smiled slightly. "So, I'm not gonna cause an inter-dimensional incident, am I? Kohaku kept saying I would. But what does he know? He tries not to even think about this place."

Twilight giggled. "Hardly. Nopony in Ponyville knows you except my friends and me. Your family does not live here, so you will not meet yourself."

Pearl's ears perked up. "You found, well. Me?"

Twilight nodded as she nuzzled Twi. "Rarity met them in fact. By accident, it must be said. Your mother is the branch manager of the First Equestria National Bank in Baltimare, and your father owns one of the largest shipping lines in Equestria. You are privately tutored from what I understand."

Pearl chuckled. "That's mom and dad. Glad to see some things never change, no matter what world it might be." She pawed the ground. "Look. I am sorry about this. But mom and dad are gone for the week, and I had nothing else to do. I can go back if I have to."

Twilight shook her head, kissing Twi on the lips as her love made a hasty exit, suddenly remembering what time it was. "No, you do not have to go back. Not yet at least. Rainbow is away with the Wonderbolts this week, so I am sorry to say you will not be able to see her. Unless you know how to fly."

Pearl rolled her eyes. "I could use a break from her, actually, And I thought Kohaku was full of energy and had a big head. They're tied basically. I all but had to glue her down at Sebring."

Twilight giggled. "Twelve hours is a long time, and even more so for Rainbow Dash. She did say she liked the race, though I do not understand it myself. She has commented on your hobbies, though, and I admit that I am interested in, what did she call it?" She tapped her chin. "Warhammer? I think it was?"

Pearl brightened at this. "You mean my Sons of Mallus, Astral Templars, and Blades of Dawn Stormcast Eternals armies for Age of Sigmar? Kinda surprised she sat through all of the lectures I gave for Games-Workshop's stuff." She looked around the library but saw nothing she recognized. "Do ponies even have stuff like that around here?"

Twilight nodded as she led them to a nearby table. "We have tabletop wargaming if that is what you mean. Hooves are not the best for model making, though they are getting better at adapting things to work with non-magic using ponies. Spike can tell you how useful claws are for assembly and painting."

Pearl snorted. "Not as good as hands I bet, and a whole lot of patience. Mom and dad can tell you what I'm like when I am building or painting a new unit or character. Especially if it is for an army I play. I have literally kicked people out of my room in some cases. Kohaku usually helps with that."

Twilight smiled. It was always good to hear someone talk about what they loved, even if she did not understand it all herself. Even if she did not approve of Pearl's use of violence. "It does sound interesting. If what Rainbow has told me is true at least. She does not get it though, but she is trying."

Pear smiled widely, a devious glint in her eyes, and Twilight suddenly wondered if maybe she should have kept her big mouth shut. "Oh, princess. You have no idea."





By the time Pearl returned home several hours later, Twilight's mind was spinning from all she had been told. She had never thought Pearl could lecture so well or so patiently. Oh, how wrong she had been on both accounts. She was rather proud of the youngster for it all.

While the in-game universe sounded far too dark to her in many ways, it was the extensive range of models that had caught her attention. So many different things and ways to paint them. Maybe even play games with them if one so wanted to. And Twilight would be lying if she said she wasn't curious to know more.

The thought would not leave Twilight alone for a long time after that.
> Long Overdue Gift
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

No matter how many times she did it, Princess Twilight was never ready for the feeling of her body being twisted and contorted as she passed between worlds. She at least now knew to brace for the exit on the other end, as she shot from the base of the Wondercolt statue.

This time, like last time, she landed on something soft. "Did we finally get a permanent mattress for this stupid thing?" She grumbled.

Sunset chuckled as she helped her friend up. "Only today actually. It looks too weird to leave it out any longer. We have enough trouble keeping the portal a secret. No matter who might be helping us."

Twilight sighed as she looked around and saw that it was just the two of them. "Where is everyone? I know it's Lunch period. I thought you girls ate out here on a nice day like this?"

Sunset nodded sheepishly. "We do. Twi got called away by Professor Everfree actually. She did not say why, but Twi looked like she was being led to her execution. I have never felt so small before. Not even with Princess Celestia. And I think this was her in a neutral mood. I do not wanna think what she's like when she's angry."

Twilight gulped. Knowing now what they did about the family, she could only imagine what a kitsune as old as the professor was like when she was mad. She dug around her backpack, though, trying to put those distressing thoughts aside. "Well. I wanted to give her this. I totally forgot about this for months."

Sunset's brow rose, but she smiled as she saw a familiar journal was revealed, now with Twilight's starburst cutie mark on it. "I had almost forgotten about this. It would be nice not to have to share with you two. You use up pages like it's going out of style or something."

Twilight giggled as she held the journal close. "Princess Celestia gave it to me after the Friendship Festival. Since you didn't take your journal with you all to the coast, and with school just starting, I felt it wasn't right to say anything."

Sunset rolled her eyes as the duo entered Canterlot High. "Well, I'm sure your girlfriend will be more than happy to get it. I know how hard it was for Princess Celestia to make mine. And that was before my evil phase as well. Do you need to go back so soon?"

Twilight shook her head. "No. I cleared my schedule for the day. The Canterlot Elite was not happy about it, but I really do not care. How Princess Celestia and Princess Luna do so is beyond me."

Sunset giggled. "Trust me, I know. The girls should still be at Lunch right now. You can fill us in. We wanna hear the full story of the Friendship Festival."

Twilight managed a smile at that.





Sci Twi breathed an audible sigh of relief as she left the office she and Professor Everfree had been meeting in. "And I thought that first exam was stressful," she mumbled, rubbing her forehead.

A chuckle came from behind the closed door. "You must learn to relax, Miss. Sparkle. Riko already has enough on her hands. I do not want to add to it with you. You act like I will bite your head off."

Twilight's eyes twitched. Darn it. She really needed to learn to keep her thoughts to herself. Kazumi could hear much better than she could. Of course, she had heard that. "Yes, ma'am."

Kazumi chuckled. "If you hurry, you should be able to meet your friends for lunch. And maybe more if I am not mistaken."

Twilight wondered what she meant by that last part, but decided to hold the question for now, as she headed for the Cafeteria. She was hungry, and she could use some of Pinkie's energy right now. All of it actually.

When she got to the Cafeteria, however, she was surprised. Seeing her friends together was always a good sign. It was who sat with them that shocked her, as she headed for the line to get her food.

"You never said you were visiting today, Twilly," she said, scooting next to her girlfriend, who was happy to make room for her. "That is just rude."

The princess just smiled widely. "Surprise. Sunset told me where you were. How bad was it?"

Twi slumped a moment. "I would almost have done the first exam all over again. At least then, it was not just me. But now? I have never felt so small before."

"Was she mean?" Fluttershy asked with a worried gulp.

Twi shook her head, beginning to eat. "That's just it. Professor Kazumi was nothing but professional and nice. But that does not change the fact that I was a nervous wreck the entire time."

Twilight put an arm around her girlfriend, who was more than happy to lean into the embrace. "Well. I might have something that could help with that. I know you have been wanting this for a long time now."

Twi's brows rose as the princess dug around in her backpack. Her eyes widened in surprise as a journal was revealed, the familiar starburst cutie mark on its cover showing what it really was. "Is that?"

Twilight nodded happily. "Our very own Cross Dimensional Journal. Now we don't need to use Sunset's anymore! It was getting harder and harder to keep it user-friendly. With this, we won't need to anymore."

Sunset rolled her eyes as Twi squeed, holding the Journal close. "Thank you! What took so long? It's been almost a year since we first went to Mount Aris."

Twilight nodded, pinching her nose. "I know. Real-life got in the way. And honestly? I kinda forgot about it for months. Princess Celestia just gave them to me after the Friendship Festival. I was able to make time for them today, but not for long I'm afraid."

Twi just smiled, before kissing the princess on the lips, earning a contented sigh from her twin. "Well, I think it was well worth the wait. You can't stay though?" 

Twilight smiled a little. "Not for long. Applejack wants my help tonight for something, and it's the middle of the afternoon in Equestria right now. So, I've got a few hours to waste at least."

The present Applejack briefly wondered what it could be but decided to keep her nose out of her counterpart's business. It had been weird enough at the party. This was too much even for her. "Better not waste it then," she smirked.

It was a sentiment Princess Twilight could whole-heartedly get behind, as she finished off the lunch that Granny Smith had been kind enough to give her.
> Answers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Are you sure about this Twilight?” Spike asked with a whine as he stretched.

Sci Twi pinched her nose. “I mean it, Spike. I do not know who else to ask.” She looked at the journal on her desk. “And after what we saw in the Memory Crystal,  this is all I can think of.”

“What about the pony princesses?” He replied with an unconvinced look. A look that he seemed to be using more and more often these days.

Twilight shook her head. “I tried. They can’t read it either. What’s the worse they can do?”

Spike rolled his eyes. He could think of a few things. “Seeing what one did to other you… I can think of a few things. None of them pleasant.”

Before Twilight could respond, however, there came a knock at her lab’s door. She was glad as well, as she went to open it. She put on her best smile as the door opened. “Miss Starsong. Thank you for coming on short notice.”

“Oh think nothing of it, dear. I kinda figured you’d be calling on me sooner or later.” Starsong chuckled as she removed her jacket. “So where is it?”

“Where’s what?” 

“The book you wanted to ask me about. I may not be an oracle anymore but glimpsing the timestream has always been a trate of my clan.” Sitting down Kiyoko smiled tenderly.

Twilight fought back an eye twitch as she grabbed the journal. “Here it is. I’ve gone to everyone, and everypony, I can think of. No one can decipher this. I’m beginning to think that this isn’t human at all.”

Starsong took the journal in hand and sat herself down in Twilight’s chair. One leg crossed over the other and with one hand opened the pages. Staring at it coldly. Twilight’s eye twitched as a shiver ran down her spine. It was identical to how Professor Everfree sat and went over grade books. Leaning up against a table, Twilight stood there silently as Kiyoko flipped page, after page, those cool moonlight eyes scanning the words silently. 

“Well?” Twilight finally asked after fifteen minutes had passed.

“Well, you’re right. No human or pony wrote this down. This is old, very old. I would say a product of the lost Hippogryphs. They were the only ones to use such dialect, of course, that was thousands of years ago.”

Twilight wracked her brain, but came up empty. “There’s no record of hippogryphs as far as I know. I even asked some of the none pony species, and not even their oldest records mention that name.”

Closing the journal and setting it aside, Kiyoko folded her hands on her lap and looked at Twilight as if she was a newborn kit. Slowly shaking her head. “I forget how young you all are. So much has been lost or written out of existence. They were a dying race when my mate and I came to these shores from our world. They hated outsiders, almost xenophobic. They always kept to themselves. Hiding away in their mountain peak or under the waves. Where do you think all those sailor tales of mermaids come from?”

Twilight nodded. “I’ve seen the ruins. There was something… wrong about all of it. From what, I don’t know. It almost felt like. Something had been unleashed when the Pearl had been found.” She looked at her own necklace, sitting on its mannequin. “And maybe that’s why I became a mermaid and Twily a seapony, the first time we were there.”

Nodding slowly, Kiyoko smiled. “Well, the two are essentially the same. Mermaids, seaponies. But something being unleashed? It’s possible. But not my concern.” Tossing the journal over to Twilight who caught it with a surprised look as another appeared in Kiyoko’s hand. This one was made of hard night blue leather with silver bookmark streamers. “I’ll leave this with you. You might find it useful to read that. Although I’m not sure if I’m doing you a favor or not. What’s written there is no love story. And I’m not sure you’ll enjoy what it has to tell.” 

“Huh?” Twilight looked at the journal, for a moment her hands trembled. Looking up she saw that Kiyoko had dawned her coat again. “Your leaving?”

“I am. I’ve given you want you needed, even if it’s not what you wanted. I’m giving you a bit of advice both as a seer and mother. Sometimes it’s better not to jump down the rabbit hole. Say hello to your beloved for me. Pearl keeps asking when Rainbow is visiting again.” Without waiting for so much as a goodbye, Kiyoko left the lab.

Twilight ran to the door and flung it open only to find the hallway dark and deserted. Her eye twitched rapidly.

Spike gulped. “What was all that about?”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know, Spike. There was something in there she didn’t like, or something happened in the past between her and whoever wrote the journal. I don’t know. And I don’t want to know.”

“So you’re not curious at all?” He asked with a knowing smirk.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “I am. Maybe I was seeing things. But she was angry. Perhaps furious.”

“What did you do though?” Spike asked with a whine.

Twilight blinked, before rubbing his ears with a smile. “Nothing. This wasn’t aimed at me, or something I did. This goes back further than any of us know.”

Spike wasn’t convinced though but knew better than to argue when his best friend had an idea stuck in her mind. “You’re going to read it anyway, aren’t you?”

Twilight giggled. “Of course. I have to know. Who knows? Maybe it’s not as bad as Starsong makes it out to be.”

Spike somehow doubted it would be that simple.
> A Throne Empty, A reign Incomplete/ A Heritage revealed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And you've not had much luck since?" Princess Twilight asked as she watched her love try and decipher the journal.

Twi shook her head. "Some. This was written by someone named Queen Novo. From what little I can read, it seems to have been her own personal journal. But that's it for the moment."

Twilight rolled her eyes. It was a start at least. "You're not worried about how Starsong reacted? I didn't think she could be as upset as you say she was."

Twi stopped for a moment and then sighed. "I've met her since then. Never bringing this up of course. She was kind and motherly both times. Whatever caused her reaction, I had nothing to do with it. Aside from being the messenger. Professor Everfree hasn't been treating me any differently either."

Twilight nodded. That was good to hear. "I ran into Kohaku on the way here." She giggled. "I think he's upset Pearl ran off to Equestria without telling him. Love does that to people I guess."

Twi giggled. "Well. If Equestria is still standing after she and Rainbow Dash are done with it? I'll consider it a miracle. I hope Starlight knows what she signed up for when she agreed to look after them."

The two shared a laugh at that, before lapsing into silence. The princess wished there was more she could offer here. But this was something outside of her experience.

Looking at a random page, however, something strange began to happen. The letters, which a moment before she had been unable to read a single one, began to sort themselves into words. A moment later, the indecipherable words began to translate themselves into words that she knew. Her jaw dropped.

Twi saw this and gave her a confused look. "What is it?"

Twilight pointed at the page. "Are you not seeing this? I can read this!"

Twi laughed. "Yeah right, Twily. I can't read most of this. How can you read this?"

Twilight sat up a little straighter in her chair. "I just realized something. Alicorns embody pony kinds. All of them. I change into a seapony every time I transform, correct?" Twi nodded. "Therefore, it stands to reason that since hippogryphs could change into them as well, I can read their language."

Twi thought about that for a moment. It made sense, now that she thought more about it. "So how come I'm having so much trouble reading it? I'm an alicorn too. Remember?"

Twilight tapped her chin. "You're also a mermaid. They may be this world's form of a seapony. But maybe the language didn't translate into this world. Hence why it's still in hippogryph, and why you're having so much trouble reading it."

Twi frowned. She hadn't thought of that. "So, what then? I let you do all of this? Might make things easier."

Twilight giggled before booping Twi's nose. "Oh, no. You're not getting out of this, young filly. You were on the right track up till now. Look here," she said, pointing at what seemed a random squiggle near the top of the current page. It almost looked like an ocean wave. "This is the dating system. Have you read anything about it, yet?"

Twi blinked, before slapping her forehead and quickly flipping back to the start of the journal Starsong had given her. "No. I've been so caught up in trying to just understand any of this that I didn't think to look at anything else. It even has a Table of Contents."

Twilight rolled her eyes as her love began to read. Of course, it did. What book wouldn't have one?

For a few moments, Twi went back and forth between the two books, a look of concentration on her face. One the princess knew well, and so knew to keep her counsel to herself for now. Finally, she smiled. "Okay. If I'm reading this correctly, the date roughly translates to First Tide of the Month of High Sun. Whatever any of that means. Their calendar I guess."

Twilight nodded as she looked down the page. Her eyes widened as she read. "No," she whispered, hoping she was wrong. But the more she read, the more her horror mounted.

Twi gave her a worried look. "What is it?"

Twilight shook her head as she looked at her. "Do you really want to know? Starsong was correct. This is no love story. Or even random political thoughts."

Twi groaned before throwing her hands up in the air. "Spit it out already! It can't be that bad. Can it?"

Twilight shook her head sadly and began to read.

‘Damn that seer! Again she came, hoping to end our ways. What does she know? Just because she married a kitsune, she thinks she can change us. Fool! Mount Aris has survived for as long as we have because we will not tarnish ourselves by mingling with other races.

Once was more than enough. Yet she continues to come. Skystar says it’s time we do something about it. As young as she is, she already has the makings of a great ruler when the time comes.

Yes. It is time I did something about this. And I know just the thing. Starsong has several nest mates, as she calls them. But I only need one. And I know just the form to do it.’

Twi blinked. “I didn’t know she had any sisters.”

Twilight shrugged. “Neither did I. But there’s more.”

‘Success. One slain dragon was all it took. I took more pleasure in slitting her throat than I thought I would. But it felt good all the same. War is inevitable now. Who knows?

Maybe I’ll get a nice kitsune rug out of this.’

Twi’s hands covered her mouth in shock. “Why? Isolation is one thing. But to murder someone else in cold blood? For what? To start a war?”

Twilight nodded sadly. “It appears so. The next little bit is just random thoughts on what Novo would want her new rug to look like, and maybe adding a dragon one as well.”

Twi’s face turned green at the thought. “How can anyone be so cruel? She sounds like she’s enjoying this.”

Twilight had no answer to this. “I don’t know.” Twilight looked through a few more pages when she came across a few that were stuck together. After a few moments was able to separate them only to find that they were both stained red. Both Twi and Twilight blinked seeing the dark red splotches. 

“Do you think?” Twi muttered as Twilight nodded and turned the page again. More was written but the writing was angled and far less graceful. And written in the same dark red that stuck the pages together.

‘To those reading this, know that this is a diary of blood. Let it be a lesson to those to try to plunge their world into war. I have seen it once, I refuse to see it again. May the gods have mercy on their souls. For I will not.’

Under was signed the letters AE. Twi was certain she had seen this script before but couldn’t place it.

Twilight tapped her chin. It soon clicked. “Those tracks the guild members found on the beach. One of them had to be kitsune tracks. The other was definitely an eastern dragon.”

“But why would they be on Mount Aris?” Twi asked.

Twilight could only shake her head in sorrow. “Think about it. Starsong’s nest mate’s murder started this war. She tried to stop it, and I can only assume her mate did the same. But it was long past any point either side would listen,” She sniffed. “This was no longer just for a single death. This was a cycle of revenge for loved ones lost. A never-ending cycle, for I doubt kitsunes or eastern dragons would ever stop.”

Twi’s eyes widened as something finally clicked. “Dragonsong.” Twilight only gave her a confused look. “The song she sang at Spectrum. I thought it was just for the Dragonsong War in the game. It’s not.”

Twilight closed her eyes, nodding softly. “She sings it as a reminder. Of everything she and her mate had to endure before they came to this world. Of a war, they never wanted a part of.” Leafing through the rest of the journal, she shook her head. “There’s nothing after this. It was her diary. Queen Novo’s. Her words, her actions.”

Twi blinked. “A Throne Lying Empty, A Reign Incomplete.” Falling into Twilight's arms, Twi gasped. “He killed her, the one who started it all. Probably as she was writing.” Twi shivered. She knew that Kitsunes were fearsome creatures, having learned about it from Pearl. But she never thought that they were capable of this.

“He was probably tired of seeing his beloved suffer.” Closing the journal Twilight tossed it as far from them as she could. 

Twilight could not blame her as she held Twi close. “Then the locket you found? It belonged to Novo’s daughter. She must have come here as they did.”

Twi nodded sadly. “She wasn’t the only one. Mermaids are found all over the world. I don’t know if that was a hippogryph ship or not. But they scattered across the world.”

Twilight nodded, as they lapsed into silence, too much they did not want to think about on their minds.







"I... I'm so sorry miss Starsong.. had I known, I never wou..." Twilight blinked as a cookie was shoved into her mouth. 

Starsong smiled looking out a window of her office at her young boy playing. "it's not your fault, and you have nothing to be sorry about. I came to your lab because I wanted to. I knew what was in that journal yet I read it anyway." 

Turning around she smiled at Twilight who was now, eating a second cookie from the plate. "My mate and I put that life and times behind us long ago. We're happy, full, and content. Some wounds may never heal as cleanly as we like, but we have built bandages of love around us to keep them from fully reopening. You understand right?" Twilight nodded. "Good, stay for dinner, we're having a cookout. Your future mate and her friend are coming later, so Pearl won't be so down. So why don't you finish those and have some fun with those two out there till they arrive." Kiyoko smiled and ushered Twilight out the double doors to the pool area.

“Wait… about Novo’s daughter. Was that locket hers?” Twi lightly pushed back and looked up at Kiyoko who smiled sadly nodding her head.

“She and her people were the last of those who like my mate and me, didn’t want to wage war. We sought peace. And after coming here, went our separate ways. Never again interfere with each other.” Kiyoko took a step back and sighed. “They kept that diary, made copies. As a reminder of what had been. And to never again make the same mistake. But mortals being who they are.” Kiyoko sighed sadly. 

“Is that why you wrote Dragonsong?” Kiyoko nodded. 

“My way of never forgetting.”

Twi could only nod. “I’ll never be able to play the game the same way now. It was sad before. But now…”

“Well, ponies now have a chance to learn from history. To not make the same mistakes. Twilight needs someone beside her who can help with that message.” cupping Twi’s face with both hands she looked into those eyes and smiled as if she was the girl's mother. “And there is no one better for that, than you.”

“Why me?” Twi felt the locket leave her pocket. Watching as Kiyoko opened it she showed her the waterlogged picture. With a wave of the older woman’s hand, Twilight gasped. 

“Did you not think some of their kind remained on land? Or why the Pearl responded to you as it did. How you were drawn to this like a moth to the flame.” Placing the restored locket in Twi’s trembling hands Kiyoko moved and sat behind her desk. “I’m sure you can see it now. Why my daughter placed such high standards on you in your education? Why I gave you what you needed to read that Journal? And why you so perfectly resemble the young child in that pendant.”

Looking at the picture of Novo and her daughter Twi shivered. Looking at a picture of herself as a child.

“Sometimes genetic resemblance can take place hundreds or thousands of years after the fact. But it is there.” Twi looked at Kyoko trembling. “Yes, Twilight. You are the lost descendant of Queen Novo and her daughter, Princess Midnight.”

Twi couldn’t bring herself to respond. This explained everything. Why she felt so at home in the water, why she only used her mermaid form, and why part of her felt so at home on Mount Aris. “Every time I use my pearl. Why it feels so natural to be in the water… I’m going home. No matter how long it’s been.”

“That pearl has another function you might not be aware of. You don’t bring it to Equis all that much do you?” Twi shook her head. “You should. Now that you know who you are. Your body might not default into what you think you should be.” Taking out an ornate silver box she set it before Twi.

Twi looked at it carefully. It was the same design as the locket. On it was a grand hippogryph. On opening it up she saw a beautiful silver tiara. On five of the seven points was a small pearl, but on the central one, a pearl was missing.

“My mate told me he took this the day he..” Taking a sharp deep breath, Kiyoko sighed. “We both feel it should be returned to its rightful owner now. One who will not dishonor it as its last owner did.”

Twi knew which pearl belonged in the tiara. Knew in her heart and with all of her being. It was part of her. “I can’t just take it. Even if by right, it goes to me.” 

“That is why we know it rightfully belongs to you. And why you should have it. You don’t seek power or rule over others. You're brilliant, yet humble. Born to a good family who never once failed to teach you that just because you're at a higher station you are no better than everyone else. Just like your beloved Princess Twilight. And you have friends who keep you honest and level-headed.” Taking the tiara out of its silver case, Kiyoko placed it lovingly on Twi’s head. “By all the power vested in me, I now name you Princess Twilight of Mount Aris.” 

Twi blushed, but it felt right all the same. “Oooh. I hope I can explain all of this to Twily without her going Twilynanas on me."

Giggling Kiyoko pointed at the door behind Twi. Turning around Twi saw Twilight standing there with a shocked expression. “I think she knows.” Kiyoko giggled again a bit like her son did when being mischievous. “You girls go have fun outside. I have some work to do,” she said quickly ushering them out into the pool area outside her office and shut the door before they could object.
> Talks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“This is so unfair,” Pearl grumbled casting another look at Twi’s crown, while the girl tried to get her fellow princess back to reality. “You two are basically goddesses. Rainbow’s a Wonderbolt, and Kohaku is… Well,” she gestured at her friend, who only smiled. “When do I get something out of all this?! Does the universe hate me or something?”

Twi pinched her nose. “Don’t sell yourself short, Pearl. You have things I can only wish I had right now.”

“Says the pony/hippogryph/seapony/mermaid, princess,” Kohaku added with a chuckle.

Twi groaned. “A princess of a dead kingdom, and the survivors scattered to the four corners of two worlds.”

Pearl scrunched her nose as she thought. “Well. There are still stories of people seeing mermaids all over the world. So you do have some subjects.”

This finally seemed to bring the princess back to this world, as she nodded. “And there are still very rare stories of sailors meeting half pony, half-fish creatures. It’s safe to assume that some might still survive in the deepest, darkest, corners and depths of the ocean.”

Twi sighed as she leaned into her girlfriend. “And why would they come to me? I’m nothing to them. Novo murdered someone in cold blood to start the war. Her blood is in my veins.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “So? You’re not her! Stop acting like it. Who needs them anyway? You have us. That’s all you need,” she smiled.

Twi looked around at her friends, each of them offering an encouraging smile. The hand on her shoulder from the princess only made her feel better as she finally sighed. “Thanks, Rainbow.”

Rainbow puffed up. “Yeah. I’m just that awesome.’

And just like that, the moment was gone as the girls groaned. “Why do I hang out with you again?” Pearl grumbled.

Rainbow only smiled wider. “Cause I’m just irresistible.”

Pearl shot her a dirty look. “Laugh it up, Rainbow. See if I invite you to anything cool after this.”

Twilight watched the two with worry. “Shouldn’t we do something?”

Kohaku only laughed. “Oh no. I’ve known her my whole life. Pearl is only slightly annoyed at the moment. Give it a few more minutes though. Pearl’s never been any good at keeping her temper under control.”

Pearl slapped him upside the head. “Oh. Shut it, you useless furball.” Kohaku only smiled wider though.

Twilight sighed as she turned to her twin. “What will you do now? The Pearl…”

Twi shook her head. “I can’t just take it. It wouldn’t be right of me.”

“And why not? By every right, it is yours, and no one else,” Kohaku asked. “Would your princesses care over much?”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know. Even if we can convince them of the truth, they don’t like many even knowing about the Pearl. Let alone letting it leave Canterlot.”

“Bah! For those who say they defeated a self-proclaimed Lord of Chaos, they like to sit on their flanks and think they know best. Why are they the rulers again?” Kohaku scoffed as he put his book down and pulled out a piece of paper and produced an inkwell.

Twilight bit back a retort and looked at the fox curiously wondering what he was up to. There were days she wondered the same thing. “Nonetheless. We can’t just take the Pearl from Canterlot. They first need to know of this, and only then can we do anything else.”

Twi nodded softly flopping down into a comfortable seat. “When do you think we can meet with them?”

“Oh don’t look so defeated.” Pearl nuzzled up against her Rainbow and smiled. “It’s a start at least.”

“We can go see them later today. I’m not sure how long things might take. Celestia and Luna have been quite busy of late.” Twilight wrapped her arms around Twi, placing the tiara on her head. “You should wear it more often. It looks good on you.” 

Twi pulled the Tiara off and looked at it. “I know but I still don’t feel worthy of it. Regardless of what those two say.” Twi smirked at Kohaku who shrugged with a grin. 

“Who knows, getting the Pearl might not be as difficult as you two think it is.” Kohaku wiped his claw of the ink and picked his book up again. A small white rat poked itself out of his shirt and grabbed the paper he was writing on and scattered out of the room.

Pearl looked at her friend’s pet and rolled her eyes. “Okay, what are you doing?”

Kohaku looked up and smirked. “Reading Pride and Prejudice.” He smiled as she leaned in closer. 

“That’s not what I mean, what was that.” Pearl pointed at the open doorway to Twi’s library door. 

“OH that. Oh, nothing much. Just a letter to an old friend is all. All this talk about Pearls and such reminded me I had something to ask him.” Kohaku grinned and looked at Pearl in the eyes.

“OH no…. No please tell me it’s not…” A cloud of smoke appeared in the center of the room with an audible pop. once the cloud cleared a tall grey-hared teenager stepped out. miss matched clothing. Two separate colored eyes and a tooth that hung low out of his upper lip. Grinning just as Kohaku was. “Discord..” Pearl groaned dropping her head.

“Well, well. We do have quite the party here.” Discord chuckled looking about. “Hey Twinkles.” Discord waved at Twilight. “Well well, Rainbow too. Who knew you’d like it about this place.” 

Twilight and Rainbow looked at the human Discord standing there. “Discord? How the buck are you here?” Rainbow took a defensive stance in front of her girlfriend as Twilight did the same.

“OH please. You think a little thing like universal barriers can keep me away. It’s not like I stay in your world exclusively. You girls sure have a lot to learn.” Turning his gaze over to Kohaku. “Hey, buddy. Long time no see. I take it this about what I think it’s about?”

Pearl chuckled and pulled Rainbow down holding the feisty mare in human skin close. “OH relax babe. I’ve known this one for a while too. I can’t stand him. But he’s one of Kohaku’s friends. So I can’t say much.”

Kohaku chuckled and nodded at Discord. “It is. Ready to pay up.” Kohaku crossed his front legs in front of him. He watched as Discord pulled a velvet pouch from his pocket and tossed it to Kohaku. Once the fox looked inside he nodded and smiled. “Next week? Double or nothing?”

“Yeah right. Like I’m falling for that again.” Putting his hands in his pocket discord looked at the girls. “Do yourselves a favor, never challenge this one to ping pong. Later three tail.” Discord chuckled and vanished in a cloud of chaos.

“Later patchwork,” Kohaku said and looked at the girls who were all looking at him curiously. “What? Oh, common it’s not like I said I never knew him. He’s funny, and fun to torment on occasion.” Tossing the velvet pouch to Sci Twi Kohaku stretched. “And you girls thought it would be so hard to get.”

Pearl pinched her nose and groaned. “You didn’t..” 

“Yeah like you're so surprised that I wouldn’t do something like this for my friends.”

Sci Twi and Twilight blinked looking at the velvet pouch, etched with the symbols of the Canterlot royal family. Opening it up they saw the Pearl they were talking about not more than a few moments ago. 

“I don’t even want to think about what Celestia will do when she finds this missing.” Twilight groaned rubbing her temples. 

“Yeah, like she can do anything about it. I’m scared of only two beings in this universe. And both belong in my family.” Kohaku sat up and scratched his neck with a hind leg. “Plus if I have to keep hearing about if you should get it or being worthy enough or if this so-called Princess will just give it to you for another minute. I’m going to go crazy. Ponies, Hippogryphs, humans.  You all make things so complicated.”

Twilight groaned. “Now I feel your pain, Pearl, when you have to deal with him.”

Pearl could only nod as Twi took the Pearl from the pouch. It felt right to hold it. Like a part of her that had been missing, but only now did she realize it.

Before anyone could say anything, the Pearl began to glow and levitate. To the surprise of all, it floated up to the empty slot on the crown and was absorbed into it, revealing a perfect fit once the glow subsided

“Now do you see why all your bickering was pointless? The second she showed up with that crown. The pearl would have come to her. That crown and that pearl belong together. And she is the rightful heir to both.” Kohaku smiled and politely bowed to Twi as a show of respect. 

“How long have you known?” Twi stood up and looked down at the fox who only smiled. 

“For as long as I’ve known you. I am my mother’s son after all.” Kohaku nodded his head slowly. “I may not have her gifts, but some things I can see. And smell. And honestly.  You smell of the sea and sky more than Pearl here.” His thumb jerked at Pearl who huffed and kicked him with her bare foot.

Twilight felt around her neck. To her surprise, her piece of the Pearl was still there. But now it felt stronger like there was a new power coursing through it. “What does this mean for me? We’re each other’s counterparts. We know some hippogryphs and seaponies stayed on Equus.”

“Why does it have to mean anything? You were a unicorn who became an alicorn. A noble who became a princess. And Twi here is a human who discovered that she’s a hippogryph. A high born now a princess. And I doubt miss sun was the first to discover the mirror and its powers. She would have had to learn from someone or something. Power like that isn’t something you just discover.”

Twilight nodded. “It probably does mean nothing. Call it a weakness, but I tend to overthink everything.

“A trait you both share.” Kohaku sighed shaking his head. “Being tied to nature I can tell you it’s focused in on one thing, balance. Mother said the universe operates on the same principle. Come to think of it Twi said the same thing once or twice. But that’s a science nerd for ya.” Kohaku chuckled a bit. “Did you ever think she’s your counterpart because this world needed one for you? And you have been bringing this world and the other closer together for years now. Perhaps the two of you together might just bring things back into balance.”

“You think so?” Twi and Twilight said in unison.

Shrugging his shoulders Kohaku got up and smiled. “That, or it’s just the cosmic love story of some all-powerful being. Love doesn’t make sense. If it did then it might explain why some Crystal Princess pony who keeps showing up in my dreams of late.”

Both twilight’s looked at each other for a moment then to Pearl who just shrugged.

“Oh well. I’m getting a bit restless. Plus being around all you lovey doveys this long is kinda annoying when I’m all alone. Take care.” Kohaku turned on his heel. Turning into a teenage boy in a black tank top and loose-fitting cut-off jean shorts. And a lettermen jacket with Canterlot’s logo on it.

Rainbow leaned in and looked at Pearl. “Football?”

Shaking her head she sighed, “Cheerleading.” 

Twilight sighed. “Now I need to play damage control with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” She pulled Twi close. “We both need to be there for this.”

“What’s the worse they can do?” Pearl asked. She knew their native counterparts to a degree. They didn’t seem that bad.

Twilight shook her head. “Nothing actually. Because the mirror is in my castle, by all rights, it belongs to me, and no one else can use it unless I say they can.” She smiled. “That means that anything that comes to this world has my blessing and protection, and vice versa. To violate that is the one thing I can hold over both of their heads, as much as I don’t want to.” She smirked. “Hence why you didn’t get in serious trouble when you came over that first time, Pearl.”

Pearl only smiled. “And I’m still not sorry I did either. I only need to worry about running into other me anyway. And she doesn’t live near you.”

Twilight could only smile sheepishly, earning a glare from both Pearl and Twi. “What aren’t you telling us, love?” Twi asked, poking her.

Twilight wilted under the looks she was getting, and finally cracked. “There’s a chance she and her family will move to Ponyville soon. Rarity mentioned it a while back. And a new cloud home was just started in Ponyville’s Pegasus district. A very lavish one at that.”

Pearl seemed to deflate at this. “So no more visits then?”

Twilight shook her head and lay a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I never said that, Pearl. Kohaku was right. Our worlds can’t stay separate forever. Perhaps we can be that bridge that eventually takes down that barrier.”

Pearl beamed at that. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t want to meet her counterpart. Maybe one day, they could.
> Princess Talks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight turned to the girls next to her as Rainbow stepped through the portal. "Remember. Give me a moment before you come through. I do not know how Celestia and Luna will be. But it is safe to assume that they know the Pearl is gone by now."

Pearl rolled her eyes. "What's the worse they can do? Ground you?"

Twilight giggled. "No. But if they are angry enough, there's no telling what they might do." She placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "And that is also why I insist you do not come with us, Pearl. Not until we sort all of this out."

The girl frowned. "What did I do?"

Twi shook her head. "Nothing. But if you are there, they might target you. Luna hasn't always been convinced allowing the two worlds to meet in any way is a good idea. Celestia even less so."

That stopped Pearl in her tracks, for she could see how deadly serious both of the twins were about this. She still didn't understand it all, but she also trusted that they understood this far better than she ever would. She finally sighed. "Fine. I've got models to finish anyway."

Twilight giggled, before kissing her love and stepping through the portal.

Twi gave Pearl a worried look. "Kohaku will be alright. Won't he?"

Pearl snorted and waived it off. "Please. He's like this every time he thinks someone is being dumb about something. He gives them a dressing-down talk as he did you two, and then he goes to cool off. He'll be fine. He does it all the time. It's even worse when he's right. It's his most infuriating habit." She smirked. "Plus I think he's feeling left out. Only guy in a group of girls?  Each a girlfriend of one of the other?"

Twi rolled her eyes. "Boys. I'll never understand them."

They giggled before Twi looked at the portal again. She held her tiara tightly as she stepped closer and closed her eyes, forcing herself to keep her pony form in her mind's eye. "I just hope this works," she grumbled.

Pearl shook her head with a smile. "Oh come on you'll be fine. What's the worst that can happen?"

"I turn into a hippogryph and get accidentally vaporized," Twi replied as she stepped through the portal, leaving Pearl to roll her eyes at everyone being a drama queen.





Spike was waiting for her as Twilight stepped through the portal into Equestria. "Twilight! We have a big problem!"

Twilight rubbed her snout irritably. "Spike. Unless the fate of Equestria is at stake, then it can wait. I have had a very long and very weird day." She sighed. "Can you send a letter to Princess Celestia? There is something we need to talk about, and now rather than later."

Spike wrung his hands sheepishly. "Yeah. About that..."

Before he could say more, however, twin flashes of teleportation announced the arrival of two very annoyed alicorns. "Princess Twilight! What is the meaning of this?" Luna demanded, not even bothering to lower the volume.

Twilight's ears dropped as she smiled sheepishly. "Princess Luna, Princess Celestia. I didn't expect the two of you."

Celestia, however, was not buying it. "Twilight. Discord popped into the chamber where we keep the Pearl an hour ago, and took it. When we tried to stop him, he said he was doing this for an old friend and was giving the Pearl back to the one it rightfully belongs to. He also said you would know who she is. Do you?"

Twilight wilted under the glares she was receiving. Damn it. She had wanted more time for this. She finally gave in and sighed. "I do. She should be here any second now."

A moment later, Sci Twi came through the portal. To the immense relief of both her and the princess, she was still a pony. "Oh thank the gods," Twi breathed a sigh of relief as Twilight rushed to her side.

Celestia and Luna, however, were in shock as they looked at the crown on the young alicorn's head. Most especially, the Pearl now united with it. "How? Where did you get this? And why do you have the Pearl?" Luna finally asked.

Twilight sighed as she looked up at it. "It is a very long story. But in no way, a happy one. Do you have Novo's diary?"

Twi nodded, patting her saddlebags. "And Kiyoko's translation guide."

Twilight nodded as she looked at Spike. "Spike. Can you get us all some tea, please? This will not be a short thing, and I think we will need it."

Spike wasn't sure what was going on. But the look in his big sister's eyes told him that he would learn soon enough, as he rushed off to get everything started.

Twilight looked up at her fellow alicorns with a sad expression. "You will need to sit down for this, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna. You both deserve to know the truth."





No one said anything as Celestia and Luna read the diary. Much to Twi's annoyance, they seemed to be able to pick up on the translation than she had, for they shared occasional glances with each other, while Celestia provided a translation for Spike as well.

As they neared the end, their eyes widened in horror by the moment as they read the story of the war and the death of Novo. Luna continued to flip to the very back of the diary, but as before, there was nothing. Spike was positively green in the face as he turned away.

Celestia took several moments to compose herself before she could say anything. "We have had very intermittent contact with several eastern dragons. While they were courteous and friendly, they always refused any offer of friendship with Equestria."

Luna nodded. "This Queen Novo deserved a far worse death than she received. To turn two races against each other? To take pleasure in the cold-blooded murder of an innocent to provoke it? Not even King Sombra did so."

Spike tried to not look as sick as he felt. "Why didn't they stop though?"

Celestia shook her head. "It was not so simple, Spike. This was no longer about one death. This was a constant cycle of revenge for loved ones lost on both sides. A cycle that could never be broken."

Twilight gulped. "Something eventually ended it though. We have the stories from two worlds to prove that some hippogryphs survived. How else would Kiyoko have the crown?"

Luna looked at it again. "Then why split the Pearl from it?"

Twi shook her head. "I can only assume that Princess Midnight deliberately split the crown and Pearl in two, and split them between our worlds. Therefore, no one would ever be able to wield that power ever again. She went to Earth, to be as far from her mother's legacy as possible. She was the last of the Royal Family. Princess Skystar was killed at some point during the war it seems."

Celestia considered this as she looked at the locket on the table before them, and the perfect resemblance Twi had to the young girl in it. "She was your ancestor. Many millennia removed."

Twi nodded as Twilight lay a wing around her. "A legacy I'm not ready for. Not yet. One day, maybe I can reclaim my heritage. In both of our worlds." She looked up at her crown. "I wasn't even going to take the Pearl. It wouldn't have been right of me. No matter if it is mine. I am not dropping out of school for this. Professor Kazumi would tan my hide if I did."

Luna nodded proudly. "And that is what makes you worthy to bear it, princess. You do not seek power for its own sake, nor would you take something that is yours by force."

Twilight smiled as she muzzled her marefriend. "So then. What happens now?"

Celestia shook her head with a smile. "That is up to the two of you. This is no longer something Luna or I can control. And I am glad for it." Her smile grew. "Kohaku was correct. The two of you will be the ones that will take down the barriers between our worlds. I for one look forward to that day."

The pair blushed at the praise while Spike gave them a thumbs up. "So what about your smaller pearls then?" He asked.

Everypony blinked, before looking down at their own. Each of them still wore their small piece of it. "I can still feel the same power I felt as the day it first came to me. But now? It feels much more. As if a new power has been unlocked for us all," Luna replied.

Celestia nodded. "I am not sure what it means. But I do not think we need to worry." She smiled warmly at Twi, who only blushed under the look. "The Pearl has returned to where it has always belonged. To the one, it was always meant to be with. This can only mean good things."

That got a smile out of them all, as they were finally able to relax. This had been enough excitement for a while. Luna, though, still had one question. "I do not suppose we could meet the Everfree family? They sound very wise."

Twilight rubbed her snout. "Kohaku will not come here. I've asked him. He doesn't see any point."

Twi nodded. "I've also asked Professor Kazumi. She has no desire as well. Neither do her sisters. It might be part of their family's history, but not a part they care enough to see." She smiled sheepishly. "I'm not sure if we could fit their parents back through."

Luna nodded. She could respect that, though she was disappointed all the same.

Twilight tapped her chin at a thought. "Of course. We could always have the two of you meet them in the Human World. If they want to of course. I'm not going to risk my neck by forcing them into anything."

Celestia giggled. That was something she could understand very well herself. An idea for another day then, as she took a sip of her tea.
> Hippogryph's Day Out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight and Twi settled comfortably on the sofa settled in Twilight's living quarters.  "Well, that was an ordeal." Twi groaned. 

"You hungry? I can have Spike make something," Twilight replied with concern, rubbing her twin's back.

"No, I'm good. I'm just exhausted. Professor Kazumi's tests are becoming more and more difficult. On purpose, it feels like as well." She touched her crown. "She even had me wear this. Said I should stop running from it and that it looks good on me."

Twilight giggled. "Well. She is right. I know you don't like wearing it in public. Understandable with what could go wrong. But if it's among those you know you can trust. Why not wear it more?"

Twi blinked as she shifted uncomfortably as something in her saddlebags was poking her before she could respond. "What is this?" 

"What is what?" Twilight quirked an eyebrow as Twi lifted an acorn carved with various symbols from her saddlebag's pocket. The second her beloved did so her form shimmered and was in seconds a full Hippogriff.  

"What? How?" Twi blinked as she turned around in a circle several times before looking at Twilight. "Why now? I thought I was still a pony?" 

Twilight looked at the acorn and groaned. "Oh, he didn't..." she grumbled.

"What? Who did what?" 

"Did Kohaku do anything before you stepped through?" Twilight looked into Twi's eyes. "You said he was waiting for you by the portal." 

"No, he..." Quirking an eyebrow she bit her lip. "Well, he did give me a hug and wished me luck. I thought he might have grabbed a quick feel. I mean who wouldn't? My ass.. well flank? Always has been my best feature, and it wouldn't have been the first time. I just put it down to him being well... him."

Twilight's eyes narrowed before Twi gently poked her with her claws. "Oh, relax Twily. Kohaku doesn't mean anything by it. He knows where my heart lies. And if there is one thing I've learned about kitsunes? It's that they're not homewreckers. Not unless you've done something exceptional to piss them off."

Twilight relaxed slightly as she fully examined her beloved's new form. Her fur was the same as her pony form's coat, as were her mane's colors. Her beak was more the color of those beautiful lips she loved so much, and even her tail tuft had retained their pony colors. The crown now sat even more comfortably on her head than it had before. "So this is what a hippogryph looks like. Do you feel any different?"

Twi thought for a moment. She did feel different now that she thought about it. Stronger than she had before, faster. And her hunger had returned with a vengeance. Especially that for meat. It had to be her griffon heritage talking. "I do actually. Faster and stronger. And hungrier for meat than I thought."

Twilight nodded as she produced parchment and ink and began to write this down. "Interesting. Griffons do eat meat, and you are now part griffon. Your pony half is what's holding you back I presume. Ponyville has no place that sells meat. So you will have to wait to return home to satisfy it.

Twi nodded. She had thought that might be the case, as she stretched her wings, which were now almost as large as Princess Celestia's. "So, now what? I'm not sure if I can fit back through the portal. And I'm too comfortable to try and change back into a pony to try." She hugged herself tightly. "This feels... So good. A part of me I always wanted, but never knew I did until now. I might do this more often."

Twilight smirked. "You tell me, your highness. I can't tell a princess what to do. Can you change back, however? Not if you want to. But we need to know if you can at all."

Twi closed her eyes and concentrated. The Pearl. No... Her Pearl's magic was now wholly merged with her own. Intrinsically linked to herself. As much a part of her as any body part, and no more able to remove it as to remove a vital organ. Focusing on her pony form once more, Twi felt herself shrink back down to Twily's size.

Twilight sighed with relief as Twi's alicorn form was revealed once more. "That is good to know. For a moment, I was afraid you would not be able to at all."

Twi smirked as she changed back into her hippogryph form and booped Twilight's snout. "Give me some credit, princess. This is part of who I am. My Pearl still has all the powers you know it to have."

Twilight pouted as she scratched her nose. "And will you please be careful where you point those? I'd rather not find out the hard way how sharp your claws really are."

Twi eeped and retracted her claws. Her heart sank as she heard the fear in Twily's voice. It took the fight right out of her. "I'm so sorry, Twily. I don't know what came over me. This is just so new and exciting that I can't help it. I just feel so good like this."

Twilight's own heart sank at the despondent tone in her lover's voice. She smiled softly as she kissed her beak. "I know, my love. You are still the most beautiful pony, human, or hippogryph, in Equestria or Earth. Anyone who says otherwise is too stupid for their own good. Just remember that not all of us have this as you do."

Twi nodded, feeling better at the kiss on her beak. It felt just as wonderful as one on her lips. "So. Now what?"

Twilight smirked. "You tell me. I have nothing planned for today, and you are not meant to be back home till tonight, am I right?" Twi nodded. "Then I say we find out what this new body of yours can really do. I wanna see what a true seapony looks like. Not just what I turn into."

Twi smiled widely, squeeing at the idea, as Twilight wrapped a wing around her and led them to the bath.
> Visions of The Past/A Dynasty Falls
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight watched intently as Twi changed into her seapony form, a notepad in her magic rapidly filling up with new information as she learned more and more. Only the longer length of her love's mane and a new neck frill seemed the only changes from the norm. "Do you feel any different?"

Twi shook her head, sighing as her tail unfolded to an even greater size than before. "Not really? The Pearl feels more powerful than ever." She smirked. "I feel like I could stay like this forever. Who's going to tell me no?"

Twilight rolled her eyes. Point. "I will drag you kicking and screaming back into pony form if it kills me. I don't care if this is your heritage." Her smile softened as she caressed Twi's cheek. "I can't lose you. Eternity is too long to be alone."

Twi's smirk melted into a gentle sigh as she took Twily's hoof. "I know. I have no plans to stay this way forever. But eternity gives us all the time we could ever hope for to learn more about this. Together. I'm still not sure what all my Pearl can do."

Twilight looked up at the Tiara. "Can't you ask Kiyoko? She seems to know something about all of this. What about her husband?"

Twi snorted. "Are you kidding me? I refuse to make them dig up those memories. Whatever she might have said, it hurt Kiyoko to remember those days. I won't do that to her again. And the same applies to Akihiko. Plus I don't know him all that well."

Twilight nodded as she lay her head on Twi's chest with a contented sigh. "I understand. You've met them more than I have. I just wish we could know for sure what happened. We know Novo's diary just ended abruptly. But why? What happened that day?"

Twi nodded. It was a thought she'd had more than once as well since reading the diary. But there seemed no way to know for sure. It would remain forever lost to the sands of time it seemed.

As if it had read her thoughts, the Pearl flared to life, earning a surprised squawk from the seapony as she looked up at it in surprise as a beam of light emanated from it onto the far wall. To the surprise of both, an image of Mount Aris appeared, but not as they knew it.

Twilight's jaw dropped. "It's a Memory Projection spell. It's what we saw used in the Memory Crystal. This is incredible."

Twi nodded mutely. Mount Aris was as beautiful as ever, but the ruins she knew were nowhere to be seen. Now, well-maintained houses and villas covered much of the island, with the most extravagant being those on top of the mountain. And everywhere, in every shape, size, and color, flew and walked hippogryphs. "This is Mount Aris. As it used to be during its golden age. But why show this?"

Twilight shook her head as the image zoomed in on the palace at the mountain's peak. "I believe we're about to find out."





Queen Novo laughed as she walked the length of her bed chambers. Everything was going as planed. Looking at herself in the mirror she grinned. Soon the Dragons and Kitsunes would purge each other from existence and nothing would stop her from achieving her dream. A land free of everything but her own people. 

“Mother!” Novo rolled her eyes and sighed as she turned to look at her eldest daughter. 

“OH don’t give me that look Midnight. I’m doing all this for the benefit of our people.” Novo caressed her daughters cheek with a claw. But frowned as the princess backed away.

“This isn't right mother. We should have gone out and joined the world. Not plunge it into chaos.” Midnight sniffed and took a step back as she looked into her mother’s eyes. 

“Your such a disappointment Midnight, you always were.” Novo sat tall as she frowned disapprovingly at her child. “Yout little sister Skystar is much more suited to rule us than you. She understands the sacrifices needed for our wondrous future. Which is why she will ascend the throne and not you.” 

Midnight felt her spine go cold. She knew of her sister’s psychopathic nature. Her own days were now numbered. “This isn’t right. I’m begging you mother, please. You can bring this all to a stop. Where is the mother who used to sing to me at night? The one who taught me what a proud and noble race we are.”

“You’re not a child anymore Midnight. It’s time for you to grow up and see the world as it is. Something to grasp in your talons and rule. Everything is now with in my reach. And I will not let you stop me. Now leave. Or you might not have to wait for your sister to ascend to the throne to meet your fate.” A cold devilish smirk crossed Novo’s beak as Midnight turned and walked away.

“At least I tried. I love you mother. I’m sorry you forgot that.” After exiting Midnight walked on down the dark hallway as a pair of sunlit eyes watched her leave.





Novo scoffed. Who needed the love of a foolhardy child when she had another so well deserved her title. Sitting comfortably at her desk, the queen started to write. It wasn’t until her last paragraph had ended that she heard it. The heavy offset of paws on her bed chamber floor. 

“It’s a foolish thing to ignore the warnings of one’s children. And even more so when those concerns are out of love.” A voice as deep as the cosmos growled through the room. 

Novo turned around and found herself face to face with a massive kitsune. His golden fur shimmered like sunlight in the lit room.  “The great Akihiko I presume. I half expected your mate.” Novo smirked, almost laughing at him.

“Oh she would have loved to come. But it’s not in her nature.” Akihiko strode back and forth slowly like a lion in a cage. “This is all because of you. You killed my beloved mate’s sister, started a war between her people and my own. The blood of thousands are now on your talons. What do you have to say for yourself.”

“Good riddance. Your kind think you're so great. So powerful.” Novo stood up and faced him down. Drunk on her own ego. “Yet you weren’t able to stop me from taking the form I needed to kill her. And good luck getting anyone to belive it. They all think a kitsune killed her.” Novo walked around Akihiko as he trailed her with his eyes, which narrowed with every passing second. “And even if the truth does come out, do you honestly think they’ll stop? No, this war will continue on because nether side will EVER forgive the other. They hated each other long before this. So why don’t you just go and die with the rest of them. And rid my kingdom of your filth!”

“Truthfully, you are right about one thing. Your exposure will not stop this war.” Akihiko closed his eyes and sighed. As his eyes shot opened he had the pleasure of watching the hippogryph fall backwards a few steps. His eyes hardened like steel as the feeling of blood lust entered the room like a tidal wave. “But I didn’t come here to get you to repent. That was your daughter’s plan. I knew it would never work so I’m here for one thing and one thing only.”

“And what’s that?” Novo smirked but quickly shrieked as his powerful paw griped her head and lifted her up several inches above the ground. 

“I’ve come, to give my dear sister in law’s soul some peace. Sayuri may have hated me, but she was family. And I will never forget that,” the sunlit kitsune growled loudly. “And I shall never forgive what you did to her. For family, I will do anything.” With a lick to his lips he grinned as wickedly as his pray did to him earlier. 

Midnight watched from a slightly cracked open door. She had heard her mother’s shriek and came running. She couldn’t see from the vantage point she was at. But looking at the shadows on the wall, she watched as her mother hung suspended by the kitsune’s powerful grip. With one swipe of his other paw. Midnight shivered as she watched her mothers body fall, while the head remained in Akihiko’s grip. 





Akihiko stepped out of the door after he slammed the diary closed. Looking down he saw the eldest princess leaned against the wall as tears streamed down her cheeks. 

Midnight looked up at him and to the royal bed chamber which had grown dark and cold. Letting out a sigh of her own she looked back up at the kitsune and nodded. “It had to be done.” was all she whispered. Hearing a shuffling sound she looked up and saw that he was holding out the crown her mother once wore. The once brilliant silver now stained pink with blood. She watched as his flames burned all the blood away. But in her eyes she could still see it. 

“No. I’m not worthy of it. And I don’t want it. Too much blood has been shed under this crown.” Taking it in her hands, Midnight whispered an ancient chant and pulled the central pearl from the center of the crown. “The Pearl and crown are both required to rule.” Tossing the Pearl back into her mother’s bed chamber she handed the Tiara back to Akihiko. “Now nobody can rightfully rule us. My sister will never be able to ascend the throne.”

Akihiko smiled and nodded taking the Tiara and slipped it into a pocket of space and time. “You would have been a wise ruler. To be offered power such as this and to turn it down gives me hope for your kind. But come. Let's talk someplace a little more hospitable.” With a snap of his fingers the area around them shifted to the rocky cliffs behind Mount Aris. Behind him was his beloved mate who looked at Akihiko with concern. 

“You did it didn’t you?” 

Akihiko just nodded slowly “Your sister can now rest peacefully. She has been avenged. I gave her one chance through her daughter. A hopeless one just as you foresaw.”

Midnight looked about and saw all of her loyal followers. Running out she hugged her friend who was their captain. “How?”

“It was the dragon, princess. She said that you asked us to meet you here.” The tall captain shifted uncomfortably. “While we didn’t care to be told what to do by the likes of her. We try our best to live up to your example. So we all came.”

“I’m glad you did because…”

A thundering clash that split the heavens erupted above them. Multicolored planets filled the heavens as a light shimmered behind them. The light shot downward and took an alicorn body formed of those very same celestial bodies.

"What fool has used the oath?" Akihiko growled as he stepped in front of everyone. 

"None, Akihiko. I come of my volition. This is long past the point of sanity." A voice as deep as the heavens echoed through the rocky caverns. “So please, stand down,” the voice calmed as it landed on the ground and waved a stary wing. 

Akihiko looked into those twin star eyes and nodded stepping back.

"And just who are you?" Midnight shivered as she looked at this unknown being.

"My name, Princess Midnight, is Cosmos, if you must have one. Your mother's rightful death will not end this war." She looked at Kiyoko. "Had this happened right after your nest mate's murder, Kiyoko, then things might have been different."

"I am well aware of that. So what will you do Cosmos? You are not known for half measures."

Cosmos shook her head. "No, I am not. But I do not come because someone used the oath, nor because I'm in a bad mood. But this war ends now. Not only for all who have been lost, and for those who yet live who wish peace. But for all who will come in the ages yet to come. For those who will one day know what happened here."

She smiled as her eyes settled on Kiyoko. "For your children yet to be."

“And just how will you accomplish this?” Akihiko, while calmer, kept his eyes narrowed. He knew just how this being finished things. 

Cosmos waved her hoof and opened a portal behind her. A mirror formed around it and held it in place. “You will all leave through this. And I will finish the rest. But you know what must be done Akihiko. You know there is no other way.” 

Midnight looked back up at the castle. The rest of her people, her sister. Turning to the cosmic being she stepped forward. “What will happen to my people?”

Cosmos produced the journal of the late queen and handed it to Midnight. “They have one avenue open to them. If your sister is wise enough to take it. Take those you know feel as you do. Do not look back. And take this. So you never forget the price of pride.” 

Midnight nodded as she looked at her captain, who nodded, as did the others. None fully understood what was going on, but all felt it was time to go. One by one, each stepped through the portal.

Kiyoko reached out to her mate as she watched the last Hippogriff step through. Nodding Akihiko walked forward then stoped turning around and looked at Cosmos. Motioning to his beloved that he would follow the lone kitsune looked at the being. 

“I know what you would ask. Be at ease. One day your blood will once again step on these lands and he will be given all that you now choose to relinquish.” Cosmos smiled at the Kitsune who nodded in silence as he stepped through the mirror to an unknown future.

Cosmos made sure she was alone, before closing her eyes as the mirror shimmered. “Let this not be found until ponykind rises from the endless cold. Let it not be used till the forsaken student of the sun comes. One day, the barrier will fall, and two worlds will be one.”

As the final word was spoken, the mirror vanished, lost somewhere in the vastness of the lands that would one day be called Equestria in all the ages of the world to come.

Cosmos nodded as a sword blacker than the void between the stars appeared in her grasp. If any of Midnight’s followers remained or those who believed in peace as she did, they would even now be heading for a portal only they could see. In time they would find each other. Those who remained were now doomed.

As much as she wanted to think otherwise, Cosmos doubted any would listen to her now that Novo was dead. Even now she could see the day when dragons finally broke through the forests and came to this mountain. The one clan that held them back was now gone. Already she could see the sight of the mountain’s inhabitants dive into the waters below much to the annoyance of another princess.

Now, she waited.





Skystar listened with mounting fury as her captain finished his report. “What do you mean you can’t find them?! Midnight can’t just have vanished!”

Sky Beak shook his head. “It remains the same your highness. Your sister and her followers have vanished from Mount Aris. No one seems to have seen them do so either.”

Skystar screeched in annoyance. Damn that sister of hers. She should have done something about her long ago.

Sky Beak looked at the closed casket that stood in the throne room. The sight of his queen so viciously killed still made him queasy. “Could she have done this? We know her feelings.”

Skystar shook her head. “Idiot. Use your head. Whatever she thought of mother and all she did, Midnight loved her too much to ever do this. And what would be the point? She would still need to go through me if this was about the throne.”

Beak nodded. “We can only assume she took the Tiara as well, for we cannot find it.”

Skystar poked him with her claws, making sure with the sharp edge. “Then you better hope you find it, captain, or it will be your head next. I will have what’s mine. No matter how many I have to step on to get it.”

Before Sky Beak could reply, another voice interrupted, as cold as the void. “You will never find it. Nor will you ever wear it. I see that now.”

Both blinked as a shadow detached itself from the wall. An alicorn that seemed to be made of celestial bodies. A blade that burned their eyes to even look at floated in her magic.

Skystar frowned as she advanced on the intruder. “And just who are you? Ponies are forbidden to set foot on our shores.”

The mare frowned. “My name is not for filth such as you to ever know.” She flicked a wing, sending Sky Beak, who had attempted to impose himself between them, crashing against the far wall. “I go where I will, and mortals such as you will not stop me.”

Skystar’s frown grew. “Then make your point and leave. I have no time to waste on you. You know where my sister and her filth are. I know you do. Tell me!”

The mare smiled, a cold and vicious one. “Someplace you will never find them. They are everything you and your mother threw away when you started this war. Everything your kind should have been. I know you were the one to suggest the senseless murder to start it.”

Skystar laughed. “And I would do it again. Let them tear each other apart. We will be there to pick up the pieces when they destroy each other.”

The mare’s smile grew. “Oh. I doubt that. How can you pick up the pieces of anything when everyone on this island will be dead before the sun sets?”

Skystar poked her with a smirk. “You and what army? One pony cannot fight all of Mount Aris and Seaquestria. Alicorn or no.”

The mare giggled. “Who says I’m going to do it? I’ll let those you wronged take vengeance for all the blood that is on your claws.”

“Yeah right! Those of the forest…”

“Have already departed along with your sister. You took for granted what they did for you all, and now your mountain has no defense left. And rest assured they are coming even as I speak. Ta!” Cosmos waved a hoof and vanished. Leaving Skystar grumbling. A grumbling which soon turned to abstract horror as the forest gave way to a legion of kitsune. 

“Princess!” Sky Beak shouted as he panted heavily. “The mountains!”

Turning Skystar felt her blood run cold. Dragons of all descriptions flew toward Mt Aris with the same ferocity as their multi tailed foes. 

Sky Beak shivered as he watched, for the first time, his Princess faltered.





Cosmos watched from her void at what unfolded before her. Frustrated with his princess the young captain took command and ordered those would follow to take to the sea’s. All while Skystar shouted and yelled commands for her troops to stand and fight. 

Smiling she watched as a decade passed with in the span of a blink. For as pointless as it was, She admired Skystar’s determination to hold her ground with what troops she had remaining. All citizens and those who followed her traitorous captain fled to the sea. The once snowy white caps of the mountain were stained red. Even she was unaware of which side finally put an end to the last of the royal family as Skystar’s body was left at the peak to be buried by the falling snow.

For longer still, the war raged on. Blood was repaid with blood. It didn’t matter if it was adult or child. Both sides spared no one. It wasn’t until shes felt the stirs of Celestial magics from both sides that the world she worked so hard on began to crack.





Cosmos listened with mounting anger as kitsune and eastern dragon verbally sparred with each other. How it had not come to further bloodshed was a miracle, but it was all she could take as she revealed herself. “Enough!” her voice rained like thunder across the world.

The eyes of the eldest of both sides widened. “What fool dared use the oath?” 

Cosmos frowned. “None. I come on my own. That alone should tell you how pointless this has become.”

“They started it,” one of the younger dragons shot an accusatory glare at a kitsune not much older than himself, who bristled at the implied insult.

Cosmos growled. “I care not for who started it, but rest assured that I am finishing it. A war started on lies, started on your hatred for each other.” She pounded a hoof, sending tremors throughout the island. “A war that threatens to tear the planet itself apart. When will it end? When all are dead? The seas turned to dust and the forests and mountains to ash? When all that is left is a dead rock hurtling through space?”

The elder dragon’s eyes narrowed at the implied accusation, as did his counterpart’s.

Cosmos nodded. “Oh yes. I know what you both threaten to unleash. Magic that is forbidden even for your kind. The seer warned you all. You should have listened.”

Neither could reply, for they both remembered the warnings. Warnings they had ignored. Too much blood now lay between them though to make any difference.

Cosmo's frown grew. “So here is how this will go. Either end this pointless war now.” She ignited her magic, pulling a blade blacker than the void between galaxies from the Aether. The blade soon ignited in black flames. “Or I will end it for you.”

Cosmos narrowed her eyes as the older kitsunes and dragons narrowed their eyes more and growled. But smiled as she watched many of the younger kitsunes and dragons look at each other in disgust, but silently sink back into the shadows of the forests and mountains without the elders noticing. The young weren’t many, but they had more to live for and valued their lives more then petty revenge.

Cosmos smiled coldly as she walked between the two, who both physically recoiled in pain at being so near the one weapon they both feared. “End it. Or neither of you will leave this island alive. I have no qualms in doing so. If not for yourselves, then for those who never wanted any part of this.”

The Elder Dragon and Kitsune growled at each other while standing their ground at the celestial being before them. Behind the pair, their armies followed suit and stood tall.

“So be it.” Taking the blade by the hilt, Cosmos drove the Slayer into the ground. “I condemn your kinds to Oblivion. Let only those who are no longer here be spared. As of now, death is too good for you. Let those you murdered rest in peace.”

The Slayer pulsed, a wave of power spreading outward. As it touched each dragon and kitsune alike, their bodies dissolved, scattering their very atoms and essences to the wind like dust. In the time it took a breath, the lands around her were silent and baren.

Cosmos nodded as she removed the sword. Those young ones who had left were far away by now. Having went to the east where they originated. The kitsunes to the forests while the dragons took to the skies, but she had made sure they would feel this and always remember.

The bonds would never heal, but both sides now knew the price. Perhaps one day, that would change. But Cosmos somehow doubted it. Turning to leave she took one step only to stop. The sound of laughter behind her caused the goddess to turn. 

She watched in shock as the image of two individuals came from the shores. One pony, Alicorn, the other a Hippogriff bearing the lost Aris crown. Both with near identical markings and colors. Walking behind them was the source of the laughter. Two young Pegasi, white as snow and manes like fire leading another alicorn who slightly shimmered like crystal. Next to the crystal mare was a six tailed kitsune. Cosmos’s eyes widened as with each step he took newly formed grass spread out, brining life to a dead land. 

She watched as his eyes turned and looked at hers. He was a Kitsune but his eyes were reminiscent of an eastern dragon and shimmered bright amber. 

As quickly as the image came it vanished. “Maybe. Just maybe.” Cosmos laughed with hope for the future as she left for her eternal home.





As the image faded, Twi found herself unable to believe all they had just watched. But one thing stood out the most. “Who was that alicorn? The space one. I’m assuming the other was your niece all grown up.”

Twilight’s ears fell. “Her name, among an infinite number of them as well as titles, is indeed Cosmos. If the old creation myths are true, she created the very multiverse itself. I’m inclined to believe them now.”

Twi nodded. “And the oath mentioned several times?”

Twilight shook her head. “It’s called the Omega Oath. It’s the ultimate sanction. When someone is beyond redemption, and the very planet itself is at stake, those who know it can use it to summon the Destroyer, and she will determine which side would come out the victor.”

Twi gulped. She didn't like the sound of that. “Has anyone ever used it?”

Twilight shrugged. “As far as I know, no. Every alicorn knows it, but it something we try and not think about at all if we can help it.”

Twi shivered. She didn’t want to think about it either. She now understood why it was painful for Kiyoko and Akihiko to remember those days. 

Twilight saw this, and kissed her gently. “Hey. You are not Novo, nor Skystar. You are better than both of them. Midnight tried so hard. Whatever her mother and sister were, she still loved them. Maybe at one time, none of that could have happened.”

Twi sighed. “I know. It does make me feel better in a way knowing all of this. I can’t make Mount Aris totally as it was. Even if the descendants could all be found, and they believed me. But maybe we can make it something beautiful nonetheless.”

Twilight nodded with a sigh as the two fell silent for a while. Now came the hard part of telling Kohaku about a certain crystal pony from his dreams. Resting her head on Twi’s shoulder Twilight lost herself in thought. While telling him about Flurry would be difficult, given how old she was now. She was confused about him actually being in Equus, especially since he had shown no desire to go there. But it was obviously him.

She had seen those eyes frequently while in this world. But she knew he only had three tails, but in the vision he had six. And her niece was almost an adult. How long would it be till that moment came to be? And what brings it all about? Thinking about the future was giving her a headache worse then misplacing a book on the wrong bookshelf in her massive library.

But why were there two Pearls? One was the Human World's obviously, while the other could only be Equestria's. But how?

Twi smirked looking down at her marefriend and shook her head. Chuckling she took a pillow and flopped it down on Twilight’s face. “You're thinking too much.”

After a few moments Twilight joined in and sighed nodding. Leaning in kissed Twi lovingly, thinking to take Kohaku’s advice she heard before, and not think too much about the future.
> Unexpected Encounter pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight sighed as she looked up from her current read, watching as the Rose River flowed by serenely. Normally, this was her favorite reading spot, outside of her castle. But today, too much was on her mind.

What she had seen in the Pearl would not leave her alone, and again it came back around to the river before her. For as long as anypony could remember, it had been called the Rose River. Nopony knew why though, for nopony had named it. Certainly not the Apple family.

"Could one be here?" She thought aloud. "We know they are tied to nature, as kitsunes are. Why else would the river be named as it is? No record of it exists, even in Canterlot."

"Could one, what, princess?"  A new voice asked, startling the alicorn as she turned to see who had spoken. A Pegasus mare with a grey coat and pink mane sat on a rock watching the alicorn with a smirk. A rock that had not been there a moment before. Her green eyes sparkled. "Oh, I'm sorry. You just looked so calm, I didn't want to interrupt."

Twilight shook her head, smiling. "No. I was just thinking aloud. And you are? I don't think we've met before."

The mare giggled. "The name's River Run," she replied, holding out a hoof, one that was polished smooth like river rocks. "And what were you thinking about? I'm not sure why you would be interested in those overstuffed fleabags."

Twilight was taken aback by the venom in River's voice but decided not to push it. "I'm not. Not really. I was just wondering if there might be an eastern dragon here in the river. I know both can be tied to nature."

River smiled widely. "Wow. I never thought I'd meet anypony who knew anything about them. No one's seen one. Most just think they're nothing but a myth."

Twilight giggled. "I know for a fact that they are indeed real, as are kitsunes." Her smile dropped, as did her ears. "If not for their war, we might know more. Or even be able to meet them."

For a split second, River's eyes flashed dangerously. "What war?"

Twilight shook her head with a sigh. "A stupid, senseless war. Started on a lie. Even after the truth came out, neither side would back down. It took a higher power to finally end it, and she made sure neither side won. In the worst way possible."

If one listened closely, one could almost hear River grinding her teeth. But at what, Twilight could not tell. Why had she said all of that anyway? Very few knew the full truth of what the Pearl had shown her and Twi. So why had she blabbed all of this to a complete stranger?

After a moment, River shook her head and smiled. "Well. I wish I could help, Princess Twilight. But I don't think there are any dragons around here. Unless you count your little brother Spike. But I'll leave you to it."

Before Twilight could say anything, River spread her wings and took off toward the Everfree Forest with surprising speed. "Well that was weird," she muttered as she turned around once more, and her mouth dropped.

The boulder was gone, and with no sign there had ever been one there, to begin with. How? In the grass, a scale twenty times larger than any a local fish sat where the boulder had lain. Where the boulder had been in fact. Picking it up, Twilight's nose scrunched. Only one creature she could think of could have this. But how?

Unless... Naw, she giggled as she turned back to her back. There was no way River could be one. That was absurd.





From further down the river, River watched for a time, before the princess packed up her things and returned to Ponyville. "How? How can she know our history? Ponies should not know this," she growled, before diving back into the Rose River.
> Unexpected Encounters pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike turned the scale over in his hand with a sigh. "Well. It's definitely a dragon's scale. Only kind I can think of is an eastern dragon. You said you found where River was?"

Twilight nodded. "But why would it be there? It makes no sense."

Spike rolled his eyes. "One reason I can think of. You know they can change shape." He smirked. "Wish my end of the family got that. Think of everything I could do if I had it?!"

Twilight rolled her eyes, giggling. "Point. But why would she show herself to me? I'm no one to her. And I've been to the river many times before, and nothing has ever happened. Why now?"

Spike bit his lips. "Well... You did mention the war. If her family was one that survived the purge, can you blame her for being mad?" His head fell as Twilight's ears fell. "Come on, Twilight. I don't think she means you any harm. She had the chance if she did. Will you look for her?"

Twilight rubbed her forehead. "I don't know, Spike. It wouldn't be right of me. And why would she even seek me out again even if I didn't look for her?"

Before Spike could reply, a pink blur broke through the door with a shout of "Twilight!"

Twilight groaned in annoyance. "Pinkie. What have I said about using the door?"

The party pony only giggled. "Doors are for squares, silly. But you're late, young filly!"

Twilight and Spike shared a confused look. "Late? For what?" Spike asked.

Pinkie gasped in horror. "Why. My 'Welcome to Ponyville!' party for our neighbors, silly! Duh."

Twilight's eyes widened. "That was today? Oh, I'm so sorry, Pinkie. I've just had a lot on my mind recently."

Pinkie's annoyance abated somewhat at seeing the apologetic look from the alicorn as she pulled her friend into a hug. "That's okay, Twilight. You haven't missed anything! And I think you're going to enjoy this family. Why. You already practically know them!"

Now Twilight was really confused, sharing a look with Spike, who could only shrug. "How can I know them, Pinkie, if they just moved here?"

Pinkie only smiled widely as she dragged the pair towards Sugarcube Corner.





Twilight tried her best to hide her shock as the filly before her continued to bounce excitedly. What were the odds?

"Oh. My. Gosh. I can't believe I'm finally meeting you!" Pearl Rose squeed happily, before gasping as finally looked at Spike. "And Spike! Do you know how long I've wanted to meet an actual dragon? It's a dream come true!"

Spike blushed at the praise, while Twilight giggled. Aside from being younger than her counterpart, Twilight could tell how much the two were alike. "You must be Pearl. Rarity's said so many good things about you," she smiled.

Pearl blushed, pawing the ground. "I'm nothing special. Just another Pegasus in the crowd." Her smile grew. "But I've wanted to live in Ponyville for so long. Do you know how hard it is to meet any dragon in Baltimare? Very! How the hell am I supposed to be a Dragon Scholar if I can't even meet one?!"

Spike was taken aback by this. "You want to be a Dragon Scholar? There hasn't been one in centuries last I looked." Twilight nodded in agreement.

Pearl sighed. "Yeah, I know. But it's been a dream of mine since the last Dragon Migration. Dad was able to get us a great view as it flew over the city. I was hooked from then on. Even if it kills me, I plan on being Equestria's foremost Dragon Scholar someday."

Twilight smiled. It always warmed her heart to hear someone pursuing their dream, no matter what it might be or how hard or out of reach it was. 

"That's my girl," an older Pegasus mare chuckled as she joined the group. She bowed slightly to the princess. "And it is an honor to meet you, Princess Twilight. Pearl could not stop talking about you all the way here."

Pearl groaned in annoyance, getting a giggle from her mother. Twilight's smile grew. "It's no trouble, ma'am. And I'm happy to help Pearl as much as I can with her dream. Spike as well." The drake nodded.

Cirrus nodded, before biting her lip. "There is one more thing, princess. My daughter has, shall we say, a very short fuse. Especially when it comes to her friends."

Pearl growled. "Nopony picks on my friends and lives to tell about it."

Twilight's eyes widened. "You didn't..."

Pearl shook her head. "They're fine. As much as being in the hospital is fine anyway. Some of my best friends were ponies I protected from bullies."

Cirrus nodded glumly. "It's true. Even if they did not know each other before those incidents, Pearl will stand up for those she cares for. School was becoming more and more dangerous. I didn't want that for my daughter, so we moved here."

Twilight could see what she meant by that. Something in the back of her mind seemed to click. "I'm not sure what I can do though. Ponyville has its own school, and miss. Cheerilee is a fine teacher."

Pearl nodded glumly. Damm it. Maybe it had been asking for too much. Why would the princess be interested in her?

Twilight saw the dejection, and her heart fell. Before she knew what she was doing, wrapped a wing around the young filly and smiled. "But that does not mean that I cannot be your teacher as well, Pearl. It would not be the same as being my Personal Student, but I do not see why not."

Pearl's smile would make Pinkie Pie proud as she hugged the alicorn with a cry of "YES!"





"You did very well, Pearl," Cirrus said, the two of them finally home. She smirked as her daughter nodded, still over the moon with the news, and her fear now receeding. "But I also know that look in your eyes. What's wrong sweetie?"

Pearl tried to hide it, but her mother would soon see through any lie she told. "It's never going to work, mom. I saw it in her eyes."

Cirrus immediately understood what Pearl meant. "Oh, honey. You're too young. Princess Twilight knows that as well."

Pearl shook her head. "It's not the age difference, mom. I can wait if it was just that."

Cirrus was confused. "Then what is it, Pearl? You know Princess Twilight cares about you."

Pearl nodded with a sniff. "I saw it in her eyes. Her heart already belongs to somepony else. Even when I'm older, that won't change. Maybe it was just a stupid fillyhood crush talking, thinking we could ever be anything else."

Cirrus' heart fell right out of her as she pulled her daughter close, letting Pearl release her tears now. "Oh, honey. Never say never. You know how things change though. And never think that Princess Twilight does not love you. Perhaps one day, you can try. You never know."

Pearl tried to smile, but it came out forced. Something told her that it would not be that simple, but she soon shivered at what else she had seen. "What the hell was that... thing? I've never been so scared."

Cirrus could only shake her head. "I don't know, honey. It almost looked like a kitsune. But they're just a myth."

Pearl snorted. "Yeah? Go tell that thing that. Dad's shown me enough from Neighpon that I know what a kitsune looks like. I think that was one." She gulped. "I think I'll just stay in my room."

Cirrus smiled gently as she kissed her daughter's forehead as they entered the house. "Princess Twilight said she would come by later and discuss how this will work for you two. Are you up for seeing her? I can send her upstairs if you don't feel like coming down."

Pearl sighed as she flew up to her new room. "I don't know, mom. Ask me when gets here."

Cirrus' ears fell as Pearl closed the door to her room.
> Interdimensional Meeting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kohaku shivered as he stepped through the portal. The sudden rush of magic filling his body was light air fueling a fire. Taking a step he staggered slightly, catching himself as he put a paw on the table. 

“Careful there silly,” Twi said as she stretched her alicorn wings. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I haven't felt this dizzy in a while since my last combat review.” the young fox chuckled. After a moment he let go and stood tall and took in his surroundings. “Okay, so this is Equus? Not bad.” 

Twi giggled. “Well, we are only in Twilight’s castle. In a small part of Equestria.”

“I see.” Losing himself in thought for a moment and sniffed the air. “Well, where shall we go now?”

“Well let's check in with Twilight. So she knows we’re here.” Twi guided herself and Kohaku out into the main hall which was completely deserted. “I’m still not sure why you’re here with me. But honestly. It’s good to have a friend come with.”

“You heard what father said. He doesn’t want you alone in this world, now that you know what you really are. With your newfound magic, you need someone who can help keep it under control should it go awry.”

“So he sends you?  Your sisters would be more likely candidates.”

“True, but that’s like using an ocean to put out a campfire.” Kohaku grinned wide. Lifting his paws he produced a small sphere of green fire. “And it seems my body is far more suited to this world's magic like mother said.”

“Great.” Twi sighed with less enthusiasm. Looking about she frowned. “Now, where would Twilight be?”

“Well, she’s not here. I know her scent as well as yours. And I can tell she’s not in this place.” Kohaku sniffed a few more times for good measure before looking down the long hall. “But it does lead out of this place. And to someplace with a lot of pastry.”

“Sugarcube corner!” Twilight giggled. “Well, she does have a sweet tooth. Let's go see.”
 
Upon reaching the famous pastry store, Twi opened the doors and blinked. A massive party was in place as usual. But she got caught up in watching as her beloved was talking to a white pony with a red mane. “OH, buck... I forgot it was today.”

“Forgot what was today?”

“This world’s Pearl has moved to Ponyville. I must have gotten my dates messed up.” Twi could have kicked herself for benign so absentminded. This was not the situation she wanted to run into. “Looks like we have to go…” Turning around she found that her multitailed friend had gone. 

“Oh no.” Twisting back she felt her heart stop as Kohaku was lightly trotting his way to the party swiftly losing him in the large crowd.

Twilight saw her, and her smile grew even wider, earning a very confused look from the native Pearl as Twi squeezed her way through the crowd over to them.

Twilight quickly kissed her. “You didn’t say you were coming.”

Twi blushed. “I know. That’s not the only thing I forgot.” She quickly whispered something that Pearl couldn’t hear. And who the hay was this pony anyway? Something seemed off about her, and not just how she and the princess talked to each other.

Twilight’s eyes widened in shock. “You what?!”

Twi nodded sheepishly. “Kohaku came with me. His father insisted on it, and I couldn’t really say no. But why is nopony freaking out? He’s in his kitsune form.”

Twilight looked around. To her shock, nopony was acting any differently than before. Not even Pearl seemed fazed by seeing a double of the princess. But how?

Looking closer though, she noticed a faint shimmer in the air all around the room. “A Perception Filter. Someone’s cast it on the entire room. It’s why nopony is panicking. But who?”

“It had to have been him. Because I certainly didn’t cast it.” Twi looked about. She clearly saw Kohaku now chatting with Pinkie.

“Just how strong is he with magic?”

“His father said he’s our equal. Not too surprising given he’s only a few years younger than we are.”

Pearl rubbed her ears, trying to get the ringing out of them. “Who are you talking to, princess? I don’t think I’ve seen her around town yet.”

The twins shared a confused look. “You don’t see me?” Twi asked.

Pearl nodded. “Yeah, I see somepony. But not anypony from around Ponyville. Or I really need to get my eyes checked.”

Twilight frowned slightly. “A truly powerful Perception Filter at that,” she whispered before smiling. “This is just a friend of mine from out of town. She visits from time to time.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. Leave it to the Princess of Friendship to have out-of-town friends.

At that moment, her mother came over and whispered something in her ears that made them fall. “Do we?” Pearl asked with a sad look. Cirrus nodded. “Fine.”

Twilight blinked as the two seemed to excuse themselves. “You’re leaving?”

Cirrus nodded sadly. “I’m sorry princess. But there’s still so much we need to do at home.” She smiled over at Pinkie. “This was not part of the plan for today, but it was truly enjoyable.”

Kohaku stretched and walked his way up over toward the Princesses. “Hey, have you tried these yet? Double chocolate brownie cupcakes.” 

“Not now.” Twi sighed as she turned toward Cirrus. “Sorry, you were saying?”

Pearl blinked at Twilight’s friend for a moment before leaning in. “Um. Are you talking to me?” Looking about she felt the ringing in her ears get louder.

“OH sorry here.” A soft voice came into her head. Feeling something touch her shoulders Pearl saw a shimmer as her eyes went wide. “Can you see me now?”

She saw whatever it was standing there. Three tails waving about. Standing almost as tall as Twilight. Chocolate frosting on its mussel as he grinned at her with razor-sharp teeth. Pearl gasped and let out a shriek of terror as she stumbled backward. 

Kohaku dropped his cupcake as he covered his ears with two paws. His concentration broke as the sound of broken glass emanate through the room. Bringing all attention to his spot. Everypony screamed and running in terror. Cirrus grabbed onto Pearl and backed her into a corner, placing herself between her daughter and whatever it was they were seeing.

Kohaku just groaned as he rubbed his ear slightly. “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever felt a scream like that since Pearl’s first reaction to me.” 

Twilight let out a growl. “Cirrus. Take Pearl and get out of here. I will handle this mess. Hopefully, before it gets worse!”

Cirrus took one look into the princess’s eyes and nodded, before grabbing Pearl and making a beeline for the door. Nopony tried to stop them.

Twilight turned to Kohaku. “Outside. Now. Before I do something I will regret.”

Kohaku shrugged and rubbed his ear slightly. “No need to yell. My ears already feel like they're bleeding.” Walking to the door he politely excused himself, to which every pony just parted and pushed themselves up against the walls as he walked past and sat comfortably at one of the outside tables. Sitting there with his head down on his front legs, his ears flat.

Twilight at least turned her volume down as she and Twi joined him. “You just had to break the filter. If Pearl never leaves her room again, I will not be surprised. Let alone Ponyville.”

Kohaku grumbled. “Hey, it’s not like it was my fault. How was I to know she couldn’t take seeing me? I only shifted it so she could see me. It was her scream which broke the barrier down. Girl has a set of lungs on her… Wait… did you say, Pearl? As in my Pearl? My best friend in all the universe Pearl?” His eyebrow lifted up slightly looking at the two Princesses. “There’s one here too? I never knew the gods could be so cruel,” he smirked jokingly.

Twilight and Twi giggled slightly. “As far as I know, everyone in the Human World, aside from your family, has a counterpart here. Most ponies have never even heard of a kitsune. Those who do think they’re nothing but a myth,” Twilight replied.

Twi watched where Pearl and Cirrus had vanished to. “And I think you just blew your chance to be friends with this world’s Pearl.”

“So I take it she never told you.”

Twi blinked. “Who never told me what?”

“My Pearl, she had almost an identical reaction to what just happened.” Kohaku chuckled as he saw their eyes widen. “Of course, it wasn’t in a public place. We were in her bedroom just spending time talking about a new model kit. Well, she was talking I was trying to listen. And she accidentally stepped on my tail. Which broke my concentration and my human form faded away.”

“How bad did her parents take it?” Twilight smirked.

“They weren’t home. Business.” Both Twi’s nodded in understanding. “It took four hours but I finally calmed her down. And talked her off the ledge of her roof where she was cowering. I never saw her move so fast before.”

The girls giggled, but Twilights was forced. “Peal here, though… Ponies have a long racial memory. You kicked in her flight or fight response. All she saw was a predator who was big enough to easily take her down and make a meal out of her. The whole room did.”

Kohaku nodded slowly as he watched as everything slowly started to settle down. The ponies that were panicking were now slowly getting back to normal. He knew what he was, and the kind of reaction it would have on others. But seeing it firsthand was humbling. 

“There are lessons you still need to learn son if they are to lower the world barrier. And going with the Aris princess will help you learn them.” His father had told him. It was all he told him about it. Getting up Kohaku placed a shimmer around his body.

“I need to take a walk for now. Clear my head.”  Kohaku stated as he stood up.

Twilight swiftly placed a wing on Kohaku’s back. “I don’t think that’s a good idea Kohaku.” 

Kohaku just looked back at Twilight and kept his eyes steady. “It wasn’t a request.” His eyes hardened slightly making the Princess falter slightly and step backward. Before either Twilight could say or do anything. Kohaku had dashed off and vanished from their sight completely. 

Twilight sighed. “Should we go after him?”

Twi shook her head. “No. This is a lesson he needed to learn. The hard way is sometimes best. And I am so sorry about all of this. I got my dates mixed up.”

Twilight chuckled, nuzzling her. “Don’t be. My mind hasn’t been in the right place recently either. I totally forgot Pinkie had a party planned for today as well. This is not how I wanted this to go. But there is no turning back now.”

Twi smiled slightly. “Do you think Pearl will ever come out of her room ever again?”

Twilight bit her lip. “I don’t know. This is outside of what I know.”







Kohaku had no destination in mind as he walked. Where could he even go? This world was strange to him. Part of him wanted to go after Pearl. So what if she wasn’t his? He did not leave his friends hanging.

Maybe by design, or dumb luck, Kohaku found himself at the side of a river that flowed past Ponyville and into what he could only assume was the Everfree Forest. Strangely, he felt drawn to it, as if he belonged there. Strange.

“So much for a good first impression,” he grumbled as he felt a familiar type of aura form nearby. “And leave it to Pearl to be the one to do so. Somethings will never change it seems.”

“Your kind was never known for a good first impression, you overstuffed furball,” a voice said, seemingly coming from the river itself.

Kohaku watched as a dragon formed itself out of the water, before taking on a solid form. A slight smile crossed his lips as he saw the dragon form itself. “Wow. Didn’t expect this,” he chuckled lightly. 

The dragoness frowned. “And what did you expect? No kitsune lives this far west. The last clan that did vanished long ago. Assuming they were ever real and not made up.”

“I didn’t expect such a pretty dragoness to guard a river this grand,” Kohaku smirked as he walked around her. His claw lightly poked at her back for a moment then walked back around to the front. “Then again I don’t have much to go on. It’s my first time around here.” Setting himself up on a tree stump, Kohaku stretched. “So that’s the Everfree Forest. I’ve heard the tales. I never thought I’d see a forest so beautiful. OH silly me. Mother would have my hide for being so rude.” Holding out his paw he gave the dragoness his friendliest smile. “Kohaku Forestsong Everfree. At your service my lady.” and bowed his head politely.

Despite herself, the dragoness smiled as well. “Summer Rose. That is all I will give of my name. I still have little reason to trust you, Kohaku Forestsong.” Summer huffed as she taped his paw with her claw, never let it be said she was unpolite.

“Wow, all the warmth of an iceberg.” Kohaku chuckled much to the dragoness’s fury. “And that’s fine. I don’t trust you either, but then I don’t know you. The only dragons I know are my mother and sisters. And I know they can be a bit stubborn. Of course, my sisters take after father in that regard. I’m more like mom. Open and friendly.” he chuckled. Looking on he could have sworn he slammed a rock upside Summer's head for the shock on her face. 

“Liar…. No dragon would ever adopt a Kitsune boy.” Summer growled.

“Adopt? No adoption. My mother is a dragon very much like you. Although she’s a midnight blue with moonlight silver markings. Almost identical to my own. I just got father’s kitsune good looks.” He grinned and winked.

Summer sucked in her breath but looked into the boy’s eyes. They were not reminiscent of a kitsune, but of an eastern dragon like her. “How? Only one dragon ever mated with a kitsune, and that traitorous bitch died long ago, as did her so-called mate.”

Kohaku gave a low growl “Please do NOT insult my mother. She may have been the only dragoness to mate a Kitsune. Yeah, shes got a lot of grief from it. But love doesn’t have a race.” Kohaku took several long deep breaths calming himself ritually. “Sorry. I get defensive about family. And they did not die. They just left this world for another, after her kind refused to listen to her warnings about war.”

Summer leaned in close. “And what do you know of the war? My grandfather, not much older than I am now, was there the day the Destroyer unsheathed her rage. When the Slayer condemned so many to Oblivion. All of us are told this story.”

Kohaku sighed and bowed his head. Summer took a step back as she saw a small tear fall down his cheek. “Mother never kept it a secret from us. All the deaths, all the blood that was shed. The lives lost on both sides. So horrible. I can’t imagine how it was for those who lived back then.” lifting his head he wiped his eyes and sniffed. “I’ll never forgive those Hippogriffs for what they did to my aunt that dark day. Denying me and my sisters the chance to meet our families. To know their love and share in their wisdom.” letting out a sigh he looked up into Summer’s eyes. “I’m sure you have a similar feeling. The loss of family that war took from you.”

Summer nodded, letting her own tears fall. “The wound that was permanently scarred on all of us. Those who lived through it, and those who came after. Our kinds were never friends. The war took away any chance that could change. For us to even be talking is looked down on by most.”

“And yet we are talking. I was feeling down and you came out of your river when you could have easily ignored me.” Kohaku smiled sitting up straight. “Granted your words were not very friendly, but they were words regardless. And now, we’re sharing thoughts about a war that was before our time.” Chuckling Kohaku slowly wrapped his tails around his lower legs. “Mother always said that the past should stay in the past. And learn from its mistakes for a better future.” Walking forward he stood in front of Summer.

Summer looked at him with her eyes narrowed. Her mind twisted and turned in confusion. 

“And I always thought friendships between two peoples need one thing.” Reaching out he held out his paw, palm upturned. “Something my parents knew when they got together, and that’s someone needs to take the first leap of faith. And I have never been one to shy away from a challenge.”

Summer’s mind was reeling. Was he truly offering what she thought he was? One look in his eyes said there was no deception, only the truth. Perhaps it was spending so much time near the friendliest place in Equestria, but a part of her knew this was the right thing to do. “We are a long way from being friends.” She held up her claw against his. “But I was never one to follow the norm anyway.”

The pair just held paw and claw together for a moment in a silent understanding of their first step. Turning their gaze to Ponyville. Watching everything going on in silence. 

“Now. Go fix that mess you caused for my sister, and I’ll let you off the hook even more,” Summer growled.

Kohaku rubbed his head. “There’s more than one dragon in Ponyville?”

Summer shook her head. “Princess Twilight’s young charge, Spike. But that is not who I meant. A certain Pegasus you nearly scared to death earlier. She has quite the lungs on her. Or are you afraid to face her?”

“Your sister is a Pony?” Kohaku blinked and tilted his head. 

Summer nodded. “Your parents never taught you of Twin Souls?”

“No, they did. I just never met one. How do you know she’s your sister? That’s usually found out when the two are brought together?”

Summer blinked and looked at the fox and opened her mouth only to shut it quickly, what she had just said finally dawning on her. “OH, that’s right… Mother said I wasn’t supposed to mention that to anyone. Uh, any chance you might want to forget that?”

Smirking he chuckled. “Only if you help me fix my problem in making things up with her.”

Summer grumbled, but felt she didn’t have much choice in the matter. “Deal.”

“Great. I’m going to have to get going. I have to get back before the sun sets. My body is still acclimating to this world. Too much exposure too soon is dangerous. And I know father is never wrong when it comes to this stuff.” Getting up Kohaku leaped over the dragoness’s head and landed on the hill behind her. “I’ll see you later Summer. It’s been a pleasure to meet you. Pearl too. I can’t wait to tell all this to my Pearl.” 

Laughing he left the dragoness to mull over his confusing comments.
> New Student Worries
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight smiled as Kohaku returned to the castle, seemingly in a much better mood now. "I assume from your smile that everything is better now?"

Kohaku nodded, stretching and bowing. "Indeed, and I do apologize for the uproar earlier. It was not my intent."

Twilight sighed. "I know. This was not how I envisioned this happening or happening at all if I'm being honest. But what's done is done. This will keep Ponyille talking for weeks. Most ponies don't even know what a kitsune is, and those who do think you're nothing but a myth."

Kohaku just smiled wider, as he saw the scale on the princess's desk. "And I see you've met your resident dragon as well. She is rather nice, once you get past her tough exterior."

Twilight's eyes twitched. So it was what she had thought it was, as Twi gave it a confused look. "What is it? It looks like a scale."

Twilight nodded. "It's an eastern dragon scale. One lives in the river that runs by Ponyville. I believe I met her several days ago, but she was in pony form at the time. Why I do not know, or why she came to me at all."

Kohaku just smirked. "It might have something to do with a certain Pegasus you met earlier. And as much as I wish to, I cannot stay. I have to be home before the sun sets. My body is still acclimating to this world, and too much exposure too soon is dangerous."

Twilight made a mental note of that. Interesting. "Perhaps it is for the best that you and Pearl do not meet. At least for the time being. I just hope I can help her now. She was deathly afraid when she and her mother left."

Twi nuzzled her. "You'll be fine, love. Who better than the Princess of Friendship herself to help her? And you know Ponyville will make her welcome. Assuming she doesn't go crazy first."

Kohaku chuckled. "You're too late for that. No matter what world or universe it may be, Pearl is always crazy. You just need to learn to deal with it and roll with the punches. Literally."

That got a laugh out of everyone, as Kohaku steadied his breathing, before stepping through the portal. Twi sighed as she walked over as well. "And if I don't return as well, I'll be hearing it from someone."

Twilight rolled her eyes, before kissing her love. "They do care and are only worried about you. Never forget that."

Twi smiled and relaxed into the kiss. "I know. But can they be less stubborn about it?"

Twilight giggled, earning an annoyed snort from her girlfriend before she too stepped through the portal. She sighed as she disconnected the Journal from the machine that powered it all. Now, there was somepony who needed her, and this afternoon's events had changed things.





Pearl sighed as she finished setting up her room, flopping onto her bed as she did so. "At least this went right. Some first day in a new town. Least everypony is friendly."

She smiled. Despite everything else, everypony had been welcoming and nothing but friendly, not caring who her family was. Sure, being all but kidnapped by Pinkie Pie had been weird, but from talking to other ponies, it seemed to be normal for any new ponies in Ponyville.

Getting to meet all of the Elements of Harmony had been awesome. Pearl had been following their adventures since that fateful Summer Sun Celebration against Nightmare Moon. And Princess Twilight?

Pearl sniffed. So what if it was a fillyhood crush, she didn't care. Her love for the princess was real. Damn their age difference. Their talking together had only increased it for Pearl. and she'd never had a chance. Not even to confess her feelings. Any chance they could be something more than friends, crushed before she could even try. It was little consolation to know Twilight hadn't done it on purpose. But her heart would never belong to Pearl.

Pearl punched her pillow, taking her sorrow and frustration out the only way she knew. "Damn it all!" She looked over at her stuffed fox plushie. "Why did I have to fall for the smart, cute one?"

He had the sense to not offer his two cents. A wise choice when Pearl was like this. So what if she was past the age when fillies got rid of their stuffed animal friends, Pearl didn't care. Her fox had been her constant companion for as long as she could remember, through both the good and bad. And Pearl made sure to take good care of him, no matter how much she used him as a punching bag.

A knock on her door brought Pearl back to earth as she wiped her eyes. "Pearl. Are you alright?" Cirrus asked.

Pearl gulped down her problems for the moment. "Yeah, mom. I'm fine. Got my room set up at least."

Cirrus chuckled. "That's good dear. There is someone here to see you. I think you'll want to meet her."

Pearl rolled her eyes as she sat up. "Unless she brought a ton of ice cream, I doubt it."

Cirrus only smiled as she opened the door, revealing Princess Twilight with several buckets of ice cream floating in her magic. "I did in fact bring some. Your mother says these are your favorite flavors," the alicorn giggled.

Pearl eeped in shock as she fell off her bed, earning a giggle from her mother who took the treats. "I'll just put these away for later. You two play nice," and pranced off, earning a groan from her daughter.

Twilight rolled her eyes as she stepped into the room. "I hope you do not mind. But I felt this could not wait."

Pearl shook her head, flopping onto her bed once more. "Not like I could stop you, princess," she smirked, earning a giggle in return.

It was soon replaced, however, as Twilight's ears fell. "Pearl. I am so sorry about what happened earlier. It is not how I wanted your first day in Ponyville to go. If I had known it was going to happen, I would have said something."

Pearl bit her lip. She could feel the princess was being honest, and it helped ease her fears. "What was that thing? Kitsunes aren't real."

Twilight sighed as she sat down on the filly's bed as well. "They are very real, my faithful student. His name is Kohaku Forestsong, a good friend of mine. And a consistent pain in my flank as well."

Pearl giggled. "Do I need to worry about running into him again? I'd rather not if I can help it."

Twilight smiled. "That will be up to him and his family. He will not be around Ponyville constantly, but I feel you will meet him again. And I feel it will be good for both of you."

Pearl rolled her eyes. She doubted that. "Go figure. This town really is crazy!" She smiled as she looked out her window. "But I think I'm going to like it. Less to worry about than in Baltimare."

Twilight's smile widened slightly. "That's the spirit! And there is one more thing as well. Today has taught me something."

Pearl gave her a look. "What's that, princess?"

Twilight shook her head. "Our previous arrangement will need to be modified. I've already talked with your mother and Cheerilee. There is very little she can teach you."

Pearl nodded happily. "Yeah. Miss. Frizzle knew her stuff pretty well. She could be a pain when she was mad, but she did care. I actually miss her a little." Her brows rose. "But what does that have to do with anything? Miss Cheerilee doesn't seem that bad. Is she?"

Twilight chuckled. "No. But I feel you will not get all you need out of her. So..."

Pearl's breath hitched. Was Twilight asking what she thought she was? "Then...?"

Twilight's smile grew. "Pearl Rose. I want to make you my Personal Student. I've already talked to your mother about this, and she is more than happy to let you be. But I will not force you into this. This must be your choice."

Pearl was stunned, as she waited for the punch line. This couldn't be real, could it? But she could see the sincerity in Twilight's eyes. This was no joke. "But. Why me, princess? I'm nopony special. Definitely not someone to be your student."

Twilight shook her head with a gentle smile, as she wrapped a wing around the filly. "Never say that, Pearl. Anyone who says your not special is too stupid for their own good, and should be repeatadely be slapped upside the head."

Pearl blushed at the praise. It took only a few seconds for her to make up her mind. "YES! When do I start?"

Twilight giggled. "Give it a few days. I will still need to work out a schedule, and there is still so much of Ponyville for you to see." She winked. "Make some friends."

Pearl rolled her eyes. And there it was. "I swear that if this ends with me battling some ancient evil, princess, I blame you."

Twilight giggled. "Here is your first lesson, my Faithful Student. Stop calling me princess. No friend of mine should ever have to use my title. Use Twilight or miss. Sparkle if you can't use my actual name."

Pearl gulped. She had been afraid of that. "I'll try... Twilight."

Twilight nodded. It would take time for it to click. As the two headed down to the kitchen to celebrate, something nagged at her, and she could not stop thinking about it.

She had seen the way Pearl had looked at her all day. From the first moment, they had locked eyes. It went beyond simple admiration and respect, though those were there as well. Far beyond. It was the same look she had seen once before. On Mount Aris that fateful day.

The question then became. What did she do now? She remembered well the vision the Pearl had shown her and Twi. It could not be a coincidence this had happened as well. Both versions of Pearl would not be there unless there was a very good reason.
> Now What?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight and Pearl sat comfortably outside the Canterlot Sugarcube Corner. At one of their many outside tables under a large shaded umbrella. Beside Pearl rested a very large green fox with three tails. His body was slightly emaciated from his week away but was slowly returning to full health. Reaching down Pearl scratched between his ears, earning her a light purr from his throat. 

“So other me has a crush on you? I don’t see the problem,” Pearl shrugged looking up at Twilight and taking a swig of her smoothie as the princess rubbed her forehead. “She doesn’t know about Twi, does she?”

Twilight shook her head. “No, and that is the problem. I remember what it feels like to have my crush destroyed. Thankfully, Princess Celestia was gentle about it at least.”

Pearl shook her head with a groan. Ponies. “Is it because she’s so young? Rainbow’s told me what they do to ponies who are caught doing that.”

Twilight sighed. “That is part of it, I must admit. But age, past a certain point for me, will always be a problem. Her growing up would remove that problem at least.”

Pearl groaned, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “Then what’s wrong with waiting?! You're making a mountain out of a molehill here.” She smirked. “You do think I’m cute, right? Come on, I’ve seen how both you and Twi look at me.”

Twilight blushed, not responding as she grumbled into her drink. It was all Pearl needed to hear as she giggled. “Does other you know about this?” She asked.

Twilight nodded. “Yes. She said the same thing. But I still don’t know what to do. I still don’t get how she didn’t see us at the party.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. “Kohaku here was doing you both a favor. Given my first reaction to seeing you after knowing Twi for so long. I was near hysterics.”

“If it makes you feel better, she did slap me silly for a while because of all the ruckus I caused,” Kohaku muttered lifting his head up slightly and smiled

Twilight looked at the two of them. It didn’t actually, but Twilight appreciated the gesture. 

Pearl shook her head and laid a hand on Twilights. “Look. I remember my first crush. I kicked myself for years afterward for not confessing what I felt when I had the chance.” Pearl leaned back and crossed her arms. “It’s partly why I’m so open with Rainbow. I don’t want you or Twi to make the same mistakes. You’ll be around each other enough that she’ll confess to you eventually. Even if only to finally get it out of her system, knowing it’ll never happen. So, please. Don’t break her heart.”

Twilight smiled. “But that’s the thing. Part of me wants it to happen. I can’t say for sure where it came from. But the feeling has been there since Spectrum when I saw you.”

Pearl nodded. There it was. “Then wait for it. If she does confess before she’s old enough, gently explain to her how great an age difference there is. And at least until she’s old enough you can only share a teacher-student relationship and friendship. Then when she’s old enough and she still feels the same way, test the waters and see how works out. If Twi is up for a polyamorous relationship I say try it.”

Twilight blushed, earning another giggle from Pearl. But this talk was something she had needed. And she was glad it was just the three of them. She’d never hear the end of it from her friends.

Never.
> Crystal Destiny
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Flurry!!” Cadence called out as she poked her head into Twilight’s library and eeped seeing her sister in law deep in study. “OH sorry Twilight. Have you seen Flurry? It’s time for her nap.”

“Hey sis, sorry I haven’t.” Twilight chuckled looking up from her desk. She was glad that her family came to visit for the week. “I know she’s walking on her own now but she couldn’t have gone too far.”

“You’d be surprised. Ever since she became mobile, Shining and I have had our hooves full keeping her fenced in.” Cadenced huffed. “And that’s not including her newfound teleportation abilities.”

Twilight nodded as she was amazed at how much her niece was growing. Not only physically but in power as well. “Yeah I know that much. Having her teleport into my bedroom last night while I was,” Twilight coughed. “Occupied with Twi was more then I was expecting. So I’m looking to see if there’s a spell to block it that will actually work with her.”

“Thanks. And again I'm so sorry about that. She has that knack about doing the same with me and Shining.” The two shared a light laugh. “Well if she teleports into here. Try and hold her down for me.” 

Smiling Twilight nodded. “Will do.”





Kohaku hummed as he rested comfortably at the river's edge. Thankful to get away from the constant reminders from his Pearl and Twilight about how he should behave around Ponyville,  his front legs behind his head while his hind legs crossed. A hind paw tapped to the beat of his music player when he felt a sudden thump several paces behind him.

Opening his eyes he looked up to see a pink bundle rolling down the hill till it bounced onto his head. Smirking, he looked up and saw a pair of crystal blue eyes looking down at him. 

“Well hello, there little one.” Kohaku chuckled rolling over onto his belly and looking at the young filly in front of him. “So what's your…” Gasping he felt a shiver down his spine as he looked deeper into those crystal eyes. A visage of the crystal pony from his dreams flashed in his head. Making his heart jump several beats.

“Oh boy. Are you Flurry Heart?” Kohaku asked as little Flurry giggled and booped him with her small hoof. Looking up he saw the castle in the distance and smirked. “You out here on your own aren't you?”

“Uhh huh?” Flurry murmured looking at him.

“Well, I can’t leave you all alone.” Reaching down he griped the foal by the scruff of her neck and flipped the alicorn filly up and over to land belly first on his back. An action that was rewarded with a laugh. “Oh, you like that huh?” Kohaku grinned seeing the kind of bravery she was showing. Looking back and forth he smiled. His Pearl wouldn’t return for at least a few more hours to get him. And he didn’t know when he would again have this kind of opportunity to see just how daring his future dream girl could be again. “How about we have some real fun?”

Flurry smiled wide and nodded rapidly.

“Then grip tight kid. We’re going for a ride.” Kohaku laughed as he dashed into the Everfree Forest, Flurry laughing as much as he was.

By the river a set of eyes watched him dash off with the little Filly and gulped. “Oh, this can’t be good.” Turning herself into a pony, Summer flew up and toward the castle.





“What do you mean you can’t find her?!” Twilight fumed, pacing back and forth between her throne and the Cutie Map. “How do you lose a baby alicorn?!”

Spike shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know, Twilight. Nopony’s seen her in a while now. And no one in Ponyville’s said anything either. You know they’re supposed to say something if they see her.”

Twilight growled. That was true at least. “Oh… Cadence is going to kill me, and then banish me.”

At that moment, Pearl poked her head inside. “Is this a bad time?”

Twilight did her best to compose herself for her student and smiled. “Not at all, Pearl. Come in, please. I don’t suppose you’ve seen my niece by any chance, have you?”

“Princess Flurry?” Pearl asked, before nodding. “Yeah. She dropped in on me a few hours ago.” She giggled. “First time that’s ever happened. I think she likes me, though. I gave her a few piggyback rides around my room. Then she teleported off. Haven’t seen her since.”

Twilight sighed. So much for that avenue at least. 

Pearl looked between the princess and Spike, before facehooving with a groan. “Oh for… How the hell do you lose a baby alicorn? You guys stick out like a sore wing.”

Spike snickered while Twilight groaned. There was the snark and forthrightness she had come to love and dread from her student. “I don’t know. Cadence is going to kill me if she finds out.”

“And then banish you, or throw you in a dungeon in the place she banishes you to,” Spike smirked.

Twilight shot him a glare, while Pearl giggled. “Not. Helping. Spike,” she growled.

Pearl’s ears dropped. “Come on. She can’t have gone that far. Wouldn’t someone in Ponyville say something if they’d seen her?”

Twilight nodded. “Yes. I’ve made it clear that if anyone sees Flurry by herself around town, they need to say something. But no one has, and that’s what worries me.”

“I have seen her actually, princess,” River said, as she flew into the room. “But you will not like where.”

Pearl blinked, as she and the Pegasus locked eyes for a moment. Why did it feel like there was something there? She shook her head. Not the time.

Twilight frowned. “Where, River? And why am I only now hearing about this?”

River sighed. “Someone took your niece into the Everfree Forest. He appeared to be a rather large fox with three tails.”

Twilight’s anger flared. “He did what?!”

River nodded. “I was too far away to try and stop them, but young Flurry seemed rather happy with the idea.”

Twilight ground her teeth. “Of course she did. I’m going to strangle him for this.”

Pearl placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “He won’t eat her, will he?”

Twilight shook her head, hearing the worry in Pearl’s voice. “No. But that’s not what I’m worried about. Neither of them knows how dangerous the Evefree is, and I’d rather not have to explain to his family if something happens.”

River frowned. “You show quite a lot of worry for someone who seems to be nothing but a pain.”

Twilight was taken aback by the coldness of her voice. “Because as much as he is, Kohaku is still a good friend of mine, and is under my care while he’s here. Even if he doesn’t need it.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. Leave it to the princess to be friends with such a pain in everyone’s ass. “They can’t have gone that far. If we hurry, we can still find them before something else does.”







“What’s her deal anyway? I get she’s worried about Flurry. But does she have something against this furball?” Pearl asked as she and Twilight followed River into the Everfree.

Twilight rubbed her snout. “It’s a long story and not a pleasant one. I might tell you one day, but it’s still too fresh for me to explain.” Pearl nodded slowly as she followed Twilight through the thicket along the river. “River and I first met when I thought out loud if there’s an eastern dragon in the river. She just appeared as a pony, and we talked for a while. I eventually brought up the feud with kitsunes, and she turned ice cold.”

Pearl's grin would have made Pinkie proud as she buzzed her wings. “There’s an eastern dragon in Ponyville? Why did nopony tell me?!”

Twilight giggled. “I believe so, my student. But no one has met them yet. Do not forget that the Rose River flows for many miles, so it could be hard to meet them.”

Pearl smirked. “They don’t know me very well if they think that’s going to stop me. Spike is an awesome friend, and he does know a lot. But he is so biased with his Dragon Code.”

Twilight nodded, before winking. “Well. I’m sure you’ll meet them eventually, Pearl. With persistence if nothing else.”

Pearl giggled. “I better. Mom’s gonna kill me if I go looking by myself. Been in enough trouble for going off on my own. OUCH!” Pearl yelped as a branch hit her in the back of the head. “Why couldn’t this furball take Flurry someplace nice?”

“I don’t know what goes on in his head. I’ve known him longer than I’ve known you. And I still can’t figure him out.” Twilight groaned as she half-tripped over the root of a tree. “I should be giving Flurry a bath right now.”





With a yell and a squeal of delight, Kohaku and Flurry leaped from the top of a waterfall two hundred hooves down into a large lake. Landing with a splash that leaped up fifty hooves high. As He bobbed his head up out of the water. Kohaku saw Flurry bounce up in a bubble that popped and started to dog-paddle around him with a smile and a giggle.

Reaching out he pulled the filly close. “Come here ya little seapony,” With a whip of his paw he created a float ring and placed Flurry in it. Then with another wave of his paw, summoned up a set of sand soaps. “Let's see. You strike me as a lavender girl. Am I right?” Kohaku asked as he held up a pawfull of purple sand. 

Flurry smiled and nodded rapidly.

“Okay then.” Spinning her around, Kohaku started to lather her mane as three timber wolves walked up to the edge of the lake. The fox smirked as he looked them dead in the eyes, half ignoring Flurry’s frightened squeeks. Before he could utter a word all three Timberwolves knelt down to the grass, heads on paws, and looked at the pair like puppies. 

Flurry looked up at Kohaku and blinked. 

“Honestly, why are ponies so afraid of this place?” Shrugging he went back to bathing the young filly.





Cadence hummed as she looked about the forest. “Okay, Flurry. Hide and Seek is over now. Come out. It’s time for your nap!” She yelled before almost bumping into Spike.

“Oh, Spike I’m so sorry.”

Spike shrugged as he closed his comic. “Eh, no worries Cadence,” the young drake chuckled. “Still can’t find Flurry?”

“No. and I’m starting to get worried. I’ve looked all over this castle and Ponyville twice. And now I can’t find Twilight either,” the crystal princess sighed as she sat down. “I know she likes to spend time with her niece but this is getting out of hand. She’s still a filly. Yes, she’s four but still. Did you have any luck?”

Shaking his head Spike sighed. “I checked in the library. Every square inch. Found a dozen new comics to read but no Flurry. But I’ll keep looking.”

“Thanks, Spike,” Cadence smirked as he walked away, his snout buried in his comic. “This is getting frustrating.” Looking out the window, she saw the sun had already passed mid-day. “I should be putting her down for a nap right now.”





Kohaku lounged about in a high tree. Five strong vines expertly weaved together to form a hammock that supported his weight and that of the sleeping filly on his chest. One front leg rested along her waist while the other one rested behind his head. His back two legs crossed one over the other as his tails acted like a blanket for the small girl. 

He purred ever so gently, taking in long soft breaths while watching birds fly overhead. In his mind, he guessed at the shapes of clouds overhead. Below him, a hundred hooves down. The three timberwolves all rested. Their emerald eyes kept watch all around.

“Can life get much sweeter than this?” Closing his eyes, he was blissfully unaware of the two ponies that carefully inched themselves away from the trio of slumbering timber wolves as he himself started his own nap.





Pearl trembled as she held her breath. Her and Twilight both moving away after Twilight had magically grabbed something from the trio of timber wolves. She couldn’t see what it was outright. It was an hour after they had finished running away in fear of waking the wolves that she finally asked. 

“Twilight, what was that? What you grabbed?” Pearl bit her lips as she saw Twilight’s haunted look as she held up a blue teddy bear. 

“I gave this to Flurry two years ago.” Twilight trembled as she talked. “She never goes anywhere without it. Oh Celestia, what have I done..” Twilight began to tear up before falling to her knees.

Pearl bit down on her lower lip as she moved forward. “Maybe she just dropped it? Should we…” Pearl started but Twilight’s voice soon drowned her out.

“Cadence is never going to forgive me for this… Flurry was in my care, I…I should have been watching them closer I…” A groan and a sniffle escaped her lips before walking on towards the forest edge and back to Ponyville. “And Kohaku… oh gods his family is going to kill me..” Walking past Pearl as if she wasn’t there Twilight continued to ramble on and on.

Pearl bit her lip as she looked back. Her heart ached at the thought of what was lost. 





Twilight kept her head down as she slowly walked up the hallway of her castle her head pounding from convincing Pearl to go home. As stubborn as that girl was, Pearl agreed that what happened next was between Twilight and Cadence. On reaching her throne room. Twilight put her hoof on the door. Taking a long deep breath she pushed it open and blinked seeing Cadence talking to Pearl. 

“About time,” Pearl smirked as she stretched.

“Twilight, where have you been?” Cadence shook her head as she walked forward. “I’ve been worried sick wondering where you have been. And where is my daughter? She’s hours late for both a bath and nap now.”

Twilight felt herself get dizzy as she turned her attention to Pearl. “I thought I sent you home? How did you get here before me?”

Pearl blinked and then giggled. “I think you have the wrong Pearl. I came through the portal mirror ten minutes ago. I’m here for my furball. His sisters sent me here to pick him up. He’s an hour late returning home.” Pearl gave Twilight a smirk. “So where is he?”

“I…” Twilight began as she shivered noticeably. “Something bad happened. I… I’m so..” Twilight broke down. Tears fell from her cheek as she brought out Flurry’s bear.

Cadence came forward and raised an eyebrow. “Twilight? Where was this?”

“I,” gulping, Twilight breathed in through her nose. “I found it amidst some Timber Wolves. I had gotten news that he and Flurry went into the Everfree Forest.”

Cadence and Pearl looked at each other for a moment then down at Twilight. Their own feelings getting deeper felt in their chests.

“I tried to find them. But, I guess I was just too late. I’m so sorry. I failed you both. Please… please don't hate me. I never meant for this to happen.” Twilight bowed her head as she felt Cadence wrap her wings around Twilight and held her sister-in-law close. The two princesses looked at each other before both bursting into tears. 

Pearl huffed as she kicked at a wall, cracking the crystal. “Damn you Kohaku!!”

“What?” a confused voice called out from the double doors. Pearl, Twilight, and Cadence all turned and saw Kohaku standing there. His trio of tails swished about as Flurry swatted at them with her hoof.

“Kohaku? Is that… are you?” Twilight half blubbered as Cadence squeed and ran out and picked up her daughter off his back. 

“Oh, Flurry. I was so…” Cadence hugged her daughter tight as the young girl groaned trying to pull away.

“I knew it... Okay, what’s going on Kohaku?” Pearl huffed as she walked over and swatted her friend upside the head with her wing. 

“Ouch! Hey what did I do to deserve that.” Looking about as he rubbed his head. “And what’s with the waterworks? You all looked like someone had just died.”

“I thought. Well, the timber wolves and this.” Twilight pulled out the bear as she felt her mind grind to a halt as Kohaku walked up. 

“So that’s where it went.” Plucking the bear up Kohaku tossed it over to Cadence and Flurry. “Heads up kiddo.” 

Flurry giggled and cried out as she caught her bear with her magic and hugged it tightly.

“I thought those wooden rascals ran away with it.” Sighing he looked back up at Twilight. “So what’s this about Timber Wolves?”

Pearl sighed. “She thought Timberwolves ate you and the kid there.”

Kohaku blinked as he sat up and looked at Flurry who finally broke free of her mom and flew over to Kohaku, who caught her and hugged the girl tight. “Those powder puffs? Eat me? Seriously?” He looked at Twilight and quirked an eyebrow.

“Well it’s your first time here in Equestria, you don't know how dangerous our Everfree Forest is.”

Nuzzling little Flurry for a moment he looked at Twilight and shook his head. “Oh please. I’ve seen flower beds more dangerous than that place.”

“Well to Ponies that place is very dangerous.” Cadence stepped up and looked down at Kohaku. “What made you want to bring my daughter into such a place.”

Shrugging he just looked at the Filly in his arms. “I was bored. And I thought she was too given how she was teleporting all over the map. When she landed on my head. I just thought Twilight was too busy to watch over her. So, I took over.” 

“Be that as it may, she could have gotten hurt. What if she teleported away from you and the worst had happened?”

Waving his paw aside, Kohaku shook his head. “She was perfectly safe. And as for teleporting away. Not happening. I disabled her magic moments after she was in my grasp.”

Cadence and Twilight blinked and looked at each other. “You did What!?” their voices in unison.

“What? Like it’s hard. One pressure point was all it took. It wasn’t good to have such a young girl just wondering about all willy-nilly.” Kohaku sighed and leaned back. 

“Well since nothing wrong really happened. I’m not going to press the matter.” Cadence smiled as she levitated her daughter. “Now if you excuse me, this little one is late for a bath and nap.”

“Both of which have already been done. She had a nice luxurious bath with lavender soap. And a nice long nap high up in the trees. That must have been when her bear fell to the ground. I kicked myself for not noticing it. But I was more concerned keeping this little one safe.”

Blinking Cadence smiled. “You took care of her bath and nap already? How do you know how to take care of foals.”

“OH, Kohaku is very good with kids.” Pearl, who had been enjoying the interactions finally stepped up again. “He actively watches children for high-end parents.”

Twilight looked at Kohaku and felt her lip quiver a bit. “I’m afraid to ask what you charge.”

Laughing Kohaku walked up and came nose to nose with Flurry. “Well, for my high-end clients I usually charge a great deal.” Quirking an eyebrow he smiled at everyone. “But for this little angel.” Taping Flurry’s nose, he chuckled at her giggling. “I’ll watch for free.”
> Confessions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pearl watched as Flurry swatted at Kohaku's tails with a squee as the young fox sat comfortably on a bail of straw all while enjoying a fruit smoothie and a good book. Nopony in Ponyville's market paid it much mind, seemingly having grown used to the strange sight. "Hard to believe he's so good with kids. And here I was panicking and thinking we would never see her again. Just another month in Ponyville I guess."

Cadance nodded as she watched her daughter. She was still worried, but with less concern than she might have. "Flurry doesn't seem to mind, and Kohaku seems to enjoy her presence. So I'm willing to take Midnight's word that everything will be fine."

Pearl rolled her eyes. "For someone who's barely in Ponyville. she and Princess Twilight spend a lot of time together. I mean? I like her, but still," she shrugged.

Cadance smirked knowingly. "There is a reason for that, but Twilight will have to tell you herself." She chuckled as Pearl's tail twitched. "Now. I don't think you called me here just for us to have a lovely lunch together. I know the pain of one of Twilight's sorting moods, and I'm enjoying the afternoon. But I don’t think things are so simple, and you have a look on your face that’s telling me there’s more to this than you want to say aloud."

Pearl's breath hitched. Damn it all. Why did she have to be so transparent? "Is this an alicorn thing, or do I need to work on my poker face?"

Cadance giggled. "A bit of both actually. Empathic sensing is one of my abilities as the Princess of Love. But, you'll also never be a good poker player at this rate." She smirked as Pearl blushed. "So. Does Twilight know?"

Pearl grumbled. "Know what?"

Cadance rolled her eyes. "You know, about how you feel about her? You don't need to say anything. I've seen how you look at her."

Pearl's eyes twitched. Double damn it. This was not turning out to be one of her better ideas. But the genuine look of compassion and love in Cadance's eyes helped put her at ease. "No. But it doesn't matter now. She already has somepony in her heart."

Cadance's heart fell as she heard the heartbreak in the filly's voice. "Does it change how you really feel about her? You know Twilight wouldn't hurt you like this on purpose."

Pearl. "No. And I know she isn't doing it on purpose. It's not even our age difference. I knew that going into this." She sighed as she took a sip of her drink. "Maybe it is just a fillyhood crush, and I'll grow out of it. But I can't help it. Is that so bad?"

Cadance shook her head as she took the filly's hooves in her own. "No, it isn't. Being honest with yourself is good as well. I remember my first crush." She rolled her eyes. "And no. It wasn't Shining Armor."

Pearl giggled. "So what am I supposed to do? This is driving me crazy, and I don't even know who this other pony is. All I know is that the princess has it bad for her, even I can see that. She must be worth it too."

Cadance bit her lip. She had spoken with both Twilight and Twi about this very same subject. It was something she had never expected to have to help with, but here she was. "She does. I haven't seen love this strong before. But I also know that Twilight cares deeply about you, Pearl. Never think otherwise."

Pearl nodded. "I know. Do I just wait till I'm old enough then? I know what they do to ponies caught like that with fillies and colts." She snorted. "I can think of a few ponies who deserve that punishment, but still. That was my plan anyway. Spending time with the princess is making it hard though."

Cadance bit her lip. "I can only offer suggestions, Pearl. I can't make ponies fall in love. Even if it was a power that I had, I refuse to sink to that level. All I can say. Is to follow your heart. You have a good heart. Anypony can tell you that. Love is also a strange thing. Things could change between now and then."

Pearl smiled. Cliché or not, it was better than nothing at all. It wasn't like she didn't have plenty of time to not make a complete fool of herself. And who knew? Maybe her crush would fade with time, especially if she ever met Princess Twilight's special somepony.

She could try and hope anyway. Something told her that it wouldn't be that easy though.





From across the street, Kohaku listened in on the conversation between the two, while also keeping an eye on Flurry Heart. Despite their differences, this Pearl and his best friend were basically one and the same in most ways. If he squinted, he could even fool himself into thinking that was his Pearl.

And if there was one thing any version of Pearl Rose had in spades, it was her inability to hide how she really felt about something. Something he had learned the hard way more than once. Knowing what Equestria did to ponies caught in a compromising position with a minor, he could understand why she was hesitant.

That Twilight felt the same way made this more fun. His Perception Filter around Twi was still in place, mostly for Pearl's benefit since it was quite a shock if she didn't know better. That Twi too felt the same way towards his Pearl was just the icing on the cake. Maybe it was time to drop it.

It would be good for a laugh at least. Now he just needed a perfect chance to enact it.






“I hate having to hide like this,” Twi grumbled, as she and the princess sat together in the main library.

Twilight sighed. “Do you want Pearl to cause a panic? Be thankful that the filter is still on. I still do not know how I will explain all of this to her.”

Twi shot her a look. “And what about how she feels about you? I’m willing for a three-way when she’s old enough. After all, there are more than a few ponies who are polygamists. Gods, I remember my first crush and how I messed it up by waiting too long.”

Twilight nodded. “Unless something drastic happens, I am willing to wait as well. Things may change between now and then.” She smirked. “I’ve seen how you look at the human Pearl. So I know you’re not just saying that.”

Twi blushed. “So what? Not like you’re any better Twily. Good thing Cadance seemed to have some idea of what Pearl was thinking earlier when they left.”

Twilight nodded, laying a wing on her fellow alicorn. “Flurry seems to really like Kohaku. Why is beyond me, but I think it is good for her to get out with more non-ponies.”

Twi sighed. “And the vision we saw?”

Twilight shrugged. “What of it? It didn’t show what lead to all of us on Mount Aris. Visions are not a precise science. Especially one so many millennia old. I try not to think about it. It may not even happen.”

Twi rolled her eyes as she lay into the princess. She somehow doubted it would be that simple. It never was it seemed, as Twilight kissed the top of her head.

Neither of them noticed the slight shimmering around Twi’s body for a moment, before disappearing.







Pearl huffed as she finally got the floral trio to settle down. Across the way she saw both Kohaku and Flurry laughing it up as still more than a few roses were dancing about, pulling on the tails of one of the mares. Stomping over she glared at Kohaku taking a long deep breath. But was swiftly stopped by a tail around her mussel. Looking at the fox she saw a sly smirk.

“No let me guess, you're going to lecture me about that.” Kohaku leaned in as Pearl went wide-eyed. As if he had read her mind. “I swear the two of you could be twins.” His voice was a low whisper but still caught in Pearl’s ear. “Look, I’m only having a bit of harmless fun. And it wasn’t all my Idea” turning his head he looked at Flurry who giggled louder.

Shaking her head Pearl sat down “Still. Ponies aren’t used to such pranks.”

“Oh please, I’ve seen the kind of stuff Rainbow Dash pulls. She and I have all kinds of fun when she visits.” Kohaku chuckled at the memories. “So I know just how tough ponies are.”

“Well,” Pearl smirked and looked behind her, the three mares slowly getting their stand back together. “It was rather funny.” 

“So did you finally work things out with Cadence?” Kohaku smiled setting Flurry on his lap. His font legs held her close as the filly shadow boxed his tails over and over again.

“How?”

“My ears do more than just frame my face ya know.” Kohaku chuckled.

“Well, you shouldn’t have been listening anyway.” Pearl huffed and looked away. 

“Look. I know what you're going through. Probably more than anypony could.”

“How could you possibly know what I’m going through?” Pearl growled as she slammed her hoof into the ground. “I’m in love with a princess older than I am. Who’s in love with someone else.”

“Well, maybe not everything. But I am in a very similar situation. Only thing is, I’m in love with a princess who’s a lot younger than me. And whose heart is wrapped around a stuffed animal.” Kohaku looked down and lightly caressed Flurry’s mane.

Scrunching her face, Pearl leaned back. “Oh please tell me no.. are you…”

“In love with Flurry, yes. A pedophile, no.” Kohaku leaned back and rested on his front legs as he stared up at the sky. “For more than a few years now, since I hit a certain age. I was having dreams about a certain crystal princess. It wasn’t until I came here, that I realized who that Princess was.”

“Okay. so what are you going to do about it?” Pearl had to giggle at Flurry as she punched Kohaku’s tail harder. “And does Cadence know?"

“I can wait. Years, decades, centuries. It matters little to me and little Flurry here. You see she and I have one thing in common, we are both nearly immortal. Our age makes very little difference.” Looking back he smiled. “And I’m sure Cadence has caught on but has learned enough about me to not worry about it.”

“Okay, so how does that settle MY problem?”

“Unlike me, you don’t have the luxury of eternity. But you as young as you are, still possess the value of time. Will a few years change anything between you and her? And even if not. You’ll have those years to grow and develop into a wonderful mare that Twilight would be proud to call her own.”

Pearl opened her mouth only to shut it quickly. “Has anyone told you you're a walking headache?”

“My best friend, she tells me that on a daily basis.” Kohaku chuckled. “Still doesn’t mean I’m wrong. And as for ‘Midnight’? Why not talk to her? See how she feels.”

“I barely know the mare. And I never know when she’ll be around.”

“OH, she’s at the castle now. If you hurry, you might even find something rather… intriguing.” Kohaku gave Pearl a sly grin as he snapped his fingers.

“Thanks… I think.” Pearl sighed as she got up and galloped off to the castle.

Lifting Flurry up Kohaku laid back on the ground and held the filly close. “Oh, how I would LOVE to see Pearl’s reaction to this a second time.” he chuckled with Flurry.






Twilight blinked awake as a knocking came at the door of the library. Looking up, she watched as Pearl all but pranced into the room. “Sorry about being back late, princess, but I had to save the Flower Trio from Kohaku. That boy loves pranks way too much.”

She stopped dead in her tracks, though, as she finally caught sight of just who the princess was snuggled up against. Aside from her glasses and her mane done up differently, she was identical to Twilight, even down to having the same cutie mark. “... Why am I seeing double? Did one of King Thorax’s changelings come for a visit?”

Twi blinked in surprise. “Wait. You can see me? Like, what I really look like?”

Pearl nodded. “If you mean seeing two versions of Princess Twilight getting real comfortable with each other? Yeah. Crystal clear too. Did I miss something here?”

Twilight concentrated a moment before it clicked. “The Perception Filter. It’s gone.”

Pearl frowned. She understood enough about unicorn magic to know what the princess meant. “A Perception Filter? Why would there be one?”

Twilight sighed as she stood, beckoning both to follow her to the Side Library. This was sooner than she had hoped, but there was no point in hiding this now. “Come with me, Pearl. I think it’s time you learned the truth.”

Pearl could only look at Twilight’s twin, who only smiled, before deciding to see what this was all about.





“... And that is where we stand at the moment,” Twi finished, doing her best to try and keep it all simple.

Pearl’s head spun from everything she had just learned. In her heart, she knew it was true, as crazy as it sounded. One question, though, would not leave her alone. “Isn’t that self-cest?”

Twi giggled as she kissed Twilight. “Maybe. But love can be strange like that. At one time, I wouldn’t have believed it myself. Now it’s normal for all of us.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. So that was why Ponyville seemed so used to Midnight and her coming and going as she did. And Twi was definitely cute.

Twilight, though, smiled. “Now. You can’t visit the Human World just yet, Pearl. Your parents would tan my hide if I did before they learn of this as well. I can see you want to.”

Pearl nodded. She would be lying if she didn’t want to a little. Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. It never was it seemed.

Twilight’s smile grew. “And is there anything you want to tell me, my Faithful Student? I’ve noticed you seem to be hiding something these past few months.”

Pearl blinked, genuinely confused. “I don’t know what you mean, Twilight.”

Twilight fought back an eye roll. Why were her students always so stubborn? “Pearl, please. I will not judge you for whatever it might be. I might be your teacher, but I am also your friend.”

Pearl’s breath hitched. There was only one thing she knew the princess could be talking about. Looking into her eyes, she could see the genuine love and concern in them, and it finally broke down her barriers as she sighed. “I love you, Twilight. I don’t mean in the way most ponies do. Everybody loves you. I mean in the way I want to be your special somepony. Damn the age difference! I don’t care.”

Twilight’s ears fell. And there it was. “Why didn’t you say something sooner, Pearl?”

Pearl snorted as she gestured at Twi. “Because I saw you already had a special somepony when I first moved here. I can’t even be mad now, knowing the truth.” She sniffed. “I thought it might go away, but it hasn’t. It’s only gotten more so. It’s why I talked to Princess Cadance. She told me to follow my heart.” She giggled. “This was not what I expected though.”

Everyone giggled. “And what about me?” Twi asked, genuinely curious.

Pearl shook her head. “Well. You are cute. I didn’t think glasses could look so good on somepony. Guess I was wrong.”

Twi giggled, as Twilight rolled her eyes. And now came the hard part, a part she had been dreading for months now. “Pearl. It can’t work between us.”

Pearl’s head fell, letting her tears fall now. Damn it all! Maybe Spike had some ice cream she could drown her sorrows and a broken heart in. Or maybe Rarity had some.

Twilight’s heart broke, seeing her student so broken and vulnerable. She felt Twi nudge her, giving her a pointed look in the process. She put her hoof over the filly’s. “Let me finish, Pearl. It can’t work between us. Not as we are now. Our age difference is too great.”

Pearl nodded, not feeling any better knowing that.

Twilight, though, only smiled softly. “But I am willing to wait. Time is not a concern for me.”

Pearl’s heart lifted slightly as she looked up at the alicorn. “Then…?”

Twilight nodded. “Until you are old enough, it can never be anything more than a teacher-student relationship between us. If you still truly feel as you do now, then I am willing to give us a try. I will never stop being your friend, however. None of this will change that.”

Pearl couldn’t believe what she was hearing, as she looked at Twi. “What about you? I won’t rip you two apart. It’s partly why I didn’t say anything until now.”

Twi nodded. “If you’re willing, I can’t see why we all can’t be together.” She took all of their hooves in her own and smiled gently. “No. I know I want us all to be together.”

Twilight nodded as she squeezed their hooves. “But this has to be your choice, Pearl. We will not force you into this. It would not be right. As I said, I will never think less of you because of this.”

Pearl thought about it for a moment, before smirking. “Well. Don’t be surprised if I say something stupid between now and then. You're stuck with me for the long run.”

Everypony giggled. “Noted, my Faithful Student,” Twilight snarked.

“Do I have to put up with Kohaku though? I don’t care if he was right about all this, I’m not gonna be someone I’m not,” Pearl grumbled. “I hope he can at least tell us apart.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Only if you want to. He does genuinely care. And I’m sure he can tell you two apart. I doubt he’ll ever treat you any differently than he does his Pearl. As he never treated me any different than he treats Twi.”

Pearl snorted. “Maybe. But does he have to be such a headache about it? Why Flurry likes him, I’ll never know.”

“Pearl, I’ve dealt with Kohaku longer than either of you,” Twi sighed as she sat and nudged Pearl. “And he’s never been anything less than a headache. But a friend I’m glad to have. I just wish his big sister would lighten up on me… if I have to take any more tests like the last one.” Twi shuddered openly at the thought, making Twilight laugh.

“That bad?” Twilight nudged Twi lightly.

“It’s why I was so late. After the first question, I forgot half of what I studied. And two other students curled up under their tables in the fetal position. And this was only the midterm test.”

Pearl took a step back. “Do I want to know how scary this creature is?”

Twilight rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Don’t worry. She’s sweet enough. I think she’s just an overly harsh teacher.”

“Please tell me you won’t put me through that,” Pearl smirked as Twi finally stopped hyperventilating from the memory of earlier that day. 

“No, Twilight here isn’t that kind of teacher. I think you need to be trained in torture for a hundred years to reach Kazumi’s level.” All three mares looked at each other for a moment before breaking out in laughter.
> Aftermath
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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!”
> Questions and a Mystery Mare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Told ya you were panicking over nothing," Pearl giggled, as she and Twilight enjoyed smoothies. "Went better than I thought it might too. I was a lot worse at that age. Trust me."

Twilight groaned. "Yes, as everypony keeps telling me. I get it already. My Pearl at least has stopped treading on eggshells around me. It only took this for me to see how much she was holding back. How much longing was in her eyes when she looked at me."

Pearl sighed. This was way out of her league. "Hanging out with Kohaku will help. He just has that effect on people. Once you get over the urge to pummel him anyway. Been there. Done that."

Twilight rolled her eyes. She was still peeved that she didn't get a cell phone that worked as Pearl's did. What did she have to do to get that? She poked the dragon scale next to her, wondering how she would even begin to approach this subject. If she even should.

Pearl saw it and shook her head. "Don't even think about dragging me into this one, princess. You're on your own. I can barely even play Heavensward now, and not think about that. I won't do that to Miss Starsong. I love her too much to reopen that wound."

Twilight nodded. "I know, and I'm not asking you to, Pearl. I am not even sure if I want to bring it up anyway. They came to this world before..." She sighed. "Do they know how it ended? How their races' pride all but destroyed both?"

Pearl winced. She tried not to even think about that. "What about the local spirit?"

Twilight shook her head. "She only has the stories passed down to her. Kohaku's told me what they've shared. How do I tell Starsong her race all but despises her for following her heart? That the same most likely applies to his father as well. You know him far better than I do."

Pearl sighed. She had nothing for something like this. But she still had more questions. "Speaking of our favorite pest. Was there a new strange pony in Ponyville a few days ago? At Sugarcube Corner?"

Twilight frowned and thought a moment. "Yes, but what does that have to do with anything? We have ponies coming and going all of the time now since I became Princess of Friendship."

Pearl nodded. It was a really stupid title if you asked her, but that was beside the point. "Kohaku said he saw a strange mare talking with your Pinkie Pie. But when he looked back, she had vanished. He said there was something... off about her."

Twilight snorted. "And what does Kohaku know about ponies exactly? Ponyville is much more open than many towns and cities, but it is hardly the perfect way to learn all about Equestria and its ponies. Visiting as often as he does or not."

Pearl rolled her eyes. "That's what I said. But he is also his mother's son and inherited some of her abilities. Far more than his sisters did at least. He said there was something going on at Canterlot High years before you showed up for the Fall Formal, and look what happened."

Twilight frowned. That was true, but what was she to do? "I will not go looking for this mare, if that is what he's thinking, Pearl. Not only is it a terrible abuse of my powers as a princess of Equestria, but why should I? Pinkie hasn't said anything about it either way. So I am inclined to leave it alone. It's probably nothing."

Pearl snorted, as she finished her smoothie. Maybe. But she somehow doubted it would be that simple. It never was any more it seemed. And when it came to her best friend, he was usually right about things like this.
> Unplanned Day Off
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And she didn't say why?" Twilight asked as she and Twi lay together on her bed, reading through the latest Daring Do book.

Twi shook her head. "No. Professor Kazumi only texted all of us not to come in today. I passed by their home, and nothing seemed off. Not even Pearl knows,  and if she doesn't? Then I'm out of luck."

Twilight sighed, pulling the hippogryph close. "I doubt it's something we need to worry about. She can take care of herself. Pearl is off with Spike trying to find the spirit of the Rose River, so we have the castle to ourselves."

Twi gave her a look, running her claws in circles on the bed. "And you're not worried about her going into the Everfree? With how long the river is, she's going to be lucky if she meets this dragon at all."

Twilight chuckled. "If anypony can do it through sheer stubbornness, it's Pearl. It's truly refreshing to see her acting like her normal self now, instead of treading on eggshells around me. And it keeps her mind off the World Mirror as well."

Twi rolled her eyes. She too had noticed how much more like her human counterpart pony Pearl had been acting since that fateful day. While still different, they were more alike than at first glance. "She's been fine every time she comes over. My Pearl's family doesn't care who she might be. She is their daughter as much as her counterpart. They're sisters in every way basically. Another thing Kohaku was right about."

Twilight rolled her eyes. She wasn't surprised to be honest. 

Idly, Tei directed some of the Pearl's magic into her claws and aimed it at a nearby vase, transforming it into a teapot, before turning it back into a vase. Even the flowers changed with it, becoming teabags for a moment, before changing back.

Twilight groaned. "And will you please stop doing that? You're giving me a headache."

Twi only smiled widely, kissing her cheek. "Nope. Ever since I learned I can channel the Pearl's magic naturally, I can't help it. I'm not sure if this is something every member of the Royal Family could do or if only those who wore the crown itself or her heir."

Twilight nodded. It had been fascinating to learn and then to watch the magic in action. Now it was just annoying since Twi used it every chance she got. "You're spending way too much time with Kohaku. His most annoying habits are rubbing off on you."

Twi giggled. "Thank you. I try. I've been trying to make up for the years of me blowing him and Pearl off when we were younger. It wasn't because of who I am that he tried, I know that. But it still wasn't right that I did that to them."

Twilight sighed. She knew from her human family that the three families did in fact know each other, and had for longer than either of them had been alive. While the Sparkles weren't as closely tied together as the Everfree and Storm families were, the three were still close.

Twi, meanwhile, tapped her chin. Just how far could she take her transformation magic? She dared not to use it in the Human World for fear that it might fall into the wrong hands, but Equestria was another story.

Looking over her princess, and admiring all the curves that still sent her heart fluttering when she thought about them, an idea came to her mind. A dangerously devious idea, and a rather sexy one if it worked out.

Before Twilight could ask what her smirk meant, Twi began to glow, before shifting shape and wrapping herself around Twilight's body. Her crown fell to the bed with a soft thump as the change was completed.

Twilight blinked in confusion as she looked down to see herself now wearing her lover's favorite swimsuit. It fitted her body perfectly, with holes for her tail and wings. It was rather comfortable all things considered. "What did you just do?" She asked, not sure how anyone could hear her now.

The fabric giggled. "Sorry, Twily. I wanted to see just what I could do, how far I could take the Pearl's magic. I rather like it here. This beats our usual cuddling."

Twilight blushed as she felt just wear Twi could now reach her. Her favorite spots in fact. Spots they could only hit in their most intimate moments. She could get used to this in fact as she stood and headed to the bathroom. "Well then. You won't mind if I do this then, will you?"

She giggled as Twi gulped. "Do what exactly?"

Twilight only smirked. "That's for me to know and you to find out. Remember. You brought this on yourself, love."





As they slid into the water, Twi sighed. So what if she was technically an inanimate object? This still felt so good, no matter what form she was in. Even better in fact as she was now. Weird.

Twilight giggled as she felt Twi's sigh almost like her own. "Oh, it gets better from here. Time to see what I can do when you're part of me."

Before Twi could even think to offer a rebuttal, Twilight touched her own Pearl, already having a clear picture in her mind of what she wanted to change into. One she had wanted to try for some time now.

Twi giggled as she began to change as well. Into something she knew by heart in fact. No way.

When the light faded, Twilight smiled, unfurling her fin and letting her arms relax at her side as she looked down. Yep. She had changed into what was normally Twi's Mermaid form. It was an amazing feeling. No wonder she liked it so much. "So this is what it feels like," she giggled, poking her bra.

Twi moaned at the feeling she was getting from everything around her. A feeling she hadn't known had been possible to feel before. "Okay. I deserve this. I stand corrected as well. This beats our usual cuddling by a long shot. We should do it more often."

Twilight nodded as she finally relaxed her entire body. "I agree. Maybe next time, you'll warn me before you try something like that. As much as I love feeling you in all of the best places, human, pony or otherwise, take this as a lesson."

Twi rolled her eyes. "Yes, mom." 

They both broke into helpless giggles at that, before falling silent for a time. "But as much as I love being like this, I can't stay here all day and night. Sunset roped me into one of her streaming sessions. I think she's playing Dark Souls this week."

Twilight shook her head. She would never understand why her friend did that, but who was she to question it? "And what about tomorrow? You have an entirely free weekend now."

Twi shook her head, or as close as she could in this form. "I can't. I'm getting fitted for a dress with Rarity. And you have an appointment with your Rarity as well in the morning. Prom is next week you know."

"Oh. Is that all?" Twilight sighed as she lay back a moment, before what her girlfriend had just said registered with her brain. "Wait. It's what?!"
> Prom Night pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Honestly, darling, how could you forget something as important as the Senior Prom?" Rarity tutted, as she took Twilight's measurements. "I know Celestia's School of Gifted Unicorns has one. Did you never go?"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "I was an anti-social bookworm, Rarity. What do you think? Nopony ever asked me out, and I never cared enough to look for a date."

"What about the Fall Formal?" Sweetie Belle asked, doing her best to help with the process. Thankfully she was much better than she once was.

Twilight shook her head. "This is not the same, Sweetie. Next to Homecoming, this is the most important date for Canterlot High seniors. I can't mess this up."

Spike smirked as he helped as well, directing Sweetie when needed. "Good thing you have friends then, huh? And look on the bright side, Twi. No magical disasters to worry about either."

Twilight could only hope as she sighed. "No luck yesterday, Spike? You two were out all day."

He sighed. "No. We went up and down the river more times than I counted, and still didn't see a thing. Not even a glimmer of a scale. I really wanna meet this spirit too. Eastern dragons are supposed to be much nicer than the ones we know. Maybe we can be friends."

Everyone giggled as Twilight did her best to stand still. Rarity was measuring her in places no one but Twi was ever allowed near it felt. But for her love's sake, she would put up with it. "Are you sure about this, Rarity? One week is not a lot of time. Even for you."

Rarity chuckled. "Oh, piss posh, darling. It is plenty of time. Thankfully, Twi had an absolutely wonderful idea for your dress and was kind enough to give me what I needed to make it. This is just to be safe before I start."

Twilight's eyes wandered over to her friend's desk. A stack of papers lay there but were all turned blank side up, so she had no idea of what Twi had in mind. She was tempted to look herself, but every time she tried, her magic slid off of it like water.

Rarity saw this and smiled. "It seems Kohaku knew you might try and sneak a peak. From what I understand, he enchanted them so everyone but you could get a look at them before the big day, and only then. No spoilers it seems. Whatever is going on with his family, it seems his magic is unaffected by it."

Sweetie sighed dreamily, earning an eye roll from Spike. It was a well-known secret around Ponyville that the unicorn was infatuated by the kitsune, and while the two of them got along great, it was a one-sided affair.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Rarity nodded happily and allowed Twilight to step down at last. "That should do it, darling. If this doesn't knock Twi dead and sweep her off her feet? There is something very wrong with that girl."

Twilight rolled her eyes as she allowed herself to stretch at last. She doubted it would come to that.





"And I can't go why?" Pearl grumbled as the World Mirror powered on. It was driving her nuts that everyone but her had gone to the Human World by this point. Even Starlight, and she'd had to sneak over. What did she have to do?

Twilight sighed. "Because, my Faithful Student, all of us will be extremely busy for the next few days, and there is no one to look after you. Normally I would trust Kohaku and other you to look after you. But he is still busy with whatever is happening with his family, and she is away for another week at a tournament and visiting family."

Pearl eyes the various models on the princess's desk. She still wasn't sure what Twilight saw in them, no matter how cool they looked. The Warrior box art was cool though. "Fine. But I don't have to like it. Maybe I'll have better luck with that spirit this time."

Twilight frowned as she saw something in her student's eyes. "Pearl. What is it?"

The filly sighed. "It feels like she's avoiding me for some reason."

Now Twilight was confused as she searched her mind for a reason. "And why would she do that? You don't know one another."

Pearl threw her hooves up in exasperation. "Hell if I know! It just won't leave me alone. She can't hide forever though. Not from me."

Twilight giggled as Spike handed her her saddlebags and dress bag. She could only hope this worked as she thought this might as she stepped toward the portal. "Try to keep Ponyville in one piece, please? I would rather not have to clean up anyone's messes after this," she glared at the two, who nodded.

"We're not that bad, are we?" Pearl asked as Twilight vanished through the portal.

Spike shrugged. "Naw. She's just overthinking things as usual."





Sunset was waiting for her on the other side, smirking as she caught the pony-turned-human before she fell on her face. "Glad you could make it, princess" She smirked as she looked Twilight over. "And love the new look. Twi will love it for sure."

Twilight blinked. What did Sunset mean by that? Looking down, though, her mouth dropped in surprise. Instead of the outfit she had grown used to and rather liked, she now wore a form-fitting blue dress tied at the top with a gold ribbon. Her shoulders were exposed, golden bracelets encircled her arms, and her shoes were now almost crystal-like.

Sunset whistled. "If this doesn't knock Twi dead, nothing will. Heck, this might knock all the boys dead. And Rarity was right. There is something going on with you two."

Twilight gave her a look, seeing that her dress had come through unharmed. "What do you mean?"

Sunset shrugged. "Our Rarity mentioned that when taking Twi's measurements, her body seemed filled out compared to when she had to design a dress for the Crystal Gala. When I talked to your Rarity in Ponyville last week, she said the same thing about you."

Twilight considered this a moment. "Well. A lot has changed since Camp Everfree. Don't forget that Twi is not a pony, but a hippogryph. Royalty as well. No one knows how they develop in either of our worlds."

Sunset nodded. "And you? Twi doesn't make a big deal out of her heritage. Right now, only her family, us, and the Everfree family know the full story."

Twilight shrugged. "I did a little more digging with my Pearl. I'm descended from a junior branch of the Royal Family. Whatever that might mean. Maybe that has something to do with it?" She looked around and saw they were alone. "Where is everyone?"

Sunset smiled. "Getting ready. Rainbow's getting some last-minute help from our resident queen-to-be. At the rate she's going, she's a lock to get into the school of her choice. I'd be shocked if we don't see her school winning championship after championship." Her smirk grew. "And you have got to share some of that love with us."

Twilight blinked. "What do you mean?"

Sunset rolled her eyes. "I don't know what you two did, but Starsong is sending a limo to pick us all up and take us to the Prom. She watched us play earlier. We're still a long way from her level, but she loved our playing. Whatever was going on with her family seemed to have worked itself out. She didn't seem any different from when we last saw her."

Twilight was surprised by this but of news. While she was glad everything seemed to have worked itself out with no problems, this seemed a bit much for Kiyoko to do for all of them. Not that she would ever say that of course.

At that moment, Rainbow came running up, dragging a rather disheveled Twi with her. "Ha! New personal best. Five seconds!" Rainbow strutted.

Twi shot her a look. "Rainbow. How many times have I told you to stop doing that?!"

Rainbow only smirked. "Make it a royal order, queeny, and I might."

Twi grumbled as Twilight pulled her close. She finally sighed and melted into the embrace. "I'm glad you could make it, Twily."

Twilight giggled. "And miss this? I wouldn't dream of it."

Sunset and Rainbow both gagged to the side. "Get a room you two," Sunset grumbled as she headed for her motorcycle. "Me? I've gotta get ready." Rainbow nodded as well before speeding off.

Twilight watched Sunset pull out before speeding off. "Is Sunset going with anyone?"

Twi nodded as the two headed home. "She won't say who she is, but I have it on good authority from Pinkie Pie that Sunset does have a date tonight. I think we all do in fact." She looked around. "Pearl didn't want to come?"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "I've had to tie her down basically. If I'd known Starsong and her family were alright, I might have let her stay with them. I trust them to look after her. But I've also told Kohaku that if anything happens to her when she's with him? His family won't be able to protect him."

Twi giggled. "Pearl's lucky to have a teacher like you looking out for her, Twily." She looked at the dress bag the princess was holding. "And because I know you've been wondering, I went to Kohaku with this idea several weeks ago. He was more than happy to assist."

Twilight groaned. Of course, he was, as she too looked at it. "So why hide all of this? I can't take it anymore!"

Twi smirked as she placed a finger on the princess's lips. A slight gleam came to her eyes. "That's for me to know, Twily, and you to find out. You'll love it. Trust us."

Twilight blinked, as Twi giggled. Why did it sound like there had been two voices for that split second?





"Oh honey, You look beautiful," Twilight Velvet smiled as she finished doing Twilight's hair. "If this doesn't turn heads, then something is very wrong with this world."

Twilight giggled as she spun around, her yellow dress flowing seamlessly. "Thanks, mom. Now I finally understand why Twi said this would fit me so well."

Velvet nodded. "You and Belle share so much in common that I'm almost sure that you two are related in some way."

Twilight giggled as she looked herself over. Having watched Beauty and the Beast, she could understand the connection. It was strange just how much she and Belle seemed to have in common. 

At that moment, Shining came into the room and groaned. "You two are gonna give me a headache. Twily used to dress up like this all the time when we were younger."

Twilight smirked. "Then I am doing my job as your little sister, Shiny."

Everyone laughed before Shining looked up at his sister's room. "Be careful tonight, Twilight. Something doesn't feel right with Twily recently."

Twilight blinked. "What do you mean? She seemed fine earlier, and the girls haven't said anything."

Shining nodded. "I know. But I can't shake this feeling that there is something going on with her. I haven't felt like this since before Camp Everfree, and look what happened there."

Twilight frowned, for she remembered just how disconnected her love's messages had been during that time. Only later did she realize that it had been Midnight Sparkle's influence on her, or perhaps Midnight herself talking, she still was not sure. It was somewhat disconcerting.

At that moment, Cadance came down the main stairway with a flourish and bowed to her. "You're queen, Twily," she giggled, as Twi appeared at the top of the stairs with a blush. Twilight's heart skipped a beat at just how beautiful her love was in her Crystal Gala dress. No wonder so many had commented on it.

Twi's blush remained as she descended the stairs, before bowing and taking Twilight's hand, before kissing. "You're highness," she giggled as Twilight blushed. "I don't care what some might say. You are more beautiful in that dress than Belle ever was."

Twilight blush would've made Big Mac proud as she giggled.

Twi shot Cadance a look as they headed for the door. "Did you have to introduce me like that?"

Cadance only smiled widely. "Don't be so shy, Twi. It fits you." She quickly looked at her watch. "The limo should be here any minute now. Why don't you two wait for it? It's a beautiful evening out."

Twi groaned as Cadance pushed them both out the door with a giggle. "Oh, I hate it when she gets like this." Her smile soon turned seductive. "But now that we're alone, we can finally talk, princess."

Twilight blinked. That was not Twi's voice at all, as Twi's glasses burst into flames that circled her eyes just her glasses had and her eyes changed colors. "Who are you?"

Twi's smile grew. "Oh, don't play dumb with me, princess. You know who I am."

Twilight's eyes widened, before hardening. "Midnight. What have you done to Twi? Let her go. Give her back to me!"

Midnight chuckled. "Relax, Twily. She's fine. In fact, this was her idea."

Twilight snorted. "Forgive me if I don't believe you. How are you even here? I thought Twi locked you up?"

Midnight growled. "Don't remind me. These damn chains still hold me! This is the most she's given me in two years. Do you have any idea what that's like? Trapped and unable to do anything? Watching the world go by, seeing your better half live such a wonderful life?"

Twilight was taken aback. Not just by the outburst. But by the sheer helplessness in Midnight's voice. It was the voice of someone who had never been able to live her life and was taking anything she could to taste even a little bit of what it meant to be alive. She sighed. "Then what do you want, Midnight?"

Midnight slumped in defeat. "I want to live, princess. Even if it's just like this. I will never be anything to you. But I'm sure Twi's told you what I said back at Camp Everfree?"

Twilight's eyes widened once more as she tried to remember all she'd been told. "That wasn't just you talking down to her. Part of you meant it when you said I would get more out of you than I ever would Twi."

Midnight nodded. "Don't kid yourself, princess. I know now that I don't love you. Not like she does, and I never will. But she is allowing me to feel what it means to be human. To be loved, even if it's like this. Maybe she thinks if I spend enough time with you, she can let me be freer. Even I don't know."

Twilight considered this. The thought had crossed her mind to try and meet Midnight Sparkle. To get to her know her more, and maybe, just maybe, help her see the error of her ways. Right now, Midnight had seemingly seen the error of her ways but was nowhere near ready to embrace friendship. She finally sighed as she took Midnight's hands in her own. "Do not make me regret this, Midnight Sparkle. If you've seen everything Twi has, as I believe you have, then you know what will happen if you try anything."

Midnight nodded, her gaze hardening before her eyes returned to normal, and Twi's glasses reappeared as the fire vanished. Twi smiled sheepishly. "I am so sorry about this, Twily. But I couldn't let her rot away in some backwards part of my mind. It isn't right. I know that now."

Twilight nodded, as she caressed her lover's cheeks. "So tonight?"

Twi smiled as the limo pulled up, and spoke in a twofold voice that was her own and Midnight's conjoined into one. "Tonight? You get the both of us, Twily."
> Prom Night pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pearl lay on her bed in the dark, her front legs crossed, her head down. With a sniff, she wiped her eyes. Her ears perked up as the young Pegasus heard a familiar ringtone. Lifting her head up she pulled her phone from off the nightstand and taped the screen only to be met with a familiar friendly face. 

“Hey sugarwings,” Kohaku grinned on the other side of the screen.

“What have I told you about those nicknames?” Pearl smirked and propped her phone up on her pillow.

“Yeah yeah. I was just calling to see how my favorite lil Pegasus is doing” the Kitsune boy chuckled lightly but abruptly stopped. Pearl saw that his face frowned. “Okay, what’s wrong?”

“Wha… what makes you think anything’s wrong?” Pearl huffed, turning her face away from the screen.

“Don’t give me that.  You’ve been crying. Did someone hurt you?” Kohaku’s tails flared up as his eyes narrowed. 

“No no no.” Pearl half panicked. Waving her hooves back and forth. She knew how fierce he could be. The last time they spent time together some incentive stallion bumped into her, causing her to trip into a mud puddle. Before she could blink, Kohaku had the stallion off his hooves with a set of claws at his throat. “Nobody hurt me, at least not physically.” She smiled as his face went back to a more friendly version. “So what are you all dressed up for?”

“Prom. I normally wouldn’t go but I'm one of the candidates for Prom King this year.” 

“Teh.. I’d rather not hear about it.” Pearl grumbled. 

“OH… I see how it is. Let me guess our favorite lavender twins are leaving you out of the mix. I take it?”

“I hate how you are almost always right.” Pearl tossed her pillow across the room and dropped her head down on the bed again. 

“You want to go. But Twilight and Twi won’t let you.” Kohaku hummed to himself for a moment before an all too familiar sly grin crossed his face. “How about you come as my date? As a senior, I can invite anyone I wish.”

“You know I don’t date boys,” Pearl smirked back at him. “Besides I have no way of getting there. Twilight changed the code on the portal machine so I can’t access it.”

“Ha. Well, I’m not saying we’ll be dating, just one friend taking another out to a dance. Think of this as your Cinderella story. And as for getting here. Do you really think that’s the only portal to this place?”

“Twilight’s closed all the ones she and her friends found. Are you saying you can open one?” Pearl quirked an eyebrow. Feeling a little more excited.

“Not really. But we can make a temporary one. If you can follow directions.” Kohaku’s sly grin increased almost ear to ear. 

“I put together complicated model kits now. I think I can handle it.” Pearl poked at her screen. “Wait... Twilight would have a fit if she saw me.”

“That’s part of the fun. And I know you like to have fun. So how about it? Care to take a walk on the wild side?” Kohaku smiled as he saw Pearl’s grin match his own.







“You sure this is going to work?” Pearl sighed as she finished drawing the last symbol on her bedroom mirror. 

“Yup. you drew them all perfectly dear.” Kiyoko smiled as she handed the phone back to her son. “Now just stand back and when you see the mirror shimmer. You jump through, no hesitation because it won’t hold for long okay?” Pearl watched as Kohaku’s mom placed her hand on a large full-length mirror. 

“You know. I never thought you’d be one to flaunt the rules, Ma’am.” Pearl stood there. Her legs shook as the reality of what she was about to do set in. 

“Where do you think my son gets his sense of fun from? Certainly not my husband that’s for sure.” Kiyoko smirked back at Pearl as she started to chant. Pearl only rolled her eyes as Kohaku blushed a little. 

Pearl stood there. Her pony heart fluttered hard as she watched the mirror. In a moment she saw a ripple appear. Closing her eyes the Pegasus girl rushed and flew head-first into it. By the time she opened her eyes, she felt a pair of arms around her waist holding her up. Looking up she smiled “Kohaku?” 

“Who else?” He chuckled while helping his friend to her feet. 

“That wasn’t nearly as bad as going through the mirror at Twilight’s castle. I barely felt a thing.” Pearl smiled before she felt a shiver down her spine. “Is it a bit breezy in here or just me?”

“Well, that mirror was made for dimension travel. This was a hastily put-together replica.” Kiyoko smiled “Kohaku dear you two have a few hours before the Prom starts. Why not let her wash up and dress.”

“Sure thing Mom.” turning to Pearl Kohaku stepped back. “My sisters Riko and Kade will help you get ready. And we already have a dress for you. It’s a bit of an Asian flair but it’ll match what I'm wearing.”

“Great. I can’t wait to see Twilight’s face.” Pearl walked and placed her hand on the door handle. 

“OH Pearl dear. You may want to put the robe on the bed on first.”

“Why?” Pearl smirked as she saw Kohaku point down. Looking down she took a deep breath. Realizing why she was so chilly. Apparently, this temporary mirror, didn’t bother with clothing. Blushing, she half scrunched herself as Kohaku patted her shoulder. 

“Oh relax, to me, you're as attractive as my sisters.” His words silenced the thoughts she was about to scream out as the door closed behind him. Pearl could only look at his mom who just giggled. 

“I’ll call up my daughters and we’ll get you ready.” 







“Are you sure this is a good idea? Letting Midnight out like this?” Twilight asked as the chauffeur opened the door for the pair.

Twi nodded. “I can’t just leave her to rot away. No matter what happened in the past, I know she’s changed. She’ll never admit it of course. But I know she has.”

Twilight wasn’t so sure. “And what about us?”

Twi shrugged. “I’m letting you two figure it out. I doubt we need to worry about us becoming a four-way. Unless something drastic changes, Midnight’s feelings for you are long gone.”

“Oh good. It’s gonna be fun when we become a three-way as is. Don’t need more,” a new voice giggled. One that set Twilight’s eyes twitching. Oooh, that better not be who she thought it was.

Looking over, she found Pearl doing her best to hide a blush as she looked over the twins. Her dress had a distinctly Asian flair to it, and it made Twilight and Twi’s hearts skip a beat at just how beautiful Pearl looked in it.

Next to her, Kohaku wore an outfit that was similar to Pearl’s own and bore a knowing smile to boot.

Twilight rubbed her temples. “Why do I even bother? How are you here, Pearl? Starlight is in the Crystal Empire, and Fluttershy has Discord on a short leash so that no one can open the portal.”

“Mom called in a favor or two. And we were able to make a temporary pathway for Pearl. One way of course.” Kohaku smiled and lifted his glass of soda.

Pearl smiled wider. “Like you were going to leave me out of this, princess. Had to improvise on a date though.”

Twilight groaned. “If I’d known everything was alright, I would have brought you with me, Pearl. You’ve shown that it’s usually safe to leave you two alone.”

Kohaku narrowed his eyes slightly and leaned forward. Setting his empty glass down. “Ya know, Pearl and I had a long talk over the phone and I haven't heard such lame excuses about why she was left behind since I was five. There were more than enough avenues for you to follow with Pearl. Even if she didn’t come to the Prom, having my family around shouldn’t have been an issue. You and Midnight just wanted to have Twi to yourself tonight without worrying about a fourth party. Your parents, my Pearl. Even another date would still be good.” Turning to Twi. “You know the Prom committee has no problems with a girl having more than one date.” Sitting back he wrapped his tails around Pearl who just shrugged and leaned into him. “So, I took it upon myself to play the prince in this little story. And give my friend here the night of her life that you two were denying her.”

Twi turned to the princess with an annoyed look. “I told you the committee wouldn’t have a problem with it. And you didn’t do anything?! I wouldn’t have cared if Pearl was your date as well. You know that!”

Twilight wilted under the glare she was getting. What was her excuse? She’d known this for months. Had made it a point to share all of this with Pearl. Where did she go wrong? Looking up at Kohaku she made a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me, I'm not the one you left crying on her bed.”

If she were a pony, her ears would have flattened till they were gone. Turning to Pearl, Twilight looked at the young girl. “Pearl. I’m so sorry. I should have brought you with us, I just…”

Waving her hand dismissively Pearl smirked. “Forget it. I’m not upset anymore. And I forgive you. I get it though. You wanted Twi to yourself. And who wouldn't? She’s hot in that dress. Hell, I'd leave you behind to dance all night with her.” Pearl giggled as Twi blushed a little “But since Kohaku here went all out on me tonight. I’ll just spend my time with him. Let you two see what you’re missing out on.” Playfully sticking her tongue out at the pair, Pearl grabbed a can of soda as Kohaku chuckled. 

“I have to ask,” Twi smiled playfully nudging Twilight. “How did you get a dress like that so fast?”

“My sister Riko. It’s one of hers from when she was younger. All it needed was a few touch-ups to fit properly.” Kohaku shook his head. “Sometimes I forget just how fast my sister is with a needle and thread. She could sew laps around Rarity.”

Twilight and Twi made mental notes to see if Riko might teach some of that to Rarity. It couldn’t hurt anyway. “Is there anything your family hasn’t done?” Twilight sighed, leaning into Twi.

“World domination?” Pearl giggled. “They’d probably do a better job than some of the crackpots around now at least.”

“They tried that once. Need I remind you of what happened in Equestria?” Midnight interjected, taking over from Twi for a moment. 

Kohaku chuckled to himself. “It’s been joked about many times between my parents. And there really isn’t anything my family hasn’t done. Riko’s been alive for hundreds of years and she’s the youngest of my older sisters. They’ve all dabbled in just about any profession that catches their fancy. After all, if you live for so long, you have to find new ways of keeping busy.”

Setting down his drink Kohaku motioned to the driver for a moment. “And you can certainly ask Riko if she’d teach Rarity. But I doubt your friend will ever reach the level my sister has. It took Riko a hundred years to get to her current level with a simple needle and thread.”

Twilight huffed a bit and crossed her arms. How did he always know what others were thinking? 

“Give it up hun. Pearl and I have been trying for years to figure him out.” Twi giggled as Kohaku smiled. 

“Huh?” Pearl tilted her head for a moment. 

“My Pearl, not you.” Kohaku chuckled as the limo side door opened. 

“NO, let me guess another date?” Twilight chuckled. 

“No, just another passenger and her date.” All three girls blinked as they saw the human Pearl step in, wearing a fire-red dress with two different dragons circling around the waist, up and the heads meeting at the center, cupping her chest. The sight made both Twilight and Twi almost drool

“I was wondering when you were gonna show up.” Human Pearl smirked as she slid up into a comfy seat. 

“Well, I thought you and your date would like a few moments to admire each other a bit more,” Kohaku smirked at his long-time friend. “Did she like the dress?”

“Ask her yourself.” Pearl gestured to the Equestria Rainbow Dash who stepped in dressed in what looked to be a dress made of silken clouds that only accentuated her natural assets. 

“Rainbow!?” Twilight coughed. “How did you get here?” 

“Oh come on egghead, you taught me how to open that portal myself. I’ve been here for two days now.” Rainbow playfully poked at Twilight’s shoulder. “Or have you been so caught up with your twin here you forgot?”

Twilight blinked. “Oh yeah. I remember now.” Looking up Twilight pointed slightly. “What have you done to your mane?”

Rainbow ran a hand through her hair, while still a rainbow, the colors were diluted and lightened. “Yeah These two,” Gesturing to Kohaku and the human Pearl. “Along with my counterpart. All thought it would be a good idea if I dye my mane while I’m here. It washes out. And while I’m here every one is under the impression I'm her identical twin cousin. Same name just different hair.”

“I wonder who came up with that Idea?” Twi rolled her eyes.

Both Pearls smirked and looked up at Kohaku who just ideally looked out the window with the worst poker face imaginable. Making all the girls laugh aloud.







“Maybe you should take dance lessons, hun,” Twi giggled, as the Rainbooms watched Kohaku dance with both Pearls together. 

Rarity chuckled. “He is quite the gentleman. I’m kind of jealous that his heart is taken. Not many boys can do this, and not hurt one or the other’s feelings.”

Sunset nodded, as Fluttershy took her hand in her own. “Most boys I know couldn’t. Flash could barely keep up with me sometimes.”

Twilight’s eyes drifted over to her former crush, who was even now dancing with Applejack. While she had been surprised, the princess was glad to see the feelings were mutual there.

Twi saw this, and let Midnight take over. “Getting second thoughts, Twily?” She took perverse delight in the looks of apprehension that passed between the girls.

Sunset, though, frowned. “I still think this is a bad idea, Twi.”

Midnight cackled. “Don’t kid yourself, Shimmer. I had you beat until Spike interfered.” She eyed Pony Pearl longingly. “I’m almost tempted to make this a four-way. Almost.”

Twilight sighed. Not this again. They’d been going at it all night. “Will you two please play nice? We can argue all we want about who would have won. But it ultimately doesn’t matter.”

Human Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Is she always like this?”

Pony Rainbow nodded. “All the time. You get used to it eventually.”

Fluttershy watched as the native Pearl’s eyes drifted over to her date. Something Rainbow soon caught onto. “You’re not mad?”

Pony Rainbow sighed. “Part of me wants to be. But they’ve known each other their whole lives. I’m the new kid around here. Plus I know neither one is gonna do anything with the other. Hello?” Pony Rainbow's eyes widened as native Pearl’s leg kicked up and landed on Kohaku’s shoulder. Her pony counterpart effortlessly matched the movement on his other shoulder. With little effort, he lifted them both, spinning them around his body until they were both seated atop his shoulders, both arms stretched up in a finishing pose. Holding both arms out Rainbow Dash gasped and looked over at Twi with her mouth wide open. “How!”

“Our Pearl’s been dancing since she was five. And from what she told me, Kohaku has been dancing with his four sisters since before he could crawl.” Twi giggled as when the song ended both Pearls were again on their feet with the whole gym applauding before a new song started, this one slower. Pony Pearl danced slowly with Kohaku while Human Pearl walked back toward the group and her date. “They also take the gold in every tri-state dance competition. On the tenth time they competed, the judges saw them walk in and looked like they were just going to hand them the trophy before the contest even began.”

Twilight smiled, as Twi reasserted herself. Rainbow had grown so much since she and Pearl had started dating. As much if not more than she had since joining the Wonderbolts.

Sunset saw the way the princess looked at both Pearls and smiled knowingly. “I seriously doubt Kohaku would be mad if you asked Pearl to dance, princess. You two were fine coming over.”

Twilight shook her head, as Twi took her hands. “I’ve ruined this enough, Sunset. I won’t add to it. Pearl doesn’t deserve me after what I did. She deserves someone who will love her. Not this.”

Twi smirked as she poked her love. “Then you won’t mind if I ask her to dance? The king and queen announcement is coming soon, and I doubt I’m getting picked.”

Sunset smiled helplessly as Twilight gave her a confused look. “It’s between her and Fluttershy. No one else is in the running.”

Fluttershy nodded as she shrunk down. “Um. I wouldn’t mind losing though. It was so embarrassing last year.”

Human Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Come on, ‘Shy. You were awesome last year. And Flash wasn’t half bad either.”

Fluttershy only blushed, as everyone laughed.







“So are you going to ask her to dance or not?” Kohaku smirked, earning a groan from Pearl as he effortlessly twirled her about before placing his hand back on her waist.

She rolled her eyes as the music played on. “I’m with you, remember? And maybe this will give her the kick in the flank she needs. Part of me is still mad it even came to this!”

“And yet you can’t keep your eyes off of her,” his smirk grew. “Every time you think I’m not looking, your eyes slant sideways at their direction.”

Pearl snorted. Times like that she remembered why other her used Kohaku as her personal punching bag. “You’re lucky you’re already someone else’s punching bag, you know that?”

Kohaku chuckled. “If you didn’t want it so much, you wouldn’t be mad. I’m not blind, Pearl. Everyone can see it. You are just being stubborn.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. “It’s a character flaw. Sue me. And have you seen their dancing?!”

“I’ve seen worse.” Kohaku chuckled as the song moved into another. “Besides I can heal any scrapes or bruising that comes about. Not everyone can have the luxury of the upbringing you, my Pearl, and myself have had. On top of that, their bookworms, not known for athletic abilities.”

Pearl shook her head. “Point. But she can sit there a while longer. Maybe I can grab Twi.”

Kohaku chuckled as he moved about and after a quick spin dipped Pearl so her leg came up slightly toward Twi and Twilight’s direction. Making Pearl’s eye twitch a bit.

“Tell me you didn’t just flash me in front of them.”

“Well you did want to make them suffer a bit didn’t you?” He smirked down at her for a moment.

“Just dance foxboy.” Pearl shook her head with a chuckle.







“He did that on purpose,” Twi grumbled, as she and Twilight blushed furiously at what they had seen. Or hadn’t seen.

Sunset smirked. “You two make are making it far too easy for him. One of you is gonna give in sooner or later.”

Twi nodded. “And I plan to once she’s available.” She poked Twilight. “Maybe then this one will get her head out of her flank already.”

“Good luck with that, we’ve all been trying to get her to lighten up for years now.” Rainbow smiled flopping herself down in a chair as her Pearl sat astride her date’s lap. Looking at Pearl Rainbow poked her a bit. “I didn’t know that your outfits were going to be THAT much alike. Kinda brave of her to go com…” 

Pear groaned as she slapped her hand against Rainbow’s lips. “Well she and I are a lot alike so I’m not surprised.” Leaning in she pressed her forehead up against Rainbows. “And that last bit of info was supposed to be between US.” Pearl’s tone made Rainbow blush a little.

Twilight grumbled into her drink. She would be hearing this for a long time she felt, as Celestia and Luna took the stage.

“All right my precious students. It’s time for what you have all been waiting for.” Celestia announced. “The crowning of our Prom King and Queen. Sister dear would you start us off?”

“It would be my pleasure. For our King…” Luna tore open an envelope and just shook her head. “Well, no surprise there. By a near unanimous vote. Our Prom king is our own Kohaku Everfree.” 

The entire gym erupted in applause as Kohaku bowed to his date and winked at his Pearl before dashing up toward the stage. 

Pearl, in a move faster than even Rainbow could capture, grabbed and tossed a small dinner plate like a frisbee in her friend's direction. 

Kohkau leaped up, catching the plate with the toe of his shoe. Did a spinning forward backflip and landed effortlessly on the stage while an off hand football player caught the plate. Everyone there roared at his display. Earning him several wolf whistles from a few of the cheerleaders and one quarterback.

“Easy to see why he’s our number one cheer captain.” Luna smiled placing a silver crown atop Kohaku’s head as he knelt down. “Sister, I believe you have our queen selection.”

Celestia smiled as she tore open her own envelope. Her smile only grew as she read it. “And also by a near unanimous vote, our Prom queen is our own Twilight Sparkle.”

Twi’s blush would have made Big Mac proud as she meeped as Sunset pushed her forward with a chuckle. “That’s your cue, queeny.”

Twi shot her a murderous look as everyone giggled. Sighing, more for appearance's sake than anything else, she joined Kohau on stage as Celestia placed a golden crown on her head.

“Damn, she makes any crown look good,” Pony Pearl whistled as she joined the group, taking Twi’s vacant seat next to Twilight.

Celestia smirked as she saw the group together. School would never be the same after graduation. “And now for the king and queen dance.” She bowed to the two. “Your highnesses.”

Pony Pearl sighed as she watched Kohaku bow politely to Twi before taking her hand and before long the pair were gliding along the dancefloor. Kohaku effortlessly guided Twi’s movements. Turning aside she looked at Twilight who seemed to be studying her shoes. With a sigh, the young girl got up and stood in front of Twilight. Holding out her hand. 

“You get one dance.” Pearl sighed on the outside while on the inside she was shaking like a leaf in the wind. 

Twilight only hesitated for a second, before taking Pearl’s hand, and let the youngster lead her onto the dance floor. Considering her own dancing skills, she was more than happy to let Pearl lead.

Pearl’s heart beat faster and faster with each passing second. This was something she had wanted for so long. So why was she wasting it like this?

Twilight finally broke the silence. “Pearl. I am so sorry. For everything. It never should have come to this.”

Pearl tried to put on a brave face. “I’m not mad, Twilight.”

Twilight frowned. “Do not lie to me, Pearl Rose. I can see it in your eyes. Say what your heart tells you.”

That was all it took as Pearl sniffed. “Fine. You want to know? I am beyond mad. You left me heartbroken and crying on my bed! That’s the second time you’ve ripped my heart out and trampled all over it! The first time, I know you didn’t mean to. But now?”

Twilight nodded sadly. “You won’t have to see me ever again after we return to Equestria, Pearl. I will not stop you if you hate me and never want anything to do with me ever again. Neither you or Twi deserve me after this. You both deserve someone who will love you, and not whatever I am.”

Part of Pearl wanted to. To call this whole thing off. But damn it all, she couldn’t bring herself to say it. No matter how hard she tried. “Then promise me, Twilight. Take me with you wherever you go. I don’t care where it is. Let me be you and Twi’s rock.”

Twilight smiled as she pulled Pearl close. “I promise, Pearl. I swear it on the Armor of Eternity.”

Pearl smiled. For the first time in what felt like weeks, she smiled for real. And as the music played on, this was worth it as she cupped Twilight’s chin in her hands.

Twilight’s eyes widened, before Pearl pressed her lips against hers, before relaxing into the kiss and returning it in full.







Kohaku smiled as he lightly spun Twi before holding her close. “Looks like things will start going smoother with you three again.”

“I’m glad. And thanks for getting her to talk to Twilight. I want this to work.” Twi smiled as she stepped back when the dance ended. Turning she walked off to Twilight and Pearl.

“Your very welcome.” Kohaku smiled and moved off to the buffet table.





Twilight and Pearl held the kiss for what felt like forever, before a soft giggle reached them, forcing them to pull apart to see Twi at their side with a knowing smile. "Room for one more?" She asked.

Twilight giggled as she took Twi’s hand and pulled her close. “Always.”

Pearl took her other hand and smiled. “Don’t let me go. Either of you. I want this. Us.”

Twilight squeezed their hands. “I never will. Now and for all time. I will never let either of you go. Come whatever may. We will be together. Forever. Even you, Midnight.”

Pearl and Twi smiled (and in her mind, Twi knew Midnight was smiling). And for the rest of the night, the rest of the world ceased to exist for the trio. Only the girls in front of them mattered. The girls they loved.
> Graduation, pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Isn’t it a little too early in the morning to be packing?” Pearl yawned as she dragged herself into the Map Room with a grumble. “You know I hate mornings, Twilight.”

Twilight chuckled, as she finished packing her saddle bags. “Normally, perhaps. But this is an important occasion, Pearl. One I refuse to be late for.”

Pearl eyed her teacher dubiously. “Yeah? Like what? If this is another damn princess meeting, you’re on your own. Me and my big mouth last time.”

Twilight giggled. Pearl had been bored out of her mind when they had visited Canterlot two weeks ago. More so once the meeting started. “This is much more fun, Pearl. We can’t be late.”

Pearl blinked as Twilight floated her bags onto her withers, revealing another set of saddle bags behind them. “What do you mean ‘we’?”

Twilight smiled as she lay a wing around the Pegasus. “Tomorrow is graduation at Canterlot High. While I am not technically part of the class, Principal Celestia has personally invited me.”

Pearl nodded. “Okay. That makes sense, I guess. But what does that have to do with me? Sis and Kohaku aren’t part of the class either. I’d feel a little weird being there.”

Twilight nodded. “Perhaps. But we do not need them. I am asking you to join me, Pearl Rose, as my date for the weekend. I’ve already spoken with your parents, and they are fine with it.”

Pearl’s heart skipped a beat. Part of her was still annoyed at what had happened during Prom. Okay. A large part of her was still annoyed it had even gotten to that point in the first place. But dancing the night away with the girls she loved? It had made it the best night ever.

Twilight saw the hesitation and sighed. “Twi is more than happy to have the both of us all weekend. It might be a bit tight, but I don’t mind. But this has to be your choice, Pearl.”

For a moment, Pearl thought about it. This was everything she had been wanting for months now. Here was her chance she would not get again for years if all went well, assuming she didn't do anything stupid between now and then. With her luck, she would though.

But it was all she needed as she squeed and rushed over to the saddlebags and quickly pulled them on, before rushing off to the World Mirror. “Why didn’t you start with that?! Let’s go!”

Twilight rolled her eyes before joining her student in the Small Library as well.







Twi was waiting for her as Twilight came through the portal with a smile. “Glad you could make it, Twily. And early as well.”

Twilight giggled. “And miss this? Not for every book in Equestria or the Crystal Empire.”

The two giggled helplessly as Pearl came stumbling out momentarily with a groan. “Oh, I hate that feeling. Why can’t we make this any smoother?!” She grumbled.

Everyone chuckled as Twi took Pearl’s hands. “You don’t mind any of this? This is not like how Prom was.”

Pearl nodded, as she took Twilight’s hand as well. “You’re not getting rid of me this time, you two. We won’t be able to do this for a while after tomorrow. Assuming you survive.”

Twi rolled her eyes as Twilight giggled. “I managed to do just fine so far with Professor Everfree, Pearl. I think I can handle four years. And I won’t be alone either.”

Twilight blinked, as they headed for the bus stop. “What do you mean? I know there are several more in the class with you.”

Twi smiled widely. “Applejack is also going to Canterlot Community College. It’s probably a long shot that we end up as roommates, but I’m just happy that we’re not all splitting up.”

Twilight nodded. Having a friend close by always made things better, in her opinion. “What about Sunset? She said something a while back about staying here after speaking with her family."

Twi shrugged. That had been an interesting weekend. “I have no idea. She hasn’t been packing, so I assume she is staying for at least a while longer. I’m not sure what she could do though, since she never applied to college or university.”

Pearl looked back at the school. She could already see the banners and the gym set up for tomorrow's celebration. “Are sis and Kohaku coming? They came for Prom.”

Twi shrugged. “Our Pearl and Kohaku already got their diplomas and she left earlier in the week with your Rainbow Dash. They won’t be back from Indianapolis for a month. The Grand Prix is this weekend, and they’re staying for the 500 at the end of the month.”

Pearl blinked. “Oh yeah. Still don’t understand what they see in racing. But what do I know?”

Twilight giggled, as a bus pulled up. So that's where Rainbow had vanished. “Join the club, Pearl.”

Twi rolled her eyes. Ponies. “As for Kohaku? I’m actually not sure where he is. Professor Everfree was rather tight-lipped about where her brother was when I last saw her.”

Pearl frowned. “Is this another family drama we don’t know about? He hasn’t told me anything, and nopony’s seen him in Ponyville. Let alone the rest of Equestria. You know how much he sticks out like a sore wing."

Twi shook her head. “No. Something tells me that he has something planned. What it could be, I don’t know. His sister didn’t seem any more annoyed with him than she usually is, or worried.”

Twilight sighed. Just once, could Kohaku not be up to something? Was that too much to ask?







“You sure you don’t mind, Miss Sparkle?” Pearl asked, trying not to fidget.

Velvet only smiled. “Of course not, dear. My home is your home. And I know the three of you won’t do something you shouldn’t, will you?” her gaze glared at the three, particularly the older pair.

The trio shook their heads rapidly, seeing the deadly look in the older woman’s eyes. “I’d ask Sis or Kohaku. But she’s out of town, and good luck getting inside his house now,” Pearl sighed.

Twi nodded. “We tried asking earlier. But their butler said no one is allowed to see the family until the after-party tomorrow. Even us.”

Velvet’s brows rose. With how often they were together anymore, that seemed a bit much, as the trio headed upstairs.







“You need more models up here, Twi,” Pearl grumbled as she looked around. All she saw were some completed Genesis Chapter Intercessor and Hellblaster squads, and various bits and pieces in various stages of completion.

Twi giggled as she set her backpack on her bed. “Says the filly who filled up her room with Gunpla within a month. Luckily, Shiny still had the Space Marine half of the Dark Imperium box. I think he gave Big Mac the Death Guard half."

Pearl sighed as she and Twilight set their bags on the bed as well. Nerds. Oh, why did she have to fall for a couple of nerds? Twins at that! “You two are gonna be the death of me.”

Twilight nodded proudly. “You signed up for this, Pearl. Please do not complain about it now. Plus I’ve seen how you look at mine and your counterpart’s Stormcast Eternals.”

Pearl snorted. Maybe, but like hell she would ever admit it. Not yet anyway. Plus, she wasn't even sure which army she wanted to play yet. Since she had started to play Chaos & Conquest on her phone, Pearl was seriously considering starting a Slaves to Darkness army, though. Or maybe Nighthaunt. Nobody else in Canterlot played them, and Pearl didn't want to play an army someone else already did.

How she’d managed not to make a fool of herself when she and Twi had gone to the store was beyond her. But it had been worth it in the end. Seeing Chancellor Neighsay as the store manager had been a shock, but Pearl managed not to blow her cover. Somehow. The gleam in Neighsay's eyes said he suspected something was happening with their little group.

Twilight, though, frowned. “There is something else I’m kinda worried about. We found another portal just inside the Everfree Forest three days ago.”

Twi blinked. “Okay? It’s not like it’s the first one you and the girls have found. Way more than I’m comfortable with. Where did it lead?”

Twilight shook her head. “We don’t know. My magic began acting up as we came close to it. When we tried to close it, nothing worked.”

Twi rolled her eyes as she kissed Twilight’s nose. “Maybe you weren’t trying hard enough, Twily.”

Twilight shook her head furiously. “No. Nothing we did affected it. We threw everything and the kitchen sink at it. Pinkie threw a kitchen sink at it. Still nothing. I even asked Discord to help. He took one look at it, and quite literally ran the other way.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. Drama spirit. “So now what? We have some kind of mystery creature running around from gods know where?”

Twilight nodded gravely. “It appears so. Whatever created the portal, they erased their tracks so thoroughly that my magic can’t even find a whiff of a trail.”

Twi frowned. “Were you going to ask Starsong or Akihiko? This seems like something they could perhaps help with.”

Twilight nodded. “I was. Now I’m not so sure.”

Twi growled. This was not what she needed right now. “Well, it can wait till after graduation! I’ve had it up to here with magical nonsense, thank you very much!"

Pearl and Twilight backed up, as Twi’s pearl flashed dangerously. Nearby, her crown glowed for a moment before fading.

Pearl looked over at it. The whole story still made her head spin a little. “What about that? You still look better wearing it if you ask me.” Twilight nodded.

Twi sighed, calming down using Cadance’s old breathing exercise. “It is staying here. It would be too easy to lose it. Gods only what might happen if someone discovers how to use the Pearl.”

Pearl eyed the crown curiously. “Can someone else even use it? And when do I get one?”

Twi rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure, Pearl, and I do not want to find out.”

Twilight nodded. “As for you getting one?” She shrugged. “This is no longer in our hooves.”

Twi nodded. “I would give you one as well. But I have no idea how to. The Pearl didn’t come with an instruction manual. Even less so now.”

Pearl groaned. Just her luck. “So now what? There has to be something we can do tonight. Give me a model, or something to do. You won’t like me when I go stir-crazy! Trust me.”

The twins giggled, as Twi used her magic to pull open a drawer on her desk. “You’re in luck, Pearl. I in fact do have an extra model lying around.”

Pearl blinked as Twi floated over an Assault Intercessor, before looking it over. The scenic base was new. “Where did you get this?”

“Micro Chips gave it to me,” Twi nodded as she sat on her bed. “It’s from the old Getting Started with 40k magazine. He kept the Necron Warrior that came with it, though. I know you're not looking at playing 40k. But this is a good way starting spot for Games-Workshop's models, even if it is just a one-off thing."

Pearl sighed as she took the marine. She couldn't argue with that, she supposed, and she would be lying if she said she didn't think Space Marines were cool. Now she just needed to think of a Chapter.






“We are glad you could make it, Princess Twilight,” Vice Principal Luna smiled, as Twi joined her classmates in the side gym.

Twilight giggled, as Pearl and her parents went looking for seats. “After everything that’s happened? You couldn’t keep me away if you tried. Even if I wasn’t seeing anyone.”

Principal Celestia chuckled. “We thought that might be the case, but we had to ask anyway. And we would be honored if you join us on stage.”

Twilight blinked and frowned. She had been afraid this might happen. “And just how can you explain two of the same person? It was easy enough with the students. But their parents…”

Luna nodded. “Indeed. Professor Everfree was here several days ago, however, and said she would take care of it. I am inclined to believe she understands this better than we do.”

Twilight’s frown deepened as she extended her senses. To her surprise, she found the entire gym was saturated in powerful mind magic, and directly targeting the parents of the students. Her friend's parents remained unaffected, however, which she could understand. They already knew all about her.

Digging deeper though. Twilight found the magic only targeted those who did not already know all about everything that had happened at Canterlot High. What it did, she didn’t know.

But there was little she could do, as she joined the staff and guests on stage. None of which batted an eye at seeing a double of Twilight Sparkle.





From afar, Pearl watched in shock as Twilight did not join them in the stands. She and the princess locked eyes for a moment, and Twilight could only shrug helplessly.

Looking over at Twi’s parents, they were as confused as she was. “Least it isn’t just me then,” she grumbled, getting a chuckle from Night Light. 

Velvet lay an arm around Pearl's shoulders. So what if, technically, the princess wasn't her daughter? She had been incredibly upset and disappointed in the deception that had gone on during Prom. Even if everything had worked out in the end, Twilight should have known better.

At least this time, there seemed to be nothing the princess was hiding.