Twilight and the others gathered around Jade, Fluttershy, and Discord.

“What did you find out?” Gale asked. Everyone’s gazes burned into her as Jade stood there in silence.

“I was born in Equestria…” Jade’s voice was numb. “I’m a pony…” Everypony gasped.

“How do you know what Discord showed you wasn’t a load of hooey?” Twilight challenged.

“Oh come on Twilight. Even I wouldn’t play a prank like that.” Discord argued.

“Besides, we could prove it with a quick blood test.” Starlight suggested. Jade’s eyes widened.

“No! I hate needles!” Jade objected, shaking in fear. Everyone there stared at her in shock and confusion. “What?!”

“Why would we use a needle to look at your blood?!” Rarity gasped. Jade couldn't help but sigh in relief.

“We’re just going to use an X-ray that looks at your blood.” Starlight informed. Discord snapped his fingers and an X-ray for blood appeared in his claw.

“Already got one.” Discord announced, teleporting beside Jade. For a brief moment, Jade’s hopes shot up. Maybe she was a human and this whole thing was a sick joke. She would never talk to Discord again if that were the case but at least that would mean her parents hadn’t lied to her her whole life. Discord lifted Jade’s front right hoof and placed the X-ray on top of it. Everyone gathered around her, staring at the X-ray.

“Let’s see…” Discord was talking mostly to himself. “There’s pegasus, of course, earth pony...a bit of unicorn.”

“No...human?” Discord shook his head. Jade’s hopes plummeted into a dark pit of despair. She jerked away from the X-ray and trotted away, her head bent down in defeat.

“Where are you going?” Twilight asked

“I just need some time alone,” Jade replied. She walked out of the castle, practically slamming the door shut with her back hooves. Looking back on it, Jade realized that it actually had been obvious from the start. Her vegetarianism, the abandoned house by the lake, her adapting so well to being a pony. All of it pointed to her being born a pony. It baffled Jade how she could have possibly missed it. Then again, who wonders if their parents and them are actually another species from another dimension? Jade stopped walking to poke at the ground with her hoof. It was too dark enough to even see the ground. The street lights were all off for some reason, on the night of a new moon nonetheless. The only light was the light of the stars.

“Maybe I should go back…” Jade murmured to herself. Suddenly, a cracking sound pierced the silence. Jade whipped around, her jaw dropping at the sight. She couldn’t quite tell, but she was pretty sure the scaly creature flying in front of her was a dragon! It wasn’t much bigger than Jade but the sight was enough to make her let out a scream and zip into the sky. She flew as fast as she could but Jade could still hear the dragon’s wings beating behind her, getting louder and louder. Starting to panic, Jade thought about what she should do. Dragons breathe fire. It would be stupid to fight it without a weapon. Jade weaved her way through alleyways and other small spaces. However, the dragon was still able to follow her somehow.

“Oh come on!” Jade exclaimed, soaring higher into the sky. Out of the corner of her eye, Jade caught sight of the lake. Perfect! She zipped toward the body of water, allowing herself to skim the surface with a splash. Tripping a bit, Jade landed in the sand. Immediately, Jade dove into the lake. To her amazement, the dragon dove in after her. It can swim?! Come on! Jade looked around wildly. She grabbed something floating in the water, without even stopping to figure out what it was thought she knew it was made of leather. Jade broke through the surface. As the dragon followed her, she flung the object around its neck and yanked hard. The dragon let out a gasp as Jade strangled and shoved them under the water. Trying to avoid the dragon’s flailing claws, Jade flew just above the water. Finally, the flailing slowed. If I keep them under there any longer, I’ll kill them. Jade threw what she now realized was a sweater aside and ascended higher into the air. The dragon’s head broke through the surface with a gasp. Shaking, Jade stared down at the dragon with the most intimidating look she could muster.

“You could’ve just told me to leave you alone you know.” Jade’s eyes widened as the dragon actually spoke to her. “You didn’t have to nearly kill me.”

“You were chasing me!” Jade shouted.

“Sorry.” The dragon replied, slipping the sweater on. “Oh wow, this sweater is nice! Anyways, you know that dragons and ponies are allies right?”

“No...I’m not from….” Jade stopped as she remembered. “I haven’t lived here in years. Look, I’m sorry, but you really scared me.” The dragon sighed and paddled toward the shore.

“It’s fine.” The dragon stood up. They had white scales, green skin, yellow horns, and large wings. “I’m Peridot by the way.”

“Like the gem?” Jade asked. “I’m a gem too, Jade.”

“So we’re both named after green food,” Peridot replied.

“Ponies don’t eat gems,” Jade replied.

Peridot looked away. “Yeah, I knew that. Uh yeah anyways...I…”

“Jade!” A voice cried out. Jade turned to see Twilight skidding to a halt in front of them. “You were gone so long I was worried-” Twilight froze when she noticed Peridot. “Who’s this?”

Jade’s voice deepened significantly to reply, “Someone I just tried to murder.” Twilight and Peridot’s eyes widened. “No really,” Jade’s voice returned to normal. “I did just try to kill them, I thought they were trying to kill me.”

“Which I wasn’t.” Peridot raised their claws innocently.

“Oooookay…” Twilight cleared her throat. “Anyways, Jade I came looking for you. Are you okay? We’re all really concerned about you. You took that news really hard.”

“My parents lied to me my whole life.” Jade sighed. “That’s what I’m upset about...To be honest, Equestria was always on my mind even after I left…” Jade fell silent.

“Um…” Peridot’s tone was nervous. “If I may interject, I was only following Jade because I wanted to ask her if she knew someplace I could stay. So I’ll ask you, do you have a place where I can stay?”

Twilight hesitated before responding. “Well, if you’re interested, there’s my school of friendship. We can give you lessons in friendship AND a dorm to sleep in.” Jade’s ears pricked.

“Well...okay.” Peridot agreed with a nod. “I’m sure a friendship school won’t be so bad.” Peridot and Twilight began to walk away.

“Can I join the school too?” Jade blurted out. Twilight turned around, her eyes wide.

“But you’ve lived in the human world your whole life,” She objected. “Isn’t you home there, with your parents?”

“Yeah I lived there most of my life,” Jade agreed, “But that doesn’t make it my home. I have no place there, I never did. I spent only a little over a week here, and I’ve found a piece of me I never knew was there...literally and figuratively that is…” Jade hesitated, poking the ground with her hoof.

“So what you’re saying is…” Twilight prompted.

“I want to come live in Equestria.” Jade informed. “Not because I was born here, but because I feel a sense of belonging and ease here that I never felt in the human world. I am a pony, and my home is in Equestria.”

“You should tell your parents first.” Twilight advised. “But when you do, yes you can come to the school of friendship.”

“Right...my parents…” Jade sighed. “They’ve probably called the police….again...I’d go home but it wouldn’t be safe to walk that distance in the middle of the night.”

“You can stay the night in my castle.” Twilight offered.

“Thanks Twi.” Jade replied.

“I’m going to walk Peridot to the School of Friendship.” Twilight informed. “Do you know the way to the castle?” Jade nodded.

“Good, I’ll see you when I get back.” Jade would’ve flown but her wings were so sore Jade could barely move them. Once she had trotted to the castle, Jade pushed the door open. Her eyes widened when her path was blocked by basically everyone that had been there earlier.

“Um...hi…” Jade greeted awkwardly.

“Jade,” Fluttershy responded. “Are you okay?”

“You really worried us earlier.” Pinkie Pie added, leaping over Fluttershy.

Rarity gasped. “You seem like you’ve been through a horrible ordeal!”

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash agreed. “What happened out there?”

“I’m fine guys, really.” Jade tried to walk away but the mass of ponies blocked her path.

“You weren’t when you left,” Lavender replied.

“My parents lied to me my whole life.” Jade sighed. “Of course I was upset, but I'm fine.”

“What turned that around?” Gale asked.

“I’ve decided to stay in Equestria.” Jade blurted out. Everyone gasped, mostly in delight.

“Awesome!” Gale cheered, hugging Jade. Lavender and Cookie Dough joined them. Jade let out a sigh.

“Oh dang it. Come here everyone, free hugs.” Jade wrapped her hooves around each of her friends, one by one. Everyone had accepted the gesture, except one. Jade couldn’t help but smirk as Discord grumpily avoided her gaze. “Come on Discord, you too.”

“No way.” Discord replied.

“Why? Don’t want to cheat on Fluttershy?” Jade teased.

“WHAT?!” Discord’s cheeks were bright red. “Th-that’s not-it’s not...we’re not-she!” He growled in frustration.

“Then there’s no problem.” Jade replied. “Unless the mighty lord of chaos is scared of hugs.” Discord groaned, reluctantly giving in by wrapping his arms around Jade. She returned the gesture, smirking triumphantly.

“You are pure evil, you know that?” Discord whispered.

“Yup, I do.” Jade answered, cheerfully.

Pushing the door of her house open, Jade was immediately bombarded by her parents.

“Where were you?!” Basil and Blossom cried. “We were about to call the police!”

“I got stranded and had to stay the night at a friend’s house,” Jade answered. “Don’t worry, I was in good hooves.” Her tone was blunt. Her parents’ eyes widened in horror.

“You mean hands right?” They asked.

“No, I meant hooves.” Jade clarified. “I know about Equestria, and that I'm from there.” Basil and Blossom stared at their daughter, completely paralyzed.

“Where did you get that information?” Basil demanded.

Jade let out a sigh. “That week I was missing, I was in Equestria.” She ignored their gasps of horror. “Twilight told me that each pony has an exact duplicate in the human world. My duplicate wasn't in Equestria, she was that new girl I met. So I went back and figured out the truth.”

“How?!” Blossom demanded.

“Time travel and a blood test,” Jade answered. “Anyways, why did you lie?”

“We didn't want you to try and visit that world,” Blossom replied. “It's dangerous.”

“So is the human world!” Jade argued.

“Equestria is worse. It has magic.” Basil argued.

“Magic keeps that land safe from enemies!”

“But it's also what causes enemy attacks in the first place!” Blossom argued.

“Plus there are dragons, manticores, ursas, cockatrices, and hydras,” Basil added.

“Well I'm sorry but I'm going to live there anyway!” Jade blurted out. Basil and Blossom gasped in horror. “Equestria is where I belong, I can feel it.”

“Jade, please,” Basil begged. “That place is full of danger.”

“Again, so is this world,” Jade replied. “And it's not the wild, they have military and those dangers you mentioned don't have magic, ponies do. Maybe it's not the safest place in the world, but it's not the most dangerous, and it is my home.” Blossom and Basil were at a clear loss for words. After a moment of silence, they wrapped their arms around their daughter.

“Please take care.” Blossom sobbed.

“We wouldn't be able to forgive ourselves if something happened to you,” Basil added.

“Don't worry,” Jade comforted. “I'll be alright.” She pulled out of the hug and walked to the door.

“Shouldn't you pack a bag?” Blossom asked.

“Nah,” Jade replied, tossing them the journal. “But you'll be needing that if you want to write to me.” Blossom and Bail observed the journal curiously. Taking the opportunity to leave, Jade slipped out the door. “Goodbye.” She shut the door behind her and made her way to the portal. Once she arrived, Jade placed her hand on the portal and her hand fazed through. Good she left it open. Just like I asked. Jade casually walked through the portal. She felt her body stretch and twist until the spinning stopped. Jade opened her eyes to see numerous pairs staring back at her. Twilight casted a smile at her.

“Welcome home, Jade.” She greeted. Jade smiled and flung her hooves around the purple princess. The rest of her friends joyfully joined the hug.

Dear Diary,
It has now been a month since I moved to Equestria. I've been going to the School of Friendship and living in one of the dorms, just like Peridot, who I've become much closer to since I nearly drowned and strangled them to death. I even showed them Steven Universe, and they have now made it a habit to call everyone a ‘clod.’ Needless to say, it's really funny. Peridot also still wears that blue sweater I strangled them with that one time. I have no idea why. Anyways, my next big step is to find a temporary job until I can figure out a way to profit off of my writing. I've had a few ideas for novels, or at least short stories to enter in contests, but I haven't gotten around to really writing them. I've had a lot of other things to work on lately. Seriously, you'd be amazed at how much homework we get at the School of Friendship (Cookie Dough is still doing his as I write this), mostly from Applejack and Twilight. While I really do enjoy Twilight's class and she is still a good friend of mine, she gives us a ridiculous amount of homework and tests. Applejack's homework is more applied and practical, so it's not as much of a pain. As for the other teachers, they almost never give out homework, they're cool like that.

“I'm done!” Cookie Dough announced. Jade closed her diary, perking up excitedly.

“Great!” Jade cheered.

“We can finally go into town.” Lavender cheered.

“Not sure why it took you clods so long,” Peridot added.

“I don't write as fast.” Cookie Dough admitted with a shrug.

“So where do you guys wanna go?” Gale asked.

“Let's go to the lake,” Jade suggested. “That would be a good place.” She cut herself off before she could add anything else.

“Sounds good to me,” Peridot replied. Everyone else nodded in agreement. The five friends padded out of the school and toward the lake. Once they were there, Jade revealed what she had hidden under her wing.

“What's the camera for?” Cookie Dough asked.

“I wanted to take a picture of us to put on my wall,” Jade admitted. “If that's okay with all of you.”

“Sure,” Gale replied. “We could snap a photo real quick.” Everyone else nodded.

“Alright then,” Jade replied. “Everyone get into some kind of pose while I set up the camera.” Cookie Dough lied down in the sand. Peridot sat beside him, wrapping his arm around Cookie Dough's shoulders. Lavender stood behind Cookie Dough. Gale sat down beside them, leaving a space between Gale and Lavender for Jade. She tapped the camera with her nose and jumped into position as the camera flashed.

Author's Note

Cheesy ending. Cheesy ending. Everyone read this cheesy ending. Overall, I enjoyed writing this although I don't think it's one of my better stories. It's more laid-back and slice of life stuff, which was a bit out of my comfort zone and the twist was too obvious and forced. The twist was honestly my attempt to add a bit more spice to this story. The closest thing to this I've ever written was my Phantom of the Opera fanfiction on Quotev, which had a romance to take up the time. With this story, all I had in mind was Jade's character arc and experiences with Equestria but I wasn't sure if that was enough. Oh well, what's done is done and I still think this turned out pretty decent. Jade was a fun character to write and all of her friends were carefully thought out before I even decided they would be in this story.