What Might Have Been

Chapters

An Unexpected Letter
Confrontation and Journey
Revalations
Study Buddies
Journey Home
Student to Student

An Unexpected Letter

The moment Pearl stormed into her Council Chamber, Twilight knew something was wrong. The guards stationed outside the doors also bore worried looks. Both had standing orders to let only certain individuals inside this room.

And Pearl Rose wasn’t one to abuse the privilege. But right now, she could not care less about the massive stack of papers on Twilight’s desk, or how late in the day it was. “Twilight. Can we talk?” She looked back toward the door and frowned. “Alone?”

Twilight frowned. Pearl was never like this. Not without a good reason at least. Something told her, though, that this was meant for her ears only. “Of course, Pearl.” She closed the door to the room with a push of magic. “What’s wrong?”

Pearl sniffed, her body shaking from unshed tears as she slumped. ”Me and Lotus broke up.”

Twilight’s ears dropped, as did her heart. “Oh, Pearl. I am so sorry. Come here sweetie,” she said, opening her legs.

That was all it took. Pearl let her tears flow freely now, as she ran over and buried her head in her mentor’s shoulders. Twilight wrapped her wings around the young Pegasus, rubbing her back in a comforting way as she cried.

“Why? Where did we go wrong?” Pearl sobbed. “I loved her, and she loved me. I was good to her. We trusted each other with things we haven’t told anypony else. She treated me better than I deserved. I put her first all the time. So why?”

Twilight shook her head sadly. “I don’t know, Pearl. Love is a strange thing, even to me. What happened? Did you two fight? Was she with someone else?”

Pearl shook her head. “No. And we didn’t fight. It felt like the spark we had was dying before this. Cloud Dancer told me that it seemed we were falling apart last week, and Lotus said that Red Light mentioned the same thing to her.”

Twilight smiled a little. She had rarely seen a tighter group of best friends than these four. Red Light and Cloud Dancer had been quick to make friends with Pearl at the School of Friendship when she and her family had moved to Ponyville a decade earlier. Not long after her own coronation as High Princess of Equestria in fact. Lotus had come along not long after, and while it wasn’t as quick, she was soon part of the group as well.

Twilight had known of Pearl’s rough life before she had moved to Ponyville, and her friends’ comments from the classes she had with them only added to her worry. It was after Pearl had been sent to see Starlight after breaking up a fight, that Twilight had seen how much help Pearl needed.

Her announcement of her taking the young Pegasus as her Personal Student had caused an outcry from Canterlot. On top of Princess Twilight’s removal of her Seat and Throne to Ponyville, there had been not-so-subtle threats made against her. None of which had ever come to pass thankfully.

She had been taken by surprise when Pearl and Lotus started dating. She had known both of them preferred girls over boys, but it had never occurred to her that they might see something in each other. Of course, she was happy for both of them.

Let it never be said that Princess Twilight Sparkle stood in the way of love.

Twilight shook her head, pushing the memories away for the moment. “I am sorry, Pearl. I wish there was a way that I could help. But I would never hear the end of it from Cadance if I did. Shipping is not my thing. Look at my own love life. Or lack thereof."

Pearl snorted, grinning even though she really shouldn't have. “Probably just as well then. I remember the lecture she gave Professor Rarity when she tried to set up Applejack and Rainbow Dash and the miserable failure that turned out to be.” She paused. “Or was it the one she gave after Rarity tried to set up Discord and Professor Fluttershy, and the even bigger mess that turned out to be?”

Twilight snorted even though she knew she shouldn’t have. But she couldn't help it. How her fashionista friend had ever thought those would work was beyond her. “I might have something that might make you feel better, Pearl.”

Pearl gave her a look as they pulled apart. “Unless you can get me a week or two with Dragon Lord Ember, or Tsunami Rose, I doubt it’ll help any.”

Twilight chuckled. Pearl’s love of dragons was well known in Ponyville. It was her goal to be the world’s foremost Dragon Scholar. A plan that was well on its way to being a reality one day in fact. “I can probably get you one with Lord Ember. But I have one better.”

Pearl eyed her teacher dubiously. “Yeah? Like what?”

Twilight lifted a scroll from her desk and unrolled it. “Lady Rose and Lord Everfree are asking to meet the two of us.”

Pearl blinked in shock, waiting for a punch line that never came. “Wait. The rulers of Equestria want to me meet me? Why? They don’t know me at all.”

Twilight rubbed her snout with a sigh. “I am not sure myself, Pearl. I’ve rarely interacted with either in all my years. It was rather unnerving that first time I must add. This arrived earlier.”

Pearl looked out towards the Everfree Forest. No matter how long it had been since she had moved to Ponyville, she still found the forest quite beautiful. So what if it acted differently from the rest of the country? So what if it was where Equestria’s true rulers lived? She loved the forest. “Are they as scary as ponies say they are?”

Twilight giggled, wrapping a wing around the younger mare. “No, Pearl. Yes, it can be quite unnerving when you first meet Lord Everfree and his Lady. Remember. Very few ponies outside of Ponyville had ever met a kitsune before. Let alone an ascended one. But once you get past that initial fear, they are very nice and quite courteous. I’ve rather enjoyed my meetings with them.”

Pearl found that hard to believe. But what did she know? She smiled after a moment. “Well. I could use a distraction right now. I just wish that I could do something about Lotus. We were perfect. We still are.”

Twilight shook her head. “Are you and Lotus still friends?” Pearl nodded. “I wish I could help, Pearl. But this is something that I can’t teach as the Princess of Friendship. It will be awkward for some time. But if your bond is as strong as I believe it is, then I believe you and Lotus can move past this.”

Pearl smiled. It was times like this that she missed her time as the princess's student. While it had officially ended sometime before, she still held onto that bond. Twilight was like a second mother to her.

It was a feeling that Twilight shared as well. Pearl was like the daughter she never had, and while she would never ever think of trying to take her away from her parents, she still missed having the Pegasus around the castle, even though she had a new Personal Student now in Luster Dawn.

Pearl wasn’t sure how she felt about that. While she wasn’t insensitive enough to think that she should be the only student Twilight ever had, she and the unicorn did not get along all that well. It had nothing to do with Pearl being a Pegasus though. Far from it actually.

It was Luster's views on friendship that made Pearl's blood boil. More than once, Pearl had called Luster out on her feelings about friendship. To no avail. The unicorn had her head firmly shoved up her flank about how friendship was a waste of time, and other nonsense Pearl didn’t bother to remember.

Why Twilight hadn't done anything about it was beyond her. There was no way their teacher didn't know of how Luster viewed friendship. For Celestia's sake, she had been trying for years to be friends with Luster, and for a time, Pearl thought they were.

But that was beside the point, as she looked at the huge stack of papers awaiting Twilight’s signature. It never seemed to shrink. “Do you need to sign all of those now? Is this something they’re asking as in right this moment?”

Twilight shook her head. “Well, no. But I would rather get ahead and get these done as soon as possible. And they did not say when.” She gave her former student a look. “Why?”

Pearl just smiled and pulled Twilight out of her chair and toward the doorway. “Good. Cause I could go for some “I Just Got Dumped” cupcakes from Sugarcube Corner. And I could use a friend or two right now."

Twilight groaned. “That’s not a thing, Pearl.”

Pearl stuck her tongue out at her. “Says you. Knowing Pinkie, she’s already making some. I saw her rush off when I was coming over here. Red and Cloud are trying to help Lotus, and I think she and I need to stay apart for a while."

Twilight wanted to ask more about that. But then remembered it was Pinkie Pie she was thinking of, and she had long ago given up trying to figure out her party-loving friend. She sighed in defeat, but she was smiling all the same. “You’re lucky you’re cute, Pearl. Otherwise, I would have said no.”

Pearl just smirked, as Twilight opened the door. “I know. And don't you forget it."

The two shared a laugh, as the Door Guards fell in beside the two of them, as they headed for Sugarcube Corner, Twilight quietly closing the doors behind them.

Pearl sighed in contentment as she munched on a cupcake. She had never thought that vanilla and strawberry could go together so well. Pinkie really did know her stuff if she could make this work. “Maybe I should get dumped more often. These are just so good."

Twilight giggled as she took a bite of her own. “I know the feeling. After Flash and I stopped seeing each other, Pinkie knew exactly what I needed. It did me good. Even if it was a different flavor for me. She always seems to know just what a pony needs when they're down. Always has."

Pearl nodded. A part of her was still surprised the two of them had broken up. They had seemed so happy together. All of Ponyville had been happy for the two of them. And then it had seemingly ended out of the blue. And it had nothing to do with the Human World. That Pearl knew for a fact.

A small part of the young Pegasus, a part she had been trying to suppress for years, had been glad when it had happened. It meant that Pearl now had a chance to sweep Twilight off her hooves herself.

Pearl shook her head. No. She was not going there. That had been nothing but a schoolyard crush she’d had on the princess. Nothing more. One that she had long ago grown out of.

She certainly hadn’t followed Twilight’s flanks as she walked, admiring how her coat shimmered in the sun and moon, how beautiful they were. And most definitely she didn’t admire the sparkles that now occasionally danced and shimmered in her mane and tail.

Oh no. Pearl didn’t want to get closer to the goddess that Twilight was growing into and be the rose at the center of her garden.

She shook her head vigorously. “Shut up, brain,” she grumbled quietly to herself.

Twilight’s ears flicked as she caught what her former student said. She wasn’t sure what it was about, but she could take a guess from the blush that now colored Pearl’s cheeks.

She knew of Pearl’s crush on her. It was a feeling that she knew very well, for she too once had a crush on her teacher and mentor. One that she had come to terms with would never work out a long time ago, even though her ascension to alicornhood had reawakened those feelings for a time.

It also didn’t help that Celestia did not even like mares like that.

As Twilight took another cupcake, though, her thoughts went in a different direction. Maybe it was a lack of sleep, but she couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Pearl was.

She stopped that train of thought before it could go any further. That wasn’t right of her. Pearl was her student. But more than that. She was like the daughter Twilight never had. She lost count of the number of times the Pegasus had stayed over at the castle while her parents were away on business, had tucked her in for the night, and read her a bedtime story.

But, another part of her screamed back, Pearl was no longer her student. She had graduated the year before, and while nowhere near as much of an emotional rollercoaster as Starlight’s had been, plenty of tears had been shed by all.

Besides, Pearl was more of an adult than some actual adults Twilight knew were. She was old enough now that age was no longer an issue. Yes, there was an age gap between them. But that would forever be the case for her past a certain point in the future.

And if Twilight was being honest, she sighed, she was lonely. Spike was spending more and more time away from Ponyville. While it was mostly in his role as Friendship Ambassador for Equestria, she couldn’t help but notice he spent a lot of time in the Dragon Lands.

She didn’t need to be the Princess of Friendship to see why that might be. And Starlight was spending more and more time with Sunset Shimmer in the Crystal Empire. So much so that Trixie was starting to complain about being left out.

Not that Twilight really cared what Trixie thought. The show mare was even more insufferable now than she had been when she had returned to Ponyville after the Alicorn Amulet incident.

Sunset, at least, hadn’t changed much in the years since. She and Twilight still kept in touch with their friends from Canterlot High through her Journal, now being kept by Twilight’s human counterpart.

“Say! You two look down in the dumps! And we can't have that now can we?” Pinkie said, hopping over with another batch of cupcakes. “Do you not like em?”

Pearl giggled. “I love them, Pinkie. Just got too much on my mind I guess.”

Pinkie nodded. “Being dumped blues? Lotus was in here earlier. She said the same thing. They picked her right back up!”.

Pearl rolled her eyes. At least she wasn’t alone in this. “Did she say anything else?”

Pinkie nodded sadly. “Only that she hopes you find someone better than her.”

Pearl winced, while Twilight looked on in confusion. “What did she mean by that?”

Pearl sighed. “There’s a bit more to what happened. We’ve been falling apart for a few years now. Lotus finally admitted that she had found someone else.” She sniffed. “We all met earlier. I could see they loved each other. At that point, I couldn’t say no, and we broke up. I just hope we can still be friends.”

Pinkie nodded. “She did seem like a nice mare, and you three weren’t yelling at each other. So hopefully?”

Twilight’s heart dropped right out of her. At the same time, though, her spirits soared. Here was her chance. She immediately punched that feeling in the face. That was wrong of her.

Pearl didn’t fail to notice her reaction, though. Could she even try? They were no longer teacher and student, and her former crush on the princess was well known. She couldn’t count the number of times her friends had teased her about it. All in good fun of course. Even after she and Lotus had gotten together, they still teased her about it. Pearl had just rolled her eyes and said nothing.

Pinkie, meanwhile, giggled, seeing both of their reactions. This was gonna be fun. “You two play nice now, you hear? Don’t make me ask Sasuke to help.”

Pearl groaned. Ponyville’s resident troublemaker was a constant pain in her flank and could be even worse than Discord some days. Gods help them when the two joined forces. She seemed to be his favorite target as well, though why was beyond her. “Please don’t bring him into this, Pinkie. I get enough from him as it is.”

Twilight giggled. Pearl did seem to be a favorite target of the young Tod, barely past his fifth tail. But she was overly thankful that he was deathly afraid of his twin Sakura, who was the more level-headed of the pair. That said, Sasuke never made his jokes or pranks harmful, and the most Pearl ever got out of them was being covered in hay or something else from Sweet Aple Acres.

His father, if what Sakura said was true, was even worse when it came to pranking or pulling a joke on ponies. Though Twilight found that hard to believe. Perhaps what Starswirl said was true though. He had known the family since long before Equestria was even a distant dream.

Pinkie only smiled as she patted Pearl’s head motherly. “Then don’t be a big dumb dumb, and I won’t have to. You’re going to see their parents soon, aren’t you? Maybe ask them to help.” Bringing out a well-wrapped package “Also, Lady Tsunami’s order is ready for her. Could you bring it to them?”

Twilight briefly wondered how her friend knew about this, but quickly decided it wasn’t worth the pain as she gently took the package. “I promise, Pinkie.”

And again, Pearl felt something tug on her soul. But why? It only ever happened if Lady Tsunami was ever mentioned to her or in front of her. Which was odd. She had often asked the young Sakura about it. But the vixen only smiled and vaguely told her that everything would be revealed in its own time. And that she shouldn’t worry about it.

Darn Seers, she snorted. You could never get a straight answer out of them. Not that Pearl would ever say that of course. While nowhere near as bad as her brother, Sakura could be just as mischievous and annoying when she put her mind to it.

Pearl actually liked spending time with the vixen. Putting aside her tendency to speak in riddles, and the occasional prank, Sakura was always pleasant to be around. Starswirl had once remarked she had inherited much of it from her mother and grandmother. Sasuke had inherited all the most annoying habits of his father and grandfather.

Maybe finally meeting the two in person would make it clear. Pearl was actually beginning to look forward to this trip, as she plopped another cupcake in her mouth.

Confrontation and Journey

“You sure about this, Twilight?” Spike asked as Twilight and Pearl readied themselves to enter the Everfree. “Why now of all times?”

Twilight only shrugged. “I don’t know, Spike. And we’ll be fine. We’ve been into the Everfree before. Why should now be any different?”

Luster Dawn, who had come down from Canterlot unannounced, eyed the forest dubiously. “But it’s always been you or your friends, princess. Now you’re taking Miss. Rose with you.”

Pearl smiled. She rather liked that title. But she could see that the unicorn was fidgeting, and she hoped it wasn’t what she thought it might be about. “Come on, Luster. Out with it. You didn’t come all the way down to Ponyville just to see us off, did you?”

Luster bit her lip. She had not in fact, even though she was on her lunch break. “I was just hoping that, maybe, you could ask if I could go with you the next time you go to the Dragon Lands?”

Pearl growled. And there it was. “And I’ve told you before. Give me a good reason why I should. Something that says you’re not just using me as a damn springboard for your own ends!”

Twilight blinked, as Luster retreated with a gulp. She eyed the two with worry. “What are you two talking about?”

Pearl blinked, as she eyed Luster with surprise. “You haven’t told her?”

“Told me what, Pearl Rose, Luster Dawn?” Twilight asked, in a tone that said an explanation was not up for debate.

Starlight sighed. “This isn’t the first time Luster’s asked Pearl this question.”

Luster nodded. “Think of all I could learn if I went with Miss. Rose on one of her trips. Very few even get to go to the Dragon Lands.”

Pearl nodded. “Yeah, and I still don’t know why I get everything I do when I go. I never asked for it. Ember just seemed to give it to me.”

Twilight nodded. Even she had been shocked when Pearl was given as much as she had that first time. “It is not that simple, my faithful student.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. “I can’t just take anyone, Luster. Ask Lotus, Red, and Cloud. They’ve wanted to go so many times, but they’ve always been denied. And they’re my best friends.”

Luster snorted, something that set alarm bells ringing in Twilight’s head. “You don’t need friends going with you. You need someone who actually appreciates what you see and learns there. Someone like me.”

Something snapped inside Pearl and her eyes narrowed. So that’s how it was? “Then I do have something to say. Never ask me that again! You don’t deserve me even asking about it! You never cared about me at all. All I am is just somepony to step all over to get what you want.” She sniffed. “I tried to be friends with you, Luster. I truly did. Now I see that I wasted my time.”

Luster whimpered as Pearl took her head in a hoof and leaned in. “Talk about me all you want. But nopony talks about my friends like that,” she hissed. “You just destroyed your chances.”

Luster frowned. “But-”

Pearl pushed away and, setting her saddlebags onto her back, headed for the path into the Everfree, as everyone watched in horror. “Don’t bother. I’m wasting time as it is here. Keep lying to me, and just see what happens when you insult my friends, and think you deserve anything from me."

Twilight watched all this in mute shock before she finally found her voice. “I am disappointed in you, Luster Dawn. I thought I taught you better than that.”

Luster recoiled. “Friendship is nothing but a waste of time. Why bother when friendships only fade with time?” Her mouth moved as if on its own, but the thoughts were her own.

Twilight frowned. “I had hoped your mother had been wrong about your feelings, Luster. But I see that Cozy was right. As usual.”

Starlight’s ears wilted. “Should I start the paperwork at the School of Friendship?” She asked, having a feeling of what was coming.

Twilight nodded, as Luster scratched her head in confusion. “Yes.” She looked at Luster in sorrow, who seemed to guess what was happening. How had it come to this? “I am transferring you from the School of Magic to the School of Friendship, Luster. I see now that you have failed in the most important magic of all: the magic of friendship. Your grades and scores are the best in your class. But you will never advance like this.”

Luster gasped, even as everyone nodded. “You can’t do that! Can you?”

Twilight nodded sadly. “In fact, I can, Luster. Your teachers have said how you avoid even trying to make friends. Even with those who genuinely try to be friends with you.”

Luster’s head fell, as her tears came at last. This was not how this was meant to go. She’d had this planned for weeks, and now her dreams lay shattered and broken. Where had she gone wrong? “Does this mean I’m no longer your student, Princess Twilight?”

Twilight’s heart fell, hearing the heartbreak in the question. “I don’t know, Luster. But prove me wrong. Prove to me that you can learn friendship.” She smirked. “And I will know if you’re faking it. I’ve gotten rather good at it over the years.”

Luster gulped. She knew that this was something that was not up for debate. “And Miss. Rose?”

Twilight watched where Pearl had vanished, and shook her head. “I don’t know, Luster. You’ve hurt Pearl more than you know. You had a friend waiting for you. Now… I just don’t know.”

Luster sniffed. “Why does she care so much? All I’ve ever been to her is nothing but rude. Miss Rose was right. All I ever wanted was to go to the Dragon Lands. So I thought…”

Twilight nodded sadly. “Pearl will never ask now. Unless something drastic changes, I am not sure Pearl will ever change her mind about this. She will not help someone who is only using her for their own selfish reasons, as she sees it."

Spike nodded. “Her friends have asked a million times if they can go with her. They’ve always been politely declined.”

Luster tapped her chin. She had met the three mares in question. All of them seemed nice. “But why? It doesn’t make any sense.”

Spike shrugged. “No idea. It came from Lady Tsunami herself too. No one knows why she has such an interest in Pearl.”

Twilight nodded as she added her saddlebags. “I will have your things sent down from Canterlot, Luster. You can have any room in the castle. I’m sure Starlight can give you a few books.”

Starlight nodded. Twilight’s library had several books that were nowhere else in Equestria. Luster herself was at least glad she had a room, as they watched Twilight vanish into the forest.

Pearl had not gone very far when Twilight caught up to her. Her eyes were red from crying, and the sight made Twilight’s heart fall. She leaned into Twilight’s embrace with a sniff.

“Why?” Pearl sniffed. “I’ve tried so hard to be Luster’s friend. Us students of you need to stick together. Starlight never treated me any differently. So why?”

Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know, Pearl. Luster has a good heart, I know she does. She just needs to find it.”

Pearl snorted as she looked ahead into the deep forest. She found that hard to believe. “So, um. I have no idea where I’m going,” she giggled sheepishly.

Twilight giggled. “Very few do. The path seems to change every time I walk it. And it becomes more dangerous the deeper we go. You leave the path at your own peril.”

Pearl groaned. Just her luck. “How do we even know when we get there? You’re not exactly talkative every time you come back.”

Twilight chuckled. “We will know it. Fear will be our guide, and we must steel our hearts. It will become more dangerous and darker the further we go in. Shadows will play on our fears. Never feel safe, for we are going the wrong way otherwise. Deny every instinct to run, for the Everfree will eat us alive if we do.”

Pearl snorted as they began to walk. “Bit much don’t ya think?”

Twilight shrugged. “Perhaps. I asked Starswirl once, and he gave no answer. I have the feeling there is a purpose to it. Very few ever find the Everfree’s heart. Even those who love it.”

Pearl looked behind them. Ponvlle had vanished from sight. Now all she saw were trees going on forever. Ahead, the path went on, with no break in sight. “Maybe we’ll get lucky?”

Twilight rolled her eyes, as she held Pearl close. She doubted it would be that easy.

Pearl grumbled as she and Twilight stumbled past the bramble patch and onto a well traveled stone pathway. Bits of sticks and leaves adored the Pegasus’s mane as dried mud cracked on her underbelly, her whispered curse words reaching Twilight’s ears.

“It’s not that bad Pearl.” Twilight sighed as she flipped her wing a little, trying to dislodge a branch, the pair having been chased by a dark shadow for several hours.

“Says you. You’re not the one who got chased into a muddy brook.” Pearl cursed a few more times, sighing.

“I told you, you had nothing to fear. Even I knew it wasn’t real.” Twilight shook her head and placed a hoof against the bright red Torii gate.

“It seemed real enough to me.” Sitting down Pearl yanked a small twig from her wing and spit it out on the ground. “Please tell me this is it?” Pearl groaned as she looked about the colorful village. Walking about she spotted various pony sized foxes, large deer, and even a few eastern dragons. She would have been jumping had if not for the lousy journey she just experienced.

“Yes Pearl. We’re here. This…”

“Lady Twilight!” a firm voice called out. Standing back Twilight saw a stag the size of Celestia walk up to her. His large multi pointed antlers shimmering.

“Chancelor Thorin.” Twilight made a soft bow. Pearl blinked and quickly followed.

“I’m glad you came through alright. My lord and lady await you. Please follow me.” With a swift nod the stag turned on his hooves and walked toward the massive temple.

“He sounds like your brother. All business.” Pearl smirked.

“Yes, but he does his job well.”

On entering the temple the two mares looked about at the decor. Pearl’s eyes widened as she never knew such riches existed before, not even in Canterlot. Following in silent awe, they all stopped at a large double door. Guarded by a single red vixen with two tails in a simple maid outfit.

“No further Chancellor. Twilight is to enter alone… my lady wishes to speak to her alone,” the maid held her paw against the stag’s chest. Throin gulped and nodded before stepping aside.

“But…” Pearl stepped forward holding out the scroll announcing that she was to show up. At a snap of the vixen’s paw fingers it went up in flames causing Pearl to jump back.

“You will be awarded an audience in due time, young one,” the maid stepped forward and looked down at the young mare. “But for now, Twilight is to enter alone.” her voice so soft and stern, Pearl stepped meekly backwards. “You may wait for her in the gardens. This way.” the vixen pointed to a leaf lined doorway off to the side, down a long dark hallway.

“You best listen little lady. This one answers to Lady Rose and Lord Everfree alone.” Thorin chuckled as he turned and left.

Pearl silently watched as Twilight followed the vixen into the darkened hall before the door closed swiftly behind them. In no time at all she was alone in the hallway. Looking down the dark corridor, she sighed and slowly walked through the doorway and into the most beautiful garden she had ever seen.

Lush green grass spread across an enclosed area twice as large as Twilight’s throne room. Off to one side was a small pond with swan’s larger than her. Flowers of every type littered the grass. A bamboo pathway lead from the door to the center in a circle. In that circle was the largest tree she had ever seen in her life. It was oddly shaped. Leaves only coming at the end of well pruned branches. At its base sat a fox no larger than Twilight. Dressed in a simple brown shirt and a straw hat that hid half of his face. A large bushy tail bound by silk straps lay behind him.

A small coughing fit came over Pearl, causing the fox to turn his head her way.

“Hmmm. Never seen you about here before,” the fox’s voice was young, but was also as tired as an old man’s. “Come to admire the gardens?”

“No.. I was told to wait here.” Pearl scoffed as she kicked a small stone at her hooves. The stone was expertly snatched from the air by the fox’s paw. “Nice catch.”

“Nice kick,” he said with a chuckle. “Well if you’re going to wait, no better place than right here by the bonsai tree.”

“Is that what this is called?” Pearl looked up at the massive tree.

“It is. It’s Lord Everfree’s prized tree. He’s been growing it for over twenty thousand years now.” the fox smiled as he pruned a few small branch growths along a larger branch. “It was gifted to him by his mate, Lady Rose.”

Pearl silently gasped. The concept of growing a tree for such a long time baffled her mind. “Wha…”

“Hehehe. I never get tired of that reaction. Lady Twilight nearly fainted dead away when I told her that,” the tod smiled down at Pearl. “Sense you’re still on your hooves, you must be made of stronger stuff.”

Shaking her head rapidly Pearl sat down. “Sorry. My head’s spinning. This is too much.” She looked down as a small cup of tea was placed in front of her. Blinking, she looked up. “Who are you?”

“Just the gardener. I like to make sure our lord’s garden is well cared for,” he chuckled.

“What’s he like? I’m supposed to be meeting him and Lady Rose soon.”

“Lord Everfree?” a light chuckle escaped his lips which made Pearl quick an eyebrow. “He’s one of a kind. That’s all I can say.”

“I just hope I don’t say anything that will get me killed.” Pearl took the small cup and siped on it. Color flushed her cheeks at the flavor. “He wouldn’t kill me if I did anything wrong would he?”

“Dunno. He’s a fox, like most of us. I’ve been told he has a quick temper. The last pony who upset him… less said about that the better.” The gardener leaned back and rested up against the large bonsai tree. “You don’t go about harming plants and trees do you?”

“NO,” Pearl half flinched from the idea of it.

“Oh then you have nothing to worry about.” Stretching a bit he got up. Pearl couldn’t help but notice the shimmer of light amber from the folds of his shirt. “I’ll leave you here. I have a few other places to be.”

“Work of a gardener never ends huh?”

“OH it’s not that. My mate just loves to gripe about me cleaning up after ‘playing in the dirt’ as she puts it,” the gardener chuckled through a grin, a chuckle which also made Pearl laugh. “Hope your meeting goes well.” Waving a paw, the gardener left the garden.

Pearl sighed as she laid there under the shade of the bonsai, a soft cool breeze caressed her feathers as she watched as a few cranes came up and examined her for a moment before nuzzling up close. Is everything here so damn huge? These birds are almost twice as big as me! Her thoughts raged.

Not long after, she saw the maid walk in and bow. “Lady Pearl, you are expected. Please follow me.”

With a nod Pearl got up and followed. She hated to leave the beauty of the garden but it was now time to jump into the fire, so to speak.

“Did you enjoy your time in the gardens my dear?” the maid asked with a smile.

“Yeah. Even had a slightly calming chat with the gardener tending to it.”

“Gardener? We don’t employ a gardener.” The maid pushed open the large jade doors to the central room. “The only one who tends that place is Lord Everfree himself.”

Pearl blinked as she stepped in. “Huh?” looking up, seated on an ivory pillow was the largest dragoness she had ever seen. Her body coiled behind her, taking up more than half the podium. And next to her, dressed in a simple black Kimono. No longer sporting the straw hat, His nine tails fanned out behind him. Was the fox she saw in the Garden.

“Welcome Pearl. To the Heart of Everfree.” Forestsong’s words rang through the room with soft authority.

Author's Note

Here's a little extra about the Everfree Forest that wasn't said. Ponies with good intentions are usually led in circles before being led back out again by Kohaku. Because it's fun to mess with ponies. Only a few find the Heart.

Those who intend harm to the forest? They never leave. What happens to them? Three words: Forest of Ponies. Let your imagination fill in what that means. Celestia, Luna, and Twilight all know of it and the true horror of what happens to those ponies.

Only those condemned to it ever see the Forest of Ponies though. And they're in no condition to speak of it. Or anything else ever again.

Revalations

“How many rooms does this castle have?” Luster huffed, as she and Starlight climbed up another flight of stairs. They had to be near the top by now.

Starlight sighed. “More than any of us can count. And Twilight’s tried as well. There seem to be new ones every week. I think Harmony is just trolling us now.”

Luster wondered who that was, as she tried one of the doors at random. To her surprise, it was locked. “Why is it locked? None of the other rooms are locked.”

Starlight blinked, before smiling, remembering just where they were. “This is Pearl’s old room,” she said, unlocking the door before pushing it open.

Looking inside, Luster was surprised to see how clean the room was. Opposite her was a bed and nightstand. Alongside a wall was a bookshelf crammed with various books plus odds and ends.

Starlight smiled as she remembered years gone by. “Pearl’s parents are away on business quite a lot. So Twilight gave her a room of her own to stay in as long as she wanted.”

Luster’s ears fell. “She really does care about Miss Rose, doesn’t she? They’ve been spending a lot of time together recently. Ponies are starting to talk.”

Starlight’s ears fell as she placed a hoof on the unicorn’s shoulder. “She cares about all of us, Luster. Never think Twilight doesn’t. Pearl does as well. Once she cools off.” She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “And ponies can talk all they want. What Twilight does is none of their business.”

Luster sniffed. “Why should she care about me after all of this though? I used her. I never tried to be friends with her, no matter how hard she tried. She hates me.”

Starlight shook her head. “Pearl doesn’t hate you, Luster. The last pony she hated ended up in Ponyville General Hospital, and still hasn’t recovered. This is her peeved. Believe me.”

Luster giggled a little at the thought, before sniffing again. “I wanted to go the Dragon Lands for so long. But now? All I ever dreamed of. Broken and shattered.”

Starlight didn’t respond for a moment as Luster sniffed again. “Pearl wants to be the world’s foremost Dragon Scholar. Did you know that?” Starlight finally said.

Luster looked up in surprise, shaking her head.

Starlight smiled. “It was the only thing she could talk about some days, talking the ears off Spike and Smolder, even Ember when she could. But there’s only so much they can say.”

Luster tapped her chin. “She wanted to go to the Dragon Lands too?”

Starlight nodded. “It took Pearl months to work up the courage to even ask Twilight if she could ask Lady Tsunami if Pearl could go. She fully expected to be denied as well.”

Looking out a nearby window, Luster shook her head. “But that didn’t happen. She’s seen more than most ponies I believe.”

Starlight nodded, as she joined her, looking out toward the Everfree Forest. Both wondered where the pair were now and if they were safe. “Yes, but it wasn’t easy. Pearl can tell you all the hoops she had to jump through to get as much as she has.”

Luster sighed. “Something I’ll never have. And why should I? I knew it was wrong what I was doing. But I didn’t care.”

Starlight nodded. “A good first step is to admit what you did was wrong. You still have a friend waiting for you in Pearl. You just have to want it. Apologize to her when they get back, and be sincere. Pearl will see right through it if you don’t.”

Luster sniffed. “And what if she still says no?”

Starlight shook her head. “That is a risk of friendship. No matter how hard you try, someponies will never be your friend. But it is still worth trying, and she will know you mean it. And do not even think to ask that question again any time soon. Unless something happens with their meeting, Pearl won’t even bring up what happened.”

Luster sighed, as she watched the trees wave in the breeze. “We were right by the Rose River. I understand that Lady Tsunami is the spirit of the river. Could she have heard us?”

Starlight shrugged. “Most likely. If I understand how the connection between a spirit and certain things work. But I’m not sure any of us made a good impression on her to change things.”

Luster sighed. Just her luck.

Pearl had never felt so small and utterly insignificant in her entire life. Not even meeting Princess Twilight for the first time had made her feel this small before. “Meep,” was all she could squeak.

A low squealing noise came from the thrones. Both Pearl and Twilight looked at the dragoness who looked like she was about to jump out of her scales. In a second her body leaped upward, her body shimmering like a wave of water as she turned into one.

This is how I die… Pearl whimpered internally as she watched the wave make a beeline right for her. The sound of waves on cliff rocks thundered throughout the throne room as the wave struck the area directly in front of her.

As the water vanished the dragoness was far smaller than she had been before. Now standing equal in height to Pearl but only three times as long as her. Moving about Lady Rose examined Pearl from various angles and looked over her shoulder.

“Oh she looks sooooo delicious!!!” a toothy grin went from ear to ear. “Better than you described.” Twilight saw the lady of the forest jump trot in place in the same way Pearl did when super excited.

“I certainly wouldn’t disappoint you, my love.” Lord Everfree chuckled waving a paw lightly. “I know how important this is for you. After all, it’s so rare to have a pony of her quality amongst us. I’m fairly certain she’ll fill your appetite.”

Pearl shot Twilight a pleading look. “Help,” she mouthed.

Twilight shook her head. “My lady. Forgive my impudence, but isn’t it rude to eat your guests?” She smirked. “Besides. Pearl is nothing but skin and bones. Hardly what I’d call a meal.”

Pearl shot her a glare. “Gee, thanks, princess. See if I do anything nice for you from now on if I live through this.” She dragged Twilight in front of her. “Here. Eat Twilight instead. Much better.”

In the span of a second, the whole room erupted in laughter. Lady Rose literally rolled on the ground holding her chest as tears fell down her face.

Pearl blinked as she found Twilight was chuckling as she too could no longer keep a straight face. “Will someone tell me what the buck is going on here!!!”

“Okay my love, I think the ice has been broken well enough.” Lord Everfree smiled from his chair. A paw holding a small bag of popcorn as he was thoroughly enjoying the show being played out in front of him.

“Oh, Pearl. Did you really think anyone here was going to eat you?” Twilight looked over her shoulder. A light laugh still emanated from her lips. “It was a joke to lighten the mood.”

“I heard you were a bit uptight, but I certainly didn’t think you were this gullible.” Rolling over, Lady Rose sat upright on the ground. “And I certainly didn’t think you’d throw Twilight under the trolly so quickly. From all the reports I’ve read about you over the years, that’s the last thing I would have expected.” The dragoness’s eye quirked a bit, chuckles still being heard throughout the room. With a wave of her claw, they silenced and every guard and attendant swiftly left.

“That even surprised me,” Twilight smirked at Pearl who only grumbled and crossed her front legs across her chest with a huff.

“Well anyway. Welcome Pearl. Honestly, I’m very excited to finally meet you in person.” Lady Rose moved up as swift as a river and placed a claw on Pearl’s shoulder. “Twilight’s been saying so many good things about you over the years.”

“She has?” Pearl looked over at Twilight who nodded. “Like what?”

“OH, nothing too bad. In fact, she’s mentioned how your so much improved since your time in Baltimare.” Leaning in the dragoness grinned. “But I loved reading everything you did back then so much more.”

“You’ve been reading about me since I lived in Baltimare?” Pearl looked to Twilight who just shrugged.

“Um, My lady. How is it you’ve been reading about her sense Baltimare?” Twilight blinked a few times scratching her head with a wing. “I’ve only known Pearl since a year before she moved, so unless you have been talking about that. But I can’t remember writing anything since my reports to you never started until she moved to Ponyville.”

“Did you honestly think you alone were sending us reports about her?” Lord Everfree chimed in. “My mate has been receiving reports since Pearl was a filly, barely out of her training horseshoes.”

“What?!” Pearl stepped back and gasped. “How… Who?”

“I wonder, now who could have been doing that?” Pearl felt herself shiver as the familiar voice echoed in the room.

Twilight too blinked as she recognized the voice. Pearl’s oldest and dearest friend. Second in command of the old gang Pearl used to be in charge of back in Baltimare.

Both mares turned around and saw a bright emerald mare step out of the shadows behind Lord Everfree. Her amber-colored mane flowed down her shoulders and back. “Long time no see Pearly,” the mare smiled wide.

“Amber Orchid!!” Twilight and Pearl both yelled out in unison.

Pearl was quick to hug her old friend. “How? I didn’t even know you were close to Ponyville, let alone all the way out here. And how and why are you sending reports to them? Better yet. How the hay do you know them?”

Amber chuckled aloud and shook her head. Twilight’s hair slightly popped out as she noticed Lord Everfree’s grin matched Amber’s perfectly. “Well. That’s a rather long and boring story.” Amber hugged her friend tightly. “But Tsumi here wanted to know all about you. And I was happy to accommodate her. I’ve known her for a very long time Pearl. Longer than even you know.”

“Huh?” Pearl blinked looking over to Lady Rose who was just rolling her eyes at her mate.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Twilight blurted out as her eye started to twitch.

“What’s gotten you all out of sorts?” Pearl quirked an eyebrow at Twilight.

“Pearl you can’t seriously say you don’t see it.” Twilight placed a hoof on Pearl’s shoulder.

“See what?” Pearl looked at her friend and back at Twilight.

“It’s no good Princess. It’s part of who I am.” Turning Pearl back around Amber looked into her friend’s eyes. “I’m sorry I hid all this from you, but I promise you’ll be told everything.”

“Amber. You sound like you’re saying goodbye all over again.” Pearl didn’t like what was happening. She stepped back and bit her lip as she watched her friend nod slowly.

“I’m sorry Pearl. But you don’t need ME anymore. But I’ll still be around for you.”

“What the hay does that mean?” Pearl stomped her hoof, ready to tackle her friend just to keep her from running away. But watched as she just turned and looked at Lord Everfree.

“I’m ready now.”

“Ready for what!! What is going on!” Pearl shouted aloud. She tried to move but found she was rooted in place by something she couldn’t see or feel. A cold sweat ran down her spine as she watched as Lord Everfree step down and stand before Amber. With a grin, he just swiped his massive paw across her body, in a flash the emerald mare was gone. Vanished in a flurry of autumn leaves.

Pearl growled. “What did you do? Bring her back!”

Twilight shook her head. “There is nothing to bring back, Pearl.”

Pearl rounded on her former teacher and poked her. “Like hell, there isn’t! I’ve had enough of this crap today. First Luster, and now this. If this is someone’s idea of a joke, they’re dead meat.”

“She was never meant to be a joke Pearl,” Lord Everfree’s stepped forward, his voice soft. “Only a means to an end that has taken its first step past infancy. And like Twilight said, there is nothing to bring back. Since she never truly existed in the first place.” Placing a paw on Pearl’s shoulder he gave her a smile only Amber Orchid made. “And if I’m guessing right, you’re about to blow your top and start pounding somepony. I think that’s what got you in trouble with Professor Protractor. After you sent, Thunder I think his name was, crashing into the classroom. Through the window.”

Pearl’s breath hitched. Only her closest and dearest friends knew about that, and Amber was never one to blab to anyone, no matter who they were. It's what kept their group together fo so long. Unless… “Why? Why do all of that? I’m no one.”

Narrowing his eyes he produced a full-sized mirror and sat behind Pearl. One paw on her chin made her look at herself. “That’s not what I see Pearly. I have never wasted my time on anypony who wasn’t worth it. And you’ve always been. Now look into that mirror and tell me what you see.” His voice was as stern as Amber’s was on the many times' Pearl doubted herself back in the day.

Pearl looked. It was identical to the mirror she’d had as a filly before they moved to Ponyville. She smiled after a moment. “I see someone about to pound the living hell out of you, you oversized rug! Damn, the consequences. I’ve had too long of a day.”

“Now that’s the Pearl I know.” Lord Everfree smiled and stepped aside and sat next to his mate. “That’s the fire I always knew you had inside of you.” With a sigh he relaxed a bit and rubbed his shoulder. “I know you have a billion and one questions. But I’ll answer the first and foremost. By telling you my name. Ponies have known me as Lord Everfree or Forestsong. But to those closest to me I go by Kohaku. Which in Ponish. Means, Amber.”

Pearl stood there looking as if a beam had landed atop her head.

“And I’m sorry about the deceptions. I couldn’t very well show myself as I am. Especially not to a filly of five years old. But everything she was came from me. Most of the time I let her run on autopilot, but there were important moments I took control. Guiding you through life, preparing you for a world bigger than any pony could hope to see. And all for the express purpose of bringing you. To her.” His paw gestured to his beloved mate. “Tsunami Rose. or as many know her. The spirit of the Summer Rose River.”

Pearl looked at the dragoness. Again, there was that tug on her soul, but now it was even worse than before. “Okay, but why? I’m over the moon of course. But why me?”

Tsunami looked at her mate and nodded as she stood up and walked over, taking Pearl’s hooves into her claws and looking the mare in the eyes. “Because Pearl, you’re my little sister. Our souls are identical twins. I’ve waited for you for so long now.” tears slowly streaked down the dragoness’s cheeks.

Twilight’s eyes widened. It couldn’t be. Pearl, though, was even more confused now. “What? How? Did Mom and Dad have another kid I didn’t know about? I don’t think either one is a dragon in disguise.”

Tsunami just giggled and shook her head. “Oh no. I was hatched over twenty-five thousand years ago. We have different parents. Born to different eras. But our souls were born together. For so long I’ve not felt complete. Then you were born. I could feel you even then. But I couldn’t just rush to you.” Tsunami sighed deeply. “Imagine the panic and mayhem that would have caused. No. Even if I waited till you had grown it would have been disastrous. You had to be prepared to meet with me. Through your own choices and actions. Being what I am forced me to remain here, so I had to wait for you to come to me.”

“And I help to guide you to that path. I know you’re angry with me, and please feel free to hit me as much as you like. You were never shy about doing it before so why stop now.” Kohaku chuckled happily as he saw that little sparkle in Pearl’s eyes. “And I hope we can continue our old friendship. Now that you know who I am.”

Pearl thought for a moment. That last part was gonna be so hard, now knowing what she did. She finally smirked. “Oh man, the girls are gonna flip when they hear this. And maybe now I can get more hooves on. Do you know how hard it is to find an eastern dragon in Ponyville? All I have is what Spike and Smolder can tell me.”

“Ugh. Don’t get me started on mountain dragons. Those Gem-eating brutes have no real class.” Tsunami scoffed slightly. “Granted Spike has his merits but most of them I just can’t stand.” Looking at Pearl’s confused face made her giggle. “Sorry, Dragons of my kind and Theirs don’t often get along too well. But we have a bit of mutual respect as fellow dragons.”

“Speaking of dragons. I have a gift I wanted to give you.” Kohaku flipped his paw up revealing an old journal. The old leather was dark from age but the thick paper inside was as crisp as it was the day it was written. “This was something my father, his father, and his father before him all wrote. Even I put my own studies in it. Personal experiences mostly.” Setting the book down before Pearl and Twilight, he pulled a thin crystal from the spine. “I have no real use for it any longer. So consider it a gift, from us. To you.”

Pearl blinked as she opened the book and scrunched up her face in annoyance. “And just HOW do you read this thing?”

“Place the crystal on the page, over the line of text, and say ‘Hon'yaku’” Tsunami instructed.

Pearl did so, and her jaw dropped as a wall of thousands upon thousands of scrolls appeared before her. Pulling one out she suddenly found could read every word inside and it was all about one subject in particular. Her smile would have made Pinkie Pie proud, as she also saw Twilight reading along.

Maybe it was the excitement of all she had just learned, or maybe the weeks they had spent together recently finally broke down the last barriers, but Pearl couldn’t take it any longer. “Twilight. Would you be my study date? I know how much you love this. Maybe this is a bad idea, but I don’t care anymore.”

Twilight’s heart skipped a beat. It was something she’d been wanting for weeks now. She finally smiled. “Pearl. I would be honored to.”

Pearl squeed. Before she could stop herself, she leaned in and pressed her lips against Twilight’s, who jolted in surprise, before leaning into the kiss in full. “And keep Luster out of this,” Pearl growled as they pulled apart. “I don’t care if she’s staying in the castle now.”

Twilight sighed. “Pearl. You cannot avoid her forever.”

“Like hell, I can’t,” Pearl snorted. “You were lucky I stormed off earlier before I did something even you couldn’t forgive me for.”

“Was that what that little tussle was about? Someone wants to come with you to the Dragon Lands?” Tsunami asked with a grin.

Pearl pinched her snout. Of course, she knew all about that. They’d been right beside the river before entering the Everfree. “Luster’s been pestering me for months about going with me. I told her to give me a good reason, and I’d think about it. It’s been worse since your letter though.”

Twilight nodded with a smirk as she lay a wing around Pearl. “I seem to remember a certain Pegasus filly who once took months to ask me if she could go as well.”

Pearl smiled. “Yeah, but I was upfront about why I wanted to. And I fully thought I’d be denied as well.” Her smile turned sheepish. “Not knowing what I do now, why should I’ve been different?”

“Then what changed?” Tsunami asked, though she obviously knew by her growing smile.

Pearl growled. “Nopony uses me. All I ever was was a stepping stone for what Luster wanted. She finally admitted it as well. That was all I could take. I refused to even think about it.”

Twilight nodded sadly. “I knew Luster viewed friendship as a waste of time. But I had hoped I had been wrong. For once in my life, I wanted to be wrong.”

Pearl nodded. “So she can sit there and think of everything she threw away. I tried so hard to be friends with Luster. I knew she needed a friend. Badly. Now? I don’t care anymore.”

Twilight sighed. She wasn’t sure how she could fix this. Both mares were too stubborn for their own good sometimes. It was part of why she loved Pearl and Luster both, but still.

Tsunami, though, only grinned. “Well then. I say Luster Dawn should come with you, the next time you visit, sis.”

Pearl blinked. “Wait. Wha-”

A claw on her mouth stopped her. “Ah, ah, ah. She only needs my permission, does she not?” The dragoness smirked. “I see that you care about her. Why else would you try to be her friend?”

Pearl sniffed. “And she never cared about me! Why should I reward that?”

Twilight placed a hoof on her shoulders. “Then tell Luster if and when she’s truly embraced friendship. I know she will. Whatever you say, Pearl Rose, I know she has a good heart.”

Pearl wilted under the glare. Part of her wanted to try again with the unicorn. If any place could change Luster’s views on friendship, it was Ponyville. Oh, why did she have to have a big heart?

Twilight saw the hesitation and played her last card, one she had never wanted to. “If you cannot accept that, then you can read the journal on your own, and I was wrong about you, Pearl Rose. I’ve seen how you look at me. I’ve suspected your crush on me for some time now.” Her glare melted into a worried look. “Do you want to throw away everything you’ve ever wanted over something so stupid as this?”

Pearl winced. Damn it, why did Twilight have to go there? She knew she was being stupid about this. Did she want to throw away everything she’d ever dreamed of? The mare of her dreams. She finally shook her head and leaned her head against Twilight’s neck. “No. Damn it, I’ve wanted this for so long. I don’t want to lose this. Us,” she sniffed. “I’ll tell Luster. But not now. Let her earn it. Prove me wrong. Let her jump through the same hoops I did.”

“I’ll provide the flaming hoops,” Kohaku chuckled.

Pearl stuck her tongue out at him. “Oh. Shut it, you useless furball.”

Study Buddies

Pearl was sure she was drooling as she started on another scroll, but right now? She couldn’t care less. “Sorry to say, Twily, but this beats your note-taking by a long shot.”

Twilight giggled, kissing Pearl’s forehead. “And I don’t mind, Pearl. I wish that I could meet them. I know Kohaku’s father is still alive, but I am not sure about his grandfather or great-grandfather.”

Pearl snorted, as she leaned into Twilight on their shared bed. With time to spare, they were spending several days in the village, and Pearl was over the moon about everything,

So many new creatures she didn’t even know existed before now, and some she was happy to call friends, or she hoped. It was hard to tell with some of the residents.

Shaking her head, Pearl looked out a nearby window, which offered a great view of the Everfree Forest beyond. “Can Kitsunes even die?”

Twilight shrugged. “I’m not sure. As well as we have always gotten along, it never felt right to ask.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. “Goddess abo-”

Twilight quickly stuffed a hoof in Pearl’s mouth and shook her head vigorously. “Pearl. If you value your sanity, do not finish that sentence.”

The Pegasus blinked as Twilight removed her hoof. “Why? Is it banned or something?”

Twilight nodded. “It in fact is banned, Pearl. As well as several other expressions we both know. And there is a good reason for it as well.”

Pearl rolled her eyes before poking Twilight’s side playfully. “Yeah right, Twilight. Those are older than both of us combined. I’ve used them around Sakura and Sasuke, and they’re fine with it.”

Twilight nodded. “Indeed. But they have power here. Far more than you can imagine. I made the mistake of saying one once.” She gulped. “I’d rather not go through that again.”

Pearl went to argue, but the deadly serious look in her marefriend’s eyes told her that it was better that she never know. “Fine. Think Ponyville is still standing?” She smirked.

Twilight smirked right back. “Now, Rosie. Ponyville is not that bad. Not anymore at least. Even then, Starlight has strict orders to call me if something happens.”

Pearl blinked. “Really? Can she even reach us here?”

Twilight smiled. “She can. Being where it is, and knowing how Ponyville attracts trouble like flies, Kohaku gave me a crystal to communicate with anyone holding the same. Starlight has a sister unit. If anything happens to her, Sunburst knows how to use it as well. And if all else fails, then Flurry Heart knows how to use it as well."

Pearl nodded. That made sense, she guessed. It was a better bunch than Trixie at least. “If I’d known we’d stay for a while, I’d have brought some of my Gunpla with me. Sis just sent me a pile recently. I swear that if I miss the Witch From Mercury finale, I will blow my top. Someone has to stop Quiet Zero, and I double swear that if it isn't Suletta, then I'm marching into Bandai's offices, and having a few words with them! For crying out loud, we haven't even seen what the Gundam Calibarn can do yet."

Twilight smiled. Pearl’s love of the hobby was well known. Ponyville even had a small community built around it, though only a few knew where the models came from. “Does Summer have anything to say about you calling your counterpart ‘Sis’?”

Pearl snorted. “Hardly. Why would she? “The more the merrier,” is how she put it,” she giggled, before groaning and rubbing her forehead. “Oh. Damn, it all!”

Twilight blinked. “Pearl. What is it?”

Pearl shook her head. “Remember my first solo visit to the Human World? I saw Kohaku’s counterpart in his kitsune form one night. I think it was a test from his sisters.” She gulped. “His eldest, Kazumi, was waiting for me, Sis, and Twi, by the portal before I came back.”

Twilight’s ears fell. “She knew…”

Pearl nodded. “All about Equestria, me, and everything that had happened at Canterlot High. Sis and Twi were quaking in their shoes. I tried to fight her of course.” She snorted. “That didn’t work very well.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. Typical.

Pearl sighed. “I got the sternest lecture of my life. Kazumi couldn’t stop me from visiting, but she drilled into my head that I had seen something I wasn’t meant to and that I needed to do better.”

Twilight tapped her chin. “Are you suggesting she did something to your memories? You seemed fine when you came back, and only mentioned a rather odd boy you sometimes met.”

Pearl sighed. “No. I know she didn’t. I think because Kohaku didn’t always stop by, or run into me, I just forgot and never realized that since they shared the same last name, he and our Lord Everfree were counterparts.”

“You girls seem to be discussing things rather seriously,” an upbeat voice chimed out as both Twilight and Pearl looked over to see a mare made of snow and ice. Wearing an apron and a soda jerk cap. “Here I brought you two something. My newest creation. Zap apple and Dragon fruit.” Placing a rather large sundae glass on the table. Filled with various colored ice cream scoops.

“Thanks uh…” Pearl blinked as she shivered trying to remember the mare’s name.

“Thank you, Frosty.” Pulling out her bit purse “How much?”

“For you two as usual. On the house. Lord Everfree’s acquaintances don’t pay here. I told you that the last time Princess.” Frosty Scoops giggled shaking her head before walking away. The drifting cold from the mare’s body vanished as she entered the parlor.

“I still can’t believe how the sheer variety of mares there are here,” Pearl smirked as she watched a spider mare who looked a lot like Fluttershy scuttle past them, carrying half a dozen bags.

Twilight nodded. “You will get used to it in time, Pearl. I remember how much it boggled my mind the first time I was here, the sheer variety of ponies and other species I’d never heard of.”

“Ever tried to get them into the School of Friendship?” Pearl asked with a smirk. "With how open it is..."

Twilight sighed. “Several times. But they can be remarkably stubborn, and my power is limited here. But, most of all it’s due to a law Kohaku’s father created when he founded this village. The mares here can’t leave the village unless for certain reasons. And I can’t go over anyone’s head as I did with the school.”

Pearl’s ears wilted. “Remind me to never make any of his family mad, then. Assuming they ever come for a visit.”

Twilight giggled, as she kissed her marefriend. “I’m sure they do, Rosie. In all my years of coming here, I have never once seen or heard Kohaku say act or otherwise. I assume it’s like how we live in a way. Letting him live and grow on his own, while always being there no matter what.”

Pearl melted in the kiss with a moan. Part of her was still surprised she and Twilight were a couple now. It was a fillyhood dream come true, but it still felt like a dream. One that she never wanted to wake up from.

She only wondered how they would explain all of it once they returned to Ponyville. Not that she particularly cared what others thought about her.

How she would explain Summer and her relationship to her parents? That was a whole other story. And then there was her old gang back in Baltimare.

Pearl was still slightly annoyed at Amber’s deception. Whatever the reason, no matter that she had been running on autopilot for most of the time, she had lied to her. Just how much did the girls know? As close as they all were, Pearl knew there were still things they didn't tell each other.

Was this one of them? Kohaku hadn't said either way, so she would go to him, and wring the truth out of him if she had to, first.

Author's Note

For those who've been following Witch From Mercury, this was written before the episode The Woven Path, and the proper debut of Calibarn and Suletta. As for why the mares in the village can't attend the School of Friendship?

In part of the village the mares there are descended from Yokai who wanted a more peaceful life. To prevent them from reverting back to demonic creatures they can't leave save on the full moon to find 'mates' This is also the same village from Fox of the Everfree.

Journey Home

“Are you sure about this, Pearl?” Twilight asked as the pair walked down a side hallway that led back to the main room.

Pearl nodded. “I can’t take this anymore. I invited the girls over before all of this started. They should be in Ponyville by now. I need to know.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. She knew better than to argue with Pearl when she was like this. But as they came to the doorway, they stopped short, hearing the sounds of music beyond.

Pearl’s ears twitched as she placed them up against the door, before growling. “Oh, you have to got be kidding me!”

Twilight gave her a confused look, for she couldn’t pick out many details of the music. “What is it? I can’t hear much like this.”

Pearl shook her head. “I know this song. But it shouldn’t be here! Or anywhere in this world for that matter!”

Before Twilight could do anything, Pearl pushed the door open and rushed inside, only to be brought up short by what she saw.

The pony-sized fox was actually the least weird of what was going on, nor was it even the music of the Human World (how Kohaku had it was beyond her). It was the ponies dancing with him.

“What the hell, girls?” She shouted, unable to believe what she was seeing, as Celestial Nimbus, Amber Blister, Water Lilly, and Lavender Rain, all finally noticed the pair.

“Oh hey, Pearl. Didn’t know you two were still here,” Amber smirked. “Did you have as much fun getting here as we did? And why didn’t you ever say you knew this kind of music?”

Pearl’s eyes twitched as she eyed a certain pain in her ass, who only smiled. “Don’t tell me…”

“Ahh shoot I thought we had enough practice time before you two came back.” Kohaku chuckled stretching a bit. Producing water for each of their friends. “Kinda glad you sent invites out to the girls. I was kinda surprised to see them all show up on the train. They all said you had something to tell us. So I thought I’d tag along just to find out what it is.” He grinned.

Pearl fought her annoyance down for the moment as she eyed their friends. “How are you girls so comfortable around him? I was shaking in my feathers that first time. And this was before I found out he was Amber Orchid!”

Celestial giggled. “Yeah. About that…”

Pearl growled as something seemed to click. “You knew!”

“Well not until he told us personally.” Water Lilly came up to Pearl and lightly nudged her. “It was quite the shocker at first.”

Kohaku chuckled as he felt Pearl’s eyes bore into him. Raising a paw he shook his head. “What? Of course, I told them. Like I would keep secrets from our closest friends.”

“When did you tell them?” Pearl growled softly feeling her temper rise.

“Oh calm down Pearl. He told us the week after you left for Ponyville.” Celestial placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “He also made us promise not to tell you until he told you himself.”

“I think I get it now.” Twilight smiled as she sat in a crystal chair giggling. “You really are a crafty one Kohaku.”

“I try,” Kohaku chuckled loudly.

Pearl snorted. Her temper was on the edge of exploding. “Did you tell my parents as well?” She hissed.

“Didn’t have to. Your father kinda caught me in fox mode coming out of the bathroom one night during a sleep-over when we were all in school.” Kohaku chuckled nervously as he rubbed his paw behind his head.

Pearl felt her temper cool off slightly at that. “Okay fine. You get off on that one. I probably wouldn’t have believed Dad even if he had told me.” She poked Koahku harder than she probably meant. “But how the hell do you have this song? This isn’t from our world.”

Twilight nodded. “And very few even know about the world it does come from for a very good reason.”

“Oh please I’ve known about the human world for centuries.” Kohaku waved his paw after rubbing the spot Pearl poked him. “In fact, my whole family knows about it. We even know about our counterparts, we just don’t interact with them. But that’s for a whole other reason. I have a whole collection of music and movies from that world. But it was a pain figuring out how to get them to play for us. Thankfully Father was able to use these.” Picking up the small crystal cube that was on the map and twirled it between his paw fingers. “Plays anything from music to movies in high definition. And great audio as you heard.”

Pearl groaned. Of course, he had all of that. “Is your Kazumi as terrifying as your counterpart’s? I had the unpleasant experience of meeting her after seeing something I wasn’t supposed to. I’ve never felt so small and insignificant in my whole life.”

Kohaku nodded softly. “That sounds like an accurate description of my elder sister. Meeting her is an experience. She can be as gentle as a summer shower or as terrifying as a class 20 hurricane. She’s the one responsible for most storms you find near the Everfree Forest, particularly along the coastlines.”

Pearl and their friends shared a worried look. Growing up on the coast, they knew all too well what those storms were like. It was perhaps one of the few things everypony in Baltimare agreed on, no matter who you were.

You hung on for dear life during the worst storms and were lucky if everything was still standing at the end. “Then I’m glad it was the only time I’ve met her,” Pearl shivered.

Twilight lay a wing around Pearl’s flanks, a sight not lost on her friends who smirked knowingly. “Took you two long enough,” Lavender giggled.

Pearl blushed as Twilight giggled as well. “It wasn’t exactly how I imagined it to go. But I’ll take it. Only took one unicorn with a way too high opinion of herself to push me over the edge.”

Twilight sighed. Not this again, while the girls shared a look. “Cozy’s daughter?” Celestial asked. “They were at the station to meet us too.”

Pearl nodded. “That’s her. I’ll be having words with Cozy about just what she’s been teaching Luster when we return to Ponyville.”

Twilight rubbed her snout irritably. This was out of her hooves it seemed, while Amber rolled her eyes. “She didn’t seem that bad.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. “You haven’t had to deal with her constant pestering on going with me to the Dragon Lands. Maybe going to the School of Friendship will do some good after all.”

Twilight shook her head sadly. This was not going to be easy it seemed.

“Are you sure you can’t stay longer?” Summer pouted, as the group stood on the edge of the village, where Pearl and Twilight had first entered.

Pearl nodded. Was this how she looked when she pouted? No wonder it worked so well. “I could stay the rest of my life. But my parents would kill me if I did, and I miss my friends.” Smirking she looked at the group. “My Ponyville friends I mean.”

Twilight nodded. “And Ponyville has a horrible habit of doing something dumb if I’m away for too long. So we must be on our way.”

Pearl smiled. “Besides. Your river flows right next to Ponyville. Won’t be that hard to meet up every once and a while.”

Summer sighed. Perhaps, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t pout about it. “I’m holding you to that, little sis.”

Pearl’s cheeks puffed in annoyance. “Hey! Who are you calling little?”

“Grow a few thousand years and I’ll stop.” Summer leaned in and kissed Pearl’s forehead much to the annoyance of the young mare.

Everyone laughed, as Twilight placed a quick kiss on Pearl’s lips before she really blew up, and it seemed to work as Pearl relaxed.

Her friends all shared knowing smirks, as they waived goodbye and headed back out into the Everfree Forest.

Pearl came spluttering, as Lilly helped her from the pond she had fallen in. Again. “Gah. I am going to murder that fox! That’s the fifth duck pond I’ve fallen in! He’s doing it on purpose. I just know it!” Looking up at Lilly she grumbled. “How are you all not falling for all this illusion stuff.”

“Because we’ve been visiting him for years now Pearl.” Lilly just shook her head. “So we’re used to it.”

“Has she always been like this?” Twilight whispered to Amber, who giggled.

“Oh no. Pearl was a lot worse when we were fillies. Hard to believe as it is. She’s actually mellowed out since she moved to Ponyville,” the Pegasus smirked.

Pearl shot them a look. “Laugh it up, Amber. I’m throwing you in the next one. Can’t we just teleport?”

Twilight shook her head. “As I said before, Pearl, no.” sitting down for a moment, Twilight rubbed her temples. “Pony magic is incompatible with the forest. I did teleport once, to see what would happen.” She shivered. “Never again. I know Kohaku had nothing to do with what I saw. But I could have done without it. Watching a dragoness slowly crawl up a rather large bed while signing what I think a song by… OH yeah, Divinyls. I think the song was called I touch myself.”

Pearl shuddered while all the other mares just giggled.

“Summer’s one hell of a singer.”

Celestial shrugged helplessly. “And I never learned how to teleport. What’s the point when singing has always been my thing? Plus I never went to the School of Magic.”

Twilight nodded. That made a certain amount of sense. “Very few unicorns learn how to teleport, for it requires so much energy that most don’t see the point.”

Pearl rolled her eyes as they started off once more. Of course, Celestial and Twilight would hit it off on magic.

At that moment, a tree branch slapped her flank, eliciting a yelp and a flurry of curses that would make any sailor proud. “Gah. I hate this forest! Just get me out of here,” Pearl huffed.

Everypony looked around nervously. It had been some hours since they had left the village, but they were still not near the edge yet. “Pearl,” Twilight warned, placing a hoof on her shoulders.

Pearl sighed, leaning into the embrace. “I know, Twily. Gods, I know I shouldn’t be saying stuff like that. But I can’t help it. I’ll be happy when we get back to Ponyville.”

Twilight sighed as she looked around. She was glad to see the forest had not changed it seemed after that outburst, as they continued on.

Pearl eyed the forest even more so now. She should not have said that out loud, or at all. Maybe she just needed to sleep in her own bed again to finally cool off.

Twilight tried to change the subject, feeling Pearl’s stress as she held her close, looking at Amber. “How did you manage to keep the two of you separate?”

Amber chuckled. “We knew each other long before Kohaku came along. I don’t think he got the memo there was already somepony with the name ‘Amber’ in the group. So we just used Orchid most of the time.”

Lilly nodded. “Thankfully my sister, who kinda has the same name, moved out before any of that happened, so it wasn’t that confusing.”

Pearl giggled at the memories. “Only got confusing when she visited, though.” The girls nodded, while Twilight rolled her eyes.

Finally, after what felt like forever, everypony saw the trees finally give way to open areas. If they squinted, they could just make out Ponyville in the distance.

Pearl was more than happy to leave the Everfree behind. She needed open skies, not this confined space. Amber felt the same, as did Twilight to a lesser extent.

Of course at that exact moment, only a few feet from the forest’s edge, Pearl fell into another duck pond with a furious squawk. Coming up for air, she swore she could hear laughter coming from all around her.

“Laugh it up, you oversized rug. When I get my hooves on you, I’ll make what your sister did to you look like love taps!” She fumed as Lavender helped her out. Now, everyone could hear the forest laughing and soon joined in, much to Pearl’s mounting annoyance as she stormed off to the edge of the Everfree, forcing them to catch up.

Coming to open ground at last, Pearl breathed a sigh of relief to see that they had exited where they had originally gone in. “At least he didn’t move the damn exit.”

“It wouldn’t have been the first time, Rosey,” Twilight giggled as the others joined her. “I somehow ended up near the coast on my first visit.”

“And right on time too,” Starlight smiled, as she teleported in front of the group. “I was worried for a little while. The Everfree’s been more active than usual lately.”

A moment later, Luster Dawn teleported in next to her, her eyes spinning slightly from the expenditure of magic. But the sight made Twilight proud all the same as her smile grew. “I see your teleportation has improved greatly. I am so proud, my faithful student.”

The words made Luster’s heart sore. But it soon crashed back down as she saw the way Twilight and Pearl were standing together. It could only mean one thing, though a part of her was unsurprised by this development, and a small part of her was happy for the two.

Pearl saw the pain that flashed in Luster’s eyes, and it made her heart sink as she pulled away from her marefiend. “You girls go on ahead. Luster and I need to talk. Girl to girl. Student to student. This is long overdue.”

Everypony nodded sadly as Luster fell in beside Pearl as the two headed for the Pegasus’s house. Luster herself had a good idea of what this was about. Twilight could only hope the two would work their differences out.

Student to Student

"That is a lot of model kits," Luster observed, as she and Pearl entered the latter's bedroom. "How am I even able to cloud walk? Only Pegasus ponies and alicorns can."

Pearl nodded happily. "You think this is a lot? This is just what I have built. I've got way more in my backlog than I care to count." She tapped her floor. "And Twily put a permanent cloud-walking spell on my house for my friends. It's also how my Gundams are able to stay put once I put them there."

Luster nodded. That made sense she supposed. You couldn't go far at the School of Friendship who had at least one mobile suit (as she understood them to be called) in their dorm room. Her own roommate had one herself.

Pearl could see how Luster eyed her various kits. It wasn't full interest, but it was there. "Now. We're just stalling I feel."

Luster nodded, bowing her head as she sniffed. "I am so sorry, Miss. Rose."

Pearl eyed her dubiously. She sounded sincere, but. "Are you? Or are you just saying that to get back on my good side? I'm passed my murderously pissed-off phase. But you have no idea how much you hurt me, Luster."

The unicorn nodded sadly. "I mean it, Miss. Rose. I knew that what I was doing was wrong and that I should have known better. But I didn't care."

Pearl's ears fell as she heard the heartbreak in Luster's voice. That's what she'd been afraid of.

Luster sniffed. "It doesn't matter now though. All those hopes and dreams? Broken and shattered. You want to be the world's best Dragon Scholar. I just wanted to learn more in the Dragon Lands than I ever could here in Equestria."

Pearl shook her head sadly. "You could. Trust me." She sighed as she pulled the journal out of her saddlebags. "I'm tempted to let you read some of this right now. But that wouldn't be right I feel."

Luster eyed it curiously. "Why would I be interested in it though?"

Pearl smiled. "Because this contains everything Kohaku's great grandfather, grandfather, and his father ever learned about eastern dragons. Hell. He even added some of his own studies to it. From personal experience of course."

Luster's eyes widened before something else occurred to her. "Who?"

Pearl blinked, before giggling. "Right. Most ponies don't know that name. You know him better as Lord Everfree."

Luster's jaw dropped. "He gave you his first name? Why?" She smiled sheepishly. "No offense."

Pearl rolled her eyes. "None taken. And I know it because of my rather personal connection with his mate, and my sister, Summer Rose."

Luster blinked, tapping her chin in confusion. "You're an eastern dragon in disguise? And you're an only child, Miss Rose."

Pearl snorted. "I wish I was an eastern dragon in disguise, and I am an only child. In the conventional sense anyway. Oh, what did Twily call it? Two souls born together, twins. But birthed into the world in different eras?"

Luster fell to the ground in shock. "You're a Twin Soul! And your twin sister is Lady Tsunami Rose?"

Pearl nodded happily. "Looks like it. It explains why I've gotten so many special privileges in the Dragon Lands." She wrapped a wing around the young unicorn with a smile. "And something she gave to you as well."

Luster shook her head, looking up. "Why? Unless there's something you are not telling me, I am nothing to her."

Pearl shrugged. "I'm honestly still not sure why she did. But I know your heart was in the right place when you asked me all those months ago."

Luster sighed. "Not that it matters now."

Pearl shook her head. "Never say never, Luster. You're right. I did destroy your hopes and dreams, even when I knew your heart was in the right place. Because you didn't deserve it then. Now? Earn that back. Prove me wrong. You haven't lost Twily either. Don't think you have."

Luster's heart lifted, but she was still unsure. "But why? Why do all of this for me? I've done nothing but be rude to you, Miss. Rose."

Pearl nodded sadly. "I'll tell you something Starlight told me, not long after I became Twilight's student. A time when I felt I didn't deserve it. Us students of Twilight-"

"Need to stick together," Luster finished with a small smile, earning a smile from Pearl as well. "She told me the same thing. But now the two of you are together." She smirked as Pearl blushed. "Everyone in town knows how you've looked at her flanks for years now. Even I could not miss the looks she gave your floor when you weren't looking."

Pearl groaned. Damn it. So much for being discreet. "Okay, fine, we are. And I was not that obvious." She frowned as Luster giggled. "And just what is so funny?"

Luster shook her head. "Flurry Heart says otherwise. And seeing as who her mother is, I am inclined to believe her. It's hard to argue with her when she is my roommate."

Pearl groaned. While she loved the younger alicorn as a younger sister, Flurry had inherited some of Cadance's more annoying traits. Mostly being able to pick up hidden love signs. Something she had relentlessly teased Pearl with growing up. Something Flurry was more than happy to continue.

Luster tapped her chin as she looked out towards Ponyville proper. "Are we friends, Miss Rose?"

Pearl wasn't sure herself. "I don't know, Luster. We're back on the right track for sure. I will look out for you, no matter what though. Even if we don't become great friends, I have your back. Count on it."

Luster nodded. It was a start, she guessed. Her time at the School of Friendship had done wonders for her though. She now had a close group of other students she hung out with all the time, and nopony in Ponyville treated her any differently for being Princess Twilight's personal student.

Something she was very grateful for. She had enough of that in Canterlot. Oh sure. Her friends did sometimes tease her about it. But it was never done with malice. She would take it any day.

She wondered just what Lady Tsunami had given her though. Somepony she didn't know and had done nothing but antagonize her sister recently. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too bad, whatever it might be. "What about their names then?"

Pearl shrugged. "Let's keep it between us for now. My friends from Baltimare and Twilight all know them as well." She handed the journal over to the unicorn. "And if you do want to read this, then ask me or Twily. We both know how to work it. We're only a few pages in, and nowhere near done."

Luster eyed it dubiously. While not thin, the journal was not massive either, and could probably be read in several days' worth of reading, if at that. Just what did Pearl mean?

Author's Note

So I've seen several Next Gens where Luster and Flurry Heart are friends. Either having grown up together because Luster is Starlight's and Sunburst's daughter, or when Luster goes to the Crystal Empire, and they just hit it off.

Here, Flurry takes after Twilight in being able to make friends with just about anyone. She knew Luster as Twilight's student, but also saw that Luster desperately needed a real friend. Luster met Flurry before she met her other friends, who are the group we see her leave with at the end of The Last Problem.