A/N: Here we are at the final chapter of Distorted Reflections! This final chapter is also extra long, to give this story the proper conclusion that it deserves. There's also an epilogue that covers a few final aspects of this whole scenario, so I'll see you all there!

Final Chapter: Life Moves On

January 10, 2028

Woods Residence, Juniper's bedroom

12:00 p.m.

The vigil on Juniper Woods continued, with one of the people going to Juniper's bedside to chat with the motionless girl every so often. However, as time marched on there seemed to be no real change to the situation, much to the frustration of everyone in the room. Even so, everyone in the room absolutely refused to give up.

What exactly changed the situation, no one present in the room would be able to say until after the fact. At the time, however, Virginia Woods was the first one to notice- Juniper's eyelids were fluttering lightly. With a speed belied by her advanced age, Virginia was back at Juniper's side.

"You're almost there, darling," Virginia whispered to her granddaughter. "I don't know where you are or what kind of experiences you've had. But I know I can say from my experience that life is far better when you're living it with your eyes wide open. So please, wake up!"

Needless to say, everyone else in the room noticed this and rushed right to Juniper's side as well. Athena was the first one to make it there, and so she drew her breath and said…

January 13, 2028

Alternate Gallery Nucleus, exhibition room

3:15 p.m.

"Um, did I do something wrong?"

Juniper started, to see that Robin had found her again. Truth be told, ever since she'd found this alternate version of her friend, Juniper found herself avoiding her. There was something… painful, about being around the artist.

Yet even in this alternate world where this was the first time they'd ever met, Robin could tell that something was bothering Juniper. And in the small exhibition room, Juniper knew that she couldn't avoid the artist forever. Which brought Juniper back to the question she'd been struggling with this entire time- how was she supposed to solve the problems of this world if she couldn't solve the problems of her home world?

In fact, wasn't that the biggest reason, the main reason Juniper was still here? Because she was running away from her home, trying to find some ideal world that didn't actually exist? No, everyone in her life deserved better than that. Even so, she couldn't just leave before settling her affairs here. The alternate versions of her loved ones deserved answers too.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong, Robin," Juniper said quietly. "Could you go get Apollo, Athena, and Vera? There's something that I want to say to all of you."

Without a word, Robin left, and while she was gone, Juniper looked at a bust that was on display. It was of Vera, with a small, gentle smile on her face. The plaque below read that the bust was of the artist's (which was to say Robin's) best friend.

Of course, this caused Juniper's mind to jump to the painting of herself that Robin made, back in her home world. It was details like this, of behavior that didn't change regardless of world, that made Juniper wonder if some traits were just inherent to an individual person. And again, it made Juniper wonder what the alternate versions of herself were really like.

"Hey, Junie! What was it you were wanted to tell us?" Athena asked as she arrived with Robin, Apollo, and Vera.

"Is this about why you've been acting so odd lately?" When everyone else looked at Apollo he explained, "Ever since a few days ago, all of Juniper's actions have been very strange, at least from what I've heard from Hugh and Myriam. Skipping class, locking herself in her room- even today her actions have just been off."

Of course Hugh and Myriam would tell other people about her worrying actions, and of course Apollo would notice the significance of all her actions. Really, there was no reason to keep this all a secret anymore. In that case, however…

"I'd like to talk with everyone in my house. And that includes Hugh and Myriam. So could you all meet me there?" Juniper asked. "I'll let Hugh and Myriam know."

"I suppose... I could be there, after the exhibit," Vera said, despite the fact that all of this this had nothing to do with her. "As long as... Robin agrees to this as well."

"Sure, I'll go!" Robin exclaimed. "I'd really like to spend more time with all my new friends, if possible."

Apollo and Athena also agreed to the meeting, albeit both still curious about what was going on with Juniper. Suddenly, Juniper could hear voices murmuring in her head. And they all sounded so familiar, even though they also sounded like they were being muffled by a lot of water. Was this something that the Mirror Pond was intentionally doing? If so, what was happening, and why?

January 13, 2028

Woods residence, living room

7:45 p.m.

Even so, everyone else was busy with some personal business, so it would be a few hours until everyone would be able to get to Juniper's house- it didn't help that it was on a mountain. So Juniper returned home alone, where she and her Grandma spent time just chatting with each other. Then when Juniper mentioned the meeting she set up, Virginia suddenly said,

"So you did find the Mirror Pond, didn't you."

While initially shocked, Juniper nodded in confirmation. There was a brief flash of pain in Virginia's eyes, before she said, "I could tell, you know. That you weren't quite the granddaughter I knew. But I was waiting for you to approach me first."

"You- *cough cough* made a wish on the Mirror Pond before, didn't you?" Juniper asked, remembering the time when her Grandma fell into a mysterious coma when she was more she thought back on that day, the more it made sense that that was what happened, considering her Grandma's words.

Virginia looked away, shame on her her face. "I did. I will not say what the wish was, however. Because if my suspicions are correct, the me that you know will have made the same exact wish, and she will explain it all to you."

Juniper decided to leave it at that. With the knowledge that her Grandma had gone through a similar experience made her the most valuable ally in this situation. Really, Juniper probably should have gone to her Grandma in the first place- after all, it was from her that Juniper learned about the Mirror Pond in the first place.

"I wish I hadn't done that," Virginia said, having read Juniper's expression. "When I first told you about that accursed pond, I didn't know it was real myself. I believed it was just some fairytale someone came up with about this forest we live in."

"Except it turned out to be real after all. Does that mean you found the pond later?" Juniper asked.

"Yes, I did. As I said before, however, that is a story I must leave for the other me," Virginia said. "However, you intend to leave for your home soon, correct? I must warn you that it will not be easy."

"Really? I mean, all I have to do is wish to go back home and I'll be there, right?" Yet even as she said those words, Juniper started to to get a sinking feeling in her stomach. There was another part of the legend associated with the Mirror Pond. One that Juniper had yet to see any sign of.

Her Grandma nodded, knowing exactly what her granddaughter was thinking about. "It is said that there are those that find the Mirror Pond, and then met an unfortunate end. I may be the only person alive that knows why that is."

The voices in her head got louder- however, the sensation of being under a lot of water grew worse, to the point that Juniper actually started feeling light-headed. Her Grandma rushed to catch her, a knowing look on her face.

"The Mirror Pond is very much a living being. And it does not want anyone to leave," Virginia said. "It's why the pond shows people the worlds they want to see- to keep their souls trapped in it's waters. But souls are not meant to remain outside their bodies. So eventually, the souls of the Mirror Pond's victims break under the pressure, and vanish, leaving their bodies as nothing but empty shells."

So that was the real truth of the Mirror Pond. Which left the pressing question of how Juniper was supposed to convince it to let her return home. Well that, and…

"Does that mean that nothing I've experienced this whole time has been real? It's all just been an illusion created by the Mirror Pond?"

"Well, you are free to believe me or not. But I can say for a fact that I am real. If I was just part of the Pond's creation, would I be telling you about how to escape it?" Virginia said.

That was a fair point. Which meant that Juniper really did visit two alternate worlds, with two different set of alternate versions of all the people that Juniper knew. At this point there was likely nothing Juniper could do about the about the first world- just trust in the version of herself that lived there. Here in this second world, Juniper had to find someway to escape the Mirror Pond's clutches and return home once and for all.

"I think I want to explain the Mirror Pond to everyone. Both here and back home," Juniper said. "I don't want something like this to happen ever again. And maybe… they can help me confront the Mirror Pond."

"Then I will lead all your friends to that accursed body of water." Virginia said, a determined look on her face. "You should probably go there first. I imagine it heard every word you spoke and likely has some words there as well."

Juniper summoned all the resolve she had in her heart. The Mirror Pond could say whatever it wanted. It was time to put an end to this.

January 13, 2028

Mirror Pond

8:30 p.m.

By the time that Juniper arrived at the Mirror Pond, it was completely dark outside, except for the pale moonlight shining through the trees. The normally still Mirror Pond was rippling it's waters in a clearly agitated manner.

"You don't know what you are doing," The Mirror Pond said in a distressed tone. "There are so many sights here that you have yet to see."

"If I'm going to see those sights, I'd rather see them back home, where I belong," Juniper said quietly. "More importantly, I will tell everyone the truth about myself. Please, do not try to stop me."

"Will anyone besides Virginia even believe you? You must acknowledge that your experience sounds like a tall tale," The Mirror Pond said.

"I trust in my friends. They will understand what I will tell them," Juniper said. The Mirror Pond suddenly went still, and Juniper understood why when she heard a lot of footsteps behind her. The judge student turned around to find her Grandma had indeed brought everyone else here, including Vera.

"So I assume you're finally going to explain what's been going on here?" Apollo asked.

"I will. And the first thing I need to explain is that I am not the Juniper Woods you all know. I… I come from a different world. One where I am friends with Hugh and Robin."

"I'm sorry, what?!" Apollo exclaimed. "That's not what I expected you to say at all! Although come to think of it, I have noticed that you have a habit for reaching for your right wrist, even though there is nothing on it. So I believe you."

"One of the first things Robin gave to me and Hugh is a band she personally made for this three of us to represent our friendship," Juniper said, looking at her still bare wrist. "Actually, this all started because the Robin I know didn't have the happiest life. And I wondered what it would have been like if she had a different life. And that's when I found this."

Juniper showed everyone the Mirror Pond behind her, which still hadn't moved- which meant that everyone could see it's uncannily still surface. With Virginia's help, Juniper gave everyone a short explanation of the Mirror Pond. The look on everyone's faces was naturally surprised, but no one looked like they didn't believe what Juniper was saying. Eventually, Juniper ended her explanation with how she needed to get back to where she belonged.

"So that's the real story of what happened to Mrs. Woods back then," Athena said, playing with her earring. "Okay, I'm going to do whatever I can to help you! It's doesn't matter what version of you it is- I will always be there for you!"

"I may not know much about Robin- in fact, today is the first time I've met her. Yet, I can't help but believe Juniper when she says that I am friends with her in another world," Hugh said, smiling at the artist. "In fact, I don't see why we can't be friends in this world."

"Has the other me seriously not taking you all to Sandy's yet?" Myriam said, sighing. "Then please give her a good smack for me when you get there! And then please go there as soon as you can. Got to make up for the time you've been gone, right?"

Of course Juniper had not intention of smacking the Myriam she knew, but she understood what this version of Myriam was saying. And Juniper had to admit it was somewhat amusing that this Myriam had no problem with someone hitting an alternate version of herself.

Vera stepped forward, an incredibly nervous expression on her face. "You said that… you've never met me in your world. So… could you do something for me? When you go back, I'd like you to be friends with the other me. And… I'll keep being friends with the other you."

Juniper promised that she would befriend the Vera of her world as soon as possible. Finally, Robin was the last person to approach Juniper, and it was clear that the artist had something she really wanting to say.

"You said you did all this because the other me had a difficult life, right?" When Juniper nodded in confirmation Robin shouted, "Well, I may not know exactly what the other me lived through, but- I know she's much stronger than me because of it! Even so, you belong by her side, not mine. But before you go, take this-"

Robin thrust a paintbrush into Juniper's hands. "If the other me is an artist too, then she'll need this. Feel free to tell her it's from me!"

Juniper put the paintbrush into a pocket on her dress, making sure to keep it safe. "Thank you for your kind words, everyone. I'll be sure to tell everyone in my world about all of you. Now, Mirror Pond. Please let me go-"

Juniper had her back to the Mirror Pond. Which is why she didn't see it coming when water rose up from the pond, forming a hand that suddenly grasped Juniper's waist. Juniper felt herself get dragged back, and a split second later everyone else dashed towards Juniper. Athena managed to reach Juniper first, grabbing her left hand.

"Oh no you don't, you stupid pond! I'm not letting you taking Junie!" Athena screamed, pulling as hard as she could. "Hey, a little help here!"

Apollo reached Juniper second, grabbing her right hand. Even with the two of them pulling, however, Juniper could feel that the Mirror Pond's grasp was stronger. Hugh grasped Apollo by the waist and started pulling, while Robin did the same with Athena, and their combined strength managed to pull Juniper forward a little.

Lastly, Myriam grasped Hugh's waist, and Virginia grasped Robin's, which mean that there were now six people fighting against the Mirror Pond. While they were winning, Juniper could feel from how hard the pond pulled back that it wasn't going to give up.

"Why- why are you doing this?" Juniper asked desperately. "Why have you been keeping people your prisoner, to the point where people have even died, Mirror Pond?"

"I have been here since time immemorial! I have knowledge of every world that has ever existed, and every world that could ever exist," The Mirror Pond said. "Yet I am fixed to this forsaken, solitary location. All I can do is reflect the desires of people's hearts back at them. That's the only reason anyone ever seeks me out."

In a single moment of clarity, Juniper finally understood everything. "You're incredibly lonely, aren't you? My house is the only one that's anywhere near here. So I imagine there have been many years where no one has come to see you."

The Mirror Pond's grip slackened slightly. "There have been centuries where I have not seen a single person. Truthfully, I never intended to harm anyone. As Virginia explained, however, people's souls are not meant to be outside of their bodies."

"I can't overlook the people that died because of you. However, I do understand how you feel," Juniper said. "When you're all alone in the world. I know I've felt that way a few times in my journey through these two alternate worlds. But my friends all reminded me that I'm never alone! No matter what world I was in, my friends were always there for me."

Even as they continued to try and pry Juniper from the Mirror Pond's grasp, everyone was clearly touched by Juniper's words. As the Mirror Pond's grasp grew weaker and weaker, Juniper could start to hear the voices in her head a lot more clearly.

It was of everyone back in her home world, asking her to wake up. Juniper knew that it wouldn't be longer until she was finally back where she belonged. However, there was one final matter that Juniper felt like she absolutely to settle.

"Mirror Pond, if all you really want is for someone to be there for you, then… I could visit you more often," Juniper said, feeling herself start to get short of breath put pushing forward anyways. "I don't think I ever want to leave my world again, but I could always just talk to you."

"But, you only have so many years in your life, and I will remain here for years after you die. Your offer would accomplish nothing in the end," The Mirror Pond said desperately. Juniper had no way to counter that point, and the strength of everyone trying to pull her away was starting to flag.

"Well, who says you have to stay here anyways?" Robin asked. "Do you really have to stay as a pond forever?"

The question surprised the Mirror Pond enough to cause it to release it's grip, and Juniper practically flew into everyone else, causing all of them to collapse into a heap. Juniper slowly got on her feet, rubbing her aching waist, as everyone else looked at the Mirror Pond to see what it would do next.

"I was named by one of the very first people to find me," The Mirror Pond said. "And it was because of them that the legend of the 'Mirror Pond' has survived the endless, cruel stream of time. It never once occurred to me I could ever be anything else."

"Well there you go then. A pond with the kind of powers that you have could probably be anything you want to be!" Athena said in an encouraging tone.

"I think I want to reflect on the lives I have unfairly stolen over the course of my existence. After that, I want to see explore the infinite possibilities of these infinite worlds." The Mirror Pond begin to glow brightly. "I will be eternally grateful to all of you, for what you've done for me. As for you, Juniper Woods, it is time for you to return to where you belong."

Juniper was suddenly struck with a fierce headache, and her vision dimmed. As she collapsed, the last thing she saw was all her loved ones rushing to her side…

January 10, 2028

Woods Residence, Juniper's bedroom

1:00 p.m.

Juniper opened her eyes to find herself laying in her bed, with everyone crowded around her bedside. The first thing that Juniper did was look at her right wrist, upon which sat her proof of friendship- she was finally back home.

In the next second, however, everyone around her exploded, so relieved to finally have Juniper back with them. In between hugs from Athena and Robin, Myriam clearly trying to hide tears, and Apollo and Hugh's smiles, Juniper almost felt overwhelmed.

As this was happening, Virginia looked over her granddaughter, as if unable to believe that she was there. Then she suddenly she asked, "Juniper, what's that in your pocket?"

Everyone else stopped to see what Juniper's grandma was talking about. Juniper reached into the pocket of her dress and felt something familiar. So it was before everyone's eyes that Juniper took out the paintbrush that the second alternate Robin had given to her.

Janauary 10, 2028

Former site of the Mirror Pond

1:27 p.m.

As everyone traveled to where the Mirror Pond was, Juniper tried her best to explain to everyone what happened to her the entire time she was gone. The part that was the hardest to understand was how Juniper could have experienced several days in the other worlds and only hours in her home world. Virginia suspected that the Mirror Pond could only deposit people in other worlds according to their native world, and perhaps the Pond also messed with Juniper's perception of time in order to keep her in it's clutches.

There would be no way to ever know for sure, however, because when everyone arrived at where the Mirror Pond's location, the found it was no longer there. Wherever the spirit currently was, Juniper wished it could find somewhere it could truly call home. Which left the matter of clearing up the last remaining questions.

"So the wish that you made so long ago, Grandma. You wished for a world where my parents were still alive, didn't you," Juniper said sadly. "I remember considering that very wish myself at one point."

Virginia Woods put her hands over her heart, her lip trembling. "You have been such a wonderful granddaughter to me your whole life. Even still, raising you all on my own has been so stressful sometimes, financially and physically. So when I found the Mirror Pond and it told me it could grant my wishes, I had a moment of weakness. I wished for a world where I could spend my life with my entire family."

"So what happened that forced you to leave? And how did you escape the Mirror Pond?" Apollo asked.

"At first, that world was everything I hoped it would be. But soon enough, it became clear that I was not supposed to be there," Virginia explained. Juniper nodded in understanding, having run into that same problem several times herself. "And then I heard the voices of Athena and Juniper calling out to me. So I tricked the Mirror Pond into releasing me, by telling it I wanted to see a new world and describing my home to it. When you found the Pond, I was so worried, because I didn't think the same trick would work twice."

Virginia smiled proudly. "However, Juniper, not only did you convince the Mirror Pond to let you go honestly, but you even healed the wounds it was suffering from, and now this can never happen to anyone ever again."

Juniper shook her head. "When the Mirror Pond tried to take me, it was everyone else who saved me. If I've learned anything from this experience, it's how lucky I am to have everyone."

"I just can't believe there are two different worlds where we're not friends," Robin said, looking pained at this.

"No, I don't think that's how we should look at all of this," Juniper said, looking at her proof of friendship again. "The male version of you did want to be friends with us in the end. And the version of you that grew up as an artist instantly wanted to be friends with me and Hugh. So when you think about it, no matter what world we're in, we'll always be friends eventually."

Robin smiled at this. "Speaking of that artist version of me, you mentioned I was friends with another artist. Could you tell me more about her?"

"Well I don't know what this other version of me was thinking, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea to introduce you to Vera," Apollo said, sweating.

Before anyone could respond to this, everyone's stomachs began rumbling. No one had eaten anything in all day, so it was about time to go take care of that.

"Well I agree with the other version of me. I deserve a good smack for not taking any of you to Sandy's before now, sss sss sss," Myriam said. "But I definitely plan to make up for this, so follow me!"

As everyone followed Myriam, Juniper gave one last glance at where the Mirror Pond used to be. She was actually starting to feel grateful for the whole experience. Now she knew that while she couldn't change what happened in the past, she shouldn't take what she did have for granted.

From now on, Juniper planned to shape her world with her own hands.

The End.