//------------------------------// // Prematurely Peeled Produce // Story: Peeled Apart and Affairs of the Heart // by sweeT2010Tooth //------------------------------// Star light, star bright, The first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight. Dreams. Wishes. These two fairy tale concepts withhold the summation of one's aspirations, goals, and hopes firmly in their grasp. How many see their dreams and wishes come true? Not so many, save those given a lucky break. Many others will need to continue working hard to attain those dreams much like the sweat and toil exhibited in an average earth pony's daily hardship. In the end, a dream is only a dream paralleled in comparison to that of a wish whose goal is not reached without trials and tribulation. If a large enough dream or wish is fully realized, one might find that the end goal has taken too much. This achievement is certainly awarding, but not without cost. Most ponies will tell another to be happy with what they have regardless of wishful thinking. There is a reason for this saying. The bartering system of dreams and wishes will not only give but take. Those who pursue wishes better have a replacement on hoof to fill in what was taken to achieve that goal lest they desire emptiness e.g. accumulated wealth takes a lot to financially depend on others thus needing established reliance with trusted sources, beauty necessitates commitment through both mentality and products, and lifelong relationships require fully reciprocated devotion. For if that pony cannot sufficiently fill in the missing pieces, feelings of success will fester soon giving into the emptiness and despair of perceived failure. Often this happens in a state of confusion for it is not realized something is missing or taken until its gone. If love is to be given and taken, prepare for generosity's hardest trial. For in a loving relationship, an equivalent amount of given affection needs to match what was taken. Love warps and exposes us to uncertainty in taking away our shell hoping to find comfort in one's own change and a significant other's affection. In the end, we assume that is enough to stave off regret in the choice made though there underlies a possibility of failure. [/hr] Princess Luna looked upon the coming of dawn with happiness in her heart. Last night's beautiful starry sky was appreciated to a degree that humbled Luna. If only every night was like this perhaps her role in raising the moon wouldn't be so lonely. Still, the everlasting melancholy darkness would provide its own coldness even in the humid summer nights. She continued to watch the sky with fulfillment in her heart as the visibility of each star faded away to the coming daylight. "Until we meet again my twinkling little friends. Let thy shine show again tomorrow night with a radiant beauty only thee can display," she said with a smile spreading across her face. "Good morning, dear sister. How fares the night? Word tells me you put on a splendid show again. Even as a filly the night sky has meant a lot to you," calmly spoke a voice from behind Luna. "As does the day to you, dear sister," replied Luna knowing full well the voice behind her belonged to Princess Celestia. "Last night's display went better than expected. Perhaps that is due to the public announcement of such an occasion or promise of fulfilled wishes. Truly, it matters not for many appreciated the night sky we offered them. We could hear it in their voices and see it in their faces. That gratitude is all that we've ever asked from the citizens under our sovereign reign. This is one reason we grant those wishes, dear sister." Princess Celestia sidled up next to her sister so as to not disturb her observation of the early morning sky. "Did you hear my wish?" Princess Celestia said with a sly smile. "Yes," Princess Luna said with a sigh. "Your wish has not changed much since my absence." "And that disappoints you? Why do you sigh, dear sister?" "We are not a little filly, 'Tia. At times we wish thee would stop playing your silly games considering thy age." "Are calling me old, Woona?" Princess Celestia asked with the sly smile still on her face. "No, most certainly not," Princess Luna said a little embarrassed to be getting into this conversation. "We merely think thy shenanigans are old...and please do not refer to us by that name." "So, Woona thinks my shenanigans are old. Dost my ears deceive me or mayhaps she's also concerned about our age? Does Woona need a hug before settling into bed, a story told, or some warm milk?" Princess Celestia asked raising a hoof to her mouth as though silently admitting she'd said too much. "Y-you..!" Princess Luna stammered, glancing at her sister now feeling slight anger replace embarrassment. "Enough with your foolish antics! You're a grown mare! Act like it!" "Indeed, I shall as always," Princess Celestia calmly remarked returning to her firm and proper prose. "My intentions were to only see a smile cross your face, but I see that still needs a little work." "We are not your pet project, sister," Princess Luna fumed returning her gaze to the sky in trying to relax her emotions. "I see," Princess Celestia remarked with a slight sadness in her voice. "You know very well that is not what I meant. I only want to see my sister happy." "As you repeatedly mention in all your wishes, dear sister. We know. We see the solemn expression in your face when speaking those words." "You don't believe them?" "...We do. More than anything, those words provide us some comfort. As we have said many times, it is a difficult wish whose failure or success can only be told in time. Keep in mind, sister, the regret felt in our absence is not easily bandaged." "We shall keep at it, then." "Yes...we shall..." calmly said Princess Luna in such a way that had Celestia observe her sister's facial expression with one eye for any hint of emotion. Celestia was unsure as to the sincerity of Luna's reply for it sounded slightly hollow and cold. "And what about the second half of my wish? Is that too much to ask, too?" Princess Celestia asked looking up at the sky with a calm expression solidified on her face. Her intentions were now aimed at evoking an emotional response for most of the time Celestia could never tell what was on Luna's mind beneath the cold stance. "You're not serious, are you?" Princess Luna asked. "I am." "No, dear sister. It'll never happen. We're tired of your silly games." "So, you continue to deny all my requests with anger? How am I ever to get around that wall you've put up, dear sister?" "We will not wear hoofy pajamas!" "So be it," Princess Celestia said acknowledging the regretful decline. "Though you're missing the point of my requests. They are not meant humiliate you, dear sister. I'm trying to find out how much of my younger sister still remains." "Your eyes cannot tell you that?" Princess Luna replied now confused. "We stand before thee." "My eyes can only tell me so much, dear sister. I need to know with my heart." Princess Luna did not reply to this statement unsure as to what her sister was expecting. The next half hour was carried out in silence. Both sisters watched as the sun rose above the horizon casting its rays upon the land. Its light illuminated the darkness or rather chased a fleeing departure never able to be together as one. Princess Celestia let out a sigh only audible to her own ears. Perhaps her wish would be granted in time. After all, she had picked out a perfect piece with silky embroidered stitching. Maybe realizing heartfelt happiness expressed from her sister's heart in healing from past regrets. A smile can show her nothing more than a facial expression. Even that simple small gesture is hard to obtain from the Night Princess. "There was one wish—or should we say wishes—that stood out from the rest," Princess Luna said as though in deep thought. "Oh? What about?" "It came in part from that young dragon whom resides by Twilight Sparkle's side." "I see. What is it that he wished for if I may be so bold in asking? Another medal after the giant mutant cockatrice attack on Canterlot?" "No, he wished for the continued happiness of his super special somepony and anything she wants." Princess Celestia's ears perked up at the words 'super special somepony' especially concerning the small dragon involved. "Really?" "Yes. Truth be told, I received her own wish soon after." "A restraining order, I presume?" "No." Luna lightly laughed at the thought, letting the coldness in her demeanor melt away for the first time in what seemed like weeks. Celestia had not expected the response but smiled to herself in finally getting past her sister's wall. "What about this wish, then, would make it stand out so much?" "She wished that her super special somepony would be relieved of a dragon's worry thus allowing him to find happiness in what he seeks most." "Sister, forgive my rudeness but I do not understand what makes this wish special." "Do you remember the event from long ago with the dragon and the diamond?" Princess Celestia's heart skipped a beat frightened as to the direction this conversation was heading. "Yes...yes, I do. Why do you bring this up?" "Well, dear sister, the pony in question came into full view as I watched her make the wish. The simple manner in which she relayed the wish was spoken with absolute clarity. I could not deny seeing the love for which she held for that young dragon." "What did you do Luna?" Princess Celestia fearfully asked trying to interpose in on an undeterred speech continued from her sister. "The truth of the matter is that a dragon and pony can never be together. It is against the laws of nature worsened by the fact that this pony represents the element of generosity and the young dragon is one who will eventually succumb to greed. Can you imagine, dear sister? A relationship matched between one of generosity and the other greed? Banish the thought." "Luna, please tell me you only gave Spike a mustache or medal," said Celestia almost pleading with her sister. "No, we did not. Why we merely changed his outward appearance to match what lay hidden within. Casting that spell you used from long ago, we released that young dragon from a future destined to follow the path of greed. Admittedly, we cannot discount the handsome appearance he now exhibits." "You have made a grave mistake, Luna," Celestia calmly stated trying to remain calm through years of practice. "That I did not give him a mustache or medal?" Luna asked turning to view her sister's countenance looking for any hint in what she did wrong. Princess Celestia promptly turned around and exited the balcony to the palace's interior chamber with Princess Luna following in confusion. "Sister, will you not answer my question?" Luna asked as Celestia approached a small table placed in the center of the room with a small fruit bowl set on its surface. Celestia placed a hoof on a piece of produce sitting in the fruit bowl. She picked it up and held it out to Luna. "Do you want a banana, dear sister?" "I do not. Why do you refuse to answer my question?" A perplexed Luna watched as Celestia peeled the banana, setting it and its peel down on the table. After a few passing moments, she turned to her confused sister. "A thousand years have passed in your absence, dear sister. Many things have happened. Some of these happenings are harder to discuss than others. Forgive my rudeness for you have once again shed light on another mistake of mine." "Surely, we've already apologized a thousand ti-" Celestia raised a hoof to calm her sister and request silence. "That is but one of many mistakes. There are countless others never spoken," Celestia said turning her head in the banana's direction placing an eye on it. "You know not of what you've done in casting that spell." "Then stop avoiding the question and answer what we did wrong," an increasingly impatient Luna demanded. "What you did wrong was not consult me first before making such a rash decision." "What dost thou mean by that!? We are grown enough to make our own decisions!" "Not one that horribly affects another so young." "Sister, once again, you're speaking vaguely. We cannot understand what thou art saying." Princess Celestia continued to eye the piece of fruit sitting still on the table. Without its peel it would soon lose its delightful taste, spoil, and then eventually rot. Painful memories flooded her mind from centuries ago hoping they had been lost to the sands of time. Sure, she could still perform the same magic from long ago but its outcome was devastating. It had ruined purity, molding it into an unrecognizable mess which decayed as time passed. In addition, she had to helplessly watch as one so pure withered away. She couldn't possibly let this occurrence happen again to the young dragon whom accompanied her most faithful student. She knew not to repeat the same mistake twice. "Luna, there is a reason I never again cast that spell from the fateful night long ago. I should have told you what became of that dragon who claimed and returned the diamond. Regrettably, there is an event that transpired in your absence involving him too difficult to discuss." "What happened, dear sister?" "Let's just say I offered him freedom's reward with an unintentional harsh cost. It is yet another heartache due to failure I must endure. Come sister, I understand you need sleep, but we need to find Spike right away and reverse the change before it's too late. I'll go tell the guards that the Day Court shall remain closed for the day." With this said Princess Celestia made her way to the chamber's door stopped by Luna's voice. "Certainly, sister, but what about the banana you peeled on the table? Are you going to let it go to waste as it doesn't take long for some exposed fruit to spoil and become rotten." "Precisely my point, dear sister. It is yet another mistake I need to clean up before it's too late," Celestia said showing visible signs of remorse. Princess Luna followed Celestia out of the room passing by the produce still resting on the table. Already had it begun to turn unpleasant. [/hr] The loving father delightfully watched his little filly inspect the clothing on display. Her twinkling eyes took into account the varying colors and styles before her. Never had she known that dresses could sparkle so beautifully. Once or twice she glanced at her father for approval wordlessly asking to try out a gorgeous dress sure to make her pretty. The father acknowledged these glances with a smile, an urging motion of his hoof, and silent words of encouragement to try on what she liked best. Rarity watched this exchange from a few feet away. Normally, she'd rush forward to help a customer find exactly what they were looking for in desired attire. However, the witnessed interactions between father and daughter reminded her of moments with her own parents. She stood still in a trance happily watching the little filly excitedly take stock of what would make her look prettiest. Sidling up next to Rarity, the resplendent purple-coated stallion who helped her run the store likewise observed the exchange between father and daughter. "Isn't that adorable, darling? To spend one's day in the loving company of another?" Rarity whispered to her companion. "A little sappy, if you ask me. I mean how hard is it to pick out a dress? Twilight does the same thing with books and it drive me crazy...not to mention the boredom. Do you know how many naps I had to take on average before she found something? Certainly more than I can count with my...um...hooves?" said her companion openly and unashamedly raising a hoof in confusion. "Spike, darling! Shh!" Rarity whispered trying to keep the conversation quiet. "Oh. Sorry Rarity," Spike whispered apologetically. "Say, um, I've been noticing that my...nuzzle(?)...gets itchy a lot. Is that normal?" "...Perfectly normal, darling. These things will take some getting used to but, rest assured, I'll be by your side to assist in these small matters," Rarity replied turning to her companion only to find him not looking well. "A-are you okay, Spike? What's the matter?" "I don't know. Feeling a bit under the weather, I guess," Spike said with cheeks turning a light green color. "Don't worry about it. I'll be fine. I'll be-" Wobbling on all fours, Spike fell hard to the floor seemingly unconscious. Rarity gasped, raised a hoof to her mouth, and screamed out his name. The father and daughter who had been browsing the clothing on display turned to see the white-coated mare bend down in desperation, trying to wake up her beloved. Her cries of desperation were soon replaced by sobbing as she held the handsome stallion in her hooves whose coat became paler by the second. The father told his daughter to stay put as he needed to get help. The white-coated filly with a purple mane didn't have any time to voice a response and watched her father run out the door. Her focus returned to the two on the ground with one sobbing over the other. She could only watch as the stallion on the ground's eyes slowly close taking one last glance at the one he loves. The one embracing the stallion let out one last desperate wail for her love to return. The filly, on verge of tears herself, continued to watch as a white mist rolled in with no definite origin washing away the sight before her like a bad dream. [/hr] Rarity sat up startled and in a cold sweat. Staring forward blankly, she slowly came to her senses realizing that what she had witnessed was only a bad dream. Her eyes darted around the room to make sure the dream was over. In front of a nearby wall-mounted mirror, she found her super special somepony observing his mirrored image with a prolonged stare. Oddly enough Rarity couldn't find the nerve to speak to him still seeing images in her mind from the dream. After a few passing moments, Spike realized Rarity was awake and watching him, seeing her in the mirror's reflection. "Um...Rarity? Something feels wrong..." Spike said raising a hoof to rub his face. It was at this moment that Rarity noticed that the resplendent stallion's coat had lost some of its shine.