//------------------------------// // Rules and Regulations // Story: Wishes Gone Wrong // by Jazzy Mellows //------------------------------// Outside the ever sparkling walls of the Labyrinth stood the Goblin King and both of the Princesses of the day and night. This was not their first time in Jareth's kingdom, but they certainly hoped it would be the last time they had to because of a wish. Celestia sent a glare to Luna, threatening her silently of the doom she would face should she fail, or ever attempt to make a jealous wish again. The Princess of the Night shuddered at the thought. “Alright, Starry Night,” the Goblin King said, knowing that they would not get that reference. “You know the drill. No flying over the walls, no teleporting, or other magics that would aid you in any way other than levitating, and no Royal Canterlot Voice.” Celestia looked confused at the Goblin King's choice of words. “The last time she used 'The Voice' in my Labyrinth, I had to repair six walls, three houses, two goblins, and re-feather a particularly poor chicken.” The Goblin King shuddered at the word “chicken”. The thought brought back horrible memories of revolt and siege. “And I understand the 'no teleporting' rule, and the 'no flying' and 'no magic', as that would be cheating,” Celestia said. “But, I must know, why can you teleport and fly and do all of that, but Luna cannot?” “You see, Count Cake-u-la,” Jareth explained. “It's my Labyrinth, and I know the way it changes. Luna does not, and teleporting could be potentially dangerous. Flying is not a reliable cheating source, because the walls are self aware, to a point, and have developed defenses, such as spontaneous growth, to prevent trespassers and cheaters. And 'no magic', is because most of the people that run my Labyrinth are quite plain, mortal, and untalented in anything other than wishing up trouble. Letting Luna use magic is unfair to those other runners.” Luna giggled at the nickname that Jareth had given to her sister. Celestia glared once more at the younger Princess, silently telling her the fate she would face should she ever bring it up again. “In any case,” Luna chimed in. “We better get started.” “Yes, we should,” Jareth said. “Misty Mane.” “Feather Phobiac,” Luna replied. Celestia responded to this with uncannily realistic chicken noises, causing Jareth to slightly jump in his boots and freeze on spot. “NOT! FUNNY!”