Celestia walked through the halls of the castle with a heavy heart heading to her royal bedchamber. Once again, she had to make a difficult decision but something about this one didn't sit well with her. Why must doing what's right feel so wrong? The choice she made was not intended to harm Twilight. The motive was aimed at protecting the young princess and, yet, Celestia felt like she had partly wronged her student. Celestia trusted the young mare, but this request was simply one she couldn't allow. She'd seen the results of casting that spell and felt the pain in failing to recognize its deadly aftereffects. In denying her most faithful student's request, she was saving the young princess from an everlasting regret.
"Forgive me, my most faithful student," Celestia whispered to herself making her way to the royal bedchamber with a grievous heart.
Admittedly, at the time when writing the letter, Celestia had held the quill to the piece of parchment for what seemed like an hour unable to write a single word. She couldn't make up her mind in granting the request for the burden of failure would most assuredly fall on either Celestia's or Twilight's shoulders. It was through much consideration that Celestia resigned to let the failure be her own. She cared too much for the young princess.
The burden of failure would be hers and not Twilight's to bear.
Celestia approached the doors to her bedchamber with an audible sigh. Today's sun would soon set on more than just Equestria's lands. She would have to let the light retreat and darkness overtake it, hoping that tomorrow's sunlight would be bright enough to stave off the lingering shadows of yesterday's difficult decisions.
Extending a hoof to the extravagantly decorated door, Celestia walked into her room not to her bed but to the nearest dresser. She opened the bottom drawer with her magic and searched through the various items hidden within. It took a moment or two until Celestia found the item she'd been seeking pulling out a small magically locked jewelry box. She levitated it in front of her noting time had worn away its color and, once again, a thin layer of dust covered its surface.
She hesitated before opening the box knowing full well what it contained. It had been a long time since she'd been strong enough to view the item within it. Memories of the past started to flood her mind with whispers spoken in the silence of the room. She could hear his voice in her mind. She could see him laid down in the dirt with a claw extended in futile hope.
Don't bother. Let me be. This is where I belong. This is what I deserve.
With a soft exhalation of breath, Celestia blew the dust off of the box's cover. Despite the many times her servants cleaned the room, a thin layer of dust had always accumulated onto this one box. This phenomenon was another reason that made her nervous in touching the box. With a slightly apprehensive feeling rising inside her gut, Celestia reached out to open it.
"Sister...?" came a voice from behind Celestia slightly startling the princess.
Celestia turned around to see Luna entering into the room.
"Yes...Luna?" Celestia asked. "What brings you here?"
"We've," Luna said staring at the ground unable to meet her sister's eyes, "been thinking about a lot, lately."
"Oh? What about, dear sister?" Celestia inquired with a curious eye.
"...About us..."
"Luna, I've already accepted your apology many times. You shouldn't let it trouble you so much," said Celestia witnessing the pain in her sister's eyes.
"...But it does...to no end, dear sister. Can we ever truly be forgiven?" Luna said with troubled words.
Celestia placed a caring hoof on her sister's shoulder with a warm smile crossing her face.
"I am not one to hold grudges, Luna. You, above all others, should know this,"
"...Because it is in thou nature, but are we truly worthy to be thy sister?" Luna looked up at Celestia with sorrowful eyes yet unable to shed any tears.
"When have I said otherwise? I do not want such thoughts gracing your mind anymore." With a warm touch, Celestia gently embraced her younger sibling.
It was at this moment that a soft light emitted through the box's closed lid catching the attention of both sisters.
"What is that, dear sister?" Luna asked staring curiously at the small box next to Celestia.
"A...keepsake, Luna," Celestia responded eyeing the box with apprehension.
"Of what?"
Celestia carefully opened the box to show Luna its contents. Inside was a small, dull, and worn out object with an unremarkable appearance likening to a common stone. Luna stared at the object with a surprised look as it continued in its struggle to shine. However, the small amount of light it gave off didn't last long, and Celestia was amazed the object could even do such a thing after all this time.
"The diamond, Luna," Celestia said in response to her sister's inquiry. "Retained for a thousand years to remind me that sometimes even a goddess—or older sister—can make the wrong decisions and fail those we care most about."
[/hr]
Twilight frantically paced back and forth in Zecora's hut continuing to eye Celestia's letter.
"Nononononono! This can't be happening! This can't be happening!"
"Twilight, please calm down, sugarcube," Applejack said trying to hold her friend still. "Everything's going ta be all right."
"No! It isn't!" Twilight screamed into the orange-coated mare's face.
"Look, jus' calm down. We can figure this out."
"With what!? Positive thinking!?" yelled Twilight with both hooves extended above her head
"Well, certainly not with that attitude," Applejack responded pointing a hoof at Twilight.
"What's your answer, then?!" Twilight's frustration peaked when no response came from Applejack as she looked at the ground in defeat. "Does anypony have any ideas!?"
Everypony looked away from Twilight not knowing what to say except one mare.
"Twilight, darling? Please do calm down. This isn't helping," Rarity said with a calmed expression on her face.
"What isn't helping, Rarity, is Celestia's bucking letter!" screamed Twilight angrily shaking the piece of parchment in fury.
"I know that, darling. Truly I do. However, we need to discuss our options. If we do not, then what chance does Spike have?" Rarity said motioning a hoof at the young dragon sitting on Zecora's bed.
"Y-you're right, Rarity. I don't know what to do...but Spike still needs us," Twilight said with a sigh calming her mind.
Spike sat on the bed in silence not overhearing Twilight's frantic outbursts. His eyes were solely focused on the red ruby in his right claw shining brightly with a fiery red hue. Garble had entrusted the jewel to him as a means of motivating the young dragon to stay strong. Spike continued to stare at the bright red ruby ignoring the searing pain that was slowly creeping up his left arm.
More importantly, Spike's personal question was half answered. Spike knew that who and what he is cannot be the same thing. But having growing up with ponies his whole life raised some doubts in his mind as to whether the 'who' would be a simple answer. On one claw, he could say he is a dragon because of his birth. On the other, he could say he was a pony having been raised by them.
It was a serious conflicted observation that raised two questions in his young mind. Was he more pony than dragon or more dragon than pony? But, then, he had the idea that perhaps both arguments were wrong and right. The past conversations he had held with Applejack and Garble returned to his mind as clear as day whispering their honest words into his ears:
Looks can be deceiving, Rainbow. Most ponies assume my brother is dumb due to the fact he don't talk much. They don't bother to look beyond his outward appearance. Spike is in the same boat. Ay swear I don't see a dragon most of the time in looking at the little guy. Rarity has seen something in him that makes her want ta love him. There ain't nothing wrong with that.
You're a dragon through and through. I've seen it with my own two eyes. Sure, you can question who or what you are but, all that matters, is the truth beneath those scales.
Surely, Applejack wouldn't lie, and Spike knew Garble told the truth. The young dragon sat on the bed and pondered these opposing words now understanding the truth. In fact, he had been hiding something from the others unsure what it had meant until now.
"Hey, um, Twilight? I need to tell you something," Spike said now noticing that Twilight had already been looking at him thinking of another solution to the affliction.
"Hmm? What is it, Spike?" asked Twilight getting closer to him.
"Um, actually, I think everyone here should know," Spike said looking around at the whole group.
"What is it, darling?" asked Rarity as the group closed in around him except Zecora who only stayed close enough to overhear his words.
"Do you remember the spell that Celestia cast on me back in the library?" Spike asked to which the group nodded in unison. "I don't think it did anything."
"What do ya mean it didn't do anything?" asked Applejack a little taken aback by the words.
"Just what I said, Applejack. I don't think it did anything. I mean...I didn't feel anything when it hit my scales."
"You should have felt something, Spike." said Twilight interjecting her own thoughts into the matter. "It's a protective spell providing a thin magical layer making direct contact with a physical surface. Unless, of course, you didn't feel it because of the scales. However, it did change your physical appearance. You can't tell us that you didn't feel that."
"That's just it, Twilight," Spike said looking at the unicorn. "I felt the change but not Celestia's spell hitting my scales."
"Well, that's probably because the forbidden spell reacted to the one cast by Celestia."
"Exactly. It felt like the first spell only reacted to the second. But I really don't think the second one did anything. It certainly didn't protect me or prevent what is happening to my scales."
"I'm sure the spell cast by Celestia at least impeded the forbidden one's progression, Spike." Twilight said this immediately considering that perhaps that wasn't entirely true.
"If it had done that, Twiiight, you would have seen my scales in better shape than they are now. What I think happened is it only provided hope that things were better."
"...Like a placebo effect," Twilight said almost to herself thinking about how the spell didn't actually do much to prevent the effects of degradation.
"Uh huh," Spike nodded his head in agreement. "Like I said, I don't think the spell Celestia cast on me did anything."
"...Then..." Twilight started to ask with a confused look. "...Why are you a dragon if the forbidden spell reveals one's inner self?"
"Simple," Spike said looking down at the red ruby in his right claw. "I chose it."
"You chose to be a dragon?" asked Twilight slightly puzzled with the others displaying similar confusion on their faces. Well, except one mare. "I thought the spell had to reveal one's inner self. Are you sure about this, Spike?"
"More sure than I've been about most things, Twilight," Spike said still looking at the ruby. "Often, I've been thinking about who I am. It's not a simple answer. So, why does it have to boil down to one thing? The truth is I partly regretted losing a piece of myself and so, when Celestia's spell hit my scales, I made this choice."
"Ah swear this just gets weirder and weirder. It's making mah head hurt," Applejack said rubbing a hoof against her head. "Ah'm jus' going ta take a breather outside, if it's alright with y'all."
"...Y-yeah, me too," said Rainbow Dash following the orange-coated mare out of Zecora's front door.
"ME THREE!" Pinkie yelled following the two out of the door.
"So, what you're saying is you can make a choice?" Twilight asked barely noticing that her three friends left to go outside.
"Yes, I can feel it in my heart like unspoken words," Spike said looking up at the lavender unicorn. "It is as though I sense the decision that needs to be made. However, I think it applies to who I am which is why I've been thinking about it so much."
"The heart is not a simple instrument that plays a single song," Fluttershy finally spoke up catching the others by surprise. "Oh, I'm sorry. Was I interrupting?"
"Not at all, Fluttershy. It's just that you're so quiet sometimes, darling, that we don't realize you're there," Rarity said. "But do please continue with what you needed to say."
"Well, I just think that there is more to Spike than meets the eye. The little guy is at a point in his life where he's realized a pony—or dragon, I suppose—can be a great number of things. Most ponies can only perceive one reflection or persona of those they meet, narrowing judgement to a single perception. However, I find that sort of thinking is a little limited considering that ponies can be-"
"-LIKE DELICIOUS CAKES WITH MANY FILLINGS!?" Pinkie Pie screamed excitedly pushing her head into the group. The entire group jumped backwards in total shock having almost received a heart attack.
"D-don't do that!" Twilight said trying to catch her breath.
"Do what, Twilight?" Pinkie Pie asked unashamedly. "I was just outside with Applejack and Rainbow Dash enjoying the fresh air of a dangerous forest when I decided 'Ya know what would make this more enjoyable? More friends!' So I came back inside, overheard the talk, and decided this was much more fun than some spooky forest!"
"P-Pinkie, darling! You almost gave us a heart attack with that outburst! Just look at poor Fluttershy! She's frozen in fear!" said Rarity pointing a hoof at the wide-eyed pegasus backed up against the wall.
"...Oh, I did it again, didn't I?" asked Pinkie. "Sorry, Fluttershy. It's just that I just get SUPER EXCITED sometimes!"
"...T-That's o-okay, Pinkie," Fluttershy responded holding a hoof to her chest.
"...If you say so, Fluttershy," Twilight said rolling her eyes. "Spike, are you okay?"
Spike had been startled as well and almost dropped the ruby due to Pinkie's outburst. Nonetheless, he was fine and nodded his head in response to Twilight's inquiry. The lavender unicorn sighed but not in relief because she knew he wouldn't be okay soon enough, and she had no remedies on hoof for the affliction.
"Well, Spike, I'll think on what you said. For now, I'm going outside to get a breather, too. Call for me immediately if anything worsens." Twilight turned away from the young dragon with much sadness in her heart. The atmosphere was very oppressive and, though she had tried her best, everything seemed like it was going to take a turn for the worse. She...needed a break and headed out of the hut's door into the open forest air.
Pinkie Pie followed too apologizing and tugging at Fluttershy's wing to follow. The pink mare thought Fluttershy needed fresh air after being surprised, but the latter pony didn't really like the forest knowing its air wouldn't do her any good. Nonetheless, Fluttershy reluctantly followed her out of the hut.
Spike watched most of the group leave noticing that only two mares remained in the hut—Rarity and Zecora. The zebra resumed her activities of cleaning up after the dragon raid, but Rarity turned her eyes from the hut's front door back to Spike.
"Spike, I want you to know something," said Rarity with a serious expression on her face.
"Yes, Rarity?" asked Spike looking into those blue eyes he loved so much.
"On the night we went stargazing, I chose you for a reason to be my super special somepony. Not because I care whether you are a dragon or a pony on the inside but because I've come to understand we share something special. I'm getting older, Spike, and needed to consider my future. It was necessary to find that super special somepony I'd be inclined to give my heart. Then, I realized something. If ever there was someone always there for me, it was you. I need that in my life. As such, I resigned to hopefully and optimistically give my love away with the best of intentions."
Rarity bent down to match Spike's height on the bed leaning in closer to his face.
"Truth be told, I had a dream about the dragon in which I learned he'd been missing something. Only now do I realize that it is the same with you and me, perhaps others, too. Before that night I had questioned the possibility of us time and time again. Often crushes and similar romantic feelings boil down to short-lived desired affection. However...in your company, I feel something more...fulfilling. I now understand my leap of faith that fateful night was not misguided as I've truly found the one whom I'd most certainly give my love.
The choice between being a dragon or pony will be yours. I do not want you to feel like I'm taking away a piece of you. If what you say about Celestia's spell is correct, then we can bide our time until you're ready. And, if it is something that makes you uncomfortable, we can cause a reaction once again. Until then we will be together because all I truly want is you. Do you understand, Spike?"
Spike nodded hearing the truth in Rarity's words. The two finally had their answers but still needed the solution to Spike's affliction. Rarity continued with a means to an end in her words.
"I'm not going to let this spell take you away from me, Spike. I simply won't allow it. It'll be a cold day in Tartarus before I let that spell have its way. I am going to make this right, Spike. Do you trust me?"
"Of course I do," Spike responded feeling a slight warmth rise inside him.
"Good," Rarity said placing her left hoof over his right claw that held the ruby. Her look softened while looking at the young dragon feeling her heart beat a little faster. Likewise, Spike's heart was beginning to race in looking into Rarity's eyes. "I want you to stay strong until this is over. More importantly, I want you to remember the answer to what I'm about to ask."
"What is it, Rarity?" Spike asked losing himself in Rarity's blue eyes feeling a cooling and soothing sensation run along underneath his scales.
"Do you love me, darling?" Rarity asked looking back at those shimmering green eyes she adored.
"Yes. I love you, Rarity. With all my heart. Do you love me?"
"I do, Spike. I most certainly love you."
[/hr]
"Thou still hast the diamond?!" asked Luna staring at the unremarkable object resting within the small jewelry box. "Thy one from long ago?"
"The very same one, dear sister," said Celestia eyeing the object with sadness expressed on her face in seeing it once again. "I haven't opened this box for centuries, yet the diamond still lacks its shine as always."
"'Twould be entirely true if it weren't for the light we had just witnessed." Luna said pointing out the occurrence that had initially directed her attention to the small box. "Dost thou know why it would do such a thing?"
"I do not," responded Celestia. "The mystery behind this peculiar diamond has eluded my understanding for a thousand years. Even now I cannot comprehend its strange behavior much less know how or why a diamond would lose its shine in the first place."
Both sisters continued to observe the diamond within the small box taking note of its strange dull-like quality. Luna's curiosity was peaked whereas Celestia was simply nervous in looking at it. The diamond had not done much for the latter sister only offering regretful memories. If not for Luna's presence, Celestia would simply close the box and stow it away for the next century as acknowledging the diamond's persisted existence brought on too much pain.
"Are you done looking, dear sister?" Celestia calmly asked Luna wanting to put the small box away as soon as possible.
"Yes, we suppose we've seen enough though it is rather curious to see a jewel such as this. If only we could find out why it-"
Before Luna could finish her words, the diamond immediately sparked to life with renewed energy. An abrupt and unexpected bright white light caused both Princesses to momentarily shield their eyes with a foreleg. It took some time for their eyes to adjust to this sudden illumination but, when they did, Celestia and Luna looked back at the box with shocked expressions and wide eyes. The diamond's shine had returned to its original appearance from a thousand years ago as though nothing had changed.
The shock in witnessing the renewed diamond was enough to make Celestia lose her magical concentration letting the box fall to the floor. The moment the box made contact with the floor, a small thin layer of dust escaped into the air. Celestia immediately went to pick up the small box with her hoof until she heard an audible and familiar voice whisper softly in the room's silence causing her heart to skip a beat.
Wrong decisions can be made with good intentions, pony goddess.