The Sacred Fruit

by Alaborn

The Sacred Fruit

Author's Note:

The Sacred Fruit

By Alaborn

Standard disclaimer: This is a not for profit fan work. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is copyright Hasbro, Inc. I make no claim to any copyrighted material mentioned herein.

Everything had changed.

For Princess Luna, finally freed from her madness, the physical world possessed only a faint resemblance to her memories, so much that she wondered if those memories were just part of her long, terrible dream.

She remembered a castle, but not one quite so large and grand.

She remembered a community that had grown up around the castle, to support her and her sister, but not this bustling metropolis.

The only thing truly familiar to her was her sister, who greeted her as she rose each evening and saw that she would rest comfortably each morning.

And it was enough.

Celestia, and her trusted advisors, worked to integrate her into modern society, to teach her how the world had changed. But the fight to push back the nightmare’s influence on her was draining, and at first she could only concentrate on her learning for scarcely more than an hour. As time passed, she grew stronger. But at some point each day, she reached her limit, and would need to be alone, alone with her thoughts.

She would often find herself retreating to the kitchen. It was not because the kitchen was familiar to her. No, it was just as unfamiliar as the rest of the world. She recalled the kitchen as it used to be. The castle employed dozens, maybe hundreds of ponies, each with a special talent related to the creation of a single food. Now, the smaller number of chefs used strange devices, each powered by a push of magic, to create just as many culinary creations.

She did not visit the kitchen because it was familiar. She visited the kitchen because it had coffee, and in the time she was gone, ponies had found many new ways to prepare that divine elixir. It was a second familiar thing.

A third familiar thing from her past would soon resurface. It had taken her time to once again dare to dream, and as she took those first tentative steps into the dream realm, she felt the connection. There were other minds in the dreamscape, keeping their vigil. Three months after her return, they started returning, flying in by the light of her moon.

Some ponies called them batponies, other thestrals, but she knew them differently. They were her ponies. She learned how other ponies had come to fear them, tying them to Nightmare Moon, and so they retreated to isolated villages. Yet despite this treatment, the night tribe never ceased protecting the dreams of ponies, during the time when she was trapped in the nightmare of her own hubris.

---

One autumn day, sitting in the mess hall with her cup of espresso, her nose picked up a fragrance, a wonderful fragrance. Yet as dozens of night ponies entered the mess hall, she felt a lingering tension. She recognized them as hailing from many clans, but largely allied with one of two clans. While Celestia led the way on matters of court, the night ponies still looked to her as a spiritual leader. She knew she had to fill that role today.

“’Tis a glorious night, and we shall feast. So why are you down?” Luna asked.

The leader of one of the night pony clans, a stallion named Indigo Dusk, bowed before Luna. “Our long-lost brethren may share wing and blood, but they do not respect the sacred fruit!” he said.

The clan carried several ripe examples of the sacred fruit, each around the size of a hoofball, covered in spikes, and exuding that most heavenly aroma, at least to her and the night ponies. The few daywalkers in the mess looked ill, beating a hasty retreat.

The elder mare of the second clan, Night Bloom, bowed in turn. “Matron of night, bringer of dreams, banisher of nightmares, we do respect the sacred fruit, but during our sojourn from the settled Equestrian lands, we encountered a most wonderful fruit. We offer it as a gift.”

The mare extended her wings, revealing smaller ovoid fruits, with a smooth orange skin and a pleasant resinous scent. The stallion next to her used the blades at the edge of his wings to peel and cut the fruit, and offered a slice to Luna.

Luna tasted the fruit, her eyes opening wide. While it lacked the unique flavor profile of the sacred fruit, the durian, this new fruit was juicy and delicious.

“My little pony, what do you call this wondrous fruit?”

“Mango,” the elder mare replied.

“You consider that worthy of our princess? The daywalkers would probably eat it with you!”

“Please cease your fighting. The smallest grievances can fester and grow, becoming the worst nightmares.”

The two elder ponies bowed their heads in shame.

“Now, come with me into the kitchen. For as I have grown stronger returning to harmony with my sister, I see your two gifts, together, creating something greater.”

At this time of night, when even bakers were asleep, Luna and the night ponies had the kitchen to themselves. Luna reached out with her magic and pulled out two of the wonders she had discovered.

“Behold! A silky smooth concoction of sweetened milk and cream! And a device capable of combining foods with great speed!”

“We eat ice cream all the time,” Night Bloom said.

“And even the shop in Hollow Hills sells blenders,” Indigo Dusk said.

“Yes. Perhaps these are less novel than I thought,” Luna said. “But with these ingredients, we shall make something great!”

Mango, durian, and ice cream went into the blender, and with a few seconds’ churning, she had a thick, creamy beverage. She offered it first to the two clan leaders.

“I never imagined the sacred fruit tasting like this!” Indigo Dusk said.

“Such flavor!” Night Bloom agreed.

“Then come, let us share this bounty with your kin. Put aside the rough patches you have faced. With friendship, and with this drink, the future shall be smooth!”

---

And thus, Princess Luna’s first contribution to modern Equestria was the smoothie.

Comments

[Alaborn]

It's really hard to keep a story to 1000 words.

I had two story ideas that seemed compact enough to be explored in 1000 words, but one ended up being longer. The other is this one. You see, if you think about batponies and fruit, you probably think of mangoes. But the first story (by Raugos) and art I saw showed batponies having a love of durian. So, clearly, some batponies found mangoes, and others continued to think of durian as their special fruit.

Now, to be honest, a durian-mango smoothie sounds like something you'd see on an episode of Chopped. And the judges, not being batponies, would not want to see the chefs use much durian at all.

[Emtu]

Before even reading the story, this was my immediate thought:

[Eroraf86]

11253591
To be fair, I've seen way worse ingredients on Chopped, not to mention Iron Chef America: Battle Offal. The hard part, of course, would be dealing with the odor, as by all accounts the flavor is sublime. That said, perception of the odor does apparently depend greatly on the individual, as those from cultures familiar with durian are more likely to be able to distinguish the sweet components from the putrid. Still, I'm usually willing to try any food at least once, so who knows?

[Sigmacipher]

I thought the answer would be pineapple due to its effect on cum. The I remembered that neither leech or busternut were writing this.

[fanreader999999]

And thus, Princess Luna’s first contribution to modern Equestria was the smoothie.

Truly, Princess Luna is best princess.

[Emptybee]

Some ponies called them batponies, other thestrals, but she knew them differently. They were her ponies. She learned how other ponies had come to fear them, tying them to Nightmare Moon, and so they retreated to isolated villages. Yet despite this treatment, the night tribe never ceased protecting the dreams of ponies, during the time when she was trapped in the nightmare of her own hubris.

Interesting headcanon here. It does neatly answer the question of what was happening to ponies' dreams while Luna was away.

[PhycoKrusk]

The only way this story could have been better would be if the very last two words in it were, "The End," but that would have given it a kind of comedic finality that doesn't really fit the overall tone, so here at least, I'm ok with being alone in that opinion.

[i_am_the_jam]

So it wouldn't be the coffee berry?

[shaithis1]

Nope

[redmar]

This is a funny short story.

[Shadow Star]

other then how quick is was solved.. with smoothies. This is exaxtly what I expcted . Durian vs Mango.

[Piemaster128]

Short, sweet, and smooth. Oh, and the story is excellent too

[The Great Derpsby]

“You consider that worthy of our princess? The daywalkers would probably eat it with you!”

I am weirdly happy about this line. Because it shows bigotry isn't just a non-batpony thing. The whole 'racism against poor innocent flawless batponies' setup has been done to death.

[Lurks-no-More]

Smooth, Luna, very smooth! 🥭

[Level Dasher]

That was funny! The fact that you brought up Chopped in the comments made me laugh, because I was thinking that also. And I love the headcanon of bat ponies being the ones to watch over dreams during Luna's absence (and the rest of Equestria probably didn't even realize it if they were treating the bat ponies so poorly). To be honest, though, what drew this to me were the last lines of the description— it sounds like something Zecora would say.

Luna's first task is to settle a dispute:
What will be their sacred fruit?
The durian, of tradition old,
Or the sweet mango, with skin of gold?

[Bojack H]

9 out of 10, the 10th was too busy baking cake

[GenericFriendship]

Amazing concept, hilarious ending

[Isuvyw]

Interesting headcanon of batponies considering the durian a sacred fruit. Touches my heart as a Malaysian

I don't fancy it actually. I used to love it, but now I don't.

[FanOfMostEverything]

I do love the idea that bat ponies looked after the dreamscape in Luna's absence. The competing fruits work brilliantly as a point of contention among them, to say nothing of Luna's Solomonic solution. Plus, you managed an effective bit of foreshadowing in a thousand-word story, which is no small feat. Brilliant stuff all around. Thank you for it, and best of luck in the judging.

[Bicyclette]

Standard disclaimer: This is a not for profit fan work. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is copyright Hasbro, Inc. I make no claim to any copyrighted material mentioned herein.

so true

The only thing truly familiar to her was her sister, who greeted her as she rose each evening and saw that she would rest comfortably each morning.

And it was enough.

and augh, yeah! puts beautifully that sense of displacement and loss Luna must feel, and how that makes her sister that much more important as a lifeline to her

She recalled the kitchen as it used to be. The castle employed dozens, maybe hundreds of ponies, each with a special talent related to the creation of a single food. Now, the smaller number of chefs used strange devices, each powered by a push of magic, to create just as many culinary creations.

you know, the former really is how i imagined the modern-day Canterlot Palace kitchen to be like! that change must be even more disorienting

She visited the kitchen because it had coffee, and in the time she was gone, ponies had found many new ways to prepare that divine elixir. It was a second familiar thing.

aww, that is nice!

Some ponies called them batponies, other thestrals, but she knew them differently. They were her ponies. She learned how other ponies had come to fear them, tying them to Nightmare Moon, and so they retreated to isolated villages. Yet despite this treatment, the night tribe never ceased protecting the dreams of ponies, during the time when she was trapped in the nightmare of her own hubris.

and this is always a nice headcanon to explore! does explain just who was pulling her chariot in "Luna Eclipsed"

While Celestia led the way on matters of court, the night ponies still looked to her as a spiritual leader. She knew she had to fill that role today.

aww, do love that

The clan carried several ripe examples of the sacred fruit, each around the size of a hoofball, covered in spikes, and exuding that most heavenly aroma, at least to her and the night ponies. The few daywalkers in the mess looked ill, beating a hasty retreat.

hehehe. durians, or their Equestrian analogue?

The elder mare of the second clan, Night Bloom, bowed in turn.

dang they really do go all out on the naming scheme, i have to respect that

“My little pony, what do you call this wondrous fruit?”

“Mango,” the elder mare replied.

aww, always love it when the Princesses call ponies "my little pony", i will never not love it.

“Please cease your fighting. The smallest grievances can fester and grow, becoming the worst nightmares.”

nopony would know this better than Luna right now!

“Behold! A silky smooth concoction of sweetened milk and cream! And a device capable of combining foods with great speed!”

“We eat ice cream all the time,” Night Bloom said.

“And even the shop in Hollow Hills sells blenders,” Indigo Dusk said.

ahaha, great comedic timing!

“Then come, let us share this bounty with your kin. Put aside the rough patches you have faced. With friendship, and with this drink, the future shall be smooth!”

the silliness of the phrase "the future shall be smooth" and the seriousness and regality with which Luna said it is just really great Luna! very well done with this

And thus, Princess Luna’s first contribution to modern Equestria was the smoothie.

and it must have been a hit, considering it was the hot new thing in Sire's Hollow in "The Parent Map"!

---

an adorable just-so story about how fruit smoothies came to be in the land of Equestria, paying off the description of just how strange the palace kitchen is. thank you for writing it!

[TheOneAJ]

[Nobody Nick Particular]

Heathens the lot of ya! Only a heathen would put ice cream in a smoothie!
Ice cream is for milkshakes and juice is for smoothies, ya bloody heretics!!

[Raine_Lionheart]

Fantastic on second reading.

[Bookwurm666]

Mango, durian, and ice cream went into the blender, and with a few seconds’ churning, she had a thick, creamy beverage. She offered it first to the two clan leaders.

That sounds interesting, weird, but interesting.