Chapter 1 = A Red Letter Night

Dear…

Spike was just writing down with his dull-tipped quill on a clean sheet of paper. The baby dragon was writing a letter, particularly a special letter.

A love letter!

The favorite spring holiday, Hearts and Hooves Day, was just tomorrow, and Spike was making this one especially for this occasion. Hearts and Hooves Day was that special day you would find that very special somepony you want to celebrate with, and Spike had one in mind — the lovely Rarity.

She was amazing, with her gorgeous, curly, violet mane and tail; her silky smooth white hide; her dazzling azure eyes with their fluttering eyelashes; her sweet voice. She was perhaps the most beautiful pony in all of Equestria.

His heart began beating break neck fast. How couldn’t you see anypony more beautiful in your whole life. She was just a dream.

He continued writing.

Dear Rarity,
Roses are red, violets are blue.
This letter lets you know how much I love you—

“Nah, too cliche.” He said to himself softly. He didn’t want to disturb Twilight Sparkle, the smart Unicorn who hatched him when he was an egg. He now lived with her as her number one assistant and friend at the Golden Oaks Library.

He took the paper, crumbled it up, and then tossed it away, where it met a towering pile of more crumbled up letters. Obviously, this wasn’t his first one.

He grabbed another sheet. Sticking his quill pen to his cheek, he tried to come up with something different. Something more original, and yet heartfelt.

“Hoot!” a hoot rang out. It was Owlowicious, Twilight’s pet owl and nighttime assistant when Spike had to go to sleep. The nocturnal bird was up in his perch, watching the little dragon trying feverishly hard at writing the perfect Hearts and Hooves Day letter.

“What is it, Owlowicious,” Spike asked exasperatedly. “Can’t you see I’m trying to write a letter for Rarity?”

“Hoot!”

“Rarity,” Spike replied. He couldn’t understand entirely if was the owl asking a question. Then again, when you’re talking with an owl, you can’t make out if he just saying “hoo” or “who.” “You know, the most beautiful unicorn ever.”

“Hoot!”

Spike growled in exasperation. “Rarity! One of Twilight’s friends?! And one of my friends.” His voice grew soft. “One of my very special friends.”

He thought of how fortunate he was to have Rarity, especially as a friend. Rarity was sweet, caring, with a warm, generous heart. So generous in fact that she even represents the Element of Generosity, one of the powerful Elements of Harmony, which were used by her, Twilight Sparkle, and four other ponies that were also his dear friends.

He thought about those special others who would bring him so much joy and love. Spike could always look back, and see how Twilight made such wonderful friends, and how they in turn became his. He could never ask for anypony better.

Realizing that he was lost in thought, the little dragon shook his head, and went back to writing his letter. Now he knew for sure what he wanted to write down.

Dear Rarity,

This Hearts and Hooves Day I just want to let you know how much you mean to me. You are the most beautiful Unicorn ever. And not just in Ponyville, but in all of Equestria. I want to let you know how much I love you, and I always will.

Happy Hearts and Hooves Day

Love, Spike.

Spike then took the letter, placed it in a bright red envelope, sealed it, and then wrote Rarity’s name on the back.

“There, all done!” He exclaimed triumphantly. “Now for be…”

The dragon dropped to the floor, and passed out into a sleep. He had been working so hard tonight he finally deserved that long rest. But before he could get to his bed, he suddenly collapsed on the floor. It didn’t matter. He just couldn’t wait to deliver that letter to the pony of his dreams tomorrow.