Nightmare of a Dragon

Chapters

Act 1: A Lonely Dragon
Act 2: A Princess’ Concern
Act 3: The Dance Part 1
Act 4: The Dance Part 2
Act 5: The Betrayal Part 1
Act 6: The Betrayal Part 2

Act 1: A Lonely Dragon

Author's Note

As the co-author of Crisis Novastar's story as well as the one who's been given permission to post it on my account after it was deleted, I shouldn't be violating any of the fimfiction rules by publishing this chapter.

Act 1: A Lonely Dragon

I sat in the royal garden alone, gazing thoughtfully up at the night sky before saying to myself, “She makes the most beautiful stars any dragon will ever hope to see.” The stars shone brightly through the sky, like an infinite array of diamonds pushing back the darkness and bringing light to all of the sky’s corners. If I was vigilant, and lucky, I would spot one of these diamonds fling themselves across the sky as a paintbrush would on a clean canvas.

It all reminded me so much of her. Childishly, I made a wish for her to spend some time at my side, despite today’s tight schedule. Who’s she you ask? My mistress, my queen, my mentor, my goddess of the night. At one point, I thought having her as my mate was a foolish dream that would never happen. Just the thought was more satisfying than having to whisk the day away for the mules I once called my friends.

I broke out of my thoughts, as the beautiful goddess appeared and trotted to sit beside me. She smiled and gave me an affectionate nuzzle causing me to blush.

My name is Spike, or at least it used to be. The story of how I ended up here is extremely unpleasant. However, in exchange for being banished for something I didn’t do, I’ve gained a beautiful mare and learned the truth of my family’s unfortunate demise. I’ve also obtained a new family that would support and comfort me for the rest of eternity. This is the tale of how it all began.

Twenty years ago in the Castle of Friendship

As always, I was slaving around the castle library reorganizing the books that Twilight so carelessly threw about the room in one of her ‘sessions’. I always was the one to clean it. In fact, work was even harder than it used to be due to Twilight getting a new castle. Ever since she was crowned the new alicorn princess, I’ve found myself with more work and less time to spend with the ones I called my friends. After Tirek destroyed Golden Oaks, the ungrateful bitch ended up getting a castle. A fucking castle!

This only gave me more work. Even after going through her castle library, I was tasked with literally, mopping the entire castle.

The thought of my teacher’s pet of a caretaker out in my mother’s glorious sun with her detestable friends, while I’m left here with all of the work angered me to no end. Twilight never even bothered to say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ for everything I did for her. It only added to the frustration thinking of all of the fun they could be having at my expense.

I don’t understand what I possibly have done to deserve such neglect. Maybe it was punishment for nearly destroying Ponyville in my greed-induced rage? Or was it because I ruined Twilight’s favorite book and Shining’s comic when I sneezed? I mean even now ponies would stare at me with hate and disgust, or talk behind my back whenever I walked down the busy streets. Nevertheless, it wasn’t fair, considering all those things were accidents. Every day I was met with racist comments.

‘Hey look, it’s that dragon who nearly destroyed our town.’

‘Why hasn't the princess done anything? He’s too dangerous to live among us.’

‘Go away and die you horrible beast!’ Need I go on?

I created a tempting puff of smoke around a small green book I found laying in Twilight’s chair in the map room. I didn’t care to look at much with the thought of burning this dreadful castle to ashes. This would bring such relief to the anger welling up inside me. To resist the urge to destroy this damned prison of a castle, I began to use what Cadence had taught me and Twilight whenever we were under stress, by clammily breathing in and out and counting to ten. Yes, it may lower my I.Q, but if it works it works.

After three tantalizing hours, I finally finished cleaning the library; thank the higher beings above I don’t need to clean anything else in this huge castle. I planted myself on a nearby couch to earn some well deserved rest. It was quiet and peaceful with nopony else around. With the total silence around me, I shut my eyes and my mind slowly drifts off to dreamland.

Unfortunately, the peace didn’t last long since the seven mares, six I had directed my hatred at for most of my days came into the room, thus bringing me back to the waking world I so hated. And of course as they entered the one room I was in. I swear Twi cast a tracking spell on me. That wretched face of the mule who trapped me here, was leading the pack.

“I'm tellin’ ya Twi’, yer gonna be fine,” Applejack tried to reassure her friend with a smile. Regardless, the alicorn continued pacing around the room in quite a manner so annoying that I hoped it would be the end of her.

“I know, I know!” Twilight said frantically, “But I just can’t decide what to wear or what to do at the party. I don't even have a date, I can’t go in without one!” They must be talking about that stupid Hearts and Hooves dance in Canterlot that my pseudo sister or inconsiderate slave-driver, wouldn’t shut up about earlier today. Luna knows I still won’t be hearing the end of it.

“Twilight darling, you needn't worry about your attire, I am making all of us new dresses, remember?” Rarity said in a motherly tone, trying to sooth Twilight. Just the sound of her elegant voice made my heart skyrocket. I wanted so badly to ask Rarity here and now, but I knew I’d have to wait.

“Besides Twilight, nopony would even care if you just came in naked, we’re technically always that way anyway, right?” the pink pony said trying to emphasize every little syllable to be as annoyingly as she could possibly make them. Her innocent voice made me think that none of them have even acknowledged my presence yet. “We’ll find a date for you, no problem lokey!” Pinkie said as she tried to change her face into a reassuring smile, as if it wasn't carved into her features already.

“Yeah Twilight, I mean come on, you were Celestia’s favorite student after all. And with those adorable looks, anypony would want in on that. Heck, I might even go with you if you asked me nicely,” Rainbow Dash said with a sultry look that warranted a stern glare from Applejack. It was no secret that the speed demon and farm mare were together, and nopony really cared considering that they all knew it was going to happen anyway. Plus, Rainbow and stallions just didn’t mix at all. I don’t know if the same applied to Applejack, but I’m guessing the answer is yes.

“Don't worry, Twilight, I know plenty of ponies who might be interested in you,” the meek yellow mare in the back of the pack said quietly. This statement brought surprise to everypony in the room, including me. I’ve never seen Fluttershy date a stallion or a mare, let alone being the one willing to play matchmaker for that matter.

Starlight for one reason or the other was quiet. Normally she would voice her opinion however she must of had been thinking. Out of those seven I never really hated Starlight. Yes she tried to destroy Equestria on three separate occasions and the entire world one time after going back in time and rewriting history. But deep down she was just like me. Misunderstood, lost and most importantly, lonely.

Their interrupting banter only brought up the fact that I didn’t actually receive a ticket to this ridiculous dance they were all going to. It’s not like I wasn’t invited to any of Twilight’s parties, it’s not like I had to tape a picture of myself to her birthday photo or the time we took that group photo with me in the corner of the said photo. And sure it wasn't like this was the kind of thing I actually enjoyed spending time doing, but you would think that some of my so called “friends” would want to include me in their little parties?

The real fault seems to be Princess Celestia’s, as she did send us the tickets, VIA ME IF I MIGHT ADD! You would think she would have the common courtesy to at least inviting the dragon she mothered, but no. She had raised me to just so she could dump me on Twilight, probably because I was the only one who would befriend her outside of her family. No wait scratch that make that second friend outside her family. This might be explained a bit in the invitation stating that every invite needed a date to take along or she/he won't be get in. But did the princesses not expect me to have a love interest or did they just genuinely not care?

It’s the formal.

I've been to the grand ballroom more times than I’d like to count, but it’s really the thought that’s important, and I haven't really been getting too much of that. It’s not like I saved the Crystal Empire from eternal slavery, prevented a major incident that crushed nearly sixty ponies and three griffons, injuring hundreds more, befriended a changeling who now serves the Crystal Empire, and help dragons and ponies become friends, or anything to warrant getting a little recognition every now and then.

While in the middle of my hate filled thought process, I noticed I was angrily staring at the group with malevolent contempt, which was the usual, but now Twilight had noticed me on the couch, so I had to snap myself out of it to avoid THAT conversation again. She turned to speak to me, and I could only guess from the events of the day that she had another set of tasks for me to do. That’s all I was good for anymore, doing mindless chores for everypony in this Luna forsaken town. My trail of thought was interrupted as Twilight made her way over to me.

“Spike, what do you think?” she asked me. I wasn’t really paying that much attention, and I doubt I would even care if I did hear her properly. Instead of a helpful remark, I just shrugged at her. Then all of the sudden, I had the familiar feeling of a forced breath of fire that could only mean one thing. I foolishly attempted to cover my mouth, before a burst of green flame came out with the force of a cannon.

The flame materialized into a scroll with a golden ticket jutting out of the side. that had also decided to singe the tips of Twilight’s mane and horn. The six others gazed at the ticket incredulously as if it had just wronged them somehow. I knew almost for sure it was simply Princess Celestia being late with my ticket I halfway didn’t want... again.

“Did the princess forget somepony?” Rainbow asked and looked around attempting to account for every one using the only brain cell she had left at maximum capacity. ‘No you dipshit, it’s for the cockroach under the nonexistent carpet.’ I thought frustratingly as Twilight picked up the scroll with her magic, unwound it, and began to read it aloud.

My most faithful dragon Spike:

I deeply apologize, for it seems that I have forgotten to give you a ticket as well, you will find it attached to this letter, and I do so hope you find the right to forgive me.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia.

This only served to annoy me more, the gears in my head started spinning faster than an out of control train. She forgot... SHE FORGOT?! Am I only viewed to her as bucking fax machine?! It made me question her concern for me, as well as her overall competence. If she couldn’t even recall one of her closest family members, let alone her ONLY SON, then how is she able to run Equestria? She and Twi might as well be labeled as hypocrites who only act like great leaders.

Twilight and the others stared at me until the thought process decided to catch up to them. Then the inconsiderate jerk of the group decided to do what she did best, be a complete bitch.

“Bwahahaha! You find a date?” she pointed a hoof at me as best she could while laughing midair. “Fat chance! Most girls around here don’t even like stallions, let alone dragons!” As she continued laughing, it took all of my self-control not to roast her on the spot. She was right about one thing though, most mares in Ponyville didn’t exactly swing my way. Most of them didn’t even like the male variety of their own species. I could go on and question half of the mares in the room for their sexuality, but based on the recurring theme of the town, I could probably guess correctly, which to me was sad.

Starlight gave an angry look to Rainbow, who ceased her guffawing and decided to shut up and feel guilty for once. “It’s okay Spike, I’m sure somepony would love to go with you.” Starlight told me. I thanked her and she returned a smile. Due to our time together for Princess Flurry Heart’s birth, I was very close to Starlight. She was the only one who didn’t shun me out and acknowledged my presence. I was quite happy when she first made a friend on her own.

After another few hours of the girls going on about the stupid dance, Celestia’s sun began to set. Frankly, I didn’t care much for the conversation since I was banished to the kitchen to make snacks and what not. I caught a little of everypony chastising Rainbow yet again for her thoughtless spouting of hurtful banter, which I enjoyed while it lasted. As it turned out, they were all having yet another slumber party at the castle, which only meant I would have more to clean up in the morning. While making my usual assortment of appetizers and sweets, I overheard them go into giggles and a slightly more hushed tone of voice. Curious, I decided to investigate and snuck up to the doorway and carefully peeked out into the room to be clued in on the conversation.

“So, Rarity, who will you be asking?” I heard Fluttershy say. Though the chances were slim, I silently hoped I would be Rarity’s answer.

“Nonsense! You know that it would be unladylike to not let the gentlecolts come to me for the opportunity. Though if I were to pick, I would have to say one of the more classy gentlecolts that frequent the boutique would be high on my list,” Rarity said hopefully. Heavily displeased, I recalled all of the hard hours I put into helping Rarity around her shop. I put up with the hard work, hoping it might sway her to see me as the gentlecolt... drake of her dreams. It all seems like I’ve been wasting my time the more she talks about it like I wasn’t even there.

“What about Spike? You know he’d love to go with you!” Pinkie said, asking the only question I really wanted to hear the answer to.

“Spike is a great dragon and all, and quite a good friend, but he’s only a baby after all. Plus, what would all the nobles in Canterlot think if I were to go to the dance with a dragon at my side? I would be made a fool of.” Of course, her reputation would be more important than any form of gratitude towards the dragon that has tried so desperately to win her affection.

“Besides, I’m sure he will find some dragoness to fall in love with for this night.” Bah! That was the stupidest thing I heard that night. Dragons lived on a completely different land far from Equestria, how am I supposed to set that one up? Learn long distance teleportation overnight and hope I land in a dragons den with a strapping dragoness my age? And even if I ask, I highly doubt that one would accompany me to a pony dance. Ember is the only dragoness I know, and I highly doubt she’d see me as a romantic love interest/potential mate.

I thought more and more of her as just a dumb slut rather than my future love interest. All of the work I put in for in her and she just...

It was right then that the oven rang out into the kitchen, signifying that the pizza I put in was done. I took the pan out of the oven without having to use gloves and prepared to cut my creation to be eaten. Being fireproof does occasionally have its perks. Cutting it up I brought out eight pieces to the ponies along with all of the other assorted foods I had made as well. After receiving their empty gratitude, other than Starlight who wished I had made more cause it was the best pizza she ate. I ate the remaining piece and went to the bedroom and crawl in my bed size baskets to get some well-earned sleep.

About one in the morning or so, I awoke to some muffled moans that I could only guess the source of. I left my room, to go to the bathroom. Of cause I have a bathroom in my room but I wanted to ruin the party. Making my way down the halls of the Twilight’s castles, I founded one door of the many doors in this castle. The room itself was plane side from the crystals growing from the ground. It was large, easily able to fit about twenty ponies. Inside were six twin size beds all in circle.

Most of the mares were asleep in those twin size bed in the what I call the slumber room since one:all slumped parties the girls have are held in the room and two: you know who has to clean the room. Both Applejack and Rainbow were conveniently missing. Like they couldn't go one night without a good rut in the mare mud.

I made my way to the one of the many spare room next to the slumber room, the door slightly closed and found the two mares grinding nethers together like a foal trying to violently put back together a stuffed animal that had been torn apart. Their hooves were placed over each other's’ muzzles to muffle the loud moans. Since the castle itself causes an echo effect. That being said, even with they muzzle cover I can still hear them from down the hall. And they didn’t want to wake anypony up, especially Twilight. Celestia knows what she’d do to them when she found them making sweet love in her castle.

Rather than stare at them, like any male in my situation would, I simply mustered my loudest yawn and feigned walking beside the doorway. I was rewarded with the pair having a panic attack and falling off of the bed by the fireplace, with faces as red as Applejack’s apple cutie mark.

‘The damned skanks deserved that,’ I thought with a satisfied smile. With small victories aside, I took my trip to the bathroom and retreated back to the bedroom before realizing that my interruption didn’t phase them as much as it should have, as they were right at it again as I passed. I could have told Twilight, but it would be funnier if she smelled both Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s love juices in the morning.

On my way back to my room I spotted the Starlight watching Applejack and Rainbow make out through the crack of the slightly closed door. She turn her head and looked at me. Her face as red as Big Mac coat after seeing those too buck in their friend’s home.

“You alright there Star?” I asked knowing the answer.

“Why yes Spike everything is fine,” she lied. I just shrug and walked back to my room, but before turning my head.

“You know they’ve been at this for a while now. And I think they would love it if a powerful unicorn join them.” I snicker. Starlight smirk.

“Maybe a certain perverted dragon wants to watch an all mare threesome?” she playfully countered.

“Maybe.” Was my only retorted. “But I would only watch not touch. Anyway I’m going back to sleep, night Starlight.”

“Night Spike.” Starlight giggled and returned to her room.

The week dragged on as everypony prepared for the upcoming dance. As the deadline grew to two days, I had the growing feeling that I wouldn’t actually find a date. Since the ticket counted for two, AJ gave her ticket to Apple Bloom because she had already had a fuckbuddy. This would be her third party in Canterlot following the Grand Galloping Gala. Regardless, I was going to ask Apple Bloom if she would go as my date, but it turned out that she wanted to go with Sweetie Belle. Either they’re starting them young or they didn't have a good concept of sexuality yet. I don’t know what ghost possessed my body and forced me to do so, but I asked Scootaloo to the dance. She was learning from the biggest filly fidder in town, but looking back, I was that desperate. She shrugged it off as girly nonsense and declined. Bet if it was Rainbow, she’d immediately agree.

I asked Starlight if she wanted to go, but it turns out she asked Sunburst. I wasn’t even remotely mad at her. I should have known she’d ask Sunburst. It just somehow slip my mind.

I was fed up and opted to give the ticket out to a random passerby and as if the world around me just loved to see me go through hardship simply because it wanted to watch me suffer. The first wall-eyed mare to run into me declined it on the grounds that she already had a ticket. What kind of idiotic luck is that? Not even Big Mac and Cheerilee wanted it for the love of Luna! Instead, the day drew to a close with me returning to the castle disappointingly with a mocking gold ticket in tow. Lucky me.

As I stepped inside, I found Fluttershy and Twilight in the main room talking excitedly about something, not that I cared. Instead of having to sit through the nonsense they were discussing, I decided to write to the princess about my predicament. I grabbed a parchment and scroll by Twilight’s desk upstairs and started scribbling angrily.

With that, I rolled up the scroll and sent it on its way with a plume of green flame. The embers danced right out the window towards its destination. With that done, I decided to stay home and hopefully do something fun instead, that will put myself out of my misery, the keyword being ‘hopefully’.

Dear Princess Celestia:

I’m sorry to tell you that I won't be attending the upcoming dance, it seems no one in Ponyville wants to be seen with a dragon, so I will be sitting this one out.

Your faithful dragon,

Spike

An excited purple alicorn interrupted my thoughts though, by bursting through the door jumping around merrily a direct contrast to my mood. I gave her a questioning look, reflexively of course, but took it back immediately, because I didn’t actually care. She saw it anyway and decided to fill me in.

“Spike, Spike you won’t believe this, but Trixie Lulamoon decided to be my date!” she happily rubbed in my face. “It’s kinda crazy, I mean we didn’t like each other at first. But after she became friends with Starlight, I began to grow fond of her!” she gushed out with joy. “Trixie’s into magic just like I am and is probably the most beautiful unicorn ever! This is perfect!”

Well I saw that coming like a freight train slamming into a white carriage on a dark night. Another lesbian in the town, gee what a surprise. Overall, I didn't really care and decided to play around the subject to try to get out of the dreadful castle before she tries to practice sex magic with me for the big dance. Starlight I’m very sorry if Twilight uses you as a guinea pig.

“That’s great, Twilight,” I said as deadpan as possible. I then got up to walk out of the castle before she could rope me into anything else.

“Spike are you okay? You seem… annoyed at something?” she asked with a concerned look on her face. She didn’t actually care how I felt, she just wanted me to be able to do chores for her. At that moment, I wanted to yell how she and everypony in town abused me, how Rarity broke my heart, but I didn’t. They didn’t care when it happened before, why should it matter now?

“I’ll be fine Twi,” I lied, I was far from okay. First it was the nightmares, then this shit. I begin to walk out the door until she called out again.

“Oh and Spike, Rarity said to drop by the boutique when you can. She’s finished with your suit.” I didn't bother to hear the end of that as I walked out the door to escape.

Celestia’s setting sun was making its way down the horizon, but I didn’t mind. I had already come to enjoy the moonlight Luna would bring. Tonight would be no different, it was present, cool, and all and all naturally beautiful.

I had walked past Rarity’s boutique. I didn’t want to speak to that worthless whore or her soon to be lesbian sister. I kept walking down the street, passing Sugar Cube Corner. The lights were off, telling me that Pinkie Pie was either not there, Possibly having a threeway with Mr and Mrs Cake (don’t ask), doing something random, or asleep. I put my gems on doing something random with Pound and Pumpkin Cake. Granted they're asleep.

Thank Luna for that. If she even saw me like this, She’d throw a party in high hopes of cheering me up. I do recall seeing a dark blue stallion leaving the bakery. He looked super happy, but I wasn’t going to pay him any mind. Now I think about Starlight did tell me that she seen him leaving the bakery in the early mornings.

After determining that I had traveled far enough away that I wouldn't hear anymore incessant bullshit, I stopped in the Ponyville park and sat under a tree. I sighed and looked to all of the fillies and colts frolicking about in the park. I stayed there watching them have fun, trying to enjoy the day, despite the fact it was getting dark. Even when parents came to take their foals home for the night, I didn’t move. I thought of all of my possibilities of escaping my dreadful life. I could just leave, it’s not like they'll care much. I could always find a better home in a cave to search for enough gems to make a hoard like a real dragon. Specifically, a dragon that isn’t suffering from all this hate and negligence, coming mostly from her.

My dreams of grandeur were interrupted by a familiar swell of continually heating air in my lungs. With a violent burp, the green flames produced a scroll into my claws that I casually opened and read.

My dearest dragon, Spike:

I am very sorry to hear about your troubles involved in finding a date my Spike. You will be happy to hear that I have acquitted the rules for you. You will be an exception and will be let in without a date, so you need not to fear coming alone. Also if you don’t wish to attend I won’t hold it against you, but if you do decide to come I hope you have a wonderful time.

Yours truly,

Princess Celestia.

My mind went blank for that one moment after reading it. “Well buck.”

Act 2: A Princess’ Concern

I sat upon the throne I once shared with my sister and let out a relaxed sigh. The power I felt every time I sat here was indescribable. It was unfortunate, however, that nopony was by my side, but I planned to change that little issue very soon. If everything went according to plan, he would surely accept my feelings, and there would be two thrones instead of one. But that is then and this is now, bureaucracy, politics, listening to the useless dribble of nobles who couldn’t find their way through a shoe, much less make one.

Speaking of useless nobles, I had to deal with some today, complaining that the taxes are too high, and how the middle and lower income families have to pay little to nothing while the wealthy lose nearly thirty percent of their bits. I sighed, wondering why I couldn’t bring myself to summon my guards to punish these foals for wasting my precious time.

I turned my head to stare at a stained glass window, which happened to be my favorite of all the art in my castle. It was a most beautiful sight, and every time I looked at it, my wings would flare up with arousal. The glass depicted my valiant student in all his glory, standing on top of a defeated and humiliated white alicorn. The bitch’s wings were missing, and only the base of her broken horn was left.

I adored how my dear knight took what his enemies treasured the most and destroyed them. To see my student rip the limbs off whoever was foolish enough to cross his path excited me to no end... Oh, listen to me, speaking like some preschool filly. We alicorns are above romance, no matter how handsome, kind, adorable and hot he is, I... I lost my train of thought.

Oh, who am I kidding?! My beloved student could drive any mare wild! There’s no way I could possibly stand out as an exception. Oh, how I love to keep him by my side.

Now that I’ve stopped ranting to consider what I’ve just said, I feel a little silly since you probably don’t even know what I’m talking about. Let’s start over so I can explain to all of you dears about how my student helped me rise to power, shall we?

Twenty years ago at the Canterlot castle’s meeting room.

I sat in the middle of a large round table with ten nobles, five on each side of the table. My thoughts were lighter back then, not so full of hate and disgust for those that would die in due time.

‘I know you can’t hear me, but I despise you so much right now, Tia. How dare you leave your little sister to take care of these... these uncouth snobs.’ See? Very light-hearted.

“And I believe that we should stick to our plan of only inviting the nobles who reside here in Canterlot to this wonderful event,” one stallion spoke. The pompous tone striking my ears worse than the others, as the stallion was none other than my conceited, spoiled nephew, Prince Blueblood. As rotten and opinionated an idiot he was, he’s still family so I couldn’t harm him, no matter how much he deserved it. Of course, the nobles all followed him, nodding to his words like dogs exprecting treats.

“And what about the element bearers?” I asked in a nonchalant tone. In response, they all looked at me with disgust.

“Your majesty, inviting the princess of friendship makes sense, but why bother with the other five?” asked one mare, with her snotty nose pointing up.

“She’s right, Aunty,” Blueblood said, not even remotely surprising me. The stallion who was unfortunately my nephew, was possibly the most arrogant pony in all the land. “I mean remember what that... that... barbarian did to my coat? I don’t think we should even bother.”

“My dear nephew...” I spoke, pretending to be calm and loving, “...are you actually refusing to invite the very ponies that saved our kingdom on numerous occasions...” My facade ended and changed to my true feeling of rage, “...simply because you had a petty feud with one of them?!” Blueblood actually nodded. The self-centered fool really thought that I, the co-ruler of Equestria, would actually deny our heroes this opportunity.

As entertaining as it would have been to embarrass my despicable nephew, I would leave such a task to Discord. Nevertheless, I believed a light punishment was in order. “Neither me nor my sister will grant your ridiculous request, Nephew,” I stated, leaning on the table and placing both my hooves together as if I was the CEO of a company. “After all, if it wasn’t for Twilight Sparkle and her friends, we wouldn’t be alive and having this ridiculous discussion.”

“But... But... But...” my pathetic nephew stuttered.

“You can whine to my sister if you wish, but our decision will stand regardless of what you say. Now this meeting is over, so if you have a problem with inviting the elements of harmony, then waste your breath by taking it up with somepony else,” I said as I walked back to my throne with two of my night guards by my side to keep the incredulous snobs from pestering me any further.

Once I made it to the throne room I shared with Tia, I sighed, feeling certain that there were better things to do than keeping a conceited brat from getting his way. Perhaps I could go out to one of those clubs I keep hearing about and dance my night away. Or maybe I could visit that sweet little colt Pipsqueak in dreams. Being his favorite princess, my presence always brought him joy.

As I continued to consider my evening plans, a dull hum suddenly resonated within my mind. It was an instinct I had specifically developed to inform me when somepony important to me was having a nightmare. Don’t get me wrong, as the protector of dreams, it is my sworn duty to assist those having nightmares. It’s simply that it’s my friends who must always hold precedence.

“I will return shortly,” I told my guards, who I watched salute me before I vanished.

Wastelands, southeast of the Equestrian border

I had always imagined it was a spectacle to see: a blue light appearing in the breeze, growing in size and power until only the brave could look into it before fading to reveal the dark blue alicorn that encompaces my current form. I looked around and saw nothing but scattered bones, canyons, and piles of sand and dust. Even though I knew I was in somepony’s dream, I couldn’t recognize the location. As I continued looking around, I could only guess this was miles away from the Equestrian borders. I’ve been invited to the dragon lands before and not even they looked this desolate.

I started to walk forward, passing skeletons and rock formations one by one, in a seemingly endless route until I took to the skies, allowing faster travel and easier sight with the rising sun in the distance. I did not find a single living soul, so I landed by one of the countless canyons and said to myself, “This place seems deserted.” However, the moment those words left my lips, my ears perked up at the sound of sniffling and I prompted to locate the source. “Is anypony there?”

The sound grew louder as I was soon led to a wall of earth with a single, but giant hole big enough to fit a fully grown dragon. “Hello?” I tried again, and this time the crying stopped. “I mean you no harm. I’m only here to help you, so please come out.” There was no response. Normally, I would have left by now, but something I couldn’t explain told me to go forward. I lit my horn to make it easier to see, and I saw just how huge the cave itself was. However, I stopped walking when I heard little footsteps and crackles of rocks.

“STAY AWAY FROM ME!” a familiar, child-like voice echoed throughout the cave. “LEAVE ME ALONE!”

“There is no need to be afraid. As the princess of the night, I’ve only come to fulfill my duty by ending this nightmare,” I stated, but I didn’t receive a response. The long silence finally broke as I heard footsteps coming from behind a pillar. Swiftly turning around, I flashed the blue light around my horn to see to my surprise that it wasn’t a pony, but a small purple dragon. The eyes of the young dragon were red and puffy, showing signs that he had been crying for quite some time.

“Young Spike?” That is indeed what the poor dear was known as all those years ago. “Why are you out here in this barren wasteland?” I had just enough time to ask this question before a flash of purple caught me at the side.

“Leave little Spike here. He belongs with me and he knows it...” a possessive voice, deep and strong had demanded. “Leave this place, and never return!” With that, my vision was suddenly obstructed and I felt myself being lifted. Claws encircled my form, holding me as if I were a small grape.

“Just what are you, demon?!” I shouted, my royal voice burst into the darkness, but was met with only silence.

“Demon...” it hummed, “...I like that very much. The dragon of the wasteland had no better name. Don’t you agree, Spike?” Naturally, I was shocked when I pieced together what was going on. This monster, no, this... abomination that held me in its claws... was Spike. It frightened me to imagine the tiny dragon eventually turning into something so vile. “Though, it pains me that after all this time, you forgot about me.”

“Princess Luna...” The young drake, apparating from the darkness, looked up towards me. His eyes were exactly the same as mine before I was banished to the moon—Filled with betrayal and sorrow.

“You’re afraid of me, aren’t you?” he chuckled. I couldn’t imagine what he could possibly find so amusing about this situation. “You want to escape, to abandon like all the others...” His voice changed to a low and angry tone. “Go away... GO AWAY AND LEAVE ME TO DIE!”

Spike swung his hand and the monolith of a dragon copied his movement, flinging me to a nearby canyon. I prepared for impact, for the shock, that would awaken me from the illusion, but it never came. Instead, I found myself lying on top of a fluffy cushion, which absorbed all the impact of the throw.

“Just go... Leave me like everypony else did. I don’t have the ability to care anymore...” His voice was full of melancholy and lies. It was more than enough to encourage me to approach him, not even flinching as a ball of flames rushed past my face.

“Spike... I could never abandon somepony in need,” I spoke truthfully, drawing closer to him.

“NO, STAY AWAY!!!” he screamed and the large dragon spewed forth a wall of flames, blocking both Spike and the cave entrance. I noticed that instead of the normal colors of orange and yellow with a bit of red or in Spike’s case, green, these flames were a dark purple. I easily recognized that these were the flames created from the darkness of nightmares, since I too used this fire when I changed into Nightmare Moon.

“You will not hurt anypony Spike,” I stated. “You could never do something so terrible,” I spoke before walking into the inferno to show how confident I was that even in a dream, the kind-hearted child couldn’t bring himself to harm me. My courage rewarded me as I felt no pain from the flames and once I had made it through the blaze, I found that the nightmarish beast guarding Spike had vanished.

He spoke, “They banished me... Mother banished me and sent me here to live the rest of my life... alone... like a dragon should...” the drake said in a heartbroken tone.

“Wait... Mother?” Since this dream appeared to grow more strange as it progressed, I was relieved to finally see some logic. It was obvious in retrospect, that Spike would see Tia as his mother, as she’s the one who raised him before giving him to Twilight. “Exactly what crime could you have committed to warrant my sister’s wrath?” I asked as he looked down in shame. I could tell he didn’t want to talk, but it was a waiting game. He needed an ear to listen and I was here to provide one.

“I... I ate three fillies and a stallion...” My eyes widened in shock. A baby dragon eating ponies wasn’t unheard of, but it was virtually impossible for me to picture Spike doing such a thing.

“Pony food and gems just weren’t enough...” he went on as fresh tears flowed from his eyes. “I even resorted to stealing vitamins and nutrient packs to make the growling stop! I couldn’t control myself... I-I was so hungry... I couldn’t stop... Everything hurt! Moving, talking, breathing, everything! Then... they came... Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Big Mac. It hurt so bad... I’m sorry! I just couldn’t control myself!”

Spike fell to his knees and lowered his head as he continued. “M-My body moved on its own... I was... I was covered in blood... S-So much blood... I-I saw the bodies of the ponies I just killed!” He looked disgusted by the whole ordeal, and his face bore more horror than anypony else I’ve seen in a very long time. Dragons were omnivores that could grow to devour everything in their path. Whether it be, gems, plants, or animals. Spike was blessed with a gift that was rare for his kind—He was capable of caring for others. And yet here he was, degrading himself as nothing more than a murderer.

“T-That’s when Fluttershy caught me and... was quick to sell me out. Ponies threw things at me, calling me a disgrace to Equestrian society as I was led down the streets the next day in chains. I tried to look to my friends for hope, but none of them wanted anything to do with me... including Twilight. Zecora and Starlight were the only ones who seemed to understand me and vouched for me. Both of them tried to explain that it was in my nature to eat meat since I was going through a phase where it was required, but nopony listened. Mother said I was far too dangerous to live among ponies... so she banished me.”

“Spike... you would never hurt anypony,” I said, my words having no effect on the dragon as a hand reached out and grabbed my form. Calmly looking up, I saw that the nightmarish beast imitating Spike had returned.

“Haven’t you been listening?!” his voice boomed through the cave. “He ate fillies and stallions alike! Do you truly stand by what you said?!” he asked.

“Yes,” I responded flatly, catching the dragon by surprise before he dropped me. I then landed once more onto the soft, cushiony ground, not taking my eyes off the dragon. “I am living proof that Spike would never hurt anypony.”

“H-How so?”

“When Spike flung me along to the canyon wall, I thought I would have woken up from the impact, but instead I was met with a cushion. Furthermore, during both instances you held me in your claws, you never once pressured me—You held me gingerly and carefully. Even the fires themselves did nothing to cause me harm. Can you still say that you are capable of such things, Spike?”

In response to my question, the hand vanished, along with the dark flames covering the cave’s entrance. Walking towards the baby dragon, it was obvious why he was having this nightmare—He feared and resented being alone and rejected and above all, it terrified him to think that he would one day lose control and hurt somepony important to him. I could sense history would definitely repeat itself if something wasn’t done. “Tell me...” I wrapped my wing around the small drake, who was no longer sobbing, “...how are your friends treating you?”

“It’s... It’s like I’m a ghost to them... Twilight forces me to clean the castle while she goes out to play or have an adventure. I work my claws to the bone for Rarity just to make her notice me.” I saw he was balling up his fists in absolute anger, but I did nothing to interrupt him. “Applejack doesn’t even want me near her farm, saying I’ll only cause her trouble. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie keep being jerks, pulling pranks on me constantly. They even laughed at me when I nearly died during my first Winter Wrap Up in Ponyville.”

“What of the shy one?” I asked. Spike looked up at me, his eyes weren’t full of sadness anymore, but of pure hatred toward those six.

“Since Fluttershy is kinder than anypony else I know, I felt as though I could talk to her about anything. Unfortunately, after she found her special somepony, he’s the only thing she likes to talk to me about. Often, the only one I can talk to is Starlight, but Twilight often drags her away for some kind of friendship lesson and such.”

“And what about my sister?”

“I’ve been sending Mother letters, asking when I could come and visit her... but she hasn’t replied to any of them.”

“And how often do you send the letters?”

“Once every two weeks...”

Two weeks?! I know that as a fellow princess Tia was a very busy mare, but any parent, ruler or not, should put aside their work to spend time with their children. The sad thing is that when I look at poor Spike, I see a younger version of myself. If nopony was going to be there for him and help him control those urges, then I’ll do it.

“I’m at the end of my rope. Each day it seems the world is against me. I wish I could just end the misery and die, pass away to where nopony will ever find me...”

“Believe me young Spike, I know how you feel since I too have walked down the path of loneliness. Therefore my dear, I shall visit you in your dreams every night from now on.”

Spike looked up at me with hopeful eyes. That look basically was asking ‘You really mean it?’, to which I nodded. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I allowed Spike to go through the same thing that happened to me. He wasn’t a monster, he was the sweetest dragon anypony could ever meet.

As I felt Spike’s tiny claws wrap around my hoof, I wondered how anypony could possibly neglect something this precious. As the little dragon continued hugging me, I felt this warm and relaxing sensation. It was something a mother would feel—The love for her child. I smiled and wrapped my hoof around his back, wanting to care for and protect him like Tia failed to do before.

I don’t know how long we hugged, and I didn’t care either. I didn’t want to let go. Eventually, Spike pulled away from my loving embrace. “Young Spike I have to go and take care of some things, but fear not. As promised, I will come by and visit you every night.” He nodded and I turned and walked to the entrance of the cave as the world of his dreams began to ripple. No more bones, just canyons and the cave. I smiled, this was a very good start.

“P-Princess?” Spike called. I turn my head to look at him.

I giggled, “Please, just call me Luna.”

“Okay... Luna,” he corrected, finding it somewhat awkward to address me without my title. “Thank you...” he finished with a smile, which I made sure to return before I waved my hoof and disappeared.

Back in Canterlot Castle

Once I returned to my throne, I took notice that my guards were absent from their post. “I must have been in there longer than I expected...” I said to myself before getting up to wander through the halls of the castle. Pondering on how to aid Spike with his urges, I figured it would help if I knew more about dragons. I was hopeful that we still had the book the dragon lord gave us, but I doubted that it would help with Spike’s loneliness.

I searched through the Canterlot library, but not a single book on dragons was in sight. Quite unfortunate that I couldn’t find any information in the royal library. I was more than a little upset and decided to take a walk through the garden to calm myself. I must have been out for a lengthy amount of time, as I saw it was already dawn. I decided I would have to ask Tia if she had anything useful. The idea was small, but logical, as my sister was bound to have at least one source to tell her about her own son.

With the moon down for the sun to shine in its place, I made my way toward the dining room to join Tia. She was having her favorite breakfast, which consisted of banana flavored pancakes and hot coffee in a mug with the words ‘I love Sunday’ written in a yellow text.

“Good morning, dear sister,” Tia said with a smile as I took my seat next to her. “I trust the meeting went well.”

“Indeed, however, I fear our nephew won’t listen to reason.”

“Just ignore him Luna,” Tia shrugged. “What he thinks or feels on the matter isn’t important. We wouldn’t want the party to end up being something boring like the Grand Galloping Gala, now would we?”

“Sister...” I began, ignoring the irrelevant statement, “...why hasn’t young Spike been around?” Tia had changed persona at this point—No longer the kind sister I was used to, but the distant and immaculate ruler known to all other ponies. She placed her fork down and looked at me with a stoic gaze and stone features. In retrospect, I was slightly afraid of her at that moment, but I held my ground.

“Luna... you know I’m very busy attending to my subjects, and with the peace treaties between ponies and dragons...” she said. “Times have grown busier with Dragon Lord Ember’s recent success to the throne.”

“I’ll go and talk to Dragon Lord Ember,” I reinsure her. I don’t know why, but she doesn’t have to carry the burden of ruling the land. We are co-rulers for a reason.

What Tia told me about that particular incident was that she, along with her guards, had stolen dragon eggs from the dragon migration for experimentation. Once the former Dragon Lord Touch found out, he declared all out war on Equestria. If it wasn’t for the friendship between an abandoned filly and a baby dragon, the battle would have brought heavy casualties to both sides.

Since Dragon Lord Ember was very close to Spike, I wondered why she hasn’t told him yet. Perhaps she didn’t want Spike to get harmed? Or maybe Tia didn’t want Spike to end his friendship with Twilight and her friends? Speaking of which, Tia also made the royal guards take a vow of silence and to never spread the word of the experiments or the loss of life between the dragons. Her vile actions still remain covered up to this day.

“Tia... do we still have the book that Dragon Lord Ember gave us?” My sister raised an eyebrow, obviously suspecting me for my sudden interest in dragons.

“Did something happen last night Luna?” I should withhold most of the truth, since I knew she’d try and deny it.

“Well, I visited young Spike’s dream last night and he seemed… very lonely. I fear history is doomed to repeat itself if we don’t act fast.”

“What do you propose?” Celestia asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

“You should spend more time with him in the waking world as I’ll be keeping him company in the dream realm.”

My sister put her hoof under her chin as she considered my suggestion. “Unfortunately Luna, with all the work with our subject, and recent treaty between Equestria and the dragons, I cannot guarantee things will work out.”

“Promise me you’ll at least try to make time for your son,” I said getting up.

“No promises dear sister, but I’ll see what I can do. I did send him a ticket.”

Ticket? I thought she sent out the tickets to the elements days ago. Pushing the thought aside, I gave Tia a nod and trotted out of the dining room. I needed to know a few things, so instead of going into my room to retire, I trotted over to my sister’s chambers on the other side of the castle.

Upon entering Tia’s room, I saw a bin of discarded letters. I shrugged them off, at the time, and went on to finding the book. Tia said that she kept it in her study. After finding the book I was looking for, I looked over at the bin again. Spike mentioned that she hasn’t responded to any of his letters, so I pick one out of the bin and my eyes widened from what I read. “So this is why I haven’t seen young Spike around.” Reading letter after letter, my heart nearly stopped. From what I read, it was not only neglect on Tia’s part, but abuse from the bearers of harmony as well.

I walked out of Tia’s room and began to read. I quickly became engrossed in the book. I never knew each dragon has a colored flame, representing a gem color, or that certain dragons can use magic, just like unicorns and alicorns. What surprised me the most was what I learned about a dragon’s diet. Apparently at the right age of one year or ten pony years, a baby dragon will begin to have urges to consume meat. The longer the dragon is deprived of meat, the more agitated they become. Eventually, they’ll begin hallucinating for about a week before entering into a state of rage.

I don’t intend to let that happen, as I already promised Spike I’ll be there for him and I intend to honor my commitment. Once I made it to my room, I took off my royal slippers and regalia in preparation for bed. Tonight, my thoughts were only of that lonely purple dragon.

Act 3: The Dance Part 1

Author's Note

The last few months have been horrible as I’ve suffered a bad depression and I almost even committed suicide. It was only because I have good people in my life that I’m still alive.

This chapter may have a few of you confused and wondering things like why is Thorax living in the Crystal Empire. Even though this is an alternate universe, back when Crisis Novastar allowed me to work on the story with him it took place in season 6. It’s going to stay that way.

Act 3: The Dance Part 1

Celestia’s sun rose from the eastern horizon, which naturally marked the beginning of a new day. The sun’s rays filtered into Twilight’s bedroom, causing the lavender alicorn to toss and turn, attempting to squeeze the last bits of sleep she could into her day. She was eventually forced awake, not from the morning light, but from the wonderful smell of homemade pancakes. Spike was downstairs cooking breakfast, like he always did.

As she trotted to the upstairs bathroom to get ready for the day, Twilight’s thoughts were on her marefriend, Trixie and she had made plans to meet her over at Sugarcube Corner for breakfast. Ordinarily, there was no way Twilight could resist her number one assistant’s work, especially his cooking. But it was either stay at home and eat Spike’s wonderful meal, or go eat with her marefriend. The lavender alicorn made her way down from their bedroom and to the front door having decided on the latter.

“Spike, I’m going out for a little while,” she announced as she opened the door with her magic. “Make sure you have this place clean when I get back.”

“Oh, come on Twilight, what about breakfast? I made your favorite: daffodil pancakes with hay strips.” The purple dragon popped his head out of the kitchen wearing a pinkish white apron with a pink heart in the middle. Twilight had to suppress a giggle, always finding it cute to see her assistant wearing this apron.

“I’m sorry Spike but I’ve already made plans to go eat at Sugarcube Corner,” she responded. Of course Spike knew better than to take her apology seriously. “Just remember your chores, okay?” Without waiting for the dragon to protest, Twilight shut the door, once again leaving Spike by himself.

‘It’s bad enough that Mother keeps ignoring my letters. Now Twilight has grown inconsiderate to the point that she blows off the breakfast I made for the first time?! Oh how satisfying it would be to take every single book in this damn place and burn it to ashes!’ The tiny dragon was saved from going off the deep end when Starlight came in with a growling stomach.

“Good morning Spike. These look delicious.” She fixed herself a plate and began eating the freshly baked flapjacks.

Spike smiled, grateful that at least somepony appreciated his effort. Life around the castle wasn’t completely miserable since the little dragon had Starlight to talk to; She was one of the few ponies who actually noticed him. Unfortunately the attention Starlight gave him wasn’t enough to ease the pain and anger he felt from the others treating him like he was invisible.

First Twilight wanted him gone during one of her all day study sessions or one of her mare only sleepovers. At times, she’d blow him off by having to go somewhere, or do something fun with her friends while he stayed in the castle to clean up after her.

Applejack told Spike that he was too weak to buck any apples and wanted him off her farm, since he might set the orchard on fire if Celestia contacts him. In addition, he’s lost count how many times she reminded him that he wasn’t really helpful when he was honoring his dragon code.

Pinkie on the other claw would’ve gladly accepted Spike’s help babysitting the twins. And Spike would’ve taken the job if only Mr. and Mrs. Cake didn’t keep looking at him like he would end up eating their foals.

Rainbow Dash, being the obnoxious and egotistical pegasus that she was, just laughed at Spike for being a wimpy dragon who couldn’t fly. And even though he was awesome in Rainbow’s eyes, he wasn’t cool enough to hang out with the so-called ‘best flyer in Equestria.’

Rarity exploited Spike’s affection toward her for her own needs, like carrying her shopping bags or accompanying her on a gem hunt. After they had finished hunting, she often gave Spike a single gem for all of his hard labor. He hasn’t forgotten about that tiny gem she paid him with to watch her cat Opalescence. Spike used to think that Rarity was the one for him, but he’s long since woken up and realized she was only using his crush to make things easier for herself.

Then there was Fluttershy, the kindest and most gentle pony he knows. Whenever he was at her house, she would make him tea, listen to his stories about him being alone, as well as the nightmares he’s been having. She tried to convince him that no one would abandon him, but Spike knew that deep down inside, Fluttershy had a deep seeded fear of adult dragons. Inevitably, he’d grow up to be one, or at least an adolescent dragon when Fluttershy passes on. What’s more is that ever since she started dated Thunderlane, he’s practically all she ever talks about.

Besides Starlight, it seemed that the only ponies who would hang out with Spike were the Cutie Mark Crusaders: Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle and sometimes Babs Seed whenever she came to town. However, the mischief from the fillies has slowed down since they all got their cutie marks during an incident with Diamond Tiara and her rotten mother.

The purple drake sighed once more before getting to work on the dishes. ‘Another day of cleaning in this forsaken castle... for the umpteenth time!’

Often Spike couldn’t help but wonder what was keeping him from moving to the Crystal Empire. After all, the crystal ponies all look up to him and view him as a hero, there’s even a statue to prove it. Plus, Thorax is living over there now, having been accepted as a civilian after Spike stood up for him. Sunburst has also become very fond of the purple dragon after he helped him and Starlight set apart their differences and become friends again.

After five hours of reorganizing, dusting, wiping, sweeping, and mopping, Spike had finally finished his chores and laid on the couch, exhausted from all of the work. The little dragon shut his eyes, trying to allow the comforting embrace of sleep to take hold of him. However, his slumber was quickly interrupted as he heard the door slam open.

Spike groaned before he turned to see his slave-driver come in, followed closely by her sky blue unicorn marefriend. Because of her friendship with Starlight, Spike didn’t hate Trixie as much as he used to. However at the same time, he still hasn’t completely forgiven her for what she did to him during Twilight’s banishment.

‘Just my luck. It’s bad enough that Twilight blows me off, but now she... she brought in that arrogant boasting bitch of a unicorn into the castle.’

“Spike,” Twilight called out to him. Putting on a calm expression to mask his ire like he always did, Spike looked up from the couch to see a cheerful Twilight standing in front of him and a very nervous Trixie looking from left to right. “Spike, as you know Trixie and I have been dating for a while so... I decided to let her stay here in the castle.”

“I’m sure we’ll be the best of friends little dragon- I mean Spike,” Trixie smiled, but Spike didn’t return the smile as he looked at the blue unicorn. He didn’t know whether to be happy for Twilight, or miserable since he officially had another mouth to feed. He didn’t mind cooking for Starlight since she often offered to help as well as compliment his dishes, but Trixie was a different story.

“I’m going out,” he deadpanned. He wasn’t going to wait for things to become even more awkward than they already were.

“Oh... um okay... have fun Spike,” Twilight said waving a hoof as he shut the door. However, the moment Spike was out of their range of hearing, Trixie made a bold move by pouncing on top of Twilight, sending her to the ground. Blushing, the two mares closed their eyes and kissed so the passion of each other’s company could take over.

Both their hearts were beating faster, all they could think about was each other. Their taste, their smell, the very sights and sounds their bodies made as they rubbed against each other. Twilight was happy to find a special pony to share her life with.

“Are you thinking what Trixie is thinking Sparkle?” she asked in a lustful tone. She then licked the tip of Twilight’s horn, which naturally got her lover to moan.

“H-Hold on...” Twilight’s horn glowed, making not one, but two soundproof barriers: one around the castle so nopony who walked past could hear, and another in her bedroom, just in case Spike decided to come back.

“I’m ready, my sexy mare,” Twilight replied excitedly, thinking about what she’s going to do this with the mare she had fallen for. Right on the floor, then and there. Knowing the castle doors were still unlocked only heightened their excitement—They couldn’t care less if someone came in and caught them like this.

Twilight moaned and arched her body as Trixie pressed her soft lips to her fur and moved lower and lower. When Trixie reached her target between Twilight legs, possibly all of Ponyville would have heard the mare’s cries of pleasure if not for the soundproof barriers.

In the meantime, Celestia’s sun was still high in the sky and the ponies were out and about, buying whatever they needed. Spike tried to at least appear in a positive mood by waving at the ponies he passed by with a smile.

‘Of all the crazy things that could have happened, Twilight has to be dating Trixie. Twilight is dating the pony who banished her from town. SHE’S DATING THE SAME PONY WHO USED ME AS A DAMN BASKETBALL AND BUCKING BANISHED HER!’Spike screamed in his head. Though he had to remember Trixie is the first friend Starlight managed to make on her own.

It wasn’t that much of a shock to know Trixie was moving in. In fact, knowing he didn’t have much of a say in this, Spike knew that in time he would lose the energy to care.

As he made his way down the street, an all too familiar white unicorn spotted him. “Oh! Spike darling,” Rarity called out with seven bags in her magical grip, making him twitch.

‘Oh, great... It’s as if this day just loves to bend me over and buck me. Why don’t you bother somepony else, you high-class wannabe slut?!’

“I was looking everywhere for you!”

Spike clenched his claws, he hated it when these mares told him such obvious lies. ‘No you weren’t. You just needed a certain, plucky dragon to carry your bucking bags, you ungrateful whore.’

“I could really use some help with my shopping,” she said, levitating six of her bags over to him. Grabbing them, Spike felt ashamed that he wasn’t even trying to stand up for himself. He didn’t want to help a pony that didn’t share his feelings, let alone used his crush to make him do whatever she wanted. But that’s who he was, a helpful little dragon who was so easily taken advantage of.

The pair spent the next three hours going from shop to shop around Ponyville and buying material things that only high class ponies would be interested in. Walking back to the boutique, Rarity held three bags with her magical grip while Spike held enough bags to block his line of sight.

With his arms sore and threatening to give out in just a few seconds, the moment Spike had walked into the shop, he dropped the bags near Rarity’s couch and tried to make a run for it. Sadly, Rarity noticed him leaving and lifted him up with her magic just like Twilight often did. Quite frankly, it was just another thing on the long list of things Spike hated.

“Now where do you think you’re going?” she demanded, practically scolding the dragon that was still trapped in her magic. “I’ll have you know darling that you never picked up the suit I made for you.”

Spike blinked a few times, having completely forgotten about the dance. He sighed in defeat, knowing full well that she wouldn’t let him leave without the suit.

“Alright then, where is it?” Spike asked, not wanting to go to the dance that he considered a complete waste of time. Rarity set the purple dragon on the floor and trotted upstairs to fetch it. She came back downstairs with a shining suit that matched his color scheme. Spike put on the suit and walked to the three way mirror in the shop. He had to admit the suit looked good.

“It’s a perfect fit Rarity,” he said, giving her a soft smile.

“Spike, I should have asked earlier, but I’ve noticed you’ve been avoiding me lately. Why is that?” the white unicorn asked with concern in her voice. Spike’s smile instantly dropped at the question, as he got yet another reminder of how ignorant his former crush was. It was almost enough to make him rip the suit off and burn it in front of her.

‘Because I don’t have feelings for you anymore... or better yet, because I was stuck in the castle while you and your friends were out playing in the sun. NOW LET ME LEAVE!’ Yet of course, Spike contained his anger and calmly replied, “Because I’m not going to the dance...”

“You mean you couldn’t find a date?” Rarity gasped.

‘Duh you dumb bitch! Nopony in Equestria would want to go out with a monster like me.’ Spike angrily thought as he shook his head.

“I’m really sorry to hear that Spike. I would’ve asked, but I already found a date.”

‘Of course you did.’ Again she lied to him, she already made it clear she had no intentions of being his date even while she was still available. She cared too much about the opinions of the snobbish nobles who would attend the dance. Sure Rarity has become quite famous with her new boutiques, but that was beside the point.

Spike took off his suit and folded it neatly before tucking it under his arm. “Thanks again...” he said as he sadly waddled over to the door. Rarity called out to him, but Spike ignored her as he shut the door and walked back to the castle.

‘Mother won’t reply to my letters, Twilight and the rest of my sorry excuses for friends keep avoiding me. Rainbow Dash keeps being a bitch, and Rarity just uses me.’

Spike was bottling up his emotions—He knew if he let his inner dragon take control and called all of them out for their inconsideration, the nightmares that he revealed to Princess Luna would come true. Allowing that to happen scared him more than anything. He just hoped that Luna would continue visiting him to fill the void in his heart.

Luna’s company for the past week had brightened his mood in some way. He remembered how she told him that she would make sure he would never feel lonely while he was in her presence.

Spike arrived back at the castle and called out to Twilight as he walked upstairs. Rather than a reply, he picked up a musky scent that led him to Twilight’s room. In addition to the smell filling the air, as Spike entered the room, he noticed a wet stain in her bed. Honestly, Spike didn’t want to know what happened. As far as he was concerned, it was another mess he’d be forced to clean up later.

Going back downstairs, Spike was just about to lay down on the couch, but noticed a scroll was there and began to read it.

Dear Spike

Trixie and I will be studying in the lab for a while, so I would appreciate it if you stay out. I’ve also created a soundproof barrier around the castle just in case if things get too loud up here.

Sincerely yours, Twilight.

PS: I hope you won’t don’t be too mad, but Trixie accidentally destroyed your room when we were practicing a new spell so you’ll have to sleep in the basement. Though, I would appreciate it if you would be a nice dragon and clean up the mess.

Spike’s eye started twitching, as he couldn’t believe what he was reading. Rolling the scroll up and setting the folded suit on the couch, he went over to get a mop and bucket from the closet and began cleaning all over again.

Celestia’s sun was setting over the horizon, making way for Luna’s moon and stars. Spike was in the kitchen fixing a salad for himself, Twilight, and Trixie. The door in Twilight’s bedroom opened as two sets of hooves made their way downstairs to the now clean castle.

Walking side by side, Twilight and Trixie’s faces shined in the recent event the partook in Spike’s absence. The two mares entered the kitchen where they found Spike chopping lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and mincing garlic. Naturally, he was wearing his typical pink apron. Both mares agreed that Spike looked cute wearing that apron, but they stopped giggling when the dragon glared at them sharply.

“I take it you had fun?” he asked while forcing his glare to go away. Blushing, both mares nodded and the small dragon went back to work.

The two talked about some formula for a new spell that Twilight has been practicing on, and much to both Twilight and Spike’s surprise, Trixie managed to give a thorough explanation on its effect on the pony’s body and mind. She also boasted about how she once even used the spell on herself.

One dinner was over, the two went into the main room and ‘studied’ the effects of magical alteration. Spike on the other claw, bid the mares goodnight and was about to head downstairs when a voice stopped him.

“Hey Spike,” he heard Starlight call him.

“Yeah Star?”

“How would you like to bring your basket up into my room? I’d hate for you to have to sleep alone in the basement, especially with those two voices echoing throughout the castle.”

Spike smiled and nodded, seeing someone in this castle was looking out for him. As she helped Spike grab his basket from the basement, Starlight couldn’t help wondering what Twilight was thinking, telling Spike to sleep down here, as well as what she did to destroy the little dragon’s room.

After Spike got comfortable in his basket, he turned to Starlight sleeping in her bed beside him. This was much better, especially since he was sharing a room with someone who cared about him. Feeling his eyes grow heavy, Spike fell asleep not having to worry about someone waking him up this time.

Canterlot Gardens

With his imagination in control of where his dreams would take him, Spike found himself sitting by the fountain in the castle gardens. He spent the passing minutes looking up at the thousands of stars in the sky as he waited for the one who made the sincere promise to visit him every night in his sleep.

Just then Spike remembered that since this was a dream, he could make just about anything happen. Getting creative, he pointed up to the stars and began to draw, going from one star to another. Spike smiled as he completed his picture, a childlike drawing of himself with Luna, Thorax, Ember and Starlight.

“Having fun there I see?” asked a familiar voice that caused Spike to fall into the water. When he resurfaced, he saw the ruler of the realm of sleep giggling at him for being so clumsy.

“Not funny Luna...” he grumbled with his face turning red.

“Please forgive me,” she said, calming down and offering her hoof. Spike couldn’t stay mad at her, and with a smile he allowed Luna to pull him out of the water. It wasn’t nearly as bad as the ice water he fell into during the Winter Wrap Up. Sitting down on the ledge, Spike smiled as Luna created a towel and dried him off—The goddess was always treating him with care.

“So how have you been faring young Spike?” Luna asked as she finished drying him off.

“Honestly, not too well,” Spike replied, looking up at the blue alicorn. “Twilight has blown me off at breakfast to have it with Trixie, who she’s dating now. Rarity used me again for some shopping nonsense. And I had to clean the castle twice today.”

When Spike finished telling the princess what had happened, Luna’s smile had turned into a frown and her eye was twitching. It would be an understatement to say that she was angry about Spike being used as a slave. He’s smart, well-mannered, funny, slightly sarcastic, but overall, a living breathing creature, just like the rest of them.

However what really infuriated her, was Twilight and Rarity’s behavior. Twilight, the proud student of her sister, just denied Spike, her best and first real friend, her company to spend time together just so she could make love to her special somepony. And of course when they were done, they had Spike clean up their mess. And Rarity, the mare who’s supposed to represent generosity, dishonored her element by constantly playing with the young dragon’s emotions.

Luna tried her best to keep calm; as much as she wanted to leave the dream to chew out both mares, she promised Spike that she would visit his dreams to keep him company and insure he won’t follow the same path she took a thousand years ago.

For what seems like hours, the two of them sat on the ledge. Neither of them said nothing, they just sat and enjoyed each other’s company.

“Spike,” Luna called out, breaking the long silence “I wanted to ask, who is accompanying you to the dance tomorrow?

Spike turned his gaze to the ground. “Nopony in Ponyville wants to go with me,” He answered in a sad tone.

“Don’t let that get to you,” Luna said motherly as she gently placed her wing around Spike. “You are possibly the sweetest dragon there ever is. Don’t ever forget that.”

Spike could only nod at the moon goddess’ loving words. “Okay...”

Luna smiled. “Now, would you feel better if I accompany you to the dance?” Luna could’ve had sworn she saw Spike’s eyes glimmer at the offer. A dragon going to a dance with a princess was unheard of, but it didn’t matter. Spike’s facial expression saying it all: YES! OH IN THE GOOD MERCIFUL GRACE FROM THE STARS ABOVE, YES!

“Um... Sure, if you want to. I mean...” Spike replied, barely having the courage to look at his feet as Luna giggled. Her sweet voice melted his heart as she stood up and unfurled her wings.

“Splendid. A carriage will arrive to pick you and your friends up from the castle. Oh, and Spike?” Spike turned and looked as Luna prepared to depart. “I’ll be waiting for you in the garden.” She winked at the baby dragon, who in return gave another small blush. However, when Luna trotted over and suddenly planted a kiss on his cheek, Spike became as red as a tomato. All the flustered dragon could do was wave slowly as his date disappeared with a flash.

Back in the Starlight’s bedroom

Spike awoke in his basket with the room completely silent, but something told him that the two lovebirds were finished with whatever they were doing. He place his claw on the cheek Luna kissed and asked himself, “Am I in love with Princess Luna?”

Hopping out of bed, he knew he would have to think about such things later. However when he came into the kitchen to cook breakfast, he got quite a surprise when he found Trixie doing it for him.

“Um Trixie... you can cook?”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie has learned many things in her travels. Cooking is indeed one of them,” Trixie boasted as Spike took in the aroma that to his surprise, smelled really really good. “And I want to apologise for what I did to you when I came back to Ponyville.”

“Hey, water under the bridge. I can understand it was that amulet’s fault, not yours,” Spike said as he took a seat in one of the chairs. “Besides, if Twilight and Fluttershy can forgive you, so can I.”

“Anyway, when did you two start dating?” Starlight asked, no longer able to maintain her curiosity. She wasn’t going to suddenly turn judgemental and deem it weird for her teacher to be going out with her best friend.

“Well actually, it was after we met at one of Fluttershy date lines a few weeks ago. Though we decided it would be wise to take things slowly.”

Starlight raised an eyebrow. Since they were friends and kept in touch often, the light purple unicorn wondered why she didn’t know about this. Could it be a surprise? Or maybe another friendship lesson in accepting others? “Alright? But what kind of magic did you two use to destroy Spike’s bedroom?”

“Oh, um... Me and Twilight were practicing an interdimensional spell, and we accidentally summoned a chimera... It went on a rampage and ended up in Spike’s room. Long story short, it ended badly.”

Understanding this both the unicorn, and dragon nodded. “Alright.”

“And uh... we may have accidentally... destroyed your comics while trapping the demon...” Trixie smiled sheepishly. “Anyway... Spike?” Trixie began to ask as Spike settled down at the table trying to process what he heard. “What are Twilight’s favorite things to eat?”

“Excuse me!?”

Act 4: The Dance Part 2

Act 4 The Dance Part 2

“Excuse me?!”

The purple dragon stared at Trixie in disbelief and anger. If it wasn’t enough pain to learn that the first edition comic book collection he took so much pride in had been ripped to shreds, this arrogant showmare was already trying to replace him.

“I asked what are Twilight’s favorite things to eat?” she repeated.

Starlight turned to Spike with a worried expression. She didn’t know much about dragons, but she was aware that when somepony messed with a dragon’s belongings, they tend to lose their life.

Starlight could only wonder what was going through the dragon’s mind. She reluctantly spoke for Spike, since his mind was still proceeding the question.

“Daffodil pancakes with hay bacon strips, with a cup of coffee and a tablespoon of milk.” Spike didn’t say anything, but he nodded to confirm her claim.

Trixie was so excited that she was unable to notice Spike’s disappointment or his hateful glare. That was her favorite thing to eat as well, next to the blend of cereal magic treats of course. The showmare used her magic to levitate the ingredients she needed to make Twilight’s breakfast.

Spike turned and walked to the living room, only to see it was already clean. Turning to look at the clock, he saw that it was a quarter to seven and Twilight should be waking up soon. With nothing else to do, the purple dragon climbed onto the sofa and curled up into a ball.

‘It’s like I’m living through the Owlowiscious thing all over again. If I ran away again... will Twi and the others care... Oh, who the buck am I kidding?! They wouldn’t care if there was one less... monster around.’The poor dragon yawned as a single tear fell from his cheek, before he let Luna’s magical embrace take him off to the land of dreams.

Starlight felt quite guilty since she was the one who told Trixie what Twilight’s favorite food was. The light purple unicorn trotted up to Spike and wiped the tear from her sleeping friend’s cheek before she walked out of the castle for some fresh air. She would have to make things up to Spike.

Fifteen minutes passed and Twilight once again awoke, compliments of the rays of Celestia’s sun and the smell of her favorite breakfast meal. The lavender mare trotted to the bathroom, brushed her mane and tail until it was nice and straight, then walked down from the bedroom.

She saw the castle was clean, and knew that Spike was responsible. Looking at her young, but hardworking assistant who was deep in slumberland on the couch, she quietly walked away so as not to wake him up.

Twilight wondered who was cooking if Spike was in here sleeping. She knew Starlight worked hard as a student, but cooking wasn’t really her thing. She walked into the kitchen to find that it was Trixie cooking her favorite: daffodil pancakes with hay bacon strips. Twilight smiled at this, but also frowned. Spike had made her the same thing for her yesterday, but she blew him off. She felt in order to make it up to the little guy, she should give him the entire day off.

Trixie turned around to face her marefriend, who was already sitting on the chair. After that little ‘study session’ last night, it was nice to know that Twilight got a good night’s sleep. “How are you feeling this morning, Twilight?” she asked, coming over to the table with a stack of pancakes on one plate and hay bacon strips on the other.

“To be honest Trixie, I had the strangest dream: I, along with Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Starlight, and Princess Celestia were all standing around a grave. We were all crying, even Princess Celestia. In fact, she was crying harder than the rest of us. I couldn’t read the headstone but it felt like... somepony I would really miss.” As Twilight finished, Trixie placed her plate down and thought deeply about what her marefriend said.

“If I may ask, was there somepony missing in your dream?” Trixie asked while levitating a fork and knife and cutting a bite out of her pancake.

“It’s actually kind of scary, because when I think about... Spike wasn’t anywhere to be found.” Twilight looked back to the main room, showing some concern for her assistant. For a second, she actually considered that she might be working him too hard, but since Spike never seemed to complain about it, she shrugged it off. Right now, she was focused on getting ready for the dance.

Just then, a loud burp followed by an emerald green flash of light, caused both mares to jump and run to the living room. It was amazing really—Spike was still asleep on the couch, even after burping out a scroll, which was now lying on the floor. Picking it up with her magic and taking off the royal seal, Twilight opened the scroll and began to read it out loud.

To my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

My sister has informed me that she made arrangements to pick you, your friends, and their dates up for the dance tonight. The carriages will arrive at 4 PM in order to bring you to my castle. Oh, and one more thing: Nopony will be able to get on without a date. Spike is the only exception to this. I hope to see you soon along with your date.

Sincerely, Princess Celestia.

Twilight and Trixie both stared at the letter then back at Spike, who showed no signs of waking up any time soon. Why was he the only exception to this rule? Did he find a date yet? If so, was she already in Canterlot? Either way, their questions would be answered at the dance.

Twilight’s horn glowed as it encased the purple dragon in its light purple aura, lifting him from his spot and placing him on her back. Luckily she managed to do so without waking him.

“Once he wakes up, we’ll ask him,” she told Trixie, who nodded and followed the alicorn to the door. Their first stop was Rarity’s boutique.

Inside Carousel Boutique.

“You’re kidding? You think Spikey-Wikey found himself a date, and she’s in Canterlot?” Rarity asked in shock after reading the letter. She passed it onto the others, who were here to find out if their dresses were finished. However, that didn’t seem so important anymore as all their eyes stared at the dragon who was sleeping on Rarity’s sofa.

“Ah reckon so. It does say he can get in without a date,” Applejack replied with a shrug.

“Oh, come on girls. What makes Spike so special that he can get in the dance without a date anyway? I mean really, even Apple Bloom found a date,” huffed Rainbow, unable to process and figure out why Princess Celestia was suddenly bending the rules.

“Oh! Oh! Maybe it’s because he saved the Crystal Empire, and helped everypony in town,” Pinkie interjected, but she didn’t quiet down yet. “Oh! And it wasn’t for Spike, Twilight would’ve skipped town when Discord corrupted us.”

“She... She’s got a point there, Rainbow Dash... Spike has helped us with a lot of stuff. Why if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be able to find date myself...” Fluttershy meekly said. What she said was true—Spike had helped the shy mare out of her anti-social shell and encouraged her to ask out the stallion she had fallen for.

The mares all turned to look at the dragon, who had just woken up from his slumber and was rubbing his eyes. He had no idea what was happening, but he braced himself in case impending doom was just seconds away.

“So...” Twilight began, “...who is she?”

“Or he?” Rainbow asked with a tone dripping with mischief, which of course, earned her a glare from everyone in the room. “What? It’s not like it’s common for a mare to like stallions anyway.” This earned her a growl from Starlight and a hurt expression from Fluttershy.

“Oh hush, Rainbow Dash! Not everypony in town is a filly fidder like you,” Rarity scolded the cyan mare. “Ignore her Spikey-wikey. Rainbow is just mad because most stallions wouldn’t even think about talking to her... let alone ask her out.”

“Hey!” Rainbow said defensively.

“Anyway, who is she dear?” asked the white mare.

“Who?”

“Your date to the dance of course,” Starlight asked, smiling and playfully nudged Spike’s shoulder.

“Yeah Spike! Who is this mare that asked you out?! Who is it?!” Pinkie asked, excitedly bouncing around the young dragon as if her life depended on his answer.

Spike rolled his eyes before letting out a yawn. It wouldn’t take a genius to realize that these mares wouldn’t stop bugging him until they get an answer. “I probably shouldn’t answer since it’s none of your business, but it’s Princess Luna.”

This answer was quite a shock for the eight mares. Rarity, Trixie, and Twilight’s eyes looked like they would actually pop right out of their heads, while Applejack, Rainbow, Starlight, Fluttershy, and surprisingly Pinkie, were at a loss for words.

Applejack was the first one to break the awkward silence. “H-How’d she ask ya, when y’all were aslee-” The orange mare stopped talking when she remembered that Princess Luna is the ruler of night and sleep and can enter dreams.

“So you’re telling me that Princess Luna came into your dream, and asked you out?” Rainbow asked, hovering in the air.

“Yeah. Is there something wrong with that?” the dragon asked, looking into Rainbow’s eyes as if daring her to insult him like she did on a daily basis.

“No,” the mares said in unison. Unable to handle how awkward the mood was, the girls tried to lighten things up by chatting with one another about what they planned to do at the party. The conversation lasted until Rarity came out with the dresses, and each one was made to fit its owner.

Rainbow’s was something like her gala dress—Sky blue with white patches that looked like clouds with a rainbow connecting it all.

Pinkie’s dress was of pink and brown sugary colors, with white shining glitter for the sugary effect.

Applejack’s was a lime green country style dress pants, with an orange top that matched her saton.

Fluttershy’s was yellow with pink leaves at the mid section, and below that was brown as a tree.

Starlight declined Rarity’s offer of a new dress, as she was going to wear the same dress that was made for her after she was accepted into the group—A beautiful dark purple dress with diamonds decorating the end.

Twilight’s was an orange and purple dress, designed with stars that made up the Big Dipper.

Lastly, Trixie’s dress was sky blue with two wands at either side. They matched her cutie mark and each one shone with glitter.

While the mares admired each other’s dresses, Spike had his thoughts focused on his date with Luna. A dragon going out with the princess of the night? It was completely unheard of.

‘I wonder what she’ll be wearing?’Spike asked himself, and began to imagine the beautiful alicorn wearing a dress that would show the planets, stars, and moon. His thoughts, however, were cut off as a purple glow encased his body, lifting him up and placing him on Twilight’s back.

‘I think I’m beginning to hate when she does that!’ he angrily thought to himself.

The eight mares, with Spike in tow, trotted to the spa and began their ‘beautification’. Even so, they didn’t stop their conversation.

“So you’ve been having these weird dreams lately too?” Rainbow Dash asked as she entered the hot tub with Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Meanwhile, Twilight, Trixie, Starlight, Fluttershy, and Rarity were getting their hooves filed, which gave Rainbow all the more reason to stay where she was.

“It’s creepy. All of us crying by the grave of a pony we don’t know?” replied a happy Pinkie. “I mean, I would love to throw him or her a party.”

“If I may interject, did anypony notice that somepony was missing in your dreams?” Trixie asked while getting her hooves filed.

“Funny ya bring that up. Ah did feel like there was somepony wasn’t around. Ah jus can’t put mah hoof on it...” Applejack grumbled, trying to get an answer.

“What was the dream about?” Starlight asked. “I mean, why were you all crying?”

“We were all attending a stormy funeral in Canterlot,” Twilight began. “Along with the princesses, we were standing in front of a gravestone, and we didn’t even know who it belonged to. Still, it felt like somepony very important to me and Princess Celestia had died. After the funeral, we decided to stay behind while the other attendants went home.” Twilight looked down in shame. “Celestia then dismissed me. She said... she didn’t want any of us to ever come back to Canterlot.”

“Do you think Princess Celestia must have been mad at you all for something?” questioned the showmare.

“Maybe... I only wish I knew what...” Twilight closed her eyes, and considered what would cause the princess who she admired more than anyone else to be so angry with her and her friends.

“Hey, didn’t anypony notice that Spikey-wikey was missing?” Rarity spoke.

“Yeah, I don’t remember seeing him,” Rainbow confirmed.

“M-Maybe that was Spike’s grave we were all at...” Fluttershy spoke softly. “In my dream he went missing. You don’t think...?”

They all looked at Spike with worried faces as he was getting his scales polished.

After spending the next two hours at the spa, the eight mares, plus Spike went back to the boutique to pick up their dresses and went on their merry way. Spike was well-rested, had his claws trimmed, his scales polished, and was ready to go. The moment he opened his mouth to say something, his stomach began to growl, wanting food.

The mares giggled at how a baby dragon’s stomach could be so loud. Making their way to Sugarcube Corner for a little snack, Twilight ordered up three cases of cupcakes, which Spike ate all but three of them. It wasn’t enough, unfortunately, and when the group of four walked back to the castle, Spike’s stomach growled even louder than before.

“Didn’t we just see you gobble down three boxes of cupcakes?” Twilight asked, raising her eyebrow at her flustered assistant.

Starlight was growing concerned for the little dragon, and wondered if growing up meant he required more food. She had heard that dragons can eat almost anything, but meat was their primary diet, save for gems.

“Maybe it’s a biological thing for dragons.” Spike wasn’t sure, but his protesting stomach convinced him that he needed something other than cupcakes. Once they returned to the castle, Starlight brought Spike a bowl of gems. Once he was done, it seemed like his stomach was finally satisfied, at least for the moment.

For the next three hours, the four did everything to make sure they were ready for when it was time to go. The door knocked and Spike opened the door to see Apple Bloom, who was wearing a lime green dress that Granny Smith wore when she was a filly, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and a dark blue silver maned unicorn stallion with a open safety pin cutie mark named Pokey Pierce, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, who was wearing a dress that match her coat and mane, Fluttershy, and Thunderlane were there as well.

Spike stepped to the side to let the ponies in as Twilight, Trixie and Starlight all came down wearing their dresses. Pokey and Thunderlane talked about how their dates looked in their dresses, but in the end, they came to an agreement, complimenting how beautiful the mares looked and earning a kiss on the cheek.

The door to the castle knocked for a second time and Twilight opened the door to see one of the royal guards standing there accompanied by Sunburst, the caretaker of the Crystal Empire’s newborn alicorn princess, Flurry Heart. Starlight ran towards her date and foalhood friend, wrapping him in a warm hug. Since nopony could go without a date, the crystaller had no choice but to accompany her on the carriage ride.

“Sunburst!” Starlight nearly screamed, but refused to let go. “How was the ride from the empire? I trust sweet little Flurry Heart isn’t giving you too much trouble, right?”

The orange stallion adjusted his glasses with a smile. “She’s doing well Starlight. And her magic is improving with flying colors too. Of course, I need a breather every once in a while, and Flurry’s grand-ponies were more than happy to watch her in my place for the evening.” Sunburst explained, somewhat glad to get out of the castle.

Things were starting to get a little awkward however, as Starlight was hugging her date longer than he expected. “Um... mind letting go?” he finally asked.

“Oh, sorry!” Starlight blushed then rubbed a hoof behind her head.

“Good day Princess Twilight,” the earth pony guard said with a bow. “By order of Princess Celestia, we’re here to escort you all to the Canterlot castle.” The guard stepped to the side, allowing the ruler of friendship to spot four carriages each being pulled by a set of guards. Twilight and the others walked out the door to the carriages with their dates in tow, but one of the guards grabbed Rarity by the hem of her dress.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but the princess made specific orders not to let anypony on without a date.” Rarity looked left and right, and felt stupid for just remembering that her date was waiting in Canterlot.

‘I should make her stay. She honestly deserves it for treating my feelings like something for her to play with...’ Spike thought to himself, but his kind heart wouldn’t let him do so. “She’s my date.”

The guard raised an eyebrow, since he was told the small purple dragon would probably be coming alone. Then again, he acknowledged it was possible that Spike could have gotten himself a date at the last minute. Shrugging it off, the guard allowed them into the lead carriage along with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. Twilight ,Trixie, Thunderlane, and Fluttershy shared the next carriage, while Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Pokey as well as Sunburst and Starlight all had a carriage of their own.

Other than the outburst of laughter coming from Pinkie and Pokey in the back carriage, the ride itself was a quiet one. Spike placed his claw on his cheek, watching the passing scenery until Apple Bloom got his attention.

“So Spike, ya finally showed some backbone and asked Rarity to the dance?” she asked, creating an obvious blush on Rarity’s pure white coat.

“No, I didn’t ask,” he confessed, and both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle tilt their heads in comical fashion.

”So you’re not going to the dance with my sister?” the latter asked, looking at Rarity, then back at the bored dragon. “If you didn’t ask her, then why are you going?

“Because Sweetie Belle,” Rarity interjected, “Spike is the only exception.” But Sweetie Belle wasn’t satisfied.

“What makes him so special?” the white filly asked.

“Back then, I couldn’t find a date so I had sent a letter to the princess saying I wouldn’t be attending,” Spike answered with a sigh.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked at each other ashamed. “We’re sorry Spike...”

“Just forget it...” he said looking away. “Just out of curiosity, why didn’t you go with that colt you met at dance class? Or with Button Mash for that matter?” This made Rarity curious as well. It was strange that Sweetie Belle wasn’t going with that colt from her class—The two seemed inseparable when he wasn’t in the middle of a game.

“Well, Tender Taps is doing a show in Vanhoover...” Apple Bloom started.

“And Button Mash was grounded for staying up past curfew to play that new game of his...” Sweetie added, pouting.

Within an hour, the carriages reached Canterlot just as the sun was beginning to set so the moon could take its place, thus indicating that Luna was awake. Spike smiled when he saw the moon, grew so excited that he almost wanted to dive out of the carriage and run to the castle. Ponies of all races and colors were either on their way to the castle or closing up shop.

As they reached the castle gates, one of the night guards trotted to each carriage, taking the tickets from each pony and dragon. Now that they had permission to proceed, the carriages entered the courtyard, where Spike and the rest of the gang exited their ride and entered the castle. All but Rarity, who stood at the entrance, waiting for her date. Turns out it was Fancy Pants, which Spike found curious, as the last time he checked, Fancy was dating Fleur dis Lee.

After Rarity assured her friends that she would catch up, the gang entered the grand ballroom and Twilight’s eyes widened when she spotted her brother and sister-in-law.

“Shining Armor! Cadance!” she called out, earning their attention.

“Twily!” the white stallion replied as he and Cadance ran up to her. The moment they were face-to-face, Twilight and Cadance performed the sunshine greeting dance.

“So who’s the lucky stallion?” Shining asked.

“Oh, it’s no stallion.” On que, Trixie came out of the sea of ponies and gave her marefriend a quick peck on the cheek. Cadance giggled as Shining’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t believe his sister was a filly fiddler. It was a shock to him, but got a hold of himself. There just happened to be plenty of colt cuddlers in the guard. In fact, he used to experiment before he met Cadance.

“It’s such an honor to meet the prince and princess of the Crystal Empire,” Trixie said with a bow.

“It’s nice to meet you... Um... Trixie, was it?” Cadance asked, then looked around. “By the way, where’s Spike? I was told he would be here,” she asked before she reached out to close her husband’s jaw. With that little distraction out of the way, Shining began to look around as well.

“He shouldn’t be far,” Twilight said just before the lights dimmed. Everypony turned to the door with awe as their adored and esteemed ruler, Princess Celestia made a graceful entrance. To compliment her beauty, she was wearing a dress that matched her auroric light flowing mane, and the guests could only wonder who could come up with such an exotic and wonderful dress.

“Good evening my little ponies,” she began, using the motherly tone that everypony loved. After giving a little speech to greet her many guests, the crowd stomped their hooves before the music began to play.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Pokey Price danced along to the music, Ponyville style of course, causing most of the Canterlot ponies to raise their noses. Fluttershy and Thunderlane had decided to try out the food carefully prepared by some of Canterlot’s best chefs. Twilight, Trixie were talking to Shining Armor and Cadance about how their relationship started. But then they drew concerned looks when she began to explain the dreams she and the other girls have been having.

“I see... So I’m not the only one,” a familiar voice called out.

“Princess Celestia?” Twilight said, rapidly turning to face her teacher. “You mean... you’ve been having those dreams too?”

“Unfortunately, yes. It’s Luna’s way of trying to tell me something will or might happen. I only wish she’d tell me before it’s out of my hooves.”

Twilight placed a hoof on her chin. “Where is Luna anyway?” she asked.

“She’s in the garden, and wishes that nopony disturbs her.”

At the Royal Gardens

Spike walked past the two night guards that blocked the garden doors, as they were ordered he was the only one allowed to pass. The garden looked beautiful with the moonlight shining on the roses and other flowers with its magical glow. He remembered how he would play here with Celestia and Twilight, as well as Shining Armor when he was off duty.

‘Man how I miss those days.’ he thought to himself, but he snapped out of it. At that moment, he saw something so wonderful that if he said that it was ‘beautiful’, it would not only be an understatement, but an insult. By the fountain under the moonlight, sat a dark blue alicorn, wearing a black silky dress that glittered like the moon and the stars, as she patiently waited for a certain dragon.

“L-Luna?” Spike called out. Luna turned her head to see her date standing there and could have sworn she also saw his cheeks turn a bit red.

“Welcome young Spike,” she greeted and waved a hoof, jesting him over to her. Without warning, Spike walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her foreleg. Luna returned the hug by wrapping her wing around him. “Don’t you look handsome tonight,” she remarked, which got Spike to blush even harder.

“Y-You look stunning too, princess,” he said looking down, making the dark blue alicorn giggle again.

“Remember Spike, there is no need for formality when we’re alone. Just call me Luna.”

“Okay Princ... I mean, Luna.” Spike took a seat by the fountain and Luna followed suit.

“So how are you feeling tonight?” the night princess asked,

“A bit hungry actually.”

“Well, from what I’ve read about dragons, you begin to crave meat at an early age. Be honest with me Spike, have you been having thoughts about other animals lately?” Luna kept her wing around Spike to let him know he wasn’t in trouble.

“Well... as a matter of fact, there have been a couple of times where I couldn’t help but wonder what small animals like rabbits and squirrels would taste like. With luck, I always push these thoughts to the back of my mind.”

“Well I bring good news. I had a little talk with the zebra in the Everfree Forest and she has agreed to teach you how to hunt.”

“Hold on. Zecora knows about hunting?” Spike asked in disbelief.

“As a matter of fact, Zecora told me during our last discussion that before she came to Equestria, her family were great friends with a pair of dragons. They made an agreement to protect her tribe’s land to repay them for healing their young. I guess you call it a dragon’s code,” Luna said with a wink. It was enough to make Spike blush, but what she would say next would leave him speechless.

“Spike, you are indeed special. You should have been told this years ago, but you are a rare breed of dragon... that can perform magic.”

‘I can... I can perform magic like... Mother and Twilight?’

“And I’ll be more than happy to take you in as my personal student.” At this point, Spike couldn’t contain his excitement and squealed in delight. He was going to learn magic from the pony of his dreams, the princess of the night herself. “Of course, we can’t begin our lessons right now. We have a dance to attend to after all.”

“Okay, so when can we start?” Spike eagerly asked, no longer too shocked to talk.

Luna giggled, seeing the dragon’s thirst for magical knowledge. “Tonight, when you sleep. For now, let’s just have a good time.”

Spike nodded, hopping off the edge and walking toward the dance. Luna sat there for a few seconds, thinking what a strong dragon he could turn out to be with her training. She soon snapped out of her thoughts before standing and following her new student.

Back at the dance, Twilight, Trixie, Shining Armor, Cadance, Starlight, Sunburst, Fluttershy, and Thunderlane were all dancing to the music of DJ Pon-3. Pinkie was singing along with Pokey as the music played. Most of the ponies were in shock to hear such horrible sounds. Others just shrugged it off and focused on dancing. Rarity and Fancy Pants, along with 20 other high class ponies, went outside to talk about their businesses and admittedly, Rarity’s work, since Fancy was so fond of it.

The dance itself was going well. Everyone, other than the high class ponies, were having fun, and with the Elements of Harmony here, the party would only get better. That was until a certain white stallion entered the ballroom accompanied by a dark blue unicorn mare. They both saw what the dance had become and were disgusted by what the six ponies that saved the kingdom had done. Only difference was that the white mare he despised wasn’t there with her barbaric friends. Nonetheless, the prince had enough and stomped his hoof on the floor.

“THAT’S QUITE ENOUGH!” he shouted with the royal Canterlot voice. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him. “H-H-How dare you... you ruffians ruin this festival! All of you should be ashamed of yourselves! And as for you...” He pointed his hoof at Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack, and Fluttershy. “Princess Twilight, you I can tolerate, but I was clear with my aunts that I didn’t want the rest of you attending! And where is that whore called Rarity?! I have a bone to pick with her for what she did to my brilliant coat at the gala!”

At this point, the element bearers, along with the former captain of the royal guard, wanted to jump on the vile prince, but Cadance stopped them and pointed to Luna and Spike, who had just walked in. The former was carrying her date on her back, which made him feel rather strange since he was so used to riding on Twilight’s back. Blueblood spotted them and made a face of confusion, hatred, and disgust.

“A-Aunty Luna...” he called out, “...why are you letting that... that... thing ride on your back?” He pointed toward Spike, making no attempt to hide how revolted he was by the dragon’s presence. Luna raised an eyebrow, not even remotely amused that her nephew was so quick to disrespect her new student/date.

“I’ll have you know you are insulting my date, as well my new student, nephew,” she spoke, making everyone in the room gasp.

‘So it’s true. Princess Luna really is Spike’s date tonight. But what was that part about being her student?’ Twilight thought, and she knew her friends were wondering the same thing.

“B-But... he’s a dragon.”

“And?” Luna replied simply.

“What... What do you mean ‘and’?! Do you not care for our reputation? Your reputation!? Why are you letting that thing-” Blueblood stopped as a dark blue aura surrounded his neck, cutting off his oxygen flow. He was quite lucky however, as if Celestia had been there, she would have done something far worse.

“If you dare insult my date one more time, I assure you all the nightmares I sent you will come true, starting with that thing between your legs.” Luna’s voice sounded dark, which surprised Spike and the other ponies in the room. Shining and Cadance could’ve sworn they saw a pinch of black fur appear around her neck. Blueblood, meanwhile, gasped for air as Luna released her grip.

Landing on the ground coughing and squirming, the prince looked up at his aunt, whose eyes began to glow. “Now take that worn out whore and get out of my sight,” she hissed. Blueblood immediately got up and left the dance with his date as Luna turned to Spike, whose eyes were still widened upon seeing the display.

“I’m so sorry you had to see that.”

Spike shook his head and smiled. “It’s okay Luna,” he reassured as he hopped off of Luna’s back. “That jerk deserved it anyway.”

She looked down and smiled, then looked at the crowd who was awestruck at what transpired.

“Now then everypony, LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!” Luna yelled as the crowd cheered. She and Spike took to center stage, and Twilight and Trixie, along with her other friends and their own dates, watched as Spike and Luna danced the night away. It was kind of awkward because of the size difference, but nobody cared, especially Spike and Luna. This was a time to have fun.

It wasn’t until 2 AM that ponies finally began to leave. Princess Celestia had arranged rooms for Twilight and her friends. Cadance, Twilight, Applejack, Starlight, Pinkie, and surprisingly Fluttershy, took this opportunity to use the rooms for their own ‘after-party’ with their dates. Rarity had left with Fancy Pants a while ago, and Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Spike were fast asleep.

Luna looked around and saw that the ballroom was now completely empty, save for the two ponies and one baby dragon who were slumbering on the floor, covered in confetti and streamers. After quietly calling one of the unicorn maids over to take Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom to bed, the alicorn of the night picked up Spike with her magic, and trotted to her chambers.

“Sweet dreams my student,” she whispered, placing him on the bed and then kissed his forehead. “For tonight, we shall start your training in the magical arts.”

Act 5: The Betrayal Part 1

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Act 6: The Betrayal Part 2

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