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

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!?”