I sat on the edge of the bridge, staring dejectedly down at my large claw imprint, faintly making out Rarity patting my back with a hoof as the others watched silently.

“Are you gonna be okay?” Fluttershy asked before hovering in front of me and I nodded. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll meet you all at the library if that’s all okay. I want to be alone right now,” I commented and looked up as Twilight approached me, nuzzling me slowly.

“Take your time Spike,” Twilight muttered in my ear. “I’ll be at home.”

I nodded and listened to them slowly trotting away, occasionally tossing me worried glances before fading from sight.

I gave a sigh and looked out at Ponyville. The water tower was destroyed and missing the top that I had to used to trap those three Wonderbolts. I didn’t really know who they were but all that really mattered was I almost killed them. Like Amethyst. I could have drowned her and Berry when I destroyed the water tower.

I faintly made out a trotting sound and glanced back at an angry looking Caramel trotting up with a sad looking Sea Swirl.

“You’re still here?” Caramel spat as I stared down. “You aren’t wanted here, you almost kill us all!”

“Come on,” Sea Swirl tried tugging his tail. “He’s just a kid, Caramel.”

“Which is exactly why he needs to be lectured! This whole rampage is why dragons aren’t allowed in Equestria,” Caramel glared at me as Sea Swirl rolled her eyes before shooting me a look.

“I can’t be a part of this. Twilight would have my head and she will have yours too,” Sea Swirl warned with a shake of her head. I watched as the unicorn gave me a tired smile and turned to leave. “She is the princesses golden girl after all. She knows laws like the back of her hoof and if you do anything stupid Caramel, she’ll bring the full weight of the crown on your head.”

Caramel grumbled an curse word as Sea Swirl trotted away with a scowl.

“You could have killed me, the Apples, my house, my work, countless kids,” Caramel continued ranting as I curled into a ball. “Apparently the rulers of Equestria forget that dragons are violent, cruel race who could kill us all.”

“I’m sorry,” I muttered and looked away.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it. You should leave Ponyville,” Caramel glared down at me. “Go back to your kind.”

“I don’t think that’s entirely appropriate to say.” We both paused and looked up at Thunderlane hovering behind him with a pissed off Junebug, Golden Harvest, Cherry Berry and Berry Punch behind him. “I suggest you leave the kid alone or you’ll have to deal with me.”

“Us,” Golden corrected as she crouched low and Berry cracked her hooves with a smirk. “You’ll have to deal with us.”

“And we get mean as fuck,” Berry chimed in as I watched in stunned silence. I didn’t expect anypony other than Twilight to defend me, let alone these ponies, especially Junebug. I was awful to her.

“He could have killed your daughters and your brother,” Caramel pointed an accusatory hoof at me. “Do you seriously think he doesn’t deserve punishment?”

“He’s crying,” Junebug said softly as she shifted on her hooves and examined me. “That’s punishment enough and he didn’t even mean to do it. It’s his genetics and we don’t control that. It’s not his fault.”

I wiped my eyes with a claw as she ran a hoof over my head, smiling slightly at me before scowling at Caramel.

“Now leave,” Thunderlane pointed a hoof at Caramel. “Before I make you leave.”

“Fine but I warned you all. Don’t come to me when it inevitably happens again,” Caramel shook his head as he walked past me with Golden Harvest standing between us with a glare.

“Why are you defending me? I’m awful and almost hurt all of you. Especially Berry and I was rude to Junebug,” I said as Berry folded her forelegs under her to sit in front of me. “Being a dragon sucks.”

“Because you aren’t a bad pony,” Berry said and paused. “Dragon? Whatever. You’re not a bad creature and obviously didn’t want to do that. Twilight told us everything on the way here when we asked about you. Junebug seemed quite worried.” Berry winked at the blushing mare sitting next to me as Junebug continued stroking my head.

Golden continued watching with a scowl as Cherry Berry wrapped her tail around me with a yawn.

“You should never be ashamed to be who you are,” Thunderlane interjected with a scowl. “Being a dragon is what makes you unique and we wouldn’t have you any other way. And nor would Twilight.”

The others all nodded their agreement as Junebug continued nuzzling me. I suppose had a point. Being the only dragon to live among ponies made me unique and rare.

“I’m kinda hungry,” Golden started and stretched out her legs. “Who wants to come by for lunch? I think after this, we all deserve something. I have ice cream and gems for Spike.”

“I uh think I might skip the gems,” I admitted as I felt Junebug hugging me.

“But you love gems,” Thunderlane pointed out after a moment of confused looks being tossed my way. “It’s common knowledge around town dude.”

“I uh don’t wanna grow again,” I muttered as I watched Cherry Berry start licking a cut on my arm. Twilight usually does that all the time, something about saliva containing tissue factor or whatever. I personally didn’t think blood would taste well but I suppose it’s to help others first.

“If having gems wasn’t enough to make you grow into a fifty foot tall rampaging dragon, I highly doubt it will now,” Junebug pointed out.

“No. I don’t want to turn into some freaking monster again,” I growled slightly and they all gave each other looks.

“Dude, not cool. I don’t want to hear you call yourself that,” Thunderlane shook his head. “You’re not a monster, you’re Spike. You’re one of the coolest dudes in town.”

“And you’re awesome at game night,” Golden chimed in with a smile.

“And you’re really good with helping me with Ruby when I need somepony,” Berry added and laid her head on my lap with a smile. “I know what it feels like to feel like an asshole. I get drunk a lot and I get pretty mean occasionally so we’re both have problems.”

“And you always help out with my flowers,” Junebug added as she nuzzled the top of my head with a blush as the others chuckled. “And you are always nice to everypony.”

“Except Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon,” Thunderlane added with a smirk. It was no secret I didn’t like those fillies. Not many did and none in this group of ponies did. They were always harassing Noi and Ruby. “You really don’t like them.”

“Nopony does,” Berry grumbled under her breath and looked away. “Getting off topic, you’re not a monster. You’re Spike, an awesome ass friend and sure, a tiny bit of this is your fault but not all of it. Besides, did you know you would grow? Did you know you would start rampaging and shit?”

“Well no but-”

“No buts,” Thunderlane interrupted me sternly as he settled down in front of me and wrapped a wing around me and Junebug. “Sorry June but you’re in the way.”

“It’s alright,” Junebug said as she rested her head next to mine and I shivered slightly at how soft her coat was. I’ve gotten hugs before obviously but I’m starting to think Junebug gave the best. “You’re warm.”

“Thanks I think?” I muttered as Junebug chuckled in my ear.

“Are you feeling less down now?” Cherry Berry asked with a small smile and I nodded as she reared back on her hind legs. “Awesome! Because I’m hosting game night tonight at my house. I’m providing snacks and drinks. Are you gonna attend Spike?”

“Maybe,” I admitted as they all looked down sadly. “Okay, I’ll come.”

“Fuck yeah!” Berry cheered and I couldn’t help but smile. “Last one there is a rotten apple! And owes me a bottle of wine!”

“You’re on!” Thunderlane snorted as the two took off laughing toward town with Cherry Berry and Golden Harvest following at a more subdued pace.

“You should stop by more at my house Spike,” Junebug said quietly as she untangled herself from me.

“I’ll try,” I answered as Junebug leaned down and kissed my cheek as I froze. “W-what was that for?”

“Catch me and I’ll tell you,” Junebug taunted with a smirk as she stood up and crouched low. “But it’s pretty obvious if you notice how I’ve been holding you this entire time and nuzzling you.”

I paused and looked at her as she crossed a foreleg sheepishly and blushed as my eyes widened slowly.

“You mean you-” I started and Junebug slowly nodded.

“I know you like Rarity but if you ever decide you want to give me a chance, I’ll be waiting,” Junebug gave me a warm smile. “I’ll wait as long as it takes, Spike. You’re not actually a kid, are you?”

“No,” I answered and she gave a relieved sigh. “In pony years, I’m a baby but in dragon years, I’m eighteen.”

“Excellent!” Junebug clapped her hooves together and turned red again. “I-I mean oh okay.”

“Why are you being so nice to me? Compared to the others, I was so awful to you,” I muttered and wiped my eyes as Junebug stopped walking and trotted back to give me another hug.

“Because I care about you,” Junebug answered and slowly nuzzled me again before kissing my forehead. “Believe me, I care about you a lot. More so than the average pony here in town does. What happened is water under the bridge to me and the others. I know in time, the other townsponies will feel the same Spike.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so,” Junebug corrected sternly before she let go. “Now come on dragon boy, catch me before I get to Cherry’s and I’ll answer all your questions.”

Junebug smirked slightly and took off down the road as I watched her sway her flanks and tail more than needed as I blushed red hot. I may be stuck up on Rarity but Junebug? She might be the real thing that I’ve been waiting for forever.

And she certainly had the looks and personality.

With a shrug and a smile, I took off after the mare.

Author's Note

Junespike ftw!