Celestia’s sun rose from the eastern horizon, marking 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 rays of Celestia’s sun, but from the wonderful smell of homemade pancakes. Spike was downstairs cooking breakfast, like he always did. Twilight got herself out of bed and trotted over to the upstairs bathroom, getting herself 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 skills. But it was either stay at home and eat Spike wonderful meal, or go eat with her marefriend. The lavender alicorn made her way down from their bedroom and to the front door.

“Spike, I’m going out for awhile,” She said as she opened the door with her magical grip. “Make sure you have this place clean when I get back.”

“Come on Twi, 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’ll eat at Sugarcube Corner,” Twilight responded. “Just remember to clean up, okay?” Without waiting for the dragon to protest, Twilight shut the door, once again leaving Spike by himself.

Spike for the best part struggled to keep his cool, seeing how he was denied spending time with his older sister.

‘First mother won’t reply to my letters, now for the first time, Twilight blows off the breakfast I made her. Oh how I want to take every single book in this damn place and burn it to ashes!’ Spike thought, releasing a deep angry sigh.

Starlight came in noticing Spike had made pancakes, and felt her stomach growling. “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. Still, Spike hated the fact that the others have been avoiding him lately.

First Twilight wanted him gone during one of her all day ‘study’ sessions or one of her mare only sleepovers. At times, she’ll blow him off by having to go somewhere, or do something fun with her friends while he stay 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. She also made it clear to Spike 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 foalsitting the twins. Unfortunately, the Cakes had shown concerned faces that made Spike decline the offer.

Rainbow Dash, being the bitch 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 that came out of Cloudsdale.’

Rarity exploited Spike’s affection toward her for her own needs, like carrying her shopping bags, or gem hunting. After they had finished hunting, Rarity 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 she was only using his crush to get what she wanted. In fact, after Twilight’s last sleepover, Spike decided to avoid her altogether.

Then there was Fluttershy, the kindness of all of his friends. (Hence the title: Element of Kindness). Whenever he was at her house, she would make him tea, listen to his stories about him being alone, the letters to the princess, and the nightmares he’s been having. She also told Spike that no one will abandon him, not even the princesses. Unfortunately, deep down inside, Spike knew that Fluttershy had a deep seeded fear of adult dragons. One day he’ll 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 Bell and sometimes Babs Seed when she’s in 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 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 thinking he’d be better off living in the Crystal Empire. After all the crystal ponies 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. To be honest, Spike really didn’t know what was keeping him from leaving.

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, letting the embrace of sleep take hold of him. However his slumber was quickly interrupted as he heard the door suddenly open.

Spike groaned before he turned to see his sister/slave-driver Twilight 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 Twi 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. Spike looked up from the couch to see a happy 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 smile to which Spike shrugs just looking at the blue unicorn. He didn’t know wether to be happy for Twilight, or miserable since he now had another mouth to feed. He didn’t mind cooking for Starlight since she often offers to help as well as compliment his dishes. Trixie was a different story.

Finally, the dragon hopped out of couch and walked towards the door. “I’m going out,” Spike deadpanned.

“Oh… um okay… have fun Spike,” Twilight said waving a hoof as he shut the door. Little did Spike know, the moment he was out of their range of hearing, Trixie pounced on Twilight, sending her to the ground. Blushing, the two mares closed their eyes and kissed, allowing the passion of each other’s company 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, earning a soft moan from the lavender mare.

“Hold on.” Twilight’s horn glowed, making not one but two soundproof barriers: one around the castle so nopony who walked pass could hear, and another in her bedroom, just in case if he 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, both knowing that the castle doors were unlocked, heightening their excitement. She didn’t care if who came in and caught them like, Twilight was going to do it.

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 it wasn’t 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 walked down the road, passing smiling, waving ponies left and right.

‘Of all the 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 soon lost the ability 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?!’

“Spike! I was looking everywhere for you.”

Spike clenched his claws, he hated it when these mares lied to him like this. ‘No you weren’t, you just needed somepony, or some-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, the dragon sighed, knowing he had to do this. Spike 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.

For the next three hours, the pair walked to numerous shops around Ponyville, buying useless things that only high class ponies would buy. The pair walked back to the boutique; Rarity held three bags with her magical grip while Spike held enough bags to block his line of sight. Rarity opened the door and led Spike in. Once Spike was inside, he dropped the bags on the floor near Rarity’s sofa and tried to walk to the door. Rarity noticed this and lifted him with her magic. Twilight would often do this to him as well, and quite frankly, he hated it.

“Spike?” She said in a more motherly tone. “Where do you think your going? I have that suit I made for you, the one you never picked up.” Spike blinked a few times, he had 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 this waste of a time dance. Rarity set the purple dragon on the ground 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 walk to the three way mirror in the shop. Spike couldn’t help but turn around and pose, as he had to admit, the suit looked good. “It’s a perfect fit Rarity,” He said, giving her a soft smile. In truth, he did his best not to rip off and burn the suit Rarity made for him.

“Spike, I have been meaning to ask?” Rarity began. “Why have you been avoiding me lately?” The white unicorn asked with concern in her voice. Spike’s smile instantly dropped at the question.

‘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 answered calmly. “Because I’m not going to the dance.”

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

‘No dumbass, nopony in Equestria would want to go on a date with a monster like me.’ Spike angrily thought as he shook his head.

“Oh, I’m 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’s beside the point.

“Honestly, I’d rather stay home... alone for Hearts and Hooves day.” Spike admitted while looking down. He really did have nopony to take to the dance with him. Even his backup mares were already taken.

Spike took off his suit and folded it neatly before placing it under his claw. “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 with his new folded suit tucked under his arm.

‘Mother won’t reply to my letters, Twilight and the rest of my so-called 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 call all of them out, his nightmares would come true. He didn’t want that to happen, he never did and he never would. He just hoped that Princess Luna would come and visit him again to fill the void in his heart.

Luna’s company for the past week had seemed to brighten his mood in some way. He also remembered what she told him that she would make sure he would never feel lonely in her presence.

Spike arrived back at the castle and called out to Twilight as he walked upstairs. Rather than a reply, instead Spike 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, he’d be forced to clean this up later. Looking around, Spike confirmed Twilight wasn’t in here before pulled the door shut. Going back downstairs, Spike was 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 please keep out. I’ve also created a soundproof barrier around the castle just in case if things get up here get too loud.

Sincerely yours, Twilight.

PS: Trixie accidentally destroyed your room when we was doing performing a spell so you’ll be sleeping in the basement. Also would you be a nice dragon and um clean up the mess?

Spike’s eye twitched, as he couldn’t believe what he was reading. Rolling the scroll up and setting the folded suit on the couch and went to the closet, getting himself a mop and a bucket to begin mopping the floor 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 library.

Twilight and Trixie both walking side to side, there face shine in the recent event the two partook in Spike’s absence. When the two entered the kitchen, Spike was busy chopping lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and mincing garlic. He also wore his girlish apron, causing both Twilight and Trixie to giggle at the sight. 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?” Spike asked while forcing his glare to go away. Blushing, both mares nodded and the small drake went back to work.

The two talked about some formula for a spell Twilight’s been working on, and to both Twilight and Spike’s surprise, Trixie gave a full on explanation on its effect on the pony body and mind. She also boasted about how she used this spell on herself once.

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

“Hey Spike,” he heard Starlight call him.

“Yeah Star?”

“Do you want to share a room with me tonight? 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 laid down 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 allowed sleep to take over.

Spike was sitting by the fountain in the castle gardens, looking at the stars in the sky as he was waited for somepony that promised to visit him every night when he’s asleep. Since this was a dream, he could make practically anything happen.

Spike 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 made Spike fall into the water.

When he resurfaced, he saw the princess giggling at him. “Not funny Luna.”

“Please forgive me,” She said calming down and offering her hoof. Spike couldn’t stay mad at her, as he began to laugh a bit as well as Luna pulled him out of the water. This wasn’t nearly as bad as the ice cold 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 today, Luna’s smile had turned into a frown. She hated the fact that Spike was 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. But what made her really angry (and despite the term) was Twilight and Rarity.

Twilight, the proud student of her sister, and the older sister/best friend to Spike, just denied him her company to spend time together to be with her special somepony. Whom she brought back to their house to make love. And of course when they were done, they had Spike clean up the mess they made.

And Rarity, who’s supposed to represent generosity, constantly played with the young dragon’s emotions, forcing him to carry bags almost twice his height.

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.

“Good. 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’s blushed even harder, making Luna giggle. The still blushing dragon waved to Luna, as she disappeared in a flash.

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?” But the morning could not wait any longer.

Spike hopped out of bed and walked upstairs into the kitchen, only to find Trixie cooking breakfast. “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. You weren’t yourself anyway,” 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 unable to maintain her curiosity any longer. Not that she found anything wrong about her teacher going out with Trixie.

“Well actually, it was after we met at one of Fluttershy date lines a few weeks ago. We’ve been taking things slowly though.”

Starlight raised an eyebrow. Since they were friends and keep in touch often, the light purple unicorn wondered why she was keeping this a secret. 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?” This was something Spike wanted to know as well.

“Oh, that, um me and Twilight were practicing an interdimensional spell, and accidentally summoned a demon… it went on a rampage and somehow ended up in Spike room. Long story short, it ended badly.”

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

“And 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. “What are Twilight’s favorite things to eat?”

“Excuse me!?” Asked the shock and somewhat angry little dragon.