This story is a sequel to Five Hundred Little Murders
There are ponies who insist on perceiving the Bearers as their Elements, and nothing more. Applejack is seen as having no qualities other than being honest. Rarity simply has to be generous even when doing so would hurt her. And Fluttershy must be kind. To those ponies, if she acted in any other way, no matter what the situation or provocation, it would mean she wasn't truly Kindness at all.
To see kindness as somepony's only possible response to everything is to take the first step in finding ways to abuse it.
To use kindness as the lone option can be worse.
Note: this is a direct sequel to Five Hundred Little Murders and this time, I will recommend reading that one first.
(Part of the Triptych Continuum, which has its own TVTropes page and FIMFiction group. New members and trope edits welcome.)
Now with author Patreon and Ko-Fi pages.