“As you all know, there are many races in our world. The Ponies, the Deer, Dragons, Griffons and much, much more. But the most powerful, and the most terrifying of them all, were the monsters. There was a time where we lived in harmony with the monsters, until a war broke out between the ponies and the monsters. It lasted for a hundred years, and than finally the ponies were victorious. Yay !! Anyway, the Princess didn’t want her ponies living in fear of the monsters, and she knew she couldn’t wipe out an entire race. So she decided to banish the monster race deep underground, below us so they can live their own peaceful lives their own way. Rumor has it, in the mountains near Ponyville, there is a particular mountain named Mount Ebott. Within it is a cave that holds the entrance to the monster world, but no pony dares to ever go to seek this mountain. Any pony that succeeds in finding this mountain, never returns. Many believe that any pony that enters the monster world, is immediately captured by Asgore Dreemurr, the king of Monsters. And is then killed, their souls collected by the king. Because he believes if he collects seven pony souls, it will break the spell. And the monsters shall return to the surface, to take their revenge on the pon-“

“Wait,wait,wait,wait……am I supposed to be scared Twilight? Because I’m not scared one bit of your little made up fairytale;” said Rainbow Dash, flying through the air with her cocky grin.

Twilight frowned at her friend for interrupting her. She was trying read a classic legend to her friends while they were having a picnic in the park. Pinkie Pie on the other hand was doing somersaults and cartwheels around the park, without a care in the world.

“O-oh my, I can’t imagine Celestia doing that. Did she really put them underground ?,” asked Fluttershy who felt sorry for the monsters.

“Well I say good riddance, we don’t need anymore monsters wandering around here. We al’ ready got enough problems to deal with in Equestria. Changlings, dragons, not to mention our own monsters we have in tha Everfree forest,” says Applejack; hitting her hooves against the ground.

Rarity nodded. “I must agree. If Celestia put those beasts underground, then it must be for a good reason.”

“Come now girls. This is all just a myth. I’m surprised that none of you heard of this story before. This story is known by many kingdoms around the world!,” exclaimed Twilight.

“If the story is true, those monsters must be really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, REALLY bored down there;” said Pinkie who kept flipping in the air until she stopped suddenly. “……and also freezing.” She said putting her arms around herself tightly, shivering and acting all cold.

While they were all having a good time, Spike was sitting on a bench reading his comics. Before he could even get to the good part, he couldn’t help but notice there so many families out today. He looked away from his comic, and watched all the families have good time. Having picnics, a father playing catch with his son; a mother playing on the swing with her daughter. Even the Cutie mark crusaders were out with their parents, except for Applebloom, who was with Granny Smith and Big mac.

“Button Mash, slow down!!” Shouted his mother, who was having trouble keeping up.

Spike was observing the whole thing in front of him. They all looked so happy together. It was like they were friends, but he noticed it was a different type of friendship. It was love and friendship mixed together, to create something much more special. It was family. That was something Spike never had. He spent his whole life living as Twilight’s assistant, he never ever experienced what it meant to have a mother or father. This always bothered Spike a little, and he barely showed that it was bothering him. But now that there were so many families out today, it made him feel empty inside. He had friends who supported him, but he couldn't help but feel that there was something important that he was missing in his life. He looked down at the ground frowning at this realization, knowing what problem was. He was an orphan.

Suddenly Pinkie Pie clapped two banda turca cymbals together, making a loud sound behind Spike. He shot up into the air in panic.

Pinkie Pie giggled in enjoyment as she saw Spike's startled expression. Spike picked himself off the floor, cleaning the dirt off his body, while Rainbow Dash joined in on the laughter as Spike glared at them with anger. "Don't do that !!!"

"What? I just thought I'd cheer you up. I couldn't help see you making frowny faces,” said Pinkie; still holding the two instruments in her hooves.

"You should have seen your face when Pinkie scared the living daylights out of you!" Said Rainbow Dash, who was still laughing out loud while rubbing Spike's head.

"Spike where are you going? Spike!" Twilight tried to call out to him. Twilight knew Spike heard her, but still he continued to ignore her.
"Gee, I hope I didn't hurt his feelings,” said Pinkie Pie with a concerned expression.

"I don't think it was you Pinkie. Something must be eating the poor feller." Said Applejack who joined in the conversation.
Fluttershy couldn't help feeling concerned too,"But what ?" She asked.

The main six watched him disappear in the distance. Twilight couldn't help but wonder what was bothering Spike. Twilight knew that he doesn't like being teased at times, but it wasn't that. She knew something else had to be bothering Spike for him to just walk away and pout.

Spike was walking in the streets of Ponyville, and everywhere he looked there were more families having a good time. He even noticed Applejack's aunts, uncles, and cousins, were making their way towards the Apple farm for another family reunion.

"What in a Equestria is going on around here ?!" Said Spike, as he noticed that so many families were out today. Far more than usual.

The purple dragon turned his head towards two familiar faces. It was Shining Armor, and his wife Cadence.
"How've you've been?

"Cadence, Shining Armor ? What are you two doing here?" Spike asked as he ran up to them.

"Don't you know? Tomorrow is the Sunset Celebration. Today's the day where every ponies family comes over for a family reunion before the holiday begins." Said Cadence with a smile.

"Yeah, however Twily's parents won’t be coming, since our mom fell ill. We decided to stop by and say hello." Said Shining. "So how have you been Spike?"

"I've been uh.....busy" Spike replied, while scratching the back of his head. "Y-you know. Twilight's been giving me a lot of work lately.”

"Well Actually more like all the time. She works me to the point where I barely have time for myself.” He thought.

"Well, you know my sister can be a real work-o-holic sometimes. I wouldn't be surprised if she over worked you a lot." Shining said as he put his hoof to his chin.

"By the way Spike, don't tell Twilight, but we’re thinking about starting a family of our own one day. We haven't decided what the foal's name would be. If it’s a girl, I think the name should be Flurry Heart." Cadence said, looking all excited about the idea. "So what do you think ?"

"That’s great, I always wanted to be an uncle...or cousin....or whatever. That’s just fantastic. It’s good to have a new member of the family." Said Spike who was very happy for them, and also himself a little. He was never really close to Twilight's family. And even though he is good pals with Shining, he was hoping he could, in some way, grow closer to them."This could be good for me. I-I mean I am the savior of the Crystal Empire, and who else would they ask to babysit for them instead of Spike the brave and glorious. It could help me grow closer to them. Soon they won't look at me as just some ...friend. They’ll see me as a member of-"

"Well......yeah. I suppose that’s a good way of looking at it. I guess if you were part of our family, our child would look up to you as an older cousin."

Spike paused at the word if', he wanted to think that they viewed him as part of their family until Shining made it obvious thats not what they saw him as. "Ah, Ooh." Spike hung his head down in sadness as he tried to hide how he really felt.

"Spike, is something the matter ?" asked Cadence looking at him with concern. She than noticed Spike was shedding a tear.

"I-its nothing, I think I hear Twilight calling me. I-I gotta go." Spike than ran. Cadance tried to call out to him to come back but he choice to ignore her.

He didn't care where, just far away from them. He just wanted to be alone. Spike knew if ran back to the library that’s where they would check first, so he decided to go somewhere else. Somewhere they would least expect him to be.

Five minutes later, Spike sat against a tree that was actually the Cutie Mark Crusader's tree house. He couldn't get over how he was feeling. He just felt stuck.

"Why do I feel this way ? I mean, I have what I need right ? I mean Twilight takes care of me, and even though she doesn't treat me like one, but I'm kinda considered as a brother to her right ?"

He let out a sigh, looking down at his feet. "Get real Spike, you’re her friend and assistant; you’re not her little brother. But still…”

"I mean its not like I need a family anyway right? I’ve got friends. Friends who care about me. Then again now that I think about it, they’re more like Twilight's friends than mine. I mean that doesn't mean we’re not friends, but every time they go on an adventure I'm left behind most of time. And when I do go with them, I feel like a useless side kick compared to them. Yeah, they’re more like Twilight's friends. I don't even think I have friends of my own," He thought again.

Spike than snapped from his thoughts, as he heard his name being called. He noticed The CMC were standing in front of him with question filled expressions on their faces. He must have been daydreaming a bit too much.

"...Nothing. What are you doing hanging around our tree house?" Applebloom asked with her eyebrow raised.

"Uh sorry. This was the only place I knew where I could be alone for a while." Said Spike scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile.

Spike didn't want to drag them into his problems. Especially them actually, since they would do anything to get a cutie mark. Spike didn't want them to help, knowing how they take things too far when it comes to helping other ponies, just to get their cutie marks. "I guess, I could tell them a little bit about what’s going on."

Spike stood up on his feet, while fiddling with his fingers. "Well, do you guys ever get that feeling. Like something is missing in your life. Something important ?"

Spike nodded sideways."No, it’s something much more important than those things. I guess you could say it is just as important as friendship."

"Yes, yes!” Then suddenly Spike realized he just told them his problem. "I-I-I mean no. You know what, forget I said anything."

"Spike if you’re feeling lonely maybe you should go Crusading with us?" Suggested Sweetie Bell with a kind smile. Applebloom and Scootaloo agreed.

"You both know I can't. I'm Twilight's assistant. She needs me at the library. Besides, I'm a dragon. We don't get cutie marks." He said.
"He's got a point. And I don't think there’s a Cutie mark in this. Come on girls," Said Scootaloo.

Then the CMC trotted up to their tree house, begging to climb up it; until Applebloom heard some pony call her name. When she turned around she saw her older sister Applejack coming. "Oh hey Applejack."

"I thought ah told you three not to leave yet." Applejack scowled at her sister, until she noticed the baby dragon. "Spike ? What in tarnation are you doing here?"

Her younger sister approached Applejack, and whispered something to her. "I think Spike is sad because he doesn't have a family."
Applejack looked at her sister."Did he tell yah that ?"

"No, I mean, well… I'm not entirely sure, but I believe that’s what been bothering him.” She said putting her hoof on her chin.

Once Applebloom went up to the tree house with her friends, and began climbing up the ladder too; Applejack walked towards Spike, who was still sitting against the tree.

All he wanted was to be alone, but there was no way around it. Spike sighed as he greeted her back.

"Hooo Doggy, what a nice day out it is today. The sun’s shining brighter than a crystal pony. So what’s been eating at yeh Spike ?"
Spike knew there was no lying his way out of his, not with the element of honesty. So he had no choice but to come clean with her.

"I didn't want to drag any pony into my problems but....I just wish I had parents like you guys do,” Spike said, leaning his head against his knees.

The cowpony frowned. She had a feeling that was the case."Ooh Spike, so that’s what this about. Doesn't Twilight know anything about yer kin?”

"No, she said she hatched me, and I came out of an egg. That’s it. I tried find out where I came from by joining the dragon migration, and nothing. Just found a dead end. All the dragons over there were total jerks."

Spike remembered the time when he tried to be friends with the teen dragons. It didn't go so well. "Did yah ask Princess Celestia if she knows anything ?"

"Spike, she may be the princess of all ponies, but she cares bout all her subjects. Dragons, donkeys, whatever. Even though she's busy she'll understand.”

"Um, listen Spike, maybe it's better to take what's given to you. I mean you have a home, and friends that care about you. Perhaps you shouldn't think about what you don't have. Trust me partner, don't make the same mistake I made. When I was a filly, I wanted to live tha high life with ma upper class relatives, but than I realized something. I didn't know how good I had it at the farm until I made the wrong choice, so I came back.” Said Applejack, as she put her hoof on his shoulder to comfort him.

Applejack slowly frowned. She couldn't help but feel sympathy for Spike. "No, I guess it isn't."

Applejack wanted to say something else, but she knew if she wanted him to get over how he felt, she needed to be a little bit more open to him. "Can't say I don’t know how yah feel Spike."

"Nah, I do. Spike have you wondered why you've meet every family member in ma clan, except for my mah and pah?”

"You see Spike, ma folks are gone. I miss them very much. Even though you never met your parents, we’re both kinda in the same boat. We’re both parentless." She exclaimed with a sympathetic smile.

That was first time Applejack ever opened herself up like that. Spike and Twilight, and the rest of her friends, always knew there was a reason why her parents never showed up to any of the family reunions. And they knew she never liked talking about them; now he knew why. She was just like him. Even though she probably knew who her parents were, there isn't a day that goes by where she doesn’t think about them.

Applejack got up on her four legs, and helped Spike onto his feet. "Spike, what you feel won't go away easily. Especially at your age........but try to hang in there okay. Now come on. Lets take you back to Twilight’s.”

The sun was beginning to go down as Spike and Applejack finally got to the library. Twilight opened the door as she noticed them approaching from the distance.

"Don't worry Twi, he's been with me all day. We just went out for ice cream and such. Right Spike?,” said Applejack, who winked at Spike while tapping him on the shoulder, trying to keep Twilight calm.

"Well thank Celestia you’re here. And thank you Applejack, for bringing him home. I don’t know what I would do without my number one assistant,” said Twilight with a small smile.

"Thank nothing. It was my pleasure,” said Applejack while tipping her hat to her friend.

Twilight let Spike inside as she waved Applejack good bye. "See you later Applejack."

Spike went upstairs to bed, until was stopped by Twilight, who looked at him with an angry frown.

"Spike where have you been this whole time. You were supposed to come back to watch over the library. It's not like you to just skip work like that. What’s with you today?!"

"Yes of course, I can't imagine me losing my number one assistant. You are my responsibility Spike. Its my duty as your guardian and friend to look after you,” said Twilight lifting; her head up in the air with pride.

That wasn't what Spike expected her to say, but at least she cares for him. Twilight has always looked after him, ever since he first hatched.

".....Twilight no. You know what will happen if I break a Pinkie Promise." Spike looked around, checking all over the library, making sure Pinkie Pie was nowhere in sight.

Spike sighed, he really really didn't want to do it ; because if he did break a promise, Pinkie Pie will find out. He then saw Pinkie Pie looking at him through the window. Giving him an ‘I’m watching you' gesture, while her eyes looked at him like daggers.

"No turning back now Spike." Spiked sighed again in defeat, and started to make the Pinkie Promise.

"~Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye~. Alright I did it. Can I go to sleep now ?!"

Spike sat in his basket and covered himself with blankets. Before he went to sleep, he heard Twilight call his name.

"Oh Spike before I forget, I forgot to mention that Cadence and Shining came by. They asked me where you were. They seemed worried about you too. Did something happen?"

"Oh uh it’s nothing. They were probably wondering where I was at too,” he said, sweating. He didn't want to spill the beans about what they were talking about earlier.

Spike didn't mean to lie to Twilight about what was going on. He just didn't want his friends getting involved in something so personal to him. Applejack understood how he felt. So should Twilight and the others. Maybe one day, once he was more comfortable, he’d tell all of them. Spike than finally closed his eyes, and escaped into his world of dreams.

The next day, Spike decided to finally write a letter to Celestia. He needed to know who his parents were, and if any pony knew, it had to be her. He took out a feather, a jar of ink, and a piece of paper and started to write. His hand writing wasn't perfect compered to Twilight's hoof writing, but it was good enough to understand.

“Dear Princess Celestia,

this is Spike. I'm sorry for writing you a letter at this time. I know you must be very busy, especially with the Sunset Celebration, but I can't help but ask you something really important. It’s been bothering me for a while now, and I can't seem to move on from it. I was wondering if you know where I came from? Who were my parents? I'm sorry for bothering you with these questions, but I need to know the truth about myself. I just can't stand feeling so empty inside. Could you please help me Celestia?
I could really use your help right now.

Yours truly,

Spike.”

Spike rolled the letter up into a scroll, and blew his fire onto it as it disappeared into thin air. He than heard Twilight call his name, so he made his way downstairs.

"It doesn't matter, me and the girls are heading to Canterlot. Celestia invited all of us to go see her sister and herself raise the sun. That’s not even best part! I'm gonna be a part of the ceremony !” Twilight shouted in glee. She jumped up and down in excitement. "We’re also going to stay at the palace, and have dinner with the princesses

"Thats great Twilight. Sounds like fun. Can't wait to go tonight." Responded Spike in excitement. He was happy that he could have some fun tonight with Twilight and the others. It would help him get his mind off of things.

"Oh, um sorry Spike, but I actually need you to stay here to look after the library for me." She said. Spike frowned in disappointment.

Twilight took out her list of things that needed to be done. "I have a whole list of things for you to do today, and I expect them be done when I get back."

Spike's jaw dropped as he was dumbstruck, while watching the long list roll its way towards the door until it was outside still unrolling. His pupils were small, like little dots, as he saw it stop a foot away from the library. Spike sighed in annoyance, as Twilight handed him the list of things to do.

Twilight made her way out the door with a saddlebags on her back. When she closed the door behind her, Spike gave out a irritated growl. Meanwhile Owlicious flew by and rested on his standing perch.

"I don't understand… Why ? Why me ? How come I have to stay here all day; while she goes out and has a good time with her friends,” Spike said as he started to get to work.

"She constantly bosses me around, and forgets about me almost all the time. And she's always gone too.”

"Twilight that’s who. I mean its like this all the time. I love my friends like a family but....Aren't families supposed to stick together no matter what. Isn't that what family is all about. I-I never knew what it meant to be a part of a family, I mean Shining Armor already made it clear that I wasn't really a part of their family."

Spike started to put all the books in the proper place as he went on about his problems. "Back in Sombra's Castle, my greatest fear used to be about Twilight not needing me anymore. I mean it still is to this day, but now I'm starting to fear Twilight and the others are using me."

He looked down at his feet in sadness at that fact. He didn't want to think that his crush was taking advantage of him too. But it made sense, even though he didn't want to admit it.

"They all do the same thing. They almost always leave me behind whenever they go somewhere cool. Some friends! I mean I know I'm not an element of harmony, and I probably never will, be but still."

He finished the last section of the lower shelves and than climbed the ladder to the upper part of the book shelves.
"I just hate it when they leave me behind. I didn’t even get to go to Canterlot for Twilight's birthday party that one time."

Spike was tearing up, but he managed to pull himself together. He climbed down and picked up one of the photos of him and the mane six. They were all in the picture together, and a cut out picture of him was attached to it.

"Maybe Twilight's friends don't really like me. Perhaps it was all just pretend. Just because they’re nice to me doesn't mean they really like me, and to them I'm just a pest that they don't want around."

Spike kept staring at the picture, and thought back to everything he and his friends had been through. Like the Changeling invasion, Candace and Shining's wedding. His friends and him saving the Crystal Empire, and how they helped him when he grew into a giant greedy dragon. They were, undoubtedly, his friends…so then, why did he doubt their friendship?

However, what about everything else he missed out on. He never got the chance to meet Pinkie Pie's sister. He didn't go see the tryouts for the Equestria games. He didn't want to think about them anymore. There were good things and bad things, he just didn't know the answer.

"I miss the old days. Back when it was just me and Twilight in Canterlot. Back then she wasn't a perfect friend, but it was always just me and her no matter where we went. We were like partners back then, but that changed when we came to ponyville. I will always love Twilight as a mother, or a older sister, but I can't help but feel......so neglected."

"I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if I lived with my parents instead of Twilight. Would my life have been better, or worse, I don't know. I mean I'm grateful to live with the ponies. Because of them, I learned many things; like how to be kind, loyal and true. I'm proud to call Ponyville my home. It’s a kind and peaceful place to live.....but I can't help but feel out of place."

Is it so wrong to ask for more. To regain what you should of had before?

Why is it so hard for them see. The pain inside of me.

I live inside a hollow tree. What would my parents think of me ?

I should be grateful for what I have, But why do I, feel so sad?

I got no family, I got no friends. Is this how my life is really…..going to end

In this world, beneath all I’ve known, a place I’ve come to call my own.

They go on journeys , near every day; they don’t see me but merely walk away.

Do those who call me friend even care? When they don’t see my broken stare.

No they can’t possibly be, for they don’t see the shattered pieces of me.

Duty hides what I desire, I lie to them though I’m internally dire.

I want more than I need, or is that what they think of me?

What kind of dragon am I, when my claws have no treasure by my side.

The others were right to laugh as I cried, my draconic failure hurts my pride.

A torrential storm tries to break the dam, the facade I put up on command.

I should feel happy but I feel mad, I should be grateful but instead I’m sad.

Emotions fly by in a rush, like the Mane-iac after a bust.

After this flood ends, it’s like I’m missing more again.

Every time a part of me goes, leaving me more morose.

Why do I bother to carry on, step step by step my mind has gone.

I feel desire, but it brings me pain, a lonely heart with myself to blame.

Tears trickle down my cheeks, how can I feel so empty?

I have scales but no burning fire, why lie to myself to hide my ire.

It’s like I’m going through the motions, feeling nothing despite feigning devotion.

Would they notice if I was gone, my scales no longer among their throng.

I doubt they would even care, but do I really dare?

This complicated pain brings me to weep, but all I want to do is sleep.

Yet I force myself to carry on, a burden to where I once belonged.

For they cannot possibly see, this complicated pain inside me.”

Than suddenly something grew in Spike. His expression changed from sad to determined. He felt.....DETERMINATION !!

"You know what. No. You know what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna do exactly what Twilight is an expert at, and that’s making friends. I need new ponies to hangout, with but the only question is, who ?"

But before he could exit the library, he then turned around, facing the owl. He pointed up to the ceiling with a confident grin, as he was full of determination at that moment.

The owl saluted him, and flew towards the list of things Spike needed to do and read it to top to bottom.

Spike's UnderTale

by Animefan608

Chapter 1: Whats More Important Than Friendship ?