A Dragon May Cry

by TundraStanza

When Sticks and Stones Can't Break Bones...

Author's Note:

... words can cut so much deeper.

Embracing friends and the friendships therein felt so nice and relaxing. It really helped to know that the efforts had reached at least two young fillies' hearts. None of them wanted to trade a moment like this for the world. Unfortunately, that was getting increasingly difficult considering some ponies standing outside the castle were so loud.

"I'm with Applejack," commented Fluttershy. "We should really do something about them."

Twilight Sparkle sighed as they pulled out of the group hug. "Alright. Any pony have any ideas?"

"I don't know what we can do." Pinkie Pie shrugged with her eyes wide open. "Aside from Rainbow Power reserved for the monster-like meanies, the power of music is the strongest thing at our disposal and look how that turned out."

"Well, whatever we do, we need to be quick." Rainbow Dash looked over at the curtain. "I think I heard a window start cracking."

"Hmph." Applejack grunted. "Back in Granny's day, mobs never broke windows needlessly."

"Apparently, vandalism is considered a retro expression of art in this day and age," added Rarity.

Starlight Glimmer tapped her chin for a second, until she went, "Ah ha! I have a plan. But first Twilight, can I do something while using your name of authority?"

Twilight looked at her grad-student carefully. "Does it involve cutie mark magic?"

"Nope." Starlight shook her head happily.

"Does it involve brainwashing or hypnosis in any capacity?"

"Nope."

"Does it involve time magic?"

"Nope."

"Does it involve the virgin sacrifice of blood, sweat, tears, and souls?"

"N- uh... maybe a little sweat, but none of the other things."

"Eh, close enough." Twilight nodded. "Okay, you have my permission. What's your plan?"

"First, I need some pony to cover Toola Roola and Coconut Cream's eyes." Starlight trotted over to one section of the castle. "This will not be appropriate viewing for younger audiences."

Fluttershy and Rainbow flew over and held their hooves over the fillies' eyes.

"Um, what's going on?" Toola asked while attempting to move the larger hooves away.

"Wait, I remember this lesson." Coconut smiled. "Sometimes you have to believe in some pony else, even if they don't immediately make sense."

"Oh yeah!" Toola nodded, while Fluttershy barely managed to keep her eyes covered.

Pinkie grabbed a handkerchief from one of her emergency spots. "I'm so proud."

Starlight carried a long fire hose via magic as she trotted toward the door. Twilight was about to ask, but Starlight quickly lifted a hoof up in front of her mouth before continuing her quiet trek. Light blue magic surrounded the front doors as they opened. The mob attempted to crowd and enter, until they noticed a floating metal nozzle pointed right at them.

"By order of Princess Twilight Sparkle!" Starlight smirked as she pulled the valve. "Get off her property!"

Those immediately standing in front of the doorway were sent sprawling backwards. They felt the equivalent of experiencing a flash flood all over them. The rest of the mob outside the castle gasped before galloping away as quickly as possible. As the water finally launched its passengers to a place where the main stream couldn't reach, the wet ponies scrambled to run. A few of them slipped due to the layer of water droplets on their hooves, but they pulled themselves along.

Starlight shut off the hose and wiped some sweat off her forehead in relief. "Finally, peace and quiet has been restored."

She cast a spell to teleport the fire hose back to its emergency container. She closed the doors and turned around. It was then that she noticed a collection of faces in various degrees of shock and surprise.

"Oh, sorry." Starlight chuckled nervously. "Did you... want a turn?"

"Can we open our eyes now?" asked Coconut Cream.

"What the feather duster is wrong with you, Starlight?!"

"Fluttershy, watch your language," muttered Rainbow Dash as she put her hooves over her selected filly's ears too late.

Fluttershy slammed her hooves against her mouth and groaned. "It's been a rough day, alright? Just give them bleeper censors before they go home."

Rarity floated off a few of her headdresses to float something out of a sewn pocket. "In the meantime, some pony needs to have a chat with the swear soap."

"And some pony else needs another rousing round of juvenile hall." Twilight curled up her feathers into tight, round shapes as she trotted toward Starlight.

Applejack looked between the ponies frantically. "Alright, let's all take a moment to calm down."

"All?" Pinkie popped up in front of AJ's face. "I'm completely calm!"

Toola Roola scratched the floor with her hoof. "Um, not to interrupt, but... isn't there some pony missing from this group?"

The main six plus Starlight all took a moment to stare at the filly in bewilderment. What was she talking about? The C.M.C. were on a cutie mark camp this week. Aside from them, there wasn't any pony else. Right?

"Or rather some dragon?" added Coconut Cream.

Twilight gasped as her wings opened up and wide. "Spike! Has any pony seen Spike anywhere?"

Pinkie hummed in thought. "Now that you mention it..."

"I haven't seen claw or tail of Spikey-wikey at all," commented Rarity.

"But how?" wondered Rainbow while hovering. "He wrote at least a couple of the lessons in the journal too. You'd think he'd get at least some kind of attention from fans and critics."

Starlight smiled in realization and chuckled nervously. "Y-Yes! We should totally forget everything we're doing now and focus on finding Spike, wherever he is. Yep. That is the most important thing right now!"

Twilight squinted at her briefly before sighing. "We'll discuss your assigned reprimand later. For now, help us look for Spike."

For the next several minutes, every pony in that front hallway scattered. They checked as many rooms as they could navigate in search of the young dragon. Rainbow Dash went high. Fluttershy went low. Twilight scanned through the humble library. Applejack surveyed the kitchen and dining areas. Rarity scoured around each corner and behind every curtain. Pinkie opened a door that resulted in yet another broom closet dumping its contents onto her head. Starlight went upstairs and checked the relaxation area.

The target au-er... The two filly friends knocked on some of the doors that were currently not being checked. Coconut put her ear up against one such door. Her eyes went wide as she motioned for Toola to come closer. Toola hopped on Coconut's back and used both hooves to turn the door handle. The room was pretty dark, but the light coming from the hallway made the room's contents clear.

"Found him!" They called together as Toola dropped back down to the floor.

"No... I'm fine... just leave me alone..."

While the young dragon mumbled to himself, the rest of the castle's occupants and visitors eventually met up near the dark room. Twilight trotted closer when she stopped and noticed a lot of scrolls spread around. Some of the seals were broken. She levitated one up and read its contents.

We shouldn't even grace Spike with a description. None of his lessons are relatable and he's always the cause of the problem in the first place.

Twilight picked up some of the other scrolls in her magic.

A dragon teaching a baby phoenix how to be a pony? What the hay has the world come to?

A lizard has no business getting lovey-dovey with a unicorn! Aside from that, he's way too young for Rarity. It's creepy!

Spike was way out of character during the lesson about the owl. Actually, who in their right mind would complain about having another helping wing around where you don't have to do any work? No pony! Oh wait... he's not a pony.

Spike should be written out of the Journal entirely. I mean, Starlight has practically taken both his and Twilight's place at this point in the story.

Pinkie's organ trapdoor was highly inappropriate against Spike. She should have used her Party Cannon with an actual cannonball. That would have been so much more effective in putting him down for good.

All of the scrolls suddenly fell to the floor at once. An uncomfortable liquid started building in Twilight's throat. She fought to choke it back down. She steadied herself with Cadance's hoof-and-breath technique. She then walked over close to Spike and held him with her front hooves.

"Every pony hates me..." whimpered Spike, "... and they aren't... completely wrong. What am I doing with my life except making things worse? I have no right to exist."

"Spike Theodosius Dragon, don't you ever talk that way again!"

The young dragon gasped and went wide-eyed, despite the tears still dripping. "Wha?"

"Every pony does not hate you." Twilight's gaze went from fierce to caring. "Because I'm some pony and I love you. I'm sure the rest of our friends love you too. Right?"

"Darn tootin', we do." Applejack adjusted her hat.

"Yes." Fluttershy nodded.

"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie jumped for emphasis... or natural joy. It could have been either really.

"Most definitely." Rarity held a hoof against her chest.

"Hay yeah." Rainbow Dash flew a bit lower. "I mean, not love-love, but... you know what I mean."

"I know I enjoy your company," added Starlight Glimmer.

Twilight pulled up a blank parchment and drew a check mark. "Then, there are a number of ways in which you truly make things better. Who's there to wash my dishes when some-pony gets trigger happy in creating more teacups than we'll ever need?"

"Or saving me from a giant timber wolf when my hoof gets pinched at just the wrong angle?" Applejack absently rubbed her back leg.

"Or there to look after my animal friends when we have to go on a scary adventure?" Fluttershy smiled in determination.

"Or there to provide sly remarks when the rest of us are acting really silly?" Pinkie held up a couple large cotton balls that were decorated with illustrations of her thoughts.

"Or being a true gentlecolt where other stallions completely forget I exist?" Rarity held out a hoof for emphasis.

"Or tough enough to tell egg-crushing dragons that what they're doing is wrong?" Rainbow punched her front hooves together.

Starlight chuckled. "Or wise enough to see right through me when I try to avoid my lesson?"

Spike blinked and the water in his eyes started shrinking in volume. "Wow, when you guys put it like that..."

"And if any pony has a problem with you just being around..." started Toola.

"They would have an entire Crystal Empire's worth of admirers to answer to," finished Coconut.

He wiped his right eye. "Y-Yeah, they... would." His mouth shook as he smiled. "You guys are the best."

They all joined together for a group hug out in the hallway. Suddenly, a pony fan sneaked in and interjected.

"Wait, if his middle name is Theodosius, doesn't that mean his initials spell Ess-Tee-"

The interrupting pony was quickly washed down and out of the castle by Starlight Glimmer and the fire hose. She poofed the hose and the dripping water back to where it belonged.

"Alright, you can have that one," relented Twilight, "but you're still grounded for hosing all those other ponies earlier. No kite-flying for a week."

"Awww..." whined Starlight.
---

Comments

[RainbowSparkle3]

Sweet. And I loved that ending.

[Not so New Brony]

Well, at least that's one way to cool some hot-heads in the crowd though I feel sorry for any Fluttershy fans that got caught in the crossfire...er crosswash?

While a part of me was sad Spike didn't get a part in that episode, this shows me why he shouldn't cause this is partially what might happen. Having Rarity run away in tears was bad enough but bullying a baby dragon and driving him to tears would have been downright cruel.

Also, if this happened, then I expect the so called critics being banned from the Crystal Empire at the very least if not be hounded by its citizens for dragging their hero's name through the mud.

[Hillbe]

So I'm an S. T. D.??????
I'm so screwed!

Spike Thee Dragon as Mrs. Harshwhinny said.

I'm still taking those two to the doctors!
But but but
right after Twilight kills both of us!

He does have a cute little waddle wooo wooo woooo
Spike!
that sure put him down
Get me that fire hose
orig00.deviantart.net/7e19/f/2017/224/6/5/lizard_mine_by_hillbe-dbjuds8.jpg

[The Great Derpsby]

8498818
Actually, if the episode truly wanted to capture the fandom's (as some say was the intention) more toxic elements regarding Spike, they would have needed to have his crowd attack all his friends for 'abusing him and treating him like a slave and never taking him on their adventures'. Rabid Spike fans are a thing, or at least they were.

I mean, the trapdoor scene? I did see people absolutely lose it over that, but insofar as they were pissed that it wasn't Angel who got flung about the room.

[LadyofSorrows]

No kite flying for a week. Completely worth it.

[Dante24]

Spike should be written out of the Journal entirely.

I don't think Spike ever had a journal entry.......though I could be wrong.

[Frankie2]

A hose should never be used to disperse crowds... unless it's connected to a beer truck.

Maybe a milk truck.

[The Bricklayer]

Okay, now I'm really glad Spike was absent from that episode. Goes to find Spike's "Fans" to punch them skywards.

[ShysWorld]

Great job! And I thought the ending was hilarious! Keep up the good work! :)

[Amethyst_Dawn]

7/10

[UniqueSKD]

Came here expecting to see Dante after seeing the title. Leaving the story feeling very disappointed.

[dlazerous]

I loved this. Too often, Spike is the the butt of the joke and in general, shit on. Nice to see some love for the little guy.

[Godzillawolf]

Aww! Sweet.

[Starlight Glimmer1]

8499018
Inspiration Manifestation.

[Black Kyurem]

Theodosius? The things these fans do that don't make any sense to me at all...

[Lore Horse]

8511091
Ask and the castle shall provide.

[DBZFan12]

"All?" Pinkie popped up in front of AJ's face. "I'm completely calm!"

Was that Avatar: The Last Airbender reference intentional, or coincidental?

In case you don't what I'm talking about.

[TundraStanza]

9064997
I like to think that my references are roughly 50% intentional, 50% happy accidents.

[niightear]

"Wait, if his middle name is Theodosius, doesn't that mean his initials spell Ess-Tee-"

That is hilarious I love it.

[Switch Swap]

"Spike Theodosius Dragon

Theodosius?

[BlueStarred Spike]

8498872
I'm surprised we didn't see some sort of small Spike-fan group, who'll glomp and "comfort him about his friends' abuse over him".
Then again, they'd probably be crystal ponies.

[The Great Derpsby]

10793654
No, probably not. Here's the thing why: The Crystal Ponies think Spike is a hero. Toxic Spike Fans think Spike is a total chad who gets abused and treated like a literal slave by everyone around him, completely helpless to do anything about his situation despite being an invincible OP dragon. Toxic Spike fans project all their fantasies onto Spike, but also don't think he has any self-determination about anything in his life. The Crystal Ponies believe Spike is a brave, smart, and capable individual; they'd probably sit at his feet and wait for him to share his immense wisdom or something to that effect.

I do agree about the Spike Fan group glomping him and speaking for (and over) him to 'protect him from those horrible abusers!'. Yup, I can definitely see that.

[doomie-22]

Poor Spikey-Wikey. After what they said about him, that mob deserved what they got. Starlight was completely in the right. The others shouldn't have gotten so pissed at her. I probably would've done the same thing myself.

8498872

they would have needed to have his crowd attack all his friends for 'abusing him and treating him like a slave

10793654

I'm surprised we didn't see some sort of small Spike-fan group, who'll glomp and "comfort him about his friends' abuse over him".

But they don't abuse him.

[Orrm]

10794039
8498872

Oh christ I remember you, the one who trivializes abuse as 'silly'.

I'll throw you the same argument I did before, and I'd like it if you actually responded this time instead of editing out holes in your argument I highlight.

Twilight - if Spike wasn't the equivalent of a house-slave from the 1970's she'd have died from over exhaustion and the inability to cook basic food, or function at all.

Lets also not forget the sheer shit-ton of things she has spells for but has Spike do anyway.

Or the fact that Spike doesn't go to school and isn't allowed viable social interaction needed by young minds.

But it's alright, he isn't a pony, he is clearly mature, he clearly didn't have to mature else suffer, he clearly functions differently from other children, because he's a dragon of course, I'm sure none of it has to do with the gratuitous lack of care on part of everything around him.

Oh yeah, cold blood, ice lake, winter wrap up. And they laugh.

Winterzilla, pelt the child at it. Great idea, 10/10 you absolute psychopath.

Pinkie - when is Spike's birthday?

I don't know, neither does she apparantly.

Least she bribes him with gem food, that counts for something at least.

Fluttershy - bystander, not even all the kindness in the world can convince her to speak up about how shit Spike gets treated.

Oh yeah, he's not a pony.

Rainbow - quite literally teases him about how 'undragonlike' he is and overtly insults his wings and his demeanor to his face.

She never apologizes.

Applejack - nothing. Spike doesn't interact with her much, she's just a casual bystander. Not a friend, a friend wouldn't allow a child to be taken advantage of by an adult.

Rarity - Ha ha, where do I even start.

A literal predator who takes advantage of young children, the most prone one being the supposed son or pet of her own friend.

Does that sound remotely decent to you?

Remember that time Rarity manipulated Spike into giving her his birthday present, that was a Gem equivalent of 10 000 dollar wine

The same gem he had the patience to age for YEARS

And since he's a kid, guess what, that's about the equivalent of deleting a 5 year old's minecraft world that they worked on for 2 years.

Except, ha, this time? She can do so with no repercussions.

The same gem which she used to make a pendant which she never wore again

And essentially causing him to go on a greed rampage which is essentially also the reason he no longer gets gifts on his own birthday

He was a literal pincushion for one for one of the earlier episodes

This is what you portray as positive?

Gabby griffin...

Lemme rerun that for you if you can't remember.

I had hope there, Spike actually got a friend. A female griffin that TREATS HIM LIKE A Person. Not a slave, or a on site worker, or just abuses him. Fella actually got a real friend, Someone who he talks to and with and doesn't ignore how he feels

But Rarity, she wanted him to go with her to the gemcaves so he could carry the gems she finds.

Naturally he refuses, albeit in the most polite way I've ever seen, but she tries to do it herself. Unfortunately, without the young boyslave she manipulates frequently, she is entirely inadequate at simple hand eye Co ordination and breaks half the gems she harvests

So in 'turmoil' she visits purple nerd and asks about Spike. Then she finds out he is spending time with Gabby the griffin

And then she essentially WRECKS their relationship

After separating Spike from his only friend(or the only one around his age group who gives a single crap) , she tries to bribe his happiness by giving him the cheapest and smallest gems she could find, clearly generosity in motion.

Her bribes don't work, and eventually she HAS to admit her bullshit to Gabby after she realizes that Spike isn't going to snap out of his funk. However she apologies in a way that makes it appear that she actually cares about Spike, so she can use him as a slave for her own endeavors alter on. And gain some favor in his eyes.

Did I mention that she didn't fully admit everything?

So Gabby and Spike's friendship is still in high water. It's bearable high-water but very shaky compared to what it was.

Now you might glorify this as 'evidence' of love, somehow.

Meanwhile I'm looking at this and wondering how someone gets this obliviously nasty to isolate someone from their only friend then take advantage of their moment of weakness.

But the thing that really gets me going, the thing that really, really tickles me the wrong way?

No one stops her.

No one stops a grown ass woman from taking candy from a baby.

No one stops a grown ass woman from isolating a young boy.

No one stops a grown ass woman from taking advantage of a child.

But slave labor is okay if it isn't a pony, right?

It's okay if the child doesn't know he's being abused, it's okay if he says he's happy between the bursts of being taken advantage of for his utility.

It's okay if his entire sense of self revolves around how useful he is, it's okay for a child to worry about his utility, it's okay if he has no sense of direction other than servitude because that's all he's ever known.

But it's okay if he's conditioned to think that way, right?

Because Slavery and the Conditioning Houses weren't much different.

You attatch a label to people like 'me' who look at this madness and don't conform to its skewered morality, you stick buzzwords like 'toxic' and conflate mine logic so it seems absurd to anyone who is unaware.

But how, how can one look at a child being taken advantage of by an adult and see such a thing as 'healthy'?

Justify it for me, because I really want to understand your altruism, however I simply cannot.

[Peace Poet]

"Alright, you can have that one," relented Twilight, "but you're still grounded for hosing all those other ponies earlier. No kite-flying for a week."

Honestly, Twilight, that was unfair to ground Starlight, especially after what those ponies said about Spike. To be honest, that " fan" deserved it.

[nightshroud96]

10825586
And then there's the issue where he's a dog instead of human in Equestria Girls.
That really had some negative implying right there.

[nightshroud96]

8501096
And often times he gets excluded/left out pretty much.

Glad in season 9 he was finally acknowledged as the little adopted brother rather than a pet(*glares at EQG*)

[Starlight Fan]

I feel really bad for Spike. He did not deserve that treatment. It’s nice to see that the Mane 6 and Starlight comforted him at his time of need.

"Alright, you can have that one," relented Twilight, "but you're still grounded for hosing all those other ponies earlier. No kite-flying for a week."

Twilight. Be honest, what else could she have done? They were trespassing. Also, “grounded”, way to treat her like a child.