Twilight was buried in a book on transformation. She had been doing research ever since she returned to Ponyville after her mission to get back her element. The trouble started when Spike came through the mirror barely before it sealed. Though he made it through, he wasn't changed back to normal. Everypony had pitched in and tried to find out why he had been affected like this and how to fix it, but the mirror was made with an old magic very few understood. Even princess Celestia had limited knowledge, having kept the mirror hidden in fear of it or Sunset Shimmer causing harm.
Twilight looked toward Spike. He was still looking through the bookcases for the volumes she asked for. Even though he couldn't write as well as he used to or send letters, he was trying his best to keep up with his work as he could. He couldn't even eat like normal. When he tried to eat gems, he only succeeded in breaking some teeth. The only food he was able to eat and not get sick was dog food, which he hated. Needless to say, he was miserable.
Twilight stopped her reading and buried her face in her hooves. She felt like she was letting him down every day he had to live as a dog. Twilight felt something rub against her leg and she looked down. She saw Spike smiling up at her and cuddling her. Twilight smiled back and patted his head.
"Find anything?"
"Not yet Spike."
Spike sighed sadly. Twilight lifted him into her lap and pet him.
~
Later that day, Twilight left for Sweet Apple Acres to speak with Applejack. While Fluttershy was the animal expert of Ponyville, Applejack knew a little more about dogs after raising Winona for so long. Twilight decided to take Spike along so he could have some fresh air. As they arrived, Twilight saw Applejack tending to her livestock.
"Spike, could you wait for a bit?"
Spike looked at her curiously.
"I just need to talk to Applejack alone."
Spike shrugged and jumped off her back. Twilight patted her head.
"Look around if you want, but try to stay out of trouble, okay?"
"I know, I know. You go talk to Applejack, I'll be fine."
Twilight left him and trotted toward Applejack. Twilight reached her as she was moving her cows to the barn.
"Applejack?"
"Oh, howdy Twilight. What brings you here?"
"I need to talk to you."
"Sure thing. I can chat a bit."
Applejack finished her work and regarded Twilight.
"What's on your mind?"
Twilight sighed wearily.
"It's about Spike."
"He’s not getting into trouble, is he?"
"No, nothing like that. It's just..."
Twilight slumped into a seated position and looked depressed. Applejack sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulders.
"Is he not doing well?"
"He's miserable. I’ve been trying to find a way to change him back to normal, but nothing I've found will help. He hates being like this. I just..."
Twilight lowered head in shame.
"I feel like I'm letting him down."
"Twilight, no pony knew he would end up like this. You can't blame yourself."
Twilight didn't look convinced. Applejack continued.
"Maybe you need to stop thinking about what he's not, and help him accept what he is."
"You want him to act like a dog?"
"He's not happy acting like a dragon."
"Applejack, I am not going to treat him like an animal!"
"I'm not saying that. I'm saying he should accept what he is. Living in the past is just gonna make him miss the future."
Twilight wasn't convinced and continued to argue with Applejack.
~
Meanwhile, Spike was exploring Sweet Apple Acres, seeing it in a whole new light as a dog. Oddly, he was more drawn to the smell than the sights. He had been noticing smells more and more since he came home, but on the farm it was more prevalent. There was one scent that seemed to stick out. Spike sniffed at the ground, following it. He continued a few moments until he bumped into something. He looked up and was staring Winona in the face. Winona cocked her head curiously as her tail wagged.
"Hello. I'm Winona. Who are you?"
Spike recoiled in shock.
"You can talk?"
Winona sniffed at Spike once. She looked very interested.
"Do I know you?"
Spike continued to look amazed, but quickly realized he was just able to understand her as another dog.
"Winona, it’s me, Spike. I watched you and the other animals once, remember?"
Winona wasn't sure what he meant and continued to sniff him. The more she did, the more she became excited. Spike fidgeted uncomfortably.
"Cut it out!"
Spike took a step away from Winona. He simply made it easier for her to smell his bottom. She took one quick sniff and became completely enamored by him. Before he could react to her sniff, Spike felt something cold and wet touch his privates.
"HEY!!!"
Spike jumped back and covered himself.
"Why did you do that?!"
Winona didn't answer. She simply licked her jowls and gazed at Spike as her tail wagged happily. To anyone else, she probably looked excited. Spike could tell though that she was looking at him lustfully. Spike fearfully stepped back, keeping his tail between his legs. Winona walked closer and closer to him until their noses were less than an inch apart.
"I really like you Spike."
Spike quickly scampered back, but was stopped by a tree. Winona stood on her hind legs and pressed her forepaws on the tree to press her nose into Spike's. She followed up with a slow deliberate lick. Spike tried to push her off, but because she did so much work on the farm, Winona was much stronger than him.
"Winona, c'mon! There's got to be another dog to do this."
"There's no one like you, stud muffin."
"B-b-b-but I'm so small and weak-"
"As long as we have a litter, I don't care."
Spike's eyes widened in horror. He shoved Winona as hard as he could, pushing her off him. Spike took the chance to run away from her, but she stayed on his heels.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!!!"
~
Twilight and Applejack had settled their debate and were discussing how best to help Spike.
"Are you certain, Applejack?"
"Spike needs to be able to enjoy himself, and trying to do his old job isn't gonna cut it. Just try and play around with him a bit, tug of war with a rope or play fetch, whatever. It'll help, Twilight. I promise."
"Alr-"
"TWILIGHT!!!"
They both jumped at the shout. Twilight looked around for a moment, but didn't see where it came from.
"Spike?"
"Don't worry, I got 'em!"
Twilight looked confused hearing Big Mac's voice. She and Applejack trotted toward the sound of him.
"What's going on over there, Big Mac?"
They continued toward him until they saw Spike running toward the house with Winona hot on his tail and Big Mac trying to catch them looking amused. Spike continued to run and zig zag around trees, diving under fences and anything he could to stay away from Winona. Spike started to leave Sweet Apple Acres, despite the others telling him to stop. Along his way, Granny Smith was walking Applebloom home from school. In the distance, Applebloom spotted Spike running, but didn't recognize him.
"Is that Winona?"
Granny Smith held her hoof over her eyes to look. She saw Spike and the others behind him.
"Some little varmint must've got into the farm a-"
"Granny Smith! Grab him!"
Granny Smith trotted a bit faster toward Spike. Spike spotted her and managed to avoid her, but he didn't see Appleblooom. As Spike swerved through Granny Smith's legs, Appleblooom waited behind her and grabbed him as he tried to run. The others caught up to him. Applejack took a moment to catch her breath.
"Alright, Spike. Mind tellin' me what you were up to?"
"Hey, I didn't do anything! Your dog was the one who wouldn't leave me alone."
Winona started to bark at him. Spike blushed at what she said and yelled at her.
"I am not gonna have kids with you!"
The other Apples looked surprised at first, but started to cheer a second later. Spike and Twilight looked confused.
"What?"
"We finally found one!"
"Applejack, what are you talking about?"
"Twilight, you don't understand. We've been trying to find a dog for Winona to have pups with for months. She is really picky about it. Everyone we tried, she wouldn't give 'em the time of day."
Applebloom happily chimed in, still holding Spike.
"Yeah! Even when she was in heart, she wouldn't take any dog."
Winona proceeded to happily lick Spike's face, in spite of his protests.
"Twilight, help!"
Twilight used her magic to pull Spike out of Applebloom's grasp and placed him on her back. Winona immediately ran to Twilight and tried to jump up to Spike, but Twilight held her back. Spike fearfully tried to climb on Twilight's head.
"Applejack, please get your dog under control."
Applejack sighed and called Winona. She obeyed but pranced around Applejack and barked in excitement.
"Please, my earth goddess! I want him. Let me have my children with him!"
Spike looked slightly surprised.
"Earth goddess?"
"What Spike?
"That’s what she calls Applejack."
Applejack looked flattered and patted Winona's head.
"Spike, why don't ya give her a chance?"
"NO!"
"C'mon, Spike! You might enjoy it."
"I am not having my first time with an animal! Or any other time!"
"Have you looked at yourself lately?"
"Applebloom!"
Applebloom shrunk back at Applejack's angry shout. Spike looked hurt at the jibe.
"Twilight, can we get out of here, please?"
Twilight nodded once to Spike before regarding Applejack.
"Please keep your dog away from Spike, Applejack."
"But Twilight-"
"I appreciate your intentions, but I am not going to force Spike to be a father. If he ever decides otherwise, then fine. But not now."
With that, Twilight walked out of Sweet Apple Acres, Spike still fearfully looking behind him to make sure Winona didn't come after him. Winona's ears lowered and she whimpered in sadness. Applejack knelt down and cuddled her.
"Don't you worry girl. You'll win over that pup soon enough."
~
Twilight and Spike returned home that evening. Spike tried to return to his work in hopes of forgetting the day’s events. Twilight watched his near fruitless efforts. She thought how to help him relax, looking around the library. She saw an old sock and had an idea.
"Spike, why don't you leave that for later?"
"Are you s-"
Spike stopped as Twilight dangled the sock in front of him. Spike's tail started to wag in excitement. Twilight smiled and shook the sock from side to side.
"Come and get it!"
Spike pounced on the sock and grabbed it with his teeth. The two continued like this for quite some time, having fun with their silly antics. The games ended with Twilight giving Spike a belly rub. Spike laid on his back with his tongue hanging out and his hind leg kicking in joy. Twilight heard Spike's stomach rumble in hunger.
"C'mon Spike. I'll make dinner."
"Can I have a gemstone?"
Twilight sighed sadly. Even after nearly losing a tooth, Spike still loved his old treat.
"Spike, you know you can't have those anymore."
"Please?"
Spike gave his best pleading look, but Twilight stood firm.
"No, you nearly lost a tooth last time. Besides, your stomach can't handle rocks."
"It’s not rocks, its gems."
"No!
"Can I just lick it a little?"
"Spike, I said no!"
Spike gave up, looking saddened. Twilight hated having to do this. Normally, Spike could eat an entire mines' worth of gems and be no worse for wear. But Twilight knew she had to be firm. Spike was much more vulnerable as a dog, and she had to make sure he was taken care of. Twilight went into the kitchen and prepared Spike's food first. It was a mix of wheat, oats and vegetables in light gravy. Both Applejack and Fluttershy had recommended it, saying it would keep Spike fit and full. Spike however couldn't stand it. The first time he tried it, he gagged and spit it out. It had taken some stern words, and several bowls of water, to get him to finish. Thankfully Fluttershy had a solution.
Twilight reached into a cupboard and pulled out a small bottle of clovers. She took several leaves, crushed them up and mixed them into the food. Spike was able to eat it easier, but he still didn't enjoy it. There were other dog foods available, but they were so fatty, Spike would be morbidly obese after a few weeks eating them. Twilight finished mixing the food and made a bowl of fresh water. Twilight set both bowls on the floor for Spike. He had tried to eat at the table, but it only resulted in a mess. Spike walked to the bowl, looking worried. He took a small bite and quickly swallowed it without chewing.
"Spike, slow down."
Spike took another bite and grimaced as he chewed. Twilight looked at him emphatically. She sincerely hoped this wouldn't last long. Spike would go insane from misery. Twilight made a simple dandelion sandwich for herself. The two ate their meals in silence, neither one in the mood to talk.
End of Part 1
