Chapters It was the most amazing night I've ever had. No sticks and stones were as happy as I was. Crickets were chirping softly, and the moon was shining brightly. Nature was incomparable. But it was nothing compared to my special pony, which I love the most. Her name was Maud Pie. She loved geology, and I loved botany. Her passion was stones, my passion was sticks. We found a common language on such unusual hobbies. At first we just kept in touch, but then ... Technically, I don't have to talk about it because you know it without me. And now our date was coming to an end at the time of my description of nature. Too bad this date couldn't last forever. Even so indifferent to everything pony as I was was able to feel this spirit of romance. And I didn't want to go home. But I knew that nothing could be changed. Perhaps Maud thought so too. So I walked her home (technically, it was a beautiful stone cave).
"This is my best night ever, Mudbriar". Maud said after our date was over.
"Technically, I think so too." I answered with a smile. How beautiful, elegant, and intelligent she was. I wasn't interested in finding myself a special somepony before. But after meeting Maud, I couldn't stop thinking about her. My thoughts were only with her. I felt myself ... easier in companies with her. Maud always understood me, and I understood her. And I realized that I, technically, fell in love with her. And surprisingly, she answered me back. And so we started dating. We rarely talk about it, we just like to be in each other's company and learn something new about sticks and rocks. And we loved to watch how our pets Twiggy and Boulder are playing together. They were adorable at this moment.
"See you tomorrow." Maud said and kissed my cheek one last time. I felt a deep blush come over my face.
"See you tomorrow." I said. She went to her cave, and I went my way. I've never felt so good inside. It was wonderful. Strange, since when have I been so generous with descriptions? Technically, since we started dating, apparently.
It was very dark when I went home. You could say I didn't see beyond my nose. It was surprisingly quiet, even a little creepy. I decided to step up and speed up. And here is my house already was ahead, but suddenly I sensed, as somepony grabbed me stranglehold. I was shocked and tried to escape, but the pony put a knife to my throat. Why would he want me? Technically, I didn't hurt anyone.
"Your money or your life, guy. Choose." The pony growled low and frightening bass; goose bumps involuntarily ran down my back.
Technically, I wasn't going to tolerate such insolence. First of all, I don't have any money with me. Secondly, if he needed money, let him earn it. But, unfortunately, I knew the talking with this pony is useless, so not even worth trying. So the only thing I decided to do was break away. With a hoof in his side, the pony loosened his grip and dropped the knife, so I was able to break free. Not wanting to stand on ceremony with him anymore, I rushed home.
I've never ran so fast, but I had to do it. Technically, my life depended on it. Run while you can, Mudbriar. But suddenly I was knocked down, and I did not even have time to figure out anything. After rolling on the ground a few feet, I was going to get up, but I hurt my leg badly.
"Rotten ash!" I swore, but suddenly the same pony and his friend came close to me. Apparently, his friend knocked me down. One pony held a knife; the other just looked at me and laughed. I saw rage and thirst for pain and blood in their eyes.
"Idiot, did you really think this trick would work? We only hoped to steal from you, but you leave us no choice..." The pony with the knife told me, and both came closer. I tried to get up, but I couldn't because of my leg. I was knocked down too hard. And then all hell broke loose: the beating of their hooves coming down on me. Every beat was as in the last time. I covered my head with hooves, but it didn't help much. I tried to fight and even bit them a couple of times, but I could see that my strength was nothing compared to their strength. No matter how much I struggled, I couldn't save myself. Plus there were two, and I was one.
"Stop! Help please!" I tore my throat, but no one was around, so no one heard me. I lived in a rather remote place.
But my screams only made things worse, and they hit harder, so I had to stop screaming. I could feel the pain in my body, the blood running down my stomach, and the bones almost completely broken.
"Okay, that's enough." One of the ponies said angrily and with a sneer and stabbed knife in the chest, after which both left with laughter, leaving me, lying in the bush.
Why did I run away? Why was I trying to get away? That's what I was thinking, feeling the knife sticking out of my chest. I wanted to get it out, but I knew that otherwise all the blood would flow out of my heart. So I just laid there and looked at the stars. They were beautiful, I think ... Terrible pain bound my body, I was suffocating. The hooves were wrongly turned. A bloody veil enveloped my eyes, and the stars began to disappear. I could barely see my house and it seemed so far away. I felt weak, but I didn't complain. Technically, I was still that idiot. I made a very stupid and dangerous mistake. I just realized that now. Too bad, it was too late.
Weakness and pain completely engulfed me. I knew that was all. Everything started to disappear in my eyes along with the blood running out of my body.
I love you, Maud. Forgive me for my mistake. If I could fix something, I would definitely do it...
I don't know how much time has passed. My head can't remember anything. Everything was vague and strange. Besides, I heard something bubbling. It was everywhere. The dog whining and the pressure in the head joined soon to this drilling. I feel like I was going be pushed forward. Okay, I can feel the front hooves. They're stretched out like I'm about to dive into the water. I have to remember how to do it... what the hay am I thinking?!
Then I realized that my eyes were firmly closed, I could not open them. Strange, what's going on? Oh, yes, I remembered what happened before. Pain, beating, knife ... Suddenly the dog's whining increased, and I was pushed out. I felt cold, but for a moment. I was immediately washed, apparently, with tongue. I smelled the dog. And suddenly I felt that I could not breathe, and I opened my mouth, catching the air, and tried to scream. Instead of a scream, a few puppy-like faint sounds came out, and my eyes were still closed. But now, technically, I can breathe. But it was not clear: why such a strange sound escaped from my mouth?
I tried not to panic, but I couldn't. I tried to scream again because it got a little scary. And again the puppy yapping came out of my mouth. But only I stopped, the dog again began to wash me, soothing. Holy Celestia, am I going crazy or was I reborn into a puppy?! Technically, if I could make only that sounds, and if my hooves became paws, the second option would be correct. Calm down, Mudbriar, calm down.
Thinking about it, I felt hungry. Clinging to my mother's belly, I began to gulp down the milk. And the dog kept licking me. Surprisingly, the milk was delicious. And her belly was so warm and soft, it made me feel better. Too bad I can't see my new mom yet. I only felt its warmth and pleasant smell. I wonder what kind of puppy I am. I don't remember how many puppies have their eyes closed, so I don't know when I'll be able to find the answer to my questions.
I wonder where we were. I smelled the forest and the river. Crickets chattered, and the mouse squeaked. So we were outside, and we were wild dogs. Technically, I didn't think we'd be domestic dogs. And again, technically, I didn't think I was gonna be a dog.
Of course, all this was strange. A puppy with the consciousness of an adult pony. I've never heard of it. But I couldn't help it. We would have to get out of it. Probably, the destiny has disposed so. But importantly, that near with me this dog. I knew I was her son, and she wouldn't leave me. Her fur was so good, I buried my dog face in the fur and felt tired. I was surprisingly calm and comfortable, and I fell into a dream.
Feeling paws instead of hooves was strange first. But my mother helped me stay on them and not fall. After some falls felling paws became habit. And later my eyes finally opened. I could see: I was a little white puppy with brown spots. And my mom looked similar. And yes, technically, I was right: our cave, which we used as a home, was next to little river. And also there was a green and beatiful forest inside. I often heard birds' singing.
And also I admited the fact that I couldn't talk anymore. "Whoof, whoof!" That was the only thing which I could say with my dog mouth. But I wasn't very talking puppy (as I wasn't very talking pony), because my mom told me not to talking without needs. So, technically, I only thought about my past and learned how to be a dog.
The first lesson is: afraid of ponies and not trust them.
"They are unpredictable creatures. One day they can feed you, and later they hurt you without any reason, just because they wanted it." My mom told me after I became too adult puppy.
She hated ponies, I guess, they brought her so much pain and dissapointments. Well, if she would know who I was really.... she would think that her son became crazy. And if she had trusted my past, my mom wouldn't have loved me anymore. And I, Mudbriar, would be alone. As a dog. And without Maud...
The second lesson is: not lose the time and do everything for surviving.
"We are wild dogs, so nobody will take care of us. We must do it ourselves. Or...it's too early speaking about that with you, son. I'll tell you later". She told me. I knew that she meant. If I didn't try to survive, I would die because of hungry.
She wanted protect me from that, teaching how hunt, how feel less cold and other. I thanked her for that, but, technically , I wasn't very good wild dog. I couldn't achieved great results in learning. Fortunately, my mom tried learn me more and more. And I'm really sorry, that I couldn't be a good student.
Sometimes we walked together in the forest. I liked my new mom, but, looking on her, I drived into memories about my past. I felt myself a little colt, who I had been once, in her company. That's why I began remember my really mom.
"Look, Mudbriar, it's Twiggy. He is your new friend." My mom said, meeting me with my pet, when I was five or six.
"Hi, Twiggy". That's how I met my pet. And we became friends from that time. I rememdered that episode of my life with smile. Yeah, dear mother, thanks for meeting me, little silly colt in that moment, with Twiggy.
And also I remembered Maud. Had she missed me, too? I wondered, because I really felt her dissapearence in my life. I often saw her in my dreams. After that dreams, I woke up with sadness. If I was a pony, I would cry because of that. Maybe, it would be a little shame for that stallion as I was, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to do something with my tears. But dogs had never been able to cry. That's why I felt myself worse. My mom tried to cheer up me, and I pretended more enjoyed, because I didn't want worry her. But actually I wasn't enjoyed.
"Where am I?" I asked heavy air in my last dream.
"That's the place where we can funally be together" The familiar voice answered me. And later Maud came to me. She was so nice in that dream.
"Technically that's only my dream. And...it's so sad".
"I know. So please don't think about that. I can't see you sad". She answered and kissed me. And that's how I began forgeting about unreality of that kiss. And it was bad: I often felt sadness after that dreams in the mornings as I mentioned. Oh, Maud, I'm so missing you. Why did I make that stupid mistake with that ponies? Why didn't I thinking about my safety?
But one day everything changed, and I didn't expect that. I caught a little mouse (technically eating meat indtead of hay and grass was hard to me first, too) and waited my mom to eating it. But she didn't returned too long. I worried about her. My mom had never left me so long, because I was always a little weak puppy for her (but, technically, she was a little right about that). I decided to try find her.
I cleared the forest looking for her, but there was no sign of her, no smell of her. Then I went to the bank of the river and sniffed. I caught the faint scent of my mother. Well, I forgot to mention one of the perks of being a dog: your nose is amazing. So I didn't have much trouble finding my mom.
But there was no happiness when I found her: the flow of water carried her to the shore, she laid motionless. A small fish twitched in her teeth, trying to escape. My mother's eyes were closed, and her head was pierced, blood was flowing from the crack. I felt pain and unbearable, I howled. Mom's hunt today was clearly not a success. The stormy river swallowed her up and killed. I dug a hole and put her body in it. It was the only thing I could do. After standing near the grave a few minutes in sorrow, I left and returned to the cave. I was very sad there, I was alone. The cave seemed cold and unfriendly to me. And mom will never come here again.
No, I couldn't stay here. I decided to leave the cave and go where eyes could see. Only don't stay here, Mudbriar. Of course, I grew up in this cave (if you might say so) but technically, it wasn't my home anymore. The value of the caves as home was gone, along with my mom. Plus, I was old enough to take care of myself by my own. So I left the cave without much regret, many regrets had already been. I don't know where to go, but I expected that my paws would lead me to the right place. And that's how my way had begun. I'm sorry I left the cave, mom, but it was necessary.
In the beginning of the way
The cold and unpleasant wind beat my body, after I left the cave with sadness. But I didn't feel cold because of my long and good fur. Where was I going? Who knew. Well, I went in place, where I would able to feeling myself better. But, tecnically, I didn't know what that place was. And could I feel better after my mom's death? When was the last time when I was happy or just satisfied? Technically, the last time was ... when I was a pony. Of course, being a dog had own pluses, but ... Oh, that was really "nice", the rain was going to begin. Technically, I should hide somewhere. Too bad, I was going on the field, so I didn't have a chance to hide. Hopefully, it was small rain. I guessed it would end soon.
How did my life change after my mom's leaving? Well, technically, I started own dog life without anypony's (or anycreature's) helping. I hunted by myself and ate mice, gross (if I was too hungry, but my hunt failed. Too bad, I had had stomach ache after that). I had to do everything to survive. Technically, I should add, my surviving skills became better. I mean, I stayed alive and was staying alive. It was hard first, but it became into habit later. I didn't want to die (I was saying it even after reborning, it wasn't strange, okay?). Death in two times was too extreme for me. That's why I didn't stop in my way. But, technically, I hoped the way would end, and I would become happy (or simple satisfied) again. I had to admit, sometimes Mudbriar had too much hopes.
Too bad, I was alone. Well, technically, sometimes I saw ponies, who walked or went somewhere (ponies could feed me or hit me, so I tried go away from them as my mom told), but it wasn't same. I knew the reason of that. I missed Maud, I wanted she would be here. Somewhere, in the deepest place of my soul, I hoped to find her. I tried ignore that hope, but it wasn't possible. I loved her so much, so dreams about being with her again were valuable for me (even if you considered them silly, I didn't care). Besides, that hope gave me forces to continue my way.
One day I sniffed something unpleasant and familiar. And later I heard the screaming. What was going on? I decided to explore it, so I ran on the sound. The smell and the screaming became stronger and stronger.
"Please, let me go!" The female voice pleased with crying. Two male voices laughed, and I heard sound of hitting. They hit the mare.
"My dear friend, she is so nice, silly and naive, am I right?"
"Yeah, and if she wants to stay alive, she should calm down and shut up! I hate when somepony is screaming."
O my gosh, I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. That were ponies, who killed me! And now that jerks caught little mare and didn't let her go. Nopony heard her cries, so stallions weren't scary. Technically, no, they killed me, and now I was going to revenge and safe this mare. I wasn't going let them doing everything they wanted, especially after they did with me.
That's why I ran on them and attacked. My teeth were sharp, and I bit them. The mare became free and ran away. Two stallionsscreamed because of pain and tried to hit me, but I was faster (thanks for dog body). Plus, the darkness of the night helped me. My bites were as strong and painful as I could. That was my unexpected and cruel revenge.
Two stallions gave up and ran away, covering me with bad words. But I didn't care, technically, theu deserved that.
"Thank you so much, little buddy". The mare came to me and said, smoothing the fur on my head. I knew her. Her name was Octavia Melody. "What did you do here? Do you have a owner?"
I looked on her, hinting her on the "no" answer. She understoood me. How? I didn't know. Maybe I had too clever eyes or she was so clever pony.
"Oh, poor little thing. You ase so slim. Eat it please. You will feel yourself better, I swear". She said and gave me a piece of ... I didn't have any idea (maybe a piece of meat), but I ate it because I was so hungry. And she was right: I felt myself better a little.
"Tasty, isn't it? I hope you like it. You are so smart dog. Hey, I have an idea. What do you think about being my dog? Vinyl will be so glad". Octavia asked me ans waited my answer.
Her suggestion sounded nice, interesting and pleasant, but I had to refuse from it. Technically, I couldn't be domestic dog because of my past. Besides, I had a goal of my way. And it was Maud. Plus, Vinyl was Octavia's neighbor, who liked loud music. And I couldn't stand loud music. I had enough reasons not to stay and continue my way.
That's why I turned in other side and went from her, looking on Octavia in the last time. She didn't try stop me. She was understanding pony.
"I see, you have own mission. Vinyl and me would like have you as our pet, but I understand. I hope you will find the thing that you are looking for. Thank you again and good luck, little dog!" Octavia said and went home. I guessed Vinyl had already waited her. They were best friends as I guessed.
"Thanks". I thanked her in my mind and went in other side. The good thing was the rain was ending. I felt myself better as I mentioned, because I could safe Octavia and revenge that bad ponies. Now they wouldn't torment other ponies again. But technically, my way wasn't ended. I thought it was only the beginning.
I must add, my way wasn't so interesting and extreme as you might expect (a moment with Octavia didn't consider). It was more like trying to survive and hoping on good future. It was good my way was ending. I felt it. Something told me I was going on the right place. So I, technically, speeded up and gave up to my six feeling.
I guessed it was the end. I knew that cave, it was so familiar. I was here a lot of times after meeting Maud, because, technically, that cave was her home. I couldn't belive I found it, I did it. Technically, my six feeling was useful. I was glad as a stick before mineralization.
"Maud, Twilight, did you hear something?" One voice asked.
"No, Fluttershy, what do you mean? I haven't heard anything". Twilight's voice answered.
"I think I heard a ... dog or a puppy. I will go and check, okay?" The shy pony said and flewto the exit fron the cave. I wanted to hide, but the yellow Pegasus saw me ealier than I could hide.
"Hello, little one. Are you lost? Are you okay? Where are you from?" Fluttershy asked me. I tried ignore her questions. "Girls, I was right: there is a dog!"
Twilight and Maud came to us. I finally saw Maud, she was more silent and serious. I missed her so much. I came to her, Maud smoothed me in misunderstanding.
"I guess he likes you". Twilight noticed.
"He is so cute little dog". Fluttershy added with smile. Was I a cute dog really? I didn't know that.
Wait, it was my chance. I had an idea. Maud must know what happended to me, she must understand me even if I was a dog. And the yellow shy Pegasus could help. Technically, that was a good idea. I hoped Maud would believe me.
"Fluttershy". I said. "You have to listen to me. Please, don't think I am crazy or something. And believe me and tell Maud and Twilight. Technically, I am not a dog really. I am Mudbriar."
"Wait, what?" She asked in surprise.
"I am Mudbriar". I repeated. "Technically, two bad ponies killed me once, and I was reborn into a dog. I am not kidding really. Please tell it Maud, she must know it".
The yellow pony was shocked, but she believed me.
"What did he say?" Twilight asked.
Fluttershy told them everything. Maud looked on me in surprising, misunderstanding and confusing. Oh no, did she believe or not?
"Please believe me, Maud. I was looking for you so long, I hoped to find you. I missed you. Technically, I love you." I looked on her in hoping.
She hugged me with smile, which I missed.
"I missed you, too, Mudbriar". She said.
Maud believed me and remembered me, yes! I was happy again.
"I can't belive that reborning is possible. I have never believed in this, but now I believe!" The purple alicorn said.
"Hmm...Maud, would you like to retutn Mudbriar back into pony?"
"I would like it". She asked.
"What about you?" A purple alicorn asked me. I beckoned, she understood me even without Fluttershy.
"I see. You know, maybe we will be able to find a spell in my castle, which will be helpful."
"You think, we can do this, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked in uncertainty.
"I only hope. But if Mudbriar could find Maud, we can find a spell, too!" Twilight answered and teleported us into her castle.
We started find a spell to turning me back. Twilight's library were huge, there were so much books. But we couldn't find necessary spell. I was afraid: did that spell really exist? Maud hepled me not to panic, so I calmed down.
"I don't understand, I thought that spell was here!" Twilight said.
"O no, did we failed? I'm so sorry." Fluttershy sobbed. Maud and I still be calm.
"Not panic, only not panic!"
"Actually we can ask help from Princess Celestia, what do you think about that idea?" Maud suggested. That was clever idea. Hinting at this, I quite whined, and Maud smiled.
"You are genious, Maud! Spike, come here please!" Twilight asked a little purple dragon to come.
Spike wrote a letter about me and my reborning to the Princess (the letter was dictated by purple alicorn) and sent a letter. Surprisingly, it was not necessary to wait long for an answer from the Princess. Celestia willingly wanted to help, she was a great leader of our country. Technically, I shouldn't have believed that Princess Celestia was always happy to help her student Twilight Sparkle.
"I can't believe she found it! Now we can turn Mudbriar back. Are you ready?" Twilight asked me. I nodded. Finally my way was truly over. Twilight's horn glowed because of performing the spell, and a purple aura surrounded me. The last thing I saw was Maud's smile. The last thing I felt was a pain in my paws. And the last thing I thought was about my foster mother...
"Is he okay? He looks so weak." I saw Fluttershy through the mist.
"I think so. And weakness is normal, Princess Celestia said so." Twilight answered. It was still a mist.
I slowly onened my eyes and saw Twilight, Fluttershy and Maud, they were smiling. I barked out of habit, which meant "What happened?" Technically, I felt weak and didn't understand anything.
"Mudbriar, look on yourself." Maud said and gave me a mirror.
I took it and looked in the mirror. Guess what: I didn't see a little white dog with brown spots, I saw a grey pony with tired and indifferent gaze , I looked on myself! I looked down, instead of paws there were hooves. There were a big brown spots on my flanks earlier, now, technically, there was a stick in mud as my cutiemark. I couldn't believe, it was working.
I tried to stand on my hooves and almost fell, Twilight magically caught me. Technically, I don't know how long I've been a dog (probably not for very long), but it felt like I'd never been a pony.
"Mudbriar, are you okay?" Maud asked. I tried to find the words. It wasn't hard.
"Technically, I've never been okay as I am now." I smiled. "I missed you".
"I missed you, too." She said, and I felt her lips on my cheek.
