Spike had been feeling out of it for the past few days everything from fever to sneezing. It was rare for a dragon to become ill, though not impossible. He had agonizing indigestion many times in the library bathroom. He would find him sniffing back just to let out a fire jet of a sneeze that exceeded his usual prowess with his fire-breath. He had eventually hold up in the library basement not wanting to see anyone until he was better.
Twilight always one for a proactive approach had gone to Zecora several times since it had begun since she seemed to know the most about dragons out of anypony. Twilight after all needed her number one assistant back to full health. The shouting matches the two had, endured just before only made her want to help him out of his current predicament more.
Almost every one of Twilight's friends had tried to get the young dragon out of the basement. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were met with the same resistance Twilight seemed to encounter. Pinkie Pie tried tempting him with a sapphire cup cake, and Fluttershy had even gone to ask the phoenixes to ask if Pee-Wee could come help. All efforts seemed for naught, when Rarity asked that the girls all leave before she try to pry him from the dark and dank basement.
Rarity brought a pillow from the library’s sitting room and moved to lean her back up again the wood door that separated her from her Spikey Wikie. She leaned her head back and said, “ You know, Spike, No matter what's wrong with you we just want to help.”
“R... R, Rarity. I think I'm not just sick.” he let out a big sniff and another sneeze this one echoing through the tree-library. “I... I think I'm changing.” letting out another cough he pressed his head up against the door and said. “I don't want to leave Ponyville.”
“Spike, why on earth would we make you leave Ponyville. You're one of our best friends. I know I certainly wouldn't be able to get half of my projects done with out your help any more. Also I know who those hearth warming gems come from every year.”said Rarity in the gentlest voice she could muster.
“Come down you'll see why.”Another cough to finish his statement and the door was unlocked and unbarred.
Rarity slowly stood up on all four hooves and then slowly opened the door with her magic and proceeded down the steps to the basement that contained Spike. The lights were low and she started to use her horn for light as she reached the basement she could see Spike in the shadows whimpering against a corner of the room.
Bringing her body closer to his Rarity could now see what had her friend so upset. For starters he wasn't a baby dragon anymore. His legs were now longer and stretched out along the ground before him. He now had a pair of wings that were wrapped around his upper-body hiding his arms from sight. His Head was low and off to one side he now had a wolf sized muzzle full of razor sharp teeth and the spikes on his head only seemed to add to his new height.
“I'm hideous Rarity, I haven't been hoarding, I've been a good friend to everypony. And now I'm just a monster.”Spike said this with a heavy heart.