//------------------------------//
// The Date 
// Story: Spike The Dog 
// by bakersong 
//------------------------------//

As he turned his attention back up to the sky he couldn't help but keep catching glances at Winona. Yet another bright streak ran across the sky, though this one lasted longer. All of a sudden the streak started to turn this way and that way so fast that the head of the streak was already caught up with the tail.

<Wow... is that a Phoenix?> He asked in complete amazement of the acrobatics. 

<Yup, but keep watching. It gets so much better!> Winona whispered.

The Phoenix did a few more tricks before another streak came up from the forest, this one a tiny bit smaller than the first. At first he was a little confused but after a moment he realized that the smaller one was probably a Phoenix chick. Soon the two came together and started to do a few more tricks.

<Here comes the best part!> Winona said, though he barely heard her since he was in complete awe.

That's when the bigger streak veered off and after a few seconds it stopped. Only when it stops it starts to glow brighter, then the light exploded into several different colors. At first he couldn't believe his eyes, he didn't even know that a Phoenix could do something like that.

Though he did manage to break his stare over the light show to see Winona wagging her tail happily watching the show. That's when he caught her looking at him out of the corner of her eyes, which she instantly avoided eye contact and he could see the slight blush in her fur. Yet another light show went off illuminating the two of them again in bright colors and he couldn't help but like how the colors reflected off her coat.

<W-why are you staring at me like that? It's making me feel nervous!> Winona said, which kind of made him chuckle a little.

<I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you.> He said as she gave a little huff.

<But why are you staring?> Winona asked, making his cheeks start burning but luckily another light show went off to hide the blush a little.

<I-it's just that yo...> He grabbed his head and screamed. 

<What's wrong?!> Winona asked jumping to his side.

<I'm fine, I just can't get these words out!> He replied, that's when he felt her paw on him.

<It's alright Spike...> Winona started but he quickly cut her off.

<You look beautiful with how the light reflects off of your fur!> He quickly said before covering his mouth. <I didn... I mean you look beautiful any...>

Once again he found himself laying on his back looking up at Winona, and as if someone had written it this way, the two streaks had made a perfect heart with Winona in the center. That's when Winona lowered her head and nuzzled him, before giving him a little lick on the cheek. He locked eyes with her and it felt like his heart was going a million miles an hour.

<I want to stay a dog...> He whispered making Winona tilt her head, and started to move off of him

<Wh-what did you just say?> Winona asked.

<I-I want to stay a dog! I don't want to be turned back into a dragon! I-I made so many new friends who helped me through my darkest moments these past few weeks! A-and some friends I-I l-like more than the others.> At this he could hear her give an eep.

<I-I wouldn't h-happen to be one who you like more?> He nodded his head, both their hearts beating fast. 

<N-now I'm not saying I'm confessing my love for you!> He shouted, though he didn't really know why he had the impulse to say that. <N-not that i-it couldn't lead up to that... but I really do like you Winona! I want to stay a dog so I can be with you to see where this goes!>

<But what if you didn't have a choice? What if we broke up and you wanted to be a dragon again? Could you become a dragon again? I-I knew this was a bad idea...> Winona had started to back away from him, tears starting to form. <I-I'm sorry, I can't!>

That's when she took off, leaving him alone with the light of the two Phoenixes above who were still doing their tricks and stunts. His heart now hurting, tears were forming as he watched Winona disappear into the woods. He just sat there, even when the two fire birds were long gone.

Though he was hurting, he let his hurt solidify his decision to stay a dog so he could be with her. Even if she rejects him after he knew for sure that he could stay a dog, he wouldn't care. Being a dog has been the best thing that happened to him in years.

<No matter what anypony says, this is what I truly want for myself!> He yelled at the sky as the sun was rising, which made him realize that he had spent the whole night out here. So he started making his way back to town, though with a slightly broken heart, but also with a new found resolve.