//------------------------------// // An Early Checkup // Story: Spike The Dog // by bakersong //------------------------------// As he laid there starting to regain consciousness he started to feel like the place was shaking, and he also heard what sounded like somepony calling him. Though the more he awoke the more he started to notice other stuff, like what felt like a familiar hoof on him, and the voice that was still a bit hard to hear also started to take on a more familiarity to it. But it wasn't until he finally opened his eyes that he realized that it was Twilight not only shaking him but also saying his name in a very concerned tone. "Twi-twilight?" Spike asked a bit groggily. "Oh thank Celestia! You're okay!" Twilight exclaimed releasing a sigh of relief. "Y-yeah, but what happened?" Spike asked, his memory a bit hazy. "Well, we really don't know exactly what happened. All we know is that Owlowiscious came over to Fluttershy's and told her that you had passed out. I was so worried about you, that something might have happened." Twilight replied pulling him in for a tight hug. "T-twilight...I..can't...breath!" Spike managed to say. "Oops, sorry. So, do you honestly don't remember what happened?" Twilight asked again with deep concern. "Um, well the last thing I remember was eating a sandwich and wishing I could have a topaz milkshake. Then I heard a voice after that everything went blank and I woke up with you here. So, if you're here does that mean Fluttershy came along?" Spike asked, knowing if he passed out both Twilight and Fluttershy would have come. Though he knew that even if Twilight was by herself when Owlowiscious came to get her she would have gone to get Fluttershy anyways. It's not that he didn't want Fluttershy to come, but he knew he was just fine in health wise, But as far as mental health he didn't think he was that healthy. "No, she isn't here now. She did come with me to make sure you didn't hurt yourself. Which speaking of Fluttershy, she decided to move your appointment up to tomorrow." Twilight answered giving him a small smile. "But are you sure you're okay? You're not still hearing voices are you?" "Yes Twilight, I'm just fine, and no I'm not hearing any voices," Spike replied, though something was tugging at the back of his mind. "Hey, what is it?" Twilight asked once again donning a look of concern. "I-I don't know, it's like some memory is trying to come up but for some reason, it can't," Spike replied rubbing his head again. "Hey, where's Owlowiscious?" "He's staying over a Fluttershy's right now to spend some time with the other owl's, why?" Twilight asked. "I don't know, I think it has something to do with him. That and I want to thank him for going for help when I probably needed it." Spike answered. "Well, you'll be able to thank him tomorrow, but as for right now I think it's time to go to bed," Twilight said. "What? But I just got up from being passed out for like hours." Spike whined. "Yes, but Fluttershy said to make sure you got plenty of rest even if you're wide awake. So it's either go to bed by choice, or you get a sleeping spell." Twilight said lighting up her horn with the said spell. "Alright, I'll go to bed just don't zap me!" Spike replied going up the stairs in a hurry. "That's better, and goodnight!" Twilight called. "Goodnight Twilight!" Spike called back. "I really hope nothings wrong though," Twilight muttered to herself and allowing another more worried expression on. The next morning both Spike and Twilight were up and about getting ready to go over to Fluttershy's house. Though Spike was surprised that he got as much sleep as he did, he thought he would be tossing and turning all night. Which made him think that Twilight may have used a sleeping spell on him. "So, how are you doing? Also, did you make sure to grab the grocery list, and the backup grocery list, and the back up to the backup grocery list?" Twilight asked. "For the thousandth time, I'm fine and yes I got every single one of the grocery list. And before you ask, yes I also made sure to grab the list of things to do today." Spike grumbled. "Okay, fine Mr. Grumpy," Twilight said with a slight blush. "So, let me go over this with you. While I'm at Fluttershy's getting my checkup, you'll be doing all the grocery and regular shopping?" Spike asked raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, is that a problem?" Twilight replied. "Well no, it's just last time you got haggled out of twenty more bits than what I would have got," Spike said. "Hey, that stallion said that he was running low on money and he had two foals to feed because he's a single dad," Twilight replied. "Twilight, Lettuce Ranch is married and only has one kid who is already moving out of the house," Spike said. "Oh, um, then he was just very charming," Twilight said. "And beside's the Flash in the other world have you found any stallion charming? Shot, are you even into stallions?" Spike asked. "Oh, hey look at the time. We need to go or else we'll be late for your appointment." Twilight said. "But my appointment isn't for another hour," Spike said, giving her a slight smirk. "Yes, but it takes at least twenty five minutes to Fluttershy's on hoof, and I always prefer to show up early," Twilight said. "You know Twilight, it's nothing to be ashamed about if you're into mares. After all, it's pretty common now a day's." Spike said walking towards the door. "I know, but everypony still thinks I have a crush on Brad," Twilight replied. "Yeah, I know. What I don't understand is why does everypony call him Brad?" Spike asked. "From what I hear, it's because he's supposed to be bland and boring," Twilight answered. "Oh, so in other words, he's just not that interesting," Spike said. "Yeah, that's pretty much it," Twilight answered. "So let's get going then." "Um, Twilight, we already left about ten minutes ago," Spike said, making Twilight look around and blush a little. "Oh, wait we've been walking and talking for ten minutes now?" Twilight asked. "Yeah, can't believe you didn't notice," Spike replied. After that, they continued on making some small talk along the way to pass the time and stopping to say hi to a few other ponies. Though they had to be told who he was because nopony recognized him in his current state. But he didn't blame any of them for that, and it wasn't long before they finally got to Fluttershy's. "Well, that took a little longer than expected," Spike said. "You see that's part of the reason why we left an hour early," Twilight commented. "Yeah, and the other part was to avoid my question," Spike replied. "Anyway's, we're here. So, um, do I look okay?" Twilight asked looking a bit nervous. "You look pretty normal if that's what you mean, other than being nervous of course," Spike answered. "That's good enough I guess," Twilight said putting on the best smile she could and knocked, and they waited for a moment before the could barely hear a response. "Who is it?" Fluttershy asked barely audible through the door. "It's me and Spike Fluttershy, can we come in?" Twilight asked. "Oh, you two are a little early," Fluttershy said opening the door giving them a big warming smile. "Well, if you want us to come back later we can," Twilight said, her tone a bit nervous. "Oh no, you already came all the way and Spike's appointment is only ten minutes away anyway's. So please come in, would you like some tea or something else, maybe a snack?" Fluttershy asked opening the bottom door to let them in. "Yes, tea would be lovely Fluttershy. How about you Spike?" Twilight asked who was now hiding her nerves a little better. "Uh, yeah I could go for some tea," Spike answered. "Thanks, Fluttershy." "It's no problem, and how are you feeling today Spike?" Fluttershy asked walking into the kitchen. "Well, I'm doing just fine so far," Spike answered. "So, you're not suffering from any dizziness or anything like that are you?" Fluttershy asked while still in the kitchen. "Not as far as I can tell," Spike replied. "And what did you have to eat yesterday?" Fluttershy asked walking back into the living room. "Oh, and the tea will be ready in about fifteen minutes. I hope you don't mind waiting." Fluttershy said. "No, not at all," Twilight replied. "Me neither, and I had a sandwich," Spike answered. "And was that before or after blacking out?" Fluttershy asked. "It was before," Spike replied. "Okay, well can you tell me all that you did yesterday after you got back to the library? From what Owlowiscious told me, you blacked out when he was saying hello to you like how he normally does." Fluttershy said, making that one memory try to come back up again. "Well, I did what Twilight would normally have me do when she's not there. Which that mostly consist of chores like dusting, making sure every book is in the right place, and taking out the trash. That's pretty much all I did yesterday, and then when I was about to go upstairs I heard a voice saying hello to me." Spike answered. "Oh my, are you sure you didn't just hear Owlowiscious?" Fluttershy asked taking on a bit of a similar concerned look that Twilight had. "No, I'm sure it was another voice and not a hoot from him," Spike answered rubbing his temple. "Hey, I know this is a bad time but where are your other animals?" "Oh, well they're out and about today. The only other appointment that I really had was with Winona as my other appointments were either rescheduled or canceled." Fluttershy answered, and just as she finished the tea kettle started to go off. "Sounds like the tea's done, I'll go get it." "I'll help you," Twilight said and followed the yellow Pegasus into the kitchen. "So, have you figured out what could have caused him to just black out like that yet?" "No, and besides him hearing a voice which for that he may need a therapist help, he seems to be mentally healthy to me. As for physically, I don't know yet I still have to do a physical for that." Fluttershy answered grabbing the kettle with her teeth and placing it on a tray. "Well, I hope he's okay because if being a dog makes him go crazy I don't think I could handle losing him," Twilight said. "Don't worry Twilight, I may not be a therapist but I don't think he'll go so crazy where he'll be taken away," Fluttershy said putting a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "Yeah, I hope you're right," Twilight said trying to hide her blush. Meanwhile, in the living room, Spike was sitting on the couch waiting for the two mares to get back. As he waited he couldn't help but think of what the memory that kept trying to resurface was. But the best he could figure it had something to do with Owlowiscious, and as he was thinking he heard a knock. "Hey, Fluttershy I'm here to drop off Winona!" Spike heard Applejack's voice call, and he looked to the kitchen to see if either one of the other mare's heard her. Upon realizing that neither one of them heard her, he decided he would answer the door. "Coming!" He called as he hopped down off the couch and ran over to the door, and as he opened it he was greeted by Applejack's legs. "Hey Applejack, down here." "Oh, hey Spike. Whacha doing here?" Applejack asked looking down mildly surprised. "Well, last night I kind of passed out for some reason and so Fluttershy moved my check-up to today. You said you were here to drop off Winona?" Spike asked hoping to change the subject. "I'm sorry to hear that, and I hope you feel better. And yeah, she's right over there by the chicken coop." Applejack said nodding over to where Fluttershy kept her chickens. "Alright, I'll let Fluttershy know," Spike said. "Okay, well better get back to the farm. Got to get ready, we have a tone of repairs that need to be done before Applebucking season begins." Applejack said giving him a smile and turning to walk away. "Again, hope you get better and see ya around." "Yeah, thanks and see you around to," Spike replied, and as he shut the door Twilight and Fluttershy finally came back. "Oh, who was at the door?" Fluttershy asked. "Applejack, she dropped off Winona. Which as of right now she's outside by the chicken coop." Spike replied. "Oh, okay. Well let's have a glass of tea, and then we'll continue with your checkup alright?" Fluttershy asked giving him a friendly smile. "Yeah, alright," Spike said going back over to where the couch was. After a cup of tea, it became very awkward for Spike as they entered into the physical checkup. At first, it wasn't too bad, that is until she had to get more personal in which he thought would leave a mental scare for years to come. When it was finally over he let out a sigh of relief. "Well, he seems to be just fine physically as well, and um, sorry about that Spike. That's just the normal routine checkup for all my new patients." Fluttershy said having a slight blush. "I-it's fine, it's not like that'll leave a mental scare for awhile or anything," Spike said. "Spike! She's just trying to help." Twilight said. "I know, and I'm sorry Fluttershy. Really it's fine." Spike said. "Well if you say so, but um, Twilight, I would still like to keep him over here for a little while to keep an eye on him," Fluttershy said. "Um, okay that's fine with me, how about you Spike?" Twilight asked giving him a slight glare. "Yeah, that sounds cool," Spike said shrinking a little under the glare. "But, why are you still even here Twilight, I thought you had grocery shopping to do?" "Oh no! I completely forgot! I have to go, see you later Fluttershy and Spike!" And with that Twilight teleported out. "Well, um, see you later then," Fluttershy muttered. "I better go get Winona, so make yourself comfortable." "Okay, will do Fluttershy," Spike said going over to the couch again and laying down. He was laying down getting more and more comfortable on the couch. As he did he felt himself start to doze off a little, but he was still awake though. But he was to zoned out to hear Fluttershy bringing Winona in, and he certainly wasn't prepared when the collie started to run and jump over the back of the couch and land directly on him. Winona asked while he was pinned under her his mouth hanging open in surprise and shock as that one memory came back. "Winona down!" Fluttershy said in a bit of a commanding tone. Winona said tucking her tail in her legs getting down. "And yes you have met him before. Winona, this is Spike. You remember the dragon?" Fluttershy asked. Winona said. "I know, that's because he was transformed into a dog. Now go wait in the toy room for a minute." Fluttershy said. Winona said taking off to where the toy room was. "Are you alright, it looks like you've seen a ghost," Fluttershy said. "I-I could u-understand..." He trailed off, and once again he passed out. "Oh my, are you okay?" Fluttershy asked zipping over to the now unconscious Spike.