//------------------------------//
// A Night Over At Applejack's 2 
// Story: Spike The Dog 
// by bakersong 
//------------------------------//

	It seemed to be going okay for him, as they ate he managed to get out pretty clean despite food being thrown. The pasta tasted great as well, and he thought about asking Big Mac about the recipe. That was until something hit him on the top of his head.

"No dogs allowed at the table, down boy." Granny Smith said, before giving him another wack on the head with the wooden spoon she was holding.

"Granny, will ya quite hitting him. I already explained to you that he isn't a dog, at least he wasn't a dog before. This is Spike, you remember Twilight's assistant?" Applejack asked, grabbing the spoon away from the elderly mare.

"Yes, I remember the baby dragon. But he ain't no dragon, he's obviously a dog Applejack and you know the rule's. No dogs allowed at the table while we're eating. Now down boy." Granny said, picking him up by the scruff of his neck.

"But that ain't fair Granny, he isn't a dog!" Applebloom objected.

"Either way, he ain't allowed at the table even if he was a dragon like how y'all claim. Now, no arguing or else you'll go to bed without dessert." Granny warned, putting him outside the door. "Now, you go play."

"But I wasn't finish eating though!" He whined, giving the puppy dog eyes.

"Granny, why don't ya go have a seat back at the table while I take care of it?" Applejack said, pulling her granny back to the table. "Sorry bout that, there isn't much arguing when she gets this way sometimes. Here's the rest of your food, and don't worry either me or Applebloom will fetch ya and Wionna when it's time."

"Ya Spike, we wouldn't want ya to run off." Applebloom said, suddenly standing in front of him and started to scratch behind his ear. "Besides, I think it's kind of cool cause now we get to train ya to sit and roll over! Maybe even play dead, actually maybe me and the other Crusaders could get our cutie marks in dog training!"

"Applebloom, he ain't a regular dog so get that idea out of your little head and get back at the table and finish eating." Applejack said, giving her sister a glare.

"Fine, but I still think me and he other crusaders could have earned our cutie marks." Applebloom mumbled as she walked back to the table.

"Well, be a good boy and finish..." Applejack nearly jammed a hoof in her mouth. "Sorry Spike, kind of old habits. But I hope you don't mind staying out here for a few hours, maybe an hour at least if Granny goes to sleep by then."

"Ir's fine, don't worry about it," he said, and before she went back inside she gave him a look that did in fact say she was sorry for her little slip and he looked at his food and pushed it away. "I don't think I'm that hungry anymore. I can understand Granny Smith, but did Applebloom have to make those dog training remarks?" He snorted a little.

<Well, somepony seems to be in a bad mood.> He turned to see Wionna standing by the steps to the porch staring at him.

"You would be to if you suddenly started to get treated like an animal even for a split second!" He ranted, and then his eyes widen. "Um, no offense."

<None taken, I mean you were just turned into a dog after all. It's going to take some time before ponies get used to that. Besides, from what I've seen how is being treated like a dog any different then how you were treated before? Because what I saw earlier, that Rarity mare is still using you as her personal luggage carrier.> Wionna said, taking a seat next to him.

"Hey, I volunteered for that!" He defended.

<So, you listened to her then?> He gave a nod. <You listened to her before you became a dog?> Another nod. <You know there is a reason why it's called puppy love right? I mean, you followed her like a lost little pup and did whatever she said like you were a fully grown dog who had some training. So, what's the difference between you being a dog and you being a dragon is? Not being able to breath fire? To me, that's not really much of a difference from what they were treating you like. Who knows, you being like this might actually get you more respect from them?>

"I, uh, I...." He tried to say something, but he did think about it. "No, I don't think they saw me as just another trained animal."

<Eh, then I think you're just a little bit blind to the truth then.> At that, he hung his head in thought and slight depression.

"Hey, why aren't you all hyper like before by the way?" He asked, trying to get his mind off of what she said.

<For one, I've been working all day to keep the sheep from attacking one another over who stole one of their bells. Second, it didn't seem like you were in the mood to play after what happened,> she said looking out into the fields. <And hey, sorry if I said something to upset ya. I just figured it would be better if someone pointed it to you.>

"Well, it's not something I didn't already know I guess. I mean I always had my doubts about how they saw me, I just hope Rarity isn't too put off by new appearance to give me a shot though," he said making her look at him like she wanted to tell him something, but couldn't bring herself to say it. 

< I hope she does, because you seem really nice and loyal to your friends,> she said then muttered under her breath. <But I wouldn't hold your breath on it.>

"What was that last part?" He asked, slightly confused.

<Nothing, but hey how old are you? I mean before you were turned into a dog? Because you seemed pretty young, and I always heard them say you were a baby dragon and all,> she said, looking at him quizzically.

"Well, in pony years I would be about sixeen. But in dragon years, I have no idea because no pony knows that much about them." He gave a sad sigh.

<Wait, you were sixteen?> Once again he gave a nod in response. <Do you know how old you are in dog years then?> She asked, and before she could say it he responded with the answer.

"One hundred and twelve in dog years." She gave him a surprised look. "What? I lived with Twilight for all of my life, doing simple math like that comes easy to me now a days." He gave a shrug, and laid down and she could tell he was still thinking about what she said.

<Hey, come on old man I know what'll cheer you up!> She said, suddenly picking him up by his scruff.

"Hey, put me down and I'm not that old!" He yelled in surprise.

<Oh, you shouldn't be ashamed about how old you are. I think you look pretty good for being over a hundred!> She said, not letting him go but he was lucky to be in the position as she couldn't she the blush at the complement.

"Where are you taking me then if you aren't going to put me down?" He asked, crossing his legs.

<Well, I usually go on patrol around this time to look for any lose sheep, cow, or thief. I figured you could come along and I could also show you a few spots around the farm no pony goes!> She said, her hyperness returning at once.

"Do you think I could walk then? I don't feel right you carrying me around like this," he said, and at that he found himself on the ground.

<Oops, sorry about that. I just got a little carried away,> she said.

"No, I'm the one that got carried away by force." She hung her head in shame at the tone of his voice. "But, I guess since I really don't have anything better to do I guess we could hang out. Go on that patrol and all."

<Great! Let's get started then! And if you keep hanging around me, you'll get to know this farm better than any of those ponies!> She said, speeding off in a random direction.

"Why do I get the feeling like this might not go well?" He mumbled, and ran after the speeding dog.

Though she had to slow down for his sake, for some reason she seemed to be having the time of her life laughing as he was managing to barely keep up. But it seemed her laughter was contagious as he started to laugh as well, and he had no idea why. Maybe it was the freedom and rush from being faster than what he was before? Or maybe he was just finally able to relax and not think about how his friends thought about him, whether they saw him as an equal or not. Something that weighed on his mind for awhile now.