//------------------------------//
// A Night With Winona 
// Story: Spike The Dog 
// by bakersong 
//------------------------------//

	He was out of breath by the time they got to a clearing that looked like it was almost completely forgotten about in the farm. Though that was hard to believe since he knew Applejack loved her farm to death and wouldn't allow a part of it to go unkempt like this. For there was tall grass, tree's that look like they haven't been harvested once since they've been planted, and an old plow in the middle.

<This is apart of the Fruit Bat sanctuary so the family doesn't really come to this part anymore.> Winona said before he could ask.

"Won't the Fruit Bats be mad that we're here then?" He asked tilting his head in slight confusion.

<Nope, they're actually pretty nice once you get to know them. They only really get mad if you try to take their food that they're trying to eat, which anypony would be if they were eating something.> Winona replied, hopping on the plow. <Now come up here and you get a great view of the night sky.>

"Um, okay?" He said, and walked over to the plow and tried to climb it but kept failing.

<Here let me help ya,> Winona said lowering her head and grabbing him by his scruff again making him grumble. <There ya are, now just sit down and look at the sky with me for a little bit.>

They did just that, and despite him seeing the same exact stars for most of his life he couldn't help but still admire them. He kept looking for a few moments, and looked at Winona to say something but stopped. For whatever reason, his words caught in his throat as he saw the stars reflect in her eyes.

<What? Do I have something on my face?> Winona asked noticing him staring at her.

"Huh, no, no there's nothing on your face. I was just about to ask if you were ready to show me something else, I mean you did sound like you wanted to show me more than this right?" He asked, blushing a little.

<Oh, but we just got here only like twenty minutes ago!> Winona said, pouting making him give a sigh.

"Fine, I mean you are the one whose conducting this tour. So I guess I can't really argue," he said.

<Good, now follow me because the next stop isn't too far.> He jumped in surprise as she hopped down and ran towards the trees.

"Sheesh, guilt me into staying here and then change her mind right after. That's something I guess I'm gonna have to get used to," he muttered as he managed to get off the plow and started following her.

He followed her, and this time managed to keep up with ease considering she was just walking this time. Wherever she wanted to take him, it must really not be that far or she just didn't want to lose him in the trees. Maybe a mixture of both, or maybe she just wanted to go on more of a leisurely stroll.

Though that didn't stop him from feeling a little uneasy knowing that that Apple family barely comes to this part of the farm any more. Finding that out did surprise him a little, but it didn't really bother him as much. But his uneasiness fell away every time he looked at how confident Winona was.

<So, Spike how do you like being a dog?> Winona asked, making him snap his attention from a tree that had nice and juicy apples on it.

"Well, it's different alright. I mean I can run faster than before, but I also can't breath fire which I liked doing since I could cook with my own breath. That comes in handy sometimes, but being a dog isn't that bad. Besides how it seems my friend treat me. I mean the only one that I know hasn't treated me any differently is Twilight, maybe Fluttershy. I don't know about the others though," he answered.

<What do you mean?> Winona asked.

"You know how Applejack and the rest of her family treated me, I mean Applejack tried but still slipped a little. I haven't really been around Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie, and the only time I've been around Fluttershy was when she gave me that check up. But that was because I am a dog and she knows how to treat animals better than the vet. But Twilight still seems to treat me like how she did before, or as much as she can considering I can't help her with her letters anymore." He answered.

<Hmm, well you forgot Rarity. I mean I saw how she treated you a little bit, but tell me a little more about it with her.> Winona said, dodging a low branch.

"Well, Rarity still treats me about the same. I mean she always ask me to carry her bags for her, and she does normally give me a gem as payment. But all I got today was a pat on the head, which didn't bother me because a pat on the head from her is way better than any gem." He replied, going into a dreamy look.

<Well, maybe I was a bit careless when I said they treat you like an animal. No offense, but even then I still think how they treat you is still unfair. I mean I've seen what you could do and I could tell that with your skills at your age is very impressive, and I mean in pony years.> Winona said.

"Yeah, usually most ponies aren't that good at what I do unless it's their cutie mark. But then they work on that talent for the rest of their lives," he said.

<Yeah, but you didn't have a cutie mark that told you what your special talent was. From what I've heard, you are a good cleaner, assistant, and cook. Despite what I saw when you owed Applejack,> Winona said, and he could see the little evil smirk on her face, though he was surprised he could tell.

"Hey, I was trying to hard that day. So of course I would mess up!" He defended.

<Oh, and yet you managed to count all the blades of grass on the farm without a problem and in one day.> Winona said, making him give a sigh of defeat.

"Alright, fine I wasn't on my A game that day. But like I said I was trying to hard and that's why I had so much trouble," he muttered.

<Well, anyways we're here!> Winona said, and stopped in front of a little pond that had some frogs going about, though the pond in the star light looked beautiful.

"Wow, this is so amazing," he said his eyes were widened.

<Yeah, I found it when I chased a sheep here. I always come here in order to relax after a days work,> Winona said, and he could see her visibly relax and let out a small sigh, and went up and took a drink from the pond. <Come on, it's very refreshing.>

"But isn't that unsanitary?" He asked going up the the pond.

<Not for dogs, I mean we have some of the cleanest mouths. We could eat raw meat if we wanted, and besides you were a dragon before so I'm sure it wouldn't be unhealthy for you.> Winona said, and he shrugged figuring the worst thing that could happen was he could get a little sick and have to be taken back to Fluttershy's.

"Mm, that's better than what I thought," he said after taking a sip.

<Now time for my favorite part when I come here,> Winona said.

"What do you mean by..." Just then he heard a splash before water come raining down onto him getting him wet. "Hey, what was that for!?"

<Oops, sorry but come on in. The water feels great!> Winona said, paddling around.

"Um, no thanks I'm not really in the mood for swimming." He said.

<Oh come on, you already took a drink out of it. Taking a little dip won't harm you,> Winona said, once again making him give a sigh.

"I guess I am a little hotter than usual," he muttered before slowing going into the pond.

<Well duh, you don't sweat when you're a dog remember?> Winona said before splashing him.

"Hey, and yeah I remember and take that!" He said managing to splash her back.

Their splash fight went on for a little bit before they both came out of the pond exhausted, and both laid at the side of the pond. They didn't talk wanting to catch their breaths, though he felt completely worn out. It wasn't until he almost fell asleep that he realized how late it was.

He was about to get up before he felt a paw on his back, and he looked to see Winona shake her head. At first he just wanted to go back to the house, but soon his weariness took hold. He felt himself fall to the ground, and the last thing he remembered was looking at the pond sparkling, and felt a body press up against his before he fell asleep.