Twilight stumbles home and to the scene of a murder. Spike stands before a corpse. When she asks him what happened, all he can ask her is: "What do you mean?"

Spike endures a growth spurt in both body and mind.

Others begin to take an interest in him.

The spectacular editing work is done by socialdeviance

Spike has always, maybe, sorta KINDA had a crush on Fluttershy. Only, he doesn't believe he's dragon enough to deserve her. When Twilight (accidentally) transforms him into a ferret, he's left in Fluttershy's care.

Can he become more than a pet?

Writing is hard, or at least, that's what most writers say. Can their words be trusted? And just what are words? Do they dictate our worth, the quality of our lives? Spike is very sleepy, but he's equipped with a quill in his claw.

Spike jots his thoughts on paper when no one will listen.

(Written when I almost dropped out of high school, Lola.)

Spike

After learning how to drink, you do a bit too much of it, for you mostly do it alone.

Pain built from guilt is reduced by punishment.

There are many ways to deal with the pain from the punishment that comes from a drink. One can squeeze their eyes and clench their claws and shake through the shudders of alcoholic intensity. Or one exhales the punishment as it comes up, concentrating it out.

And that trick applies to more than just drinking.

Spike is best dragon and everyone should love him.

Spike is never taken seriously, besides being a comical relief for the town. So instead of being there for his friends that don't need him, he decides trying being for himself: the one who needs him the most.

He leaves Ponyville in an attempt to find what he's meant to do with his life, and even though his friends say he's overreacting – one of them accompanies him on his path.

Spike trades his life to practice writing more.