The Dawn of a New Day

"Not quite what I wished for when I wished for a pony .." It was Cordelia (Nashura) speaking. Buffy (Zeno) heard her voice as she pushed open the door to Spike's crypt.

Cordelia turned to Buffy. "She just called for Spike seeing me," she snitched.

Buffy stopped. Dawn (Doomdale)was indeed not herself. Well, from the waist upwards it was still Dawn, still wearing Buffy's blue sweater she had borrowed on her own initiative. But from below the waist she was pure equine.

"Dawn... !" cried Buffy, then an absurd thought came to her, "Now that sweater is well and truly ruined."

Dawn looked down and muttered, "I didn't cheat on another guy I swear." She pawed at the ground with her right front hoof. Her tail flicked.

Cordelia failed to hide a grin. She was enjoying this a bit too much.

"CORDELIA I SWEAR ONE WORD TO XANDER AND YOUR DEAD!" flared Dawn.

Buffy was at a loss. "How are we going to change you back?"

"Its been coming and going," shrugged Dawn, "just guess I wait it out."

"Xander?" asked Cordy, "Now why would I ? .. ohh .." She smiled understanding why Dawn was so concerned about what Xander thought.

Buffy sighed, "Well we can't sent you to school like that..."

Cordelia just couldn't resist, "Hmm .. is that a horsehair sweater?" she poked.

Dawn tried to grasp at Cordelia's shirt. If successful she would have pinned Cordelia to the wall behind and yelled at her.

"I'm sorry Dawn," countered Cordelia as she stepped aside, "but mostly Centaurs are supposed to threaten by their haughty and fearless behaviour, not the whiny nerve wracking threats."

"Okay, break it up you two," Buffy intervened.

"She started it!" hollered Dawn.

"Dawn.... not now," said Buffy firmly, "We will have to change the dining room into a stable..... a room for you until you change back. We can't risk you on the stairs."

She turned to her old high school rival.

"Cordy... are you in town long? I will have to head back to the school but it would be good to compare notes about Wolfram and Hart..."

Cordy gulped some chuckles down,"Oh I wasn't planning on staying that long after that dark dream .. but seeing this .. I might just stay a bit longer and hay-- ah help with solving the ponygirl issue."

Buffy was satisfied with the answer. She turned to her little sister. "Dawn... if you stray into the forest, please make sure you have your cell phone with you."

Dawn crossed her arms, "Can't I just stay in Spike's place till I change back..." She sighed, "I mean come on......This is...I'M NOT A PONY!" She tensed up fuming as she snapped, "ITS A MYSTICAL CREATURE CALLED A CENTAUR BUT AT LEAST MY FACE ISN'T PLASTIC!"

"Hrmpheeehee.." laughed Cordelia.

"Okay," conceded the Slayer, "you are probably safe enough here.... and at least the ceiling is high enough...

Dawn let out a sigh as she muttered, "well so far no beanstalk sis..."

Buffy opened the small refrigerator to reveal what nastiness Spike kept for a late night snack. "Ewww," she added "... and come home for meals."

-----

Later that night...

Dawn frantically called Buffy's cell, "SIS I NEED HELP I'M AT HOME!"

Water splashed into the bathtub with urgency.

She gripped the phone tightly, "BUFFY I WAS BACK TO NORMAL BUT SOME REASON I....I DONT THINK ITS KENNY ITS...!"

The phone slipped from her hand and fell into the tub.

"GREAT!" cried Dawn and she fell to the bathroom floor as her legs once again transformed beneath her.