Owl's Well That Ends Well

Golden Oak Library: Night's POV

Twilight was pretty excited. Apparently, a centennial meteor shower was accruing tonight and, as usual, Night was being dragged into it. It wasn't that he minded spending time with his friends, but he had recently noticed that Twilight was dragging him around more and more. He knew something was up, he just didn't know what. "We better get a move on! Come on, Night, we can't be late" Twilight said, breaking Night from his thoughts. Spike then followed them with a wagon that carried the food. "Spike, did you grab my quill and ink?" Twilight asks him.

"Check!" Spike said, pointing to them.

"Scrolls?" Twilight asked.

"Check! I've also packed a telescope, apples, bananas, fruit punch, and my freshly baked homemade triple-decker nut-crazy vanilla cream cookies!" Spike told them.

"Like the sound of that last one," Night commented. Twilight then giggled at that.

"Trust you to think on your stomach," Twilight joked before turning to Spike. "Once again you've read my mind, Spike. And that is why you are my number one assistant."

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you," Spike responded.

"That is why—" Twilight started.

"Don't repeat that, he just wants to hear it again," Night interrupted.

"Party pooper," Spike complained.

"Only with you," Night pointed out.

"Come on, we'd better get moving," Twilight told the two before coming to a halt. "Wait! I almost forgot! I wanna bring The Astronomical Astronomer's Almanac to All Things Astronomy," she realized.

"The Astronomo-lomo homono what?" Spike asked confused.

"You know that really old big blue book on stars, moons, planets, the universe...?" Twilight clarified.

"Right. Check!" Spike said and ran to another part of the Library where neither of the ponies could see him.

"Hey! What's taking my number one assistant so long?" Twilight called from the door after a while. Spike then ran back empty clawed. Twilight looked like she would question the dragon but seemed to remember that they were running a little late as it is. " I was sure I put the Astronomer's Guide back. The book would have helped me identify different planets and stars tonight," Twilight said as they made their way to the hill where the rest of their friends were waiting for them.

"Well… Maybe someone borrowed it?" Spike theorized.

"And it's not like you need it. Your so smart you could name every single object in the sky in your sleep," Night complemented. Twilight's face then turned red but quickly reverted back to its normal purple coloring.

"Thanks, Night," Twilight said. No one said anything else as they reached the top of the hill. Night noticed his friends with the Cutie Mark Crusaders waiting for them. Spike quickly set up the blanket he had packed and put the food down on it. The group headed over to them and Rainbow grabbed an apple from the pile and took a bite.

"Wow, Twilight! You're lucky to have such a rad assistant. I wish I had someone to do whatever I told them," Rainbow complimented.

"Ooh! Ooh! Me! Me! Me! I'll do whatever you want, Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo volunteers happily.

"Oh yeah, pipsqueak? How about taking out the trash?" Rainbow asks, giving her the core of her apple.

"Yes, ma'am!" Scootaloo says and runs off.

"Do we have Spike to thank again for this amazing spread? Isn't he simply amazing?" Rarity asks.

"Oh, come on," Spike says flattered. A few seconds pass by the time he realizes nopony is continuing with their flattery. "I said come on."

"Little Spikey-wikey! Who knew that big ferocious dragon started off so cutesy wootsy?" Pinkie wonders as she gives him a noogie.

"Spike, you are such a little star that I had to make a little bow tie for you," Rarity says as she levitates a red bow tie covered in gemstones to him.

"Gosh. You guys are embarrassing me. Stop it," Spike says before turning to Night and Twilight.

"Not happening. The others may encourage you, but I don't," Night told him. Spike tried to act grumpy but failed miserably.

"Hey, everypony! The show is starting!" Sweetie Bell told everypony. The group then looked at the sky to see the shower start. Night was impressed, and it looked amazing. He then felt something on his shoulder and looked over to see Twilight leaning on it while looking at the sky. A part of Night told him to ask what she was doing while the other part just wanted to remain like this. The latter part won and he smiled. His heart feeling like it was flying. When the shower ended he suddenly felt legs wrap around him and he saw that Pinkie had hugged both Night and Twilight.

"Group hug!" she said excitedly and the rest of the group joined them. After the awkward hug ended, the group helped themselves to the food. "Wow! These cookies are delish!" Pinkie commented.

"Spike made them. Speaking of, Spike, can you bring us some punch?" Twilight asked. "Spike?" she asked when he didn't respond. Night looked around and saw that the baby dragon had fallen asleep in the punch bowl.

"Oh, poor little thing," Rarity said.

"Aww… He's worked himself to the bone" Twilight continued.

"And now the punch has been… 'spiked'!" Pinkie joked which got a laugh out of the group, though Night hoped the fillies didn't know what that joke referred to. After everything was wrapped up everypony headed home. Twilight put Spike to bed before heading back to her work area.

"Are you still going to work on a paper when it's this late?" Night asked, already knowing the answer.

"That's the plan," Twilight answered then turned to him. "Don't worry, I'll get some sleep once I finish," she reassured.

"Then I'll see you in the morning," Night responded and headed off to his room. When he entered, he noticed that Zera was asleep. He ran a hoof down her feathers, she stirred a bit, but remained asleep as he climbed into bed.

Morning

Night awoke and saw that Zera was stretching her wings. "Morning Zera," Night told her. She let out a call and flew on out behind him as he headed downstairs. He then noticed that Twilight had gotten some sleep, just not in her bed. She was slouched over the table she was using with the paper under her hooves. Night used his magic in an attempt to put her in her bed, but she stirred and woke up before he could move her.

"Morning Night," she said sleepily.

"Morning. I'd ask if you slept well, but since you're still at your desk, I think it answers itself," Night pointed out.

"Your hilarious," Twilight said sarcastically. Night merely chuckled as she glared at him.

"Well, I'm going to get some breakfast. Unless Spike's still asleep," Night told her. As he was about to head to the kitchen he noticed the owl sitting on one of Zera's stands. "Uh, Twilight, what's with the owl?" Night asked her.

"Oh, this is Owlowiscious. He showed up last night while I was working on my paper," Twilight told him. Zera also noticed the owl and glared at the owl, which jumped when he saw Zera's look.

"What's wrong Zera?" Night asked.

"Hang on, I think I read something about Thunder Birds and other bird species before," Twilight said. The two headed down to the library where Twilight pulled out The Documentation and History of Equestrian Mythical Creatures and turned to the part on Thunder Birds. "Here it is. Apparently, Thunder Birds consider any other birds in their area as intruders and will chase them out," Twilight read. Night looked at the two birds, which had followed them, and noticed that Zera was struggling to not electrocute Owlowiscious.

"Zera, can you at least try to get along?" Night asked her. Zera seemed to ponder that for a bit. She gave a reluctant nod before flying off. The rest of the morning was pretty quiet. Since Spike wasn't up, Night made breakfast for him and Twilight, though she doubted he could cook. Night loved the look on her face when she was proven wrong. It was about a quarter to eleven when Night and Twilight started to prep for a research adventure in the Everfree Forest. Night was mainly coming along to deter any unwelcome visitors. Before the two could head out, Spike suddenly ran downstairs.

"I know it's almost eleven, but I'm scaly-tailed and bright-eyed and ready to work twice as fast! Oh please, don't be upset, Twilight! And what do you want for breakfast? Oatmeal? How about a sunflower smoothie? Grass pancakes?" Spike blurted.

"Spike, don't worry," Twilight told him.

"But my morning chores…" Spike started.

"It's okay. Owlowiscious did them for you," Twilight responded.

"Who?" Spike asked.

"He's our new junior assistant. He's gonna help out with your chores so you won't be so tired all the time," Twilight explained.

"Wha… Wh… What do we need a junior assistant for? I'm not tired. I do fine on my own. I don't need sleep, I…" Spike said but trailed off.

"Spike, you're still a baby dragon, and you require a lot of rest," Night told him gently.

"Don't worry Spike. He's just here to help out a little. Now, Night and I have to go out, so why don't you introduce yourself to Owlowiscious? He's in the library," Twilight told him as the two left.

"Are you sure Spike will be okay?" Night asked.

"He just needs time to get used to Owlowiscious. It'll turn out fine," Twilight reassured Night.

"Well, if this goes wrong, and I'm hoping it doesn't, don't say I didn't warn you," Night responded.

Golden Oak Library: Spike's POV

After Night and Twilight left, he reluctantly headed downstairs and looked around. "Hello? Hellooo!" Spike called out. He then saw Zera and an owl which turned its head a full 180 degrees to look at him. "Whoa! Dude, that's creepy," Spike commented. "Uh... Hi there! I'm Spike. I'm sure Twilight has told you all about me."

"Hoo," Owlowiscious hooted.

"Uh, Spike? You know, assistant number one?" Spike questioned. Owlowiscious responded with another hoot and Spike got mad. "I'm Spike! And who are you? What are you?" Spike asked.

"Hoo," Owlowiscious responded.

"Who?" Spike asked confused.

"Hoo," Owlowiscious said again.

"I thought your name was Owlowiscious," Spike told him.

"Hoo?"

"Okay, "Who", "Owlowiscious", whatever. I'm Spike, okay? Look! All you need to know is that I'm number one and you're number two. Got it?" Spike told him.

"Hoo."

"So, a man of mystery, huh? I'm keeping my eye on you! I've got eyes in the back of my head too, you know?" Spike told him as he ran into the door. "Well, not really, but… You know what I mean!" Spike shouted as he slammed the door behind him. "That bird is out for my job. He wants to be number one. I'll prove to Twilight that I deserve to be number one. Not Freaky Feathers over there. I won't let him have my job if it's the last thing I do!" Spike declared.

Later: Night's POV

It was mid-afternoon when Night and Twilight got back from the Everfree forest and Twilight had decided to show their friends Owlowiscious. "Oh, what a fantastical, flufflicious feathery little friend! I'm… Hooked!" Pinkie joked, which got a laugh out of everypony.

"He's just wonderful," Fluttershy commented.

"'He's just wonderful,'" someone said sarcastically. Night looked to see Spike on a window sill reading a book. "Uh, yes. Wonderful. He's quite… the charmer," Spike said, the last bit sounding like a growl.

"And Owlowiscious is just such a star I just had to make this little bow for you," Rarity says as she pulls out a bowtie similar to the one she gave to Spike. The group then heard a loud slam. Night looked to see Spike gone.

"What's he all saddle sore about?" Applejack asked.

"He's probably just jealous of Owlowiscious," Rainbow theorized.

"Maybe Spike feels threatened or worried that Owlowiscious will replace him?" Fluttershy wonders.

"Replace him? Hah! That's crazy! Spike knows he can't be replaced," Twilight reassures.

"To be honest, I'm more worried about Zera than Spike. Turns out Thunder Birds are territorial birds," Night explained. Their friends then headed home while Night and Twilight entered the library. Twilight went to a stand to work when she noticed something was missing.

"Hey, Spike! Can you fetch me that book called 'Two-headed Myth—'" Twilight started.

"...Mythological Mysteries!' I know where it is," Spike said. He climbed up a ladder and added a few books to climb up, but Owlowiscious got there first and grabbed the book.

"Thanks, Owlowiscious. Hey, Spike, no worries. Owlowiscious flew up and got the book for me," Twilight told the dragon. Spike seemed to steam with rage. "Oh, and gee! I guess I need Ferrets of Fairyland too," Twilight realized. Before Spike could grab it, Owlowiscious pulled the book out of the stack Spike had made, causing the dragon to lose balance.

"You okay?" Night asked. Spike didn't say anything, but instead just looked mad. As Night was practicing some spells he was curious about while Twilight was finalizing her research notes. Night then heard something snap.

"Shoot," Twilight complained. Night looked to see that the quill Twilight was using had snapped.

"Yes sir," Spike said, appearing suddenly.

"My last writing quill. It's broken," Twilight told the dragon.

"Never fear! Spike, your number one assistant, is here!" Spike said as he started to look for one.

"Night, can you by chance…" Twilight started, but stopped as Night immediately put up a blue magic shield around himself.

"Nope! Leave my feathers alone," Night said. Twilight laughed at this, clearly thinking this was funny. Night, however, wasn't amused. "Oh, why don't I give you feathers and pluck them out of you when I need a quill. It actually hurts you know," Night told her.

"I'm sorry, but your reaction was just too cute," Twilight giggled. Night then felt himself blush. Twilight then saw Owlowiscious fly up to her and offered her one of his feathers. "Thanks, Owlowiscious," Twilight said as she went back to her work and Night lowered his shield. Spike then burst back into the room looking terrible and holding a chicken feather in his claws.

"Spike… to the rescue," he said as he collapsed onto the floor.

"Oh, Spike. I was going to tell you that I could just use a feather from Night or Owlowiscious," Twilight said. Spike looked furious as the feather he was holding burst into flames.

"That's just great. Perfect! Sweet! I think I'll just, uh… finish up the rest of my chores! Or did Owlowiscious already do them?" Spike asked accusingly.

"Oh, no no. There are quite a lot of them," Twilight said, not picking up on Spike's attitude.

"Well, that's fine. Because I can just stay up all night and finish—" Spike started but fell asleep right then and there.

"Looks like he pushed himself a little too far. Though it does seem he really hates Owlowiscious," Night said.

"He'll come around, eventually. We just have to give him time," Twilight said. Night then noticed Zera still looking menacingly at Owlowiscious.

"Come on Zera, don't be like that," Night told her. Zera merely sparked and flew up to Night's room. Night just sighed.

"While I'm thinking about it, I'd better double-check to see if The Astronomical Astronomer's Almanac to All Things Astronomy is gone," Twilight said. Owlowiscious then flew over to the area and returned carrying the book in his talons.

"Seemed whoever took it put it back while we were gone," Night said. Twilight then opened the book and what she and Night saw shocked them. The book's pages were completely burnt to a crisp. Night looked at Twilight and saw that she was struggling to attack Spike outright. She walked over to him and slammed the open book down in front of him.

"Spike. What is this?" Twilight asked coldly. Night backed away in case Twilight started using spells. "You said this book was missing. Well, Owlowiscious found it right where it belongs, but like this. How did it get this way?" Twilight continued. Spike then shifted uncomfortably.

"Uh… Well, um… You see, I… I just didn't wanna disappoint you and, uh… Have you ever seen a dragon sneeze?" Spike asked.

"I've seen a dragon lie. I'm very disappointed in you, Spike," Twilight said as she walked away. Night immediately ran after her. "Don't say anything Night. I don't want to hear it," Twilight told him, still angry.

"Look, I know that since you take care of Spike you feel upset by him lying. And I get that, but he's still young. We've all lied at his age," Night told her. Twilight then sighed.

"Maybe I was a little too hard on him. But that still doesn't change anything. Look, can we talk about this when I get back from Fluttershy's tea party tomorrow?" Twilight asked.

"Sure. I was going to see Celestia and Luna tomorrow anyway. We can talk when I get back," Night said.

"Isn't that a full day trip?" Twilight asked.

"Well, remember when I turned into lightning during Winter Wrap Up?" Night asked.

"Yeah," Twilight answered confused.

"Well, it turns out that I can use that ability to hop between clouds. It's an insane decrease in travel time," Night explained.

"Well, as long as you don't overdo it. Last time I saw you do that, you lost consciousness," Twilight worried.

"You worry too much," Night responded.

"Well, somepony has to," Twilight remarked.

"Funny," Night tried to say sarcastically, but failed.

The Next Day

Night's lightning hopped between the last few clouds to Ponyville and transforming back into his physical body. As he landed, he shuddered a bit. Doing that made him feel weird, but it was better than passing out. Night then saw Twilight heading back to the library. "Twilight, wait up!" Night called out. She stopped to look at him.

"How was your visit?" Twilight asked.

"Oh, the norm," Night responded. He then noticed Owlowiscious on Twilight's back. "Was Zera going after him while I was gone?" Night asked Twilight while pointing his wing at the owl.

"Oh no. She actually sat down across the room from Owlowiscious and didn't react till he got closer," Twilight told him.

"Well, that's an improvement," Night commented. The two then open the door to the library and see Spike dressed like a villain with ketchup on his feet and laying out feathers. Spike then laughed evilly and walked back into Night and Twilight. He looked surprised to see them and quickly took off the costume as the two ponies glared at him.

"That poor little field mouse! Torn to pieces! It must have been Owlowiscious! You know, since owls eat, you know, mice. What a terrible, terrible bird! He must be punished! Right?" Spike acted.

"What possessed you to think that this would work on us, Spike?" Night asked coldly.

"And I don't know what's worse: this pathetic attempt, or that you deliberately tried to set up Owlowiscious! You've let your jealousy get the best of you, Spike. I am truly disappointed. This is not the Spike I know and love," Twilight scolded. She and Night then headed upstairs.

"Okay, this has clearly gotten out of hoof," Night said.

"What am I going to do with him?" Twilight asked Night. "The fact that Zera's getting along with Owlowiscious better than Spike is just so odd."

"Let's just give ourselves a moment to cool our heads, then we can try to talk to Spike again. Sound good?" Night proposed. Twilight agreed. Once she was ready, the two headed downstairs to find Spike gone.

"Spike? Spike!" Twilight called out but got no answer.

"This isn't good," Night said. He ran outside and found ketchup shaped dragon tracks leading toward the Everfree Forest. "Now it's gone from bad to worse and it's getting dark. We'd better find him," Night told Twilight. As they ran into the forest, Owlowiscious and Zera, who had followed them, flew ahead of them. The tracks lead to a cave and when they entered, they saw Spike being attacked by a large green dragon. Owlowiscious and Zera attack the dragon, distracting it.

"Spike! Over here!" Twilight called out. Spike ran for it as Night saw Zera land on the dragon's head, her whole body sparking. Night immediately knew what was about to happen.

"Get behind me!" Night commanded. Everyone obeyed, even Owlowiscious, as Zera discharged all of her stored up lightning into the dragon's body. Dragon scales could withstand lightning, but this was too much. When the lightning cleared, the dragon's scales showed signs of burns as it collapsed. Zera weakly flew over to Night. He summoned some lightning to Zera, which gave her some strength.

"Let's get out of here," Twilight said. Lead by Owlowiscious, the group exited the forest without any more trouble. Once out, the two ponies were panting from all the running. Twilight then turned her attention to Spike. "Spike. We were so worried about you. I was so worried about you. Why did you run away?" Twilight asked.

"I thought you didn't need me anymore. And that you didn't love me anymore," Spike answered.

"Spike. Sure, I was disappointed, but you are my number one assistant! And friend. And you always will be. It's just that sometimes I need some help at night. I can't ask you to stay up late. You're a baby dragon and you need your rest. Owls are nocturnal. So I asked Owlowiscious to help. But not to take your place. No one could ever replace you, Spike. Not even when you are being a jealous numbskull," Twilight explained. Night felt like questioning Twilight's choice of words, but decided against it.

"I'm sorry, Twilight. I never should have been so jealous," Spike apologized.

"And I'm sorry too, Spike. I should have been more sensitive," Twilight replied. Spike then turned to Owlowiscious.

"And Owlowiscious… I know now that you weren't out to take my job. Forgive me?" Spike asked. Owlowiscious responded with a hoot that confused Spike. "Me. Forgive me, Spike."

"You do realize that 'Hoo' is the only thing he can say, right?" Night asked. Spike turned to him and gave him the deer in the headlight's look. Twilight then giggled.

"He forgives you, Spike," Twilight told him. Spike then snapped out of his look.

"How did you guys know where I was anyway?" Spike asked.

"You still had ketchup on your feet," Night pointed out.

"Oh yeah, the ketchup. It looked pretty real though, didn't it?" Spike said. He then noticed the glares from Night and Twilight. Spike chuckled in an attempt to diffuse the tension. The group then headed back to the library when Spike was preparing to write a letter to Celestia. "I'm ready when you are," Spike told Twilight. Twilight was about to speak when she turned to Spike.

"Hey, Spike. Why don't you write to Princess Celestia? And tell her what you've learned?" Twilight suggested.

"Really? Why, that's a big responsibility!" Spike said surprised.

"I know. But nothing my number one assistant can't handle," Twilight pointed out Spike then started writing.

"Dear Princess Celestia, This is Spike, writing to you about my adventures. This week I've learned that being jealous and telling lies gets you nowhere in friendship. I also learned that there's plenty of love for every friend to share. So from here on out, I promise, that I, Spike, will—" Spike then suddenly fell asleep mid-sentence which got a laugh out of Night and Twilight.

"So, I think I mentioned something earlier about—" Night started when Twilight magically zipped his lips.

"If you do the 'I told you so' speech, you will not see tomorrow," Twilight threatened. She then unzipped Night's lips and he sighed.

"Worth a shot," Night said grumpily.