Disclaimer: I own only the following: Charles.

Chapter 24: Owl's Well That Ends Well

On an evening day in Ponyville Twilight Sparkle, her assistant Spike get ready for a meteor shower that only happens every century. Charles d'Artagnan is also helping he is also quite looking forward to the shower tonight. Though he didn't know allot of astrology as Twilight, he would be looking forward to the sheer beauty and wonder of the centennial event that would be taking place. It was meant to be spectacular, a cluster of sparkling stars shooting across the sky. How very fortunate they were that it would be happening tonight.

"This meteor shower tonight's gonna be amazing!" said Twilight from above.

"No arguments from me," remarked Charles, as he levitated the quills neatly into the cart

"Awesome!" added Spike, throwing some bananas into the mix

"You know, this shower only happens once every 100 years," she informed.

"A centennial celebration!" noted Spike, as he juggled some apples into the cart, permitting a low whistle of admiration from Charles.

"We better get a move on!"

"Don't wanna be late!" Charles said.

"Charles, did you grab my quill and ink?"

"Affirmative," saluted Charles.

"Scrolls?"

"Placed and packed, as requested."

"Excellent! And Spike?" she turned to the dragon.

"I've packed a telescope, apples, bananas, fruit punch and my freshly baked home-made triple-decker nut-crazy vanilla cream cookies!" He held up the dish of sugary treats to prove his point, traces of crumbs around his mouth.

Twilight giggled at the sight of this. "I can see that." This prompted him to lick the crumbs off his face. "Once again you've read my mind, Spike. And that is why you are my number one dragon assistant." She proceeded downstairs, Charles following behind.

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you." Spike said putting his claw to his ear playfully.

"That is why you are my number one assistant." Twilight repeated.

"Missed that! Huh...?"

"I said-" She stopped herself when she realised what he was getting up to. She giggled and shook her head. "Come on, let's get going. Wait! I almost forgot. I wanna bring the 'Astronomical Astronomer's Almanac to All Things Astronomy'." Twilight remembered.

"The Astronomo-lomo homono what?" Spike asked in confusion.

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

"Right. Check!" Spike said and rushes to another section of the library. He takes the ladder to one of the shelves of the library and climbs up to find the book Twilight wants. He brushes off the collected dust on book but starts inhaling deeply looking like he was about to sneeze but manages to keep a relieved sigh and opens the book. But to his misfortune he finally sneezes producing a fire at the book thus incinerating the pages into ashes. He looks at it with very worried look and sees the ashes fall off the book.

"Hey! What's taking my number one assistant so long?" Twilight shouted.

"Hurry, we're going to be late!" Charles added. Spike quickly closed the book and sheepishly returned it back to the shelf it was in pretending he never found it. But little did he know he can't always hide this little secret for long.

A few seconds later, Spike returned, but without the blue book. He also seemed to have tensed up a bit, a small bead of sweat trickling down his face. If Twilight noticed this, she didn't comment on it.

"Where's the almanac?" she asked him.

"Sorry, I couldn't find it, oh well never mind, let's go!" He said all of this rather quickly, grabbing the handle of the cart and rushing for the door.

"Did you look in right place?" Twilight persisted.

"Yep, but it wasn't there. Real shame, but I guess we'll have to make do. Now come on, let's go!" Before Twilight could ask further, he'd hurried out of the door and into the darkened streets of Ponyville.

"What do you think's gotten into him?" Twilight asked Charles.

"I haven't the foggiest idea, but he is right. We'd better get along if we don't want to miss the shower." He held the door open for Twilight. "Now, Twlight, I do believe its ladies first?"

"Why thank you, Charles." Charles smiled at the way that sounded, as they exited the library, heading out to a hilled area where everypony would be gathering to watch the show.

By the time they arrived, the stars were shining in the sky, the dark blue cloak of the night being stretched across the sky. It seemed like the entire town had turned out to watch the show, with little groups of ponies scattered all around the hillside, waiting eagerly to view the astronomical event. Charles could see their friends already gathered at the top of the hill, walking alongside Twilight with Spike bringing up the rear."I was sure I put the astronomer's guide back. The book would have helped me identify different planets and stars tonight." Twilight said disappointedly.

"Well... Maybe someone borrowed it? Besides, you don't need that book. You can already name all the planets and stars, cause you're super smart and astronomically awesome!" Spike said fibbing on most of his statement.

"Thanks, Spike. You're such a flatterer." Twilight thanked.

"Yeah, I'm a sweet talker."

"And a number one assistant, right?"

"Check!" Spike said and immediately went to work on setting the blanket down, the bowl of fruit, scrolls, punch, cups, and went to set up the telescope. Rainbow Dash came by and snatches an apple taking the first snack.

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

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

"Oh yeah, pipsqueak? How about taking out the trash?" Dash asked tossing her eaten apple core to the ground.

"Yes ma'am!" Scootaloo affirmed and took the apple core away.

"Do we have Spike to thank again for this amazing spread? Isn't he simply amazing?" Rarity asked happily with the others gathering around Spike.

"Oh, come on." He looked quite embarrassed, then his expression changed to one of disappointment. "I said come on."

"Little Spikey-wikey!" Pinkie gave him an affectionate noogie. "Who knew that big ferocious dragon started off so cutesy wootsy?"

"Spike, you are such a little star that I had to make a little bow tie for you." Rarity said and revealed a large red bow tie with all sorts of jewels on it and used her magic to tie it around Spike's neck.

"Try not to eat it, eh?" remarked Charles.

"Gosh. You guys are embarrassing me. Stop it." He paused for a second. "Twilight, your turn."

"Spike, that's enough.," she said sternly.

"Yes, I think your ego has received enough stroking for one night," added Charles, provoking a smile from the dragon.

"All right. That's enough," he agreed reluctantly.

"Hey, everypony! The show is starting!" At Sweetie Belle's announcement, everypony hurried to get a good view of the sky and gazed up expectantly.

First there was one. Then there was two. It just continued to build, until the whole sky was full of them. Streaks of light began to shoot across the sky, shining just as bright as the stars that they flew past, passing an unearthly, yet beautiful glow across everypony's faces, as they all gasped and awed at the magnificent spectacle. They left streaks of starlight in their wake, darting across the night sky and out of sight, if only to allow more to sail by. It was strange that they seemed so close, when in reality they were so far away. Charles had never seen anything more amazing in his life. It even beat the sonic rainboom, if only by a bit.

He was so engrossed in watching the meteors that he didn't notice he was moving closer to his left. He only realised when he brushed against Fluttershy's side. They both darted their heads up and blushed, about to move away but… they seemed to both think that the other wouldn't really mind. After all, what was a bit of closeness between friends? So, they remained that way and returned to watching the shower, with the added warmth of their fur being shared in the chilly night air. Nopony even noticed how close they were. They were too busy watching the show. Secretly, they were both thankful for that.

After the show was over, everypony was in animated conversation with each other about what they had just witnessed. Twilight and Charles were also part of it, though only after Twilight had showed him various constellations and planets through the telescope. It always surprised him how much she knew about this kind of thing.

They then returned in comfortable silence to the spread, where Pinkie wolfed down the last of Spike's cookies.

"Wow! These cookies are deeleesh!"

"Spike made them. Speaking of, Spike, can you bring us some punch?" There was no response. "Spike?"

They all looked to see Spike was sleeping soundly in the punch bowl of all places, snoring peacefully.

"Ooh, poor little thing," cooed Rarity.

"Aww... He's worked himself to the bone," added Twilight.

"And now the punch has been... spiked!" joked Pinkie, ensuing laughter from everypony present, yet still Spike slept on.

"I think it's time to go," Twilight suggested, levitating him gently onto her back and rolling up the blanket.

"Right behind you," whispered Charles, taking the cart and bidding their friends farewell, escorting Twilight and Spike back to their home.

When they arrived back at the tree that housed the library, Twilight was saying about how she wanted to write a report on the study of comets before she went to bed that night.

"Don't you think you should get to bed?" asked Charles, as they stood on the threshold of the door.

"I will, but I want to get this done now, while it's still fresh in my mind."

"Do you want me to stay up and help? I'm not…" He paused to yawn. "I'm not that tired…"

"I think you are. You should go upstairs and get some rest, you've done enough today," she advised.

"Are you sure?"

"Charles, you need your rest too. Now go to bed." she said in a mock commanding tone.

"As you wish, Twilight. Good night."

"Good night, Charles." She gave him one last smile and went up to bed.

The next morning...

Charles woke up early the next morning he went downstairs. At first he didn't notice anything strange, before going to the Kitchen he gaze around for either Twilight or Spike. Instead, he discovered that the library had one more additional occupant, neither pony nor dragon.

A plump little bird was perched in the middle of the room, with a square-ish body and bright orange beak. His feathers around his breast were a light brown, whereas the ones on his wings were darker in colour. He recognize it as an owl. He'd need to consult it again. The owl turned his beady black eyes to stare at him, which sparked with a strange kind of understanding.

It didn't seem like he'd just flown in randomly, it looked more like he was meant to be there. Was he a new pet that Twilight had acquired? But she hadn't left the house since last night, where had he come from? Deciding to ask her later, Charles decided to at least be friendly to him.

"Hello little fellow," he greeted, walking over and stroking him gently. "Where did you come from?"

The owl gave a small hoot, not objecting to his hoof moving over his feathers. Well, at least he liked him.

"Oh, good morning Charles." He turned to see Twilight emerging from the kitchen. "I see you've met Owlowiscious then."

"Owlowiscious?" He glanced at him. "That's a fine name. Where'd you find him?"

"He rescued my parchment when it flew out of the window last night. I didn't like having to send him back into the cold, so I let him stay with me. I've decided to take him on as our new junior assistant."

For some reason, that caused a jolt of fear for Spike in his chest. It didn't take him long to figure out why, though he kept his calm expression as best he could.

"Well, they are meant to be quite intelligent birds," he noted, looking him over. "It might be fun having him around, as long as he doesn't… never mind."

"Doesn't what?"

"Well, replace Spike or anything…" he murmured.

Concern flitted across her features. "Aw Charles, why would you think that?"

"It wouldn't be hard to, that's all…"

"Charles, nopony could ever replace Spike," she assured him gently. "He have a special place here that I don't think anypony could ever hope to match up to. He's still my number one assistant and always will be."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"Well um… Thanks." They both smiled at the trust they had and Charles looked for his fellow assistant. "Where is Spike? Shouldn't he be up by now?"

"He's still sleeping upstairs; last night really took it out of him. I let Owlowiscious do his morning chores so he could get some more sleep."

"Really?" He gave him an admiring glance. "Wow, he's good. Are you sure he's not going to replace Spikeme?"

"Pretty sure," she repeated, knowing he was just joking. "Anyway, I gotta head out for a bit. Would you mind rearranging the Classics section in the West wing?"

"You need only ask. Welcome aboard Owlowiscious," he added to the bird, as he set off to work, while Twilight went off upstairs to pack her things.

While he was pulling down all of the mismatched books, he heard the door slam a few minutes after Twilight left, probably Spike going off to pass the time in some other way now that his morning chores were done. He wondered if his friend had the same thoughts that he had, that the owl might replace them in the end. He resolved to talk to him later, returning his concentration to levitating the books he was piling up. Unfortunately, the pile wobbled precariously and one of the books fell from the top.

"Uh oh!" He tried to catch it before it hit the ground, but a pair of clawed feet caught it just in time. Owlowiscious hovered before him, lifting the book back up to the top.

"Oh… thanks for that," he said to the owl. He hooted in response, as if to say 'no problem.' Charles gave the bird a fond smile. "I'm Charles, by the way, Charles d'Artagnan."

"Hoo," sounded the owl.

"'Who'? What do you mean 'who'? I'm Ch-" He paused when he realised what he was doing. "Oh, I see what you did there."

"Hoo," replied Owlowiscious.

"'Hoo' indeed," Charles chuckled, returning to his work. Maybe having him around wouldn't be so bad after all.

Later on, the girls all arrived to meet Twilight's new pet. Charles joined them, happy to see they'd taken to him just as well as he did. Except for Spike it seemed, who leaned against a window above, reading a book on owls, with the attitude of somepony trying to learn the weaknesses of his enemy.

"Oh, what a fantastical, fluffelicious feathery little friend! I'm... HOOked!" They all laughed at Pinkie's pun.

"He's just wonderful," said Fluttershy, always having something to say on animals.

They were all rather taken aback when Spike repeated what she said in a mocking tone. "Uh, yes. Wonderful. He's quite... the charmer." He said this last bit through gritted teeth.

"And Owlowiscious is just such a star I just had to make this little bow for you." Rarity presented, rather tactlessly, him with the exact bow that she had made for Spike last night.

At this Spike raged in frustration and slammed the window on them. Knowing his worst suspicions would probably be confirmed, Charles headed for the library door. "I'll go talk to him."

It didn't take long for Charles to find him, stomping down the stairs and muttering to himself angrily.

"You okay, Spike?" asked Charles.

"No, I am not." He turned to face Charles. "Come on, you must have seen his little plan."

"Um… I'm afraid it's escaped me."

"Come on Charles, he's trying to replace me as the number one around here!" he said, as if it were obvious.

"Spike, I think you're overreacting about this. Twilight knows you can't be replaced." He looked to see that Twilight had returned, with Owlowiscious perched on her back. "Come on, we'd best get back to work."

"You got it, let's go into action!" Apparently he'd ignored everything he'd just said up to that point and hurried off, giving Charles a knowing wink. Charles just sighed and went back to the catalogue of their inventory he'd started earlier.

The rest of the afternoon passed by fairly uneventfully, at least for Charles. Owlowiscious had retrieved a few books at Twilight's request, robbing Spike of his own duties, making the dragon even more frustrated. At one point, Twilight had broken her last writing quill and Spike had upended the house to hurry to find a replacement, obviously hoping to show up his rival this time. He even dashed out to find a new one, as Twilight tried to tell him that her pet had given her one of his feathers to use as a quill. Spike returned, with a chicken feather, completely useless for writing purposes and had promptly fallen asleep on the stairs.

"Poor Spike. He'll come around. He's genuinely a good little guy." Twilight said.

"But didn't you see his reaction? He was furious. I think he really is jealous. Maybe we should talk to him about it tomorrow?" Charles suggested.

"Now that you mentioned it, he really is acting rather off lately. I suppose he is getting emotional about this new assistant thing. I'll speak to him about it in the morning." Twilight promised.

"If you say so. I'm going to see if I can find that book Spike couldn't find. What was it again? 'Astronomical Astronomer's Almanac to All Things Astronomy'?" Charles asked. Owlowiscious just then flew over to the spot where the book Spike destroyed is and retrieved it for Charles.

"Oh! Thank you, Owlowiscious. Hmm, weird, how is that Spike couldn't- Oh, he is in so much trouble." Charles said angrily after opening the book and seeing it's condition.

"What? What is it?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Here's your checked out book." Charles showed the book and Twilight widened her eyes in surprise.

"Wha? How could this happen? Spike! Oh, I'm going to talk to him about it, alright. Talk to him about it, big time!" Twilight declared angrily. The next morning they left the sleeping dragon on the staircase and Twilight slams the burnt book hard on the step Spike was sleeping on which startled him awake.

"Spike. What is this? You said this book was missing. Well, Owlowiscious found it right where it belongs, but like this. How did it get this way?" Twilight asked with a disappointed tone expecting an honest answer out of the sheepish dragon.

"Uh... Well, um... You see, I... I just didn't wanna disappoint you and, uh... Have you ever seen a dragon sneeze?" Spike asked sheepishly twisting his hands and tail showing his nervousness.

"I've seen a dragon lie. I'm very disappointed in you, Spike." Twilight said angrily and heads out of the library. Spike looks at the owl with a very hated expression.

"You set me up! Well, two can play that game." Spike declared.

"Hoo!" Owlowicious said.

"Not 'who'! Two! Urgh!" Spike groaned irritatedly and went out to plot something out.

"Owlowiscious is out to take my place, I just know it! I've gotta stop him. But how?" Spike asked himself. Just then he notices a white mouse passing by the streets. Then he got an idea, an awful idea. Spike got a wonderful, awful idea. Realizing owls' prey is mice he knew just what to do. He went to the costume shop and disguised himself with an evil black cape, top hat, and mustache. He then started laughing wickedly as he twists his fake mustache. In order for the plan to work he needed a mouse and knows the place to find at least a fake one. He hides behind a tree near Carousel Boutique waiting for Rarity to exit.

"Come along, Opal. Let's hurry up and get to Fluttershy's tea party." Rarity comes out with her cat Opal departing from the boutique plus getting Spike's chance to infiltrate it. He looks around the place for Opals toy mouse which took him a while but eventually found it sitting by Opal's water dish and picks it up with an evil grin.

"So lifelike. And when Charles and Twilight discovers it shredded up on her floor, she'll think mouse-eating Owlowiscious is to blame. And I'll be number one... again! Muhahaha!" Spike laughed and tip toed his way out back to the library. Back home he takes off the stitching of the mouse opening it up messed up the face a little and scattered cotton all over before slamming it to the ground. He heads to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of ketchup with a devious laugh. He comes back to the scene of the crime and starts pouring ketchup to the ground as blood for affect with an evil laugh getting some on his feet as well without knowing. He heads back to Twilight's room and grabs her pillow ripping it up and scattered feathers around the library laughing to himself thinking that nothing in his master plan can go wrong. But he unexpectedly bump into something behind him and looks to see Charles and Twilight staring down at him with angry glares with Owlowiscious along with them.

"May I ask what do you think you're doing?" Charles asked with a very angry look knowing what it looks like. Spike looks around blankly before getting rid of his villain attire returning to his innocent self.

"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 asked with innocent eyes trying to slip out of the inevitable.

"Spike! I don't know what upsets me more. That you deliberately tried to set up Owlowiscious or that you actually thought this pathetic attempt would work! 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 said angrily which made Spike widened his eyes. As the three leave Owlowiscious twists his head backwards again and looks at Spike one last time before Twilight and Charles the door shut with thier magic.

"She... She doesn't love me anymore." Spike cried with teary eyes. It was from this point on Spike assumed that Twilight don't have any further use of him and decided to pack up his things for departure leaving Ponyville forever. He manage to reach the Everfree Forest with his packed things on his back walking through the dark woods tiredly with his head drooped down shamefully.

"Charles and Twilight hate me. I'm cold, hungry, tired and lonely. Could it get any worse?" Spike asked himself just before lightning struck scaring the baby dragon and started pouring from the skies getting him wet.

"I guess that's a yes." Spike muttered. He started looking around for some shelter and fortunately found a cave where he decided to settle in. He checks to see if the cave is inhabited.

"Hello? Hello?" Spike called but got no response. As another lightning strikes the light shines in light and something sparkles in the cave catching Spike's attention as he squints and gets a closer look.

"What is that?" Spike asked. He approaches the object and as he gets close enough he discovers in his delight a mountain of jewels, diamonds, and gems around the cave.

"If this is what running away is all about, I never wanna go home! Gems! Mmm... Woohoo!" Spike cheered and dives in the mountains of gems chomping down every shining rock in his sight. He reaches to the point where his stomach is literally full as he pats on it satisfyingly producing a hiccup.

"Even if my tummy's full, the rest of me is still empty. I miss Twilight and the pony gang. But she doesn't love me anymore. So, I'm better off here, all by myself." Spike said sadly sucking on a diamond like a lollipop. Suddenly it's started steaming making Spike sweat a little.

"Wow. Seems to be getting warmer. The steam is great for my complexion, but it's sure getting hot in here." Spike said. And out of fear and curiosity he had a feeling he knows what the source of the hot steam is and slowly looked back to see a sight he regreted seeing. A humongous fully grown green dragon stares down at the pint size baby dragon with angry eyes and with steam flowing out from his snout which made Spike tremble in fear.

"What are you doing in my cave? And why are you eating my gems?" the dragon asked angrily and Spike spat out the gem he was sucking on.

"Heyah bro! I didn't know this was your cave. And I didn't know these were your gems, but... we're cool, right?" Spike asked nervously as the dragon nears it's face against Spike growling in response.

"Whoa, whoa! Hey... We're like brothers, you know? I mean, you're a dragon, I'm a dragon... It's us against the world, right?" Spike asked but got a roar from the gigantic beast which sends him flying to the pile of precious rocks.

"You don't scare me! So you're big. Really big. And your claws are super sharp. Tail... extra spiky. But, uh... You don't scare me!" Spike declared boldly and shot out a small green flame from his mouth.

"Ha! How'd you like that?" Spike asked confidently. The dragon took a deep breath and produced a scorching hot stream of fire from his mouth above Spike making smoking ashes from his top spikes.

"Uh... I'd love to stay, but gotta go! See ya! Wouldn't wanna be ya!" Spike began running under the dragon just before it produced another fire breath at where Spike was. Spike hid behind a rock hoping to trick the beast but the dragon slams it's sharp spiky tail onto the rock revealing Spike. He began running again trying to escape the dragon as it nearly snaps it's jaws on to him. Unfortunately he got himself cornered trapped with nowhere else to go as the giant breaths fire out of it's nose with fury growling at the panicking cornered baby. As he was about to accept his fate Spike heard a familiar bird call and looks up to see a wonderful sight. It was Owlowiscious swooping down attacking the dragons face head on as it tried to catch him. It gave it's tail a couple swings at the owl but missed him each time and eventually got tricked into hitting his own head from his very own tail with one of the spikes stuck into his forehead shortly recovering from it and scanned the cave to find the small owl.

"Spike! Over here!" a familiar voice called out. Spike looks over to the entrance of the cave and sees another happy sight as he sees Charles and Twilight waveing to get his attention urgently. As Owlowiscious distracts the dragon it gave Spike enough time to run out.

"Am I glad to see you!" Spike admitted as he runs for the exit.

"Hurry! Hop on!" Twilight urged which Spike did so and got on her back, Owlowiscious flying out ahead of them, the dragon shaking the earth with his foot falls.

"Here we go again," muttered Charles, then in a louder voice. "I'll distract him for a bit! Keep running, the trees will become too thick for him to follow!"

Twilight looked like she was about to argue, but she nodded and galloped away, Spike bobbing up and down on her back. Surpressing his fear as best he could, Charles looked right up at the dragon, who was about to lunge at him. Hoping this would work, he conjured up colour words saying STOP. Surprisingly, it did, the dragon looking a little confused at this display of magic. Now that he had paused, perhaps he could be reasoned with…

"Okay now then, Mr. Dragon," Charles began. "My friend, he no doubt upset you in some way-"

"He ate my gems!" thundered the dragon.

"Right… um, so anyway." Swallowing Charles continued. "So um… I'm sure he didn't mean any uh… offense, sir so… maybe we could just… call this one an accident and uh… move on?"

"Perhaps." He snorted steam. "Or perhaps I could eat you instead, then we could 'move on.'"

"Ah… I know you might say that…" Charles said as he 'prepared' his 'magic horn blade' and hold the dragon off. He slashed and beat the dragon. This dragon wasn't as strong as the one from the mountain. "Return to your cave! Don't ever let me catch you trying to hurt my friends again, or you will regret leaving your cave the second time!" He said after he beat the dragon and it leaves for it's home.

Charles dashed away as fast as he could back into the depths of the forest and he reached the edge of the forest, spotting his friends by a tree. He stopped next to them, wheezing and panting.

"Charles!" Twilight caught him a tight hug. "You're okay…"

"That's… debatable…" He was still catching his breath and could barely speak.

"I was so worried…" Her face was full of relief, then she frowned and punched him on his leg. "Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan, you might be the most reckless and arrogant pony I have ever met."

"No…arguments… here…" he panted.

"How many times are you gonna throw yourself in front of a monster like that?"

"Believe me… I don't want to make a habit of it…" he felt bad for making her worry, but a little proud that he'd at least been able to try and protect her and Spike.

"I almost lost one of my best friends today…" It sounded like she was trying hard not to cry.

"I… I'm sorry Twilight…" he hung his head, but it was lifted up gently by Twilight, who held his gaze.

"Apology accepted. Just… try not to do it again, okay?"

"Yes Twilight" They both exchanged a smile at the tender moment, before Twilight turned to Spike.

"Spike, we were so worried about you. I was so worried about you. Why did you run away?"

Spike too now looked guilty. "I thought you didn't need me anymore. And that you didn't love me anymore." Pity for his friend welled up in Charles' chest.

"Spike," Twilight began gently, "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. And I can't ask Charles either. 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."

"I'm sorry, Twilight. I never should have been so jealous," he admitted.

"And I'm sorry too, Spike. I should have been more sensitive," said Twilight.

"I'm at fault here too," Charles put in. "As your friend and fellow assistant, I should have tried to help you with this, rather than let what happened happen. You're still my friend and always will be." He offered his hoof to claw.

"Thanks buddy." Charles was surprised when Spike hugged him instead, which he returned, patting him on the head.

Spike then looked up at his rival, who was perched on a branch nearby. "And Owlowiscious... I know now that you weren't out to take my job. Forgive me?"

"Hoo?" replied the owl.

"Me. Forgive me, Spike."

"Hoo!"

"He forgives you," Twilight told him.

"Hey! How did you guys know where I was?" he suddenly asked.

"It was your ketchup covered feet. Owlowiscious discovered your footprints and we followed them all the way to the cave," she explained.

"Funny how things work out like that," remarked Charles.

"Oh yeah, the ketchup. It looked pretty real though, didn't it?" he said, referring to the earlier incident. Twilight just glared at him, making Spike giggle nervously.

With that, the four librarians set off for home, soon just being able to laugh about what happened, the jealousy incident completely forgotten. Charles was just glad to have his little friend back. This was going to make an interesting report to the Princess for sure.

As they walked, he looked up at Owlowiscious, who was flying overhead. The owl had certainly proved useful in his own right. He was intelligent, loyal to his friends and rather good company, though not in the same way a pony was. It was a simpler kind of company, one that was inspired by loyalty and care, the kind of thing that only a pet could give. It occurred to him that the others all had pets too, with the exception of Rainbow Dash. For the first time, Charles could see the appeal of them.

Perhaps he should get one…

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