//------------------------------// // Chapter Five—Visits an Enchanted Library // Story: Spike's Pet // by LiterarySerenity //------------------------------// One great starting point in the search to learn more about the young Timberwolf—Twilight suggested—was to visit the palace library, which had an extensive inventory of manuscripts from all across Equestria. The princess had spent many bibliophilic hours already, browsing this ponderous collection, searching for anything from recent releases by J.K. Yearling to ancient texts only previously found in the Canterlot Library. And each time, it seemed there were no end to the wonders hidden in plain sight on the shelves. The library covered an unmarked distance within the distorted space of the room it occupied. Bookshelves reached to the high-arched ceiling, and extended back to the furthest corners. There were various movable ladders placed at different intervals that reached to the same heights, so any pony could access the contents. Yet even this comprised only one part of the overall library. For off to one side, one could see another staircase leading down into a darker and cooler archives area beneath. Yet, unlike other similar facilities, the reference books in this enchanting place flew around the room like quiet birds or pegasi—coming to the aid of ponies in need of navigational assistance. This was the first time Fluttershy had seen this newly-furbished portion of the palace, and it showed. The pegasus paused upon the threshold, eyes widening as her senses tried to absorb the grand vista before them. Twilight had heard her whispering gently into Roots’ ear to not go rushing off again, and to stay close (which the Timberwolf, thankfully, obeyed). But even Roots appeared somehow stunned as well, whining a bit while sniffing the air. It was possible the wooden wolf could smell Discord here, since the draconequus had been the one to present the library to Twilight soon after their adventure concerning the Tree of Harmony. In many ways, this had been a token of his mentorship, since Twilight was sure he must have meant for her to use a few volumes here towards possible future magic lessons. That is, if no mishap occurred with the chaotic sphere first. Still, Twilight couldn’t resist a swell of pride as she called out to the reference books: “May we please see any materials regarding Timberwolves and their development?” Her voice echoed through this realm of tomes, and the reference books scrambled to do her bidding. One among the number, pages shuffling in its rush, drifted down to Twilight—flipping open to a glowing list of titles. And gathering around, the ponies could see a list of relevant entries. There were fairytale and fiction books galore, many of which Fluttershy mentioned having read before. Although, in most cases like the tale Little Red Riding Hoof, the Timberwolves were villains or dangerous beasts to avoid. They seemed to highlight a certain fear of these creatures in the minds of most ponies that Twilight couldn’t help except note. Even in the Daring Do series, any mention to them tended to involve fleeing from their sharp teeth or hungry packs. They often came across as one of the greatest dangers cited of venturing into the Everfree Forest. What if Spike was right? Twilight thought. Perhaps she had been too quick or eager to dismiss Roots for simply being a Timberwolf. “How about these?” Spike asked, pointing to a series of naturalistic observation notes on the subject. “Yes. Those would probably give us the best clues.” Twilight agreed, and then noticed the dates. “Hmm. Most of these are over one hundred years old, and according to the reference book they would be in the archives.” “Oh, dear.” For a moment, Twilight thought the sight of the stairwell that plunged into darkness below might have caused Fluttershy’s resolve to falter a bit. But when the princess actually glanced at her, the pegasus appeared more thoughtful than intimidated. “So no pony has written down observations of what Timberwolves are really like for over a hundred years?” “At least, none that have been published, I guess.” Twilight answered. “I had no idea.” Fluttershy said. “Maybe—” She trailed off, although both Twilight and Spike understood what she meant. “We can find out together.” Spike volunteered. “After we’ve read what’s been written on Timberwolves, that is.” Twilight beamed at this remark. It seemed Spike had learned the value of building off source material, and hopefully their research sessions in the past would enable the dragon to help Fluttershy with her studies on the Timberwolves in Everfree Forest. “Spike and I will go retrieve the manuscripts.” Twilight said then, noticing that despite it all, a bit of her previous assumption had been correct. The stairwell did seem to daunt Fluttershy—even if she knew the pegasus would have followed her down anyway. “Maybe you could keep an eye on Roots up here in the meantime?” “Of course.” Fluttershy answered, asking Roots to lay on the floor. And the Timberwolf did so without hesitation. Spike watched this in awe, before following Twilight downstairs. *** “I hope Fluttershy can teach me to get animals to do whatever you say.” Spike mused aloud, while the pair descended the narrow stairwell. Covered lanterns with some type of phosphorescent material inside radiated a dim, greenish light. “Maybe it’s a clever trick, like ‘The Stare.’ If she does, training Roots will probably take no time at all. Right?” “Spike. It’s only because Fluttershy has a lot of experience working with animals that she knew how to get Roots under control like that.” Twilight replied, making sure to emphasize Fluttershy having ‘a lot of experience.’ Nothing good would come of Spike searching for a quick solution. She knew this from personal trial-and-error incidents. “She knows how to communicate with them on another level, and it’s her special talent developed over years of effort.” “I was afraid you were going to say that.” Spike said. They reached the bottom of the stairs. The archives, as they were, resembled a dim storehouse of sorts and probably stretched for the same interminable distance as the main collection overhead. Very tall volumes had special rotating shelves that allowed one to lay them upon their sides and take pressure off the spines. Acid-free box containers held particularly old or worn manuscripts with labels on the sides, and cabinets slid out to reveal maps or large illustrations. “And you’re right. It’s just that I know Roots would make a cool pet, if she had some pony willing to help her—and I would do anything I could to make that happen. Plus, then every pony could see Timberwolves are not so bad. Just like dragons.” The comment made Twilight halt for a fraction of a second in surprise, wondering if perhaps Spike had begun to see Roots’ situation as something closer to home than even his time with Pee Wee—drawing comparisons between Roots and himself now. “Equestria is changing.” Twilight said, feeling the truth of it warm her to the very core. “And how ponies see one another and different creatures is also changing. We just have to remember to keep an open mind. But it helps to have ponies remind us of that fact.” She winked at her assistant, which definitely consoled him. “I can tell Roots is a nice Timberwolf, like you said.” “Right.” This emboldened Spike. “Now where are those notes?” A dark form brushed past. At first, Twilight thought one of the reference books had flown down into the archives to guide them to the correct shelves. But then she heard the low hooting sounds of Owlicious, and noticed him flying on ahead. Usually, the owl was no so active during the daytime—preferring to assist the princess during the evenings when Spike needed his rest. Yet now he scanned the sections as if he did this every day as a matter of course. And he hooted, landing atop one shelf. Spike came over. “Gee. Thanks, Owlicious.” The dragon reached up and slipped one of the hardbound volumes off the shelf. Twilight used her magic to grab the rest. “Who.” Owlicious said. “You, of course.” Spike returned, reaching up to scratch Owlicious under his chin. “Now we can go back to Fluttershy and find out all about Roots.” In his excitement, her assistant powerwalked (it was too difficult for him to run with that heavy book) to the steps leading back up—and this time it was Twilight who turned to follow the dragon. But Twilight thought, before she started up the stairs, that she heard Owlicious gave a soft, drawn-out hoot after them.