//------------------------------//
// Chapter Eight—Hosts a Montage 
// Story: Spike's Pet 
// by LiterarySerenity 
//------------------------------//

The first day set an interesting pattern for the rest of the week, where Spike and Owlicious would take Roots to Fluttershy’s each afternoon to hear her latest discoveries on the Timberwolves of the Everfree Forest. And then the pegasus would give the young dragon another lesson in treating animals— specifically pets—with respect and care. 

For his part, Spike was a diligent pupil. He would copy down Fluttershy’s expeditions and ask thoughtful questions on Timberwolves in general. 

There was a lot for Fluttershy to share. After her initial encounter with the pack, she had not only managed to find them again, but to witness such occurrences as their late night coons to Luna’s moon and playfulness in the underbrush. They were much like wolves during their leisure periods, though with their own games that the pegasus spent many contented hours watching. For instance, they played a sort of tag, where one Timberwolf would snatch the wooden tail off another pack member and run around playing keep away while the other chased her. And at times, these wolves had even made motions for Fluttershy to join in their games, which she then shared with Spike and the rest (and Roots appeared to enjoy keep away even more than fetch).

Yet another discovery Fluttershy made was of different places where Timberwolves enjoyed getting petted or stroked, which she demonstrated on Roots, with the pup falling into a pleasurable heap at her hooves. The same thing worked for Spike when he tried the same techniques, yet Fluttershy appeared to have a certain special touch that made the pet-in-training whimper just a bit longer in satisfaction.

Unfortunately, the one important thing that kept eluding Fluttershy again and again (and that she continued to mention at each of their meetings) was the pack from which Roots came. The pegasus soon reached the point where she could question the head of the Timberwolves she had first met if they were missing one of their number (or whether or not this was true for other packs throughout the Everfree Forest), yet the knob-legged Timberwolf couldn’t seem to help her in this pursuit. The concept of a Timberwolf “pup” seemed a foreign concept to him.

The fact that this puzzled the Timberwolf caused much speculation between Fluttershy, Spike, and Twilight. For in the late afternoons when Spike returned to the palace, he would share the latest observations with the princess, and they would talk it over—until Twilight dropped off to sleep, that is, which she began to do quite often given the amount of magic practice she undertook.

Poor Twilight seemed to have had no better luck in influencing the chaotic sphere than she had had on the first day. Too much hung in the balance, and too often she would get distracted at some crucial moment while considering all the possible shapes the sphere could attain. In all fairness, the princess did manage to affect the chaos enough to cause it to go through a few different forms, with the chaotic sphere being the easiest to create (for some odd reason). But she seemed just able to handle a new shape or more at a time before getting too worn out, which meant anything more complicated was out of the question.

And the more tired she became, the harder it was for Twilight to concentrate and make the rainbow-hued magic happen. 


As a result, on more than one occasion, Spike and Owlicious wound up tucking her into bed, which the young dragon did with much fondness. For so often over the years, Twilight had done the same for him. Yet it also became apparent to Spike how lucky he was to have Owlicious helping him out around the palace and elsewhere, specifically in regards to keeping Roots under control.

Through a combination of the obedience training at Fluttershy’s home, and techniques Spike picked up while there, Roots’ behavior saw a great improvement as the week progressed. She no longer pulled the dragon around so much (except on their way to the cottage) and even licked him on occasion. But there were still problems, and times when the Timberwolf got practically restless and managed to get away from both Spike and Owlicious (though often not for long, with one or the other keeping an eye on her). 

After the first night, where Roots howled so loudly that even Twilight couldn’t sleep, the Timberwolf got moved to a room deeper in the castle during the nights (and soundproofed with magic).

Yet this didn’t keep Roots from getting out. 

***

Such was the occasion one evening right at the end of the week, when Owlicious nudged Spike awake. For Roots had somehow escaped from the established room once again and was now wandering around the castle. Tired of the forced confinement, perhaps, the Timberwolf had managed to force open the door through sheer wooden muscle. This time, the pair found her the moment Roots yanked off the doorknob on the permanent guestroom Twilight had set aside for Discord. A small slat over where the knob had been read: “Unoccupied,” which Spike took to mean no pony was there at the moment. But by magic, the knob disappeared from the Timberwolf’s mouth and appeared once more in its place.

Roots looked fascinated by this, and might have investigated further, if Owlicious had not flown between the two and Spike come over to say with the firm stance and regard Fluttershy had taught him:

“Roots, no.”

At this, Roots coughed up another doorknob. And Spike realized, with a bit of a start, that many of the doors along the hallway were missing them.

Spike groaned.

“Bad girl, Roots!” The dragon snapped, growing red with all the pent-up frustration and practically spitting flames. “You were a very, bad girl.”
And Roots whimpered, crouching low to the ground—truly repentant, which abated Spike’s anger. It was hard for him to say exactly what the young wolf was thinking, yet the dragon could understand her curiosity and need to explore.

In truth, it wasn’t her fault. 

It was just that somehow the palace didn’t seem large enough for such wild enthusiasm, especially for a Timberwolf like Roots.

“I’m so sorry.” Spike said, crouching down and stroking Roots along the snout. “I didn’t mean to shout, or to snap.” 

At this, a glimmer of understanding entered Roots’ expression, and she nudged the dragon with her nose. And Spike thought of all the stories Fluttershy had told him over the last few days, of packs of Timberwolves that roamed through the Everfree Forest, or even how well his friend had handled Roots at each of their afternoon sessions.

In comparison, Spike could barely contain her—and both the dragon and Owlicious were getting worn out in the process. 

“You know.” Spike commented, scratching Roots behind the ear. “Having a Timberwolf for a pet is really a lot tougher than I thought.”

“Who.” Owlicious agreed.

“What with Twilight wrapped up in her lesson, and me just struggling to learn more about Timberwolves in general, we haven’t even gotten anywhere close to practicing for the Equestria Pet Show. And that’s tomorrow, already.” Spike sighed, patting Roots gently. “It’s taken a lot to even reach this level.” 

“Who.” 

“Hey, Owlicious? Did you ever get the feeling you’ve taken on too much to handle due to inexperience, but you were too afraid to admit it?” 

“Who?”

“Yes, you.” Spike said. “I thought having a pet—any pet, would be so easy, even a Timberwolf. But it’s not. I was just thinking about myself and what would look cool at the show. Like Fluttershy keeps saying, I need to think about Roots’ needs. Fluttershy is the one who has been able to do all the research and has the experience with animals. I’m only starting out. We’ve been able to learn quite a bit about Timberwolves already, and everything we’ve found says they like being free and play an important role in the Everfree Forest. And perhaps—” He hesitated, gazing at the crystalline palace around him. “Roots wouldn’t be so happy here after all.”

Roots gave a low whine.

“But, I think I know where she might be happier.” Spike scratched Roots between the eyes, which made the Timberwolf murmur in gratitude, while Owlicious gave a soft, rueful hoot. “Well, I guess the Equestria Pet Show will have to wait.”

Owlicious landed upon the green frills on Spike’s head. He was so light, gentle, and a great comfort right then.

“Come on, Roots.” Spike said. “Let’s get you back to your room, because tomorrow is going to be a big day for every pony.” 

***

Not long after these events, Twilight jerked awake in her bed—with the impression she might have fallen asleep in the middle of speaking or another important activity. This was a sensation the princess had been getting more often of late, especially amid her frustrations in influencing the chaotic sphere. The assignment still sat upon its cushioned pedestal, safe and sound. Yet what really caught her attention were the soft sounds of Spike snoring nearby, accompanied by faint hoots.

More surprising still was the sight of Spike curled sleeping in his basket, hugging Owlicious almost like a teddy bear. And Owlicious, for his part, seemed equally content and dozing soundly. 

Twilight had no idea how the pair had wound up together like this, but it was so heart-warming she delighted in the view for a few moments before using her magic to pull the blanket over them both. Sometimes, Spike tried to act more grown up than he was, but then he would have moments like these that reminded the pony he was truly a very young dragon. At least now he appeared at peace for the first time since the week had begun, having spent most of it running between the palace and Fluttershy’s cottage to look after the Timberwolf. It was the same with Owlicious, who had truly done a good job helping him out.

Of course, this was no better than what Twilight had done. The days had seemed to blur together.

It was a saving grace that the mayor had decided to handle most of the preparations for the Equestria Pet Show, according to notes provided by Fluttershy and Twilight weeks in advance. Being such a huge event, the pet show had taken a while to plan—and the princess realized with a bit of a start how she hadn’t had much of a chance to see how they were coming along. Perhaps she would allow herself half a day’s break to check out everything.

Actually, what day was it?

Twilight went to a calendar hung upon their wall, where Spike had struck off each day during the week. 

Which meant—?

“The Equestria Pet Show is tomorrow!” Twilight almost shouted in dismay, remembering at the last moment to lower her voice to a whisper. 

Where had the week gone? It had simply zipped past, and she was no closer to making something more out of the chaotic sphere like she had promised Discord.

Perhaps Twilight should try this one more time, even if she still felt exhausted.

Approaching the chaos, Twilight concentrated once again. She mused on her friendships as before, though the thought of Spike and Owlicious working together with Fluttershy actually helped the most in bringing the rainbow-hued magic to the surface. They had made a good team, and as her magic encircled the sphere, she focused on stretching out the chaos. Perhaps a spiral might make a good choice.
With a little coercion, the chaos started to shift—until another possibility occurred to her. A spiral was simply another shape. Twilight needed something more complex.

The chaos had to keep changing. It never wanted to stay still.

Such thoughts abounded in her mind as Twilight continued to mold the sphere. Perhaps she could try making a copy of a book, such as the kind with which Discord had filled her new library. Twilight even had a volume in mind: the journal her friends had kept over the last several months. 

Then again, there were a lot of things to take into account when creating a book. Twilight need to form the whole thing from the inside out, and not just influence the shape. And this was apparently harder to accomplish. 

Maybe she was trying to do too much too quickly. 

Twilight could feel her magic and strength beginning to ebb. She wouldn’t be able to hold it. But all the same, those hopes and frustrations seemed to pulse through her very senses, and the chaotic sphere started to do something odd indeed. 

The chaos also began to pulse, and then to quiver, and even to turn different colors. 

This worried Twilight so much that she spent what was left of her energy to transform it back into a sphere—which seemed the only reliable shape the princess could make. And the chaos came to rest back upon the cushion.

Oh, well. Perhaps the chaotic sphere would be enough, after all. Twilight could always go over what her difficulties and discoveries during the week with Discord when he came.

Everything would be fine. Besides, the Equestria Pet Show would be tomorrow, and she would need to fulfill her position there of a judge.

So Twilight headed back to bed, hopeful though still a little nervous of what the following day would bring. She dropped off to sleep again right away.


But the chaotic sphere started to pulse again, ever so slowly, and to move.


And from way down in her room, Roots sensed it and growled.