Today was a Hoot

by TomeScroll

Rating: everyone
Tags: Spike, Slice of Life, Owlowiscious, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 4531

What it would be like Owlowiscious was given a chance to spend a day with Twilight and her friends? How would that even be possible? With the help from an unexpected friend, anything would be possible.

An ordinary day in Ponyville's library for Owlowiscious was often filled with chores and assisting Spike with his tasks. But what if Owlowiscious was given a chance to take a day off and had his wish fulfilled at the same time? Will his day end well or will it lead to disaster? Only time will tell.

Published 2013-05-19 15:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-05-19 15:40:02 UTC

Today was a Hoot

It was the beginning for another new day in Ponyville. Far beyond the grassy meadows was the sun, slowly rising to start the day as the silver moon sunk into the horizon. The warmth of the sun was soon graced Equestria with its gentle touch as colorful array of birds filled the town’s street with its melodious chirps. All of the ponies began to start their daily routines as the streets of Ponyville began to fill with pastel colored ponies, bringing the silent town once more into life. In the middle of the town was a large library that was built inside a hollowed-out tree. The library had a sign outside that said ‘Golden Oaks Library’. Soon after, the library door slowly creaked open as a still-sleepy looking purple baby dragon flipped the ‘Open’ sign on the door and slowly sauntered back inside, letting the wind close the door behind him.

Inside the library was many books adorned the shelves along the walls. There, in the middle of the room, was a purple unicorn with a darker purple mane, reading several books simultaneously that was levitated by purple magical aura. “Twilight..,” the purple dragon mumbled, rubbing the sleep off his eyes. “Don’t you think you should take some rest?” he asked before letting out big yawn.

“Spike, you know I have to finish a biology report to Princess Celestia by next Tuesday,” Twilight whined adamantly without looking away from the books.

“But you haven’t slept in two days and your report due five days from now,” Spike replied as he walked closer to the stubborn pony. “Please, take it easy and have some fun today,” he pleaded, looking at the pony with glossy eyes. Twilight managed to pry her gaze away from the books and looked into the baby dragon’s puppy eyes. A small smile managed to etch on the unicorn’s face and let out a sigh.

“You’re right,” she spoke softly as she playfully rubbed Spike’s head. Before she and Spike could let out another word, they were greeted by an owl’s hoot. After that, a brown feathered owl swooped down from the second floor and landed on the table in the middle of the room. Hoot, it greeted again as it flapped its wings happily. “Good morning, Owlowiscious,” Twilight greeted back while she levitated the books back into their respecting shelves.

“Morning, Owlowiscious,” Spike spoke up as well as he trotted closer towards the bird. “How’s the nightshift treating you?” he asked, nudging the owl slightly with his elbow while looking at the owl with a teasing smile. Hoot, Owlowiscious hooted back but this time shaking its head in a tired manner.

“Aww,” Twilight cooed as she gently pet Owlowiscious on the back. “Take a break while Spike and I get breakfast ready,” she chirped, giving the owl a soft smile. The owl hooted back in appreciation. “Come on, Spike. Let’s get breakfast ready,” she chimed as she trotted towards the kitchen at the back.

“Wait up!” Spike spoke up before hopping onto Twilight’s back as they made their way into the kitchen. Owlowiscious just looked at the two siblings chatted idly while heading towards the kitchen and shook its head in amusement.

I wish I could be a pony for a day and talk to them, Owlowiscious mentally confessed. I guess it would be a hoot to hang out with them –even it was for a day.

“Do you really mean that?” a voice suddenly spoke up. Owlowiscious let out an alarmed hoot before turning its head around to see if anypony was with him in the room but it was empty. Then, at that moment, a bright light flashed in front of it –blinding the owl slightly. “I said, do you mean what you said?” the voice asked again but this time Owlowiscious saw who was it from. It was from a creature that had different body parts from different creatures. The owner of the voice had a head of a horse, the tail of a lion and even a lizard’s tongue. “Let me introduce myself, I’m Discord. Lord of Chaos!” he spoke with gusto while giving the owl a showman’s bow. “Well, used to be the Lord of Chaos,” he added softly but loud enough to let the owl hear what he said.

What do you want? Owlowiscious mentally screamed, its heart was filled with fear to the unprecedented appearance.

“Oh,” Discord chuckled as he stood back up. “It’s not what I want that is important... it is what you want that I want to know about,” he spoke up before lied down onto an invisible comfort chair.

W-what I want? The owl mentally asked, looking at him with confusion that started to overshadow its fear.

“Yes,” Discord chuckled once more, looking at the owl with amusement in his eyes. “I heard that you want to become a pony for a day, correct? Well, I can make that wish happen,” he continued before swooping closer to the owl.

Really? Owlowiscious mentally asked once more, feeling a mix of skepticism and joy.

“Really,” he nodded as he slowly backed away with a wide smile plastered on his face.

What’s the catch? The owl inwardly spoke up, looking at the draconaquus with doubt.

“There’s no catch at all,” Discord confessed, looking slightly offended. “I’m just trying to do some good, that’s all there’s to it,” he added as he crossed his arms defensively. “Are you going to accept my offer or not?” he spoke once again, this time with impatient started to creep in his voice. With that, Owlowiscious hesitantly nodded in agreement. “Remember, the effect will be gone at midnight and please don’t tell anypony about this. Let this be a secret between us males,” he said as a reminder before he let out a chuckle. “Have fun,” he chimed. With a snapped, the world around Owlowiscious was swallowed in white light.

“Sir, are you okay?” a familiar voice echoed in Owlowiscious’s ears as the world around him was all blurry. “Sir, please answer me,” the voice pleaded. Owlowiscious tried to pinpoint the source of the voice and saw a large purple blurry blob stood above him.

“I-I’m okay,” he spoke up as the world started to become normal. He felt a strange and alien sensation as he tried to stand up and tried to blink the disorientation away.

“Spike, help him up,” the familiar voice spoke up in an instructive manner before Owlowiscious felt something was grabbing his side. He turned his head to look and saw Spike was struggling to support his weight.

“O-oh, sorry. I’m fine,” Owlowiscious spoke up as he straightened himself up. He looked down on the floor and his heart skipped a beat. H-hooves!? He inwardly screamed as he saw he was standing on hooves. Then his ears twitched as he heard the sound of wings flapping in excitement. He turned his head to look over his shoulder and saw wings. I-I’m a pegasus! I can’t believe the magic worked! He mentally screamed triumphantly as a wide smile plastered across his face.

Twilight and Spike was standing in front the odd pegasi as he was checking himself out as if he never knew he was a pegasi in the first place. What made things more peculiar was not the pegasus attempt to stifle a laughter for some odd reason but the look of the pegasus himself. The pegasus’s brown coat, large grey eyes, and his light brown mane looked a bit familiar.

“Um,” Twilight spoke up. “Are you really okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?” she asked, looking at the pony with concern in her eyes. Owlowiscious head quickly snapped back to look at her –startling her and Spike slightly.

“O-oh. Yeah, I’m fine. I-I’m just wanted to make sure everything’s in tip top shape,” Owlowiscious replied unconvincingly that was supported with a forced chuckle.

“Right, and I’m a toaster,” Spike deadpanned, looking at the suspicious pegasus with an inspecting eye.

“Spike!” Twilight scolded the little dragon as she levitated him onto her back. “I’m sorry about that. My name is Twilight Sparkle and nice to meet you,” she added nervously as she offered a hoofshake.

“That’s okay,” Owlowiscious chuckled as he waved dismissively. “My name is Ol-,” he cut himself off before he blew his cover. “Oldmen,” he finished when he unconsciously added a nervous laugh before giving Twilight a hoofshake.

“Oldmen?” Twilight asked, looking skeptical.

“Yes!” he responded way too cheery. “Eiman Oldmen,” he added as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

“Eiman Oldmen,” Spike mouthed silently, rubbing his chin in thought.

“So, Eiman. Are you new in town? Because I never seen you in Ponyville before,” Twilight asked again while giving Owlowiscious an inspecting eye.

“Y-yes. I came by to visit the library actually,” Owlowiscious answered when his face suddenly held a look of nostalgia. He gazed upon the old wooden walls of the library, looking at them with glossy eyes as old memories slowly flooded into him. “But,” he added, attempting to shake away the nostalgia. “I’m mostly here for the day to take a day off from work,” he chuckled with a soft smile plastered on his face.

“Oh, you know about this library before?” Twilight asked with interest sparkled in her eyes as her interest peaked.

“Let’s just say, it holds a personal memory,” he replied, silently hopping Twilight would not attempt to pry any longer.

“I see,” she giggled as a sign that she got the hint. “Well, today is a beautiful day for a walk outside. Would you like me to give you a tou-,” before she could finish, a loud crash resonated within the room, sending large amount of books onto the floor. The room was filled with piles and piles of books that buried everypony. “Ugh... my head,” Twilight groaned as she popped her head from a pile of old books, gingerly rubbing her temples.

“What happened?” Spike spoke up as he clawed up to escape the mountain of books. His eyes widened in shock as he gazed upon the large amount of chores that needed to be done because of the unseen destruction. Twilight turned her head to look at the stunned dragon and noticed a slight twitch under the dragon’s left eye.

“My head..,” Owlowiscious muffled moan can be heard under the piles of books. Soon after, his head reached the surface. He winced in pain as he carefully rubbed his aching head. “What was that?” he groaned while he tried to stand back up, his head scanned around the room for the source of destruction.

“Ow, ow, ow,” a raspy voice whined as the head of a pegasus with rainbow mane popped out from the hills of books across from Owlowiscious.

“Rainbow Dash! Look what you have done?” Twilight yelled in bewilderment with her hooves waved towards the mess everywhere while her eyes were stabbing daggers at the other pegasus.

“Sorry,” Rainbow Dash apologetically chuckled as she hopped onto her hooves, shaking the books from her body. “Look, my stunt backfired on me and I sorta lost control,” she continued as she winced and lowered her head in shame, bracing herself from Twilight’s lecture. Spike and Owlowiscious were unable to do anything except to expect the inevitable lecture. Both of their heads turned to look at Twilight. To Twilight’s credit –and Spike and Owlowiscious surprise, she was able to compose herself and kept her head calm and steady.

“It’s okay,” Twilight sighed, giving the apologetic cyan pegasus a soft smile. “It’s not your fault and I’m glad that you’re fine.”

“Wow, really?” Rainbow asked cheerily, looking at her friend with an appreciative smile. Twilight nodded in return. “Thanks, Twi,” she continued as she swooped towards her friend and gave her a big hug. “I’ll help you out in cleaning the library, I promise,” she concluded before letting Twilight go.

“Well,” her unicorn friend chimed, tapping her chin in amusement. “How about you show our new friend around town?” she asked as she waved her hoof towards Owlowiscious. Rainbow turned her head to look at the new pegasus and instantly gave him an inspecting eye.

“I have an odd feeling that I think I’ve seen him before,” Rainbow Dash mumbled under her breath while she trotted around him. Suddenly she stopped mid-trot while Owlowiscious’s cutie mark caught her attention. It was an unusual cutie mark at that; a picture of an owl sitting on a branch. The overwhelming attention made Owlowiscious very uncomfortable.

“M-my name is Eiman Oldmen and I’m new here,” he nervously spoke up in hope that it was enough to divert Rainbow’s suspicion. In an instant, Rainbow Dash rocketed into the air to do a double back flip and stroke a pose as a finish.

“The name’s Rainbow Dash. You’re looking the next Wonderbolt,” she proclaimed with her chest puffed with pride. “So,” she continued as she broke her pose. “Want me to show you around town?” she offered with her wings stretched and ready to go.

“But what about the mes-,” before Owlowiscious could finish his sentence, he was cut off by Twilight.

“Don’t worry about it. Spike and I can handle it,” Twilight chuckled as she waved her hoof dismissively. “You two have fun and maybe we could have a picnic at the park this evening,” she proposed with a soft smile.

“Yes, a picnic!” Spike cheered with a hop of excitement.

“Sounds good, I’ll take him to the spot when it’s time,” Rainbow Dash nodded. Twilight nodded back in return. “So,” she spoke up once more but this time turned her head towards Owlowiscious. “Let’s take off!” With that, Rainbow Dash jetted out of the door of the library and left an after-mirage of her. Owlowiscious let out a hearty laugh and flapped his as hard as he could and launched himself to catch the racing pegasus.

Hours had passed as Rainbow Dash brought Owlowiscious all around Ponyville and showed him the cool places in town. Well, he already knew about all of the places but he decided to give Rainbow Dash her crowning moments to be seen as a knowledgeable tour guide. “So, what’s your talent?” the rainbow hued pegasus suddenly asked, looking at him with an inquisitive look.

“I’m good at bird watching,” he lied and hoped Rainbow Dash would take the bait. I can’t let her know I’m actually Owlowiscious, he inwardly mumbled to himself.

“Cool,” she nodded in thought. “I noticed you’re a talented flier. Are you planning to join the Wonderbolt?” she asked again. But this time, her tone was filled with excitement.

“Thanks... but I think I won’t join the Wonderbolt,” he answered nonchalantly. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash stopped mid-flight, making him to stop as well. Then, both of them hovered in the sky with silence began to fill the air. Rainbow Dash was looking at him with incredulity in her eyes. As if Owlowiscious said something that was not to be said.

“Why?! You’re an amazing flier! Why won’t you consider joining the Wonderbolts?” she asked as her voice slowly increased in tone.

“Well,” he started with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head. “I guess I don’t have the time,” he concluded. He hoped that the reason alone would be enough for an answer.

“From what... Bird watching?” she retorted but quickly noticed her tone. Then she lowered her head slightly in shame. “Sorry, I didn’t mea-,” but she was cut off by a laugh.

“Don’t worry about it,” Owlowiscious said as he wiped a tear away. “But, it’s true though. Today is the only day that I’m able to do what I wanted to do,” he continued with his gaze locked upon Ponyville below. Then... a pause of silence filled between them. His ears twitched as he heard a cough.

“I’m thirsty... Let’s go to Sugarcube Corner and grab some lemonade,” Rainbow Dash proposed, looking at Owlowiscious with a soft smile plastered on her face. Just when he locked eyes with her, she gave him a playful wink and that made him blushed... slightly. “It’ll be my treat,” she added. Without another word, he nodded. Just like that, both of them flew towards their next destination.

Just as they landed, both of them were assaulted by a cacophony of noise makers and a barrage of confetti. “OMYGOSHANEWPONY!” a pink face exclaimed cheerful as the pony bounced around the disoriented pegasi.

“Not again, Pinkie Pie,” Rainbow Dash groaned while she tried to shake tiny bits of confetti that stuck in her mane. “You know how hard to clean these off,” she groaned once again. But the pony in question was not paying attention to her at all when all of the attention was pointed towards Owlowiscious.

“What’s your name?” the pink pony with pink puffy mane and tail asked whilst bounced around the other pegasus. Her eyes beamed in excitement.

“I-I’m Eiman Oldmen,” Owlicious stammered nervously with his head lowered in anxiety, hoping the pink pony took the bait. He knew that the pony had a very keen instinct and he hoped his appearance did not arouse any suspicion.

“What a funny name!” the pink pony giggled as she had the courtesy to bounce in place. “My name is Pinkie Pie and I’m your new bestfriend!” she cheered. In a blink of an eye, she quickly swooped down and gave Owlowiscious a great big hug. Suddenly, he heard a whisper in his ears “Eiman Oldmen. That’s clever,” she giggled once more. When she released the hug, she gave him a knowing wink.

“Hey, Pinks,” Rainbow Dash spoke up as she finished cleaning herself from the confetti. “Twilight planned a picnic at the park this evening. Would you like to come?” she asked even though both pegasi knew the answer would be.

“Yes! I would love to!” Pinkie Pie cheered once more and this time her bounce became more erratic in excitement.

“Also,” Rainbow Dash added, making the pink pony to defy laws of physics by stopping mid-fall and looked at her as if nothing was wrong. “Me and Eiman are feeling a bit thirsty. Mind getting us some lemonade?” she asked with a soft smile.

“Yes, indeedy,” Pinkie Pie chimed as she resumed her fall. With that, she merrily bounced into what looks like a bakery made to look like a gingerbread house, followed by Rainbow Dash and Owlowiscious.

After Rainbow Dash and Owlowiscious had their drink and a few sugary treats -courtesy of the Sugarcube Corner, of course- both of them began their way towards Sweet Apple Acres. It was almost the time for the picnic as the sun was beginning to set and make way for the night. Just right their arrive to the farm’s entrance, both of them saw an orange earth pony with a cowpony hat and a white unicorn mare with marvelous curly purple mane and tail were walking towards their way. “Hey, Applejack! Hey, Rarity!” Rainbow Dash greeted aloud while waving her hoof into the air. In just a snapped, both of the pegasi landed in front of the two other ponies. “Hey, it’s time for the picnic,” she continued as she tried to catch her breath.

“We know, darling. Dear Fluttershy just came by and told us a few minutes ago,” the unicorn spoke with her voice soft like silk as she excessively battered her eyelashes towards Owlowiscious.

“Who’s your new friend, Dash?” the pony with the hat spoke up this time, her southern accent was certainly noticeable. The pony tipped her hat in respect.

“Applejack, Rarity... meet Eiman Oldmen. But I call him Eiman,” Rainbow answered as she slowly ushered the other pegasus closer to her friends.

“Howdy, I’m Applejack,” the orange mare greeted, tipping her hat once more but this time it was accompanied by a soft smile. Owlowiscious nodded his head in return.

“My name is Rarity. Nice to meet you,” the unicorn mare introduced herself with a sultry smile. In return, Owlowiscious gave her a gentlepony’s bow. “My,” Rarity giggled. “Such wonderful stallion.”

“So,” Rainbow Dash spoke up. “Could you guys go on without me? I’m going to head over to Fluttershy’s cottage. I’m sure that she’ll be scared to get to the park on her own at night,” she continued, looking at the other ponies with a questioning eyebrow.

“Of course,” Owlowiscious spoke up.

“Sure,” Applejack chuckled.

“But, of course,” Rarity chimed.

“See ya at the picnic,” Rainbow Dash said before skyrocketed into the darkening sky.

“So, shall we get moving?” Owlowiscious suggested as he gave both mares a soft smile. The two mares nodded their heads in return and they began to head towards the park. The journey was somewhat quiet which made the situation a bit awkward but fortunately, the pegasus had a few topics ready if such situations arise. But before he could say anything, a voice spoke up from behind him.

“So, Eiman. You’re visiting Ponyville?” Applejack asked as she trotted along side the pegasus, looking at him curiously.

“Yes, I’m only here for the day,” he answered her while he locked his gaze onto the dark sky above.

“Are you from somewhere far?” this time Rarity was the one to spoke up as she too trotted alongside of him.

“You could say that,” he giggled nervously with his gaze slowly lowered towards the dirt ground. A soft smile began to etch on his lips.

“You know what?” Applejack chimed with her eyes beamed with glee, looking at her new friend. “I felt like I seen you before,” she continued before looking into the starry sky. “I don’t know why.”

“You too?” Rarity chimed inquisitively, looking at Applejack with surprised beamed from her eyes.

“Whadd’ya mean ‘you too’?” Applejack asked as she looked at her unicorn friend with a questioning eyebrow.

“Maybe it’s just a coincidence,” Owlowiscious nervously chuckled as he looked between the suspecting mares. “Look!” he quickly exclaimed, pointing the direction they were walking to. “We’re near the park,” he added before he galloped away. That was too close for comfort, he inwardly sighed.

Soon after, all of the ponies gathered under a gazebo in the middle of the park. The food and drinks were already served on a wide picnic blanket. There were assortments of sugary treats that were served that night. From apple pie to apple flavored cupcakes. Twilight’s famous grape punch was also served as the drink for the night but before they could begin, there was one more pony that had to be introduced to their new friend.

A yellow coated pegasus with a flowing pink mane slowly fluttered towards the new pegasus. But there was something odd that made the other friends’ curiosity peaked. The yellow pegasus usual shy and timid personality was replaced with a more outgoing character. “Hello there, my name is Fluttershy,” the pegasus greeted with a smile beamed on her face as she offered a hoofshake.

“Hello, I’m Eiman Oldmen,” Owlowiscious replied, shaking her hoof. “Nice to meet you,” he added with the same smile.

“Fluttershy, are you okay?” Twilight asked as she was marveled at her friend’s change in character.

“I think so,” the supposedly timid pegasus answered with a nod, her eyes did not leave Owlowiscious. “Somehow I have the feeling that I’ve know you before,” she muttered to herself, her eyes were curiously looking at the new pegasus.

“I’m new to the town,” he chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Welp!” Spike spoke up with a clap of his claws. “Now everypony is introduced. Let’s eat!” he suggested, looking at the other ponies for approval. Without any second thoughts, everypony collectively agreed and began their picnic. While they enjoyed the food and drinks under the starry night sky, all of them began to share stories and funny moments with Owlowiscious, recounting the time with the red big dragon and even the event where the six pony friends and the dragon fought with the Diamond Dogs. The silly stories and moments were soon slowed down as the ponies slept under the night sky... except for Twilight and Owlowiscious. Both of them stared into Luna’s starry sky together in silence.

“Tell me, Eiman,” Twilight spoke up, breaking the silence between them.

“Yes?” Owlowiscious replied with his gaze locked into the sky.

“Who are you?” she continued, looking at the pegasus with a puzzled expression plastered on her face.

“Like I said,” he began, looking at her with a soft smile tugged onto his lips. “I’m just passing through.”

“But, I felt that I known you for sometime now even though we technically met today.”

“Well, I don’t know about that but all I can say is... I am very glad that I met you and I want to say thank you for your kindness,” Owlowiscious chuckled as he begin to stand up. “I want to let you know that, I’m glad to be your friend.” Even though it was night, Twilight could see a single tear rolled down his cheek.

“Where are you going?” Twilight spoke up, almost waking the others from their slumber with her eyes filled with concern.

“Somewhere that I belong,” he replied without looking away from the sky.

“Will I meet you again?” she asked, her voice was soft yet held a sense of sadness in it.

“All I can say is: I’m always there when you need me,” he chuckled, looking at her once more with teary eyes. “Goodbye,” he whispered before giving his wings a mighty flap and skyrocketed into the dark sky.

“Goodbye, and see you soon,” Twilight muttered with her head hung low. Soon after the flight, Owlowiscious landed onto Twilight’s balcony with tears running down his cheeks like a cascading waterfall.

“So, how was your day?” a familiar voice spoke up. Owlowiscious looked around and saw Discord slowly hovered above him.

“A hoot,” Owlowiscious sniffed as he tried his best to smile.

“It is almost midnight,” the draconaquus spoke up while looking into the silver moon.

“I know... and,” the pegasus sniffed. “Thank you,” he said, looking at Discord with an appreciative smile. Discord did not say anything but smiled in return. As midnight arrived, Owlowiscious’s world once again engulfed by a single white flash. Soon after, Owlowiscious returned consciousness and noticed that he turned back into an owl. He let out a somber hoot before flew downstairs into the library. Just as he reached downstairs, Twilight and Spike arrived from the park with sleep began to creep into their eyes. Without another word, Spike slowly sauntered towards the bedroom. Except for Twilight, she was looking at Owlowiscious with a suspecting eye just as she entered the library.

“Hey, Owlowiscious,” Twilight greeted the owl. “Today, I met someone new but unfortunately it was only for a day,” she continued as she trotted closer to the bird. “But even though I think he might be far away but for some reason, I think he’ll be always by my side,” she concluded, looking at the owl with a soft smile. Owlowiscious just let out a cheerful hoot, and gave her a knowing wink.