Chapters It was before dawn, many of the ponies were still asleep. The dark and cool starless night with only the moon as the source of light shone upon the streets of the quaint and quiet Ponyville. Its roads were empty and ghostly silent, its lamps were lit emphasizing its emptiness. The castle made of crystal was the only one that had and light within it.
One pony was going through a checklist, rechecking everything that she had placed in the bag that lies before her. She had streaks of different shades and hues of lavender and purple on her mane and tail. She had a star around her flank meant as her cutie mark; the symbol of a ponies' talent and identity. Her horn glowing in a faint aura as she was levitating many things into her bag ever intently checking and rechecking thing she put.
Out in the corner of the room was a tall and green dragon. His eyes were serpent-like but that of gentleness. He wasn't to muscular but not to slender either. His scales her hard but smooth, one who has not experienced much of the outside world. His face was handsome, and the spines on his back were arranged without any being out of its place.
"This is like the third time you've done this, Twilight" the drake said "you already have everything you need" but the mare ignored him, ever focused on her checklist she ignored any attempt of being talked out of her trance like state as she was immersed in her checklist.
The drake looked around the room, it had a table, a bed and a few books. The bed was well-made and arranged. The table had books on it arranged in an orderly manner, there was also ink containers that were organized with precision in alignment. He tip toed to the table and moved the ink container ever so slightly which caused the pony to jump in shock. A smile of relief shaped the dragon's face.
"You're going to be late, Twilight" he continued, "you have everything you need and besides-" he arranged the ink container and put it in its proper place "-I'll be here if you need anything" he took her hoof and placed his claw on it in reassurance.
"I'm aware of that Spike, but I can't let you sneeze and burn my books! Not to mention your flying lessons with Scootaloo and your developing wings may cause a huge mess" Twilight lied a bit, she wasn't worried about her books or the mess Spike could cause, but the fact that dragons grow as the number of things they receive which makes them greedy. She had to control the number of gifts Spike receives so that he doesn't grow to quickly and become uncontrollable again, he has shown no signs of greed but part of her wished that her dragon could come along just to be safe but under Celestia's orders she has no other choice but to trust that Spike will control his greed.
Spike has grown over the past few years, even more so because of the Apple family success in business; it has become one of the most successful business in all of Equestria in the food and drink industry, due to this the Apple family has needed aid with the gathering of apples and Spike was among the many who helped them as they grew financially, and his physique has grown even greater due to his Dragon physiology not to mention his wings that have only started to grow in the last year or so. His physique may not be as muscular as one might expect but he definitely is stronger than he looks; his wings though still developing are capable of reaching great speeds thanks to the training of the daredevil Scootaloo and the Wonderbolt Rainbow dash.
"Twilight, I'm not baby anymore, and you know that, all I'm saying is that I think its time you realize that too" he said sympathetically. "Besides if there's anything I know about you, its that you have already sent a letter to somepony asking him or her to take care of me while your gone" he jokingly added.
Twilight upon hearing this only smiled in response the dragon knew her too well, defeated she sighed "I'll miss you Spike"
"And I'll miss you Twilight" Spike hugged her in response.
"Don't have too much fun without me" Twilight said in a motherly tone.
"Likewise" Spike responded like a grown child to his mother.
It wasn't long after Twilight left that Spike began to ready himself in order to escort his friend and mother figure from the library to the train station, where he will not only see her of but also await the arrival of the pony Twilight asked to watch over Spike's greed: Sweetie belle, needless to say Spike wasn't expecting it.
"Sweetie belle!?" Spike shockingly commented. Out of all the ponies Twilight could have gotten, why Sweetie belle ? Spike thought, he assumed Twilight would have called her other friend Moon dancer, who could have really enjoyed the time at the library since both Moon dancer and Twilight are book-lovers, but instead it had to be Sweetie belle, the younger sister of Spike's former love interest: Rarity.
Twilight sensed the distress in the dragon's tone, it shouldn't surprise her as Sweetie belle and Spike have grown closer over the years though they are still friends, it didn't stop anypony from giving them strange looks. But Sweetie belle has become a celebrity, being a well-known singer all across Equestria, perhaps that is what Spike is worried about? The gaining of extra attention? Or could it be something else? she decided to shrug it off and reassure her drake that everything will be alright.
"Spike, Spike, Spike" Twilight said "Sweetie belle is on vacation after her Crusader tour all around Equestria, she could use this time to catch with her other friends Scootaloo and Applebloom, not to mention her sister" she tried to explain to the dragon who appears to be unsettled at the thought "Besides..." she added "she is looking forward to seeing Equestria's beloved dragon again" she joked.
"I'm the only dragon Equestria cares about, Twi" Spike said arms crossed, unconvinced by the words of his alicorn friend.
Indeed Spike and Sweetie belle along with the Apple family's Applebloom, and now stunt-mare Scootaloo have grown closer as friends, it a was a pleasure to see Spike get along with ponies closer to his age Twilight thought; of course it is possible that Spike is older according to dragon standards which gives his interaction with older ponies seem plausible but to see a young dragon interact with young ponies was a joyful celebration for the alicorn. Being the number assistant to the princess of friendship and being the one responsible for saving the Crystal Empire all those years back really did leave the drake of any real friends as most of them only desired attention, and now thanks to Sweetie belle, Spike may finally have somepony to relate to Twilight pondered.
"Okay, if it makes you feel better Sweetie has a surprise for you" Twilight said, "I think you'll like it" Spike raise an eye in suspicion.
"What would that be?" he asked.
"You'll have to ask her about it" Twilight smiled, finally arriving at the train station on schedule, she turned to her dragon and gave out a few last words before saying farewell "Take care Spike, and be good"
"Alright Twi, you to" Spike responded, thinking about the surprise Sweetie belle supposedly has for him.
A few hours have passed and Sweetie belle has finally arrived to Ponyville, she thought that she would receive a warm welcome from her old companions but instead was greeted by a sleeping dragon. She wasn't disappointed from the lack of a welcome home from her friends being busy with their lives henceforth she wasn't exactly keeping her hopes up, but was glad enough that the dragon Twilight asked her to take care of is there waiting for her.
"Spike" she whispered as she poked the sleeping dragon, trying her best not to wake him so suddenly... or get herself drenched by the waterfall of drool forming at his mouth. Gladly enough Spike woke up without that much of a jump. She sighed in relief.
As quickly as the Timberwolf came, it left. Spike was relieved. He turned around and the number of ponies grew as they neared him, with many utensils as frying pans, pots, and many other things were brought.
"Its leaving already?" one of the ponies exclaimed as they paused and witnessed the fleeing Timberwolf.
They all looked at Spike was looking at them with a small smile, and with it an air of uncertainty of everyone's reaction. They cheered in celebration. This, for Spike was the first time he ever got recognition for his acts in Ponyville, and even more on the fact that he did not necessarily have help from others. To him it was nothing special, he did what he had to do of course.
Sweetie belle with her magic carried the rest of the bags to Carousel Boutique, her older sister's workplace. As she neared the place she heard screams of joy from the opposite direction, she turned around and saw many a pony heading towards the Apple Orchard, she smiled as she thought to herself just like before .
"Sweetie belle, dear? Is that really you?" A familiar voice was heard, and Sweetie turned around and found a white unicorn with purple mane arranged in an elegant manner, her eyes sparkled like diamonds when she saw her.
"Long time no see, Sis!" Sweetie exclaimed joyfully as she ran into her sister, engulfing her in a huge hug.
"Yes indeed it has, Sweetie!" Rarity responded in happy surprise."Why didn't you tell me you were coming home this year?" she asked.
"I wanted it to be a surprise- " Sweetie giggled "-just for you."
Rarity was touched. She gestured her sister in the boutique after she broke of the hug.
They both entered the boutique. It was filled with clothed models of the pony physique, scattered pieces of fabric and string where found on the floor, in one corner near a window was a sewing machine with a piece of fabric on it. Across the room there are three mirrors and a round stage in its center, ribbons can be found on the mirrors.
"Glad to see nothing has change here, Sis" Sweetie commented at the messy boutique.
"Busy, busy, busy, you know how it is.
"Still... feels great to be back" Sweetie trotted gleefully around while trying to avoid ruining anything any further than it should be.
Meanwhile many of the ponies were carrying Spike as if he did something out of the ordinary. Timberwolf attacks may not be frequent but many ponies knew exactly what to do should ever it occur, which confused Spike all the further. His puzzled face holds an air of uncertainty and confusion.
From a distance Spike could see bags align to a window of Carousel Boutique, he knew in an instant that those bags belonged to Sweetie belle. Thankfully, the crowd let him down in the middle of the town and slowly left one by one to continue their day. Spike allowed himself some air to breathe before heading towards the boutique where the pony assigned to take care of him was at most reconciling with her sibling.
"Hey girls" Spike greeted, quickly fixing his composure in front of the mares.
"Greetings, Spike" Rarity responded before asking "what was with the commotion outside?"
"Timberwolf, Sis" Sweetie belle interrupted before Spike could even open his mouth.
Time passes by and the sun was at high noon, Sweetie belle explained to Rarity that she was tasked by Twilight to take care of Spike while she was away. Rarity giggled at the thought that a grown dragon still needs a baby sitter causing Spike to groan and cover his face in embarrassment.
As the pair left the building, the sun was scorching the land below. They have spent so much time at the boutique that they have forgotten of the bags that still have yet to be unpacked. The roads, full of lively ponies are being heated to levels that are slightly above that which was what the ponies are accustomed. The Pegasi responsible for weather control have scheduled for clear skies.
Arriving at the castle, Spike opened the door for Sweetie belle. The hallways are now filled with shimmering bright due to the rays that penetrate its windows, making it akin to a special walkway for very special ponies and others. Taking in the rainbow of lights Sweetie belle made her way to the room she is to stay while being escorted by her drake, as soon as she has finished settling in, she went outside with Spike reliving the days that she has spent in Ponyville.
"So Spike, how is it been?" Sweetie gleefully asked, as they are beginning to leave the train station. She was clearly happy to back home, since reuniting with Spike to leaving the station she was bouncing allover the place. She may be older, but still showed joyous delights of a young school girl.
"Everything seems fine, hardly anything happens here" Spike replied casually as he was carrying their bags. Despite the pep Sweetie has, though annoying actually brings a smile on his face. He didn't know why, perhaps its just that the two have stopped hanging out for so long and that even after all this time she is still the same pony he thought.
But their joyful reunion was brought to a quick end by a screech for help. They looked at the direction of the source and from there, dozens of ponies were running for their lives, some even have a few scratch marks on them.
"Timberwolf! Large Timberwolf!" one of the ponies screamed.
Spike and Sweetie belle looked at each other with worried looks in their faces, but Spike's worried look was replaced by a serious stern "Would you mind holding on to your things for a while Sweetie?" he asked seriously.
"Uh.. o-okay" Sweetie belle responded unsure of what Spike plans to do. With nod Spike left her and flew towards the source of the area where the Timberwolf would be at a blinding speed. For wings that are still being developed, Spike sure flew fast she thought at the sight of a violet blur.
Spike flew towards what is the Sweet Apple Orchard, there were still many ponies screaming and running. The Timberwolf was as tall as the trees causing so much havoc. Spike looked around he could see a young mare with a bow on her mane stuck by a fallen tree. The Timberwolf crept towards her with monstrous look in its eyes, Spike then flew towards the Timberwolf his arms facing forward.
The Timberwolf advance ever so closely on the pony and lunged at her, the mare cowering in fear closed her eyes for and hoped for dear life. But something got in the way, she slowly opened her eyes due to the sound of the growls of both the Timberwolf and a dragon whose arms are holding on to the Timberwolf's jaw.
"Go...go Applebloom, run!" Spike struggled to speak, the Timberwolf was strong, Applebloom tried to dislodge herself but was stuck due to the fallen Apple tree. Spike had to think fast, he flew higher was still holding on to the Timberwolf in hopes that he could flip it over. The Timberwolf fell on its back and scattered its twigs around, Spike used this opportunity to lift the tree from Applebloom's hind leg, she quickly thanked him and ran.
Spike turned around and witnessed the Timberwolf rebuild itself furiously, it looked at him with deadly ferociousness in its eyes but Spike stood strong though he was afraid he had to stand tall. To his surprise and relief, the Timberwolf turned around and walked away head down. Spike blinked in shock and sighed in relief.
