Author's Note

Hey everycreature!

So here is the second to last chapter in this short story! It may be shorter, because I want to save one last thing for the ending, a little epilogue if you will!

Anyway, hope you enjoy as always!

Heart Breaking Decision

A week has passed since Owlowiscious fell ill and now... He was back to his old self as he was currently flying circles around Twilight's castle, making sure he was okay as Twilight, with her friends and Dr. Fauna were watching to make sure he was all fit and strong from his long rest and time to refill his stamina. So far everything was looking good as Twilight's friends, who brought along their own pets, cheered the speeding owl as he didn't seem tired at all.

"Well I have to say Princess, I'm glad Owlowiscious is back to normal, you took really good care of him." Dr. Fauna commented.

"Thank you Dr. Fauna, but it wasn't just me." Twilight replied as she watched the light brown owl flying by as the group was currently on one of the castle balconies.

"I have to say Twilight, I was almost going to suggest that he stay a little over at my sanctuary where I could watch him, but I guess I didn't have to." Fluttershy added.

"I didn't want to, you have enough as it is Fluttershy, and besides you helped out a lot with the medicine you brought for him." Twilight turning to speak to her pegasus friend. "Although I have been thinking a lot lately about Owlowiscious and hte future..."

"What do you mean Twilight?" Fluttershy asked quietly.

"Well..." Twilight started, taking a deep breath. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to let him go..."

Fluttershy was a little surprised at this, but considering the past week it wasn't too shocking to hear, even still she found it revealing that Twilight would be ready to do something like this...

"Twilight, I understand, if you want to let him go, than only you can make that decision." Fluttershy replied softly since the rest of their friends were standing nearby.

"I know..." Twilight sighed as Owlowiscious had enough flying and time to stretch out his wings again, flapping downward, coming to Twilight as she put out one of her front hooves, the owl landing down as he and Twilight rubbed faces with each other, Twilight feeling the owl's feathers tickling her a little as her friends and Dr. Fauna all went "Awww!" or smiled.

As Twilight's friends and Dr. Fauna went back to their places, Twilight returned to her work in the library, now having both of her assistants helping her, although Twilight only asked Spike...

"Spike, can you get me another quill, I think this one's going to break pretty soon." Twilight asked Spike.

"Coming right up Twi..." Spike started, only even before he could finish his current sentence, Owlowiscious came and offered yet another of his feathers for Twilight to use.

"Oh thank you Owlowiscious..." Twilight said slowly as the owl hooted a "You're welcome" back.

And that was pretty much how the rest of the day went, before Spike had a chance to do anything, even with Twilight asking the dragon, Owlowiscious always did it first and much faster as well. Twilight didn't want to be upset with he feathery companion, but the reason why he fell ill was because he was overworked and if he keeps this up he'll just go right back to his past condition.

Another a night's sleep, Twilight decided to talk to her friends about it as she told Spike to keep Owlowiscious occupied while she talks to her friends, gathering them up in the throne room as she and all her friends sat on their thrones. There Twilight explained everything and her decision...

"I'm surprised Twilight, I was sure that Owlowiscious would stay with you forever." Rarity expressed her opinion.

"Yeah, you love Owlowiscious just as much as I love Winona." Applejack agreed.

"But we all do need to let go of our pets sometimes, like when I had to let Tank hibernate." Rainbow Dash countered.

"Yeah... That was one big event." Pinkie Pie nodded her head.

"If you want this Twilight, we all support your decision, right everypony?" Fluttershy said in her soft voice, the others not quite sure.

"Look, I know you all feel that I will be left out because I will not have a pet anymore, but I just don't want Owlowiscious to fall ill again, I feel like it's finally time he returns to where he truly belongs, out there and not in here like a house owl." Twilight expressed her concerns.

"Well we can't say we are necessarily happy darling..." Rarity commented.

"But if this is what you really want, I guess we can go along with it." Rainbow Dash added.

"Thanks everypony." Twilight managed a smile through her sadness.

As the group of friends all got up from their thrones, they went to Spike and Owlowiscious, where Spike was keeping the owl busy by making sure all the books were in their proper place in the library, of course Spike would mess up the order on purpose when Owlowiscious wasn't looking in order to keep the owl in the library. And they were still there when Twilight and her friends arrived...

"Spike, it's time." Was all Twilight said, which Spike didn't need anymore instruction as Twilight put out her hoof, which Owlowiscious flew to and landed on.

With Owlowiscious on her hoof, Twilight's friends, as well as Spike trotted to the castle balcony, the fresh, cool breeze blowing by as Twilight stared out into the skies, the open skies that meant freedom for the owl on her hoof. Speaking of the owl, Twilight heard a confused hoot from Owlowiscious as she looked down at him. Taking a deep breath, Twilight was prepared to do one of the most painful things in her life...

"Owlowiscious, when you came to me on that night in the Golden Oaks Library, I was amazed that you brought my scroll back, I was sure I would have lost it. What made you do such a thing I will never know and well ever since than you have been such a great help to me without asking for much, but now it's finally time for me to repay that back..." Twilight started as the owl paid great attention to his owner. "It's time I let you go Owlowiscious, you need to be free, out there, spreading your wings and flying from treetop to treetop." Twilight setting down the owl on the balcony railing, so that Owlowiscious could go, only instead he didn't, just staring at Twilight.

"It's okay Owlowiscious, please go, it's better for both of us if you do, trust me..." Twilight told the owl as she came closer and nuzzled his feathery head. "I'm going to miss you very much, I love you... Now go..." Twilight feeling a single tear escape her as Owlowiscious hesitated still at first, but after a minute spread his wings and began flapping them before taking off into the skies.

Twilight stared after the owl, but couldn't take it anymore as she hung her head low, feeling more tears fall down as she felt a claw softly touch her back.

"Twilight, are you going to be okay?" Spike asked, concerned.

"I don't know Spike, I just don't know right now..." Twilight sighed.

"Well, I think you made the right decision and don't worry Twilight, your number one assistant will never leave you." Spike smiled in order to lighten up the mood a little and as best he could.

"Thanks Spike, thanks." Twilight smiled a little as she knew her life was going to be very different without her feathery companion with her anymore...