S3 E9 everypony! Keep Calm and Flutter On is up next!

.....

It was another sunny weekend in Ponyville where Malibu had decided to take a nice walk. While he was walking; he spotted a familiar baby dragon who seemed pretty bored.

Malibu decided to come over to see what's up. "Hey, Spike. Where's Twilight?"

Spike looked at him in depression. "Inside reading books Celestia assigned to her. She has to read 12 books this whole weekend," He explained.

The teal alicorn gargoyle was stunned at that. "Say what? Even I don't read that much," He said in confusion.

Spike nodded. "I know, right? Now I don't have anything to do," He said sullenly.

Then Malibu looked over to the hot air balloon nearby. "How about a hot air balloon ride?" He suggested. Spike beamed at the idea. "That would be awesome!"

But when Spike tried to untie the balloon a strong wind came along, pushing the balloon into the air.

"Oh boy, not good," Malibu groaned at the sight of the balloon running away from them. Spike began to chase it.

"We gotta grab it!" Spike cried out. "Runaway balloon!" He shouted at the other townsponies who were watching in surprise at what was going on, Malibu flying in the air to try and get a shot at the balloon to stop it from hovering.

Spike wound up on a wagon, rolling down the hill. "Catch it, Mal!" He shouted, Malibu nodded while flying as fast as he could, the balloon floating towards the forest. Spike's wagon hit a rock and sent him into the air, grabbing the balloon rope but it was heavy, lifting him up higher.

Malibu gasped and quickly flew down, grabbing the rope too to add his weight, and the duo sank down into the trees below. Spike and Malibu tied it up but looked around at their surroundings, Malibu not liking where they were.

"That sure was close. But... why did we have to land here in the Everfree Forest?" The teal gargoyle asked Spike who trembled.

"What I was thinking. Perhaps... we should get out of... what's that?" Spike had jumped when a twig snapped in the trees nearby, Malibu shaking himself, for he remembered when the cockatrice turned him to stone.

Spike wound up laughing nervously, taking a hold of Malibu's leg. "C'mon, Mal. Just because this forest is full of wild, dangerous animals, doesn't mean that we're never gonna see one... I-I hope..."

But at his words of supposed 'comfort', Malibu flinched from a familiar terrible smell that came from the bushes nearby, along with a soft low growl. The two adopted brothers turned around fearfully at the sight of four large timberwolves, all growling and roaring at them.

"You were saying?!" Malibu screamed aloud, one timberwolf trying to snap at him but Malibu wouldn't let that happen after being poisoned by one again, taking Spike onto his back and running as fast as he could, the timberwolves howling behind and barking.

Malibu's eyes were rounded in fear, not wanting to take on these mutts, still a tad traumatized from the last time, Spike hanging on as best as he could until he jumped over a big log and Spike cried out when falling off, hitting the floor.

"NO!" Malibu shouted, skidding to a halt and running back to grab Spike but when he turned to keep running, they were stopped by a large rock cliff. Malibu knew he could fly but was too scared by the towering Timberwolves who pretty much had them both surrounded now. Spike jumped off, holding Malibu tight as the two closed their eyes.

Before they were ripped to pieces a rock smacked one of them on the head. Malibu's eyes blinked open in surprise from the save, looking up at the sight of their savior; Applejack.

"Come 'n' get me, ya big goons!" She threw another rock. "Run you guys!"

Malibu didn't argue back, grabbing Spike by his neck and throwing him on his back once more. "We're running!" He shouted, while Applejack took on the wolves.

But when one wolf nearly scratched Applejack Malibu felt some of his courage come on, zapping his magic at the wolf who exploded into pieces. AJ grinned at him, the two next luring the last wolf to a tree where it ran into the trunk, splintering everywhere.

The two friends both panted heavily, Applejack wiping her brow when Spike joined them again, his face beaming at the farmpony.

"That was close," Malibu said shakily, glad to not have been poisoned again. Applejack nodded. "Ya can say that again."

"Wow, Applejack! That was amazing! I mean, you rocketed those boulders at them like they were... rockets! Pow, pow, pow, pow! You saved my life!" He then paused, tears coming down. "You... saved... my life." Spike came to hug Applejack.

Malibu felt a tad jealous from that. "But wasn't I saving you too?" Spike ignored him, too obsessed with Applejack now.

"Aw, don't mention it, Spike. C'mon, we should be headin' on back, now." Applejack then stated, Malibu happy to do so.

"Man, am I lucky you were out here. And, uh, you too, Mal. But, why were you out here?" Spike asked next.

Applejack gave a wink when tying the balloon to her waist. "Saw the balloon floatin' by with nopony in it, came out here to investigate. Guess you did too, huh?"

Malibu swallowed a little, rather not wanting to bring up their incident. "Yea... yep, that's what happened." He said, laughing nervously. Applejack raised her brow but accepted his words.

"Of course! Since... we were investigating the runaway hot air balloon too! So, uh, now that the mystery's been solved, let's get out of here, huh?" Spike suggested. Malibu despite feeling left out of the rescue life debt thing, agreed wholeheartedly.

They were unaware that the pieces of the Timberwolves were slowly rebuilding themselves back together.

....

Back in town they gave the balloon back to Cherry Berry where Malibu paid her for the trouble with his money then he and Applejack went back home along with Spike. "Thanks for walkin' us home, Spike. That was mighty kind of you. But now I have chores that need tendin' to, so see you later."

Malibu nodded. "Yeah. Good to spend time with you as well, Spike. Say hi to Twilight for me."

But then Spike did the unexpected. "What chores? I'll do them!" He offered, startling the former gargoyle, who blinked. "Huh?"

Applejack was just as confused. "That's sweet, but you don't have—."

Spike interrupted. "It's the least I can do! You saved my life! I need to repay the favor!"

Malibu glared slightly. "Spike, you really don't, we're brothers, there's no need for—." He tried to say but Spike ignored him again.

Spike shook his head at both of them. "But Malibu, Applejack, you don't understand! This is something I really need to do!"

Applejack tried her own piece. "Well, I'd hate to get in the way of don' somethin' you need to do..." Malibu tried nudging AJ harshly, cringing but it didn't do any good.

Spike beamed greatly. "Great! What should I do?"

Malibu watched AJ think for a brief moment before she thought of something. "Uh... Applebloom's over yonder givin' little Piggington a bath. I was gonna lend her a hoof, but maybe you could lend her one instead."

Spike nodded. "On the double!" He ran off to do the job while Malibu mutterd under his breath.

"You're really not gonna let him be your servant, are you?" He asked softly. Applejack looked guilty.

"But... he'd be disappointed if I don't let him help around here," the orange earth pony tried to say while they encountered a clean pig in only five minutes. Malibu was stunned at how fast Spike cleaned her.

Applejack looked pleased. "Good job, you two."

Applebloom wagged her tail that looked cute to Malibu. "Applejack, is it okay if I get goin'? I don't wanna be late for my Crusaders meeting. We're getting fitted for water skis!"

"Water skiing? Are you sure that's what you want to do?" Malibu questioned his little friend who nodded eagerly. "Uh huh!"

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Heh, you definitely don't wanna be late for that."

Applebloom ran off to join the others. "Water skiin' cutie mark, here I come!" Malibu shook his head at how excited Applebloom was, hoping one day she really would get her cutie mark soon.

Applejack next looked at Spike. "Spike, you can head on out too. I reckon you have repaid me in full so we are officially even Steven. And Malibu here can help now," She tried to encourage.

Spike's eyes rounded. "What? Ohhh no. We aren't even close to being even Steven! Please, Applejack, you must allow me to assist you further!"

"Say what?" Malibu asked in disbelief, his ears flat in worry for Spike's mentality at this point. Applejack pawed the ground. "I dunno, Spike. Just don't feel right to have you, uh, don' things for me."

Spike began to beg, while Applejack struggled to resist but not too well. When Spike gave her bambi eyes she finally gave in, Malibu face palming.

"Oh, all right. You can help Granny Smith and me bake some—."

....

Now they were in the kitchen, Spike going crazy with the pie baking, sometimes licking the pots. "Pies! Pies! I'm helping Applejack bake some pies!"

Malibu cringed, looking apologetically at Granny Smith who glared at him. "Can't ya do something, since he's ya adopted brother?"

"I-I wish I could but..." Malibu cleared his throat awkwardly until Granny Smith had an idea.

"Uh, Spike, little feller, could you get us some more eggs?" She asked, winking at the two of them. Malibu knew what Smith wanted to do, to try convincing Spike that working here could be hard.

Spike jumped down after seeing them on a high shelf. "Coming right up!" He got a chair and began to try reaching the eggs, the three smiling slightly in satisfaction until a crash and splattering could be heard. Malibu turned to see the eggs in a splattered gooey mess on the floor.

"Uh, sorry, Applejack. Let me get something to clean that up!" He grabbed a mop, knocking over the water bucket, Malibu feeling very awkward and embarrassed now, while Spike struggled more with the mop even knocking down a bag of flour that mixed in with water, making it hard for Spike to clean.

The mop next flew out of his hands and stuck to the ceiling, making the biggest mess Malibu had ever seen in this kitchen, wondering how they were gonna tell Twilight about this.

Applejack gave a sigh. "Appreciate all your help today, sugarcube, but... we can take it from here," She tried to insist but Spike still was stubborn.

"Don't be ridiculous! It is my honor and my duty! Today's just the beginning!"

Malibu blinked. "What do you mean?" He demanded. Spike smiled at him.

"AJ saved my life, Mal." He coughed out a card drawn with crayon it looked like. "According to the 'Spike the Dragon Code' I owe you a life debt and must serve you!" Malibu had a hard time believing this, for he never heard of this Dragon Code until now.

Granny Smith smiled. "Now what about Twilight? Doesn't she need your help and such?" She then asked, much to Malibu's relief.

"Thank you!" He said in an obvious voice to try and convince Spike.

Spike then sighed. "Huh. You're right. I better break the news to Twilight. Hope she doesn't take it too hard."

Malibu's eyebrow twitched. This was gonna get chaotic quickly. As Spike left, he fell flat on his stomach, hooves splayed out. Applejack waved her hoof in front of his face. "Sugarcube?"

"This... won't... go well..." Malibu muttered in a dizzy way under his breath. Applejack helped him up. "Take a breather for a bit until Spike comes back with what Twilight says. You really have been through a lot with those Timberwolves earlier."

Malibu nodded shakily, going to sit on one of the chairs.

It was several minutes later when Applejack and Granny Smith had managed to finish cleaning while Malibu had a light snooze which he felt he deserved after the Timberwolf incident until Spike came his voice woke him up.

"She said it was ok," Spike had revealed, much to their shock.

"Really?!" Yelped the two, along with Malibu who couldn't believe Twilight would let him go so easily. There had to be something going on.

Spike ran to the mop. "So, with Twilight's blessing, I'm free to follow my code and serve you until—."

The three of them flinched up when everything crashed again, making the same mess from before. Malibu's eye twitched a little at the sight, feeling his stress get to him again but struggled to keep it hidden.

Spike had a big smile. "Well, until forever!"

AJ, Granny Smith and Malibu both looked at each other in worry for Spike's wellbeing mostly, hoping he wouldn't get hurt doing this.

...

After making the pretty much burnt pies that Spike placed on the windowsill, Applejack tried talking to him again. "Listen, sugarcube. I completely respect your 'dragon code'... truly I do, but I just can't cotton with you permanently serving me." She tried to say.

That seemed to trigger Spike again, tears in his eyes. "Please, Applejack, my dragon code is a part of me! I have to be true to myself! If you let me do this, I won't be a noble dragon anymore!"

Malibu felt rather annoyed that nobody was telling him what this 'dragon code' nonsense was all about. It came out of nowhere for him. "Spike, just calm down, alright?" He said, somewhat irritated but decided for his brother's sake he would play along until he could eventually get Twilight if things got out of hand.

Applejack's ears lowered too. "Oh, well, I can't have you feelin' like you're not a noble dragon now, can I?"

Spike gave from Malibu's perspective a pretty cringy bow. "Great! Then from here on in, your wish is my command." He said.

Applejack pawed the ground. "Oh, uh, ok... I would like you to..." She glanced at the plow first, which to Malibu seemed heavy for the baby dragon, causing him to quickly shake his head no.

She next glanced at the fence that needed painting, but decided no in case he spilled it all. Then last was chopping wood. Malibu cringed, not wanting Spike to be hurt from that blade.

Then AJ came up with a good idea. "Oh! Help me take some of the pie you made too..."

Spike's eyes lit up as the first name came to his head. "Rarity?"

Malibu shrugged. "Uh, yeah, alright," He said, following them, wanting to let his other friends know about this situation.

They went their way to Carosel Boutique where Rarity greeted them, looking surprised by their visit but welcomed them nonetheless.

Spike placed his burnt pie on the table. "I helped bake it!" He declared proudly. Malibu watched Rarity's expression as she looked a tad disgusted. He couldn't blame her as the sharp smell of burnt apple pie hit his nostrils again.

Being brave, Rarity took a fork with her unicorn magic, cringing, taking a small piece with it, trembling, before finally taking a small bite. But even a small bite was enough to make her gag.

She struggled to hold it in while Spike fawned over her. "You even look good when you're chewing..." He glanced at the two behind him. "W-who looks good when they're chewing?"

Malibu's stomach churned. "Gross, Spike," He said while Rarity spat out what she ate while pretending to swallow it.

"Aren't you gonna have some more?" Spike asked, making Rarity laugh nervously. "I... had a big lunch!"

The teal clone raised his brow at her. "Ten in the morning?"

"Breakfast. A big breakfast," Rarity threw in. Malibu nodded in understanding.

"Ohhh. Ok." Spike understood now too.

"Maybe you could go take her plate back to the kitchen and wash it off?" Applejack suggested, which Spike was all too happy to do.

Rarity glanced at the other ponies in bewilderment. "What was that all about?"

Malibu nudged Applejack, gesturing her to tell Rarity. She sighed, speaking up. "I saved Spike and Malibu from some timberwolves in the Everfree Forest, and now Spike thinks he has to serve me forever."

The white unicorn squealed. "Oh, what wouldn't I give to have somepony forever in my debt! I'd get them to organize my closets, and give me pedicures, and help me with my sewing and—."

Malibu interrupted. "Yeah, yeah, we get it, having somepony to do things for you is like a dream, but not for Applejack. And I don't like that Spike feels he has to owe her." He said.

Applejack agreed. "What he said. And have you tasted that pie? Sometimes, his help isn't that helpful."

Right after they finished a crash in the kitchen came, a pipe rolling along the ground. Malibu wondered what Spike broke this time. Spike looked sheepish coming out. "Do you... have a broom I can borrow?"

From how wet the floor was Malibu figured he needed a mop more than a broom. He jumped when his marefriend Rainbow Dash suddenly appeared at the window.

"Eh... hi," Malibu said, turning red while she fluttered her eyes at him. "AJ, Mal, Rarity, what's happening?"

Rarity summoned up the whole story in a few seconds. "Applejack saved Spike and Malibu and now Spike has to serve her forever."

Rainbow's eyes brightened. "Sweet! What are you having him do? Wash your laundry? Clean your room? Help you with your unfinished novel? Mine's about this awesome Pegasus who's the best flier ever and becomes the Captain of the Wonderbolts! Along with marrying a special somepony along the way." She winked at Malibu who felt warm all through his stomach and body, laughing nervously.

Rarity raised her brow at her description. "How ever did you come up with that ingeniously woven intricate plotline?"

Dash shrugged. "Just came to me."

Applejack sighed in irritation. "Thing is, I don't really want him to serve me forever. But I don't know how to get him to stop."

Malibu watched Dash have a glint of an idea in her eyes. "That's easy! Just make him help you with something really, really hard."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Malibu asked tentatively. Rainbow laughed. "Puh-lease. He'll quit way before there's even a chance of getting hurt!

The two friends looked at each other in doubt before soon agreeing, along with more crashing in the background.

Rainbow next whispered to them. "Leave this to me." Spike came out, looking rather soaked in bubbles. "Sooo, Spike. Applejack was gonna help me stack some hay so I can practice smashing through it, but I'm feeling extra, extra powerful today." She said slyly.

"You really are?" Malibu said, a little clueless. She winked at him again. "Yeah, I am. So instead of hay, I'm gonna smash through rocks!"

His jaw dropped open in disbelief, making Malibu rather nervous for his marefriend's safety. Rocks really could hurt. Spike's hands fidgeted. "Rocks?"

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yeah! A huge tower of rocks! And you're gonna help build it!"

"I am?" Spike asked, still a little bit nervous which made Applejack look encouraged to believe Spike didn't want to help.

"Yeah, I mean, unless you don't wanna help Applejack," Rainbow Dash said in a black mailing way.

Spike shook his head. "I do! It is Spike's dragon code!"

Rainbow flew up into the air. "Then get to it! Trust me. This is gonna work like a charm!" She said, chuckling under her breath but Malibu still felt against this.

"I've never seen you smash through rocks as well as AJ, Dash. I don't want you to be hurt either." He protested but Rainbow Dash petted his forehead.

"You won't regret it. And I'll be fine! Now come on!" She zipped out to meet with Spike who went to build the tower.

But some time later, Spike was still building the tower that got higher and higher every minute, stunning the gang who stood under a gazebo watching the whole thing.

"Huh, I was sure he'd give up after, like, three rocks," Rainbow said to Malibu under her breath, with him raising a brow at her. "You know he's a dragon?"

Fluttershy had showed up then to see what was going on. "Oh, goodness, if it'd been me, I'd have just pretended I didn't have anything for him to do," She then suggested, Malibu now wondering if that was even a good idea eihter while Applejack agreed. "Why didn't I think of that?"

Spike was on top of the rock pile. "Is this high enough?!" He yelled down to them. Applejack nodded. "That's plenty high. Come on down, Spike!"

Malibu's ears were low a bit when Rainbow Dash saw how high the tower was. "Bad news: He actually ended up building the whole rock tower. Good news..." Spike gave her a grin after wiping his hands.

Rainbow swallowed. "I've got a rock tower to knock down..." She flew into the air, Malibu rather scared for his special somepony while Spike cheered.

"Haha, yeah! You can do it! Haha, hahah, alright, yeah!" He cheered aloud. Rainbow Dash trembled, then zipped in the air, smashing the rocks with one hoof. It was a loud crash noise, Malibu yelping and quickly ducking when the rocks were shooting everywhere, covering his own head.

Spike poked out of the rocks that landed, unharmed. "That... was... awesome! Wanna do it again, Rainbow Dash? Applejack can rebuild it for you. And when I say 'Applejack', I of course mean me!" He said, slightly smug about it.

Malibu growled at him, going to check on Rainbow Dash who seemed slightly bruised and dizzy. "Sure! Why not...?" She slurred, Malibu catching her head, causing her to smile at him.

"No!" AJ yelped, zipping over to Spike. "I mean, I don't think Rainbow Dash needs anymore of your help. My help. She doesn't need it." She glanced at the rainbow pegasus. Right, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow shook her head to clear it. "Yeah. I guess I'm good. For now."

Malibu smiled, hoping this plan could work and things could return to normal. "And so am I! I just can't think of one more thing I need help with, so you don't have to do anything else." Applejack claimed.

But instead of having Spike come to his senses, it seemed to nearly break him instead, causing the baby dragon to fall onto his back. "W-What do you mean you can't think of anything else I could help with?" He yelped.

Applejack inclined her head. "Exactly that! There's nothin' else. I don't want you to do anything."

Spike hopped up and down a little in anxiety. "If I don't help you, how will I know I'm a noble dragon?"

"Well, I—."

"Maybe there's things you need help with, but you don't even realize you need help with!" Spike suddenly said, making Malibu blink at that tongue twister.

"If she needed help, I think she'd realize it," Fluttershy said softly, making Malibu chuckle.

Spike frowned. "Maybe not! Maybe Applejack needs help realizing what she needs help with. Like... maybe your back itches!" He jumped onto AJ's back and started scratching it.

Applejack had a look of pleasure on her face from it. "Huuuh... that does feel... good," She said, Spike laughing.

"See? Or you might need help remembering your favorite song!" He then began singing. "The dragon is the finest creature ever, there's more to him than just guarding treasure..."

Malibu and Fluttershy glanced at each other, quite confused. "I don't think that's her favorite—." Malibu tried to say before being cut off.

"Or... you might need help breathing!" He suggested, rushing off. Applejack raised her brow. "Breathin'? I certainly do not—."

Spike returned with a device used for fireplaces, pushing it into Applejack's mouth and squeezing the back end of it, causing her to fill with air. Malibu felt the need to intervene, yanking it out. "She certainly doesn't need that!" He snapped.

Spike flushed. "But yeah, see? There are plenty of things I can help you with, and you don't even have to trouble yourself with thinking of them!"

Applejack shook her head. "No, I'll think of 'em. Lemme think of 'em."

Spike bowed again. "As you wish!"

Malibu saw AJ look at him in desperation. "Mal, please go get Twilight, please," She said under her breath. He nodded, running off to the Golden Oaks Library.

He knocked on the door when arriving. "Twilight? Twilight!" The teal alicorn snapped, annoyed with her not answering. He opened the door, going up to her room.

Unsurprisingly, Malibu saw Twilight still addicted to her book reading assignment. Frowning, Malibu snuck up on her, tapping her back.

That made Twilight yelp aloud, dropping her book. She glanced around at the sight of Malibu.

"I didn't mean to scare you like that, but you didn't answer me when I knocked," Malibu greeted.

Twilight sighed. "No, it's ok, Mal. I needed to take a break anyway. What's happening?"

Malibu kept frowning. "Twilight, Spike serving Applejack since he saved her for his dragon code has been becoming a bit stressful for her, and I know you said it was ok he can work for Applejack but—."

Twilight blinked, staring. "Wait, what?!" She gaped in disbelief, which startled Malibu.

"Y-You mean, you didn't know?" Malibu pondered in surprise. The mulberry unicorn looked down in slight shame. "Possible distraction from your assignment when he told you huh?"

"Maybe a little," Twilight said timidly, Malibu rolling his eyes at that. "I should've realized you wouldn't let him go that fast. So... maybe you can come and knock some sense into Spike? He's really been causing some trouble," Malibu explained.

Twilight thought for a moment. "It is hard to tell those who saved their life that they don't need to help anymore, but perhaps, I think there is a way to have him fulfill the debt he owes Applejack."

"What did you have in mind?" Malibu asked curiously, leaving the library with her while she whispered the plan. He smiled. It could work.

....

After meeting up with everypony else in the barn Applejack laid out the whole plan while Spike counted the grass in the yard.

"Alright, y'all. Here's the deal. Spike needs to save my life," Applejack said after hearing the plan from Twilight and Malibu.

Pinkie gave a grin. "And you want us to shoot you out of a cannon towards a hornet's nest and give Spike a butterfly net so he can catch you mere seconds before you hit the nest and are stung by a thousand angry hornets!" She held up a picture of her plan which looked ridiculous to Malibu. "I'll wear this mustache!" She put on a fake mustache, grinning maliciously.

Malibu shook his head at her. "No, Pink. Applejack?"

Applejack grinned. "I'm gonna be attacked by a Timberwolf!" She revealed, making the other three there gasp.

"Can I still wear the mustache?" Pinkie asked, making the two give her weird looks.

....

In a field later near the Everfree Forest they began to put the plan into motion. Malibu was next to Applejack. "When I give the signal, Pinkie Pie, Malibu and Rarity will come out of the woods, being chased by the Timberwolf. I'll start to run too, but then pretend to get my hoof stuck. I'll ask Spike to help me dislodge it, and he will, and I'll be able to get away from the terrifyin' timberwolf!"

She had drawn out the plan in dirt which didn't look to bad to Malibu but wondered if the baby dragon would buy it. "Havin' Spike saved me from certain doom, Spike will then consider us even. Everypony get it?"

Flutter and Dash all nodded. Twilight had made a fake puppet Timberwolf to do the job. "I'll do my best." She teleported to the top of a tree, holding the puppet with her magic.

"Just one question..." Pinkie suggested.

"Yes?" AJ asked. Pinkie revealed her mustache and her party cannon. "No."

"Eh, suit yourself!" The party pony declared, knocking her party cannon away, Malibu wondering where she got it.

Rarity cleared her throat. "We are all ready to play our parts, ahem, but are you sure you are ready to play yours, Applejack?"

Malibu glanced at her curiously. "And why do you ask?"

"Show us your best 'damsel in distress' move." Rarity said with a smile. Applejack cringed a little, making Malibu realize he never saw her as a damsel in distress at all.

"Uh... oh, well, aheh, how's this? Hooooo." Applejack said, looking rather fake and unconvincing.

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Absolutely horrendous! Ok, this needs some serious work! Now, you must lift your foreleg up to your forehead, like so—."

She was about to demonstrate when Spike's voice came from the hilltop.

"No time! Here he comes!" Called out Malibu as he, Rarity and Pinkie Pie all ran into the woods but not too deep. The three hid behind trees, watching the scene unfold before them. "Uh, here Spike!"

Malibu wondered if Spike really had counted all of that grass as Spike asked Applejack if there was anything else, AJ gesturing to the leaves in front of them, wanting him to make a compost pile.

"But, of course. Oh, by the way, there are exactly 24,567,837 blades of grass at Sweet Apple Acres!" Spike then revealed, making Malibu's jaw fall open a little in surprise, amazed he actually counted them all.

Applejack then winked to the group in the edge of the woods, Malibu seeing Rainbow Dash giving out a roar sounding nearly like a timberwolf. Rarity nudged him harshly. This was their que.

"Timberwolf! We are doomed!" Sobbed Rarity in a fake way as the three ran out.

"Oh no! We'll be eaten and poisoned!" Malibu yelled, doing his best to sound convincing, Spike watching them curiously. Pinkie gave a shrilled scream but her face still had a grin on it.

Rarity smiled at Applejack. "See? Like that," She whispered, making her roll her eyes.

Malibu turned around to see the puppet Timberwolf making an appearance while Fluttershy stomped her hooves to sound like one running. Spike stared in fear as Twilight caused the fake wolf's mouth to fall open.

Rainbow Dash snickered quietly at the look on Spike's face, until Malibu and Twilight gave her looks, making her do the roar again.

Applejack's turn was now up. "Oh no! I seem to have got my hoof caught in between two rocks! I cannot run away!" She yelled in a rather not too interested voice, pretending to have her hoof in the boulders. "I am... a... damsel in distress!"

Malibu groaned, face hoofing himself. He never heard of a girl doing that on tv from Manhattan. "Help me, Spike!" Applejack called, putting her head in the puppet Timberwolf's jaws.

But then things took a turn when Spike began to catch on. "Wait a minute!" He said angrily, making them all look over, thinking the jig was up.

Applejack shook her head. "No, no, don't wait a minute. Save me from the terrifyin' timberwolf!" She tried again. Spike frowned, stomping forward.

"Well, he would be terrifying if he wasn't a fake!" It made Malibu flinch, knowing now their cover had been pretty much blown out of the water. "You got the clomping on his claws. The roar is spot on." He then complimented, Malibu watching Rainbow hoofbumping Fluttershy.

Spike studied the puppet. "And the detail on his face is pretty good. But you forgot one thing: his breath!"

How could we forget that?! Malibu moaned inwardly until he began to smell it, his stomach churning. "Too late! I'm already—."

Twilight teleported in the middle of them, screaming loudly. "TIMBERWOLF!" Rainbow Dash screamed too.

Malibu had jumped into the air, seeing the same three ones from before, now back for revenge. He trembled all over at the sight of them, as the wolves roared dangerously.

"Timberwolf!" Spike screamed now, Malibu looking at a pile of rocks, getting an idea. He used his magic to haul one up, throwing it at the wolves, breaking them to pieces.

He couldn't help but grin, feeling a little heroic, Spike giving him a thumbs up until a small avalanche happened, Malibu crying out when the rocks landed on him, getting his hoof and wings caught now. This was bad.

An eerie howling noise sounded too, as the gang watched the wood somehow rebuilding itself, making Malibu swallow in fright. This was a bad place to be!

"Uh oh..." Spike moaned. "Malibu, hurry!"

Malibu gritted his teeth while trying to get loose, his mind a panic and unable to concentrate on his magic. "I'm-I'm stuck!" He gasped, the wood continuing to put itself together.

Spike jumped about, feeling too scared to come closer. "No more messing around! Let's go!"

After more straining, Malibu smelt that awful stench of the new wolf, looking upwards, ears flattened, seeing an even larger Timberwolf now. It let loose a huge echoing roar that made his ears ring.

"Just leave me Spike!" Malibu shouted in desperation, wincing as the rocks rubbed against his wings. Spike trembled, now thinking about what they've been trying to do earlier; fulfill the life debt and declare him and Applejack even. "Would you forget your stupid Dragon Code already and get away?!" Malibu roared, feeling the Timberwolf's paws on his back, ready to chew him to pieces.

Applejack was staring with round eyes while Spike picked up a rock. "No! I gotta save you bro!" He ran to the rescue, throwing the rock into its mouth. Applejack had come to her senses and ran over to help Malibu out of his situation. Malibu winced when the rocks fell off, limping and leaning against Applejack while they ran for their life, the timberwolf choking on the rock until it collapsed, breaking into unsalvageable pieces.

They ran until out of sight of the predator, catching up to the rest of the Mane 7. The others stared at the sight of the battered Malibu who was grateful he wasn't poisoned again. But it was way too close for comfort.

Rainbow went to give him a hug of relief, having him hug her back gently. "What happened? We thought you three were right behind us!" Twilight exclaimed.

"I was stuck in some rocks, with that big timberwolf about to swallow me up—." Malibu was about to start until Rarity was surprised.

"Wait, you were the one who was stuck?" Rarity exclaimed in shock, Malibu nodding his head.

"But Spike here picked up a pebble, and rocketed that thing right into the huge timberwolf's mouth, and saved my life!" He said in overdone gratefulness.

Spike blushed, happy that he was able to save his brother again. "Aw, it was nothin'," He said with a chuckle. Malibu put a hoof on his shoulder.

"No, it really is something! If you need me for anything, I am happy to do it. Goliath says if someone saves a gargoyle then they're by their side for a long while," he stated, making Spike look a tad nervous now, shaking his head no.

"We're already brothers, Malibu. No life debt required. But... why did you guys set up that fake timberwolf before?" He asked, glancing at Applejack in sadness and anger.

Applejack lowered her head. "I know this code thing's important to you, but... if somethin' like this comes up in the future, think maybe we can go back to my code and say 'that's what friends do' and leave it at that?" She asked in a friendship letter style way which made Malibu smile. "I promise I won't think of you as any less noble," She stated, taking off her hat.

Spike smiled back, nodding. "Sounds good to me. But, maybe let's try to avoid situations where one of us actually needs the other one to save their life?"

Applejack raised her hoof. "You got yourself a deal." Spike then raised his hand, making a fist and hoof bumping too.

Rainbow Dash nuzzled Malibu on their way back home who was looking forward to resting after today. "Don't try facing timberwolves alone like that anymore, Mal. You'd better keep your promise of not facing dangerous situations without me!" She said teasingly, causing him to blush again.

"I won't. And you know I still love you," He claimed, making her blush too, eventually waving goodbye when reaching Sweet Apple Acres, hoping there won't be another situation like this again.

I know this was one of the infamously bad episodes of the show alongside Non Compete Clause but those Timberwolves were pretty awesome when they first appeared in here.

Soon Discord will make a comeback at last along with Screwball!