At Twilight's house, Spike can't possibly see Twilight reading the 12 books he counts stacked up in a weekend but Twilight doesn't plan on letting Celestia down and suggests Spike take the day off, giving Spike the opportunity to do things he's always wanted to do.After his third task is complete, he realizes how short his list actually is and scours town for something to do. He spots the hot air balloon and decides to take a ride but his ride takes off without him after he inadvertently bumps into the post with the rope tied around it and causing the rope to untie. He gives chase, nearly plowing into Granny Smith with the wheelbarrow he takes from Big Macintosh along the way.
At last, he grabs the rope and gently floats to the ground, tying the balloon off on a tree branch before realizing he's in The Everfree Forest. His self-assurance to the thought of seeing a dangerous animal is negated by a real Timberwolf pack that gives chase and gets Spike backed into a rocky wall until Applejack steps in with rocks to drive the wolves away while Spike runs the other way. The Timberwolves are defeated and Spike realizes what it means to have his life saved (not that you were in any danger of losing your life, given the nature of this cartoon).
The duo decide to head back, carrying the balloon with them but the Timberwolves aren't finished yet and have a little magic of their own as their fragments levitate. Applejack goes to start on her chores when Spike offers to help. She declines his request but his persistence lets him help Apple Bloom with washing the pig. They finish and sure enough the pig sparkles so AB requests to go to her next Cutie Mark Crusaders meeting and heads off when given the green light.Spike on the other hand isn't ready to call it even with AJ and his begging allows him to help bake pies with Granny Smith but his help is more of a burden as he makes a mess of the kitchen.

AJ has had enough and appreciates what Spike is trying to do but is shown Spike's Dragon Code in which he serves her for life (no reason you can't change that since as far as I can tell, you created that code). Granny Smith suggests asking Twilight if she needs help but the news to Twilight goes unnoticed as she's still deep in her reading activity.He reports back to tell the news that surprises AJ and GS.

 AJ still isn't too thrilled about Spike's Dragon Code and struggles to find an activity for him (the paint job looks least dangerous) but suggests taking the pie to Rarity, whom isn't thrilled about the pie's overcooked appearance but is urged to take a bite and regrets doing so, spitting it out off camera.

While Spike puts away the plate, Rarity learns of AJ's situation and would love to be in AJ's hooves. Rainbow Dash arrives and learns what Rarity had been told, boasting about her new book that is about an all-to-familiar character (not like you or AJ haven't written such a thing back in "Look Before You Sleep", Rarity). AJ doesn't want Spike to continue doing chores for her and RD suggests a difficult task and breaks the story to Spike. Much to RD's disbelief, Spike hasn't quit and has built the tower that she herself must now smash through.

Fluttershy stops by, stating what she'd have done in AJ's situation. RD goes through with her task, ending up dazed on the pile. AJ cannot think of anything else so Spike offers suggestions (of which, the last one isn't needed as most beings can breathe on their own, AJ being one of them). AJ goes to see Twilight, whom is still occupied with her reading until AJ breaks her concentration by tapping one of the ink jars, explaining what's been going on and Twilight hasn't been following the story at all.

While Spike counts grass blades outside the barn (and why anyone would want to is beyond me), AJ breaks the news of needing Spike to save her life to her friends and Pinkie Pie has her own elaborate plan that isn't going to involve much of her at all but AJ declines, saying that she's going to be attacked by Timberwolf.  Outside, the plan is elaborated on but there's no time for ironing out as Spike has arrived. AJ instructs Spike to rake up the leaves as RD makes the Timberwolf growl with PP and Rarity being scared bystanders.Out comes the Timberwolf puppet and at first Spike is convince but soon discovers the inaccuracy of the puppet.

However, real Timberwolves make themselves known and AJ works her magic with the rocks, destroying a few before finding herself on top of the rock pile, which gives way to have AJ get stuck on a smaller pile of rocks, unable to move. She gets a dose of Timberwolf breath before Spike picks up a rock and chucks it into the throat of the Timberwolf, causing it to choke. As Spike frees AJ with a stick of timber from the wolf, the Timberwolf gasps and finally topples over and breaks apart. The duo explain what happened to Twilight and the other five before deciding on a deal amongst each other. Later that night, as Twilight returns to her reading, Spike gives her more light, more than happy to help her.