Whole New World
Chapter 7
Meeting

Dano awoke to the sight of a clear blue sky hanging overhead. He blinked and tried to remember where he was. The last thing he recalled was some weird dream about a literate wolf named Echo. Dano chuckled and thought, it was a weird dream.

Dano sat up and found himself in his clearing, by the fire pit. He had fallen asleep on his log bench, and his back popped and creaked as he stretched himself. Dano yawned and scratched his face while he looked around, seeing if anything had changed, until his eyes fell on the wolf in his dream. Echo was still sleeping by the fire pit.

Dano’s mind went into over drive. He… he is real. Dano tried his best to keep himself under control. His logic trying desperately to hold down the fort as confusion battered down the gates. Dogs can’t write… He was on the verge, insanity was storming the keep. Dano was about a second from freaking out when a loud bark shattered his concentration and brought him back to the real world.

Echo had awoken and was staring at Dano, a little concern on the wolf’s face. Dano stood quickly and took two steps back, his hands raised in a defensive position.

“You aren’t real buddy, you are just a figment of my imagination.”

Echo made a noise that Dano would consider laughing. The wolf stood and began to write something in the dirt. Dano watched him go, and in the light of day he could make out the wolf a lot better.

Echo was, by Dano’s knowledge, about average size for a wolf. He sported a dusty brown coat with feint streaks of red, and the bottom of his muzzle and his chest was a nice tan. Echo’s body had a couple furless scars on it, one was a large pink line that ran across his throat. The eyes Dano had seen last night didn’t change much, large black pupils without much color around them. Echo reminded Dano of the wolf dog character Balto from the Disney movies that bears its name.

Dano stopped gazing at Echo when he had finished writing. He cautiously stepped forward until he could read what the wolf had written. ‘You aren’t real dumb ass.’ Dano shot a glare at the wolf, which had a grin plastered on his face.

“How can a wolf learn how to write? It doesn’t make sense.”

Echo sighed and erased his writing. He went to work again. ‘Do you have paper or something? Writing in the dirt isn’t the greatest set up.’ Dano nodded and motioned for the wolf to follow him.

The pair entered the cabin. Dano made a b-line for the desk while Echo took in his surroundings. Dano opened the top drawer, pulled out a pen and paper and called Echo over. Echo threw his front paws onto the desk, and Dano held the pen up to the wolf. Echo took the pen in his mouth, adjusted it around so he could grip it and began to write.

At first Dano couldn’t make out a word he was writing, but steadily Echo got better with his mouth penmanship until Dano could read it. It took the wolf a good dozen time to write the same line over and over until Dano could understand it. ‘Do you know about My Little Pony?’ Dano gave the wolf an doubtful look before responding.

“No.”

Echo gave Dano a pitiful look, as if this ‘My Little Pony’ was the meaning of life, and Dano had missed out. The wolf sighed and began writing again. ‘Doesn’t matter.’ Dano shrugged.

“How did you learn to write Echo?”

The wolf paused and looked like he was organizing his thoughts before writing again. ‘I was a human once. I don’t remember my name from that life, but I do have memories of it. I was transported to…’ the wolf paused, trying to find the right word, ‘another dimension, where I was transformed into an animal called a Diamond Dog. I made some friends and explored a lot, you know, the whole nine yards.’ Dano nodded, trying to process the information. ‘It was years after I had arrived in that dimension when I was out exploring. I found a strange hole in the ground and, my curious self be damned, I entered it to see how far it went.’ Echo looked up at Dano with a look of ‘here I am, get used to it.’

Dano just stood there for a moment digesting the information the wolf had just laid down. A few questions popped into his head, and he decided to ask them.

“What is a Diamond Dog? Is it like a wolf?”

Echo pondered the question before nodding. Dano’s mind was reeling. There was a dimension crossing wolf that was once a human being, leaning on a desk with a pen in its mouth in front of him. He burst out laughing. Echo looked confused as Dano tried his best to breathe through his hysterics. After a few minutes of chuckling Dano got control of himself, wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at the confused wolf.

“Sorry, I had to get it out. This is just too weird.”

Echo chuckled and nodded. Dano guessed he understood the whole ‘need to not go crazy over the weird situation’ feeling. Echo turned back to the paper and wrote a line. ‘What’s your story.’ Dano sobered up as he remembered his short journey so far.

“I don’t remember much, but when I was in college something happened. I woke up in a hospital twenty years later in some pod. My body didn't age, as if it was in stasis. The world changed a lot when I was asleep. The city I woke up in was destroyed by some war, and I have only found two people.”

Echo wrote a quick line. ‘Where are those two people?’ Dano rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.

“They thought I was stealing from them, so we got in a shootout. You can tell who won.”

Echo looked at Dano for a second then nodded and wrote again. ‘I have had to kill to survive myself.’ Dano felt comfort in those words, and smiled a bit. Echo picked up the smile and grinned himself. Dano patted the wolf on the head.

“Let’s go find something to do.”

The month of September crept by. The leaves were just beginning to change from their normal green to a range of reds, oranges and yellows, and the days were beginning to get a little shorter and cooler. Dano and Echo had grown closer as the days turned to weeks and weeks into a month.

A camaraderie grew between the two survivors as they worked and lived together. They would tell stories about their adventures, Echo having a lot more than Dano, and their pasts. The two of them found refuge inside of each other, a place to go where they were understood. They had both done things to survive they weren’t proud of, and a sympathetic ear always helped.

One simple afternoon the pair were sitting by the fire pit. Dano had learned to understand Echo by the change in tone of his growls and barks and a bit of sign language, and only the most complicated of conversations required a pen and paper. Echo laid in his spot to the right of Dano in between the log and the fire pit as Dano sat in his spot on the log.

“I think Picard was definitely better than Kirk.” Dano said as he pulled some jerky out of its packaging.

Echo let out a low growl, he disagreed.

“Come on man, Picard is at least a hundred times cooler than Kirk.”

Echo growled again, a little louder.

“I guess you won’t see reason then…” Dano chuckled as Echo took a nip at his leg, the equivalent of a friendly punch in the arm.

Suddenly Echo’s ears perked up and twitched around. Dano recognized the reaction, Echo had heard something worth listening to. Echo hopped to his feet and barked loudly and with urgency.

“What is it?”

Echo pointed at Dano with a forepaw.

“It’s me?”

Echo growled in frustration and pointed again. Dano thought, me, what am I? I’m a human. Human? HUMAN!

“Human?!” Dano’s voice was filled with excitement.

Echo nodded and barked again. Dano shot out of his seat, ran into the cabin and grabbed his vest and rifle. When Dano got back outside Echo was waiting impatiently by the clearing to the right of the cabin. Dano ran over to Echo , and they both took off into the woods.

The two ran for a good ten minutes before Echo stopped, his ears shifting around picking up whatever he heard. Dano stopped, took a deep breath and checked the sun, they didn’t have much time left before nightfall. Echo barked quietly and raised a paw to his muzzle. Time to be quiet. Dano and Echo crept through the forest as silently as they could.

The birds had stopped singing and went to bed, and the sound of a small breeze was all that could be heard, making the forest eerily quiet. Dano tried to listen to the world, and he heard the sound of crying. It was soft, high pitched and definitely feminine.

Eventually the pair found a small clearing only five yards in diameter. Sitting on a fallen log in the center was a woman. She was wearing tight dark blue jeans which were caked in dirt from the bottom of the knee down. On her feet were flat soled shoes that were also covered in grime, and a canary yellow sweater covered her upper body. Her long hair covered her face as she cried into her hands. In the fading light Dano couldn’t tell exactly what color it was, but it looked like a shade of pink.

Dano was crouched behind a tree, and to his left Echo sat behind his own hiding place, both of them peaking at the girl from behind their cover. Dano turned his gaze to Echo and got his attention without any noise. Dano raised a fist into the air and made a circle motion with his extended pointer finger. He was signaling to get Echo to try and hear anyone else nearby, for all they knew the woman was bait for a trap.

Echo nodded and he faded out into his brain as his ears twitched and scanned. Dano didn’t know how good a wolfs hearing was, but Echo had pointed out a squirrel by listening to its breath from across the clearing once. Echo faded back and shook his head, they were alone. Dano silently took a deep breath and exhaled. He had to do this right.

Dano stood and motioned for Echo to stay as he stepped out from behind his tree and into the clearing. The woman jolted at the sound of Dano’s foot steps, turned and gave Dano the most scared look he had ever seen. Her deep cyan eyes bore into Dano face. She stood and took a step back.

“Wait.” Dano said with as much kindness as he could muster. “I’m not going to hurt you, I want to help.”

The woman didn’t take another step back, but was still frightened out of her wits. Dano tried to take a step closer, but she jumped as the movement. Dano retracted his foot and released a small sigh.

“My name is Daniel.” Dano tried to calm her down enough so he could help. “What’s yours?”

The woman spoke.

“M-my name is Fl…”

Dano couldn’t hear her as her voice dipped into a whisper. She ducked her head behind her long hair, as if to hide behind it. Her eyes would stare at the ground for a while then flicker to Dano then back to the ground. Dano picked up the vibe that she was either really nervous or very shy. Probably both.

“I’m sorry,” Dano softened his own voice. “I couldn’t quiet hear that.”

“My name is…”

“One more time.” Dano felt a little frustration creep into his brain.

The only sound the woman made was a high pitched squeak. Dano was confused. What the fuck? Dano sighed a little louder.

“Alright,” Dano reproduced the squeak in place of her name, “it’s getting dark, and you’re going to need a place to stay. I can offer you shelter for the night, as well as food.”

The woman nodded slowly, not even fazed by the joke Dano tried to use to lighten the mood. Tough crowd. He turned around and whispered to Echo.

“Cover us, I don’t want anything jumping out without warning.”

Dano heard a light shuffle of leaves, Echo had gotten the message. Dano turned around and offered a hand to the woman. She slowly walked toward Dano and took it, she was shaking terribly.

Dano led the mystery woman through the now darkening forest and to the clearing. She would make a high pitched noise that sounded like ‘eep’ every time there was a sound, but Dano ushered her on, promising that it was safe. When the couple broke through the last of the foliage the sun was completely gone. Dano led the woman to the log bench and asked her to sit. While she sat Dano started a fire.

After a few minutes there was a rustle in the undergrowth coming from where the two had emerged, and the woman jumped at the noise. Dano looked at the sound and made a quiet whistle, a challenge to the intruder. The noise responded with a quiet howl, and Dano knew it was Echo.

The wolf exited the tree line with a little shock on his face. Dano had taken a seat in the dirt to the left of the bench, so his right side was pointed at the woman, the cabin to his back, and the forest to his front and left. When the woman caught a glance of Echo she gave another quiet ‘eep’ and hid behind her hair. Echo moved to the fire and took a seat on the opposite side of the pit, facing the woman.

“Is t-that a wolf-f?” Even more fear seemed to be seeping in to her voice.

“Yes, and his name is Echo. Don’t worry he won’t hurt anybody.” Dano filled his voice with confidence, hopefully transferring some into the woman. Echo barked softly as if to agree.

The woman seemed to perk up as Echo made it clear he wasn’t going to hurt her.

“Oh, what a nice name. I don’t really know any other wolves.”

Dano smiled, he could see her starting to get comfortable. Echo also sensed the feeling and walked around the fire to lay in his spot. The woman looked at Echo for a while before giving him a soft pet.

“He’s very soft.” She smiled a bit.

SUCCESS!! Dano felt great. His second attempt at contact was working, and no one was dead. Next step was trust. Dano gabbed a package of jerky and slowly cut it open.

“I bet your hungry,” Dano pulled the meat out, “I hope you like jerky.”

The woman shook her head slightly.

“I’m sorry… I’m a vegetarian.” She hid behind he hair again, and Dano felt a little bad. He hadn’t anticipated this turn of events. “I’m sorry.” She squeaked.

“It’s alright, I don’t have much else to eat though.” Dano thought. There was a small energy bar that was packaged in with the MREs. He decided it would have to do. “Let me go check if I have anything else.”

“Oh… you don’t have to do that if you don’t want to… I mean… I can go without for the night… it isn’t that long.” The woman’s words came out in soft quiet squeaks, and she looked worried.

“It’s no problem. Really.”

Dano stood and walked into the cabin. He grabbed a pair of MREs and returned to his spot by the fire. Dano opened the packaging and looked inside. He rifled through the MRE till he found a rectangular bar. He pulled it out, opened it and handed it to the woman. She took it and nibbled on the energy bar.

“I know it’s not the best tasting thing in the world, but it will keep your energy up.” Dano told the woman as she nibbled away.

“T-thank you Daniel”

“No problem, and call me Dano.”

“O-okay.”

The three beings sat by the fire for about an hour in silence. Dano was content to let the woman focus on petting Echo, she seemed to be happy around the animal. Dano was starting to feel tired, so he stood and addressed the woman.

“Let me show you to where your sleeping tonight.” Dano extended a hand to help her up.

She took the hand and pulled herself up. Dano noticed she was still shaking.

“O-okay.”

Echo watched the couple go into the cabin. Once inside Dano struck a match and lit the candle on the desk. It bathed the cabin in a glow that only seemed to make the place feel even more earthy. The woman was taking in the room as Dano walked over to his wardrobe. He pulled out a t-shirt and pants.

“Your clothes are a little dirty, so you can borrow these. They probably aren’t the most comfortable, but they are clean.” Dano laid the clothes on the bed as he spoke.

“You don’t have to do that if you don’t want to… I mean… I’m just fine the way I am… I guess.”

“I insist.” Dano smiled at the woman, and she gave a small smile back. She still had her face behind her hair, and was giving of a very scared aura, but Dano could see that she was beginning to feel comfortable enough to not cringe at every move he made.

Dano excused himself and exited the cabin. Echo was still laying where Dano had left him, but instead of watching the fire he was staring at Dano intently. Dano ignored the glare and sat down on his log. Echo stood up and began scribbling in the dirt. ‘Do you know who that is?!’

Dano reproduces the squeak again then shrugged. Echo face-pawed and began writing again. ‘No, she is Fluttershy.’

“So you heard her name? Good, because I didn’t.”

Echo stared at Dano with a look of disbelief, but then a thought entered his mind. Echo’s expression changed back to normal, and he laid back down. Dano wondered about Echo’s strange behavior as he stood back up and walked to the cabin door. I wonder what’s so important about Fluttershy, and why does she have that weird name? Dano shrugged and knocked on the door gently. Even with his light tapping Dano still heard an ‘eep’ come from the cabin.

“Are you dressed Fluttershy?”

“Y-yeah.”

Dano opened the door to see Fluttershy hiding under the covers of his bed. Dano suppressed a chuckle as she peaked her head out from under the sheets.

“I’m just making sure that you’re comfortable.” Dano thought for a moment, “Would you like it if Echo stayed inside with you?”

Fluttershy peaked he head out a little more.

“I wouldn’t mind.”

Dano was about to turn and call Echo, but he felt the wolf practically run through his legs and hopped into his bed. Fluttershy giggled as Echo barked and wagged his tail, trying to be a cute as possible. Dano sighed and blew out the candle.

“Good night you two.”

Dano closed the door and walked back to his bench, where he laid down. He stared up at the stars, and watched them move ever so slowly through the sky. Dano let out a content sigh and closed his eyes. Sleep pulled him under slower than normal, for Dano was too busy thinking about the woman named Fluttershy and how she would play into his quest.

Dano was sitting in the abyss he hadn’t seen for months. It felt like he was sitting on his log, but when he looked down to check it wasn’t there. Just inky blackness. Dano returned his gaze forward to see Sun and Moon standing just like they always were.

“You have completed your training Daniel.” Sun said in her warm, motherly voice.

“And you have met Fluttershy.” Moon spoke, her voice as calm as ever.

“She will be your key to happiness Daniel, you must not let her fall.” Sun’s voice grew serious for the last part, and it scared Dano a bit.

“You will have to pay a price to save her, and all of your friends.” Moon’s voice was just as serious as her comrades.

Dano stood, worry on his face.

“What price?”

The two women smiled and spoke in unison.

“The price you have been willing to pay for your entire life.”

Dano blinked, he didn’t understand, but before he could question them their hands were on his shoulders. They faded away in the flash of light and Dano was left alone. ‘The price you have been willing to pay for your entire life.’ The thought echoed through his conscious as the abyss closed in. Dano’s last though before sleep claimed him was, what price?

Well, there it is. Fluttershy in now in the picture. I am totally relieved
no your not
shut up logic
you are worried that your portrayal of Fluttershy was not up to snuff, even though you reviewed her dialog many times
i said stuff it man
im not a man
then what are you?
your logic
can i make you a man?
im your logic, you could make me anything
really?
yes you co...
*poof*
...uld
your now mr. spock, live long and prosper.

lol
hey guys
hope i got Fluttershy right...
anyway
tomorrow i am going home, so i probably wont have a chapter done tomorrow night
and friday will be busy
ik i have said this before, but the chapters may be delayed
so, since you have been such good readers you will get two pictures
one this chapter
another the next
so here it is:

don't forget to comment
that is all
kthanxbai