Equestria Noir Side Story "Puppy Love"

by Jacoboby1

Rating: teen
Tags: Tank, Other, Romance, Original Character, Comedy, Winona, Applejack, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 5121

Luca the wolf finds romance in the most unlikeliest of places. The loving dog Winona is eager to give affection to the shy wolf. But will their owners keep them apart?

Luca is a wolf without a pack. He's been living in the Everfree Forest for months now. Private Eye has been caring for him and Luca feels he's found a home. With home comes a newfound friend, Winona. The lovable Border Collie starts showing feelings for Luca, and it isn't long before they are returned. But when they are caught during a moment of bliss, will a wolf and a dog be able to find true love?

Published 2013-09-12 01:00:03 UTC
Last updated 2013-09-12 01:00:03 UTC

Puppy Love

Equestria Noir

Side Story

“Puppy Love”

By Jacoboby1

Perspective: Luca

I lay now in the shadow of the trees in this great forest. At one time, my home was a desert, filled with an endless sky and sand that reached forever. I lived there, with my pack. We hunted every day. We were the proud wolves of the wild.

Everything changed however, with the ponies. They came, with their fire sticks and slaughtered my pack. I was hit by one of the fire sticks and was forced to play dead in order to reclaim my life. Were my father around, he would’ve bit me for being so cowardly.

But, I lived, I lived to see another moon rise. I sat there, in the darkness, all my friends and family dead around me. I was alone, for the first time in my life I was alone.

But, everything changed with Private. He saw me, instead of trying to kill me, he saw I was injured and took care of me. He was different from the other ponies. He was kind, and looked past the fact I was a beast.

I returned the favor by finding that smaller fire stick for him. He was very happy about that. Then he brought me here, where everything is green, the air is cool and soothing. I didn’t feel homesick, for this forest is my home now. Private my friend, and…

Yet… I feel hollow…

For there is one thing in my life that’s missing…

She… she’s at that barn…

To think… this all started not too long ago…

______________________________________________________________

Several months ago…

“Are you sure it won’t be too much trouble?” Private asked the yellow pegasus. The pegasus was rather small. Her mane was long and pink and her eyes aqua. She had a lot of animal smells on her. I’m guessing her charges are what is making the noise.

The pegasus smiled and shook her head. “No it’s okay, it won’t be any trouble at all. The more the merrier I say,” she said pleasantly.

Private smiled in turn and said, “Thanks, it really means a lot.” He looked to me. “This is Fluttershy, Luca. She’s gonna take care of you for a while.”

She smelled friendly. If Private says she’s okay, than I have a mind to agree. I let him pet his hoof on my head before he said some more things to Fluttershy. I decided to let ponies talk and ventured into the house itself.

Animals galore were all around me. Squirrels, rabbits, mice, birds, all sorts were filling the area. I could smell other scents, dog, cat, even… turtle?

The animals all stared at me as I entered. I could smell their fear a mile away. It’s understandable, I am a wolf after all. I used to eat things like them.

“Hey! You!” I heard a rather irritable noise say.

I looked to my left and to my right. “Who said that?” I barked.

“Down here ya mutt!” the irritable noise replied.

I looked down into the black beady eyes… of a rabbit…

White as the mountain peaks, the rabbit sat in front of me. His front paws were crossed and he looked about ready to kick a pup in the face.

“What’s a wolf like you doin’ around here?” he said rudely.

“I’m a guest,” I barked politely. “Who are you?”

“Name’s Angel.” he said, pointing at me. “Now I run this joint! You’d better do what I say!”

“Or what?” I snickered in amusement, “You’re going to kick me in the paw?”

“You’d better take me seriously!” he said, and then tried to kick me, but… I soon caught his leg in between my two paws. He squirmed a little as I held him. “Put me down or I’ll sock ya!”

“You, really don’t want to make a wolf mad,” I growled low. “I eat little rabbits like you for breakfast.”

His fur may have gotten a bit paler than normal at that. I tossed him aside and he landed in a nearby basket. I wasn’t about to eat him, I only eat animals of the Everfree. I don’t think Private would appreciate me eating some pony’s pet.

Though I have great pity for the owner of Angel.

“Luca!” I heard a voice call.

I turned to see Fluttershy coming in. She smiled down at me and said, “I see you and Angel are getting along nicely!”

“Nicely?!” Angel cried, “He tried to kill me!”

“One more annoying sound out of you,” I growled, “And you’ll wish I threw you against the wall and broke your neck.”

That shut him up pretty good. Angel retreated to another room of the house. Fluttershy looked after him, very confused. “I don’t know what’s gotten into Angel, usually he’s friendly to the other animals.”

“Are you really that naive?” I barked.

“Why don’t you go outside and play Luca?” Fluttershy suggested, walking to another room.

Nobody ever listens to the wolf….

I made my way to the back yard. There were even more animals out here. I saw bats, colorful birds, kittens, squirrels. Even a squirrel that was flying. To think, if I stayed in the desert, I would never know any of these creatures existed.

I stepped forward and almost tripped on something. I saw it was a turtle shell. Its inhabitant was inside it, I looked a yellow eye into it. “Hello?” I barked.

“Geez!” Suddenly a head popped out from the shell and I fell back. “Ever here of the concept of bea-” The turtle’s eyes blinked slowly as he saw what I was. “A… wolf…?”

I smiled, although my sharp teeth probably wouldn’t help matters. “I’m Luca, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” I whined gently.

“Well, if you say so,” the turtle replied, four legs stuck out of the different holes of his shell and he stood up. “Names Tank.”

“A pleasure,” I replied, “I’ve never seen a turtle up close before.”

Suddenly, all the animals in the area stopped what they were doing, glared over at me and all yelled, “TORTOISE!!”

“Ah. Yes. Thank you, everyone,” Tank hissed, chuckling. “I’m land-based, if you can’t tell.” He waved a foot at me. “No flippers,” he elaborated.

I whined a little in embarrassment. “I’ll uh, try to remember that in the future.”

Tank smiled up at me. “Good fellah,” he hissed. “What can I do for you?”

“He can start by sniffing out where Winona buried my mouse!” I heard a mew.

Behind Tank had to be one of the ugliest looking cats I’ve ever seen. Then again, all cats look ugly to me. Her coat was white too, but it looked as if it was groomed hourly. Her pale green eyes glared at me as she stood there. She held herself with a proper and dignified air.

I wanted to chuck some dirt on her just to see what would happen.

“Why you always gotta blame Winona?” Tank hissed in question.

“Because, she is a dog, dogs bury things,” The cat hissed back. “If she doesn’t give up where she hid it I’ll skin her coat and have Rarity use it in her next outfit.”

“Well you’re just a happy bundle of fur and joy,” I growled.

“Who are you exactly?” she mewed, giving me a wary look.

“This is Luca,” Tank hissed. “He’s Private’s pet.”

“How did you know?” I whined in question.

“Word travels fast ‘round here,” Tank hissed in reply. He then pointed at the cat. “This ‘ere is Opalescence, or Opal for short.”

“And I would appreciate assistance if you please!” Opal mewed. “My precious mouse was stolen by that ruffian Winona and buried somewhere!”

“Maybe Gummy’s seen it,” Tank hissed, he then began walking over to a…

Honestly I have no idea what it is. It looked like an oversized lizard. It’s mouth was the most prominent thing about it. It was large, and looked like it could swallow my leg whole. Luckily it's teeth were absent. It’s purple eyes simply blinked at me.

“Gummy!” Tank hissed, “You seen Opal’s mouse?”

Gummy just blinked in response.

“What is wrong with him?” I dared ask.

Opal sighed, “Gummy’s not all there. He’s an alligator, took pride in his teeth years ago. One year a pony was experimenting with a new form of rock candy. Gummy thought it’d be a great idea to try it. It was so hard it knocked out all his teeth and he’s been like this ever since.”

“Ah…” came a croak from the odd reptile. “A mouse in a house, from a louse….”

“He’s not going to be much help, Tank,” Opal hissed irritably.

“Vines vector voraciously with vim and vigor, viewing victory valiantly,” Gummy croaked. “The mouse is beneath the honeysuckle.”

“Nice talking with you Gummy,” Tank hissed nervously, and walked back over.

Opal rolled her eyes and mewed, “That was a glorious waste of time. We should’ve gone to get proper help.” She stuck her tail in the air and started walking towards a nearby tree.

In the tree I saw what had to be an owl. Looked like a different kind of owl from what I’ve seen living in cacti at night. As it was day, the owl was asleep in the branches.

“Wake up you lousy buzzard!” Opal screeched rudely.

“Who uh?” The owl blinked open his eyes, and turned his head completely in a circle…

That’s creepy...

The owl hooted down at Opal, “Oh, Opalescence, a fine day to you!”

“Can it Owloylicious!” Opal screeched. “Tell me where I can find that mutt Winona!”

“Now why in heaven’s name would you want to find her?” The owl hooted back. “You interrupted a fine dream I had. I was quite gallantly defending Madame Twilight from a ghastly fiend. It did look a lot like Sir Spike in retrospe-”

“I’m a cat not a dream interpreter!” Opal screeched. “Now use your eyes and find her!”

Owlowiscious hooted under his breath about a cliff and Opal flying or something. He scanned the area and pointed over to the chicken coop. “She’s over there!” He hooted. “Now please, do not interrupt my day nap again. I have to assist Madame Twilight with keeping her library straight while she is away.”

With that, the owl fell asleep faster then that blue pegasus with the rainbow mane.

“I’d like to have words with that dog!” Opal hissed, and made her way over to the chicken coop.

Tank hissed, “This isn’t going to turn out well.”

“I’d better make sure we don’t have a blood bath on our paws,” I barked. I followed Opal but she got ahead of me. I heard a bark coming from the other side. It sounded… musical…

“Well howdy there, Opal, what can Ah do ya fer?” The bark sounded.

“Can it you mutt!” Opal hissed. “Where is the mouse I know you swiped?!”

“It’s where ya always leave it, in the tree holler,” The bark replied. “But every time ya lose it ya have to come tah me. Honestly, Opal, ifin’ ya wanna spend time with me Ah’m always up fer fetch.”

“I’d rather have my owner turn me into a hat than play with a dog like you! Ruffian!” Opal hissed, and then she came back from behind the coop, tail flicking in irritation.

I padded around the chicken coop, and just…stared. She was mostly a rich brown color, like that candy the ponies call milk chocolate. Her erect ears folded cutely, and made her look especially perky, her tail, legs, and muzzle were all tipped with white, which carried to her stomach. She just seemed so…happy with, well, everything. It was amazing. And she… She was beautiful.

My coat felt warm as her eyes looked at me. I didn’t have anything to say. I couldn’t think of anything that didn’t sound stupid or ridiculous. I just knew that she was amazing, and I had no idea what to say.

She walked up to me. “Well, yer not part of the usual crop that Fluttershy looks after,” she barked happily. “What’s yer name?”

I nervously whined, “Uh, Luca, that’s what my owner calls me.”

“Mighty nice name, there, Luca. Ah’m Winona,” she barked happily.

“A, pleasure,” I said, my ears flattening.

“Yer new, here, ain’t cha? Don’t reckon we see very many wolves about, lessin’ they’re timber wolves. An’ ifin’ you don’t know what that is, ya gotta count yerself luckier than Pinkie Pie gettin’ a clean bill from tha’ dentist,” she barked in reply.

“I’m, quite aware of them,” I barked, “I had to deal with my fair share of them when I made my home.”

“Dang, fellah, how’d you manage? Those thangs are bigger’en ponies!” Winona whined.

“Just be quicker and smarter than they are,” I barked. “Also have rocks handy.”

“Ya got a good head on yer shoulders, there, Luca,” Winona barked. “Yer a good sort. Hope ta’ hang out with ya a lot, from here on out. We canines gotta stick together.”

I barked, “You certainly are friendly.”

“Well shoot, just bein’ neighborly. Hey! Wanna play chase?”

With that, she took off in one direction. I barked happily after her, for the first time in a long while. I felt truly happy, just playing with her. I felt…

Whole...

_________________________________________________________________

We spent nearly the whole next couple of days together. The sun was about to set over the horizon as we sat on a hill together. We looked down at the town as ponies walked all over the place. I spotted a pony pup running to it’s mother for the night. I was quiet for a while before I felt Winona nudge me.

“Whatcha thinkin’ bout, there, Luca?” she barked inquisitively.

“Just, thinking of my pack,” I whined sadly. “I see so many ponies have them down there. I…” I flattened my ears. “I just never realized how alone I was until I saw them…”

“Yer ain’t alone, now, Luca. Yer makin’ friends. Tank likes ya, s’far as I can tell. And no one cares what Opal thinks. She’s a priss-fidget,” Winona barked, laughingly. “Friends are tha’ pack you choose fer yerself.”

Part of me wanted to nuzzle her… but… I don’t know if she’d like that…

What’s wrong with me?

I just nodded and barked, “Thanks, Winona, I’m uh, glad you’re willing to put up with me.”

“Shucks, Luca, it ain’t like you’re a timber wolf with rottin’ logs fer brains,” Winona purred, licking my cheek.

My coat felt warm as her tongue found my cheek. I backed away slowly from her. “Winona? Wha, what was that for?” I barked in surprise.

“Uh… Well… Ah like ya,” Winona whined. “Yer one of tha few decent canines I’ve met, here…”

I felt very warm at this point. Winona… she… “Winona I,” I shook my head and barked, “I mean you are...pretty but…” I shut my muzzle and whined. “Did I say that out loud?” Winona made a sound that sounded an awful lot like a giggle.

“Look, Luca, why don’ we hang out, more? Get to know one another. No need ta be rushin’ inta things, y’know?” Winona woofed. “Yer a wolf, right? An’ ifin I ‘member correctly, wolves find a mate an’ stick with ‘em. Ah don’ know ifin’ Ah’m ready fer that yet, but...”

I looked down and whined, “Would your owner mind? If we were friends?”

“Ah don’t think so. But anythin’ more… Eh... Applejack can be mighty protective, y’know? Wait. Ya don’t know, do ya? Let’s jus’ say, Ah fear mightily for anystallion what courts Applebloom,” Winona barked, laughingly.

“That small filly who keeps trying to peek into Private’s window?” I barked in question.

“Wait… what?” Winona whined looking confused.

“I caught her a couple of times,” I barked.

“Aw, shoot, she’s gotta crush. Ah gotta keep a closer watch on that gal. That’s likely ta’ get her in a heap o’ trouble,” Winona grumbled.

“You really care about your owners it seems,” I complimented.

“Well o’ course Ah do. They’re mah family,” Winona barked. “Picked me out o’ tha litter, an’ took me in. Cared for me, an’ Ah even help with tha farm chores. Usually herdin’ things, when they get all stubborn an’ not listenin’.”

My yellow eyes gazed into her brown ones for a minute. She just had such a heart for her family. Family… I didn’t think of Private that way… at least, not the word. Maybe I should…

“Winona,” I barked as I turned to walk away. “Thanks for the time.”

“Mah pleasure, Luca. I get off ‘round dinner time. Wanna hang out some more?” she woofed.

“I’d really like that.” I barked. With that, I walked off towards the house, where I knew Private was awaiting me.

_______________________________________________________

Private laid on the couch as I sat in the living room. Wherever he went, it looks like it tired him greatly.

I walked over, and whined gently at him. “Private? Are you okay?”

He looked down at me, and petted me… oh yes… behind the ears… that’s amazing….

“Hey Luca, just had a bit of a long couple of days,” he said. “In between the bills, the flowers on Mom’s grave… it’s been crazy…”

I laid my head on his lap. “I’m right here you know,” I whined.

He patted the seat next to him. I hopped on onto the couch and sat beside him. He looked at me for a minute and said, “Luca, just, thanks for being here buddy. I could use somebody to talk to, even if I have no idea what you’re saying.”
Like I said, nobody ever listens to the wolf…

But, as I laid there, letting Private pet my fur gently, I felt a connection. I felt like I belonged with him. It was something I never felt with my pack. A bond that I can’t explain….

I wonder… does Winona feel something like this with her family…?

_________________________________________________________

Over the months since our first meeting I found whatever excuse I could to be with Winona. She was so happy, full of life and playful. The others weren’t, too bad I guess. Angel was a brat but he was smart enough not to tick off something that could easily gobble him up. Tank was alright, nice to talk too, none too smart though. Opal and I never got along, cats and dogs, it’s like asking fire and water to get along. Owololicious was alright too, although he keeps talking about things that I just didn’t get. Guess it came from living with Private’s intended mate.

Gummy was just… strange….

I was treated today to his words of wisdom as I sat on the hill. The alligator blinked and then opened his mouth to say, “Happiness is happenstance, hesitantly hosted by the haunted hooligans… Don’t be afraid of the orange one.”

I just blinked myself and said, “Uh, likewise?”

My ears perked up as I heard a commotion coming from Winona’s barn. It sounded like the normal upbeat music that I normally hear around there. Only I also heard pony tools being used. I left Gummy and walked down the hill towards Winona’s home.

Raise this barn raise this barn. One two three four.

Together we can raise this barn! One two three four.

Up, up go the beams, Hammer those joints, work in teams.

Turn’ em ‘round quick by the right elbow, Grab a new partner, here we go!

I trotted down the path towards the barn. I smelled a ton of ponies all leaving the farm. This had to be what Winona was calling a “family reunion”. I must say, her owner had quite a large pack. As I approached I heard a bush rustle beside me.

“Howdy, Luca!” Winona yipped popping out of the bushes. “Ain’t that barn a beaut? Got knocked down, an’ the whole family worked together ta’ rebuild it! Goes ta’ show ya ain’t nothin’ better than a family.”

I looked at the building and barked, “I can imagine such a large building would require a lot of help. Your owner is lucky to have such a large pack.”

“Pack?” Winona arfed, looking a touch confused. “Oh. That there’s wolf, right? For ‘Family’? Ones yer related to, an’ care for?”

I nodded and woofed, “Yes, that is what I call my family… or at least I did…” My ears flattened a little.

“Somethin’ happen to ‘em?” Winona whined. “That’s terrible, Luca.”

My ears perked up a little. “It’s alright,” I barked in reply, “I am past mourning at this point. They were my family, and I did feel sorrow when they died. But in the desert, death was a part of life. I was brought in by Private and he became my pack.”

“Family’s important. Yer lucky ta’ have found a good ‘un,” Winona woofed, nodding. “C’mon, wanna see tha’ inside? It’s right pretty, and smells awful nice, too!”

I took her invitation and followed her towards the barn. The inside was homely, warm, and the smell of hay entered my nostrils. Not an unpleasant smell, but one that took some getting used to when you live among ponies. For a minute, I caught a glimpse of Winona sitting beside me, the sun was peeking through the window… and hit her at just the right point to make her stand out…her in all her beauty…

“Hey! Hey, Luca! Why are ya starin’ at me, like that?” Winona barked.

I shook my head, my coat feeling warm once again. “I, I’m sorry.” I whined nervously. “I just, you looked I mean…”
“Oh, don’t tell me ya’ve got a crush on lil’ ole me,” She barked laughingly. “C’mon, Ah’m jus’ a farm dog.”

“Not to me,” I woofed without thinking. I noticed her brown eyes blinking at me, I felt my coat warm again as I said “I, I mean...Winona you are...not just a farm dog…”

“Oh… Gosh. Ah don’t rightly know what ta’ say,” Winona arfed, pawing the floor in a display of canine embarrassment. “Ah ain’t ever had a somedog try an’ court me, afore…”

“C-court?” I yipped.

“What’s a wolfy way o’ sayin’ it? Erm… Ya ever see he wolves and she wolves go ‘bout a choosin’ one another?” Winona asked.

“I know what you are implying!” I barked quickly. “But, I just, don’t know if you’d want me. I’m a runt of a wolf…” I flattened my ears in embarrassment. I got teased a lot when I was back in the pack. I was the smallest, the most cowardly, the one who lived while everybody else died…

She wouldn’t wa… wait… was she nuzzling me….?

“You ain’t a runt, as far as I’m concerned, honey,” Winona purred, licking my cheek. “An’ yer a right gentledog too, ifin’ ya catch mah meanin’. Kind, an’ considerate, an’ good company. Why wouldn’t Ah want you?”

“Winona, I,” I whined, “Winona I… I have no idea what to say I…”

“Why don’t ya show me, instead?” Winona asked, licking my ear.

I licked her ear in turn. Soon I found myself against the wall, Winona licking my chest fur as I nipped one of her ears… I gave into her… she wanted me… I wanted her… I needed her…

I loved he-

“Applejack!” Winona and I froze as we heard the small filly cry as she stood there.

“Of all tha’ times,” Winona grumbled.

“What’s goin’ on here?” I heard another pony’s voice say.

“Applejack! Winona and Luca are wrestling in there!” the small filly said to somepony I couldn’t see.

A large orange pony stepped into view, “Wrestlin, good tah see Winona’s gettin alo…”

Winona and I just stood there as the pony looked at us. All was quiet for a good five minutes, nothing moved.

Finally the orange pony cried, “GET YER PAWS OFF HER YA MUTT!”

_____________________________________________________________

That’s how I ended up here. Laying down in the middle of these woods. I’ve been here for the past couple of days. Private didn’t call me, he knew I needed time to think.

It was all stupid in the first place. Me, a wolf, falling for a dog. I knew there’d be something keeping us apart. I don’t know why I even bothered trying.

“Yer a hard wolf ta find, you know that?” Winona woofed, flopping down beside me.

I backed away from her. “Are you insane?” I barked. “It’s not safe for you out here!”

“Ya mean Ah ain’t safe with ya here?” Winona arfed inquisitively.

I flattened my ears. “Even still,” I whined, “You shouldn’t be here. What if your owner found out?”

“Applejack’s too protective fer’ her own good, honey,” Winona sighed. “Ah’d like ta’ think Ah know mah own mind, when it comes to who Ah love.”

I looked down. “I just, I don’t want to be a burden on you,” I whined. “I love you Winona, but… I don’t want to get you in trouble…” She slipped her head under mine, leaning against me in a canine equivalent of what ponies call a ‘hug’.

“Darlin’, any trouble Ah get inta’ would be worth it, ifin’ I get ta’ be with ya,” Winona woofed sincerely.

“You mean you,” I barked, “You’d, actually want to be with me… you love me?”

“Ah wouldn’t have come inta the Everfree Forest ifin’ I didn’t,” Winona barked.

I padded over to her, and licked her on the nose affectionately. “Winona, I love you,” I whined gently.

“Ah love you, too, honey,” Winona said, licking my nose in return.

My ears perked up as I heard a sound. A low growl coming from the trees….

“Timber wolf!” I barked, shoving Winona aside as a large wooden claw almost hit her. I looked up and saw a large wolf made entirely of branches. It’s green eyes glowed with some form of strange energy. I never understood what manner of devilry created these beasts. Nor do I care…

I just knew they tried to hurt the dog I love!

I growled low as I faced the timber wolf. It growled in turn, swinging it’s claw at me again. I dodged and went for it’s leg. I sank my teeth into one of the branches, and yanked it off. The leg crumbled under the weight of the timberwolf. I spat out the wood as I looked to Winona. “Get outta here!” I growled.

“Ah ain’t leavin’ ya!” Winona barked. “You’re mah wolf, an’ Ah don’ want ta lose ya to an animated hunk a wood!”

“There’s no time t-” I froze as I saw a second Timberwolf coming from behind her. “Winona!” I leapt towards the Timberwolf, claws raised.

The Timber wolf caught sight of me, and swung it’s claws at me. I yelped in pain as the claws dug into my flesh and sent me flying towards a tree. I landed against it with a loud thud. The wind was knocked out of me as I fell to the ground. Winona barked, spinning around, and kicking at the wolf with her hind legs, actually knocking a good chunk off. She kept barking, cursing the timber wolf out for all it’s worth.

The Timber wolf, unimpressed by her colorful language, raised it’s claw again to strike her…

BANG BANG!!!

A loud sound entered my ears as the Timberwolf’s leg exploded from the gunfire. I looked over and saw Winona’s owner and a large red pony with her. The red pony had a fire stick in his hooves and aimed it at the timberwolf.

“Go on and get ya wooden varmints!” AJ said, chucking rocks towards the timberwolves. They clearly did not want to mess with them. As soon as their legs regenerated they ran away with their tails between their legs.

I laid on the ground, trying to lick my claw wound, but couldn’t quite reach it…

Then, I felt the gentle lapping of another tongue on my blood stained coat…

“Ah got ya, hon,” Winona murmured between licks. “Ah’ll take good care of ya.”

“Winona,” I whined. “Thank you.”

“Ya really care ‘bout that feller, don’t ya, girl?” Applejack asked, trotting over. Winona just gave Applejack this look. “All right, all right. Ah’m sorry for jumpin’ ta conclusions. Ah guess ya know yer own heart, don’t ya? Looks like we need to mosy this fellah back to Sweet Apple Acres, so he can recover proper-like.”

With that, the big red pony put me on his back, and carried me out of the forest…

_________________________________________________________________

Their lair was warm, and cosy. Lots of pictures illustrating their vast pack, comfortable couches that looked older than Private’s. I was laying in a basket, a pillow and blanket under me. My wound stung from being treated with some kind of sharp smelling stuff the pony, Applejack, said would prevent infection. I was even bandaged. Winona lay next to me, comfortingly.

“Looks like yer an honorary Apple, honey,” Winona barked licking my ear.

I licked her back and barked, “I’m just glad you’re okay. We were lucky your owners came looking for you when they did.”

“Jus’ don’ scare me like that, anymore, okay?” Winona whined, nuzzling me. “Ah don’ wanna lose ya.”

“I don’t want to lose you either,” I whined and tenderly nuzzled her. “You are my pack Winona. I won’t ever run off again.”

We both looked up as Applejack walked into the room, she looked down on us and said, “Ah called Private, he’ll come pick you up after he’s finished up with that business with Grapes.” She looked over at Winona. “You’ve been takin care of yer friend ere?” she asked.

Winona barked happily in reply- “Ah have, he’s mah special somedog after all! Or, uh, some wolf ah guess.”

Applejack rubbed her head gently. “You just keep lookin’ after him Winona,” she said tenderly.

The small filly, I learned her name is Applebloom, looked over at me from next to her sister and said, “Thank ya kindely fer lookin out fer Winona!”

I barked happily, “Anything for her.”

Applebloom looked up at her sister. “They really seem tah like one another,” she said.

Applejack chuckled. “Yep, they sure do hayseed,” she said, rubbing her sister’s mane with a hoof.

Applebloom giggled a little and asked, “So, when are they gonna have puppies and such?”

Everybody in the room froze. AJ slowly turned a cold glare at me. “Just… how far did ya get with this… ’wrestlin’?”

I frantically barked. “We didn’t get any where near that I swear!”

“Ah outta talk tah Priv ‘bout makin’ sure that doesn’t happen!” Applejack yelled before being pulled back by her sister.

I let out a whine, “Nobody ever listens to the wolf…”