Chapters It was a calm summer day in Ponyville. The birds were singing in the trees, the flowers were in bloom, fillies and colts played in the town square, and Twilight was taking Nyx to her first camping trip.
It has been over a year since Twilight adopted Nyx as her daughter. A few ponies were still angry with her for what she had done as Nightmaremoon, but not as much as they were at first.
They had packed their saddle bags and were meeting Nyx's friends at Sweet Apple Acres to organize the trip, while Spike, Pewee, and Owlisious stayed to look after the library. The fillies would be supervised by Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbowdash, like the last camping trip they had, but this time Twilight, Nyx, and Twist were coming too.
They were walking down the street by Sugercube Corner when Pinkiepie burst outside from the front door. Her eyes were narrow as she scanned everypony walking by. When she saw Twilight and Nyx, she quickly galloped in front of them and yelled, "Stop right there!", holding her hoof up in a halt sign.
"Pinkiepie?" Asked Twilight, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
Pinkiepie squinted her eyes and looked around suspiciously for anypony who might be watching. She then looked at Twilight and said, "I don't think you guys should go camping."
Twilight was dumbfounded. Why would Pinkie not want Nyx to have her first camping trip? Was something wrong? Did she worry Nyx would be afraid to go? Sure, she was a little nervous at first, but Nyx didn't want to miss out on something her friends were going to be in. Besides, who would she hang out and play with while they were away?
Twilight then asked, "What are you talking about? Nyx can't miss out on her first camping trip, especially not when her friends..."
But before she could finish, Pinkiepie interrupted and said, "I know it's important to her, duh, but I have a knot in my tail, which means something bad will happen and we won't know what to do to prevent a disaster."
Twilight rolled her eyes and said, "Oh Pinkie, a knot in your tail should have nothing to do with what's going to happen. It just means you slept on it funny."
Pinkiepie, who was unconvinced by Twilight's words, said, "No, Twilight, I know from my experiences that a knot in your tail is a bad sign. Eventually we'll find ourselves in a jam where there's no easy answer."
"Pinkiepie, don't worry about it. Everything will be fine. It'll only be a two day hike to the mountains and back," said Twilight reassuringly.
They walked past Pinkiepie and continued down the road. "Fine, but you've been warned," said Pinkiepie, ignoring the other ponies who had stopped to stare.
Twilight and Nyx had made it to Sweet Apple Acres and walked to the house, where Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, Scootaloo, and Twist all waited. Nyx rested her saddlebags down and ran to her friends. "Hey girls," she said excitedly.
"Hey Nyx," said Sweetiebelle. "Are you excited for your first camping trip?"
Nyx nodded and said, "You bet. Me and Twilight even found a book with all the things we need for the trip."
"Great." Said Twist. "This is my first time too."
Just then Applejack and Rarity came out of the house and down the porch with their saddle bags. "And let's hope it's not your last, Sugar cube." Said Applejack. "The trail we're going on can get mighty steep."
"Oh, I hope I don't get mud on my hooves" complained Rarity. "I just got them done."
"Oh please" said Rainbowdash, laying on a cloud above them. "Don't tell me you did it right before coming here."
"For your information, Rainbowdash, I needed my appointment early to make up for the time I'll lose for not going to Fluttershy's and my weekly spa outing."
Twilight quickly interrupted and said, "So, are we ready?"
Applejack looked around and said, "Yep, Alright everypony, let's move out." And with that, they all began their trip to the mountain trail.
By the time they arrived at the start of the trail, Nyx had already started reading the first few chapters of the Camping Guide for Ponies. She read about campfire songs, how to roast marshmallows, and how to pitch a tent. There was a chapter on scary stories, but she skipped that one. Eventually Twilight told her to put the book away.
As they began their ascent up the mountain, the fillies began to play I-spy. When it was Nyx's turn, she looked around for something for her friends to guess. She eventually found her item and said, 'I spy, with my little eye, something pointy."
"Is it a pine cone?" Asked Scootaloo.
"No" Nyx replied, smiling.
"The tree stump?" Asked Applebloom, pointing at the stump of a fallen tree, with splinters and points coming from where the trunk use to be.
"Nope."
Sweetiebelle then answered, "Rainbowdash's hair?"
"Close." Nyx said with a chuckle.
When it was Twist's turn to guess, she said, "Her Cutiemark?", pointing at the lightning bolt shaped rainbow on Rainbowdash's flank.
"Yes!" Nyx said excitedly.
They continued to play as they made it up the steep trail. At the end of the day, they had reached their first stop. They made camp at a spot just off the path where there were no inclines.
The view was amazing. You could see Ponyville on the left and Canterlot on the far right. In the middle was the sunset. The ponies pitched their tents in a big circle and made a campfire in the center.
Rainbowdash and Scootaloo collected extra firewood and put it aside for later.
Rarity and Sweetiebelle like last time, had a small mansion-sized tent. Everyone thought it was overkill for a two day trip, but they didn't protest.
Twilight, Nyx, and Twist were reading the book they brought to see if there was anything missing from the campsite. Everything looked to be in order, but they double-checked to be sure.
Applejack and Applebloom inspected their saddle bags to make sure they had packed enough food for everypony. They packed water, sandwiches, soup in Tupperware, vegetables, and fresh apples from the orchard. It all set perfectly on a small wagon that they pulled together.
Later that night, everypony sat around the campfire. Rarity was teaching the fillies how to roast marshmallows, giving them precise instructions as they hung their sticks over the fire.
Once they were cooked just right, they pulled them out and put them on Graham Crackers with chocolate to make Smores. Nyx cheated at it and held her Smore over the fire with her magic to melt the chocolate. Twilight laughed and gave her daughter an approving wink. Nyx winked back, blew air onto her Smore and began to eat.
After they all ate their food, Twilight began to look for the next step in her Camping Guide for Ponies. She flipped through the pages with Rainbowdash hovering over her shoulder.
She eventually found the page she and Nyx left off on. It was Chapter 4, (Scary Story Telling). Twilight thought of how much Nyx hated scary stories and tried to skip the chapter, but Rainbowdash put her hoof on the page.
"OK everypony" said Rainbowdash. "It's time for scary stories."
Nyx's eyes widened and her ears pointed down, she looked at Twilight for support but she only smiled and shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what to do.
Everypony else thought it was a good idea, so Rainbowdash began by saying, "It was a dark night just like tonight. A group of ponies were out camping just like we are. While they were hanging out and roasting marshmallows, laughing at their jokes and having fun, something was watching them."
Almost everypony was listening intently to the story, while Nyx had huddled next to Twilight for comfort.
Rainbowdash continued "One of the ponies went out to get firewood, while the other three stayed put. As he was picking up sticks and twigs for the fire, he heard a noise, whimpering and whining. Something was in trouble."
"The pony dropped his sticks and rushed to find the source of the noise, and when he did, he saw a cult of wolves all gathered in a circle.
"The wolves didn't see the pony watching, yet, so he quickly hid behind a nearby bush."
"He watched one of the wolves begin to walk forward with something wrapped in a cloth. As the wolf unwrapped the cloth, a little baby cub was inside."
Everypony gasped.
"The cub was placed in a circle carved into the dirt. As the cub sat there, the black flames began to twist and turn. The pony watching looked in awe at what was happening. The fire was alive."
'The flames then engulfed the cub, and dragged it deeper into the pit, but the fire didn't burn him. When the cub was in the center of the fire, the air became cold around the circle of wolves."
Just then a chill in the air appeared around the campfire group. The fillies jumped, but then everypony just laughed.
Rainbowdash went on with the story, determined to finish. "The wolf cub began to change, his skin began to peel off and turn to dust, along with his muscles and organs. His bones became black like ashes, but hard as steel. While the pony was watching, He noticed breathing coming from behind him. He turned to see a lone wolf standing behind him in the shadows."
Scootaloo shouted out, "Oh no!"
"Oh yeah." Rainbowdash replied.
"The pony tried to yell for help, but it was too late. The wolf put a paw over the pony's mouth, restrained him with rope, and dragged him out of hiding and into the circle. The once little cub turned to face the pony, and when he did, he stuck out his forked tongue and licked his razor-shark teeth."
"Before the pony could even think, everything went black. He woke up the next morning in his camp site. He was covered in blood, flesh was in his teeth, the camp was a bloody mess, and his friends were long gone. Nopony knew for sure what happened. No bodies were found; only the remaining pony survived."
"What happened next?" asked Nyx, shivering like a leaf.
"Doctors say he was crazy, but rumors say that he was possessed by the wolf cub. Ponies even gave the cub a name, Shadowflame, AKA the shadow of fire."
Nyx looked at Twlight, too scared to even blink. Twilight gave Nyx a kiss on the forehead and said, "It's ok, Nyx. It's just a story."
Rainbowdash went on with the story and said, "Some ponies say that on this very mountain side, you can still hear the howls of Shadowflame." With that, she howled as loud as she could.
However, in the distance, a second howl came from the forest, and it wasn't Rainbowdash.
Everypony sat still around the campfire, listening to the strange howling coming from the distance. What was making that noise? Was it somepony just responding to Rainbow Dash? No, It sounded like they were in pain.
They all looked at each other with uncertainty. it was quiet until Rainbow Dash broke the ice by saying, "Oh come on, everypony, are we really afraid of howling?"
"What if it's timberwolves, or Shadowflame?" Asked Applebloom.
"I'm pretty sure it's neither of those." Said Applejack.
"Maybe it's an animal in trouble." Said Nyx.
"If that's so, we need to go see if it needs help." Said Twilight.
"Hold on." Said Scootaloo. "You're not saying we should go out there, are you?"
"Its the right thing to do." Said Twist.
Twilight nodded and said. "Applejack and I will go check it out. Rarity and Rainbow Dash, you stay here and watch the girls."
Ranbowdash and Rarity gave a nod. "Twilight?" Asked Nyx. "Please be careful."
"I will." Twilight said with a smile. She and Applejack went toward the direction of the howling while the others stayed at the camp.
The howling grew louder as they continued into the forest. Eventually they found a clearing where a little wolf cub lay with its front right paw caught in a bear trap. Twilight and Applejack drew closer to the cub as it continued to cry.
Once they got close enough, it turned its head toward them. when he saw them, he whimpered for help. Twilight walked over to it and said, "Shh, it's ok, we're going to get you out of there."
"Say what now?" Asked Applejack.
"Come on, he's just a baby. I'll bet he still has his baby teeth."
"Its the teeth that concern me." Replied Applejack.
"We can't just leave him here." Twilight protested.
"Fine, but your explaining why we have a wolf with us right after Rainbow Dash just told a scary story about one."
"Applejack, does he look like he's all bones?" Asked Twilight. "Besides, what would they think if we just left a baby here in pain?"
Twilight looked at the bear trap and then at the wolf's caught leg. The teeth of the trap were not just pointed, but they were also razor sharp. The leg looked infected, which meant that the wolf could have been there for a day or two. It was surprising that the Wolf wasn't dead yet, he should have bled out by now.
The trap wasn't any ordinary trap either. The closing mechanism had been modified to be one way. It could close easily, but opening it would require certain tools, which nopony had. Twilight couldn't use her magic either, for the trap was enchanted to block all magic spells.
"This is ridiculous." Said Twilight. "The trap is designed to keep anypony from opening it."
Just then, a rustling sound came from the bushes behind them. The cub was the first to react. He looked at the bushes and growled. Before Twilight could ask who it was, the wolf began to bite and tear at his caught leg.
Without warning, Nyx popped put of the bushes and called out to the wolf cub, "what are you doing? Stop!" But it was too late, his leg was completely detached.
Rainbow Dash soon appeared behind Nyx and asked, "What the hay is going on out here?" She looked at the Cub with wide eyes.
Twilight turned her attention to Nyx and Rainbow Dash. "What are you doing here? You were supposed to stay at the camp."
Rainbow Dash smiled, embarrassingly, and said, "Nyx ran after you when we heard you two arguing. Never mind that, what's with the wolf?" She pointed at the now three legged cub.
"I don't know how or why, but a trap had caught his leg and has been holding him here." Said Twilight.
Applejack walked up to the wolf to look at his injury. "And now he's at the risk of blood loss. If you have a plan to save him, Twilight, then you better move fast."
Twilight immediately tried to think of what to do. Should she use her magic? She has mended some scrapes here and there, but never missing limbs. No, she needed to get him to a doctor, soon.
Twilight then said, "I'll use my teleportation spell to take him to back to Ponyville. Everypony else, tell the others what happened."
"I'm coming with you." Said Nyx, bravely.
Twilight nodded. She didn't want to argue with Nyx. The wolf had already fallen to the ground unconscious. Twilight put the wolf cub on her back. As soon as Nyx was close enough to use the spell, she was ready.
Twilight's horn began to glow, and with a flash of light, they were back in Ponyville.
They all rushed to the local hospital, where Nurse Redheart was sitting at the front desk.
Twilight and Nyx burst open the front door and explained to the Doctor what happened. Nurse Redheart nodded and took them to the emergency room.
They cleaned and sealed the injury, bandaged it and gave the cub a tetanus shot. He was still passed out, which made the process easier.
Nurse Redheart hooked him up to a heart monitor, and gave him needles connected to a blood bag and a nutritional bag.
When he was finally stable, the nurse and Twilight left Nyx to watch the patient.
"There is something you need to know, Twilight." Said Nurse Readheart. "That boy has lost a lot of blood, more than enough to kill a full grown wolf. I don't know where you found him, but you should tell the princess about this, before we regret what happened tonight."
"I know, I made the mistake of keeping Nyx a secret from everypony, and I almost lost her because of it. I wont do that now." Said Twilight.
"You should probably go, He's safe for now but you really won't be of much help right now." Said Nurse Redheart.
"Ok, I'll get Nyx and we'll leave him in your care." Twilight said, walking back to the room.
"Actually Twilight," Nurse Redheart added last second "if you don't mind, I would like to run some tests on him, but I need you to fill out some paperwork if you agree."
For the betterment of the wolf, Twilight agreed.
Though the paperwork process was very tedious, and extremely time-consuming, Twilight managed to sign her name on the very last document, just as soon as the nurse came back in to check on her progress.
"Is the paperwork all filled out?" Nurse Redheart asked with a smile. Twilight, yawning loudly, replied "yes, the paperwork is finally finished." Twilight handed the papers to Nurse Redheart, and she took them to the office after saying "you're free to go."
"Oh, and Nurse?" Twilight said, turning around with a smile. "Thanks"
"My pleasure." Said Nurse Redheart.
Twilight walked into the room to find Nyx asleep in a chair next to the wolf cub. The paperwork took so long that Nyx just couldn't stay awake any longer. Twilight picked Nyx up and put her on her back before leaving the hospital and going back home to the library.
She sneaked passed Spike and went to their bedroom. Twilight put Nyx into her bed, tucked her in, and then went to her bed to go to sleep.
It was a long night, and they were all very tired.
The next morning, Twilight had gotten up and gone down stairs to tell spike the whole story. He was skeptical at first, but eventually, he began to understand the situation.
"So, should we write to the Princess?" Asked Spike.
"Yes, we can't afford to keep this a secret." Said Twilight. "Nyx being an alicorn was easy to hide, but it would be more challenging to hide a wolf."
With that said, Spike picked up a pen and paper and began to write as Twilight began tell the story of last nights events, leaving out no details. when she was finished, Spike sent the letter.
Nyx came down stairs and said, "Good morning."
"Good morning, Nyx." Said Twilight and Spike, together.
Twilight and Spike told Nyx what was going to happen over the next few days involving the wolf cub they found. The plan was to keep an eye on the cub until the princesses replied to there letter with instructions of what to do with him.
Nyx protested about the the plan and said, "But what if they try to take him away?"
"Trust me Nyx, said Twilight. "If they take him, it will only be to look after him. Besides He's in no condition to go anywhere right now.
Just then, a knock came from the door. When Twilight answered it, Nurse Redheart was outside with a set of papers. "Hello Twilight, I hope I'm not interrupting anything." She said.
"Not at all." said Twilight. "What is it, hows the cub?"
Nurse Redheart frowned and said, "That's the thing. He's, well, maybe you should come with me."
Twilight, Nyx and Spike followed Nurse Redheart to the hospital. As they entered the room the wolf was staying in, their eyes widened at what they saw.
The wolf was standing on its back legs like a human, looking to be perfectly healthy. When he saw them, he began to wag his tail. Happy to see them, he walked over to them and smiled with excitement.
"Twilight, with her mouth open, tried to speak. But no words came out.
Nurse Redheart began and said, "He's made a surprising full recovery and is very enthusiastic. He's been helping around the Hospital by tending to the patients and playing games with the kids.
"When did this happen?" asked Twilight. "last we saw him, he was knocked out."
"He first woke up at sunrise." said Nurse Redheart. "He hasn't spoken yet, but he understands us pretty well. There is another thing you should see."
Nurse Redheart told the wolf to turn to his side. When he did, there was a cutiemark on his flank. It was a red paw print with a red ring around it.
Twilight, Nyx and Spike were speechless. No one has ever seen a wolf with a cuties mark. How was this possible?
"That's not even the disturbing part." Said Nurse Redheart, handing Twilight the papers.
The papers were X-Rays of the wolf's skeleton. Every bone in his body had magical symbols carved onto them. Twilight didn't even recognize them. They seemed to be a dead language.
Nurse Redheart continued and said, "His bones have also been thickened with a rare form of dark magic. Our doctor's have never seen anything like it. There's one more thing you should see."
Twilight followed Nurse Redheart to the table by the window sill. A half made synthetic leg lay on top of the table next to a flower pot of dirt.
"What is this?" Asked Twilight.
"It's his." Said Nurse Redheart. "There was a young baby tree planted in that pot. He used a transfiguration spell to forge the parts for this leg. It took our top doctor's years to study transfiguration spells, Twilight. Is there something your not telling me?"
Hesitant to reply, Twilight told Nurse Redheart Rainbowdash's scary story of Shadowflame. The Nurse listened intently as Twilight gave every detail of what she heard and what happened.
Nurse Redheart thought of what Twilight said, Looked back at the wolf and asked, "Is what she's saying accurate?"
The wolf nodded and repeated the word, "Accurate."
Just then, Spike burped a letter from Celestia. He opened it and read, "To my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. I need to talk to you and Your friends of this matter. I need to see the wolf cub personally. My sister and I will be there by Tomorrow. Please be careful, and don't gather any unnecessary attention."
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "What do you thinks the matter?" She asked.
"I'm not sure." Said Spike. "But I don't like it."
"Does this mean we might not keep him?" Asked Nyx
Twilight looked at her and said, "Nyx, we can't keep a wolf in the library. Besides, his parents might be out there, worried about him."
Nyx frowned and said, "But He's so cute and fluffy. Besides, if he had parents, why would they leave him there instead of helping him?'
"We don't know that for sure." Argued Twilight. "He could have just wondered too far from home."
Applejack, Rainbowdash and Rarity walked into the doorway with Scootaloo, Sweetiebelle, Applebloom, and Twist. They had just gotten back from the forest after the events of last night to check on the wolf cub. When they saw him, they had reacted just as Twilight did.
"He seems better." Said Applejack.
"How." Asked Rainbowdash. "He bit off his own leg when we found him."
Nurse Redheart Interjected and said, "Twilight told me about that. I have concluded that he did it because he wanted to defend Twilight and Applejack when Nyx was rustling in the bushes."
"Really." Asked Rarity.
"Yes." Nurse Redheart answered. "He realized he wasn't able to protect them as long as he was in the trap, so he tried to free himself by removing his caught foot."
"Well it looks like he's benefiting from that, because he's full of pep." commented Applejack, pointing at the wolf as he continued to wag his tail.
Twilight explained to her friends about what Celestia's letter said and what they might need to expect. The wolf at this point can't be fully trusted, so they shouldn't let him out of their sight. He seemed nice now, but he could try to hurt somepony if they get too close.
Nurse Redheart then gave Twilight the rest of the X-Rays and said, "Keep these to show to the princesses. maybe they can decipher the inscriptions."
Twilight thanked Nurse Redheart, took the X-Rays, and signed the release form for the wolf. She and her friends left the Hospital and went back to their homes. They were all tired from the long walk back to town. Twilight, Nyx, Spike and now the wolf cub, with his now finished synthetic leg, went back to the library to eat a late breakfast.
Twilight, Spike, Nyx, and the wolf spent the whole afternoon indoors, trying to keep away from any unwanted attention, just as Celestia had asked. Every now and again, the wolf had to hide upstairs from visitors who wanted to check out or return a library book.
Eventually Twilight's friends, Pinkiepie and Fluttershy had arrived after hearing what happened from the others. Pinkiepie kept her distance from the wolf, still suspicious of what the unsuspected problem would be. Fluttershy, however, Couldn't take her eyes off of the little cub.
There weren't many wolves in equestria, and she just couldn't help but ask questions of who he was, where are his parents, and what his name is. The wolf looked at her with wide eyes.
Twilight expected the cub to be silent, but to her surprise, He managed three words. "My name Teotle." His voice had a soft tender feel too it. It sounded kind, but also a bit nervous. His vocabulary needed work, but they understood him pretty well.
Fluttershy said, "Teotle? That's a very good name. Not one that I've heard before."
Pinkiepie slowly approached Teotle, trying not to blink, because if she did, then he would disappear and cause trouble.
She looked him dead center in the eyes and said, "I'm watching you!"
"Pinkie!" said Twilight. "He won't do anything bad. He's just a cub."
"I can't take any chances, Twilight. The knot in my tail has spoken." Said Pinkiepie.
"Well try not to scare the poor thing." Said Fluttershy, patting Teotle's head.
"Alright." Said Pinkiepie.
Teotle looked at Pinkeipie and said "I not know, what wrong?"
"A knot in my tail tells me that something bad will happen and we won't be able to fix it the easy way." Pinkiepie explained.
Teotle said, "I sorry, wish I could help."
"If you want to help, stay out of trouble." Said Pinkiepie. "Maybe its not you my tail is talking about."
Teotle shrugged and said, "I not even know how to get in trouble."
"Well then we have nothing to worry about." Said Twilight.
Nyx looked at Twlilight with pleading eyes and said "If it turns out that he wont be any trouble, can we keep him?"
Teotle began to wag his tail at the question, but Twilight argued and said, "I'm sorry Nyx, but even if he isn't dangerous, we still need to try to find his family."
Teotle frowned as his tail fell between his legs. He looked at the ground and said, "Family is gone."
The room was silent. what did he mean by gone? were they far away, did they leave him, or were they...
A knock came from the door, breaking the silence. Twilight opened the door to see Rarity on the other side.
"Rarity, what are you doing here?" Asked Twilight.
"I thought I'd check on the cub we found. He wasn't in the hospital, so I thought I'd check here." Said Rarity.
She walked inside to see Teotle, still looking at at ground. She then looked at his metal leg.
"Did nurse Redheart give him that?" Rarity asked.
Twilight smiled nervously and answered, "No, he made it with a transfiguration spell."
Rarity, Pinkiepie, and Fluttershy all looked at Twilight as if she had three heads.
"Transfiguration spell, how can a wolf do that?" Fluttershy asked.
Teotle smiled and looked up from the ground. He took off his synthetic arm and set it on the ground.
"I show you." He said, raising a paw as his claws began to glow.
The leg lifted off the ground and was floating in mid air. It disassembled and fell apart as he concentrated on reversing the spell. The parts then shifted and changed back into a little sapling tree.
Everypony watched with eyes wide and mouths hanging open. Teotle could use his claws to control magic. He didn't need a horn like a unicorn or an alicorn.
"Oh, that's nice." Rarity said through clenched teeth.
Twilight gave Rarity a nudge on the shoulder and whispered sarcastically, "Nice subtlety."
Rarity looked back at Twilight and said, "Twilight, dear, May we talk to you in private?"
Twilight hesitated, but soon nodded her head. She told Nyx, Spike and Teotle to go upstairs. Teotle remade his leg and followed the others to Twilight's room while she talked to Rarity, Pinkiepie, and Fluttershy.
"Um, Twilight?" Asked Fluttershy. "I know what Rarity told me and Pinkepie, but what do you know about Teotle?"
"Aside from his poor vocabulary." Rarity added.
"Your guess is as good as mine." Twilight explained. "We found him in the forest, stuck in an enchanted bear trap. He chewed off his own leg to escape, he healed over night and apparently he can use magic to make a new leg."
"Twilight, what exactly is your plan for Teotle?" Asked Rarity.
"We've already written to the princesses." Answered Twilight. "They say they'll be here tomorrow to find out what to do."
"Aren't you worried of what might happen?" Asked Pinkiepie. "What if they take him and send him off alone somewhere?"
"Oh, come on, I doubt they'll do something like that." Replied Twilight. "They'll most likely try to find his family, or another pack of wolves who will take him in."
"But Twilight, nopony has seen a wolf in equestria for a long time." Remarked Fluttershy. " He said his family was gone. What if there are no other wolves?"
"Well what's he doing here then?" Asked Twilight.
"We're just saying that this might be what Pinkiepie is talking about where there is no easy answer." Said Rarity.
Twilight thought about that for a while. There was no easy answer to this like they said. What if there are no other wolves? Could Pinkiepies knot mean this situation they're in now?
She looked at her friends and said, "Maybe your right, I don't even know how they're going to react to seeing his metal leg."
Rarity said "All were saying is to be ready for the worst, weather it be Nyx's disappointment for not keeping him, or Celestia's choice for Teotle's fate.
"I understand." said Twilight. "Thank you."
Twilight called Spike, Nyx and Teotle back downstairs. When they came down, Rarity asked Spike, "Could you bring me a book on basic vocabulary, dear?"
"Ok Rarity." Spike said giddily.
Spike grabbed a book off the bookshelf titled called (Proper Vocabulary for Fillies.)
"Thank you, Spike." Said Rarity.
"What are you going to do with that?"
Rarity smiled and said, "Try to fix Teotle's vocabulary. If he is to be presented to the princesses, he must talk, look, and sound the part."
A Visit from the Two Sisters
Rarity spent hours yesterday teaching Teotle proper vocabulary. He learned most of the rules of pronunciation pretty quickly, but it was still a bit patchy. Eventually Rarity got tired and promised to continue the lesson the next day. Teotle didn't want the lesson to end, but he didn't protest.
Rarity, Pinkiepie, and Fluttershy all left for home, leavng Twilight, Spike and Nyx with the wolf in question.
"So..." Twilight said, looking at the clock with the arrows facing 10:34 pm. "We should eat some dinner and get some sleep. How does celery soup sound?"
Nyx's eyes widened as she answered, "Yes please!"
"Sure, I'll get the stove going." Said Spike.
Teotle, however, tilted his head and asked, "What's soup?"
"Celery soup is my favorite food. Soup is a type of food where you dice and cut up veggies and cook them in Juices with spices." Answered Nyx.
"What juice?" Asked Teotle.
"Mostly it depends on what soup your making." Answered Spike from the kitchen. "Don't tell me you've never had soup before."
Teotle shook his head. "The food back home is nasty."
"Well, do you want to help and see how it's made?"
Teotle wagged his tail and answered, "Sure."
He and Nyx went to the kitchen and help Spike make a big batch of Celery soup. Teotle watched every step, and followed what Spike was telling him as the soup was made. When they all sat at the table, They each had a bowl of soup in front of them.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Asked Nyx, starting at her bowl. "Try it, Teotle."
Teotle picked up his spoon and took a sip of the soup. He savored the taste, swallowed and then began to eat more. He had never tasted anything better.
He and the others ate their soup and finished the whole batch before cleaning off the table and starting at the sink to wash their dishes.
After they washed the dishes, Twilight led them all upstairs into bed. Spike went into his basket as Twilight tucked Nyx into bed. But before she could go to bed herself, She looked at Teotle, wondering where he could sleep. He had crawled into the windowsill and stared outside.
"Teotle?" Twilight called out.
He turned to her and answered, "Yes?"
"Aren't you going to bed?" Twilight asked.
He looked back outside to the moon and said, "I don't sleep. When I do, I have nightmares."
"What are you afraid of?" Asked Twilight.
Teotle didn't answer for a while, until he finally said, "A prison."
Twilight was about to ask what he meant by that, but stopped herself. She was too tired to ask. Besides, the others were already falling asleep. So she turned away and went into her bed and soon followed Nyx and Spike to sleep."
When morning had arrived, everyone had woken up and went downstairs and eaten breakfast. Twilight new what was coming. Celestia and Luna were coming to see Teotle, so she and Spike worked to make the Library nice and clean for when the princesses arrive.
Nyx and Teotle were reading more of the book on vocabulary, trying learn more on how to speak properly.
By the time the library was presentable, Twilight's friends had arrived with the Cutiemark Crusaders.
Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetiebelle and Twist walked up to Nyx and Teotle.
After introducing themselves to him, he said, "Hi, I'm Teotle."
They all began to talk amongst themselves, while Twilight talked to he friends.
"So, you girls know what is going on here?"
"Yep, Rarity, Pinkiepie and Fluttershy told us the whole situation this morning." Said Applejack.
"So, he's feeling better?" Asked Rainbowdash.
"Yes, he's feeling much better." Answered Twilight.
Applejack looked at Teotle, unsure of what to think. She turned back to Twilight and asked, "Can we trust him?"
Twilight said, "I think so, he hasn't done anything wrong so far."
"The children seem to like him." Said Rarity. "So I don't see any reason to doubt him. He's very polite but also a bit timid, like Nyx when I first met her."
A knock came from the front door of the library. Twilight opened it and saw the princesses on the other side.
"Hello, Twilight." Said Celestia. "How are you all today?"
"We're doing ok." Twilight answered.
"How is Nyx?" Asked Luna. I hope she's been staying out of trouble."
Twilight chuckled under her breath and said, "She's doing good considering what happened over the past few days."
"That's why we're here." Celestia said. "We need to see the wolf you found."
Twilight stepped aside and allowed them to come inside. The princesses looked around the Library to see all of Twilights friends, but stopped when they turned to face Teotle."
Celestia looked at his synthetic arm and asked, "Where did he get that?"
Twilight's face blushed at Celestia's question. She didn't know about Teotle's magic powers until after she and Spike sent the letter to the princesses.
She looked up at Celestia and confessed, "I forgot to mention that he can use magic. He channeled it from his claws and turned a tree sapling into a metal leg to replace the one he lost from the bear trap."
"You mean the leg he chewed off?" Luna Asked.
"Um, well, yes." Twilight said, swinging one hoof in front of the other.
"How interesting." Celestia said, "I've never heard of a wolf using actual magic in such a way."
"What do you mean?" asked Twilight."
Celestia looked at Twilight and answered, "The wolves, who used to live in equestria, couldn't summon magic at will, they would have to use ancient hieroglyphics. There are those who still know it, like my sister and I, but we dare not speak it. The magic in those words are highly dangerous if not contained."
"How do you contain it?" Asked Twilight.
Celestia raised and eyebrow and asked, "Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering." Twilight replied.
Celestia continued, "Well, you would need an the words in writing, before you cast them. The written form of the words act at a seal, keeping you from using too much or too little of the magic it contains. Without the writing, the user would be corrupted."
Twilight nodded nervously and said, "Ok, then you should probably take a look at this."
Twilight pulled out Teotle's X-rays and cave them to Celestia. Her eyes widened when she saw the writing on his bones. Twilight then began to explain everything that wasn't in the letter they sent.
She told her about what Nurse Redheart said, the density of his bones, everything that she knew at this point. Celestia and Luna couldn't help but listen.
"Does anypony else know of this?" Asked Luna.
"No." Said Twilight.
"Sister..." Said Luna, looking at Celestia. "Could this be the one they're searching for?"
Celestia shook her head and replied, "I don't know for sure. But I know someone who will."
Twilight looked at her and ask, "Who?"
Celestia then replied, "We must speak with Zecora."
The legend of the Shadowfire
Twilight, her friends, and the princesses were taking Teotle to see Zecora. Celestia insisted that the fillies stay with Spike at the library while they get Teotle checked out. Nyx protested and wanted to come with them, but Twilight reassured her that they would only make sure he's ok. Eventually Nyx agreed and stayed put.
Teotle walked further up to where Luna was and asked, "What's it like to be a Princess?"
Luna looked down at the wolf and answered, "It can sometimes be a bit too much for one pony to be. It's nearly impossible to go about your day without ponies bowing and trying to look their best for just a casual meeting."
Teotle frowned and simply said, "Oh"
"But it does have its perks." Luna said with a grin. "You get no disrespect, you have ponies who love you and..."
"Love?"Asked Teotle, tilting his head, as if he didn't know the term.
"Yes, Love." Replied Luna, looking at Teotle with disbelief. "Do you not know what love is?"
Teotle said, "Not really."
Luna looked back at her sister for support but she only shook her head. She looked back at Teotle and said, "Well, love is something you feel toward someone who you care about. You'd do anything for them, protect them with everything you have."
Teotle smiled and said, "Like friends?"
"Yes, exactly." Said Luna. "It also includes family."
Teotle looked at the ground and said, "I don't have a family anymore."
"Why not?" Asked Luna, raising an eyebrow.
Teotle looked back at her and was about to speak, but before he could say anything, Twilight pointed a hoof forward and said, "We're here."
Twilight was pointing at Zecora's Tree house. When she walked over and knocked on the front door, there was no answer. She tried again, but still, nopony answered.
Before Twilight could knock a third time, they heard a voice speak in rhyme, saying, "Sometimes when there is no answer from the door, you must look back to where you were before."
Everypony turned around to find Zecora standing behind them, holding a basket of indigenous herbs and flowers from the Everfree Forest for one of her special recipes.
Zecora looked at the princesses and said, "I am humbled that so many friends have come visiting me, prey tell, what may I do for thee?"
Twilight shoved Teoltle forward and answered, "We need you to take a look at him."
Zecora's eyes lit up. She walked over to him and said, "Do my eyes play a trick on me, or is that a wolf I see?"
The cub extended a paw and said, "My name is Teotle."
Zecora hesitated, she didn't know what to expect, but she didn't want to be rude. So she shook his paw.
She then asked, "I need to know, from where did he go?"
Applejack answered, "Me and Twilight found him in the forest. We were on a camping trip up the mountains."
Then Twilight continued, "He was caught my a bear trap. It was enchanted by a very powerful magic."
Zecora looked at Teotles leg and asked, "How was he set free, was his real leg the fee?"
"He chewed it off when he heard rustling in the bushes." Applejack said. "We think he was trying to protect us."
"Zecora asked Teotle, "Is this true, what you did, of your leg, you got rid?"
Teotle nodded. Zecora then led everypony inside her house. She had her pot cooking a green glowing stew. wooden masks, potions, and decorations from Zecora's homeland surrounded the room.
Zecora placed the basket on the floor and began to stir the pot. "Is there more to see?" She asked. "What else have you not told me?"
Twilight showed Zecora the X-rays of Teotle's inscribed bones. She stopped stirring the pot and went to one of he shelves. She picked up a black colored potion and a scroll of the shelf. She laid the potion on the ground next to the pot and opened up the scroll.
"The inscriptions speak, of a dark magic, only one would seek."
"Who would want to use this magic on a baby wolf?" Asked Fluttershy.
"One who goes by a forgotten name, a tyrant known as Shadowflame." Zecora answered.
"The one from Rainbowdash's campfire story?" Asked Rarity.
Zecora answered, "The story that wasn't so merry, was never told just to be scary."
"What does that mean?" Asked Twilight. "Is he Shadowflame?"
"Not quite, allow me to bring the answer into the light." Said Zecora. "When his rein of terror over the wolves was at it's end, he found a way to defend. He took on six of their finest woman, and set in motion, plan to protect his dominion."
"How does having six wives save his rein?" Asked Rainbowdash.
"The wives bore offspring, to resurrect the fallen king." Zecora answered. "Shadowflame's children each represents, what is fortold, the seven deadly elements."
"I know those elements" Celestia began. "Pride, lust, gluttony, envy, greed, sloth, and wrath."
"Very good, I'm glad you understood." Said Zecora.
"So, are we to suspect that Teotle is one of these children?" Asked Luna.
"Don't make the time to decide so slim, why not ask him?"
Every pony looked to face Teotle, who was wondering the room, looking at all the decorations. He looked back at them and smiled.
"I like this place." He said.
Twilight walked up to him and asked, "Teotle, did you hear what we were just talking about?"
Teotle said, "Sure, I was listening."
Twilight then asked, "Well, so you know about shadowflame?"
"Yes." Said Teotle. "Mom and the Sisters of The Shadow talked about him a lot."
"Sisters of The Shadow?" Asked Celestia.
Teotle put one paw over his mouth, realizing too late that he brought up a sensitive topic.
He frowned and said, "They are the stewards left in charge of my homeland. They told me and my six siblings that we were meant to fight until only one was left."
"Fight who?" Asked Pinkepie.
Teotle looked at her and said, "Each other."
Everypony was silent. What did he mean, they had to fight each other until only one was left? Did he mean to the death? Why would they fight?
Zecora then said, "It is foretold, that the child remaining will have much power to hold. Shadowflame lives in each heart, and will keep them alive until they fulfill their part. The role they play is a universal hack, the forging of a vessel to bring their father back."
The Sisters of The Shadow
While Twilight and her friends were at Zecora's home, a darker gathering has dawned. Five female wolves were gathered in a fortress outside Equestia's borders. They all sat in a circle of chairs, facing each other in a big council room.
A silver and black wolf named Deathkiss asked, "What news have you from the search team, Desiree?"
Desiree, a light brown wolf, replied, "Nothing yet sister, my pack is still searching, they are laying traps to draw him out as we speak."
"Traps?" Yelled Cut-throat, a light brown and white wolf. "We need him intact for our masters resurrection!"
"Calm yourself." Remarked Smoke, a dark grey wolf. "If he's injured, it will only make the battle easier for us."
"You mean for your son?" Asked Deathkiss. "Your over confidence in him will lead to his demise."
"Spare me your words sister. Smoke replied. "Brimstone can defeat Teotle with or without him being injured. He will also defeat your daughter, Fracture, very soon."
"Really?" Asked Eveningstar, a brown wolf with blue high lights. "Does that make your son Shadowflame, himself?"
"Don't you start too." Smoke snapped. "Your son has already lost in the arena."
Just then, a messenger entered the room, interrupting the sisters bickering.
Smoke asked, infuriatingly, "What is it?"
"Forgive me mistresses." said the messenger. "But we found something you might want to see."
"Well?" Asked Deathkiss. " What are you waiting for? Bring it forward!"
The messenger signaled for a scout from the search team to enter the room. The scout wore a set of saddle bags. He reached inside the bag and pulled out Teotle's dismembered leg.
"What is that?" Asked Eveningstar raising an eyebrow.
"This was caught in one of the traps we left near ponyville." Said the scout, pulling out the bear trap from his saddle bags. "The leg still has traces of our leader. Its Teotle's."
The sisters looked at each other.
Smoke asked, "Does sister Frost know of this discovery?"
"No mistress." said the scout.
"You've done us great honor, tracking him to Equestria." Said Desiree.
"Take the traces of our master from the leg and use them to find the child." Said Deathkiss. "They an my search team are at your disposal."
"Thank you mistresses, at once." Said the scout, giving them a bow.
"Oh and one more thing." Said Smoke. "Have the leg delivered to Sister frost immediately after the traces are taken. She will want to know that her son has been found."
"Is that really necessary?" Asked Cut-throat. "The poor thing hasn't slept in days. Shouldn't we at least spare her the grief till tomorrow?"
"Fine." Agreed Smoke with a snarl. "Scout, make it so."
The scout and messenger bowed to the sisters and left the room.
"Sisters Desiree and Deathkiss." Said Smoke. "I want you and your packs to set your eyes on Ponyville. He may have gone to them for help after his injury from the trap. Go with them and find him by any means necessary."
"As you wish sister." Replied Desiree. "We will leave tomorrow after we pack the provisions needed to catch him."
"I will ready my wolves now." Said Deathkiss. "it will be good to get some fresh air."
"Good." Said Smoke. "Soon, you ride for Ponyville, and once the ritual is compete, we will have our king back."
Meanwhile,
Back at Zecora's house, everypony looked at her, silently. Zecora had just told them of how Teotle and the other children of the Sisters of the Shadows must fight until one is left to resurrect Shadowflame, the tyrant of the wolf pack.
Twilight eventually asked, "What do we do?"
Celestia answered, "There is good news of this situation. We have Teotle with us. Shadowflame can't be reborn unless there is one remaining child. If he is here and he isn't Shadowflame, then that means there is at least one other child left."
"Meaning what?" Asked Applejack.
"We keep him safe in our care until we find a way to stop the wolves." Said Luna.
"Only one question remains though." Said Celestia. "Who will watch over him? My sister and I cannot bring him to Canterlot, for the citizens will have a panic. They might want him as a prisoner rather than a guest. We need to send him somewhere so he won't cause trouble. Perhaps he could stay with one of you, under supervision?"
"Don't look at me." Said Applejack. "Granny Smith is a tad superstitious about wolves coming at night to attack the cows."
"I don't think I could watch him either." Said Fluttershy. Don't get me wrong, he's very cute, but I don't think many of my animal friends would like him that much."
"He can't fly." Said Rainbowdash. he'll be kind of hard to watch while I manage the weather."
All of Twilight's friends had some excuse not to watch Teotle. Some were reasonable, while others were a little over fetched.
Eventually Twilight asked, "What about me?"
Celesta turned to her and asked, "Do you trust him?"
"Not really..."Said Twilight, nervously. "But Nyx and her friends do."
Celestia and Luna looked at each other, nodded, and then back at Twilight, smiling.
Celestia said "Well, that's good enough for us."
It was late in the day at Ponyville, the princesses had left royal guards to covertly watch Teotle as he stayed with Twilight, Nyx and Spike. Their friends had all gone home for the day, and they were getting dinner ready.
"What's the plan tonight?" Asked Nyx, holding a hoof to her stomach as it growled.
"Tonight, we're having some hayburgers." Said Twilight.
"You can have that." Said Spike. "I'm in the mood for just a sandwich."
"What about you, Teotle?" Asked Nyx.
Teotle was looking out the window at the moon, like last night. His eyes were fixed on it's glowing light.
He was silent at first, until he finally said, "I'll have a sandwich."
Nyx felt uneasy toward him at that moment. She walked up to were he was sitting on the windowsill.
"Teotle, whats wrong?" She asked.
His eyes didn't falter from the moon as he heard Nyx. He simply answered, "I was told to look at the moon when I'm troubled."
Nyx raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's troubling you?"
"My mother." He answered.
His words were calm, but Nyx could tell that he was sad on the inside.
"Is she ok?" Nyx asked.
Teotle turned away from the moon and looked at Nyx. He answered, "I don't know. That's what bothers me."
Just then, Spike announced that dinner was served. Teotle jumped from the windowsill and walked to the table before Nyx could ask anything else. Eventually she just decided to leave the seemingly sensitive subject alone for now. She joined the others at the dinner table and they all began to eat dinner.
Meanwhile,
Celestia and Luna had arrived back at Canterlot from ponyville. They both were famished, so they decided to get some dinner of there own. They waited in the throne room as a servant brought them their food.
After they finished eating, a knock came from the door on the other end of the hall.
"Come in." Replied Celestia.
The door opened and Nexus, the headmaster of the academy for gifted unicorns and the old leader of the children of nightmare, entered the thrown room with his head down in respect.
He looked up to them and said, "Forgive me for the interruption, your highness's, but I must request an audience."
"Please rise, Nexus." Said Luna, "You're embarrassing yourself."
Nexus stood up straight, cleared his throat and said, "Thank you. I have just received word, from one of your escorts, that a wolf has been found in equestria. Is this true?"
"Yes, Nexus." Said Celestia. "It is true. Why, is something wrong?"
"Your Highness, if word leaks out that wolves have returned to equestria, and that you let it stay here..."
"He." Celestia corrected.
"Princess." Nexus continued. "There could be an uproar among the citizens if this gets out to the public."
"We are aware of that." Said Luna. "But they have nothing to fear at the moment."
"Teotle is a kind and gentle cub." commented Celestia. "If word does reach the public's ear that a mere cub is about, they will only have minor concerns and rumors, nothing more."
"But, your highness." Nexus pleaded.
"Enough, Nexus." Celestia called out in a firm but caring tone. "Haven't we always succeeded during a crisis?"
"Yes." Nexus replied weakly. "But what if this cub ends up being transformed like nightma..."
"Nyx did turn into a threat at first, yes." Said Luna. "But only because everypony was misinformed of the situation, and she was misguided by the children of nightmare. This time, we will not falter."
Nexus hung his head in regret, from the mention of the children of nightmare. The memory of the cult that he once lead to resurrect nightmare moon hung around his neck like a metal collar.
"It will be alright, Nexus." Celestia reassured. "We won't let Teotle slip into enemy hands as we did Nyx."
"I will trust your judgement, your highness's." Nexus replied, giving a final bow before leaving the throne room.
"Sister?" Asked Luna. "I don't doubt that your student will prevail in protecting Teotle, but what if he decides to leave and go back to the enemy? What if we're..."
"No, sister." Celestia said softly. "I sensed no deception in his heart."
"But what if he looses faith in us?" Asked Luna. "If he eventually feels like we can't protect him, if we don't care for him, what will he do?"
"He has a strong will." Said Celestia. "He won't easily lose hope in us. Besides, he has somepony to hold onto."
"Who?" Luna asked.
"He has Nyx and her friends." Celestia answered. "They care dearly of him. I doubt they will likely leave him astray."
Luna thought about it for a moment. Eventually she shook her head in agreement.
"You're right, Celestia." Said Luna. "I've helped those fillies in their dreams. I've seen their hearts. They will be perfect for him."
The sisters agreed and went down the hall to the next room. But little did they know, a spy from the wolves had been listening from the raptors of the ceiling. He heard everything they said. He soon left canterlot, unnoticed, and was on his way back to the fortress.
The next day, after the princesses let Teotle stay in ponyville, He and Nyx were at the tree house with the Cutiemark Crusaders. They were all having a meeting on how Sweetebelle, Scootaloo, and Appelbloom were going to get their own cutiemarks.
They had some ideals, such as building, styling, being nurses, even fire fighters. Some seamed ok, but others, they already tried, were too simple, or seamed too dangerous. Eventually, they adjourned the meeting and went to the park.
They were kicking a kickball, that Twilight had gotten Teotle, and playing filly in the middle. Scootaloo was in the middle while the others were kicking the ball to eachother, trying not to let her get it. Nyx passed the ball to Teotle, who kicked the ball a little too hard and shot it up in then air over Sweetiebelle's head.
The ball bounced down the park way and landed next to two fillies that they knew all too well. The ball was picked up by Diamond Tiara with Silver Spoon, who looked less than pleased to see Cutiemark Crusaders having fun.
Teotle ran up to them, smiled, and said, "Thank you for catching our ball."
"Your ball?" Asked Diamond Tiara, raising an eyebrow.
"I think you man our ball." Said Silver Spoon.
"Hey!" Shouted Nyx. "You can't take that. That's his."
"As if, Nightmare Moon." Diamond Tiara laughed under her breath. "What would a mutt need a ball for?"
"Teotle isn't a mutt!" Applebloom protested.
"Oh my gosh!" Said Silver Spoon. "You named this thing?"
"I'm not a thing." Teotle said softly.
"Oh yeah?" Asked Diamond Tiara. "If your not a thing, then you'd be smart enough to get your ball back."
Diamond Tiara threw the ball up into a tree. It stuck to the highest branch and stayed there. She and Silver Spoon turned their back's to Teotle and began walking away.
"Good luck getting it down, mutt." Said Diamond Tiara, laughing as they walked down the path back to town.
Scootaloo grunted and said, "Those rotten little..."
Teotle put his paw on Scootaloo's back to calm her down. "Why do they do that?" He asked.
"Because their bullies." Said Sweetiebelle.
"Bullies?" Teotle asked.
"You know, bullies." Applebloom commented. "They pick on others."
"Why?" Teotle asked.
"Because they can." Answered Twist.
"That's not a reason." Teotle protested. "That's like saying water is wet because it's a liquid."
The fillies looked at him in wonder. What did he mean by that? It didn't make sense to them.
"What are you saying?" Asked Nyx.
"Anyone can choose to be a bully." Said Teotle. "That doesn't mean they should. So, why are they bullies?"
The fillies were dumbfounded. They didn't know the answer.
"Does it matter?" Asked Scootaloo. "They called you and Nyx names and got your ball stuck in a tree."
"Did they?" Asked Teotle.
Just then, the ball levitated in front of them, surrounded by a blue magical fire. The ball dropped in Teotle's paws.
He passed it to Nyx and said, "They only have power over you if you let them."
The others looked back at the ball, then back at Teotle.
"I want to know what makes them do that." Teotle said.
"How?" Asked Twist.
"Wait here." Said Teotle. I'll be right back."
Teotle turned to the direction that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon went and began to track them down. When he finally found them, he followed them, occasionally hiding at the first sign of being discovered.
Eventually, after a few blocks, they stopped. Diamond Tiara then shouted, "Get out here, mutt!"
Teotle knew he was caught. He stepped out of hiding and asked, "How long have you known I was there?"
"Long enough to know how creepy you are." Diamond Tiara replied.
"Wait, you were following us?" Asked Silver Spoon.
Diamond Tiara glanced back at Silver Spoon in annoyance, then back at Teotle.
"Why are you following us?" Diamond Tiara demanded. "Shouldn't you and those blank flanks be getting your ball out of the tree?"
"I got it back down. I thought you said it was your ball anyway." Teotle said with a playful grin.
Diamond Tiara gritted her teeth and said, "What would a mutt like you know about it?"
"It tells me that your way of thinking is inconsistent." Said Teotle. " You two bully other, and I want to know why. You say things and then you contradict yourself by saying something else."
"So?" Diamond Tiara snapped.
"Your trying to cover something else up." Teotle said. "I can feel it. Something troubles you."
"Why's that?" Diamond Tiara asked "What could I possibly be hiding?"
"First off, you're getting angry when I make my point." Teotle answered. "Second, the only thing I can tell, is that it has something to do at home. Your family, perhaps?"
Diamond Tiara's jaw dropped. She tried to recover her ground by saying weakly, "That's not true. But lets just say if it were, how would you know that?"
Teotle gave a sigh and said, "Because I have trouble's back at home, outside of Equestria's borders."
"Really?" Asked a snooty voice, coming from behind Teotle.
Diamond Tiara's face suddenly went from angry to frightened. When Teotle looked behind him, he saw a mare with a muddy sand colored coat and light purple eyes and a white and light blue main. It was Diamond Tiara's mother, Mrs Spoiled Rich
"And what trouble might you be having?" Spoiled Rich asked with a glare.
Teotle was silent. he didn't know what to say, weather it be about how he was sent away from home, or the fact that he's being hunted by his family.
Soiled Rich scoffed and said, "That's what I thought. You know? Diamond Tiara is right. You are a mutt."
She walked passed Teotle, flicking him in the face with her tail and walking toward her daughter and asked her, "Why do you waste time debating with his kind and those blank flanks about our family? A mare of quality must never associate with the commoners.
His kind? Commoners? A mare of quality? Bank flanks? The words echoed in Teotles mind for a long moment, until it finally hit him. He now knew what the problem was."
"Its you." He whispered.
Spoiled Rich turned back at him and snared, "What did you say?"
"You're what she fears." Teotle explained. "What you said is what convinced me."
"Convinced you at what?" Soiled Rich asked, speaking in a tone to try to intimidate Teotle.
"I'm convinced that you're why she picks on others." He said. "You think and act as if your a princess, and what's worst, you try to make Diamond Tiara follow in your footsteps, to be as bitter as you."
Ponies who were walking by had stopped to listen to the conversation. eventually they were gathering in groups.
Spoiled Rich looked around in a panic, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "I refuse to be lectured by vermin about how to raise my child. Come ,girls, we're leaving."
Spoiled Rich lead Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon out of the crowd. and they made there way down the street.
Teotle had gone back to his friends after his encounter with Spoiled Rich. He explained to them the whole story, connected all the dots, and told them the truth behind Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoons constant bullying.
"So, Diamond Tiara was taught to be mean by her mom?" Asked Applebloom "And her her mom is way worse than she is?"
"Yes." Teotle answered. "Spoiled Rich thinks she and her family is better then everypony else. Diamond Tiara is just doing what she's told out of fear."
"That's not right." Nyx complained.
"So that's were she gets it from." Said Scootaloo.
"What do we do?" Asked Twist.
"I say we set this right." Said Sweetiebelle.
"Agreed." said Teotle. "It will only get worst as Spoiled Rich’s grip around Diamond Tiara's throat tightens."
"But how to we do that?" Asked Nyx.
"I have a plan." said Teotle, signalling for the fillies to huddle up.
However, before he could explain the plan, screams came from town. Teotle and the others ran down the path to see what was happening. What they saw, however, only made them freeze.
Wolf scouts were running around ponyville, led by sisters Desiree and Deathkiss. Teotle knew all too well what they were here for. They came to find and recover him, and they would kill anypony who stood in their way.
Many of the towns folk were either running for their homes, or were lined up side by side on their knees, held hostage by the scouts. To make matters worse, none of the guards that the princesses sent had arrived to Ponyville yet.
"What do we do?" asked Twist.
Teotle was too horrified to speak. He lead them here, and now others were paying the price for it. He knew deep down what he had to do.
"You all stay here." Teotle demanded.
"What?" The fillies all asked at once.
"What are you doing, Teotle?" Nyx asked, putting a hoof on Teotle's shoulder in an attempt to stop him.
Teotle brushed off Nyx's hoof and said, "Trust me."
Teotle walked out into the public and shouted to get the wolves attention.
"Hey!' He said. "You want me? Here I am! Just let them go!"
The wolves turned to his direction.
"You are in no position to give orders boy." said Deathkiss. "We can kill whom ever we wish."
Some of the wolves began to draw swords and axes, holding them to the necks of the hostages.
At first, Teotle was quiet, until he raised his paw and said, "No, you can't" He gripped his paw into a fist of blue fire, and instantly all the wolves, holding the ponies captive, began to wince and moan, as their minds began to twist and bend to Teotle's will.
The wolves now raised their weapons to Desiree and Deathkiss.
"Impossible." Whispered Deathkiss.
"Leave them alone!" Teotle shouted. "Go away and never come back!"
Desiree laughed and said, "Not a bad trick, but like we said, you have no say."
She then took a sword from one of the possessed Wolves and She lunged at Teotle with it. Teotle had managed to block the attack with his metal leg, but the force of the blow made him stumble to the ground.
Desiree swung again, this time, aiming for Teotle's legs. If he wouldn't come willingly, then she would drag his limbless body to her fellow sisters. She managed to cut into Teotle's back legs, but his bones were so dense, as explained by Nurse Redheart, that the sword didn't cut all the way trough.
Teolte screamed from the pain. His thick bones held together, but his muscles and tendons were cut. He couldn't move, so he did the only thing he could do. He comanded the possessed wolves to charge and fight Desiree. They began to swing there weapons wildly as they overpowered Her. Deathkiss jumped in the battle in an attempt to help Desiree. They both were out numbered, the wolves eventually stopped, pointing their weapons at the sisters to keep them at bay.
"Had enough?" Teotle asked, while trying to heal his wounds with magic.
Deathkiss and Desiree looked at Teotle from in between the wolves.
"You can't escape your destiny." Said Desiree.
"Maybe not." Teolte admitted, "But I can do what I can to protect them. Take your scouts and leave, now!"
Deathkiss stared at him, but eventually called back the rest of the wolves and gave the order to retreat.
"This isn't over, child." She groaned.
"I know." Teolte said trying to get to his feet.
He released the wolves from his control, and as they regained themselves, they fled. Deathkiss and Desiree both followed their packs away from town, where everypony stared at Teotle, silent and still where they stood. Only after Nyx and her friends came out of hiding, cheering, did the silence break. The ponies all began at Teotle, asking how he did it.
Eventually, Twilight appeared, pushing and shoving through the crowed to see if Teotle and the fillies were ok.
"Teotle, Nyx, what happened?" Twilight asked.
"I'll tell you." Said an old stallion. It was Filthy Rich, Diamond Tiara's father. "Your wolf cup, saved us from a gang of a whole pack of other wolves"
Twilight turned to look at the little wolf cub, raising an eyebrow. "How?"
Just then, Diamond Tiara appeared from behind her father and said, "He used some kind of mind control spell to make the wolves let everypony go and leave town. We saw the whole thing from inside the diner."
Twilight looked at Nyx and asked, "Is this true?"
Nyx answered nervously, "Yes."
Twilight looked at Teotle, thinking back at Rainbowdash's story, and how Shadowflame supposedly possessed his victims. But before she could make any decisions on what to do, Spoiled Rich went up to her.
"This is what your mutt has brought to equestria, wolf uprisings and open war!" She yelled.
"Sweatheart!" Rich protested, putting a hoof on Teotle's shoulder. "This cub saved the town from those wolves."
"Did you think of why they were here?" Spoiled Rich asked.
Everypony in the crowd looked at each other.
"Those brutes followed him here." She continued. "We won't be safe unless he leaves town and takes them with him."
"Enough, dear." Rich Said. "It may be true that they're after him, but that is all the more reason why he shouldn't leave. Who knows what they're planning."
"Your husbands right." Said Twilight. "The princesses are sending royal guards to watch over ponyville until those wolves are stopped. So there's nothing to worry about."
Spoiled Rich scoffed and said, "Says the pony raising Nightmaremoon."
"Mom!" Diamond Tiara protested. "Don't call Nyx that name!"
Spoiled Rich glared at her daughter and said, "What did you say?"
"You've been acting like a high horse, treating everypony like they're beneath you." Said Diamond Tiara. "Its not right. earlier, today, Teotle said you're the reason I'm not nice to others. You know what? He's right, I'm afraid that if I don't follow in your footsteps, I won't earn your respect."
Spoiled Rich looked around at the crowd. They were whispering to each other, gossiping about them. They've all seen how she treats Diamond Tiara when Filthy Rich isn't around.
She looked back at her daughter and said, "Diamond Tiara, I had no idea."
"I understand if you didn't believe me. I am the first wolf to come to equestria in years, after all." said Teotle. "I knew that the only person who could convince you was your daughter, herself."
"Diamond Tiara, sweetheart, I will always love you." Said Spoiled Rich "I'm so sorry that I made you think that was something you had to earn."
Diamond Tiara ran into her mother and father's embrace, tears of joy falling from her eyes.
She then walked to Teotle and said, "Thank you. Silver Spoon and I are sorry to you and your friends for everything."
Teotle, Nyx and their friends all gave their two new friends a big friendly hug. Everypony was still a bit confused about what Teotle did, none more so than Twilight, who knew for a fact that this adventure was far from over.
Back at the wolf's Fortress outside of Equestria, Smoke was training her son, Brimstone, expecting Teotle to arrive soon. They were sparring each other. Brimstone used a flail with a skull on the end, instead of a metal spike ball, while Smoke used a training sword.
Brimstone attacked first, but Smoke countered, hit his back, and knocked him to the ground.
"Remember, my son." Said Smoke. "What is the strategy I taught you in the beginning?"
"Always watch your enemy, and never let them get out of your sight." Brimstone answered. "Never let them strike first, for one strike is all it takes to lose."
"Exactly." Smoke Replied.
Just then, Deathkiss and Desiree entered the room. Smoke turned to them.
"What is it?" she demanded.
"Sister, we need to talk." Said Deathkiss.
Smoke looked back at her son and told him to train with the dummy on the corner. She walked with her fellow sisters out of the training room and into the hallway.
"This better be good." She said. "Have you brought back Teotle?"
"That's the problem." Said Desiree. "Our master powers have manifested within him."
"So?" Asked Smoke. "All seven of our children have a part of master's powers."
"No, you don't understand." Deathkiss said. "He shares the power of possession with your son."
Smoke's eyes widened. "What else have you kept from me?"
"Not kept." Desiree replied. "He possessed many of our troops an made them fight us."
"He also seems to have forged a new leg out of metal." Commented Deathkiss.
Smoke huffed. She couldn't believe her ears. "Well then, if what you say is true, then my son and I will bring him in ourselves."
"You won't get very far now." Said Deathkiss. "Canterlot guards will be watching the borders by now."
"Don't forget, word has gotten out of guards in ponyville." Desiree added. "We were lucky to get there our selves."
Smoke laughed and said, "If there are guards there, We'll crush them."
"Are you going to go tonight?" Asked Deathkiss.
"Why?" Asked Smoke. "He's not going anywhere."
Back at Ponyville.
It had been two days since the attack. The guards had finally arrived, and they watched closely for any signs of distress. Some of the ponies didn't like that they were there though. They were annoyed with Teotle for a while, because he was the reason the guards were there in the first place.
Twilight was ever watchful of Teotle after learning that he can possess others. She tried to research mind control spells and the type of magic he uses, even having him explain how he does it. However, she reached a stand still in the search, because nopony has ever heard of a wolf using magic in the first place, or any magic that took the form of fire.
Nyx, Teotle, and their friends had begun hanging out with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon now. It wasn't really what Twilight would encourage at first, but in the end, she was happy to see them all having fun.
After quitting her research, Twilight decided to hang out with her own friends. Spike had arranged for the others to meet them at Sugarcube Corner, so she walked out the door and began her trip down the street.
As she made her way down town, ponies were looking at her direction as she went by, not saying a word. The silence was almost deafening. when she finally made it to Sugarcube Corner, her friends had already picked a table inside. Pinkieipie waved her over with a hoof.
"Hey girls, what's up?" Twilight asked.
"Not much." Replied Rainbowdash. "Just waiting on you."
Rarity pulled Twilight a chair and she sat down. The friends all talked for what seemed like hours about all the things that has happened over the past few days.
Rarity was working on a new batch of dresses.
Rainbowdash was learned a new flying trick.
Pinkiepie has been helping Applejack with the apple crops.
Fluttershy had also made some new animal friends.
Twilight, however, just did her research. it seemed that all she was thinking of was Teotle's magical powers. Nyx noticed it too, but Spike just told her Twilight will calm down soon. Still, Nyx couldn't help but worry, and neither could Twilight's friends.
'Well shoot, sugarcube." Said Applejack. "You need to find something else to focus on."
"I know." Twilight replied. "Its just that if I leave Teotle unchecked, he'll get in trouble. The townsfolk already have suspicions of who he is."
"Why not just tell them?" Asked Fluttershy.
"Tell them what?" Asked Twilight. "That he's he son of a wolf king bent on taking over Equestria, and that there's a bounty on his head between his siblings?"
"Well, they got to know the truth sometime." commented Pinkiepie.
"Maybe telling the truth is a good Idea, dear." said Rarity. "After all, not everypony thinks he's a monster. In fact, some even cheered for him when he drove away the wolves during the attack."
Then Applejack said "They have a point. Besides, the rumors will only get worse as time goes by."
"How would we go about telling them?" Asked Twilight
"Maybe I could offer some advice?" Said Mrs Cake, who was laying a plate of cupcakes on the table. "Why not have the mayor arrange a town meeting?"
Twilight and her friends looked at her in shock.
"Have you been listening the whole time?" Asked Pinkiepie.
"Oh, sorry." Said Mrs Cake, blushing. "I over heard you talking and I thought I should help. Teotle is such a dear. He and Nyx were here with their little friends, helping me bake a cake. He was actually really polite for his age."
"You can thank Rarity for that." Twilight chuckled. "Anyway, that sounds like a great idea, thanks."
"My pleasure." Mrs. Cake replied.
"So it's settled." Twilight announced. "We're arranging a town meeting."
After socializing at Sugarcube Corner, Twilight and her friends had arranged a town meeting with the mayor. The meeting would take place in the town hall. Twilight would introduce Teotle and explain to everypony what the stakes are. After everypony in town had arrived, Applejack and Pinkiepie gathered everypony who have already met Teotle, and those who have gotten to know him.
The mayor took the stage, a spotlight shined on her as she announced, "Citizens of Ponyville, you are probably wondering why I've arranged a town meeting on such short notice. Allow me to introduce Ms. Twilight Sparkle." The mayor had pointed a hoof at Twilight and another spotlight shined on her. She was walking up onto the stage and stood next to the mayor..
Twilight was a little nervous at first, she took a deep breath and said, "Hello everypony, I'm Twilight."
"Aren't you the pony who is currently in charge of keeping Nightmare Moon at bay?" Asked a pony in the crowd.
Twilight frowned and said, "Yes, but her name is Nyx, and she's my daughter. That's not why we're here though. We're here to talk about a friend of mine. someone that I've been watching over for the past week. To those who don't know him, I'd like you to meet Teotle."
Another light shined on the stage, this time on Teotle, who was sitting in a chair. He shook like a leaf as some ponies in the crowd gasped at him. They haven't known about him until now and were starting to get anxious. Teotle looked behind him where Nyx was watching from behind the stage. She smiled and used her hoof to signal for him to turn back around and make a good impression with the crowd.
"What is that thing?" Asked another pony from the crowd.
"He isn't a thing." Replied Twilight. "He's a baby wolf. He has feelings just like everypony does."
"Where did you find him?" Asked another crowed member.
Twilight answered, "Well, let me start from the beginning."
From there Twilight began the telling the story from the past week. She explained to everypony about the legend of Shadowflame, and how he'll return if Teotle is taken back. Some ponies asked questions about Teotle, like whether or not he's safe, what happened to his leg, or if the princesses know about him, and Twilight and her friends did the best they could to answer all of them.
Mr and Mrs. Cake told the crowd how Teotle helped with baking and how good he is with their kids. Affluent said how Teotle helped her reconnect with Diamond Tiara, and drove away the wolf scouts. Ditsy Dew talked about how he helped reorganize the mail after she dropped a stack of envelopes. Every pony who was on stage had good things to say, and eventually, the crowed agreed on how good he was.
"So we all know why we want him to stay here?" Asked the mayor. "Raise your hoof if you want him to stay."
When the ponies raised their hooves, Pinkie counted them all and said, "Wow, good start."
The mayor then said, "Now, raise your hoof if you think he should leave."
When the other majority raised their hooves, Pinkiepie counted them, did some calculations in her head and then said, "Well it's official."
Everypony waited for the answer, but Pinkiepie was silent for a while.
"Well?" asked Twilight. "Whats the answer?"
"Huh? Oh right." Pinkiepie replied. "I did the math and we have now decided that Teotle will..."
Just then two crowds member asked the change their vote to let Teotle stay.
"Ok, everypony." Pinkie said. "With those that last vote, it is now official that Teotle will stay in Ponyville."
With that said, many crowd members began to cheer and shout. Many were happy that Teotle could stay.
Twilight then looked at Pinkiepie and asked, "Wait a minute, it was decided by one vote?"
"Yeparoo." Pinkie said, pulling out a confetti cannon and shooting it into the air.
Twilight couldn't help but think about it all day after the meeting. How could the town favor him by a single vote? How many ponies were there who didn't like him? Who were they? This rang in Twilight's head all the way home. Teotle and Nyx were content, talking about how excited they were about today. Twilight was glad to see Nyx and Teotle happy, so she tried to wait until tomorrow to worry about the meeting.
When they arrived back at the library, it was late at night. They went inside and went straight upstars to get ready for bed. It had been a long day. Not only did Twilight study for hours, hang out with her friends, and organize a town meeting, but she also spent alot of tme answereing some lingering question from the members of the crowd. It all took a toll on her.
Twilight tucked Nyx into bed and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Goodnight Nyx." She said
"Goodnight Twilight." Nyx replied with sigh.
Twilight was on her way to her bed when she looked at Teotle. He was watching the moon from the windowsill, just as he has every night since he arrived in ponyville.
"Teolte?" Twilight asked
"Yes?" Teoltle replied.
Twilight went up to him and asked, "Are you ok, don't you ever sleep?"
"No." Teotle answered.
"Why not?" said Twilight
"I've had nightmares ever since my mother sent me away." Teotle explained. "I dream of her, my only family, dying by the hands of my father, Shadowflame."
Twilight jumped up onto the windowsill and sat next to Teotle. "He isn't your father, you know. At least not a very good one."
"What do you mean?" Teotle asked.
"Fathers are supposed to raise you and keep you safe, not use you to bring themselves back to life." Twilight said, putting a hoof onto his shoulder. "Teotle, you have more family than you know. You have Nyx, Spike, Owlicious, Peewee and I."
Teotle looked away from the moon and replied, "Really?"
"Oh of course." Twilight replied. "Family is the people you hold dearest in your heart, and they protect each other."
Teotle then asked, "If family protect each other, can we try to protect my mother? She doesn't want me to be Shadowflame, and she sacrificed herself so I could escape."
Twilight smiled and said, "When we get the chance, we'll help her. I promise."
Tears began to from in Teotle's eyes at that promise. He gave Twilight a hug and said, "Thank you, Twilight. I think I can sleep now."
Teotle jumped down from the window and lay down on the rug in the middle of the room.
Twilight rolled her eyes and said, "Teotle?"
"Yes?" He answered.
"Go ahead into bed with Nyx." Twilight demanded. "You shouldn't have your first sleep in a week on the floor."
Teotle wagged his tail, went over to Nyx, and climbed onto the foot of the bed. Twilight sighed and went to bed soon after.
When morning came, Teotle woke up from a good dream. He dreamed of being in the snow with Nyx and their friends. He had never seen snow from his homeland, because they didn't have snow there. But Nyx had told Teotle of what snow is like. It was cold, but fun to play in. she also spoke of the annual Hearthswarming Eve celebration, where everypony spends time with family and give presents.
Teotle listened, all excited for winter to arrive with each word she spoke. He wanted to have both his and their families spend the holidays together. His mother was always kind to him, and he wanted her to meet everypony that he made friends with. But that had to wait until they stop the Sisters of the Shadow.
He made his way down stairs, where Twilight and Nyx were sitting at the dining room table. Spike was in the kitchen making pancakes.
Teotle sat down at the table and said, "Good morning."
"Hey Teotle." Twilight said. "How did you sleep?"
"I slept good." Teotle replied.
"What did you dream about?" Nyx asked, excited to hear Teotle's answer.
Teotle answered, "It was about the winter you told me about."
"Cool." Nyx smiled. "How do you feel?"
"Better than I have in a while." Teotle answered, wiping his eyes.
"That's good." Twilight commented.
"Ok, everypony." Spike called out. "The pancakes are all done."
He brought the pancakes to the table. There were enough for each of them to have 3 pancakes. After they ate their breakfast, a knock came from the door. When Twilight answered it, nurse Redheart was there, holding a clipboard and pen.
"Good morning, Twilight." Said The nurse.
"Hello, Nurse Redheart." Twilight said back. "What brings you here?"
The nurse looked at her clipboard and said, "I'm here to collect Teotle for the day. Our doctors want to check his diagnostics one more time to see if he's made a full recovery."
Twilight blinked a few times, but she eventually called Teotle's name. When he saw Redheart, he began to wag his tail, happy to see her.
"The hospital wants to give you a check up. Is that ok?" Twilight asked.
Teotle nodded his head, looked back at Nyx and Spike, who had their silverware in their mouths, pretending to be walruses. He then smiled, took a deep breath and walked up to he nurse.
"Oh, we also need you to come too, Twilight." Nurse Redheart said. "Its a liability thing. We need you, as his guardian, to fill out some paper work for his exam."
Twilight nodded, told Nyx and Spike where she and Teotle were going, and went with Nurse Redheart to the hospital.
When they arrived, however, They didn't go inside. Nurse Redheart had stopped when they reached the front door.
"Nurse Redheart?" Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.
The nurse turned to Twilight and Teotle with tears coming down her eyes and said, "I'm sorry for this. They threatened to kill all the hospital patients if I didn't do it."
"Do what?" Twilight asked again.
Just then, Teotle had grabbed Twilight and nurse Redheart, shouting with all his might, "Get Down!" He pulled them down to the ground before an explosion erupted from behind the front door of the hospital. Everypony's ears were ringing from the loud noise. When the dust settled, Teotle looked behind him and saw Brimstone, walking out of the huge hole that once was a door.
Teotle pulled Twilight and Redheart to their hooves and checked them both for any injuries. Redheart was ok, just a few scrapes and bruises. But Twilight was a different story. She had a big chunk of lumber sticking out of her left hind leg. Teotle tried to pull of out, but when he would even touch it, Twilight would scream in pain. Teotle lay Twilight down back onto the gound and looked at nurse Redheart.
"Watch her, please." He demanded.
Nurse Redheart nodded and kneeled down to check Twilght's injuries. Teotle then glares at Brimstone.
"Ha, what's the matter?" Brimstone asked. "Can't your friends take a little heat?"
Teotle said nothing. He contracted his claws and bore his fangs. "How did you get past the guards?"
"Oh, them?" Brimstone asked. "Phh, they were easy. My mother taught me how to take out those losers a long time ago."
Teotle snarled, channeled his Magic fire and began a spell to counter attack. But he stopped. He had realized the danger of the attack.
"Good." Brimstone said. "You know not to strike me with magic, because if you do and miss, all the sick little ponies behind die in the crossfire."
"Shut up!" Teotle demanded
"Shut up?" Brimstone asked mockingly. "Is that any way to treat your brother?"
"I'm not your brother!" Teotle shouted, raising his paw up in an attempt to use his mind control spell.
"Fool." Brimstone called out. "That only works if the victim has a weaker mind than yours."
With that, Teotle began to hear a voice inside his head saying, "Kill! Kill! Kill!" Brimstone was using the same spell. Teotle tried to ignore the voices, but they just grew louder and louder.
"Yes." Brimstone said with glee. "You can't escape it, brother." He then raised his paw, pointing at Twilight, who was laying on the ground. "Kill!"
Nurse Redheart watched as black fire came from Brimstones paw and shot into Teotle's body like lightning, trying to control him like puppet strings. Finally, when Teotle couldn't take much more, He shouted as loud as his voice would allow. Afterwards, he just stood there, dead silent.
"Teotle?" Nurse Redheart called out.
When Teotle finally turned around, his eyes were like looking down a deep dark pit.
"It's too late, nurse." Brimstone said. "He's ours now."
"Think again!" Shouted Rainbow Dash, who appeared from behind the smoke with her and Twilight's friends behind her. "If you want him so bad, then you'll have to go through us."
Brimstone laughed and said, "That's the idea." He commanded Teotle to stand between them and said, "You can have him back if you can get past him."
"Sounds easy enough." Said Applejack. "Sorry about this, sugarcube." She ran up to Teotle and tried to buck him out of the way, but he only grabbed her by the legs and through her against a nearby tree.
"Hey!" Pinkie shouted. "That wasn't nice!" She ran up and tried to fake him out and take out Brimstone, but Teotle didn't falter. He simply jumped in front of her and kicked her backward.
Futtershy glared at Teotle and said, "How dare you, young wolf!" She tried to freeze Teotle by giving the stare while Rainbow flew over to Brimstone. She managed to fly past Teotle and get two feet away from him, when Teotle grabbed her from behind by the tail, and threw her at Fluttershy, making them both tumble onto the ground like a game of twister.
"Wait a minute!" Rarity complained. "You said if we could get past him you would give him back. Rainbowdash clearly made it! You can't make him do that!"
"Well." Brimstone said, making Teotle go over and push Rarity down."I lied" He then looked at Twilight. "How pitiful, for you to think you could look after a wolf. To think there could be a union between our races is like thinking that a hydra would eat grass."
Twlilight turned over to Brimstone, trying not to move her injured hind leg, and said, "You're wrong, he's a good person, not a monster like you."
"Why's that?" Brimstone asked. "Is it because you've been training him? Have you raised him like a house pet? Is it because he has a soul?"
"Not even close." Twilight said, weakly. "Its because he feels love in his heart. He loves and cares for those around him, unlike you. He has friends and plays games. He is happy here. He has family here."
"Oh yes." Brimstone grinned. "He has you, Spike and Nyx."
Twilight gritted her teeth and shouted, "If you hurt either of them, I'll..."
"What?" Brimstone gasped. "No, I won't hurt them. He'll hurt you. You see, I've done my research on the reports from our scouts who have been watching you all. It seems Nyx thinks of you as a ,mother. That's sweet, but what if her best friend kills you and makes her an orphan? How would she feel? Would she hate him? lets find out."
Brimstone snapped his fingers and watched as Teotle began to move over to Twilight.
"Kill her, slave." Brimstone laughed.
Nurse Redheart tried to stand between Teotle and Twilight, but he only knocked her out of the way.
"Teotle?" Twilight pleaded. "Don't let him control you like this!" Tears began to fill Twilight's eyes as Teotle channeled his magic to strike her down. This time, the magical fire wasn't cold, it was blazing hot. "Teotle, please!" Twilight begged. But it was too late. The shot had already been made. Twilight was hit by the fire and was set a blaze.
"Mommy!" Nyx cried out, running from down the street and over to Twilight. She used what little magic she had to put out the fire, and was horrified to see the result of he attack. Twilight had burns of the 3rd degree on many parts of her body. She was barely recognizable. Though by the time Nyx looked around, Brimstone and Teotle were gone.
It was late in the afternoon, outside of Ponyville, out in the Everfree Forest. Brimstone still had Teotle under his spell. He stared at him for what seemed like half an hour now. A tear fell from Teote's eye as he grieved for what he had done to Twilight. Brimstone chuckled under his breath.
"What did they see in you?" Brimstone asked. "Why did they love you so much?"
Teotle didn't answer. Eventually, Brimstone broke the spell and watched as Teotle broke into tears.
"Such a sad child." Brimstone said in a fake voice of pity. "It must be awful to know you caused so much suffering."
"Shut up!" Cried Teotle under his tears.
"You really like that phrase, don't you?" Brimstone said, coldly. "Tell you what, You can try to make things right by them." He then put a paw under Teotle's chin and raised the sobbing wolf's head up. to look at him. "If they take you back, I'll never come bother you again. But if they hate you, and cast you away, you come home with me. No question and no complaints."
Teotle pushed Brimstone's paw away and looked back at the path they took into the forest. "How can I face them?" He asked.
"You never know until you try." Brimstone said, trying to give Teotle false hope.
Teotle looked back at Brimstone, who lifted up his paw in an offer for a hand shake. Teotle hesitated, but soon accepted his offer and shook his paw. "Oh, and one more thing." Brimstone said. "If they push you away, and you don't come back, I'll slautgher every pony in sight, starting with that brat, Nyx."
Teotle pulled his paw away and said, "If they hate me, it won't matter. They'll be dead anyway, if Shadowflame returns." He then made his way down the path, and out of the forest.
But little did he know, Brimstone had made a smile most unpleasant and whispered, "Oh, don't worry about that."
By the time Teotle made his way back to town, everypony was trying to clean the mess from the battle. When he started walking down the street to the hospital, some ponies stopped to look at him. Scorn was showing on their faces, which made Teotle nervous. If the townsfolk were this mad at him, who knows how his friends would feel.
When he finally made it to the hospital, he walked through the blown up front door. Doctors an nurses were running around, trying to prioritize the supplies they need for the patients. Nurse Redheart walked by and stopped to look at Teotle.
"Where's Twilight?" Teotle asked.
The nurse said, nothing. She just pointed at the emergency room door and walked away to continue her work. Teotle went into the room and saw Nyx standing by Twilight who lay in a hospital bed, bandaged and hooked up to a heart monitor. Spike Sat in a chair next to the window, looking at the ground with Rarity standing next to him for support.
Teotle walked up to them and asked, "Is she going to be alr..."
"No!" Nyx said firmly. "She's not going to be alright."
Rarity tried to protest and said,"Nyx..."
"No, Rarity!" Nyx shouted. "He did this to Twilight, I can't just let it go!"
"I don't expect you to." Teotle explained. "Just want you to understand that..."
"Understand?" Nyx asked. "What, that you didn't do it? That you didn't want to? Or maybe that it was an accident?"
Teotle pleaded, "Nyx..."
"No, you set my mom on fire right in front of me!" Nyx began to cry, she was so angry that she couldn't even look at Teotle. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen from so many tears.
"Nyx, please." Teotle cried out. "It wasn't my fault."
"Not your fault?" Nyx asked, now furious. "look at what you did, you monster! I hate you, I wish you would go away!"
Nyx's words stung in Teotle's ears like needles. He didn't even hold back his tears. "But, you're all I have." He cried.
"Not anymore." Spike said, looking up from the floor.
"Spike!" Rarity said. He isn't to blame! Teotle I don't think..."
But it was too late. Teotle's mind was set. But before he left, he walked up to Twilight, pushed Nyx out of the way and healed her remaining injuries with his magic. leaving everypony speechless, Teotle ran out of the hospital and down the street. He was stopped by walking ponies as he went. Many ponies yelled at him as he ran.
"Hey watch where your going!"
"Get out of here, freak!"
"Look at what you brought to our town!"
They all hated him now. He just kept running and running until he finally disappeared back into Everfree Forest, where Brimstone was waiting for him.
Back at the hospital
Nyx, Spike and Rarity looked at Twilight, who began to regain consciousness.
"Twilight?" Spike asked gently. "Are you ok?"
"Spike?" Twilight mumbled. "Yes, I'm ok. Where am I?"
"Your in the hospital, dear." Rarity answered. "You were burned pretty badly."
"Really?" Twilight asked. "wouldn't I be in pain if I was?"
"Teotle healed you." Said Nyx, still wondering what Teotle just did.
Twilight then began to remember what had happened during the fight. Brimstone had made Teotle attack her and her friends. "Where is he? Is everpony alright?"
"Our friends are fine, but we kind of lost track of him." Rarity said, trying to keep Twilight calm.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked. "Where is he? Last I saw him, he was under Brimstone's mind spell."
Nyx gasped and asked, "Mind Spell, you mean the spell he used to control the wolves from back then?"
"Yes!" Twilight said, now being impatient.
Nyx thought about it and said to herself, "I blamed him for what happened, told him I hated him, and it wasn't his fault."
"Nyx?" Twilight asked her. "Where is Teotle?"
Nyx looked up at Twilight, tears coming back from her eyes.
She couldn't make herself talk, so Spike eventually answered for her, "We sent him away."
Deep in the Everfree Forest, at the abandoned castle of the two sisters, sister Smoke awaited for her son to return. She looked around the empty halls and gazed upon the old tapestries.
"I must admit, the princesses do have a sense in class." Smoke said. "It will be a shame once they're dead."
Just then, Brimstone arrived through the castle gate with Teotle following behind. Smoke turned to them and said, "I see you brought him back."
"And better yet." Brimstone added. "We have his surrender."
"Very nice." Smoke said with a smile. She turned to Teotle and asked, "I suppose you didn't put up a fight, considering that you don't have a scratch on you?"
"Actually, he tried to posses me." Brimstone answered. But in the end, I took possession of him."
Smoke said, "You did well. I actually expected more from him than just possession. However, it seems he hasn't even forged a weapon yet."
Brimstone scoffed and said, "Like he could make anything to kill people anyways. All he can make are fake limbs."
"Well, regardless, he'll get his chance before the fight." Said Smoke.
"Why don't I just kill him and take his power now?" Brimstone asked pulling out his flail.
"No." Smoke protested. "He must die of a warrior's death, in the heat of a glorious battle for all to see. If he is killed any other way, the power of our master, inside him, will die with him."
Brimstone growled and said, "Yes, Mother. I understand."
Smoke then said, "Good. Now, let's take him home and get prepared. The two of you and your sister, Fracture, will fight in the arena in two days."
Meanwhile
Back at Ponyville, in the hospital, Nyx, Spike, and Rarity stood around Twilight, who was struggling in her hospital bed
"Twiligth." Spike protested. "You need to get rest."
"No, we need to catch Teotle before it's too late." Twilight argued. "If we don't get him back, he'll die."
"I'm afraid Spike is right." Rarity added. "Even though Teotle healed you, you still need to stay in bed and recover your strength."
"If he dies, Shadowflame will come back, and there will be no point in me resting." Twilight said.
Just then Twilight began to float out of her bed with her horn glowing. The bed was deconstructed into magical energy. The energy began to engulf Twilight and turned into a metal suit of armor. It was much like when Teotle made his metal leg, but this time, it covered Twilight's whole body. Everypony stared at her in wonder.
"Twilight?" Asked Nyx. "How did you do that?"
"Don't know." Twilight answered. "I just thought of how to fight the wolves, and then I thought of this suit and my magic just built it."
The suit was the same color as Twilight's coat, and had a set of big mechanical wings. Her hooves were wearing big metal horse shoes, like the princesses, but it was covered in spikes for kicking and bucking enemies. The suit was basically made for fighting.
"Well." Spike said. "However you did it, we have a way to get Teotle back."
"And then what?" Asked Nyx, who was now sitting in the corner of the room. "What will we do after we save him, after all I said? How can I face him?"
"Nyx, dear." Rarity interjected. "Teotle will understand. You were upset, everypony was."
"Yeah." Spike added. "Maybe he'll forget about it when he see's us."
Nyx looked up at them and said, "If you say so." she got up and walked up to them. "Where do we start?"
Twilight walked to the exit of the room and said, "We get our friends ready to fight."
Meanwhile
Teotle followed Brimstone and Smoke out of Equestria, to their homeland. He constantly stared at the ground as Nyx's last words rang in his head. It pained him to constantly repeat the memory over and over, but it was all he could remember at this point. It was as if that's all she did to him. He couldn't remember their fun times together, their friends, or the dream of his first winter. It was all gone from his mind now.
They were close now, to their home. They had made it to the nearest gate of the fortress. When they entered, guards stood watch, staring at Teotle, the one who had finally returned.
"You'll be sent to your old quarters." Said Smoke. From there, you will be prepared for battle by your mother. At dawn tomorrow, you, Brimstone, and your sister, Fracture will engage in a free for all match. When only one of you is standing, we will have found our king's vessel."
Smoke signaled for two guards to escort Teotle to his room. "If you have any requests, we are ordered to assist you." Said one of the guards, closing the door behind him.
When Teotle looked around, he saw weapons, armor, and practice dummies all around the room, much like Brimstone's room. He looked at his old bed and saw a familiar sight. His mother was laying on the bed, smiling ear to ear, happy to see her son again. Teotle ran to her and gave her a loving embrace.
"I've missed you so much!" Teotle cried. "Did they hurt you?"
He checked Frost for any injuries, But she only laughed and said, "I'm fine." Her mood quickly changed from happy to afraid. "But what I want to know is how you got here." She said, nervously. "You know that if you go in there, you'll..."
"I know." Teotle said. "But I have a plan."
Deathkiss and her daughter, Fracture, were in their training room, sparring with each other. They have been doing extra time in the ring for the past few days. When they stopped to take a break, Fracture asked, "Mother, what is the point of training extra hours in the day? you know I can kill Brimstone easily."
"Yes, I know." Deathkiss answered. "But you aren't just fighting him, you are also fighting Teotle."
"You know what?" Fracture asked. "I saw him outside when he returned, and I must say, he's groan to be kind of cute."
Deathkiss raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are you getting at, child?"
Fracture said, "Well, maybe I'll have fun with him after I take out Brimstone. Maybe break his bones like I did with our brother, Ulcer. I would do the same to them both, but Brimstone is a bit too stressful to restrain."
"Do what you wish once you've ensured victory." Deathkiss insisted. "But be warned, don't let your pursuit for pleasure cloud your sense of danger. Brimstone is very proud of his dominance over others, and won't likely let you take it away."
"Yes, mother." Said Fracture, taking a sip from a glass of water. "I didn't really have that much fun with Ulcer anyway. That round ball of fur was a little too much for me to enjoy, and he screamed so loud too."
"Spare me the reminder, dear." Deathkiss pleaded. "I was there to see it. Shall we continue training?"
Meanwhile
Sister Frost had listened intently to Teotle as he whispered his plan to her ear.
"Teotle?" She said, "How did you know to...?"
"Don't worry about that now." Said Teotle. "All we have to do is train for the fight."
"But what about your friends?" Frost asked.
Teotle was silent for a while, then he said, "If this works, the princesses can kill Shadowflame, once and for all. After that, they'll be safe."
Frost took a deep breath and said, "Well, before training, we need to forge your weapon. The weapons in here are rusted and too dull to use."
Teotle said, "Sounds easy enough." He tried to use his transfiguration spell to forge a weapon, but his mother only shook her head.
"You can't make a weapon like that for the battle to come." She said. "The enemy will only reverse the spell with their own magic. We need to make a weapon the traditional way, and enchant it so it can't be broken."
Frost then walked over to the exit door, knocked to let the guards in. "Yes mistress?" Asked one of the guards.
"We need to go see the blacksmith." Frost answered.
The guards nodded their heads and escorted her and Teotle to the forging room, where the blacksmith, a brown and gold wolf, was working on his most recent project. When he turned around and saw Teotle, He smiled and said, "Well, would you look at this. The missing child of our master returns and has come to visit my workshop."
"Hello, Ironeye." Frost greeted.
"And your ladyship, how nice to finally meet you too. Ironeye said, kissng Frost's paw. "What may I do for you today?"
"My son needs his own weapon forged for the fight." Frost answered. "The weapons in the training room are too inadequate."
"Aw yes, I remember." Ironeye sighed. "When you sent him away to Equestria, those training weapons were left to collect dust. But I know you wanted him to be safe, so I wont hold it against you."
Frost gave a sign of relief and said, "Thank you."
"My pleasure, he's a good lad." Ironeye smiled. "Alright, lets get started. Teotle, come here and let me teach you how to craft a weapon that will not only kick butt, but also win you the fight."
Teotle walked over to the blacksmith and watched as he put a long iron ingot into the forge.
"Now, boy, listen closely. When I forge a weapon, I need three things, (1) a design that suit the client's stature, (2) the right metal, to make the design as strong as possible, and (3) temperatures of 1500 degrees."
Ironeye then began to push down on an air blower that was hooked up to the bottom of the forge to increase the temperature just right. When the iron ingot was ready, he told Teotle to pull it out with his metal hand and place it onto the anvil.
"Now, take the hammer, and begin to shape your weapon." Ironeye said, giving Teotle a heavy duty hammer. "Just make sure that you place the weapon back into the forge before it begins to cool down. After its ready, we'll quench it in oil."
Teotle worked for hours shaping the iron into his weapon, occasionally reheating it when it cooled down. When he finally had it shaped right, Iron eye prepared his oil tank. Teotle dunked the weapon into the oil and watched as fire and steam burst from its heat.
"Very good." Ironeye said, patting Teotle on the back. "Now lets sharpen it."
Iron eye set Teotle down into a stool by the sharpening wheel. Teotle began to use the peddle to make the wheel spin. When it was fast enough, he ground his weapon to a fine sharp edge. he polished it, getting the grit and rough parts off so it would look shiny and new. When he was done, Iron eye gave an approving nod
"Now its time for the finishing touches." Iron eye said, pulling out some lumber for the handle. Teotle carved into the lumber with his claws and made it so i would fit the grip of his paws. He then put it onto the weapon handle and wrapped it around with red and black fabric. He then painted the blade a glossy red and drew a black paw print on it. The completed weapon was a long curved sword, with a red and black handle.
Ironeye inspected it top to bottom for any flaws. When he was done, he said, "This is almost perfect, it just needs one thing." He then pulled out a wooden box from the cabinet and opened it up. He pulled out a blue pearl and stuck it onto the bottom of the handle for decoration.
"Now that's a sword." He finished, giving Teotle a thumbs up.
Author's Note
warning, please do not forge a weapon without professional supervision. I may have misinterpreted the method to forging a real weapon. Safety first.
Twilight had written a letter to the princesses about what happened earlier with Teotle running away. Celestia and Luna arrived at the scene, at lightning speed, with many of their soldiers behind them. Twilight and her friends were all suite up in the mysterious magical armor that she built for them. When the princesses saw them, they were astounded.
"Twilight?" Asked Celestia. "What is that?"
Twilight simply said, "Don't ask. All we need to worry about is how to get Teotle back.
The princesses nodded and gathered the remaining royal guards for battle. Spike and Nyx begged Twilight to go with them to try to help convince Teotle to come back. Normally Twilight wouldn't allow it, but they needed a last goodbye if the worst should happen to him. Twilight gave them their own suits and put them on her back.
Twilight then used a tracking spell on a brush that she used on Teotle after he and Nyx played in the mud one rainy day. His location was confirmed, and they were off to the wolf fortress.
Meanwhile
Back at the Teotle's home, it was time. The arena was set, every wolf was in their seat, cheering the names of their champions. The arena was a big triangle shaped platform with three gates to enter. A pyramid shaped cage hung over the platform, hanging by chains from the ceiling.
Teotle and his mother, Frost, stood outside one of the gates, waiting for the announcement to be made for the him and the others to enter the arena.
"Are you sure about this?" Frost asked. "You can still..."
"No, mother." Teotle interrupted in a calm and sure voice. "I'm sure of my plan." He looked at her, a small tear falling from his eye as he said, "You are all I have left. If this plan works, at least I'll know you and equestria will be safe."
Frost gave Teotle a final loving embrace before the announcer called them in. It was the most passionate hug she could possibly give her child before the plan was set in motion. "The best thing I ever made was always you." She said before giving him a kiss on the forehead and letting him go into the arena.
When Teotle, Brimstone, and Fracture entered the arena, the crowed cheered wildly. Many of them cheered for Brimstone and Fracture, while others booed at Teotle, calling him a traitor and a coward. Teotle ignored the boo's and continued walking. When all three of them were on the platform, the cage was lowered and locked into place so they couldn't leave.
The mothers of the competitors took their seats with the other sisters and with the sound of the bell, the fight had begun. Brimstone swung his flail as a territorial threat display, while Fracture licked the knives on the fingers of her dual gauntlets. Teotle just stood in a defensive position, waiting for someone to strike first.
Brimstone ran up to Fracture and swung toward her head, but she ducked and quickly and playfully skimmed the fur on Brimstones chest. He stomped on the ground in anger. Fracture then turned to Teotle, who was now running into the fight. Fracture then got under Teotle and through him at Brimstone, who fumbled to the ground from the impact. He threw Teotle off and ran back to Fracture. He managed to land a punch to her shoulder, dislocating her arm.
Teotle took his chance at Brimstone while he was distracted and slashed at his back. The cut wasn't very deep, but enough to make him get on his knees. Fracture pulled her arm back in place and began at Brimstone. She kicked him in the teeth and knocked him to the ground. She then began slashing wildly at Teotle with her knife claws. She pinned him to the wall as he held his sword up for defense, but t wasn't enough.
Fracture was relentlessly trying to stab Teotle in the chest and head to kill him, but Teotle didn't lower his sword in defense. He pushed her away and as she stumbled, Brimstone came up behind her. She looked back at him to see that he was swinging his mace to make a final blow. She tried to block, but the force of the skull flail was too much. She took a hit to the head, almost crushing her skull. Fracture fell to the ground.
The audience began to chant for Brimstone. He walked to the middle of the stage to take in the applause. Brimstone should have killed Fracture and moved on to Teotle, but his pride got the best of him. While he did that ,Teotle ran to Fracture who still had a bit of life in her. He held her paw and said, "Do you submit to me?"
Fracture looked back to him, gripping to his paw as hard as she could. She took the end of his sword to her chest and said, "I submit to you, my brother, now kill that numb skull!" Teotle pushed the sword into Fracture's heart and killed her. With that, the power of Shadowflame that lived in her and the other two sibling she killed, were passed onto Teotle.
When Brimstone and the crowed realized what had been done, it was too late. Brimstone took his mace and ran to Teotle with full force and determination to kill. However Teotle didn't avoid the attack, He caught the flail with his bare paw. The crowed was silent. Why would he catch it? How did he catch it? Was this part of his plan?
"Wha... what did you do?" Brimstone asked, sweat dripping down is cheek.
Teotle stood up and answered, "I won. You see, I never planned to survive this fight" Teotle then swung his sword and cut off Brimstone's head. When he did, the power inside him entered Teotle body like it did from Fracture.
The crowed said nothing, until Ironeye rose from his seat and shouted, "Victory!" Then the crowed joined in, chanting Teotle's name.
When Smoke called off the chanting, she asked, "Wait, where is our king? It is written that the child who wins the mantel will become the vessel for our king! Where is he?"
Twilight and the others had found the wolves fortress and had begun their assault on the walls. The defenses were relentless, but the princesses and the guards had mannaged to clear a path for Twilight and her friends to fly into the fortress walls. When they made it to the center, they saw Teotle, standing in the middle of the arena under a metal cage.
"Oh no, we're too late." Nyx said.
"Not yet." Twilight ensured. "He's hasn't transformed yet. We still have a chance to stop him."
"But Twilight, Look." Applejack said, pointing at Teoltle siblings who lay dead on the ground.
"It's ok," Twilight said. "I think I know what he's planing." Twilight swooped down into the arena with her friends right behind her. She broke through the cage and landed next to Teotle.
Surprised to see them, Teotle asked, "Guys, how did you get here?"
"We used a spell to track you down." Said Pinkiepie.
"Teotle?" Nyx asked. "Are you still you?"
Just then, Fracture stood up from the ground. Everyone in the cowed gasped. How could that happen? Teotle supposedly stabbed her in the heart.
"That's a good question." Fracture said. "And yes, we both are alive."
"Impossible!" Smoke screamed. "You should be dead." She then looked at Teotle. "You!" She said accusingly. "What did you do?"
Teotle chuckled and answered, "When I told Brimstone that I won, that didn't mean that I won the right to be Shadowflame's vessel. I simply won my right to be me."
"What does that mean?" Smoke asked with a twitchy eye. "When did that happen?"
"It happened the last time I went back to ponyville." Teotle said, looking back at Twilight. "When I healed you in the hospital, I gave you the part of me that gave me father's power. I submitted to you."
"Submitted?" Twilight asked.
"Yes." Teotle replied. "I knew that if the battle ended while I still had my fathers power, he would come back. So, I discarded that power and placed it inside you."
"You can do that?" Asked Spike.
"Uh huh," Teotle said with a smile "Since I don't have all of Shadowflame's power, I am not worthy of being his vessel."
"That's brilliant." Rarity said
"Treachery, herecy!" Smoke called out. "You betrayed us all."
Be silent!" Celestia said, as she and Luna flew down in front of Teotle. "You can't betray someone your enslaved to." She gave Teotle an approving smile.
"Let him speak!" Ironeye called out from the crowed. The crowed soon joined in with him and chanted for Teotle to continue.
"Tell them how I'm still here." Fracture insisted, giving Teotle a nudge on the shoulder.
"Well." Teotle said. "I asked Fracture if she would submit to me before she died, and she said yes. But I didn't really kill her. When a little bit of her magic went inside me, I healed her injures and cast a spell that allowed the sword to pass through her body, instead of cut into it. Meaning, we faked everybody out."
"How dare..." Smoke tried to say, only to have her mouth covered by Frost and Deathkiss.
"Listen everyone, Shadowflame is not the key to your salvation." Teotle announced. "Before the princesses got rid of him, he drove our land into ruin and starvation. Don't give any of your hope to him. Give it only to yourselves and each other."
"How can we do that?" Asked a wolf in the crowed.
Teotle looked at Twilght, Spike, Nyx, and everypony else who had come to save him. He then said, "Just make friends. Get to know each other and your fellow kingdoms. If we can learn to live in harmony, we can live happily."
The wolves in the crowed were silent. What would happen if they did try to make friends? Would that work? How would it work? They all spoke among themslves until Smoke shouted, "Lies! He is a traitor!"
She then jumped into the cage and ran toward Teotle. She took out a dagger and lunged at him with it, but before she could hit Teotle, his mother had jumped in front of him and took the blow.
"Mother!" Teotle called out.
Smoke pulled out the knife, pushed Frost out of the way and tried again to stab Teotle, but the other Sisters of the Shadow had grabbed and restrained her before she had the chance.
"What are you all doing!" Smoke shouted. "let me go! You are all traitors!"
"The only ones we've betrayed are our ourselves and our children." Eveningstar remarked.
Teotle got on his knees, next to his mother, and held her paw. He held his paws up and got ready to heal her, but she only pushed his paws away.
"Mother." He pleaded. "let me heal you."
"No, Teotle." She replied. "Its better this way."
"But you my mother!" Teotle cried. "Please, don't go!"
"Teotle, please understand." She pleaded. "I've waited for years to see my husband."
"Shadowflame?" Teotle asked. "He's evil."
"No." Frost corrected. "Not Shadowflame, my real husband."
Teotle looked at her with teary eyes. "What?" He asked.
He sat there waiting for an answer, but none came. All she could say was, "I love you." With those final words, she was gone.
In the wolf fortress arena, Teotle stood over his mother, who lay dead from Smoke's dagger. Every pony and wolf watched him as he stared at her body. He was gripped his paws and clenched his teeth.
"Teotle?" Nyx asked, hoping for a response.
Teotle said nothing. He looked at Smoke, who was still restrained by the other sisters of the shadow. His eyes began to glow red as he stared down at her.
"MURDERER!" He yelled, picking up his sword and charging at Smoke.
The mothers quickly stepped back, knowing that Teotle meant to attack no matter what. His wrath took him. He was going to make a swing at Smokes neck when Fracture jumped in front of him and socked him in the face.
"Snap out of it!" Fracture demanded. "I know your upset, brother, but your doing exactly what she wants."
"What?" Teotle growled.
"She want's you to lose control of your power so that you will go on a killing spree." Fracture said. The more of father's power you have, the more likely you lose control. What if you went and killed Twilight during your outburst? If that happened, there would be no stopping him from being reborn.
Teotle looked back at Twilight. Nyx was hiding behind her with her ears flat and her body shaking. She was afraid of him. He knew that Fracture was right, so he took a deep breath and put his sword away. "Thanks, sister." He said.
"It's ok, Teotle." Said Fracture. "I think we both know what to do now."
"Yes, I think we do. "Teotle replied. "Its time to bring back the other siblings."
"What?" Asked Twilight. "What do you mean?"
Teotle turned to her and answered, "The power of Shadowflame can't be destroyed by the Elements of Harmony. It can only be changed or passed on. When we were babies, Shadowflame's power passed onto us after the princesses killed him, to preserve his life. Now we need to keep that power separated among the seven of us, his children, and make sure he never comes back."
"How?" Asked Rainbowdash, pointing at Brimstone's corps. "Aren't your other siblings dead?"
"Yes, they are." Replied Deathkiss. "But they have a way to fix that."
With that, Teotle walked over to Brimstone and put a paw on his body. Brimstone then began to ignite from Teotle's blue flames. his head was reatached to his neck and with in seconds, he sprung to life, gasping and holding his paw around his neck.
Brimstone looked around and asked, "What happened, why am i still alive?" He looked at Teotle and said, "You killed me!"
"Yes, I did." Teotle commented. "But right now, we need you and the others alive."
Brimstone looked back at his mother and said, "What does he mean?"
"They intend to keep our master dead." Smoke answered. "They are disrupting the ritual."
Brimstone looked back at Teotle and screamed, "How can you betray us for the second time!"
Teotle scowled at him and replied, "Shut up, idiot. I never served you. So, in fact, I betrayed no one. Besides, If he came back, It would mean the end for the seven of us. Be grateful I didn't leave you decapitated."
Brimstone growled and looked at Fracture. "This is your fault. If you hadn't submitted your power to him, I could have brought our father back."
"Yeah, and you'd be dead anyway." Fracture said with a mocking chuckle.
"Why are you on their side now anyway?" Brimstone asked.
"Because, Teotle saved my life after you hit me in the skull." Fracture answered.
"It's time to give back what Shadowflame stole from our brothers and sisters, their freedom." Said Teotle. "You two killed them, so where are there bodies?"
"There bodies are in the mausoleum." Said sister Desiree.
Teotle concealed his sword and said, "Show me."
The sisters showed him and the others the way to the place where his siblings were buried. There were six stone coffins lined up on the walls of the tomb. two were empty, while four had been sealed shut. One by one, Teotle pulled the bodies out of the coffins and gave them the breath of life, repairing their injuries as he went.
He brought back Ulcer, Cut Throat's son. He brought back Emptyheart and Illheart, Desiree's twin daughters. And finally, he brought back Coma, Eveningstar's son. He brought them all back to life. It took some time, but he explained to them what the new game plan was for them. They were to get to know each other as siblings and make friends. Just as they should have from the beginning.
Revelation of Past Events
Teotle, Nyx and Fracture were sitting on a bench outside of the Ironeye's shop. Fracture listened at the two of them as they told her about their adventures, back when they we're in Ponyville.
Fracture laughed and asked, "So you really learned how to bake a cake?"
"Not just cake." Nyx replied. "We also made cupcakes."
"Remember when Scootaloo and Applebloom got covered in flour?" Teotle commented.
Nyx said, "Ha, yeah. It took them hours to wash it out of their hair."
They all laughed together when Ironeye walked out of the shop. "Well now, whats so funny?" He asked with a smile.
Teotle's smile quickly turned into a frown. He looked up at Ironeye and said, "I'll tell you later. But first, can I ask you something?"
"Ask away my boy." Ironeye replied.
Teotle took a deep breath and asked, "What did my mother mean by her real husband?
Ironeye sighed and sat down next to Teotle on the bench. "I won't lie to you, boy. This story is not for the faint of heart.
"I'm ready." Teotle said with a cool but firm voice.
Ironeye chuckled under his breath. "I guess you are." He said. "Shadowflame is not your only father. There was another."
What was his name?" Nyx asked.
"His name was Crimson Arrow, but most people just called him Arrow. Ironeye answered. "He was a good wolf, and he was my friend."
"What happened to him?" Fracture asked.
Ironeye looked at the ground and said, "Shadowflame wanted his wife, Teotle's mother. Arrow refused to give Frost up, so he was executed by the guards. Its cowardly for Shadowflame, our king, to take a man's wife and not finish them himself." Ironeye looked at the three kids, wanting to cry, but he wouldn't because he knew that they would follow him.
"What happened next?" Teotle asked, wanting to know more.
"Well, to tell you the truth, its a mystery." Ironeye said, shrugging his shoulders. "Frost kept to herself for over two weeks. She hardly slept or ate. All I know is that their daughter disappeared after the execution."
The three kids looked at him and asked, "Daughter?!"
Ironeye looked at them with wide eyes. "Teotle, all this time you never knew about your sister?"
"No." Teotle answered. "I only knew of mother and Shadowflame."
"Well, now you know." Ironeye said. "Teotle, you must understand. Your mom never meant to leave you alone. Your sister might still be alive somewhere. Frost probably knew that and hoped that you would find her. Besides, she suffered a great deal during Shadowflame's rein. She deserves rest."
Teotle thought about it and said, "Your right. Besides, I'll see her again, somewhere in the future."
Just then, Celestia and Luna came from the arena. Nyx climbed down from the bench and walked up to them, asking, "How is everypony?"
"Teotle's siblings are taking the debriefing well." Luna answered.
"Twilight and her friends have been sharing everything they have learned about friendship." Said Celestia "They were a little bored at first, but they eventually began to listen."
"That's a relief." Teotle commented.
"How are they feeling about being dead for a while?" Fracture asked.
"They're a little confused, but they'll get over it, I'm sure." Luna replied.
"What about Smoke and Brimstone?" Nyx asked nervously.
"They will be kept under close watch to make sure they don't cause trouble." Luna reassured.
"So, what do we do from here?" Teolte asked.
Celestia smiled and said, "We are going to help these wolves improve their way of life. They have allowed us to share our wisdom and resources with them. Your mothers are going to help maintain peace in these lands now."
"That's good news." Nyx smiled.
Teotle wanted to smile too, but he felt a little uneasy. He looked at Nyx and asked, "Hey, can I say something?"
"Of course." Nyx answered.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to." Teotle said, kicking the dirt. "Can I come back to ponyville with you?"
Nyx looked at him with confusion and asked, "What do you mean?"
"I never really belonged here. More than anything, I want to go home and be with you and Twilight and all of our friends."
Nyx smiled and said, "Yes, I want that too. I'm sorry for what I said back at the hospital."
"I don't care about that." Teotle said. "I just want to go home."
"Then go home you shall." Celestia said with a smile. "lets go get the others and prepare to leave."
Fracture gave Teotle a nudge and said, "Hey, make sure to visit sometime. Ok?"
"I will." Teotle replied.
Teotle and Nyx waved goodbye to Fracture and Iron eye, and followed the princesses back to the arena. Twilight had given Teolte's brothers and sisters a journal to guide them in their pursuit of friendship. Twilight had written the journal based off of the letters she set to Celestia during her time in Ponyville.
The princesses, Nyx and Teotle had arrived and made the announcement that they were leaving for home. After saying their goodbyes, They made their journey back to Equestria.
Declaration of new residency.
Nyx and her friends were sitting in the middle of the library, Spike, Owlicious, and Peewee, were supervising them as the fillies began talking about what to do if Teotle were to stay with them.
"I hope he gets to stay." Said Applebloom. "We didn't even get to talk much before he left with the others."
"I still can't believe he has a cutiemark." Said Scootaloo.
"I wonder if he can teach me some magic." commented Sweetiebelle.
Twist looked at Nyx, who was looking down at her hooves, and asked, "What do you think Nyx?"
"Huh?" Asked Nyx, regaining her focus.
"What do you think about Teotle?" Twist asked again.
Nyx looked back at her hooves and said, "I don't know if he's coming back. The princesses didn't seem so welcoming when they saw him."
"You worry too much." Said Scootaloo.
"But what if they take him away, like they did me?" Asked Nyx.
"But, you came back right?" Spike interjected.
"Yes." Replied Nyx. "But Twilight was there for me. Teotle doesn't have anyone."
"That's not true." Said Applebloom. "He has you. he has all of us to support him."
"Yeah." said Swetiebelle. "And I'm sure Twilight will be there for him too."
Nyx thought about it for a long while. She then realized that they were right. She and her friends would be there for Teotle.
Nyx raised her head to her friends, but before she could say anything, the door to the library opened. Twilight, her friends, and the princesses entered with Teotle coming behind them.
"What's going on?" Asked Nyx.
"Maybe you should sit down for this, girls." Said Applejack.
The fillies looked at each other nervously. They did what they were told and sat down, preparing for the worst.
They had told the fillies the whole story. Who Teotle was, where he's from, and what the stakes are if they fail to protect him. Equestria's safety was in jeopardy, and there was no room for secrets this time. The fillies listened closely to every word, and didn't falter or ask questions.
When they had told them everything, Celestia then asked, "Do you all understand?"
The fillies all nodded. Celestia nodded back and said, "To that end, we have decided that Teotle will stay here with Twilight under protection of the royal guard until further notice."
The fillies wore wide smiles and yelled cheerfully in the air.
Nyx ran over to the princesses and gave them both the biggest hug her small body would allow.
"Thank you." Said Nyx.
"Don't thank us." Said Luna. "It was Twilight who offered to watch him."
Nyx looked at Twilight. She gave Nyx an approving nod and said with a smile, "You're welcome Nyx."
Meanwhile,
Back at the wolf fortress, a wolf with a snow white coat lay shackled to the floor of her windowless dungeon cell. The door to the cell opened, and Smoke had entered with a sack hanging over her back.
"Sister Frost." Said Smoke with a devilish grin. "I bring you tidings of the search for you son."
Frost stood up off the floor and looked Smoke dead in the eye. "What have you done to him?" She asked, afraid to hear the answer.
Smoke opened the bag and pulled out Teotle's missing leg. Frost was speachless, tears formed in her eyes as she looked at what was supposedly left of her only son.
"Fear not, sister, he is still alive." Said Smoke "The search is almost at it's end."
"That's what I was afraid of from the start. That you monsters still try to bring back that Tyrant you call a master by sacrificing our children. Its barbaric."
"Would you rather that he died for nothing?" Asked Smoke.
"Not for nothing, for others. To protect this world instead of corrupting it." Replied Frost.
Smoke scoffed and said, "You sending him there only forestalled his fate. He and our children are meant to die so that our king can be reborn and make the world anew. Unlike what the alicorn princesses, Sombra, Changelings, or even Discord would do. He will make it perfect."
"Your wrong." said Frost. "Your Children, maybe, but Teotle was always be special."
"How?" Asked Smoke."
"In ways you wouldn't imagine." Frost answered.
"Hmm, I can imagine quite a bit." Smoke commented.
Smoke tossed Frost the leg and left the dungeon. She then made her way through the fortress to her residence, which was one of six towers that ran along all sides of the fortress.
Inside her residence, there was a single large bed. The walls were littered with wracks of weapons and portraits of Shadowflame, either standing over the corpses of his enemies, or holding a weapon in the air with triumph.
Her son, a light grey wolf with scrapes and scars all over his body, stood by the window, looking out toward the equestrian border. His right eye had been blinded from one of his previous battles. His left ear had a big shred missing.
He turned to his mother and asked, "Yes?"
Smoke said, "Brimstone, why do you not train?"
"Forgive me mother." Said Brimstone. "But once I heard of Teotle's whereabouts, I couldn't help but stare at Equestria with anticipation."
"Don't fret my son." Said Smoke. "You'll get your chance. Now, lets continue your session."
Brimstone then said, "Yes mother."
Everypony had made it back to ponyville after their long journey from the wolf's homeland. The princesses went back to Canterlot, where they made the announcement that they were to co-exist with the wolves. Word had made it all across Equestria and the Crystal Empire.
Twilight and her friends, after getting some rest from the trip home, all decided to hang out at the park. Applejack brought Applebloom, Granny Smith, and Big Mac. And Nyx invited the rest of her and Teotle's friends, Scootaloo, Sweetiebelle and Twist. They had a picnic, played games, and laughed at each others stories and jokes.
They were playing catch with Teotle's favorite ball when Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon showed up. Teotle smiled and said, "Hey girls, want to play ball with us?" The two fillies looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement.
"We'd love to." They both said in unison.
"Its nice to see you kids finally getting along." Said Applejack.
"Yep." Big Mac added.
"You have Teotle to thank for it." Said Diamond Tiara. "He helped me realize why I picked on others. It was because of my fear of my mom."
Twilight gave Teotle a rewarding rub on the head and said, "Good job."
"Say, how are you doing since the attack yesterday?" Asked Silverspoon.
Teotle smiled and said, "We're doing great. I stopped Shadowflame from coming back to life, resurrected my dead brothers and sisters, gave them back their powers, and learned that I have another sister somewhere out in Equestria."
Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon looked at him in surprise and confusion.
"Well, it sounds like you had a fun trip." Said Diamond Tiara.
"It had its ups and downs." Said Twilight, frowning at the ground while thinking about how she failed to save Teotle's mother.
Teotle knew that's what she was thinking, and he wouldn't let it consume her. He raised her chin up to his eye level and said, "It wasn't your fault."
"How?" Twilight asked. "I couldn't keep my promise to you. I failed to protect her."
"You did more than keep your promise." Teotle reassured her. "You saved me and helped free her, just as she wanted. She wanted to be reunited with her husband. Besides, I shouldn't have made you make that promise. It was unfair of me."
Twilight smiled at Teotle's kind words.
"Besides, I still have my sister that I got to find." He continued.
"And we'll be there with you, looking for her." Applejack said enthusiastically.
After that, they continued to play ball and other games at the park. By the time the sun went down, everypony was tired and decided to call it a day. Twilight took Teolte, Nyx and Spike back to the library, where they were going to get ready for bed.
"Today was a good day." Nyx said gleefully.
"Yeah." Teotle agreed.
Twilight took the others upstairs to the bathroom. They took turns brushing their teeth and getting ready for sleep. After they went to the bedroom, Twilight tucked Nyx into bed. Teolte jumped on top a moment later. Spike went into his basket. And Twilight went into her own bed.
It felt different for Teotle to be back though. He didn't feel welcome back, as much as he wanted. He didn't say anything, but many ponies scowled at him when they walked by today. He then thought about what some of them called to him as he fled from ponyville yesterday.
"Twilight?" He called out.
"Yes, Teotle." Twilight replied.
"Do the ponies in town still not like me?" Teotle asked.
Twilight raised her head to look at him. "Well, many ponies are a little nervous around you, but it's because no wolf had ever lived here before we brought you home."
"It's like when I started living here after I became Nightmaremoon." Nyx added. "Some ponies still hold it against me, but not so much anymore."
"Ok." Teotle agreed, laying his head down on the bed. "Nyx?"
"Yeah?" She asked.
Teotle raised his head back up and asked, "Can I dream?"
Nyx chuckled and said, "Yes."
Teotle wagged his tail. "No nightmares?"
"No nightmares." Nyx answered.
They both lay together, sleeping in their bed. Just a filly and her wolf.
The end.
