The Wolf and the Rainbow

Chapter Twelve

Hoops just looked up at the giant pegasus stallion, who had appeared, and was dumbfounded. His body structure matched a Charger’s description to the T, down to the large wing span of a Pegasi Charger. But that glare, it made him feel like he was being stared down by some angry predator.

He didn’t know what possessed him, but Hoops threw a hoof square into the Charger’s chest, only for it to barely even effect Moon Howl. In fact, actually hitting him hurt Hoops’ hoof! "Ahh! What in Celestia are you!?” The bully yelled, Lightning Dust cowering at the display, while Rainbow Dash’s jaw dropped.

Hoops was sitting on his flank, now, gave the opportunity for Moon Howl’s reply and response. “I am Moon Howl, one of the Vlka Fenryka’s blademasters, which means I am one of the Wolf King’s many sons…” He leaned in, towards the terrified stallion. “Along with Dashie’s coltfriend, and I don’t take kindly to somepony doing anything to harm her.” He knew what the word meant, and wanted to prove their words wrong.

Before Hoops could say anything in his defense, he was sent flying into the wall by an uppercut, from Moon Howl! The stallion actually hit so hard, half of his body went through the cloud building. This display of sheer strength nearly made Lightning Dust faint, while Rainbow Dash had to sit down. His words had the most effect on her.

When Lightning Dust snapped out of her trance, and flew to safety, within the Pegasi Exclusive building… Rainbow Dash snapped out of her own trance, just as she went in. “Darnit! Lighting Dust has the picture!” She noted, Moon Howl looking towards the building. He had a strange look in his eye, one that Rainbow Dash only saw when he battled the Manticore.

“If I had known that, I would have gone after her first.” He said, as Rainbow Dash ran up to him, the look completely disappearing and being replaced by one of concern. “Are you alright, Dashie?”

“No time for that, now. We need to get out of here, before the guards show up!” Rainbow Dash said, grabbing his right forehoof and started to pull.

Moon Howl gave a nod, opening his wings up and quickly flew off with Rainbow Dash.

-Within Everfree Forest-

Chaos Star slowly walked across the bridge, leading to the Castle of Two Sisters, a wide grin on his face. This was one of the oldest buildings in Equestria. If any place had the information he needed, it would be this very place. Though, he wasn’t alone in the search, due to the heavy hoof falls behind him.

The Unicorn sighed, looking back at the creature, whose red body was warped and twisted. There were tendrils, mouths, and eyes; protruding all over its hulking red body. Even its four legs, the front two resembling talons, were warped. “My, you really need to learn how to manage your improved body, Tirek… At this rate, I won’t be able to take you anywhere.”

The warped abomination, formally known as Tirek, lazily looked down at Chaos Star. It slowly nodded to him, mouth drooling with green ichor. “Y-Yes, Master.” His voice was wet, slimy, as if something within him continuously changed.

Chaos Star nodded, before walking towards the ruined castle. “You stay out here, I rather your clumsiness not cause the whole place to come crashing down.” He said, Tirek halting where he was, like a loyal dog.

“Yes, M-Master.” Tirek nodded, slowly looking around. He almost remembers this place, but the warp magic has damaged his mind to the point of nearly being all but mush.

The unicorn sighed, in annoyance. “And work on your vocabulary… If we are to work together, I rather have more than some two-word reply.” Chaos Star demanded.

“Yes, Master.” The response caused an even louder groan.

“Thank Tzeentch I am about to delve into a library of ancient knowledge.” Chaos Star complained, as he walked through the ruined doors. “So early in the day, oh I shall enjoy my time here.” Being one of the Thousand Sons, discovering old knowledge had always interested him. To the point, he almost missed the days within the Imperium. Able to openly join expedition fleets, and Archaeology Teams.

The ruin’s architecture greatly impressed him, he had heard this castle was over a thousand years old. Yet, much of the castle, and contents within, were mostly intact. He had half a mind to actually spend more time here, and try to repair the place. However, he could not do this, the unicorn was on a mission here.

His eyes scanned the corridor, illuminated by his horn. The walls had some vegetation growing around it, which Chaos Star quickly burned away. It wasn’t much, but at least it would put his mind at ease about the ancient ruin.

When he used his horn to illuminate one entrance better, a grin appeared on his lips. “Ah, there we are.” Chaos Star seeing some of the library within. The unicorn slowly made his way inside, careful not to trigger any traps left behind for intruders. “Hm… A bit dark, how about we rectify his?”

An orb of energy grew around his horn, before it slowly floated towards the library’s center. When it reached the room’s center, it allowed each row upon row of books to appear.

Chaos Star could not grin anymore, the amount of books at his disposal made him nearly cry out in joyous happiness. “By Tzeentch!” He called out, the echoes of said room surprising the unicorn. He slowly started to walk forward, his insane laugh of sheer happiness following the echoes throughout the castle walls.

-The Day After, Rainbow Dash’s House-

Moon Howl just laid on to the couch, his eyes wondering to the staircase, leading to Rainbow Dash’s room. The mare had been locked up in there, since they got back, not saying a word to him. In all honesty, he was worried about her.

“This whole business has her in such a terrible state.” He thought, eyeing the clock and noticing it was twelve in the afternoon. The article about them had gone out an hour ago. He remembered Rainbow Dash did come down to get breakfast and the mail. Unfortunately, the Pegasi Exclusive Magazine was with the mail.

Moon Howl didn’t have a chance to see what it said, but it was enough to cause Rainbow Dash to shake, her eyes puffing up. Afterwards, she went straight back to her room, with the magazine.

With a sigh, the stallion looked up at the cloud ceiling. “I really wish there was something I could do for her.” He thought, before a rapid knock started at the front door. “I swear, by the Blood of Russ, if this is a reporter… I will show them why the Vlka Fenryka are feared.”

He walked up to the door, hearing a tom boyish voice of some mare and the confident tone of a stallion. They were, hushly, talking about something dealing with Rainbow Dash. He couldn’t quite hear exactly what, but something told him it was about the damn magazine.

The moment Moon Howl opened the door, a yellow pegasus mare shoved some magazine right into the center of his chest. If Rainbow Dash had answered, the magazine would have been in her face. “Dash! What in Equestria is this about!?” Not noticing who had answered the door, but the stallion did.

“U-Uh… S-Spitfire.” He muttered, looking up at Moon Howl’s glaring eyes.

“Not now, Soarin’.” Spitfire said, before continuing her ‘scolding’. “In all my years, as a Wonderbolt, I have never seen somepony be so careless! I mean, how could you-?”

“Spitfire!” Soarin’ yelled.

“What!?” She yelled back, looking at the stallion when he pointed a hoof forward. Spitfire looked, and saw Moon Howl glaring down at her. “U-Uh… Hello, who are you and what are you doing at Dash’s home?”

Soarin’ leaned closer to her. “I think that’s the stallion in the picture with her.” He whispered, while the mare went wide eyed.

Before she could say another word, Moon Howl snatched the magazine from her, reading what was said. The two remained silent, while he read the words around the picture of Rainbow Dash and himself, laying in bed. The headline said, in big bold letters. “New Star has a ‘Wild Side!” His eyes continued to scan the article, catching even more words that caused his fury to boil up. Ones like ‘fooling around, ‘Tossing in the sheets’, and the one statement to cause him to release a feral growl… “Wonderbolts’ standards so low, they’ll let a Barbarian Rutter in!” They were calling Dashie, his Dashie, a whore!

He dropped the magazine, turning around and went back inside. The two Wonderbolts just watched, for a moment, before heading in themselves. Moon Howl’s door slammed shut, making the two flinch. “Why do I have the feeling; we’re going to regret this?” Soarin’ asked, keeping his eyes on the door.

When the sound of metal clanking against metal followed, the mare nodded. “Because we probably are… I mean, did you see the size of that pony?” Spitfire asked, also keeping her eyes on the door, too. “If Dash is rutting that stallion, I’m soooo going to ask for a turn.” She thought, her face lightly blushing while her imagination ran wild.

“How could I not?” Soarin’ asked, feeling a bit nervous, where the metal sounds suddenly stopped. “He’s almost twice my size!”

The door started to open, causing the two Wonderbolts to fall silent. Moon Howl slowly walked out, wearing his armor, pelt, and sword strapped to his side. His red eyes locked on to the two, who strangely snapped to attention. “I am going on a flight, keep an eye on Dashie, for me.”

“F-Fly where?” Spitfire asked, while the Charger made his way towards the door.

Moon Howl smirked a bit, the helmet and fangs making it seem extremely intimidating and let off a terrible feeling to the two, while he closed the door. “Around.” That was his only response, before leaving Rainbow Dash’s home.