The Wolf and the Rainbow

Chapter Three

-Afternoon, Moon Howl’s “Den”-

The stallion had just finished his exercise routine, and seeing that his blade’s edge was still sharp. Once he was ready to go, Moon Howl made his way towards the town. He wasn’t planning on getting very close, the reaction of yesterday’s fillies was enough to tell him one thing… His presence will draw a lot of unwanted attention.

He kept to the forest’s edge, using the thick brush as natural concealment. Moon Howl, with enhanced vision, was able to get a good view of the town’s population… And it made the stallion feel somewhat awkward.

“This place looks like something in a children’s cartoon.” He muttered, eyeing the village before noticing a bouncing pink pony. “Especially that one…”

He saw the pinky pony suddenly stopped, and look around for a moment. She then shrugged before continuing her strange bouncing.

“Ok, no way in Helheim she could have heard me.” He whispered, lowering himself until the sound of a bell chimed, causing his attention to be drawn towards a red school house.

When the little fillies and colts began to pour out from the door… The stallion noticed a magenta mare following them out, and gave a wave goodbye to the foals. Seeing them all happy, joining their parents, actually brought a smile on to his armored muzzle.

When Moon Howl aw the CMC, he raised an eyebrow. “Well then, seem like they don’t just randomly explore dangerous places.” He chuckled, watching Applebloom go to a red stallion, and Sweetie Belle go to a white unicorn mare. His gaze fell on to Scootaloo, who was waving goodbye to her friends, before hopping on a scooter. “Where’s your family, pup?” His question was answered, when Scootaloo gave a longing look at the other foals, and their family… A look he was far too familiar with.

The stallion watched the filly ride off towards a nearby park, slowly deciding to follow her from the forest’s edge. The wolf in him was taking over, he couldn’t stand seeing one so young be alone. He deserved to be, his entire pack was wiped out… He was a Lone Wolf, because he couldn’t protect his brothers, when it mattered most. Scootaloo was still so young, she had done nothing to deserve such a fate.

-Ponyville Park-

Scootaloo watched the families play together, her thoughts going to what it might have been like if she also had one. The thought brought a smile to her face. “They are so lucky…” She said out loud.

“Lucky how, little pup?” A familiar, deep, voice asked.

The question made the filly jump, and turn around to see the tall Charger from yesterday, hidden just behind a few bushes, with a smirk. “Moon Howl!” Scootaloo squealed, seeing the newest hero to Ponyville, and rushed over to him. She clamped on to his large hoof, making the stallion flinch.

He wasn’t used to such affection. Granted, brotherly celebrations are one thing, because of the high spirits. What the filly was doing, it is an alien form of affection to the battle harden warrior. “What are you doing, little pup?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Scootaloo’s eyes shot open, realizing what she was doing, and quickly let go. “S-Sorry… Just happy that you’re still around.” She said, making up an excuse.

Moon Howl looked down at her, raising an eyebrow. “That’s not the reason, little pup. You cannot lie to me.” He said, the filly flinched. “I saw how you looked at the other families back at the school house, and just now.”

Scootaloo lowered her head down, her eyes staring at his large hooves. “I don’t know, really… Rainbow Dash is my biggest hero, and you’re my newest one. The two of you are so cool… Last night, when you disappeared, I thought you were gone.” She admitted.

The stallion just looked down at her, he knew those signs. Attaching to the stronger figures, those she now idolizing. At first, she only had a female figure to look up to… Now, she had a male figure. His Wolf-like instincts were now screaming at him, and he knew the next question. “Are you lonely, little pup?”

Scootaloo nodded. “I know there are the other Crusaders, and I love them both… But.” Scootaloo began to think about it more, tears starting to form. “I wish that I also had a loving family, too… The orphanage, everyone is always getting picked but not me… Because I can’t fly, no pegasus family wants a daughter that can’t fly.” Unknown to the filly, the Charger was removing something form his neck. “I mean, I bet you have many brothers and sisters… And that Wolf King sounded like the ultimate dad… I just wish I also had something like that.”

Scootaloo felt a necklace slide down her neck, and settled down at her collar, she could feel the tips of something tap against her skin. “And now, you do.” Moon How said, making Scootaloo open her eyes, to see the stallion’s necklace of fangs. “So long as you wear those, the fangs of that Fenrisian Wolf I slayed, you stand among the Vlka Fenryka… As a Sister Wolf.”

The filly looked up at him, tears still in her eyes. “B-But… You ponies are so cool. Why would you want a blank flank pegasus filly, who can’t fly?” Scootaloo asked, confused by the gesture.

“There was one thing the Wolf King respected… And that was one’s will to defy fate.” Moon Howl said, lowering his head down to nuzzle the filly, well… The best he could. “You can fly; you have the will to do so.”

Scootaloo smiled up at him. “D-Do you really think so?” She asked.

“I know so… Because I was once a weak colt.” He said, pulling his head back. “And look where my will got me.”

Scootaloo suddenly hugged his hoof again, still smiling at what was said. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She repeated, the stallion chuckling a bit.

“Anytime… And if you ever need me, when you’re in danger, just howl.” He said, Scootaloo looking up at him. “Like a wolf. Keep howling, I’ll hear you and release one of my own.”

She nodded. “Ok!" Scootaloo said, hugging his hoof tighter. “Thank you, Moon Howl!”

The stallion chuckled a bit more, and nodded. “Anytime, Scootaloo… Now, do you have anything to do today?” Moon Howl asked.

“Yeah! Rainbow Dash said that we’ll continue our lessons today!” Scootaloo answered, smiling up at him before an inquisitive look appeared on her face. “Hey, Moon Howl, can I ask you a question?”

He gave a nod. “Sure, ask me, little pup.”

For some reason, hearing him call her ‘little pup’ actually made Scootaloo feel excited, her wings buzzing. “Where do you live, anyways? I know you don’t live in Ponyville, because I have never seen you around before.” She asked, the stallion suddenly having a thoughtful look on his face.

“Well, that’s because I live in the forest, where I saved you and your two friends… In a cave not too far from town.” He answered, Scootloo nodding. “Now, what time is this Rainbow Dash going to start the lessons?”

“She told me to wait in the park for her, and that we’ll start soon as she gets here.” Scootaloo answered.

Moon Howl nodded, smiling. “Then you better get out there… So she can find you.” He nudged Scootaloo with his hoof. “And remember, you have the will to fly and the Vlka Fenryka beind you… Tackle this obstacle with all you have.” The filly nodded, rushing back into the park. “Seriously… What in the name of Russ has gotten into me?” He thought, the stallion shaking his head before leaving the park to scout some more.

-During Scootaloo’s Training Session-

“Wow, you’re doing great, today, Scootaloo!” Rainbow Dash said, watching the filly actually hover three times longer than normal. “What’s gotten into you?”

The filly landed, a smile on her face. “I saw Moon Howl before you showed up!” She said, the mare smiling at the filly. “When I told him about how hard it was for me to fly, and how you were helping, he said some encouraging things about having will and how he believes I can do it!” Scootaloo held out the fang necklace up to her idol. “He even gave me this!”

Rainbow Dash just now noticed the amulet, and raised an eyebrow. “What is that?” She asked, pondering the fangs. “Too big and curved for bear teeth, but too small to be Manticore teeth.” The mare thought.

“They are from what he called a ‘Fenrissian Wolf’! They’re from the same Wolf that he slayed, to join the Vlka Fenryka, he wears the pelt in its honor for granting him the opportunity to be one!”

The mare had never heard of a tradition like that before, then again… If this ‘Moon Howl’ was a Charger, then a strange tradition to prove one’s strength would make sense. “Really, just how big are these wolves? Bet I could take one down.” Rainbow Dash said, proudly.

Scootaloo suddenly became nervous. “I-I don’t know about that, Rainbow Dash…” She said, swiftly looking around.

Rainbow Dash was suddenly taken back by the lack of confidence from Scootaloo. “What makes you think I couldn’t take one down?” She asked, trying not to sound offended.

“B-Because these things are huge. The pelt, alone, drapes over Moon Howl’s body, and he’s bigger than Big Mac.” Scootaloo said, kicking the dirt with her hoof. “And, from what he told us, they’re more ferocious than a Manticore.”

The mare thought about it for a moment, and smiled. “Sounds like my kind of opponent! Where does this Moon Howl pony live, anyways? Maybe he could help me find one to fight.” She said, her arrogance starting to show.

“I-I don’t really know where he lives…” She lied, mentally kicking herself for it. “I mean, all I know, is that he lives in the Everfree Forest.”

Rainbow Dash bought it. “Horse apples. Well, no use in dwelling on that.” She said, disappointed about not finding this pony on her own. “Well, I guess we should just get back to practice!”

"Yes, ma’am!” Scootaloo gave a mock salute, going back to Rainbow Dash’s training.