The Wolf and the Rainbow

Chapter Six

-Ponyville Hospital-

Moon Howl slowly woke up, his eyes greeted with some bright blue and a shadow, nose filled with the smell of sanitation. His mind instantly remembering what it is like within an Apothecarion. “Well, good afternoon, Mr. Howl. How are you feeling this morning?” A male voice asked, Moon Howl not quite catching the name he used.

“Like an Ork Borgboy used my head for a drum.” He replied, out of experience within some sanitized area.

“A what?” The unicorn doctor asked, putting his clipboard down.

Moon Howl shook his head, noticing the tan unicorn with a red mane and tail. “Sorry, head is a bit fuzzy, and the words came out wrong.” He lied, smiling a bit, as he sat up. “But I do have one massive headache.”

The doctor raised an eyebrow, before nodding. “Well… Alright then.” He said, pulling the clipboard back up. “And the headache is to be expected… You took quite the blow. A manticore’s strength is not something to sneeze at, most ponies wouldn’t be breathing after what you took.”

“But I’m not like most ponies, am I, doctor?” He asked, smirking a bit.

“Then I suppose you already know about the abnormal healing process and body structure?” The doctor asked, lowering his clipboard.

“That would be correct, doctor. After all, I was born like this.” Moon Howl chuckled, heartedly. “All within the Vlka Fenryka are like me.”

The doctor nodded, not asking who these ‘Vlka Fenryka’ are. He was a doctor, not a scientist. With a smile of his own, he looked up at the Charger. “Good to hear, this saves us a lot of time. You also seem in good health, despite being unconscious for nearly a week. So, I’ll be able to discharge you tomorrow, if everything checks out.” The doctor placed Moon’ Howl’s data chart against the bed. “By the way, I am Dr. Bone Scanner, and I would like to ask… Do you feel up to visitors?”

“I have visitors?” Moon Howl asked, with a raised brow.

“That you do, and I must say… You are one lucky stallion. The mare is beyond an eye catcher, and the filly is so adorable.” The doctor said, smiling. “Shall I let them in?”

“Uh, sure.” Moon Howl agreed, Dr. Bone Scanner walking over to the door, with a nod.

The doctor used his magic to open the door, sticking his head outside. “He’s awake and ready to see visitors now.” A cheer followed, before a familiar filly rushed in, and stopped right next to his bed.

“Moon Howl, you’re ok! We were so worried about you!” Scootaloo said, her face glowing with excitement.

“We?” Moon Howl chuckled, rubbing her mane with his hoof. “Also, it will take more than a manticore to bring down a Vlka Fenryka, little pup.”

“Yeah, Rainbow Dash stayed here with me, the whole time!” Scootaloo said, giggling while he messed up her mane.

“Oh, and why did she do that?” He asked her, smiling.

“Because she couldn’t stay here by herself.” An all too familiar voice said, making Moon Howl look up to see the cyan pegasus from his visions! The stallion’s eyes went wide, making Rainbow Dash blush a bit. “A-And to thank you for saving my life.” She finished, looking away from him.

“Uh, you’re welcome, Rainbow Dash… It was the least I could do.” Moon Howl said, rubbing the back of his head.

She suddenly flew up to him, a determined look in her eye. “Don’t get used to it, big guy! Next time, I’ll be me saving your flank from danger!” Rainbow Dash said, making Moon Howl grin.

“We’ll see who is saving who, next time.” He replied, before feeling Scootaloo tap his shoulder. "Yes, Scootaloo?”

“How come you never told me, and the other crusaders, that you were a Pegasus Charger?” She asked, Moon Howl just now feeling the feathery appendages.

He had to think of something, and quick. “Well, it never really came up. Plus, I rarely use them, only when I need to.” Moon Howl answered, giving her an assuring smile.

The filly bought the lie, and nodded. “Guess we shouldn’t have assumed you were an earth pony, either.” Scootaloo said, smiling.

“Another lesson learned, then.” He gave a nod, before looking around. “Say… Where is my sword and armor?” Moon Howl asked.

“Oh, I took it back to my place, over Ponyville. Twilight had to help me, due to it being so heavy…. Seriously, how in Equestria can you wear that stuff?” Rainbow Dash asked, tilting her head. “Let alone, fly with it.”

Moon Howl gave a light shrug, at the mare’s question. “A lot of strength and endurance training, with the armor on, helps.” He lied, the stallion thanked the All-Father he was given knowledge and body to do just that.

“Right…” She then looked at Dr. Bone Scanner. “Hey, doc, how long does he have to stay here?”

Dr. Bone Scanner took a moment to think, despite already having told Moon Howl. “Well, if everything checks out, he should be good to leave by tomorrow.”

Rainbow Dash hoof pumped. “Awesome! Scoots already told me where you lived.” She looked back at the Charger, with a grin. “Ain’t no way I’m going to let you stay there; after all you’ve done. You can stay in the guest room, at my place.”

“Sure you have a bed that I can fit in?” He asked, noticing that his body was a bit big for the Hospital bed.

“Heck ya, cloud beds are easily adjusted. Too big for the current one, all we gotta do is add a bit more.” Rainbow Dash answered, smirking a bit. “What do you say?”

Moon Howl shrugged. “Sure, why not?” Rainbow Dash, for some reason, hoof pumped again.

“Hey, Moon Howl?” Scootaloo spoke up, causing the Charger to look at her. “I was wondering, what does your cutie mark look like?”

Moon Howl hesitated, he didn’t even know himself what it looked like. “Well, instead of telling you, how about I show you?” He asked, smiling, as Scootaloo quickly nodded. “Alright then, let’s have a look.” With that, Moon Howl pulled the sheets off of his lower half… Both Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo became awestruck, while Moon Howl couldn’t believe what he saw.

Right there, on his storm gray flank, was a howling crimson wolf, with a white crescent moon right behind it. It looked almost like the insignia of the fabled, and legendary, Thirteenth Company! Moon Howl had both a surprised, and honored, look on his face. “Uh, Moon Howl?” He looked to the filly. “Why do you look surprised? It’s your cutie mark.”

Moon Howl took a moment, to think of something to tell her. “Well… My cutie mark looks exactly like the insignia of the Vlka Fenryka’s most legendary Battle Company… And I’m always surprised, and honored, when I see it.” He managed to say, hoping the two bought it.

Scootaloo bought it, but Rainbow Dash didn’t. “Uh-huh, what was this ‘Battle Company’ called?” The mare asked, with a raised brow.

“They were simply called the ‘Thirteenth Company’. The Wolf King’s best, and those that stood by his side since his ascension as our King… Who are now sworn to hunt down the evil that plagues our lands.” Moon Howl didn’t really lie, granted he had to edit the story a bit.

Though, it seemed to have worked, because Rainbow Dash was grinning. “Man, what I would give to challenge those guys!” She exclaimed, before Rainbow Dash remembered something. “Hey, Moon Howl? Think you can show me how to hunt one of those ‘Fenrissian Wolves’ Scootaloo told me about?”

This will be a hard one to lie about, since they do not exist on this world. “I would, if I could. However, to enter our lands, requires a unicorn that knows how to pass through our protective wards… Which we do not have, and I cannot return until fulfilling my Wyrd.”

“What’s a wyrd?” Scootaloo asked.

“It is Fenrissian for ‘Destiny’. In other words, I am on a quest which has brought me to Ponyville.” Moon Howl explained, before Dr. Bone Scanner interjected.

“Alright, I think that is enough. Mr. Howl requires rest, and visiting hours are almost over.” The doctor said, motioning the two out. “You can come back tomorrow.”

“Awwwwwh…” Scootaloo said, walking out the door. “See you tomorrow, Moon Howl!” She called back, the stallion waving goodbye.

“Yeah, and you better be feeling better!” Rainbow Dash called back, making Moon Howl laugh a bit.

-Tartarus-

Tirek sat in his cage, angered at how he was defeated by those ponies… After so long, he only had but moments of freedom. “I will have my revenge on those blasted ponies.” He growled, glaring at the bars of his cell.

“I may be able to assist in said revenge.” A voice spoke up, before some chaotic rift opened up. Tirek watched, as a sapphire blue unicorn stallion, with a blonde mane, walked out of it. “After all, I owe quite a lot to creatures, such as you.”

The centaur raised an eyebrow at the newcomer, before looking at his cutie mark. It was some swirling gold dragon, biting its own tail, with some strange typhoon insignia at the center. Though, the insignia had a demonic eye in the middle. “And how, pony, might you be able to do that?” Tirek asked, looking at the unicorn.

“My masters have given me quite the power, just to corrupt this world.” He answered, an azure blue glow appearing around his horn. “I can free you, and send you out of here… In exchange, you cause as much havoc you can. Distract the citizens of this world for me.”

Tirek thought about it, for a moment. This opportunity will grant him a chance to have his revenge, on those six mares… Plus, this unicorn seemed quite powerful, and he could easily trick him into giving up his magic. “You have a deal… But, who might I be working alongside?” He asked, a twisted grin appearing on his face.

The unicorn gave a grin of his own. "You may call me… Chaos Star.” With that, Tirek was gone from Tartarus, the unicorn right rafter. When Cerebus showed up, to investigate the strange scent, he discovered his charge missing, again! The three headed dog’s ears lowered, Celestia is not going to be happy with him.