Love Bites

Orion’s head turned from left to right as he quickly trotted down a narrow path. He was looking for something that North had buried near the tree hut moons ago, yet couldn’t quite place exactly where it was. As if on cue, said personality’s voice started to speak up.

“I wish you wouldn’t be so abstain on asking me for help. I would have found that necklace hours ago if you only let me out to do it.”

The red eyed unicorn huffed. “Sure you would. Anything to get me back inside that empty mind of yours would be just be fantastic, wouldn't it? Well tough luck, buckaroo. I ain’t finished with my plan yet, so your staying put.”

“Please? Just for a few minutes so I can find the necklace, and then you can block me out for as long as you want.”

“You make a hard bargain there, Northie. What’s the catch?”

“N-Nothing! I mean it.”

Orion sighed deeply, yet let his horn glow. His magic swirled around his head until it turned a dark blue, then faded. North shook himself before opening his eyes, blue irises back where they should have been for weeks. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Now get moving. That necklace isn’t going to dig up itself.”

The unicorn started to do so, yet stopped in his tracks when a blur of magenta suddenly zipped by above him. “What was that?”

“Don’t know, don’t care. Use those legs or I’ll make you move them.”

Ember, Mark, Collin and Ryker all traversed down the slightly muddy pathways to the east of the Raging Rapids, the colt in the front with his nose to the ground, sniffing around like a bloodhound. The pegasus found the sight amusing, and playfully nudged Ember’s shoulder. “At this rate, I think he’ll end up leading us to a pile of dog bones with how hard he’s sniffing.”

The other Lead’s eyes rolled. “Don’t underestimate him, C. He knows what he’s doing.”

“Yeah, ok. Once a big wad of crap goes flying up into his nostrils, you can tell me otherwise.”

Slightly annoyed, Mark nipped at the stallion’s wing that was closest to him. “Oy, knock it off, will you? That’s my boy your ridiculing. I’m sure he’s doing a better job at tracking these scents than you ever could.”

“Is that so? You wanna bet?”

The red earth pony stepped in between them, a low growl escaping him. “At ease, both of you. Now is not the time for bickering. I’m starting to regret having you come along in the first place.”

Collin pouted. “Rude.” His gaze redirected to the youngster in front of him, suddenly very interested. “Yo, Rykes. How come your mane is brown when neither of your folks have it in them?”

“Grandparents,” was the simple reply.

“Very well. What about your eyes, then? I haven’t seen many around with eyes like that.”

“Medical condition. Heterochromia.”

“What-”

Ryker abruptly stopped in his tracks, spinning around to snap his teeth at the older pegasus while his eyes flashed purple. “Look, Gramps. I much as I would love to talk about every weird aspect of my body, I really don’t think now is the appropriate time. So drop it.”

Collin blinked, surprised to say the least. His eyes shifted to glance at the pup’s father. “Mark, did you and Firefly make out in a salt pool? Because your kid is pretty full of it.”

The light green unicorn shrugged his shoulders. “He gets it from his grandad. But I’ll admit, you kinda had it coming for you there, mate.”

“Shut up.”

The colt had turned back around at this point, his body suddenly going stiff as he caught wind of a scent.

Ember looked around, scanning for anything out of place in the distance. “What is it, Ryker?”

“Rogues. To the north.” Right on cue, two large wolves emerged from the trees, roaming the area absentmindedly. “You guys stay here. I’ll go take care of them.”

The Lead started to move forward to stop him, but Mark shook his head. “Leave ‘im be. He’s fought with bigger buffoons before.”

Collin looked appalled. “You let your kid fight Rouges? They’re at least twice his size! They’ll crush the thing!”

The unicorn wasn’t the slightest bit concerned. “He’s gotta learn early, doesn’t he? Besides, didn’t your boy kill a vampire when he was a youngin’? Same thing.”

“Yeah, but that was just one. And I didn’t even know he did it until he showed me. Are you sure you’re comfortable with throwing your son in fights like that?” As soon as he finished speaking, the trio suddenly heard loud snarls and yelps, turning their heads to see what was going on. Ryker was in the process of ripping out one of the Rogue’s necks, the wolf’s body slumping lifelessly onto the ground before him. The other one tried to run away, but was chased by the youth, who grabbed one of his hind legs with his teeth, pulling it clean out of its socket. Now downed, the Rouge whimpered and pleaded to be spared, but to no avail, as seconds later its head fell against its chest limply, never to rise again. The pegasus nonchalantly flexed his wings before trotting over to the group.

“Sorry about that, Alpha Ember. Let’s take a quick break, shall we? I’ll make sure to get back on the trail as soon as I can.’’

“Actually, Ryker. I think it would be best if we head home for the night. We’ve done enough scouring for the day, haven’t we boys?”

The dark blue pegasus could only stare at Mark as they started on their way back. “Mark, I stand corrected. Your pup’s a monster.”

Crescent leaped over logs and dodged trees as she sped through her nook of the woods. She had been sent to find the nearest Healer in her region, for her sister had some sort of illness that neither herself nor the Omegas could identify. The Healer’s hut was in sight when something suddenly obstructed her path, and with no way to slow herself down, the Alpha barreled into it, rolling until she stopped. Something soft and warm was now underneath her, and she cautiously opened one eye to see what it was. Another she wolf glared at her, annoyed, yet it was the emerald eyes that made Crescent blink. She transformed, taking a step back. “Nicky? Is that you?”

The wolf cocked her head after sitting up, surprised as well. Shifting into her pony form, she quickly bowed. “Alpha Crescent. What are you doing here?”

“I’d ask you the same thing. Where have you been? No one has seen you for moons.”

At this the earth pony turned around, pulling something out from behind a nearby bush. It was a pale blue earth pony foal, pastel colored hair draped around her head. The elder placed her onto her back, eyes flashing briefly. ‘My pup, Snow Fall. Had her a few months ago.’

“What on earth is she doing out here? She’s far too young to be in these unstable temperatures.”

Nicky growled. “Sorry. I guess I haven’t been in the loop, now have I? In case you didn’t know, my new pack doesn’t allow more than a certain amount of members. So it’s either her or all three of us. And frankly, I can’t afford to be pack hopping right now I’m doing the best I can to keep her alive, so cut me some slack, Alpha.”

The pegasus’ wings unfurled. “Haven’t you changed. What happened to the caring and charismatic Hunter I used to know? She’s long gone now, it seems. Let me take the pup. Unlike yours, my pack doesn’t have any issues with taking in new members.”

“Be my guest.” As soon as the foal was placed on the cold ground, the earth pony was gone without another thought. Crescent’s eyes narrowed in slight suspicion. What happened at Nicky’s new pack that caused her to be so... not like herself? The Hunter she knew would never do such a thing. And yet, here she was, a tiny foal wrapped tightly in her arms. Snow’s eyes opened, revealing light green irises, a few shades lighter than her mother’s. She stared up at the pegasus curiously, her lips curling into a slight smile. Crescent sighed, leaning down to nuzzle her gently.

“Sorry, kiddo. Guess I’m your new mama now.”