The Element of Hope

Today Moonshine was flying over the sky heading over to Equestria's National Park. Celestia had informed Moonshine that something has been threatening a pack of Joltwolves and she wanted her to investigate. What made this so important is that two of the Joltwolf females were pregnant with pups. Joltwolves were a unique kind of wolf, able to generate electricity through their bodies and they can shoot out lightning bolts at their enemies. They weren't endangered but they were a keystone species in the park, keeping the ecosystem in perfect balance.

Moonshine arrived at the National Park's entrance and was greeted by the park rangers; Rose Petals; a pinkish Earth Pony with a red mane and tail and her partner Hurricane; a blueish stallion with greyish hooves with a black mane and tail.

"Ah, Princess Moonshine, we've been expecting you." Rose Petals said with a smile.

"Thank you, do you know where the Joltwolves live?" Moonshine asked them and they nodded. "They live up on that mountain.." Hurricane pointed to a mountain with a large thundercloud over the top and sparking lightning. "Lightning Mountain. At the top of the mountain lies the Joltwolves territory."

"Thanks.." Moonshine said and the rangers let her in and she flew up towards Lightning Mountain.

When she flew up to get to the top, she was greeted by harsh rains, winds and of course lightning. "Ugh... man... this is rough..." Moonshine grunted as her wings flapped hard to get her through the storm. She avoided lightning strikes and she finally made it to the top of the mountain where she found herself in a very large clearing with a large cave in the back. The clearing looked completely empty.

"Hmm..." Moonshine said before she shook herself dry and walked through the clearing. However, before she could enter the cave, she felt a puff of hot breath on the back of her neck, making her stop in her tracks. She turned around and she saw about seven Joltwolves staring at her. They were all gigantic, but six of them were silver with blue streaks on their bodies but one was completely black with neon blue streaks on his body. Moonshine figured the black Joltwolf was their Alpha.

They all were growling at the sight of the intruder. "Um.. h-hi there... I'm not here to hurt you... I'm just here to uh... look over your pregnant females..." Moonshine stammered nervously.

The Joltwolf Alpha came in front of Moonshine and sniffed her carefully before he snorted at her. "So.... I can... check on them...?" Moonshine asked.

The Joltwolf Alpha nodded at Moonshine and she entered the cave which was dimly lit. Using her horn for extra light, she found two more Joltwolves inside; both were swollen bellies. The two females were both silver and they perked up seeing Moonshine and snarled.

"I-It's okay..." Moonshine stammered. But one of the females stood up, baring her teeth before she let out a painful yelp and had to lay back down, "Ooh..." Moonshine fluttered over to her and rubbed her swollen stomach. "Take it easy girl... easy..." The female whined as her swollen stomach gurgled a little. "Ooh, you must be hungry.. here.." Moonshine poofed up a large salmon fish for the two females and gave one to each of them.

"Here..." the two females smiled and ate the large fish happily.

When the two were finished, Moonshine made the bones disappear. "Take it easy girls..." Moonshine cooed, rubbing one of the female's swollen stomachs. The female cooed and gently nuzzled her with her large snout, making her chuckle.

Now Moonshine had to figure out what was threatening the Joltwolves. She knew that wolves had few enemies other than other wolves or cougars, so Moonshine figured it might have been one of them responsible.. but Joltwolves could shoot electricity.. so what kind of wolf or cougar could stand up to that?

Then the females and Moonshine heard snarls and growls from outside the cave. "Stay here girls.." Moonshine cooed at the pregnant females and she exited the cave and saw the Joltwolves fighting against Cougars! But these courgars were just as big as they were and they had yellow streaks on their backs! "What the-?" Moonshine questioned before she nearly dodged a yellow lightning bolt from one of the cougars.

"Joltcougars too!" Moonshine exclaimed in fear and shock. The couagrs were only three strong and while two were facing the pack one of them ran inside the cave! "Oh no..!" Moonshine exclaimed as she flew over and in front of the Joltcougars face. "Leave these pregnant females alone..!" she growled.

But the Joltcougar snarled and snapped its jaws at Moonshine but she blasted it with some magic, making it irritated. the giant cougar swung at her and struck her, pinning her onto the ground. "Oof! Ugh... that hurt..." Moonshine groaned. The cougar snarled and moved in to eat the tiny alicorn pony. Moonshine gasped and tried to get out of the cougar's paw but it put too much weight on her.

Suddenly, the black Joltwolf Alpha bit the Joltcougar on the neck, making it growl in pain and it lunged at the Joltwolf Alpha. The Alpha dodged it and launched a strong bolt of lightning at the cougar sending it out of the cave and skidding across the floor. The cougars regrouped as the Joltwolves regrouped as well in front of the cave, snarling and growling. The Joltcougars knew they were beaten this time so they decided to retreat.

"Well.. at least their gone..." Moonshine sighed as she staggered to her feet. The Joltwolf Alpha came back into the den and nudged the two pregnant females. The females were unharmed, much to his relief. Moonshine went over and felt their swollen tummies, "The pups are still healthy.." Moonshine said happily.

The second female gently scooted over to Moonshine and nuzzled her. "Hehhe.. you're welcome.." Moonshine knew that the females were only eight months along in their pregnancy which meant that in one more month they would give birth to their little puppies. "Hmm.. I'm sure Mom would allow me to stay until they gave birth... hehe.."