While Twilight and her friends were at Zecora's home, a darker gathering has dawned. Five female wolves were gathered in a fortress outside Equestia's borders. They all sat in a circle of chairs, facing each other in a big council room.
A silver and black wolf named Deathkiss asked, "What news have you from the search team, Desiree?"
Desiree, a light brown wolf, replied, "Nothing yet sister, my pack is still searching, they are laying traps to draw him out as we speak."
"Traps?" Yelled Cut-throat, a light brown and white wolf. "We need him intact for our masters resurrection!"
"Calm yourself." Remarked Smoke, a dark grey wolf. "If he's injured, it will only make the battle easier for us."
"You mean for your son?" Asked Deathkiss. "Your over confidence in him will lead to his demise."
"Spare me your words sister. Smoke replied. "Brimstone can defeat Teotle with or without him being injured. He will also defeat your daughter, Fracture, very soon."
"Really?" Asked Eveningstar, a brown wolf with blue high lights. "Does that make your son Shadowflame, himself?"
"Don't you start too." Smoke snapped. "Your son has already lost in the arena."
Just then, a messenger entered the room, interrupting the sisters bickering.
Smoke asked, infuriatingly, "What is it?"
"Forgive me mistresses." said the messenger. "But we found something you might want to see."
"Well?" Asked Deathkiss. " What are you waiting for? Bring it forward!"
The messenger signaled for a scout from the search team to enter the room. The scout wore a set of saddle bags. He reached inside the bag and pulled out Teotle's dismembered leg.
"What is that?" Asked Eveningstar raising an eyebrow.
"This was caught in one of the traps we left near ponyville." Said the scout, pulling out the bear trap from his saddle bags. "The leg still has traces of our leader. Its Teotle's."
The sisters looked at each other.
Smoke asked, "Does sister Frost know of this discovery?"
"No mistress." said the scout.
"You've done us great honor, tracking him to Equestria." Said Desiree.
"Take the traces of our master from the leg and use them to find the child." Said Deathkiss. "They an my search team are at your disposal."
"Thank you mistresses, at once." Said the scout, giving them a bow.
"Oh and one more thing." Said Smoke. "Have the leg delivered to Sister frost immediately after the traces are taken. She will want to know that her son has been found."
"Is that really necessary?" Asked Cut-throat. "The poor thing hasn't slept in days. Shouldn't we at least spare her the grief till tomorrow?"
"Fine." Agreed Smoke with a snarl. "Scout, make it so."
The scout and messenger bowed to the sisters and left the room.
"Sisters Desiree and Deathkiss." Said Smoke. "I want you and your packs to set your eyes on Ponyville. He may have gone to them for help after his injury from the trap. Go with them and find him by any means necessary."
"As you wish sister." Replied Desiree. "We will leave tomorrow after we pack the provisions needed to catch him."
"I will ready my wolves now." Said Deathkiss. "it will be good to get some fresh air."
"Good." Said Smoke. "Soon, you ride for Ponyville, and once the ritual is compete, we will have our king back."
Meanwhile,
Back at Zecora's house, everypony looked at her, silently. Zecora had just told them of how Teotle and the other children of the Sisters of the Shadows must fight until one is left to resurrect Shadowflame, the tyrant of the wolf pack.
Twilight eventually asked, "What do we do?"
Celestia answered, "There is good news of this situation. We have Teotle with us. Shadowflame can't be reborn unless there is one remaining child. If he is here and he isn't Shadowflame, then that means there is at least one other child left."
"Meaning what?" Asked Applejack.
"We keep him safe in our care until we find a way to stop the wolves." Said Luna.
"Only one question remains though." Said Celestia. "Who will watch over him? My sister and I cannot bring him to Canterlot, for the citizens will have a panic. They might want him as a prisoner rather than a guest. We need to send him somewhere so he won't cause trouble. Perhaps he could stay with one of you, under supervision?"
"Don't look at me." Said Applejack. "Granny Smith is a tad superstitious about wolves coming at night to attack the cows."
"I don't think I could watch him either." Said Fluttershy. Don't get me wrong, he's very cute, but I don't think many of my animal friends would like him that much."
"He can't fly." Said Rainbowdash. he'll be kind of hard to watch while I manage the weather."
All of Twilight's friends had some excuse not to watch Teotle. Some were reasonable, while others were a little over fetched.
Eventually Twilight asked, "What about me?"
Celesta turned to her and asked, "Do you trust him?"
"Not really..."Said Twilight, nervously. "But Nyx and her friends do."
Celestia and Luna looked at each other, nodded, and then back at Twilight, smiling.
Celestia said "Well, that's good enough for us."