Chapter 5: Shadowed Changes
Hollow Shades- Nightingale
The first thing to come to mind as I watched Mighty step forward, was how creepy he was. He sent shivers down my spine, and I could feel how much Shadow was unsettled by him, his body trembling against me.
Mighty turned to the side, and between the gaps in his weapons I could make out his cutie mark, a necklace of what looked like fangs at first, but as I looked closer, I realized each ‘fang’ was actually a timberwolves dew claw. He even had a cutie mark in killing Shadow’s kind!
“Mom, Shadow and I are going to go get some air,” I whispered. “He’s not handling the heat well.”
She looked at me, then to Shadow whose ears were splayed back against his head, breathing heavily, and nodded. “Just stay away from the woods.”
I nodded, putting a hoof around Shadow and leading him through the crowd toward the door.
“I’ve taken on dozens of packs,” Mighty continued as we pushed our way through. “Some of them triple the size of what I hear of your pack. None survived, and none will this time either. I−” the door closed behind us, cutting off the rest of his words.
“This must be the wrongness you were feeling last night,” I whispered, rubbing Shadow’s back.
He nodded. “Yes. With that black gun of his, I don’t know how we stand a chance. My pack is doomed, and I’m not there to protect them!” He fell to the grass, moaning, and covered his head with his hooves. “Cherry, why did you have to go and attack that filly?”
“We’ll figure something out,” I soothed, nestling against him. “I doubt the prophecy meant for you to lose your family.”
“Wouldn’t it think that for the best?” he snorted. “I mean, if I have no pack to return to I have no reason to ever try to leave here, or you.” He scuffed a hoof against the grass. “N-not that I would want to leave you,” he mumbled, blushing. “But I’m a pony now, not a wolf, and nothing can change that,” he rubbed a hoof through his mane.
I sat silently against him for a moment, eyes closed and hoof still running up and down his back. “Shadow, I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“If it wasn’t for me, you’d still be with your pack,” I said softly. “You’d be big and strong and able to protect them. Instead, you are now a pony and smaller.” I lowered my head, frowning, looking at the ground.
He chuckled, putting a hoof around me and hugging me close. “Don’t blame yourself for what happened, as it is not your fault. I- I love you Gale, and no matter what happens, curse or no curse, pack or no pack, that will not change.”
I blinked up at him, eyes watering and lips trembling. “T-that’s not just the curse talking?”
“Partly maybe,” he blushed, putting a hoof against the back of his head. “But not entirely. I’m sorry, am I moving too fast?”
“Oh! N-no no you’re not!” I stammered, shaking my head. My heart beat wildly in my chest at his words, he loved me! Even if this destiny of ours was the cause, I didn’t care. I took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Did I feel the same? Yes. Was it just this destiny thing talking? Of that I was not as sure.
“Good,” he sighed, letting out a breath I hadn’t realized he was holding. We lied there silently for a few minutes, both of our frantic heartbeats slowing, lost in our own thoughts. I nuzzled against him, closing my eyes. The murmurings of the crowd inside reached my ears, but I couldn’t make out any words. All I heard were the birds chirping in the trees around us.
“So what we going to do?”
“Keep him away from my pack, of course,” Shadow snorted, stomping a hoof. “He’ll probably need some time to prepare, at least I hope he will. I wonder…” He stood, pulling me up beside him. “Follow me.”
I nodded, trotting along beside him as we left town hall. Our pace quickened the more steps we placed between us and the building, until we went into a slow gallop. The wind tossed our manes behind us, and I let out a light laugh. That all ended when I noticed where we were heading. “Wait, we’re going into the forest?”
“Not if my plan works,” he grinned, pausing by the edge of the trees. He took a deep breath, lifted his neck, and let out a howl that sounded like somepony stepped on a cat’s tail.
I cringed, closing one eye to look at him. “Er, no offense but your howl is horrible as a pony.”
Shadow groaned, facehooving. “Yeah, I realized. Stupid idea.” He shook his head. “Guess I just will have to enter the forest.”
“Halt!” I looked up to see Stronghoof galloping our way. “The forest is forbidden at this time.” He glared at the two of us. “Get back to your home, before you cause your mother even more worry Gale,” he snorted. “As for you,” Stronghoof turned his gaze to Shadow. “You are showing a bad example to our foals by loitering around the forest. Next time one might die.”
“I have no intention of letting anypony die,” Shadow said.
“Well then, I suggest you stay away from the forest as well,” Strong hissed. “You are staying with Gales folks, correct?” Shadow nodded. “Then both of you return home, and don’t let me catch you trying to enter the forest again. I won’t tell your folks this time, but next time−”
“Yes I know, you’ll tell them,” I sighed. “What are the plans for the… hunt?”
“Mighty will make some more bullets for his gun tonight, and just after dawn he will enter to exterminate those pests,” Strong spat, rubbing it into the dirt with one hoof. “Then if you want to enter the forest so much, I guess I won’t be able to stop you.”
I let out a whoosh of breath, so we had a little less than twenty-four hours. “Thank you Strong,” I grinned. “We shall go then.”
“What?” Shadow yelped, blinking at me in surprise.
“Everything will be taken care of Shadow,” I said, nudging him in the side. “So let’s get home before mother worries?”
He blinked at me for a moment, then nodded. “O-oh, right! Yes let’s go back to your home.”
“Well then, get!” Stronghoof huffed.
I nodded, leading us away. “Okay, we have less than a day to figure out what to do,” I said once we were out of Stronghoofs hearing. “We can’t enter the forest with him guarding it,” I scowled. “But we have time to try to find Mighty’s weakness?”
“With that gun, he has no weakness!” Shadow groaned.
I grinned, an idea popping into my head. “Then we simply need to get it away from him.”
“You really think such a task will be that simple?” Shadow sighed.
“Never know until we try?”
Shadow chuckled, shaking his head. “You know he’ll probably have it under close guard right?”
I sighed, deflating a little. “Yeah, maybe it was a stupid plan. We’ll figure something out, though, I’m sure of it!” I sure hoped so at least.
Gales Home- Shadow
Not knowing what else to do, we slowly walked back to Gale’s home, collapsing on the couch. Neither of Gale’s parents were back yet, so the house was silent except for the insistent ticking of the clock. I jumped when with a loud dong, it announced the hour, ten.
“Scared of the clock?” Gale teased, beaming at me.
“Of course not,” I huffed. She just giggled.
I sat back and racked my brain for ideas, but all of them ended with something bad happening to Gale or me, and I shook them away. My hooves were still itching, but at least they were all, for now. Gale sighed and leaned against me, closing her eyes. “Gale?”
“Don’t worry,” she grinned. “Just thinking. We need a way to get past Stronghoof.”
“Indeed, that is all we need,” I chuckled, putting a hoof around her. I turned my gaze to the door as a soft knock echoed on the wood.
“Come in,” Gale called.
I blinked in surprise when Carin’ trotted inside. She closed the door behind her, looking around. “Are your parents’ home Gale?” Her gaze fell on the two of us nestled next to each other. “I’m not interrupting something, am I?”
“No to both questions,” Gale said, standing up and stretching. “I−” her eyes lit up, a smile forming on her face. “What do you need them for?” she asked, looking over at me and winking. What was she thinking about?
“I was just coming to check on how your father is doing, but I guess they must still be at town hall,” she sighed. “There is something about Mighty, I don’t trust him.”
“We feel it too,” Gale said. “But it seems everypony else is enraptured by him. Guess that happens when somepony offers to save the ones you love, when you can’t.”
“At the price of the lives of others,” I grunted.
Carin’ nodded, “I took care of both Mug’s and Sugar’s wounds. They were hardly more than scratches and scrapes. The timberwolves might be coming into town now, but I don’t think they should be killed.” She looked up at Gale. “I’m sure your Grannie wouldn’t want that.”
“No,” Gale sighed, putting a hoof to her necklace and holding the shiny moonstone. She smiled softly down at it, then turned her gaze to me. “I think it would be safe telling her Shadow.”
“Telling me what?” Carin’ asked, perking up her ears. “Is everything okay?”
“You sure?” I asked. After all, if we told her and she panicked, who knows what would happen?
Gale nodded. “We can trust her,” she grinned at me. “I am even surer of that after what you said Carin’,” she looked up at her. “No, everything's not okay.”
Carin’ crossed her hooves, looking between the two of us. “Well then you better tell me, so I can do what I can to help.”
They both looked to me, Gale with pleading eyes and Carin’ with a small smile, her hooves still crossed in front of her. Well, if she was willing to help, and Gale trusted her, it would probably be fine, right? “Okay, but we better sit down. This might take a while.”
“So you’re really that timberwolf that attacked Mug?” Carin’ asked, taking a sip from her mug of hot chocolate Gale had made us all while talking.
I nodded. “But I only attacked him to protect Gale. Sure I might have wanted to slice him open for a moment, but didn’t.”
Carin’ just sat there for a moment, running a hoof through her mane. “I believe you, both of you. This is just-just amazing! To think all this time Grannie’s stories were true.”
“Believe me, I was just as surprised as you,” Gale chuckled. “It feels so good to let somepony else know!”
“So, do you think you can help us?” I asked, cringing as the clock struck again, noon this time. Where were Gale’s parents?
Carin’ nodded. “Of course! We can’t let Mighty take your family from you. What can I do to help?”
“Well, we need a way to get by Stronghoof,” Gale said. “So we can enter the forest and warn the pack.”
“Stonghoof huh?” Carin’ grinned. “I think I have an idea.”
A few minutes later, the three of us stood behind the pond, watching Stronghoof march back and forth before the trees. “I’m not so sure of this idea,” I groaned. “He seems too… stubborn for it work.”
“Oh, it will work,” Carin said, winking. “I’ve been here for a year now Shadow. I’ve taken care of pretty much everypony for some ailment or otherwise.” She tapped my shoulder with a hoof, “and a doctor knows her patients.”
“Good luck Carin’,” Gale said, wrapping her in a hug.
“Thanks dear,” Carin said hugging her back. “Now, you two be ready to make a dash for the forest. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to keep him distracted.”
“We’ll be ready,” I said.
Carin’ nodded, and sauntered over to Stronghoof. “Oh Stronghoof,” she purred, flicking a hoof through her mane.
Stronghoof turned, jolting as he saw her walking toward him. “Carin’? What are you doing here?”
“Why I came to see you handsome,” she giggled, booping his muzzle with one hoof.
“Come on, while she has his attention,” I said, putting a hoof to Gale’s shoulder and leading her along. We made our way slowly, watching as the two continued to converse, Carin’ giggling every minute or so.
“She has him wrapped around her hoof,” Gale grinned, following behind me. As we reached the edge of the trees she turned to look at me. “I thought you didn’t want me to go into the forest?”
“I don’t,” I snorted. “But I don’t trust what that stallion might try to do if I leave you here. I’ll feel better if you are safe by my side.” As we entered the outer layer of trees, I put a hoof around her. “Now stay close, keep your eyes and ears open,” I whispered. “And if I tell you to run, run. Our den is in a clearing about three miles in, you’ll know you’re close when you see a boulder that looks like the head of an eagle.”
Gale nodded. “Just stay safe.”
“I’ll do my best,” I promised, hugging her close before I continued to lead the way.
Hollow Shades Forest- Nightingale
The forest was awake with life around us, thankfully only the normal fauna from what I could hear. What other things were in this forest with Shadow’s pack? Whatever else there was, I couldn’t help noticing the beauty around me as we walked. The ground was littered with fallen leaves of reds, golds, and oranges. Pine needles softened the sound of our hoofsteps along the path. For being a forest filled with dangerous creatures, it sure seemed peaceful.
“Looks like a nice place to live,” I whispered.
“As long as you avoid the manticores, maybe,” Shadow sighed. “Let’s hurry, you’ll probably be missed before too long.”
I chuckled, increasing my pace. “Don’t want to be on a nice, romantic walk?” Oh sweet Celestia, was I flirting?
Shadow paused, blinking three times as he stared at me. “You’d consider the forest romantic?”
“When we’re not being chased by something wanting to kill us, sure!”
He grinned, shaking his head. “You know how that sounds right?”
I shrugged, “Grannie taught me to love the forest, even with the big baddies.”
“Fair enough,” he nodded, then paused, putting a hoof in front of me to stop me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Shhh, one moment,” he whispered. “Got it.” He turned to our left, taking a step back to keep me behind him. “I know you are there Cherry,” he growled softly.
A moment later the scent of rotting bark and mold reached my nostrils as Cherry stomped out of the bushes, glaring at us. I shivered slightly, having her so close again. Would she attack?
“I know you can understand me,” Shadow continued. A low growl and nod was all he got from her. “You know who I am, right?” Once again she nodded, digging the claws of one paw into the ground. “Good. Now, lead us back to the den. I have news to tell everyone.”
I let out a breath as she turned around, branches snapping as she stepped over them, and walked away.
“So who’s the mare?” Cherry grunted.
“I’m Gale,” I said. A moment later I paused in my hoofsteps, “wait, did I just understand you?”
Cherry shrugged. “It would seem so. So you can talk wolfish, big deal.” She looked back at Shadow, raising one of her leafy eyebrows.
“Like she said, this is Gale,” Shadow said. “She is… part of the reason I am pony now.”
“What?” Cherry growled, whipping around to glare at me, her nose mere inches from my muzzle. “You changed my brother into a pony?”
I gulped, taking a step back, grinning sheepishly. “Not exactly,” I mumbled. “It was more that prophecy…”
Cherry groaned, turning away, barely missing hitting me with her tail. “So father’s stories were true then.”
“Yes,” Shadow nodded, coming to stand between Cherry and me again. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t try to scare my mate.”
I blushed deeply at his words. He considered me his mate already? It was pretty attractive too, him standing up to her in my defense.
“I’ll try not to, but I can’t promise the others will.”
“Don’t worry,” Shadow grinned. “I’ll take care of them.”
A few minutes later, I spotted the boulder Shadow had mentioned earlier. It really did look like an eagle, with subtle changes in the hue of the stone tricking the eye into seeing a hooked beak and ruffled neck feathers.
Shadow shifted nervously beside me, biting his lip. I bumped his flank with my own, smiling at him when he turned his gaze upon me. “Don’t look so nervous! They are your family, I’m sure they will understand.”
“I hope so,” he sighed. “I just hope they will heed the warning.”
“Warning?” Cherry asked, looking back at us. “What did you do?”
“It was not entirely my fault!” he yelled, stomping a hoof. “As for what is to come, you will have to wait until we reach the others.”
I looked up as we reached the end of the trees, coming out into a small meadow. Two other timberwolves stood near a cave on the opposite side of us, one was mostly covered in white with black speckles, the other a light grey colored bark.
“Shadow?” the white one murmured, looking down at the two of us. She was huge, possibly even a little taller than Shadow had been. At least her gaze was friendly though, even if I noticed her lick her lips quickly as we drew closer.
Cherry snorted, joining the other two. “Why else would I bring a pony to our den? We surely can’t eat them without feeling guilty,” she sneered. “Yes, this is our ‘big brother’.”
“Aspen, Maple,” Shadow nodded to them, taking a step closer.
“Shadow!” Aspen grinned, bending down as if she were about to pounce, then paused, standing back up. “Think you are a little too small right now for me to tackle you,” she chuckled.
Shadow laughed. “Yes, that is probably not a good idea.”
“Who are you?” Maple, the greyish colored one asked softly, blinking over at me.
“I’m Gale, Shadow and I are−”
“Oh! The prophecy, right?” Maple beamed. I nodded. “So dad was right, you are special Shadow.”
“Yeah, I-I guess I am,” he stammered, blushing. “You have no idea how glad I am you all seem okay with this.”
“We just want you to be happy,” Maple sighed. “You’ll still be our pack leader, right?”
“Of course! Somehow, I−I will always protect my little sisters.”
“Could you even take a manticore in your tiny pony form?” Cherry snorted, turning away from us and heading toward the den. “Besides them, I don’t need any protection.”
“Actually, that is why we are here,” I said. “To warn you.”
“What, are the manticores planning on using us as firewood?”
“Cherry! Be nice,” Aspen scolded, swatting her on the nose. She then turned back to me. “What do you mean Gale?”
“She means tomorrow morning, w-we are all going to have to relocate.”
“What?” all three sisters yelled.
“But this is our home,” Maple sniffed. “Where else would we go?”
“And I thought you wanted to protect those ponies?” Cherry said, staring over at me. “What about her family? Wouldn’t they miss her?”
I cringed at the thought. Of course they would, especially after losing Grannie mere days ago. “Shadow, we can’t leave,” I said, putting a hoof to his shoulder. “It would kill my parents, to lose me too.”
Shadow closed his eyes, ears falling. “I know, my dear Gale, but we can’t face him.” He put a hoof around me and hugged me close. “Not with that gun. I just want to protect you, and my family.”
“And I understand that,” I said pulling away and looking up into his eyes. “But if we run, all it will do is make him chase us. Better to figure out a plan on how to fight him, rather than run away.”
“She’s right,” Aspen nodded. “Now, care to explain what we are talking about?”
Shadow turned back to them, sighing. “Yes, that is what we came out here to do. Maybe once you know you will see what I mean.”
“Let me get the elders, I’m sure they’ll want to hear this,” Cherry said, trotting into the cave.
Shadow and I trotted further into the meadow, sitting down by a boulder nearly as tall as we were. It was exciting Shadow’s family seemed okay with us. If his family could accept us, it gave me greater hope mine would as well. That is, if we ever saw them again. No! Stay positive Gale! We will see them.
I looked up as Cherry stepped back out of the cave with two other timberwolves. They stared over at us, blinking, then limped into the middle of the meadow with the others.
The first’s bark was a beautiful shade of red, though large strips of it were cracked, looking weather worn. The other was a light tan, who to my surprise was missing half of one of her back legs.
“I thought you could grow body parts back?” I said softly.
“It depends on how you lose them,” she said, her voice raspy, and sat down. “Now Shadow, tell us what you have been up to these past two days.”
“Of course Willow,” Shadow nodded, standing up beside me.
Hollow Shades Forest- Shadow
Everyone watched us carefully as I finished, settling back in beside Gale. Now they knew, and I was glad of it. Now, just to wait to see what they would want to do.
“I understand where you are coming from Shadow,” Willow said, coughing. “A gun similar to that is how I lost my leg. Thankfully it was only a glancing hit, or I wouldn’t be here today.” She looked down at her back leg, letting out a soft sigh.
“See, what did I tell you? He’s dangerous!” I snorted. “I don’t want to lose any of you. The wrongness has my hooves itching, they’ve been itching all morning.” I lowered my ears. Sure, I didn’t want to seem weak, but what could we do to stand up to that gun? I’d take on a dozen manticores before that.
“Shadow!” Gale scolded, snorting at me. “What happened to the brave stallion I have grown to know these last two days? You stood up to Mug and Barrel for me, you stood up to your sister to protect Sugar Glider. Can’t you try to be brave for this as well?” She nuzzled against me, kissing my cheek. “The darkness we are meant to fight will be a lot harder to beat than a simple hunter. If we can’t beat him, we’ll never have a chance against the darkness.”
I looked over at her, putting a hoof to the cheek she had kissed. She was right, of course. Even in her anger, she looked so beautiful. My little fiery angel. Focus, Shadow, focus! We can think of how beautiful she is after we beat him!
“She’s right,” Cherry said. “Much as I hate to agree with a pony. You want us to run from a pony with a little gun? Sure, it might be a dangerous weapon, but do you really think he can take us all at once?” she chuckled.
“Thank you Cherry,” Gale said, smiling at my sister.
“Stay the night here,” Maple said. “Then we’ll be able to plan what to do.”
“Willow and I might not be able to do much,” Redwood smiled softly, showing off her nearly toothless maw. “But we’ll do what we can. No hunter is going to destroy our pack.”
“See Shadow? They are ready and willing to do this.” Gale placed a hoof below my chin, lifting it up to face her. “This is part of our destiny, to protect those we care about. For me, it is the ponies of Hollow Shades, for you, your pack.”
I stood, nodding. “Sorry about my stupidity everyone. You’re right Gale,” I smiled over at her. “This is our destiny, it is what father would want us to do.”
“And Grannie,” Gale whispered, taking her necklace in her hoof and looking down at it.
“Yes, and Grannie,” I nodded. “Let’s make them proud!”
There was a chorus of cheers around us as my pack stood. Together, they all bent their heads back and let out a long, soulful howl. I lifted mine to join them when Gale pressed a hoof to my muzzle. She giggled, and I couldn’t help joining in.
“Aren’t they a cute couple,” Maple sighed, and I grinned as Gale blushed. Yes, yes we were, and I wasn’t going to let fear stand in the way of our destiny.
Gale smiled at me, nodding. Her cheeks were flushed with pink, and I could hear her heart beating as rapidly as my own. For the moment, the itchy feeling had left my hooves, everything felt just right. Curse or no, destiny or something else, the words I had spoken earlier were true. “Gale, I love you with all my heart. I-I know your mother wanted us to take it slow but−”
Gale put her hoof to my muzzle again, giggling. “I think once she knows the truth, she will understand,” she whispered. “Shadow, I−I love you too.” She lowered her hoof, leaning in closer to me until we were nearly muzzle to muzzle. “And no matter what happens tomorrow, nothing will change that.”
I lowered my ears, leaning forward through what little space was left between us and pressed my muzzle against hers, our lips meeting as we kissed. Gale let out a soft sigh of pleasure and kissed me back, wrapping her hooves around me and hugging me close. We stayed like that until I had to pull away to take in a deep breath. “Wow,” I sighed, smiling at her.
“I’m that good, am I?” she teased, winking. Gale leaned forward and nuzzled against my neck, resting her head against it. “You weren’t half bad yourself.”
“Okay, I got to admit that was… sweet,” Cherry said. I looked over at her, only now remembering my whole pack was outside, watching us.
“You have chosen well Shadow,” Willow nodded in agreement. “This mare has a fiery strength in her. She will give you fine pups one day.”
“And then we’ll be aunts!” Aspen beamed, hugging Cherry and Maple against her.
Gale jolted at that thought, eyes going wide. “T-the story did say Star gave birth to timberwolves. D-does that mean that our children… will be made of wood like your pack?”
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “It seems the story says they will, but it is so old, who knows what parts of it are true and what embellished later.”
“Of course before that happens, we have to get through tomorrow,” Cherry said gloomily.
“Way to ruin the mood Cherry,” I huffed, but she was right. In order for us to have any future, we’d have to deal with Mighty first. “Let’s figure out a plan, and then get some sleep.”
Moonclaw Pack Den- Hollow Shades Forest- Nightingale
It had taken us until around midnight to come up with a plan, but I was confident it would work. With all of us working against Mighty, and throwing in a few distractions, even with his gun we would be okay. I had settled down next to Shadow, who had graciously made me a bed of dried grass and the downy feathers of a duck one of his sisters had caught. Sure it was no bed like I was used to, but better than sleeping on the hard stone.
“You sure about this?” he whispered, gazing over at me.
“He might be a hunter Shadow,” I said, putting a comforting hoof around him. “But he is still a pony. I’d rather try, instead of killing him outright?”
“Yes, that would be for the best,” he sighed, nuzzling against me and letting out a yawn. “Sleep well Gale.”
“You too Shadow,” I said.
As I heard the first few birds begin to warble outside, I felt Shadow shifting beside me, mumbling in his sleep. I let out a yelp as something sharp poked me in the side. Opening my eyes wide, I gasped at what I saw. Shadow was about halfway through transforming, already a foot taller than me again, and a light layering of bark over his entire body. What had poked me was one of his paws, the claws halfway formed and dull at the moment −thankfully− but growing sharper as I watched.
“Um, Shadow?” I whispered, poking him in the side.
“Huh?” he mumbled letting out a jaw cracking yawn. He opened his eyes and looked around, pausing as his gaze settled on me. “Gale? When did you shrink?”
“I didn’t, you grew.”
He looked down at himself, jumping to his paws and letting out a yelp of surprise, stumbling over his half transformed legs to roll into Cherry.
“Hey, I’m trying to sleep here,” she grumbled, pushing him away.
“What happened?” he yelped, struggling back to his paws as they finished their transformation. “Wh-why am I changing back?”
“I don’t know!” I moaned. “The stories never said anything about the wolf turning back!”
“That would have been an important thing to know!” he groaned, wiggling his back as the transformation completed, his wooden tail creaking irritably behind him. “Did we do something wrong?”
“Yeah, you woke me up,” Cherry snorted, reaching forward as she stretched, then opening her eyes and gasping. “Oh, that kind of wrong.” The others woke up around us at the commotion, having similar reactions.
“This is most interesting,” Maple said, walking around Shadow. “You look just like you did before.”
“This isn’t good,” Shadow moaned. “The plan will have to be completely redone now!”
“Not so fast, young Shadow,” Willow said, all ears turning to her. “You can simply take my place, and I yours. The plan can still go through.”
“But what about−”
“We can worry about that later, when all of us are alive and that hunter beaten,” she huffed, stomping her paw against the ground. “We don’t have much time, dawn is already here.”
“She’s right,” I nodded. I trotted over to Shadow, doing my best to ignore the stench that usually accompanies timberwolves –actually, I think I had almost grown used to it now- and wrapped my hooves around one of his legs, nuzzling against it. “I’ll still love you no matter what, but we need to put the plan in action.”
Shadow sighed, lowering his head to look at me. “You’re right. Okay everyone!” he yelled, looking at each of us in turn. “You know your parts. Let’s make sure that hunter doesn’t try to hurt any of us again.”