At the wolf society, Accalia has been keeping to her duties to avoid any suspicion to herself more than she already has from both Gunnolf and the Majestic Tokuta.
She walked along the dirt ridden paths of the society, taking in the sight of the working wolves, the houses carved into the trees, and some pups playing inside one of them.
Everything was back in order. As she went through her routine, her thoughts ran, there was talk of making the ponies work for the wolves and using their power to help secure their way of life.
She kept an eye on everywolf whenever they got close to the dungeons. It was getting close to midnight, meaning the Howling will be taking place since it’s a full moon tonight. It was meant to be a sign of respect and appreciation towards the moon and to ensure their dominance in their territory.
She was very interested to find out more about the ponies and what they’re about. She’d made a plan to guard the cells throughout the night; that’ll give her plenty of time.
Accalia stopped, her eyes slightly widened when she saw the herd of ponies strapped in chains and harnesses as they lifted chunks of tree stumps. She blinked a few times before spotting Gunnolf, his eyes not leaving the ponies. She headed over and stood by him as she heard a whining voice nearby before one of the wolves abruptly silenced it.
“What are they doing to those ponies?” she asked as Applejack lifted a huge stump off the ground.
“Oh, some wolves heard them trying to escape,” Gunnolf explained, “You know how it goes.”
“Yeah, prisoners having to do labor work as punishment.”
“I guess it’s a good thing that storm came through a couple of days ago and knocked down all of those trees,” Gunnolf stretched his back into an arch a bit, “It was the perfect opportunity for them.” He chuckled a bit.
“Then there’s that yellow pegasus trying to reason with us,” another wolf said, walking by, “Like ‘oh you wolves must work so hard’ and ‘Tokuta seems reasonable, can’t we speak with him’ and that kind of stuff.”
Accalia rolled her eyes, “Flattery from prisoners doesn’t work on Tokuta.” She looked over at the ponies, and she spotted the yellow pegasus with the pink pony, both looked sad and the others just look upset. All of them had harnesses around them. The she-wolf felt some remorse for the ponies. She heard a pony whining again and cringed.
“What’s that racket?” she asked.
“One of those ponies thinks it’s a good idea to whine and complain,” said Gunnolf, “We keep shutting her up but she continues on.”
“Maybe she’s been captured before?”
“That’s ridiculous, Accalia,” said Gunnolf before turning away, “I’m heading back to patrol. You coming?”
“No, I’ve got some business to take care of here,” making sure her gaze were off the ponies.
“Fine. Get it done.”
“Always.”
Oh, she will get what she needs to be done. She’s going to observe and then deliver some meals to the lower neighborhoods. She locked eyes with the ponies as she began making her way over to the carts.
“These wolves just won’t listen...” Twilight mumbled, “I tried even though we’re free to talk to one another...”
“Ah know y’all are tryin’ yer best, Twi,” said Applejack, looking over at Fluttershy, “So has Flutters.” She frowned, she’s noticed her shy friend has been a little down and wavered some in her confidence ever since they faced that bear. Then she bumped into Mystic.
“Oh, sorry, Mystic,” she said.
“Whatever,” replied Mystic, her look softer but determined.
“Any bright ideas?”
Mystic shook her head, smirking, “No... as a matter of fact I don’t.” She turned to Applejack, “And you know why?” Applejack shrugged, “Because these wolves have a great security system and patrol. And you know what else?” Mystic chuckled, as if she can’t believe the situation, “I’ve not been captured by creatures before.”
“Really?” Applejack asked a little skeptically.
“Would I lie to you?”
“That depends I guess.”
“You know what’s ironic?” Mystic placed a hoof on the farmer’s shoulder, “Is that I don’t rely on all of you and you do the same to me. Kind of funny, huh?”
“What’re ya gettin’ at?”
Mystic shrugged, “I don’t know. Just talking nonsense.”
“You know it,” Rainbow said, Mystic just ignored her.
“I’m just glad we’re almost finished with these trees,” said Sunset, “Sucks not being able to use magic.”
“If you’re talking about your telekinesis,” said a new voice, everycreature’s heads perked up to see the tall figure of Tokuta stepping over, “Then I have every right to ensure my Pack’s safety.” He looked at Accalia, “And how are they carrying along?”
“They’re doable,” replied Accalia, “I heard one was whining a lot.”
“Totally worked with similar ruffians,” she heard Rarity mutter.
“Let her whine, it won’t get her anywhere,” Tokuta smirked.
“Except bother my own ears,” Mystic muttered, rubbing one of her ears.
“Good. Prisoners need to learn a lesson then.”
“I mean look at me,” Mystic smirked, stepping forward, “You want to hear a little funny story?”
“I prefer that you shut your mouth.”
“Oh, I think I need to say that I’ve been surrounded by ponies that aren’t listening to me especially the blue clown-haired pegasus and the energetic pink one gets on my nerves,” Mystic smirked, “This here’s nothing compared to what I had before!” She giggled.
“Is that so?”
“So, even if you do let us go, I still have to deal with them. Good intentions, just their antics at times that get to me.”
“Mystic, what’re you doing?” Sunset asked cautiously.
“Oh, nothing. Just when I’m in a ridiculous situation I get a little out there.”
“Looks like you do,” said Tokuta, kneeling down, “There’s no way you’re getting out of here like that.”
“Even the clown-haired pegasus agrees with what you say about me.”
“Is that supposed to be another insult at me?” Rainbow demanded.
Mystic ignored her, “So, if you just let them all go, you’ll be doing me and them a favor by letting them find their friend in the land not too far from here. I’ll gladly do all of this for you.”
“I will keep all of you here as much as I please, and I will do what I please,” Tokuta declared, “No matter what.”
Mystic spat right into Tokuta’s face, causing the wolves and ponies gasp in horror and shock.
Tokuta snarled as he reached up and wiped his eye from her saliva, he glared darkly at her, matching Mystic’s own glare.
“I could have you lose a limb for that,” he snarled.
“Might as well, you have me locked up here,” Mystic challenged.
“I think you should watch your tone.”
“What does it matter? We’re trapped here and can’t use magic. Why not just take care of us now?”
Accalia saw that caused some of the others to cringe.
“So much for not being an idiot...” Rainbow muttered.
“Because,” Tokuta smirked, “I’ve had worse done to me and because I’ve only just gotten you all.” He looked back at his minions, “Take them back to the cells. But not the one here, get her to lift the heaviest chunks for the rest of the day.”
Mystic only smirked, she’s used to that kind of labor, but this would hopefully give the others another chance to come up with a plan to escape.
Accalia watched with some bewilderment, it was somewhat rare for prisoners to stand up against her leader, but herbivores never had the nerve to do so. Who was this pony? She’s got to find out more about them.
“Accalia,” said Tokuta, “Get to your deliveries.”
“Right,” the she-wolf replied. When she arrived at the carts, she began coming up with a new plan to get to the ponies.
A while later, now finished with her deliveries, and the Howling completed, Accalia approached the head of the patrol and requested that she’d guard the cells throughout the night. He agreed, and after some convincing, so she could guard them by herself. He quickly agreed when she gave him a death glare.
Now, with everywolf doing whatever, the patrols in their zones, Accalia made her way down to the musty room containing the cells. As she descended the stairs, she heard voices. The ponies. She intentionally let the door stay unlocked, though made it looked locked, and kept the keys close by. Soon, she turned a couple of corners and spotted the deep orange pony and a pony with a red-yellow mane using a pipe to break open the door.
Back in the cells, Sunset and Mystic were pushing up against a small pipe against the door in order to pry it open, while the Mane Six were watching them.
“I still am astonished you did such a thing, Mystic!” said Sunset.
“Hey, I’ve done something similar before!” Mystic insisted.
“And did it work?”
“No, but it would’ve,” Mystic grunted as she and Sunset pushed the pipe more, “I had to think of something!”
“By antagonizing the wolves? They’re not ponies!”
“They’re not but they can be bended in a way that creatures holding others prisoners can be.”
“And did you escape before you could carry out your wonderfully masterful plan?” Sunset asked sarcastically.
“Yes, I did, as did another prisoner,” said Mystic, “Are you sure this here’s going to work?”
“We have to try as you said you tried to do.”
“Fine. Fair enough,” Mystic rolled her eyes.
Accalia just observed as the two tried to pry the door apart. But then... clang! The pipe snapped right in two.
Sunset loudly groaned as Mystic fell to the floor. Taking an annoyed look at the broken pipe in her grasp, Sunset threw it to the ground.
“Sorry Mystic,” Sunset sighed, “I thought that would work.”
A laugh came from Mystic causing everypony to gain confused looks.
Mystic laughed, rolling onto her back.
“What’s so funny?” Rarity asked quizzically.
“Oh, nothing!” Mystic let out another laugh, “It’s just...Ha ha ha!” She picked herself up and laid up against the cell bars, “It’s just... I cannot believe after so many adventures of never getting caught and now I am imprisoned by wolves that have us locked up tight...Ha ha!” She looked up at the ceiling, “And now I’m probably going to die with a bunch of amateur adventurists!”
“Amateur?!” Rainbow snapped.
“Cut the snappy attitude,” Mystic giggled, “This dire situation is just ridiculous to be real!”
“Weeelllll,” Pinkie said, “At least you’re laughing... Yay?”
“Yeah... yay...” Applejack mumbled sarcastically.
“When times get dire,” said a new voice, causing everypony to freeze. “The mind does do some crazy things.” Accalia emerged from the shadows.
“You!” Rainbow snarled, “Stay back or you’ll be sorry!”
“And what? You’re all chained up and can’t use your powers,” said Accalia, “And I advise you keep your voices down.”
“For what?! So that...”
Accalia snarled, “Shut your yapper!” Rainbow shut up. Twilight stood up with a firm look.
“What do you want? Why are you down here?” Twilight asked.
“I’m just here to get your side of the story,” Accalia explained, her expression softening some.
“Wait, what?” Applejack asked suspiciously.
“As if!” Rarity scoffed.
“Look,” said Accalia, now with a soft look, “I know my kind hasn’t been the most social to other creatures or to one another. However, with what you mentioned with your ideals and your motivations, I can’t help but wonder that we, as a Pack, have you held here without a just cause.”
“Then why are you down here?” Sunset asked warily.
“I told you. And that I desire to possibly help you all out of here,” the ponies’ eyes widened at that statement, “Do all of you want to get out of here?”
“Yes!” Twilight cried, not caring if she looked unprofessional, “We need to find our friends!”
Accalia’s look softened, making her the friendliest looking wolf to the ponies, “I’ve been taught to listen and trust my instincts. I’ve dealt with all kinds of prisoners and not one has been so desperate as you.”
“It’s because I am! We are!” Twilight motioned to the other ponies.
“And we’re to listen to her?” Rainbow demanded.
“Yeah, we hadn’t seen good things from these here wolves,” said Applejack.
Fluttershy wanted to speak up, but for some reason, she stayed silent and wavered in her confidence.
“Maybe,” said Pinkie forming a smile, “Maybe she’s being genuine too! Why don’t we listen to what she has to say?”
“Uhmmm...” Twilight began having second thoughts, they don’t know this wolf well, and they know how the others act. With a skeptical look, Twilight asked, “How do we know we can trust you?”
“You don’t,” replied Accalia, “Sometimes you just have to take a shot and hope for the best.”
Mystic just had her hoof on her face the whole time, believing this all to be ludicrous, meanwhile the other ponies, other than Twilight and Sunset, were whispering their uncertainty of the situation.
“Twilight, I don’t know about this,” said Rarity, “She could be lying.”
“She did expect us not to trust her,” Applejack pointed out.
“So we should just listen to her?” Rainbow asked.
“Maybe...?” Fluttershy squeaked out.
“Ah’m sayin’ we should take our chances and hope to escape,” Applejack added.
Twilight sighed and looked Accalia right in the eyes. “You want to get us out?”
“Unless you do something for me first,” replied Accalia.
“What?”
Accalia sat down and let out a breath through her nostrils, “I’ve heard you talking about concepts such as ‘friendship’ and other concepts. We wolves are very trustworthy to one another, however that’s something I’ve not heard about before.”
“Y-You’ve not?” Twilight’s eyes widened.
“No.”
“Oh, this sounds...”
“Like an idiotic idea?” Mystic spoke up. Twilight looked over to her, “I mean she wants to know about the concept to use it so they’d be stronger than ever and probably one day to invade your land.” Mystic stood up, “I mean, you all have just recovered from a recent one.”
“You don’t know that for sure, Mystic,” said Sunset.
“And you don’t know if you can trust this carnivore with the intent of thinking she has our best interests at heart.”
“You’re right,” said Accalia, “We may not, but I’ve been asking questions about the outside world.” She sighed, “I’ve just been wanting to know more what’s out there but our leader won’t allow it.”
“Why is he scared?” Mystic mocked, earning a glare from Twilight.
“I know not why he doesn’t want us to ask questions about it. However, I see a golden opportunity to help me better understand the world and this whole concept of ‘friendship.’”
“This is ridiculous!” Mystic let out a laugh, “First everything else, now this?”
“And I won’t be able to figure out anything unless you stop behaving like an eight-year-old,” Accalia snarled, “As that what you seemed to be when you were laboring outside.”
Mystic blinked as Pinkie popped up next to her, “Ooooooh! Burrrrnn!”
“Applejack,” said Twilight, “What do you think?”
“Always lookin’ to the truth detector, huh Twi?” Applejack asked. She sighed, “Ah ain’t quite sure, but I say we give it a try.”
Rarity looked at Mystic, “We’re this far in the hole, what’s there to lose now?”
“What she said!” Rainbow chimed in.
“Fine! Be complete fools then,” Mystic sat down, not happy. Twilight and Sunset shook their heads.
“Fine,” said Twilight, looking back at Accalia, “What do you want to know?”
“Just try and make it quick because I only have so many hours before another patrol will come in and guard the place,” said Accalia, “I’m risking quite a bit being here already.”
Twilight’s eyes widened, as did Sunset, Rarity and Applejack’s, she was risking being here?!
“Ah say we tell her what she wants to know,” said Applejack.
“First off,” said Accalia, “Where do you ponies come from?”
And so, for the next hour and a half or so, the Mane Six and Sunset began explaining to Accalia about their homeland on how unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi all live together in harmony. Like a kid, Accalia’s eyes widened in fascination when she heard of the Princesses raising and lowering the sun and moon. She learned about Sweet Apple Acres, the Boutique, Canterlot, and that Twilight is a princess and connected to other parts of royalty. She was freaking out with joy and fascination at that.
“What’re the ruler of?” she asked, “How much territory do you cover?” She’s completely taken aback by the revelations she’s been getting.
Twilight smiled sheepishly, “Well, I’m more a princess that spreads the magic of friendship with the help of all of my friends.”
“Including the eight-year-old?” Accalia pointed to Mystic.
“I’m older than eight!” Mystic bellowed.
“Then get an attitude that suggests that you are.”
Rainbow laughed heartedly, rolling onto her back.
“So, you ponies left your great homeland to find some friends of yours?” Accalia asked Twilight.
“Yes!” Twilight cried again, “Their names are Starlight and Sunburst!”
“Tell me the whole story.”
“-and that’s why we had to come through your woods,” Twilight explained, “We have a guide that got us through the forests as we avoided the most dangerous parts as she told us.”
“Who?”
“Mystic,” said Twilight, pointing at the unicorn.
“The one who’s acting up?” Accalia furrowed her brows in confusion.
“Yeah, but she’s been a real help getting us this far.”
“Apparently she cannot get you out of here then.”
“Hey, I’ve not been imprisoned with seven other ponies! I have to figure out how to get them all out with a bunch of hostiles surrounding us!” Mystic bellowed.
“You sound like a lone wolf to me.”
“I usually am!”
“Forgive her attitude,” said Sunset, “She’s just upset and wanting out like the rest of us.”
“It’s no problem,” said Accalia, “Anyway... I’ve listened to your whole story about your land and why you’re all out here...” she sighed, “Tokuta is always honest and noble, even when it came to prisoners. However... when it comes to asking questions and why you’re heading out to where you’re going... he seems to be...I don’t know...”
“Holding us when we should be out and about?” Rainbow muttered.
“Yeah, that’s it, I believe,” said Accalia.
“Maybe if we can get out of here, we can help both of our sides,” said Twilight.
“Really? You’d help me better understand the concepts we spoke about?” Accalia’s eyes lit up some.
“Yeah! Yeah! Pleeeaasssee?”
Accalia blinked at Twilight’s big pleading eyes, she glanced at the others and sighed.
“All right, ponies,” she said, “If you will help us wolves better understand the world and if we’re missing out on that’ll make us a better species, then I shall help you all escape and all of you will be on your way to help your lost friends.”
“I’m still against this,” said Rainbow.
“Here, here,” said Rarity.
“At least some ponies are reasonable,” Mystic muttered.
Twilight shot them all a look, but they didn’t look convinced.
“I’m with you, Twilight,” said Sunset. Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Applejack agreed.
“Looks like it’s settled five to three,” said Accalia.
“Looks like...” Rainbow growled.