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// Shasta's new Home 
// Story: Adventures of Shasta 
// by veteranbrony 
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	I paused before the wooden fence in front of the small little tree cabin at the edge of the town. I read the name on the mailbox: Fluttershy. A nice name. Especially when compared to mine. I hesitated, wondering if this attempt at a new life was even worth the shot. Most likely she would think I was there to conduct a raid on ponyville and alert the others. That would be the end of me. A howl from not too far behind me decided for me. I would much rather meet my maker through the hooves of ponies, than give Taka the satisfaction of killing me himself. I jumped over the wooden fence, and was immediately met by the gaze of hundreds of eyes. Little critters where everywhere. Bunnies, Birds of all kinds, Cats, and almost every animal I had ever heard of in my life. They stared at me for a moment, before darting hurriedly inside.
"Dangit!",
I said as I quickly dove behind a bush next to the front door as to not be seen. I laid my ear against the wall to see if I could hear what was happening. I couldn't make out what she was saying, but I do know that she had the most amazing voice I had heard in my life. It was as soft as silk, and smooth as butter. The voice was coming closer, and next thing I knew, the door swung open carefully. 
"Hello?"
Said a light yellow pegasus with light pink hair. I assumed she was fluttershy, the one on the mailbox. A bunny came out and tugged at her tail. Once he had her attention, he pointed straight at... Me... In a panicked attempt to stop her from alerting the others, I leapt over the bush. I was pouncing at her, all the while wondering, 
"What am I doing? Yeah this seems like a good way to earn someone's trust and protection."
My sarcasm never failed to amuse me. I quickly changed the angle of my jump so that I would land in front of her, not on her. She flinched, curling up into a fetal position. Great. She already hates me. She thinks im going to kill her. Good going, Shasta. 
After what seemed like an eternity, I finally landed on the ground, my paws almost silently making contact with the ground. I stared at her for a while, wondering what to do about this. She looked up for a second, and quickly tucked her head back in, her face covered by her pink hair. I felt so stupid. Here I was trying to find my new life, and I had just pounced at my only chance of it. I don't remember what I said next, probably something stupid like,
" Hi. I like you"
or
"Don't be afraid, I wont tear out your jugular..."
Im just kinda a genius like that, smooth as a mountain. But, to my surprise, that actually helped, because she looked up, her eyes huge, and said in her sweet, innocent voice,
"You can talk?"
I don't know why, but I felt kind of angry at that remark. She acted as if I were an animal, not an equal. This anger didn't last long though, because I remembered what my pack had done to their kind. I replied, once again, with the perfect answer.
"So can you."
That was like... facepaw to the max. oh well, what's passed is passed. She replied, 
"Yes, but- you're a wolf."
I said,
"And you're a pony. What's your point?"
she responded by saying,
"But i thought tha-"
"A common misconception."
i cut her off,
"Wolves are very intelligent creatures. And I am no exception."
she squeaked,
"So you're going to k...kill me n...n..now?
I tried to give her the kindest face i could, and said,
"No way. I won't hurt you. I would never... I... I just want to be friends."
Smooth, Shasta, smooth...
"I don't want to hurt anyone, much less you. I abandoned my pack. Now I am at risk of death."
she asked, 
"why did you abandon them?"
I replied,
"Have you seen the news lately? The raids. All over Equestria. Thats why I left. I was hoping to join another pack, a kinder one who doesn't kill innocent, defenceless, ponies. I was hoping to join your pack."
She looked puzzled.
" We don't really have a pack... its more of a family."
Family. I liked the sound of that. family is what my mother was. Family is kind, loving, always looking after each other, no matter what. I almost broke down in tears right then and there. By now, the yellow pony was standing up again, seeming more comfortable in my presence. I wanted to prove myself. But how? How could I prove I wasn't a bloodthirsty, maniacal wolf who was tricking her into thinking I was her friend. The answer to my problem came immediately. Almost as  immediately as the sharp, stinging pain in my neck as Taka chomped down on it and threw me to the ground. Fluttershy ran inside, as I struggled against his grip. He didn't care about fluttershy. All he wanted was me. I escaped his vice and backed up quickly, preparing for a fight. We fought tirelessly for minutes, as i struggled  for an opening. I couldn't find one. It was surely the end. Then, he was off me. I was confused, until I saw the pink and yellow pegasus beating Taka soundly. He struggled to his feet and ran off. I couldnt help myself. I burst out laughing. The little, shy pegasus had just beat the wolf pack's leader in mere seconds. It was hilarious! Fluttershy looked at me with kind eyes and invited me inside. I knew this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.