This wasn’t the Everfree forest. The silence that prevailed here was pierced by the birds singing melodiously, and the symphony of rustling leaves. The early morning wind was to blame for most of the disturbance, but the noise of active fauna succeeded the sounds of the forest. Under the canopy itself existed a hilly landscape covered in thick underbrush. However there was an anomaly in the forest, where the trees and plants opened up in a clearing filled with blue flowers. The plant life surrounding this clearing was lush with light and dark greens depending on the shadows. The trees and bushes gave the blue flowers a wide berth, roughly a full meter in all directions. Only the grass was bold enough to grow to the edge of the blue flowered colony.
I was lying in the center of said clearing, on my right side. My chest subtly rose and fell as I breathed in the morning air. My sense of smell was being assaulted with faint scents of distant animals and the strong aroma of the blue flowers I lay on. The blue flowers seemed to actually be a good three inches tall, allowing them to partially obscure my vision in my left eye and fully obscuring my right eye. I closed my eyes and tried to get back to sleep even though I had woken up over an hour ago. I wasn’t tired, just unwilling to meet the day head on.
My mind drifted to the previous day’s events with the public meeting at Fluttershy’s cottage. Otherwise known as Sanctuary. I mulled over the list of things I was supposed to do… or at least the most important mission of them all that I chose to take on, rather than all the other things I needed to do. I chose to lie in front of everyone by claiming something I was unsure of myself.
I huffed irritably. “Timberwolves avoid danger and have their own paths. Blah blah blah.” I thought sarcastically, and then I thought again on my statement. “Well obviously Timberwolves avoid danger, like giant spiders right? I mean they’ve got to have their own predators to have evolved wood bodies. But what would they avoid? I’m sure that wood actually protects themselves from the giant spiders.” My heart began to sink. “But what hunts a giant spider? What if the Timberwolves actually don’t avoid anything other than cliffs and environmental hazards? Actually if the native animals couldn’t find accurate paths to avoid, then I assume Timberwolves and spiders are just super… no, apex predators that don’t need to fear anything.” I tried to frown, but the muscles in my mouth weren’t flexible enough to convey the expression.
I opted to give out a pitiful, quiet whine. I drew in a large lung full of air, and then loudly exhaled it. My impromptu theory kept looking less likely the more I thought about it. The kind of creatures that would be able to hunt Timberwolves probably didn’t eat plants. If my observations of these woods were correct, then the Timberwolves were on the top of the food chain. They didn’t need to avoid anything… maybe larger predators.
My eyes widened. “Wait… larger predators. What if they do avoid certain places?” An observation popped into my head and my ears lowered sadly. “No, that means I’d be asking the prey animals to risk their lives by going near bear caves or something.” I thought solemnly.
My spirit was officially broken. My impromptu statement in front of the Sanctuary clan leaders sealed my fate as a liar. They trusted me to help them find the light in a dark and deadly place. I failed them because I was thinking on my feet rather than recalling things I know are true. My heart began to feel almost black from the hopelessness of the situation. I was going to lose my only chance of a civilized life. I recalled my personal mission to become part of something bigger. To not be a wolf, but a human that made something out of a bad situation.
I gave a huff. “Here I thought I could make my life seem normal in a wolf’s body. All I really wanted was to be part of a community. To actually have a social life in a world where I don’t belong. But what now? Do I disappoint everyone by disappearing back into the shadows and appear in another town? I thought to myself before giving another audible whine. I blanked out for a moment and considered my situation. That was until I came across a revelation.
“No,” I thought with conviction, “to get this far was difficult. Being allowed to come and go as long as I do what they want is progress, and even if it guarantees work for acceptance, it doesn’t mean it’s unlike my old life. I worked for money to pay rent. I worked to make a living in my world. Hell, working here for the acceptance of a small isolated community isn’t unlike many small neighborhoods in America.” I thought with renewed hope. “I promised to make a difference for them. Even if I don’t succeed in mapping the whole forest, I should at least succeed in understanding how Timberwolves work… but how?” I thought.
For a long moment I thought critically on my situation. That was until a strange scent drifted across my nose. It caught my attention due to its foreign nature. Picking up my head to investigate, I felt a tug on the right side of my face. I bolted to an upright position with all four of my paws touching the ground. I opened my right eye and noticed my right side of my face was covered in yellow unidentifiable balls. I looked down at my paws to realize they were also being covered in these objects. They seemed to take a magnetic appeal to my fur. I was momentarily confused until I noted the blue flowers below me. The petals were spread wide exposing the yellow balls that mysteriously attached to my fur. In a moment of realization I concluded they were pollen balls…and the blue flowers that held them out were facing me.
I looked around frantically across the field to realize the previous carpet of blue was now replaced by vibrant yellow. My eyes widened in a mixture of fascination and utter confusion. Slowly my mind was piecing together what was happening to the field. I reflected on what I knew about Botany and Poison Joke, fearing that this development will allow it to directly affect me by getting through my magical retardant fur. I slowly stood up and the pollen under my body came with me. I stared at my paws before checking my right side. I was only partially covered in the stuff since the pollen balls weren’t very big. Some were only a centimeter in diameter. Others were smaller and seemed cut in half. I blamed that on how I was laying on them.
After my confusion ended I realized something was off. My fur basically acts like super glass; water and dirt just fall right off. Why was the pollen able to stick onto it so easily? I wondered for a moment before a realization came to me. “Is Poison Joke a symbiotic species to me?” I thought mystified. “Wait, hold on, this makes sense!” I thought excitedly. “Poison Joke protects me from anything that will do me harm like the Timberwolves. It made their wooden pieces fall apart when they walked into that Poison Joke field to kill me a few days ago. Maybe in return for protection their pollen attaches to me so I can spread it?” I thought with a new sense of belonging. “Maybe I have a purpose in this region… huh, maybe I can stay here after all. I have safe havens all over the Everfree. Poison Joke patches are uncommon but not unreasonably so. I thought with a slight lift of the spirits.
My theory seemed sound but the question as to why the pollen attaches to me was still unanswered. I figured breaking one open would shed some light on the reasons behind it’s attachment to me. I looked down at the ones that already broke open due to me laying on them. Inside one of them was a small black seed that stood out. It was at least three millimeters wide and tall. Almost impossible to see if you weren’t looking for it. “So that settles it. I spread Poison Joke. In return, I get a good place to sleep and some protection against the forest’s monsters.” I thought.
But then a thought occurred to me which gave me a great amount of pause. “Poison Joke is symbiotic to me.” I thought slowly. “It relies on me to spread it.” My hopeless heart rose from my chest. “Poison Joke makes Timberwolves fall apart.” I would be smiling if I had the muscles for it. “I can spread the Poison Joke like traps and remove all the Timberwolves.” With that final thought my mind went cold and silent. “But that’s considered genocide, right?” I looked up and stared at the hedge in front of me. In that direction was the Everfree forest, and now the possibility of a permanent home.
The wind rustled the tree tops and blew against my fur. The yellow pollen balls remained attached to my fur even though I could feel the drag they caused. My mind still was reeling from the implications of committing genocide. But all the while I thought the idea was the best one I had. If I could remove the Timberwolf population in the Everfree, then the danger to sanctuary would be manageable. Even better I could become a hero and live there without worrying about overwhelming work. But there’s a double-edged cost that I mulled over and over in my mind.
“The Everfree forest may be large but if I place down Poison Joke colonies on too many game trails then animals will be forced to trudge through thick bushes. Just walking around would become strenuous and that would mean the forest would become a bigger death trap. Wounded and old animals would be unable to reach water sources and die of thirst. But if I put them off the paths then I could create choke points for Timberwolves to hunt more effectively.” I thought critically. “Wait, what am I thinking? Timberwolves are still wolves; if I get rid of them, then a new pack will move in to claim their territory. What can I do to stop that?”
I was interrupted by the scent of pollen becoming unreasonably thicker. The formerly strong sweet smell mercilessly had undergone a metamorphosis to make it more rancid. I ignored it even though it was beginning to get to me. I decided to get moving and walked to my left six paces before lowering myself to the ground and rolling to the left. The action caused more pollen to get attached to my coat. I looked at my sides to assess the damage to the pollen balls to find they were still in one piece. I then rolled to the left again to pick up more. Looking to my sides for a second time revealed that a relatively inconsequential amount of pollen balls were damaged, but I still collected more than I killed.
Standing up, I moved to another spot in the field that was to my right and closer to the edge of the colony. I noticed the flowers dropping the pollen balls as I grew close and they seemed to be attracted to my coat. The aroma of the pollen intensified as a few balls began to float up and attach to my underbelly. My nose was pointed at the ground as I observed this display and I lowered myself to the ground again. I waited in experimentation to see how the poison joke closest to me would react. The flowers continued to move to face me and drop the pollen close to me.
The pollen then seemed to undergo a nearly intelligent metamorphosis and the fuzz elongated into thin strands. I watched in fascination as the pollen behind me rode the east wind onto my back, while the pollen in front of me waited for the wind to die down. I flinched when I saw the pollen in front of me literally pop up and float close to me before attaching to my fur. The display was surprisingly comical. But then the field took on a life of its own as I started hearing popping noises from more distant flowers. I stood up while giving the field a dumbfounded expression. I started walking around while observing the weird abilities of this blue flower.
The air was coated in the thick scent of Poison Joke flowers while pollen floated toward me. Some pollen just took the form of artillery fire and hopped from their petaled homes onto my body. I turned my head to the right and looked at my coat, only now realizing I’ve become a black and yellow polka-dotted wolf. But surprisingly enough the acrobatic display of pollen being shot at me by flowers was effective in slowly coating me in yellow balls. The popping sound intensified as more flowers joined in, making the audible illusion of rain form around me. I started walking around the field slowly so the pollen wouldn’t miss its mark.
I looked up at the sky for the first time today. The light blue sky was covered in small clouds and the sun seemed to barely shine through the canopy. Its position told me it wasn’t very early morning, the time could possibly be around ten in the morning, if I read the sky right, which means I didn’t have all that much time to find where Timberwolves usually rest and plant Poison Joke nearby. That was still only considering the theory that Timberwolves have to sleep. Even as my mind drifted into the possibilities and issues the Poison Joke still coated me. Despite being pelted with fuzzy pollen I managed to think more deeply about the actions I was about to enact.
“For all I know, this Poison Joke would hold on for only five minutes before falling off. Or worse I could scrape a bush and I’ll lose it all. I’d have to move slowly and on trails right? That means I’m very limited on my paths back to the Everfree; and that will take time.” I thought anxiously while my time constraint was in the forefront of my mind. “Wait what if the Poison Joke does this for a full week? There’s a lot of it right?” I shook my head. “No, no. I can’t think like that. I need to do as much as I can in a single day.” I raised my head proudly, despite slowly being turned into a yellow pillow. “I need to save the forest… now.” I thought with conviction.
I looked up toward the hedge while turning my body to face north. I looked around scanning the wall of leaves that barred my way and I started trotting at a slow pace. I saw between the hedges an opening that was a meter tall and two feet wide. The leaves were close together, but I didn’t care. If I could make my way through the bushes without losing all of the pollen balls then I could still plant the Poison Joke where I pleased. I took my first step forward moving into a high spirited trot. I myself wasn’t in high spirits, but the rough bobbing up and down would give me an idea of the strength of the pollen. I looked to my right and at my back legs the best I could while trotting so I could see if I lose any pollen.
To my surprise I saw none fall off. The momentum of the pollen balls still attached to me told me they were heavy for their size. They tugged on my coat, but didn’t fall, making me believe they were sturdier than I thought. I stopped trotting and took quick steps forward. I was three meters away from the crack in the hedges before I looked back to see that the pollen balls still remained. I began to worry if I would be able to get them off when I needed to plant them. I looked forward again and took quicker steps. I cleared the crack in the hedge and moved at a slower pace.
I didn’t bother to look behind me; I was sure some pollen would be falling off as I navigated my way through the hedge. I picked up my pace and soon came across a steep incline that went down to a small path. The incline was less than three feet so I hopped down without a second thought. I winced as I realized that could have been a terrible idea and I looked at the ground where I landed to see if I lost pollen. To my surprise none seemed to be on the ground. Scanning quickly I saw that no pollen left my body. I didn’t question it and opted to call it good luck.
My ears swiveled as I noticed the sound of birds were beginning to dissipate. The soft chirping of crickets was nonexistent and in their place there was the sound of insects buzzing around the bushes. One of them buzzed past my ear and I flinched instinctively. Years of hating bugs passing by my ears as a human haven’t made my instincts readjust to my laid-back wolf instincts. I flicked my ears as I quick marched down the path in hopes of swatting away the bug. I took another nervous glance behind me to see if any pollen fell off but forgot that by moving my head back I have to turn my body slightly. This caused me to misstep and I fell onto my left side.
I panicked and stood up as quickly as possible. Looking down I saw seven pollen balls on the ground completely crippled and deformed. I tried to peek at my left shoulder, but realized I couldn’t see my coat closest to my head. I didn’t bother because I saw my second coat of yellow was still there, but slightly encrusted with light brown dust of the trail. I ignored it and moved with haste assuming the pollen fibers tensile strength was strong enough for a dash. I did a quick sprint before slowing to a stop and looking behind me again. My actions seemed repetitive, but they yielded necessary information. No pollen fell off while I ran.
As a result I found a new but foreign warmth in my heart as the prospect of saving the Everfree from Timberwolves seemed to become a possibility in record time. My hope of acceptance and a good place amongst a community slowly became more than a dream. This action might cement my place among the Sanctuary. My vigor renewed as I prodded through the bushes that strangled the path. My eyes were as open as my ears while I actively tried to remember the exact direction of north in order to stay on track. My ears told me of sounds I might need to avoid, and even howls that I could use to pinpoint the location of Timberwolves.
My mouth opened as I began to pant to regulate my core temperature. I slowed down when remembered I needed to be silent to stalk Timberwolves. Keeping myself from panting too heavily could save my life. My tongue hung out my mouth on the right side as I plodded at a swift but manageable pace. The underbrush began to thin out and I could see over bushes at higher ground. But my mind was still on the path that I followed. The hilly landscape made my travel difficult as I stepped over rocks that appeared at the lower ground and the uphill paths I walked.
Continuing up a steep hill with swift panting I slowed my pace as I came across a familiar scene. I stopped at its peak and looked across the horizon. The grass below me seemed to change from a bright lively green to a dark foreboding deep bluish green due to shadows and optical illusion of blue. In the distance was a very thick wall of twisted stubby trees that made up the edge to the Everfree forest. Between me and that edge was shrubbery and hills, and a less oppressive wall of trees with a variety of different colored barks. The bushes between me and my path were spread far apart while the canopy allowed them sunlight. Some were a reddish tone and some were white. But most were brown like regular trees of a forest. But that’s when I noticed something.
In the Everfree forest there were usually one or two different types of trees that made up the forest. After leaving the Everfree, the variety of tree species seemed to increase. I looked around the hill I stood on and reacquainted myself with a previous observation I had. The trees outside of the Everfree competed to dominate the canopy for light. Some trees had wide branches to keep saplings from growing around them, leaving shadowy parts of the forest where animals can rest and hide. While other trees just try to grow taller and leave few extra branches lower to the ground.
The Everfree ignores these rules entirely. The stubby trees don’t grow as if they’re competing; they grow as if their goal is to look as ominous as possible. I physically shook my head and berated myself for getting distracted. I jogged down the hill while avoiding the sprouting bushes in my way. Surprisingly the underbrush was actually lighter due to the competing trees being less ambitious in growing themselves than the ones where I decided to sleep last night. But despite this the ground below grew darker the closer I drew to the edge of the Everfree. As if the foreboding nature was an illness that spread across the grass.
I looked at it with determination as I weaved between colonies of bushes that made a claim at the low ground. I looked up to observe the position of the sun. It didn’t move very far from its ten o’clock position. This made me believe I was making good time despite my long journey. With a hesitant glance I looked back at the forest’s edge again and made one of two observations. The transition between the tall and short trees was so sudden that the canopy looked like it dipped down across my whole scope of vision. Despite my limited range of vision, due to the thickness of the trees, I was able to note it. But that wasn’t an overwhelming observation, but what was overwhelming was the distinct lack of wildlife.
It took me only now to recall that I haven’t seen or smelled a single animal until now. I couldn’t even hear the birds chirping. But I simply explained the lack of scent as the pollen spores being so strong, though it didn’t explain the lack of noise. My mind raced and my body did a three-sixty as I spun around trying to catch a glimpse of whatever creature may have caused the entire forest to go deaf. My breathing slowed and I paid a great deal of attention to my surroundings. Despite the disturbing lack of life, I didn’t see any reason not to continue on. I walked forward taking nervous glances around me. I decided to play it as safe as possible by keeping close to bushes.
Stepping forward down the shallow hill coated in grass, it caused my momentum to pick up. My head continued to dart from the path in front of me to my left and right sides. I made my way down to the base of the hill where a bush waited for me. I almost instinctively dove into it before reconsidering. The yellow pollen balls on my body may have had a strong grip, but I wasn’t going to risk dropping them. I trudged alongside the bush, my left side facing it as I looked mostly over to my right for any movement. I didn’t worry about my left side due to the bush being a foot taller than me.
The path around the bushes dipped into a small pit that I followed. I was still panting slightly from my activity. The lowest point of the pit had two long rows of bushes parallel to each other. They were spread out at least four or five meters from each other the whole length. The center of the pit ran along the base of two shallow hills. This relatively low ground kept me out of sight while keeping me from doing too much work going up hills. The worse that could happen to me is stepping over a rock, and that’s trivial. Now I was effectively out of sight with little to no chance of being spotted by anything in the distance.
My confusion over the deathly silence became clarified when I heard howls in the distance. It was an odd, guttural howl, that sent a shiver crawling down my spine. I lifted my head over the dark green bushes and looked to my left where the howls came from, this yielded nothing. “Trouble.” I thought to myself. The howls of the Timberwolves resounded throughout the forest for a second time. I listened in its general direction for a good ten seconds before I realized it was coming closer. More howls followed up the previous batch, but they weren’t as guttural. I got a sinking feeling in my heart when I recognized the howls came from behind me. As a result I stopped panting and spun my head around to look behind me.
Frantically I skimmed the horizon but there were too many bushes in my way. My blood felt thick as my heart pounded it through my veins. I was trapped between two hunting parties that were closing in on me. I wasn’t sure if they were hunting me or they were hunting something else; but I wasn’t eager to see if the normally neutral Timberwolves were still hostile. I quickly checked the environment for anything yellowish to match the pollen attached to my body. Noticing there was a very small patch of dry dirt and dying grass I rushed toward it. The howls became quick yelps as they closed in on my position. I stood over my impromptu hiding spot and crouched down keeping a low profile.
I berated myself when I realized my head was still raised. But the stomping of paws appeared just as suddenly as the Timberwolves that came into view. I caught a glimpse of one vaulting over the bush on my right. This was when I started moving my head down, which unfortunately caught the attention of the wolf that vaulted over the bush. I saw its paws touch down two feet in front of me as it growled menacingly. I shot my head up and looked back at it. In moments I was emotionless as its neon green eyes glared at me under those leafy eyebrows. I stood up at my full height, which was a good six inches shorter than the Timberwolf. I was ready to sprint away until I noticed his snarling mouth was no longer making noise.
For a moment I thought I hypnotized the creature. But that was blown away when I saw it looking over my figure. It tilted its head to the right as it closed its wooden mouth, observing me. And just as suddenly as it appeared it turned and ran to rejoin the hunt with its pack. I stood there without feeling or thought. My brief encounter with this Timberwolf caused me to realize their spontaneous violent season lasted only that one very bloody day. Or alternatively, I was far enough away from their breeding ground that it didn’t consider me a threat to their young, or food for that matter. I let out a sigh of relief before I regained my sense of the world.
“HELP! SOMEONE!” Bleated an animal to my left.
The unanticipated sound made me jump in fright. I darted my head to the left where I knew the sound came from. I realized the Timberwolves were a hunting party that had surrounded an animal. Reacting quickly I jogged forward up the incline of the pit. I hugged the left and heard a *thunk* sound which was immediately accompanied with a yelp. The distinct sound of clattering wood logs informed me that the animal was strong enough to knock a Timberwolf into pieces. When I finally reached the top of the pit I saw the scenario before me. In the center of twelve Timberwolves was an Elk.
The Elk I recognized from the animal channel on TV. Its body was covered in a grey coat, while its head and neck was covered in a darker and thicker hue of that coat. It’s short stubby tail seemed tucked between its legs like a scared dog. Its beady black eyes seemed to communicate its fear and possible eminent death at the Timberwolves’ claws. The gender seemed easy enough for me to determine, not only was the loud bleat for help masculine, but the large antlers on his head told me it was male.
The Elk was looking to in my direction and spotted me. His eyes didn’t linger very long as he spun around trying to keep his eyes on as many Timberwolves as possible. He was smart enough to go against a bush so the Timberwolves weren’t able to fully surround him. As he faced away from the bush I was in his front left view. I quickly debated whether or not to help him. In front of him a Timberwolf was forming back together. I assumed it was the one that yelped.
“Is he really worth saving?” I thought horribly. “If I leave, he’ll die, but there’s no guarantee I can save him.” I thought while giving the Timberwolves an analytical gaze. They were slowly moving forward trying to frighten the Elk into making a move. It also served to make their strikes shorter term, allowing them to wound him quicker. “No I have to continue… if I could bring a Poison Joke field to wherever they live then I can save the Everfree. One life shouldn’t be worth thousands.” I huffed sadly. I suppressed a whine.
I began to turn toward the Everfree again until the scent of pollen suddenly grew more intense. I recoiled in shock from the sheer intensity of the smell. I backed up and fell on my rump. But when I moved I saw a cloud of white dust in my wake. There was a tranquil sizzling noise that resembled rain coming from my body. I looked at the yellow pollen balls on my face to see them spewing white smoke and shrinking. I got up and faced the pack. The eastern wind was carrying the misty cloud west, toward the hunting party and their prey. “What?” I thought absentmindedly. My body began to become lighter as the mist spewed out of the pollen balls.
I casually observed as the scenario unfolded. The small cloud of mist wafted over the Timberwolves directly west of me and at first they didn’t notice it. The ones affected stopped growling and started sniffing the air. This action confused me just as much as the mist as the Timberwolves didn’t have nostrils. But as the mist continued to travel, it passed over the reforming Timberwolf that the Elk kept eyeing with fear. The free logs stopped joining back together and they fell apart. “What?” I thought again.
The Timberwolves backed up slightly from the development that they’ve all witnessed. The Elk looked confused and suspicious. The Timberwolves that passed through the mist seemed to move slower than the rest. It was as if their limbs were rusty and they made jerking movements as they tried to step properly. “Wait… the mist hinders them.” I concluded with glee.
I moved into action and slowly trotted back and forth in a long line that measured the size of the hunting party. My first step was to the right, going north. After I passed the last Timberwolf I turned around and headed south. The Timberwolves were beginning to move in on the Elk again after their momentary confusion. But when they realized their friends were suffering from something similar, they stopped. All the Timberwolves looked around, the ones on the farthest side of the circle were first to stare at me suspiciously. I continued trotting south so I’d cover all of them in the mist. My eyes connected with one which had large scars on his face and had very bulky wooden limbs.
“ONE-WOLF PACK! WHAT HAST THOU DONE?!” I grew increasingly confused. I didn’t hear a voice or bark but the eyes of the wolf I stared at seemed to speak to me. The conversation wasn’t mentally or physically a shouting one, but it gave the impression of extreme annoyance and anger. To my horror the rest of the hunting party turned to face me, albeit slowly. “EXPLAIN THYSELF! THINE MUST WAIT FOR US TO FINISH PREY! BUT THOU WISH TO WEAKEN PACK?” My mind raddled with sincere confusion as I wasn’t hearing them bark. That’s when I realized they were communicating to me through their eyes.
I had to speak up. “Uh, hello.” I started heroically. “I’m just…” I paused for two seconds. “Misty?” I finished pathetically while giving them a sheepish look.
They started growling at me. “YOU SPEAK LIKE PREY? The hypothetical voice spoke in confusion. “THOU HAST BEEN RAISED BY FOOD? IS THIS WHY YOU HELP PREY? The voice spoke to me.
I tilted my head in confusion. “Speak like prey? Hast? Thine? Thou? This is weird.” I thought to myself. Unfortunately my head tilt may have given them an answer.
“WHAT DOST THOU FEED? THOU ASSIST PREY? DOST THOU NOT EAT PREY?!” The Timberwolf spoke inquisitively. Its eyes widened before it lowered its head into a pouncing stance. But it remained in the circle around the Elk. “Art thou not a wolf?” It projected threateningly through its eyes. The tone of the projection became more subdued and implied an ultimatum. Either be a wolf or be prey.
I stared at him with half lidded eyes and shook my head left to right. The pull of my coat shook off the yellow pollen that attached to me, leaving my black coat bare in front of the Timberwolves. The pollen felt easier to remove because of the ejecting of mist loosened their grip. It was almost as if they died from the action. I lifted my head up high and stared back at him with as serious a look as I could muster.
“I am Hushed Shadow.” I said, then I thought back to my first encounter with Diamond Dogs and their Explanation of what I am. “Ezo of Everfree.” I said trying to make that make believe title sound important.
The Timberwolves stopped growling and most turned back to the Elk to keep him from escaping. The Elk looked between me and the wolves with a growing sense of dread. The one I made eye contact with stepped out of the circle and went around it. His body was far larger than the ones earlier. I analyzed him as I waited until he reached me. He stopped one meter away from me and I could see he was a full foot taller than me.
He paused and sniffed the air. I was surprised to see two slits open and close on his snout that couldn’t be seen from afar. “Hushed Shadow is Diamond Dog name.” He transmitted to me through his eyes. “You are not Diamond Dog. You don’t smell like Diamond Dog.” I realized his medieval dialect was missing. No longer speaking with “Thou’s” and “Art’s”. “You smell like Death Flower. You use its abilities against my pack.” He gave a low growl. “But Death Flower doesn’t cover scent. You don’t smell of wolf or dog. You smell of phantom. You look like shadow. Timberwolves would call you Phantom Shadow. Not Hushed.” He spoke.
“Wow that name sounds way better than Hushed… maybe I’ll take it. But I’ve got to reintroduce myself to everyone I’ve already met. Ugh this will suck. No, no, one thing at a time, negotiating now.” I dropped my glare. “Wait, why is he naming me?” I thought.
“Phantom Shadow?” I said incredulously. “I like it, but why would you give me a name? You said I harmed your pack.” I inquired.
He huffed aggravatingly. “We don’t want you as our enemy.” He admitted. “I’ve heard whispers of packs chasing a brother during the day of Blood Procreation. They followed him to Death Flower field… where they died.” He gave me an aggressive glare. “You bested Wood Wolf that day. Survivors say of a black coated wolf that smells of nothing. I couldn’t see you behind the veil of yellow Death Flower seed.”
I tilted my head. “Why do you talk of my reputation?” I said trying to seem intelligent. “Are you building up to a question?” I inquired.
His posture relaxed and he stood up straight. His height was two feet taller than me; it was only now that I realized this Timberwolf was the alpha of the pack. “I want thou to join us, Ezo brother of shadow. Your skills of hiding and evading are legendary. We fear your skill as it is our weakness. We cannot hunt what we cannot see.” He offered, seeming as authoritative as possible.
I almost denied him before thinking closer on it. “If I join him I’d be hunting Sanctuary creatures. I thought critically. “But I’d also be part of a society. I wanted that when I came to the Everfree. I might even become Alpha and run the pack if I work for it. But… what of all those I’ve been friends with?” I concluded my thoughts and looked back to him.
“I’m not joining your pack.” I stated. The wolves in the circle took a glance back at me. It was then what I saw in their eyes. Uncertainty and sadness.
I looked back at the pack leader whom glared down at me and nodded his head. “Then you remain a broken pack of one…” The tone communicated to me seemed sad. “You may leave now, and your crime forgotten. Or you may stay and watch. But if you interfere I’ll be forced to kill you.” the alpha communicated to me through his eyes. He turned back to his pack while I thought on what I could do. I didn’t want to fight him to save an Elk, but I also didn’t want to let the Elk die.
I looked at the ground and thought hard. “Ok, how can I get them to not kill the Elk without having to attack them outright? Even better, how can I get rid of more than just these bunch of Timberwolves? I’m going to either fight or destroy more later… then they’ll move right back in. Unless…” I looked up in realization. “Wait.” I stated. The alpha turned back to me. I was about to speak up before I reconsidered to think again. “Do Timberwolves need to eat meat?” I asked.
He seemed confused. “…No, we eat to procreate. Make the pack grow. We only need the meat to fertilize our saplings…why?” he asked suspiciously.
“So this means I can… oh my god.” My heart rose with joy. “You don’t need to eat the Elk then? Saplings can grow on their own.” I argued.
He growled and got into an attack stance. “Thou barter for its life? Fine! But we need its natural magic to fuel the growing process.” He finished with his “thou’s” coming back. “If you wish to interfere then come!” He challenged.
“Ok, now I’m getting somewhere. Kinda. Wait they need magic to grow? Shit, I might not have a case here. I’ll need to dig for more information.” I thought incredulously.
“So why don’t your saplings work like regular trees?” I asked.
He shook his head and barked threateningly, which cause me to flinch. “Your attempts to save the food will not work! My pack will feed even if you interfere!” He glared at me. “My patience with you is wearing thin! Leave or die!”
I quickly retorted, keeping my mind on what I know about plants. “Your Saplings can wait for food. Whether or not you kill the Elk now won’t change the fact that they’ll continue to grow.” I argued.
The Elk lifted his head up from the pack and looked in my direction. He was paying close attention to my argument with the alpha, but I assume he can only piece out my portions of the conversation. He wasn’t carefully watching the pack that surrounded him, which I thought was foolish. But I looked back at the Timberwolves and realized they were listening to me. Waiting for me to finish.
The alpha continued to growl. “This is true, but it means NOTHING to me!” He said getting back into his aggravated state.
“Well it should.” I argued. “Because that means we have a lot of time to talk.” I said loudly, which came out as irritated barks. Then I made sure the Elk heard my next sentence. “And if he moves then our conversation is over! And you may hunt him.” I said argumentatively.
The alpha looked at me with incredulous eyes. “Fine, but know I only let you talk because you are valuable to Wood Wolf clans.” He communicated with a subdued tone. He was no longer growling, willing to listen to what I had to say.
I sighed gratefully as the tension was now manageable. “Ugh, if only I was able to do that during the Sanctuary meeting. It’s the crowd, I swear.” I thought calmly. “Ok, I now have a new goal other than saving the Elk. If my theory is right, then I can make this pack follow me rather than me following them. Only way to make it so I’m not immediately considered an enemy of the sanctuary is if I can cut down their need to feed. And armed with a pack to claim the Everfree as their own… it will permanently keep other Timberwolf packs at bay.” I thought smartly.
“To my first question, why do you need magic to make the saplings grow? Can’t you grow them like regular plants?” I asked.
He rolled his eyes. “No; ponies grow plants with their magic. None are willing to grow Wood Wolf saplings. We take magic from bodies. Use it on our spawn. Our pack grows in time. Magic is needed to make saplings; we hunt on Blood Procreation to gather more magic for new saplings.” He explained.
The fact he just used a very complex word went right over my head as I almost face pawed for my lack of insight. “Right, ponies grow plants because of magic.” I thought irritably. “But don’t the trees in the Everfree grow without magic? I mean ponies don’t go there so I assume they’re not using magic to make it grow.” I thought quizzically.
“The saplings will grow in the Everfree.” I said in my barks and whines. “Pony magic isn’t needed to make those trees grow. They avoid the forest.” I said trying to think of a way to convince them to not need to hunt anymore.
He remained silent as he digested that information. My ears picked up on the flapping of wings above me. I didn’t risk looking up in fear of it actually being a bird and then endangering them by exposing their position. The east wind blew the canopy around to create noise. I began to feel slightly self-conscious as I realized there could be more in the tree tops. I looked back at the Elk who was staring up at the tree canopy. He looked back down and looked between the Timberwolves who still stared at him. Then looked back to my conversation with the alpha. I looked back at the alpha whom was digesting the information I just gave him.
He surprisingly nodded his head in agreement. “You Phantom Shadow, are right.” He looked to his right for a moment, staring at the ground. He then looked back into my eyes. “But the forest is filled with danger, even to us. Death fields are scattered all around, spiders in the trees. Rock beasts in the water. Four headed monsters in the hills! We would not survive hunting the creatures of the Everfree while protecting our spawn.” He argued.
He was right too. It was really dangerous in the forest. “I’m going to need to take down these issues one at a time before I can ask him to join me… Ok, start with water.” But water isn’t hard to come by if you can find where the prey is drinking from. They know where the danger is. I tilted my head. “Why do you need water?” I asked. “You’re made of wood.” I flinched at the stupidity of my statement.
He answered anyway. “We don’t need much, just enough to keep our limbs moist so we don’t burn in the sunlight. He said as if it were common knowledge.
I cringed at the implications of being made of wood. “Wow living like a tree is a surprisingly violent lifestyle. Don’t dry out or burn. Don’t stop hunting or go extinct. Don’t stay out in the sun for too long or get set on fire. Don’t go near fire. Stay cold or burn… yeah, now I sympathize with them. I genuinely feel like helping them as much as I want to help that Elk.” I thought somberly.
I remained quiet and looked at the ground processing the possibilities. Surprisingly the Timberwolf continued to let me think in peace. Not making a noise to garner my attention. “Okay, the Everfree is dangerous, I get that. But it’s not that bad. Anyone can live there, heck the prey lived there for centuries. Maybe I can sell the prospect of joining my pack now.”
I nodded in understanding. “That’s all I need to know. But now I want to offer you something that you offered me earlier.” I said already feeling successful. More sounds of flapping wings appeared above me that was masked by the wind. “Join my pack.” I said with conviction.
The alpha seemed taken aback by the offer. “Wait, is this too soon? Christ I didn’t even argue down the other points.” The other Timberwolves picked up their heads and stared back at me. They waited with bated breath for their alphas response. “You’re hardly in the position to ask that.” He said incredulously. “You don’t have a pack, and I’m acting alpha of mine. A pack of one doesn’t carry weight. And why would we follow you? Your name doesn’t inspire fear, but envy. Your hiding skills are legendary, but none think you’re strong.” He sized me up by stepping forward to show he’s bigger than me. “What you have is a skill we want to learn, but we don’t need it. We aren’t going to join you based on our desires alone. Even if we did join you, we’d gain too little.” He concluded.
“Maybe I can salvage this.” I growled in protest. “I can give you the Everfree Forest.” I stated. “I can guide you to places where you can be safe, and show you how to hunt larger game with fewer numbers. You’d be able to protect your spawn while being able to hunt. You’d even need to hunt less often if your saplings grow there. I said trying to speak with conviction. “But know, if you don’t join me, I’ll hunt you. I said using a low grow to convey hostility. “I plan to eradicate the Timberwolves from my forest. If you’re not with me, then I will destroy you.” I said with finality, giving him a serious glare.
His eyes narrowed as he looked at me with what was a very skeptical expression. I realized that his facial features are more advanced than my own. As I just realized this now I began to recall his previous expressions. In my fascination he seemed to make a decision. “Why would you wish harm on us?” He asked quizzically. “Why my species in general? We offered no hostility, why do you offer yours?” he said getting into a more defensive position.
I lifted my head as proudly as possible. “Because over hunting in the Everfree has caused my food supply to plummet.” I then glanced at the Elk still in the center of the wolf pack, it was watching me intently. “Oh, perfect saving line!” I let my glance be more noticeable by lingering a while longer before looking back at the Alpha in front of me. “It’s why I want you to let this Elk live.” I stated, trying to sound like I’ve thought through this. It was still difficult for me to figure out my tone other than guess work. Being a wolf doesn’t help me in that regard. “Now will you help me rid the forest of the other Timberwolves, or will you be against me?”
He gave me a very upset glare and started to get to a pouncing stance. I didn’t move hoping I could defuse his hostility without acting, but he stopped on his own accord. Lifting his head up and looking back at the Elk with a contemplative look. I was momentarily confused by his actions before he looked back at me with what I assumed was subdued rage in his eyes.
“Your point has been made.” He said slowly but aggressively. “I will not order my pack to kill this Elk, but-…” His breathing increased and he let out a low growl. “WE WILL NOT HELP YOU!” He pitched his head up sharply and howled.
It was at this point, while his piercing howl reached through the forest, that I remembered the birds in the trees. I looked up in slight nervousness thinking the small creatures would be spotted. But when I glanced up where I knew I heard the wing beats of birds, there was nothing there. That was until I noticed a small white feather poking out of the leaves. I inwardly smiled when I began to piece together that the birds were hiding. I was able to get a sight of at least five of them before the howl came to an end. I looked down to regain eye contact with the Alpha.
“The prey will go free, and you will be unharmed for your threats.” he spoke through his eyes simply. He then stepped closer giving me a threatening stare. “But this does not mean I will not warn my brothers. And you may count my pack amongst the ones you must destroy.” He warned.
I heard the tell-tale rustling of leaves all around me. When I looked left and right, I saw Timberwolves coming out of the bushes. Each of them saw me and then started growling at the Elk. A quick bark from the Alpha silenced them. He turned to readdress me. “And my pack isn’t very small.” he spoke with his eyes. He turned and walked in the opposite direction. The pack slowly followed, the new arrivals seemed confused as to why the Alpha was letting the Elk live, and a few even tried to approach to get the final kill. But they changed their mind and continued to follow the packs slow march away from the scene.
I stared back at the creatures that passed me by. The Timberwolves filtered through the bushes making the sound of waves from the sound of displaced leaves. As my senses began to refocus on the world around me rather than the Timberwolves, I began to note I was on top of a small hill. I could look out across the forest floor and see deep into the light forest. I turned back over to my right to see the imposing wall of Everfree trees and shrubs that barred my future path.
“They were hiding in the bushes? How did he even signal them to come out?” My heart sank slightly; just like the feeling I had earlier this morning. “How did… how didn’t I see them? Or hear them?” I unconsciously sat down. Letting my front legs support my weight while my back ones rested on the ground below. My tail laid at my side, slightly curved to bring myself into a makeshift embrace.
It didn’t make me feel any better.
Looking forward again I watched as the last Timberwolves began to descend from the hill. Picking up speed as they went. I watched them go while slowly trying to count their numbers. I continued to count as the Elk so kindly watched me in what I assumed was understanding and possibly confusion. Even the birds above me seemed to let me have my peace. I counted at least twenty-five before their numbers became obscured by the bushes, and the trees that got between my sight and them. The Elk stepped forward and huffed loudly, assumedly to get my attention.
I ignored him to continue thinking to myself. “If they’re this capable at hiding then I should be careful…” I breathed in slowly, then exhaled all the air in my lungs. “And afraid.” I thought solemnly.
“If this is a trick, then be prepared for pain, wolf.” He said hostilely.
I turned my head to look him in his beady black eyes with my enchanting blue ones. He hesitated for a moment as our eyes met, but he wasn’t hypnotized like the others who’ve looked into my eyes. It was because I didn’t want to hypnotize him. I let our eyes connect for only a few moments before I stood up on all fours… I couldn’t remember when I sat down. I turned slightly to the right so I can pass by the Elk without bumping into him when I begin walking. “The Everfree doesn’t seem all that far… maybe I can reach its edge in thirty minutes… then continue my death walk through its bushes.” I thought, truly hopelessly. I took a gander at the sky to place the sun. It was passed the point of noon and the day was on its way to late afternoon.
I began my walk toward the Everfree, paying no mind to the Elk who barely barred my path. He realized I wasn’t heading directly toward him, and even more so seemed to relax. He lifted his head back up as I passed him by, while looking at me with uncertainty. “Wait, wolf.” Said the Elk with hesitation in his voice, it caused me to stop but not turn to face him. “Thank you for saving me.” He paused. “So what’s your name?” He asked unsure of himself.
My mind moved to speak but my mouth paused. I looked down at the grassy floor and thought to myself. Taking precious moments of daylight away from me to think again on something completely unrelated to the current scenario. "All I've got is what Powell gave me. Titles...Hushed Shadow. I'm going to be known as Hushed Shadow by the Diamond Dogs, but also Phantom Shadow by the Timberwolves. But titles won't matter if I don't succeed." I thought remorsefully. "Call me whatever they want, I'm either going to be dead, or maybe just up and leave without accomplishing anything...vanished. Wonder if they'd call me that." I thought spitefully.
I lifted my head and slowly turned to face him. I caught a glimpse of a small bird that landed on his antlers. Two more flew down to rest on his back. I gave him a neutral look. “They call me Hushed Shadow.” I said simply. He seemed to smile and began to talk. “Well Hus-” I interrupted him with my typical whines and barks that come with my language. “THEY,” I interrupted him with a loud bark and gestured toward the Timberwolves. “Also call me Phantom Shadow. The Pack of One. Some also call me wolf. And in more recent days, someone called me, wolf.” I said putting emphasis on ‘wolf’ mocking his previous tone. “But no one actually knows my name. And I never give them the right answer.” I said bitterly. “Truth is…” I said looking at the ground with a glare. “I have no name.” I said trying to sound resolute, but it came out as a whimper.
We remained motionless for a few moments, my snout still pointed at the ground. A soft breeze rustled through the tree canopy and submerged us in ambient noise. He stepped forward and bowed his head to me. I couldn’t see anything other than his shadow imprinted on the ground from the light that made it through the trees. His shadowy form was distorted from the lack of light, but that was when something odd happened. A few birds came down from the sky carrying something I couldn’t see. My head rose from the ground to see the transformation in action. To my surprise I saw a newly placed birds nest in his right antler, and a small crown made of flowers and twigs. But most surprisingly was the fact that he was looking down at me with a smile. Something I wasn’t sure Elks can do.
“I am an Elk Lord of Whitetail Woods.” He said with a fatherly tone of bleats and grunts. “I can tell you have a problem with titles. But if you allow me too, I can bestow upon you another one.” He said with a passive smile.
I on the other hand wasn’t as shell shocked as he thought. Rather than giving him the benefit of the doubt, I chose instead to let a deadpanned disbelief make its way onto my features. “I’m not in the mood.” I said quietly, as the stress began to seep into me. He recoiled slightly. “I just did the equivalent of declaring war on the Timberwolves. I want to destroy them, but not when they know what I’m trying to do. I was hoping I could secure a pack to help me evict them, but now I just lost my element of surprise, and I’m angry about that. The last thing I need right now is to remember another title.” I stated.
He continued un-phased. “Well then, Wolf of the Everfree.” He said teasingly. “If you wanted an army to help you evict Timberwolves from the Everfree, all you need to do is ask. Because today, you’ve earned the title ‘Savior of the Elk Lord Hag’.” He said happily. “And my herd…” He paused and frowned. “Hmm… no, my people are ready to help.” He said with true conviction in his voice.
I looked at him again. Unsure whether the Elk’s presence and title was a blessing, or another society to be slave to. At first, I wanted to accept his help right then and there, regardless of what people I’d have to answer to. But my thoughts persisted and my tongue was held in my mouth by my own teeth. It was because of my thought over the others in Sanctuary. If I oust the Timberwolves and install the Elk in the Everfree, what would happen to them? Will they be taxed in some weird Elk like way? But worse than that… I’d have another title. But would it be worth it?
I looked forward toward the Everfree’s tree-line. “Savior of the Elk Lord Hag, huh.” I repeated in a questioning tone. Waiting to hear his response.
At first he seemed confused but quickly recovered. “Oh, yes, you’d be a hero.” He said with a hopeful, but sly tone.
I already didn’t trust him. My head shook slightly in disapproval. “That’s just what I need.” I said out loud, in a depressed whine. “Another fucking title.” I said hostilely. I turned back to the Elk who looked unsure and slightly insulted. “So what happens to all the other creatures who live here?” I accused. “Do they get their homes back? Can you promise me that? Will you try to drive out my friends in the Sanctuary?”
He looked at me with a solemn expression, and his voice lowered to a hopeless but still fatherly tone. “Son, my people have been hunted for generations. We know what it’s like to be without a proper home, and we would never do something like that to our fellow animal.” He said passionately. “But know that we used to scour the Everfree, giving its predators something to worry about when hunting. But then the Timberwolves drove us from the lands two hundred years ago. My father’s father and his father before him tried to retake the Everfree, but the trees and the wolves were too great for them to overcome. We usually run in plains and boreal places. But the Everfree is like a mountain with trees.” He said remorsefully.
He raised his head and looked to the left, away from me. Giving himself a powerful image. “But still we did damage to their numbers when we went to war. Our numbers are now grown to half the size of the Timberwolves, but this is the highest number we’ve ever had against them.” He said proudly, then looked back to me. “We Elk are powerful, and we have antlers that can break the wood of Timberwolves. We need only another advantage to claim the forest for our own again. You, and your control over Poison Joke can tip the balance into our favor.” He looked back down at me. “Will you help us retake what was ours?” He asked.
I gave him a small glare. “No.” I said.