All ponies believe that every Timberwolf is dangerous and will kill you if you're not careful. However though, three young fillies find a young female Timberwolf pup, and one discovers Timberwolves are as not as dangerous as she thought they were.
Alone, afraid and fend for herself, a young Timberwolf Pup lives alone, after her pack and mother were killed by Manticores. She lives alone in the forest, until three fillies known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders find her. Two fled in terror, but one brave filly named Applebloom discovered the pup was afraid and not threatening like her grandmother and big sister told her about them.
She knew in her heart this pup needed help, and happily decided to take care of her. However, one question stood in her way in fear.
How will her remaining friends, her sister and the rest of the main six react to her being friends with one of the most dangerous predators in the Everfree Forest?
The sound of rustling echoed through the silent forest of the Everfree Forest over the lands of Equestria. Emerging from the bushes, a known predator, known as a Timberwolf silently walked through the forest. This Timberwolf was different from other large, and vicious adult Timberwolves in the forest. Reason is, it’s only a pup.
Four days ago, the young ones pack was killed by three Manticores, which invaded their territory. The young one survived, and is the only survivor. On the young ones body were many scratches, and bruises. The young wolf was caught in the crossfire of the fight, and received some attacks from the enormous animals that tried to kill her and killed her pack.
The young one was now alone. No one to take care of her, no one to feed her and no one to protect her.
She continued walking through the silent forest, in hope of food and shelter to keep her safe for the night. She came across a stream, which was a good source of fish and water. She slowly walked forward to the calming stream and took some quick laps of fresh water. After her thirst was quenched, she scanned her beaming yellow eyes across the water, in search of any fish in sight.
Soon, she spotted one, just lazily flowing with the water. She held up her paw and thrusted it forward to catch the fish, but missed. The fish caught the alarm of the sounds of splashing and swam quickly back into the depths of the stream and disappeared.
The young wooded wolf growled in frustration and in hunger, seeing her only meal made its escape.
However, her anger was replaced with fear. The rocks not to far from her moved and advanced towards the pup. The rocks surfaced and she was face to face with a Cragadile.
The pup encountered these beasts a few times when she and her pack were down at the stream, feeding or drinking. A Cragadile emerged and took one of the members of the pack down into the water, where the wolf’s fate was sealed. She never forgotten that frightening day, and even to now, she was still afraid of these mighty rock animals.
The beast roared and opened its jaws, revealing its rock like teeth, ready to sink into the pup.
The pup squealed in fear and ran off, just missing the jaws of the Cragadile. The beast growled in anger, seeing its meal running away. It slowly merged back into the depths, waiting for a new animal to walk over to the stream.
The Timberwolf pup whined and whined as she ran farther and farther away from the stream. She ran for a good few minutes, until she slowed down and stopped, regaining her breath. Luck was once again on her side, she encountered two brushes of death and lucked out once again.
After she caught her breath again, she whimpered in sadness, missing her pack, her mother, starved, alone and afraid.
Her depression increased as a droplet of water landed on her nose, and soon, it started to rain. She whimpered louder, but too loud to draw attention. She knew now there was nothing more she could do for the night, she must now rest. However though, seeing no shelter in her sight, she had no choice, but to nest out in the forest. She found a suitable place to rest, which was near a dead Tree trunk.
She grabbed some wet, twigs, leaves and made a small nest for her to sleep in. During her young life living with her pack, she focused on how nests were made if the pack was in a cold environment. It wasn’t much for her, but it was something.
The pup circled around in the nest a few times, before she laid down on the wet, cold nest. The pup shivered as the cold wind blew and as the wet water droplets of the rain poured all over her. The young pup silently closed her eyes, while small whimpers of sadness escaped her throat. Small green tears leaked from her eyes, missing her family and pack.
The pup was alone in this cruel world. All she now wants is a new family to raise her, love her, and keep her safe. It was the only wish the pup ever wanted in her life.
Morning arrived in the Everfree forest, and near a dead Tree trunk, the young Timberwolf slowly awoke from her uneased slumber. She slowly rose and stretched, snapping a few twigs and branches in her body.
The pup was still starving. Unable to catch the fish from the stream last night,and unable to find any food the last few days, the pup was starting to get incredibly weak. She had to move and find any source of food.
She walked through the forest again, her stomach rumbling every few minutes, signaling her she needed food and now.
Once more, luck was on her side. She popped her head out from a batch of bushes and saw a young Manticore corpse, a few yards from her. The carcass didn't look that bad. It was a few days old, probably taken down by another pack of Timberwolves. There was only a small portion of meat left, and was covered in a cloud of flies.
However, with hunger driving her to her extent, she didn’t care. She quickly darted out of the bushes and dug right in the carcass. It had a bitter taste, due to being a few days old since it was killed. She pushed right through the bitter taste, and kept eating.
The flies flew over her, telling the wolf to get lost and this was thiers. She ignored the flies flying over her and kept eating.
After five small bites, the remaining edible meat of the carcass was cleaned off. It wasn’t a lot, but it did give the wolf a bit of energy to keep moving. The Timberwolf pup moved on, and came to a small puddle. She happily drank the fresh rain water puddle, until there was nothing left. Even though she was feeling slightly better than before, it still wasn't enough to fill the sadness within her wooden heart.
She still missed her family, and her mother. She still wanted a new family to love her, like her mother.
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER ADVENTURERS YAY!”
She snapped her head the loud source of yelling and saw three creatures she never saw before running through the forest.
The first one was orange, had wings, messy purple mane, tail, and eyes. She had a pair of small wings.
The second was white, had puffy light and dark purple mane mixed, along with a horn on her head and green eyes.
The final creature was yellow, had rich red mane, tail, had amber eyes and a pink bow on her head.
The pup’s fear returned and she quickly dived into a pile of bushes, avoiding to be spotted.
“Ya sure we shud this is a good idea Scootaloo? Our sisters are gunna be mighty mad if they catch us being in the everfree forest.” The yellow creature said in a young western accent.
“I’m with Applebloom on this one as well. I know we’re trying to get our cutie marks on being adventurers, but being in the Everfree forest might be taking this a little too far.” The white creature said to the two, now named Applebloom and Scootaloo.
“Quit being a bunch of babies Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. If we ever want to get our cutie marks on being adventurers, we need action, danger.” Scootaloo said to the two, which is named Sweetie Belle.
The pup was eyeing them with fear and curiosity. These creatures were different than the others she encountered with her pack. They seemed intelligent, strong, and slightly bigger than she is. Even though she can handle herself with small creatures, she was still hurt, and didn't know if they can fight. It was better to leave and not make contact with them. She slowly backed and then-
SNAP
She accidentally stepped on a twig, making a loud snapping sound, gaining the attention of the three.
“What was that?” Sweetie Belle asked looking around.
“Ah don;t know ya’ll, but ah think it’s coming frum that bush.” Applebloom answered pointing at the bush where the pup is hiding.
“Then let’s see if anypony is behind there.” Scootaloo suggested. “Hey! Whoever is in there, come out or we’ll force you out!”
“Scoots, stop!” Sweetie Belle said in a growl. “We don’t know what in there. It could be a…*Gulp*, Timberwolf.”
“Maybe, amybe not, but we’re not gonna find out if we don’t know. “ She said walking over to the bush.
“This is not ah good idea.” Applebloom said as the two walked over as well.
The pup was now terrified as the three creatures advanced towards the bush. She panicked and ran out of the bushes, and tried to run, but she tripped and fell, growling in pain. She slowly picked herself up and looked at the three creatures, who were looking at her with wide eyes and dropped mouths.
She slowly started backing up, until she tripped and fell on her hide.
That’s when the three creatures screamed at the top of their lungs.
The three Crusaders screamed and started running all over the place, avoiding being caught by the pup.
The young pup was confused. Instead of attacking her, they seemed afraid of her. She didn’t know whether to run or stand her ground.
“Let’s get outta here!” Sweetie Belle screamed.
From that, the three fillies ran as fast as their legs can carry them. However though, The yellow filly, Applebloom tripped over a rock and fell, creating a visible scratch mark on her leg.
“Ow.” She carefully got up, and saw that her friends have vanished through the forest. She was now afraid out of her own mind. She was now alone in the forest.
She then heard the sounds of steps behind her. She snapped her head back and her eyes widened in fear, seeing the pup slowly advancing towards her.
“GET BACK!” She screamed growling at the pup.
The screaming and the warning was enough for the pup to scurry away from her and huddle close to a rock, whimpering in fear by the filly. She was still injured the last few days to put up any kind of fight.
Applebloom face softened a little, seeing the pup’s reaction to her warning and screaming. Through her grandmother and sisters story about the Timberwolves, they would immediately attack with no questions asked. But this wolf...was afraid, not to mention hurt.
Applebloom slowly walked towards the pup, being cautious and scared. Her mind was battling with her, telling her not to advance any closer to the pup and run, but inside, something felt off with this little Timberwolf.
When she was now only inches away from the pup, the two looked at each other. Appleblooms eyes were filled with curiosity, while the pups eyes were filled with fear.
Applebloom gently rose her hoof and reached out for the pup, but to her biggest surprise, the pup shielded away from her, whimpering in fear by the filly, believing she might hurt her.
Applebloom was shocked, that a young Timberwolf pup...would actually be afraid of her. Could it be that...Timberwolves are not the monsters she originally thought?
She looked at the pup for another few seconds, watching it whimper, and cower away from her, trying her best to look invisible and wait for the danger to be over. Her heart broke, seeing this predator scared.
Once again, her heart and mind were battling.
“What are you waiting for, get outta here!”
“You can’t just leave this young one out here. It’s only a baby.”
“It’s a Timberwolf, one of the most dangerous monsters in the Forest!”
“It won’t survive out here on it’s own. It needs help.”
Applebloom struggled to make her next move. Either to help the pup out, or just leave. Even though this Timberwolf pup was a predator, it was an animal, fighting to survive. Even though she wasn’t an animal expert like her friend Fluttershy, she still loved animals. Seeing this young pup cower and whimper made her realize...maybe she was wrong about them, and all ponies alike were wrong about them.
After careful planning, she made her final decision.
“Hey.” She softly said.
The pup stopped shaking a little and looked up at the young pony, with her green eyes glowing with fear and sadness.
“It’s alright. Ah won’t hurt you.”
The Timberwolf pup looked into her amber colored eyes, seeing the changes in them. First she saw anger and power, but now she sees kindness and care in them.
Applebloom gently raised her hoof again and reached for the pup, making her cower in fear again, believing she might hurt her.
However...the only thing she felt was...a hoof stroking her head. She looked back up at the pony, who was softly stroking her head, giving her a warm caring smile.
“It’s okay young one. Ah promise, ah won’t hurt ya.” She cooed gently.
The pup was shocked out of her own mind, seeing the care she presented to her. Seeing her kindness, and care, made her feel safe. Memories of her pack and mother resurfaced in her mind. Making her whimper while green tears fell.
Applebloom saw this and then, taking her chances with her life, she actually brought the young pup into an embrace.
“Shhh...it’s alright. It’s okay.” She whispered while stroking her back.
The pup felt waves of comfort, and care within this hug. This was a new level of care she felt. Never in her life, she would have never have been hugged by another creature. The only creature that cared for her this much was...her mother.
The pup then wailed while more tears fell from her glowing green eyes.
This action made Applebloom more surprised. This wasn’t the sound of howling...this was sound of wailing, and it was being released by waves of sadness within this pups heart. Her own heart cracked in two, seeing this pup was upset and alone in the forest. She tightened her embrace around the pup, and continued to stroke her back, trying her best to comfort the sad wooden wolf.
“Shhh...its alright. Let it out...shhh.”
Applebloom kept shushing and stroking the pups back. From seeing this...she knew now everything her sister and grandmother told her about these creatures...was a lie. They weren’t evil, heartless predators that were told about them. They weren’t monsters, they were gentle creatures, just every other animal she knew and loved.
After a few more minutes, the wailing and crying died down. Applebloom pulled back and saw the wolf pup sniffed and tried to calm down. She wiped the tears away and smiled gently at the pup.
“It’s alright little one. No need ta shed anymore tears. Ah’m here.” She cooed.
The pup’s heart was now starting to fill up with joy, happiness, and love once again. She believed it all left her when her pack died, but after the care this pony gave her, she found it again.
The pup yelped and lunged onto her, and started lickign her face, with her stick leafy tongue.
“Hahahaha, alright, alright ah git it. Yer welcome.” She giggled.
The pup got off of her and spun in a circle a few times and yelped happily, while her small twig tail shook happily.
Applebloom got up and smiled.
“Ah guess yer not the monster ah thought ya were.” She said. “Well, goodbye.” She started walking out of the forest, only to hear the sound of steps behind her. She looked back and saw the pup following her.
“No partner. Ya need ta stay here in the forest.” She said and started walking off again, but only to be followed.
“No. Ya can’t come with me. Mah sister won’t let me keep ya.” She said trying to make the wolf understand. She started walking off again, but the pup followed her once more. Now she was getting irritated.
“Fer the last time, ya can’t come home with me!” She snapped, making the pup scurry back a little.
The pup finally got the message, that she didn't want her around anymore. She thought this was too good to be true. She finally found someone that cared for her, but now she doesn’t want her around now.
The pup whimpered and lowered her head and turned around, and started walking back into the forest. She stopped a second and looked back at Applebloom. Her tears shed again and she howled in sadness, telling her goodbye forever, before she advanced further away from her.
Applebloom herself had her heart torn again, seeing this pup in tears again. She didn't understand why the pup was following her. Then, it hit her. The pup wasn't with it’s pack. She realized the pup was lost, or worse...her pack was gone.
She struggled again. She wanted to help the pup, but she knew her sister would never allow her to keep a Timberwolf as a pet. But she knew the pup won’t survive on her own in the forest, without the protection of her pack. But, she knew there was one option for her left.
“Wait!” She called out.
The pups ears perked up, hearing her voice again. She turned around and saw Applebloom walking up to her.
“Ah’m sorry fer yellin at ya, but ya need ta understand, ah can’t bring ya home. Mah family will never let me keep ya. But, ah think ah can help ya.” She explained.
The pup listened.
“Ah can bring ya with me, but ya can’t be seen by others. Ya can’t follow me wherever ah go, and ya can’t eat anypony, alright?” She asked the pup.
She yelped happily and and licked her face again, making Applebloom giggle.
“Alright partner, ah git it.” She giggled feeling the sticky tongue on her again.
The pup got off of her and waited for her command.
“Come on, let’s go back to the treehouse.” She said waving the to the pup to follow her.
The pup yelped and followed her back to her home.
As they walked back, one question rose in Appleblooms head.
Applebloom and the Timberwolf pup walked out of the forest and into the open fields, near her hometown, ponyville.
“Just follow me and don’t wander off.” Applebloom said to the wooden pup.
She yelped, obeying her command.
The two walked through the fields and to the edges of her town.
The wolf was amazed by this new place she never seen before. It looked so peaceful, caring and not a single threat anywhere. She knew she was lucky to run into Applebloom.
Applebloom lead the way and they finally made it to her home, Sweet Apple acres.
“Quick, follow me before mah sister or anypony shows up.” She said quietly.
The pup nodded and she followed Applebloom through the fields. Finally, they reached their destination, a small club house in a tree with a few apple trees and some bushes around.
“Ya can hide in the bushes until ah figure out a plan, okay?”
The pup yelped again.
“Applebloom!”
Appleblooms face went pale, knowing who’s voice that was. It was Applejack.
“Quick, hide.” She quickly said to the timberwolf.
The wolf nodded and hid in the nearest bush, which was thick enough to make the pup invisible.
Applebloom turned around and saw her older sister running to her.
Applejack grabbed her sister into a strong embrace. “Oh thank Celestia, yer alright.”
“Ah’m fine Sis. Really.” Applebloom said struggling to get out of her sister’s embrace.
“Why in the name of sam hills did you and yer friends go off into the everfree forest?” The older mare asked now upset.
“Well, we just wanted to get our cutie marks, but then..”
“Applebloom, ah’m very disappointed in you. Me and the other told ya three not ta go off into the forest so many times, ah even lost count. You could have been killed. Don’t ya know a Timberwolf could have eaten ya?”
“Ah’m sorry.” Applebloom said feeling sad.
The pup looked at her new friend, seeing her down like this. She was about to reveal herself to comfort her, but then she saw her sister beaten her to it.
Applejack brought her into another embrace. “It’s okay Applebloom. Just please promise me ya’ll will never go back there.”
“Ah promise.” She replied hugging her back.
The pup felt her heart melt, seeing the bond between her sister. Suddenly, her stomach went off, letting out a loud grumble, loud enough for the country sisters to hear.
“What was that?” Applejack asked.
“Oh, uh...that was my stomach. Ah guess ah’m gettin kinda hungry.” Applebloom lied. Even though she was part of the apple family, Applebloom knew how to let out a good lie at some points.
“Well, how’s about we git back to the house and git ya somethin to eat.” Applejack said smiling.
“Sounds like ah plan.”
Applejack then saw the green goo on her sister’s face. “Applebloom, what’s with the green goo on yer face?”
Applebloom totally forgot about that, and she was about to panic, but she gained her cool. “Ah sorta fell into some gooey holes on mah way back here.” She lied.
Applejack leaned in and sniffed her sister, and cringed. “Land’s sake. That’s foul. Yer gonna git a bath before ya eat.”
Applebloom giggled. “Okay.
The two pony sisters left the club house to return to the farm, leaving the pup in the bushes. She didn’t like the idea of staying here, and she was still starving. However, she promised she would wait for her to return…but it didn’t happen.
Hours passed…1 hour…3 hours…4 hours…she didn’t come back. The pup was now beggining to believe that she left her. The pup whined and then left her hiding spot.
“Pssst.” The wolfs head jerked up when she heard a voice. She turned and saw Applebloom approaching.
“Sorry ah took so long. Ah had ta git around mah sister and brother. Ah brought yah some food.” The word food made the pups mouth water, and she started yapping, running in a few circles.
Applebloom chuckled and brought out a few pies, cakes and apples. “Ah don’t know fer certain yah can eat apples, but its worth a shot.”
The pup sniffed the pies and food that was presented to her, but she yakked at it and turned away.
“Ah knew it wouldn’t work. Guess that means yah eat meat right?” AB asked.
The little pup yapped again, with her wooden tail wagging.
Applebloom knew that meat was very scarce in ponyville, since all ponies are herbivores. However…she knew one place that did have a source of meat…but she knew she would have to show her AB’s secret.
“Ah think ah know who can help, but ah gotta let mah sister know where I’m going. I’ll be right back, and ah won’t be gone long.” She ran off, leaving the pup alone again. Truth to her word, she came back quickly, much to the pups relief.
“Okay, she said ah can visit her, but only fer a few minutes, so we better use them now while we can. Follow me.” Ab and the pup walked out of the farm and headed back to the Everfree Forest. The path was taken differently however, as they stood close to the edge, until they were in front of a small cottage. Like the town, it was peaceful, and calm. The pup can get used to this quickly.
“Stay in the bushes, and don’t come out until ah tell ya.” Ab ordered.
Follwing her command, the pup jumped into the bushes and peeked through, watching the filly walk up to the door and knock a few times. The door opened slowly and a new pony was seen. She had cream fur, sky blue eyes, a butterfly cutie mark, and had long pink hair. It was Fluttershy.
“Oh…hello Applebloom.” She greeted ever so softly. “What brings you here?”
“Umm…” Applebloom knew this is gonna be tough, telling the timid pegasus she has a timberwolf pup with her. “Ya see Fluttershy…I…well…”
“What’s wrong applebloom?” Fluttershy asked.
Applebloom sighed. “Ah made a new friend, but…he…or she…is very timid…like you.”
“Oh, that’s very nice you made a new friend.” Fluttershy said smiling.
“Ah want ya ta meet him…but can ya please promise me somethin?”
“Of course.”
“Please don’t tell anypony, especially Twilight, and mah sister about this. PLEASE.”
Fluttershy was surprised and confused. Why would Applebloom want Fluttershy to not tell anypony about this new friend of Appleblooms?
“If I may ask…why?”
Applebloom took a deep, shaky breath before she called out, “Come on out partner.”
The pup got the message and slowly emerged from the bushes.
The sight of the pup made Fluttershy gasp in shock.
“Now ya know. Please don’t me mad ah brought ah-“ She was immediately cut off when Fluttershy zipped right through her and embraced the pup, much to their shock and surprise.
“Oh you poor thing.” Fluttershy cooed gently while stroking the pups head.
The pup was shocked that this timid pegasus was not afraid of her. She felt the same comfort and warmth in this hug, like Applebloom.
“Yer…not mad?” AB asked still shocked.
“Oh sweetie. I can never be mad at you. You bringing this poor timberwolf pup to me was the right thing.” Fluttershy answered.
“But…ah thought you were afraid of Timberwolfs.”
“It may be true, but the young ones are a different story. They’re still growing, and they act just like real puppies.” The timid pony explained.
“So..ya’ll keep this a secret?”
“Well…”
“Please Fluttershy? If Twilight or mah sister finds out about this, think of the horrible stuff they’ll do to the poor thing.”
The timid pegasus looked down at the pup; her brain flowing with what will happen if her friends find out. Either hurt it…or probably…
“Don’t worry Applebloom, you’re secret is safe with me.” Fluttershy smiled at the young filly.
AB sighed in relief, “Thank ya very much Fluttershy. Well, now that we have everything cleared up, ah would like ta ask, do ya have anything that has meat, or soemthing? Since ya take care of snimals, ah know yer the right pony fer this.”
Fluttershy smile and nodded, “Of course. I’ll be happy to get the little sweetheart something to eat.” She nuzzled the wolf pup, much to its comfort and happiness.
The young pup yipped and licked her cheek, making her giggle, “Aren’t you the cutest thing ever?”
The wolf yipped again, wagging her wooden tail.
“Come on in and I’ll get a meal ready for the young one.” The two ponies entered the cottage. The animals around them saw the pup and they scurried into their proper homes.
“Oh dear. I should have known the others would act like this.” Fluttershy sighed, “I’m sure they’ll warm up to her eventually.”
AB arced a brow, “The wolf is ah she?”
“Oh yes. She’s a girl. Female wolves are more slimmer than males, and have shorter snouts.” The pegasus explained. When she left, Ab sat on the floor with the pup, gently rubbing her head, while the wolf relaxed in her touch.
A few moments later, Fluttershy returned with a large fish. At the sight, the Timberwolf pup’s eyes widened and her mouth watered. When Fluttershy placed the fish down, the pup jumped on it and started devoring her meal.
“Oh my, she’s really hungry.” She giggled.
“Fluttershy,” The pegasus looked at the filly, “Ah found her alone in the woods. Ah was wondering, dies she have a pack?”
“Depends. What was her reaction and attitude when you found her?” Fluttershy questioned.
“Well, she was scared, sad, and she was following me and obeying mah commands.” At the explanation, Fluttershy softly gasped, while tears started forming.
“Fluttershy?”
“Oh dear…The poor thing,” She looked at the pup, continuing to to eat her meal.
“What is it?”
“Applebloom…this pup lost its pack.”
AB gasped in shock and turned to the wolf, “Oh no.”
“The poor thing is alone.”
Ab felt tears flowing from her eyes. She couldn’t believe that this little pup…would lose her pack.
“What do we do?”
“The way I see it, we best take care of her until she’s old enough to live on her own,” The pup finally finished her dinner and yipped happily. She ran to Ab and licked her face, making the filly giggle.
“Although, she does take a liking to you. Maybe you can take care of her.”
“Really?” Her eyes went wide.
“Of course. I can tell you really want to help her, and you have a connection to the dear.” Fluttershy explained.
Ab looked down at the pup, who curled around her and lied down, yawning and falling asleep. Ab felt her heart melt at the affection, and happiness she can she in the pups heart. She knew what her answer was now.
“Fluttershy, Ah’ll take care of the little one.” She answered petting her.
Fluttershy smiled at the fillies answer, “It’s settled then.”
“Ah gotta git going. Ah don’t want mah sister ta worry abotu me being gone fer too long.”
The pegasus nodded. “Okay. If you ever need more food for her, feel free to drop by.”
Ab smiled and nodded. She nudged the pup and she slwoly awoken and got up.
“Come on girl. Let’s go home.”
Hearing ‘Home’, the pup yipped and followed.
Fluttershy smiled, watching the two leave. “Applebloom, I know you can help her. I’ll be here to support you.”