Fluttershy had mixed feelings about being a wolf. On one hoof, she was an animal herself and by being a wolf she would learn so much more about the animal kingdom, so much more to discover. But on the other hoof, she was going to have to kill and eat animals if she wanted to live. Not exactly her cup of tea.

She had chosen Covert as her senior because, Soleks scared her. He was big black and would occasionally snap at other wolves. He was about as hostile as wolves get. Fluttershy was definitely not going to survive had she been paired up with a wolf like Soleks.

She had chosen Covert because both of them were shy. They’d get along no problem, but whether he liked animals or not was still a question that required an answer. As they exited the cave, Fluttershy kept silent, not daring to face her new senior. Covert himself too kept quiet.

Fluttershy walked alongside Covert, she was doing just fine until next to her, a bush rustled. Fluttershy let out an “Eep!” and practically leaped into Covert. The black and yellow stood unfazed, instead he was rather amused. A small brown rodent burst out the vegetation and scuttled away. Covert let out a small chuckle and comforted the pale yellow mare.

      “Yea, the forest is kinda scary on your first time.” Covert said

Fluttershy got off the black and yellow wolf. She blushed a little and continued walking. Soon enough, the timid mare inquired about Covert’s ally’s.

      “So, um... How are your friends?” Fluttershy managed to ask

Covert immediately went sad. He hung his head low enough so that a shadow was casted over his eyes, preventing them from being seen.

      “I don’t have friends.” Covert whispered

      “Oh, w-what about Backdraft?”

Covert looked up and in his eyes she could see a level pain and sadness that was beyond measure. Fluttershy kept quiet. Not daring to utter another word.

      “They all treat me like a freak. Because I can talk to monsters.”

Fluttershy looked up and stared into the eyes of Covert.

       “They treat me like an outcast because I love animals. Because I can communicate with them, because I think that there’s no need for violence. For years they’ve insulted me. They say I’m not a wolf because I can’t hunt. I could never imagine myself eating another animal.”

      “Then how are you still alive?” Fluttershy asked

      “I drink water. I don’t eat but I just drink.”

      “Oh...”

Covert grabbed Fluttershy by her supposed shoulders, his eyes shone in the moonlight.

      “Do you know how painful it is? To be rejected by my own kind simply because I’m a bit different. They hurt me, mentally, emotionally, physically, because I’m not like them.” Covert said with sadness practically covering every word.

Fluttershy knew exactly how it was like. Back in Flight Academy she had been bullied by her fellow pegasi because she couldn’t fly, because she was too timid. She knew exactly what Covert was talking about.

      “Actually, I can relate.” Fluttershy murmured

Covert looked up, tears were already streaming down his face.

      “Oh really?” Covert wiped his tears and sniffled

      “Um... Yes.”

      “So what did you do?”

      “I moved. I ran away.”

      “I wish I could do the same.” Covert mumbled

      “Why not?”

      “Everybody knows that a wolf is dead as soon as he leaves the pack. He’s vulnerable. He won’t have any friends.”

      “What’s the difference?”

      “Pardon?”

      “You don’t have any friends now. I-I mean you said so yourself, a-and-”

      “Your right.” Covert said

      “I am?”

      “I guess so.”

Fluttershy kept silent. Covert simply sat there, not moving an inch. Covert sniffled and finally looked up. There was still sadness in his eyes, but Covert suppressed a weak smile.

      “Let’s get going shall we?” Covert asked

Half an hour later...

Covert and Fluttershy were walking through the forest. They spotted two wolves up ahead who seemed to be arguing.

      “Better break this up.” Covert sighed

As they approached the two wolves, their conversation became much clearer.

      “-they’re coming Alekusu and you know it.”

      “No way! Condrus, you’ve gone mad. There’s no way the Wolf House would send someone over.”

      “What about the recruits? Someone’s gotta check them out.”

      “I mean yea, but they’ll send someone like Executioner, Pyromaniac or maybe Crashing Star. But the big three are never gonna move from their seats.”

      “They just might. I mean six recruits in one day. That’s a new record.”

      “So? I heard the Hellfire clan had 14 new recruits once.”

      “And the big three came to check them out. Why not us?”

The two wolves continued bickering. The supposed “Alekusu” was black and had fiery yellow flame designs that decorated his whole body. The second wolf, Condrus, was green, but it faded into blue towards the back end of his body.

      “Um.. Guys?” Covert muttered

      “They’d never set foot on a wolf pack as pathetic as ours!”

      “Exactly! They’ll come to give us some tips!”

      “Um... Guys?”

      “As if!”

      “Dude think about it-”

      “GUYS!”

The two wolves were stunned by the sudden aggression that had been put into Covert’s voice.

      “Why don’t we all stop arguing, and just get along?” Covert said, with a bit of irritation still in his voice

The two wolves apologized and ran off, not daring to do anything else that would’ve offended Covert. The yellow wolf sighed and watched the two wolves scurry off. He remained still until a bush rustled nearby. Covert’s ears twitched. He went on alert mode and looked around.

A fox burst out of a bush nearby. he was fiery red with a portion of him being grey and black.

      “Oh it’s you Polygrammar.” Covert said

      “Nice to see you to Covert.” The fox replied

      “What are you doing out here?”

      “Well, being a journalist I’ve gotta find inspiration one way or another.”

      “Can’t argue with you.”

      “Anyway if you must, I should be going now.”

The fox ran off in the opposite direction that the two wolves had run off to. Covert simply watched. Fluttershy was feeling a tad bit uncomfortable with the silence that occupied the air.

      “Y’know what Fluttershy? You’re not that bad.” Covert said

      “Really?”

      “Yea I guess.”

Fluttershy and Covert locked eyes. Both of them uttered no sound. The world around them seemed to dissolve with their focus primarily on each other.

Suddenly, there was a flash of blue and black followed by a streak of cyan blue and a rainbow. Covert stumbled backwards while Fluttershy squeaked and backed up. Next Chapter: Cold Estimated time remaining: 34 Minutes