Chapter 4: Oscar the Red Wolf

The group stopped running about halfway from the Western Pack and began discussing what to do about Oscar, the red wolf.

“What are we gonna do?” Claudette asked. “We can’t leave Oscar there to be killed by those wolves.”

“I agree,” Stinky replied. “But now, we can’t get close enough to him. They’ll recognize our scent.”

“Well, whatever we’re gonna do, we better do it soon,” Runt said. “The pack’s going to Переместить on and then we won’t be able to find them again.”

“Hey,” Steven said. “Do Ты know what’s near here?”

“You got an idea, Steven?” Adam asked. “Because I’ll take just about anything right now.”

“We can’t get close to those wolves,” Steven continued. “But someone else can.”

“You know, Ты never really do make much sense,” Kenya said. “But this is bad, even for you.”

“Stinky, Runt,” Steven said. “We’re going to Shadow Forest to see some old friends.”

Stinky, Runt, and Steven set out for Shadow Forest while the rest of the group kept an eye on the Crimson Pack. Shadow Forest wasn’t too far away, and Runt soon took the lead, searching for Fran and Freida. It took some time, but they eventually found the two porcupines.

“Fran, Freida,” Runt сказал(-а) as he approached.

“Your majesty,” they both said, bowing.

“Wait a minute,” Steven said. “Your majesty? You’re a king?”

“Yup,” Stinky said.

“And Ты guys have never let me live that down,” Runt remarked. He turned back to the two porcupines. “We need your help.”

“Anything for our king.”

“Oh, brother,” Steven remarked.

“Shush, you,” Runt replied before turning back to the porcupines. “We need your help to save a friend.”

“Yeah,” Fran said. “What kind of friend?”

“A red wolf.”

At the mention of a red wolf, both Fran and Freida suddenly froze, their mouths open in astonishment. After a time, they finally spoke.

“Did Ты say a red wolf?” Freida asked.

“Yes,” Runt answered. “Probably the last of his kind. He’s being held by a group of Волки who call themselves the Crimson Pack.”

“They always Переместить around?”

“Same V-shaped scar on their faces?”

“Wait, how did you-“ Runt began.

“We’re gossip girls,” Fran said. “Remember?”

“Will Ты help us?” Steven asked.

“What do Ты need us to do, pretty boy?” Freida asked.

“So, you’re in?” Runt asked.

“There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for the king of the forest.”

Stinky, Runt, and Steven, along with Fran and Freida, began heading back to meet up with the rest of the group. They found that the Crimson Pack had moved, but Stinky had no trouble tracking down the group and they soon met up again.

“Fran, Freida,” Claudette said. “Good to see Ты again.”

“You too, sister,” Fran said.

“So, Steven,” Runt asked. “What’s the rest of your plan?”

Steven walked up close to Fran and Freida and whispered his plan into their ears. He then turned back to see everyone looking at him.

“So,” Adam said. “Care to share, or?”

“I’d rather just watch it all unfold with you,” Steven said. “Just wait for my signal.”

“What signal?” Lisa asked.

“You won’t miss it.”

Freida and Fran entered the pack while the group stayed back and waited for Steven’s signal. A few moments of silence passed when suddenly, a loud commotion was heard. Cries and yelping; they could see Волки running away in fear through the trees.

“Now,” Steven said, running forward, the group following him. They soon found Fran and Freida protecting Oscar, sticking any Волки who got too close with their quills.

“Ha, ha!” Steven shouted. “Is this the greatest idea I’ve ever had или what?”

“Bar’s not really too high on that one, is it, Steven?” Adam said, sarcastically.

“Yeah, well, your bar’s so…” Steven began, pausing as he searched for a good comeback, but could think of nothing. “Shut it, Adam.”

“I can’t believe we’re really doing this,” Stinky said.

“Well, it’s not the strangest thing we’ve ever done,” Runt reminded him.

“Yeah, that’s really not helping,” Stinky replied.

“Okay,” Steven said, addressing the group. “Let’s get Oscar out of here.”

The group formed a defensive круг around Oscar and slowly moved out of the pack. The Волки followed for a bit, but eventually gave up as they strayed farther from the pack and soon returned to their own territory. The group then began to safely return to the Western Pack with their new ally.