• A wolf the color of death’s shadow chased after a terrified deer. The deer’s heart was pounding fast and fear screamed into its ears from all directions. It ran with grace and agility, bounding over fallen trees and dead leaves, but couldn’t beat the speed of the wolf close behind. The wolf was still young and was both feared and respected by the forest creatures. He called himself Shadow because of his fur’s color and personality. He had strong legs with unbeatable speed, razor sharp teeth, and acute hearing. The deer, seconds to becoming dinner, had no hope against such a hunter at its heels…
    ...

    Shadow, was content after the delicious meal of freshly caught deer and decided to take a leisurely stroll around the forest. He had always considered it his home and had grown up defending it from unwanted beings. Then he heard a noise he rarely heard; wolves, coming in his direction. Unsure if they were a threat; he went and saw for himself.

    He smelled them before he saw them because of their strong odor of fatigue and filth. When he saw them he was shocked to see wolves in such a state. Their ribs were visible through their matted fur, caked with mud and blood. The pups were all walking with their heads drooping down instead of running around and playing. The pack leader had a glint of cruelty in his eyes that was setting sparks of fury within Shadow’s body. He clearly ate more then the others and looked healthy. He even had a layer of clean, soft, and sleek red-brown fur.

    Shadow was horrified at the sight. An urge to kill the evil wolf burned within his muscles, but a voice inside warned him and told him that the pack leader was more experienced than he. A pup collapsed to the ground with exhaustion. The leader snapped at the pup and bit its leg. Then something snapped inside Shadow; the fury that was building up inside him was too much to hold in. He jumped out from under the bushes and challenged the terrible leader.

    Instinct took over as Shadow lunged at his opponent’s throat. The other wolf, however, was a skilled fighter. He had had only kept his place as leader for so long because he was feared and strong. Shadow was no match and was soon batted away like a pesky fly, by the other wolf’s giant paw. He had the element of surprise on his side and although he was not as strong, he used it well and didn’t waste a second. The red wolf recovered quickly and took a swipe at Shadow’s flank. In seconds, blood seeped out of the wound. Limping with pain, Shadow thought of the other wolves that rushed in to the protection of the trees as soon as he had attacked and redoubled his efforts. He bit the other wolf’s neck and drew some blood.
    The wolf was fast with years of practice and swung the younger wolf into a big tree. Shadow, stunned, let go and immediately regretted it as soon as he felt the rough bark of the ancient tree dig into his bloodied fur. After that, all he saw were little black dots swimming in front of his eyes. Then it went black.

    A bug landed on the snout of a wolf lying in front of a huge tree. The wolf sneezed and then whimpered when a shot of pain coursed through him like a stampede of frightened wildebeests. Then all his memories came back. He felt full of embarrassment. Shadow had never before been beaten by any animal and couldn’t let his mind think that an evil leader had beaten him. Then all at once the embarrassment left his and dread took its place. Howling with agony, he remembered the other wolves and his vow to rid them of their wicked leader.

    Shadow then took a quick dip in the nearby stream to clean away the dried blood that had matted his once shiny coat. Still thinking of his vow, he decided to take a swift run since that always seemed to make him feel better. The second he started, an acute, gripping pain seared his cut flank but he ignored it, thinking only of the wolves that were depending on him to free them. He knew that when he would fight the despicable wolf again, he would have to ignore the pain at all costs, and couldn’t let that slow him down. He ran and ran until he was tired to the bone and could barely stand with the effort. Shadow then took a well-deserved healing nap and dreamt of nothing.

    In the following weeks he ran to build up his muscles and constantly hunted bigger prey to practice his fighting skills.

    It was soon the time that the pack of wolves came back for they had to cross his territory to reach their destination. The leader didn’t think Shadow would pose a threat after their last meeting, so he let his pack rest in a clearing lit simply by the full moon’s silvery stream of light. Little did he know, that his opponent was lurking in the obscure shadows of the tall trees. The red wolf was also ignorant of Shadow’s training.

    Shadow knew this was it, the final battle, the last experience one of them would ever perform again, and that only one of them would leave the fight alive. He was just as eager to fight as last time but over the last few weeks he had become wiser and much stronger. He waited this time instead of leaping out. He stayed in his place, silent and still, until everyone was asleep except the leader. Then he slunk out of the shadows. The leader looked up, surprised and wary, but still held that terrible glint in his eye.

    Shadow then growled and circled his opponent letting him make the first move. The rival wolf swung out, but Shadow nimbly dodged the attack and landed one of his own. The red wolf lunged and bit his leg hard. Furious, Shadow sunk his teeth into the other wolf’s side, cutting through the fat and sinew reaching the soft flesh with his razor-sharp fangs and drawing blood. The leader yelped waking all the other wolves. They didn’t retreat this time. They recognized the black wolf from the previous encounter and saw that he might free them from their terrible leader. The evil wolf suddenly attacked and bumped Shadow hard, into a tree. He lay there, still as a corpse. The pack leader walked away triumphant. Shadow however had trained vigorously and had taught himself to ignore the pain. He remained still until the leader turned away, trying to deceive him. He then leaped into the air and landed firmly on the red leader’s back, breaking it. He then finished him off remorselessly.
    ...
    A few days later...
    ...
    In a clearing, a single wolf, the color a moonless night’s sky stood alone. It the gloom of the trees, many pairs of eyes looked out. They peered out, admirering how the wolf held his head high. He had been their savior and now he is their leader, defending his pack with dignity and pride.