Running With The Wolves (A Nuts-and-Dolts Wolfwalkers AU)

Chapter 9

General Ironwood approaches the cage and starts whipping the wolf inside. Penny had to bite back a gasp so that she wouldn't be heard and discovered. But she couldn't stand the sound of Qrow's yelps of pain as the general kept hurting him.

"Please stop." Penny silently begged.

When Ironwood was done, Qrow cowered at the corner of the cage furthest from the general. He had cuts all over his shoulders and back from the whip. Ironwood walked over to the window and opens it. He sets his hands on the windowsill and looks out into the forest.

"Oh, Lord, what must I do? I left to quell rebellion, and now return to more. This wild land must be civilized. That is your will." Ironwood mumbled.

He walks back over to the cage and pounds his fist on it, causing it to rattle and Qrow to flinch.

"So, wolf...tomorrow I will show them I have tamed you...just as I will tame this land." Ironwood said.

"They will have nothing to fear if they trust in the Lord's will." he added.

Penny noticed that he left the window open and quietly sneaks over to it. She had her front paws on the windowsill when she heard a clicking sound. The ginger wolf looks over her shoulder and saw the general pointing a revolver pistol at her.

"So, you're the beast that's been causing such a ruckus in my town." Ironwood growled.

"PENNY, RUN!" Qrow shouted, though all the general heard was a bark.

Jumping out of the window, Penny felt a bullet brush past her fur after hearing a loud bang. Penny falls into the moat below and swims along with the current.

"Round up the guards in the square! Immediately!" Ironwood shouted angrily.

Penny gets back to her cottage soaking wet, and climbs through her window. She shakes off the water and stands over her sleeping human body. The scent of her uncle came to her nose and her ears twitched as she heard his footsteps get closer to the cottage.

"Oh no, Uncle Clover's coming, I gotta hurry and get back into my body before he sees me like this." Penny told herself.

Concentrating, Penny does what she had seen Ruby and Yang do. Her wolf form changes into a golden wolf-shaped spirit and jumps into her human body. She wakes up just as Clover entered the cottage.

"Penny, are you awake?" Clover asked.

"Uncle Clover, what's going on?" Penny asked climbing down from her loft bed.

"There was a wolf. Here. In your bed. It snuck in while you were sleeping. It could've killed you." Clover replied.

He hugs her then kisses her head.

"This world is such a dangerous place for you, sweetie. I promised I would keep you safe." Clover sighed, cupping Penny's face.

There was a sudden loud banging on the door of the cottage.

"Ebi! The Lord Protector wants a word with you." a soldier said when Clover answered the door.

"EBI!" Ironwood snarled, dismounting his horse.

Clover tells Penny to stay inside then walks over to the general.

"A wolf was running amuck, threatening the town! It got inside the castle...in my very chambers!" Ironwood yelled at Clover.

"This is intolerable." he hissed.

"S-Sir, I..." Clover tried to say.

"ENOUGH!" Ironwood interrupted, back-handing Clover in the face so hard it knocked him to the ground.

"You have failed. You are no hunter. From now on, you will serve in my ranks as a foot soldier." Ironwood told him.

A knot formed in the pit of Penny's stomach. If Ironwood made Clover a foot soldier, that meant he would be sent away to war, leaving Penny all alone.

"Townspeople! Tomorrow, I will show you all. I will tame this land. I will find that den. Every last wolf will be destroyed!" Ironwood declared.

"No! Stop!" Penny shouted running out of the cottage.

She stands in between Clover and the general.

"There is another way! Release him, the wolfwalker! Please! You must listen!" Penny pleaded.

"You! How dare you speak out of turn, you bratty little girl! Guards, take her to the stocks!" Ironwood replied.

"NO! SIR, PLEASE! She's just a child!" Clover shouted, scared as guards were trying to restrain his niece.

"And I know these woods...I...I-I can still help you on your mission." he said desperately.

Ironwood sighs then signals the guards to let Penny go.

"All of you return to your homes, it's safe now. And tomorrow, I will make good on my word." Ironwood told the townspeople.

As everyone was leaving, Penny helps her uncle to his feet.

"I will give you both one more chance. Follow your orders or you'll be off to war." Ironwood threatened Clover.

"Yes, sir, general." Clover nodded.

"And, girl, never speak of such pagan nonsense in this town again. Follow the rules or you will never see your uncle. Do you understand?" Ironwood told Penny, staring her down.

"Y-yes, sir." Penny trembled, looking down.

"Double the guards. Bar the gates. No more wolves inside these walls." Ironwood ordered his guards, getting back on his horse and riding off towards the castle.

When they were alone, Penny turns towards Clover who immediately pulls her into a tight hug. He buries his face into her shoulder and chokes out a sob.

"Listen to me, we must follow our orders if we are to stay together. You must do as you're told, Penny." Clover cried.

Penny didn't know what to say. She could feel Clover shaking as he held her in his arms. The girl felt so bad that she's causing so much trouble and that it's her Uncle Clover who's suffering for it. But, on the other hand, she can't let Ironwood hurt Qrow and the rest of Ruby's pack. A difficult choice presented itself...should Penny defy the Lord Protector and risk losing the only family she had left? Or should she do nothing, keeping her family safe, but losing her new friends and the girl she's fallen in love with? Unfortunately, this inner turmoil kept Penny up for the rest of the night, finding it impossible to sleep.