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Busch Gardens was quiet and slow this time of year. It was January, and the air was still too chilly for people to come out to the Old Country. The coasters were excited for peak season to begin, especially this time around. The park was turning fifty years old. A celebration was to be going on year-long, but the park heads were waiting until the spring to truly get the party started.
With this coming up, Nessie, the park’s eldest coaster, had been hovering around the park heads more, keeping tabs on their plans to celebrate the big anniversary. Talks of new rides, new shows, and all kinds of things swirled around their board room. She didn’t predict, however, the proposal of a new rollercoaster.
“Here’s what I’m thinking,” one started. “A tribute to one of our most beloved rides of the past.”
“Please tell us you’re not thinking about bringing back that dragon,” another one chuckled. Nessie grimaced outside the room, but stayed quiet.
“No, no. I had a revelation. Couple of weeks ago, there was some wolf fur over near Verbolten’s cabin, y’know, up in Oktoberfest. It’s the same color as the Big Bad Wolf’s. That light grey.” She listened closer.
“The Big Bad Wolf died sixteen years ago. Ver told us about the body after he got lost in the forest. It can’t be them.”
“But what if it’s a child? A second wolf. We only see wolves in and around the Black Forest. Maybe BB left a pup behind or something. I don’t know.”
“Okay, listen. We don’t even know if this thing exists. We have to investigate first. I say we send the Loch Ness Monster to check. The others all trust her. They’ll give her the information, more likely than they’d give it to us.” One of the board members was sent to go find her, opening the door to see her already in the building.
“Oh, you’re already here!” he proclaimed. “We’ve got a real exciting proposal, and something we need you for.” Nessie shuffled into the room, contrasting strongly against all of the executives in their stuffy suits. A couple of them still seemed intimidated by her. “What is it?” she asked, as if she didn’t already know. “We have signs that a descendant of the Big Bad Wolf might be afoot, and we think Verbolten might know more about it. We’d like you to go investigate for us!” The room was left silent for a moment. “I’ll handle it. Give me some time,” she responded, her thick Scottish accent making her seem colder. The executives returned to their planning and she was ushered out of the room. “Ye think they’d treat their eldest with better hospitality,” she mumbled. Leaving the building, Nessie headed for the park’s main expanse. The human employees had their services located along the edges of the park, especially in the forests behind New France. She headed west, prepared to get some answers out of Verbolten.
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The night air grew colder as the skies darkened. A soft bit of rain began to scatter across the park, but it was nothing unusual. The wolf-boy was gazing out the small window in the attic, down to the dim German-style village that surrounded the cabin. He rarely left the house, but would hear the roar of rollercoasters all throughout the day. The man he lived with was one of them, but he could rarely hear him in the park’s soundscape. All of a sudden, as he rummaged through his bin of books looking for something to do, he heard someone entering the house.
Their voice was tense, with an accent he didn’t recognize. It didn’t match his own or Verbolten’s. Curious, he crept down the stairs, staying quiet so as to not draw suspicion. “I don’t need you bothering me this late, you know,” Ver grumbled. The wolf listened in from around the corner. “Well, maybe if you’d not been hiding Wolfie’s kin all this time, there’d be no reason for me to be here.” The other coaster scoffed and pulled out a cigarette, popping it in his mouth. “You monsters, all your krass ideas.” She got closer to him, standing taller and craning her neck like a snake. “Don’t be smart with me now.” He looked her up and down, and blew some smoke in her face. Before she had the chance to say anything, Verbolten stormed upstairs, unofficially admitting she’d been right.
Before Ver returned, the wolf considered showing himself. He took a step, making the floorboards creak. Nessie turned to the source of the sound, and a look of awe spread across her face. He was almost a splitting image of Wolfie. Same grey hair, fangs peeking over his lips, red and yellow eyes, sharp nails, twitching ears, all of it. He was considerably smaller and less bulky though, with lanky limbs akin to a deer. He looked nervous, like he thought he shouldn’t be here. “Hiya,” she greeted, in a much calmer tone than earlier. “Ye must be who I’m looking for.” He got closer, and uttered a simple “Hallo.” Just then, Verbolten came back down, his shock transitioning to anger. He started speaking crossly in German, and while Nessie struggled to dissect the words, she heard something accusing the young wolf of being sneaky. His tail began to fall between his legs, but Nessie stopped Ver before he could get to him. “He’s coming with me,” she announced sternly. “Good. Take his stuff too, I do not want it.” The wolf stood still, watching the adults for instructions. Nessie patted him on the back, whispering “Take everything you’ve got, lad. Trust me,” into his ear. He nodded and went back upstairs, Verbolten keeping a close eye on him.
The two adult coasters waited in uncomfortable silence for the wolf to return. Nessie had never really liked Verbolten. He could easily pass for a regular human the way he looked, something she and many others at the park lacked. His appearance didn’t bother her though, it was more so his mentality about being humanoid. He always seemed weird around her, and Alpie, and Griffon, hell, even Darkoaster got rough treatment, and now she was seeing that extend to the wolf. Hopefully he hadn’t done anything rash to the poor kid for the years he’d been here. He returned with a bag slung over his shoulder, and Ver shooed them out of his cabin. The young wolf had never been outside without him, it made the world feel almost new.
“It’s raining still,” he said softly. Nessie chuckled. “Won’t bother me. Ye got a coat for yourself? Always thought wet fur can’t feel great.” He pulled out a mechanic’s jacket from his bag (probably something from Ver’s garage), and put the hood up. “Why did you do all of that?” he asked, as they walked towards the dormant Festhaus. “Well, I did not even know ye existed until a little while ago. The park heads said they thought there could be another wolf in the park. Had to see for myself. And I’m quite glad I did,” Nessie explained, pulling open the doors. She was looking for one of the storage rooms, they might still have some of the old Fearsome Four posters. “‘Another wolf?’ Other wolves were here?” “The wolf was here.” She found the room she’d been looking for and led him in.
“Listen, I’m not sure if you know it, but you’re a coaster. Like me, and Ver. The park wanted me to find you so you could be our next attraction.” He didn’t understand. “This place? They want me to do what you all do?” Nessie rummaged through some boxes to find an adequate picture to show him, the later in the campaign, the better. “Spot on. I was gonna take ye to them in the mornin’, but we’ve got a couple things to iron out first.” “Like?” She motioned for him to come closer, and revealed a large poster with four figures positioned in a diamond shape. One was clearly her, but he didn’t really recognize the others. The one on the bottom looked a lot like him though, just stronger and fiercer. “Anythin’ strike ya about them?” “That one’s the other wolf,” he answered. “Are we connected?” She nodded. “Very connected. You’re likely their pup.”
He looked closer at the photo on the poster, reading The Big Bad Wolf under it. “I don’t know them. Verbolten said he found me in a cave crying, no parents around,” he recalled. He’d never really thought about one of his relatives being there, but it would make sense. “They died not long before we met Ver. He told the park he found them lifeless in the Black Forest; he’d gotten lost on a drive. Or that’s what he says. He never said anything about a baby.” He could tell she wasn’t fond of him, but she seemed to really care for his parent. “The Big Bad Wolf was so beloved here, I mean- for a while it was just me an’ them. People flocked from all over to see us, and they were always so happy to be around the guests. We were fresh off celebrating their 25th year here when we lost them. I wish they’d told us they were having a pup,” Nessie recounted. “Would’ve saved us a bit of trouble.” He fidgeted with his hands, trying to process everything. “This is a big change all at once, makes sense you’d be nervous lad.”
The wolf glanced back to her. “What do they want to do with me?” “Well, they give ye your own area, and somewhere to live back there. They’ll figure out your name, theming, stuff like that. Although, from what I’ve gathered, they’d probably like to tie ya to Wolfie. But that’ll take a few days. Can’t bring ye back to the park heads until the morning at least.” She brought him back outside, now leading him south to Rhinefeld. “In the meantime, I can show ya around. Give you a better taste of the landscape.” He liked that idea. The times he’d been outside, he’d never left Oktoberfest. Besides, it’s not like there was anything he needed to be doing. He barely had to sleep at all these days.
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They’d been on a trail that brought them to a more woodsy area, near a bridge. A fairly large mountain towered above them, capped with snow and ice. There was a man-made shelter leading to another path, the sign adorning it reading ALPENGEIST. “This is another coaster, no?” he asked. “Mhm. Good friend of mine. And your parent. Ye ever heard roaring coming from this way?” The wolf nodded, and Nessie smiled, glancing at the white and blue tracks around them. “That’s probably Alpie here. He loves the attention it draws. Makes them run a bit rough these days, but the people still get a kick outta it.” She opened a compartment in the wall, pulling out a small horn. It was made of wood and looked hand-painted. Nessie could read his puzzled look, and explained “This will call them down. Pretty hard to hear most things from up in the mountains.”
She blew into it, creating a bellowing sound that reverberated throughout the park. For a second, nothing happened. But then, the wolf heard distant laughing and something falling through the trees. A hulking beast of a coaster landed on the shelter’s roof, leaves stuck into his hair. “Bit late to be calling, eh Nessie?” they boomed, climbing down to the ground. He stood very tall, with broad shoulders and plenty of muscle to compliment them. Thick claws extended from their hands and feet, seemingly made of ice. His hair was long and messy, the same colors as the ride track. Red, glowing eyes and giant, sharp teeth finished out his face. “I’ve got someone for ye to meet,” Nessie said, gesturing to the wolf. The coaster, who he now assumed must be Alpie, leaned down a little to inspect him. “Looks like a tiny Wolfie,” he remarked.
Nessie remained silent for a moment, letting them figure it out. “Oh- OH! We have another one?! Did Wolfie leave us a pup?!” they shouted, picking him up by the shoulders and lifting him into the air. The wolf stiffened up as Alpie further analyzed his features. “Okay, okay, let the wee one breathe. He’s Wolfie’s. And he’ll be joining the park lineup. Not sure when exactly, in the spring most likely though,” Nessie told them. He set him down, still grinning from ear to ear. “Oh, it’s so great to have you here, wölfchen! Do you know German? Or just what that phrase means?” “Means ‘little wolf,’” he responded quietly. “Yes! That’s what I will call you for now. Like it?” Alpie asked. He was still fairly loud, but the wolf figured that this might just be his normal volume. “It works. I don’t have any nicknames.” “Really? What- did they have you locked in a tower for your whole life?” “Uh- kind of,” he said, giving a half-hearted chuckle. “Oh.” “Verbolten had him all this time,” Nessie informed. “Oh. Gross. My apologies, wölfchen,” Alpie corrected. “It’s fine. Nessie said I get my own place. Don’t have to stay with him anymore.”
“Ooh! I hope they put you near me! Or at least in the German hamlets..” he responded. “I’m bringin’ him to the heads in the morning. Figured he should at least meet one other coaster for the time being,” Nessie explained. “Well, I am honored that that coaster could be me,” Alpie said sincerely, hands pressed against their chest. “Best be takin’ him back to my shed. Rain’s probably gonna get worse soon. Good with you, lad?” she asked the wolf. “Yeah. That’s fine.” He began to follow Nessie back down the way they came, as Alpie waved to them. The wolf could hear distant sounds of him beginning to climb back up the mountain. I wonder if it’s snowing up there instead, he thought, now closer to the river dividing the park.
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He’d seen the river many times before, but had never crossed over it. The water was a bit dark and eerie-looking, in contrast to the coaster structures nearby it. Two bright yellow loops interlocked over the water, pieces of the track on both sides extending towards the trees. Behind them was part of Alpengeist, and a large section of sky blue track for something he didn’t recognize. “That’s me, if ye couldn’t tell,” Nessie pointed out, gesturing to the loops. “Last one in the world who’s set up like this.” The wolf walked ahead, near a portion of the second loop. A statue, vaguely resembling her, could be seen baring its teeth viscously. “Is this meant to be you too?” he questioned with a little chuckle. “My monster form, aye. I can transform once I’m in water. Used to be an ad back in the day where I scared a boat full of people, I’ll have to show ye sometime,” Nessie retold.
“An’ speaking of which, my shed’s not able to be accessed by land,” she realized. “I can swim to it just fine, but it’s probably too cold for ye to try. And they’ve surely not left any of the little boats out.” The wolf looked towards the nearby dock, and only a couple larger boats were left. “And we can’t go through the woods, like at all?” Nessie shook her head, looking out towards an offshoot of the river. “It’s an island in the middle of a pond. But I think I have a workaround. Would ye be willing to hitch a ride on me?” The wolf looked skeptical, and looked her up and down. “I’d be transformed. You’d just have to grab the first fin on my head. Thing is, I’m unable to talk in anythin’ other than growls and roars. Can ye handle that?” she instructed. “I think,” he responded.
With that, Nessie climbed up on the walkway’s railing and dove in the river. The wolf peered down at the water, waiting for her to surface. He wondered how much she actually looked like the statue. Maybe there’d be a statue like that wherever the park decided to put him. Before he could wonder more, Nessie remerged, fully transformed. She towered over him, fierce-looking and serpent-like, with a yellow underbelly and green scales. Two horns protruded from her snout, along with giant fangs and a red forked tongue in her mouth. Fins stuck out of her head all the way down her back. She leaned herself down to his level, the wolf climbing on and grabbing her first fin, just as he was told.
Nessie let out a small growl before heading upstream. With her strength, she was able to fight the currents easily, and took them into a smaller section of the waterway. It was darker than he’d expected, and very overgrown, almost like a swampy version of the Black Forest. Well, a swampy version of the Black Forest’s exterior. He’d never actually been in it, apart from when he was a baby, but he couldn’t remember anything from that. Maybe he could actually explore it someday; he’d always felt this desire to return. Before he knew it, they’d reached the pond Nessie had mentioned. Sure enough, an island sat in the middle of it, with a shed and a small dock. A sign reading BEWARE THE LOCH NESS MONSTER! was stuck to a wooden post right in front. It had to be at least a few decades old; the paint on it was faded and chipped.
At the dock, Nessie bowed her head down to let him off, making sure he was on land before submerging herself. A couple moments passed, and she had returned to her more humanoid form. She climbed up on the dock, and the wolf took notice of her additional scales. More of her skin was taken over by green than before her transformation, notably her face and neck. “This is normal, no need to worry,” she assured. He watched her tail (which was definitely spikier than earlier) slither along the ground as she fidgeted with the locks on the door.
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Her home looked much bigger on the inside, and so much more inviting than Verbolten’s ever had. Her bed was lofted and full of blankets and pillows, all in greens, blues, and reds. Posters of herself and some of the other coasters covered the walls messily. There were plenty of photos up too, many of them grainy with age. The couch had a few plush versions of her monster form scattered on it, from various eras. It really felt like someone had been here for ages; he could gather what felt like an entire life from just the surroundings. “How long have you been here? 20 years?” the wolf guessed. “Try almost 50. I’m the park elder, that’s why they send me to do stuff like this,” Nessie told him. “Ye can have my bed if you’d prefer. I can sleep on the sofa- or in the water. But it’s a wee bit more comfortable in here y’know,” she added with a giggle. “I’ll sleep on the sofa. It’s your bed, you can keep it. But thank you.”
“Could I get into my other clothes? If we’re staying here for now- I’d kinda want to get out of my wet socks,” the wolf admitted. “Course ye can, the bathroom’s that door.” He awkwardly shuffled into the small room, but Nessie didn’t seem to be watching him. Now alone, he relaxed his posture and fixed his hair, shaking off droplets of water from the rain. He felt like he finally had a chance to process everything he’d learned. A real explanation for why he was like this- why he was nothing like Verbolten. But it still didn’t answer everything. He had so many extra questions; could he return to the Black Forest to learn more about his parent? Ver had always refused to take him there, claiming the forest spirits were violent and would reject outsiders. Maybe that was true, but he was born there, he should be able to return. If the Big Bad Wolf was truly such a legend, then the spirits would have to know he was theirs. They just had to.
Realizing he’d been staring at himself for a good few minutes, he snapped back into reality. He pulled out a tattered black shirt, some pajama pants that were a bit too long, and a pair of plain socks. Maybe they’ll let me get new clothes, then I won’t have to keep cutting out holes for my tail, the wolf thought. He changed swiftly, avoiding looking in the mirror, and stuffed his worn clothes into his bag. Going back into the main room, Nessie was now climbing into her loft in a different set of clothes than earlier. She flopped onto the bed, letting out a hiss and stretching her arms. It took her a moment to realize the wolf standing in the doorway. “All finished, hm?” she questioned. “Yeah, thanks for- uh, everything. You’ve been really nice to me. Lot more than Ver. He was always a bit of a-” “A self-praising bastard?” The wolf settled onto the sofa, tapping his feet on the ground. “I was thinking jerk, but that isn’t far off I guess,” he responded with a nervous chuckle.
“No need to be afraid of him anymore. You’re your own coaster,” Nessie emphasized. He glanced away, digging his nails into his arm. “I’m not afraid. He was just- rough. Harsh maybe. That’s it. I don’t have to think about him anymore and I’m not gonna,” he insisted. “Well, if ye do want to talk about him, I’m here. I bet Alpie an’ everyone else will be too,” she promised. “We’re not goin’ anywhere anytime soon.” The wolf gave her a look to thank her without using his words. He grabbed a blanket from the edge of the sofa, taking a moment to feel the material and ground himself. “Wanna get the light for me?” Nessie asked gently, pointing to the old lamp in the corner. He nodded, shuffling over and turning it off. Despite the darkness and new location, he made it back to the sofa with ease. He’d always had better-than-average night vision. Maybe it came with being a wolf, he supposed.
“Anything happens, ye can wake me up, alright?” “Okay. And thank you- again, tonight has been really nice,” the wolf added. “No need to thank me. Save those words for when the park heads yap your ears off.” He chuckled a little and pulled his blanket up to cover him. “Sleep well, lad,” she finished. “You too.” Nessie turned herself towards the wall, leaving the wolf to his own devices. He almost didn’t know what to do with himself. Well, rather than go to bed. It was just weird to finally feel important, or like he belonged to something.
Maybe the weirdness would go away with time. Or at least he hoped it would.