The Lost Firefly

Years have passed since Firefly had escaped the orphanage. She was now a fully grown mare, and she had managed to build her own house out of bark of the trees, and, after a few errors, made a fully-functioning farm. She learnt a lot of things during her time living in the Everfree, and even made a new friend called Zecora. Once or twice a week she would visit her to have some tea, and give advice to one another. Zecora also taught her how to grow fruit.

Her past weighed on her shoulders for a long, long time now, but despite her depressing nights, she remained happy throughout the day. She had a refreshing new start and made a new friend, so her everything was going well for once in her life. She also managed to keep herself hidden from any monsters that come across her home. Though, during nights she has nightmares of the same things.

She sees herself, cutting open ponies, turning them into stuffed toys. She sees herself go crazy, and then police arrive at her door. She then sees herself laughing in her cell, in which she is then put into a straight jacket. After that, she wakes up. The amount of blood she was covered in... The fact that it was innocent pony blood... It woke her up. Sometimes, she would have nightmares about the time her Fluttershy teddy decomposed right in front of her. She didn't know it was a real pony... But when she wakes up from those nightmares, she pukes.

Apart from the constant nightmares, scary monsters and bad weather, Firefly had a pretty decent life in the Everfree. She loved it there, and she had preferred it from her normal life back with her parents. To be honest, she was glad Nightlight had committed suicide. She never wanted to see him nor StitchedHeart again. But now, she has to decide what to do next.

Like always, she went to Zecora for help. She gave Firefly a lot of advice, and Firefly herself got used to the way her zebra friend talks. She understands her whenever she talks in riddles. Firefly went over to Zecora's house for some tea, and after a while of chatting she asked a big question that was on her mind.

"Hey, Zecora..." Firefly stuttered. "I need some help. I've got a good life in this forest, and you became my friend despite my past... But... I want to know what I should do next."

Zecora nodded her head. "A good question for a confused pony, perhaps make some new friends as you are quite lonely."

"Yeah, thanks for that." Firefly rolled her eyes. "But how am I supposed to make new friends? I bet half of Equestria hates me."

"A bet you are likely to gamble, but it is not you that left the town in shambles." Zecora circled her hoof around the rim of her cup.

"That is true..." Firefly admitted. "But I should have known... And they were going to bring me into their business!"

"If they would have told you, would you have said yes, or would you say no and protest?" Zecora sipped some more tea.

"I would have said no." Firefly stated. She drunk some of her tea, and then set the cup down back on the table carefully. "Then I would have told the police straight away!"

"Despite them being your parents?" Zecora added. "Would you have not considered them transparent?"

Firefly looked at her in confusion, then realised what she meant. "No, I wouldn't ignore the fact that they killed ponies." She looked down at her hooves and played around with her bracelets.

"Then what's all this fuss about?" Zecora chuckled. "Why not make some friends rather than shower yourself in doubt?"

"No, you're right." Firefly grinned. "You're absolutely right! But, er... Where do I start?"

"Ponyville is the friendliest place around!" Zecora insisted. "I'm sure they would let you live in there town!"

"But that's the place where my parents were arrested." Firefly slumped down. "Surely they would remember me. Besides, I want to live in the Everfree."

"You have adapted in this place, but you are endangered by it's grace."

"You mean by the monsters?" Firefly saw Zecora's head nod. "I can handle them, I guess. But you're right. I should start with Ponyville. I promise I'll visit."

"A promise I know you will not break. Go now, and leave no room for mistake!" Zecora put her cup down and smiled softly at the mare she had took care of. "Good luck, my little pony."

"Thank you, Zecora." Firefly hugged her friend, and raced out of her friend's house. She bolted home to pick up a few essentials and then stood at the frame of her door. Looking at her farm, she wondered what would happen to her. Would she get chased out of town? Would no pony like her? Or would they forgive and forget about what happened? There was only one way to find out.