Timberwolves weren't always made of rotting wood. We once were made from healthy logs and branches, with moss and leaves growing from them. We were spread out across most of today's Equestria and some of the Frozen North. Akin to dragons, we would never stop growing in size, but at a slower pace, as an adult timberwolf would have been the size of Mann over there.

Mann took a glance at Shrub, who was recounting the tale, then went back to staring at the fire.

Timberwolves were carnivorous, but we got our main energy from photosynthesis. Meat just helped us survive during winters. Packs would roam the forests, inhabit the mountains, run throughout the plains. It was good. But one day, everything came to an abrupt end....

5000 years ago, Everfree Forest.

"This forest looks good enough, wouldn't you agree, Tracks?"

"Yeah, it looks good enough, Trails."

Two brothers, Tracks and Trails, came across the Everfree. Back then, it wasn't so gloomy. It was actually one of the healthiest forests at the time. They were not like the rest of the sentient creatures of their times. The two brothers took care of their surroundings, making sure not to disturb flora or fauna. They established a home inside a naturally hollow tree, making sure not to damage it in someway, yet still making the inside comfortable. They weren't the problem... It was what followed them..

4950 years ago, Tracks&Trails' Home

Trails was flying as fast as his feathery wings could carry him. He slammed the door open, startling his brother, who was feeding a baby cockatrice seeds and berries.

"Tracks! We are in most dire troubles! We must leave this forest as soon as possible!" Trails all but shouted, scaring the baby cockatrice who curled up in fear.

"Keep it down would you, this one has been hard to feed, and just when she is starting to consume her meal, you scare her half to death!" Tracks whispered, causing Trails to wince, sheepishly rub the back of his head, and approach his sibling.

"I apologize, dear brother of mine, but these are news of the utmost importance. The alicorns are closing in on our location!" Tracks dropped the seeds, which the baby cockatrice began to peck off of the ground. "We can't let them destroy this forest, or it's inhabitants!"

"The... The Alicorns? Here? These are bad news indeed... We can't leave this forest behind though. There are still animals we need to help! Orphaned creatures who need a safe haven! I refuse to leave them behind."

"Umm... Brother of mine.. There is one more thing you must know.." Trails looked up at Tracks, with slight fear in his eyes.

While Trails was the more nimble of the two, Tracks was definitely the strongest. Able to lift a fully grown dragon over his head, he however was a gentle soul. But everyone has their demons, and Tracks' demons were anger and rage. While hard to anger, once he got mad enough, it was impossible to stop his trail of destruction.

"What news could be worse that those things coming here?" Tracks looked into his brother's eyes, and his own widened.

"No..."

"Tracks please."

"No.. No no no no..."

"Tracks, you know this is bad for you..."

"They can't bring him... Anyone but him... You know what happened the last time he was with us..."

"I know brother, but they thought of him as their "final weapon" against us... I don't want to believe it either, but do you see why we must flee now?"

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, and released it. Tracks opened his eyes again, and saw Trails looking up at him, tears falling from both their eyes.

"I'm doing it, Trails."

"Tracks-"

"No. We are not arguing about this. This was our contingency plan, and you are going to follow through with it. We all discussed this together."

"That was years ago! There is no way the plan can still work!"

"We both know we have no other choice. Take care of the forest Trails. Gods know how much time we spent here.. It's our home now." Tracks grasped the door frame, and turned around to look at his brother one more time. Trails was crying. Tracks was also crying. Two brothers, knowing what was about to occur, and accepting it wholeheartedly, even if it meant they'd never see each other again..

"TRACKS!" Trails lunged at his brother, grabbing onto him and hugging him tightly. He was shaking, yet when he looked at Tracks' face, Trails smiled the widest smile he could muster.

"Take care of yourself, Tracks. It's a jungle out there."

Tracks reciprocated the hug, and they separated after a while. The baby cockatrice pecked at Tracks hooves, so he picked her up and placed her on his brother's head. Looking at her, he said:

"I'll miss you too, Hazel. But I need to go."

And with that , he was gone, his hooves carrying him towards the edge of the forest.

'I'm going to free you from their hooves, you can count on it. They won't use you as their weapon ever again. i promise you that, brother. It's what I owe you, Irdener Wald.'

Author's Note

Here is part of the timberwolves' backstory, involving three brothers and alicorns.
Which alicorns you ask? You'll have to wait for the second part!
It took me forever to write this, but I'm glad I got around to it. Hope all of you enjoyed this chapter, and until next time!