Prologue
The creaking of wood interrupted the quiet of the night. Green mist rolled across the dew-soaked ground, decreasing the small earth pony’s visibility as she trudged through the Everfree forest. She shivered in the evening cold, looking around her with panic in her eyes. The forest... it had changed after nightfall. The moonlight seemed to bring out the worst in everything. Every tree, every plant, every animal... all seeming to unite in the sport of torturing the poor earth pony, taunting her, playing with her, until it eventually took her life.
The pony’s heart began to beat faster. She could hear wood creaking again. The green mist took on a foul odor, and became thicker. The pony began to run, following the primal instinct that resulted from deep fear. She galloped as fast as she could, trying to get away from the evil that she knew was stalking her. As soon as she began to flee, the demons revealed themselves. They effortlessly chased after her, swiftly gaining on the pony with every step.
Making the mistake of looking back at the vicious creatures, the pony tripped over a slippery rock and crashed to the moist forest floor. She cried out at the monsters came upon her. They were timberwolves, dog-like creatures made of the wood and branches of the Everfree forest trees. And as the pony gazed upon them in horror, they attacked.
It was over in a few seconds.
As the lifeless body collapsed onto the ground, a single tear slid down her cheek, falling onto the ground below.
The murderous timberwolves retreated a few feet, watching the body as if waiting for something to happen.
The body began to glow a beautiful green. The green light detached from the body, dancing among the trees like a firefly. The timberwolves followed it.
Soon, the light entered into a clearing, beams from the full moon bathing the area in a soft glow. The green light floated to the middle, and then stopped. Suddenly, the trees surrounding the clearing began to tremble. Branches and twigs broke off of them, floating toward the light. The wood piled around the green light, forming into a four-legged creature that enclosed it. In a bright flash, the ordeal was over.
In the middle of the clearing lay a newly-formed timberwolf.
She opened her eyes. Laying on soft dewy grass, the timberwolf raised her head and looked around. Four other timberwolves stood in front of her.
One of them gave a wooden smile. He was the largest of the group, twice as big as the other timberwolves. His body was made of oak, and his back was layered in soft green moss. “Welcome to our ranks, small one,” he said , his deep voice resounding from deep inside of him. “I am Father, the Alpha of the Everfree forest timberwolves. You are a lucky one to have been born by my paw.”
The three other wolves around him nodded their wooden heads, looking curiously at the newly born timberwolf. “She is your kin now, Father,” said a female wolf beside him, her head crowned with orange maple leaves.
Father smiled again, stepping closer to the new-born. “What is your name, child?”
The small wolf blinked, looking through her mind for any memories of a name. Her mind was empty of any memories. The only thing she knew was a name. Her name.
“I am Hoof Shine,” she said, innocently looking up at Father.
His face darkened. “No, that is not your name. Not anymore,” he said. “Your name is Firefly, for the way your spirit danced through the trees before you were formed.”
The timberwolves howled in agreement, while Firefly listened curiously. She shakily stood up, and raised her head towards the stars, letting out a long howl with her fellow timberwolves.
She had been named by the Father. A new name for a brand new timberwolf, born free from the memories of what her spirit truly was before Father had killed her.
Firefly.
