//------------------------------//
// Scene 1 Act 2: Sunshine in the Forest 
// Story: Forging Harmony Arc 1; Creating the Elements 
// by SulliedInk 
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	It was getting late already. Whenever I take care of my animals, I always lose track of time. My mother is calling me already. Her voice trails in the wind, chanting a soft melody. It is like music to the ears of my little friends. I join her, whistling. Soon after, we were both singing that familiar tune, passed down from generation to generation. 

My family never left the forest. I don't blame them. I have been outside just once, and it was already too much. It was a place riddled with disease, hunger, and savage violence. They loved getting off the terror, slaughtering without hesitation just so they could grab some riches. I couldn't save them... I was too afraid... Never again did I leave the woods. That night, I ran home, bawling waterfalls from my eyes. Mother caressed me, holding me tightly in her lap. I felt her embrace, her hooves rubbing my golden coat and orange mane. 

"Sunshine... May your kindness rain on the people, like the eternal sun's rays..." After that, she sung a lullaby. It sounded so familiar. I remember now... I heard both my parents sing it together that one time... Yes... That was after my father left the forest. He never came back alive. A friend to our clan carried his battered corpse all the way back into our woods. I was so young back then... Of course, I cried, but not just for him. I cried for my innocence, as it was lowered into the ground with my father's corpse. 

Tonight, mother prepared some warm carrot soup. We were to visit other families, living deeper within the woods. Everything we needed could be found in the forest. Here, everything was pure, untouched by the diseases of the outside world. I thanked her as she handed me a bowl. I held it tightly between my hooves. It was warm. It felt so cozy. I closed my eyes for a second, sipping the warm liquid. It coursed through my body, melting the chills of a hard day's work.

"Mother," I asked, "why is the outside world so cruel?" She shook her head, and sat down next to me. "Darling," she began, "tough times are ahead of us. You've been outside, and you know how disgusting of a world it is. You know what happened to your father, right?" She sat there, silent. I didn't dare speak a word either. "I don't want to lose you as well." She rubbed her hoof off the side of my face. I wanted to speak, but couldn't gather enough courage to do so. In truth, I had no idea how my father died; I just know he did. 

"Come on darling; let's bring the crops to the other families." I stood on my hooves, ready to transport the load. Just yesterday, there was a violent thunderstorm. I feared the leaves may still be wet, and the trees too weak to hold their grounds. I stretched my wings. They didn't serve much in this life. They were no more than a hindrance to my daily work.

"Alright mother; I am ready to go." Just like that, we were off, carrying our load on our backs. About an hour later, we finally arrived at another home. It was a small cabin, made of pinewood logs, with small clouds of white smoke puffing out their limestone chimney. We knocked. An old mare greeted us at the door. Her coat was a soft, subtle grey hue. Her eyes felt very welcoming, yet I still turned away, too afraid. I didn't come along too often. I guess I'm still not used to speaking with others. Not after that day.

By the time we were done, night had long fallen upon us. Through the thick shield of leaves, I saw white dots littering the sky. I sat in awe before the grandness of life. We were just small dots ourselves, in this wide, infinite world.

Afar, there was a worrying light. Mother and I heard people scream. Soon after, we were pulled apart from each other. I was afraid, unable to understand the situation. I saw ponies carrying large buckets of water, whilst others held lances. A sudden cloud of black dust swept over us.