//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: The Alternative Six 
// by Miniscule Literary 
//------------------------------//

The still silence of the night was shattered by the roaring blaze that threatened to consume the Everfree Forest entirely. Starlit sky was cast away by the brilliant flames, which spread in all directions. With Ponyville so close, if left unchecked, the fire would surely devastate those that lived in the town. What was a potential disaster to some, was a reality to Zecora. Living in the Everfree Forest itself, the zebra's entire existence was threatened. As she raced through the trees toward the roaring flames, Zecora barely noticed a shape in the darkened sky. It was a pegasus, soaring frantically away from the epicenter of the destruction. Anger flaring in her gaze, Zecora caught the pegasus' attention with a sharp whistle, watching as it slowly came into focus before her. It was a curious looking mare with a cross eyed stare, with a look of dread across her features.

"What is it you've done, guilty looking one?!" Zecora demanded with an angry stomp of her hoof. The pegasus seemed to recoil from the gesture.

"I...uh...there was a fire...the forest may have been...involved?" the gray mare responded with a nervous smile, the zebra giving her a deadly glare in return.

"You may have doomed us all, and yet you have the gall?!" Zecora snarled, looking as if she was about to strike the cowering pegasus. After a few tense moments, the zebra departed with a frustrated huff, racing in the direction of Ponyville. She could do little to stop the blaze without aid. She could only hope the destruction could be contained before it reached her home. With surprising speed, and a deep knowledge of the terrain, Zecora made it to Ponyville in no time at all. Soon the town was alight with activity, its citizens rallying together to protect their home. Pegasus ponies took to the skies, retrieving storm clouds from the upper atmosphere to drench the fire in rain water. Unicorns used their magic to contain the fire as best they could, blocking its path through the forest with brilliant walls of magic. Earth ponies attempted to herd the terrified wildlife toward safety. With time, effort, and cooperation, the fire was put out and most of the forest was spared, including Zecora's arboreal home.