From the Ashes

After he had healed the filly that was called Apple Bloom he nearly collapsed, his shoulder still burned and he had a burning anger towards Tom, he hadn't moved from the back of the barn since he had killed Matt.

Big Mac hadn't stopped cradling the small filly for one second, sure that Alex would come over and kill her as part of some sick joke. But he didn't. Instead he sat by the wall of the barn, a vacant expression on his face.

Alex didn't know what to do. For the first time in his life he had no idea what to do. He had and unbearable desire to kill every pony in his sight, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. He felt lost. even the voice in his head had been vanquished.

“Thank you.” Big Mac said getting Alex's attention. “For saving ma sister.”

“Don't thank me. I'm still thinking whether or not is should kill you.” Alex growled. Big Mac flinched at the words.

“Why did ya help her?” Big Mac asked, not wanting the conversation to stop. He need to find some way in which he could talk the human into letting him go.

“I have my reasons.” Alex shot back, not wanting to explain to the pony.

“Would you like something to drink or eat?” Big Mac asked, if he could distract him he might be able to call the guards.

“No.” And so ended that plan.

“What do ya want from me.” Big Mac asked changing tactics. Alex didn't answer.

Big Mac shivered before looking down at Apple Bloom, she was still passed out but seemed relatively unharmed. Though she would remember the attack for a long time.

“She wont remember the attack.” Alex spoke up, “I made sure of it.”

Alex rose to his feet. Big Mac flinched and pulled back. Alex needed to get moving, waiting in this barn would only slow him down. He turned to the top of the barn expecting to see Tom, but he wasn’t there. He scanned the room for any sight of the man but there was none, he had completely vanished.

“Tom!” Alex shouted to the back of the room. “Where are you!”

He didn’t receive an answer. The only sound coming from the room was the noise of whimpering humans as he stood, something that still confused him.

“Where did he go.” Alex growled turning to Big Mac, only to get a scarred and confused look. “The other human, where is he!”

“Ah... Ah... Ah don't know.” Big Mac stammered. “There were only two of ya.”

“There was three of us!” Alex growled down at the stallion.

“Ah swear, there was only two of you.”

Alex turned back to where Tom had once stood, there were no exits and he wouldn't have been able to sneak past him. Had he just imagined it? No, there was definitely another man.

“Can I please take ma sister inside?” Big Mac asked.

Alex stared at him for a second as he weighed his options, he couldn't stay here forever, sooner or late someone would fine him, and without the full use of his magic he wouldn't have much chance in a full scale fight.

“In your home, do you have medical equipment?” Alex asked. Looking down at the stallion.

“Yes...” Big Mac answer warily.

“Then I have a proposition, you help me remove the metal in my shoulder.” He said motioning to the bandage wrapped around his shoulder. “And I will leave.” Once he had freed the humans of course.

Big Mac was silent for a moment, “How can I trust ya?” he asked unsure.

“If I wanted you dead, you would be dead by now. So tell me, do we have a deal.” Alex asked with a slight grin on his face.

Big Mac nodded.

The farm house was cosy, brown wooden floors and low roofs each room was painted a different colour, photos of the family lines many of the walls, giving it a warm and appealing look.

“This way.” Big Mac said after he had put Apple Bloom in her bed, he lead Alex into the kitchen and sat him down at the table, he pulled a small green box with a red cross on in over and clicked it open with his hooves, somehow.

“What do ya need?” Big Mac asked, he was trying to put on a brave face but Alex saw right through the façade. The stallion seemed to shiver every time Alex spoke.

“A knife, alcohol and bandages.” Alex replied. “There are small pieces of metal still stick inside the wound, I want you to cut them out.” Alex asked as he slowly removed the bandage. “Don't get any ideas with that knife, I could still burn this house down in the time it takes you to kill me.”

Big Mac nodded before taking his spot behind Alex. He noticed the small flame burning in his had as he finished bandaging his shoulder. The wound was still open and slowly seeping red. The wound would have been immensely painful, and as far as Big Mac new it didn't seem to be phasing the man at all.

“Where are the shards?” Big Mac asked.

“I don't know, take a look!” Alex growled.

Big Mac gulped before inspecting the cut again. A small shimmer of light caught his eye. A piece of metal, about two centimetres in diameter was jutting out of the cut flesh.

“I see it, how do ya want it taken out?” Bid Mac asked, he couldn’t use his hoof or mouth to remove the metal, and he didn’t have any pliers small enough.

“Use the knife, cut it out.”

“Big Mac's eyes went wide, “Ya can't be serious.” He asked in disbelief.

“The pain and damage will heal, now do it.” Alex growled causing the stallion to flinch.

Big Mac nodded and took the knife in his mouth, he hovered over the wound for a second, not wanting to proceed, hoping that Alex would think of another way.

“Do it.” He growled, the small flame in his had growing in size.

And so began one of the most painful things Alex had ever felt. Big Mac kept true to his word and began to push and nudge the small shard of metal in hopes of dislodging it from his shoulder. After a minute of trying and falling to move it he took a deep breath and began to cut. Alex growled as the pain surged through his body, he could feel every cut, every tug, every yank and slice.

The sound of a tink sounded the end of the attack. The small piece of metal flew from his shoulder and he collapsed to the floor, his strength had left his pain racked body. From the pain through he felt something else, power.

He smiled all of his power returned to him, the wound on his shoulder healing within moments. Big Mac back peddled at the sight of the wound closing up. Alex slowly rose to his feet and wiggled his fingers, he snapped his fingers summoning a flame and smiled, not even the slightest hint of pain.

He turned to Big Mac with a toothy grin on his face, the stallion flinching as Alex took a step forward, the fatigue instantly gone from his body. “Thank you.” He said before turning towards the exit. “You followed your part of the bargain, and now I shall do the same.”

“One more thing.” Alex said, turning back to the scared stallion. “Tell Apple Bloom that the memories were a dream, she will remember a small amount of the attack.”

Big Mac nodded as Alex walked towards the door. He pulled it open and was met with a very peculiar sight. Three large bipedal dog creatures were standing by the door, one with its had raised ready to knock.

“Ah pet get your master.” The dog that was about to knock croaked, his voice like nails on a chalk board.

Alex looked at them for a second and was about to speak but before he could Big Mac barreled past him, knocking him onto his back. He shot up ready to defend himself. Big Mac was standing outside with the dogs.

A tall one, at lease six foot tall had a large cleaver in his hands, he twiddled with it as a small dog spoke with big Mac. This dog pressed a dagger against the stallions throat and whispered in his ear, his eyes pleaded with the dog.

The dog with the dagger smiled before removing the blade from his neck. Big Mac nodded before walking back into the house, the three dogs watching him as he went.

He walked past Alex and went into the kitchen, Alex quickly got up and followed him. “Who and what are they?” He demanded, if the stallion had sold him out he would enjoy watching him squirm.

Big Mac noticed the look on hos face. “They haven't come for you, they have come for their money.” He replied in his strong souther drawl, although this time his voice was flat and silent.

“And you are just going to pay them?” Alex asked. “Surely they must be guards to help.” Big Mac shook his head.

“If we ever get help they would bring reinforcements and burn down the farm.” He cast Alex a sad and worried glance, “They have a dog in Apple blooms room, if I go to get help or refuse to pay, they will kill her.”

The stallion pushed past the human with a bag of coins in his mouth. Alex watched him go before turning his attention to the stairs.

Big Mac grudgingly handed over the bag of bits to the diamond dog. The clatter of gold causing the dogs to smile. “Remember, we come back in two months.” The dog croaked, “And we want double.”

Big Macs eyes went wide. “We can't afford double!” He was stopped from saying any more as a dagger was placed against his throat.

“Double.” The dog ordered. “Or we kill the little one” Big Mac gulped and nodded. The dog removed the knife from his neck and smiled. “Come on boys-”

“Big Mac!” A group of voices called. Coming up the road were four ponies, Apple jack, pinkie pie, Rainbow Dash and Twilight.

The dog slammed his paw into Big Mac's face causing him to fall to the ground. “Silly pony!” The dog cried as the four mares stopped a few feet from them. Twilight's horn was glowing purple and rainbow dash was being held back by the tail by Pinkie Pie.

“You bring help, you brake deal!” The dog shouted as the tall dog with the big cleaver got ready to attack Big Mac.

“No please!” Applejack shouted. “Don't hurt him!”

“Silly pony break deal! Pony must pay-”

A loud comical crash came from the bedroom above the front door, everyone turned around just in time to see the window shattered and a dog to go flying towards the ground, he landed with a crunch.

Everything was silent for a second as the ponies and dogs stared at the crumpled body of the dog. His legs had been broken of and shoved through his chest and his arms were jutting out of were his eyeballs once were.

A tall human emerged from the bottom floor, his hands were covered in blood and the cloak he wore was no better.

He walked down the steps and made his way towards the dogs, The tall dog charged at him, wanting to avenge his friend The dog stooped however as he was disemboweled by a quick strike from the human.

He turned his attention to the other two dogs. Their eyes jumping from Alex to the now dead dog at his feet. Their gaze finally fell onto him, they turned on their heels and ran.

The dogs were gone but the danger was still there, the four mares were now looking at him with the same fear and anger they did so to the dogs. Alex didn't pay them any notice, he turned to Big Mac as he slowly rose from the ground. “Apple Bloom is safe, I moved her downstairs.” Alex spoke. The four mares mouths dropped, the pink ones quite literally hitting the ground.

“Thank you.” Big Mac replied. Tears were forming at his eyes at the sudden realisation, of the state Apple Bloom must have been in. He turned and quickly ran back to the house. Leaving the four gob smacked mares and the bloodied human alone.

“Hello.” Alex waved to the group of mares, Twilight let go of her pent up magic in her horn and a beam of purple light soared towards Alex.