Ashes to Ashes

Alexandros awoke in an all too familiar place. He awoke on a what appeared to be an abandoned desert, dust gathering in the distance clouding the vision of all who try to see. He looks around and found nothing but the spires made from ashen volcanic rock. One would assume that there was no one for miles, but Alexandros knew better he knew soon a familiar face would appear. He felt a breeze brush against his back. He turned slowly and saw who he was expecting. A large shrouded human with a voice that sounded like a choir of them. Standing firm in front of him was the manifestation of the souls in the legendary weapon he carried or as it prefers to be called, Ashbringer. Ashbringer spoke loudly as they said,
"I have been waiting an eternity for you, Highlord."

Alexandros saw Ashbringer smirk. He knew that this was no chance meeting. He only met with Ashbringer if something would go wrong or if they had information for him. Ashbringer was very much a part of him, over the course of the time Alexandros wielded the blade they became one. The souls and Alexandros. One cannot exist without the other now. They sustain each other, even though the blade is long gone. Alexandros cringed at the title, he was no longer worthy of such a title. But explaining things to Ashbringer was not exactly easy, Alexandros normally just let things happen between him and Ashbringer. Alexandros said sternly, "I'll go ahead and assume everything I just saw was not a dream."

Alexandros scratched the back of his head and asked, "How are things on Azeroth?"

Ashbringer answered,
"Quiet. With the Lich King defeated the Horde and Allience have been stirring and aching for some bloodshed. I fear either one will do something to plunge the whole of Azeroth into destruction."

"And what news on the Silver Hand?"

"They have regained significance in Azeroth. Maxwell Tyrosus is doing well and Tirion leads them both well."

Alexandros thought for a moment and said, "If you're still here then I'll assume that I am not dead yet."

Ashbringer shook their head and said,
"No. And now I fear your destiny lies in that new land. You have to stay and figure out why you were resurrected. But you cannot find this out on your own. I am here to help you old friend."

Alexandros shrugged and said, "How? I don't even hold the blade anymore. How are you supposed to help me?"

A devious smile crossed Ashbringer's face as they said,
"Ah but that is where you are wrong my friend. Your blade is very much in that world. You just need to keep open eyes to find what you seek."

Alexandros cursed under his breath a he knew what would follow. His vision whitened and blurred and he slowly regained consciousness.

Alex awoke to another unfamiliar spot. He was lying on a bed in a monochromatic room of simple white and tan tile floors. He did not feel as sore and his wounds were nearly gone. He focused on something else, six mares filled the room at the foot of his bed. Rarity who he instantly made eye contact with. He then looked over to the lavender unicorn with dark violet mane and tail who was the first to speak, "Hello...um...we weren't expecting to see you awake for another few hours."

Alex slowly nodded his head in confusion. He looked over the others and they all looked, interesting, to say the least. He looked over at Rarity and said, "Okay...two questions Lady Rarity. Who are these mares? And where am I?"

The other five gave him strange looks and Rarity finally said moving closer to his side, "You are in Ponyville Hospital. And these are my friends. That's..."

"I'm Pinkie Pie!" The pink one shouted, "It's so cool to meet you! Rarity said the you saved her and Spike from three timber wolves! BY YOURSELF!"

The lavender one spoke next, "Pinkie Pie, calm. Anyways, I'm Twilight Sparkle."

"Name's Rainbow Dash," The cyan one that was hovering slightly above ground interrupted, "Best flier to come out of Cloudsdale."

'Never would've thought that was her name,' Alex said sarcastically in his head he moved his gaze to the next which was an orange mare with bright blonde mane and tail, "Ah'm Applejack. Pleasure meetin' ya."

Alex had only heard accents like that a few times and they were never on good terms with him. All for good reason. He moved his gaze to the last one, a bright yellow mare with a bright pink mane and tail. She didn't look at him when she said in a soft tone, "I'm...Fluttershy."

Rarity spoke up and said, "Everypony, this is Alex. Me and Spike's timely rescuer."

"Alex?" Twilight asked raising an eyebrow, "That's a strange name for a pony. I've never heard a name like that before."

Rarity answered before he could, "That's just it, he's not from here."

Alex saw all of their faces and he didn't want to say he was from another world. That would just make matters worse for him. He spoke strongly, "And why would you like to know where I'm from?"

Twilight answered for the group, "Because, you are the strangest pony either of us have ever seen. You had six broken ribs, two sprained hooves, among other wounds. All healed within twenty four hours of you receiving them. No pony can naturally heal that fast. And not to mention that..."

"You don't even have a cutie mark!" Rainbow Dash interrupted Twilight's next words. They all looked at Rainbow Dash who just shrugged. Alex asked, "What's a cutie mark?"

They all stopped and stared at him with their mouths wide open. Alex felt already irritated that they weren't answering him. It seemed like a legitimate question to him. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak after the shocking question, "How can you not know what a cutie mark is? You've got to be the biggest loser I've ever seen."

Alex kept his anger supressed. Ever since he could remember he was always quick to anger. She set him over the edge and Alex knew he couldn't react how he normally reacted to jerks like that. Instead he just said in an aggravate tone, "Will some...pony please in the Light's name tell me what a cutie mark is?"

Twilight was the one to respond, "A cutie mark is something every pony gets when they figure out their special talent."

Alex sat rubbing his chin with his hoof. This place just got from strange to weird, but he would have to learn to accept these changes. Alex spoke out, "Then I see my mission for now. Looks like I'm staying longer than I thought."

Applejack interjected, "But, where were ya planning on going?"

They were all interrupted by a doctor. His coat was a dark blue and his mane and tail were a dark brown. He wore glasses on his snout and he was looking at some papers as he entered. He said in an aged tenor voice, "Oh. I wasn't expecting this many visitors. If you ladies will excuse me, I need to talk to Alex alone."

They all agreed to let them discuss whatever they needed to talk about. Rarity lead her friends outside. They stopped in the front of the hospital. There was a few seconds of silence when Applejack spoke up, "I don' trust him."

Rarity looked shocked and said, "What are you saying?"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and said in reply, "What she's saying is. He's hiding something, I could feel it too. He's hiding something. I don't trust him either."

Rarity looked over at Twilight and she said, "I'm finding it too early to rely on assumptions."

Pinkie Pie shouted, "I like him! I mean he did save Rarity and Spike right!? Oh...this calls for TWO parties!"

Rarity looked over at the last one and said, "What about you Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy moved her mane out of her face and said weakly, "I...I don't like his eyes."

Everypony had a curious look on their face as they looked at Fluttershy. Twilight asked, "Why?"

She answered her face growing darker, "They were filled with sadness and loss."

Alex stood up and stretched out his hooves as the mares left. The doctor said, "You haven't ceased to amaze me mister Alex."

"How so?" Alex asked looking at him. The doctor responded quickly, "You are a clean bill of health after those serious injuries. You are a sight to behold Alex."

Alex smiled slightly. He was somewhat happy that something good came out of this, but it was not all well and good for him yet. He thought of what he needed to do next. Alex couldn't help but remember something about Pinkie Pie wanting to throw him a party or something. The least thing he would expect. Alex moved the weight on his shoulders and said, "Thank you for the treatment doctor."

The doctor said, "Oh it was my pleasure Alex. If at all you have anything wrong, let me know and I'll come running. Name's Doctor Strongheart."

He held out his hoof and Alex reluctently shook it with his hoof. Alex said, "I'll be sure to remember that."

Alex travelled through the long halls of the hospital and finally found the front desk and left the hospital. He stepped out and looked up. The air was warm and pleasant, the sun shining high and not a white cloud in the sky to distract from the beautiful blue sky. Alex took in all that he saw and noticed the buildings were mostly thatch roofed. Bright colors adorned every building. It was pleasing to the eye but it couldn't take his mind away from his two sons. He looked and saw the group of mares that met him in his hospital room. He walked closer to them and he said, "Thank you all who helped me with my healing. I hope to see your faces again soon."

Alex stepped and started walking past them when a familiar hoof stopped him. It was Rarity's and she said, "Where are you going?"

He answered, "I'm going to find a place to sleep."

She bore a friendly look on her face and said, "You can't just wander aimlessly through Ponyville asking for a place to stay? I insist that you stay with me."

Alex stood there for a few moments and noticed that the others left. Leaving him and her in the afternoon air. He looked back over at Rarity. There was something so familiar about her and he couldn't put a hoof on it. He could already tell that he wasn't going to get rid of this mare easily. He said with a small smile, "I can't exactly pass down an offer like that. Thank you. You are too generous."

Rarity blushed slightly and said leading the way, "It is my pleasure Alex."

They continued through the quiet streets of Ponyville. Alex said, "I couldn't help but feel that some of your friends don't trust me."

Rarity gave him a puzzled look and said, "How did you...how?"

Alex returned his gaze on the path ahead of them. They rounded a corner and he said, "I've developed a talent in finding the true emotions of ponies just by looking at them. If you have seen what I've seen you'd understand."

Rarity asked in a slightly darker tone, "What happened to your family?"

The question hit him hard in the stomach but he said, "I... I'd rather not... talk about it right now."

Silence continued and Rarity said to try and ease the tension, "I understand if you don't want to talk about it."

The warm afternoon sun hung in the bright blue sky. The light burned on his skin and it felt warm and stimulating. They continued in silence until Rarity finally spoke up, "So, about what you said earlier. Where were you planning on going?"

Alex decided to give her the short version, "I need to find something. A piece of me that was lost a long time ago."

Rarity tried to decipher just what he was talking about. Perhaps it was a trinket or an object of some sort. She studied the way he walked and how he carried himself. He looked like he was lost, like his mind was elsewhere. Like he wasn't showing his true self. She wanted to help and he is doing nothing to try and open up to her. He was giving her a hard time in trying to befriend him. He was distant and lost, it just tore her insides apart how much pain he was carrying.

They stopped on the porch to her humble abode, Caresoual Boutique. She was about to open the door when she was stopped by Alex's hoof. She looked over at him and his face lifted up in her eyes and he said calmly, "Why are you helping me?"

Rarity answered, "You saved my life. It's the least that I can do, Alex."

His eyes said it all. He was hiding something that was eating him alive. She opened the door and ushered him in the building. Filled with extravagent decorations and decorum. Every color in the shop and house accented each one very well. It was odd placement and an odd choice because of the location. Alex moved his eyes over every detail and as he finished inspecting Rarity said with a warm heartedness, "Welcome to Caresoual Boutique. Where everything is chic, unique, and manifique!"

The first pleasant look that Rarity has first seen on Alex's face was warm to Rarity's heart and soul. Alex said, "A cute saying indeed. You have a lovely home."

The pleasant look soon died and fell back to the depressed look he continued to carry. Alex said under his breath, "But I feel as though I am unwelcome. I don't deserve such pleasantries."

Rarity felt saddened by his words and wanted with every fibre of her being to help him and find out what it is that encases his soul. What it is that troubles him. But she decided to drop it for now and said, "(cough)...Well, can I get you anything Alex? A drink..."

Alex interrupted her and said, "A warm meal will be enough."

Rarity simply nodded her head and left into another room. Alex was left to his own thoughts. He quickly found himself in what he assumed was the dining area. He found himself a seat and saw his reflection in a mirror nearest to him. He saw his color scheme of his mane, tail, and coat. He bore the colors of fire, a bright yellow and scarlet red for his coat and bright fiery orange the color of his mane. He noticed he no longer had his beard, and his features were younger and had less amount of wrinkles. But what plagued his thoughts was something marauding. He looked exactly like his eldest son Renault. He thanked the Light that their voices were not the same. Alex rested his chin on his hooves and leaned on the table. The sun was beginning to make way into twilight, filling the room with bright oranges and light purples.

Alex had to admit that this world had more beauty beyond that of Azeroth. Like he was in a dream, a beautiful and yet dark dream. He briskly stood up and the words of his son echo in his mind,

I don't want to be you!! I'll be greater than you ever were! NOW I can become the man you never thought I would be!!

You made me what I am...

Alex lashed out and slammed his hooves on the table. He stood on his hind legs and leaned over. He held his head low and clenched his eyes shut as the words repeated in his mind. Holding back tears he said, "If only I knew sooner... I could've protected you and Darion...Forgive me Renault..."

Slowly he pulled himself together and felt something rush up to him and embrace around his waist. His immediate reaction would be to reach for the Ashbringer but reminded himself that he no longer carried it. He said looking down, "By the Light..."

He saw tightly embracing around him was a small filly. Her coat was the same shade as Rarity's but her mane and tail were a bleach white and salmon pink. A unicorn like Rarity and Twilight. She was cute despite the fact her eyes were shut and puffy from crying. She said in a high pitched voice, "Thank you! Thank you so much! Thank you for saving my big sister!"

Alex felt a warm feeling cascade across his soul and heart, something he had not felt in a long time. He dropped his forehooves and said as he returned the gesture, "Think nothing of it little one."

The filly looked up at him and smiled holding back tears in her eyes. She pushed away from him when they heard a voice shout, "Sweetie Belle!"

Sweetie Belle stopped hugging Alex and stepped back over to her sister's side. She immediately pulled Rarity into a hug and said having her voice muffled in her soft coat, "I'm sorry Rarity, I had to thank him for saving you. I'm so glad that you're okay!"

Her voice cracked more than a few times as she said those words. Rarity smiled and rested the plate of food on the table and knelt down to her little sister's level, resting her hooves on Sweetie's shoulders. She said to the wheezing filly, "I'm the one that's supposed to worry about you. I promise, darling, that I'm not planning on leaving you any time soon."

Rarity pulled Sweetie into a hug and they held each other for a few seconds. In those moments Alex had flashbacks of memories he thought were long gone. Seeing how close Rarity and Sweetie Belle were reminded him of Renault and Darion before they even knew the words "Paladin" or "Serve". When they were younger they used to be so close. They protected each other and they would never leave each other's sides. But when they grew older, they slowly drew their own paths. If he knew sooner that Renault felt he was being in Darion's own shadow; as well as Alex's, then maybe all of this pain could have been avoided. This feeling inside of him hurt him more than any mortal wound.

Rarity saw the expression on his face and said pushing Sweetie away, "Is every thing alright Alex?"

Her concern was noted and he recognized that she is trying to help, but telling her runs the risk of even more hurt. He sat down and held his thoughts inward. It hurt him as he said the words, "Nothing...it's just...you remind me of ponies I used to know."

Rarity moved her gaze at Sweetie Belle and said, "I'll call for you when dinner is ready."

Sweetie answered with a nod and fled off out of Carousal Boutique. Rarity returned her gaze on Alex and said kindheartedly, "Alex. I want to help you, I really do but you aren't doing much to help yourself."

She sat opposite end of Alex and she said resting her hoof on Alex's, "Please. I want to help you."

Alex looked downcast and cherished her words. It had been a long time since any pony showed any signs of compassion towards him. Alex regained his composure and said, "I appreciate your concern Lady Rarity. I suppose I can tell you most of what ails me. But I can't tell you all of it. I don't know how you'd react. So, I guess you should know that the family I lost were my two sons."

She held a shocked face and he continued ignoring her look, "Their names were Renault and Darion. I loved both of them in their own way. I supposed all this started at Darion's birth. When he was born he was motionless. No sound. No movement. I was scared, I rushed outside and plunged him into the icy waters in the stream the flowed near the house. To my astonishement and excitement, he started thrashing and crying out. I held him in my hooves and I never heard a more beautiful sound. I ran back inside to tell my wife, Elena, that our second son had survived. Only to find out that she did not."

Her look turned neutral as the story continued and she held her gaze away. He continued, "I saw my wife every time I looked at Darion. I protected him as best as a father could, holding him close when times were darkest. I guess as my love for Darion grew, Renault's resentment and jealousy grew as well. One day, Renault...pushed me away and we were never the same family ever since."

Dead silence filled the air and it did not help Alex's emotions. He half expected her to react negatively and reject him. She simply held the same concerned and heart felt look as she said, "It must have been hard for you to tell me that. I'm deeply sorry for what happened, in the short time that I have known you. You seem like a good pony. You didn't know, it wasn't your fault. I apologize if I'm rather blunt, but what's happened happened. You came here to start fresh right? Then start fresh."

If only you knew all of it Rarity...maybe in the future I can tell you...Were his thoughts. He said with a warm smile and loosening his mood, "Thank you Rarity. I guess that is repayment for saving you. I'll keep what you said in my mind."