From the ashes

I opened my eyes to see that damn statue in front of me again. This time, the black tendrils were gone and the statue itselfs had more color to it. Its main body was a chocolate brown, and all its limbs had fiery red and yellow feathers. It seemed to stare down at me with a small smile, but my vision was slightly blurry from my moment of weakness earlier.

“Speak child, for we don’t have much time to talk here.” The statue said in a calming voice.

“Who…are…you.” I said weakly. I must look pathe-

“Strong beings are allowed to express weakness, to hide it shows how pathetic one truly is.” The statue interrupted me. My eyes widened in surprise at the fact that the statue somehow read my mind.

“As for my name, no mortal can really comprehend my true name. So, you may call me Dantalion, the flame of creation.” Dantalion introduced himself. I took a moment to register the fact that he basically called himself a god, the statement almost made me laugh in disbelief.

“Well I would say I don't believe you. But with everything that's been going on lately, I don’t know what to think .” I lowered my head and chuckled darkly.

“You are free to believe what you want, but the fact is I need to clear things up.” Dantalion said with a more laid back tone.

Suddenly, Dantalion's stone body started to crack and fall apart to reveal a fleshy version of himself, same color scheme included. He then scooted forward on his stone pedestal and hung his legs over the edge as said pedestal rebuilt itself into a throne that Dantalion laid back into.

“Thank me I get to drop the wise sage act. So basically I’m one of four gods that made the universe. We watched everything evolve and grow until we more or less got bored, well, at least I did.” Dantalion leaned to the side and used his winged arm to prop his head up.

“So I came up with an idea. We each find a mortal with a terrible life, make an offer to let their soul leave and be reborn into another life, and take over the body to walk with the mortals.” Dantalion finished his explanation.

“W-wait, you’re gonna steal my body?” I Hesitantly asked, turning my head to the side a bit as I did.

“Well I'm not going to STEAL it, it doesn't work that way. As I said, my friends and I make deals, there is no unnecessary force involved. So, are you out or not?” The fire god asked with a raised eyebrow.

“What if I say no?” I cautiously asked Dantalion, giving him a suspecting look.

“If ya do, then my astral body is stuck here until you die. Also…my presence alone is MAYBE sucking the life outta you since mortal bodies can’t handle a being like me, so I would take it.” He said with a somewhat sheepish grin.

I stayed floating in silence for a bit deciding on my answer. I didn't have a bad life, at least I think I did? But how things are going now…saying yes doesn’t seem like a bad option…not like i really have a choice…but.

“No”

“I decline, I still have to save Sombra. I still need him.” I argued with a hint of desperation in my voice. Dantalion Eyebrows raised a little as he sat straight back up, and I proceeded to give him the most determined glare I could muster.

“That guy? Why the hell would you want to be with him? He’s nothing but a power hunger ass who REALLY needs to stop monologuing when he is alone. I’ve seen war criminals more respectable than him!” Dantalion said with an eye roll.

“Don’t you dare slander the name of my great lord! He’s…He’s just misunderstood…I’m sure of it!” I angrily yelled at the fire god with heavy uncertainty in my voice. The only response I got was an irritated scoff.

“He wasn’t the only one poking around in your mind, the things i saw where the most fucked up things I seen in a long time. He doesn’t care for you, you’re just some toy Sombra can use when it’s convenient for himself and you keep falling for it.” Dantalion said with a talon pointed at me.

“Somepony like you wouldn’t understand! H-He really does care for me you bastard!” I shouted back.

The fire god only closed his eyes and, with a sigh, sank into his chair and pinched the bridge of his beak with a talon.

“You’ll come around eventually, until then I got to go, see ya later.” Dantalion gave me a lazy, to claw salute as the familiar feeling of my mind being pulled back woke me.

I awoke in my bed again, I raised my head to unfortunately see that my leg was still tied to it. My head fell back onto the tear stained pillow as I sighed out of boredom. It had been at least two days since that yellow mare came in here and every time my thoughts drifted, they always went back to her.

“Why did I open up like that… She’s the enemy and I don't even know her.” I tried to reason with myself. The answer to my dilemma was right at the tip of my tongue but no matter how hard I tried to say it, it never came.
“Whatever, I need to figure out a plan in order to find Sombra.” I concluded as the door to my room was opened up to reveal two guards.

“Let's go freak, the Princess wants you.” One of the guards rudely said with a scowl as both approached to take me away.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sound of the Everfree rang throughout the moist and humid air as many creatures ran through the trees. A certain zebra was scavenging for supplies when she came across something so peculiar.

It was a long, sharp, horn, with a red and black color scheme lying in a small mound of mud. The zebra had the slight feeling of dread looking upon the object, but the tender sound of a faceless voice filled her ears as she approached it. The second she was face to face with the horn, it suddenly shook and stabbed her straight in the forehead.

The only sound in the Everfree were the agonizing screams of a certain zebra shaman.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celestia- 3rd person

Celestia, her sister, and the elements of harmony all sat waiting in the throne room for Cold stone. Luna and the elements, except Fluttershy, had an uncertain and cautious expression on their face, all because Fluttershy made a deal.

Two days ago after Fluttershy interrogated Cold Stone, she gave a sudden proposal that seemed completely ridiculous to the solar Princess. Fluttershy proposed that she would take in Cold Stone in order to reform him, her argument being that he ‘showed signs’ of being able to reform and other details she didn’t disclose.

Of course, she got overwhelmed by her friends saying what a foolish idea it was and that she would put herself in danger by being close to that ‘savage murder’.

When Luna got up from her sleep and got caught up, she didn’t have much of a different reaction. Fortunately Celestia broke up the noise to let Fluttershy explain and make sure she really thought this was a good idea.

Celestia wished she could disagree, but she couldn’t argue that Cold stone had the potential to be good again. So to please everypony, Celestia allowed Cold stone to be in the care of Fluttershy, only if she and her friend kept the Elements on them at all times and that Ponyville would have increased security to keep Cold in line. Everypony seemed to agree at least, although reluctantly of course. Luna tried to talk Celestia out of it, but after a long while of talking, Luna also agreed to the proposal. So for the past few days, Celestia was sending out patrols to Ponyville and doing paperwork non-stop for the past two days.

The doors opened to reveal a couple of guards and the stallion of discussion, as they made their way to Celestia. Looks from both the guards, and most of the element of harmony, showed clear caution and mild hatred as Cold stone was sat right in front of Celestia.

“It's a good morning today isn’t it, Cold stone?” Celestia said with a sly smirk as she could tell Cold stones eyes widened under his blindfold.

“How did you-” Cold stone suddenly got the look of realization as he turned his gold gaze onto a certain yellow pegasus, who ‘eep’ed’ and hid behind her mane. “Call me Black Ivory, you don’t deserve to know my name.” Cold stone said in a low and angered tone.

Celestia sighed as she moved her gaze towards the forehead of Cold, which had a faint circular scar that his hair slightly covered.

“That’s understandable. But first, I want to know what happened to the horn that was on your head? The first time I saw you, I was pretty sure that you were an earth pony?” Celestia said with a questioning look.

Cold stone visibly flinched at the question like he’d been caught doing something. Rainbow dash trotted a foot away from the group with a confused expression.

“Hey, now that you mention it-'' She flew in the air a circled Cold stone while looking over him. “ I do remember something like that. Guess I didn’t notice during all that chaos.” Rainbow dash then landed on the ground directly in front of the cold and got really close to his face. “What’s the deal with that, HUH?!?” She said as she faced him with an accusing tone and narrowed eyes.

Cold stone sat there with the usual never changing blank expression, no matter how intimidating Rainbow tried to be. This one sided staring contest was stopped when Celestia choughed into her hoof and got everyone's attention.

“While Rainbow Dash does have a point, I need to hear it from you Col- Black Ivory. Depending on your answer, you might be able to go somewhat free.”Celestia stated.

The throne room was quiet for the longest time, seconds felt like hours as they awaited Cold stones answer. Celestia saw a subtle twitch in the corners of Cold stones mouth, like he was trying to hold back a frown.

“It was…a gift from sombra before he died…he used the last of his magic to turn me into a dark mage in order to take on his legacy.” Cold stone confessed as his head lowered a bit.

Red flags were going off in Celestia's head that something was up. Even though the explanation seemed to be genuine, something about the way Cold stone talked made Celestia feel uneasy. Apparently Applejack was also feeling the same way, because she obviously knew something everypony else didn’t. Instead of calling the stallion out, Celestia put on a fake smile and motioned the guards to move away from him.

“This could only mean that Sombra is still alive. Because he didn’t give a horn to you before the empire disappeared and there was no sign of you when Twilight and her friend fought Sombra in the crystal empire. So that only means that Sombra somehow lived and is out there somehow.” Celestia was trying to draw out the truth a bit and make Cold slip up, but the stallion didn’t react and instead decided to nod in agreement.

“King Sombra gave me the horn after the empire disappeared.” Cold stone stated like it was obvious.

Celestia found it to be a bit more believable, but there was still something she felt was missing and it was bothering her.

“Your explanation is believable and I'll allow you to make a decision.” Cold stones ears perked up as Celestia started. “Either you can stay here in canterlot castle under mine and my sisters watch until we think you're able to go back into society. Or you could go with the elements back to ponyville under heavy security and under the watch of Fluttershy.” Celestia pointed a hoof to the yellow pegasus, who slightly jumped at the sudden attention.

“The choice is yours, Black Ivory” Celestia finished as she leaned back into her throne.

The silence returned in full as Cold stone sat in silence. Then, he got up and trotted towards Fluttershy, her friends ready in case he tried anything, and simply sat beside her. The scene almost made Celestia crack a small smile, but she took the obvious answer and nodded.

“Well it’s decided, I hereby allow for Black Ivory to be under the watch of Fluttershy until further notice. You will be assigned to send me at least one friendship report every two weeks to update me on your progress of reformation. You may all go now.” Celestia bowed as the elements and Cold stone left the throne room.

Once out of sight, Celestia allowed herself to completely sink into her throne and give off a tired sigh as she massaged her head with a hoof.

“Did I really make the right choice? I mean…he has the potential to be better, but there is something about him that makes me feel otherwise.” Celestia said to herself with a troubled expression.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No one- 3rd person
The landscape passed by the train car windows as The Elements and Cold stone sat in silence, the only sound of the train cars subtle rumble. Cold stone and Fluttershy were sitting side by side, Rarity and Twilight across from them, and everypony else were all sitting in their own seats.

The train they were riding was a backup from Canterlot Railway Company, given to the Equestrian Railroad Company until their locomotive was repaired. It was a more drab color palette of dark grays and blacks, which bothered a certain fantionista.

Everypony was stealing small glances towards the blindfolded stallion, who was sitting perfectly still to the point they thought that he was asleep. The silence was ended when Fluttershy used a hoof to lightly nudge Cold, making him jolt at the sudden contact as he looked at her.

“Huh? What is it?” Cold stone tiredly asked.

“I was thinking that since that… you know… staying with me, i was wondering if you would like to get to know my friends? If you want, of course.” Fluttershy asked. Twilight turned around in her seat to face the pair with a smile.

“If we are then I’d like to go first.” Twilight cleared her throat. “My name is Twilight Sparkle and I’m Princess Celestia's student that’s studying under her guidance. I also run Ponyville's local Library, so feel free to come by anytime.” Twilight offered with a wavering smile, trying to be somewhat friendly to Cold stone.

“I’m sorry but I…”Cold stone looked away with a slight blush of embarrassment. “Don’t know how to read…” Cold stone admitted, lowering his head to not see the mare's reactions.

The train car was silent for a moment before Rainbow started to snicker, trying to hold back a howl of laughter. Applejack came up and smacked the back of Rainbow Dash's head, earning her a glare from the rainbow pegasus.

“Wait, you don’t know how to read?” Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Didn’t you hear me? I don’t know how to read…or write…I grew up in a time where those skills were only available for the wealthy.” Cold stone turned his head back to face Twilight.

“Well, come by the library and I'll teach you okay?” Twilight said with a genuine smile this time.

Cold stone nodded as Applejack trotted up to him.

“The names Applejack and I help run the local apple orchard in Ponyville. If ya need any work you can come down and I’ll get ya set up.” She said with a tip of her hat.

“So that is what your cutie mark means.” Cold stone replied
“What do ya mean?” Applejack was confused by Cold Stone's sudden realization.

“It’s just I never met a pony with a farming related cutie mark before.” Cold stone had a child-like wonder in his demeanor. Pinkie pie suddenly appeared behind Cold stone, making flinch in surprise.

“OH OH, can I go next?” Pinkie Pie excitedly asked.

“Uhh… sure?” Cold stone awkwardly spoke. The pink mare took a dramatically long breath of air that filled the blindfolded stallion with fear.

“MYNAMEISPINKIEPIEANDI’MASUPER-DUPERPARTYPONYWHOWANTSTOSEEYOUSMILEWHATISYOURFAVORITEFLAOVROFCAKEWHATMUSICDOYOULIKEICAN’TWAITTOTHROWYOUAWELCOMEPARTY!” Pinkie shot off words at a million miles per minute right into the now ringing ears of Cold stone. The noise messed with Cold’s vision and he covered them to block out Pinkies ramblings.

Seeing this, Fluttershy moved closer to pinkie pie and put a hoof on her shoulder, making her stop talking.

“Pinkie, could you be a little more quiet please?” Fluttershy quietly asked, pointing her other hoof at Cold stone.

Cold stone noticed the lack of loud ramblings and uncovered his ears and, under his blind fold, gave Pinkie a death glare.

“You're. Too. Loud'' Cold stone criticized with venom dripping with each word, causing Pinkie pies ears laid against her head.

“Oops, sorry” Pinkie apologized with a sheepish smile.

“It’s…fine.” Cold stone said with some apprehension. This made Pinkie Pie return to her usual cheeriness as she bounced back to her seat. The next one to come to Cold was the white fashionista with a proud look on her face.

“I like to introduce myself darling. I am Rarity, fashion designing extraordinaire, and I can make you anything to wear. I also must say, your dark colors are giving me some great ideas for stallion clothing.” The fashionista said while putting a hoof on her chest.

“Uh, thanks? I…don’t know what you mean by that but I'll keep it in mind.” Cold stones monotone voice mixed with an overwhelming silence after his response made Rarity uncomfortably sweat a little. Rarity took the chance to say her goodbyes and quickly made it back to her seat.

Finally, Rainbow dash flew behind Cold stone and Fluttershy with a prideful look on her face as she put a foreleg around Cold stones shoulder.

“Last, but not least, me! Rainbow dash, the best flyer in Equestria AND a future ace Wonderbolt!” She proudly stated with a cocky smirk.

“What is a ‘Wonderbolt’?” Cold stone axked with a slightly confused expression. Rainbow Dash eye suddenly bulged out and, with a gasp, grabbed Cold’s shoulders and spun him around at breakneck speeds to face her.

“Dude, you. Are. missing. OUT” She said, getting closer to his face with every word. Cold stone freed his face from Rainbow’s grasp and moved her away from him.

“Just a word of advice Mr. Stone, don’t mention Daring Doo around her, she’ll talk ya ear right off” Applejack jokingly said with a chuckle.

Rainbow Dash blushed heavily from her secret being revealed to a complete stranger, and she started to berate the farm pony. Everypony but Cold stone were laughing as the scene took place, but no one saw the small smile the blind folded stallion had on his face.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cold Stone- 3rd person

The group soon returned to Ponyville to find it relatively normal, beside the multitude of guards patrolling around every corner of Ponyville. When Cold Stone got off the train, the guards that stood by the entrance of the train station gave him a shifty eye look, ready if he did anything.

Despite this, the others didn’t seem to notice as they all talked to each other about random topics and what they were going to do tomorrow.

When Cold stone had the option of being free in Canterlot near the princess, or being free but closely watched in an open air town, it was an obvious answer. The plan was to find Sombras horn again and fuse with it, then continue with the original plan he made. But as he spent more time on that train with these mares he just met, there was some weirdly warm feeling in his chest he couldn’t figure out.

‘This feeling…I thought I only felt this way around King Sombra…what the hell is happening?’ He thought to himself as most of the elements departed back to their homes for the night.

“Well, um, let’s head back to my place. I got a spare room you can stay in.” Fluttershy spoke up, bringing the blindfolded stallion out of his thoughts. The calm breeze making her air flutter in the wind, and the setting sun made the yellow mare look absolutely-

Cold stone shook his head vigorously to rid himself of these random thoughts, a faint blush on his was hidden by the sunsets lighting. Cold stone looked at Fluttershy, who had a confused look that quickly turned into an amused look as she giggled cutlery, making Cold stone blush harder for some reason unknown to him.

“L-Let’s just go already.” Cold stone quietly said, doing a pretty good Fluttershy impression. Fluttershy finally stopped giggling as she turned around and trotted off to her home, Cold stone not too far behind.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They soon reached Fluttershy’s cottage after trotting down a long dirt trail. The place was cozy looking to Cold stone even if he liked to live a minimalist lifestyle.

The cottage itself was situated on top of a small hill, a bridge over a stream connecting to it, and a tree on the front lawn that was decorated with multiple bird houses. All manner of creatures big and small scurried in all directions upon seeing Cold, this didn’t matter to Cold as they approached the foliage cover home.

Fluttershy trotted a little faster to reach the door, as she politely opened it to let her new quest inside. Going in, the inside made Cold stone confused at the cottage's interior. The inside was just as cozy looking as the outside and the air smelt of flowers. Just like outside as well, animals noticed the sudden appearance of Cold stone and ran off, mice going into holes in the walls, birds going into birdhouses mounted on the ceiling, and squirrels disappearing into the ceiling.

Cold stone looked back to see Fluttershy closing the door behind her, she looked up to see Cold stone staring at her.

“Is something wrong?” Fluttershy looked a little worried, probably worried she offended Cold stone.

“Did you leave a door open or something?” Cold stone pointed at Fluttershy. Her expression became one of surprise at Cold’s question.

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked with her head tilted to the side.

“I mean there are a lot of rodents in your home, I was wondering if they somehow wandered in from the outside?” Cold stone asked with a raised eyebrow. Fluttershy had a look of realization as she gave Cold Stone a smile.

“Oh I forgot to tell you that I’m an animal caretaker. The animals you see are my friends.” Fluttershy trotted towards the kitchen, but turned back to look at Cold. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable, I’ll make us some tea.” Fluttershy said as she disappeared into the kitchen.
‘I just hope I don't step on animal shit.’ Cold stone groaned inwardly as he made his way to the couch. Upon sitting on it, the couch felt like the most soft piece of furniture he has ever sat on. So he laid down across the couch on his side, and released a relieved sigh as the tension in his body vanished.

Cold stone closed his eyes in order to rest while Fluttershy was making food, but the feeling of something soft hitting his head woke him up.

Opening his eyes, the sight of a small rabbit with an angry scowl was right in front of his face. The small rodent was making what must have been an angry squeaking noise as it shook its paw at Cold.

“Piss off you overgrown rat.” Cold stone angrily spat as he pushed the rabbit off the couch with a hoof. He went to close his eyes, but the rabbit threw a half eaten carrot at his face and got him right between the eyes.

“I swear I’m going to skin you alive you…” Cold stone was going to threaten when Fluttershy reappeared with a plate of small, round, disks made of…something…with bits of chocolate, and a tea set with good smelling steam coming out of the tea pot.

“Here, I thought you would like something sweet to eat, so I brought some leftover cookies from one of Pinkie's parties.” Fluttershy placed the plate of ‘cook-ee’s’ and tea onto the table and poured tea into small cups.

Cold stone hesitated for a moment before he used his mouth to grab a single ‘cook-ee’ and took a single bite of it. The baked tasted alright to Cold stone, it was a good balance between soft and chewy and the chocolate in it exploded with flavor, it’s just Cold was never a baked goods kind of stallion.

“It tastes pretty good, but I'm not a fan of chocolate.” Cold stone admitted as he finished and grabbed another.

“Oh, do you want me to get something else?” Fluttershy asked with a slightly worried expression.

“No, it’s fine. I should be grateful you even gave me food.” Cold stone lowered his head as his voice got quiet.

“Well of course I would, you are my guest and new friend.” Fluttershy stated with a kind smile, causing Cold stones eyes to widen under his blindfold in disbelief.

“Are you kidding me, we barely know each other and I'm basically your prisoner until I can satisfy that princess of yours. Besides I should be the last pony you should be friends with, especially a mare like you…” Cold looked away with a somber express. Fluttershy sifted closer and grabbed Cold's hooves, making him face her in surprise.
“You shouldn’t say things like. Sure you did bad things in the past, but that's because Sombra made you do those things. Besides, I can tell deep inside you is a kind hearted stallion that just needs somepony.” Fluttershy hooves grasped Cold stones tighter as she gave him a determined expression.

Cold stone stayed in a stud silence at the shy mare's sudden persistence as he stared into her ocean blue eyes. Fluttershy then realized her sudden actions and recoiled back with an embarrassed ‘eep’.

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Fluttershy apologized. Cold stone then surprised Fluttershy when he cracked a small smile himself.

“It’s fine just…let's drop this topic for tonight.” He grabbed the tea cup in his hooves and took a sip of the jasmine tea that had a hint of sugar.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
???-3rd person

A tall, lanky, figure of a pony shakenly trotted through the Everfree in a seemingly random direction. It made moans of agony as it trudged along, with the cackle of something dark almost obscuring it.

The figure itself looked like a normal pony that had its limbs stretched out, skin stretched over its foreleg joints. Its fur would have been a beautiful pattern of strip if it weren’t for black, oily splotches decorating most of its body. The creature had a long and sharp horn on top of its forehead, with it fading from red to black from the top to the base.

Two Timberwolves jumped out of the trees and blocked the creatures path, the wooden creatures snarling in an attempt to frighten their prey. The creature only laughed in amusement at the Timberwolves as its sharp horn lit up with a dark magical energy. One of the Timberwolves tried to pounce at the creature, only to yelp in surprise when the same dark magic surrounded its body. Suddenly, the wolf started to howl in pain as it started to decompress on itself, soon becoming the size of a large hoofball.

The second timber wolf was about to avenge his fallen comrade when the creature appeared behind it in a flash, and grasped the upper and lower jaw of the Timber wolf. With a sickening cracking sound, the jaw of the Timber wolf was ripped off with sap spilling on the forest floor.

The creature dropped the Timberwolves corpse and was about to continue its trot, before the sound of multiple growls sounded behind it. The creature looked back to see at least 20 Timberwolves all staring at it with hungry eyes.

The creature scoffed as it again charged its horn with a wide, evil grin.

“You pests will know how to bow to your new king.”