POV: 7000 years ago: Some forest in the middle of somewhere.
I groaned as I awakened.
Never before in my life had I felt as bad as I did now. I felt like a soda can that had been rolled around in a cement mixer, then been run over repeatedly by a steam roller. In short, I felt a bit worse than crap.
Rubbing the back of my head, I slowly stood up and took in my surroundings. It appeared to be a forest of sorts. The trees stood straight and proud, thick and full of leaves, while the ground was littered with bushes, brambles, and the like. If I listened carefully, I could hear the faint sounds of a river nearby. It all seemed normal, but at the same time, I could tell it was something unfamiliar and alien.
As I scanned the area, I became conscious of a low growling noise. I whipped around wildly, looking for the source of the strange noise, but saw nothing. This made me cautious, as it sounded suspiciously like a wolf, but from what I knew about wolves, they would probably leave me alone if I left the immediate area.
Speaking of which....
I looked around before setting off in a random direction. Usually I have a pretty good sense of direction, but I guess the fall had messed that up pretty good. As it was, there appeared to be no other way of telling which way was north, and with those wolves and Lord knows what's out there, I wasn't really picky about what direction I ended up going.
After about an estimated three or four hours of walking in one direction, I became aware that the wolves seemed to still be following me. Surely I had gotten out of their territory by now? Unless... I began walking faster, listening to the panting in the trees. I didn't know how many were out there, but I sure didn't want to find out.
Eventually the noises disappeared, until the only sound was of my breathing. This worried me even more, since before, I had at least known that something was out there. Now I had no idea if anything was watching me.
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A few hours later, night had fallen, and I was forced to set up camp. I had found a nice small cave, perfect for someone my size, that lay beside a small stream I assumed trickled down from the river. Right now, I was attempting to light a fire, using the 'two sticks' method, and I was failing miserably. After my fifth try, I became aware of the growling.
'Great, they're back.'
Except this time, I actually saw them. I could only stare as they emerged from the bushes to stand in the moonlight. There were a total of seven wolves. But these wolves were different from any I had seen before. They were made of wood and vines, and had glowing green eyes.
I face-palmed as I remembered Ares saying something about another world. I had been so stupid to instantly assume that creatures here would be similar to those on Earth, and now I was about to pay the price for my ignorance.
But I wasn't going down without a fight.
I crouched into a fighting stance. The wolves sensed my hostility and spread out in a semi-circle around me. Trying to flank me huh?
'Clever girls' I thought, attempting to keep an eye on each of them.
I heard one coming and I turned, knocking it to the side with a right hook. I stared at my fist in surprise. I had never remembered being this strong before! 'Must've been part of the power package Ares gave me' I thought, as another wolf jumped from my other side. I caught that one too and deflected it. However, a third wolf sensing an opening, had leaped a me as I swung at the second, and had latched itself to my arm. I screamed in pain before flinging it off me. I was beginning to get pissed.
"You bastards think you can take me? Well, BRING IT ON!!!!"
As soon as I uttered those words, I felt a change come over me. It felt like I had eaten a case of Jalapeño peppers and could feel the heat course through my veins. I looked down and noticed the wolves were getting smaller. No, wait, I was getting bigger! I continued to grow until I stood at about eight feet tall. Even the wolves seemed to be wondering if messing with me was a good idea.
I grinned, then charged the wooden dogs. This was going to be fun.
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3rd POV: Present Day: Palace throne room
Celestia could only stare. Rage, the creature that had destroyed half of Manehatten 7000 years ago, was currently collapsed on the floor before her, a nervous wreck releasing any and all insanity that had been pent up during his time encased in stone.
She had never stopped to consider that maybe, just maybe, those that been petrified by the Elements of Harmony were still conscious and aware of everything that happened around them. Then, for Rage to have been in such a condition for 7000 years.... It was a miracle that he hadn't turned out like Discord. But then again, Discord hadn't been all there before he had been imprisoned either.
Truly, all Celestia could feel was sorrow for Rage, despite everything he had done. No one should have to experience what he had gone through, no matter the crime. She opened her mouth to speak...
"Silence foul being!" Luna yelled in her royal Canterlot voice. "Thy pleas for mercy art overwhelmed by the sounds of thy past misdeeds! It shall be back to the gardens for thou!"
"Now sister," Celestia said calmly, "Let's not be too hasty. After all, seven millennia is a long time to reflect on one's past actions and create a new plan for the future. Don't you agree?
"What! Thou wouldst give a second chance to this thing that caused so much destruction?!" Luna could not believe what her older sister was saying.
Celestia frowned. "Against my better judgement, yes."
Luna seethed, but she knew that once the solar princess had made up her mind, there was almost no going back. "Very well," she conceded. "But you hadst better be right about this, sister."
Rage looked up at the two princesses, a look of disbelief etched upon his face. "Wait, so you're not going to turn me back to stone?"
"That's right." Celestia replied, inclining her head slightly. "Since you've opened my eyes to the mental and emotional pain and stress of being encased in stone can be, I feel that I should repay you by aiding in your recovery."
"Rage narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the solar diarch. "I'd thank you for your surprisingly kind offer, but something tells me that it's not quite going to be the freedom I'm hoping for."
"You would be correct. Now, as I mentioned earlier, seven millennia is a long time to reflect on your past actions. In return for granting your "freedom", I want you to undergo reformation and become a lawful citizen of Equestria."
At these words, the entire room erupted into exclamations and statements of disbelief.
"But Princess Celestia," Twilight exclaimed. "How do you expect him to accomplish that?!"
"Why, with your help." Celestia said.
"M-m-me?!" Twilight squeaked.
"Yes," Celestia smiled. "Think of it as a friendship lesson, 'How to share friendship with others'".
"B-b-but..." Twilight looked helplessly from her mentor to Rage.
"Celetia lowered her head until she was looking Twilight in the eyes. "Twilight, I have full faith in your ability to do this." She raised her head back up. "And your friends can help you too, of course."
The six mares looked at each other nervously, before turning back to the solar diarch.
"We won't fail you, princess Celestia." Twilight said, as the others gave nods of acceptance.
Celestia smiled, then addressed Rage. "Very well, tomorrow, you will leave for the nearby town of Ponyville, where you will live with and learn friendship from my student and her friends. Do we have an agreement?"
Rage was about to answer, when he was interrupted by a still irritated Luna.
"Ridiculous!" snapped Luna, "He would be gone as soon as they turned their backs. How do we know that he'll even honor this agreement?"
Rage nodded. "As much as I hate to admit it, your sister has a point. We've only really known each other as enemies, so how do you know I'll stick to the 'plan'?"
"Do not worry," Celestia's horn began to glow. "I have an idea that could possibly work."
There was a *POP* and a roll of parchment appeared before them. Using her magic, Princess Celestia unrolled the parchment, revealing a short paragraph of golden writing:
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In return for his freedom, the being known as Rage shall undergo reformation with the intent of becoming a force of good and a law-abiding protector of Equestria.
In accordance with this claim, Rage must meet the conditions listed below:
1. "He shall be moved to Ponyville, where he shall remain under the constant watch of my student, Twilight Sparkle, and her friends."
2."He shall do his best to help and protect the citizens of Ponyville and not harm them in any way."
3."He will learn to control and divert his anger, and to make himself a kind and peaceful being."
4."He will make some friends."
"The failure to follow any or all of these conditions will resort to him (Rage) losing his chance at redemption, and he will instead be re-petrified, cast into Tartarus, or suffer any punishment that myself and my sister Luna deem necessary."
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"Does this seem acceptable?" Celestia asked, after everyone had read the letter.
"It is detailed, but how does this help with the problem?" Luna questioned.
"Simple, when Rage signs this paper, he will establish a link with it. Now, if he were to break any part of this 'contract', the paper with catch on fire, alerting us to his attempt to flee or attack our subjects. Then we may act accordingly. Now Rage, if you would be so kind."
The human grudgingly took the quill offered to him and signed his name at the bottom of the parchment, but not before slowly re-reading the paper grumbling about "the power of paperwork" and "feeling like he was selling his soul".
The moment Rage finished signing his name, the parchment immediately rolled itself up, before disappearing in a flash.
There was a moment of silence, then Rage spoke up.
"So, what happens now?"
Celestia smirked at him as she turned in preparation to lower the sun. "Now, you start your probation."