POV: 3rd person
Celestia approached Twilight and her friends, still consoling a somewhat traumatized Rainbow Dash. Rarity was the first to notice her.
"Oh princess, you have to re-petrify that brute now! I mean, look what he almost did to Rainbow!"
What she did not expect, however, was the disappointed expression plastered on Celestia's face. By this point, the rest of the mane 6 had noticed it too, and were understandably confused. Why was Celestia upset with them?
"I can see why you blame Rage for this occurrence, and I can almost completely sympathize with you. However, the blame could also be laid on you ponies." Celestia was clearly trying to control the anger in her voice.
"But...but princess..." Applejack stuttered.
"Do not 'but princess' me, Honesty. You of all ponies can tell that what I'm saying is true." Celestia thundered. Applejack lowered her head in shame. Celestia continued, "I understand that you were upset when Rage messed with Twilight, but that is no excuse to knock him to the floor!" She glared pointedly at Rainbow Dash, "And resorting to biting? When did you lower your pride and standards to biting your opponents?! I am very disappointed with you ponies."
The mane 6 all had their ears laid back and their heads drooped in shame. It hurt that they had failed the Celestia's expectations, but she was right nonetheless. They had greatly overreacted to a harmless joke. They all glanced over at Rupert, who had sensed the sun deities anger and had curled up into a small, trembling, furry ball. Maybe they could make it up to him sometime..... Maybe.
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POV: 1st person: 7000 years ago
I had thoroughly searched the basement/cellars for any form of life. At this point, even a skeleton in a closet would be welcome. But there was nothing interesting there. I continued searching the maze of hallways underneath the ruin, checking for secret rooms like they did in the movies. (What? If there are going to be secret rooms, where else would they be?)
After what seemed to be a couple hours passed, I had checked every room and hall on the basement floor. Dejected, I began my walk back to the spiral stairway that had brought me here. I was tempted to double check the walls as I retraced my steps back to the steps (heh, heh), but quickly dismissed the thought. If I did that, there was a good chance I would never get out of here.
I had climbed about halfway up the stairs, when I tripped over a loose stone. I fell and grabbed one of the moth eaten banners that lined the wall. Now, considering that I was expecting said banner to stop my fall, it was needless to say that I was sorely disappointed. (OK, no more puns...maybe.) I continued my fall and smacked my face into the stairs. I released my grip on the banner and sat up grabbing my face.
"Gah, that hurts!" I screamed. Luckily, I couldn't feel any blood, the worst seeming to be a bruised face. 'Hmm, maybe my skin was a bit tougher too.' It was then that I registered the whirring noise. I looked up, just in time to see a portion of the central column swing inward, revealing a hidden staircase spiraling downwards. 'A stairway within a stairway, classy.' I thought as I began my descent.
I eventually reached what I assumed to be the bottom of the secret stairs. Before me stood a solid wooden door. 'Well it can't be that solid after all this time.'
POW!!!
'That is a very solid door.'
Nearly breaking my arm during my initial charge, I sat back and examined the door. Unlike the rest of the doors in the ruin, it was still in one piece, and there wasn't a speck of dust, cobwebs, or rust anywhere on or around it. "Is it magic?" I wondered aloud as I reached out to touch it. Imagine my surprise when it opened with a push.
Once I had gotten over getting mind raped and had stopped bashing my head against the wall, I proceeded into the chamber beyond the door. I looked around for a moment before my eyes fixated on the centerpiece of the empty room, and my eyes bugged out. Lying there, on what appeared to be a stone table (and it was a table, it had the four legs and everything), was a full set of samurai armor, minus the helmet. I approached it slowly, waiting for any traps that might be ready to launch.
I reached the table without trouble and studied the armor. It looked real, but the thought of human armor in a world that, so far, had not yielded any evidence of human activity, was somewhat suspicious. Oh well, waste not, want not. I grabbed the chest piece and lifted it, finding it surprisingly light. After a few minutes of struggling and adjusting, I had succeeded in putting the first piece of armor correctly. It fit rather well. I took some time to put the rest of it on, briefly wondering what had happened to the helmet, before leaving the room and returning to the ground floor.
Upon emerging from the basement floor, I was struck by the morning sun. Then it occurred to me. I didn't know just how long I had been down there, but I was sure as hell tired now. Not even bothering to take off my armor, I walked over to one of the many corners and lay down. Next thing I knew, I was out.
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I woke up the next morning....day....week..... I don't know how long I slept, all I know is that I woke up and that's what's important!
Anyway, I woke up. After rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I stood and made my way to the front doors. The sun was rising, that's good. It meant that I had a whole day to wander around and look for those princesses that Ares wanted me to find. (Hah, you thought I had forgotten didn't you?) I sighed. I really wanted to stay here, but the sooner I found royalty, the sooner I could get back home.
Cracking my neck, I stepped out the doors in my new armor, and began making my way through the forest, constantly aware for the sounds of those wolves of any other monster that wanted to pick a bone with me.
After roughly about ten minutes, I sighed in relief and broke into a jog as I spied the edge of the forest. I emerged to find myself on a small hill overlooking a rolling plains with a few trees, the largest of which could serve as a house by itself, but who would do something silly like that. I scanned the area and my gaze landed on what appeared to be a large settlement on the horizon, just close enough that I could barely see it. I stared for a moment before shrugging. 'Might as well.' I thought, and began to make my way towards it. If I was going to find the princesses anywhere, that looks like a good place to start.
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POV: Rage's mind: Present Day
I was jogged out of my memories when I felt the hoof on my shoulder. I turned my head to see Celestia standing behind me. I admit, I was startled, but she merely smiled at me. I dropped my gaze and she spoke.
"Rage, there is nothing to be afraid of."
My head snapped up again and I glared at her. "Nothing to be afraid of?! I almost killed somepony! I swore that would never happen again and I almost did it on the second day of my release! You try going through that and tell me that there's nothing to be afraid of!"
Celestia had stepped back from my outburst, a look of shock on her face.
I dropped my head again. "I'm sorry for losing my cool like that."
She smiled sadly, before approaching me again and laying a hoof on my shoulder. "I apologize." she said, "You're right. I don't know what it's like to go through that, but I do know one thing. As long as there is somepony willing to forgive you, you will have nothing to fear."
I looked down at her. She smiled, and I felt warm and calm inside.
"Now then," she said. "might we return to the real world now? I believe that there are some ponies in need of an apology."
I smiled slightly and nodded as Celestia disappeared. I closed my eyes and waited to take back control.
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There was a *POOF* of smoke and Rupert was replaced by me. The first thing I noticed was there was something furry on my head. I reached up and touched it, there was a quiet squeak, and a yellow pegasus shot down to her friends. Speaking of friends, I looked over at them and saw their mixed stares. Celestia and Luna stood beside them, both of them smiling. (Albeit Luna's looked more sadistic than I would've liked).
My attention was once again drawn to the mane 6 as the orange one, Applejack, I believe, took a step forward.
"I'm mighty sorry about beat'n on you earlier." She said, clearly ashamed of what she had done.
Rarity stepped forward next. "Me too, it was awfully unladylike of me. Could you ever forgive me."
Pinkie pie was suddenly up in my face, bawling her eyes out and gripping me In a hug. "Wahhhhh! I hurt my bestest friend, and now he won't want to be one of my bestest friend anymore!"
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her extreme behavior.
One by one, the other three also apologized for hurting me, and I apologized to Rainbow Dash, even though I knew it would take more than that to make us comfortable around each other again.
After everypony, and I had finished our make-up session with a group hug, we were addressed by Celestia. "I'm very glad that you were all able to set aside your differences, like good friends should." She said, smiling.
I paused. 'Good friends.' I looked back down at the ponies. I never thought we would be considered friends so soon, but I knew Celestia was right. 'Perhaps this will work out better than I thought it would.'
'I know it will.'
I looked up in surprise, but Celestia only winked. I smiled back, thankful for her help. It was hard to imagine that at one time we had both been enemies.
My thoughts were broken by the sound of a terrified gasp.
"Hurry everypony! We're going to miss our train!" Twilight cried in horror.
Celestia chuckled softly. "I've had the guards take your bags to the station, so you can head there immediately."
"Thank you princess!" Twilight said, bowing quickly before taking off towards the door. "Come on everypony!"
The others took quick bows and charged after Twilight with me close behind. At the door, I stopped and looked back over to Celestia.
"I won't let you down princess." I said. Celestia made a shooing motion with a hoof, and I took off, hoping to catch up with my new friends.
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Luna turned to her sister, "Tia, We can't believe thou actually forgave him."
Celestia glanced at Luna, "He is not evil Lulu. Not like so many others out there. He is simply....misguided."
Luna returned her stare after their former enemy. "I hope so."