//------------------------------//
// Celestia's Mercy 
// Story: Fluttershy's Silent Guardian 
// by Z-A-C 
//------------------------------//

I stand by the cell door, waiting for this "Celestia." They say she is kind, but knowing royalty...I will know if she asks these two to leave. But if she is anything like Twilight and Fluttershy I have little to worry about. I sat down because I was tired of standing, and the doors opened. "Of course she chooses when I sit back back down." I thought to myself and shook my head, standing back up. A horse sized pony with multi-colored hair walked out with Twilight. They walked up to my cell and Celestia looked like she was measuring me up. I rolled my eyes and waited for her to speak. Thankfully she didn't make me wait any longer.

"You are Viktor, I pressume?"

"да."

She raised an eyebrow. "You speak as though you come from Stalliongrad."

"In my world it's called Stalingrad." I stated.

"I see. Twilight tells me you watched over her during the Summer Sun Celebration."

"She speaks the truth."

"She also tells me that you saved Fluttershy from bears. Is that also true?"

"да."

"Пожалуйста, говорите по конному спорту. Вы же не хотите, чтобы запутать Twilight или Fluttershy." She asked kindly.

"Ok, as you wish." I said with little disgust.

"Thank you. So you are of a species known as 'Human' and come from another dimension?"

"Or so I believe. I am pretty sure you already know how I got here."

"And how would I know that?"

"Your 'Faithful Student' seems to have told you everything I have said when she went to bring you here. I am not some stupid animal Princess, I can tell you know everything Twilight knows about me."

"I see. Then do you know why I'm here?"

"Enlighten me." I said with an agitated voice.

"I am here to see if you were being truthful."

"And how do you plan on finding out?"

"You will find out soon. But first, would mind telling me why you're so hostile towards me?"

"I do not take kindly to being locked up."

She nodded her head. "I see, but you must be for what happens next."

I raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?"

She asked Twilight and Fluttershy to leave, and I glared at Celestia, ready for what she might do. Once Twilight and Fluttershy were gone, Celestia turned back towards me and opened the cell door. Her horn started to glow and she walked towards me. I backed up until I was against the wall. She lowered her horn and leaned towards my head. I moved to the left and reached down for my boot knife, and it was still there. I smiled as I grabbed it and pressed it against her neck. All in a matter of seconds. Needless to say, she was surprised. "What?! When did you!?"

"Нет больше трюков сука. Did Twilight not tell you I am Special Forces?"

"I wasn't trying to be hostile." She said in a calm voice. "I was simply going to go into your recent memories to see if you were telling the truth."

"You are...too calm. Do you not understand the position you are in?"

She chuckled. "That I do. I have lived over a thousand years, and have had many threats made on my life every few years." Her voice turned to a serious tone. "You do not scare me Viktor. I want you to think about something, and think quickly; Do you really want to tread down this path? Because I can assure you that it's very short, and ends with you staying here. If I'm kind. Understood?"

"I could kill you with just a flick of my wrist." I shrugged. "But if you have been able to survive a thousand years with countless death threats, Is not hard decision to make." I said taking to knife away from her neck and re-sheathing it.

Her voice turned kind again. "Wise choice. Now, will you allow me to use the spell?"

"нет, I do not trust magic. It may be save for ponies but what if it isn't safe for me? I do not want to take that chance."

"An understandable concern." She nodded. "I don't know why I didn't think of it."

"You will just have to trust me Princess. I have been watching over Fluttershy for years. Even protected her during the night before she came to Ponyville. Why would I hurt what I have protected?"

She smiled and nodded. "I can sense the sincerity in your voice. You do indeed speak the truth."

"Yes, I wish your world no ill will. You can trust me on that."

She nodded. "I indeed think that I can. As Princess, I officially welcome you to Equestria."

"Thank you Princess." I nodded. "Now since that is over, when is dinner? Twilight brought me only two pieces of bread! That was not enough."

She laughed. "I will take you to the royal dining room, I will have the Elements of Harmony join us. Follow me."

She led me to the dining room and the six ponies were waiting for us. "She must have told Twilight in advance." I thought as I walked toward the table and found a seat. I looked over at everyone sitting down. Some of their faces did not say good things, namely Applejack's. The only ponies that were happy to see that I was here was Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Twilight. Rarity remained neutral it seemed

"Что? Not happy to see me?" I asked Applejack.

"Not really," She said flatly. "Do you know how bad the headache Ah had when I woke up was?"

"All too well, I suffered worse in training. You should be happy!"

"Oh yeah? Why's that?"

"I could have killed you." And after that, I think the headache did not seem that bad. "Anyway, how is everyone?"

"I'm fine, thank you for asking."

"I'm super okay! kinda hungry though but not bad."

"I'm glad that everything went well."

"I'm um fine thanks for asking."

Rainbow grumbled and Applejack looked away. "What is wrong Rainbow. Not happy to see me either?"

"No."

I blinked a few times, not really expecting the blunt response. Celestia raised an eyebrow and Twilight looked at Rainbow, but I'm the only one that spoke. "And why not?"

"Because you hurt Applejack!"

"Tell me; Would you prefer her hurt or dead?"

She seemed taken aback by my question. "N-neither!"

"Not an option!" I yelled. "If you prefer her dead I can grant your wish. So I will ask you again; Hurt or dead?"

"H-hurt..."

"Is what I thought. But I will tell you that even if you wanted her dead, you would have to do it yourself. Ебать это дерьмо."

"Viktor," Celestia said. "Language."

"What?! They don't know what I said." Our plates arrive and were set in front of us. The food looked familiar but I wasn't sure. "What is this?" I asked.

The pony looked at me with a strange look on his face. "It is a dandelion salad mixed with rare herbs found in the Everfree forest, topped with a sweet cherry dressing."

"And the side dish?"

"That would be caramelized apples."

"Sounds good. спасибо."

"Your quite welcome Sir."

I looked over at everyone and saw that they all had something different. I then looked at Celestia. "Did you tell the chef to wing it?" She smiled and started eating. I laughed and did the same. "Oh this is good."

"That is one of my favorite dishes." Said Celestia. "I will tell the chef you like it."

"No, I will do it later. Thank you though Princess."

"Augh! I can't stand it!" Rainbow yelled, stomping a hoof on the table. "I can't take anymore of your smug attitude!"

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight yelled.

I stopped Twilight before she started. "No, let her finish. I am curious about what she has to say."

"Stop sucking up to the Princess and my friends!" She looked at Celestia. "Don't you find it just a little creepy that he's been watching us?"

"Even though you asked Celestia, I think I shall answer this." I said standing up. "Perhaps you all should have been in the room when I was discussing everything with Fluttershy." Applejack and Rarity looked at each other, and Rainbow retained the look of rage. "I have only watched Fluttershy for an extended amount of time. Not all of you. The only time I watched all of you at once was when Nightmare Moon tried to take over."

"And why should I believe you!?" Rainbow said.

"You don't have too." I shrugged. "But I am telling the truth. And I will admit that it was a little bit creepy watching her, yes. But that is not all I was doing."

"What else were ya doing then?" Applejack asked.

"Made a house in a tree, saved a filly from a manticore, took care of that filly when she was sick and watched over her like she was my own."

"Really?" Celestia asked. "May I ask how you took of her?"

"I found out what plants were edible and feed those. I don't know how many times I've gotten sick just trying new plants."

"And where is this filly now?"

"Possibly on her way home." I shrugged. "I do not know, she left for old country earlier today."

"Hmm...I see."

"Well I don't care!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "You're just a creepy, dumb animal!" Everyone gasped and I walked over to Rainbow Dash.

I patted her head. "It displeases me that you think so, Rainbow Dash. But I will not tell you what to think. Just know this; Your dearest friend may not have lived through that night. If it wasn't for me, she wouldn't be alive right now. Just keep that in mind."

"Get away from me!" Then she bucked me in the stomach. It did not do what she thought it would. I stumbled a foot backwards. She flew off shortly after.

"She has....issues, yeah?" I said.

"I am terribly sorry Viktor!" Rarity apologizes for her. "Didn't that...hurt?"

"Of course it hurt. I just know how to take it." I shrugged. "Anyway, Celestia, I would like to discuss transport back to my world."

"I'm sure Rainbow Dash will warm up to you."

"нет, it is not because of her. I have a family you know. I would like to get back to them if possible."

"Hmm...I'm not sure it can be done. I have heard of such magic but I'm not sure it exists."

I sighed. "It is...okay if there isn't a way. They are strong. I'm sure they moved on by now..." I shook my head. "If you all will excuse, I am going back home. I want to see if Zecora is back."

"I-of course Viktor. Let me take you to your things."

"B-but..." Fluttershy squeaked.

"Yes?" I said. She shook her head and lowered it. I continued to follow Celestia to where my weapons were.

It seems that I will not be able to go home.