//------------------------------// // Answers // Story: not so lonesome road // by Xerain //------------------------------// Ulysses walked briskly through the halls of the Canterlot Royal Palace, his goal of the throne room beckoning him like a siren. The massive doors of the room halted his walk, as did two guards. "Halt!" One said. "What is your business here?" Ulysses glared at him. "Need answers." he said. "Your leader will give them." The guard gave him a defensive look. "Have you set up an appointment with her majesty?" He asked. Ulysses narrowed his eyes. "Won't need one," he said. The guard narrowed his eyes as well. "Then I can't let you pass." He said sternly. Ulysses only glared at him. "You have no jurisdiction over me. Not of this world, not of your people." He ignored the guard's threatening words, Pushing open the massive doors to the throne room. The pair of guards tried to subdue him. A flash of a golden eagle was the last sight they saw before succumbing to unconciousness. The guards fell in the throne room with an echoing thud. "What is the meaning of this?" A regal voice bellowed. Princess Celestia stood from her throne, approaching the figure of Ulysses calmly standing between two unconcious guards. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Need answers," he said simply. His baritone voice echoed in the room. "Are you the leader of this nation?" He asked. Celestia narrowed her eyes further. "What does it matter to you?" she asked simply. Ulysses gave a stern look. "Want to know the history of this land." He replied. Celestia gave him a cold look. "What makes you think I'll answer your questions after you attacked my guards?" She asked coolly. Ulysses only stared in response. "What makes you think you won't be punished?" "You and I both have answers. I will answer your questions, in return, you will answer mine." Ulysses stated calmly. Celestia glared at him. "Who are you?" she asked. "My name is Ulysses." He replied. Celestia gave a confused look. "That's not a name any normal pony would have. What does it mean?" "A man, brought two flags together under one, but lost himself in doing so." he stated simply. Celestia continued to stare at him in confusion. "What does that mean?" she asked, Bewildered at his words. "History of the Old World. My world." Ulysses replied. "Not of this land, as I've said. From a different world, where the Old World ceased to be, and a new one rose from it's ashes." Celestia stood dumbfounded. Ulysses continued. "How I arrived here, unknown to me. I know this isn't the world I come from." "What world do you come from?" She asked hesitantly, Her suspicions of an attack replaced with pure confusion. Ulysses sighed. "One where the flames of war scar the land. A world consumed by hate, anger. The once proud race of humanity, reduced to near extinction by the fires of radiation." He said somberly. Celestia's gaze softened. She wasn't expecting a traveler of another world to barge in her throne room, let alone during one of Canterlots most busy events. "That... is horrible." She said. She straitened her gaze. "Be that as it may, You still attacked my guards and barged in here unannounced. What say you in your defence?" Ulysses Looked her in the eye. "Never meant to hurt your people, Only wanted answers." Ulysses said. "They are only unconcious, only minor harm befell them. Please, Excuse my actions." Celestia Sighed. "You are either extremely brave, or incredibly stupid." She said."I forgive your actions, But You must apologize to the guards you knocked out." Ulysses nodded "I presume you have questions of your own?" Ulysses nodded again. "What is the name of this world." He asked. Celestia smiled. "This is the gracious land of Equestria." She said proudly. "Please let me be the first to formally welcome you to my land." Ulysses nodded. "What is it's history?" he asked. Celestia gave him a questioning look. "What do you mean?" she asked. "What is the history of this land?" he asked again. Celestia sighed. "This land has so much history," She started. "I would tell you it, but unfortunately I have a wedding to oversee in my palace. I will gladly tell you more when the wedding is finished." Ulysses nodded. Celestia gave him an apologetic look. "Fair enough," he said monotonously. "I will observe this wedding. Gain knowledge of your customs." Celestia nodded in response. A groan from nearby alerted the two that the guards have awakened. "Ugh, What happened?" one said. He looked over to Ulysses, standing up and giving him a glare. "Intruder!" He yelled. Ulysses glared at him. The guard charged, ready to strike. Ulysses readied Old Glory. "STOP!" Celestia shouted. The guard froze in his tracks. "You are not to harm this stallion, He is my honored guest during the wedding." she said. The guard looked at her confused. "But Ma'am, he barged in here. I thought he was going to attack you." he said. Celestia gave him a stern look. "I am sure our guest here intended no harm, and is truly sorry for what he did." She looked towards Ulysses. "Isn't that right?" He nodded. She looked back towards the guard. "You are dismissed." The guard frowned but still saluted. He turned around and walked out of the room, the other close behind him. "Seems as though your ponies don't trust me. Understandable." Ulysses stated. Celestia smiled at him. "In time they may trust you," She said assuringly. "In the meantime, do you have any place to rest?" Ulysses frowned and looked out of a nearby window. The rich color of dusk illuminated the sky. Ulysses shook his head. "No." he replied. Celestia smiled again. "Then I welcome you to stay in my castle. At least until we find better accomadations for you." she said. Ulysses sighed. "Thank you," He started. "Don't feel tired. Want to walk, want to think." He said as he turned and left. "Where will I be staying?" Celestia pointed a hoof out the door, which was still wide open. "Down the hall, on your right. There will be a hallway. At the end of it will be your room for now." She said. Ulysses nodded and left, Closing the massive doors behind him. Later The cool air felt strangely pleasant to Ulysses, who walked silently in the courtyard. He turned his head towards the sky, gazing at the twinkling stars above. The sight was soothing to him, and he felt strangely at ease. That was until he bumped into a lone unicorn walking the streets. Twilight Sparkle gasped and fell. "Ow! Hey! Watch wher-" She started, But stopped when she saw the face of whom she bumped into. "Sorry," She said meekly, Standing up and getting ready to continue walking. Ulysses could see something was troubling the young mare, and stopped her mid-stride. "Something troubling you?" He asked monotonously. Twilight sighed. "Shining Armor is in real danger, And nopony believes me." She said. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is evil!" Ulysses stared at her. "This princess, not who she seems. Hiding something. Planning." He said. "Your suspicions of her may be correct." Twilight looked at him in shock. "You believe me?" Ulysses nodded. "Watched her when we first encountered. Face full of deceit, lies." he started. "Feels as if she's spying, scouting, for a weakness in the defence." Ulysses deadpanned. Twilight gave him a trusting look. "We'll have to talk to her about it tomorrow." She said. Ulysses gave her a nod. "When the truth dawns, I'll be there." He said before walking off. Later. Ulysses sighed as he layed onto the bed, feeling the soft matress caress his tired body. His thoughts drifted off, wandering to the events of the day, before settling into a restful slumber. Unaware of the actions that would happen in the future.