Hooves and Hands: A Dimensional Crossing of Worlds

Luna flew as fast as her body would allow, with the carrying of 8 humans and 4 ponies and all. Merasmus took control of Canterlot, and Celestia along with it. They flew for what had seemed like hours, and even Alexi’s iron grip was loosening before they reached Ponyville. With a thud, the others dropped from Luna’s hooves and ran into Twilights house. Alexi was the last through the door, and quickly slammed it.

“We have problem. BIG problem.”

“You’re telling me!” Pinkie exclaimed. “That big meany just forced his way into power! THIS IS VERY BAD!”

“Da, I know is bad. We need plan.”

“What is your brilliant idea this time Alexi? Climb over the walls again to those zombie ponies? Or maybe we’ll just sit here and wait till this blows over and Merasmus has had his fun!” William was angry now, everything that Alexi did always seemed to backfire. What would they do?

“You better watch your mouth you tight pressed son of bitch!”

“What are you gonna do about it IGNORAMOUS!”

Alexi’s hand began to clench into a fist

“Don’t like that? Oh what’s another one…”

“You will be sorry you did this…”

Preston chimed in

“MONSTER!”

Alexi’s eyes glared at Preston, flames nearly bursting out of his ears.

“What did you call me!?”

“Y…you heard me….YOUR A FUCKING MONSTER!” Preston shouted again, feeling good that he had finally stood up to Alexi.

Alexi was furious, he hated that word. He was not a monster, but if they felt that way it looked like he would have to prove it. He stormed near Preston and grabbed him by the collar.

“Bad decision weakling!” He threw him to the ground, the floor nearly cracking under the pressure.

“No one calls me monster….” He began to reach for his gun.

He wielded his gun and pointed it strait at Preston.

“STOP!” came a loud female voice

Rainbow Dash flew in front of Alexi, forcing him to lower his weapon.

“This is going to get us NO WHERE! We can’t fight amongst ourselves like this!”

“She is right.” Replied Luna. “If we fight ourselves, that madman wins.”

“Put it down Alexi.” Rainbow Dash said in a stern voice.

Alexi, now fuming with rage, begrudgingly holstered his handgun and stared at Preston, moving his fingers to his eyes to let the boy know he was watching him. He then turned to Luna.

“Princess, what did you see?”

“I saw my sister transformed…one moment I heard screaming…” she began to cry. “Next I see HIM morphing her into his slave…”

Twilight and Applejack went to comfort the distraught princess while Alexi paced the floor in thought.

“What’s the plan Alexi?” Rainbow Dash said as she flew over to her lover, discretely giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“I…I do not know.”

“S…s…so the GREAT ALEXI h…h…has no plan?” Preston said finally as Fluttershy was helping him up.”

“Don’t make him mad again love.” She said softly

“He’s all out of i…i…ideas.” He said to her “And I’m d…d…done with him”

He got up and approached Alexi.

“Your p…p…plans have always failed! Y…y…your nothing more than an o…overgrown dog! You beat me! You in…in…insult me! I AM DONE!”

Alexi just turned his head to look at the boy next to him. He didn’t do anything, he just let Preston stand up for himself. He was really quite proud of him for once.

“While you get angry, I have come up with plan.” He said in a very angry tone.

The group just stared at him, hoping that the Russian had come up with the most brilliant plan ever.

“Unfortunately, is very risky. I’m afraid only way to stop him… is to face him directly.”

Crap, just what they didn’t want to hear.

“Well, in case you haven’t noticed Alexi, Rarity and I don’t have any magic. Luna was depleted of hers so we won’t be getting any magical help.”

“I am well aware of that. We will all have to face him…together.”

“Care to explain?” William stated.

“Gladly. You see, If we all confront him, we can hopefully beat him. Is simple as that. Is only plan I have.”

“It’s a little too simple. He could easily overpower us.”

“I agree, but it is only hope…”

It was their only chance to defeat Merasmus. They agreed that Alexi’s plan was the only plan they would get, so, they stayed and planned their next move. How were they going to get back to Canterlot?

“This is DELICIOUS!” Merasmus said to himself in a giddy tone. “This magic is amazing!”

He levitated one of the statues that decorated the throne room, twirling it in the air before letting it crash to the ground.

“I don’t know why you don’t use this to your advantage Celestia.”

“You certainly use it better than I…” Celestia responded in a dead tone.

“I certainly do.” He chuckled diabolically to himelf.

“What about Luna, she will betray us master…”

“Don’t be so SILLY Celestia, she has no magic, and what can she do? Warn those silly little ponies? Please, Ponyville is under MY control, they wont find solitude there. Not there, not anywhere. They wouldn’t dare come for me, and even if they did, they are outmatched. We can let Luna live for now my dear princess. She will come to me soon enough…”

“But master…what about the Elements of Harmony?”

Merasmus looked confused. “The what?”

“The Elements of Harmony master…they can defeat all who stand in their way. It just so happens that those ponies are the bearers of them.”

Merasmus started to giggle.

“What is so funny master?”

“Celestia, those silly elements can’t do a thing to me. Not with your magic! It would simply bounce off of me. Besides, if what you say is true, then wouldn’t the elements be here in Canterlot? Safeguarded from others? They can’t possibly stop me with them. It’s utterly impossible.”

He stood up from his throne and walked to one of the many windows.

“They’re only hope…is hope. And they have none.”

Back in Ponyville…

“He has gained some pretty serious strength.” William said grimly

“What exactly can he do?” Twilight replied.

“Well, judging by what we saw in Canterlot, I’ll take an educated guess that he has taken the power from the unicorns to…make himself even more powerful. He brainwashed the ponies of Canterlot along with the guards, and Princess Celestia with it. He’s made himself uncontrollably powerful with their magic…”

The ponies stood baffled. They hadn’t seen somepony with the power of mind control since Discord was released. Could he be the reincarnation of the Chaotic lord? Certainly not, he was just a human. He couldn’t possibly have powers like discord. Chocolate rain, upside down buildings…

“How do we beat him?”

Alexi came forward

“We don’t, but we can still try.”

His words dropped their spirits like it was a brick.

“That doesn’t help us…If we can’t beat him why even try?”

“Because he hates hope, he cannot stand it. With it he is vulnerable.”

“So we need to hope in order to beat him?”

“Not exactly…”

“Then what do we do?”

“Is hard to explain, you must trust me. The stronger our wills, less he can do. But with power he has, he can easily manipulate you.”

They already decided to trust Alexi, but they were still skeptical about his plan. It wasn’t going to be easy to enter Canterlot, or would it?

“How will we be getting back to Canterlot?” Asked Twilight.

“Is simple really, we fly back on Princess Luna and suprise him.”

William confronted Alexi and his silly idea.

“So you want us to just walk through the front door?”

“Not walk, fly.”

“Whatever, he’ll be expecting us.”

“That is why we need distraction!”

Distraction? What could possibly serve as a distraction?

“How will we distract them?” Twilight said

“Is simple, one man, or pony, will distract guards long enough for us to slip by unnoticed!”

It was a simple plan indeed, but it was their only hope…

Suddenly, a knock came from the front door.

“Who could that possibly be?”

“Do not answer it…” Alexi said sharply.

“I doubt we’re in any danger Alexi.” Twilight said as she opened the door.

Boy was she wrong. They were greeted by black-eyed ponies, almost all of Ponyville. They were moaning, “Hail Merasmus…Hail Merasmus.”

“SHIT! SHUT DOOR!”

Alexi quickly ran and slammed the door in front of Twilight.

“We must leave…”

“But our plan…”

“We will have to…wing it…as you say. Everyone on Princess Luna!”

They grabbed onto Luna’s hooves, and burst through Twilights window, flying back into the shit storm that was Canterlot.

“I sense a disturbance…” Said Merasmus as he paced the throne room.

“What is it master…”

“It feels like…I don’t really know. Never had this feeling before.”

“It is probably nothing…”

“See now I don’t think so. Hold on a second.”

Merasmus cast an eerie black mist in front of him, casting what was very similar to a movie screen effect. There, he saw our heroes, flying by Lunas wings to Canterlot. He quickly waved the mist away.

“Shall I dispose of them…?”

“Indeed. Time to prove your worth…”

They could see Canterlot in the distance, sitting on the side of the mountain. The humans were beginning to fall asleep, all but Alexi, who’s rage kept him awake the entire duration of the trip. They heard a booming voice from the Canterlot Tower.

“GO CELESTIA! DESTROY THEM!”

“Damn! He knows we are coming!” Alexi yelled trying to wake up the rest of the group.

“Wha…what? What’s going on?” Replied William, stifling a yawn.

“Merasmus knows of our arrival! Take evasive maneuvers!”

“What does that mean?” Asked Luna.

“For love of God FLY THAT WAY!” and he pointed off into the distance. “Just try to avoid her!

“This is suicide Alexi! She can see us.”

“Is our only chance, LUNA! Keep flying!”

They didn’t make it far, before they had a chance to fly a few feet, Celestia rammed into Luna, causing her to spiral downwards. They landed on a rocky cliff side, pretty hard to. They stood up slowly, checking with each other to make sure they were alright. They were interrupted when a frightening roar from Celestia caught their attention.

“TIA!” Luna gave out with a frightened scream.

Celestia sped downwards towards them, she landed on the side and her horn lit up with a black aura. A mist appeared before them, and the shadowy figure of Merasmus stepped forth.

“Very good Celestia, good girl.” He patted the head of the hypnotized princess.

“Let me take them master…”

“Not yet my dear, but you’ll get your chance.” He looked at them with an evil sneer. “So, you ALL came to stop me? How funny!”

Alexi stepped forward. “You think this is JOKE!? We come to stop you, vile creature!”

“Oh quit being mr. goody two shoes Alexi.” He levitated the humans over behind him, to the center of the cliff. “You know, earlier today I was exploring my new palace. And I came across something rather odd. It was a dungeon, but not quite. It was crystallized, and as I explored it I thought to myself, this would be a great place to hold unwanted monstrosities…”

He turned around.

“Or decaying corpses…” He let out an evil laugh, and with a snap of his finger, the ground crackled open, caused the men to fall into the abyss below. A lone hand grabbed the edge, and lifted himself up before Merasmus could shut the hole.

“I will not go down so easily Merasmus…” Came an all too familiar voice.

“I figured as much Alexi.” He turned around to face him. “Now what are we going to do about it.” He looked up into the sky, pretending to think. He snapped his fingers. “I know! CELESTIA!”

Celestia appeared behind him, her eyes pitch black, her glare piercing Alexi’s very soul, or at least that’s what it felt like.

“Yes master…”

an evil grin stretched across Merasmus’ face, he pointed at Alexi. “Kill him.”

“With pleasure!” She charged at Alexi, quickly gaining speed. Alexi didn’t know what to do, he didn’t want to hurt Princess Celestia. He hesitated, but quickly regained focus, whatever he had to do, it would be done.

He swung his fist as Celestia charged, his gloved hand contacting Celestias cheek. With one punch, he knocked her into the ground, falling limp as he hit her. She lied there, still breathing, but obviously unconscious.

Merasmus began to clap. “Well done. Looks like you’re going to be a thorn in my side Alex.”

Alexi just glared at him. “My name is Alexi…”

“Oh I’m sorry ALEX! Why do you hate that? Seems rather silly.”

“My birth name is Alexi, and you will address me as SUCH!”

“Woah no need to get angry friend. But it seems a little silly. Alex, maybe they’d like to know?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know Alex, I think you know VERY well…”

“Alexi what is he talking about?” yelled a very concerned Rainbow Dash.

“Is nothing, do not listen to his lies.”

Merasmus started laughing maniacally. “That was a funny one! I am the liar! HAHAHAHAH! I LOVE THIS!”

Alexi’s face turned to pure anger, he circled Merasmus like a lion circles prey, he was plotting how to murder this son of a bitch.

“What will I do with you Alex. What to do, what to do?”

“Shut up you maniac!”

“HA! Another funny! You’re a real comedian Alex! Back to seriousness. BOW TO YOUR EMPORER!”

“I shall do no such thing!”

“Alexi wait!” Yelled Rainbow Dash as she ran up to him. She leaped onto him and gave him a big kiss, a long kiss. One that actually broke his concentration. She pulled back and walked back to the other ponies, she looked at him and said, “Go get him Alexi.”

The look on Merasmus’ face was that of shock, quickly replaced by a very large sneer. He began to chuckle as Alexi regained his focus.

“What is so funny?”

“Well, well, well. This is quite delicious, looks like the big bad mad dog has a soft spot! HHAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA! This day just keeps getting better!”

“Quit your babbling you soulless cow!”

“My, my, aren’t we feisty tonight! Now I’ll tell you once again, bow before your emperor.”

“Never.”

“Suit yourself Alex, but you will regret it…”

“Only thing I regret is talking to you for extended period of time when I could be ripping out your heart!”

“Oh my, you haven’t been this angry since…well since 1944 I think.”

Alexi stood there, shocked by what he had just said.

“What did you say…?”

“Oh nothing Alex, just a little thing I learned about you. Just forget about it. Hehehe…”

“I will not tell you again, MY NAME IS ALEXI!”

“Quit your yapping! It’s time to end this!”

“Fine then!”

Back where the ponies were standing, a frantic Pinkie Pie was bouncing around.

“C’mon girls! We can’t just let him do it by himself! Let’s help him!”

There was a collective YEAH, followed by a glare from Merasmus.

“Not so fast!” he shouted as a black mist emitted from his hands, surrounding the ponies in a black, cage like aura that they couldn’t escape from. Successfully eliminating the ponies as threats, Merasmus turned his attention back to Alexi.

“Brave little followers you have Alex. It’s a shame they’ll have to see you slaughtered.”

“You would not kill me and you know it!”

“Wouldn’t I Alex?”

“STOP CALLING ME ALEX!” He charged at him, his fist raising. It almost made contact with Merasmus, only his magic stopped his hand in its tracks. Merasmus merely waved a finger at him.

“Uh, uh uh.” And with a twisted grin he threw back Alexi’s arm, nearly ripping it out of its socket.

“Care to try that one again?”

Alexi stood there, gripping his arm in pain, he reached for his gun and drew it.

“No cheating now Alex! This is a mans game!” He levitated Alexi’s gun in the air and threw it off the side of the cliff. He wasn’t getting that back anytime soon.

“Fine then…” He raised his fists. “We fight like men!”

“I still have the upper hand Alex…”

“That does not matter! I can still KILL YOU!” he charged again.

Merasmus shook his head in disappointment. “When will you learn?” he said with a frown. He raised his hand and before their eyes Alexi was floating in the air, and as quickly as he came up, he flew down with force as Merasmus threw his hand at the ground. Alexi hit the ground with a loud THUD! He didn’t move for several moments. He raised himself up slowly, and stood in his battle stance again. Not even blinking, Merasmus raised his hands to show a thousand little lights above his head.

“Oh, is it Christmas?” Alexi yelled sarcastically

“Not quite my friend, this is my favorite toy!” and before his eyes they became little shards of light that spiraled towards him. He hesitated once more, and blocked his face with his gloves. The shards showered over him, piercing the skin, drawing blood on his arms, his hands, his legs. His face was safe behind his thick military gloves. The pain was so intense it forced his to kneel. When the wave stopped, he let his gloves down, and his trench coat was soaked in blood.

“Ah, wise move Alex. We wouldn’t want that pretty face getting injured now would we LOVER BOY!”

Alexi stood up, and charged again, it was the only thing he could possibly do. Merasmus was swift, and levitated him again, throwing him to the ground even harder than last time. Alexi was getting his butt kicked, and there was nothing he could do. He stood up once more, and prepared his battle stance.

“I am not one to physically break Merasmus, you of all people should know this.”

Merasmus pondered to himself for a second. “Yes, it appears you’re right for once. I can’t physically defeat you. But I know what WILL!”

He threw a fire ball, which Alexi was unable to dodge, knocking him off his feet. It caught his trench coat and gloves ablaze, and he removed them, stomping out the fire. Merasmus forced him down to the ground and magically threw him around until he was nearly unconscious. He left him there and went over to face the ponies.

“You are strong Alex, but not that strong.”

In a weak tone, Alexi responded, “Do not call me Alex…”

“Oh I see! Does your little lover here know about that I wonder?” He laughed and approached Rainbow Dash, grabbing her by the wing. “Your little lover boy is a MURDERER!”

The rest of the ponies stood shocked, all but Rainbow, who didn’t even flinch. Alexi slowly began to stand up, and laughed.

“She knows about that Merasmus, Dmitri, Vladimir, all of it.”

“You’re such a bad liar Alex. I can see right through them to.” He snickered to himself and faced Alexi once again. “Riddle me this Alex, does it hurt knowing you couldn’t save Vladimir or Dmitri?!”

Alexi just stood quiet.

“Try these on for size then Alex!” He morphed his body into that of Vladimir’s, and walked around Alexi, he began to mimic his voice. “You can’t do anything. Not even find strength to save me…you are disgrace to mother Russia and Stalin!”

“Nice try Merasmus, but we hated Stalin.” He said with a grin.

“He returned back to his normal form. “Dmitri begged for his life, didn’t he Alex. Why didn’t you? You could have spared them, and a few other people if you had just given up.”

Alexi didn’t respond.

“No response. What would they think of their mighty friend huh? Falls in love with PONIES! KILLS INNOCENTS! HAAAAAAAHAHAHA I LOVE THIS!”

Rainbow Dash’s face grew to one of concern once again. “What is he talking about Alexi?” she said again, hoping this time that she would get a real answer.

“NOTHING! HE IS LIAR!”

“Such a hot head, let’s fix that.”

A wave of ice flew from Merasmus’ hands. As it made contact with Alexi, he froze. He wasn’t frozen completely, but he had a hard time moving with the frost. Merasmus took this opportunity and forced him to his knees.

“Bow before your Emperor Alex…”

“I’d surrender to a Fascist before kneeling to YOU!” he spat at the ground, showing his displeasure. Merasmus was furious, and threw him into the ground, nearly knocking him out. He turned his attention once again to the ponies.

“Should I tell them the truth Alex? Should I tell them about the day you became a monster?”

Alexi was weak, but managed to let out an answer.

“Niet…Don’t….”

“Oh this is going to be DELICOUS HEHEHE!” He glared at the ponies, particularly Rainbow Dash. “Why don’t I show you his actions hm? Before I do, How many people died that day Alexi? 300? How many of them were ACTUALLY soldiers?”

There was no answer from Alexi

“Silent as usual. I guess about 100 of them were actually soldiers? What about the other 200 people Alex? What about them? Enough of me talking, time to show!”

Before their eyes was a black mist, portraying an image of Alexi, younger, and strapped to a chair. A gun was to his head.

“C’mon man I know this story, I know he uh…killed him.”

“Oh but wait miss Dash, there is more!”

The image spiraled to an angry Alexi, holding a gun to the man who had held him captive. They could here his words clear as day.

“Da Svedaniya.” CRACK! “Mongrel….”

The ponies sat down, transfixed by the image Merasmus was displaying. The sound of people could be heard outside the door, and Alexi kicked it down. He wandered outside, into a street, fuming with rage. He had been in a warehouse, in an occupied city, he didn’t know where. There were signs written in German alongside the road, and he headed for the nearest house. He slaughtered all the people, gunshots ringing through the air. He reached a house and kicked in the door, a German soldier was standing in the middle of the room with his wife and kid. He turned to Alexi and the look on his face became one of horror. He pushed his wife out of the room and reached for a gun, but Alexi was faster, and put a bullet through his chest. Enraged, Alexi threw pots at walls, bashed open doors, and destroyed valuables. He came to a closet in the kitchen of the house, when he opened it, he could see the wife hugging the small child. She stood up to block Alexi’s path, but Alexi just holstered his gun. He grabbed her dress and brought her near him, nearly ripping her dress off.

“What are you going to do to me?” She asked, trembling. She was a lovely,German woman, no younger than 30.

Alexi had an evil grin on his face, he leaned closer to the woman’s ear, and whispered.

“Make you watch…”

She looked in confusion, but he threw her to the ground and approached the child. He looked at the little boy, he was about 11, Maybe 10 years old.

“What is your name?”

The boy didn’t answer. Then Alexi struck him.

“WHAT IS YOUR NAME!”

The little boy slowly rose up, and responded. “Alexander, Alexander is mein name.”

“Huh, Alex, is very beautiful name…” He got a grin on his face again.

He drew his handgun

“I am sure your Führer will have good use for you…in hell”

CRACK!

Alexi’s face was one of sick enjoyment, as the boys body fell to the ground. As the picture faded away, a woman’s cries could be heard, followed by another gunshot. The picture faded away, and soon all that could be seen was Merasmus’ grinning face.

“Now you see what he is! What he can do! What he HAS DONE!”

Rainbow Dash looked at Alexi, who was facing them, his face just expressionless.

“Alexi…tell me he’s lying.”

He looked down.

“I wish he was…”

All the ponies gasped at his response, some gave him dirty looks.

“There is not one day that goes by I do not wish I could take it back! YOU KNOW THAT MERASMUS!”

“Do I now? Is that why you wanted that infernal contraption built? First, you tell us it is to relive the glory days. Then you tell your little lover pony that it was to save your friends. Now you tell me that it was to take back that mistake? Is that really the goal? You just want to experience the JOY OF KILLING AGAIN! YOU KNOW IT!” He said with an evil smile. “ADMIT IT! Face it Alexi, you’re a monster. I have been perfecting a new trick…”

He waved a hand over his body, splitting it into 6 different parts, they all formed slowly into the ponies that he had come to know…complete with voices. They shouted at him.

“MONSTER!”

“MONSTER!”

“MONSTER!”

“MONSTER!”

Alexi stood his ground, but they continued.

“MURDERER!”

“MONSTER!”

“IMBUSILE!”

He continued to stand ground, but showed weakness, the crushing blow came from the model of Rainbow Dash.

“Hated Monstrosity!”

Alexi looked, he fell to his knees, and he wept. He punched the ground and fell immobilized on the ground. Merasmus just laughed insanely and he approached the ponies once more.

“YOU SEE!? Your only hope is nothing more than a monster. Still have hope? Take a look! I have won! Don’t believe me little ponies? HERE! Miss Fluttershy, your little lover Preston is in a world of hurt!”

He waved his hand over his face, and his face became that of Prestons.

“Y…y…you’ll never see m…m…me again….” He waved it back and laughed horribly.

He faced Rarity and Twilight.

“Miss Sparkle, Rarity, what would William think of you two?”

Once again, he waved his hand over his face and morphed it into Williams.

“I’m quite sorry but my research is far more important than anything right now. I can’t stand you guys, you bother me too much and I can’t wait to go home. No hard feelings girls!” Waving back to his boney self, he faced Luna.

“What about your dear SISTER?!” he pointed a boney finger to Celestia, still lying out cold on the rocks. “She’ll be one delicious meal after this. I’ve never had sun goddess before!”

He turned to Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie Pie, doesn’t it hurt you that you could never make that fat oaf Orvil SMILE?”

“Not one bit! I couldn’t figure out why, it bothers me but it doesn’t hurt me!” she said with a large smile.

“Then maybe you’d like to see it though HIS eyes!” he grabbed her hoof and an eerie black mist formed around her, she lost color, her eyes fell. She began to cry.

“PINKIE!” yelled out Rainbow Dash “What did you do to my friend!?”

“Oh I simply opened her obnoxious little eyes to reality. Maybe that’s what you need?” He morphed his entire body to that of Alexi’s, and began to mimic his voice. He grabbed Rainbow Dash by the neck and puller her closer.

“What do you think of me now? Am I still your only lover? The monster within me cannot be controlled you know…I will always be this way. Do you still love me?” and with that he morphed back to his normal form, giggling like a school girl.

“Now it’s time to finish the job.” He turned to face Alexi and began walking over to him. He was still sobbing.

“Alexi! Get up! Fight him!” yelled Rainbow Dash.

“What is point!” he yelled as he stood. “I am monster…”

“You are NOT a monster! You hear me! NOT A MONSTER!”

“Is good that you try to make me feel better. But I deserve this…”

He approached Merasmus and knelt before him. “Do what you want.” He said.

Merasmus looked at him, he levitated him up and swung him around like a ragdoll. Alexi wasn’t putting up a fight anymore. His will was broken. Merasmus was almost finished, and threw him to the ground as he readied his final blow.

Rainbow Dash cried out. “Don’t give up Alexi! You can’t give up! You can’t lose!”

“and why not…”

“Because I LOVE YOU!”

Those words rang out across the land, louder than a sonic rainboom. It caused Merasmus’ head to turn.

“How sweet, It’s going to be a sad ending once I’m done with all of you!”

Alexi prepared for the worse, as he closed his eyes, and waited for Merasmus’ final blow. They both heard something. Singing, coming from the ponies, Fluttershy in particular. She was singing a familiar tune.

Soyuz nyerushimmy respublik svobodnykh

Splotila naveki Velikaya Rus…

Fluttershy had had an idea prior to singing. Preston had told her before that that particular song gave him strength. It was really their only hope. As she sang, Rainbow Dash joined in with her. The others merely hummed, as did Fluttershy by the end of the first few lines. The only one that could be heard singing was Rainbow Dash, singing the Soviet Anthem proudly, hoping it would help her lover.

Alexi heard their singing. It filled him with hope. Her voice was beautiful, like an angel. If he weren’t an atheist, he could have sworn that she WAS an angel. Yes, what he did was horrible, maybe unforgiving, but he wasn’t going to let that get in his way. He was a new man, a better man. It was time to prove it.

Merasmus turned to face him once more.

“I’ll shut them up when I’m done with you. Does this look familiar friend?” He warped his face to that of the Nazi SS Officer. “Any last words? Russian DOG?!”

A fist was all that Merasmus got, it knocked him off his feet as Alexi stood up tall, chest out.

“Just 4”

He raised his left hand, “Meet Hammer…”

He raised his right hand, “and Sickle”

Merasmus looked at him with anger, she stood up and morphed his body to that of Alexi’s, mocking his voice.

“Come get me lover boy! I know your moves!”

Alexi charged, as did Merasmus, and they struggled on the ground wrestling. Their fists hit each other in mid air, their kicks knocked each other down. Bites, punches, kicks, everything was in this fight. There was no way of telling who the real Alexi was, except for the fact that the real Alexi had cuts and bruises, a bloody shirt, and what was probably a broken leg. They fought and they fought. Eventually they were separated, and Alexi threw a large punch. Merasmus caught it in his magical aura, gripping Alexi’s hand and nearly crushing it. He returned to his ordinary self.

“We look like a broken record, AND YOU DON’T LOOK TOO MUCH BETTER HAAAAHAHAHA!”

Alexi forced his hand with all he had. The grip was unbreakable, and Merasmus began to gloat.

“You’ve lost! You’re a FAILURE! BOW BEFORE ME!”

“Not chance!”

Alexi’s had burst through the magical grip and socked Merasmus right in the jaw. He kicked him on the ground and made his face almost unrecognizable. He broke his arms, he broke his legs, he was broken and bloody. He picked him up and dragged him to the edge of the cliff. Holding onto him by only one hand.

“You have caused too much trouble to live Merasmus!”

“You won’t kill me! You don’t have it in you! I won Alexi! I. Always. Win.”

Alexi brought Merasmus to his face, his bruised, beaten, bleeding, swollen face. He looked him dead in the eyes. Merasmus was still wearing a very evil grin. Then Alexi spoke.

“Da Svedaniya…”

Merasmus’ grin quickly faded away, and was replaced with horror he knew what Alexi was going to do.

“C’mon old friend you wouldn’t kill me would you?”

Alexi chuckled.

“Mongrel…”

He threw him off the edge of the cliff, Merasmus screaming as he fell. Nothing was heard after a while, and Alexi walked over to grab his belongings.

The black aura around the ponies melted away, Pinkie Pie returned to her natural self, and Princess Celestia began to wake up. The large hole that had appeared earlier now reopened, and out crawled the remaining humans. Matt was the first one to speak.

“What happened? Did…did we win?”

William looked at Alexi. “Alexi what happened?”

There was no response. He simply began putting on his scorched, bloody trench coat and gloves back on.

“Alexi! What happened?”

Alexi completely ignored William, walking right passed him.

“Alexi?” came a lonely voice in the back where the ponies were standing. “Are you alright?”

Rainbow Dash looked at him, he just ignored her question. He was walking right up to her.

“Alexi what’s wrong? For Celestia’s sake answer me!”

Alexi just walked up and picked up the blue Pegasus. He gave her the biggest kiss that Equestria had ever seen, tears were welling up in his eyes. Their kiss lasted for minutes, causing the rest of the humans jaws to drop, All but Preston, who was being distracted by a tight hug from Fluttershy, although he saw the entire event unfold.

Alexi laid Rainbow Dash down, and spoke.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Believing.”

They both smiled, and walked over to the now standing Celestia.

“What happened?” I remember charging at Mr. Alexi then the next thing I know I’m waking up to a happy reunion?”

Luna rushed over to Celestia’s side.

“Tia! Thank the heavens you’re okay. Merasmus hypnotized you! Took my magic! I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you…” tears were in her eyes as she spoke.

“But you already have Luna, you helped them defeat that awful invader.” She walked over to Alexi. “Is there any way I can thank you for your service to Equestria?”

Alexi though about it for a second. “Niet” was his answer, “I have all I never need.”

“Unfortunately Alexi, we need to go home.” Said William, trying very badly to hide his delight over their victory.

“What about Johnny?” Asked Alexi

“He will be spending eternity in the crystal caverns, he won’t be seeing the light of day again. He should be thankful we’re not banishing him to the moon.” Replied Celestia.

“Is good plan, I like.”

“I assume everyone has their magic back?” Asked a curious William.

They all waved a few rocks around to make sure that everything was back to normal. With Merasmus defeated, there wouldn’t be harm coming to Equestria for a long time. They also wouldn’t have to sit through the tyrannical reign of an emperor.

“C’mon everypony! Let’s go home!” Yelled Pinkie as she stood near Celestia.

They gathered around as Celestia readied a teleport spell. Before the spell occurred, Alexi gave Rainbow Dash one last kiss on the lips and whispered, “Ya lyublyu tebya do.” And they teleported back to Ponyville.

The day had finally arrived. It was time to go back to their dimension, and man, some of them couldn’t be happier. They gathered at Twilight’s house, everyone, and everypony. Hugs were exchanged in place of goodbyes. Rainbow Dash gave Alexi a kiss before he stepped onto the pad. William and Twilight spoke briefly…

“It was amazing being here. Thank you for helping us with our little dilemma.”

“It really is nothing William. Thanks for the much needed…human anatomy lesson.”

“It was my pleasure.” He said with a large grin.

“Well, here, as a gift from us. You may need it if you ever attempt time travel again.” She floated a book over to him, Dimensional Rifts and the Time Travel Theory. William took it and put it under his arm.

“Thank you very much Twilight. I’m sure this will help me and my research. It certainly will be a unique edition to my book collection.”

He gave her a long hug, and stepped onto the pad. They prepared it for transportation.

“Preston! Come comrade, we go home.” Said Alexi

Preston, who was standing by Fluttershy, looked at Alexi, and back at his pony girlfriend.

“Actually guys…I th…th…think I’m gonna stay h…h…here, with Fluttershy. I love her.” And he leaned down and gave her a kiss.

There was a collective “aw” from the group, all but Alexi, who rolled his eyes.

“Well comrade. I hope you find happiness.” Alexi stepped off the pad and walked over to Preston. He looked down at Fluttershy and then at Preston.

“Is not easy to find love comrade. I am very happy for you.”

“Th…th…thank you Alexi, that m…m…means a lot…”

Alexi knelt down to meet Fluttershys eyes.

“Do you love him?”

“Yes, very much”

“Good, because he needs a lot. Lenin knows I never gave any to him.”

He stood up.

“Best of luck to both of you.” He then gave Preston a large, constricting hug.

As he walked back to the pad, he was stopped by Rainbow Dash, who jumped up and gave him a large kiss.

“Don’t forget about your promise.”

He grinned. “I won’t forget.”

They stepped onto the pad and prepared for their trip. They waved goodbye to their new pony friends, and William placed his hand on the button.

“Goodbye friends.” He said with a smile. “Hopefully we’ll see you all again.”

The ponies waved their hooves as their friends said their farewells.

“Well, time to go. Bye Preston, bye everypony. See you soon…I hope.”

He pressed the button, the transporter flashed and buzzed with flashes of lighting, and they left Equestria…headed back to their own world…