(Sureiya 1st pov)

Well, this could go one of two ways, I thought to myself as I woke up, stretching my limbs and feeling the satisfying pops in my joints. Sliding out of bed, I glanced back at the rest of my herd, who were still fast asleep, their breathing steady and peaceful. Smiling softly, I headed to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and freshened up before throwing on my clothes, mask included and stepping into the hallway.

The air was calm as I looked up and down the corridor, spotting my guards—not the Equestrian ones, as I didn’t fully trust them yet—patrolling the area with focus and diligence. My eyes landed on Swift Strike, who was making his rounds nearby.

Walking up to him, I greeted him casually, “Yo, Swift, what’s up, my guy?”

He stopped immediately, snapping into a salute. “My Lord, what can I do for you?”

I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Swift, we’ve talked about this. Drop the formalities before I find out how far up your ass I can shove my tail.”

He winced, then dropped his salute, giving me a nervous smile. “Sorry, Boss.”

I chuckled. “Don’t sweat it, man. I’m just messing with you. So, how’s it feel being back in Equestria and back in the guard, of all things?”

Swift’s expression grew thoughtful. “It’s… strange. Familiar, but not. I was part of Princess Luna’s Night Guard before I was enslaved, so this isn’t new. But, you know, it still feels off.”

I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Listen, if it ever gets too heavy, take a break. You’ve earned it, Swift.”

“Thanks, Boss,” he said with a small smile. “I appreciate you checking in.”

Just then, the sound of a door opening caught our attention. We both turned to see Nezuko stepping out of her room, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

“Well, someone’s up earlier than usual,” I said with a chuckle, walking over to her and scooping her into my arms.

“Morning, Daddy,” she mumbled, still half-asleep.

“Morning, half-pint,” I replied, kissing her forehead. “How about you head back inside, clean up, and brush your teeth? I’ll come get you for breakfast, okay?”

“Okay,” she said with a sleepy smile before I set her down and watched her head back into her room.

“Let’s pick this up later, Swift,” I said, giving him a nod as I headed down the hall.

As I walked, I noticed I was passing the rooms of the Elements of Harmony. Just as I was about to move on, I stopped in my tracks. Faint whimpering and soft crying came from behind one of the doors—Fluttershy’s, if I wasn’t mistaken.

For a moment, I considered leaving it alone, but my curiosity—and concern—got the better of me. Walking up to her door, I knocked lightly. There was no answer. I waited a moment, then knocked again, still patient.

Eventually, the door handle turned, and the door slowly creaked open. Fluttershy peeked out, her blue eyes wide with fear.

“Mind if I come in?” I asked gently.

Instead of answering, she backed away, retreating further into the room. I stepped inside cautiously, keeping my movements slow and non-threatening. She had backed herself into a corner of the bed, curling into a ball.

“Fluttershy,” I said softly, taking a small step closer.

Before I could say more, the door slammed open behind me. “What the hell are you doing?!”

I turned to see Rainbow Dash standing there, glaring at me with pure anger in her eyes. “Get away from her, you bastard!” she yelled, charging at me.

Swift Strike appeared out of nowhere, grabbing her mid-charge and holding her back. She thrashed in his grip, shouting accusations. “Why are you defending him?! He’s a monster!”

Swift’s jaw tightened. “Dash, stand down,” he said firmly before giving her a quick chop to the neck, knocking her out. He lifted her over his shoulder and carried her out, nodding at me before closing the door behind him.

Turning back to Fluttershy, I saw that her panic had only escalated. Her breathing was fast and shallow, and I could hear her heartbeat racing. She was moments away from a full-blown panic attack.

“Hey,” I said softly, approaching her cautiously. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

She started thrashing the moment I touched her, like a trapped animal. Without thinking, I wrapped her in a firm but gentle embrace, unfurling my wings to wrap around her as well.

“Shh,” I murmured. “It’s okay. You’re okay. Just breathe.”

At first, she struggled harder, but as I tightened my hold just enough to make her feel secure, she began to calm. Her thrashing slowed, then stopped, and she leaned into my chest. The room grew silent except for the steady sound of my heartbeat.

“Good,” I whispered. “Now, breathe in… and out. Just like that.”

Following my lead, her breathing slowed, becoming steady and calm. I pulled back slightly, lifting her chin to look into her eyes. “Better?” I asked.

She nodded shyly.

“How about we take a walk?” I offered, holding out my hand.

After a moment of hesitation, she reached out and took it. Together, we stepped out into the hall, leaving the tension of the room behind us.

Exiting her room, I gently shut the door behind me, and we began walking through the castle. The silence between us was heavy, almost awkward, so I decided to break the ice. “So, Fluttershy, what kinds of things are you interested in?”

She hesitated, looking a little nervous. “Oh, um…” she mumbled, clearly unsure. I could see she was still uneasy around me, maybe even a little scared. Wanting to ease her tension, I decided to talk about something I thought she’d enjoy.

“You know,” I began, “when I was younger, I used to be a part-time veterinarian.”

Her eyes widened, a little spark of interest lighting up her face. “Really?” she asked, her tone a mixture of curiosity and excitement.

“Yeah, absolutely. I love animals, and I’ve always been pretty knowledgeable about them—especially reptiles. Snakes are some of my favorites, though they tend to scare most people away.” I chuckled softly at the memory.

“I take it you’re an animal lover too?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. To my satisfaction, she gave a small, shy smile and nodded.

I glanced at her cutie mark—a trio of butterflies—and added, “Judging by your cutie mark, I’m guessing your special talent involves animals?”

She nodded again, this time more enthusiastically. “Yes, actually. I can understand and communicate with animals, and I’m pretty good at taking care of them too. I even have an animal sanctuary back at my cottage in Ponyville.”

That gave me pause. Her love for animals reminded me of why I was here—trying to protect the vulnerable. After a deep breath, I said, “Fluttershy, I’m sorry for how things are right now. During the battle, I only knocked you out instead of fighting you like the others because, in your heart, I could feel you didn’t want to fight. Neither did Princess Luna, but she crossed the line when she aimed to kill me with that scythe.”

I sighed. “I’m not trying to be a villain, and I’m not trying to hurt anyone. That’s why I said I’m only taking over until they prove they can do better. You have no idea how many have suffered because of their negligence and misguidance.”

She tilted her head, curious. “What do you mean?”

I gave her a sad smile. “The first day I met you and your friends was also my first day in Equestria.”

Her brows furrowed in confusion. “Your first day in Equestria?”

I waved off the question for now. “I’ll explain later. The point is, as soon as I arrived, I could sense the misery in the air—not just from the demimonsters, but from other races too, even ponies.”

She blinked. “Demimonsters?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “Calling them monsters just because of their appearance is wrong and cruel. A monster is a creature with no feelings, no care for others, and only seeks destruction. But these beings—these ‘demimonsters’—aren’t like that. They feel love, compassion, and fear, just like you and me. They have families, Fluttershy. So, tell me—do you think it’s right to call them monsters because of how they look?”

Her eyes softened as she shook her head. “No… you’re right. That is mean and unfair.”

I smiled and patted her head gently, earning a cute blush in return. “Say, would you like to help me get breakfast ready for everyone? I’m not entirely sure I trust the staff to avoid tampering with the food for me, my herd, or my daughter.”

She blinked in surprise. “You have a daughter?”

I chuckled. “Not biologically—she’s adopted. Her name is Nezuko. You might remember the little half-pony, half-lamia girl you saw.”

“Oh, her! I thought she was fascinating. Although…” Her expression turned somber. “Knowing what I know, I can only imagine her conception must be a dark story.”

“Unfortunately, that’s true,” I admitted, my voice soft. “But ever since I took her in, I’ve been doing everything I can to give her the happy life she deserves.” A smile crept onto my face as I thought of her.

“That’s very kind of you,” Fluttershy said with a small, genuine smile.

“Thanks,” I replied. “Now, how about we get breakfast started?”

“Okay,” she said, before glancing at herself and blushing. “But maybe I should take a shower first…”

“Go ahead. I’ll wait,” I assured her.

An Hour Later

After preparing enough breakfast for everyone, I sent a few guards to fetch the others, asking them to let everyone know Fluttershy was with me. That would likely bring the princesses and the rest of the Elements to the dining room.

As Fluttershy and I finished setting up the table, I looked over the spread. “Everything looks great. Nice work, Flutters,” I said, giving her a light pat on the back.

She blushed again. “I didn’t really do much—you’re the one who came up with the recipes and ingredients.”

“Nonsense. I wouldn’t have finished this quickly without your help.”

Just then, I heard the dining room doors swing open. “Alright, showtime,” I said with a grin. Balancing covered trays in my hands, on my head, and even on my tail, I carried them to the dining table.

The looks I got from my group were warm and pleasant, just as expected. From Celestia’s group? Not so much. The exception was Fluttershy, who followed me carrying the final tray, her expression calm and kind.

After setting down the trays, Fluttershy and I took our seats. By chance—or perhaps not—her seat was right next to mine.

“Alright, everyone, feel free to dig in,” I said with a smile as I used my magic to lift the lids.

The spread revealed an assortment of pancakes, eggs, hay bacon, hydra bacon (yes, bacon made from hydra), a variety of chopped fruits, and drinks of either milk or apple juice.

I could tell everyone, even Celestia and her group, were impressed by the display.

“Wow, darling, you really made all this?” Miia asked, her eyes wide with admiration.

“Well, I had a good bit of help from Fluttershy,” I replied, glancing at her with a smile. “She definitely made the process go faster.”

Fluttershy returned my smile, her cheeks tinged with the faintest blush. Her friends and even the princesses seemed to notice this small exchange, their gazes flickering between us.

“Umm, Fluttershy, sugarcube,” Applejack started, tilting her hat back, “is there somethin’ we need ta know about?”

Fluttershy looked at her in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“She means,” Rainbow Dash interjected, shooting me a suspicious glare, “why are you and this guy acting all buddy-buddy all of a sudden?”

“Oh, that,” Fluttershy murmured, her voice soft as she glanced down at the table. “Well, um, after the misunderstanding this morning, he helped me calm down from a panic attack. We got to talking, and… I learned quite a bit about him.”

Her voice was honest and calm, though I could tell she was still a bit shy about explaining. I decided to chime in to ease the tension.

“Fluttershy and I just had a chance to connect,” I said, addressing Rainbow Dash’s glare with a steady look. “Turns out we have more in common than you might think. She’s an amazing person, and I’m glad we got to talk.”

Fluttershy gave me a small smile, but her friends clearly didn’t like me. Neither did Celestia. Luna, on the other hand, had a more thoughtful expression, as if she were trying to study me.

“So now you’re trying to corrupt Miss Fluttershy, just like you corrupted my ponies—making them fight against me,” Celestia spat.

“The only thing corrupted here is this kingdom,” a voice interjected.

I turned to see Skyfall, trembling in her armor. Not in fear, but rage. Her glare at Celestia was so intense it could cut through steel.

“Sureiya saved me from those damned slavers. For years, I was abused—used like a toy. And it wasn’t just me. So many creatures, ponies and non-ponies alike, were exploited for the sick pleasures of others. Not even the children were spared. And yet, none of you came. It was all Sureiya. He saved us. He even personally helped us through the aftermath and the trauma.”

Her voice was filled with conviction and pain, unmistakable to anyone listening. Eventually, she took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

“I apologize for my outburst, my lord,” she said, looking at me.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” I said gently. “Holding things in like that is never good for you. If you wish, you may retire for the day and take some time for yourself.”

“Thank you, sir.” She bowed before leaving her position.

I looked back at Celestia and the rest of the ponies. Their faces were twisted with a mix of emotions—sorrow, denial, and anger.

“Enough of all this,” I said, clapping my hands. “Fluttershy and I didn’t prepare this food just for it to go to waste. Everyone, dig in.” I began serving myself a generous helping of the food, and soon the others followed suit. The ponies, however, avoided the hydra bacon, considering they didn’t eat meat. That made it all the more surprising when Nezuko grabbed both hydra bacon and hay bacon.

“Wait, you’re actually going to eat that meat?” Fluttershy asked in surprise.

“Well, yes! I love hydra bacon. Though it’s not as good as Mama Boosette’s manticore sausage,” Nezuko replied casually, causing the others to look a little green.

“So, do you make her eat meat?” Applejack asked, pointing an accusatory finger at me.

“I don’t make her eat meat. She eats it because she’s omnivorous—half-lamia, remember? Believe me, I was just as surprised as you when I first saw it.”

I glanced over at Nezuko and noticed her eating rather messily. “Nezuko, sweetie, you’re making a mess. Don’t forget to use your napkin,” I reminded her gently.

“Oops! Sorry, Daddy,” she said sheepishly.

“Daddy?” the ponies exclaimed in unison, except for Fluttershy, who already knew.

“Yes, Nezuko is my adopted daughter. I took her in after rescuing her from one of those slave hideouts.”

Piling the last bit of food onto my plate, I poured myself a glass of milk and apple juice. I cut a piece of pancake and slid it under my mask to savor the taste.

I noticed the looks I was getting from the ponies. “What?” I asked quizzically.

“Well, no offense, babe, but maybe you should lose the mask,” Rumi suggested.

She had a point. Building trust would be easier if they could see my face. Slowly, I pulled back my hood and removed my mask, revealing myself.

The ponies’ reactions were mixed—shock, curiosity, and interest. Fluttershy, sitting beside me, tentatively reached out, her fingers brushing against my face.

“Would you like to examine my teeth as well, Dr. Fluttershy?” I teased, making her blush and pull her hand back.

“S-Sorry,” she squeaked.

“You’re fine,” I assured her with a wave of my hand.

“What are you?” Twilight asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Well, used to be human,” I explained.

“What’s a human?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Humans are creatures many believe to be descended from apes. Religiously, it depends on the belief system, but humans are often thought to be created by gods or divine beings.”

“Darn it, I wish I had a quill and parchment,” she muttered, realizing the anti-magic ring on her horn prevented her from summoning them.

I pointed a finger at her horn, concentrating. The ring glowed faintly before disappearing.

Twilight looked at me in surprise. “As long as you behave and cause no trouble, I’ll leave it off. Same goes for you, Rarity.”

I turned to Celestia and Luna. “You two, on the other hand, will have to earn that privilege. Nothing personal, but considering we’re in this mess because of you, I’m sure you understand.”

Twilight immediately summoned a quill and parchment, scribbling furiously.

“All right,” I said. “What else do you want to know?”

“You said you were human before. Are you no longer human?” Twilight asked.

I paused, considering my response. I could tell them the truth, but it might freak them out. I didn’t believe they were ready to hear about Faust—the goddess who created this world and brought me here. Still, I decided to share some of the truth while leaving out the details about her.

“Well, no, not anymore. Physically, I resemble a human—except for the fangs, claws, tail, and wings—but I’m far from human now. The only thing about me that’s still human is my feelings and emotions.”

“So, what are you now? How did you become this way? And why haven’t I heard of your species before?” Twilight pressed.

For the first time, Luna spoke up. “Indeed, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of such a creature.”

“Neither have I,” Celestia admitted, surprisingly chiming in.

“That’s because I’m not from your world—or even your universe. I’m still trying to figure out which it is,” I replied casually.

“WHAT?!” they all shouted in unison, except for my group, who already knew my story.

“So you’re an alien?” Twilight asked, scribbling furiously on her parchment.

“Pretty much,” I said, glancing at her quill and paper, which looked like they might catch fire from how fast she was writing.

“How did you get here?” she asked.

“I died,” I said simply.

Her quill froze mid-stroke, and everyone at the table stared at me.

“Bullshit! If you were dead, how are you here right now?” Rainbow Dash challenged.

“It’s called reincarnation. I died and was reborn into this world.”

“He ain’t lyin’, y’all,” Applejack said, astonished, her expression mirrored by everyone else.

“But how? I mean, seeing what we saw on the battlefield—what could’ve been strong enough to kill you?” Twilight asked.

“Well, like I said, I wasn’t always like this. As a human, I was nowhere near as strong as I am now. The strength I have now is something humans could only dream of. Humans aren’t very sturdy. For example, someone like Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy wouldn’t be considered physically strong here, but in my world, a swift kick from one of them could easily kill a human.”

I paused, then continued. “As for how I died, it was an accident. I was driving my car when a deer ran out in front of me. Before you ask, a car is like a metal carriage, but it runs on an engine and is driven from the inside.”

“Kind of like the train?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Exactly, but much smaller. Anyway, I swerved to avoid the deer and ended up crashing into some trees. One of the branches pierced through the windshield—straight into my heart.”

I fell silent for a moment, reflecting on the memory. “The pain wasn’t from the branch. It was realizing I’d never see my family, friends, or my girlfriend, who was pregnant with my child, ever again.”

A soft hand touched my shoulder. I looked over to see Fluttershy gazing at me with tears in her eyes. She wasn’t the only one—Pinkie Pie, Twilight, and even Luna shared the same expression.

Twilight cleared her throat, shifting the conversation. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are you now?”

“I’m what I call a Chimera Beast,” I said.

“Chimera Beast?” Twilight repeated, scribbling on her parchment again.

“Yep. It’s fitting. A chimera isn’t just a creature; it’s also a term used to describe something made from many different parts. My soul was changed and fused with what I call a Chimera Spirit—an entity created from the combined souls of various supernatural beings: werewolves, vampires, skinwalkers, Shinigami, false angels, false demons, and even actual angels and demons.”

As soon as I said “demon,” all the ponies’ eyes widened. Even Fluttershy looked slightly nervous, which stung a bit.

“So… you’re part demon?” Rarity stuttered.

“Yes, but don’t forget I’m also part angel. That’s why I can do things like heal wounds, as I did for you in those cells. It’s also why so many of the people I rescued were able to recover from their trauma so quickly. In a way, I’m a combination of nearly every supernatural creature that exists.”

My words seemed to calm Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Luna. However, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Celestia, and Rarity were back on edge.

“So that’s it,” Rainbow Dash said accusingly. “You’ve come to dominate this entire world because you’re a demon!”

“Bruh, what did I just tell you? I’m not just a demon,” I said, exasperated. “And besides, like I said during my speech yesterday, I’m not here to enslave anyone or destroy anything. I’m here because this world is falling apart, and if things don’t change, it’s going to get worse.”

“I believe you,” Fluttershy said softly.

“Fluttershy, you’re crazy! How can you believe the word of a demon?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Because if he wanted to, he could’ve done far worse than what he did on the battlefield,” Fluttershy replied firmly. “Don’t forget, we started a war with him. He had every right to kill us, but he didn’t. Not to mention, he defeated Princess Celestia and Luna with ease. If he wanted to subjugate the other kingdoms, I don’t think it’d be much of a challenge for him.”

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to argue but couldn’t find the words. She crossed her arms and pouted instead.

“Okay, look,” I said, trying to ease the tension. “Let’s save the rest of this conversation for another time. Twilight, if you have more questions, I’ll set aside time for a Q&A session with you later today. Sound good?”

“Really? Oh, how wonderful!” she said, clapping her hands in excitement.

“Egghead,” Rainbow muttered under her breath.

The rest of breakfast passed in relative silence, with everyone focusing on their food.

For now, I’d say today was a success. I managed to win over Fluttershy, which, honestly, wasn’t too hard. All it really took was being kind and gentle—something she seemed to respond to almost instinctively.

Next, I’m thinking of focusing on either Pinkie Pie or Twilight. Based on their reactions when I told them about my death—and how they calmed down when I reminded them that I’m also half-angel—they seem like the easiest to reach next. Pinkie’s emotional openness and Twilight’s thirst for knowledge both provide unique angles to connect with them.

In theory, I could try working on Luna too, but I think it’d be better to tackle her and Celestia together. I’m already aware of the Nightmare Moon incident, and I’d rather not risk creating another divide by addressing them separately. It feels like that situation is a delicate thread—one that needs careful handling.

For now, though, I’d say things are going pretty well.

Author's Note

Yep we’re here. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I wish everybody safety into the new year. Also heads up no none of the mane six will romantically be involved with Sureiya