Chapter 4: Declarations and fears
I explained them everything. From the beginning when I found Twilight, from her home, to her fears. I also told Hans and Jonas what really happened to my Family. It was not easy but I stayed calm. Everybody was speechless. Hans was the first who broke the silence, “So you are telling us, that she is a real Unicorn from another World?” I nodded. “But I’m also sorry what happened to your Family.”
“To be honest with you, I never came over the death of my Family. But Twilight, when I found her, seems to help me to come over it when I took care of her. I just lied because, I feared when somebody finds out about her, that the secret service or even worse the soviets would take her away and abuse her for experiments,” I explained. That Fear reminded me of the Experiments that the SS did with Prisoners I heard from when the war was over.
“Sounds like you have been through a lot. But I understand your fear. And I promise you, I keep that secret with my Honor as a Soldier,” Jonas said.
“So we do,” Lukas and Paul spoke together and saluted to me.
“That poor Filly is separated from her Family.” Sarah looked sad to the picture Twilight had drawn.
“James, your wife would be very proud of you,” added Julia with pride in her voice to the conservation.
“Thanks. That means a lot to me. And that you keep Twilights existence a secret. I would never forgive myself, if something bad would happen to her.”
“That’s what friends are for. I will also do what I can, to make sure the boys will not bother you or Twilight again. Besides, nobody would believe us that she is real,” Hans assured me.
Our conversation was cut off by crying. I stood up from the couch and ran to the guest room. Twilight was crying worse than before. “Twilight, what’s wrong?” Twilight was startled by my Question.
“Just a bad Dream, that’s all.” I didn’t believe a single word.
“Twilight, tell me what’s wrong.”
After those words, she broke completely down, “I’m sorry for bringing you and your friends into trouble this evening! I didn’t want this to happen! Now you hate me! Please don’t hurt me!” She sobbed hardly understandable between sobs.
My heart broke, how she could think of this? Maybe from a Nightmare? I gently hugged her and spoke, “Shh, Twilight, I don’t hate you neither do my friends. Bad things do happen. I would never slap you for something like that. Besides, you are actually the best what happened in my life after I lost my Family.”
“Really James?”
“Of Course. I never had so much Joy before,” I comforted her. Behind me stood my Friends in the Doorway. They also had sad expressions on her Faces. Their Hearts also broke, after they heard what Twilight said.
Lukas and Paul spoke up first, “Twilight, you are our best Friend, we would never hate you.”
“Twilight, I’m your friend and helper. I meet everyday people like these guys. As a police officer, it is my duty to protect the innocent like you. If somebody should bother you again, just tell me and I will take of it,” Hans comforted her.
Jonas added, “I swear to you with my Honor, if someone tries to take you away, I will defend you with my life.”
Sarah added her part, “Twilight, from what James told me, your Family loves you very much. Your parents must be very proud of you by the Achievements you have reached. And I can also tell, they will never leave you behind.”
Julia came as last, “You are a polite and friendly Filly. Your mother raised you very well. She must be prouder of you than any mother can imagine. If you need someone to talk or someone to watch over you, I will always here for you.”
After we all comforted her, she wiped a Tear out of her eye. “Really?”
“Really.” We responded with a group hug.
“Thank you all, for being here for me!” She cried out happy with Tears of joy.
“Anytime Twilight. Can you tell us more about your brother and Foal sitter?” Lukas asked.
“Of course. Where should I start?” Twilight responded.
Twilight talked with Paul and Lukas about her brother and how he wanted to become a royal guard, her Foal sitter Cadence and showed them their special greeting routine. She also showed them, what Magical tricks she could do with her horn. They impressed and amazed them at the same time. Hans and Jonas were impressed about her brother wanting to become a royal guard, meaning that it will not be easy to become an elite soldier like this. Julia and Sarah were impressed about Twilights Magic, meaning that their parents must be really proud at her. It didn’t take long until the kids found out, that Twilight was ticklish. They tickled her until she lay on the ground, trying to catch her breath from laughing. Nevertheless, this made them tired.
After Lukas, Paul and Twilight were all asleep, Hans spoke to me, “It’s late we should get home. Despite the incident, it was very fun. Goodnight, James.”
He picked gently Paul of the ground and left with Julia. Jonas and Sarah did the same, except that Sarah picked Lukas up. I laid Twilight gently back into the guest bed before I went into my own. She reminded me so much of my Son. Although, he was only one year old before he died, Lena write in the letters to me, when I was on the front, that he liked to listen to the stories she readied to him. She believed when he is older, he will like reading like I did. Twilight reminded me very much of it. But for now, let’s get some Rest.
The next morning was different. When I woke up, Twilight stood in the Doorway. She looked sad. “Good morning James. I-I want to apologize for what happened yesterday.”
“Twilight, you don’t have to apologize. As I told you before, I would never hate you or beat you. Just tell me, what makes you think that I would hate you or beat you? After all what I did for you.”
Twilight's ears dropped. “Well, I had a Nightmare after I fell asleep. I dreamed that you were injured in the fight but you recovered very fast from it. Still, you and your friends were blaming me for it. You started to beat me. I begged for mercy but everybody even Paul and Lukas just looked coldblooded down to me, saying that I deserved it. After you asked what is wrong, I feared that it would become real. I’m so…”
Before she could finish it, I put my finger on her lips. "Shh, it’s ok. You know, you remind me of my Son.”
Her ears stood again when I said this. “I remind you after your Son? But how?” She asked with confused and with Joy.
“How should I say? My wife wrote me in Letters, that John liked to listen to the stories she read him. She believed, when he gets older, that he will like to read like you and I,” I explained to her.
She hugged me “I’m so glad to hear this from you!” she said to me but was short cut by a cry of pain. I looked down to her wound. It was slowly becoming better but it was still painful.
“You should be careful with your wound, so it can heal.”
“Of course James. I will be more careful with it,” She replied. Then we heard the Doorbell.
Outside were Paul and Lukas. They had a basket full of chocolate. “We are here to wish Twilight a good recovery after what happened yesterday. We also want to make feel her better,” Paul explained.
“Come inside.” Twilight was pleased with the visit. She did her greeting routine which the kids returned. They shared the chocolate together. Then Twilight asked me, “James can we see you in your Uniform?”
That Question surprised me. I still had all my Uniforms in my wardrobe but never expected that Question. I asked in return, “I have several Uniforms, which one you want to see?”
“Your Imperial German Army uniform. With the pickelhaube and the Gasmask. It looks so interesting and scary compared to the other uniforms,” Twilight spoke with interest.
“Ok, I’m right back.” I switched from the suit to my old uniform. Despite not wearing for so many years, I still washed it. Still fits perfect. Even the gasmask. I walked in the Living room trying to speak, only to remember how difficult it was to speak with the mask on.
“James, is that you?” Lukas asked surprised. I nodded.
“With the Mask you look very scary,” Paul added. I breathed which caused a scary breathing sound. That caused Twilight to shiver a bit. “Sounds scary.”
“Humph!” was everything I could say through my Gas mask. I stretched my Arm after her.
“Ahh! It’s trying to get me! Run!” She spoke with a joking yet happy voice before she ran out of the house and into the garden.
“Wait for us!” Called Paul and Lukas while doing the same.
I chased them into the garden. I hadn’t so much fun for years! It was so nice to listen to Twilights laughing and see her smiling. I could swear, if that could be used as a weapon, then it would be deadlier than a tactical nuke. Tactical smile incoming, it’s over! After a while, we laid down in the grass, laughing. Laughing with the mask on was no problem. “Honey, look over there,” Came from behind. I turned around. Hans, Julia, Jonas and Sarah had watched everything. Oh dammit, this is embarrassing! I took my Gas mask off so I could speak clearly.
“The Uniform suits you but it was certainly not easy in the trenches with the tip on the helmet,” Jonas commented.
“Because of that, it was removed later or it could be unscrewed. I still have a normal Helmet; I was only wearing the pickelhaube because your children wanted to see it,” I defended myself.
“James, may I ask why the helmet has a tip?” Twilight asked.
“Simple. The pickelhaube has its Origin from the time where fights were fought with sabers. The tip had the function to distract chops to the side. However it was outdated when the First World War began,” I explained to her.
“That’s Interesting,” came from Twilight.
“Enough explained, can we continue to play or not?” Lukas complained.
“Of course, we continue.” I said before putting the Gas mask again. We played the entire day until it was getting late. Our Friends said their goodbyes before they left. While I was putting my Uniform back into the wardrobe, Twilight spoke, “That was very fun James. We should do did again.”
“Of course sweetie. But now, let’s eat something and then go to bed so we have the energy for it, ok?”
Twilight saluted. “Yes, Sir.” We ate some bread before going into the bed. “James, do you mind if I can sleep with you tonight?”
“Not at all Twily,” I responded. Twilight was fast asleep. “I hadn’t so much fun before. Yet, I hope that your Family finds you soon Twilight,” I thought before closing my eyes.
Equestria Canterlot
It was a beautiful night in the capital of Equestria. All citizens were sleeping. Except one. Velvet Sparkle, Twilights mother. She could not sleep since her little Filly went missing. She was afraid what happened to her daughter. Was she alright? Velvet did know that Twilight couldn’t survive on her own. She was afraid, that she would never see her beloved daughter again. She got out of the bed to catch some fresh air on the balcony. “Honey, are you alright?” Her Husband Crescent “nightlight” Sparkle asked.
“I’m all right, Crescent. I’m just worried about our Filly. I would never forgive myself if something bad happened to her,” She responded with worry in her voice.
“Honey,” Crescent tried to comfort her, “I know you miss her, and are worried. I, Shining armor and Princess Cadence do too. But Princess Celestia has commissioned her best Guards to find her. Even if it’s been a few days ago after she is vanished, I still believe, that they will find her. But you need some sleep. Urgently.”
“Thanks for making me hope. It’s just difficult to stay calm, since Twilight is missing.”
“I know Honey, I know.”
Just as they both were about to go into bed again, they heard Shining Armor made himself self-reproach. “This is my Fault! I should have been with her! I don’t deserve to be a royal guard or a big brother! I’m the worst big brother ever!”
Velvet didn’t like what she heard so she trotted to Shining Armors room to comfort him. “Shining, stop blaming, yourself. It was an accident. Even if somepony had noticed it, there was nothing we could do. Now, we can only wait and hope.” “Thanks Mom. It’s just I miss her and I’m worried.” “We all are, shining, we all are. But now get some Sleep.”
“Ok Mom, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Shining.”
Velvet however had Nightmares about her Filly whatever she tried to sleep. This Dream however, brought her an important hint. “Mommy, Mommy!” Twilight cried.
“Don’t worry, Momma is coming!” But whatever she tried to reach Twilight, she was stopped by an invisible Force that forced her to listen to the heartbreaking cries of her daughter.
But this time, she heard a masculine Voice, “Leave her alone!” As soon as she heard those words, the Force began to break. She fell exhausted to the ground.
Again she heard the Voice, “Are you alright?” She looked up. She saw a bipedal creature kneeled down to her. It had a blonde Mane, blue eyes and two claws. It wore a blue Suit with red tie and a blue Hat. On its Suit was some kind of Cross. It had also a familiar cross on its neck.
“Yes, I’m. Where’s my daughter?” She asked.
The creature responded, “Just ahead. Follow me.” She followed the creature without Question. The Safety of her daughter had top priority. “Mommy!” Cried Twilight happy when she saw her mother.
Velvet hugged her with tears of Joy. “Twilight, I’m here for you. I’m so glad that you are alright. Thank you, Sir. If you weren’t here in time, I had never found her. But tell me, what's your name?”
“You don’t need to thank me; it’s my Job to help other people. Just call me James,” James responded. “Thank you Mr. James, for helping me to find my daughter. I will be always grateful for that.”
However, just as James opened his mouth to reply, he started to vanish. The same happened to Twilight. “No! Twilight, stay with me!” Velvet cried.
She woke up in cold sweat. “Honey, did you have another nightmare?” Her Husband asked.
“Yes Nightlight, but this time it was different. Some kind of bipedal creature helped me to find our little Filly. His name was James.”
Crescent liked it when his wife used his nickname. For some reason, he liked it more than his real Name. What Velvet told him surprised and confused him. “A bipedal creature? Can you describe it?” He asked.
Velvet put a hoof to her chin. “Mhm. It had a blonde mane, blue eyes and some kind of claws. It wore a Blue suit with red tie and a blue hat. On its Suit was a cross. It had also one on its neck. If I’m not mistaken, it was some kind of Award. It was male, called, himself James.”
“Sounds like a Human. Twilight read about the humans very much. We should report that to the princess tomorrow. It sounds like a hint where our Filly could be,” Nightlight responded.
“That’s a good Idea.” Velvet said before both were asleep again. With the possible hint where Twilight could be, she could sleep much better.
The morning came. Velvet climbed out of the bed and stretched herself. She led out a yawn before she heard a knock on the Door. She trotted over and opened it. Outside were standing Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence, Celestia’s niece and two guards. Velvet bowed immediately.
“Arise, my loyal subject. There’s no need to bow,” Celestia spoke in a motherly and friendly tone. “Your Highness, have you new information, about my daughter?” Velvet asked with concern.
“Unfortunately not but we are still searching. And I will not give up. May we come in?”
“Of course.” Crescent and Shining Armor woke up as the visitors came in.
They both bowed. “Good morning, you’re Highness,” They spoke together.
“Good Morning dear subjects,” Celestia replied.
“Shining Armor, I’m so sorry for what happened with Twilight. I should have watched her,” Cadence spoke in a sad and guilty tone.
Celestia extended her wing over her niece. “Cadence, it isn’t your fault. It was an accident. It happened so fast, that even I couldn’t do something, had I noticed it in time,” She comforted her niece. They all sat down in the Living room, except for the guards who stood. Velvet brought some Tea and some Biscuits.
"Well my dear subjects, my Guards have searched every Piece of Equestria but didn’t found Twilight. The only option that is left is that she is landed in another world.”
“Oh no. I hope that Twilight is alright,” said Cadence with worry and surprise.
“Your Highness, I have an idea where our poor filly could be,” Velvet spoke up.
That surprised Celestia. “You have? I am listening.”
“Well, I had a Nightmare about Twilight. I dreamed that she cried for me but I couldn’t find or reach her. But then, a bipedal creature came to my Aid. It had two claws, a blonde Mane and blue eyes. It was wearing a blue Hat with a Blue Suit and a red Tie. It had also some awards in its clothes. The name of it was James. I believe, that is was a human.”
“A Human?!” Shining Armor and Cadence asked surprised.
Before Velvet could confirm it, Celestia spoke up, “Like Twilight I read about humans. They are living on a planet called Earth. They have great intelligence and hardworking attributes. I have read that they are bipedal, which means that they walk on two legs instead of four. These “claws” you mentioned are called hands. With them, a human can grab things. The hooves on their hind legs are called feet. They help to support the body when walking. A Male human looks like this.”
She used her horn to cast a spell that showed how a male human looked. “Mrs. Sparkle, is this creature you saw in your dream?”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Then, I will order my guards to search for any Unicorn Magic they can find on Earth. If Twilight is here, then we can find her. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.” Just as she said that, one of the guards saluted and left.
“And why Auntie?” Cadence asked.
“Because unlike our race the Humans do not live fully in harmony and piece. Some humans distrust other humans which ended in a terrible War. There were also other wars for power, disagreement and other things. They live not as one Nation but as many single Nations. But there are also humans that lived in harmony together. Humans also have animals like Dogs and Cats as pets like we have. They give them Love, food and water. However some of them abuse them for experiments. Humans eat also meat but not pony meat as far as I read.
Our only hope is, if Twilight landed on Earth, that the human you met in your dream or some other kindly Human found her and not one if these bad Humans.” She explained but tried to get out the thought, that Twilight was abused for experiments. Princess Celestia had also read that in a dark chapter of the human history that humans abused other Humans for experiments. They also killed them or abused them, because of their color or religion or even because of their politics or because they criticized the government."
Shining Armor panicked, “My sister could be on the Earth?! Oh no! What if the humans abuse her for experiments?! What if they kill her?! What if…” he wasn’t able to finish as Princess Celestia extended her wing over him.
“Relax my young pony, I understand your fear about your sister, but now, we must find out if she is on earth at all. But I’m sure if she is on Earth, that she is in good hands,” Celestia spoke in a calming and motherly tone.
Shining Armor didn’t know what to say, he did know that Princess Celestia was a caring pony when it came to her subjects, but he never expected this. “Th- Than- Thank you, Princess,” He responded stunned and blushing. Oh this is embarrassing! Right in front of Cadence! He thought since she was the niece of Celestia and he had a crush on her.
Cadence giggled “Oh Shining Armor, you so cute when you blushing,” She commented. Tactical embarrassing incoming it’s over!
“I’m sorry but I must leave now. I will be in touch if I have new Information. Goodbye,” Celestia said before, she, Cadence and the guard left.
“Honey, now I’m really worried about our sweet daughter,” Nightlight said to his wife.
“Don’t worry my dear Husband, for some reason I can feel that Twilight is safe and sound. This human I saw in my dream, seems to be very serious when it comes to safe or cheer up a child. I have also the feeling, that he is real and has found Twilight.”
“What makes you so sure?” Nightlight asked.
“I don’t know. I just can feel it. Maybe my maternal instinct?” Velvet replied.
“Mom, Dad, I’m sorry for panicked earlier, I’m just worried about her condition,” Shining Armor apologized.
“There’s no need to apologize young stallion, you have every right to it. But for now, we should start our day,” Spoke Nightlight.
“You’re right. Despite Twilight's disappearing, we should not be fazed,” Added Velvet.
“Oh, I almost forgot, I must go to work, bye!” Nightlight called out before he was going out through the front door. After Nightlight left for work, Shining Armor and his mother started their usual day.
Princess Celestia and Princess Cadence were on their way back to the castle. Celestia heard Cadence sobbing. ”Cadence, are you worried about Twilight?”
“Yes, I am. If she is on Earth, is she still alive? What if we are wrong and the bad humans have her?”
Celestia gave her a comforting smile. “To be honest, even I am worried. I care for my subjects and foals are no exception. However, do you remember this Human, Mrs. Sparkle mentioned?”
“Yes, I do.” “When I said to Shining Armor that his sister is in good hands, I said that because I believe that, this James is the Human who found Twilight. Still, I could be wrong.”
“Do you really think that Twilight is safe, Aunt Celestia?” Celestia nodded.
“My guards are informed that they should search the Earth. Undercover of Course.”
“And how is this supposed to work?” “Simple my dear niece. They use a spell which makes them invisible for the humans. So they can search for Twilight, without being detected. I also gave them the order to search for this 'James' that Mrs. Sparkle described, just in case.”
“Auntie, you are a genius!” Cadence exclaimed while hugging Celestia.
"I know Cadence, but for now we should go about our duties as Princesses,” Celestia responded.
Everypony went on his usual Day until it was noon. Princess Celestia was on her throne doing some paperwork. The Doors opened to reveal a guard. The guard ran to the throne. “News from our search party from Earth, your Highness! They have found Twilight and the human.”
He bowed. “Glad to hear it. Where exactly?”
“In a country called Germany,” The Guard replied. Celestia was a little bit worried since she knew about Germanys dark History. She asked, “Which timeline?”
The guard responded, “1960. In West Germany in a small Town called Volkach.”
Celestia let out a sigh of relief. She was glad that Twilight didn’t land in the Time of the Third Reich or eastern Germany, or any War. She also knows how Germany was divided and how dictatorial the east was. “Good, tell my niece and Twilights family that we have found her. Our search party can come back.”
“As you Order, you’re Highness.” The Guard saluted her before she left.
Velvet was cleaning the house as she heard a knock on the Door. She opened the door to reveal a Royal guard. Behind him were standing her Husband, Cadence and Shining Armor.
“I shall inform you, that your daughter has been found. I shall take you to the Princess.” Velvet wasted no time. She and her Family and Cadence followed the guard to Princess Celestia. The Sparkle family bowed.
“Rise. I have good news. Twilight is on the Earth. From the reports of my guards, she is with the man called James.”
“Your Highness, were exactly is she?” Nightlight asked.
“In a Country called Germany. She is in a town called Volkach,” Celestia explained. “But I must inform you, that Germany is a little bit… confusing because of it’s past.”
“What are we waiting for? I cannot wait to see my daughter again!” Velvet exclaimed excited.
“I will cast a spell that will, teleport us to her, but it will also make us invisible for the humans and her until we are ready.”
“We understand your carefulness,” Nightlight said.
“Ok, here we go.” Celestia’s horn glowed before she, her niece, Twilights family and two guards vanished in a white light.