Chapter 8: Köpenick
“You will be okay... Do you hear me?” Tiara awoke by the sound of Josef’s voice.
She was panting heavily from the flooded metro. Josef carried her to a truck. “They flooded the metro in an effort to kill anyone down there, Russians and Germans alike.”
He set her down into the back of the truck. “You will be okay. Relax for a few minutes. Breathe deeply.”
As the truck started to move, Tiara hugged him tightly. “I thought I was drowned!”
Josef patted her back. “Actually… you were almost drowned hadn’t I a adrenaline syringe with me. Plus knowledge in CPR.”
“Where are we going now, Daddy?”
"Köpenick. It’s a launch site for V2 rockets outside of Berlin. I used to guard it.”
It was always amazing when a rocket was launched, but also terrible as he knew that civilians were the victims.
Because of this, Josef was always glad when a launch failed, and even had to suppress a giggle, when the rockets were doing funny loops before crashing.
Jenny never knew that he was guarding a launch site. Instead, she was told that her husband was guarding Factory’s or fuel depots.
Unlike others, Josef wasn’t drinking, or thought of suicide as the Battle of Berlin started.
This is a promise he did to his wife and he kept it no matter what. Now, he kept it for Diamond Tiara.
She was resting her head on his shoulder.
“Daddy,” she began, “Did you want to do a different job then being a soldier before the war started?”
“Yes. Since I loved to read and history, I thought of the same job my wife had or as an historian. My wife even told me she could get a job at the library for me when the war would be over. And you?”
“I would get into the family business and lead the business of my parents once I am a mare.”
“Sounds great. You know, my wife had loved it to see you. She always helped children and smiled happy whenever she saw a happy child.”
“She would be a great mother. And you would be a great father.”
“You think?”
“Yes. You’re already like a surrogate father for me.”
“And you’re like a daughter for me.”
They shared a laugh.
“You know despite the war, I enjoy every minute with you Tiara.”
“So do I. I just hope that Elsa, Erwin and Dora are safe and out of the city.”
“I hope so too.” He patted her in a tight hug.
It was getting dark, so both decided to sleep.
Tiara had a beautiful dream.
She dreamed that she was playing with Silver Spoon, Erwin and Dora.
Her parents, their parents and Josef and Jenny were smiled as they watched the children playing in the grass.
Josef had somehow managed to get a gramophone here and it played a nice song she didn’t know. But she didn’t care as she was overjoyed to see Silver Spoon again.
“How about go the Sugarcube corner? I invite you.”
“Sounds great, Diamond!” Silver Spoon exclaimed.
Everypony greeted the humans with big smiles. The CMC was at the Sugarcube corner.
“Hi guys, how’s it going?” Scootaloo asked.
“Good. And you?” “Also good.” Sweetie Belle responded.
“Hello Mr. Rich, what leads you in our beautiful bakery?” Mr. Cake greeted him.
“Just a visit with our beloved daughter and her friends. I pay for everything.”
The kids enjoyed some muffins and talked about what they should do next.
The sun was here and no cloud in the sky. The weather was beautiful.
Back on the grass again, the kids played tag.
“Working for a Princess is a real honor.”
“Yes it is, Jenny.” She rested her head on Josef’s shoulder.
Elsa smiled not only at them, but also at her children. All friends they had were killed by air raids. Still, she was happy that they had Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara as friends now.
A friendship that would never break apart. Still, she wished that her husband was here to see this.
She could feel that his spirit was behind her, smiling at the heart melting scene.
“If there is one thing that money can’t buy, it’s you and friends.” Mr. Rich kissed his wife.
“I know but all the money in the world is priceless compared to our daughter’s happiness.”
“Got you!” Erwin said as he tackled Tiara playfully to the ground and tickled her.
“Stop it! Please, I give up!” She laughed.
Eventually, they laid down into the grass and watched the sky.
“It’s such a beautiful day.”
"Yes, Tiara. I wish this day would never end.” Silver Spoon looked into the sky.
“Hey, look.” Dora pointed to the sky. She saw two clouds. One looked like a Tiara, the other one like a Spoon.
“Looks like a… a Tiara Spoon! Get it?” Erwin joked.
They kids burst into laughter. “I have to remember that joke!” Tiara wiped a tear out of eye. Then she heard a whistle that turned into an explosion.
She woke up with a scream.
Josef was awake too. “We’re under attack!”
More explosions shook the truck.
Suddenly an explosion hit the truck.
Tiara and Josef were thrown out. She passed out from the impact.
She slowly regained consciousness. The truck was destroyed and in flames.
She was unharmed and looked around. Everywhere were wounded Germans and destroyed trucks.
It was the Launch site. Her coat was dirty; she had multiple scratches and bruises.
It was night and a thunderstorm was ruling the sky.
“Josef!” He was incapacitated on the ground.
“Diamond Tiara…” He was holding his chest and tried to get up but the pain was too much.
Tiara galloped to him. “Hold on, you’re going to be fine.” Despite the pain, he let out a smile.
“I like your… optimism but… you have… to get out of here.”
“I won’t leave you.”
“Leave me. There’s nothing else you can do me for. Save… yourself. Run…”
Before she could reply, she saw a Russian in the distance. “I love you, daddy.”
She let out a tear and trotted away.
“Fan out man, check bodies. No survivors!” The Russian said.
Scared to death, Tiara hides herself in a destroyed building.
Cowering, she curled herself into a ball.
She could saw how Josef raised a hand to beg for mercy, but the Russian shot him as the thunder came. Daddy, no!
In a sotto voice she whimpered, “please...please...please do...not find me.” The Russian walked past the building.
“Come out, filly… I’ll find you! We know you are somewhere! You cannot hide forever. There is no point in hiding. If you come out now, I promise your death will be quick and painless!” One of the officers called out.
Tiara didn’t move, just sobbed. This was her end.
However as she saw another Russian that was about to enter the building, she slowly walked backwards.
She bumped into another soldier.
“Please don’t kill me! Please don’t kill me!” She begged for her life.
She closed her eyes as the soldier pointed his weapon at her.
She heard no bang as the thunder came again but pain for a second, before she passed out.