Chapter 13 Subway to Hell
The beam came from the subway. “Ready?” Karl asked.
“Ready.” All responded.
Walking the way down was no problem. A Zombie ambushed them but was quickly defeated.
At ground level, Zombies came from both sides. The group formed a circle so they could effectively defend themselves.
Then, Josef killed a few Zombies and a Skeleton that were walking aimlessly on the street through a window, before vaulting and helping Tiara through.
The entrance to the subway was blocked by an Occult Seal.
“There must be some keys to open it. We should look in the other subway entrances.”
“Ok Schwaiger, let’s roll.” Karl reloaded his rifle.
In the subway, Zombies attacked from both sides but using the same formation as before, they were eliminated. The formation broke apart as an Elite came from the right.
As he was defeated, Josef asked, “Left or right?”
“It doesn't matter. Both directions are leading to the same key,” Boris explained.
At the station where a burning train was, the survivors found the first Key. It was a Skull. They had to clear the area to get him.
Having success with that, Schwaiger walked closer to the Skull. Again ghostly laughs of children could be heard. As he took the Skull, a little girl said, “One,” with a giggle.
Getting some ammo in the safe house, they looked for the next Skull.
On the surface, Josef and Karl took care of the Snipers while Boris and Schwaiger took care of the bombers.
Tiara looked up. A plane flew by.
The next three Skulls were in the subway on the other side of the road.
Killing any Zombie they found, they made it to the next Skull. After clearing the area, both Skulls could be picked up.
“Two.” The girl’s voice sounded like an echo. “Three. Four.” The girl chuckled.
“Just one more to go.” Tiara was relieved as they reached the next safe house.
Again, Karl and Josef took care of the Snipers while the others took care of the Zombies.
The last Skull seems to be in the building we came out.” Schwaiger pointed to an Elite that came out of the door.
Together, they killed it.
The last Skull was inside as Schwaiger suspected. “Five.” The girl chuckled again.
“Impressive… But now you must place them correctly…” The voice of the General was impressed.
As Schwaiger placed the Skulls, the girl repeated her words.
The General laughed as soon as the entrance was unlocked.
“Let’s get out of here.” Josef took care of two bombers.
In the safe room was a woman with a boy and a girl on some cots.
“Elsa?”
“Josef?”
“Diamond Tiara?”
“Guys!” The kids embraced.
“I was so worried about you!”
“So were we! At least you’re still alive and not one of them.” Dora cried tears of Joy. She was bandaged around her left arm, Erwin around his right leg and Elsa around the head.
“How did you survive?” Josef hugged her as he was glad that she was still alive.
“Chernov...He stayed behind...Made sure we all got out safe.”
The radio received a message.
“Hello? I hope you can hear me! We spotted you from the air and I’m coming to pick you up. You’ll have to open the gates at the canal dock so I can get through but then we’ll be home dry! Chin up; we’re getting you out of there!”
“Finally! Rescue at last!” Elsa was glad.
“Yes. Can you shoot?”
“I never killed before Karl, but I have a MP40 and a Luger pistol to defend my children.”
“Okay, let’s go! And aim for the head!”
“I know why Josef. Ready, my dear children?”
“Ready, mommy!” both said, glad that they would get out of here, but still in fear.
“Your children will be safe with us I promise.” Josef smiled at them before they got into the street again.
Karl, Josef, Boris and Schwaiger took care of the Zombies, while Elsa stayed with the kids behind. Tiara recognized this part of Berlin as Kreuzberg. It was the same entrance that Josef used to get her to safety after she was shot.
It was raining and there was thunder and lightning. The boat sounded his horn to show it was here.
Josef opened the first gate. “Come on! Chop chop!” the boat driver said via loudspeaker.
Karl took care of some Snipers as Josef opened the second gate.
“Another Occult General?!” Boris complained.
“Nice work! Now clear the docks or I won’t let you on board!”
“Boris, Schwaiger! Protect the children! I and Josef will take care of this guy!”
"Da!” Boris said and brought the kids to cover behind crates.
Dora and Erwin covered their ears from the explosion of the Suicide bombers.
“Shh, Mommy’s here,” Elsa comforted them.
Josef and Karl managed to hurt the General so much, that he summoned an Elite.
They killed the Elite and ignored the Zombies and shot the Skulls.
Two Suicide bombers rushed towards the kids. “Mommy!” Dora screamed as she saw them.
They came from behind so they couldn’t run. Elsa was about to shoot but it was too late.
In an attempt to protect them from the explosion, Elsa hugged all three tightly. But it never came. They heard the General scream, “No! Curse you!”
“Stop your dawdling and get over here!”
They all got on board. “Mommy, we made it!” Erwin exclaimed relieved.
“Yes, my dear son.”
“I can’t believe that this is reality!” Tiara was shocked.
“But it is sadly true.” Dora and Erwin hugged her.
“But at least we got out of here alive. Right, Josef? Josef?” Tiara got no answer.
Instead, she saw how all the adults turned into zombies.
The kids hugged each other as the Zombies came closer. “Mommy, please! You have to fight it!” Dora pleaded.
They closed their eyes as Josef lifted his MP40 over his head to bring it down with considerable force.
“Get away from them!” a female voice could be heard.
Everything faded. Now they were in complete darkness. “W-what’s happening?” Dora asked scared and confused.
Tiara saw a figure coming towards them. “Please don’t hurt us.” Erwin begged.
“Shh... don’t be afraid little one.” Diamond recognized the figure.
“Princess Luna?”
“Yes my dear subject, it’s me.” Without warning all three hugged her.
The Princess of the Night saw how scared they were.
“Fear not, young ones this is only a dream. You are very much safe I assure you.”
“Really? What a relief. I thought already where were dead.”
“Sadly Diamond Tiara, you’re almost died, as you were half bled to death when we found you.”
“B-but I am still alive, right?”
“Yes. You’re lost a lot of blood but your friend Silver Spoon donated her blood for you, as she has the same blood type as you.
I never saw such a terrible nightmare before. My guess is that the shock you suffered from blood loss triggered this.”
Now the kids were confused. Luna giggled.
“I have the ability to enter one's dreams to communicate. You are NOT dead. None of you.”
“I never knew that you were able to the dream of a pony or a human. And why’re you here?”
"To protect my subjects from nightmares, a dread one cannot easily escape, in waking or in sleeping. I am Guardian and Ruler of the Night for a reason."
Immediately, the kids bowed. Luna smiled.
“You don’t have to be so respectful young ones, but I see your parents raised you well.”
“If this was just a nightmare, why it was so real?” Erwin asked.
“Well, I don’t know why, but this was a very intensive nightmare. I had to fight through those undead to get to you. What's your name?”
“Erwin, your Highness. And this is my sister Dora.”
“Is our mommy and Josef all right?”
“Don’t worry Dora; they are both safe and sound as you are.”
“Then, what happened?”
“You both were hit by an artillery strike. The one you called Chernov wanted to stay to return to his family. But he said he will never forget you. I believe the Combat stress reaction you suffered from it was responsible for your nightmare.”
At the mention of Combat, Tiara looked at her gut with a sad expression.
Princess Luna extended her right wing over her. “I just want to wake up.”
“You all are still unconscious. Why don’t you tell me how you met your two friends, Tiara?” She smiled and took a deep breath.
Then, she told how Josef found her and how he took care of her and how she met her new friends. Princess Luna lowered her jaw in shock and disgust at the details Tiara explained. She even told her with the help of Dora and Erwin what happened in their nightmare.
“And that’s how we got here.”
“My sympathy for what happened to you. I will stay with you until you wake up.”
“Thank you, Princess Luna!” The kids hugged her again.
“How did you find us?” Dora wanted to know.
“The Spell that Night Star used left a trail on you and your friends. That’s how we were able to find you. And I heard how you were praying for their safety, so I saved them. No child should suffer in the middle if a warzone.”
“Thank you for saving us!” they embraced the Princess of the Night again.
Suddenly, they heard a voice. “Please don’t die, Tiara. You’re my best friend.”
“Silver Spoon?”
“It’s seems you’re waking up. I see you in the real world.” The Alicorn flew away.
Diamond Tiara was in a bed in a hospital. Her chest was bandaged. Erwin and Dora were in the beds next to her.
Silver Spoon was sitting on a chair next to her with Diamond's parents.
Ignoring the pain, Tiara embraced all three. “Silver Spoon, father, mother! I thought I was never going to see you again! It was…so…horrible!”
They returned the hug as her mother had tears of joy in her eyes.
“My dear daughter, we had almost lost you. “My little Diamond.”
She had changed after Diamond stood up to her. She was a caring mother but barely showed it.
“We were so worried about you, after we found you.”
“I appreciate your care for me Silver Spoon, and I am grateful for your donation.”
“How did you know that?”
“Princess Luna told me about this in my dream. May I introduce you my new friends Erwin and Dora?” She pointed to them as they got up.
“Hello Silver Spoon.” Erwin greeted politely.
“Hello, you two.”
“You are Diamond's parents, right?” Dora asked the two adults.
“Yes I am Filthy Rich and this is my wife Spoiled Rich but you can call us Mr. and Mrs. Rich.” Filthy Rich smiled at them.
The door opened and Princess Luna with her sister and Night Star walked in.
“I see you’re awake. Now, apologize to her young stallion.”
He grumbled, “I am sorry.” He had no remorse in his voice.
“Can you tell me, where he sent you?” Silver Spoon was curious.
“You don’t wanna know. All I can say is, if Josef hadn’t found me, I had never returned home. Wait, where is he?”
Princess Celestia putted the curtain away to show that he and Elsa were still asleep in two beds.
“We’re managed to save him. And don’t worry; I can do the talking for you. And you Night Star will watch this too as punishment for what you did!”
“Oh no.” he complained as Luna used her spell to show what Tiara has experienced.
It even showed her nightmare.
“Oh my… My poor daughter!” Mr. Rich couldn’t believe what he saw.
“That’s what you get! Ow!”
“Don’t say that! You teleported our daughter in the middle of a warzone where she almost died! We will discuss your punishment with your parents when they arrive.” Mrs. Rich slapped him.
“It’s weird, I really do feel much better!” Josef and Elsa awoke.
“Mommy!” Her kids hugged her.
“Mr. Becker we are very grateful for taking care of our daughter,” Mr. Rich said to him.
“And I thought I died.” He and Elsa smiled that Tiara was reunited with her friend and parents.
“Mommy, I thought we could him make a part of our family, is that okay? He would be a good surrogate father for us.”
“Of course my dear Erwin. What do you say, Josef?”
“I would like it. You’re reminding me of my wife.”
“And you remind me of my Husband.”
“And we would love it to make you a part of our family. But for now, we should celebrate,” Mr. Rich said.
“Yes father. To Sugarcube Corner!” Tiara exclaimed as they left, overjoyed to be home again.
A few months later
Josef lived happily together with Elsa and her kids. Josef helped Princess Twilight Sparkle in her castle. True, you could get easily lost in there but Josef liked his job.
Erwin and Dora were both friends of Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. They also were in the same class and good friends of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and members of them as well.
They all knew that the war was lost, but none knew what happened to Karl.
Elsa and Josef were married and Erwin and his sister were overjoyed to have him as father.
They were all glad that they survived the war. The post war years would be difficult no doubt, but that was another reason why they loved their new life. Sure, the war left its scars, but Tiara came over it. She saw him as a second father.
“Daddy, mommy, we’re home!” Erwin and Dora called out.
“Welcome back, kids. How was school?”
“Great! Miss Cheerilee is a very nice teacher!” Erwin was happy.
“Now, we’re joining Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara at the Sugarcube corner for some milkshakes.” Dora smiled.
“Are you two coming?” Tiara called out.
“Hello, Daddy!” She hugged him.
“Hello sweetheart, have fun, okay?” she ruffled her mane.
“We will, daddy!”
They leaved with smiles. Tiara's parents bought her a new Tiara.
Josef was watching them smiling. Then he turned the gramophone on.
“May I have this dance?” He asked his wife.
“But of course.” Elsa took his hand and they danced together.
Unknown to them, they were watched by two spirits.
“They are so happy together.” The first spirit was wearing a winter uniform of the Wehrmacht.
“Yes they are. I am not mad at him for loving her, since she’s like a clone of me. And as long as he is happy, so I am happy.”
“Me too, Jenny. And as long as they live, we will watch them and protect them from any harm.”
“Hey, let’s watch after the kids, okay? I always love it to see happy children.”
“You’re read my mind, Hans.”
The spirits leaved.
This was the beginning of a new life. A new life of peace and happiness.