Completely unaware that he had just been tricked, James made his way back downstairs. When he arrived at Taylor's room, he found him sitting in his chair, talking to Redheart. He knocked on the door frame of the open door.
"Hmm? Oh, hey James, come on in."
James came in, and took a seat on a stool.
Once he was seated Redheart asked him, "So, what was so important that you had to go back to Miss Flutters's cottage for?"
"Well, um," James wasn't sure how to phrase what he was about to say so that he wouldn't sound crazy. "Remember how I said that I had a cat named Patches?"
"Yes? Why?"
"Well, so did Flutters. A cat with grey fur with white patches, a black tail, and one blue eye, and one green eye. A cat that also had a collar that said, 'Patches. If lost, please return to William James.....'" James then repeated the story of what had happened during his second trip.
When he finished, Taylor and Redheart were absolutely dumbfounded.
"W-wh-wh-whaaa......? How is that even.......? That cemetery came from Earth?! Where, and when?!"
James shrugged. "I don't know Taylor. Flutters wasn't sure either. All we could determine was that the fence surrounding it was made by US Steel in 1926. And she told me that she found it in about 1930, and it was in like-new condition, so sometime between 1926, and 1930 most likely."
While Taylor was still trying to comprehend this, Redheart asked, "So, with the cemetery, came several graves, but how does Patches play into this?"
"Because Miss Redheart, when I buried Patches, he somehow found his way to Equestria. He then lived with Miss Flutters for another 12 years, before he passed, and was buried in the cemetery."
"This just sounds, so.........unbelievable, to put it lightly. A cemetery, was somehow transported to Equestria, that just doesn't make any sense."
James shook his head. "If you think that that's odd, Flutters also told me about some ship from Earth that was found drifting in the Celestial Sea after a storm in 1918."
Taylor looked at him curiously. "What ship was it?"
"Um....." James scrunched his face in thought. "I know that Flutters said it, and that it sounded slightly unusual. It was a US Navy ship, called the USS......something. Silence.......? No, that's not it. Cyrene? No, but close.........." Then James remembered. "Oh yeah! The USS Cyclops! That's it!"
When James said that, Taylor froze. "What, did you just, say that the ship was called?"
"The USS Cyclops, why? I was going to ask you if that name rang any bells. It didn't for me, but does it for you?"
"The USS Cyclops was a navy bulk-carrier, or freighter. On her last voyage, she was carrying manganese ore, and 306 passengers and crew. Then, on March 10th, 1918, the ship disappeared without a trace. Since then, she's become the most famous legend of the Bermuda Triangle of all time. And did you say that the ship is here?! Where?!"
James sat for a moment in silence. "Oh, so that's why that name sounded somewhat familiar. I kept thinking that it did, but I couldn't remember why. I've always been scared of the Bermuda Triangle because of incidents like the Cyclops's disappearance. Oh, and to answer your question, according to Flutters, the ship was found in 1918, drifting in the Celestial Sea after a storm. No life was found on board, and the ship was towed to a dock in Manehattan, where it was to be examined, and studied."
"And did, the Cyclops make it to Manehattan?"
"Apparently. It's been at that dock ever since, being studied, and, if I had to guess, being held until they can figure out what to do with it."
Taylor sat back in his chair. "So, I was the first human to reach Equestria, but my plane was not the first inanimate Earth object to make it here. It got beaten by a cemetery, and the USS Cyclops! Who would have ever guessed?"
Redheart shrugged. "Not me, if that's what you're asking."
Taylor then sighed. "Redheart?"
"Yes Taylor?"
"Um, even after all of that writing that you have done for me earlier, would you be willing to write down one more thing for me?"
Redheart looked at him curiously. "Um, well that would depend on what you had in mind."
"Well, I just wanted to write a letter to Princess Celestia."
"Oh, well, in that case, certainly!" Redheart grabbed a piece of paper, as well as a pen, and got ready to write.
"Dear Princess Celestia", Taylor dictated.
"It's me, Lt. Taylor. First of all, I'm writing to tell you that I am doing remarkably well. As I'm sure that you are already aware, all of my injuries are almost healed. However, I do not know if you heard or not, but I also regained my eyesight! Yes, that's right, I can see again! It really was just a case of severe flash-burn, but I thought that I'd let you know that I regained my eyesight.
However, in addition to telling you about my medical progress, I also write to you concerning another matter. I've been told that back in March of the Earth-year 1918, that a mysterious vessel was found drifting in the Celestial Sea after a storm. This vessel was called the USS Cyclops. I was told that after it was found, it was towed to Manehattan, where it has been stored and studied since that time. I would be very interested to hear what you have found out about this vessel.
I can tell you what I know about this vessel, but for the sake of this letter, I will keep it extremely brief. The USS Cyclops was a US Navy freighter. On her final trip in March of 1918, she was carrying manganese ore, as well as 306 passengers and crew. On March 10th, she disappeared without trace in the Bermuda Triangle, the same region where Ensign James and I were flying in when you created the portal.
This is as much as I will disclose for now, but I am very eager to discuss this matter further. Please write back as soon as you can. I will be eagerly awaiting your reply.
Your Faithful Servant,
Lt. Taylor."
Once Taylor had finished dictating, and Redheart was finished writing, she allowed the letter a few more moments to dry, before she put it into an envelope, and after summoning a messenger, she handed the letter to him, and with a flap of his wings, he flew off to deliver it.
"Well, I guess that now, we wait."
Redheart nodded. "Yes, we wait, and in the meantime, you get some rest. Same for you James. It would seem that both of you have big days ahead of you tomorrow. Taylor, you and I have been given permission to visit your workshop, and James probably wants to return to help Miss Flutters with cleaning that cemetery back up, am I right?"
James nodded. "Yes, so I'd better get some sleep first." He got up to leave. "Goodnight Taylor, Goodnight Miss Redheart."
"Goodnight James."
"Yeah, Goodnight James."
Once James left, Taylor turned to Redheart. "I really have Dr. Stables's permission to visit the workshop tomorrow?"
She nodded. "Yes, provided of course that I do go with you, and that we're only there for a couple of hours, but yes, we can go."
Taylor nodded. "That's good. Now I can finally see the damage for myself, as well as maybe see what can be done to fix it. In the meantime though, it's getting late, so I guess that I'd better get to sleep."
Taylor then returned to his bed, and after Redheart kissed him goodnight, he fell asleep.
The next morning, Taylor awoke to Redheart telling him that he had mail.
"Oh, I have mail? From who?"
"Well, from who do you think silly?"
Taylor facepalmed. "Oh yeah, right duh! Of course it must be the Princess!"
"Correct!" Redheart then handed him the letter, which he then opened, and read.
"My Dearest Taylor", the letter began,
"You do not know how happy it makes me to hear that you are doing well. I knew that you were recovering, but I wasn't sure how well. Also, to address your report of your eyesight, yes, I was told of you regaining your sight by Dr. Stables, and I thank the Creator that he has restored your vision to you. I was praying for you, and I guess that my prayers were answered!
Also, regarding your inquires on the 'USS Cyclops', yes, I do remember this incident very well. I checked back through the archives, just to refresh my memories, and here's what I found. The ship was found drifting by a merchant ship, and they sent over a boarding party to investigate. The boarding party found the ship lifeless, but still full of cargo, and other items. They decided to try and tow the ship back to Manehattan with them, which was done with some difficulties, as it wasn't the best weather for towing a fully-loaded derelict ship.
Eventually, the merchant ship reached Manehattan with the Cyclops in tow, and it was moored at Dock 2, so that it could be fully examined. It was studied by engineers, naval architects, ship's carpenters, and even scientists. It was unlike any ship that they had ever seen. It was obviously made to carry cargo, but where were the crew? Why was the vessel abandoned? These questions are still trying to be answered today.
I made an inquiry, and yes, I was told that the USS Cyclops is still moored in Manehattan. It was moved however from Dock 2, to Dock 5, where she's been for the past almost 30 years. I was very interested in this ship when it was discovered, and indeed, it was because of its discovery that I had solid proof of other worlds existing, and I set about trying to figure out how to possibly reach them.
It would make me very happy to see you again soon. I see now that we have much to discuss in regards to the Cyclops. I do have an opening in my schedule to come and visit you later on today, assuming that this works for you, of course. I will be eagerly awaiting your reply.
Your Princess in Canterlot,
Celestia."
When Taylor finished reading the note, he was very interested in meeting with Celestia to discuss the Cyclops.
"This just keeps getting deeper and deeper all of the time." Redheart whispered to herself. To Taylor, she said, "Do you have a reply in mind Taylor?"
Taylor nodded. "Yes, assuming of course that you are willing to write it for me."
She nodded, and grabbed a pen and paper. Once again, she wrote, while Taylor dictated.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
I'm glad that you received my letter, and more so that you do indeed know about the USS Cyclops. To answer your question, yes, I would be willing to discuss the matter with you. I am free today, however, I will be attending to a matter until at least 3:00 this afternoon, however, after that, I will be free. I hope that this time will work for you.
Your Faithful Servant,
Lt. Taylor."
Once again, Redheart handed the letter to a messenger, and he took it up to Canterlot.
Taylor ate his breakfast in the cafeteria, and when he returned, he saw James. He seemed to be troubled about something.
"Hello James, and you really don't look so good. What's wrong?"
"Hmm? Oh, hello Taylor, and it's just, I had another weird dream last night. I dreamed that I was wondering through a field under the full moon. I saw Flutters and Missy waving to me from the edge of the field, and to come join them. I did so, and started to run towards them, and right past a really creepy-looking scarecrow."
"What kind of a scarecrow?"
"That's the creepy part. It was dressed in a tattered nurse's uniform, and had a black mane, a sack for a head with button eyes, and a stitched-up mouth. It really reminded me of Nurse Freckles. As I ran past it though, it suddenly reached out and grabbed me! It cackled with laughter, and wouldn't let me go. I kicked, hit, and screamed, but nothing seemed to work. Flutters started to scream as well, and then I woke up."
Taylor was rather worried. "Do, do you think that this dream means anything?"
"Well, it could be trying to warn me of the dangers of eating Mexican food before bed, but on a more serious note, I hope that that's all it means. I would hate to think that it really would mean anything."
Taylor nodded. "Me too James, me too. I had a dream last night too, but mine was interesting."
James was curious. "Oh? And what was your dream about?"
"Well, it was both interesting, and odd. I dreamed that I was the commanding officer of the USS Cyclops. The crew was all ponies, and we were tasked with taking a load of gunpowder from Manehattan to Ponyville. All seemed to be going well, but then suddenly, we were attacked!"
"Attacked? Attacked by what?"
"Well, remember that dream I told you about that involved those weird, bug-like things?"
"Yeah."
"Well, it was those things again. Only this time, they were accompanied by a much larger one that appeared to be their leader. She ordered her minions to seize the Cyclops, and kill the crew."
James was intrigued. "And what did you do?"
"What any good commander would do, I ordered my crew to secure the cargo, and prepare to fight. They did so, and with whatever was available, including things like scissors, cans of paint, sticks, pipes, and bottles of soda, we did battle with the bugs."
"Did you win?"
"Yes, but at a cost. We managed to beat them off, but one of them started a fire that spread to the forward cargo hold. There was a confetti explosion, and then the bugs fled. We fought the confetti fire with knock-off moonshine gasoline, and then, after sending a message for help, we were towed back to Manehattan. That's where the dream ended though."
When Taylor finished, James just looked at him. "Ok, now that was pretty weird. You're dream definitely defies all of the Laws of Physics. I guess that's why it was just a dream. I don't think that your's could mean anything."
"But you still think that your's could mean something?"
James shrugged. "That's what I don't know. I certainly hope not, but I don't know. At any rate though, now that breakfast is over, I have to go meet up with Flutters and Missy, so that we can get to work on cleaning up that cemetery."
Taylor looked at a clock on the wall. "I have to go too. I have to meet back up with Redheart, so that she can escort me to the workshop so that I can examine the plane."
"Ok, that sounds good. I guess that I'll see you later Taylor."
See you later James."
With that, they both parted ways, on what would prove to be a very eventful day.