Aleksandr

Chapter 11: Bittersweet

This was it. I, although temporarily, could return home. I threw on my coat and ushanka, donned my ammunition belt, holstered my TT-33, shouldered my papasha, and walked out the door. As I went about my day, I was actively searching for the royal sisters, eager to begin my journey home. After quite some looking, I found them both in Celestia's bedchambers. I found them with spell tomes stacked high in one corner, while they were drawing complex runes on the floor, all the while muttering incantations. Seeing that they required concentration, I decided to stand outside the door, next to her guards.

"Hey," I whispered to one of the guards, tapping him on the shoulder. "Do you know when they will finish?"

"Not exactly. They should be done within the hour. They have been working on this since about last night, nonstop." He replied emotionlessly, not even turning to face me. How rude. Anyway, I paced about the hall, admiring the hanging artwork and ornate architecture. After a while, I got bored and sat down and tapped my fingers to an improvised tune.

~--~

After about an hour and a half, the two alicorns walked out of the room, scanning the hallway. Standing up, I approached them.

"You two look like hammered shit. You should get some rest." I said, concerned for their health.

"Fear not, Aleksandr. We have been taking shifts. One of us works, the other rests. We changed every two hours. We can begin any time you like." Luna replied.

"Now is good, if you are okay with it, chuvak."

"'Chuvak?" Celestia said, raising an eyebrow.

"Is Russian slang. It is an informal word for friend, like calling someone 'dude'." They led me inside, motioning me to the center of he circle. I fixed my hat, and gave them the 'thumbs-up'.

"Alright, before we begin, you must clear your mind, as to prevent any unwanted accidents. Next, we need you to envision a clear image of your desired destination. Finally, make sure your belongings are secure, meaning put all loose objects into a bag or pocket. Also, hold onto your weapon and hat. When you are done, you just need to say my name, and tell me." Nodding, I stepped into the circle, slinging my SMG to my back, my palms sweaty. This is it. I thought, my heart racing. I followed her instructions, and checked my gear, slowed my breathing, and focused on an image of my family's farmhouse. I looked over at them, and nodded. They charged their horns, and prepared the spell. The few minutes of waiting felt like hours. Finally, they threw their heads forward, sending massive amounts of energy into the rune, myself included. I felt myself beginning to lose consciousness, then, white. My vision was filled with pure white light. Then, I blacked out.

////\\

As sunlight began to pierce my eyelids, I regained consciousness. Groggily, I sat up. Looking around, I saw some very familiar things. At long last, I was home. Scrambling to my feet, I noticed I was in a large open field, with tall weeds. It was rather warm, as it was probably the beginning of spring. Before I left, it was nearing the end of winter. Damn! Now the Germans were more likely to prevail, as they're more used to fighting in warm weather. I smiled, remembering the 'winter fritzes', Wehrmacht soldiers wrapped in tablecloths, blankets, tarps, and canvases, looking utterly ridiculous. They were unprepared for our harsh winters. Most froze to death. One does not simply invade Soviet Russia in winter. We will kick your asses. Anyway, back on topic. Checking my gear, making certain I looked presentable, I ran to my front door. Rapping loudly and rapidly, I awaited a response. I rocked back and forth on my heels, wondering if they were even home.

"I'll be right there, hold on!" It was my mother. After a few seconds, I heard the deadbolt slide open. The door opened a crack, and then swung open, revealing the astonished face of my mother.

"Did you miss me?" I said, grinning.

"Oh, Aleksandr, my baby! We got a letter saying you were dead! How are you here?! Please come inside!" She said breathlessly, tears in her eyes. I entered, hanging my ushanka on the hat rack, and leaning my PPSh against the wall. I began to walk around, old memories flooding back to me. I went into the dining room, and sat down. Within a few minutes, my whole family was in the room, hugging me tightly.

"While it is good to be back, I cannot stay forever."

"I thought you were-" Said my father.

"Yeah! Why can't you stay? I want you to stay! I missed you, big brother!" My little sister chimed in.

"Well, sit down, this will be a long story to tell. Natasha, please go to your room for a few minutes. I need to speak with mother and father for a few minutes." Reluctantly, she obeyed.

////\\

"How do we know the war hasn't made you crazy, and this was all in your mind?" My father said, skeptical about the whole 'Equestria' thing.

"Sweetie, I find it hard to believe as well."

"Well, the army doesn't lie. You received the letter, did you not? Then, tell me, how do you explain me being here? And I assure you, you are not dreaming."

"What letter?" I heard my sister say, who had just returned after I called her back in here. I felt a pang of sadness in my heart. She doesn't know I died. It saddens me to think of it, my sister asking why the war ended, but her brother didn't come back.

"Hush, Natasha."

"I know I shouldn't ask, but may I have a bit of money? I wish to buy clothes and ammunition before I return." My father had walked into the cellar, probably to fetch some rubles for me to spend. Hopefully. A few minutes later, he returned holding a fat envelope.

"Be my guest. I am proud of you for following in my footsteps of being in the military, even if it is in another dimension." Handing me the envelope, I opened it, to find that there were a whopping 800 rubles in it. Thanking him, I took a wooden crate from the cellar, and headed out into the town.

"Bye! I'll be back later this evening." I said, jogging down the long road leading to the little hamlet I used to call home.

////\\

Reaching the village square, I received many stares. Probably due to me being in uniform, hat and all. First, I needed clothes. I went to the local clothing shop, next to the seamstress. I tried on a few shirts, pairs of pants, and jackets. Satisfied, I took the items to the counter, and paid for them, the shopkeeper insisting I get a big discount, due to being in the service. Next stop was the cobbler. I bought a pair of running shoes, a pair of dress shoes, and normal boots. Finally, I went to the hunting shop. I perused his wares, and eventually bought a box of bulk 7.62x54r, and 7.62x25's meaning 100 of each. Luckily, they were on sale, for 25% off. Yay, me. On my way out, I saw a nice pump action hunting shotgun, mounted on a wall.

"How much for the shotgun?"

"100 rubles."

"Can you do 150, and throw in some shells?"

"Yep, that gives you the gun, 150 surplus buckshot shells, and some empty shells. For you, I am willing to go the extra kilometer." Ooh! Everyone was being awfully generous today. Probably out of pity. I threw him 150, leaving me with only 20 rubles. Finally, as a bonus, I went to the bakery and bought a fresh loaf of bread. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, and I started to walk home.

*////\\*

"I'm home!" I called as I opened the door. It was about dinner time, and my family was just sitting down for their evening meal.

"Ah, Aleks! You're just in time for dinner! I made your favorite." I quickly sat down, putting half of the loaf on the table.**

"Oh, and ma, I got a fresh loaf of bread. We can also have that." Hungrily, I sliced myself some bread, and began to eat my plate of potato Pirozhki. Ah, it was good to be back home...

*////\\*

Soon after, dinner ended. Here comes the sad part. It was time for me to leave. Forever.

"Mother, Father, Natasha, It is time for me to leave. It was great to return, but our time together must come to an end. A sad, but necessary parting. I will miss you all."

"Goodbye. Oh, how I will miss my little baby... I love you, Aleksandr." My mother said, sobbing.

"Farewell, son. No matter what, I want you to die fighting. Good luck." My father also wept.

"Don't go! I love you!" My sister said, crying as well.

"I know you do. I love you too. Here, take these. Something to remember me by." I said, handing her a few empty rifle casings.

"I will cherish these. Goodbye." Before I left, I went up to my old room. I wanted to get a few things, a few mementos of home. I took my old acoustic guitar, some of my childhood toys I had stuffed away, some old textbooks, and lastly, a picture of my family and I, smiling happily at the camera. I held the photo for a few minutes, not noticing the teardrop that fell on it. Gathering all of my belongings, my gun, and hat, I said a final goodbye, and made my way out into the field I appeared in.

"Well... Beam me up, Celestia..." I said forlornly. Within seconds, another flash engulfed me, and I was standing back in Celestia's room, both sisters nearly passed out from exhaustion. I picked both of them up, and placed them in the bed, Celestia spooning Luna. It was pretty cute, and both of them were too tired to object, and just went with it. Jesus they were heavy. I took the crate to my room, and turned in for the night, exhausted myself.