Adolf Brandenburg looked rather average to some people, with dark brown hair and blue eyes with a straight face, but enough to be considered an Aryan. He had lived an interesting life so far. He fought in the Great War, was Professor in German History at the Humboldt University in Berlin, married a wonderful woman and had several just as wonderful children, and was both a member of the National Socialist Party and the Schutzstaffel. But right now, he wasn’t sure what to think. While he was in the middle of lunch with his wife, he received a telegram saying that he was to take the first train out of Berlin to Büren.
This is where his strange adventure begins.
Adolf sat in the back of the Staff Car that picked him up from the train station with his document bag in his lap, and suitcase full of clothes to the left on the seat next to him. He looked out the window at the wilderness of Büren. Adolf was rather familiar with this part of Germany. He was asked to teach medieval history at the Wewelsburg Castle; where up and coming SS officers were trained. Why he was told to go there, he was still trying to figure out. Last time he was called out like this is when the Sudetenland was brought into the Reich.
“Pardon me, Driver.” He said. “How much longer till we get to the Castle?”
“Not much longer, sir.” The driver answered plainly.
As the driver looked forward again, he noticed the two ribbons on Adolf’s chest, which bore an assortment of meals and badges pinned to his left breast pocket. The driver, who wasn’t old enough to remember the Great War, decided to ask him.
“How did you get your medals?”
Adolf looked away from the window and at the driver.
“Well I wasn’t sitting in the back of a motorcar when I got them.” He said, with a hint of bitterness in his voice. Still bitter from being called out on such short notice. “And if I was, I’m pretty sure the driver would pay attention to the road as apposed to asking questions.”
After fifteen minutes, the car finally arrived at Wewelsburg Castle. Adolf looked up triangular shaped castle. He had fond memories of teacher here. He would have often got into conversations with the cadets and even the SS Commandant at the time, Manfred von Knobelsdorff, about his days as a Professor in Berlin, from when he first took the job to witnessing the mass infighting between Marxist students and Nationalist students after he got back from the war.
Before he could continue on these memories, the car stopped in the middle of the courtyard. The driver opened the door. As Adolf stepped out of the car with his suit, and the driver offered his hand.
“I’ll take care of your bag, sir.”
Adolf complied and gave the driver his suitcase before taking hold of his document bag. He looked and saw that several people were approaching; one of these people was someone who Adolf never expected to see.
“Minister Goebbels.”
Indeed it was. The Minister of Propaganda, and the Fuhrer’s possible successor, Joseph Goebbels was standing before him to greet him, along with several guards.
Adolf immediately put his document bag into his left hand outstretched his right arm in salute. Goebbels returned the gesture.
“At ease, Standartenführer Brandenburg.” Goebbels said, as he lowered his arm.
Adolf was given the rank of Standartenführer and given command of the 2nd Bismarck SS Panzer Division, a division formed just in time for when the Sudetenland was brought into the Reich. At one point Adolf had learned that his rank was the equivalent of a Colonel, like in the American Army.
Adolf approached Goebbels and shook his hand. Goebbels was shorter than Adolf, but not short enough that Adolf had to look down on him.
“It is good to see you, Minister Goebbels.” Adolf said before letting go his hand. “How have you been?”
“I have been fine.” Goebbels answered. “I assume you have been well?”
“I have.” Adolf said. “But with all due respect, would you kindly answer me why I am here? I was in the middle of lunch with my wife.”
“All in the good time, Standartenführer.” Goebbels said. “Now follow me, Himmler is waiting.”
This caught Adolf’s full interest.
“Himmler is here as well?” He asked with surprise. “Is Goering or Hess scurrying around here too?”
“No, only Himmler is here. Although I did have the Gestapo, headed by Goering, to send that telegram to you.” Goebbels explained. “But let us not waste more time, follow me.”
Adolf followed the Propaganda Minister through halls of the Castle. Despite being here himself, let alone teaching here, he was still amazed by the interior. Much reconstruction was made on the castle since he was last here.
“Since I was called here, I assume an artifact was found?” Adolf asked.
Goebbels looked over at Adolf.
“You can say that.” He said. “You’ll see when we get there.”
The entourage found itself at one of the studies. Next to the door was a SS Guard armed with the standard Mauser. Recognizing Goebbels, he stood at attention. Goebbels nodded, signaling the guard to ease. He then turned to the other two guards and dismissed them.
The two then entered the room and saw a man with ahis back turned to them standing at a table, who of which Goebbels caught his attention.
“Reichsführer Himmler?”
The man turned, confirming the man was indeed, Heinrich Himmler himself.
On reflex, Adolf saluted Himmler, who returned the gesture.
“Thank you for coming out here on such short notice.” Himmler said before shaking Adolf’s hand. “And I see that you have your uniform. With it being so short notice I presumed that you’d be wearing a regular suit.”
Adolf looked down at his pure black uniform. Along with his Luger tucked into its holster, his Iron Crosses, First and Second Class, Golden Party Badge, and Wound Badge. He wore the famed peaked cap which bore the eagle and Totenkopf, or “death’s head” as some people called it, along with the ever more famed red armband which bore the Swastika, or “hooked cross”.
“Well when I was called here I thought it appropriate.” Adolf explained. “And speaking of which, could you care to explain why I was called here? I assume it’s about a newly found artifact.”
“Well, let’s just say the answer is both yes and no.”
Himmler directed Adolf to the table where several objects lay. The objects were a golden goblet, a small bag, and a book.
“Have a look, Standartenführer.”
Adolf set his both his document bag and cap on the table. He opened the bag and retrieved a magnifying glass. The first thing he examined was the goblet. The goblet looked as if belonged to Frederick the Great or one of his predecessors, being made of gold and having several gems around the top half. But what made the goblet unique were the engravings. The engravings were that of what looked like three stylized horses. One was normal looking; one of them had wings, which made it a Pegasus, and the third had a single horn, making it a unicorn.
“Rather unique.” Adolf said. “I’m not quite sure when this was made, though. Come to think of it, this looks to have been made recently. Very recently, actually.”
“May I?” Goebbels asked holding out his hand.
Adolf complied and handed the Propaganda Minister the goblet. He then moved on to the bag, which was held closed with a nodded string.
He then undid the knot and looked into the bag, the contents raising his interest.
“Hello, what do we have here?”
Adolf poured the contents onto the tabletop.
“My God.” Himmler said with interest. “Are those golden coins?”
Himmler picked one of the coins and was then followed by Goebbels after he had set the goblet down.
Adolf examined one of the coins through the magnifier. He saw that on one side was an image of a horse. What made this horse different than the ones on the goblet was that this horse had both a horn and a pair of wings, standing triumphantly on its hind legs with its front left leg outstretched. It seemed to be wearing some sort of crown on its head and both its tail and mane looked to be longer than the others, incredibly long. On the other side the coin were two more of the horse on the other side of the coin and seemed to be encircled around what appeared to be a sun and a moon symbol.
“Reichsführer, can I see that coin of yours?”
Himmler complied and gave Adolf the coin.
Adolf examined the coin and found that it was the same as the others. He then tapped the coin against the table.
“Pure gold.” He said. “Just like the goblet.”
“Can you figure out its origin?” Himmler asked.
“It doesn’t look like it is of European origin. Or anywhere for that matter.” Adolf explained. “Maybe the book might give us some clues.”
Adolf pulled the book over and opened it as Goebbels and Himmler took a seat at the table opposite of Adolf. Flipped through page after page, and saw that there were many pictures. Several of these pictures involve dragons, more horses, and creatures known as sirens. Most of the pictures had a particular horse, a unicorn to specific, which kept appearing. It was gray, with a white mane and, to Adolf’s surprise, a beard, and wore a blue rope and hat. At one point the book mentions the name of this unicorn.
“Starswirl the Bearded.”
This caught Goebbels’ and Himmler’s attention.
Adolf turned the book toward the two and pointed out the unicorn with the strange name.
“Is this a children’s book?” The latter asked.
“Seems a bit thick to be one.” The former added. “Look, it’s almost six centimeters thick.”
Adolf closed the book and looked at the spine and read the title aloud.
“The Complete Biography of Starswirl the Bearded.”
He then set the book down.
“Where did you find these?”
The sound of boot steps echoed through the hall as Himmler lead Adolf and Goebbels down a hallway.
“Where are we going exactly?” Adolf asked.
“We’re here.” Himmler answered.
The three men passed through a doorway where two soldiers stood guard and into a large room. This room was in the North Tower of the castle. This room is often referred to as the “Obergruppenführersaal”, or “General’s Hall”. What made this room rather unique was the symbol that was in the center of the room. This symbol of Pagan origin and is often called the “Sun Wheel”, or by its inaccurate name, the “Black Sun”.
“They appeared right there.” Himmler said, pointing at the direct center of the sun wheel.
Adolf approached the symbol and examined it.
“When did they appear exactly?” He asked.
“The goblet was the first to appear, yesterday precisely at nine o’ clock.” Himmler explained. “Then later that day at three o’ clock, the bag appeared. Then this morning at nine o’ clock, one of the officers reported that he saw what looked like a large flash bulb went off in here, and then he saw the book on the floor.”
A flash? This caused Adolf’s interest to increase, as if it could increase any further.
“What time is it now?”
Goebbels looked at his watch. But before he could even say what was on the watch, the room was suddenly filled with a large and bright light, causing him and Himmler to stumble as they tried to avert their eyes.
After a minute, the light disappeared.
Goebbels groaned as he rubbed his eyes. He then saw Himmler on his hands and knees.
“Are you alright?”
Himmler managed to get onto his feet.
“I’m alright. Be thankful you don’t wear glasses.” He said. “For me it felt like holding a magnify glass over an ant. Other than that, I’m alright.”
“Adolf, are you alright?”
Goebbels got no answer.
“Adolf? Adolf Brandenburg?”
He and Himmler were alone in the room.
“Standartenführer Brandenburg, where are you!?”
“Look.”
Goebbels looked where Himmler was pointing and saw that a small ink pot was sitting there in the center of sun wheel.
“Goebbels, what time is it?”
Goebbels looked at his watch.
“Right on time, apparently."
The only thing Adolf could see was pure light and all he could hear were his ears ringing. Where was he? What was happening? What was going to happen? After what felt like ten minutes, the light finally went away. For a short time all he saw were colors. He felt really light headed as he blinked several times, trying to get his eyes to adjust.
Finally his eyes adjusted, and he saw that he was in a room. The room was completely different than the previous one he was in as it looked more like a large hallway than a room. He looked around and saw that there were many stain glass windows. Well-made he thought.
“Hello.”
Suddenly Adolf heard someone speak.
Adolf spun around and what he saw cause his eyes to go wide. It was the same creature he saw on the coins, only this time it was actually in front of him, with horn and wings. It had a white hide, a flowing mane a and tail that were multicolored, almost like a rainbow, with pink eyes and it wore what looked like a crown, gold slippers on its hooves, and what looked like a gold, collar-like piece of jewelry around the base of its neck. Speaking of it's hooves, they were as wide as its legs, an unusual part of its anatomy, as apposed to the horses Adolf is familiar with.
“Pardon me for asking this.” It said, with a female voice. “But what are you exactly?”
And now it was talking. Adolf’s mind had about enough of today’s events. This was clearly shown as Adolf went from standing up to falling to floor, with blackness being the next thing he sees.
Night Light was in the middle of packing up his things after classes at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns let out when he had gotten the message. The message told him that he was to report to the castle, immediately. By order of Princess Celestia herself.
Night’s hooves clattered against the floor as he approached the castle. As he neared the front entrance, he heard a mare calling after him.
“Hey, Night Light!”
The blue stallion turned upon hearing his named called and saw who was.
“Hello, Viola. How are you?”
Approaching was a white unicorn mare with a green mane and tail that were curled at the ends and green eyes with a cutie mark which consisted of a ten pointed, green and orange star with a black treble clef at the center. Her name was Viola Chords, a fellow professor at the school.
“I’m doing well.” She said. “Are you heading to the castle as well? Because the only time I see you going in this direction is when you’re going to the castle.”
“I am actually.” Night said. “I assume you are as well?”
“Indeed.” Viola said cheerfully. “Come on we’ll talk along the way.”
The castle towered over as the two ponies approached.
“Before I forget, thank you so much for looking after my baby filly.” Viola said gleefully. “I can’t thank you two enough.”
“It’s no trouble at all, Viola.” Night said. “I swear, Velvet raves every time you want someone to watch over Lyra. After all, you say that every time you come back after a day of school.”
“Has she been behaving herself?” Viola asked as they approached the front gate.
“As much as a little filly can.” Night answered.
The two got to the castle gates where several guards stood firm. One of them saw the two coming.
“Night Light and Viola Chords?” The armored unicorn asked.
“Yes, that is us.” Night confirmed.
“The Princess is expecting you.” The guard explained. “You’ll find her at the Royal Suite.”
The guard allowed the two unicorns to pass.
After climbing the tall staircase, Night and Viola found themselves outside the Royale Suite. And in front of them, was Celestia herself.
“You’re highness.” The unicorns said in unison, before bowing.
“I am glad you two could come at such short notice.” Celestia said in her usual calm and collected voice. “I apologize if I am keeping you from anything important.”
“It is not a problem, dear Princess.” Night said.
“What is it you require?” Viola asked.
Celestia looked over at the suite door and back at the two unicorns. But before she could even begin to explain, they were all suddenly made aware that a fourth party was approaching, as indicated by the sound of loud hoof steps clattering up the stairs. The two unicorns and alicorn turned and saw an amber color, unicorn filly screech to a halt at the top of the stairs. Her mane and tail were crimson with golden highlights with a blazing sun for a cutie mark. She also had a saddlebag, the contents being unknown.
“Sunset? What are you doing here?” Celestia said with surprise. “Aren’t you supposed to be studying?”
“I heard from Inkwell that a weird creature appeared after you tried out that spell.” The filly answered. “So I got here as I fast I could.”
Celestia looked at the door again, and this time looked at the filly before her.
“I’m sorry, Sunset.” She said. “But this is a grown up matter.”
Disappointment immediately replaced the enthusiasm on Sunset’s face.
“Aww, please?” She then opened her saddlebag and retrieved a notepad and pencil. “I even brought paper for notes. Can I pleeeease look to?”
Sunset eyes changed from that of a filly to that of a puppy. Something that even Celestia, the most powerful being in Equestria, isn’t immune from.
The Princess sighed.
“Alright, Sunset. You win.” She said. “But once were done here, you are to go straight back to the library to continue your studies. You understand?”
That was all Sunset needed to hear as she practically tackled Celestia into a hug, causing her to let out a laugh.
“Alright, calm down.” She said as she picked her student up with her magic. “But before we go in, let me introduce you to these two. Meet Night Light and Viola Chords.”
Sunset turned to Night and Viola.
“Hello.” She said. “I’m Sunset Shimmer.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Hi there.”
“With that out of the way.” Celestia said. “Let us meet our new guest. Shall we?"
Celestia slowly opened the door into the Royal Suite. The lights were off as their guest was sleeping.
“Be very quiet.” The Princess whispered.
She then tip-hoofed into the room, followed by Night, Viola, and Sunset.
They saw that there seemed to be some sort of mass in the bed, as part of the sheets were rising and falling.
After several more steps, all four were surrounding the bed. With a glow of her horn, Celestia turned the lights on, but dimmed them to the point that they could see but didn’t disturb the occupant of the bed.
Gently as she could, Celestia used her magic to pull the covers back, revealing that the bed’s occupant was something that none of the three unicorns have ever seen before.
The creature looked to be some sort of mammal, with only dark brown hair on the top of its head. The creature’s skin was light colored, and was covered by some black colored clothing. To the side of the bed on the floor was a pair of black boots. On its jacket were what appeared to be several medals and on the left arm was some sort of red cloth which had a white circle and a black cross like shape.
“What is it?” Viola quietly asked. “Some sort of species of monkey we don’t know about?”
“It appears so.” Night said.
He glanced over at Sunset and saw that she was scribbling notes onto her notepad.
He then turned to the princess.
“Where did it come from?” He asked.
“Like Sunset said, I was working with this spell I had come across.” Celestia explained. “It was an old spell I found in Starswirl’s old archives. The spell itself was to send anything and anypony to another world. Apparently when I sent an ink well through, he appeared in its place.”
Night looked back at the creature.
“Other than those hoof, or feet coverings, did he have anything else on him?”
Celestia directed Night and the other two to the dresser in the room. On the top were several items. One of them was a bag of some sort, the kind used to hold special papers. The second was a black hat which bore a metal eagle and some sort of symbol none of them recognized. The third item looked to be some sort of leather mass attached to a belt.
Sunset approached and picked up the hat with her magic and put it on her own head. She had to put the hat on at an angle to compensate for her horn. After several moments, the hat fell off.
As Sunset set the hat back on the dresser and jotted down on her notepad, Viola took hold of the belt.
“Look, there’s a buckle on the leather thing.” She said.
She then used her magic to undo the buckle and open a flap. Inside was something that none of them has ever seen before. It looked to be made of metal and appeared to have several moving parts. One of these parts looked like some sort of switch. Viola flipped the switch, revealing a red dot underneath. She then saw some sort of lever within a part that looked like a ring.
“Viola I don’t think that’s a good…”
*BANG*
Night’s protest was silenced by the explosion-like, deafening sound that lit up the room for a moment with a fire-like flash that spat out from the rod like part of the device, which was followed by the brief sound of glass shattering. Viola jumped, dropping the strange device before covering her mouth with her hooves, Celestia and Night yelped and jumped back, Sunset threw her pencil and notepad out of fright.
The ponies were not the only ones startled, as they heard a loud thud, as if something heavy dropped to the floor which followed by a loud shout.
"Der Feind!"
“It’s awake!” Sunset said with shock.
The creature scrambled to its feet and felt around part of his jacket as if it were looking for something.
"Meine Waffe!?" It said with what seemed like panic. "Wo ist meine Waffe!?
The creature looked around the room, realizing that it wasn’t alone.
"Wer seit ihr?" It said in what appeared to be a question. "Wo ist...?"
The creature looked directly at the floor at Viola’s feet, seeing the device.
Without warning, the creature dashed for it, causing Viola to jump out of the way as the creature took hold of it and then point the part the flash came from at everypony. After what happened when Viola handled it, they realized that it might be some sort of weapon.
As soon as the rod-like part was pointed towards them, Night and Viola scurried behind the bed, Sunset ran and hid behind Celestia who spread her wings and took a defensive stance.
“Wo bin ich?” The creature said. "Ich verlange zu erfahren weshalb ich gefangen gehalten werde!"
Still in her defensive stance, Celestia caught on to that the creature was speaking a different language entirely. After a quick thought, her horn glowed and sent a jolt of magic towards the creature.
“Verstehst du mich?” The creature said again as the magic jolt absorbed into him. “I am an officer of the German Reich! Holding me captive is such a way is an act of war upon the Reich! Now tell me, why are…?”
The creature then slowly stopped talking. It then slightly lowered the strange weapon.
“I’m speaking English? Why am I speaking English?” It then remembered that the ponies were in the room. “More importantly.” He then raised the weapon again. “Who are you and why am I being held captive? Answer me!”
Celestia looked down at Sunset who was still cowering behind one of her legs. She then turned back to the black clad creature.
“Listen, we don’t wish to hurt you.” She said as calmly as she could, trying to keep her anger at bay. “Just put whatever that weapon is down, and we can talk.”
The angry creature was quiet as he kept the weapon aimed at them.
“Look, put the weapon down.” Celestia said. “We can talk about this. Just please put the weapon down, there’s a filly here.”
The creature looked down at Celestia’s legs and saw the crimson maned filly shaking with fear.
Celestia saw that the look in the creature’s eyes had changed, from that of anger, to sympathy.
The creature then slowly lowered the weapon. It then backed up the wall and slid down it, sitting down onto the floor.
Celestia folded her wings and stood normally. She then slowly walked forward toward the creature.
“Are you calm?” She asked. “Do you need anything?”
The creature looked up at Celestia with a pair of blue eyes.
“An explanation.” He answered. “If that is alright.”
Not much time had passed after the incident. Celestia dismissed Sunset from her studies for the day and ordered that the window in the suite to be replaced. Right now on the other hand, she was in the castle gardens with Night Light and Viola Chords. She thought that they needed some fresh air to calm themselves down after their new guest had awakened.
“I must say that was rather interesting.” Night said.
“By interesting you mean terrifying, right?” Viola said. “I don’t know what that creature is, but it certainly wasn’t friendly. I’m starting to have second thoughts about talking to it now.”
“One must keep in mind that he came from another world. So of course he would have such a reaction. Much like a frightened animal.” Celestia said. “But I do agree that his reaction was rather, well, shocking.”
Suddenly a pegasus guard touched down near them.
“Princess, you’re guest is here now.” He said.
“Let him approach.” Celestia said.
The winged guard looked in one and nodded. A moment later, the black clad creature approached, with is boots, hat, and belt on, and the bag in his hand.
All three of the ponies turned to it.
“How are you?” Celestia asked. “Are you feeling well?”
The creature cleared his throat.
“Before I either of us asks or answers any questions, I would like to apologize for my behavior.” He said. “What I did was inexcusable. Especially if what I done involved frightening a child. There for I deeply apologize.”
The Princess and the unicorns looked at one another and then at the creature.
“It is all forgiven.” The Princess said, causing a look of surprise to form on the creature’s face. “After all you were frightened and you didn’t know where you were. And no pony was hurt, that is the important part, don’t you think?”
The black wearer nodded.
“Now I believe I owe you an explanation.” She said. Her horn then glowed and a chair suddenly poofed into existence, which almost made the creature jump. “Care to have a seat?”
The creature sat down, still surprised that what he was now sitting on appeared out of nowhere.
Celestia then poofed in several cushions which she, Night, and Viola all sat down on.
“Before I begin to explain, would you care to tell us about yourself?”
The creature cleared his throat.
“My name is Adolf. Adolf Brandenburg.” It said. “Based on your curiosity, I assume that there are no other humans like me here, whatever here is.”
“As far as I know, yes.” Night answered. “Quite honestly, Viola and I thought you were some sort of species of primate that has yet to have been discovered. After all primates don’t usually wear clothing like that.”
Adolf looked down at his clothing.
“Well as member of the SS, it’s a requirement to wear such a uniform.”
Viola cocked her head to one side.
“The SS?” She asked. “What is that? Is it some sort of group?”
“Indeed it is. The SS is sworn to defend the German Fatherland and our Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. The man who essentially saved Germany.”
“Is Germany the name of your home world?” Night asked. “Or is it a country, like Equestria?”
“It is a country, and the world is called Earth.” Adolf explained. “Speaking worlds, would kindly explain why I am here?”
“Of course. First allow me to introduce myself.” Celestia said. “I am Princess Celestia, the ruler of this land.”
Adolf’s eyes almost popped from his head.
“The ruler?” He asked. “I was aiming my pistol at the ruler of another land?”
“And before you say, yes I do forgive you. I knew you had no true intention to using it against me. But with that aside, how about I explain why you’re hear?” Celestia asked. Adolf nodded. “Very well.” Celestia then cleared her throat. “Several days ago I had discovered the recipe for a spell, the prototype for a trans-dimensional spell created by Starswirl the Beard himself.”
“Starswirl? I remember coming across that book you sent.” Adolf said. “I’m not sure how this spell of yours works but apparently it did.”
“Did all of the items make it?” Celestia asked. “They were a book, a bag of bits, and…”
“A golden goblet?” Adolf asked. “Yes, that made it across. And I’m pretty sure whatever the fourth thing you sent made it as well. I am here, after all.”
“Well that is good, in a way.” Celestia said. “But that is where our problem starts. You see the spell requires the caster to draw a certain symbol on the floor, and certain ingredients are needed to draw the symbol. These ingredients need to be brought over from different parts of Equestria. Fortunately I had recently sent a request for these ingredients. But…”
“But until these ingredients arrive, I am unable to return home.” Adolf said. “Am I correct?”
Celestia nodded.
Adolf sighed and looked up at the sky.
“Well that’s unfortunate.” He said as he returned to looking at Celestia. “What should I do in the meantime?”
“Well, I believe you’ll have to stay here in the castle.” Celestia said. “And don’t worry, you will not be imposing, I insist.”
Adolf looked back up at the sky to think. Moments later he looked back at the Princess.
“Well I don’t have any other options.” He said. “I appreciate your hospitality. But I must say that there is a problem.”
“Really, what is it?” Viola asked.
“I don’t have any other clothes to wear.” Adolf explained. “When I went to the castle back in my world to examine those objects your Princess had sent, I brought a week’s worth of clothing. And as you can see the only thing I have with me is this document bag.”
Celestia thought for a moment. What could Adolf wear?
Out of the corner of her eye she saw another pony approaching, causing an idea to pop into her head.
“I believe I have an idea.” She said. “And part of it is walking over.”
Adolf and the two unicorns looked and saw that a third unicorn was approaching. It was a male with dark gray hide, a short black mane and tail, with red eyes and wore a brown vest which had the silver chain of a watch poking out of a pocket. He also had what looked like a picture of an iron girder on his flank.
The stallion stopped in front of the group and bowed.
“Princess Celestia.” He said as he stood up. “I’ve come to inform you that the window in the royal suite has been replaced.”
“Very good, please send the bill to my office, and you’ll receive your payment.” Celestia said. “In the meantime, allow me to introduce to you our guest."
The gray stallion turned to Adolf.
“Nice to meet you, whatever it is you are.” He then offered in greeting. “I’m Iron Girder.”
Adolf shook Iron’s hoof.
“Adolf, Brandenburg.” He said as he let go of the unicorn’s hoof. “Nice to you, Mr. Girder.”
“Please, just Iron.”
“Anyway, our new friend Adolf has no other clothes to wear.” Celestia said. “Do you think Emerald is available to make him some?”
Iron used his magic to take out the watch from the vest pocket and opened it.
“Her boutique closes at around seven.” He said. “So I think she’ll be available. I must say I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees whose she’s making clothes for.”
“What do you think, Adolf?” Celestia asked. “Sound like a plan?”
The streets of Canterlot were bustling with activity. From ponies going home from school and work, to ponies going to their evening and night work. The only thing that stopped some of them was the sight of the strangest creature they’ve ever seen. That creature being an ape-like biped dressed in black walking down the street looking around at his surroundings.
Iron Girder looked up at Adolf, realizing how tall his new friend was. The two were also accompanied by Night Light and Viola.
“Are you alright?” He asked. “You looked concerned.”
“I don’t exactly look like I’m from around here.” Adolf said. “It’s one thing to study abroad in Britain, and then there is traveling to a completely different world.”
“You seem to be handling this quiet well.” Night said as they stopped at a cross walk. “Well, despite your little episode earlier.”
“Granted when I woke up in my dorm in Britain, I remembered going to sleep in said dorm.” Adolf explained. “By the way, when we’re finished here, remind me to tell Celestia to undo whatever she did to me. I can speak English fine on my own.”
“Is that what that language you were speaking earlier is called?” Viola asked.
“Actually that was German, the language of my homeland.” Adolf answered as they were allowed to cross the street. “English is what we’re speaking right now. Well, I’m not sure what you call it here, but where I come from it is called English.”
“How many languages are there in your world exactly?” Iron asked.
“A lot actually.” Adolf explained. “You have English, German, Russian, French, Polish, Italian, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese and so many others that it would take me a long time for me to list them all.”
“Good because, here we are.”
Iron pointed at a store at the street corner in front of them. It had a sign that said “The Pincushion Boutique”.
Adolf followed the three ponies into the store. He looked around at the many clothes on display and at the mannequins which wore the cloths; these mannequins were in the shape of ponies, just like mannequins at clothing stores back in Germany resembled women and men.
Iron rang a bell on the front desk.
“Coming!” Said a female voice from a far.
Out from behind a red curtain came a green unicorn mare. She had a puffy mane and tail of the same color with pink streaks and had a pair of silver eyes. She wore a red ascot around her neck and had cutie mark which consisted of two green buttons and a needle with thread.
“Iron! Hi!” The mare said with joy.
She then ran from behind the counter and leapt onto Iron with a hug.
“It’s so good to see you!” She said. “You really got to get out of the shop more often.”
Iron chuckled as the mare let go of him.
“Sorry Emi, I’ll make it up to you in some way.” Iron said. “This is Night Light and Viola Chords. They’re professors at the Princess’s School. Night and Viola, this is my marefriend, Emerald Button.”
“Charmed.” Night said.
“Hello.” Viola added.
Before emerald could interact with the two unicorns further, she finally caught sight of the black clad newcomer in her shop.
“Hello.” She said as she approached him cautiously. “Who are you?”
Adolf took a step forward and held out in his hand in greeting.
“My name Adolf Brandenburg. It is nice to meet you”
Emerald shook his hand and looked up and down him.
“I’m doing well.” She said. “And if you don’t mind me asking, can you tell me what you are exactly?”
“I am a human.” Adolf said as he let go of Emerald’s hoof. “And from what your lover has told me, and based on your establishment, you specialize in clothing.”
“That I do.” Emerald said. “Do you need anything in that regard?”
“Adolf doesn’t have any clothes to wear.” Night explained. “And we were hoping you could provide him with some clothing.”
“Of course.” Emerald said. “How many and what sort of clothes do you need?”
Adolf thought for a moment.
“Since that I am not aware of how long my way home will take to be prepared, I would have to say a week at most.” He said. “And before I forget, the Princess gave me this card thing before we left the castle earlier. I can’t remember what she had called it.”
Adolf then opened one of the pockets of his jacket and retrieved what looked like small card like object. The card was light blue and had the picture of Celestia’s cutie mark on one side. Before he could hand it to the green mare, the card was then encased in a light green glow and seemed to float out of his hand and into Emerald’s hoof in which her eyes went wide.
“This is a royal payment card.” She said with shock in her voice. “I’ve never thought I’d ever see one of these show up in my store.”
She then looked up at Adolf.
“You’re staying at the castle?”
“I am, yes.” Adolf said. “Apparently, your sovereign is the reason why I’m here in your world in the first place.”
“And you didn’t bring any clothes did you?” Emerald asked.
Adolf nodded.
“In that case, what sort of clothing do you require? With this card you can ask for any clothing you want.”
“Well, like I said I require a week’s worth of clothing.” Adolf said. “If it is not too much ask I require seven button up shirts, seven pairs of trousers, seven pairs of socks, seven undershirts, and seven pairs of under garments.”
Emerald wrote down what he needed on a notepad.
“Okay, I’ll see what I can do.” She said. “But I do need to take your measurements. After all I’ve never measured somepony like you.”
“Very well.” Adolf said. “Where do you…?”
Adolf was the cut off by Emerald encasing him in her aura, causing him to float off the ground.
“…want me?”
The measurements didn’t take long to get done as Adolf was in and out of the backroom within a span of at least five minutes. After paying for the clothing, Adolf said his goodbyes to Emerald and left the boutique with the other three.
“I never thought I’d ever get measured by a horse.”
The two stallions and mare immediately looked at Adolf who then realized his mistake.
“I’m sorry, pony.”
Iron Girder looked at his watch.
“Huh, look at the time.”
Iron presented his watch and shown that it was a quarter before six.
“Time flies, doesn’t it?” Night asked.
“I better get back to the shop.” Iron said as she tucked his watch away. He then turned to Adolf. “Adolf, it was very nice meeting you. And I welcome you to Equestria.”
Adolf shook Iron’s hoof.
“It was a pleasure meeting you as well, Mr. Girder.” Adolf said. “I hope I see you again since I’ll be here for a while.”
Iron let go of Adolf’s hand before trotting away.
“Looks like it’s almost dinner time.” Night said. “I bet Velvet has this evening’s meal cooking. Care to join us Viola?”
“Why of course.” Viola said. “After all I need pick up little Lyra.”
“Alright then, let’s get going.”
The sun was on the verge of setting when the trio got to Night Light’s house. It was a large, light purple colored two story house.
“A what nice house you have.” Adolf said as he and the ponies walked down the path towards the front door. “I reminds of the house I grew up in.”
“Does it really?” Viola asked. “Was it the same color?”
“No, it was white.”
Night Light opened the front door and entered with the other two in toe.
“Velvet, I’m home!”
Out of the door which led to the kitchen came a unicorn mare with a gray hide, blue eyes, a purple and light gray mane and tail, and what looked like three stars on her flank.
“There you are Night, I was wondering when you’d get back.” She said. “Good to see you Viola and…”
She stopped when she saw Adolf.
“…I see you brought a friend.” She said with an unsure tone in her voice.
Adolf then offered his hand in greeting.
“Adolf Brandenburg.”
Velvet then reluctantly shook Adolf’s hand.
“I presume you are Night Light’s wife?”
“I am.” Velvet said as she let go of Adolf’s hand. “Twilight Velvet. Nice to meet you.”
She then turned to her husband.
“First a griffon and then a…” She then turned back to Adolf. “…I’m very sorry, but what are you exactly?”
“I am a human.” Adolf answered. “Essentially I am a guest in your country due to the actions of your sovereign, Celestia.”
Velvet was surprised.
“So you’re from a different world entirely?” She asked. “That’s…”
She was then cut off by the sound of a timer from the kitchen.
“I’m sorry I have to check on the roast, right quick.” She said. “Make yourself comfortable. And, well, welcome to Equestria.”
“Thank you.”
As Velvet trotted back into the kitchen, Viola made way into another room, the living room. Night and Adolf followed the white unicorn into the room where she sat down on the sofa next to what looked like, at a distance, like a bundle of cloth. Upon closer expectation, this bundle was an infant unicorn. It was aquamarine in color with a cyan and white mane. As Viola picked it up, her eyes began to open.
“Hey Lyra.” Viola said sweetly. “Mommy’s here.”
The infant then smiled and began to wiggle, emitting the heartwarming sounds of an infant.
“It’s good to see you too, baby.” Viola said as she held the infant close.
Adolf smiled, remembering the days when he first became a father.
“Well I have some papers to look over.” Night said. “Make yourself comfortable, Adolf.”
“Very well.”
Night then trotted out of the room and up the stairs to his office.
Adolf sat down on one of the armchairs in the room and let out a quiet sigh. He looked around at the walls and saw a lot of pictures, many of them having Night Light and Twilight Velvet. While several of them had other ponies in the photograph such as Viola and what appeared to be a shorter stallion that had a white hide, blue mane and tale, and a pair of blue eyes.
Before he could ponder on the identity of this pony, he heard that a newcomer had entered the room.
“Whoa…”
Adolf turned and saw that it was the same unicorn from the picture.
“…what are you?”
Adolf stood up and approached the colt.
“I assume you’re the son of the house, yes?”
“I am.” The colt said. “I’m Shining Armor!”
Adolf bent forward and stuck out his hand in greeting.
“I’m Adolf.” He said. “Adolf Brandenburg. It’s nice to meet you young… …stallion?”
Before the two could continue speaking, the colt started to sniff.
“Pee yew!” He said. “What is that?”
“Ooh, looks like somepony needs a changing.” Viola said as she set her infant down onto the sofa. “Shining I think the diaper bag is in your parents room, could you go and grab it please?”
Shining sighed.
“Okay…”
The white colt trotted upstairs and returned with what looked like a sky blue satchel.
“Thank you dear.” Viola said as she took hold of the bag with her magic. “Would you mind helping me?”
Shining cringed.
“Uh… …no thank you.” He said. “I think Mom needs help with dinner, see you in a bit!”
The white colt then scurried into the kitchen.
Viola sighed but knew that the colt meant well.
“Do you mind if I help you?” Adolf asked as he stood up and took his hat off.
“It’s alright, Adolf.” Viola said. “I just asked him only to mess with him. But I much appreciate the offer.”
Viola un-wrapped the blanket from around her daughter and laid it on to the sofa before setting Lyra down on it. She then undid the diaper, and spread it out between the infant’s legs. As she pulled out a small package of wipes and opened it, she saw that Adolf was looking over.
“I’m sorry; this is probably a little unsettling, isn’t it?”
“Don’t mind me; I’ve seen things much worse than an infant in post defecation.” Adolf said. “After all, I’ve assisted in performing such an act when each of our children were babies.”
This caught Viola’s attention.
“You have children too?” She asked. “How many do you have?”
“I have three boys and two girls.” Adolf said. “We’ve been debating on having a sixth. We’re not sure when or if we want to do so at all.”
Viola’s eyes went wide as she began to wipe her child.
“Six? That’s amazing.” She asked with surprise. “I can never picture myself having that many foals.”
Adolf chuckled. What made it seem more funny is that he was having such a conversation with someone, or somepony as they said, who wasn’t even human.
The evening’s dinner consisted of what Velvet called a “hay roast”, which looked like a standard beef roast back in Germany, but was made of hay, bread rolls, carrots, peas, with lemonade to drink.
“Everypony eat up!” Velvet said.
After everypony found a seat at the table, Adolf, who sat next to Shining, put both of his hands together and bowed his head.
“Bless us, O Lord!” He said. “And these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
He then used his two fingers to sign the shape of the cross on his chest.
When he looked up, he saw that everypony was looking at him.
“A custom from my homeland.” He explained, knowing what they were thinking. In which everypony nodded in understanding. “Anyway, how about we all eat?”
Night Light, who sat at the head of the table, have everypony, and human, each a decently sized slice of roast, and then each a serving of peas and carrots. When the latter got to Shining’s plate, the colt let out a sigh as the orange colored slices were served onto his plate.
“Do I have to eat these?”
Night sighed.
“Shining, you really need to eat your vegetables.” He said. “You can’t just eat snack cakes and chocolate milk all day.”
“And please don’t deny it, dear.” Velvet added. “I’ve seen the wrappings and bottles.”
Before Shining could protest further, Adolf, out of all of them, intervened.
“I’d listen to your parents, young one. A person, or pony, at your age needs to eat this sort of food to grow strong.” He explained. “And if not for your health, keep in mind of how these carrots got here. Who planted the seeds and watered them and picked them once they were grown? Do you think his work was wasted only for his carrots not to be eaten? Or how about the grocer who sold them? Do you think the time he took to price and sell the carrots would be wasted? Or your mother, what about her? Do you think her time was wasted after purchasing and cooking these carrots, only for you not to eat them?”
Shining was quiet for a moment as he absorbed what Adolf had said before looking down at his plate, with a look of regret on his face.
“I’m sorry.”
Adolf put a hand on the colt’s shoulder.
“Don’t fret on it too much, dear boy.” He said. “You were merely ignorant of the subject, something that can be easily forgivin.”
He then turned to Velvet and Night.
“You forgive your son, right?”
“Of course.” They both said.
“See, young one, all forgiven.” Adolf said. “And you can redeem yourself by eating the carrots. What do you say?”
Shining looked at Adolf, at the carrots, and then back at Adolf.
“Okay.”
He then took a fork, picked up several of the pieces of carrots and began to eat them.
“These are good carrots, mom.”
“Thank you, dear.” Velvet said.
Adolf smiled before realizing that he essentially scolded another person’s, or pony’s child. When he turned, he saw that the two parents, along with Viola, were smiling in approval.
“With that aside.” Viola said. “How about we all make sure this food doesn’t go to waste?”
Adolf’s boot steps echoed through the halls after he returned to the castle. His stomach was full of carrots, peas, buttered rolls, lemonade, chocolate cake, and, of all things, cooked hay. How Twilight Velvet was able to cook hay, Adolf could not figure out. Even so, he knew that his next trip to the washroom was going to be uncomfortable.
As he turned the corner, he saw somepony he recognized form earlier from today. The red and gold maned filly.
“Excuse me?”
The filly turned and looked at Adolf with her cyan eyes.
“O-Oh, hello.” She said. The incident from earlier that day was still in her mind. “How are you?”
“I am doing well.”
Adolf saw the look in the filly’s eyes, the look of appeared to meet a mixture of anxiety and fear.
“I’m actually glad I ran into you.” He said, causing the filly to look up at him with curiosity. “Because I would like to apologize for frightening you earlier.”
“You, you do?” The filly asked.
“Yes. What I did was rather uncalled for.” He said. “If I had known that a child was in the room, I probably wouldn’t have reacted in such a way.”
“It probably would’ve been better if Viola didn’t mess with that thing on your belt.”
Adolf chuckled.
“By the way, I didn’t catch your name.” He said. “What is it?”
“Sunset Shimmer.” The amber filly said. “If it’s alright with you, can I hug you?”
Adolf didn’t see this question coming.
“I don’t see why not, go ahead.”
Sunset the trotted up and wrapped her front legs around Adolf’s leg, causing the former to chuckle.
“I’m not so scary now, am I?”
Sunset shook her head no after letting go of Adolf’s leg.
“By the way, what are yo doing up this late?” Adolf asked as he pulled a silver pocket watch from his pocket and checked the time. The time was nine o’ clock. “Aren’t you going to bed soon?”
“I was on my way to Celestia’s office.” Sunset explained. “I have some notes I’d like to share with her.”
“That reminds me, do you mind if I tag along?” Adolf asked. “I’m hoping your Princess will undo whatever it was she did to me when I woke up earlier.”
