Chapter 9

September 12, 2022

Pulkovo International Airport, St. Petersburg, Russia

On the outskirts of Pulkovo International Airport, the four former Grand Duchesses rode their airport shuttle across the asphalt fields of the runways. Not far away, their escorts rode their own shuttle buses. Above, a few Boeing passenger jets roared high into the night sky with lights blinking like stars. Almost everywhere to the four sisters, there was a marvel of the modern world flashing, rolling along, or soaring.

Even to Olga, who had embraced modern life with much enthusiasm, the sights seemed alien. It was a comfortable future, but still not all familiar. She had grown up in a time when modern aviation was in its earliest stages, and now, she looked up into the nighttime skies with awe at how far civilization had gone... Even if it was a temporal thing, fragile and temporary in the grand scale of time.

Everything began to seem daunting. A vast, modern world with mighty machines and broken people. And only five risen women came to attempt fixing it all.

Olga knew Tatiana worried about herself and her sisters... They had never gotten the chance to see America before. She glanced at her once reserved and more authoritative sister, gazing again at the faraway lights of St. Petersburg. Her closest sister yawned before leaning limp onto her.

"Tatya, we are about to reach our plane. Hang in there, sister."

"It is so late at night..." Tatiana murmured, sighing as she straightened up on her seat.

"You'll be able to sleep on the plane. We'll be fine."

Olga then glanced at her two younger sisters, once dubbed the Little Pair. Well, they had been nicknamed that again thanks to the name of their shared "YouTube channel". To see them live carefree and eager for life- It made her feel at peace. It felt like the former life they had, but with a wonderful new twist.

"Mashka, what are you doing on your phone?"

"I'm just letting Guard Ivan know how I'm doing."

"Are you friends?"

"Totally, he is not bad at all. He took me out to have breakfast with him at an internet cafe, and we ended up taking plenty of selfies... I think I like him."

"Ivan... Sounds like the name of that guard who sent you a birthday cake."

"Nastya... I've never told you this before, but... My friend is actually the old Ivan's great-grandson."

"Really?"

"Yeah, he showed me his great-grandfather's Soviet hat and nametag."

"Wow! So what do you think of him?"

"I don't know. It feels funny, liking the great-grandson of my last crush before my first death."

Anastasia snorted, earning her a frown from Maria. Realizing her insensitive reaction, she went quiet. "Oh... my bad."

"No worries. It sounds weird, but in a funny manner," Maria whispered, smiling at a post on her iPhone.

"Yeah, totally... I just realized that this will be our first flight on a plane!"

"Oh, I never realized that!"

Olga and Tatiana had been listening to their younger sisters' whispers. They knew that this would be a wonderful start for Maria. She had been yearning for love like her eldest sister... Now she had a chance to find what she never truly had before. All of them were thankful to God. Life was a gift, and they would certainly use their new lives much better!

Also, they had met and would be accompanied by their modern relatives from their extended family. In another jet not far away, Maria Vladimirovna and other premier RFA council members would travel to meet Ella as well.

"Olenka, is your boyfriend coming over with us to America?"

"Yeah... In the most simple words, I say that he is a great guy."

"I know this may sound strange to you, but I am happy for you. I have seen you so gloomy back in captivity long ago, and it is wonderful that you found someone!"

The bus stopped before a black private jet, and the four sisters looked around, seeing their Honor Guards get out of their other shuttle bus. They knew it was time to leave Russia for their trip. They then made haste to take their few belongings.

All four of them climbed the carpeted stairs, already flanked with Russian state guards. With one last glance back, they stepped into the jet.

They took their seats after stowing their luggage away. Olga watched the Russian Honor Guards pass by, carrying their travel bags as well. She caught sight of her new boyfriend Anton, who gave her a wink. The two of them held hands in the brief moment the line held up...

Tatiana glanced at her eldest sister holding hands for a moment... Memories of moments that never were, innocent fantasies of her doing the same with another Dmitri, flashed in her mind. She still had her siblings in her new life. But alongside that came the memory of lost love, not the love itself.

She felt almost guilty for her brief rise of jealousy.

No, that was wrong. She needed to think positively! Her sister was in love, and she, too, would find love again. She needed to look forward like her eldest sister did. Never again should she remain in the past. In her new life, that would be her greatest lesson!

The flight attendants demonstrated the safety procedures before the passengers after the pilot announced their imminent departure. OTMA paid attention, knowing that to remain safe to see their cousin Ella was a must. The procedures went by without much issue, except that Anastasia seemed somewhat disappointed at not using her smartphone.

The plane began to taxi, with the cabin lights dimming and the soothing hum of the engines taking over the moment. They felt tense at the unfamiliar experience, especially when their jet accelerated down the runway after a brief stop.

And like the rest, their plane took off into the skies...

(Line Break)

Washington D.C, United States of America

Bob Atchinson was a deeply influenced activist for restoration and commemoration of the Romanov legacies... Including preserving the Alexander Palace that had been live streamed on YouTube by the real Anastasia and Maria. He did feel a bit sorry for the eldest Romanov sister, Olga, however. How embarrassing for her! Still, his efforts had paid off, and he had often been a consultant about the Romanovs around the world. Not even the USSR or Russian attacks on Ukraine could destroy his drive and passion for understanding the Romanovs.

And the strong conviction that his life's work and God had brought him here to the White House to meet President Biden. Soon he would meet the true Romanov sisters as real human beings rather than just words in a history textbook. His research had brought insights about them as possible role models for the world. Something about their kind, forgiving nature struck his heart. Especially the Romanov children, who were very well behaved overall.

He then heard another series of knocks on his hotel room door. He knew it was Ella's, being softer knocks. And to even meet OTMA's cousin herself? It first caught him by surprise and awe, especially hearing from her testimonies about Revelation.

But she was not all serious in every action she took. She, too, yearned to see her Romanov cousins again. She missed them very dearly.

Bob could not understand why OTMA had been in some sort of spiritual limbo at first. But he knew why now... The Lord had to give the world a wake up call about its course. So much suffering and evil still remained to be taken care of. And he, being a devout American, felt this on an emotional level.

"You can come inside," Bob spoke.

The once German princess stepped inside. It still felt strange to see "Ella" wear modern clothing to the experienced advocate. She almost looked like some upper middle-class college girl that one would see strolling around a mall. From the bright lilac blouse, her denim jacket, and to her tight jeans, she looked vibrant and full of life!

Those big eyes of hers- They did not seem so sad anymore, seeming filled with hope for the near future.

"My cousins... They will come soon, I know."

"Of course, I wish them a safe trip here. I am still curious about a few things, Miss Ella."

"Yeah?"

"Did you meet and befriend other saints and perhaps an angel in heaven?"

"Well, I did meet the archangel Michael, who took the form of a, well, handsome human sometimes. You know, golden eyes, slick black hair, and an elaborate gold and white tunic. Dressed to appear fine, alright!"

Bob laughed, as Ella smiled.

"I also befriended Apostle Bartholomew... in his younger incarnation. He's a person with a very empathetic and calm persona like I did as a young girl. He did teach me some wonderful stuff... especially how to use my powers. It may sound weird to you, but I also saw Alexandra up there. She also had a red sash as a tribute to her passion bearer status..."

"Interesting! What else did Bartholomew do or will do?"

"Well, although he is currently in heaven now, he will accompany me later during the End Times."

"You don't mean... Wait, you imply that he will be one of the other Two Witnesses?"

"As by God's plans, definitely."

"Ah... That is surprising! How did he get chosen? And what of the other witness?"

"I will assist him as he bears final witness to the rest of the world, since he's a good personality match to mine. However, the choice for the other witness will be very shocking and surprising to many... That will be a secret kept until later."

"Alright. Well, I would not want to inquire too much and make you uncomfortable. How about we go to lunch with President Biden as planned? I'm sure it would be a pleasant time to get to know Biden's family too. Even the First Lady."

"Sounds wonderful!"

Together, the resurrected princess and Bob Atchinson went out of the room. The Ukrainian President, who had flown in earlier after the ceasefire, would join them for lunch with his wife too.

At first, the telephone call between Biden and Putin went with tension and a few firm words, but common sense took over. If they did not compromise, even de-escalate tensions, many more would die in a nuclear war. Neither Biden nor Putin wanted to destroy their own countries. As the talk continued, they agreed to permit each of the other's embassies to reopen and to commit themselves to settling a compromise.

The Ukrainian President, however, was not entirely satisfied. He grudgingly agreed to the compromise. Sadly, Ukraine would not regain the Crimea peninsula and the oblasts just north of it. But it did regain its easternmost provinces after much negotiation. Russia would pay billions of dollars worth for the damages on Kiev and other major Ukrainian cities, and help Ukraine rebuild.

But how the U.N would handle the resurrections was an uncertain matter...