Research Trip
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The train to Marescow was nothing compared to that of the Canterlot Express.
The inside was...crowded, to say the least. Even in the ridiculously early morning, the entire train was filled with every single type mare, stallion and colt that one could possibly think of. And they were all dim colored. All of them. It was strange, if you came from Equestria, where ponies are pink and purple and cyan and a much larger range of bright colors, but Stalliongradi ponies...they were not bright at all.
The only colors that Twilight saw, besides those on herself, were several different shades of black, brow, white, gray, and, on rare occasions, red and/or gold. Combinations of all of those were there as well, but that was it.
Of course, Twilight being a Princess and all, flanked by two sets of bodyguards, created some room for her. Stalliongradi ponies may be dirty and poor, but they are humble.
Eventually, after picking up some other stallions from the tavern, the train began to roll out of the station with a few clanking and squeaking noises.
After about fix or six minutes, Twilight brought up the question, "So...how long until Marescow?"
Chernov answered, saying, "Meh. Probably...two, maybe three hours, at most."
Twilight sighed. She had been on longer train rides before, the one on the way up here was longer then that, but she really would've rather waited, well, not at all. And she couldn't fall asleep; it was too loud, what with all of the ponies in the car. It would've also been quite un-princess-like, asleep and drooling in a Stalliongradi train.
After a while, they started to converse, Spike having no qualms about snoring and drooling, did just that. Twilight and her Equestrian guards engaged in a conversation with the Stalliongradi troops, mostly talking about one another's cultures. Twilight learned a great deal about Stalliongradi ways - mostly lots of vodka and factories - whereas the Stalliongradi stallions learned about Equestria. They were surprised that the Princesses weren't very controlling. It was kind of sad, Stalliongrad was not a country of trust, unlike Equestria.
After an hour so of such banter, Resnov, halted the conversation and gestured out of the window.
"Look, there. There is Marescow."
Twilight's eyes widened. It was quite a sight. The city itself was not quite visible yet, it was the smoke. Several hundred smoke-stacks belched black smoke into the sky, and all of it conversed into a giant, billowing pillar of pollution.
It was disgusting, buy also quite enchanting.
"Wow. It's very...unique..."
She came back to see Resnov smirking, "Beautiful, no?"
"In it's own way..."
Resnov only smiled more. They all remained silent for a few moments, when Twilight decided to ask about the war.
"So... Sergeant?"
"Da?"
"What exactly is this war between you guys and Germaney about?"
Resnov's smile fell. Then, after a second, it came back, wider then ever. Then it fell again. It was a rather interesting display of emotions.
"Well, Princess, it all began twenty years ago when Germaney began to give ups the silent treatment. It was all rather sudden, they stopped all immigration, and any and all trading was halted. For three years, it was like that, not a word on what was going on over there. Then, after all of that, Germane troops swarmed our borders."
Twilight was a bit confused. Why did they do that?
"We were surprised, to say the least; they had signed a no-aggression act with us. Goddamn traitors!" he spat. Twilight winced at the profane language.
"They swept through the countryside, burning villages. Turns out, something had happened, a new leader. His name was Adolf Bitler. I guess that he believed that Earth ponies were a useless race, completely inferior, and that they were trying to take over slowly, by 'spreading their filth.'"
Twilight was horrified. Then she thought of Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Filth? Absolutely not.
Resnov grinned an evil grin.
"But we got those bastards back. They made it far, but we pushed back, tenfold!. The mighty Motherland will never fall!"
He chuckled. There was a fire in his eyes.
"I got the chance to slaughter them back. We invaded Germaney after pushing them back, and I was privileged to participate in the invasion of Seelow. The Germanes...they were pathetic. As soon as they saw our ranks, they began to scatter, and literally piss their pants. Many blew their own brains out just at the sight of us. Very few stood and fought, and those who did burned. I gladly tore many lives from those sick, traitorous F**ker-"
"Sergeant!"
Resnov stopped. He looked down at his lap, shame on his face.
"Please excuse me," he uttered and was off.
After a couple of minutes, Chernov said, "You'll...have to pardon the Sgt. He has had war hammered into his skull since he was born, as I have. He may seem violent, but do not worry; he is only violent towards those who threaten his way of life."
Chernov offered a smile and Twilight returned the favor.
Captain Broadhoof cleared his throat and spoke, "I have never fought before. These hooves have never taken a life. I am only a Captain because of my academy advancements. I should hope to keep it that way."
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Soon, the black city of Marescow came into view, a looming, industrial behemoth. The train dragged to a halt, and Chernov went to find Resnov, succeeded in bringing him back, and they all left the train.
Many of the passengers left, but many more boarded, and some simply stayed where they were.
The great walls of the city loomed, topped with barbed wire, the smokestacks still belching black smoke into the air.
There were many Stalliongradi citizens and guards there, but not a single one gave Twilight or her guards so much as a second glance. Twilight was secretly grateful for that.
With Resnov's clearance, they all made it inside the walls. The air there was both foul and sweet. Twilight smelled things like trash and ash, but, simultaneously, she scented fresh bread and flowers. It was a strange combination.
Finally, there was the welcoming party. After the front fate creaked open and Twilight's entourage entered, they immediately part of a large crowd. Not the welcoming party yet, just city-going ponies.
The ground was all worn cobblestone, and, on either side, stood many shops and buildings. They were crammed very close together, so close that the alleyways were only a foot or so across. The buildings were falling into disrepair, but they were also very well built. There were several floors, and, despite the buildings's ramshackle-ness, they were all keeping together quite nicely.
Then, over there, at the end of the entrance street, stood the stoutest pony that Twilight had ever seen.
He was not tall, but he was muscular, and thickly built. He had twinkling brown eyes, and a massive, poofy mustache. He was flanked by two sets of guards who wore strange masks. Not a single part of their face was showing.
It was Josef Stallion, Dictator of the Glorious Soviet country of Stalliongrad.