The Battle of Stalliongrad

by rommel9


Chapter 1

“Spike. Spike? SPIKE!”
“Wha- what?! I'm awake!” the baby dragon replied sleepily to the lavender unicorn that was his caretaker and best friend.
“Sorry Spike, but I need you to find a book for me.” Twilight Sparkle the unicorn said. Her muzzle was buried in a large, leather bound book entitled Equestria: A History.
“What else is new?” The reptile grumbled as he rolled out of his small basket bed. He made his way down the stairs from the loft he and the female pony shared in the Ponyville Library, heading to the nearest shelf. He then snatched up a random book before returning to toss it onto the bed where Twilight was nestled under the covers- her favorite thing to do while reading.
“Um, Spike?” Twilight said, holding up the book her number one assistant had retrieved. The book was about making exploding party favors to liven up parties. 'They'll blow your mind!' the book's cover stated a little too cheerily in green type.
“What is it now Twilight?”
“I didn't ask for this book...Heck, I didn't even say which book I wanted.”
“Ugh...What do you want, then?” Spike said groggily, taking the book back from his mentor.
“Fetch me an atlas of Equestria.” She said, reading from the ancient-looking history book atop her pillow. The dragon returned a moment later with a large paperback atlas in claw. He laid it open on the bed and looked up to Twilight, not even needing her to ask him to search something.
“Look for Stalliongrad.” The unicorn said, squinting to read the faded text on the yellowing pages of the history book. Spike searched every map the atlas contained for a few minutes before consulting the index. He trailed a single claw down the list of words beginning with 'S,' but finally shook his head in defeat.
“Nothing. There's nothing about a 'Stalliongrad' anywhere in the atlas.” Spike said, closing said book.
“Is it up to date?”
“Yea, it was just printed last year, too!”
“Strange...”
“What is it Twilight?”
“There's no Stalliongrad on the map, yet this history book has a chapter on something about the Battle of Stalliongrad!”
“What does the chapter on it say?” Spike asked, sitting up on the bed next to the unicorn.
“That's just it, Spike- the chapter's not there! All the pages that seem to even mention it have been ripped out! I'm surprised it's still in the chapter listings.” Twilight said, sliding off from her bed. The lavender pony trotted down into the library proper, her reptilian assistant hot on her heels. The unicorn then wandered over to her desk where she pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill using her magic. A faint purple glow surrounded her horn and the objects she was levitating. The office supplies floated over to Spike, who grabbed them from the air with a curious look.
“Spike, take a note.” Twilight said, starting to pace as per usual when sending a letter to Princess Celestia. Spike poised the quill above the parchment, ready to begin writing.
“Dear Princess Celestia. I am sorry to bother you at such a late hour, but I have a question about an event that occurred some time ago, more than likely during the thousand years Nightmare Moon was banished. The event in question is something called “The Battle of Stalliongrad.” I came across the title while doing some light reading, but cannot find any more information on either the battle or city. The settlement does not appear in even my most recent atlas and all information pertaining to the battle has been removed from my oldest history book. I believe the chapter I am searching for was removed long before I moved into the library here in Ponyville as the book I am referring to is property of the library. I hope that you will be able to shed light on the subject of the settlement of Stalliongrad and the battle that took place there... if such a settlement or battle ever existed or occurred. If it is merely a printing error with the book, then I shall seek a suitable replacement copy that is more up to date. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”
Spike let out sigh of relief that the letter wasn't too long, but it still cramped up his hand somewhat. He sealed the letter and held it up, about to engulf it in a swirl of magical green flames so as to send it to the ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia. He stopped short though, glancing momentarily at Twilight.
“Well, Spike? Send it!”
“Are you sure about this Twilight? I mean, if the information isn't there, then it's obvious someone doesn't want anyone finding out about what happened.” The reptile said, ever the worry wart.
“Oh Spike,” Twilight said, patting the baby dragon on the head with one of her hooves. “You worry too much. I'm sure the Princess will be delighted to answer our questions. Heck, she'll be happy to learn that we're interested in the history of Equestria.”
Rolling his eyes, Spike set fire to the rolled up parchment, causing it to vanish in a flash of green. Twilight smiled, giving the baby dragon a one legged hug before heading back to the stairs. More than likely, the princess might not reply until morning. In the meantime, the unicorn decided it would be a good idea to get some sleep.
“Come on Spike, let's head to bed.” Twilight said with a yawn. “Hopefully we'll have received a reply tomorrow before Rarity drops off the Cutie Mark Crusaders for us to fillysit.”
Just as Spike was about to reply, he burped up a small green flame into the air. A scroll appeared amidst it. He grabbed the letter, unsealing it with a flick of a claw. “That was a quick reply.” He said, opening the scroll. His eyes darted over the writing, growing a tad large in surprise.
“What's it say Spike?” Twilight urged.
“Dear Twilight Sparkle. You are to report to Canterlot tomorrow at once. Do not tell anypony else of what you have found and bring the history book in question with you. A chariot will be sent for you in the morning at sunrise. Signed Princess Celestia.”
Spike rolled up the letter and tucked it under his arm, looking at Twilight with a raised eyebrow. His look had an obvious 'I told you so' manner as she scratched her head and shrugged.
“I wonder what the problem is?” The scholarly pony wondered aloud. She didn't say anything else, but began to pack immediately for her trip to her home city of Canterlot. Spike followed her, grabbing up whatever she instructed him to pack for her. When she was finally finished, she only had a small suitcase and her saddlebags. The saddlebags contained spare parchment and quills for any notes the unicorn might want to take along with the book just as the Princess had requested.
“So I guess Rarity will have to get Applejack to fillysit, huh?” Spike asked as they began to settle back into bed.
“Spike, are you telling me that you can't handle three little fillies on your own?” Twilight asked with a giggle.
“On my own? You mean I'm not going with you?” Her number one assistant said with disappointment in his young voice.
“Sorry Spike, but the Princess asked only for me. Besides, maybe you can convince Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie to help you fillysit while I'm gone. I'm sure they'd be happy to help you.” The unicorn said with a yawn. Before Spike could retaliate, snoring began to fill the bedroom from Twilight's bed.
“Why do I always get stuck with the hard stuff?” Spike huffed.

~~~~~

The next morning, the sound of a carriage being towed by a pair of Pegasus was heard outside the Ponyville library where Twilight Sparkle and Spike made their home. The lavender unicorn opened the door before either of the Royal Guards had time to even unhitch from the carriage to knock on the door. The magic pony trotted out into the cool morning air, her suitcase being levitated via her magic while her saddlebags were draped over her torso.
“Good morning, good sirs.” She said with a smile to the armor-clad guard ponies. The two colts smiled and silently nodded to Twilight in response, their golden centurion-style helmets shining dazzlingly in the early morning sun.
Once the unicorn was settled in, the duo of flying guards launched themselves in the air, taking the carriage with them. Only one or two ponies were awake at this hour in Ponyville. Those that were paid no mind to the official-looking carriage as it flew away from the library and towards Canterlot. Had the carriage been at anypony else's home other than Twilight Sparkle's, they ponies of the small town might have paid it more mind. They had grown used to such things over time since Princess Celestia's number one student had moved into the town's library.
Twilight sat down as the carriage flew through the air, looking every now and then down at the landscape below as she was whisked towards Canterlot. The unicorn lay her head down tiredly on the edge of the golden carriage as it flew along. It wouldn't be a long flight, but she decided to close her eyes just for a moment.

~~~~~

“Miss Sparkle, we have arrived. Miss Sparkle? Miss Sparkle, you need to wake up.”
“N-Noo...F-Five more minutes.” Twilight muttered sleepily to the guard pony who was gently shaking her awake. When she opened her eyes partway to make out who was awaking her from such a lovely nap, she realized that the carriage had finally reached the castle at Canterlot. Currently, the carriage in which Twilight had ridden in was sitting in a small courtyard in the back of the castle.
The unicorn's eyes were wide open within a second, her heart racing. She had fallen asleep during the short flight to Canterlot! She literally jumped from the carriage, panicking. Had Princess Celestia seen her asleep? Had the Princess come and gone while she was asleep? Thoughts like these raced through the scholar's mind before she finally turned to the unicorn guard who had awoken her.
“Where's the Princess?” She asked, looking every which way for her mentor.
“She's coming down that hallway.” He said, tone serious like all other guards. He pointed a hoof at a pair of wooden doors that lead into the castle. “She was right behind me, so she'll be here in less than a-”
The guard stopped mid sentence as the doors opened, an immensely large alicorn standing in the doorway. Her mane was colored in four separate strands of pink, purple, green, and blue, the same going for her tail. Her horn was long and sharp at the tip, shining in the sun, while her hooves were clad in gold. This was Princess Celestia, one of the two ruling sisters of Equestria.
“Princess Celestia! Oh, it's so wonderful to see you again! I've missed you so-” Twilight stopped partway through her happy reunification speech. She took notice of the depressed look upon her mentor's face. It was a look that the Princess rarely was seen with... if she had ever had that look before, that is. She was not smiling as per usual, and her eyes did not sparkle with happiness, but seemed dim and dull.
“Princess?” Twilight inquired.
“Come with me, Twilight. We have much to discuss.”

~~~~~

About half an hour later, Twilight was sitting at a long wooden table in the middle of the castle's immense library. Princess Celestia had left the unicorn at the table alone almost twenty minutes ago, instructing her pupil to go nowhere. The tall sun princess had then headed off towards the back of the library where there was a vault of restricted literature guarded by powerful magic that only Celestia herself could control.
“Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?”
Twilight almost fell from the chair she had been sitting in, startled by the sudden entrance of somepony else into the empty library. She turned to see who had spoken and found herself face to face with the last pony she had expected to see there in the library during the middle of the day. Standing a few steps behind the unicorn's chair was the second co-ruler of Equestria, Princess Luna.
“Princess Luna!” Twilight almost shouted as she jumped from her chair and into a deep bow before the princess of the night. “It's an honor to see you again!” She continued, not daring to look up out of respect and courtesy. The midnight blue alicorn smiled shyly, returning the bow to the unicorn that she owed her freedom to.
“It's a pleasure to see you again as well, Twilight Sparkle.” The princess said. Her words were full of kindness, all traces of Nightmare Moon gone from her personality. When the two magical mares lifted their heads and looked to one another, they smiled and stood in an awkward silence for a few moments. It was during this momentary silence that Twilight finally realized that Luna was larger than the average pony, yet not as large as her sister Celestia. After a few more moments of silence, Luna finally broke it.“Tell me Twilight Sparkle, what brings you to Canterlot on such short notice?”
“Oh well, um, uh...I-I just had some findings in my research that I wanted to show to Celestia in person.” Twilight said nervously, her tail twitching somewhat as she thought up an answer for her being there. “Y-You?” she asked, smiling a little too much. She mentally smacked herself for asking one of the Princesses of Canterlot what she was doing in her own castle.
Giggling, Luna said, “Oh, Tia just wanted to tell me something.” The moon princess then became slightly downtrodden by something on her mind. “She seems upset over something lately. She was fine last night, but then this morning when she came to raise the sun, she seemed burdened.”
Twilight's color seemed to go pale as she put the pieces together. It had been her letter to the sun princess that had upset her and was now causing the other princess to be worried. Before the lavender unicorn could say anything, Celestia appeared from behind one of the many enormous book cases in the library.
The sun princess was using her magic to carry an impressive array of items with her, among them a stack of four or five books, a few rolled up maps, three wooden crates, and what looked like a photo album. The ruler of Equestria sighed, levitating the items onto the table where Luna and Twilight now stood, watching her with interest.
“Did you bring the book, Twilight?” Celestia asked as she laid out the books. There was a smaller book that had been hidden among the stack. The small piece of literature seemed to blend with the wooden table thanks to its brown leather cover that was faded with age and wear.
“Yes, Princess.” The young unicorn said as she levitated the aforementioned history book from her saddlebags and onto the table. She set it away from the other books. It hadn't even been fully released from Twilight's magical hold before the book burst into flames. Luna and the unicorn jumped with fright, tripping over one another. “Wha-what the...?” Twilight asked, confused. She looked to Celestia, who was simply brushing away the ashes of the book with one of her enormous wings.
“Now that that is taken care of, we can begin.” She said, using her magic to pull out two chairs for her sister and pupil. “Sit, please.” The two did as they were asked, still confused about what had just happened.
“Um, Tia? Was there something you wanted to tell me?” Luna asked softly.
“Yes, dear sister, there is. It is the same thing I am going to tell Twilight Sparkle about. It's more like a history lesson, actually,” The alicorn answered using her magic to unroll a few maps and open a few of the books at once.
“...About Stalliongrad?” Twilight asked.
“Yes, my star pupil, about Stalliongrad.”
“What is Stalliongrad?” Luna asked, feeling left out for a moment.
“The better question, my dear sister, is what was Stalliongrad,” Celestia said darkly. Luna and Twilight exchanged worried looks before looking back to the sun princess.
“Stalliongrad was an industrial earth pony city to the far East just within Equestria's borders. It's name had originally been Colitsyn, but it was renamed for its most prominent mayor, Josef Stallion.” Celestia opened the photo album to a picture of a clay red earth pony who had an overly thick mustache. Mr. Stallion was wearing a green-gray peaked cap with a red band just above the bill, while a gold cord sat on the headgear's awning. A symbol compromising of a hammer and horseshoe was pinned to the crimson band. The pony also wore a coat of the same design to match the cap. It was a uniform of sorts.
“After having dealt with numerous rebellions and uprisings in Equestria for the first seven hundred years of Nightmare Moon's imprisonment, I was weary of other ponies who may come to have large amounts of power and influence in the land. To crack down on any sign of disloyalty to my reign, I formed a political party that was harsh in both its tactics and procedures. I was said party’s leader, of course. I did not think of myself as being a monarchy anymore, oh no. I had become a dictator, mad with power and paranoid about anything that seemed to go against my word.”
“What was the political party?” Twilight asked.
“I called it the Pony Party to make it seem more inviting. Of course it was optional to join the party, but nonmembers and members alike were kept under strict regulations and observation. Every town and settlement had a Pony Party Headquarters where the local party official and his officers made sure my word was obeyed and enforced. Those that did not obey were immediately taken care of. Looking back on myself now, I feel so saddened and ashamed at what I had done to my beloved Equestria.”
Celestia sighed, shaking her head in shame. She cleared her throat before going on, not giving the other two ponies in the room a second to ask a single question.
“Stallion came to power over Stalliongrad and a few smaller surrounding villages through the Earth Pony Labor Union, an organization which helped bring equality to earth ponies in the work place. It was a very powerful organization at the time. With the ponies of Stalliongrad and the few surrounding towns and settlements under his command, Stallion started to think of expanding his rule. He started by seceding from Equestrian rule and beginning his own nation which he christened as the 'Socialist Earth Pony Worker's Union.' He claimed it as a paradise for earth ponies who sought to be equal with other ponies... to escape the hierarchy of Equestria in which unicorns were seemingly in control of everything.”
Celestia stopped her lecture for a moment to flip to another page in the photo album. It was a faded photo of herself and representatives from the S.E.P.W.U. sitting together at a large table. Josef Stallion was in the center of the representatives, smiling cheekily at an angry-looking Celestia.
“I tried to be political and brought Josef to the bargaining table to try and come to an agreement. Equestria needed the industrial strength that was now under the control of Stallion's iron hoof. He agreed to continue trade with Equestria, but at prices that would easily send our economy into chaos inside of ten years. I had no choice but to remove him from power... by force.”
By this point in the history lesson, Twilight's mouth was agape and Luna's eyes were the size of dinner plates. Neither of the fillies could comprehend what they were hearing. This was a part of Equestrian history that wasn't taught in school or even allowed to be told to everyday ponies. The fact that something on such a huge political scale had taken place only three hundred years prior to them sitting in the library showed something had happened that was never meant to be known by future generations.
“H-How did you accomplish that, P-Princess?” Twilight asked nervously. She may have seemed nervous, but she was also excited... excited at the prospect of gaining extremely rare knowledge! What pony could say they knew about a part of Equestrian history that was meant to be known by only a select few?
“When political attempts failed, as did more severe techniques...” Celestia turned to a photo of Josef Stallion being pulled from a pile of rubble that had been a bar. “I had no choice. The only way to reunite Equestria and bring peace back to the land was through confrontation on a massive scale. I was left with no choice aside from going to war with the Socialist Earth Pony Worker's Union.”
“But Equestria has no military, sister!” Luna said, shocked. “The only forces we have are the Royal Equestrian Guards!”
“You are correct, little sister. At the time, I only had the Royal Equestrian Guard and the Pony Party officials and officers at my disposal, but there were problems. I needed to keep the guards here in Canterlot and in the surrounding area to keep myself safe from any attacks by Stallionists, and the Party officials, well...They were more like law enforcement, not combat personnel.”
“So what did you do?” Twilight asked before Luna could even think to.
Celestia smiled grimly and looked down to the wooden table before answering her. “I formed the Maremacht, a powerful war machine whose soul purpose was bent on destroying the Socialist Earth Pony Worker's Union, Josef Stallion, and anything else that threatened Equestria or my power. I didn't do it on my own, of course. I had help from a small group of ponies whose backgrounds I am still unsure of... but they knew what to do.”
“Who were they?” Twilight asked, the ever-curious scholar.
“You will learn about them in due time, my star pupil. Here.” The sun princess said, shoving the small leather book across the table with a forehoof. “This is the journal of one of the soldiers who served in the Maremacht during the war. Use these books and maps to learn of what happened, for I do not know everything myself. I have not read the journal, nor do I plan to. I already have enough regrets from the little bit of knowledge that I have.”
The tall, elegant alicorn then turned and slowly trod away from the two ponies, leaving them to their studies. Twilight and Luna were at a loss for words. They had so many questions for the sun princess, but they had even more that could only be answered by the journal and books in front of them. Twilight picked up the small leather book in a field of purple looking magic, levitating it in front of her.
“Journal of Sergeant Schmeisser.” Twilight said, reading the black writing that was just inside the cover. It looked like it had been written by somepony using their mouth, so it wasn't a unicorn who had written it. Despite this fact, the writing was actually legible enough to read without difficulty.
“Go on Twilight, open it,” Luna urged, curiosity radiating from her.
With a look of curiosity and fear on her own face, Twilight did so. From that point on, there was no turning back.