The Final Wars of Equestria

by Final fantasy forever

Hard Time in the Gulag

The Final Wars of Equestria CH 4

Hard Time In the Gulag

Twilight and the guards walked to the warden’s office. While they walked Twilight could see the ‘work force’ of the gulag. The inmates were shoveling coal and other forms of ore out of a mine. A trio of ponies wearing striped prisoner uniforms was being whipped for insubordination. Blood stained their manes and clothes. Grown stallions wept as the merciless abuse of the Union troops beat every last ounce of hope and life out of their hearts and bodies. Some were tilling the earth of a field of wheat and barley. A Union overseer made rounds over them. He watched carefully to make sure they didn’t damage the grass. He held a watch and after every minute and a half he would check to see if they had filled a basket. If they had he emptied it and they repeated the process. If they didn’t they were pulled out, beaten, and then replaced. Any who looked as though they were eating the grass were shot on the spot. This was more than motivating for the other workers.
A cold gust blew straight at Twilight and her escorts. The frigid air stung her face; she covered it as best she could with her hooves. The rest of her body was kept fairly warm by a thick winter robe. It was grey and had a Union symbol emblazed on its sleeve. She didn’t much care for the latter but she held on tight. It was her only warmth and more importantly what kept her from being recognized as an Alicorn. As the trio moved on Twilight could see other workers sawing down trees and others turning them into usable sized lumber. All the prisoners looked like absolute hell. All were shivering and staving. Some had collapsed but weren’t beaten; instead they were left for dead. A line of ponies were coughing hysterically in front of an infirmary building where even more coughing could be heard. “What’s wrong with them?” Twilight asked.
“They have pneumonia. Don’t get near them; believe me it’s the last thing you want here.”
“How did so many get it?”
“The cold,” one of the guards answered. “We told them to stay warm… then again we told them to get their lazy flanks outside and work.” The two of them laughed at this.
“You’re sadistic insane bucks.”
“Oh please. This is a mercy they get to die in warm… well, semi warm beds and rest in their final hours. That’s more than I can say for a good number of prisoners here. Hey you remember what happened last week in the mine?”
“Oh yeah, that was terrible. It brought a real tear to my eye, all that ore lost when that tunnel collapsed.” The two snickered once more.
“How can you say you fight for the populace, you sadistic freaks?”
“They have betrayed their citizens.”
“By doing what?” Twilight asked. “Failing to work, by speaking their minds, hating you and your Union?”
“Murder, theft, banditry, forgery, trespassing, assault, treason, espionage, terrorism, and lollygagging,” the guard added sarcastically. “PRISON is just a place where you sit your lazy ass down and bide your time in a cell while the populace works and literally has to pay for your crimes. Who do you think harvests the wheat you feed on or sows the clothing you wear? Now get moving,” one of the guards yelled, pushing Twilight along.
The three entered the main facility. They boarded an elevator and set it to the warden’s office. When they arrived the three exited and approached the warden. “Oh for Peryite’s sake what is it now?” the warded yelled.
“We have a new prisoner here sir.”
“Great; talk to some pony who gives a flying feather. You think I care about this broad? Throw her in with the rest.”
“Wait,” Twilight wailed.
“What, is there something you want to say sweetheart?” the warden said sarcastically.
“I was told that there would be a place for me on a VIP list.”
“Is that so?” the warden said suspiciously. Twilight looked into the brown eyes of the pony. “And just who made you this promise?”
“Lieutenant Markov.”
“Markov?” the warden said, somewhat shocked. “What’s that weasel up to this time? Hmm,” he thought aloud. “Well, better safe than sorry. Alright Madame; I will need to hear it from him before I give you all the privileges of this but until then you will be assigned to the field to bring in harvests. A fairly easy job and you will only need to work for 5 hours. Three hours starting at noon and two more at 5.00 o’clock. Are we clear?”
“Yes sir,” Twilight answered.
“By the way, what’s your name?”
“Twi…” Twilight stopped herself.
“Excuse me?” the warden said.
“Um, my name is Anya.” The warden looked at her suspiciously. “It wasn’t my original name but it’s the name my mother gave to me when we fled our home.”
“Well, can I have your real name?” the warden asked.
“I would like to leave those days behind. Please just call me Anya.”
“Very well then,” the warden sighed. “Your first shift begins tomorrow. For now the guards will show you your new sleeping quarters. As a side note I am unaware of your ‘innocence’; if you have not been hardened by prison before I would suggest keeping to yourself and not making eye contact with other prisoners. Enough of this; you two escort her to the living barracks.”
“Yes warden,” the guards said in unison. The two escorted Twilight outside and into the living barracks. As Twilight entered she looked around the living area. It was an overcrowded room of bunks (barley enough room to move around). The barracks were ill heated. Twilight still felt frigid although she felt she could survive (for a while at least).
“Pick a bunk and go to sleep -- you’ll need it.” With that they left Twilight alone with the rest of the prisoners. Twilight walked through the barracks trying to find a vacant bunk. As she searched the mares looked at her sizing her up. She could see their cold hard stares (they looked at her and saw fresh meat). She noticed that at least one of three looked at her not with hate but with fear, less out of fear of her, more out of the fear of their situation. She felt she would be better off among them as they were new here as well and wouldn’t cause her much trouble. She eventually found that a small congregation of these new prisoners had formed in a group of bunks.
“Is this bunk taken?” she asked. There was no response from the prisoners who stared back at her. Twilight slowly climbed onto the lower bunk and struggled to find a comfortable position on the wooden mattress.
“Lights out and no fighting,” the guards yelled. With that they shut the door.
Now that she had time to contemplate her position Twilight thought of any way for her to escape. As she realized the hopelessness of her situation she began to regret the decision she made. King Peryite was ruthless and power mad; but he had shown her kindness (in a way) and had concern for her. Perhaps he would have let her live. Perhaps he would have treated her fairly. Perhaps he would have even if she didn’t surrender to him. To boot, the road to the Crystal Empire went straight through the heart of the Equestrian Alliance. There was a good chance that she could have been rescued. Regret and doubt began to build up inside Twilight’s head and finally pushed her over the edge. She began to cry and sob into the empty pillowcase at the head of her bunk. “Why had I not thought this through when I could have had a choice?” Twilight huddled herself in a ball and propped herself up against the wall. She sobbed into her front legs for about thirty seconds until she felt a wing rub on her shoulder.
“Please don’t cry.” Twilight stuck her head out from the bunk set and was greeted by the Pegasus on the upper bunk. “Please don’t cry,” she begged. “The guards will take it out on all of us. I’m used to the abuse but it’s still painful whether physically or degrading. But enough about my concerns. Please, I know you just got here; I know you must miss your family or just a soft bed. Please though, you mustn’t break now. It will only make things harder on you in the future. Please, you must be strong.”
Twilight sobbed before asking, “What are you in for?”
“Theft,” the Pegasus answered. “I stole from my farm.”
“How could you steal from your own farm?” Twilight asked.
“Well I suppose it isn’t my farm anymore. The state owns it, like they own us. We were forced to work on our farm and have our harvest be ‘confiscated’ by officials. They said it was for the populace yet if we all fed each other we wouldn’t be hungry. We weren’t for a time. In the beginning we were happy and prosperous. We bowed to our revolutionary leaders with joy. But slowly things turned back to the old ways. We had traded one tyrant for another. Our farms became their collective farms. Our food became theirs. And when we tried to take what little food they had missed so we could feed our families… well look where I wound up. They are always watching. That same night they came; the Cheka. They arrested me and when my husband tried to help me they beat him down. With both of us in the Gulag they took our foals to…to who knows where.
Twilight could tell this mare was on the verge of crying herself. Twilight wrapped her left hoof around the Pegasus’s neck. The mare smiled at Twilight. “Come on now, we should get some rest,” the mare urged. Twilight and the Pegasus pulled themselves back onto the wooded bunks. Splinters dug their way into Twilight’s skin but with the cold air and genuine fear for the future their sting went unnoticed as Twilight drifted off to sleep.

“Alright, what’s the delivery?” a guard questioned at the Gulag checkpoint. A stallion in Union officer’s robes and a facemask gave the guard a checklist. “Alright,” the guard repeated. “You are reinforcing this camp with…” he began listing. “Medicine, guns, shot, mining tools, vodka; hmm, could be poisoned. I think I’ll need to confiscate these rations and dispose of them properly.” The guard chuckled but the officer gave no response; he just stared. “Alright, moving on,” the guard said. “Food rations, metal, magic crystals, and several suppressive siphons. Is that all?” the guard asked.
“Da,” the stallion responded.
“Hmm,” the guard thought. He felt rather uneasy around this pony. “Might I see some identification?” The stallion pulled out some papers from his robe pocket and a badge of office. “Alright Colonel Amsel, it appears as though you are scheduled to stay for the next six months. I hope you enjoy your stay.” The Colonel was silent. “Are you going to say something?” the guard asked. The colonel took his papers from the guard and entered the camp. “What an ass,” the guard muttered.
As the cargo was stored in the camp William Cipher breathed a sigh of relief as he made his way to the officers’ quarters. He prayed that the real Colonel Amsel’s body wouldn’t be found in the fields of snow. “You had to do it, you know,” the Mother’s voice echoed in William’s head.
“Yeah I know,” he replied.
“He was dangerous,” she continued. “He was responsible for so much death.”
“Look, let’s just stop talking about it,” William begged. “Please, you said we could save Twilight, now let’s get to it.”
“Well…” the mother said with uncertainty.
“I don’t like the sound of that,” William said angrily.
“We will save her, it’s just that… I don’t know how.”
“You’re kidding, right?” William said with a hopeless tone.
“No,” she replied.
“You had me sneak into the heart of the Union and into a militarized labor camp and your plan was to cross the bridge when we get there?”
“It was one of the few times when we agreed on something. I didn’t want to ruin it.”
“And so now I’m stuck here and if anypony finds out who I am I will either be killed or join the labor force.”
“I’m afraid so,” the mother answered. “It never stopped you before,” she reminded. “You have more courage than I; nyet, than anypony in existence. You worry for all those caught in this catastrophe. We…” the Mother paused. “We will save all of them.”
“Excuse me,” William said.
“What, isn’t it what you want?”
“Yes, I just never thought you would say those words.”
“Perhaps gods can find inspiration in mortals.”
“Imagine that,” William chuckled.
“Perhaps some of you has rubbed off on me,” the Mother added. “We won’t leave until they are all safe.”
“Thanks,” William said to his own surprise with gratefulness.
“Get some sleep,” the Mother urged. William made his way to a bunk and collapsed into it, allowing himself to sink into the soft mattress. As the white stallion slowly drifted off to sleep he began to feel guilty about enjoying such comforts. He then dismissed the thought feeling he was too happy to have doubt. With that William drifted off to sleep.

Twilight awoke in the morning to an announcement system. “Attention all workers! Report to the cafeteria for your morning rations. Your twenty-minute rationing period begins now. Get your meals then get to work. Slackers and leeches will be punished.” Twilight watched as the mares in the barracks rushed out to the mess hall.
“Come on, hurry,” the Pegasus mare Twilight had befriended the previous night urged.
“You go eat,” Twilight replied. “I need to talk to one of the guards about something.”
“I would avoid even looking at those guys if I were you. I only talk with them for instructions or if I absolutely must.”
“I’ll be OK,” Twilight assured. With that the two left the barracks and parted ways. Twilight approached one of the guards to question. “Um, excuse me,” she said.
“What?” the guard replied angrily. “What could you possibly want? The day just started. The announcement system said to go get your food. The mess hall is the building with all the inmates entering it.” (He pointed to the large building to Twilight’s left side.)
“No,” Twilight responded. “I was going to ask about my work times.”
“You work from now until ten o’clock pm tonight.”
“I was told I would only work for five hours starting at noon.”
The guard looked at her angrily. “Says who?”
“The warden,” Twilight responded. The guard was surprised to hear this. “A very important Prisoner; we haven’t had one of those in a while. Uh, go to the main building and talk to the pony at desk. If what you say checks out you will stay in the VIP room until your shift begins. You will be required to stay there; anypony wandering will be assumed a slacker and made an example of.”
“Thanks,” Twilight replied.
“Get moving,” the guard said, somewhat disgruntled. Twilight galloped to the main facility; she passed through the twin doors and felt she just wanted to spend four good minutes basking in the welcoming heat of the building.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” a pony behind a desk yelled at Twilight.
“Um, I’m here about being a VIP,” Twilight responded.
“We don’t have any VIP’s right now,” the stallion replied angrily.
“The Warden said that my work hours would be shorter.”
The stallion sighed. “Name?”
“T… Anya.”
The stallion looked at a small clipboard. “Ah yes, well make yourself comfortable. You aren’t a full VIP yet but you have it easy here. There’s sbiten or some hot white chocolate if you so desire. Don’t cause trouble. Honestly you’re treated more like a guest than a prisoner. Twilight followed the Stallion to a room down the hall. She entered the room and looked around it. It was fairly welcoming. It had several brown or tan leather couches. It was well heated. On the desk in the corner were hazelnuts and coffee and several other drinks. The room was filled with the smell of honey and an herb garden in full bloom. “This is technically the break room for the staff. The guards aren’t even allowed in here. This isn’t technically VIP quality but for now you aren’t a VIP. Here.” The stallion handed Twilight a small slip of paper.
“What’s this?” Twilight asked. Since this is for staff somepony might question why you’re here. To avoid further complication just show them this and that will clear everything up.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I would do nothing for you other than what I was ordered to. I am not your friend nor do I feel even a lick of sympathy for you.”
“Shies,” Twilight said. The stallion left back to the desk at the entrance leaving Twilight alone. Twilight sighed as she lay down on the couch. She used her magic to levitate the bowl of hazelnuts over to her. She ate five of the nuts and poured some of the sbiten from the flagon into a disposable cup. It tasted like pure honey with spices of sorts though she couldn’t name any off the spot. She felt at ease but found her thoughts drifting to the others slaving away in the fields. Her stomach knotted thinking of the backbreaking labor. She ended her train of thought telling herself worrying would do no good. Twilight calmed herself down. She felt she should catch up on the sleep she failed to get from the hard wooden bunk. She sighed and found her eyes slowly closing and she began drifting off to sleep.
Twilight awoke after a few hours. As she rubbed the sleep from her face her eyes widened. Across the room from her was one of the Union soldiers. He appeared to be sleeping but Twilight could still see his eyes were open. She felt nervous not knowing how long he was here with her. “Uh, hello,” Twilight managed. The officer turned his head to her and gestured a salute in response. “OK,” Twilight thought out loud. “I…I’m allowed to be here,” Twilight said, somewhat nervous. The Stallion didn’t respond. He got up and poured the last of the sbiten into a glass. As he walked to his couch he turned to Twilight. He extended the glass to her as an offer. “I…I’m fine,” Twilight replied. The Soldier then continued his way back. He placed the glass down on the small stand next to the couch. Twilight watched him for about five minutes. During that time he did nothing; he didn’t even make eye contact with her though she knew that he knew she was watching him. Twilight felt uneasy around this pony; truthfully she would have felt better had he drilled her with questions. Twilight felt nervous but as time passed she began to get frustrated with this pony. “Are you going to say anything?” The Stallion turned his head to Twilight but gave no response. At this point Twilight had just about had it. “Will you at least say your name?” Twilight yelled, lying back down in the couch. The stallion got up from the couch and walked to the lavender mare. Twilight reeled back at the approaching stallion. When he reached her he gently placed his right hoof on her forehead. His hoof began to glow with a golden aura.
“My name is William Cipher,” the Stallion answered. He removed his hoof from Twilight’s forehead and slowly walked back to his couch. Twilight lay unable to move a muscle in her body after what had just happened. How was a Pegasus capable of using magic? The thought rung and bounced around in her head like a ping-pong ball. The other part that scared her was how it sounded when he said it. It sounded as though it was an echo coming from her head rather than from him. The fact that his facemask concealed the lower half of his face only brought more doubt on Twilight. Twilight watched William lie on the couch opposite of hers. She thought about talking to him; but after what had happened she felt it was better to keep her distance from him and keep to herself. Some time passed and neither Twilight nor William spoke a word to each other. Twilight felt there was more to this pony than the others; she just couldn’t figure out what it was.
She was working up the courage to ask a few more questions when a guard entered the room. “Anya. Anya?” he called.
“Yes,” Twilight answered.
“Come with me. Your first three hours of work begin now.”
Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, where do I go?”
“Follow me.” Twilight walked with the guard from the comfort of the lounge to the cruel embrace of the brisk winds and snows of the fields. The earth was hard and cold but kept in well enough condition for agricultural use. The guard that had escorted Twilight left her to talk with a guard in a watchtower. After a brief conversation the two exchanged shifts and the escort became the overseer. Twilight was given a sickle and plow to use. She slowly walked around to start tilling the land. Twilight worked for about fifteen minutes filling baskets with barley and other grains.
“Hey,” a voice sounded as Twilight felt a hoof being placed on her shoulder. Twilight turned to see the Pegasus she had meet the previous night. Twilight smiled and greeted the mare. “Where were you?” the Pegasus asked. “When you said you were going to find a guard and you didn’t show up for breakfast or work I feared the worst.”
“It’s OK,” Twilight replied. “I just needed to clear a few things up with the officials.”
“Clear things up with them?” the Pegasus repeated, rather shocked. “Usually it’s the other way around.”
“I have a ‘friend’ within the Union’s ranks. He said that he would give me some kind of better living conditions.”
“You know someone in the Union!!!”
“Not really know him but he felt he owed me something.”
“Well at least you aren’t suffering.” Twilight could see the mare looked troubled. She wanted to comfort her but was interrupted by the overseer.
“EMPTY YOUR BASKETS.” All the inmates turned and put their baskets behind them. Collectors were there in seconds to take their yields. “BACK TO WORK,” the overseer hollered. The work force hurried back to harvesting the crops. Fifteen minutes passed in what seemed like double that time. Twilight looked up at the guard tower as a new guard began his shift. Twilight continued the harvest; in forty-five seconds the collection was there. “EMPTY YOUR BASKETS.” Twilight grabbed her basket and began moving it back for collection. As she did she stopped in fear. Her Pegasus friend was staring down in fear at her basket. She had been exhausted by the work and cold. Her limbs were weakening and she had only filled her basket half way. Without a second thought Twilight switched her basket with the mare’s. The Pegasus looked at her with a worried look but lipped the words ‘thank you’. Twilight smiled to her but that smile didn’t last long as the overseer yanked Twilight’s left front leg sending her back into the snow.
“You little wretch! What is this shit you call work?!!” Twilight looked up in fear at the guard and slowly rose to her hooves. “You call this work? You disgust me.”
“I’m sorry,” Twilight pleaded. “I’ll work harder, just give me a chance.”
“And what should give me proof that you would? This half empty basket?”
“Look at it as half full,” Twilight responded. The guard slugged her across her face. Twilight wailed in pain but was silent as the guard put his face inches from hers.
“You think this is cute? You think this is bucking funny?” The guard pushed Twilight on the ground and spat on her.
At this Twilight’s fear turned to anger. She rose to her hooves and wailed at the guard, “WE WORK HARDER THAN YOU.”
The work force gasped at this. A good number of them buried their faces in their hooves in fear of seeing her get slaughtered. The guard looked at Twilight with a mix of emotions. Half of him looked shocked, the other half looked appalled. “I’d like to see you survive one week of this work,” Twilight continued. “They say we all have a role to play; some are just more important than others I suppose. How did you get this position? Was it because you weren’t fit to serve as a real soldier? Our ‘job’ here is to supply others with resources; yours is to yell and shout at those who work in hopes that you might learn from them and grow a backbone.” At this the guard had settled on an emotion of absolute fury. With all his strength he slammed Twilight in the face with his hoof. Twilight fell to the ground wailing in pain. The guard then pinned her and began slugging her repeatedly.
“WRONG you little crap. We are here to teach not to learn. YOU are here to learn your lesson. ALLOW me to demonstrate.” He kneeled and clamped his front hooves together. He raised them above Twilight’s head and prepared to strike. Twilight shut her eyes waiting for the guard to strike a blow to her head. Seconds later she heard the guard yell in pain and his hoof moved from her chest. Twilight opened her eyes to see the officer William standing above her and the guard lying in the snow clutching his bleeding snout. He rose in anger but stopped when he saw who had delivered the blow. He stared at the Stallion towering over him.
“Colonel, w…why?”
William pointed his hoof to the inner perimeter of the Gulag. “GET!!!” The guard hurried to his hooves and jetted off. After watching him run off William turned his attention to Twilight. He lent her a hoof and pulled her into an upright position. Twilight wanted to say something but he just handed her back her sickle. Twilight continued her shift under the new watch of William. She was skeptical about him but she felt she was safer around him than the others. Time passed as Twilight worked to fill both her quota and her new friends’.
After a while another guard came for Twilight. “Anya, your first three hours are done. Come now.”
Twilight looked at the Pegasus with concern. “I’ll be OK, I can do my work,” she said, somewhat pepped up.
“But…” Twilight’s sentence was cut short by a hoof being placed on her shoulder. William looked her in the eyes; he didn’t say anything but Twilight felt it meant he would watch over the Pegasus and the rest of the workers. Twilight rose to her hooves and followed her escort to the lounge. When she arrived she wasted no time putting herself at ease in the couch. She poured herself a hot drink and relaxed. She had nothing but questions with answers she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “That William, if that was his name, was there for me,” she thought. “But is he really my ally?” Two hours passed. Two hours that Twilight spent alone with her thoughts.
A guard interrupted her solitude. “Anya.”
“Yes?” Twilight answered.
“Yes, come now, your second shift begins now.” Twilight followed the guard out to the fields once more. Two more hours passed and Twilight was dismissed once again. Twilight spent the remainder of the day in the lounge until eight o’clock when she was sent back to the barracks. She found it easier to sleep that night; in the morning Twilight continued her routine. Three days passed; three days of labor; three days that filled Twilight with mystery about the pony that had stood up for her.
As Twilight was harvesting a guard approached her. “Anya?”
“Yes,” Twilight answered.
“Come with me, please.” Twilight followed the guard to the warden’s office.
“Hello Anya,” the warden greeted.
“Morning, warden…” Twilight looked down at the small name placard. Warden Maximilianovich. “What did you want to see me for?”
“Your placement here. Lieutenant Markov contacted me and confirmed you as a VIP here. From here on out you will be treated as a full privileged very important prisoner. Your new residence is here, in the main building. One of these nitwits will show you your new quarters after we are done speaking. Also change out of those robes and get into something more clean… oh and warm.”
“Thank you,” Twilight responded.
“You will of course be expected to do your shift as usual.”
“I have no complaints,” Twilight responded.
“Good. Now is there anything you would like?”
Twilight thought about this. “Can I help anypony else here in any way?”
“No,” Warden Maximilianovich answered. You are a VIP but you cannot give benefits to the living conditions to other prisoners.”
Twilight thought to herself for a few moments before responding. “Would you mind if I kept a journal? I like to catalog my days and events.”
“I suppose this is acceptable,” Maximilianovich responded, “so long as you don’t slander the name of the Union or Stalliongrad in said journal. Anything else?”
“Would you mind if I brought a canteen of something hot out when I work, just so I have some way to help keep warm on the inside?”
“That sounds reasonable. Anything else?”
“No, that’s it,” Twilight answered.
“Good; you two, one of you, get her what she has requested and the other show her to her new room.” The guard to the left of Twilight escorted her up a flight of stairs and down three halls while the other fetched her requested items. The guard opened the door for her and showed her in. Twilight gazed around the room. In the first of two rooms were several desks. Out the windows she had a towers view of the Gulag and snowy fields. The room was decorated with pennants bearing the Union’s symbol (the twin dragons of the workers); the short pennants were hung neatly along the walls while the longer ones draped down to the ground where the fabric bunched and folded. The second room had a plush cottony bed with Union friendly green comforters. On its right side was a silvery nightgown. Twilight approached and felt the robe. It was silky, like it could melt away in her hooves. To the left of the bed was a much-welcomed fireplace.
“And to think you’re still thought of as a prisoner,” the guard complained. “Prisoner of comfort maybe.” The guard smirked at Twilight.
The other guard entered the room and approached Twilight. “Here are the things you requested.” He handed her a black empty journal and a reddish brown canteen. “You are also excused from your shift this day.”
“Thank you.” With that the guards took their leave. Twilight looked out at the workers slaving away in the cruelty of the guards. She once again felt guilt that she was enjoying such luxury while the rest of the inmates suffered the chains and whip. She reminded herself there was nothing she could do for them; and that it wasn’t wrong to enjoy these comforts when she literally couldn’t share them with the others. Twilight laid herself down in the bed and closed her eyes. After about thirty minutes of resting she got tired of that and searched her quarters for anything to do. After realizing there was little of interest in the room, Twilight decided to make her first journal entry.

Entry 1 journal of Twilight…
Twilight paused and erased what she had written.
Entry 1 Journal of Anya. When I first arrived here I felt I there was no possibility that I would survive the first week regardless of my quality of treatment. I must still be wary of what I say and do; for if I’m not I will find myself in even more danger. I know I’m fortunate; the ponies slaving away in the fields and mines are proof of that. I know not what fate befell my friends; but I pray to… to whoever listens that they reached safety. They were not taken prisoner with me so I can conclude they escaped the occupation, but the Union would not let them go without giving chase. My thoughts turn to those who had saved me from the Reaper. I shudder at the thought; that had I not meat Private Moskvin that night; I would have been given a shave by the headsmen’s axe. Whether Lieutenant Markov acted out of generosity or he felt he owed me a debt for the aid of his longtime friend, I do not know. As I write these words I realize that even in the carnage of war; some have not been lost in the madness of the slaughter; that they have held onto their civil sense. I’m curious; can the same be said for Peryite? My heart goes out to both the ponies incarcerated, as well the private and the lieutenant.

Twilight finished writing the last words into her journal and set it aside. She felt somewhat peckish. She saw that the room came with a dumbwaiter. She went over to it and pressed the call button. The dumbwaiter came to her. She looked inside the empty food elevator. She found a silver china set as well as a tea set in the lower half of a dresser. She grabbed the silver plate, set it in the dumbwaiter; and sent it down to the kitchen. After about five minutes the dumbwaiter returned with the plate now with food. Taking the role of the main course was a small bowl of soup and noodles. Around the left of the bowl were several biscuits forming a semicircle. Around the right side were several dumplings filled with potato. Twilight noticed a small note was pinned under the bowl. She lifted the bowl and removed the note. The note read ‘Just an appetizer. Full course meals served at designated times’. Twilight placed the note aside and tasted some of the soup. It was thick and lightly salted. It came with a somewhat metallic aftertaste and had hints of citrus. She levitated one of the dumplings into the soup and ate them. She paused to feel the sensation of the hot mushy feel of the potatoes on her palate. She finished the rest of the soup and the remnants of the biscuits and dumplings. Once she was done she placed the dishes back in the dumbwaiter and sent it back down to kitchen.
Twilight sighed. She looked out at the sun beginning its decent into the horizon. Her thoughts turned to Princess Celestia. She worried for her but felt she was at least safe. Peryite seemed to care for her; at least to the point where he would spare her from torture, and maybe even discomfort. She pondered how their relationship stood; if Peryite still called her mother. The memories of the vision Twilight had had of the two of them still lingered in her mind; and no less vivid. Twilight pushed the thought out of her head and looked in her bedside night stand for something to read. She found only three books.
One was a religious book over the worship of Peryite. She rolled her eyes and tossed it aside. She reached for the second one. The book looked promising; it was a poetry book made by an author she had never heard of. After page eight, Twilight felt if she read just one more verse she was going to lose it. She began listing all the things it lacked: Grammar, rhythm, skill, quality, effort, seriousness. “Even a foal could have written better.” She said that with almost complete candor. She had seen Peryite’s foalhood and as the saying goes ‘the best writers had hard foalhoods.’ She tossed the book across the room with a passionate hate for this insult to literature. She felt that this kind of writing should be considered a deadly sin just short of being worthy of being sent to the Gulag.
She reached for the last book. She felt if she expected disappointment she might find pleasure, even if the book was just mediocre. She pulled out the last book. The cover read “The Workers’ Struggle and the Voice of the Populace; the Ideology that Forged Equality. Twilight sighed. “Just great, I better lower the bar.”

Greetings, reader. Whether you be a proletarian, a humble citizen, a bourgeois, or even a king, the mere fact that you have opened this book means you have taken an important step to enlightenment. You, even if you don’t realize it, are only a read away from becoming a member of the Family Equis. This book was made possible through King Peryite and the Ponies Revolution. Before we truly begin one must know the origin of this philosophy. The ponies’ philosophy was not originated by the benevolent King, though he in his righteousness empowered it and showed its glory to all of Equis. The origins of it lay with a Unicorn scholar not many know about. In Stalliongrad lived a small Unicorn colt. This colt was like all others, except this colt had a blank flank. He had not found his cutie mark. For years of his life he searched, searched for what he was meant to do. He eventually grew up. He had his education but was lost trying to find what he was here on this world. He was nicknamed by the townsfolk ‘Marx’ from his longing for his mark. He lived under the care of family and later when they passed, family friends. Every day he would go and watch the workers. He felt if he could learn something from them he could find his cutie mark. Many of Stalliongrad’s mentors took him in to teach him their trade. He went on from mentor to mentor, yet all he found was failure and dead end leads to his mark. He spent years watching the workers. He both envied and admired them. They were not the most sophisticated of folk but they were more than inspiration to him as he watched them work tirelessly to keep the heart of Stalliongrad beating; to keep us all alive. ‘Their work is thankless’ he thought, ‘they work so hard, for all of us, and they are looked down upon. The shame should go to those who take advantage of these noble workers!! The shame should be on those who live in luxury off of those who work when they themselves haven’t lifted a hoof in years!!!’ In that moment Marx realized what he was saying. In that exhilarating moment Marx felt like crying to the heavens in joy of what he had just made. After years of watching the workers he had learned something no pony had ever put to paper. He rushed to his home. (He currently lived with friends of his father who provided for him.) For the next two days Marx shut himself in his study; cutting of all distractions. Though he hungered he dared not take a single moment away from the quill in fear of losing his two daylong moment of inspiration.
At the end of the second day Marx emerged from his study. His caretaker couple (worried out of their minds) rushed to him to ask of his health. The Unicorn Stallion smiled at them and locked them both in an embrace. The two returned the embrace; curious as to what the Unicorn had accomplished. Their gaze focused on the Stallion’s flank and their eyes widened. On his flank was his long overdue Cutie mark. They gazed awestruck at the two-piece image. On his flank was a large white scroll (a symbol of a true scholar and philosopher). Above it was a bright red set of tools, a sickle and hammer crossing each other with the hammer on top. They had no idea what the tools meant, but Marx knew all too well what he was meant to do. He wanted to rush out at that very moment, and tell the world of his newfound ideology; his caretakers however insisted that he have a proper meal (something he had neglected to have over the two day period) and to take the night to celebrate with them. They spent that night wined and dined in revelry. The caretakers were so proud of him. He was the child they never had; and even though he wasn’t theirs they couldn’t help but feel self-accomplishment in Marx’s accomplishments. That night the three of them walked the graveyard and paid a long overdue visit to Marx’s parents. He only had annual visits to them on his and their birthday, their death day, and on proper holidays.
“I know not if you listen or watch me anymore. Yet I felt I should show you.” He could barely speak the words; so he didn’t and hoped they knew. That night, Marx slept knowing that he would need every last ounce of energy for tomorrow. In the morning Marx hurried out to the workers’ district of the city. He preached his words to all who would listen. The workers at first brushed him and his words off. Later though they became more and more curious about what he had to say. He preached that they live in inequality and to not be blinded from that fact. More and more workers gave him support. As he gained popularity he gained the fear of the bourgeoisie. They felt if one Unicorn could become a symbol to all of the workers of Stalliongrad their heads would be on the chopping block. They did not want to make a martyr out of him; as in death his inspiration could quadruple over night. They sent threats to him to keep his Bolshevik ideas to himself or his caretakers would pay for his insolence.
Marx was not about to give up; yet he was not about to let those who cared for him for years put their lives on the line for his philosophy. So Marx stooped preaching what he believed…on the surface. He brought those who were already loyal to him and more to secluded locations to speak the voice of the populace!! Sometimes he would have one of them (with permission) hold congregation at said pony’s house. Other nights he would go door to door in the lower class district and preach to whoever would listen. Many of Marx’s followers wanted a revolution; Marx however forbade it at the time. While the injustice was there, the ponies of Stalliongrad were not suffering in mass. It wasn’t right how things were run but almost nopony was desperate enough to revolt for this belief. He urged them to only use revolution as a last resort to end tyranny. Their King was not a tyrant who needed to die; he left them with this knowledge so when and if they needed it, it was there. Marx’s life after his preaching was quiet and peaceful. He saw many leaders pass and go; all good and flawed in their own ways. He died happy with his accomplishments; little did he know his work would later inspire the populace and ponies like Peryite to rise against their leaders. And so the tale of Marx is told as the founder of our glorious philosophy. Let his name and deeds be remembered forever.

Twilight finished reading the last words in the short introductory chapter. She marked her page, closed the book; and placed it by her bedside stand with care. She found the more she learned about this ‘regulated enterprise’ system the more she became fascinated by it. She felt a strange inspiration by the struggle of ponies like this ‘Marx’ and private Moskvin. This philosophy was not evil; it was meant for common good. Even Peryite used this system for the common interest; his trade agreement and naval armistice proved he cared more about feeding ‘his’ citizens than naval dominance.
Her thoughts turned to Peryite. She hated him. He was her enemy; but he was a respectable pony. She was curious if she was the same in his eyes as he was in hers. She looked out to see the sun’s last light dip into the horizon. Her train of though was cut off by the arrival of the dumbwaiter. She peered into the small elevator. It was void and empty except for a note. It read “diner time”. Twilight fetched the silver china set out of the small dresser. She placed the set in the dumbwaiter with care. She pressed the small down button on the panel and sent the dumbwaiter down to the kitchen. A few minutes later it returned. Twilight went to retrieve the silver china set, now housing a proper banquet. The main dish was a hay loaf with clovers. On the side was a soup so thick it could have been a paste. Completing the course as dessert was a 5 by 3 inch Black Feather Forest cake. Twilight could hardly fathom where to begin. She decided to eat properly and start with the main meal. After about thirty minutes Twilight had finished off the last of the food. She gathered the plates and utensils and sent them to the kitchen.
Twilight looked out into the darkness. She figured it was around 10:30 pm. She felt tired and a bit thirsty. She pulled out the silver tea set and placed it in the dumbwaiter. Eight minutes later it returned filled with a tea that smelled like a garden. Twilight levitated the tea with her magic. It tasted herbal sweetened by honey. When Twilight finished the tea she pulled out a small towel and applied water to the end. She cleaned the tea set and returned it to the bottom of the dresser. Twilight then made her way to bed and fell into slumber.

King Peryite walked through the corridors of his palace in a rather irritated mood. “That rat bastard,” he thought aloud. “That mudak contacts me at one thirty in the morning and tells me to come down here ASAP for some breakthrough he made on his technology. Why should I care? We’re barely considered part of this conflict; and it’s not like we can ship weapons around. We barely manage to send messages now with those damn pigeons.” Peryite continued muttering to himself until he reached the research labs of the Palace. He entered to find Professor Nicola at a table configuring an electrical coil. The Prof noticed Peryite’s arrival and went to greet him.
“Good day my liege I…”
He was then cut off by Peryite. “STOP!!! JUST STOP. Before you even speak another word I want you to know what BUCKING time it is. If this isn’t a matter of life or death it had by the gods better be important.”
“It is important my liege; very much so. I am on the verge of creating two new devastating weapons.”
“Humph, and just why do you need me here?”
“I have to show you what they do. The first is quite literally a giant vacuum, using various dense and heavy subatomic particles to simulate a black hole. It only works for about thirty to forty five seconds but that should be enough to make an entire base a heap of compacted garbage.”
“Sounds powerful,” Peryite replied. “The other; what is it?”
“The other is one I really needed to talk to you about.”
“What is it?” Peryite asked.
“You need to begin a mass production of armor and gather a mass of troops.”
“What for?” Peryite yelled. “In case you forgot we can’t fight thanks to that M-TECH curtain.”
“Well my liege I want you to meet my new weapon.” Professor Nicola extended his right hoof to Peryite. The latter gazed at a small locust like machine in the prof’s hoof.
“What is this?”
“This, my liege, is what I call a nano Nat.”
“What’s it do?”
“This small mechanical menace is capable of frying power and sabotaging an entire base.”
“This little thing; all by its self?”
“Well this one alone could maybe short circuit a light bulb. I need to mass-produce them. I will need several hundred thousand of them.”
“How long did it take to construct this?” Peryite asked.
“Around two minutes. When made via a factory it will take about fifteen seconds.”
“How long before they are fully operational?”
“That might take a few months before the nano swarm is complete.”
“Good. Why then, might I ask, did you want me to begin a mass production?”
“Because my liege, if this works; then I will be able to shut down the M-TECH curtain completely.”
Every bit of sleep left Peryite’s eyes as he exchanged a shocked look with Nicola. “Are you certain?” Peryite asked.
“Yes my liege, so when the barrier comes down…”
He was cut off by Peryite. “Then we will be able to launch a mass blitzkrieg surprise attack on western Equestria! We can move our troops to Ponyvill. Then we march on Canterlot, then onto Cloudsdale.
“And from there; all of Equestria will be ours,” Nicola said.
“Professor… where would we be without you? This is no time for sleep; you were right about that.”
“I’m glad to hear it sir; because there isn’t much time left before sunrise. Speaking of…”
“What?” Peryite asked.
“Maybe you ought to speak to Celestia.”
“Why?”
“I’m not sure,” Nicola replied. “You are her colt.”
Peryite’s eyes widened at this. “W…but…how…”
He was then cut of by Nicola. “I eavesdropped. Not purposefully. I heard her talking about you when I was coming to sol tower to give her a health exam.”
Peryite sighed. “Does anyone else know?”
“No, just me.” Like I said, you’re her colt; adopted or not she’s your mother. I feel she might appreciate knowing you still care.”
“What are you, my psychiatrist?” Peryite retorted.
“No,” Nicola replied, “but hey, it’s your family.”
Peryite looked Nicola down hard. “Very well.” With that Peryite made his way to the sol tower. He approached the large twin doors with the large sun divided between the two doors. He thought about just going to his room and pretending he talked to her and leave it at that. He knew he wasn’t going to, though. Even if he would never admit it; he was happy Nicola recommended he talked to Celestia. He would have been grateful if anypony had told him that. His thoughts turned to his old psychiatrist Dementio. He may have been the god of Madness but he was one of the wisest ponies Peryite had ever met. He always cared about Peryite’s condition and lent support even in the underworld uprising. Peryite wondered, “Did he have a grudge on me because of what I did to Discord?” His thoughts then turned to Discord. How was he faring; or Luna for that matter? He pushed the thought aside as his thoughts turned to his recent dreams. He had been experiencing nightmares about Celestia for the last month. They would start sweet. He and his sister would play with Celestia in Canterlot palace. As time passed the scene would change. Before long the scene would become that of Celestia destroying Uralia. Lately however the scenes became the royal family (Celestia included) cremated into ashes at Canterlot palace. The only pony there with him was one stallion he had never seen before. The only thing he said was ‘save them’. Peryite never got to speak back to ask what it meant. After he spoke a black stallion he had also never met before would tell him ‘you can’t’. Another disturbing thing about it was that on occasion heard the voice of the Mother calling him. He could never find her nor the source of her voice. He had only met her once; when he was escaping the ruins of Uralia she had shown him how to operate the teleportation machine. He knew not what the meaning of the dreams was; except that it made him confused and scared. As much as he hated to admit it; he loved Celestia no less than during his foalhood. He knew he would always call her mother, even if she had disowned him. He cared for her; and was comforted by her. He knew there was no denying it; might as well just learn to accept it and enjoy one of the few ways he found pleasure.
Peryite took a deep breath and pushed open the door. The Sol tower’s floors and walls were made of gray stone. The rotunda was decorated with Union pennants and ones with the sun. Celestia’s bed lay in the room set in its golden frame and its white sheets. As Peryite entered the room a wave of nausea set over him. He knew that as long as he was in here the magical regulator was dampening his magical abilities. Peryite’s vision blurred momentarily and he began to lose his balance. His front left leg gave in and he began to fall slightly. He managed to catch himself from his fall and stand straight once more.
Princess Celestia turned to find the source of the noise. She breathed a small silent sigh of relief to see it was Peryite. He was her captor but she knew she was safe around him. Celestia watched as he regained his hoofing. As he did Celestia turned away from him and looked back. “Is there something you needed?” she said indifferently.
Peryite regained his strength and said back to her, “Yes. GET TO WORK AND RAISE THE SUN.”
Celestia turned and shot him an unamused look. Peryite returned the glance. After about eight seconds the two of them simultaneously smiled at each other. Peryite began to approach her but then stopped. He stopped smiling and stared at the ground. He began chipping at the floor with his right hoof. He did this for about a minute; occasionally tilting his head up just enough to see Celestia.
“Peryite,” Celestia said, rather concerned.
“Y…yes,” he responded.
“Please… please just stop this war.”
Peryite cringed at this. “AND DO WHAT? PUT YOU BACK ON THE THRONE!!! I should have known; a tyrant will always try to worm out of its punishment.”
“I DON’T CARE IF I’M ON THE THRONE,” Celestia wailed. “Please just stop this madness.”
“I can’t,” Peryite replied. “The whole world is in this war now. Besides I don’t think the United Equestrian Alliance would accept my surrender now anyway.”
“Just let me speak to Twilight,” Celestia pleaded. “I can get her to accept.”
“Yeah, about that,” Peryite said. “I think your little apprentice is a dead mare.” Celestia’s eyes widened and began to water at hearing this. Peryite noticed this and quickly added, “We haven’t found a body though,” He chuckled in an uneasy tone. “There is currently no sign of her in Canterlot, though. I hear rumors that she escaped deep into Union territory. I’ve ordered the troops there to deliver her here unharmed if found.” Celestia didn’t respond. “I…I should go Peryite managed.” With that he left Celestia alone in the tower.
Celestia felt she was on the verge of crying -- for her student, for herself, and for her only child. She knew she had to raise the sun but felt in no condition to do so. She decided to take her sadness and make it something productive. She made her way to the large black grand piano in her room and began to play a song.

Celestia: Oh I have failed you.
My sweet child divine; and now I suffer you’re chains and binds.
With all this anger, guilt, and sadness all built up in my head.
Now I can only wait until I’m dead.

Peryite in his bedchambers, feeling much the same, had started singing on his harpsichord as well.

Peryite: Is this revenge I’m seeking or seeking someone to avenge me.
Stuck in my own mind I want to set myself free.
Maybe I should break these binds before THEY try to stop it.
And I find I’m nothing more than a puppet.

Celestia: It’s been so long since I’ve last seen my son now he’s this monster.
The one behind the slaughter.
Now that you’re gone, I will sing this stupid song so I might ponder.
My failures as you’re mother.

Celestia & Peryite: I wish I lived in the present; with the gifts of my past mistakes.
But the future keeps luring in like a pack of snakes.

Celestia (thinking of Peryite) & Peryite (thinking of his sister):
Your sweet little eyes; your little smile is all I remember.
Those fuzzy memories mess with my temper.

Celestia: Justification is killing me; but killing isn’t justified.
What happened to my son? I’m terrified.
It lingers in my mind while he grows and keeps getting bigger.
I’m sorry my sweet baby I wish I’d been there.

It’s been so long since I’ve last seen my son now he’s this monster.
The one behind the slaughter.
Now that you’re gone; I will sing this stupid song so I might ponder.
My failures as your mother.

Twilight awoke around the late morning. She could hear the timber cutters resizing trees for use. She knew that she would soon be called out to begin her shift. Then she heard a high pitched noise come from the dumbwaiter. It arrived with her breakfast. The bowl was filled with hot oats with cinnamon and a small phial of milk. As Twilight finished the last of her breakfast she looked out onto the fields of snow. She knew it was fast approaching noon. She went to the dumbwaiter and placed the tea set in it. She wrote on a small note ‘Sbiten’. Three minutes later the set returned filled with hot sbiten. Twilight poured the hot honeyed beverage into her canteen and hid it in the inner shirt pocket of her thick sweater.
As if on cue a guard entered her room. “Anya, your shift begins now.”
“Very well. I’ll be on my way.”
“You are to be escorted as to avoid any… ‘Accidents’ from occurring as well as avoiding any further complications.”
“Alright.” Twilight followed the guard unto the fields of barley.
“Want me to take your shift Colonel; you’ve been out here for a while. You should get some rest,” Twilight’s escort asked the overseer.
“Nyet.”
“Well then can I go back to guarding a bottle of vodka?”
“Da,” the Colonel replied.
“Sir, yes sir.” With that the guard went off to fall deep into his cup.
Twilight wandered through the inmates until she found her old friend. “Anya. It’s good to see you. I see you’re a full VIP now.”
“How so?” Twilight asked.
“That jacket. It’s only worn by ponies of importance.”
“Huh?” Twilight responded.
“Anyway we need to get back to work,” the Pegasus urged.
“Wait,” Twilight replied. She took from her sweater the canteen of Sbiten.
The Pegasus looked at the canteen before her. “Anya if they see this then…”
She was cut off by Twilight. “Then I’ll take the blame.” The Pegasus hesitantly took the canteen and drank the hot sbiten. As the heated beverage passed down her throat every muscle in her body thanked her. She turned to Twilight with a smile and thanks filled eyes. The two continued their shift. They both appreciated having somepony who cared in a world where most were reduced to animals. Twilight shared the sbiten with her at every moment they were presented with. Between the overseer and the watchtower guard and the fact that they had only one minute to fill a basket with barley meant that they had very few opportunities. As the day passed the work became less tedious. Despite the weather a resistance was built and one began to see it more as part of the day.
William approached Twilight and placed his hoof on her shoulder blade. Twilight looked up at the snowy white stallion. He said plain and simple, “Go.” Twilight knew what he meant. She said goodbye to her friend and made her way to her quarters. She couldn’t shake the odd feeling for William. She felt she should keep an eye on him; but as she learned, he was the one watching her. He had kept the entire shift down there just to oversee her. She noted during all the times he had spoken to her or other Union officials or guards he barely spoke. He would use simple words to say what he meant or wanted. It was as though he could barely comprehend spoken language. She had decided to feel that he was on her side… in a way. He had defended her before but his motives still eluded her. The rest of Twilight’s day passed swiftly. She worked, froze, thawed, ate, and used what time was left resting or reading.

Entry 2 journal of Anya. My days are simple, if not predictable. I can’t say I’m particularly miserable here but I know that this place has held and caused much suffering. I’m so far from home and those I called family. Yet in some ways I have found new ponies that care for me and I in turn care for them. Strangely enough; I look forward to the slave labor. It presents the only opportunity I have to be around my only real friend here. I give her what little aid I can but it’s not enough. William knows about what I do now; when he caught us the first time I feared the worst, yet he just smiled. He too has become a friend; one who doesn’t speak nor that I know anything about, but he shows compassion to the gulag’s occupants. He makes all of our lives easier. I long to do what he does. I do what I can but in these walls that is little to nothing. I know not whether the Union means to cause such misery; or that those it empowers have become corrupt without their yokes. I do know that it is the cause of this misery even though it was meant to free the populace. Writing these words puts me in further danger; but to my surprise I find myself putting my faith and life in William. He has asserted dominance and even used the lash in my defense before. I feel he would be willing to talk down the guards and warden should some unfortunate events occur. This marks the third time my life is in the hands of the Union or Union officials. I have been shown mercy at all three. It goes to prove even though they are responsible for this pain and have shown displays of ruthless cruelty they are still ponies; and have hearts. As of this moment the only thing I can give the ponies of this Gulag is my prayer. I wait for the day I can do more; for everyone. As I write these words I find my thoughts drifting to the question: Just how different am I from Peryite?

Entry 3 journal of Anya. On this day I was introduced to a pleasant surprise. The new Colonel Markov and Sergeant Moskvin arrived in the Gulag. Warden Maximilianovich was skeptical as to the true purpose of why the Colonel would trade baklava and silk beds for Death and frostbite. The three of us pretended not to pay heed to each other; yet Moskvin and Markov would take the chance to converse with me. As of lately I’ve seen the two of them around William. When I ask them about it they deny ever talking to Colonel Amsel. I know the two of them are less than keen about how the ponies here are treated and while they want to do something, I feel that while they might have the power to make VIP requests they can’t change the Gulag into a place of comfort for all. A new order has also been made to begin the production of weapons here. I’ve seen things from bullets to guns to mortars made here.

Entry 4 Journal of Anya. It has been three months since I last made a journal entry. I know not how things on the outside world fare. I have heard the guards rumoring that the Alliance has begun making attempts to retake Saddle Arabia and that the Union is on the run from them. When I question Markov or Moskvin about this they say they aren’t allowed to talk about Union business. I have noticed over the past month that they have been spending more time with William. They continue to deny ever speaking to him; even when I confronted them mere moments after they had conversed they still denied it. I’m curious as to what William tells them. They have begun to change but I can’t tell how. When I talk with them they tend to phase out and drift into their thoughts; it’s as if their minds fade from reality and have to be called back.

Entry 5 journal of Anya. Another entry, another month. I know now that the rumors of the Alliances advance ring true. Rapid barges were seen over the gulag taking surveillance photos of both the gulag and Stalliongrad. The Alliance will soon march on the city… I can feel it. I only hope that when they do they liberate those held here. Recently I have heard that a spy has infiltrated the Gulag. Forms of espionage have been seen. The mine has been shut down due to an explosion and the assembly machines in the war factory were hacked and failed to function.

Twilight finished writing the last words in her journal. “Miss Anya, please do hurry,” Moskvin persisted.
“Yes, yes I’m almost done,” Twilight replied somewhat annoyed. Twilight set her journal in the bedside nightstand and followed Moskvin to the Warden’s office. When they arrived Warden Maximilianovich, accompanied by Colonels Markov and Amsel, were their waiting for them.
“Greetings Anya,” the warden said, somewhat enthusiastic. “I hope the past several months were of ease.”
“Yes,” Twilight replied. “Things have been well.”
“Good. I called you here to discuss a possible repositioning for you.”
“Repositioning?” Twilight repeated, somewhat concerned.
“Yes. I’m sure you heard that recently some unseen saboteur has plagued us. He has tampered with the mainframes of the construction devices in the war factory. Due to this we have made weapons manufacturing a job for the workers of gulag. This is a job that takes place in a heated facility with comforts not common amongst jobs in the gulag. Immediate positions are available and we are offering you a job there.”
Twilight was given pause by this. “Is this dangerous? Is there a chance I will explode?”
“We are taking extreme precautions to prevent that,” Markov said to Twilight. “You WILL be safe.”
“OK,” Twilight replied. Question -- who will be working in this field?”
“We haven’t filled in all the positions yet Anya but we’re working on it.”
“May I make a request to get someone in particular for this job?”
“NO” Maximilianovich snapped. “Forgive the tone, but know your place, Anya. Choose. Do you want the job or not?”
Twilight was given pause once more. The position sounded good; but she had more than enough comfort in here as it was. She felt it wrong to abandon her friend. Twilight was about to respond when she felt a hoof being placed on her shoulder blade. “Miss Anya, I strongly recommend that you accept the warden’s offer,” Moskvin persisted. “I promise I will work out any kinks you might experience.”
“Very well,” Twilight replied. “I accept.”
“Excellent,” the warden responded. “This will be your last day working in the fields. Since its twelve now you will be escorted to the fields now.”
“I’ll see it done,” Moskvin replied almost immediately.
“Very well sergeant, hop to it.”
“Come now Anya.” Twilight followed the sergeant out to the barley fields and began her shift. Twilight searched for her friend. “I know why you hesitate,” Moskvin spoke out. “You’re looking for that Pegasus friend of yours, aren’t you.” Twilight turned to him with fearful eyes. “You won’t find her out here,” he said. “She is having a split hoof mended, as well as having any other illnesses or health concerns fixed. I will send her your regards. Fear not; WE are making sure she is very well taken care of.” Twilight stared down Moskvin with unsure eyes. “Anya,” he said. “You can trust US. WE are your allies and friends. We won’t let any harm come to either of you. Twilight was made uneasy by how much emphasis he put on WE and US but she pushed the thought aside and did her work. Moskvin took the overseer’s place and watched over the workers. Three hours later when her work was finished Moskvin led her back to her quarters. “I will take my leave now,” Moskvin said as he began to walk out the door.
“Farewell,” Twilight replied.
“May the Mother of life and understanding guide you.” Twilight stood and pondered what that meant. She had only heard that one other time; from Peryite, but she didn’t know its meaning. She pushed the thought aside and made her way to her bed. The remainder of the day passed as a normal routine. Twilight awoke the next morning at nine. She ate a breakfast of hot oats and milk.
She heard knocking on her door followed by the voice of colonel Markov. “May I come in?”
“Yes,” Twilight answered.
Markov entered the room and greeted Twilight. “Anya, your new job begins today; I’ll be escorting you there.” Twilight followed Markov out of the main facility into the courtyard and from there into the war factory. Twilight observed the facility. It mainly consisted of a long conveyor belt assembly line. The whole place was a dirty rust like color but in good condition. Twilight could see on the conveyor belt were large robotic arms showing clear signs of sabotage. The main bodies of the arms were torn apart exposing cut and tangled wires. Signs and caution tape around them indicated they were too damaged and dangerous to attempt a repair.
“When the conveyor belt starts assemble what comes your way. Look to the monitor; it will show you what comes next. You might be making bullets, or guns, or something else. I assume you will be able to find your place. You will be partnered with one or two other prisoners. Now if you’ll excuse me I have something I must do.” With that Markov left Twilight and went to the back room of the war factory. Twilight made her way to the conveyor belt and took her place. As if on cue the belt started to move. The belt moved at a slow but steady pace. A box of bullet parts presented itself through the dispenser at the beginning of the assembly line. Twilight filled the bullets with propellant and fitted them with casings. She worked slowly and reluctantly, leaving a good bit for the ponies down the line to complete. She didn’t fancy the thought of making weapons meant to take the lives of Alliance soldiers. She told herself that if she didn’t do it somepony else would; might as well just get it over with. As she worked a oddly familiar and catchy tune was played in the factory though she couldn’t remember where she heard it. As time passed Twilight had constructed eighteen cartages of shot, five repeater rifles, three add-on attachment grenade launchers, seven hoof blades gauntlets, and two TIC’s. Twilight looked up at the monitor which indicated she would be building Union carbine. She watched as the parts presented themselves on the belt. She assembled what she could of the weapon but she struggled to secure the guts of the gun into its body.
Twilight continued to try to assemble the gun until she felt a wing on her shoulder blade. “Need a hoof?” a familiar voice asked. Twilight turned to meet the welcoming eyes of her inmate friend. “It’s good to see you, Anya.”
Twilight smiled and greeted the Pegasus. “I heard you were in the infirmary,” Twilight said, concerned.
“I’m fine,” the Pegasus reassured. “I’ve been meaning to tell you my; name’s Lillyblossom. I should have told you this long ago but I didn’t know how long either of us would survive; and names only make parting harder.”
“It’s OK,” Twilight reassured.
The two talked awhile longer till a brown stallion interrupted them. “Is this the mare you talked about?”
Lillyblossom turned the stallion and smiled. “Yes. Twilight, this is my husband Sergei.”
“My wife tells me you are a friend to us. In here; that is something rare and most welcomed.”
Twilight shook hooves with Sergei. “Lillyblossom told me about you,” Twilight said; “and that the Cheka sent you here.”
“Indeed,” Sergei replied. “I know things could be worse; and I don’t know whether to feel relieved or terrified about that.” Their conversation was interrupted by the conveyor belt’s dispensary informer alarm.
“Mind if we stay and help?” Twilight smiled to Lillyblossom and asked, “Do you really need me to answer that?” The three worked the assembly line as a trio. They built and conversed until Twilight’s shift ended and then once more until she was dismissed for the day. Twilight ended her day in her normal routine.

Entry 6 journal of Anya. This is the sixtieth day I have worked in the war factory. Markov didn’t lie when he said this job is more desirable than working the fields. I was more than pleased to see Lillyblossom had a repositioning here. To boot she now works with her spouse and me in the assembly line. The factory spits out weapons by the minute; there’s no questioning its importance in arming Stalliongrad’s Union soldiers. I have heard from the guards’ conversations that the Alliance has now pushed through the southern barriers and now threatens Stalliongrad. I have seen new faces in the gulag who say they are captured Alliance soldiers. They recognize me but they know to keep quiet. Production for more advanced weapons was put in due to the imminent threat. Armored units and ammo are being made along with nova prospect nerve gas and even war zeppelins. As of lately further espionage has continued. A great number of weapons have gone missing in the facility and Warden Maximilianovich is furious. They have been running inspections on the prisoners trying to find anything linking the two.

Twilight finished writing the last words into her journal. She ate her breakfast of a vanilla paste and made her way down to the war factory. She arrived to find Colonel Markov with Lillyblossom and Sergei. Markov noticed Twilight’s arrival and called her over. “Anya, come, you’re needed.” Twilight felt a little reluctant because of the strict tone in which he spoke. “Anya, you are due for an inspection.”
“OK,” Twilight said, somewhat nervous. Markov was usually calm but this day he seemed troubled; like he knew something was going to happen. “Markov, is there something I should be afraid of?”
“No. Nothing at all; there’s nothing to worry about. I promise you; you will be safe.” “And free,” he muttered under his breath.
“What?” Twilight asked?
“Nothing,” he answered. “Just make your way to scanning and contraband.”
“Where?” Twilight asked?
“Come on Anya, we’ll go together,” Lillyblossom said.
“Anya,” Markov said in a trouble voice. “We probably won’t be seeing much of each other after today. I just wanted to tell you thank you for your service to Moskvin and me.” Twilight looked at the colonel with concerned eyes. She was about to speak when Markov cut her off. “I’ll be taking my leave then,” Markov proclaimed. Then the four went their separate ways. As they walked Twilight looked back to see Markov staring into the sky before walking away looking at the ground. Twilight couldn’t see his face but she knew something was wrong; something he didn’t want to say.
Twilight pushed the thought aside and turned to Lillyblossom. “So what do these inspections have one do exactly?”
“Not much really,” she answered. “They give you some simple questions. ‘Do you regret defying or failing the Union and your ‘family’, have you ever served in the United Equestrian Alliance, have you ever committed espionage or vandalized Union property.’ Basically don’t say ‘I killed five union officials and used their bones to clog a tank gun barrel and you’ll be fine.’ ”
“That’s it?” Twilight said with a small smile.
“Well no, sometimes they weigh you, (they’ll always say you’re fat by the way) or record your height. They might check for any major discrepancies. They might also check for stolen items and broken bones with and x-ray machine. Twilight’s eyes widened at this and she stopped walking. “Um…Anya,” Lillyblossom said, concerned. She got no response from Twilight. “Anya? You OK?” Still nothing.
“Kid, come on, we need to get going,” Sergei persisted.
“I can’t go,” Twilight blurted out.
“What do you mean?” Sergei asked? “You didn’t steal anything did you?”
“No,” Twilight answered backing up toward the building behind her and curling into a ball in the snow.
“Anya, you’re hiding something aren’t,” you Sergei said. Twilight didn’t respond. “Look kid, if you have something to hide I can send you to the infirmary; if it’s really something that you don’t want the Union finding out.
Twilight was about to speak when an intercom sounded with Markov’s voice. “Attention all prisoners. You are being called to check who has and hasn’t taken their inspection. All prisoners not enroot to take their inspection please report to warehouse five.”
As if on cue several guards came to Twilight and company. “You,” they yelled. “Are you heading for inspection?”
“Y… yes,” Lillyblossom answered.
“Good. Be on your way.” The three were then escorted to their destination.
“Are you here for inspections?” a guard in a coat asked?
“Yes,” Sergei replied.
“Good. Have a seat while I prep the technology.” The three found seating and waited, Lillyblossom and Sergei for their inspections and Twilight for her fate to be sealed.

The masses of prisoners all gathered in warehouse five. Just about every prisoner in the gulag was present, yet there were no guards. They waited for someone to take roll or something. After three minutes several dispensaries and conveyor belts came to life. The prisoners watched as boxes were sent their way on the belts. Dozen after dozen of the boxes came until several hundred were before them. One Stallion approached one of the boxes. A small note on it read, “Open me.” He hesitantly opened the box and peered inside.

Twilight watched as Lillyblossom and Sergei were measured and questioned before being scanned. Twilight began hyperventilating; she knew the minute her X-rays came they would know exactly what and who she was. “Anya,” the inspector called. “Please come.” Twilight entered the three-part booth. “Welcome,” the inspector said. Twilight was silent. “Well then. If we are going to skip the conversation...” He pulled out a pin and an audio diary recorder. “Have you ever committed a crime against the Union?”
“According to officials I did. If not I wouldn’t be in here.”
The inspector chuckled slightly at this. “I suppose that is true. Have you lied to the Union officials in the Gulag?”
“Lied?” Twilight repeated. “No I have not lied.”
The inspector looked at her suspiciously. “Have you ever made an attempt on the life of a Union official or soldier?”
“No,” Twilight lied.
“Have you tried to dismantle Union government property?”
“No,” Twilight lied once more.
The inspector then clicked off the recording device. “Please stand straight and tall.” Twilight stiffened her body as the inspector measured her. He then wrote down his results on the inspection paper. “We’re almost done here dear. Just please come with me into the scanner chamber.” Twilight reluctantly walked into the scanner. “Please stand still.” Twilight couldn’t do as she was asked; she couldn’t stop shaking. “Miss Anya, is something wrong?”
“I…I just feel a little deprived of privacy; c…can we skip this part she begged?”
“I’m afraid not. Now please stand still.” Twilight managed to keep herself still. She knew after this it was all over. She watched the scanners rotate around. “Alright, results are in and…” the inspector paused, baffled at what he saw. “Uh…” he looked at Twilight now with bulging fearful eyes. “Miss Anya, would you kindly remove your jacket.” Twilight slowly removed her jacket; revealing her wings. The inspector stared confused at the Alicorn. “W…wha…what?” He began laughing to himself. “Well, welcome Princess Twilight. I never realized we were in the presence of royalty,” he said slyly. “Oh boy. Comrade Joseph is going to be pissed when he realize you’ve been hiding under our nose for the bulk of a year. But when we deliver you to him... Oh boy kid. I hope he makes it quick. Well now, be a good little filly and come with me and…”
He was cut off by the sounding of sirens. Seconds later the wall to their left was blown out as several dozen prisoners armed with rifles and rockets swarmed in. Without a second thought they shot the inspector through the leg and then through the gullet. Lillyblossom and Sergei galloped over to the scanner chamber to see what had happened. “Anya are you alri…” Lillyblossom looked at Twilight with a confused and clueless look.
“Lilly, Sergei, my name is Twilight.”
“T…Twilight,” Lillyblossom repeated. “As in Princess Twilight, leader of the Alliance!!! That Twilight?”
“I hope you’re not mad but I had to keep my cover, and…”
“Mad?” Sergei wailed. “Kid, you are a sight for sore eyes.”
“AHEM,” one of the prisoners interrupted. “I’d hate to bring an end to your little moment but we’ve got an uprising going on and we need every stallion and mare who can work a gun to do their part.”
“Where did you even get these guns from?” Sergei asked.
“Don’t know don’t care,” the prisoner answered. “You in?”
Sergei took a rifle from the stallion. “Let’s get these bastards.”
Lillyblossom placed her wing on Sergei’s shoulder blade. “Please. Don’t do this, she begged.”
“I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit by when I can be doing something to deliver you from this hellhole.” She looked him down with scared eyes. “I’ll see you and the kids back at home.” Lilly and Sergei exchanged a smile. “Princess Twilight, Sergei addressed.”
“Yes,” Twilight replied.
“I want you to take my wife somewhere safe.”
“Alright but after that I’m going to help you out.”
“Are you sure about that highness? I won’t tell you no but are you sure you’re up for getting your hooves dirty?”
“I’ve been sitting by doing nothing for far too long. Now it’s time to fight.”
“Spoken like a warrior. Just don’t get yourself killed.” With that Sergei left with the other prisoners to complete the uprising.
“Come on,” Twilight urged to Lillyblossom, “I need to get you to safety.”
“Where are we going?” Lillyblossom asked?
“Somewhere safe.” Twilight and Lillyblossom galloped through the Gulag. The whole place was in utter chaos and disrepair. Fires danced and consumed just about every other building and structure. The facility was filled with the sounds and smells of war. Rockets exploded and bullets zipped as the smell of gunpowder and burnt flesh inflamed Twilight’s nostrils. As they approached a corner they heard a plea of help above them. A guard was being held over the edge of a building before being sent plummeting to the ground below. He hit the ground with a sickening crack as blood began to flow from his skull. Seconds later another stumbled out of a building coughing and gasping for breath. Without even the chance to get to his hooves a prisoner leapt on him and proceeded to bash down on his head with the butt of a rifle. After eight seconds the guard’s face was a bloody mess. Lillyblossom shielded her eyes with her right leg.
“Come on,” Twilight said. “We need to get going.” After five minutes of dashing from one burning building to another and through back alleys Twilight and Lillyblossom reached the main plaza of the Gulag. They arrived to see around one hundred prisoners tearing down the siphon with grapples. As they made the final tug; the siphon came crashing down. Twilight felt a jolt run through her. She levitated a shot gauntlet off the hoof of a guard’s body and clipped it onto hers. She had been wondering if she would ever have used her magic again. The prisoners cheered at this triumph but none cheered louder than the unicorns. Their celebration was cut short as a guard had stationed himself on a mounted turret in one of the building’s windows.
One of the unicorns took out a bottle of vodka and lit it with a match. “HERE. Have a drink on me; you SON OF A BITCH.” He lobbed the flaming bottle at the guard. Flaming liquid doused the stallion killing him almost instantly.
“Come on,” Twilight said. “We need to keep moving.”
“Anya -- I’m sorry, Twilight -- do you know where we’re going?”
“Wherever the violence isn’t.” Twilight and Lillyblossom galloped eastward until Twilight heard the clopping of hooves. “Hide,” she said quickly. The two hid behind what was left of a wall.
A division of guards came galloping their way. “What the buck is happening? One of the guards yelled.”
“We’re in the middle of an uprising, what’s it look like,” another answered.
“How the hell does this happen?”
“Angry prisoners plus weapons equals total disaster,” another guard said angrily.
“Great Peryite! We’re in the heat of it, aren’t we.”
“Yep,” another answered. “So what are we doing now?”
“We need to make it to the communications tower and then either send off a distress signal or destroy the tower. If it stops transmitting then Stalliongrad will know something is wrong. I’d like to do the first. There’s a panic bunker in the tower and I’d like to keep my hide intact.
“Twilight, we need to head…” Lillyblossom covered her mouth with her hooves realizing what she had done.
“What was that?” one of the guards yelled. Too late Twilight thought. They all pointed their rifles at the wall. “Come out now or we shoot.” Twilight and Lillyblossom slowly rose from the ground with their front hooves behind their heads. “She’s got a shot gauntlet one of them yelled.”
“Never mind that,” another said. “She’s an Alicorn. Disarm and bind the Alicorn. Kill the Pegasus.”
Lillyblossom fell back in fear at this statement. Twilight knew she had to save her but she couldn’t see how. She didn’t have the weapons or magic to deal with them all at once. She knew she had to get them all simultaneously but the only attack that could do that and with effectiveness was Peryite’s magic shockwave. She had only seen him do it; she had never practiced it at all and didn’t even know if she had the skill to channel magic to her hooves. The guards began to close in on her; she knew her time was running out. As the guards took the gauntlet from her a rocket hit the building next to them. The guards moved out of the way of the falling debris. Twilight knew this was her only chance. She opened her wings and began to hover.
“Twilight, don’t leave me Lillyblossom begged.”
“I’m not leaving; when I hit the ground you fly.”
As Twilight prepped her magic the guards got to their hooves. They all pointed their rifles at Twilight. “FIRE,” the guard leader shouted. As they worked the triggers of the rifles the magic left Twilight’s horn and her hooves began to glow and she slammed down on the ground. Lillyblossom managed to shake the fear and fly up, heeding Twilight’s warning. Seconds later she saw Twilight release a magic shockwave. The guards were knocked back and shocked from the magic. Twilight knew they were not dead from that blast. She quickly grabbed a rifle with her magic and proceeded to execute every last guard. Lillyblossom flew to the ground after she knew it was safe.
“Twilight, th…that was amazing. I…” she stopped when she saw Twilight’s face. She figured this was her first time taking a life; she knew it was hard when it was slow and you know what you’re about to do; what Twilight had done was quick and sudden. “T…Twilight. It’s OK. They needed to die. Twilight starred back at Lillyblossom with blank emotionless eyes. It disturbed Lillyblossom to see this (she would have felt more comfortable had Twilight burst into tears). “Come on. We need to head to the communications tower. We need to make sure that Stalliongrad doesn’t send the Union to stop this uprising.”
“OK,” Twilight said blankly. “Let’s go.” Twilight retrieved the shot gauntlet and clipped it on her right hoof. Lilly and Twilight continued on, now with a destination. Twilight was still shook up about the fact that she just killed six ponies in the span of eight seconds; and it was her first time killing anything more sentient than a fly. She felt she would have to get used to in this war.
“Twilight, maybe we should head to the rooftops,” Lillyblossom suggested.
“We can’t stay there for long,” Twilight replied. “We have a bigger chance of being seen gliding in the sky or from rooftop to rooftop.”
“Just so we know where we are headed.” The two spread their wings and took flight. “Do you see it?”
“No,” Twilight replied.
“Wait; there,” Lillyblossom pointed to the northeast where a large tower stood. “There, let’s head there.” The two descended to the ground and galloped to the communications tower. When they reached the tower they headed up to the transmitter room.
When they got there, a guard was trying to send out a signal. “Hello, hello-hello,” a voice called out on the other end of the line. Twilight quickly sprang into action and leapt on the guard. After a struggle Twilight knocked him out with the gauntlet. “Hello, hello-hello. What’s going on in there?”
“N…nothing Twilight said.”
“What’s all the racket?”
“I just knocked over a cart. Sorry.”
“What’s the meaning of this call?”
“Oh, is that what that button does? Sorry, I’m new here.”
“So nothing worth noting then; this transmission frequency is for emergencies only. Be more careful next time.”
“Alright. Uh, farewell comrade.”
“Hold on,” the voice snapped.
“Y…yes,” Twilight stuttered.
“What’s your ID number?”
“M…my number?”
“Yes, your identification number; please tell me your ID.”
“O…of course.” Twilight searched the guard for some ID card of some kind. She pulled out an ID. “301363-531000” Twilight said.
“Hmm, please hold,” the voice said. “That’s funny. So your name is Alexander Romanov. You have a lovely voice then, sir.”
“Uh, Mr. Romanov was injured and sent to the infirmary. I’m taking over his position until he gets better. He told me to present his ID if needed.”
“Very well, then,” the voice said. “Tell Mr. Romanov get well.”
“Will do,” Twilight said.”
“Glory to the Union,” the voice said.
“Long live the populace,” Twilight responded.
“The voice chuckled. “Bye kid.” Twilight ended the transmition and breathed a sigh of relief.
“That was too close,” Lillyblossom said.
“I know,” Twilight replied. “Come on,” she said, pulling the tower blueprints off of a desk. The bunker can be accessed through an elevator here. Twilight hit the call button on the elevator. After a minute the elevator arrived. The two boarded and set it to go to the bunker. When the elevator reached its destination the two disembarked. “Just stay here Lillyblossom; if somepony else comes in hide and check to see if it’s a guard or not.”
“Wait, Lillyblossom said. “What about you Twilight?”
“I’m going to help in this uprising in any way that I can.”
“Twilight. You just killed for the first time. You need to relax.”
“I was going to kill sometime today. I’ll be fine, Lilly.”
“Please Twilight, there must be something you can do that doesn’t involve putting your life in danger.”
“I’ll see what I can do from in here but after that...”
“Just stay safe Anya. I know that’s not your name but you’ll always be Anya to me.”
Twilight smiled to Lillyblossom before boarding the elevator and heading up. She looked at the blueprints to see if there was anything else of interest. She found the northeastern most room was a security command room. She followed the map until she reached the room. She looked around at the buttons and levers to see what she had to work with. She was presented with an armada of security turrets drones and even two security zeppelins. There were also cameras in various locations as well as reconnaissance drones. Twilight began looking around the cameras to see where she could help. After a few dozen cameras she found Sergei and seven other prisoners being held at gunpoint. Twilight quickly ordered two of the mosquito drones to their position. When the drones arrived they quickly cut down the guards. Sergei looked at the drones in shock. “You looked as though you needed a helping hoof, Sergei,” Twilight said through the camera audio.
“Twilight!” he said in amazement. “H…how?”
“I got control of the Gulag security. Here, let me get that door for you.” Twilight clicked the release button for the shutter blocking the prisoners.
“Kid, you’re a miracle worker! Alright boys lets move.”
“Hold on,” Twilight said. “Let me scout on ahead and see what you’re up against.”
“Good thinking.”
“Alright,” Twilight said. Looks like about nine guards and three turrets. “Let’s see if we can make those odds look prettier.” Twilight tampered with the security of the turrets. Gunfire was heard down the corridor. “Alright now you’re up against three friendly turrets; best of luck,” Twilight said humorously.
“Thanks once again kid.”
“Where are you headed?” Twilight asked.
“We’re really just trying to dismantle any remaining Union presence here. But if you’re asking if we have a destination in mind it would be warden Maximilianovich’s office. The guards still take orders; perhaps we can ‘persuade’ him to order surrender.”
“Let me find you a path to the warden’s office. Alright,” Twilight said. “You aren’t that far; but there are some ‘obstacles’ in your way.”
“We can handle it Twilight; with your help that is.” Twilight smiled and scouted ahead on the cameras sabotaging the security whenever she could. After fifteen minutes of hacking and fighting Sergei and party reached the main facility. “Twilight can you get the doors here open?”
“Drat. Afraid not. The warden has a separate security system on this building. I’m afraid there’s little I can do for you from here on out.
“Great one of the prisoners complained. What now?”
“Hold on,” Twilight said. “I might be able to lend some assistance, maybe.” Twilight began configuring some turret controls. “Stand back,” she said. Sergei and the others did as they were told. A security turret positioned by the gate fired a rocket into the door blowing it open. “When life presents you a wall you can’t get around; you blow it up.”
Sergei chuckled at this. “Come on boys. The group lead by Sergei plowed through the main building tearing it apart. “Almost there boys, the warden’s office is just beyond this plaza.”
“Hold it,” Twilight snapped. “These cameras show that there’s at least thirty guards and security here and I can’t hack any of the turrets.”
“We can’t just give up now, though. We need to do this.”
“No,” Twilight wailed. “I’m not going to tell Lillyblossom that I let you get slaughtered. I…” Twilight paused. “I think I have an idea. Please,” Twilight begged to no one in particular. “Please let this work.” She began to tamper with the auto piloted security zeppelins. “Yes!” Twilight yelled with joy. “Hold on guys, I think you might like this.”
Sergei and party watched as two zeppelins flew overhead and began bombarding the ground below. After fifteen seconds the plaza was a mess of limbs and debris. Sergei thanked Twilight once more before proceeding on to the warden’s office. When they reached the office Sergei knocked down the door with one buck. They found Maximilianovich cowering behind his desk. “C…come now we can be civil about this,” the warden pleaded.
“Sure we can, but why should we?” one of the prisoners asked.
“Come on. There must be something I have to bargain with.”
“As a matter of fact there is. You could call of the remnants of the guards and surrender the Gulag to us.”
“O…OK” he managed to say. “Before I do I need to ask, if I do this; I must know that I nor any of the guards be harmed.
“If you don’t you’ll all be killed,” Sergei answered.
“Please… Please just answer the question,” the warden begged.
“Twilight… Twilight,” Sergei called. As if on cue two mosquito drones slowly hovered into the warden’s office.
“Good,” Twilight said through the audio system of the drones. “I’m glad to see you’re OK, Sergei.”
“Thanks kid, but now to business. Your call, kid. What do we do with Maximilianovich?
“First,” Twilight said, He does what we ask of him. Then I assure you neither you nor the guards will be harmed.”
“You heard the mare. Now get on your little intercom.”
Warden Maximilianovich slowly pressed the on button for the announcement system. “Attention, attention staff and guard of the Stalliongrad Gulag. As of this moment I am issuing surrender. All who comply will not be harmed. Those who refuse will be on their own; and hunted down. That is all.” Maximilianovich turned off intercom. “There, I did what you asked. Now you’ll let me go, right?”
“We said we’d let you live,” Twilight said. Sergei round him and any others up. “I don’t much care how you deal with those who resist. I’d prefer if nopony else dies but if you deem it necessary...”
“Will do, kid. Now get moving warden.” Maximilianovich submitted and was led to the holding area along with the remaining guards. Twilight sent reconnaissance drones around the Gulag to make sure it was secure. After that the prisoners raided the food storage until they were all fed, at least somewhat. They had each made sure to put some aside for those in the infirmary. They moved the sick into the main building to get some better treatment and medicine that they were previously deprived of.
When it was all done Sergei met with Twilight and Lillyblossom at the communication tower. “Kid, I said it once and I’ll say it again. You are a miracle.”
“I’ve wanted to help you all from the beginning. I’m just happy I got to help deliver you from this hellish torture. What now? Twilight continued.
“I’m not too sure but I think we’ll just wait out here and…” He was cut off by the communications system.
“Hello, hello- hello,” a familiar voice called out from the other end in desperation. Hello… please pickup somepony.” Twilight reached for the receiver with hesitation.
Sergei put his hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Answer it if you don’t they’ll get suspicious.”
Twilight picked up the receiver. “Hello, Twilight answered.”
“Oh thank Peryite, kid. We need to talk to the warden immediately.”
“Uh, I’m afraid the warden is a bit busy right now,” Twilight said.
“LOOK. I don’t care who we speak to just… we need reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements,” Twilight repeated.
“The Alliance has begun a siege on the city of Stalliongrad. They have yet to break the second border barricade but we need all the weapons you have.”
“Uh…” Twilight wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Sir, you’ll have those weapons in the briefest of delays Sergei answered.”
“Uh, thank you. ID, please.”
“This is Mr. Romanov like I talked about before. He’s feeling better it seems.”
“Good to hear. Thank you, comrades.” The transmission ended.
“What was that?!!” Twilight shouted at Sergei. “The Union is going to be expecting weapons delivered to them.”
“And we’ll give them the weapons,” Sergei replied.
“What?” Twilight wailed.
“They’ll be expecting us,” he said. “We’ll drive up to the gates and in the train, enter Stalliongrad, and then we spring our trap.”
Twilight looked at Sergei with a shocked face. “And then we take Stalliongrad from the inside.”
“Exactly,” Sergei said.
“Are you sure about this,” Twilight asked?
“I’ve never been surer about anything. It’s time we free our homeland. On this day we give Comrade Joseph a taste of his own medicine. Come on, Twilight; help me gather the boys.”
Twilight and Sergei used the announcement system in the communications tower to call a meeting of all the prisoners excluding those watching the guards and warden. When all the prisoners were gathered Sergei began a speech. “Comrades. For too long have we felt the binds of oppression from the Union’s dogs of Stalliongrad. For years we have been abused and deprived of our rights as living beings. WELL NO LONGER. As of this moment the United Equestrian Alliance is beginning its march on Stalliongrad. The fools know not of the fate of this Gulag and have called on its aid in the fight. They will have their guard down we can march in the city and take it back for the populace. What do you say Comrades? Will you join in this fight and bring our homeland back to her glory days? Will you take up arms for every stallion, mare, and foal in Stalliongrad?”
The prisoners were unsure; this lasted for half a minute before they all cheered, “URA!” One Stallion rose and began a marching song.

The Stallion: Do you hear the ponies sing? Singing the song of angry colts.
We will tear down you’re regime till all that’s left is scraps and bolts. When the beating of you’re heart echoes the beating of the drums.
There is a life waiting for you when tomorrow comes.

Will you join in our crusade who will rise and stand with me.
Beyond the wall is there a world you want to see.
Another Prisoner: Then join in the fight for your rights and families.

At this the masses began singing

The masses: Do you hear the ponies sing? Singing the song of angry colts.
We will tear down your regime till all that’s left is scraps and bolts.
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums,
There is a life waiting for you when tomorrow comes.

The Stallion: Will you give all you can give so that you’re foals may survive.
Some will die, some will live for the cause for which we strive.
We’re feed up and mad. On this day we free Stalliongrad.

The Masses: Do you hear the ponies sing? Singing the song of angry colts.
We will tear down your regime till all that’s left is scraps and bolts.
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums,
There is a life waiting for you when tomorrow comes.

The prisoners boarded the train as infantry while Equestrian soldier POW’s piloted the armored units and Zeppelins. Whoever was left became infantry. Those that didn’t want to or were afraid to fight were left with guard duty and or constructed tanks for reinforcements. Within the hour everypony was ready. The Zeppelins were enhanced for more efficient speed. They and the tanks got a head start and the train followed eight minutes later. Twilight sat in anticipation next to Sergei.
“Kid, you know you don’t have to do this. You can still fly back to the Gulag.”
“I’ve sat by and done nothing for too long, Sergei.”
“Just be careful. You have a family to get back to as well.”
Twilight’s thoughts turned to her family and friends. “Do they even know I’m still alive?” she thought. “I wonder what they’d say if they knew I was doing this.” Her thoughts were interrupted by the train coming to a halt.
“Get ready, kid,” Sergei warned Twilight.
“Oh, thank Peryite you all arrived,” a Union soldier said in relief. “The third barricade is under siege right now and…” The door slid open and he lost his nerve to continue speaking. Not two seconds later the resistance opened fire upon him and the rest of the soldiers positioned at the train station.
“For the populace!” they shouted as they took over the facility. The train conductors cowered in fear at the sounds of war and they hid in the ticket booths.
“Kill anyone who looks like they’ll give us trouble,” Sergei said. “Anyone with a gun, anyone wearing a Union officer’s outfit; round up the rest. If the local populace join in our ranks let them. Move out, my comrades. Wipeout any and every last trace of the Union of Global Equestrian Republics. We will soon march on Comrade Joseph’s precious palace of kings, the home of the corrupt.”
“URA!” the masses cheered as they began to retake Stalliongrad.
“Twilight you’re with me. I want to keep an eye on you kid.”
“Where are we headed?” Twilight asked.
“Where I just said, the Palace of Kings.” Twilight followed Sergei through the streets of Stalliongrad. The tanks of the Gulag had destroyed the war factories they were sent to and had joined the infantry troops in taking the city. Twilight and Sergei stayed close to a tank, minding the distance they had between its treads and themselves. The Union’s rifles couldn’t pierce the armor. In civilian life Sergei was a hunter (hunting for furs) so his experience with a carbine helped keep the tank safe from garrisoned rocket troopers and flak cannons. Even if it did get destroyed it could still be used for cover. Twilight’s magic meant she could better work a gun, launch a Molotov, and all in all fight better and safer. She had never been in a real battle. She knew not if the ponies she killed deserved this fate but after what she’d seen she knew it was something that had to be done.
“Kill that soldier in the MG,” a stallion shouted before being cut down by said gunner. Sergei rose to his hooves and took a shot at the soldier. The bullet ripped straight through and out the back of the soldier’s head killing him instantly. The tank then leveled a small building garrisoned by Union troops.
“Move up now,” Sergei shouted as the resistance forces moved up and gained ground. “Twilight, you holding up alright there?”
“Yeah Sergei, I’m fine.”
“Good. Come on Twilight, we need to stay with the tank.” Twilight and Sergei continued galloping through Stalliongrad until the road split.
“Which way?” Twilight asked.
“We go down this alley or through these buildings. We need to take the palace as quickly as possible. The tanks will have to find another path to take but ours is here.”
“Let’s go,” Twilight said.” Twilight and Sergei entered the department store next to them. The cashier cowered behind the desk as the two made their way to the roof. When they reached the roof they began providing assistance to the resistance forces below by way of gunfire support. They hopped from roof to roof following the forces on the ground as they made their way to the Palace of Kings. The two stopped at the right side of the roof to fire onto Union troops garrisoned in the building next to them and then continued on with the resistance.
“Damn it,” Sergei said in frustration. The gap between the next building was too large to jump.
“Grab on,” Twilight said.
“Are you sure about that, kid; do you think you can carry my weight?”
“If I can’t we aren’t going to plummet.” Sergei wrapped his hooves around Twilight’s neck as she took flight. She groaned as the weight of the Stallion severely hindered her ability to fly. She unsteadily fluttered to the other building and collapsed.
“You OK, kid?
“Yeah,” Twilight answered. “Yeah, I just need a breather. You go on.”
“No, I’m not leaving you vulnerable. I can wait.”
“T…thanks,” Twilight huffed.
As the two waited a Pegasus stallion landed next to them. “Comrades, the city’s Siphon powering its defenses is in the next plaza.” Sergei turned to his right to face the large beacon. “If we bring that down the Alliance will have no trouble taking the city.”
“You heard the stallion, Twilight. Let’s get going.”
“Alright,” Twilight said, still a little out of breath. The three traveled the rooftops until they reached the plaza where the siphon was located and began clearing out the Union troops. Twilight was surprised at the amazingly lax security around the siphon. If this oppressed the magic of Stalliongrad’s unicorns and powered the defenses it should have had better protection than this. Once the plaza was clear the resistance began throwing grapples to try and pull down the siphon. As they did the siphon sounded an alarm and twelve panels opened around it. From them rose twelve Tesla coils sparking with electricity, and three tanks accompanied by Union troops.
“So much as breathe and these coils fry your manes off,” one of the soldiers shouted. “Drop you’re weapons and I’ll consider letting you live.” Twilight and Sergei slowly placed their weapons on the ground followed by the rest of the resistance members. As a Union soldier approached to detain them a rocket was fired at the siphon. The collector at the top slowly cracked and crumbled to the ground.
“Look out! Twilight yelled. All who were around the siphon ran from the falling debris. The coils lost their power, as well as all other defenses in Stalliongrad. Seconds later a Pegasus took a dive-bomb and gunned down the Union soldiers. While the tanks were busy trying to shoot down the Pegasus with their antipersonnel guns a small squad of ponies strapped C4 charges to the main body of the tanks. Seconds after that the tanks were a burning heap of metal.
The Stallion who had rallied the resistance to fight at the gulag approached Twilight and Sergei. “Comrade Sergei. It would appear we weren’t the only ones with the idea of rebelling. Come.” The two followed the Stallion to the main street leading to the bourgeoisie’s part of town where the Palace of Kings stood. Twilight and Sergei gazed awestruck at the sight before them. Filling the street as far as the eye could see were citizens of Stalliongrad, some armed with rifles, others with pitchforks, all gathered to take back the city. “I figure at least three fourths of the city is here,” the stallion said. “This truly is our day, comrade.” Sergei embraced Twilight and the stallion in joy. “Come on,” the stallion said. “Come with me to the front. I think there have to be a few who have doubts about this. They could use some rallying.”
The three of them galloped to the front of the masses. When they reached the front the three of them climbed onto a tank leading the parade. “WHAT DO WE SAY TO THE UNION? WHAT DO WE SAY TO COMRADE JOSEPH?”
“DIE!” the masses shouted.
“THEIR STREETS ARE PAVED IN GOLD. BUT THEY ARE MADE OF BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS -- OUR BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS. BUT ON THIS DAY OUR TEARS BECOME GOLD. AND THEIR TEARS BECOME BLOOD. LET US MAKE THEM KNOW WHAT WE’RE HERE TO DO! TELL THEM, COMRADES!!!!”

The masses then began singing a marching song (The March of the Populace)

The masses: Look down; and see. Our blood is on your hooves.
Look now; and see. For we are on the move

The Stallion They said they’d feed and give prosperity.
I’m still a pauper and more hungry.
We aren’t the sickles that reap you’re barley.
We aren’t the hammers that break down stone.

We all unite as one big family. United we stand we’re not alone
Not alone, Not alone, Not alone, NOT ALONE,
(By now the masses reached the wealthy district of Stalliongrad and began to march on the Palace of Kings)
The masses: Look down; and see. The horror you have wrought.
Look now; and see. Now its your turn to ROT.

The Stallion: There was a time we killed our king.
We tried to change the world too fast.
Now we face another king.
He is no better than the last.

The masses: Look down; and see. How your banners burn.
Look now; and see. Soon it will be your turn.

(The masses had then reached the Palace. The Union soldiers up until then had fought or fled from the masses. But when they marched on the Palace the Union troops opened the gates and joined the fray.)

The stallion: The Cheka gave us police brutality
And feed us all their golden lie.
Now is the time to stop this tyranny
Now it’s their time to bleed and cry.

The masses: Look down; and see.
You’re army’s on our side.
Look now; and see.
You cannot stop this tide.

When’s it gonna end?
This damage we must mend.
We’ve got a message we must send.
Tell everyone. The time has come.
We will be free fight with the sun.
How long till tyrants meet their demise?
Until we cut the fat ones down to size.
Here lives the king that runs this show,
Oppressing the ponies here below.
Now’s our chance he’s all alone.
With nowhere left to go.

The masses: Look down; and see.
For we are the menders.
Look now; and see.
We’re cutting out the Cancer.

As the joint force of the resistance and populace along with the Union troops stormed the Palace of Kings, they reached the office of the Premier. The populace dragged the pony called ‘Comrade Joseph’ out to the front of the palace. They scalped him before setting him ablaze. They then raided all the food and money from the palace and returned it to the citizens of Stalliongrad. Within the next hour and a half the Alliance army had occupied Stalliongrad. Twilight convinced the resistance and populace they would not be oppressed ever again under the Alliance.
Shining Armor arrived in Stalliongrad from the Alliance military camp. “Captain, it’s good to see you.”
“Thank you, Sergeant, I see that this mission went well.”
“Yes sir, we have good news. Yes come with me into the Palace of Kings.”
“Did you succeed in the battle here?”
“Well, sort of. We now control Stalliongrad. But the populace beat us to the punch in taking it. A resistance force had formed and took the city from the Union. The resistance leader then convinced them to allow the Alliance to occupy the city.”
“Sounds like a good report.”
“But sir, you haven’t even heard the good news.”
“That wasn’t the good news?” Shining Armor asked.
“No, in the chaos of all of this we found that somepony lost to us was very much alive.”
“Who?”
“Hold on to your mane, sir.” The two entered the office of the Premier and Shining Armor’s eyes widened.
“Brother!” Twilight wailed with joy. The two embraced each other. It had been far too long for the both of them.
“T…Twily. I… We all thought you were dead.”
“Colonel Markov spared my life. He sent me up to the gulag just northeast of here. He pulled strings to get me better treatment.”
“I don’t much care why he did what he did,” Shining Armor wept. “If I ever have the chance to meet him I’ll give him my regards even if he is with the Union. You should let your friends know you’re still alive.”
“They’re here?” Twilight said in amazement.
“No, but we can get communications established. Come on, I got put in command of the Vessel of the Elements when you went missing. It should be ready to take us back to Canterlot.”
“Let’s go home,” Twilight said. The two made their way to the balcony of the Palace of Kings where the flagship was waiting.
As they were about to leave they heard a call. “WAIT.” Twilight and Shining Armor turned to be greeted by Sergei and Lillyblossom as well as a brown colt and a gold filly. “We just wanted to give you our regards before you left.” Twilight smiled at the two of them. “You’ve done so much for us, Anya,” Lillyblossom said. The two foals then embraced Twilight’s leg.
“Daddy said you took care of Mommy in the gulag.” Twilight kneeled and returned the embrace.
“Thanks again kid… for everything.”
“What will you do now?” Twilight asked.
“Live our lives. Something we couldn’t have done without you.”
Shining Armor introduced himself to the four of them and they did in return. After a brief talk they parted ways and Twilight and Shining Armor set sail for Canterlot. In the cockpit Shining Armor configured the communicator until he got a feed in Canterlot. “Captain,” the guard greeted Shining Armor.
“Please get me Cadence and Twilight’s friends.”
“Will do,” the Alliance soldier said.
A few minutes later Cadence appeared on the screen. “Shining Armor,” Cadence said enthusiastically.
“Cadence, it’s good to see you but I didn’t call you here to talk to you.
“What for then?” Cadence asked.
“So Twilight could.”
“TWILIGHT!!!”
“Cadence!” Twilight wailed.
It didn’t take long for Twilight’s friends to arrive. “TWILIGHT!!!”
“Girls, it’s so good to see you again.”
“Twilight, we all thought you were dead,” Pinkie Pie said in tears.
“How did you survive, Sugar cube?” Applejack asked franticly.
“Are you alright, dear? Are you hurt?” Rarity added.
“Girls, girls calm down. I’m fine. As to what happened, well, sit down.” Twilight told of how she wound up in the gulag and her encounter with Markov and Moskvin as well as William.
“That’s some story,” Rainbow said.
“It sounds like you’ve been through a lot,” Cadence said.
“Everything’s alright now,” Shining Armor said. “Now that you’re, back Twily.”
They were interrupted by a member of the crew. “Captain, your presence was requested down in the strategy room.”
Shining Armor sighed. “Seriously? Fine. Twilight, I need to go. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Shining Armor left and made his way to the Strategy room.
“Well girls, I’ll see you in Canterlot.” Twilight bid farewell to her friends, all except Cadence.
“How was Stalliongrad?” she asked?
“I didn’t see much beyond the Gulag,” Twilight answered. “But what I saw was beautiful, more or less. Without the bloodshed.”
“Did you get to see the Hermitage museum?”
“No. Why?”
“I have pleasant memories of that place,” Cadence said.
“You’ve been to Stalliongrad! Twilight said.
“Only once. On a diplomatic mission with Princess Celestia. I… I met someone who changed my life there. I…” Cadence paused. “I’ll tell you more later.” Twilight was a bit suspicious about who Cadence met but pushed the thought aside. She was going home after so long. Twilight waited in the cockpit watching as the ship put more and more distance between her and Stalliongrad.
Shining Armor entered and greeted his sister. “We’re only eight hours from Canterlot, Twilight,” Shining Armor said.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll only be in Canterlot with you for a week or so. The Gryphon Kingdom has been sacked and burned by the Union. I’m going to Gryphonholm to try and hold the city.”
“I’m going with you,” Twilight said.
“WHAT?” Shining Armor wailed. “I just got you back I’m not losing you again. Why would you even want to go after what you’ve been through?”
“My suffering pales in comparison to what the other prisoners had to go through. I spent almost a year not being able to help those oppressed by the Union. I will not rest until the Union is no more.”
Shining Armor sighed. “Alright.” But you’re going to Black Feather Forest. It’s in the Gryphon Kingdom but the Alliance has a strong grip on it. The Union has a base there.”
“Is the situation worse in Gryphonholm?”
“Much. The city has been decimated and we need to push the Union out. If you insist on going Twilight please be careful.”
“It sounds like I should be saying that to you.”
Shining Armor smiled. “Enough of this though. I’m just glad to have you back. Tonight we celebrate.”

Back in Stalliongrad William Cipher stood at the top of the parliament building with Markov and Moskvin at his sides. “You two did well,” he said to them telepathically. “I know you must feel guilty for betraying your comrades but this had to be done.”
“After what you showed us did we really have an alternative?” Markov said.
“I still believe in the philosophy of regulated enterprise but I know the Union must not win this war,” Moskvin added. “So what happens now?”
“We wait. Well, I wait,” William corrected. “You two will go back to the Union and ensure a brighter future. You two and I will work to make this world a better place.”
“Our work will never be done, will it? Markov asked.
“It will be done when Twilight and Peryite do their part.”
“When will that happen?” Moskvin Asked.
“Not even the Mother knows,” William answered. “Not even the Mother knows.”