Blood and Honour

November 1941, Battle of Moscow. Hall of Staff, Grand Kremlin Palace

"All right Comrades Commanders, as you see, the situation is critical. Germans are near the Moscow, their chance for the win is increasing with every day. Comrade Georgy Konstantinovich, explain me the current situation."

"Tak tochna Comrade Joseph Vissarionovich, the Wehrmacht are 15km from Moscow, but we are still able to win this battle. Panzerwaffe has worse tanks, Panzers despite their complexity aren't adapted to russian conditions, soldiers themselves suffer from insufficient delivery of food and from frostbite caused by inadequate clothes. Our scouts report, among them, the acts of cannibalism has appeared."

"I didn't expect such bestiality, even after them. Well, better for us. Comrades Zhukov and Rokossowski. You must stop the Wehrmacht and its allies at all costs. Moscow can not fail." I turned to Rokossowski. "By the way, Comrade Konstantin Konstantinovich, congratulations on success, while holding the command of the 16th Army. Your successes effectively prevented the conduct of enemy troops. Perhaps you are going to rank up, but now you have a duty to your homeland. General Zhukov brought new forces from the Urals. You divide them between yourself. If with the proper deployment of troops, you will effectively jam the Army Group, the victory should be within reach. Panimayet?"

"Tak tochna Comrade Generalissimus. Accordingly forged experience from previous battles, will allow for an effective counteroffensive. You can be sure we'll push the Germans down to Berlin." That was the kind of man which I needed, confident, successful. After establishing the strategy, all generals marched away, leaving me alone in the Hall of Staff of the Grand Palace.

For another 2 months, we fought at stretch of 100 kilometers, pushing von Bock, far from Moscow. Every next move was coordinated with the commanders of the sub-units, when it was necessary, I was going personally to consult the next moves. The line of fortifications was moving more and more to the west, more and more enemy soldiers were moving back. Finally, after long struggles, in January the Germans abandoned their offensive and started retreating. Talking to soldiers at January 7, Kaganovich ran to me.

"Comrade, we have an urgent situation. During your absence, the strange creatures appeared in the Kremlin. You have to go see it."

I didn't intend to underestimate his words, saying goodbye to the soldiers, I went with Kaganovich.

I walked with Kaganovich through the Red Square, talking with him.

"So what creatures are these?"

"They're ponies. Colorful ponies. "

"What?!" It was one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. "You want to tell me, that you're interrupting my conversation with soldats, just because of some bloody little horses?!"

"B.... but comrade...."

"Shut up!!!! Do you want to be executed for insulting the head of the state?!"

"N... No..... But Stalin believes me, I'm telling the truth. I swear on Lenin, that in Grand Hall, ponies has appeared. Additionally, they're able to talk." He emphasized every last word.

I analyzed his world by a moment. Anyhow ridiculous that sounded, I was going to check it out.

"I will give you the last chance. Bring them to the Main Hall, but if it was only a misinformation, you will be executed." I threatened him. With obvious horror in his eyes, he ran toward the Kremlin.

I stayed at the moment, at Red Square, asking myself, why a bunch of horses could be the danger for the Soviet Union. I could understand the Romanov family, white movement, Nazis, even Trotzky, but ponies? That was preposterous. Wait.... Maybe there was another option. Maybe Kaganovich is preparing ruse, to take over the power in the Soviet Union. That's it! There are no ponies, only Kaganovich preparing overthrow. I assembled a group of Red Guards, a separate Moscow Militia, and I went with them to the Kremlin. I opened the door to the Main Hall with a kick. for the command, the Guardsmen aimed ahead.

"Comrade Lazarus Kaganovich, in the name of Soviet Union, you're arrested for the treason of state, give up for your own good or... What the actual fuck......"

He wasn't lying, I saw 7 colored horses surrounded by NKVD officers, aiming at them. 2 of them were a pegasus, 3 other were somewhat normal, 2 others were unicorns, no wait, there was the unicorn with wings. How do Latins call them? Alicorns? Probably yes. Whole analysis was interrupted by this one alicorn.

"Excuse me, sir? I guess you're in control here, could you explain why we were locked in the dungeon of this weird palace? Pretty please?" She smiled shyly.

"What..... Did that animal just said something to me?" I was total dismayed

"Yes, Comrade Stalin." He was as surprised as me. "We have 7 talking ponies, 6 mares and one stallion."

"Well, Lazarus, I turn honor. This is the most preposterous thing I have ever seen and I must admit, I live a little long." I turned to the commander of the NKVD. "Comrade Lieutenant, what procedure would you recommend for our guests?"

"Immediate execution Comrade President." He said, standing at attention.

"In the name of.... Seriously?! This bunch of colorful ponies doesn't pose any threat to the Soviet Union, shooting them would be just wasting ammunition. These are just ordinary animals. Lower your weapon!" Like one man, all the NKVD left the rifles by putting them at their feet.

"WE ARE NOT JUST ORDINARY ANIMALS!" The blue pegasus flew in front of my face. Lavender was frightened, did not know how to react. Pegasus began to wave his front hooves, just before my face. "Call us once more to kick you in the face. And stop using that language."

"What's up pony, are you trying to scare me?" I turned to her with contempt. After a moment my voice became cold. "You have no idea who you are dealing with. I am more powerful than you may think. I can order these people to pierce you like a sieve."

"I don't care." She wasn't so easy to scare. "I've seen more scary creatures in my life than people. Anyway, for friends, I will do everything."

"All right ... SOLDIERS! AIM....." They raised their rifles and aimed at the blue. Scared, she quickly returned to the group. The initiative has taken over the lavender.

"Rainbow let me talk to him." She wasn't pleased.

"I have to admit that you have a habit of naming each another. It's good to know that your "culture" has decided that you have to give it. I am waiting. Introduce yourself."

"I'm Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of friendship..."

"Blyad, another royal..." I groaned.

"... and these are my friends. Pegasus who flew to you is Rainbow Dash, this orange one standing on the hind legs and swinging the hooves, is Applejack, a mare with pinkish flattened hair is Pinkie Pie, a stallion is Flicker, and Rarity is hugging Fluttershy. I think is your turn, mister."

"I'm Joseph Stalin, President of Soviet Union, Secretary-General of Bolshevik Party, Chief of the State, Supreme Commander of Red Army People Commissar of Defense of USSR, and Supreme Bolshevik."

"So, you're some kind of king, pardner?" Applejack asked.

"Don't tell me about any representatives of the monarchy!" I strained.

"Whoa pardner, easy there."

"But why do you so hate them so much? What's wrong with them?" Twilight began to feel uncertain.

"They're feeding on work of the simple folks. They don't care about them, millions of them could die, but baron wouldn't even notice it. You know what happened to the last Emperor of Russia Nicholas II Romanov? I ordered to kill him, him and his family. In the time of Civil War, as general, I chased every duke, every noble, living on the russian soil. And guess what? I killed nearly all of them. Every man who supported the monarchy or the old order was executed by NKVD, Cheka or ended in labor camps dying from cold and grogginess."

"Why are you doing this? How can you be so ruthless? You have no conscience, no empathy..." That was the first time when I heard the Fluttershy's voice. Her tiny voice faltered, she was close to tears. I don't know why but I felt wrong. I was ruthless Bolshevik Bear, I shouldn't feel stings of remorse.

"I did everything for the good of the country," I explained.

"But killing your own nationals? Why deserve such a fate?" Fluttershy asked me again. She was already crying.

"They weren't my nationals, they were the tools of revolution. As Lenin."

"And what happened to Lenin?" Twilight tried don't cry.

"I killed him, he wasn't useful anymore. He was the only obstacle in the way to power. As the Romanov family."

After this words, all of these 6 mares, was clung to each other, scared and crying. The thought, they will be executed too, because I didn't need them. The were wrong. Only this mysterious stallion showed no dread, I would even say that he looked at everything with indifference. He looked at me with his amber eyes.

"Hello, Stalin. I see that you have changed a lot since our last meeting. As I presume, you don't remember me at all, do you?" He spoke in a quiet, deep baritone.

"Do you want to say that we met once?" I asked surprised.

"Of course, we met during the Battle of Tannenberg. Kaiser's army crushed you, you lost 125,000 people."

I wondered a moment, trying to pull out from my memory if really, such a meeting took place. After a moment it illuminated me. He was right!

"Yes, you are right! I was a lieutenant general, you saved my life, then, I later saved your life too. So this is how I survived..."

"Good to know that you remember all, comrade." He blinked to me. "You're not going to scare these mares anymore?"

"I'm not going to. Sorry for shouting at you, last days weren't easy for all of us. I swear ..." I spoke to the mares." ... that nothing will happen to you. But I have a warning for you, you should not use any noble titles. All the more talk."

"Okay, we will not use them." But why? Twilight wiped away tears.

"I'm not the only person who hates the aristocracy. In the days of the Great War, nobles were mostly officers, sitting safely in the bars when simple men fought and died in their trenches."

"I do not understand why you have such a bloody story." Twilight became confident. "Legends said you were a civilized race."

"Because we are," I replied. "The problem lies elsewhere. Homo sapiens, or man, is a predator."

"What?" She shook her head with a smile of disbelief. "How can you be predators without fangs or claws?"

"Evolutionally, we have never developed claws. We had fangs longer, but the real predator is here." I touched my temple. "Tell me Twilight. Do you know a species that has conquered the whole world?"

"No." She was thinking for a while. "The ponies occupied only two continents, but our states were quite small."

"You see we have succeeded. The whole planet belongs to us. Predators are very expansive, and as you can see we are fucking effective."

"Do you have to curse?" Twilight winced.

"Forgive me, old habits from the time of the service. Anyway." I pointed at my people. "It doesn't bother them"

"At the end, why are you running so many bloody wars?"

"The reasons are always the same, money, resources, territory and population. Propaganda takes care of the rest."

Pinkie added to the conversation three pennies.

"I feel, Lyra after seeing what's going on here, would lose all her love to people." She said with a sad smile.

"I don't doubt it Pinkie." Twilight hugged her friend.

"Wait a second. How many ponies are living in your states?" I was surprised. If a colorful wave of talking horses were to flood the Earth, I wanted to know how big that wave could be.

"About a hundred thousand. There are still zebras, donkeys, mules, dragons, griffins, and many creatures that you would consider mythical." Behind me, I felt a flash of light combined with a breeze, and the voice I heard was royal while at the same time was full of kindness and care. I turned my face away. When the portal closed, I saw a white alicorn with rainbow hair, tall as me. "Hello. I am Celestia Brightmist, Queen of United Equestrian, Mother of the Day and Sun Shield, also called Allmother."

"Your Highness!" There was joy in the ponies face, even Flick, not speaking at all, smiled to the new alicorn.

"Greetings my Subjects." She said as if she was seeing an old friend. She turned to me. "What is your name, sir?"

"Fucking hell, it's not really my day ...." At that moment I was able to say only those words. NKVD did not intend to wait. Quickly recovered from the shock and aimed at Celestia. This gesture surprised the queen, she retreated slightly.

"LOWER THE GUN!!!!" I shouted to them. "Did I say, aim at the white, weird, winged-unicorn horse?! NO! If you do that again, I will send you to Vorkutlag!!"

This worked, the NKVD lowered the gun, with same frighten faces as the ponies at the first time. What was Vorkuta? The worst Gulag camp in the Soviet Union. Hundreds of thousands of people die here, political prisoners, Whites, traitors, opponents of communist rule, and a lot of innocent people.

"Listen to me, idiots. You're useless now. I can handle them myself." I drawled out. "March off!"

"Yes, Generalissimus President!" After this words, they walked out as one man, in three.

"Blyad, this is the worst day of my life." Kaganovich stood by the wall, not knowing what to say. I let him know by hand that he would not say anything at all. Inside, I was boiling from anger.

"Maybe you should rest. This amount of anger isn't good for anyone." White alicorn leaned toward me, speaking with care in her voice."

"Close your mouth and don't say anything," I growled. Celestia withdrew again, but this time with anger on her face. The rest of the ponies were surprised at how I spoke to their ruler"

"Mr. Stalin, please remember, you are speaking to the queen." She answered with confidence.

"Exactly. You are one of those people, who doesn't care about simple folks. You drink the juices of their hard work, and when someone tries to change your world for the better, you're getting rid of him, so that he doesn't disturb the order you set."

"How dare you say that?! I would never lead a despotic rule over my subjects." She replied insulted, wanting to defend her subjects. "What is your right to tell such a things?"

"Don't you understand it, mare?" I answered with a sadistic smile. "We have just destroyed a whole group of German armies. And remember not to call me a mister, only a comrade, or Generalissimus." I ordered the rest to go to the side hall, there we sat around the table, Kaganovich sat on my right, Celestia on my left. I ordered to bring something to drink, I took whisky, Celestia asked for a glass of wine, rest asked for a water. Kaganovich was satisfied with polish rye, Flick preferred the same as me. After tasting I started. "If we are all here, I could finally hear why you are here?"

Celestia asked for a sip of whiskey. Lack of magic in our world surprised her very much, so I had to help her. It was clear that it was not the alcohol she used to drink, her face twisted in the grimace of disgust. She coughed several times.

"How can you drink this dross?" She drank two glasses of water, when it didn't help she threw her tongue, trying to get rid of the ugly taste.

"Nobody who I met didn't complain," I answered stunned. "I haven't seen a horse that has ever drunk alcohol. You aren't used to drinking stronger alcohols. In human culture alcohol consumption during festive occasions is a tradition. Do not complain, it's not so bad."

"I guess I'll stay by the wine." The Queen of Equestria bent her mouth. Taking a sip, her condition improved significantly. "Well, Comrade Stalin. As the head of state, you deserve for some explanations as to why we violate the order of your country. Well, our world is dying. Elements of Harmony, the only artifacts that have kept the world from extermination, disappeared, in your world. I won't present the details of its death without resentment now, but I can't trust you in your present behavior. The key is that Flicker assured me that, despite all of this, we can trust you in terms of providing safety to my people. Can I rely on you?"

The whole vision of the alliance with the ponies was really bizarre. But with some benefits, these little creatures possessed a powerful magic that would help us defeat the Axis. If I could actually fraternite Celestia, I would get a mighty ally.

"Celestia. You have my word that I will protect your people, and I will find Elements." I answered with a smile. "If I have to, I will bring your whole country to this land."

"Thank you." She answered with relief. Thanks to my assurances, she knew that she could count on me to save her world from extinction. It was clear that there was another question on her mind. I gave her a sign to ask without being embarrassed.

"You say that the first intelligent pony you've met in your life was Flick. Will not be a problem if I ask how this meeting happened?"

"U menya net nikakich problem. It all started near Tannenberg, a Polish countryside near Grunwald...."