[EaW]Hell of Stalliongrad

“Sorry about Rose, lieutenant,” the voice said, “I’m sure she meant a lot for you, the way you spoke about her.” Victor made himself more comfortable in the chair, moved his short red tail and sipped some whiskey. The light was still burning his eyes, he couldn’t even try to see through it.

“Yeah, she meant a lot indeed,” Victor said and smoothed his mane once again, “I left her in the past, and I’m not sure if I want to date somepony again.” It is true, Victor was afraid of losing someone special for him once again. And as he is always moving around Equestria, it never will be a simple relationship for him nor the mare. “The most interesting thing is,” Victor started and gave himself a small grin, as if he was laughing at himself, “that nopony has ever written me again after that evening, and it was the last time I’ve ever seen Rose’s name. Who knows, perhaps she is still alive.” He never had a chance to visit Cloudsdale after the Princessyn Crisis ended to see Rose herself or in a grave. He has been sent straight to Canterlot for questioning from the Defense Department authorities. Perhaps it wasn’t enough for them, so they decided to kidnap him and question once again with a harsher environment. At least Victor knew who was questioning him last time, and even though he didn’t tell all the truth, and there wasn’t so much about personal and moral questions. So, what in Celestia’s name is going on in here, it seems too unprofessional for the department. It is either some trick from opposition from Princessyn or somepony who is too high in the hierarchy to follow the rules.

“Have you had a lot of mares around you?” the voice asked Victor, he was surprised to hear a question like that. Well, he’s been a little dissolute in Princessyn. Like everypony else in the city. Especially soldiers. Still, he was feeling uncomfortable to answer this to a mare.

“I had nothing serious after last time I’ve heard of Rose,” he decided to say, “as I said earlier, I don’t want that. I am still not sure if I’m still with her or not anymore.”

“But what about before Rose, school, college, academy?” the mare asked, she seemed to unwillingly move away from the main topic. There is still so much to tell. “Brief me about your past, lieutenant.”

Victor was standing with a perplexed expression, still looking down, on his tail swinging down the right side of the chair, “Well, I wouldn’t say that it was very interesting past,” he stated, “Our family moved a lot. Originally in Princessyn and finishing in Cloudsdale. We’ve been living in Vanhoover, New Mane, Big Mane,” Victor meant New Manehatten in New Mareland and Manehatten in Equestria, “even a little in Canterlot. The high school was easy for me, can’t say that about my peers then. After graduation, I wanted to study the law but went into engineering in Vanhoover University.” Victor had another little sip out of his- glass, he started to feel a little light-headed, but he wouldn’t call himself drunk at the moment. The engineering education helped him in designing barricades in Princessyn with experience from the Tall Tales.

“How did you end up in the army, especially in the officer ranks?” the mare asked.

“My father pulled some strings when I’ve abandoned the uni after two and a half years in there, long story, and he got me into the Wonderbolts Academy. Simple enough.” Victor has never imagined himself in the military career before, he wasn’t physically fit, he was skeptical about the Celestial regime and was a slavponian, nopony loved those in the army.

Victor still remembers words of his drill sergeant in the Academy addressed to him, ‘Who the fuck are you’ she was saying, ‘Slav? Well, then you are either a nopony here or just like everypony else. I want you to get rid of your disgusting accent and in two days speak like a normal stallion. No! Like the fucking Holy Celestia herself. Understand?’ It was like this for Victor from birth, naturally. Nopony around has really liked him, and he always knew how to get into the argument and a future conflict with everypony from the teacher to the generals and ministers. The mare in front of him however, she didn’t seem to show any kind of discrimination towards Victor. She even seemed more sympathetic to Victor, than his mother like all the time.

“I know your father,” the voice said, “he is a reasonable stallion, knows what he is doing.” Surprisingly for Victor, he wasn't surprised by these words. He already knew that she was some high-ranking government pony. Maybe Celestia herself, who knows. Victor just didn’t understand why would Celestia waste her valuable time on him. So it can’t be her.

“Oh yeah, he is an old and wise pony,” Victor said, “Everypony respects him, but I am the witness of a lot of shit he has done. Well, it is just my foalhood memories.” His father has been unreasonably hard on him sometimes. And Victor’s mother was a recipient of it as well. Long story, it was just a time when Alexander had a lot of going on and it played on his nerves. Anyways, Victor is not a foal now, he has gone through the hell that’s for sure. Some shouting and a broken wing from his father are nothing compared to Princessyn.

“You appear to be a really morally strong stallion, lieutenant,” the voice said, well she wasn’t the first who tells him that. Victor gave her a grin. “I’m impressed. And I’m glad that our army has somepony like yourself. I predict you may have quite a career in the future.”

“Will I?” Victor said, “Will you ignore all the war-crimes I made in Princessyn?” Victor took another sip out of his cup. Technically it wasn’t his orders, but nopony cares. He might go under the tribunal soon, like old Chief of Royal Guard did or Major. Victor hasn’t heard about him much since Celestia withdrew the troops from Princessyn last month.

“No need to worry lieutenant,” the mare said, “Captain Hard Hoof has already been punished and replaced by a new and ambitious stallion. His name is Shining Armor, he is the new Captain of Royal Guard.” Victor heard this name already. He wasn’t sure but he might have met him before. In 990 during his visit to Canterlot in the Royal Palace. Victor even saw Celestia herself walking with generals and admirals down the hall. She seemed always busy. It was something to be impressed about. Even though he didn’t approve her political actions sometimes, Celestia was a popular figure in Equestria, she was a saint, someponies even saw a Goddess in her. Seeing the Princess alive was a huge privilege and an honor. He wished he would personally meet her then and discuss politics, history, warfare, culture.

“Well, looking forward to meeting him,” Victor said, “Perhaps he will want to interview my school behavior too. Like Minister Spear or you, whoever you are.”

Victor heard a silent giggle, “I love your sarcasm too.” The mare seemed too relaxed for questioning, she doesn’t even try to question Victor, she doesn’t beat him or shouting at him, presses on weak points and bulldozing him. It is strange. Still, Victor had some kind of trust towards her, unwished trust. “Well, I think you should continue, was the cider tasty in Princessyn?” she asked.

In 993, the situation didn’t seem like simple riots. It was more of guerilla warfare. We weren’t sure who they were supported by. Nova Griffonia, Chrysalis, or Yaks, they all wouldn’t miss a chance to corrupt the regime in Equestria. Harmony provokes peace, and it is easy to disturb if you choose the right moment and place, like Princessyn. Anyways, partisans were sneaky bastards, we couldn’t figure out their system, leaders, and ideology. Our first suspect was Free Konsky from the anarchy gang called “Bread and Freedom”, they are also responsible for a recent raid on the supply convoy. He was just a criminal, and he is concerned only about his profit, to head the guerillas would be unreasonable for him. Another and the more obvious suspect is Steel Stallion, from the Severnaya Social-Democratic Pony Party. They were slowly getting popularity in Princessyn but weren’t strong enough.

Both of those powers in Stalliongrad had been a huge problem for us, it wasn’t my job for investigating them though. They both tell how they want the best for Princessyn ponies. But they still were assassinating political figures around the region, making anarchy in the west Princessyn, and making the streets unsafe at night. All of them were just a bunch of criminals who want money and power. I always had my M911 loaded and ready under the wing. I am not the best shot, but I am still a soldier. And a soldier always can find a way how to kill his enemy.

Ray and I were already in the city after a few outposts. The roads were empty as there was a deficit for gas. Only the army has been using the vehicles. We rode under the bright lights; the city was surprisingly calm and pretty at nights. Most of the windows were covered with curtains, in some, you still could see ponies doing stuff in their apartments. You also could see some ponies leaning out the window holding a cigarette.

“Have you heard the news, Vic?” Ray broke the silence in the car, “I just didn’t have a chance to ask you today, and you seem too thoughtful to be interested in the outside world.” I was mostly sitting in the office lately indeed. I didn’t read newspapers and talked much to anypony. Except for the Major who was occasionally stopping by to give me new paperwork, tell how unproductive and lazy I am, and to play with my temper. I swear my wings never shook so nervously from anger. Someday he will get what he deserves.

“Well, brief me then,” I asked, and I had no idea what Ray was gonna talk about. Politics, culture, or something bounded with the Princessyn only. At the same time, I decided to have another cigar. I took one out, with already cut off tip, bit it with my teeth. Then I realized that I’ve also left my light on the table. I’ve been just about to fuel it, but the letter interrupted me. “You mind?” I’ve asked Ray. He nodded and magically fired the tip of the cigar. I quickly blew the smoke inside and released it in a second.

“So, Equestria now has two alicorns,” Ray said making me choke on smoke, “Can you imagine it?”

“What? When?” I impatiently exclaimed with a surprise, “Who?” I was confused, as far as I knew, there were only two princesses ever existed, and it was such a long time ago, that it became more of a fairy tale for little foal and fillies than a historical fact. Scary Nightmare Moon comes every Nightmare Night, scary as shit. But if there is another princess, does it mean the whole restructuring of the government. From absolute monarchy to diarchy. Or does it mean, that if there are two opposing princesses, with a civil war between them?

“Yeah, her name is Princess Le More… Amore…” Ray was saying confusingly trying to remember the name. It sounded complicated already. Very French. “Oh, sweet Celestia, what was her name?” I started to worry that Ray stopped to pay attention to the road, and it was dark too, I honestly wanted to stay alive in one piece more than hearing the name of that new alicorn, “Mi Amore! Mi Amore Cadanca! Wait. Cadenza! Yeah, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Celestia’s protégé.”

“Oh, so she is just Celestia’s student.” I said relieved, “I started to worry, that there is a war coming.”

“No, no, no,” Ray said with a grin, “Don’t even try to overlook it. I know that you are always searching tar in honey but see it as a celebration for ponies.”

“Celebration for ponies?” I asked and defiantly looked around, “I don’t see anypony celebrating here, do you?” Ray’s grin immediately disappeared from his expression, and he started to look more serious. I couldn’t tell under the engine noise, but I think I heard him angrily snort. Even though it wasn’t technically night already, and you still could see the sun's rays beyond the horizon, it was dark on the streets. Only every third streetlight properly worked. But nopony was walking under them. The sidewalks were dusty and uncleaned. Every window closed, almost every place and shop were shut down. And it seemed that Ray had trouble finding our pub. It was a pub in a corner building, there were a lot of soldiers hanging out, so nopony had decided to rob it, some tried, they were instantly shot at the entrance, and it happened more than a year ago. So where was the place where the Princessyn ponies have been celebrating? Ray stayed silent for a while, I didn’t understand, is it because he couldn’t navigate in the city properly, or he just didn’t want to discuss it. So, I just continued to stare into the window.

As we rode on the streets, I started to think about Rose again. I caught myself on thinking about her like she is dead already. Like I lost hope in her. But father didn’t say that she died, he just said that Rose was heavily sick. And knowing him, he liked to exaggerate on things.

Under one of the lights forward, I’ve seen three pony silhouettes, but one looked like it was on the ground. They were around 50 feet in front of us. And as our car got closer and I started to examine better what was going on there, they’ve seen our lights and quickly ran into the dark alley between buildings magically carrying the third body. It was floundering like it was trying to escape, then it disappeared behind the corner. I looked at Ray and he seemed to notice it and kept an eye on the situation. As soon as we heard screaming, Ray accelerated to the alley and stopped right in front of it.

Without saying anything Ray quickly used his magic to take out his Nagant revolver and teleported outside the car. I did the same, took M911 into the wing feathers, put out the cigar and walked out the door where Ray has already been standing in the combat-ready position. I moved my cap higher, so it doesn’t cover my eyes and we started to move towards the alley.

We couldn’t see shit; the alley was dark as hell. Ray lighted up his horn and we could see on the short distance of a few meters around us. Ray also launched a light ball forward. It quickly moved through the alley until it hit the dead end. We didn’t see anything suspicious. But the hoof traces were breaking up.

“They’ve swept the traces.” Ray said an obvious thing for me, “Where did they go?”

“They’ve might have flown away or teleported,” I said, even though the last traces didn’t look like they’ve been in the pose for a jump, and teleportation would have melted the snow around. I looked at Ray, he waved his head in the direction of the alley to tell me to move forward and slowly entered the alley. I’ve heard the sound of his revolver cocking.

We entered the alley, Ray tried to give his light as much power as he could make out of himself. His face started to look tired. I tried to watch around in case if there is anypony behind the corners. We didn’t know who were that ponies and especially who was the pony who looked like a hostage. But they seemed to be scared away by our presence. I thought that they were Konsky’s men at first. But it is too far from their territory.

“Help! He…” The scream of the mare was heard again and was quickly disrupted. It was coming from the far end of the alley and dark-purple magical light has been seen there. So, I and Ray increased our walking rate. The scream seemed desperate. I tried to examine it. She couldn’t even finish the word, it stopped too sudden. We still walked forward.

When we came halfway, I’ve suddenly heard hoof-steps behind me. When I turned around, I’ve been attacked. Somepony jumped on me. I didn’t have time to react, and my gun has been knocked out. I quickly found myself on the ground with that pony on top, he was going to punch me. Ray turned around to shoot the bastard but has been knocked out by some magic blast from the behind. There was another pony at the end of the alley.

Before the pony could strike me, I put a block with my hooves and used my back legs to throw him out of me. I am not an earth pony to have the strongest back kick, but it worked good enough, and the criminal was on the ground twisted from the straight strike into the stomach. He didn’t seem like a good fighter, so I quickly realized that I had an advantage.

The other unicorn started to run to help his friend and charging another magic blast. Ray seemed to be unconscious on the ground after the blast came on side of his face. It seemed like it hit the eye. I jumped on the pony on the ground, took out the knife with my wing and put it straight under his chin into the neck. The fountain of blood sprayed my snout and clothing. I haven’t ever felt so gross. The unicorn with the glowing horn was ready to shoot me, as I was opened and right in front of him. There was no cover to hide from the shot.

Suddenly, when the unicorn was running past unconscious Ray, the bright magical shot threw him right into the brick wall. He couldn’t survive after that. There was nothing left to light the alley after that. I tried to understand what happened and seen Ray’s overheated horn glowing in the dark.

“Ray!” I shouted and ran to him, “Sweet Celestia, Ray! You good?” I asked him while trying to put him on his hooves supporting him with my right wing.

“Argh,” Ray groaned in pain, “I’ll survive. You?” We slowly moved toward the entrance of the alley, to the street.

“Need new shirt,” I said sarcastically, “And would use a drink too.”

“I’m down for it,” Ray said with strain. We walked out the alley, he fell on the ground. I stayed and tried to catch my breath. “Give me a moment, Vic.” He was exhausted, his horn was still glowing, At least he was still breathing but looked like dead. I’m surprised, I’ve never seen Ray using his magic in the combat before, it was a strong magical ray that threw that unicorn into the wall. And he survived a straight blast of magic into his face, impressive. I couldn’t see the place where it hit him. Supposedly it was the right side of his face, he was laying down on this side keeping it in the snow.

I opened the car door and sat on the passenger seat. I realized that I lost my cap and weapon there, and also remembered about the third pony. She might be still there, dead or alive, I didn’t know. I wanted to give Ray time to gather his strength first. I looked at him, he seemed to be unconscious again and a small flow of blood has been going from his head. I didn’t want to leave him like that, it was cold and windy. And he was too big for me to carry him and put into the car.

It was dangerous to be on the street without a gun too, all I was left with was a bloody knife that still was in my left wing then I put it inside the sheath and stood up to try to turn Ray’s head to see the wound, and to make sure he was still breathing too. I carefully grabbed his head with my hooves and lifted it. He was unconscious, but the steam was still coming from his snout. He is a strong pony; he should make it. When I took a look on the wound, I saw a burned skin, his red fur was gone. It will be a bad scar for him. The wound was two-three inches in diameter. The shot wasn’t strong enough to go through his head, perhaps the motherfucker didn’t charge it enough.

I didn’t have any communications, everything around seemed abandoned, the only place that I knew nearby, is the pub we were heading to. It is two blocks away. There were a lot of soldiers, and telephone too. I needed to get there and get Ray medical attention. But first, I can’t just leave our weapons lying around here.

I searched through Ray’s coat and took car keys from his pocket. When I started the Jeep, I turned to the right to light the alley up with car’s lights. It was hard to ride onto the sidewalk with all the snow around. The car has almost stuck at one moment. With the alley lighted up with far light turned on, I saw two corps lying on the ground. One yellow earth pony in the pool of blood with stab-wound in the neck. Another bastard was that green unicorn, he was surrounded by brick pieces, his horn was broken off and shredded into dust. I came closer to examine the bodies. They both were wearing greenish shirts with grey accents under a dark grey leather jacket. There was also a red star with a yellow outline on their ties. Fucking Steel Stallion’s men. It is their symbol. Symbol of their party.

When I picked up my M911, and Ray’s revolver I walked to the unicorn corpse and made sure that the bastard was dead shot him into the head one time. Then headed down the alley to the dead-end holding my gun ready. Turns out there was a turn to the left, which we couldn’t see. I hid against the wall, and slowly turned, first my gun, then me. The light couldn’t get there, but it was enough to see the corpse lying on the ground. It wasn’t moving

“Hey!” I said, but she remained silent, “Are you hurt? I am a friend don’t worry.” She was probably unconscious or even dead. After making sure that nopony else was there, I grabbed the legs of the mare and dragged her until the light met her. She was facing down and also naked. I turned her around and seen a dead purple face with a rag on her snout to keep her shut. The mare didn’t have eyes. “Fuck me, Celestia saves us from that shit,” I swear aloud and spit to the side. I know this kind of spell. It is dark magic, and it’s forbidden all over Equestria for learning. Only special units in the army had permission to use those. The spell goes through the open holes of the pony like eyes, nose, mouth and sucks out not only her magic but also life energy. It is horrible and cruel death. I needed to report about that crap as soon as possible. I was so stressed about this shit that I took out my cigar again and automatically went into the inside pocket for the light to remember that it is still on my table. I was angry; I broke the cigar with the feathers of the wing in half and threw it on the ground. So much shit has just happened.

I ran to the Jeep, and barely picked up Ray, who was still unconscious. He was heavy, even that he was a unicorn his earth pony genes showed themselves in his size. Celestia damn me, to sustain that kind of magical blast and be still alive. And then make one of the most powerful spells that I’ve ever seen. Nopony would want to fuck with this guy. And everypony knew that, even the Major.

I managed to put Ray on the back seat, it took me more than ten minutes. I wasted so much time for this. I quickly took the driver’s seat, changed the gear, turned around, and with my hoof down drove to the pub.