Ponies of Stalliongrad

Sooooooooooo, how do I start this?

Stalliongrad, a pun for Stalingrad, is it not?

Got name for Stalliongrad from 's map of Equestria: [link]

City of war-like, heavy-industry pony nation. Only ones to oppose Celestia ( [link] )

Upper picture is a concept for a stallion: all earth-ponies, bulkier, smaller eyes. They shave their mane during time of war and generally have short tails. Their cuitemarks are mostly weapons or heavy-duty tools. Lower one is crucial moment of their history: the day they said Celestia: "Sod off!"


History of the city


In the early days of Equestria, not all ponies lived under Celestia's and Luna's watchful eyes. To the northeast, group of ponies formed village of Stalliongrad. Unlike their cousins watched over by castle of Canterlot, these ponies worked hard to defend themselves, as their lands were often in danger of dragon and bear attacks.

Constantly driven to fight, they advanced metallurgy from simple gold and jewel crafting to steel forging, as well as applying fireworks gunpowder into weapon of war.

When battle with Luna was won, Celestia turned greater attention to the lands below her. With her guards, she traveled Equestria, securing her rule, mostly with no opposition.

Mostly.

At the gates of Stalliongrad, her request to have ponies submit to her benevolent rule was refused and spit on. These ponies know of her and her powers, of course. Some even worshiped her as deity, as ponies in her land did in those early days. They had great respect for her, knowing how prosperous her land was. But to submit their independence to anyone, even the one who rotated the sun, was out of the question.

Celestia, still bitter of Luna's betrayal, was not willing to let this insult last. Her armies were deployed, and so were the armies of Stalliongrad. Nobody remembers who started the battle: was it stallion's warlike nature, or Celestia's disturbed state of mind. Whatever it was, the first and only pony battle was bloody indeed.

Pegasus rained from the sky, smashing themselves into stallion ranks, but their ceremonial, soft golden armors were ripped to shreds against thick wall of steel and spikes. Unicorns lifted huge rocks, cutting holes in strong lines of stallions. Guns answered them, wracking havoc as well. Celestia was present at all time, discharging magical attacks at her enemy.

At the end of the day, most of her army was dead. Stallions were beaten too, but had no thought of surrender. Even if she burned her city like dragon, they would go to the hills. Even if she destroys the hills, they will move to the mountains. They will never surrender, they said to her.

In the moment, Celestia realized just how pointless the war was with stallions. She was suppose to be force of compassion, love and friendship. Deeply apologizing for war, peace treaty was made. War was never to be spoke of again. Stalliongrad would forever be ally of Equestria, never part of it. Trade was opened and stallions promised to ease their aggressive ways, as well as Celestia promised to stay in the world as guardian and teacher, never as absolute ruler.

Since that day Stalliongrad prospered. Placed on site where river meets the sea, and near mines of iron, it grew fast. Most of technological stuff ponies used would be made there. Famous skyscrapers of Manehattan would be build by stallion workers. Stallions would play instrumental role in pacifying some of unruly regions of Equestria, such as some of wilder bison tribes and aggressive gryphon bands.

Today, Stalliongrad is a large industrial center. It's citizens still train in art of war, but not as extensive as in early days. Some of them do, and this hardened stallions are sent to places where help is needed and getting your hove bloody is a last resort.

NOW WITH LENIN'S LAST WORDS: [link]