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Description

Unlike Equestria, whose lands were spared from any real war over Celestia's 1000 year rule, and under her protection spared most long lasting conflicts, the Zebras had no such protection. Invitations from outside marauders, civil wars and inter-tribal conflict, the zebras were nether harmonized or safe in their own lands. The unity they did have came at the end of a spear, wielded by the Rommony tribe, whose power waxed and waned many times in their history. Through this they developed a deep seeded culture around honor and faith, the two things that kept the zebras truly united without the need for major bloodshed.

Many years before the war with Equestria, the zebras had gained a hard fought peace and had been enjoying the bounty of fruitful trade.The stories of the soldiers of the last generation were highly popular, and the idea of the poet warrior had become common. Among this golden age is where Caesar Shaka rose to power, idolizing the tales of his father and grandfather. But without any honors of a warrior of his own, a well hidden inferiority complex would develop. His own meating with Celestia would only deepen his inferiority complex, as compared to an immortal alicorn, he was nothing more than a speck of dust.

Conflict between the Zebra Imperium and the Equestria Princessipality started long before the sparks of war took root. Trade disputes between corporations and guilds, as well as territorial claims as both civilizations expanded their influence. The worst of all was the coal and gem trade, as both lands needed to expand their territory in order to calm the valuable resources, resulting in aggressive markets. So when an incident with pirates had Equestria send in their military into Zebra waters to rescue their citizens, Caesar Shaka found himself in a precarious position. Not only was the honor of the Rommony zebras challenged, but his own by extension, along with many merchant guilds and military leaders pressing for aggressive retribution. So He froze all trade with Equestria until the ponies made ammens for their discretion.

This was unfortunately not the show of strength his generals and merchant leaders wanted, both dening armed conflict and stopping the flow of coin. Inundated with complaints and questioning of his honor, when he finally met with Celestia, the once flexible and understanding Caesar Shaka had become stubborn and closed minded. So much so that even Celestia could not reach him, her splendor only making him feel small and insignificant.

Celestai too had lost control of the situation, long since delegating much of her power out, she had become blind to the greed of those under her. Though her words had wait to it, the need to feed the Equestria industry and Economy overpowered her call for reason. And so, Equestra used force to claim the coal stockpile they had paid for, and that Shaka had stubbornly denied them.

Caesar Shaka was left with two options, declare war, or be dethroned. He had brothers and sisters waiting to take power, those who had earned honor as warriors or as merchants, where he had only ever been just a royal. Shake the fool, Shaka the cowered, Shaka the impotent. All ran through his head over and over, a crippling fear of insignificance blinding him of all other options but those two.

So it was a war.

With a stockpile of armaments prepared for the next conflict, the Zebra Imperium went to war. Finding the ponies unprepared for such a conflict, they would quickly take territory and prisoners, demanding exorbitant ransoms for the captured ponies. But the march did not stop, and being fed by his inferiority complex, Caesar Shaka set his sights on Equestria itself. To expand their empire more than any Caesar had before, that would gain him honor beyond even his father and grandfather.

This grand ambition would be halted at the Equestrai border as the Pony magic was pushed to its full extent, and then, new weapons of war were brought in. What started as a unstoppable march became a true war, forcing the Zebras to fall back, as their supply lines were thin, and the enemy deeply dug in.

-Zebra Imperial Doctrian, gun history-

Partnered with Mouser Munitions, the Rommony tribe made sure that the Imperial army had the latest guns and any creature that threttend them didn’t.So when war loomed, the generals of the Zebra Imperium made sure to pay extra for full exclusivity right with the griffins of Mouser Munitions.

Mouser Munitions was an old and well respected (by griffon standards) rifle manufacturing company, starting out with muskets and cannons used to fight off monsters. Through the Rommony Tribe, Mouser Munitions would become wealthy, something they were not keen to share with their griffon brethren, buch less with the fallen capital of Griffinstone. With a consistent and demanding client, they would rapidly develop better and better muskets, and then the bolt action rifle.their guns were talon crafted works of art, expensive and reliable, the Zebra Imperial army were honored to have such guns.

Though rifles were their main product, the Mouser Ivololo pistol was the crown jewel to the zebras. Powerful and compact, no zebra officer would be seen without it, and no pony GI could resist taking one as a trophy. Originally the Mouse Hunter, a gun made for griffon use only, or any creature with talons or claws of similar size, it was only ever seen used by the bodyguards of wealthy griffions, and was a symbol of high status. The first Ivololo was a gift to Shaka’s father, and later though much debating and bribery, was the Ivololo mass produced for the Zebra Imperial Army.

Though the Zebra Imperial army had been satisfied with their standard issued muskets, Newly crowned Caesar Shaka needed something to keep the military on his side. Mouser Munition offered him the Mouser Umagazini, a bolt action rifle that the griffins had been prototyping for years. With the wealth of their golden age, Caesar Shaka leapt onto taking this new rifle into the military, paying extra for exclusivity rights. The rifle would quickly become a beloved friend to the zebra military, serving them well in many small conflicts, and later proving it’s worth in the great pony and zebra war.

One of the constant dangers of the Zebra lands was the ever present danger of monsters, and rebellion. Both having the same solution, overwhelming force. But nothing was ever so easy, so were monsters could outnumber in vicious charges, and rebels could turn their rifles on their fellow zebras, the Imperial army was always pushed for better and better weapons. Unfortunately for Caesar Saka, his solution came at a blow to his honor, though it’s power could not be denied. The Mouser Ukuhlanganisa gatling gun was a weapon without honor, able to figure an unending hail of lead that quashed monster and rebel alike. Though his own honor had been damaged by its use, through it he secured full unity within the Zebra Empire. So long as no other creature got their claws/hooves on it, something that Mouser Munitions was more than willing to ensure, so long as Caesar paid them well for it.

As the great war dragged on, Caesar Shaka’s relationship with Mouser Munitions had become strained. Not only had Griffionston managed to steal the secrets of the bolt action and pistol, but improved upon it before selling them to Equestria. The pony’s new weapons had managed to turn the tide of the war and force the zebras onto the defense. Island hopping and trench warfare was not the name of the game as forts were captured, lost, recaptered, and lost again in an unending game of capture the flag. So when Mouser Munitions brought Skaka the Ukuduma, what would be known as the first SMG, Shaka turned his nose up at it. His honor would not survive taking a new gatling into war, even if the ponies showed no honor with their Trench Gun. But when the news of the Griffinstone Typewriter reached his ears, confusion was soon replaced with horror. Ordering for Mouser Munitions to mass produce the Ukuduma, the griffins saw the desperation in him, and their greed took over. Charging far above their original price, the Ukuduma became the most expensive gun, that wasn’t altiraly, in the Zebra armies arsenal. This would be the breaking point for Caesar Shaka, who would begin to see Mouser Munitions as just another enemy that surrounded him.

-Caesar Shaka Doctrian, gun history-

In the tenth year of the great war between the Zebras and Ponies, saw a cease fire. What will later be known as the “Eye of the Storm.” The war, which originally was only meant to last one year, had dragged on for ten, and even those who once clambered for honor in war were now tired of it. This was a huge problem for Caesar Shaka, as after ten years, they were back to were it hall began, nothing gained or lost. Even though he could clam grate honor for himself, the general and merchants that keep him in power will not see this end as honorable. But through the war Celastia had gained grate respect, both for her ability to lead the ponies in war, but also her fair treatment of the Zebra POW, whom would return with stories of the pony hospitality. In the end he knew he had lost this war, that he had made a great mistake, and would be remembered as a fool. He even knew who was soon to replace him, just not when the assassins poison would reach his lips.

This all changed when the Littlehorn Massacre happened, with both zebra and pony civilians murdered in a horrifying fashion. Hooves were pointed but none took blame. Caesar Shaka himself was found in a precarious position as even his own citizens demanded what had happened, many ready to blame him and call for a public execution. There were suspects, among the most likely suspects was the Caesar Alchemic Science Deviation, a black ops weapons development group started by Skaka himself, of which were known to do things on their own. Suspecting that he was in fact implicated in the massacre, and not only his honor been ruined, but that he would seen become the Rommony’s greatest shame, he looked for any way to divert attention from him and avoid the worst of it.

This is when Celestia stepped down from power, and her sister Luna stepped up. The gears in Shaka’s head turned, and a terrible solution was given birth. Luna had at one time been Nightmare moon, a villain and something of the evil stars. Though the Zebra empire were not a religious as their ancestors, the many cults and temples still held great power and influence. With his agents at work, soon the message of Nightmare Moons return had been spread. Mixed with those calling for vengeance of the killing of Zebra civilians, the Zebra Empire’s hunger for war had been rekindled. Caesar Shaka, once known as a fool, was now seen as the crusading hero to stop a great evil. With the help of a lot of propaganda. The war would soon start again, more brutal and savaged then it ever was, fueled by blind hate.

Having broken his ties with Mouser Munitions, Caesar Shaka had used his wealth to found a Zebra based weapons manufacturer, all under his direct supervision. Named Striped Arms, Shaka would throw his own intelligence and knowledge into the design of the new guns for the war. Long had he drew up his own designs, now they were being taken by the brightest weapons smiths and turned real. Though he himself had never seen any real battle himself, Caesar Shaka had carefully read every report he could, made notes, and debated with his generals about the war. So by the tenth year of the war, he knew all he needed to know about war and it’s weapons.

Added by the Alchemic Science Deviation, they would help make mass produced enchantments for the new guns to give that edge the Zebras needed. This would raise Caesar Shakas weapons to a more mythical level, further increasing the citizens trust in him even as the war would turn for the worst. With all sense of honor thrown to the side, and full focus on national pride and victory, the weapons he would put into the war would stand the test of time, for better or worse.

Though not without its flaws, the CSPM2 RB 9mm “Iqhawe elincane” would show the Zebras drive for elegance in their weapons. The rotating bit pistol allowed the gun to keep a low profile, but still be muzzle fired accurately. The chosen gun of officers and spies, most ponies never saw this gun until it was too late. When the gun was presented to the Zebras, they were at first skeptical, but later exited to see what their Caesar would produces next, seeing the striped gun as a sign that he had not forgotten his roots.

Seeing a need to match the Ponies automatics, and surpass them, the next gun Caesar Shaka would have made was the Umzingeli Osheshayo. A 9mm compact SMG that fired faster than any gun seen before, it even caused the ponies to pause when first seen. The Umzingeli Osheshayo would see it’s most use as a booby trap gun in dense jungles or in the mud caked trenches, cutting down ponies with not a Zebra to be seen. When actually used by a Zebra, they would have two attached to a battle saddle, and charge with them, firing as soon as they saw a pony.

With mobility in mind, and seeing that high power is not always the best for a gun, the Isosha Elihloniphekile was developed. With the idea that his troops would avoid direct confrontation, and keep the ponies on their hoof tips, the rifle was made to be lighter and compact compared to other guns its size. The Zebra troops first thought they had toy guns, but quickly learned to love the rifle, as it let them carry more ammo and gear. The rifle was also made to be quite durable, and to much amusement, was practically indestructible.

(Famously, Littlepip would get her hooves on an enchanted Isosha Elihloniphekile, known as just the Zebra Rifle, and would stick with her through thick and thin)

The war would grow more and more mechanized, and with it more and more dangerous weapons. Tanks, robots, and later power armor would arrive to outclass the common trooper. But Caesar Shaka had long thought about the possibility of needing to not just brake armor, but shatter it completely. The Umbulali was such a simple design, yet elegant in its power. The anti-material rifle was the silver bullet to the Equestria problem, and Shaka knew it. Though by the time it was fully implemented into the military, and zebras trained in its use, the war had turned for the worst, and soon both empires would fall.

Alone in his bunker, Caesar Shaka would finally find the peace he so needed. Not zebras demanding his attention, no endless documents needing his signature, no calls for honor or retribution. Because they were all dead. Not all the Zebras, he had made sure his people would live, but all those that had surrounded him, mocked him behind his back, they were all gone. The last clawing at his vault door, begging to be let in, in their final breath mocking him. Alone with his own thought, he wondered where had things all gone so wrong, and in those thought he remembered an awkward purple unicorn mare from twenty years back, and how Celestia lamented that she would not come and join her. How Celestia felt that her presence would have been better suited in talking with him. Now he understood why… what had happened to Luna a thousand years ago had happened to him, but where Celestia could use the elements of harmony to seal her sister away, he was not such a simple thing to stop. And with that though, he placed the barrel of his fathers Ivololo pistol in his mouth, and pulled the trigger.

Description

Unlike Equestria, whose lands were spared from any real war over Celestia's 1000 year rule, and under her protection spared most long lasting conflicts, the Zebras had no such protection. Invitations from outside marauders, civil wars and inter-tribal conflict, the zebras were nether harmonized or safe in their own lands. The unity they did have came at the end of a spear, wielded by the Rommony tribe, whose power waxed and waned many times in their history. Through this they developed a deep seeded culture around honor and faith, the two things that kept the zebras truly united without the need for major bloodshed.

Many years before the war with Equestria, the zebras had gained a hard fought peace and had been enjoying the bounty of fruitful trade.The stories of the soldiers of the last generation were highly popular, and the idea of the poet warrior had become common. Among this golden age is where Caesar Shaka rose to power, idolizing the tales of his father and grandfather. But without any honors of a warrior of his own, a well hidden inferiority complex would develop. His own meating with Celestia would only deepen his inferiority complex, as compared to an immortal alicorn, he was nothing more than a speck of dust.

Conflict between the Zebra Imperium and the Equestria Princessipality started long before the sparks of war took root. Trade disputes between corporations and guilds, as well as territorial claims as both civilizations expanded their influence. The worst of all was the coal and gem trade, as both lands needed to expand their territory in order to calm the valuable resources, resulting in aggressive markets. So when an incident with pirates had Equestria send in their military into Zebra waters to rescue their citizens, Caesar Shaka found himself in a precarious position. Not only was the honor of the Rommony zebras challenged, but his own by extension, along with many merchant guilds and military leaders pressing for aggressive retribution. So He froze all trade with Equestria until the ponies made ammens for their discretion.

This was unfortunately not the show of strength his generals and merchant leaders wanted, both dening armed conflict and stopping the flow of coin. Inundated with complaints and questioning of his honor, when he finally met with Celestia, the once flexible and understanding Caesar Shaka had become stubborn and closed minded. So much so that even Celestia could not reach him, her splendor only making him feel small and insignificant.

Celestai too had lost control of the situation, long since delegating much of her power out, she had become blind to the greed of those under her. Though her words had wait to it, the need to feed the Equestria industry and Economy overpowered her call for reason. And so, Equestra used force to claim the coal stockpile they had paid for, and that Shaka had stubbornly denied them.

Caesar Shaka was left with two options, declare war, or be dethroned. He had brothers and sisters waiting to take power, those who had earned honor as warriors or as merchants, where he had only ever been just a royal. Shake the fool, Shaka the cowered, Shaka the impotent. All ran through his head over and over, a crippling fear of insignificance blinding him of all other options but those two.

So it was a war.

With a stockpile of armaments prepared for the next conflict, the Zebra Imperium went to war. Finding the ponies unprepared for such a conflict, they would quickly take territory and prisoners, demanding exorbitant ransoms for the captured ponies. But the march did not stop, and being fed by his inferiority complex, Caesar Shaka set his sights on Equestria itself. To expand their empire more than any Caesar had before, that would gain him honor beyond even his father and grandfather.

This grand ambition would be halted at the Equestrai border as the Pony magic was pushed to its full extent, and then, new weapons of war were brought in. What started as a unstoppable march became a true war, forcing the Zebras to fall back, as their supply lines were thin, and the enemy deeply dug in.

-Zebra Imperial Doctrian, gun history-

Partnered with Mouser Munitions, the Rommony tribe made sure that the Imperial army had the latest guns and any creature that threttend them didn’t.So when war loomed, the generals of the Zebra Imperium made sure to pay extra for full exclusivity right with the griffins of Mouser Munitions.

Mouser Munitions was an old and well respected (by griffon standards) rifle manufacturing company, starting out with muskets and cannons used to fight off monsters. Through the Rommony Tribe, Mouser Munitions would become wealthy, something they were not keen to share with their griffon brethren, buch less with the fallen capital of Griffinstone. With a consistent and demanding client, they would rapidly develop better and better muskets, and then the bolt action rifle.their guns were talon crafted works of art, expensive and reliable, the Zebra Imperial army were honored to have such guns.

Though rifles were their main product, the Mouser Ivololo pistol was the crown jewel to the zebras. Powerful and compact, no zebra officer would be seen without it, and no pony GI could resist taking one as a trophy. Originally the Mouse Hunter, a gun made for griffon use only, or any creature with talons or claws of similar size, it was only ever seen used by the bodyguards of wealthy griffions, and was a symbol of high status. The first Ivololo was a gift to Shaka’s father, and later though much debating and bribery, was the Ivololo mass produced for the Zebra Imperial Army.

Though the Zebra Imperial army had been satisfied with their standard issued muskets, Newly crowned Caesar Shaka needed something to keep the military on his side. Mouser Munition offered him the Mouser Umagazini, a bolt action rifle that the griffins had been prototyping for years. With the wealth of their golden age, Caesar Shaka leapt onto taking this new rifle into the military, paying extra for exclusivity rights. The rifle would quickly become a beloved friend to the zebra military, serving them well in many small conflicts, and later proving it’s worth in the great pony and zebra war.

One of the constant dangers of the Zebra lands was the ever present danger of monsters, and rebellion. Both having the same solution, overwhelming force. But nothing was ever so easy, so were monsters could outnumber in vicious charges, and rebels could turn their rifles on their fellow zebras, the Imperial army was always pushed for better and better weapons. Unfortunately for Caesar Saka, his solution came at a blow to his honor, though it’s power could not be denied. The Mouser Ukuhlanganisa gatling gun was a weapon without honor, able to figure an unending hail of lead that quashed monster and rebel alike. Though his own honor had been damaged by its use, through it he secured full unity within the Zebra Empire. So long as no other creature got their claws/hooves on it, something that Mouser Munitions was more than willing to ensure, so long as Caesar paid them well for it.

As the great war dragged on, Caesar Shaka’s relationship with Mouser Munitions had become strained. Not only had Griffionston managed to steal the secrets of the bolt action and pistol, but improved upon it before selling them to Equestria. The pony’s new weapons had managed to turn the tide of the war and force the zebras onto the defense. Island hopping and trench warfare was not the name of the game as forts were captured, lost, recaptered, and lost again in an unending game of capture the flag. So when Mouser Munitions brought Skaka the Ukuduma, what would be known as the first SMG, Shaka turned his nose up at it. His honor would not survive taking a new gatling into war, even if the ponies showed no honor with their Trench Gun. But when the news of the Griffinstone Typewriter reached his ears, confusion was soon replaced with horror. Ordering for Mouser Munitions to mass produce the Ukuduma, the griffins saw the desperation in him, and their greed took over. Charging far above their original price, the Ukuduma became the most expensive gun, that wasn’t altiraly, in the Zebra armies arsenal. This would be the breaking point for Caesar Shaka, who would begin to see Mouser Munitions as just another enemy that surrounded him.

-Caesar Shaka Doctrian, gun history-

In the tenth year of the great war between the Zebras and Ponies, saw a cease fire. What will later be known as the “Eye of the Storm.” The war, which originally was only meant to last one year, had dragged on for ten, and even those who once clambered for honor in war were now tired of it. This was a huge problem for Caesar Shaka, as after ten years, they were back to were it hall began, nothing gained or lost. Even though he could clam grate honor for himself, the general and merchants that keep him in power will not see this end as honorable. But through the war Celastia had gained grate respect, both for her ability to lead the ponies in war, but also her fair treatment of the Zebra POW, whom would return with stories of the pony hospitality. In the end he knew he had lost this war, that he had made a great mistake, and would be remembered as a fool. He even knew who was soon to replace him, just not when the assassins poison would reach his lips.

This all changed when the Littlehorn Massacre happened, with both zebra and pony civilians murdered in a horrifying fashion. Hooves were pointed but none took blame. Caesar Shaka himself was found in a precarious position as even his own citizens demanded what had happened, many ready to blame him and call for a public execution. There were suspects, among the most likely suspects was the Caesar Alchemic Science Deviation, a black ops weapons development group started by Skaka himself, of which were known to do things on their own. Suspecting that he was in fact implicated in the massacre, and not only his honor been ruined, but that he would seen become the Rommony’s greatest shame, he looked for any way to divert attention from him and avoid the worst of it.

This is when Celestia stepped down from power, and her sister Luna stepped up. The gears in Shaka’s head turned, and a terrible solution was given birth. Luna had at one time been Nightmare moon, a villain and something of the evil stars. Though the Zebra empire were not a religious as their ancestors, the many cults and temples still held great power and influence. With his agents at work, soon the message of Nightmare Moons return had been spread. Mixed with those calling for vengeance of the killing of Zebra civilians, the Zebra Empire’s hunger for war had been rekindled. Caesar Shaka, once known as a fool, was now seen as the crusading hero to stop a great evil. With the help of a lot of propaganda. The war would soon start again, more brutal and savaged then it ever was, fueled by blind hate.

Having broken his ties with Mouser Munitions, Caesar Shaka had used his wealth to found a Zebra based weapons manufacturer, all under his direct supervision. Named Striped Arms, Shaka would throw his own intelligence and knowledge into the design of the new guns for the war. Long had he drew up his own designs, now they were being taken by the brightest weapons smiths and turned real. Though he himself had never seen any real battle himself, Caesar Shaka had carefully read every report he could, made notes, and debated with his generals about the war. So by the tenth year of the war, he knew all he needed to know about war and it’s weapons.

Added by the Alchemic Science Deviation, they would help make mass produced enchantments for the new guns to give that edge the Zebras needed. This would raise Caesar Shakas weapons to a more mythical level, further increasing the citizens trust in him even as the war would turn for the worst. With all sense of honor thrown to the side, and full focus on national pride and victory, the weapons he would put into the war would stand the test of time, for better or worse.

Though not without its flaws, the CSPM2 RB 9mm “Iqhawe elincane” would show the Zebras drive for elegance in their weapons. The rotating bit pistol allowed the gun to keep a low profile, but still be muzzle fired accurately. The chosen gun of officers and spies, most ponies never saw this gun until it was too late. When the gun was presented to the Zebras, they were at first skeptical, but later exited to see what their Caesar would produces next, seeing the striped gun as a sign that he had not forgotten his roots.

Seeing a need to match the Ponies automatics, and surpass them, the next gun Caesar Shaka would have made was the Umzingeli Osheshayo. A 9mm compact SMG that fired faster than any gun seen before, it even caused the ponies to pause when first seen. The Umzingeli Osheshayo would see it’s most use as a booby trap gun in dense jungles or in the mud caked trenches, cutting down ponies with not a Zebra to be seen. When actually used by a Zebra, they would have two attached to a battle saddle, and charge with them, firing as soon as they saw a pony.

With mobility in mind, and seeing that high power is not always the best for a gun, the Isosha Elihloniphekile was developed. With the idea that his troops would avoid direct confrontation, and keep the ponies on their hoof tips, the rifle was made to be lighter and compact compared to other guns its size. The Zebra troops first thought they had toy guns, but quickly learned to love the rifle, as it let them carry more ammo and gear. The rifle was also made to be quite durable, and to much amusement, was practically indestructible.

(Famously, Littlepip would get her hooves on an enchanted Isosha Elihloniphekile, known as just the Zebra Rifle, and would stick with her through thick and thin)

The war would grow more and more mechanized, and with it more and more dangerous weapons. Tanks, robots, and later power armor would arrive to outclass the common trooper. But Caesar Shaka had long thought about the possibility of needing to not just brake armor, but shatter it completely. The Umbulali was such a simple design, yet elegant in its power. The anti-material rifle was the silver bullet to the Equestria problem, and Shaka knew it. Though by the time it was fully implemented into the military, and zebras trained in its use, the war had turned for the worst, and soon both empires would fall.

Alone in his bunker, Caesar Shaka would finally find the peace he so needed. Not zebras demanding his attention, no endless documents needing his signature, no calls for honor or retribution. Because they were all dead. Not all the Zebras, he had made sure his people would live, but all those that had surrounded him, mocked him behind his back, they were all gone. The last clawing at his vault door, begging to be let in, in their final breath mocking him. Alone with his own thought, he wondered where had things all gone so wrong, and in those thought he remembered an awkward purple unicorn mare from twenty years back, and how Celestia lamented that she would not come and join her. How Celestia felt that her presence would have been better suited in talking with him. Now he understood why… what had happened to Luna a thousand years ago had happened to him, but where Celestia could use the elements of harmony to seal her sister away, he was not such a simple thing to stop. And with that though, he placed the barrel of his fathers Ivololo pistol in his mouth, and pulled the trigger.