My little organized crime group. The 90s were a miracle!

Tights. Fishnet, lace, bright, and textured ones were in fashion—sometimes with lurex. Jewelry. Wire chokers, chunky necklaces, earrings (including smiley ones), rings (including color-changing mood rings), plastic watches. Headwear. Baseball caps (especially those with the words "USA California" written on them), bandanas (they were worn not only on the head, but also on the neck, arm, and bag). Bags. Fanny packs, briefcase bags, and the simple baguette bag (popularized by the TV series "Sex and the City") were popular. Hair and makeup Backcombing was fashionable (often with combed bangs, which were also fixed with hairspray). Makeup emphasized both the lips and eyes. At the beginning of the decade, dark red lipstick and neutral eye makeup were popular; later, nude shades, deep red matte lipsticks, and dark wine tones came into fashion. Peculiarities in Russia After the collapse of the USSR, a flood of foreign trends flooded the country. Russian fashion was also characterized by eclecticism: people mixed elements of Western and Soviet aesthetics, creating their own, sometimes very distinctive, looks.

Denim. Jeans were everywhere: stonewashed jeans, Malvinas (the brand was Mawin, a name popularly repurposed). Denim was used not only for trousers, but also for skirts, jackets, and overalls. Jeans were often "boiled" themselves (twisted and boiled in bleach), and sometimes a brand tag was sewn on for uniqueness. Leather. Biker jackets, bomber jackets, vests, and leather miniskirts were all at the peak of popularity. These pieces were often embellished with rivets, studs, and patches. Broad shoulders. This trend originated in the '80s, but in the '90s it was widely used in jackets, blazers, coats, and even denim jackets. A fitted cut. It was often paired with broad shoulders, creating an interesting contrast. Sportswear. Tracksuits, striped sweatpants, and tight leggings were no longer just workout clothes—they were worn for walks, to school, and to discos. Tracksuits (often made of synthetic materials and featuring bright geometric patterns) were popular. Oversized. Both men and women wore oversized sweaters—particularly popular were those with patterns (argyle, winter ski patterns) or slogans (for example, "Team Boys"). Minimalism. Alongside these bold experiments, there was also a laconic style: basic pieces in neutral shades, minimal details. A classic example of minimalism from that era was a white top and blue jeans. Contrasts. One of the most characteristic features of the era is the ability to combine the incompatible: sport and classicism, masculinity and romance.

Methods and Conspiracy. Gang members often used methods of psychological pressure (for example, driving victims around in the trunk of a car) and improvised torture devices (irons, toaster, blowtorches). To maintain secrecy, they forced victims to regularly change cell phones and weapons, and leaders sometimes altered their appearance (hair color, plastic surgery). Regional differences. The picture varied across the country. For example, in the Urals (Nizhny Tagil), there were cases of bandits stealing military equipment (tanks, BMDs) for showdowns. In Siberia and the Far East, "old-timer" thieves-in-law held a stronger position, while in St. Petersburg, experienced criminals were less common among bandits. Attitude toward authority and the law. Many gangsters sought to establish connections with individual government officials or security forces to ensure protection and impunity. At the same time, some leaders attempted to launder their criminal proceeds by investing in legitimate businesses (banking, automobiles, jewelry, gambling) to bring their funds out of the shadows.

Structure and hierarchy. Organized crime groups were rigidly structured: there were leaders, enforcers, and sometimes separate groups for different tasks (intelligence, force, finance). There was a strict chain of command between members. A change in the "backbone." Previously, the core of gangs was often made up of seasoned criminals. In the 1990s, gangs increasingly included former athletes (including professional ones), combat veterans, and retired security officers. They had a different approach: they often relied on brute force rather than on adherence to the old thieves' code. A change in the "rules of the game." Many of these "new" gangsters acted more harshly and pragmatically. While previously disputes could be resolved through negotiations, in the 1990s, disputes over territory or business were often resolved by showdowns involving guns. The emphasis was on control and money. Racketeering became the main "job": gangsters forced entrepreneurs to provide "protection" in exchange for a percentage of the profits. Over time, this evolved: gangs didn't simply collect tribute, but integrated businesses into their structure—inserting their people onto boards of directors, using fictitious loans, and supplying raw materials at inflated prices. Large organized crime groups seized control of entire enterprises and engaged in corporate raiding. The gangsters also engaged in robberies, contract killings, drug trafficking, and brothels. A portion of the proceeds went into the "obshchak"—the gang's common fund. A specific culture and "concepts." Within the criminal world, there were unspoken rules. Those who distinguished themselves could be "crowned"—given the title of "thief in law." However, in the 1990s, this status was sometimes overlooked: the "crown" could sometimes be bought for money, although the basic principles (absolute obedience to the gang, disregard for the law) remained. Some crime bosses created "educational camps" for troubled youths and funded sports clubs—to cultivate a reserve of loyalists.

Economic changes After the collapse of the USSR, Russia's economy was in dire straits: there was a food crisis, foreign exchange reserves were depleted, and foreign debt had accumulated. Under these circumstances, radical reforms, known as "shock therapy," began. Key measures included: Price liberalization (effective January 2, 1992) led to a sharp rise in prices and a decline in purchasing power. Privatization. It took place in two stages: first, the population was given vouchers that were supposed to entitle them to shares in enterprises, followed by cash privatization through loans-for-shares auctions. However, many citizens did not understand the essence of the reform and sold their vouchers, which led to the concentration of property in the hands of a small group of individuals. Structural restructuring of the economy, including the reduction of Group A industry and the conversion of military enterprises.

The results of the reforms were contradictory. On the one hand, commodity shortages were eliminated, market mechanisms were launched, and a class of private property owners emerged. On the other hand, a deep economic downturn ensued (GDP nearly halved), hyperinflation, rising unemployment, and the criminalization of the economy.

Political transformations After the collapse of the USSR, Russia embarked on the path of democratic reforms. The adoption of a new Constitution in 1993. It enshrined the principles of separation of powers, multi-party system, and guaranteed fundamental human rights and freedoms. Political crisis and confrontation between branches of government. In 1993, a sharp conflict erupted between President Boris Yeltsin and the Supreme Soviet, leading to armed clashes in Moscow. The emergence of a multi-party system. After the banning of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1991, new political parties began to emerge.

Cultural shifts There have been dramatic changes in the cultural sphere: Creative freedom. Censorship disappeared, and many new directions emerged in literature, music, and cinema. State support was cut. Funding for culture, science, and education was sharply reduced. Many institutions closed or operated on a residual basis. Openness to the world. Russia has actively integrated into the global cultural space, and foreign films, music, and books have become accessible. The revival of religious traditions. The 1993 Constitution proclaimed freedom of religion, leading to increased interest in religion and the restoration of churches. Cultural code of the era These years left a vivid, albeit contradictory, mark on collective memory. Symbols such as kiosks, crimson jackets, pagers, and videotapes entered common usage. An atmosphere of uncertainty and a search for new orientations pervaded society. Thus, the 1990s became a period of deep and painful transformations for Russia, which laid the foundations of the modern Russian economy and political system, but at the same time led to serious social costs.

Social sphere A sharp stratification. Socialist equality, based on access to scarce resources, has disappeared. But at the same time, income inequality has grown: the first millionaires have emerged, but simultaneously, millions of people have fallen below the poverty line. Non-payments. Delays and non-payment of wages, pensions, and social benefits have become widespread. Social problems. Alcoholism and drug addiction were on the rise. The demographic situation also worsened: the peacetime mortality rate increased, and the birth rate declined.

Discord hails from an American mafia clan and came to Russia to visit a friend, enjoying the constant adrenaline rush. He frequented major cities and had already earned a reputation. At some point, his travels led him to spend the night in Equestria.

Discord's personality: Discord is presented as a mischievous trickster, easily using his abilities to play pranks on his victims without even realizing it. He has a sense of drama and spectacle, preferring to toy with his victims before getting serious. Discord is arrogant and self-assured. Despite his love of chaos, he becomes angry when things don't go his way. Though mostly a trickster, he's a sadist with a willful, elegant, and cunning personality. He's slow to open up to anyone, and his trust is difficult to earn.

Discord's style: He has a sometimes eccentric style of dress. He often wears a bright orange suit. The jacket is orange, but the back is divided into two pieces, made of different fabrics. Usually, they are a single color to match the suit, but in Discord's case, the back of the jacket is made of a piece of sky-blue fabric on the left and dark leather on the right. He also wears gloves, with short fur on the right hand and a simple yellow fabric on the left. Underneath them and the jacket, he hides a hand bandaged with a yellow piece of fabric, covered in old scars. Discord wears different boots: the left is brown leather with dark brown inserts, and the right is crocodile skin with a distinct greenish tint. His everyday attire consists of a brown shirt with sleeves of varying colors and fabrics: the right sleeve is a softer, light beige, the left a rough yellow fabric somewhat reminiscent of waffle towels. His pant legs are also different colors: the right a rough green fabric, and the left a beige fabric with a satin-like feel. Most often, however, he wears simple brown jeans, a black shirt, and a red tie.

Discord's hair is black, with a couple of gray streaks, he also has gray eyebrows and a gray goatee, his eyes are bright yellow with red, predatory pupils. He is 36, although he looks 40.

One of the two leaders of Crystal City. His men aren't as numerous as Chrysalis's, but they're slightly better armed. He's quite dark-skinned and has rather long, voluminous black hair. His eyes are red. He prefers expensive trousers and a blood-red jacket, which he wears with meticulous precision. Instead of a tie, he wears a men's necklace with a thick chain and a red stone in the center. Sombra is pompous, selfish, and arrogant, a cruel tyrant and sadist who derives immense pleasure from the suffering of his "crystal slaves," as he calls the city's inhabitants.

Celestia is the mayor of Equestria, which has lost control of the city and sent Detective Twilight to track down a new problem: Discord. Celestia's sister, Luna, was once imprisoned but recently returned. She is ashamed of her connivance in corruption and of her desire to remove her sister from office. Now they are working together, and Luna often pretends that prison hasn't changed her will in order to maintain connections in the fraught world and help the city from the shadows as best she can.

Pinkie Pie, or Pinkamina Diana Pie, is a girl who moved to Equestria from another city and settled in the Cupcake bakery. She is a waitress and a source of positivity and hope for her friends. She is 22 years old.

Twilight Sparkle, a detective tasked with tracking the recently arrived Discord and tackling crime in Ponyville, is assisted by her adopted younger brother, Spike. She knows her friends are breaking various laws, but she doesn't judge them for it, though she initially wanted to, but she herself has realized that without it, it's almost impossible to survive these days.

Rarity is a 25-year-old dressmaker. She frequently meets with various gangsters and is sometimes called a "trade information purveyor," but most of it still leaks to Detective Twilight and Police Officer Rainbow Dash. She often sews clothes for mafia members and has good protection from various gangsters. She's quite beautiful and has a great figure, always dressing fashionably. She's probably the only one in town who looks so good in blue eyeshadow, which half the girls wear.

Applejack is a young woman of 24, quite tall and strongly built. Previously the daughter of a retired collective farm chairwoman, she had just assumed this role. After the reorganization, they took over most of the apple orchards that once belonged to the Apple family before the advent of Soviet rule. But this led to losses, and now Applejack is struggling to stay afloat.

One of the two leaders of Crystal City, the gangsters' enforcers. She seized power in the city through a pact with Sombra and their collaboration. She has numerous subordinates; her men are poorly armed and underfed, but numerous and obedient to her. Chrysalis has dark skin and perfectly straight, dark turquoise hair. She prefers a black dress with a turquoise sheen and a small crown on her head. She is extremely arrogant and considers everyone beneath her, but she is also very goal-oriented. Chrysalis is a cruel and ferocious manipulator whose primary concern is gaining power and providing for her charges. She shows no remorse in manipulating innocents to her ends or resorting to physical violence.

Rainbow Dash is a police officer who is true to her principles, but she also doesn't intend to obey the gangsters, as many of her colleagues do, which is why she takes a lot of risks, but she believes that the risk is justified.

Equestria is a small city where Celestia is the mayor, and her sister, Luna, is the deputy. The city is divided into three districts. The topmost, perched on a hill, is the least crime-ridden and is home to the city's main industry, Cloudsdale. The city center, Canterlot, is the center of major crime, but you can still walk around without fearing for your life. Ponyville is a crime-ridden place where every day could be your last, with a ton of petty criminals and gang fights happening right on the streets, but people have become accustomed to it. In the Ponyville district is the speakeasy bar "Cupcake." It was once a candy store, but due to circumstances, it was bitterly converted by its owners into a club. Pinkie Pie lives and works there, and Applejack supplies some of the alcohol. Fluttershy works there as a singer. Also closer to the center is Rarity's boutique, which is considered quite fashionable.

Crystal City. Crystal City is the city where Cadence was mayor. Before Discord arrived in Equestria, Crystal City was taken over by Sombra and Chrysalis, who now share power. At the start of the story, Chrysalis and Sombra are dividing power over the city and vying for the mayor's title, while Cadence is in the city jail. Residents suffer greatly from constant gang warfare. Sombra terrorizes the city for fun, while Chrysalis wants to impose strict regulations with high "taxes," but at the same time, she wants to rid the city of danger for residents, as she would lose those who pay her and be unable to support her people. The differences in policies are what cause the people to suffer.