Project Uma Kyōkai

The morning light poured through your window as you prepared for the day ahead. Grabbing a bag of tools and materials, you set out toward the hidden spider-tank. It had been years since you worked with technology from your world, but something about today felt different. A determination brewed within you—this wasn’t just about fixing a machine; it was about reclaiming a piece of your past.

When you arrived at the site, the tank sat quietly under its camouflage of branches. The morning dew clung to the leaves, and the air was still. You pulled back the foliage, revealing the machine’s scorched and battered frame. After a moment of hesitation, you crouched to assess the damage.

“Alright, let’s see what we’re working with,” you murmured, flipping open the manual.

The damage was significant but not insurmountable. A few frayed wires here, some internal damage to the hydraulic systems there—nothing you couldn’t handle with time and focus. Hours passed as you worked with meticulous care, consulting the manual, reconnecting wires, and patching up the frame. The process was exhausting, but you refused to stop.

By the time the sun was nearing its zenith, you wiped the sweat from your brow and stepped back to admire your work. The machine looked more whole, its form no longer jagged with damage. Taking a deep breath, you climbed into the cockpit.

The moment you sat down, the screens around you flickered to life. Lights illuminated the dark interior, and the glass canopy began to lower over your head. The tank groaned and hissed as its systems reactivated, and you felt the chassis lift off the ground. The spider-like legs straightened, hoisting the cockpit nearly seven feet in the air.

“Whoa,” you breathed, marveling at the view.

Suddenly, a small screen projected in front of you. On it appeared the image of a robotic woman dressed in a lab coat, her expression neutral but welcoming.

“W-welcome to Spider-Tank Omega-455,” the voice said, slightly distorted by static. “H-how can I assist you today?”

You blinked in surprise. “You can talk?”

The robotic woman tilted her head slightly. “Y-you do not appear to be [Pilot ID: Delta]. Please return this machine to [REDACTED].”

You sighed. “Sorry, but that’s not going to happen. I don’t even know how to get back to where you came from.”

The robot seemed to process this information. After a moment, she nodded. “Acknowledged. T-transferring temporary pilot-ship to [Enter Pilot ID].”

A keyboard appeared in front of you. Hesitating only briefly, you typed your name.

“Welcome, [Pilot ID: Agent],” the robotic woman said. “I hope we make a good team.”

The screen disappeared, and two control handles emerged on either side of your seat. Tentatively, you grabbed them and pushed forward. The machine moved, its legs responding fluidly to your commands.

“Yes! Yes, I did it!” you exclaimed, your voice echoing in the cockpit.

The spider-tank moved slowly at first, but as you grew more confident, you pushed the controls further, and the machine surged forward. The sound of its legs pounding against the earth filled the air as you tested its speed and maneuverability.

After experimenting with the tank’s movement, you came to a halt in a secluded clearing. Curious, you glanced at the control panel, noticing several buttons with cryptic labels.

“Hey, robot, what does this button do?” you asked, pointing at a glowing switch.

The robotic woman reappeared on the screen. “That button activates the gravity shield. It can grip and repel incoming projectiles.”

Impressed, you nodded and pointed to another button. “And this one?”

“That activates the dual GAU-21 machine guns for target neutralization.”

You hesitated, then pressed the button. With a hum, two sleek, turret-like guns emerged from the sides of the tank. The triggers on the control handles released, and you could feel their subtle resistance beneath your fingers.

“Fire when ready,” the robot said calmly.

“Not now. No threats,” you replied, deactivating the weapons. The guns retracted seamlessly back into the chassis.

Satisfied with your progress, you began piloting the tank back toward Fluttershy’s cottage. But before you reached the outskirts of Ponyville, a familiar voice called out.

“What is THAT!?” Twilight Sparkle’s shout was filled with alarm. She stood at a distance, her mane slightly frazzled and her expression wide-eyed.

You activated the external speaker. “Uh, Twilight, it’s me. Let me explain. Follow me.”

Twilight hesitated, her gaze flickering between you and the machine. After a tense moment, she nodded and trotted cautiously after you as you guided the tank to a more secluded location. Once hidden from view, you powered down the tank and climbed out of the cockpit.

Twilight paced nervously in front of the machine, her tail flicking with agitation. “What is this thing? You told me humans didn’t have magic!”

You raised your hands defensively. “We don’t. This isn’t magic—it’s technology. Think of it like... mechanical ingenuity. It’s how humans solve problems.”

Twilight frowned, stepping closer to the machine. Her horn glowed faintly as she scanned it. “It’s... incredible, but also terrifying. Why does it have weapons?”

You sighed. “Because it’s a military prototype. I didn’t build it, but I found it damaged and abandoned. I thought I could repair it and use it for good.”

The robotic woman’s image appeared on the external screen, startling Twilight.

“Hello,” the robot said, her tone polite but mechanical. “You must be [Unidentified Pony]. How can I assist you?”

Twilight jumped slightly, her eyes wide. “It talks?”

You nodded. “Yeah, meet... uh, do you have a name?”

The robot paused. “Designation: Omega-455. However, you may assign a nickname if preferred.”

Twilight tilted her head, her curiosity overtaking her wariness. “It’s... intelligent?”

“Artificially, yeah,” you explained. “It’s not alive, but it can process and respond to information.”

Twilight stepped closer to the screen, her skepticism fading. “This is fascinating. Its design is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. But... are you sure it’s safe?”

You placed a reassuring hand on the tank’s frame. “I’ve deactivated the weapons unless I specifically authorize them. It’s just a machine, Twilight. It only does what I tell it to.”

Twilight sighed but nodded slowly. “I want to believe you, but I still think we should keep this hidden for now. If other ponies saw it, they might panic.”

You couldn’t argue with her logic. “Agreed. I’ll only use it when necessary, and I’ll make sure it stays out of sight.”

Twilight hesitated before offering a tentative smile. “Alright. But you owe me a detailed explanation about how it works later.”

“Deal,” you said with a grin.

As Twilight trotted away, her head still half-turned toward the tank in fascination, you climbed back into the cockpit.

“New mission parameters?” the robotic woman asked.

“For now, let’s keep a low profile,” you said, feeling a renewed sense of responsibility.

The spider-tank wasn’t just a relic of your world—it was a reminder of what humans could create. And now, in this strange new world, it was in your hands.