X-COM Friendship is Unknown

by Quick Thinker

Rating: teen
Tags: Crossover, Dark, Tragedy
Length: 4752

When Equestria faces a new menace stronger then anything they've seen they activate project HARMONY

When the Changeling army was first defeated Celestia thought that would be the end of it. But when Celestia gets a report that Ponyville is under attack by unkown enemies she must activate equestria's last hope. Project HARMONY.

This is the tale of how Equestria fought against nearly unsurmountable odds and took the fighting to the Changelings.Will they succeed or will Equestria fall to the hands of the new Changeling Army?

This is based of Firaxis's new reimagining of the classic X-COM game. Now that we have that out of the way we will be basing most of the battles off of my own battles from both the new and the old X-COM and maybe even some terror from the deep. (or if you tell me yours I'll gladly add it the fic).

oh and the picture is unrelated in a way since the mane 6 will be…..uh you'll see.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-11-08 18:39:14 UTC

Interception

Shining Armor was galloping through the hallways of Canterlot towards his goal, Princess Celestia's throne room. He reached his destination and was quickly ushered in as the doors slammed shut behind him leaving in complete darkness. He looked around and could see the many murals of Equestria's history. From Celestia and Luna's fight with discord all the way up to his sister and her friend’s defeat of the changeling army. He wondered why the princess would only wish to talk to him, but seeing as how he was the leader of the Royal Guards it would make sense to talk the commander before the troops.

"Good your here Shining Armor we have much work to do." a voice said in the darkness as a strange sphere of Equestria was beginning to appear in the middle of the room.

"Princess Celestia what do you mean WE, I thought only you and me were to discuss battle tactics in case the changelings return?"

"That is the issue they are back and they are nearly unstoppable, I want you to see this." Princess Celestia then appeared next to him and led him to the large sphere of the planet.

"They have already begun an attack on Ponyville, and from what I've seen it's not going well for us."

"Is my sister all right, and what about her friends?" Shining Armor asked worried for the safety of his little sister.

"We do not know currently, we are about to send a squad down to try to charge the changelings off of our land you will be their leader, be warned from what we've heard from our scouts it's hell down there."

Shining Armor was then escorted out of the room and lead to room with a few of his friends from cadet school that have been with him since he was a colt. As soon as he entered they all stopped what they doing and rose to attention.

"COMMANDER ON DECK!" They then all gave Shining Armor as salute as he returned the favor.

"At ease soldiers." Shining said as he took off his helmet and got a look at all his team members. There was Long Shot the greatest long range fighter Shining Armor ever saw walk out of the academy. Then there was his friend Strong Blood the toughest colt he’s ever seen and the only one who can even take a direct blast from a horn laser and still walk. Then finally there was the silent one of the group Quick Shot who  was known for his knowledge in explosives. Shining Armor knew he was being sent with some of the best and brightest colts Equestria could offer. He then went to look at their load out when he noticed something very strange about them.

"Yeah the Princess just gave these to us said it's the only way we have a chance to beat these things" Strong Blood said as he looked down the sight of the rifle he was given. He found it quite strange to have a red dot already on it and being able to adjust it.

"What in the heck are these things?" Shining armor said as he picked up a green ball with a clip locking a pin in place. He was about to pull the pin when he was stopped by Quick Shot.

"That’s something the science team called a "Fragmentation grenade" supposed to be a ranged weapon, we just throw it and stay away from it." Quick Shot said as he looked at the weapon he was given what the science team dubbed a "shotgun"

"When the hell did Canterlot have a science team?" Shining Armor said as he looked at the new armor that was in his locker.

"Ever since the Changelings came back, all of Canterlots been on full steam this week to do all kinds of stuff, heard we have ponies switching from civilians jobs to manufacturing and research and some are even becoming soldiers." Long Shot said as he looked at the "pistol" he was given It had no scope. After a few seconds of understanding how to remove and put on a scope both his "sniper rifle" and his "pistol" had scopes and them. He was ready to kick some changeling plot.

"Well team do we all know how to work our weapons?" Shining Armor said as he was beginning to read the user’s manual on how to load and reload his new weapon.

"Science teams said just point it at the bastards and pull the trigger."

Shining Armor was about to ask how to put on the flak vest and all the other armaments when a siren rang off.

"WARNING, WARNING  UFO DEDECTED IN PONYVILLE!"

A/N well that’s the first chapter and if it isn't all clear Equestria is heavily under developed in weaponry with the ponies just now having fire arms and now going into a full swing of research and manufacturing. I’m doing this to give them some chance at the new threat and also to keep in line with the new X-COM having basic firearms at the start. Also if you want you can throw in say some OC's to be the new rookie for the mission HARMONY will be doing just suggest me an OC (or a character from the show) and maybe even provide a brief bio and picture and I’ll think about it. Will Equestria be able to fight back the changeling menace? Find out next chapter of X-COM Friendship is Unknown.

Landing Party

Shining Armor and the rest of the team heard those words and then over the intercom princess Celestia and Luna's voice were heard.

"You heard the intercom my little ponies now go out there and do me proud, my sister will be going with you to Ponyville fly safe." The intercom was then off as Shining Armor and his men were lead out to a strange large flying craft.

"Go get on the Sky Ranger my children." Luna said as she went up the ramp and strapped herself in the pilot seat.

Shining Armor and the rest of his team got onboard and strapped themselves in. After the initial lift off and some minor turbulence they were in the air and flying faster than any pegasi ever could towards Ponyville. Shining Armor thought this might be a great time to have some questions answered and unbuckled his seat belt and went to the pilots door and entered.

"My child you really should be in your seat for the landing, we don't know what we would do if you were to get hurt." Luna said as she used her magic to close the door behind them and offered Shining Armor co-pilot. He sat and down and quickly strapped himself in. He looked around his limited view and could see that Luna had a small holster on her hip that held a pistol in it and Luna herself was wearing a blue Wonderbolts flight suit with a helmet showing her distance from Ponyville.

"We assume you've come up here for a reason other than to look at us." Luna said as she pressed buttons and flew over a mountain.

"I have some question to ask if you don't mind Princess."

"Please refer to us as Luna the whole royalty thing gets on our nerves."

"Okay Luna well for starters how the heck did we get this advanced in a matter of days."

"To answer that one we captured a Changeling craft and reverse engineered some of their weaponry that was over 2 years ago since the last time we spotted them though so we are not exactly up to date on their technology anymore."

"Okay so onto question number 2 WHY IN THE HECK DID WE NOT KNOW OF THIS 2 YEARS AGO!" Shining Armors voice echoed through the entire ship and rang through all his team members’ ears.

"Well let’s put ourselves in this scenario shall we." Shining Armor shook his head yes and Luna continued.

"Suppose you were a regular civilian who just heard that Changelings have returned and we can't stop them, how do you think you would respond?"

"I would probably...panic and freak out trying to save all my friends and family."

"Exactly, now while keeping every pony in the dark is not the greatest tactic ever its worked for over 2 years now, but now we can't hide the danger this time, now get back in your seat we are landing in a minute inform your squad that." Luna then used her magic and unbuckled his seat belt and levitated him out of the room and shut the door.

"My Children we'll landing within a minute get  ready for whatever’s out there." They all loaded their guns as the ramp lowered and showed the ruins of Ponyville.

A/N: CLIFFHANGER :D any way what will Shining Armor and his squad encounter at whats left of Ponyville find out next chapter in X-COM Friendship is Unknown and remember to rate comment blah blah blah insert authors comments blah blah blah

The Ruins of Ponyville

A/N: Let me just say it right now the only reason this chapter is up this early is because X-COM (2012) is now built me up to a rage of I just need some time away from it or I'll chuck my controller out the window. Why you may ask? SECTOPODS THATS WHY! Anyway back to the story.

Shining Armor proceeded down the ramp and into what looked like hellfire had occurred in the middle of town. There were bodies everywhere and buildings in ruins or on fire burning into the air to create an impenetrable smoke screen. He could see some fillies and colts among the bodies, But they didn't seem dead or knocked out rather they were huddled next to their deceased loved ones in a vain form of protection. He could barely stand the sight and the smell of it made him nearly vomit right then and there. How could the Changelings do this to such harmless and peaceful ponies like this? Especially his si... he didn't want to think about that right now. Not when there are civilian's lives in danger. He quickly put the thought out of his head and went over to try to help the fillies get to safety.

The First filly he encountered was Filthy Rich's daughter who was currently nestled under his cold arms. He gently nudged her awake and she turned to her father saying.

"Daddy some ponies here just like you said they would be we got to go home now, come on get up dad...dad?"

"I'm sorry Silver he won't be waking up." Shining said as he hung his head low in failure to get here fast enough. Silver Spoon's eyes looked right into Shining Armors soul and seemed confused by the sentence she just heard. He eyes darted around back at her father and then at Shining Armor as the realization finally hit her like a brick wall.

"Daddy no...no...NO you have to come back you said you would, YOU SAID YOU WOULD!" Silver Spoon was shaking her father life less corpse back and forth praying he would wake up and return to her once more. After several minutes of crying she let go of him and sobbed to herself. Shining Armor reached out his hoof to close Filthy Richs eyes and then picked up Silver Spoon still crying.

"We can't leave him here...we just can't you'll come back for him right?" Silver Spoon screamed as snot and tears ran down her face onto Shining Armors back armor.

"I promise we'll come back for him, right now we need to get you to safety.... we don't want his sacrifice to be in vain." Shining Armor said with a sigh as he went up the ramp of the Skyranger and strapped Silver Spoon into a seat belt and locked it in place. After making sure she was secure and in place he descended from the ramp and got some static coming from his ears.

"THIS IS CANTERLOT COME IN SHINING ARMOR WHATS THE SITUATION OVER?"

"Princess Celestia the situations...pretty grim down here, we've got bodies littering the streets fires are all over the town and there even fillies and colts among some of these bodies."

The radio was full of whispering and some sighs for a few moments until it sprung back to life.

" Understood Shining Armor any sign of the enemies?"

"Negative haven't seen a single soul since we landed, Why would they do this Princess...just why?"

"That’s what we're trying to find out, now keep evacing ponies to safety Celestia out."

After the call ended the next filly he saw was Applebloom trying to carry her dog Winona through the streets. She was inhaling the noxious smoke and coughing as she slowly drudged her way through the war torn streets. When she spotted Shining Armor she immediately raise her hoof and tried her best to yell for help. He face looked beat up and bruised while her entire body looked like a cutting board. Cuts of all kind were around her entire body. Shining Armor was surprised she could even stand let alone walking while carrying a dog on her back.

"Hey mister get yer hide over here, ah need some help." Applebloom then collapsed in what he could guess was exhaustion.

Shining Armor immediately rushed over to her side and lifted Winona gently off her back and onto his picking up Applebloom and place her on his back as well. She was snoring away, but he looked closer at her face and could see the clear sign of tears and snot running down her face. What hell did she go through Shining Armor thought as he walked back to the Skyranger carefully balancing Applebloom and Winona so as not to drop either one.

After getting her and Winona who was barely registering a heartbeat were strapped in the infirmary section of the Skyranger Shining Armor then received more crackling from his radio coms. It was True Blood screaming as loud as he possibly could into his headset.

"ENEMY CONTACT SPOTTED NEAR PONYVILLE LIBARARY, I REPEAT ENEMY CONTACT NEAR....."the radio then cut out as a blood curdling scream could be heard throughout the entire town.

A/N and that’s were we'll leave it off. DAMN did i really write that...I must be more depressing then I thought I was geeze. (The whole Filthy Rich scene was inspired right after literally watching the Stampede scene in Lion King. That part of the movie was a downer. Any way WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO TRUE BLOOD? Find out next chapter on X-COM Friendship is Unknown.

First Blood

A/N: okay to be honest this chapter should have been written next week, BUT I beat X-COM Enemy Unknown on classic so I’m feeling super inspired today to write something. So get ready cause I’m hyped as hell for this, and I’m the one writing it XD.

"Strong Blood do you copy...Strong Blood do you read?" Celestia was talking to static at this point fearing the worst for this poor soldier.

"Does any pony have sight on Strong Blood?"

"I saw him Princess...that was a few minutes ago though." Quick Shot said as he moved closer and closer to Strong Blood's last known position.

"Roger that Shining Armor move the rest of your squad up and find out what happened to Strong Blood...he may be in trouble." Celestia clicked off the radio knowing whatever happened to Strong Blood it can't be good.

"Roger that, team we have a pony missing let's find him I want you all to split up and go into a flanking position around Strong Bloods position." Shining Armor said as he dashed and jumped over debris from buildings and enter PonyVille’s school house. It was dark inside, but he knew it would lead him straight on the opposite side of Strong Blood. He however quickly reached a roadblock when he saw the front doors were being barricaded with a mare huddled around next to them crying in fear. He approached her and saw that it was Rarity huddled over Sweetie Belles body singing sweet lullabies to calm her down.

"Hush now, Quiet now It's time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now Quiet now all is now calm."

After she was finished with her song Shining Armor carefully approached her and knelt down next to her. She looked to her left and almost gasped in terror as she could see something behind him.

"Rarity it's me, Shining Armor Twilights brother, we're here to...what are you looking a...oh" Shining Armor turned around and saw that a tiny insect like bipedal grey creature was standing right behind him brandishing a strange glowing green weapon humming softly. It was pointed straight at his face. He could feel the immense heat emanating off the weapon. Luckily however the creature did not spot him or Rarity and he ducked in a classroom along with Rarity and Sweetie Belle. Shining Armor slowly moved next to Rarity and whispered in her ear.

"Rarity when I go left and get that "thing" to chase me you take Sweetie Belle and head straight north that should lead you to evac."

"But what about you how in hay are you going to survive that thing?"

"Don't worry about me just get Sweetie and yourself to safety, I'll handle this...thing." He really doubted he could even kill this thing let alone damage it. He quickly upholstered his pistol and got ready to run.

"Before we part ways I need to tell you some news I heard from some ponies while hiding in here."

"What is it?" Shining Armor was getting nervous. The creature was getting closer and closer to their position. It would only be a matter of time before it spotted them and opened fire.

"They said that any of the ponies in need of help should head to Twilights Library she has a magical shield built to withstand the attacks… that was over an hour ago though."

"Thanks for the info did you hear that team?" Shining Armor said into his headset as he pointed his pistol in the direction of the strange creature.

"I read you commander what about Strong Blood?"

"He is not the main priority as of now those civilian are now get to the Ponyville Library and secure it." Celestia said into the microphone knowing fully well that Strong Blood was more than likely dead.

"I'm the closest one to the library commander I'll head in and secure the area and get the civilians out." Quick Shot said as he darted from shop to shop as he reached his goal. As he got closer he could smell rotten meat and burning ashes. The next sight made him nearly faint. Bodies upon bodies were piled up all around the library. They were mostly charred and burned to the bone. Quick Shot saw the library had been caught on fire and was meant to smoke the ponies out. Once their outside it's like shooting fish in a barrel. He swore if he got the chance he would deliver a bullet right in between the skull of what ever did this. He saw the door was still closed and could make out faint whispers from inside. He had to move some bodies, but eventually he cleared the door and opened it.

"CHARGE!"

In a few seconds Quick Shot was on the ground and getting punched in the face with hooves. Quick Shot couldn’t believe he was being beat up by fillies.

"I'LL TEACH YOU TO KILL MY FRIENDS YOU MONSTER DIE DIE DIE!"

Scootaloo the leader of this small team looked more closely at what they were all beating up and could see it was an earth pony.

"Woah woah guys calm down, I think he's with us." Scoot said as he grabbed Pipsqueak and helped the colt in strange armor up.

"Thank you for the help now is there any more of you in the library?" Quick said as he was lead inside what was left of the charred tree as Scootaloo grabbed some medical bandages and applied them to Quicks bruised face.

"Nope it's just us, after those things lit the tree on fire every pony started panicking Twilight couldn't keep the shield up and went to go fight them off with Applejack and... Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo then flashbacked the events that had transpired over a few hours prior to Quick Shot's team arriving.

"Rainbow Dash I wanna go with and help you kick some Changeling flank!" Scootaloo said as she made jabbing motions at invisible targets.

"No way kid it's too dangerous out there for a filly like you, just stay here and keep the rest of the ponies calm."

"But RD I WANT TO HELP TOO!" Scootaloo then tried her best puppy dog eyes to a vain attempt.

"You want to help kid, then stay here and help others this is too dangerous for any pony."

"Then why are you going if it's so dangerous?"

"Because...I'm trying to save the ones I love... now stay here and don't you dare leave this tree, Spike don't let her leave no matter what."

"Got ya Dash, you heard her Scoot just stay here and" The last words were cut off as a large expolsion erupted outside the library.

"ALL RIGHT YOU CHANGELING BASTARDS NO ATTACKS MY CITY AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!" Rainbow Dash wings started flapping and in flash she was outside and in the air as she could see the chaos Ponyville was in. She could see ponies screaming and running and fear. The colts were trying to fight back the enemy, but whatever they were using made quick work of them disintegrating them in seconds leaving only ashes and any clothing they might be wearing.

"Twilight you put up a shield and stay at the library protect Scoot and the others, AJ you head around town and tell every pony possible to get their flank to Twilights Library."

"What about you Dash?" Twilight wondered as her horn started to glow casting a small shield around the library.

"Me, I'm going to show these things a little dash of the Sonic Rainboom." Rainbow Dash then speed into the air and began her famous Sonic Rainboom.

"ALL RIGHT YOU MOTHER BUCKERS PREPARE FOR THE SONIC RAINBO!" Rainbow Dash stopped midflight as a laser of high magnitude collided and pierced her body. He wings stopped flapping as she fell far onto the hard ground. She didn’t even reach as the laser ate up her body and left a cloud of ashes in her wake.

"RAINBOW DASHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Scoot screamed as she watched her idol fall to her death.

"Why didn't you get here sooner?" Scootaloo said at a low whisper.

"You could have saved every pony." Scootaloo said as the nightmare of her idols death played over and over in her head.

A/N: well that’s this chapter down and now we can see the Changelings have some backup this time around. Will Shining Armors team be able to extract every pony to safety? And what about Strong Blood and Shining Armors predicament? Find out next chapter of X-COM Friendship is Unknown.

Payback

A/N: well this chapter should have been made yesterday, but after beating classic i've set my sights on beating Terror from the Deep on Superhuman. Needless to say im losing BADLY. Anyway enough about that back to the story. (also am in need of some type of editor to help me with some grammar so if thats you please PM me.)

The strange being that Shining Armor had encounter was now a mere foot away from their location. If he didn't move soon, he would be blasted by what ever that strange weapon fires. He whispered as quietly as he could into Rarity's ear.

"Rarity it's now or never, on 3."

"If you insist, good luck and I hope you can take this "thing" out."

"1"

Rarity was already getting ready to run as she used her magic to lift Sweetie Belle onto her back.

"2"

The alien meanwhile was starting to scan around the room for the disturbance it just heard a few seconds ago.

"3, GO!"

Rarity darted off straight out the doors while Shining Armor went straight oposite of her and yelled as loud as he could.

"HEY HEY I"M OVER YOU STUPID FREAK COME AND GET ME!" Shining Armor yelled through the halls as he ran upstairs and jumped up and down trying to get the "thing" to come near him. After around a minute there was silence followed by a flash of green flying right past his face. It was only for a second, but whatever that thing just shot it burned like hell. Shining Armor ducked into a classroom and loaded his rifle. He fumbled the trigger mechinism and dropped the gun to the floor. He cursed himself and picked it back up and held tightly to his chest. He could hear the pitter patter of foot steps of the creature getting closer and closer to his hiding spot.

"All right you mother bucker come get me."

He peaked his head out and fired. He hit the ceiling as the recoil of the gun was unsuspected. He adjusted his aim and was about to fire when he saw a strange blue ball being thrown by the "thing". It landed right next to him with a thud. Shining thought what ever it is that thing throwing it can't be good. He quickly stood up and ran out the doorway as more plasma fire was hurled at him just barely missing him as he jumped over a desk and flipped it over. The cover he was in wasn't the greatest, but it would have to suffice for now. He peaked his head out yet again and fired a quick burst and ducked back down. He heard the sounds of the "thing" cry as a bullet pierced his arm.

"So these thing are killable eh"

Shining Armor didn't get much more time to think as he looked to his left and saw the "thing" had moved from it's cover and WAS NOT FLANKING HIM! He quickly flipped the desk around facing the alien and laid back down on the ground. That should buy him a few more seconds. The moment of peace was broken by the blue ball landing on his gun. He attempted to pull it off, but it would not budge. He had no choice, but to throw the gun at the alien. He peaked up from his cover and got his horn charged as he threw his only defense a the "things" last known location. It landed right next it and in a few seconds the cover and the "thing" were incinerated in a flash. Shining Armor moved out of cover and checked to see if he would have any more vistors. After a minute or two it was clear this was the only "thing" in the area. He was going to inspect the body, but there wasn't much left cept some pieces of the gun and bits and piece of wood.

"Team check in I just neutrilized one these things, and I think I got a name for it."

"Quick Shot here, librarys secure, surviors on board Skyranger."

"Copy that what about you Long Shot?"

The microphone was meet with no response only static.

"Long Shot do you read, Long Shot respond?"

he was able to make out a faint gurgling sound followed by ear piercing scream as the coms went dead.

"LONG SHOT RESPOND DAMNIT!"

A/N: well at this rate the entire team will be dead in around an hour or two. Will Shining Armors squad be able to make it alive or will the "things" pick them off one by one? For answer wait until next chapter.

Also this thought just occured to me. Okay we made a mod for Civ5 right that added Luna Celestia and the Changelings. Well whats to stop us from making a mod for X-COM that replace the models with ponies and maybe add some cutscene and stuff. I already have some ideas thought up for the replacement enemies and everything. If you know how to mod Firaxis's games let me know cause I really think this could be fun.