. Saturday if I end up being really lazy) and it'll be pretty long. Sorry for the long wait, but I'm hoping I can pick
. During that time, I really wanted to get a lot of stuff done, a little too much honestly. While I didn't get through everything, I went through the most important stuff first.X-COM But Every Soldier Is Actually A Horse · 10:53pm Jan 22nd, 2017
So, I posted this and as I said in the author's notes of Chapter 1, I thought it would be a good idea to include OCs from the reader! Because X-com has that dynamic of allowing me to edit the names of soldiers and such, I just thought 'hey, why not?' I have a couple of characters from the show that are a part of the narrative, but I can only work with so many characters from the show, background or not.
I'd want the character to be fairly grounded; nothing crazy like a vampire pony that's been alive for hundreds of years or something like that. And obviously, not a red and black monstrosity of a pony. Something simple yet creative! It may help to be a little familiar with X-Com to really help make a backstory, but with The Harmony Initiative a lot of the basic stuff is introduced in the Prologue.
Of course, I'll be having my own OCs in the story, but I wanna be able to include the reader's character, almost they themselves are in the story! I think it's a cool thought.
Onwards! To the submissions!
Name: Everyone needs one!
Gender:
Race: I kinda wanna keep it grounded to ponies, zebras and griffons, but I'm willing to consider other things, just so long as it isn't over the top. Crystal ponies and Changelings are fine (So long as the changelings are post season 6 finale, the story is a bit in the future after all)
Physical Description: This includes cutie marks!
Personality: Include things like motivations and such. Also would include their special talent in this catagory
Role: X-Com has a very small choice of soldier classes, but I might be willing to include people who aren't exactly soldiers
-Soldier classes are:
-Assault Class - specialized in run-and-gun tactics designed to rapidly take control of the battlefield and hold it.
-Heavy Class - specialized in delivering large-scale damage to an enemy through the use of explosive ordnance.
-Support Class - specialized in maintaining their allies and helping to hold ground on the battlefield.
-Sniper Class - specialized in long-range support with high damage dealing with one enemy at a time.
-Psionic - Unicorns only! Will be given access to high end spells and such. For non-unicorns, psionics will act sorta like they do
in game
-MEC Trooper- Kinda iffy on this, but we'll see. Cybernetically enhanced and built like a tank.
Have access to exoskeletal powered suits
-I'm also willing to include Scientists, Medics and Engineers for characters who don't partake in the fighting
Backstory: Pretty self explanatory
Other: Small things; does he/she have an accent? Preference in clothing? Whatever doesn't quite fit in the other categories
Anyway, there's that. You can comment all the stuff or PM, either one works.
Name: Lone Shadow
Gender: Male
Race Pony unicorn
Physical description: coat is black along with his mane and tail which have accents of red and orange for a flame like appearance. Cutie Mark is a shield with two swords crossing over it. Horn is pointed, and he stands between the average pony and Luna in terms of height.
Personality:likes to act like a smartass, and is involved as his family is a military family, and his parents were abducted in Manehattan.
Role: If this follows Enemy unkonwn's Psionic mechanics, then Psi Assault
Background: Coming from a military family from the residential district of Canterlot, Lone has been to the best military instructors outside of the military itself, and-due to the literature he grew up reading- his philosophy on killing is that is something has a clear and present reason to harm you, one is to use any force necessary, including lethal force, and he prefers close quarters, as his father taught Lone that himself, and practices it everyday.
Name: Ethan
Gender: male
Race: Griffin
Physical description: has an appearance similar to a bald eagle and has the standard height for a 18 year old.
Personality: likes to joke around, make references, and crack jokes cringy or funny, dispite this he knows when to get serious.
Role: sniper MEC
Background: coming from Griffinstone he had to lookout for danger as well as be persice in case he can't when he attacks he also wanders as a mercenary, due to his race someponies call him eagle eye.
Name: Sky Lance
Gender: Mare (Female)
Race: Equestrian Pegasus
Physical description: Grey/Gray coat, emerald colored mane and tail. Eyes are grey/gray-ish. CM would be a spear made out of black clouds.
Personality: Easily excitable at the prospect of new knowledge, even at the expense of moral values and tradition. Mostly serious, and what little humor she has is based almost entirely on sarcasm and pointing out ironies.
Role:
Chief Scientist, Medical personell should that role be taken.Head of Biology Division.Backstory: Born in the outskirts of Manehattan. Enlisted in the local Royal Guard as soon as she was eligible, following a long family tradition. Resigned after three years to pursue a career in medical services in Canterlot.
Other: Is almost always seen wearing a green cap backwards.
4392887 4393231
Thanks! I'll be sure to put your guys to good use
4392887 Of course, psionics won't be readily available right off the bat, but I'll figure out a way to get Shadow in on that stuff when it becomes available.
4393231; Same idea as above, but the MEC class should come relatively quickly.
4393294 Unfortunately, I already have a character in mind for the Chief Scientist position, but I do have the science team split up into three divisions dedicated to a different field of research. I have Biology (would deal with autopsies essentially and studies of the aliens themselves), Robotics And Alien Tech (Works in tandem with engineering), and Combat Technology (Researches military tech for the soldiers on the field).
I feel that Lance could fit the bill for leading the Biology division, but I'll leave the choice of whether or not she does up to you.
4393868 Ah, ok then. Biology sounds good as a replacement.
You know what they say; Start out at the bottom, then work your way up until you can fire the guy originally above you.
Harmony Initiative Recruit Report
Name: Air Strike
Gender: Female
Race: Pegasus
Physical Description: Charcoal grey coat and short cut white mane and tail. Golden eyes.
Note: Natural wings have been replaced with advanced Initiative-tech prosthetic wings. Allows her to achieve speeds and maneuvers well outside the capabilities of normal pegasi.
s28.postimg.org/cran16425/Air_Strike.png
Cutie mark is of one large and two smaller arrows pointing at a downward angle.
Personality:
Professional fighter, her mood tends to improve at the prospect of a fight.
Stern with others, but also fair.
Easy to approach when at ease, but becomes dead serious when on the job.
Always wears her red bandana as a reminder of her friends in the Guard.
Role: Interceptor (Anti-UFO/Anti-air support)
Background: Former member of the Royal Guard Combat Flyers, subject was discharged following crippling injury to her wings during an operation against a bandit stronghold. Has a long track record of successful missions during her time in the Guard making her one of Equestria's most skilled flyers and combatants in recent years. Was offered a chance to fly again and a position within HCOM as the first member of our new Interceptor Program. Subject has taken wonderfully to our new age prosthetic wings and flight armor.
First Character
Name: Loki
Gender: Male
Race: Changeling
Physical description: His horn and most of body is a light crimson in color, with his back being white, his wings are a yellowish-green in color, and he has blue eyes. His neck-fin and tail are both a dull brown in color, with lines of white. Average height for a changeling.
Personality: Prefers to spend his free time alone, mostly reading a good book. Favorite genre is Science Fiction, favorite series is Star-Trek (or whatever the Equestrian equivalent is). Bit of a prankster, given he can change his shape, but is fiercely loyal and protective of those he considers friends, given his background.
Prefers a stealthy, cautious approach as opposed to rushing in. Has a unique talent for mimicking vocal patterns, regardless of the voice's species. He believes he could even mimic vocal patterns of species from off-planet.
Role: Support (would rather ensure his allies safety over his own)
Background: One of the last changelings to hatch before Chrysalis was overthrown, Loki grew up a bit of an outcast among those he hatched with. Instead of hanging out with the others to play games and the like, he preferred to spend time to himself, reading books and expanding his knowledge. During his education, Loki demonstrated a high aptitude and knowledge for battlefield medicine, which led him to him enlisting in the changeling military as a field medic. Has studied basic anatomy for pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies/zebras, changelings, and griffons. When he heard of the Harmony Initiative, he jumped at the chance to join.
Other: Really likes white chocolate chip cookies.
Second Character
Name: Felix
Gender: Male
Species: Griffon (age 20)
Physical description: Standard body shape for a griffon, with black feathers like a crow, and tiger stripes along his back. His wings are both covered in yellow and black feathers, in an alternating pattern like bee stripes.
Personality: Gruff and antisocial, prefers to tinker and work with machines and weapons over talking with others. Takes great pride in what he does. Does not like to talk about his past, and gets irritable whenever anyone asks about it.
Role: Engineer (working in tandem with Robotics and Alien Tech, if possible)
Background: Growing up an orphan, Felix has had a rough life from the beginning, and takes longer than most to start trusting someone. Most of his youth was spent working odd jobs for low wage, it wasn't until he was 16 that he landed a part time job working as a train mechanic's apprentice, and it was on this job that he discovered his love for machines, mostly disassembling them. He quickly became skilled in the engineering field, and soon his apprenticeship was concluded. He then traveled Equestria as a wandering repairman, before being recruited by the Harmony Initiative. Does not like sharing his past with ANYONE, unless they have earned his trust.
4402843
These are good characters! I'm actually quite glad someone made a changeling OC (Especially one with a refined taste in cookies
). It might take some time before Loki appears in the story however, but I can work Felix in within a few chapters.
Don't let that bum you out though! They'll each have their time to shine
!
Thanks for submitting!
4402943
Thanks! One of the reasons I created the changeling was that I was thinking it would be cool if there was a soldier who could be used to distract the enemy through disguise and language, especially if said distraction could be used to give a fellow soldier a chance to escape. But like I said, that was just one of the possible reasons.
I am a fan of watching youtube videos of people playing x-com, even though I have never touched the game myself. I love the game, and I have a feeling I will love this Fic!
4403205 I hope you do like it! I'm trying to mix the dynamic and risky combat of X-Com and sprinkling in a story about the characters involved to the best of my ability
. I do hope you stick around and enjoy the story!
I know I've already submitted two OC characters for this story, but the idea for this one just popped into my head and never left, so...
Name: Zeldamar
Gender: Female
Race: Zebra (25 years old)
Physical Description: Same build and size as Zecora, with an almost identical mohawk. She does not wear much jewelry, only a small earring on her left ear. The reason her mohawk is almost identical is because the alternating of black and white in both her hair and coat is the reverse of Zecora's. Her eyes are pink.
Personality: As outgoing as a certain peppy pink party pony, and almost as crazy. Obsessed with weapons of all kinds, from guns and swords to artillery and explosives, her knowledge of weapons is encyclopedic on a level befitting a purple alicorn. Is always hyper, likely from the four to five cups of coffee she has a day. Always trying to find ways to improve on current weapon designs. Does NOT rhyme when she speaks.
Role: Scientist (Combat Technology)
Background: The only thing Zeldamar remembers from the first 10 years of her life is having an insatiable love for weapons, and waking up from a coma on her 11th birthday. A couple years after waking up, she decides to move to a quaint little town known as Ponyville, where she was immediately mistaken for another zebra named Zecora. It was not until the two stood side by side that people realized they were different individuals. Has lived as quiet a life as somepony living in Ponyville can have since that day. Quickly became friends with Pinkie Pie, but they do not do much together. When Zeldamar was offered a job to help research and design new, cutting edge weapons for a top secret organization, How could she say no?
Other: Takes her coffee with no cream and 34 sugars, per cup. Why she has not had a heart attack is as unknown and unquestioned as Pinkie Pie's behavior.
P.S. I was not sure if zebras had cutie marks in MLP, so I left that out of her description, but if they do, hers would be a grenade with the pin resting on the rim of a coffee cup.
4404230
?
I like the characterization of Zeldamar, pretty quirky and fun. Not quite someone some ponies would trust around weapons, but if she gets the job done, then what the hell, right
I kinda only have one little gripe
. It's nothing major, really, just the first bit of the backstory; the time at which she decides to move into Ponyville more specifically. It's no big deal, she would just have to be a bit older (like a year or two) when she moves into Ponyville. In terms of continuity with the show and what I plan to do with the story, it would just a little more sense.
4404393
If she needs to be a few years older for it to work in the story, then by all means, go ahead. I could edit that part of her back story if you want.
Re: Edit has been made.
4404411 Thanks! I wouldn't think it a big deal, but you never know. I hope it doesn't bug you or anything,
4404474
No, it's fine, I actually do not have a lot of experience creating OCs, so any feedback I receive is appreciated!
orig02.deviantart.net/567d/f/2014/246/4/e/sleep_knight_sleeping_again_by_betoran-d7xuiu6.jpg
Name: Sleep Knight/Dream Shield/Dream knight(whatever works?)
Gender: Male/Stallion
Race: Unicorn
Physical Description: He is an average Unicorn, having a normal sized horn and a pudgy body by its lack of physical activities. His mane is dark brown with little light brown highlitghs. His fur color is dark blue, or sapphire blue. It's the same in my eyes really. Lets see... his cutie mark is a common grey shield with little clouds inside of it that resemble a 'dream'. His eyes color shine with an earthy green.
Personality: He is mostly shy, an introvert that loves quiet and dark places. He's a little lazy, always drowning off and sleeping is somewhat of his hobby. Liking to sleep when the chance present itself, something that made him lack in the physical department. He doesn't have a motivating, having joined after a fight with his father and having not really a reason to get out for the idea of having to face his father and take his company is enough to maintain him here. He is awkward when talking with the opposite gender and doesn't know of to start a conversation. He knows how to follow orders and have a dark view on friends. Having almost none because of who his father was and having being bullied at young age.
Role:
-Psionic
-Engineer(maybe not but having living under his father's works and having free pass and behind scene works when moving into the workshops of his father across the world, it made him understand how to work on little things. Dunno, you can take this away.)
Backstory:
Other: Nah.
P.S. Go wild, He is to do as you please.
4428792
. Loving the depth through the backstory!
This is a neat character
Dream Shield sounds pretty good to me personally. I should also note that Psionic is more of a subclass that stacks with one of the base classes (Like a Psionic Assault trooper or a Psionic Sniper). Other than that, I'm not seeing any glaring issues.
4428874
Thanks, hope it was your liking.
'Bout the Psionic? Well, it's your decision really. Go wild, 'surprise me' as said by Ego in the end of Rattatoulle.
Are you still taking recruits? I have one for you.
Gonna use my Ponysona for this one. Lieutenant Harmony Muse of Her Majesties' Night Guard
Name: Harmony Muse
Gender: Female
Race: Pegasus
Physical Description: Blue Coat with a Bubble Gum Pink mane. Mane kept short enough to stay out of her eyes Cutie mark below.
ft.trillian.im/39f0ea9fd655c0e8d66dc8460c461a24fcc8caab/6Qi8IcPX3LNJh1dyuy7puu0LBEr3l.png
Personality: Borderline bipolar. When off-duty she would probably be in whatever passes for the Mess Hall or Barracks singing or trying to get a group together for Ogres and Oubliettes. On the field her mind would be focused on doing whatever it takes, especially at her own cost, to ensure the rest of the team come back alive. She's seen enough death, and probably has a Smooze sized case of PTSD to show for it.
Years of service wearing the uniform have rendered her fiercely patriotic and protective of ponykind in general and the princesses in specific in either case.
Role: This one gave me pause. in my own stories. Harmony was a close combat specialist. Swordsmanship and hoof-to-hoof combat, so the Assault-surrogate from X-Com 2 (the Ranger) would fit. That said, the more I think about the kind of situation that would lead Harmony to muster out into X-Com, chances are her squad was on site during a terror attack and she was the lone survivor, and after seeing her squad die around her, devoted herself to first aid training to ensure nobody else died on her watch.
That said if you want a borderline suicidal-from-grief Pegasus trying to charge a formation of Mutons to cut them apart with a sword or her bare hooves, I would be more than happy.
Backstory: Harmony Muse was born tot he prestigious March family. Per her father, Quicktime March, a March had served in the Royal Guard going back for hundreds of years. Harmony Muse, was inducted to the Guard, but specifically the Night Guard. Disowned over her father's shame. ("How dare you consort with those Bat ponies! Celestia's our princess!") She changed her name to Harmony Muse and devoted herself to Princess and Country.
Eventually she rose to the rank of Lieutenant, and commanded her own squad of Night Guard. Things went poorly however when said squad was on liberty (read: your standard 3-day off post pass) together, Aliens struck. Off duty or not, Harmony and her squad were still in the Guard, so they moved to protect the civilians. They thought they were invincible. They weren't. While they were making progress against the aliens, Harmony's squad fell one by one, until she was the last remaining. Bloodied and running on adrenaline, X-Com found her crouched over a pair of foals, her sword in a deathgrip, staring down a charging Muton (assuming mutons exist in this version)
Other: While she is a trained and dedicated soldier. Harmony has a near-crippling level of PTSD, which affects her daily life. Were she to get the counseling she needed, rather than simply being a soldier, she could shine as a leader of ponies.
4523847
Yeah, I'm still taking recruits, but it may be a while before the character appears in the story, depending on who dies or how I'm gonna translate game mechanics into the story.
As for the character herself, I think she's pretty interesting! I think her personality would add a pretty neat dynamic between several of the characters, some still waiting to make their debut and already existing ones. Her role would be quite interesting; I'd say an assault would work out, but I could always fit her with more 'support' style gear to compliment her character.
4523872 You're actually running the characters through X-Com? oh by all means I don't mind waiting, and I don't mind dying. I'm actively looking forward to seeing Harmony Muse written by someone else.
4523891
I find that playing the game and having the characters all there helps keep me focused on writing, especially since its a game that leaves base life a little open ended, which helps out a little bit. The wait shouldn't be too long, though, especially with the way I'm looking to go about dealing with the aliens and EXALT simultaneously. Here's hoping that I don't disappoint in writing your character! The one thing I don't want to end up doing is writing someone's OC out of character
I hope you're still open for more OCs?
Name: Quick 'Quickie' Shot
Gender: Male
Race: Unicorn
Physical Description: He's an average sized pony. He has a butterscotch coloured coat with a chocolate coloured mane and tail. Eyes are also chocolate brown. His cutie mark is a crosshair.
Personality: He's a logical-thinking, practical, realist. He's also unempathic to other's emotions. He's not a cold sort of pony but he's alexithymic (i.e he has alexithymia, which is a personality disorder where one basically can't identify, describe or distinguish complex emotions) and that makes him very lacking in empathy. He's open to a good time but he can't make or maintain any great relationships and that makes him just keep to himself. His talent is being a great observer and making decisions with a logical mind not affected by emotions. He notices certain actions and the best escape routes for unwanted situations.
Role: Sniper.
Backstory: Quickie here was born in Sydneigh and that's where his early life took place alongside his older sister. His parents aren't very loving and can be said to be emotionally abusive (this is where his alexithymia comes from). In his teenage years, his parents' marriage finally fell apart after years of fighting. His father actually managed to get full custody of him (and only him, since his sister is already an adult and has moved to Melbarn). His father being part of the Royal Guard (and high ranking at that), was transferred to Canterlot and brought him along. Quick is good at long-range shooting (receiving his cutie mark when he was playing with his slingshot), his father realised this when he brought him out to a field to practice, but he aspired to be a doctor, he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his mother and sister, but his father (knowing of Quick's potential) enlisted him in the military and there Quick's eagle eye ability was sharpened and molded into a flawless sniper. And that's how the Harmony Initiative found him.
Other: He has an Australian (or the ponified version of it) accent and has a horrible sweet tooth. He also still has the slingshot he used when he got his CM, and likes to play with it from time to time.
If something doesn't fit, it's alright for you to change it up a bit
4553623
.
Yeah, I'm still taking characters, though some of the recent ones will be in a 'waiting list' so to speak. Either way, there's a good chance that the character will be in the story
Truth be told, we could always use a few more snipers
. I might have to look into alexithymia some more, for the sake of making sure I have a better understanding, which isn't a problem. I'd like to do the character justice after all. Overall, I'm digging Quick Shot's character and everything seems to fit in with the story.
4553979
That's great! I don't mind Quick being on the waitlist, and fyi, in terms of severity, I imagine his alexithymia to be a~ 55 out of 100, I guess, nothing severe? I don't have any personal experience with it so I'm horrible at explaining this
If you need any help with him though, I'm happy to be of service 
Good luck, Commander.
Name: Marked "Zero" Initiative
Gender: Male
Species: Changling
Physical Discription: When not discuised for operations he prefers to keep the old black chiten look of changlings but with blue membranes instead of green. Fully undiscuised he is a pale blue with a green body and wing covers. His eyes are his most distinguishable feature remaining a deep navy blue in most of his forms as well as his damaged right wing that persists through discuises. When discuised as a pony his cutie mark takes the form of a beetle under a microscope
Personality: Marked is loyal, layed back, and cunning. His history of Zero failed operations however also tends to make him a bit overconfident of his abilities. He has an eye for detail.
Role: Sniper.
Background: During Chrysalis's reign Marked was an infiltrater. Using his abilities he liked to get into locations usually inaccessible in order to spy on his targets. After her downfall He didnt really have anywhere to go until he was taken in by a Auburn unicorn named Ruby Spring. She took care of him for a while and soon they formed a bond.After hearing about a special force where he could be useful he left for canterlot seeking to join. He likes to regularly keep in contact with Ruby and nearly anybody can see there more than friends.
Other: due to an injury on his wing he tends to use other partial transformations to get around locations of diffrent higth ie tentical arm, extra wings ect. He can still fly regularly but he tends to favor the wing.
I based him of of a sniper i had during my first playthrough. The guy only missed 3 shots through my entire game.
4554699
. I like the idea of transforming himself partially for maneuverability sake. Hopefully I'm as lucky as you were when he was in your campaign, but that's something I'm sure I'll find out in a little while.
Nice! It's always nice to see new changelings and snipers
4554982 lol i left him with the starting sniper till late game cause it felt lucky. Those 3 misses were after i gave him a gauss rifle. And thanks.
Everyone has the most detailed background and then you have me..
Name: crimson "bullseye" velvet
Gender:female
Race:Pegasus
Physical Description: lean and stealthy? cutiemark: sniper crosshairs
Personality: crimson is sometimes called cold she doesnt care she may be cold and thinking tactically all the time but to her Friends which are not many shes a nice pony she is a joker but she just doesnt show it to everyone
Role: Sniper
backstory: crimson came from a poor household her mother died during brith and her dad was a soldier like his father before him
crimson wasn't liked by her dad because of miltary heritage she would be allowed just not have many privileges like a high rank
at the age of 16 her dad died in a accident nothing is known up until her service
at 18 she joined up with the military and became a soldier after a while of nothing she started sniper training she became the best of her class no one knew but she than earned her cutie mark because of it after that it's all smoke and mirriors no one knows what she did after that as its all covered in black ink and she doesnt talk about it
and now she passed the test to get into xcom
other: very slight german accent always wears sniper gear [everyone thinks that she never sleeps!]
color:look at profile picture
Name: Big Sky
Gender: Male
Species: Pegasus
Appearance: He's a tall and powerfully muscled stallion, roughly on par with Big Macintosh in terms of height but isn't as heavily muscled as Bulk Biceps is, but it is noticeable to a degree. Has a dark Navy Blue coat, with a storm grey mane and tail. He's cutie mark is that of a large chariot flying through the clouds. Has several burn scars along his neck and barrel.
Personality: Whenever he's on duty he's very serious. However when he's not on duty, a friendly and outgoing side of him comes out. Yet he's not perfect by any means and is more than a little clueless when it comes to mares.
Backstory: Big Sky before getting swept up into the HARMONY Initiative was a member of a Royal Equestrian Air Force, to be specific Canterlot, and whenever he went on a mission was hauling troop transport Chariots although on occasion he would pull a fighter patrol. He comes from a relatively small family and joined the military as soon as he was able too. He was the Transport Pegasus that inserted the team of Royal Guards that got slaughtered by the aliens in Manehattan and if anything his exfil from the city was ... harrowing, he took ground fire from X-rays, he succeeded in dodging the fire but the incredible heat of the shots gave him 2nd degree burns across his neck and barrel from the near misses.
Role: Chariot driver
Name: carapace(exile)
Gender: male
Race: changeling
Physical description: has a brown chitin with grey eyes and white wings
Role: heavy
Personality: vengeful, nomadic caring
Background: former commander of the changeling army his role was revoked after assulting severel bandit camps agienst thorax's orders enraged he attacked the king the charge for treason was a life sentece he esaped during the alien attack
Other: age 40 and has scar below his left eye
Name: Lightning Spark
Gender: male
Race: Changeling
Physical Description: Gray fair with a gray main with streaks of yellow with a sword for a cutie mark
Personality: usually calm and fun-loving but on mission is focused and Dead set
Role: Psionic
Other he wears ODST style armor