//------------------------------// // Chapter 17 // Story: Titanfall: New Horizons // by Necrogen Lord //------------------------------// Shining Armor caught up with the Human in a small room that began to move underneath his hooves, jolting downwards as the Human spoke. "Yeah, best that you chose to get away from Wesley," it said in a distorted voice. "Once his yap starts flappin', there's no force that'll shut it. Besides threats, of course, but we prefer to not have to go that far." "He seemed to be fine talking with Twilight," Shining commented. "Well, it just so happens that he found someone that's just as nerdy as he is. About time, too. Some of us were considering setting him up on a blind date with Rebeca, just for shits and giggles, but now it looks like he's got someone to actually speak to." "Are you saying that my sister's-" "No, no no no, nooooo," the Human interrupted. "I'm just saying that it's good to know that there's at least one person... pony, whatever, that can understand his science mumbo-jumbo that can help us." Silence passed between the two as several lights flickered away across the doors. "So why did you step in back there?" Shining asked. "Well, saw your armor and figured you for a military type. Plus, you didn't look too thrilled to be caught up in the talk between those two, and believe me, when they get to Engineering, there's no telling how far into it Wesley will get. I swear, it's like he's speaking a different language sometimes." Shining chuckled a bit. "Yeah, I know that feeling. With all the times she's told me about 'square deviants from the equilatter,' I have trouble believing we're related sometimes." "Heh, I have trouble believing him and I are the same species." The two shared a laugh as the doors parted, and sounds of thunder rolled through the room. As the Human moved forward, he waved the unicorn through the doors and into a massive metal room, where there were walls separating an archery-like range, an obstacle course that looked like it was designed for alicorns, and a small area with tables and exercise machines. Shining looked out to see several other soldiers like the one next to him all firing their strange weapons, running across walls, jumping over large gaps, and... playing cards? "Forgot to mention," the Human beside him spoke, "name's Travis. Travis Betcher. Pilot Corps, and stealth specialist." Travis lowered a hand down to Shining. "Shining Armor. Former Captain of the Royal Guard, and now Prince of the Crystal Empire, as well as Admiral for the Crystal Air Fleet." Shining raised his hoof to shake the appendage and shook once before they separated. "Good to have you, then, Armor." "So where are we?" "Gym. We Pilots need special equipment to keep in top-shape, as well as stations to check our unique gear. Over there's an obstacle course designed for Pilots only, giving us a range of wall-running and jump-jet scenarios, some regular weight-stations, as well as treadmills, and a firing range, where we test our accuracy." The unicorn nodded as he watched several other Pilots run across high walls, jumping from surface to surface as blue lights danced across their waists. After watching them run for a few seconds, Shining began to move towards the firing range, watching as the other soldiers began to move away from his approach, allowing him to close in on a weapon already set on the raised barricade. A hand shot out and slammed onto the weapon before Shining could examine it closely, and Travis waved his other hand in front of him. "No way, can't let you do that," he spoke hastily. "Why not?" Armor asked. "Because you're not allowed to touch any Militia equipment unless you've been drafted into the ranks, or have permission from the Captain himself. If you try to touch, we'd have to either arrest you, or... you know." The point was enough to make Shining nod slowly, understanding that military protocol outweighed whatever "fun" a guest might be having. A smirk found its way onto his features, however, as he lit his horn. "How about I demonstrate one of my weapons, then?" he asked. Clearly intrigued, the rest of the Pilots shared glances before Travis looked out to the range. "Well, as long as you don't point it at any of us, I don't suppose it's against the rules." Shining took this as a go-ahead, and began to unsheathe his Crystal Broadsword. The purple surface gleamed against the dull green background of the room, and glowed with power as it was raised into the air, horizontally laid before the unicorn's eyes. "The Royal Crystal Broadsword," he explained. "The crystals themselves aren't much to worry about, but when ground to a fine enough edge, they can cut through most metals on our planet. Plus, with this special handle, I can channel my magic to do this." Shining Armor took a stance and aimed down the range at one of the groups of targets before bringing back the sword and focusing on the targets. The silhouettes began to highlight themselves in his vision as the sword hummed with might. In a single slash, three bolts flew out from the tip of the blade and soared towards the framed IMC Spectres. Their images began to bubble before bursting into a purple flame, rendering their frames to ash as the heat of the blasts flew past the Pilots. Shining smiled as he brought the blade down to the ground, and managed to stick the sword in the alien metal. After a few seconds of silence, applause began to roar around him, as well as several cheers as one Pilot patted him on the back. "Nice! How do I get one!?" "Overthrow a thousand-year-old dark magic wielding king and free an entire empire of crystal citizens." Laughs rang out as Shining was given hoof/fist-bumps by a few of the soldiers. 'Guess they're not so bad,' he thought to himself.