This story is a sequel to Stardust
Times are changing for Equestria as Twilight’s return brings with it news of people and cultures from beyond the peaceful world everypony knows. Aid and volunteers are freely offered to help the besieged humans of Earth because every Equestrian knows that’s what good friends do. Unfortunately, making friends can also have the unintended consequence of making enemies.
When the monsters besieging the humans strike at Equestria with a level of brutality not seen in over a thousand years, the cry for help is sent to all the kingdoms of the world. Honored allies step forth to fulfill ancient treaties and oaths. Enemies, old and new, bury their grievances. An alliance never before seen in Equestria will be created to combat the monsters from the void.
And because of these events, a grim but welcome sibling to the XCOM project is born.
(XCOM/FiM Crossover)
(Sequel to Stardust, which I recommend reading before starting this. Fortitude Amicitia and Broken aren't required reading but are supplemental to the storyline)
(Gore tag for blood and violence)
(Alternate Universe tag because of the divergence from canon that Stardust has caused)
(Uses elements of Season 4)
(Coverart produced by the amazing Carnelian!)
(Many thanks to Arzoo, BradTheBrony, Vandenbz and Setokaiva for prereading!)
(As of 03/07/2016, the prereading team consists of Arzoo, BradTheBrony, Noble Cause and Metallusionsismagic!)
(Complete with it's own TVTropes page as part of the Stardust continuity. Could use some updating!)
(Character tags will be added as chapters are added!)
(Featured 5/12/2014! Thanks folks!)
(Possible spoilers in the comments! BEWARE!)
It's happening! It's happening! At long last Mente Materia has finally started!
A few things I'll need to cover:
1.) This is a prologue chapter which I'll admit isn't likely what folks are expecting. All I can ask is to trust me. I have a -plan.- :D
2.) The next chapter will have what everyone wants. :) I had to delay the second chapter a bit because of the finale over the weekend and its turning out to take a bit longer than anticipated with Mother's Day over the weekend combined with getting ready for NEW JOB next week. Earliest the next chapter will be is Tuesday night or Wednesday. I'll keep you posted.
Now I know I'm forgetting something, so when it comes back to me I'll share it. Until then, LET THE SPECULATION COMMENCE!
I expect pain, angst, and glorious baddassery. Hopefully more of the latter.
This alert appeared while I was re-reading some chapters of Stardust. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack right then and there.
GODDAMMIT! I almost decided to get some sleep!
Guh... I guess I don't need it...
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Now back to my first X-com play through
IT'S HERE!
As for what's going on here, framing it all as a story being told by the guard?
4379571
More or less, yes.
Is "Billy" the same as "Bill," as in Lana's brother? That'd be pretty sweet.
I'm terribly happy, but my heart hurts for the shortness. But you're the one who is writing it so I have no real complaints considering that it's here.
So get HYPED!!!
Well, well! Seems like this is after the entire ordeal and told as a bygone... nice! I expect to be taken to places!
Praises all religious figures of earth and equestria!!!
IT'S ACTUALLY FINALLY HERE!
The sequel is here???
I do hope you keep the reports and news broadcasts; they provided a lot of great fun in the original story.
However, what concerns me is that everything appears at peace. This doesn't appear to be in media res and it doesn't look like you might pull a fast one, so I think this might be the last official story. Correct?
Alright so finals are coming up, I should stu-
So much for that.
4379650
I know those feels. Just got done with one, and need to study for another.
4379582 Bruh
Bruh
Why did I not notice that, that's radical!
4379582
That's what I was figuring as well. It just seems to fit.
Though I am slightly concerned about that mention of the church and the family crying.......
It's started, at long last. Well, there goes all the hype, and now we wait calmly and patiently for the next chapter.
It, it, its actually here....
YES
Finally, bring on the magic humans and ponies fighting aliens awesomeness.
I long for the portrayal of the psychological consequences of the destruction of innocence and the SQUEEES of many as they encounter the cutest saviors ever.
Well it's 1:00 AM I should go to be...
On the other hand... screw that, I want to read this.
4379643
It would be a safe assumption that the events of this first chapter are after the war in Equestria, and the guard is telling Tommy about what happened. :)
4379650
I know right! " well, tests are coming better study"
1,000,000 stories decide to update...
log in to fimfiction and load up favorites list
see nothing new
about to start reading one of the stories on my read later list
get popup alerting me this story has been published
read this story
Also this opening seems to be hinting that the story has already happened, and that this is being told as a retrospective, which means that civilation as a whole makes it through the war, or that this intro takes place during the war, but Equestria and Earth have already become such close allies that their noncombatants have the ability to visit the others planets. Either one bodes well.
I am looking forward to another excellent installment to one of the few good crossovers.
And so it begins...
So, I hate to already he harping on this, but... Is there any kind of release schedule? Please know that I'm not some drooling moron begging for MOAR!!111!1!1! Well... Not really, anyway. I just hate it when there are long gaps in between chapters, so you forget what's going on and have to reread. When I finally picked up on Stardust, it was already done.
So... Basically I'm asking if I should keep going now, or hang back until it's done. I fully realize that this is pony fiction, thus not the center of your world an nothing you owe anyone, so breaks and hiatus' happen. It's all on your own time, brother. Just wondering if there's even a plan.
Also, can't wait for some more MattLight.........
Dammit, it could happen!!!
4379711
It's gonna be make-or break time and freaking Quantum Castaways or something will update just to spite me
IT CONTINUES TO BEGIN
4379759
I intend to have chapter two ready to post within a day or two (end of the week at the latest). After that I'm going to -try- to do a chapter every two weeks. I was able to manage a chapter a week for most of Stardust but that was during a very slow summer at work. I'll do what I can with the time that i have.
4379642
i.imgur.com/U67Ns.jpg
4379662
Well, assuming this is Lana's family, it seems that Lana is still fine, since the adults are still talking about her and Tommy's reminiscence appears to have been from a long while ago (also assuming that it was a funeral). I'd have to guess that it was the father or one of the brothers, though definitely leaning towards the former.
I really don't think this counts as a first chapter. This is a prologue, and inherently chapter 00 in my mind, no matter how tenuous a connection that mind has to reality on that front.
That being said, I'm eagerly awaiting the first chapter of this story.
I enjoyed Stardust, and while Equestria's version of X-Com doesn't promise the same mix of reverse-engineered alien science craziness and magitech shenanigans as the one occurring on good old Earth, that only ads to the appeal of the magitech and reverse-engineered alien science craziness sure to ensure once the requisite carryovers of Homo Sapiens, along with Twilight herself, start bonking heads with the established magical minds on this second planet.
Mente Materia... Yesyesyesyesyes
1k words,,,
I'll take it
Well, this should be interesting. The game will begin and we will win it seems.
4379708 my thoughts exactly
Yes.
This is a good thing.
I like this.
I like this a lot.
I saw that you didn't have any dis-I-likes, so I gave you one. Furst :3 Nah, Im kidding; I'll change it to a like later, but I didn't really like the start here. Confusing as fuck for a perspective change.
Haven't even read it yet and I liked and favorited it!
4379813 hello biplane eye thing!
4379882 Its an eye
4379779
Good, because I will NEED something to help me through my finals that are coming up... one three day final and one two day final... oh god it's going to SUCK!!!
In the spirit of contrariety towards everyone else, I will understate my excitement to the extreme:
Ok, cool. I'll fave this and stuff and whatever...
The sequel......
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
4379891
Looks like a superhero belt to me. /2cents
4379806
This sums up all my feelings perfectly
The moment I saw this in my feed I was going Yeeeessss!!! But all quiet like, because it's the dead of the night for me, I know I will enjoy it!
4379906 Well its an eye, thats the idea
I guess we have a Foregone Conclusion for this story
4379910
It almost sounds like you're saying the humans are attacking Equestria, though I know this to be false. Still, might want to word that better.