The Elements of Harmony can cure those afflicted by evil. Few know about the sources of affliction and the soul who sends them back to the gates of Tartarus. A Titanfall LOHAH.
I was pulled away from my two siblings, my only family, to protect a world known as Gol. The inhabitants are under threat of Mahlaan Zeymahmaar, an organization bent on corruption. Unfortunately, the innocent are not aware of this threat until it is too late for them. The Elements of Harmony, they can purify those who have been taken by Mahlaan Zeymahmaar and corrupted. As for those who have willingly accepted it, they face my wrath. That's not all, I was stripped of my own flesh and bone. I am naught but a soul, and I am something more. I am Titanfall.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic property of Hasbro
Titanfall property of Respawn
This story is for entertainment purposes only. All rights reserved by respective parties.
What is Titanfall? Is it a legend to be revered? Is it the name of a greater being in existence, protecting the innocent and bringing judgment upon the guilty? Is it just a reference to rather large mechanized weapons being sent to the surface from a greater orbit? Many have thought about this, and have come to their own conclusions. The opinions of these beings spread even more questions. As for… ‘us’… Titanfall is something much, much more personal.
You’re probably wondering about how ‘we’ got to Equestria and why ‘we’ are twenty foot tall metal golems with large guns and empty stomachs. Let ‘us’ introduce ‘ourselves’.
My name is Timmothy Brodigan, or at least it was many moons ago. I had just graduated high school when I had joined the U.S. Marine Corps. The first three months of training were a big shock. Shortly afterwards I got together with my family and went home for my much needed leave. After some time to relax I went off to combat training and therefore spent another three months away from family.
Don’t get me wrong, I can handle being away from my family…it’s the disappearances that had me concerned. There were reports of cosplayers disappearing. Rumors have it that people going to comic cons end up being kidnapped or something like that. Some eye witnesses are considered psychologically unstable; saying that their close friend or loved one was vaporized or pulled through a portal that appeared out of nowhere.
I’ve been to a few comic cons with my family, so I know how crowded those events can be. I will admit, I even buy a couple of things from time to time at those things. I, myself am not big on dressing up in outlandish and probably very uncomfortable articles of clothing just so I can go and look badass for a couple of hours or so. The problem is that my younger brother and sister are big on that part, so I did what any good older brother would do…
…<EXECUTING SUBROUTINE>… …<PLAYING BACK MEMORY FILE>…
“Oh come on Timmy, I’ll keep an eye out,” said my younger brother over the phone. “No, Brendon.” I barked, “Neither of you are going to one of those comic cons.” My sister pleaded on the other side of the line, “Please, big brother? We went through a whole lot o-” “No, Chelsie! I don’t care how much trouble you went through to get your costumes prepped for the comic con! You know very well that there have been disappearances at those things and I’m not losing either of you!” Chelsie voiced shock and disappointment, “B-but…I just…”
Oh great, my sister is going to start crying, “…Listen, I’m sorry for yelling at you…I’m just worried about you guys. You know we only have each other left. Mom and dad… they didn’t even get to see me graduate Boot Camp, let alone high school…tell you what.” “What?” my sister croaked. “After my training here, why don’t I take some time and go with you guys. At least you’ll be safer with me there.” “You promise bro?” Brendon asked. I swear I know he had a smug little grin on his face. “Yeah, I promise. I’ll let you know when my training is over and we can schedule for one of those events.” “Pinkie Pie Promise?” my sister squeaked.
I hate it when she brings up Pinkie Pie Promises, mostly due to the fact that it comes from the girls’ TV show ‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic’. The show isn’t bad, I’ll admit. The thing is it’s not exactly a ‘macho thing to do’, as the guys in the barracks would say. I’m just glad that my sister understands that fact, and that Italian is our second language. I reply in the only way I know I can without throwing myself to the wolves. “Attraversare il mio cuore, la speranza di volare, attaccare un cupcake nel mio occhio,” I repeated the Pinkie Pie promise in Italian.
It’s amazing how my little sister can go from almost bursting into tears to overly eccentric excitement as I hear her shout at the top of her lungs, “Yay!” “…oww…” groaned Brendon. Chelsie must have been close to him for that to hurt that much, and he’s around her the most. I feel ya bro. Brendon continued, “Alright, but we got to get a costume together for you too now…” Get me a costume? Yea, that’s not happening. “Nope, not going to dress up as any-“ Then Chelsie blurted out, “Ooh! I know, we can get him an IMC pilot suit with the jump kit! Just like the ones from Titanfall!” …did she just say Titanfall…? Okay then, “…Go on...”
…<ERROR…MEMORY FILE CORUPT>… …<BYPASSING>… …<REVERTING TO ORIGIN FILE BATCH>…
I can safely say that the comic con event went off without any known disappearances and my little brother and sister were safe. My brother went as Cloud from the Final Fantasy Seven subseries. My sister went as Fluttershy…don’t ask me why. Brendon had actually gotten three figurines of each titan chassis; one IMC Atlas titan getting ready to put its pilot into its chest cavity, one Militia Ogre titan extracting an unfortunate IMC pilot from their rubble of a titan, and one Militia Stryder titan dashing out of the way of incoming fire while having a fellow pilot hitching a ride. But one thing that was off about them was that the platforms of the figurines didn’t have either the IMC or Militia logos on it. Instead, they had the core icon on all of the platforms. I don’t know if you would call bullshit on that but the placement of the icons were extremely evident and would have made perfect sense, if they were their respective organization logos.
…<EXECUTING SUBROUTINE>… …<PLAYING BACK MEMORY FILE>…
I asked Brendon on the way back home, “What’s up with those figurines Brendon?”
“What are you talking about? They’re awesome! What’s not to like about them?” my brother asked nonchalantly.
“Big bro is probably just jelly because you got two Militia titans and one of them is in the process of schooling a fellow pilot of the IMC,” my sister added in a monotone type of voice. I saw a smug little grin on her face through the rear view mirror.
“Now-now, we wouldn’t want me to have to sick my titan on you would we?” I retort sternly. All of us shared a couple of laughs, and the rest of the ride was spent in silence for the rest of the way home. Don’t blame me for being in character; it was too good to pass up. Don’t ask how they got me into that IMC pilot uniform…at least I had a small amount of comfort, aside from being sweaty as hell in it.
…<MEMORY FILE COMPLETE>… …<REVERTING TO ORIGIN FILE BATCH>…
You’re probably wondering why I was so focused on the details of the Titanfall figurines. Let’s just say I was a big fan of Titanfall and all that jazz. I wouldn’t deny that the figurines were awesome; I just made a few notes about how the artists could have done a better job on attention to detail on them.
Well, for the first few days after the comic con, nothing really happened to my relief. I was cleaning the house up a little bit, seeing as I was a reservist. Yeah, yeah, scoff at me all you want. So what! I was a reservist grunt. I still had two siblings to look after. It’s hard enough that I have to look after them after mom and dad… Sorry, I guess I got off track… Anyways, I was dusting off the figurines when I saw the core icons glowing. Not just ‘glow in the dark’ glowing, I mean ‘bright as hell LED’ glowing. That was when my mind ground to a halt. I mustered all the words I could manage,“…What the fuu-?…”
I did a double take, as if that would solve the problem. And, sure enough, the glowing was still there. I started looking around for any other possible source of light to explain this little issue.
So much for trying to find another logical source of light…figures. With no other viable option, I did the one thing no one is ever supposed to do: NEVER TOUCH THE WIERD GLOWY THINGY. As I was reaching out to touch the figurines, the glow started to become brighter. Whelp, no turning back now. As I touched the figurines, I felt the glow envelop me. Then there was the all too familiar sound of a ‘massive payload’. If you don’t know what that sounds like, imagine a low humming sound increasing in pitch at a rapid pace. But this wasn’t right because the sound seemed as if it was coming… from me… I looked down to see that I was indeed glowing. If you thought that seeing your life flash before your eyes is bad, try having your body be disintegrated right in front of you. Yeah…not fun. The next moment I realized that I was free falling through ‘God knows what’ and shortly thereafter blacked out…
When I came to I felt that something was off…very off. First, something similar to a rifle was in my left hand. Second, I couldn’t feel my pinkie, either of them for that matter. Third, I was seeing shit out of the corners of my eyes. Fourth, “WHY THE HELL IS THE GROUND SO FAR AWAY!? WHAT THE HELL IS WITH MY VOICE!? SCRATCH THAT, WHERE THE HELL IS MY HEAD AND HOW THE HELL AM I TALKING!?”
Sorry to interrupt your panic attack Atlas, but you’ve got a few things on your ‘plate’ besides your new body.
Okay. First off, WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘BESIDES MY NEW BODY’!? WHAT HAPPENED TO MY ‘OLD BODY’!? AND MY NAME IS TIMMOTHY!
To answer your questions chronologically; I am your conscience, or AI known as Bladesong. I can also connect you to your other ‘personalities’ or chassis’. You are on an alien planet and are about to have first contact, try to make a good impression. Your body has been replaced by Titanfall. That was your prior universe name, I will concur, but seeing as you are currently an Atlas titan, you will be referenced as such till a later date.
…Okay then… three questions; One, you said that you can connect me to my other ‘personalities’, what do you mean by that? Two, if I am on an alien planet, why am I here in the first place? Three, what do you mean ‘prior universe’, and what do you mean by later date?
The alabaster ruler looks up to the memorial statue with her stoic expression, a hint of sadness betraying her ever-present bearing. “I apologize for waking you, but I am in need of your service once more, Bladesong.”
I am always awake princess, but your apology is accepted. What is it you need operation of Titanfall?
The solar monarch slowly recollects her composure and hesitates. A hesitant princess, this can’t be good. “Atlas…Night Terror is returning.”
…Understood
“Atlas C. Titan, responding to request…Initiating Titanfall.”
Two days till her return, two days. I hope you are right about this, old friend. I thought to myself. I walked over to my balcony and readied myself to lower the moon and raise the sun marking the next day for my ponies. The ‘old mare’s tale’ was actually a prediction of one of my closest friends. My sister, albeit still under the control of Nightmare, would return and a chance of saving her tortured soul would rest upon the shoulders of six brave souls. As I got myself ready for the morning I couldn’t keep my mind off of what happened a thousand years ago.
It was one of the worst days for her to lose herself. The signs were there that she was struggling with something. I just don’t know why I didn’t react before she was lost to Nightmare Moon. Yes, I did ask her if anything was wrong. Every time I asked her she would tell me that 'nothing was wrong' or a 'don't worry about me, I'm fine'. Unfortunately, every time I tried to push the subject she would either dismiss it as something for a later time or she would try to dodge it completely.
Morning court was the exact same as any other day. Greet my little ponies, give a blessing to couples here and there who were preparing for their unity with their loved one, deny certain requests of nobles that would bolster themselves at the expense of the economy.
Then there was one stallion, his face obscured by the hood of his cloak. As he approached I serenely requested of him, “Please, my little pony, would you remove your hood so I can see you properly.”
At this he just scoffed, “I am naught but a messenger of great news.” As the cloaked stallion said this, an eerie chill swept through the entirety of the throne room. I looked around and noticed that everything, including the clouds and the sun itself were at a near standstill. A time distortion spell. I turned back to the stallion only to notice that his very own soul was extracted from his body, eyes glossed over as if he was nothing but a marionette with strings attached. Hovering over the lifeless body was an imp, a low level demon, but a demon none the less. "A good friend of…my colleagues’…is coming back, and he WILL claim his PRIZE." The imp implied to me, posture indicating that he knew full well the meaning of his statement.
My mind went racing trying to figure out who the fiend was trying to reference as returning. As for his colleagues, I knew full well whom he was talking about, Mahlaan Zeymahmaar. I then remembered one whose face that I wished I would never have to see again. A thousand and seven years ago! My mind glancing back to the time I last heard that statement. "YOU MAY HAVE DEFEATED ME THIS TIME, BUT I WILL RETURN AND CLAIM MY PRIZE. TILL THEN, SWEET DREAMS DEAR LUNA."
"Oh. And, by the way, I have a little present for you dear princess." The imp cackled, bringing me back to the present. He reached his hand out and touched the head of the lifeless stallion. I was startled by the stallion screaming and clutching his head. "Toodles!" the imp had vanished. Once the imp was gone time seemed to return to normal. The guards were already running up to the screaming stallion as others were backing away in shock. "Please! Somepony! Make it stop!" The once possessed stallion screamed in agony. When the first guard reached the stallion, the stallions head exploded. Many of the guards and a few of the civilians were covered in brain matter and blood. Many of my ponies screamed in shock or fainted from what just transpired. The guardstallion closest to him, however wasn't so lucky.
"HOW WAS THAT GREAT NEWS?! THAT was anything BUT great news!" My nephew, prince Blueblood had seemed to recollect himself quickly enough to blurt out in confusion what was on his mind, and probably every other pony currently in the throne room.
"WE HAVE A GUARD DOWN!" One of my guardsponies went up to the downed guard and checked on him. The guardsmare sighed and softly said, "he's gone. Send regards to the Sentry family. As of ten thirty two, on the nineteenth of June, of the thousandth year after Banishment of Nightmare Moon, Sergeant Stalwart Sentry of the Solar Guard has been confirmed KIA. One of you carry away the headless body, we'll try to identify him later."
I spoke up to try and diffuse the situation at hoof, "My little ponies, please calm down. Day court is adjourned for today. I urge you to return to your homes for the time being."
Shortly afterwards my ponies had left the throne room leaving it empty as it was in the morning, sans the royal guard. Immediately after the throne room was vacated I retired to my room to get a grasp of the situation. It is impossible for that demon to return. I saw Bladesong slay him and send him back to Tartarus. If that lesser demon was implying that there was a way for Night Terror to return...
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
"Auntie, are you alright? Is there anything I can do?" Blueblood asked from behind my door. I sigh and allow him in my room, stoic mask put on to hide my true feelings from him. No need to make him worry any more than he already is. "There's no need to hide it from me auntie. I have a pretty good idea as to whom we are up against."
I sat up in my desk and turned to him with an eye brow raised. "Who do you think that we are up against, dear nephew?"
At that moment he looked at me and calmly implied, "that Mahlaan organization that has been around before Nightmare Moon. You know we could always send in the royal guard in to handle the cultists inside their hideouts, but that's not the issue. Is it?" His demeanor softened and looked at me as if he knew what was going on. "I have a feeling that Bladesong will heed your call."
"What makes you think that, dear nephew?" I got out from behind my desk and walked over to my balcony to lower the sun and bring out the moon. I heard him open the door to my room and began to walk out. I look at him and without hesitation he stated, "you're not the only one who talks to him." I hear my door close as he left me to my thoughts.
I went out on a stroll to visit the royal gardens, with one destination in mind. As I looked up at the memorial of Atlas I remember many fond memories with him. The statue is large, even if it is a third his size. The position the statue is in shows him standing tall with his signature XOTBR-16 Chaingun, as he called it, held in his right hand with the barrel of it resting on his right shoulder. His optics looking off into the distance. If that posture doesn't scream heroic, I don't know what will. Protection...He was always there by our side, always ready to charge in at a moments notice. He was, and still is a good friend of mine and Luna's...Luna. I swallowed, forcing down a knot that was forming at the back of my throat and held back my tears. He never got over the fact of what Night Terror did to her. It's not your fault Bladesong, never will be. I looked away to recompose myself. I took a deep breath and spoke.
"Bladesong, if you can hear me, I need to speak with you."
I wait for the mechanized chime of a voice, His voice.
Yes, Princess Celestia? What is it?
I look up to meet the gaze of the optics of the memorial statue, still trying to hold back the tears. “I apologize for waking you, but I am in need of your service once more, Bladesong.”
I am always awake princess...
I chuckled a little bit at his quip. Still has a sense of humor I see.
...but your apology is accepted. What is it you need operation of Titanfall?
I wished I never had to say this, but it is no longer deniable. “Atlas…Night Terror is returning.”
…Understood
“Atlas C. Titan, responding to request…Initiating Titanfall.”
I get myself ready optimizing my load-out with what I feel is necessary...I guess I forgot to mention that I can do that while in the Reconstruction/Preparation pocket dimension, which to me is a jumble of ones and zeros. To anyone else it would look like a giant hangar with a multitude of different things, but I digress. I decided to go with the Amped XO-16; pretty much take your standard Chaingun munitions and switch them out with 'Capacitor' rounds, or 'electric' rounds, the Vortex Shield; Night Terror is not one to stay in one place or keep distance for that matter; luckily the V-Shield also catches projectile spells; the Multi-Target Missile System; no need for reckless use of warheads with this bastard; Regen Booster; let's just say that Night Terror isn't one to pull punches; and Big Punch; I am going to make sure he suffers for what he did to Luna...to Celestia...
"Ogre, Stryder, gear up and keep on standby. We need to be on alert, there is no telling where he will come from, but we need to keep collateral to a minimum."
"What do you want 'us' to do? It's not like that SOAB will fight fair."
"Knowing Night Terror, he will probably try to destroy both Elements and Bearers before they can reach each other."
There is always the option of seeking aid from one of our fellow Displaced.
Even though I was able to establish contact with the multiverse, I still haven't gotten any of said Void Tokens from the any other Displaced. There is no telling whether the Displaced that responds is aligned to Heroism or Villainy. Although, I do remember my little mantra and Void Token of my own that I submitted to the multiverse;
...<PLAYING MEMORY FILE>...
I look at the coin in my hand. It is a hexagonal platinum coin with a Core Accelerator icon on one side with the center eye piece an azure blue and on the other side of the coin is the imprint of the 'Titans' insignia. I think of something to say and state the first thing that comes to mind. "My name is Bladesong, though I also go by Atlas, Ogre, and Stryder. I am one who protects the innocent, and brings judgment to the wicked. If you wish to seek my aid then call upon my name with this coin firmly in your grasp. If you are in the heat of battle and lack fire power, time, or breath, apply pressure to the coin and chuck it to the desired drop point and STAND BY FOR TITANFALL." With that I throw the coin into the air and it was sucked into the void.
...<END MEMORY FILE>...
"Bringing in another Displaced will only cause more panic, Bladesong. Not only that but we won't know who will answer the call. It's best we handle this one on our own this time."
Fair enough Atlas.
"I will keep an eye on the Castle of the Two Sisters."
"I'll keep watch on the Bearers themselves."
I shall keep an eye out for any movement.
"Keep in mind that we have to let the Bearers play out their respective elements without interruptions."
Happy hunting Atlas.
My body emerges from the pocket dimension and I begin my descent towards the surface. You would think that after a thousand plus years that I would get use to falling out of the sky. Not quite so, as it hurts like hell entering the atmosphere. Luckily I was given a feather fall enchantment, courtesy of Starswirl the Bearded. That crazy stallion had come up with a way to make my landings a lot softer and less noticeable, although when close enough to the drop zone it doesn't really do much dampening for those on the ground. I touchdown at the swampland also known as Froggy Bottom Bog, the murky waters going up to my forward leg joints, or my knees as I like to call them. I open up my communications channel and send word to Princess Celestia. "Celestia, I have touched down and am on my way over to make sure this bastard stays down this time."
There is the ever so slight pause, "very well then," I hear over the coms channel, "I wish you luck Atlas...You might just need it." With that the chat with Celestia has ended and I make my way through the bog.
Bladesong, have you seen any movement as of yet?
Only the Cragodile right next to you.
Whelp, this is gonna take a while.
POV: ???
I watched as the giant metallic abomination trudged through the bog. I grin, knowing that even with it around that our plans will succeed. I reached into my cloak and pulled out a small, oval shaped topaz gem to report my findings. "Kinbok, I have news pertaining to the 'Nidrin'. It is currently at Froggy Bottom Bog and moving."
The deep, disgruntled voice of Kinbok rings through the topaz, "very well then kiir. I want you to follow the Nidrin and keep me informed of his whereabouts. Is that understood?" 'Kinbok wants me to follow it?! He must trust me greatly...on my first assignment no less.' I almost squeal in glee. "Of course, Kinbok! I won't let you down."
"You had better not, kiir, for the elders will not be as merciful as I am."
"For Zeymahmaar. I shall see you on the other side Kinbok."
With that I pocket the topaz gem in my cloak and go to follow Nidrin. Every now and then I have to find my way around different obstacles and then some to keep up with the monstrosity. Actually, there have been at least five times it has stopped, making me hide in some of the nearby foliage...like right now...'CRAP!' I dive into the bush closest to me. As it turns out, the bush I just jumped in turned out to be a thorn bush. 'ARGH! Why did it have to be a thorn bush?!' I try to stifle my whimpers of pain to an inaudible level.
I wait with baited breath in hopes that Nidrin continues on its trek. I think my heart just stopped, because it's looking...*gulp*'right at me...wait...did it just...sigh?' That is when I heard a husky, baritone male voice, "Cercare la via della redenzione e liberare la tua anima dalle catene della dannazione." It sounded as if it originated from Nidrin. 'It seemed as if it was...disappointed?' Luckily, after a minute or so, Nidrin resumes his trail. It takes a few seconds to wrestle my cloak away from the thorn bush and take off at a gallop to make up for the lost ground.
Several hours later Nidrin had stopped near an abandoned tower. The place looked as if a battle had taken place, over a thousand years ago. The remains of fallen soldiers are strewn about the place. 'Whatever the fight was for, it sure was gruesome.' I manage to clear my head of thoughts and set up camp a little ways away so I can at least keep an eye on Nidrin. After setting up camp I decide to send my report on the whereabouts of Nidrin and my current location...'Now where did I put that gem?' I searched my cloak for where I normally put it...only to find a tear in the fabric. 'Oh no...Don't tell me I lost it.'
I searched every pocket in my cloak, twice, hoping I just overlooked it the first time...only to confirm my suspicions that I have, indeed, lost my topaz gem; my one means of contacting Kinbok...'Whelp, I can only hope that Nidrin doesn't travel too far away from this spot. Now where would I have lost left my topaz gem? Wait...The thorn bush! That's it! That's where it must have fallen out!' At this revelation I pause. I have no idea where that bush is...groaning in distaste I begin my trek, in attempts to backtrack where I went and hid to keep out of sight when I had followed Nidrin.
