The big bang!

Chapter 20

"Warning! Self-destruct in 25 seconds."

"Grr! How many of these buckin' halls can there be?!" Rainbow asked in annoyance. They had already wasted 10 precious seconds and they had no idea how to get out, it was like a maze and there were only 20 or so seconds left. "Come on!" Rainbow yelled after rounding another corner and seeing another hall.

"It can't be too much farther." Applewood said hopefully. Even though he struck her as a bit of a nerd, what with the glasses, nervousness around her, and the staring incident, Applewood was beginning to impress Rainbow dash. For one thing, he was fast. Not as fast as her while flying, but while running he managed to keep up pretty well, and for another- "Look!" Applewood exclaimed hopefully. Rainbow looked and saw light, beautiful, bright light, but it wasn't from the end of the tunnel.

At first they couldn't figure out what it was, but as they got closer they could see it was a large blue and red vehicle of some kind. It suddenly pulled to a halt and opened its doors. "Get in!" It shouted, though it didn't have to ask them twice.

"Warning! Self destruct in 10 seconds."

The large vehicle revved its engine and began moving backwards. "Can't you go forwards?!" Rainbow asked impatiently.

"Warning! Self-destruct in 5 seconds."

Optimus (for that was who the vehicle was) instantly hit the e-brake, and pulled a beautiful 180, after which he engaged his overdrive system.

"Self destruct in 3…2…1…"

*BOOOOMM!*

The sudden explosion caused the two ponies to jump. Applewood looked in the side view mirror and saw a huge ball of fire coming straight for them!

"Oh crud!" Rainbow hissed, apparently she had seen the same thing as Applewood. Optimus rounded another turn and the three saw the light at the end of the tunnel (literally). But the fire ball was still a pressing issue, and even though Optimus was gaining speed, so was the fire. Applewood could feel the cab getting hotter and hotter, the smell of sweat, burning gas and rubber filling his nostrils. Then, out of nowhere, there was a huge noise that sounded like a giant balloon popping, the semi then jerked backwards and began making a loud screeching noise.

Seeing as how his semi mode was useless (his rear tires were out), Optimus transformed and began to run as hard as he could, with the ponies held tightly in his servos. The exit was now about forty feet away. He kept charging hard.

Thirty feet. The fire was closing in.

Twenty feet. The ponies began to cough; it felt like the heat was going to burn them up alive. Rainbow felt its piercing pain singe her feathers. Applewood's glasses grew foggy as a result and temporarily blinded him.

Ten feet. At that point Optimus leapt forward, with his arms outstretched so that at least the ponies could make it out safely. But then when he was out, he was going too fast! He suddenly pulled his servos close to his chest, so the ponies wouldn't be hurt by the impact, and somersaulted in the grass.

Then, when his stabilizing servos hit the ground he jumped, transformed, and landed in the grass surrounding the base, applying his brakes as hard as he could. When he finally pulled to a stop cheers erupted from the crowd in the forest, and five ponies and a small dragon ran towards the semi. Optimus knew what they wanted, so he opened his doors letting Applewood and Rainbow out.