Beast Wars: Friendship is Magic

“Slag it all,” Ragnarok hissed, clutching his damaged chest as he limped through the maze of trees.  “Megatron, that dishonorable coward!  I’ll tear out his processor for this, and Steeljaws’, too!”

He fell to a knee, but grabbed a tree branch to keep himself from collapsing outright.  The disturbance of the branch was followed by Ragnarok being beaned on the head by something from above.  He blinked and his optics lowered to the floor, finding the red, shiny surface of an apple’s skin.  Picking up the fruit, he observed it for a moment.  The sun gleamed off of its pristine skin, giving off a shine.  He snorted, tossing it aside with a grunt of irritation.

Pressing on, he felt his vision growing hazy, the world beginning to tilt to the left, then to the right.  Ragnarok staggered for a moment, then caught himself.  He shook the dizziness off, then surveyed his damages once more.  Sparks leaked from the open wound, small drops of Energon pattering onto the grass.  It was a slow trickle, but after hours of wandering, it was beginning to take its toll on him.

He just needed to go a little farther, just long enough to find some shelter and rest.  In the open wild, one could never let their guard down.  He’d been too wary in his days as a gladiator to carelessly do so.  Trudging forward, his body brushed past a sign that he neglected to read, not that he cared to.  All he was focused on, was the big, red sanctuary ahead.  It resembled some sort of storage building, but he paid no heed to what it held.  His mind was focused only on one thing, and that was sanctuary.

Spike mumbled incoherently, snuggling himself into Twilight Sparkle’s back.  She smiled and lightly ran a hoof over his dorsal fins, so as not to irritate his bruises.  Optimus slowed his pace, to travel beside Twilight.

“How’s he doing?”

“Some minor bruising and a few cuts, but, with a little rest, I think he’ll be fine.” she replied.  “What about you?”

“Still functional,” Primal lowered his wings, barely covering still fresh cuts.

“Optimus, you’re hurt!” she gasped.

“It’s nothing,” he quickly said.  “He won’t get rid of me that easily.  My body will internally repair itself.  Like Spike, I just need time.”

Twilight frowned, facing ahead, though her eyes still trailed back to the wound, watching it carefully.

“So,” Blitz Streak lightly nudged Rainbow Dash’s side.  “Thanks for, uh, having my back up there.  I have to admit, it was pretty gutsy to stand up to Razorwing like that.”

Rainbow waved him off with a smile.  “Oh, please!  I’m Rainbow Dash, gutsy is built into my DNA!”

“Well, gutsy didn’t exactly win us any points that time.” Blitz shrugged.

“There’s always another time.  If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!  It’s what got me this far.” Rainbow winked.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Blitz grinned a little.  “Next time, Razorwing won’t be so lucky.”

“You bet he won’t!”

Stronghold, as usual, tromped behind the group, but was within the company of Fluttershy and Rarity.  Fluttershy had been sticking closer to Stronghold’s side, ever since he saved her from being carved up by Dementia’s hand.

“Are you two okay?” Stronghold asked.

“I’m adequate, darling, though this dirt will take forever to get out of my mane!” Rarity tugged at her mane, a few clumps of dirt falling from individual hair strands.

“I-I’m okay, Stronghold,” Fluttershy rubbed her hooves.  “But you were hurt, too…”

“I’m alright,” he assured.  “I have a thick hide; I barely even feel it.”

Fluttershy’s shy grin returned.  “Oh, that’s good.”

Pinkie Pie bounced around the group, carrying Paragon on her back.

“Pinkie, what the hay are you doing?” Applejack raised an eyebrow.

“Well, since Parry saved me from the big mean Predacon with teeth, I offered to give him a ride as a means of thanking him!”

“I could get used to this.” Paragon interlaced his fingers behind his head.

“Are you even tired?” Twilight asked incredulously.

“Nope!”

“Paragon isn’t even weighing you down?” Optimus scrunched up his nose.

“Not one bit!”

She hopped ahead, Paragon absently waving.  “See ya back at Ponyville, slow pokes!”

“I will never understand those two.” Blitz said.

“It’s probably best you don’t, unless you want a migraine with a side of confusion.” Applejack added.

Ponyville finally came within view of the returning coalition, the sun having fully risen, its rays illuminating the town.  While the ponies saw their home and a warm sight for sore eyes, Optimus Primal only saw the damages left by the Predacons.  Among the demolished buildings, ponies helped one another in clearing wreckage; pegasi lifted chunks of debris, unicorns lifted chunks onto a carts, which was headed by earth ponies, to dispose of.  The Royal Guard had even gotten involved, checking on those who’d been injured in the attack and assisting in the clean up.  Optimus sighed and lowered his head.  These were such a peaceful populace and for them to be subjected to such horrors, weighed heavily on his spark, threatening to fall right out of his spark chamber.

Twilight saw his visible distress and rested a hoof on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Optimus, Ponyville has been through worse.  We’ll have the place fixed up in no time at all.”

“You’ll have us to help, it’s the least I can offer for bringing this to your world.” Optimus reflected.

“Let’s check with Princess Celestia first and maybe we can work something out, to lessen your burden.” Twilight said.  “After all, you did risk your lives to help us get Spike back, and I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Optimus brightened a little, nodding his head.

Walking into the town, the ponies slowly stopped what they were doing, eyes locked on the Elements and the newcomers.  Whispers and murmurs of uncertainty traveled through ears, but none of the civilians could muster the strength to step forward.

“Twily!”

Looking into the crowd, Twilight could see Shining Armor escape from the crowd, his eyes wide with relief.

“Shining!”

The siblings ran into one another and embraced.  Shining pulled back and held his sister’s shoulders.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, Shining.  We’re all okay and we’ve got Spike back, thanks to Optimus and his Maximals,” she flashed Optimus a knowing smile.  “They’re the ones we should all be thanking.”

Shining Armor removed his helmet and faced Optimus.

“You have my thanks for looking after my sister and her friends.” he extended his hoof.  “And any friend of her’s is a friend of mine.”

Optimus looked at his own hoof and tapped it against Shining’s, his face contorting into one of confusion, silently asking if this was how it worked.

Shining chuckled.  “You’ll get the hang of it soon enough.”

“It was nothing, Shining Armor,” Optimus nodded.  “We’re here to help.”

Clearing his throat, Shining said, “The Princesses will want to see you, now that you’ve returned.  Please, follow me.”

Trailing behind Shining, Twilight gave Optimus a friendly nudge.

“See, it’s not so bad.  Everything will work out just fine.  I’ll vouch for you.”

Reaching town square, Princess Celestia, Luna, and Cadance had been discussing the details of the attack with Mayor Mare.  The stationed Guards stood aside once Shining drew near.

“Your highness!” he lowered himself to the ground.  “The Elements of Harmony and the Maximals have returned.”

“And that’s not all,” Twilight added.  “We’ve got Spike back, too.”

“It brings me great relief to see you all safe and sound,” Celestia smiled.  “Are any of you injured?”

“Just a few bruises, but nothing time won’t heal.” Twilight replied.  “The Maximals really pulled through on this, had they not been there, I don’t think we’d have returned at all.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Celestia then addressed the Maximals.  “Thank you all, for your efforts and keeping my subjects safe.”

“Yes, thank you all, for driving those monsters off!” Mayor Mare said.  “We owe you all a debt we may never be able to repay.”

“No thanks are necessary.” Optimus bowed his head.  “We were only doing what was right.  We will assist in the reconstruction and in any way our aid may be required.  Megatron is still at large, and the Predacons will be back.”

“But this time, we’ll be ready for him.” Shining chimed in.

“And you’ll have us, whenever the need arises.” Optimus added.

“So,” Paragon shot Luna a cocky grin.  “You gonna admit that you misjudged us, Ms. Broodypants?”

“I admit, I may have judged you all harsher than I should have,” Luna sighed, swallowing her pride.  “But that doesn’t mean I won’t be keeping an eye on you all.”

“I’ll accept that.” Optimus shrugged.  “So long as it doesn’t intrude on basic privacy.  The last thing I need, is one of my crew reporting that they’re being stalked by your Guards.”

“Of course.” Luna nodded.

“How can we repay you?” Cadance asked.  “There must be something we can do, to reward you for your efforts.”

“Call me picky, but, eh, a place to stay would be nice,” Paragon scratched his chin.  “Our ship is still missing and until we can find it, I we’ll need a place to crash, and I think we’ve earned ourselves a little R&R, if you know what I mean?”

“That could be arranged,” Cadance smiled.  “Perhaps some sanctuary in Canterlot?  The Crystal Empire, perhaps?”

“Well, what if they stayed with us?” Rainbow suggested.  “Blitz could stay with me and we’d be able to keep an eye over Cloudsdale.”

“You really have no issue with that?” Optimus asked.  “It could be for an indefinite period of time.”

“Blitz is welcomed to stay at my place, just so long as he doesn’t go sneaking out every time I look the other way.” She elbow Blitz with a smirk.

“You’d better keep a sharp eye on me then, because I could disappear at anytime!” Blitz remarked, a naughty smile creeping on his lips.

“Oh!  Paragon could stay with me!” Pinkie beamed.  “We could have dessert, have sleepovers, and eat all kinds of treats!”

Paragon drooled a little.  “I do love me some treats.  Alright, Pinks, I’ll take you up on that offer.”

Fluttershy lightly tapped Stronghold’s shoulder.

“Um, you could stay with me, Stronghold, if you want.”

“I’d be honored to house with you, Fluttershy.” He warmly said.

“So, that leaves you, Optimus.” Cadance noted.  “Who will you stay with?”

“If I may, Twilight, but perhaps Optimus would be best suited to stay with you.” said Rarity.  “After all, you and him do seem to get along rather well, and you could teach him a thing or two about Equestria.”

“That’s an excellent idea, Rarity!” Twilight beamed.

“You don’t have to feel obligated to do this, Twilight.” Optimus declared.

“Nonsense, after all, you and I could learn a thing or two about each other’s worlds!”

Smiling, Optimus nodded.  “Thank you, Twilight.  I appreciate your generosity.”

“What are friends for?” she simpered.

“Then it is decided.” Celestia said.  “It is with my utmost sincerity, to welcome you all to Equestria!”

“With our ships missing, and likely out of commission, we cannot return to our planet.  But fate has yielded its reward, a new world to call home.  We live among its people now, disguised as them, waiting, protecting.  I have witnessed their capacity for courage and, though we are worlds apart, there is more to them than meets the eye.  I am Optimus Primal and let this be a message or reassurance to our comrades still in orbit above us: We are here.  We are waiting.”