Heart of Steel

Twilight was thrown to the ground, skidding in the dirt. As with everything else, she instantly went through a checklist. Brain in body: check. Limbs attatched: check. Guts still there: check. No bones broke: not check! Definitely not check! She tried to get up, wincing as pain shot through her wing, but nearly all of her strength had been drained. “Ack! That’s got to be dislocated” she grunted to herself. Suddenly, a giant high heel came down on her, pinning her to the ground. She scowled at the heels owner as a long, sharp piece of metal ran across her throat.

“Pitiful, simply pitiful. Is this really what your leadership is made of?” Starscream taunted. Twilight spat on his foot, wriggling under it. “Bah! How dare you spit on me? I’ll rip out you-gah!”

Spike leapt on top of the Decepticon’s head, using his claws to cover his eyes. “Get off my head!” he shouted, grabbing the dragon and throwing him off his head.

“Spike! Get out of here!” Twilight ordered. Spike stood, clutching his arm, as a few minor cuts oozed plasma and blood.

“No, I won’t leave you...” he said. Starscream smiled aiming one of his rockets at Spike.

“Spike! Go! Now!” Twilight shouted. She pushed against Starscream’s foot, nearly lifting it off herself, only to have him push down harder. Suddenly, a giant blue bolt struck Starscream in the chest.

Spike and Twilight looked in awe as Starscream was thrown backwards, tiny pieces of his armor flying through the air. Behind Spike, Moondancer stood on a metal platform, with two guards pulling it on either side. The thing had sloping armor, with treads and a large cannon. “Twilight, are you alright?” Moondancer asked, leaping from the makeshift tank’s turret. Twilight ran up to her friend, hugging her. Suddenly, they were both jerked back by one of the guards. The ground erupted behind them, sending pebbles and bits of dirt raining.

“That,” Starscream said, lifting himself out of the dirt. “was the worst decision you’ve made in your pathetic lifetime.”

“Moondancer, how many times can you fire that cannon before it has to be reloaded” Twilight asked.

“I don’t know. I never had a chance to test it” she told her.

“Well now’s a good time to find out” she said, leaping into the tank. Despite having a million levers, switches, and buttons, Twilight managed to find the weapon’s trigger: a big, red button with the word “FIRE” written on it. The cannon loosed another red bolt, the force shaking the tank, but the bolt bounced off a shield around Starscream. She fired the cannon a second time, and it bounced off the shield again.

“Fools! You cannot defeat the mighty Starscream!” he shouted.

“What now Twilight?” Moondancer asked.

“Run!” she shouted. The guards whirled the tank around, galloping as fast as they could away from the Decepticon. Twilight grabbed Moondancer and Spike, pulling them into the chariot as the missile exploded behind them.

Starscream chased them, leaping into the air to Transform, but Twilight spun the turret around, firing it directly at his eyes. Blinded, he fell flat on his face. “When I catch you, I’m going to-bah!” As he lay on the ground, Optimus ran over him, grinding his face into the dirt.He changed forms, turning to face Starscream.

“Twilight, get out of here! Now!” he barked. Twilight didn’t need to be told twice, hurrying the guards along as they ran.

“What the-ah...Optimus? What a pleasant surprise? I’d hoped you’d show your face” he said confidently.

“Starscream, leave, this will only end badly for you” Optimus warned, drawing his cannon.

“I think not, for you see-” Prime quickly aimed and fired his gun, striking Starscream in the face. He expected him to fall over dead, but much to his surprise, he didn’t. “As I was saying, you cannot kill me, for powerful new energon found on this world flows through me, protecting me from harm” he said.

“In that case, why don’t we put it to the test” Prime suggested, drawing his sword and dawning his battle mask. Starscream grinned widely.

“I think that would be a fabulous idea.”

He dashed toward Optimus, claws bared, swinging in every direction. Optimus deflected the blows with his sword, though the shock of Starscream’s attack forced him back. Sparks flew as he parried the Decepticons claws, all the while keeping his eyes locked on his grinning face. He threw a punch at his abdomen, but the shield blocked the blow. Suddenly, starscream slashed upward, scraping the front of Prime’s armor. Optimus leapt back, drawing both his guns and firing rapidly, hoping he’d find a chink in Starscream’s shield. Each bolt bounced off the magical barrier, much to Starscream’s delight.

“Give it up Prime! While this new energon flows through me, I am invincible!” he shouted. Regardless, Optimus continued to shoot him, praying a weak spot would open. Starscream ran towards him, claws first. Seeing an opportunity, Prime withdrew his guns, taking a fighting stance. “The end is near, Optimus! Soon, you’ll be little more than a pile of spare parts” Starscream taunted. Just before the Decepticon was upon him, Prime changed forms, spinning and knocking him off his feet. Starscream fell head over heels, landing flat on his back. Optimus change back into robot form, delivering what would have been a shattering punch to his chest, if the shield hadn’t have blocked it.

Starscream grabbed his hand, jerking him to the ground and standing next to him. He drew back his claw, ready to deliver the killing blow. Then, a blinding light appeared behind him. He screamed as the metal on his back melted, and one of his wings flew off. He released Prime, collapsing in pain. Optimus righted himself, ready for a fight, only to realize that Starscream was in no condition for combat. He’d curled into a sniveling heap, coughing up energon as molten metal ran down his back.

He turned the other direction, seeing Celestia panting as smoke drifted from the end of her horn. “Are you alright?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m fine” he said, his wide eyes locked on Starscream. “I had no idea you were that powerful…” he said under his breath. Celestia’s head drooped a little. Starscream began to regain his composure, looking up at the pony who’d hurt him so much.

“You-cough-cough-hurt me? How did you-cough-get past my shield?” He asked frantically.

“I’m not going to bother answering that. Now, where are the other Decepticons?” she questioned him, drawing closer. Starscream shrieked, scooting backwards.

“There are no more Decepticons! I’m the only one here! Please, have mercy on me!” he pleaded. Celestia closed her eyes, her horn glowing as a gold aura enveloped Starscream.

“No! Please! I want to live! I’m begging you, don-” He disappeared in a flash, leaving only a scorch mark where he once lay.

“What did you do to him?” Prime asked.

“Oh nothing, I just sent him someplace where he’ll be less...troublesome.”

A flash of light blinded Starscream. He felt his body become weightless, unsure of whether or not he’d just died. Then, he fell into deep, thick mud. “What in the name of Primus?” he said. He made the fatal mistake of struggling to get out of the mud, learning quickly he couldn’t escape that way. Then, he heard a loud, shriek behind him. Cautiously, he turned around, screaming he saw a giant hydra.

“Celestia, where did it come from?” Prime asked her. Celestia tensed up.

“I was afraid you’d have noticed that” she said with a sigh.

“You dissected one of those Vehicons, didn’t you?” he questioned. All she could do was nod her head in shame.

“I’m sorry Optimus. I was afraid, and I felt helpless. I know I should have told you, but I-” Prime hushed her mid-sentence, smiling slightly.

“I know why you chose to examine our weapons, and why you hid it from me. To be frank, I don’t care. You are much older than any human leaders I met, and much wiser. I respect you-love you, and believe you have the wisdom to sue our technology properly” he told her. “Now, we need to find the others.”

Optimus and Celestia rejoined the other Autobots, who were liking their wounds. Ratchet was treating Bumblebee, who had a claw march across his chest, while Bulkhead, who had a similar mark on his arm, sat next to him. Their respective pony companions were also present, along with Moondancer, Luna, and the guards. “Optimus, you’re here. Starscream’s attacking! He’s got some weird shield that keeps him safe” Smokescreen told him.

“I know, Celestia’s dealt with him. Damage report” Prime said.

“Only a few armor shallow wounds. Starscream didn’t use his alt mode, or his guns either” Ratchet explained.

“Were any ponies hurt?” he asked again.

“No. Ratch’ saw him on the Jackhammer’s scanners before he got here, so we got everyone away. 'Few buildings burning, though” Wheeljack said.

“What now Prime? We’ve got to find out what this stuff is. If Starscream could make us fall back, imagine what Megatron’s whole army could do if they were powered up like this” Arcee pointed out. Optimus raised his hand to his chin, crossing his other arm as he thought.

“I’m not sure. We may have to wait for the next Decepticon encounter” he told them.

“That may very well be sooner than you think.”

All of the Autobots drew their weapons, whipping around to see Megatron standing behind them, along with an entourage of troopers. “Megatron…” Optimus whispered under his breath.

“Put down your weapons, I’m not here to fight. I merely want to give you some helpful information. It seems only fitting, since this will be the last time we have an encounter” Megatron taunted.

“Cut to the chase! What do you want?” Wheeljack shouted.

“It’s about the Omega Keys…” Optimus’ eyes widened as he realized what he meant. He drew his sword, dashing towards Megatron. They locked blades a few times, Megatron blocking each of Prime’s blows with relative ease.  “Haven’t you wondered why we didn’t just leave this world? Why we chose to stay? We have the Omega Keys? Why shouldn’t we leave? We have the capability, so why are we still here?” he questioned, surprisingly calm for someone under attack. Unlike his normal, precise form, he was sporadic and rushed, trying to keep Megatron silent. Megatron parried Prime’s attack, punching him in the abdomen, and knocking the wind out of him. He hunched over, unable to stop the Decepticon. “Because the Omega Keys are no more. Because Optimus Prime destroyed them” he told them.

“He’s lying” Ratchet said defensively. Smokescreen and Celestia cringed.

“Why don’t you ask him yourselfs?” he turned to Optimus. “You wouldn’t lie you your own soldiers, would you?” Optimus scowled at him, growling. He stood, walking past his brother.

“This isn’t over” he whispered to him. Megatron smiled.

The Decepticons changed forms, flying off towards the energon. “Optimus, he was lying?” Arcee asked.

“Of course he was! Isn’t that right Optimus?” Ratchet interjected. Prime remained silent. “Optimus?” the doctor asked.

“Autobots, Megatron tells the truth” he finally confessed. Each of them gasped, except Smokescreen.

“You...you can’t be serious. Optimus, you can’t be serious” Ratchet said.

“Even if we’d gotten the Keys back, Megatron would have overrun Cybertron, and then Earth, and countless other worlds. I am truly sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I feared that the shock of losing the Keys, combine with the arrival to a new planet would be to much to bear, but now I see I was wrong” he told them.

Without warning, Ratchet charged forward, punching Optimus in the face. Sparks flew off his hand as Optimus stumbled backwards. He struck him again, this time with his other hand, causing energon to leak from his mouth. Prime fell onto his back, dazed from Ratchets blows. He went for a third strike, but Celestia held him back with his magic. “How could you?! You doomed all of Cybertron! You betray our entire species!” he shouted, struggling against Celestia’s grip.

“Stop it! I understand why you’re angry, but that’s no excuse to hit Optimus” she said.

“Let me go! He disserves this!” he yelled. Despite his struggling, he wasn’t strong enough to break free from Celestia’s grip, no matter how much he thrashed. Then, he felt something latch onto his leg.

He looked down, still scowling, only to have his face soften as he saw the big, blue eyes looking up at him.

“Ratchet, please don’t hurt Optimus. You guys are friends, and friends don’t fight each other.” She paused, sniffling as a pair of tears ran down her face. “Please don’t be a big bad meanie pants, you’re my favorite Autobot.” She hugged his leg, closing her eyes as more tears darkened her coat. Suddenly, Ratchet realized just what he’d done. Optimus slowly rose to his feet, wiping the spilled energon from his chin.

“Optimus...I...I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me” he said, tilting his head downward. Celestia released his arm, letting it fall to his side.

“It’s alright, old friend. I probably deserved that” Prime told him with a slight smile. Ratchet looked down at Pinkie, who was smiling back at him. Optimus walked past him, giving him a quick pat on the shoulder, before turning to the rest of the Autobots.

“Autobots, I don’t expect you to follow me after today. In truth, I think you’ll abandon me. I’ve betrayed your trust, and that was wrong of me. But, for the sake of Equestria, I hope you’ll fight alongside me one last time” he said. The Autobots exchanged looks of confusion, unsure what to do, but the ponies under them stood proud next to Optimus.

“We’re ready to do whatever it takes” Twilight proudly told him.

“Yeah! Let us at ‘em” Rainbow added. Prime looked at them, puzzled.

“Why would you follow me?” he asked them.

“Because they trust you,” Celestia joined them, smiling as she stood beside Prime, along with her sister. “as do I.”

“Are you sure this is wise sister? He was willing to lie to his friends, think about what he may be willing to say to us. I know you love him but-” Luna whispered in her ear.

“He forgave me for lying to him. It’s only right I forgive him” she whispered back. After a quick whisper among each other, the rest of the Autobots quickly joined him, including Ratchet. Optimus grinned, chuckling to himself.

“Are you sure you’re willing to trust me?” he asked.

“We’re good for this battle” Bulkhead told him.

“But after, we’re not so sure. We’ll protect Equestria, but following you again...that might take some time” Arcee added.

“I understand. In all honesty, I probably deserve much worse. Now, we need to find out where Megatron’s heading” he said.

“I know where that is!” Discord told them, popping into the scene next to Prime.

“What the-” Optimus and Ratchet jumped, startled by the draconequus’ sudden appearance.

“Heh, scared you, didn’t I?” he said, giggling.

“What do you want Discord?” Applejack asked.

“Tsk, tsk Applejack, did nopony teach you manners” he asked overdramatically.

“Anyway, I’ve been spying on the Decepticons for a while now, and I know what they’re after. It’s a stash of energon that crashed her on one of their old warships. Turns out, it absorbed magic, and now it gives Cybertronians the same powers as a unicorn” he explained.

“So that’s why we couldn’t dent old ‘Screamer” Smokescreen said.

“Ding Ding Ding! Give the bot a prize” Discord shouted, as a tiny red sports car appeared  behind him.

“Where is this magic energon?” Prime inquired.

“I don’t know. You’ll have to find it yourselves” Discord said with a shrug.

“That’s going to be difficult. We’ll have to triangulate their coordinates, then run a topographical map that shows us where the cache is, but even then, there’s no guarantee we’ll get there before the Decepticons. Odds are we’ll have to blow the energon” Ratchet explained.

“Wait, are you guys talking about the super-dooper-secret energon that gives you guys magic power? Psh. I’ve known where that is for years now” Pinkie confessed.

Silence. “I beg your pardon?” Optimus said, his mind blown.

“Yeah, I even know a super secret tunnel to get there.” More silence.

“How do you-” Twilight hushed Optimus.

“It’s just Pinkie Pie, don’t question it” she told him.

“Very well then, Pinkie, show us this tunnel” he said. She nodded, rolling the dirt back to reveal a tunnel large enough for the Autobots to pass through.

“Alright...Autobots, transform and roll out.”

“Moondancer, return to Canterlot, tell them where we’re going” Celestia told her, Moondancer answering with a nod. The Cybertronians changed forms, before letting their respective ponies mount them. Celestia looked back at Discord, who was floating on air, picking something out of his teeth.

“Aren’t you coming?” she asked.

“Me? No. With you gone, somepony has to protect Equestria, and who better than me.” Celestia opened her mouth to yell at him, but then pondered what he said.

“Very well, you make a good point, but if you turn everything into chaos it’s another thousand years in stone” she threatened.

“Aye, aye, mon capitan” Discord said, donning a white sailor outfit. Then, they descended into the cavern’s depths, driving full speed.

“Remember, we are the only hope Equestria has” Prime reminded them. “if we fall, this planet won’t be far behind.”