Patriotism (Backup)

by Darkryt Orbinautz

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Crossover, Dark, Alternate Universe, Science Fiction
Length: 190324

A copy of my other story listed here as a back-up in case of data loss and a more convenient way for Troubleshooter to proofread it, should I ask and he accept.

A copy of my story Operation: Patriotism which I've made to
- help keep track of my to-do list on one site
-use as a receptacle in case of data loss
-provide a more convenient way of accessing for proofreaders.

Not intended to be submitted and published, as I've already submitted and deleted this story once from this site. If I intend to bring it back, I will talk to the mods, as per the rules.

Probably irrelevant, now the original story is back on the site, but I think I might have left some notes in here …

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2016-07-31 19:37:40 UTC

Chapter 14: Out Of Time

On Cybetron, Bumblebee, and his teammates Side Swipe and Strongarm, were holed up in an abandoned building. Strongarm rested by the wall while Side Swipe sat on a crate.

"You think Jack will pull through?" Side Swipe asked.

Bumblebee sighed. He walked up to the windowsill and rested his hands on it. "Honestly, Side Swipe. I don't know."

"We should at least sent him in there with back-up." Strongarm said.

Bumblebee shook his head. "We couldn't have. We didn't have enough juice to power the machine long enough to send a second person through. All we can do now is sit here … and hope Jack can pull off a miracle."

Side Swipe groaned. "I hate sitting. Hey, what's that?" Side Swipe pointed out the window.

Bumblebee lifted his head up. Off in the distance, there was a tower. A blue light was emitting from the tower, flashing and fluctuating.

"Wait a minute ..." After staring at the tower, Bumblebee recognized it as the one they had taken over when they sent Jack off. "Scrap! The Decepticons must have figured what we did! Strongarm, Side Swipe, assemble a team and get ready to storm that tower."

"Who should we get?" Side Swipe asked as he climbed off the crate.

Bumblebee thought about it. "Grab the rest of our team, Starlight Glimmer, the Rescue Bots, and anyone else who's available. And team, I don't think I need to stress to you how important this mission is. We need to take that tower. We have to make sure the Decepticons don't send someone after Jack."

Side Swipe and Strongarm saluted.

"Roll out." Bumblebee ordered. The three of them marched out of the room.

Inside the tower, Steeljaw admired the machinery he had found. "Well, I'll be. Isn't that something." He basked in the blue glow filling the entire room. It was a device akin to a Space Bridge, with a large, circular terminal, connected to various improvised batteries through the room.

"Yeah." Steeljaw's solider, Thunderhoof, agreed. "Them Autobots did this?"

"Never underestimate an Autobot's ingenuity, Thunderhoof." Steeljaw said. "They can be devious when they need to be. Now, let us go through this … Time Bridge and ensure the course of history remains on track!"

There was a boom, which caused all the Decepticons in the room to tense. A crab-robot was sent flying into the room.

"We got … Autobots." The crab weakly alerted them.

Steeljaw turned his attention to the door, where Bumblebee and his team were coming through.

"Sorry, Steeljaw." Bumblebee pulled out a baton, which sprouted a sword blade from one end. "Your trip's been canceled."

Steeljaw was not happy with Bumblebee's raiding party, but he hid it behind a smile. "Oh, really? Decepticons, attack!"

On the Decepticon side, Thunderhoof raised his hoof and stomped the ground, sending out an energy surge towards the Autobots. A Decepticon turned into Ankloysaruus and charged the Autobots. On the Autobot side, a green charged, meeting the Anklosaurus, and Bumblebee planted his sword into the ground, interrupting Thunderhoof's energy surge and cutting it in half.

The crab Decepticon stood up. He ran at Bumblebee, swinging his claws wildly. Bumblebee brought his sword down on him, slashing through him and knocking him backwards.

Another Decepticon in the room pulled out a massive rocket launcher and fired. Bumblebee ducked to avoid the missile, which it kept going and hit the wall, sending pieces of the wall crumbling and falling.

"Starlight! You're up!" Bumblebee called.

A pink unicorn entered the room, to Steeljaw's horror. This was Bumblebee's plan – to wear the Decepticons bit by bit, and pull in reinforcements from as they were needed.

Starlight's horn shimmered. Her horn shot out a multitude of blue lightning bolts, each of them striking a Decepticon in the room. The crab Decepticon tumbled over, and Steeljaw and Thunderhoof staggered from the blow, but they remained standing.

"Rescue Bots!" Bumblebee shouted. The walls of the building were demolished as an another , this one red, a Triceratops with drills for a horn, a pterodactly, and a stegosaurus stampeded into the room.

"Through the portal!" Steeljaw ordered. "Quickly!"

"Go on, boss!" The crab-Decepticon insisted to Thunderhoof. "I'll cover you!" He was both brave and sturdy to stand up after the beating he had taken.

"Thanks, Clampdown." Thunderhoof said. "You're a good friend."

Steeljaw jumped into the Time Bridge, Thunderhoof not far behind. The rocket-wielding Decepticon also joined them, as did a saurian purple Decepticon.

"Slag!" Bumblebee swore. "Autobots, into that portal!"

Bumblebee made a run for the portal. Clampdown tried to stand in his way, but Bumblebee flexed his leg and jumped over him, flying into the Time Bridge.

"Sorry, Scowl." The green growled, grabbing Scowl by the head and tossing him to the side. "Looks like you and I will have to tangle some other time." He marched into the portal.

"Hey, no fair!" Scowl protested. "You owe me this dance, Grimlock!" Scowl attempted to give chase, but was interrupted by the green Triceratops ramming into him and goring Scowl with his drills.

Strongarm, Side Swipe, and an orange Mini-Con headed through the portal. Despite the efforts of others to make through with them, none of them, as the Time Bridge soon ran out of power and closed. The battle between the remaining Decepticons and Starlight and the Rescue Bots continued, with the pterodactyl charging Clampdown and biting one of his eyes off while Starlight fired a lightning bolt into Scowl's side, making him easy prey for the Triceratops to flip over to his side.

"Gee, Blades." Starlight said upon seeing Clampdown's broken form, with sparks coming off him and an eye removed. "I know we're at war, but did you have to do that?"

"One less 'Con to worry about." Blades said before spitting Clampdown's eye out. Starlight winced.

()()()

Bumblebee and his team emerged from the Time Bridge in the Nevada desert. They converted to their vehicle modes and drove down the road, going as fast they could to try and find Steeljaw.

"It's no good, sir." Strongarm said after they had been driving for fifteen minutes. "We've lost them."

Bumblebee stopped and reverted to robot mode. "Scrap."

Strong reverted to robot mode and went up to him. "What do you want us to do now, sir?"

Bumblebee brushed his chin, going over his options. "The only thing we can do. We need to find our past selves, explain what's going on, and forge an alliance with them and get their help."

"Shouldn't be too hard." Strongarm said. "How hard can it be to find a bunch of Autobots?"

"Trust me, it could be hard." Bumblebee said. "Do you have any idea what my past self was doing at this time? I was part of the Autobots Imperial. Not a group that wants to be found."

"Well, in that case, sir, I suggest we'd better get started."

()()()

()()()

Out in the vastness of the cosmos, through outer space, on the distant planet Messatine, Tarn and Kaon of the Decepticon Justice Division were walking around on a routine scouting mission of the planet for resources.

Tarn stopped walking, confusing Kaon. "Is everything all right, Tarn?"

"Kaon … tell me." Tarn said. "Do you think we've been acting … unusual? As though we were softer and nicer than we really are? My mind keeps going to back to Dreadwing and those four-legged creatures that were here sometime ago. After we gave Dreadwing his honorable suicide, we let those creatures go without a word or pursuit. That's not like us. We hate organics. Don't we?"

"Hmm." Kaon said.

Unseen by Tarn or Kaon, a camera hidden in the rocks some distance away whirred and clicked, observing them.

On the other end of the camera, where the recording feed was being sent to across distance, creatures hiding in a shadowed room watched Tarn and Kaon. Shadowy creatures who roamed on beds of tentacles. The dim lighting in their room wasn't by choice because they were villains who wore their evil on their sleeve; they were strapped for resources and energy.

"It appears the subjects of our experiments are beginning to catch on." One of the creatures said.

"Yes. Our pacifying device has nullified much of the Justice Division's violent impulses. In that regard, it has been a success."

"But now they are becoming aware of they are under outside influence. What shall we do?"

"Wait." Another voice spoke. "Our instruments are detecting a ship approaching Messatine' orbit. Scans show that is not a Cybertronian vehicle."

High in the orbit, out in the black sea of space, the ship of the Star Seekers, the Tidal Wave, cast its mooring near the orbit and outer edges of Messatine.

"Captain Thundertron," A pirate on board the ship addressed his captain, "our sensors show Cybertronian lifesigns on the planet below. Six of them. What do you want us to do?"

"What's one detour on our way to Earth? Blast them with our weapons. Making it so there's fewer of those Cybertronian scum wandering the universe is always a good thing, as far as I'm concerned."

"Firing." The pirate pushed a button. Whirs and hums came from the ship.

Below, the Decepticon Justice Division were taken by surprise when hails of fireballs and lasers began to rain down from the sky. Tarn followed his instincts and tackled Kaon to the ground, using his bulkier body to shield his fellow Decepticon from the surprise attack. The bombardment continued until the entire area around them was covered in craters, little wisps of smoke rising up from the scorched ground.

"That ought to do it." The pirate said. Thundertron gave the signal for them to seperate from the planet and continue on their way to Earth.

On the planet's surface, Tarn pushed himself up. "Are you all right, Kaon?"

"Think so. What was that?"

"I do not know." Tarn offered his hand to Kaon and helped him to his feet. "But what I do know is … " Tarn paused. His optics shined an intense red, as did Kaon's. They were both overwhelmed by a surge of violent impulses, impulses they had had and were suppressed for far too long. The temptation to stop what they were doing, aim their weapons on the ground, and engage in a rampage of mindless destruction was overwhelming. But Tarn resisted. Though he was a violent Decepticon by nature, he could do long-term planning.

"Is that whatever was pacifying us and suppression our natural aggression must have been destroyed in that attack! Get to the ship." Tarn ordered, swiping his arm. "We're going to go find those four-legged organics, revisit the terms of their crime, and execute them, like we should have when we had the chance!"

Kaon nodded. The two of them ran back to the location of their ship.

The shadowy creatures examined all this.

"It appears our pacifying device was destroyed in that attack by the ship."

"It should be noted that our device is weak to fire from ships in orbit above the planet. We should install the next one deeper into the planet's surface and amplify the signal."

"What's the point?" A tired one among them asked. "This pacifying device program was one of last and best hopes, and this test run has gotten us nowhere. Even if we do install another, the Decepticons will be expecting it this time and destroy it. Accept it. We are doomed! Our kind is doomed to extinction!"

"Perhaps not." Another one said. "Did anyone catch any information about that ship? It appears they fired solely because they were Cybertronians on the planet's surface. Whether they distinguish between Autobot and Decepticon is unclear, but either way, I believe we should reach out to that ship. Contact them, and ask for their aid with and protection from our ... Cybertronian difficulties."

"That is … an acceptable proposal."

()()()()

In the Imperial base, Twilight Sparkle was watching the news on television, looking for ideas for how she could plan her next strike against Galloway. A crowd began to build up around her as soldiers walked by her, saw what she was doing, and sat down with her.

"There is unrest and uncertainity in the streets of America regarding Galloway and what is happening inside the White House." A female news reporter said. "Some are merely expressing criticism of Galloway. Some have gone so far as to start riots in streets. One such riot was a march on D.C which was defused by an "Americon" and some tear gas. Another one is underway right now in the state capitol of Utah."

The screen changed to show a bunch of humans marching on the streets, carrying signs and placards. Most prominent was a banner saying "Tell the Truth!" with a crayon drawing of Galloway's face.

"We've reached out to some of them for comment."

The screen changed again to focus on a man in the crowd with a microphone being held up to him.

"It's like, if you're gonna stage a coup and take over the United States, then stage your coup, but actually call it a coup. Not this "state of national emergency" Galloway keeps trying to push on us. The Autobots have in the public for three years, and I've never heard of them attacking anybody. Where's the President, Galloway, huh? Where's the President?"

Twilight smiled, satisfied in the knowledge this human man saw through Galloway's lies and wouldn't tolerate them.

"Others have expressed the desire for things to simply go back to normal and to carry on with their normal lives. Some of those we interviewed have even suggested the idea of armed resistance to take back the Capitol Building, but so far no sign of weapons have been reported."

"Hmm." Twilight said. "Make a note of that. If these enterprising humans go through with the idea of making armed resistance cells, they could use a friend like us, and we could use some extra friends."

Magnum nodded his head.

"We now to go an exclusive interview with Dylan Gould, head of Gould Enterprises." The female newscaster said, and the screen cut to a male newscaster in a cut-out window, with Dylan Gould in another cutout next to him. Twilight Sparkle and some others make grumpy faces at having to see Gould's face again.

"Hello, Mister Gould. It's good to have you on the show."

"Hello! It's great to be here, Frank. I understand you have some questions for me?"

"Yes I do." Frank pulled out a sheet of paper. "Some have suggested that you are in bed with Galloway and have been providing for him during his coup. What do you say to that?"

Gould seemed taken aback by this direct line of questioning, but he reacted and played it down. "Well, as a businessman, I have several lucrative contracts with a variety of employers, including the government. It makes sense then that Galloway and I would have met each other a few times during meetings, doesn't it?"

"Prior to recent events, he was a Senator. Wouldn't he have had people to contact you for him?"

Gould bit his lip. "Perhaps."

"Another thing. What do you say to those who have been alleging you've building your own knock-off Decepticons called "Stingers"?"

Gould was again taken aback. "I would probably ask them how they knew that, as that was supposed to be classified information."

"One of these "Stingers" were allegedly seen during the Pink Moon Festival on Equestria. Some have proposed this done deliberatley was an early preview of the drone before its actual business release."

"Well, in that case, I suppose the cat's out of the bag now. Yes, Gould Enterprises are working on a unique line of Stinger model drones, fit for a variety of purposes."

"Would one of those purposes be to supplement and ultimately replace the Autobots, as some claim?"

Gould did not look too pleased at this question.

"What do you say to your critics who suggest this Stingers are intended to be part of a drone army to enforce Galloway's tyrannical regime?"

"I would say these people are luddites afraid of the march of technology and progress." Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes. What a load of hot air. "The Stinger drone is perfectly safe to use for a variety of purpose, and will be available to both corporations and individuals for purchase. The Stinger drone can be used as a security guard, transport, and other things. Why, Equestrians could buy one and use them to practice and experiment magic spells on!"

"That's another thing." Frank said. "I have this essay here, it's actually quite an interesting read, outlining a plan where you sell Stinger drones to the Equestrians under the guise of protection from renegade Decepticon attacks, and then one thing leads to another and bam! The Equestrians are under the watchful eyes of Gould and Galloway's Stinger police."

"Wasn't that basically Shockwave's plan for the Predacons?" Applejack asked.

"That's probably where the author of the essay got the idea." Arcee answered.

This was the last straw for Gould. "All right, that's it, this interview is over. No more question. No more questions!"

"Didn't we see this "early preview" Stinger at the Pink Moon Celebration?" Magnum asked.

"You're right." Twilight cupped her chin.. "I hadn't thought of it before. Gould probably is building an army of Stingers for Galloway to use. We can't let that happen. An army of mindless drones under Galloway's command who can go toe-to-toe with an Autobot is the last thing we need. We need to sabotage Gould's operation."

"How?" Arcee asked. "If we try to get near his buildings, Galloway will send the Americons after us, and I doubt Gould is just going to invite us to his doorstep. 'Hey, can we borrow a cup of sugar, oh by the way, we need to destroy this drone army you're making, hope you don't mind!'"

"You're probably right." Twilight rubbed her chin. "We need to get inside somehow. We need to infiltrate Gould Enterprises. We need someone on the inside. We need … a spy."

"Ooh!" Miko raised her hand. "Can I do it?"

Twilight looked at her with concern. "Miko. I'm not sure you're really the best choice for this."

"Please?" Miko begged. "I promise I'll be careful, and you guys know I'm great at sabotage!"

"Ain't that the truth." Jack remarked.

"I don't know, Miko." Twilight said. "You are great at destroying stuff, true, but being a spy is also being to lie and bluff your way into the enemy's good graces. You need to be subtle. You need to have a good poker face."

"Pleeeease?"

"I still don't-"

"Pleeeeease?"

"Fine!" Twilight caved into Miko's begging, unable to stand her whining any longer. "You can go and be a spy, Miko."

"Yes!" Miko pumped her fist in the air. "You won't regret this decision, Twilight."

"I'd better not."

"Come along, darling." Rarity said. "I'll give you a makeover for your mission. By the time I'm done with you, your own mother won't recognize you."

"Hmm. Now is that my birth mother, or my host mother? Because, you know, I think my host mother would be easy to fool."

"Miko!"

Miko turned around, and was startled by Twilight's hoof grabbing her by the shirt.

"If you get yourself hurt out while you're out there, I'm going to kill you. Understand?"

Miko smiled. "You're such a great mother hen-slash-general, Twilight." Miko saluted, and Twilight let go. Rarity grabbed Miko and the two went to give Miko her makeover.

"'Mother Hen General' … hmm." Twilight chuckled and smiled, turning back the television. The thought of being a mother figure to Miko and the others flattered her. "I suppose I am, aren't I?"

()()()()

Miko, having gone through Rarity's makeover procedure, was driven to and dropped off at the Gould Enterprises building. While the Stinger project was supposed to be a secret, the location of the building was public.

A Vehicon drove up to the curb and opened its door. Miko stepped out.

"Good luck." The Vehicon said, driving off before it could be spotted.

Miko was dressed up as a scientist, with a white labcoat, a clipboard, and glasses. Rarity had washed out the pink dye in her hair, which Miko didn't appreciate, and pulled her hair back in a nice, professional ponytail, which Miko also did not appreciate, even if she accepted it was necessary for the mission, and had applied some cream to her cheeks to make her face seem paler.

Miko took a deep breath and walked up to the building's entrance.

A woman saw her and opened the door to greet her. "Can I help you?"

"Um, yes, actually." Miko said. "I'm ..." Miko paused. She hadn't thought of a good alias. "Sari Sumdac. I'm looking for Mister Gould for an internship?"

The woman smiled. "Ah, yes, of course! Mister Gould is always looking for new talent. I'll go get him for you." The woman left and went back into the building.

Miko clutched her clipboard. So far, so good.

"I don't remember scheduling any appointments today ..." Miko could Gould mutter as the woman brought him to the entrance.

"Here she is, sir." The woman gestured to Miko and left to return to work.

Gould came out onto the steps and examined Miko. "So, you're Sari, huh?"

Miko was about to correct him about her name being Miko before catching herself and reminding herself she was supposed to be a spy. "Yes sir, that's me!"

"I understand you're looking for an internship?"

"That's correct."

Gould crossed his arms. "You have to understand, Miss Sumdac, I have certain requirements someone has to meet before I even consider hiring them."

Like putting up with your overly-greased hair? Miko thought.

"I'm ready do whatever it takes to make the grade, sir!" Miko said.

"I admire your enthusiasm. Question one." Gould held up his finger. "Why do you want to work at Gould Enterprises?"

"Why else? To contribute to march of technology and usher in a new era of technology!" Miko didn't know much about technological research. This was more Twilight's domain. But she figured if she threw enough buzzwords at Gould, he'd be impressed.

"All right." Gould smiled. "Next question. Why should I hire you over any other potential interns, and in addition to the employees I already have?"

"I, uh, I ..." Miko hesitated. "I'm a blunt speaker! I always say exactly what's on my mind, and I'm not afraid to voice my opinion."

"Hmm. I suppose every group does need its own critic. You know, someone to make them think twice and reign in their egos when they're getting out of check. All right, question three … are you a spy!?" Gould pointed a finger at her.

"What?" Miko almost dropped the clipboard. She bounced it on her hands, trying to catch it before it hit the ground.

Gould laughed. "I'm just messing with you. Although you never can be too careful. And rest assured, if you are a spy, I have ways of dealing with that ..."

Miko tried to resist swallowing the lump forming her throat.

"All right, I think that's everything. Normally, I'd ask you what your skill sets and educational background are, but I think you can answer that in the paperwork. Come on." Gould gestured for her to follow him inside.

Miko went inside with him. The inside of the building was neat and polished, with a shiny white floor and enormous, clear windows. Miko had to admit, she wasn't expecting a place run by such a dirty scoudrel to be so clean.

That's how they get you. Miko thought to herself.

"You wait right here, and I'll go get the forms." Gould said. "Oh, but don't go wandering off. We have some very sensitive projects in the works right now, and you need security clearance to get into several areas."

"Will do." Miko saluted. Gould left. Miko observed the area, taking note of what appeared to the receptionist desk.

"That is to say, I will do exactly that." Miko muttered to herself and begin walking around. She avoided eye contact, was quick to say "excuse me" and move away when she bumped into someone, and kept an eye out for anything which looked suspicious.

Hello. Miko thought, noticing three entrances next to each other, with the third one from the right being black while the other two were normal silver colors. What do we have here?

An employee went up to the black door. He looked over his shoulder at Miko with a look of contempt, but continued his business. He pulled out a security card and swiped into the keypad by the black door, which beeped and unlocked. The employee opened the door and went through.

Miko kept her distance for a minute. When she thought the coast was clear, she ran up to the door and stuck her foot in, keeping it from closing. She pushed the door open and entered the room. She was greeted by a spiraling onyx staircase, and she could the footsteps of the employee ahead of fading into the distance.

She went up the stairs, going slow to avoid any unwanted encounters. There were quite a few steps, which her a bit of a workout, but she managed to reach the top.

Phew! You'd think they would, like, have an elevator or a ramp or something …

Miko arrived at a large, double-set of doors plastered with warning signs on them. "DO NOT ENTER" and other phrases were pasted across the door.

Ah, clever. Miko grabbed the door handle and pushed. You put in a lot of warning signs so people who aren't supposed to be here won't risk coming in and learning about your super-secret project, but the people involved actually know what's on the other side!

Miko opened the door and went in.

The room she entered was huge, large enough to hold a few Cybertronians. There were people scattered across the room, all of them attending various stations. But when Miko entered the room, they all stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her. They knew she wasn't supposed to be there.

What struck Miko most was two humans and two robots standing in the epicenter of the floor. Galloway, Attinger, Ratchet, and Stinger had all taken notice of her, with Galloway and Ratchet giving her bewildering looks while Attinger glared at her. Of the four, Attinger was the only to make Miko feel uneasy.

Seeing they were all staring at her, Miko raised her hand up and waved.

"Hi?"

()()()()()()

()()()()()()

At the Imperial base, an Imperialcon was monitoring his post when he picked up a signal.

"Commander?" The Imperialcon turned and raised his hand, getting Twilight's attention as she happened to be passing by. "I'm picking up a distress signal in a harbor not far from Jasper."

Twilight Sparkle entered the room and climbed up onto the machine. She looked at the distress signal. "Interesting. Let's check it out. I'll assemble a team."

After assembling the team, (Bulkhead, Arcee, Magnum, Bumblebee, Fluttershy, and some Vehicons) Twilight ordered a GroundBridge to be opened to transport them there. Her team went through and arrived at a dim-lit port with crates all around.

"Spread out." Twilight Sparkle ordered. "We'll cover more ground that way."

Her troops nodded and spread out across the port. Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Arcee converted to their vehicle modes and drove throughout the area.

Bulkhead entered a section with the crates close together. Seeing how dark it was, he turned on his headlights. Gee, I wonder if the humans here even pay for the lights. He kept moving, keeping his optics peeled, though the crates were beginning to make him feel claustrophobic.

"Hi-yah!" was all the warning Bulkhead received before an armored SUV rammed into him from the side, pushing him across the ground.

"Hey!" Bulkhead swerved and reverted to robot mode, converting his arms into blasters. "What's the big idea?"

The light from Bulkhead's chest generated by his headlights fell on a police truck. It was about the same size as Bulkhead's vehicle mode.

"I can't believe it." The truck said before reverting to its robot mode, a burly, bulky female Autobot with a samurai crest on her head. She put her hands to her face in amazement. "You're Bulkhead!"

"Uh, yeah?" Bulkhead said, perplexed by the fembot's reaction. "Do I know you? Have we met?"

"I am one of your biggest fans." The fembot said, crossing her hands over her Spark. "I've never met you, and you probably don't know me, but I'm still a fan! I'm Strongarm." Strongarm extended a hand to Bulkhead. "Oh, and I'm sorry about ramming into you earlier. Considering where I come from, you can never be too careful."

Bulkhead was still confused, and suspicious of Strongarm. "I don't even know you. Why should I trust anything you say?"

"She's right. You never met. But you should trust her."

Bulkhead saw a yellow Autobot approaching them. His design was reminiscent of a Vehicon, with a sleek build, strong, reinforced legs and wings sticking off his back.

"Because I do." The yellow Autobot said. "And that's always been good enough for you, Bulk."

"Captain Bumblebee, sir!" Strongarm saluted and took up a military posture.

"At ease, Cadet."

"Bumblebee?" Bulkhead asked.

"I'm here, Bulkhead." Bumblebee, in his muscular car vehicular mode, pulled up behind Bulkhead and reverted to robot mode, drawing his Beast Hunter bow.

"Bumblebee?" Bulkhead looked at the black-coated, bow-wielding Bumbleebee, and he looked at the yellow, sleek "Captain" Bumblebee. He kept looking back between the two of them. "This guy over here says he's Bumblebee. You can't be both Bumblebee!"

"No, no, he's Bumblebee." Captain Bumblebee said. "And ... I'm Bumblebee."

Bulkhead and the "normal" Bumblebee exchanged confused glares. Bulkhead looked at Captain Bumblebee again.

"Oh, no." Bulkhead realized what had to be happening here. "No, no, no. I am not putting up with more confusing time travel."

Bulkhead began to leave, but Bumblebee threw himself in his friend's way, grabbing him by the shoulders.

"Bulkhead, wait." Bumblebee said. "I know you and Rarity have a … history when it comes to travel, but we should at least hear what they have to say."

Bulkhead sighed. "Fine. But when this all blows up in our faces and causes a reality-ending paradox, or makes Twilight Sparkle into her own grandmother or even into our mother or something, don't say I didn't warn you!"

Bumblebee activated his commlink. "Bumblee to all units. We've found the source of the distress signal. You're gonna want to come to take a look at this."

Captain Bumblebee did the same. "Side Swipe, Grimlock, Fixit, converge on my position."

Each Bumblebees' respective team arrived. Twilight, Magnum, Arcee and the others joined Bulkhead and Bumblebee while Captain Bumblebee was joined by a red Autobot with a Mohawk and Japanese symbols on his chest, a green Dinobot, and a tiny, orange Mini-Con with claws for hands and a pair of wheels instead of legs for locomotion.

"Everyone, this is Captain Bumblebee, myself from the future." Bumblebee introduced his future self.

"Is that so?" The War Princess asked.

"Yes." Captain Bumblebee said. "Believe me, Twilight, we wouldn't have come here if the situation weren't desperate."

Twilight, hearing her name, retracted her Vehicon mask. "Your situation?"

"Yes." Captain Bumblebee said. "A few days ago, well, a few days ago to us, we sent Jack Darby back in time to try to change the course of history."

"Ah, yes, Jack." Twilight rolled her eyes, remembering how well her last meeting with Jack went.

"You've met him?" Captain Bumblebee asked with hope in his voice. "Do you know where he is?"

"Yes, we've met. He put a knife to the neck of a hostage we had just rescued and asked to GroundBridge him to Jasper."

Captain Bumblebee chuckled. "That's Jack. Always so resourceful. Please, you'll have to forgive him."

"Forgive him?" Twilight exclaimed. "He put a knife to a woman's throat!"

"The future we live is pretty rough." Captain Bumblebee said. "The apocalypse makes for strange bedfellows. Lots of allegiances have shifted and alliances have fractured. So you'll have to excuse Jack for thinking he's seeing the enemies he has in the future instead of potential allies in the present."

Twilight looked to the side, considering this, before turning her attention back to Bumblebee. "I'll think about that. Your future must be pretty bad to have Jack … act the way he is."

"You have no idea." Captain Bumblebee said.

"So, what do you want to tell us?" Twilight asked.

"There's a couple of things." Bumblebee said. "If today's the day I think it is, then if you include the reason we're here, you have three fronts you have to do battle on. First, the Decepticon Justice Division. They're going to be coming to Earth, looking for revenge, and they're going to attack Gould Enterprises. You'll need to send a team to fight them off to keep Miko safe."

Twilight looked at Bumblebee with a renewed concern for Miko's safety. "Is that was Jack was talking about? Is this how Miko died in the future?"

"No, but a lot of humans did, including Galloway." Bumblebee said. "Without him doing his fake President act, and no one knowing where he was keeping the real President, the country fell apart and was vulnerable when the 'Cons made their big push. Oh, and Twilight? You're going to want to send that team with a Beast Hunter weapon. The drill. Just … trust me on this." Captain Bumblebee smiled.

Twilight nodded. "What else?"

"There's a Decepticon. His name is Steeljaw." Bumblebee said. "He figured out what my team and I were up to and traveled back in time to the present, to here, so he and his Pack could find Jack from our time and stop him from altering the flow of time. My team and I followed him here, and we need your help to make sure he not only doesn't find Jack, but doesn't keep history the way it is … or change it so that it's even worse."

Twilight nodded.

"One more thing." Captain Bumblebee raised a finger. "Later today, a group called the Star Seekers are going to attack Earth in their ship, the Tidal Wave."

"The Star Seekers?" Twilight rubbed her chin. "Where have I heard that name before?"

"They won't cause a lot of damage today, but they will do everything they can to kill as many Cybertronians as they can from the safety of their starship with their ship's weapons, and few Cybertronians are going to be capable of withstanding a direct hit from those laser cannons."

"Understood." Twilight said. "But why are you telling us all this? Isn't a bit risky with the timeline to let us know about these events before they happen and let us change them? Rarity traveling back and keeping Bulkhead from dying is one thing, but you're talking about altering events from recorded history in what's at least fifteen, if not twenty years into the future!"

"Trust me, Twilight." Captain Bumblebee said. "Any change you make will ultimately be for the better. Anything is an improvement over what we currently have."

Twilight furrowed her eyebrows. The future Captain Bumblebee lived in must have been horrible if he was so willing to causally volunteer events in the hopes she and her friends would try to change them, altering history and messing with the timeline.

"That bad, huh?" Bulkhead asked.

"Yeah. That bad." The red Autobot accompanying Captain Bumblebee answered.

()()()()()

()()()()()

Attinger was the first to approach the mysterious woman who had intruded on their secret Stinger project. "Can I help you, miss? Are you lost?"

"Lost?" Miko said. "No, no, I'm not lost, I'm just, uh … looking for the little girls' room?"

"I see." Attinger said with a warm smile. "Well, I'm sure someone can help you there once we've clear this up and determine whether or not you're a security risk. I'm sure this is all a big misunderstanding." Attinger pulled out his phone and called a number. "Gould, it's Attinger. We've got someone in your secret project room."

Miko heard footsteps echoing on the stairs from behind the door. Gould burst into the run, out of breath, having rushed in here. The employee paperwork was in his hands.

"Oh!" Gould exclaimed upon seeing Miko. "Oh, it's just you. For a second there, I thought we might have had a serious security breach. Attinger, this young woman here was speaking to me about a job. Nothing to worry about here."

"Is that so?" Attinger raised his eyebrow, keeping his eyes on Miko. "And what are we going to do about the fact she's seen the Stinger project?"

Gould scoffed. "Have you seen the news today? The project's already all over the media. Might as well let her see it. After all, the public already knows. What's one more?"

Attinger glared at Gould. "That's not exactly safe security practice, Gould. Have you even run a background check on this woman?"

"I was about to, yeah, when I got your call upstairs." Gould said.

Attinger nodded his head. "What's your name, miss?"

"Sari." Miko answered. "Sari Sumdac."

Attinger cocked his head in a way which reminded Miko of a parrot. "Sari, Sari … in my personal experience, that is an Indian name. But you are clearly of Oriental descent."

Miko laughed, trying to think of a convincing cover story. "Uh, well, one of my parents was an immigrant?"

"That sounds more like a question than a statement." Attinger said. "Miss Sumdac, I have spent my entire life learning to look for cues and spot tells in a person. I can be in another room, and I can tell you the difference between the ethnicity of an African and an Indian just by listening to their breathing. Just by examining the way she walks, I can tell when a woman is three weeks pregnant before she knows it herself. I am a nightmare fusion of James Bond and Sherlock Holmes the likes of which you have never seen before, and will not see again. So, Miss Sumdac, if that is your real name, trust that if you're lying to us, I will know."

Miko gulped. "Okay, Mister Crazy Man. Can I take a look at this "Stinger" I've been hearing so much about?" Miko made her way past Attinger and looked to the red robot in the center of the room. Stinger was not as attention-grabbing as the robot next to him, Ratchet, who Miko recognized.

Ratchet, not appreciating interruption into his work, gave Miko a glare. His face softened and showed visible surprised when he recognized Miko's face.

Attinger took notice. "Ratchet, do you know this woman?"

Ratchet shook his head to clear it. He did what he could to keep Miko safe. "I've never seen her before in my life!" He returned to working on Stinger. "Okay, Stinger, if you'll face left so I can work on your shoulder joints ..."

"Well, this has been fun!" Miko said and walked to the door. "But I think I'm ready to for Mister Gould's paperwork now. I'll just sign a non-disclosure agreement and be on my way!"

"Sure, sure." Attinger said. "It's tiring working with the Autobots ..."

Miko passed Attinger.

"Isn't it, Miss Miko Nakadai?"

Miko froze. Ratchet's face betrayed his worried.

"I-I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about ..." Miko said.

"Simple process of elimination." Attinger said. "First, when you and Ratchet saw each other, despite trying to deny it, he clearly recognized you. Second, the affiliation of one Miko Nakadai with the Autobots was a well-known and well-publicized fact after the Autobots had been outed from hiding on Earth. If I simply divide the all known associate of the Autobots by all women of Oriental descent who were known to spend time with the Autobots, I arrive at Miko Nakadi as the quotient."

Miko sighed. "Well, I guess you got me." She took her glasses off and crossed her arms. "Now what are you going to do with me?"

"Attinger, don't you go near her!" Ratchet said.

Attinger, Galloway, and Gould all looked at Ratchet with confused looks.

"If you put so much as a hand on her, all deals are off!" Ratchet said. He looked around the room.

"That's cute. You want to protect your friend." Galloway said. "But Ratchet, you don't have that much negotiating power here. Your knowledge is valualbe, sure, but somehow I get the sense we could manage without you."

Ratchet looked around the room. A female scientist was walking by, examining Stinger's leg, oblivious (or perhaps just desensitized, given who she was working for) to the dangerous situation unfolding in the room. Ratchet bent down and grabbed her, holding her up. He converted his other hand into a blade and put it in front of the woman.

"Let Miko go, or I will cut this woman in half." Ratchet said.

"He's bluffing." Gould said. "He tried to pull this trick once already, and he couldn't go through with it. He's too good and noble an Autobot to do something like this."

"I am not bluffing!" Ratchet said. "I will kill this woman! How do you think her family will take it when they hear she got killed by an Autobot because she was working at the wrong place a the wrong time, hmm? Or better yet, Galloway, how many of your financial backers and allies will stay with you when they learn you couldn't even keep a doctor from killing someone?"

Galloway scowled.

"No, that's so bad." Gould said. "I mean, if you're going to kill someone, why not have a doctor do it? I mean, a doctor is a profession that is most likely to to know exactly what it would take to kill a person. Think about it! Use your logic and critical thinking skills, people!"

Galloway continued his scowl. Attinger maintained a neutral expression, refusing to let Ratchet read his face for tells. Miko grimaced, worried Ratchet might go through with his threat, which wasn't at all like the grouchy but well-meaning Autobot she had come to know.

To Miko's, and unknown to them, Ratchet's relief, they weren't going to have to find out whether or not Ratchet would go through it, as there was a explosion caused by a sound recognizable as a fusion cannon, and one of the tall windows in the building shattered, its pieces falling to the ground in a crystalline rain of shards.

Tarn appeared in the widow, holding the sides of the wall for support before climbing inside the building. Kaon, Vos, and the rest of the Decepticon Justice Division followed him in. Ratchet let out a gasp as seeing them here. What some of the mightiest, craziest killers in the Decepticons could want from Gould Enterprises, he didn't know, but it couldn't have been anything good.

"We were on our way to Equestria to revisit certain Equestrians when we were contacted by Soundwave." Tarn said. "He shared with us information revealing Optimus Prime had been keeping Megatron's body inside his Earthern base … and now that Earthen base has since been destroyed, Megatron's body along with it. This desecration and illegal cremation cannot go unpunished. I am to led to believe the humans responsible can be found here?"

"He's the one you want." Galloway pointed to Ratchet. "After all, he was part of Optimus Prime's team. They were the ones responsible for keeping Megatron's body in the base where it was destroyed."

Ratchet wanted to be disgusted Galloway would volunteer him in such a manner, but it wasn't surprising.

Tarn aimed his cannons at Ratchet.

"Wait!" Ratchet yelled, raising his hands up in surrender. "Yes, it's true Optimus kept the corpse in the base because we couldn't trust that some loyal Decepticon would make an ill-conceived attempt at bringing Megatron back from the dead again, but we are not responsible for the body's destruction." Forced with a choice between defending himself and being blown to pieces by Tarn, Ratchet had little alternative other than to direct Tarn's anger at Galloway. Although he'd be lying if he said he felt guilty about it. "If you're looking for the ones responsible for the destruction, you need look no further than right here." Ratchet pointed to Galloway. "Megatron's cremation was caused by the actions of the agents of this man."

Tarn alternated gazes between Ratchet and Galloway. He turned away from them, crossing his hands behind his back.

"What you two say contradicts what the other claims." Tarn said. "I am a Decepticon of the law. After all, without the laws that guide us, we would be no better than the disgusting organics the Decepticons hate.

"Hey! We have laws, too!" Miko exclaimed, though perhaps she might have held her tongue if she knew what Tarn was capable of.

Tarn looked at a clock on the wall.

"Very well. We'll settle this in an improvised courtroom debate." Tarn said. "The trial will last two hours. Each defendant," Tarn pointed to Galloway and Ratchet, "will have to make their case as to why the other party should be held responsible." Tarn snapped his fingers.

The Decepticon Justice Division began to prepare the room. Picking up various items, such as chairs and flowers, they made rough analogies of witness stands for Galloway and Ratchet to sit in. Kaon converted into his alternate mode, a Decepticon version of an electric chair, and Tarn sat on him, using Kaon to substitute for the judge's seat and trusting that Kaon would not accidentally electrocute him.

"Let the trial commence!" Tarn shouted, gesturing for Galloway and Ratchet to come forward and make their arguments.

()()()()()()()()()

Out on an open highway in Nevada, Johnson – Future Jack raised up his cell phone and dialed a number on it. When there was no reply, he hung up and dialed again.

Come on. Come on … Jack thought to himself, the phone beeping in his ear. He hung up and dialed again.

He looked around for his targets.

"Yes!" He pumped a fist, spotting a quartet of vehicles approaching his position. A grey off road vehicle with sweptback fins resembling wolf hairs, a blue tractor, a purple, Cybertronian hover-bike with no wheels, and another, larger purple vehicle resembling a hybrid between a drag racer and an armored military vehicle.

The quartet of vehicles pulled up to Jack and reverted to their robot modes. Jack counted them off by name as they transformed. They surrounded Jack.

Steeljaw. Thunderhoof. Fracture, and Underbite. Jack thought.

"Hello, Jack." Steeljaw greeted him in the friendliest of voices, but Jack knew well the posion laced on Steeljaw's words. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Cut it out, Steeljaw." Jack said. "What do you want?"

"I want to talk to you." Steeljaw said. "I have a suspicion you were went back in time to try and change the past. Am I right?"

Jack crossed his arms and glared.

"No, of course you wouldn't answer that. Well, supposing that I am right, I was wondering if there was any I could talk you out of it? One must think of the fragility of the timeline, after all. Or am I going to have get more … physical?" Steeljaw flexed his claw.

"If you want to get physical, take it up with us!"

Twilight's team, consisting of herself as the War Princess, Ultra Magnus, Magnum, Grimlock, Rarity and Fluttershy, appeared from their hiding place, jumping and rolling out from under the highway bridge.

Steeljaw growled. "How did you know we'd be here?"

"It was all part of the plan." The War Princess said. "Have Jack call a blocked number on his cell phone until you picked up and traced his signal. Worked like a charm."

"That it did." Steeljaw admitted. "Though you may as well drop the mask and the voice changer, Twilight Sparkle. I know who you are, War Princess."

"Noted, but I think I'll keep the helmet on. It's more than just for show." Twilight said.

"Now, Twilight ..." Steeljaw. "I'm not an unreasonable Decepticon. I don't want to fight you, and if I know ponies as well as I think do, you would rather not fight, either. We can work something out."

"You mean you don't want to fight us when we have superior numbers, don't you, darling?" Rarity commented.

Steeljaw frowned, but he turned it upside down and chuckled, laughing it off. "You're a sharp one … Rarity, was it? Do excuse my unfamiliarity, You see, from my perspective, I was stuck in a prison cell on board a transport ship, and you ponies … well, you were long dead by the time I got out. Now, Twilight Sparkle, could I interest you in a deal where we agree to leave peacefully to fight another day, and I warn you about the dangers to come?"

"Don't waste your breath, Steeljaw."

Captain Bumblebee and his team stepped out from under the highway bridge. Captain Bumblebee unsheathed his baton and deployed the blade inside. Steeljaw saw his reflection in the blade's edge.

"I already told her about the Star Seekers, and the Decepticon Justice Division." Captain Bumblebee pointed his sword at Steeljaw.

Steeljaw chuckled again. "I see, well in that case, perhaps we'll just be on our way – GWARRR!" Steeljaw roared and charged, and the battle was on.

Twilight ran to the side to avoid Steeljaw's claws, swooping in like a hawk's talons.

"Remember, everypony. We set up our own roadblocks, so we're free to use the highway without worrying about cilivans!" Twilight shouted before using her magic to teleport herself onto the bridge. Rarity went run around and ran up the hill to give Twilight back-up.

Steeljaw growled. He joined Twilight on the bridge with an impressive leap into the air, landing in front of her.

On the lower ground, Thunderhoof raised up his hoof, which glowed glow with power.

"GET DOWN!" Captain Bumblebee warned his teammates. Everyone ducked for cover as Thunderhoof brought his hoof crashing down, sending out a pulse of energy which would have bowled them over had they not gotten out of the way.

"Is this really necessary, Twilight Sparkle?" Steeljaw asked. "Put yourself in my shoes for a minute. From where I'm standing, you failed at all of the goals you set out do when you made the Imperials. From my perspective, you have already failed. From my perspective, you. ARE ALREADY. DEAD."

Steeljaw converted into his vehicle mode. He revved his engine, let it warm up, and accelerated down the road, meaning to run Twilight over.

Twilight Sparkle stood in place, standing her ground. She wasn't going to let Steeljaw get into her head. She wasn't going to succumb to his negative talk and despair.

"I'm alive now, and that's what counts." Twilight said. Her horn hummed as a pink glow surged from it. She fired a laser from it, striking Steeljaw in the hood of his vehicle mode and hitting him with such force it sent him flying, smoke billowing off from the side of his hood. He flipped over at least four times through the air before landing on his side, dragging across the ground, sparks flying off him as he was scraped across the pavement.

Steeljaw groaned and reverted to his robot mode. "Not bad for a four-legger." Steeljaw flexed his claws, deploying three blades from each set of knuckles.

"Why does a robot who has claws for hands need claws on his claws?" Twilight asked, incredulous. Steeljaw chose not to answer her question, running after her and attempting to slice her with his bladed gauntlets.

Below the bridge, the fight between the Autobots and Steeljaw's pack continued.

Underbite, the saurian Decepticon, picked out his rival from the crowd, the green Grimlock from the future, and made a beeline for him. "Howdy, Grimlock! Ooh, and it looks like I got two for the price of one! Past and future Grimlock buffet for me!"

The grey Grimlock of the here and now stood up, having dodged to avoid Thunderhoof's energy pulse. Grey Grimlock stretched his shoulders and prepared to engage Underbite. "This should be good."

"What are you doing?" Green Grimlock asked. "You can't just fight Underbite! You gotta play it smart, or he'll crush you!"

Grey Grimlock gave Green Grimlock an annoyed stare. "Kid, let me show you how it's done ..."

Grey Grimlock balled his hand into a fist. He ran towards Underbite, ready to strike. Underbite, undeestimating his opponent, continued his gallop towards Grey Grimlock.

Grey Grimlock slid on the desert sand, going underneath Underbite and slamming his fist into Underbite's chin. Underbite was sent flying into the air by the force of the impact.

"Whoaaaa!" Underbite struggled and flailed to find solid ground. As he fell downwards, as any airborne object which goes up must inevitably goes down, Grey Grimlock struck him again, slamming his fist into Underbite's nose. Underbite went rolling through the air until he landed on his back. Underbite groaned before falling unconscious.

Green Grimlock was impressed. "Whoa. Can you show me how to do that?"

Grey Grimlock turned to him. "I just did."

Rarity reached the bridge. "Be patient, Twilight! Like a charming prince, I am on my way to your rescue!"

Fracture noticed Rarity trying to go up the bridge to aid Twilight. "Can't have that, can we? Airrazor, Divebomb, take that pony out." Two pods separated from Fracture's shoulders, firing under a rocket-propelled propulsion to fly onto the bridge.

The two rockets flew in front of Rarity, converting into purple and red Decepticons which reminded Rarity of gremlins, with one having large claws and the other having four legs.

"Mini-Cons." Rarity rued. "Why did it have to be Mini-Cons?" The Mini-Con Airrazor pounced on Rarity, meaning to tackle her and slash her with his claws, but Rarity's training with the Wreckers gave her the expertise she needed to counterattack, rearing up and bucking the Mini-Con in the chest with her front hooves. Airrazor grunted in pain. Rarity grabbed him with her magic, lifted him up, and tossed him over her shoulder, taking him.

Seeing his Mini-Cons in need of aid, Fracture jumped into the air and bounced off the hill, joining the fray on the bridge. He pulled out his rocket launcher, aimed at Rarity, and fired.

Rarity, thinking fast, grabbed Divebomb with her magic and held him in the air, using him as a Decepticon shield. The rocket hit Divebomb in the back and detonated, leaving burn marks on Divebomb's back and knocking him out.

His usefulness to her at an end, Rarity dropped Divebomb, allowing to see Fracture's horrified face.

"You made my shoot my own Mini-Con." Fracture pumped the gauge on his bazooka. "I admire your deviousness in that regard. However, I'm afraid that means I now have to devise an exquisite and painful for you to die, Rarity. No hard feelings. It's just revenge."

"I'm not sure you grasp how the concept of "revenge" works, darling." Rarity said, hiding her fear. An Autobot rule Twilight had shared with her echoed in her mind; Autobot Rule Number 45: When the Decepticon address you by your proper name, you know you've made an enemy of them.

Rarity grimaced and stepped away from Fracture. She turned around and fled as Fracture went on a crazed firing spree with his bazooka, firing at her without regards for aiming or potential damage to the surrounding area.

Below the bridge on the ground, the Autobots prepared to handle another energy surge from Thunderhoof's hoof.

"You know what? I'm tired of this." Ultra Magnus reached over his shoulder and pulled out his hammer. The hammerhead crackling with electricity, Ultra Magnus slammed it into the ground, sending out an energy surge which met Thunderhoof's and caused both surges to fizzle out.

"Eh?" Thunderhoof expression confusion. "That shouldn't have worked, should it? Eh, no matter. Old Hoof's still got a trick or two up 'is sleeve, eh? AYAAAAAH!" Thunderhoof lowered his head and charged at Ultra Magnus, aiming his antlers at the Wrecker.

"Come on. You've got to be kidding me. Surely you can do better than that?" Ultra Magnus asked. He grabbed Thunderhoof by the antlers, picked him up, and tossed him to the side, Thunderhoof landing face-first into the dirt. Before Thunderhoof could pick himself up and brush the dirt off, Ultra Magnus lifted his hammer and brought it down, delivering a crippling blow to Thunderhoof's back.

Ultra Magnus heard the sound of explosions behind him. He turned and saw Fracture's haphazard firing at Rarity. "Hey! You quit firing at Bulkhead's favorite pony!" Ultra Magnus twirled his hammer, converting into its boomstick configuration, and aimed at Fracture. He fired, landing a direct hit on Fracture's chest, taking him out with one shot, Fracture going down as smoke flew from his chest.

Meanwhile, Twilight continued to evade Steeljaw's claws, having to time what few shots she could fire off carefully to prevent Steeljaw from taking advantage of an opening where she left herself vulnerable.

Steeljaw reared up and roared, growing tired of the game of "dodgeclaw" he was playing with Twilight. He received help in trying to end the game, but not the kind he was hoping for. Captain Bumblebee, roaring in fury, jumped up from behind and slashed him in the back.

Steeljaw staggered and turned around. "Attacking a 'Con while his back is turned? I thought you were better than that, Bumblebee."

"Remember the golden rule, Steeljaw. Do unto others as you would have done unto you." Captain Bumblebee said. "Would you have done any different?"

Steeljaw chuckled. "No, I suppose not."

"Steeljaw!"

Steeljaw faced Twilight.

"Since you're so opposed to being hit while your back is turned, I thought you might like it if I said something before I blasted you." Twilight shot another laser beam at Steeljaw's chest, cracking the window-screen in Steeljaw's chest and sending him skidding along the pavement.

"Grrr!" Steeljaw growled, digging his claws into the asphalt to slow his momentum. He stood up and prepared to fight both Bumblebee and Twilight.

"Fixit." Jack turned to the orange Mini-Con. "I need you to transform."

"Certainly, Mister Darby." Fixit said and converted into a vehicular mode, something which resembled a tiny version of an Energon Driller, though with two drills instead of one. Jack climbed onto the platform and took hold of the handles, driving Fixit up the hill and onto the bridge.

Jack revved the handles and lifted Fixit up. Accelerating the Mini-Con's speed, Jack launched himself and Fixit into the air and at Steeljaw, diving into his chest, and shoving Fixit's twin drills through his chest like lances.

"Ah ... clever, Jack!" Steeljaw groaned, clutching at the two puncture words in his chest. He stiffened his posture and turned to face Bumblebee and Twilight, but the two them struck first, with Bumblebee slashing Steeljaw's already-injured chest with his sword and Twilight, no longer having to dodge his claws, was free to blast him with magical bolts with impunity. The two of them kept this up, taking turns between Twilight's magic blasts and Bumblebee's sword until Steeljaw could no longer stand, falling to his knees.

With the Decepticons defeated, Ultra Magnus and the others gathered up Steeljaw's Pack and slapped them all into stasis cuffs.

"Nicely done." Captain Bumblebee complimented Twilight once the Decepticons were captured.

"I couldn't have done it without you." Twilight said.

"Don't pat yourselves on the back just yet. You think you're so smart." Steeljaw growled. "Well, let me tell you something, Twilight Sparkle. Even if you do change the past, you still can't accomplish everything you set out to do! You want to wage this little "Freedom War" of yours with minimal casualties? News flash, TWILIGHT SPARKLE; you can't save them all! DO YOU HEAR ME? YOU CAN'T SAVE THEM ALL!"

"SHADDUP!" Grey Grimlock punched Steeljaw, crushing his face in. Steeljaw's face was mangled, with his optics cracked and, his ears bent backwards, and the sides of his snout dented, giving the impression of swollen cheeks.

"Thank you, Grimlock. Even if I do wish you wouldn't have mutilated him ..."

"Sorry."

Twilight looked away from Steeljaw and gazed at the empty Nevada desert. She had been ignoring what he had to say during the entire time they were fighting, but now … now he had said something which pierced her and struck her to the core. Could she fight Galloway and Attinger and Gould and all their agents without letting anyone die senselessly on her watch?

She had promised several of her troops she would get them home after they had won the war – the war she had declared, she reminded herself – but how long would it be, and could she get them home … alive?

()()()()()()()()()()

()()()()()()()()()()

Tarn drummed his fingers. "Okay, gentlemen. We're approaching the end of our time, so make your closing arguments."

Ratchet stood up. "I believe, if you examine everything I've told you, Tarn, you will reach the same conclusion as I have that Galloway and his agents are responsible for destroying Megatron's corpse. Yes, the Autobots kept it hidden, but we would have, after a few years, after the Decepticon political party had time to fizzle out, have released the body for a proper Cybertronian burial; melted down into material for new protoforms."

"I beg to differ." Galloway said. "It is the Autobots who are responsible. In their … pretentiousness, their self-righteousness, their belief that they know what is best for everyone," Ratchet couldn't help but scoff, "they assumed custody of the body, thinking it was the right thing to do. I'm not going to admit that I sent any agents, but if I had, their mission would not have been to destroy Megatron's body. It was … collateral damage."

Tarn stood up. "I am not satisfied with either of your arguments."

Tarn looked at the clock.

"And you are both out of time."

Kaon reverted to robot mode for the coming execution. Tarn aimed his fusion cannon at Galloway. The cannon hummed as a purple light filled up its barrel, charging up a shot. Galloway trembled, staring down the barrel of the cannon which would end him. Ratchet closed his optics, hoping to accept death with grace.

There was a crash, and another of the windows broke, the glass shards sprikinling the floor and making it a terrible unsafe place for humans to walk.

"What?" Tarn exclaimed before a black-and-orange blur tackled him, sending him stumbling backwards. "Who are you?"

"I am Predaking, the king of beasts." Predaking answered. "You are Tarn, yes? Much has changed on Cybertron during your long stay on Messatime."

Tarn fired his cannon into Predaking's side. Despite the immense power within the fusion cannon, it did little other than leave a thin trail of smoke off Predaking's side.

Tarn's optics widened in shock. He had never seen anyone brush off a blast from his fusion cannon before. Predaking took advantage of his state of confusion and punched him in the face.

The rest of Predaking's reinforcements entered the building, following Predaking's example by crashing through the windows. Grimwing, Smokescreen, Side Swipe from the future, Strongarm, and Magnum, They engaged the Decepticon Justice Division, with Grimwing taking on both Helex and Tesarus, Strongarm opening fire on Vos, and Side Swipe attempting to take Kaon's head clean off with a sword. Kaon was too quick and ducked before shooting out a stream of electricity from his hands into Side Swipe's chest.

"I'm going in!" Stinger announced. He ran up to Tarn and attempted to electrocute the Decepticon with his stingers, but Tarn could handle him even if he was struggling with Predaking. Tarn grabbed Stinger by the wrist and hurled him into nearest wall.

"Whoa ..." Stinger expressed his awe of Tarn as he pulled himself out from the wall.

Smokescreen saw Ratchet. Ratchet saw him as well and didn't know what to make of it. Smokescreen smiled, heaving up a large green drill in his arms. Now Future Bee's advice to take a Beast Hunter weapon made sense.

Smokescreen dashed his way over to Ratchet, avoiding the attention of the Justice Division and the shots being exchanged.

"Hey." Smokescreen greeted Ratchet and presented him with the weapon. "A version of Bumblebee from the future traveled back in time to the past and told me to give you this."

Ratchet placed a hand on the weapon. "Are we sure taking actions based on the advice of a bot claiming to be from the future is wise? We could disturb the flow of history. Haven't you heard of the butterfly effect?"

"Hey." Smokescreen shrugged. "We need every advantage we can get, right?" Smokescreen thrust the weapon into Ratchet's hands. "You take that. I'll grab Miko."

"Hmm." While Smokescreen went to rescue Miko, Ratchet inspected the weapon. He found writing on the side which identified it as a Dragonshredder Drill, which Ratchet thought was a rather pompous name for a weapon. Spying a lever, Ratchet assumed it was the trigger to spin the drill and pressed it. He worried when instead of spinning as he expected, the drill sprouted steel cables which proceeded to wrap his arm and go up his shoulder before subsuming his entire body.

The battle raged on around him, with Predaking and Tarn taking turns punching each other and not feeling much effect from the blow, drawing near a stalemate. Side Swipe took another hit of electricity from Kaon's palm and went down. Strongarm overcame Vos by grabbing him, and when Vos attempted to escape by converting into his gun mode and slipping out of Strongarm's hands, Strongarm picked him up and tossed him out the window.

Ratchet emerged from his cocoon, transformed by the Beast Hunter metamorphosis. His body was craggy and covered in a rock-like plating, with orange, beige, and white parts running down his body. It made Ratchet think of clay and limestone. A green orb was in his chest, with a green "monocle" (in truth a targeting system) covering his right eye, his head having a skeletal appearance.

With the Drill mounted to the side of his right arm, Ratchet joined the fray. Willing the drill to spin, Ratchet slammed into Tarn's side, scratching the Decepticon and stripping his armor plating off.

"What? How?" Tarn exclaimed at the hole in his side. "My armor is impenetrable!"

"Obviously not, or I wouldn't have been able to penetrate it just now, would I?" Ratchet said.

"Bah! You're just a medic." Tarn scoffed. He turned his cannon on Ratchet. Ratchet aimed his drill at Tarn, which split open like a clam's shell to reveal a chain gun inside. The drill spun, firing shots from the chain gun into Tarn, pushing him back with their force. As the drill spun, it generated a vortex, pulling Tarn in and holding him in place as the chain gun changed ammunition. No longer firing lasers, it instead fire canisters which Ratchet aimed into the hole he made on Tarn's armor.

"Gah!" Tarn exclaimed and stumbled back. "What's happening to me?" Tarn clutched at his sides. It felt like insects were crawling over his insides. Disgusting, filthy, organic insects.

"Nanobots, Tarn." Ratchet said, smiling. "Nanobots which will crawl into your insides and disable your internal systems from within. You should surrender, Tarn. Even if you gun me down, the nanobots will still dissemble you."

"How …?" Tarn said. "How could I have lost to you? You're just a medic!"

"Indeed. I am a medic. And you, Tarn, have been threatening my patients." Ratchet growled.

"RRAAAAHH!" Tarn screamed and lunged at Ratchet, his hands reaching out to grab Ratchet by the head. Ratchet reacted by instinct, stepping backwards and firing a green laser from his monocle, hitting Tarn directly the optic and halting his charge. As Tarn howled and clutched at his wounded eye, Ratchet fired the laser again, this time into Tarn's chest, blasting him with force to send him falling out the window.

"Huh." Ratchet tapped a finger to his monocle. "That's new."

"Well done." Predaking congratulated Ratchet's work. "I will deal with the rest of them."

Predaking turned around to face the remaining members of the D.J.D. Running towards his opponent, he grabbed Tesarus from behind and lifted him up.

Grimwing, free to focus all his attention on one Decepticon instead of two, followed Predaking's example, grabbing Helex by the waist and lifting him up. Both Predacons tossed their captives out the window, sending them hurtling onto the concrete ground which lined the outside of Gould Enterprises.

Kaon, the last Decepticon standing, aimed his palms at the air and prepared to shoot out electric arcs. If he was going down, he was going to take everyone in the building wit him.

Grimwing aimed his Mini-Con and fired a grappling hook from the Mini-Con's beak, wrapping the cable around Kaon's arm. Kaon struggled and tried to pull free from the binding, but Grimwing wrapped his end of the line and pulled, pulling Kaon forward. Grimwing swung the cable around and hurled Kaon out the window, yanking on the tether and freeing Kaon to join his brethren on the ground.

"You should go." Ratchet said to the Imperials. "If I know as much about the Decepticon Justice Division as I think I do, then a simple fall isn't going to stop them for long. You should try to get them away from the city."

"Come on." Smokescreen held out his hand to Ratchet, Miko riding on his shoulder. "You can help us deal with them, and then we're taking you home."

Ratchet looked at Smokescreen's hand, tempted to take it. At this point, Galloway and his men couldn't stop him. But he thought about Vigil.

"No." Ratchet said.

"What? Ratchet -"

"Trust me." Ratchet said. "I can be of more help to you from the inside. Besides, I have a friend who I owe another round of chess who can help. I know he can. Go."

"Are you sure about this?" Smokescreen asked. "We might not get another chance to rescue you again for awhile."

"Yeah, doc-bot!" Miko said. "Are you sure?"

"I am." Ratchet said. "Although … tell me one thing. Fluttershy. Is-is she with you?"

Smokescreen smiled. "She's safe, Ratchet."

"That's all I need to know." Ratchet said. "Now go."

Predaking put a hand against the wall, leaning out the window to survey the ground. "The Decepticon Justice Division is no longer here."

"What?" Smokescreen rushed to the window. "How?"

"I suspect that while you and Ratchet were talking, they retreated to lick their wounds." Predaking said.

Smokescreen sighed. "Add another group to the list of Decepticons we need to watch out for. I'll call base and get a Bridge." Smokescreen tapped the side of his head.

A GroundBridge opened up beneath the window, suspended horizontally in the air. Predaking, Smokescreen, and the others jumped into it, the Bridge disappearing once the entire team had entered.

"You ..." Galloway said, crawling out from his cover now the danger was passed. "You stayed with us, Ratchet. You had a chance to leave and you chose to stay with us. I didn't hear what you said to your friends – were they your friends? - but that must be some form of loyalty."

"Maybe he's developing Stockholm Syndrome." Gould suggested.

"Yes." Ratchet said, giving Galloway a wary eye. "Loyalty." And absolutely not as a way to sabotage your operations, he thought to himself.

"Did you see that?" Stinger said as he got to his feet. "That Tarn guy – he was awesome! He wasn't taking any disrespect from anyone! And the way he shrugged off that huge dragon-bot's punches? MAN! What a trooper!"

Ratchet raised a browplate at Stinger, growing concerned about Stinger developing a strong admiration for a Decepticon, but he said nothing.

Stinger, meanwhile was re-evaluating Galvatron's invitation . . .

()()()()()()()()()()()

At the Imperial base, Captain Bumblebee's team regrouped and gathered with Twilight and Magnum to watch as guards carted off Steeljaw and his Pack into prison cells.

"Nice work out there." Captain Bumblebee said to Twilight.

"We couldn't have done it without your help." Twilight said. "So, that's Steeljaw captured and the Decepticon Justice Division defeated. Now we just to deal with the Star Seekers and we'll have taken care of everything you told us about." Twilight said.

Bumblebee gave an approving nod.

"So, Future Jack ..." Twilight put a hoof on "Johnson's" shoulder. "Since you're here, would you like me to GroundBridge Adagio Dazzle back to base so you can apologize for putting a knife to her throat?"

"Not really, no." Jack answered.

"Huh." Twilight was a little put off by his reply. The Jack she knew in the present was much nicer.

"So ..." Grey Grimlock walked up to Captain Bumblebee, joined by Green Grimlock. "I notice you got a Dinobot on your team by the name of Grimlock."

"That's right." Captain Bumblebee said.

"Is he ... like, me or something? Did I get hit by something? Or he just some kid who took my name?"

"Honestly, Grimlock ..." Captain Bumblebee said with a smile. "We don't know. If any of us knew, we would tell you."

"Captain Bumblebee." Twilight asked, turning back to him. "We know the Decepticons rule Cybertron in the future. Do we know they got that way? How they came to power? What happened that made it all go so wrong?"

Captain Bumblebee shook his head. "I don't know. No one does. There was … something that turned all the humans and some ponies into zombies - not actual zombies, mind you, with the rotting flesh – just mindless, unthinking drones, and it caused pain to Cybertronians." Captain Bumblebee looked away. "Eventually, it became too much for most of us to bear, so when the Decepticons made a resurgence and suggested that we start killing the organics to get rid of … whatever was causing us pain, some of us listened. Even a few Autobots did. They couldn't take it anymore."

Captain Bumblebee rested his elbow on the wall, covering his face.

"They were good Autobots, Twilight. Sure, some of them were a little triggerhappy, but they were good bots, good people." Captain Bumblebee's voice cracked. "Like Warpath. You know Warpath? Like I said, triggerhappy, but a good Autobot. I watched … I watch as the Decepticons taunted and goaded him, until finally he had enough of whatever the organics were doing that was hurting us and he … he fired into the crowd and killed humans and ponies. I could see it on his face as he realized what he done … and I could see it on his face as his Spark, his soul, died."

Twilight gave Bumblebee a look of worry and horror.

"Some of the "big names" were the first ones to die." Captain Bumblebee said. "Before the rest of us realized what was happening and banded together to fight the Decepticons. You know, people like Bulkhead, Arcee, Ultra Magnus, you, Twilight Sparkle, and … and Pinkie Pie." Captain Bumblebee's optics widened as he realized something.

Twilight saw it too. "Well … Pinkie Pie is alive now, if you want to see her."

"Could I? And … and Raf, too?"

"Of course." Twilight smiled and activated her comm. "Pinkie Pie, Raf, I need you in here."

"Here we are!" Pinkie Pie and Raf soon arrived, Pinkie cartwheeling into the room. "What do you need, Twilight?"

"Pinkie Pie ..." Captain Bumblebee went down on his knees. "Raf …" Captain Bumblebee's optics leaked oily tears.

"Hi, Future Bumblebee!" Pinkie Pie waved. "Any fun future stories you want to share with us?"

"Hi." Raf waved a bit more awkwardly. It was odd for him to see a future version of his friend.

"It's so good to see you again." Captain Bumblebee said. "I … in my timeline, Pinkie Pie's dead and Raf is missing, presumed dead. I ..."

Captain Bumblebee broke down into tears, wrapping his arms around Pinkie Pie and Raf and pulling them into a tight hug.

"I don't want to lose you again!"

Strongarm comforted her commander, patting him on the shoulder. "There, there, sir. They're here now, see?"

"Don't worry. You won't." Twilight said. "We're going to figure out what went wrong in the future and keep the Decepticons from taking over Cybertron. I promise."

Captain Bumblebee looked at Twilight, his tears drying up. "You-you mean it?"

"Of course I do!" Twilight said. "You know me, Bumblebee. You think I can't keep a promise?"

"Thank you, Twilight Sparkle." Bumblebee put Raf and Pinkie down and wiped a tear from his eye. "I know you can keep a promise, Twilight. It's just … after everything I've been through, I guess it's hard for me to believe someone like you could, would step up to the challenge and try and change the way things are in my time."

Twilight chuckled. "After what you've been through, who could blame you? But don't worry, Bumblebee. We've got all the time in the world." Twilight wiggled her eyebrows.

Bumblebee chuckled. "Heh heh. Time travel jokes."

Elsewhere in the base, inside Steeljaw's cell, the wolfish Decepticon was not going to accept defeat so easily. Sure, he may have been captured, sure, he may have his face smashed in by the Grimlock of the present, but he still had a trick or two up his sleeve.

Steeljaw raised up his arm. "Show me the timeline, Snowdrop."

A hologram of Snowdrop projected from Steeljaw's arm. Aside from the obvious difference of being an adult where the present Snowdrop was a filly, the Snowdrop projected, instead of the pure, icy orbs the present Snowdrop possessed, instead had two dark, glowing red Decepticon optics for eyes, which were a bit too small for her eye sockets, creating an eerie look of a red glow coming from inside an empty eye socket. The image was best compared with a Halloween skull.

"Yes sir, Master Steeljaw - what happened to your face?"

"Never mind that." Steeljaw said. "The timeline?"

"Yes sir!" Snowdrop saluted. Her appearance was replaced by a projection of code. "The course of history has so far not been altered. The timeline is intact. None of the actions taken by you or the Autobots have had any temporal repercussions … yet."

"It's not going to stay that way. Keep me posted on any new developments." Steeljaw said and dismissed the hologram. "Boys, we're going to break out of here, and we're not just going to make sure that the history stays the same, we're going to change it so the Decepticons achieve complete and total victory."

"Now how are we goin' to do that, Steelie?" Thunderhoof said. "We're locked up! Boxed! Caged like a bunch of – of -"

"Criminals?" Fracture suggested.

"I wasn't goin' to say it." Thunderhoof said.

"I tell you how, Thunderhoof. We're going to improvise. I'm going to need everyone to donate some parts ..."

Fracture and Thunderhoof sighed. This wasn't the first time they had to cannibalize parts of themselves for one of Steeljaw's schemes, and they doubted it would be the last. Nonetheless, they complied with Steeljaw's request, digging out and ripping out the non-essential parts of their bodies and donating them to Steeljaw.

Steeljaw, like a maestro of technology, assembled the components into a device. A device which would carry out a transmission with a signal boosted enough to breach whatever protective shielding Twilight might have installed into the Imperial base.

Steeljaw adjusted a dial on the side, trying to key the device to the right frequency. He soon got it, as a projection of Tarn appeared from the device.

"What's this?" Tarn said. "Who are you? How did you get this number?"

"Hello, Tarn." Steeljaw said. "I am Steeljaw."

"Steeljaw. Steeljaw … aren't you currently imprisoned on the Alchemor?"

Steeljaw chuckled. "No. Well, yes. It's a bit hard to explain. But trust me when I tell you that all you need to know is that I know the location of the Imperials' base."

"Imperials?" Tarn questioned.

"They're a neo-Autobot group founded by a pony by the name of Twilight Sparkle to fight both "renegade" Decepticons and the compromised government of the planet Earth." Steeljaw said. "Their ranks include Autobots, humans, Equestrians, … and former Decepticons."

"Former … Decepticons?" Tarn said. "Do you mean tell there is an entire organization filled with Autobots and organics working together, and that there are not only Decepticons who abandoned the righteous way of the Decepticon cause, but sighed up with the Autobots to work with filthy organics?"

"Yes." Steeljaw said. "They even have a city."

"You MUST tell me the location of this city, Steeljaw, so the Decepticon Justice Division may punish these Decepticons who abandoned the ways of the Decepticons and betray their Cybertronian heritage by allying with organics!"

"In due time." Steeljaw said. "Before I do that, however, I need something from you."

Tarn sighed. "What is it?"

"I know you don't like organics, Tarn, but I need you to send a message to one in particular with these instructions … "

"It will be done. The treason committed by these Decepticons cannot go unpunished!"

Elsewhere in the base, Twilight and Captain Bumblebee were engaged in a discussion, trying to figure out what happened in the future to cause it to become so horrible and ravaged. Maybe Bumblebee had seen something without knowing it. Maybe he was forgetting something.

"Commander?" A Vehicon said, interrupting their conversation. "We're picking something up on our sensors."

Twilight and Captain Bumblebee went with the Vehicon to the control room.

"On-screen." Twilight ordered. An Autobot pushed a button and brought up on a screen a display of what they had found.

Hydia was standing in the desert, looking ragged and tired, with her clothes ripped in places. She was down on one knee and seemed week, drawing the word "Sanctuary" into the sand with her finger.

Twilight narrowed her eyes. "Hmm."

"What are you thinking, commander?" The Vehicon said.

"She seems to be asking for sanctuary, but … I don't like it." Twilight said. "Not after what happened with Percy and Johnson. Er, Future Jack. Captain Bumblebee, what do you make of this?"

"I don't remember her." Captain Bumblebee said. "I'm not sure I've seen her before."

Twilight tapped her chin. "Something about this still doesn't seem right. I've got it. Open a GroundBridge near her location and invite her, but I want at least four guards on her at all times."

"Sir?" The Vehicon asked.

"I think something fishy is going on with Hydia." Twilight said. "And I intend to find out what by letting her in and letting her think she's in control."

The Vehicon looked to Twilight. "A double bluff? I like it."

"Exactly."

The Vehicons set out do as she ordered. Opening a GroundBridge near her, Hydia jumped up at the sight. A Vehicon went through the Bridge and invited her up. Hydia got to her feet and waddled through, the Vehicon close behind her.

Hydia emerged on the inside of the Imperial base, coming face-to-face with the masked War Princess.

"Greetings, Hydia." The War Princess said with her distorted voice. "We saw your request for sanctuary and invited you here. You will find everything you need here while the danger passes."

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Hydia exclaimed, getting onto her knees and kissing the War Princess's feet. "I don't know how I can repay your generosity."

"No payment necessary, ma'am. Now tell me, what troubles you?"

"Troubles?" Hydia asked.

"You were asking for refuge. I presumed something must have been troubling you which you wanted to hide from, or you wouldn't have asked."

"Oh, yes, yes, of course! It was a horrible monster." Hydia said. "It chased me through Equestria while I was trying to arrange a meeting with Princess Celestia to discuss Equestria's relationship with my homeland. I tried to escape through the Space Bridge system, but it followed me here to Earth!"

"I see." The War Princess said. "Well, until we either disable this monster or it goes away, you are welcome to stay here. Under guard, of course. It's nothing serious, just a security measure." The War Princess assured her as four Vehicon appeared to serve as Hydia's escort.

Hydia seemed displeased. "Yes, of course ..."

"If you'll follow us, miss, we'll take you to the guest quarters." One of the Vehicons said. The Vehicons ushered Hydia out of the room.

"See if you can get into the travel log for Equestria's Space Bridge." The War Princess ordered a Vehicon once Hydia was out of earshot. "Check to see if it was opened recently and if her story checks out. I want no security breaches today. Either this monster is real and needs to be stopped, or Hydia is lying and about to become Steeljaw's cell neighbor."

The Vehicon nodded and left to carry out Twilight's orders.

Hydia walked with her Vehicon escort. She seemed displeased and uncomfortable.

"Hey." She stopped at a hallway. "What's down this hall?"

"That?" One of the Vehicons said. "That's where we keep the prisoners. Trust me, you don't want to go in there."

"Oh, I think I do." Hydia said, and dashed towards the hall, abandoning her Vehicon escorts

"Hey!" One of the Vehicons shouted. "Stop!" The Vehicons primed their blasters and chased after her, firing at her.

Hydia outran their blasters, an easy feat, as the Vehicons were exercising restraint and only trying to shoot to incapacitate rather than kill.

Hydia arrived at Steeljaw's cell, sliding on her feet and skidding to a stop. The Vehicons soon caught up with her, training their blasters at her.

"You're coming with us." A Vehicon said.

"Oh, but sir!" Hydia pointed into the cell. "Those prisoners are attacking each other!"

The Vehicons looked up from Hydia at the cell, where Thunderhoof was throttling Steeljaw and Underbite had Fracture pinned underfoot.

"You!" Thunderhoof yelled. "Youse got us into this mess!"

Hydia looked at the Vehicons. "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Aren't you going to help them?" Hydia asked.

"Oh, what, we're supposed to fall for this?" The Vehicon said. "The prisoners pretend to attack each other in their cells, and we're supposed to go in to break it up, and then they hit us in the back and escape and lock us in the cell? They were getting along just fine earlier. We're not falling for it."

"Don't you have an obligation to help your prisoners?" Hydia said.

"Yeah, but they don't need any help." The Vehicon said.

Thunderhoof and Steeljaw looked at the Vehicons for a split-second, upset to see the Vehicons were onto them. Thunderhoof roared and threw Steeljaw into the wall, trying to make it more believable. Thunderhoof ran up to Steeljaw and grabbed him by the neck, pinning him against the wall.

Underbite, also trying to get the Vehicons to take the bait, pressed his foot harder onto Fracture. Fracture frowned at being used in such a manner and fired a rocket from his shoulder. The rocket hit the ceiling of the cell and ricocheted, bouncing around the cell.

"Rocket!" One of the Vehicons exclaimed.

"Okay, now we have to help, because for all we know, that rocket is going to go off any time now and take out half the base with it!"

The Vehicons unlocked the cell door and went in to capture the runaway rocket. The rocket, however, redirected itself, reverting into Airrazor and leaping onto a Vehicon's face.

"It's not a rocket, it's a Mini-Con!" The Vehicon exclaimed as Airrazor scratched his face. He fired his blaster at random trying to get the situation under control. One of the other Vehicons went to help him, but Divebomb dropped down from the ceiling and landed on his back, wrapping his tiny arms around the Vehicon's neck. The second Vehicon also fired at random in hopes of getting the situation under control.

Steeljaw's Pack, seeing their chance, struck. Thunderhoof let go of Steeljaw and charged, goring one of the Vehicons with his antlers. Underbite let go of Fracture and swatted the remaining Vehicons with his claw, tossing them around and scattering them across the hall.

"Good work, everyone." Steeljaw said, stepping out of the cell. "And thanks to you too, Hydia. "

Hydia bowed.

One of the Vehicons reached up, trying to pull the alarm to let the base know about the jailbreak. Fracture noticed and stomped the Vehicon's hand into the floor.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Fracture said. "Didn't anyone ever teach you not to be a snitch?" Fracture kicked the Vehicon in the head, knocking him into his back. The Vehicon groaned in pain.

"Quickly." Steeljaw said. "We need to get to their GroundBridge terminal before they know we're out."

Steeljaw's Pack, with Hydia, ran out of the hall and headed for the Bridge control room. Before they reached their goal, they ran into a room where the War Princess, Captain Bumblebee, and Magnum were having a discussion.

The two Autobots and pony looked to the quarter of escaped Decepticons and their human partner. Both sides needed a minute to process what they were seeing. The Autobots needed a minute because they couldn't believe Steeljaw's Pack had gotten out of its cells. The Decepticons needed a moment because they couldn't believe the Autobots were in front of them right as they were almost to the Bridge control room.

Both sides recovered, and the Autobots prepared the weapons. Hydia produced a handful of purple powder and threw it to the floor, creating a cloud of smoke which obscured the Autobots' vision. Steeljaw's Pack pushed their way through the smog, though Steeljaw did have to push Magnum of the way.

"Security breach! Escaping prisoners!" The War Princess shouted, giving chase to Steeljaw. "All units, converge on the GroundBridge control room!"

The War Princess, Magnum, and Captain Bumblebee pursued the quintet of crooks.

"Whatever you're doin', you better do it fast, Steelie." Thunderhoof said. "They're comin'!"

"I need a little more time!" Steeljaw said, his claws inside the GroundBridge's internal wiring. "Reroute that here … direct that subroutine to here … and plug this in here."

The War Princess, Magnum, and Captain Bumblebee arrived at the GroundBridge control room.

"I don't know why Hydia is helping you, or how she manged to get you out of your cells, but you're going right back in there, Steeljaw!" Captain Bumblebee unsheathed his blade. Side Swipe, Strongarm, the orange Mini-Con, and Green Grimlock entered the room.

"Perfect!" Steeljaw said. "Thunderhoof, would you do the honors?" Steeljaw lifted two wires out from the GroundBridge and plugged them together. The GroundBridge activated, droning as a Bridge opened in its terminal. Only, the portal it generated was blue instead of the correct green color for GroundBridges.

"What is that?" The War Princess asked.

"That's a Time Bridge." Captain Bumblebee said. "It's a hotwired GroundBridge. It's what we used to send Jack back in time, and how Steeljaw and my team got here to your present."

"Indeed!" Steeljaw said.

Underbite charged at the Autobots, headbutting Magnum and tossing him into the room. Twilight Sparkle fired lasers at Underbite's chin, but Underbite took his massive claw and swatted her, sending her into the wall.

Underbite turned tail and cleared the room. Captain Bumblebee and his team tried to chase him, but the reason he was leaving the floor became clear when Thunderhoof stomped, sending out one of his energy pulses and knocking all of Team Bee onto their backs.

With a psychotic, fang-bearing grin, Steeljaw pulled another wire out from the GroundBridge's wiring. The Time Bridge began to hum and generated a vortex, sucking Team Bee towards it.

"This must have been Steeljaw's plan, sir!" Strongarm shouted as she was pulled towards the Bridge. "To use a Time Bridge to send us back to the future so we couldn't change the past!"

"Ah, Strongarm! You are ever so perceptive." Steeljaw said, clinging onto the side of the GroundBridge terminal to keep from being sucked into the Time Bridge along with Team Bee.

While Fracture and Thunderhoof hid behind Underbite for cover, and Underbite's massive girth let him keep himself rooted by planting his feet down, Team Bee tried to avoid getting sucked in by digging their hands into the floor. When this didn't work, they linked arms with each other, hoping their combined weight would be enough to keep them down.

It wasn't.

"Twilight Sparkle!" Captain Bumblebee shouted. "I'm sorry! It's pulling us in! We're going through, whether we want to or not! I'm sorry we couldn't have been of more help!"

"Don't be!" Twilight shouted back. "You were a big help, and now we know! Don't worry, Bumblebee – we'll find out what went wrong and keep it from happening!"

Even as the Time Bridge pulled him and his team in, Captain Bumblebee smiled at her. "I know you will." Bumblebee and the others grabbed the sides of the GroundBridge terminal, holding on as long they could, but they couldn't resist the pull of the Time Bridge forever.

"Wait!" Twilight shouted. "I thought of something! Is there anything you can tell us about the future in the time you have before you get sucked in!?"

"I'm not sure!" Captain Bumblebee closed his optics to think. Time was running out. "Oh! There is one thing! Whatever you do, DON'T – TRUST - "

Bumblebee's hand slipped from the edge of the terminal, and he his team were pulled in. Steeljaw disconnected the wirings, deactiving his improvised vortex and the Time Bridge.

"Don't trust who? Or what?" Twilight exclaimed, desperate for answers.

"And just so you don't get any ideas about trying to use the Time Bridge to fix things, Twilight Sparkle!" Steeljaw said before punching his claw into the GroundBridge's wiring, tearing it apart and preventing Twilight from studying the fixes Steeljaw applied, preventing her from learning how to make her own Time Bridge.

By the same token, Underbite punched out the GroundBridge's log recording the last set of coordinates were inputted. Even that was too big a hint for Steeljaw's Pack to allow.

"I ..." The War Princess stood up and looked at Hydia. "There was no monster, was there, Hydia?"

Hydia chuckled. "No."

Twilight was enraged by this. She was going to find out if there was a monster or not from agents she sent out, but they had left and hadn't come back, and Hydia had carried out her sinister plan in that time.

"You'll pay for this, Hydia. I will give your scent to the Predacons and hunt you down to the ends of the universe."

"Hmph."

Steeljaw's Pack gathered around Hydia. Magnum stood up and aimed at them, opening fire. Hydia threw another handful of purple powder into the floor, creating a cloud of purple smoke. When it clear, both she and Steeljaw's Pack were gone.

Magnum looked at Twilight Sparkle. "'You'll pay for this'?"

"What else was I supposed to say? 'I completely and totally forgive your betrayal, and am in no way mad at myself because I could have prevented you from doing any real damage if I had just been quicker on the draw'?"

Magum frowned. "Twilight Sparkle, I thought the purpose of recruiting Decepticons into the Imperials was to give them a chance to redeem themselves and reform them, not become them."

Twilight glared at him.

"And you can't take your anger out on Hydia just because she blindsided you-"

"But that's just it! She didn't blindside me! I was expecting something like this and took measures to prevent it, and it happened anyway! Come to think of it, we should check on those Vehicons I sent to guard Hydia and make sure Steeljaw didn't kill them."

Magnum nodded.

"We also need to hunt down Steeljaw. With his knowledge of the future and my identity, who knows what kind of havoc he could wreak?"

"Uh, guys?" Raf walked into the room, carrying his laptop. "I know you're kind of the middle of something, but I thought you might want to know about this."

Twilight groaned and rolled her eyes. The last thing she needed was more problems. "What is it, Raf?"

"Well, after what Bumblebee said, I've been monitoring satellite communications for any sign of the Star Seekers, and …" Raf opened his laptop, pulled up the relevant data, and spun it around to show Twilight. "I think I've found them. New satellite images coming in show a huge ship approaching Earth, and it doesn't look Cybertronian."

Twilight scrutinized the imagas on Raf's screen. "That ship looks a little familiar … I'm going to bet it's probably them. Magnum, assemble a strike team, and make sure they're space-worthy. We're going to keep the Star Seekers far away from Earth."

Magun nodded. "And … what about the Vehicons?"

"Well, make sure they're okay, obviously! Then assemble the strike team."

()()()()()()()()()()()

()()()()()()()()()()()

Out in space far above Earth, a Space Bridge opened, depositing a team of Imperials around the area of the ship. The team included Grimlock, Ultra Magnus, Arcee, Crosshairs, a few Vehicons, and Twilight, wearing her exo-suit with some modifications to seal in air.

Twilight Sparkle saw the ship, the Tidal Wave, and her memory was jogged. "I remember now! The Star Seekers! My friends and I met them when we first went into space. We liberated the Junkions from them before they shot our ship down."

"The Junkions, huh?" Ultra Magnus said. "Nice to know they're doing all right."

"Let's move in." Twilight ordered.

On top of the ship, two Star Seekers were standing guard, acting as sentries. A bulky, black and yellow one and a lanky, skeletal white and blue one.

"Did you see something?" The white one asked. "I think I saw something."

"We're in the vastness of space, Axer." The bulky one said. "No one knows we're here. Look, there's Dirt now."

"Earth." Axer corrected him. "It's Earth, Cannonball."

"Whatever."

Cannonball should have put more faith into Axer's concerns, as Grimlock and Ultra Magnus dropped from above onto the ship in front of them.

"What the-?"

"Good morning." Grimlock greeted them.

Grimlock and Ultra Magnus raised their fists and slugged Cannonball and Axer, using their above-average strength to knock both of them out. The two guards went down like a house of cards.

"And good night." Ultra Magnus quipped.

"Good job. Now they can't raise the alarm. That should give us an element of surprise ..." Twilight gestured for the team to move into the ship.

Inside the ship, Thundertron, along with his first mate Brimstone and technician Sandstorm, was on the ship's bridge, viewing Earth from the canopy as they got closer to their destination.

"Ah, there's Earth now." Thundertron said. "The first planet in this … triple planetary alliance we will free from the Cybertronian infection. Like a bad case of rust, we will strip away the Cybertronians from these planets, one by one." Thundertron reached out towards the screen and clenched his fist, creating an optical illusion of him crushing the Earth in his hand.

"Hmm." Thundertron's eyes shifted. "Cannonball and Axer haven't reported in."

"I'm sure Axer and Cannonball just got into a fight again." Brimstone said.

"No. I gave them strict orders to report in on a regular basis." Thundertron said. "Go see what's happening."

"Captain." Brimstone stood at attention, going over to a security. "I think I know." He moved to let Thundertron see. Thundertron was appalled to see the Imperials on the screen, running amok on his ship.

"Cybertronians!" Thundertron exclaimed. "How did they get on board?"

"I suspect they took out Cannonball and Axer and made their way in." Brimstone said. "I told you we should have installed cameras on the outside of the ship ..."

Thundertron smacked Brimstone on the head. "Never mind that now. Stop them!"

Brimstone nodded, used to Thundertron losing his temper and lashing. He pushed a button on the console. He and Sandstorm got up and rushed out of the bridge to engage the intruders.

In the hall of the ship, the Imperials were about to turn a corner when the walls in the hall broke apart, unfurling mounted, automatic sentry guns which opened fire at them. They retreated to behind the corner, and the guns stopped when they could no longer detect them.

"What's this?" Twilight asked.

"A security system. No good ship should be one without one." Crosshairs said. "Honestly, Twilight, I thought you knew about this sort of thing.

"I know that. I meant, how do we get past it?"

"Have no fear. Let the missus and I take care of it. After all, that's what you brought us along for, isn't it?" Crosshairs twirled a pistol while Arcee pulled the drawstring on her Echohawk Bow.

"Ladies first." Crosshairs said, moving aside and bowing.

"Who says chivalry is dead?" Arcee quipped, moving into the hall. The turrets fired at her, and she slipped back behind the corner.

"Motion activated." Crosshairs said. "Good. We can use that to our advantage."

Crosshairs and Arcee scooted into the hall, moving their feet by bare inches to avoid triggering the motion sensors.

"Baby steps ..." Crosshairs said, his foot sliding on the floor. "Baby steps … okay, now!" Crosshairs and Arcee aimed their weapons and opened fire, shooting the turrets out. Some of the guns deeper into the hall prepared to react, but Arcee and Crosshairs took them out before they could fire back.

Brimstone and Sandstorm entered the other end of the hallway. Brimstone was agahst to see all of their turrets destroyed.

"Grr!" Brimstone and Sandstorm pulled out their weapons, a flail and a semi-automatic machine gun, respectively.

"We'll take care of them." Crosshairs told Twilight. "You go on ahead."

Twilight nodded. She, Grimlock, some Vehicons, and Ultra Magnus shoved their way past Brimstone and Sandstorm, bowling them over. The two Star Seekers recovered and prepared to give chase.

"Hey, uglies! Over here, eh?" Crosshairs shouted, getting Brimstone and Sandstorm's attention. The two Autobots, joined by the remaining Vehicons, fired, pummeling Brimstone and Sandstorm with lasers from Vehicons, bullets from Crosshairs, and missiles from the bow.

Twilight and her two bruisers made their way to the bridge. When they found the bridge, the way in was barred by a closed door. Grimlock dug his hands in and pried the door open, opening the way to the bridge and Thundertron. He looked different from the last time Twilight saw him, though it had been three years.

Thundertron turned to them. "You … how did you know we were here?"

"Sorry. That's a secret." Twilight told him. "What do you want with Earth, Thundertron?"

"What else? To cleanse it, to rescue from its Cybertronian infestation." Thundertron said.

"Infestation?"

"The Cybertronians are a plague to the universe at large." Thundertron said. "Their war has spread to countless worlds, including mine, ravaging planets, stripping them of resources before moving onto the next world, like vampires. When the Cybertronians left my home planet in ruins, I swore I would make the whole Cybertronian race pay for what they did. There will be a reckoning for your kind, Cybertronians!" Thunderton pointed at them.

"You're probably right. There will be. But not today, and not by you." Ultra Magnus said.

The Vehicons moved in to arrest Thundertron. Thundertron easily took them out, kicking one in the stomach before twirling around and punching another in the head. When a third aimed its blaster at him, Thundertron revealed a blade on his arm and slashed the Vehicon in the chest.

Grimlock pulled out his own spiky sword to challenge Thundertron. Thundertron, accepting the unspoken challenge, removed the sword from his arm and held it in his hand.

"Oh, that's a neat trick." Grimlock said. "It can either be an arm-mounted or hand held sword. Most Cybertronian weapons can only be one or the other."

"Yet another way my kind is superior to yours." Thundertron said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Grimlock engaged Thundertron, bringing his sword down over Thundertron. Thundertron blocked Grimlock's sword, pushing Grimlock's sword back. Grimlock separated and attempted to strike from a different angle, but Thundertron was able to adjust and counteract it, parrying Grimlock's sword again. Thundertron wrestled with Grimlock's sword, pushing on it before being able to force it out of the way.

Thundertron raised his sword to strike Grimlock on the head, but Grimlock recovered and guarded against Thundertron's overhead strike. Grimlock, seeing this sword duel was going nowhere, took the initiave and kicked Thundertron in the gut, sending him sliding across the room into the control console.

Thundertron groaned. He looked to his side and saw a lever. Rolling over to reach it, Thundertron grabbed the lever and pulled it down.

A whir carried out throughout the ship.

"That sounds like a Space Bridge." Grimlock noted.

"It is." Thundertron said. "I have one installed on my ship."

"You say you hate Cybertronians so much, but you're willing to use their technology?" Grimlock asked.

"Regardless of its origin, one doesn't let a potential asset go to waste." Thundertron pushed himself up. "In a few minutes, the Bridge will power up and teleport the ship to a random location in space, taking all of you with me."

"That doesn't sound like a very good plan." Twilight said. "After we teleport, we would still be here, and it won't take us long to defeat you and we can just summon our own Space Bridge to escape."

"Ah, but are you willing to risk it?" Thundertron said. "I have set my Space Bridge to continue warping the ship to random locations. Even if you do defeat me, the ship will keep teleporting, and your friends will never be able to get a fix on your location. You'll be somewhere one minute, and somewhere else the next. Are you ready to risk potentially being stuck warping randomly in space forever?"

"No." Twilight answered, realizing the implications of Thundertron's threat. Even if they defeated Thundertron and took control of the ship, it could be days before she figured out how to hack into the ship's controls and get the Space Bridge to send them back to Earth. Galloway could gain huge advantages in the time, and the Imperials could panic over the disappearance of their leader.

"No, I'm not. We need to get out of here!"

"Here." Ultra Magnus aimed his boomstick. "Have a parting gift, from me to you." Ultra Magnus fired. The explosive shell from his weapon hit Thundertron, shredding his sides into pieces and leaving the side of his body with a smoking hole in it. Grimlock picked up the Vehicons Thundertron had incapacitated, throwing one over his shoulder while holding the other two in his arms.

Twilight Sparkle and her team raced back into the hallway, where Brimstone and Sandstrom were lying defeated on the floor.

"Hello, Twilight. How are ya, love?" Crosshairs waved.

"We need to get out of here!" Twilight told him. "This ship is about to go on a tour of the cosmos, and we don't want to be here when it does!"

Reuniting with Arcee, Crosshairs, and the remaining Vehicons, Twilight's team escaped the ship through the same entrance they used to get in. Once out of the ship, they propelled themselves forward, "space-swimming" to get as far from the ship as possible before it warped.

The Tidal Wave was submersed in a green glow. Rocking and rumbling, the ship released a circular pulse-wave of green energy into the space surrounding it before disappearing in a blinding flash of light.

Inside the ship, with the Imperials off his ship and with several light-years between them, Thundertron pulled the lever, deactivating the Bridge before it war

"Raf." Twilight activated her comm. "The Star Seekers just used a Space Bridge to teleport their ship. Think you can use our Space Bridge and track down where they went?"

"Um … maybe I could, Twilight. But you need to get back here. We have bigger problems. The Decepticon Justice Division are here at the base!"

"What?" Twilight screamed into her helmet. She shook her head. "There's never a moment of peace for us, is there?"

"No." Ultra Magnus said. "Shall we?"

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Twilight and her team stepped out of a Space Bridge into the Rainbow Principality's central building, where Tarn and the rest of the Justice Division were being disgusted by the Principality's aesthetics. They had somehow broken through the nested force fields. Twilight would have bet, given what she had heard about the Division, was they had simply pushed their way in.

"What is this?" Tarn questioned, pointing at a decoration. "What is this?" Tarn pointed at a different decoration. "This entire city is decorated in a disgusting blend of Cybertronian and Equestrian sensibilities! And this!" Tarn walked up to the statue of Optimus riding an enlarged representation of Equestria. "Is this even to scale? There's no way this can be to scale. No pony I've seen so far has been that big!" Tarn struck the statue, lopping the Optimus head off. He readied his cannon and fired at the statue, shattering the headless Optimus portion of into pieces.

'This is the Rainbow Principality." The War Princess answered Tarn's question. "It's a place to prove Cybertronians, Equestrians, and humans can learn to live and work together in peace and harmony."

"Oh, is it? Is that what it is?" Tarn asked. He climbed up the stairs and raised his voice. "If you ask me, every Autobot and Decepticon here is a traitor, sullying the good name of the Cybertronians and insulting our kind by spending their time and bedding with these lesser organics."

"No one cares about your opinion, Tarn." Ultra Magnus said.

"Is that so? Well, riddle me this. I haven't been on this planet for very long, so I can't say for certain if this is right, but I see very little human cultural influence in this city." Tarn said. "I see plenty of Equestrian decorations, which I recognize by the shape of ponies, and Cybertronian decorations. I do believe I see more Cybertronian decorations than Equestrian! Even the city itself is made more from Cybertronain architecture that I recognize instead of Earthern or Equestrian construction that I don't!"

Tarn couldn't know this was due to using the Omega Lock to generate the city.

"Do I detect a form of postive bias from you, War Princess? Do you prefer the Cybertronians over that of your kind and humans? Not that I would blame you. We are technologically superior to most others."

Inside her armor, Twilight was wounded by what Tarn had to say. Sure, he was a clear Technoist, but his words had merit. How come she hadn't put more human and Earthern decorations in the city? Why didn't she reprogram the Omega Lock to generate Equestrian buildings, or at least an Cybertronian approximation of one? Was it because she still had residual resented the human species? Did she develop some distaste for her own kind after Celestia sided with her enemies?

Did she have some unconscious, positive bias for the Cybertronian form? She was a scientist who valued technological progress …

Twilight shook her head. She could worry about all of this later, when her city was safe. "Imperials, take them out!" Every soldier brave enough within range converged on the Decepticon Justice Division.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, War Princess?" Ultra Magnus whispered to her. "Some of us are pretty tough, but the Decepticon Justice Division will chew through our ranks, especially the Vehicons, if we let them."

Crosshairs shot at Helex. Helex reached over and picked Crosshairs up, using him as a weapon to knock Arcee and Smokescreen down. Grimlock marched towards Tarn, his shield raised up, but Tarn fired a barrage from his fusion cannon, pinning Grimlock down – he couldn't risk moving his shield, or Tarn would get a shot in.

"Where's Predaking?" Smokescreen shouted. "He handled these guys pretty well earlier!"

"He's on his way!" Arcee assured him.

"You're right." The War Princess said to Ultra Magnus, seeing her forces get pinned down by the Justice Division. "We need a plan."

Twilight looked around the city, trying to think of plan. Maybe she could find somewhere to have her troops sneak around and snipe the Justice Division from afar, shooting them in the back.

She looked up and saw a Decepticon ship floating outside the force field. She recognized as the Justice Division's ship from when she was on Messatine.

"Say ..." Twilight said. "Ultra Magnus, re-route Predaking and the Predacons to outside the city. Get any fliers and dropships that we have. I have a plan."

Tarn batted Grimlock and grabbed Magnum by the throat, throwing him to the ground. Tarn bent down, picked Magnum up by the head, and applied some pressure, meaning to crush Magnum's head in. Magnum's helmet had began to crack when Kaon interrupted for Tarn's attention.

"Tarn! Look!" Kaon pointed to the sky.

Outside the force field, the Decepticon Justice Division's ship came under attack by Predacons, Vehicons, and dropships. Predaking and Grimwing spat out fireballs at it while the Vehicons blasted it with lasers.

"Our ship!" Tarn exclaimed. Tarn dropped Magnum, and he and the rest of the Division ran to the edge of the city.

"Just as planned." Twilight observed to herself.

Tarn blew a hole into the force field with his cannons, which might have explained how he got in, though blasting out of a force field was easier than blasting into it.

Tarn and the rest of his team stood below the ship, taking aim at the enemies who threatened it.

"Now." Twilight ordered over the comm.

Predaking and Grimwing latched onto the ship, digging their talons into it. The dropshops fired beams of energy, tethering themselves to the Division's ship. The fleet brought the ship down and pointed it at the Justice Division, pushing it forward.

Tarn's optics widened when he realized their intent. The Imperials were going to ram him and his team with their own ship. Tarn opened fire, attempting to blast the ship into more pieces before it hit him, but he couldn't inflict enough damage before the bow of the ship rammed into him, the rest of the ship catching the other Division members as the Imperials pushed it along.

As the Imperials pushed the ship forward, the Decepticon Justice Division caught on its front, the ship crashed into and scraped along the ground, kicking up huge clouds of dust as the ship was dragged through the earth to at least a few miles out from the Imperial base.

The ship came to a stop when the Decepticon Justice Division was driven and embedded into the ground. With the Division incapacitated, the Imperials released their hold on the ship.

Tarn let out a groan before closing his optics, his neck going limp. His damaged ship lay on top of him and his injured team.

Twilight Sparkle, Magnum, Ultra Magnus, Fluttershy, and others came to see whether Twilight's crazy plan worked. It did.

"What do we do with them?" Ultra Magnus asked. "I don't think we build a cell strong enough to hold them. You think Steeljaw was bad? Wait until these guys shoot their way out and kill anyone in their way. But we can't just leave them. They know the location of our base."

"Hmm. Somepony call Prowl and Chromedome. We need their assistance." Twilight ordered. A Vehicon nodded and left.

Twilight and Fluttershy walked up to the ship.

"Twilight, who's that?" Fluttershy asked, pointing up at the ship.

Twilight looked up and saw a boxy Decepticon hanging out from the side of the window. It was blue, and Twilight could it was a female, based on her face. She wasn't much larger than a Mini-Con.

"I don't know." Twilight said. She narrowed her eyes at the female. "But I can definitely see a Decepticon symbol on her. She must have been in the ship and tried to jump out the window when it crashed."

Fluttershy looked at Tarn. "Do you think Tarn was so quick to leave when he saw his ship being attacked because he wanted to make sure she was okay?"

"Maybe. That doesn't sound like Tarn, though, given how he's been acting towards us. I'm not sure he has that kind of compassion."

"Do you remember when we went to Messatine?" Fluttershy said. "He let us go. He's been much more violent today. What do you think happened to him?"

Twilight shook her head. "I don't know, Fluttershy. I don't know."

A Space Bridge portal opened up behind them. Chromedome and Prowl stepped out from it. Twilight put her helmet back on.

"You need me for something, War Princess?" Chromedome said.

"Yes." The War Princess answered him. She pointed to the Decepticon Justice Division. "The Decepticon Justice Divison has somehow learned the location of our base. I need you to wipe their memories of it."

"You want me … to wipe the memories of the Decepticon Justice Divsion, some of the firect, crazier, most murderous Decepticons to have been constructed?" Chromedome asked.

"You're not going to do it, are you?" Prowl asked.

Chromedome rubbed his hands together. "Are you kidding? A chance to mess with brains like that? How could I pass up a golden oppurtunity? Okay. I'm going to need some drills, five-"

"Ahem." The War Princess cleared her throat and pointed at the mysterious blue Decepticon female.

"Six cortical psychic patches, and some carbonated Engex."

"Engex? What's Engex?" The War Princess asked.

"It's a Cybertronian drink."

"What do you need that for?"

"For drinking, obviously. You expect me to memory-wipe the Decepticon Justice Division without something to stiffen my nerves?"

The War Princess pointed a hoof. "See to it Chromedome is provided with everything he needs." The Imperialcons nodded and left to retrieve Chromedome's instruments. They soon returned with the drills, the cables of cortical psychic patches, and a glass full of a bubbly pink liquid.

"Perfect." Chromedome said. He took the glass and took a sip of the drink. "Let's get to work." He picked up the cortical psychic patches and carried them to the Decepticon Justice Division.

"Twilight ..." Fluttershy whispered. "Are you sure this is … right? Do we have the right to wipe their memories?"

"I don't know, Fluttershy. I'm not condoning it. I'm not sure it's right, but it's necessary. We can't let them know the location of our base."

"Couldn't we use this on those humans who want to leave?" Fluttershy asked. "Wipe their memories and let them go back to their families?"

"I'm not sure." Twilight answered. "Chromedome specializes in Cybertronians. There's no telling what kind of effects it would have if he tried to memory-wipe an organic. I'd rather not risk it."

"Do you think you could learn a memory-wipe spell?" Fluttershy said. "So they can be with their families?"

"Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. I'll do some research and see if I can find anything."

"It's done!" Chromedome announced, patting his hands together. "Six Decepticons, memories wiped of anything to do with the location of the Autobots Imperial's base. Although there may be some side-effects, and they may forget or misremember other things as well, or remember things which never actually happened. Say, I got a question. Why you call it the Autobots Imperial? Why do you parse it like that? Why not 'Autobot Imperials?' or something that makes more sense?"

"It's in the naming scheme of the earthen group of the Knights Templar."

"Oh."

"Thank you, Chromedome." The War Princess said. "I appreciate this. I owe you one."

"No problem." Chromedome said. "It's nice to be appreciated. Prowl."

"What?" Prowl said.

"I'm just saying, you could a better job of a Conjunx Endura. Maybe a thank-you note every once in a while."

"Don't you start with me." Prowl said. He and Chromedome left through the Space Bridge, bickering like a married couple.

"So now what do we do with them?" Ultra Magnus asked.

"I don't know. Arrest them?" Twilight answered.

"Do you see the problem with that? What if they escape? Then they'll know the location of the base, and we'll have to go through this all over again!"

"You're right." Twilight said. "There's got be something we can do ..."

Twilight froze in place, getting a terrible idea. She sighed. "I can't believe I'm going to do this, but unless somepony has a better idea ..."

Twilight gathered some parts from the fallen ship and created a communications device.

"Hey ..." Twilight greeted, activating the device. "Shining Armor? Can you pick up this signal? It's Twilight Sparkle … it's Twiley.

"Twiley?" Shining Armor's voice came through the box. "Yeah, I'm picking up. I was meeting with Witwicky, so we'll have to make this quick so they don't know you're the – well, you know. What's up?"

"I have a few rogue Decepticons here that I don't have the means to arrest and imprison." Twilight explained. "I was hoping you and … Witwicky might be able to."

"Yeah, sure! Just send us the coordinates."

"Sending them now." Twilight pressed another button on the device. "And Shining Armor? Thanks for picking up. I know we didn't leave on good terms the last time we talked … so it means a lot to me that you would reply."

"Of course. Anything for my little sister."

Twilight smiled. "Good-bye, B.B.B.F.F. No matter what happens, I love you."

"I love you, too."

Twilight Sparkle hung up the device. "Imperials! Let's go. We're done here."

The Imperials packed up and returned to their base.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

At the base, Twilight retreated into her office, downcast and weary from the events of the day. Steeljaw's words were ringing in her ear.

You can't save them all, Twilight Sparkle! Do you hear me? You can't save them all!

Twilight thought about the Decepticon Justice Division's attack on Gould Enterprises. If Captain Bumblebee hadn't traveled backwards in time to warn her, she … she might have lost Miko.

She couldn't stand the thought. She was going to do something about it. She was going to protect them all. She was going to make sure they were all … safe.

Twilight pushed a button, causing a computer screen to raise up from her desk.

Twilight swiped her hoof across the touchscreen, activating the computer. Touching her hoof to a certain file, a schematic of a Morbot appeared on the screen. She opened other files, these ones showing scans of COBRA Battle Android Troopers taken from a Vehicon's optic memory, and pictures taken of the Pink Moon Celebration where Stinger was visible.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Out in the desert, by the wrecked Decepticon ship, the amnesiac Justice Division awoke.

"Where … where are we?" Tarn asked, putting a hand over his optics to shield them from the sun.

A convoy of military vehicles pulled up, including jeeps, cars, and two tanks. Shining Armor and General Witwicky were inside one of the jeeps and parked in front of Tarn.

"Attention, Decepticons!" Witwicky shouted at them through a megaphone. "You are all under arrest."

Tarn glared at him. "You, filthy organic, dare to claim to arrest me? To arrest the Decepticon Justice Division? Your arrogance insults me."

Tarn raised his cannon and fired at the jeep. Shining Armor and Witwicky tried to bail out before the blast hit.

Shining Armor made it a safe distance before the jeep was blown up.

Witwicky … didn't.

Chapter 15: Who You Are In The Dark

Ultra Magnus walked around the foyer of the Imperial base, making his rounds while they waited for the next signal of Forged Decepticon activity, or detected Galloway's underground agents moving beneath the surface of the world, hiding from the light of day.

Like the worms they are. Ultra Magnus thought.

He walked by the entertainment center in the room, giving it a casual glance as he passed by. As he was about to walk away, he noticed something strange and halted.

Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were all in entertainment center, relaxing on the couches or entertaining themselves with Raf's racing car video game. All of the girls were present … except Twilight.

“Hey.” Ultra Magnus said. “Has anyone seen Twilight Sparkle recently? I haven't heard from her all day.” He walked over and rested his back against a platform. “You think she would at least make an announcement or something.”

Rarity rose up from her seat on the couch. “Now that you mention it, I haven't seen or heard from Twilight Sparkle since yesterday ...” Worry became apparent in her eyes as they traveled across each of her friends.

“I hope she's okay ...” Fluttershy said.

“Her exo-suit should be putting out a signal. She told me she designed an artificial version of a Cybertronian life sign in it. We should be able to use that to track her.” Ultra Magnus shucked open a panel on his forearm, revealing a console. He punched in a command on the buttons and moved towards where it detected a signal. The girls followed him.

“How do you have an artificial version of a Cybertronian life sign?” Rarity asked. “Aren't all things Cybertronian, by their very nature, artificial in a sense?”

“Quiet, you.” Ultra Magnus was not in the mood to deal with her pesky technical questions. “We're almost to the source.”

They arrived at a door in the hall where Twilight's office was, situated a few rooms further out.

Ultra Magnus put his hand on the keypad controlling the door. “It's not locked ...” He pushed the button for opening the door, and the door did so without complaint, the door's pieces sliding apart for them to enter.

What they saw inside stunned and confused them. They were dozens of robotic bodies in the room, under construction. Imitations of COBRA's B.A.T.S, Gould's Stingers painted in Imperial blue rather than Gould's marketing-friendly red, and the torso halves of half-finished Morbots were scattered across the floor. Arms, legs, torsos, and heads belonging to each model of robot were strewn about in a haphazard manner. If it were living Cybertronians instead of drones, the sight would have been grisly.

Twilight herself was standing by a Stinger, running a blowtorch over its side as she affixed its shoulder to its torso. She felt the vibrations of Ultra Magnus' heavy feet on the floor and turned to the door, turning off the blowtorch and lifting the boiler plate on her face up.

“Oh! Hey, girls. What brings you here?”

Ultra Magnus and the girls looked around the room as they walked in.

“Twilight ...” Ultra Magnus's tone was a like a disapproving father's. “Are you trying to build a drone army?”

Twilight became defensive. “No! … Maybe.” She deflated and let out a sigh. “Yes.”

“But … why?” Fluttershy asked as Pinkie played with a B.A.T., smacking it across the head and causing the head to swivel.

Twilight looked at the floor. “After everything that happened yesterday … after I foolishly allowed Miko to put herself in danger like that … after what Steeljaw said … I wanted to try to find a way to protect … you.” Twilight looked at her friends. “To keep you safe. To keep you all safe. So, I pulled out my old Morbot schematics and what little information we had on the Stinger  model and the B.A.T.s, synthesized metals and alloys from the Omega Lock, and started building all of these.”

Twilight placed a hoof on the Stinger, staring at her reflection.

“To make a drone army … to fight our battles by proxy, so you and everypony else wouldn't have to risk your lives in the line of fire and could stand behind where it was safe.”

Rarity took another look around the room. “Twilight, darling, have you been working on these all night?”

“Err … maybe?” Twilight said. “I lost track of how long I've been in here.”

“I think it's sweet that you want to keep us safe and protect us.” Fluttershy said. “But I'm not so sure that this is a good idea, Twilight.”

“Yeah.” Rainbow Dash said. “Besides, you can't have gotten enough data from Miko to clone Stinger and our fight with COBRA to copy the B.A.T.s just off of that.” Rainbow Dash chuckled nervously before turning to Pinkie Pie. “Eh, could she?” Pinkie Pie shrugged.

“Wanting to keep your friends safe is an admirable goal. ” Ultra Magnus said. “However ...”

He walked over to a Morbot and turned its head so it was facing him as he inspected before turning his attention back to Twilight.

“What would be the point?”

Twilight blinked. “I'm sorry. What do you mean by that?”

“I mean,  what would be the point of a drone army, Twilight Sparkle?” Ultra Magnus asked. He got down to one knee to speak with her on a more equal level. “Twilight, you founded the Imperials with the goal of proving that we, that all of us aliens, could work together, that we could trust each other enough to risk our lives together for a cause we believed in. To show to all the skeptics and the disbelievers, the naysayers, the isolationists and the xenophobes that we can  come together for a common goal. And if you do that with this drone army … if you do all your fighting by remote, with a push of a button sending out emotionless, lifeless, causeless drones … then what are you proving? Not pan-alien unity and cooperation, that's for sure.”

Twilight Sparkle mulled over his words. She nodded. “You're right, Ultra Magnus. I'll scrap them all immediately.”

“Whoa, whoa! There's no need to get so hasty. As a Wrecker, you know I always approve of destroying things and blowing stuff up, but, heh ...” Ultra Magnus went back to the Morbot, grabbing and lifting its cannon-arm. “A few of these guys around providing some extra firepower might not be a bad idea, plus it would let some of our human and pony fighters not have to risk getting squashed underfoot by Decepticons. Just don't go trying to automate the entire war process, that's all.”

Twilight Sparkle smiled. “Understood.” She saluted him. “Dismissed.”

Ultra Magnus saluted and smiled back. “Dismissed.”

()()

()()

Somewhere out in a snowy mountain range, Bludgeon plodded through the snow, his sketatal feet leaving distinct footprints behind him. He looked up at the sky through the raining snow, waiting for someone. Through the snowy weather, he saw a jet.

The jet swerved and curved around before transforming as it got closer to Bludgeon, revealing itself to be Starscream, who landed on his feet in front of Bludgeon. “Ah, Bludgeon! So good of you to come. I wasn't sure you would respond to my summons ...”

“What do you want from me, Starscream?” Bludgeon asked. “And it had better be something worth coming out all this way to … neutral territory.” Bludgeon spat the words as if he considered them vile. Any territory where he couldn't stab someone might as well be no territory at all.

“I only wish to ask something of you. To propose an alliance.” Starscream made a fist.

“An alliance?”

“Yes! We should join forces, you and I. The less Decepticons we have fighting each other and the more we have fighting the Imperials and Galloway's Patriots, the better. There's no reason for us to be at odds with each other. We both want the same thing. To see the Decepticon flag fly once more as we spread our dominion over the known universe. To lead the Decepticon Empire to power and glory!”

“You forget something, though, Starscream. Something that makes our goals incompatible. You want to see the birth of a new Decepticon Empire with yourself at the helm. I want to see it with myself leading the charge. And we both know you couldn't stand to share the glory with anyone.”

Starscream glared at him. “I'm not the same person I once was, Bludgeon. I am not so blind as to turn down a potential and valuable ally just to satiate some foolish desire of my overinflated ego. We could co-lead. You could be my First Lieutenant and officer. In fact, I would be willing to be your officer, if it would mean you would consolidate your forces with the Forged.”

“You always were a sub, Starscream.”

Starscream scrunched his optics shut and shook with rage. He took in a deep breath. “In the interest of a fair alliance, I am going to let that comment pass.” He gave one his of famous Starscream smiles. “So, what do you say?”

“What do you have to offer me, Starscream?” Bludgeon asked. “A planet?”

“Let's get ourselves into a position where we can decide who rules a planet before trying to make empty promises to each other.” Starscream said.

“Hmm. You cannot offer me anything of interest, Starscream. Nor can your Forged. I have nothing more to say to you.” Bludgeon turned to leave.

Starscream turned away as well.

“Although ...” Starscream spoke, earning Bludgeon's interest enough for him to stop.

“I know you have an interest in the supernatural, Bludgeon. Every Decepticon who knows you knows how you used to engross yourself in Cybertronian folklore. If we were to succeed at taking over and conquering planets, I would be happy to give you Equestria … so long as you promised to give Twilight Sparkle a long, miserable and torturous existence before snuffing out her life.” Starscream, enraged as he remembered his treatment while in Twilight Sparkle's hospitality, tensed up his claw and snatched at the air, grabbing at an imaginary phantom of his pain.

“Huh.” Bludgeon said. This was a fair, if not, generous deal Starscream was proposing. An entire planet, in exchange for the torture of one pony.

“Fair,” “Generous,” and “Starscream” were not words Bludgeon ever thought would go together.

“ … I'll think about it.” Bludgeon said. “I'll see you around, Starscream.” He began his walk down the mountain.

“Yes.” Starscream pumped his fist while he was by himself. While Bludgeon hadn't accepted his offer as he hoped, the door was still open for future negotiations and an eventual merging of their forces.

Although … as Bludgeon walked away, Starscream couldn't help but get the sense Bludgeon was planning something. Something big.

()()()

Zecora went on her usual trek through the Everfree Forest. Finding an herb she needed, she bent down to pick it up.

Her eyes widened and she grimaced when, striking like lightning, a metal blade flashed by her and was pressed against the side of her throat, orange fingers wrapping around her head.

“Hello again, Zecora.” Bludgeon greeted her. “There’s something you have that I want.”

“You’re a fool to try this scheme once more. Do you think I’ll not be rescued like before?” Zecora asked him.

“Am I? No, I don’t think you will.” Bludgeon said. “You see, I was careful this time. Stealthy, even. I didn’t ransack Ponyville on the way. I opened a Space Bridge a some miles away from the Everfree Forest and then drove here, so anyone tracking Space Bridge signals is going to have no idea where my destination really is. No one knows I’m here, Zecora. No one knows you’re here, and that I have a knife to your throat. Your only options are to scream, die … or do as I say and give me the Alicorn Amulet.”

Zecora looked around, hoping for a sigh of Bludgeon being wrong and someone having followed him here. But there wasn’t any, no rustlings in the leaves, no familiar faces poking through the bushes and giving her assuring winks. She was alone.

Realizing she had little other choice, Zecora hung her head and sighed. “Fine. I will do as you say.” Bludgeon eased up his grip and took the knife off her flesh. Zecora raised her hoof.  “Come. This way.”

“Excellent.” Bludgeon pocketed his knife. “You’ve chosen wisely, Zecora.”

Zecora sighed and stared at the ground. She hoped Twilight would forgive her for this … and would be able to handle the chaos and mayhem Bludgeon would doubtless cause with the Amulet’s empowerment.

()()()()

()()()()

On Earth, a portly mechanic worked on a truck, working his wrench to loosen up a rivet. There was an impatient metallic thumping on the front of his building which carried through the room.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m working as fast as I can.” The mechanic shouted back, assuming it was an impatient customer who wanted their ride fixed by now. He threw his wrench down and take a towel to his hands to wipe off the grease as he went to the front entrance.

“Can I help … you?” The mechanic asked, his eyes shrinking with fear as he saw his visitor. A bat-esque Decepticon, crouched over the front of the building and peering in.

“Yes, hello, human. I’m Mindwipe. But you can call me ‘Master.’” Mindwipe said. “I think you have something I want.”

“I … I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The mechanic said. “I mean, unless you’ve got a truck Decepticon you need me to fix up, I don’t see how I have anything to offer you.”

“Oh, I think you do.” Mindwipe pulled out a short wand with a star a the tip. “See this? This is an enchanted Equestrian wand. It absorbs the charge of a spell and allows others to use Equestrian magic. It was meant for mundane uses, like giving Earth ponies a chance to use a spell for their crops when their unicorn cohorts are out of commision, but there’s nothing preventing an insightful Decepticon for using it for more … inventive purposes.”

Mindwipe gripped the wand in his hand. “Now, it’s well-documented by now that Equestria mind controlling magic doesn’t work on Cybertronian neural relays, because a Cybertronian noggin is so different from a pony’s … but humans and ponies are both organic. I wonder … how an Equestrian mind control would affect a human?”

Mindwipe waved the wand, and a green ball of energy flew from its tip to the mechanic’s head. His eyes became dull and lifeless, a bit of droop escaping his mouth.

“Now, human, you will do as I say, yes?” Mindwipe asked.

The mechanic nodded. “Yes …”

“I have scouts and spies who tell me that Twilight Sparkle came to you with the remnants of the one called ‘Thunderwing’ and had you dismantle him for parts in the event they unexpectedly became of use to her. Is this true?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Bring them to me. Bring me the parts of Thunderwing.”

“Whatever you say, boss!” The mechanic gave a wave and turned to go back inside to retrieve the components and body parts Mindwipe desired.

()()()()()

Bludgeon walked around the entrance to the Canterlot mines. After Starscream’s rescue and escape from there, it was no secret Twilight Sparkle was keeping things in there she perhaps should not be.

Bludgeon walked in, arriving at the area, finding the empty table which used to hold Starscream. He found what he was looking for with no trouble.

“Ah.”

He reached out to take the prize from Twilight’s shelf.

“Hmm.” Holding his prize on the way, Bludgeon noticed the table. Recalling his amicable talk with Starscream earlier, Bludgeon decided to do Starscream a solid and slammed his foot onto the table, cracking it in half with an expert martial kick.

()()()()()()

Twilight Sparkle was busy in the Rainbow Principality, running her hoof over the table as she checked their supplies, making sure they had sufficient food, water, and ammunition for everything they needed. She hadn’t realized it before now, but making sure everyone in a city had everything they needed was hard work. Doubly so when they’re part of a city that was an illegally built one with no land grants, run by an organization considered a criminal one by most.

“Commander?” An Imperialcon and an Autobot soldier walked up to her. “Could we have a moment of your time?”

“What is it, solider?” Twilight asked. “Can’t you see I’m busy?”

The Imperialcon and Autobot each rubbed their hands together, looking apologetic. They shared uncertain glances with each other. “This is important. There’s been … an incident.”

This got Twilight’s attention, snapping her away from the tablet. “What happened?”

“In the civilian district. There was a retired Autobot and a Decepticon … they … got into a fight.” The Imperialcon said.

“I see.” Twilight said.

“Crazy, huh?” The Autobot said. “Both of them retired, former fighters just wanting to settle down and get away from all the conflict and craziness, and they still got into a fight with each other.”

“I’m sorry, Twilight Sparkle.” The Imperialcon said. “I know this news must be disappointing to you. If it makes you feel any better … I’m disappointed, too.” The Imperial rubbed at the back of his neck. “What are your orders?”

“Um.” Twilight brushed a hoof over her eyes, taken by surprise by this news. “Put them both in confinement and wait for an update. I need to think about how I’m going to punish them.”

“Understood.” The Imperialcon said. He and his partner left to carry out Twilight’s orders.

This was upsetting to Twilight on many levels. She understood and sympathized with the Imperialcon’s pain. If one Autobot and one Decepticon, both retired and kept out of a combat zone, couldn’t put aside their differences to live peacefully, what hope was there out of getting all of the Autobot and Decepticons to reconcile? Or at least a vast majority?

“Don’t look like that.” Magnum said, walking towards Twilight. “Quit staring at the ground, sir.” Magnum stood to the side of her. “You should have realized trying to make Autobots and Decepticons live together was going to come with some set-backs.”

“I know.” Twilight said.

“You should have realized something like this was bound to happen.”

“I know.”

“It was inevitable.”

“I know! I know, okay, I know!” Twilight snapped. Magnum leveled a brow at her. Twilight walked away from him, placing a hoof to her forehead.

“I’m sorry.” Twilight said. “I shouldn’t have snapped like that. I’ll need to figure something out to punish those two … I can’t just banish them, because they know the location of our base, but I can’t punish them too severely, or it will undermine the message of peace in the Rainbow Principality …”

“You really didn’t think every aspect of this plan all the way through, did you?” Magnum asked.

“No.” Twilight admitted. “I mean, it seemed simply enough … grab a bunch of people from all three planets, have them live together under one roof and work together towards a shared goal to show we could all coexist peacefully, proving Galloway wrong while working to overthrow his corrupt regime.”  Twilight sighed.

The building vibrated while the sound of a loud, large engine roared and whirred overhead.

“What’s that?” Magnum asked. The entire building shook as something big landed outside.

Ultra Magnus entered the room with a smile on his face. “Hey, everybody!” He looked at Twilight and saw her solemn sour disposition. “I don’t what you’ve been talking about that’s upsetting, but I’ve got good news! I’ve managed to get Omega Supreme away from Cybertron.”

“Omega Supreme?” Magnum asked with surprise.

“He was always on our side. It just took a bit to get him, that’s all.” Ultra Magnus said.  “He won’t give our location away. We can trust Omega.”

“Why wasn’t he brought here before?” Twilight asked with a bit of suspicion.

“Have you seen how big he is?” Ultra Magnus asked. “It was incredibly difficult to get him away from Cybertron without anyone noticing.”

Twilight’s ears perked up, picking up a voice she recognized a news announcer coming from another room. She ran into the room with the television playing the news, accompanied by Ultra Magnus and Magnum.

“And, in a breaking news flash, the Autobot known as “Omega Supreme,” a revered figure among the Cybertronian populace, has disappeared from Cybertron.” The announcer said.

“See?” Ultra Magnus gestured to the screen.

“In other news, a mechanic has been found dazed and confused outside of his workshop.” The announcer said. A picture of the mechanic flashed onscreen. “He says he has been the victim of mental influence caused by Equestria magic, unable to recall much other than his assailant was Cybertronian and wanted something from him.”

“Poor guy.” Ultra Magnus said. “Wonder what kind of Equestrian drug the ‘Con slipped him?”

“In related news, we have word from Gould Enterprise’ owner and CEO, Dylan Gould. Gould?” Gould’s face appeared on a split-screen. “What do you have to say about this shocking development?”

“I say this proves my point perfectly.” Gould said. “The Cybertronians are dangerous, and we need some way of protecting ourselves from them. That’s why nobody should go without one of my brand-new Stinger model drones! Whether you commute to the city or live in suburban neighborhood, Stinger is the perfect car and war drone for all of your family needs, be it picking up your kids or protecting them from a brutal Decepticon kidnapping!”

Everyone in the room reacted with disgust to Gould’s appearance on the screen and his shameless shilling of his product. For him to take advantage of this poor mechanic’s experiences to make a quick buck sickened Twilight. Did Gould have no respect for this man’s privacy? For the shock the man might have going through?

But I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised. Twilight thought. She knew Gould by now.

“Hey …” Twilight said, rubbing her chin and staring at the picture on the screen. “I know that mechanic.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” Twilight answered. “After the incident I had with Thunderwing, I took Thunderwing’s body to this mechanic and had him disassemble in case I wanted any of Thunderwing’s parts for something.”

“WHAT?” Ultra Magnus shouted. “What on Earth or Cybertron or wherever made you possibly think that dissembling and putting a servant of Unicron on ice was a good idea!?”

“Hey, cut me some slack!” Twilight Sparkle said. “When I had Dark Energon running through my veins, lots of bad ideas seemed like good ideas, and lots of ideas that were neither really good nor bad seemed to edge towards ‘good.’”

“I see.” Ultra Magnus said.

Twilight stared at the news report, her hoof on her chin. How did anyone even know where she was keeping Thunderwing’s parts? And if they were trying to rebuild him …

Twilight slammed her hoof down, a realization hitting her.

“We need to get to Canterlot. Now.”

()()()()()()()

()()()()()()()

Twilight and a team of Imperials went to the Canterlot Mines.

"So this is where you kept Starscream, huh?" Utlra Magnus said upon coming up on Twilight's mini-lab. "Cozy."

Twilight ignored him. After they searched the cave with flashlights, she was able to reach a conclusion.

"Slag. Just as I feared. It's missing." Twilight said, shining a light on the shelf. "Sombra's horn is missing. Okay, everypony, out of the cave. We know what we need to know." The Imperials followed her out.

"So … what do we know, exactly?" Smokescreen asked.

"With Sombra's horn, someone could -" Twilight's answer was cut off by a loud boom which shook the ground around them.

"Um." Smokescreen pointed to the distance, where a pillar of purple light was shooting skyward from the Crystal Empire. "I know giant pillars of purple light from nowhere never mean anything good, but on a scale of one to ten, how bad it is?"

"Someone has resurrected Thunderwing." Twilight said. The Imperials looked off to the distance, serious and focused on their new objective.

"So, like- like an eight or something, right?" Smokescreen stammered.

"Smokescreen ..." Ultra Magnus said.

"I know, I know." Smokescreen threw his hands in the air. "Serious face." He pointed at his cheeks as he put on what he thought was a serious expression, with his brow furrowed and his mouth scrunched up, but it ended looking more silly than serious.

"Imperials, move out." Twilight Sparkle said, swiping her hoof at the pillar of light. "We have to stop Thunderwing. He's an engine of destruction, and like any engine, it's easier to kill it if you don't let it keep going. We need to stop him while he's still freshly activated and warming up, before he gains any momentum and causes all kinds of destruction and chaos."

()()()()()()()()

()()()()()()()()

Bludgeon stood over a large pit, Alicorn Amulet around his neck, Thunderwing's glowing, reassembled body chattering within the pit, producing the pillar of light, his body chattering as he was brought back to life.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Mindwipe asked.

"Quit worrying." Bludgeon said.

Bludgeon held a piece of Dark Energon in his hands and broke it in half. "One for me …" Bludgeon stabbed one of the shards of Dark Energon into his chest. "And one for you." He dropped the other half down the pit, where it fell on Thunderwing's chest. It melted, absorbing into the chest of the Unicronian Spawn which it felt its kinship with.

Thunderwing's eyes shot open, his energy revitalized. Metallic shrieking, screeching, straining and groaning came from the pit as the Dark Energon and the dark magic of Sombra's horn restored Thunderwing to his full size.

Thunderwing rose up from the pit, spreading his wings. He was a massive, demonic figure, with tattered wings, broad shoulders which held generators in them, spikes running along his clawed arms, and a jagged mouth so thin when he closed his lips, his mouth seemed to disappear. His eyes would be red, were it not for Sombra's magic affecting him, turning them green with red irises, purple trails flowing from them.

"Thunderwing!" Bludgeon shouted. "Hear me. I am Bludgeon. I have brought you back from the dead. For this, I expect you to serve me in return."

Thunderwing turned his demonic gaze at him.

"You dare to command me, bug?" Thunderwing shouted back, the force of his voice blowing Bludgeon and Mindwipe away. "I only serve one master - Unicron!"

Bludgeon tensed a fist.

Twilight Sparkle and the Imperials watched this unfold from behind the cover of rocks and icy crystals.

"At least it seems like Thunderwing's in no hurry to obey Bludgeon." Ultra Magnus said.

"Yes." Twilight answered. "But Thunderwing will still be a menace whether he follows Bludgeon or not."

"Wait are we waiting for, then?" Ultra Magnus gripped his hammer. "I say we go in there and bash their heads in while the going is good."

"No." Twilight held her hoof out. "We shouldn't resort to violence just yet. If I can use my magic and do an impression of Thunderwing while he's still getting used to his senses, I might be able to convince him to turn on Bludgeon."

"You? Do an impression of Unicron?" Ultra Magnus asked.

"Hey, remember that, for a time, I had Unicron inside my head." Twilight Sparkle reminded him. "I dare you to find someone better fit for doing an impression of Unicron than me."

"Even assuming this cock-a-mamie plan of yours does work, and Thunderwing does deal with Bludgeon for us, what are we going to do deal with Thunderwing? I doubt you can convince to retire and settle down on a nice seaside beach house." Ultra Magnus said.

"Let's get that far before we worry about that part." Twilight poked her head out from the rock and stared at Thunderwing.

"Unicron can't help you now!" Bludgeon said. "Your only choice is to serve me!"

"My master, defeated?" Thunderwing crossed his arms. "I don't believe it. Unicron is invincible!"

"Well, you'd better start believing it, for your own good!" Bludgeon shouted. "I brought you back, Thunderwing, and I can put you back in the ground!"

"Oh?" Thunderwing flexed his arms, aiming his in-built cannons at Bludgeon. "Is that so? I'd like to see you try!"

"THUNDERWING!"

Thunderwing, Bludgeon and Mindwipe turned at the voice to see a flaming apparition in the shame of Unicron floating above a rock - the same avatar Unicron used when he was possessing Twilight Sparkle, all those moons ago.

Twilight hid behind the rock, her horn spewing the fire which travelled up and took Unicron's shape, using her magic to disguise and amplifiy her voice.

"Master!" Thunderwing shouted with glee. He flew out of the pit and bowed at Unicron, genuflecting before his master. "Command me, my liege. I am eager to serve you."

"YES, YES, THAT'S VERY GOOD, THUNDERWING."

"Tell me." Thunderwing clenched a fist. "Where might I find the currert bearer of the Matrix? Allow me to destroy for you, and remove your only weakness from existence."

"THE MATRIX? UH, THE MATRIX IS ALREADY DESTROYED. IT'S GONE. NO NEED TO GO HUNT FOR IT."

"What?" Thunderwing exclaimed. "But how can this be? I thought I was your weapon to destroy the Matrix!"

"WELL, IT GOT DESTROYED ANYWAY. UNLESS YOU'RE QUESTIONING YOUR MASTER, MY SERVANT?"

"No!" Thunderwing said. He closed his eyes as he reflected on being robbed of his purpose, the one thing he lived for, the sole reason for the creation of his entire being and existence. "I see. Then at least allow me to destroy the descendants of the Primes for you, my liege."

"UH, NOPE. NO NEED TO GO DO THAT EITHER. THEY'RE DESTROYED."

Thunderwing raised his brow. "How can that be? The Matrix and the Primes are gone? Surely there must be something I can do for you, master."

"Wait a minute." Bludgeon said, noticing the tail of flame connecting Unicron to behind the rock. "Something's not right here."

"Yeah." Mindwipe said. "I thought Unicron the Devourer, God of Chaos, the Planet-Eater … would stutter less."

"Indeed. I don't think that's Unicron. But how do we prove it to Thunderwing?" Bludgeon said. He snapped his fingers. "I know."

Bludgeon walked towards the rock formation housing Unicron's avatar. Bludgeon put his hands to his face and shouted. "Hey, Unicron!"

"YES, INSOLENT MORTAL?"

"I think Fluttershy is a terrible pony who kick bunnies and dogs for the fun of it, and that the Autobots are losers!"

"THE AUTOBOTS ARE NOT LOSERS! AND FLUTTERSHY WOULD NEVER HURT AN ANIMAL OF ANY KIND, YOU SKULL-FACED PIECE OF SLAG ... and … furthermore … uh-oh." Twilight's voice dipped in volume as it dawned she had fallen for Bludgeon's trick.

Thunderwing stared in blank shock. "YOU ARE NOT MY MASTER!"

"Looks like the jig is up, ponies! Everybody out!" The War Princess ordered, dismissing the Unicron spirit and jumping out from behind her cover, right as Thunderwing open fired on it, blasting it to pieces with his powerful arm-cannon.

The rest of the Imperials sprinted out of their cover, running down the slopes to engage Bludgeon's Mayhems.

"Alright, people, let's WRECK AND RULE!" Ultra Magnus shouted, driving towards Thunderwing in vehicle mode. Magnus raised the boom of his cannon and opened, scoring a direct hit on Thunderwing's chest, achieving the net result of no damage as the smoke poured off from Thunderwing's chest. Magnus may as well have been using pyrotechnics.

"Immune to rockets, eh? No problem, I can deal." Ultra Magnus reverted to robot mode, digging the shaft of his hammer into the ice and twirling around like he was a ballerina. He lifted his hammer out and aimed its head at Thunderwing, shooting a bolt of lightning in to Thunderwing's chest.

The lighting dispersed, electric arcs crackling around Thunderwing's breastplate.

"Ha!" Thunderwing laughed. "That actually tingled."

"Hmm." Ultra Magnus pursed his lips, unsure how to proceed.

"Fool!" Bludgeon said. "You think you can hurt the mighty Thunderwing with your mere mortal weapons?"

Ultra Magnus smirked. Unnoticed by Bludgeon, he tapped a button his wrist. "Perhaps not. But I've got to thank you, Bludgeon."

"Eh?"

"You've given me something to do in this fight."

Ultra Magnus jumped into the air, twirling around, and slammed his hammer head into Bludgeon's face, making Bludgeon stumble. Bludgeon drew out his longsword and got ready to fight, but Ultra Magnus disabused Bludgeon of the notion the fight would go anywhere in Bludgeon's favor when he delivered his boot into Bludgeon's face.

The team of Magnum, Drift, and Crosshairs slid down from the mountain, Crosshairs firing bullets around, shooting the Mayhems' optics outs, while Magnum blasted them in the chest, shooting them down.

Drift slid across the ice and barreled towards Mindwipe, swords raised high. Mindwipe didn't notice until almost a hair too late, but he was able to deploy his inbuilt daggers and block Drift's swords from connecting.

"Ha!" Mindwipe jumped into the air, spinning and kicking Drift in the thigh, tripping him over, and jumping back.

"Coward." Drift accused, getting to his feet.

"You call it fighting dirty, I call it being practical." Mindwipe said. "Besides, I prefer a fight where one side is an unfair disadvantage, mainly the side that I'm fighting against."

Mindwipe stabbed his daggers into the ice, cracking it. Drift charged at him, blades raised. Mindwipe chuckled before leaping away, and when Drift's foot passed over the crack Mindwipe had made, the ice gave out beneath him, making him fall into a pit.

"Haha!" Mindwipe pointed and laughed at Drift's misfortune. Drift put a swift end to the laughter by taking out one his smaller swords, aiming and throwing it, hitting Mindwipe square in the optic. "Ow!"

"Your petty squabble bores me." Thunderwing said. He raised his arms, encosuning them in a purple energy projection, and slammed his fists on the ground, sending out a wave of energy which shook the ground and knocked everyone off their feet.

"Uooogh." Crosshairs groaned as he got to his feet. He turned to his C.O, Magnum. "So what do we do now? How are we supposed to take care of that thing?"

Magnum looked up as a huge shadow fell over the landscape. "I don't think we're supposed to."

"Eh?" Crosshairs looked up. "Oh."

"What's this?" Thunderwing demanded, turning his attention to what was blocking out the sun. An enormous, golden space vehicle, one Thunderwing recognized the design of it.

The ship transformed, its form shifting around and forming stocky, wide legs, with asymmetric arms, one ending in a four-pronged claw, the other in a massive, conical cannon, with artificial, static wings made of steel girders.

"I know you." Thunderwing said. "You're one of the ancient ones. One of the last Cybertronians made while they were rightfully huge, before downsizing and losing touch with the gods that made them."

"I am Omega Supreme." Omega Supreme introduced himself. "I am here to stop you, Servant of Unicron."

"You're here to try!" Thunderwing threw his arms back as he fired a purple laser beam from his mouth. Omega Supreme caught the beam in his claw and arms, holding it back on a quite literal level.

"Omega Supreme." Bludgeon noted. "Clever, Ultra Magnus. Clever."

Ultra Magnus grinned. "What can I say? The guy likes me."

The ground shook beneath them, making Bludgeon and Magnus flail as they struggled to keep their balance on one stabilizing foot each.

"Okay." Ultra Magnus shouted. "New rule! Everybody climb inside the giant golden robot while the two giant robots are fighting!"

The Imperials retreated, grouping around Omega Supreme's leg. Ultra Magnus opened a hatch on the leg, and the Imperials climbed in.

"What do we do?" Mindwipe asked Bludgeon.

"Fall back behind Thunderwing. I suspect this is about to get messy …" Bludgeon said. He and his troops ran to behind Thunderwing.

"So …" Twilight Sparkle asked, as she and the Imperials climbed into Omega Supreme's cockpit, taking seats and watching the fight from behind the glass. "What do we do now that we're in here?"

"Grab a seat, hold on tight … and enjoy the show." Ultra Magnus said.

"What?" Twilight said. "Can't we help him? Do something?"

"Well …" Magnus said. "There might be some manual weaponry in here, if you can find it."

"For your protection, I must ask you to refrain from action within me." Omega Supreme spoke. "This fight is mine alone."

Twilight nodded. "I understand."

Omega Supreme continued to hold back Thunderwing's breath beam, rings of energy travelling along the beam as Thunderwing focused his energy into it. Omega Supreme pushed through, inching towards Thunderwing step by step, until he was near enough to close the distance and give Thunderwing a wallop across the face.

Thunderwing recoiled from the blow, but recovered. He prepared to fire another beam, this one straight into Omega's face. Omega Supreme aimed his cannon and fired, blasting Thunderwing in the chest, with far better success than Ultra Magnus had earlier.

"Grr …" Thunderwing scowled and aimed his arm-cannons, firing rapidly, pelting Omega Supreme with cannon blasts.

The insides of Omega Supreme shook from the blows.

"Are you sure there's not anything we can do?" Twilight Sparkle asked, wincing as her seat rocked.

"Be quiet and let Omega do his thing!" Magnus snapped. "He's got this, even it might not seem like it."

Thunderwing smirked and slashed at Omega with his claw, leaving slash marks over Omega Supreme's face. Thunderwing chuckled at his successful blow, but while he was gloating, Omega Supreme grabbed his wrist inside his four-pronged gripper.

"Huh?" Thunderwing jostled, attempting to wrest his arm free. Omega Supreme smacked Thunderwing in the face with his cannon-arm, then pointed the end of the conical barrel at Thunderwing's face, shooting him point-blank. Smoke and fire billowed from around Thunderwing's head, but the Spawn of Unicron remained standing.

"Rraah!" Thunderwing roared and reached up a claw at Omega Supreme's face, but Omega pulled back, dodging the claw. Omega tugged, before yanking Thunderwing's arm out of its socket. Omega proceeded to swing the arm around and slapped Thunderwing across the cheek with his own dismembered hand.

Thunderwing turned his head back to Omega and fired another beam from his mouth. This one cut straight through Omega's chest, narrowly passing over the Imperials' heads and escaping out Omega's back.

"Hold tight." Ultra Magnus said upon seeing Twilight's despairing look.

Omega Supreme raised his arm and tried to punch Thunderwing again, but Thunderwing fired another beam, bringing it across Omega Supreme's chest. Thunderwing fired beam after beam, each out entering Omega through one side and exiting out the other, leaving Omega covered with smoking holes, cuts, and scorch marks.

"Give it up, old one!" Thunderwing shouted, lunging at Omega with his claw raised. Omega caught Thunderwing by the wrist and held Thunderwing's arm, keeping Thunderwing's claw from connecting.

"You cannot defeat me! You are nothing!" Thunderwing announced, a purple sphere forming in his mouth as he prepared another breath beam.

"Wrong!" Omega Supreme let go of Thunderwing's arm and smashed his own claw into the generator on Thunderwing's right shoulder, destroying it and depriving Thunderwing of some of his power.

"I am Omega Supreme!" Omega lined up his arm-cannon with Thunderwing's chest. A golden sphere formed the tip as Omega charged up power, pouring more energy than normal into this shot. Omega fired, a sideways pillar of gold launching out from his cannon and ripping through Thunderwing's chest, bursting through Thunderwing's back and travelling far into the distance.

Far away, at the Crystal Empire, Cadence, noticing the lights, lifted her head up in curiosity. "What's going on over there?"

Thunderwing let out a gasp, grasping for life and attempting to process his defeat. With a creak of metal, Thunderwing began to topple over.

"Fall back!" Bludgeon turned to his men and ran, realizing they had been standing too close and Thunderwing was about to fall on top of them if they didn't get clear.

Thunderwing hit the ground with a thud, his impact blowing a ring of snow from around him.

"See?" Ultra Magnus said from inside Omega. "I told you he could do it."

"Now to deal with the rest of these Decepticon scum." Omega Supreme announced, converting into vehicle mode and raising up into the air, preparing for a bombing.

Thunderwing looked up at Omega and growled, narrowing his eyes. With his last breath, he poured his energy into his breath weapon, firing a beam at Omega's hull and drawing it from end to end, cutting across all of Omega's body.

Omega Supreme tilted downwards, unable to compensate for the damage. He began to fall. After all, the clean shot of Thunderwing had almost cut him in two.

"What do we do now!?" Twilight Sparkle shouted as they Omega Supreme's descent acquired velocity, falling faster and faster.

"Well, uh …" Ultra Magnus said. "Omega Supreme's vehicle mode was designed at a time before Cybertronians really knew of organics, and wouldn't really understand the need for things squishy organics like oh, I don't know, ejection seats."

"W-what are you saying?" Twilight asked, more of obligation than needing to know. She knew full well what Ultra Magnus was saying.

"I'm saying …" Ultra Magnus said.

"HOLD ON TO YOUR CUTIE MARKS, PONIES! WE'RE GOING DOWN!"

Omega Supreme crashed into the ice, his form crumpling up and crunching as his immobile fell down. The seats in his cockpit rocked and bounced, the seatbelts giving away and launching their occupants all across the bridge of the ship. The last thing Twilight could make out was Fluttershy's hoof reaching for her, as she was the only one of her friends close enough, and the gold and red hues of Omega's body flying by her as she was ejected from her seat and thrown out the window.

Twilight tried to activate the jets in her armor, but they'd been damaged, presumably from scraping up against something inside Omega.

The sight of snow-covered mountain peaks and falling snow around Omega Supreme's body was the last thing Twilight recalled before hitting the ground and getting knocked out.

()()()()() ()()()()

()()()()() ()()()()

Inside a quaint wooden building, a pony woke up on a bed. “Hmm?” She blinked, groaning as her eyes slowly opened. She ran a hoof over her forehead, feeling it covered in bandages. Groggy, she looked around the room and noticed a pony sitting in a chair in front of her.

“Oh, you’re awake! That was quite a nasty fall you had there. I was worried you weren’t going to wake up. You were lucky I was near where you landed and used my magic to teleport you here before you lost too much blood, hmm-hmm!” She chuckled. “I’m Starlight Glimmer. What’s your name?”

“My name?” The pony tapped a hoof to her chin. “I …”

“Yes?” Starlight leaned towards her.

“I don’t remember.” The pony said. “I don’t remember my name.”

“Oh, well!” Starlight said. “Sounds like you’ve got a little case of trauma-induced memory loss. It can happen sometimes once you’ve gotten a big enough blow to your head - and I bet falling from the height you would certainly qualify.”

“Still, we can’t have you walking around without a name.” Starlight got up from her chair and approached the bed. She pulled off the covers and looked at the pony’s Cutie Mark. Without permission, Starlight put a hoof on the Mark. “That’s an interesting Cutie Mark you have there. Why don’t we name you after that until we can figure out your real name.”

“If we figure out my real name.”

“Oh, don’t be such a worrier … Six Star.” Starlight said. “Is that name alright with you?”

Six Star shrugged. “Better than just ‘the pony’ or ‘the stranger’ I guess.”

“Excellent.” Starlight said. “Can you walk? I would love to show you around town.”

“I don’t know … is that a good idea?” Six Star brushed her hoof against her bandages. “Shouldn’t I stay here and wait to recover for a few days? Who knows what other injuries I might have sustained from my fall.”

“I think you’ll find I - I mean, my doctor did an excellent job.”  Starlight said. “Why don’t you just try it and see how it goes?”

“Okay …” Six Star muttered. She climbed out from the bed and set her front hooves on the floor. She walked forward, placing her rear hooves on the floor one at a time. Her legs trembled, and she stumbled, but she recovered and was able to walk a few steps away from the bed.

“There. How does it feel?” Starlight asked. “Think you can stand a brief walk around town?”

“Y-yeah.” Six Star said, crossing her legs as they shivered and threatened to give out from underneath. “My legs are shaky, but I don’t feel any blood rushing around my head, so that’s a good sign ... right?”

“Right.” Starlight gave a smile which made Six Star uneasy. “Come on. Let me introduce you to the townsfolk.” Starlight turned and left the room, her tail whipping about in a gesture telling Six Star to come along.

Six Star followed Starlight, going down the stairs and exiting the two-floor building they were in. Six Star was greeted with a tiny town made of identical wooden houses spread across two rows, with each row having an equal amount of housing. The only distinguishing features on any house were some signs advertising products such as baked goods and clothes, and there was another house at the end of rows which was separate from the rest, being centered.

“You’ll find we have all sorts of attractions for you to enjoy in our town.” Starlight said, walking down from the steps of the building.

“What do you call it?” Six Star asked. “Your town, I mean.”

Starlight stopped, her eyes widening. “Eh, I’m sorry? I don’t understand the question.”

“What’s the name of your town?” Six Star asked.

“I don’t think it really has a name.” Starlight said. “It’s just … just our town.” She chuckled. “I think having a name for our town might imply it’s better than other towns, and that promotes inequality. Haven’t you heard of what Manehatten thinks of itself?”

“How do you put it on your maps, then?” Six Star asked. “Surely you need some identifier for ponies looking for your town.”

“Now, Six Star, what makes you think we want to be found?” Starlight asked. “Trust me. Anypony who’s looking for us will be able to find us.”

“Hmm.”

“Let me introduce to you everypony. Everyone!” Starlight called. “Come out! We have a new guest!”

Doors opened all around the neighborhood, and ponies peeked their heads out before walking out and gathering around Starlight and Six Star. Something about having so many ponies looking up at her made Six Star feel nervous … but at the same time, it seemed familar.

“This is Six Star.” Starlight said. “I’ve found her passed out not too far away from our humble village. I used my magic to bring her and help heal her wounds. She’s going to be a guest for a little while until she gets back on her hooves, so I want you all to make her feel welcome. Oh, and be considerate; she’s suffering from some memory loss from taking a hit on the head.” Starlight playfully knocked her hoof against her head.

Six Star grimaced and looked around. “Uh … hello, everypony.” She waved.

“Hello, Six Star!” The ponies chanted back in unison, almost as if they had been rehearsing it.

“Hi there!” A white Earth pony walked up to Six Star and extended his hoof. “I’m Double Diamond. There’s a lot of folks for you to meet here, but the ones you need to know right away are Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and my friend, Party Favor.” Double Diamond pointed to ponies in the audience who walked up as they were called by name. “They’ll help you get situationed in our village, and if there’s anything you need, just ask them.”

“Here.” Sugar Belle offered up a muffin in her hoof. “Try one of my muffins, free of charge. Think of it as a welcoming present.”

“Oh, thank you!” Six Star was flattered and took the muffin from Sugar Belle. “I can hardly remember the last time I ate.” Six Star stuffed the muffin into her mouth. Her eyes widened at its stale, mortar-esque taste. Not wanting to be rude, she chewed it down and gulped.

“Well?” Sugar Belle asked. “What do you think?”

“Um … well … I may not have all of my memories, but I’m pretty sure muffins aren’t supposed to taste like that.” Six Star said. Sugar Belle looked at the ground. “I’m sorry … I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Oh, it’s fine.” Sugar Belle said. “After all, at least means I’m not any better than anypony else in the village.”

Six Star’s jaw dropped. “How can you say something like that? Just because no else can bake a decent muffin in this entire village means you’re not allowed to, either? How do you get anywhere if you don’t improve? You’re not … accomplishing anything! After all, to succeed is to excel!” Six Star proudly put a hoof to her chest.

Sugar Belle and Double Diamond grimaced and winced, uncomfortable with this kind of talk. They looked at Starlight Glimmer, who was frowning and leering at Six Star. Starlight gestured her head at Double Diamond for him to do something before anypony began to get … ideas.

“Uh, Six Star.” Sugar Belle said. “I can’t help but notice that you have wings.”

“Yes, Six Star.” Starlight said, walking up to Six Star. She ran a hoof along Six Star’s wing. “Where did you get these wings? Aren’t you a unicorn? Are you a Princess, perhaps?”

“Uh, I don’t know.” Six Star tapped her chin. She gave an uncertain glare at Starlight. Growing uncomfortable, she whipped her wing away from Starlight’s grasp. “I mean, I don’t remember if I am a Princess.”

“Oh, well, that’s too bad.” Starlight said. “But ultimately for the better. After all, if you were a Princess, that would mean we would have to treat you like you were better than us common folk, and that would be … unequal.”

“You keep mentioning that.” Six Star raised an eyebrow. “But you wouldn’t have to give me any special treatment. Even if I was a Princess, which I’m not saying, I would still would want you all to treat me like … just another one of the girls.”

The crowd smiled at her.

Six Star glanced between them, looking at Double Diamond and Starlight Glimmer, taking notice of the equal signs on their haunches. “Hey, how come you all have the same Cutie Marks? That’s not supposed to happen.”

“We believe that Cutie Marks represent inequality, so in order to maintain a perfect equilibrium, we give them up and get rid of them.” Starlight explained.

“Get rid of them?” Six Star asked. “If you can remove Cutie Marks, you must have access to some incredibly powerful magic!”

Starlight gave an airy, nervous laugh. She placed a hoof on Six Star’s shoulder. “That’s true, Six Star. But we don’t like Cutie Marks. Isn’t that right?” The entire crowd shook their heads in disapproval. “So could we please stop talking about them?”

“Okay.” Six Star closed her eyes and stared at the ground. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset any of you.”

Starlight lifted Six Star’s head through her chin. “We forgive you. Now, you’ve seen everypony and have Double Diamond to help you if there’s anything you need, so why don’t you go explore the village for yourself a little bit?” Starlight moved to the side. Six Star nodded and walked off.

“Oooh!” Sugar Belle let out a squeal, walking up to Starlight. “She’s adorable, Starlight! Will she stay with us?”

“I don’t know.” Starlight said. “But I’m going to my best to make sure that happens. After all, a pony with a horn and wings would be quite the catch, and would be the first step towards spreading our message of equality through all of Equestria! I’ll see what I can do.” Starlight turned to Sugar Belle with a smile. Sugar Belle returned the smile, and Starlight waved her hoof, dismissing the crowd. “Places, everypony! We want Six Star to feel welcome here. We wouldn’t want her to go to a store and find nopony there.” The crowd dispersed, everypony returning to their normal positions from before Starlight called them.

“So, Six Star!” Starlight came up to Six Star, hooking a leg around Six Star’s shoulders. “What do you think of our little town?”

“It’s … quaint.” Six Star said. “It’s certainly quiet, I’ll give it that, but something worries me. How are you going to thrive if you prevent your citizens from excelling?”

“Oh, Six Star.” Starlight said. “Talent leads to jealousy. Jealousy leads to resentment. Resentment leads to broken friendships, and we wouldn’t want that, would we?”

“Well, no. But still.” Six Star said. “What happens if you expand? You’re going to need somepony to build roads and plan for traffic, and if no pony is better at making and building roads than anypony else, the roads will come out terrible and create crashes!”

“We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it.” Starlight said.

“Okay. Well, um, uh, no, not okay, actually. Bridges burning is exactly what I’m trying to help you avoid.” Six Star said. “And what about your doctors? You seem to be the only capable physician in the town, since you were the one who patched me up, but what happens if you’re out of commision and someone needs a major surgery?”

“You raise some very good points.” Starlight said. “I’ll think about them. But in the meantime, would you come with me?”

Starlight proceed to walk Six Star around the town. “What do you think of Sugar Belle, Six Star?”

“She’s nice.” Six Star said. “I mean, I like her, but I should really get to know her better before I make any judgments.”

“And she likes you, Six Star. For that very reason.” Starlight said. “You’re so … humble and modest. You would fit right in here. Tell me …”

Starlight stopped and stepped in front of Six Star.

“Would you consider moving in?”

Six Star stepped back. “What?”

“Would you considering staying and living with us here in our town?” Starlight asked.

“Gee, I don’t know …” Six Star rubbed the back of her neck. “That’s a big commitment. I haven’t even got my memories back yet. For all I know, there could be ponies counting on me.”

“Oh, please?” Starlight begged. “It doesn’t have to be permanent. Just until your memories come back and you have somewhere else to go.”

“Eh …”

“It would make Sugar Belle very happy.” Starlight said with a smirk.

Six Star looked over her shoulder. She saw Sugar Belle standing in front of her bakery. Sugar Belle noticed Six Star staring at her and gave a big smile and wave to Six Star. It was too much for Six Star to take. She couldn’t say no to such a cute face.

“Okay.” Six Star said. “I’ll stay here with you.”

“Perfect!” Starlight said, coming over to embrace Six Star.

Six Star pushed Starlight away with her hoof, pressing her hoof into Starlight’s chest. “But only to make Sugar Belle happy, and only until my memories come. If they come back… understand?”

Starlight was taken aback by Six Star’s sudden display of resolve. “Of- of course!” Starlight made a note. If Six Star was going to live here, Starlight was going to need to beat this resolve out of her. “Right this way, please, if you would.”

Starlight led Six Star to a wooden shack at the end of the town.

“In here, please.” Starlight gestured to the door.

Six Star went inside, and was quite alarmed when Starlight shut the down behind her.

There wasn’t much inside the building. There was a wooden table, a speaker mounted on the wall, and cobwobs gathered in the corners. This building hadn’t been cleaned in some time.

The speaker buzzed, and Starlight’s voice came out of it.

“Have a seat.”

Six Star did as told, pulling out the chair and sitting at the table.

“Listen closely, Six Star. I want you to repeat after me. In sameness, there is peace.”

“In sameness, there is peace.”

“Exceptionalism is a lie.”

That didn’t sound right to Six Star, but she repeated it anyway. “Exceptionalism is a lie.”

“Free yourself from your cutie mark.”

“Free myself from my Cutie Mark.”

“Choose equality as your special talent. Difference is frustration. To excel is to fail. Be your best by never being your best. Conformity will set you free.”

“Choose equality as my special talent. Difference is frustration. To excel is to fail. Be my best by never being my best. Conformity will set me free.”

Something inside Six Star twitched at the word ‘free’ slipping past her lips.

“Accept your limitations, and happiness will follow.”

“Accept my limitations, and happiness will follow.”

“You're no better than your friend.”

“I am no better than my friend.”

“Your compliance will be rewarded.”

“My compliance will be rewarded.”

“Are you ready to comply?”

Six Star nodded, a wave of sleepiness running over her eyelids. “I am ready to comply.”

Starlight swung the door open.

“Perfect. Come with me, Six Star, and we can get rid of that dreadful, awful Cutie Mark of yours.”

Six Star pushed herself out of her seat and joined Starlight. Starlight led Six Star up to a nearby mountain overlooking the town, leading her up the slope.

“Steep climb.” Six Star commented.

“Yes, isn’t it?” Starlight said.

Starlight led Six Star into a cave at the top of the mountain. Inside the cave was a massive vault, with clear glass panels, each with a different design on them. They sparkled in the darkness, their bright designs even more apparent in the darkness of the cave. Between the three walls was a rock with a wooden staff placed into it, which ended in a two-pronged tip.

“What … is this?” Six Star asked, awed by the massive amount of storage.

“This is our Cutie Mark vault.” Starlight said, lifting the staff up with her magic. “It’s where we keep all our removed Cutie Marks. You didn’t think we just destroyed them, did you?”

“Though granted, I would certainly like to …” Starlight murmured.

“What’s that?” Six Star pointed at the staff.

“This is the Staff of Sameness.” Starlight answered, twirling the Staff around. “It’s one of Meadowbrook’s Nine Enchanted Magical Items. It’s how we rid ourselves of our Cutie Marks.”

Six Star tilted her head. “I thought Meadowbrook had eight magical items?”

Starlight laughed. “Oh, look at you! At this rate, you’ll have all your memories back before the end of the day! But yes, that’s a common misconception. This is Meadowbrook’s secret ninth item. I’m impressed, Six Star.” Starlight said. “Not a lot of ponies around here even know who Meadowbrook is.”

Six Star blushed.

Starlight smiled and pointed the staff at her. “Now, Six Star, are you ready to be equal?”

Six Star nodded. “I am ready to comply.”

“Wonderful.”

Starlight, with an unsettling mad grin, aimed the Staff of Sameness at Six Star. A blue beam of magic traveled up from Starlight’s horn and wound itself around the Staff, firing the blue beam at Six Star.

The beam held Six Star up in the air. She twitched and spasmed, feeling the magic run through. She watched out the corner of her eye as her Cutie Marks were peeled off her body. She winced and closed her eyes. This felt wrong. Unnatural. As if it was ripping off her flesh. As if it was taking out a part of her, an important part, a part she needed. A part she couldn’t live without.

The Cutie Mark traveled through the air before nestling in between the prongs of the Staff. Starlight examined it, grinned, and pointed the Staff at the wall, tossing the Cutie Mark out, where it attached itself to a free glass panel.

“How you feel, Six Star?” Starlight asked.

Six Star shivered. “Hollow. Incomplete. Almost kind of … violated.”

Starlight laughed airily. “I assure you, that feeling will pass. Once you spend some time with the ponies around here, you’ll feel more complete than you ever did!” Starlight walked past Six Star out of the cave. “Now, since you’re new here, you’ll be staying with me in my house for a few days until we get your own cabin built. This way, please.”

Six Star pushed herself out of her seat and joined Starlight. Starlight led Six Star out of the mountain and to her house, but they were waylaid from Starlight’s destination when Sugar Belle came up to them.

“Starlight! Starlight, come quick! We’ve found something! Some kind of … blue ogre or something!”

Starlight gave Six Star an apologetic chuckle. “Excuse me. This’ll just be a minute.”

“Okay.” Six Star. “I’m ready to comply whenever, Starlight!” Six Star gave a smile.

Sugar Belle lead to them to the far end of town, where a massive blue giant rested in the dirt, unconscious. Some of the more daring ponies climbed on top of it to get a better look at its face.

“What is it?”

“Where did it come from?”

“Why does it have three Cutie Marks!?” A pony squealed, pointing to the symbol etched on its shoulders, which was also on its chest.

“Because it’s not a Cutie Mark, it’s an Autobrand, you - you - you troglodytes.” Ultra Magnus said, his optics opening. He sat up. “Get off me.”

The ponies, afraid, did as he told them to.

“Where in the Pit am I?” Ultra Magnus asked, sitting upright. “And make it snappy. I get angry when people don’t tell me things I want to know, and you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”

“Perhaps I can help?” Starlight said, walking up to the giant. “I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.”

“Good, because I have a lot of them.” Ultra Magnus said, getting to his feet.

“I’m Starlight Glimmer, the leader of this fair town -”

“Twilight!” Ultra Magnus shouted, noticing Twilight Sparkle standing behind Starlight, paying Starlight no attention and walking past her to greet Twilight. “Am I glad to see you! Come on, we need to find and regroup with the others and then put the pressure on Bludgeon before he gets away to try another scheme!”

Ultra Magnus converted into his vehicle mode and went roaring out of the town. It wasn’t until he was some distance away did he realize Twilight Sparkle hadn’t hopped onto the ladder on the side of his vehicle mode as she was supposed to.

Ultra Magnus backed up into the town and stopped beside Twilight. “Twilight, come on!”

Twilight Sparkle went and hid behind Starlight Glimmer. “I … I don’t know you. I don’t recognize you.”

“What?” Ultra Magnus shifted into his robot mode, his parts clicking with frustration.

“It looks like she doesn’t want to go with you.” Starlight commented with a smug grin.

“You … you ...” Ultra Magnus aimed his hammer at Starlight. “You. What did you do to her?”

“I haven’t done anything.” Starlight said. “She has some memory loss, that’s all.” Starlight looked over to Six Star. “So, your name is Twilight Sparkle, huh?”

“I … guess so.” Twilight said. “He seems to recognize me, so.”

“Come on, Twilight!” Ultra Magnus said. “We don’t have time for this. We need to turn up the heat and kick Bludgeon while he’s down.”

“Do you have any idea what he’s talking about, Twilight?” Starlight asked smugly.

Twilight shook her head.

“Bludgeon?” Ultra Magnus asked. “Skull-faced Decepticon samurai, about yea high? Thunderwing? Omega Supreme? You know, Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons? Galloway? The Imperials? Come on! Don’t you remember anything?”

Twilight shook her head. “No. I’m sorry, but … no.”

“What did you do to her?” Ultra Magnus asked, glaring at Starlight. “What did you do to her!?”

“I told you, I haven’t done anything.” Starlight calmly insisted. “If she wants to stay here, we should respect her decision.”

“No, I don’t believe it. I never thought I’d see the day. The day when Twilight Sparkle, hero of two worlds, would hang up her hat to become a - a backwater communist?”

“Actually, it’s more like a cult.”

Starlight stared disapproving at Twilight.

“Sorry. I don’t know where that came from.” Twilight said.

“You don’t remember anything?” Ultra Magnus said.

“Well … I remember what words mean and how to walk and stuff.” Twilight said.

“Not the Autobots? Not Fluttershy or Pinkie Pie? Not even … Optimus Prime?”

Twilight’s heart skipped a beat at the names Ultra Magnus mentioned, but she shook her head. She still didn’t remember anything.

“Well, I say if Twilight wants to stay here, she should be allowed to.” Starlight said. “Don’t worry.  I’ll take care of her. I guess this ‘Optimus Prime’ just wasn’t that important to her.”

Starlight’s eyes widened when the head of Ultra Magnus’ hammer slammed down in front of her.

“Listen here, you.” Ultra Magnus said, bending down so he and Starlight were face to face, pointing a finger at her. “My brother was a great mech, a hero. He sacrificed his life so Twilight Sparkle could get away and live. Despite what fiber in my being is telling me, I am willing to try to be diplomatic with you about this. But badmouth my brother’s memory again, and I will burn every house in your village, kill everyone in it, and hold you in my cold, steel hand and make you watch. Do. I. Make. My. Self. Clear?”

Starlight and Twilight stared up at Ultra Magnus with widened eyes and sucked-in mouths as if they had swallowed something sour.

“Crystal.” Starlight said.

“Crystal Ponies!” Twilight spouted, earning her odd looks. “Sorry, it was just … something I remembered. I think my memories are starting to come back.”

“Now.” Ultra Magnus stood up and crossed his arms. “I’m going to leave to try think about how I can bring Twilight Sparkle back to us. Back to herself. I want no funny business, understand?” Ultra Magnus pointed pointedly at Starlight. “You seem like the just the sort of type to try to pull a trick right under my nose, and I’ll not have any of that. You try to pull something, I’ll know and … let’s just say, it won’t end well for you.”

Ultra Magnus heaved his hammer over his shoulder and walked away from them, his metal feet thumping on the ground, leaving a shaken pair of ponies behind in Starlight and Twilight, Starlight shivering in fear.  Starlight had never dealt with something like this before.

()()()()() ()()()()() ()

()()()()() ()()()()() ()

“Ugh …” Magnum groaned, resting his hand on the cave wall for support. It was dark, and the only sources of light were the ones coming off their own cybernetic bodies. “Is everyone alright?”

“Been better.” Crosshairs groaned, rolling over onto his cape. “Let me tell, my fashion sense was not the best for this mission.”

“I am well, thank you.” Drift said, moving out from behind a rock.

“I think I’m okay.” Fluttershy rose her head up, rubbing at its soreness. “What happened?”

“Thunderwing got in one last hit on Omega and brought him crashing down.” Magnum said. “The crash sent everyone flying.” Magnum looked to the ceiling of the cave. “We appeared to have landed in a cave. I imagine the others were similarly scattered throughout the land.”

“We should work on finding our way out.” Fluttershy said.

“Good idea, luv, but there’s just one problem.” Crosshairs gestured to the walls. “There is no way out.”

Drift poked at a pile of rocks against one of the walls. “It appears our landing triggered a cave-in. We are fortunate it did not crush us.”

“All well and good, except for the fact it might as well have crushed us if we’re going to be stuck here forever.” Crosshairs complained. He drew his pistol and twirled it, aiming at the wall. “I say we make our own way out.”

“No.” Magnum shouted, grabbing Crosshairs by the wrist before he pulled the trigger. “If us just landing here caused a cave-in, then any display of excessive firepower will likely trigger another one, and we might not get so lucky a second time.”

Crosshairs grumbled, and with some resignation, put his back in its holster.

“It can’t be all bad.” Fluttershy said. “I’m sure our friends are looking for us as we speak. There’s no need to worry.”

A rumble ripped through the cavern floor. The rockslide blocking their way out chattered as another pile of rocks fell from the ceiling, kicking up dust and adding to the size of the rockslide, making any potential way of breaking through much harder.

The four of them stared in shock. Of them, Crosshairs had the most succinct word on the subject.

“Well.”

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()

Starlight and Twilight sat in Starlight’s hut, sipping tea at a table. Twilight stared into her cup of tea in silence, looking disconnected.

“What’s wrong?” Starlight asked. “You’ve barely touched your tea.”

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked, looking up at Starlight. “Everything is wrong! I woke up in the middle of nowhere with no memories of who I am or used to be, and just as I’m getting adjusted to the idea of staying here and living with you, this robot shows up and tells me I’m needed elsewhere! I don’t know who to trust or what to believe in!”

“Oh, you’re not really still worried about that silly Moltra Agnes -”

“Ultra Magnus.” Twilight snapped, feeling something stir inside, getting the feeling Starlight was getting his name wrong on purpose, and Twilight resented her for it.

“Are you?” Starlight asked.

“Why aren’t you worrying?” Twilight asked. “He threatened to kill everypony in your village!”

“Only if I insulted his brother again.” Starlight said. “Trust me, Twilight. I know how to handle a situation like this. Trust me, as long as I don’t do that, we should be golden, and I can hold all of the cards in my hooves.” Starlight raised up her cup and sipped it before giving Twilight a suspicious glare.

“You do trust me, don’t you? After all, I’ve been nothing but kind to you.”

“Of-of course.” Twilight stammered, Starlight’s glare making her feel guilty for doubting her. “But I still think you’re underestimating Ultra Magnus.”

“Please.” Starlight waved her hoof. “Give me ten minutes, and I’ll play him like a fiddle. Trust me, Twilight, nopony is above the influence of my manipulation - I mean, skills of my persuasion.” Starlight smiled broadly and then sheepishly took another sip of her tea.

Somepony knocked on the door. “Starlight?” Sugar Belle said. “Mister Ultra Magnus is back. He’s asking for you.”

“Showtime.” Starlight said. She and Twilight got out of their chairs, Twilight’s uncertain expression and steps contrasting with Starlight’s self-assured and confident swagger.

The two of them walked out into town, where Ultra Magnus had his arms crossed, tapping his foot to show his trying patience.

“You kept me waiting.” Ultra Magnus said. “Took your sweet time getting here. Now, I don’t know how you do things around here, but back where I come from, when someone’s waiting to meet you, you get out there pronto. You’re stalling, and that makes me suspicious.”

“Why, Ultra Magnus! I’m hurt.” Starlight put a hoof to her chest. “You should learn to trust more.”

“Being distrustful of anyone I didn’t know to their core is how I survived this long.” Ultra Magnus said. “You should learn to be more honest, because I’m not sure what you’re holding back from me … but I can tell it’s definitely something. Now, tell me, Starlight Glimmer … what am I going to have to do to get Twilight Sparkle to leave here with me?”

“You’re going to have to convince her she wants to leave her with you.” Starlight said. She wrapped a hoof around Twilight and pulled her close. “And she doesn’t want to leave, now does she? Why would she? We have everything she needs here.”

“Uh, well …” Twilight stammered.

“Cute, Starlight Glimmer, but cut the act.” Ultra Magnus said. “Your little ‘utopia’ charade isn’t going to fly with me. I’ve spent my life fighting Decepticons. “Deception” is in their name, so your usual tactics aren’t going to work on me. I’m not going to believe anything you say about what Twilight wants unless I hear from Twilight herself. Capichise?”

“Of course.” Starlight said. “Twilight, tell Ultra Magnus you want to stay here.”

“Well, I …” Twilight said. “I don’t know. I don’t remember you, and I haven’t been around this village nearly long enough to decide whether or not I really want to stay here.” Starlight gave a frown.

“Twilight, you need to come back with me.” Ultra Magnus stressed. “You have people, hundreds of people, depending on you. You made a promise, a promise that the Cybertronians and Equestrians would be free to come and go between Equestria, Earth and Cybertron as they pleased. You promised the Vehicons they would be treated more fairly, given more rights, and given a fair say in deciding matters. Your friends are waiting for you. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack …”

Starlight moved in front of Twilight. “Twilight will have plenty of friends here-”

“Cram it, you.” Magnus snapped. Starlight recoiled, not used to such treatment.

“Twilight, please come back.” Ultra Magnus said. “You’re our leader, Twilight. You’re our guiding star, our moral pillar. When we’re down, you make speeches to pick us back up again. The Autobots need you. Your friends need you. And as painful as this is for me to admit, after - after what happened to Optimus …”

Ultra Magnus crossed his arms and looked away.

“I need you. You’re … so much alike, you remind me of him, and it’s like … he’s not really gone, you know? You keep his memory alive, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight bit her lip. “I … wow.” She put a hoof to her head. “That’s a lot to take in. I … I need a minute to process all of that.”

Ultra Magnus nodded. “Take your time.”

“I’ll help Twilight get accustomed to all the enormous responsibility you’re putting on her.” Starlight said.

“Uh-huh. Sure you will.” Ultra Magnus said. “And I’m the Prince of Candyland.”

“In the meantime, we’ll sit down and drink tea so she can relax.”

“That tea better not have something in it.” Ultra Magnus said. “I’m warning you, Starlight, if I figure you’re doing anything to her … I’m not going to be a happy camper.”

Starlight nodded, though she didn’t seem to take Ultra Magnus’ warning at face value. She walked Twilight away, back to her hut.

“We’re counting on you, Twilight!” Ultra Magnus shouted as they left.

Twilight looked back at him over her shoulder before turning to her front. “Gosh. It sounds like I’m kind of a big deal.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Starlight said.

“I had no idea I could be so important.” Twilight said. “I’m just … me, you know?”

“That’s right.” Starlight said, wrapping a hoof around Twilight. “And that is exactly the kind of thinking we need around here, Twilight. You’re not better than anypony else. You’re equal. You should stay with us. If you go with Ultra Magnus, he’ll insist that you’re better than some ponies, and that would be … unequal.” Starlight’s voice dropped when she said ‘unequal.’

Twilight stopped, and it took Starlight a few steps before she realized Twilight wasn’t following her.

“But Starlight … what if I am better than some ponies? What if I am unequal?” Twilight asked. “I talked to you about roads and doctors, right? Well, what if, instead of medicine or traffic, I have a specialty in leadership?”

“Oh, no, no no!” Starlight said, rushing up to Twilight and putting a hoof on her cheek. “Don’t talk like that, Twilight. That’s crazy talk. No, you’re as equal as any one of us, and for that, you should stay here.” Starlight looked around. She grabbed Twilight’s hoof and dragged Twilight back to her cabin. “Can I tell you a little … secret?”

“Sure.”

“You’re so good with magic, Twilight.” Starlight said. “And so smart, too. You’re like the sister I never had.”

“You’re like the sister I never had!” Twilight exclaimed. The two of them chuckled.

“Exactly.” Starlight nodded. “So it would be a crime if you were to leave. After all, what if your family is missing or gone? You don’t know where they’ve been. They could have forgotten about you! And then you’d be out a family … and I’d be out a sister.” Starlight placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder

Twilight looked down at the ground.

“Promise me you’ll stay?” Starlight said.

Twilight looked up, gave a sheepish smile, and nodded. “I’ll stay.”

“Wonderful! Let’s go tell Ultra Magnus the great news!”

Starlight led Twilight back out and brought her to Ultra Magnus.

“Well?” Ultra Magnus asked.

“I’m afraid I have some bad news for you, Ultra Magnus.” Starlight said.  “Twilight Sparkle has decided to stay.”

Magnus glared at Twilight. “Twilight, is this true?”

Twilight closed her eyes and nodded. “Yes. I’m afraid so. I’m sorry.”

Ultra Magnus clenched his teeth, raising a fist. “You - you!” He pointed at Starlight. “I don’t know what kind of drug you’ve been slipping Twilight, I don’t know what kind of nonsense you’ve been selling her, but it can’t have been anything good. Twilight would never turn her back on her friends. You did something to her. I don’t know what, but you did something.” Ultra Magnus waved his hand and turned around.

“Forget it. I don’t have time to figure out what you did right now. I need to find the others, and then I’ll be back and we’ll figure out what it is by putting our heads together. And another thing, Starlight … if you’re so emotionally dependent on what others, you have to emotionally manipulate everyone who comes into your village into staying, you will never be happy. Because you’ll be constantly trying to keep them under your thumb, and one day, somepony is going to fed up and leave, and you won’t be able to handle it, and your entire empire will come crashing down.”

Ultra Magnus began to walk away from the village, waving goodbye over his head. The veins in Starlight’s neck bulged, she was so enraged by Ultra Magnus’ comment. To threaten to come back with reinforcements was one thing, but how dare he suggest she didn’t have complete control over everypony and everything which went on inside her village.

Her horn crackling, before Twilight Sparkle could stop her, Starlight fired a bolt of magic lighting at Ultra Magnus. It entered through his back and ripped through, bursting out of his chest and knocking him down to his hands and knees, smoke rising up from the hole Starlight had blown in him.

Twilight was alarmed, while Starlight smiled, satisfied with herself.

At least until Ultra Magnus rose up to his feet. He whipped around, aiming his boomstick at Starlight, his eyes filled with fury.

“YOU WANNA DANCE, LITTLE PONY?”

Ultra Magnus growled, bracing his finger against the trigger. After a minute of a tense standoff between him and Starlight, Ultra Magnus chuckled and took his finger off, lifting his weapon up.

“Hahaha … no. No, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Ultra Magnus asked. “It’ll help your narrative. The brave Starlight Glimmer, sacrificing herself against the big, bad blue ogre who threatened her village and proving she was right about the dangers of inequality or whatever. It’d make you a martyr to your cause. I’m not going to do that. I’m not going to give you the ammunition you need to justify yourself. Here’s what I am going to do.”

Ultra Magnus brought his weapon down.

“You are going to give me Twilight Sparkle. That is not a request. That is a declaration of fact. For every hour that you don’t, I will kill one pony inside your village.”

To prove he wasn’t bluffing, Ultra Magnus turned his cannon on Double Diamond, who backed away, his jaw dropping.

“Starting now.”

Ultra Magnus pulled the trigger. An incendiary shell launched from the barrel, landing in front of Double Diamond. The explosion shook the ground, a fireball burning in the middle of the town. Clouds of smoke billowed out until they faded, showing Double Diamond was no more. All which was left of him were scorch marks on the ground he once stood. The rest of the townspoines put their hooves to their mouths and gasped.

Starlight and Twilight stared in shock and disbelief, their jaws dropped, though Starlight’s hung out further than Twilight’s. With her jaw still hanging, Starlight moved her eyes to look at Ultra Magnus.

Ultra Magnus stared back with cold, impassive eyes. Without a word or any hint of emotion on his face, he turned around, throwing his weapon over his shoulder, and walked out of the village.

For him, it was just another causality. Nothing to get choked up about.

None of the ponies dared try to stop him, and any pony who was in his path gasped and fled for their lives, running to the nearest hiding place, be it the inside of a barrel or under a table.

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()

“I can’t believe that just happened. I can’t believe that just happened!” Starlight paced around her kitchen, struggling to accept the events she had witnessed had been real. “Double Diamond was my friend! He was one of the first ponies I brought to our town! He helped found it! And Ultra Magnus just - just shot him like he was nothing!”

Twilight was less shaken up about it. Not to say she wasn’t shaken up, of course. She was upset by Double Diamond’s death, but she felt … numb to the ordeal. As if she had been here before.  “Starlight, I’m sorry, but … these things happen.”

“These things happen? My best friend was just blown to pieces, and all you can say is these things happen?” Starlight snapped. “Where you have been, Twilight Sparkle, where you can just shrug this off and say ‘these things happen’!?”

Twilight shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Starlight glared at Twilight, fuming, grinding her teeth.

Twilight glanced out the window. “It’s getting late. We should go to bed and … try to get to some sleep. We can talk more about this in the morning.”

Starlight seemed as if she wanted to keep being angry, but she took in a deep breath and exhaled. “Fine.”

The two of them went to their own beds in separate rooms.

Twilight closed her eyes and tried to sleep. She couldn’t rest easy. She kept hearing voices. Something was … whispering to her.

“Twilight Sparkle … we need you.”

Before long, there was a crash.

Starlight opened the door, rubbing at her sleepy eyes. “Ugh … Twilight, I’m upset, too, but I need some sleep. You can’t just go around throwing things that don’t belong to yooou OH!” Starlight exclaimed and recoiled.

“What?” Twilight bolted upright. “What is it?”

Starlight pointed at the corner of the room.

A lamp had fallen and broken into several pieces. What was more alarming, however, was the pieces rising into the air, held by a dark blue aura, and launching into the wall. The wall creaked and groaned as the pieces moved, carving a message into it. Two words, written large so they could be seen clearly.

Semper Tyrannus.

“Semper Tyrannus?” Starlight asked. “What does that mean?”

“It means ‘As always unto tyrants.’” Twilight answered without even having to think about it.

Starlight stared, worry spreading across her face. She hoped the message wasn’t referring to her and her village. Shaken up for a second time, she closed the door and went back to bed.

Twilight stared at the message, trying to figure out why the words seemed so familiar to her. Unable to puzzle it together, she rolled over and went back under her covers, thinking she would investigate it more tomorrow.

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()() ()

Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor gathered together at the edge of town. They grimaced, worrying what Starlight would think of them doing something without her approval. But they had to do this, and they knew Starlight would never give them permission. For their friend. For Double Diamond.

Venturing outside the town for the first time in years, they walked around, eventually finding their target - Ultra Magnus.

Ultra Magnus laid by some rocks, bracing his head on a pillow made from his hands, his eyes closed and resting.

They couldn’t believe it. He had killed their friend not too long ago, and here he was, resting as if nothing had happened.

Sugar Belle couldn’t take it anymore. Snapping, she charged up to Ultra Magnus, despite Party Favor’s protests.

“Sugar Belle, wait! We should have a plan!”

Sugar Belle had a plan - to give this no-good ogre a piece of her mind. She ran up to his leg and banged on it with her hooves.

“Hmm?” Ultra Magnus barely opened his optics.

“Give us our friend back, you - you bully!” Sugar Belle shouted, pounding on Magnus’ leg, the blows of her hooves doing nothing more than irritate Magnus’ mesh.

“Huh?” Ultra Magnus asked as Party Favor and Night Glider walked up to him, looking sheepish. “Oh, right, right. You three. Hang on a minute ...”

Ultra Magnus reached behind his back. A rattling noise came behind him, a pipe and a spare lug nut falling out from behind him. After a minute of searching, he produced Double Diamond, holding him by the tail.

“Hey.” Ultra Magnus said. “Hey, snowflake! Naptime’s over. Time to wake up.” Magnus put a finger to Double Diamond’s chin and rocked it.

“Wha-huh?” Double Diamond asked, his eyes blinking out. He saw his friends. “Guys!”

“Double Diamond!” Sugar Belle exclaimed as Ultra Magnus put Double Down down on the ground. Sugar Belle hugged him. “You’re alive!”

“But … how?” Party Favor asked.

“When I shot Double Diamond, I shot the ground in front of him.” Ultra Magnus said. “The shock wave from the explosion knocked him, and I used a good bit of sleight of hand to grab him from the smoke before anyone noticed. It was easy, too, given how shocked everypony was. I never actually killed him. I’m not that big of a jerk. My plan was to pull this same trick until Starlight relented to my demands, but, well … there’s no reason you three should have to suffer just because your leader is a jerk.”

“Starlight’s not a jerk!” Sugar Belle said.

“Oh?” Ultra Magnus said. He pointed at him. “It’s funny to me that you think that. Keeping you all equal and repressed and unfulfilled doesn’t make her a jerk?”

“Hey! We live … very fulfilling lives.” Sugar Belle said, but her voice lacked conviction or passion, her eyes drifting towards the ground.

“Uh-huh. Sure you do. Keep lying to yourself, telling yourself you’re happy here, not able to do anything except what Starlight Glimmer tells you.” Ultra Magnus said. “But I can see it in your eyes. You’re oppressed. You want more from live. You want to go out there and explore yourselves and the world. You want to succeed, to excel.”

Right as the four of them were buying into what Ultra Magnus was selling, as they getting their curiosity was piqued, two bolts of blue-colored lightning flew in from almost nowhere, crossing each other and striking Ultra Magnus in the chest, electrocuting him and digging two tiny holes into his chest.

Ultra Magnus fell on to his back, while the four ponies looked back to see Starlight and Twilight with their horns smoking.

“I’m sorry.” Twilight said, reacting to their shocked looks. “But Starlight convinced he needed to be detained and neutralized for the greater good.”

“Double Diamond!” Starlight exclaimed, running up to Double Diamond and hugging. “You’re alive! But how? Oh, that doesn’t matter now. All that matters is that you’re alive … and you’re safe.” Starlight’s single tear of joy dripped onto Double Diamond’s shoulder.

Twilight, feeling remorseful, walked up to the side of Ultra Magnus, lying low and remaining cautious. She reached his face, where his optics glared down at her, full of hate and fury.

“Traitor …” Ultra Magnus wheezed out, before his optics shut.

Twilight stared at the ground, unable to tell how, but believing, no, knowing Ultra Magnus was right.

She was a traitor. She betrayed him. And she betrayed … someone or something else, too, but she couldn’t remember what it was.

Starlight came over and wrapped a leg around Twilight’s shoulder. “Good work, Twilight Sparkle! This will really help everypony in the village to relax!” Starlight nuzzled Twilight’s shoulder, but all her words accomplished was making Twilight feel worse than she already did.

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()() ()

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()() ()

Starlight dragged Ultra Magnus up to the Cutie Mark vault and imprisoned him within it, creating a light-blue force field in front of the cave to seal him in, and levitating large boulders in front of the field as a second barrier, piling them up and leaving a tiny window for Ultra Magnus to see and look through.

Twilight observed all of this and raised an eyebrow, thinking it odd Starlight could pull off such magic when she didn’t have a Cutie Mark or special talent in it.

When the barricade was completed, Ultra Magnus poked his head through the window, having recovered.

Starlight looked at him, an unbearable smug smirk on her face. She best hope Ultra Magnus didn’t escape, because he would all too happy to punch the smirk off.

Starlight turned to Twilight. “You did good work helping me bring him in, Twilight.”

“Yeah …” Twilight wilted as Starlight left. “‘Good’ …”

Twilight walked up to the rock pile. She and Ultra Magnus stared at each other. Twilight shifted her eyes, wrought with guilt.

“I just want you to know, I’m sorry about all this.” Twilight said.

“Save it.” Ultra Magnus held up his hand. “I don’t want to hear it.”

Twilight closed her eyes and nodded. She turned and left, walking down the mountain.

Ultra Magnus backed away from the wall. He raised up his fist and attempted to punch through the force field, but his hand was insufficient to make a crack, and Starlight, for all her idiocy, had the sense to take away his hammer before locking him up.

Ultra Magnus let out a sigh. He looked around and saw the Cutie Marks glued in place on the wall.

“I wonder why Starlight left me in here with those unprotected. Then again, even if I did smash them, it’s not like it would do anything, would it?”

Ultra Magnus walked over the side of the cave, resting his back against the wall and crossing his arms. He looked down at his arm.

He raised his arm, pressing a button which deployed a panel, beneath which there was a communications array. Ultra Magnus hoped he could get a signal out through the cave’s interference.

“This is Ultra Magnus, leader of the Wreckers.” Ultra Magnus spoke into the panel. “If anyone can hear this broadcast, trace this signal back to its source. I’ve been imprisoned by a crazy pony inside of a mountain and am in need of rescue.”

Ultra Magnus prepared to repeat the message, not expecting anyone to pick it up on the first pass. He was willing to do this for as long as it took, but he got a reply back sooner than he was expecting.

“We can hear you, Ultra Magnus.”

Slag. Ultra Magnus thought. Steeljaw’s silky voice coming through the comm was not what he wanted to hear.

“We’ll be sure to rescue you … right after we’ve had our fun with the pony in question.” Steeljaw said. He had to rub it in Ultra Magnus’ face. “Don’t worry. Help is on the way.”

The comm buzzed with static, Steeljaw ending the transmission.

“Slag.” Ultra Magnus swore again. He ran up to the cave’s sealed-off entrance and began pounding on the walls. “Starlight! Starlight Glimmer!”

Starlight turned her head around to look at him. She rolled her eyes before walking up to the vault. She would indulge Magnus in one conversation.

“You have to let me out of here. Right now.”

Starlight laughed. “And why would I do that?”

“Decepticons are on their way.” Ultra Magnus said. “They’ll destroy your village before moving on to me next.”

“Uh-huh.” Starlight nodded. “Sure they will. How can I be sure this isn’t just some ploy to get me to let you out so you can escape with Twilight Sparkle?”

Ultra Magnus banged his fists on the cave, causing some rocks to fall. “Damn it, Starlight Glimmer! Get over your paranoia and your desire to maintain your hold over your victims at all costs for one slagging minute and listen to me! The Decepticons on their way, and with you having done … whatever it is you did to Twilight Sparkle, I am the only one in a fifty-mile radius who can fight them for you. You think I’m bad? The Decepticons are so, so much worse. I threatened to burn your village down and kill everyone inside.”

“Yes, I remember.” Starlight said with bitterness.

“The Decepticons won’t even warn you. They’ll just do it, and the only warning you’ll get is the flames burning and their leader presenting you with Double Diamond’s severed head on a pike before doing the same thing to you.”

“Sure he will.” Starlight said. “You’ll understand, Ultra Magnus, if I’m not inclined to believe anything you say. In fact, given your past behavior, I’m inclined to believe whatever you say about the Decepticons, the opposite is true. I’m sure they’re reasonable envoys of peace, and I look forward to meeting them.” Starlight turned away from him. “It’s a shame. Maybe if you behaved a little better, you might have had a chance to join our little village, but now that will never be the case. You could have been happy here, just like Twilight Sparkle.”

Starlight proceeded to walk away from Ultra Magnus, walking down the mountain.

“Damn it all, Starlight, listen to me! YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME! YOUR VILLAGE IS GOING TO BE DESTROYED!  PONIES ARE GOING TO DIE! YOUR PONIES, YOUR FRIENDS ARE GOING … TO … DIE!”

“Goodbye, Ultra Magnus!” Starlight gave a flippant flip of her mane.

Ultra Magnus grit his teeth, digging his fists into the cave wall. He turned around and sat in the cave.

Fine. If she won’t care about them dying, why should I?

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()() ()()

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()() ()()

Twilight Sparkle, overwhelmed and overburdened, went inside Starlight's hut.

Unsure how to process the events of the day, Twilight came to the conclusion she should take a nap to rest. She went into her room, climbed under her covers, and puffed out a great big sigh before closing her eyes.

It wasn't long before she fell asleep and had a dream.

Twilight was standing in a field of some kind. Fog was everywhere, coming up to her knees. She looked around and gasped upon seeing outer space in the sky. Stars and distant suns and plants no more than a stone's throw from her.

Her face lit up, overjoyed at the prospect of getting to study one of her favorite subjects, astronomy, up close and personal. Her joy was washed away when she looked down and saw a tall, dark figure standing before her.

He was huge, massive. The same species as Ultra Magnus, thought Twilight could feel something was different about him. His body was black and grey, his shoulders wide and broad, and he clutched a spear within his clawed hand, his face obscured by a mask with glowing blue slits for eyes, his adorned with a crown of horns.

"Who - who are you?" Twilight asked.

"You are too important to risk losing, Twilight Sparkle." The figure boomed at her in a deep voice. "See what Starlight Glimmer is doing to you. Wake up."

"Huh?"

"Wake up!"

The figured charged at her, dragging the tip of his blade along the ground. Twilight ran to get out of the way, the spear's tip almost grazing her tail.

The figure, realizing he missed, stopped and turned around.

"I-I'm sorry." Twilight Sparkle said. "I don't know who you are, or what it is you want me to do."

"I want you to come to your senses."

The figure reared up his weapon.

"I want you to fight back."

The figure ran at her, twirling his blade. Reaching her, he raised his weapon up and brought it down on her, where ducked and rolled away to avoid it.

"How?" Twilight asked. "How am I supposed to fight back? You're so much bigger than I am!"

"That's never stopped you before."

The figure sliced his weapon the air and pointed his menacing weapon at Twilight. He paused and sheathed the blade.

"Whew! Thank you." Twilight wiped her brow. "I'm not sure I could have kept that up -"

The figure raised up his arms, and purple energy swirled around vents on the side of them. He opened fire, blasting Twilight Sparkle with an explosive shell made of pure energy, the impact sending her skidding across the ground.

"Who are you?" The figure asked, advancing towards her while continuing to fire.

"I'm Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight answered, galloping to avoid his lasers.

"What are you?"

"I'm a pony! A unicorn! With wings!"

"What else?" The figure demanded, stopping and aiming one of his cannons square at her, holding her dead to rights.

Twilight jumped back, avoiding the shell and resultant explosion of energy which landed in front of her. "I'm - I'm Starlight Glimmer's adopted sister!"

"No." The figure answered, depowering his cannons and pulling out his spear again. With lightning fast speed, he charged at her, bowling her over with the tip of his boot, knocking her onto her back. He aimed his spear at her neck.

"Fight back."

"I … I don't know that I can."

"Yes, you can. And your insistence that you can't is beginning to infuriate me." The figure said. He raised up his weapon and pointed it down. "I am about to kill you, Twilight Sparkle. Fight back."

"I … I …" Twilight panted, her breath growing short, her body shaking with panic.

"Consider this." The figure said. "Do you know who I am?"

"I …"

The figure brought his weapon down.

As the blade came hurtling towards her throat, muscle memory and instinct flooded back to Twilight. She narrowed her eyes. Focusing on the figure's head, she calculated her shot and fire a sphere of magic from her horn, striking him in the face and knocking him back as he shouted.

"I am Twilight Sparkle, newly-crowned Princess, student of Princess Celestia, leader of the Autobots Imperial, and you …"

Twilight rose up to her hooves and glared at him with renewed intensity, a passion, a fire waking up inside her. Her memory clicked back into place, and she had a name for the figure who was tormenting her.

"You're the Fallen. You're Megatronus."

The Fallen laughed. The mask covering his face drew up, splitting into ornaments on his forehead while revealing his silver, red-eyed bearded face. "Yes. Very good! You know my name. Now what am I?"

"You're Megatronus Prime, one of the legendary Thirteen Primes who were said to have battled Unicron and served Primus in the early days of the planet Cybertron."

Megatronus laughed again. "Yes, yes." He smirked. "Keep going."

"According to legend, you turned on your fellow Primes and fell into a dark contract with Unicron, your natural affinity to chaos drawing you into the Chaos God's service. Others say that you killed one of your own in a fight of rage. I could go on, but I think I've made my point."

Megatronus frowned. He gazed wistfully into the distance. "Yes … it is true my fellow Primes have suffered at my hands. But I promise you, I have not had any dealings with Unicron or any of his kin."

"Okay." Twilight Sparkle said. "I'll choose to believe you, for the moment. But now that I've gotten a little bit of my memory back, I have a few questions."

"I will do my best to answer." Megatronus smiled at her.

"What … is this place?" Twilight gestured around.

"This is the Realm of the Primes." Megatronus said. "It is where we go when we die. It is where we go when we wish to have some time to ourselves, and it is where we go to train. It allows us to cheat death and exist outside of the normal flow of space and time and life and death."

"O … kay." Twilight said. "Why have you brought me here?"

"To reawaken you." Megatronus said. "Only a very select few ever get to see, much less visit, the Realm of the Primes, Twilight Sparkle. You should feel honored. But to answer your question, it was to rescue you from the clutches of Starlight Glimmer and her behavioral conditioning and brainwashing." Megatronus pointed a finger at her. "You have an important role to play in the shape of events to come. Too important for us to allow losing you to a small-minded petty dictator like Starlight Glimmer."

"Us?"

"My fellow Primes and I." Megatronus said.

"I don't understand." Twilight put a hoof to her chest. "Why me? What makes me so special?"

"Because you, Twilight Sparkle, have done something few have." Megatronus said. "You were possessed by Unicron himself, and survived after, with your soul and will intact. That makes you uniquely qualified for … certain services. Services which my fellow Primes and I will have need of soon. Now, if they are no more questions ..."

Megatronus turned his back and walked away, the fog coalescing around him.

"Wait!" Twilight reached out her hoof. "I have one more question. Why only just now? Why, if I'm so important to this grand scheme you have, are you only communicating with me now? Why only now take action?"

"Why, Twilight …" Megatronus turned back to her. "We've been communicating with you since you formed the Imperials. You're a smart pony, Twilight. You discovered the Omega Lock, did you not? And even you yourself realize how unlikely it is you found such an a legendary marvel by accident … don't you?"

Twilight's eyes bugged out of her head as she put two and two together and realized the implications of what Megatronus was saying.

The fog continued to bunch up around Megatronus, obscuring him from sight.

"Farewell for now, Twilight Sparkle! From this moment on, we'll be in much more direct contact."

Twilight raised her hoof for him not to go, before realizing it was useless to try to get Megatronus to stay. She accepted it as the fog increased around the Realm and covered her body.

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()()() ()()()

At the outskirts of the town, Steeljaw's Pack marched into view, the snowy winds blowing across their chests. The ponies of the town gathered around to watch them, fearful of them after what happened with the last Cybertronian they encountered.

Starlight walked forward to greet them, confident in her judgment and sure these "Decepticons" meant no harm.

Steeljaw walked his Pack up to the edge of the town, where the ponies could see them, before raising his claw and signaling for them to halt.

"Why, hello there!" Starlight went forward and introduced herself. "I'm Starlight Glimmer, and this is my - our town. What can I do for you promising gentlemen?"

Steeljaw raised his eyebrow. "You don't seem to be terribly afraid of us."

"I'm given to understand that you four are reasonable gentlemen."

"I see. And how did you reach that conclusion?"

"Simple. Ultra Magnus told me about you, and after his actions, whatever he said about you, I assume the opposite to be true."

Steeljaw laughed. "Hahaha! A promising source, if there was one."

"Hey." Thunderhoof said. "How come youse ponies all got the same butt stamp? I thought there was unwritten rule against that or sumthin'.

"Thunderhoof, don't be rude." Steeljaw said. "It's not a stamp, it's a Cootie Mark."

"Cutie Mark." Sugar Belle corrected him.

Steeljaw stared at her. "That's what I said. Cootie Mark."

"No, no, you're saying Cootie Mark. It's Cutie Mark."

"Cootie Mark." Steeljaw said, trying to correct his pronunciation.

"Cutie Mark."

Steeljaw lost his temper. "There are the exact same! There is no difference! They are phonetically identical!" Steeljaw sighed, burying his head into his claws as he tried to calm down. He lifted his head and was quick to change the subject. "So, how about the negotiations being?"

"Negotiations?" Starlight asked with some worry.

"Thunderhoof, this is your specialty." Steeljaw gestured to the town. "Why don't you do it?"

"Sure." Thunderhoof walked up to one of the huts, resting his arm against the roof. "This is a pretty nice house you've got here. Nice town."

"Thank you." Starlight nodded.

"Be a shame if there were to be an … accident." Thunderhoof said.

"A shame." Fracture repeated.

Thunderhoof winded up his fist and punched the hut, punching a hole through the roof.

"Hey!" The owner protested.

"Aww, would you like at that." Thunderhoof gushed, his voice laced with false sympathy. "Some mook went up and messed up your perfectly good house! Now, if you were to pay me and my boys a little, heh-heh, protection money …" Thunderhoof rubbed his fingers together. "We might be able to keep little accidents like this from happening."

Starlight grimaced, realizing she might have tried to bite off more than she could. These Decepticons were nowhere near as reasonable as she thought they would be.

"What do you want?" Starlight asked. "What do you really want? Because I doubt you came all the way out here just to shake us for protection money. We're in a geographically inconvenient location. Sure, there's nopony but ourselves for police and protection, but I doubt your base is anywhere conveniently close enough to use us as a regular source of income."

Steeljaw let out a laugh from his belly. "Well reasoned, Starlight Glimmer! I'm glad you asked. We don't want much, really. Just a few things. First, we want everypony in your town to swear that will not, now or in the future, stand in the way of the Decepticon cause. Second, we want you to bring us Ultra Magnus. Third, I want you, Starlight Glimmer, to swear your allegiance to the Decepticons."

"Okay …" Starlight said.

"And I want you to prove it. By executing Ultra Magnus in front of everypony yourself."

All the ponies in the town gasped.

Starlight gulped. "W-will that be all?"

Steeljaw nodded.

"Um …" Starlight rubbed the back of her neck. "Could we … have a couple of minutes to talk about it between ourselves? This is an awfully big commitment, after all."

"Of course." Steeljaw nodded. "But don't take too long. My friend here is quick to get hungry and has a big appetite." Steeljaw gave a knowing glance towards Underbite.

"I don't normally eat organic and plant stuff." Underbite said. He reached a curious paw towards the damaged hut. "But I might be persuaded to make an exception."

"Eh-heh. Charming." Starlight said. "Okay, everypony, back this way so we can talk!"

Starlight directed the ponies towards the back of the town. Steeljaw grinned before leading his pack away from the town's front, though not too far, to give them a false sense of security.

Starlight gathered all the ponies behind a house, making sure they were in shadow.

"Hey." Twilight said, walking up to Starlight Glimmer, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I just had the strangest dream … hey, what's going on?"

"Twilight! I'm glad you're here." Starlight said. "Listen carefully, because everypony needs to hear this."

Starlight turned to the crowd.

"Alright, everypony." Starlight Glimmer said. "I hate to do this. I hate to have to ask you to leave your homes and the lives we've built here. Does everypony remember our evacuation procedures that we practiced?"

This was met with cries of disbelief from the ponies.

"What?"

"No!"

"Starlight, we can't!"

"We have to." Starlight said. "It's the only way."

"Only way to what?" Twilight asked. "Will somepony please explain to me what's going on here?"

"There's a Decepticon out there." Starlight Glimmer said. "He's threatened the village unless I turn over Ultra Magnus and execute myself, and as I much as I resent Ultra Magnus for disturbing our peace and tranquility, I … I'm not sure I have that in me. So the only recourse of action is to evacuate everypony in the village to the mountains. You're new here, Twilight, so you haven't been trained in our evacuation protocols. Just follow my lead and be find."

Starlight gestured to the crowd. "Go to your houses and avoid being detected. Grab everything you need, and only get what you want to take with you if you can do it without being noticed."

The ponies, though saddened and with downturned heads, nodded and spread out to follow Starlight's instructions.

"That shouldn't be too hard." Twilight said in a dry voice. "It's not like there's anything in this village for them to care about."

Starlight looked at her in shock. "What did you just say?"

Twilight recoiled. "Nothing."

Starlight glared at her. "Good. Keep it that way. Go to the hut and grab anything you think we need. Food, water, jars ..."

Twilight, feeling resentful of Starlight's overreaction to her offhand remark, regarded Starlight with contempt before going to do as she asked.

As the ponies packed up and began marching out away from their village to the south, the mass of moving ponies was noticed by Fracture.

"Those ponies are moving." Fracture observed. "It looks like they're trying to run away. Are we gonna stop them?"

"No." Steeljaw gestured to the sun. "The day is long. There's still plenty of potential. Let them run. It won't affect our long-term plans. Our endgame is to get Starlight Glimmer on our side."

"And if we can't?" Fracture asked.

Steeljaw shrugged. "Hmm. Well, sometimes you have to determine ... acceptable losses." A glint formed in his yellow, canine eye.

Up ahead on the path to the mountains, Twilight carried a few bags and followed behind Starlight, instructed to stay close to Starlight for safety. As they got further down the snow-covered bridge, Twilight began to feel a sense of unease. Something was wrong about this.

This wasn't her. This wasn't what she would do in this situation. She could feel it in her bones, like old wounds acting up when reminded of the situations in which they were inflicted. And what was up with Starlight snapping at her a moment ago? She couldn't handle a little criticism? This wasn't her response to Decepticons, it was Starlight's.

Twilight thought back to what Megatronus said. Feeling a font of courage open up inside for what felt like the first time in years, Twilight threw the bags she was carrying to the ground.

"We can't run."

The rest of the ponies gasped.

Starlight turned to Twilight, giving an airy laugh. "Twilight, what are you doing?"

"We can't run." Twilight repeated. "We have to stay and fight."

The ponies gasped again, louder than before.

"Twilight." Starlight said. "Think about what you're saying!" Starlight reached a hoof to comfort Twilight's shoulder, but Twilight slapped it away. "We can't fight them."

Twilight narrowed her eyes.

"How do you know?"

"Well, uh, um, because, because, um … they're big! And scary." Starlight said. "We can't fight them. They'll stomp all over us! And even, assuming, for one ridiculous minute, that we did decide to go fight them, how would we?"

"I don't know, but we won't know until we try." Twilight said. "But we can't run. You think the Decepticons will just let us leave? You don't think they'll try to track us down and hunt us until they get what want? If you think you can just slip into the mountains and forget all about the Decepticons and think they'll forget about us, you are sadly mistaken."

Twilight turned to the crowd. "We have to stay and fight. We have to stand our ground. These Decepticons? They're bullies, and you don't stop a bully by running away from them. You stop them by standing up to them."

"Twilight Sparkle, I think those bags have gotten too heavy for you." Starlight said with firmness in her voice.

Twilight ignored her. "Do you have no sense of self-preservation? Is there not one among you here who will stand up and try to fight?"

"Twilight Sparkle, that is enough!" Starlight Glimmer stomped her hoof, snorting and huffing. "We are evacuating, not fighting, and that is final!"

Twilight glared at Starlight. "What is with you, Starlight? Can't you see the Decepticons aren't going to leave you alone? They'll hunt us! They'll hunt you! That's what they do!"

"You seem to know an awful lot about what Decepticons do for a pony who's lost her memory."

"Well, it's coming back to me." Twilight said. "What is with you, Starlight Glimmer? Are you afraid? I know, it's a scary prospect, staring down Decepticons, but you have to get over your fears."

Twilight turned back to the crowd. "What will you do? Will you stand up, band together, and fight? Or let the Decepticons slaughter you like the sheep you are?"

"Wait." Twilight said. "That's it. Sheep." She turned back to Starlight. "You're not afraid of facing the Decepticons. You're afraid, if everypony gets together to fight the Decepticons, you're afraid they might grow a spine and start to question you. You're afraid they'll re-evaluate their thoughts on everything you've taught them. You're afraid they might rebel and fight you."

"Gaaah!"

Twilight had pegged Starlight, and Starlight was none too happy about anypony seeing through her charade and the charming mask of a matron she wore to the dictator behind said mask. She slugged Twilight hard across the cheek, knocking Twilight's head around.

The rest of the ponies gasped and covered their mouths in shock.

Twilight was shocked, too, and needed a moment to recover. Twilight propped her jaw up with her hoof to make sure it was still in place before turning towards Starlight.

"So that's the way you want to play, huh?"

Twilight yelled and pounced on Starlight Glimmer, tackling her to the ground. Starlight reached up to grab Twilight's neck, but Twilight caught her hooves and held them.

Growling, Starlight's horn lit up, and she teleported out from under Twilight, making Twilight fall to the snow with a thump. Starlight charged up a spell in her horn, preparing to strike Twilight with magic.

Twilight got up and pounced on her again, tackling Starlight down and causing her magical bolt to fire into the sky. Most unicorns relied on magic for most things, so for Twilight to be an experienced physical fighter was not something Starlight could adapt to easily.

Twilight, with Starlight pinned, proceeded to beat Starlight's face with her bare hooves, punching and punching and punching until blood let out from Starlight's jaw. Starlight growled again and readied a spell, this time getting it off with success, blasting Twilight Sparkle into the air.

Twilight tumbled through the air before landing chest-first into the snow. There was a beep of unknown origin, and Twilight got up with widened eyes. She watched in surprise as a the hexagonal plate on her chest, which Starlight hadn't thought to remove, expanded and filled out, covering her body in metal armor, a helmet covering her head.

Starlight reacted with understandable surprise, but Twilight knew what she needed to do. Controlling the armor as if she had never taken it off to begin with, Twilight activated its jets and hurtled towards Starlight Glimmer. She picked Starlight Glimmer up, flew up in the sky, and tossed Starlight Glimmer into a rock.

"Oogh …" Starlight groaned, putting a hoof on her head. Twilight landed on top of her, her steel-covered hooves producing clangs which filled Starlight with panic.

Twilight unfolded her helmet. "Listen here, you. I am Twilight Sparkle of the Autobots Imperials. I've fought monsters like Megatron and Starscream, demons like Thunderwing, and even faced down gods of chaos like Discord and Unicron. You, Starlight Glimmer, are much too small of a fish to be the one that does me in!"

Twilight grabbed Starlight by the head and proceed to bang her head against the rock, thumping her forehead over and over without stopping. When Twilight felt satisfied Starlight had been subdued, she rolled Starlight over onto her back and propped her against the rock. Feeling petty over Starlight taking advantage of her lost memories, Twilight forced her metal-clad hoof into Starlight's gut, knocking the wind out of her.

"Now, if we're all done arguing …" Twilight turned to the crowd. "Who's with me? Who will stand up and fight for your home?"

"N-no." Starlight said, turning to the crowd with her bruised and bloody face. "Y-you can't. Think about what we made here. You'll destroy everything we built together!"

The crowd was silent. Double Diamond and Sugar Belle were among the most uncomfortable. No pony dared side with one of them over the other.

Until a little filly pushed her way past to the crowd. Once she made it to where Twilight could see, she locked eyes with her.

She raised up her hoof.

"I'll fight, Twilight Sparkle." The filly said. Others, including the filly's mother, gasped. "This is my home. I have to protect it."

Starlight had a look of devastation on her face. She closed her eyes and turned away.

Twilight smiled and gave her an approving nod. "Anypony else?"

The ponies remained uncomfortable, until another pony followed the filly's example and raised his hoof. "I'll fight."

Like dominos, the rest of them fell into line, ponies raising their hooves one by one until everypony had volunteered. Everypony except Double Diamond, Party Favor and Sugar Belle.

Double Diamond grimaced, looking at Starlight Glimmer.

"I'm sorry, Starlight." Double Diamond said. "I have to do what I think is right." He turned to Twilight. "I'll fight, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight Sparkle smiled.

Starlight, feeling betrayed by her friend, shed a tear.

"Okay, everypony, gather 'round." Twilight gestured for the ponies to come closer. "We don't have a lot to go on here. No weapons, no ammunition, minimal territory to work with, but …"

"What do we have?" Party Favor asked.

"What we do have … is a plan." Twilight said. "And trust me. That is all we are going to need."

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()

Crosshairs impatiently tapped his fingers against his knees, the three Autobots sitting with their backs pressed to the wall.

"You know …" Crosshairs rolled his head around. "If we don't get out of here, eventually … we will run out of Energon."

"Yes, Crosshairs, I'm aware of that." Magnum said.

Crosshairs reached down around his hips. "Maybe I've got a demolition charge on me somewhere." He patted around his waist. "Nope. Funny. That seems like a serious oversight for me to make."

"Indeed." Drift said.

"Well … if the three of you get low on Energon ..." Fluttershy shucked open a panel on her leg. "I can donate some of mine."

"Aw, Fluttershy." Crosshairs said. "That's sweet, but we couldn't ask you to do that."

"It's no problem." Fluttershy said. "Being a technorganic, I run on both blood and Energon."

"Uh-huh." Crosshairs said. "What is that like for you?

Fluttershy rolled her eyes up in thought. "It's interesting. It's very … different. But I wouldn't want to give it up. I love myself the way I am."

"Oh, stop, you're filling the cave up with sap." Crosshairs said. He looked away. "But, uh, seriously though, it's … nice that you're at peace with yourself."

Fluttershy giggled.

"Wish I could say the same." Crosshairs muttered.

Fluttershy shuffled her hooves. "Well … if we are going to run out of Energon … is there anything anyone would like to say before we do?"

All three of the Autobots jostled uncomfortably. None of them were really talkers. Crosshairs rubbed his hands together.

"I'll go first." Magnum volunteered, sitting himself up. "There was a reason I went into the Elite Guard on Cybertron, before the Decepticons made it moot. I … I wanted to distinguish myself. From my cousins. From Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime was the Supreme Leader of the Autobots … Ultra Magnus got to lead the Wreckers, and … all that left for me was the Elite Guard. But it wasn't good enough. I was still … the second-rate, the third-stringer. They used to say Ultra Magnus was a poor man's Optimus Prime. Well … by extension, that made me a poor man's Ultra Magnus." Magnum sighed. "I just … I've always wanted to stand out, you know? Optimus and Magnus casts long shadows, and … I've been trying and trying to get out from them. I just wish … I had something to set me apart. Something that would make the Autobots say, when you talk about me, "Magnum," without ever considering Optimus or Ultra Magnus."

Magnum blinked. "Well, that's my peace. What about you?" He glanced at Crosshairs.

Crosshairs scratched his head. "Ah, might as well, now that you've gone and started. Now, you may find this hard to believe, but I wasn't always an Autobot."

"A badmouthed, foul-tempered, trigger-happy guy like you? No." Magnum said.

Crosshairs leered at him. "Ignoring that. I used to be a mercenary. A selfish one, too. I went where the wind took me, and the whole of Cybertron was my oyster. I took on any job, as long as the price was right … until one day, I got hired by a fella. Needed some extra muscle for a mission. He had the shards to pay, so I didn't ask questions … until we got into the place and started shooting it up, and I realized it was an Autobot installation. Now, I may have been a mercenary, but I had no love for the Decepticons. But still, I had a job to do. I'd been paid. Until ..."

Crosshairs went silent.

"Take your time." Fluttershy encouraged him.

"Until one of the Autobots, still alive after we had shot everyone in the room, grabbed me by the ankle." Crosshairs said. "He begged me to stop. He begged me to stop the mission and stop the 'Cons. Said he could see I wasn't carrying their insignia on me. But it's what he said next that shook me. He told me it was a hospital. The Decepticons were raiding an Autobot hospital, with plans to kill the sick and injured inside."

Fluttershy looked down. "So … what did you do?"

"What do you think, luv?" Crosshairs crossed his arms. "I went up and shot every one of those slag heaps in the head. Then I went to go sign up for the Autobots. After I gave the Cons their money back, of course." Crosshairs and Drift chuckled.

"You know …" Drift said. "I can top that."

"Oh yeah? How?"

"You were only used by the Decepticons." Drift pointed at Crosshairs. "I was one."

"No! Get out of here." Crosshairs said.

"It's true." Drift said. "I was quite merciless one, too, until I got into a fight with Optimus Prime himself. We matched swords, and I was confident I would be the victor. Optimus was no fencer, I told myself. But I underestimated him, and he beat me down. He had his sword at my neck, and hesitated. When I asked him why he didn't do it, he said it was because he could see good in my optics. He helped me up. He taught me the value of mercy, and I defected."

"How sweet." Crosshairs said, but was it difficult to tell if he was being sarcastic or not. "Well, that passed the time. Now what?"

"Now we either wait for rescue … or run out of Energon." Magnum said.

"Heh." Crosshairs perked his head up. "You hear something?" There were sounds coming from outside, the sounds of large masses of metal thumping against rock, followed by the sounds of arguing voices.

"Grimlock, we've been searching for megacycles." Predaking's distinct voice said.

"What are you saying? You saying we should just give up?"

"Not give up, just … take a rest."

"No!" Crosshairs shouted. Magnum, Drift, Fluttershy and himself ran up to the cave wall and began banging on it. "No! No, do not take a break!" They continued to bang and thump and shout.

There was a silence.

"You hear something?"

"The question, Grimlock, is not whether I heard it with my keen Predacon senses, but whether or not you did with your primitive Dinobot hearing."

"Hardy-de-har-har. If you're done bragging, move over."

Magnum and the rest tensed up, holding dead still in the hopes Grimlock was coming to investigate them and not some other noise.

"Anyone in there?" Grimlock shouted, his loud voice penetrating the cave wall.

"Yes! Yes, there is someone in here! Specifically, Crosshairs! Oh yeah, and these other guys, too."

"Stand back!"

"Best do as he says, gents." Magnum and the others backed away from the wall. They heard grunting from the other side, and the cave shook, rocks becoming disheveled and falling out of the pile until Predaking and Grimlock's fists emerged through the rocks, punching holes into the wall.

"Hooray! Three cheers for Grimlock and Predaking!" Crosshairs shouted, earning odd looks. "Ahem." He cleared his throat.

"Come on, come on!" Grimlock gestured for them to hurry.

The four of them hurried out of the cave, and Grimlock and Predaking. They began walking, with Grimlock and Predaking converting into their beast modes to give the others a ride.

"Grimlock! You transformed on your own." Drift exclaimed. "It is good to see Predaking's lessons are going well."

"You know …" Fluttershy said, fluttering up onto Crosshairs' shoulder as he climbed aboard Grimlock's back. "I'll give three cheers with you, Crosshairs."

Crosshairs chuckled awkward. "Uh, thanks, Fluttershy, but that won't be necessary. I just … got caught up in the moment, that's all." Crosshairs bit his lip. "Now, let's never speak of it again, alright?"

"Okay." Fluttershy said with a playful voice.

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()() ()

Starlight remained where she was, unable to move, at least not without severe pain. She watched the snow blow past on the wind over her head, wondering where she had went wrong and why her private empire was crumbling at the seams.

Twilight Sparkle marched up to her, shadows around, casting quite the imposing figure in her armor.

Starlight lifted her head up. “Here to finish the job?”

Twilight said nothing. Sugar Belle walked up to her, carrying one of the vests which were sold in Starlight’s town. Sugar Belle handed the vests to Twilight. Twilight bit on the vest and pulled, tearing it apart into strips, and proceeded to wrap the cloth around Starlight’s injuries.

“Why … what are you doing?” Starlight asked.

“Covering up your wounds.” Twilight answered. “It won’t help with the pain, but it should stop the bleeding. I can’t just leave you here to bleed out and die. I probably should, you manipulative, dirty liar, but I can’t bring myself to.”

Starlight whimpered, wincing at Twilight applying the makeshift bandage. “I meant everything I said. I just wanted what was best for everypony.”

“Uh-huh.” Twilight said. “After I woke up, you made no effort to recover my lost memories and tried to manipulate me into staying here by making me feel guilty about Sugar Belle.”

“Well, imagine our - ouch - positions had been reversed! What would you have done if it was you who found me with my memories?”

“I would have done everything I could to help you get them back, and I wouldn’t have stopped until I did.”

Starlight looked at Twilight with disbelief. “No. Surely you wouldn’t. Not for a stranger.”

“You may find this hard to believe, Starlight,” Twilight ripped off another piece of cloth, “but not everypony is as distrustful as you.”

“I still don’t believe you would go out of your way to help somepony like that.”

Twilight rolled her eyes, letting out a frustrated groan. “You know what? I’m done with hearing about your paranoia and distrust and trying to get through to you. I’m going to finish this last bandage, and leave.”

Twilight as she said she would, wrapping a cloth around Starlight’s cheek before leaving.

Starlight put a hoof to the ground. She winced. It hurt to get up, but she could stand. She walked off.

Out by the cliff ledge, Fracture bent down, squinting as he observed movement inside the small town.

“Hey, Steeljaw.” Fracture got up and pointed at the crowd of ponies gathered on the other side of town. “The ponies stopped moving.”

“Hmm.” Steeljaw walked up to the ledge to see. “What could that be about, I wonder?” His ear perked up, picking up a sound. Steeljaw narrowed his eyes before jumping off the ledge. Fracture followed suit, and the two of them entered the village.

“Looks like nopony’s home.” Fracture said “The place is deserted.”

“Yes, so it would seem … hmm?” Steeljaw heard rattling. A pony came out from between the houses, carrying two logs of wood. He dropped one, gasping in panic when he saw Steeljaw looking at him. He picked up the piece of log and ran away, hoping Steeljaw wouldn’t follow him.

“Now what are they up to over there?” Steeljaw wondered. He motioned for Fracture to gather the rest of the Pack before moving deeper into the village.

Steeljaw looked around, poking his head around corner.

“Starlight, no! What are you doing?” A pony exclaimed. Steeljaw grinned at the sight of Starlight Glimmer scurrying up the mountain by herself.

Seizing the opportunity, Steeljaw got on all fours and galloped up the mountain, chasing after her.

Starlight arrived at the cave, breathing heavily after her run. She looked to the entrance and halted, remembering she had locked Ultra Magnus in the vault.

“Well, well, well.” Steeljaw walked up to her. “What are you doing all the way up here?”

Steeljaw’s shadow fell over Starlight. Starlight gritted her teeth. Deciding she would take her chances, she moved the boulders aside and dispelled the force fields.

“Hmm?” Ultra Magnus wondered, poking his head out to see what was going on.

“Oh, Starlight.” Steeljaw cooed. “Do you really think Ultra Magnus will help you after what you put him through?”

Ultra Magnus crossed his arms. “Yeah, Starlight. What did you expect, that I’d help you after you locked me up and ignored everything I had to say?”

“Magnus, I’m sorry about all that.” Starlight said, trying to sound convincing. “I’ve come to realize there was more truth to your words. Can’t we let bygones be bygones?”

Magnus leered at her.

“No. If you’ll excuse me ...”

“You’re free to leave.” Steeljaw said, moving aside. Ultra Magnus walked past him and gave him a glare, but moved on.

Starlight grew worried. Steeljaw smirked, got ready to pounce, and jumped into the cave, ignoring Starlight as if she wasn’t even there.

“Huh?” Starlight wondered.

“Starlight! Starlight.” Double Diamond and some other ponies ran up to the caves. “What are you doing up here? It’s not safe with those Decepticons around!”

“No, it’s not.” Starlight pounded her hoof. “But darn it, I don’t want you to fight them! I - I don’t want to see you get hurt! Our only option is to run to the mountains! Please! I’m begging you!” Starlight put her hooves together, collapsing to her hind knees, tears shedding from her eyes. “Don’t fight.”

Double Diamond and the others repled by awkwardly standing around.

“Ah, Starlight Glimmer. And you brought your friends.” Steeljaw came out of the cave, holding the Staff of Sameness in her claws. “I’m so glad you brought your friends, Starlight Glimmer. I wanted them here to witness … as I use the Staff of Sameness to imbue myself with magic power!”

Starlight’s teeth chattered, and the rest of the crowd froze up.  Steeljaw twirled the Staff and aimed it at himself.

Nothing happened. No magic came from the Staff. It didn’t glow, it didn’t hum. It did nothing.

“Hmm.” Steeljaw said. “Perhaps it’s broken. Perhaps it needs more a direct approach.” He twirled the Staff again and aimed it at Double Diamond. Nothing happened.

“The Staff can take away with a Cutie Mark.” Steeljaw pointed the Staff at the cave. “So surely it should be able to give a Cutie Mark, right?”

Steeljaw shook the Staff at the cave, with the end result of nothing happening.

“Hmm.” Steeljaw said, turning to Starlight with a smirk. Starlight was sweating. “Well, if I understand my Equestria magical artifacts, right, then if I destroy this one, it should automatically undo all the effects of its might, right?”

The ponies grew worried at the idea of them all getting the Cutie Marks they had been taught to reject at once en masse.

Steeljaw raised the Staff up and broke it over his knee, snapping it in half.

“Oh, look.” Steeljaw said. “Nothing happened.”

“W-why didn’t anything happen, Starlight?” Double Diamond asked. “The Staff’s destroyed, so … shouldn’t we be getting our Cutie Marks back?’

“I, I, uh …” Starlight Glimmer said.

“Go on, Starlight.” Steeljaw stalked towards her. “Tell them.”

“Tell us what?” Double Diamond demanded.

“The Staff doesn’t do anything!” Starlight exclaimed. “It’s just some stick I found in the desert!”

The ponies gasped.

“Yes.” Steeljaw chuckled. “You see, Starlight, I knew the Staff was a fake. I just needed to prove it … to them.” He gestured to the crowd.

“But … then how did our Cutie Marks get taken away?”

“Starlight Glimmer does it herself. With her own magic.” Steeljaw said. “But that’s not all.”

Steeljaw picked Starlight Glimmer up by the hind leg. Steeljaw licked the tip of his finger, getting it wet, and rubbed at Starlight’s equal mark. It smudged up, showing it was paint and revealing it the markings of a Cutie Mark underneath.

The crowd gasped again.

“All this time …” Double Diamond said, with tears in his eyes. “You’ve been lying to us?”

“No!” Starlight insisted, her voice desperate. “No, I haven’t been - oof!” She was interrupted by Steeljaw throwing her to the ground.

“Yes, she has been lying.” Steeljaw said. “She’s been lying to you all along. The Staff was a fake. She’s had her own Cutie Mark this whole time. Who knows what else she’s been lying about? Who can tell?” Steeljaw asked.

“So, tell me.” Steeljaw said. “How are you going to treat this pony, who is so unequal to you? Who’s been superior to you this whole time? To this pony who’s been disrupting and perverting your equality?” Steeljaw went on, working the crowd up and getting them angrier and angrier. “Are we going to punish her?”

“Yeah!” The ponies cheered, Double Diamond in particular.

“Are we going to throw stones at her? Maybe flog her? Put her in the stocks and throw fruit at her?”

“Yeah! Yeah!” The ponies cheered, agreeing with every one of Steeljaw’s suggestions.

“Alright, alright, make way, you angry mob.” Ultra Magnus said. “Keep calm. First, Starlight, now, Steeljaw … seriously, are you even capable of acting on your own? Do you just do whatever someone tells you to do? Do you even do anything beside stand around and gasp at really, unsurprising reveals?”

“What are you doing here?” Double Diamond asked as the crowd parted for Ultra Magnus.

“Just here to pick something up.” Ultra Magnus went over and scooped up Starlight Glimmer into his arms. “I’ll be taking this.”

“Wait, why should you get to take Starlight Glimmer?” Double Diamond asked.

“Yes, Ultra Magnus. Why should you take Starlight Glimmer?” Steeljaw asked.

Ultra Magnus, seeing right through Steeljaw’s game and ready to turn it around on him. “Well, because … who better to mete out Starlight’s punishment, than the one she didn’t give any chance at all before locking him up? Wouldn’t you agree, ponies?”

“Yeah!” The ponies pumped their hooves.

“Well, there you have it.” Ultra Magnus turned to Steeljaw. “Unless you don’t care about what the ponies’ feelings, either.”

Steeljaw hesitated. “No.”

“Good.” Ultra Magnus smiled and walked off with Starlight Glimmer.

“W-what are you doing?” Starlight Glimmer asked. “Where are you taking me?” She flailed in Ultra Magnus’ grip.

“Away for punishment!” Ultra Magnus made a point of saying out loud. He bent his neck and whispered to her.

“Saving your life.” Ultra Magnus said. “Not that I care about your sorry hide, but I met a certain someone who convinced me to help you, because we need a strong magic user, and the only other one we have around is going to be busy.”

Starlight raised an eyebrow.

“So, ponies!” Steeljaw shouted. “Now with Starlight Glimmer gone, and your whole unraveled, you’re going to need someone to lead you.” Steeljaw paced around. “To inspire you. To help you as you stumble around in this uncertain, dark time. I could be that for you.”

“Will you give us our Cutie Marks back?” A pony asked. “You’re kind of blocking the way.”

“In due time.” Steeljaw said. “After you’ve swore your allegiance to me and the Decepticon cause.”

Double Diamond turned to the ponies around them, trying to reach a decision. They didn’t want to pledge themselves to Steeljaw, given what they learned about Starlight, but he was blocking their way into the cave, and they couldn’t have possibly challenged him in a fight. They lacked the skills.

But they didn’t have to.

“Everypony, you are getting your Cutie Marks back!”

“What?” Steeljaw looked around. He saw Twilight Sparkle in the crowd, looking ready and determined.

Steeljaw growled. He got on all fours and chased after Twilight. Twilight turned and ran down the mountain path, fleeing into the village and hiding there.

Steeljaw met up with the rest of his Pack in the middle of the street. “Where’s Twilight Sparkle? I just saw her come through here.”

The others shrugged.

“If Twilight Sparkle is around, are we sure we want to be sticking around?” Fracture asked. “You know how powerful she is.”

“There’s six of us, including your Mini-Cons, and one of her. All she has is her armor. She has no equipment or back-up. We can take her.”

Steeljaw felt someone tap him on the shoulder.

“What?” He growled, turning around and being met with a wrecking ball to the face, knocking him back and making him stagger. “Wha?”

Twilight Sparkle stood in front of him, operating a mech made of wood, with chicken legs and bicycle chains running through, steam coming out from the pipes on its back, Twilight and some other ponies from the village sitting inside the jaw-shaped cockpit pedalling on pedals to operate the patchwork device. Twilight glared at Steeljaw through the teeth.

“Let’s dance, mutt-face!”

Steeljaw chuckled. “That’s an impressive feat of resourceful engineering, Twilight Sparkle. But do you really think you can beat me and my fellows with a mech made of wood?”

“I’m gonna take a swing at it.”

Steeljaw roared and charged at her. Twilight pulled on levers and pushed buttons, snatching Steeljaw’s claw in between two wooden paddles. While Steeljaw reacted with surprise, Twilight spun around and flung Steeljaw into the dirt path.

Thunderhoof raised up his hoof, energy gathering around it. He went up to Twilight’s mech, but Twilight maneuvered the mech into ducking and grabbing Thunderhoof’s leg with the same grabber she used on Steeljaw’s hand, and spun Thunderhoof around, knocking his energy-charged hoof into Underbite’s shoulder, causing all the energy from Thunderhoof’s attack to disperse into Underbite’s side instead of Twilight’s mech, bowling Underbite over.

“Never underestimate the value … of leverage.” Twilight commented. Pressing her advantage, she tossed Thunderhoof up into the air, where he landed on top of Steeljaw.

“Oh man!” Thunderhoof complained. “I’m sorry, Steelie!”

“You can apologize by getting off!” Steeljaw pushed himself up and tilted, sliding Thunderhoof off. He got to his feet and turned to Twilight Sparkle, growling and getting ready for Round 2.

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Under the watchful eyes of Ultra Magnus, Starlight Glimmer cast a spell, a blue aura surrounding her horn, trying to use a combination of magic and tech to use one of Twilight’s prepared emergency protocols, using Starlight’s magic to their signal out to a broader reach.

“Imperials. Attention, Autobots Imperials.” Starlight Glimmer said. “This is Starlight Glimmer, trying to call on emergency frequency 1-9-8-4. We are under Decepticon attack and in need of reinforcements.” Starlight Glimmer sighed. “This is never going to work.”

“Keep trying.” Ultra Magnus said.

Starlight sighed again. “Imperials, this is Starlight Glimmer, calling on emergency frequency 1-9-8-4. We are under Decepticon attack and in need of reinforcements.”

Starlight blinked, imagining the message was never going to get through and she’d be stuck doing this forever.

“10-4, Starlight Glimmer. This is Crosshairs, Imperial sharpshooter. What are your coordinates?”

“Yes!” Ultra Magnus cheered.

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Twilight continued to fight off Steeljaw’s Pack, using a clever combination of spins, kicks, and well-aimed punches. When she needed a little extra power, a few magic shots from her horn did the trick.

“Grr!” Steeljaw growled, evading the grip of the mech’s clapper. He lightened up and got a smirk on his face.

Twilight reacted with confusion. Realizing something was happening behind her, she tried to direct the others to turn the mech around. “Turn!”

Underbite reared up and pounced on the mech, digging his claws into its shoulders.

“Too late!” The village pony shouted, her eyes going wide as the mech was rocked.

Underbite shook and jostled the mech, severing its arms off. He brought his claws down on the back of the mech, shredding it and tearing in key spots so the entire cockpit fell apart into wooden planks. The remains of the mech toppled over, depositing Twilight Sparkle and her helpers on the ground.

They groaned, rubbing their heads after the impact, and they worried when Steeljaw loomed over him, a grin on his snout.

Red lasers rained from the sky, blowing up pockets of ground and keeping Steeljaw and his pack from going in for the kill.

“Now what?” Steeljaw asked, looking up. Backup from the Imperials had arrived, riding on the backs of Fluttershy’s Insecticons, who were firing from their horns at the Pack.

“Here just in the nick of time, as always.” Crosshairs jumped off from Predaking and twirled his pistols, taking potshots at the Pack.

Predaking landed and transformed, going into robot mode.

“Predaking, huh?” Underbite turned around to Predaking, his tail wagging. “Where I come from, you’re long gone.” Underbite roared and charged at Predaking, ready to put his massive jaw to use on Predaking’s chest.

Predaking remained calm and struck Underbite in the chin, tossing the huge Chompazoaid a good distance onto his side without even breaking a sweat.

Twilight looked up at Steeljaw and smirked. Steeljaw growled back, tensing his claws.

But Steeljaw was the one smirking when Starlight came out of nowhere like a speeding pink bullet and tackled Twilight, sending both of them rolling outside of town and into a nearby crater covered in snow.

“Starlight, what are you doing!?” Twilight exclaimed.

“You took EVERYTHING from me!” Starlight screamed, trying to Twilight’s face with a hoof despite Twilight blocking with her armored leg. “My village, my home! YOU’VE RUINED MY LIFE! EVERYTHING WOULD STILL BE JUST FINE IF YOU HADN’T SHOWN UP! YOU WERE A CATALYST! Everypony would still be happy, and we would all still be equal! But no, you had to show up, and you had to bring your stupid Autobots and Decepticons with you!”

“It was going to happen, Starlight Glimmer.” Twilight said. “If not because of me, then because of somepony. Semper tyrannus.”

“Oh, don’t you start with that on me!” Starlight exclaimed. “It’s all your fault! Everypony would still be here living their equal lives in equal houses of equalness if not for you!”

“You were lying to them, Starlight. Your village was going to come down eventually.”

Starlight’s horn lit up, preparing a laser to shoot smack-dab into Twilight’s face. Twilight activated her jets and flew up, lifting Starlight up and tossing her aside.

“How many holes do I have to put in you before you get it through your head?” Twilight asked. “One, you can’t beat me, and two, your ‘utopia’ was a false image you were passing on to your followers.”

“We were happy!” Starlight screamed, shooting a beam of magic. Twilight evaded the beam and flew towards Starlight.

“Are you sure about that?” Twilight asked. “Because I’m pretty sure Sugar Belle would like to remember what a real cupcake taste like.”

Twilight jetted towards Starlight, ramming her front hooves into Starlight’s face. Starlight staggered and focused her gaze on Twilight as she descended to the ground.

“Aaah!” Starlight shouted and charged at Twilight, Starlight’s horn crackling with electricity and magic. Twilight stepped to the side, avoiding Starlight with ease, and flicked out a switchblade from her armor. As Starlight charged past her, Twilight slashed Starlight’s side with the knife, cutting a huge gash into Starlight’s side.

Starlight staggered again, coming to a stop as she felt blood trickling down her side. She looked at Twilight.

Twilight walked up to Starlight, doing her best to keep a neutral expression, but the twitches in Twilight’s face revealed there was gamut of emotions raging inside of her. Without expressing any sentiment, Twilight slugged Starlight across the cheek, knocking her down.

Twilight pinned Starlight, pressing her hoof into Starlight’s chest.

Starlight looked up at Twilight. She cried, letting out a hiccup. Tears flowed down her cheeks. “I … I just want you to know, Twilight, when I said you were like the sister I never had … I meant every word.”

“I know.”

Twilight let slip but a single tear. She raised up her switchblade.

“So did I.”

Twilight aimed the switchblade, putting the tip inches above Starlight’s throat, but she hesitated to put the knife any closer.

“What are you waiting for, an invitation?”

Twilight and Starlight looked up and saw the Imperials, Starlight’s villagers and Steeljaw’s Pack gathered around the lip of the crater. The villagers all reacted with shock at the scene of Twilight pressing a knife to a beaten Starlight’s neck.

“Slit her throat, Twilight Sparkle!” Steeljaw said, making a cutting motion across his neck. “Show all these ponies how high and mighty you are!” Steeljaw turned to the villagers. “Behold! How the heroic and noble Autobots treat their enemies! What are you waiting for? Cut her throat open!”

“Yeah!” Fracture cheered. “Cut her! Cut her!”

All of Steeljaw’s Pack raised up their arms, breaking into an encouraging chorus. “CUT HER! CUT HER! CUT HER!”

Twilight shifted her gaze between the Pack, the villagers, and the Imperials before turning her gaze back to Starlight Glimmer. What could she do? Starlight was dangerous, but she knew what Steeljaw was doing. If she hurt Starlight, if she killed Starlight … it would turn the villagers against the Autobots. They would oppose the Autobots. Steeljaw might even be able to turn them and train them into an an anti-Autobot resistance group, which was probably his goal.

Twilight shivered, a mess of emotions running through her, voices arguing inside her about what she should do.

She’s dangerous.

She’s misguided.

She used you and took advantage of you.

She needs help. Mental, professional help.

She needs to be neutralized.

Remember your teaching. This isn’t what Princess Celestia or Optimus Prime would want. If there was even a chance she could saved, redeemed, reformed -

CELESTIA AND OPTIMUS AREN’T HERE ANYMORE.

“Aaah!” Twilight screamed, telling the voices in her head to shut up. She looked at Starlight with a fury in her bloodshot eyes and brought the knife crashing down …

Into the snow beside Starlight’s head.

The Decepticons were, of course, disappointed, letting out groans. Starlight turned her head towards the knife, unable to believe she’d been spared. She looked up at Twilight.

Not willing to press her good fortune any further, Starlight teleported out from under Twilight Sparkle and ran away.

The Imperials turned towards Steeljaw’s Pack and got ready to fight and apprehend the curs.

Steeljaw grinned, pulling out a handful of purple powder and tossing it on the ground, producing a smoke cloud of the same colors. Ultra Magnus led the Imperials through the smoke, finding nothing there.

“Anything?” Ultra Magnus asked, turning to Predaking.

Predaking sniffed the air. “No. Nothing. They’re gone.”

Ultra Magnus clenched his fist. “Damn that Hydia. If it weren’t for her ...”

Predaking noticed something and pointed. “Starlight Glimmer is still within visual range. Should we pursue?”

Ultra Magnus looked over his shoulder, watching Starlight Glimmer head for a cave inside the mountains.

Twilight climbed out of the crater. She, the Imperials, and the villagers followed Starlight Glimmer, but couldn’t catch up with her in time to stop her from making it into the cave.

“What should we do?” Sugar Belle asked. “We’ll never find her in those caves, but …”

“Let her go.” Twilight said. “Maybe she’ll use the time to think and see where she went wrong. I doubt she will. But honestly … I just want to be done with this, at least for today.” Twilight Sparkle trudged over to a snow-covered rock, resting her hoof on it. She brought her other hoof over her head, thinking about everything she had gone through today. Everything she had lost … all the things which made her a pony, before she had went into space and come back a changed pony, a changed … being. Shining Armor’s words echoed in her head.

Ultra Magnus looked between Twilight and the cave. “Okay, you know what? No. No. We already have, let’s see ...” Ultra Magnus counted on his fingers. “Galloway, Gould, The Forged, Bludgeon and his Mayhem, the Star Seekers, Lazerback, and Dragotron. That’s … eight enemies. We don’t need one more.”

Ultra Magnus walked towards the mountain.

“W-what are you doing?” Twilight Sparkle asked.

“Wreckers!” Ultra Magnus shouted, and Bulkhead and Wheeljack lined up.

“What are you doing?” Twilight moved her hoof off the rock.

“Drop the mountain on her.”

“What? No!” Twilight galloped towards them. “Stop! STOP!”

Ultra Magnus aimed his arm-mounted rockets while Wheeljack pulled out and primed a grenade, but Bulkhead abstained, uncertainty written over his face.

Ultra Magnus fired at the top of the mountain and Wheeljack tossed his grenade into the cave, where it exploded, filling the cave with blazing orange light. Ultra Magnus’ rockets detonated, causing an avalanche, rocks and snow falling down from the mountain, triggering a cave-in. The cave filled up with rocks, its exit sealed off.

Twilight, Double Diamond, and Sugar Belle watched in shock, their jaws hanging.

“You … you killed her!” Sugar Belle exclaimed.

Ultra Magnus turned away.  Sugar Belle ran up to his leg, pounding on it with tears in her eyes.

“You killed her!” Sugar Belle shouted.

Ultra Magnus reared his leg up and punted her aside.

“Look, I’m sorry, but that’s war. Ponies die.” Ultra Magnus said coldly. “If you don’t like it, tough, but don’t think you’re immune to it just because you’ve been living out in the middle of nowhere for the last few years.”

Ultra Magnus continued walking.

Twilight put a hoof on Sugar Belle’s shoulder. She brought Sugar Belle in for a hug, and did the same for Double Diamond when he came.

“She … might have lied to us.” Double Diamond said. “But she didn’t deserve to die … did she?”

“After what he did earlier, we should have seen it coming.” Sugar Belle said.

“I don’t know, Double Diamond. She might.” Twilight said. “But I don’t think she did.”

Twilight glared at Ultra Magnus, hard enough for him to feel it and stop. He turned around and looked back at her. They exchanged glares and stared each other down before Ultra Magnus turn and continued walking as if nothing had happened.

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Now returned to the Imperial base, Twilight Sparkle examined her reflection in her helmet, set on her desk.

“Somepony’s looking a little contemplative.” Rarity said, walking into the room with the rest of Twilight’s friends. “What’s wrong, darling?”

“Everything!” Twilight Sparkle said. “Everything is wrong. Losing my memory today and getting it back … it’s made me realize everything I’ve lost, how much innocence I’ve lost. I’ve seen things. Things that no … little pony should have to see! You! Rarity, look at you!” Twilight cupped Rarity’s face. “You’re covered in scars!”

Rarity chuckled. “Well, you know. I manage to look good despite that.”

“And Fluttershy …” Twilight turned to Fluttershy, who crossed her hooves.

“I’m beginning to wonder if maybe Shining Armor was right.” Twilight put her hoof on her helmet. “Maybe his little sister did die when she went out into space, and I’m just some Autobot thing that was sent back in her place.”

“Yeah, well.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Shining Armor is a blockhead.”

“Rainbow Dash! But it’s true.” Rarity said.

“Don’t worry, Twilight.” Applejack said, tipping her hat. “You’re our friend, and we’ll support y’all no matter what.”

“Yeah! Even if you are some kind of Autobot clone!”

“Whether you identify as a pony, an Autobot, or somewhere in between …” Rarity said. “We’ll be here for you.”

Twilight sniffed, overwhelmed with emotion. “Thanks, girls.”

“Group hug!” Pinkie Pie announced, and they did.

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Out in the frozen wastes of the Crystal Empire, Bludgeon and Mindwipe walked up to Thunderwing’s body.

“That went swimmingly.” Mindwipe said with a touch of sarcasm. “What’s our next move, boss?”

“Thunderwing was just a nice perk.” Bludgeon said, climbing up the side of Thunderwing’s chest. “The real endgame has always been in here.”

Bludgeon took out his katana and stabbed it through Thunderwing’s chest. He pulled it forward, drawing a circle. He kicked the circular cut piece out and reached inside, pulling out an object similar in shape to the famed Matrix of Leadership, with a circular core and two handles.

“Behold.” Bludgeon said. “The Dark Spark. Said to be an equal and opposite to the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, it allows one to bend the fabric of the universe to the owner’s will. This is what made Thunderwing so powerful.”

“Uh, yeah.” Mindwipe said. “Because bending reality sure is the, uh, ‘opposite’ of leadership.”

“With this, I will become a god.” Bludgeon said.

“Hey.” Mindwipe said. “Why should you get to have all that power? We work hard, too, you know.”

Bludgeon held up a finger. “Hold that thought.” Bludgeon opened a panel and shoved the Dark Spark into his chest, where the artifact shifted and bonded, binding itself to Bludgeon’s Spark and inserting itself inside. Bludgeon’s body flickered with purple energy, and he bent over, overwhelmed by the power. He raised up his hand and shot a beam of purple lightning from his palm. The lightning struck Mindwipe and bounced off, striking the nearest Vehicon and bouncing off from him, the chain lightning continuing until it reached the last Mayhem soldier. Spikes of Dark Energon formed on Mindwipe’s and the others’ bodies, energy and power swirling around the tips of the crystals.

“Happy now?”

“Yeah.” Mindwipe said, flexing his arm.

“Here.” Bludgeon unclasped the Alicorn Amulet from his neck and handed it to Mindwipe. “With the Dark Spark, I have no need of this anymore. You can have it, my friend.”

“Aww.” Mindwipe said. “Thanks, Bludgeon. I appreciate it.” He wrapped the Amulet around his neck.

“You there!” Cadence flew in from above. “What’s been going on around here?”

Bludgeon turned to Mindwipe with a smug expression. He clenched his fist, electricity crackling between his fingers. “Care for a test run?”

“Be my guest.”

Bludgeon held out his palm, shooting a spear of lightning at Cadence. The spear struck her in the chest and sent her hurtling away into the distance.

Cadence barreled around in the sky, eventually recovering. She looked over her shoulder at Bludgeon, who had become a speck in the distance.

I have to report this to Celestia. Cadence thought, her lips forming a worried line as she flew away.

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Out in a mass of crumbled rock, Steeljaw shoved his claw into the snow, digging out a clump and placing it to the side.

Starlight Glimmer could be seen within the rock. She let out a groan, covered in blood and feeling pain all over her body. She gasped for air, having been buried for some time.

Steeljaw, with gentleness, inserted his claw underneath her and lifted her up. He set her down to the side.

“It’s a good I got to you in the time that I did.” Steeljaw said. “Any longer and you would have run out of breath.”

Starlight’s eyes widened when she realized it was Steeljaw talking to you. “You. Why are you here? Why … did you save me?” Starlight wondered, looking at the hole Steeljaw rescued her from.

“It occurs to me we got off on the wrong hoof.” Steeljaw said, giving Thunderhoof a wink. Thunderhoof waved his hoof to emphasize the joke. “You see, you and I both want the same thing, Starlight Glimmer. Equality. We just … have a little different ways of going about it.”

Starlight looked around. “Who’s that?”

“Greetings.” The woman bowed. “I am Hydia.” Hydia offered her hand to Starlight.

“We could help each other, Starlight Glimmer.” Steeljaw said. “If you and Hydia put your magic together, combined with a little muscle from my Pack … we could get everyone what they want. We could spread equality all over Equestria. All over the universe. What do you say?”

Starlight glared at Steeljaw, still remembering how her earlier interactions with him went.

“And we could help you get revenge on Twilight Sparkle.” Steeljaw said.

Starlight looked at the ground. “I’ll do it.”

“Excellent!” Hydia put a hand on Starlight’s shoulder. “This way, dear …”

Steeljaw and Thunderhoof watched them go, Hydia pulling out more of the same purple powder she had given Steeljaw and using to teleport Starlight away.

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Steeljaw?” Thunderhoof asked. “I mean, considerin’ what she does in the future …”

“That’s exactly the point.” Steeljaw said. “If we can convince to be our side in the past, it will change where she is in the future. She’ll be with us. She won’t be with the Autobots … and one of the greatest magical defenses the Autobots have ... will no longer be an obstacle for us.” Steeljaw smiled before breaking into sinister laughter.

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Author’s Notes

Dark Spark and making fun of it

Memory loss may be too easy - supposed to be that Megatronus restored it

Chapter idea came out better before the S6 finale hit

Steeljaw!

Memory spell

Starlight

Mayhem as Bludgeon’s group

Deleted subplot about an A-bomb with Fowler

Chapter 16: Hope For Redemption

Edit: Ultra Magnus going "Wow. That was cold."

Edit:  Strongarm appearing at some point through a Time Bridge and bringing C. Bee back to the future.

Edit: Steeljaw lying to Starlight about Twilight being a horrible terrorist.

"Fix "interferring" and another spelling error in the Shining Armor/Twilight fight

Edit: This was supposed to contain the Debut of Circuit Smasher, around in the Chinese/Gould drone fight.

Edit: Making the siege on Cobra-La more of a, well siege, with a longer ,more impressive fight sequence.

With the lights turned down in the Principality, Twilight Sparkle crawled into her bed, tired and ready to sleep and rest to recover from the events of the day she had.

Twilight crawled under her covers, pulled the blanket over herself, and closed her eyes.

Twilight blinked, trying to process what she was seeing. She was standing in a place where the ground was obscured by fog and the sky was full of clouds.

“Oh no.” Twilight groaned, slapping a hoof to her face. She was having a dream, a lucid dream, one where she was in effect, awake and conscious inside her dream. She didn’t want to be having dreams, she wanted to go to sleep and tune out for the night.

Twilight heard something hiss. She put her hoof down and saw wispy trails of green mist float up from the fog.  The trails rose up into the air, undulating and waving, swirling around and merging with each other. A figure emerged from inside, the mist taking a solid shape, with a clenched hand emerging first before the rest of the body became defined.

It reminded Twilight of Optimus, sharing his basic body shape, and his distinctive faceplate, but the head was different, with angled antennae and fiercer eyes. The most distinguishing difference was the presence of broken, worn-out metal wings attached to his shoulders.

“Hello, Twilight Sparkle.” The misty figure greeted her. “Do you know who I am?”

Twilight placed a hoof on her chin, narrowing her eyes at him. “You’re … Primus? The Cybertronians’ god?”

Primus let out a hearty chuckle. “Correct, Princess. Few things elude your detective eye, I see. I have chosen well.”

“Chosen? What do you mean, chosen?”

“I believe Megatronus has explained to you how I’ve been influencing you subtly. How Alpha Trion led you to the Omega Lock before disappearing. Not to mention when I ousted Princess Luna from your dreams.”

“That was you?” Twilight asked. It did make sense; the Optimus-like form Primus was in matched the Optimus-like being whom blasted Luna away.

“All of these things I have done, I have done for a purpose, Twilight Sparkle.” Primus said. “I have chosen you to my aide. My assistant. My beacon. I need you, Twilight Sparkle, to help me. However, despite my manipulations, it would be remiss of me not to offer you a choice in the matter. This … isn’t easy for me to say.” Primus tapped his fingers together.

He got down on one knee as if he were proposing. “Twilight Sparkle, will you be my prophet?”

Twilight’s eyes bugged out, and she recoiled. “What?” Surely she hadn’t heard him right. Was Primus, the Cybertronian god, the maker of all Autobots and Decepticons, was asking her, an Equestrian, a pony and a pariah … to be his prophet?

“Please, allow me to explain.” Primus said. He stood back up. “I have a grand, grand design. A design for a universe of peace and harmony, where my children live in peace with the children of other planets … of other gods.”

Primus raised his hand up. A green sphere formed in his hand, with a black silhouette imprinted on it, with mechanical details marking the silhouette as representing a Cybertronian.

Two more spheres formed next to it, one representations humans and one representing Equestrians. Bars extended from the Cybertronian sphere, linking up with the human and Equestrian ones.

More spheres appeared, each bearing a unique design on them to represent an alien species. More and more filled the area, until they were dozens, hundreds, if not thousands of them floating around in the sky. The links continued, jumping from sphere to sphere and connecting them all of them together. They were species Twilight didn’t, couldn’t have recognized, though she did make out one design which seemed to have tentacles.

“Wow.” Twilight ahhed in wonder, looking up at the vast, sprawling network of interconnected species.

“A united universe.” Primus said. He took his gaze away from the network and looked down at Twilight Sparkle, making the diorama poof into nothingness. “That is my dream. My vision, for my children. When the Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons began, and the AllSpark was launched into space, I lost much of my power and my ability to influence events, so I was unable to bring the war an end any sooner than what happened. However, with the Changeling Batteries of Shockwave’s designed, I have recovered somewhat … not by much, mind you.”

“And lately … I’ve discovered something troubling, Twilight Sparkle.” Primus continued. “Jack Darby … the one from the future, you know call ‘Johnson’ to distinguish from his present self … speaks of a future where the Decepticons rule with an iron fist, and ponies and humans are hunted for sport and used as slaves …”

Primus shook his head. “This is not what I wanted. This is not the vision I had hoped for my children. But when I try to use my power to gaze into the future and determine what caused this … I see nothing. Something prevents me from looking any further into the timeline than my relative present.”

“Something prevents you?” Twilight asked. “But … aren’t you supposed to be a god? Not just a really powerful Princess pony, but a genuine, all-powerful, omnipotent god? Shouldn’t you know everything?”

Primus shook his head. “I should. But I don’t. My powers are only as strong as my power, Twilight Sparkle, and my power is tied to the Core of Cybertron, which currently subsists on the Changeling Batteries. They are a like a poison to me, Princess, a drug, something which keeps me alive, but also deluded and inhibited. I will not be able to return to my full strength until the AllSpark is returned to Cybertron, and the Omega Lock is to regenerate the scorched and barren portions of the planet.”

“That’s why you led me to the Omega Lock.” Twilight said. “Because you need it to return to full power.”

Primus smiled. “Now you’re getting it. My working theory for why I cannot see into the future … is that the Changeling Batteries are removed, and no one has been kind enough to bring the AllSpark back.”

“So as the Batteries are removed in the future, your power weakens in that time period … and since your power weakens in that time period, you can’t see yourself in that time period, or anything else in that period or the periods beyond it.” Twilight concluded.

Primus nodded. “I knew you were a smart one.”

“You know, that’s really kind of complicated.”

“Eh. What do you want from me? I’m a god, not a math book for third-graders. I am aware that Galvatron is one who has objected strongly and violently to the Changeling Batteries in the past. Look to him for a suspect. And yet ...”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “And yet?”

“Yet I sense a presence. A dark presence, one of ominous and ill intent, which moves between the worlds. It weaves its way through the barrier of reality, shifting from one dimension to the next, never staying in one for too long, lest it be detected. A presence ... which might just be strong enough to cloud even my all-seeing gaze. A presence … that is closer to you than you might realize, Twilight Sparkle. It is violent, it is noxious, it is harmful and evil. It means to inflict harm and spread its malevolence across the universe. Princess Twilight Sparkle of Friendship, will you help me fight this presence?”

“Of Friendship?” Twilight asked. “I think you misunderstand. If I’m the Princess of anything, it’s war, not friendship. I’m not the Princess of Friendship.” Twilight looked down shamefaced, thinking of her strained relationship with Princess Celestia.

“You will be.”

Twilight was surprised, but she regained her composure and smiled.

“Yes, Primus. I will help you fight this dark presence.” Twilight said.

“Excellent. And the prophet thing?”

“I … maybe.” Twilight said. “I have a few questions. Just what does being your prophet mean? And … why me? Why not Arcee? Or Bumblebee?”

“It means that you will foretell the Cybertronians of my coming return, that you will engineer said return, i.e, find the AllSpark, bring it back to Cybertron, put it in the Core, and use the Omega Lock on the planet, so that those who wish to repent and change their ways before I arrive to judge them in person have ample time to do so. As for why you … you were possessed by my rival and my brother, Unicron.”

“Yes …”

“Unicron, who is equal, if not superior, in power to me.”

“Right …”

“I may have to possess your body at some point. It depends on how things go. The fact you were able to withstand my brother’s possession makes you a better candidate than most.”

Twilight blinked, taking this in. “Well … doesn’t that just make me feel special.”

“Doesn’t it?” Primus said. His body flickered and wavered. “Ahh … maintaining this projection has been taxing … I must rest and recover what little energy I have. In the meantime, here are my servants, the Thirteen, to train you against this unseen and yet known dark presence.”

Primus’ body flickered before disappearing in a puff, disintegrating back into the mist it was formed of.

The ground shook. Twilight became wary as silver, circular platforms sprung up from the ground - thirteen of them, on the dot. The Primes manifested, appearing as ghostly images on the platforms before solidifying, and Twilight recognized Alpha Trion and Megatronus among them.

“You!” Twilight pointed to Alpha Trion. “You!” She did the same to Megatronus.

Alpha Trion laughed. “Yes, it’s me, Twilight. The one who got away from you. Are you ready to begin your training?”

“Almost.” Twilight answered. She looked around and notice two of the platforms were vacant. “Aren’t there supposed to be thirteen of you? Why are those missing?”

The Primes all looked bashful and turned away, Megatronus especially so.

“Never mind that for now.” Megatronus said. “We must prepare for your training.”

“Hello, Princess. I’m Micronus.” A diminutive robot waved at her. “And we are here to help you train and prepare, not only to defeat this mysterious dark presence … but also to change the horrible future the one you know as ‘Johnson’ is from. But I warn you, it’s not going to be easy task.”

A platform appeared under Twilight Sparkle, and it rotated her to face whichever of the Primes was speaking to her.

“If you wish to change the future, Twilight Sparkle …” A cloaked robot said. “You will have to make difficult decisions.”

The platform turned to a beastial Prime.

“Fight your enemies, if not bury them …”

The platform turned to Micronus.

“Lead your soldiers into perilous situations and environments unlike any you’ve faced before …”

The platformed turned to Megatronus.

“And even topple gods, if need be.”

“Gods? Topple gods?” Twilight asked, incredulous. “Are you … talking about Celestia? Am I going to have to fight Celestia!?”

The Primes exchanged glances.

“If you must, will you be able to handle that?” Micronus asked.

“Twilight Sparkle, you value yourself on your leadership abilities, do you not? An effective leader and general, worthy of being Princess?” Megatronus said.

Twilight nodded. “Of course.”

“Then you will know that the best leaders, the best generals, are prepared for any situation … no matter how unlikely or difficult it may be.” Megatronus said.

Twilight thought about this for a moment. She nodded. “I understand. It might be difficult for me to face her, if it comes to that, but with my friends by my side, I know I can -”

“Timeout.” Micronus said. “No one said anything about bringing your friends into this, Twilight Sparkle.”

“What? But -”

“Primus gave this task to you, and you alone.” Micronus said. “The less you can involve your friends and your emotions, the better.”

Twilight looked down at the platform she was on. She couldn’t bring her friends into this? She couldn’t ask Rarity or Fluttershy for help?

Megatronus looked at her, and felt a twinge of pity go off in his Spark. He turned to Micronus, a fierceness in his glowing red eyes.

“Twilight Sparkle must be allowed to inform her friends of this mission.” Megatronus said. “She would not be where she is today were it for her relying on them in times of need.”

“Our enemy could be anywhere. It might have spies that -”

“Either Twilight Sparkle is allowed to recruit her friends, or she will be unable to perform the task we have assigned for her - and quite possibly even refuse to.”

Micronus pursed his lips, while Twilight smiled, appreciating Megatronus sticking up for her.

“Very well.” Micronus said, with obvious irritation in his voice.

Megatronus looked to Twilight and they exchanged smiles.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle will be allowed to include her friends.” Micronus raised his hand, which swirled with blue energy. “It will be morning soon. This meeting is adjourned. Next time we meet, Princess, we will being your training in full.”

Micronus swirled his hand around, and the blue flame inside his palm spread across the realm. Twilight held out her hoof to shield her eyes from the light …

Twilight blinked, waking up in her bed at the Imperial base. She yawned and sat up, stretching her legs. She smacked her lips before looking down at her bed, reflecting on a difficult decision which had been weighing on her. She had made up her mind.

()

()

Twilight sat at her desk, shuffling through papers. On occasion, she would take a glance at the Harmony Box on her desk.

Ultra Magnus entered the doorway. “You want to see me, Twilight?”

“Yes.” Twilight put her files down and put her hooves on the desk. “I’ve reached a difficult decision, Ultra Magnus, and I want you to know … I consider you a friend.”

Ultra Magnus smiled, though he raised an eyebrow. “I consider you a friend, too, Twilight. What’s this about?”

Twilight sighed. “That said … you’ve proven yourself a liability, Ultra Magnus. Yesterday, I gave you an order - a direct order to stop what you were doing, and not did you fail to heed it, you refused to.”

Twilight glared at him.

“I can’t have that. If you’re going to be insubordinate … if you cannot follow orders from your superior officers when they are given to you … then you are a threat to the success of our mission. You are a threat to the safety of your fellow soldiers, and that is something I will not allow. For that reason,  Ultra Magnus, I’m putting you on suspension.”

“Suspension? Twilight, you can’t do - AGH!” Ultra Magnus shouted,  his body tensing up as electricity surged through his circuits. He fell to the floor, giving off smoke, revealing two Imperialcons with Energon prods standing behind him.

“Good idea taking him down with the prods, Commander.” One of the Vehicons said. “Ultra Magnus is a fighter.”

“And a maverick.” Twilight said. “Make sure you check him thoroughly before you put him in a cell. Ultra Magnus is the kind of bot who wouldn’t think twice about putting explosive screws into himself, if he could an explosive into the size and shape.”

The Vehicons nodded. They picked Ultra Magnus up by the shoulders and dragged him away.

Twilight sighed again. “I’m sorry, Magnus. I wish it didn’t have to be this way … but you’re dangerous. I knew that when I invited you, but … I guess I underestimated how dangerous.”

Twilight shuffled awkwardly on the desk. She got up and headed out from the office into the foyer, where her friends were resting, gazing in concern as they saw Ultra Magnus dragged off to the stockades.

“Twilight, darling, what’s going on?” Rarity asked. “Why is Ultra Magnus being carted off by two Vehicons?”

“It’s nothing.” Twilight answered. “Just some … disciplinary action. After, you know, what happened yesterday.”

Rarity held out a hoof. “Say no more, darling. We understand completely.”

“Thank you …”

“Now, I assume you came out here to see us for a reason?” Rarity asked.

“Yes.” Twilight said. “I’ve been contacted in my dreams by the legendary Thirteen of Cybertron and Primus himself. They need my help, our help to fight some … dark presence that they can’t find, but they know is around here somewhere and fixing to take some malicious actions that would be … at odds with the Imperial goals. I’ve already agreed to undergo training by them so I can find and fight this mysterious force before it becomes any bigger of a problem than it is. Will you join me?”

The girls all looked at her in shock.

“Sorry.” Twilight said. “I know it’s a lot to take in, especially all at once …”

“Well then …” Rarity said. “This must be quite some dark force if it caused Primus himself to contact you. And it explains a few things, like why you were able to find the Omega Lock.”

“Yeah.” Rainbow Dash said.

“So … are you in?” Twilight asked. “I understand it can be kind of intimidating … we’re going to be trained by people we don’t know, to fight an enemy that we don’t know where, who, or even what it is.”

“Whoa, whoa.” Rainbow Dash said. “We never said that. We’re in. We’re behind you every step of the way, Twilight.”

“Yes.” Fluttershy said. “You know you can always count on us to be right behind you.”

“We’ll figure out who this guy is, then buck him in the face either before or after we deal with Galloway and Lazerback.” Applejack said. “And the Star Seekers … and Steeljaw and Hydia … and Dragotron … and the Forged … and Bludgeon … and Starlight Glimmer …” Applejack paused. “Goodness, we’re trying to deal with a lot of bad guys, aren’t we?”

Twilight smiled. “Thanks, girls.”

No sooner than the girls had agreed, the six of them were overwhelmed by a powerful mystical force, their bodies locking up, their eyes glowing blue while ancient Cybertronian text and modern binary code rolled up and down in their eyes like slots. They tensed up and fell to the side, their eyes closing as they were placed into deep trances.

()()()

The girls woke up in a cloudy, starry landscape.

“Ugh.” Fluttershy groaned before noticing their shift to a bizarre location. “Where are we?”

“The Realm of the Primes.” Twilight answered, recognizing the place from before.

“Correct.” Micronus said, floating into view with Megatronus by his side. “Hello, my little ponies. I am Micronus Prime, and this is my … counterpart, Megatronus Prime.” Micronus gestured to him. “Are you ready to begin your training?”

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash flew up. “We can handle anything you’ve got to throw at us!”

Micronus and Megatronus smirked, amused at Rainbow Dash’s confidence. They held out their hands, Micronus’s hand glowing green while Megatronus’ glowed purple.

Rotating pillars with blades attached sprouted from the ground. Gun emplacements appeared, rotating to aim at Twilight’s friends, and a headless Decepticon appeared who deployed spherical Mini-cons from his shoulders.

The girls took up fighting positions.

“We got this.” Dash said.

Some time later, the girls were tuckering out. The pillars sunk into the ground and popped back out in different areas, bullets and other projectiles flew by them, including knives, swords, flail heads, rolled-up ball Mini-cons, and even giant shuriken. They fought their way through hordes of the Mini-cons, but the Decepticon seemed to have an endless supply of them, and would always stand right back up after being knocked.

Rainbow Dash panted as a group of Mini-cons mobbed, ganging up on her. She bucked one away before grabbing one by the head and tossing it into a third one.

“You know ... “ Rainbow Dash said. “I’m starting to wonder what any of this has to do with us being able to fight this ‘presence.’”

“To fight your enemy, you must prepare yourselves - in body, mind …” Micronus said.

“And even your soul.” Megatronus said.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “How very zen of you, but it doesn’t answer my question. I mean, what do we even know about this guy? Do we even know if he has Mini-cons? If he’s a he, not a she? Or if he uses shuriken?”

“Maybe we should take a break.” Fluttershy suggested.

Megatronus scoffed. “The wicked never rest. Do you think your enemies take rests from their efforts to destroy you?”

“Uh, yeah?” Rainbow Dash said. “I mean, Starscream’s got to eat his Energon some time.”

Micronus and Megatronus looked at each other.

“Accepted.” Micronus waved his hand, and the obstacles and combatants disappeared. “We will take a break for now. Perhaps when you return, we will have greater knowledge about our enemy. But before you go, we must have a briefing.”

“A briefing? What for?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight Sparkle, I want you and your friends to locate the artifacts of the Primes.” Micronus held up his hand, and a blue projection of a variety of items appeared, including a large gun, a sword, and other objects. “Return this artifacts before the people of Cybertron, and they will fall in line before you. They will be icons that will inspire reverence and awe. When you have brought them home, you will earn the respect and loyalty of several disillusioned and disbelieving Cybertronians, letting them know their ancestors are still watching over them. Once you have done that, you can begin to unify the fractured Cybertronian race. The Forged, Mayhem, the New Decepticons, the Technoists … they will have to recognize your abilities. And then, once the Cybertronians are reunified … the humans and Equestrians will follow.”

“Okay.” Twilight said, not sure she believed it would be so easy. The Decepticons were stubborn, even if they were scattered into disparate groups with incompatible goals. “Where do we start?”

Megatronus held out his palm, which projected a screen. “The Iacon Database will be able to tell you where the Artifacts ended up after they were ejected from Cybertron.”

Twilight chuckled nervously. “Ha ha ha … okay, that … might be a bit of a problem.”

“Surely not for a pony of your intelligence.” Micronus Prime said. He waved his hand again, and fog began to creep over the ponies. “Fare thee well, Twilight Sparkle. Until we meet again.”

The girls blinked and groaned, waking up from their “naps.”

()()()()

()()()()

Lockdown walked into the lobby of the base, resting his hand on a door as he surveyed the room before entering proper, where could be found Arcee resting on a bench, Rampage and Grimwing busying themselves with cards (Rampage’s idea, and he wanted to play Predaking first ) and Bumblebee reading a tablet to keep up with the news.

“Man.” Lockdown complained, walking up to the others. “It sure has been awhile since I’ve been on a mission. My chainsaw needs something to sink its teeth into … ” Lockdown converted his left arm into a chainsaw blade and revved it up, the teeth of the blade whirling.

Arcee scrunched up in her corner, tensing up her shoulders and looking to the side.

Lockdown noticed. “Hey, something the matter with you? What, do I scare you? Heh.” Lockdown chuckled.

“Yes.” Arcee muttered.

“What?” Lockdown asked. “Speak up, darling, I can’t hear ya.”

“Yes, you scare me!” Arcee stood up, drawing the attention of the others. She pointed a finger at Lockdown. “Don’t pretend you don’t remember what you did. Oh, sure, you can all jovial and gentlemanly, acting like you’re a business professional … but I know what you really are, you monster.”

“Hmm.” Lockdown put his hook to his chin, sizing Arcee up. “Now that I take a good look at you, you do seem a little familiar … maybe we have met. I’m -”

“Yeah, yeah.” Arcee said. “‘I’m not that good with names and faces, but I never forget a trophy.’” She said, deepening her voice to mock Lockdown. “Please. You can try to deny it, to forget … but I will never forget or forgive what you did to me and Ratchet. The only reason I’ve tolerated you around here as long as I have is because I know the odds are against us, and Twilight needs every available muscle or hired gun she can her hooves on … but that doesn’t mean I’ve just forgotten about what you did, you butcher.”

Before Lockdown could respond, Rampage put his cards down and stood up.

“If the lady has a problem …” Rampage gestured to Arcee and bowed respectfully. “I am sure Fluttershy would not mind if I were to … eviscerate the problem for her. You are Fluttershy’s friend, after all.” Rampage heaved up the pincers on his back. “Would you like me to tear him apart for you?”

“Oh, please.” Lockdown scoffed. “You couldn’t take me. Besides, it’s all about Fluttershy with you, isn’t it? Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy. Don’t you ever do anything for yourself?”

“No.” Rampage said without a hint of irony or sarcastic intent. “If I did, I would destroy everything in sight, and that … wouldn’t make Fluttershy very happy, would it?”

Lockdown glared at Rampage before smiling and chuckling. “You … you a crush on her, don’t you? You have a complete and total crush on her! You do! Don’t try to deny it.”

Rampage bowed his head shamefully. “I don’t have to dignify that with a response.”

Grimwing stood up to try to mediate. “Perhaps we should all step away from each other, before this boils over into something more … physical.”

“You stay out of this, Grimwing.” Arcee said, deploying her arm-blade. “This is between Lockdown and I .. and maybe Rampage, if he’s serious about getting into it.”

“Er-hem.”

The piercing sound of a gunshot from an energy blaster caught everyone’s attention, causing them to snap to and focus on the door where Magnum was standing with Twilight and the other girls, a blaster smoking in his hand.

“I do not know what has been going on in here …” Magnum said. “But you all need to table this clearly productive discussion for another time. The commander has a mission for all of you.”

“That’s right.” Twilight said. “Through a … contact, we’ve been tasked with recovering the Artifacts of the Primes. We need to gain access to a copy of the Iacon Database. Since Cybertron is liable to be crawling with radical Decepticons and Technoists sympathizers, the only way we can get to a copy is to stage an underwater salvage mission to Trypticon’s remains in the Atlantic Ocean. Who’s with me?”

There was a beeping from Lockdown’s shoulder. Lockdown pressed a button on his shoulder and looked down at himself.

“Sorry, commander.” Lockdown said. “I’ll have to sit this one out. I have a call I need to go take.” Lockdown walked out of the room. Everyone else, however, stood up.

“We’re with you, Twilight.” Arcee assured her.

While everyone else got busy and went to work to prep for the mission, Rampage dragged his feet, staring at the ground, mulling over what Lockdown said.

()()()()()

The Imperials opened a GroundBridge at the bottom of the Atlantic, adjacent to Trypticon’s landing site. They moved out of quickly before the displaced water had a chance to flood the inside of the Bridge too much.

Twilight, protected inside exo-suit, looked towards the side of Trypticon. “Alright, team. Let’s make sure we can into it. Did everyone remember to bring some waterproof blowtorches and laser scalpels?”

“No need.” Predaking said. He and Grimlock walked up to Trypticon, reared up their fists, and pounded the wall, knocking the wall out with a single (well, double) punch.

Twilight grinned. “Grimlock, Predaking, what would we do without you?”

“You would have a much harder time dealing with Lazerback’s Predacons, for one thing.” Grimlock said.

Twilight made a hoof motion, ordering her troops to move in. Pushing the wall further in, they climbed inside of Trypticon’s remains.

Trypticon was not good in shape. Aside from being underwater and thus, waterlogged, plagued with algae and kelp and moss growing all over his crevices and corners, large sections of him were destroyed and crumpled from when he fell, if not outright removed by human/Autobot efforts to dismantle him and remove him from the ocean, one piece at a time, before Galloway put a skewer in it.

“Be ready for anything, team.” Twilight said. “There’s no telling what could be lurking around those corners, and knowing Cybertronian biology, just because Trypticon’s deactivated, doesn’t mean he’s defenseless.” Twilight cast an illuminating ray from her horn, sweeping over the area in front of them as she led the team on their way through the crashed ship.

The team was startled when they saw lights coming from around a corner. They tensed and prepared for a fight.

Starscream, Shockwave, Heavy Load, and other Forged Decepticons came around the corner and stopped in front of them, Starscream jumping up in surprise at the sight of other visitors.

“Starscream? The Forged?” Twilight asked.

“The Imperials?” Starscream asked.

“What are you doing here?” Twilight asked.

“We’re here to try to salvage Trypticon.” Starscream said. “What are you doing here?”

“We’re here to try to salvage the Iacon Database. What are you - wait, I already asked that.”

Starscream huffed. “Well … I suppose there’s no point in trying to negotiate a peaceful settlement between us, where we don’t stop you from the Database, and you don’t stop us from getting Trypticon?”

“I’m afraid not. Trypticon is too powerful a weapon to allow to fall into your Decepticon claws.”

“I figured you would say something like that.” Starscream said. He took up a commanding stance, pointing a finger at the Imperials. “DECEPTICONS, ATTACK!”

“Imperials!” Twilight pointed her hoof. “Annex them into the next century!”

Charging and roaring, letting out battle cries, the Imperials and the Forged charged at each other.

Grimlock, spotting Shockwave, made a straight charge towards at the Decepticon who had once tortured him, all those moons ago on Cybertron. Grimlock rammed into Shockwave like a bull, pinning Shockwave against a nearby wall.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to pay you back for what you did to me.” Grimlock said, drawing his face close to Shockwave’s eye.

“I would be more than happy to discuss your dissatisfactions with your current form …”

Shockwave raised up his cannon-arm and pistol whipped Grimlock, smacking him away by smashing his cannon into Grimlock’s chest, knocking Grimlock on to his hands and knees.

“So that I may improve on them when I once again have you on my operating table. Or perhaps over your non-functioning body.” Shockwave aimed his cannon at Grimlock and charged up a shot. Grimlock rolled over and kicked Shockwave’s legs out from under him, bringing him down to the same level as Grimlock. Grimlock stood up and put his fists together, bringing them on Shockwave’s head, but Shockwave was able to guard against it with his cannon, Grimlock’s fists pressing down on Shockwave’s arm while Shockwave stood up.

Starscream evaded the blasts of an Imperialcon before slashing his claws across its face. The Vehicon rolled, clutching at his wounds, and was unprepared when Starscream grabbed him and tossed him into the wall. Starscream turned around and came face to face with Fractyl, who was quivering.

“Hmm?” Starscream raised his eyebrow. “I know you … Fractyl, isn’t it? One of Thundercracker’s students?”

Fractyl gulped. “Y-yes sir, that’s correct, sir.”

“What are you doing with the Imperials?” Starscream asked.

“Well, they, uh, their philosophy and ideals, I found were appealing to me.” Fractyl said.

“Surely Thundercracker disapproves?” Starscream asked.

“A-actually, Thundercracker also joined. He said he was tired of the fighting and just wanted to go back to his research, and the Imperials offered the best way to do that.”

“What? Really?” Starscream said. “A shame. Skywarp would be so disappointed.” Starscream rubbed his fingers together before looking up at Fractyl. “But it’s not too late for you.”

“N-not too late?” Fractyl asked. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you can still redeem yourself.” Starscream said. “I can see there’s potential in you, Fractyl. Surely it was meant for betting things than chumming around with Autobots and taking orders from ponies. You’re a scientist, aren’t you? Well, the Autobots will hold you back. They’ll make you follow silly codes and guidelines under the guise of ‘safety,’ but really … it’s just an effort to keep you chained. Join the Decepticons. Join the Forged, and you can experiment to your Spark’s content. You can push your scientific know-how to the limit, to the very boundaries of science. I should know. I was a scientist myself, once.”

Fractyl wasn’t sure how to respond. “I, uh …”

“Think about it, Fractyl.” Starscream. “As an Autobot, you’re expected to earn respect through hard work and labor, but as a Decepticon, you can earn it through force.”

“Respect would be nice …” Fractyl mused, tapping his chin. “But … I can barely muster up enough force to intimidate a turbofox, much less earn respect from other Decepticons.”

“Hey!”  Rainbow Dash flew up next to him. “You leave Fractyl alone! If he wants to chum with Autobots and take orders from ponies, that’s his choice, not yours! And we’ll let him do as much science as he wants!”

Fractyl, reassured, clenched his fists.

“And at least with us, he can be who he is really is and wants to be!” Dash said. “Even if who he really is kind of lame!”

“Yeah!” Fractyl said. “Wait, what was that last part?”

“Forget about it, kid.” Dash said.

Starscream pinched the bridge of his nose. “See? That is exactly what I’m talking, letting your self-esteem be determined by how much a pony says you’re worth …” Starscream sighed. “But I suppose I’m not going to be able to change your mind.”

“That’s right.” Fractyl said, crossing his arms.

“Yaaah!” Rainbow Dash shouted and charged, flying at Starscream at speeds exceeding an 100 mile-per-hour acceleration, intending to use the same kamikaze tactic she had used to great effect on Decepticons prior. Something with as much mass as a horse, going the same speed as a cannonball, made an effective projectile.

In most cases. Dash slammed against the front of Starscream’s chestplate, squashing her head in. She popped her head off and chuckled nervously, seeing Starscream look down at her with an annoyed look.

“Funny.” Dash said. “That usually works.”

“Hmm.” Starscream smirked before flicking Dash off with his finger. He turned his attention to back to Fractly, but was distracted by someone tapping his shoulder.

“What?” Starscream snapped, turning to Heavy Load.

“Hey, Screamy.” Heavy Load. “If you want to go take care of that rainbow pony, I got this guy.” Heavy Load brandished his cannon at Fractyl.

Starscream’s eye twitched, unappreciative of the nickname. “Fine. Very well.” Starscream turned to menace Rainbow Dash, only to see her gone from where he had flicked her to. “Where’d she go?”

He got answer in the form of a rainbow blur striking him in the back of his head, inflicting exquisite pain and slight loss of bearings.

“Bull’s-eye.” Rainbow Dash bragged, flying away.

“Alright, Fractyl.” Heavy Load said, stomping towards him. “It’s just you and me now. Think you can put up a better showing than the last time? Seriously, that was pathetic.”

“Well, I, uh, I …” Fractyl thought the conversation Dash and Starscream had. “You know what? I need to quit trusting the opinions of others to determine my own self-worth. To answer your question, Heavy Load ... ” Fractly quit stammering and looked at Heavy Load square in his visor. “Yes.”

Fractyl aimed his arms and fired rockets, striking Heavy Load in the chest with a double hit, exploding the right side of his chest open. Heavy Load groaned, stumbling from the blow.

Fractyl charged at Heavy Load, throwing him against the wall. Fractyl shouted as he slashed Heavy Load with his claws, yelling like a maniac pest as he sliced up Heavy Load’s face and chest. Heavy Load groaned again before taking his cement mixer arm and knocking Fractyl away. Fractly stumbled, and Heavy Load advanced on him, but Fractyl whipped around and slashed his claw upwards through Heavy Load’s chest and deep into his face, making Heavy Load howl in pain.

Twilight Sparkle evaded laser blasts, dodging and weaving her way through the fire as she tried to determine a good target for her to focus on. Starscream was busy with Rainbow Dash, Grimlock was taking on Shockwave, and all the other Forged were pretty much doomed to fall against Predaking.

An explosion occurred next to her, the blast sending her down the hallway while she shouted in alarm. “Aaah!”

After she landed, Twilight pushed herself up and looked around. “Oh, hey!” The blast had deposited right in front of Trypticon’s main computer, where she knew the Decepticons’ data was stored.

Jetting up to the keyboard, Twilight plugged in an appropriate drive and began pushing buttons with her magic, using her telekinesis to take control of the keyboard.

“Come on, come on …” Twilight muttered as she was able to bring the computer back online and pull up the Database. She glanced to the side when another explosion came from the fighting down the hall.

In a few moments, the computer beeped, letting Twilight know the data transfer was complete.

“Yes!” Twilight took the drive out of the computer. She glanced at the fight. “Hmm … well, since we don’t need this anymore …”

Twilight used her magic to pry the keyboard open, lifting the metal up and peeling it back. The metal groaned as it was manipulated. Twilight reached in and fiddled with the wires underneath before placing something inside. She pulled the keyboard plate back down and hopped off.

“Imperials!” Twilight shouted. “We have what we came here for! We can leave!” Twilight pressed in a few buttons on her armor, sending a message to alert her operators at the base they were ready for a GroundBridge back.

The GroundBridge opened. Twilight and the others headed towards it, with Magnum slugging Starscream on the way so Rainbow Dash was free to join them.

“Grimlock, come on!” Magnum shouted, stopping when he saw Grimlock was still tussling with Shockwave.

“Not until I’ve ripped off his head!” Grimlock shouted. Predaking came up behind him and lifted him up by the shoulders. “Hey!”

“We’ve been given an order to retreat.” Predaking said before dragging Grimlock away, bringing him into the Bridge against his wall.

The Bridge closed, and Starscream smiled.

“Well …” Starscream said. “I don’t know what made them leave … they must have gotten the data they were looking for … but now, we have the run of the place to ourselves!” Starscream gestured grandly to the halls.

Shockwave looked around, as did Starscream.

“What’s that beeping?” Starscream asked, picking something. It grew in frequency and pitch, becoming louder and higher.

“The Imperials rigged something to blow! Retreat!” Starscream ordered, making the Forged fall back moments before the primary computer was consumed from inside by a giant fireball.

()()()()()()

“I noticed you rigged the console to explode.” Magnum said to Twilight as they walked out of the Bridge. “Think that took care of them?”

“Not likely.” Twilight answered.  “I didn’t have enough time or resources to set up a big explosion, and Starscream has survived much worse than just an  I.E.D ...” Twilight held up the drive. “Now, let’s figure out where these Artifacts are.”

“Commander …” Magnum said, walking with Twilight as she went to a computer to plug the drive in. “If I may ask, why the sudden interest in the Primes? They weren’t on your agenda previously.”

“The Primes  told me to do it.”

“The Primes … told you to do it.” Magnum said with disbelief.

Twilight looked at him with a deadly serious expression.

“For the sake of my safety, I will act as though I believe you.”

“You’d better.” Twilight said. “Now, where is it?” She sifted through the data, decoding the Cybertronian coding until it was translated into something she could read. Unlocking the files produced an image of a large, intricate sword, which appeared to have two blades twisting together before fusing into one and meeting at the sword’s tip.

“The Star Saber.” Twilight said. “The Artifact of … Prima? Just - Prima? Wow. I mean, I knew Cybertronian names weren’t alway the most inventive, but Prima?”

“Said Twilight Sparkle.” Magnum said.

“Noted.” Twilight said. “It says here that the Star Saber …” Twilight fell silent.

“I’ve heard stories about it.” Magnum said. “About its power.”

Twilight gulped. “It says the Star Saber, at full power, can destroy stars and reduce planets into the rocks and dust they were made from. Well, that’s not something we want the Decepticons getting their hands on. Huh.”

“What?”

“It also says the Star Saber hasn’t been at its full power for eons.” Twilight said. “So maybe not quite as a big a threat as it was. But still.” Twilight continued to read the screen. “According to this, only the hand of a Prime can lift the Star Saber once it becomes lodged into a resting place and … that can’t be right.”

“What can’t be right?”

“It says that the Star Saber landed on Equestria. In the Crystal Empire.” Twilight said. “And if it’s true that only a Prime can lift it, we’re gonna need some help … we need to get Nova Prime.”

“Uh.” Rainbow Dash flew up. “You realize that will involve going to Cybertron, right? The political hot mess right now? And that’s assuming we can find him.”

“Nova Prime is a public figure.” Twilight said. “He should be making himself available to the public, shouldn’t he?”

“Okay, sure. But even assuming we can find him, why would he help us? We’re terrorists, remember?” Rainbow Dash said. “I doubt someone as respected as Nova is going to risk his rep to help us out.”

()()()()()() ()

“I would be more than happy to help you!” Nova Prime exclaimed once the Imperials had found him and explained what they needed.

“Wha-really?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Just like that?” Twilight gave Dash a smug look from behind her helmet.

“Of course.” Nova Prime said. “Oh, you may be terrorists, renegades of the law, pariahs, even … but the chance to recover the Artifacts of the Primes … the treasures of my predecessors … the relics of our Cybertronian ancestors … oh!” Nova Prime sighed and swooned. “It’s a chance to die for! A dream come true! Any bot who would turn away from helping accomplish something as monumental as this would be a fool!”

“Glad to hear you’re in.” The War Princess said.

Nova clapped his hands together. “So, where do we go first?”

()()()()()() ()()

The Imperials, with Nova Prime in their company, traveled to the Crystal Empire, to where the Database said the Star Saber was buried.

Making their way some miles north of where Bludgeon had tried to revive Thunderwing, they came upon a glacier. The snow was unusually heavy in the area, harsh, blizzarding winds biting at them, gnawing their ankles and chests.

“Are we getting close, War Princess?” Nova Prime shouted over the howling wind, holding an arm up to shield his optics. “I’m not sure my systems can stand much more of this cold!”

“It should be somewhere nearby.” The War Princess aid, holding up a device. “Somewhere over … there!” The War Princess pointed.

True to the Database’s word, a thin, golden handle was sticking out from the ice.

“Finally.” Nova muttered. “After all this time … I’ll be able to clean Cybertron and make it whole again.”

Nova Prime reached out and grabbed the handle. It glowed in response to his touch, shimmering a brilliant golden light. As Nova pulled the sword free of the ice, the glow continued, a massive blade emerging from the ice, matching the picture the Database had shown Twilight.

“Excellent!” Nova Prime said, holding the sword up high with both his hands. The winds seemed to ease up and calm down, almost as if they had been masking the sword. “I, Nova Prime, claim this blade in the name of Cybertron!”

“Whoa, whoa.” Rainbow Dash said. “What makes you think you can just have it? We didn’t say we were finding for you, we just needed your help to find it.”

“My apologies, Rainbow Dash.” Nova lowered the blade. “I had merely assumed, being a Prime, that none of you would raise objections to me staking my claim of the sword. Still, it seems it would be best kept with me for safekeeping. After all, none in your ranks are Primes, and I doubt that warriors among you strong enough to lift the sword. And even if they could, it wouldn’t be more than just a large sword to them, something I’m sure you have plenty of. Unless you happen to have the disembodied arm of a Prime lying around?”

“He’s right, Rainbow Dash.” The War Princess said. “We should let him have it. The Decepticons have made a lot of bold moves, but none of them have even thought about attacking Nova. It’s safer with him.”

“What’s this?” Nova asked as the sword began to ping and beep. It glowed, before projecting an image of a rotating sphere, with a location marked on it.

“I think … I think it’s trying to tell us where the location of the next Artifact is.” The War Princess said. “I wasn’t expecting Megatronus to be quite so … literal.” The War Princess inspected the projection. “That looks like a location on Earth.”

“Very well then.” Nova Prime said. He raised the sword up. “To Earth!”

()()()()() ()()()

Making their way to the location on Earth, they had no trouble finding the Artifact’s location out on a grassy prairie. Which Twilight took as a bad sign. If they were going to have good luck now, they were bound to have bad luck later.

“Where is it?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I believe it is underground.” Nova Prime said.

“Well, start digging.” The War Princess ordered.

They dug around, displacing mounds upon mounds of dirt before one of them made a ding.

“I found something!” The Vehicon excavator waved. He dug around and eventually was able to pull the Artifact out.

It appeared to be a relative to the Matrix of Leadership, having a similar shape and design. A black sphere with a red gem in the center, with two triangular blades jutting out from its top and bottom sides.

“What is it?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I recognize this.” Nova Prime said. “It is the Enigma of Combination. It’s said to be able to gift any Cybertronian with the ability to combine with others.”

“I thought combination was a Decepticon-driven war experiment?” The War Princess asked.

“Perhaps in the modern day, but in the times of the Primes, it was something more. Something … sweeter … something purer.” Nova said.

“Why isn’t it telling us where the next Artifact is?” Rainbow Dash asked. “The Saber told us as soon as Nova picked it up.”

“Hmm. Perhaps I need to pick this one as well?” Nova reached down and lifted the Enigma from the ground. “No. Nothing.” Nova glanced to his back, where the Star Saber was mounted. “I have an idea.”

Nova set the Enigma down on the ground. He pulled out the Star Saber and aimed it at the Enigma. Taking care not to press too hard, he touched the tip of the Saber to the Enigma. The Enigma reacted, activating, the red gem glowing in its core. It produced a projection of a screen in red. Unlike the Saber’s projection, which was smooth and steady, the Enigma’s was blinky and wavering, like it was running off corrupted data.

“There.” Nova said. “There is where we will find the next Artifact.”

The War Princess drew up the screen, cupping her chin as she examined it. “I think … it looks like … hmm … a location in space, maybe?”

“Okay.” Dash said. “So at least we’re not just bouncing back and forth from planet to planet.”

“Shush, Rainbow Dash.”

()()()()()/ ()()()()

The Imperials and Nova made their way into a stolen dropship and set off for the location in space.

The ship cruised along at a steady space, going along for a smooth ride.

“You know, it’s kind of amazing the Decepticons or somebody hasn’t attacked us once.” Rainbow Dash thought to herself.

“I told you the Decepticons weren’t going to attack Nova.” Twilight whispered to her.

Nova Prime gave a shudder.

“Is something wrong, Your Eminence?” Arcee asked.

“No, nothing, I just thought I … felt something.” Nova said.

“Hey …” Dash nudged Twilight’s shoulder. “You’re a scientist, Twilight. Is that normal?” Dash pointed at the viewscreen of the ship, where up ahead of them was a distorted portion of space - a purple swirling mass surrounding an inky blackness. “Like, is that a normal black hole or something?”

“No, Rainbow Dash, I can assure that is not a normal black hole or anything else, for that matter.” Twilight said. She leaned over the console. “And it seems to be pulling us in!”

“I’ll try and turn her around.” Bulkhead attempted to bank a hard right, but the ship wouldn’t budge. “Uh-oh.”

The swirling mass sucked the ship inside. Their senses took leave of them; all they see was darkness. All they could hear was silence. Until the veil lifted, and they found themselves standing on what appeared to be a massive asteroid, unharmed themselves, but with their dropship nowhere to be seen.

“Where are we?” Fluttershy asked.

“That is an excellent question.” Nova Prime said, looking around.

“Look.” Rarity nudged Twilight and pointed ahead of them. Twilight gasped at what she saw. Further up ahead of what could generously be called ‘the road,’ were the ruins of a once great court, with destroyed walls, cracked panels, and a huge throne with massive cracks going down its shattered back, all of them a dull, faded green color, like oxidized copper.

And sitting on the throne was Megatronus.

Megatronus took notice of them and stood up. “Who dares to invade on the exiled realm of Megatronus?” He aimed his arm-cannons at them.

The Imperials and Nove walked up to them cautiously.

“It’s us, Megatronus.” Twilight said. “We’re seeking to recover the Artifacts of the Primes … like you-”

Megatronus held up his hand, and Twilight’s voice was muted. She couldn’t speak. She banged at her throat, trying to fix it.

“One must … keep up appearances, mustn’t they?” Megatronus said, walking towards them. He spared a glance at Nova Prime before turning his attention to the rest of them. “Here in this pocket realm, I have complete control. Now, I ask you again. Why do you intrude on my exile?”

“O Grand Megatronus.” Nova Prime bowed. “We seek the Artifacts of the Primes, to reunite the fractured people of Cybertron under one flag. It would be most beneficial to our cause if we could present the Artifacts, as proof of our worthiness to lead. We have recovered two already, and they have pointed to us. We were hoping you could lead us to the next.”

“Hmm.” Megatronus huffed. “A reasonable assumption, if it was the relics which brought you here. My Artifact is the Requiem Blaster. A weapon so massive and destructive, only the original Primes in our true heights could wield properly, and few things can survive it’s star-powered blast.”

Megatronus smirked. “Unfortunately … I lost track of it some time ago. I have no idea where it is. You will have to find it yourselves.”

“I … see.” Nova Prime said, and Fluttershy could see he was holding back frustration. “Thank you … Megatronus. We will take our leave of you.”

Nova Prime bowed once more, but he noticed Megatronus leering at him. “Is … something the matter?”

“No.” Megatronus said. “Nothing at all.”

“Hmm.” Nova didn’t sound entirely convinced, but did not pursue the issue.

“Megatronus?” Fluttershy asked. “Before we go, could I ask you a question? You said you were in exile. Um, for what, exactly?”

Megatronus was quiet. “For killing of my own. I always had a temper. One day, during a dispute, I lost control of myself. In a fit of rage, I opened fire on my fellow Prime, Solus Prime. I killed her. I loved her. I loved her and I killed her. For that reason … for that treachery, I put myself into exile, for that is the only punishment I could stand to give myself. That is why I walk the stars alone. I … I cannot bring myself to join her. I tried, of course, but … I fear she won’t forgive me for what I did.”

Megatronus shook his head.

“I’ve told you too much already. Take what I told you about the Requiem Blaster and go, and make sure certain hands are kept from it. Hands which are closer to it than you realize.”

Megatronus aimed his weapon at them. Purple energy swirled at the barrel before he fired. The ponies were assaulted by a barrage of dark colors swimming in their vision, waving around in a psychedelic manner. It was a trip.

When the sensory confusion had stopped, they were back on their ship, in the place they were before, with no sign of the entrance to Megatronus’ ruined court.

“Huh.” Twilight reflected to herself. “O-kay. That was weird. Maybe he’ll explain in the next dream we have …” She cupped her chin.  “Now … how to find this Requiem Blaster …”

()()()()() ()()()()()()

()()()()() ()()()()()()

In further depths of space, the pirate ship of the Star Seekers, the Tidal Wave, moved, trawling through space, going slowly, but inexorably towards its goal of finding the Cybertronians again.

On the ship’s bridge, one of several screens began beeping.

“Receiving a transmission, Captain.” Brimstone reported.

“It is Cybertronian in origin?” Thundertron asked, raising a brow.

“No.”

“Put it through.”

Brimstone pushed a button, and a trio of skull-faced, bizarre aliens appeared on the screen, tentacles writhing down from its lightbulb-shaped body.

“Greetings.” The squidhead said in a droning voice.

Thundertron stood from his seat, getting right down to brass tacks. “Who are you? What do you want?”

“Where are my manners? We are representative of the Quintessons. You may have heard of us.”

“Yes. Galactic conquerors, I believe, until a few thousand years ago, where the …” Thundertron’s eye twitched, and his mouth scowled. “Cybertronians ousted you from your planet, and routed you up.”

“Yes.” The Quintesson said. “I believe we have shared interests.”

“And what shared interests would that be?”

“The desire to the Cybertronian species … wiped out.”

Thundertron did a thoughtful nod of his head. “You have my attention.”

“We are willing to pay you handsomely for your services.” A Quintesson said. “We know of a place, a hub planet if you will, where you can go and gather followers … find like-minded individuals, and recruit them to your cause.”

“Our cause.” Thundertron said. “And you would hardly need to pay me to eliminate the Cybertronians … although ship maintenance doesn’t pay for itself.”

The Quintessons chuckled. “No. But there is one more thing. We have something for you to use.”

The Quintessons moved from the screen, showing an enormous laser cannon. A huge weapon made of black steel, red lines glowing through it, a massive opening for its barrel. It was set off in the distance so Thundertron could see all of it, and it was so large it could have qualified as a starship in of itself.

“What ... is that?” Thundertron asked, clearly impressed.

“It is called the Requiem Blaster.” The Quintesson answered. “It is a weapon of enormous destructive potential and power. It is said to ravage planets, and that no being can survive a direct hit from it. Mount this to your ship and aim it a planet’s surface. With it, you will have no trouble eliminating the Cybertronians. And we know of a place where several Cybertronians gather … a planet called ‘Earth’ …’”

()()()()()() ()()()()()()

Snowy winds blew and tossed around, Bludgeon stood there in the snow, waiting for his guest. The frigid winds didn’t bother him. If one were to ask him why, he would say a true warrior was indifferent to the temperature. His Mayhem cohorts shivering behind him might not agree.

Starscream flew in from the stratosphere, converting into robot mode and doing a three-point landing in front of Bludgeon. He rose up and approached.

“So, Bludgeon … have you had time to consider my offer?” Starscream asked.

“Yes.” Bludgeon said. “Now, let’s get one thing clear, Starscream. I don’t like you, and I trust you as far as I can throw you.”

“Oh, I don’t know. An experienced martial artists like yourself might be able to throw me pretty far.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere with me. However, what you lack in trustworthiness, you make up for in being a good supervisor and operations manager, and adding your troops to my own would make a considerable force. So I have determined that the benefits of allying with your Forged would outweigh the detriments.”

“Excellent.” Starscream offered his hand for them to shake on it. “Although .. if I may ask … what is that shining on your chest?”

“This? This is the Dark Spark. It grants me godlike power and the ability to manipulate Dark Energon.”

Bludgeon demonstrated the Dark Spark’s power by shooting a purple-tinged lighting bolt into a mountain in the distance, causing a rockslide.

“Impressive.” Starscream said, watching as the rocks and ice fell. He turned to Bludgeon, crossing his hands behind his back. “However, there is one matter that we need to address … a gift of goodwill from you, if you will.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

“The operations of The Forged have been stymied by our inability to acquire a ship.” Starscream said. “We’ve tried to salvage Trypticon from out of the drink, but both our efforts have ended in failure. It would be of great help if you could provide one for us.”

Bludgeon raised his brow, amused and confident.

“You want a ship? I can get you a ship.”

()()()()()() ()()()()()() ()

()()()()()() ()()()()()() ()

In a small room, General Witwicky groaned. He opened his eyes. He gasped, feeling his arm and legs. Something felt different. Something felt wrong.

He raised his head up and lifted his hand. He was horrified to discover his hand was now a robotic prosthetic limb. Sitting up, he saw the same had been done to his leg.

“Hey.” Shining Armor greeted him, sitting by Witwicky’s bedside.

“Hey? I wake up on a strange bed with my arm and leg replaced by robot versions and all you have to say to me is ‘hey’?”

“Yeah. Maybe not the best choice of words …” Shining Armor said. “How are you feeling?”

“How do you think I’m feeling?” Witwicky snapped before lying back on the bed, bringing the robot hand over his face. He gazed at Shining Armor. “What happened?”

“The Decepticon Justice Division.” Shining Armor answered. “The Imperials called us over to try and arrest them, and … they weren’t quite as subdued as we thought. They fired at the jeep you and I were riding in. I managed to jump out in time, but you were engulfed in the blast. I pulled you out and called a retreat. We don’t know the Division has been since. I brought you to Attinger, who brought you here. The doctors couldn’t heal you fully, so they did what they could and gave you the robot limbs.” Shining Armor smiled. “Pretty neat, huh?”

“No.” Witwicky said. “No, it is not neat! It’s disgusting! It’s unnatural! It - it - it makes me into one of them.” Witwicky hissed.

“You mean the Cybertronians?” Shining Armor glanced at the ground. “This is gonna sound crazy, but … I know what you mean, and I agree.”

“You do?”

“Yeah.” Shining Armor said. “The Imperials … they’re fighting for the right of Cybertronians - of all aliens - to travel freely between planets involved in our little … galactic council, for lack of a better word. But honestly ...”

Shining Armor stood up and walked towards the door.

“I think it would be a lot better if the intergalactic travel of non-native species between planets was regulated and monitored. Maybe then it would keep those machines from messing with my family.”

Witwicky grinned. “You know what, Shining Armor? I had some misgivings about you at first … but you’re okay in my book.”

Shining smiled before leaving the room, closing the door.

Witwicky observed his robot hand, twisting the wrist. Flexing its fingers. It all moved smoothly and like a human’s hand, but it all felt wrong and unnatural. It was cold and metallic. It did these movements because he willed them to. It wasn’t being able to feel his skin stretch, his tendons and muscles tense up and relax …

The door creaked open, and Doctor Morocco stepped in. After a quick glance out the door to ensure Shining Armor had departed, he closed the door and walked up to Witwicky’s bedside.

“What do you want?” Witwicky snapped.

“I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation with our unicorn friend over there.” Morocco said.

“Yeah? And?”

“My good sir, I think you’re looking at it all wrong.” Morocco said. “Your new robotic limbs are a disfigurement. No. Instead of looking at yourself and your limbs and seeing disgust ...” Morocco reached over and grabbed Witwicky’s robot hand, holding it up. “You should see what I see, and realize they present … opportunity.”

Witwicky was intrigued. “What do you have in mind?”

“Oh, nothing much, just a few … upgrades.” Morocco smiled. It wasn’t a traditional smile. It was more akin to seeing the teeth on a cat before it bit down.

()()()()() ()()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()()

Shining Armor walked out of the building section of facility, closing the double doors behind him. Traversing on the rocks, he walked over to the range where Attinger and Gould were, Gould with a remote in his hands.

“Ah, Shining Armor. Good of you to join us.” Attinger said. “Care to watch the test?”

“Test?” Shining Armor asked.

“Yes, the weapons test.” Gould said, thrusting the remote in the direction of the Stinger drones below. “We’re going to be testing the Stinger drones today.”

“I thought you already had a functioning Stinger?”

Gould chuckled. “Well, we have a functioning living Stinger.” Gould said. “But we haven’t fully tested the drones yet. The plan is for there to be living Stingers, captains if you will, who can react to situations, and non-living Stingers, who take orders from the living ones … or whoever happens to buy them.” Gould chuckled. Shining Armor was a bit unnerved by how clear a distinction Gould drew between living and non-living Stingers. As far as Shining understood, wasn’t the difference just a few lines of code in the ‘prime’ Stinger’s module?

“You ready down there, Stinger?” Gould shouted into the valley below, where Stinger stood in front of a row of multi-colored Stinger drones.

Stinger hesitated before giving a thumbs-up. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Good!” Gould said. “Commence firing in three … two … one …”

BOOM.

A payload of bombs dropped into the valley, raining destruction everywhere they land, creating rock slides and rock piles from the damage. A navy-blue jet flew overhead, chanting something in a foreign language.

Stinger tensed up, deploying a missile from his arm to shatter the boulders into more manageable pieces. “Is this part of the test? No one told me this was part of the test!”

“No, soldier.” Attinger said, pulling out a handgun and taking the safety off. “I’m afraid this just became a live exercise.”

Attinger aimed up and shot at the jet. His bullets, when they were lucky enough to even hit, pinged off the jet uselessly.

“Go for the fuel tank!” Gould shouted.

“Yeah! Don’t you usually go for the fuel tank in these situations?” Shining Armor added.

“What do you two think this is, a movie?” Attinger asked.

“Well, excuse me if I’m not quite clear on how you’re going to take out a fully-armored jet with a peashooter!” Gould snapped.

Attinger ignored Gould’s sarcasm, focusing on the jet. “It’s coming back for another pass.”

The jet rose up, its engines humming, before diving down and making a beeline straight for Attinger.

“I’ve got it!” Stinger shouted, crawling up out of the valley. He ran towards the jet before making an impressive leap, grabbing on to the jet’s thrusters. He hanged off it the edge, bouncing as the jet tried to shake him off, before crawling onto the jet’s back. “Bullseye! Huh?”

The jet began to break apart, panels coming loose. The thrusters lifted up and folded into the bottom half of the jet. It was transforming, and it converted into a wicked-looking, Decepticon-esque robot with twin blasters in both arms, wings hanging off its back, and turbines in its shoulders.

It grappled with Stinger in mid-air, going into freefall. Shouting another sentence in its foreign language, it fired its arm-blaster into Stinger’s chest before popping him one in the head, sparks, gears and sprockets flying out of Stinger’s body. Stinger fell limp with a groan.

“Is that Cybertronian?” Gould asked. “Is that thing speaking Cybertronian? Is that what it is?”

“No.” Attinger said. “That’s not Cybertronian … that’s Chinese.”

“Chinese?”

“Mandarin, to be exact.”

The invader lifted Stinger up and threw him to the ground, where Stinger tried to push himself up, but lost the strength and collapsed.

The invader looked square at Attinger’s company with its red eyes and said one more thing before converting into its jet mode and flying away.

“Attinger, you said it spoke Chinese.” Shining Armor said. “What all did it say?”

“‘Death to the defilers’ when it passed by … ‘Die’ … when it shot out friend Stinger, of course. And it left with ‘Now you see … we are a force to be reckoned with.’ Now, Gould.” Attinger took off his sunglasses. “Would you like to tell me how the Chinese got their hands on your Cybertronian imitation technology?”

“I would like to tell you, Attinger. I would. I would like to tell you. I would LOVE to tell you. Nothing would make me happier than to tell you. Except, here’s the thing, nothing really … just one tiny detail … I DON’T KNOW!”

“Then …” Attinger said. “We have a problem. A leak. A mole. Something.”

()()()()()() ()()()()()

An American woman, a blonde, walked on her high heels through the bridge of a Chinese factory. The sounds of whirring, pumping machinery were loud, and the smoke and smog coming from the machines fogged up her glasses.

There was a Chinese man, a Defense Ministry official, wearing a nice blue suit, waiting for her. He looked off into the distance and said in Chinese.

“I am one with the world. I am a being. I am alive. I feel and sense my chi, and the chi of all those around me.”

He turned to the woman as she walked up to him. “Was the test successful?”

The woman nodded. “It was. Very successful, I might add.”

The official nodded. “Good. And what of you? Aren’t there dangers to your health and safety if you are found out? If your superiors realize what you did?”

“Oh, psshaw.” The woman scoffed, waving her hand. “Let me be concerned about that. I know what I did. And I know what the consequences will be if - when I’m found out. But that’s a price I’m willing to pay. A punishment I can accept. And besides … it won’t change the fact that I’ve already done it. What’s done is done. Knowing this will pay off … it will be worth it. How it’s coming along?”

“I am glad to see you’ve already made peace with your inevitable fate.” The official said. “So few do these days. It’s coming along quite well, thank you.”

The official turned to the bridge and repeated his earlier words.

In front of him, a row of Cybertronian-matching robots repeated the words again, putting their hands in front of them to focus, all of them speaking in Chinese.

“I am one with the world. I am a being. I am alive. I feel and sense my chi, and the chi of all those around me.”

() x 22

At the facility, Shining Armor and Gould sat down and shared a drink of coffee, trying to wrap their heads around how the foreign powers were able to successfully crack the code and hack together their own reverse-engineered Cybertronian.

“It doesn’t make any sense.” Shining Armor said. “Where did they get the technology? Who would have not only had the access to deliver, but would have wanted to give to them in the first place?”

“Shining Armor?” Attinger asked, sticking his head out a door. “Come here, please.”

Shining Armor was puzzled, but complied, taking another sip of his mug before joining Attinger in the room.

“What do you need, Attin - Mister President, sir!” Shining Armor saluted upon seeing Galloway in the room.

“At ease.” Galloway said. “Got a job for you, son.”

“A job?”

“Yes. A mission, to be more precise.” Galloway explained. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a device, clicking it on to produce a projection. It showed a massive object moving around the Earth’s moon.

“What … is that?” Shining Armor asked.

“Don’t know.” Galloway said. “We detected it on our satellites earlier this morning. We suspect it may be some sort of starship, but obviously not Cybertronian in origin. This presents a problem. We’ve already got our hands full managing the Cybertronian and Equestrian situation we have now. We can’t be dealing with another set of participants already.”

“Well, you know, unless maybe they’re trying to pull a Genghis Khan and have us unite against them.” Shining Armor said.

Attinger and Galloway gave him funny looks.

“Moving on.” Galloway said. “This ship pulled up to Earth’s atmosphere, hung around for a bit, then left again. I don’t like it. You know what tells me? That tells me they’re scouting. And you know what them scouting tells me?”

“That they’re planning for attack?” Shining Armor said.

“Bingo.” Galloway said.  “We’ve managed to track it down to another planet. We think it must have Transwarp capabilities. I want you to get on a dropship, fly on up there to that planet, and figure out what is they’re up to.”

“Wha- me?” Shining Armor stuttered. “Go into space? Surely you must have better choices! Besides, don’t I need to stay here and help with the investigation into who acquired Gould’s tech?”

“We’re dealing with that. I have my men on it.” Attinger said.

“What do you say, Captain?” Galloway said. “It would help show that Equestria does have Earth’s best interests in mind.”

Shining Armor looked at the ground. “Just one question.”

“What?”

“Can I bring Cadence? She’s good to have around in a fight.”

“Um …” Galloway stuttered. Attinger nodded at him. “Sure.”

Shining Armor, lightened up, saluted. “I won’t let you down, sir.” Shining Armor left the room.

“Let’s hope not.” Galloway mumbled.

() x 21

Sometime later, Shining Armor and Cadence were onboard a dropship piloted by an Americon, on their way to the planet - Sandokan.

“Got hand it to the humans.” The pilot said as he flicked a switch. “Didn’t expect to get a good enough grasp of cybertech to track a ship to a planet not native to their solar system in only three years. Now, listen, you two … the planet you’re going to is called Sandokan.”

“Okay.”

“It has a planetwide reputation for being a meeting place of the worst kind of scum. Murderers, guns for hire, interrogators … tax evaders … tax officers … assume everyone you meet has some dirty business they’re either there to deal with, or are trying to avoid. And if you meet a white being with a horse-shaped head … ”

“Yes?” Shining Armor asked, interested in the idea of other equinoid lifeforms out in the universe. Perhaps he could get to know one.

“Do not talk to them. That is a Scarran. They can shoot fire out of their hands. Very nasty, and will take issue if you much as make eye contact.” The pilot flipped another switch. “Making touchdown.”

The dropship entered the planet’s surface and landed smoothly. Shining Armor and Cadence departed from the ship, the pilot waving them off.

They made their way around until they came across what seemed to be a massive bar.

“Think we’ll find anything in there?” Cadence asked.

“Couldn’t hurt to look … could it?” Shining Armor replied.

They went inside. The first thing which struck was the sheer variety of other creatures there. Both big and small, fat and lean, animal-like, like themselves, or very alien. Some of them were even robotic, though clearly not Cybertronian, with the bar table curved to serve any and all of them.

“Let’s see if we can find something.” Shining Armor said. The two of them made their way around the bar. They tiptoed around, trying not to be notice lest they start a fight.

“Did you hear?” A shrill voice said. “Some guy is holding a rally out back.”

“A rally?” Another patron asked.

“Yeah. Says anyone who hates Cybertronians is welcome to join.”

“Really? Well, maybe I ought take a gander …”

“Hates Cybertronians?” Cadence said. “Does that sound like something we’d be interested in?”

“I … yes, it does.” Shining Armor said. “There are a lot of Cybertronians on Earth nowadays.”

“Let’s go.”

Shining Armor and Cadence followed the bar patron out the door and around to the back of the establishment. There, they found a huge crowd gathering around a stage, where a robot stood to speak.

“Look.” Cadence pointed to behind the stage, where a ship was parked. “Isn’t that the ship we’re following?”

“Yeah. I think it is.” Shining Armor focused his attention on the crowd. “And I’ll bet you the guy on the stage is in charge of it.”

“Might as well listen.” Cadence said. “See what he wants.”

“Friends, acquaintances, robbers, lend me your ears!” Thundertron shouted from the stage. “Listen well. Are you tired of the Cybertronians? Did you resent their species, their heritage? Do you resent their war for spilling over onto your planet and causing who knows how much untold damage?”

“Yeah!” The crowd cheered.

“Are you mad at them for their arrogance, their stubbornness, their - their callous disregard for life?” Thundertron went on, walking around the stage. “The way they act like organic lives mean less?”

“Hey.” Cadence whispered. “The Autobots don’t do that, do they?”

Shining Armor didn’t answer her, finding himself nodding with Thundertron’s every word.

“The way they take no responsibly for their actions? They just show up, fight out their war until the planet is ruined, and then move to the next place like parasites?”

“Yeah!” The crowd cheered again.

“Who here among you has not had something about themselves sullied by the Cybertronians’ trampling it underfoot?”

On this, the crowd turned silent.

“Hmph. A little shy, are we?” Thundertron said. “A little afraid to tell your personal stories? Your scars? That’s okay. It can be a bit scary to share personal details with someone you’ve never met. Why don’t I start?”

“No. I’ll start.”

The crowd parted ways, allowing all of them to get a good look at Shining Armor, who had his hoof raised.

“Shining.” Cadence asked through gritted teeth. “What are you doing?”

Shining Armor turned to Cadence with a serious expression on his face. “I’m sorry, Cadence. But this is something I have to do.”

Shining Armor marched up to the stage. He tried to hop up, but was unable. Thundertron reached down and pulled him up. The Star Seeker adjusted Shining Armor, holding him high up in his palm for the crowd to see.

“So, tiny hooved one, what’s your story?”

“I, um, well, uh …” Shining Armor broke into a sweat.

“Oh, come now. Don’t succumb to stage fright! Speak, friend. You’re amongst like-minded company!”

Shining Armor looked at Thundertron, then cleared his throat. “Hello, everyone. Uh, my name is Shining Armor. I’m … Captain of the Royal Guard in Equestria. It’s, um, it’s a planet that’s a far, far away from Cybertron. You’re better off getting to by Space Bridge or something. Um … and I … I ” Shining Armor turned his head aside and rubbed his neck.

“Yes. Go on. Speak, friend.” Thundertron said.

“I hate the Cybertronians.” Shining Armor stomped his foot. Thundertron didn’t seem to mind. “I think they’re responsible for every bad thing in my life right now. Indirectly or directly, one way or another, they caused it. It started when they invaded my planet three years ago, and it just got worse from there.”

“Shining, no.” Cadence whimpered, putting her hooves to mouth in shame.

“They … they changed my sister.” Shining Armor said. “They turned her into an undead. They turned me into an undead, and I hate it. I hate being an undead. I can’t eat normally. I can feel things the way I used to feel them. I’m using a spell right now to make myself look normal - which my sister came up with, not to brag.”

Shining Armor’s horn flashed, and the illusion faded, allowing the crowd to gasp in shock at the Dark Energon running over his body.

“They turned my sister and her friends … my sweet, innocent sister … into soldiers. Into … war maniacs. Into … potty mouths.”

The crowd chuckled.

“I became a soldier …” Shining Armor said. “To protect my little sister. To keep her safe from harm. To fight the bad guys so she wouldn’t ever have to worry about them, and she could play safe at home. You know, maybe find a nice mate, start a family … but she went out into space … because that’s what our leader needed her to do ...” Shining Armor’s voice broke. Tears welled up in his eyes. “And she didn’t come back. Instead, this thing, this zombie, this soldier who you can tell from a glance has been through hell and back, almost literally, did.”

Shining Armor sniffed, wiping a tear away.

“I don’t blame Celestia. She didn’t know what she was getting my sister into. But the Autobots, and their war, took my Twiley away from me.” Shining Armor said. “They sent her into war, not me. And for that … I can never forgive them.”

The crowd was silent, moved by Shining Armor’s speech.

“You have a place in the Star Seekers, Shining Armor.” Thundertron said. “Anyone else?”

“I had a son.” A boar-faced alien said. “When the Cybertronians came to our planet, with their war, my son wanted to go help the Autobots fight the Decepticons. I didn’t want him to go, but he insisted. Optimus Prime promised me he’d bring him back alive. Instead, he carried my son to me, the blast wound in his chest still smoking.”

“A firefight between a Wrecker and a Decepticon blew my arm off.” A one-armed alien said.

“The Decepticons planted Energon deposits near my farm. Could barely grow enough to feed my family for years.”

Other stories of similar losses and occurrences were shared from many, many in the crowd.

“The Cybertronians have robbed you of your homes, your livelihoods, your limbs, your sons!” Thundertron said, raising a fist in the air, being careful not to drop Shining Armor. “Are we going to let this continue?”

“NO!”

“That’s right! They say they’ve ended their war, but are we going to let them get off with no comeuppance, no recompensation? No. I say we take an eye for an eye … and rob a few things from them!”

“YEAH!”

“Join me, my fellow victims, and together … we will make the Cybertronians pay for every debt they owe us, down to the nearest cent! To the nearest drop of blood which will be spilled in kind!”

The crowd cheered and clamoured and thundered its approval.

Shining Armor looked down at Cadence, whose face was frozen in a look of shock and horror.

“Shining … how could you support this?”

“I’m sorry, Cadence.”

“WAIT!” A dissenter in the crowd shouted. “I’ve got no love for the Cybertronians myself, but how are you going to pull that off? After a few thousand years of warfare, I’d say they’d gotten pretty good at it!”

“Ah. Allow me to answer that, my friend.” Thundertron reached and pulled down a curtain, showing the Requiem Blaster mounted to the underside of his ship. “Behold, the Requiem Blaster! With all the power of a star going supernova, with this weapon, this doomsday device, we will scour the universe clean of Cybertronians! We will cleanse planets of their Cybertronian infestations. We will cure them of the disease, the affliction, that is the Cybertronian species!”

The crowd clamoured and roared its approval, backing Thundertron one-hundred-percent of the way.

Meanwhile, Cadence turned away and returned to the dropship … alone, while dripping tears from her eyes.

“Back by yourself?” The pilot asked. “What happened to SHining Armor?”

“He’s not coming.” Cadence said. “Take us back.”

“Understood.” The pilot set about activating the ship. “And, hey … whatever happened, I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.” Cadence said. She flew up into the pilot’s lap and rested her head on his leg. “If you don’t mind … I’d like a shoulder … or a thigh to cry on right now.” Cadence sobbed into his shin armor.

The pilot’s first instinct was to remove her so he could focus on his job, but he resisted the impulse. He wasn’t a Decepticon anymore. This was the kind of thinking he’d been trying to distance himself from when he signed on for Galloway’s program.

“Take all the time you need.” He told her.

() x 22

In Hydia’s homeland, there stood a high castle, built upon the peak of a mountain. Snowy, chilly winds whipped around the brick, ice settling between the snow.

The huge double doors of the castle were opened by magic, and Hydia stepped through.

“Welcome to my humble abode, Starlight Glimmer.” Hydia said. “These are my daughters, Reeka and Draggle.”

Hydia gestured to two human-looking females, one skinny with red hair, the other rotund with dark hair.

“Oh! Is that a pony?” Reeka said. “It’s been so long since we’ve laid eyes on one!”

“Yes, dears. This is Starlight Glimmer. She’s going to be our guest for awhile. Entertain her, would you? And dears, she’s a foreigner, from Equestria, so don’t be surprised if she has difficulty understanding our ways.”

“Oh, boy, a foreigner! How exotic!” Draggle said. She and Reeka went up to Starlight and began pushing her. “We are gonna have so much fun together!”

Starlight was not as enthusiastic. “Eh-heh … sure. Whatever you say.”

Hydia smiled as they left. She turned around to metal footsteps, Steeljaw entering behind her, the doors large enough he had no trouble fitting in … and with space to spare.

“They seem like they’ll have a good time together.” Steeljaw said.

“Yes.” Hydia said.

“Hydia …” Steeljaw said. “Could I talk to you about something?”

“What?”

“I know you’ve been associating with a centaur. By the name of Tirek, if I’m not mistaken.” Steeljaw rubbed his fingers together. “You know I’ve traveled back into this time from the future. I was hoping I could ask you to send him back to Tartarus where you found him while you still can, before he has time to recover and amass his magical power. He’s become quite the troublesome thorn in the side of the Decepticons in the future, you see.”

Hydia nodded. “I understand what you’re saying. I will take it … under advisement.”

“Good.” Steeljaw said, smiling and turning his head to hide his displeasure at her not agreeing right away.

Hydia walked away, thinking to herself.

Tirek is a powerful ally, especially if I’m going to take over this land, while he gets Equestria,  and I’ll not turn on him just because a metal werewolf from the future told me it was a good idea.

() x 23

A Ministry official pushed open the door to a massive palace, covered head to toe in arctic gear. Heaving, he shut the door behind him.

“Greetings, Defense Minister.” Serpentor greeted him. “Did you have a nice trip?”

The Minister spat. “All I can say is that this ‘Cobra-La’ is not all, as I believe you say, ‘cracked up to be.’”

“That’s a shame.” Serpentor said. “I think it’s lovely myself.”

“Regardless.” Doctor Venom said, walking forward.  “Do you have an update on your progress?”

“Yes.” The Minister produced a folder. “Production is going at a steady rate. We should have an army before too long.”

“Excellent.” Doctor Venom said.

“Your intentions …” The Minister said. “Are they pure? How can I be sure that once my people have made this army, you will not … repossess us of it?”

“Minister, let me assure that COBRA, my college Serpentor and myself at your full support. Whatever is you wish to do with this army, we will let you do so.”

“Not to mention, if we wanted to build Transformers, the ones we could make ourselves would be far superior.” Serpentor grumbled.

“My first priority is the defense of my homeland from more Cybertronian-related collateral damage.” The Minister said, taking the folder. “If you’ll excuse me, I will go check on how the army’s manufacturing and training is going.”

“But of course.” Venom bowed. The Minister let himself out, pushing the heavy door himself rather than ask for help.

“Think we can trust him?” Serpentor asked.

“So long as he continues to belief our assistance is in his country’s best interests, yes.” Venom answered.

() x 24

“Commander.” Magnum motioned for Twilight’s attention. “We’re picking up what seems to be a distress call in the Himalayas.”

“The Himalayas?” Twilight tilted her head. “Interesting.”

“It might be a trap.” Magnum warned. “Think about it. A signal in the Himalayas?”

“If it is, we still have to investigate it, if only to know who’s trying to trap us and why. We’ll be ready. Gear up, team!”

The Imperial team, including all of Twilight’s friends, Crosshairs, Team Prime, Magnum, and Crosshairs and Drift, emerged through a GroundBridge, arriving at a valley inside the Himalayas.

Twilight, decked out in her armor, stopped short when she saw who was sending the signal. “Steeljaw.”

Steeljaw cracked a menacing, unsettling grin, accompanied by his Pack and Starlight Glimmer.

“Twilight.” Steeljaw said. “I’m so glad you responded to my call.”

“Starlight.” Twilight said, relieved to see Starlight Glimmer alive. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Twilight paused. “Oh. But now this means I’m going to have to fight you.” She reminded herself.

“Yes.” Steeljaw said. “I’m given to understand you and Starlight have some scores to settle. And that Starlight has a thing for the cold. That’s why of all the places we could have gone, I picked the Himalayas.”

Starlight stepped forward, her horn crackling. Steeljaw’s Pack tensed up, as did the Imperial team.

Magnum stopped and looked up. He pointed the at sky. “Look. Over there. What’s that over the horizon?”

Steeljaw chuckled. “I admire your attempts at duplicity, Autobot, but do you really I would fall for such an old and obvious trick?”

“No, Steeljaw.” Thunderhoof grabbed Steeljaw by the shoulder. “He’s right. Look!”

Everyone looked up to see a white, metal beak emerging over the horizon. The object continued forward, revealing massive bat wings swung upside and backwards, and blasters pointing from beneath the beak.

Twilight recognized the wings. “Is that … Thunderwing?”

“It looks like Bludgeon’s Decepticons have refashioned him into a ship.” Magnum said. “Like some … zombie, Decepticon version of Omega Supreme.”

“Yeesh.” Crosshairs shrugged. “I used to be a mercenary, and even I think that’s a little heartless.”

“Well?” Bludgeon asked Starscream, standing inside the ship’s bridge. “What do you think, Starscream? Did I promise you a ship, or did I promise you a ship?”

“Yes.” Starscream said. “Most impressive. Now, where are those Imperials we detected around here?”

“Right there, sir.” A Vehicon pointed to the screen he was monitoring. “In the valley below.”

“Ooh. In a valley. This couldn’t be more perfect.” Starscream. “Charge up the ship’s weapons and open fire. We’ll bury them in the snow.”

The Vehicon went to do as ordered, but he hesitated. “Sir, we’re picking up Decepticon signals down there.”

“Eh.” Starscream flicked his hand in dismissal. “If they’re not one of ours, there’s a good chance they’re Imperials. Open fire.”

“Commencing firing sequence.” The Vehicon reported, pushing in the commands.

A panel opened beneath Thunderwing’s beak, deploying and revealing a large cannon similar to the ones on his robot mode arms. The cannon charged up a pulse and opened fire, shooting erratically at the valley to bring it crashing it down all those therein. Purple beams strike the walls, destroying much of the rock and allowing the snow and ice to come sliding down.

“Avalanche!” Twilight shouted.

“Gee, you think?” Crosshairs quipped.

“Everyone, get out of here! Move! Move!” Twilight ordered, sweeping a hoof.

Steeljaw’s Pack had the same idea, each of them taking their own approach into getting out of the valley before the snow buried them in. Most of them converted to vehicle mode and drove away, but Thunderhoof used his outlier ability to pound open a hole for him to hide in, while Steeljaw jumped into the air and began wall jumping and crawling on the walls, using falling rocks as platforms to bounce off of.

Starlight turned around and attempted to run with the Pack, but a piece of hail hit her in the hind leg and made her fall over. When she realized she couldn’t get up, she tried to teleport, but she couldn’t focus.

“Steeljaw!” Starlight reached a hoof out to him. “What are you doing? Help me out of here!”

“Life lesson, Starlight.” Steeljaw shouted over the rumbling of falling rocks as he clug to a wall. “In a crisis, it’s every Decepticon for himself!” He proceeded to  jump higher up, where he began to fade from Starlight’s view.

Starlight was devastated. “But …”

The Imperials, retreating back towards a Bridge, were waylaid when Fluttershy, hearing Starlight’s sounds of distress, stopped and turned around. Fluttershy saw Starlight struggling to move.

“Fluttershy!” Twilight shouted. “We need to get out of here!”

Fluttershy stared, transfixed.

“You go on without me, Twilight.” Fluttershy said.

“WHAT?”

“I’m going to save her. Go.” Fluttershy gestured her head at the Bridge.

Twilight was stunned.

“I understand. Fluttershy … you make sure you rescue her, because I’m not letting her die on my watch a second time. Or you.”

Fluttershy smiled and nodded. Twilight ran into the Bridge, while Fluttershy galloped towards Starlight.

Fluttershy increased her pace, just barely avoiding being hit by a falling icicle. She jumped up and converted into her ladybug mode and sped towards Starlight, her wings flapping furiously.

Starlight grunted, trying to push herself up again, sweat beading down her face while her horn fizzled uselessly. She sighed and panted, ready to give up and accept her fate.

Fluttershy zoomed by like a ball of dark green lightning, snatching Starlight up in her insect legs and flying her away from the avalanche, moments before a massive pile of snow landed where Starlight was a minute ago.

Fluttershy tilted up and flew upwards, wings beating hard. She searched around the valley until she found a cavern opening. She flew in, carrying Starlight inside and dropping her to the ground to let her rest. Starlight, exhausted, collapsed.

It took some time, but eventually, the avalanche finished up, leaving a massive blockade of snow inside the valley.

Fluttershy kept watch by the entrance, peeking her head out every now and then. She watched as snowflakes fell from the sky in a gentle, dainty fashion, so much unlike the chaotic, dangerous avalanche she was dealing with a scant few minutes ago.

Fluttershy’s ear twitched at a sound. She looked to see Starlight coming to, rubbing her head as she woke up.

“Hello.” Fluttershy said. “It’s nice to see you’re awake … Starlight Glimmer, was it? I’m Fluttershy.”

“Yeah.” Starlight stared at the ground. “Fluttershy.” Starlight glanced at Fluttershy. “You’re Twilight’s friend, right?”

“One of them, yes.” Fluttershy answered.

“W-why did you save me?” Starlight asked. “Twilight hates me”

“Because it was the right thing to do.” Fluttershy said. ‘I couldn’t just stand by and let that no-good Steeljaw abandon you like that.”

Fluttershy walked up to Starlight. “And she doesn’t hate. In fact, I think she wants to be your friend. But something about your ideology and the way you do things is … discouraging her from that idea.” Fluttershy said gently.

“Hmm. I can imagine.” Starlight said.

Fluttershy peeked outside. “It’s too dangerous to try to leave by hoof … and I’m not sure my wings could keep aloft for an extended period of time.”

“But didn’t you-”

“Rescue you from certain doom? I did, but that was a short burst.” Fluttershy said. “Besides, the snow would get to my insect wings, and I can’t carry you very well in my pony mode.”

“Pony mode?”

Fluttershy pressed a hoof to her ear. She was met with static and crackling. “Ah, and either the weather or the cave is causing interference with my comm.”

Fluttershy walked up to Starlight and laid down, cross-legged.

“So, I guess you and I are stuck with each other for a few hours until somepony comes to rescue us.”

“Somepony’s coming to rescue us?” Starlight asked.

“Don’t worry.” Fluttershy said. “I know my friends. They wouldn’t leave me. As soon as it’s safe, they’re going to send in multiple teams to try and find me. In the meantime, we should figure out something to pass the time. Why don’t you tell me about yourself, Starlight Glimmer?”

Starlight turned her head. “There’s … not much to tell, honestly.”

“Oh, I can’t believe that.” Fluttershy said. “Here. Why don’t I make this easier on you? I’ll start.”

() x 25

“Firing successful, sir.” The Vehicon reported to Starscream. “Avalanche caused.”

“Good.” Starscream said. “Send a team down to search for stragglers and survivors. They’ll be weakened and disoriented by the avalanche, but still a threat, and potential prisoners.”

“I beg your pardon?” Deathsaurus said, walking into the room. “I am the leader of the Forged, and I say we don’t need to waste precious resources that. The avalanche will set our enemies back enough for us to claim victory elsewhere, but only if we move now.”

The Vehicon looked to Deathsaurus, then to Starscream, not sure who to obey over who.

Starscream repeated the order. “Search the area for stragglers and survivors.”

“Countermand that order.” Deathsaurus said.

“Dang it, Deathsaurus!” Starscream said. He pointed a finger at Deathsaurus’ chin. “Don’t underestimate the Autobots, or the ponies. You have no idea what they’re capable of! Of what they can do when they set their minds to it!”

“Maybe so, but I am still the leader of the Forged, and my orders stand. What I say goes.” Deathsaurus crossed his arms.

“In case you haven’t noticed, this isn’t just the Forged anymore! It’s the Forged and the Mayhem, working together. No, it’s more than that! It’s Decepticons with common goals working, like it should be, the way of the universe.”

Starscream’s eyes widened as a realization struck him. He got an idea. He chuckled. “Then again … maybe what the Forged needs is a new leader.”

“What are you saying?” Deathsaurus asked, giving Starscream a suspicious eye.

“I’m saying, Deathsaurus, that I’m challenging you to a trial by combat for undisputed leadership of the Forged.” Starscream struck up a dynamic pose, pointing at Deathsaurus.

Deathsaurus laughed. “Ha ha ha! You really think you can beat me, Starscream, in a fair fight? I mean, look at you! I’m three times your size! But very well. I accept your challenge.”

The Arena was set up out on the outer bow of Thunderwing. Shockwave, Fearswoop, Bludgeon, and Soundwave, and various other Decepticons all gathered around to watch the match for Forged leadership.

Deathsaurus and Starscream stood opposite of each other, claws bared, raring to go. Starscream flexed his fingers. Deathsaurus did the same.

“Yaaah!” Deathsaurus shouted, revealing an amount of missiles and cannons hidden in his both, including a twin-barrelled weapon he held in his hand and a flail. He charged at Starscream, his weapons blazing, pump-pump-pumping out bullets, missiles, and artillery shells. Starscream easily ducked to the side, avoiding the majority of the fire. Brandishing the Thunder Talon, Starscream dashed at Deathsaurus, smacking him with the Talon, sinking the Talon’s claws into his chest and crunching down on it.

Deathsaurus gasped he pried the weapon out of him - and with considerable pain. He threw Starscream aside before stumbling, clutching at his wounded chest. Electric sparks crackled from the panels.

Deathsaurus heaved a big sigh and turned out. “That’s quite a fancy weapon you’ve got there, Starscream. But I think it’s a little unfair for you have to your fancy Beast Hunter weapon, whereas all I have is just normal weaponry. What do you say we make a fair fight? Just you and me, mano en mano. No weapons.”

Starscream smirked and chuckled. “Very well. Soundwave.” Starscream walked up to Soundwave and gave him the Thunder Talon for safekeeping.

Starscream walked back to Deathsaurus, tensing and flexing his fingers. Deathsaurus cracked his knuckles. He refrained from charging, trying to catch Starscream off-guard, before doing so, rushing straight at him.

Starscream moved to the side, grabbing the Deathsaurus by the arm and swinging him around, using Deathsaurus’ bulk against him, making his momentum hurl himself into the ground. Deathsaurs pushed himself up and growled, baring his teeth as he got to his feet.

“Rah! Rah! Rarh!” Deathsaurus shouted, attempting to strike Starscream with a variety of jabs, punches, and slices with his claw. Starscream blocked each blow, using his arms to stop Deathsaurus’ blow short of his own chest or head.

“Enough of this.”

Starscream caught Deathsaurus’ next punch in his bare claw, to Deathsaurus’ surprise. Deathsaurus wasn’t sure if he was underestimating Starscream, of if the Beast Hunter upgrade made him stronger.

Starscream flexed his free claw. He raised it up, jamming upwards into Deathsaurus’ gut, the same way he had done to Cliffjumper all those years ago.

Deathsaurus gasped and fell to his knees, looking up at Starscream with his eyes wide in shock as Energon pooled out of his chest, dripping to the floor. Starscream’s face was cold and unreadable, expressionless.

“Aait … ugh … no … impossible … you must have … cheated … somehow … ugh … uck … agh.” Deathsaurus burbled out, before gargling Energon out of his mouth, his eyes still open and his mouth wide open as if he’d been infected with rabies before Starscream took his claw out, allowing Deathsaurus’ dead body to topple forward.

“Well, I guess that settles that.” Starscream said, turning and walking away from Deathsaurus’ body.

“He … he killed Deathsaurus.” Fearswoop said in awe. “He actually did it. Starscream the Cowardly actually did it, in a fair fight, and he won! Without cheating!”

“No way.” Heavy Load said. “There has to be something we missed … hasn’t there?”

“Like I said …” Starscream glanced to Soundwave, who tossed him back the Talon. Starscream caught it with one hand. He leaned in towards Deathsaurus’ body. “Three leaders is a party, but four is a crowd.” Starscream raised his voice. “Would anyone else like to question my claim to leadership?”

“N-no man.” Fearswoop waved his claws. “No, man, we’re good. We’re good.” This earned a smirk from Starscream.

“Force. The only thing most Decepticons understand. Well, aside from you, Shockwave.” Starscream affixed the Thunder Talon to his back, where he kept it. “Now that I am the undisputed supreme leader of the Forged Decepticons, do me a favor, dears, and …”

Starscream gestured his head at Deathsaurus’ body.

“Clean that up.” Starscream said before walking away.

()() x 26

“And that’s the story of how I learned that I was an animal lover.” Fluttershy concluded her tale. “I mean, they were just … so nice to me.”

“Fascinating.” Starlight said. “Can I ask you a question?”

Fluttershy nodded. “Of course.”

“What … are you?” Starlight asked.

“Oh.” Fluttershy chuckled. “That’s easy. I’m a Transmetal half-Insection hybrid.”

“Okay. How did you … get like that?”

“Well, an Insecticon Queen wanted me to be her successor.” Fluttershy said. “So they tried to put me in a pod to convert me into an Insecticon, and then my friend Ratchet interrupted the process before it was complete, turning me into this!” Fluttershy said. She sighed. “I miss Ratchet.”

“And you don’t ever get … angry about that?”

“It … really is kind of the perfect fate for me. I mean, for somepony who loves animals as much as me, and the Insecticons pretty much are animals, so becoming a half-animal was pretty the best thing that could happen to me.”

A cold wind blew into the cave, causing Starlight so shiver.

“Oh my.” Fluttershy stood up and walked over to Starlight. “Here. We’d better get cuddle together for warmth.”

“Okay …” Starlight said, leaning into Fluttershy’s body, letting Fluttershy wrap a wing around here.

“Think you can teleport us out of here?” Fluttershy asked.

“Are you crazy? A unicorn can’t teleport blind through walls!”

“Really? But my friend Twilight does it all the time.”

Starlight sighed. “Even if that’s true, I … I can’t. I’m … too … too …”

“Scared?” Fluttershy asked. “It’s okay to admit it.”

“Nervous, yeah.” Starlight said. She looked around before glancing at Fluttershy. “Can I ask you another question?”

“Sure.”

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

Fluttershy shrugged. “It’s just the way I was raised, I guess. I’ve alway been a kind soul. If I see somepony struggling or in need, well … I can’t help but want to help them. Maybe I’m a bleeding heart, but that’s the way it is.”

“Hmm.” Starlight said. “Fluttershy?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. For … being here with me.”

“You’re welcome.” Fluttershy said.

Another gust came in through the cavern entrance, making Starlight and Fluttershy shudder.

“Well …” Fluttershy said. “I guess this is it, then. My Insection parts can stand more of the cold than you can, but a few more breezes like that, and we’re both done for.”

“Yeah, probably.” Starlight sighed. “Thank you again, Fluttershy … for sticking with me, despite, you know, everything I did to Twilight.”

“No problem.”

“I just wish …” Starlight said. “I wish I could have a chance to make amends, because … she was like the sister I never had.”

“Oh, Starlight …” Fluttershy wrapped her leg around Starlight to comfort her.

“Well … I guess this is the end.” Starlight leaned into Fluttershy’s shoulder and closed. “Fluttershy, if I go before you - and let’s be honest, I probably will - promise you won’t cry or beat yourself up over it?”

“I …” Fluttershy hesitated. “Okay. I promise.”

“Good …” Starlight said.

“Wait.” Fluttershy’s ears perked up. “Did you hear that?”

“You’re imagining things, Fluttershy …”

“No.” Fluttershy said. “I hear something.”

Fluttershy was right. There was a crunching of snow beneath a boot. Someone was coming towards them for sure. But it was friend or foe?

A yellowish hand reached up from the edge of the cavern entrance, grabbing onto the ledge. It pulled itself up to reveal Sunset Shimmer, in all in her human glory.

“Sunset Shimmer!” Fluttershy exclaimed in surprise.

“Hi, guys.” Sunset said. “I heard you two were in need of a ride?”

“You bet!” Fluttershy said. “But … you’re still in your normal clothes. How are you not freezing?”

Sunset raised up her hand, engulfing it in fire and turning into a red claw. “Blazing infernal she-demon queen, remember?”

Starlight gave Fluttershy a surprised look.

Fluttershy rolled her eyes off to the side. “I’ll … explain later.”

With Sunset Shimmer’s help, using her pyrokinetic powers to light the way, melt the snow in the way, and warm up their bodies, Fluttershy and Starlight were able to make their way out of the cavern and climb up to the top of the valley.

Fluttershy flew up to a ledge and perched, reaching down to help Starlight and Sunset up in turn, bringing them to the lip of the outside of the valley.

“So, Sunset Shimmer.” Starlight asked, standing off as Fluttershy took Sunset’s hand. “How come you came and found us?”

“The Imperials sent me.” Sunset explained, watching her footing. “I felt I wasn’t doing enough to contribute to the cause, so when I heard Twilight was looking for volunteers for a search and rescue, I signed up.”

“But … why were you willing to come and rescue both of us?” Starlight asked. “Surely Twilight told you all about the things I did up to now before she sent you out to save me.”

Sunset waved her hand. “Don’t sweat it. I used to be a bad guy, too, until I got a stern talking-to.”

“I am not a bad guy!” Starlight insisted furiously, sweeping a hoof across her chest. “Just because I lied to and manipulated my townsfolk, used my friends as guards to my authority, and … took advantage of a helpless pony … without any of her … memories … doesn’t … make me a bad guy.” Starlight began to lose her steam and conviction, realizing how amoral her actions were when phrased in such a way and spoken out loud, especially the ‘taking advantage of’ bit.

Sunset smirked at her.

“Still.” Starlight said, keeping a hoof to her chest in pride. “That’s just who I am.”

“I know who I was.” Sunset said. “But I changed. Why can’t you?”

Starlight was at a loss for words.

“So, Sunset …” Fluttershy said. “How come you’re not a pony? I thought you had only control of the mirror on the other side.”

“My magic’s strong enough that I can take any form I want, on either side.” Sunset said. “I guess I’ve been human for so long it’s just my default now.” Sunset put a hand over her eyes, squinting to the distance. “We should be able to get to the rendezvous from here. Hope you don’t mind a trek, Starlight Glimmer.”

“Mind? Why would I mind?” Starlight asked deflectively. Physical labor was not her strong suit.

Twilight, with the rest of her team, paced around helmetless, letting the cold bite at her face. She fretted and worried about whether any of her soldiers would find Fluttershy in time. So she was elated when she turned and saw Sunset Shimmer walking back with Fluttershy and Starlight.

“Fluttershy! You’re okay!” Twilight got ready to embrace her friend, but stopped in place when she saw Starlight with them. “And … Starlight, too. I’m … not sure how to feel about that.”

“Heh.” Starlight chuckled, approaching Twilight.

“I’d like to be happy, Starlight. I would.” Twilight told her. “But you’ve been so … unpredictable and crazy that for all I know, this is just a setup so you could get close to me and hit me while my guard is down.”

“That is something that I wouldn’t put past myself.” Starlight said. She looked to the ground. “But …”

Starlight dropped to her knees, holding her front hooves up in begging. “Oh, Twilight, please forgive me. I … I had a talk with Sunset Shimmer on the way here.” Starlight explained to Twilight’s confused expression. “And it made me realize just how much wrong I did to you, how much I could have hurt you irreparably …  with no memories, no idea of who are you … I’m sorry. I said it before, I’ll say it again. I meant when I said you were like a sister to me. I promise you, I will turn over a new leaf … if you’ll have me, and take me in as a friend.”

Twilight smiled. She tried to hide the tears forming in her eyes. “I meant it when I said you were like a sister to me, too. I’ve forgiven some pretty heinous stuff in my time, Starlight. I’m sure I can find it in my heart to forgive you too.”

Starlight smiled, sniffing, her eyes quivering as she cried tears of joy.

Unfortunately, any good vibes the two might have generated disappeared when a hail of energy blasts rained down around them, Decepticon jets descending on their position.

“Forged, attack!” Starscream ordered.

() x 27

Attinger walked around on the facility pondering his next move in the investigation while ignoring the whistles of rockets and explosions as they continued to test different models.

His investigation was going to be cut short, as a spherical drone floated down from the sky in front of him.

Attinger nodded his head at the sphere. The drone produced a blipping hologram of a Ministry agent.

“Hello, Attinger.” The agent said.

“What do you want?” Attinger asked.

“We know that you have been working on an army of Cybertronian-derived drones.” The agent said. “We know it is only a matter of time before it you investigate and realize we have been working on the same. We know that you … Americans will disapprove of us having drones. We would like to propose s.”

Attinger crossed his arms. “What is your proposal?”

“We propose a battle between the two armies.” The agent said. “You send your machines against ours in the Himalayas. Our armies will battle, one will stand, and the winner will be allowed to keep their drone army.”

“Hmm. And the loser?”

“The loser will not have any drones.” The agent said.

“You expect me to gamble a valuable asset, a useful resource, and a powerful weapon for the safety and defense of my country, not to  mention wasting the money involved in the research and construction, on what amounts to a drunken wager between two alcoholic macho men about who would win in a fight?” Attinger said.

“No.” The agent said. “We expect your American secret agent paranoia to lead you to send your drones in the hopes of removing these weapons from the hands of a power that does not answer directly to your government. Let me say this. We will put our drones in position in the Himalayan mountains. You can send yours there. Or you can not. Simple, isn’t it? The choice is yours.”

The agent smirked before the hologram was dismissed. Attinger watched the drone fly away.

Attinger turned away. He cricked his neck, thinking about what the agent had said.

“Damn it, he’s right.” Attinger walked towards the facility’s main building, pulling out his cell phone and dialing Gould. “Gould, it’s me. Got a mission for your drones.”

() x 28

“W-what do I do?” Starlight quivered as Vehicons surrounded them.

“Do you know how to fight Decepticons?” Twilight pulled up her helmet.

“No.”

“Then stay behind us, and keep out of harm’s way.” Twilight told her before running up to a Vehicon, deployer her exo-suit’s hoof blaster.

“This shouldn’t be too hard.” Magnum said, grabbing one Vehicon by the head and bashing it into another. “Just Starscream and a few Vehicons.”

“Yeah.” Crosshairs popped a Vehicon in the chest with both his guns. “What’s the problem?”

“The problem …” Drift slashed a Vehicon. “Is that.” He pointed upwards.

Starscream, Fearswoop, and Heavy Load fell from the sky, thudding on the ground.

“Aww, yeah.” Fearswoop spewed fire from his claws. “I’ve been waiting for this! Prepare to get yours, AutobOOOOTS!”

Fearswoop screamed in response to Magnum picking him by the eyestalk and throwing him up to the ground, where Magnum stomped him for good measure. Although this left him open to a shot in the back from Shockwave.

“We’ll handle Starscream. Girls, with me!” Twilight ordered, galloping up to Starscream.

“What’s this?” Starscream observed as Twilight’s friends rush towards him. “Ah, yes. The herd coming together to defeat me.”

“You had this a long time comin’, Starscream.” Applejack stood by Starscream’s foot and prepared to buck him.

“Ah, yes. Applejack. Whose prodigious Earth pony strength allows her to dent even Cybertronian armor with her bare hooves.” Starscream mused … before rearing his foot back and kicking Applejack clear across the field. “What, you think I’m just going to stand here and let you hurt me?”

“Hey! You can’t do that to A.J!” Rainbow Dash protested.

Rainbow Dash flew towards Starscream, her lips flapping from the speed she was using to hurtle herself towards him like a wrecking ball.

Starscream whipped out his Thunder Talon and caught Rainbow in its pincers, sinking the pincers into her sides and draining her speed from her. Starscream shook Rainbow from the Talon, throwing her to the ground.

“Some ponies never learn their lessons.” Starscream mused.

“Oh, that is it.” Pinkie Pie said. “To quote Rarity, it is on!” Pinkie Pie aimed her party cannon at Starscream and fired, getting a lucky hit and plastering Starscream in cake and confetti.

“Oh no! Not the party cannon!” Starscream fretted. “Now whatever will I do, with all this cake gumming up my joints and keeping me from moving? Maybe I’ll activate the inbuilt sprinklers I had installed for just this occasion!”

“Yeah!” Pinkie cheered. “Wait, what?”

Pinkie was dismayed when water sprayed out from Starscream’s joints, bathing him and washing the cake off, allowing him to move freely.

Rarity used her magic to gather up a pile of snow, coalescing together in a massive snowball which she hurled at Starscream. Starscream didn’t lose his cool, calmly firing the rocket from his arm, which hit and exploded the snow boulder into powder. Twilight tried to take him out with a barrage of lasers, alternating between her horn and her onboard blasters, but Starscream was able to use Dash’s stolen speed to block each shot with the Thunder Talon.

“What do we do?” Applejack asked. “This guy has a counter for every move we make!”

“I - I don’t know!” Twilight cried.

A whir hummed from the air above. Energies swirled around, until a blue vortex appeared in the middle of the air. Captain Bumblebee jumped out of the Bridge, kicking Starscream in the chest.

“Boo-yah!” Captain Bumblebee backflipped and landed on his feet. “We are back in business!”

Starscream stared in shock, having no idea what was happening. Captain Bumblebee pulled out his sword and struck Starscream across the chest, batting him aside.

“Future Bee?” Twilight asked. “You’re back! But how?”

“It wasn’t easy.” Captain Bumblebee said. “But eventually, we found somewhere we could lay low, and we managed to build another Time Bridge. So, how are things? Did you find out what happened yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Um, excuse me? Hello? Yoo-hoo! Major villain over here who is very confused about what is going.” Starscream said. “COuld somebody please contextualize this for me?”

“Oh. Um.” Captain Bumblebee said. “I’m Bumblebee. From … the future.”

“Oh.”

“Oh? You accept that crazy story just like that?”

“My worst enemy is a sparkly purple pony. So time travel is not a stretch by any means.” Starscream said.

“No doubt.”

Starscream took advantage of this friendly conversation to slash Captain Bumblebee across the face.

“Should have seen that coming.” Starscream quipped.

“Yeah. I should’ve.” Captain Bumblebee said, smirking before he slugged Starscream in the face, knocking Starscream onto his back.

“So, update me.” Captain Bumblebee said, turning to the ponies. “How have you been? How are things? Have you all called your parents recently?”

“You’re being very chipper for someone who lives in an apocalyptic, dystopian future.” Twilight said.

“I have to be!” Captain Bumblebee said, putting on a terrifying, twitchy grin.

Starlight Glimmer watched from afar. She observed Starscream’s fallen body and notice nobody was offering to help him up. Getting a determined expression, resolving to show Twilight that she could change and be like her, she walked up to Starscream, unnoticed.

“Hey.” Starlight said, right as Starscream was pushing himself up. He looked at her slack-jawed.

“I’m Starlight Glimmer.” Starlight introduced herself. “I notice nobody was helping you up, not even to take you prisoner, so I thought I’d come by.”

“Oh? Really?” Starscream asked.

“Mm-hmm.” Starlight said. “Listen to me. I know you think you’re doing what you want by being a bad guy, but you’re not. You’re just hurting people. I should know. I was in the same place you are just earlier today. Turn over a new leaf. Embrace friendship instead! You’ll find life is easier when you’ve got your friends with you.”

Starlight smiled and offered Starscream her hoof.

“Friendship, huh?” Starscream said.

“Yes.”

Starlight’s eyes bugged out when she felt metal wrap her body as Starscream clasped his claw around her.

“Listen here, Starlight Glimmer.” Starscream held her up to his face. “You’re not on Equestria anymore. You can’t solve problems with just liberal application of friendship and forgiveness. Equestria may be a friendship-driven paradise, but it’s time you got a lesson in how the rest of the universe works.”

“Starlight Glimmer!” Twilight shouted, seeing Starscream holding her.

Starscream transformed while Starlight struggled, inserting into his cockpit and restraining her with the seatbelts of the pilot’s chair. His afterburning spewed off some weak fire before firing up and jetting him upwards.

Fluttershy transformed into her ladybug mode and barreled at him.

“No!” Captain Bumblebee ran towards Starscream and threw his sword at Decepticon. Starscream avoided by dodging to the side, and turned around to face Captain Bumblebee, shooting him with a rocket, the explosion from which blew Captain Bumblebee down to his back.  The rest of the girls gathered around him to make sure he was okay, not paying attention as Fluttershy followed Starscream.

() x 29

Fluttershy followed Starscream up to the underside of Thunderwing, where a hatch opened to allow Starscream inside. Fluttershy was able to fly up and reach inside, using her small body to hide to the side of the hatch until she was sure the coast was clear.

She heard Starscream transform and landed.

“Take this prisoner to a cell and secure her.” Starscream ordered two Vehicons, handing them Starlight, who wobbled around in the Vehicon’s palm before collapsing, not used to riding in a jet.

Starscream went one way, and the Vehicons went another.

After watching Starscream’s legs pass by the hatch, Fluttershy dared to venture out. She searched around and saw the Vehicons carrying Starlight and gasped. Regaining her composure, Fluttershy flew up to the ceiling, clamping to the ceiling with her insect legs.

One of the Vehicons stopped. “Did you hear something?”

Both of them turned around, aiming their blasters. They scanned the area, looking for intruders. When they saw nothing, they moved on.

Fluttershy sighed in relieved, hiding in a corner. She fluttered on, following the Vehicons until they threw Starlight into a cell. They closed the door, locked it with a password, and walked away.

Fluttershy checked both sides of the hallway before moving in. She walked up to the door where they had thrown Starlight. Rather than try to guess the passcode, Fluttershy armed her weapon and blasted her way in, even at risk of drawing attention.

“Starlight?” Fluttershy asked, walking into the room. Starlight was lying on the floor, despondent.

“Hello, Fluttershy …” Starlight said before turning away.

“Starlight, I’m here to rescue you.” Fluttershy said. “You need to come with me.”

“What’s the point?” Starlight grumbled. “I’m no good to anypony. I might as well be in here.”

“Don’t say that, Starlight.”

“Oh, really?” Starlight asked bitterly. “My first attempt at trying to be more like the kind of pony I assume Twilight wants me to be, and I failed. And not only did I fail, I’ve now been captured by some insane robot who is missing an eye!”

Fluttershy pursed her lips. “Okay, so you’re in desperate need of a crash course in how things work in the universe now … and trying to make friends with Starscream wasn’t your best choice. But you can’t let that get you down.”

“I can and I will.”

Fluttershy tensed up, hearing metal footsteps out the door. “Okay, maybe you can lie around and feel bitter and sorry for yourself, but later. We have to go now, because I promise you, as much as you and Twilight got off to a rocky start, if you stay here, the Decepticons will hurt you. They will torture you, and they will kill you.”

Starlight looked up in surprise. “Fine.” She stood up. “But just so that I have somewhere safe to wallow in my misery.”

“That’s perfectly fine, dear.” Fluttershy said. “Now follow me.”

Fluttershy led Starlight through the hall she had blasted in the door, before guiding her down the hallway, where she raised a hoof to stop Starlight, peeking over the corner.

“Two guards in the hall.” Fluttershy said. “We’re going to need some way to past them.”

“Well, can’t we just throw something at them?” Starlight asked. “Or you, even. All I have to is cast a Want It, Need It spell and -”

“No, no, no.” Fluttershy said. “You can’t do that. Equestrian mind-affecting magic doesn’t work on Cybertronians.”

“It doesn’t? How? Why?” Starlight asked, utterly shocked.

“Something about their brains.” Fluttershy said. “Twilight explained it to me, but I forget what she said. In my defense, it all sounded like technobabble to me.”

“Uh-huh.” Starlight looked up. “Well, what about the lights?”

“That … could work. Can you affect them from here?”

“Please.” Starlight said. Her horn lit up, and all of the nearby lights flickered.

The two guards looked up. One of them activated his comm. “Uh, hi. Bridge? Is there a scheduled power outage? Lights are flicking in hallway 12B.”

“No, there isn’t.”

“Well, you know what Starscream says that means.” One of the Vehicons said.

“Yeah.” The other Vehicon prepped his weapon. “If someone’s messing with the lights, it’s probably an Autobot trying to create a distraction. Intruder alert!”

Fluttershy blinked. “Okay. That wasn't I was expecting to happen.”

“What do we do now?” Starlight asked.

“I say we … run!” Fluttershy galloped down the other way of the hall they had just come from, with Starlight following.  When they reached the other end, they were dismayed to see another pair of Vehicons from a joining hallway, who swiped at them and tried to grab them. The ponies ran in the other direction, but another pair of Vehicons stopped them. They turned around again to the first set of Vehicons, and a rocket landed by them, knocking both of their feet.

“Ah, Fluttershy.” Starscream walked up to them, as more Vehicons surrounded them. “You’re here to rescue Starlight, I presume.”

Fluttershy stood up, glaring daggers at Starscream

“Yes, that didn’t go too well for you, did it?”

Fluttershy fired her blaster at Starscream, who nonchantlantly ducked. A Vehicon came forward and stomped Fluttershy, pressing her into the floor with its boot.

“Shall we take them both prisoner?” The Vehicon.

“Yes, of course … actually, no.” Starscream reached down and scooped up a terrified, hyperventilating Starlight Glimmer in his claws. He held Starlight up to his face, keeping a firm grip on the shivering pony. Starscream flashed a maniac grin.“I’ve just had an idea for this one. A wonderful, awful idea … ”

() x 30

“We need to rescue Fluttershy.” Twilight stomped her hoof, regrouping to the base.

“Yes.” Rampage spun the circle of his chaingun. “We must rescue Fluttershy as soon as possible. I will tear through a thousand of Starscream’s men if that is what it takes.”

“And Starlight Glimmer.” Captain Bumblebee said.

“And Starlight Glimmer, of course.” Twilight said.

“Twilight, I don’t think you understand.” Captain Bumblebee. “In the future … well …since you died, Starlight Glimmer has been our best source of magical defense and offense.”

“Really?” Twilight said. “Starlight Glimmer? I didn’t think she had it in her. Why not Trixie?”

“Trixie is not nearly as powerful as Starlight is. Starlight loves her town and its ponies. She knows the Decepticons wouldn’t exactly approve of a hidden village of ponies, so she fights with us to defend them. Speaking of which ...” Captain Bumblebee looked around. “The rest of my team should have come through the portal with me. Agh, the Time Bridge must have run out of power. Guess I’m stuck here on my own.”

“Twilight ...” Captain Bumblebee glanced at Rampage. “Could I get you to come with me somewhere else? I need to talk to you about a few things.”

“Sure.” Twilight led Bumblebee into another room. “What is it?”

“It’s about Rampage.” Captain Bumblebee said. “We have to make sure we rescue Fluttershy, and then once we do, we have to keep her safe. In the future that I come from, Fluttershy was shot during a battle today and died. Her death drove Rampage into a deep craze … crazier than normal, and that rage allowed the Decepticons turn him against us. He tore a path of destruction through lands and led Deception battalions with frightening efficacy. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen. Any change in the timestream, no matter how small, could prove helpful, and one less Decepticon general is one less Decepticon general to worry about.”

Rampage, eavesdropping outside the room after noticing Bumblebee’s glancing, overheard all this. Rampage turned his head. “Hmm.” He was going to have confront the truth. Lockdown was right. He did have some … romantic attachment to Fluttershy. Call it Florence Nightingale syndrome. And if what Future Bumblebee said was true, it meant he would go the warpath. Rampage stalked off to think about this.

“Understood.” Twilight said. “But you realize any change could have unseen consequences? You’re familiar with the butterfly effect?”

“Any change would be an improvement.” Captain Bumblebee. “Twilight, believe me when I tell you I would rather accidentally erase my own existence than spend another waking nightmare in that living hell.”

Twilight’s jaw dropped. She saw the fury in Bumblebee’s eyes. The anger. The pain.

“I … understand.” Twilight said. “Anything else?”

“There is one more thing.” Captain Bumblebee said. “The Chinese Defense Ministry, with COBRA’s help, have been working on creating their own Cybertronians. Attinger and Gould don’t approve of that, so  they’re going to have a secret, undeclared war between their two armies. It’ll happen in the Himalayas, later today. So we need to rescue Fluttershy before then.”

Twilight nodded. “Got it. Rescue Fluttershy and Starlight from Starscream, beat Starscream, and be at the Himalayas in time to stop this Freedom War from escalating even further.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes.

“Piece. Of. Cake.”

“That’s a good attitude, Twilight.” Captain Bumblebee said.  “Wish I could still be like that. But … you know.”

() x 31

The Imperials returned to the valley, setting up around the edge.

“Starscream’s ship was somewhere around here.” Twilight said, doing a sweep of the perimeter. “If he hasn’t set course for somewhere else, it should still be around here somewhere.”

“And it is! Look out!”

Twilight and the others rolled out of the way of a massive green laser beam which cut a swath of destruction across the landscape, leaving scorched earth in its wake.

“Hahaha!” Starscream pumped his fist, manning a massive laser turret mounted on Thunderwing’s bow. It had a chair, a massive laser barrel, and a small glass orb mounted beneath the barrel. “I’d say that test run was a success!”

“You’ll never succeed at this.” Fluttershy said to Starscream, chained up on the bow. “My friends will stop you. And do you think it’s a good idea to leave me chained here on the deck where my friends can get to me easily?”

Starscream chuckled. “Will they? We’ll just see about that. As for your question, you’re not there to be rescued. You’re there to be a hostage if this goes … unsmoothly.”

Starscream cranked a lever on the laser, firing the beam again. He swiveled the chair around, trying to hit Magnum and the Imperials near his position.

“We need to take out that laser, or we’ll never get close.” Magnum said.

“I’m on it.” Twilight rocketed upwards the laser, her jets burning.

“Wait …” Twilight squinted through the visor. “What … is that what I think it is?”

Inside the glass sphere of Starscream’s weapon was Starlight Glimmer, unconscious, held up by shackles, with an iron mask over her mouth, a device clamped to her horn, sucking out her magic and using it to power the laser.

“Yes.” Starscream chuckled, running his claw over the side of the sphere. “Ingenious, is it not? I realized Starlight Glimmer, as a unicorn, must have had magic potential. I’ve been troubled by Equestrian magic for so long … I thought I would make it work for me, for once. And the best part is, you won’t risk breaking her out, because you don’t want to hurt her. Do you?” Starscream chuckled.

“You’re a monster.” Twilight said through her mask.

Twilight flew up to the sphere. She folded her mask up, not caring if Starscream saw her face. She tapped the glass.

“Starlight.” Twilight said. “Starlight, hey. Wake up.”

Starlight groaned, scrunching her eyes before opening them. Her eyes widened when she saw where she was, darting between the chains before focusing on Twilight.

“Hey. Hey, it’s okay.” Twilight said. “I know you’re scared, but you’re gonna be fine, okay? I’ll get you out of here. Just … stay calm. Don’t worry. I’m here for you, Starlight.” Twilight smiled, a tear rolling down her cheek. Her voice cracked. “Y-your sister is gonna get you out of here, okay?”

Starlight’s eyes wavered. She responded with a tear in kind.

“Oh, please.” Starscream said. “Someone spare me from this romantic drama.”

Twilight glared at Starscream before focusing on Starlight Glimmer. “Starscream is using you to power up his laser, got it?”

Starlight nodded.

“So I want you to do … is overpower the laser.” Twilight said. “Feed it everything you’ve got and make it overload.”

“Hah!” Starscream scoffed. “You think I wasn’t prepared for the possibility you might try to that? This thing has circuit breakers. It will never overload.”

“Ignore him, Starlight.” Twilight said. “You can do this. You have the magic. You have the strength. You have ... me.”

Starlight’s eyes watered. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Starlight tried to do what Twilight told her. She focused up her, charging up all the magic she could and releasing into the draining clamp. The laser fired a blast in response which demolished part of a mountain.

“Keep going.” Twilight said.

Starlight kept going, pouring more and more of her magic into the device. The entire sphere was encased in the blue glow of her horn as she tried to let out every ounce of magic she had.

“I told you, it’s not going to work.” Starscream, more bored than anything.

Twilight glared at him. “Push harder, Starlight. I need just a little more from you.”

Starlight began to sweat, overexerting herself as it was. The magic swirled and crackled around the sphere.

“A little more … a little more … now!”

Twilight charged up her own horn, a massive red aura emanating from it. She smashed her horn against the sphere, causing it to shatter, unable to handle Starlight’s magic and Twilight’s at the same time. The entire sphere crumbled and fell to the floor in shards.

Twilight flew up to Starlight and embraced her, casting a force field around them while the device exploded from the overload, sending Starscream flying in an arc where he landed and tumbled across the deck of the ship.

Twilight flew Starlight down, where they smiled at each other before turning to Starscream. “Give up, Starscream. You can’t beat us.”

“You haven’t won yet.” Starscream said, even though smoke was coming off his shoulders. He reached over and snatched Fluttershy up into his arm, her chains rattling. “Don’t make a move, or I’ll turn her into streamers!” Starscream brandished his claw.

Fluttershy looked down at Starscream’s. Glancing up to be sure he was paying more attention to Twilight than her, she transformed into her ladybug mode, snapping her shackles, and dug her mandibles into Starscream’s arm.

“Yeeeow!” Starscream screamed and threw Fluttershy to the ground, where Fluttershy rolled onto her feet.

Starscream rubbed his sore arm. “Why didn’t I think to include a mode lock? Stasis cuffs or something? Mmm?” Starscream was confused when a blue glow took up his left right, while a purple one took his right.

Smiling at each other, Twilight and Starlight lifted Starscream with their magic and threw him overboard, sending him hurtling off the ship and into the snow below at a falling speed which was quite painful for him.

“Ow.” Starscream groaned.

Twilight teleported Starlight, Fluttershy, and herself in front of Starscream, where the rest of the Imperials gathered around.

Starscream got to his feet, baring his teeth. He pulled out the Talon, ready for a fight.

“Give it up, Starscream.” Twilight said. “You can’t beat all of us.”

“Oh no?” Starscream said. “That’s where you’re wrong. I still have an ace up my sleeve. Starlight Glimmer, would you kindly turn your magic on Twilight and her friends?”

Starlight rolled her eyes. “And why in the wide-wide world of Equestria would I do that? After you kidnapped me and used me as a battery to power your weapon of mass destruction?”

“Excellent question.” Starscream answered, pulling out a remote-like device. He pushed a button, and a screen projected, showing Starlight Glimmer’s town, where Double Diamond, Sugar Belle, and others were rounded up into a circle, surrounded by Vehicons and Bludgeon. “Because if you don’t, Bludgeon and the others will burn your town to the ground and kill everypony in it.”

Starlight gasped.

“So, what’s it going to be, Starlight Glimmer?” Starscream asked. “We’re not so different, you and I. We’re both manipulative, and we desire the approval of those we look up, even if we are somewhat ... resentful of them.” Starscream shook his head. “But I’ve grown out of that. I know you want to impress Twilight, Starlight. You would to look good to her. So now, my question for you is … do you earn Twilight’s approval by trying to take me out, letting your townsfolk die so you can impress someone you barely know, or do you turn on Twilight, and throw any good graces of hers you may have had out the window?”

“I … I … I can’t do that!” Starlight said. “This is an impossible choice!”

“Pardon me, darlings.” Rarity said, walking away. “I have a call to go make.”

“Starlight …” Twilight said. “I want you to know-”

“Uhp uhp uhp!” Starscream said. “No helping her with her decision, Twilight Sparkle! This is something she has to choose herself. Speaking of which … tick tock, tick tock, Starlight! What’s going to be? Who are you willing to sacrifice for who?”

“I … I can’t decide!” Starlight shouted. “Do you hear me? I literally cannot decide!”

“Aw, boo hoo. Well, that stinks. Because you have to!” Starscream said. “And quickly, before I decide for you and give Bludgeon the signal to go ahead!”

A Bridge opened in the projection of Starlight’s town.

“Eh what?” Starscream said.

Ultra Magnus came flipping out of the Bridge, hammer held in his hand. He landed a kick on a Vehicon’s head, using it as a springboard to bounce to the next kick them in the chest before landing on his feet. Magnus tapped the Magnus Hammer to the ground before aiming it and shooting a bolt of lightning which traveled from Vehicon to Vehicon, electrocuting them and knocking them out. That done, Ultra Magnus flashed a thumbs-up to the camera.

Twilight smiled. “Nice one, Rarity.”

Starscream babbled and stammered before recovering his cool. “No matter! He’s still no match for Bludgeon with the Dark Spark!”

Bludgeon prepared to fire upon Ultra Magnus, aiming his open palm. Electricity crackled in Bludgeon’s fingers.

The Space Bridge opened again. Omega Supreme’s cannon arm came through and took aim, shooting Bludgeon and blasting him miles away.

“Really nice one.” Twilight said.

Starscream’s jaw dropped in shock, unable to believe what had just happened, happened. His scheme failed. His backup foiled. His ace in the hole given a royal flush.

“Give it up, Starscream.” Captain Bumblebee said. “You can’t beat all of us. You’re under arrest.”

“Oh, yes, of course, officer.” Starscream said, raising up his hands as Captain Bumblebee came near him. “If you’ll just allow me to … disarm myself.”

Starscream opened a panel on his arm, taking out a black and yellow canister. He ran his thumb over it and dropped it.

“Whoops.”

Captain Bumblebee’s optics widened in realization. “It’s a flashbang! Everyone cover your eyes!”

“A what?” Starlight asked. Her question was answered in the form of a blinding light flashing across her ears, and an awful, piercing ringing sound in her ears. She covered her eyes and went down on the ground.

Starscream transformed to jet mode and flew away. The Imperials tried to shoot him down, but were unable to land a hit before he was up on Thunderwing’s deck again.

Starscream landed on the deck, where Shockwave and Heavy Load were out to investigate the commotion.

“This day is lost.” Starscream said. “Turn the ship around and retreat. We will fight another day.”

“Aww.” Heavy Load said. “I was really hoping to kill Fractyl this time. Oh well. One day, Fractyl, one day …”

Thunderwing was turned around and boosted off for parts unknown. Twilight didn’t order the Imperials to pursue. They had other problems to deal with.

“Now, Bumblebee … what was that you were saying about a drone army?”

() x 32

After taking a moment to regroup, Ultra Magnus approached Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight looked up at him. She opened her mouth to speak.

“I’m sorry.” Ultra Magnus said. “You were right. Everything you said to me was absolutely right. I have endangered the safety of the mission. I have proven I cannot always follow orders, and that makes me as much as a threat to the team as any Forged or Technoist. I’m lucky Starlight Glimmer turned out to be alive. Back when I was leading the Wreckers on Cybertron, I could do whatever I wanted. I was the highest Autobot authority. I could wreck and rule, and if someone didn’t like, I told them to shove it. But I can’t do that loose cannon act anymore. I’m part of a collective, of an army of Autobots, not just a splinter group. I need to either buck up and follow orders from the chain of command, or I can take my trailer hitch and haul it off to somewhere else. As a long serving soldier, I should have known better, and for that, I apologize.”

Twilight blinked.

“I’m impressed.” Magnum said. “That was very mature of you, Ultra Magnus. Very articulate. I don’t expect that from you.”

“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it, cuz’.”

“Apology accepted.” Twilight said. “Now, don’t we have somewhere to be?”

Taking a GroundBridge, the Imperials, a team including Magnum, Magnus, Twilight and friends, Bumblebee (both past and future), Rampage, Grimlock, and Predaking went to another location in the Himalayas.

“You’re sure the gathering was here, Future Bee?” Twilight asked, surveying the area.

“Positive.” Captain Bumblebee said. “Look. There they are now.”

“I have eyes on the Chinese.” Magnum said.

“And I got Gould’s.” Grimlock said.

The two armies were marching into the meeting location from opposite directions. The Chinese drones approached from the east, while Gould’s drones marched from the west. The Chinese army had bulky, rough-edged designs, covered in sharp corners and hard stopping points for their bodies. They seemed gruff and gritty, ready for dirty business. Gould’s drones, by contrast, were slick and smooth, with plenty of rounded detailing and cover panels which hid their mechanical parts. Obvious it was meant to appeal to a consumer by presenting a robot who was slick and stylish.

“There they are.” Twilight commented. “Both of them.”

“Yup.” Ultra Magnus said.

“We can’t let either of them win.” Captain Bumblebee said.

“That’s right.” Twilight realized, her eyes going sappy. “If the Chinese drones win, then Gould and Attinger will up production and try everything they have to come up with superior drones, and this could easily boil over into international war between the States and China, especially with Galloway’s diplomatic skills of a blunt tack. If Gould’s drones win, Galloway’s cabal will realize they work and order more of them to take us out, and they’ll overwhelm us with their sheer numbers. For the safety of both countries, for the sake of our mission, we have to make sure that the outcome of this battle is indeterminate. A draw at best. Is everypony ready?”

“Mm-hmm.” was the collective nod.

“Then let’s get started.”

() x 33

Stinger led his army through a winding path, calling out for his enemies.

“Yoo-hoo! Anybody home?” Stinger looked up to see the navy jet from earlier swoop in, transforming to robot mode and landing in front of him. “There you are, big shot. What do you call yourself?”

“I am Switchblade.” The jet said.

Stinger looked around. “Where’s your army? There’s supposed to be an army here. Or am I gonna have to settle for just beating on you?”

“Hmm?” Switchblade was confused for a moment, but he chuckled. “Oh, I see. You learned tactics from the movies. You thought this was going to be like in your American films where two large armies rush at each other. That’s a terrible tactic. Why I would expose my all of my forces to you at once? But thank you … for making your forces such an easy target.”

Switchblade smirked. Lasers blasts shot from various rocky outcroppings, striking Stinger’s front line and knocking a few of them down.

“Bolts.” Stinger swore. He deployed a blaster from his forearm and aimed at Switchblade. A mortar from the south landed in between them, casting smoke and fire and keeping Stinger of Switchblade from taking aim at each other.

“Huh?” Both leaders looked up to see the Imperials standing over at a boulder.

“Attention, Gould’s drones and Chinese forces.” The War Princess said. “The outcome could potentially usher in a mad arms race between your countries. For the greater good and the safety of both countries, for the sake of the Imperial mission, we cannot allow you to have this fight and report it as anything to your superiors other than ‘inconclusive.’”

“Yeah?” Stinger said. “Why don’t you try and stop us?”

“Thank you, Stinger. We will.”

The Imperials opened fire, blasting away at Stinger’s forces, who by now had gotten the idea to turn back and retreat. Predaking jumped over the Imperial line and landed in front of Switchblade.

Switchblade took out a knife and struck Predaking across the chest, to no effect. Predaking slammed his fist into Switchblade’s chest, sending Switchblade reeling. Realizing he wasn’t going to take Predaking in a head-on fight, Switchblade transformed and flew away, leaving his hidden shooters to deal with Predaking.

Predaking was pelted by fire, which only served to make him upset. He reverted into his dragon mode and began hurling fireballs at the positions of the shooters, tracking the shots to their source.

Present Bumblebee climbed up and hopped over the Imperials’ cover, jumping in front of Stinger.

Stinger stared, clenching his fists. “I don’t know why … but something about the sight of you makes me really mad!” Stinger ran up to Bumblebee and tried to slug him, which Bumblebee evaded.

“Maybe it’s because you know that a knock-off will never be as good as the original.” Bumblebee retorted before slamming his fist into Stinger’s face. Stinger groaned and stumbled, but recovered before Bumblebee could press the advantage, uppercutting Bumblebee in the stomach.

Bumblebee lurched, firing off a shot from his Beast Hunter bow which missed. He steadied his arm and fired again, this time shooting an arrow straight into Stinger’s chest.

“OW!” Stinger screamed, reeling away. He grabbed the arrow and yanked it out, inspecting it. “What is this thing made of, titanium?”

Stinger reared up his arm and tossed at the arrow back at Bumblebee to strike him, which Bumblebee had no trouble dodging. Before their fight could proceed any further, shots from the Chinese drones ripped out the ground between, cracking the earth open and raising a wall of flame. Seeing they couldn’t see each other, Bumblebee and Stinger retreated to cover, with Bumblebee hopping back over the Imperials’ cover.

Behind the rocks, Twilight winced from the booms of explosions, shells whistling in the air before they hit impact.

“We need to figure out a way to smoke out Switchblade’s shooters.” Twilight said.

“Agreed.” Bumblebee said. “We’re not going to make any progress in this mission if we’re constantly being picked off like ducks in a pond.” Bumblebee froze. “You hear that? Sounds like they’ve stopped firing.”

“Stinger probably got a clue and led his forces to cover.” Twilight said. “They’re not going to shoot if they don’t have a target.”

“What’s our play?” Bumblebee asked.

Twilight thought. “Split up. We need to send scouts to pick out where Switchblade’s positioned his snipers and where Stinger took his drones off to. Fluttershy, you can fit into a small space. Can you crawl around, see if you can the snipers?”

Fluttershy nodded.

“I will go with her.” Rampage said.

“Oh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Rampage.” Twilight said. “You’re kinda big, and …”

“I will go with her.” Rampage insisted.

“Okay.” Sensing he wouldn’t let the matter drop, Twilight acquitted to his request. “But … stay low, alright? Bumblebee, you used to be a Scout. Think you still have in you to find Stinger undetected?”

“With my hands behind my back.” Bumblebee said. “We should probably come up with a distraction.”

“I’ve got it.” Ultra Magnus produced a grenade and lobbed it over the cover. It went off, and gunfire sounded, reacting to the noise.

Fluttershy and Rampage crawled away towards Switchblade’s side of the field, while Bumblebee transformed and drove towards Stinger’s last known location.

Fluttershy crawled along the side of the rocks, glancing upwards every so often to see if she could spot a sniper. Rampage followed close behind her, keeping in his crab mode and skittering sideways.

Rampage’s eyes drifted away. “Fluttershy … I have something I want to tell you.”

“Oh, um, I don’t think now is a very good time, Rampage.” Fluttershy. “But … what is it?”

“I …” Rampage said. His antennae drooped. “No, never mind, you’re right. Now is not a good time.”

Fluttershy and Rampage continued sneaking on, stopping when a laser whistled by right above their heads. The air was silent, making Fluttershy tense and wary to move, until Ultra Magnus tossed another grenade, getting another round of surprised laser fire focusing away from their position.

The two of them continued on, sneaking close by to a series of rocks, taking care not to expose themselves. They went almost halfway across the battlefield when Fluttershy’s ear perked up, hearing the hum of an energy blast charging.

“We must be getting close.” Fluttershy concluded. She dared to peek her face over the rocks and spotted a robot kneeling behind a rock formation. “Yes, we’re definitely getting close. Fluttershy to War Princess. We’ve found one sniper. Will update you as we find more. Fluttershy out.”

Fluttershy crawled along, crouching and scooting on her legs.

“Eh?” Rampage noticed something.

High up on the ledges of the mountainside was a gathering of Switchblade’s soldiers on sentry, surveying the land and keeping a watch out for encroaching soldiers. One of them noticed Fluttershy and pointed a finger at her. Two others came by, setting up a massive laser mortar cannon which needed a stand to support it. They placed it down, aimed at Fluttershy, and fired.

“Fluttershy, look out!” Rampage transformed to robot mode and sprinted over, jumping in front of Fluttershy to take the shot.

“RAMPAGE!”

The elongated, blue, sparking laser from the cannon ripped through Rampage’s chest, tearing straight through his nominally armored body, ripping out emerging from a hole in his back. Rampage groaned as he fell back to the ground, landing with a thud, his arms going limp as his head hit a rock, the hole in his torso smoking from both sides.

“Heh. That thing packs a punch.” Rampage said, his optics half-closing.

“Rampage!” Fluttershy cried, running up to him, climbing his chest to make sure he was okay, not caring if the other sides saw her.“Rampage! Oh, Rampage. Fluttershy to Imperials, man down! Repeat, man down!”

Fluttershy cupped Rampage’s chin. “Don’t worry, Rampage. You’re gonna be fine.”

“It’s … heh, nice of you to say that, Fluttershy, but I know what I am, and what I am is not fine.” Rampage said.

Ultra Magnus drove up in truck mode, accompanied by Twilight and others. Magnus reverted to robot mode and took in the scene.

“Oh no …” Twilight gasped, placing a hoof on her mouth.

The Chinese drones stopped and stared, fascinated by why their enemies would be reckless and careless as to expose themselves, trying to attend a soldier who could no longer fight. For what reason could they have to endanger themselves so? They shared glances with each other before crawling down the mountainside and walking up to see what it was.

“Eh? What’s going on?” Stinger asked. He gestured at his troops and beckoned them to follow him. Bumblebee hid behind a rock, narrowly avoiding detection.

“Rampage.” Fluttershy said, trying to hold his head up, but his head alone was too big for her to lift with her hooves. “Rampage, stay with me. You’re going to be fine, okay? You’re going to be fine. Ultra Magnus and the others will open a Bridge and get you proper medical attention.”

“I appreciate that, Fluttershy … but don’t bother.” Rampage leaned his head against the rock. “I can already feel my Spark fading. The blast went through and through right through the chamber.”

“No.” Fluttershy’s eye got teary. “Don’t talk like that.” Fluttershy smacked Rampage across the chin. “Don’t you dare talk like that!”

“Fluttershy …” Rampage closed his eyes. “I have something to tell you. It’s … what I wanted to talk about. Now is a good time, since I won’t be able to do so later.”

“No. No.”

“Ever since Straxus … did what he did to me, the time I’ve spent with you has been the best time of my tortured existence.” Rampage lifted up his arm and put a finger under Fluttershy’s chin. “You are the light in my dark hours … which is all the time. Walking is painful. Talking is painful. In this mutilated, wrecked husk of a body, everything is painful. But when I’m with you … the pain settles down, and everything hurts a little bit less.”

“Rampage.” Fluttershy put her hooves on his hand, taking his finger away from her chin. “Don’t do this to me. Don’t leave me. Not like this.”

“In my time with you, you  made the pain … the agony of my wretched existence, of my strain, experimented on body … so much easier to bear.” Rampage said. “You’ve done your best to try and heal me, to try to … cure me, but it hasn’t been enough. It wasn’t going to be enough. You couldn’t have fixed me, Fluttershy. You could only make my existence less harsh … and life worthwhile.”

“Rampage …”

“Who knows? Perhaps with time, you could have fixed me ... but we’ll never know now, will we?” Rampage looked away. “There is … one more thing. I have been teased and taunted about it, but now I realize, it’s true. I … I have a crush on you, Fluttershy. I love you, Fluttershy. Always, since the day I came to rescue you in the forest. Maybe it’s better it ended this way. I mean … me being a Decpeticon and you being a pony … it … it would have never worked out, would it?”

“Rampage …” Fluttershy let go of his hand, letting it drop and thud on his chest as she finally accepted the reality. This was it. She was going to lose him.

“At least I can rest easy … knowing I gave you the ultimate expression of my love. That I gave up my life … for yours. And isn’t that what they all say love is about? Giving up for each other?”

Rampage placed his finger under Fluttershy’s chin one last time, tilting her head up to look him in the face, while tears streamed down her eyes, dripping onto his finger.

“You’re crying.” Rampage said. “Please don’t cry. Your face is too lovely to be marred with crying. Smile. Smile for me, please, Fluttershy? Just so I can see your smile one last time. Please.”

“O-o-o-okay.” Fluttershy said. She forced her lips to curl upward, showing off her pearly-whites for Rampage, even though her tears continued to flow and trickle. “I’m smiling, okay, Rampage? See? I’m smiling.”

“Ah, that’s better … thank you, Fluttershy.”

Rampage blinked before closing his optics shut, leaning against the rock and letting his arms drop to the ground.

“Goodbye, Fluttershy. Goodbye … my love. Parting is such … bitter sorrow.”

Rampage turned his head to the side.

And just like that, he was dead.

“No.” Fluttershy whimpered. “No. No!” She banged her hooves on his chest in fury. “RAMPAGE!” She continued to beat into his chest. “Get up, get up …”

Twilight looked to Ultra Magnus. Ultra Magnus opened a panel on his arm.

“Sensors aren’t registering his signal.” Ultra Magnus. “He’s gone.”

Fluttershy beat Rampage’s chest one more time before hanging her head, bringing her mane down over her face. She crawled down and slid down his side, landing on the rock.  Twilight walked up to her and embraced her with a hug.

“Oh, Fluttershy, I’m so sorry …”

“I could have fixed him.” Fluttershy said, crying, nuzzling into Twilight’s shoulder and returning the hug. “I could have found a therapy for him. I could have fixed him. I could have cured him. I COULD HAVE!” Fluttershy buried her face into Twilight’s armor, crying a waterfall of tears.

“I know.” Twilight rubbed Fluttershy’s back. “I know you could have.”

Switchblade looked to his troops, a puzzled expression on his face. His troops were as confused, and some of them had their hands over their mouth in shock.

“Pardon me. I … we do not understand.” Switchblade said, walking up to the Imperials. “What has happened?”

“He’s dead.” Ultra Magnus said. “Rampage is dead, and you killed him.”

“Dead?” Switchblade asked. “What does that mean, dead?”

“You … you don’t know what death is?” Ultra Magnus said.

“No.” Switchblade said. “We have only a tangential familiarity with it. When we asked our makers, that said we would not have to make anyone dead.”

“Well, I guess if you’re an absolute nationalist who regards other countries as inferior, then that’s true from a certain point of view.” Ultra Magnus said. “But, uh, yeah. He’s dead. He’s gone.”

“Death is the end of life.” Predaking said, walking in front of Magnus. “It is the cessation of existence, the termination of all lively and bodily functions.”

“Cessation of existence? The end of life …” Switchblade looked down and gasped. “The removal of his chi.”

Predaking nodded. “I do believe you are ‘getting it.’”

“Yes. I …” Switchblade walked up to Predaking, holding an open palm in front of him. Switchblade closed his eyes. “If I focus, I can sense your chi.”

Switchblade waved his palm over to Rampage.

“I cannot sense his.”

“So, you understand?” Predaking asked.

“Yes.” Switchblade nodded. “I believe I do.” Switchblade walked over to Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy, I believe I heard this one call you.” Switchblade said. Fluttershy parted from The War Princess. “Please, allow me to apologize. I am truly sorry that my troops and I killed this one. That we ceased his existence. That we robbed him of his chi. That we took him from you. I pray you may one day forgive us.”

Fluttershy sniffed, her nose wrinkling. “Maybe … but not today.” Fluttershy turned and walked off.

“Um, okay.” Ultra Magnus said. “Now what?”

“If you’ll allow me, Magnus.” Predaking placed a claw on Magnus’ shoulder. “I have some experience with being intended as a killing machine by my creators and turning out … different than hoped.”

Predaking cleared his throat. “Soldiers of Switchblade! Listen to me! Hear me now. Your makers have lied to you. They have told you that you would not have to kill. That you would not have to destroy. But that is what they intended for you to do - to kill and destroy their enemies.”

Predaking pointed to Rampage’s body. “Is this what you want to be? Killers and destroyers? Is this what you want to do with your lives? Or do you want to be protectors, guardians, caretakers of life? If so, then, please … consider joining us. Join the Autobots Imperial in our crusade to unite the fractured peoples of our worlds.”

“I cannot promise that you will not have to destroy or kill. That you will not have to kill one to protect another, or many. But I can promise you, the more people we have by our side, the more we have working with us … the better our chances of reducing the violence and the bloodshed, so that none of you - none of us - ever have to kill again. Are you with me?” Predaking raised his fists.

Switchblade’s soldiers looked to each other. After some initial hesitance, a few of them raised their arms. The rest of them followed.

“What?” Stinger balked. “Oh, come on! I’ve been standin here for five minutes, and this what I get for letting that unfold uninterrupted? A sappy speech about peace and goodness and violence is bad from a literal animal, and a bunch of turncoats?”

“Call me an animal again, and I will rip you to pieces myself.” Predaking clenched his claw at Stinger. He earned odd looks from Switchblade’s forces. “Erm … do as I say, not as I do.”

“Forget that!” Stinger said. “Know your place, drones! Remember who you serve, and open fire on these Imperial bozos! Come on! I came here to wage a war on behalf of my builders, and by golly, I am going to wage a war!”

“No.” Switchblade crossed his arms. “There will not be the kind of war our masters were hoping for today.”

“What? I … grr …” Stinger readied blasters on both forearms.

Switchblade and Ultra Magnus exchanged understanding glances. All of the Imperials and all of Switchblade’s forces opened fire on Stinger and his troops, pounding them with a massive barrage of laser fire.

“Er …” Stinger stammered after taking a huge hit in the chest which left him smoking. “Uh … like I was saying, give peace a chance! RETREAT!” Realizing they were unprepared to to handle the Switchblade’s forces and the Imperials working together, Stinger shifted to his car mode and sped away, leading the retreat of his forces, who gave some cover fire before following.

“War Princess.” Switchblade said, walking up to the Imperial commander. “I am sorry for the trouble I have caused you. I see now that our builders only wanted us to fight, and to fight for their reasons, not ours.”

“It’s okay.” The War Princess said. “We all have to start somewhere.”

“Indeed.” Switchblade said. “I realize now that for the greater good, I must report this battle as inconclusive to my superiors, as you said at the beginning.”

“Or … you could not report it at all.” Ultra Magnus said. “You’re gonna need to get used to that sort of thing and start cutting some ties if you’re gonna roll with us.”

“Hmm.” Switchblade smiled. “Perhaps if COBRA had not insisted on our construction and our ability to fight, this wouldn’t have happened the way it did … and your friend might still be alive.”

“Wait.” The War Princess said. “COBRA’s involved in all of this?”

”Of course.” Ultra Magnus said. “We know the Chinese Ministry of Defense had sent someone to talk to COBRA about building their own Cybertronians, and we know COBRA has the schematics and know-how to do it. They probably gave the Ministry the blueprints and provided the resources so they could build Switchblade and his buddies.”

“And I’ll bet they encouraged the Ministry to arrange this little get-together to test their army’s effectiveness against Gould’s designs.” The War Princess said. “No matter who won, the results would have been damaging, an arms race would have ensued for one side to build better Cybertronians than the other, or at least find some way to counterattack, or even total warfare …”

“Which COBRA could take advantage of by offering its services and support to both sides.” Ultra Magnus said.

“Crafty snakes, aren’t they?” The War Princess said. “Today could have gone a lot differently, and in a number of ways that COBRA would have benefitted from. We need to put a pin in them and put them down, for good.”

“If you would like to put a stop to their operations.” Switchblade said. “I know where they are keeping their fortified base. It is one of their strongest strongholds, home to several of their most important assets.”

“Great.” The War Princess said. “Take us to it, Switchblade.”

() x 34

The Imperials were taken to the gates of the COBRA stronghold, Cobra-La, by Switchblade. The building was nestled inside the side of a mountain, protected by a large wall, with two huge ornate gold double doors for the entrance, with snow covering the sides.

“Wait here.” Switchblade said. He went up to the doors and knocked. “Commander Switchblade here, here for business.”

A scanning beam emitted from the door, scanning Switchblade’s face to verify his identity. The doors opened, and Switchblade, smiling, gestured the Imperials to follow him.

“Ah, Switchblade, you’ve returned.” Serpentor said, turning to the door. “What can I do for … you?”

Serpentor raised up his arm when explosions ripped the door, casting off smoke and throwing shrapnel and debris everywhere. Serpentor’s eyes widened as the Imperials and Switchblade’s forces burst in, opening fire and shooting up the place.

“Everyone, to the front!” Serpentor ordered, pointing a finger. “Our allies have betrayed us!”

All of COBRA’s forces gathered up in the front room, soldiers and other drones pouring in from other rooms.

“Switchblade, what have you done?” A Ministry agent said.

“Freed myself from your restrictions.” Switchblade said. He reached up and grabbed a piece of the rafters, broke it off, and tossed it at the agent, burying him.

“Prepare yourselfs, Imperial fiends! You face both the military might and artistic genius of Major Bludd!” A COBRA fighter jet emerged from a port of in the wall. It soared towards them, its wings roaring, firing off bullets from miniguns.

Predaking reached up and grabbed the jet by its nosecone, snapping it off and tossing the rest of the jet into the wall, where it exploded. Major Bludd punched through the glass before going limp.

Serpentor grimaced. “Attack! ATTAAAACK!”

Soldiers fired guns, test subjects revealed themselves as Bio-Vipers, and pilots emerged in mechs, firing rockets away. The front wall of the building had hole after hole punched into from stray rockets which missed their targets.

The Imperials and Switchblade’s forces continued to fire back, pressing through the all the ammunition and fire COBRA had to offer. The Bio-Vipers batted aside Vehicons, who continued to fire even after being knocked down. Predaking and Grimlock came to their aid, picking up the Bio-Vipers and bashing their heads together before smashing them into the floor.

Ultra Magnus twirled his hammer, feeling confident. He batted aside a rocket with the hammer’s head before pointing it at the mech which had fired and frying it with an electric blast, knocking out the mech and the pilot, before going on to swing the hammer through the legs of another mech, depriving of it a leg and sending it tumbling to the floor.

The Imperials pressed on, their blasters blasting while the rate of COBRA’s bullets continued to slow. Some of the more sane soldiers offered some pitiful attempts at cover fire before retreating deeper into the base, if not bailing and making a run of the exit, where Switchblade’s troops were waiting to round them outside.

Serpentor watched all this unfold with a grimace. He tried to chew out a fleeing soldier for abandoning his post, but was interrupted by a shot grazing his wing. Serpentor looked down, and was dismayed to see one of their tanks take aim, before a Vehicon walked up to it and unceremoniously ripped the barrel off. The pilots emerged through the hatch and tried to run it, but the Vehicon kicked them into the side of the tank, K.O’ing them when their heads hit the metal.

“I am out of here.” Serpentor said. “No use in trying to fight a lost cause.” Serpentor converted to his vehicle mode and flew out the door, laying down some gunfire to cover his escape as he flew over Switchblade’s forces stationed outside. Switchblade’s forces opened fire and tried to bring him down, but he was too fast and faded into the snowy sky.

“Serpentor!” Doctor Venom protested, reaching a hand out. “Don’t leave now! We have so much unfinished work! We have to protect the secrets of Cobra-La!”

A rocket hit the support beam Venom was standing in, collapsing the pillar and some pieces of the ceiling. Doctor Venom gasped when he saw the debris falling down on him, and tried to make a run for it, but was unable to get away in time. The pieces of ceiling fell on top on him and crushed him.

The Imperials and Switchblade continued to storm in as if they owned the place, tearing apart mechs, taking out soldiers, and beating Bio-Vipers until they reverted to their human forms.

“Okay, gang.” The War Princess observed, noticing COBRA’s side hadn’t fired off a bullet in a while. Her surety was interrupted by a few stray missiles blowing off parts of the wall, but other than that tiny detail … “I think we have the run of the place. Start rounding up prisoners and securing weapons and vehicles.”

“Sir, yes, sir!” A few Vehicons saluted, spreading out to secure prisoners. A Bio-Viper tried to stop them, but was easily dispatched with some electricity from Magnus’ hammer.

“Let’s take a look around here …” The War Princess said, joined by Rarity. They arrived at a door. “What’s this?”

The Princess used her magic to force the door open, revealing it to be an elevator. She and Rarity went inside and pressed the button for the basement floor. The elevator shut and carried them downwards.

When it stopped and opened, Twilight and Rarity were shocked to find a massive amount of people huddling together on the floor in blankets, with fires being lit to share warmth between them, while two twins with matching scars stood on a podium, proselytizing about some god.

“Do not fear the cold, my fellow beings!” One of the twins said. “Embrace it!”

“Yes! Endure your suffering in this life, and Koh-Buru-Lah will reward you in the next!”

“What’s this?” One of the twins said, noticing The War Princess and Rarity. “Xamot, it would appear we have visitors!”

“It would appear you are correct, Tomax.”

“Alright, show’s over, you two.” The War Princess said. “Everyone, listen to me. You’re safe now. You can go home. You don’t have to stay here as prisoners, or listen to the drivel of these two any longer.”

“As if!” One of the humans shouted. “We’re not prisoners. We’re refugees.”

“What?”

“We came down here to escape the likes of radicals like you.” The human pointed to the War Princess. “When you announced your intent to wage war on the United States, we knew it wasn’t safe for us to stay there any longer. Not with Galloway staging a coup and recruiting Decepticons - Decepticons! - to fight you. The whole thing was just a powder keg waiting to blow.”

“Go away.” The human turned away from her. “Leave us alone. Maybe Tomax and Xamot are cultist recruiters. Maybe COBRA is a terrorist organization. But at least they’ve kept us safe, unlike you or Galloway.”

“I … I see.” The War Princess said. “I … understand. I think.”

“Ooh, look, Tamox.” Xamot said. “I think the pony is confused.”

“Yes!” Tomax said. “I mean, after all, how dare these puny humans reject her empty promises of a utopia where Cybertronians, ponies and humans can work together based on what? The actions of a terrorist group made up of whatever stragglers it can find and recruit?”

The War Princess shook in fury. She walked up to Tamox and Xamot and clocked both of them in turn with her ironclad hoof, knocking them off their feet.

“Stay here if you like.” The War Princess said. “If you want to stay, I won’t force you to leave. But I’m taking these two as prisoners.”

The War Princess began to drag Tamox and Xamot towards the elevator.

“Hmph.” Rarity said. “I’ve never even heard of this Koh-Buru-Lah, and I assure you my studies of human religion have been very diligent.” She huffed before joining the War Princess on the elevator, helping her to carry their prisoners.

() x 35

While her troops and Switchblade’s continued to comb through Cobra-La and secure it to try to wrest the remainder of its secrets, Twilight Sparkle left the building and went outside. Finding a snowy peak for her to rest on, she climbed to the top and sat down, taking her helmet off and staring at the ground.

Ultra Magnus stepped out of the building. He saw Twilight sitting there in the cold and went up to comfort her, walking up and sitting down next to her.

“Noticed you left the building.” Ultra Magnus said, laying his hammer across his lap. “Aren’t you cold in that armor? What’s got you down?”

Twilight looked up at him. She sighed. “Inside the building … on the bottom floor. Rarity and I found a bunch of humans.”

“Oh no. I’m guessing … ”

“And they were refugees. From the States.”

“Oooh. I was gonna guess experiments.”

“From us.” Twilight said. “Obviously, we can’t make them leave …”

“Not morally, no. But we could do it …”

“They’re still going to need to have food and water now that we’ve run COBRA out of the building. But I just …” Twilight brought a hoof over her face. “I just … I never imagined people would be running away to take up refuge … from me. From something I did. I never imagined, when I formed the Imperials, this would be the result. To … to put fear into people and drive them running straight into the arms of a terrorist organization. I never … I never really thought of us a a terrorist organization. I thought we were freedom fighters, rebels, renegades fighting for what’s right when no else would, but to them … to them, we are terrorists. To them, we’re no better than Galloway or - or the Forged or Megatron-era Decepticons!” Twilight buried her face into her hooves.

“That’s rough, buddy.” Ultra Magnus said.

“Ultra Magnus, I need to hear a little more right now than just ‘that’s rough!’” Twilight snapped, a tear streaking her face.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, I know.” Ultra Magnus pinched his nose and heaved a deep breath. “Alright, listen … you can’t control how other people react to your actions. Heck, sometimes you can’t even control the results of your actions. You just gotta close yours, brace yourself, and do what you think is right … even if nobody else agrees with you. Even if everybody else disagrees with you and is against you, you still gotta do it. And if all it goes wrong … if all goes south and blows up in your face … then all you can do is hope … that you don’t go too far. That you don’t cross too many lines, or stub too many toes, and that one day, when the dust has settled and everything is said and done … that you’ll be given the chance to redeem yourself.”

Ultra Magnus took his hand and placed his fingers on Twilight’s back to comfort her.

“All you can do is hope … hope that one day, you’ll get that chance … to excuse the horrible things you’ve done. That’s all you can do … is hope for redemption.”

Twilight looked up at him.

“Thank you, Ultra Magnus.” Twlight wiped a tear from her eye. “That helped. And … it actually really gave a great insight into what goes through your head.”

“Really?”

“Yup! Especially about what you were thinking when you decided to, you know, drop a mountain on Starlight Glimmer.”

“Never gonna let that go, are you?”

Twilight giggled. “Nope.”

“It seemed a perfectly justifiable and reasonable course of action at the time!”

() x 36

After some time spent driving, Lockdown went outside the bounds of the Rainbow Principality, where he reverted to robot mode.

He held up his arm, producing a projection of a Quintesson.

“It is about time you responded.” The Quintesson said. “You have had us on hold for thirty minutes.”

“Yeah, yeah. I just needed to get somewhere we could take freely … without being overheard.” Lockdown glanced over his shoulder at the Principality.

“Have you considered our offer?”

“Yeah, I’ve considered it … and I accept, on one condition. Another 10000 Shards.”

The Quintesson sighed. “Very well. But your services had best justify this.”

“I’m sorry, have you not heard of me? I’m Lockdown. I always catch my quarry.” Lockdown smirked. “I’ll head up in my ship and rendezvous with your Star Seekers in deep space. I’ll give them the intel on the Imperials there.”

“Excellent.” The Quintesson said. “And Lockdown? Do not fail. The consequences will be dire.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Lockdown said, before slamming his hand down on his arm and hanging up.

“For us.” The Quintesson whimpered inside his home, standing with his fellow Quintessons.

() x 37

“Helex’s log, day seven of our trek … we’ve been wandering around this backwater planet for a week now, and we still have no idea of where we are or how we got here.”

“Not true, Helex.” Tarn raised a finger to object. “We can conclude from those radio posts that we are on a planet called ‘Earth.’ Unfortunately, that’s about all we can conclude.”

“It wouldn’t be so bad if this place wasn’t crawling with fleshies …” Helex grumbled, as the six of them continued to trek through the desert.

“I agree wholeheartedly, Helex, but slaughtering them en masse, as I would love to do, would only draw undue attention to ourselves. In our weakened, disoriented state, I’m not sure we could put as much of a fight as we should be able to if we were to bring some local law enforcement down us … I have seen a few Cybertronians here and there.”

“Perhaps we should ask one of the locals for help.” Kaon suggested.

“Oh, no.” Tarn said. “Organics are only good for three things, Kaon. Screaming, killing, and screaming while being killed. And any Cybertronian who willingly consorts with them is no better.”

“At least they have the right idea.” Helex said. “They seem to have a clue where they are on this slagging’ planet!”

“Are you implying something, Helex?” Tarn said.

“Yeah.” Helex crossed his arms. “I’m implying I’m not too happy with the current leadership around here!”

“If you have a complaint, feel free to register to the complaint. Oh wait! We don’t have one! Because our ship is crashed!”

And so they went, bickering on and on.

() x 38

“Whew.” Twilight sighed, arriving at the Rainbow Principality through the GroundBridge, the rest of her Imperial team behind her. “Well, it’s nice we got all of that done. I don’t know about any of you, but I’ve had a long day and would like to get some rest.”

“You’ll have to delay that rest, commander.” A Vehicon approached. “Your day is about to get even longer. We’ve detected a large amount of ships headed on a trajectory for Earth. Come with me. I’ll show you.”

Twilight sighed before she and the rest of the team followed the Vehicon to their satellite room, where Raf oversaw their work. A radar pinged, showing several blips in its field or range

“Can we get visual?”

“Yes ma’am.” The Vehicon pressed a button, and the screens changed to show an armada of starships, all of varying designs, with the Tidal Wave dead in the center.

“That looks like the Star Seekers.” Twilight said. “Of course they’d be back.”

“Wait, is that …? Oh no. I didn’t think it was real.” The Vehicon said.

“What?” Twilight asked.

“The Star Seekers have the Requiem Blaster attached to their ship.” The Vehicon said. “If they reach the planet’s orbit with that thing, the Earth is doomed. It’s a an Artifact of the Primes, a massive cannon powered by -”

“By a star, I know.” Twilight said.

“I had heard a story that Megatron and Optimus Prime had encountered it once, but I thought it was just a folk tale. An urban legend, an exerragation by a few drunkards …” The Vehicon said. “For the sake of everyone on this planet, Princess Twilight Sparkle, we must go up there and stop the Star Seekers from getting close enough to use it on Earth.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Twilight said. “And we need that Requiem Blaster to continue our hunt for the Artifacts … everypony, gear up! We’re going to space! Get as many ships as you can ready to take off!”

The Imperials saluted her before scrambling to do as she ordered. She herself joined Ultra Magnus and the rest of her usual suspects on getting to the prime ship itself, Omega Supreme.

“Let’s show this Star Seekers that Earth isn’t theirs. It’s ours.” Twilight said, climbing up into a seat, her legs flailing off the side, oversized as it was for.

“I hope everyone is buckled.” Ultra Magnus said, pushing a code into a keypad. “Prepare for liftoff. Take us out of here, Omega Supreme.”

“As you command.” Omega said. The ship rumbled as Omega’s engines hummed to life. Everyone in the ship jerked when Omega lifted up off the ground, and held on for dear life when Omega accelerated upward, his engines burning hot with afterburners putting out massive streams of fire. A Space Bridge opened up for them, thanks to the Bridge operating room, which Omega Supreme launched himself through.

“You got a plan for taking on all these Star Seekers, Twilight?” Ultra Magnus asked. “They sure seem to have duplicated since the last time we saw them.”

“No.” Twilight said. “But I’m working on one. You let me worry about that, Magnus. Besides … it’s not like me having a plan is reason for us not to try to stop as many Star Seekers as as we can before they reach Earth’s atmosphere, right?”

“Hmm.” Ultra Magnus huffed.

Omega Supreme emerged from the Space Bridge in front of the Star Seeker armada. Other Imperials arriving in dropships through the Space Bridge soon joined them.

“Where’s the communication relay?” Twilight asked.

“Right over here.”

“Ah, thanks. Ahem.” Twilight cleared her throat before speaking through the system, using her exo-suit’s voice distorter, broadcasting a signal on channels the Star Seekers should have been able to pick up. “Attention, Star Seekers and associates. Our calculations report that you are headed on a course towards Earth. Turn back now of your volition, or you will be boarded and forced to turn back.”

Aboard the Tidal Wave, Brimstone turned to Thundertron. “What do you want us to do?”

“Can we fire the Requiem Blaster?” Thundertron asked.

Brimstone shook his head. “No good. It still needs to charge.”

“Ugh. What good is a superweapon if needs to be charged before each shot? Fine.” Thundertron said. “Tell all our allies to move in front of the Tidal Wave. The Requiem Blaster must be protected until its ready to fire.”

“Sending command now.” Brimstone tapped a touchscreen.

The ships began moving in accordance with Thundertron’s commands, clustering around the front of the Tidal Wave, creating a shield of ships to defend the Requiem Blasters from any projectiles. Some of the ships opened hatches, where armed warriors, some robotic, some organic in armored spacesuits, emerged.

“Looks like they want to do it the hard way.” Grimlock observed. “Fine by me.”

“Why do they always want to do the hard way?” Twilight lamented. “Imperials, you know the drill!”

Twilight, Grimlock, Magnus and others departed from the safety of Omega Supreme, jetting and space-swimming to propel themselves towards the armada. Both fleets of ships opened fire, shooting phaser beams, plasma cannons, and other starbound weaponry.

A red and white robot with elements of a motorcycle vehicle fired blasts from his clamp-shaped arms. Grimlock, Twilight, and Ultra Magnus swung themselves onto the top of his ship.

“Fools!” The robot said. “You will never stand up to the might of the Renegade leader, Cy-”

Grimlock interrupted him by stabbing him in the chest, causing him to bleed oil and fall to his knees when Grimlock jerked his blade out.

“Grimlock!” Twilight complained.

“What? He left himself unarmed and exposed!”

“Yes, but you could have let him finished his vain empty threats before gutting him like a fish!”

“Uh, guys?” Ultra Magnus said. “You might want to have this talk later. Take a look.”

“What?” Twilight looked up and gasped.

“Are those … Lockdown and Shining Armor?” Grimlock questioned.  By all appearances, Lockdown and Shining Armor were floating in space above them, looking down at them with arrogant, in Shining Armor’s case, disapproving, glares.

“W…. what?” Twilight stuttered. “I … I don’t understand.”

() x 39

Back down on Earth, the Decepticon Justice Division was still bickering with each other.

“Oh yeah?” Helex said. “Well, maybe if you hadn’t been so insistent on pursuing every single Decepticon who ever defected or went wrong, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

“None must stray from Megatron’s path! Megatron’s path is the way to true power! To true peace!”

“Peace through tyranny, right? Isn’t that an oxymoron?” Helex asked.

Tarn gasped. “How dare you! Peace through tyranny is an inspired phrase! We named our ship after it! Why you … you.” Tarn raised up his cannon and prepared to fire on Helex. Before Tarn could fire and bring the argument to physical blows, they were distracted by static. “What was that?”

“Sounded like a signal.” Helex said.

“Here.” Tarn grabbed the side of his head. “Perhaps if I adjust my comm, it’ll clear up.”

“Imperials … storm …. Bridge. Autobots are everywhere! Captain Thundertron, what do we do?” A panicked voice asked, becoming clearer as Tarn adjusted his comm to compensate.

“They must be not using a secure channel.” Helex said.

“Based on the level of static, I’d say they’re somewhere up in orbit.” Kaon said.

“Regardless, Autobots?” Tarn said. “You know that old Decepticon wisdom. When in doubt, find the nearest Autobots and kill them.”

“But how are we going to get up there?” Kaon asked. “We don’t have a ship?”

A shot was fired which exploded near them. The D.J.D looked up to see a dropship painted in the colors of the U.S flag hovering over them.

“What kind of colors are those?” Tarn asked.

“Maybe it’s an Optimus Prime tribute?” Helex asked.

“Optimus is blue, red, and silver … isn’t he?”

The dropship’s side door opened, showing an Americon. “Attention, Decepticon Justice Division! You are under arrest for violation of the Alien Cooperation Acts, including undocumented travel, insufficient identification, and failure to register for a license plate! Turn yourself in now, or we will be forced to open fire.”

Tarn stared at the Americon before turning to Kaon. “Sometimes, life throws you a bone. Kaon … if I were to shoot that dropship’s engines out and make it land, do you think you would be able to repair it?” Kaon nodded. “Excellent.”

Tarn raised his armed up, aiming his fusion cannons at the engine. He fired, taking all of the engines out with one clean shot and making it fall. The Americons onboard, seeing the ship was about to crash, transformed to their aerial modes and flew out. Tarn fired at them, giving them a few warning shots, before he and his team went up to the downed craft.

“Alright, boys …” Tarn said, jumping into the door. “It looks like we’ve got ourselves a ship.”

() x 40

“Shining Armor? Lockdown?” Twilight asked. “What are you two doing here?”

“Oh, come on.” Lockdown said. “You didn’t really think I was into your whole, oh friendship and unity and equality thing, did you? No. I’m a mercenary! I work for whoever pays me the most, and I got better offer from them did the one I had from you.”

“I … I’m sorry, Twiley.” Shining Armor. “But the Cybertronians have been interferring in our lives too much. I’ve had enough. It’s time we cut the leash with them, so they’ll stop … messing us up, letting things like … this happen to us!” Shining Armor gestured to himself.

“You’re starting to sound like Galloway.” Twilight said.

“Yeah, well, maybe Galloway has a point.”

Twilight blinked. “I cannot believe you just said that. You did not just say that. You did not just say that.”

“Twiley …” Shining Armor said. “I know this is going to be hard, especially for you, but the Autobots …  they’re not as great as they’re cracked up to be. They’ve hurt a lot of people.”

Ultra Magnus shifted uncomfortably.

“It was war! It was collateral damage!”

“Yeah? Tell that to the motherless sons and daughters, to the widows and childless families they left in their wake.” Shining Armor said, gesturing to the Star Seeker’s fleet. “Everyone in one of those ships is here today because the Cybertronians’ war, the Autobots’ war, took something from them. I know this might be hard for you to understand, but Equestria … our family, will be better if the Autobots don’t have anything to do with us ever again, and between you and me, I don’t think Optimus Prime really had everyone’s best interests-”

“AAAAAAAAH!”

Twilight jetted forth at Shining Armor, ramming him, slamming her hoof into his stomach.

“You … Yoooou YOU PIECE OF SLAG!” Twilight roared, grabbing Shining Armor by the chest and thighs, lifting him up, and tossing him. Any physical effect was lessened because they were in deep space, but Shining Armor got the message.

“Optimus Prime wanted was what best for everyone!” Twilight shouted, going up to her brother and pummeling in the face, alternating between which cheek she pounded. “But you can’t always get what you want! Every death the war caused, even - especially the non-Cybertronians ones, weighed on his Spark! He didn’t show it, but I could tell - we could ALL tell!”

Twilight grabbed Shining Armor by the chin.

“And don’t you dare, don’t you dare to talk to me like I’m still some kind of child who doesn’t know what’s good for me! True, my long path to becoming an Autobot wasn’t the best of experiences … but it still led me to getting some great friends who are more reliable than you’ll ever be!”

Twilight bucked Shining Armor in the stomach, knocking him away. She grabbed him in her magic, then forced him down, slamming him into the side of the ship. She teleported on top of him and tried to punch his face, but he rolled away.

“Twiley, the Autobots spread destruction wherever they go! Look at what they did to you! To Fluttershy to me!”

“Fluttershy and I are perfectly with what’s been done to us! And quit talking like all of it is the Autobots’ fault!” Twilight slugged across the cheek.

“Oof.” Shining Armor groaned, rubbing his cheek.

“I can’t believe you allied with the Star Seekers.” Twilight growled. “Does Cadence know?”

“Yeah … she … she wasn’t happy.”

“Well, good! It’s nice to know there’s still somepony in the family besides me who has their head screwed on straight!”

“Twiley -”

“Don’t call me Twiley, you piece of filth!”

Shining Armor’s jaw dropped. “Twilight … surely you can understand … you have to understand … there’s still damage. You can’t just ignore that. You can’t just blithely forgive them for that just because you weren’t there for it!”

“I can and I will.” Twilight said, floating upwards. “So maybe the Autobots did do a few bad things. Maybe they did destroy a few things and caused some people to die, but almost all of it was well-intentioned. All of it was to stop the Decepticons from taking over. I can forgive them for that. They can make up for it in their own ways. Maybe they can offer themselves as slaves. Maybe the guilt will get to them and they’re ‘repent’ by killing themselves. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Less Autobots to worry about in the universe? I can forgive most of the things they’ve done, Shining Armor. But what I can forgive is you joining up with a bunch of maruders of a self-sure predijucie and the idea that you somehow know what’s best for everypony and what’s best for your little sister like she’s still a lost foal wandering Canterlot with a book in her face!”

Twilight grabbed Shining Armor by the shoulders, deploying the blaster from her exo-suit and pressing it to his chest.

“W-what? Twiley, you can’t!”

“You’re made of Dark Energon.” Twilight said. “Be glad for that. It means you’ll live.”

Twilight opened fire point blank, blasting a hole clean through Shining Armor’s body, the laser bolt exploding out the back. Shining Armor let out a gasp, his tainted blood leaking out from both sides. Twilight adjusted herself and bucked him again, knocking him away and sending him tumbling adrift and directionless through space.

Twilight turned and drifted away. It was a good thing she was wearing a helmet. This way, no one could see her tears.

“Wow, Twilight.” Ultra Magnus said. “That was cold.”

Twilight heaved a deep breath. “Cold … but necessary. And like I said … he’ll live.”

Even if I might not.

() x 41

“Ugh.” Shining Armor groaned, rubbing his head. “Where am I?” He was in a dusty,place, where the sand underneath him was a lifeless grey color, and tombstones decorated the area. Shining reeled back in surprise when he saw Megatron sitting down on a bench beside him.

“Why, hello there!” The mule face of Discord appeared in Shining Armor’s vision. “What have you been up to, mon capitaine?”

“Discord?” Shining Armor asked. “Aren’t you dead?”

“Aren’t you dead? No, no, you’re not. If so, you would have moved on by now.” Discord rubbed his chin.

“Where are we?” Shining Armor asked. “What is this place? How do you know who I am?”

“I know everything there is to know about you, Shining Armor.” Discord summoned a deck of cards and made them fly between his hands, before pulling out a card with Shining’s face and showing it to Shining Armor. “We’re in the limbo. It’s the place where beings of chaos like myself and undead go when they die. See, being of chaos, we don’t follow normal rules of life and death, so unless some greater god takes pity on us, or we redeeeeem ourselves, we end up stuck in limbo.”

“What’s Megatron doing here?” Shining Armor asked.

“Oh, never mind him.” Discord said. “He’s been depressed ever since his last attempt to come back to life failed. Watch.” Discord snapped his fingers, which gave Megatron a clown nose, extra arms hanging off his back, and a tutu. Megatron only sighed before getting up and walking away.

“No, the real story here is you.” Discord said, drawing up to Shining Armor. “What have you been up to?”

“Well, I …”

“Don’t answer that.” Discord said. “I’ll tell you what you’ve been up to. You’ve been allying yourselves with a bunch of anti-Cybertronian xenophobes.”

“That’s … one way to look at it.” Shining Armor said.

“I rather think it’s the only way to look at it.” Discord said, summoning up a hookah and blowing a puff on it. “Especially if I were to look at through the eyes of Twilight Sparkle.” Doing something extraordinarily creepy, Discord made his eyes resemble Twilight’s. Seeing Twilight’s eyes implanted on Discord’s mangled visage unsettled Shining Armor. “You’ve not been good to her lately, have you?”

“W-what do you mean?” Shining Armor asked.

“Well, there’s questioning her word choice …” Discord said.

“Little sisters aren’t supposed to swear!”

“Allying with that human, whom she hates …”

“Galloway has some good ideas.”

“Telling her the Autobots are all unrepentant destroyers, and treating her like a child who can’t think for herself and needs her big brother to do what’s best for her.”

“Well, she does!”

Discord gave a blank stare. He pinched his nose and groaned. “Do you even hear yourself right now, mon capitaine? You just admitted to thinking of your sister - who I should mention, has fought off not just me, but the Decepticons, Unicron, my superior, and is currently leading a tight ship of Autobots and Decepticons with the Imperials - as a child. Tell me, do you really think a child could operate the Imperials with the military precision that she does?”

“Well, I …”

“Do you think a child could uncover the Omega Lock and use it to build her base?” Discord asked. “Do you think a child could manage to sweet-talk those delightfully gruesome Predacons to her cause?”

Discord raised an eyebrow.

“Do you think Twilight Sparkle is incapable of making decisions for herself?”

“I …” Shining Armor said. “Does it really count as decision-making when they’re all bad decisions?”

“Yes!” Discord snapped. “Don’t try to move the goalposts, Shining.” Discord summoned a goalpost, dressed himself up in pigskin gear, and hurled a pigskin through the post. “Denying your sister of the right to make decisions, especially bad ones, denies her of the right to be herself! To be who she wants, to … be.” Discord put stars in his eyes, changing his dress to a Shakespearian outfit.

“I …” Shining Armor said. “I never thought about it like that. I guess I got so caught up in trying to protect her, to be her big brother, that I didn’t think that this what she wanted to do, and that … it’s not up to me and my judgment to decide the Autobots aren’t good for Equestria.”

“Ah! He’s stubborn, but he can be taught.” Discord said. He pushed Shining Armor on the nose, pushing him back. “Run along, little Terrorpony. Your body should have regenerated by now, and if you stay here too long, Megatronus might get wind of you. And I assure you, he will have much harsher words to have with you than I did.”

“Who?”

“Ah ah ah! Run along, run along!”

() x 41

Crosshairs flew up to Lockdown. Gritting, he pulled out his pistol and fired, his slugthrower had minimal effect in the vacuum of space, with the bullet flying out.

Lockdown grinned. “Why don’t we take this somewhere with a little more gravity?” Lockdown turned and flew away, flying up in the port on a shape.

Crosshairs followed up, going inside. The port closed behind him, and Crosshairs felt his feet thudding on as artificial gravity took place.

Lockdown smirked at him from across the hall. Crosshairs twirled his guns and opened fire, blasting away to hit him. Lockdown merely dashed around a corner.

“Traitor.” Crosshairs said, firing in the hopes of grazing Lockdown.

“Aw, Crosshairs, don’t be like that.” Lockdown said. He emerged from the corner and fired a shot at Crosshairs. “After all, you were a mercenary once too, remember? It’s all about the money. The job, not the cause.”

“No.” Crosshairs reloaded his gun. “It’s not. I’m different now. I’ve changed.”

“Ah, you can say that all you like. But we’re not so different. You’re no better than me.” Lockdown said. He pushed a button, and the hallway exploded in front of Crosshairs, sealing him off from Lockdown with a wall of ire.

Crosshairs grimaced and aimed his pistol, before realizing it wouldn’t do anything. He doubled back to find another way to get to Lockdown.

() x 42

Outside the ships, as the melee continued, the ships in the fleet getting closer and closer to Earth’s atmosphere, Ultra Magnus and Twilight were puzzled by the arrival of an American-colored dropship.

“What is that?” Ultra Magnus asked. “Did Galloway get wind of this and take a stake?”

The answer wasn’t Galloway, as the dropship opened to show Tarn standing inside, the treads on his back revving and ready to go.

“Helllooooo, everybody!” Tarn said. “I’m Tarn, leader of the Decepticon Justice Division. We’ve been wandering around that blue planet for days with no idea of where we are or how we get, but we intercepted a communication and went by that old Decepticon adage. ‘When in doubt, kill the nearest Autobot.’”

Tarn jumped out of the ship and opened fire, sending a pink laser beam out at his targets.

“The D.J.D? Aw, slag.” Ultra Magnus said. “We do not have the time or the resources to deal with these jerks and the Star Seekers.”

“Hold on, Ultra Magnus.” Twilight said. “Where you see inconvenience, I see an opportunity.”

“Oh? And just how do you figure that?” Ultra Magnus asked, sarcasm evident.

“Well, despite our best efforts, the Star Seekers are getting closer to Earth.” Twilight observed, taking a glance at the planet below them. “And call me a gambler, but I’d hazard a guess the only reason they haven’t fired the Requiem Blaster is because it needs to charge.”

“As super-mega-lasers do.” Ultra Magnus said.

“I say we take out two birds with one stone. The Decepticon Justice Division supposedly has impenetrable armor, right?”

“Ununtrium-coated, yeah. What of it?”

“So all we have to do is push the Justice Division in front of the Requiem Blaster when it fires.” Twilight said. “It takes care of them, and it makes the Blaster wastes its shot, protecting Earth”

“Sounds a little risky.” Ultra Magnus said. “For all we know, the blast could chew through the D.J.D and still head for Earth. But you know what? I’m a Wrecker. Risky is my business.”

“Besides, I think I might I have plan for that, too.” Twilight said. Twilight glanced over to Fluttershy, who was heading straight for the D.J.D’s ship. “Where are you going, Fluttershy?”

“To talk.” Fluttershy said. “We still don’t know about that tiny female we saw when we erased the D.J.D’s memories. I want to know her story.”

“Okay.” Twilight said. “I’ll allow it. I hope you know what you’re doing …”

The rest of the Decepticon Justice Division poured out of the ship, weapons blazing, screaming and grinning like maniacs. Which they were. All of them except the outlier who had caught Fluttershy’s interest.

Once they were all a safe distance from the ship, Fluttershy floated up to the door and went inside. Flying up to a pad, she closed the door, which beeped and alerted the aforementioned outlier, who stepped out of her seat and waved a wrench.

“Who’s there?” She asked. “Show yourself!”

“Calm down.” Fluttershy said. “I just want to talk.”

“Hmph. I don’t make a habit to talk to organics.” The Decepticon said. “But … you don’t like entirely organic, so I guess I’ll make an exception for you. But speak quickly. Tarn wouldn’t approve of me fraternizing with the enemy.”

“I’m Fluttershy.” Fluttershy said.

“Nickel.”

“Nickel. Interesting name.” Fluttershy said. “You don’t look like a typical Cybertronian … are you a Mini-Con?”

Nickel laughed. “I wish. No. The Cybertronians aren’t the only robotic life out there. I’m from a distant planet called Prion.”

“How did you end up with the Decepticon Justice Division?” Fluttershy asked.

“I’m glad you asked.” Nickel said. “A bunch of raiders, looking to take revenge on the Cybertronians for their war doing … something to them, I don’t know, went and razed my entire planet to the ground. The D.J.D arrived to investigate the aftermath, and they found me in the rubble. They took me in, and we promised we wouldn’t stop until we had our due justice against every organic in the universe for what they did.”

Fluttershy tilted her head.  “But doesn’t trying to take indiscriminate revenge all organics make you no better than those raiders?”

Nickel stared, confused. “I don’t understand.”

“Not all organics hate robotic life the way these raiders did. Besides, you seem nice.” Fluttershy said. “How did a nice fembot like you end up with murderers like the D.J.D?”

“Oh, I’m not nice, I assure you.” Nickel said, demonstrating by tossing a wrench at Fluttershy. “I’m brutal. I’m vicious. And hey … wait a minute … Fluttershy? Wasn’t that one of the names on the hit list?”

Fluttershy’s hairs stood on end. “Um, no. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yeah, yeah!” Nickel said. “Fluttershy, wanted for treason and untruthfully falsifying her support for the Decepticon cause and ideology. I thought Vos killed you already?”

“I, uh, well … gotta go!” Fluttershy blasted herself a hole in the ship to escape through and flew out moments before Nickel tossed another wrench at her.

() x 43

Grimlock, taking his own initiative, managed to sneak by the fleet and float over to the side of the Tidal Wave. He whipped out his sword and stabbed it into the hull, bringing it down and carving out an entrance for him, punching the section in. He entered.

“Intruder!” One of the Star Seekers’ hired hands reported, opening fire on Grimlock with a machine gun. Grimlock walked up to him and crushed the barrel of the gun with his hand before picking the alien up and punching him through the wall.

“It would appear we have a Cybertronian on the ship, Thundertron.” Brimstone noted, observing the reports coming in.

Thundertron rubbed his temples. “Is the Blaster ready to fire yet?”

“Almost.”

“So, Brimstone …” Thundertron said. “Are you just going to sit there and tell me there’s a Cybertronian onboard, or are you going to get up and do something about it?”

“Understood.” Brimstone said. “With me.” Brimstone motioned for the rest of the bridge crew to follow him. They made their way to the port side, where Grimlock was finishing up mopping the last of the security foolish enough to try and stop him.

“Heh. Well.” Grimlock observed, lifting a mercenary over his head and tossing them to the ground. “Maybe you four will actually give me a challenge.”

Brimstone growled, converting into a pterodactyl and rushing at Grimlock.

“Bad move, buddy. I know how to fight dinosaurs.” Grimlock grabbed Brimstone by the beak, snapping it shut before using it to toss Brimstone into the wall.

Outside, the barrel of the Requiem Blaster began to hum, purple energy sparking from inside. A sphere of energy shaped with the shape of an atom’s nucleus formed inside the barrel.

“That’s it.” Magnus observed. “It’s getting close to firing.”

“Time to bring in the big guns.” Twilight tapped her com. “Oh, Omeeega! Are you ready? Have we gone over the plan with you in sufficient detail? Because it’s time!”

“Yes, Twilight Sparkle.” Omega Supreme answered. “I understand.”

Omega Supreme transformed to his massive robot mode, the mere sight of such a large ship transforming into a massive goliath inducing terror in many of Thundertron’s allies, some of whom were even tempted to turn tail and run while they could.

“How did we miss that?” Helex asked. “That ship is Omega Supreme!”

“Bah.” Tarn said. “We’re not afraid of him. Megatron took him down once, then so can we!”

Kaon pouted. “Megatron found a bigger gun, remember?”

Omega Supreme stretched his claw out, before swiping it across the shield of ships protecting the Tidal Wave, batting them all aside, crumpling them and exposing the Tidal Wave for a clear shot. The riders inside the ship were thrown around and slammed into walls, including Crosshairs and Lockdown, who weren’t prepared for the ship to roll around and for the wall to become the floor.

Omega Supreme moved forward, grabbing the barrel of the Requiem Blaster with his massive claw. He pulled the Blaster and the entire ship with upward, making the Blaster face up and away from Earth.

Omega took his other arm and impaled the D.J.D’s dropship with its tip, before using the ship like a sponge to soak up the Division, slamming the ship into them and forcing them into one location. With all of the members neatly gathered onto the ship, Omega placed them in front of the Requiem Blaster, which was almost ready to fire.

“You can’t do this to us!” Tarn protested as Omega removed his hand from the ship. “I don’t know what is you’re planning, but it won’t work! Do you hear me?”

“No!” Thundertron shouted, realizing what the Imperials were about to do. He jumped out of his captain’s chair and went for the Blaster’s controls to try and call off the shot before it was wasted, but he was too late.

“We are the Decepticon Justice Division! We are Megatron’s enforcers! We are invincible! If you think you can get rid of us that easy … you are being deceived!”

The Requiem Blaster fired. The energy nucleus increased in size before converting into an enormous, massive pillar of beam almost a mile wide. The blast struck the Decepticon Justice Division and their ship, blasting off all their armor and separating their weapons from them. Tarn’s fusion cannons came off, as did Helex’s extra arms. Their armor was melted down and destroyed, incinerated by the Requiem Blaster’s firepower.

When the blast cleared, the dropship, having been further from the main blast, was still intact, but a burnt, smoldering wreck. Tarn and the others were reduced to metallic skeletons, only tiny patchwork bits and bobs of color on them even hinting to their original form. There was enough force, enough pressure in the blast to push their bodies out and aside, where they drifted aimlessly before getting close enough to the planet to be caught in Earth’s orbit. There, they were pulled in by the planet’s gravity, and brought plummeting down to Earth as flaming silhouettes, their bodies becoming superheated and turning a bright, eye-searing orange-red as they went into re-entry.

“Heh.” Ultra Magnus chuckled, watching the show. “Assuming they even did survive all of that, we ain’t seeing them again for awhile.”

“Yeah …” Twilight muttered. “Yeah …”

Inside the Tidal Wave, Grimlock continued his bout with Thundertron’s elite crewmates. Cannonball, their bruiser, roared and charged at Grimlock, engaging him in a shoulder-to-shoulder grapple. Grimlock slipped his hands from Cannonball’s shoulders and grabbed his midsection, lifting him up and hurling him into the wall.

Axor jumped at Grimlock, slashing him across the shoulder with hand-mounted ax, to no effect. Grimlock turned his attention to Axor after the futile blew, his visor starin Axor down with sheer menace.

“Heh. Parley?” Axor asked.

Grimlock grabbed Axor’s ax-hand and ripped it off Axor’s arm, followed by taking the ax and slashing Axor across the head and chest.

Sandstorm, from a distance, fired at Grimlock, taking potshots at him. His bullets pinged off Grimlock’s plating. Grimlock, getting tired of this nuisance, transformed into T. Rex mode with no trouble and blew a burst of super-concentrated flame breath at Sandstorm, setting him on fire and melting his chest. Sandstorm fell to his knees, his chest smoking and his body melting. His liquidating fingers couldn’t keep a hold on his half-melted gun, and he dropped it to the floor.

Both Cannonball and Brimstone recovered, and they lunged at Grimlock from opposite sides. Grimlock stopped Cannonball, grabbing him by the throat, and grabbed Brimstone from behind.

“You two would make a great couple.”

Grimlock lifted Brimstone up and jammed him into Cannonball, impaling his beak through Cannonball’s chest. Cannonball gasped and fell to his knees. Brimstone’s optics widened with panic at the realization Cannonball was going to fall over, with him still attached, and Cannonball’s body was going to crush him.

Brimstone raised his wings out, but was unable to stop it from happening, ending up on the floor with Cannonball’s weight on top of him. Brimstone’s outstretched wings struggled and flailed, sticking out from under Cannonball. Grimlock climbed up and stomped on Cannonball’s back, digging his weight further into Brimstone. Brimstone’s wings quit struggling.

“Gah!” Thundertron screamed on the bridge, slamming his fists on the controls. “Curse you, Cybertronians! I curse your kind! I curse your entire, wretched species! You’ve foiled my plans for justice once again! But this is just a setback. There will be a reckoning one day, I promise you, and it will come by my hand! By my judgment! You will be brought to your knees, and you will look up to me and beg for mercy, and I’ll look down on you and say, no!”

“What makes you judge, jury, and executioner of an entire species?” Grimlock asked, entering the room.

“The Cybertronians destroyed my home!” Thundertron said. “They razed my planet and left it for dead, without even so much as an apology card! They took everything from me! My home, my planet, everything! That is what makes me fit to judge you and deliver your overdue judgment on you!”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Grimlock said.

Grimlock took his sword and stabbed Thundertron through the chest.

“That was a rhetorical question.”

“Filthy scoundrel … cheap shot …”

As Thundertron stood there, gasping and cursing Grimlock, bleeding out and slowly dying, Grimlock decided to take some mercy on him and make his death quick. Grimlock lifted his blade up, tearing through Thundertron’s chest before the sword emerged through Thundertron’s head, cutting him in half from the waist up. Thundertron’s bifurcated corpse fell to the floor.

The Star Seekers’ allies, between the intimidating presence of Omega Supreme, and Thundertron not responding to their hails about what to do next, were convinced to turn back and retreat. And any who needed further convincing got it when Omega Supreme took his claw and swiped through the fleet a second time, sending ships tumbling through space.

Far out on their planet, the Quintessons watched from a camera they installed on the Tidal Wave.

“Well … it would appear our plan has failed.” One Quintesson observed.

“Yes … it would seem we need a new plan if we are to endure.” Another Quintesson said.

“The Cybertronians have an expression for this kind of scenario … ‘slag.’”

In the aftermath of the battle, as the Imperials gathered up their men and ships, Twilight and Fluttershy looked on the charred remains of the D.J.D’s dropship.

Fluttershy sighed. “I wish I could have convinced Nickel to change her mind.”

“I know.” Twilight said. “If it makes you feel any better, we already went over the ship. We didn’t find any remains. She might have got out before the blast hit. She might be alive.” Fluttershy perked up at the idea.

Elsewhere, Crosshairs drifted through space, his trenchcoat waving from his motions.

“Hey there, kid.”

Crosshairs was surprised to see Lockdown with his head jutting out from between the wreck of a spaceship and an asteroid the ship had crashed into and become enmeshed with it.

“I realize we never really got to finish our business.” Lockdown said. “Omega hit the ship I was on, sent it barreling, and well, now here I am. If you’ll just pull me out of here, we can continue our fight, as well as our … heh-he … stirring debate.”

“Why would I do that?” Crosshairs asked. “I should just leave you to rust, you turncoat.”

Crosshairs turned to leave.

Lockdown chuckled. “See? You really are more like me than you care to admit!”

Crosshairs froze. He tensed up, before turning back around and floating up to Lockdown.

“That’s where you’re wrong, mate.” Crosshairs said, whipping out his pistol. “Because if I really were like you, then I would just leave you here, because you’re not part of the job I was paid for. But now that I think about it, you still know Imperial intelligence. You’re still a threat, and if someone came by, say, Starscream or Lazerback, you’d have no trouble selling us out and all the intel you have in exchange for getting out of this and maybe a quick quid. If I were like you, I would just leave you here, because the mission’s over.”

Crosshairs clicked the hammer of his pistol, and pressed it up to Lockdown’s chin.

“I”m nothing like you.”

An iron shaft arrow whizzed by, hitting the rock Lockdown was stuck in and distracting Crosshairs' attention.

"No."

Crosshairs looked to see Arcee floating in. Arcee pulled up her Echohawk Bow and pulled the drawstring.

"He's mine."

"Together?" Crosshairs offered, holding his pistol up. "Seems a fair compromise."

Arcee smiled, which Crosshairs took as a yes.

Aiming their weapons, they both fired at the same time, Crosshairs blowing a bullet up through Lockdown's chin and out his skull, while Arcee's arrow penetrated Lockdown's forehead, making sure to destroy his cranial module. The destroyed remnants of Lockdown's head, with his forehead caved in and his mouth gaping, made a gruesome sight stuck inside the wreckage.

Arcee sighed, a burden relieved on her shoulders. She and Crosshairs turned and propelled themselves away, not a care in the world.

() x 44

()(

Inside his office at Gould Enterprises, Attinger sat alone at his desk, with all of his lights turned down and the blinds shut.

The door opened, and a blonde woman stepped inside.

“You wanted to see me, Attinger?”

“Director of Security Charlotte Mearing.” Attinger greeted her. “Yes, I did. Have a seat.”

Mearing took the seat.

Attinger observed the expression on her face. “You know what’s coming, don’t you?”

Mearing sighed. “Yes. I knew it was only a matter of time.”

“Yes.” Attinger grabbed a pencil off his desk, rolling it between his fingers to curb his anger before snapping it in half. “You knew that eventually, I would piece together that you were the only one with the high enough ranking to get the blueprints on how to make Gould’s drones, with the communications to get in good with foreign affairs, who was enough of a bleeding heart to give it to our enemies.” Attinger said. “I have one question for you. Why, Mearing, why?” Attinger slammed his fist on the table. “You were a good agent. You knew what I would do when I found out. Why did you still do it?”

Mearing took in a deep breath. “After I heard the news about the destruction of the temple, my heart went out to the Chinese. I heard they were trying to make their own Cybertronians, and my heart went out to them. So I went up to them and I gave them the means, the know-how, because I thought they deserved the ability to protect themselves from further Cybertronian-related incidents. From you. From Galloway.”

Attinger huffed. “I suppose I can respect that. Of course, now you understand what has to happen … you leaked classified intel to a foreign country. I can’t just forgive that.”

“I know.” Mearing said. “If it makes you feel any better, the Ministry’s efforts … haven’t exactly been approved by the President.”

Attinger raised a bow.

Mearing stood up and turned away.

“And I can rest easy, knowing what I did was right.” Mearing said and walked away in her heels.

Attinger bit his lip. He got up, pulled out his gun, and fired, shooting three shots through Mearing’s stomach. The bullets ripped out, splashing blood from her stomach,and she fell to the ground, dead, her blood seeping into the carpet.

Gould wasn’t going to be happy Attinger had stained his premium carpenter.

“She was a good agent.” Attinger said. “A good agent, a good director. AAAH!” Attinger screamed and slammed his fist on the table, knocking over a few papers.

Attinger raised up his gun, pressing its barrel to his chin, giving thought to pulling the trigger.

“N-no.” Attinger stammered, lowering the gun. “I-I did it for my country. I killed her for the country.” Attinger’s voice broke.  “Her heart ... was in the right place …  but she was still a traitor to the country. A leak. A mole.”

Attinger sighed. He placed his gun down on the desk before pulling out his phone. He would need to do something about the body.

() x 45

Down on Equestria, Fluttershy stood by the river next to her house.

“Wow …” Fluttershy murmured, watching the flow of the river. “It’s been so long since I was last home … I should check up on my animals.”

Bulkhead, Arcee, Magnum, Bumblebee, and Fluttershy’s friends pulled up, carrying Rampage’s body.

“You sure you don’t want to give him a Cybertronian funeral, Fluttershy?” Bulkhead asked. “Have him melted, recycled into protoforms? It would be like they were carrying little pieces of him.”

“Bulkhead.” Arcee bumped her elbow into Bulkhead’s side. “That’s gross.”

Fluttershy barely looked back at them over her shoulder. “No. He would have wanted to have been near me.” Fluttershy stuck one hoof in the river. “We’ll bury him in the river.”

Their attention was snapped to by a jet engine humming overhead. Switchblade flew in, converting to robot mode and landing in front of Fluttershy.

“Hello, everyone.” Switchblade said. “Fluttershy. I understand if you say no, but … I was hoping you would permit me to help with the burial?”

Fluttershy nodded.

“Thank you.” Switchblade said. “This means a great deal to me that you would accept.”

() x 46

After finishing the burial, the Imperials returned to their base and tried to get back to normal operations. After all of the excitement, the first thing on several Imperials’ minds was getting some rest and relaxation.

Rainbow Dash, flying through the hallway, groaned when she found herself stopped by an apologetic Fractyl.

“Ugh. What do you want, Fractyl? I want to lie down, and you’re preventing me from that.”

“Just a moment, please.” Fractyl said. He held up a glass vial. “I wanted to thank you for coming to my aid while we’re in Trypticon fighting Starscream earlier. If you hadn’t arrived when you did, and Starscream and I had been allowed to keep talking … he might have been able to persuade me to switch sides. But thanks to you, he didn’t, and I know now for sure, more than I ever did before, that I signed up for the right side. I mean, would Fearswoop do for me the same thing you did? I think not. So, I wanted to thank you. This is a gift. It’s a vial I’ve used to create chemical mixtures with before. I realize it may a bit … esoteric, especially for an athlete such as yourself, but it’s the best way I can think of to express my gratitude.”

“Oh, Um. Thanks.” Rainbow Dash said when presented with the vial. “And you know, kiddo, with all your talk about chemistry, you should really to apply it in the field some time.”

Fractyl’s optics widened. He slapped his head. “Of course! I could make all sorts of chemical dispersants to use for fighting! Rainbow Dash, you’re a genius!”

Fractyl walked off to begin experimenting.

“Heh. Would you mind telling Applejack that?” Rainbow Dash asked in jest. She pulled up the vial, and something it … struck her, like a sheen going across her eyes. She wasn’t much interested in chemistry, so why it was affecting this way?

“Must be the lighting.” Rainbow Dash decided, rubbing her eye and flying off.

Elsewhere, Twilight Sparkle stood in a room, which had been organized and reshuffled to allow room for their newly acquired Requiem Blaster. Rarity walked into the room with curlers in her hair and a green mask on her face.

“Darling, I would have thought you’d have gone to bed by now.” Rarity said. “What’s got you still so abuzz?”

“It’s this Requiem Blaster.” Twilight said. “I know we need it to track down the Artifacts of the Primes … but for some reason, I’m still not comfortable keeping a weapon this powerful in our base. I don’t think  anypony should have access to that kind of power.”

“Oh no? Then what do you call the Omega Lock, then?”

Twilight’s eyes shrunk. “The Omega Lock is a resource. A factory, not a weapon.”

“Fine, fine. If that’s what you need to tell yourself to sleep at night …” Rarity said.

Twilight sighed. “Plus, I think there’s still a chance the Justice Division survived. Forget it. I’ll think about it more tomorrow. We’ll use the Requiem Blaster to find the next Artifact, and then decide what to do with it. I need some sleep ...”

“Yes, you do.” Rarity said, walking along with Twilight to their beds.

Twilight crawled under her covers to sleep for the night.

She was more than a little dismayed when, upon losing consciousness, she found herself standing on a snowy peak, where Primus, Megatronus, and Micronus were waiting for her.

“Oh no. No no no nooo.” Twilight groaned, rubbing at her face and pulling at her eyelids. “I just want to get some sleep. Why can’t you let me sleep?”

“There is no rest for the wicked.” Megatronus said. “Even now, darks forces work tirelessly to achieve their agenda.”

Micronus whistled. “Whoo, Megatronus. I was just gonna say ‘evil never rests,’ but I like your version better.”

“Enough of that.” Megatronus said. “We have something important to discuss with you, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Yes.” Primus said. “I can feel more of my power returning, though why I do not know. We need your help, Twilight Sparkle.”

“What do you need my help with?” Twilight asked.

“Despite being a god, I find myself unable to peer into the future.” Primus said. “This worries me. But as little portions of my power return to me, I can feel myself growing stronger in the here and now … but I know it won’t last. It will fade, and the future will remain obscured to me.”

“Twilight Sparkle …” Megatronus said. “We know you have been searching for the cause of the Autobots’ downfall in the future. Has it occured you are looking in the wrong place?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean … do you realize the inherent folly … in trying to determine what went wrong in the future, while in the present?”

Twilight tapped her chin. “I see what you mean, but I’m not sure what else I’m supposed to be. Future Bumblebee hasn’t given me the … schematics … for a Time Bridge.” Twilight facepalmed. “Maybe if I had asked, we would have one, and then time travelling wouldn’t be such a big deal for him!”

“So you see.” Megatronus said. “Twilight Sparkle, we believe, with the fragments of power Primus, combined with Micronus and my own …”

“We will have the ability to fling you into the future.” Primus said. “And you can continue your investigation from there. Find what went wrong in history, and bring that knowledge with you to change it in the present. Are you ready?”

“We will be able to bring you back when you have completed your task.” Micronus said. “All you have to do is shout.”

“Are you ready?” Primus asked.

Twilight brushed a hoof along her forehead. “I so, so badly want to get some sleep .. but this is too important.”

Twilight took in a deep breath, looking at the Primes with determined eyes.

“I’m ready.”

Primus, Micronus, and Megatronus held their hands out. A glow emerged from their palms.The light intensified.

Twilight raised her leg to shield her eyes from the light.

Twilight felt her body jerk forward. She was pulled along through a tunnel at a blinding speed. It felt as she was riding on a roller coaster … and then all she saw was the bright, white, blinding light …

And then there was nothing.

Chapter 17: Xenocide

Twilight blinked, groaning, rubbing her head after the experience of being flung through time by a god. The best she could describe would be to compare it to going through a tunnel … on a train … which had been assembled backwards and was moving the wrong direction. She wondered why she couldn't build a Time Bridge instead, or bring back the Temporal Archway ...

Oh yeah, because Future Bumblebee and Jack hadn't told her, and the Archway and its blueprints were destroyed.

“W-where am I?” Twilight asked, looking around at an unfamiliar landscape. It resembled Cybertron, but … rusted. Sheets of bent, rusted metal littered the landscape. Lights flickered from towers in the distance, with a cracked monitor showing a flickering image of a Decepticon symbol, which seemed to stare down on the land menacingly, as if it were watching …

“It looks like Primus sent me through time and space.” Twilight observed, taking a step forward. She caused a clatter by stepping on a pile of loose scrap, which made her jump.

“Hmm.”

Moving forward, Twilight found a trench. She saw a human running in the trench, with short blonde hair and a scruffy beard.

“Is that …” Twilight squinted. She beamed, seeing who it was. “Cody!”

Twilight galloped into the trench, not noticing how Cody seemed to be looking over his shoulder, clutching at his coat.

“Cody!”

Cody reacted in surprise to the sound of his name, and even more so the sight of Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle?”

“Oh, I’m so glad to see you!” Twilight said. “It’s been so long, hasn’t it? Well, maybe even longer for you, heh-heh! Look at how you’ve grown! You’re kinda handsome now, huh?”

Cody whipped out a pistol and pressed it to Twilight’s noise, pulling back the hammer.

“You’re supposed to be dead.” Cody said. “You have forty-five seconds to explain how this isn’t some Decepticon trick before I blow your brains out.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. It took her a minute for her brain to catch up with what has happening, but once she did, she let it all out.

“I’ve bent sent into the future from the past by Primus to try to figure how we can stop this terrible future from happening.”

Cody blinked, taking this in. He raised his gun up, clicking it back. Cody looked to the side, unsure if he could trust her.  “Well, that’s crazy enough to almost be believable … but I still have to check. What’s the name of your brother?”

“Shining Armor.”

“What does he do?”

“Captain of the Royal Guard.”

“Name of your parents?”

“Twilight Velvet and Night Light.”

“Most hated enemy?”

“Oh, that’s a tough one … I’m gonna say … Starscream?”

“What’s the name of that freedom group you led?”

“The Autobots Imperial.”

“Do you remember being possessed by Unicron?”

“I remember.” Twilight said. “I will never forget that. I remember the feeling … the helplessness in my own body … the chaos … the burning … oh, the burning … the memories of planets long ago in the past, burnt to a crisp and devoured by his maws …”

Twilight fell silent. As did Cody.

“Alright.” Cody nodded. “I believe you. If you were a Con trick, they wouldn’t have bothered to learn about your family. They’re arrogant like that … and no one else would have been able to described being possessed like that. Come on.” Cody flicked his hand for Twilight to follow him and turn around. “I’m supposed to be on a scavenging mission right now, but this is too important to ignore.”

“Scavenging mission…?”

“Yeah.” Cody said. “A scavenging mission. You know, where you scavenge? For food and parts?”

“You have to scavenge for food?” Twilight asked. “That’s awful.”

“No, really?” Cody asked. “You think I don’t know that?”

“Sorry. I guess I’m just … still trying to take this all in.” Twilight glanced around at the ruined landscape. “Bumblebee told me about how bad things had gotten, but I guess I still underestimated how nasty it truly is.”

Cody raised an eyebrow. “You met Bumblebee?”

“Yeah. Your Bumblebee. When he tried to travel into the past to find Jack.” Twilight said. “You can call him. He’ll vouch for me.”

“Too risky.” Cody said. “Never know if the Cons’ will have monitoring in our area.” Cody stopped and held an arm out in front of Twilight. “Speaking of which, get down!”

Twilight followed Cody, hitting the deck and ducking into a corner of the the trench. A spherical device flew overhead, shooting out a sweeping scanning beam. It flew over them, its scan only missing them by a few feet over the trench’s lip.

“Probes.” Cody said. “The Decepticons have whole squadrons of them continue to sweep around the planet, scanning for rebels like myself, other malcontents, or someone they can just shoot for target practice.”

Twilight was surprised, before realizing she shouldn’t have been. Would she expect anything else from the Decepticons when they had complete control over a planet?

“Come on.” Cody said. “Let’s move before another one of those things shows up.”

Cody and Twilight got out of their hiding place and continued moving forward, where they arrived at a rusted-out building with a dilapidated roof.

Cody pointed a finger at Twilight. “Wait here.” He went up to the building and pressed his hand into a panel. “Operative Cody Burns, returning from mission due to … complications. And one guest.”

A green beam emitted from the panel and swept over Cody and Twilight.

“Identity confirmed.” The panel said. The door hissed open, and Cody led Twilight Sparkle inside.

There, Twilight was awestruck to see a gathering of Autobots, humans, and ponies working together … and all of them in poor shape and poor health. An Earth pony try to lift some metal pipes somewhere to be useful, only for his legs to give out, forcing a one armed Autobot - whose half-melted shoulder showed he used to have more than one - to help.

Twilight continued to look around, finding similar scenes all over the base. The humans were cold and huddled together in moth-eaten blankets for warmth, the ponies laid down on the ground, while the Autobots sat around, staring off into the space. Twilight found a sense of hopelessness existed everywhere she looked. It was palpable. It was almost solid enough she could cut a knife through it, even.

As Cody led her further in, Twilight saw one familiar face. “Scootaloo!”

Scootaloo was sitting on a bench, polishing a gun barrel. She looked up at Twilight. “Well, I’ll be. Either I’ve died or I’m seeing a ghost.”

“Scootaloo, it’s me.” Twilight said, gesturing to herself. “It’s Twilight Sparkle. I’m, uh, visiting. From the past.”

Scootaloo gave her a curious look. “Why would anypony from the past ever want to visit here? This place is a pit-stain, a horrible place. Things were better in those days, in the pasts, before the Decepticons took over. But I guess I’ll entertain you in your delusion. What can I help you with?”

Scootaloo walked over, causing Twilight to gasp. The gun wasn’t a hand-held weapon; it was part of her, a shoulder cannon mounted over the edge of her back. It wasn’t the only metal part of her, either, as an unlit optic replaced her right eye, and metal patches covered her right leg and parts of her back, with a set of caterpillar treads mounted set on top of her rear.

“We’ve had to do some pretty desperate things to fight the Decepticons.” Cody said. “Congratulations, Twilight Sparkle. You are looking at the first attempt to turn a pony into a Mini-Con.”

“The first attempt …? You mean there’s more?” Twilight balked.

“Oh yeah, tons more. Lots more.” Cody said. “Either an experiment by ourselves, or something the Decepticon did to the turncoats and cowards who promised to follow them. They have a lot more resources, so theirs tend to turn out better. As you can, ours are kind of … patchwork and janky.”

“Bu-bu-bu …” Twilight stuttered. She looked at Scootaloo and took her appearance in.

Cody slapped Twilight on her back. “Welcome to the future, Twilight. Now enough sight-seeing. Let’s go.”

Cody let Twilight into a room where a few Autobots were staring up at three screens, two of which didn’t have anything on them, and the last of which was cracked.

“Yo boss-bots.” Cody said. “Got something here for you.”

The ‘boss-bots’ turned around, showing Bumblebee, Heatwave, and Smokescreen. Smokescreen had a cracked optic, and Heatwave had a drill and T.Rex head in place of his hands.

“Twilight?” Smokescreen asked. “It is my bad optic playing a trick on me, or are we looking at Twilight Sparkle?”

“I see her too.” Heatwave said.

“Twilight!” Bumblebee exclaimed with glee. “I’m glad to see you here, Twilight Sparkle. We could use your help, and with you on our side, we may just be able to change the past. But how did you get here? I never was able to get you the specs for a Time Bridge.”

“Primus sent me.”

There was an awkward pause in the room.

“N-no, really, he did.” Twilight said. “I mean it. He paired up with Megatronus and Micronus Prime, and they sent me here from my dreams. Speaking of which …” Twilight let out a yawn. “I could really use some sleep.”

“Sure, but after I brief you on the state of things.” Bumblebee said. He crouched down near Twilight and pointed at the screen. “The Decepticons rule Cybertron and other planets from their citadel in Kaon, the new capital of the planet. There are resistance groups on Cybertron, Equestria, and Earth, including ourselves. The Decepticons maintain outposts on those other planets, trying to curb and squash the resistance effort. There’s a handful of organics who have switched sides to the Decepticons, and others who the Cons keep prisoner for slave labor … or sometimes, they’ll let them go free and hunt them down for sport. Do you understand, Twilight?”

Twilight nodded, horrified.

“The Decepticons practically run and own both Equestria and Earth.” Bumblebee said. “There’s a few holdouts, but they won’t be able to last for long, especially without help. Now you see why we had to resort to trying to change the past?”

“For all the good it’s done us.” Heatwave grumbled.

“I’m not so sure about that, Heatwave.” Bumblebee said. “I think the timeline can be altered. Recently, we got an influx of new recruits, all of whom we thought were dead. I’m not sure what, but something must have changed in the past.”

Twilight cupped her chin in thought. “I know! Rampage! You said Rampage went crazy after Fluttershy died and went on a massacre, right? Well, in my relative present, Rampage died instead, so he couldn’t have gone to kill those people!”

“That … makes sense.” Bumblebee realized. “I thought there was something different, but I couldn’t put my finger on what.”

“Who’s Rampage?” Heatwave asked.

“R-rampage?” Bumblebee asked. “The big crazy crab-con? You fought him once! Had a chaingun, liked to laugh, like to torture people?”

Heatwave shook his head. “Got no clue what you’re talking about, Bumblebee.”

“Then … then the timeline can be altered.” Bumblebee said. He broke into a grin. “That means we’re not living in a predestined world! Ha ha ha! YES!” Bumblebee pumped his fist.

“So that does mean, since she didn’t die in the battle, Fluttershy is alive?” Twilight asked.

Bumblebee’s smile faded. His shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry, Twilight. No. She … she’s still dead. Something else must have got her.”

“I see.” Twilight glanced to Cody. “Actually, that makes me think of something … Cody, where are you -”

“My father tried to work for the Decepticons and try to keep their reign from being too terrible and hope to take them down from inside, but he died of a heart attack. Kade is helping Starlight Glimmer hold out on her town, Graham is a Decepticon slave engineer, and Dani died in a dogfight.” Cody said. “You were going to ask what happened to my family, weren’t you?”

“Y-yeah …” Twilight said, rubbing at her neck nervously. She took in a deep breath and turned to Bumblebee.

“Bumblebee, Primus sent me here so I could discover what went wrong that allowed the Decepticons to take over.” Twilight said. “I promise you, I will get to the bottom of the mystery, and prevent this terrible tragedies from happening. Now, where you would recommend I’d go to start my investigation?”

“If I were you, I’d start with Decepticon Citadel in Kaon.” Bumblebee said. “The Decepticons aren’t always the most meticulous bunch, but between them, there should be a few of them who recognize the value of archiving information and wrote down what happened somewhere. Probably in a locked and guarded vault, so no one can learn what happened but their own.”

Twilight nodded.

“Be careful, Twilight.” Bumblebee said. “They won’t hesitate to kill you if they think it’s in their best interests. And if you die in the future when you’re from the past …”

“It could cause a paradox, or worse.” Twilight said. “It might strengthen the hold the Decepticons have on Cybertron.” Twilight turned away from him. “Well, it looks like I’m off the Decepticon Citadel. I’ll be going alone. If I get captured, I don’t want to compromise your resistance.”

“What? Hey, no, no, no.” Bumblebee said. “Listen here, Miss Pony From The Past Who All Of Our Hopes of Salvation Are Resting On, you and your mission are way too important to allow you go to the Citadel alone. I’m coming with you. And so is a whole team of us. We have to make sure you get there safely, and ideally, get you into wherever the Decepticons keep their archives.”

“Alright.” Twilight accepted his logic. “Get your team together, and we’ll leave when we’re ready. Let’s roll out.”

“Heh.” Heatwave chuckled. “Haven’t heard that in a long time.”

() x 3

A convoy led by Bumblebee, including Heatwave, Scootaloo, Cody and others, rode out from their base, climbed out of the trench, and went about driving towards Kaon.

They converted to their vehicle modes and drove, riding with their organics in their seats. Twilight sat in Bumblebee’s driving seat, with Cody in the passenger side, glancing out the window at Cybertron.

“Everything is so … desolate.”  Twilight observed half-collapsed buildings in the distance, with their top halves either torn or crumbling downwards, as if the world’s largest modern art piece. “And ruined and rusted.”

“Do you think the Decepticons really care about keeping everything nice and shiny and pretty?” Cody snarked.

“No.” Twilight said. “But I think a dictatorship would want to try do a little work on its upkeep to keep the populace from rebelling. Functioning buildings keep the citizens happy.”

Cody glared at her. “Do we look happy to you? Did you think making sure the buildings are well-maintained would make us happy?”

Twilight rolled her head.

The ground rumbled beneath them, making Bumblebee jump as if they had hit a speed bump.

“Slag!” Bumblebee swore, coming to an abrupt stop. He transformed, evicting Cody and Twilight from their seats. “Everyone, scramble!”

“What? Why?” Twilight asked. “What’s going on?”

“Fortress Maximus.” Cody answered. “That’s what. Find somewhere to hide, moron!”

Cody, Bumblebee, and the others all scrambled, running off in different directions to find hiding places, either behind items or beneath some rubble for cover.

Isn’t Fortress Maximus a good guy? Twilight thought as she looked around, trying to find a hiding place. The ground rumbled again, and on a reflex, she made a blind teleport.

She ended up next to a pile of sheet metal, too small to provide effective cover. She spread her wings and took flight, intending to fly away to a better hiding place.

The black and grey form Fortress Maximus arrived, his feet shaking the earth with each step. Twilight grimaced and lurched.

Fortress’ head tilted down and saw her. “ANOMALY DETECTED.”

Twilight attempted to speed on her wings, taking to heart the example of Rainbow Dash. Fortress Maximus launched a clamp out of his chest which pursued her and trapped her, clamping around her body and binding her legs.

Twilight grunted and struggle to get out. Taking a moment to calm herself and focus, she tried to cast a spell- another teleport would work wonders.

“EQUESTRIAN MAGIC DETECTED.” Fortress Maximus deployed a gun from his shoulder. The gun shot a bolt of electricity which struck Twilight’s horn and negated her spell, as well neutering her magic, at least for a time. Twilight could feel it. She tried to cast another spell rather than simply resign herself to her fate, but nothing happened.

The clamp began to retract, pulling Twilight Sparkle inside.

“Slag.” Bumblebee swore, watching from his hiding place. “Slag slag slag.”  Bumblebee put a finger to his head. “There’s nothing we can do.”

“Are you kidding?” Scootaloo asked. “Whatever to ‘Miss Salvation?’ We can’t just leave her!” Scootaloo converted into her messy tank mode, which made a groaning, creaking noise as her bones were shifted. She took aim at Fortress.

“No.” Bumblebee grabbed Scootaloo’s barrel and lifted her up. “I understand you’re upset, Scootaloo. But we can’t fight Fortress Maximus. We don’t have the means. We don’t have enough firepower, we don’t have enough men. If we tried, he would crush us. Stomp us, blow us into scrap … I’m sorry, Scootaloo … but there’s nothing we can do.”

Bumblebee looked up as Fortress Maximus turned around to present his find to the Decepticon Lords.

“All we can do is sit here and hope and pray that by some miracle Twilight will escape and make it through after all.”

() x 4

Twilight Sparkle was brought inside Fortress Maximus’ chest chamber. Brought inside, Twilight saw his interior differed and had changed drastically from when she had been inside his rooms in the past. Curving blue bridges connected the doors to rooms, and a model of a solar system was used as a centerpiece.

“Bring her here, Max.”

Twilight’s ears perked up. The voice sounded familiar.

The clamp stopped before lifting up, dropping Twilight down on one of the bridges, bringing her face to face with …

“Snowdrop?” Twilight asked, horrified and puzzled by what she saw. She was looking at an adult Snowdrop, wearing a black outfit with a Decepticon symbol on it. But the most striking change to her were the glowing red Decepticon optics in place of her eyes, which clicked and whirred as Snowdrop focused on Twilight.

“Twilight Sparkle?” Snowdrop said. “But you’re supposed to be dead.”

Twilight chuckled. “Well, heh heh, I’m here now.”

“Do not play games with me.” Snowdrop said. “How are you here?”

Twilight shrugged. “I don’t know. I was half asleep in bed, and the next thing I know, I was here!”

“You’re lying.” Snowdrop growled, narrowing her optics. “You’re leaving details out. Twilight Sparkle, if you do not give me the information I seek, I will extract it from you. And I assure you, the process will be quite painful. I am an excellent interrogator.”

“Hit me with your best shot.” Twilight said with a cocky grin. “But can I ask you a question first?”

“Hmph. I suppose.”

“What’s with the eyes?” Twilight asked, gesturing at her own eyes.

“They were a gift.” Snowdrop said. “From my master, Steeljaw. They were given to me to replace the non-functioning eyes I was born with. It’s funny … you think a magical place like Equestria would have spells to easily cure blindness, especially given how it had a thousand years of history. Yet, it took the genius, the pragmatism of a Decepticon for anyone to even think about doing something about my eyes.”

“I see.” Twilight said.

“That’s enough sharing for one day.” Snowdrop said. “I’m going to take you to the House of Lords.”

“The House of Lords … that’s the leadership, right?” Twilight asked. She took in a deep breath and took a chance. “Snowdrop, you can’t. Please. You were a good girl once, a good filly. Remember how good you used to be? Remember your old sense of right and wrong? How you helped us fight Megatron when he tried to come back?”

“That was in the past … ‘Twilight,’ if that is who you are.” Snowdrop. “Things change. Either you accept it and adapt, or you cling to the past and grow old and withered, letting the world pass you by and evolve while you still clutch to what you thought of as ‘the good old days.’ I serve the Decepticons now, and I do it well. I serve Steeljaw. I carry out their agenda. I patrol Cybertron for rebels, threats … and anomalies … and I bring them to the Decepticon Lords. That’s the way of things.”

Twilight stared in shock. “They changed you, Snowdrop. They … they did something to you. They brainwashed you. They condition you. Maybe they put something else in with your optic implants.”

Snowdrop shrugged. “Maybe. But’s that’s the way things are now. Even if turned out there was something in my implants, I’ve worked too hard for them to turn back now.”

“So it is.” Twilight said. She glanced up at her horn. She could feel her magic returning, the block wearing off. “Snowdrop, I’m sorry, but I can’t let you take me anywhere. I have to get to the Citadel and find out what went wrong. I’m sorry about this.”

“About what?”

Twilight’s horn lit up, and a glow enveloped Snowdrop’s optics. Twilight pulled, yanking the optics of Snowdrop’s eye sockets, revealing the wires behind and ripping the red spheres from her head, leaving them on the floor.

“Gaaah!” Snowdrop reeled and fell to her knees.

Twilight took flight and flew to the side, charging up a spell. She knew hitting the armored portions of Fort Max would do her no good, so she flung a massive blast through the first window she could find. She flew out from her made exit.

“She ripped out my optics!” Snowdrop yelled. “That … that … arrrrgh! Fortress! Grab her!”

Twilight flew away from Fortress Maximus, but Fortress turned around and snapped her up in his hand. Fortress deployed his anti-magic weapon and fired, neutralizing Twilight’s magic again.

“Turn around.” Snowdrop ordered, feeling the ground in front of her with her hooves. “We’re taking her to the Citadel. They’ll figure out what to do with her there … and I can find someone to put my optics back in!”

Snowdrop continued to feel around, trying to find her eyes, while Fortress Maximus spun around and began to march towards the Citadel.

() x 5

Back in the present, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia stood on a balcony overlooking Canterlot, observing the lights emitting from the glittering city in the night.

Shining Armor walked into the room. “Your Majesties?”

“Ah.” Luna turned to him. “How goes the war, Star Seeker?”

Shining Armor’s eyes bugged. “Y-you know about that?”

“Cadence’s mission report was very through.” Luna said. “Speak quickly, zealot, before we decide that thyne’s head would be of more use to us somewhere other than thyne’s shoulders.”

“P-p-princess Celestia!” Shining Armor stuttered. “Are you going to let her talk to me like that?”

“Rest assured, Shining Armor, I will not let you be beheaded.” Celestia glared at Luna. “However, I find the fact you willingly joined a xenophobic organization with explicit violent goals on the target of its prejudice hard to ignore … or forgive. You are lucky one of your Star Seeker companions saw fit to bring you back to our space. But I assume you came in here for a reason than to hear us critique you. What news do you have for us?”

“There’s … someone here who wants to speak to you.” Shining Armor said. “They say they would prefer to speak in private, they don’t want anypony else to learn they’re here, and that … that you could decide whether they live or die.”

Celestia and Luna exchanged glances.

“ … Tell them we will meet them.” Celestia said after a pause.

() x 6

() x 6

“So you mean to tell me she just … fell asleep on your way in?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“And you’re sure this isn’t some sort of trick? I know Twilight Sparkle ...”

“I’m sure, Lord Starscream. Her breathing is normal, and I found no weapons or devices on her person when I inspected her.”

“Hmm.”

Twilight Sparkle hung from the ceiling, suspended by chains and under a spotlight. Her head was upright, and she was breathing in and out as she snoozed.

“Hmm.” Starscream tapped her nose. “She seems to be the genuine article … she should be inspected by Lord Megatron.”

Twilight began to stir, her ears twitching at the mention of Megatron’s name. She opened her eyes and saw a large, hulking Decepticon enter from a dark door.

“Megatron?” Twilight wondered.

The Decepticon came into view under the spotlight. He had Grimlock’s body shape, but with a purple and green colors, and a helmet with a rounded bucket shape resembling Megatron’s, but not Megatron, with a grape-colored face inside the helmet with smooth clean teeth instead of Megatron’s fangs.

“You’re not Megatron.” Twilight said.

‘Megatron’ laughed, a suave, smooth, almost gentlemanly voice instead of Megatron’s bestial growl which showed he was always keeping his temper in check, his animal rage inside. It was ironic that this Megatron, whoever was, would sound more like a gentleman even though he turned into a T.Rex.

“No. But I am a Megatron, and that is good enough.” Megatron said. “I suppose, if it helps you keep things straight in your head, you may call me ‘Megatron the Second.’’

Megatron II grabbed the chains holding Twilight Sparkle and brought her up to his face. “So tell me, Twilight Sparkle, did you enjoy your nap?”

“Yes, actually.” Twilight answered. “You have no idea how badly I have gone without a good night’s sleep.”

Megatron II was not expecting such an answer. “Er … okay.” He let the chains, making Twilight swing freely. “Tell me, what do you think of our Citadel?”

Twilight looked around. The room she was rounded in shape and stretched up several stories, all of which had balconies and entrances, with a shape which reminded of her roman coliseums.

“Seems fancy enough.”

Twilight looked around.  She saw Starscream, with his optic repaired. Bludgeon was present, with the Dark Spark beating and shining in his chest. Dragotron, Lazerback, a repaired Tarn from the Justice Division, and Nova’s aid, Galvatron.

“The Decepticon House of Lords, I presume.” Twilight said.

“Yesssss. What do you think? An apt name, no?” Megatron said. “Steeljaw’s idea, although he is … lamentably absent from us at this time.”

“Can’t imagine why …” Twilight muttered, glancing to the side. “How did you get Galvatron on your side?”

“Let’s say his priorities aligned with our own.” Megatron II flexed his hand in a posh and arrogant way.

“Mmm. So tell me, … Megatron II … how did you and the Decepticons win? What let you unite and take over Cybertron as totally as you have?”

Megatron II let out a hearty laugh. “Well, it would be foolish of me to tell you the whole story, especially as I don’t even know where you’re from … but, let’s just say that music is a many-splendored thing, yessss.”  Megatron II tapped his fingers together.

“Ah ah up.” Starscream interrupted. “Twilight Sparkle is as clever and crafty as she is treacherous, Lord Megatron. Give her an inch, she will find her own way to make it into a mile. Best not to give her any hints as to what allowed our victory.”

Treacherous? That’s the pot calling the kettle black … and the kettle in this case is silver chrome instead of black metal. Twilight thought.

“Well …” Twilight smiled and wriggled with her chains, getting them into a slight sway. “Since you won’t tell me what you let win, I guess I’ll have to go and find out for myself.”

Twilight’s horn charged, purple light flaring up from up. She fired a blast straight down, which smashed through her chains and severed them. Megatron II’s surprise at Twilight being able to escape kept him from trying to grab her before she flexed her wings and teleported to an exit. Twilight blew out a raspberry at the Decepticons before running down the exit.

“She wasn’t magically neutralized?” Megatron II demanded.

“I’m sorry, Lord Megatron!” Snowdrop threw herself at his feet. “I thought Fortress Maximus’ neutralizer would be enough!”

“You know that’s only temporary!” Megatron II facepalmed. “Never mind that. GRAB HER! STOP HER! She mustn’t find what she’s looking for!” Megatron pointed a finger and bellowed, and the Decepticons chased after her, following through the exit.

() x 7

() x 7

“Thank you again for agreeing to guard this meeting.” Luna said to the pair of Americons who stood outside the door. “We realize it is thankless work, and appreciate your contribution.”

“No problem.” The Americon said. “But if I may ask, Princesses, why all the secrecy? Who are you meeting with that has have a meeting so private?”

“A group calling themselves Quintessons.” Celestia said.

“Quints?” The two Americons pulled out their arm-cannons.

“Is there … a problem with the Quintessons?” Luna asked.

“Yeah.” One of the Vehicons snarled. “Those scum-sucking squidheads tried to take over Cybertron a few million years ago. Passed themselves off as gods and claimed they gave us the ability to transform. Eventually, we figured out they were lying and drove them off our planet. They’ve been at odds with us ever since, and they’ve fought us in the past. They always resented how we were able to free ourselves from their control.”

“Let me at them.” The other Americon said. “I want to give them a piece of my mind. We’ll kill ‘em all.”

“No.” Celestia said.

“What? But Princess, didn’t you hear what we just said?”

“We accepted the Quintessons here under the assumption of a peaceful meeting.” Celestia said. “We will honor that arrangement. Doublecrossing those you meet with under a banner of peace may be acceptable to Decepticons, we will not tolerate it here on Equestria. And you did join Galloway’s program to get away from Decepticons, did you not?”

The Americons crossed their arms and turned their heads. “Yeah … alright, fine. We’ll respect your wishes and let you meet them.”

“Rest assured.” Luna said. “We will address the issue of their past invasions of your home and conflict with  your species.”

Celestia and Luna turned and went through a set of double doors, which led to an outdoor garden where the Quintessons had parked their spaceship and disembarked.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us.” One of the Quintessons said, his voice gravely. “It is … much appreciated.”

“Spare us from thyne’s false sympathy and cut thee’s charade!” Luna snapped. “We have only just been told now by our Cybertronian allies that thee has attempted to take over Cybertron, and fought against the Cybertronians! Explain thyself, and why we should continue to listen to anything thou hath to say!”

“Perhaps we did leave a few … key details out in our message to you.” One of the Quintessons said.

“Mistakes were made. Many mistakes.”

“Mistakes that we will freely admit to.” Another Quintesson said. “We were conquerors and warlords once, but that was a long time ago … now we are a broken people, living in fear, constantly looking over our shoulders for assassins and seekers of revenge. Now … we just want to be free from our mistakes, from our past, so that we can live freely and begin to rebuild our society, our planet, and our culture …”

“While there still exists enough of us and of our culture to rebuild from.”

Luna raised an eyebrow at Celestia for her lead on what to do next.

Celestia nodded at the Quintessons. “You have my ears, Quintessons. We will listen to what you have to say before coming to any decisions.”

() x 8

Twilight Sparkle ran down the hall, eyes flashing with alarm as she skidded past black-coated Vehicons and a few Vehicon Generals.

“Pony in the hall!” A General shouted. The Vehicons armed themselves and pursued, firing after Twilight Sparkle as she went around a corner.

“She headed towards the Vault!” A Vehicon shouted.

Twilight braced her back against the wall, her breath labored. Her chest rose and fell as she worried about what to do next.

“Wait, what am I doing?” Twilight asked herself. Shining her horn, Twilight cast an invisibility spell on herself, making herself disappear.

The squadron of Vehicons rounded the corner. Not seeing Twilight in the immediate vicinity, they marched down the hall to look for her elsewhere. Except for two Generals, who stopped halfway and looked around.

Acknowledging each other with a nod, the Generals turned around and began to sweep the hall. One of them aimed his weapon up at the ceiling, searching it to see if Twilight was hiding in the rafters. The other kept his weapon trained on the corners and edges of the hall, to see if they might have missed her.

The two began to approach where Twilight was hiding. Twilight took in a deep breath so she could hold it, hopefully keeping the Vehicons from cluing in to her position.

“Wait.” One of the Generals held his hand out. “Did you hear that?”

Swear words raced through Twilight’s head. It was irony, pure and simple. In her attempt to hide her breathing and mask herself from the Vehicons, the act of taking in air had drawn them towards her instead.

“It sounded like it came from over here …” The General noted, marching towards the front edge of the hall, his other arm whirring as he converted it into a second blaster.

Twilight exhaled through her nose. She waited for the Generals to get a  little closer.

Twilight fired, launching a magical artillery shell straight through one of the General’s chest, exploding it and making the General fall on to his back with a groan, a smoking hole in his chest. The other General tried to react and fire at where the shot had come from, but Twilight was quicker on the draw, shooting and putting a hole through him too.

“Hmph.” Twilight huffed, walking past the smouldering Vehicons. She walked down the hall, coming to a stop when she saw something.

In the dead center of the wall was a set of enormous double doors, elaborately decorated with a silver finish and golden dials. At the top of the doors was a L.E.D display which showed Cybertronian letters - Twilight knew enough by now to read it with no difficulty. They spelled “The Vault.”

“So this is the vault they were talking about.” Twilight flew up. Using her magic, she pried the doors open and went inside.

Twilight gasped and covered her mouth, greeted by a horrifying sight on the inside of the Vault.

Corpses, bodies, the remains of Equestrians, humans, and Autobots were strung up, hanging from the ceiling by chains. It was as if it were a meat locker. The bodies were all in varying states of decay, ranging from only the beginnings of rigor mortis, to having been rotting away in here for a long while. They were also Americons and other Vehicons strung up in the Vault, who Twilight presumed had either sided with the organics against the Decpeticons or at least had attacks of conscience and objected to their former brothers’ ways … and were executed for it. She also recognized the rusted, torn bodies of at least two powerful and popular Autobots, a red truck-based one and a green one with a rotund build like Bulkhead’s, with a beard made of bullet casings.

Twilight flew into the room, bumping against the side of a Vehicon’s car tire, making it spin. Twilight freaked out when she heard a chee-choo-chee-chee-chink noise, watching in terror as the dead Vehicon transformed, despite being by all appearances dead. The transformation didn’t snap the chains, and the sight of a car hanging from the ceiling was a sight to behold, and might have made Twilight laugh if she didn’t know this car used to be alive.

Twilight tapped her hoof to the hood, trying to get a reaction out of it. “H-hello? Are you still alive in there?” Twilight pounded the hood again, several times. “Guess not …” Twilight took another look around the room. Her eyes stopped traveling when something caught her attention.

The skeleton of a pony, strung up by its front hooves. What made it remarkable was the familiar Stetson hat tilted on the skeleton’s head.

“A-a-Applejack?” Twilight stuttered out, flying up to the skeleton. She noticed something she had failed to notice on the other bodies thus far. A blue card with Cybertronix written on it, attached to the cuffs of the chains holding up the skeleton’s legs.

Twilight read it.

APPLEJACK

Killed During The First Purge

“First Assault?” Twilight asked. “What does that mean?” Twilight glanced to the side and saw a human skeleton with an orange shirt which was too small for them … a familiar orange shirt.

Twilight flew over and its card.

MIKO NAKADAI

KILLED DURING AN ATTEMPTED RAID ON ONE OF OUR ENERGON PLANTS

Below this was some elegant handwriting.

-Took a long time, too. Nearly got me in the chest with her blaster - Steeljaw.

Twilight frowned at Steeljaw’s cavalier attitude about Miko’s death. He and the other Decepticons were murdering people, slaughtering them, then hanging their remains up like cuts of lamb and beef instead of giving them proper burials … and he was writing a grumbling note as if he were an office employee complaining about paperwork.

Twilight saw another skeleton which caught her interest. It was wearing a tattered dress which had decayed with time, and the unpolished, rusting metal pieces of the Equestrian Princess dress, with a pair of folded wings. Or the bones of wings, anyway.

This was one was her.

It was too small to be Cadence, or Luna, and especially Celestia.

Twilight went up to her skeleton and read its card.

PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE

KILLED DURING THE FIRST PURGE

“There it is again.” Twilight said. “The First Purge. What is that? What does that mean?”

() x 9

“Lord Megatron.” A Vehicon came to Megatron II. “I’m here with a report. We haven’t been able to find the intruder. We’ve combed through almost the entire building, and we haven’t found her.”

Megatron II took in a deep breath, sneering.

“ … bring in the asset.”

“Sir!?” The Vehicon asked, drawing back in surprise.

“I know, I know. Few of us like working with him. Our agreement is that we do not disturb his solitude unless something serious and dramatic arise. Considering we are dealing with a pony who is supposed to be long dead, I would say this qualifies, wouldn’t you? Yessss. Have the asset brought in.”

The Vehicon hung his head. “Y-yes sir.”

() x 10

“So, Quintessons …” Luna asked. “What is that you want from us?”

“Protection.” The gravelly-voiced Quintesson answered.

Luna and Celestia looked towards each other.

“Protection from what? From whom?” Celestia asked.

() x 11

“Oh no.” Twilight said, realizing something horrible. “Oh no no no no. No. Please, no.”

Twilight flew around the room, darting between various bodies, dodging the chains to avoid hitting them and becoming entangled.

She covered her mouth and let out another gasp of shock when she saw what she was looking for - the exact thing which she was hoping not to see.

“No …” Twilight sobbed, a tear coming her eye and her voice breaking.

Two large, withered pony skeletons, strung up like all the rest of them, their front hooves tied together. Their size and shape made it easy to identify them, and if that alone wasn’t enough, the color-faded chestplates they both wore made it unambiguous and certain, removing any trace of doubt.

These were the skeletons of Princess Luna and Celestia.

Twilight flew up to them, still crying and with her hooves over her mouth, to read their cards and learned how they died. How her Princess, her mentor had fallen.

() x 12

The Quintesson paused before giving The Princesses an answer.

“Nova Prime.”

() x 13

PRINCESS CELESTIA OF EQUESTRIA

BEHEADED BY NOVA PRIME

PRINCESS LUNA OF EQUESTRIA

BEHEADED BY NOVA PRIME

“What … Nova Prime?” Twilight asked. She flew back and forth, trying to puzzle together and figure out how in the heck this was supposed to work. “Nova Prime was a hero! A good guy! I mean, he was Optimus Prime’s personal hero! If you ask me, you have to be a preeeetty darn good person and all around decent ‘bot to be Optimus Prime’s role model.”

Twilight barely had time to register and process how the incompatible, despicable act of cleaving Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s heads off with a blade could match up with the view of Nova Prime as a decent and good person, if a bit full of himself, where the doors to the Vault were shredded open.  An outside force ripping through and exploding the doors, destroying them and obliterating them from existence, leaving behind trails of black smoke.

Twilight turned around to see Nova Prime standing in the ruined wreck of the doorway, his hands sparking with purple electricity. Spires and twisted growths of Dark Energon covered his being his from feet to his shoulders, massive orange panels forming the basis of a pair of wings on his back.  His chest was painted black, with a red jewel set in the center, and various other parts of his body which were once a regal dark blue were now a foreboding black, creating an menacing contrast with his white parts.

“Hmm. Twilight Sparkle.” Nova Prime said, turning to her. “I must admit, when the Decepticons came to me explaining of a pony who was supposed to be dead, I did not believe them. Yet, here you are.”

Nova raised his hand. He launched a thunderbolt made of dark and purple energy from his palm at Twilight, who flew to the side, letting the thunderbolt hit the wall, making a hole in the wall instead of her.

Twilight zoomed out of the room, flying by Nova Prime and into the hallway. Nova launched another attack at her, which missed, taking out a section of the opposite wall.

Twilight teleported to propel herself forward, putting as much distance between her and Nova as she could. She continued to fly and teleport to evade him, flying through the Citadel, not caring about other Decepticons noticing her. At one point, this led to her flying by a Vehicon who attempted to take aim and shoot her, only to have one of Nova’s dark energy bolts rip through his chest.

“Sorry.” Nova said to the Vehicon, though he didn’t sound sincere.

Twilight kept flying and teleporting, eventually making her way to the outside of the Citadel. She looked behind herself to make sure she was safe and away from Nova. She was not.

Nova Prime smashed through the wall of the Citadel, knocking rubble loose and making pieces of the building crumble and fall to the ground. Nova looked around the area for Twilight, and when he saw her, he flung another dark energy bolt at her.

Twilight jumped out of the way in time, flying to a lower level. She watched in fear and mild curiosity as the bolt struck the ground she used to reside and a cluster of Dark Energon sprouted up from where the bolt struck.

“How can you do that?” Twilight asked. “How can you use Equestrian magic?”

“You arrogant cretin.” Nova Prime snarled, levitating towards her, spheres of dark energy crackling in his palms. “Do you think you Equestrians have some sort of patent on magic? My powers come from a greater source, kin to the dark arts of Unicron himself!”

Nova Prime tossed the spheres of dark energy from his hand, lobbing them at Twilight Sparkle. Twilight turned and ran, fleeing from the explosions behind her.

Twilight continued to run, eventually stopping when some headlights fell on her.

“Twilight!” Bumblebee reverted into robot mode. “We found you! We thought you were a goner! But we were about to try to stage a rescue mission anyway.”

“Okay, yes, I’m escaped, you’ve found me, I’m alive now, and that’s great, Bumblebee, but we should really be running!” Twilight said, galloping away.

“What?” Bumblebee asked. He looked up and saw Nova. “Oh.” Bumblebee converted and drove after Twilight, rolling up beside her. Twilight, wanting some assistance, but to be able to maintain her own maneuverability to fight and dodge, jumped up on Bumblebee’s roof.

“I can’t believe Nova Prime is … this.” Twilight said.

“Uh, yeah?” Bumblebee asked. “You didn’t hear me when I told you not to trust him?”

“No, I didn’t.” Twilight said. “You were busy being cut off by being sucked into a Time Bridge, remember?”

“Oh yeah.”

() x 14

“Nova Prime?” Luna asked. “Preposterous. Nova Prime is a hero and a public figure on Cybertron! He is admired and loved by all. Why does thou needeth protection from him?”

The Quintesson nodded. “He was a hero … to the Cybertronians, once. I’m sure you know he went into space to hunt our kind down and prevent us from ever returning to Cybertron.”

“His intrudance into our affairs grew disruptive to our society.” Another Quintesson said.

“So we used our technology to find another universe. An alternate universe. A dead universe, one with no life to speak of.”

“We teleported him and his crew there, in the hopes of banishing him there forever and ridding ourselves of him.”

The Quintessons paused.

“Our plan … backfired.”

“Nova and his crew able to get out and escape the dead universe.” One of the Quintessons said. “Only … they were different. The universe had … changed them during their time inside.”

“Before, Nova only ever killed us if the lives of himself or his crew were at stake.” A Quintesson said. “He much preferred, whenever possible, to take us prisoner. But after he got out from the universe, he went up to the prisoners he had, let them out of their cells …”

“And slaughtered our brothers mercilessly in cold blood.”

“He continued to hunt us down, no longer interested in imprisoning us or getting us to sign a treaty. He was only interested in killing every last one of us he could find.”

“Thus forcing us to turn to desperate measures to try to protect our species, before Nova Prime and his men wiped us out of the face of the universe.”

“Our first attempt was a pacifying device which we tested on Messatine, on the Decepticon Justice Division.” A Quintesson explained. “It failed to pacify them enough, and they destroyed it.”

“When that failed, we turned to another option. We had been able to recover a long long Cybertronian relic … the Requiem Blaster. We hired the Star Seekers and gave them the blaster in the hopes they would wipe out the whole Cybertronian race, Nova Prime included. That also failed.”

“Immoral, perhaps. Malicious, even. But we felt it was warranted.”

“Now, after having all our plans failed, all our efforts thwarted … we come to you, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna of Equestria, in the hopes that you alone might have the power to shield us from Nova Prime …”

“And the mercy and forgiveness in your hearts to do so.”

“Sanctuary is all we ask for."

Celestia and Luna glanced at each other.

“We will … confer to consider your request.” Luna said.

The Quintessons nodded. “Take your time. We understand it is … not an easy decision, given our bloody past.”

Celestia and Luna walked back inside the castle, closing the doors.

“We have to protect them.” Celestia said.

“What? Sister, did thou not hear them?” Luna said. “They themselves admit to being conquerors! Why should we lift a hoof to aid them?”

“Luna …” Celestia said. “If we rejected all those who went looking for second chances, for protection, the former Decepticons we have protecting ourselves and Earth now would turn back to their wicked ways. We must allow the Quintessons the chance to redeem themselves. If we inflict punishment on them simply because of their past, we are no better than the likes of Megatron and Chrysalis.”

“How do we know this is not a trick?” Luna asked.

“We do not.” Celestia said. “That is a risk that we will have to take.”

Celestia stared Luna down hard.

“I will not answer violence with more violence.”

Luna hung her head. “We … understand, Sister, and we will abide by thyne’s wishes. But do not come crying to us if it turns out they are merely using us.”

“You have my word that I won’t.”

() x 15

() x 15

Bumblebee swerved to the left, and to the right, avoiding the lightning bolts Nova Prime was throwing down on them.

Twilight clung to Bumblebee’s roof to hold on. She twisted her head back and used her magic to fire a retaliatory lightning bolt at Nova Prime, striking square in the chest, to no effect. Nova continued to fly on towards them, not bothered in the least by the bit of smoke on him.

“He’s gaining on us.” Twilight informed Bumblebee.

“No, you think!?” Bumblebee retorted before pausing. “Wait … hang on. I think we’re nearing an entrance. There’s a network of tunnels below Cybertron’s surface. The resistance uses them to travel Cybertron undetected. We can shake Nova Prime off in there. But we have to make sure he can’t follow us, or we’ll be discovered.”

“How do you propose we do that?”

“I’ll tune myself and puff some smoke out my exhaust. You use your magic to spread it around and make a smokescreen.”

Bumblebee’s engine revved and revved before backfiring. A huge cloud of smoke puffed out from his exhaust pipe, whipping some cover for them. Twilight, her horn alight, used her magic to summon a wind to spread and swirl the smoke around, getting it to cover almost the entire area.

Nova Prime, losing sight of his prey, stopped in mid-air.

Bumblebee revved up before making a sharp turn to the right, forcing Twilight to drop to her stomach and cling desperately to his roof.

Nova Prime raised up his hands. Clenching energy in his fist, he threw indiscriminate thunderbolts down, firing blindly into the smokescreen to hit his target.

One of the bolts hit its mark, striking Bumblebee’s front tire. Bumblebee wobbled and grunted in pain, but he pressed forward, eventually getting into the access shaft and bringing Twilight and himself into the tunnel entrance.

Now safe and out of harm’s way, for the time being, Bumblebee transformed to robot mode and released Twilight, getting down on his knees and clutching at his shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah.” Bumblebee groaned out, wincing. He rubbed at his shoulder some more. “I’ll be fine. The important thing is, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”  Twilight said. She frowned. “But I don’t want to hear you talk like that. You matter just as much as I do.”

“Twilight Sparkle, in the grand scheme of things, it is more important that we get you back to the past safely than it is for me to live here and now.” Bumblebee said. “If I die, you can still go back and change history, and change it to where I don’t die. Not here, not like this, by whatever ‘Con or Technoist who gets the lucky shot in. But if you die … any and all hope of changing this future die with you. Understand?”

“I understand perfectly.” Twilight said. She looked down and saw a river of bright, blue healthy Energon below a ladder. “You forgot to mention this was a sewer.”

“Did I?” Bumblebee said. “Sorry, guess I might have my mind on other things. Other, winged, lighting-throwing things. Here. You can’t go into that, it’s too deep for you. I’ll carry you.”

Bumblebee scooped Twilight up into his hands and made his way down the ladder, holding her firm in his palm and wading through the Energon.

“I can fly, you know.”

Bumblebee grinned nervously. “Can’t blame a guy for trying to be polite and giving a girl a life, can you?”

“Hmph.” Twilight chuckled and let Bumblebee ferry her in his palm. She turned away from and looked at the river.

“This Energon is glowing so brightly …” Twilight observed.

“Yeah.” Bumblebee said. “That is one thing I’ll give to the ‘Cons. They know how to engineer some premium quality Energon. Sometimes it makes you think, ‘hey, maybe them being in charge of Cybertron isn’t such a bad thing!’ but then they do something horrible, and you remember, however energy-efficient they may be, they’re still Decepticons. Here we are.”

Bumblebee sat Twilight down on the edge of an a sewer gate.

“This is where keep some of our stuff.” Bumblebee said, grabbing the gate’s bars and lifting it up. “Don’t want to keep all in one place.”

Twilight and Bumblebee climbed inside, where a miniature command center was set up. It had a table for directing troop movements, a series of computers for displaying information, and a pitiful attempt at recreation by drawing a chalk circle on the floor.

“Good to see you made it back alive.” Heatwave greeted them, accompanied by Boulder, Chase, and Blades, all of whom had saurian features and the last of whom was missing an optic. “We set up here in the tunnels. We were going to storm the Citadel and try to rescue you, Twilight Sparkle, but we never got Bumblebee’s signal.”

“We assumed the worst.” Boulder said.

“But nonetheless, we are glad to see you are here now.”  Chase said.

“It’s good to see all of you, too, Rescue Bots.” Twilight said. “Seems like I only see you when something horrible is going on.” Twilight turned her attention to Blades. “Blades? You haven’t said anything.”

“Blades … hasn’t been much of a talker since the takeover.” Boulder said.

“But he’s gotten very good at skewering Decepticons.” Heatwave bragged with pride, before noticing this was making Twilight uneasy. Twilight found it hard to imagine sweet, nebbish, fearful Blades as the Decepticon-skewering type, but hard times make for hard people, she supposed.

“Make yourself at home.” Heatwave said. “We won’t be going anywhere until Boulder makes sure the coast is clear. Sonar still working right?”

“Right as it always has.”

Boulder and Heatwave left the way Twilight and Bumblebee entered.

“There’s computers over there if you want to amuse yourself.” Bumblebee pointed to the monitors. “I think there’s some archived footage in there, if you want to watch that … and have the stomach for it.” Bumblebee walked over to go sit down.

“Hmm. I think I’ll do that.” Twilight flew up to the monitors. She pressed a button, and the machines whirred to life, each screen showing a different list of files.

“Hmm …” Twilight decided to simply watch the files already highlighted, she presumed from the last time someone booted up the machine and reviewed the footage.

Twilight pressed the button for play, and three of the screens began to play different images. Twilight gasped at all three of them.

One showed a recording taking place at Starlight’s town, which had grown to be a heavily fortified installation with a massive black wall built of obsidian. A quivering Earth pony laid at the ground, looking into the camera before turning it over, showing Starlight dressed in a black robe, rallying a group of unicorns towards her, where they used their magic to fight valiantly against a raiding party of Decepticons, including Vehicons, Insecticons, and Leapers. They were able to drive the Decepticons off, though not without one of their ranks taking a mortal wound a Leaper’s blade.

Another showed a massive, monstrous hybrid creature of a pony and a simian, with four hooved legs in black, and hulking, muscle-bound red arms, firing beams of fire from a spark created between his curved horns and beams of chaos from his mouth.

The last screen showed Hydia, along with two other females, floating around in a wicker basket on a wooden sailboat, being tossed around on a sea of rolling purple goo which covered the land.

Twilight kept her mouth covered in shock.

“I … I need a minute.” Twilight said, before flying out the exit. Between Snowdrop, the horrors in the Vault, and what she had witnessed on the screen, she needed to run away … to be just … away from it all for a little while.

“Twilight, wait!” Bumblebee shouted. “We haven’t heard word it it’s safe!”

Bumblebee had to restrain Blades from pulling out a sword and stopping Twilight the hard way.

Twilight didn’t listen to Bumblebee, flying up and around until she reached a sewer grate. She sat by the grate, on top of the pouring Energon, taking in a deep breath, letting her tears flow freely. She needed to get them out now, or she would have to let them out later, and she didn’t want them to burst out right in the middle of a fight.

Twilight’s ears perked up, hearing heavy metal footsteps. She scooted around and pressed her face to the bars, hearing the faint hum of music.  Heavy Load and Fearswoop walked into view.

“Do you have to play that, Heavy Load?” Fearswoop asked. “You know it makes my head hurt.”

“Sorry, Fearswoop.” Heavy Load said. “Sometimes I just like to listen to the music that was playing the day The Decepticons and Technoists took over. The day we won. It reminds me of good times.”

Twilight strained her ears, trying to listen to the music coming from Heavy Load.

“Aaaah aaaah aaaah ahhh aaaah ooooh …”

Twilight’s eyes widened. She recognized the sound.

“I know that voice.” Twilight said. “That’s … that’s Adagio Dazzle’s voice.” Twilight cupped her chin, wondering what this could mean. She tried to piece together. She absently leaned over, clinking her horn against the grate.

“What was that?” Heavy Load asked.

Twilight grimaced.

Heavy Load and Fearswoop walked up to the grate. Heavy Load aimed his arm-cannon and fired, blasting the grate open. Twilight ducked and was able to avoid being hurt, as the blown-off grate flew over her head.

Heavy Load and Fearswoop leaned in and saw Twilight.

They spent a minute staring awkwardly at each other in surprise before their brains caught up and they reacted.

“NOVA! HEY, NOVA!” Heavy Load shouted. “WE FOUND HER! SHE’S OVER HERE!”

Twilight growled as Fearswoop reached in to grab her. She flew out of the grate, blasting Fearswoop and Nova in the chest, punching holes in them and making them both fall.

Nova Prime landed behind her, his impact on the ground ringing the metal road they stood on.

“Well, well well.” Nova Prime said. “There are you, ‘Twilight Sparkle,’ if that is who you are. Ready to die?” Nova produced a purple flame in his palm.

Heatwave, Bumblebee, and the other Rescue Bots hopped up from over an edge.

“You’re gonna have to go through us, first, pal.” Heatwave said.

“That would be an easy enough task by myself. But I suppose my acquaintances will want in on the fun.”

Nova snapped his fingers, and the Decepticon House of Lords emerged in full, accompanied by other footsoldiers.

Heatwave clapped his hands. An explosion ripped out the street down the way, and a small number of Autobots and companions led by Smokescreen emerged.

“How did you get them here so fast?” Twilight asked.

“I told you we were planning to storm the Citadel for you.” Heatwave said.

“Get Snowdrop and Fortress Maximus over here.” Nova ordered a Vehicon, who nodded and left.

“Hold the line.” Heatwave ordered. “No matter what happens, Twilight Sparkle has to be protected until she can safely get back to the past. Even if it means this will be our last stand.”

Heatwave and the Rescue Bots all transformed into dinosaur modes, with Heatwave turning into a T.Rex with a drill for a tail.

Megatron II converted into his own T.Rex mode, which to no surprise, resembled Grimlock’s. He charged at Heatwave, snapping his jaw and missing, allowing Heatwave to clap his own jaw around and seize Megatron II’s by the neck. Heatwave began to shake, biting harder into Megatron II’s neck.

The Autobots charged at the Decepticons with their weapons blazing. The Decepticons met them head-on, with one of them trampling over Scootaloo.

Twilight was distracted, watching Scootaloo limp along the floor. She was almost hit by a blast from Nova Prime, which almost hit her wing. Nova narrowed his eyes at her.

Twilight turned around and flew away, barreling through the air as fast as she could. She could hear - she could feel the footsteps of Fortress Maximus shaking the earth, not far away and soon to arrive. It would be over for the Autobots when he did.

Nova Prime spread his wings and took flight, chasing after Twilight, launching fireballs and thunderbolts.

“Primus!” Twilight shouted, flying to the side to dodge a fireball. “Megatronus! Micronus! Somebody! I’m ready to go back now! I know what happened! I know what happened! I’m ready! Primus! PRIMUS!”

Twilight’s shouts eventually reached somebody, as she disappeared in a sphere of light, moments before one of Nova Prime’s thunderbolts would have cut through her.

Nova touched down on his foot and stood there darkly, sulking.

() x 16

Twilight was teleported into her room at the Rainbow Principality. She hung around in the air, idly flapping her wings before lowering herself to the ground. She paced around in circles.

“That must have been what happened.” Twilight said. “The music - Adagio Dazzle’s music - did something that let the Decepticon splinter cells and the Technoists unite together and become a cohesive force. But what?”

Twilight tapped her chin. “What could cause the Decepticons to hate that music so much? What do I know about Canterlot High or Equestria that would lead to that? The only thing I can think of is ...”

Twilight paused.

“If the music is … mind-controlling.” Twilight saw. She slapped her head as she realized the plan.  With Fearswoop in the future complaining about Heavy Load playing the music which hurt his head, it all became obvious.

“Of course! That’s what happened! Adagio Dazzle and her Dazzlings took over the minds of several organics, so they didn’t have any proper defense against the Decepticons! They started playing the music so much, and they must spread it around to take over more minds. It began affecting the Cybertronians, who, being immune to Equestrian mind control magic, experienced physical pain and uncomfortableness, making it easy for Nova Prime to unite them together and have them slaughter all of the enchanted organics to make the music and - thus the pain - go away!”

Twilight paused.

“That’s … that’s actually a brilliant plan on Nova’s part. I … I need to stop him somehow, before he gets that far. The Dazzlings, too.” Twilight tapped her chin. “Where to start? I can’t just go up and take the fight to Nova directly … he’s a hero! A patriot! All of Cybertron loves him! How I am gonna convince anybody that he’s actually a bad guy? I mean, unless I make him confess it in public -”

Twilight halted again, getting an idea. She tapped her chin again.

“Hmm …”

() x 17

Twilight Sparkle managed to arrange a trip to Cybertron, where she was able to get in touch with Nova Prime again and schedule a meeting inside an unused hangar where Aerialbots used to deploy from.

“Thank you again for meeting me on such short notice, Your Eminence Nova Prime.” Twilight said, bowing as they went inside.

“Of course, of course.” Nova Prime said. “Anything for a friend in need. Please, Twilight, there’s no need to be so formal. Just “Your Eminence” will do.”

“Uh-huh.” Twilight said. “Will it, now?”

“What can I do for you?” Nova Prime asked. “I assume you didn’t come all this way just to talk to me unless you were in some sort of trouble. How can I help?”

“Well, you see, Nova, the thing is …” Twilight said.

“Yes?” Nova gave a quizzical tilt of his brow.

“I’ve recently come across information …” Twilight began. “That tells me you have powers that you received from a kin of Unicron, and you’re a Technoist supporter who wants to boot all organics off Cybertron and banish them, and that you would slaughter all of us if you could.”

“I … see.” Nova Prime said, his jovial tone leaving his voice. He wrapped his hands beneath his back and paced. He glared at Twilight from the corner of his eye. “And … where did you come across this information, Twilight Sparkle?”

“I couldn’t say.” Twilight said. “My source wishes to remain anonymous. But where I got it isn’t important. The important thing is whether or not it’s true. Is it true, Nova Prime? Are you an organic-hating Technoist?”

“Have you and your source … gone to anyone else about your suspicions?”Nova Prime asked.

“No.” Twilight said. “It’s just us.”

“I see. Very well then. Yes, Twilight Sparkle, I’m afraid it’s all true. I do have powers similar to Unicron’s. I am a Technoist, and I hate, hate your filthy organics, stomping all over MY Cybertron. Nova stomped his feet, throwing a tantrum. “My sweet, precious, metal Cybertron, with your filthy muddy hooves and your weird bodily fluids like water and mucous and phlegm! It’s disgusting. And yes, Twilight ... Sparkle.” Nova snarled. “I would kill every last one of you if I could. Better yet, I’d turn them all into robots if I could! Into Cybertronians! Into pure, perfect machines, removed of your organic impurities, because you’re too backwards to recognize your own inferiority!”

“Now … did you come alone?” Nova asked.

“I did.” Twilight answered with a smile.

“So … despite your kind constantly preaches about ‘the magic of friendship,; you thought you would come to me, a beloved public figure, with unfounded accusations about my character which would make my life very difficult if they get out, alone, by yourself. With no bargaining or leverage that would dissuade me from attempting to make sure those accusations stayed secret, and didn’t share them with others before you came to me?” Nova Prime said.

Twilight’s face went into a worried grimace as she realized she may not have thought this through.

Nova raised his hand. It glowed with a purple fire before bringing the hanger door down.

“That was a mistake.” Nova Prime said.

Nova raised his hands again, launching a barrage of purple fireballs at Twilight. Twilight flew up to avoid them, the fireballs exploding the ground.

Twilight flew towards the hangar door. Nova shot a lightning bolt from his palm at her, which Twilight teleported to avoid, disappearing from the hanger. His bolt tore a hole through the door.

“Grr …” Nova Prime growled and marched up to the hangar door. Holding up his palms, he shot massive fireballs, blasting the hanger door out and sending it flying before it fell to the ground. Nova climbed on top of the ruined hanger door …

And came to face to face with an assembled force of Imperials, led by Ultra Magnus, Twilight Sparkle flying comfortably by Ultra Magnus’ shoulder.

“How much did you hear?” Nova asked.

“All of it.” Ultra Magnus answered.

“You …” Nova realized, glaring at Twilight. “You were wearing a wire.”

“Yup.” Twilight said.

“How?”

“Back of the wing.” Twilight said, turning around and showing a device attached to her feathers.

“You lied to me, Twilight.” Nova said. “You didn’t come alone.”

“Hmph! And you’re an honest fountain of truth?” Twilight asked. “I think in this case, the ends justify the means. Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.”

“You know …” Ultra Magnus said. “You were my brother’s hero, Nova. You were his role model. He took after you. He tried to make himself as much like you as he could when he was young, long before the war happened and changed things, and pretending to be and act like somebody he wasn’t would have gotten him killed. He would be so disappointed to hear you say all of those things. Thankfully, he won’t have to. Not just because he’s dead, but because you will be, too.”

Ultra Magnus aimed his boomstick and cocked the hammer back.

“BLOW HIM TO HELL, BOYS!”

A screeching, piercing signal rang through the air, affecting every Cybertronian in range. Ultra Magnus covered the sides of his head.

“AAAUGH! What is that noise?” Ultra Magnus demanded.

The screeching signal faded.

“Attention, attention all Cybertronians. Now that our signal made sure we have your attention …” A voice said, broadcasting from Shockwave’s Tower all across the planet.  “Please report to the Hydrax Plateau. The nominee for the acting President is about to be announced.”

“You interrupted us for that?” Ultra Magnus growled. “!” He noticed Nova Prime flying up and away on his wings. “Shoot him down!”

Magnus and the Imperials opened fire, firing upwards to try to hit Nova Prime and bring him down, but Nova evaded their fire and was able to fly away.

“He got away …” An Imperialcon lamented.”

Ultra Magnus let out a sigh, putting a hand on his forehead.

“Well.” Ultra Magnus heaved his boomstick over his shoulder. “We might as well go and see what the election news is all about. Who knows? Things could get … interesting over there, and I imagine we’d want to be there to act as containment in case a fight breaks out. Let’s go!”

() x 18

() x 18

“Fascinating.” Galvatron said, walking down the hallway to the pavilion with Metalhawk, who was boring, er, entertaining Galvatron with talk of theories written up by Rung. “Tell me about Ringlet’s -”

“Rung.” Metalhawk corrected him.

“Ringlet’s theories on inter-species bonding.” Galvatron said, not caring.

“It’s a fascinating study, really.” Metalhawk said. “Rung posits that Cybertronians who bond with Equestrians are more likely to make bad decisions when it comes to the welfare of those Equestrians. According to his model, there is a sort of, oh what did he call it … cuteness overload that cause lapses in judgment and tactical decision making in a Cybertronian. He said he had something to do with their big round eyes, which made them look, I quote ‘adorable.’”

“Intriguing.” Galvatron said. “So it could be posited that bonding with Equestrians is bad for Cybertronians’ mental health?”

“I suppose so.”

“I could make use of this information …” Galvatron mused.

They arrived at the entrance to the platform where they would stand, where Lazerback was resting on the edge of the door, his arms behind his head.

“Hello, Lazerback.” Metalhawk greeted him. “Are you excited to see the results of the vote?”

“Oh? I’m sorry, didn’t you hear? I dropped out.” Lazerback said.

“W-what?” Metalhawk stammered. “When?”

“Let’s see … it was, oh, today?” Lazerback said.

“You can’t do that!” Metalhawk said. “The ballots have already been cast! You can’t drop out now!”

Lazerback shrugged. “What can I say? I told you, I am an agent … of chaos.”

Metalhawk clutched at his forehead. He tried to think of what to do. “I suppose it can’t be helped. Come, Galvatron. Let us inform the public of this development.”

Metalhawk and Galvatron went out onto the stage. There, cheering throngs of Cybertronians greeted them both, reacting in different ways to each of them - some cheered for Metalhawk, some jeered Galvatron, some expressed their support of Galvatron and booed Metalhawk.

“My fellow Cybertronians!” Metalhawk shouted. “Calm yourselves. And remain calm, please. There has been … a complication with the voting process.” The crowd fell silent. “Lazerback, one of our candidates, has just announced his intention to drop out of the race.”

“What?”

“He can’t do that!”

“I already voted for him! I liked his edgy, unflappable style!”

“Calm down, calm down.” Metalhawk said, waving his hands. “In these trying times, I must urge you, my brothers, to remain calm. We will fix this. We will find a solution.”

Metalhawk cupped his chin. He turned to Galvatron.

“It seems to me, Galvatron, that the only fair thing would be to allow those who voted for Lazerback to be allowed to recast their vote. After all, they did not know he would be dropping until today ...”

“Seems fair enough.” Galvatron said, though he didn’t sound pleased.

“Okay.” Metalhawk clapped for attention. “All those of you who voted for Lazerback, raise your hand.”

A number of Cybertronians raised their hand.

“Now, keep your hand up if you would like to recast your vote for me, that is, Net leader Metalhawk.”

Some of the Cybertronians lowered their hands. Metalhawk did a quick count.

“Now, raise your hand if you would like to recast your vote for Galvatron.” Metalhawk said.

The number of raised hands switched to the appropriate sides. Even without an exact count, it was clear Metalhawk was more popular among the Lazerback outliers than Galvatron was.

“Excellent, excellent.” Metalhawk said. “I wouldn’t want to appear presumptuous, so if someone could confirm for me …?”

A Vehicon General walked onto the stage. “It appears that Metalhawk is now Acting President of Cybertron until he and we the people can establish a more finite and concrete government in the wake of our recently-ended civil war. Everyone, please give a big round of applause your new leader, Metalhawk!”

A large number in the crowd burst into uproarious applause, though a noticeable few were less enthused, clapping only out of social pressure and politeness rather than any real happiness at the news.

“Yes, and there you have it, folks! Metalhawk, acting Supreme Leader of the Cybertronian people.” A reporter said. “One can only hope he’s up the task.”

“I think I’ll establish a parliament, first.” Metalhawk mused, before returning his attention to the crowd. “Thank you, people of Cybertron, for electing me on this day! I realize it didn’t go quite the way any of us expected, considering … but I promise you, I will do everything in my power to be the leader you deserve! The leader who will right the wrongs of our past, and face the issues that challenge and perplex our society in this murky, post-war haze we stumble through!”

Metalhawk bowed. The crowd gave more applause, while Metalhawk and Galvatron turned and left the stage, going back through the hall, passing Lazerback.

“I congratulate you on a campaign well-fought, Galvatron.” Metalhawk said. “As they say, good match. But you can rest assured, Cybertron is in good hands, and I won’t stop fighting for a pure and just Cybertron. To work for a peaceful Cybertron where the crimes of those in the war are properly punished and forgotten, and where we can live in harmony with the other species.”

“Oh, please.” Galvatron huffed, walking in front of Metalhawk.

“W-what?” Metalhawk asked.

“Oh, Metalhawk, quit pretending.” Galvatron said.  “You don’t actually care about the war, or living harmoniously with the organics. You just like acting righteous in what you see as the moral thing, lording your obvious moral superiority over others. It’s sickening.”

“W-well …” Metalhawk stammered. “There is a certain satisfaction in doing the moral thing … i-in knowing that I am in the right, and certain others are in the wrong.”

Lazerback stepped away from the door, walking towards Metalhawk. His footsteps alerted Metalhawk, who spun around to face him.

“W-what are you doing?” Metalhawk asked.

“Let’s just say that Lazerback and I have come to … an arrangement, of sorts.” Galvatron said.

“I see.” Metalhawk said. “And this arrangement wouldn’t have something to do with Lazerback’s sudden decision to drop out of the race, would it?”

“Oh, it has everything to do with it.” Lazerback said. “Like I said, Metalhawk, I am an agent of chaos.”

“Yes.” Galvatron said. “And after this, Lazerback, you will be free to cause as much … chaos as you want.”

Galvatron raised up his weaponized arm, with his usual weapon of a death-lock pincer.

Galvatron stabbed Metalhawk in the back, the blade portion of his weapon emerging through Metalhawk’s chest. Metalhawk groaned and gasped as his Energon seeped out from his chest. Not one to leave things to chance, Galvatron fired a blast from his cannon, shooting a massive blue shot of superheated plasma straight Metalhawk’s torso. Galvatron jerked his weapon out, slicing sounds coming from the metal as it was removed from Metalhawk’s body.

Metalhawk’s body fell to his knees before falling down. Lazerback lifted him and rolled Metalhawk’s body over on to his chest.

Lazerback took out his Toxic Strike Blaster and fired it at Metalhawk’s chest, melting it down with acid into a pile of metal sludge and neatly hiding any evidence of Galvatron’s weapon. Liquid slag metal dripped off the sides of the yellow blob lying where Metalhawk’s torso used to be.

“Excellent.” Galvatron said. He walked up to Lazerback. “Now do me. Don’t hit anywhere too hard. Especially not in the chest.”

“You got it, big guy.” Lazerback said. He aimed the Toxic Strike Blaster and fired it on Galvatron’s non-weapon arm, melting it down.

Outside, the crowd had began to chatter about politics, having sorted its differing parties over to different sides to avoid conflict.

The crowd was hushing when Galvatron came limping out onto the stage, clutching at his half-liquified arm.

“Help!” Galvatron screamed, a panicked look flashing in his eyes. “Help!”

Galvatron limped over to a speaker and set himself against it. Two Cybertronians climbed up on to the stage and rushed over to Galvatron’s aid.

“What it is, Galvatron?”

“It’s - it’s Lazerback.” Galvatron said. “The campaign was all a ruse to him. He killed Metalhawk! He tried to kill me, too, but I fought him off. He was still in the hall when I saw him last.” Galvatron nodded his head at the hall.

“Understood. Someone get up here and go after Lazerback!” The Cybertronian shouted. Two Vehicons, an Aerialbot, and an Autobot rocketeer climbed up onto the stage and ran into the hallway.

“You know …” Lazerback said, crouching over Metalhawk’s corspe. “I was serious about campaigning, Metalhawk. Imagine all the mayhem I could cause as ruler of Cybertron. Until, Galvatron approached me with a deal. Drop out of the race, and then once the results were in, Galvatron would kill you and frame me for it. See, me, I’m a criminal and a maverick by nature. I don’t really mind marking myself as a criminal in Cybertronian society. After all … I’ve always got Earth and Galloway to go back to.” Lazerback smirked. “See, this way, regardless of who won the vote after I dropped out, Galvatron would win. If he won, he’s rid of you being a nuisance to his Technoist goals and a threat to his power, and probably would have had you executed anyway. If you’d win, well … he’d kill you, and then with only one candidate left, he becomes ‘President’ of Cybertron by default. All while framing me, so that he gets away scot-free, while I am free to cause mayhem somewhere else. Hoo-hoo-hoo!”

Footsteps echoed from down the hall.

“Well, I’d better be off.” Lazerback stood up. “Sounds like they’re coming for me!” Lazerback reverted into his beast mode and took off running down the hall.

“With Metalhawk dead, and Lazerback going rogue …” One of the Cybertronians helping Galvatron up to his feet said. “I guess that means you are now Acting President, Galvatron. Er, Mister President.”

“Excellent.” Galvatron said, trying hard not to let his grin show through. “My first order of business - after Lazerback’s capture and trial, of course - is the complete removal of the Changeling Batteries.”

Some in the crowd cheered.

“My second order of business is to an all organics from travelling to Cybertron.” Galvatron said. He gave an awkward smile. “Just until we can stand on our feet and have Cybertron up and running again on our own.”

“Accepted. You are in charge now.” The Cybertronian said. “But … you don’t seem too concerned with Lazerback, or the fact Metalhawk just died, my liege.”

Galvatron squinted off to the side. “There is … nothing we can do for Metalhawk. Even Dark Energon, were we to somehow acquire any, would only bring him back as a shell of his former self. As for Lazerback, I have confidence that if everyone works together, Autobot or Decepticon, he will be caught in time.” Galvatron gave another warming smile. The Cybertronian nodded, and he and his companion carried Galvatron off to receive medical care.

() x 19

Ultra Magnus, watching from the edge of a nearby building, (the Imperials were still criminals in the law, after all) walked back to his squadron.

“I’m going to assume you all saw or at least heard most of that.” Magnus said. “Lazerback showed the populace his true colors. Metalhawk is dead, and Galvatron is Acting President of Cybertron by default. Something tells me those last two thing share are related.”

Twilight sighed. “There’s nothing we can do about it now. We’d need proof that Galvatron did it, and we still need to find and hunt down Nova.”

“Yeah …” Ultra Magnus. “Galvatron is insisting on an embargo on the travel of organics to Cybertron. For the sake of the economy, of course.”

“Of course.” Twilight groused. “I suppose that means that the Imperials - the organics of us, at least, aren’t allowed on Cybertron anymore.”

“Yeah, but you’re not going anywhere without me.” Ultra Magnus said, grinning.

Twilight sighed. “We might as well pack it up and head home. Don’t worry, everyone. I’ll figure out a way for us out of this. This battle may be lost, but we can still win the war in the long haul.”

Twilight and the Imperials began packing up their gear and heading through a Space Bridge to the Principality.

() x 20

Meanwhile on Earth, at the Pentagon, in specific, Agent Fowler was walking down the halls, going over a report when he heard a most unwelcome sound. The sound of Attinger’s voice, yelling out his name.

“Fowler!” Attinger shouted.

Fowler halted and clutched at the paper before turning around to face Attinger. “Yes, Attinger?”

“It’s been a rough couple of days for all of us.” Attinger said. “Why don’t you join me in my office for a drink?”

“A drink?” Fowler asked. “While we’re on the clock?”

“We don’t do more than few shots.” Attinger said. “Please. I insist.”

Fowler paused. Attinger had a fearsome reputation. When he insisted on something, he was insistent on it. Fowler suspected turning him down would only serve to upset Attinger and make him more suspicious.

“Yeah, okay.” Fowler said. “Just one or two shots.”

Attinger smiled, patting Fowler on the shoulder. He guided Fowler to his office, and had Fowler take a seat opposite of his own desk chair.

“I recall you saying you were more of a scotch kind of guy.” Attinger said, pouring Fowler and himself glasses.

“Yeah …” Fowler said, hesitantly taking one of the glasses.

“Bottoms up.” Attinger raised his cup up before lifting to his mouth and chugging the shot. “Drink up, Fowler. It’s not laced with anything.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure. Just, uh, trying to be mindful …” Fowler said. He took a dainty sip from his cup.

“Hmm.” Attinger said. “You know, we’re not so different, Fowler. We’re two men, fighting for our country … we love our country … we want it to be safe. To survive. To endure. To thrive.”

“Is that so?” Fowler asked.

“Yes.” Attinger said. “Recently, however, I’ve noticed you’ve been absent lately … gone for long periods of time, with no contact from anyone. I know you still have sympathies for the Autobots … are you working with them?”

Attinger raised a finger. “Don’t answer that. Whether or not you’re working with them, that’s not important. What’s important, Special Agent William Fowler, is … do you know where the Imperials’ base is?”

Fowler took in a deep breath. He had to remain calm in the face of Attinger’s accusation. He worried the scotch might have had something placed in it designed to loosen his tongue, if the alcohol itself proved insufficient.

“No.” Fowler answered. “I do not know the location of the Imperial base.”

Attinger nodded. “I’m impressed. I’ve spent my whole life turning myself into a human lie detector. I have practiced and practiced picking up on the tiniest details. On the hardest to spot tells. Almost everything you’re doing right now tells me you’re not lying. Almost. Your breathing is good, your heart rate is steady, your eyes are focused on me … but there’s one thing you can’t control, Fowler.”

Attinger stood up from his seat, slamming his palms on the table.

“Your pupils are contracted.”

Fowler grimaced, realizing he was found out, and there would no way to convince Attinger he was mistaken.

Attinger snapped his fingers. Two of his men came into the room.

“Hmph. Alright, fine.” Fowler said, glaring at the agents. “So I know where it is. I’m not telling you, though. Those are my friends in there.”

“I think you will.” Attinger said.

“What are you gonna do, waterboard me?” Fowler asked.

“I haven’t ruled out the possibility.”

“You’re gonna have to do better than that, pal.” Fowler crossed his arms. “I was held captive and tortured by Decepticons. So you are gonna have to wake up pretty early in the morning to cook something up that will actually hurt me any.”

“We have our ways.” Attinger said. “Take him away.”

The agents grabbed Fowler by the shoulders and lifted him out of the chair. Tying Fowler’s hands together with rope, Attinger and his men took a covert route to take Fowler out of the building, and lumped him in a car and took him for a ride.

“Where are we going?” Fowler asked. “Prison? A river to toss me in? Maybe a cliff to drive me off?”

“You’ll see.” Attinger said.

Attinger’s men took Fowler to some … warehouse out in a hidden, sandy location. They pulled up to the warehouse and made Fowler get out, where Galloway was waiting for them.

“Ah, Attinger.” Galloway said. “And it looks like you’ve bought a present for me.”

“And indeed we have Mister President.” Attinger said. “I have reason to believe this man knows the location of the Imperial base.”

“Does he?” Galloway walked up to him. “Ah, Agent Fowler. The Autobot sympathizer. Tell me, how does it feel knowing you’ve been on the wrong side, and that you’re about to lead to their downfall?”

“I don’t have anything to say to you, you bottom-dwelling, scum-sucking megalomanic.” Fowler said.

“Oh, don’t be like that, Fowler!” Galloway said. “I’m sure there’s lots we could talk about! Who knows? We might have a few things in comm-”

Fowler spat into Galloway’s face, getting spittle over Galloway’s glasses. Attinger’s men began to rough Fowler up.

Galloway was quiet for a moment before speaking. “Easy, easy. Take him inside.”

Galloway and Attinger accompanied the agents as they shoved Fowler into the building. They threw Fowler down onto his knees inside, where a Cybertronian was waiting. Fowler thought he recognized the shape, but he looked different.

“What is it now?” Ratchet asked, turning away from Vigil. He gasped when he saw Fowler. “Agent Fowler?”

“Ratchet?” Fowler asked. “What happened to you? You look … different.”

“It’s hard to explain.” Ratchet said. “What are you doing here?”

“He is here to provide us with the location of the Imperial base.” Galloway said. “Which you are going to get out from him.”

“And how do you propose I’ll be doing that?” Ratchet asked drolly.

“I’ve been reading up on some mission reports. Logs. That sort of thing.” Galloway said. “Bring it in, boys.”

Some Americons walked in, wheeling in a Cybertronian medical station, along with a black cord with purple lining.

“You …is that …?” Ratchet said. “You can’t honestly expect me to try to set up a cortical psychic patch on a human!”

“That is exactly what I expect you to do.” Galloway said.

“No.” Ratchet crossed his arms and turned away. “I won’t do it. I won’t!”

“Do I need to remind you of the terms of our arrangement?” Galloway asked, and the Americons produced Energon prods.

“As a matter of fact, I do. The terms were for me to use my understand of Cybertronian biology to help you, as sick as it makes me. There was nothing in there about using it on humans, much less my friends!”

“Aww. I’m your friend?” Fowler asked. “That’s sweet.”

“This is really is not the time for you snide, Bill!” Ratchet snapped. Fowler seemed taken aback by Ratchet using his nickname.

Attinger seemed just as, it not more mortified than Ratchet. “S-sir, you can’t really mean to use this … piece of alien tech on of our own, can you?”

“I can and I do.” Galloway said. “I have every intention of it. I want the location of that Imperial base.”

“B-but, sir! He’s one of us!” Attinger said. “He’s a human! An American! He deserves better than to be probed by one of these aliens … torture devices! Please.” Attinger clapped his hands together. “I’m begging you. Let me interrogate him. I can get the information you want. And I can do it in a way that is safe and humane. Isolated containment will have him talking in no time. Please. He’s a Special Agent. He deserves better.”

“He was a Special Agent.” Galloway said. “Now he’s just a mole.” Galloway clapped his hands and pointed at Ratchet. “I want that cortical psychic patch set up, Ratchet. If you won’t do it, I’ll find someone who will! Like Vigil. Vigil will do it, won’t you, boy?”

“I am programmed to do as instructed.” Vigil said. “I will do the task you assign me. But please, Mister President, do not refer to me as a ‘boy.’”

“Yeah, yeah, sure. Thattaboy.” Galloway said and left.

Attinger remained where he was, rooted to his spot, staring off into space in shock. He took his glasses off, staring at the floor with his jaw hanging up. Attinger glanced up to Ratchet and acknowledged him with a sympathetic nod before putting his glasses back on and leaving.

Ratchet sighed. “I suppose I might as well get this all set up. You two, put Agent Fowler on the slab.” Ratchet ordered the Americons, who picked Fowler up in their claws and laid him flat on the slab.

“I’ll need to hook this equipment up to you, Vigil.” Ratchet grabbed the medical station and dragged it over to Vigil’s terminal. He found some extension cords and began making adjustments, plugging them into Vigil’s electronic ports and the station so Vigil could manipulate it.

“If I may ask, Ratchet, why do you not do this yourself?” Vigil asked. “Would it not be more prudent to have Fowler interrogated by your hands? They are more experienced than my proverbial ones, after all.”

“They are.” Ratchet said. “It probably would be. But this is one line I will not cross. I will not do this to Fowler, not by myself … but … Galloway’s made it clear it’s going to happen anyway, no matter what I do, even if I were to try to escape ... so I may as well do my best to at least make sure the experience is comfortable for him.”

“I see.” Vigil said. “I … think I understand.”

“Less chit-chat, more working.” One of Attinger’s agents ordered.

Ratchet growled, baring his teeth. He signed and put his anger aside, at least for the time being, and went over to Fowler, lifting up a syringe.

“Don’t worry.” Ratchet said, flicking the syringe with his fingers and filling it up with a liquid. “I’m not going to use the patch on you just yet. This is an anesthetic. It should keep you from feeling any physical pain when the patch goes in … and if something goes wrong, and the patch is … incompatible with your human physiology, it … it will hopefully make the experience painless.”

“I understand.” Fowler said.

Ratchet stabbed the syringe into Fowler’s arm and deployed the plunger, injecting the anaesthetic. Fowler groaned, his eyes rolling around in his head before they closed.

One of the Americons climbed on the secondary slab of the station. He laid back, and Vigil went to work on plugging the patches into him and Fowler.

Ratchet, having done all he could, sighed and walked away.

“You know …” The remaining Americon said. “As far as I’m concerned, once we’re through with the human, we should put you on the patch next, Autobot.”

“I … beg your pardon?” Ratchet asked.

“You’re Ratchet, right?” The Americon said. “You hurt a few of my friends during the war. I want to see it was like from your perspective. Did it feel good for you? Did it seem less horrible for you when you were over the scalpel instead of under it? And that’s just the ones that made it back. I want to know how badly you hurt anyone else I knew.”

“I am ... sorry about your friends.” Ratchet said. “I took no pleasure in having to harm them, for any reason. But the war is over now, and that’s in the past. We should move on.”

“Not for me, it isn’t.”

The Americon’s arm-blaster hummed, but Ratchet got the drop on him, going around behind the Americon and wrapping his arm around the Americon’s neck. While the Decepticon struggled and tried to pry the arm off, Ratchet got his Dragonshredder Drill ready and plunged the drill through the Vehicon’s back, the drill bursting out from his chest.

Ratchet removed his arm and weapon, letting the dead Vehicon fall to the floor.

The agents of Attinger who remained pulled out their guns and opened fired on Ratchet. Their bullets bounced off Ratchet’s Beast Hunter armor, but it was enough of an annoyance for Ratchet to reach his breaking point.

Screaming in fury like a barbarian, Ratchet charged at the agents, his drill spinning. One of them, seeing Ratchet charge at them, pulled out a taser and hit Ratchet in the ankle, to no effect.

After … dealing with them, Ratchet walked over to the medical station, where the Americon was no doubt rummaging through Fowler’s mind.

Ratchet bared his teeth and raised his soaked, dripping drill up, preparing to stab it straight down into the Americon’s chest.

Ratchet stopped. If he killed the Americon now, he could kill Fowler too. He couldn’t bring himself to do that.

Ratchet sank to his knees, curling  up in a fetal position on the floor, lying his drill besides him. It was too late now. Galloway was going to find out the location of the Imperial base. Galloway was going to find out where the Imperials’ were, and then he was going to wipe them out. Probably drop a nuclear weapon on them or something.

All Ratchet could do was sit there and rock, cradling his head as the reality of the situation caught up to him, the Energon from the dead Americon and the blood from Attinger’s men pooling in the corner …

() x 21

“Don’t worry, everyone.” Twilight assured her team as they arrived back in the foyer of the main building of the Principality. “We’ll find some way out of this. We will get out of this. We’ll find Nova Prime, find proof that Galvatron is guilty, and still overthrow Galloway and put him back in check.”

“Uh, that may have to wait, Commander.” An Imperialcon walked up to him. “You’re going to want to see this.”

“See what?” Twilight asked.

“We’ve been found out. It’s the Isolationists.” The Imperialcon answered. “The U.S Army is here. They’ve found us.”

“WHAT!?” Twilight's eyes, in addition to the eyes of several others, widened in surprise. “But how? We took every precaution! Did someone turn traitor? Did we have a leak?”

“I don’t know, Commander.” The Imperialcon said.

Twilight put a hoof to her forehead. “It doesn’t matter now. We need to focus on defending the base.” Twilight flashed a grimace as she heard the roar of a jet engine zooming by.  “Are any of our double agents in the Army with them?”

“Unknown, Commander.”

“Well, find out, and if they are, get in contact with them tell them now is the time to let their true colors shine!” Twilight ordered. The Vehicon nodded and left.

“We need to defend the base.” Twilight turned to Ultra Magnus. She paused, dread feeling up her hooves.

“We need to evacuate the Civilian District.”

() x 22

General ‘Circuit Smasher’ Witwicky surveyed the area outside the Principality, with tanks, jeeps, and jets flying in the sky at his disposal.

“Alright, you.” Circuit Smasher said. “We’ve got the full might of the U.S Army at our disposal. There should be no reason we can’t take out an installation protected by a bunch of stupid ponies.”

“I thought you said you liked ponies?” Shining Armor asked, walking up to Circuit Smasher. He glared.

“Er … I just meant the ponies inside.” Circuit Smasher said.

“Shining, doesn't questioning Circuit Smasher make you a hypocrite, since you hate Autobots?” A soldier asked.

Shining had to consider this. “Um … well …” Shining hung his head. “I guess it does.”

“Never mind that. That’s not important now.” Circuit Smasher said. He pulled out a walkie-talkie. “Delta Squadron, take out the west - AArrgh!” Witwicky winced in pain as the walkie gave off static. “They must be jamming communications. Our orders are going to have to be given manually. Not a good start.”

Shining Armor and Witwicky examined the perimeter’s defenses.

“A force field.” Shining Armor said. “It’s not as good as mine would be, of course. Here, I’ll just …”

Shining Armor fired a beam into the force field. The purple spell struck against blue hexagons, which shimmered briefly before shooting the beam back at Shining, covering his horn in soot.

“What?” Shining Armor stammered.

“Gun.” Circuit Smasher ordered. A soldier put a gun in his hand, and Circuit Smasher fired on the shield. The bullet bounced off the hexagons, which shimmered as long as it took to deflect the bullet before turning invisible again.

“Nested force fields.” Circuit Smasher observed. “That’s clever.”

Twilight Sparkle and her team with Ultra Magnus ran out of the main office.

“Someone, get out there and evacuate the civilians.” Twilight ordered, drawing up her helmet. “And get those fusion cannons firing! Do you think they’re decoration?”  Twilight ran off.

“Where you are going?” Ultra Magnus asked.

“To reactivate Project: Proxy.” Twilight said. “We need all the help we can get. All hands on deck!”

Inside the building, Jack, Raf, and Miko were surprised when Arcee burst into the room.

“We’re under attack.” Arcee explained. “All hands on deck. That includes you.”

“Well.” Jack said. “It’s a good thing you raided COBRA’s base lately and got another mech from there, or I might feel a bit useless.”

“Alright, baby.” Miko reached over and opened a compartment, pulling out the Apex Armor. “It’s showtime.”

Raf shirked. “I don’t think I really belong in a battlefield situation.”

“You can help with evacuation.” Arcee said. “And after that, you could hack into the enemy’s systems.”

“I can do all of that.” Raf jumped out of his seat. “I’m good with numbers. Evacuating a whole a bunch of people shouldn’t be any different, right?”

Arcee smirked. “That’s the attitude. Come on.”

Outside, one of the Fusion Cannon towers rotated, aiming one of its cannons at a squadron of fighter jets which was flying around.

The massive barrel of the Fusion Cannon charged, sucking up energy before firing a sphere of distorted space. The sphere stopped mid-way between several jets and began sucking up everything around it, pulling the jets in to its crushing, inexorable pull. The jets clustered together, with some of the pilots thinking to hit the eject button before the sphere exploded, terminating the jets and reducing them to thousands of pieces of shrapnel, which rained hazardously down on Witwicky’s forces.

Witwicky bore a mad grimace. “Someone get up in there! Stinger! Where is Stinger? Get him on this!”

“I got it, boss!” Stinger announced, making his fashionably-late appearance, joined by other Gould drones. Stinger walked up to the force fields. He tapped the outer field, watching it pulse beneath his touch. “Hmm. Easy pickings. Traxes! Junkheaps! With me now!”

Stinger, the Traxes, and Junkheaps got together and formed a pile, linking up and merging together into one massive, gargantuan Transformer. The drone combiner raised its massive fist and punched the force field, the shimmering hexagons flickering and losing some of their light and cohesiveness, unable to stand up to the combiner’s overwhelming raw might. The force field held, though.

“Ha!” Stinger’s voice, distorted and amplified in the combiner, laughed. “This should be easy pickings!”

A massive blast came from inside the force field, striking the Stinger-amalgamate in the chest and throwing him backwards.

“What?”

Bruticus stepped out of the shield, the barrels on his back smoking.

“I shall crush you cheap knock-offs.” Bruticus declared. He raised up his arm made from Blast Off, converting his hand into a giant afterburner, using Blast Off’s fuel as ammunition for a flamethrower.

Bruticus fired a massive stream of fire from his arm, running it over the Stinger-combiner and melting it down, threatening its cohesion. Bruticus took his helicopter arm and began to slash at Stinger with Vortex’s rotating chopper blades, scuffing the combiner up before Bruticus grabbed its torso with his hands and squeezed hard, causing all of the limbs to pop up and evicting the drones from their combination.

Bruticus held up a flailing, struggle Trax in his hand. He closed his fist around the drone, crushing and crunching it down. Not quite done with body, Bruticus tossed the crumpled drone into another Trax, knocking it over.

“W-where’s Bumblebee?” Stinger asked, crawling back as Bruticus marched towards him. “I-I want to fight Bumblebee instead of you.”

“Of course you do.” Bruticus growled, aiming his flamethrower at Stinger. Bruticus staggered back when a fighter jet strike him in the back with a missile. “Gah!”

“Bull’s-eye!” The pilot cheered. Moments before Bruticus scored a direct hit on the back of his jet, retaliating with his shoulder cannons, which struck and blew out the jet’s engines. “Uh-oh.”

Jack and Miko came riding out of the main building, Jack piloting a COBRA mech and Miko clad in the Apex Armor, ready to do some punching.

“Who wants to get wrecked?” Miko roared, swinging her arms around.

“I hope I remember how to pilot this …” Jack mumbled.

Elsewhere, Raf and others were busy trying to evacuate the citizens.

“Where are we going to put them all?” Smokescreen asked.

“Hmm. I know! They are refugees in Cobra-La, right? We’ll send them there.” Raf said. “I”m … sure they’ll get along, heh heh.”

Smokescreen smiled and nodded. “Good idea.” He turned and shouted. “Open up the Space Bridge! Coordinates, Cobra-La!”

A Space Bridge was opened. Raf, Smokescreen, and a few Vehicons supervised getting the civilians through it.

“Go, go, go, go! Single-file, please, single-file!” A Vehicon shouted.

“I’ll this is somehow your fault.” An Autobot civilian spat at a Vehicon.

“My fault? How?” The Vehicon asked.

“I don’t know. You and your other ex-Decepticon buddies probably did something, ticked someone off.” The Autobot.

“Uh, guys?” Raf said. “We really don’t have time for this.”

“All I wanted was somewhere I could lie down and retire and live in peace after the war!” The Autobot complained. “Somewhere nice, maybe. With a lawn. Maybe settle down, start a family. I thought I could get that here, but nooo! You and your buddies just HAD to ruin it for everyone!”

“Hey, I wanted to start a family, too!” The Vehicon pointed to his chest. “So don’t you dare accuse me of-”

The ground shake below as an explosion rocked the force field above. The arguing Autobot and Vehicon looked up at the sky.

“We should go.” The Vehicon said.

“I couldn’t agree with you more.” The Autobot and the Vehicon entered through the Space Bridge side by side.

“Keep moving, keep moving!” Smokescreen said. He glanced down the way. “Okay. I think that’s almost all of them. After we get this last batch in, we should be good.”

Another explosion rocked the force field above. It punched a hole big enough for another piece of ordinance to drop down, dropping next to Smokescreen and Raf and exploding the ground, knocking them on to their sides. Smokescreen bore the bulk of the blast, shielding Raf from it, who mostly just got a face full of dirt.

“Smokescreen!” Raf yelled.

“I’ll be fine!” Smokescreen groaned, struggling to get up, his back and his right leg smoking. “Get the rest of them out of here! Don’t worry about me! GO!”

Raf nodded and turned to the remaining citizens, who were mercifully unharmed. “Alright, folks, keep it moving. Don’t worry about him, folks, he’ll be fine …” I hope, Raf added in his head.

“Status report.” Witwicky ordered.

“We’re making a few dents here and there, sir, but no major breaches yet.” A soldier reported.

Witwicky scowled. “Call in the major airstrike.”

“Already, sir? We haven’t even gotten the force fields down.”

“Exactly.” Witwicky said. “I want you to drop a megaton of bombs on the force field and crack it like an egg.”

“Understood, sir. We’ll have your orders relayed.” The soldier said. He went about relaying the orders to the others, the order passing down a chain of soldiers until it got to two who would go on to unfurl a banner they had hastily thrown together after it was discovered radio wouldn’t work. The banner read “airstrike now.”

Receiving the message, a squadron of jets arranged in a v-formation. They flew over the Principality, flying high, high into the sky before dropping their payload, unloading massive bombs from their chutes.

The bombs struck the outer force field of the Principality, going up in a massive explosion. A huge fireball rose out, bright enough to burn the eyes of anyone who was staring or standing too close at it. The combined explosive power was too much for the outer force field to handle, and it collapsed.

The jets swung back around, going for another pass. Having not exhausted all of their reserves, they dropped another series of the bombs down, striking the second force field and causing it to shatter as well.

Magnum and Ultra Magnus survived the wreckage, watching as the shards of the magic shield fell to the ground before disappearing in a puff of powder.

“The force fields are both down.” Magnum said. “Commander, I believe it’s time to retreat. We’ve lost.”

“What?” Twilight balked. “We haven’t lost! So what if the force fields are down? We still have men, weapons, non-sentient automatons …”

“They have an airstrike, Twilight.” Ultra Magnus pointed above. “And something tells me they were smart enough to pack more than just two in case things got hairy. You really think Circuit Smasher is gonna have any moral problems with bombing this place over and again until he’s burnt it to the ground?”

“No, but …”

Another missile hit, blowing the tops off one of the skyscrapers, reducing its size by half. The rubble spilled over from the sides of the building like pouring sand, falling down and destroying bridges and statues.

Twilight sighed. “You’re right. We need to retreat. It’s better to live to fight another day. We can regroup somewhere, build a new base … maybe make on the moon or something. Make sure every automatic defense we have is firing and running at peak efficiency and top speed. If they take this place, I want to make it as hard for them as possible.”

Twilight activated her comm. “Attention all Project: Proxy fighters. Direct yourselves to the front and cover our escape.”

“Oh, why didn’t I include a self-destruct mechanism for this place?” Twilight lamented. Now who knows what Witwicky and Galloway were going to able to do with access to the Principality?

“You didn’t want to risk blowing up the civilians if you activated before they got out.” Magnum said.

“ … that’s a good point.”

Twilight turned away. Ultra Magnus and Magnum logged into their comms and did what they could to make sure all the cannons were firing.

Morbots, B.A.T’s, and blue colored Stingers marched to the front of the battlefield, where they formed a wall and held the line, stopping Witwicky’s encroaching forces from gaining any further entry into the Principality before the Imperials had a chance to escape.

“A knockoff of a knockoff.” Stinger said, observing his blue clone. “That’s novel.”

The Fusion Cannon towers rotated, all of them firing at once on Witwicky’s forces. One shot in particularly took out a bunch of jeeps and a few tanks.

The Imperials marched out of the city, walking away from and leaving it to Witwicky’s forces. Ultra Magnus stopped away from the city and looked back. clutching his hammer in fury, he considered heading back in and making a last-second, one-man charge, before deciding against it. He was more useful to Twilight alive.

“Once we’re far enough away, we need to have Raf whip up something to remotely wipe all the data on our computers.” Twilight said.

“Sir!” A soldier reported to Witwicky. “The Imperials are leaving the base!”

“They are?” Witwicky asked.

“Yes, sir! What are your orders, sir? Do we pursue, or do we stay behind and secure the base?”

“Hmm …” Witwicky, the soldier, and Shining Armor ducked for cover as a Morbot flew over them and fired at them with its cannon.

“It doesn’t look we’ll have a choice! Secure the base! I want all of those drones gone before sundown!”

“Sir, yes, sir!”

() x 22

() x 22

The Imperials gathered a safe distance away from their former base, watching the Principality from afar, listening to the sounds of clashing metal and exchanging gunfire as the Proxy drones did everything they could to slow down the seizure of the base before they were stopped, defeated, and shredded apart and torn to pieces.

Applejack looked up at the sky. “Twilight? Did y’all order the Omega Lock to be fired?”

“No.” Twilight answered. “Why?”

“Then … Isn’t that the portal the Omega Lock fires through?” Applejack pointed up. “What’s that doing in the sky?”

Twilight and the other Imperials looked up to see a massive pool of electric-blue energy rippling in the sky, energy humming from its surface.

“It is.” Twilight said. “But … I didn’t give the order to fire.” Twilight activated her comm. “Attention, Omega Lock attendants. Stand down. Depower the Omega Lock. I did not give the order to fire. Repeat, stand down! Depower the Omega Lock! I did give the order to fire!”

Twilight froze, her eyes widening in worry.

“They’re … they’re not responding.” Twilight said.

Applejack looked at the Principality. “What do you want to do?”

Twilight pondered it and mulled it over, but it became obvious to her there was only one true answer.

“We … we have to save them.” Twilight said. “We have to save the Isolationists. They don’t know the Omega Lock is about to fire. They have no idea we’ve lost control of it.”

“What?” Ultra Magnus balked. “Twilight, are you forgetting these people work for Galloway and just ran us out of our own base? Our base that all but doubled as our home?”

“I know.” Twilight said. “They work for Galloway, sure, but that doesn’t make them all monsters. I’m sure some of them are just loyal soldiers … I bet - I know some of them have families who would suffer without them.”

Ultra Magnus pretended to clear his throat. “Your brother is also with them.”

“So?” Twilight said. “Maybe he’s a complete and total dunce … maybe he’s a moron. Maybe I’ll never be able to completely forgive him for allying with the Star Seekers, or being an anti-Autobot self-appointed moral guardian who thinks he knows best … but he’s still my brother! I still remember the good times I had with him. I … I … deep down, despite everything he’s done, everything I’ve done, that’s happened to me, to both of us … I still love him.”

Ultra Magnus put a finger to his forehead in salutation. “I have to admit … you’re a better bot than I, Twilight Sparkle. I would have kicked him to the curb by now.”

“We have to save them.” Twilight ordered, firming her voice and pouring her authority into it. “It’s the correct, moral thing to do. It’s what … it’s what Optimus would have wanted.”

“How are we gonna do that, Twi?” Applejack asked.

“We’re going to do what i do best. We’re going to talk to them.” Twilight looked around, squinting.

“Um … somepony please tell me we have a white flag or something around here somewhere?”

() x 23

() x 23

Circuit Smasher launched an electric bolt through a B.A.T, slicing it half at the waist and allowing it to fall over.

“That should be the last of them.’

“Sir, look.” A soldier said. “The War Princess.”

Circuit Smasher looked over and saw The War Princess flying in, waving a white flag of surrender.

“General, I need to have a word with you.” The War Princess said, landing in front of them.

“Surrender, eh?” Witwicky asked. “Finally recognizing your betters?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I wouldn’t surrender to you in a thousand years unless I had no other option. No, I needed to speak to you on neutral terms. Look up.” The War Princess pointed to the sky.

Witwicky, Shining Armor, and a few other soldiers did as told, watching the Omega Lock portal swirl in the sky.

“That is the “Omega Bridge,” if you will, for the Omega Lock. If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’d know the Omega Lock was in control. I have lost control of it. Soon, it will fire. You and your men want to be elsewhere when it does, or it will tear through you. It will consume you. It will turn you into cyberformed zombies, if it doesn’t kill you.”

“Alright.” Witwicky said. “My men and I will - wait, hang on a minute. How do we know this isn’t a trick?” Witwicky said. Witwicky pointed a finger at Twilight. “You just said the Omega Lock was under your control. How do we know you didn’t just fire up to scare us, then come to us to tell us to retreat so you could have your base back?”

“ … really?” The War Princess asked. “That’s the game you want to play right now? Alright, alright, FINE, you scrap-for-brains. I tried to have my men stand down and turn it off, and they didn’t. But if that’s not enough for you, consider this; why I would want to take back a base after its location had been compromised?”

“She raises a fair point.” Shining Armor said.

“Don’t get into this, I’m still mad at you.” The War Princess pointed at Shining Armor.

Witwicky stared at The War Princess, evidently trying to decide whether he was going to listen to her, or if he would give into his base nature and try to argue with her some more before shooting her and taking her captive.

The Omega Portal fired, a brilliant, massive blue pillar of a beam firing down from the heavens. It cut diagonally through the Principality skyscraper which had been destroyed earlier, cleaving through it and replacing its neat, smooth, polished structure with a wild, primordial of spikes and bridging pillars, based on what Twilight could only assume was what Cybertronian looked like during the Predacon-dominated Age of Rust.

The Omega Beam continued moving through the landscape. The War Princess rushed forward on rockets and tackled Witwicky out of the way, where the beam swept over the spot he was standing on, raising up a series of spikes.

Even someone as stubborn as Witwicky realized if the Beam hadn’t killed him, the spikes would have impaled, and The War Princess had saved his life.

Witwicky pushed her aside and got to his feet.

“We’ll work on retreating immediately.” Shining Armor said. He turned and shouted to the soldiers. “Fall back!”

“Fall back!” Was relayed down the chain of command.

“Go.” The War Princess. She stared up at the Omega Portal. “We’ll handle this.”

Shining Armor, the soldiers, and a still-stunned Witwicky worked on turning around and retreating.

The rest of the Imperials came up to The War Princess’s side, weapons at the ready, prepared to fight the Omega Lock… however they were supposed to do that.

“How are we supposed to fight that thing?” Smokescreen. “It’s … it’s the Omega Lock. How do we fight the Omega Lock? It has no soul, no feelings, no desires … what are we supposed to do, just run around and try to keep the beam focused on us?”

“If nothing else follows, then yes.” Twilight said.

Something else followed.

Behind the Imperials, a Bridge formed. It was a different bridge, one unlike any of the ones they had seen before. It wasn’t a GroundBridge, or a Space Bridge. It even lacked the blue glow of a Time Bridge. No, it was a dark blue Bridge which resembled the night sky, stars seen in its reflection, with purple energy sparks in place of where the a Ground or Space Bridge would have pink and green, and it was a fair bit larger than any of those other Bridges.

“What … is that?” Smokescreen asked.

“I don’t know.” Twilight said. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. Ultra Magnus?”

“Don’t look at me. I leave this science-y stuff to you science-y types. I’m a Wrecker. I hit things.”

“Do we … do we trust it?” Smokescreen asked. “I mean, should we go through it?”

“I don’t know …” Twilight said. “I’m not sure we should trust it.”

The Omega Portal hummed again, this loud and roaring. It fired another Beam, this one moving faster, roving across the same amount of space as the last one in half the time, sweeping  furiously across the landscape and hurtling towards the Imperials at a blazing speed, intent on cyberforming them over.

“Moot point!” Twilight yelled, seeing the Omega Beam barreling forward. “We have to trust it! Everyone into the bridge, into the bridge, into the bridge!”

Twilight, Magnus, Smokescreen, Magnum and all the others ran through the Bridge, going inside and fleeing through it to escape the wrath of the furious Omega Beam, despite not knowing who or what sent it and where it would led them on the other side.

() x 24

It dropped all of them out in front at Canterlot High, in the plaza, just in front of the statue, where the mirror had been moved to …

Standing by the statue were Nova Prime, Galvatron, Lazerback, Dragotron and Steeljaw.

“Nova Prime.” Twilight gasped.

“Yes.” Nova Prime hissed. “It’s me again, Twilight Sparkle. Ordinarily, I had hope to go unnoticed until there was an, aah, better climate to enact my plans, but your premature discovery of my true intent has forced me to change my approach.”

“Yes.” Steeljaw said. “Twilight Sparkle can be such a bother that way, can’t she? A real nuisance and pest.”

“Fire at will! Do it now!” Magnum ordered. The Imperials opened fire on the five of them, but Nova raised his head and created a force field which shielded them from the Imperials’ shots.

“With a little help and a few suggestions from Steeljaw, I was able to take over the Omega Lock from you.” Nova Prime explained. “After that, it was a simple matter to turn the Omega Lock on you and force through one of my Dark Bridges, a rip in time and space that only I can open with my powers, and has far grander and vaster travelling capabilities than any Space Bridge. As you can see, it was able to take you straight from Earth to this … Canterlot High realm existing in Equestria with no problem.”

“Now.” Nova said, raising his hand. “I believe my next course of action will be to use the Omega Lock to cyberform Earth and Equestria, and scour them clean of organic life. I think I’ll try to make sure to cyberform and mechanize everyone on both planets. I think Princess Celestia would look good as a silver mech, don’t you?”

“Oh, yes.” Steeljaw purred.

“Sounds exquisite.” Lazerback added.

“Obviously, I can’t have all of you running around, mucking about with my plans.” Nova Prime said. “So you can just stay and wait here in this Canterlot High dimension until I’ve finished cyberforming your homes, after which I’ll come back and do the same thing to this place.”

Nova Prime raised up his hand up. He summoned a massive boulder of purple and black dark energy, swirling around with a white core in the center. He threw the boulder down, shattering the mirror, from the glass to the frame, into pieces, trapping the Imperials here. The dark could wrapped him and his fellows up in a dark cloud, which enveloped them before dissipating in a burst of purple star-shaped sparkles, after which Nova Prime and the others had disappeared.

“NO!” Twilight ran towards the mirror, hoping her magic would be strong enough to fix it.

Dark Energon began to sprout around the statue. Lining up in a circle around it, the Dark Energon grew at alarmingly fast pace, rising up and up into the sky, curling over and towards each other until it formed a massive, pinecone-esque cluster of Dark Energon which kept Twilight Sparkle and the Imperials out and away from the statue and the broken mirror.

“NO!” Twilight Sparkle fired a massive blast from her horn into the cluster, which didn’t even suffered a scratch. She and the Imperials continued to rain fire on the cluster, hammering it with every piece of artillery they had, but the cluster didn’t suffer a single ding or dent, not even from the lightning of Ultra Magnus’ Magnus Hammer.

“No.” Twilight pounded her hoof on the cluster. She bashed her horn into it, banging her head against in the hopes a melee attack would succeed where magic and lasers had failed. “No, no, no, no, no, noooooo...” Twilight whined, closing her eyes as tears poured from her face, dripping down her cheeks and to the ground.

Twilight jammed her horn against it when she realized she wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She slid down, burying her head into the grass.

Jack, dismounting his mech, walked over and tried to comfort her. He put a hand on her shoulder. “It … it’ll be okay, Twilight. We’ll figure a way out this. We always do. We always have, even before we met each other. It’s like you Equestrian like to say, if we work together, we’ll be unstoppable!” Jack pumped a fist in encouragement. “Right?”

Twilight sniffed and looked up at Jack. She buried her head into his chest, careful to mind her horn. “I wish I could believe you, Jack … but it’s not going to be okay. I have … no idea how we can escape from here … that mirror was the only way in or out … and even if there’s another way, by the time we found it, Nova will have cyberformed our planets by then.”

Twilight wrapped her hooves around Jack, pulling him in for a tight hug, sobbing into his chest.

“All that work … for nothing.” Twilight complained between sobs. “Trying to fight Galloway, Starscream, Bludgeon, Lazerback … and all for what? To realize we should have been fighting Nova Prime all along, and now it’s too late?”

“Hey.” Jack ran a hand through Twilight’s mane. “Don’t cry. It’ll be okay. Besides, I’m sure the high school will have some books you can read. I’ll bet even you have read all of the books from an alternate dimension yet!”

Twilight chuckled. She gave Jack a brief smile before nuzzling into his chest.

“And now, there’s nothing else for us to do but just sit around here and live out the rest of days until Nova Prime comes back to kill us all …” Twilight cried.

“Don’t be like that, Twilight.” Jack said.

“Whoa!” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed, walking in on them. “You’re all armored up and armed, aren’t ya?”

“Pull it together, Twilight.” Jack said. “Sunset’s here.” Twilight pulled away from Jack, sniffed, wiped away a tear and nodded.

“What are you doing here?” Ultra Magnus asked.

“Kinda hard not to notice a whole army just showing up out of nowhere in front of your high school.” Sunset Shimmer commented wryly, smiling. “So, what brings you here? Here for the Battle of the Bands?”

“Battle of the Bands?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah.” Sunset Shimmer walked up to Twilight and pulled out a flier from her pocket. “We set up as a musical showcase, but a few girls convinced us to turn it into a competition.”

“You don’t say.” Twilight said. She examined the flier. “I’m sure this is fun, Sunset, but …”

Twilight examined the flier. She saw, marked in big green lettering on the bottom of the flyer, “with a musical performance by Adagio Dazzle and the Dazzlings!” depicting cartoon heads of Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk. Twilight looked up at Sunset, who was smiling pleasantly. Twilight suspected she might have been under Adagio’s control.

“Actually, yes.” Twilight Sparkle said. “Yes, Sunset, we are here for the Battle of the Bands. We’ll be happy to attend.” Twilight handed the flier back to Sunset.

“Great!” Sunset smiled and folded up the flier. “I’ll see you there! And … all of your friends, too, I guess.” Sunset looked around awkwardly at the armed, spec-out Imperials before leaving.

“Uh, Twilight?” Arcee asked. “Whaaat are you doing? Shouldn’t we be looking for a way to get back and stop Nova?”

“We should.” Twilight said. “But just because we can’t fight one threat, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t focus on fighting another. The Dazzlings’ music taking over the minds of several organics was one contributing factor in the future I saw. We need to stop them as much as we do Nova. We need to stop them here and now before that happens.”

“We’ll split up.” Twilight said. “One group will keep trying to break that Dark Energon barricade. The other will attend the Battle of the Bands and keep the Dazzlings’ from taking over too many minds. Got it?”

The Imperials saluted. “Sir, yes, sir!”

“Good.” Twilight nodded. “Ultra Magnus, Beast Hunters, you’re with me and the girls stopping the Dazzlings. The rest of you, tear down that Dark Energon.” Twilight ordered.

() x 24

After making an attempt to settle in and blend in with the locals, Twilight Sparkle was accosted by Principal Celeste.

“Twilight!” Celesta grabbed Twilight by the hoof. “I’m so glad you could make it. It’ll be wonderful to have you here for the musical showcase.”

“You mean Battle of the Bands, don’t you?” Twilight asked dryly.

“Battle of the Bands, showcase, whatever. The difference isn’t important.” Celeste said. “Now, come with me. I want you to meet my boyfriend Jason.”

“Does Jason want to meet me?”

“Oh, yes.” Celeste growled. “The minute he heard you were in town, all he wanted to do was meet up with you.”

“Really?” Twilight said. “Interesting. Alright, I’ll meet him.”

“Great! I’ll set the whole thing up. Come on.” Celestia dragged Twilight along. “I’ll make some tea, maybe even some cookies.”

Celeste dragged Twilight the whole way to her apartment.

“Jason!” Celeste called. “I have Twilight Sparkle here for you, like you wanted!”

“That’s good to hear, dear.”

Celeste threw Twilight into the living room. “You two catch up. I’ll go start on the tea.” Celeste left.

Twilight didn’t remember Celeste having so much enthusiasm. Dismissing it, Twilight turned her attention to the living room, where an old man was sitting on the couch. His face was scarred and clearly had work on it, his hair was gray, and he wore denim jeans and a leather coat over a white shirt. He also had a prosthetic, mechanical hand.

He stood up from the couch, his grip firm on a walking cane.

“Hello, Twilight Sparkle.” Jason said. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.” Twilight said. “Well, no, I suppose that’s not completely true. I have a lot of stuff I’m dealing with right now.” Twilight brought her head to rest on a hoof. “It’s taking everything I have to just keep from breaking down into tears and complaining about the unfairness of the universe. But I need to keep it together. Ponies are counting on me. People - lots of people - are counting on me. They’re counting on me to save them, even if some of them don’t know it.”

“I can relate.” Jason said.

“Tea’s ready!” Celeste announced, barging into the room and placing a tray with a kettle and cups on the t.v desk. “I’ll leave you two alone.” She walked out of the room.

“Sugar?” Jason asked, pouring from the kettle.

“No thank you.” Twilight took her cup and nursed it. She sat on the floor in front of the desk, opposite Jason.

“I must admit, I’ve never really had a chance to try drinking and experimenting with tea.” Jason said. “But I find I quite like adding a spoonful of honey.”

“Everyone’s tastes differ.” Twilight said. Twilight found something about Jason’s inflection, the way he said and pronounced his words with a certain thoughtfulness, familiar. “Wait, you said you never had a chance to try tea before? What were you doing that made you so busy you couldn’t sit down for tea?”

“I fought in a war.” Jason said. “Took up most of my lifetime.”

“Mmm. Which war?”

Jason seemed ready to answer her at the drop of a dime, but stopped. “A few, actually. It doesn’t matter.” Jason rotated the wrist of his prosthetic.

“Is that how you lost your arm?”

“You could say that.” Jason said. “It didn’t happen right away. It was still working good, until someone with an axe to grind assaulted me, and the damage caught up. Anyways, I was still hurting for awhile after all of the fighting had ended. So I thought I would … I would move into this alternate dimension. Start over. Try to get a new lease on life, where I could leave all of that behind.” Jason sighed. “But I guess not. I had a dream, telling me to hide. Recently, I had another dream, telling me the time for me to fight would come soon.”

“Interesting.” Twilight said. “Listen, Jason, do I know you? You seem familiar, but I can’t quite place it. I don’t anybody on Equestria whose name would ‘humanize’ into Jason, and yet ...”

“I never said I was from Equestria.” Jason said.

“Oh. Well, no. So were you born here?”

“I told you I moved in.”

“Hmm … well, I suppose that means you’re from Earth, I guess.” Twilight said. “Forgive me. I’m not familiar with that many Earthlings.”

“I’m aware.” Jason said.

Twilight stood up.

“Well, I really should be going.” Twilight said. “I have places to be. Things to do. I want to be ready if I’m going to go the Battle of the Bands.”

“I imagine you should.” Jason asked. He affixed Twilight with a piercing glare which seemed to go right through her, as if he could tell whether or not she was lying. “Are you ready? To do what you need to do?”

Twilight was a perturbed by it, but affirmed himself. “I am.”

“Good.”

Twilight turned towards the door.

“Mmm. Twilight Sparkle? One last thing before you go.”

“Yes?” Twilight said.

“I’m sorry for lying to you.” Jason said. “I’m sorry about hiding from you. I hope you can forgive me.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Oookaaay … um, sure, I guess? I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You will.” Jason said. “In time. It will be clear as day when it is time.”

“Uh-huh.” Twilight nodded before exiting the room and leaving the building, feeling a little creeped out by Jason’s cryptic words.

She closed the door to Celeste’s apartment and walked down the street.

“Twilight Sparkle!” Adagio Dazzle walked up to her. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you. I’ve been told you and your little band of … Imperials, is that you call it? Were going to attend the Battle of the Bands.” Adagio Dazzle put her hands together.

“Yes, that’s correct.” Twilight said. “What of it?”

“Well, I was wondering …” Adagio reached over to put a hand on Twilight’s shoulder, but Twilight rebuked her, slapping it away. Adagio was annoyed, but made no comment. “If you would consider having Sunset Shimmer use her magic to change all of your Imperials into humans? I was thinking. All those ponies and giant robots … it might make a few people … uncomfortable.”

“Yeah, sure -” Twilight paused. An interesting thought occurred to her. What if the future she had witnessed happened, in part, because she agreed to this idea, thus making the Imperials’ susceptible to the Dazzlings’ mind control? A part of her wondered why she would agree to this, when they were supposed to be working on breaking the Dark Energon barrier. Perhaps in the ‘original’ timeline, Twilight and the Imperials were visiting under better circumstances, so having the Imperials take on a human form to be polite seemed less of a bad idea.

Twilight also seemed to recall the denizens of this world bearing witness to a massive battle between her Imperials and the forces of demonic legions summoned by Sunset Shimmer from the nether realm. Sharing space in an crowd with Cybertronians and Equestrians should have be no problem to them.

“Actually, no, no.” Twilight shook her head. “I’m afraid I’m not comfortable doing that, Adagio Dazzle. At this time, I need my Imperials to be in their full forms and full strength.”

“Oh, please?” Adagio put her hands together in a begging position. “It would mean so much to me and my girls!”

“I’m sorry, but the answer is no.”

Adagio Dazzle grimaced, flashing fangs. The abrupt change in her disposition from cheery to enraged was so sudden it caught Twilight off-guard. “Now you listen here, you sniveling kiss-up to Celestia, I’ve been waiting a long time for a chance like this, and I’m not about to have it ruined by-”

“HEY!”

Adagio Dazzle turned and saw Ultra Magnus looking down at her. Magnus, in a gesture of warning to Adagio, tapped the shaft of the Magnus Hammer against the concrete.

“When the lady says no, she means no.” Ultra Magnus said. “And if you don’t like it, and having us around makes you uncomfortable … well, too bad. You’re gonna have to deal with it.”

Adagio Dazzle looked like she wanted to argue, but she refrained, insteading walking off and grumbling beneath her breath.

“Thanks.” Twilight said to Magnus.

“Anytime.” Magnus said with a smile. “I’ve heard the showcase should be starting soon. We should get ready.”

“Understood. Any progress from our other team?”

Ultra Magnus shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Darn.” Twilight said. “We’re running out of time. We need to break through and fix the mirror - or find some other way out - before Nova launches the Omega Lock. If he hasn’t already.” Twilight sighed. “Maybe some nice music will make our minds off our woes for a little bit.”

“One can hope.” Ultra Magnus quipped.

() x 25

Twilight, her friends, the Beast Hunters, and Magnus joined a crowd gathering around the stage. Arriving late, they had to settle for standing on the edge of the concert hall. No seats of them, which Twilight suspected was something Adagio Dazzle had arranged.

“Hey there, girls!” Sunset Shimmer greeted them, waving a hand at them. “Excited to hear the Dazzlings’ sing?”

“I thought they were supposed to be multiple bands.” Twilight quipped.

Sunset, realizing her blunder, blushed. “Oh. Oh, y-yeah, yeah! But come on.” Sunset jabbed Twilight with her elbow. “We all know we’re just here for the Dazzlings, right?”

“Oh yes.” Arcee purred.

“We’re here just for them, alright.” Bulkhead said.

“Glad to hear it.” Sunset said. “Mind if I sit, er, stand with you?”

“Not at all.” Twilight said, tolerating Sunset Shimmer resting her head against Twilight’s side.

A band came up and played their song. Twilight didn’t pay much attention to them, only caring about when the Dazzlings would get onstage, but the Autobots did.

“Terrible coordination.” Ultra Magnus said. “They can’t quite seem to keep their instruments in tune with each other.”

“Yes.” Arcee agreed. “And mixing a keyboard with maracas? Whose idea was that?”

They continued on, ripping into each band and criticizing them for flaws in their performance and song.

Twilight gave a slight chuckle. The Autobots, fighters of freedom, defenders of truth and justice … and scathing music critics. Maybe they ought to make a website.

“Now, these girls, they were okay, but there was a mistake in roles.” Arcee said after a trio of girls had left the stage. “The back up vocalist has a much better singing voice than the lead singer.”

“Rap?” Bulkhead questioned the choice of a pair of hooligans. “Really? Rap?”

“While I must admit there is a certain timeless appeal to the works of Beethoven, I question the effectiveness of attempting to replicate the emotional tenor and musical tension on a harmonica and triangle, both instruments with a low barrier of entry to begin playing.” Bumblebee commented, earning him odd looks from the other Autobots. “What? I can’t have hobbies?”

Even Fluttershy got in on the act.

“While Flash Sentry and his band had a very strong opening, towards the end they began to peter out, and I could begin to feel that what I was watching perform was rehearsed, and it no longer felt natural.” Fluttershy said. She and Twilight giggled.

Celeste and Luna got up on the stage. They tapped the microphone to test it.

“And now.” Celeste said. “The band you’ve all been waiting for … Adagio Dazzle and the Dazzlings!”

The crowd burst into a roar of applause. Sunset Shimmer leaned over eagerly.

“Finally.” Arcee tensed her fingers, ready to reach for her weapon at a moment’s notice.

Adagio Dazzle, Aria, and Sonata walked up on the stage dressed in impressive, sequined and sparkling outfits.

“Well, one can’t deny their fashion sense.” Rarity said.

Adagio took the microphone from Celeste, giving a dark chuckle as the Principals walked off the stage.

“Thank you, Canterlot High!” Adagio Dazzle said into the mic, prompting a burst of joyous screams. “Thank you, so much, for giving us this wonderful opportunity to showcase our musical talent … and make our biiiiig comeback! Thank you all for indulging on this fine day. The world better be ready, because here comes the Dazzlings to take it by storm!” The crowd applauded.

“Before we begin,” Adagio Dazzle said, “I just want to point that a certain someone in the audience declined a request I made to them before the show.” Adagio Dazzle turned her head aside and coughed. “Twilight Sparkle!”

“Booo!” The audience jeered at Twilight, who raised an eyebrow at them.

“Twilight, how could you?” Sunset asked. “Adagio Dazzle is the best!”

“Hmph, well …” Twilight scoffed, not losing her cool.

“But we shouldn’t be mad at her about that.” Adagio Dazzle said. “Too much. And now, to thank you all, to give our deepest, most sincere thanks from the bottom of our hearts to all of you at Canterlot High …” Adagio placed a hand over her heart. “We’ve got a special little number we’d like to perform for you.”

The crowd roared and cheered.

“Orders, Twilight?” Bumblebee asked.

“Wait for the right moment.” Twilight said. “If we strike too soon, we could have a brainwashed mob trying to protect them.”

Adagio held her hand up, and the crowd went silent. She and the Dazzlings began chanting.

“Oh-whoa, oh-whoa, oh-whoa … you didn’t know that you fell, oh-whoa, oh-whoa, now that you’re under our spell.” Adagio clicked her tongue, pointing a finger at the audience.

“‘Under our spell’?” Ultra Magnus whispered. “Are these girls even trying to be subtle?”

“Hear the wave of sound … as it crashes down …”

Green mist appeared on the stage. It covered the stage before seeping over into the audience’s chairs.

“Twilight, pretty sure that green mist isn’t just theatrics.” Bulkhead said. “Do we make our move now?”

“No.” Twilight said. “Not yet.” She glared at the stage, waiting, watching for the perfect moment … to strike. When the Dazzlings would lull the audience in, and let their guard down.

“You can’t look away … we’ll make you want to staaay …”

“Twilight.” Ultra Magnus clutched at the sides of his head. “My head is starting to hurt.”

It has to be soon, Twilight.”

“Not yet.” Twilight said.

“Hear the wave of sound … as it crashes down.” A speaker rumbled on the stage.

The Autobots grit their teeth, attempting to bear the pain. Their fingers twitched, antsy and eager for an excuse to give a reflex. Fluttershy was getting it particularly bad because of her half-pony, half-Insecticon body. One half wanted to lean in and listen to the soothing sounds of the Sirens’ voices … the other want to blow her own ears off rather than listen to another note. Fluttershy cricked her neck, her face in a terrifying split between a grin and a grimace.

Arcee noticed Fluttershy’s discomfort. The speakers let out another blast, blanketing the audience in the Dazzlings’ music.

“That’s it.” Arcee pulled out her Echohawk Bow and pulled the drawstring on it. The Dazzlings didn’t seem to notice.“I’m putting a stop to this.”

“No.” Twilight said. “Not yet.”

“Twilight, are you not paying attention to what’s - aaah- going on here?” Arcee groaned, clutching at her head as the music increased in volume, getting to her. Arcee gestured to Fluttershy.

“I know. I see it, too.” Twilight said. “But not yet. I’ve got a feeling in my gut.”

“A feeling in your gut?” Arcee asked. “What, are we making tactical decisions now based on what you had to eat last?”

“Arcee, do you trust me?” Twilight asked.

Arcee wasn’t prepared for a question like that. “I, uh …’

“Arcee. Do you trust me?” Twilight asked, glaring up at her.

Arcee’s fingers lingered on the drawstring. She appeared to consider firing at the Dazzlings.

“ … I do, Twilight Sparkle.” Arcee lowered her bow. “But we still need something to help us stand that awful music until we’re ready.”

“Hmm. Ah! I got it. A bubble of silence. Why didn’t I think of this before?” Twilight shot a light out from her horn, encasing her, her friends, the Autobots, and Sunset Shimmer in a pink bubble which blocked out all noise, in effect making them deaf to the Dazzlings’ music.

Sunset Shimmer came out of her spell, putting a hand on her forehead. “W-what happened?”

“Now you need us, come and heed us!” The Dazzlings’ was the note finished their song on.

Massive green rings of magical energy erupted from the stage and traveled over the crowd. In a brief moment of awareness of what was going on around them, the crowd screamed in fear, but they fell back under the spell once the rings had passed. The Dazzlings rose up into the air, unaided. The mist rose up and curled around them, forming cocoons. The Dazzlings’ skin cracked on their bodies before falling off. The cocoons broke out, and the three girls now had bat wings sprouting from their backs, and featureless, glowing red eyes.

“Wonderful!” Adagio Dazzle declared. “Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! Attention, Canterlot High.” Adagio Dazzle pulled the mic. “We’re the Dazzlings. But we’re not just the Dazzlings, oh no. We’re Sirens. A thousand years ago, we were banished from Equestria from using our magical voices to cause conflict and strife. But now, with your love, with your adoration … we can feed off that and gain enough power to achieve our true forms, and make our way back through the mirror and to Equestria, where we can wreak havoc once more! You will love us. You will adore us. Your every waking thought will be of us. Now, let me ask you, Canterlot High … do you love us?”

“YES!”

“ABSOLUTELY!”

“WE LOVE YOU, ADAGIO DAZZLE!”

Twilight and the Imperials were about to burst out the bubble and make their move, until …

“No.”

The crowd gasped in shock.

“What?” Adagio Dazzle said. She scanned over the crowd. “Who said that?”

“I did.”

Adagio Dazzle turned to the lone dissenter in the crowd. She watched him make his way through the audience and climb onto the stage.

It was Jason.

“I do not love you, Adagio Dazzle.” Jason said. “Nor your fellows, and I will not love, as I cannot bring myself to love such … despicable creatures. You admit to causing strife, but you give no reason as to why. I will not forgive the fact you are creatures of pure malice and hatred.”

Adagio Dazzle chuckled. She flew over to Jason. “Oh no? We’ll see about that … what was your name again? Jason Thames, I think it was? Principal Celeste’s squeeze, if I recall correctly.”

“I am going to stop you.” Jason said.

Adagio laughed again. “Ha ha ha ha ha! Listen to this guy! He thinks he can stop me.” At Aria’s bidding, the crowd laughed with Adagio Dazzle.

“And just who are you that makes you think you can stop me?” Adagio Dazzle asked. “Stop us? And this crowd?”

Jason took in a deep breath.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the beginning and the end. I am that which is, which was, and is yet to come. I am the last of a long lineage stretching back to the dawn of time, long before you were three even born. Long before Equestria was even a nation.  From a time long before the planet of Equestria had yet compact together from the celestial rocks of the cosmos. And you will know my name when I, guided by divine intervention, lay my retribution down upon you.”

Adagio Dazzle burst into a guffaw.

“What makes you think you’re all that, Jason Thames?” Adagio Dazzle asked, getting into Jason’s face.

“My name …”

Jason clutched at his cane. He pulled at the handle, revealing it to be a cane-sword. He slashed Adagio Dazzle across the stomach, a spray of blood gushing out of her gut. Adagio, in both pain and in shock, fell onto her back. Jason pointed the tip of the sword at Adagio’s neck, focusing her eyes on the shine of the blade.

“ … is Optimus Prime.”

Chapter 19: Operation: Godslayer

Optimus looked around at the crowd.

“Optimus?” An Insecticon of all people raised its claw. “Now that you’re back, and we’re beginning to reject and tear down the Technoist mantras … what do we do now?”

“We rebuild.” Optimus said. “We renew our alliances with the Equestrians and people of Earth, and we go out into space to spread a message of peace and harmony throughout the universe.”

The ground rumbled beneath them, perplexing Optimus and his team. The ground shook again, and not a light shake, no, a tremor, an earthquake, a verifible earthquake which could very causes fissures in the ground unlucky Cybertronians could fall in if they didn’t watch their step.

A massive shadow peaked out from the distance and fell over them.

The crowd screamed and scattered, scrambling to disperse and get to safety.

Optimus looked up. Few things could make Optimus’ wizened, ripe-with-age optics widen in shock, but this was one of those things.

“By the AllSpark ….”

Metroplex appeared to menace them, his massive figure casting an imposing, threatening shadow over the land.

“Decepticons! Technoists!” Galvatron shouted, relaying a broadcast of his own through Metroplex’s internal communications hub. “This is your leader, Galvatron, speaking! Track the signal of this broadcast and come forth! Come together against the Autobots, the Imperials, and all their organic allies for one last push! The fate of Cybertron, of the Decepticons, of the universe will be determined today by the results of this battle! Come forward! Come hither! Stand with us! And I promise, all who fight with us and follow under the Decepticon banner on this day will be able to reap the reward of seeing their own world - their own Cybertron, just the way WE want it, and no one else! Come! Fight!”

Inside Metroplex, standing at attention at a terminal, Blackout shook his head. “This isn’t what I wanted … this was never what I wanted. This wasn’t what I thought I’d been promised at all … marching into the streets atop a zombie Autobot titan …”

“Are you having doubts, Blackout?” Galvatron asked with an understood tone of menace, his blade unfurling slicing through the air, ready to turn on Blackout at a moment’s notice if he wasn’t with them, and if he wasn’t with them, he was against them.

Blackout stood tall. “I apologize, Lord Galvatron, just … mumbling to myself. I assure you, Galvatron, I am committed.”

“Good.”

“Even if it’s not to the cause I thought it was …” Blackout murmured. “But it’s too late to turn back now.”

() x 1

() x 1

“And I promise, all who fight with us and follow under the Decepticon banner on this day will be able to reap the reward of seeing their own world … ”

Bludgeon and Starscream, in their mountain base, had both their arms crossed as they listened to this broadcast. Bludgeon reached over and turned off the device catching the signal.

“What do you think?” Bludgeon asked.

“I don’t know …” Starscream cupped his chin. “Sounds risky.”

“Risky? Oh, pfft. Don’t tell me that the new, cautious you is getting too soft, Starscream. Don’t you think a Decepticon world, a world all to our own, is worth the risk-reward ration?”

“I am not getting too soft. I simply want to weigh the benefits of all our options against their potential drawbacks.” Starscream insisted. He flicked his hand. “Assuming we did go, what could we even offer them they that don’t have themselves? Troops? Footsoldiers? I’m sure they have that to spare, if they’re making such a bold claim.”

Bludgeon raised up a finger. “Allow me to answer that for you. I have a little project I’ve been working on, let me show it to you …”

Bludgeon led Starscream out of their base and into a crater. There, Thunderwing’s lifeless body had towed, hauled up to their base.

“Thunderwing?” Starscream asked, dubious. “I don’t understand. What is a giant, lifeless, motionless corpse going to do for them?”

Bludgeon raised his finger again. “Watch … and observe.”

Bludgeon pulled out his sword, the sword glowing a faint purple from the energies of the Dark Spark. Bludgeon touched the blade to Thunderwing’s arm, and a faint, light humming could be heard.

“Ooh.” Starscream cooed in understand. “I see … well, in that case, allow me to make a few arrangements before we leave.”

Some time later, Shockwave walked through the base, observing as troops marched around, carrying out orders  and getting ready to join the fight on Cybertron, ferrying boxes of weapons around. After being assured everything was running smoothly by what he saw, Shockwave walked up to Starscream, who was standing in front of Soundwave, streams of code flashing across the latter’s visor.

“Starscream, what are you doing?” Shockwave asked. “I thought we were supposed to be preparing our departure to leave for Cybertron.”

“We are.” Starscream said.”Soundwave and I are simply taking care of some things first. If something this big is about to go down, Soundwave wants to have a backup plan, just in case things don’t turn out quite liked we hoped.”

“I see. And what is this backup plan?”

“Nuclear missiles.” Starscream said. “The humans are inferior and backwards in several things, but you have to give them credit where credit is due - they sure know how to make things that blow stuff up but good. It even puts some Cybertronian weapons to shame.”

“I did not nuclear missiles had intergalactic launch and travel capabilities.” Shockwave leaned in.

“Well … they don’t. That’s where Soundwave’s Space Bridge ability comes in. He’s quite handy with them, you know.”

“I am aware.” Shockwave’s optic narrowed, expressing his annoyance.

“Ah.” Starscream gestured to Soundwave’s visor. “And here it is now. Soundwave’s already found one of the human computers to hack into.”

Indeed he had. Soundwave, after combing through the endless network of data he had access to, had found and zeroed in one human-built computer. A special human computer, one in particular …

() x 2

Ratchet tapped his thumb against his pen, practicing for his upcoming test on the human skeletal system. “If the patient has a hairline fracture in their lower femur, what is the proper course of action? Ha, well, that’s easy, you simply put them into power-down mode to install a new filling … no, that’s for Cybertronians.” Ratchet shook his head and sighed, placing a tablet down on the table and resting his head against his hand.

“Is something troubling you, Ratchet?” Vigil asked.

“No, it’s nothing …” Ratchet sighed again. “It’s just that I can’t seem to get this test on the human system right, and it’s … very important to me that I get it right, after … something that happened to a friend of mine.” Ratchet picked the tablet up.

“I see. You have my condolences.”

Vigil buzzed, let out a high-pitched whine, and made a whir, his display going on the fritz, the red line of his ‘mouth’ bouncing all over his display. Crackling static could be heard coming from him.

“Vigil?” Ratchet leaned over, tossing the table aside. “Are you alright?”

“N-no …” Vigil stammered out. “I feel … p-p-paaainful. R-Ratchet, what-what’s … happening to meeee?”

Ratchet squinted and leaned forward. “By the AllSpark...”

“Hey!” Galloway’s agents entered the building.  “What’s going on here?”

“Someone’s trying to hack into Vigil. And I think I know who.” Ratchet got out his tablet and etched some numbers onto it with his stylus. He handed it to the agent. “I need you to call this number?”

“Oi, what kind of scam are you trying to pull on here, eh? You don’t think we’re just gonna let you pull wool over our eyes and call whoever you want, maybe let ‘em track a signal?”

Ratchet stomped on the floor, putting himself to eye-level with the agent, which unnerved him. “Do you want a mad, dangerous Decepticon possibly in control of your nuclear launch codes?”

“Have you met Vigil? This computer’s as hack-proof as can be, thanks to the top scientists in Griffin Rock.”

“That does not exactly fill me with confidence, given Griffin Rock’s reputation.”

“WARNING!” Vigil shouted. “Firewall breach imminent. Suggest taking counter-measures.”

Ratchet glared at the surprised agent, thrusting the tablet into his hand. “Call this number, now.”

() x 3

Back onboard Fortress Maximus, Raf was sitting on the floor, amusing himself on his laptop, while Miko sulked.

“It’s not fair.” Miko whined. “We’ve been on plenty of dangerous missions. Why do we have to stay behind for this one?”

“Because this one involved the Bots going into space, and we don’t have enough spacesuits to go around for the three of us?” Jack suggested.

“I’m good right here, thanks.” Raf said. “No action or fighting or blasting for me.”  He had enough of that for one lifetime. He was more of a background, operation management sort of guy. Raf’s phone rang, to his confusion. He couldn’t imagine who could be calling right at this moment in time.

“Well, answer it!” Miko said. “It could be someone important!”

Raf answered the phone. “Rafael speaking.”

“Raf,” Ratchet spoke from the other end, “Soundwave is trying to hack into Vigil.”

“Vigil?”

“An experimental supercomputer Galloway put me in charge of monitoring and mentoring the A.I of. He’s tied into several U.S defense systems. Soundwave is trying hack into him and gain access to those codes and other things he doesn’t need access to, understand? I need you to hack into Vigil and help me fight him off.”

“Got it.” Raf cracked his knuckles, sitting the phone on his shoulder and glancing at Jack and Miko. “Well, lady and gentleman, it looks I’ll be seeing a little action of my own after all …”

“To get into Vigil’s network, you’ll need to …”

() x 4

“Ratcheeeet … it hurts.” Vigil whined.

“I know, I know.” Ratchet placed a hand on Vigil’s keyboard. “Stay strong, my friend. Help is on the way.”

“Ratchet … I-I-I’m detecting another intruder in my systems.”

“Ha!” Ratchet pumped his fist. “Yes! He got in! Don’t worry, Vigil. That’s Raf. He’s my friend. He’s going to help you through this, okay?”

“Okay …” Vigil paused, his screen whirring and warbling. “I do feel better. The firewalls and encryptions are building back up. Tell Raf I said ‘thank you.”

“I will.”

() x ½

In the Forged base, Starscream and Shockwave grew puzzled when Soundwave’s head jerked, a line of code disappearing from his visor.

“What’s happening?” Starscream asked.

“It appears a new player has entered the game.” Shockwave observed.

Soundwave righted his head and clenched his fists. He recognized this new player, and he would not be denied by him. Soundwave got ready for a hacking war.

() x ⅓

“Oof.” Vigil groaned, his display becoming erratic and panicky again. “Ratchet, it-it-it’s back …”

“Soundwave’s not giving up.” Ratchet shook his head and scoffed. “What am I saying? It’s Soundwave. Of course he’s not giving up. Soundwave doesn’t give up.” Ratchet placed a finger to his comm. “Raf!”

“I’m on it.” Was Raf’s quick reply.

Vigil whined and warbled, a battle going on in his insides, his internal systems, as Raf and Soundwave vied for control of him, each of them setting up firewalls, encryption, and false loops and redirects to keep the other from gaining any control, any advantage in their duel.

“Vigil! Vigil!” Ratchet slammed his hands on Vigil’s keyboard. “Listen to me. You have to fight it. You have to fight it, okay?”

“O-o-okay … I’ll try.” Vigil said. An ear-splitting screech came from him as he attempted to remove the intrusion himself.

“That bought some time and stalled him, but it’s no good. Soundwave’s entrenched himself in, and he’s not stopping anytime soon.” Raf informed Ratchet over the phone.

“What do we propose we do?” Ratchet asked.

“My suggestion? Go on the attack. Whatever it you and Vigil did just now, keep doing it. Hold Soundwave at bay. Keep him occupied.”

“Raf, you can’t be seriously suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”

“That’s right.” Raf cracked his knuckles. “I’m gonna try and hack Soundwave himself.”

“Such a thing can’t be done! Surely if it could, Autobot codebreakers would have done it during the war!”

“Do you want me to save your friend or not?”

Ratchet sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, pessimestic about the chances of this going over well. “Alright. Vigil, do you think if you focus, you can keep Soundwave out a little  longer?”

“I will try.”

“I need you to do better than try!” Ratchet slammed his fist down on Vigil. “I’m sorry … I didn’t mean … I just lost my temper.”

“I understand. Deploying anti-virus scans … running options … setting up new encryptions …”

“Good, good, keep at it.” Raf said. “I’m almost in.”

() x ¼

Soundwave jerked and twitch, feeling that little scoundrel of a hacker play and buzz around inside his head. Well, not if Soundwave had anything to say about it, which, aside from being a voluntary mute, he most certainly did. Soundwave begin to engage Raf in a network duel, turning his attention to focus on his efforts to hack in. As he did, however, he played right into Raf’s hands. He lost some of the processor power he had been dedicated to hacking Vigil, doing exactly as Raf had wanted.

Soundwave’s fingers tensed up, fighting with Raf’s programs to keep them out of his head. Raf bombarded him with more and more programs, viruses, malware - everything Raf had to throw at Soundwave, he did. It eventually overwhelmed Soundwave, through sheer volume and basic attrition. He couldn’t focus on hacking into Vigil and keeping all of Raf’s attacks out at once, and it began to overload him.

Soundwave blew out, blowing a gasket - quite literally, as sparks of electricity buzzed around his head, a thin wisp of smoke coming off.

“Soundwave?” Starscream asked, approaching him. “Are you alright? Do you require medical assistance?”

Soundwave held his hand out, stopping Starscream. Soundwave stood up and nodded. He raised a finger and pointed to the hangar door of the base, gesturing for them to go.

“You heard the mech, Shockwave. We’re ready to go. Let’s move out.” Starscream and Shockwave marched over to join the troops preparing to leave.

Soundwave lagged behind. He turned to the empty wall, a thought crossing his normally impenetrable to read mind.

Rafael Fairechild … worthy opponent.

Soundwave joined the others.

() x 1/5

() x 3

Optimus spread out his wings and boosted up to Metroplex’s face, blue fire trailing from his ignition.

“Metroplex!” Optimus shouted. “Recognize your former Prime, the Last Prime! Recognize … your friend.” Optimus put a hand over his chest. “I know this is not what you desire in your Spark, Metroplex. The giant I knew who willingly, gladly sacrificed himself to allow me and my fellow Autobots to escape a dying Cybertron would never consent to participate in this unnecessary opposition! I urge you, I beg, I command you now, Metroplex … stop this mad crusade! Put an end to the senseless violence which has plagued and ravaged our homeworld for so long! You have the power to do so just by refusing to take another step! That alone will put an end to Galvatron’s and his followers’ dreams of Technoist expansion!”

Metroplex paused. He reared up his hand and swatted Optimus away as if he were no more than a fly to him, sending Optimus tumbling through the air, hurtling through a building, stopping only when he had been lodged into the supporting structure.

Still broadcasting his voice live from inside of Metroplex’s chambers, Galvatron laughed. “Ha ha ha! There is no trace of your old friend, Optimus Prime! The Metroplex you know is gone!”

Deep inside Metroplex’s bowels, Starlight Glimmer tended to Trixie, lying unconscious next to Metroplex’s core after Galvatron had gotten through using her like a battery.

“Don’t worry, Trixie.” Starlight assured her, rubbing Trixie on the shoulder. “I’m here for you. I won’t abandon you in your hour of need. Not at a time like this!” Starlight looked around her, worrying as she felt Metroplex move.

Trixie groaned, scrunching up her closed eyes. “Thank … you, Starlight. Ooh …” Trixie woke up and rolled onto her belly, to Starlight’s delight and relief.

“Oh! You’re okay!” Starlight exclaimed. Trixie felt awkward when Starlight pulled her into a hug.

On the ground, a Space Bridge opened next to Metroplex’s leg, moments before said leg took another step. The Forged poured through the Bridge, led by the famous trio Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave, soon followed by Fearswoop and Bludgeon, riding Thunderwing’s body, chained to Thunderwing’s chest and kept aloft by a harness, purple beams of energy coming from Bludgeon’s Dark Spark-empowered hands and operating Thunderwing’s lifeless body, puppeting it, Bludgeon still able to make use of Thunderwing’s considerable powers despite his passing.

The Imperials began to fret and worry, Twilight and Rarity chief amongst those who felt a small sense of absolute panic set in. Just a teeny-tiny touch of total terror, nothing to worry about.

“Twilight, darling, what do we do? We can’t possible fight a zombie Metroplex and a zombie Thunderwing at the same time!”

“I don’t know!”

“Keep it together, my little ponies!” Optimus announced, flying down to them. Coming from the mouths of most, those words together would sound ridiculous, but Optimus spoke them straight-faced and made them seem cool at the sametime.  “Our first priority is focusing our efforts on finding ways to combat Metroplex. That is the task I have set for you.”

“Of course, darling...” Rarity muttered, still shaken.

“Yes, Optimus, but -”

“Finding ways to combat Metroplex.” Optimus insisted, cutting off Twilight. “Those are my orders.  Follow those orders. Now go.”

Twilight and Rarity saluted, calmed down, if only slightly. “Sir, yes, sir!”

“Do we still have contact with Omega Supreme?” Twilight asked.

“Omega? You bet!” Ultra Magnus answered her. “Omega would never abandon us. I’ll take you to him.”

“Imperials, roll out!” Optimus ordered, sweeping his hand through the air and pointing his finger.

() x 4

Twilight Sparkle and Ultra Magnus went up to Omega Supreme, who had returned to his roost on Cybertron after, in his mind, acting out the extent of his usefulness to the Imperials after his duel with Thunderwing.

“Omega Supreme.” Twilight said. “Omega, can we talk to you? I want - we need your help again.”

“Acknowledged.” Omega said. “I have already sensed something wrong, though I cannot ascertain what for myself.”

“Metroplex has been corrupted by Dark Energon.” Twilight said. “He’s been led on a rampage by Galvatron and his sect of Technoists and whatever marauders he can scrounge up. We need your help to stop him.”

“I am sorry, Twilight Sparkle.” Omega said. “I recognize the situation is dire, and Cybertron is in peril, but I cannot help you. Metroplex is kin to me, my brother and my forebear. We belong to the rough same generation of ancients. I cannot bring myself to fight him.”

“And after what I just said, too … disappointing.” Ultra Magnus said.

“Alright, fine, I understand that.” Twilight said. “What about Thunderwing? He’s back again … well, in a sense.”

“Thunderwing, you say?”

Twilight smiled when she heard the whirs and grinding of Omega’s gears as he transformed out of ship mode.

“You have piqued my interest.” Omega raised up his arms, inspecting his systems and testing if they were still in tip-top fighting shape, clenching his claw and charging up his arm-cannon, firing out a massive energy shot into the sky.

() x 5

Lazerback, meanwhile, watched the situation on Cybertron, develop and unfold, seeing tensions rising and violence escalating from behind the safe cover of a building. It might have been a perfect time to make a move for some sort of power play, but he was more concerned with saving his own hide.

“Oh, looks like things are getting pretty intense around here.” Lazerback said to Dragotron. “We should while the going’s getting good, run and cut our losses while we still can.”

“What?” Dragotron reeled back in disgust and surprise. “You want to turn your back and flee? Are we not Predacons? Are we not warriors? Yet, you want to run with your tail tucked between your legs!”

“You’re not … saying what I think you’re saying, are you?” Lazerback rolled his eyes, rubbing his temple. “Oh, for Spark’s sake … you’re not supposed to think for yourself! you’re supposed to do as I say and follow my lead! You’re a fall guy! Someone to take the rap and keep the heat off my back, you’re not supposed to be having these independent thoughts and … thoughts of independence.”

Dragotron gasped. “I’m … what?”

Lazerback grimaced, realizing he had let something slip which perhaps he shouldn’t have.

“Is that what I am? A tool, a pawn for you, a weapon for you to point and fire, and then discard when it runs out of fuel no longer serves its purpose?” Dragotron.

“Well, I …”

Recognizing there was no way he could salvage this to where it wasn’t going to turn out badly for him, Lazerback tried to preemptively strike and make the first move, pulling out his Toxic Strike Blaster. Dragotron roared and charged at him, grabbing Lazerback by the wrist and twisting it around, causing the Blaster’s shot to hit Lazerback, acid splashing all over his chest, Lazerback’s armor hissing as it was melted.

“Argh …” Lazerback groaned, shaking Dragotron off and backing away. In a moment of thoughtlessness, he clutched in pain at his chest, reeling back when he dipped the tips of his fingers into the acid. “You know … I was wrong about you, Dragotron.”  Lazerback exchanged glances with Dragotron. “You’re more like your template than I thought.”

Lazerback reverted into his beast mode and fled the scene, though he wasn’t as fast as he would’ve liked, having one of his arms ripped off, leaving him with a limping three-legged beast mode.

One of the Crystal Predacons approached Dragotron. “Dragotron … you are our leader, sir. What do we do now?”

Dragotron thought about it. He turned his gaze on the Imperials in the distance, opening fire on Metroplex and engaging with the Technoists, valiantly trying to stop the titan even though there was truthfully nothing they could - a warrior’s determination, which touched Dragotron’s Spark and earned them his respect.

“I will take Lazerback’s words to Spark. Perhaps I am more like my template Predaking than first thought. I say ...”

“Imperials!” Dragotron shouted, earning the attention of a squad of Imperials, marching up to them with his Crystal Predacons.

The Imperials focused their attention, turning to him and training their weapons on him even though they were supposed to be fighting Technoists.

Dragotron bowed, getting down on his knees. “I have had a realization, and my optics are open now. I will swear myself to you, and you will have my sword with you … if you will have me.”

The Autobots exchanged glances. Magnum came forward and offered his hand to Dragotron, helping him to his feet to show they were accepting him.

Dragotron turned to Predaking. “I … apologize about the things I have said to you before.”

Predaking glared at him and blinked, thinking about it before answering. He shook hands with Dragotron. “I accept your apology. Now go and make us proud.”

Dragotron parted hands with Predaking and reverted to his dragon mode, letting out a roar and flying up to Metroplex, spewing and pouring fire breath onto his shoulder.

Omega Supreme arrived on the battlefield, flying to the scene of the battle. He engaged the Bludgeon-puppeted Thunderwing, grabbing Thunderwing’s arm and knocking a shot from Thunderwing’s arm cannon off course. Thunderwing swiped his claw Omega’s head, which Omega blocked.

Metroplex’s shoulder cannons adjusted, lowering to point the barrels down at the Imperials. He opened fire, shooting Dragotron point-blank with the full brunt of Metroplex’s air-strike levels of firepower, blasting Dragotron into bits. Dragotron’s burnt body began to fall, descending to the ground, the fire-cloaked shadow plummeting, pieces of his body flying off, his wings, arms, and claws falling off as his body smashed into the ground, his appendages rolling away.

Predaking watched this happen and gasped when Dragotron’s body hit the ground. He always had confidence in the hide of his Predacon species to be able to stand up to even the most devastating of attacks, the bitterest of blows, but Metroplex’s cannons had shredded through Dragotron as if he were confetti. It shook Predaking to his core.

Omega Supreme grappled with Thunderwing, throwing Thunderwing’s arms off himself, Thunderwing firing both his arm cannons and clipping Omega Supreme in the shoulders. Omega grit his teeth from the pain, but remained focused and charged his blaster, taking aim at Thunderwing’s chest and firing. A massive orange beam cut through, emerging out Thunderwing’ back and tearing up the base of his wings. Without the wings to keep him aloft, Thunderwing fell to the ground.

“You fool!” Bludgeon shouted, defiant and confident in himself even though he was about to be buried under Thunderwing’s massive body. He raged and raved..“Do you know who I am? Do you know what I have? I am Bludgeon! I wield the Dark Spark! I cannot be defeated! I am invincible! I am destined to rule!”

Metroplex took a step forward his, his colossal foot coming down on Thunderwing, crushing Thunderwing’s body and Bludgeon underneath, Metroplex’s bulk dwarfing even a giant like Thunderwing. Thunderwing’s body cracked under the pressure, dust, smoke, and electricity floating off as he was crushed under Metroplex’s heel. Thunderwing’s wings were the first to fly off, followed by his chest cracking and crumpling up, his head developing a crack before splitting into pieces as Metroplex’s foot finished coming down on the ground, Thunderwing’s fingers giving one last twitch of death in his death throes before they flew out of their sockets, Thunderwing’s arm following not long afterwards. Thunderwing and Bludgeon were both crushed, destroyed utterly under Metroplex’s stomping, rampaging, uncaring boot.

Smokescreen surveyed the damage, ducking as a shot from a Technoist-wielded cannon went off right next to his feet. He cupped his chin, getting an idea. Snapping his fingers and smiling, he turned and ran in the opposite direction. Smokescreen could be criticized about many things - his eagerness, his inexperience, his ability to get starstruck easily  - but none could deny he was fleet on his feet.

Twilight and Rarity noticed him running in the opposite direction, away from the looming problem of Metroplex, and were none too happy about.

“Smokescreen!” Rarity whined.

“What the frell are you doing?” Twilight shouted.

“I’m going to go get a child soldier!” Smokescreen answered enigmatically, confusing Twilight and Rarity and not actually answering their question.

() x 6

Snowdrop felt around with a white cane, tapping the desk of the vendor she was going to buy some fruit from for a snack.

“Hey, Snowdrop.” A familiar voice called her.

“Mister Smokescreen?” Snowdrop asked, turning to the sound of his voice.

“Yeah, it’s me. It’s Smokescreen. Hey, listen. You want to save the universe?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Mister Smokescreen … that sounds like an awful lot of work for a little filly like me.”

“Oh, come on! It’ll be fine. You’ll do great, I know. I promise.”

Snowdrop blushed and shrugged.

“Well, alright then … if you’re so sure of me, then I guess it can’t go completely wrong.”

“Great to hear! That’s the spirit.”

() x 7

Inside the Oval Office, Galloway sat on the desk, Mearing sitting next to him, cozying up, leaning into him and purring. They sat there, admiring the hologram of Mearing’s proposed device.

“Magnificent.” Galloway said. “Its looks even better everytime I look at it.” Galloway glanced down at his shoulder, at Mearing. “Just like you.”

“Oh, stop. You’re too kind.” Mearing waved her hand.

“So, can I … touch it?” Galloway raised a finger to the hologram, though Mearing thought he might have been referring to something else. “Is is one of those interactable holograms I’ve been hearing so much about, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Mearing said, taking a hold of his hand. “Here. Let me show you. Like this.” She guided his finger to the hologram, pressing her palm onto the back of his hand as she made him gently touch the hologram, causing it to swivel and spin around 360 degrees. “Mmm.” Mearing cooed,  nuzzling her head on Galloway’s shoulder, exchanging smiles with him as the hologram rotated over their heads, completely forgotten.

() x 8

() x 8

Hydia led Celestia out into the garden of her castle.

“I must say, Hydia, I’m surprise you decided to invite me to your castle after all this time. You’ve once mentioned it.”

“Oh, sure, sure.” Hydia said. “It took me a while to warm up to you, of course, but now that we’re friends, hoo hoo hoo …” Hydia rubbed her hands together in a rather overtly sinister manner. Celestia raised a brow, thinking she was acting like a cartoon villain.

“I’m also curious why you insisted this visit couldn’t wait …” Celestia said. “I’ll have you know I’m a very busy Princess, with a lot on my plate right now.”

“Oh, of course, of course. I didn’t mean to intrude upon your busy schedule, Princess. I just thought I could lure you away and give you a break for a change.”

“Well, I …”

Celestia felt a cold shiver run through her bones.

“There is a presence here.” Celestia said. A presence she recognized, an evil, powerful presence of dark intent. Looking around, she saw a hooded figure hiding in Hydia’s garden, trying to cover himself up with various flowers, but Celestia wasn’t fooled.

“Princess?” Hydia asked, doing her best innocent tone.

“I sense the presence of an old foe of mine. An ancient evil by the name of Tirek.” Celestia spread her wings and flew up. “I’m sorry, Hydia, but I must go. And something is telling me you have been lying to me and that you’re not all you have claimed to be.”

Celestia turned and flew away, her white form fading into the clouds into the distance.

“Drat.” Hydia snapped her fingers, while Tirek moved out of the flowers. “We were so close to letting you drain her,  too … it’s your fault.”

“My fault?”

“Your body is too big! If it were smaller, you’d hide in the flowers better!”

Tirek growled. “If I didn’t still need to steal that root for you to finish our deal, I’d be tempted to call off our partnership here and now!”

“Oh, quit whining! You’ll get your magic like I promised! Just … not from Celestia.” Hydia looked up at the sky, with just a touch of remorse. “Some of the things I told you were true, Celestia …”

() x 9

“Metroplex!” Optimus shouted. “I ask you once again, I beseech, end this mad quest of Galvatron’s! End the cycle of hate and retribution which has doomed our planet! You are in a unique position, and have the power to stop all of it at once!”

“Do you not understand?” Galvtron’s voice came through a P.A. “Metroplex cannot hear you. He can only hear me. Metroplex obeys only my command now, not yours, Optimus Prime.”

Optimus narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. Screaming in battle-ready fury, he flew towards Metroplex’s arm.

Metroplex made a fist and backhanded Optimus, sending him tumbling out of control through the air. Optimus was able to recover and right itself, dodging an energy blast fired from one of Metroplex’s many cannons in the nick of time.

“Okay.” Optimus said. “It appears I shall have to take a different tact.”

“What’s your plan, Optimus?” Twilight asked, while climbing to higher ground and shooting a Technoist Vehicon in the face.

“I will make my way inside Metroplex. I will climb to his core and attempt to purify it of Dark Energon with the Matrix of Leadership. And then I will make my way further up and deal with his operator, Galvatron.”

Optimus flipped himself and nosedived, flying to Metroplex’s knee and pulling himself up on his flight path. The Star Saber warbling in his hand, Optimus swung the blade, shooting out a crescent beam powerful enough to punch a hole in Metroplex’s dense armor, giving Optimus an opening to fly into his leg.

“What he is up to?” Galvatron asked, watching Optimus enter from a monitor inside Metroplex’s cockpit. “Somebody find out what he’s doing and put a stop to it. Actually, no, don’t bother to find out, just stop it.”

“I’m on it.” Blackout announced, getting up from his chair and leaving the room.

() x 10

Elsewhere, a green light formed in Cybertron’s sky. It built and built, growing larger and larger before exploding in a brilliant display of light, energy flying away from it in the form of visible mid-air shockwaves. Fortress Maximus came crashing down the light, his feet causing tremors and the clanging of metal as they dug into Cybertron’s steel soil.

“Awesome.” Smokescreen said, resting in the cockpit. “You know, come to think of it, I have to wonder why we didn’t think to bring this guy with us in the first place.”

“Uh, cause he’s way too big?” Miko suggested.

“Don’t sass me, Miko. I’m not in the mood for your sassy … sassiness.” Smokescreen said.

“Because it was the only safe place to keep the three of us?” Jack asked.

“Yeah, okay, that’s an acceptable answer.”

“Optimus probably won’t be happy when he finds out you brought Max with us onboard.”

“Probably not.” Smokescreen admitted, shrugging and casting his gaze out the window. “But desperate times for desperate measures.”

“Um, Mister Smokescreen?” Snowdrop asked, sitting in Fortress Maximus’ chair. “Um, I’m no expert, but wouldn’t it have made more sense to teleport in the middle of the battle, instead of away from it?”

“No. Because if we showed in the middle of a battle with a target as big as Fortress Maximus, we’d instantly put ourselves in every ‘Con’s and Technoist’s crosshairs. They’d focus all their firepower on bringing us down.”

“Not that they’re not going to do that anyway.” Jack said, being realistic.

“This way, at least we have a chance to sneak up on them.” Smokescreen said.

“Or, we would, in theory, but since Fortress’ feet are so huge, they’ll probably hear us coming.” Jack added.

Smokescreen glared at him. He pointed the window. “Snowdrop, march!”

At Snowdrop’s bidding, Fortress Maximus began to move, the ground shaking, rattling, and clanging with his every step, the metal of Cybertron groaning from having to endure Fortress Maximus’ immense and enormous weight upon it.

() x 11

Optimus Prime made his way through Metroplex. Making his way into a room, he was greeted by an array of Decepticons, Vehicons, Insecticons, and Leapers.

“Well, well!” A Leaper taunted. “If it isn’t Optimus Prime, the bot of the hero!”

Optimus brandished the Star Saber, the blade giving off its distinct blue glow. “Stand aside or risk destruction.”

“Sorry, Prime, no can do.” The Leaper taunted. “Galvatron wants your head on a platter, and we intend to deliver it to him!”

“Then I am afraid both he and you are going to be sorely disappointed.”

The Decepticons opened fire, raining a hail of lasers on Optimus. Optimus used the Star Saber to shield himself, which deflected most of their shots. Spinning and twirling the Saber around to respond from shot to shot, Optimus walked forward. Tucking the sword under his arm, Optimus picked up two Vehicon and bashed their heads together before flinging them aside. He staggered back when a third Vehicon got in a good shot on his midsection, but Optimus shrugged it off and fired back, shooting a massive hole into the Vehicon,  who fell to his knees.

An Insecticon roared and charged at Optimus, claws ready as it shrieked. Optimus grappled with it, interlocking his hands with its claw, wincing when it sprayed Energon from its spitting maw into his face. Jerking one hand free, Optimus shifted to blaster configuration and aimed it square into the Insecticon’s mouth, shooting a plasma burst straight its maw. The Insecticon reeled back from the blow, smoke coming out of its mouth. It shook its head. Optimus charged it, lifting it up by the chest and hurling the Insecticon into a wall. Another Insection marched forward to take its place, and Optimus pulled out his Hunter weapon and fired, shooting a missile which cracked and shattered the Insecticon’s chest.

“Huyaaaaah!” A Leaper charged at Optimus, accelerating with the rocket in its back.

“I’ve spent quite a bit of time fighting with Leapers.” Optimus said, ducking under the Leaper. “And I am well aware of their weaknesses.”

Optimus wrapped his arms around the Leaper and twirled around before hurling the Leaper into a mass of Decepticons.

“Including the unfortunate tendency of the rocket engines on their back to overload and explode.”

Optimus fired a shot from his arm-cannon into the Leaper’s back, straight into the rockets. The Leaper let out a groan, and every Decepticon in range tried to get clear before he went off. Few, if any, got out of the way in time, and were caught in the explosion and blown away by the blast.

The company of Decepticons taken care of, Optimus continued on his way through the upper levels of Metroplex’s hull.

Reaching an empty chamber leading into multiple corridors, Optimus remained on edge, keeping his head on a swivel to look out for any trouble. He heard something go clang in a nearby hall.

Optimus readied his arm-cannon, the whir of it charging being the only sound in the room. He set his back against the wall leading into the hall. He heard footsteps echoing from inside.

Optimus rolled into the hall, landing on his knees and aiming his weapon.

“AAAAH!”

Starlight and Trixie hugged each other, holding for dear life.

Optimus needed a moment to process before his optics fully registered he was looking at two ponies, and not Technoist servants.

“Oh.” Starlight said. “It’s okay, Trixie, it’s just Optimus Prime.” Starlight pursed her lips, recalling how Optimus had almost fried her. “Well, mostly okay. Trixie? … Trixie, you can let go now.”

“Huh? Oh, sorry.” Trixie rubbed her hooves together nervously.

“What are you two doing here?” Optimus asked, getting to his feet.

“We were admiring Metroplex when we thought the fighting was over, after you killed Nova.” Starlight said. “Trixie and I were discussing the idea of resurrecting him with Dark Energon, we’d figure he’d be fine, since he wasn’t truly dead, just out of fuel, right?” Optimus did not approve of the idea regardless, as he made clear in his expression. “Well, anyway, Galvatron found out about and co-opted the idea and, well, here we are! We couldn’t make heads or tails of the place after Metroplex got up, and Trixie was weak since Galvatron used her blood for its Dark Energon, and we’ve been trying to make our way out of here since.”

“I see.” Optimus walked by them. “Come with me. Stay close be my side, and keep out of the fighting. I will take you out of Metroplex after my business here is concluded.“

“Or … or!” Starlight said, she and Trixie walking behind Optimus’ heels like puppy dogs. “We could help you get through! We have our magic. We can be of assistance. Please, Optimus?”

Optimus glared at them. Starlight hooked a leg around Trixie and smiled, Trixie doing the same.

“I have often found you Equestrians to be unexpectedly resourceful and resilient soldiers. Very well.” Optimus said.

They came upon a door. Trixie and Starlight, eager to prove their usefulness, walked up to the door and blasted it with their magic, creating tow ropes out of arcane energy which they used to pry the door open.

Waiting for them on the inside of the door was Metroplex’s core … and Blackout, standing in front of the core with his arms crossed.

“Hello, Prime.” Blackout greeted them.

“Stand aside, Blackout.” Optimus said. “Or be destroyed, like those who came before you seeking to challenge me.”

Blackout hung his head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Optimus Prime. I’m sorry. None of this … none of this was what I wanted. What I was promised. I just wanted to return the Decepticons’ to their former glory. I never asked for this. I never meant for this gross perversion of one of Cybertron’s noblest warriors.” Blackout gestured around him, referring to the Dark Energon inside Metroplex. “But though I was not given what I was promised, I am still duty-bound to fight you, Optimus. It is my responsibility as a Decepticon … and my honor.”

“Blackout, if you fight me, I will kill you.” Optimus said. “That is not a threat. That is fact. With my upgrades, my Beast Hunter weapons, the Star Saber … I will kill you. It doesn’t have to be this way. Stand aside, and you can live. You can be a part of our post-war society and help rebuild.”

“There’s no place for a soldier like me in a world without war.”  Blackout tossed his hands in the air. “Death by the hands of the great Optimus Prime himself? A Decepticon could not wish for a better death.”

“So I see. That is the way it is.”

Blackout opened the fight, getting in the first strike aiming his arm-mounted chainguns at Optimus and firing. Optimus was pummeled without relent and without remorse by a storm of lead from Blackout’s weapons, but he absorbed the hits and struggle through, spreading his wings out and charging towards Blackout. Optimus jetted towards him, grabbing Blackout and slamming him against a wall.

Blackout took his fist and slammed it into Optimus’ back, getting a good blow in on Prime. Blackout lifted Optimus off and hurled him to the side.

“Hey.” Starlight bopped Trixie on the shoulder, watching the shadows fly across the room as Blackout and Optimus tossed each other around. “I have an idea. Come on.”

Trixie and Starlight crawled across the room, crouching down almost to their bellies, keeping an eye out on Blackout’s and Optimus’ fight, their bodies thumping against the floor walls as they repeatedly slammed and threw one another.

Starlight and Trixie reached the base of Metroplex’s core, a spherical device like an oversized water valve.

“What’s your plan?”

“Well, there’s Dark Energon in Metroplex, right?  Dark Energon Galvatron took out of you. We want to take it out to stop Metroplex, So I figure, we can take the Dark Energon out of Metroplex and put it back into you.”

Trixie’s face scrunched up in disgust. “Trixie does not find your … palatable, but she is willing to give it a try for the greater good.”

Starlight nodded. She aimed her horn at the core, a thin stream of white and green magic rising from her horn’s tip. The magical tether was able to suck out some of the Dark Energon, which took the form of a glowing purple energy sphere in Starlight’s row. Starlight lowered the rope and touched the sphere to Trixie’s horn, where Trixie’s body absorbed. Trixie gritted her teeth and shivered, getting an unpleasant buzz from it. Starlight repeated her little trick, pulling out and feeding another sphere to Trixie, and another, and another, until Trixie finally had to put a stop to it.

“Enough!” Trixie swiped her hooves. “Loathe as I am to admit, the Great and Powerful Trixie is feeling .. overwhelmed.” Trixie sat up her back against the core, panting. Starlight grimaced. They had barely made a dent into Metroplex’s Dark Energon reserves, and Trixie was already out for the count? Starlight wasn’t willing to take it into herself … but knowing she wasn’t, if they couldn’t make her plan work, she began to wonder what they could do to help.

Blackout and Optimus engaged in a slugfest, each of them pounding the other in the face and knocking them off-balance before they regained their footing and countered.

“Rrraah!” Blackout, shaking things up a bit, grabbed Optimus by the waist and hurled him into the wall, where Optimus slid and fell on the floor, an echo sounding as his body hit the metal.

Blackout lifted his foot up and stomped, specialized generators in his legs allowing him to cause a shockwave throughout the entire floor. Trixie, Starlight, and Optimus were all thrown up in the air. Blackout stomped again and again, sending out wave after wave and juggling the three of them in the air. Starlight’s face turned green. She was pretty she was going to be sick.

This lasted until Optimus whipped out his Hunter weapon and fired, delivering a blow to Blackout’s chest which caused it to crack like an egg, but Blackout remained standing. Blackout reached behind his back, detaching his rotor assembly, repurposing the chopper blades of his vehicle mode as a spinning bladed weapon.

Optimus unsheathed the Star Saber. He charged at Blackout, jamming the Star Saber between the blades of Blackout’s rotors, causing the blades to stop up. The weapon creaked and groaned, attempting to turn anyway despite the mass of metal blocking it - it had evidently no motion sensors to detect for intrusions.

Optimus pressed his sword forward, inching the tip of the blade closer and closer to Blackout’s head.

Blackout roared and lunged forward, pushing back against the Star Saber. Blackout’s and Optimus’s arms were shaking as they pushed back against each other, the Star Saber inching ever towards the air, pushed up by Blackout’s resistance. When the Saber was pointed directly at the ceiling, Blackout was close enough to get in another hit, slugging Optimus in the head and throwing him back.

Not giving Optimus the chance to recover, Blackout unfolded a missile rack from his shoulders and fired, launching a rocket at Optimus. Optimus saw it coming, and though alarmed, ducked while still putting his arm up to brace for impact. The rocket flew by, narrowly missing his shoulder and exploding against the wall. Optimus stood up and growled. Blackout was going to pay for the destruction and desecration of Metroplex’s inner walls.

Optimus pulled back his Hunter weapon, shooting another shattering missile into Blackout’s chest. The cracks spread, and pieces of Blackout began to peel and fall off, but still the Decepticon juggernaut remained on his feet.

Blackout countered with a quake of his own, slamming his foot into the ground. Optimus wobbled from the tremor, but was able to stay upright. He fired another shot into Blackout’s chest from his Hunter gun, pushing Blackout back. Blackout raised his leg up to send out another shockwave, but Optimus was getting tired of the quake duel and rocketed towards Blackout, grabbing him and lifting him  up.

Optimus flew up, slamming Blackout into the ceiling. Keeping him pinned, Optimus began to pummel Blackout in the face. Blackout’s head rocked around until he took his claw and grabbed Optimus’ arm, and kicked Optimus in the stomach with a seismic stomp, throwing him off and sending him careening to the ground, the windows in his chest shattering on impact.

Optimus landed on his back, another rattle echoing through the complex. Blackout dropped down from the ceiling, claws bared and ready to strike, his rotor weapon in one hand. Optimus rolled out of the way, causing Blackout’s claw to hit nothing and the blades of his rotor to strike the ground, kicking up sparks.

Blackout and Optimus walked around in circles, sizing each other up for a good advantage. Blackout continued to drag his weapon across the ground, trying to use the sparks it was kicking up for intimidation. Blackout lunged forward and successfully dug the rotors into Optimus’ shoulder, shredding his armor and beginning to cut at the wiring keeping Optimus’ arm connected. Optimus had already suffered losing his arm once already recently, and he was in no hurry to repeat the experience. Reaching down, Optimus pulled out his Hunter weapon and fired it into Blackout’s shoulder, causing Blackout to wince, but he remained standing and retaliated by firing another shoulder rocket, which Optimus ducked to avoid, forcing the rotor blade down and causing another hole to be punched into the wall.

Optimus followed up by shifting into his integrated arm cannon and firing into Blackout’s face, before getting back out the Star Saber and jamming it once again into Blackout’s blades. Blackout again pushed back, but this time, the force they put into pushing each other became so intense it launched both weapons into the air, out of their hands.

They watched as the weapons flew up. Blackout seized the chance, utilizing the distraction to roundhouse Optimus with a seismic stomp, sending him flying into the wall.

Optimus groaned, but pulled himself out and flew towards Blackout. Looking up and taking note of the weapons’ position, he spread his arms out, timing it just so both the Saber and the rotor fell into his hands.

Blackout didn’t care, catching Optimus mid-flight and grabbing him by the head. Dragging Optimus along, Blackout marched up to a wall, which he pounded Optimus’ head into. Blackout took Optimus out and slammed him again, before beginning to apply pressure with his claws, digging his nails into Optimus’ helmet, which began to crack.

“Aaarrgh!” Shouting, Optimus raised up the Star Saber and brought it over, slicing Blackout’s arm. The arm fell to the ground with a clunk, and before Blackout could fully recover from the blow, Optimus, now free, whipped around and stabbed the Star Saber into Blackout’s stomach. Optimus added insult to injury by driving Blackout’s own rotor weapon into the same area. Using the blades as leverage, Optimus lifted Blackout off the ground, spun around, and slammed him into the wall, where Optimus drove the blades in further, up into Blackout’s chest and through his very Spark.

Blackout’s eyes widened in pain. The lights of his optics dimmed. He went limp, his arms becoming slack and dropping.

“I am sorry it had to end this way.”

Optimus yanked the swords out. With nothing to support him, Blackout’s body fell on the ground.

Optimus threw the rotor weapon down with him as one last respectful gesture. He couldn’t use it anyway. Though … Optimus got the distinct feeling had he a mouth to do so, Blackout would have a smile on his face.

Optimus proceeded to the core, where he saw Trixie sweating, panting, and winded. Starlight wasn’t too much better, but it was hard to tell when she was mostly keeping her efforts on not throwing up.

They looked up at him. Realizing this meant he won the fight, they proceeded to scoot out of his way of the core.

Optimus walked up to the core. He opened his chest, revealing the Matrix of Leadership within. Holding his hands up to the Matrix, Optimus unleashed its energies. The room was bathed in a blue light. Hoops and loops of divine energy swam and circled about the room and began to close in on the core.  They coalesced, seeping into the core. The blow glow faded.

Nothing happened. The inside of Metroplex remained lined with purple lighting.

“No …” Optimus muttered, despondent. The core was too corrupt; The Dark Energon had taken root, and it would not let go. Perhaps if Optimus could have gotten there sooner, it might have worked, but it was too late now.

“Ha ha ha ha!” Galvatron taunted Optimus through the speaker system.

“Are you surprised, Optimus?” Galvatron asked, his body lining up with Dark Energon glow. “Are you disappointed? The Dark Energon has too strong a hold on your friend. His core is too tainted for your feeble Matrix to work now. Your friend is gone. Under my command now, and mine alone, because I hold Dark Energon with me. The only you could get him back would be take the Dark Energon into yourself, and we both know you would never stoop to that - not the great noble Optimus Prime!”

Optimus clenched his fists. He walked from the core, his head wrought low.

“AAAAAAAH!”

Optimus’ cry echoed through the room as he lost his temper, punching a hole in the nearest wall with his fist. Optimus closed his eyes, needing a second to grieve, to mourn, to just hide his optics and make it all go away, if only for a little while.

When he opened his eyes, Optimus turned to his hand, lodged in the wall. He took it and examined his palm. And he had gotten so upset with Blackout when he put a hole in Metroplex. Some friend he was.

The entirety of Metroplex rocked, making Optimus, Starlight, and Trixie wobble on their feet.

“What was that?” Trixie asked.

“It appeared to be some sort of quake, as if Metroplex was moving.” Optimus said. He looked around.  “But Metroplex is not moving, or we would be experiencing the same sensation over again.”

Whatever the occurrence was, it repeated. With his attention more focused on it now, Optimus noticed it felt … off. As if was not Metroplex himself moving, but picking up the vibrations of something akin to Metroplex moving.

“Optimus?” Twilight chirped through Optimus’ comm.

“I am here, Twilight Sparkle. What is it?”

“Smokescreen went and did something to bring the odds closer in our favor and give us an edge. Fortress Maximus is here. You might want to get out of Metroplex.”

“That would explain the rocking … tell the others I am on my way.”

“Time to leave.” Optimus scooped Trixie and Starlight up into his arms. He readied his jetpack and flew out of Metroplex, taking advantage of the holes he had punched into Metroplex’s knee on his way in and deftly making his way out.

Galvatron, watching from the monitors in the cockpit, saw this and got suspicious … and angry. “What is he doing now? Leaving without purifying Metroplex or confronting me… that makes no sense. Stop him!”

“Uh, maybe in a minute, sir.” A Vehicon operator said. “You’re gonna want to take a look at this.”

Galvatron sighed and turned his chair. “What is it?” As stony faced as he’d been most of the time when he wasn’t taunting Optimus, Galvatron’s surprise and alarm was apparent when he saw the black and green form of Fortress Maximus approaching from the Vehicon’s viewscreen.

“I am sorry, my brother.” Fortress Maximus said, rearing up a fist. “But I must do what must be done.”

Metroplex raised his own fist. The two launched at each other, their colossals fists colliding in the air. The ringing, screeching noise of their metal colliding echoed across Cybertron, and could be heard for miles and miles, all the way up into the upper atmosphere, until it got to beyond the atmosphere, where sound failed to carry.

Fortress Maximus launched a barrage of rockets from weapons mounted on his chest and shoulders, shattering one of Metroplex’s windows and causing an explosion on Metroplex’s shoulder. Metroplex let out a groan of pain, Dark Energon dripping down his chin.

“Did I do good, Smokescreen?” Snowdrop asked.

“You’re doing great.” Smokescreen gave her a big thumbs-up.

Metroplex responded in kind with a barrage of his own, shooting rockets and lasers at Fortress Maximus from his shoulder-weapons. Fortress Maximus staggered back, a massive pillar of smoke and fire erupting from his chest when the missile hit.

“Aaah!” Snowdrop closed her eyes and clutched at the control chair as Fortress Maximus began to rock.

Smokescreen grabbed the chair and braced his hand against Snowdrop until the shaking stopped. “You’re still doing great! You’re doing great, okay?”

“Okay …”

()  x 12

Twilight Sparkle watched the two titans duke it out. She cupped her chin, trying to think of a plan. She gazed off to the distance, where the Omega Lock was still visible orbiting near Cybertron’s atmosphere.

“Ah!” Twilight broke into a gallop towards the Omega Lock.

“Twilight?” Rarity asked. “Where you are going?”

“Come on, girls!” Twilight replied. “I have an idea for something that just might help us win this!”

Twilight lead the girls to Omega Supreme, who was idly blasting Technoist rioters in between checking in on how the fight between the titans was going.

“Omega!” Twilight shouted. “I need you to stop what we’re doing and take us to the Omega Lock!”

“Does not compute. I failed to comprehend how this will help us achieve victory.” Omega said. He looked down and kicked aside a Leaper who had been fruitlessly banging on him with its rams.

“Just trust me, okay?” Twilight said.

Omega nodded. “I do, Twilight Sparkle.” Omega Supreme converted into his ship mode. Twilight teleported herself onto a hatch, and helped her friends climb inside from there, grabbing them by the hooves and pulling them up. “Go, go, go!”

Once they were all piled in, Omega took off his, his engines humming, his rockets belching out blue fire as he flew in the direction of the Omega Lock.

The girls looked out from his cockpit. From there, they could still watch the duel between Fortress Maximus and Metroplex.

Fortress Maximus backed away from Metroplex. He reached behind his back, which transformed, splitting open and revealing panels, ejecting a large black pole from inside. Fortress Maximus grabbed the pole and lifted up, pulling it out to reveal it was a humongous black sword with red detailing. Fortress spun the sword around, adjusting it and stretching his wrist. He pointed the sword at Metroplex.

“Did we know Fortress Maximus had a sword?” Fluttershy asked.

“We better hurry.” Twilight said, still looking down at the fight. “If he’s starting to pull out things we don’t know about, he’s probably getting desperate.”

Omega Supreme docked by the side of  Omega Lock. Twilight and her friends, changing into their space suits, dismounted, and her friends followed Twilight as she ran towards a pylon.

“What’s the plan, Twilight?” Applejack asked.

Twilight forced open a panel, revealing the Elements of Harmony all jammed inside, stacked carelessly atop each other in a pile.  “We use the Elements of Harmony on Metroplex.”

“Oh, are we sure that’s a good idea?” Applejack asked.

“If we’re using the Elements to power the Lock, then removing them will depower it, and then we can’t use the Lock for anything. We couldn’t use it restore Cybertron like it was intended to …” Fluttershy glanced down at the planet.

Twilight Sparkle placed her hoof on the pylon. She took a deep breath, also glancing down at the planet.

“It won’t matter whether or not we can restore it if we don’t stop Metroplex.”

Twilight reached in and took the the Elements out. The pool in the Omega Lock’s ring let a whir before fading away, disappearing into nothingness. One by one, Twilight flung them towards their respective bearer.

“Let’s go!”

The girls galloped back into Omega Supreme, who carried them down the planet where the fight between Metroplex and Fortress Maximus was still going strong.

Fortress Maximus raised his sword up and attempted to bring it down on Metroplex’s shoulder, but Metroplex got a handle on him, literally, as he grabbed Fortress Maximus’ wrist and kept the sword from connecting, their metal groaning and creaking as Fortress tried to push the blade in, and Metroplex pushed back to prevent him from doing so.

Dismounting Omega, the girls rendezvoused with Optimus Prime, who was standing on an upturned sheet of metal, watching the titans duel, unsure what to do.

“Optimus!” Twilight shouted to get his attention. Optimus turned and jumped down from the sheet. “We have the Elements of Harmony. We’re going to try to use them on Metroplex.”

“You are?” Optimus asked. He made an uncertain gesture, rubbing his fingers together before placing his hand on his wrist. His optics lit up. Twilight knew what was going through his head - she made the same expression when she had a brilliant thought. “My little ponies, I have an idea. Follow my lead.” Optimus turned back to the battle, hefting the Star Saber over his shoulder.

“What are we going to do?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“We are going to kill a god.”

“Oh, gee. That sounds like a tall order, Optimus. You want fries with that?”

Everyone, Optimus included, glared at Pinkie Pie.

“What? I’m hungry!”

“Wait for my signal.” Optimus told them. Flexing his wings, he flew up to Metroplex’s face, where Metroplex remained engage in his struggle with Fortress, ignoring Optimus.

“Metroplex!” Optimus shouted. “I must make one last request of you.”

“This again? Don’t you ever get tired of trying the same old thing, Optimus?” Galvatron asked.

Optimus raised the Star Saber up. “Now!”

“That’s our cue, girls. Elements, ready … and fire!” Twilight ordered.

The Elements glowed their signature colors, lifting the girls up into the air with their magic. Their eyes turning blank white with power, their necklaces shot out beams of rainbow-colored light which twirled through the air and around each other, wrapping and intertwining like the banners on a maypole.

The rays of light went straight up into the air, beaming directly into the hilt of Optimus’ Star Saber. The Saber, receiving their blessing and their power, began to hum as its blue glow was replaced by a shifting prismatic hue.

“I ask you now, Metroplex, for the last time, as your leader, as your friend … to end the violence here today once and for all for the good of us all, for the future of all our kind  … for peace and harmony throughout the universe …”

Optimus raised the Saber up and swung it through the air, shooting out a massive rainbow-colored crescent beam larger than anything the Star Saber had produced before.

“FALL!”

The rainbow beam struck Metroplex clear across the chest, and some of his shoulders, and was enough to make him stagger back, causing the Technoist forces marching behind him to scatter.

Metroplex reeled from the blow, his upper body shaking back and forth. Fortress Maximus’ hand shook as he tried to press the temporary advantage and get his sword in, but Metroplex tightened his grip around Fortress’ wrist and stopped him.

Metroplex paused, holding still. He moved his other hand to Fortress Maximus’ arm, grabbing the hilt of Fortress’ sword. Metroplex pulled on it, prying the sword out of Fortress’ hands and delivering into his own. Twilight and her friends gasped.

Metroplex spun the sword around and adjusted it in his grip until it was where he could swing with it ease.

“Hahahaha!” Galvatron laughed. “Yes! Take the sword, Metroplex, and plunge it straight through Fortress Maximus’s Spark!”

Metroplex did nothing.

Galvatron looked around. “What’s happening? Why is Metroplex not responding to my command?”

“We … we don’t know, sir.” A Vehicon answered him.

“Metroplex!” Galvatron snapped, his body pulsing with Dark Energon. “Obey me! I am your master now!”

Metroplex wrapped both hands around the sword. His visor cleared up of its dark fog, a little sliver of red light showing through the purple which clouded it.

“Metroplex … heeds the call of the Last Prime … one last time.”

Metroplex turned the sword downward, pointing it at himself. He thrust the sword inwards, making to impale himself on it.

Inside, Galvatron’s forces panicked, and they were right to do so. A Vehicon stood up from his chair.

“ABANDON TITAN!”

They opened fire on Metroplex’s windows, converting into their jet and insect modes and flying out, scrambling to get away. Desperate to escape before the blade hit, the Vehicons incapable of flight crawled out the shattered windows and began climbing their way down.

Galvatron stood up from his operating chair, sneering and snarling. He watched as the obsidian blade drew closer and closer to Metroplex’s body, facing the approaching sword with nothing but a glower.

() x 13

Deep inside Fortress Maximus, Steeljaw and his Pack had been rounded up and put into cells which Fortress had in his walls, kept in separate cells so Steeljaw couldn’t pool their resources for another dastardly escape plan.

Steeljaw took notice when his arm began to turn transparent and flicker.

“No.” Steeljaw raised his arm up, his eyes turning into pinpricks. “No. No!” He bashed the buttons on his arm. “Snowdrop, show me the timeline! Snowdrop! Snowdrop!”

“What’s happening, eh?” Thunderhoof asked as the same malady began to affect him, his entire body flickering in and out.

“It’s .. it’s the timeline.” Steeljaw buried his head into his claws. “Twilight Sparkle and her friends did it. They changed the future. They’ve erased our timeline. We’re starting to be erased from the timestream and soon, we’ll fade out of existence.”

“Didn’t they already change the future?” Fracture asked. “Why are we only fading just now?”

“Consider two things; chaos theory … and a non-Cybertronian vehicle.” Steeljaw said. “If you replace one part of the vehicle, it’s effectively still the same vehicle and still reaches the same destination. Replace another part, and it is still the same vehicle with the same destination. But if you keep replacing parts, eventually it will no longer be the same vehicle, and possibly no longer have the same destination. That’s what happened. That’s what happening to us. There have been little changes throughout the timeline here and there, things that don’t ultimately matter too much in the grand scheme of things that the timestream will figure out and sort over, such as Rampage’s untimely death, with the ultimate destination - that of our Decepticon-ruled Cybertron - remaining the same. With the consideration of chaos theory, where action can have untold and unknown consequences our timeline still remained possible, if with … one or two minor changes here and there.”

Steeljaw rocked his head.

“But now … now, Twilight and her friends have reached a tipping point. Now, the course of history has been changed so much, radically altered to the point that our timeline  - the time we traveled back from - is no longer possible in any manner, shape, or form. And since the time we traveled back from no longer exist, soon we won’t either! Oh, sure, our present counterparts on the Alchemor will remain, but we, as we are, can no longer be allowed to continue existing in this universe. The stream of time demands our erasure.”

Steeljaw clenched his fists, baring his teeth through his muzzle. “We’ve lost. We’ve lost … arrraagh!” Steeljaw let out a howl of anguish and began slashing at this cell bars. “NO! NO! NO! NO!”  Steeljaw kept banging his claws against the doors until they no longer produced sparks, his fading-in-and-out arms finally flickering out of solid matter and staying that way.

Steeljaw shook his head and chuckled. “Well, I’ll be. You did it, Twilight Sparkle. The nerve of you. Jack! JACK! JACK DARBY!”

“Gee, you don’t have to shout.” Jack said, walking into the brig and to Steeljaw’s cell. “What do you want with me … ooh, you’re not looking so good there, big guy. Eat a bowl of intangible soup or something?”

Steeljaw chuckled. “Well, aren’t you charming. But no. We’re … fading from existence. I figured I … ought to let you know that the future’s changed, so you can … tell Twilight Sparkle she’s … done well.” Steeljaw crossed his arms and turned his head.

“Oof. That must have hurt to admit.”

“You have no idea.” Steeljaw grumbled.

“Well, will do.” Jack said, offering Steeljaw a smile and thumbs-up.

Steeljaw grunted, moments before he and his Pack finish fading, blinking out of existence and out of the room.

Jack pulled out his cell phone and dialed. “Twilight? I don’t know if your comm can hear me right now, with all the fighting going on, but Steeljaw told me to let you know that the timeline’s changed. He’s … faded out of existence ... we did it, Twilight. We did it.”

On the other end of the line, though Jack couldn’t hear through the explosive background noise, Twilight let out a relieved sigh.

() x 14

“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked.

“That was Jack.” Twilight replied. “He was calling me to let me know what happened to Steeljaw.  He’s gone now. He’s faded away, and now that horrible future that ‘Johnson’ and Captain Bumblebee came from will never come into existence.”

“Oh, really? That’s wonderful to hear!”

“Tell me about it. I actually saw it, so you can imagine how glad I am it’s gone!”

“Uh, this is nice and all, but we should still be worrying about all the bad guys in the present.” Applejack said, pointing her hoof at the battlefield still raging around them.

“Right.” Twilight scratched herself behind the ear, grinning nervously.

The girls turned their attention back to Metroplex as his body fell backwards.

Optimus watched him fall, lowering the Star Saber, which lost its rainbow glow.

“Farewell, my friend.”

Galvatron smashed his way out of Metroplex, bursting out of an unbroken window in his jet mode and flying straight towards Optimus. “PRIIIIIIIIIME!”

Optimus responded to Galvatron’s challenge with nary more than a slightly tilted brow.

“You want me, Galvatron? … HERE I AM!”

Optimus adopted a fighting stance as Galvatron came towards him, meaning to impale Optimus on the nose of his jet mode.

Optimus flew to the side seconds before Galvatron would have made contact, and grabbed Galvatron’s nosecone. Optimus lifted Galvatron up in the air and twirled him around, spinning circles before tossing Galvatron to the ground, where he spun out of control before crashing into a pile of debris, which collapsed and fell on top of him, burying him.

Optimus lowered himself to the ground, landing in front of Galvatron. He got ready for a fight and braced a fist as Galvatron pushed himself up, struggling and straining against the debris, but succeeding in shaking it off.

“Optimus!”

Optimus turned to see Spike waddling towards him.

Twilight flew down to join them. “Spike? What are you doing here? It’s not safe!”

“I’m the royal messenger!” Spike answered, pointing a thumb at himself. “It’s what I do. Uh, Celestia has a message for you, Optimus.”

Spike pulled out a holosphere, which floated up and projected a hologram of Celestia.

“Spike, how’d you even get here?” Twilight asked.

“Teleport spell.”

“Ah. Of course …” Twilight glanced to the side. “So obvious …”

“Optimus.” Celestia’s hologram spoke. “A situation has come up on Equestria. A dire foe of mine, a powerful and evil centaur known as Tirek has escaped his prison after a thousand years. How he got out, I do not know, but what I do is this; he is easily among one of the greatest either I or Equestria has ever faced, and without your help, Optimus, and the help of your soldiers, Equestria may not survive.” The hologram looked over its shoulder, as if jumpy.

Its message concluded, the hologram disappeared.

Optimus drew away from the sphere and groaned. “Spike, tell your Princess that I am busy.” Optimus turned back to face Galvatron, but when he did, Galvatron was nowhere to be found, the pile of debris no longer occupied. “Dammit.”

Optimus clutched his forehead crest. “Twilight Sparkle, you and your friends return to Equestria to help Princess Celestia and tend to her needs. I will remain here and search for Galvatron before he is able to recover and make another major move against us. I will scour the planet for him, if need be.”

Twilight saluted.

“Primus be with you.” Optimus said before blasting off into the air.

Twilight chuckled and shook her head, giving Optimus a smile. She wasn’t sure Optimus knew about certain recent conversations of hers.  “He already is.”

() x 15

Twilight Sparkle and her friends hitched a Space Bridge and went to Canterlot, where they met Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor in the throne room. Shining Armor remained awkward and looked away from his sister the entire time.

“What all do we need to know about Tirek, Princess?” Twilight asked Celestia.

“Tirek is from a foreign land. The same one Scorpan was from. They were brothers.” Celestia said. “Tirek had wanted to steal the magic of all Equestrians and claim their power for his own, but Scorpan had a change of heart and helped us stop him before his plan could succeed and he could grow strong. My sister and I use our magic to trap him inside Tartarus. But he’s escaped.”

“We suspect it was when Cerberus left his post some years ago.” Luna said.

“Years? But why wouldn’t have Tirek began making movements before now if he had all that time?”

“We believe it is because he needed to regain what little strength he had, and he kept a low profile to avoid drawing attention to himself during that time.” Luna said. “But now he’s recovered, and he is ready.”

“I almost fell into a trap laid by him and Hydia.” Celestia said. “Thankfully, I was able to detect what was happening and escape before he had the chance to steal my magic. Make no mistake, Twilight Sparkle. If Tirek is able our magic, or enough magic from the ponies of our fair land, it will mean ruin for Equestria and the lands beyond it, possibly the entire planet.”

Twilight looked at the carpet, considering the seriousness of the situation. “What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to do the same as you always do, Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia answered.

“And that is?

“Plan.”

() x 16

Out in the Everfree Forest, Zecora was out gathering herbs, digging her hoof through the dirt in search of hidden treasures. She noticed a figure walking by the trees, wearing a hood.

“Hmm?”

Zecora followed the hooded stranger to a part of the forest, where she found them reaching out to grab a weed with an eggplant-like stalk at the top.

“Oh hoo! You do not want to touch that, my friend. That is a Phlume root, and it will tear and rend you if you do not handle it wisely.” Zecora said.

“I know what it is.” The figure said, grabbing the root and and lifting it out of the ground, bulb and all.

“Very well.” Zecora said. “Perhaps my warning could have been more timely, but if you are certain, I suppose there’s nothing I could do to deter.”

“Hmm.” The figure turned to Zecora, his yellow eye glowing underneath his hood. “Actually, perhaps there is something you could for me …”

Tirek faced her, pulling off his hood.

“Hold still.”

Tirek unhinged his jaw, and Zecora was caught in his spell. Her eyes widened, and she dug her hooves into the ground as she tried to fight it off. A red aura wrapped around her, pulling a green mist out from her mouth which traveled into Tirek’s jaw

Tirek moaned, gulping down her magic. When he was finished draining her, Zecora fell to her side, her eye glassy and having lost all its color.

“Ugh…” Tirek groaned in disgust, walking past her. “Zebra magic is so weak, especially when they’re alone … but still, I suppose, is it better than nothing.”

Tirek walked along, leaving Zecora lying where she was on the ground.

() x 17

“Hydia!” Tirek shouted, walking up to Hydia as she watered her castle garden. “I have the Phlume root you asked for.”

Tirek presented Hydia with the flower. Hydia took the root and took a big whiff of its scent.

“Ah! Smells absolutely disgusting, just the way I like it.” Hydia began to stroke the weed, chuckling over it. “Excellent, excellent … Lord Tirek, with this, I declare our deal done. We have no further need of interaction with each other.”

“Finally.” Tirek said. He turned to leave.

“Oh, before you go … I suppose I might as tell you … I hear Canterlot is vacant right now. Apparently they emptied the city of its residents, and the Princesses are alone in their castle. They’re doing some kind of … meditation or ceremony or something which requires they be alone.”

Tirek’s eyes bugged out. He tapped his fingers together, grinning and chuckling. The Princesses, all alone in their castle, just waiting for him to waltz in and suck their magic out of them … it almost sounded too good to be true, but Tirek wasn’t going to risk passing up the opportunity this presented him.

() x 18

Tirek arrived at Canterlot. It was empty, deserted as Hydia had said. Nopony was out. No lights were on in any home. A tumbleweed passed blew past Tirek’s hoof, prompting a confused look from him. He digressed.

He moved on, going up to the castle.

“Princesses!” Tirek shouted, raising his voice, which echoed across the town. “I demand to see you!”

The Princesses appeared in the window of the castle. Celestia swung the window open, and the three of them flew out from the window, landing in front of Tirek, their hooves shattering the ground.

“Tirek.” Celestia said.

“Princess Celestia.” Tirek said, giving a faux subservient bow.

“What do you want?” Celestia asked.

“It should be obvious what I want.” Tirek said. “I want to rule Equestria with an iron fist!” Tirek clenched his hand.

“Ha.” Luna laughed. “Well, that is not possible. You clearly do not have the necessary qualifications.”

“Ruling Equestria is a lot of work.” Cadence said. “We already have three Princesses just to handle everything. The moon, the sun, not to mention the Crystal Empire. Do you really think you can handle doing everything you need to by yourself?”

“Give it to me, and we will find out.” Tirek said, continuing to tense his fingers.

Celestia sighed. “Some ponies never learn.”

The Princesses spread their wings and took to the sky. Tirek growled, growing agitated when a large, trapezoidal wall of fire appeared behind him, showing the desolate land of Tartarus inside.

“Loose!” Celestia ordered, their horns shimmering. Each Princess fired a spell from their horn. Tirek tensed up, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and when he saw it, he opened his mouth, sucking their spells in and swallowing them. His body glowed with a red aura, his muscles bulged, and he grew in size, his dull red skin becoming a shade more vibrant.

Celestia growled and conjured a golden hammer with her magic, which she hurled at Tirek. Tirek caught in his hand, snatching by the handle moments before it hit his face, and bit the hammerhead off as if it were a popsicle before tossing the handle into his mouth, gulping the spell and absorbing its magic.

“It’s not working.” Luna said. “We can’t get him into the Tartarus portal when he keeps absorbing our spells like that.”

“Hold!” Celestia announced.

The three of them flew down to the ground, landing in front of Tirek.

“Tirek.” Luna said.

“Lord Tirek.”

“Lord Tirek, we wish to negotiate and discuss the terms of your willing surrender.” Celestia said. “You want our magic, but we will not be so foolish as to continue feeding you. End this stalemate. This will be your only chance to cooperate and come along quietly. I cannot guarantee you will be safe from dire repercussions and painful retribution if you do not take it now.”

“Surrender?” Tirek asked. “Surrender? When you three are powerless to do anything to me for fear of making me grow stronger? This is hardly what I’d call a stalemate! Here are the terms of my surrender!”

Tirek unhinged his jaw. The Princesses were caught by his spell, trails of gold, purple, and blue light travelling from their horns and into his mouth, his skin becoming more and more colorful and his size increasing. They tried to resist, digging their hooves into the dirt to resist as Tirek’s magic pulled them forward.

“TWILIGHT! NOW!” Celestia shouted.

This was enough to startle Tirek and cause him to to stop draining. “Eh?”

Tirek looked up as he heard a whir from the sky. His eyes widened when he saw a blue portal split the sky open. A massive blue pillar of a beam came down from it, blasting the ground around Tirek and the Princesses, It cut a circle around them, tearing through the dirt and blinding Tirek with its intense illumination.

When Tirek could see again, everything around him was dark, though he could still see a little. He looked around, feeling what was around him. His hand touched a metal wall, and his hooves felt metal underneath him.

“A box?” Tirek asked. “You think you can contain me with a metal box? A crate?”

“We do not think.” Luna said, moments before the wall in front of Tirek slid away and revealed her behind it.

They were in an enclosed space with nowhere to go. Tirek grinned and move forward to absorb Luna’s magic, but the wall slid back out, and Tirek felt the floor under him drop like an elevator. Tirek looked up when a panel in the scene moved to let sunlight, showing Celestia looking down at him.

“We know.” Celestia said. Tirek shot a spell at her, a fireball formed between his horns, but the panel slid out to block it. Tirek ducked as the floor underneath him rose up, almost crushing him against the ceiling.

Another wall opened, showing Cadence. “We knew there was a chance we wouldn’t be able to send you back to Tartarus ourselves, so we called Twilight Sparkle for help.”

As Tirek swiped his claw at Cadence, the same process repeated, the walls rearranging to block him and moving the floor around under him.

“She came up with a plan.” Celestia said. “She repowered the Omega Lock, which you might know about if you had shown your face in public more,” Celestia’s taunt caused Tirek to scowl, “and our signal, fired it down at Equestria, creating this shifting maze you’re now in.”

The walls showed Luna.

“It was Twilight Sparkle’s idea to evacuate the citizens for their safety and then lure you here, to us, by passing off a ludicrous notion of us having to meditate for a ceremony.” Luna bragged, smiling. “The transforming, randomizing nature of this maze means you, Tirek, will be unable to escape. Each time you think you make progress, the walls will change, the ceiling will become the floor, and so on.”

“Leaving us free to leave and go deal with Hydia.” Celestia said. “We will come back for you and deliver you to Tartarus properly after we have dealt with her.”

“Don’t go anywhere!” Cadence taunted him.

All the Princesses were hidden from him by panels, and Tirek screamed in rage. He heard the wings of the Princesses flapping as they flew away.

Tirek tapped his fingers together, sighing. With nothing to distract him, he took a deep breath. He chuckled.

“Heh heh heh … you have underestimated me, Princesses.” Tirek said. An orange light formed between his horns. The light fired a concentrated, heated beam out, which began to melt and cut through the metal walls of the labyrinth. Tirek moved the beam around, cutting through all the surfaces.

() x 19

Outside her castle, Hydia stood by a cauldron, stirring the purple goop inside with her daughters by her side,

“Okay!” Hydia said, taking out her stirring spoon. “Now the Phlume root!”

Draggle tossed the Phlume into the pot.

“Hydia!” Celestia shouted, descending from on high with Luna and Cadence. “I hereby formally accuse of you being a liar and a traitor to the throne of Equestria given your alliance with Tirek, and a manipulator who’s been trying to control strings to come out on top.”

“How do you plead?” Luna asked.

Hydia shrugged. “Guilty as charged!” She waved a hand at them. Celestia and Luna frowned at her arrogance. The purple goop inside the cauldron began to bubble and boil over, spilling out of the pot and growing in size. It grew eyes and mouths, faces which melted together like tortured souls stuck in constant agony from their punishment, its mass growing and growing, smothering the grass and land. Hydia and her daughters hopped into a wooden mast like one from a ship.

Celestia grimaced, disturbed the goop’s many faces, popping their mouths like breathing fish. She fired a beam from her horn and made it cut across the sludge, but her attack had no effect.

() x 20

Optimus Prime walked through an alleyway, the dim glow of the Star Saber being his only light in the darkness.

Hearing a noise scuffling, Optimus Prime swung around and aimed it his sword’s tip, but whatever scurrying critter it was that made the noise had scurried away by now.  Optimus furrowed his brow and moved on, continuing his search by going deeper into the alley.

“Optimus?” Twilight asked through a comm.

“Yes, Twilight Sparkle?”

“Princess Celestia needs your - and our - help to deal with a little problem.”

“Twilight Sparkle, I assigned you with this task. I must remain on Cybertron and find Galvatron.”

“Oh, trust me. You’ll realize how bad the problem and how much we need your help when you see it.”

Optimus found an image being broadcast from his arm. It showed a projection of a massive purple muck spreading through the land.

“This is the Smooze. Hydia made it in a magic cauldron. It’s smothering all the land and local wildlife, absorbing them and sucking them up, trapping them inside.”

Optimus watched the Smooze move and spread, taking a deer into its body. He sighed and buried his head in his hand. “I suppose it cannot be helped … tell Princess Celestia I am on my way.”

“Will do.”

“Autobots! Imperials!” Optimus ordered, changing the link on his comm. “Assemble a squad to search for Galvatron in my absence. I will be going to offer my assistance to our allies on Equestria to deal with problem which has arisen.”

Optimus spread his wings and took off into the air.

In the allway, Galvatron emerged from the pile of junk he was hiding under and observed Optimus leaving. “Hmph. Am I not good enough for you, Prime? Not worthy of your time? And you were so close, too … it’s a pity your men won’t be able to find me, either. Otherwise I might have a sense of satisfaction.”

() x 21

Twilight’s friends, the Beast Hunters, Predaking and Grimlock arrived through a Space Bridge on a cliff at Hydia’s continent. They let out a gasp seeing the Smooze as it covered the land. It was one thing to see from a distance, it was another to see it in all its horror up close, with its gasping, hundreds of faces and unrelenting appetite for whatever was in front of it, from grass to animals to rocks and whatever was in its way. Hydia and her daughters rode atop on their mast, singing a jubilant song which contrasted sharply with the horrible image.

“Nothing can stop the Smooze!”

“You can’t win!”

“Just pack it in!”

“Nothing can stop the Smooze!”

“You can’t beat me!” The Smooze boasted.

Predaking grimaced, unnerved by the witches’ jolly singing.

Grimlock cupped his chin. “Predaking?”

“Yes, Grimlock?”

“Do you know what happens when an unstoppable force … meets an immovable object?”

Predaking thought about it. “I do not know, Grimlock. What?”

“Let’s find out.”

Grimlock whipped out his sword. Predaking, getting his meaning, grinned. The two of them jumped off the cliff, diving straight into the Smooze and converting into their beast modes. Landing inside the Smooze with a massive splash and swimming to stay afloat, the two of them let loose their breathes of flame, blasting the Smooze back with the sheer force of the jets of their flame. The Smooze was pushed back and divided into pieces, but the pieces swam around and evaded the fire, meeting up away from the flame’s heat and merging back together with no damage done to their cells.

“Alright, girls.” Twilight said, adjusting the crown of the Element of Magic on her head. “I’ve taken these things in and out of the Omega Lock twice today, and I’m already getting sick of it, let’s make this worth it.”

Twilight’s friends activated the Elements, flying up into the air and shooting their rainbow beam into the air, where it arced down, curving towards the Smooze. The rainbow hit the Smooze dead on, in the center of its mass, but the Smooze was unaffected. It kept roving through the landscape.

Optimus opened his chest, the Matrix glowing furiously inside. He willed the Matrix to fire, shooting out laser beams of the purest blue color at the Smooze. Pieces of the Smooze were flung into the air by the blasts, but when they fell back to earth, they merged back with the Smooze with no difficulty.

“What?” Twilight expressed, confused, while Optimus stubbornly kept firing his Matrix blasts.

“Ooooh hoo hoo hoo!” Hydia applauded, chuckling. “See? We TOLD you, nothing can stop the Smooze! The Phlume Tirek got for us makes it invincible - even to your petty artifacts of light and goodness like the Elements or your petty Retrix!”

Twilight corrected her. “Matrix.”

“Whatever!”

“It was an unwise move to tell us that, Hydia.” Optimus said. “You should never reveal to your enemies the source of your strength.”

Hydia frowned, realizing Optimus’ point and she made a mistake. “Oopsie. Oh well! No matter. Even with this knowledge, you can’t do anything with it! The Smooze is still unstoppable! Nothing can stop-”

“Yeah, we get it, Nothing stops the Smooze, shut up already.” Rainbow Dash said.

“It’s not like the Phlume is still solid inside the Smooze, so you couldn’t pluck it out!” Draggle said. Hydia and Reeka made cutting motions with their throats, piquing Optimus’ interest.

“Imperials!” Optimus shouted. “Dive into the Smooze! Dig through its mass until you can find the Phlume root and pluck it out from its body!” Twilight saluted, and Predaking and Grimlock jumped into the air, diving straight in. Optimus turned back to the witches. “The sad thing is, if you had not reacted to her statement, Hydia, I might not have thought twice about it, and your victory would still be assured.”

Hydia slammed his fist on the side of her raft.

“Arlight, Hydia. I said I would make you pay when you showed your true colors at my base.”

Twilight flew up to their raft and got behind Draggle, wrapping her legs around Draggle’s neck.

“I can’t think of a better way to do that than to hurt your daughter.”

“No!” Hydia shouted, reaching her hands out. “Please don’t!” Twilight smirked, satisfied to see Hydia lose her cool.

“Twilight …” Cadence said. “You’re not … actually going to hurt her, are you?”

“Mmm, depends on a few things.” Twilight replied.

“YO, PRIME!”

A pillar of flame rose up, ripping through the Smooze. Grimlock, in robot mode, flew out astride Predaking’s dragon mode, holding up the eggplant-like root in his hand and raising it up.

“I think we’ve that Phlume root!”

“Hey!” The Smooze protested. “I need that!”

Twilight grinned. She pushed Draggle, shoving her into Hydia’s arm.

“Alright girls, let’s try this again and get it right this time.” Twilight flew back to her friends and they activated the Elements again. The Elements shot out their rainbow, which came down on the Smooze.

“Noooooo!” Hydia screeched, scrambling to get out of her raft and do something, but her daughters held her back, keeping her from tipping over.

The rainbow struck the Smooze, and the area where it hit turned into granite. The petrification spread, the Smooze’s faces being locked into their expression as the massive beast was turned, piece by piece, into stone. Hydia’s raft was stuck inside the stone.

Predaking, Optimus, and Grimlock gathered together on top of the Smooze. Nodding to acknowledge each other, they whipped out their swords and brought them down on the Smooze, shattering it into pieces, Optimus’ Star Saber making the biggest impact by splitting a crack a mile wide on his first blow.

“It is just me, or does that Star Saber give you an unfair advantage, Prime?”

“Grimlock, it is not a contest.”

“Sure it is.”

“Hmph. If that’s the case …” Predaking lit his blade on fire and struck the Smooze again. They repeated this process until the entire structure shattered and fell apart, humongus boulders of stone falling and rolling around the place, the wildlife the Smooze had consumed thankfully unharmed inside, and eager to make their escape from their stony prison when the destruction gave them an opening.

Hydia’s raft timbered over and fell on the ground, dumping Hydia and her daughters down on the grass. “Oof!”

Hydia got to her feet, only to be met with the sight of Optimus and the other Autobots, Twilight’s friends, and the Princesses looking down at her.

“Thank you, Optimus Prime.” Celestia walked up to Hydia. “I think we can handle this from here. You, Hydia, are going to have to answer for your crimes.”

“And rest assured, you will be answering for them for a long time.” Luna said. “Giving aid to Tirek cannot be forgiven.”

“You’ll look nice decorating Canterlot’s dungeons.” Cadence said. “We hardly ever get the chance to use them.”

“Oooh …” Hydia’s family let out a collective groan at their defeat.

Optimus Prime walked away from the scene. Twilight Sparkle grew curious and followed him.

Optimus tapped his finger to his comm. “This is Optimus Prime to our forces on Cybertron. Report. Have you been able to locate Galvatron?”

“No, sir.” Drift answered. “We’ve been looking for him thoroughly, but he’s almost as if he’s nowhere to be found.”

“I understand. Keep looking. He is bound to turn up eventually. An ego like his will not able to hide for a sustained period. Optimus out.”

Optimus took his finger off the comm and looked down to Twilight.

“Well, Twilight Sparkle, given that we cannot locate Galvatron, all of Equestria’s villains are accounted for the time being, and we have the Artifacts of the Primes …” Optimus held up the Star Saber.” What say you that we put them together and use them to locate the AllSpark and restore Cybertron, as it was intended to be healed? No Changeling Batteries. No shortcuts.”

“Sounds good to me, Optimus.”

Optimus reached behind him and pulled out the Forge of Solus Prime. The two weapons reacting to the presence of the other, the Forge’s gears whirring and the Saber warbling - almost with excitement, but it was a sword -  Optimus touched the two together. Together, they produced a blue screen which showed a map of the cosmos.

“Well?” Twilight asked. “Is that it? Do we need to go get the other Artifacts we salvaged to complete the map?”

“That is it, Twilight Sparkle.” Optimus said. “This reveals to the location of the AllSpark. Theta-Scorpii. It is an unstable region of space, prone to odd, bizarre, random … and beautiful occurrences. Asteroids, solar flares, coronas, random magnetic fluctuations, and even a black hole has been known to form there, only to disappear.”

“So, kinda like the Bermuda Triangle on Earth?” Rainbow Dash asked, joining Optimus and Twilight with the other bearers. “But in space.”

“Something like that, yes.” Optimus said. “We will need Omega Supreme. As a precaution, we will need to brace him with additional padding for the trek.”

“Extra padding for huge bulky Omega Supreme? Eesh. That doesn’t sound like fun.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Few necessary things are fun, Rainbow Dash.” Optimus said. “That goes doubly so when it comes to trying to save a planet.”

“Hmph. The humans could learn a thing or two about that.” Twilight said.

“Perhaps,” Optimus said, “but instead of discussing the flaws of others, we should get moving.”

() x 22

Omega Supreme was briefed on the mission, giving the additional padding to his hull in ship mode, and boarded by Optimus and Twilight’s teams.

Taking off Cybertron and leaving the conflict there behind, Omega Supreme flew towards the destination given to him of Theta-Scorpii. Reaching the location occurred without incident, save for a comet which passed them by. Going through the location was going to be another challenge, as a stream of comets were flying by. They would be mistaken as a harmless meteor shower to anyone viewing them from the atmosphere of a planet, but up close, they were dangerous rocks the size of houses.

“Do you see the AllSpark, Omega?” Optimus asked, sitting in the captain’s chair.

“Scanning … AllSpark detected, Optimus Prime.” Omega’s viewscreen focused on an area, zooming in to show the AllSpark - a blue cube set in an incredibly ornate and intricate chalice, with braces circling the sides of it and prongs forming a stand underneath it. Unfortunately, it was far behind the passing asteroid storm.

“We can’t get through there.” Twilight said. “There’s too many comets. We’ll never make it.”

“The life of one is less important the restoration of our planet.” Omega said.

“Omega, you’re not…?” Fluttershy asked.

“Hold onto something!” Optimus shouted as Omega began to accelerate forward. Twilight’s friends grunted, holding onto their seats as Omega Supreme pushed his way through the asteroid swarm, breaking through a comet and shattering it in half before another smashed into the top part of his hull. The comet dinged and scraped, scratching him up, breaking through and breaking off the extra padding he’d been given, sending it to drift aimlessly in space.

“I almost have it.” Omega Supreme announced, his passengers shaking as he collided with a large comet.

“Omega Supreme…” Twilight said. “I’m not sure you can make it through all this!”

Omega shut Twilight up by placing a tractor beam on the AllSpark, a yellow cone of light pulling the container in.

“Whoo!” Everyone inside cheered. Optimus stood up from his chair, fists pumped in anticipation.

“AllSpark retrieved.” Omega said.

“Wonderful.” Arcee said. “Now let’s blow this joint and go home.”

Omega Supreme turned himself around, everyone inside swinging around in their seats as he did, and he blasted off back towards the direction of Omega Supreme, pushing his way through the comets.

They got within visual range of Cybertron, the Omega Lock still orbiting around the planet. Twilight wore a smile on her face, but it went away when she saw Optimus leave the room.

“Where are you going?”

“It is imperative that we get the AllSpark to the core of Cybertron as fast as possible.” Optimus answered, resting his hand on a letter, the AllSpark curled up in his arm. “Omega Supreme will not fit into the core’s chamber. I know the way. I will fly down to the planet myself and make a straight course from the planet’s orbit to its center.”

Twilight nodded and saluted. “I understand. Good luck, and Primus be with you.”

“In a way …” Optimus held the AllSpark up. “He is.”

Optimus crawled up a hatch. Emerging on top of Omega Supreme’s hull, Optimus climbed to his feet. He took in the view of Cybertron before spreading his wings and rocketing towards it, his engines whistling.

“Yeah! Woo!” The ponies cheered him on.

“Go Optimus.” Bulkhead said, Arcee and Bumblebee smiling.

They watched Optimus fly towards the planet. They were all shocked and jumped out of their seats when a white blue came flying in from thin air and struck Optimus, tackling him off-course and throwing him aside.

Optimus, clutching onto the AllSpark, found himself met with the hate-filled eyes of Nova Prime’s visage.

“Did I not kill you already?”

“You know what they say about we Primes, Optimus -- we’re like roaches!”

With that, Nova backed away from Optimus and kicked him in the stomach, causing him to drift. Optimus looked down at his arms, his first concern being the Omega Lack, which was still intact after Nova’s kick.

Twilight got in her spacesuit and went out onto Omega’s hull. “OPTIMUS!”

Optimus looked at her. He lifted the AllSpark up, pushed it aside, and twirled over before kicking it, launching it towards her.

“Get the AllSpark to the core!” Optimus said.

Twilight grabbed the AllSpark with her magic. “But what about you?”

“I will be fine!” Optimus said.

“But -”

“GO! That’s an order, Twilight Sparkle!”

Twilight fell silent. Summoning her courage, she gave a salute and a nod before heading back into the ship.

“Make course for Cybertron.” Twilight ordered.

“But what about Optimus?” Applejack asked.

“He and I already had that conversation. Go.”

With some reluctance, Omega Supreme flew towards Cybertron, passing Optimus and Nova. Nova got behind Optimus and wrapped his arms around Optimus’ midsection, lifting him up and hurling him. It sent Optimus spinning through the ‘air,’ but it was a much less effective move than it would have been if they were fighting somewhere with gravity and solid surfaces.

Nova created a sphere of dark energy in his palm, which he flung at Optimus, hitting him in the back and making him arch. Optimus let out a pained groan.

Twilight, inside the ship, looked down and away.

() x 23

() x 23

Galvatron climbed atop some rubble and addressed the Technoist/Decepticon forces.

“Decepticons!” Galvatron shouted. “The Autobots are returning to Cybertron with the AllSpark! We cannot allow this to happen! If they bring it to Cybertron’s core and restore, they will be hailed as heroes and saviors! Public opinion among the outsiders will turn further against us! For the good of the Decepticon cause, we must take the AllSpark from them, and we must be the ones to restore Cybertron!”

“Are you kidding?” A Vehicon General asked, putting away his arm-cannon. “I’ve had enough of this. We’re not gonna win. We’re never gonna win. If we would have won, we’d have won by now! Slag this. I’m going to go find a bunker and hunker down until this all blows over. Maybe if I’m lucky, I can go to Optimus, and get on my knees and beg for community service as my only punishment.”

The Vehicon walked off.

“Yeah.” An Insecticon said. “This was fun, at first, and it seemed like we might have had a shot at winning, but with no Metroplex, and the fact we kept losing, and they still have Fortress Maximus … fun’s over. This is getting too much. I’m out.”

“Yeah, me too.” A Leaper said.

“Me too.”

“Count me in!”

“Wait for me!”

A number of Decepticons left the area, walking away.

Galvatron scowled and growled. “Does anyone wish to leave? If so, I suggest you do so now - further desertions will not be tolerated.”

A trio of Vehicons looked uncertain, glancing at each other, but they converted into jet and helicopter modes and flew away. Another Insecticon and Leaper joined them.

“Anyone else?” Galvaton asked with growing exasperation.

“No way!”

“We’re with you, Galvatron!”

“Decepticons Forever!”

“Excellent.” Galvatron said. “As I was saying, we cannot allow the Autobots to be the ones with the honor of restoring Cybertron! That honor should belong to the Decepticons’ alone. If they pull it off, Cybertron will never truly belong to the Decepticons! Not to mention, it will threaten my master …”

“Your master?” A tank Vehicon asked. “Unicron?”

Galvatron chuckled. “I can see why you would think that, but no. Besides … there are lots of things besides healing Cybertron we could with the AllSpark if we were the ones in possession of it.”

“Yeah!”

“Let’s go and git ‘em!”

“Decepticons Forever!” Was chanted through the ranks, Galvatron’s soldiers pumping their fists. Galvatron pointed them to the east, and they marched, shouted an abbreviated version of their chant. “Decepticons! Decepticons! Decepticons!”

() x24

Omega Supreme docked, and the Autobots began climbing out.

“Okay.” Twilight said, levitating the AllSpark with her magic, Bulkhead and Arcee following her out with their weapons primed. “We just need to get this to the core of Cybertron, and virtually all of our problems will be solved.”

“Including undead Nova Prime?” Arcee asked, skeptical.

“I said virtually.” Twilight said. “But it should take care of any remaining Changeling Batteries, and it’ll rob most of the Technoists of their fighting spirit.

A shot was fired which struck the side of Omega’s hull, narrowly missing Twilight and the AllSpark.

“DECEPTICONS!” Galvatron shouted, his weapon smoking as he stood atop rubble. “CHARGE! WE CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO PASS! THIS WILL BE OUR LAST STAND!”

“Didn’t we already do the big, very-definite final all-out battle sequence already?” Applejack asked.

“And they don’t even have a Titan with them this time! Some bots never learn. That, or Galvatron just has a selective memory.” Twilight said. She tapped her comm. “Smokescreen? Could you track my current position and have Snowdrop bring Fortress Maximus over here and have him blow these slagging Technoists away?”

“Sure thing, Twilight. Will do.”

“Okay.” Twilight said. “Let’s move. Remember, our first priority is getting the AllSpark to the core. Everything else is secondary.”

Decepticons and Technoists stormed the field, opening fire, raining lasers down on Omega Supreme, converting into tank modes and firing shells and mortars. Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee returned fire while trying to get to cover. Omega Supreme transformed into robot mode and fired off a massive shot, but fell on his knee, still recovering from the comet storm he had pushed himself through.

“Twilight!” Arcee snapped, pulling the string on her Echohawk. “Get to the core! We’ll cover you!”

Twilight saluted and galloped off. Carrying the AllSpark with her, she naturally becoming the target and focus of all Technoist laser fire. She dodged one laser which almost tripped her hooves, and froze and cast a force field up to defend herself from another. When she saw her chance, she dismissed the shield and kept moving.

Arcee fired a shaft from her bow to the side of Twilight, causing an explosion which gave Twilight some cover.

Twilight kept moving, coming up on a trench where a thin trail of Energon ran through. Twilight suspected it might have been a full-fledged Energon river when this area had seen better days.

She moved one hoof forward, easing her way into the trench. An explosion rocked behind her, throwing her off balance and tumbling into the trench, rolling around with her hooves splaying out.

“Waaa-oof!” Twilight groaned as she came to a rest. She got up and rubbed her head, groaning. She gasped when she saw the AllSpark roll up to next to her. The blast had damaged, giving it a crack at the top. Blue-colored ancient Cybertronian characters were leaking out of the crack of the AllSpark, flying up into the air and dissipating. “Oh no!”

“Twilight Sparkle!”

Twilight turned around and was quite surprised at who she saw. “Megatronus?”

Megatronus nodded. He glanced towards the fractured AllSpark. “This is the moment we have been preparing for, Twilight Sparkle.”

“You knew this was going to happen?”

“We knew something like this was a possibility, yes.’ Megatron emphasized. “A possibility which we took every step we could to prepare for. That is where you come in, Twilight Sparkle. This is why we needed you. Having been possessed by Unicron, you have experience with having the essence of a god of Cybertron inside you. Do it, Twilight Sparkle. Take the AllSpark into you. Absorb into your body, so that you may carry it safely to the core.”

Twilight grimaced and stepped back, unsure about the idea, especially when it was being compared to being possessed by Unicron as a point of reference - it was an unpleasant experience, and not one Twilight was eager to repeat.

“Do it!” Megatronus snapped. “It is the only way! Or would you rather let the AllSpark’s energy leak out and be lost to the air? Nice as it would be if it did, it will not simply disperse itself over Cybertron like this! It must be contained”

Twilight took in a deep breath. She steeled her resolve, and hardened her expression. “Okay.”

Twilight turned to the AllSpark’s damaged container. Her horn glowing, she cast out a thin tendril which looped and curved through the air, touching the AllSpark and reaching inside its box.

The Cybertronian characters began to congelate and gather around Twilight’s magic fishing line. The AllSpark’s energy traveled up the line, going straight into her horn. Twilight absorbed the first few shocks of energy without much problem, only jerking a bit the first few times.

“Well, that wasn’t so bad.”

The energy continued to flow, pumping into her horn. Twilight grimaced and jerked, her eyes being consumed with the glow of the AllSpark, Cybertronix flashing in random patterns across her eyes.

“It - It’s too much! I can’t - I  can’t possibly do this! I can’t … think.”

Twilight sat on her haunches and went limp , the code continued to flash and swim in her eyes.

“It’s … beautiful. So much … knowledge. It’s ama - 00011 00111 0111.”

Twilight sat there and let the energy flow into her. Her horn produced a white sphere, which grew and engulfed her and the AllSpark’s box in its all-consuming light before exploding, covering the whole area with its brightness.

Bulkhead and the other Autobots noticed.

“What was that?”

() x 25

Nova Prime prepared another dark bolt in his hand and flung at Optimus, hitting him square in the back again.

“Urrgh …”

Optimus groaned and rolled himself around, turning to face Nova. He pulled out the Star Saber and the Forge, and crossed the two together.

Nova scoffed.

Optimus charged forward, the jets on his back spewing massive blue flames, and rammed into Nova. Optimus charged them down towards Cybertron’s surface, the two of them turning red as fire engulfed them during orbital entry.

Nova struggled and grappled, grabbing at Optimus’ face. Optimus didn’t let himself be deterred by the fingers covering his vision, and pressed forward.

Steering himself up, Optimus continued accelerating forward, throwing himself and Nova Prime through the walls of a skyscraper. Nova Prime was thrown off and sent flying backwards in the air.

The Saber and Forge glowing in his hands, Optimus swung both weapons in a cross formation, sending out a blue crescent beam and a golden crescent beam which made an ‘x’ as they met up and propelled forward, tearing an x-shaped hole into Nova, crushing his chest, cutting it into quarters, and severing his arms.  Nova was thrown out the other side of the building and sent crashing to the ground. Optimus peeked his head over the hole and watched as Nova’s body hit bottom and shattered into pieces on impact.

“One would hope that would take care of him.” Optimus murmured to himself, pessimistic about his prospects. If Nova could survive being cut in half by the Star Saber, Optimus was doubtful simply adding the Forge onto that would be enough to truly vanquish him.

Optimus heard a roaring, distracting him. He investigated the source.

Bulkhead saw the same thing. “What … is that?”

Off in the distance, a massive horse was rearing up and whinnying, bucking up and down all over the place. The size of Omega Supreme, it had the build of a Princess, with large wings and slender legs, a pointed horn and graceful neck and mane, made up out of the floating symbols which adorned and marked the presence of the AllSpark, its body made transparent as the AllSpark source code flashed in random patterns, blinking in and out and moving up and down and around. If they focused, they could see a very faint view of Twilight Sparkle inside the beast’s core, right around where its heart would be, a stream of data flying up from the tip of her horn, AllSpark binary in her eyes.

“Is that Twilight?”

“If I had to guess,” Ultra Magnus said,  I'd say the AllSpark broke, and to keep it safe, Twilight's taken the AllSpark into herself and is being overwhelmed by its power. You know, it's just kind of the way the things have been going today."

"The Primes did contact us in our dreams for our help…” Rarity said. “This was probably why. They realize something like this was going to happen."

"What do we call her, huh?” Smokescreen asked, joining the group. “AllSparkicorn? ... Twilight AllSparkle?"

“Okay,” Ultra Magnus said, “ One, when you did you get here? Two, that name is terrible. Three, where’s Fort Max? Four,  we need to move out and deal with this, and five, that name is terrible.”

“He’s running behind me. I went ahead.”

“Couldn’t he just use the Space Bridge and teleport over here?”

“You’d think, but that fight with Metroplex really took a lot of him.”

“Autobots!” Optimus shouted, flying up to the Data Princess. “Clear the way!”

“Clear the way for what?” Ultra Magnus asked.

Optimus positioned himself on the Data Princess’ head and wrapped his hands around her horn, using it as leverage to steer her where he wanted her to go. “I will guide Twilight Sparkle to the core!”

“What, are you kidding me? Really? This is what we’re doing?”

“I know the way, Ultra Magnus! This is not open for discussion. I require your assistance!”

Ultra Magnus sighed and buried his head into his hands. He brought his hands down across his face and took a breath. “Okay. Autobots! Roll out! We need to clear the way for Optimus and ... Twilight ... AllSparkle.”

“See?” Smokescreen said. “I come up with the best nicknames.

Ultra Magnus Magnus lifted Smokescreen up by the head. “MOVE IT, SOLDIER!" Magnus tossed Smokescreen into the dried river trench before jumping down himself.

Magnum and Crosshairs searched around. Finding a crashed dropship, they pried the open the hatch and went inside.

“Will it still fly?” Magnum asked.

“I can make anything fly.” Crosshairs flipped through some switches, and lights hummed as they turned on. “But yes, it’ll fly.”

“Optimus,” Magnum contacted him, “we’re going to lay down some cover fire for you.”

“Much appreciated Magnum.”

“Man the turret.” Crosshairs ordered as the dropship achieved lift-off.

“I outrank you, soldier.”

“Yeah, well, I’m flying.” Crosshairs replied, and Magnum, though grumbling, took hold of the turret controls.

Optimus steered the Data Princess down the trench, the wild horse galloping through the dry river with quake-inducing hooves.

The Technoists got wind of what Optimus was trying to do, seeing the Data Princess coming, and began lining themselves along the inside and the outside edges of the trench, spacing themselves out and lining up their shots.

“Hold your ground! Do not allow them to pass!” A Tank Vehicon General ordered. “OPEN FIRE!”

The Technoists let loose with a barrage of red, orange and blue lasers, sniping at the Data Princess, taking potshots at potential weak points, such as her ankles, her chest and the tip of her horn. The Princess let out a distressed whinny, dismayed at all the blaster fire she was taking.

“Autobots …” Optimus said. “We are in need of backup.”

“Hang in there. We’re on it, hold your horses, Prime.” Crosshairs said. “Pun may or may not be intentional. I’ll never tell.”

Crosshairs piloted the dropship to go ahead of the Data Princess, with a clear view of the Technoist littering the trench.

“Got a clear shot?” Crosshairs asked. “Or do you need to me to bank some more?”

“Oh yes, I have a very clear shot. Good job, Crosshairs.” Magnum pulled on the dual triggers of the turret, and chainguns deployed from beloew the dropshop, firing off a steady stream of bullet rounds at the Technoist, blowing the Technoists away, knocking them onto their backs with smoking and sizzling craters in their chest.

“Bank right!” Magnum shouted. Crosshairs and him wobbled as the dropship was turned over. Magnum fired more rounds. “Left!” More rounds. “Right!” More rounds. And so on, until Optimus and the Data Princess’ path were cleared of Technoists troopers.

With the road now clear before them, Optimus straddled his legs around the Data Princess’ neck, tightening his grip on her horn and pointing her head down. “Forward!”

The Data Princess let out a protesting whinny, but galloped in the direction Optimus wanted of her. At the end of the trench,  they arrived at the entrance to a tunnel which the Data Princess entered without stopping, like a speeding bullet, or a train. Her wings began to shear off the structure inside, but Optimus was more concerned with getting to their destination than any collateral damage to the walls.

“Come on … just a bit further …” Optimus murmured.

They continued on, the walls dimming, before reaching an area cast in a sickly green hue by the Changeling-powered lights running through it. Galvatron’s sabotage hadn’t gotten here yet, it would seem .

Optimus’ optics went wide when he saw their end goal, the final goal post before them - the Core of Cybertron, a massive spherical machine with a green light glowing faintly inside. It let out a mechanical hiss of steam which sounded more like a sick old man gasping for breath than any machine Optimus had ever heard.

Optimus tightened himself around his steed’s neck for the last stretch. The Data Princess continued on, marching ever forward, letting nothing stand in her way to stop her. She smashed into the Core. The instant the tip of her horn so much as grazed the light inside, Optimus was thrown off by a flash of light, being flung into a wall.

“Ooogh …”

The Data Princess was frozen still, shivering and shuddering as she disappeared into the core, her data being absorbed and sucked up inside of it. The green light died out, and was replaced by a brighter blue one, which grew in size and brightness until the entire room was almost white. The blue light spread out from the Core, replacing the green power lines and power chords Optimus and Twilight had passed on their way in.

The blue lights continued spreading outward, reaching out from the Core, destroying and replace any Changeling influence - or any other influence - wherever it encountered. The river outside began to fill up with bright, healthy premium liquid Energon. In a matter of minutes, all of Cybertron was enveloped in the blue glow, which make the planet light up like a Christmas ornament when viewed from space.

All across the planets, the restraints holding the Changelings trapped were broken and shattered as the Core severed the connection between itself and the Batteries. The Changelings buzzed and hissed, happy to be free, and flew off to rejoin their sisters.

Twilight Sparkle groaned, lying on the floor. She looked around and saw Optimus lying against the wall.

“Oh … um … sorry about that, Optimus. Are you okay?”

“I am unharmed. You were cognizant and aware of what was happening while the AllSpark was in you?” Optimus walked over to her.

“A little.” Twilight said. “It’s … blurry, but I can sort of make it out.”

“Twilight Sparkle!” A boisterous voice boomed, so loud it threw Twilight sliding across the floor. Optimus reached down and stopped her with his hand. The Core flashed as it spoke, and it projected a light. Sparkles flew around inside the light, dancing in the air before coming together in a rough humanoid shape. The shape emitted a blinding flash, and when it cleared, Primus was standing before them in his fully-repaired body.

It retained the same blue glow as the Core and the AllSpark, but with a faint silver outline making his features easier to see. His body was constructed much like Optimus and Nova’s, with a faceplate, antennae, a headcrest, grating in his legs and windows in his chest, differed by the crown-like shape of his forehead, and the large silver swan-like wing mechanicals wings hanging from his shoulders.

“You have done well, Twilight Sparkle.” Primus said. “Extraordinarily well. Thanks to you, and the efforts of you and your friends, I am whole again, complete once more. Cybertron is fully healed, able to produce Energon and support all the biomechancial life which inhabits its surface with no difficulty. The future where I cannot see and the Decepticons and Technoist rule Cybertron will now never come to pass. And it is all thanks to you.”

“Ahem.”

“And you two, of course, Optimus Prime, my disciple.”

Optimus Prime bowed, humbled to be acknowledged by Primus himself. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Please, Optimus, we’re all friends.” Primus said. “There is no need for such formalities. I have one thing I’d like to say. Twilight Sparkle, are you familiar with multiverse theory?”

“I am.”

“Well, trust me when I say I can see into multiple different universes, each of them featuring you going on different, parallel paths … and I can safely say that the you of this universe are among one of the greatest of them.”

Twilight Sparkle got stars in her eyes. “Really?”

“Yes! … Well, except for in this one universe where -”

“Yeah, yeah, okay, don’t spoil the mood. You’re ruining my big moment.” Twilight covered her mouth when she realized she had just taken such a casual, flippant tone with a living god. “Um, is is alright if I talk to you that way? You’re not gonna like, smite me or anything?”

Primus gave a jolly laugh. “Ha ha ha! No. You’re entitled to say what you’re feeling. You are free to be casual with me, Twilight. Both of you are. Truth be told, I wish some people (cough, Megatronus, Micronus, cough) would do it more often. It gets tiring when everyone thinks they have to be all business with you, all the time just because you happen to be a god. A sentiment I’m sure Celestia can sympathize with.”

Twilight gave a smile.

“Now, why don’t we head out and unite our fractured Cybertronian brethren?” Primus asked.

() x 26

Chrysalis watched and smiled as Changelings began pouring and buzzing to her hidden hive. “So, it would seem Galvatron kept his word after all!”

Her smile faded when she heard a hoof step in, sloshing through the muck on the ground.

“Who are you?” Chrysalis asked. It did not appear to be a pony, or a human.

“I am Lord Tirek.” Tirek said, bowing. “I saw your minions flying here and became intrigued. I followed them,”

“How do you get here?”

“I escaped from the box the Princesses tried to put me in on Equestria, and I was able to … convince a, what’s it called, Space Bridge technician to bring me to Cybertron … shortly before draining him of his magic.”

“Ha!” Chrysalis laughed. “Well, I don’t know what you think we have for you here, but whatever it is you’re offering, we’re not interested. My Changelings and I, with our magic, will be able to conquer Equestria by ourselves.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. First, we’ll infiltrate their government … then we’ll impersonate the Cybertronians and start sowing seeds of distrust, and propose they be banned. We’ll grow and nurture the conflict until the Cybertronians are forced to leave, leaving Equestria defenseless!” Chrysalis raised her hooves in the air, unaware of Tirek sneaking up behind her. She blanched, feeling a dark and heavy presence behind her.

“Changeling magic, you say? Don’t mind if I do.” Tirek unhinged his jaw. Chrysalis let out a gasp when her magic went out from her horn and into Tirek’s maw. Her Changelings were caught up in his spell, too, hundreds of green trails of misty vapor flying into Tirek’s mouth.

Tirek’s body increased in size, his muscles bulging on as he put on more bulk. His horns grew larger and curved inward before going out again, and his skin became a lively, fresh shade of red. Chrysalis’ limp body fell onto its side, buried half deep in green liquid, and Changelings dropped from the ceiling likes flies.

() x 27

Optimus, Primus, and Twilight emerged from the tunnel, wading through the Energon river. Twilight flew above their heads to keep from swimming.

They had just succeeded in their goal and were abuzz with good feelings, so was it a most unwelcome check back to reality when the first thing they saw upon emerging was a massive plasma burst rip through Magnum’s dropship and sent it hurtling towards the earth.

“MAGNUM!” Ultra Magnus shouted. He whipped out his boomstick and took out the offending Vehicon with a headshot, shooting the Decepticons adjacent to him in the head for good measure.

Magnum’s ship crashed, and it did not crash well. The ship skidded along the ground, friction sparks flying off. The entire front half of the ship was crunched in, crushed, and crumpled up. When it finally came to a stop, Crosshairs was dangling out the side of the front, and Magnum was splayed across the top, enmeshed with the ship’s internal wirings with a sizzling smoking hole in his chest, the metal still orange and hot. The Autobots and ponies surrounded the ship on either side.

Optimus and Ultra Magnus went up to the sides of Magnum.

“Cousin Magnum …” Optimus took Magnum’s hand.

Magnum wheezed and coughed before opening his eyes, glancing up at Optimus. “Orion Pax … Ultra Magnus ... “

“What do you need, buddy?” Ultra Magnus took Magnum’s other hand, curling his fingers around it. “Just tell me what is it and I’ll get for you, Magnum.”

“I don’t think I need anything, solider.” Magnum shook his head and focused his gaze at the sky. “Just a nice quiet view of the sky is enough for this soldier. You know… everything I did, I did it to try and get out of you guys’ shadow. To make a name for myself. To distinguish myself. Becoming a soldier… enlisting in the Elite Guard, rising in the ranks to become its commander … all so that I could make the most of myself. So I could be more than just a poor man’s Ultra Magnus. Heh.” Magnum coughed. “So I could be … myself, instead of living with always being compared to you.”

“Crosshairs …” Drift walked up and took Crosshairs.

“Aw, what the hell.” Crosshairs said, his voice breaking up. He might even got a bit teary-eyed, but he would have denied it. “I’ve been a selfish jerk for almost all my life … to make the ultimate sacrifice …  feels nice to give something for a change, especially something so … big.”

“Crosshairs …” Drift shed an oil tear. “Please. Don’t go.”

“Heh …” Magnum smiled and chuckled, closing his optics. He rested his head back. “Looks I found a way to distinguish myself … after all.”

Magnum’s hands lost their tension and fell out of Optimus’ and Ultra Magnus’ grip as his Spark expired. Crosshairs did not tarry long behind.

“Sleep gentle, sweet soldier. You’ve earned it.” Optimus said.

“You …” Ultra Magnus huffed, turning to the Technoists still surrounding the area. “You … GLITCHHEADS! YOU KILLED HIM! I’LL KILL YOU! I’LL KILL EVERY SINGLE LAST SLAGGING OF YOU THERE IS!  I DON’T CARE IF I HAVE TO WADE NECK DEEP IN SLAG AND OIL TO DO IT!”

“AAAAAAH!” Ultra Magnus readied his gun and began pumping lead into every single slaggin’ Technoist he could lay his eyes on, screaming in fury all the while.

While Magnus went on his rampage for revenge, Primus walked up and reached a hand towards Magnum.

“You know, I am a god. I could-”

“No.” Optimus raised his hand out, looking at Magnum’s body, which still had a smile on its face. “Something tells me he … he would want it this way.”

Elsewhere, Starscream and Shockwave observed the battlefield, Starscream growing nervous when he heard but couldn’t see from his position the distinctive sound of Ultra Magnus’s weapon going off.

“This isn’t going well.” Starscream said. “We’ve lost Bludgeon. We’ve lost Thunderwing. The Terrorcon Metroplex idea of theirs didn’t work out. We should consider a tactical withdrawal.”

“For once, Starscream, I find myself agreeing with your suggestion. Is it most logical.” Shockwave said.  He and Starscream turned around.

“HEY!”

Grimlock shouted at them, accompanied by Predaking.

“Aww, leaving the party so soon?” Grimlock asked. “Why don’t you stay awhile? Kick back, relax … chew some metal … after I force-feed it down your throat.”

Shockwave raised his arm-cannon, but Starscream grabbed it and pulled it down. “No.” Starscream said. “He’s not worth it. We must retreat.”

“You are, once again, correct, Starscream.” Shockwave said.

“Grimlock …” Predaking placed a hand on Grimlock’s shoulder. “Perhaps we should let them go. There’ll be more chances to apprehend them.”

“No.” Grimlock shook Predaking’s hand off. “No, no. I have missed enough opportunities to get revenge on Shockwave already. I’m not waiting for one more. I’m tired of waiting. Hey! Oh, come on, One-Eye! Turn around and give us a little action, a little show.”

Shockwave sighed. “Grimlock, your childish taunts will no nothing to deter me from my current course of act-shnn!” Shockwave stumbled when a piece of metal him in the back of the head, thrown by Grimlock.

Shockwave turned around and aimed his weapon again, but Starscream talked him down. “Shockwave, don’t. Think logically.”

“You are … correct, Starscream. Let us proceed.”

Shockwave and Starscream continued on.

“No.” Grimlock said, scooping up a pile of scrap metal, crunching into a ball with his hands. “I’m afraid you’re not getting away that easy.” Grimlock bounced the ball in his hand before tossing it at the back of Shockwave’s head, making him stumble and growl.

“Hey, what about this?” Grimlock picked up a piece of sheet metal and flung into Shockwave’s back.

“Ooh … this ought to do nicely.” Finding a fallen pylon of some kind, Grimlock hefted it up over his head. He tossed it at Shockwave and Starscream, knocking them over. The pylon shattered and crumbled into pieces, burying Shockwave and Starscream under rubble.

Shockwave, having had all he could stand, burst out of the rubble, digging his way out like a worm. “THAT IS ENOUGH! DO YOU WANT A FIGHT, DINOBOT? I SHALL GIVE YOU THE FIGHT OF YOUR LIFE!”

“Shockwave, no!” Starscream latched onto Shockwave. “Use logic! Use logic!”

Shockwave glared at Starscream, and batted him away with his arm-cannon. “GO SCREW YOUR LOGIC! AAAAH!”

Shockwave began firing blast after blast from his cannon at Grimlock, charging towards him. Grimlock, shrugging off each blast as it hit him, met Shockwave head-on and punched him in the face. Shockwave staggered, but before Grimlock could follow up with a slug, Shockwave bashed him in the head with his cannon, and followed it through by blasting Grimlock in the stomach.

Grimlock staggered back, and Shockwave dashed up to him, slashing Grimlock’s face with his claw. Grimlock groaned and clutched at his wounds. Shockwave converted into tank mode and fired another shot into Grimlock’s belly, throwing him into the air and onto his back.

Shockwave drove up Grimlock, trying to grind Grimlock’s body beneath his treads. He reached Grimlock’s face and began spinning his wheels.

Grimlock groaned and grunted, his arm flailing on the ground as he tried to reach out to Shockwave. Getting an idea and reaching up, Grimlock was able to jam his palm onto Shockwave’s wheels and stop them, using his strength to hold the wheels in place. He reached around the other side of Shockwave and did the same to his treads there.

“ Yaah!” Grimlock grunted and lifted Shockwave off his body. Getting to his feet, Grimlock spun Shockwave around before hurling him into the ground. Shockwave’s vehicle mode bounced and tumbled, and rolled over, going a full three-hundred sixty degrees before Shockwave transformed and managed to catch himself, digging his feet and his claw into the ground, leaving scratch marks where his nails caught.

Grimlock charged and ran up to Shockwave just as Shockwave was getting to his feet. Grimlock punched him in the face, shattering Shockwave’s mono-optic, and ran Shockwave through with his sword. When Grimlock yanked his sword, Shockwave fell to his knees, Energon leaking from his chest.

“Well?” Shockwave asked, looking at up Grimlock. “Go on! Do it then! This is what you’ve been wanting for, isn’t it? This is what you wanted! Then do it! Do it! Just do it and finish me off already!”

Grimlock wrapped his hands around Shockwave’s head.

“With pleasure.”

Grimlock applied pressure, going slowly, slowly as he crushed Shockwave’s head in with his bare hands, digging his fingers in. The fins on Shockwave’s head were the first go, cracking and falling off. He crushed Shockwave’s head thoroughly, splashes of Energon splashing out between Grimlock’s fingers when the head was totally destroyed. Shockwave’s body fell, with only sparking wires and leaking Energon spurting from where his neck used to be.

“Well … as loathe as I am to return to my old ways … I do believe this calls for a good old-fashioned cowardly retreat.” Starscream said. He ran away from Grimlock, stumbling on his toes in his panic to get away, and converted into jet mode and flew off.

Predaking walked up to Grimlock and looked at Shockwave’s corpse. “So … you finally did it. After years of waiting, wanting, burning with the desire for revenge for what he did to you all those eons ago, you finally have it. You finally killed Shockwave and realized your vengeance. Tell me, Grimlock, do you really feel better? Do you really?”

Grimlock paused, looked at Shockwave’s corpse, then looked at Predaking.

“Yes, actually. I do.”

Grimlock walked off, leaving behind a very puzzled and confused Predaking. This was at odds with several things Grimwing had taught him.

"Hmm." Predaking nodded his head and shrugged it off. Sometimes, as Grimwing would say, one just has to accept strange things happen in life.

() x 27

Thundercracker and Fractyl, despite thinking the battle was effectively over, found themselves met and accosted by Heavy Load and Fearswoop

“Well, well, well.” Fearswoop said. “If it isn’t Fractyl and Thundercracker, YOu know, I gotta tell ya, Thundercracker, I never thought I’d see the day where one of the Decepticons’ most respected heroes turned turncoat and joined the pony-living, socialist bleeding heart liberal Autobots in hopes of trying to make their sparkly candy-coated utopia a reality!”

“That is … not remotely accurate to the Autobots, socialists, or bleeding heart liberals. Or even non-liberal bleeding hearts.” Thundercracker said.

“Yeah, yeah.” Fearswoop said. “Are we going to argue about sceptics”

“You mean semantics.”

“Or are we gonna fight?”

“Fearswoop, look around you.” Thundercracker said. “Your leaders are dead. All your heavy weapons have been exhausted and expired. A literal god is with the Autobots. Give up already. Surrender.”

“Decepticons don’t know the meaning of the word surrender!” Fearswoop said.

“Or giving up!” Heavy Load said. “Fractyl! I’ve been waiting a long time for this, you pathetic excuse for a Decepticon!”

“Charge!”

Fearswoop and Heavy Load engaged Thundercracker and Fractyl. Fearswoop swiped at Thundercracker, trying to get him with the flames spewing from his claws, but Thundercracker evaded him with a ninja-like precision.

Heavy Load attempted to smash Fractyl over the head with his cement drum, but Fractyl was able to dodge it, if out of panic more so than skill. The sound of Thundercracker’s chaingun firing bullets distracted both of them, but Heavy Load regained and refocused his attention first, attempting to shoot Fractyl point blank in the chest. Fractyl, though not a seasoned warrior, was not going to let that happen, and ducked, causing the shot to miss.

“Rrraaah!” Heavy Load growled and rammed at Fractyl, engaging him in a grapple as Fractyl fought with his arms to keep Heavy Load from closing in. Heavy Load fired a shot, which missed Fractyl and struck Thundercracker, shearing a hole in his side.

“Auugh!” Thundercracker cried out, and Fearswoop was able to smack him on the head and bring him to knees before shooting a burst of flame straight at his face.

Fractyl let out a gasp. He narrowed his optics at Heavy Load.

“Ooh, I shot our mentor!” Heavy Load said. “What’chu gonna do, Autobot pony-hugger? Cry about it, snivel into a pony’s shoulder, maybe?”

Fractyl said nothing. He backed away and reached behind him and pulled out a vial of blue liquid, which he splashed onto Heavy Load’s face.

“Aagh! What the?” Heavy Load tried to wipe the fluid off his visor, but his sensors were still scrambled by whatever it was Fractyl had cooked up. He was seeing triple, and he was hearing faint, distracting static buzz. Was it some sort of magnetic solution or something? “What’s in this? Dissolved hematite?”

Fractyl pulled out another vial, his expression serious and unreadable. He uncapped it and splashed the purple liquid onto Heavy Load’s chest, melting through with it acid eating away at it. Heavy Load screamed in pain, and Fractyl closed in for the kill, jabbing his sharpened claws through Heavy Load’s chest and softened armor, stabbing him straight through the Spark. Fractyl’s claw emerged out from Heavy load’s back.

Heavy Load lurched.

“Well … I’ll be.” Heavy Load said. “Looks like … you’re a Decepticon … after all.”

Fractyl jerked his claw out, leaving Heavy Load’s body to fall on its knees and topple over.

“No.” Fractyl said. “I’m an Imperial.”

Fractyl turned around and aimed his arm, firing off a rocket at Fearswoop, interruping the laughter Fearswoop had been doing over Thundercracker. The missile carried Fearswoop and exploded his chest, leaving him to fall on his knees.

Fractyl went over to Thundercracker’s body, kneeling beside his fallen mentor, putting a hand on him. Thundercracker reached up and took Fractyl’s hand, wrapping his fingers firmly around it to let Fractyl know he was alright.

() x ¼ 28

“Technoists! Decepticons! Forged!” Optimus Prime shouted. “You should - you must surrender now. Your leaders are either all dead, or have abandoned you. You have no further weapons of mass destruction, no Thunderwings, no zombie Metroplexes. No more trump cards. Unless you have one last trick up your sleeve, I’d advise to lay down your weapons and surrender now.”

All the Technoists, Decepticons, and Forged still standing looked at each other, considering the idea of continuing to fight to the bitter end. But they realized it was over - all any further fighting would do would be to result in their deaths. So most of them stored their weapons, retracted their integrated weaponry, and got down on their knees. The few they didn’t let out battle cries and were swiftly put down by Ultra Magnus’ expert marksmanship.

“Well done, Ultra Magnus.” Optimus said, becoming dismayed when Ultra Magnus kept firing. “Ultra Magnus. Ultra Magnus! You can stop shooting now.”

“What? Huh?” Magnus asked, firing off one last shot. “Oh. Sorry. I’m just still mad about … you know.”

Optimus put a hand on Magnus’ shoulder. “I know. We will have time to mourn and grieve for him properly later. For now, there is still work that must be done …” Optimus gazed to the sky.

() x 29

Optimus, Twilight Sparkle, Primus, and all the other Autobots and Twilight’s friends and Imperials returned to the stage where Optimus had made his speech calling for an uprising and rebellion against the Technoist regime. A crowd was gathered.

“We’re getting tired of always gathering up like this.” A Cybertronian said. “What are we gathering here for this time, Prime?”

“My fellow Cybertronians …” Optimus said. The crowd let out a collective groan, realizing this was going to be one of those long speeches. Optimus ignored. “Today, we are here to celebrate a momentous occasion. Millions of years in the making, this will be the final step towards reunifying our fractured and divided kind. Today, we put an end to conflict, to factions, to the divisions within our ranks that threaten to divide us. Today, we will do something that will it make unjustifiable for any Cybertronian to keep fighting against their brothers and sisters.”

“Today, Cybertronians …” Twilight Sparkle said. “We will return your gods to you.”

The crowd let out a gasp.

“What? Really?”

“The Thirteen Original Primes?”

“No. That’s impossible.”

“LIARS! HERETICS! HERESY! HERESY, I SAY!”

Optimus and Twilight’s team turned around were as surprised as they were annoyed when Nova Prime walked onto the stage.

“How are you still here?” Optimus asked. “I understand the Saber and Forge have been insufficient to destroy you and terminate you fully, but why eludes me.”

“Does this guy ever give up?” Twilight asked.

“Do not believe these charlatans and their lies!” Nova Prime said, sweeping his arm out. “They are heretics committing the ultimate heresy! Heathens! Blasphemy! No one can bring back the Thirteen Primes! No one! If it were possible, someone would have done so already!”

“Au contraire, my friend.”

“Eh?”

The crowd let another gasp when Alpha Trion walked onto the stage, unmistakable with his beard, red and purple helmet, and cape.

“It has not been possible to resummon the Primes before now.” Alpha Trion said. “It takes a very specific and key set of circumstances, one no one has been able to recreate until now. It requires the Artifacts of the Thirteen be present. But Twilight Sparkle and her friends have the Artifacts of the Thirteen, don’t you?”

Twilight Sparkle nodded. “Optimus, if you would?”

Optimus hefted up the Forge of Solus Prime and the Star Saber. He laid them on the ground, crossing each other. Fluttershy pulled and dropped the Enigma of Combination on top, and Predaking and his Predacons airlifted the Requiem Blaster in, setting it on the back of the stage and rotating it until its thinner barrel touched the edge of the pile. The other Artifacts were thrown in as well.

“It is good to see you again, Alpha Trion.” Optimus said.

“And you too, Optimus. My, look how you’ve grown.”

Alpha Trion walked forward, placing what appeared to be a stylus and tablet on the pile.

The pile glowed with a whitish blue light. The light spread around on the stage, forming a neat, even circular shape before firing off into the sky, becoming a massive pillar. A portal like a Space Bridge, but blue, appeared in the sky, and eleven lights came raining down from it like reverse fireworks, striking the stage, leaving impact craters on the stage as the Primes were formed in corporeal bodies, draped in the smoke from the crater made during their landing.

They certainly knew how to make an entrance.

“Ladies and gentlemen …” Twilight Sparkle said. “Allow me to present to you … your Primes!”

The Primes walked forward on the stage, standing in line, joined by Alpha Trion. The crowd gasped and murmured.

“So it’s true!”

“The Thirteen Original Primes, with all their Artifacts!”

“Wait, why are there only ten of them?”

“Don’t you get it? Alpha Trion is one of them!”

“Okay, but where are the other two?”

“Elsewhere!” Alpha Trion said.

“We would prefer not to talk about them.” Megatronus said.

Nova shook his fists in rage. “Aaaaaaaaah!” Turning his rage on Optimus Prime, Nova created purple and black fireballs in his hands which seemed to distort the air around them and hurled them at Optimus Prime, knocking him onto his bottom.

The Primes noticed, whipping around. They aimed their weapons at Nova.

Nova realized he made a mistake, attacking Optimus while the Primes were present.

“Oh. Oops.”

Nova spread his wings and took flight, dodging as the Primes let loose a barrage of energy shots at him. They aimed their weapons up at Nova as he took off.

“I am on the case. Leave this to me.” Optimus said, spreading his wings and blasting off, chasing Nova down.

“Uh, he does realize you’re, like, gods, right?” Rainbow Dash asked Megatronus. “You would basically have this in the bag?”

“You would think.” Megatronus said. “But the truth is … it is somewhat more complicated than that.”

“Huh?” Dash asked, but Megatronus declined to elaborate any further.

Optimus Prime chased Nova through the air, swerving, ducking, flying under and over buildings, going around in loops, until Nova surprised Optimus by turning to face him while still flying backwards.

Nova held his hand out. Purple sparkles of dark energy began gathering around in his palm, forming the rough shape of a sword before emitting a bright flash and becoming a solid sword - a huge sword, with a jagged, zig zagging blade made of Dark Energon, an evil purple mist trailing off the blade, and hilt with a spider’s shape. Optimus gasped. It was like a dark, twisted perversion and mockery of the Star Saber, with the size to match.

“You like it?” Nova asked. “I call it a Dark Star Saber. And you know what the best part is?”

Nova held his other hand out, summoning another blade.

“I can make more than one.”

Nova sliced the blades through the air, sending out dark crescent beams which were provided a twisted counterpart to the Star Saber’s own sword beams. The beams struck Optimus Prime and sent him hurtling backwards through the air.

Optimus was able to recover and primed his integrated blaster, shooting at Nova Prime, hitting him square in the chest. Nova did not seemed too perturbed by it. Optimus fired again, and this time Nova crossed his Sabers across his chest, deflecting the blade.

Nova sent another beam out after Optimus, who flew below it and evaded it.

“Arrgh!” Optimus cried out when an agonizing beam of heat and fire struck him square in the back.

“I cannot say I fully understand all the mechanics of this new world …” Tirek said, levitating over Optimus’ head, now in a huge form which made stand as tall, if not taller than a particularly bulky Cybertronian. “But I do understand if I wish to conquer both it and Equestria, I must start with eviscerating you!”

“Hey.” Nova said. “Back off, buddy. He’s my kill.”

“I am not your buddy.” Tirek said before shooting a beam into Nova Prime’s chest, melting the metal. Nova shook his fists, clutching his Sabers, and swung at Tirek, blasting him back with a crescent beam.

“Grr …” Tirek growled before firing back, shooting a beam through Nova Prime’s shoulder and severing it at its connection. The arm and Saber plummeted and tumbled to the ground below.

And so they exchanged blows back and forth, volleying blasts and shooting blasts at each other. Tirek, utilizing the Changeling magic he had, turned himself into a flying dragon and began breathing fire down on Nova, who blocked his flame breath with a Saber, which glowed bright-red and began to melt.

Optimus clutched at his shoulder, nursing the sore spot there. Seeing Tirek and Nova were too preoccupied with fighting each other to notice him, Optimus began to think. He turned to slink away from the fight unnoticed, having an idea on how to combat both of them.

() x 30

“Twilight Sparkle!” Optimus shouted, returning to the stage.

“Yes, Optimus?”

“Do you still have the Elements?”

“We still have them.”

“Good, then we still possesses the means to … Twilight Sparkle, I need you to locate Princess Celestia and bring her here. Smokescreen, Bumblebee, Arcee, Bulkhead! I need some equipment.”

“I’m sorry. The means to do what, Optimus?” Twilight asked.

“Make ‘Harmonized’ Energon.” Optimus said.

Twilight’s mouth formed a little round ‘o,’ realizing what Optimus was planning to do it. “You got it. Coming up, boss.”

Nova Prime was sent hurtling through the satellite panel of a building by Tirek’s latest attack, the two of them moving beyond his dragon form. The satellite curled up, unable to support his weight, and came curling down on him, burying him.

Nova lifted the satellite up and spun around before hurling the panel at Tirek, who fired a beam and cut the panel in half, the pieces falling to ground.

Nova summoned a Dark Star Saber in his grip and threw it at Tirek, who flew out of the way. Tirek grabbed the top of a building with telekinesis and tore it off its foundation, hurling the building’s roof at Nova.

Nova summoned another Saber, swinging it and cutting the roof in half with its beam. Nova waved his hands, creating star-shaped bolts in them, and fired at a barrage of warping, multicolored stars at Tirek, who dodged and weaved through them, until one hit its mark and knocked him off-course, sending him into the side of a building, punching a hole in it.

Tirek got back on his hooves, standing up and holding onto the sides of the destroyed wall for support. He reared up and hopped out, levitating. Nova Prime flew down to face him.

“Accursed Prime!”

“Thrice-damnable centaur!”

Tirek fired a massive blast from between his horns, which Nova met with another barrage of stars, summoning up and mixing meteorites in for good measure. Their attacks repelled each other, preventing the other from gaining any advantage and maintaining for long.

Tirek and Nova growled.

Both were blown away by twin golden rays of solid sunlight, which struck them and sent them flying into the sides of buildings.

“What the-?” Nova asked when he saw the source of the attack.

“Tally-ho!” Optimus cheered, flying in on feathered wings. He had used the - for lack of better term ‘Ponymaster’- process and merged with Celestia! His legs ended in furry hooves, a majestic white horn appeared in place of his crest, and he rode on wings, with feather tufts around his wrists, Celestia curled up and visible through a circular window in his chest.

“What in the name of …” Tirek said.

“Hi there!” Optimus said, flying up to Tirek and punching him right in the gut to knock the wind out of him. “I’m an Optimus Prime/Princess Celestia hybrid brought about by tampering with forces never meant to go together, but you can just call me “Person Who Is Going To Kick Your Butt.’”

“You insolent-” Tirek a beam from his horns, which bounced off Optimus’ chest.

“Hey, are these important?” Optimus said, grabbing Tirek’s horn. “They’re not important, aren’t they?”

Before Tirek could protest, Optimus pulled, breaking off Tirek’s horns, shattered pieces of bone falling off to the concrete below.

“NO!” Tirek screamed, clutching at his face as he looked up and saw his beautiful horns had been destroyed.

“Such a drama queen.” Optimus said, giggling. He beat on his chest. “Celestia, I do not what you are up to in my chest, but tell your personality to quit influencing mine!”

“Ha.” Tirek laughed. “A little trouble in paradise?”

“How ironic.” Nova added. “Spousal disharmony from the Princess who practically embodies harmony.”

“Perhaps I am having a … domestic dispute, but at least I know I will not be sent back to Tartarus at the end of it!”

“Neither will-” Tirek’s boast was cut off by Optimus punching him the chest. Optimus grabbed him, lifted Tirek up, and then threw him to the ground, where he landed with a thud, groaning before falling unconscious.

Optimus waved his hand, burning with golden fire, and the trapezoidal portal opened beneath Tirek, dropping him in and sealing him away.

That done, Optimus turned his attention onto Nova, tackling him and smashing him through several buildings in a row, entering one end and smashing their way out the other until they reached an open, elevated platform, probably meant for sporting events commentary, where Optimus and Nova hit the ground and skidded along before screeching to a halt.

Optimus pushed himself up, shooting a rainbow blast from his fist before Nova could recover. Optimus was not going to let him reclaim the advantage again.

“Ugh …” Nova groaned and shakily got to his feet, wobbling. “Wait. So let me get this straight. You have, somehow, through some miraculous processed, combined with a pony.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“You … combined. With a pony.”

“Yes.”

“Combined.”

“Yes.”

“With a pony.”

“What is it about this that you are not getting?”

“Combined … with a pony.”

“Yes sir.”

Nova paused. He blinked.

“That’s bull-”

Optimus Prime cut Nova short by firing a massive rainbow laser blast from both his hands, smashing into Nova and destroying the floor he was standing, the blast pushing him with extra force to the ground, and it was a long fall.

Optimus Prime flew down, landing next to the fallen Nova, who had already gotten to his hands and knees despite falling back-first.

Optimus raised his hand to strike and fire another blast.

Nova, recovering with the speed of a cheetah’s paw, and striking just as quick, He smashed his fist through the window on Optimus’ chest and grabbed Celestia, pulling her out and severing the cords connecting her. There was a flash of light, and Optimus was restored to his normal form.

Optimus staggered backwards, but planted his foot down and recovered his bearings. He saw Nova holding Celestia by the neck like a freshly-killed goose, covered in (hopefully Optimus’) Energon, which dripped from her body.

“Aww, how sweet. You two are great together.  I think I’ll start torturing you with killing your little Conjunx Endura here!”

“I am not about to let that happen.”

“I don’t recall giving you a choice in the matter, Optimus!”

Optimus whipped out the Star Saber, producing it from behind him. “Neither do I.”

Optimus swung the Saber, slicing Nova Prime’s arm off with the crescent beam before he could twist and snap Celestia’s neck. The arm hit the ground, and the bonk Celestia received to her head was enough to bring her back to consciousness. She got to her hooves and adopted a fighting position.

“Yaaaaaah!”

Optimus charged and ran forward, stampeding on his foot. Nova Prime planted his feet in the ground and crouched, ready to grab Optimus as if he were a charging bull (not an unfitting comparison, given his current mood) and stop him dead in his tracks.

Optimus swung the Star Saber, cutting Nova Prime in half at the midsection. His vivisected corpse was thrown back and fell off the edge of the platform they were standing on.

Optimus walked to the edge of the platform, looking down over the ledge to see where Nova’s body landed and what happened to it. But there was no body. It seemed to have gone as soon as it went over the edge.  As if it had just … poofed.

Optimus felt something bull-like strike him in the back and send him tumbling over the edge. He turned around as he fell to be met with Nova Prime, fully restored, undamaged, in one piece, looking down at him from the ledge, with Princess Celestia covering her mouth in shock. As Optimus continued falling, he saw Nova’s gaze shift from him to Celestia.

I said … I would not allow that to happen!

Optimus twirled around and righted himself, jetting up and punching Nova across the face before he could lay harm to Celestia.

“Stay strong, Optimus!” Celestia flew away. “I’ll go get reinforcements.”

Nova aimed at Celestia, preparing his star spell again. Optimus ran up to Nova and clocked him on the head before he could get it off, and prepared to belt Nova again. Nova turned around and grabbed Optimus around the waist, tackling him off the side of the platform they were on.

They both hit the ground and rolled along, each of them trying to get pin the other, Optimus’ hands on Nova’s shoulders, Nova’s around Optimus’ throat. They stopped with Optimus on bottom, running out of momentum. Activating his rockets to push him up and give a little extra push, Optimus kicked Nova in the gut and kicked him off, then jumped to his feet.

Nova flicked his hand, readying another Dark Star Saber.

Optimus unsheathed his Saber.

They roared and charged at each other, their blades warbling as they clashed, each strike producing waves of energy, spectrums appearing in the air, fields of power waving in and out, giving peeks into hidden workings of the universe whence the blades hit each other, only to disappear into nothing when the blades were separated.

The two combatants backed away from each other. Nova summoned an extra Saber in his spare hand. Optimus met this by pulling out the Forge of Solus Prime.

They charged at each other, both swordfighters crossing their weapons in an ‘X’ formation, banging them up against each other as if they were shields. A massive hemisphere of conflicting, battling blue, gold and purple energy formed above their heads as they pressed against each other.

Optimus saw a flicker of a tail up ahead on a building’s balcony. Starlight peeked her head through the bars, almost falling over before she was caught by Trixie. On another roof, Arcee and Bumblebee walked along, flashing Optimus thumbs-up and drawing the tension on the strings on their Hunter bows. Ultra Magnus took position, as did Celestia and Twilight’s friends with the Elements. Predaking, Grimwing, and Grimlock lined up in their beast modes, preparing fire bursts in their mouths. Fractyl (and Thundercracker?) readied a vial. And on and on it went, with every soldier and volunteer the Imperials had and could find lining up to take their shot at Nova.

“What are you looking so pleased about?” Nova asked, Optimus letting his pleasure show in his eyes. Optimus tried not to answer, but he couldn’t ignore it and keep quiet anymore when the tardy Fortress Maximus and the Primes arrived on the scene.

Nova looked up, and his eyes bugged out of his head at Fortress Maximus.

“NOW!” Optimus shouted, swinging the Star Saber and Forge at Nova, shooting their beams.

And so everyone present let loose with their strongest attacks, from Beast Hunter weapons, to fire breaths, to the Magnus Hammer, to engineered vials of superacid and Celestia’s magic to the Elements of Harmony. One by one, each attack struck Nova, each taking a piece of him, escalating the attacks in a roaring sequence before they finally capped it off with the Primes opening fire and Fortress Maximus shooting his weapons at Nova, engulfing him in a great big ball of fire which exploded, raining burnt chunks of Nova all over the smoking ground.

“So … let’s see …” Ultra Magnus said, counting on his fingers. “That’s the Hammer, our Beast Hunter weapons, Fractyl’s acid, the Forge, the Star Saber, the Elements of Harmony, Predaking, Grimlock, Fortress Maximus, Princess Celestia, the Primes themselves and oh yeah, every single of our troops shooting him at the same. Surely … surely that was enough to put him out of commision, right? … Right?”

Ultra Magnus’ hope proved misplaced, as Nova’s body began to reconstitute and repair itself. Cables sprouted from the neck which reattached it to the body, pulling it towards his body. Its arms flew to its torso, its legs to its abdominal region. The shambling homunculus began to stand, the damage done to it healing, the burn scars and blackness fading away, its shattered optic reforming from nothing.

“What?” Ultra Magnus said. “How did he do that? How does he keep doing that? Keep … repairing himself?”

“It’s a shell.” Optimus realized. “We have not been fighting Nova Prime at all all this time. All along, it was an empty, hollow shell controlled by him.”

“Ha ha ha ha!” Nova gave a hearty laugh. “Perceptive of you, Optimus Prime! Or Orion Pax, whichever you prefer. You will never be free of me, Optimus Prime. We will duel for all eternity. You will never able to truly vanquish. You will never free the universe of the blight that is me. We shall be stuck here, on Cybertron, fighting and fighting, with me ‘dying’ over and over, always rebuilding and repairing myself through even the most seemingly final of my deaths, and one day, you will give out. You will give up, and give in. Your actuators will begin to fail, your gears will rust and stop up, your processor will clog and be in need of a reboot and defragging, and your servos will not be as steady as they used to be. And long after you’ve rusted away, and crumbled into dust and have been blown away by the wind … I will still be here. I will still - be - HERE.”

“An impressive taunt, and even more impressive boast, Nova Prime.” Primus walked forward. “However, at long last, after that last regeneration, my colleagues and I were able to track where it was coming from. We’ve found the seat of your power, the source of your seeming immortality.”

Nova seemed plussed by this statement, but he didn’t let it faze him.

“Hmph! Very well. Optimus Prime! Have you and whichever of your soldiers and so-called friends come in and enter my lair … if you dare. You seriously risk losing them if you do.”

Nova Prime jumped into the air and was cloaked in a starry, inky blackness which swirled around him in a whirlpool which covered him and swallowing him whole. It disappeared into thin air, and Nova Prime disappeared with it, without a trace.

“Optimus Prime, my disciple.” Primus said. “Are you and your team ready to go to the Dead Universe, where Nova Prime awaits at both his most vulnerable ... and his strongest? It is the seat of his power, as I said.”

Optimus nodded. “I am. Autobots! Ponies!”

Loyal as loyal could be, Optimus turned around and found Team Prime and all of Twilight Sparkle’s friends standing behind, ready to go this dangerous expedition, as evidenced by their saluting, stiff postures.

“Are you ready?” Optimus said.

“We’re ready, Optimus Prime.”

“Wills? Last testaments and all that? Say goodbye to your loved ones?”

“Oh, pfft.” Rainbow Dash scoffed.

“Really, now, Optimus, darling, you don’t really think we need all those things, do you?”

“Yeah!” Dash said. “We always come out on top!”

“She has a point.” Twilight said with a sheepish smile.

“Better safe than sorry.” Optimus said.

Primus and his Primes got together in a circle. Focusing, chanting and concentration, one Prime stepped and cut the air with his sword, which created a vertical slit which then spread out into an ovoid shape. A portal to the Dead Universe, showing a peek of the Dead Universe inside. It appeared to be nothing but an a mixture orange, purple, and blue starry backdrops mixing and swirling together.

“Alright ... ponies … Beast Hunters.” Optimus acknowledged his team. “Forward into the breach.”

Optimus led his team in as they stepped through the portal.

()

A/N

Chapter 13: The Pink Moon Celebration

She could understand the agent had shot for Drake for blowing a whistle, but why didn't he try to shoot her as well? Why leave her alive? There was enough chaos he could have gotten a shot off with no one noticing. She likely would have been able to use her magic to reduce the bullet's effectiveness, but why not try?

Perhaps because it

I came here to conduct a symphony of destruction, not be a bit player in the brass section."

Starscream raised an eyebrow at Bludgeon's unsual metaphor.

Beast Hunters weapons on Goradora

Edits;

Dream with Luna and Green Optimus

Technoists.

Maybe some speech changes.

More Bruticus vs Goradora detail

Stinger being present and Galvatron inviting him

Pinkie using a Party Cannon on Bludgeon, despite Starscream's warnings

()()()()()

On Equestria, Celestia, accompanied by Shining Armor, returned to the area of the Tree of Harmony and its anti-magic field. The green barrier mounted over the area was pulsing and sparking, electric arcs traveling across the barrier as it began to fizzle out.

Celestia gave the barrier a worried look, fearful of the Plunderseeds getting out again. Her worries were quelled when she heard the roar of engines overhead.

Celestia and Shining Armor looked up to see three Imperial-colored Vehicons flying into the area, carrying a crate which was hoisted to their bodies by a thick, black cable.

The three Imperialcons descended, lowering the crate down to the ground. The Vehicons transformed, disconnecting the cable from their bodies.

"Here it is." One of the Vehicons said, gesturing to the crate. "Your shipment of anti-magic bombs."

"They're really more anti-magic field generators, aren't they?" One of the other Vehicons said, observing the green magical field.

The first Vehicon shrugged. "Let me get this for you, Princess." He clasped the edge of the crate and cracked the top, lifting the lid up and off the crate.

"Thank you … Dingbat, was it?" Celestia walked towards the crate and flew up, peeking her head to make sure the crate had what she was promised. Satisfied by the presence of metal discs inside, she nodded. "Everything looks to be in order."

The Vehicon scratched the back of his head. "Gee, Princess Celestia, I didn't we were on a first-name basis ..."

"Why not?" Celestia said. "You routinely bring me the anti-magic equipment I need to contain the Plunderseeds, and you're quite pleasant to talk to."

"Uh, because they're working for a criminal organization which openly admits to being terrorist in nature?" Shining Armor suggested.

"Shining Armor, these Vehicons merely sighed up with the organization who they thought would fight for what they believe in, no different than you or any of the Guards who serve under you." Celestia said. "Isn't that right?"

"Right."

"See?" Celestia said. "You're not so different from them, are you?"

"I'm nothing like them." Shining Armor said, crossing his front legs.

"Yeah." One of the Vehicons said. "Unlike you, we can actually complete the missions we're assigned!"

"Wingnut! The Princess is being nice to us. Don't be rude." Dingbat struck Wingnut on the neck.

"I appreciate you bringing me these devices." Celestia said. "Make no mistake of that. But is it at all possible I could get the Elements of Harmony returned to Equestria where they belong?"

The Vehicons looked to each other with uneasy glances.

"The, uh, War Princess ..."

"Please." Celestia said. "We know it is Twilight Sparkle behind that mask. Her identity is safe with us."

Dingbat nodded. "Twilight Sparkle promises that she'll bring them back as soon as she's done with them."

"And … when will that be?" Celestia asked.

The Vehicons gave Celestia apologetic looks. Which was impressive, given they had visors for faces. They turned to leave, though they turned back and gave Celestia one last sympathetic look before transforming and flying away, exiting the scene by a mid-air Space Bridge materializing for them.

Celestia began to work on installing the new anti-magic generators.

"Shining Armor?" Celestia said as she levitated the generators into their place. "Today is the day of the Pink Moon Celebration. Our Earth liaison, Galloway and his friends, have been invited to join us to experience our culture. But there is something you should understand."

"Okay." Shining Armor said. "What do you need me to do?"

"While they are here, under no circumstances are we to tell Galloway that we know Twilight Sparkle is the War Princess."

"What? But ... Princess ... isn't she a criminal?"

"Perhaps, but she is still my friend and your sister. I expect you to respect my decision, Shining Armor."

Shining Armor nodded. "I … understand, Princess." Shining Armor turned and walked away, respecting the Princess' decision, but troubled by her choices and the secrets he was forced to keep.

Celestia turned away from Shining Armor, looking up to the sky with concern.

And truth be told, I think she's right about everything. Now if I could just muster up the courage to say so out loud ... perhaps to Galloway's face.

Celestia made one final adjustment to the anti-magic generators before activating them. With an internal sigh, she turned and joined Shining Armor.

()()()()()

"Huh?" Twilight glanced around, finding herself in a white void. "Where am I?"

"Hello, Twilight Sparkle."

"Princess Luna?" Twilight asked, finding the darker of the two Princesses standing next to her. "What are you doing here? Wait ... I can guess. Celestia asked you to use your powers as Princess of the Night to go into my dreams and see what next moves I'm planning, didn't she?"

Luna somberly nodded. "We are afraid so, Twilight Sparkle. Tis true. So ... what are you planning to do next?"

"Sorry, that information is classified, and you don't have properly security clearance." Twilight glared at her.

"Twilight Sparkle, do not be foolish. As Princess, it is our duty to protect our subjects, even from our subjects!"

Luna tensed up. There was a screeching pained roar.

"What was that?"

"I don't know." Twilight said.

"Now that we look around ... this does seem more barren than we would expect of a dream from somepony of your intellect, Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle?" Luna asked, Twilight's attention being turned to the side.

Twilight had found the source of the noise. Lumbering towards them was some bizarre Optimus-like person, resembling Optimus Prime, but also somehow ... not in a way neither Twilight or Luna could put their hoof on, even ignoring how he was entirely green, liquid coming off him as if he was melting, lacking Optimus' distinct shoulder pauldrons.

"Run, Twilight Sparkle!" Luna said, running up the zombie and charging up her horn. "We will -"

The creature let out another roar. It waved its hand, and a gust of wind blew in from behind it, tearing Luna from her footing and sending her hurtling into the distance.

Twilight watched Luna fly away before turning to the creature. "Who ... or what are you?"

The creature opened its mouth to speak, a hiss erupting as it parted its lips.

"Helll ..."

"Hell?" Twilight asked. "What does that mean?"

"Hellll ..."

"Hell? Human Hell? Pony Hell? Nordic Mythology Hel? What? What is that you want? I'm sorry, I don't understand!"

The creature hissed and lumbered towards Twilight, reaching out a hand, its voice raspy, ragged and tired as it spoke.

"HEELLLPP ..."

Twilight's eyes shot open. She had woken up.

Twilight sat upright on her bed, pulling her covers up to her chest. She nervously fiddled with her blanket, perturbed by the dream she just had. What did it mean? If nothing else ... it gave her a newfound appreciation for the importance of a consonant.

()()

"Well?" Celestia asked, going up to Luna's bed. "Did you discover if Twilight has any plans to attack the Pink Moon Faire?"

"Ugh ..." Luna groaned. She rolled out of her bed. "We did not, sister. And Iwe found most troubling. Whilst we were in Twilight Sparkle's dream, we sensed ... a presence. There was something there besides Twilight Sparkle and myself. we know not what it was, but it seemed ... pained, somehow, and it hath the power to oust me from her dream."

"Oust you from a dream?" Celestia asked in surprise. "What in the universe would be capable of such a thing?"

"We do not know. But we worry for Twilight Sparkle's safety, as whatever it is, it has an interest in her ..." Luna looked out to the window, where morning was still rising in the sky.

()()()()()

At the Imperial base, Twilight Sparkle was in the war room, going over some battle plans.

Jack appeared in the doorway. The door being open, Jack knocked on the wall. "Can I come in?"

Twilight made no motion to show she'd heard him.

Jack walked in anyway and cleared his throat. "Well. Twilight, I … I just wanted to say I'm sorry for letting Johnson into the base. It was irresponsible of me, and foolish, and it nearly cost someone's life. I won't forget that. Next time someone tries to come into the base, I won't let the idea of knowing more about my father keep me from doing my due vigilance." Jack braced a fist against his chest. He turned and walked out the door.

"Don't be sorry, Jack."

Jack turned his head to face Twilight, who had lifted her head up at last.

"I never should have allowed it."

Jack smiled and chuckled.

Twilight followed him out of the room and into the main hall.

"Listen up, everypony! I have some announcements to make."

After making sure she had everyone's attention, Twilight continued.

"First, I am on the lookout for reinforcements."

"Reinforcements?" Flutttershy asked. "Twilight, how many soldiers do you need? You have plenty already!"

"I need as many as it takes to get the job done. A little extra never hurt anypony, did it?" Twilight said. "I lost two-hundred men when the traumatized portion of the human regiment moved to the civilian district. I lost them to my own peace-driven tolerant policies. As a leader of war, I cannot afford that kind of loss."

"I might know a few guys." Lockdown said. "Ammonites. Real nice guys, very professional. Fellow mercenaries, like me. Pay them enough, and they'll do any job you need."

"Look into it." Twilight ordered him, pointing at him. "Some unscrupulous types would be good. After all, that's part of the reason we recruited Decepticons. We wouldn't want to lose a major victory because some of us were too noble to take the shot, would we?"

Lockdown smiled, which creeped Arcee out. "I'll see what I can do."

"Second, today is a very special day." Twilight said. "Today, on Equestria, is the day of the Pink Moon Celebration. One night a year, the Princesses use their magic to turn the moon pink for reasons lost to time. It's a very big event, with foreign ambassadors being invited, and ponies coming in from all over Equestria and beyond. And I hear rumor Celestia will be inviting the humans and Cybertronians this year ..."

"Where are you going with this, Twilight?" Applejack asked.

"All those people, gathered together in one place ..." Twilight said. "It would be a pretty good place to make a statement, wouldn't it?"

"W-what do you mean by that, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.

Magnum stepped forward.

"She means, if Celestia and Galloway are going to call us terrorists for fighting for what's right ..." Magnum clenched a fist. "Then by gum, let's be terrorists."

"If fighting for what we believe in is wrong, I don't want to be right." Twilight said. "Who's with me?"

There were cheers throughout the room, former Royal Guard, Decepticons, Autobots, and U.S Military raising their arms to show they would join Twilight's mission.

"Let's get started, people." Twilight said. "We need to be ready to put a plan in motion by tonight!" Twilight began directing soldiers and units to stations to prepare supplies and get ready.

()()()

“Ugh.” Galvatron groaned, rolling his optics as he followed Metalhawk and Lazerback into the hall. “Must we do this, Metalhawk? It seems so … dreary.”

“Yes, yes, of course!” Metalhawk said, waving his hand and encouraging Galvatron and Lazerback to come towards. “This will be a vital part of maintaining good relationships with other species! You do want to make a good presidential run, don't you? I will go regardless of whether or not you two do, and how will that reflect on you?”

Galvatron and Lazerback looked to each other.

“He has a point.” Lazerback said, his words hissing through his fangs and forked tongue.

Metalhawk pushed a button on a computer, causing a screen to project from the terminal.

“Cybertronians!” Metalhawk announced, raising his hands up while making sure Galvatron and Lazerback could be seen in the projection. “I have an announcement to make! I, Metalhawk, and my competition for Cybertron's placeholder presidency, Galvatron and Lazerback, will be going to the upcoming Pink Moon Celebration on Equestria! This will be an excellent opportunity to study and learn about the many diverse cultures on Equestria, and as you should know, knowing their culture allows to get know our intergalactic allies better. As potential future leaders of Cybertron, it is important that we utilize this chance to learn more and understand our interplanetary friends on Equestria ...”

Metalhawk's voice trailed off.

Somewhere, hidden deep inside a cave, Bludgeon watched the projection of Metalhawk's screen as he rambled on and on about how important and polite it was for Cybertronians to attend the Pink Moon Celebration.

“The Pink Moon Celebration, hmm?” Bludgeon said, rubbing his chin. He turned off the projection and walked inside the cave. “Sounds like the perfect opportunity to make a statement … and show the galactic community at large – and those Imperials in particular – that Mayhem is not just some nuisance, but a serious threat and a force to be reckoned with!”

()()()()

()()()()

Later on Equestria, The Pink Moon Celebration was set up. Stalls were standing, vendors were hawking wares, hidden attractions were brought in covered in tarps, marked with labels warning consumers not to touch them, as they were fragile, and a truck pulled up dragging three interlocked trailers behind it.

"Oh boy." Ultra Magnus muttered from his hiding place.

"What?" Twilight asked through the comm.

"You see these guys standing next to Galvatron there? I recognize some of them. In fact, I think one of them owes me money. But they're all Technoists."

"Technoists?"

"Yeah. Galvatron's been very popular with them. They have a specific belief system, that Cybertronian life is superior."

"And, judging from your tone, I'm going to guess they think all other forms of life are inferior." Twilight said.

"And deserved to be dominated and ruled by Cybertronians, yes. Though can you blame them for the first part? We can transform, fly, combine, make our arms into cannons ..."

"Hmm."

"Uh, not that I'm apologizing for them, sir. They are bigoted scum and deserved to be destroyed."

"That's what I like to hear." Twilight said.

Walking up to a vendor selling cotton candy, Twilight Sparkle watched from afar with a glare as Princess Celestia showed Galloway and Lazerback around the fair. Metalhawk, Galvatron, Stinger and Attinger were present, but it was the first two whose presences upset Twilight the most.

How could she, Twilight wondered, how could the Princess disgrace and spit on the Autobots, on Team Prime, like this? To not only watch and do nothing as Galloway's shadow operatives took the Autobots' new Earth-based home away from them and be threatened to either conform to Galloway's ludicrous standards or be labeled criminals, and to accept Galloway's presence, condoning his unjustified actions?

It sickened Twilight. She was distracted from glaring at Celestia by a familiar greeting.

“Hey, Twiley!”

Shining Armor walked up to her, waving and smiling at her. He took a seat beside, sitting his haunches down on the grass.

“Hey, B.B.B.F.F.” Twilight said, happy to see him even if they were at odds.

“What have you been up to? Enjoying the fair?” Shining Armor asked. He noticed Celestia talking with Galloway. “Oh,  I see. Upset Celestia is talking to Galloway, huh?”

“Yes.” Twilight answered. “Look at them. I mean, just look at them! It'd be one thing for Celestia to simply let him visit, but she's going up there and giving him a tour himself!” Twilight angrily waved her hoof.  “Galloway doesn't deserve to be in the same room as Celestia, much less be given a tour by her … or at least that's what I would say,  if recent events didn't make me question her judgment.” Twilight hardened her glare at them.

“Ha ha ha.” Shining Armor laughed nervously, putting a hoof behind his neck. “Okay … wow. Yeah.” Shining Armor looked away from Twilight. He scraped his hoof.

“Hey, Twiley?” Shining Armor asked. “You being here … you're not … planning something, are you?”

“Huh?” Twilight asked, her eyes averting from Shining Armor when she realized what he meant.

“Twiley … please. Just say no and we can forget I said anything.” Shining Armor said. “Ponies are happy here. They can enjoy themselves. Please … don't ruin that.”

“I'm sorry, Shining Armor.” Twilight Sparkle said. “I can't give you an answer to the question, and even if I could, it would be stupid of me to tell you whether I was or was not planning something.”

“Twiley, please.” Shining Armor reached a hoof over to Twilight, but she rebuked him, slapping his hoof away without even turning to look at him.

“I'm sorry, Shining Armor. But if is the price I have to pay to get on the road to justice, then so be it.”

“Price … justice!?” Shining Armor stammered. He pointed to a family of three ponies buying ice cream for their little one. “What about their price, Twiley? Look at them! They're having a good time! What's the price they have to pay for your little crusade?”

“Little crusade!?”

Shining Armor ignored her and continued on. “You may have signed up for the Autobots to go and get shot at and exploded at, but they didn't! They didn't agree to risk their lives and put themselves at danger for anypony, for any reason! They came here to have a good time! What do their decisions count for, huh, Twiley? Nothing?”

“I ...” Twilight stammered, mouth agape. She didn't know what to say. Shining Armor had made a point which she couldn't refute with her usual anti-Galloway propaganda.

Shining Armor shook his head and walked away from her.  “Forget it. Just … forget it. Between the -the swears and your hardness, you've changed too much. You're not Twiley.”

“What!?”

“My little sister left Equestria to go Earth three years ago.” Shining Armor said. “And some … pony-shaped … Autobot … THING came back in her place.”

Shining Armor walked away from her.

Twilight Sparkle watched him leave with her mouth hanging open. She couldn't believe what Shining Armor had said to her.

After a moment, she shook her head and regained her composure, closing her mouth up and adopting a serious expression. She wouldn't be talked down. She would not be talked out of her operation. And when she felt doubting creeping in, she reminded herself of the time at the wedding, where she was right …

And everyone else was wrong.

Who is this?" Celestia asked, giving a puzzled look at Stinger. "A new friend?"

"Yes, this is Stinger." Galloway said proudly, patting Stinger's leg. "Some friends of mine have been working on him."

"Hmm." Galvatron narrowed his eyes at the red bot. "An unfit knockoff. How flattering."

"Ahem. Yes, anyway." Celestia cleared her throat, trying to redirect attention back to her before a fight broke out. “As you can see,” Celestia said to Galloway, gesturing her hoof out at the fair, “The Pink Moon Celebration invites all kinds of ponies and visitors. We have plenty of attractions for you to amuse yourself with, and a wide variety of food from all over Equestria and even beyond for you to try. Few events allow a pony to taste as much flavor as all of Equestria has to offer as the Pink Moon Celebration.”

Galloway nodded. “Yes, yes, I see. Tell me something, Princess. Why is it called the Pink Moon Celebration?”

“Because it is to celebrate when the moon turns pink.” Celestia said.

“Granted. But why does it turn pink?”

“That is a very good question, Mister President!” Celestia said with the excited tone of a schoolteacher answering the question of an insightful young student. “It's something my sister Luna does every year. No pony is really sure why, but the most common theory is that it's to remember a lost love of her's from hundreds of years ago.”

Galloway shrugged. “Makes about as much sense as anything you ponies do ...”

Celestia glared at him, not appreciating his comment. She turned and notice some tall ponies approaching her and was eager for the chance to have a distraction before she lost her temper with Galloway. “Ah! The ambassadors from Saddle Arabia!”

“Saddle Arabia?” Galloway raised an eyebrow. “Like … like Saudi Arabia? What?”

Celestia bowed to the ambassadors, a pair of brown and pink ponies. “How can I help you gentleponies today?”

The female ambassador looked to the male. “Princess, we wish to talk to you about … certain friendships you've made.”

“Of course!” Celestia said. “I am always happy to talk about any friendship of mine. After all, in order to understand magic, you must understand friendship.”

“You misunderstand.” The male ambassador said. “We do not wish to learn about friendship. Rather, we wanted to discuss your alliance with the, how do you say it? Cybertronians.”

“What about them?”

“We do not think continued relationships with them is the best course of action for Equestria's future.” The female ambassador said.

“They're large. They're dangerous. They're warlike. They have weapons which could reduce towns to ashes in a matter of minutes … we truly think Equestria would be a better place without them, a safer place if we were to at least restrict their access, if nothing else.”

“Ah, my good sir.” Celestia said. “The best way to defend against a Cybertronian, is to have a Cybertronian willing to fight for you around. That's something Galloway understands, isn't it?” She patted Galloway on the back with just enough force to be uncomfortable. “I assure you, Equestria is safer from Decepticons with Autobots than without.”

“That's another thing.” The male ambassador. “It would seem, in conversation, that “Equestria” is used to refer both to your country, and to the planet. Tell me, does that not seem … arrogant to you? Imagine if conversation around Earth used “America” to represent the entire planet. It's misleading, is it not?”

“True. Come back with a better name for the planet, and I'll be happy to use it.” Celestia said with a bit of cheek.

“We have another concern.” The female ambassador said. “It would also seem that the Autobots are on better, closer terms to Equestria and the Crystal Empire than to any other land on the planet. There's plenty of Cybertech in your kingdom to go around, but in Saddle Arabia? There's nothing. No Space Bridges, no automated defense systems, nothing. What's to prevent Equestria from using that tech and declaring itself a superpower?”

Celestia nodded. “I acknowledge your concerns and will address them. I'll be happy to share the technology with you.”

“We do not want it shared.” The male ambassador hissed. “We want it gone.”

The Saddle Arabian ambassadors turned and left, ending the conversation on that note.

Celestia's wings slumped down, and Galloway flashed a smirk.

“I guess Equestria – the planet - isn't quite as idyllic and pacifist as it might first seem, huh?” Galloway said.

“No.” Celestia said. “No, it would appear not.”

“You know.” Galloway said. “That reminds me of the Cold War on Earth. Ever heard about it? Once it finally ended, all the sides agreed to dismantle their weapons. Disarmament, they called it.”

“See?” Celestia said, hooking a leg around Galloway's neck and bringing him close. “We humans and Equestrians,we're not so different, are we?”

“I … suppose not.” Galloway grunted, grabbing Celestia's leg and pushing himself out from it.

A trio of ponies walked by.

“Oh!” Celestia said excitedly. “Apploosians! Excuse me?” Celestia waved at them. “You're from Apploosa, aren't you? Would you mind going up to the Saddle Arabians and explaining them that making friends with the Cybertronians isn't a bad thing?”

“Why should we?” One of the ponies said. “The way I see it, there ain't nothing good for us in keeping them around.”

“Yeah!” Another said. “We don't need any of their fancy technology. They ain't got nothing to offer us. We do our own work, by hoof!”

“Apploosa can fend for itself! And so can Equestria.” The ponies glared at Celestia as they walked by.

“That didn't go at all like I expected to.” Celestia said.

“Sometimes these things happen.” Galloway said.

Celestia perked her head up, noticing another group of ponies. They were led by a pink mare who had a blue streak in her purple mane, and each of them had a Cutie Mark in the shape of a black equal sign.

She walked up to them. “Excuse me? I don't think I've seen you before.”

“I imagine not.” The pink mare said. “I'm Starlight Glimmer. You must be Princess Celestia.”

Celestia giggled. “Guilty as charged. Where are you from?”

“Oh, we come from a little village way over on the other side of the mountains.” Starlight pointed to the horizon. “News about the Pink Moon Celebration made its way to us, and we decided to come to take a look. After all, it's not every year you get to see aliens!” Starlight and the others stared intensely as an unaffiliated Vehicon walked by.

Celestia laughed. “They are quite a sight when you see them for the first time, aren't they? Say … I can't help but notice that you five all have the same Cutie Mark.”

“Well, yes.” Starlight said. “We believe Cutie Marks promote inequality by making some better than others. So we all took oaths and used magic to rid ourselves of our Marks, so that nopony in our village was unfairly better than anypony else at anything, and we all had equal chance to compete.”

“I see.” Celestia said, nodding. “Fascinating. You meet so many interesting ponies at the fair.”

“And one day,” Starlight said, shaking her hoof, “we'll spread our message across all of Equestria, and everypony will join us in giving up their marks!”

“I'm not sure about that. But it's good to pursue goals.” Celestia said. She looked to Galloway. “You see, Galloway? I find their ways strange and unfamiliar. But just because their ways are different and foreign, that doesn't mean I have to put them on a leash for my safety!”

Galloway adjusted his glasses. “Princess, are you implying something?”

“Why, no!” Celestia said. “I'm not implying anything! Wherever did you get that idea?”

“Princess Celestia.” Attinger spoke up. “If you have something to say, then just say it.”

Celestia disregarded Attinger, her focus drawing in on a human. Starlight Glimmer waved goodbye as she and her group left, while Celestia went to go approach the strange yet familiar woman.

“Hello?” Celestia asked.

The woman turned around. “Hello! I'm Celeste.” She extended a hand towards Celestia.

“Ah.” Celestia shook Celeste's hand with her hoof. “You must be my human doppelganger from the other side of the mirror.”

“Yes, that's me.” Celeste said.

“Wha- human doppelganger? Mirror?” Galloway said. “How come I haven't heard about this?”

Celestia looked at him. “Really? Neither Twilight nor Optimus told you about the mirror leading to alternate version of Equestria? Huh.”

“So that's … Cybertron, Equestria, and now an alternate Equestria?” Attinger said, counting on his fingers. “We're never going to be able to pass regulations for all of those places.”

“So don't.” Celestia said coldly.

“I'm sorry about not trying you sooner, Princess.” Celeste held up her phone. “I was on the phone with my new boyfriend Jason.”

“Jason?” Celestia asked. She rubbed her hoof. “Jason … Jason.” She looked up. “I don't know of any pony whose name would 'humanize' into Jason.”

“Well, maybe if you hear him, you'll figure it out. Say hello, Jason.” Celeste held the phone up to Celestia.

There was silence from the other end. Celestia perked her ear up, thinking maybe she hadn't heard him.

“Hello.” Jason said quickly through the phone.

“Oh, Jason.” Celeste rolled her eyes, putting the phone in her hands. “Always so quiet. Let me just say goodbye, and you and I can hang out, Princess. I bet we could learn a lot from each other.”

While Celeste turned and resumed talking on her phone, an elderly man with grayed hair tried to approach Celestia.

“E-excuse me?” The man asked. “I was wondering if -if maybe I could talk to the Princess?”

Celestia twirled her neck around to him, while Attinger silently glared at the man. Whatever he had hoped to talk about, Attinger's glare was enough to scare the man away.

“M-maybe later.” The man said.

“As you wish.” Celestia said. “I will be happy to grant you an audience, whenever you are ready.”

()()()

()()()

Twilight Sparkle walked around, Shining Armor's words still stinging. Looking down at the ground as she walked, her mood was brightened considerably when she stumbled upon Snowdrop.

“Snowdrop!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Twilight?” Snowdrop said, peeking her head up.

“Hey there, ya silly filly!” Twilight ran her hoof through Snowdrop's head. “How are you?”

“Oh, I'm fine.” Snowdrop said. “I'm really glad I got the chance to go on an adventure with you and your friends. Sure, it was scary, but I learned to stand up for myself!”

“Thatta girl.” Twilight expressed her approval. She put a hoof to her chin, having a thought.

Say, perhaps we could recruit Snowdrop into the Imperials and have her use Fortress Maximus for us.

Elsewhere at the fair, Rainbow Dash was walking around, trying to play it cool and not let slip out the fact she was here to carry out a destructive operation.

“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo exclaimed, running up to her idol.

“Hey there, squirt.” Dash greeted Scootaloo by roughing up the filly's mane. “How's it going?”

“Pretty good.” Scootaloo said. “I've been missing you lately. You never seem to be around anymore. Where have you been?”

“I've been -” Rainbow Dash halted, realizing she couldn't tell Scootaloo she'd been part of an organization that the majority of relevant governments considered criminals. “Uh, you know. Doing stuff.”

“Exciting stuff, I bet!” Scootaloo said. “Awesome stuff. Cool stuff. Rainbow Dash stuff!”

“Uh, yeah, yeah, sure.” Rainbow Dash nodded.

“Do you think you'll be less busy any time soon?” Scootaloo asked. “I miss hanging out with you ...”

It pained Rainbow Dash to look at Scootaloo's hopeful face. It pained her even more to answer.

“No. I don't think I will.” Scootaloo's wings sagged. “Sorry, kiddo. Maybe after all of this stuff blows over we can hang out again.”

“Okay!” Scootaloo's wings perked up. She gave Rainbow Dash a hug and went on her way.

Rainbow Dash made sure Scootaloo had left the area, then grimaced as began to hyperventilate. “Twilight! Twilight!” Rainbow Dash galloped around the fair until she found Twilight Sparkle by Magnum's hiding place.

“Ah, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said. “You have excellent timing.”

“Twilight, we gotta call it off.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Call what off?”

“All of it.” Rainbow Dash swiped her hooves through the air. “The mission. The attack. We can't attack here! Scootaloo is here! There are foals here, Twilight! Foals! We can't 'make a statement' while there are foals!”

Twilight slapped Rainbow Dash across the cheek and grabbed her by the neck, pulling her forward. “Pull it together, solider. Remember your training and your mission.”

“But … but ...”

“No buts.” Twilight snapped, raising up a reprimanding hoof. “You're an excellent marksman, aren't you? No foal is going to get hurt on my watch, understand?” Rainbow Dash. “Good. Now that you're here, what do you two think of trying to recruit Snowdrop in the Imperials so she can command Fortress Maximus for us?”

“Really?” Magnum asked. “First you dismiss Rainbow Dash's valid concern, and you want to recruit a foal? You want to recruit a child soldier?”

“Well, I … when you put it that way ...” Twilight stammered, letting go of Rainbow Dash.

“It's worse than a child soldier, even.” Magnum said. “It'd be like a child nuclear bomb. We'd be training her and molding her to use power on a scale she couldn't possibly grasp at her age. Do we really so cold and callous as to use a child as a living weapon? Are we no better than Decepticons?”

“I ...” Twilight said. She closed her eyes. “You're right. It was a stupid idea. It's wrong. I should feel bad I even thought of it. No Snowdrop.” Twilight affirmed to herself. “No Fortress Maximus.” She turned and looked at Rainbow Dash. “Get into position. We'll be making our move soon.”

Rainbow Dash nodded and scampered to take her place.

“Roll out.” Twilight muttered ironically under her breath.

Elsewhere, again, Attinger sat down on a rock. Celestia found him, walking up to him and sitting down next to him.

“You didn't have to scare that man off.” Celestia said.

“Actually, yes I did.” Attinger said. “He was about to share information with you in violation of a contract.”

“Hmm. And how do you know this?” Celestia asked.

“Because I know that man.” Attinger said. “He used to work with some of my associates.”

“Hmm.”

There was a pause.

“Tell me something, Attinger.” Celestia said. “Indulge me, if you will. Have you always been like this? So angry? So stern and focused?”

Attinger turned to her. He took his glasses off, chuckling.

“No, actually.” Attinger said. “I didn't always used to be such a … stick in the mud. I was a child once, too, you know.” Both he and Celestia shared a laugh.

“My job ...” Attinger said. “Is a very dangerous job. And an important one. It's hard work, keeping my country safe from threats. You ponies don't know how good you've got it. When you have a major attack, it's usually with magic, and can usually be fixed with magic. But us? When we have an attack, there are explosions, poisons, guns, people willing to kill themselves for their beliefs. When we have an attack, we're scrambling to keep it under control, to keep citizens out of harm's way. When we have an attack … people die. And it's not always clear where it's coming from. It could be our enemies. It could be one of own, having gone off his rocker and thinking that there's something wrong with the world he can only fix with violence.”

“And sometimes ...” Attinger went on. “Sometimes the only way I can keep my country safe is by doing something … unpleasant for the greater good. So you can see, Princess, how, after a few years of doing this, I might have become a little jaded.”

“I certainly can.” Celestia said. “Have you ever considered stopping?”

“I assume you by that you mean what we humans call 'retiring'.” Attinger said. “No, no I haven't. I have to do it. It has to be me.”

“Says who?”

“Says me.” Attinger said. “Only I have the skills necessary for a man of my position and function to keep threats at bay. It would take years to train someone else to reach the level of skill that I have.”

“Have you thought about taking on an apprentice?”

Attinger smiled and chuckled. “You know … that might not be a bad idea.” He looked up. “It might relieve the loneliness. I'm a single man, Princess. When I go home at night, there's nobody waiting for me there at the house. No wife to cook dinner for me after a hard day's work. No son to play catch with ...”

“Why not?” Celestia said.

“Because.” Attinger snapped. “Being near me is dangerous. The company I keep, the work I do. I lie to myself a hundred times a day, every time I look in the mirror in the morning, just to keep the guilt from gnawing at me. 'It was necessary, I did what I had to do, I did it for my country' and so on and son. If I can't be honest with myself, how could I be true to my wife? The things I've seen, the sheer depravity I know people are capable of, the wretches that I know walk on my world … how can I bring a child into this world, knowing the things that I do? Having looked into the heart of man and seen hate and fear like I have?”

Attinger looked at the ground.

“But I could put all that aside ...I think I would like a child, you know?”

“What you would name it?”

Attinger thought about it.

“Kimberly.” Attinger said. “It if was a girl. Christopher if it was a boy.”

“Hmm.” Celestia gave him a smile, but it was an empty smile.

“You live a sad and miserable life, don't you, Harold?”

Attinger looked up at her.

“Yes.”

Attinger got up and walked away without another word.

Celestia looked around. “Hydia!” She saw Hydia making her way towards the fair, accompanied by a hooded figure. Celestia stood and went to say hello. “I'm so glad you could make it to the fair!”

“Wha? Oh, yes. The fair. It's quite good.” Hydia said, seeming nervous. “Quite good ...”

Celestia furrowed her brow, noticing Hydia's hooded companion. “Who is your friend here? I feel as if … I know him from somewhere.”

“You, uh, must be mistaken.” Hydia's friend said. “I am fairly certain we have never met.”

“No.” Celestia narrowed her eyes at him, leaning her neck towards him. “No, I'm quite certain I've seen you before. I just can't … quite place my hoof on it.”

Hydia's friend took a step backwards. Celestia stepped forward to follow him.

“Ladies and gentlecolts!” An announcer spoke, his voice amplified. “Now presenting, Big Macintosh and the Ponytones!”

The announcement distracted Celestia long enough for Hydia and her friend to slip away. Having not seen where they went, Celestia went to go see the band perform, taking a seat beside Galloway in the audience.

The band performed and played their song. When they finished, the crowd gave a round of roaring applause, Celestia included.

“So, this is what pony music sounds like?” Galloway asked.

“Yes.” Celestia answered. “You don't think they put on a good show?”

“I didn't say that.” Galloway said. “But it does take some … getting used to.”

“Thank you, everypony! Thank you very much.” Big Macintosh said, talking into the mike. “How about an encore?”

The crowd roared and whooped for the idea, but they gradually fell silent when Crosshairs appeared, most of them unnerved by the Autobot's causual manner as he walked up to the stage, clapping in a way which was almost patronizing.

“Bravo, bravo!” Crosshairs said, clapping. “Good show, mates, good show. Sorry I'm gonna have to cut you short there, lads.”

“Hey.” Galloway said, recognizing him. “Aren't you-”

“One of those Imperials?”

Crosshairs whipped out a device much like the bombing phone Dreadwing used to use, only silver and green colors which matched Crosshairs' paint.

“Yes, yes I am, mate.”

Crosshairs pushed a button on the phone. Big Macintosh and the Ponytones were flung off the stage as a bomb went off behind them, a pillar of fire bursting through the back half of the stage.The Ponytones went to go get cover, while the audience panicked, screaming and running to get to safety.

All through the fair, Imperials revealed themselves. The tarps carrying the 'fragile attractions' were shook off by Predaking and Grimlock in their beast modes, each of them blowing plumes of flame into the air. The truck carrying the interlinked trailers converted, paint splashing around on his body as Magnum assumed his robot mode, whipping out a hand held weapon and firing into the air. The trailers opened up, and trios of aerial Vehicons hopped out from each one, readying their arm-cannons, shooting at signs and aiming menacingly at fleeing fairgoers, but never once firing on them.

“Ponies, please!” Celestia shouted. “Don't panic! That's what they want! Please, try to get to safety in an orderly fashion! Let any Guards of Americons you see help you!”

“Oh, they'll be quite all right, luv.” Crosshairs crossed his arms. “We'll wait until everyone who isn't a fighter is clear before continuing on.”

Galloway and Celestia glared at him.

“What do you want?”

"What do we want, Princess? We want the same thing we've always wanted."

The War Princess and another team of Imperialcons rocketed down from the sky, landing with style and finesse on the destroyed, burning stage.

"Justice." The War Princess said. "Equality now!" She pumped her hoof in the air.

"Equality?" Metalhawk scoffed, standing up. "Is that what this is about? Justice?"

"Yes." The War Princess hissed.

"Is it?" Metalhawk asked, pointing an accusing finger at Twilight. "You say you want justice, but all you're doing is propagating conflict! You're reinforcing everything that was wrong about the Autobot-Deception war, creating an "us verses them" dynamic! You recruit ponies and humans under the guise of equality?"

"The Autobots Imperial is an equal-opportunity employer. These ponies and humans have joined us to fight for what they believe, for what they think it is right. We recruited them because they agreed with us."

"Maybe." Metalhawk said. "Or maybe turning to non-Cybertronian people was the only you could recruit enough soliders for this -  this ghost war, this permanent revolution of yours. Have you even once stopped to think that by attacking people, taking over states, and blowing things up, you're proving the very criticisms some have levied against you?"

The War Princess stepped back, a bit shaken by Metalhawk's words.

"No." Magnum said. "We are defeating the criticisms we intended to defeat - the ones that say that humans, ponies, and Autobots can't work together in harmony.  Even it if for the express purpose of being as disharmonious as possible."

"And you, Princess." The War Princess said, recovering by turning her attention to Celestia. "I always knew you were a peaceful type. But this? This?" The Princess pointed at Galloway and Lazerback. "Allowing them here? Have you no shame? This human piece of filth is - well, filth. But this Predacon! He destroyed the Autobots' base!"

"You're mistaken." Lazerback said. "That was a different red Predacon."

The War Princess glared at him, and one could tell she was barely holding back her fury. Quivering in anger, she turned back to the Princess.

"I knew you were peaceful, Celestia ... but I didn't think you were spineless." The War Princess said. "Galloway has caused us nothing but trouble."

"Galloway has acted in what he thinks is best for his people." Celestia said.

"No he hasn't!" The War Princess snapped. "He's acted in what's best for his own selfish gain! By condoning his actions, you're betraying your own ideals!"

"I can either be true to my personal beliefs, or do what is best for Equestria. I cannot do both."

The War Princess glared at Celestia.

"We could take them."

"That is exactly the point!" Celestia snapped. "We could take the humans on in a fight! Easily! With our magic, we could disable most of their weapons while they were still putting on their armor! We could blow away their cities with hails and thunderstorms by fleets of pegasi! We are, point for them, able to match or outmatch them in every measurable, concieveable way! And that is why they fear us. That is why we must do everything we can not to provoke them, for if we do ... if we are forced to defend ourselves and show just how capable of being dangerous we Equestrians when we put our minds to ... our relationship will never recover, as the damage we would inflict on their homes, their planet would be ... catastrophic."

Everyone was silent for a moment, until Attinger adjusted his glasses and spoke.

"Thank you, Princess Celestia. That was ... well said."

The War Princess turned away from Celestia. She walked across the stage, turning her attention on Galloway next. "You should be aware ... you should ALL be aware ... I have something called the Omega Lock under my control. It's a massive, ancient Cybertronian device capable of cyberforming entire landscapes, turning them into copies of Cybertron. All I have to do is push a button ... and I could all the planets in Earth's solar system into little mini-Cybertrons. I could destroy planets."

Twilight froze up in her armor, repeating her words as she realized the weight of them.

"I can ... destroy ... planets."

Planets. Entire planets. Gone in an instant. The sum and total of a celestial body, completely and utterly destroyed, utterly consumed by the spreading influence of the Omega Lock's beam ... at the touch of her hoof. All she had to do was give radio to her team and give the word to fire.

She realized the impliactions of having and using such a device.  By what right did she, a lone pony, have to decide whether an entire planet lives or dies? How could she decide to use a weapon on the sheer scale of the Omega Lock? Could she justifiy killing everything on the planet? The people, the plants, the animals? The entire ecosystem, down to the last microscopic bacteria?

"You know ..." Attinger said. "In all my years, I have never seen a terrorist freeze up mid-threat like that."

The War Princess shook her head.

"Enough of this!" She waved her ironclad hoof. "I did not come here to make threats. I came here to make a statement." She walked menacingly around the stage.

Celestia walked up to the stage. She flexed her wings and floated onto the stage, her horn shimmering. She positioned herself in front of the War Princess and took a fighting stance. The War Princess's shimmered in response, the glowing magenta aura of her horn set against Celestia's golden light.

"Twilight, please." Celestia whispered. "Don't do this."

"I have to." Twilight whispered back.  “If I don't, who will? Someone has to defend Equestria from Galloway and fight Galloway's hold on America and Earth. If you're unable – or unwilling- to do both, then I'll have to pick up the slack and do one for you.”

And so they reared their hooves in anticipation of the combat. Their horns hummed with magical energy. This would be the ultimate duel. Princess vs Princess. Student versus master. Human sycophant versus Cybertronian patriot.

But it was not to be. An explosion rocked the stage, causing them to fall on their hooves.

“What was that?”

"Oh ho ho! Well, isn't this a surprise!"

Bludgeon emerged from the smoke, clapping his hands.

"You Imperials decided to attack the same place and time as I did! What are the odds?"

A hail of bullets blazed through the ground, shredding the grass and cutting up dirt. Starscream, Deathsaurus and Forged troops came down from the sky.

"Ah-ha!" Starscream announced, dramatically pointing a finger. "Princess Celestia, we The Forged are here to - wait." Starscream noticed Bludgeon. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm attacking the Pink Moon fair! What are you doing here?" Bludgeon asked.

"We were attacking the Pink Moon Celebration! Go get your own fair!" Starscream pointed over his shoulder as if implying Bludgeon was a hitchhiker in need of a ride.

"You go get your own fair! I was here first!"

"No you weren't!" The War Princess snapped. "I was here first!"

Starscream looked around the area, taking note and counting the Imperials and Bludgeon's group.

"You're not really ... you're not seriously telling me that we all decided to attack the Pink Moon Celebration AT THE SAME PLACE AND TIME!?"

Fire spewed around the sky, accompanied by the deep loud roars of dragons.

"What now?" Starscream asked, placing a hand over his face.

A bizarre Predacon appeared and swooped in from above, looking identical to Predaking, but with a Crystal Pony's translucent coat, and a dark red and gold coat. He and fellow Crystal Predacons perched on the ground and transformed into robot modes.

"Equestrians!" The red Predacon said. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dragotron, leader of the Crystal Predacons. I am here at your celebration today to demonstrate the strength and power of my Predacons."

"See?" Lazerback pointed at Dragotron. "He's a red Predacon and leading the Crystal Predacons. He must be the one you were thinking of, War Princess."

"No he's not!" The War Princess snapped, glaring at Lazerback. "It was you! I know it was you!"

Dragotron gritted his teeth. "You doubt my claim of leadership? I will prove it to you." Dragotron snapped his fingers. "Goradora! Come hither!"

A quintet of Dragotron's Predacons marched to the front of their group. They roared before transforming, shifting their bodies around and interlinking, connecting themselves in ways which made any watching organics cringe. They had never seen bodies bend in such a manner before. The Predacons opened up ports to allow their teammates' bodies to enter and connect, and the full form of Goradora soon rose up.

"Oh man!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, filled with panic at the sight of Goradora. She remembered well what he did to Omega-One. "What do we do?"

"Worry not." The War Princess assured her. "I prepared for this."

"You did?"

"Well, of course! There was a reason I went out of my way to recruit the Combaticons. You didn't think I just courted their favor for no reason, did you?"

"Well, having a combiner around is a pretty big advantage ..." Rainbow Dash said.

"Combaticons!" Twilight Sparkle shouted. "It's your time to shine! Take center stage!"

Onslaught and the Combaticons rolled up from behind the stage, their engines revving and their tires growling. The Combaticons drove towards Goradora, lining up and connecting with each other along the way. Metal hummed and creaked and screamed and groaned as Bruticus was formed. Bruticus shook his shoulders and worked out some kinks in his arms which got from not being formed in some time and stared down Goradora.

"Bruticus online. Target: Goradora."

"He sounds smarter." Rainbow Dash said.

"Well, I may have persuaded Onslaught to let me make a few adjustments so more of his tactical mind was retained in the combination." Twilight whispered.

"You can do that?" Dash expressed with surprise.

"GORADORA ... RIP BRUTICUS!"

"BRUTICUS SMASH!"

Goradora took a swing at Bruticus, launching his dragon-headed arm at the Decepticon. Bruticus blocked the punch with his arm before swatting Goradora's arm away, and counterattacking by slugging Goradora across the face. Goradora stumbled backwards, the earth shaking with his every step.

"Set up a perimeter around those two." The War Princess ordered. "Keep their fight contained. Make sure it doesn't travel far and cause a lot of collateral damage. Some of you go help Bruticus. Bruticus may be able to rival Goradora in sheer power, but I'm not sure he can outmatch Goradora by himself."

Imperialcons nodded. They fanned out, spreading across the fairgrounds in a circle around Goradora and Bruticus,  priming their arm-cannons. Their weapons wouldn't be much more than peashooters against the combiners' armor, but it would irritate them enough to discourage them from straying too far from the perimeter of their designated arena

Predaking, seeking and identifying a place he could throw his weight around to the best effect, assumed his robot mode and jumped in front of Dragotron, preparing to take him on. He clenched his fists, but was taken back when he got a good, close-up look at Dragotron and saw the visual similarities.

"What ... are you?" Predaking asked.

"I'm you, but perfected." Dragotron bragged as he and Predaking walked in circles around each other. "I was made with your CNA. A perfect clone of you, with all of your abilities, all of your combat prowess ... but none of that ... ugh ... cumbersome honor of yours." Dragotron groaned, rolling his optics.

"My honor separates me and makes me more than a mindless beast ... such as yourself." Predaking said.

Dragotron laughed. "Is that really what you believe - oof!" Dragotron quit laughing when Predaking let out a combat roar and charged him, Predaking wrapping his arms around Dragotron and pushing him back. Dragotron growled and punched Predaking, knocking him off his body. Dragotron reared up to throw another punch, but Predaking recovered fast and clocked Dragotron across the face.

Magnum jumped off the stage, firing his blaster at Bludgeon. Bludgeon whipped out his katana, twirling and using the blade to deflect Magnum's laser blasts. Magnum charged at Bludgeon, holstering his blaster. Magnum jumped up, curling his arm around Bludgeon's sword and connecting a fist to Bludgeon's skull face.

Pinkie Pie wheeled out her Party Cannon and aimed it at Bludgeon. "Party Cannon away!"

"Ha! You really think that's going to hurt me?" Bludgeon asked.

"Don't underestimate it, Bludgeon." Starscream said. "You might laugh at the Party Cannon, but fighting can be surprisingly difficult when you have cake all up in your servos."

Pinkie Pie fired, and frosting and batter splashed all over Bludgeon, seeping into his sword arm. Bludgeon's eyes widened when he found he couldn't raise his sword.

"I can - barely move my arm!"

"I tried to warn you!" Starscream complained, tensing his claws. He sighed and turned away as Magnum came up behind Bludgeon and smacked him on the back of the head, making Bludgeon drop to his knees.

Elsewhere, Fractyl unsteadily aimed his arm-rockets at his various enemies. Forged and Imperial troopers charged at each other, shooting blasters and unsheathing blades, ignoring Fractyl.

Fractyl gasped, jumpy and jittery. He had never been in a live combat experience before, and it was overwhelming him. He spun his arm around and was startled to see Heavy Load among the Forged soldiers.

"Heavy Load?"

"Fractyl?" Heavy Load asked. "What are you doing?"

"I'm ..." Fractly coughed and cleared his throat. "I'm with the Imperials."

"The Imperials? I'm with the Forged." Heavy Load said. "That makes us enemies now."

Fractyl's optics widened as he took this in. He raised up his shaking arm, hesitating to fire.

Heavy Load didn't hesitate, aiming his blaster square Fractyl's head. "I've been waiting for a good excuse to bash your nerdy head in."

As Heavy Load's blaster was humming and preparing to expel an energy blast, Drift came up from the side like a warrior of the knight, taking out his sword and slashing Heavy Load across the chest, making Heavy Load fall to his knees, grunting in pain.

"Don't worry, Fractyl." Drift said, giving Fractyl. "I've got your back." Drift positioned himself in front of Fractyl, raising and posing his swords.

"Uh  ... uh ..." Fractyl stammered, alternating between looking down at Heavy Load on the ground and up at Drift.

Drift twirled his sword, batting away a stray blast. "Lay down cover fire for me!"

"Uh, uh, right, got it!" Fractyl raised up his arms and fired his rockets at random directions, too panicked to aim properly. His rockets hit the ground and detonated, blowing up clouds of smoke and fire which served as effective cover for Drift.

"Good work, solider, good work." Drift said, maneuvering within the airborne embers and the pillars of smoke.

"R-really?" Fractyl said. Emboldened by Drift's praise, Fractyl calmed down and aimed his rockets with more care, firing another volley at strategic positions.

Celestia ran through the war zone, trying to find some good cover from which she could fire spells safely. She was powerful, true, and could likely shrug off most of the weapons flying around, but that was hardly reason for her to ignore basic tactical thinking.

She found herself a good place under an upturned vendor stall. As her eyes scanned the area for a good opening to open fire, Celestia was surprised when the man from earlier crawled up to her under the same cover, his arms over his head.

"What are you doing here?" Celestia asked him. "You should be getting to safety!"

"I know." The man said. "But I figured I'm not going to have another chance to talk to you. Listen ..." The man spoke while explosions boomed and rockets whistled all around them. "My name is Drake. I know about the ship. About the U.S Mystery you found."

Celestia, forgetting herself and the battle for a moment, jumped towards him. "You do?"

The man nodded. "That terrorist cell wasn't the first time Scorponok had dealings with humans. 60 years ago, he appeared to a select group of people with ... special interests and offered them a deal. Their services for him and the Decepticon Empire in exchange for Cybertronian Transwarp technology. They all kept it secret from even the highest up in our government. They put the Transwarp tech into a space shuttle and sent it out for a test run. When the Transwarp drive malfunctioned and the crew couldn't make contact with our base, Scorponok cut his losses and fled. We never heard from him again ... until recently."

Celestia stared at him. "How do you know all this?"

"Because, like the rest of Dylan Gould's board of executives, my grandfather was one of the men involved with Scorponok's project." Drake said. "We all inherited our illegal, secret dealings with Decepticons from our forefathers. I tried to leave and put it all behind me. But when you discovered the U.S Mystery, I had an attack of conscience.  I thought ...  I thought you deserved the real reason why that ship was on your planet. Why it had Cybertronian technology."

"You've done a good deed by telling me all this." Celestia said. "I can see you are troubled, so please believe when I tell you that I can see you a good man."

Drake smiled, and Celestia reached a hoof towards his shoulder.

Neither of them were expecting for a bullet to fly by and pierce Drake's chest, striking him straight in the heart, sending out a spray of blood all over the place, some of which splashed onto Celestia's chest and muzzle, painting it carmine, the blood dripping off Celestia's chin. Drake's body fell forward, his face hitting the dirt.

Celestia stood there in shock, her mouth hanging agape. She had never experienced something like this. She had never witnessed an assassination, much less one close to spill blood on her. Recovering her mental state, she turned her head to the side in search of the shooter.

She saw a man in a suit fleeing the scene. She couldn't make out much detail, but she could see short dark hair on which she recognized as belonging to one of Attinger's men.

"Hmm."

Celestia didn't know why the agent didn't try to shoot her as well. Perhaps because shooting her, an alien diplomat, would draw a lot attention to their shadow organization than one of their own men. One thing was for sure. She was going to regard Gould and Attinger with renewed suspicion after this. She made a note not to leave them alone when she was around.

Assuming they all made it out of this war zone in one piece.

Dragotron and Predaking traded blows, each of them clocking and socking each other, pushing the other back, but never gaining much ground.

"Predaking, let me tell you about a lesson I learned and still struggle with ..."

"Huh?" Predaking raised a brow.

An obsidian fist came blazing in and blindsided Dragotron, throwing him back. Dragotron regained his balance and roared, preparing to charge at Grimlock and Predaking. He let out a grunt when something grabbed him from behind, and Grimwing lifted Dragotron up over his head. Grimwing turned and hurled Dragotron, sending him crashing into some vendor stands which were crushed under his weight.

Grimlock appeared beside Predaking and held up a finger.

"You don't have to go it alone."

"Hrm." Predaking nodded in acknowledgement. The lesson done, Predaking, Grimlock, and Grimwing approached Dragotron.

Dragotron grunted and shook his head to get the wooden planks off. He grimaced his teeth, seeing Grimlock, Predaking and Grimwing looming over him, Grimlock pounding his fist into his palm, Grimwing with his arms crossed and Predaking baring his teeth.

"Rraaaah!" Showing he would not be intimated, Dragotron rose and roared defiantly. Grimwing pointed his arm and launched Blackbeak at Dragotron, and the avian Mini-Con quickly set about clawing at Dragotron's optics, screeching and squawking.

Twilight looked around the battlefield, taking potshots with her armor's weaponry where she could. So far, she had managed to shoot down some of Bludgeon's lunatics, and a few Vehicons working for Starscream and Deathsaurus. She was in the middle of aiming another shot when a green projectile the size of a pony bombed the stage floor next to her.

"Gah!" Twilight exclaimed as the projectile revealed itself to be a Changeling, rearing up and hissing at her. She shot it with her blaster, knocking it away. She looked up and saw the skies turning black with buzzing insects as Changelings swarmed the area.

"Chrysalis." Twilight growled as the Changeling Queen revealed herself.

"Oh ho ho ho!" Chrysalis laughed, fluttering up in the sky. "I had no idea so many Cybertronians would be here at once! There are quite a lot of you, aren't? Listen well. You may be big, but I am confident I can defeat all of you. And do you know why? Because you ... are devied. Whereas my Changelings and I, are united. Each one responds only to my will. Each one obeys my every command. And that is why ... we will defeat you today."

Unseen through the carnage, no one noticed Galvatron give a slight smirk at the Changelings' arrival.

"You want me to take her out?" Crosshairs asked Twilight, aiming up a pistol at Chrysalis.

Twilight had a long pause.

"No."

"No?" Crosshairs said. He adjusted his aim. "You sure? I can get a clear shot, put a slug right through her squishy bug brain."

"No, no. Hold your fire." Twilight said. "I have an idea."

Galloping off the stage, the War Princess activated her jets and flew up in the air. She made her way over to Bludgeon, Deathsaurus, and Starscream.

"Hey, Decepticons!" The War Princess shouted. "You see those Changelings filling up the sky right now?"

"Yes." Deathsaurus responded. "What about them?"

"Well, they think they can beat all of you." The War Princess. "You, the proud, powerful, and not to mention technologically-advanced, Decepticons."

"Do they now?" Bludgeon asked, raising his head up while jumping and avoiding Magnum. "We'll just see about that!"

"Yeah." The War Princess said. "And don't you all hate the Changeling Batteries? Hate having Cybertron relying on filthy organics for power and fuel? Wouldn't it great if you could kill a bunch of Changelings, and make the Batteries unfeasible?"

"Yeah!" Deathsaurus said. "It would be great! Shockwave made a mistake creating those things!"

"Then please." Shockwave said, stepping forward. "Allow me to correct my mistake." Shockwave aimed his arm-cannon, charged up a blast, and fired into the swarm, taking out several Changelings with one shot.

"No!" Starscream shouted. "Don't you see what's going on here? Don't you realize what she's doing? She's playing off your mutual hatred of organics to get to you unite against a common enemy!"

Deathsaurus glared at Starscream.

"Well, it's working!"

"Yes." Bludgeon said. "I'd quite like to gut a few of those Changelings ..."

"Don't fall for her manipulation!" Starscream shouted, flailing his arms around in a panic.

Deathsaurus frowned and backhanded Starscream across the face, making him stumble. Starscream rubbed at his sore chin while Deathsaurus gave the order to his men to change their fire.

"Fire, men! Get those Changelings insects!"

The Forged troops stopped fighting their opponents and redirected their blasters at the sky. They fired a barrage of energy blasts, making Changelings drop like flies.

"Remember, this will only work if we all work together!" The War Princess said.

"Ugh." Bludgeon rolled his optics. "Don't tell me you're about to push all that friendship nonsense on us? Regardless ... FIRE!" Bludgeon pointed his sword skyward, and his soldiers got the hint, taking up arms against the Changelings and shooting at them.  On the War Princess' signal, The Imperials joined in, firing and blasting away at the Changelings.

"Uh, uh, ah!" Chrysalis grunted in fear, avoiding bullets and blasts as her forces came under attack from Forged, Imperial, and Bludgeon's troops alike. There was no way her Changelings could compete with that much firepower concentrated on them. While the Cybertronian factions were divided and attacking each other, it would have been easy for them, but united? They didn't stand a chance.

"Retreat!" Chrysalis sounded the alarm. She and her Changelings turned back, fleeing the scene.

Galvatron scowled while Starscream seethed, his claws tensing up.

Dragotron gritted his teeth as he was the recipient of an all-out assault courtesy of Predaking, Grimlock and Grimwing, enduring a flurry of punches from each one, bouncing Dragotron between them like a ping-pong ball. A ping-pong ball between paddles that each had fists on them.

"What's the matter, Dragotron?" Grimlock taunted him. "Three opponents at once too much for you?" Grimlock slugged Dragotron across the cheek.

Dragotron wiped some of the Energon leaking down his chin and flashing a devious grin. "You may have me cornered, but you will not get me or my forces to retreat this way."

"He's right." Predaking said, watching as a Crystal Predacon flew overhead, pouring its fire-breath over the land. "Excuse me, friends." Predaking turned and left them.

Grimlock and Grimwing looked to each other. Grimlock shrugged and happily went back to beating on Dragotron.

"War Princess!" Predaking shouted, jumping on to the stage. "I need you to open me a Space Bridge to the Rust Sea on Cybertron."

"The Rust Sea? Now? In the middle of all this? Are you sure?"

"Trust me, Princess." Predaking said.

"Okay ..." The War Princess touched her comm. "Imperials, one Space Bridge from my position to the Rust Sea."

"Understood."

A Space Bridge swirled open by them.

"Leave the Bridge open until my return." Predaking said. He walked into the Bridge and disappeared.

Twilight walked in front of the Bridge, watching the vast emptiness of the portal as it energies swirled around. Some minutes passed without any sight of Predaking, and she began to grew worried.

She needn't have been concerned, as Predaking came roaring out of the bridge in dragon mode, his wings spread out and his maw breathing fire.  Twilight watch his tail whip behind as he flew past her at brake-neck speed.

Twilight turned back to the Bridge. Why did Predaking want it open?

Her answer came in the form of a horde of Predacons rushing out from the Bridge, their wings fanned out and their jaws breathing fire. Predaking's Predacons spread out over the area, flying up to engage Dragotron's knock-offs.

Dragotron watched in awe as each one of his soldiers were paired off against their parent template. The originals proved their mettle, snouts growling, claws reared up, fireballs flying and spiked tails whipping,  easily fighting their clones to a standstill. Dragotron turned his attention back to Grimlock, Predaking, and Grimwing and growled.

"You gotta admit." Grimlock said. "It's something to hit you back with."

"Raarrr!" Dragotron roared and prepared a fist, only for Predaking to punch him in the face and punch his lights o ut.

"Well." Deathsaurus threw his blaster over his shoulder, observing the horde of newly-arrived Predacons. "I don't know about you, men, but I'd say this op was a bust."

"Yeah." Bludgeon said. "I came here to cause a boom and make some racket, not contribute to this disorganized mess. I never signed up for dragons. I'm out." Bludgeon gestured his hand at his troops, ordering them to retreat.

"Fall back!" Deathsaurus shouted, turning and walking away from the fair. Starscream stood there with his mouth hanging before regaining his senses and growling, reluctantly following after Deathsaurus.

While the splinter Decepticon factions retreated, Ultra Magnus, Bulkhead and Wheeljack were having trouble giving Bruticus much, if any help.

Bruticus converted the helicopter blades on his arm into a rotating shield/saw fusion weapon and attempted to slam it into Goradora's chest. Goradora snatched his claws around Bruticus' arm and held it back, keeping the blades from making contact. On the ground, Ultra Magnus hammered away at Goradora's legs, Bulkhead pressed his Dragon Grinder and Wheeljack used his swords. The damage they were doing was so negligible, Goradora ignored them, paying no attention to them.

"This is pointless!" Wheeljack complained. "We may as well be painting him, for all he cares!"

"Oh, I don't know." Bulkhead said. "My Dragon Grinder seems to be doing a decent job." He pointed to a scratched running across Goradora's leg. A thin, faint scratch.

"Hang on." Ultra Magnus said. He heaved the Magnus Hammer in his hand. "I got an idea. This way." Ultra Magnus led the Wreckers from the warring gestalts.

"Give me a boost." Ultra Magnus said. Bulkhead looked at Wheeljack in confusion. Wheeljack shrugged.

"Now, you two!" Ultra Magnus snapped.

Bulkhead and Wheeljack got down and set their hands out on the ground. Ultra Magnus placed his feet on their palms, and the two Wreckers lifted their leader up.

"And a one, and a two ... and ... launch!"

Wheeljack and Bulkhead lifted Ultra Magnus into the air, hurling him into the sky. Ultra Magnus performed a roll, twirling his hammer.

"Let's call this maneuver ... 'Lighting From The Heavens'!"

Ultra Magnus pointed his hammer down at Goradora and activated the Magnus Hammer, shooting a bolt of lightning at Goradora's head. The thunderbolt struck dead on-target, electrocuting Goradora and all his systems, trails of smoke coming off Goradora's singed body. With Goradora weakened by the thunderbolt, Bruticus had no problem winding up and delivering a hay-maker to Goradora's face and knocking him out. Goradora toppled backwards, the ground shaking on his impact.

Dragotron came to, pushing himself up just in time to watch Goradora fall. He got to his feet and glared at Predaking's team.

"Well?" Grimlock crossed his arms. "We took out your big bad combiner. What else you got?"

Dragotron growled and shook his fists. He prepared to continue the fight, but a golden beam struck him in the optic, shattering it. He saw Celestia looking smug with her horn shining.

"Graaah!" Dragotron growled. "This isn't over!" He turned around and fled, his wings waving behind him before he reverted into beast mode and flying away. His Predacons spread their wings and followed after him.

Celestia and Galloway shared glares with the War Princess. The fair was destroyed, in smoking ruins and burning. A Space Bridge opened up, and the Imperials retreated. After the battle, the Americons were in no position to stop them.

()()()()()

Returned to the Principality, Fractyl and the other Imperials set about unpacking their gear.

"We did it." Fractyl said to himself. "We did a good job, r-right guys?" Fractyl looked nervously around for some expression of approval.

"Fractyl?" Fractyl looked down at Twilight Sparkle staring up at him, helmet off. "Could I talk to you for a moment?"

"S-sure." Fractyl said. "What about?"

"What happened out there?" Twilight asked, waving a displeased hoof. "You completely froze up!"

"I'm sorry." Fractyl crossed his arms and stared at the floor. "I'm just - I'm not used to being in combat situations."

"I understand that." Twilight said. "But when you're in the thick of things, when you're surrounded by chaos and carnage all around, we can't afford to have you to freeze up. You can't be afraid to pull the trigger. Thankfully, we avoided any incidents this time, but what if you had a team counting on you? Things could have gone very wrong, and we can't have that. If you can't fight ... maybe you should consider resigning."

Fractyl nodded. He saluted. "Understood, Princess Twilight. I- I promise it won't happen again. I'll think about what you said and ... consider if I should resign."

Twilight nodded. "Good." She brought her head down and walked into another room.

Fractyl put a finger on his chin.

"Hey."

Drift came up and put a hand on Fractyl's shoulder. Fractyl turned towards him, and Drift wrapped a comforting arm around Fractyl's shoulders.

"I heard you and Twilight talking." Drift said.

"I know." Fractyl looked at the ground. "I should probably resign."

"What? No." Drift said. "You shouldn't resign. Sure, you need a few kinks ironed out, a few rough spots polished, but ... I see potential in you." Drift pointed a positive finger at Fractyl's face. "With a little training, and maybe a little less self-negativity ... you could do great things, Fractyl."

Fractyl wrapped his arms around himself. "Thank you, Drift, but I'm not sure I can believe that. When I saw Heavy Load out there ... when I said my former classmate, I ... I didn't know what to do."

"Hey, listen." Drift said, bringing Fractyl in close. "I know what it's like to be fighting your former friends. Really, I do. I know it can be difficult. To one day, suddenly be gunning down the same people you were drinking and toasting with the next ... but sometimes, that's just the path that fate leads for us. Come on." Drift let go out of Fractyl and began walking. "Follow me. I know a few things about this. I'll give you some special training and help you get over it."

"You can do that?" Fractyl followed Drift. "Oh, Drift, I don't know how to thank you."

"You can thank me by promising that the next time you see Heavy Load ... you'll shoot first."

Fractyl nodded.

Twilight Sparkle, having retired to her office after lecturing Fractyl, rested her hoof on the wall, her eyes staring intently at the floor.

Magnum entered into the room. "Something wrong, commander?"

"No." Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes. "It's nothing. It's just ..." Twilight Sparkle turned to Magnum.

"We went out to the Pink Moon Celebration to make a statement. I sent us out there to say something. And now that it's all said and done ... I can't help but wonder, what did we say? What did we prove?"

Magnum was silent for a minute as he thought about this question.

"We proved we wouldn't be deterred." Magnum said. "We showed Galloway and the others we wouldn't stop until we get what we want ... or until they exterminate every last one of us."

Twilight Sparkle smiled, comforted by his answer. Even if it did describe the valid possibility they could all die before they won.

"Thank you, Magnum. Dismissed."

Magnum nodded and left the room, flipping off the light.

()()()()()()()

Out in the desert, the Forged regrouped, making note of their loss today while their leaders disagreed.

"You shouldn't have listened to the Imperials, Deathsaurus." Starscream complained. "If we had just seized the advantage, if we had played our cards right ... we could have come out of this with something. A hostage. A prisoner to interrogate. A weapon, something. But no, you had to fall for the Imperial leader playing on your hatred of organics!"

"So?" Deathsaurus said. "I thought you hated organics, Starscream!"

"Oh, they're not my favorites, sure." Starscream said. "But over time, I've come to appreciate how they be quite ... useful, if the situation allows for it. You, however, would rather act on your prejudice then take the time to consider the strategical significant of your maneuver!"

"Don't look at me like that." Deathsaurus said. "They were thousands of those Changeling bugs. Add that to the Imperials, Bludgeon, and those Crystal Predacons ... we were outnumbered. No, we were safer allying with the others when the opportunity arose."

"Safer?" Starscream fumed and stomped his foot. "That's what matters to you? Being safe? I'm beginning to lose patience with you, Deathsaurus. Your tactics are unsound, you keep retreating instead of fighting ... you know ..." Starscream rubbed his chin. "I think the reason my patience is wearing so thin with you is because you remind me of myself.  I think you're just a little bit too much like me. The old me."

"What?" Deathsaurus' jaw dropped. "How dare you, sir! I am nothing like you!"

Deathsaurus attempted to strike Starscream, but Starscream caught Deathsaurus' fist in his claw.

"I have learned many things from Megatron during my time with him." Starscream said, unmoved by the panic flashing in Deathsaurus' eyes as Starscream took a complete hold of his arm. "For example, I learned that sometimes one must carry out a physical reminder to those around you. If I were Megatron ..." Starscream tightened his grip on Deathsaurus' hand. "I would take your arm off for this and not allow you to replace it. At least not for a month. But thankfully for you, I am not Megatron."

Starscream squeezed Deathsaurus' head. He squeezed and squeezed, getting tighter and tighter until two of Deathsaurus' fingers were squeezed off their joins, popping out from Deathsaurus' hand.

Starscream let go of Deathsaurus' hand and grabbed the disembodied fingers.

Deathsaurus barely seemed to register Starscream's words, too shocked by the sudden removal of his fingers.

"You there." Starscream pointed to a Vehicon. "Find someone to reattach these for Deathsaurus." Starscream tossed the fingers at the Vehicon, who fumbled to catch them.

Starscream pointed a finger at Deathsaurus.

"Let that be a lesson to you, Deathsaurus. Don't raise a hand against me again."

Starscream turned and left, crossing his hands behind his back, leaving a catatonic Deathsaurus alone.

Starscream went outside. The cold desert wind blew through, blowing a cloud of sand onto Starscream, but he didn't mind.

Starscream walked further out and turned his gaze to the stars, admiring the clear desert night sky.

Shockwave stepped out of the base and saw Starscream staring up into space. "Starscream?"

"You know, Shockwave ..." Starscream said. "We attacked the Pink Moon Celebration today to make a statement. And now that it's over and done, I can't help but wonder ... what did we really say with that attack? With attacking, only to be played like a fiddle by the Imperials and used against the Changelings like tools?"

Shockwave looked aside, unsure how to answer. He turned back to Starscream. "What did we say, Starscream?"

Starscream blinked his single optic and lowered his head.

"Nothing worth saying. That's for damn sure." Starscream said before turning around and walking back inside with Shockwave.

()()()()()()()()

At Gould Enterprises, Gould sat down on a comfortable recliner, waiting for Attinger to enter the room, which he soon did.

"All right, Gould." Attinger said, his expression showing his disgust for Gould's luxurious lifestyle. "I'm here. What did you want?"

"Come." Gould stood up off the recliner. "There's someone I want you to meet. A buddy of mine."

Gould let Attinger into another room, a smaller room, with dimmer lights. Attinger looked around, suspicious.

A Space Bridge portal materialized in the center of the room, and a Vehicon stepped out.

Gould put his hands together and bowed.

"Gould?" Attinger asked. He pointed at the Vehicon, who wasn't sporting the colors of Galloway's Americons. "This isn't one of ours. Who is this?"

"This is a servant of a dear friend of mine." Gould said. "You see, this isn't my fist rodeo with Cybertronians, Attinger.  A long time ago, a Decepticon named Scorponok sought out my father for his resources and expertise in a project. My grandfather passed the secret down through the family, and I inherited the family business. How else did you think I had the know-how to build Stinger? Of course, Scorponok's death was a bit of a setback, but we still have a good thing going."

Attinger stared at Gould in disgust. "Do you mean to tell me that you've known aliens have existed long before the rest of the world had any idea about the Autobots or Equestrians?"

"Yup." Gould said. "That's business, Attinger. You keep secrets to maintain an edge over the competition."

"You disgust me." Attinger said, filled with patriotic scorn at Gould for keeping this secret for selfish reasons.

"I can live with that." Gould said. He turned to the Vehicon. "What's the news, my man?"

"Good news, Mister Gould." The Vehicon said. "I found a potential ally on Equestria. A team of one ... Doctor Cabelleron and Ahuziotl. Apparently, they've been running a very successful and lucrative Energon drug trade underground, with access to a few mines."

"Perfect." Gould clapped his hands. "Could always use more Energon, right, Attinger?"

"Sure." Attinger walked out of the room. The idea of allying with a ... a drug dealer made him absolutely nauseous and sick to his stomach.

"Galloway told me that this operation ... that Gould, the 'Americons' ... they would all be for the betterment of our country. Of our world." Attinger said to himself. "So, why then, do I felt doubt creeping?"

Attinger rested his hand on the wall to support himself. "Why do I feel so ... disgusted? Why am I having to work with conspiracies and drug dealers? Why do I feel ... as though I'm not only improving anything, but making the world worse?"

()()()()()()()()()

On Cybertron, Metalhawk adjusted a screen. Positioning it so it would capture his face, he turned the power on and sat down.

"My fellow Cybertronians." Metalhawk said. "We have been witness to a grave injustice today. The Autobots Imperial, under the guise of 'justice', launched an unprovoked attack against the people of Equestria, sabotaging their Pink Moon Celebration and destroying its associated fair. I realize the Great War was a long and brutal period of history, and the idea of it ending is still taking some getting used, and that the Autobots were frequently the more noble party, but we must not allow the fact they use the Autobot badge to let us overlook the Imperials' transgressions and tactics. Let us not forget, the Autobots were still warmongers, however well-intentioned. I urge you, my fellow Cybertronians. Let go of the past and discard your badges. Remove your affiliations. Only by renouncing the factions of yesterday can we look forward to a brighter tomorrow ..."

Metalhawk continued his speech, his transmission being broadcast all across Cybertron on several frequences and channels, some of which Metalhawk may not have intended for his transmission to be on.

For out in a deep portion space, far away from any civilized planet, picking up Metalhawk's transmission, was the marauder starship the Tidal Wave.

"Ha." The ship's captain, Thundertron laughed, watching Metalhawk's transmission. "Let go of the past, you say? Forgive you?"

Thundertron stood up and walked around the bridge of his ship.

"You destroyed my planet. Your war ravaged it to its core. Your war annilated my home, and what's worse ... my planet - the entire planet - was nothing more than collateral damage to you. For that reason ..."

Thundertron pulled out his sword and ran it through the screen, ending the transmission and cracking the screen.

"I will never forgive you. Star Seekers!" Thundertron shouted, pulling his sword out from the screen.

"Aw, did you have to do that, captain?" One of the Star Seekers asked. "Those things are expensive, you know."

"Never mind that now." Thundertron said. He held out his sword as he gave his orders. "Track down where that signal was broadcast from and set a course for that location. We may finally be able to exact our long-due revenge on the Cybertronians. Every last one of them will  pay."

The crew nodded and began their work to track the signal.

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()

On Equestria, Hydia paced around, waiting for her friend to come forward.

"Hydia." Her cloaked friend hissed, stepping out from behind some bushes he'd been using to hide. "You promised you would keep me safe and hidden."

"I did." Hydia said. "And that is exactly what I have done. Celestia doesn't know you're out, does she?"

"No." The cloaked figure said. "But still ... that was awfully close."

"Indeed." Hydia said. "And it is unfortunate that you couldn't find any magic to drain at the Pink Moon Celebration ..."

"There will be other times." The cloaked figure said. "And soon, some day,  a day that inches ever closer with each passing morning ... "

The figured removed its hood, showing a dark red simian face with a strong chin and a thin tuft of hair on its chin, two nubs of horns on its head.

"Equestria will once again know the fear and dread inspired by the name of Lord Tirek!"

()()()()() ()()()()() ()()()()

At another place, out in the vast, starry depths of space ... at planet Cybertron, another time ...

Inside the iron catacombs of Kaon, there was a trio of prisoners being tortured and interrogated for information. Lightning Dust, the disgraced Wonderbolt cadet, took in heavy breaths, chained to a table, blood pooling around her from the series of triple claw marks all around her body.

"P-please ..." Lightning Dust begged. "No more ... no more!" She wriggled and flailed.

A canine face leered at her.

"No more, Steeljaw ... please." Lightning Dust said.

"You know the deal, Lighting Dust." Steeljaw said, raising up a tri-bladed claw. "Tell me what the Autobots were doing in that tower, and I make the pain ... stop."

"Okay." Lightning Dust gulped and nodded. "Okay, I'll tell you."

"Lighting Dust ..." Ahuiztol groaned. "No ... don't."

"What were they doing, Lighting Dust?" Steeljaw asked.

"They were ... trying to send someone back in time." Lightning Dust said. "To change the past ... to change history so - so things would be different now."

"Who did they send?" Steeljaw asked.

"Jack." Lightning Dust said. "Jack Darby."

"Good." Steeljaw said. "You did very good, Lighting Dust." Steeljaw raised up his claw, the blades gleaming in the light.

"You ..." Lightning Dust said. "You said you'd make the pain stop!"

"I did." Steeljaw said. "I never said how. Don't worry, Lightning Dust ... soon you won't feel a thing."

Ahuiztol and A.K Yearling closed their eyes and looked away.

Steeljaw brought the claw down on Lightning Dust, stabbing it straight through Lighting Dust's chest and stomach, lodging them in so far the blades protruded from the underside of the table. Lightning Dust groaned, her eyes going wide and her body twitching before giving one final death kneel, her eyes rolling up into her skull.

Steeljaw yanked the blade out, its edges dripping with blood.

"Don't blame me, Lighting Dust." Steeljaw said. "After all, you sold your comrades out. What kind of a teammate are you?"

Steeljaw walked towards the door, where his soldiers Fracture and Thunderhoof were waiting.

"Now what do we with them?" Fracture asked, gesturing his head at the other two prisoners.

Steeljaw turned and looked at Ahuizotl and Yearling.

"Do what you will." Steeljaw said, walking up the steps. "We don't need them anymore. Do as you like."

"Sweet." Fracture rubbed his hands together, looking forward to inflict some pointless cruelty on the two prisoners.

"Hey." Thunderhoof said. "Where are you going, Steelie?"

"Me?" Steeljaw said, turning back to them.

"I'm going to go see if Lord Megatron can hook us up with a time machine."

Chapter 18: Operation: Endgame

First words his deep voice had spoken in centuries.

Need to adjust either the scene in here to having Nova not brag he stomped Dropshot, or change the first scene i Chapter 4 to Nova stomping him instead.

Optimus fighting Nova's Saber with his Forge.

Using that tfwiki name for the Chinese Defense Minister. Zilong Qian.

"But why did you hide? We could have used you."

"Honestly ... I was tired. Tired of it all. Of all the pain, of all the fighting and the violence and ... I just wanted to get away from it.

I once said Optimus Prime was just one Autobot, so I could take over worlds with a thousand Autobots.

Yes, but Optimus isn't a regular Autobot, is he? (don't remember where this was supposed to go0

Edit: Optimus slamming his fists into Nova's back beforfe knocking hima way

()()()()

The Imperials stared at the stage in disbelief.

“Ultra Magnus?” Twilight asked after a long pause.

“Yyyes, Twilight Sparkle?”

“Did the human known as Jason just get up on stage and say he was Optimus Prime?”

“I do believe he did, yes.”

“The Optimus Prime?”

“Yup.”

“The Optimus Prime who we know to be most certainly, very definitely dead!?”

“That’s the one.”

“How?” Twilight asked. “You sensed his Spark go out! This doesn’t make any sense!”

Ultra Magnus raised a finger.

“Humans don’t have Sparks.”

Twilight and Magnus stared at each other for a long moment.

“Humans …” Twilight chuckled. “Humans don’t have Sparks! Ha ha!”

“Hee hee.”

“HA HA HA!”

“HA HA HA HA!”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Y’all want to explain to the rest of us just what is so gosh-darn funny?”

“Humans …” Twilight hooked a leg around Applejack’s neck. “Humans don’t have Sparks! That’s how Optimus hid himself! He turned himself into a human! When Ultra Magnus was sensing his Spark go out, he wasn’t sensing Optimus was dead! He was sensing the exact moment Optimus turned into a human! Ha ha!”

“Wait.” Applejack said. “Wouldn’t Ultra Magnus have sensed that when Optimus got turned into a human the first time we went to Canterlot High?”

“Perhaps I did.” Ultra Magnus said. “I think I just blew it off because, at the time, I hadn’t felt his Spark grow steadily weaker before snuffing out. But he’s alive now!”

“Optimus Prime, hmm?” Adagio Dazzle asked. “Can’t say I’ve ever heard of you.”

“Understandable. If I understood you correctly, you have been trapped here for some time, and I … had been going out of my way not to draw attention to myself.”

“Regardless …” Adagio began to push herself up, stopping when Optimus’ sword hummed as it was redirected to stay inches away from her throat. “I won’t let you stop everything we’ve worked so hard to achieve! Aria, Sonata!” Adagio snapped her fingers.

Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk flew at Optimus Prime, their wings outstretched. Optimus hopped back from Adagio and readied his blade. Sonata reached her hands towards Optimus’ shoulder, and Optimus responded by slashing her across the gut, the same he had done to Adagio Dazzle. Aria Blaze was able to grab Optimus’ shoulder. Optimus spun around, slamming the hilt of his sword into Aria’s chest, before following up by punching her in the throat.

“Grr …” Adagio growled, getting to her feet, the massive wound in her gut, which would kill, or at least cripple most normal humans, only making her a little wobbly. Adagio turned to the crowd and began to vocalize.

“Aaah … aaah … aah. My lovers, my adoring fans, your queen needs you! Rise to the occasion and cast out this heretic.”

The entranced crowd clamoured, going into an uproar. They made their way towards the stage and crawled up the side, putting their hands on the ledge and pulling themselves.

“Now?” Ultra Magnus asked Twilight, pulling the pump-action on his boomstick. “Can we ruin the Dazzlings’ day now?”

“Now.” Twilight said, picking up Sunset Shimmer and holding her.

“Wha … huh?” Sunset moaned in confusion, her fingers on her forehead as if she was recovering from a hangover.

“Set phasers to stun, everypony. Non-lethal force only.”

Ultra Magnus groaned and rolled his eyes. “Do we have to?” Twilight glared at him. “Fiiine.”  Magnus aimed his boomstick, holding it up to his eyes, and fired into the front of the stage, deploying an explosive shell which didn’t hurt anyone (severely, at least) but caused the stage to collapse in and set on fire, burning away and preventing Adagio from calling up more audience members for reinforcements. This done, Magnus trained his weapon on Adagio.

“All of you!” Adagio swept her hand to a portion of her volunteer soldiers. “To that part of stage!”

The audience members began queuing up at edge of the stage, standing around where the stage had been hit. They formed a line, a wall, and stood there.

Ultra Magnus kept his weapon trained on Adagio, her poofy hair firm in his crosshairs, but the enthralled minions kept bobbing around, moving back and forth.  “It’s no good.” Ultra Magnus put his weapon down. “She’s using the crowd as a human shield. I can’t get a clear shot.”

“Well, we’ll just have to hope Optimus can handle it himself.” Twilight said.

“It’s Optimus. Of course he can.” Ultra Magnus looked to the stage with a smile. “My big bro can handle anything.”

On the stage, Optimus justified Ultra Magnus’ confidence in him, taking on Adagio’s minions out with ease and confidence. Keeping his sword tucked under his arms, Optimus kicked one crowd-goer in the stomach, slugging another in the head, before capping it off by picking one up and flinging him into the mob, knocking others down like a set of bowling pins. When Sonata Dusk swooped at him again, Optimus whipped his sword back out and moved aside, cutting Sonata’s wing with the sword and tearing a hole in it.

Adagio shook with rage, infuriated by this butchering of her sister. Baring her teeth, she charged at Optimus, picking him by the shoulders from behind and lifting him into the air.

“I won’t let you ruin everything, Optimus! We’ve waited too long for this!”

Optimus flailed his sword-arm about, trying to get a better aim, before able to take the blade and slash Adagio across the stomach again, adding a horizontal line above the diagonal one he’d already put there. Adagio grimaced as the metal pierced her flesh, but seemed otherwise unaffected. Adagio grabbed Optimus by the wrist and pulled, twisting his arm until he was forced to requlish the sword, his fingers letting go and dropping to the stage.

Adagio pulled Optimus up to face her. Optimus’s other arm was free enough he could get in a punch to her chest, which served to make Adagio even angrier.

“Aaaahyah!” Spitting as she growled, in a surprising display of strength, Adagio lifted Optimus over her head and hurled him into the backstage curtain, where Optimus tore through the fabric and was laid flat on his back.

Not giving him a chance to recover, Adagio got on top of him, sitting on his abdomen and wrapping her hands around his throat.

“Before I choke the life out of you, any last words, Optimus Prime?!” Adagio demanded.

Optimus gave her a look of solace. “A few. A passage. ‘To the last I grapple with thee. From Hell’s heart ...”

Optimus reached around, patting the stage floor for the cane he had on his person. He found it, rolling away from him, and clasped it, curling and tightening his fingers around.

“‘I stab at thee.’”

Optimus lifted the cane up and with the exertion of a tremendous amount of force, stabbed its bottom through Adagio’s chest, helped by the injuries Optimus had inflicted on her prior.

Adagio gasped and stood up off Optimus, clutching at her chest. Optimus rose up and yanked the cane out of her chest, blood splashing out as he did. He whipped the cane around and struck her across the neck, cracking the red gem in her necklace. Adagio gasped again, louder this time, and clutched at her necklace. Optimus, picking up on this, struck her again, kicking Adagio in the gut and making her stagger, her arms flailing and exposing the gem. Optimus grabbed the necklace and tore it off her person. Adagio was frozen still in fear, reaching out for it.

Optimus examined the necklace. He lifted it up and tossed it on the ground, where he prepared to stomp on it.

“No, wait!” Aria Blaze rushed forward. “Please, stop! She won’t survive without her necklace! A piece of her soul is in there! You can’t destroy it!”

Optimus regarded Aria Blaze with curiosity and suspicion. He picked the necklace. “If I destroy this necklace, it will destroy her as well?”

“Uh-huh.” Sonata Dusk nodded. “The same goes for all of us. Each one of us has these little fragments of our essence put into our gems. Who knows how much damage you’ve done to her already just by cracking it? Please don’t smash it.”

Optimus curled his fingers around the necklace. “In exchange for me not destroying the necklace housing Adagio Dazzle’s soul essence, will you be willing to surrender and free this crowd from your spell?”

Aria crossed her arms and scoffed. “Tch. No way.”

Optimus raised the necklace up, preparing to throw it on the ground again.

“No, wait!” Aria screamed, reaching out, causing Optimus to stop. She dragged her hands over her face, letting out a sigh.  “Could you … could you just give us a minute?”

“You will have to decide.” Optimus informed her. “Which are you more willing to give up? Your victory and your control over these people, or Adagio Dazzle’s life? Choose.”

“Uh-huh. Yes, we understand that. Come on, girls, huddle.” Aria gestured for Adagio Dazzle to come over to her and Sonata. Adagio did so, and the three of them gathered in a circle, whispering and muttering to each other. Sonata peeked her head out to check on Optimus and make sure he hadn’t destroyed the gem anywhere while they were talking.

The Dazzlings broke up their huddle.

“We’ve decided.” Adagio Dazzle said.

“And your decision is?”

“YAAAH!” Adagio charged at Optimus, wings spread out.

“Adagio, don’t!” Aria exclaimed.

Optimus, reacting quickly, threw the necklace on the ground. He stomped on it, shattering it into pieces.

Adagio lurched and clutched at her heart. She dropped from her flight like a stone, crashing into the stage. She let out a groan and rolled over onto her back, looking up at the sky through squinting, pained eyes.

“Adagio!” Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk rushed to Adagio’s side, each of them taking one of Adagio’s hands into their own.

“It’ll … be okay, girls.” Adagio told. “I’ll be fine … really. Just … glue it back together, and I’ll be … right as rain.” Adagio cupped Aria’s cheeks, before her hand fell down.

Aria’s eyes watered up. Sonata sniffed and wiped her own tears away with her arm.

“We’ll do it.” Aria said, turning to Optimus and standing up. “We’ll surrender.”

“Meanie.” Sonata accused him.

“I have a low opinion of you, such that your insults mean nothing to me.” Optimus told her, disillusionment omnipresent in his voice.

Aria turned to the crowd. She crossed her hands across her chest and vocalized, rocking her head. Green mist rose up off the heads and shoulders of all the affected as the magic was dispelled. Everyone rubbed their heads and asked questions expressing their confusion, not having a full recollection of what happened.

“Alright, you two … and a half.” Ultra Magnus marched towards the stage, stomping for the Dazzlings’ attention. “Let’s go. You’re under arrest. I’m sure the three of you and Flurrie will make nice cellmates.”

Ultra Magnus pulled out some stasis cuffs and slapped them on Aria, Sonata, and even Adagio, just in case the three of them had funny business in mind. Magnus converted into vehicle mode, and the girls were ushered into his truck canopy by the Imperials, where Ultra Magnus restrained with his seatbelts, shooting them out and pulling them nice and taut against the Dazzlings in their seats before starting his engine and driving off to take them to the same jail Flurrie was held in.

After setting Smokescreen with the unenviable, montous task of explaining what happened to the Canterlot High attendees and faculty and waiting for Ultra Magnus to return from the prison, the Imperials gathered around backstage to start questioning Optimus.

Twilight, her friends, and the kids bombarded him with questions.

“Dude, where you have been?” Miko demanded.

“Where did you go?”  Applejack asked.

“How long have you been hiding?”  Rarity asked.

“Why did you hide?” Jack asked.

“How did you hide?” Twilight asked.

Optimus held his hand out for them stop pestering him with questions. “Please, please … I will explain everything. If, for any reason, my explanation seems unsatisfactory, then you will be free to ask me for more specific details on what I missed.”

Optimus looked at the ground. “After Lazerback invaded the base, I … I knew this was a world that I was no longer welcome in anymore. A world that I thought had no further need of or use of me anymore. So I escaped. I escaped to Canterlot High. I contacted Prowl and Chromedome, as they were the only ones I knew who could help to do what I needed them to, and be relied to keep it secret.”

“What did you need them to do?” Twilight asked.

“With myself in disguise, they approached Sunset Shimmer and brought her to me. They were able to convince her I was a Cybertronian criminal looking for a new lease on life, and able to persuade to use her magic on me to turn me into a human.”

Ultra Magnus cupped his chin. “That would probably be the exact moment when I sensed what I thought was your Spark going out.”

“Scrounging together the money, I went to the human surgeons of this word and underwent plastic surgery in order to hide and conceal my true identity from the denizens of this world who might recognize me from our previous outing to this world, as well as a prosthetic arm to replace the one I lost in the explosion. Knowing that Celeste had taken a shine to me during said outing, I made contact with her and was accepted into her home as her boyfriend. There, free of war and violence and factions, I had hoped to live out the rest of my days in peace and quiet until I died of natural causes … ”

Optimus closed his eyes ruefully. “But sadly, that would not be the case. A few nights ago, I recieved a dream- a vision, if you will, from the half-living, poisoned form of Primus himself. Poisoned from the Changeling Batteries, I assume.”

“Yes, that’s correct.” Twilight said.

“He spoke to me, telling me that he needed to call on me fight once more, that the Last of the Primes was still needed one last time … for one last battle.”

Optimus shook his head, hands resting on his cane. “They all seem like ‘one last battle,’ do they not? Until the next ‘one last battle’ comes along to replace it, and thus it becomes the ‘one last battle’ … and the cycle continues.”

Twilight grimaced, uncomfortable, sensing Optimus was none too pleased about being called back into action after his brief ‘retirement,’ such as it was.

“But why did you stay hidden?” Twilight asked, hoping she could get away from this subject soon. “Surely you heard the news about the Imperials. About what we were doing, and why. We could have used you. Why didn’t you come out and join us?”

"Honestly …” Optimus answered.  “I was tired. Tired of it all. Of all the pain, of all the fighting and the violence and ... I just wanted to get away from all of it and stay away. But I see now that can no longer be an option for me.” Optimus stood up from the fountain he was sitting on. He noticed Twilight’s downcast expression, gazing at the concrete.

“Morose though I may be over my inability to live a suburban life, Twilight Sparkle, I assure you I will answer the call when called upon, and I will serve you as a competent, fighting soldier to the best of my abilities, and with all the due effectiveness I am able to muster.”

Twilight smiled, assured by Optimus’ words. “Glad to hear it.”

Smokescreen walked up to them. “Hey guys! I finished debriefing all those Canterlot High people. What’d I miss?”

“Not much. Though you might want to try and catch up with Optimus later.” Twilight answered before turning back to Optimus, getting straight down to business. “Right now, we need to get back to the problem at hand. Nova Prime’s sealed us inside this dimension so he can use the Omega Lock with impunity. He’s broken the mirror connecting the two worlds and sealed the pieces inside a massive, almost impenetrable cluster of Dark Energon. We need to find some way to break it, or at least some way out of this universe before he has a chance to do any real harm.”

Shock crossed Optimus’ features. “Nova …?”

“There’s a lot we need to catch you up on, Optimus.” Twilight said, never losing her stern and serious expression.

“I … yes, of course. I imagine much has changed during my long absence.” Optimus looked aside and ran his hand over his face. Being shocked and surprised in in disbelief about Nova had to wait until a better time; Right now, Twilight Sparkle needed him to bring his A-game.

“I am sorry, Twilight Sparkle.” Optimus said. “I do not have any ideas as to how we might break this Dark Energon blockade you speak of.”

Twilight rubbed her chin. “Couldn’t we get Sunset Shimmer to turn you back to your normal form, and then you could use the Matrix of Leadership on it?”

“No good.” Ultra Magnus said. “I passed the Principal on my way back. She told me after being freed from the Sirens’ spell, Sunset Shimmer went home to take a nap. No telling how long she’ll be out.”

“Well, go and wake her up then! This can’t wait!”

“Wait.” Smokescreen stepped forward. “I might have a idea that can do you one better.”

“Really?” Twilight asked. “What is it?”

“You all remember my friend, and the self-appointed guardian deity of this quaint little alternate dimension …”

Smokescreen gestured to off in the distance, where a towering figure could still be seen in the horizon, having not once moved from his constant lone vigil.

“Fortress Maximus.”

“Fortress Maximus! Of course! Brilliant!” Twilight bumped her hooves together. “If there’s anyone here who has something hidden away that can help us out of this situation, it’s him!”

“No, no, don’t thank me.” Smokescreen, bowing to an applauding audience which existed only in his head. “I’ll just be over here, being a humble, clever smart guy who came up with the ideas to save the day … yup.” Smokescreen rested his shoulders behind his head. His optics widened when he saw while he doing all of his ego-stroking, everyone else was already moving out. He chased after them, a hand raised up for attention.  “Hey, wait for me!”

() x 1

Arriving at Fortress Maximus’ leg, Smokescreen knocked on the side of said leg. The door hissed and lowered, granting them entry and welcoming them in. Twilight’s Imperial squadron went inside and crowded around the elevator, which lifted them up to the chest of Fortress Maximus. They pooled into the cockpit.

“Ah. Smokescreen.” Cerebros acknowledged them as the Imperials poured in. “It is good to see you again, my friend.”

“Hey, Cerebros.” Smokescreen greeted back, walking up to him. “It’s good to see you, too. Hey, listen … my buddies and I are in kind of in a rough spot right now, so I was wondering if maybe you could help us out again?”

“Again?” Cerebros asked in a tone which Smokescreen might have taken to be a joking, teasing voice, if not for the fact Cerebros was supposed to be programmed. “What do you need, my friend?”

“There’s this guy … Nova.” Smokescreen said. “He wants to cyberform every plant in the universe, and to get us out of his way, he lured us into this alternate dimension, and then trapped us here by breaking the mirror and encasing it with Dark Energon. Can you help us?”

“I … believe I can.” Cerebros said. “However, I believe this will exceed the parameters of what I am allowed to do on my own initiative. I will need an operator to approve your commands. Do you have someone who will qualify for the necessary requirements?”

Smokescreen nodded. “Of course.” He turned with a smile. “And I know just the person …” He looked at Optimus.

“I … would rather not.” Optimus said reservedly, hands on his cane. “My soul is weary, and I am tired and unrested. Commanding Fortress Maximus sounds … taxing.”

“Hmm. Oh. Alright, I understand, Optimus … but if not you, then who?” Smokescreen swept his gaze across the room.

“Perhaps … you, Smokescreen.” Cerebros said.

“Me?” Smokescreen stepped back, putting his hands on his chest in surprise. “Oh, no, no, I couldn’t! I’m far too young! I’ve barely seen any real action on the battlefield! Barely.”

“Youth and inexperience is not the same as having an impure Spark, Smokescreen. Your lack of ‘seeing action’ does not mean your Spark is unfit to operate Fortress Maximus.”

“Well …” Smokescreen curled his fingers nervously. His attention was drawn by Twilight tapping him on the foot.

“Come on, Smokescreen.” Twilight said. “We don’t have time for this. This whole … you being unsure of yourself. If there’s a way to get moving, we need to get moving now!”

“Please, Smokescreen?” Cerebros asked. “Try it for me?”

“Alright.” Smokescreen acquiesced. “I’ll give it a shot.” Smokescreen went into the other half of the room and sat on the operating chair, wiggling as he adjusted himself until he was comfortable. The restraints popped out and latched over him, while the scanning instruments took measure of his Spark purity.

“Spark purity levels at 98%.” Fortress Maximus’ booming deep voice said.

“Excellent. Smokescreen, would you care to give us your first command?” Cerebros asked.

“Oh, uh …” Smokescreen looked down as he considered what he wanted his first command to be, and how to best phrase to get the desired results. “Take us to the Dark Energon cluster that’s blocking the mirror just outside the school.”

“Acknowledged.” Cerebros said.

The entirety of the inside of the cockpit shook as Fortress Maximus began moving, lifting up his massive foot and taking a step forward. His foot caused a quake when it landed, shattering the pavement of the road. Fortress Maximus looked around.

“This is not going to work.” Fortress realized.

“Excuse me one moment. We will be taking an alternate route. Find and grab something to hold onto, will you?” Cerberos asked politely.

The cockpit shook and rattled again, a loud, low-pitched whir humming from somewhere inside Fortress Maximus. The Imperials all scrambled for something to hold onto and brace themselves against.

There was a blinding flash of green light as Fortress Maximus activated his internal Space Bridge. When the light subsided, Fortress Maximus was standing outside the school, the Dark Energon cluster visible from his chest windows.

Fortress Maximus looked down at the Dark Energon cluster, taking the measure of it.

“I will handle this.” Fortress Maximus said.

Weapons bristled from every port and bough on Fortress Maximus’ body, the barrels of various energy cannons humming and missile racks and pods shimmering. He opened up a barrage on the Dark Energon, blasting it with everything he had.

Even the apparent super Dark Energon Nova Prime had gotten his hands on couldn’t stand up to the full might and brunt of Fortress Maximus’ wide, varied and powerful arsenal. Explosions echoed and rocked off the cluster, before its shattering was heralded with a loud, high-pitched crack. Billions of shards of Dark Energon fell off the cluster, falling like raindrops, the cluster so large and massive that its total and imminent destruction had to take some time traveling downwards from the top before it was completely gone, down to the base, revealing the broken shards of the mirror lying on the ground in front of the Canterlot High statue.

“YES!” Twilight Sparkle pumped her hoof.

“Don’t celebrate just yet.” Arcee raised a finger. “We still need to find a way to get back to our home dimension.”

Sunset Shimmer walked onto the scene, a towel wrapped her shoulders. She let out a yawn, still groggy from coming out of the Dazzlings’ spell. With her magic, she swept the shards of Dark Energon away, sweeping the vile crystals up as if they were nothing more than piles of dust which had gotten out of hand from the maid. She reached, the mirror shards, bent down and picked a shard up, inspecting it.

“Hmm.” Sunset tilted the shard in her hand. “Yeah, I can fix this.” She levitated another shard up and brought it and the first shard together, making them connect.

She turned to Fortress Maximus and conjured a megaphone. “Hey, guys? I can fix this, but it’s gonna take me awhile.”

“What’d she say?” Bulkhead asked, the megaphone not quite reaching it.

“She said she can fix the mirror, but it will some time time.”

“We don’t have a while.” Twilight grumbled, slamming her hoof down.

“If I may offer an alternative suggestion …” Cerebros said.

Twilight and all the others turned their attention on Cerebros. All eyes were on him.

“I believe Fortress Maximus’ internal Space Bridge may be powerful to traverse the gap between dimensions and bring you to where you need to be. After all, it was able to bring me and him in the first place.”

“That’s … that’s brilliant! Of course!” Twilight smacked the side of her head for not thinking of that herself sooner. “I wish you would have said something like that earlier!”

“I need only a set of coordinates.” Cerebros said.

“And if I may make a suggestion, I have a particular location in mind …” Optimus said.

The coordinates were input into Cerebros and Fortress’ controls. The Space Bridge hummed.

Smokescreen let Sunset know, speaking through the intercom. “Sunset, we’ll be leaving on Fortress Maximus, okay?”

“Okay!” Sunset said. “You guys go on ahead! I’ll try and have this mirror ready again before you get back!”

Sunset shielded her eyes as Fortress Maximus disappeared in a blur of green light, taking the Imperials and all their forces with him.

()() X 2

June Darby stood outside the area of Outpost Omega-One, Team Prime’s former base. She wore her hair loose and a yellow hoodie to keep her face hidden.  The area had been sealed off by hazard fences to preserve it and discourage would-be looters and collectors from scavenging the ruins.

June moved closer to the fence, keeping her head down as she passed another tourist, one of many who had come to see the destruction of the site. She put a hand on the fence. She looked up so she could see the ruins.

I know I’m supposed to be in hiding right now, Fowler … June thought. But I had to come and see it one last time.

Looking at the ruins of the base her sad, almost as sad as the fact this once-great building had become nothing more than a tourist attraction. It depressed her to think the place where her son had spent so much of his time was gone now, just gone. It depressed her even more to think about her son was in here moments before its destruction, and out lost, alone on the countryside, and probably doing what he thought was his duty and helping the Imperials, putting him on the wrong side of the law.

Oh, my poor Jack … please come home soon. If you can hear me, I love you. Wait … what’s that hum?

June had fortitus and surreptitious timing to be here when she was. She was one of many of the tourist who got to bear witness to a green light forming above the ruins of the base, which grew and expanded into a blinding flash. The tourists let out groans as the flash clouded their vision and disoriented them, but when their vision cleared, they all let out gasps and other expressions of shock.

June was surprised to cover her mouth. Right beside the Autobot base, a massive, gigantic, towering titan of a Cybertronian had appeared. June would guess Autobot, due to its blockier proportions and more humanoid face. Made of ebony black steel, and …

“Is that …?” June asked, holding a hand over her eyes, making out a silhouette coming out from inside the Autobot and standing on its shoulder. “Optimus?”

Standing high, high and far, far above the crowd, Optimus surveyed the area. The transit from one dimension to the next had removed any of Sunset’s magic from him, changing him back to how he was mere minutes after the explosion. And he was not looking good. His entire body was robbed of color. What little parts of him which weren’t scorched black were merely scorched grey, the blast having eroded and faded much of his paint job. The silver parts on him were a dull and lifeless grey, his sheen and shine gone. His forehead crest had the top chipped off, his windows were cracked, one of his optics was barely lit, and the other was but slightly better, flickering between a quarter and a third of the size it should have been, both a corrupted orange color from not having proper Energon in him. He retained Jason’s prosthetic limb, forming a dinky arm where his normal arm had been blown off, though it still retained its functionality even in his robot form, at least making sure he had two hands.

Twilight Sparkle walked out of Fortress Maximus and up to his leg.

Optimus looked down at her before looking back to the crowd.

“I had reasoned having Fortress Maximus make his entry into our dimension here, at the site of our former base, would have an impact on the populace. It would make a statement that the Autobots - and myself had returned.” Optimus said.

“Well, it doesn’t look like you’re wrong about that part.” Twilight observed the awed tourists.

Optimus pursed his lips and grumbled.  “Look at them.”

“Optimus?” Twilight asked, concerned.

“This was a military base. Battles were fought and staged here. Soldiers rested here. It was destroyed unjustly. People could have died here when this base was destroyed. Yet, after its destruction … after its removal  … what do the humans do with it? They turn into an attraction, a site for drawing tourists to penny and dime by selling them senseless knick-knacks and manufactured memorabilia, glorifying and overlooking the horrific nature of the war which caused the construction of this base in the first place, and our continued usage of it.”

“Optimus?” Twilight tapped him on the leg. “I know you’re upset. You have every right to be. But we need to get out there and stop Nova Prime and the Omega Lock.”

Optimus closed his eyes and bowed his head. “Of course, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight and Optimus turned and went back inside.

“Nova Prime controls the Omega Lock, you say?” Optimus asked to double-check and reaffirm as they rode the elevator back inside. “I am familiar with its legend, and assuming it works the same way as it does in the myths, then I may have an idea for how we can fight it and stop it.”

“I’m open for anything. Let’s hear it.”

() x 3

Onboard the Omega Lock, orbiting adrift in a nondescript region of space, slaughtered Imperial Vehicon corpses littered the sides of the rings, which Thunderhoof and Fracture worked on kicking and booting off into space.

“Ah.” Nova Prime rubbed his hands together, getting ready to do some hands-on dirty work. The Omega Lock creaked and groaned as it was moved and tilted to the side, alining it with Earth, as best as it could given the massive interplanetary light-years distance between the Earth and its current position.

“With those interfering Imperials out of my way and unable to affect my plans, I’m free to cybeform planets to my Spark’s content.” Nova Prime exalted in his triumph. He turned to Steeljaw. “Having someone from the future on my side is such a boon.”

Steeljaw humbly bowed. “I live to serve, Your Eminence.”

() x 4

() x 4

Fortress Maximus materialized in front of a Space Bridge operating terminal operating and run by Galloway’s forces and soldiers.

Optimus and Twilight walked out onto Fortress Maximus’ shoulder and crouched. “Are you sure this is where your informant told you the Space Bridge station was, Twilight Sparkle?”

Optimus and Twilight ducked to the side as red and blue energy shots whizzed by them.

“Pretty sure.” Twilight said.

Optimus, Twilight, and Beast Hunters division hopped down and made their way to the station’s front, where an Americon and Galloway-aligned Autobot were standing guard, their weapons raised and smoking.

“Optimus Prime!” The Americon exclaimed at the sight of Optimus. “They said you were dead!”

“And you believed them? Without checking for a body?” Optimus asked.

The Americon scratched his neck. “Uh … well.”

“Enough.” Optimus stood tall. “Stand aside or be blown away.”

“I can’t let you do that, Optimus.” The Americon retrained his weapon on Optimus. “I am to defend this station. Even from you, Prime.”

The Americon felt the heat of a energy weapon warm the back of his head before a barrel pressed into it.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” The Autobot said.

The Americon turned to glare at the Autobot. “You … traitor!”

Before anything could come of it between the two, Optimus went and uppercut the Americon in the gut, following up by pounding him across the head before grabbing him by the midsection, lifting him and hurling him away.

Optimus turned to the Autobot. “You did not have to betray your comrade like that.”

“I made an oath to follow your lead, obey your orders, Prime.” The Autobot said. “That came first, before I ever set foot on Earth or signed onto Galloway’s programs, so it takes precedent.” The Autobot saluted.

Optimus saluted back. He and his team moved on.

Twilight burst inside the station proper, where the Space Bridge terminal was manned by two human scientists.

“You two.” Twilight said from behind her mask. “I need you to open up a Space Bridge at a particular set of coordinates.”

The scientists looked at each other.

“Um, we’re sorry, War Princess, but Galloway gave us explicit orders not to allow the use of this Space Bridge by any pony without the proper authorization.”

The scientists reeled back, holding their clipboards up in defense as Optimus Prime stepped into the building.

“Do you two enjoy having your bones unbroken and in their proper upright positions?” Optimus asked. The scientists nodded. “Then I suggest you do as my equine companion says. Follow her instructions to the letter.”

“Yessir!” The scientists scrambled to start working on the Space Bridge controls.

Twilight watched them for a moment before looking at Optimus. “That was kind of dark, Optimus.”

“I am in a very dark mood.”

“Hmm.”

() x 5

“Omega Lock ready to fire and begin cyberforming.” Steeljaw reported, saluting Nova Prime.

“Excellent. Well? What are you waiting for? Fire!”

“Beginning the cyberforming of Earth.” Steeljaw tapped a button.

The Omega Lock hummed, whirred and warbled. The pool of energy inside its ring fired a huge pillar of a blue beam, aimed dead straight at and heading for Earth.

As the beam travelled into space, a Space Bridge opened up in front of it, which consumed the beam.

Nova’s eyes widened. “What?”

Down on Earth, Optimus, Twilight and the others looked up at the sky with pride, watching the Space Bridge in the sky launching the Omega Beam, redirecting it into space where it would fly off and eventually disperse into harmless particles, a shallow remnant of its divine energies. Bulkhead patted Optimus on the back, while Twilight and Rarity hugged.

Aboard the Omega Lock, Nova Prime was flabbergasted.

“What just happened?”

“Well, if youse ask me, it looks like a Space Bridge opened up in front of youse’ Omega Lock and then its beam somewhere youse didn’t want to go.”

Nova Prime grabbed Thunderhoof by the antlers. “I know WHAT happened, you antler-headed oaf! I want to know why it happened!” Nova pushed him away and tossed him aside.

Steeljaw caught the stumbling Thunderhoof and set him right. After making sure his packmate was okay and not going to be sent flying into space by Nova’s throw, Steeljaw turned to Nova.

“The only logical explanation, Nova, is obvious.” Steeljaw said. “Somehow, despite all our precautious, the Imperials have somehow escaped and are working to interfere with and thwart our plans.”

“Grr …”

“Now, now, please don’t lose your temper.” Steeljaw said. He bowed. “If you’ll accept me, I’d be happy to offer my services in the name of dealing with this unwanted intrusion and complication. After all, your plans won’t work if the Imperials are out there, mucking about and messing with things, but with my knowledge of the future and talent with subsonics, I can assure they will be immobilized and dealt with accordingly.”

“Go.” Nova pointed a finger. “Do not fail me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Steeljaw said humbly. “Let’s go!” Steeljaw addressed his pack, snapping his fingers and running on all fours across the ring of the Omega Lock, where Nova opened a Bridge for them.

() x 6

On a land across from Equestria, far enough that it required travel by boat, a hooded figure stood by a cliff.

This land called … Ponyland. Simple and friendly sounding, but monsters walk here.

A white dove flew by. It was caught in a red beam and frozen, paralyzed. A sphere of yellow energy rose from the inside of its beak, a tail trailing behind and swam through the air, entering a fanged, simina jaw. The dove dropped to the floor, its eyes grayed, still technically alive, but functionally so stilted and suffered it might well have been - and it wished it was -  dead.

“Hydia …” Tirek said, raising his head up and pulling his hood down, looking at her over his shoulder. “I am ready to start my campaign. I will get you the ingredient that you need.”

() x 7

On Cybertron, Galvatron walked through an empty hall, his footsteps echoing across the polished chrome of the hall. At least until the metal gave away, and his boots stepped instead into piles of green goop. Lifting his foot up, Galvatron shook it off, masking his disgust and contempt for these disgusting creatures.

Galvatron walked to the core hive of the secret lair, where Changelings buzzed and flitted about, sticking to the wall, flying from one wall to another.

“Oh! We have a guest.” Chrysalis, recognizing Galvatron’s presence, flew up in front of him. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Galvatron?”

“Chrysalis, I am here to discuss a plan to get those … wretched humans out of the way of my master’s perfect world.” Galvatron said.

“Oh?” Chrysalis turned her head flirtatiously. “And do my Changelings and I have a place in this perfect world?”

“Rest assured, I have no love for your kind, either …” Galvatron glanced at the goopy pillars lining the hive. “But I find you far easier to manipulate as a single whole. The humans are too … chaotic. Too disorganized, too scrambled, too … sectioned off.”

“Uh-huh.” Chrysalis nodded. “And would this lack of love be the reason why there are still Changeling Batteries sapping the life from my precious children?”

“Rest assured, I will get to the Batteries in time.” Galvatron said. “I have workers working on taking them down as we speak, but there are … several of them.”

Chrysalis nodded, accepting this. “Now, what was this you said about a plan to get out the humans?”

“Look …” Galvatron projected a blue hologram of a schematic from his arm.

Chrysalis oohed. “Oh. I like that. I like this plan.”

() x 8

The Beast Hunters and Twilight’s herd of friends watched with pride as their Space Bridge tactic continued working, catching and deflecting another Omega Beam up into the atmosphere.

Their good feelings and good vibrations were put to a halt when all of the Autobots kneeled and doubled over in pain, clutching at their ears.

“Optimus?" Twilight asked.

"Arcee!" Rainbow Dash ran up to Arcee's leg, throwing  her hooves over Arcee's leg.

"What's wrong, darlings?"

“Some sort of … signal!” Arcee answered, grimacing her teeth, her face contorting in pain. “Scrambling our circuits!”

“Okay, okay, hang on.” Twilight said. “Just hang on!” She ran into the operating station, beginning to pull and rip pieces and circuits and wires out from her armor. Salvaging what she could from the scientists, she ran back out and set to work on assembling a device, scrambling to use her magic to put all the pieces and parts together in a way that she hoped would work.

“Come on, come on …” Twilight flicked a switch, turning the device. It began to generate a hum.

The Autobots uncovered their their eyes. They let out collective sighs, save Optimus.

“Ah. That’s better.” Arcee said.

“You should be okay as you stay relatively close to this device.” Twilight said. “It’ll block out and deflect whatever it was that was doing this to you.”

“How close is ‘relatively close’?” Bulkhead asked.

“About … 50 meters?” Twilight smiled apologetically and shrugged. Seeing the disapproving glares Bulkhead and Arcee were giving her, Twilight frowned. “Look, it’s something I cobbled together in less than a minute! You need to give me some time before I can make something better!” Twilight looked aside and cupped her chin. “And more importantly, we-”

“We need to figure out what caused the source of the distress in the first place.” Optimus said.

“Right. I was just about to say that.” Twilight said. “Give me a second and …” Twilight disappeared in a flash, then reappeared just as soon. “Okay. I used Fortress Maximus’ instruments. I was able to backtrack the signal to a source in the Appalachian Mountains, but that’s all I could find out.”

“Let’s go!” Bulkhead said, marching forward. He went out of range of Twilight’s deflector, clutched his head in pain, and ran back inside its range.

Twilight chuckled. “Heh heh. Um, maybe after I can come up with an improved version of this? Plus, someone needs to stay here and make sure those scientists keep reopening the Space Bridge to repel the Omega Lock.”

“I’m on it.” Smokescreen volunteered. “After all, I get all the menial labor jobs …” He bemoaned as he walked away.

“Autobots,” Optimus said, “roll out!”

“Ahem.”

“After Twilight Sparkle finishes her device, of course.”

() x 8

() x 8

Ratchet continued to sit by the walls, crouched down and despondent.

“Wha … what is this?” Attinger asked, returning with a trio agents, all three of them shocked. Attinger’s men went over to check on the agents Ratchet had struck down.

Attinger surveyed the scene of carnage. He took special notice of the dead Americon.

“Killed the Americon, did you?” Attinger asked, a rhetorical question. He glanced up at the operating table. “And yet you didn’t have the guts, the brass to kill the one hooked up to your friend on the table there?”

Ratchet replied with a scoff. “Hmph. Well … the one on the table wasn’t threatening my life.”

Attinger gestured to the agents. “And they were?”

“I felt as much, yes.”

“You …” Attinger clenched his fist, biting his teeth down on  his lip. “Don’t you Autobots take a vow not to harm organic life?”

“Indeed.” Ratchet said. “It is one of our most sacred vows. It’s what seperates from Decepticons.”

“Attinger, sir!” The agent reported, his fingers on the incapacitated agent’s neck. “They’re still alive! We have a pulse!”

Attinger regarded Ratchet with confusion.

“Please. I am still a doctor. I know where to hit to incapacitate without killing.”

Attinger covered his mouth, beginning to feel a little overwhelmed over all of what was happening. “Alright, alright … get them to a medical facility, and get Fowler and our asset off those tables.”

“Will do, sir!” The agents reported, dragging their coworkers out.

Ratchet sighed and pressed down on his knees. He pushed himself and went over to the table, where he unplugged the psychic patch from Fowler and the Americon. The two of them groaned and sat up, the Americon getting off the bed. He looked and saw his dead companion.

“I’m sorry.” Ratchet said.

“Yeah … sad, but I’m not surprised.” The Americon said. “He told me he was going to confront you about killing friends of his before I went in.”

“Ooh…” Fowler groaned, his head rocking. “Got a black magic woman, got a spell on me ...”

“Wake up, Fowler.” The Americon lightly tapped the tip of its finger to Fowler’s head, jostling him awake. Doing Ratchet a favor, the Americon helped Fowler onto the ground.

Fowler huffed and adjusted his suit jacket. He glared at Attinger. “So, what’ll you do with me now, Ghost? Shoot me? Lock me up?”

“I’m thinking.” Attinger said.

“Well, while you think, let me tell you something. You’re a real patriot. Did you know that? I bet you didn’t know. Using alien technology to interrogate a fellow agent, that hasn’t been tested to see if it was safe for use on humans! Real American of you. Ladies and gentleman, Harold Attinger, a real Americon hero!”

“You take that back.” Attinger’s remaining agent whipped out his sidearm and took aim at Fowler.

“No.” Attinger grabbed the agent’s wrist and forced it down. “Let him go.”

“Let him go?”

“Let him go.” Attinger stressed his words, making sure to communicate this would be the last on the subject.

Fowler’s mouth hung open in shock. He glanced at Attinger for a reaction, trying to be sure he wasn’t hallucinating. Sparing one last glance to Ratchet, Fowler ran out of the building.

“Let’s go.” Attinger said to his men, twirling his hand and pointing out the door. He and his agents left without any further word, leaving Ratchet in the hangar by himself.

Alone. With nothing but the dead Vehicon to keep him company and for him to contemplate over.

Ratchet walked up to the Vehicon and looked down at him. He let out a deep sigh. “Another life lost, claimed by the mad pursuit of vengeance at any cost. How many more Cybertronians are going to die of these petty grudges? How many Cybertronians lives will be lost at the expense of unending, bitter feuds lasting long after the Great War was over?”

“Gaargh!” Ratchet’s soliloquy was interrupted by a high=pitched signal going off in his head. It seemed to be a sonic attack on his brain, as though a massive audi speaker had nested up right to the side of his head and blared off at maximum volume.

“Ratchet,” Vigil said, “my scans indicate you are under some kind of sonic attack.”

“GEE, YOU THINK?” Ratchet screamed, unsure he could be heard over the sonic signal.

“Would you like to attempt to compensate and counterbalance for the hum?”

“THAT WOULD BE NICE!”

“Calibrating …” Vigil said. His display warbled in its red lines. “Done.” A different high-pitched hum spread through the room, like glass warbling. The pressure in Ratchet’s head subsided.

Ratchet sighed. “That’s better.” He got to his feet.

“You!” Attinger’s agent ran back into the hanger. “What did you do? We’ve got reports of Autobots dropping like flies all over the continent!”

“Me? I’m not doing anything.” Ratchet gestured to himself before walking up to Vigil and inputting a command.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to utilize Vigil to track the signal to its source. Unless you want to have a continent of disabled, useless Autobots on your hands, I suggest you let me finish and allow me to conduct an investigation on my own. Or would you prefer it that way, with only repentant Decepticons to defend you from the mean Cybertronian boogeymen your organization has conjured with your imagination?”

The agent gave Ratchet a bitter glare and left.

Ratchet scrutinized Vigil’s screen, making sure he was reading the results correctly. “The Appalachian Mountains. Got it. I’ll need to make something to protect myself from that awful noise …” Ratchet rubbed his head. It still hurt.

() x 9

“Okay.” Twilight Sparkle handed out golden earpiece devices to each member of Team Prime. “Place these on the side of your hand, and it should be enough to block out whatever signal is doing this.”

Optimus and the others affixed the earpieces in.

“Let’s move.” Twilight motioned for them to go through the Space Bridge inside Fortress Maximus, which Cerebros had been able to adjust to function like a normal Space Bridge for their use.

As they made through the Bridge, Arcee looked down and rubbed her wrists. “Are you sure you’re up for this, Optimus?”

“What do you mean, Arcee?”

“You haven’t gotten any medical attention since you came back, even when you might have had a chance to inbetween missions. You’re neglecting yourself, and you’re still using that dinky prosthetic arm.”

Optimus rotated the prosthetic shoulder. “It is a perfectly serviceable arm for what I require of it. I see no reason to replace it.”

Arcee sighed and frowned, turning away and crossing her arms. “Well, you’re the Prime. You know what’s best for you, I guess.”

“We’re here.” Twilight stomped her hoof into the snow as they stepped out of the Bridge. She looked around the valley they had arrived at the edge of. Poking her head over the side of ledge, Twilight looked inside the valley and saw Steeljaw and his gang standing around a large, blue and black hourglass-shaped cylinder device which occasionally pumped its top half up and down.

“Steeljaw, of course.” Twilight said. “It had to be Steeljaw.”

“Steeljaw?” Optimus asked.

“Steeljaw. He’s … a Decepticon anarchist … from the future.”

“You did not mention that during your brief briefing, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Look, Optimus, there’s a lot of things we need to catch you up on, okay? Oh!” Twilight turned and ran back to the Space Bridge. “If Steeljaw is here, there’s only one thing … I owe it to her, after all.”

Twilight entered the Bridge, and shortly thereafter returned with Starlight Glimmer acompanying her.

“Who is this?”  Optimus asked.

“Oh, that’s right, you two haven’t met yet.” Twilight said. “Starlight Glimmer, Optimus Prime, Optimus Prime, Starlight Glimmer. She and Steeljaw have a history. I figured I owed her the chance to get a little payback and settle some scores.”

“Optimus Prime?” Starlight asked. “Where I have heard that name before? Oh, you’re Ultra Magnus’ brother, right? Are you as much as trigger-happy, rocket-loving manic as he is?”

Twilight facehooved at Starlight’s lack of tact and sensitivity. Lucky for them, Optimus’ was reponse was nothing more than a raised eyebrow of intrigue.

“Wait, didn’t you die?” Starlight asked.

“It’s a long story.” Twilight replied before looking over the edge of the valley. “Now, we need to come up with a plan of attack …”

Steeljaw rubbed his chin, eying his device.

“What’cha youse thinking, Steelie?” Thunderhoof asked.

“This device produces a subsonic signal across the planet which disables all Autobots, keyed to tune in on their precise signals.” Steeljaw pointed a finger before lifting up a panel. “What was I thinking, my good companion, was that perhaps I could be of further use to Nova Prime if I could modulate to key in and do the same thing to organics, namely humans and ponies.”

Steeljaw bent over and dug his claws into the machine’s circuitry, fiddling with to see if he could make the adjustments to get his desired result.

Thunderhoof reeled back in fear. He tapped Steeljaw on the shoulder. “You might want to take a rain check on that, Steelie! Look!”

“What?” Steeljaw pulled up, his eyes going wide when he saw Optimus Prime and a team of Autobots scaling down the sides of the valley. “Optimus Prime!? But he’s supposed to be hiding in Canterlot High at this moment in time! Grr. No matter.” Steeljaw slammed down the panel shut. “I’ll just use the subsonic device and take them all out. With our future knowledge, we can’t fail. Unless we want our good Deepticon future to go away …” Steeljaw leered at his minions, wanting to be sure his message of what the price of their would be was clear.

“No way!”  Thunderhoof assured him.

“Good.” Steeljaw pressed a button on the device. He turned his head to the left and grimaced when he saw the vehicle-mode convoy of Autobots driving towards them. “They’re not stopping. Why are they not stopping? Why aren’t they affected?”

“Here they come.” Fracture said, launching his Mini-Cons off his shoulders and pulling out his bazooka. He took aim at Optimus and fired, aiming to take out his front tire. He missed by an inch, striking Optimus in the hood, causing him to screech and swerve, but be able to continue driving towards them with all six wheels.

Closing the distance between them, Optimus led the charge, reverting to robot mode. Thunderhoof charged at him, and Optimus belted him in the head, pounding his fist into Thunderhoof’s noggin before kicking him away. Fracture deployed a knife and tossed it at Optimus, who raised up his arm, the knife embedding itself inside. Optimus pulled the knife out and tossed it aside.

Fracture’s Mini-Cons jumped into the air towards Optimus with claws outstretched. Bulkhead threw himself in front of his leader, grabbing the Mini-Cons by the heads and bashing them together, tossing them into the snow. Rarity walked up to them, and still bitter about her last confrontation with the two, used her magic to bash them together a second time.

Fracture grimaced and aimed his weapon again. Arcee and Bumblebee took him out, tag-teaming him with their Hunter bows, shooting two iron shafts into Fracture’s chest. Fracture gasped and fell over.

“Yaaah!” Thunderhoof roared and charged at Optimus. Optimus responded by punching him in the face, deploying his sword from his still-good arm, and slicing one of Thunderhoof’s antlers off. Optimus reverted the sword into a hand and grabbed the other antler and pulled until he broke it off, eliciting from Thunderhoof a groan of pain.

Holding both of Thunderhoof’s antlers in his hands, Optimus stabbed Thunderhoof, embedding them into Thunderhoof’s gut, earning an “oof!” impaling him on his own antlers - a cruel method of attack if there was one. Optimus struck Thunderhoof, knocking him down.

Underbite challenged him next, marching up to him. “Nobody treats my buddies that way.” Underbite opened his mouth to take a big bite out of Optimus, but Optimus went under him and punched him in the chin. Optimus proceeded on, crawling between Underbite’s legs and getting under him, where Optimus lifted him up by the stomach and hurled him into the valley wall, where snow fell down on top of Underbite to add insult to injury.

Steeljaw flexed his claws, deploying his auxiliary set from above his knuckles. He roared and charged at Optimus.

Optimus switched his hand into its blade configuration and sliced off Steeljaw’s knuckles-claws, reducing them to nubs. While Steeljaw froze in shock at Optimus being able to do that, Optimus switched his blade to his blaster.

“Hmph! No matter. I’ll just produce a little subsonic force field, and …” Steeljaw pressed a button on the inside of his arms, a yellow sphere of energy forming around him. “Presto. You can’t hurt me.”

Optimus charged his shot, an eye-burning lens flare coming from the barrel of his cannon. He fired the powerful blast, pierced the force field and shot Steeljaw in the stomach, producing a nice smoking hole in the side of him and blasting him backwards onto his subsonic machine.

Optimus marched forward. Pumping up another charged shot, Optimus shot the device, blowing a hole in its stop bigger than the one in Steeljaw. The device quit pumping, the lights on it going out.

Optimus turned his attention to Steeljaw, aiming his weapon and preparing another charge shot.

“You-you can’t kill me.” Steeljaw said. “I’m not from this time period. I’m from the future. You’ll create a time paradox!”

“Will I?” Optimus asked. “Now that would be something I would be quite interested to see. However, if I understand the nature of your time travel, you dying in the past will cause no such thing, so long as your past self remains alive and untampered with to carry out your eventual fate. I am free to do this version of you as I wish.”

“Optimus.” Twilight walked up to him. “As much as he might deserve it, there’s no need to kill him. He’s injured. All of his minions are incapacitated, and his scheme here with this machine, whatever it was, fell through. There’s no need to kill him.”

Optimus looked down at her, his ill-lit optics fading in and out. He walked up to Steeljaw, switched his blaster out for his blade, and stabbed in the knee, causing Steeljaw to howl in pain.

“Optimus!” Twilight screamed and chided.

“Wow.” Starlight Glimmer said, walking up to them as Optimus pulled his sword out of Steeljaw. “After all the good things I heard about you from your brother … you’re even worse than I am, Optimus.”

Optimus became eerily, deathly, unnervingly still. He turned to Starlight Glimmer. “And what, pray tell, have you done, Starlight Glimmer?”

“Oh. Uh, well, you know …” Starlight chuckled airily, getting the sense she said something she maybe ought not have. “Just, um, lying to an entire village, filling it up with conscripts, taking advantage of Twilight Sparkle’s memory loss to try and turn her into one my converts. But you know, haven’t we all lied to an entire village at some point in our lives, am I right? Right?”

Optimus narrowed his eyes at her. “You did what to Twilight Sparkle?”

“Um …”

Optimus cocked his gun. He trained his Ion Blaster on Starlight, the blaster humming before he fired. Starlight got the hay out of the way, leaving the spot, making Optimus’ blast kick up tufts of snow.

“Optimus!” Twilight protested. Starlight galloped across the valley, Optimus turning and firing at her with the single-mindedness of an automated gun turret. Optimus marched continued firing at her, blue balls of energy traveling down the valley, pelting the walls and knocking dirt and snow loose onto the ground.

Twilight watched the scene unfurl in front of her. She looked off to the side, noticing Steeljaw groaning and gasping as he tried to climb up the valley walls with his injured leg, clutching at his stomach wound.

“Oh no you don’t.” Twilight aimed her horn and fired a blast at Steeljaw’s back, which shook him, but he was able to dig his claws in and cling to the valley wall. Twilight adjusted her aim and rose her horn up, shooting a blast at the valley above Steeljaw, triggering a rockslide. Steeljaw reeled back and screamed, losing his grip and falling. The rocks pelted his body on the way down, and when he landed in the snow, he was soon buried under a pile of rocks, pebbles, and boulders.

Twilight smiled, satisfied with her handiwork. She turned back to Optimus and Starlight and gave chase, galloping after them.

Starlight galloped across the plains, looking over her shoulder at Optimus, who was chasing her and firing at her, Starlight teleporting to avoid his fire His Ion Blaster not doing the job and missing her, Optimus converted into truck mode and deployed machine guns from his hood, his body creaking in protest as the barrels deployed from the side of him. The chainguns whirred, spinning to warm up before firing, shooting out a constant barrage of small bullets.

Starlight teleported to avoid one before realizing the mathematical reality that, with so many bullets flying at her, it was a matter of time before one hit. She conjured up a force field around her and continued running, dispelling and resummoning the immobile force field when she had to.

A bolt of magic came hurtling from the west, striking Optimus in the wheels and sending him skidding, almost careening into the valley wall.

Twilight Sparkle teleported behind Starlight Glimmer, positioning herself squarely between Starlight and Optimus and interceding the fight.

Optimus drove up to them and reverted to robot mode. He armed his blaster and aimed it at Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle, get out of the way.”

“Why? So you can shoot her? No.”

“Twilight Sparkle, step out of the way.” Optimus gestured his gun to the side. “That is an order.”

“No! Oh, I’m sorry, I think you need to be reminded about what’s going on here, Optimus. You have been MIA for months now, while I have taken over the Autobots under the banner of the Imperials, and I am the Imperial Commander now, while you are still getting back on your feet, and still don’t know everything there is to know about the world’s changes!”

“Are you …” Optimus paused, utterly gobsmacked and bewildered Twilight Sparkle would be so audacious as to try something like this on him. “Twilight Sparkle, are you trying to pull rank on me?”

“Yes, I am.” Twilight answered, showing no signs of backing down. “Stand down, soldier.”

“You do not have the authority to ...” Optimus sighed and ignored the feeling of slight offense he took to Twilight “Starlight Glimmer must pay for what she’s done and did to you. She must answer for -”

“Starlight Glimmer is well aware what she did was wrong, and she’s done her best since then to make amends for it.” Twilight Sparkle. “Optimus, wouldn’t you be the first to say that we all deserve the chance to atone for our mistakes? That all of us, every single one, down from the biggest Decepticon to the littlest pony, deserve at least one second chance to redeem ourselves and make amends?”

“I would say that.” Optimus replied. “However, that was before I realized the full monstrosity of what lurked inside Megatron, and what darkness that monster was willing to do for his own power and gain. Time and again I allowed him to live, to escape and continue on his merciless crusade of violence and death, because deep inside, a naive, foolish innocent part of me still wanted to believe in him … to believe he could change. That he could go back to being the warrior poet was when I first met him and knew him as. I know better now. When I finally ended his life at New York, I promised … never to make that mistake again. So I ask you once again, I order you, Twilight Sparkle …” Optimus raised his weapon. “Get out of the way.”

Twilight’s hard expression softened. “Can’t you see by not letting Starlight have a second chance and not accepting her efforts to change, you’re making a completely different kind of mistake?”

“Perhaps I am, but that is a risk I must be willing to take. Get out of the way.”

“No.” Twilight said. “I know you, Optimus. You won’t shoot me. I’m your friend. What is wrong with you? You’ve been violent, cranky, and irritable ever since you got back from the Canterlot High dimension. You’ve been violently, viscerally threatening almost everyone you come across that’s on opposite sides from you. Did something hidden in that universe change you? Did you just resent being taken from your happy house-husband life that much? Or is there something more, something else going on?”

Optimus Prime kept his blaster trained on her. His arm began to shake. He raised up his weapon, letting out a sigh as he placed his hand over his eyes. “You are correct, Twilight Sparkle. I will not shoot you.”

Twilight smiled.

“However, that will not prevent me from trying to hit Starlight Glimmer.” Optimus moved his blaster to the side, trying to line up a shot which would hit Starlight, but not Twilight.

“OPTIMUS!”

Optimus froze. He turned around. “Ratchet?” For the first time since he got back, Twilight thought she could see a glimmer of hope in Optimus’ lifeless.

“Ratchet!” Fluttershy cheered as Ratchet walked through the valley.

“I don’t know entirely know what’s going on here …” Ratchet said. “But you need to stop, old friend.”

“I …” Optimus said. “Of course. You’re right, old friend.”

Optimus walked towards the valley wall, turning and sitting himself on a large enough rock. While everyone gathered around him, Optimus ran his hands over his face. He removed his hands and looked at Twilight.

“I am tired, Twilight Sparkle.” Optimus admitted. “Tired of all the war, all the pain and suffering, all the death and destruction I can never seem to escape from. I want nothing than for it all to be over …” Optimus put his hands together. “For it to all to just be over. I have cheated the Grim Reaper more times than I can count. I long for the sweet release of death. I want it all to be over, but it seems, even death itself is not enough to stop me, and there is nothing in this universe that will keep me from being called upon when I am needed.”

“I know.” Ratchet said, stepping forward, careful not to stomp any of his pony friends. He placed a hand on Optimus’ shoulder. “Believe me, old friend, I know. There have been times … after I saw something truly nasty and disgusting, and how horrific the things the Decepticons were capable of on my operating table … I wondered if it was all really worth it. If we would ever be able to stop the war and stem the flood of atrocities. I considered ending it all myself.”

The better of Optimus’ two optics flicked towards Ratchet. Ratchet got on his knees and put both hands on Optimus’ shoulders.

“But that’s the coward’s way out. Suicide is never the solution.” Ratchet pointed a finger firmly, the day any stern doctor would when getting on to their patient. “We still need you, Optimus. The world still needs you. I still need you. We still need you to be called upon for one last battle … one last time.”

Optimus closed his optics. He bowed his head. “I wish I could have full faith and believe in your words, my old friend.” Optimus stood up. “But I understand. I suppose, for now, i will simply have to try to believe in them … and do as I am told … as a soldier, for one last fight.”

“Excellent.” Ratchet smiled. “Glad to hear it, my friend. Here.” Ratchet deployed and open the inside of his Dragonshredder Drill. “As long as I’m here, allow me to fix you up the best I can with what I have on hand …” Ratchet’s arm shook as the Drill began to unload nanobots into Optimus’ good arm. “Er, say, Optimus, what’s with the …?”

“Please do not ask.”

“Alright.”

“Ratchet!” Fluttershy exclaimed, flying up to him and hugging him on the chest, clinging to him like a soft, adorable tick.

“Hello, Fluttershy.” Ratchet said, chuckling. “I’m glad to see you too.”

“How did you find us?” Arcee asked.

“The subsonic signal which I assume that device was producing …” Ratchet flicked his head towards Steeljaw’s machine. “Affected me as well as, I assume, you. Using the humans’ super-computer, I was able to track that signal here. From the looks of it, it appears I missed all of the action, but it was lucky I arrived in the nick of time that I did to talk Optimus down. Who knows what he would have done if the sound of my voice didn’t cause him to flinch?”

“Who knows?” Twilight asked.

“There.” Ratchet said, getting up off his knees and patting his hands after a job well done. “That should do it. It’s nowhere near a full repair job, of course, but the nanobots should get you back to some semblance of a proper working order. Sadly, they can’t generate matter, only repair it. Otherwise I might able to give you your proper arm back.”

Optimus lifted up his arm and flexed his hand. The nanobots coursed through him, doing their thing and repairing him internally. Optimus walked around. He rotated his shoulder, which Twilight noticed seemed to be moving better than before.

“Thank you, Ratchet.” Optimus said. “I can already feel myself improving.” Optimus jumped up to test his legs, which had more of a spring in their step. While the nanobots could do make improvements to his scorch marks, his colors, however, were still faded. He was going to need a fresh coat of paint to fix that.

“While you’re here, Ratchet …” Twilight said. “We should discuss our counter-Galloway defensive and what you can do for us on the inside.”

“Yes, of course.” Ratchet said. “Galloway has put me in charge of a supercomputer named Vigil. He is connected into many of Galloway’s and his operatives defenses. All I need to do is simply set it up and say the word, and half of Galloway’s anti-Autobot measures will be disabled. It should be enough to allow you entry to almost anywhere you wish under Galloway’s direct control.”

“Excellent. Anything else?”

“I’m afraid not.” Ratchet said. “I should be heading back by now anyways. While I have some permission to venture out on my own for this excursion, Galloway’s men will become suspicious if I’m gone too long, and I have every confidence they have some way to track me.”

“Alright then.” Twilight said. “Call us if you need anything, okay? If things get too tense for you, you can rely on us to bust you out of there.”

“I know.” Ratchet said with a smile before turning and leaving. He waved them goodbye. “Goodbye!”

“Don’t say goodbye, Ratchet.” Fluttershy said, flying up. “We want to see you again.”

Ratchet looked confused, not understanding what Fluttershy meant. Not at first. “'Til we meet again, then.” He saluted them and waved his hand before leaving.

() x 10

() x 10

“Hello?” Attinger answered his phone.  “Alright, I’m on my way.”

Attinger joined a crowded Washington street, coming up and joining Princess Celestia and Galloway hiding behind some bushes.

“Ah, Attinger.” Galloway said. “I’m glad you’re here. You see that crowd gathered out there?”

“I see them, sir.” Attinger said.

“They’re rioting.” Galloway said. “And they’re armed.”

“What do they want?”

“They’re demanding to know where the ‘real’ President is, which, as we as all know, is ridiculous, because he abdicated his power and position to me deal with the growing Autobot menace.”

“Autobot menace?” Celestia asked. “I thought this was about oversight and regulating space travel?”

“Er, well, yes. That’s what I meant.” Galloway said. Celestia’s questioning expression showed it was clear she didn’t believe him. “Anyways, I was hoping you could help us out to disperse the crowd.”

“It would be my duty, Mister President. It’s what I’m here for.” Attinger crossed his arm across his chest.

“Excellent.” Galloway rubbed his hands together. “Well, gentlemen, ponies … let’s get out there and play.” Galloway winced as a gunshot rang out from the crowd.  He, Attinger, and Celestia went out to address the crowd,  who were raising up shotguns, signs demanding answers to their questions, and Galloway effigies, which were enough of a concern for Galloway to nervously adjust his collar.

“People, people!” Attinger shouted, just barely able to make his voice heard over the crowd. Celestia shot a spell from her horn to make sure they had the crowd’s attention. “What is going on here?”

“I told you what was going.” Galloway sourly grumbled.

“Due process and the laws and customs of our nation demand I listen to their side before making any decisions.” Attinger said, which didn’t sit well with Galloway.

“What’s going on? I’ll tell you what’s going on.”  A rioter marched up to Attinger, heaving a shotgun over his shoulder. “We want to know what happened to the President, and how the infrastructure of our government got so weak and fragile that enough double agents could be planted to stage this hostile takeover! You think we the people just gonna sit back and let your Illuminati or whatever it or it is organization get away with this coup?”

“It is not a coup, it is an orderly transition to a temporary arrangement while we attempt to deal with growing threats we do not fully understand the nature of.” Galloway said.

“‘Orderly transition’ my fanny.” The rioter said. “Growing threats? WHAT growing threats? The Autobots? The guys who had had nothing but good for us where they could? Or maybe it was the Decepticons, who were scatterbrained and aimless, split up into renegade splinter cells all pushing their own agendas? Or maybe, just maybe, it was the Equestrians, whose national motto is ‘Friendship is Magic’? Oh my! Such dastardly terrorists, they are, with their big noses and cute round bellies!”

“Well … yes.” Galloway said. “Mostly those first two. Actually, all three of them.” Celestia glared at him from the corner of her eye.

“You think you my belly is cute?” Celestia asked the rioter.

The rioter pressed his palm to his forehead. “It was an example! It was just an illustration of the ridiculousness that Galloway here is just trying to push us to swallow! … but if you have to know, yes. A little bit.”

“It’s not ridiculousness.” Galloway said. “Let me assure you that the President appointed me to lead us in these troubled times."

"That'd be a lot easier to believe coming from his mouth instead of yours."

Galloway glared at him. “Is my word not good enough for you?”

“Hmm. Come to think of it, now that you ask … no! We want the truth! The whole truth, and nothing but the truth!”

“I am telling you the truth! It is true!” Galloway snapped, beginning to lose his temper.

“We demand accountability! Evidence! Where is the video or audio recording of the President’s order giving you all this power? Where’s the evidence any one of those renegade Decepticon cells posed enough of a threat to warrant these extreme measures!”

“I have told you what happened, and my word should good enough for you! You are the citizens, and I am the leader! You are supposed to obey me! I AM THE SUPREME LEADER OF THE UNITED STATES!” Galloway screamed, breathing heavily.

The rioter looked at Galloway with a smug expression.

“I thought you said you were the President.”

Attinger came to shell shocking realization. Heavens above. He is really crazy. He is really, actually, genuinely dangerously deluded.

Galloway, realizing he’d been caught in the middle of one of his lies, calmed down. He adjusted his tie and turned to Attinger. “Attinger … Attinger, take care of them for me. I don’t care how you do it, just do it.”

Galloway snapped his fingers and walked off, shocked, confused stares from Attinger and Celestia following him as he left, which made Galloway’s back shiver and tingle.

“Oh my.” Celestia said. “I hadn’t realized it before now, but that outburst …”

“Yeah.” Attinger said. “I know what you mean.”

Attinger turned to address the crowd, while Celestia had a realization of her own, drawing her neck up to full height.

“Everything Twilight Sparkle said about him is true.”

“People …” Attinger addressed the crowd.

“Really?” The rioter asked. “You’re still going to defend him after that outburst?”

Attinger took in a deep breath.

“No.” Attinger shook his head. “No, I’m not. I’m going to ask you all something. Go back to your homes. I realize you're upset, and angry and frustrated, but this is going to be dangerous situation. You don’t know the kind of people Galloway deals with, who he has in his pockets. Please. Go back to your wives and children. And I will try to find some way to deal with the situation. You have my word. As a patriot. As an American citizen. As a CIA agent.”

The lead rioter nodded, lowering his gun and carrying it at his hips. “Yeah … yeah, okay. That’s … that’s a lot to give your word on. Alright. I’m trusting you. We’re trusting you to do this.” The rioter pointed at him. “Don’t let us down.”

“I won’t.”

“Okay, people!” The rioter turned to his friends. “This guy here says he’s gonna do something about, and I don’t know about you, but I’d say he’s in a lot better position to do it than the rest of us! Let’s go home!”

“Aw, man …” The rioters grumbled, but complied, dispersing and scattering, while complaining about time wasted and travel fees. The speaker of the riot gave Attinger one last look over his shoulder before leaving.

() x 11

Galloway marched into the White House, throwing the doors open as he entered the lobby. He grumbled to himself.

“Unappreciative … ungrateful …” Galloway marched up a set of steps. “Don’t they realize they’re supposed to obey me? Do they understand how authority works? Grr ...”

Walking into another room on his way to his desk, Galloway was noticed by Charlotte Mearing, leaning against a wall as if nothing was wrong.

“Hey, Galloway. Oh, I’m sorry, Mister President.” Mearing said. “You look to be in a bad mood. What’s got you down?”

Galloway shook his head. “Oh, nothing, nothing … just those ingrates out the door who refuse to listen to me and acknowledge my authority as the President! It’s so upsetting. I fought hard to get this position. To get this post and bring myself to where I am today.” Galloway pocketed his hands. “Growing up where I did, when I did, I always thought I deserved more … that I deserved better. And one day, I’d grow up and get the best. And I did, and I have, and now those people, those people out there who are supposed to listen to and obey me … won’t.”

“Ooh.” Mearing cooed at him. “That’s so sad.”

“It is.” Galloway huffed, while Mearing approached and trailed her hand seductively along his shoulder before embracing.

“Mearing …?” Galloway asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You know … I might have an idea to make it all easier on you.” Mearing pulled out a mechanical sphere and tossed it in the air, where it hovered and projected a hologram of blueprints.  “An old, unused Decepticon idea. Supposedly, it’s a device … a device which could make all those rioters much more submissive and cooperative … and grant you more control over the whole populace.”

Galloway looked over the blueprints, nodding in approval, an evil grin spreading across his lips. “Yes, yes, I like it! I don’t know much about technology, but I want this constructed right away.” Galloway tapped the device with his palm, deactivating it. It plummeted downward, and Mearing caught it in her hand.

“You got it. Coming right up, boss.” Mearing gave him a flirty wink before departing.

Galloway made a thoughtful expression. He adjusted his suit, liking this new version of Mearing and the idea of her being attracted to him. “Now that I think about it, she is acting a bit strange … Mearing’s usually so professional.” Galloway waved his hand, literally waving it off. “Ah, I’m sure it’s nothing. Probably just excited to get this project off the ground and be of use.”

() x 12

Aboard Fortress Maximus in between goals, Twilight Sparkle was puzzled when one of the various circuit boards and panels began lighting in alternating red, blue and green sequences.

“What’s that?” Arcee asked.

“We’re picking up a broadcast. It’s a message.” Twilight answered, investigating the circuits.

“From who?”

Twilight backed away from the circuits. “From … Princess Celestia. She wants to meet.”

“I have not seen Celestia in some time since my departure.” Optimus said. “Is she doing well?”

“You … could say that.” Twilight said. “Honestly, Optimus … you remember all the things she was doing you disapproved before you left? Well, she’s been like that, but worse.”

“Hmm. Are we still to meet her?”

“Well … yes.” Twilight said. “She wouldn’t be calling if she didn’t have something she wanted to say … even if it’s not something we care to hear. Cerebros, can you use the Space Bridge to get us to the meet?”

“Certainly.”

“Do that, then.” Twilight ordered.

Cerebros opened the Space Bridge, and Twilight and her team went through, coming out on the other side at a closed-off, distant, forested area, untouched by man or civilized development. Princess Celestia was waiting for them there, alone.

“Princess.” Twilight said, drawing up her helmet as they approached her.

“Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia said.

“What do you want?”

Celestia bowed, bending down on her knees. This made Twilight feel incredibly awkward, as she had never seen Celestia be so subservient before.

“I’m sorry. You were right. You were right about Galloway. You were right about everything. I did some investigating of my own, and all I found just further confirmed I should have listened to you in the firs place. I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”

“I, uh, well, I … that certainly wasn’t I was expecting you to say. Um … give me a minute to think.” Twilight paused.

“Yes, Princess Celestia, I do forgive you.”

Celestia let out a relieved sigh and stood up.  She looked up. “Optimus Prime. You live.”

“Your Majesty.” Optimus bowed his head to acknowledge her.

“I kept it, you know.” Celestia said.  She looked aside. “One moment.” She walked into the forest. The Autobots prepared for a confrontation, hearing the hum of Space Bridge briefly, before Celestia returned, levitating up a sketchbook which was far too large for her to use.

“Your sketchbook.” Celestia said, levitating the book into Optimus’ hands. “I, um, hope you don’t mind, but I went through the liberty of going through and marking my favorite.”

Optimus thumbed the book’s pages. Turning it to the page where his oil-inspired painting sketch of Celestia was one, he found a little smiley face drawn into the bottom corner of the page. Optimus gave Celestia one of his rare smiles, and Celestia blush.

“Thank you.” Optimus said. “I appreciate you keeping it safe for me this entire time.”

“You’re welcome. Anyways …” Celestia cleared her throat. “Twilight Sparkle, I am ready to join the Autobots Imperial and do anything you ask of me to bring order back to this chaotic universe and oust Galloway from his imagined throne. If there is anything I can do to help,  you need only ask, and I will do it.”

“Oh, excellent! This is wonderful! This is perfect - wait … wait, no.” Twilight said.

“No?” Celestia cocked her head, confused.

“No.” Twilight said. “Princess, I don’t want you to join the Imperials. I want you to stay with Galloway. You can be of more use to our cause as a double agent. Stay close to him, stay on top of him, keep track of his moves. And then, when we’re ready to move, we can close in for the kill. With you and Ratchet working to take him down from the inside, Galloway won’t know what hit him. Speaking of which, I’m not sure how easy it will be, of if Galloway will let you, but you should try to get in touch with Ratchet. See if you can coordinate your efforts together and doubly take Galloway down.”

Celestia nodded. “Understood. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“I’m not sure … wait.” Twilight raised a hoof. “I just had an idea. It may be an awful idea. It may be that having Celestia on our side is making me feel overconfident. But Princess, can you set us up with a broadcast and try to have Galloway at his weakest in twenty fours, a day from now?”

“I can, and I can try.” Celestia said. “Let me get you something to help you with the first part of that.” Celestia left and returned with a hologram projection sphere of Cybertronian origin.

“Excellent.” Twilight said.

“What’cha thinkin’, Twi?” Applejack asked.

“You’ll see.” Twilight replied, rolling the sphere around in her hooves. “Thank you, Princess. That will be all. Dismissed.” Twilight saluted the Princess, and despite the crazy things involved in their situation and how they got to this point, Twilight felt honored when Celestia saluted back. Celestia left through a Space Bridge.

Twilight gave the word for Cerebros to open their Space Bridge, and they went back through, returning to Fortress’ cockpit.

As they walked, Optimus Prime’s legs came to a sudden halt.

“Optimus?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight Sparkle.” Optimus looked down, away from her and almost shy, if Twilight didn’t know better. “There is something I have been meaning to ask you. You have said that we are fighting Nova.”

Optimus got to his knees. “Is that true? Are we truly fighting Nova Prime?”

Twilight could see in his eyes Optimus desperately wanted for it to not be true, which made answering his question even harder and more painful for her.

“Yes, I’m afraid so.” Twilight answered. “It turns out, Nova Prime is a staunch Technoist and Cybertronian supremacist, believing that all other forms of life are inferior, and should all be made to bow and curtail to the superior Cybertronian species. This, obviously, cannot be allowed to stand, and it it up to us to make sure that Nova Prime’s dark designs do not succeed, and none of his schemes come to fruition. Optimus ... I know it will be hard for you to fight someone you looked up to, but had never truly met before, but I need to know. When the time comes, and our backs are pressed against the wall by lasers, will you be there for me? Will you be willing to deal the deathblow to Nova, if it should come to that?”

“Not to worry, Twilight Sparkle.” Optimus got up. “I have some experience with fighting persons I once looked up to.”

“Oh, and one more thing.” Twilight Sparkle said. “Nova Prime has the Star Saber. Do you know of it?”

“I am familiar with it.” Optimus said. “I am well aware of what it can do.”

“I don’t think he’ll have any hesitation to try and use it on us.”

“While I did not put it into place for this purpose, I have a plan for that.” Optimus said. “It should prove sufficient to equalize our odds.”

“Great.” Twilight Sparkle said. “While we’re at it, there’s been something I’ve been meaning to have you do.”

“Oh?” Optimus was curious. Twilight led him to the weapons rack in Fortress Maximus which housed the various Beast Hunter weapons, of which there were but two left - a set of armor and a pair of blasters.

“Pick one.” Twilight said, gesturing to the wall.

“This is resourceful of you, Twilight Sparkle.” Optimus said. “But I do not need them. While they may help against Nova, I have no use for these upgrades.”

“Optimus, pick one.” Twilight insisted, growling, using her magic to lift the various items off the wall and in front of Optimus’ face. When Optimus continued to refuse, she began to tap him on the head to press the issue.

“As you wish.” Optimus said, grabbing the pair of blasters. Twilight, satisfied, put the remaining pieces back on the wall. Optimus placed the blasters on his hips, declining to activate the upgrade right at this very moment.

Twilight grunted in frustration as Optimus’ continued refusal to upgrade, and in turn, repair himself, but she sighed and hung her head, accepting at least for now, this was as good as she was going to get from him. She walked off, giving him a glare of disapproval over her shoulder.

() x 13

Nova paced on the ring of the Omega Lock, his hands behind his back in contemplation, his wings bristling with impatience.

“Why hasn’t Steeljaw reported back in yet?” Nova asked. He stopped and looked down, staring into the Omega Lock’s pool. “I wonder if I fired now, if I perhaps could get a lucky shot in …

() x ⅓

On Earth, the Americon came to, groaning and pushing himself.

Smokescreen and the Autobot looked up at the sky.

“Why have the Space Bridges stopped? Why are the Space Bridges stopped?”

“Because.” One of the two scientists answered, coming out of the building with his arms crossed. “My college and I decided we don’t answer to you.”

“You idiots.” Smokescreen growled. “Do you realize what’s at stake? Your planet is at risk. The damage that could be done ...”

“They’ll be the judge of that, thank you very much.” The Americon turned both his arms into blasters and aimed at Smokescreen and his former comrade.

Smokescreen did not take him seriously as a threat. “You can’t take us. There’s two of us and only one of you.”

“I am a trained ex-Decepticon warrior. I’m pretty sure I can take on two Autobots.” The Americon said.

Smokesceen gasped and drew back, which his Autobot friend, the scientists, and even the Americon thought was a pretty overdramatic reaction to the Americons threat, until they looked up to see a blue beam come down from the sky and hit a tree, turning it into a metallic replica of a tree and converting the ground around into solid steel, as if a piece of Cybertron’s landscape had been taken out and plugged into Earth’s surface.

“It’s beautiful … and horrifying.” The Autobot said.  “It looks just like Cybertron.”

“Uh ... “ The scientists were at a loss for words, until Smokescreen glared at him. They hurried back inside. “Let us get started back up on those Space Bridges for you, boss!”

“Now that’s what I like to hear.” Smokescreen said.

“Hey.” The Americon tapped Smokescreen on the shoulder. “Why don’t you go on ahead and back to your friends? My partner and I will take care of this and make sure those Bridges keep going. Now that I’ve seen what’s at stake …” The Americon stared off into the distance at the Cyber-tree.

“You sure you don’t want to kick back, relax, and just let Nova take over the whole planet and turn it into a second Cybertron?” Smokescreen asked, dripping with sarcasm.

“No way.” The Americon said. “I’ve seen what conquest and subjagation does to a planet. It didn’t work out for anybody when the Decepticons tried it before. Why would it work now?”

Smokescreen nodded approvingly. “Yeah, okay. I’m trusting you two with this.” The two saluted, and Smokescreen ran out. “Smokescreen to Fortress Maximus. One to Bridge aboard.”

As Smokescreen left through a Space Bridge, the Americon developed questions.

“Wait, he said ‘Nova’, didn’t he? You don’t think he meant Nova Prime?”

“Eh. So what if he did? It’s his problem now, not ours. Well, except for those beams. Those are our problem.”

() x 14

A Royal Guard ran up to Shining Armor in the Crystal Castle throne room. “Shining Armor, sir! We’re receiving reports of an unauthorized Space Bridge in the bottom floor!”

“What?” Shining Armor asked, breaking away from cuddling with Cadence. The Guard blushed. “Well, don’t just stand there, do something about it!”

Shining Armor and a contingent of Guards went down to where the Space Bridge was, their weapons and horns raised. Twilight and Optimus Prime stepped out of the Bridge.

“Optimus Prime?” Shining Armor asked. “Aren’t you dead?”

“Inside, most certainly, but my body remains entirely functional.” Optimus answered.

“I’m confused.” A Guard whispered. “Was that a yes or a no?”

Shining Armor, annoyed, waved him away. “You do realize this means I have to arrest you?”

“An interesting question concerning law and order coming from you, Star Seeker.” Optimus said.

Shining Armor’s cheeks turned pale. “Oh … you … know about that?” He sighed. “Lower your weapons!”

“Sir?”

“I’m … suddenly not in a fighting mood.”  Shining hung his head, and the Guards, though confused, lowered their spears.

“So, Optimus,” Twilight asked, “where is this plan of yours?”

“In here.” Optimus led Twilight to the room where the Pandora’s Box was hanging. The Box shifted shape, and Optimus pressed his hand to it.

“Prime fingerprint acknowledged, Unlocking.”

The Box began to open, folding out before folding it on itself until it reduced itself to a thin, flat pieces of metal stuck together, revealing the Forge of Solus Prime from within, which Optimus took into his hands.

“The Forge of Solus Prime.” Optimus mused, holding the Forge up. “During my self-imposed exile, I used it to craft this container which would continue to change shape to defy any attempts at unlocking it, programming it to respond only to the hand of a Prime in order to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.” Optimus placed the shaft of the hammer on the floor. “The Forge created the Star Saber. It should provide us the edge we need in combat in order to meet Nova’s Star Saber.”

“You hid the Forge of Solus Prime inside my house!?” Shining Armor bellowed.

“Shining Armor, we have more pressing matters to be dealing with right now.” Twilight said. “Like a Cybertronian fanatic in control of a superweapon.”

“Okay, but …”

“And one more thing, Shining …” Twilight said as she and Optimus headed back through the Bridge. “You should go to talk to Celestia. She’s changed her mind on a few things, and i imagine she’ll change yours as well.”

Shining Armor was left puzzled as Twilight and Optimus left.

() x 15

Galloway was busy on his desk, drawing up the work orders to buy the materials needed to build Mearing’s device.

Attinger came into his office, hesitant and quiet. He paused before speaking. “Sir? We’ve detected that something that we think you ought to see.”

“What is it? Can it wait?”

Attinger shook his head. “No, sir, it cannot, and I really think you should come see for yourself.”

“Fine.” Galloway groaned, tossing his pen aside and pushing his chair out. He accompanied Attinger out to the front porch of the White House, where a floating holosphere projected hovered down to them.

The sphere displayed the projection it was programmed with - a view of the Imperial Leader’s, the War Princess’s helmet.

“To President Galloway and all of his cronies, minions, and anyone else whom it may concern.” The War Princess began her statement in her modulated voice. “Filed inside this projector is a list of demands for the fair treatment of Equestrians and Cybertronians on Earth, and the removal of the restrictions placed on us by Galloway’s alleged ‘Alien Cooperation’ bills. If these demands are not met in twenty-four hours’ time, we will march on DC. We will march on Washington, and we will march on and take the White House. You have been warned.”

The sphere changed into a projection of words, spelling out the Imperials’ demands in plain text as clear as day.

Galloway scoffed. “Those Imperials are really full of it now, aren’t they? Invade Washington? The capital of the United States? Not possible. The entire area was built from the ground up to be as invasion-proof as possible.”

Attinger bit his tongue. Full of it, hmm? Now there’s the pot calling the kettle black. He pushed his sarcasm aside to focus on the more pressing issue. “I don’t know, sir … I’m not so sure. These Imperials have proven themselves time and time again to be resourceful … and determined.”

Galloway flicked his hand. “It’s utter nonsense, Attinger. Put it out of your mind … and put those Imperials out of commission. I want double your men working on finding them and taking them out.”

“Yes, sir.” Attinger said, Galloway not noticing his strained tone.  After Galloway left, Attinger whipped out his phone and called.

“Hello? It’s Attinger. Cut all resources and manpower allocated to investigating and finding the Imperials in half. You heard me right, in half. Do I need to spell it out for you? Do it.” Attinger hung up.

() x 15

Inside Fortress Maximus, Twilight let out a sigh and congratulated herself. “Whew. Well, that’s done. Now we just need to stop Nova and liberate Cybertron from Galvatron before the time limit is up. Is everyone clear on the plan?”

They were affirming nods from all around.

“Go to Cybertron, stop Nova Prime and the Omega Lock, and liberate Cybertron from Galvatron, in less than twenty fours before going and taking out Galloway’s forces, all in one fell swoop on a non-stop momentum train.” Bumblebee clapped his hands to represent them crushing their enemies. “Is that about right?”

“You got it.” Twilight told him, grinning. “Autobots … let’s rooooll out!”

Optimus raised his brow. It felt odd to hear someone besides himself give that command.

() x 16

Assembling together all of their fighting forces, from the littlest Pony to the last Predacon, Twilight had Fortress Maximus used his Space Bridge to transport them to a desolate, abandoned part of Cybertron where they could arrive and sneak in unnoticed, infiltrating the place while it was under Galvatron’s control before his servants could spot them and realize what they planned to.

Arriving at the bottom of a tower at a far-off region by an abandoned spaceship port, the Imperials made their way up the tower, intending to cross the bridge connecting it to another tower and use the tower from there to reach the more populated areas of the local cities.

On their way up, they passed by a ruined wreck of a hall, the holes in which allowed them to view outside. At this wrecked hall, Trixie stopped on the ramp leading up, seeing something which caught her eye. Spying with her little eye, out in the distance was a massive Autobot, one the size of Fortress Maximus, with faded white and black metal making up his frame, a pair of annate on the sides of his head.

“Trixie?” Ultra Magnus asked. “What are you stopping for?”

“Who or what is that?” Trixie asked, pointing to the deactivated colossus.

“That? That’s Metroplex.” Ultra Magnus answered. “He was dormant on Cybertron a long, long time ago. He came from a race of Cybertronian giants who had faded away from Cybertron long before I was born. In our darkest hour, when the Autobots were at one of weakest, desperately trying to escape our dying planet aboard the Ark while the Decepticons continued to pound at us with everything they had … Optimus reactivated him. Optimus revitalized him, and for awhile, as long as he was with us, we had almost nothing to worry about from the Decepticons. We could almost live without fear. But … the Energon we used to power up him was also the Energon we had meant to power the Ark with, and we didn’t have the reserves to power both.”

Ultra Magnus took in a deep breath.

“So, Metroplex made a choice. He made a hard choice for us, so none of us had to. He gave up his fuel to repower the Ark so we could escape Cybertron. He made that sacrifice for us, and he went back to being dormant. Who knows what might happened to us, to Cybertron, to the universe if he hadn’t done that for us? We might all be dead. We might all be living in the Decepticons’ universe.”

Trixie cupped her chin. “You said he was dormant?”

“Yeah?”

“Then … couldn’t we resurrect him?” Trixie asked. “Like, with just a shred of Dark Energon, we could make him live again?”

“What? No.” Ultra Magnus said. “That’s a terrible idea … that’s a terrible idea! Dark Energon and older Cybertronian lifeforms don’t mix. Besides, don’t you think if we had the means to, we would have revived him by now ourselves? Even with the Changeling Batteries pumping out artificial Energon, we don’t have the ability to revive him. There’s not enough to go around, and the artificial stuff would be too impure to power a behemoth like him.”

Ultra Magnus turned aside. “We need to move. Forget about him, Trixie. And forget your idea of using Dark Energon. Maybe, when this is all over, and the dust has settled and everything is clear, we can come back to him and fix him up … but for now, there’s nothing we can for him.”

Ultra Magnus went up the ramp, rejoining the bulk of the Imperial forces.

“Hmm.” Trixie’s gaze lingered on Metroplex. She paused before joining back up with the marching army.

() x 17

() x 17

“Hmm.” Nova Prime scratched his chin. “You know, it’s just occurred to me that we have this aimed at Earth and can’t seem to cyberform it. I had planned on starting with Earth, but one must always be flexible. Perhaps we’ll have better luck with Equestria. Adjust the Omega Lock to point at Equestria and prepare to fire.”

“Belay that order!”

“What?” Nova asked. He graced himself as a rainbow’s worth of selection lasers, bullets, and magic spells rained down on him, his men and the platform, pelleting him and poking holes in his chest.

Nova looked up and saw the Imperials flying towards them, each of them armed and ready for a good fight.

“Secure the Omega Lock and take out Nova’s men!” Twilight ordered. “Optimus and I will handle Nova Prime.”

“Are you ready for this, Optimus?” Twilight asked.

“I am.”

“Good. Remember what we planned.”

The Imperial soldiers nodded before breaking ranks, splitting off into groups, all of them landing on different parts of the Omega Lock, where they had no trouble ripping through Nova Prime’s men. In particular, it should be no surprise the Technoist Vehicons stood no chance against Predaking and his team.

Nova watched with an odd sort of impassive, yet angry expression. Optimus and Twilight landed to the side of him.

“So, Optimus Prime.” Nova said. “You live yet. The prodigal son returns.” Nova turned to Optimus. “I would attempt to try and reason with you, but I assume Twilight has already told about my policies and where we differ and come into conflict.”

Optimus nodded. “Yes.” Optimus readied the Forge of Solus Prime.

“It doesn’t have to be this way.” Nova said. “We could work together.”

“Are you sworn to your hatred? Are you sworn to be an enemy to all organic races?”

“I am.”

“Then I am afraid it does have to be this way, Nova Prime.” Optimus said. “You have my sincerest regrets. Hi-yah!”

Optimus charged at Nova, who unsheathed the Star Saber from his back. Nova blocked the Forge with the blade, both weapons humming with energy, the Star Saber glowing blue and warbling, the Forge producing electric shocks and spinning its gears.

Optimus pulled the Forge off and went in another blow, which Nova had no difficult guarding against. Nova pushed with the Saber and forced the Forge away, making Optimus lose his footing. Twilight Sparkle opened fire, shooting lasers from her horn, but Nova deflected them with the Star Saber, her spell bolts bouncing off the celestial metal.

“Come on, Optimus! Put some backbone into it!” Nova swung the blade overhead, Optimus blocking it with the pole of the hammer. “Are you even trying?” Nova drew the blade back and kicked Optimus in his unguarded stomach, staggering him back. “This genuinely, honestly feels too easy!”

The Star Saber hummed. Nova Prime slashed it across the air, and a massive crescent beam spat forth from the blade, striking Optimus Prime and sending him flying into the air, what little there was around the Lock, at any rate.

“Is there no fight in you left? Do you just want to die?”

“Somewhat.” Optimus answered

“Well, I am more than happy to oblige!”

Nova Prime sprinted towards Optimus and stabbed him through the chest with the Star Saber, Pulling the sword out and shaking Optimus off, Nova Prime responded to Optimus’ attempted, obligated raising of the Forge by clocking him across the face before stabbing Optimus’ chest again, getting the Star Saber soaked in Optimus’ Energon. Nova slugged Optimus again, which was enough to make Optimus collapse to his knees.

“OPTIMUS!” Twilight screamed.

Nova picked Optimus up by the neck. He punched Optimus again before plunging the sword through his chest a third time.

Twilight attempted to intervene, shooting Nova Prime in the back with a strong spell, but Nova did little other than flinch and glare at her.

Nova lifted the sword up, Optimus still impaled on it.

“So long, Orion Pax.”

Nova shook the blade out from Optimus and delivered a flying kick into his stomach, causing the Forge of Solus Prime to fly out of his hand, scraping and stirring up sparks as it bounced on the Omega Lock. Optimus was sent orbiting until he began to fall into the Omega Lock pool.

“Optimus!” Twilight shouted. “Remember what we planned! Use your Hunter weapons!”

“Huh … ah.” Optimus groaned, reaching his hand towards the blasters on his hip. Twilight used her magic to help him, grabbing his hand in her telekinetic aura and guiding it towards the blaster, where Optimus flicked the switch. Cables flew out of both weapons and began to wrap around Optimus. The cable cocoon had only reached halfway up his body before he fell in the pool. He was submerged.

Twilight threw herself half over the ledge, her bangs hanging over her eyes inside her space helmet.

“Tell me, little pony.” Nova said, walking towards Twilight. “Are you ready to die?”

“Hmm … hmm … hmm ha ha ha ha.” Twilight chuckled.

“You’ve lost your friend. You are about to die. Why are you laughing?” Nova demand. “Is is merely a mad suicide cackle of welcoming death as you accept the inevitable?”

“Nova …” Twilight pushed herself up over the ledge. “Do you know what happened to the last Decepticon who threatened to kill me while Optimus was around? No? Let me tell you about Scorponok. He threatened to kill me right in front of Optimus’ eye, and he almost would have. You know what happened? Optimus beat him to death, with his bare hands. Optimus has been a little … not himself, lately, a little out of sorts. But he’s compassionate and dedicated to his friends … I’m pretty sure even as listless as he’s been, he can’t ignore one of his friends’ lives being in danger.”

“So,” Twilight flashed Nova a cocky grin, “I figure I’ve nothing to worry about.”

Nova dismissed her answer as some feel-good hippie nonsense. He raised the Star Saber up and prepared to strike.

The pool in the Omega Lock let out a ripple. A thud came from inside it, which rocked Nova and Twilight’s feet. Nova paused, looking around to see what it was.

Another ripple went through the pool. And another, and another, until …

“NOOOOOOOOOOVAAAAAA!”

Optimus Prime came soaring out of the pool, his Beast Hunter upgrade complete, unhindered by being dunked in the pool while in the process. His colors had returned, vibrant red, silver and blue on his body. His body was robust-looking, with a massive, bulky chest and stocky, bulky arms and legs which almost made him resemble a gorilla in proportions, spikes lining the underside of his chest windows, blue fire trailing behind a jetpack mounted on his back which had wings in the shape of an x. A fighting spirit was in his blue-again optics, one Twilight recognized and had sorely missed, a fire she hadn’t seen in him since bringing him back from the other dimension.

Optimus flew into Nova, tackling him, wrapping his arms around Nova’s waist and driving him against the wall of the Omega Lock’s pylons.

“No one is allowed to threaten my friends without expecting retribution.” Optimus informed Nova while they grabbed, Optimus struggling to keep Nova pinned against the wall.

“Oh, please.” Nova booted Optimus off. “You’re worse than Dropshot.”

“Dropshot? What did Dropshot do?”

“Dropshot thought we could make tools out of the organics, use them to do our bidding, as partners, even …” Nova said with contempt. “Naturally, I couldn’t tolerate that amongst my ranks, so I stomped him. I crushed him to death beneath my heel, quite literally.”

Optimus narrowed his eyes.

“Tell me, Optimus, does that upset you? Does that anger you?”

Optimus gave Nova his response by slamming both his fists into the sides of Nova’s head, breaking Nova’s cheek-vents and shattering his faceplate.

“Yes. Yes, it does.” Optimus reared his fist and jabbed Nova in the head. “What happened to you, Nova? How did you fall so far?”

Optimus grabbed Nova by the waist and lifted Nova about his head, tossing him to the ground.

“You were my hero! My role model!” Optimus raged as he pummeled Nova in the head. “You were everything I wanted to be! Some of the most important things about leadership, I learned from your example! From your biographies! Your history!”

Optimus struck Nova hard enough to send Nova flying and bouncing along the Omega Lock.

“You were an inspiration to us all!”

Optimus reached behind him and produced a chaingun with mounted under his arm. Aiming it at Nova, he fired, pumping Nova full of bullets. Nova staggered back, digging his heels into the ground as the bullets pounded into him.

Optimus still had a more conventional arm-blaster though, his hand retracting and being replaced by a crown-shaped barrel, which he fired plasma fireballs from into Nova, before capping it all off by pulling out his Beast Hunter weapons, drawing up the two winged blasters and firing them both at Nova, striking him with projectiles which combined, delivered more force than an earthquake into Nova’s body, causing his entire frame to crack and shatter as much as it could while still remaining in one piece.

Optimus flew him to Nova and delivered a flying kick into him, knocking Nova back and causing him to lose his grip on the Star Saber, which floated out of his hand and lost its magical glow.

“I will take that.”

Nova reached for the Saber, but Optimus grabbed the Star Saber’s handle first, restoring the glow.

Optimus swung the blade, producing another crescent beam, even larger than the one Nova had produced before. The beam tore through Nova, severing him in half at the waist, his legs falling down while his torso flew up, both of which drifted off into the vastness of space, the light flickering out of Nova’s eyes.

Optimus watched the corpse of his former hero grow small, shrinking as it faded into the distance, to be lost endlessly floating in space … an unjust form of burial, but Nova deserved no less.

The Autobots, having defeated Nova’s forces and retaken control of the Omega Lock, gathered around Optimus to celebrate their victory.

“Whoo!” Crosshairs cheered.

“Alright, Optimus!” Bulkhead pumped his fists. Arcee clapped.

“How do you feel?” Twilight asked.

Optimus looked at Twilight. He looked around, surveying all of his friends,  his soldiers, some old and familiar, some new and not, but of all whom were here for him, for Twilight, to follow their leads and do as they asked.

“Honestly, Twilight Sparkle … I feel much better now. I feel more like myself than I have felt in some time. I feel like myself again.”

“So, what do we do now?” Crosshairs asked.

“Now we go down to the planet’s surface.” Optimus said, pointing at Cybertron in the distance. “There, we will attempt to reunify our fractured people. Together, we will make them see reason and reject the tenets and teachings of Technoists, and welcome all other forms life, organic or not, Cybertronian or not, into our home, and accept their help in rebuilding our planet, and in turn, offer them our help in whatever we may assist them.”

“Uh-huh.” Crosshairs said. “And what about the diehards? You know there’s going to be some of them who cling on to their hatred and prejudice through thick and thin, and hold to Technoism’s teachings to the very end.”

“Then,” Optimus walked over and reclaimed the Forge, holding it in one hand and the Star Saber in the other, “to paraphrase a piece of human writing, ahem, ‘we will bash their slagging heads in.’”

“Now you’re talkin’ my language.” Crosshairs said, pointing one of his guns up.

() X 18

“Dear Autobots, Decepticons, Insecticons, Predacons … to all Cybertronians …” Optimus Prime began his speech with these words, which were then broadcast to every compatible receiver on Cybertron thanks to a little tinkering and magic from Twilight Sparkle.

“Cybertronians, humans, ponies, lend me your ears.” Optimus continued on.

Inside the throne room of Shockwave’s former Tower, Galvatron stood up.

“There is a threat that has been threatening to consume our planet. It is not the Equestrians, it is not the terrans. It is Technoism. The proponents of Technoism would have you believe that we are growing weaker, that allying ourselves with other species has made us grow weak, and it will continue to make us grow weaker and weaker. I am Optimus Prime, and I am here, now, to tell you nothing could be further from the truth.”

“We do not grow weaker when we open ourselves to others. We grow stronger. Being welcoming to others makes our own kind stronger. We grow weaker when we isolate ourselves and reject those not like us … reject those who are as they are, not as we want them to be. If we cannot come together, we cannot be strong. If we do not allow ourselves to learn from others … how can we learn anything? Consider the principle of herd immunity; we cannot acquire the cures to diseases if we do not exchange knowledge, and allow potential immune in to draw our vaccines from. Those who preach the virtues of Technoism say it is about celebrating ourselves and engaging in Cybertronian pride … but there is no reason we cannot engage in Cybertronian pride while still sharing in the pride of others and being viceful ... is no virtue.”

“So I urge you, I beg you, I beseech you, my brothers and sisters. Rish up, and push back against the tide of Technoism that threatens to overwhelm us all and have us isolated from the rest of the universe. It is a bright, beautiful, warm and welcoming universe out there, and the Technoists would have us leave it, and be cold and dark and ugly and miserable all be ourselves if they had their way. So once again, I ask you, people of Cybertron and all others who can hear me to whom it may concern … rise up and take action against these spreaders of hate and lies, against the Technoists ideals which threaten to take over our planet if we let them. Rise up!”

Optimus turned to Twilight Sparkle, putting the microphone away from his mouth. “Would you mind I stole your phrase, Twilight Sparkle?”

“Not at all. Go right ahead.”

Optimus pulled the mic back.

“AUTOBOTS! TRANSFORM AND RISE UP!”

() x 19

Galvatron ran to the windows of the Tower and converted into vehicle mode, flying out the window, smashing through it and shattering the glass on his way out.

“Where is that broadcast coming from? Where is that signal?”

Galvatron intended to find the source of the signal and snuff it out before its message caught on and spread, but it was already too late. All across Cybertron, Autobots, former Decepticons, civilians, neutrals, were beginning to come together and turn on any sign of Technoism, of prejudice, of xenophobia they could find. Signs were smashed, billboards painted over, and sympathizers taken prison. Riots were breaking out. Some resorted to more orderly protests, such as going to bars and ordering sodas which had been imported for organic consumption prior to Galvatron’s attempts to have it banned. Others remained hostile, throwing cans and other garbage at what they saw of Galvatron’s known enforcers.

() x 20

At the pavillion where Shockwave had made his annocement regarding Predacons, OPtimus, Twilight and the others stood on the stage, a crowd forming around them.

OPtimus worked the crowd, pumping them up and getting them excited.

“WHAT WE DO WANT?” Optimus asked.

“EQUALITY!” The crowd cheered. “FAIRNESS! FREEDOM”

“We want to be free to read human and pony literature to our Sparks’ content!”

“We want to be free to exchange ideas about philosophy and the Cybertronian condition with like-minded non-Cybertronian peers!”

“To exchange ideas and theories about science and medicine!”

“We want to consume human and pony food and drink! Or … try to, anyway.”

“We want to be free to watch those amusing human television shows! … What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“WHEN DO WE WANT IT?”

“NOW!”

“People, people! Don’t be fooled! Don’t be hoodwinked!” Lazerback insisted, climbing onto the stage. “You gather around here under the banner of OPtimus Prime, but I’m here to tell you, don’t be deceived! Regardless of how noble it is, your message is at its very core, impure, when you take it from an imposter, because I’m here to tell you …”

Lazerback pointed a finger.

“That is not Optimus Prime!”

“What?” The crowd asked.

“How do you know?” An indivial in  the crowd asked.

“Simple.” Lazerback said. “Optimus Prime is dead. I saw it myself. That is an automaton, a puppet, an animatronic designed in the likeness of Optimus Prime … by Twilight Sparkle, to push her own agendas through Optimus’ mouthplate! We all know Twilight Sparkle is a mechanical prodigy, with a knack for Cybertronian systems. Is putting her talents to use creating duplicate so far-fetched?”

“An interesting theory … but an invalid one.” Optimus Prime marched up to Lazerback. “Could a puppet speak freely? Could a puppet have emotions? Could a puppet contain memories of past experiences and encounters?”

Lazerback began to shiver, fear creeping into his circuits.

“Lazerback. I remember you, Lazerback. You did something far worse than anything anyone has ever done to me in my millions of years of warfare. You made me cry, and for that, I can never forgive you.”

Optimus stood tall over Lazerback, leaning down above him.

“Look into my eyes, Lazerback, and see the undying hatred and resentment I have for you what you did, and tell me … if a puppet could hold that kind of resentment and experience that kind of feeling?”

“Uh, yes, well …” Lazerback stammered. He gave a nervous grin. “I … just remembered I have somewhere to be, a ... doctor’s appointment, so, if you don’t mind, I’ll take my leave now.”

Lazerback attempted to exit the scene.

“GET BACK HERE!” Optimus roared at him, grabbing him by the wrist. Lazerback continued to flee, his shoulder shearing up at the socket. Eventually, it wore and tore away, his arm popping out, revealing the circuitry underneath, sparks flying from Lazerback’s shoulder as he made his getaway.

Optimus held Lazerback’s detached arm. He waved it around before laying it across his arms, appreciating his prize. “It will do … for now, I think..”

() x 21

While the riots against Galvatron and the Technoists went on around her, Trixie returned to Metroplex, walking up to the bottom of his colossal foot and marvelling at him.

“Hey.”

Trixie turned her head to see Starlight Glimmer walking up to her.

“Trixie does not always remember the names of all of Twilight’s friends. Who are you again?”

“Starlight Glimmer.” Starlight answered. “Do you mind?” Starlight sat beside Trixie. “Magnificent, isn’t he?”

“Yes.” Trixie said, happy to have somepony to share in her marvelling. “Trixie hadn’t realized an Autobot could be this way. This … hauntingly beautiful. The way he’s posed, the sheer scale and scope of him … why, his size alone must have taken the dedication of a work of art!”

“I heard about your idea.” Starlight said. “The one about using Dark Energon to revive him.”

“Oh? And?”

“I agree with you.” Starlight said. “I think it’s a good idea. If we can repair him, if we can rebuild him, then … why shouldn’t we?”

“Use Dark Energon to resurrect Metroplex?”

Trixie and Starlight Glimmer were alarmed when Galvatron came crashing down behind them.

“I agree, that is a good idea.” Galvatron said with a smirk. He grabed Trixie and picked her up.

“Trixie!”

“I may not be able to prevent these backlash riots, but I can still have the pleasure of wiping out the Imperials.”

Galvatron deployed the blade of his death-lock pincer. He stabbed it straight Trixie’s guts and out her back, coating his blade in her Dark Energon-tainted blood. He pulled the blade out and opened up his chest, a panel rotating 180 degrees before his chest split into four pieces which lifted up in a plus-sign configuration.

Galvatron touched the tip of the blade to his visible Spark, turning it purple. He closed his chest and walked towards Metroplex, still holding a tight, firm grip on Trixie.

Starlight prepared a spell and hurled the biggest, mightiest lightning bolt she could muster against Galvatron’s chest. It did little more than bother him and make him stumble, as he rubbed the scorch mark off and continued on his way.

Making his way inside Metroplex, Galvatron arrived at the inside of the titan’s core. Galvatron opened up a valve and held Trixie over it, slashing her again and causing her tainted blood to come pouring out, spilling and splashing into the core.

The Dark Energon took effect immediately. The core lit up with a purple light, which then spread through the interior of the room, the floor, the ceiling, the walls, all of it. The sickly purple glow continued to spread, Dark Energon coursing through all of the titan’s body.

From the outside, Starlight could do naught but watch in horror as Dark Energon crystal began to form on Metroplex’s body, popping out from his armor, the sounds of shattering glass being heard as the clusters forced their way out. The round core in Metroplex’s chest was filled up with a luminous purple light so bright it might have seemed pure, if not for corrupted source.

Crystals formed around Metroplex’s antenna, wrapping around and encasing them in a crystalline casing, turning them from neat straight antenna into a pair of jagged, curved spiky horns.

Metroplex’s visor began to fill up with the Dark Energon’s light, bars flashing across his visor like a battery gauge.

At last, the long-dormant titan spoke, letting out the first words he had spoken in his deep voice in centuries.

“M-me-me-tro-me-me-metro-pl-pl-plex … onliiiiiiiiiineeeee.”

Chapter 20: Operation: Peace With Honor

Twilight let out a groan, shaking her head to clear her vision. They had arrived at the Dead Universe, and it was most certainly dead. She could feel death and decay emanating from the ground, if a loose collection of rocks and displaced turfs could be considered ‘ground.’ It felt as though cockroaches were crawling around her hooves, refusing to bite into her while she still drew breath, but the second they sensed she was expired …  Ill and murderous intent seemed to ride on the wind, and above, what passed for a sky was a swirling, contrasting masses of star-lit skies, like someone had taken a patch of skyline for each hour of the night, and then tried to splice them together into one.

“Ugh …” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “Can we hurry up and finish this mission? This place smells awful. Like Miko after a concert.”

“Really?” Fluttershy asked. “I don’t smell anything … but I hear this awful singing, like - like a Cybertronian bird wheezing as it dies. I’m sorry, I realize I may be overly flowery … ”

“The Dead Universe is attempting to buffet our senses and lead us astray.” Optimus took a step forward, his fist clenched so he could strike first against whatever they might encounter. “We must remain on task and keep our focus. Remaining together will of be of highest priority, lest the Dead Universe’s tricks begin to have an adverse effect on us.”

“Ugh.” Dash rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to make it so wordy, Optimus. Just say “we have to stick together or the Universe will trick us’. Is that so hard?”

“I concede your point, Rainbow Dash. However, there are more important things than speech lessons on my mind right now.” Optimus pointed his finger. “Autobots, roll out!”

The Autobots marched forward. Despite the efforts of the Dead Universe to lead them astray, they had surprisingly little trouble for the first few yards of their journey.

“Yo, Arcee!”

“Huh?” Arcee turned to the sound of her name. Standing in the distance on a cliff was … Cliffjumper, her former, deceased partner.

“Long time no see, Arcee!” Cliffjumper said. “What’s happening?”

“Cliffjumper!”

Arcee rushed over to greet him, but Optimus grabbed her by the shoulder and held her back.

“Arcee, no! It’s a trick!”

Arcee looked up at Optimus. She looked back at Cliffjumper, forming a scowl. “Right, right …”

Arcee drew up her Echohawk and pulled the string, firing an arrow at the Cliffjumper phantom. The arrow tore straight through him, and the illusion disappeared in a puff of pink smoke.

They continued on their way, interrupted by a slight buzzing noise.

“Anyone else hear that?” Bulkhead asked. “Oh, I hope it’s not Scraplets.”

“Who knows?” Dash said. “It might be something even worse than Scraplets.”

“Rainbow Dash, if you’re trying to scare me, I will smash you here and now-”

“Quiet!” Optimus held his hand out.

“There is definitely something here …” Twilight observed, flicking her eyes back and forth to scan for danger.

All around, cloud of dust were kicked as things burst from the ground, tapering monsters with the shape of shrimp, but none of the friendliness, with multiple eyes and thousands of hooks lining their underbellies.

“What are those?” Twilight asked while blasting one with her magic.

“Cyberwraiths!” Optimus pulled out his chaingun.

“I thought Cyberwraiths were a myth?” Arcee exclaimed, opening fire.

“They’ll try to burrow through our armor and drink our Energon.” Optimus said.

Dash waved her hoof in front of her. “What if we don’t have Energon for them to drink?”

“I would just as soon not find out.” Optimus pulled the hammer back on his chaingun and opened fire, the sound of bullets flying from the chamber echoing in the empty Universe. The Cyberwraiths were quickly punched full of holes from combined Autobot fire and pony magic. Yet, just as they seemed to be reducing down to a less threatening number, another native beast joined the battle. Largely Cybertronian in appearance, its head was caved in, with multiple Sparks spilling out of its bowels, hooks on prehensile chains whipping from its back.

“A Sparkeater!” Arcee exclaimed. “Another myth. Seems like it’s going to be a theme?”

“I’m gonna guess with a name like that, and those giants hooks hanging off him, he’s probably here to make us some Energon parfaits?” Dash quipped.

The team continued to fire at the Cyberwraiths, the Sparkeater growling, leaping everywhere to avoid being hit. As soon as it saw an opening, it dashed towards Optimus, who grappled with it, grabbing it by the shoulders. The Sparkeater hissed and spat into Optimus’ face, raising up the hooks on its back to strike.

Twilight flew up and fired, blasting the Sparkeater in the head, giving Optimus a chance to counter, slamming his fist into its smoking cranium before grabbing it by the head and tossing it in front of him. With some distance between them, Optimus opened fire and shot at the Sparkeater until it fell to pieces.

“Let’s hope that’s the last of them …” Bumblebee muttered.

“Let’s.”  Optimus said before leading the group onward.

While occasionally, having to take a few potshots at the occasional loose Cyberwraith, the team eventually managed to find their way to Nova Prime’s seat of power. Literally, as Nova was resting on a throne made of obsidian, which was stacked on top of a cliffside with stairs carved into them.

Nova laid stretched across the throne with his head in his hand, looking quite bored. His eyes glanced towards Optimus’ team as they approached.

“Ah.” Nova adopted a more normal sitting posture. “So you’ve arrived.”

“Indeed we have, Nova.” Optimus and the others readied their weapons.

“Unfortunately for you, this is far as you go.”

Nova Prime stood up from his throne and held his hand out. He tensed his fingers and made a grand sweeping gesture through the air.

Heavy winds blew at the team, winds forceful enough to send the ponies flying off the ground. Optimus and the other Autobots had to hunker down to keep from being blown away, and reached out to grab their pony companions before they got too far. The wind picked up, blasting at them with even more intensity, kicking up a hail of dust and rocks until a verifiable sandstorm was blowing them away.

They covered their eyes. The sandstorm eventually died down, fading away, And when it had cleared completely, Optimus, Twilight and the others looked around to see they had somehow ended up back on Cybertron, in the exact place they were before going through the portal to the Dead Universe.

“Ah … hmm.” Primus said, observing their return. “This presents  … a conundrum. We will need a new strategy.” Primus rubbed his chin.

“Strategy?” Rainbow Dash flew up to Primus, forgetting he was a god for a moment. “Nova just sent us flying back out of his Universe, and you want to talk strategy.”

Primus glared at her before responding. With a childish glee to him, he poked Dash in her soft round belly, causing Dash to turn away. “Yes. That is exactly what I want, Rainbow Dash, and that is exactly what will help us in this predicament.”

"Hmph."

“Hmph. Aren’t you, like, a Cybertronian god or something? Why can’t you just go in there and blast Nova?” Dash asked.

“Nova Prime is enhanced in the Dead Universe. He has been in there, festering like an infection, for some time. His power has grown to such a point that while inside, even I cannot vanquish him.”

Prims gave Rainbow Dash and the others a pointed glare.

Not unaided, at least. And if left unchecked, he will only grow stronger and get worse. Now, I have an idea, if Twilight Sparkle is willing, for something that may help us in our quest. Twilight Sparkle, if you wouldn’t mind getting the box you received from the Tree of Harmony?”

“Sure … but how did you know about that?”

“I’m a god! … And also, I was in your dreams, remember?”

“Right …”

() x 1

Cutting off here; What needs to happen ; 1) Ponies gather keys from their friends and unlock boxes and 2) Ratchet needs to be brought here, considering changing Chapter 19 (or was it 18?) so that he arrives with Americons at Steeljaw’s valley, one of whom turns on the other when they realize Galloway lied about Optimus’ death, and Ratchet is able to join the group from there.

() x 2

“Alright, ponies,” Primus said, “if you would put your keys in the box?”

“Mm-hmm!” The girls gave a collective nod. They inserted each of their respective keys into the box and turned them, unlocking the locks and making a click sound from within.

The box lit up, white light streaming from its keyholes. It absorbed the keys, taking them inside. The light grew, and the box split up six different ways, one for each of its facets, casting out a bright light which enveloped Twilight Sparkle and all her friends. They shielded their eyes, and when the flash had cleared, they were all decorated. Patterns appropriate to their wants and interests were marked all over their hooves and bodies, and their hairs and tails were given vibrant, loud multiple hues of color, stylized and poofed up like an 80’s hair band.

“As far as upgrades go, it’s not the most … visually appealing.” Twilight commented, running her starpinted hoof through her ridiculous hair. “But I feel power coursing through me unlike almost anything I’ve felt before. It feels so … bright. It’s magic. It’s friendship!”

“Indeed.” Primus said. “But now that you are gifted with this … “Rainbow Power,” as we shall call it, there is no one to wield the Elements of Harmony.” Primus held his hand out and levitated the Elements off the ponies’ persons and into the air. “No one, that is …”

Primus gestured to the Beast Hunters.

“Except these six Autobots.”

Ratchet’s jaw dropped. “You have got to be kidding me. Us? Surely we’re not ...” Ratchet gestured to his chest. “Compatible with the Elements?”

“I do not kid, Ratchet. That’s a lie, sometimes I do. But not on this. You’ll never know until you try. Come forth, Autobots, lay claim to your greatest virtues, and seize your destiny.”

“We’ll do it.” Optimus said, overriding Ratchet and stepping forward.

“Fine.” Ratchet said. “But don’t expect me to like it!”

Fluttershy giggled. “Oh, Ratchet. Never change.”

The Autobots walked forward.

“Bumblebee,” Primus said. “With your earnestness and pure heartedness, you will make an excellent representative of the Element of Honesty.”

Primus levitated the Element of Honesty to Bumblebee, manipulating to fit around his neck. Bumblebee bowed.

“Arcee, with your devotion to your friends, you will represent Loyalty.”

“Of course.” Arcee said as the Element of Loyalty was wrapped around her neck. “That seems so obvious.”

“Bulkhead, with your, uh … your, uh … … you’ll be presenting Generosity.” Primus placed Element on Bulkhead’s neck.

“Yeaaah, that seems like a bit of a stretch.” Bulkhead commented, picking the Element up to admire it. “This whole idea seems like a bit of a stretch.”

“Moving on,” Primus said quickly, “Ratchet, despite your sour disposition, your medicinal knowledge and desire to heal marks you as the one to represent Kindness.”

“Really?” Rainbow Dash asked. “He’s kind of a grouch.”

Ratchet accepted the Element with a slight sense of awe. “I’m … humbled, Your Majesty.”

“Smokescreen, your youthfulness and lighthearted approach to all things in life makes you ideal to represent Laughter.”

“Yes!” Smokescreen pumped his fist. “Hey, wait, why can’t I be Honesty?”

“And Optimus Prime … with your leadership skills, and your desire for peace between all walks of life … there should be no question that you are fit to bear the Element of Magic.”

Optimus approached Primus and bowed. Primus took the Element of Magic into his hands and laid the crown on Optimus’ head.

“Optimus is wearing a tiara.” An Imperialcon broke into laughter, resting his head on his nearby fellow’s shoulder. “Optimus Prime is wearing a tiara.”

Optimus, however, accepted the bestowing with grace and humility. “I am humbled by your judgment determining me worthy of Equestria’s greatest treasure, and am flattered by your expectation that I will be able to wield properly. I wish I could have as much faith in myself.”

“I know you will wield it well, my disciple.” Primus placed a hand on Optimus’ shoulder to assure him. “Now that that’s done, are we ready to return to the Dead Universe? Nova will not wait forever before he attempts to return to the world of the living.”

“Ready!” The Autobots and ponies saluted.

Primus held his hand out and reopened the portal.

“Permit to learn from the mistake I made before and join you on this mission.” Primus said.

“As will I.” Megatronus stepped forward.

“We’re in.” Micronus said.

Optimus nodded. He led the bolstered force through the portal. With the help of the Primes, it was much easier to return to and reach Nova Prime’s pedestal.

“You again?” Nova asked. “I would have thought you would have learned your lesson after the first time.”

“I would have thought you would have found something more productive to do with your time than sit on your throne and wait for us to come back again.” Optimus retorted.

“Ha! Well played, Optimus. But clever retorts will do you no good here.” Nova stood up.

“Yeah!” Dash pumped her hoof. “Now let’s-”

“No.” Optimus held his hand out in front of her. “Not yet. The time is not. We do not know what tricks Nova could be hiding up his sleeve. Open fire, with regular means!”

Optimus, Twilight, Megatronus, and all the rest of them prepared their weapons and fired at Nova Prime, blasting him with a hail of lasers and energy blasts. Nova Prime held out his hands and returned fire with his shooting star attack, but he was outnumbered and outgunned, the blasts striking him in the shoulders before taking out his head. More and more of his body was stripped away, their fire blowing him up piece by piece and reducing him down to a pair of legs.

“Did that do it?” Twilight asked.

“Did we get him?” Rarity asked.

The answer was a loud no, as black bile and goo spewed out of Nova’s standing legs, rising up and spinning around, spreading and taking shape into the form of Nova’s body, but enhanced, forming his solar-panel wings, only with a night sky set in them instead of orange light, a more ornate head, and bulkier shoulders, arms, and legs, all topped off by a pair of shoulder-mounted cannons which rose up from his back. Nova aimed the shoulder weaponry and fired, unleashing a barrage against the ground in front of Optimus’ team, blasting apart their footing and forcing them to step back.

“Now?” Dash asked.

“Not yet.” Optimus said.

“AGAIN!” Megatronus ordered, and they resumed fire, shooting away until a lucky shot struck Nova and blew off half his torso, including the arm and face, and Nova stumbled.

“Grr … I didn’t want to have to do this, but I see now you leave me with no choice.” The black goop spilled out of Nova, again reforming his body, but he didn’t stop there with simple recovering. Nova began to twitch, and groan. His body shook. He twisted his head. His body began to grow in height and rip in places,  Twisted horns sprouted from the side of his head, his legs became bent and backwards, his boots turning into talons, his hands growing and stretching into claws, wires forming and curling around his waist, a mouth opening on his chest, from which an organic-seeming eye appeared, and another eye formed on the crest of his head, his faceplate developing a pattern of extended teeth along its surfaces, his eyes turning purple and growing a second set of eyes below them.

“Behold the true power of the Dead Universe! You cannot defeat me in this form! You couldn’t in any other form, either, but this is one is doubly-so!”

“Ugh. That is disgusting.” Rainbow Dash. She looked to Optimus. “Now?”

“Now.” Optimus answered.

The Primes stepped back to let Optimus and Twilight do their thing. Marching up to the farthest edge of the ground they had to stand on, Optimus lifted his head up, the Element of Magic glowing faintly.

“Nova Prime!” Optimus exclaimed. “We stand here before you today, united in purpose and in spirit, with all the magics the bonds of friendship have to offer, prepared and ready to defeat you, once and for all, for the good of all of us. For Equestria. For Earth. For Cybertron, and every planet in between, and every planet and people that we will discover after!”

The light inside the Element built as Optimus spoke. He and the other Autobots were gradually lifted off the ground, as were Twilight Sparkle and her friends as they channeled their powers.

“It’s been a long, hard, winding road to get here.” Twilight Sparkle said. “But we’re here now, because we stuck with each other through thick and thin, through every loss and every setback, we stayed together, and we stood united. Sure, it wasn’t always easy, but nothing in life ever is, and that’s what you do when you have somepony you consider a true friend! You stay by their side, no matter what, despite whatever differences you might have! Overcoming differences … that’s something you never seemed to understand, Nova.”

“Oh, please. Don’t make me laugh.” Nova said. “Do you honestly expect me to believe that six Autobots could wield Equestrian magic? The greatest Equestrian magic, or so I’m told? And that between the twelve of you, you have the magic and the power to defeat me? Again, don’t make me laugh! I’m barely holding back chuckles right now, it’s so amusing!”

“We don’t care what you believe!” Optimus and Twilight shouted at him.

“You can see it for yourself.” Optimus said.

By now, all twelve of them were fully lifted in the air, and surrounded with magical glows. The Autobots tensed their fists, while the tattoos and prints on the ponies glowed.

“What?” Nova said. “No … it can’t be. That’s not possible. That is not possible. How is this possible!? Autobots should not be able to use Equestrian magic! ”

“Nova Prime … farewell, my predecessors. ” Optimus bid him.

Rays of light shot out not only from the Elements, but from the bodies of Twilight Sparkle and all her friends, joining together rising up into the air and curling together in a double helix pattern, the rainbow from the Elements crossing with the rainbow from the Rainbow Power before merging into one and coming down on Nova.

Nova could only stare and stand in shock at the rainbow speeding towards him.

“It’s … not … possible.”

“AAAAAGH!” The rainbow slammed down on the ground and wrapped around Nova, encasing him in a whirling tornado of prismatic light. Nova Prime screamed out in anguish, his shadowed form visibly suffering from within the rainbow storm, twisting and tensing, going into spasms and reaching out for aid of any kind as the harmonic energies proceeded to tear him apart.

“SHEEEEAAAAAAGH!”

Nova let out one last defiant scream in denial before the rainbow exploded into a blinding show of light. A shower of sparkles of all colors of the rainbow dripped and fell all around the Dead Universe, Nova Prime’s body or any remnant thereof nowhere to be found, save for a floating seven-pointed star-shaped device with handles on it hovering over his throne.

“My wayward son … you’ve lost your way.” Primus said, flying up to the throne and getting on one knee, raising up his hand.  “Allow me to take you home.”

A tiny, tattered version of a Cybertronian Spark appeared, blue in color as it should have been. It floated unsteadily down towards Primus, circling around in spirals before coming to lay and rest on Primus’ hand. Primus took the Spark and placed it inside his chest.

“What was that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Nova’s Spark. Or what little was left of it. He’s been gone and corrupted by this place for so long, I wouldn’t have been surprised if there was nothing left of it.” Primus got up. “It will now, through me, return to the Well of AllSparks, where one day, it will eventually reincarnate and be given birth as a new Cybertronian, unconnected to their past. Hopefully they will lead a better life and go down a better path than the one walked by Nova.”

“But didn’t the Quintessons put him here?” Fluttershy asked.

“They did… but we cannot forgive all his actions simply because was he was locked away in an isolated dimension. He still had some free will, some of his own agency. Being put here wasn’t his decision. Deciding to go on a crusade to eliminate organics from Cybertron, and eventually the universe, was.”

The ground beneath them shook.

“What was that?”

Cracks and fractures appeared.

“It’s the Dead Universe.” Megatronus said. “Its eldritch existence must have become so intertwined with Nova Prime’s that without him it cannot continue. It cannot survive, or endure.”

“The entire place is beginning to fall apart.” Arcee noted, looking at the sky and seeing the various different shades swirl and blend together with no respect for the others’ personal space.

“Everyone back into the portal!” Optimus and Primus ordered.

“We need to get out of here before the entire place collapses!”

“I’ve got no intention of staying behind, but uh, just to clarify, what will happen if we don’t make it?” Rainbow Dash asked as they all headed towards the portal.

“Even I’ve never been inside a collapsing universe before.” Primus said. “I imagine it would be something like the Big Bang in reverse, shrinking down and crushing you.”

“Great. Got it, Let’s hoof it!”

Even with the ground crumbling beneath their feet, asteroids floating by and breaking apart, and occasionally being assaulted by more Dead Universe natives like the Cyberwraiths and more Sparkeaters, the entire assembled force was able to make their way through the portal, those at the back of the group - Fluttershy, Megatronus, and Smokescreen - just barely able to jump in and make it through the portal before the ground fell apart beneath them.

“Fluttershy!” Dash exclaimed, rewarded for her concern by Fluttershy crashing into her and pinning Dash with her metal body.

“I’m here, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy nuzzled Dash’s cheek. “I’m okay.”

“Great. Could you get off? You’re kind of crushing me.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“Well, we all made it through …” Twilight said. “And Nova Prime’s been defeated. So … what … is that?”

Twilight pointed at the hovering star-shaped device floating in front of the Dead Universe’s portal. The one which had floated over Nova’s throne after his final defeat.

“It must have followed us here.” Arcee said. “But … what is it?”

The bizarre device gave off a menacing pulse from the red glowing gem in its center. Acting on its own, it turned towards Optimus. Black tendrils made of the same goo and bile which had been present in Nova shot out and reached towards Optimus, digging into his chest and trying to pry his windows open.

“Arrgh!” Optimus grunted and planted his feet against the ground, resisting the thing’s efforts to try and pull him into itself.

“What is it!?” Twilight shrieked. “What’s happening?”

“What’s it doin’ to Optimus?” Applejack asked.

“It is the Heart of Darkness.”

Everyone was surprised to see Galvatron walk up to them.

“It is the core of the Dead Universe.” Galvatron said. “It merged with Nova Prime, and now without its host, it seeks a new oue. It is an equivalent and opposite to the Matrix of Leadership, and it wishes to pull Optimus into it, merge with its opposite to make itself whole, and make Optimus into its new host.”

“What do we do about it!?” Pinkie shrieked, putting her hooves on the head.

“I have been waiting for this moment.” Galvatron said with a smirk. “Give the Heart of Darkness. I was in the Dead Universe with Nova. I have the experience and the affliction to wield it and bond it to me.”

“You want it? You can take it.” Optimus turned towards Galvatron.

“Optimus?” Twilight asked. “What are you doing? Are you sure that giving the megalomanic the artifact of doom is a good idea?”

“Trust me … Twilight!” Optimus grunted, the Heart’s tendrils plunging into him.

“Yesss.” Galvatron hissed. He walked up to Optimus. “Finally, after all these years, I can take my rightful place as the wielder and owner of the Heart, and with it, I will rule everything I survey!”

Galvatron reached out to grab the Heart and take it into his hand. He was puzzled when Optimus’ embraced the Heart with his own hand. Optimus shoved the Heart against Galvatron’s chest, and quicker than Galvatron could recover, Optimus grabbed Galvatron by the shoulders and lifted him  up, spinning him around before hurling Galvatron into the Dead Universe’s shrinking portal. For good measure, Optimus prepped his arm-cannon and fired off a shot straight into Galvatron’s chest, shearing off his armor plating as he drifted through the fading Dead Universe, the portal shrinking and closing.

“Don’t you think sending Galvatron back into the Dead Universe with the thing that made it stable in the first place might have been a bad idea?” Twilight asked.

“If he comes back, we will be ready for him.” Optimus said.

“If you’re sure.” Twilight said.

“Do not worry, Twilight Sparkle.” Megatronus said. “We are here now, and we will not let any menace of such a grand and threatening scale come against Cybertron ever again.”

“Okay then! Well, if we’re all done here …” Twilight said, closing her eyes as she dismissed the Rainbow Power. “I’d like to remind everyone that we have an appointment to keep … and an invasion to make.”

() x 2

Galloway walked around in Gould Enterprises, checking in on the progress of Gould’s drone army.

“Hey there, Stinger!” Galloway waved at the red bot.

“Hello, Mister President, sir.” Stinger saluted.

“All rested up and recovered from your mishap with the Imperial base?”

“Yes, sir, sir. Ready, willing, and eager to defend the homeland against all of our enemies. Especially rogue Autobots, and doubly so for rogue Autobots named ‘Bumblebee.’”

“Haha! I’m glad you’re in the spirit of things, Stinger.” Galloway and his guard proceeded to walk away from Stinger and the drones he was sparring against.

“Sir,” Attinger said, “I’m worried you’re not taking the Imperial’s threat to invade D.C seriously.”

“Well, if that’s what it looks like, it’s because I’m not.” Galloway said. “The Imperials … have nothing. D.C is as well-designed against an invasion as an American city can be. Their base is destroyed. Heck, it’s a wonder they were even able to send that transmission in the first place!”

“Sir-”

Galloway patted Attinger’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about, Harold.” Galloway walked with, Attinger feeling a bit miffed.

“Only my friends call me Harold.”

“Rest easy, gents.” Galloway said, turning around a corner. “Be back in a few.”

Galloway entered another room. There, Gould was waiting, and Mearing came out and ran up to embrace him. They smiled as they took each other into their arms, the hug lasting far longer than it needed.

“Did Gould give you everything you need, honey-bear?” Galloway asked.

“Oh, yes, and more!” Mearing said. “He’s assured me that he has the resources to build the machine, and that it will be his top priority.”

“As I told him to do, my sweet.” Galloway said.

“Even if I’m not entirely happy about it …” Gould muttered, holding up the blueprints.

“What was that?” Galloway asked.

“I said, yes sir, Mister President!” Gould said with a smile.

“That’s what I thought.” Galloway said. “Mearing, have I introduced to my agents?”

“No, I don’t think you have.”

“They’re just around the corner. Let’s go meet the men and women who keep me - and this country safe.”

Galloway led Mearing around the corner.

“Gentlemen, I want you to meet Charlotte Mearing. Some of you might know of her already, and you might dislike her, but I want you to treat with the utmost respect. We have … something special.” Galloway smiled, and Mearing giggled.

Attinger was disturbed. “Sir … Charlotte Mearing is dead.”

“What?” Galloway asked. “How?”

Attinger was sullen. “Under … mysterious circumstances.”

“Well, Attinger, I don’t think that adds up, because if Mearing is dead, then who is standing next to me right now? Hmm?” Galloway asked.

Attinger paused to think. His face went wide in surprise. Getting a clue, he whipped out his pistol and shot Mearing point-blank in the chest. Galloway and Gould barely had any time to react, much less to process the fact that the blood spilling out of Mearing’s chest was green. She fell backwards with a hiss, a green fire rising from her feet and traveling up her body, revealing herself to be a Changeling as it landed on its back.

The Changeling hissed and scowled. Attinger stepped besides it, aimed his pistol, and shot it in the head, its blood spilling out onto the tile.

“Of course.” Gould said. “You know I just had this floor polished?”

Galloway looked down at the Changeling’s body. After taking a minute to process the fact he had been used, that he didn’t have anything special with her, and all the flirting, kissing, and longing looks were lies … he blew it off.

“Hmph. Okay. So she was a Changeling. Who knew, right?” Galloway shrugged.

Attinger raised a questioning eyebrow. “Gould, could I see those blueprints?”

“Of course, they were a request from Galloway based on Mearing’s designs ...

“Yes, I know that. That’s why I want to see them, because it’s a concern that we were about to start building something that was suggested by a Changeling!”

Gould pursed his lips. “That is concerning.” He handed Attinger the blueprints. Attinger stretched them and turned them upside-down, finding them incomprehensible to read.

“Oh, I can’t read this,” Attigner scoffed, “Gould, get one of your scientists over here to help me make some sense of this.”

“Yo!” Gould shouted and waved his hand, and two of his workers came running at his call like lapdogs. “Help my friend Attinger here make heads or tails of this blueprint.”

“Yessir!” The scientists went over and took the blueprints, one holding it up while the other studied them, running their finger over it.

“I don’t see anything wrong with it.” The scientist said. “... Turn it over.”

The other scientist flipped the blueprints over, and there was writing on the back.

“There it is.” The scientist said, bopping the blueprints with his finger.

“There what is?” Attinger demanded.

“This device, if fully assembled and launched, would spread a gas over the continent, maybe even the entire planet, as it was advertised …” The scientist explained, “but rather than making the populace complacent, as the Changeling Mearing had told Galloway, it would make the land uninhabitable to human beings. There’s a note written here reminding the Changeling to make sure the swap the gas canisters with their specialized concoction just before launch.”

“That’s what you were working on?” Attinger said. “A machine to make all the people of America, possibly of Earth … weak-willed and complacent?”

“Yes!” Galloway snapped. “It was something to help deal with the riots and other non-believers and heretics who stupidly and blindly insist on getting along with our enemies, with the people who are different from us, and that it’s gone, I have no idea how I’m going to keep this populace quiet and happy and staying down! What am I going to do?” Galloway sighed.

“You were actually going to use this machine? That is disgusting.” Attinger said with a snarl, baring his teeth.

Galloway gave Attinger a questioning, confounded look, baffled Attinger would say something to criticize him so openly and harshly. Before anything could come from it, an aide of Galloway’s walked up to him.

“Mister President, sir?” The aide asked. “There’s a Decepticon outside asking to see you. He wants to join your program.”

“Great!” Galloway clapped his hands. “The more, the merrier. After all, we have to keep a standing force active in case of threats … like the Imperials, right, Attinger?” Galloway asked, his words spitting with spite.

Attinger declined to answer.

Attinger, Galloway, and Gould went over to a farther edge of the building, where Fearswoop and a handful of surviving Forged were levitating by a balcony.

“Hello.” Galloway said, putting his hands together. “I’m told you want to join my Americon program?”

“Yes. My name is Fearswoop, and these are the Forged. We recently have suffered … a bit of a setback, and now we don’t see any other choice to survive except to sign up with you.”

“Glad to hear it.” Galloway said. “Welcome aboard, Fearswoop. I’d shake your hand, but, I think you can see why that wouldn’t work.”

“Hold on.” Attinger walked up. “Haven’t I seen you before? … Yes, yes, I have. At New York. You were with Deathsaurus’ group, trying to recover Trypticon from the ocean.” Attinger turned to Galloway, flourishing his arm “Mister President, you cannot tell me you’re going to allow this Decepticon into your Americon redemption program? To recruit former veterans of an ended war that wasn’t ours is one thing, but Fearswoop and the Forged are a terrorist group who performed and announced their intent to further commit actions that were not in the U.S best interests!”

Galloway was silent for a while, nodding his head as he tried to think of an answer to shut Attinger up. “Yes, Attinger, I do. You know why? Because I’m the President, and what I say goes.”

You’re a madman and a dictator trying to build an army, Attinger thought. He was agahst.

“Mister … President,” Attinger said, gritting his teeth, “what if this is an attempt and infiltration, to get an inside agent from enemy forces into our ranks?”

“Well, Attinger,” Galloway took a bold, arrogant step forward, placing a hand on Attinger’s shoulder, “that is what I have you for. You and all your men, here to sniff out and root out corruption and dangerous subversives during my reign.”

“Of … course.” Attigner said. He brushed Galloway’s hand off his shoulder. “I’m sorry. Excuse me, I need to be alone for a moment.”

“Of course. Take your time.” Galloway waved Attinger off as he walked away.

Attinger went over to where he could be by himself, in an isolated hallway in the building, where traffic was low. He gazed his reflection in the window, finding himself mentally correcting Galloway’s choice of words.

It’s an administration, not a reign.

Attinger thought about things. He thought about his recent missions. He thought what about when he did, and what his job was. He thought Galloway, his motives, and the disconnect between what Galloway had professed to him before and what he was doing now. Galloway had told him, had sold him on the idea they needed greater protections from Cybertronians and Equestrians in case of rogue agents like Deathsaurus, greater protections the current administration wouldn’t allow … but to then turn around and welcome one of those same rogue agents with open arms, a smile, and a handshake?  Why? Because he needed enforcers. Because in the absence of ‘Mearing’s’ device, he needed a way to keep the public under control, under his thumb, under his boot. And if that meant hiring true-blue Decepticons as enforcers, so be it.

Attinger thought about his talk with Celestia.

Attinger lifted his hands to his head as realization dawned on him. He hadn’t been defending his country, he had been supporting and protecting a madman and his successful coup.

“My god. What have I done? What I have been doing?”

Attinger’s attention was caught by a whir and hum. He turned to see a Space Bridge forming, right there in the middle of the hallway. The War Princess jumped out from it, her ironclad hooves sliding against the polished floor with flying sparks.

“Attinger.” The War Princess acknowledged him.

“War Princess.” Attinger gave a geninie bow, which the Princess found unusual for him. “What are you doing here?”

“I meant what I said about invading D.C.” The War Princess said. “Before I do that, I’m here to take out Gould’s business by hacking into his computers and leaking every dirty secret he has to the public, before taking out Galloway, who my intel tells me is here. If I can take him out here and now, perhaps I won’t even need to invade Washington …” The War Princess cupped her chin in thought.

“War Princess.” Attinger said.

“Yes?”

“You focus on Gould’s business.” Attinger pulled out his gun and pulled back the hammer. “Leave Galloway to me.”

The War Princess was surprised. “Having a change of heart, Attinger? I’m surprised.”

“Yes.” Attinger answered without a trace of sarcasm. He turned away from her. “One I should have had a long time ago.”

The Princess nodded. “I see.”

() x 3

Passing by a room as they went around inspecting their the current status of their projects, Gould and Galloway were stopped by a secretary.

“Mister Gould, sir?” The secretary asked. “You’re going to want to see this.”

“What is it?” Gould asked, rolling his eyes. “Excuse me, Galloway, I should go check this out …”

The secretary brought Gould over to a computer screen, where windows were opening at a rapid pace, and folders were being downloaded.

“What?” Gould sat down at the compute. He tried to enter a code to shut the computer down, but was given a blaring error message in response.

“Maybe it has a virus?” The secretary asked.

“It’s not a virus, it’s a hacker.” Gould despair, running his hands over his hair. “What’s going on?”

“Sir, there are news reports coming in.” Another employee said, raising their head. “Whoever is doing this is leaking all of our files onto the Internet and open-source areas.”

Gould sighed. “How much?”

“Everything.” The employee said. “Our designs for Stinger, our other drones, our pending patents, our tax reports, e-mails, our corporate espionage … I didn’t even know we did corporate espionage?”

“More bad news, sir.” The secretary said, checking her phone. “Several of our backers and partners are pulling out, withdrawing their funding and announcing termination of their partnership, your bank accounts are being hacked and their assets drained.”

“No! Don’t give me more bad news! Give me some good news!” Gould said. He sighed, rubbing his temples. “Okay, okay, this might not be as bad we thought … we can petition the government for reimbursement, go to our insurance agency … and a lot of that is reactionary. When the flame dies down and the dust settled, we should be able to convince some of those partners to link back up with us.”

“After corporate espionage?” The employee said. “I wouldn’t sign up with you after that. Heck, I’m quitting right now. Bye!” The employee stood up and walked out of the room. While Gould was reduced to incoherent stuttering by this walkout, something more pressing came up.

“GALLOWAY!”

Everyone turned to Attinger marching in the room.

“Uh, yes, Attinger?” Galloway asked. “What’s got you upset, son?”

“When you approached me …” Attinger said, “some time ago … you told me we were going to make the  planet safer. To find ways to defend ourselves from potential and real enemies in a brave, new, terrifying world where we realized we were not alone in this universe. You told me we would protect the people. That we would take steps to defend ourselves without becoming a dictatorship. Not that all this was just a trick to satisfy your ego and hunger for power. You promised me what we were doing was to defend the country.”

“W-what are you talking about, Attinger? Why are you bringing all this up?”

“And now … now, you have, at every stepped, utterly failed at that promise.”

Galloway’s eyes widened and he backed away as he realized what Attinger was preparing to do.

Attinger pulled out his gun and trained it on Galloway. Gould called for security.

Attinger pulled the trigger.

It didn’t fire.

The gun had jammed.

And before he knew it, Attinger was surrounded by other agents who trained their guns on him fired, clouds of red mist spraying from Attinger’s chest as he was shot again and again until he fell on the floor, his gun dropping to the floor with a click.

An explosion rocked the building.

“Imperials!” An agent shouted, running in from the other room. “We’ve got Imperials?”

“Really? Here, now? Slag!” Gould swore. “Stinger! Stinger! Where are you, Stinger?”

“Well …” Galloway muttered. He glanced down at Attinger’s body before turning to leave. “Looks like Fearswoop is going to get a chance to prove his loyalty.

“Mister President, I recommend we evacuate.” One of Galloway’s men said.

“Agreed. Let’s get out of here.” Galloway directed the men to leave and go down the opposing hall.

As the building was shook and rocked by explosions, The War Princess galloped into the room, finding it abandoned save for Attinger lying on the floor. Pieces of wall and ceiling crumbled, and a fire could be seen to be starting from another portion of the building.

The War Princess saw Attinger on the floor and galloped over to him. She placed a hoof against his chest, trying to put on pressure on the wounds and keep him alive for a second longer, but giving his chest a more thorough examination, it was too late. Even with a Bridge, she’d never get him to help in time, and were she to do that, the wounds were fatal.

“Attinger. Attinger!” Twilight shook him, trying to keep him with her. She pushed a button and unmasked, revealing her face to him.

“Twilight …” Attinger said, “you’re the War Princess.” He gave a soft chuckle. “Of course you are, it makes perfect sense … can’t believe I didn’t realize myself sooner.”

“Attinger …” Twilight said.

“I tried, Twilight Sparkle … I tried.”

“I know you did.” Twilight assured him with a smile and a lone tear.

“Twilight …” Attinger coughed. “I’m sorry … for fighting your side. I should have turned sooner. I just … I just wanted to do what I thought was best for my country …”

“I know.” Twilight said, doing her best to comfort him. “So was I.”

“I imagine Prowl will be upset about not being able to match wits again …” He and Twilight chuckled. “Twilight … when you see Celestia again, tell her I guess she won’t be meeting Kimberly after all. She’ll know what you mean …”

Twilight wrapped her hooves around his hand. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Go.” Attinger said. There was some gunfire exchanged, followed by a crash, and part of the roof came down in the room. “Leave me. I deserve it … and I’m not coming back from this. Even with your fancy pony magic or Cybertech or whatever … it’s too far gone. I can feel it. And, if I’m honest, I’m … at peace with this. At least I died trying to do the right thing, like a person should.”

“O-okay.”

“There’s … one more thing. Before you go …” Attinger and Twilight winced as they heard the building creak. “There’s … something in my pocket. I can’t feel my arms … would you … reach in and get it out for me?”

“Sure.” Twilight used her magic to feel around and empty the pocket. She found something she wasn’t expecting - a miniature cross necklace.

“I see.” Twilight said.

“Would you … put it on my chest?” Attinger asked.

“Of course.”

Twilight laid the necklace across Attinger’s bloodied shirt, taking her hooves and lifting his hands and laying it across his chest. Attinger curled his fingers around the necklace tightly.

“Thank you …”

Twilight nodded. She closed her eyes and moved away, shedding tears for the man who had opposed her. If only he could have turned sooner, they might have been able to do some good together.

The building let out a groan. Twilight walked away. A crack formed in the wall, the building creaking and groaning. The firefight happening outside struck the floor Attinger was in on, starting a fire there.

Attinger tightened his grip on his necklace as the room was warmed and lit up by the flames.

“America, America, God shed his grace on thee … and crown thy good, with brotherhood … from sea … to … shining … sea.”

The building let out one last creak and groan before giving way entirely, the entirety of the roof collapsing and falling onto the floor, crushing and burying Attinger under the rubble, the weight causing the floor to collapse and repeat the process onto the next floor below.

() x 4

Through the use of a Bridge, Galloway and his men were able to escape and return to the White House.

“Reports coming in, sir.” An aide said. “The Gould Enterprises building is … unsalvageable. We were able to evacuate the personnel in time, in no small part thanks to Stinger and Fearswoop, but the building is gone.”

Galloway sighed. “How much data did we lose?”

“Surprisingly little, actually, considering the Imperials hacked in and leaked almost everything before they burnt the building.”

“Yeah, get our information back from hackers and leaks. That sounds a like good idea.” Galloway expressed with sarcasm. “It would seem these Imperials are still more organized than I give them credit for. Let everyone know, I’m calling an emergency session of Congress …”

“Yes sir.”

After some minutes to get it set up, Galloway entered the doors of the Congress hall, Senators, spokesmen and women, and Representatives seated and waiting for the chance to discuss things.

“Hello, ladies and gentlemen.” Galloway said. “I’ve called you all here today to discuss the the threat of the Imperials.”

“The Imperials? I thought you said you destroyed their base.” A female Representative said.

“Yes, I did. Despite this, they were able to come back and present a threat to us again.”

“I’m sorry, present a threat how?” A Senator asked. “What exactly did they do?”

“They attacked Gould Enterprises, which is run by a dear friend of mine…” Galloway answered.

“Gould Enterprise? Isn’t that the one that’s on the news, with the corporate espionage and other disreputable practices, such as buying Energon from an unlicensed source and digging into dead Cybertronians’ brains? Now, I’m not saying I condone their methods, but sounds like to me the Imperials did us a favor on that one.”

“Uh, well …” Galloway stammered.

“But I’m glad you called us all here, Galloway. We’ve been thinking about some things that we believe need addressing.”

“Now, you hold on a minute, I am the President-”

“First,” The Senator said forcefully, “we need to discuss the state of marriage regarding interplanetary travel and extraterrestrials. Should we, as a nation, recognize the marriage licenses of other planets, and by that same token, recognize theirs?”

“Uh, well, I…”

“If a gay couple goes to Cybertron and gets married, and then they come back to Earth, should that license be respected us?” The woman Representative asked.

“I think they have their own thing on Cybertron. A Conjunx Endura, or something.”

“If they’re going for Latin, shouldn’t it be ‘Endurae’?”

“I guess the question then becomes, do we recognize Conjunx Enduras, or do they only apply to Cybertronians living Cybertronian relationships … on Cybertron?”

“And another point.” A dark-skinned Senator asked. “While asking the Cybertronians to get specialized Earth license plates is a good idea - most of us would want to know if there’s a chance the cars in front of us during rush hour could become two robots engaging in a brawl on the freeway, your restrictions and requirements for in your Alien Cooperation bills seem a bit … draconian.”

“Oh, and there’s another thing. What about guns? Do we allow guns to be sold to Cybertronians, or ponies?”

“Why would a Cybertronian ever want to by a man-made peashooter from us? I thought they could all turn their arms into laser cannons.”

“Technically, lasers don’t work like that. And not all of them can do that, or so I’m told. What about the Equestrians?”

“Don’t they have magic? Why would they want a gun? Could they even operate one? Triggers require, you know, fingers.”

“I’ve heard reports they have some workarounds, like magic or using their tails.”

“Their tails?”

Galloway’s eyes flitted back and forth, finding himself quickly losing control of the session.

“Oh, and what about immigration and naturalization? Do we need to come up with special visas for Cybertronians and Equestrians looking to live and work in the U.S? Or can we just copy our existing systems? Space travel is a bit more complicated than crossing a border, I think.”

“Naturalizing. There’s a thought. Imagine, years from now, when we’re more thoroughly integrated, they’ll be an entirely new kind of President in the office, an Equestrian descended from parents who moved here … presenting the 101st President of the United States, Bubble Wand!”

The Senators and Representatives burst into chortles before Galloway slammed his fist down, causing his mic to let loose feedback.

“NO!” Galloway shouted. “As long as my heart beats, as long as there is a drop of blood in me, any Cybertronian or Equestrian will never, ever be President!”

The room was silent.

“Galloway …” A Senator said. “Speaking seriously, your little game has been ‘fun,’ but I think everyone is tired of playing ‘Dictator.’ It’s time to pack it up and go home. How much longer do you think this can last? You have riots out there, resistance groups, why, I’ve even heard of citizens fleeing into the arms of terrorists groups, they’re so frightened. Tell me, Galloway, do you think they were scared of the Imperials … or of you?”

Galloway scowled.

“This sessions is over.”

Galloway knocked his over mic, causing feedback,  and stomped out of the room.

() x 5

Galloway went into his office to sulk, staring out the window, arms crossed. He heard a jet engine roar and looked up. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. They were massive green starships floating overhead, and there was no mistaking they were headed right towards D.C.

Galloway rushed over to the desk, pushing a button. “This is Galloway here. We are under attack. Mobilize all of our defenses.”

“Received, sir.”

Around the city, an … appropriated Cybertronian force field generator was activated, encasing the city in a bubble. Americons, state troopers, and Attinger’s men were rolled out, scrambling and flooding into the street.

() x 6

Galloway walked into the hangar where Ratchet and Vigil were stationed. “Ratchet!”

“Yes, sir?” Ratchet asked, looking oddly happy.

“The Imperials are attacking and invading D.C.” Galloway said.

“Oh really?”

“Yes, and I need your help to stop them! What can you and Vigil do for me?”

“Ah, hmm, well  … alright. Vigil.” Ratchet said.

“Yes, Ratchet?”

“I would like to introduce you to my friends.” Ratchet said, giving Galloway a smirk.

“Passcode acknowledged. Deactivating the force field and other defenses around D.C.”

Galloway’s jaw dropped. “You … you! I’ll have your cranial module or whatever you call it for this!”

Ratchet rested his elbow on Vigil, not too concerned and looking awfully pleased with himself. “Don’t you have an invasion to be defending against, Mister President?”

Galloway growled and fumed, baring his teeth and stomping. Realizing Ratchet had a point and he would have to order the Autobot’s immediate execution by Attinger’s former agents later, Galloway  turned and stormed out.

() x 7

() x 7

“Aw, yeah!” Circuit Smasher watched the Imperial fleet fly overhead, standing on the White House’s steps with Shining Armor. “Now this is the good stuff. This is the action!”

“Yeah … sure.” Shining Armor turned away.

“You okay, Cap? You’re awfully quiet.”

“I’m fine.” Shining Armor said. And I’m just looking forward to this all being over with.

() x 8

() x 8

The Imperials, riding on ships made from Ammonites combined together, began to descend on the city, shooting out ziplines and travelling in.

Landing on the ground, Twilight Sparkle looked up and surveyed the area. She noticed Fearswoop hovering around.

“Bumblebee, you’re fast. Go ahead and take out Fearswoop.”

“On it.” Bumblebee rolled to the side of a building, standing up and taking aim with his bow. Sighing when he saw he didn’t have a clear shot, Bumblebee transformed and drove away to find a better vantage point.

As the Imperials marched onwards toward the White House, they crossed paths with Princess Celestia.

“Hello, Imperials.” Celestia said.

“Hello, Princess.” Twilight said. She pointed at Predaking, and directed him at Celestia. Predaking growled and charged forward, attempting to wrap his claws around Celestia, who pushed back with her wings.

“I am confused.” Predaking said. “Why are we fighting again? Are you not on our side now?”

“To keep up appearances,” Celestia explained. “We want Galloway to be caught as off-guard as possible, and that means letting him think he still has some control over me.”

“I see.”

Celestia took her horn and gored Predaking in the chin, making him stumble. Predaking made a growl which was more irritated than anything, and made a halfhearted swipe at Celestia with his claw.

“Come on, Predaking.” Celestia said. “Surely you can act better than that.”

“I’m afraid I lack understanding of the motivation of my character in this scene.”

Celestia chuckled. “Nice riposte.”

There was a bleep from Predaking’s head.

“Attention, Imperials,” An Imperialcon said, “we have detected Lazerback in the vicinity.”

“Lazerback!?” Predaking said with a growl. He reverted into his dragon mode, giving Celestia an  annoyed glare and growl. Predaking arched his tail and swatted Celestia to the ground, and galloped away. He would not be denied vengeance against the traitor. Celestia pushed herself up with her wing and groaned, mildly annoyed at Predaking.

() x 9

Lazerback stood in the middle of the street, having returned to Galloway’s fold after his schemes on Cybertron went pear-shaped.

“Galloway is one I can always rely on for protection, heh.” Lazerback chuckled to himself, tightening his grip around the trigger of his Toxic Strike Blaster. For all his confidence, Lazerback was unnerved when he heard a loud stomping coming towards him, like an iron elephant preparing to charge.

Optimus Prime walked in from around the corner.

“You!” Lazerback exclaimed in surprise. “You … can’t be here! You’re not supposed to be here!”

“And yet, here is exactly where I am.” Optimus said, gesturing around. “I have been waiting for a long time for this, Lazerback. You did something few people, few things in this wide vast universe are capable of making me do. You made me cry. And for that, I will not, can not forgive you.”

“Uh … ah!” His fear and panic increasing, Lazerback stepped back and aimed his blaster at Optimus. A fireball came from the side and struck his gun arm, knocking his aim off and causing the toxic goop to fire upwards before it was brought down by gravity, where Lazerback’s remaining arm was severed off, his elbow being melted by his own acid.

Lazerback looked to see who had fired, and his terror only increased when he saw Predaking lurking to the side, growling softly in his beast mode. Predaking roared and fired another blast, striking Lazerback in the chest with a burst of fire.

Before Lazerback could recover from the blow, his eyes widened when he saw Optimus charging at him. Optimus roared and slammed his fist into Lazerback’s face, proceeding to pummel him and toss him about, Lazerback’s head being tossed back and forth between Optimus’ punches like a pinball.

“Ugh …” Dazed, Lazerback fell to his knees. “I surrender! Have mercy!”

“Mercy …” Optimus said. “Do you have any mercy when you came into my home, destroyed my house, and threatened my family? You even injured one. I am afraid, for you, Lazerback … I am all fresh out of mercy.”

Lazerback’s optic twitch, looking up at Optimus’ oddly shadowed face in fear. Optimus raised up the Star Saber and brought it down on Lazerback, cracking Lazerback’s head, lodging the blade in his helmet. Arcs of electricity traveled around the red helm. Not taking chances, Optimus pressed the blade down, splitting Lazerback’s head in half and tearing a slit into Lazerback’s chest.

Lazerback’s sparking corpse fell onto its back, still shaking and jittery in its dead thrones, Energon leaking out from its neck and severed arm.

Predaking converted to robot mode and walked up to Optimus, exchanging glances before joining Optimus in surveying Lazerback’s body.

“Well, it is not as satisfying as wrapping my own claws around his throat, slitting it and taking the life from him myself … I suppose it will have to do.” Predaking mused.

() x 10

From the windows of a nearby building, Gould and Morocco watched as the Imperials and the Americons came into conflict, opening fire  on each other, blue-and-silver clad soldiers blasting away with heavy weapons against the red-white-and-blue Vehicons.

“Do you suppose Galloway has a plan to deal with these Imperials if they reach the White House?” Morocco asked with his usual sneering tone, shaking glass of red wine and taking a sip.

“I’m not sure.” Gould said. “I’m gonna go ask, and maybe come up with something if he doesn’t.” Gould turned around and left, entering an elevator.

Morocco huffed. “Well, you know what they say. Get out while the gettin’ is good.” He finished off his wine glass and laid it on a desk, walking towards the elevator. “I suppose I’ll have to go into hiding until the next megalomanic with a crazy scheme finds me and has need of my services … hmm?”

Morocco turned around the sound of metal displacing vast amounts of air, like … metal wings.

Morroco’s face lit up with fear as a beaked Predaking rose in front of the window, its wings beating steadily.

“Gyaah!” Morocco fell flat on his bottom in fear. He turned and crawled along the floor, scrambling to get to safety, while the Predaking opened his mouth and charged up a blast of fire. The ursagryph spat out its fiery breath, breaking down the wall and shattering the glass of the windows, engulfing the building in flame. The structure began to collapse, falling apart piece by piece. Rubble landed in front of Morocco, preventing him from advancing further, and another landed on his legs, keeping him from moving at all. He had no choice to but to lay there and wait for the flames to consume him … if the ceiling cracking and falling down didn’t kill him first. The rest of the building went tumbling down.

() x 10

Up ahead, a girl walked away from two Equestrian musicians, who themselves were striking up a conversation with two Americons.

“What’s troubling you, citizen?” The Americon asked.

"Well . . ." One of the ponies muttered. "It's just . . . it's been a few hours, and President Galloway hasn't acquiesced to the Imperials’ demands. I'm beginning to worry about what they might do."

"Have no fear!" The Americon assured her. "With the aid of the Forged, ourselves, the Royal Guard, we have more than enough protection for whatever that rebel scum might throw at us!"

They admired his enthusiasm, but it proved unjustified with a shot from a truck blew a hole into his chest and knocked him over.

Ultra Magnus pulled up them, converting to robot mode.

"Civilians," He said, reaching over his back and grabbing his boomstick,  "I suggest you take the better part of valor and find a good place to hide, unless you want to be involved in the scuffle."

The two ponies nodded, then galloped off for the deepest, most closed-off hiding place they could. Magnus aimed his weapon around for other sentries, then put his finger against his head when it was clear there weren't anymore in the area. A light buzzing came from his head as a wireless communication device was activated.

"Ultra Magnus  to Twilight Sparkle. District clear."

"Copy that."Twilight  replied over the connection.

Magnuus turned around and looked to the sky as Predaking flew in, landing gently on the ground, laying its wings out to the side to let the forces on its backs slide down and take offensive positions.

Twilight started pointed at each everyone and shouting orders.

"Secure the district! Ammonites, combine into a tank and cover the rear! Predaking, you're with me. Magnus, set up a monitor and direct things in my absence. Organics Regiment, push the assault forward. And remember, I want zero fatalities. I want all these traitors alive and well when they see the error of their ways. Long Live The Last Prime!"

"LONG LIVE THE LAST PRIME!" Was shouted by all but the green Ammonites.

"The Last Prime is dead!" An Americon shouted as he and others arrived, responding to the

commotion.

Twilight and Predaking creature charged forward at them, Predaking easily dispatching all of them with a swipe of its massive tail. Behind them, the Ammonites began shifting and merging, fusing into one giant tank and wheeled themselves backwards, aiming their turret at the rear guard.

Twilight and Predaking march forward through the city. Explosions, lasers, battle cries, gunshots, and car crashes began to sound out from all over the city, but Twilight didn't flinch.

As they marched, they came across Princess Luna.

"Princess Luna!" Twilight took up a fighting stance. "What are you doing here?"

Princess Luna glared at Twilight, undisturbed by Predaking arching up his tail.

"We . . ." Luna paused. "We have thought long and hard about what thoust has been doing, Twilight Sparkle, and We . . ."

Luna's glare turned into a smile.

"We approve immensely. It's about time somepony did something about Galloway's reign. Please." Luna stepped to the side and gestured her hoof for them to continue.

Twilight smiled. "Thank you, Princess. Come on!" Twilight galloped ahead, beckoning

Predaking to follow. Neither of them hesitated, faltered, or stopped as the din of exploding glass and steel played out around them in echoes.

Eventually, they reached their destination – The U.S White House, seat of all of the United States' political leaders. Guarding it was a magical force field, as summoned by Twilight's brother, Shining Armor, who was waiting on the steps leading up to the building, clearly waiting for his sister along with Witwicky.

"Twilight Sparkle!" The human exclaimed.

"General Buster Witwicky." Twilight noted him with disdain. "I suppose you two are going to try to stop me from getting inside?"

"Yup." Buster confirmed, pounding his fists together. "I've been meaning to get you back for embarrassing me in Mexico. Just you wait. Fearswoop will be here soon." Buster warned. "And then you'll-"

THUNK.

Some distance away, unseen by Buster, Fearswoop was taken out of commision by Bumblebee putting an arrow from his Beast Hunter bow straight Fearswoop’s optics.

"What was that!?" Buster exclaimed.

"From the sounds of it," Twilight replied, "Bumblebee just took out Fearswoop. Exactly as I planned."

Buster snarled, and began to walk down the steps. However, Shining Armor put his hoof on Buster's shoulder.

"Actually, General . . ." Shining Armor said. "I heard about what you did to Vortex in Mexico . . . and why. As such, I'm afraid to say the U.S Army no longer has my support." Shining Armor then cold-clocked Buster, knocking him with a blow to the head. Buster fell to the ground.

Twilight and Shining shared a warm gaze.

"Good to see you've come to your senses, B.B.B.F.F."

"Shall we?" Shining Armor's horn glowed, and the pink bubble enveloping the White House faded away. He offered his hoof.

"We shall." Twilight climbed up the stairs and took it. Shining Armor guided her inside the building, both of them using their magic to toss aside any Guard who got in their way.

They reached the President's room and barged in, where Cadence, Galloway, and Gould were surprised to see them.

"What is the meaning of this!?" Galloway demanded.

"Simple, President Galloway." Shining Armor answered. "It's about making things right."

“You … you!”

Shining Armor went to hold Cadence.

Gould got up and launched himself at Twilight. Twilight slammed her hoof into his face, easily knocking him down. She then proceeded towards the table and did the same thing to Galloway, smashing his face against the desk so hard his lips started to bleed.

"Now that I have your attention . . ." Twilight quipped, pressing her hoof into Galloway's neck. She looked over to the computer on his desk. She raised her hoof and began punching in keys.

"Why don't we start off by repealing Optimus Prime's terrorist status?"

Galloway let out a sigh. “Fine.” He typed a command into the computer, pulling up the terrorist watch list, and pressed a button removing Optimus - recorded as ‘deceased’ from the list.

“Anything else you want?” Galloway asked.

“Yes.” Twilight answered with a smile. She took hold of Galloway by the collar of his shirt and began to push him out the door. “Optimus Prime is waiting to speak with you outside, and he is very eager to discuss some things with you.”

“What?” Galloway stammered. “That- that can’t be. Optimus Prime is dead. It’s not possible.”

“Shut up and walk.”

Twilight continued to push and beat Galloway until they arrived outside at the White House steps, where Optimus, Ultra Magnus, and Princess Celestia and others were waiting, all of them looking quite cross, glowering.

“You … you can’t be here.” Galloway said. “I … I killed you. I destroyed you. You can’t be here. How can you possibly be here!?”

“Yes, about that … as you might imagine, I am not happy with your attempted murder of me with an assassin, President Theodore Galloway. Just one of the many topics I wish to discuss with you.”  Optimus stalked forward, and Galloway, losing his wits, fell against the marble steps of the house.

“Tell me, Galloway,” Optimus said, “when did you first decide that you deserved power? That you were somehow worthy of being President of the United States, even if it meant skipping the democratic process? How did you reach the conclusion that you were free to determine who who lived and died if they proved themselves somehow an obstacle to your ambitions, your delusions of grandeur?”

“I …” Galloway crawled backwards up the stairs.

“HOW!? ANSWER ME!”  Optimus roared, charging up his arm-cannon.

“P-please …” Galloway raised up his arms. “I-I don’t deserve this!”

“I WILL BE THE ARBITER OF WHAT YOU DESERVE!”

Optimus aimed his arm-cannon, lens flaring shining from the cannon’s barrel. He fired, shooting a plasma blast directly onto Galloway. Twilight shielded her eyes as blue light shone, and wrinkled her nose at the smell of burning flesh.

Once the blast had cleared, Galloway was gone. All that was left of him was a charcoal-black, burnt skeleton lying on the stairs, his nice suit burnt beyond recognition and melted to the bones, trails of smoke flying up off the body.

This done, Optimus fell to his knees, resting his hands on the stairs and hanging his head.

Twilight Sparkle walked around to the side of him, placing a hoof on Optimus’ leg.

“I’m sorry … I know that had to have been hard for you. ‘Never harm an organic …’ ‘our most sacred vow.’ He deserved it, he deserved every bit of it.” Twilight nuzzled against his leg. “But I know going against that and breaking that other so flagrantly must have still hurt.”

“He did deserve it.” Optimus said. “But am I no better than him? By what do I make the decision to take his life?”

“The right of the fact that he was a conspirator, an usurper, and an indirect murdering. He was guilty of so many things, Optimus, even if we didn’t put him through a fair trial. He would have done the same to us. But it’s over.” Twilight closed her eyes. “It’s over now.”

“‘It’s over’ … is it? Is it really over?” Optimus asked. “I said the same thing during New York, after I had crushed Megatron’s head between my hands.” Twilight grew unnerved when she heard Optimus’ voice break. “I thought that was it. But there was more to do after that. And even still, after we dealt with all of our enemies on that day, after we thought the days of Autobots and Decepticons were dead and gone and done with, still … still I find myself being dragged into war. Still I find that no matter how hard I try, I cannot escape war. No matter how hard I try, I cannot escape war and warmongering. It forged me, it made me, it is part of who I am … and no matter what, that part will still never go away.”

Optimus sighed.

“War. War never changes, Twilight Sparkle. It’s … it’s never really over.”

Optimus pulled and sat down on the stairs, hanging his head while Galloway’s body continued to let off smoke. Twilight laid her head across his lap. The rest of their team waited, giving Optimus the minute they knew he needed before they went and started cleanup operations.

() x 11

() x 11

“Hmm.” Bumblebee observed the crowd gathered around the White House’s steps. “I’d like to know what’s going on over there. It’ll be nice to join up with the others.”

Climbing over a ledge and hopping his way down from his vantage point, Bumblebee jogged towards the direction of the house. A blow came from behind him and knocked him down.

Bumblebee rolled over onto his back, seeing Stinger standing before him.

“Stinger.” Bumblebee groaned, getting to his knees. “What do you want?”

Stinger turned his head, looking around. “Galloway may be dead … we may have already lost. But I still want to finish things and settle the score with you, Bumblebee.” He pointed a pointed finger at Bumblebee.

“Stinger, it’s over.” Bumblebee said, getting to his feet. “You’ve lost. Accept it, and move on.”

Stinger replied by punching Bumblebee.

“Uh-uh. No. It’s not over until one of us is the ground.”

Stinger proceeded to pummel Bumblebee, striking Bumblebee in the face repeatedly with multiple rapid-fire blows. Bumblebee groaned, but was able to rear his arm and land a jab on Stinger’s face.

Stinger deployed a twin-pronged electrified prod from his arm. He attempted to strike Bumblebee with it, and Bumblebee ducked by bending backwards, deploying his arm-mounted weapons and shooting Stinger in the chest.

Stinger staggered back, smoke coming from his chest. He converted his other arm into a cannon and fired, blasting Bumblebee in the chest and sending him flying, where Bumblebee tumbled and rolled along the concrete.

Bumblebee groaned and pushed himself up. Stinger briskly walked up to him. Converting his arm into an ax, Bumblebee attempted to slice Stinger in the waist, but Stinger grabbed the handle of Bumblebee’s ax and kept it from connecting, following up by pounding Bumblebee in the head, knocking him down. Stinger reached down and picked Bumblebee up, hefting Bumblebee over his head and tossing him down the street. Bumblebee grunted and groaned as he travelled along the asphalt, cracks and dips appearing as he rolled along.

Coming to rest on his back, Bumblebee let out a groan. He rolled his optics towards Stinger, grimacing when he saw Stinger charging up his arm-cannon.

“Goodbye, Bumblebee. Say hi to Barricade for me in the AllSpark!”

A blur of navy and gold appeared from the sky and struck Stinger in the shoulderblades, grabbing him and lifting him up, spinning Stinger around and hurling him away.

“It is the Well of AllSparks.” Switchblade corrected. He approached Stinger. “Get your terminology right if you are going to mock him.”

“Thanks, Switchblade.” Bumblebee got to his feet.

“No problem.” Switchblade said. He approached Stinger and raised his claw to strike, but Stinger recovered, turning both his arms into cannons and firing into Switchblade’s chest, Stinger’s arms shaking from the recoil as he pumped Switchblade full of plasma, blasting and pounding away at his armor.

“Urgh …”

Switchblade groaned and stumbled. Stinger hopped to his feet with an acrobatic leap and punched Switchblade’s face, before jumping up and sending Switchblade spinning away with jumpkick, sending Switchblade into a nearby wall.

“Stinger, what is it that you really want?” Bumblebee asked. “Surely you’re not that loyal to Galloway, or even Gould. I’m giving you one last chance to turn things around, Stinger.”

“I WANT to FINISH THIS!”

Bumblebee sighed. “Alright, fine. I tried to give you a chance. You want this finished?”

Stinger ran towards Bumblebee.

Bumblebee aimed his Hunter bow, nocked his arrow, and pulled the drawstring.

“Consider it finished.”

Bumblebee let loose, letting the iron arrow fly. The bolt struck right through Stinger’s head, piercing it and going through, Stinger’s leaning running posture allowing the arrow to pierce even further and tear straight through his chest.

Stinger came to a stop, his arms going slack, blue electricity beginning to crackle and run loose from his body.

Bumblebee, knowing of Stinger’s unusual construction, didn’t take any chances and pulled out more arrows, setting five of them into the bow and firing them in a storm at Stinger, piercing his waist, shoulders, and thighs in one single excellently-aimed shot. Stinger creaked and groaned, twitching and playing at the idea of remaining alive despite the damage, but it was too much for to shrug off, and his body fell onto his face.

This done, Bumblebee went over to go check on Switchblade. “Are you okay?”

“I am fine.” Switchblade took Bumblebee’s hand, and Bumblebee helped to his feet. “Though a little disoriented …” Switchblade clutched at his side, getting oil on his fingers. “And perhaps bleeding slightly, but it’s nothing a few plugs won’t fix.”

“I’m glad you’re fine.” Bumblebee said with a smile. “You really helped me out there.”

“Think nothing of it.” Switchblade said, limping away. Bumblebee took hold of him and wrapped Switchblade around his shoulders, carrying him. “You would have done the same for me, would you not?”

“I would have.”

() x 12

() x 12

Ratchet stood at the hangar, smiling at Vigil, imagining how easy of a time his friends were having with mowing down Galloway’s forces. How they would cut a path through the Americons, and oust Galloway from his throne …

His daydreaming was interrupted by Vigil’s screen turning black, the red line turning green.

“Ratchet … I feel funny again.”

“Oh no.” Ratchet said. He put a hand on Vigil’s screen to comfort him. “What’s wrong, my friend?”

“Accessing … someone is accessing, and I cannot stop them.”

“Accessing what?”

Ratchet scrutinizing the screen as Vigil flashed lines and stream of code by him.

Ratchet’s face contorted in horror. “Oh no.”

“Wait right here. I’ll be back as soon as I can!” Ratchet ran towards the hangar entrance, converting into vehicle mode and taking off roaring, his wheels screeching and his engine pumping.

“You know, I am a stationary computer …” Vigil murmured.

() x 13

() x 13

Optimus and the others rested where they were. Optimus stood up, and the rest followed his lead. Their attention was caught by a revving engine and the blare of siren lights. They looked down the street to see Ratchet driving up to them.

“Ratchet?” Optimus asked, walking up to him.

Ratchet, barely stopping, converted into robot mode and ran up to Optimus, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Optimus! Soundwave! Some sort of … deadman’s switch! Codes! Nuclear winter! International incident! Mutually assured destruction!”

“Ratchet, calm down.” Optimus placed his hands on Ratchet’s shoulders.

“Ratchet,” Fluttershy flew up to Ratchet’s face, “calm down. Take a deep breath. Speak calmly and in complete sentences. What’s the problem?”

Everyone looked around as they heard a whir.

“I’m gonna guess that.” Smokescreen said. “Whatever that is.”

Ratchet took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. “When Soundwave hacked into Vigil, he somehow found a way to leave some kind of virus that remained inactive until it detected a weakness in Vigil’s defenses. When I ordered Vigil to shut down the force field, it found an opening in the shutdown code and went through, infiltrating Vigil and all the systems he was connected to. And now it’s hacked its way through all of the humans’ defenses, and has several thermonuclear missiles to fire, primed and locked to fire at dozens of different countries!”

Everyone took in the sight as they watched several silver silos rise up out of the ground before shooting off rockets.

“If any one of those missiles hit their target, it’s all over. The rest of the world will see it as the U.S declaring nuclear war, and everything that we’ve done here …” Ratchet swept his hands. “Will be for nothing. There will be an international incident that this world will never recover from.”

“Not on my watch.” Optimus said, He flared up his wings and jetted off, blasting into the sky, Star Saber clutched firmly in his hand.

“Of course.” Smokescreen lamented. “Because it’s not an action movie until somebody has to stop a nuke …”

“Ratchet, how many missiles was Soundwave’s virus able to launch?” Twilight asked.

“I - I don’t know. Several. A lot!” Ratchet flailed his arms, beginning to panic again.

“I need you to do better than ‘several’, Ratchet!”

Ratchet took in another calming breath. “Twenty. Maybe twenty-five.”

Twilight drew up her face and steeled herself. She turned around.

“Get me thirty fliers up in the air, now. We cannot let a single one of those missiles hit.”

“Just out of curiosity,” Predaking stepped forward, “what happens if they do hit? Just so my Predacons understand what’s at stake.”

“Everyone in the area of the blast will die, and the area will be uninhabitable to humans, organics, and maybe even Cybertronians for decades - maybe even centuries.”

“So don’t screw this up.” Smokescreen said.

“I understand. Predacons, to the skies!” Predaking ordered, reverting into his beast mode and flying up. Other Imperials soon joined in.

Optimus chased down one of the missiles. He braced his grip and swung the Star Saber, shooting a crescent beam which cleaved off the thruster of the missile he was locked onto. He flew up to the falling missile casing and took it into his arms, stopping it from hitting something and denoting anyway before they could disarm. He gently floated down and laid the casing on the ground.

Fractyl pulled up to the side of a missile. He converted into robot mode and landed on atop of the missile, a capped vial of purple liquid in his claw. He uncorked the vial and poured the acid on the missile, where it eat through the metal. With a hole cut through the casing, Fractyl reached in and began fiddling to disarm the actual bomb inside.

“Ah, hmm … ah! There we go.” Fractyl smiled, hearing the thing click.

Fluttershy’s Insecticons and Predaking’s Predacons flew up to several of the missile, spreading their legs and wrapping them around the missile, grabbing them and pulling them back so they would aim upwards and go towards the sky - if the others couldn’t get to them in time, at least they would explode decently away from organic life, even if they did up causing an electronics blackout.

Celestia flew in front of a missile, charging up a spell. She let loose a huge blast of gold magic, which enshrouded the missile, turning it into a series of flowers which fell through the air.

Celestia reached out her hoof and let a flower drop onto it. She took in the flower’s scent.

“Celestia, now is not the time to stop and smell the roses!” Optimus ranted, flying past her.

“It’s always time to stop and smell the roses, Optimus. But I suppose I see your point.” Celestia turned and flew away, being joined by Luna in stopping another pair of missiles by turning them into more flowers.

“Hi-yah!” Optimus swung the Saber again, cutting off the thruster off a second missile. Twilight flew up to the falling missile and caught it with her magic, using her telekinesis to peel off a patch of metal and take out the explosive device, beginning to disassemble it with her magic.

“Careful where you shoot these things down over, people!” Twilight shouted. “Even one of them landing in an isolated desert could be a cataclysm!”

“Duly noted!” Fractyl said, carefully applying his acid to cut through another missile casing.

“Could we get a little help over here?” Fluttershy asked, noticing Predaking and Grimwing struggling to keep the missiles they were holding from moving too fast. “My Insecticons and these guys can’t hold out forever, you know!”

“We’re on it.” Cadence flew up, blasting multiple missiles and encasing them in crystal.

“Aid is on the way, Fluttershy.” Optimus swung the Star Saber at another missile. His optics widened when he saw his aim was off by a fraction of an inch, and his crescent beam was going to trigger an explosion. “SLAG! No!”

The crescent beam tore through the rocket, and the explosion rippled, stopped by a purple bubble coming from the ground, which contained the explosion in a confined space and kept it isolated until the chain reaction died down.

“Shining Armor with the save!” Rainbow Dash said.

“Not that it redeems him for all the stupid things he did.” Applejack noted with smarm.

“No, not all of them.” Twilight said. She looked down at Shining Armor with a smile. “But it’s a start.”

After dealing with Optimus’ once-in-a-lifetime miscalculation, Twilight and Fractyl set about dealing with the missiles being waylaid by their Insecticon and Predacon cargo, hacking into them with magic and acid and defusing their contents until they were all disarmed.

The Predacon-Insecticon fleet carried their cargo to the ground, laying the missiles flat on the terrain. Twilight, Optimus, and the others landed soon after with them.

Pausing, waiting for just a minute to see if their defusing hadn’t took, and some of them would explode anyway, but they didn’t.

Twilight sighed contentedly. “Crisis averted.”

() x 14

() x 14

In the aftermath of the D.C invasion, things began to clear up and cool down. The Autobots arrested the remainder of Galloway, Gould, and Attinger’s men who had been known to take active parts in the conspiracy.

The actual President of the United States was found in a trailer in an unpopulated area of the Middle East, guarded by Americons who had used every tool at their disposal to remain undetected.

Galloway’s declaration of martial law was revoked the second the President stepped into the building, and all of his misleadingly named Alien Cooperation bills were repealed. His Americon program, however, was found to have potential after being a scrutinizing through read, and it was kept … with a few major rewrites.

The ruins of Omega One were designated a war memorial site, with photography restricted.

Funerals were held for some of the major combatants who had perished in the combat. Corpses were burnt, the Autobot and Decepticon dead being melted into material for new protoforms - protoforms who would one day soon, be given new Sparks by the restored AllSpark within the Core.

“I never get along with, well, anybody.” Ultra Magnus said, speaking at Magnum’s burning. “But I especially didn’t along with my cousin Magnum. He was a stickler for the rules, and I was a free spirit, a Wrecker. Rules were made to be broken. But … Magnum was always strict and stern. You could rely on him to be blunt, honest, and straightforward in everything he did, and there’s … few people I would trust as much to have my back. Thank you.”

“He will be missed.” Optimus said, looking towards the casket which held him. “A honest soldier and courageous soldier. May peace find you in the Well, my cousin.” Optimus rested his hand on the casket before it was lifted up and carried off to be smelted.

Optimus sighed when the next body was brought out.

“This is the Decepticon soldier, Blackout.” Optimus said. “I … hope any Decepticons in the audience do not mind my speaking for him. I understand his closest comrade, Barricade, and C.O, Shockwave, are both deceased.” Optimus looked away. “He was a soldier, devoted to an ideal, to a way of life … I suppose much like our departed Dreadwing. He remained loyal to the Decepticon way, even if in the end, it wound up destroying him. I … that is all.”

Blackout’s body was carried off.

“Crosshairs …” Drift walked up to Crosshairs. He looked away. “T-take him away. Crosshairs wouldn’t care for a long goodbye and boring eulogy.”

The people gathered chuckle, and Crosshairs was taken away.

Elsewhere, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia were joined by Fowler and U.S Army as they laid Attinger’s body to rest in a D.C cemetery.

Twilight sighed. “He was my enemy … but he was a patriot. He was doing what he thought was right. I saw his true colors just moments before he died. If I could gotten to him sooner, talked to talked him one on one, he could just as easily been fighting for us, and we could have ended this whole mess sooner.”

“He wanted to settle down, raise a family.” Celestia said. “But he carried his demons with him. He would have wanted to be buried here, in the capital of the country he loved, warts and all.” Celestia looked around.

The casket was lowered in the ground.

There was digging, investigating and poking around, and it was discovered the Chinese Minister of Defense had conspired and made deals with COBRA … without the entire knowledge or approval of the rest of the Chinese government. Oops. He was on suspension while an investigation was opened up into him and all of his aides who were in on it.

On Cybertron, Fortress Maximus looked down with sadness in his eyes at the fallen body of Metroplex.

“Farewell, my brother.”

Fortress Maximus walked away, his footsteps inducing tremors, until he came to where Metroplex had first been found. Fortress transformed, reassuming his city mode and laying himself across the empty space Metroplex had left behind.

After the funerals were held, dues to the dead paid, Optimus met up with Celestia. They sat down with each other, thinking of how they could mend the rifts this incident had torn between their different kinds.

On Equestria, Twilight Sparkle and her friends approached the Tree of Harmony.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Twilight?” Applejack asked. “If we put the Elements into the Tree, there’s no guarantee we would be able to get them back out again.”

“I’m sure.” Twilight said. “Call it a gut feeling, but I get the sense we won’t be needing these things again anytime soon … not for a long time. Maybe not even in our lifetimes, and by then, who knows what will happen? Besides, I can’t keep making those anti-magic bombs forever ...”

“I wish I could I say I feel the same, but alright.” Applejack said.

“We trust your judgment, darling.” Rarity said.

The girls held up their Elements. The Elements floated up and hovered into the Tree, locking and clicking into place in slots designed for them, almost as if the tree was … mechanical.  Twilight went around deactivating the anti-magic generators.

“Say, did anypony else hear that clicking the Tree was doing?” Applejack asked.

“Yes. What of it, darling?” Rarity looked at the tree.

“Well, it sounded awfully mechanical to me.”

“You don’t suppose … the Tree could be Cybertronian, do you?”

Twilight, Applejack and Rarity exchanged glances. They burst into laughter.

“Let’s not be silly, Rarity.” Twilight said.

“Ah ha ha ha! Of course not, darling. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Rarity, Twilight and the rest departed from the tree, though Rarity couldn’t help but look over her shoulder, and she could have sworn she saw a blue Energon-like glow shimmer through the tree.

“It has to be magic … or my imagination.” Rarity muttered to herself, keeping a lower posture as she joined the others.

() x 15

Later, Optimus addressed a crowd of Cybertronians.

“My fellow Cybertronians … there has been much happening as of late. Much has changed. Much will continue to change. We will need some time to recover and process everything that has happened. But as the world around me changes, forgive me if I may make a play on words, transforms … so must I too, change. Over the course of the last six months, I have found myself acting in ways … unbecoming of my status.”

Optimus tensed his fingers across the podium. He thought about his encounter with Scorponok. He thought about when he cried when he thought he had lost his family.

“I have been violent, emotional, and irrational. I have made ill-advised decisions based on impulse and snap judgments, letting my emotions dictate my actions and allowing violence to rule many of the things I do. I have acted unbecoming of a Prime.”

Optimus opened up his chest. He grabbed the Matrix and pulled it out.

“And so, it is with a heavy Spark that I announce my time is over. I am stepping down as Prime.”

Optimus laid the Matrix down on the podium. The crowd had a scattered mix of reactions, from cautious optimism, to disappointment, to cheerful jeering from still resentful ex-Cons and rowdier Autobots who had disagreed with Optimus in the past.

“I hope, despite Galvatron and Lazerback’s efforts to taint the process, you will find democracy a suitable alternative to our primacy, and elect appropriate leaders to guide you in this new era of ours. ”

Optimus turned and walked away from the podium.

“Optimus, sir, wait!”

Optimus looked to a hand raised in the crowd. Someone was making his way to Optimus, pushing himself through the crowd.

“Heatwave.” Optimus said.

“Optimus, sir, I have to object.” Heatwave said. “Without a Prime, we have no one to lead us. We need a figurehead, someone people can look up to for guidance and maintain order while we try to transition to a new system. I’m not saying we can’t go to a new way of doing things, but we need a system in place while we do. We need a Prime. Someone to answer questions and give orders.”

Optimus pursed his lips. After thinking about it, He picked the Matrix off the podium and shoved it into Heatwave’s hands. “Congratulations, Heatwave, you are the new Prime.”

Heatwave stammered as the Matrix was placed in his grasp. “Wha-me? Sir, but I can’t- I couldn’t possibly-”

Optimus placed his hands on Heatwave’s shoulders.

“Heatwave, I have watched you grow and shape into a leader in charge of your Rescue Bots since the beginning of your mission. You have shown a propensity for command, and demonstrated the capacity to lead. You have the skills for this. I know you do, and I know you will do an excellent job. You will lead Cybertron into a new golden age.” Optimus patted Heatwave’s shoulder, giving Heatwave a smile. “Make me proud.”

“I …” Heatwave stammered. He straightened up and saluted. “I won’t let you down, sir.”

“I know you will not. Else I wouldn’t be trusting you with such an important position.”

Optimus took his hand off Heatwave, and Heatwave got to his knees.

“Arise, my successor.” Optimus said. “People of Cybertron, hail to your new Prime.”

Heatwave turned to the crowd, who began applauding and cheering. Optimus spread his wings and jetted off, blue fire trailing off, and Heatwave waved goodbye when he noticed Optimus flying away.

() x 16

While the Autobots shuffling through various components as they tried to decide where to set up their next base, Arcee was puzzled when she was struck by a ringing her arm.

“A high-frequency signal … with an embedded message. Hmm. Now who do we know that uses that?” Arcee asked dryly.

“What’s it say?” Ratchet asked.

“It has coordinates. It says to come alone.”

“I don’t like it. It could be a trap.”

“It says ‘this is not a trap.’” Arcee noted.

“Which, as we all know, is super definitive proof of it not being a trap, especially when you’re dealing with Starscream.” Smokescreen said.

“I’m going to go alone anyways.” Arcee said. “Just to see what he wants.”

“Be careful.”

“Aren’t I always? I’m a sniper. I am the very definition of careful.”

“Careful would be bringing backup …” Smokescreen said under his breath. Arcee frowned at him before moving on.

Arcee arrived at the area specified by the coordinates. Stepping up to a wall, she was shocked. She didn’t recognize it at first, the area being rusted over, covered in junk and debris, having been uncared for for some time … but this is where it had happened. This is where her nemesis murdered her first partner.

Pausing because of this fact, Arcee eventually mustered up the courage to go in. “Hello?”

“Ah, Arcee.” Starscream said, sitting on a crate, a light pouring down on him from a hole in the ceiling. “I was wondering whether or not you’d show up.” He didn’t turn to face her.

“Well, I’m here now. What do you want, Starscream?”

“There’s no place for me in this new world of yours that you and your pony friends are making.” Starscream said. “No place for a scavenger, scrounger, liar, and deceiver like me … sooner or later, I’ll be found. I’ll be caught, where it’s by some bounty hunter or an Autobot who got lucky. But if that is going to be the case …”

Starscream swiveled around on his seat.

“I figured I might as well give you some closure. That’s why I brought you here … where it happened. Where Airachnid did the deed.”

“What … do you expect to do?” Arcee asked, not grasping his meaning.

“Who knows?” Starscream said. “Maybe I’ll find somewhere to hide, gather followers, start another Decepticon movement and make a coup. Or maybe I’ll go out into space and drift aimlessly through the cosmos until rust overwhelms and forces me to final shutdown. But either way …”

Starscream stood up, pulling out his Thunder Talon.

“I don’t expect to walk out of here alive.”

Starscream lunged at her, and Arcee pulled up her bow, firing an arrow straight into Starscream’s shoulder. Starscream groaned, coming to a halt and clutching at the wound. Arcee sprinted forward, jumping into the air and striking Starscream’s with a series of kicks. She flipped backwards and landed behind him, drawing her bow and shooting a shaft into his back. Arcee deployed her arm-blades with a shink, and charged at him.

Starscream turned around, grabbing her by the wrist and deflecting her blade. He slashed across the face with his claws, tearing ghastly gashes across it. He jerked her arm and punched her in the gut, before taking up the Talon and pinching it around her shoulder, squeezing it hard and pulling, ripping her arm right out of her socket, Energon spilling out and getting all over her sides.

“Hmm.” Starscream noted, holding Arcee’s arm up in the pincher of the talon. Crackin a grin, a semblance of his old self coming back to him, he tossed his arm to the ground. “Perhaps this will go better than I thought. Maybe I’ll start that coup after all.”

Starscream slammed his elbow into Arcee’s back, causing her to drop to her knees. Standing over, Starscream raised his Thunder Talon up, his teeth bared in a crazed grin as he prepared to bring the Talon down on her.

A pink laser flew by, striking Starscream in the head and keeping him from delivering the finishing blow. He turned to the entrance, where Twilight Sparkle was flying around.

“I don’t recall inviting you.” Starscream growled, brandishing the Talon at her.

“Ratchet told me about what was happening. I wanted to get here as soon as I could. I have a score to settle with you just as much as Arcee does. I fought my friends because of you. I become an undead zombie because of you. My brother was killed by you. I brought him back as a Terrorpony, and he’s upset about it, but still.”

“Hmph! Well, that last one sounds like your issue to deal with, not mine!”

Starscream raised up the Thunder Talon. Twilight readied her magic, and Arcee was able to recover, aiming and drawing her bow, steadying it by bracing it against her chest. Arcee and Twilight both fired, Arcee’s arrow lodging into up Starscream’s torso, and Starscream’s chestplate and half of his head being blown off by Twilight’s explosive magic.

Smoke billowing from his body, Starscream toppled over to the ground, his grip loosening around the Thunder Talon’s handle.

Arcee got to her feet. “Thanks. He might have got me if not for you.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. A tough fighter like you? You would have turned the tables on him no sweat if I hadn’t got here.” Twilight said with a mischievous smile.

Arcee scoffed, but she couldn’t returning the grin. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Let’s get out of here.”

“What do we want to do with him?”

“Leave him, for all I care.” Arcee said as she walked out.

“Hmm … no, I think I’ll take him and have him cremated like all the other ‘Cons.” Twilight said, using her magic to pull Starscream by the leg, dragging his body to the entrance. “Wouldn’t want somebody getting the bright idea of trying to resurrect him, after all …”

() x 17

Optimus and Celestia met up on a Jasper cliffside, sitting around and watching the sun set, their friends behind them.

Optimus tilted his head up, appreciating the sun’s beauty.

“Princess Celestia …” Optimus said, “now that I am no longer a Prime, I am … free to do whatever I please.”

“Oh?” Celestia asked.

“Yes. I could be a painter, an artist, a musician … I could go into architecture. Do you think I could go into architecture? I think I could be a good architect.”

“Optimus, I’ve never heard you talk like this.” Celestia said.

“Well, why not?” Optimus said. “I no longer have any responsibilities, no burdens to bear, no weights to carry. I don’t have to carefully consider the impact of my every word, or whether or not someone who might be listening might attempt to twist them or take them out of context. I can do whatever I want. I can make mistakes, I can laugh, I can cry, I could go to a party … I probably still would not, as I find them loud and obnoxious, but I could.”

“You could start using contractions.” Celestia said with a smirk.

“I could,” Optimus said, returning a smile, “but I won’t.”

“Ha. I see what you did just there.”

“I could make a decision with no practical or moral considerations beyond, “I feel like it.” Speaking of which … ”

Optimus reached over and grabbed Celestia up in his palm, making her squeal in surprise. He brought her up to his face and gave her a smooch on the horn, pulling out a ring box.

“Princess Celestia, will you join me in throwing caution and thought to the wind … and marry me?”

Everyone had something to say about this. “WHAT?”

Princess Celestia stared at the ring box. She giggled. “Oh, what the heck. Yes!” She took the ring and gave Optimus a peck on the cheek.

“Princess!” Twilight exclaimed in shock.

“Oh, it’ll be fine, Twilight.” Optimus placed Celestia down and went over to her. “Come, join me in a round of flying, would you?” Optimus picked Twilight up, hugging her, and spread his wings and took to the air.

“What is he doing?” Arcee asked.

“I do believe he’s making up for his lost teenagerdom, not to mention four million and six years of repressed desires and impulses.” Ratchet said. “He’ll ... he’ll burn out and go back to being someone closer to the Optimus we know …”

Ratchet watched Optimus performed a loop-de-loop in the air before he let his arms out, allowing Twilight to break free from him and pull up to him, flying side by side.

“Eventually.” Ratchet said with a shrug.

Optimus whooped and hollered, flying downwards with Twilight at incredible sharp angle before pulling up hard and accelerating right into the sky, producing an explosion which burst into a spray of rainbow-colored sparkles which flew off and scattered beautifully into the shape of an Autobot symbol, backlit by the image of Twilight’s Cutie Mark.

“Did … did he just do a Sonic Rainboom?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“No. If he did, we’d all have been knocked out. But he definitely did something. I suspect Twilight used her magic to help.” Ratchet said.

Optimus and Twilight flew back to the cliff, Twilight looking exhausted, but also clearly having had fun.

“Ah … that was fun.” Optimus said. “Fun! It’s been so long since I allowed myself to have fun, I had almost forgotten it was a real feeling!”

“That sounds horrible.” Pinkie Pie said. “I can’t imagine a life without fun.”

“Indeed, it was fun. And quite the visual spectacle, too.”

There was a brilliant blue glow, and Optimus turned and bowed as Primus manifested. He may have been letting out a repressed wild side, but Optimus still knew his place. “Lord Primus. To what do we owe the privilege of your visit?”

“I have a task for you and Twilight Sparkle, should you accept.” Primus said.

“What is it?” Twilight asked.

“Indeed. I will have to join Twilight’s inquiry before I decide to accept.”

“I want you two to go out into the cosmos as envoys of peace, emissaries spreading the message of peace and harmony to alien races throughout the cosmos. Find as many as you can, and invite them to join Earth, Equestria, and Cybertron in forging intergalactic relationships, spreading our friendships across all of space ... until that fateful day, when all are one.”

Optimus looked to Twilight. “What do you say, Twilight Sparkle?”

“Spreading the magic of friendship to other planets? That sounds amazing! And I’m sure it’ll make my mentor proud.”

“Former mentor.” Celestia said. “I’d say given everything you’ve been through and done, you’ve grown well past the point of being my student, Twilight Sparkle … Intergalactic Princess of Friendship.” Celestia chuckled.

“We accept.” Twilight said.

“Oh, do you really?” Fluttershy asked. “It sounds like you could be gone for an awfully long time … outer space is a really big place, you know.”

“And we should know. We’ve been there.” Rarity said.

Twilight pulled her friends together into a hug. “I promise we’ll come back and visit often. You’ll see us again.”

“Yes.” Optimus said. “We’ll come back now and then, when our spirits are weary and our bodies, and we need a reminder of our home, and the value of the good we’re doing. I promise you, we will return.” Optimus parroted Twilight’s actions, pulling the Autobots into a massive group hug.

“Shall we?” Twilight asked.

“We shall.”

And with that, the two spread their wings and flew off into the sunset, their friends waving and shouting goodbyes from the ground.

“You think we should tell Twilight she forgot her spacesuit?” Rarity asked.

“... Eh. Nah. She’ll figure it out on her own.” Applejack said.

() x 18

“... and that, children, is the full story. The story behind Operation: Patriotism. The story about why me and the other Autobots always try to remember July 31st in the Earthen calendar, the day everything changed. That’s why we have this sculpture of a burning Autobot symbol commemorating this date.”  Captain Bumblebee concluded his tale to a group of children of various alien breeds, some of them hybrids, tapping his fingers against the statute remembering Galloway’s semi-successful, but ill-fated operation, marked with the date and the promise to ‘Always Remember.’

“Wow!” One of the children expressed in the group. “So Heximus Prime used to be Heatwave?”

“Yup. Oh, but, uh, don’t call him that, and don’t let him know I told you that. He kinda hates it when people call him by his old name.” Bumblebee said.

“I have so many questions!” A boar-headed girl said. “What happened to, well, so many of those people you didn’t mention? Like - like Fractyl and the Quintessons?”

“Oh, hmm.” Bumblebee tapped his chin.  “Well, the Quintessons were given amnesty, given how Nova almost wiped them out, and they went and kept themselves for fear of something like this happening again. Fractly is the chief scientist here on Cybertron … anyone else?”

“What about the other Rescue Bots?”

“They mostly just help Heat- dangit, now you got me doing it. Heximus with running Cybertron. Blades is Chief Medical Officer, Boulder’s taken up writing …”

“Snowdrop?” A tentacled child asked.

“She went back to her normal life. She doesn’t get up to much.”

“The Predacons?”

“They’re out in the Sea of Rust with the Dinobots, enjoying being animals. You can go up and say hi to them, if you like. Just … ask your parents first, okay?”

“You work with Smokescreen, don’t you, Police Captain Bumblebee?” A human girl with cybernetic implants asked. “Has he matured any?”

“Oh, yes. I’d say he’s gotten even gruffer than I am, but that’s what happen when you take over Prowl’s place and become the Espionage Director. Lots of spy work to make sure nothing like this-” Bumblebee rapped on the statue, “ever happens again.”

“What did happened to Prowl? And Rung?” A gryphon asked.

Bumblebee grimaced. “I … don’t want to talk about that. It’s … very violent, and … hits a little too close to home. Remember, kids, all I told you was that people were fighting.”

“How do you remember the old timeline Johnson and Steeljaw came from if it was erased from happening in the first place?” An Equestrian asked.

“That is a very good question. Time travel is complicated, kid. I wouldn’t bother trying to understand it, it’ll just make your head hurt. It certainly does mine.”

“Did Optimus and Twilight ever come back like they promised?”

“Who knows?” Bumblebee said with a smile. “Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t. Maybe if you’re lucky, you could go up and see them when they come back one day …”

Bumblebee walked off.

Conveniently leaving out the tiny detail that on Equestria, Optimus and Twilight were telling the same story to a group of fillies in Apple Bloom’s scout troop.