Beast Wars: Battle for Equestria

Hauling the empty pod back to Canterlot, Twilight and her friends struggled mightily as the heavy pod made it nearly impossible.

"What's the use of carrying this thing?" whined Rarity as they made it to the Canterlot gates. "It's obvious the only way this thing is going to be useful is at a funeral."

"Quit your whining, you don't have far to go, you know," remarked Rainbow Dash. "Besides we need to understand more about this pod if we are to have a chance against who knows what?"

"Either way that dragonfly more than likely came from this pod," grunted Twilight, the weight of the pod making her struggle to carry it. "We need to find…if there are any more…of these out there. What's even in here, anyway?"

Putting the pod down, Twilight opened the pod and saw an unexpected passenger inside.

"Pinkie, this is no time to take a nap," she ordered. "Get out of there!"

"Hey, I wanted to be a vampire pony, Twilight," replied Pinkie as she climbed out of the pod. "This would make quite the coffin for Nightmare Night coming up."

Rolling her eyes, Twilight and Rarity went back to hauling the pod towards Canterlot castle, where Rhinox was waiting for them. He had chosen to stay behind in Canterlot to examine any pods that were to be found.

"We've found the pod at the edge of the forest, Rhinox," sighed Twilight. "Seems to me that's where a Predacon we faced came from."

"I will need to see if it was a Maximal protoform to begin with," said Rhinox. "One of things that Megatron does is finding Pods with Maximal protoforms and reprogram them into Predacons."

"How long will it take?"

"Not very long, hopefully," sighed Rhinox, shrugging his shoulders. "If it was a Maximal protoform, then we need to find them all before Megatron does."

Taking the pod, Rhinox dragged it away from Twilight and the others. Now, all they could do was wait for any news. The hours ticked by and still there was nothing from Rhinox.

"I feel that he is going to be a while," sighed Twilight, clearly showing her exhaustion. "Why don't you all go back to Ponyville for a while and get some rest?"

"With more of those ghastly creatures running around?" cried Rarity. "Not for all the jewels in Equestria. We're staying right here! Besides, Optimus and the rest of the Maximals should be back with more of those things soon. Let's leave it to them."

"I suppose you are right."

So, they all continue to wait and a few moments later, Rhinox came back up with news.

"Well," he explained. "I've looked at the pod closely and it appears that it was indeed tampered with. It seems to me that Megatron is not the only one seeking these pods."

"What are you saying, partner?" asked Applejack, thinking back to when Big MacIntosh was attacked.

"I'm saying that there is another high ranking Predacon that is also seeking these pods," answered Rhinox. "Someone other than Megatron."

"Someone other than Megatron?" pondered Twilight. "But, who could it be?"

"Tarantulas," sighed Rhinox quietly and to himself.

…

Meanwhile, Rattrap and Dinobot were attempting to be hot on the trail for Dinobot II.

"So, uh, Chopper Face," asked Rattrap. "What made you decide to come back from the dead, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Didn't I tell you, vermin," answered Dinobot in a growling voice. "That Megatron was after my spark? I couldn't rest in peace as long he was out there after me. That's why I came here to this uncharted land, because I sensed that no Predacon could come here."

"Easy for you to say there, Chopper face," chuckled Rattrap. "We've got four legged creatures disappearing left and right along with stasis pods being scattered all over the place along with a clone of you running around with no birthday suit on."

This made Dinobot stop in his tracks insulted.

"Excuse me?" he growled, turning towards Rattrap. "Was that meant to be a joke, you disgusting rodent?"

"No, I'm just saying that no one should be running around with being covered," answered Rattrap, meekly. "There are certain parts that…"

But before Rattrap could go into more detail, a loud scream was heard and the two Maximals raced to the source of the scream. They found the clone of Dinobot II cornering a pair of ponies, one green unicorn and one white pony.

"Stay away from us!" cried the green unicorn, her horn glowing. "Bon Bon, stay behind me!"

"Easy for you to say, Lyra!" she replied. "I'm scared."

"You will do nicely for Megatron," laughed Dinobot II, but before he could make a move on the two ponies. Dinobot fired a laser blast from his eyes and struck Dinobot II in the back, causing him to yelp out in pain.

"Claws off the ponies, naked head," said Rattrap, now in his robot mode and pointing his gun right at Dinobot II.

But, Dinobot II wasn't fazed and charged right at them only to be met by Dinobot who swung his sword right at his clone. The sword cut into the clone skin and now enraged, Dinobot II transformed and fired a laser blast from its eye. Lyra and Bon Bon watched as the two Dinobots duked it out. However, Rattrap had other ideas.

"Yo, everybody!" he whistled to Lyra and Bon Bon. "Out of the pool!"

Heeding Rattrap's call, the two pony friends left the scene and followed Rattrap to safety. Motioning for them to stay low, Rattrap went to aid his comrade in arms.

"Who is that thing, Lyra?" whimpered Bon Bon.

"I…I don't…I don't know," cried Lyra, who wasn't scared as she was more confused. All that they could do was watch as Rattrap and Dinobot fought off Dinobot II. Finally, the creature was exhausted and outmatched from the combined strength of the Maximals and retreated.

"He won't be bothering you anymore, sisters," said Rattrap. "You can come out now."

"Thanks for saving us," replied Bon Bon. "But, who are you and why did you save us?"

"We're Maximals, we don't let anyone get turned into slag, if you get my drift."

"You'll have to excuse him," said Dinobot. "He's very inconsiderate of others sometimes."

"Hey!" remarked Rattrap. "I really mean it."

"Either way, you should go back to where you came from and hide until these threats are neutralized," cautioned Dinobot. "Go! Now!"

Lyra and Bon Bon turned to leave and returned towards Ponyville. Once they were gone, Dinobot then turned towards Rattrap.

"Guess we should tell Fearless Leader that Dinobot II is alive and well," said Rattrap. "But, at least this time, we can tell who is the real Dinobot and who is the fake. Based on smell of course."

Rattrap knew he was being sarcastic, but Dinobot knew his comrade all too well to realize that. Still, with Lyra and Bon Bon safe, they made their way back to Canterlot.

…

Meanwhile, Silverbolt and Blackarachnia arrived in the Crystal Empire now with increased guards as a result of the attack by Barricade.

"Certainly looks no different," said Silverbolt, who suddenly felt his still injured wing give way. "HANG ON, MY LOVE!"

Before Blackarachnia could hit the ground, she immediately transformed, landing on her own two feet. Silverbolt wasn't as lucky and crash landed as terrified crystal ponies watched in shock and fear from the safety of their homes. Before Silverbolt could get up however, the Crystal guards immediately surrounded him and Blackarachnia, pointing their spears right at them.

"We…come in peace?" asked Silverbolt, but the guards weren't convinced.

"On your feet," one of them barked to Silverbolt, glaring right at him. "Are you associated with the Triceratops? Answer us!"

"I don't know who or what you are talking about," cried Blackarachnia. "But, we mean you no harm!"

"SILENCE!" shouted another guard, poking his spear right at Blackarachnia's back. "Bring them to the Crystal Princess! She will deal with these trespassers and spies!"

"Trespassers?! We're not trespassers and we are not spies!" protested Silverbolt. "If you could just listen to us…"

Suddenly, a loud roar was heard and the guards looked behind them to see Tigatron, growling at them.

"Let them go," he said, quietly. "They mean you no harm. Do it, or you'll have to answer to me."

Doing as they were told, the guards backed down and Tigatron looked at the two Maximal lovers. Silverbolt looked back and began to wonder about something.

"That voice," thought Silverbolt. "Where have I heard it before?"