Beast Wars: Battle for Equestria

Opening her eyes, Rainbow Dash groggily found herself back in Canterlot, lying in bed and covered in bandages. Like with Princess Ember, all of her friends surrounded her with looks of concern on their faces.

"What happened…?" moaned Rainbow Dash, trying to move.

"Don't move," cautioned Princess Celestia, gently laying Rainbow flat on her back. "Princess Luna found you injured on a road towards Ponyville."

"You should be very lucky that Nightscream and I were there when we found you," said Luna. "If you remained where you were, you would have been killed. Tell us exactly what had happened?"

"Well," groaned Rainbow Dash. "Spitfire, Soarin and I were out on patrol looking out for any of those Predacons when we were attacked by a wolf."

"A wolf?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Or a timber wolf?"

"It was a wolf, Pinkie," replied Rainbow Dash. "He called himself 'Steeljaw' and then proceeded to rip us apart. But, enough about that, where are Spitfire and Soarin'?"

Rainbow Dash was attempting to live by her Wonderbolt code of honor, but it didn't seem to be working. At that moment, Optimus walked into the bedroom with Rhinox and Rodimus not too far behind.

"We haven't been able to find the other two ponies," said Rhinox to Rainbow Dash. "But, what we do know is that Megatron's forces are growing by the hour. I have a feeling that this has something to do with that pony who went missing."

"You mean, Muffins? The clumsy one?" asked Fluttershy.

"If that's what her name is, I suppose," remarked Rhinox. "In addition to the stasis pods, we are on the lookout for any ponies who might have been attacked. In fact, these are all connected in some way. Somehow, Megatron must have found a way to bring Predacons to life using living hosts."

"Almost like a lab rat, I reckon," said Applejack, shuddering in fear. "Wonder if he was planning to do that with my brother. I can't even bear to think about it."

"Then don't think about it," replied Twilight. "All that matters is that nopony else is captured by these monsters. We already have several ponies missing and we cannot risk anypony else falling prey to these Predacons. I think we need to make sure our families are protected."

All of Twilight's friends nodded in agreement with these words.

"In fact, why don't we send them into hiding until this madness is over?" suggested Rarity. "I'd hate to separate Sweetie Belle from her friends, but family has to come first, if you ask me."

"Waspinator agrees with pretty pony," said the former Predacon.

"Same thing with Applebloom and Scootaloo," added Applejack. "But, there is no way that I can allow my little sister to be out in the open as long as these monsters are on the loose. How can we get our families guarded, Princess Celestia?"

"We'll do what we can be done," replied Celestia, turning over to Applejack. "And it appears that your families are not the only ones who should plan on being evacuated. I received this note this morning from the Crystal Empire. Apparently, Cadence and Shining Armor are planning to evacuate."

"That's where Silverbolt and Blackarachnia are," said Optimus, realizing what was being said. "Along with Tigatron and Air Razor."

"Well, why don't we just go pick them up?" suggested Rattrap. "I'm sure that this castle can handle a few more Maximals and Ponies."

"That's exactly what Megatron and the rest of the Predacons will want us to do, vermin," added Dinobot. "Bringing in more potential victims in here to be subjected to Predacon horrors. Where is the honor in that?"

Hearing these words from Dinobot made Optimus realize that Canterlot was not a safe place for anyone to come in for sanctuary. He then began to realize of a possible safe haven.

"I agree with Dinobot," he said. "We can have your family take shelter in the Castle we have been seeking shelter in."

"The Castle of the Two Sisters?" asked Twilight. "You've been hiding in there?"

"Where else could we have gone?" remarked Cheetor. "If that castle could provide us sanctuary, then why can your family members? What do you think, Big Bot?"

Optimus thought about this for a moment, then he turned back to Cheetor.

"I for one can't help but agree with this suggestion," answered Optimus. "There is no doubt in my mind or any of our minds for that matter, that Megatron is planning to come here and we need to make sure that everyone is safe from his wrath. If the Pred's are coming in full force, then we must prepare for an intimate battle…now."

"Then, let it be done," said Luna, firmly, stamping her foot down. "Canterlot must be evacuated, sister."

"Except for us," countered Celestia, sharply turning and causing everyone to gasp in shock. "I am staying here with my command, Luna. Canterlot will be defended because it's our home."

Twilight then walked up to Celestia with a wide eyed expression on her face. In her mind, she was thinking that Celestia was crazy to come up with such an idea.

"Princess Celestia, why would you stay here? I mean…I know its our home…but do you think its worth the risk? If you are killed, then…"

"Then, it will be as it should be," interrupted Celestia, placing a hoof under Twilight's chin.

"Waspinator used to being scrapped, but not like this."

"Sister, I really think you should consider the warning to evacuate along with our subjects," cried Luna in a concerned voice as she walked over to her older sister. "Our magic will not be strong enough to take on an entire army of creatures. After all, we were quickly overpowered when the Storm King attacked Canterlot."

For a moment, Celestia considered the matter, but her decision was final. She was staying to fight alongside the Maximals

"We are staying to defend our home," she said firmly. "Besides, not everypony will want to be leaving here. If we die, we die with honor. Is that understood?"

Knowing that there was no use in changing her sister's mind, Luna had no choice but to accept her sister's decision along with the rest of the ponies.

…

Later that morning, a line of ponies were making their way out of Canterlot, only armed with whatever essentials and possessions that they could carry.

"I hope you know what you're doing, sister," sighed Luna as she watched the evacuations with Celestia. "But, I feel more concerned with them coming back here and we possibly not being here."

"It's for the best, Luna," replied Celestia. "I cannot bear the thought of seeing our subjects being tortured or even killed by these monsters. No, not after what happened here with the Friendship Festival. Canterlot must be evacuated."

"I've already made plans for Ponyville to be evacuated as well," said Twilight as she walked into the room with Spike. "Most are heading for Manehattan, others for Rainbow Falls and some even to the Smokey Mountains."

"Manehattan will more than likely be fortifying as well as us," remarked Celestia. "I just hope everypony is taking it well."

Of course, that wasn't the case for most ponies, particularly Rarity.

"Now, you know what you have to do, Sassy," cried Rarity in a panicked voice as she finished loading her manager's trunk with essential outfits. "Guard these outfits with your life, Sassy! Your life!"

"If you say so, Rarity," stammered the Trottingham sounded pony. "I'll be back…hopefully soon."

Back in the castle, Celestia knew that time was of the essence and that the time for strategizing a defense was now.

"Optimus?" she asked the Maximal leader. "How long will the Predacons take to get here?"

"I don't know," he answered. "But, its more than likely that Megatron will lead his forces along a road of some sort. I can have some of the Maximals barricade the road to here if necessary. I don't know how it will hold, but all we can do is hope for the best."

And the waiting game was about to begin in Canterlot. For at that very moment, Megatron was about to question the captured Wonderbolts…