Equestria Girls: Robots in Disguise

Chapters

[Pilot] Chapter 7: Confrontation Part 1
[Prologue] Chapter 1: Fall of Cybertron
[Prologue] Chapter 2: The Friendship Games
[Pilot] Chapter 3: First Contact
[Pilot] Chapter 4: Adjusting
[Pilot] Chapter 5: Power
[Pilot] Chapter 6: Secrets

[Pilot] Chapter 7: Confrontation Part 1

"Gloriosa?"

The girls all stood, confused, as Gloriosa walked over to them, still clapping sarcastically. Bumblebee and Bulkhead drew their weapons as she stood still, moving her hands down to expose her necklace, glowing five different colours.

"Yes, I'm the one who found the crystals first, and they have shown me so much..." Gloriosa began to smirk as the crystals began to glow brighter. "For too long, I've been pushed around, my camp belittled, my plans never quite going the way I anticipated, but I never gave up on my camp. It's been in the family for generations, you know?" She sized up the two Autobots, before returning her attention to the girls. "These crystals have given me the power to save my camp. I've chased away the greedy vultures looking to tear it down and build resorts atop its ruins, and now I see I need to defend it from nosy little girls, and giant robots killing my campers!" She frowned again.

Sunset took in a breath and walked closer to Gloriosa. "Gloriosa, we know that your camp was in danger, but we're the good guys. The Decepticons were the ones killing your campers, and they were the ones who attacked the camp grounds earlier."

"Yeah! And, the Cons snagged the other two crystals! Knowing them, it won't be long before they figure out five more are here!" Bumblebee added, as Twilight checked her device to confirm that Gloriosa was indeed wearing the crystals from the cave.

Gloriosa simply glared, before sneering and walking over to Twilight specifically. "They also tell me about you in particular." As she approached Twilight, the crystals glowed brighter still. "You hold a power inside you, perhaps one greater than mine, yet you are too scared to embrace it." She gripped Twilight's hand. "Succumb to what lies within you, and join with me. Imagine what we could accomplish together." She smirked more as Sunset walked over and smacked her hand away from Twilight, standing in between them.

"She'll never join you!" Sunset told Gloriosa firmly. "She knows that there are far better things in the world than power, and we can show you the way too. If you'd let me show you..." She gave a small smile and held out her hand for Gloriosa to take. Gloriosa hesitated for a moment, and began stretching out her own hand, as though to accept Sunset's offer. However, the crystals let out a bright flash and Gloriosa closed her eyes for a moment, reopening them with a dark green glow. She snapped her fingers and Sunset was soon enveloped by a swarm of dark, thorny vines, much to everyone else's shock.

Gloriosa began to laugh, as more vines emerged from the ground and creeped slowly toward the group. "Oh, how sweet! Trying to stop me with your silly little friendship! Well, I don't need friendship, but I will greatly enjoy taking away the Equestrian magic you all hold within yourselves to fuel my own power!" She clenched her fists, emanating a spark of green as the vines quickly snuck up on the other girls, entrapping them within vines as well and closing them off from the outside world. "As for you two, I don't need anything from you..." She looked up at Bumblebee and Bulkhead. "Time to take out the trash, wouldn't you agree?" She smirked as she sent a swarm of vines to attack the two Autobots.

Bulkhead transformed one of his hands into a giant metallic fist, almost like a wrecking ball, and began to pummel the vines that came at him, crushing them into several splinters with great ease. Bumblebee took out his twin wrist blasters and fired rapidly at the vines, taking them apart as they came at him. He eventually switched out one of his blasters for a small wrist-mounted blade, and slashed at the vines coming at him, leaving them lifeless at his feet. "Bee, you get the girls out of there! I'll stop her!" Bulkhead ran at Gloriosa and, despite her being a human, he smacked her with his giant fist, sending her slamming into the walls of the cave. She fell to the ground, but was helped up by even more vines. Glaring at Bulkhead, she sent out a new batch of vines, strengthened and adorned with green thorns, to wrap themselves around Bulkhead's arms, disarming him. She did the same to Bumblebee, leaving him unable to free the girls.

"That hurt, you overweight brute!" Gloriosa growled as she stared at Bulkhead, one of her eyes twitching a little. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. Sorry to hear we aren't on the same page, but I sure hope you enjoy each other's company." She smirked as she walked toward the entrance of the cave, and once she was out, sealed off the entrance by using her vines to move a giant rock over the entrance, and reinforcing it with thorned branches.

"She didn't have to say that about me..." Bulkhead mumbled as he immediately began straining against the vines, trying to free himself, Bumblebee looking on before doing the same.

"Don't listen to her, Bulk. You're fine. Let's just focus on freeing ourselves and the girls, then radio Optimus for back-up."

Autobot Base
Hangar E

"Ratchet, it has been a while since Bulkhead and Bumblebee last transmitted their position. I fear that something may have happened to them." Optimus spoke, watching the monitors in their base with a grim expression in his eyes.

Ratchet shook his head. "No, Optimus. I've heard nothing." He looked up suddenly as two blips began appearing on the monitor. "Wait...that can't be right.." He began typing on his holographic keyboard.

"What is it, Ratch?" Wheeljack asked as Ratchet looked back up at his monitor.

"I'm picking up a very unique energy signature emerging from the camp where Cliffjumper died, and a Decepticon energy signature heading there fast!"

Optimus looked toward the GroundBridge in their base. "It would seem as though the Decepticons are after that energy source. I cannot let that happen! Ratchet, activate the GroundBridge."

Wheeljack stood up straight and took out a couple of large weapons. "Here, Prime. Take these." He tossed them over to Optimus, who caught them easily. "Go frag that 'Con for us. For Cliffjumper." Optimus nodded at Wheeljack as he rushed through the portal, the other Autobots remaining at the base.

Camp Everfree

The camp grounds were already under siege from Gloriosa, using her newfound powers over nature to entomb the camp grounds within a dome of thorns. The few campers that had survived the previous Decepticon incursion were trapped within their cabins, the door sealed off by thorns and vines. Gloriosa laughed out loud as she admired her handiwork, though her smile faltered when she heard what sounded like a military aircraft flying overhead outside the dome, just as an explosion rocked the roof of the dome, sending splinters and branches falling to the ground.

A military jet descended from the gaping hole left by the explosion, and quickly transformed itself into a large winged robot; Starscream. He quickly stood upright and turned toward Gloriosa. "So, you're the little human hoarding the rest of my energy crystals?" From one of his arms emerged a missile launcher, aimed straight at Gloriosa's head. "If you surrender the crystals to me now, maybe I'll allow you to live" He sneered and held out his other hand, anticipating that Gloriosa would simply follow his demands.

"Hmm, a tempting offer, but unfortunately for you..." Gloriosa began as her five crystals began to channel magical energies within them. "I don't work with machines!" She unleashed an energy pulse into the ground, sending a large, sentient vine-like creature after Starscream and slamming him into one of the camp cabins, though thankfully nobody was hurt. As he fell, Starscream dropped the last two energy crystals on the ground, catching Gloriosa's eye. "What's this?" She floated over and seized the last two crystals before Starscream could recover, using her thorn-covered bodyguard to knock him aside and restrain him as she admired the final pieces of her puzzle. "Now, I can finally achieve my full power...ALL WILL BECOME A PART OF EVERFREE!!" She added the last two crystals to her necklace, as a series of thorned vines began to envelop around her, and she began to change into her final form.

Meanwhile, back at the crystal cave, the GroundBridge portal opens at the other side of the cave's entrance, as Optimus Prime ran out. "This is where Bulkhead and Bumblebee last transmitted their position..." Optimus walked toward the thorned barrier blocking the cave entrance, and through his audio receptors, he could faintly hear the sounds of his fellow Autobots struggling against something. He then turned around to see Gloriosa's dome around Camp Everfree, a powerful green glow emanating from between the brambles. Optimus' optics widened as he summoned an energy axe from one of his hands and began to cut through the cave entrance. "Hang on, Autobots!"

Within the cave, a weary Bumblebee heard their leader call out to him. "Optimus! We're in here!" He called out too as he resumed his struggle to release his arms from Gloriosa's trap. Suddenly, Bumblebee's wrist blade came out and cut through the thorns with ease. "A-ha! Why didn't I think of this earlier?" He smiled to himself as he got to work freeing Bulkhead. He then turned his attention to the rock that was also blocking the entrance. "Bulk, you go help Optimus and get that rock out of the way. I'll free the girls." His large friend nodded as he ran toward the rock and began to slowly punch his way through it, helping Optimus to breach the barrier of the cave entrance. He made short work of the boulder, as Optimus cut down the last of the brambles that were obstructing his path into the cave.

"Boss! It's good to see you again!" Bulkhead smiled brightly as Bumblebee freed the last of the girls from their thorned prisons. "The camp director's gone crazy, she trapped us in here." He looked toward the girls, then back at Optimus. The girls all looked up at the Autobots in the cave as Optimus turned his attention to the large dome around the main camp grounds.

"I am aware, and she is using an incredible power to seal off the camp grounds in a border made of thorns." Optimus pointed toward the dome. "The campers must be trapped inside. We must free them!" The other Autobots nodded in agreement as Sunset moved to look at the Dome herself, her eyes widening as she witnessed green energy pulsing through the thorns.

She looked back at the group and then up at Optimus. "Equestrian magic...those crystals were made from Equestrian magic. They must have come through the portal after Twilight destroyed the statue." She stopped for a second as she noticed Twilight shrink back from the crowd. "Sorry. Anyway, we need to get through that dome and stop her before the power drives her to do something...worse."

Optimus nodded in agreement with Sunset. "Indeed, Sunset Shimmer, but I fear that it won't just be the camp director to deal with."

"What do you mean?" Bumblebee asked.

"Before I left the base, we picked up a Decepticon energy signature heading fast toward the camp grounds. It would stand to reason that Starscream has come for the remaining energy crystals that she has acquired." Optimus spoke grimly, as he continued to stare at the dome surrounding the camp grounds. "We cannot allow Starscream or Gloriosa to leave with the crystals." Everyone around Optimus nodded in agreement as he pointed toward the dome. "Autobots, humans, roll out!" With that, they all ran down toward the thorned dome.

Back within the dome, Starscream staggered back to his feet, looking around for the crystals that he had dropped. "Now, where did I drop them?" As he surveyed his environment, Starscream noted a large ball composed of thorned vines, a strange glow coming from within the ball. He stepped back, unsure what to think. "Now, that wasn't always there, was it?" He stared confused at the ball as a quiet ringing began to reverberate in his ears, as he activated his comms. "What?"

"Starscream, have you recovered the remaining energy crystals? You are taking longer than is logically feasible." Shockwave spoke on the other end, observing the dome Gloriosa had put up from the safe confines of the Nemesis.

Starscream scowled a little. "I'm working on it, Shockwave, but I seem to have run into...er...a couple of problems." He gave a nervous chuckle, and could hear Shockwave mumble something to himself over the comms. "Pardon?!"

"Nothing. Just fulfil your task. Preferably before Soundwave returns and takes charge of the operation. "

He seemed a little puzzled by this, not that he was concerned whatsoever at Soundwave's whereabouts. "And where, may I ask, is Soundwave?"

"He did not specify. Personal business requiring Lugnut's assistance, from what I could gather/" Shockwave answered.

Starscream scowled a little and ended the communication with Shockwave abruptly. He thought about it for a little, wondering what sort of personal business Soundwave was getting into while on Earth, and why he would need Lugnut's help, out of all the Decepticons they have on hand. He wasn't left to ponder any further, though, for the ball he was staring at mere minutes ago was beginning to open up, almost as though it were an egg giving way for a new creature to come into the world.

A giant, plant-like creature emerged from the ball, her hair held out by branches coming from her head, the lower half of her body anchored into the ground by a tree trunk. She grinned down at Starscream, twirling a thorned necklace holding all seven of the magical crystals in her hands, laughing.

"Now, pathetic little machine, you shall feel the truth wrath of Gaea Everfree!!"

[Prologue] Chapter 1: Fall of Cybertron

Planet Cybertron
The Autobots' Final Stand

The sky over Cybertron was filled with smoke and flames, the Autobot capital city of Iacon falling apart as the Cybertronian resistance group fought desperately to save themselves from their demise. A small group of Autobots struggled forward, firing their blasters as a trio of jets landed near a fallen building, transforming into robots that proceeded to fire down on them. After what seemed like an eternity, all three were shot down as a red-and-blue coloured Autobot jumped through burning wreckage, firing his blaster at every enemy in sight. He turned around to face his fellow Autobots before waving his arm forward, signalling them to advance.

"Autobots, we must press forward. Roll out!" The other Autobots followed their leader as he charged into the crowd, firing at the jets circling above them and bombing the battlegrounds. As one robot began approaching him from behind, a yellow and black vehicle rolled forward and transformed into his robot form, firing from machine guns emerging from his wrists. "B-127, I am glad you are still functioning, old friend."

The yellow bot nodded in acknowledgement. "Yep. Sorry for being late, Optimus. I hit a little traffic at Iacon's western border." B-127 looked around until gazing at the cliff edge just ahead of them. He tapped his fellow Autobot's shoulder and pointed upward. "Uh...Optimus?"

From the edge of a cliff, a large blue robot jumped down from a ship hanging in the air, a small bird-like machine circling before perching onto his shoulder. "Decepticons..." The robot spoke in a heavily modulated voice as several more figures, one a purple, one-eyed robot bearing an arm cannon, and another three with similar body shapes. "...attack!" At the robot's command, the Decepticons fired several shots at the surviving Autobots, as Optimus and B-127 stared up in horror.

"That's Soundwave...isn't he Megatron's second-in-command?" B-127 asked as Optimus continued staring up. He saw his leader nodding slowly as he began to take steps backwards.

"Indeed, but in Megatron's absence, he has taken command of the Decepticons..." Optimus turned toward the few Autobots that had survived. "Autobots, fall back!" Optimus yelled as he fired his blaster toward the Decepticons, with he and his fellow Autobots began to retreat.

Soundwave looked at the machine perched onto his shoulder. "Laserbeak, prepare for flight. Operation: Pursuit." The bird nodded as it detached itself from Soundwave and began flying toward the Autobots, circling over Optimus and B-127 before diving down to attack. As Optimus dodged and B-127 began firing at the bird, Soundwave looked down to see a red Autobot struggling to remove steel piping obscuring his legs, before his chest began to open. "Ravage, eject. Operation: Capture." A casette tape flew out of Soundwave's chest before turning into a feline-like creature, pouncing onto the Autobot and attempting to maul him.

Optimus eventually managed to grab Laserbeak and pull him down into the ground, tossing him into a nearby building before continuing his retreat. The Decepticons remained perched, observing their enemies falling back. The one-eyed robot stepped forward. "They're heading for the Iacon Tower." He turned toward the three identical robots to his left. "Starscream, take your Seeker Squadron and destroy the tower. Let no Autobot escape!" He commanded.

"As you wish, Shockwave..." One of the robots spoke in a begrudging tone before walking toward the edge. "Thundercracker, Skywarp! Transform and take flight!" He called out as he and his twins leapt from the edge and transformed into a trio of Cybertronian jets and soared over the Autobots, heading for their control tower.

Optimus and B-127 stopped running as the former opened up his comms link. "Wheeljack, the Decepticons are headed for the control tower! Is the Ark prepared?" He asked as his fellow Autobot tuned into the comms channel.

"The Ark is ready for launch, Optimus! Just waiting on you, B-127 and Cliffjumper!" Wheeljack spoke as Optimus turned behind him to see the red Autobot kick the feline machine off him, his legs now freed, as he began to run toward the others.

Optimus waved his hand toward himself and B-127. "Hurry, soldier! The Ark is launching!" Cliffjumper caught up to the other two and began running toward the tower, just as Starscream and the other Seekers began hovering over the launch pad. The Autobots reached the Ark, which laid on top of the launch pad of the control tower. Optimus and B-127 boarded, while Cliffjumper looked out to where the Decepticons were located. "Cliffjumper, we must board the Ark now!" Optimus called out as a pink and blue female Autobot stood out from behind him.

A pair of Decepticons, one red and the other blue, climbed onto the launch pad, looking up at the Seeker trio. The blue one stepped forward, his right arm morphing into a large cannon. "You Autobot scum better surrender, or we'll blow your entire resistance to smithereens!" He aimed his cannon as he heard his comms link activating.

"Dropkick! I did not order you or your sister to pursue the Autobots! Return to me at once!" Soundwave's voice echoed in his head as he pointed his gun directly at Optimus.

"Not now, Soundwave. Besides, since when does a chance to pound down on Orion Pax come along so easily?" Cliffjumper stepped forward and turned to face Optimus and the female Autobot.

"You guys need to get out of here. I'll take Dropkick and try to distract ol' Screamer long enough for the Ark to get out of firing range." He looked at the female Autobot, who stared at Cliffjumper almost tearfully. "Just do me a favour, Prime, and look after Arcee. She may act tough, but she's fragile, so take care of her, or I'll have to come after you." He flashed Arcee a smile as she returned the act, before retreating into the Ark. Cliffjumper sighed and gave Optimus a pat on the shoulder. "It's been an honour serving alongside you, Optimus Prime." He smiled as he closed the Ark's door and turned around to face Dropkick.

The Ark began to take off as Cliffjumper jumped toward Dropkick, pinning him down and aiming his weapon toward rhe sky, firing a shot at the Seekers above. He then fired his own weapons upward at the Seekers, knocking their aim off and missing the Ark as its engines began to enter their maximum thrust, quickly exiting Cybertron's atmosphere as the Seekers landed, surrounding Cliffjumper. He tried to run toward a nearby escape pod, but Dropkick destroyed it with his blaster as the Seekers cornered him. "You Autobot filth!" Starscream lunged forward and grabbed Cliffjumper's arm, pulling a sword from one of his wings and slicing it clean off. Cliffjumper cried in anguish as Laserbeak hovered over the group.

Soundwave's voice echoed through the bird-bot. "Bring the Autobot to me. We shall depart on the Nemesis, and pursue the Autobots to their destination: Earth."

[Prologue] Chapter 2: The Friendship Games

Planet Earth
Location: Canterlot City
The Friendship Games' Final Event

It had come to the end of the annual Friendship Games, a once-friendly competition between two rival academic schools, Canterlot High and Crystal Prep. After a series of unexplained events, one Crystal Prep student, Twilight Sparkle, absorbed a large amount of magical energy, and had transformed into a monstrous, warped version of herself, called Midnight Sparkle. Right now, she was floating above a large inter-dimensional rift of her own making, leading into an alternate reality called Equestria, where equines reigned supreme as the dominant species. Midnight stared down at the portal, the gleam in her eyes becoming ever more clear as she began floating down toward it, until one of the panicked students stood onto her feet.

"Twilight, don't do this!" The girl, Sunset Shimmer, called out to the monster in front of her. The former bad girl of the school, Sunset had also suffered an ordeal involving transforming into a demonic entity, complete with a lust for the power in Equestria. Sunset knew how it felt, and she could only hope that Twilight was still able to listen. Clasped in Sunset's hand was a small, circular device, though Midnight didn't seem to notice.

"Oh please, Sunset Shimmer, as if YOU are in any position to try and convince me that I shouldn't fulfil my desires for power." Midnight began. "Or, did that whole crown incident just float over your head once you finally won over everybody's trust!" The demoness cackled as Sunset Shimmer, just as her horn began to glow brightly. "Hm? What's this?" She turned around to see a giant object burning up within the atmosphere, heading towards the city at an alarming rate.

'She's distracted, now's my chance...' Sunset Shimmer thought to herself as she opened up the device in her hand, watching as five other girls began to glow, a unique aura surrounding each of their bodies. Each girl began to float up, emitting a beam of magical energy toward Sunset, the magic collecting within her device and charging it up. After a couple minutes, the device sealed itself, just as the object in the sky crashed into the city.

A large ship exploded into the school, destroying the rear section in a blaze of rubble, metal and flames. Everyone standing nearby was either thrown backwards or simply shocked at the explosion, including Midnight Sparkle, buying Sunset enough time to regain her composure and look up toward her foe. "Twilight, this is your last chance! Please, let me show you that there's a better way to get past this!"

Midnight looked down at Sunset and rolled her eyes. "Ugh, are you still trying to use words against me? That strategy might work on paper, but it's not gonna work on me!" Midnight growled slightly as she began heading toward the sight of the large explosion, the dimensional rifts she had created beginning to seal themselves as the magical energy had been drained by Sunset. As Midnight got closer, Sunset opened the device and aimed it at Midnight, firing an anchor of magical energy that attached itself to her horn. "NO!! What are you doing?! Stop it!!! STOP!!!" Midnight screamed as she felt her power beginning to leave her body, her body growing weaker and weaker as each second passed by.

After a minute had passed, Midnight's body began to glow as she became surrounded by a bright purple light, prompting everyone below her to cover their eyes or look away from her as the ball of light began to float slowly to the ground, dissipating into particles to reveal the weakened Twilight Sparkle.

"Twilight? A-Are you OK?" Sunset asked, as the purple-haired bookwork slowly got to her feet, her legs weakened and tired. She rubbed her eyes, straightening her glasses as she looked toward Sunset.

"I-I think so....wha-what happened?" She looked around, turning to gaze at the blazing fire behind her, the result of an unknown ship colliding with the school. "D-Did I do that?! Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I never meant for any of this to happen!" Twilight clasped her hands over her mouth as she began to cry silently.

"Twilight, it's OK..." Sunset spoke softly, attempting to reassure her, reaching out a hand to grasp her shoulder gently. "None of this was your fault, and....well, going from my own experiences, you'll be forgiven." She smiled as Twilight embraced her in a hug, as students from both Canterlot High and Crystal Prep began to encircle them, smiling and 'awww'ing as they did so.

"Not her fault? NOT HER FAULT?!" An elder woman cried out in outrage from behind a small pile of rubble. Standing ahead, she slowly approached the students, and other faculty members present, a grimacing expression on her face. "She uses the magic to try and kill us all, and you expect that to not be HER fault?!" She asked harshly, before turning to CHS's principal, Celestia. "Principal Celestia, I should be taking you to the school board for this! You've allowed magic to run rampant in this school, endangering the lives of several students and you allow those responsible to face no consequences!" Despite this rant, Celestia simply wore a devious smirk on her face.

"Of course, Principal Cinch. I'm sure the school board would be absolutely delighted to hear your story about winged demons, magical schoolgirls, portals to other dimensions..."

"...and talking dogs!" Twilight's schoolbag suddenly opened up to reveal her now-talking dog, Spike. "Because a story like that totally wouldn't tarnish your hard-earned reputation." Spike smirked as well as Cinch found herself surrounded by students from both schools. Her eyes twitched slightly before she took in a deep breath.

"This will not be the last you'll see of me, Celestia. I'll be back, and when I do return, you'll regret ever crossing paths with me." Cinch glared at her rival for a brief second before turning away and walking toward her school, her dignity mostly intact.

Another faculty member, Vice Principal Luna of CHS, turned toward the wreckage of the back of the school. "Um, sister, what are we going to do about that? We can't allow classes to continue when half the school is nothing but rubble and broken piping." Celestia nodded in agreement.

"Of course, thank you sister. We'll close down Canterlot High until we can arrange for repairs to be made, and for whatever crashed down to be properly disposed of." Celestia spoke as she turned toward the students. "In light of recent events, we are temporarily shutting down Canterlot High and ending the Friendship Games on a draw. If anyone has been injured, please let one of us know and we'll call for an ambulance."

Sunset Shimmer and the rest of her friends walked toward the two sisters. "Um, Principal Celestia? Would it be possible for us to maybe investigate that...thing, once the fires are cleared and everything?" She asked, slightly pleadingly. "I-I mean, we're the school's foremost experts when it comes to otherworldly matters and everything."

Celestia gave a slight nod. "Alright, but only once I've gotten word from authorites that the fires have been contained. I'll let you know when that happens." Celestia gave Sunset a small pat on the shoulder. "Now, I need to speak with Dean Cadence about transferring Twilight over to CHS, but in the meantime, I need you to look after her, just as Princess Twilight once did for you. Can you do that?"

Sunset beamed. "Yes, Principal Celestia. I'll be sure to make her feel right at home here." She smiled, and Celestia smiled as well before walking over to Dean Cadence.

Twilight found herself surrounded by six girls, including Sunset. The rainbow-haired girl wrapped an arm around Twilight's neck. "Looks like you're gonna be one of us now! This'll be SO awesome!"

Another girl, purple-haired and poshly dressed, began to chime in. "Just you wait, Twilight! I have a whole list of hairstyle and clothing ideas just for you!" She giggled and placed a hand gently over her mouth. "Do pardon my enthusiasm, darling."

Sunset decided to step in before anybody else could speak. "Come on girls, let's give her a little bit of breathing space." She smiled and gave Twilight a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Twilight. You'll do just fine with us."

Later that evening, once everybody had left, several small spheres of magical energy leaking from the Canterlot High statue, scattering themselves across the city...

[Pilot] Chapter 3: First Contact

Location: Planet Earth
Decepticon Warship, Nemesis

Dropkick and his sister, Shatter, entered a dark room with nothing but a small computer, and their Autobot prisoner, Cliffjumper, bound by chains from his ankles and his remaining wrist. The red scout looked up and smirked. "You 'Cons back for some more Cliff, huh?" He chuckled to himself a little bit, before Dropkick delivered a heavy punch to his chest.

"Enough games, Autobot." Dropkick grabbed Cliffjumper's head tightly, forcing the two of them to meet eye-to-eye. "Either you tell us what Orion Pax intends to do on this mudball, or I will force you to watch as I tear you apart, circuit by circuit!" Dropkick tightened his grip before being pulled away by his sister.

"Take it easy, brother...beating him senseless isn't going to get us any closer to learning Orion Pax's plan, is it?" Shatter sneered as she turned to face their prisoner. "We'll leave him be, for now. Lord Starscream can find a way to get it out of him." She faced her brother once again, who shook his head, but eventually nodded.

Cliffjumper looked up weakly at his captors. "Just one question....why do you call him Orion Pax? His name is Optimus Prime..." As he finished, Shatter turned around to face her prisoner.

"He never deserved to become a Prime. The only reason he got his position was because he was a teacher's pet, constantly earning Sentinel's favour until he was given the chance to ascend the ranks." She sneered, as Cliffjumper scoffed.

"And you think that Starscream would be a better candidate for a Prime? HA! Your processors must be even more fragged than I thought!" Cliffjumper remarked as his captors left the room.

Shatter and Dropkick walked into the primary chamber of the Nemesis, where several Decepticon troopers were hard at work, monitoring their surroundings for energy spikes and potential areas of interest. The two siblings approached a single computer, connected to a large screen, where a large Decepticon stood silently. The Decepticon turned around to face them. "Shatter, Dropkick, report. Has the prisoner revealed Orion Pax's plans yet?"

Shatter bowed slightly and shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Lord Starscream. The Autobot refuses to give out any information." She nudged Dropkick's shoulder, prompting him to bow as well.

"If you ask me, I say we just scrap him. All he does is mock your leadership, it's a waste of time getting anything out of him. If you would allow me that opportunity, Master." Dropkick added.

Starscream turned around to face them fully. "In time, Dropkick. However, as long as Soundwave insists on copying Megatron's methods, we have to keep him alive." Starscream grimaced, before turning back around. "I've sent the Constructicons to a nearby area, somewhere close to the crash site of the Autobots' ship. They'll be scouting for survivors, though, I found another article of potential interest." He pressed a button on the computer, and the monitor displayed an image of a cave located in a dense forest. Shatter and Dropkick looked up at the monitor.

"It's a cave. Doesn't seem all that interesting to me."

"Silence, Dropkick. Anyway, a recent surge of energy was detected in this cave a few days ago. The energy output was extreme, beyond even raw Energon. I want you two to go to this site and secure the source of this energy, whatever it may be." Starscream smirked as Shatter stood up from her bow.

"Won't we need prior authorisation from Soundwave before engaging in such a mission? Last time you sent us to do something, we had to answer to him." Shatter frowned and looked at a deep scratch on her shoulder. "Thanks for covering for us by the way, Lord Starscream." She spoke sarcastically.

"Forget about Soundwave. Megatron may have placed him in temporary command on Cybertron, but we are off-world now, and the ranks dictate that command over the Decepticons falls to me. Now get to it, before Soundwave has any tme to try assert himself over us.' The siblings nodded before running toward the launch bay at the roof of the ship, as Starscream wore a devious smirk, returning to his post.

Meanwhile, in another chamber of the ship, Soundwave is kneeling before a statue of a mighty Decepticon commander, when another Decepticon enters the room. "Officer Soundwave?"

Soundwave looked up slightly. "What is it, Lugnut? Can you not see I am paying tribute to our Master?" The other Decepticon nodded and stood back a bit.

"Of course, I apologise. But...word of mouth has gotten around the ship, that Starscream is assuming command over our forces whilst we are off-world. Shall I put him in his place, on Lord Megatron's behalf?" Soundwave stood up, and turned around to face Lugnut.

"No." Soundwave's modulated voice reverberated in the chamber. "Since our arrival to this planet, I have been experiencing visual hallucinations...of Megatron. He is on this planet, somewhere, calling out to all those loyal to him."

Lugnut looked shocked, but nodded. "I see his face as well! Lord Megatron must be close! He has to be!" He protested. Soundwave nodded in agreement and laid a hand on Lugnut's shoulder.

"Then you and I shall set out to find him. Rally up Barricade and the other Megatron loyalists, send out a search party. We will start by searching the nearest city. Our master will be retrieved."

Canterlot High School

A yellow school bus pulled over across the street from the school, as seven girls emerged from the door and walked to the other side of the road. Sunset Shimmer and her friends looked to their left to see six green and purple construction vehicles working on the ruined section of the school, clearing away debris and exposing more and more of the unknown ship that landed. The girls all looked on in shock at the wreckage.

"That ship looks like it's made from pretty advanced technology. I gotta get a closer look, maybe even a sample..." Twilight giggled as she began to walk foward, before a familiar hand pushed her back.

She stepped backwards, looking up at a police chief. "Not so fast, Twily. Can't let you in there yet, it isn't safe." The chief gave Twilight a friendly wink as she gave a surprised glare.

"Shining Armour? Y-You're the Chief of Police in Canterlot City??" The girls all asked in unison, as Shining simply chuckled.

"Indeed I am. I'm also head of the SWAT Team, Investigative Department, Forensic Team, Bomb Disposal...pretty much the entire force." He smiled as the girls merely gawked in awe. "And yeah, it's advanced tech. The city's made the greatest technological advances in the world following a meteor crash around 50 years ago. The ship seems to be made of similar technology. At least, that's what all my guys are saying..."

One of the girls, wearing a cowgirl hat, stepped forward. "Hang on just a second. Ain't nobody else noticin' how those vehicles are driving all by their lonesome?" She gained confused glances from her friends, and Shining Armour.

The well-dressed member of the group chimed in. "Applejack, really? That hideous wreckage has completely destroyed my fashion studio, and you're worried about the construction machines being lonely? Even by our standards, that is most certainly odd."

Applejack sighed and pulled her hat over her face for a second. "No, Rarity, I mean that none of them have any drivers, so how the hay are they doing any work?!" She raised her voice slightly as Shining looked between the group, and then at the crash site.

He walked over to one of the vehicles, a front-load shovel-dozer, and realised that there was, in fact, no driver. "What the..." Before he could finish, another vehicle suddenly swung around its hook, sending Shining Armour flying back a few feet and crashing to the ground. The girls all stood back as the vehicles each began to shift, their forms changing into six giant robots, each bearing distinct features from their vehicle forms.

The robot that had once been the shovel-dozer bent down and looked at the seven girls. "Are you the seven 'magical girls' situated at this facility?" It asked, as Sunset Shimmer stood forward.

"W-Who wants t-to know?!" She asked, trying to sound as tough as she could make herself be.

Another robot, which had emerged from a crane, laughed and also looked down at the girls. "We are the Constructicons. We were sent by our leader to find you, and to take you to him."

"We Constructicons are peacekeepers, patrolling the cosmos in search of war criminals from our home planet, Cybertron." The dozer-bot stood up and pointed to the wrecked ship. "This ship belongs to a Cybertronian terrorist group, who destroyed our home during a civil war. We followed them here in fear that they intend to spread their path of destruction to your world." The girls all looked shocked, with Sunset chiming in once more.

"But why us specifically?"

The dozer-bot smiled, as some of the other Constructicons began chuckling behind his back. "When we arrived on Earth, we did some research on recent history so we could blend in to assist our investigation. We learned of this high school, and a group of girls who helped to protect it from otherworldly evils." He looked at the ship once again. "We fear that these terrorists crashed their ship here, in the hopes of using your abilities to destroy us, and the rest of this world." He suddenly blinked and stood up straight. "Oh! Do forgive me for not formally introducing myself. My name is Scrapper, and this here is my associate, Hook." He smiled, gesturing to the crane-bot behind him.

Sunset looked at Scrapper suspiciously, before considering everything he had just said. "Right....normally, I'd hate to involve me and my friends in war, but if our world is at stake, we'll come with you."

Scrapper smirked. "Excellent." He pressed a button on the side of his head, activating his communications device. "Lord Starscream, female humanoids acquired. Returning to the Nemesis no-" Scrapper was cut off by the sounds of his fellow Constructicons panicking.

"Autobot energy signatures detected, sir! They're coming in fast!" Hook called out.

"Scrap! Constructions, form on me and combine to form Devastator!!!" The Constructions once again began to transform, this time taking on the form of a much larger, singular robot, comprised of all six smaller Constructicons. Just as they finished combining, two more vehicles pulled over and transformed into two robots, one pure red and the other red and blue.

"Ironhide, get these civilians out of here! I'll distract Devastator!" The red-and-blue Autobot spoke as he pulled out his blaster and began to fire. "Roll out, solider!"

The red one, Ironhide, transformed back into his vehicle mode and opened up his doors. "You guys better get in now!" Shining Armour and the girls quickly got themselves into Ironhide as he closed his doors and drove off. "Optimus, I got them away. You need to get out of there, you can't take Devestator alone!"

Optimus jumped onto the roof of the school's remnants, pulling out an axe and leaping forward, slashing Devastator's right arm before being thrown back into the ground. He activated his communications device. "Wheeljack, do any of the Ark's weapons systems still function?" Optimus looked up just in time to roll out of the way as Devastator stomped his foot into the ground.

"The missile system is online, but we only got enough for one shot!"

"One shot is all we need. Fire the missile at Devastator!" Optimus dodged another one of Devastator's stomps, as the massive Constructicon took sight of Ironhide escaping with the girls. "Wheeljack, there isn't much time! Fire the missile!"

Within the ruins of the crashed ship, a port opened on the side to reveal a large missile launcher. "One missile headed for big, green and ugly now!" Wheeljack spoke over the comms as he fired a single missile from the ship, which collided with Devastator's torso, promoting the large robot to separate into the component robots, who all crashed to the ground as Optimus transformed and drove off to meet with Ironhide.

"That was a close one, Optimus. Where are we gonna take these girls? The Ark ain't gonna be safe for 'em..." Ironhide expressed his concerns, as Shining Armour looked out the side window at Optimus.

"There's an abandoned military base not too far from here. If you're looking for a place to hide, you could try there." He suggested. Despite not being able to currently show it, Ironhide and Optimus smiled on the inside.

Optimus began to slow himself down. "Ironhide, follow the male's instructions and go to that base. I'll gather the other Autobots and meet you there." Ironhide continued to drive as Optimus made a U-turn and began heading back toward Canterlot High. As they approached the military base, a young male clad in SWAT armour stood to the right side and knocked on Ironhide's window.

Shining Armour looked out. "Officer Garrison, I'm gonna need full access to this facility. We have some...unexpected, guests arriving shortly. Which hangar bay is the largest?"

Garrison pointed toward a large hangar bay, labelled 'Hangar E'. "Right there, Captain Shining Armour. When are these guests coming through?" He asked, as Shining smiled, and he and the girls stepped out of the car, which transformed into Ironhide. Garrison stood still, his jaw dropped in shock and awe.

"You'll know when you see 'em. Name's Ironhide, by the way. Now, Hangar E was it?" Ironhide asked as he walked over to the hangar, with the girls and Shining Armour following on, leaving Garrison alone, still with his jaw dropped.

30 Minutes Later

Optimus drove along the road, as several other vehicles surrounded him at all angles. A yellow Beetle drove directly to Optimus' left, as well as a pink and blue motorcycle on his right. Several other makes of vehicles, including an ambulance, drove behind Optimus, as a fighter jet flew in the skies above. Garrison saw the oncoming traffic and opened the gates to the military hangars. The land vehicles all pulled over beside Hangar E, with the jet landing on a nearby helipad.

The other vehicles all transformed into their robot forms and looked at Ironhide and the humans he brought along. Optimus Prime was the last to transform, and he walked over to the girls and Shining Armour. "Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are the Autobots, autonomous robotic organisms from a distant planet called Cybertron. We are a peacekeeping resistance group, currently at war with a tyrannical faction called the Decepticons."

"But those Constructicons told us you were a terrorist group, and now you're saying that they're the evil ones?" Twilight tilted her glasses and looked up at Optimus. "Which one of you is telling the truth?"

Another Autobot, yellow and black, walked over to Optimus' side. "They're the liars! We fought endlessly to protect our planet, and you're gonna assume we're lying just because some stupid Cons got to you first?!" He tried to walk closer, but was pulled aside by Optimus.

"Take it easy, B-127. We need to protect these humans from the Decepticons, especially now that they have discovered the location of their school." B-127 mumbled something under his breath and backed away from the girls. "Apologies for that, humans. He's still new to our cause, and he feels very passionately of it." Optimus looked down at the girls and his eyes widened a bit. "Oh! Do forgive me for introducing myself. I am Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots."

"I'm B-127, the Autobots' scout. Looking forward to getting a real name someday." The yellow Autobot spoke quietly.

A red-and-white Autobot looked toward the humans. "I'm Ratchet, medical officer for the Autobots." Ratchet looked at a particularly dark corner of the hangar. "That seems a good spot to set up my equipment." He walked over to the dark corner.

A pink-and-blue Autobot looked over at the girls. "I'm Arcee...Autobot soldier and recon officer..." Her tone seemed as though something was troubling her, and she remained quiet before saying anything else.

"Bulkhead, former Wrecker and space bridge technician." A large, dark green Autobot proudly spoke, raising an arm and pointing to himself as he did.

"Name's Jazz. Autobot trooper, and self-titled Autobot with taste" A white Autobot with shades over his eyes spoke, a grin being worn on his face.

Two Autobots were left unintroduced. A white Autobot with differently-coloured stripes and two square-like structures on his cheeks was the first of the two. "I'm Wheeljack, the Autobots' technology expert and enginner!" He spoke in an almost boastful tone.

"Guess that just leaves me, I'm Jetfire, recon officer and air support" The final Autobot spoke out.

The girls all exchanged glances with one another, before deciding they would also introduce themselves. "I'm Sunset Shimmer." She smiled and waved her hand slightly. "We don't really do rankings in our group, but I guess I'd be considered the leader?" She chuckled nervously.

"I'm Twilight Sparkle, newest member of the group, heh..." Twilight tilted her glasses as she noticed Wheeljack was particularly focused on her.

Wheeljack checked a small computer monitor located within his forearm, before looking back up at the girls. "You were the one who transformed into that demonic creature breaking up the dimensional barrier, right?" A tone of genuine curiosity emerged in Wheeljack's voice.

Twilight began to stammer slightly. "W-Well....uh.....y-y-yes..." her smile faltered, and she simply nodded before shying away.

"Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie!" She emerged from the group, bouncing on the spot. "I'm the party-planning expert in CHS, and I'm just SUPER EXCITED to be meeting real-life, talking, transforming giant robots who have come from another world because they lost their homeworld to a civil war!" She squealed with excitement, prompting a small chuckle from Bulkhead.

Rarity was next to be introduced. "I am Rarity, professional fashionista. I get that it's a war and all, but PLEASE try and not allow me to get my wonderful dresses ruined!" The other girls all rolled their eyes, with a couple of them even letting out disgruntled sighs.

"Let's just wrap this up already. I'm Applejack, I help run a farm, the one with the rainbow hair is Rainbow Dash, our school's sports captain, and the one tryin' to hide herself behind everyone else is Fluttershy." Applejack sighed softly, as Rainbow Dash waved at them, and Fluttershy awkwardly peaked out from behind Twilight and Sunset, waving nervously.

Shining Armour walked over to a flight of stairs leading to the platform where the girls are. "That just leaves me. I'm Shining Armour, captain of this city's law enforcement and a military officer. I've talked things over with my superiors, and they have agreed to grant you complete access to this abandoned facility."

Optimus nodded his head. "Thank you, Shining Armour. We would like to request assistance salvaging the remaining functional equipment from the wreckage of our ship. In the meantime, may I ask that the human females stay here, so that we may get better acquainted with one another."

"Of course. If one of you would like to accompany me, I'll call in a salvaging team to go through the ship." Shining Armour left the hangar bay, with Wheeljack transforming into his vehicle mode and following his lead.

Decepticon Warship, Nemesis

"I cannot believe that you failed to squash TWO Autobots!!!" Starscream yelled out in a state of rage as he slammed his fist down. "How did you let this happen?!"

One of the Constructicons, Long Haul, was laying down on a table, as Scrapper was attempting to remove a missile piece from his chest. "With all due respect, Lord Starscream...I'd like to see you taking a missile as a Combiner..." He grunted in pain as Scrapper pulled out the missile chunk.

The room's door opened up, as Soundwave slowly walked over to Starscream. "Starscream, where are Shatter and Dropkick? They were due to report to me two Earth hours ago."

Starscream grinned, and pulled up the co-ordinates to the energy surge he had found earlier. "Scouting the site of a nearby energy surge. Hopefully they return with the source." Soundwave's visor began to glow a brighter red as he forcefully grabbed Starscream by the head and twisted it so he was facing him.

"I did not authorise this mission." Soundwave proceeded to fling Starscream across the room, slamming the air commander into a wall, before walking over and kicking him. "Lord Megatron has given you more second chances for your deception than you deserve. I will not be as tolerant." As Soundwave left the room, he turned to face Starscream once more. "If you repeat these mistakes, I will not hesitate to remind you of your place."

Scrapper looked down at his leader. "Why do you just let Soundwave beat you down like that?"

"I'm just biding my time, until the tides of fate begin to weigh in my favour." Starscream got onto his feet after struggling to get up for a minute. "And once they do, a new age will begin for the Decepticons...the Age of Starscream!"

Author's Note

Fun Fact: Officer Garrison is based off a dear friend of mine, GaryTheNeutral (check out his profile here: https://www.fimfiction.net/user/256245/GaryTheNeutral)

This story is based off of roleplays that we had spent years working on together, and largely follows the same storyline, though I've added in certain elements (the Cybertron sequence in Chapter 1, the inclusion of Shatter and Dropkick, and Bumblebee's alternate mode) to tie-in to the recent Bumblebee movie. So, basically, give 50% credit to Gary for helping bring this story to life!

[Pilot] Chapter 4: Adjusting

Planet Earth
Everfree Forest

"So, this is Earth?" Shatter looked around at the forest and waterways surrounding her. "How...disappointing." She grumbled to herself as she continued walking, her brother Dropkick following closely behind. "This energy source better be something....otherwise we landed on this rock for nothing."

Dropkick looked around as well, spotting a pair of young human females sat on a nearby bench, throwing bread at a small family of ducks. "I know, right? And just look at the indigenous life here. Disgusting." He raised his right arm as it transformed into an arm cannon, aiming at the two girls. "I'll do us both a favour." He charged his cannon and fired a shot at one of the girls, causing her body to explode into a large puddle of clear liquid. The other girl screamed, jolted from her seat and turned to face the two Cybertronians, before Dropkick fired a second shot from his arm cannon, reducing the other girl to a clear liquid too. "Heh heh, gotta say...I like the way these 'humans' pop." Dropkick chuckled to himself as Shatter laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Focus, brother. Our only priority right now is to find this power source Starscream wants so much. Once we do, you can 'pop' as many Earth natives as you please." She smirked as Dropkick let out a frustrated sigh, before he eventually nodded his head, agreeing with her. "Good, now..." Shatter pressed a panel on her wrist, revealing a holographic map, with a yellow dot flickering repeatedly. "The energy signature is close by, approximately 200 clicks due north-west." She retracted the hologram and pointed in the direction of a large, open cave. "Though, we should find alternate forms to scan first, in order to maintain our cover."

The two Decepticons looked up to the sky, watching two military aircraft fly over them. "Perfect." They both activated scanners within their optics and added the images of the vehicles. "Time to take these new forms for a test drive." Dropkick spoke as he began transforming into a military helicopter, with Shatter jumping into the air before shifting her body to form a fighter jet, the pair taking off to the skies and flying off into the distance.

Military Hangar E
New Autobot Base

At the new Autobot base, several vehicles were parked outside, transferring several pieces of Cybertronian equipment into the hangar, under the supervision of Wheeljack and Shining Armour. "That's it, nice and slow....little more, little more...and....done!" The Autobot engineer instructed the moving vehicles before giving a thumbs-up, signalling the end of the moving process. "Here it is,Optimus. All the functional equipment we could salvage from the Ark. Computers, weapon systems, Groundbridge prototype, and medical equipment." He began to move some of the computers himself as Ratchet began walking toward the Groundbridge equipment, gazing down at what Wheeljack was able to salvage.

"Is that everything then, Wheeljack?" Shining asked, looking at the gargantuan pieces of machinery scattered in front of him. Optimus Prime looked down and nodded at him.

"Indeed. We appreciate all your help, Shining Armour." Optimus looked at the group of human girls assembled near the other Autobots. "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to accompany your police force to see how human law enforcement functions." Shining Armour nodded and gestured for Optimus to follow him. "Ratchet, I leave you in charge until I return." He spoke before transforming into his vehicular form and following Shining Armour out of the hangar and back toward Canterlot City.

"So...what's a Groundbridge?" Twilight asked, watching as Ratchet began moving the Groundbridge prototype into a corner of the hangar bay. "Is it some sort of interspace travel?" She asked as Ratchet paused to acknowledge her.

"Not exactly. I designed the Groundbridge based off of Spacebridge technology stolen from the Decepticons during the eve of the war on Cybertron. They had designed the Spacebridge to enable travel to other worlds, something they no doubt used to follow the Ark to your world." He explained. "However, given that the Autobots are a resistance group, I lack the materials and power source to properly replicate the Spacebridge." He took a pause as he began assembling the components of the Groundbridge. "That said, however, once this prototype is fully assembled, it will allow us to open portals to anywhere on this planet's surface." Ratchet and Twilight both exchanged slight smiles before Ratchet returned his focus toward his work. "I am quite surprised with the technology available on your planet, though. It very much resembles what we had on Cybertron, but that's probably just a coincidence."

Meanwhile, just outside of the base, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and B-127 were striking up conversation. "So, back on your planet, you were the fastest 'bot around?" Rainbow asked, inquisitively.

"Well, not one to toot my own horn, but I could easily out-speed a Seeker squadron, and come back around to kick their tin cans into scrap." B-127 spoke, slightly boastful, as Rainbow Dash stared up with wide eyes and a wide smile.

"Awesome!"

Fluttershy kicked the ground underneath her, before brushing her hair aside and looking up. "Um, excuse me, s-sir, but...why are you called B-127?"

"Huh, good point. Everyone else has cool names like Optimus Prime, Bulkhead, Jetfire..." She almost swooned at the mention of their names, though quickly regained herself. "but, like, the coolest Autobot here is stuck with the lamest name. Why?" Rainbow asked, almost as though she were complaining about it.

B-127 rolled his eyes before kneeling down to properly address the girls. "It's my designation. Every Cybertronian is given a designation, and they keep it until they pick a name for themselves. Well, except from Optimus, he was born with his name. I'm still quite young, so I've not gotten around to choosing a name yet..." He sighed a little. "I'm open to some ideas, if you two would help me?"

"Well, your colours are yellow and black...so, maybe Bumblebee?" Fluttershy suggested.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and pretended to yawn. "Lame!"

"I dunno, I kinda like 'Bumblebee'. Easy to remember, sounds iconic, has a nice ring to it." Bumblebee stood up and raised his fist happily. "Alright, Bumblebee it is! Thanks, girls!" Bumblebee transformed into his vehicle form and began to run a few laps around the military hangar, prompting Ratchet to sigh in frustration.

"Oh, Primus' sake..." The Autobot medic let out an annoyed sigh, before he received a pat on the back from Wheeljack.

"Take it easy on 'im, Ratchet. We were all young once, just give him some time! "

Ratchet sighed again, and looked over at Wheeljack. "I know, I know, it's just...sometimes, I wonder just what Optimus saw in 'Bumblebee' when he recruited him into the Autobot resistance.. "

"Hey, we all wonder that sometimes, but you of all Cybertronians should know that everything Prime does, he does for a good reason." Wheeljack looked at all the equipment,then back at Ratchet. "Anyways, since the others are all out patrolling or enjoying themselves, hows about I help you get all this equipment back up and running?" He offered, as Ratchet smiled and nodded.

Decepticon Warship, Nemesis

Within one of the chambers of the Nemesis, a group of Decepticons were gathered together in a circle. Standing at the back end of the circle, slightly higher than the others, was Soundwave. "Decepticons, I have gathered you all here today, to discuss a matter of the highest urgency." He activated the monitor behind him, showing an image of a grey Decepticon raising his right arm, standing atop a pile of fallen Cybertronian soldiers. "Finding Lord Megatron, and restoring him to his rightful place as our leader."

One of the other Decepticons looked toward Soundwave and the image of Megatron. "How can you be sure that Megatron is on this planet? Wasn't he destroyed on Cybertron during the Battle of Kaon?" He asked, just as a large mechanical bird, Laserbeak, flew into the room from an open ventilation shaft.

"Laserbeak, transmit technological data to monitor." Soundwave commanded, as Laserbeak flew over to his master's side, transmitting a series of blueprint images to the monitor behind them. "I sent Laserbeak on a recon mission throughout the city, and discovered that the technology used shares origins with those of Cybertronians." Soundwave paused for a moment, before projecting images of a battle between Megatron and Optimus Prime aboard a Cybertronian craft. The craft was seen flying toward a large metallic portal, where an explosion suddenly occurred. "Though the bomb was detonated, and Megatron was lost, the Space Bridge remained fully operational, and the ship was seen exiting through."

A large Decepticon who bore slight resemblance to Starscream looked at the footage displayed by Soundwave. "So...you're saying that the wreckage of the ship crashed here on Earth? Ol' Megs is still around?" He asked as Soundwave turned to face him.

"Possibly. I will send my Mini-Cons to perform further recon around this city, for any further traces of Lord Megatron's presence on Earth." Soundwave explained. "However, we can confirm that we are not the first Cybertronians to arrive on Earth."

The door to their room opened, and a purple, one-eyed Decepticon, Shockwave, entered the room. "Soundwave, your presence has been requested on the Bridge. Blitzwing, you as well." He quickly left, as Laserbeak returned to Soundwave's chest compartment.

"Meeting adjourned." Soundwave spoke as he and one of the Seekers, Blitzwing, left the chamber and followed Shockwave to the bridge.

On the bridge, Starscream finished a small video call with Shatter, providing updates on their mission, as he turned around to face the three Decepticons. "Ah, Soundwave, Blitzwing, so glad you could join us." He stepped down from his podium, feeling slightly unsettled by Soundwave's expressionless face staring at him. "Shatter and Dropkick are making great progress with their mission, and I expect that they shall return soon with a rich energy source!" He took a pause to chuckle to himself, noting Blitzwing's smirk, and the blank stares of Shockwave and Soundwave. "However, we have been informed that we all require alternate forms based on human transportation vehicles. To put it lightly, we must be 'robots in disguise', so to speak." He gestured toward Soundwave. "I want you to oversee selecting alternate modes. Search the city and scan whatever you find."

Soundwave stepped back and pressed a button located above his chest. "Laserbeak, eject. Operation: Vehicle Data Retrieval. Scan Earth technology for sufficient alternate forms and return." His chest opened up as Laserbeak popped out, opening his wings and flying down the corridors toward an exit point on the ship.

"Excellent work, Soundwave. You are dismissed." Starscream waves his hand as Soundwave turns away and leaves the room. The large Seeker then turns his attention to Blitzwing. "I want you to provide recon around this sector for Autobot activity. And if you see Shatter and Dropkick, tell them to hurry things along." He commanded. Blitzwing nodded before going into the halls and jumping from the exit point, transforming into a Cybertronian jet and blazing through the clouds.

Starscream was left alone with Shockwave and a few Vehicon drones, who were too busy attending to their duties to care about the conversations going on around them. "It won't take Soundwave long to figure out what really happened to Megatron." The scientist spoke out first. "He already has his ideas. All he needs to do is connect the dots, and your leadership of the Decepticons will be finished." Starscream turned around, an uneasy expression on his face.

"You will not spill a word of it to Soundwave, if you know what's good for you." He scowled as he walked toward Shockwave slowly. "After all, I'm sure you have secrets that would work well against you in Soundwave's hands too." He smirked, as Shockwave stared at him blankly.

"I know where my loyalties lie, Starscream. Megatron will always be above you, no matter what you try." Shockwave glared, Starscream reeling back as his cohort's cold gaze intimidated him. "If you want any chance of becoming the leader of the Decepticons, it would be most logical to stay out of my way." He gave his comrade some departing words before leaving the room himself, leaving Starscream alone with his thoughts and a few oblivious Vehicon troopers.

Crystal Cave, Camp Everfree

Back in Camp Everfree, a group of campers had reported strange sightings to the camp director. Two giant robots had appeared in the camp's out-of-bounds zone, and at around the same time, two girls had gone missing. In the camp's centre, an emergency meeting was being held amongst the campers.

"Attention, campers! Now, as I'm sure you're aware, there have been some....eh...odd, occurences, lately, but rest assured that we are working closely with local law enforcement to find the two missing students, and find out whatever the two big things are!" She nervously chuckled, trying to keep a positive attitude despite what was going on, even though she very clearly wasn't, and her words weren't reassuring anyone in the crowd below her.

One camper, wearing a long brown jacket and a scarf, cleared his throat to chime in. "Well, if you ask me, I believe that aliens have abducted Lyra and Bon-Bon using transmat beams, and plan on turning them into two more members for a massive invasion of Earth! Or, some other timey-wimey force like that!" His response was met with several groans from the crowd, and a facepalm from the camp director.

"Aliens? Are you that ridiculous? This is serious, they could be in big trouble!" A classically-dressed girl holding a large cello burst out, frustrated by the boy's answers. "Look, Gloriosa, we get that you want us all to try and enjoy our week here, but how can we relax when two of our dearest friends have been abducted?"

As the crowd continued to openly express their concerns, Gloriosa realised quickly that she would be unable to contain the situation and ran off into her cabin, locking the door and waiting for the police to respond.

Canterlot City Police Department

"Captain Shining Armour, we got a call from a Miss. Daisy, director of Camp Everfree. Something about two campers going missing, and sightings of giant robots." The chief leaned back on his seat, and poked his head out of the window. "Oh, and, uh...take that Prime guy with you. Show him how we handle things around here, got it?" He moved back in to his office, as Shining Armour walked outside to meet Optimus Prime.

He looked up at the Autobot leader and raised his hat in respect. "Well Optimus, looks like you might get a piece of action after all. Got a case of two missing kids and some robot sightings." He waited for a response, but found that Optimus seemed otherwise engaged. "Uh...Optimus? You alright there?"

Optimus finally tilted his head to Shining Armour, a grim expression in his eyes. "Decepticons...Shining Armour, let's roll out."

[Pilot] Chapter 5: Power

Hangar E

Twilight awoke within the confines of the new Autobot base, her friends all asleep, and most of the Autobots away on patrol duties, save for Ratchet, who was working on the Groundbridge. She smiled and began heading down the metal staircase to see what Ratchet was up to. "Hey Ratchet, what are you working on?" She asked, but the medic remained silent, and even stopped moving completely. As Twilight descended the staircase some more, she noticed a purple glow in Ratchet's eyes as he turned around to face her. Suddenly, she felt intimidated and froze in place. "Uhh....Ratchet?"

Ratchet turned his whole body around to face Twilight, and spoke in a voice that felt all too familiar to her. "Did you really think it was gonna be over, just like that?" The voice spoke, as Ratchet began to crumble, his limbs cracking and breaking as he stumbled over to Twilight before ultimately collapsing to the ground and crumbling into scrap metal. Twilight cried out as she stepped back, a loud cackle echoing throughout the base as a shadowy figure began to rise behind her. Twilight continued backward before feeling an icy hand stroking her cheek and resting on her shoulder, spinning her around to face the figure, who revealed itself to be her villainous alter-ego, Midnight Sparkle. "Oh Twilight, this nightmare is only JUST beginning!"

Twilight stepped back from her counterpart, but quickly found herself frozen on the spot, right in front of the crumbled remains of Ratchet. She couldn't move her legs, and she felt her heartbeat race as Midnight simply walked toward her before clicking her fingers in a quick snapping motion. Right after, the whole environment around her began to crumble away, fading into dust to reveal a purple space, an empty void with nothing inside it but Twilight and Midnight. "W-What's going on? Why are you doing this?!" Twilight cried out, as Midnight flew above her.

"Because I'm too weak just now to do anything else." Midnight grumbled and glared at Twilight menacingly. "But I can assure you, Twilight Sparkle, that I will get stronger, and I WILL consume this world, then Equestria!" Midnight began to cackle as Twilight herself began to crumble, just as Ratchet and the Autobot base had done previously. She screamed as the last of her body began to fade into dust, and everything turned to black....

Pinkie Pie's House

Twilight jolted up from her makeshift bed, sweat pouring from her head and her breaths rapid and slightly painful. Her eyes darted around, as she found herself in Pinkie Pie's room, following their sleepover from their introductory day with the Autobots. One of the other sleeping bags began to shift beside her, and Sunset Shimmer rose up slowly, her hair scattered across her head in various long strands, and bags under her eyes. She looked over at Twilight, mumbling unintelligibly before opening her mouth to speak.

"Mmm....Twilight...what time is it...?" She asked sluggishly, her speech slow and deep given her tired status. "What are you doing up?" Sunset asked as she rubbed her eyes and sat up a little straighter. She turned her head to face Twilight, as she wiped the sweat from her forehead and put on her glasses.

She shook her head a little. "Yeah, yeah...just had a bit of a bad dream, that's all...heh heh...." She chuckled nervously as she avoided trying to look in Sunset's direction. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a second before letting out a sigh. "I'm going to get a glass of water..." Twilight got up slowly as she walked down the staircase and into Pinkie's kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water and drinking it slowly, not seeming as though she was planning on coming back up anytime soon.

Sunset stared at the doorway with some mild concern, and took out a dusty old book with her Equestrian 'cutie mark' on the cover. Taking a fresh new page, she took out a pen, and began to write to an old friend:

"Dear Princess Twilight,

It's been a crazy few days here at Canterlot City. I'm not even sure where to begin. We had this rival school, Crystal Prep Academy, and we were competing in this annual event, the Friendship Games. But then, right at the end of it all, the school's principal Cinch (who I think is a monster of a woman) forced her top student, who just happens to be this world's Twilight, into releasing a bunch of magic stolen from my friends and the portal to Equestria, which made her turn into a raging she-demon (kind of ironic, now that I think about it) who began tearing apart the barrier between our worlds. Now all that was crazy enough, but THEN, this big ship came crashing out of the sky and totally destroyed half the school! Nobody was hurt, thank Celestia, and we got Twilight back to her old self again. The next day, we apparently get all wrapped up in some giant alien robot civil war with these guys called the 'Autobots', who say they want to protect us against these 'Decepticons' who want us for...I guess our magic? There's still a whole lot we've yet to find out. I'll keep you posted.

But giant robots aside, I'm worried about this Twilight. She just woke up in a massive sweat, and seems like maybe she's hiding something. I don't want to force anything out of her but at the same time I feel like I need to get her to tell me somehow. I know you're probably busy being the Princess of Friendship and saving Equestria from an all-manner of magical threats, but I'd really appreciate some guidance from an old friend, to help Twilight the same way a certain somepony once helped me.

Your faithful friend, Sunset Shimmer"

Sunset closed her book and took a small breath before lying back down to get some more sleep. She would talk with Twilight later on.

Everfree Forest
Crystal Cave

"This looks like the place." Shatter pulled up a holo-projector from her wrist, which displayed the image shown to them by Starscream back on the Nemesis. She looked back and forth between the image and the cave before closing the projector. "We got here in good time too, despite you and your 'activities', Dropkick." She rolled her eyes toward her brother, who simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't get mad at me, I was taking out witnesses. Mostly." Dropkick looked toward the cave and poked his head through the entrance. "Let's just get this over with so I can go back to snuffing Autobot sparks. Can't wait to finally take out that stupid lieutenant we've got prisoner." He walked further into the cave as Shatter held her face in her hands, before slowly following him too.

As the two Decepticons explored the cave further, they eventually reached a series of rock formations that took on the appearance of a shrine. In the centre was a rock that stood out among the rest, with two glowing crystals slotted within, with five other empty holes decorating the top of the formation. As Dropkick stood reasonably close to the entrance of the cave, Shatter moved closer to inspect the crystals. "Hmm...looks like somebody must have come here before us, but..." She took the two remaining crystals in her hand and chuckled to herself, "...some of the spoils are still ours for the taking." She then activated her comms link, turning to face Dropkick. "Lord Starscream, we've acquired the source of the energy signature. We're returning to the Nemesis now."

"Ah, excellent work Shatter. Get back here as fast as you can, so we can finally begin the total destruction of Orion Pax and his Autobots!" Starscream's words rang in Shatter's audio receptors as she closed off her comms link and walked out of the cave, signalling her brother to leave as well and join her side.

Camp Everfree

Shining Armour pulled over beside the camp in his armored police vehicle, accompanied by a red-and-blue semi truck, a yellow VW Beetle and a blue-and-pink quad bike of unknown make. He exited his vehicle and walked over to the camp director, Gloriosa Daisy, to get the details of the case. After a few minutes of conversation, Gloriosa left and Shining Armour's companions transformed into Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Arcee, respectively.

"Okay, I spoke with the director. Two girls went missing yesterday while walking on the perimeter of the camp grounds, and about seven others have gone missing over the past few hours. We've also had surviving witnesses talking about either seeing two military aircraft flying around the camp grounds, or two giant robots, one blue and one red." Shining looked up and noticed the exchange of glances between Arcee and Optimus. "I take it you're familiar with these robots, then?"

Optimus nodded. "Indeed. They are Shatter and Dropkick, a brother-sister team who joined with the Decepticons during the eve of the War for Cybertron. They're hunters, whose primary mission was to hunt down targets of interest, and either kill them or bring them to the Decepticon leader for interrogation." He looked toward the forested area of the camp grounds, noticing a few knocked down trees in the distance. "We had picked up a strong energy signature emerging from within the forest. It would stand to reason that Shatter and Dropkick were sent here in search of something the Decepticons want. Stopping them from returning with their prize must be our priority."

Bumblebee looked at Optimus. "Maybe we should split up, Optimus. You take the human and search the camp grounds for any signs of other Decepticons, and I'll take 'Cee and look for whatever the energy signature is coming from." He suggested, as Optimus nodded in approval.

"Excellent thinking, Bumblebee. But do not engage the enemy unless all other options are exhausted. Radio me for backup if you find yourself in a tight spot." Optimus told him. He nodded as he tapped Arcee's shoulder and guided her deep into the forest, following the trail of fallen trees.

Shining Armour looked up at Optimus. "What do you think these Decepticons are looking for, big guy?"

"I am not certain," Optimus began as he noticed a military fighter jet beginning to speed above the camp grounds, heading in the same direction. "...but I believe we are about to find out." Optimus stared closely at the jet soaring in the clouds, before activating his own comms link. "Jetfire, rendevous with me at my current co-ordinates. I believe we may require air support..." He said with a grim tone in his voice as he looked down at Shining Armour, and the other humans gathering themselves at the centre of the camp.

Everfree Forest

"Shatter and Dropkick...they were the Decepticons who stopped Cliff from joining us in the Ark, weren't they?" Arcee asked Bumblebee as they continued their hike in the woods, with no further signs that the Decepticons were present. Bumblebee looked at her before nodding his head slowly.

"Yeah, that was them. But they took Cliff back to their ship, I saw it through one of the Ark's viewing ports. He's alive, 'Cee, I'm sure of it." Bee offered up his words of support, which made Arcee smile a little as she stopped to continue their talk.

She sighed a little and crossed her arms slightly. "I hope he is...I'm worried about him." She began, as Bumblebee simply stood still and listened intently. "I remember one day when he told me that if it ever came to it, he'd carve out his own spark for the Autobots if it meant we had a chance at winning this war. I laughed it off back then, but seeing him rush over as we flew away...I'm beginning to wish I took him more seriously..." Arcee looked down at the ground, as Bumblebee laid a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. "I'm fine, Bee, and you're probably right. I just need to get my head in the game an-" She stopped abruptly as the sound of rustling trees began ringing in her audio receptors.

"Well well well, if it isn't our lucky day?" The taunting voice of Shatter spoke out as she, and Dropkick, emerged from the shadows of the trees and stood before the two young Autobots. "We find an energy source ripe for the Decepticons, AND we get to kill B-127 and his little friend, Arcee." Shatter laughed as she noticed Dropkick transform his right arm into a cannon with four missiles strapped to its sides, his eyes filling with eagerness to destroy the Autobots in front of him.

He took a step forward and waved the cannon between Bumblebee and Arcee. "Finally, I get to snuff more Autobots! After we're done with you two, we're gonna present our prize to Starscream, and then we get to kill Cliffjumper!" He laughed, as Arcee's eyes widened with shock and she stepped forward as well.

"Cliff's alive??"

Shatter nodded and smirked. "Indeed he is, but not for much longer I'd imagine. He's been very uncooperative with Lord Starscream. A shame that he chose to waste his bravery on Orion Pax and his little resistance. We could have put it to good use."

Arcee drew her own weapons and pointed them at the two Decepticons. "Why don't you give Cliffjumper back to us, and we'll let you two live?" She asked, as Bumblebee took out his blasters and joined Arcee's side.

The two Decepticons laughed until Shatter's eyes lit up; she had an idea. She pulled Dropkick back and whispered something into his audio receptor, just out of hearing range for Arcee and Bumblebee. After a minute of silent exchanges, the two Decepticons turned back to face their enemies. Shatter stood forward to speak. "Okay, we'll release Cliffjumper, but first," She stopped speaking as a portal opened up between the two Decepticons, and a damaged, one-armed Cliffjumper was pushed through it, prompting a shocked response from Arcee, disturbed by his condition. "we're going to have a little chat." She sneered as Dropkick pressed his cannon to the back to Cliffjumper's head.

"Cliff..." Arcee spoke quietly and retracted her blasters, covering her mouth with her hands. Weakly, Cliffjumper raised his head and gave his usual grin to Arcee, letting her know he was alright, even if it was obvious he was not.

He raised his eyes to face Arcee and Bumblebee. "Hey...'Cee, Bee...how's my two favourite 'bots doing?"

"We're, uh....good, all things considered. How about you, Cliff?" Bumblebee asked back..

"Been better, not gonna lie...but I'm alive, which is what matters in the e-"

"Enough small talk!!" Dropkick ordered, pressing his cannon harder against Cliffjumper, before he went to address Bumblebee and Arcee. "You two are going to tell us what Orion Pax is planning to do on this mudball, or, I am going to splatter you with your dear friend's spilt Energon!" He threatened as Shatter pushed Cliffjumper forward, and Dropkick softly charged his cannon to show he planned on following through with his threat.

Cliff frowned and glared at Dropkick. "You might as well scrap me now! We're never gonna sell Optimus out to the likes of you!" He tried to wriggle his way of Shatter's grip, but she only tightened it in response. Though, as she did so, one of the crystals she had collected began to glow, and her eyes widened as she was suddenly beginning to see into the mind of Cliffjumper, watching as his memories flashed before her eyes, until her eyes stopped at one in particular...

Cybertron
Iacon City Hall

Optimus stood up by a table displaying holographic images of Decepticons decimating their forces, and red lights appearing on various locations on Cybertron. "Autobots, we face a dire threat to our survival. Decepticons have conquered most of Cybertron and hold those in their way under their thrall. Iacon is the final Autobot stronghold left. In addition, I have lost contact with Ultra Magnus and his team...there is not much hope. We must fight for Iacon, no matter the cost."

Cliffjumper rose up from his position and looked to face Optimus. "Look, Prime, I'd lay down my life for everyone in this room, anytime, any day....but what if Iacon falls too? What do we do then? Surrender?" He asked, as other Autobots began to chatter as Optimus silenced all of them with a raise of his hand, and a holographic display of a different planet.

"If all else fails, and we lose control of Iacon, then we will use the Ark to escape to a hidden planet I discovered, Earth. We will travel there and establish a base of operations so that we may rebuild. I have scattered others across the galaxy, and once we reach Earth they will join us. Once we have gathered all we can, we will return to Cybertron, and take back our home." Optimus concluded, as the memory began to fade and Shatter let go of Cliffjumper, standing still in shock for a moment before blinking and shaking her head, in disbelief at what she saw.

Cliffjumper began to walk toward his fellow Autobots as the two Decepticons were occupied with Shatter's sudden, strange behavior. "Uhh...what was that?" Dropkick asked as he turned to face his sister. "You just conked out, what happened?"

"I-I don't know, Dropkick...I..." She looked down at her hand, and noticed one of the crystals was glowing a faint orange. "The crystal...it allowed me to see into the Autobot's mind. I saw what Orion Pax is planning to do here. We have everything we need." Shatter felt a smile go to her face as she looked at the small reunion between Cliffjumper, Arcee and Bumblebee. "He's all yours."

Dropkick chuckled to himself as he began to charge up his cannon and aimed it at Cliffjumper's head as Arcee held him in her arms. Dropkick also armed the missiles on the sides of his cannon as the primary weapon heated up. Bumblebee noticed and went to warn his friends. "Arcee, NO!!!" He yelled out just as Arcee was suddenly knocked back by a massive explosion.

When the smoke cleared, Arcee went to see if Cliffjumper was okay, and picked him up to lift him out of the forest, but when she did so, she noticed that Cliffjumper was missing something...his head. Arcee screamed, eyes wide with horror as she dropped his body onto the ground and stepped away from it. "B-Bumblebee.....BUMBLEBEE!!!" She cried out as he ran over to her before stopping and staring down at Cliffjumper's body, his eyes widening as well. "H-He....he's...." She tried to speak, her voice trembling as she began to shake.

"You...you MONSTERS! I'm gonna fraggin' KILL you!" Bumblebee yelled at the Decepticons as he donned his battle mask and ran at them. He punched Dropkick in the face as he swung his opponent around and slammed him into Shatter, sending both Decepticons tumbling to the ground. Bumblebee transformed his arm into a blaster and charged up to fire before being interrupted by the sound of a jet flying toward them...

"DIE, AUTOBOTS!!!" The jet screamed out as it released a barrage of missiles into the forest, blowing away Bumblebee and Arcee, destroying what was left of Cliffjumper's body and catching the attention of Shining Armour and Optimus Prime back at the main camp grounds.

Shining Armour looked at the explosions going off in the distance, and looked shocked at Optimus. "Looks like we'll be getting some action then, huh?"He asked as the fighter jet took off in the distance, as a second jet began to give chase. A minute later, a third jet and a helicopter began to take off, heading in the opposite direction of the other two jets. "..or not. I'll go call in fire services to put out the fires before it spreads and consumes the camp."

"Good idea. I'll go and take Bumblebee and Arcee back to the hangar and meet you there." Optimus told him as he ran over toward the source of the explosion.

Five Hours Later
Maximum Security Cell, Canterlot City Prison Facility

"It's been too long since we all got locked in this cell, and we're no closer to seeing that 'oh-so-brilliant' escape plan of yours" A female figure spoke, leaning against the wall in a corner behind the cell door. She moved so that her legs were resting on part of the seat she was on, and she rolled her eyes. "So, is this gonna be the big day?" She chuckled a little as she finished what she was saying.

A male figure, muscular in shape, leaned forward and stared at the woman in the corner. "I don't see you planning any sort of escape plan ideas from you, Chrysalis. Unless, of course, you and your little Changeling gang have some long-gestating master plan in the works?" He laughed too, before Chrysalis stood up and slapped him across the face.

"You shut up, Tirek! At least I actually HAD a plan! All you did was cause random destruction all over the city!" Chrysalis prepared to slap Tirek again before being interrupted by a maniacal cackle coming from the back end of the room.

The third figure in the room stood up and stepped forward into the light of the room, revealing himself to be an oddly dressed man with an outfit comprised of many other outfits stitched together into one. "That's the point! Randomly spread chaos is the BEST kind!" He laughed once again before prying Chrysalis and Tirek away from each other. "You two just don't understand the point of all of this!"

"Shut up, Discord!" The two other villains yelled in unison as they stood up...

And then their cell door opened.

Before them stood another female figure, dressed smartly, pushing a pair of glasses over his eyes before clasping her hands together.

"Who are you?" Tirek questioned.

The figure cleared her throat to speak. "My name is Abacus Cinch, former principal of Crystal Prep Academy." She walked closer to the three villains, a devious smirk streaked across her face. "And I have a proposition for you all."

[Pilot] Chapter 6: Secrets

Autobot Base
Hangar E

"Autobots..." Optimus Prime spoke grimly as his fellow Autobots were gathered around the shattered remains of what was once their comrade Cliffjumper, an inconsolable Arcee sat in the corner, shaking and mumbling unintelligibly. Shining Armor, Sunset, Twilight, and the other girls, were also gathered with the Autobots. "...we are gathered here today, to mourn the loss of a great comrade." The Autobots all gazed down at Cliffjumper's remains, Bumblebee looking particularly distraught. "On the battlefield, Cliffjumper was a brave warrior, a force to be reckoned with. Off the battlefield, he was a loyal friend...and a beloved partner." Optimus looked away from Cliffjumper and turned to Arcee. "Let us keep Cliffjumper, and Arcee, in our minds and our sparks...and let us make sure that his sacrifices weren't in vain."

Bumblebee looked up at Optimus. "Optimus...would it be okay if I said a few words?"

"Of course, Bumblebee" Optimus took a step back to allow Bumblebee to speak.

Bumblebee took a quick look at Arcee before speaking. "I didn't know Cliff all that well...I was new to the war, just like 'Cee was. But in all that time, Cliff became one of my best friends. He was the kind of 'Bot we'd all want as a friend. Loyal, caring, knows how to crack a joke even in a dire situation." He took a pause and let out a sigh. "We're gonna miss him...and I'm going to make sure the Decepticons that took him out pay for what they did. I swear on my spark..." He stepped back into the circle of Autobots, as Optimus returned to his previous position.

"Does anyone else want to add a few words?" Optimus asked. Silence fell across the room, save for Arcee's mumbling. "Ratchet...tend to Arcee. She requires medical attention." Ratchet nodded before walking over to Arcee and activating a scanner inside of his forearm.

As Ratchet performed his scans on Arcee, Twilight walked over to the railing beside them. "Is she going to be okay?" She asked, giving Arcee a concerned glance as the Autobot simply stared straight ahead of her, wide-eyed and unresponsive. "What's wrong with her?"

Ratchet sighed and used his free hand to analyse the scan data he had taken. "Arcee is experiencing extreme emotional trauma, overclocking her cognitive processors and placing her in a temporary catatonic state. Based on my limited research on human ailments, the Earth equivalent to her condition would be post-traumatic stress disorder." Ratchet gave Twilight a soft smile. "Arcee will recover, she just needs time. Though, with the Decepticons at large on this world, we can't afford time." He turned back to Arcee. "I'm going to recommend an induced power-down. It should give your processors time to cool down." Arcee simply nodded as Ratchet guided her to a different part of the hangar to power her down.

Shining Armour walked down the railings too, moving toward Optimus. "Optimus, I know you're in mourning right now...but these Decepticons, what are we going to do about them?"

"I do not know, Shining Armour. We cannot take any further action against them, without knowing what they had obtained from the Everfree Forest, and where they are currently stationed." Optimus spoke. "But rest assured, we are doing everything in our power." He said. Optimus turned his attention to their new human friends as Shining Armour went to take a phone call. "I apologize that you have had to become part of our war so soon. I understand if any of you wish to leave." He told them, as they all exchanged glances.

Rainbow Dash sat up on the railing. "Are you kidding? Like you said, this is a war! Safest place for us to be is right with you guys. Mostly Bumblebee, because he's awesome, but the rest of you guys too." She smiled brightly as Bulkhead walked over and patted Bumblebee's back.

"You bet Primus he's awesome! And he's my little buddy too! No better 'Bot than Bee!" He laughed a little as Bumblebee looked up at him. "How about me and Bee take you girls out for a drive? Get you away from the doom and gloom for a bit?" He looked up toward Optimus and back at the girls. "Uh, if that's okay with you, big guy."

Optimus Prime nodded. "Of course, Bulkhead. I think perhaps some fresh air would benefit our human friends. Maintain cover in your vehicular form at all times, and report to me if you see any Decepticon activity. Do not engage." He instructed, as Pinkie Pie jumped from the railing and onto Bulkhead's shoulder, much to the surprise of everyone else. Bulkhead and Bumblebee transformed to their vehicle modes as the girls all climbed in, save for Sunset Shimmer.

"Uh, I think I'm gonna stay behind, you girls go have some fun." She smiled as the doors closed on Bulkhead and Bumblebee and they drove out of the base. Sunset looked around the base. Arcee was in the medical bay, in a state of induced power-down, Ratchet and Wheeljack were continuing work on the GroundBridge, Jetfire was pacing around the room, and Jazz was sat in a corner with a human MP3 player, nodding his head to some music. In the centre of the base was Cliffjumper, or what was left of him, and right in front of her was Optimus Prime. "Hey, Optimus? Would it be strange if I asked for some advice on something?"

"Of course not, Miss Shimmer. Ask away." Though Optimus hid his mouth using a mask, Sunset imagined he was wearing an understanding smile. She opened her magical book and turned to the most recent pages, finding no reply from Princess Twilight just yet.

She sighed, closing her book and looking up at the Autobot leader."It's my friend, Twilight. I'm worried about her." She began. "Just before your ship crashlanded, we were competing in an event against a rival school, and Twilight's principal forced her to unleash these energies she had collected from my friends, and she became consumed by evil." As she spoke, Optimus realised the familiarity of Twilight's story...it reminded him of a bot he once called brother. "I was able to save her and stop her from doing further damage, but..." She took a small pause and gazed below her and Optimus for a brief moment, before she went on. "Well, it's probably nothing, but she woke up in a massive sweat last night, and seemed like something was troubling her, but she told me it was just a bad dream. I just worry that, maybe, some of that evil might still be inside her." She finished, as Optimus looked down and moved a hand closer to her.

"Sunset...my only advice would be to stay by Twilight's side, for as long as possible. If there does lie evil within her, then you must ensure that she never embraces it, that it never grows within." Optimus looked down at the ground, a look of sadness and grief in his eyes that she felt within her too. "Don't make the same mistake I did, so long ago..." Ratchet took a break from his work and looked toward Optimus, who walked over to the GroundBridge, hiding his sadness from the other Autobots.

Ratchet gave Optimus a look of concern. "Are you okay, Optimus?"

"I will be, old friend. Just...hearing Sunset's story, it reminded me of...of Megatron." He spoke the name quietly, as though ashamed to speak it aloud. "Her friend's predicament is similar to how he became what he did...and I will not allow anyone else, human or Cybertronian, to take that path.."

The moment between Optimus and Ratchet was broken by the sound of something hitting the wall. Looking down, a frustrated Shining Armour angrily hung up his phone, muttering something under his breath. He had caught Sunset's attention, as she ran down the staircase toward him. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Shining let out a frustrated sigh as he looked at Sunset. "The chief just made a very big mistake...just got word that three of our most dangerous criminals just got released." Sunset looked concerned as Shining wore a disturbed look on his face. "And get this, Principal Cinch was the one who released them."

"...What?" Sunset looked horrified at that news. What would Principal Cinch want with a trio of criminals? Was she plotting revenge against Celestia already? "B-But...but why?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out. Fancy coming along?" He asked as Sunset nodded, and the two raced out to Shining's vehicle, leaving the Autobots behind.

Ratchet and Optimus Prime exchanged glances. "It would seem as though the humans have their own complications...Decepticons, in human skin. Perhaps we aren't so different after all." Ratchet spoke as Optimus simply nodded in reply.

Secret Underground Facility

"So, what have you brought us here for?" Tirek asked, as Cinch guided him, Chrysalis and Discord further underground. She did not reply to him, fueling his boredom-induced frustration. "Hello? I'm asking you a question!" He yelled, but still no reply. Eventually Cinch stopped at a door, and typed a numerical code into a keypad on the wall. The door opened, as Cinch took her new companions into a large room, a scientific laboratory, three tubes glowing with incorporeal energies trapped within them. On the wall furthest from them rested the giant, dismantled remains of a large robot, a purple head-like insignia on his silver chest glowing faintly.

Cinch turned to Tirek, Chrysalis and Discord. "Welcome to your new home." She smirked. "This is a hidden facility built underneath Canterlot High School, laying dormant for decades. Celestia and Luna have no idea it exists, let alone how to get here, making it perfect for our needs."

Chrysalis looked around the room, unable to pull her gaze away from the giant robot. "What's with the robot?"

Cinch chuckled a little as she stepped closer to Chrysalis. "That, my friend, is the key to the city's technological advances. Crash landed here 50 years ago, found by the grandparents of Celestia and Luna, who built this place to study what they found. They called it NBE-01, and told nobody of its existence, not even their grandchildren." She kept her smile as Discord clapped his hands.

"Oh, hohohohohoho!!! This is just marvellous! Just think of all the chaos we can cause!" He wore a cheek-to-cheek grin as he walked toward NBE-01 and gazed up at its foreign build, its internal machinery far beyond what he had seen normally throughout his travels. Discord ran over to a ladder and pulled it over to NBE-01, climbing up the steps to look at the insignia closer, reaching out to touch it.

"DON'T. Touch him." Cinch yelled up at Discord. "That thing is the source of all the technology in Canterlot City, it's the most valuable thing you're ever going to see. So leave it alone, that's not what I want to show you." She finished as Discord began to mumble and climb back down the ladder, pushing it down as he walked back over to the group.

Chrysalis, Discord, and Tirek all stood before the glowing tubes, watching the energies within writhe and move around, as though trying in vain to break free. Cinch walked over as well. "This is what I wanted to show you." She smirked as she placed the trio's hands on the tubes, and walked to the other side of the table, peering down at a red button. "Now, hold onto the tubes, and prepare..." She pressed the button, and the tubes released. The energies took a couple seconds to acknowledge that their barriers had been removed, though when they did, they immediately entered the bodies of Discord, Chrysalis and Tirek, causing their bodies to glow for a few seconds as the power of the energies began to flow through them. Cinch simply watched in amazement as their bodies stopped glowing, and they all looked at one another.

Tirek held his head in his hand for a brief moment. "Wow...WOW! I feel...I feel more powerful than I ever have!" He laughed triumphantly as he raised his fists. "I feel like I can take on the universe!"

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, and as she opened her mouth to speak, she changed her shape to match Tirek. "Ugh, I feel like I can take on the universe!" She spoke in a mocking tone, before reverting to her normal form, looking at her hands in astonishment. "Woah...that was wierd.."

Discord laughed. "Wonder what I can do! Have I got something in my pockets?" He reached into his pocket, and began to empty several objects out of it, many of which don't look as though they could ever fit into a pocket. He pulled out flowers, trophies, packages of pony dolls and robot action figures, framed photographs of himself through the years, a tricycle and a large statue of himself. Once he finished, he looked at everything he pulled out. "Huh, I have neverending pockets. Neat." He smiled with glee.

As the trio admired their new abilities, a small robotic bird was watching them from the ventilation shaft. It flew out of the vents, out of the school, and into the sky in the distance...

Decepticon Warship, Nemesis

"Excellent work, you two!" Starscream spoke proudly to Shatter and Dropkick as he held the two crystals in his hand. "With these, we can power up our troops, and the Decepticons will become unstoppable!!" He began to laugh as a door opened and the bird flew through, landing atop Soundwave's shoulder cannon.

Soundwave opened his chest cavity and allowed the bird to turn into a casette tape and goes back inside. "Laserbeak has returned. Uploading vehicular data to Nemesis database." Soundwave turned to face a computer monitor as two tentacle-like devices emerged from his back and plugged them into the mainframe, as the images of several vehicles popped onto the screens. "Decepticons may choose alternate forms at their leisure via digital upload."

Starscream nodded and smiled. "Excellent, Soundwave. You are dismissed." He waved Soundwave off as the blue Decepticon walked out of the room.

Shockwave walked over and took the crystals from Starscream, placing them in a small device and activating it. The crystals were scanned and energy readings showed up in a projection coming from Shockwave's arm cannon. "Starscream, those these two crystals are showing promising energy levels, it is still insufficient for achieving the level of power you desire." He spoke calmly as Starscream scowled.

"Gah! Were there any more energy crystals in that cave?!" Starscream turned to face Shatter and Dropkick as they exchanged glances before either of them answered.

"There were only two in the cave, but there were seven slots in total on the structure we got them from." Shatter answered him. "Someone must have gone into the cave before we arrived here."

Starscream slammed a fist onto the wall beside him and growled. "Why is it that I have to do EVERYTHING myself when I want it done right?!?!" He collected the data from a fighter jet Soundwave had scanned and ran into the corridors, transforming and taking flight down toward the exit.

"Someone's got anger issues..." Dropkick mumbled as they watched their commander leave the Nemesis and fly down toward the location of the crystals.

Soundwave's Quarters

"Soundwave, you have returned!" Lugnut stood up and walked over to his superior. "DId you find any signs of Lord Megatron?" He asked expectantly. Soundwave silenced him with a raised hand and ejected Laserbeak from his chest. Laserbeak perched himself atop a stack of shelves and projected a holographic image of NBE-01, found in Cinch's secret headquarters. "It...It cannot be..." Lugnut spoke with surprise, his eye wide and mouth open with shock.

"And yet, it is." Soundwave spoke as he also stared at the image of his master. "Lord Megatron is here, and..." Laserbeak switched to a different display, a faint energy pulse bleeping on a holographic map of Canterlot City. "...Megatron lives."

Crystal Cave
Camp Everfree

Bumblebee and Bulkhead drove toward the cave, going past the site of the former's encounter with Shatter and Dropkick. They let the girls exit their vehicle forms. "Coast is clear." Twilight said as the two transformed into their robot modes as they looked down at the girls.

"How come you wanted to come here?" Bulkhead asked as Twilight pulled out a handheld device and pointed it toward the cave, a slow, steady beep coming from it. "And what's that?"

Twilight looked up. "Well, Bumblebee said the Decepticons stole something from here. Two crystals, which we think might be related to the magic that we all have within us." She then held up her device and smiled. "And this, is a prototype device I built back in my Crystal Prep days to analyse and track abnormal energy signatures." She walked into the cave ahead of everyone else.

"Sounds like we got a human Wheeljack, eh, Bulk?" Bumblebee nudged his large friend's shoulder as the two exchanged laughs, accompanied by the loud laughter of Pinkie Pie. "I think that one agrees with us."

"Yes-y deedly!" Pinkie grinned. "Our Twilight is super-sciency! Like, that one time when she built a magical sciency spectrometer thing and stole all the magic from us and the portal to Equestria and turned into another raging she-demon who threatened to rip apart the fabric of reality!" When she finished, everyone stood and stared at her wide-eyed, save for Twilight, who tried to ignore the reminder of her ordeal and continue onward into the cave. "What?" Pinkie asked, as everyone resumed walking.

The group continued until they reached the last cavern, surrounded by illuminating pink rocks, and vines guarding a rock jutting out of the ground, seven slots adorning the very top of it. Sunset looked around the cave in awe. "Yep...definitely getting some 'place of Equestrian magic' vibes from this place. Feels like home." She said as she examined the holes in the rock. "Bumblebee said the Decepticons stole two crystals from here, but there are seven slots."

Bulkhead looked at the rock and shrugged. "Maybe somebody else beat the 'Cons to the cave?" He suggested.

"It's a possibility, but who?" Twilight asked.

The group then went silent as somebody slowly clapped behind them. They all turned around and, to everyone's surprise, were confronted by the director of Camp Everfree. "That would be me." She glared at the group.

"Gloriosa?"