Dashing Sideswipe

“Can you believe she actually said that?!” Rainbow said as she walked with her friends in Ponyville.

“Yeah, eavesdropping on every meeting is kinda weird,” said Pinkie.

Ignoring her random yet true comment, Rainbow continued, “I mean, she basically said that the Wonderbolts aren’t cool! And it kinda sounded like she didn’t think I was cool either! But nahhh!! We all know that’s just crazy. Right? I mean, I’m definitely not worried she might be looking up to somepony else! Hehehehe...”

“Not. At. Allllll!!” Rainbow finished, smiling nervously.

“Well, ah I understand if you were. It will be like Apple Bloom startin’ to like bananas more than apples! Hehehehehe..” Applejack chuckled before suddenly putting on a serious face. “Y’all tell me if that ever happened, ya hear?”

“I just don’t get it! I’m the coolest and fastest pony in Ponyville,” said Rainbow. “What do the Washouts have that I don’t?!”

“Well, why don’t you find out!” Pinkie spoke, holding up the Washouts’ invite poster. Rainbow took it and gazed at it in shock.

“They’re doing a stunt show in Ponyville this weekend?!” yelled Rainbow.

Suddenly, Sideswipe arrived in the town in his car mode. He transformed into robot mode and stood above the ponies. “Rainbow Dash, all of you, you are all in grave danger! A Decepticon named Ratbat is here in the Everfree Forest planning to destroy you all! I have to get you to safety!” he warned.

The ponies gasped in fear. “Wait, a Decepticon here?! You mean those horrific ruffians who tried to destroy your old home and your friends?!” Rarity asked.

“Affirmative. I don’t know what Ratbat is planning, but I know for sure that his plan won’t be something that will be pleasant obviously.” Sideswipe stated.

“Hey there, Sideswipe!” a young voice called out. The Autobot and the ponies turned their heads to see Scootaloo jumping up and down with excitement before running to them. “Great to see you, buddy! I was hoping to find you here!”

“It’s nice to see you too, Scootaloo, but I’m afraid we have a huge problem in our hands—or hooves I should say...” began Sideswipe. “Ratbat is here, and he is planning something that will not only endanger Ponyville but also the rest of Equestria. If we don’t find and stop him now, that Decepticon will eliminate us all.”

“Wait, a Decepticon here?! Where?!” asked Scootaloo, terrified as she remembered the stories he used to tell them about the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons.

“I never imagined those creepy bad aliens coming to our world,” said Fluttershy. Suddenly, she made a confused look on her face as she pondered on something. “Hold on, his name is ‘Ratbat’?”

“Yes. Why?” Sideswipe asked.

“I’m just wondering...does he look like a bat? Or is he a half-rat and half-bat hybrid?” Fluttershy curiously asked.

“A bat to be precise,” replied Sideswipe. “But that’s not important right now. I need to get you all to safety so he won’t harm any of you.”

The Mane Six looked at each other before nodding to Sideswipe. “Wherever he is, we will make sure he doesn’t—!” Rainbow said before a commotion interrupted her.

“THE WASHOUTS! THEY ARE HERE!! WOOHOO!!” cheered a stallion. The Autobot and the Mane Six looked up and saw three pegasi in Washout uniform soaring across the sky. The other ponies and the Young Six cheered for the Washouts.

“Come on! Let’s get to the show!!” a mare cried. The Ponyville residents ran to the stunt show where they will be watching with great excitement.

Scootaloo was definitely the most excited as she pranced around and joyfully shook Rainbow Dash. “THEY’RE HERE!! I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!” the filly squealed before looking up to the Autobot. “You see, Sideswipe?! Come, you have to take me there!!”

Sideswipe arched an eyebrow. He didn’t forget about the threat that lurked in the Everfree Forest, but it appeared that Scootaloo immediately forgot about it unfortunately. “What if Ratbat is setting up a trap for me and my friends in this... ‘Washouts’ stunt show? He said he knows a pony who will get the job done but who exactly?” he carefully thought.

“I don’t know, Scootaloo. I understand your excitement for this special event, but there is a danger lurking in Equestria waiting for a clear moment to strike. Are you sure you want to go to this show?” Sideswipe admonished.

“Of course! You are a big guy! With you by our side, that bat dude will fly away from you and us!” Scootaloo replied confidently.

Rainbow Dash thought about it until she nodded in agreement as did the other five ponies. “Yeah, you’re right! What would a single metal bat do to many of us especially to a tall Autobot like Swipey here?” Rainbow agreed.

“Plus, Sideswipe is a skillful warrior as we have seen him in combat,” added Rarity. “I am sure this Ratbat will be no match for his excellent swordsmanship!”

“You ponies have no idea how strong and intelligent he is. Soundwave and Laserbeak can strongly attest to that.” Sideswipe thought.

After thinking about this for a moment, he sighed deeply and beheld his friends. “Okay, I’ll take you there, Scootaloo. All of you in fact. But you all must always stay close to me no matter what. It is my duty as an Autobot warrior to keep you safe. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!” Scootaloo saluted.

Rainbow Dash smiled until she reminded herself about the Washouts. Thinking about what Scootaloo said of them made her smile disappear. “Let’s see how ‘awesome’ they are...” she sourly grumbled.

Sideswipe transformed into a Corvette Stingray car and opened its doors to allow the ponies to enter. Once they got inside, he closed the doors and drove off to the stunt show. Unbeknownst to them, Ratbat spied on them from on top of Sugarcube Corner while being invisible. “The Autobot fool and his Equestrian friends are clueless of our plan. Is everything ready, Lightning Dust?” he said through comlink.

“Oh yes, boss. Time for payback.” the light green pony said. She put her helmet on and launched into the sky.