The Equestrian Prime

The Equestrian Prime

Chapter 5: The E-Team is Born

After everyone woke up and had breakfast and an early lunch, noon came around as both Artemis and Shining Armor stood facing each other, a circle of ponies having gathered. The duel gathered a large crowd, the talk of the town being a duel between the Prince of the Crystal Empire and the newcomer who had saved the Cutie Mark Crusaders from being foalnapped. The townsponies were also talking amongst themselves, saying that this was a duel for the newcomer to prove himself to Shining Armor for Princess Twilight's heart. Artemis doesn't know how they figured out that he and Twilight were together, but he didn't care. All he cared about was proving himself to Shining Armor that he would make Twilight happy and protect her. But Artemis also had the feeling in his Spark that there was more to Shining's apprehension of him dating Twilight than he was letting on. He would talk to him first, but after this duel.

While the two of them waited for Princess Celestia to start the match, an inhibitor ring was placed on Shining Armor's horn, to prevent cheating, but they were allowed armor, of which Shining Armor had his Guard armor, Artemis was in his Battle Form Armor. Artemis looked at Shining Armor with a look of apprehension.

"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to change your mind?" Artemis asked, his voice sounding just like Optimus's voice again. He was hoping Shining would see reason. "I know I suggested this, but that was before I could tell there's something in your eyes that says there's more to you being against me dating Twilight than you're letting on. Are you sure we can't talk this out like two civilized adults?"

"I don't trust anyone after that incident. I trust the Princesses and family. You obviously aren't either," Shining said heatedly.

Cianán cocked an eyebrow. "I'd wager someone managed to slip under the radar, get into a relationship with the bookworm, and tried to end it violently, hmm? I hit the railroad spike on the head?" he commented dryly at Shining's glare. "Ah…. you didn't find out until after it occurred, did you? That's why you have the palm tree shoved up your ass," he commented.

"More like a certain Pegasus in the guard that acted like a complete asswipe to her, despite her crush on him. Is that what this is about, Shining Armor?" Artemis said, his eyes narrowing dangerously, flashing Decepticon-red again. "Because I never trusted Flash Sentry at all myself, not after I owed Twilight my life for saving me from Sombra when I was still human. And I will find him myself if you and I can try and talk this out like two civilized adults instead. Because no one, and I mean no one, messes with my friends, especially my marefriend like that, and lives to tell the tale. Not unless they have some semblance of dignity and honor in them to face up to what they did. But he didn't have either of that, did he?"

"Oddly, he's been missing for several weeks, though we did find something that we don't recognize as it isn't from any known military organization," Shining deadpanned before he flicked a badge towards Artemis.

Artemis picked it up and looked at it with a cold glare, instantly recognizing it. Not from personal experience, but from his old friend's description of it.

"Dai Shocker!" Artemis growled, the mention not escaping Cianán's ears, before his head looked straight forward on its own, his eyes shooting two beams like he was projecting something from holding the badge.

Cianán's eyes narrowed as his head tilted before his fingers curled into fists as he noticed what appeared to be a panning shot before he saw Flash Sentry shift into view before he recoiled in surprise. "Took you long enough," the recording relayed before a pale cream hand tossed a golden edged dark blue Coin before dipping down. Flash grinned as he caught the Coin before a flash of blue, gray and black was noticeable. Cianán's eyes widened fractionally as he noticed what was around Flash's waist – a very dangerous item known as the PoseidonDriver.

However, only one Core Medal was within it, the Same Medal.

"Hail Dai Shocker," Flash Sentry commented with a smirk, turning away.

Artemis' eyes beam projections stopped after that last part. His cold gaze went back to the Dai Shocker badge, his eyes in his Battle Form Armor turning red like a Decepticon again. His Energon was boiling and his Spark was absolutely livid at this complete and utter betrayal.

Cianán's eyes narrowed. "Did you notice the reflection in that traitor's helmet? Cream fur, blond mane, blue eyes, smug ass kissing smirk?" he growled.

"I knew it!" Artemis all but yelling the sentence. "Shining Armor, this match is called off. We're taking that slagging traitor Prince down. But how would you like to join Cianán and I personally when he and I go after them? I will even let you take care of that traitorous bastard of a former Guard yourself. If that doesn't prove to you that I care about Twilight and what happened to the other Elements of Harmony, then I don't know what will. So what do you say? Partners?" Artemis walked over to Shining Armor and held out his right hand.

Shining Armor looked hesitant at first. But after seeing that traitorous Prince and former protégé of his in the recording, he steeled his resolve, grabbed Artemis' hand and gave it a firm shake.

"Alright." Shining Armor said, smirking. "But this is your only chance to prove yourself. If I'm not convinced, then the match will continue to prove yourself. Agreed?"

"I understand." Artemis said, smiling that he and Shining were at least able to come to an agreement. "Get some rest, Shining Armor. I got the coordinates from that recording. I know where those two are hiding. We leave at dusk. Cianán?" His friend cocked an eyebrow at him. "I suggest you get some rest too. I've had plenty already today. Maybe spend some quality time with your new marefriend Sunset before we head off. You both know that you want to, aye?" Artemis asked all too innocently as he smirked slightly, mimicking Cianán's accent again to poke good-natured fun at him and Sunset.

"That's a bloody Canadian, ya git," Cianán drawled sarcastically before he rolled his eyes.

"Oh, I'm strongly considering testing his stamina," Sunset commented with a smirk.

Twilight snickered. "Don't exhaust him too much, Sunny," she quipped, "but something tells me he can really stuff you," she teased.

Cianán cocked an eyebrow. "Something tells me you don't mean that in an innocent way," he deadpanned dryly. He saw them trade a look with a smirk that sent a chill down his spine. "I don't know whether to be aroused or scared," he muttered.

Sunset's smirk widened as her wings half unfurled. "I would say the former… especially with how you smell," she purred. She saw his pants visibly tighten. A soft exhalation escaped him as he turned before he totally didn't yelp in surprise upon seeing Sunset right behind him with a grin on her face. His eyes widened slightly as he attached the Arc Reactor to his belt, not noticing the nanites spreading to form an armored belt. He saw her eyes narrow before he grunted as he felt a shoulder lightly shove into his abdomen before he blinked, disoriented before he blinked, confused as he looked around.

"Oops," Sunset said sheepishly. "Though I suppose that landing on the couch is better than landing on the hardwood floor or the marble floor in the bathroom," she hummed. "Though if I'm honest…. I want to give you a good thorough scrubbing and preening… before the real fun begins," she hummed.

"Oh? And you don't need a thorough scrubbing yourself?" Cianán quipped before he cocked his head. "Wait… preening? I thought only birds needed to do that," he commented before Sunset giggled.

"Pegasus wings need preening to remain healthy," Sunset teased. "And you need a good deep cleaning before the fun begins," she purred teasingly.

Before Cianán could say anything, he blushed bright scarlet as a distinctive *poomph* was heard coming from his back.

—

While Cianán and Sunset were having their moment, Twilight and Artemis were lying in their bed under the covers, completely naked, Artemis taking a quick rest with Twilight before he, Cianán, and Shining Armor departed to take on Blueblood and his traitorous former protégé, Flash Sentry later that night. But Twilight had used her Moon Tea this time to take it easy on Artemis as far as her heat cycle. She sighed somberly as she laid her head on Artemis' chest with her right wing draped over him. Artemis, sensing her distress, looked down at her with a concerned look.

"Bit for your thoughts, babe?" Artemis asked. Twilight sighed, sniffling a bit as she started to cry.

"How could he do that to me? After I gave him everything?" Twilight said slowly while crying. "I gave him my innocence, my heart. And now I find out that he was in league with that bastard all along? Who knows if he and Blueblood have hurt more than just my friends." After she ranted those words, she began to sob uncontrollably.

Artemis frowned as his Spark broke at the sight of Twilight's distress. His eyes went Decepticon-red again in righteous anger and fury as he leaned his head down and kissed her head just below her horn, hugging her tightly but gently.

"Twilight, I swear as Primus is my witness that I will make those two pay for what they did." Artemis said. "I give you my word as the Prime Child that I will not rest until those two answer for their crimes. I'm glad you're brother and I were able to come to an agreement. But as far as the takedown goes, it'll be just me, Cianán, and your brother, as I promised Shining Armor first dibs on that traitorous former Guard that is a traitor not only to your heart, but to Equestria as a whole. You saved me from Sombra all those years ago. But I wouldn't dream of ever hurting you like Flash Sentry did."

"Promise?" Twilight asked, looking at Artemis with tears still flowing.

"Cross my Spark, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye. I promise. " Artemis said with a smile, going through the motions of Pinkie's signature promise. He looked in front of the bed, his eyes widened slightly as he saw two ghostly forms standing in the room: Optimus and a certain former Decepticon leader, standing side by side once again. Optimus closed his eyes and nodded, while Megatron nodded as well while pumping his right hand in a fist into the air once. After that, they vanished. Artemis smiled, knowing that despite being enemies once, they were once again friends.

And he was glad to know that when things get tough, they had his back.