Bumble Hunt

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Chapter 1

It’s another day in Canterlot City: it’s the last day of school before spring break and Flash Sentry just arrived to class before the school bell to take his seat in the back corner behind Sandalwood and a few desks from Micro Chips. “Morning, Flash. You ready for spring break?” Sandalwood greeted him.

“Well… no.” Flash Sentry answered dejectedly. “I wanted to do jam seshes with Ringo and Brawly, but they’re busy with other stuff. I didn’t really have any other plans other than that.”

“Why don’t you ask Sunset and her friends if you could join them in whatever they’re doing?” Sandalwood suggested.

“Speaking of, where are they? They’re usually here before homeroom starts.” Flash Sentry wondered.

“Probably on another magic adventure.” Micro Chips commented as he read a tech magazine.

“I wish I could go on a magic adventure with them. They’re dangerous, I know, but they’re so exciting! I wanna be a part of one, somehow.” Flash Sentry said in an excited and hopeful tone.

“But you don’t have magic powers to handle all that.” Sandalwood added.

“Micro, are you working on anything over the break?” Flash Sentry asked inquisitively.

“I do have several experiments in need of test subjects.” Micro Chips answered. “Why do you ask?”

“You got anything that could get me on the girls’ level? Like a robotic battle suit, or something?” Flash Sentry asked.

“No, but thanks for the suggestion.” Micro Chips answered as the teacher enters.

Their teacher is a purple man in his late twenties with black bowl-cut hair, wearing a long khaki coat over a white sweater and jeans, and mismatching red and blue shoes. “Welcome, class. I bet you’re all excited for spring break.” He welcomed them with a cool demeanour.

“I should be. Instead, I’m stuck in Boredtown, population: me.” Flash Sentry grumbled to himself.

“I’m really gonna miss him. He’s the best substitute physics teacher we had, ever.” Micro Chips commented on the teacher.

“No duh, he actually makes physics worth paying attention to with all his crazy experiments.” Sandalwood added.

Barging into class are the Rainbooms: Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity, all looking hurried and exhausted. “Morning, Mister Bottle!” Sunset Shimmer greeted the teacher hurriedly as the girls takes their seats.

“Please, I’m your substitute teacher, you won’t be seeing me anymore soon. Call me Full Bottle.” the teacher told her.

“Are we late?” Twilight Sparkle asked.

“By three-point-zero-five seconds, but who’s counting?” Full Bottle shrugs. “So, shall we start the headcount?” he takes out a list.

“Hey.” Flash Sentry greeted Sunset Shimmer as he sat behind her.

“Hey.” Sunset Shimmer responded.

“What’ve you been up to today?” Flash Sentry asked.

“Trying to get rid of a magic tree in Applejack’s farm.” Sunset Shimmer answered.

“A real pest, that one.” Applejack commented in annoyance.

“Every time we try something, it shocks us!” Rainbow Dash stressed.

“I attempted to use my diamond shield to cut it down. If it really is as hard as diamond, then it can most likely cut like it.” Rarity continued.

“Let’s try again after school!” Pinkie Pie suggested excitedly.

“Pinkie Pie?” Full Bottle called out.

“Present!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “That’s what I’ll give him at his farewell party.” Pinkie Pie whispered to her friends.

“Can I come? I’d like to help.” Flash Sentry offered.

“Sorry Flash, but you should leave the magical anomalies to us.” Twilight Sparkle denied.

“If you somehow get magic powers, maybe we’ll bring you along.” Fluttershy joked.

“Yeah, maybe.” Flash Sentry groaned dejectedly as the bell rings.

After school, the students rush out the doors and jump into spring break. “Spring break!” Pinkie Pie yelled as she leaps off the entrance steps.

“First thing’s first: get rid’a that tree.” Applejack decided.

“Look out tree, ‘cuz we’re coming to cut you down!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed as she points to the sky.

“Hey, girls!” Flash Sentry called out as he catches up to them.

“Flash, got plans for spring break?” Sunset Shimmer greeted him.

“Yeah, totally. What’re you girls up to?” Flash Sentry answered awkwardly.

“We’ve got some gigs planned here and there. You’re welcome to come, if you want.” Sunset Shimmer offered.

“I’d love to.” Flash Sentry accepted.

“We’re gonna go back to chop down the tree. Maybe you can sit with me and watch.” Spike suggested as he pokes out of Twilight Sparkle’s backpack.

“I need the audience to debut my new strategy: diamond saws! If my shields’ facets are as hard as the edges, perhaps they’re sharp enough to fell a tree in one swing.” Rarity added.

As they walk, they notice the back of the Wondercolts pedestal shining brightly. “Someone’s coming through!” Sunset Shimmer pointed.

“Who could it be?” Twilight Sparkle wondered. Flying out the portal and sent rolling along the pavement is another Twilight Sparkle, hurt, unconscious, and holding onto a metallic yellow object.

“That’s the other me!” Twilight Sparkle noted in surprise.

“What happened to her?” Rarity wondered as the portal shines even brighter.

Scrambling out the portal are two purple crystalline giants, and an even bigger rusted robot with yellow eyes, razor-sharp teeth, armed with a massive two-pronged claw. It shoves the claw into one giant’s abdomen, disintegrating it, leaving behind a purple crystal. When its back is turned, the other giant manifests a massive shuriken, only for the rust giant to turn around and slash its arm. As the giant keels in pain, the robot picks it up and tears it in two, dispelling it and leaving behind another crystal to crush underfoot before letting out a bloodcurdling roar.

“Evil robot attack!” Pinkie Pie screamed, gaining the giant robot’s attention. It stares her down with rage before simmering down. Rainbow Dash rushes up a wall and jumps, landing a kick on the robot’s face and knocking it backwards. It regains its footing before reaching out to Princess Twilight Sparkle, only to be stopped by her counterpart’s telekinesis.

“Release me.” the robot growled before Applejack punches it.

“Don’t lay a hand on our friend!” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed before the robot turns around and runs away.

“We’re not finished!” Rainbow Dash screamed as they rush to the curb with Flash Sentry carrying the other Twilight Sparkle. When they follow it around the corner, they find it has disappeared, despite the road traffic.

“It’s gone! How can a giant robot disappear like that?” Flash Sentry wondered.

“Maybe it’s invisible!” Pinkie Pie suggested.

“The tree can wait. Let’s get Twilight to safety.” Sunset Shimmer decided as she looks at the princess.

At the human Twilight Sparkle’s house, they lay the princess on her bed and treat her wounds. “I can’t believe it, she’s really back after all this time.” Flash Sentry said in surprise.

“I thought we’d see her again, just not like this.” Rarity added.

“She must’ve been in some crazy trouble.” Pinkie Pie commented.

“And what did she bring with her?” Rainbow Dash looked to the metal hunk in the corner.

“She’s waking up!” Spike announced as he stood beside the princess’ head.

Her eyes flutter open to see her friends and Flash Sentry waving meekly. “What…? Where…?” Twilight Sparkle muttered as she sits up.

“Slowly, Princess. You’re hurt.” Twilight Sparkle’s counterpart advised.

“I’m in the human world…” Twilight Sparkle looks at her hands then up to her friends.

“We’re glad to see you again, but what in Equestria happened to you?” Sunset Shimmer asked her.

“The Castle of Friendship, it was attacked, then… *GASP*” Twilight Sparkle explained. “Bumblebee! Where’s Bumblebee!?” she panicked.

“Calm down. Who’s Bumblebee?” Fluttershy asked.

“He was… he…” Twilight Sparkle tears up.

“When ya ‘rrived, you’re holding onto some metal junk.” Applejack informed her.

“Then there were giant robots that destroyed each other! One of them tried to grab you, but we scared it away!” Pinkie Pie recounted manically.

“Metal hunk? Where is it?!” Twilight Sparkle asked panickily before she looks to the metal hunk: a badly-damaged yellow robot’s head.

“Bumblebee!” Twilight Sparkle scrambles out of bed and kneels before the head.

“He… put his life on the line to protect me…” Twilight Sparkle mourned tearfully.

Sunset Shimmer goes to comforts her, then puts her hand on the head, triggering her empathy powers.

She sees Twilight Sparkle floating in a rainbow vortex, holding onto a green bag. “No… my friends… Fi-” Twilight Sparkle’s voice echoed.

“Twilight, look out” screamed a giant yellow robot who pushes Twilight Sparkle away, only to be grabbed by the purple giants. Twilight Sparkle witnesses his horrifying dismemberment before his head is torn off and thrown at her, then everything goes dark.

Sunset Shimmer is brought back to reality and backs away from the head in shock. “I saw its memories… it was a giant robot, and it really did sacrifice itself to protect Twilight.” Sunset Shimmer described.

“It’s a robot. Robots aren’t alive.” Human Twilight Sparkle refuted.

Unexpectedly, the head’s eyes beam with blue light. “Aaah!” the head screams.

“Aaah!” everyone in the room screamed with it. The head springs out insectoid legs to skitter around the floor whilst screaming.

“Someone, make it stop!” Spike barked over the screaming head.

When the head skitters towards Twilight Sparkle, her counterpart telekinetically grabs it. “Thanks, other me.” Twilight Sparkle thanked her.

“Where am I?! Where’s my body?! Where’s Eighty-One?! Where’s Fi—" Bumblebee panicked as his eyes dart around.

“Bumblebee, it’s me, Twilight.” Twilight Sparkle assured him.

“Oh… I know. I think I know where I am.” Bumblebee calmed down before turning to the others.

“Howdy, Applejack. How are you, Rarity darling? Rainbow Dash, staying awesome? Pinkie Pie, great to see you! Hi there, Fluttershy! Sunset Shimmer, hello. Sci-Twi. Flash, Flash, hundred-yard dash!” Bumblebee greeted them in varying tones to their bewilderment.

“What are you?” Fluttershy asked curiously before Pinkie Pie butts in.

“Lemme guess! You’re an alien robot from another universe sent to Equestria to find evil crystals made into soldiers by a robot warlord to bolster his army, then you were ambushed at Twilight’s castle where you were tackled into the portal and sent here?” Pinkie Pie deduced.

“Right on the mark.” Bumblebee confirmed.

“Wow, intelligent alien life, in my own home!” Sci-Twi hopped excitedly.

“Start from the beginning, how’d you two meet?” Flash Sentry asked them.

“We met in the Crystal Empire where I accompanied a pair of brave heroes solving a friendship problem. Bumblebee and his partner C-Eighty-One appeared after saving Princess Cadence and Shining Armour from crystal giants. We took them to my castle to examine some strange crystals, but we found the same giants attacking it.” Twilight Sparkle explained.

“They took your pony selves hostage, and we were thrown into the Crystal Mirror with those creatures, Crystal Terrorcons, I call them.” Bumblebee elaborated.

“Then you saved me from them… now you’re a head.” Twilight Sparkle concluded sombrely.

“This crystal?” Spike presented an intact purple crystal.

“Get that Dark Energon away from me!” Bumblebee screamed.

“Dark what?” Fluttershy asked as the crystal glows.

“Break it! Break it!” Bumblebee hurried before Applejack shatters it underfoot.

“Dark Energon’s bad news. It does unspeakable things to my kind. We gotta go back to Equestria to save the other yous.” Bumblebee proclaimed.

“Can’t imagine y’can do that as a head.” Applejack pointed.

“Where’s the rest of my body? I can feel them around, but I can’t recall them.” Bumblebee wondered.

“Aside from you two, three giant evil robots emerged from the mirror.” Sci-Twi answered.

“I speculate that your parts and your companions have been scattered after incorrectly passing through the portal.” Twilight Sparkle speculated.

“If the princess trusts Bumblebee, then we’ll help find them.” Sci-Twi assured.

“It’ll be like a treasure hunt!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“Thanks, Sci-Twi. You aren’t Twilight’s best friends for nothing.” Bumblebee thanked.

“Why’re you calling me Sci-Twi?” Sci-Twi asked.

“Gotta differentiate between you two somehow.” Bumblebee answered casually.

“What’re we waiting for? Let’s go and—!" Flash Sentry rallied before Sunset Shimmer stops him.

“Sorry, Flash. This’ll be dangerous with an evil robot on the loose.”

“But—" Flash Sentry said before Twilight Sparkle approaches him.

“This is for your own safety. I’m sure you understand.” Twilight Sparkle told him. “If it’s any consolation, it’s good to see you again.” She said for Flash Sentry to smile slightly.

“To start, perhaps I can create a map by extrapolating the signals Bumblebee’s picking up.” Sci-Twi proposed.

“You ain’t N.E.S.T., but I know you’re smart enough to get into my head. You did build a magic-siphoning device that turned you into a nigh-unstoppable giant woman.” Bumblebee commented.

“This is the part where you say no offense.” Pinkie Pie told him.

“Hehe, sorry, no offense.” Bumblebee chuckled awkwardly.

“None taken.” Sci-Twi rolls her eyes before they leave the room.

They burst out the front door and run to the backyard where the lab is. “See y’all later.” Flash Sentry waves to the girls as he separates at the front door.

Twilight Sparkle waves back as they enter Sci-Twi’s lab, cluttered with machinery and experiments. “Can you connect to computers?” Sci-Twi asked Bumblebee.

“Cade installed U.S.B.s and H.D.M.I.s in the back of my head.” plates on the back of Bumblebee’s head shift to reveal a variety of inputs.

“Who’s Cade?” Applejack asked.

“He gave me the disassembly upgrade. I can disassemble and reassemble at will like a living Bionicle. But then… y’know.” Bumblebee answered as Sci-Twi plugs him into her computer.

“He must be a brilliant engineer to work on alien technology.” Fluttershy commented.

“He’s a behind, but he’s a smart behind.” Bumblebee reminisced affectionately.

“I’ve always been fascinated with your world’s technology. We don’t have anything like this in Equestria.” Twilight Sparkle observes Sci-Twi working.

“Hah, tell that to the Bridleway jumbotron!” Bumblebee scoffed.

“So… Twilight… how’re things here? Are you doing better at C.H.S.?” Twilight Sparkle asked Sci-Twi nervously.

“I am, Twilight.” Sci-Twi responded awkwardly. “How are you doing… as a princess?”

“This is going as well as I thought.” Applejack commented as the two converses.

“It’s only their second meeting. Give them a few more chances.” Rarity said.

“Considering how busy Twilight is, who knows when that’ll be?” Sunset Shimmer added.

“Star Swirl? Fascinating.” Sci-Twi responded to Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight Sparkle looked to Sci-Twi’s Geode bowtie. “Sunset Shimmer wrote about these Geodes before. May I see yours?”

“Sure.” Sci-Twi hands over her Geode.

“From what I understand, they work similarly to the Elements of Harmony, plus additional magic abilities.” Twilight Sparkle noted.

“Yeah, like super speed!” Rainbow Dash zips around the room.

“Animal communication.” Fluttershy said as a sparrow flies from a window and lands on her finger.

“Super strength.” Applejack flexes.

“Diamond shields.” Rarity manifests a diamond on her fingertip.

“Sugar bombs!” Pinkie Pie throws sprinkles that burst into sparks.

“Empathy reading.” Sunset Shimmer added.

“And telekinesis.” Sci-Twi concluded.

“My friends in Equestria naturally have those abilities. Except Pinkie Pie.” Twilight Sparkle noted.

“Doesn’t her party cannon count?” Bumblebee commented.

“Say, how do you know so much about us? You mentioned you’re a fan?” Twilight Sparkle asked Bumblebee.

“How should I put this…?” Bumblebee said hesitantly. “You guys are in a cartoon.”

Everyone widens their eyes in surprise.

“Never in all my life I thought I’d discover we’re in a cartoon!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in manic surprise.

“A cartoon… and we’re the main characters?” Sci-Twi asked in bewilderment.

“Your pony selves, actually. You girls are the high school spin-off. I was hoping to meet them, but they got kidnapped.” Bumblebee answered.

“What’s an alien robot doin’ watching cartoons?” Applejack asked.

“A bot’s gotta have hobbies.” Bumblebee answered.

“At least we can skip introductions.” Sunset Shimmer commented.

“So, mister robot head, who’s your favourite character? It’s gotta be someone as awesome as a robot warrior!” Rainbow Dash asked confidently.

“Fluttershy.” Bumblebee answered bluntly to Fluttershy’s surprise. “She’s cute, friendly, and nice! I can’t help but smile every time I see her, and she’s awesome in her own way.”

“Oh, I’m flattered.” Fluttershy blushes.

“You’ve been watching our adventures?” Twilight Sparkle asked Bumblebee.

“Yep. One of my favourite moments was when Fluttershy went nuts at the Grand Galloping Gala. Oh! There was that time Pinkie cloned herself, and you had to blast them all to dust!” Bumblebee said excitedly to Pinkie Pie’s concern.

“This feels too familiar.” Twilight Sparkle commented as Bumblebee continues talking.

“How so?” Applejack asked.

“I released my friends’ Friendship Journal to the public. Suddenly, all of Equestria was obsessed with us.” Twilight Sparkle recounted. “Like him.” she looks at Bumblebee blabbering on.

“Today gets weirder and weirder. You return, we find Bumblebee, and now it turns out he’s a superfan to our televised adventures.” Sunset Shimmer said to Twilight Sparkle.

“There!” Sci-Twi exclaimed. “These are the last-known locations of Bumblebee’s parts.” Sci-Twi turns her computer to her friends, displaying a map of Canterlot.

“The closest part is my right leg at the park!” Bumblebee observed.

“What’re we waiting for? Let’s build us a robot!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

As they set off to the park, Full Bottle emerges from a bush. With a purple camera, he snaps a picture of Bumblebee carried by Applejack. “I think I know what I’m gonna do for spring break.” Full Bottle smiled as he looked at the picture.

As Flash Sentry drives home through a tunnel, a flash of light comes on from behind. “No tailgating!” Flash Sentry exclaimed. The vehicle behind rams him, swerving him into a wall, leaving him relatively unharmed. “Hey, what was that for?!” Flash Sentry yelled to the driver as he exits the car. The headlights turn off, revealing a rusted S.U.V behind it. “You listening to me?!”

The S.U.V.’s chassis fragments, scratching rust off as it transforms into the rusted robot from earlier. Flash Sentry runs, but the robot blocks him with its claw. “Back off! My friends got superpowers!” Flash Sentry threatened the robot before the robot drops a robotic yellow forearm before him. “Is that one of Bumblebee’s parts?” he wondered curiously.

“I need your help, boy.” the robot requested.

To be continued…

Chapter 2

As they walk to the park, Fluttershy notices Rainbow Dash looking upset. “Rainbow, are you alright?” Fluttershy asked her.

“Me? Yeah, sure!” Rainbow Dash responded, feigning confidence.

“Rainbow Dash, I know when you’re upset.” Fluttershy said.

“*SIGH* I’m jealous that an awesome alien robot warrior likes you over me.” Rainbow Dash answered dejectedly.

“Rainbow Dash, it doesn’t matter who you think should like you. What matters are the people who already do: your friends.” Fluttershy assured.

“I guess you’re right. I shouldn’t let things like this get to my head.” Rainbow Dash said with a brighter tone.

“Just because Fluttershy’s my favourite doesn’t mean I don’t like you. If it means anything, I still think you’re awesome.” Bumblebee told Rainbow Dash.

“Why don’t you tell us something about yourself, Bumblebee?” Fluttershy asked curiously.

“Well, I was hatched over ten-thousand years ago…” Bumblebee began.

“Hatched?! Like a bird?!” Pinkie Pie interrupted in surprise.

“More like a lizard; the shell’s soft, and the babies are covered in goo.” Bumblebee corrected.

“Yer jus’ pullin’ our leg, right?” Applejack asked.

“I’m not. That’s what happened.” Bumblebee answered in a serious tone.

“Is there anything less gross you can tell us?” Rarity asked.

“I’m from the planet Cybertron, and I’m part of the Autobots.” Bumblebee began. “For thousands of years, I fought against the Decepticons who wanted to take over the planet.”

“So you’re like a robot space soldier!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Well, a couple centuries ago the war ended when the Decepticon’s leader Megatron surrendered, then exiled himself to deep space. Nowadays, I work in fugitive recovery on Earth.” Bumblebee added.

“Got any robo-hobbies?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I like listening to music, watching T.V., and racing in car mode.” Bumblebee answered.

“You can turn into a car?!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly.

“A seventh-gen Chevy Camaro, Super Sport. Top speed’s three-hundred-something miles-per-hour.” Bumblebee described proudly.

“Three-hundred-something, eh? Maybe we can race after we rebuild you.” Rainbow Dash challenged.

“Oh, Dashie, always the competitive type. You’re on!” Bumblebee accepted.

“Does your society have their own language?” Sci-Twi asked.

“Uh-huh, but it’s near-impossible for humans to understand.” Bumblebee answered.

“Is Bumblebee your name in English?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yep. My real name’s pronounced-” Bumblebee said before emitting electronic garbles and buzzes.

“Sounds like a broken microwave.” Rainbow Dash commented.

“It must be a form of audible machine language. I must study you sometime.” Sci-Twi said.

“I’ll give you a Cybertronian biology datatrax. We aliens don’t like being probed either.” Bumblebee said as they enter the park.

“Let’s fan out and—" Twilight Sparkle directed before Spike yelled.

“I found it!” Spike pointed to a strange vertical structure standing plainly on the grass.

“Looks like one’a them modern art thingies.” Applejack commented.

“That’s my leg!” Bumblebee confirmed as they walk to it, when they see Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna standing before it, looking at it cautiously.

“Is this a modern art installation?” Celestia wondered.

“It’s Principal Celestia! What do we do?!” Rainbow Dash panicked.

“I don’t see a need to be covert. It’s no secret I’m a pony princess from another world. I’m sure she’ll understand the presence of an alien robot head.” Twilight Sparkle said.

“So, we’re just gonna walk up and talk to them?” Rarity asked as they approach the sisters.

“Hello again, Principal Celestia.” Twilight Sparkle greeted Celestia.

“Twilight?” Celestia said before realizing she’s seeing two Twilight Sparkles. “Oh, Princess Twilight, it’s good to see you. How are you?”

“I’m doing well, Principal. How long has it been? It feels like years since we last met at the Battle of the Bands.” Twilight Sparkle responded.

“It hasn’t been that long.” Celestia chuckled.

“I take it you’ve been acquainted with your other self?” Luna turned to Sci-Twi.

“We have. It’s… well, strange is the least I can say about it.” Sci-Twi responded awkwardly.

“Is this one of your inventions?” Celestia looks to Bumblebee.

“I’m Bumblebee, Twilight’s new alien friend. That piece of modern art’s my leg.” Bumblebee explained.

“If that’s the case, you’re free to take it. We’re wondering why something as strange as this is here.” Luna said. Bumblebee skitters to the leg and exerts himself before his limb, grunting as if he’s straining himself.

“What’re you doing? Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked Bumblebee in concern.

“I’m tryna reconnect with my leg. It’s not responding.” Bumblebee grunted.

“Its circuits must’ve been scrambled from the landing.” Sci-Twi speculated. “I’ll examine it when I get the chance.”

“I’ll carry it.” Applejack picks up the leg with ease.

“What’re you two doing out here?” Twilight Sparkle asked Celestia.

“Celestia lost her bird, Philomena. We’re looking for her.” Luna explained.

“What breed is Philomena? She a parrot, or something?” Bumblebee asked.

“Scarlet macaw. I’ve raised her since she was an egg. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to her.” Celestia answered worriedly.

“Lemme try something.” Bumblebee said before playing a bird call.

After a moment, a large red parrot lands on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Hello there.” Fluttershy greeted her.

“Philomena!” Celestia called out to the bird. “Thank you for helping me find her.” Celestia thanked Bumblebee as Philomena perches onto her shoulder.

“No prob, Cay-Cay.” Bumblebee said confidenly.

“Excuse me?” Celestia said in confusion.

“We’ll just be on our way, Principal Celestia, Vice-Principal Luna. Enjoy your spring break!” Sci-Twi said hurriedly as they leave.

“Don’t set yourself on fire, Philomena!” Bumblebee yelled back to Philomena. “Spring break, huh? Whaddya got planned? A cruise?” Bumblebee asked them.

“I’m planning that for next year’s spring break. This year, we’ve got a show on the road.” Sci-Twi answered as Sunset Shimmer gets a call from Flash Sentry.

“Wassup, Flash?” Sunset Shimmer greeted him.

“Hey, Sunset. I think I found one of Bumblebee’s parts. It looks like an arm, and it’s got some cannon for a hand.” Flash Sentry told them.

“Can you send a picture?” Sunset Shimmer requested. Flash Sentry sends a picture of a yellow robot arm with an alien cannon in place of its hand lying on shady grass.

“That’s my plasma cannon!” Bumblebee looked at the photo.

“Come meet me in the forest. I don’t think I can carry this by myself.” Flash Sentry told her.

“What’re you doing in the forest?” Sunset Shimmer asked curiously.

“I, was, uh, on a walk.” Flash Sentry answered nervously.

“We’ll skip over there like a sidewinder in summer!” Applejack told him.

“Thanks for finding it, Flash. We’ll see you soon!” Twilight Sparkle said before Sunset Shimmer hangs up.

“He better be careful. I think it’s still loaded.” Bumblebee commented.

“A cannon? What other weapons you got?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I got a plasma cannon, electrical stingers, missiles, machine guns, more missiles…” Bumblebee listed as they walk.

In the forest, Flash Sentry pockets his phone and turns to the rusty robot, peering at him as it crouches down. “Now… we wait.” the robot said with a deep, gravelly voice.

“As promised, you won’t hurt them, right?” Flash Sentry reminded.

“Of course. I only wish to clear a misunderstanding.” the robot acknowledged. Flash Sentry turns away from the robot and sits on the arm. “How was your day?”

“It’s… well, it’s spring break, and I don’t have anything to do. My bandmates’re busy with other stuff, and…” Flash answered before stopping. “Wait, why do you care?”

“I wanted to start a conversation.” the robot answered.

“Well, like I was saying: I wanted to go on an adventure for spring break, and I got one in the worst way possible.” Flash Sentry concluded.

“What is spring break?” the robot asked.

“In the spring season, students get a few weeks break from school.” Flash Sentry answered. “I can’t imagine a robot would understand that.”

“The concept of a vacation is not alien to me. Seasons are.” the robot commented.

“So, how do you know Bumblebee?” Flash Sentry asked.

“We’re acquaintances.” the robot answered.

“If he’s your ‘acquaintance’, why’d you run?” Flash Sentry questioned.

“Those females did not give me the chance to explain. I would rather not risk unnecessary bloodshed.” the robot answered when they hear a distant conversation.

“Someone’s here.” Flash Sentry said as the robot transforms into vehicle mode.

He looks through the brush to find The Dazzlings digging up a buried yellow object. “It’s just junk. Leave it alone.” Aria Blaze told Adagio Dazzle.

“No, this is definitely worth something!” Adagio Dazzle insisted as she shovels dirt.

“Y’think it’s Equestrian?” Sonata Dusk asked.

“If it’s not, we can just sell it.” Adagio Dazzle responded confidently.

“Uh-oh…” Flash Sentry backs away and he trips over the arm, alerting the trio.

“Who’s there?!” Adagio Dazzle called out. They walk through the brush and see Flash Sentry lying on the ground with his legs over Bumblebee’s arm. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Twilight Sparkle’s loverboy.” Adagio Dazzle said as they stand before him.

“Hi, Flash!” Sonata Dusk waved.

“What’s a loser like you doing here?” Aria Blaze asked.

“I’d ask you the same thing.” Flash Sentry tries to get up, but is pushed down by Adagio Dazzle’s shovel.

“What’s this?” Adagio Dazzle looked down to the arm behind Flash Sentry.

“It’s just like that buried thing!” Sonata Dusk pointed.

“I found it first!” Flash Sentry asserted.

“As if you can do anything to stop us.” Adagio Dazzle scoffed. “We may not have magic, but we do have a blunt object.” she threatened as she holds up her shovel.

“Woah, easy there!” Flash Sentry shielded his face.

“Just let us have it, and we won’t have a problem.” Aria Blaze threatened.

“We’re gonna sell it and buy new stuff! Like a van!” Sonata Dusk added.

“We can take that one.” Aria Blaze pointed to the rusted S.U.V.

“That’s mine, too.” Flash Sentry said nervously.

“Aw, can’t you share? Friendship and sharing are all what you C.H.S. students love, right?” Adagio Dazzle asked mockingly.

“I dunno what to tell you, but you can’t have them!” Flash Sentry declared. While lying, he thrust his legs into Adagio Dazzle before flipping to his feet.

“Hey, you can’t hit a girl!” Sonata Dusk said before Adagio Dazzle rushes at Flash Sentry with her shovel, when the shovel head is suddenly blasted off.

The Dazzlings look to the S.U.V. with its shotgun deployed on its roof before it transforms into robot mode. “Get away from him.” the robot growled.

“Aaah!” Sonata Dusk screamed as they flee.

“Facing a killer robot’s not worth any of this!” Aria Blaze exclaimed.

“You can keep it!” Adagio Dazzle screamed as they escape into the brush.

“You… saved me.” Flash Sentry said to the robot.

“It’s the right thing to do.” the robot told him.

“They were digging up something there.” Flash Sentry pointed to the brush. The robot walks to the spot and pulls out one of Bumblebee’s legs from the ground, minus a foot.

“We found another piece.” Flash Sentry noted in surprise.

“Pony me sounds very intense.” a distant voice said.

“Pony Fluttershy’s pretty terrifying if you mess with her.” Bumblebee said as he and the girls emerge from the trees and are shocked to see the robot with Flash Sentry.

“It’s a trap!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

“Flash, get away from that evil robot!” Applejack exclaimed before dropping Bumblebee’s leg.

The two girls rush at the robot on the offensive when Flash Sentry gets in their way. “Stop! He saved my life!” he exclaimed for the girls to stop in place.

“Flash, what are you doing?!” Sci-Twi yelled to him.

“That isn’t an evil robot, it’s C-Eighty-One, Bumblebee’s partner!” Twilight Sparkle told them.

“Well, he used to be evil, but he’s all good now.” Bumblebee said.

“Yeah, he did ask me to call you guys without telling you about him, but he saved me from The Dazzlings.” Flash Sentry explained.

“We thought you’re gonna attack Twilight earlier.” Sunset Shimmer said.

“I was trying to protect her, but you attacked me. You of all people should know better.” C-81 lectured them. “To quote Twilight Sparkle from Bridle Gossip: never judge a book by its cover. Someone may look unusual, or funny, or scary. But you have to look past that and learn who they are inside. Real friends don't care what your cover is; it's the contents of a pony that count.”

“You’re a fan, too?” Applejack asked.

“He’s going through some stuff, and watching the show’s been helping.” Bumblebee said.

“What’s he talking about?” Flash Sentry asked in confusion.

“We’re in a cartoon!” Pinkie Pie explained to Flash Sentry’s shock.

“A… cartoon… huh…” Flash Sentry responded in shock.

“I’m glad you’re taking our friendship lessons to heart, especially if it helps you personally.” Twilight Sparkle said to C-81.

“We’re so sorry for the misunderstanding. Is there anything we can do to make up for it?” Fluttershy apologized.

“Just repair Bumblebee.” C-81 tosses both Bumblebee’s right forearm and left leg to them.

“Now we’re getting somewhere!” Bumblebee said excitedly.

“It’s getting late. We should go home.” Sunset Shimmer notices the sun setting.

“If y’need a place t’stay, I’ve got room’n my garage.” Applejack offered the robots.

“We can keep my parts there!” Bumblebee suggested.

“Let’s have a slumber party at Applejack’s with Twilight and two alien robots!” Pinkie Pie said excitedly.

“I can provide transport, if you need it.” C-81 offered before transforming into S.U.V. mode.

“Must we?” Rarity said in disgust at his dilapidated form.

Later at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack is explaining the entire situation to her family while everyone moves stuff out of the garage. “…An’ that’s why there’s a giant robot in the garage.” Applejack concluded.

“Real aliens are stayin’ in our garage?!” Apple Bloom said excitedly.

“They can stay, so long as they don’t make too much noise.” Granny Smith crossed her arms.

“Pinkie, what do you think of us being in a cartoon?” Fluttershy asked Pinkie Pie as they move out two boxes from the garage.

“I wouldn’t let it worry me too much. After all, we’re used to having a loving audience.” Pinkie Pie answered.

“But this is potentially millions of viewers. What if they’re watching us now?” Fluttershy postulated nervously.

“It’s not like they watch every second of our lives. If they are, hi! Thanks for watching!” Pinkie Pie said as she waved to the open air.

“Hi.” Fluttershy waved meekly.

“Now that you’ve got the parts, I’ll be going now.” Flash Sentry said sadly as he walks away, when Twilight Sparkle stops him.

“You can stay with us.” Twilight Sparkle suggested.

“Really?” Flash Sentry responded.

“Consider it thanks for finding Bumblebee’s parts with C-Eighty-One.” Twilight Sparkle added.

“Thanks, Twilight. I’m glad to have helped you all somehow.” Flash Sentry thanked her.

They soon clear enough space to allow C-81 to take up half the garage with room for Bumblebee’s parts and sleeping bags. “He jumped ship, and I finally spent time with my family.” Twilight Sparkle recounted a story to her friends and Bumblebee as they sat around in their pyjamas.

“Feeling comfortable?” Sunset Shimmer asked C-81 as he lies down.

“As comfortable as I can be.” C-81 answered.

“What’s the story between you and ‘Bee?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“We’ve known each other for a long time. It was until recently we became properly acquainted.” C-81 answered.

“How’d you two meet?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“We were on… opposite sides of a conflict.” C-81 answered.

“You’re a Decepticon?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“Was. For thousands of years, I’ve destroyed billions, if not trillions of lives for power. Now, I seek to make amends.” C-81 answered sadly.

“Whatever happened in the past shouldn’t define you, because your past isn’t today. I’ve been through what you’re going through, and I’ve had help from my friends. Do you have other friends?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“Yes, my brother.” C-81 answered.

“You have a brother?” Sunset Shimmer said in surprise.

“I do. Even after all my atrocities, he still welcomes me back. I think he missed his brother.” C-81 explained with a more hopeful tone.

“Look at you chumming it up. You said we ain’t tourists.” Bumblebee said to C-81 as he skittered over.

“And you said to live a little.” C-81 rebutted.

“That’s the spirit, Me- I mean, Eighty-One.” Bumblebee said.

“We’re just talking about Twilight’s life in Equestria. Care to join us?” Sci-Twi suggested.

“I’d be more than happy to.” C-81 agreed as he sits up to join their conversation.

“Where was I? Yes, the journal of Star Swirl the Bearded. Our friend Sunburst found…” Twilight Sparkle continued.

Later when everyone is asleep, Twilight Sparkle struggles to sleep and gets up from her sleeping bag, seeing C-81 also awake. “Can’t sleep?” Twilight Sparkle whispered.

“Yes. Why have you awoken?” C-81 asked.

“I’m worried about the two heroes that jumped with us. We haven’t seen or heard them in our search.” Twilight Sparkle answered worriedly.

“I’m more concerned about what took them.” C-81 replied.

“We haven’t seen those since we arrived.” Twilight Sparkle commented. “Do you think my friends are okay?” Twilight Sparkle asked C-81.

“I’ve seen your friends escape with their lives more times than I can count. It’s almost become the norm.” C-81 said in an attempt to assure her.

“That’s assuring… I guess.” Twilight Sparkle looks to Bumblebee sleeping beside Fluttershy.

“Rest. You’ll need the energy for tomorrow.” Twilight Sparkle advised.

“I shall. Good night.” C-81 said before shutting down, as does Twilight Sparkle. As they sleep, Full Bottle spies on them from within the orchard, using thermal imaging on his camera to see through the garage.

“Peeping on girls? Have you no shame?” a readout window on the display read.

“It’s recon, Flash.” Full Bottle denied.

“That’s what they all say.” readout replied.

“I should’ve brought muscle monkey as my partner.” Full Bottle grumbled.

“I’m not all that enthused about buddying with an egotist like you either.” Chat added.

“Whatever. Let’s move to the next stakeout location.” Full Bottle walks to a red motorcycle with a yellow tank behind the seat.

“Egomaniac.” readout typed.

“Attention-seeker.” Full Bottle bickered before revving the engine and driving away.

To be continued…

Chapter 3

The next day, the friends are at Crystal Prep Academy with C-81 parked outside the gate. “We got a foot from Muffins, ‘Bee’s upper right arm from Micro Chips, now we need his body and left arm from here.” Sunset Shimmer summarized.

“I’ll call Dean Cadence to let us in.” Sci-Twi answered as she takes her phone.

“Your Cadence is the dean?” Twilight Sparkle repeated.

“What about your Cadence?” Sci-Twi asked inquisitively.

“She’s the princess of the Crystal Empire, ruling it alongside Shining Armor.” Twilight Sparkle answered.

“Her too? I’m still weirded out by the fact our principals’ pony selves are nigh-immortal, magical princess.” Rainbow Dash commented.

“I was just as surprised when I met Principal Celestia for the first time.” Sunset Shimmer commented.

“I recall you tried to use magic against her, then remembered you didn’t have a horn.” Fluttershy giggled.

“Before Twilight, she was the first weird girl. That turned around very, very quickly.” Rarity said to Sunset Shimmer’s embarrassment.

“She said she’ll let us in!” Sci-Twi informed her friends.

“Are you gonna do that sunshine and ladybugs thing?” Bumblebee asked Sci-Twi teasingly.

“Hey, leave some funny for me. You’re putting me outta a job.” Pinkie Pie told Bumblebee seriously.

“What? No! We don’t do that anymore! We’re adults!” Sci-Twi denied in surprise.

“Really? She still does it with her Cadence.” Bumblebee looks to an embarrassed Twilight Sparkle.

“Bumblebee, could you behave when we meet Cadence? She’ll already be weirded out by an alien head. She doesn’t need to see it geeking out.” Twilight Sparkle advised.

“Yeah, you’ve been a little too enthusiastic since you met us.” Applejack added.

“Uncomfortably so.” Rarity added.

“Uncomfortably?” Bumblebee repeated.

“Bumblebee, as much as we appreciate your company, you’ve been… how should I say this? Fluttershy told him uncertainly.

“You’re acting like a fanboy, ‘Bee.” Pinkie Pie crossed her arms.

“A fanboy?” Bumblebee muttered.

“Bumblebee, if you really want to make friends with us, don’t open with ‘I’ve been watching you for years’. It’s a little unnerving.” Sunset Shimmer lectured him. Bumblebee didn’t know what to say, his eyes directed to the ground, thinking about what she said, just as the gates open for Cadence to emerge and meet everyone.

“Welcome, Twi… lights?” Cadence greeted them as she sees two Twilight Sparkles.

“Hi, Dean Cadence! I’m Twilight from Equestria.” Twilight Sparkle introduces herself.

“Oh, it’s a pleasure meeting you. Please, come in.” Dean Cadence welcomed them before gesturing them to follow her.

“Does your world have another me? How is she?” Cadence asked the princess as they walk the halls.

“She and Shining Armour were injured after an excursion into the frozen north.” Twilight Sparkle answered in a sorry tone.

“They were attacked by giant monsters made of evil space crystals. I saved them before they could get seriously hurt.” Bumblebee added.

“What… who is this?” Cadence asked about Bumblebee.

“He’s an alien robot from the planet Cybertron. He lost his body, and we’re looking for it!” Pinkie Pie explained gleefully.

“There are students working on something unusual in auto shop. It might be what you’re looking for.” Cadence informed them as they enter auto shop class. Inside, they find a giant robotic torso chained to a car lift, fitted with car headlights on the chest and door-wings on its back, and Bumblebee’s left arm placed on the floor under it.

“There it is: two tons of pure awesome.” Bumblebee confirmed.

“I thought it was a junk sculpture.” Cadence commented.

“To be fair, you never asked.” a blunt voice said.

The girls to turn to the voice and see the Shadowbolts approaching them. “Rainbooms. Good to see you, and I mean it.” Sour Sweet greeted them.

“Who’re they? They look familiar.” Twilight Sparkle asked Sci-Twi.

Upon seeing double, the Shadowbolts are immediately confused, Sugarcoat having to wipe her glasses to confirm. “This is Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, Sunny Flare, and Indigo Zap. We competed in the Friendship Games.” Sci-Twi introduced them to her. “Everyone, this is Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. She’s from Equestria.” Sci-Twi introduced her counterpart.

“Princess of Friendship? What kinda title is that?” Indigo Zap snickered.

“One with rainbow laser powers!” Rainbow Dash said as she comes face-to-face with Indigo Zap. They stare intensely at each other before they burst into laughter.

“I’ll leave you to it.” Cadence smiled before leaving.

“It’s great to see you guys, too.” Sunset Shimmer said to the Shadowbolts as they come together.

“Who’s this stud?” Indigo Zap asked as she side-eyes Flash Sentry.

“I’m Flash. Nice to meet you.” Flash Sentry introduces himself.

“What a gentleman. Is he your boyfriend?” Indigo Zap asked Sunset Shimmer teasingly.

“Uh, well, no. Uh…”

“We, kinda, uh…” Sunset Shimmer and Flash Sentry stumbled on their words as Indigo Zap snickers.

“What brings you here?” Sour Sweet asked them.

“We’re looking for the parts you have here.” Twilight Sparkle pointed to Bumblebee’s body.

“We found it in Sunny’s backyard. We thought we’d get extra cred for studying it.” Sugarcoat explained.

“The engineering is amazing! The insides are less like machinery, more like real bodily mechanisms like tendon analogues.” Sunny Flare added.

“If you think that’s awesome, we’ve got the piece de resistance!” Pinkie Pie said in bad French as she holds up Bumblebee. “This is Bumblebee. He’s from the planet Cybertron, he’s here to save the worlds from giant crystal monsters!”

“Uh, hi.” Bumblebee greeted them to their surprise.

“Huh, didn’t think we’d meet the owner of this hunk’a junk.” Indigo Zap commented.

“Hey, Barbie, that hunk’a junk’s my mad bod!” Bumblebee defended.

“We’ll part with it…” Sour Sweet points at Flash Sentry. “If we get his number.”

“What?!” he yelped in surprise.

“We wanna to get to know more C.H.S. kids, starting with him.” Sunny Flare she narrows her eyes at him.

“I think you’re taking this too far.” Twilight Sparkle said firmly when she hears a camera flash. They turn to the door to see someone with a purple camera, wearing a motorcycle helmet and a khaki coat.

“Creeper!” Pinkie Pie yelled before they all dash out the door after the creeper.

“You ain’t getting’ away when I’m here!” Rainbow Dash uses her super speed to catch up to the stranger and tackle him, but she somehow misses. “What?! But- I had him!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as her friends run past. Fluttershy helps her up before rushing out the school doors.

“Eighty-One, nab him!” Bumblebee yelled. The stranger slides across C-81’s hood when he transforms and grabs their legs. The Shadowbolts look up in fear, except Indigo Zap who is in awe. As they are held upside-down before C-81’s face, the stranger holds up the camera and shoots a laser blast, releasing them from C-81’s grasp. C-81 kneels in pain as the stranger escapes on a red motorcycle, leaving behind their camera and a green bag.

“C-Eighty-One, are you alright?” Twilight Sparkle and her friends come to his side.

“I’ll live.” C-81 grunted as he clutches his face.

“You’re friends with two giant robots?! Awesome!” Indigo Zap said excitedly.

“Why were they taking pictures of us?” Rarity wondered as Flash Sentry picks up the camera.

He looks through the contents and sees pictures of the girls as early as a month ago. “He’s been spying on you guys for a while. Freaky.”

Twilight Sparkle takes the bag and finds among travel amenities; a gold bracelet, and some kind of rigid purple sleeve with a mystical pattern.

“This bag… it’s from one of the heroes who came with us…” Twilight Sparkle said mournfully as Rarity takes the sleeve from the bag.

“Oh my, this… whatever it is, is very well-crafted. Nylon base, a wonderful mystical pattern, though the stitching looks familiar…” Rarity observed gleefully.

“It’s a scabbard. The other you made it.” Twilight Sparkle told her in a bleak tone as she lowers her head.

“Twilight, it’s gonna be alright. Once we rebuild Bumblebee, we’ll help find them.” Sunset Shimmer assured her confidently.

“We’re joking about the number.” Sour Sweet told Twilight Sparkle.

“Kinda.” Sunny Flare smiled at Flash Sentry.

“The parts are yours. Go, save your friends.” Sour Sweet told Twilight Sparkle sincerely.

“Thank you, Sour Sweet.” Twilight Sparkle thanked her in relief.

“Your friend’s parts are right this way, mister giant robot.” Lemon Zest gestured C-81 to follow, trembling as his terrifying yellow eyes peer at her.

“Don’t worry, he’s not evil. He just looks like that.” Pinkie Pie assured before they hear screaming in the horizon.

“Sounds like trouble!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

They run into the city to find Crystal Terrorcons tearing up the street, terrorizing the populace. “Flash, get the Shadowbolts to safety. We’ll take care of this.” Twilight Sparkle instructed Flash Sentry as Sci-Twi hands him her backpack with Spike.

“But—" Flash Sentry said before Sunny Flare and Lemon Zest grab him.

“C’mon, handsome! Let the superheroes do their thing!” Indigo Zap said before taking him away.

“Don’t do anything funny!” Sunset Shimmer yelled to them.

“Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, take on the monsters with Eighty-One.” Twilight Sparkle commanded. “Everyone else, Bumblebee and I included, will evacuate the people.”

“Let’s pony up!” the girls yelled as they activate their Geodes, granting them pony ears and ponytails, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Sci-Twi gaining wings.

“When I get back home, I’m gonna need Rusty to download this from my head!” Bumblebee observed excitedly.

Offense rushes in with C-81 blasting Crystal Terrorcons left and right. Rainbow Dash picks up Applejack and carries her above a Crystal Terrorcon before dropping her, allowing her to drill through its body. “Need candy over here!” Pinkie Pie, standing beside a candy shop, waves to C-81, who shoves a Crystal Terrorcon into the candy shop, allowing Pinkie Pie to collect candies. As she walks away, she flicks a caramel onto the Crystal Terrorcon, blowing it up.

Rarity is protecting a mother and son from a Crystal Terrorcon with diamond shields before Sci-Twi telekinetically flings it away.

“Go! Go!” Bumblebee yelled as civilians run past him when a green girl trips and is about to be stomped on. He shoots a grappling claw from his mouth to pull her away before the Crystal Terrorcon could crush her.

“Get your memory rock outta here, Wallflower!” told the girl.

“Uh, thanks, robot head.” the girl thanked nervously before running away.

“I wish I was out there.” Flash Sentry observed the fight from afar with Shadowbolts, still holding the camera.

“Are you insane?! These are crystal giants!” Spike scolded him when a Crystal Terrorcon crashes before them. They watch as it stands up and looks down at them before creating a giant shuriken. As Flash Sentry braces himself, the camera shoots a purple beam through the giant’s chest, destroying it.

“Did you do that?” Lemon Zest asked Flash Sentry.

“It’s the camera. What other surprises does it have?” Flash Sentry wondered.

Meanwhile, a Crystal Terrorcon catches Sci-Twi off-guard and kicks her into a wall, flinging her Geode all the way to Twilight Sparkle, who picks it up. When the Crystal Terrorcon comes after her next, she instinctively throws her head forth, flinging it away telekinetically.

“Did you do that?” Sci-Twi asked her counterpart as she stands up.

“Your Geode; it reacted with me like it does for you.” Twilight Sparkle looked at the Geode.

“I had a theory, and it’s conclusive: it works for both of us.” Sci-Twi added.

Elsewhere, a Crystal Terrorcon throws a shuriken at Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, when C-81 takes the hit for them and screams in pain. “Apple Bloom, run!”

The girls run away as C-81 stands up to find the Crystal Terrorcon has picked up Bumblebee. “Leggo me!” Bumblebee demanded.

“Hey!” C-81 shouted to get its attention. “Catch!” he throws the shuriken at the Crystal Terrorcon, which throws Bumblebee into the air before catching its shuriken.

When C-81 tries to catch Bumblebee, he’s instead caught by another backflipping Crystal Terrorcon and it escapes. When the captor flees, the rest of the Crystal Terrorcons follow, and they disappear. “Bumblebee!” C-81 cried out before angrily swinging his shotgun into a window.

“This is bad! Who knows what they’ll do with him!” Twilight Sparkle panicked as the girls gather around him.

“How’re we gonna find where they took him?” Sunset Shimmer wondered as Flash Sentry joins them.

“I know how.” he shows them the camera. “I found pictures of these things’ hideout.” He shows them pictures of Crystal Terrorcons prowling in a scrapyard.

“That creeper sure gets around.” Applejack commented.

“But thanks to him, we know where these giants are hiding.” Rarity added.

“I know this place. Zephyr collected scrap there for junk art.” Fluttershy observed.

“What’re we waiting for? Let’s take him back!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed.

“Without the numbers to combat them, we won’t stand a chance.” Sci-Twi warned.

“Who said we needed to fight our way through? Let’s spring Bumblebee from an evil lair… spy-style!” Pinkie Pie suggested excitedly.

“Will that work?” Applejack wondered.

“It’s the best plan we’ve got.” Sunset Shimmer said.

“Let’s regroup at Applejack’s and plan our next move.” Twilight Sparkle told her friends. “I just hope we’re not too late.”

That night at a hill overlooking the scrapyard, the girls arrive in C-81 alongside a truck and tow trailer carrying Bumblebee’s parts driven by Flash Sentry, all wearing black stealth suits provided by Pinkie Pie. “You sure got a lotta spy gadgets, Pinkie.” Applejack spies on the scrapyard with night-vision binoculars.

“They’re top-of-the-line! How’d you get them?” Sci-Twi asked Pinkie Pie.

“I’ll never tell.” Pinkie Pie replied.

“Recap on the plan: C-81 draws the giants’ attention while we sneak into the processing building where Bumblebee is likely kept.” Sci-Twi recapped.

“Once he’s retrieved, we signal Flash to drive up with Bumblebee’s parts and we’ll put him together to help our escape.” Twilight Sparkle concluded.

“Can’t we just rainbow laser everything?” Rainbow Dash suggested.

“You shouldn’t use the Geodes’ full power for every threat.” Twilight Sparkle told her.

“What’s the point of having this power if we can’t use it all the time?” Rainbow Dash questioned as C-81 transforms into robot mode.

“With great power comes great responsibility, a wise man once said.” C-81 added.

Flash Sentry looks to scrapyard when Twilight Sparkle approaches him. “Sorry we dragged you into this.” Twilight Sparkle apologized softly.

“You kidding? I always wanted to go on one of your adventures since forever!” Flash Sentry responded excitedly.

“I don’t want you getting hurt.” Twilight Sparkle added.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got some great friends to fall back on.” Flash Sentry looks to his friends. “I wanna say again that it’s great to see you, Twilight.”

“Yeah… you too.” Twilight Sparkle blushes. “Remember: stay here with the parts until we shoot the flare.” Twilight Sparkle instructed Flash Sentry.

C-81 transforms and the girls enter him, beginning their operation. “Buckle your seatbelts.” C-81 said before revving his engine and accelerating towards the scrapyard. Before reaching the gate, the girls are ejected into the brush.

C-81 crashes through the gates and transforms, brandishing his shotgun. “If you’re all taking me on… I’ll never stop at one!” C-81 yelled before attacking the Crystal Terrorcons. The girls rush past the unaware creatures, making their way into the processing building.

“Who turned out the lights?” Pinkie Pie said as they enter the dark building before bumping into someone.

“Pinkie, be careful!” Rarity cautioned.

“Sorry!” Pinkie Pie apologized.

“Activate night-vision goggles!” Sci-Twi commanded. They all activate their goggles, revealing the presence of a massive arch glowing with purple circuitry and three glass tanks sitting before it.

“I’ve seen enough sci-fi movies to know that’s a space portal.” Rainbow Dash commented.

Twilight Sparkle approaches the tanks and sees an inactive Bumblebee inside one. “Bumblebee!”

Pinkie Pie looked into another tank to see an unconscious blue boy with an amputated right arm, wearing a blue T-shirt, blue shorts, and a white cowl with bear ears.

“No…” Fluttershy whimpered as she finds an unconscious, injured English bulldog in another tank.

“Who are they?” Sunset Shimmer wondered.

“They’re the heroes I mentioned before! We have to free them!” Twilight Sparkle told her friends urgently.

“Let’s bust ‘em out!” Applejack said before punching the tanks open.

Sunset Shimmer checks their pulses. “They’re alive, but unresponsive.”

“Bumblebee, wake up!” Twilight Sparkle shakes Bumblebee hastily before he opens his eyes.

“They… took my legs.” Bumblebee muttered in a daze.

“Don’t worry, we’ll put you back together soon.” Twilight Sparkle assured softly. Sunset Shimmer carries the boy on her back, Fluttershy carries the dog, and Applejack lifts Bumblebee’s head.

“Let’s get exfil’d!” Rainbow Dash hurried, just when the arch powers up. It sends a massive alien plane through the building, exposing the night sky before turning to shoot at C-81 with a single blast.

“C-Eighty-One!” Sunset Shimmer called out to C-81 as he’s thrown into a ruined wall. Landing before the heroes is a purple robot towering over C-81, armed with a crab-claw-blaster, and a helmeted head bearing purple eyes and a face like C-81.

“We meet again, my lesser self.” the robot greeted C-81 with his own voice.

“You know him?” Sunset Shimmer asked C-81.

“Remember when you said my past is not today? My past… is standing right there.” C-81 pointed to the robot.

“I am Galvatron, your doom.” the Cybertronian introduces himself.

“You captured my friends… to lure me out?” C-81 asked Galvatron.

“How else can I draw out a bleeding spark such as yourself?” Galvatron responded mockingly.

“Don’t hurt C-Eighty-One!” Sci-Twi shouted.

“You should call him by his true name…” Galvatron picks up C-81 effortlessly with his massive hand. “…Megatron!” he slams him into the ground.

“Run!” C-81 yelled to the girls.

Watching them from the trees is the creeper, who takes off their helmet, revealing to be Full Bottle. “I’ve found them.” he communicated into a phone. “Flash is with, well y’know. I was getting sick of the guy.” Full Bottle responded. “Here’s hoping they have the winning formula.” he said before dropping the call.

To be continued…

Chapter 4

“You’re becoming like Optimus: protecting the weak at the cost of victory.” Galvatron taunted C-81 as he pushes him into the mud.

“He protects them not just because it is right, but because it gives him motivation, not just to win battles, not just to win wars, but as a reason to live! As long as I have people to protect, my spark burns.” C-81 defended valiantly.

“Then if I don’t destroy you here, I’ll destroy everyone you cared for…” Galvatron threatened. “…Starting with Megaempress.” C-81 widens his eyes.

He slams his mining claw into Galvatron’s arm, freeing himself before rolling over to pick up his laser shotgun. “Try it, you cheap knockoff.” C-81 taunted before pumping his shotgun.

Flash Sentry watches the carnage from atop the hill, frozen in shock. “What’s going on? What’s with the jet? Are they okay?!” he panicked.

“Hey, hairgel.” Flash Sentry heard his own voice from the backseat. He turns to find only the ruined green bag and the camera.

“I’m the Canon, Zac Efron.” the camera groaned.

“You talk? Who are you?” Flash Sentry asked the camera as he takes it.

“I’m a Real Gear Decepticon, formerly Photon Division. Infiltrate. Investigate. Instigate.” the camera answered.

“A Decepticon? Do you know C-Eighty-One? Why do you sound like me? And who was with you?” Flash Sentry questioned.

The camera gives an annoyed growl. “You just need to know is that helping those girls benefit both you and my people.”

“How can I possibly help? I’m just a regular, powerless guy.” Flash Sentry responded hopelessly.

“I know you wanna be a hero just once, and I know how you can.” the camera told him. “In that bag is a weapon that unites man and machine, used by a great hero from my universe.”

Flash Sentry as he searches the bag to find the golden bracelet. “Unless it’s a granola bar, is it this?”

“Yes, that’s it! The Master-Brace!” the camera confirmed.

“So, do I put it on, or what?” Flash Sentry puts it on his right wrist.

“Yeah! Then, raise your arm and say ‘Head On!’ Then watch the magic happen.” the camera answered enthusiastically.

“Here goes nothing…” Flash raises his fist. “Head On!” he shouted before being engulfed in light.

As Crystal Terrorcons infest the scrapyard, swarming around a struggling C-81, the girls and Bumblebee make a dash for the exit. “Bee, what’s Galvatron’s deal with C-Eighty-One?!” Twilight Sparkle asked Bumblebee.

“And why did he call him Megatron?!” Rarity added.

“You said Megatron founded the Decepticons!” Sunset Shimmer added.

“Megatron died in Chicago, but was accidentally cloned by humans as Galvatron. When the real Megatron came back from the dead, he bodied his clone and called off the war.” Bumblebee explained hurriedly. “I dunno how, but Galvatron came back and wants revenge!”

They rush out the gate when two Crystal Terrorcons catch up to them and throw shurikens to block their path. “The flare, where is it?!” Sunset Shimmer searches her pockets as Rarity puts up a diamond dome around her friends.

“I’m sorry.” Bumblebee grumbled to Twilight Sparkle.

“For what?”

“For how I acted towards everyone. I should’ve treated you like people I wanted to make friends with, not celebrities in an awkward meet-and-greet.” Bumblebee explained remorsefully.

“Bumblebee, it’s never too late to make friends. Why don’t we start over, like we’ve never met?” Twilight Sparkle suggested.

“Okay then…” Bumblebee sighed. “Hi, my name’s Bumblebee, I’m from Simfur. It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’m Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bumblebee.” Twilight Sparkle responded.

As they smile at each other, the Crystal Terrorcons break through the shield. “Aaah!” the girls screamed as they brace themselves. Suddenly, the shurikens behind them shatter, and jumping through is a yellow blur. It flies over the girls and slams into the Crystal Terrorcons, shattering them before advancing into the scrap yard.

“What was that?!” Pinkie Pie screamed.

In the scrapyard, C-81 is overwhelmed by the army of Crystal Terrorcons as Galvatron watches. “These Terrorcons are more powerful than the ones we used so long ago, thanks to being made entirely of Dark Energon.” Galvatron crossed his arms.

“They’re abominations, just like you.” C-81 spat at Galvatron before a Crystal Terrorcon kicks him aside.

“Bumblebee must’ve rubbed off on you as well, seeing as you won’t shut up.” Galvatron approaches C-81. “Let’s fix that.” Galvatron growled as he puts his claw to C-81’s chin.

Suddenly, a futuristic yellow pony car accelerates into the scrapyard. The girls and Bumblebee arrive in time to witness it ram Galvatron into a mound of scrap before transforming into robot mode. “Bumblebee?” C-81 looks up, seeing a robot made of Bumblebee’s parts, but with a white version of Bumblebee’s head equipped with a triangular blue visor.

“Ugh, it felt like I got strapped to the hood.” Flash Sentry’s voice groaned from the robot.

“Flash?!” the girls said in surprise.

“How’d the Ken doll hijack my body?” Bumblebee wondered.

“No time to explain, but I thought you needed help.” Flash Sentry helps up C-81.

“Can you fight?” C-81 asked as Flash Sentry deploys Bumblebee’s plasma cannon.

“I play first-person shooters in my free time. Aim and shoot, right?” Flash Sentry shrugged.

Galvatron picks himself up, scattering scrap from the pile. “I smell a human. Just like the Autobots, you have to beg for their help.”

“I never needed to beg. He’s here because he knows its right to help people in need. Just like Sam, just like Cade, just like every human who loyally helped the Autobots until the end.” C-81 lectured Galvatron.

“You saved me once. I’m just returning the favour.” Flash Sentry said sincerely.

“I’ve had enough of you, enough of humans, enough of this accursed planet!” Galvatron roared as Crystal Terrorcons spill out of the portal. “Destroy them!”

“We ain’t letting them take all the fun! Let’s kick some crystal butt!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly.

“Let’s be careful. We don’t know what Galvatron’s capable of.” Sci-Twi advised.

“I’ll stay with Fluttershy and the princess to keep the others safe.” Sunset Shimmer said.

“Good luck, Twilight… everyone.” Twilight Sparkle said to her friends before she flees with the Sunset Shimmer, Fluttershy, and the rescued hostages.

“Let’s save the world!” Sci-Twi rallied before the five girls pony up and rush into battle.

In an attempt to stop them, the Crystal Terrorcons line up and throw giant shurikens at the girls, only for Rarity to put up a massive diamond wall. Sci-Twi telekinetically flings them back at the Crystal Terrorcons, slicing through most of them. Rainbow Dash carries Applejack into the air before throwing her at them, deploying the same missile-drill move earlier that day, boring a hole through one Crystal Terrorcon’s body and using it to club the others before it dissipates. “Applejack, behind you!” Sci-Twi pointed to a Crystal Terrorcon that dashes towards Applejack, only for its head to suddenly explode. They all look to Pinkie Pie happily prancing through the battlefield, tossing exploding sprinkles willy-nilly.

“Watch the pyrotechnics, Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash yelled to her from the air.

“I just thought this battle needed some unnecessary explosions.” Pinkie Pie said before the ground behind her explodes.

“It’s like watching an action movie.” Fluttershy commented as she peeks from a bush.

“To me it’s another day at the office.” Bumblebee added as he sat beside her. “Wait, you watch action movies?”

“Just with Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy responded.

“Hehe, of course.” Bumblebee snickered.

As C-81 and Flash Sentry fight Galvatron, Flash Sentry almost stumbles into the evil robot’s claw before C-81 catches him and shoots Galvatron in the shoulder. “You’re moving like a recently-matured protoform.” C-81 teased Flash Sentry as he helps him up.

“Gimme a break. I’m still getting used to this.” Flash Sentry said before Galvatron swings his claw again. C-81 gets in the way and his shoulder is penetrated by the claw, then Flash Sentry rolls away and fires shoulder-mounted missiles at Galvatron, giving him time to come to C-81’s aid.

“You ‘kay?” Flash Sentry asked C-81 in concern.

“I’ve been worse… twice.” C-81 groaned as he clutched his shoulder. With them distracted, Galvatron fires a fusion blast, blowing up the ground where they stood. When the smoke clears, they’re revealed to be a flickering hologram.

“What?!” Galvatron exclaimed before C-81 and Flash Sentry shoot him in the back.

“Holograms. Courtesy of another new friend.” Flash Sentry said before the camera emerges from his collar.

“They fall for it every time.” the camera chuckled.

“Enough smoke and mirrors!” Galvatron growled before snapping his fingers. The Crystal Terrorcons cease attacking and converge to the destroyed building where they stand in a square formation. As the heroes prepare for the worst, the Crystal Terrorcons raise their claws… and start dancing in unison; moving stiffly like zombies.

“Is this normal for you?” Twilight Sparkle asked Bumblebee.

“Our enemies dancing to Thriller? No.” Bumblebee answered, bewildered as the rest.

As the Crystal Terrorcons dance, their bodies transform into energy that coalesces into a colossal Crystal Terrorcon. Galvatron transforms into jet mode to fly up to the Crystal Terrorcon’s chest, forming chest armour. The giant’s eyes glow with dark energy before firing a laser beam at the heroes, tearing up trenches as they flee. Sci-Twi was about to fly away when the beam grazes her wing, sending her crashing to the ground.

“Twilight!” Flash Sentry yelled before he and C-81 transform into vehicle mode to catch Sci-Twi, narrowly escaping the laser’s path. Bumblebee’s body takes heavy damage, causing the head to fall off, transforming into Flash Sentry in white battle armour as the camera is flung into the brush. The girls and Bumblebee regroup to Flash Sentry holding an injured Sci-Twi with a heavily-burned C-81 lying beside them.

“Is everyone okay?!” Sunset Shimmer called out as Flash Sentry’s burned-out Master-Brace falls off and his armour disappears.

“She’s alive.” Flash Sentry answered in relief as she helps Sci-Twi sit up.

“Thanks to you.” Sci-Twi said weakly as her wings and ears disappear.

“Eighty-One, speak to me!” Bumblebee cried to C-81.

“The burning is nothing compared to my emotional anguish.” C-81 groaned when the giant stomps to get their attention.

“Why are you concerned for him? This is Megatron: conqueror and deceiver! He’s responsible for the suffering and death of trillions across the galaxy!” Galvatron shouted.

“Megatron, C-Eighty-One, it doesn’t matter what his name is, or what he’s done in the past. What matters is that he’s making up for all of it the best he can, and we’ll support him all the way!” Sunset Shimmer shouted back.

“Plus, he’s our friend, and friends don’t let friends fight their battles alone!” Bumblebee shouted.

“Friendship this, friendship that. All you wanted was power!” Galvatron shouted to C-81.

“That may be true…” C-81 stood. “…But my thirst for power caused only grief, not just to my victims, but to myself. It was when I opened up to others about my problems that I discovered the truest, most powerful force in existence… the Magic of Friendship!” C-81 lectured.

“Rainbow lasers?” Rainbow Dash turned to Sunset Shimmer in desperation.

“But Twilight’s outta commission!” Sunset Shimmer responded in concern.

“I am…” Sci-Twi groaned. “…But she isn’t.” she presents her Geode to Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Suddenly, a sword with a big snake eye on its purple hilt is thrown before them, and they turn to see the injured amputee boy emerging from the brush. “Thought you might need this, Twilight.” the boy groaned weakly before falling unconscious.

“Thank you, Finn.” Twilight Sparkle thanked the boy as she picks up the sword.

“One more for ol’ time’s sake?” Applejack said to Twilight Sparkle as her friends stand side-by-side.

“For old time’s sake.” Twilight Sparkle puts on the Geode and holds hands with her friends before their magic lifts them into the sky.

“What a pathetic show of power.” Galvatron growled as the Terrorcon Combiner’s eyes charge up, but are quickly shot out.

Within the trees, Full Bottle takes aim at the giant with a funnel-shaped rifle. “Shouri no housoku wa… kimatta.” he smiled as he flicks his finger beside his head.

As the girls pony up, their magic flows through the sword, growing it to tower over the colossus in a matter of seconds. “What is this?!” Galvatron said in awe.

“This is the Magic of Friendship!” the girls yelled as a spectrum of colours flow through the blade. As they swing, Galvatron escapes from the combiner before its cleaved in half along with the portal, but not before Galvatron escapes into it. The combiner’s halves fall before dissolving into particles sprinkling over the scrapyard.

“Is this what all your adventures are like?” Flash Sentry asked Sci-Twi.

“I’m new to this, too.” Sci-Twi chuckled as the girls land before them.

“Let’s hope we won’t see his ugly mug again!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Ahem.” Pinkie Pie’s clears her throat as she thumbs to C-81 sitting behind her.

“Everyone, thank you for helping me and our new robot friends.” Twilight Sparkle thanked them.

“C’mon, do you really have to thank us for that? We’re friends, and friends help their friends fight evil alien robots.” Sunset Shimmer giggled.

“All that’s left is to save my friends in Equestria.” Twilight Sparkle said as Full Bottle appears, carrying the boy and dog over his shoulders.

“Full Bottle? What’re you doing here?” Sunset Shimmer asked him in surprise.

“Who?” Twilight Sparkle raised her eyebrow.

“Please, I’m your substitute teacher, you won’t be seeing me anymore. Call me… Kiryu Sento.” Full Bottle insisted.

“Kiryu Sento?” Rainbow Dash repeated.

“It’s my real name. Full Bottle’s my spy name.” Sento responded as he holds up the camera.

“You’re the creeper?!” Pinkie Pie realized.

“I’m an extra-dimensional agent, and my mission here is to keep an eye on heroes like you.” Sento explained. “Finn and Jake here are fellow heroes, and friends of a friend of mine, and we have you to thank for rescuing them.”

“An extra-dimensional agent? Could you help find my friends in Equestria? They’re in trouble!” Twilight Sparkle pleaded to Sento.

“Already taken care of.” Sento assured as he taps his phone, projecting a hologram call of her friends recuperating in the Castle of Friendship.

“Twilight!” her friends called out excitedly as they look to her.

“You’re all okay!” she said in relief.

“We showed those crystal things not to mess with these ponies!” Rainbow Dash boasted.

“We had help from a new friend.” Applejack added.

Entering the frame is a blue Pegasus stallion with an unkempt brown mane and a boxing glove Cutie Mark, wearing a blue-and-white varsity jacket. “Ohayo, ore wa Banjo.” he spoke in Japanese.

“We have no idea what he’s sayin’.” Applejack chuckled.

“Y’should’ve seen him! he had this yoke, and this toy dragon-thing!” Spike said excitedly.

“It went ‘Are You Ready?’, tubes went everywhere, and—” Rainbow Dash continued exasperatedly.

“It was awesome!” Pinkie Pie shook the screen wildly.

“What’ve you been doing over there?” Fluttershy asked.

“It’s a long story.” Twilight Sparkle replied tiredly.

“Will you come back soon?” Fluttershy asked.

“I will.” Twilight Sparkle turns to her human and robot friends. “I just wanna spend time with some old friends.”

“Take your time, darling. We’ll be waiting.” Rarity said before Banjo drops the call.

“Kiryu, thank you so much.” Twilight Sparkle thanked Sento gratefully.

“Thank muscle-for-brains there.” Sento responded. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take that.” Sento said as he takes the sword from her. Using his phone, he summons a rainbow portal, then turns to Flash Sentry. “While I’m gone, watch them for me.” Sento told him as he gives Flash Sentry the camera.

“What? Why me?” Flash Sentry questioned.

“You’re closest to the girls. Think of it as making an adventure record for them.” Sento answered.

“I haven’t properly introduced myself. I’m Flash Sentry.” the camera introduced himself.

“Get outta town, that’s my name!” Flash Sentry teased.

“I would, but I’m mode-locked.” the camera responded.

“I’ll call you Lil Flash, just to make things easier for us.” Flash Sentry suggested for Lil Flash to groan.

“Flash, welcome to The Voyagers.” Sento smiled to Flash Sentry before disappearing into the portal.

“Wait, I didn’t throw a farewell party for you yet!” Pinkie Pie shouted to Sento as the portal closes.

“Hey, Flash.” Bumblebee called out to Flash Sentry as Applejack carries him. “I saw how you fought. Not bad for a background character.”

“Thanks… I guess.” Flash Sentry responded in confusion. “If every adventure’s as exciting as this one, I’ll be glad to record them.”

“What will you two do now?” Twilight Sparkle asked Bumblebee and C-81.

“We’ll stay here a little longer, just to get to know our new friends.” Bumblebee answered.

“Galvatron and his army can wait.” C-81 added casually.

“Oh boy, I can’t wait to hang out with giant robots!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly.

“I need repairs first. Flash busted my bod rescuing four-eyes.” Bumblebee side-eyes his body’s charred remains. “Flash Sentry? More like Crash Entry.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Fixin’ alien tech’s a first for me.” Applejack said.

“I’ll help too! It’s the perfect opportunity to study an inorganic alien species!” Sci-Twi added as to Bumblebee’s discomfort.

“Wanna take a group selfie? Y’know, to commemorate meeting new friends.” Flash Sentry suggested.

“And to commemorate yet another win for us!” Rainbow Dash added.

The friends pose before C-81 holding Bumblebee’s head as Flash Sentry positions Lil Flash for a selfie. “Cheese!” they shouted together before the flash goes off, and Lil Flash captures a picture of all their smiling faces.

Galvatron crashes in a midnight desert, skidding across the sand before slamming into a mesa. He transforms into robot mode and assesses his wounds. “Megatron… there can only be one.” he muttered when a shadow approaches him. He looks up to see a tall, grey Transformer with a scowling face and purple eyes just like him.

“Lockdown.” Galvatron growled.

“Stand, Galvatron. Our master has come.” Lockdown informed Galvatron as his wounds rapidly heal.

THE END