Chapter 1: More than Meets the Eye - Part I
On the distant planet of Cybertron, the Autobots and Decepticons were desperate for resources as they were both on the verge of collapse and the planet was dying after centuries of brutal war nearly depleted its energy supply. The Allspark, which gave life to the Cybertronian race and created by the Quintessons, was now lost to the cosmos. Two Autobots named Bumblebee and Wheeljack were collecting energy conductors before the Decepticons could retrieve them for their own.
“There’s only enough power in these conductors to last us for one lunar cycle, we need to return and report back to Optimus Prime at Iacon,” Wheeljack said.
“At least these are better than nothing, we just need enough power for the Ark,” Bumblebee replied.
“Let’s get back before the Decepticons find us,” Wheeljack said, as he transformed into a Cybertronian car.
“Good idea,” Bumblebee replied, then assumed vehicle mode himself.
As the two Autobots made their way towards Iacon spaceport, they were soon spotted by Skywarp and Thundercracker on a patrol in their fighter modes.
“We got Autobots inbound. Should we destroy them?” Skywarp asked.
“We should contact Megatron. He may want us to find out what their next move is,” Thundercracker replied.
“Skywarp to Megatron. Come in, Megatron!” Skywarp said.
“Megatron here, anything to report?” the Decepticon leader asked over the comm.
“We got two Autobots dead ahead, possibly headed for Iacon,” Skywarp replied.
“Follow them there and wait for Soundwave,” Megatron ordered.
“Yes, Megatron. Skywarp out,” Skywarp said.
Decepticon outpost
“Soundwave, go to Iacon and provide me some intel on what the Autobots are planning,” Megatron ordered.
“As you command, Megatron,” Soundwave replied with a monotonous voice.
Soundwave transformed into his communications vehicle mode and soon stopped outside of Iacon. It wasn’t long before Wheeljack and Bumblebee returned to the hangar, while Skywarp and Thundercracker met up with Soundwave.
“Laserbeak, prepare for flight. Operation: Recon,” Soundwave said.
Laserbeak was ejected and transformed into a bird-like mode. He activated his camera and saw Wheeljack and Bumblebee unload the energy conductors onto the Ark.
“We got the conductors you wanted for the ship, Optimus,” Bumblebee said.
“Good work, Bumblebee. You too, Wheeljack. We shall launch immediately,” Optimus replied, “Ultra Magnus, recall every Autobot to the Ark, we’re ready to launch.”
“Right away, Optimus,” Ultra Magnus replied, then ordered over the comm, “Calling all Autobots, we’re ready to launch. Return to Iacon immediately.”
Back at the Decepticon outpost, Soundwave, Skywarp, and Thundercracker played back Laserbeak’s recordings.
“The Autobots are preparing to depart. Cyclonus, Scourge, recall every Decepticon back here, we’re leaving too,” Megatron ordered.
“Right away, Megatron,” Cyclonus replied.
“By order of Megatron, all Decepticons must board the Nemesis immediately and prepare to launch,” Scourge said.
It wasn’t long before all the Autobots and Decepticons boarded their respective ships. The Nemesis went on a pursuit course behind the Ark.
After traveling for thousands of light years, the Ark and the Nemesis were coming up on an asteroid field. Suddenly, the Autobot medic, Ratchet looked at the radar and said, “Optimus, we’re being followed.”
“The Decepticons must have seen our ship departing and decided to pursue. Autobots, report to the bridge and be ready on the weapons,” Optimus replied, as all the other Autobots assumed battle stations. Jazz, Prowl, Ironhide, Sideswipe, Mirage, Brawn, Cliffjumper, Arcee, Hot Rod, Kup, Springer, and Blurr were standing by on the weapons systems.
“We got asteroids inbound,” Wheeljack said.
“Activate the deflector shields,” Optimus replied.
With the deflector shields activated, the Ark managed to safely pass through the asteroid field.
The Nemesis bridge
“Meteor shower! Meteor shower!” Soundwave alerted.
“Raise the shields!” Megatron ordered.
“As you wish, Megatron,” Shockwave replied.
It wasn’t long before the Nemesis also came out of the asteroid field following closely behind the Ark. Both ships fired at each other and they each took a pounding.
“Soundwave, engage the tractor beam and prepare to board,” Megatron said, “Cyclonus, you and Scourge have the bridge.”
“As you command, Megatron,” Soundwave replied.
“Yes, Megatron,” Cyclonus added.
The Nemesis activated it’s tractor beam and the docking bay.
The Ark’s bridge
“Optimus, the Decepticons caught us in a tractor beam, and we’re being boarded,” Wheeljack said, looking at the cameras.
“Thanks for the alert, Wheeljack. Hound, take a squad and defend the ship!” Optimus ordered.
“Right away, Prime,” Hound replied, as he left the bridge with a few other Autobots.
Accompanying Hound were Crosshairs, Drift, Bulkhead, Bluestreak, Trailbreaker, and the Aerialbots. It wasn’t long before they reached the docking bay and the Decepticon boarding party came towards them. Accompanying Megatron were Soundwave, Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Dirge, Thrust, Ramjet, Blitzwing, Barricade, Nightbird, Shatter, and Dropkick.
“Die, Autobots!” Megatron said.
Megatron shot at Hound and hit him in the shoulder. The other Decepticons fired on the Autobots only for their shots to be deflected by Trailbreaker’s force field. Starscream activated his null ray and it deactivated the force field, then he fired at Trailblazer, killing him. The Aerialbots fired on three of the Decepticon Seekers, leaving them injured. Skywarp and Thundercracker fired at Silverbolt and Air Raid, killing them. Dirge, Thrust, and Ramjet fired on Skydive, Divebomb, and Fireflight, then killed them. Bluestreak dueled with Barricade, but was overpowered and shot dead.
“Die, Decepticons!” Hound said.
“You’ll pay for this!” Bulkhead added.
Hound fired at Dirge and Thrust, shooting them dead. Crosshairs fired at Ramjet and killed him. Bulkhead dueled with Barricade, hoping to avenge Bluestreak, then managed to overpower and severely injure him. Drift dueled with Nightbird, then disarmed her and stabbed her to death.
“Ravage, eject. Laserbeak, eject,” Soundwave said, releasing Laserbeak and Ravage.
Ravage pounced on Bulkhead, but he shook him off into a wall.
“Fall back to the bridge!” Hound said.
He, Bulkhead, Crosshairs, and Drift fled to the bridge. Megatron was hoping to pursue when he received a message.
“Megatron, we’re coming up on a planet and caught in its gravity!” Shockwave said.
“Decepticons, return to the Nemesis!” Megatron ordered, as he and his boarding party left for their own ship.
It wasn’t long before Hound, Bulkhead, Crosshairs and Drift returned to the bridge. The Nemesis broke away from the Ark as both ships were caught in Earth’s gravity and then entered the atmosphere.
“Autobots, brace for impact!” Optimus said.
The Ark kept falling until it crashed into a large patch of forest while the Nemesis crashed elsewhere.
Not too far away, two teenage boys and seven teenage girls were hiking through the forest. The first boy was two years younger than the girls, he had green hair and green eyes. He also wore a purple long sleeve shirt, blue pants, and white Velcro shoes. His name was Spike Witwicky. His friends were the Rainbooms; Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sunset Shimmer, and Storm Blade. He had light neon green skin, dark blue eyes, reddish-brown hair, and he was the same age as the girls.
“Did you see and hear that, girls?” Spike spoke up.
“What was it, Spike?” Twilight asked.
“I heard and saw something crash,” Spike replied.
“Let’s go over and check it out,” Twilight suggested.
“Good thinking, Twilight,” Applejack said.
Spike and the others took a hike over to the crash site.
Back at the Ark, the Autobots exited the ship and looked outside.
“What is this place?” Bumblebee asked.
“Honestly, I have no idea what planet we’re on, Bumblebee,” Ultra Magnus replied, “I suggest we do some exploring and find out. What do you think, Optimus?”
“I agree, we need to keep a low profile in case the Decepticons get the same idea. Autobots, roll out!” Optimus ordered.
It wasn’t long before all the Autobots left the forest and split up in various directions. They soon reached the outskirts of the city called Canterlot. There, they each scanned various Earth vehicles, then left the city and continued their survey. Optimus Prime transformed into a 2008 Peterbilt 379 semi-truck. Bumblebee transformed into a 2014 Volkswagen Beetle, Jazz transformed into a Porsche 997, Ironhide transformed into a red Nissan Rogue SUV, Ratchet transformed into a 2007 Ford Transit ambulance, Sideswipe transformed into a Lamborghini Aventador. Prowl transformed into a Nissan 370Z police car. Wheeljack transformed into a Porsche 987. Bulkhead transformed into a Hummer H2. Brawn transformed into a 2012 Range Rover.
At the Nemesis, Megatron also decided to have the Decepticons do some exploring to know about their new surroundings. They left the ship and split up in various directions. Megatron and his main group stumbled onto a military base and scanned some vehicles there. Megatron transformed into an M1 Abrams tank, Soundwave transformed into a Humvee equipped with a communications array and an M134 Minigun, Shockwave transformed into an M55 self-propelled howitzer, Cyclonus transformed into an F-22 Raptor, Scourge transformed into an A-10 Thunderbolt II, and Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker each transformed into an F-15 Eagle.
Meanwhile, Spike and the girls had finally reached the mountainside.
“What is that?” Sunset asked.
“It looks like some kind of spaceship,” Spike replied.
“The hatch is open, maybe we should have a look inside,” Rainbow said.
“Good idea, and I suggest we use caution,” Twilight replied.
They walked all around the ship until they noticed the dead bodies of Bluestreak, Trailbreaker, the Aerialbots, Dirge, Thrust, Ramjet, and Nightbird.
“Judging by the bodies, there was a skirmish here before this ship crashed,” Spike said.
“What made these robots want to kill each other?” Twilight asked.
“I don’t know, but something tells me that there could be more of these alien robots around here somewhere,” Spike replied, “I hope some of them are friendly.”
After exploring the ship some more, Spike and the girls exited the ship and looked around for any signs of more alien robots.
“All clear, let’s make ourselves scarce,” Twilight said.
“Good thinking,” Storm replied.
Back in the outskirts of Canterlot City, Ultra Magnus and the other half of the Autobots had also assumed new vehicle modes. Ultra Magnus transformed into a red and blue Prevost H3-45 bus. Kup transformed into a bluish green Ford F-150 pickup truck. Hot Rod transformed into a Ferrari 458. Blurr transformed into a Mercedes-AMG GT R. Arcee transformed into a Jaguar F-Type. Springer transformed into an Apache helicopter, then a Mazda MX-5. Hound transformed into a Jeep Gladiator. Drift transformed into a Sikorsky S-97 Raider, then a Bugatti Veyron. Crosshairs transformed into a Corvette Stingray C7. Mirage transformed into a Porsche 911 GT3. Cliffjumper transformed into a 2010 Dodge Challenger.
In another part of the city, the other half of the Decepticons also found some new vehicle modes after collecting scrap metal from a junkyard. Blitzwing transformed into a MiG-29, then into a T-72 tank. Nitro Zeus transformed into a Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Onslaught transformed into a Western Star 4900SF Tow Truck. Berserker transformed into a Chevrolet Suburban police truck. Dreadbot transformed into a Volkswagen Transporter T5. Mohawk transformed into a Confererate/Curtiss P51 Combat Fighter motorcycle. Barricade transformed into a Saleen S281 Ford Mustang police car. Shatter transformed into a Harrier Jump Jet and Dropkick transformed into a Bell AH-1 SuperCobra, then they each transformed into a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
“We must regroup with Megatron, he wants us to head back and build a new energon converter,” Nitro Zeus said.
“Right away, Nitro,” Blitzwing replied, as he and the others went to find Megatron.
“We must follow the Decepticons and find out what they’re up to, then meet back up with Optimus Prime,” Ultra Magnus said.
It wasn’t long before the second half of the Decepticons met up with Megatron and the main force back at the Nemesis. Soon enough, the Decepticons were finished building their new energon converter.
“Decepticons, spread out and find some energy sources in the area!” Megatron ordered.
“Transform!” Cyclonus added.
The Decepticons assumed vehicle mode and went to find some energy sources near Canterlot City. It wasn’t long before they found an propane power plant. They quickly spotted a group of engineers.
“Megatron, there’s several flesh creatures surrounding the facility,” Shockwave said.
“Cyclonus! Scourge! Leave nothing alive! Soundwave, activate the energon converter,” Megatron ordered.
Cyclonus and Scourge were quick to kill all in their path as Soundwave drained the facility dry of propane as he turned it into energon cubes. Not too far away, the Autobots had regrouped and saw the whole thing.
“Look, the Decepticons have a new energon converter and they’re stealing power,” Wheeljack said.
“Not on our watch. Autobots, roll out!” Optimus replied as they rushed towards the Decepticons.
“The Autobots! Stop them!” Megatron said.
It was then that a massive brawl broke out.
Meanwhile, Spike and the Rainbooms hiked until they happened across the damaged propane power plant.
“Huh? What’s going on?” Spike wondered as he noticed the Autobots fighting the Decepticons.
“Hey, it’s more of those alien robots,” Rainbow pointed out.
“I think we should head back before our families get worried,” Fluttershy replied.
Just then, Spike and the Rainbooms were spotted by the Decepticons, who were still in a brawl with the Autobots.
The nine teenagers fled the area, hoping to alert someone about what they saw.
“Megatron, I spy more puny flesh creatures in our midst,” Starscream said.
“Starscream! Skywarp! Thundercracker! Kill them!” Megatron ordered.
The Seekers pursued Spike and his fellow Rainbooms. The nine teenagers looked back and saw they were being pursued. They were fearful of being shot at.
“Girls, get down!” Spike said as he and the others ducked their heads and kept zigzagging.
Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker opened fire on Spike and the other Rainbooms only to hit the hillside, which then caused a massive landslide. The eight teenagers were quickly trapped by the piling rocks and could not get out.
“Someone! Help! Save us!” the Rainbooms shouted in unison.
The Autobots heard them and rushed to investigate. The Decepticons managed to get what they came for and returned to the Nemesis.
“I hear some kind of distress sound,” Ratchet said.
“I hear it too, Ratchet. I believe it’s coming from those organic creatures and they’re trapped,” Wheeljack replied.
“We must give help to those who need it. Ratchet, Ironhide, Bulkhead, you know what to do,” Optimus ordered.
“Yes, Optimus,” Ratchet replied as he, Bulkhead, and Ironhide went to help Spike and the girls.
The three Autobots managed to free Spike and the other Rainbooms from the rockslide and brought them over to the others. The Rainbooms were now face to face with all the Autobots.
“Thanks for saving us,” Applejack said.
“I’m Spike Witwicky and these are my friends Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Storm Blade. We’re humans,” Spike greeted.
“Great to meet you all. My name is Optimus Prime and we are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron or Autobots for short. Those who tried to harm you are called Decepticons, their leader is Megatron, and we must stop them before they conquer all worlds in their path, including yours,” Optimus explained.
“Welcome to Earth, Autobots,” Spike replied.
It wasn’t long before before the Autobots introduced themselves to Spike and the others. Optimus also told them about the war which left Cybertron an uninhabitable wasteland.
“We’re sorry you lost your home,” Twilight said.
“None of us would ever want to imagine being slaves to these Decepticons,” Rarity added.
“Is there any way we could help?” Spike asked.
“We Autobots are the only ones who can match the Decepticons,” Optimus replied.
“We know more about Earth than any of you. You could use some support here,” Twilight said.
“Maybe you can help us,” Optimus replied.
“Welcome to the team, kids,” Jazz added.
