War for Ponytron

by Mad Midnight

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Adventure, Crossover
Length: 15060

The war for Cybertron has long since past, and a new era has begun. The era of the Ponytronians, a race who lived in peace for millennia. However, as if destined by fate, the war for the planet begins again.

The long fought war between Autobots and Decepticons came to a close on Cybertron, when the planet’s core was corrupted and the Ark, destroyed. Those who were not beyond repair were fixed by Primus and stored deep within Cybertron, in a vault that only a Prime could unlock. None remained after the conflict. Megatron fell at the hands of Optimus Prime, who in turn succombed to his wounds from the battle. Any who remained, ran out of energon. Primus began a new era. He forged a new race, the Ponytronians, modeled as a hybrid of equine creatures from a distant planet and his former creations. These Ponytronians rebuilt Cybertron with the help of Primus, who then renamed the planet after the new inhabitants. After a many years of peace, the conflict arose once more when one known as Luna, took on the mantle of Nightmare Moon, and became leader of the Lunarcons. The other side following no leader, but simply fighting for their freedom. The Council soon deemed that a certain Ponytronian by the name of Celestia, would be the one to lead their cause. With that decision, Celestion Prime was born, and began leading the Solarbots.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-05-23 20:11:12 UTC

A Prelude to War

Prologue: A Prelude to War

Long ago, the planet Cybertron was a place of peace, but also corruption. The champion of Kaon, the gladiator Megatronus, was unhappy with the goings on of Cybertronian politics. Then, there was the archivist, Orion Pax. He took an interest in the beliefs of Megatronus. The two began a student-teacher relationship. Megatronus, now desiring to change Cybertron, donned the name Megatron. The two worked towards a casteless Cybertron, where all could be free. Together, they spoke with the Council of Ancients, in hopes that Megatron would become a Prime.

        It was at this time, that Megatron’s true intentions came to light, and was denied the title of Prime. The war for Cybertron began. When Zeta Prime fell at the hands of Megatron during the war, a Prime was needed. Orion Pax became that Prime. Now, with the name Optimus Prime, he would lead the Autobots against the tyranny of Megatron and his Decepticons.

        For eons, this war for Cybertron and its energon, the lifeblood of all Cybertronians, would continue to be waged. After countless loses on both sides, the time for the war to close arrived. The core of Cybertron, now corrupted with dark energon at the hands of Megatron, could no longer sustain life for those who inhabited the planet. There was only one option left for the Autobots, The Ark.

        The Ark, the last hope and salvation for the Autobots, was defended by Metroplex until his end. In order to pursue The Ark, Megatron transformed the now defeated Trypticon into a powerful warship, the Nemesis. Using the Nemesis, Megatron followed The Ark into space. There, they waged a battle that both sides hoped would be the last.

        Sadly, they were wrong, and both The Ark and the Nemesis fell back to Cybertron and crashed upon its surface. Only two Cybertronians survived the incident: Optimus Prime and Megatron. The two rivals battled to the death upon the wreckage of their fallen comrades. In the end, the one to stand was Optimus. Megatron fell that day, and with him, the hope for Decepticon victory. However, with no way of treating his wounds from the battle, Optimus Prime too fell that day.

        In the following years, all remaining Cybertronians slowly died out. With no energon to sustain their lives, they had no choice but to use dark energon, if they wished to live. Those whose bodies did not reject the dark energon, lived. The chaotic power of dark energon was too strong for them to handle, and transformed them, giving birth to the Terrorcons.

        Primus saw what had become of his creations. As millennia passed, Primus slowly purged the dark energon from Cybertron’s core. When the purge was completed, the Terrorcons could no longer sustain themselves, unable to rely upon the energon which flowed through Cybertron once again.

        Primus decided to save what he could of the Cybertronians. He took the bodies of those who were not beyond repair, and brought them into the depths of Cybertron. There, he repaired their bodies and placed them in The Vault. This final resting place of the Cybertronians was sealed by Primus, making it impossible to open for anyone but a Prime.

        With the planet now uninhabited, Primus felt that a new era could begin. He created from the Well of All Sparks, a hybrid race, mixing the structure of his Cybertronians with that of equine creatures from a distant planet. Primus called this race, Ponytronians. He watched, with great pleasure, as his new creations rebuilt Cybertron to its former glory. Believing this race would usher in a new era of peace, Primus renamed the planet, Ponytron, after this new race.

        A new Council of Ancients was formed and the Ponytronians lived in peace for a thousand decades. As was inevitable, dissent began to arise amongst certain individuals. One, known as Luna, believed that the Council was unnecessary and that the people should be the ones to decide what was best for Ponytron. She, along with a historian, known as Celestia, rallied under one banner and fought a war of politics so that all Ponytronians could be able to decide the future of Ponytron.

        The Council knew of Luna’s ill intentions and attempted to persuade Celestia to leave her cause, and join their side. Celestia refused, claiming that Luna had the best interest of the Ponytronians in mind. It wasn’t until, during a meeting of negotiations with the Council at the capital city of Canteon, that Celestia realized the error of Luna’s ways. At that meeting, Luna executed the Council Leader, and attempted to escape the city with Celestia.

        Celestia refused Luna’s choice, and the two went their separate ways. Luna fled to the ruins of Kaon, the former Decepticon city. With the help of those who rallied to her cause, she established the city of Lunus Omega. The possibility of a war began to stir amongst the remainder of the Council of Ancients. They feared that a war not unlike that of the Cybertronians would erupt, for Primus had told them of the demise of their ancestors.

        The Council sealed the gates of Canteon, and refused to let anyone enter or exit. They attempted to find one suitable for the title of Prime, so that they may have a leader for their army, should Luna choose to fight. Their search was in vain. Not a single Ponytronian possessed the qualities of a Prime.

        As the Council had feared, Luna, who now went by Nightmare Moon, stormed the gates of Canteon. She did not come alone. Those who believed her cause to be just, rallied under her. She gave them the title of Lunarcons, and became their leader. With her army of Lunarcons, she hoped to take Canteon and take her place as ruler of Ponytron.

        The Council’s army, known as Solarbots, began fighting Nightmare Moon’s forces. Their coordination and teamwork was nonexistent. Without a leader, they could not hope to force out the Lunarcons. The battle continued for many hours, with the victory slowing falling into the grasp of the Lunarcons. The Council believed all hope to be lost.

        In their darkest hour, Celestia, the very one who once supported Luna with her entire being, approached the Council. She asked for their forgiveness for not seeing Luna’s true colors earlier, and for not extinguishing her spark when she fled Canteon. She, despite the past events, chose to trust the Council of Ancients now and swear loyalty to them. Above all, she swore to do all that she could to protect Canteon.

        Seeing that there was nothing she could do for Canteon, as she was, the Council decided that she would be their leader. She possessed the same qualities as Orion Pax did, so many years ago. Upon hearing the Council’s decision, Celestia agreed to become a Prime. She could not stand by while her former teacher wrought such atrocities. That day, at the Battle of Canteon, a new Prime was born. The last Prime, Celestion Prime, leader of the Solarbots.

Battle of Canteon

Chapter One: The Battle of Canteon

Database entry 83 from the log of Optimus Prime:

It has become apparent to me that Cybertron is lost. Megatron’s forces are relentless and will stop at nothing to destroy us, going so far as to doom the very planet he desires to control. Not a day goes by that I don’t think I could have stopped this if I had not upstaged Megatron at that Council meeting. Perhaps, even then, I could have convinced him to side with me.

The Ark launches tomorrow, and I fear Megatron will not let us leave without a fight. I hoped that he would have the decency to allow us to surrender to him what is left of Cybertron. However, as Warpath reminded me, Megatron is not one for decency. I’d like to believe that somewhere deep inside that cold spark of his, there are still remnants of the Megatronus that I once admired.

End of log.

        The era of peace, that came to be known and loved, passed like a fleeting moment, lost in the wind. Ponytronians came into this world with nothing. The landscape lay wasted after eons of warfare and destruction. They knew not what caused such devastation, yet their sparks felt the sorrow left behind by their predecessors all the same. For too long, Primus was left with the brutal reminder of the failure of the race he cared for so greatly. The rusted planet, the mounds of scrap, the spilled energon, even the dust that was doomed to carry on through the skies of Cybertron forevermore. Everything he had created lay ruined before him, and it pained him so.

This new race brought hope for a return of the crude landscape to the glory it once knew. The Ponytronians built new, greater cities. Atop the ruins of the fallen capitals, now rested towering cities, bright with potential. Primus educated them of the Council of the Ancients, and in turn, educated the newly formed Council on the history of Cybertronians. As long as Primus remained in the core of Cybertron, he would not let it die. Nor would he let fade the memory of the race he took pride in, despite the many mistakes that were made.

On the night when Luna murdered the Council Leader in cold blood, Primus's spark grew somber. He knew what was to come, for he had seen it before. The Great War lasted millions of stellar cycles, a seemingly never-ending conflict. He feared that yet another Great War would soon be upon them, and he would be forced to idly watch as yet another race fell to extinction on this planet. Soon, the curtain would fall and spread the fog of war.

The blazing flames covering the once great city of Canteon reflected off the metallic, navy finish of a Lunarcon as he brought his hoof down on the head of an unconscious Solarbot. The Bot’s optics cracked and energon began to seep through his audio receptors. The Con took aim at another Solarbot, who had just emerged from cover, when he was struck in the chest by the second Bot’s neuron rifle. Sparks burst from the Con’s chest as he fell to the hard metal surface that was the streets of Canteon. Streams of energon trickled down the streets, diverging as they ran alongside the scrapheaps that were once soldiers.

        Inside the Chamber of the Ancients, stood Celestion Prime, the newly appointed leader of the Solarbots. She was eager to assist in the defense of the city, but apprehensive as she had no experience of leadership. The Council had chosen her as a last ditch effort to hold their city and push back the Lunarcon invaders.

        “Go, Celestion Prime, lead the troops and defend this city,” said the Council Leader.

        “You now possess the strength of a Prime,” began another Council member, “and only you can lead the Solarbots to victory.”

        “I have never lead soldiers before, and I’m not sure if I can now,” said Celestion Prime.

        “You have within you, the Matrix of Leadership. If you cannot lead, the city will fall,” stated the Council Leader. “Now go, and prove to us that we chose correctly in choosing you.”

        “I will do what I can. No, what I must,” said Celestion Prime, as she turned to leave.

        “Till all are one,” said the Council, as Celestion Prime exited the chamber.

Before entering the battlefield, Celestion looked out the windows of the Solarbot base. Her face wore the horror of one who witnesses war for the first time. Helpless Solarbots clung to life, forced to watch as the substance that gives them life slowly exits their body. Their only saving grace would be for a Lunarcon to mercifully bring down his steel hoof, ending the suffering. No such mercy would be delivered. Not on this day.

The raging fires engulfed the city like a sea of inferno. Screams of agony reached the halls of the base. Soldiers and the innocent alike, caught within the waves of burning torture, with no hope of survival. The Lunarcons ruthlessness astonished Celestion. This was the way of her former friend. This was the way Celestion foolishly followed for so long before that gruesome day with the Council.

Luna's egregious crimes would not go unpunished. Even if fate decides that the endgame of this war would be cold steel through somepony's spark, then that is the fate Celestion would accept. She had read of the Great War, of the heinous acts Megatron committed against his own people. She believed that another Great War must be prevented. No matter the cost. Even if the cost is her life.

        The battle raged on outside the base. Victory edged ever closer towards the Lunarcons, their persistence unwavering. The Solarbots were forced to retreat to the inner city. Hope seemed to be lost as the eyes of the Solarbots filled with despair at the thought of the brutal deaths that awaited them. All eyes fell upon Celestion Prime, as she emerged from the base. The shining sun reflected off her striking white finish. The light was so brilliant that all Bots had to focus their optics to recognize the figure that stood before them.

        “The historian? What is the Council thinking, sending a bookworm to lead a battle?” shouted one Solarbot.

        “I don’t know. Celestia looks different now. Maybe the Council gave her some sort of armor,” stated another Solarbot.

        Celestion Prime looked at both of the soldiers. “This is no armor. My new form is the result of the Council’s decision to make me a Prime. I am no longer the historian you once knew. Now, I am Celestion Prime, your leader,” she said.

        The Solarbots’ once grim expressions turned to grins. They let out a unanimous war cry, and saluted Celestion. “Alright! Now, there’s no way we can lose! We have a Prime!” shouted a soldier. Another soldier said, “I heard that Primes are supposed to be the best of the best! We can actually win this now!” Their moral restored, they all waited for Celestion’s orders.

        “Let me just say this now, I have no experience in the battlefield, as I’m sure some of you know. However, I am very knowledgeable of war and tactics. We will need two squads of earth units to flank both sides of the advancing troops. Pegasi will wait atop the Chamber of the Ancients. When I give the call, you will deliver a missile strike to the center of their troops. Unicorns take positions in the second floor of the base, and take out any Lunarcon you see with long-range fire,” ordered Celestion Prime.

        As the Solarbots moved to their positions, a single pegasus soldier approached Celestion Prime. “What will you do?” asked the soldier.

        Celestion turned her head towards the gates of Canteon, and looked back at the pegasus. “I will take flight and combat their leader at the gates.”

        “You mean you’re going to fight Nightmare Moon?”

        “If that is what she chooses to go by now, then yes. I will engage Nightmare Moon in combat.” Celestion spread her wings. “Good luck to you, soldier.”

        The pegasus spread his wings as well. “And to you too, commander!” The pegasus transformed into a jet and ascended to the Chamber rooftop, where the other air units were lying in wait.

        Celestion Prime transformed into a heavy Ponytronian jet, equipped with a long range cannon. She flew above the city towards the gate, and watched as the Solarbots and Lunarcons engaged each other in mortal combat. The sight sickened her, but she knew there would be plenty more unless she could put an end to Nightmare Moon.

        Atop the walkway of Canteon’s frontal wall, stood Nightmare Moon. Her horn glowed dark blue as she fired upon the Solarbots attempting to push the Lunarcons back through the gate. Her wings spread as she noticed the incoming Celestion Prime. She transformed into a sleek, black jet, similar to that of Celestion.

        Nightmare Moon approached Celestion at mach speed, attempting to skewer the Prime with her horn. Celestion evaded and quickly did a turn around. She began tailing Nightmare Moon, attempting to destroy Moon’s engines with her cannon. After a few hits landed, but failed to do serious damage, Nightmare Moon performed a somersault and turned the tables. Now using her own cannon, she fired upon Celestion Prime. Not wanting to risk serious damage from Moon’s much more capable hooves, Celestion landed in the center of the battlefield. Moon followed.

        Both transformed and began to clash horns. Nightmare Moon went in for a fatal blow by attempting to penetrate Celestion’s chest with her horn. Celestion, however, realized this and used her wings to quickly step back. As the two commanders battled, the earth squads reached their positions and begun laying down fire upon the Lunarcons with their side-mounted neuron rifles. Several Cons were picked off by the sniper fire from the unicorn soldiers.

        Nightmare Moon’s combat experience far exceeded Celestion Prime’s. As the Lunarcon numbers dwindled, Nightmare Moon became more desperate to extinguish Celestion’s spark. Despite her superior strength, she was not as agile as Celestion.

        “Is this the best the Council could do? Why they ever chose you to be a Prime is beyond me,” mocked Nightmare Moon.

        “The Council entrusted this responsibility to me, and I will not fail them. Even if it means I must destroy you, my old friend,” said Celestion Prime.

        “You were never a friend of mine, but merely a pawn in my plan. Just like the former Council Leader. Your fate will be the same as his!” shouted Nightmare Moon with a smirk.

        Nightmare Moon fired a cannon blast from her horn, which hit Celestion in her front right leg, crippling her. Unable to dodge like before, Celestion was forced to evade as best she could, receiving numerous scrapes from Nightmare Moon’s horn. Celestion used her trump card, the pegasus unit, and ordered them to deliver their payload. The two commanders were in the center of the blast zone.

        Two pegasus units, who had participating in the ground battle, noticed this. They flew over to Celestion, without transforming, and lifted her from the battlefield. In their current forms, their speed was reduced, and soon found Nightmare Moon close behind. One of the two pegasi transformed, and rammed Moon back to the blast zone. The bombing squad approached the target and dropped the bombs. The blast lit up the courtyard, the flames from the explosion spread as far as the gates.

        Nightmare Moon was severely damaged by the bombing. Her second-in-command, Trixie, ordered troops to retrieve Moon. Titan units from the Lunarcon army moved into the courtyard and began pushing back the Solarbots until Nightmare Moon had been evacuated. Then, the titans retreated through the gates to escort their master back to Lunus Omega.

Celestion Prime was lowered to the courtyard by the two pegasi. She stood and watched the Lunarcons as they retreated. The Solarbots rallied behind her, cheering. Celestion Prime did not cheer, for she knew that this was but a taste of Nightmare Moon’s forces. She turned to address the troops.

“Today, we are victorious, but we must not celebrate yet,” she said. “The war is just beginning. I’m sure that the battles to come will be much more strenuous and challenging. Now that Nightmare Moon knows we have a Prime, she will be prepared and ready for us when we next face her troops.”

A soldier stepped forward from the crowd. “But ma’am, the city is safe. Isn’t that worth celebrating? There may be more to come, but we won this one, and you proved yourself out there.”

“Your words are appreciated, soldier, and you may be right. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to enjoy this first victory. However, I will not be joining you. I have much to do if I hope to defeat Nightmare Moon next time we meet.”

“Ol’ Nighty won’t be able to stop you once you get some combat experience under your chassis. And until you do, we’ve got your back.” The soldier smiled. The gesture was not returned.

Celestion Prime departed from the crowd and made her way back into the Chamber of the Ancients. She looked back at the city. Where there wasn’t fire and destruction, there were corpses. Solarbots and Lunarcons alike. “We can only hope that he’s right,” she said to herself, as she proceeded into the Solarbot base.

As she walked through the halls of the base, she came across another Ponytronian who possessed a horn and wings. This one bore a rather pristine pink finish with purple and yellow stripes for added flair. She was the chief communications officer, Cadence. Tasked with receiving status reports from troops and dealing with on-the-fly mission strategies, she spent most of her time in the control room, preparing for the war.

“Celestion, I take it the battle went well?” asked Cadence.

“I could not stop Nightmare Moon, but the battle has been won,” replied Celestion Prime.

“That’s good. She can be stopped another day, but if we lost Canteon, that day would never come. You did well.”

“Canteon may be safe now, but Nightmare Moon will return, if we don’t strike first. Cadence, I need status reports from all units outside of Canteon. We need to know where everypony is, in the event of another attack.”

“I’ll retrieve the reports as soon as possible. Anything else?”

“Yes, the Lunarcons have titan units in their ranks. I fear they may cause trouble for our soldiers. Ask Doctor Whooves to look into countermeasures. The ground bridge must be operational as well.”

“Yes, ma’am. It’ll be done soon.”

Cadence departed for the control room. Celestion Prime began in the same direction, and took the first left into an adjacent hallway, heading towards the Chamber of the Ancients. She contemplated her future as a Prime, as she walked the towering halls of the Solarbot base. Large decorative arches began to adorn the ceiling, indicating the Chamber would soon be upon her. Celestion entered the Chamber, and all eyes from the Council fell on her.

“Celestion Prime,” began the Council Leader, “you have done well today, but you cannot rest. You must plan for the war ahead.”

“I have already issued tasks to Cadence. Once she receives status reports from the field units, I will begin strategizing,” said Celestion Prime.

“We may not have time for that. We believe it would be most beneficial if you lead a squad to recon the enemy’s headquarters.”

“I don’t think it wise to take those who defend Canteon. It is paramount that they remain here, in the event of another attack.”

“Then, do you have somepony in mind?”

Celestion Prime pondered this for a moment. “Yes, I believe I do. It is time to take the Sparkle Brigade to the field.”

Cadence entered the room, and bowed before the Council. She looked and Celestion Prime and said, “Ma’am, the Sparkle Brigade has already entered the field. They’re currently scouting the ruins of Tyger Pax.”

“What is the ground bridge’s status?” asked Celestion Prime.

“Currently, inoperative.”

“Very well. I shall travel to Tyger Pax and retrieve the Sparkle Brigade.”

The Sparkle Brigade

Chapter Two: The Sparkle Brigade

Database entry 16 from the log of Ratchet:

This war has taken a far greater toll than I expected. As a doctor, it hurts to see so many good Bots injured...or worse. Each day, my hatred towards Megatron grows stronger, as I’m forced to watch the abhorrent results of his campaign for a “free” Cybertron. Optimus still has hope for Megatron, but the rest of us know that by the time this war comes to a close, only one will stand. We hope that it will be Optimus, but as the war takes more worse turns than good ones, I fear it may be Megatron who stands, while Optimus lies beneath his feet.

End of log.

        The ruins of Tyger Pax were swarming with Lunarcons. Cranes and mining equipment littered the ground, amongst the rubble. Canyon walls hid their operations from all but those on the canyon floor. The Sparkle Brigade approached the mining site with extreme caution. Titan units patrolled the perimeter. As the Sparkle Brigade took cover behind what remained of a wall on the outskirts of the mine, their leader turned to address them.

        Twilight Sparkle, a purple Ponytronian, led the team. She wore two stripes down her back, one rose and another violet, with a dark sapphire blue one the sides. “When Cadence sent us to investigate, I figured we’d find something, but nothing like this,” she said.

        A white Bot, with stripes of various blues, leaned forward and said, “It looks like they’re trying to rebuild the city. We should probably get a better look at the operations.”

        “Shining Armor’s right. Fluttershy, have you finished patching up Spitfire?”

        Two yellow Ponytronians sat at the end of the wall. One adorned in pink, the other sporting flame decals. “Just about. The wounds aren’t serious, but she got burnt a bit,” she answered in a hush voice.

        The injured Spitfire spoke up, “I wouldn’t have gotten burnt, if somepony had done their job and watched for mines!”

The final team member, Soarin, was dark blue on light blue. “You’re lucky you can fly. I still can’t believe you got out of that minefield alive.”

        “I can’t believe they bothered to put a minefield around this scrapyard,” said Shining Armor jokingly. “At least, the mines are out of the way now.”

        Twilight hushed the team. “Remember, this is a stealth mission. We’re just lucky they placed the mines too far to hear from the ruins.”

        Soarin was tweaking his gun. While he worked, he said, “Those titans are the only things that could survive a mine, but they’re so stupid. The Cons put quantity before quality when they put those things in charge of defenses.” He injected a canister of red energon into his neuron rifle.

        “What are you doing?” Twilight inquired.

        “Well, I figured, if red energon makes us faster, maybe it could make my gun shoot faster,” he replied.

        “Where did you get that red energon from? We didn’t bring any with us,” said Spitfire, as she stretched her legs. Fluttershy put her tools back into the med kit.

        “Don’t worry about it. Just a little gift from the Cons.”

        Shining Armor looked through a hole in the wall. “Looks like you might get to test that theory. Titan coming this way.”

        Soarin readied his gun and placed the barrel through the hole. Twilight pulled him back and said, “Stealth. Mission. We only engage the enemy if absolutely necessary.”

        Soarin grumbled something and then asked, “What’s the plan then?”

        Twilight pointed at a dilapidated structure fifty meters from their position. “We need to get in there. Database entries from the Ancients say that most buildings in Tyger Pax had access panels to underground tunnels.”

        The team pressed against the wall as the titan approached. Not a sound exited their mouths, as the titan stopped at the wall. The titan looked around the area, but didn’t leave the wall. Soarin readied his gun again, but stopped when Twilight shot him a threatening stare. After a few cycles, Twilight considered a stealth kill, but then the titan continued its patrol. The team quickly moved up to a downed pillar, parallel to the canyon walls.

        “That was too close, Twilight. Next time, I’m shooting,” complained Soarin.

        Twilight sighed. “If we’re more careful, there won’t be another situation like that. Let’s keep moving. Twenty-two meters left.”

        Fluttershy raised her hoof to speak.

        Twilight rolled her eyes. “Yes, Fluttershy, what is it?”

        “I was just thinking that maybe if we could use the tunnels to get to that building over there,” she began, pointing to a structure a few hundred meters away, “we could blow the energon stockpile next to it on our way out, and use the tunnels to escape while they’re distracted by the explosion.”

        The rest of the team blinked. They all knew Fluttershy was a good tactician. She studied under Cadence. However, she was never one to offer tactical advice in the field. Usually, when the team was sent out to look for energon deposits or investigate ruins for Ancient tech, Fluttershy was silent. She only spoke when medical help was needed or when spoken to.

        Twilight smiled and said, “That’s a great idea, Fluttershy. Soarin, since you have an affinity for destruction, why don’t you blow the energon.”

        Soarin smiled with excitement. “I think I can manage that,” he said, juggling a grenade with his wings.

        “Alright team, let’s get to those tunnels,” ordered Twilight. The team galloped towards the structure. While they moved, Twilight looked back at Fluttershy and said, “You know, you should talk more often. You say some pretty smart stuff.” Fluttershy smiled.

        The team reached the structure, lining up on both sides of the entrance. Spitfire peeked in to check for enemies. “Clear.” she said. They moved in and began searching the building. They reached a locked door.

        Twilight sighed. “Great. I’ll get busy hacking this. The rest of you watch my back.” She sat down and began working the door’s keypad with a hacking device mounted on her front left leg. Small wires extended from the device and pushed buttons on the keypad. “How did the Ancients work these things without tools?”

        “Ahem,” interrupted Soarin. “I think I can get us through the door faster.” He was grinning.

        “Oh really? You think you can hack faster than me? Be my guest,” Twilight said, confident in her ability.

        Soarin approached the door. “Who said anything about hacking?” He lifted a hoof, turning it into his neuron rifle, and fired at the keypad. The keypad burst into a red flash and disintegrated. “Whoa. That red energon sure does something.”

        The door didn’t open. Twilight gave Soarin a blank look. “Just because the means of unlocking the door is gone, doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to open.”

        Shining Armor laughed and said, “Hey, why don’t you try using that red energon on the door instead.”

        Soarin looked at his gun, and raised it to the door. It lit up in a red flash as well, and disintegrated. “Good idea, Shining.” He walked through the dust that was once the door, and took a right down the next hall.

The team followed Soarin down the hall. They walked in silence for a few cycles, as they moved through the maze of hallways. Then, Twilight asked, “Soarin, if you like destroying things so much, why didn’t you join the Wreckers?”

        Soarin kept walking and they kept following. “I tried. Rainbow Dash even vouched for me, but AJ said no Wonderbolts. I tried to change her mind, but she wouldn’t budge.”

        “Applejack doesn’t trust anypony in the Wonderbolts, since they all joined the Lunarcons, except for me and Soarin. The Council can’t enforce tolerance on the Wreckers, so there’s not much we can do about it,” stated Spitfire. “Not that I wanted to join the Wreckers.”

        “Well, I did. They get the most dangerous missions, and I love the thrill of a good fight. We spend so much time sneaking around that we,” Soarin began, as he blasted through another door and kept walking, “never get to fight anything. It’s getting boring. If we are the Solarbots’ elite squad, why do we get scrap missions?”

        The team took a left into another hallway. “The war just started. I’m sure we’ll get our fair share of excitement soon enough,” assured Shining Armor.

        At the back of the group, Fluttershy whispered, “I hope not.” Soarin turned his head and gave her a disappointed look.

        Twilight stopped at a third door. This one had a sign above it that read “Access Tunnel.” She backed up and gave Soarin a nod, who then blasted the door. They entered the room, and surrounded the panel on the floor. There was a touchpad on the wall.

        “Thank Primus. This one doesn’t need a code,” Twilight said, pressing her hoof against the touchpad. The panel separated into four quadrants and retracted into the adjacent panels. “Alright, everypony in. Time to get working.”

        The tunnel was pitch-black. The energon flow to its power supply had long since stopped. The team tried to ignore Fluttershy’s trembling. Twilight and Shining Armor’s horns transformed into flashlights, illuminating the long hallway before them. The walls were rusted. The floor, covered in rubble from quakes caused by the mining operations above.

        Twilight grinned and looked at Soarin. “See. I told you these flashlight functions would be useful. Looks like you were wrong.”

        Soarin gave Twilight a blank stare. “I never said they weren’t useful. I said they looked stupid, and I was right. Celestia did always say you were bright. She didn’t know how right she was.” Soarin started laughing, until he heard the sound of a charging rifle. “Kidding.”

        Unlike the building they entered from, the tunnel had no doors. Just hallways. Many hallways. There was no way of telling which way they were going, as none of the exits were marked or functional. They considered checking them, by blasting them open, but Twilight decided against it. Walking through the buildings above would take too much extra time. Eventually, after walking for an hour or so, they stopped at one of the exits. There were energon canisters piled at the bottom of the access ramp.

        “I suppose this must be it,” said Spitfire. “They wouldn’t put all of this here if it wasn’t the energon stockpile.”

        “Unless the Cons put the titans in charge of more than just defense. Remember the minefield?”

        “Don’t worry Soarin. I remember the minefield. I remember it clearly,” Spitfire said in a stern voice.

        Soarin smiled warily. “Uh, should I blast this open then, Twilight?”

        Twilight considered this and said, “No. If there are Cons up there, we don’t want them to hear the blast.” She turned to Fluttershy. “Do you have a blowtorch in that med kit?” Fluttershy nodded. “Good. Use it to open the panel.”

        Fluttershy did as instructed and placed the blowtorch back in the kit. The team ascended the ramp and entered the access room. A single Lunarcon guarded the door to the room. Soarin signaled the rest to go back into the tunnel. He backed up to the panel as well, shot the door’s keypad, and went into the tunnel. The guard entered the room to investigate the sound. He noticed the open panel and approached it to look inside.

        Soarin used his wings to place himself on the ceiling of the tunnel. The guard knelt down to peek inside the tunnel. Soarin’s hoof turned into a blade, and when the guard poked his head through the hole, he gasped as cold steel sliced through his mouth. From the mouth up, the guard’s head was severed, and fell to the tunnel floor.

        Soarin landed on the ramp and retracted his blade. The lifeless husk of the guard lay limp over the edge of the hole. Energon dripped from what remained of his head. Soarin turned to see the rest of the team waiting for him to speak. “What?” he asked.

        “Exactly how many weapons do you have?” asked Shining Armor.

        Soarin laughed. “More than you. When they told me I’d be joining the elite Sparkle Brigade, I made sure to be equipped for any situation.”

        “No complaints here,” said Twilight, as she moved past Soarin.

        The rest followed her lead, and left the tunnel. The team began moving through the hallways of the energon stockpile. The light in the facility was much appreciated after their time in the tunnel. Twilight was glad to be rid of her flashlight, curbing any criticism or jokes from Soarin. They entered the main room. A titan stood guard inside.

        Soarin readied himself, but was stopped by Twilight. “Not this time Soarin,” she said. “Shining and I will handle this one.”

        Shining Armor and Twilight snuck up on the titan. Fluttershy looked worried as they grew closer to the hulking beast of a pony. Twilight on the left and Shining on the right, they simultaneously skewered the titan’s neck with their horns. Energon poured out through the puncture holes. The titan fell to the floor with a crash. Twilight cringed at the thundering sound. A Lunarcon soldier entered the room, reacting to the sound, and was instantly shot through the head.

        Soarin put away his neuron rifle and switched to his side-mounts. “We better get moving before more Cons show up.” He entered the main room and started up the ramp to the second floor. He turned to look at Twilight. “Try not to make too much noise next time.”

        Twilight followed him. “Sorry we aren’t all killing machines like you. Some of us used to spend our time in the archives,” she said angrily.

        “We all have our own talents. You lead. I fight. Works better that way.”

        “You would’ve fit in well with the Wreckers.”

        “That’s what I told Applejack. I’m glad somepony acknowledges my expertise,” Soarin said with a huge grin.

        Twilight sighed and muttered, “It wasn’t a compliment.”

        The upper floors were unguarded. The Lunarcons trusted that a titan would keep the building safe. The team reached the top floor and approached the viewing windows that surrounded the room. The expanse of the canyon laid before them, they looked with dropped jaws.

        “By the AllSpark. You were right, Shining. This is no normal city though. The Cons are building a prison,” said Twilight.

        In the canyon below, stood a massive fortress. Surrounding it were various buildings adorned with cannons. Attached to the canyon walls above the fortress were warp cannons. The ruins of Tyger Pax had become the foundation for an impregnable Lunarcon prison. Dozens of titans patrolled the immediate vicinity of the fortress.

        Fluttershy stepped back. “The Council will want to take the ruins.”

        “Probably. I’m guessing they’ll send us in too,” said Soarin.

        “It’ll be a suicide mission! There’s no way the Solarbots could invade this place!”

        The rest of the team looked at Fluttershy questionably. She lowered her head. “I mean, I’d still go, but I don’t think we have the proper forces to take on something like this.”

        “Well, she’s not wrong," Twilight began, “especially with those warp cannons. They’d annihilate anything we could throw at them.”

        “What if we dropped high-powered explosives on them from the top of the canyon?” asked Soarin. “That way, they can’t hit us.”

        “That could work, but we don’t have those kinds of explosives. Besides, we don’t have the troops to commit to this takeover,” said Spitfire.

        “That would be a job for the Wreckers,” said Twilight. “That’s what they’re best at anyw-”

        Twilight was interrupted by Shining Armor. “Uh, Twilight.”

        She turned to him and asked, “What is it?” Her eyes widened as she saw the two pegasi outside the window, X12 Scrapmakers in hoof. “Oh.”

        As the hum from the spinning barrels of the Scrapmakers penetrated their audio receptors, Shining turned around and said, “We should run.”

        They ran for the exit. Within moments, the room filled with laser fire from the Scrapmakers. A few shots scratched the members of the Sparkle Brigade. One hit Soarin in his left flank. He stumbled for a moment, before picking himself up with his wings. As they descended the ramps leading to the main room, they could hear the sound of the Scrapmakers spinning up again as the two pegasi moved to greet them on the first floor.

        A thermo rocket cannon emerged from Shining Armor’s back. He lowered his head as he entered the main room, and fired it at the door. The pegasi emerged in the doorway, and were struck by the three missiles, blowing them to pieces.

        Soarin stopped at the bottom of the ramp and looked at the pile of scrap. “Nice. Gotta get me one of those,” he said.

        They were about to head down the hallway to get back to the access room, when Fluttershy said, “Wait! We need to blow the energon!”

        “Do you really think we have the time for that?” asked Spitfire.

        “It would slow down their construction, and should create a chain reaction through the energon power lines, leading to the stockpile in the tunnel. If we do though, we won’t be able to come back through that access panel again.”

        Spitfire blinked. “Uh, well what do you think, Twilight?”

        Twilight looked at Fluttershy. “Are you sure about this? It’ll blow their entire energon supply?”

        “Yes,” Fluttershy answered, unsure. “Unless they have additional stockpiles.”

        “Destroying some is better than destroying none,” said Shining Armor.

        “Alright,” began Twilight, “we’ll blow the energon. Still got that grenade, Soarin?”

        Soarin smiled. “You bet I do,” he answered.

        “Good. We’ll guard you. Plant a timed charge on the energon outside.”

        They crossed over the pile of scrap at the door and moved to the energon pile that was in front of the building. Lunarcons began advancing on their position. They took careful shots, so as to not destroy the energon. Twilight and Shining used their horns to pick off a few that stood atop the fortress. A squad of five jets flew in from the fortress. Shining Armor readied his thermo rocket cannon again and blasted three of them out of the sky. The other two were shot down by Spitfire, who transformed and took flight.

        Spitfire readied her under-wing neuron rifles and lit up the ground, littering the canyon with Lunarcon corpses. Soarin continued working on the grenade, trying to estimate the amount of time they’d need to escape. A titan emerged from one of the buildings across the canyon. Riot cannons emerged from its sides. Twilight raised a hoof, revealing an E.D.K. TechVolt. She fired it at the titan. The shock from the blast surged through its massive body, ceasing all functions. In its electrical fit, the riot cannons misfired, destroying one of the cannons atop the buildings.

        Soarin got up and looked at the team. “Everypony. Move. Now!” he shouted.

        They hurried back inside, through the hallways, and entered the access room. As they rushed into the tunnel, Soarin shouted, “Twenty nanokliks!” They galloped down the ramp and took a right at the first divergent path. They lined up against the wall around the corner and waited. The ground shook and blue light filled the tunnel as blue flames burst forth from the energon. After the shaking stopped, they looked back at the ramp. It had been covered in scraps of metal, and the hallway leading to it was covered in blue flames.

        Spitfire laughed. “I think it’s safe to assume Fluttershy was right.”

        “That’ll show the Cons!” exclaimed Shining Armor.

        “We aren’t out of here yet,” said Twilight. “We need to get back on the other side of the minefield, and call for a ground bridge. Shining, flashlights. Soarin, silence.”

        The team made their way back through the tunnels, following flares that Fluttershy placed during their first trip through. After they made it back to the access panel of the first building, and had Fluttershy cut it open, they went back through the winding hallways.

        “I hope whoever designed this place is rusting in a scrapheap,” said Soarin.

        Once in the main room, Twilight peeked out the front door. The Lunarcons were still searching the energon stockpile, attempting to find the nonexistent corpses of the Sparkle Brigade. “We’re still clear,” said Twilight. They snuck out of ruins, the way they came in, and reached the minefield.

        “Don’t fall in this time, Spitfire,” joked Soarin.

        “Be careful I don’t push you in, Soarin,” she threatened.

        Across the minefield, Twilight tried to get a signal on her transceiver, while the team rested. Fluttershy administered first-aid to Soarin, who was now complaining about the pain in his flank. “You know, Shining, you could have warned us about those pegasi sooner,” he said.

        “You could’ve been more alert,” Shining retorted.

        Twilight furiously tapped the transceiver on her ear. “Hello? This is Captain Twilight Sparkle, requesting ground bridge. Can you hear me? Scrap. The signal is terrible out here. I repeat, this is Captain Twilight Sparkle, I need a ground bridge to Canteon at my location.”

        “That won’t be necessary,” said an approaching voice.

        The team, now alert, readied their weapons. “Are you a Bot or a Con?” asked Soarin. As the figure approached, she became more clear. Twilight focused her optics and said, “Celestia? Is that you?” She looked back at the team, who were still armed, except Fluttershy. “Lower your weapons!” ordered Twilight. “Celestia, you look...different.”

        Celestion Prime approached the team. “Much has changed, my faithful student.”

        “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the control room back in Canteon with Cadence?” asked Twilight.

        “The Council has asked me to lead a stealth mission to Lunus Omega, and I have chosen your team to accompany me.”

        “You’re just a historian. You work in the archives. Why would the Council ask this of you? I don’t understand.”

        “Twilight, I am no longer Celestia, the historian. Now, I am Celestion Prime, leader of the Solarbots. Nightmare Moon assaulted Canteon while you were away, and the Council needed somepony to lead the troops into battle.”

        “You? A Prime? I-what-how?”

        “I too was at a loss for words when I was told of the Council’s decision.”

        Twilight stood before Celestion, dumbfounded. Soarin laughed at this revelation. “Bookworms on the frontlines. What a world! So, Prime, we got another stealth mission? If it’s anything like today, this should be exciting!”

Atop the Throne of Darkness

Chapter Three: Atop the Throne of Darkness

Database entry 03 from the log of Megatron:

The High Council is nothing but a gathering of fools! It is I who should’ve become the next Prime! Yet they chose the product of my tutelage, Orion Pax. Perhaps...I should say Optimus instead. Orion is but a child, an introvert who spent his life in the archives of Iacon. He possesses neither my strength nor my intelligence. In what way is he fitting of such a title?

I will show the Council the power of a true leader! Dark energon will fill this planet’s core. It will begin the countdown to the Autobots’ demise. I will be the harbinger of such demise. When the spark of Optimus Prime is extinguished by my hands, all will understand the wrath of Megatron!

End of log.

        The young Lunarcons, Snips and Snails, fumbled cubes of energon like newborns attempting to stack building blocks. The unbridled fury of Commander Trixie shone like the fury of a rust storm. Her blue finish, with streaks of pale cornflower blue and an even paler version of the same variation, were unorthodox among the Lunarcon ranks. The echo of her hoof tapping the floor acted as a constant reminder to the two that their performance was less than satisfactory. A cold chill went down everypony's spines as Nightmare Moon entered the room, bringing with her an aura of malice and general unpleasantness.

        Trixie’s optics shifted to their leader for an instance. Opportunity shined in her eyes. “Be careful with those, you ingrates! That energon is worth more than both your sparks combined!” ordered Trixie. “I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, will not allow such failures of soldiers to serve under our mighty Lord Nightmare.”

        “Yes, Commander Trixie,” said the two.

        “My loyal right-hand,” began Nightmare Moon, narrowing her eyes on the Commander, “do not forget which of us is greater and more powerful.”

        “Oh, yes of course, Lord Nightmare,” said Trixie. “I wouldn’t soon forget something of such importance.”

        “Yes, I trust you wouldn’t.”

        The Lunarcon leader sat atop a throne as black as her spark. Rusted heads of Solarbots rested atop spikes protruding from the seat of power. Defiant Lunarcons found their heads resting with those of their enemies. They served as a sign, to any who entered the presence of Nightmare Moon, that nopony is safe from her wrath. Not being a pony for regality, the room was not decorated with precious objects and jewels of any sort. Monitors and consoles adorned the walls of the heptagonal room. Nopony escaped the menacing gaze of Nightmare Moon.

        Rarity, the gleaming, white communications officer, entered the room. The purple spiraling down her backside matched the accents on the black walls of Lunus Omega. Snips and Snails dropped an energon cube. Rarity’s radiant beauty tended to catch the eyes of most stallions. Trixie snarled at the sight of her.

        “Ah my most trusted follower,” began Nightmare Moon, “have you word of the construction progress at Tyger Pax?”

        “Yes, that’s what I wished to speak with you of,” replied Rarity. “Preferably, away from undesired company.”

        “Surely, anything within your jurisdiction is of my concern as well,” retorted Trixie.

        “Surely, you should keep to what you do best. I don’t watch over menial labor in your stead. Such a place of authority is best suited for you, Trixie.”

        “Thank you. Wait...”

        “Enough!” shouted Nightmare Moon. Her deathly gaze struck fear in their sparks.

        “Apologies, my Lord,” said Rarity.

        “No apologies are needed from you. Trixie is at fault in this instance. Let us speak outside. Just the two of us.”

        Nightmare Moon followed Rarity out of the room. The glimpse of a smile from Rarity was caught by Trixie. She grit her teeth. The sound of yet another energon cube striking the floor penetrated her ears. She turned to see the two young laborers looking back at her. “I said be careful! I won’t take the blame for your screw-ups!”

The dome covering Lunus Omega depicted an endless night. A true monument to the darkness of the Lunarcons. Artificial stars reflected off the tops of towers. The entire city appeared as one big lunarscape. Blue lights acted as stars on the ground, illuminating the buildings and walkways in the city. Preparation for war commenced on the ground floor. A battalion of Lunarcons stood in formation, awaiting orders.

“What a lovely sight. The advent of war fills me with such delight,” said Nightmare Moon. “Now, what about Tyger Pax did you wish to speak of?”

“Before that, I’d very much like to ask you something,” replied Rarity. “Provided, you will allow it, my Lord.”

“Speak freely.”

“Why do you allow Trixie to hold such a role of power? Her brazen impertinence must worry you to some degree?” asked Rarity.

        “The lascivity Trixie holds for power grows ever more troubling,” replied Nightmare Moon. “I feel she will be relieved of her post at some point during this war. If only she gives me a reason. I am not, after all, entirely irrational in my actions.”

        “Permission to speak freely, my Lord?”

        “Granted.”

        “I feel that it would be best to remove Trixie at the first given cause.”

        “Oh, you needn’t tell me. I have plans for that one. And should she find herself without her position, the spot will be available to you.”

        “Thank you, Lord Nightmare. However, I feel my talents are best suited in the command center. I’m sure you’d have no trouble finding somepony else suited for the role.”

        “Now, Tyger Pax.”

        “Ah yes. Well, you see, the thing is,” began Rarity, “there was an attack.”

        Had Rarity not been watching her master, she would’ve been knocked back by the abrupt stop in Nightmare Moon’s gait. If Ponytronians could sweat, Rarity would be soaked. Naught but the corner of her master’s optics acknowledged her at this point. Rarity’s mouth formed the words she wished to say, but no sound came out.

        “Exactly how much damage was caused?” asked Nightmare Moon.

        “A single cannon, an entire energon stockpile, and a dozen or so casualties,” answered Rarity, her head lowered.

        Nightmare Moon bore her sharp teeth. Her rage welled up inside. “And how many casualties on their side?”

        “None, my Lord.”

        Nightmare Moon let out a shout of anger and drove her hoof through a walkway support, shattering it at its center. “How did the Solarbots get that far into the site without suffering a single casualty?!”

        “We believe they used the old tunnels to sneak past our defenses.”

        “Have Pinkie Pie seal off all tunnel access!”

        “But, my Lord, we use the tunnels to store excess energon.”

        “Yes, and look what good that’s done. Seal them off!”

        “Yes, my Lord. I’ll go give the order right away.”

        Once alone, Nightmare Moon remained on the walkway to gather herself. Nothing quite upset her like the insolence of her followers. She took flight and ascended to the pinnacle of her command tower. Atop it, stood a monument to the Ancients. Her one true inspiration, Megatron. During her time with Celestia, she learned much of the Ancients. She took a liking to the tactics of Megatron and his Decepticons. Tactics that she put into action.

        “I swear to you, Lord Megatron, the Solarbots will not have this planet,” she said, resting a hoof upon the statue’s fusion cannon. “When I extinguish Celestion’s spark, I will spread her energon across the lands as a tribute to your glory.”

        Nightmare Moon looked up to the dome above. “When this war is over, I will cast my endless night over all of Ponytron. Nopony will be able to hide from my watchful eye. My throne of darkness will extend to all lands! The courtyards of Canteon will be coated blue with energon spilled from the corpses of Solarbots, and in the center, our magnificence will be seen by all.”

        She locked eyes with Megatron. “As much as it pains me to say, I had hoped Celestia would side with me. She would have been useful in the command center. She certainly would’ve made a better commander than Trixie. However, I knew of her views towards the Decepticons. She claimed them to be vile, malicious beings. If only she could see you for your true glory. It was you who fought for freedom. If that foolish Prime that Celestia adored so much had joined you, there would’ve been no extinction. The Cybertronians would still live.”

        “And we would not exist.”

        Nightmare Moon turned to see a blue pegasus coated in streaks of white. “Fleetfoot. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Curiosity killed the Con?” Because, I take its meaning very literally.”

        “Pardon the intrusion, Lord Nightmare,” began Fleetfoot, the distance between the two mares growing, “but I wished to inform you of our current status. Bon Bon said she saw you come up here.”

        “Well, be on with it then. I’m a very busy pony.”

        “The Lunarcon army is ready and waiting. Give the word and the troops will carry out your will, my Lord.”

        “This is excellent news. What of your Wonderbolts? Are they ready?”

        “About that. There was some...dissention among the ranks.”

        “To what degree?” Bad news was the last thing Nightmare Moon desired.

        “Rapidfire, Misty Fly, and I were forced to execute all other members of the team. They were questioning whether your leadership is best, and claiming that we should have stayed with Spitfire and Soarin.”

        “Your loyalty is appreciated, but I needed those flyers. I trust you found suitable replacements.”

        “On such short notice, I had to make do with Lightning Dust, Cloudchaser, Thunderlane, and Midnight Strike. They aren’t as skilled, but they’ll get the job done.”

        “Excellent. If any of them should choose to question our cause, do not hesitate to remind them of the fate that awaits those who defy me.”

        “Yes, Lord Nightmare. Unless you have more to say, I’ll return to organizing the troops.”

        “No, that is all. You are dismissed.”

        Fleetfoot wasted no time in departing her master’s side. Nightmare Moon’s patience grew further tested as the day progressed. Her defeat at the hands of Celestion Prime during the Battle of Canteon only served to strengthen her resolve. A piercing beep struck Nightmare Moon’s audio receptors. She raised a hoof to switch on the transceiver.

        “Hey, Lord Nighty! How’s it hanging at HQ?”

        “Pinkie Pie, my uncontrollable warden, I hear there was trouble at the Tyger Pax construction site. This worries me. I need that canyon entrance sealed off by the fortress, so that we may construct New Tyger Pax in peace, and I’m beginning to fear you may not be the pony to see this through.”

        “No worries! After we cleaned up the scrap from that nasty Solarbot attack, I tripled the defenses at the fortress. This baby will be up and running in no time!”

        “Excellent, Pinkie. At least, there’s some good news to be had today. Look forward to the next assault on Canteon. There will be many travelling to your cells soon enough.”

        “Really? I can’t wait! Bring forth the endless night, my Lord!”

        The transmission died. Nightmare Moon wore an eerie smile. “Yes, the endless night shall be brought,” she said. “Now, there is one more matter I must attend to, before we head out.” The transceiver switched on again. “Bon Bon, how goes the scientific pursuits?”

        The mare’s voice was muffled by the sounds of machines. “We-difficulties-longer-expected.”

        “Turn off those infernal machines, and speak clearly!” commanded Nightmare Moon.

        The background noise reduced to a low hum. “Apologies, my Lord. I said, we have experienced slight difficulties, and it will take longer than expected,” said Bon Bon, chief technician and lead scientist.

        “What kind of difficulties?”

        “The biological makeup is unfamiliar, and thus is taking time to fully analyze. We should be ready to conduct the experiment in a deca-cycle.”

        “Very well. Patch me through to the city alert system.”

        The blue lights illuminating the city turned red. All foot soldiers gathered in the courtyard and entered the already present formation of soldiers. “Attention all Lunarcons, this is your leader speaking,” said Nightmare Moon. “At the first sign of light tomorrow, we leave to take Axiom Nexus. It is paramount that no Solarbot be allowed to leave this planet. The Wonderbolts will remain here for this mission, as there has been a change in lineup. Do not disappoint me.”

        The lights returned to their state of normality. Nightmare Moon returned to her throne room, maintaining her smile, as she found herself alone. Her hoof passed over an impaled Solarbot head, and she took a seat on her throne. An image of Ponytron appeared on the central monitor. She watched it rotate, eagerly anticipating days to come.

Illusory Sky

Chapter Four: Illusory Sky

Database entry 58 from the log of Bumblebee:

I’m going with Optimus and Sideswipe to Kaon soon. We aren’t sneaking in though. We’re getting captured. That part of the plan worries me. Optimus said that Air Raid is going to free us once we get inside the city. I hope he pulls it off, for Zeta Prime’s and our sake.

When we received the transmission from Zeta Prime at the Decagon, Ratchet told Optimus that it’s a trap, but that didn’t change anything. Optimus believes Zeta is still alive in Kaon. I don’t know if he’s right, but I hope we come back alive, at least.

End of log.

        “Is this really the only option?” asked Soarin despondently.

        “If you want to get in without suspicion, then yes.” Spitfire watched him as he infused red energon into the remainder of his weapons. “You know, this is a stealth mission.”

        “So was the last one, and look how it turned out.”

        “Do you really need that much firepower?”

        “Spitfire, I’m disappointed that you even have to ask.”

        Spitfire gave him a deadpan look. “So am I.”

        Celestion Prime discussed the plan to infiltrate Lunus Omega with the others. Soarin was onboard with the plan, but was uncomfortable with the conditions. Spitfire had no objections, and thus volunteered to ensure Soarin didn’t cause trouble. The rest of the team was unsure of how it was going to work.

        “We will pose as wounded soldiers, and alert the guards who are posted at the entrance to the city,” explained Celestion Prime. “Then, once they have us prisoner, we will be taken to the holding cells.”

        “What of Nightmare Moon?” Shining Armor made changes to the holographic display they were using to map out the plan. An image of Nightmare Moon appeared on the factor list to the left of the transparent terrain map. The COST, or Chance of Success Tracker, located on the right of the map, lowered significantly. “With her around, there’s no comprehensible way we can escape with our lives.”

        “Scouts report that Nightmare Moon, as well as a large number of forces, have begun moving away from Lunus Omega.” Celestion changed the factors back. The COST returned to its previous result of sixty-two percent. “Fear not. I read that the Ancients once used this tactic to infiltrate the city that once stood where Lunus Omega now stands.”

        “How did they fare?” Twilight added the reduction in troops to the factor list. The COST rose to seventy-four percent.

        “They all survived, except for their rescue target.”

        “How did they escape imprisonment?”

        “They were assisted by one called Air Raid. Once their executioners were dealt with, they escaped to the containment facility, where they were trapped again.”

        “This news doesn’t bode well for our chances.”

        “Did I not say that they escaped alive?”

        Soarin joined the group around the holomap. “An air raid sounds good about now. Have a few pegasi blast open a hole in that dome. We go in, get some info, maybe blast a few Cons, and we’re out. Sounds better than getting captured.”

        “Soarin, sometimes the path of most resistance reaps the greatest rewards. It’s better that they believe we escaped, rather than snuck in to steal information. Our true intentions are hidden this way.”

        Celestion Prime pressed a button on the holomap. The information on the plan was projected into each of their neural hubs. Fluttershy placed the holomap in her med kit, and pulled out a container of energon. Dipping her hoof in, the oozy, blue substance dripped onto the ground, as she wiped it across the bodies of everypony.

Once the container had been emptied, and the team appeared thoroughly beaten, they took positions in various locations. Shining Armor sat against a fallen support beam of the collapsed building they resided in. Twilight Sparkle rested her head on his hind legs, and splayed her limbs next to him. Spitfire and Fluttershy placed themselves under some light wreckage, while Celestion and Soarin lay out in the open.

“Signal them, Soarin.” Celestion placed her body face down.

Soarin, who was in the same position, flipped over, and raised his hoof. The neuron rifle emerged and fired a shot into the air. His hoof dropped to his side like a brick.

A few cycles passed and two Lunarcons appeared over the horizon. “Are you sure about this?” Soarin asked as the soldiers approached. No answer was given. Once they finished surveying the area, the two Lunarcons stood above Celestion Prime’s body. One knelt down and lowered a scatter blaster to her head.

“What are you doing?” asked the other Lunarcon.

“If we kill Celestion Prime, we’ll be heroes,” the kneeling Con answered.

“Are your circuits rusted? Lord Nightmare will have our heads if we do that! You know she wants to be the one to kill Prime.”

Soarin, who was laying a few feet away, activated his optics. He watched the two. He watched the gun, waiting for them to reach a decision. His right hoof had slowly been shifting into a blade since the gun made its arrival. The group had shut down weapon systems, but he left his on five percent power, lowering his equip speed. When the Lunarcon’s gun disappeared, Soarin fully powered his weapon systems to retract the blade, and shut them off again.

“You’re right,” said the Lunarcon as he stood up. “We’ll take them prisoner. That’ll get us a promotion for sure.”

The other Lunarcon placed restraints on each of the Solarbots. “I can’t wait to see the look on Lord Nightmare’s face when she sees that we caught Celestion Prime and the Sparkle Brigade.”

They pretended to regain consciousness when the Lunarcons roused them. In a single file line, they were led to Lunus Omega. Only scouts had ever been near the domed city in person. Everypony else had only seen it in surveillance photos. The team’s optics adjusted as they entered the darkness that enveloped the city.

The artificial sky above Lunus Omega was a sight to behold. Their optics widened as they stared into the stars above. The lights in the city changed to green. An announcement from the alert system explained that the color indicated prisoner transport within the city grounds. Naught but a few dozen soldiers remained within the dome.

The Lunarcon guards led the Solarbots into a room protected by a two-foot-thick steel door, password protected on both sides. Inside were piles of scrap bearing the Solarbot symbol and dozens of restraints. Energon splatters on the walls suggested that the prisoners were tortured before having their sparks extinguished.

The door closed and the team lined up, waiting to be placed in their bonds. After they had all been bound, the Lunarcons exited the room, leaving them in complete darkness. Twilight and Shining switched out their horns and lit up the room, if ever so slightly.

The light coming from Soarin’s optics shifted from the door to Celestion Prime. “I understand that there’s useful information here, but why didn’t we go to wherever Nightmare Moon took that massive group of Cons?”

“That is being dealt with as we speak,” Celestion began, “by much more...destructive hooves. You needn’t worry about that matter.”

“What now?” asked Fluttershy.

“Now, we escape.” A buzz could be heard as Celestion Prime activated her transceiver. “Lyra, begin the distraction.”

“Distraction?” asked Twilight.

The ground shook and empty chains rattled. A clanging sound outside the door indicated the guards had fallen for the bait. The shaking stopped, and a siren began to wail. The lights turned purple, signaling an attack. Dried trails of energon led to a drainage grate in the middle of the room. The grate popped off and flew into the air, landing a few feet away. An aquamarine Ponytronian, striped in cyan and white, emerged from the drainage pipe. “Yo, Prime, how’s it hangin’?”

“Lyra, please release us,” requested Celestion.

Lyra climbed out of the pipe, and was followed by one who was a light cornflower blue, with bluish gray and moderate blue stripes. “Sure thing,” began Lyra, “and I brought Minuette as requested.”

The two rescuers released the team from their bindings. With the added light from their flashlights, everypony’s faces were now illuminated. “So, what’s the plan?” asked Lyra. “We cause a ruckus and take the city?”

“That sounds like a good plan to me,” said Soarin.

“No,” began Celestion, “there are still too many troops present to take the city. Lyra and Minuette will use the pipes to place and detonate explosives to distract the guards. Meanwhile, we will investigate the areas that guards are absent from.”

Lyra raised a hoof in salute. “Demolition and distraction. Got it. If you don’t mind me asking, why’d you ask for Minuette to come along? Not that I don’t like the company.”

“Minuette, I hear you excel at hacking.”

Minuette had been examining the room. She snapped to attention. “I dabble.”

“I want you to extract any sensitive data you find before you set off the detpacks.”

“Can do, ma’am.” She saluted as Lyra had. Then, the two returned to the drainage pipe and made their way to their first target.

After Twilight entered the password the guards had used on the other side of the door, Celestion Prime led them into the city. The distraction had worked all too well. Not a single guard was in sight, save one Lunarcon exiting a building around a hundred meters away. Before they could react, the guard collapsed, and the image of Lyra waving replaced him.

They continued into a nearby building, which appeared to be the communications hub. At the control panel stood the white Lunarcon, Rarity. She frantically hit buttons, attempting to contact somepony. The lights turned red as she activated the alert system. “This is Communications Officer Rarity. I am in the comm. center. Please send—”

The alert system cut off. Sparks flew from the control panel, while Soarin aimed his rifle for another shot. This time at Rarity. She turned around and backed up into the console. The shock in her optics showed she wasn’t aware of the prisoners that were captured. “Celestion Prime! Have you come for my life?”

“Do I have reason to?” asked Celestion. “You were once a student of mine. I haven’t given up on you yet.”

“You can’t be serious. I chose my side, and it isn’t yours. You would let something as ridiculous as that cloud your judgment?”

“My head is clear as the day you no longer see. Do you intend to tell me that you enjoy staying under a sky which never brightens, forever trapped in the darkness?”

“The work environment comes with the job. It wasn’t my decision. Personally, I think some color would make things more fashionable, but my job isn’t to think. My job is to yield results, as is every Lunarcon’s primary objective.”

“Can I please shoot her so we can carry on?” asked Soarin.

“No! Lower your weapon, Soarin,” ordered Celestion. “Rarity is no threat to us.”

“She’ll tell Nightmare Moon were here. In this room. Not escaping. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t that go against the plan?”

“Plans can change. There is no need for her to die. Should she give me a reason, I will handle her personally if I must. Trust me.”

“I trust you, Prime.” Soarin retracted his gun. He looked at Rarity with narrowed optics and a grimace. “It’s her I don’t trust.”

Rarity snarled in response. “I never asked for your trust. If you expect me to just stand aside while you have the run of the place, you are sorely mistaken.”

Celestion Prime looked at Twilight and nodded. Twilight looked at the team and commanded, “Spitfire. Shining. Restrain her.”

“Yes ma’am!” they both exclaimed in unison.

“Wh—” Rarity struggled as the two grabbed her forelegs and moved her away from the control panel. “Don’t you dare look at those monitors!”

“Um...you’re in no position to order anypony. Sorry about this.” Fluttershy placed restraints on Rarity. Spitfire and Shining Armor released her, but didn’t let her leave their sight. “Now, please stay still.”

“Twilight, why did you ever choose somepony as gentle as Fluttershy for your team?”

“Don’t let her kindness fool you, Rarity. She may not have killed anypony yet, but she can pretty useful on the battlefield...tactically,” answered Twilight.

Twilight began searching through the databases using the consoles that Soarin hadn’t destroyed. Endless amounts of useless data flashed before her optics before coming across something of value. Future battle plans appeared on the monitor. “Celestion, I think I’ve found something we can use. Looks like, once they’re done at the Axiom Nexus, Nightmare Moon plans on heading up to some space station. Is there even a space station in Ponytron’s orbit?”

“No. Not yet there isn’t,” answered Celestion Prime. “Rarity, what do you know of this?”

Rarity bore her teeth at Celestion. “Why, pray tell, would I tell you anything?”

“Because if you don’t, I may allow Soarin to spill your energon, and we both know you don’t want that.”

“Fine. You’re too late to stop it anyway. Lord Nightmare rebuilt Trypticon Station using the remains of the Nemesis. It won’t transform, but it’ll function. She plans on launching it into orbit from a central spire that we built at Axiom Nexus. That’s why so many troops were taken, to ensure the launch is completed without fault. Even if you left now, you wouldn’t be able to stop it.”

“We’ll have to inform the Wreckers of this. Hopefully, while they’re at Axiom Nexus, they can stop the launch as well.”

“The Wreckers are at Axiom Nexus?!” Rarity’s optics widened. “Ahem. I doubt that they’ll be able to stop the launch, despite the reputation Applejack’s gang of ruffians possesses.”

“That remains to be seen.”

The transceiver buzzed. “Tick tick boom. Get ready for the first explosion,” said Lyra, as the ground began to shake. “Sorry, went off faster than I thought.”

Soarin put a hoof to his transceiver. “Lyra, they’re remote-controlled explosives!”

“I’m sorry? What? You’re breaking up.” The transmission ended.

Spitfire looked out the door and saw Lunarcons galloping to the sound of the explosion. “We better warn the Wreckers once we’re out of here. Time is too important right now and we can’t waste any.”

Celestion Prime removed a disk-shaped object from Fluttershy’s kit. “Twilight, plug in the data drive and begin the transfer. We’ll return for it when we leave.”

Twilight plugged in the disk as instructed, and initiated the download. She turned to face the communications officer. “Goodbye, Rarity. I wish we had met again under better circumstances.”

“You aren’t going to leave me like this, are you?” asked Rarity.

“We can’t have you alerting the guards, so yes.”

“Alert the guards?! Soarin blasted the control panel! It’s scrap now!”

“Ever heard of stepping outside? Wouldn’t be hard for them to spot you. We’ll leave you now, but should you ever decide to return to Canteon, I’ll come for you.”

Two more explosions and two more searches. The barracks and armory yielded no results. Soarin found use in the form of an A-4 Pulsar Cannon, which had eluded him thus far. Requisition forms weren’t needed during a raid. Their final destination was the command tower, more specifically the throne room.

        “You’ve got one cycle. Thought I’d give ya a little warning this time,” said Lyra.

        Minuette joined the frequency. “You may as well, since you purposely detonated the first one right away to aggravate Soar—”

        “Shutting off communications.”

        Spitfire looked behind her to see Soarin messing with the detpacks in the armory. “What are you doing?”

        “Switching these from timed to remote-controlled,” he answered.

        “Ok. Why?”

        “To give the Cons something to remember me by when we leave.”

        Spitfire put a hoof to her face. “Celestion, is it alright to let him do this?”

        Celestion Prime stood at the door, waiting for the tremor to signal their next move. “Yes, provided he doesn’t detonate them prematurely. We can’t afford to misdirect the Lunarcons. It would jeopardize the plan further.”

        The shaking commenced. Lyra reactivated communications. “Time to go!” she shouted. Lunarcons moved to the opposite side of the city, near the barracks, where the latest bomb had detonated. The team exited the armory and crossed the city. Dark, purple lights raced over their bodies, as they proceeded down the expanse of the city. Under the walkway their hooves clomped across, lay a pit as black as the sky projected above them. There was no bottom in sight. At the center of the city stood the command tower.

        Twilight Sparkle was the first to step hoof in the tower. “Well, the room is clear. Now might be a bad time to mention that our transceivers won’t be able to access the Wreckers’ frequency from here.”

        Celestion Prime walked ahead of her. “This tower should have a long-range transmitter.” She began ascending the ramp to the next floor. “Make haste. We haven’t the luxury of wasting time.”

        The tower had been completely emptied of any Lunarcons. Any who had been stationed inside were attempting to protect the city or left for Axiom Nexus. Upon arrival in the throne room, Fluttershy pardoned herself at the sight of the desecrated skulls of fallen Ponytronians. Spitfire followed to keep her safe.

        Twilight began working one of the many consoles that lined the walls. “I think this one has radio access,” she informed. “I just need to bypass the encryptions and...we’re in!”

        Celestion Prime stared at the rotating map of Ponytron, taking note of the blips and indicators that covered its surface. “Signal the Wreckers.” The words “Project Cybertron” were marked on the location of the Axiom Nexus. “I feel there’s more to this space station than Rarity led us to believe.”

Per Aspera Ad Astra

Chapter Five: Per Aspera Ad Astra

Database entry 08 from the log of Starscream:

Trypticon Station is my domain. The dark energon stored within sends chills to the sparks of those who contain it, as well as those who wish to possess it. All except for Megatron. He believes that dark energon is his to control, and demands that I relinquish it to him. Well, I say he can rust!

What kind of fool does Megatron take me for? If I fear dark energon enough to keep distant from it, what could possibly persuade me to release it into the hands of a madman? For what it’s worth, I must say that I do admire his drive. His determination. Most of all, his power. While I sit in control of a fraction of Autobots, he stands with an entire army of Decepticons at his disposal. That sort of power could be...most favorable.

End of log.

        “I must say, your work is a spectacle to behold, Bon Bon.”

        “Thank you, my Lord. To be honest, I’m amazed that I was able to salvage enough parts from the wreckage of the Nemesis. If only the station hadn’t been completely decimated, I could’ve made more improvements.”

        “Worry not. This will do fine.”

        The Lunarcon leader and her scientist stood in the control room of the towering, black obelisk in Axiom Nexus. This obelisk served as the command tower that controls the launch spire. Down below, Trixie ordered the Lunarcon workers, as they went about their monotonous duties of checking the spire and ensuring its stability.

        The city lay intact. The ban placed on Optimus and Megatron had ensured that Axiom Nexus remain untouched during the war. However, after so many stellar cycles had passed without maintenance, the city had become dilapidated, yet not beyond repair. Nightmare Moon had no need for repairs though. She didn’t need the city. All she desired was a location that wasn’t covered in scrap and craters.

        The construction began long before the emergence of factions among the Ponytronians. During her time with Celestia, Nightmare Moon learned of the existence of Trypticon and the station it once resided on. In the early phases of her plans, she recruited the scientist, Bon Bon, from the research labs of Canteon. Together, they recovered the wreckage of the Nemesis and began work on the first space structure to exist since the creation of their race.

        The focus on space travel was extremely low. Bon Bon was the lead researcher in all things off-world, but received little support from the Council of Ancients. She spent her time learning about the workings of space bridges. By complete coincidence, she rediscovered ground bridge technology in the process, receiving great praise from the scientific community.

        Bon Bon desired to put the ground bridge into application in the daily lives of Ponytronians, assisting in accelerating the speed with which civilians can carry out their duties. The bridges could transport materials much faster, allowing the rebuilding of the planet to proceed ahead of schedule. The Council, however, deemed the use of the ground bridges to be used solely for military units. They claimed that the transportation of energon weighed as a greater need above all else.

        She returned to her research on the space bridges, as instructed by the Council. It was at this time that she was approached by Luna. She proposed that they go against the Council’s ruling. That they give civilians access to the ground bridges behind the Council’s back. Unsure of Luna’s motives, Bon Bon waived the offer.

        After watching the toiling of Canteon’s citizens, the Council’s decision was deemed unacceptable by Bon Bon. She installed secret ground bridges and informed the public of their locations. Biometric scanners denied access to those in the Council and its army. Upon learning of these secret bridges, the Council ordered demolition squads to destroy them. Bon Bon’s lab was shut down as well, to make an example for those who would defy the Council.

        Furious at what had become of her leaders, Bon Bon sought out Luna and accepted her offer. She took all of her research on the space bridges, and began surveying the planet’s surface for materials. It was during this that she discovered a crash site on the outskirts of the Kaon ruins. The wreckage matched the files she had read of a Decepticon warship. With the means to begin their project, Bon Bon and Luna began construction for this day.

        Trixie’s tale was one of simpler origin. Once a well-established commander in the Council’s army, Trixie took pride in her work. Her pride placed her life above all others, much to the discontent of those who served under her. After striking a helpless worker for interfering during an exercise, she was stripped of her title and reduced to a mere foot soldier. Luna required a military commander with a disdain for the Council, and the unhinged Trixie would do.

        Nightmare Moon had found the warden, Pinkie Pie, in an unusual place. The arguably mentally unstable Ponytronian was once a patient of Canteon’s mental ward. A resident of solitary confinement. She was deemed unfit for duty...and society...after an “accidental” mishap in the workplace. Those laborers never saw the girders coming. Pinkie loved cranes.

        When a hole to freedom found itself in Pinkie’s cell, she was all too eager to find what was on the other end. Much to her surprise, she found the politician Luna, an unlikely individual to orchestrate a breakout. Pinkie found the prospect of being the one who imprisons, rather than being the prisoner, an exciting notion.

        The communications officer, Rarity, was once an archivist alongside Celestia and Twilight Sparkle. She didn’t particularly dislike her job, but she didn’t become enthralled in her work like Twilight did. The drab environment of the archives was never keen to her senses. Her hoof raised first when volunteers for on-site research were needed.

        The monotony of sitting at a desk, cataloging entry after entry, began to strain her nerves. The addition of Luna to the scene made for an interesting change of pace. Rarity had always been jealous of how Celestia favored Twilight. This envy was an emotion Luna played on all too well. It wasn’t long before Rarity began collecting classified files on the Ancients for use in whatever Luna needed. When Luna made her move on the Council, Rarity didn’t need to think twice about which side she would choose.

        Bon Bon was making calibrations for the launch settings. “Lord Nightmare, I’m concerned about Pinkie Pie. She has been making some...unusual decisions for the decor of the fortress at New Tyger Pax.”

        “What sort of decisions?” inquired Nightmare Moon. “She was told to model it as we have Lunus Omega. Is she going against my orders?”

        “I wouldn’t exactly say she is going against orders. Rather, she twisted them to fit her own agenda. The colors are that of our capital, but the design is, in a word, insane.”

        “Explain.”

        “During my last visit, I was taken aback by the spastic application of color to anywhere and everywhere. She has quite unique tastes. I’m certain Rarity would faint if she saw what’s become of the place.”

        This brought out a chuckle from her master. “Pinkie Pie always has been unique. I will let this slide. New Tyger Pax is her project. She’s the kind of Ponytronian who needs room to express herself, within my constraints. Now that the Solarbots are aware of our work there, it should serve to distract from Axiom Nexus until we are finished.”

        “Who’s to say they don’t know about our work here already? I wouldn’t put it past Celestia to attempt accessing our database.”

        “Please, Bon Bon. She is Celestion Prime now. We can, at least, give her that respect. Not everypony has the honor of becoming a Prime. Anyways, it is impossible to access Lunus Omega from Canteon. She would have to travel to our capital to access our—”

        The scientist ceased her work. “My Lord, you don’t mean to imply that Celestion would infiltrate Lunus Omega this early after the Battle of Canteon?”

        “Open communications to Lunus Omega immediately!” ordered Nightmare Moon.

        Bon Bon opened a direct connection to the city. A buzzing sound emitted from the transceiver. “This is Communications Officer Rarity. I am in the comm. center. Please send—”

        The connection disappeared. Bon Bon looked up from the control panel to see the snarling face watching the words “Communications: Offline.” Moon’s optics shifted furiously, unable to focus on the sight before her. She looked down to see the frightened look of her underling. The snarl faded to a blank stare. “I suppose we’ll have to place our faith in Fleetfoot and her Wonderbolts,” she said, returning to the window overlooking the construction.

        “My Lord...is there anything I can do?” asked Bon Bon, as she cautiously approached Nightmare Moon. “Anything at all?”

        Her master’s head turned slightly, just enough to see the downtrodden optics looking over the city. “Yes. You can leave me be. I need to think.” She turned back to the window.

        “Yes, my Lord.” Bon Bon bowed and took her leave.

        The silence resounded in Nightmare Moon’s mind. She was never one to show emotion, except anger, in the company of others. Bon Bon catching her in a moment of weakness irked her to no end. She had always tried to employ the idealism that feelings make you weak, and weakness makes you dead. It was a philosophy she believed in with the entirety of her spark, and ensured that those who follow her did as well.

        Nothing worth doing was ever easy. She knew that all too well. The path she had chosen was the hardest one she could think of, but that wouldn’t stop her, not while there was still work to do. There were lands to conquer, Council members to execute, and a Prime to eradicate. With an army to manage added to the equation, Nightmare Moon’s plate was spilling over, and it was starting to take its toll on her.

        “I never wanted it to be this way,” she said to herself. “If the Council had only accepted my offer, none of this would have happened. Nopony would have to die. Those stubborn fools believe themselves entitled, and why, because Primus chose them? Look how well he did with the Ancients. If Primus knew best for us, he wouldn’t have placed the Council in charge.”

        She plopped down on the floor and placed a hoof on the windowsill. “Maybe war and strife is exactly what is necessary to wake them up from their dreams of a perfect Ponytron, where nopony questions them, or wonders why they don’t. Celestia was too naive and innocent to side with devastation over negotiation. I have no need for her now though. I have many loyal followers.” Her head rested atop her hoof. “Yes...loyal followers.”

        Nightmare Moon raised the hoof of her other foreleg to the transceiver. “Bon Bon, I have need of you.”

        After a short moment of silence, followed by the background noise of the machines working below, Bon Bon asked, “Shall I return to the tower?”

        “No,” Moon began after a brief pause, “I wish to ask you something.”

        “I am an open book. Ask away.”

        “What do you believe?”

        Bon Bon took a moment to ponder the question. “I don’t understand.”

        “You have read the files on The Thirteen that Rarity acquired, correct?”

        “Yes, of course. They were supposedly Primes that were created to stop Unicron, before the creation of the Ancients.”

        Nightmare Moon paused again. “Do you believe in them?”

        “No,” began Bon Bon, “I can’t say that I do.”

        “Why is that?”

        “I wouldn’t believe in the Ancients if not for the fact that they left behind a shattered world for us to inhabit. There is no proof of The Thirteen. Proof dictates what I believe.”

        “And Primus? Do you believe in him?”

        “I believe we came from the Well of All Sparks, because I know we did. Whether or not Primus created us there, I do not know.”

        “You aren’t very spiritual, are you?”

        “The mystery of the beginning is just that, a mystery. I am not in the business of mysteries. I am in the business of fact.” The hum of machines dimmed as Bon Bon isolated herself from the workers. “Is something troubling you, my Lord?”

        “Do you have any regrets, Bon Bon?”

        “I regret not ground bridging the Council into orbit.”

        “I see,” Nightmare Moon said with a laugh. “Thank you for indulging me.”

        “No thanks are needed. I am at your beck and call,” said Bon Bon before shutting of her transceiver.

        A click rang through Moon’s audio receptors. A new voice spoke, “Lord Nightmare, we are ready for launch. The workers have cleared the site. All that’s left is for you to give the order, oh great and mighty leader.”

        “Spare me the flattery, Trixie. I can hear the insincerity in your voice. Nevertheless, this is excellent news.” Nightmare Moon switched on the base’s intercom system. “My Lunarcons, the time has come for the Megatronus Station’s maiden voyage. It is with great pleasure that I issue the order to—”

        An explosion sounded in the distance. Lunarcon troops rushed from the launch site towards the direction of the blast. Trixie patched into the communications. “My Lord, th-the Wreckers are in the city!”

        “Never mind them! We have worked too hard for this! Launch the station now!”

        “We can’t! The fuel lines are cut!”

        “Trixie, must I tell you everything? Fix them! I will deal with the Wreckers.”

        A trail of dented metal followed behind Nightmare Moon as she stomped across the room to the elevator. Scuffs and scrapes covered the bottoms of her hooves. The purple glow of her horn reflected off the walls. The rage in her optics shone the fury of a sun and the darkness of a moon.