//------------------------------// // Deep Space // Story: Transformers - The Energy of Magic // by StreakTheFox //------------------------------// Chapter 1 – Deep Space -[-.-]- The large glass dome atop an immense launch bay separated into 4 parts, opening up like a blooming flower as the metal ring around it also split apart. The metal and glass folded against one another on the side of the large metal dome’s base, revealing the large craft inside. The craft – named the Arc – was a large explorer vessel meant for deep space exhibitions. Its hull was a metallic orange and was in the shape of a half circle with five boosters lined up in a line at the rear of the ship. In the control center, Optimus Prime, leader of the autobots, and a collection of his best soldiers prepared the ship for launch. “All systems go,” announced jazz, sitting at the ship’s maintenance panel. “Ignition!” Optimus Prime pressed his metal finger down on the main start button, triggering the engines to start as the button lit up. One by one, the Arc’s 5 main engines flared up and streamed superheated exhaust from their ends. After only a few seconds, the ship was off the ground and propelling quickly out of Cybertron’s atmosphere. -[\_/]- “Contact,” reported Soundwave at their own ship’s maintenance panel. Megatron, leader of the evil decepticons, pointed his arm forward toward the main observation window of the craft with his finger extended forward. “Blast off” He ordered, his metallic and scratchy voice toned with an angered sensation. Megatron and some of his own powerful warriors were in a large freighter meant for front line combat. The ship's hull was stained a greyish purple and it at four primary boosters in the rear spread out in the formation of a plus sign. The ship itself was long and slender with four wing-like spikes protruding outwards and then pointing forwards in the direction the ship is face. Immediately after Megatron's orders, the main engines ignited and shot the ship forward out of the hangar bay, racing up out of the atmosphere while trailing the Autobot’s craft at a distance. Both ships sped forward through space, the Autobots still unaware of their hostile followers. -- A red dot appeared on the display in front of Prowl as a warning alarm began to sound. Leaning forward, he could make out the dot to be an asteroid appearing on the display. “Look, an asteroid!” Pointing forward, he singled out the asteroid passing through the ship’s view. “There’s another one,” Ratchet said, pointing out another large mass of space rock heading into view from the opposite direction. “They’re going to collide,” Optimus prime announced with a small strike of fear as he braced himself on his chair. The other Autobots did the same, but were only given a few spare moments before the two large bodies of rock impacted directly into one another, sending a flurry of smaller, yet fast moving rocks in all directions. The rock pieces battered and smashed themselves into the ship’s hull, causing the entire craft to shake violently. Several of the Autobots held firm onto their seats and were able to steady themselves through the turbulence, but others were thrown around and sent crashing into walls and other Autobots. Jazz and Optimus Prime looked back at the maintenance panel, seeing the ship’s main power rapidly draining. The ship’s hull was fortified by using energy to immediately reinforce any part of the ship that was struck by a projectile, laser blast, or anything else harmful to it. But with the meteor shower now sending rocks everywhere and impacting every part of the ship, the ship would be without power within a matter of seconds. “Ironhide,” Optimus Prime called out as Ironhide stumbled to his feet. “Man the lazer gun!” Following the order, Ironhide quickly leaned against the main control for the ship’s laser and fired, rapidly clearing out the rocks in front of them. Though the main laser took a large amount of power to fire, it was more efficient than having the ship’s hull constantly battered and draining energy almost four times as fast. -- “Follow them, follow them!” Megatron demanded, pointing towards the Autobot’s craft as they blasted through the shower of rocks. The Decepticon’s ship steered through the floating boulders, which were smashing against their hull as well. But as they now trailed behind the Autobot’s craft, there were little to no rocks now that were impacting the ship. Though they were now trailer closer than they intended in order to avoid the rocks, it seemed the Autobots were still unaware of their presence. -- With the laser now blasting through the rocks, the Arc quickly pushed through the remaining asteroids and out of the deathly cloud of space rocks. To the Autobots’ misfortune, however, an ever greater threat lay before them. The two large asteroids from before had been orbiting a powerful gravitational field caused by the enormous worm hole that lay ahead of them. “Jazz, Pull up! Get us away from that worm hole!” “I’m tryin Optimus, but I can’t break free!” Jazz yelled, struggling with the controls. “That thing’s gravitational pull has us hooked!” “By the all spark… Everybot hold on! Prepare for an unstable warp!” With that, Optimus and the crew grabbed a hold of whatever they could and held on tight as their ship drew closer to the entrance of the worm hole, the gravity boosting the ship’s speed. -- “Megatron, this is suicide!” Yelled out Starscream as they were following the Autobot ship straight into the worm hole. “The Autobots are heading straight to oblivion, don’t send us in after them!” “Silence you fool!” Megatron blared angrily. “The Autobots must know where they are going, so we must continue following!” “If I were giving the orders around here, I would have just blasted their ship away a long time ago,” Starscream boasted, crossing his arms. Megatron leaned down towards starscream with a scowl on his face. “You will never be in control Starscream, NEVER!” He leaned back up and pointed out his arm and finger once more towards the Autobots ship now being sucked into the gaping worm hole. “Follow them in, and brace for warp jump!” ~{0.0}~ “Iiiiiit’s PARTY TIME!” Announced Pinkie Pie as she threw confetti into the air. With that the room full of ponies erupted into cheer as streamers and balloons filled up the space around them. Today was a special day for the ponies of Ponyville, as it marked the 1 year anniversary since Twilight Sparkle arrived, bringing with her the best friendship they all had ever experienced. Inside Twilight’s home in the library tree, the building was filled with banners and balloons tied to the wall, colorful confetti and part streamers than hung from the ceiling and fell around the room, food, drinks, cakes and other pastries lined up on the tables, and a series of party games that were laid out through the rooms. The Mane 6, as well as a large number of other ponies, were dancing, eating, and playing as if all their birthdays had been on this day. “Hey Applejack, whatchya got there?” Asked Rainbow Dash as she approached Applejack with a bottle in her mouth. The bottle had a wrap around it with the word “Cider” in bold text above a picture of an apple. “Oh this?” Applejack responded after setting the bottle on the table. “This here’s a little gift from ‘ol Granny Smith, a whole bottle of her special home-made Apple Cider.” “You mean like that apple juice stuff I helped you make yesterday?” Rainbow Dash asked while coming up beside dash, eying the bottle. “Not exactly sugarcube. This drink here’s got a bit of a “kick” to it, and not everypony can handle this kinda drinkin.” “Oh, is that a challenge then?” A smirk stung across Rainbow Dash’s face as she looked over towards AppleJack. Applejack simply shook her head with a small smile, giggling slightly at her competitive friend. “Oh Rainbow, ah don’t suppose we should be usin a drink like this as a means of competition. It’s a special thing, after all. Besides… you wouldn’t be able to handle half as many shots of this before ya’ll lost yer head.” Rainbow Dash leaned her head up and grabbed the cork at the top of the bottle with her teeth, and then pulled it off. “Okay then, let’s see you back up those words! “She grabbed a small glass with her mouth and brought it over, following up by pouring the sizzling cider in, filling it up quickly. “Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn ya!” Applejack brought over her own glass, and filled it up, looking over to Rainbow Dash with a competitive fire in her eyes. Rainbow Dash gave the same gaze back for a moment, before they both got a hold of their glasses and took a large swig. “Oh Twilight, you look absolutely marvelous with that bow on your mane!” Complimented Rarity as she trotted up beside Twilight Sparkle. “Thanks Rarity,” Twilight said with a cheerful smile. “I really didn’t know if it was the right occasion for such a party, nothing in any of the books I read about parties really mentioned anything as a friendship anniversary.” “Oh don’t trouble yourself with that, dear,” Rarity responded with a light upward wave of her hoof. “You look fine as you are, though I must say even you surprise me with a good fashion accessory from time to time.” “Thanks, I just hope the party goes as well as I planned. So far everything seems to have gone according to the books.” “Oh, uhm, Twilight?” Twilight turned to the soft voice coming from behind her to see Fluttershy walking up somewhat cautiously. “What is it Fluttershy?” Asked Twilight with a small smile still on her face. “I’m sorry, um,” Responded Fluttershy hesitantly. “Do you think it’s okay if I leave a little early? I mean, tonight is when the chickens’ eggs are supposed to hatch, and I wanna make sure everything goes well, if that’s okay with you I mean…” “That’s no problem Fluttershy,” Twilight said in a supportive tone. “Don’t worry, you can leave whenever you want, alright?” “Thanks Twilight,” Fluttershy said with a small smile on her face and a glint of happiness shining through her eyes. “I’ll actually be leaving now, so uhm, thanks for the great party. I really did have fun.” “Thanks Fluttershy, I’ll stop by tomorrow to see how things went, alright?” “Okay. Goodbye, and thanks again.” Fluttershy turned around and walked out the door, closing it behind her as she began to head home. Pinkie Pie suddenly popped up behind Twilight and Rarity, startling the two slightly as she spoke out. “Awwww, did Fluttershy have to leave?” She said with a slightly saddened tone. “Oh don’t worry deary,” Rarity said. “She’s just got some home chores to take care of, but don’t worry, the rest of us will still be here for the whole party.” “Hurray!” Pinkie Pie yelled as she happily sprung into the air. “Ohmigosh I know this party is gonna be so great! I got all the best cakes and punch and brough half of my collection of party streamers and ooooh this song!” As Pinkie was talking, the song changed to a song that had a mix of hip-hop and techno to it that was one of Pinkie Pie’s favorites. “Come on Twilight, it’s your party, lets go dance!” “Well I dunno, I haven’t really read much into the dancing styles of-Wuuaah!” Before she could finish, Pinkie Pie pulled Twilight into the middle of the floor and began a jumping sort of dance with her that mimicked the rhythm of the song with Twilight doing her best not to stumble and fall, let alone keep up. “Again!” Applejack announced, as another pony poured her a glass of cider. A small circle had started forming around her and Rainbow Dash as they took turns taking shots of the very strong drink. After the glass was full, Applejack tipped it over with her mouth and guzzled down the whole thing, her body shivering from the intensity of the taste as she gulped it down. “M-me too!” Rainbow dash banged her hoof onto the table as she ordered for her glass refilled as well. After it was full, she too took the whole glass into her mouth with a swift swig, and gulped it down quickly. Her wings jittered frantically as her own body shook from the drink’s intensity while Dash started to struggle to keep her balance. “Eight hits in a row,” Applejack said, looking at Dash with her left eyelid drooping down half way. “You got guts, Ah’ll give ya that, but ya ain’t gonna best me now, ya hear!” “I’m not out yet! C’mon, another round!” The pony with the bottle filled up their glasses again, and just as before, the two took their shots. After walking for about ten minutes, Fluttershy was nearing her home. She could already begin hearing the birds in the trees starting to sing, and she recognized their sounds as the ones that usually visited her place. She began to hum to herself the same tune the birds were singing while she walked, swaying her head and her tail slightly with the rhythm. Looking up at the sky, the sun had almost fully set, and the stars were already visible and shining in the sky. As she watched the stars, one of them started to blink brighter than the others, catching her eye. She soon stopped walking as the blinking star grew brighter, watching it closely with eyes wide open. A small smile started to appear on her face as she imagined it being a wishing star, calling out to her to take in a wish. But as Fluttershy began to shuffle through her thoughts for a proper thing to wish for, the star began to grow much brighter, and seemed to move slightly through the sky. Fluttershy watched closely now, realizing that this may not be a regular star, but not sure of what it was. The star seemed to grow brighter now, and soon Fluttershy’s smile disappeared as she saw a shape forming in replace of the star. Something large was falling from the sky, a trail of smoke now visible behind it. Fluttershy now began to hear a strange Whhhrrrring sound that only intensified as the object drew closer, now seeming as if it was heading straight for ponyville. A strike of horror rose to her face as she though the object might hit the town, but it instead passed right above her and the town, causing the ground to rumble below her. The object was orange and in the shape of a half circle while being somewhat flat on its top and bottom side. It shot over post the Everfree forest and into one of the distant mountains at the far edge, creating a loud boom that again caused the ground to tremble. Before she could react, another object caught her eye, this one being purple in color and spiky in shape while heading past the large mountains behind Sweet Apple Acres in the direction of the Great Saltlick Lake. Fluttershy backed up slowly and then sat down on her rear, trying to understand what just happened. Afraid of something bad happening that she could not explain, she flew as fast as she could towards her home, hoping to be able to hide there until morning.