//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Meeting with the Autobots // Story: The Inner Conflict // by TheClownPrinceofCrime //------------------------------// IN PONYVILLE “Has anypony found Rumble yet?!” Thunderlane, Rumble’s older brother, desperately asked. Several Royal Guard ponies were all around the town searching for the missing colt. At that moment, a purple alicorn pony flew down from the sky and landed next to the distressed pegasus stallion. “I’m sorry, Thunderlane, we have been searching all over Equestria over the last few days and still no sign of Rumble,” Twilight Sparkle sadly said. “I’m sorry we couldn’t find him.” Thunderlane then started to feel more sorrowful over the disappearance of his younger brother. “This is so terrible! I can’t imagine what happened to him lately! This... (sobs)... this is all my fault. I should’ve watched over him...” “Don’t worry! We will find him!” Twilight assured. “I know he is out there somewhere. But I have a feeling one of the Decepticons captured him.” “Really?!” Thunderlane panicked. “I hope that isn’t true! He could get hurt really bad!” “I know, and that’s why I have every royal guard to look out for any Decepticon who may remain in Equestria,” said Twilight, holding his shoulder. “It could be possible Megatron brought more with him than what we have seen, but I don’t know for sure.” Suddenly, Discord and Team Athenia appeared in the midst of Ponyville in a white flash which startled Twilight, Thunderlane, and the rest of the residents. All the ponies gazed at the Autobot visitors in amazement whereas the latter beheld their surroundings with confusion. “Uh... where are we exactly?” Rodimus asked. “Welcome to Ponyville! Everypony here would be happy to see you for the first time!” Discord shouted. “Ponyville? That’s what this is called?” Brawn asked. The team then noticed Twilight and Thunderlane approaching them. Twilight also noticed the Autobot insignias they wore on their chassis. Seeing that brought her relief. “You must be the Autobots from Cybertron!” Twilight said with excitement in her tone. This took the team by surprise. “You... know who we are? And who exactly are you?” Ironhide asked with his optic brow raised. “Oh, my name is Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship,” she formally introduced. “We have heard of what your Autobot friends have done on earth, so I figured that you guys might be able to help us... seeing that you’re Autobots and all.” Rodimus and Red Alert looked at each other before turning back to the alicorn. “Very well then, Twilight Sparkle. My name is Rodimus Prime, the leader of Team Athenia who are these brave warriors: Red Alert, Ironhide, Brawn, and Hot Shot.” Rodimus introduced. “We work together to protect Cybertron from its Decepticon enemies. If any sentient being is in need of help, we will gladly assist.” “Of course, it would be helpful if you can tell us what really is the problem which this... Discord mentioned,” said Red Alert. “My little brother, Rumble, has gone missing!” Thunderlane cried. “He’s been missing for a few days, and we’ve looked everywhere here in Equestria!! There’s no sign of him!” “And how exactly is that our problem?” Ironhide asked. Red Alert hit him on the back of the head. “Oww!” Ironhide yelled. “Don’t be rude, Ironhide. Listen!” Red Alert scolded. “We suspect that he was captured by the Decepticons when they came down from here to Canterlot,” Twilight replied. “When that happened, we realized—“ “DECEPTICONS?! They were here?!” Hot Shot exclaimed. “How did they get here?” Rodimus asked. “Megatron and his Decepticon team arrived here not too long ago. He appeared as a friendly alien visitor with the intention of getting back to Cybertron to rescue it from “Autobot tyrants” as he called you guys,” Twilight explained. “We thought he was going to be our new friend until he revealed his true intentions.” “They are not called Decepticons by accident, Twilight. They all live to lie, cheat, and destroy,” said Rodimus. “Thus, it is our duty to rid the universe of those evildoers.” “But fortunately for us, Megatron and his top lieutenants have been taken offline!” Hot Shot boasted with a smug grin. “Someone did us a huge favor by turning those Decepti-creeps to stone! I still wonder who is the hero.” “Well... it was me... me and my friends...” Twilight admitted, smiling nervously. The Autobots looked at her with shocked expressions. After a few silent moments, Ironhide laughed out loud. “You?! Defeating Megatron?? Hahahahaha... yeah, I find that very hard to believe.” Ironhide scoffed. “Is this true? Did you actually defeat the evil warlord?” asked Rodimus. “See for yourself!” Discord said. He snapped his fingers which made a humongous TV appear out of nowhere. The television turned on and displayed the scene of the Mane Six glowing with the magic of friendship and defeating Megatron and the Decepticons therewith. This made the Autobots drop their jaws in amazement... especially Ironhide. “Hehehehe... they should all see the look on their faces!” Discord whispered, taking snapshots of their expressions. Once it finished, the Autobots looked back at Twilight. “You were saying, Ironhide?” Hot Shot remarked. “Yeah... well, uh... (clears throat)... I take back what I said.” Ironhide muttered. “In that case, I must say... I want to thank you for the tremendous act of heroism you have done not just for your home world but also for all of Cybertron,” Rodimus thanked with a smile. “We are forever in your debt, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight blushed in embarrassment as she received the praise. “Thanks... Rodimus Prime. I’m sure he was that much of a problem, huh?” “Indeed. He was always so delusional with his dreams of conquest.” Rodimus replied, glaring at the sky as he thought back on how Megatron attacked Cybertron eons ago during the war. “We will never forget all the horrors he brought on our home.” “Wow... I cannot imagine what was like during those harsh times,” said Thunderlane. “I’m sorry for what he did to you guys.” “It’s alright. With him and his top lieutenants offline, the battle will grant us more advantages... but the remaining Decepticons will not give up.” Rodimus added. “Really?” Twilight asked. “Yes,” replied Red Alert. “After they heard the news of their leader’s fate, they increased their ruthlessness in battle and their war strategies. They won’t stop until all of us Autobots are offline.” “Plus, with you organics pairing with us, they will seek to terminate you too...” Brawn added. “... especially since you are responsible for Megatron’s defeat.” “At least the ‘Cons don’t know that yet!” Hot Shot said. “We might want to protect them from harm so that doesn’t happen.” “Agreed, Hot Shot. In the meantime, we will assist Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends to find this ‘Rumble’ they speak of. Is that clear, team?” Rodimus commanded. “Sir yes sir!” the team complied as they saluted. “Care to show us the rest of this landscape, Twilight?” Rodimus asked. “Definitely! Follow me!” Twilight said. Thus, the Autobots followed Twilight, Thunderlane, and Discord as they showed them the rest of Ponyville and onward.