…
…
Since being brought back from the dead, Dinobot felt like he had been given a second chance. And it seemed, in his mind at least, that his actions in saving the Protohumans from the Predacons had allowed him to get that chance. So now, he'd vowed to himself was going to do whatever it took to make use of that second chance. Mediating in his quarters, Dinobot was interrupted by the sounds of metallic footfalls coming down the hallways of the Maximal Base.
"Dinobot?" A voice belonging to Silverbolt called out.
"What is it?" Dinobot muttered, his mediation interrupted. "Can someone not meditate for a period of time?"
"Um, sorry," Silverbolt stammered as the former Predacon walked towards him and stood over him tensely. "It's just… Optimus wants to see you about something. Said it was urgent."
"What sort of something?" Dinobot asked while sighing and shrugging his shoulders.
"See for yourself," Silverbolt replied and Dinobot left his quarters. "All I can tell you is that it's something about paying a visit to young creatures at a school."
Sighing quietly, Dinobot proceeded towards Optimus' office where he was in the company of Starlight Glimmer and Sunset Shimmer. Seeing two ponies with his leader left Dinobot dumbfounded. "Who are these ponies? What reason have they for being here?"
"Ah, Dinobot," Optimus remarked. "I'd like you to officially meet Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer. They run the school next door to Princess Twilight's castle. And from what I'm told it's a school that Princess Twilight herself founded."
Dinobot was silent for a moment as he forced back a growl. "Oh."
Optimus then noticed the tension in his fellow Maximal's shoulders, causing Sunset and Starlight to become slightly uncomfortable. "Dinobot," Optimus gestured for the former Predacon to lower his guard. "They come in peace."
"Listen," Starlight nervously chuckled while glancing over at Sunset. "Both Sunset and I have been in tense situations before, so this isn't exactly new."
"What she said." Sunset chuckled back.
"Well, anyway," Optimus declared. "Our guests here have something to request."
"And that would be what?" Dinobot questioned.
Taking a deep breath, Starlight approached the Maximal despite feeling several slight twinges in her back. "Dinobot," She asked, looking directly at Dinobot's blue face. "There's…there's been a lot of chatter in the student body that some of the students… well…"
"…Want to fight in the war against Grogar," Sunset reluctantly finished. "And personally, we think that they need a reality check. We were hoping you might be able to help with that."
As Dinobot listened, he was somewhat delighted that the creatures of the land he and the Maximals were assigned to protect were willing to lay their lives on the line. Then he looked back at Optimus and right away began to suspect that he would soon meet these young creatures for himself.
…
…
Meanwhile, Twilight was back at Canterlot Hospital and standing before Star Tracker's bed, holding onto his hoof. The blood she had donated not too long ago to save his life had started to take effect. "He seems to be improving, doctor. He's going to be okay, I can feel it." Twilight commented as Doctor Stable kept a close eye on Star Tracker's heart monitor.
"All thanks to your courageous decision, your highness," The doctor remarked. "Star Tracker's got a long road ahead of him still, but at this point I feel comfortable in saying he's going to survive his injuries."
"What about the other victims?" Twilight asked while not taking her eyes off of Star Tracker.
"I'm afraid we lost another victim just this morning," Doctor Stable solemnly answered while turning to the supreme princess. "The injuries were too great. Most of the ones with survivable injuries have already begun to recover. I fear that, with the exception of Star Tracker, those still injured are not likely to pull through. I'm sorry, I wish I had better news for you, your highness."
Hearing that another of her subjects had died caused a growing anger inside of Twilight to start boiling over. Before she could lose her temper though, she calmed herself down (albeit only temporarily). "Sorry Doctor," Twilight apologized as she realized she'd been gritting her teeth and clenching her hoof. "It's just that…"
"-You don't have to apologize," Doctor Stable interrupted in a gentle voice. "I understand you're angry, your highness. Trust me, seeing ponies die in front of me despite my best efforts infuriates me to no end. Still, it's important you keep that anger under control. Lashing out won't bring back the victims."
Feeling slightly embarrassed by her sudden outburst, Twilight left Star Tracker's room with her guards accompanying her. She then proceeded to another room in the ICU and came across a badly injured unicorn stallion with bandages all over his body. He was near death, but Twilight visited nonetheless asking for the maker to take him home to eternal rest.
"Twilight?" Spike called out as he came into the room. "You doing okay?"
"Giving the carnage that Sombra carried out," Twilight sighed, walking away from the injured pony's bed. "I could be better. Spike…something's happening to me and I don't like it! Sombra… he must pay for what he's done! And so must the Predacons! But…"
Just then, the sound of a flattening heart monitor was heard and several doctors and nurses rushed over even though Twilight knew they would ultimately pronounce the pony dead, he was too far gone. An angry look befell the princess and all she could do was kick the door of the ICU in frustration!
"Another subject dead, Spike!" Twilight hissed. "Another dead! Because of me! When will this madness end?!"
"Twilight, calm down!" Spike pleaded, trying to prevent Twilight from scaring the other patients. "Calm down!"
"HOW CAN I BE CALM AT A TIME LIKE THIS?!" Twilight yelled, causing all of the doctors and nurses to jump in shock at Twilight's outburst. Embarrassed, Twilight looked around and saw all the shocked looks on the faces of the hospital staff.
"I think we'd better leave." Spike suggested and he escorted Twilight out of the ICU without another word.
…
Back at the Maximal base, Dinobot was confused by the answers he was getting out of Sunset and Starlight. "These young creatures," He remarked with his arms crossed. "They wish to fight in your war against this… Grogar?"
"Yes, there's been a lot of talk about it, unfortunately," Sunset glumly explained as she briefly looked down at the ground in shame. "I've tried reasoning with some of the students, but they don't seem to listen. It seems like it's all they ever think about these days."
"We do commend them for being open about their feelings, but it's dangerous. Even if they could make it through all the necessary training, they wouldn't last five minutes on the battlefield." Starlight added
"So what is it that you wish me to do?" Dinobot questioned. "Why come to me with this dilemma?"
"Being a warrior who fought in a war yourself," Sunset suggested, feeling intimidated by Dinobot's presence even more. "Perhaps you can reason with our students, explain to them that war is dangerous and deadly. Maybe if they hear it from someone like you they'll understand what war is really like."
It was then that Optimus got himself an idea. He tapped the side of his head, activating his radio. "Rattrap, Waspinator, report to my quarters immediately." He ordered and a few moments later the two showed up.
"What's up, big cheese?" Rattrap asked and Optimus gestured towards Sunset and Starlight. "Hello, uh, Miss…Glimglam?"
"Starlight Glimmer." Starlight corrected, remembering the Maximal rat.
"Ooh, Waspinator like the glimglam." Waspinator flashed a smile as he eyed the unicorn.
"Focus, guys. Our guests have come here with a request for us," Optimus declared, catching the attention of his three Maximals. "They wish for us to get through to their students who are planning to fight in the war against Grogar and Megatron. So I'm sending the three of you to the School of Friendship effective immediately."
Both Rattrap and Waspinator were stunned to hear this! "Us, Boss Monkey? You sure about that?" Rattrap blinked in confusion as he and Waspinator gave each other shocked glances. "Bug boy, chopper face and I here?"
"Yes," Optimus firmly nodded. "It's up to us to help guide their students into understanding this war better. Make them realize that war isn't glamorous."
Waspinator nervously stammered while buzzing his wings. "Waspinator unsure about…"
"-You won't be going at this alone, Waspinator," Optimus interrupted. "If there is an example of what happens in war, it's you who is the living example."
Waspinator gulped in surprise. "Waspinator might have second thoughts about this." He said to himself.
…
…
Having departed Canterlot Hospital, Twilight made her way back to the Castle of Friendship still feeling embarrassed by her sudden angry outburst in the ICU.
"Twilight, I know you don't want me to say this but…" Spike stammered as they walked to the castle's front door. "Has anypony told you that you have an anger problem?"
Realizing that she had her hoof caught in the cookie jar, Twilight took in a deep sigh. "Spike, you've grown up with me and seen me get angry at you or somepony else," Twilight sighed. "I don't get why you have to address this issue now. There's just been a lot going on around here lately, that's all."
Entering the front hall, Twilight made her way up the stairs towards her bedroom.
"Exactly," Spike declared as he flew alongside Twilight. "Your mental health is taking another big hit here, and I don't like it."
"It may seem like it," Twilight remarked as she and Spike walked into her bedroom. "But I can control my anger."
"Really? What about when you were interrogating Terrorsaur?" Spike inquired. "Didn't seem like you were controlling it then."
Twilight looked at herself in a nearby mirror. Right away, she realized that that was indeed a time when her anger was not in control.
"I mean…yes, Spike," Twilight sighed, turning back to her royal advisor. "But don't you think it was justified? He helped carry out the deaths of over twenty ponies for Celestia's sake! And he was clearly proud of it. He… he just made me so mad I could just..." As Twilight spoke, her wings opened up and her horn glowed slightly! Suddenly, Twilight felt her breath shorten and she bent forward gasping, while Spike helped her to her bed!
Fortunately, Luna had overheard what was happening and frantically ran into Twilight's room! "Twilight, what is it?!" She cried, clutching her little sister's figure's hoof.
"She just got riled up and then she just…" Spike cried.
"CELESTIA!" Luna shouted in her Royal Canterlot voice!
Celestia came dashing into the room, joining her little sister in calming Twilight down.
"Twilight, deep breaths! Deep breaths!" Celestia coached in a gentle voice and after a few moments, Twilight managed to calm down, but her heart was still beating rapidly. Celestia then turned over to Spike. "Spike, get her some water, quick!"
Doing as he was told, Spike flew to the bathroom and immediately returned with a glass of water for Twilight to drink out of.
"Deep breaths, Twilight," Celestia whispered. "Shhh, it's okay."
Taking several deep breaths, Twilight managed to slowly calm herself down much to Celestia's relief as well as Luna's.
"Wh…what happened?" Twilight cried, looking over at Celestia. "What's going on?"
"Twilight, this is what I was trying to tell you," Spike cried. "Your anger is causing you to suffer attacks like this. When are you going to realize that it's taking a toll on your health?"
"Spike," Luna sternly frowned. "Enough! Now isn't the time for confrontations."
"No, Luna," Twilight gasped with sweat flowing down her face. "He's right. My anger is getting the best of me. But seeing these ponies die is…"
Suddenly, Celestia noticed how tense Twilight's forelegs were and felt them getting tighter by the second. It was then that both Celestia and Luna immediately began feeling slightly worried for Twilight.
"-Twilight," Celestia interrupted, causing Twilight to look at her. "Take some more deep breaths. You're starting to lose control again."
"Okay, okay!" Twilight gasped, struggling to do as instructed. "I'm taking them."
Celestia gave a worried look to Luna, fearful Twilight's recent anger issues were beginning to affect her mental health.
…
Meanwhile, Starlight returned to the Castle of Friendship after having secured three Maximals to talk to the students at the School of Friendship. Just as she came in, she saw Grubber coming up the stairs while carrying a pot of soup. "Grubber, what's going on?" She asked the hedgehog.
"Oh, it's for Princess Twilight," Grubber replied. "She had a small anxiety attack so Celestia and Luna asked me to make her some soup to calm her down."
Feeling concerned, Starlight carefully made her way up the stairs and watched Grubber as he delivered the soup to Twilight.
"Thanks, Grubber," Twilight sighed as she accepted the bowl of soup from him. "I could sure use a refreshing hot bowl of soup right now."
"Twilight, what happened?!" Starlight asked, placing her forelegs at the edge of Twilight's bed.
"I don't know, Starlight," Twilight answered as Grubber left the room. "I guess my anger got the best of me. In fact, it's been getting the best of me a lot lately. But, all of a sudden tonight, I just started gasping for breath and my forelegs began to tighten up."
"Well, Twilight, both Celestia and I were wondering about something." Luna inquired.
"Yes," Celestia added as she then asked. "Twilight, have you ever been tested for high blood pressure before?"
"High blood pressure?" Twilight wondered while looking at Celestia. "No, I don't think I have. Do you think it might have caused me to act the way I did?"
"Well after your most recent attack, I think you should be tested. It may not have caused your anger issues but it could be making them worse," Starlight sighed as Twilight at her soup. "Think about it, what if something like this were to happen to you when you were on your royal duties or even hosting something like the Grand Galloping Gala?"
"I think it's more than just my possible high blood pressure," Twilight sighed as she continued to eat the soup. "Since the Rainbow Falls attack, things have begun to happen to me." She turned her attention towards her bedroom mirror and saw her reflection in the mirror. This made her gulp nervously.
Suddenly, as if only Twilight could see it, she saw her eyes began to flash a bright white look and her face turned dark purple. "I mean…I could have done something bad to Terrorsaur, and what message would that have sent?" She asked, starting to hyperventilate. "What message does that send to my subjects? What if…?"
Suddenly, Celestia placed a hoof on Twilight's chest and gestured for her to breath in and out slowly.
"Thanks, Celestia," Twilight sighed, looking over at her mother figure. "I needed that."
"Of course, Twilight," Celestia replied. "Remember, you are the reason why Luna and I moved here in the first place. Never forget that."
Upon finishing her soup, Twilight lay against the back of her bed, letting out a deep sigh. She was exhausted from her anger, exhausted from her frustration that Grogar's war was already taking on her.
"Twilight," Starlight suggested. "I think that maybe getting your blood pressure by Gentle Gust and Gentle Breeze checked may not be such a bad idea. They may also be able to help you get your anger problem under control before it starts to control you. I don't think you'll have the luxury of bottling it up like I used to do."
Twilight was slightly confused. "Even if I found out I have high blood pressure, how would that help me or anypony else?"
"Maybe by having others within your circle do certain tasks like interrogations or something," Starlight suggested. "I mean take Tempest…she can oversee interrogations no sweat. She lives for that kind of stuff. You're not like her and neither should you be. You can be tough without needing to get aggressive all the time."
Hearing Tempest's name gave Twilight a small hint of amusement.
"All that the ponies of Equestria need right now is a leader," Starlight continued. "A leader who is capable of making as many wise decisions as possible." With those words, Twilight was left alone as Starlight and the alicorn sisters left her bedroom.
"Might as well get some rest, Twilight," Spike suggested as he took away Twilight's empty soup bowl. "Good night."
"Good night, Spike." Twilight yawned as she closed her eyes and fell asleep rather quickly.
…
…
Once Twilight was asleep, Starlight made her way downstairs and joined Celestia and Luna in the castle's library. Luna was already looking into a book that caught Starlight's attention.
"At least Twilight's calmed down now," Starlight remarked as she joined the sisters. "Kind of makes you wonder what's going on at the school. It feels like everything's been falling apart since my absence."
"You do have a point, Starlight," Luna replied, looking over at Starlight as she removed her red suit jacket and sat down next to Luna. "Our students, as honorable as they are in wanting to fight Grogar, need to understand that war is dangerous."
"Yeah, I mean there are other ways to aid a war besides fighting," Starlight replied, looking at the book Luna was reading. "What is that?"
"It's a book about ways to solve conflict without violence," Luna explained, showing Starlight the pages inside. "See for yourself."
Starlight studied the book and began to get herself an idea. "Looking at this, Luna," Starlight declared. "It's giving me an idea to get through to the students," The wheels in her brain continued to turn wildly. "I think there is a way they can help." She declared.
"I'm listening." Luna nodded in encouragement.
But before Starlight could speak, Celestia walked over with a white colored medical book she had been reading. "Wait a minute!" She cried. "I'm looking at this book about high blood pressure and listen to what risks it has…"
"Sister, you don't have to list every single one. We all know what the risks are." Luna cautioned, gesturing for Celestia to stop.
"Sorry," Celestia apologized, her eyes getting misty eyed as she backed away. "Sorry."
"Sister, it's okay," Luna sympathized, walking over to Celestia and hugging her. "It's okay. I know you're trying to help."
"Luna, I'm scared for Twilight," Celestia replied as her voice became choked up. "Seeing her panic tonight…I can't imagine what will happen to her if we don't do something."
"I still think that maybe having Twilight's blood pressure checked may not be a bad idea," Starlight suggested. "In fact, why doesn't Twilight go first thing in the morning? It's Saturday tomorrow, so there's no school and Dinobot and the other Maximals would not be in until Monday."
…
Sure enough, the very next day with Celestia and Luna at her side, Twilight found herself back in Gentle Breeze and Gentle Gust's office at Canterlot Hospital. A wrap was placed around her foreleg and squeezed tightly while the two pony therapists watched.
After a few moments, Twilight was freed from the wrap.
"Well," Gentle Gust declared as he sat down behind his desk. "I'm afraid your blood pressure is a little high, Twilight."
"What are you going to do?" Twilight asked him..
"Well," Gentle Breeze declared. "It's very likely that the high blood pressure is very much related to your anxiety, Twilight. And it will take more than a spoonful of sugar to help your medicine go down."
"What?" Twilight asked in a confused voice.
"Never mind," Gentle Breeze chuckled as she handed Twilight a cup of hot cocoa. "Just a little inside joke between Gentle Gust and myself."
"Anyway, there are ways to control high blood pressure, Twilight," Gentle Gust explained. "But in your case, it's more emotional than physical."
"Actually, it's a good thing you brought that up," Twilight declared. "Because there's something else I need to share with you. Last night," She explained while using her magic to create a picture featuring an evil version of herself. "This pony was in my mirror and it was smiling evilly at me. I think it might be my dark side."
Making the screen disappear, Twilight sighed deeply and laid herself down on the sofa. "The last thing I want is to have that dark side come out of me," She declared in a tired voice. "It seemed like after the Rainbow Falls attack, whoever she is has been reawakened. "But why does she come out now after all the other times I got really angry? I don't understand."
"Sometimes our evil sides come out as they please." Gentle Gust explained.
"That's right, Twilight," Luna nodded, remembering her own experience as Nightmare Moon. "I know all too well what it's like to let your dark side consume you."
"Mine too," Celestia added. "But I had to learn that Daybreaker wasn't real and I'm pretty sure your dark side doesn't have to be real either, Twilight."
As Twilight spoke, Gentle Gust proceeded to write on a small piece of paper and after a few moments, he hoofed the piece of paper to Twilight and the sisters. "These are medications Gentle Breeze and I are prescribing to help with your anxiety and your blood pressure," He. "They should help you in some way, but remember that these medications alone won't help you control your emotions and should be used only as advised."
"I suppose now's as good a time as any to let you know about a new project of mine," Luna added, looking over at Twilight. "I've been meaning to start a yoga club at the school if you ever want to join, Twilight. It will be good for me just as much as it would be good for you."
"And," Celestia added. "I've been talking with Spitfire about starting an exercise club at the school as well. The door is always open for you, Twilight. Plus, Silverstream has been asking me to start one."
"Silverstream?" Twilight asked in a confused tone before giving a wink to her two therapists as she left their office. "Interesting. But I guess she needs an outlet for all the energy she has."
…
As Twilight, Celestia and Luna made their way out of the hospital, they were suddenly stopped by Doctor Stable. "Princess Twilight?" He asked while walking over to the alicorns. "It's Star Tracker, he's awake."
Amazed by what she'd just heard, Twilight dashed to Star Tracker's room and couldn't believe what she was seeing before her! "Star Tracker!" She gasped in a hushed voice! "Star Tracker, you're okay!"
"Thanks, Princess Twilight," The young stallion gasped, talking through the oxygen mask on his mouth to help him breathe. "Thanks for saving my life…"
Overcome with happy emotion, Twilight knelt down and laid her head on the side of Star Tracker's bed. "I'm just so happy that you are okay!" Twilight cried with tears flowing down her face.
"Well," Star Tracker whispered. "I've got a long road ahead, but at least I'm alive."
As Twilight sobbed happily, Celestia and Luna joined their daughter and little sister figure and draped their wings around Twilight during her joyous moment of a young stallion, still badly hurt but alive.
Meanwhile, Dinobot was back in his quarters meditating and preparing himself for his impending visit to the School of Friendship. A few moments later, he was interrupted again by a knock on the door.
"Hey chopper face," Rattrap called. "Ready?"
"If you say so, vermin." Dinobot muttered as he walked out of his quarters following Rattrap and soon, Dinobot, Rattrap and Waspinator would come face to face with the students of Equestria's School of Friendship.
…