//------------------------------//
// Episode 1: "Megatron Makes His Move, Part 1" 
// Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 13 
// by twilightsparkle3562 
//------------------------------//

…

…

In the kingdom that they had claimed as their own, the Predacons were in the midst of planning heo rescue of two of their comrades. Gathering in the throne room that once belonged to King Vorak, they all watched as Megatron towered over them in his dragon mode. In addition to planning this rescue mission, he had something else to say to his loyal minions. "I suppose you're all wondering why I have called you here tonight," He remarked while sticking out his dragon claw. "And at this hour."

"Is it because we intend to rescue Terrorsaur and Laserbeak from those strange creatures?" Scorponok asked. "'Cause if so, why are we standing around here? We could rescue them no sweat."

"It's not because of that, Scorponok," Megatron corrected in a commanding voice. "It is because for too long we have been following the orders of Emperor Grogar." Transforming from beast to robot mode, Megatron took a piece of parchment from the throne and tossed it into the air. While still airborne, he fired his dragon head at the parchment, destroying it.

"Are you crazy, boss?!" Quickstrike cried while jumping back slightly. "Grogar is our master, you know that!"

"I'm sure he has a good reason." Soundwave remarked while glancing over at the Predacon fuzor.

"Indeed I do, Soundwave!" Megatron declared as the burnt up parchment landed on the steps of the throne. "When Grogar declared himself leader of the Predacons, I vowed to myself to seek revenge. So we will take this land of Equestria for ourselves! Yes!"

As he spoke, Megatron stepped down from the throne steps and proceeded to place his transmetal foot on the burned parchment.

"I would strongly advise against it!" A voice belonging to Tarantulas called out, much to Megatron's annoyance. "These creatures have powers beyond our imagination!"

"What did you say?" Megatron quietly asked before proceeding to pick Tarantulas up with his dragon mouth.

"I mean…they could easily find a way to stop us!" Tarantulas coughed as Megatron tightened his grip on Tarantulas' torso. "They must've figured something out if they could capture two of our own."

"You lie!" Megatron snarled before letting Tarantulas fall to the ground. "The ponies of Equestria have no defense against our powers. But it won't be easy with Optimus Primal and the Maximals assisting them! However, we are no strangers to the Maximals, are we?"

"Indeed not." Dinobot 2 growled with a sinister smile coming onto his face, much to Megatron's delight.

Stepping up to the Predacon he created, Megatron tapped him on the shoulder before turning back to his Predacon army. "Do you see? This is what I want all of you to have…fearless determination! Yesss…"

With some support from within his forces, Megatron then proceeded to take a look at the viewing globe that sat next to his throne. The globe from which he would get his orders from Grogar. Just as Megatron was about to take the globe and destroy it, he was stopped again by another all too familiar voice.

"Hold it, boss!"Quickstrike cried, causing Megatron to growl at him anew. "That…that belongs to the goat with the bell!"

Putting the globe down on its pedestal, Megatron walked over to Quickstrike and aimed his dragon head at him, firing a blast of fire at him and sending him flying back into a wall.

"Anyone else care to object to my decision?" Megatron asked his forces but got no response. With his message aired, Megatron walked to the globe, picked it up and threw it into the air. Once again aiming his dragon head, he destroyed the globe, causing it to explode into a million pieces. With the globe destroyed, Megatron turned to the task at hand. "Now we do things my way!" He declared, walking back up to the throne and firing flames from his dragon head. "To the conquering of Equestria in the name of Cybertron!"

With the cries of their leader, all the Predacons embraced the mission that had been assigned to them!

…

…

At the Castle of Friendship the next morning, Tempest Shadow was overseeing the transfer of the two captured Predacons, Terrorsaur and Laserbeak, still trapped in their beast modes. All the broken horned unicorn could do was shake her head in disgust at them as they were loaded into a portable jail box.

"I've tried everything, Princess Twilight," Tempest sighed as the Supreme Princess of Equestria approached her. "But nothing seems to work. They won't talk."

"It's not your fault, Tempest," Twilight acknowledged. "They chose to be in the position they are in. And now, according to the intelligence we've received, Grogar or Megatron are planning to make a move."

As the door to the wagon was slammed shut, Twilight realized that there was one more way to get the captives to open up. Tempest was quick to notice.

"You're left with no choice, aren't you?" Tempest asked, catching Twilight by surprise.

"What's that?" Twilight questioned.

"They need to be placed in the torture chamber in Canterlot? The same one where some of the Storm King's soldiers were interrogated?" Tempest inquired. "Only a pardon from you spared me from a similar fate."

"Tempest," Twilight answered with a sigh. "As Supreme Princess of Equestria, it is my duty and that of my friends and co-princesses to protect our subjects from all threats of any kind. I'm not holding back on anything. The sooner we end this war, the better. If they continue to remain defiant…then they must be done away with. I only hope it doesn't come to that."

Not wanting to challenge her supreme commander, Tempest saluted Twilight as the wagon containing the captured Predacons was taken away to Canterlot. Once the wagon was gone, Tempest was dismissed and Twilight returned to her castle.

…

"Spike, I cannot hold back any longer," Twilight sighed as her little brother and royal advisor was waiting for her in the doorway. "If those two Predacons are a sign of what's to come…"

"Yeah, I can understand you on that," Spike interjected. "But from what we managed to get in the recent interrogations, Megatron seems to be the one making his first move. Don't Optimus and the Maximals know this?"

"We've given them all of the intelligence that isn't classified to just us, Spike," Twilight sighed. "But, it's not just about intelligence anymore."

Immediately, Spike sensed what Twilight was going through. "It's about not holding back, isn't it?" he asked. "About not wanting to shed blood of our enemy?"

"Spike, I'm left with no other choice," Twilight sighed as she walked up the stairs towards her study. "If my friends and I have to take the forbidden route, then we have to take it when it comes to dealing with prisoners of war. The Predacons refuse to cooperate and refuse to change."

"You mean, you're planning on doing what Celestia did with Instant Justice?" Spike blinked in disbelief.

The memories of Equestria's former minister of Justice and his obsession to seek revenge on Tempest after the Storm King's invasion of Canterlot were still fresh in Twilight's mind. "If it comes to that, Spike," Twilight sighed as she removed her large crown and placed it on her desk. "And maybe such extreme measures will be warranted. But…I can't really think about those measures right now. I want to hold out hope that it won't come to that."

Walking over to her bookshelf, Twilight pulled out the book of memories Starlight gave her during her mental health breakdown. Sitting down, she opened the book and proceeded to look through it. "I mean, think about it, Spike," She continued, gesturing the young dragon to come over to her desk. "Look at these pictures, are these the pictures of ponies who wish to use excessive force? It's not us, but we're princesses now. Sometimes we need to do things we don't want to do and it's hard!"

Taking a deep breath, Twilight continued to mentally prepare herself for the growing conflict ahead.

"It's never easy for anypony or anycreature for that matter," Spike insisted, placing a claw on Twilight's shoulder. "Take Gallus for example."

"Yeah, Gallus," Twilight sighed again before closing the book. "He wanted to be a soldier for Equestria, but he lacked patience and understanding. I…if he and anycreature else his age wants to fight against Grogar, then they will need to see what they are getting themselves into. I don't want to be responsible for sending children into battle or plunging Equestria into war."

Just then, Twilight and Spike heard the sounds of jets flying through the window of Twilight's study and they saw Optimus Primal fly in with Silverbolt and Tigerhawk.

"Optimus, you do know there's a door you can enter through, right?" Spike asked while placing a claw on his face.

"Honestly, this is more convenient." Tigerhawk remarked as the transformer split back into Tigatron and Air Razor.

"What's going on, Optimus?" Twilight asked the Maximal leader. "Is there any more intelligence that I should know about?"

"Megatron is planning on making his move soon," Optimus replied. "Apparently, he's planning to mount a rescue to save the two Predacons in your custody."

"Terrorsaur and Laserbeak?" Twilight realized. "I just ordered them to be moved to Canterlot for further interrogation. In fact, I'm already considering the possibility that lethal force may be needed."

This caused both Tigatron and Air Razor to look at each other with concerned looks on their faces.

"But why?" Tigatron asked. "Isn't there any other way?"

"There may not be any other way," Twilight sighed to the two Maximal lovers before turning her attention back to Optimus. "I've tried everything to get them to open up about what Megatron has planned, but they are still defiant. Optimus, if you were dealing with a defiant prisoner, what would you do?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Optimus struggled to process Twilight's question. "Personally, I would use extreme methods, but I'd much rather not," Optimus said, a hint of reluctance in his voice. "It's not in the nature of the Maximal to take the life of another life form without reason."

"I take it that death is somewhat involved?" Spike guessed as a shiver ran down his spine. "Or worse…" Feeling slightly afraid of the discussion, Spike offered to excuse himself and was allowed to leave the study.

"What's wrong with him?" Silverbolt asked after Spike had left.

"He's afraid that someone will someday pluck off his wings," Twilight answered and Silverbolt recoiled in equal fear. "We both have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of what we endured against the Legion of Doom."

"I see," Optimus sighed, quickly realizing he needed to change the subject. "Well, there is another matter that we need to address."

Twilight spun around and blinked. "What's that?"

"Since Megatron is making his move," Optimus explained. "I recommend that the Maximals fortify both Ponyville and Canterlot to protect against any possible Predacon strike. It would avoid a repeat of the Rainbow Falls ambush."

Taking a deep breath, Twilight sighed and realized that she would have to take the recommendation as seriously as possible. "But what about our subjects?" She asked. "They are going to…?"

"They are going to have to shelter in place until further notice," Tigatron instructed. "There's no other way."

"It's for their own good," Air Razor added. "None of your cities or towns are equipped to handle what the Predacons are capable of."

Taking another deep breath, Twilight desperately sought to protest the Maximals' decision. "Optimus, let me see what my friends think of your suggestion. Nothing against your decision, but this will be our decision and our decision alone. We're the rulers, you're honored visitors."

"Very well then, your highness," Optimus replied as Tigatron and Air Razor remerged into Tigerhawk. "Just remember that time is of the essence when it comes to Megatron. You've seen what he's capable of."

Turning back to the window that they came into, Optimus activated his prime jets and flew out of the study with Silverbolt and Tigerhawk following behind.

With time ticking away, Twilight turned her attention to bringing her fellow princesses to her castle at once!

…

…

Once Twilight had gotten her message out, her fellow princesses dashed to the Castle of Friendship!

"Twilight, are you sure about this?" Rainbow Dash asked as they all gathered in the throne room and sat down in their respective thrones.

"I'm very positive," Twilight replied while activating the map. "Optimus recommends that Ponyville and Canterlot be placed under Maximal guard in addition to our own guard."

"Well, to be honest," Pinkie Pie remarked. "Our royal guard hasn't really been as successful in the past against major threats…"

"Couldn't we just do what your brother did as captain?" Fluttershy questioned. "You have the magic to produce a shield spell around Ponyville."

"I don't have the kind of magic that would be necessary to produce a shield over both Ponyville and Canterlot," Twilight protested with a shake of his head. "Optimus says that the Maximals will be divided to cover both Canterlot and Ponyville. As for how many Maximals per location, that remains to be seen."

"So what can we do about it?" Applejack asked.

"All we can do is lockdown the capitals," Twilight declared, producing a makeshift barrier around Ponyville and Canterlot. "Nopony goes in and nopony goes out. I want the loss of life to be minimal at all times."

A mixed reaction followed amongst the six princesses. Half of them wanted their subjects to be safe from the impending attack, but the other half were not so sure.

"Look, Twilight," Rarity began. "I'm all for protecting our subjects, but don't you think that a full lockdown would…?"

"I think it's necessary, Rarity," Twilight firmly interrupted the Princess of Generosity. "The Maximals want our subjects to shelter in place until further notice, a lockdown at least would let them go out and about within city limits.."

Rarity protested. "I'm only saying that a full lockdown is…"

"…It's necessary, Rarity!" Rainbow Dash declared in a firm tone of voice. "And Twilight's right, I'm not going to risk my short time as a princess by allowing some robotic freaks of nature to come in and tear our homes apart because we're holding two of their own as captives!"

"I agree with Twilight and Rainbow Dash," Applejack added. "Until those Predacons have been defeated for good, we gotta keep our subjects safe by any means necessary!"

Although they felt it was against their better judgment, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were left with no other choice.

But then Pinkie Pie had an idea. "What does Spike think of this?" she asked, catching Twilight off guard as she pointed towards Spike's empty throne. "Shouldn't he be here?"

Just then, Spike entered the throne room having overheard what was being said. "You guys are meeting and didn't tell me?!" He asked as he sat down at his throne next to Twilight's.

"I didn't want you to be scarred in any way, Spike," Twilight replied and apologized. "But we're all in the middle of a vote to order a full lockdown of Ponyville and Canterlot ahead of a likely Predacon attack."

The six mares all looked over at Spike with eager glances, causing the young dragon to become uncomfortable. "So, why look at me?"

"You are the deciding vote," Twilight declared, causing Spike to gulp nervously. "You'll decide whether we go through with it or not."

"Oh boy." Spike remarked as he began to shiver nervously at the decision he was being forced to make. It was much like the dilemma he'd faced with Thorax at the Crystal Empire.

…

Back on the moon, Grogar was pacing back and forth across the throne room seemingly waiting for news. A few moments later, the Predacon Inferno came into the throne room, causing Grogar to stop pacing.

"Royalty, I have news!" Inferno loudly declared.

"Is it news about why your former superior is ignoring me?" Grogar asked. "Why he chooses to ignore my orders?"

"My queen wishes to act on his own will," Inferno answered, only for Grogar to activate his magic and throw Inferno against the back wall. "Royalty…"

"You say that he wishes to defy me?!" Grogar thundered. "Why?!"

"He feels like you are…" Inferno coughed. "Stealing his glory! You've already stolen the colony from him!"

Growling, Grogar released his grip on Inferno and snarled quietly to himself, going into a deep thought about what was happening. "He must have destroyed his communication globe," Grogar whispered to himself, turning his back away from Inferno. "It makes perfect sense to me. Well, he won't get away with this. If Megatron defies me he will die from his defiance."

"Royalty?" Inferno questioned.

"Inferno, I'm sending you on a mission," Grogar declared. "You are to find Megatron and bring him to me dead or alive!"

"Royalty," Inferno asked as he got to his feet. "What do you plan to do with my former queen if I capture him?"

"That is none of your concern, Inferno," Grogar ordered. "All you are assigned to do is bring Megatron to me, and I will ensure that you will not be alone in this mission."

Stepping back from Inferno, Grogar stamped on the floor three times and at that moment, the doors opened to reveal Sombra on the other side.

"Has the punishment of Lord Zedd and his minions been carried out?" Grogar asked.

"Yes, my emperor," Sombra answered with a nod. "All has been done according to your instructions. What do you wish to ask of me now?"

"I wish for you to help Inferno bring the traitor Megatron back to me," Grogar ordered. "And to ensure this, I wish for both Lavan and Arabus to assist you."

"Why them if you don't mind my asking?" Sombra asked with a confused look on his face.

"Because I wish for them to demonstrate their loyalty to me!" Grogar bitterly explained and stomped a hoof. "Now go, and bring Megatron to me dead or alive!"

"What about Lord Zedd and his crew?" Sombra questioned.

Grogar smirked. "I shall deal with them later myself. I may have use of them now that Megatron is no longer needed."

All the fire ant Predacon could do was gulp nervously at the thought of betraying his former commander to Grogar.

…

…

Back at King Vorak's kingdom, Megatron was standing in front of a mirror in his quarters and brushing the teeth of his dragon head now that he hoped to conquer Equestria for himself. "Yes, yes," Megatron whispered to his dragon head. "Be hungry for life, my pet. This land and all its inhabitants will soon be mine to rule."

Just then, Megatron was greeted by the sounds of knocking at the door. "Enter!" He called and the door opened to reveal Soundwave. "Yes, Soundwave?"

"The forces are mobilizing, Lord Megatron!" Soundwave reported.

"Excellent," Megatron laughed while turning to face Soundwave. "Hungry for life, aren't they?"

"Indeed," Soundwave replied as Megatron emerged from his quarters and saw his Predacon forces mobilizing for total warfare in the throne room, much to Megatron's delight. "They are ready to move on your orders!"

"All hail Megatron!" Barricade shouted, throwing his triceratops head into the air as the other Predacons followed suit (including Rampage and the Pirhanacons).

The cries of loyalty made Megatron laugh in delight. "Yes! Yes, my minions!" He declared while standing up on Vorak's throne. "Rejoice, for we shall be the ones to make Equestria our own! And together, we shall make Grogar and his minions bow down to us!"

Yelling, Megatron shot fire from his dragon head further fueling the Predacons into embracing their newfound destiny. "But first," He declared. "I shall send a warning to this land's rulers! Oh yes!"

…

Looking at the ponies had he come so close to, Spike was left with a choice.

"What will it be, Spike?" Twilight asked her little brother and royal advisor. "Make the right choice."

Taking a deep breath, Spike looked at Twilight and raised his right dragon claw. "I choose a lockdown," He declared, much to Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy's dismay. "I don't want anypony or anycreature getting hurt from the likes of Megatron or Grogar."

Spike then looked over to a flabbergasted Rarity who couldn't believe Spike would make such a decision. "I'm sorry, Rarity," He sighed. "I want what is best for Equestria and besides…it won't last long, I hope."

"Very well then," Twilight declared, producing a scroll and quill. "I will draft a declaration ordering a full lockdown of Ponyville and Canterlot until Megatron is defeated once and for all."

The five princesses and their royal advisor watched as Twilight quickly drew up the declaration. Once she had signed it, Twilight passed the declaration around and each princess signed their name on it, including Pinkie Pie, who drew up a Pinkie Promise.

"As of this moment," Twilight started to say. "Equestria is under…"

Suddenly, the throne room began to rumble, causing several shrieks to come out from the six ponies! A few moments later, streaks of red fire crossed through to the center of the map and a red fire sphere began to form in the center!

The princesses watched in sheer horror as the sounds of Megatron's laughter came from the sphere. "Princesses of Equestria!" He shouted. "You have a pair of my troops in your custody!"

"Out of the question, Megatron!" Twilight shot back. "You will never have your troops back! They are our prisoners!"

"So, you've decided that you are not going to release Terrorsaur and Laserbeak to us?" Megatron snarled. "Do you have any idea who you're dealing with, ponies?!"

"Listen, metal dragon boy!" Rainbow Dash snarled back. "One of your 'pals' traumatized a Wonderbolt and there is no way I'm going to let him go! Not in a million years!"

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Megatron remarked in a sarcastic tone. "And I'm sorry to say that I don't take kindly to threats!"

"Well, how about some cupcakes with poison in them?" Pinkie Pie cried, holding a pair of poisoned cupcakes in her hooves.

"Your threats mean nothing to me, pony!" Megatron firmly replied. "So be warned! My Predacon forces are coming one way or another. And we will not only rescue our comrades, but we shall make you all our slaves!"

"Equestrians will never be slaves!" Applejack thundered while slamming her foreleg on the map. "IF you want to enslave our subjects, you'll have to kill us first!"

Feeling amused by Applejack's threat, Megatron snickered to himself. "That might be arranged, yes," He declared. "But since I'm feeling 'generous' I shall give you all one and only one chance. free Terrorsaur and Laserbeak and I shall not lay waste to your home. But if you do not comply, Equestria will be attacked. I shall come at sunrise tomorrow so be warned!"

As Megatron finished his words, he let out a loud and long evil laugh, hopeful of his impending triumph and leaving Twilight with very little choice.

"What do we do?" Fluttershy asked as Twilight sat back down in her throne.

"We prepare for battle!" Twilight declared. "Send a message to Optimus Primal. Tell him that the defense of Equestria from the Predacons is about to begin!"

Taking a deep breath, Twilight looked at the map of Canterlot and Ponyville, the shared capitals that she and her friends had yet to declare as such. All she could do was hope for the best as the time started to tick down before the Predacons would arrive."May the maker protect us all." She declared.

…

…