Barricade was not having a good time as he crawled out of the roof opening of the train car he was in. He was hoping to sleep before he and his fellow Decepticons could reach Manehattan only for Megatron to bark more orders at him to deal with the Autobots trying to stop his train in the rear. As he got to the back he could hear the sounds of brakes squealing and the occasional sound of a cannon firing.
He saw the team of Autobot trains and aimed his weapon at Prowl’s front. “Say goodnight copper,” he said menacingly
“Oh no you don’t!” Tracks yelled as he transformed and launched himself in the air.
Barricade was taken by surprise as the blue and red Autobot pinned him and began fighting him on top of the train. The two held a good fight with tracks landing blow after blow on Barricade. Just as Tracks was ready to pound him into unconsciousness he was suddenly blasted by a huge beam that struck his shoulder. This sudden attack caused him to lose his balance and he fell off the side of the train.
Barricade looked back and saw Megatron with his fusion cannon arm smoking. “Can’t you deal with a threat any faster?” he asked, annoyed.
Just then heard a new whistle and looked to see a certain red, blue, and gray locomotive thundering down another set of tracks that ran next to his. A voice then called out. “Megatron! Stop this train!”
Megatron was about to aim his cannon when he noticed something behind Prowl’s train. He grinned and turned to Optimus. “No, How about you focus on your friends.”
Just then they heard a bang and there was the constructicon train ramming behind Hound. The force of Bonecrusher’s plow forced the Hounds back wheels off the track. “Prime, we’re coming off the track.”
“Prowl! Detach and fall back!”Ordered Optimus.
Prowl did so and just like that it forced both trains to slow down and derail. Everyone transformed. Optimus detached his troops as he kept rolling. “Optimus, what are you doing?” Ironhide asked.
“You and the ponies help our friends with the Constructicons. I’m going to stop that train,” he said.
“That doesn’t sound logical,” Shockwave said as they coasted to a stop. The Ponies got out and Ratchet, Ironhide, and Shockwave transformed. They then saw the battle behind them and started running towards it. Ironhide then remembered something. “We must hurry before they decide to-”
“Constructicons! Merge and become…”
“DEVASTATOR!”
The team of green Decepticons then started transforming and connecting to each other. The ponies could only watch in horror as they combined and turned into a ginormous robot. “...do that.” finished Ironhide.
“DEVASTATOR, DESTROY!” yelled the giant as he began stomping the ground.
As the Autobots and unicorns blasted the giant with whatever they had, Rainbow Dash quickly flew up to some storm clouds that were a short distance away. She carefully placed them near the giant who was distracted and gave a swift kick causing a thunder and lightning strike at Devastator’s head. The zap caused Devastator to become disoriented and stumble a bit. Rainbow grinned thinking she beat him only for her to suddenly be swatted by his arm.
Fluttershy, who was on Shockwave’s shoulder, saw this and gasped. She then looked towards the former Decepticon and only said one thing. “Do it.”
Shockwave then aimed his weaponized arm and a flare shot up in the air and exploded like a firework. Devastator looked at the flare in confusion then heard a roar coming from the woods nearby. Then came the loud stomping as Grimlock ran out and jumped. Devastator was so surprised he didn’t have time to react until Grimlock clamped down hard on his arm.
Devastator wailed in pain as he tried to get the Dinobot off of him. Unfortunately Grimlock managed to rip off one of his arms which transformed into a smaller robot that immediately got pinned to the ground by Grimlock.
The battle raged on as Bumblebee caught up to them and blew his whistle. “Girls! Come on! We gotta help Optimus!” he called.
Applejack, Tempest Shadow and Twilight quickly jumped on board. Ironhide turned to Twilight who looked back at the battle. “Don’t worry, we’ll look after the others,” he said as he fired another shot at Devastator.
Optimus charged alongside the Decepticon train receiving shots from any Decepticon on the roof. No matter what they shot, Prime kept on going, slowly reaching the front. Then he saw a sign that looked like a Y. To him that meant only one thing. The two tracks will soon become one. Fortunately he was close he poured on what steam he had left and shot towards the huge locomotive. He then transformed and grabbed the locomotive just as the tracks merged. He latched on to the front attempting to stop it by planting his heels on the ground. “STOP!” he shouted as Astrotrain began slowing down due to the resistance.
“Oh no you don’t!” Came a yell that Optimus knew too well. He then saw Megatron on top of the train; he then jumped into the air and began transforming. During this Optimus noticed something on Megatron’s back that was rapidly growing. He then realized what was happening. Megatron turned himself into a Zeppelin that was armed with guns. “Look out below Prime!” he said as a hatch from beneath him opened up.
“Megatron, don't do it! I’ll derail if a bomb hits the tracks!” shouted Astrotrain.
“Well then perhaps while your troops are distracted perhaps I should pay Canterlot a visit.” Megatron said as he turned around.
Optimus grew worried then he remembered something. “You won’t get away Megatron!” he yelled as he jumped onto Astrotrain’s boiler and launched himself in the air and clung onto Megatron.
“Hey! Get off! Let go!” he yelled as he tried to sway off the Autobot leader as he tried to ascend higher in the sky.
“Not a chance,” Optimus said as he pulled out his rifle and fired multiple shots at Megatron’s Zeppelin envelope causing the gas bag in him to deflate.
This took Megatron by surprise. “No no no!” he yelled as he began rapidly descending.
Optimus then saw a mountain ahead and let go. He landed safely on a ridge as Megatron crashed into the side of a mountain exploding. The explosion caused a rockslide to fall on him, covering him in rocks.
Optimus slowly approached the Rock pile only to see a hand reach thrust out followed by Megatron slowly emerging. “You honestly think that would stop me!”
“No but this ends here,” Optimus said as he raised his weapon.
Bumblebee charged along the tracks already right behind the Decepticon train. “We only have one shot at this,” began Twilight. “This is the only rip track we have left before it's a straight shot to Manehattan.”
Breakdown saw them and got ready to fire at them from the roof but then a beam shot at his gun making him drop it. Suddenly the tracks splitted once again and Bumblebee found himself on a parallel line that ran alongside the other train. “Pour on the steam Bumblebee!” yelled Applejack as she held her hammer with one hoof.
As Bumblebee raced on along side the train, many Decepticons attempted to attack or derail them, but Twilight and Tempest shadow fired beams at whatever that tried to attack. They were now alongside the locomotive called Astrotrain. “You trying to stop me bug?” he asked.
“Eeyup!” shouted Bumblebee as he thrusted forward over a switch he was now directly in front of him.
“Applejack, are you sure about this?” Twilight asked.
“Don't worry Sugarcube!” Applejack said. “Before coming out here I studied the lines and know what’s ahead.”
Just then with a quick swing of a hammer, Applejack struck what looked like a switch stand. The rails changed with a click and now Astrotrain was diverted down a different track. “Wait, does this lead to Manehattan?” he asked himself.
Meanwhile Optimus wasn’t doing so good. Despite him putting up a strong fight both he and Megatron were equally matched. Optimus found himself on all fours with wounds and scratches. “Pitiful,” began Megatron as he approached Optimus with a limp and with his cannon glowing. “You think you could defeat me?”
Optimus looked down the Mountain before speaking. “I wasn’t trying to defeat you. I was just stalling you.”
Megatron looked confused. “What?”
“From what I know about you, is that you barely share much knowledge including maps,” he said as he pointed.
Megatron looked and saw at the base of the mountain was his train charging towards it. He then noticed the tracks leading into a tunnel that was boarded up. It had a sign that said ‘condemned’.
“NO! PUT ON THE BRAKES!”
But it was too late, Astrotrain charged into the tunnel and within a few seconds came the sound of an explosion and metal crashing. “I’ve got morons on my team!”
Suddenly came the sound of vehicles as Megatron saw a few cars coming towards them. “Grrr This isn’t over Prime!” he yelled as he attempted to run away only for another rockslide, which was caused by Astrotrain’s crash, to slam into him forcing over the ridge and to the rocks below. Optimus could only slowly get up as his soldiers approached him to help him up. “Optimus relax, we need to get you back to base,” said Red Alert.
“You need Immediate repairs,” added Inferno.
Optimus nodded as he was helped by his two soldiers. “Wheeljack, bridge us back.”
A groundbridge portal opened as the three Autobots went through it. Right after it closed Starscream swooped in and transformed and observed the destroyed train tunnel and the rockpile that had Megatron’s arm sticking out and twitching. “If I were a leader I would’ve thought of a better plan,” he said.
He then moved some rocks to see Megatron’s unconscious face. He then aimed his gun at him. “This may not have been the ascension I wanted but it is for the best.”
Right when he was about to shoot. Something bursted out of the tunnel rubble. It was Soundwave, who looked battered. Starscream quickly put his weapon away as Soundwave approached him. “Look at him Soundwave,” Starscream began gesturing to their leader. “Would he even be able to lead us? For all we know the Autobots and the ponies might've stormed our base since it was left unattended.”
“Correction,” began Soundwave. “Megatron had a backup base for us in the event we must retreat into hiding. It even comes with a groundbridge of our own. We must fall back.”
“Well put Soundwave,” agreed Starscream as the other Decepticons began to slowly emerge from the tunnel. “Everyone, make haste and be ready to retreat into hiding!” ordered Starscream.
“Lockdown, open a groundbridge for us,” said Soundwave as a portal opened and the cons started limping into it.
Then came a groan as both Soundwave and Starscream looked to Megatron who was slowly regaining consciousness and reaching out. “Don’t leave me Soundwave,” he muttered.
“As you command Megatron,” he said as he began to hoisted Megatron up.
Starscream could only watch as his leader was being carried through the portal. Slipstream, who she and the other seekers arrived at some point, approached him. “You know even in this state he is unfit to lead a battle and this poor planning made it clear of his recklessness. Perhaps the strategy of the battlefield and maybe beyond should fall to you.” she said, placing a hand on his wing.
Starscream smirked. “You are wise to say such things. You would make an excellent first lieutenant should I assume command of everyone. ”
Both seekers grinned at each other as they followed their fellow Decepticons through the portal only for it to close after entering.
Autobot Ark - An hour later
Optimus stirred awake and attempted to get up only for a hand to stop him. “Take it easy old friend, you lost quite a bit of energon today,” said Ratchet.
Optimus looked around and saw that most of his wounds had been patched up. “How are the others?” he asked.
“They’re fine considering. Powerglide suffered the most; it will be sometime before he can go airborne again,” explained the medic.
“And the ponies?” asked the leader.
“Why don’t you ask them yourself?" said a voice.
Optimus turned and looked down to see the seven mares who helped his team. “We’re glad to see you’re alright Optimus,” Twilight said.
“The feeling is mutual Twilight. The plan worked well I assume?”
Twilight then frowned. “Yes but when the guards went to the tunnel, the enemy had left. To where we don't know.”
“What matters most is that we’re all okay,” said Optimus before turning to Ratchet. “I want to address the troops.”
Within a few minutes Optimus was sitting in a chair facing away from a monitor. In front of him stood his fellow Autobots, Grimlock, Shockwave and the ponies. “Today marks the end of a great battle. It was a tough battle, much like one on Cybertron but thanks to the combined efforts, and help-”
“And friendship,” added Twilight
“And friendship of our new allies, we have a future here.”
“Optimus, Megatron and his crew are still out there,” Bumblebee said.
“And as long as we remain we will resist him and defend this planet. Fate has given us a reward for this battle. A new world to call home,” Optimus said as he held out a hand and Twilight flew up and landed on his palm. “Twilight Sparkle?”
“Yes Optimus?” Twilight asked.
“Thank you. We are proud to call you our friend.”
The Princess of Friendship smiled. “I feel the same way, my friend.”