It was considered a peaceful day in Ponyville. Weather was shining and many ponies were going about their day. In the castle of friendship, Twilight Sparkle was settling down with a book. She was reading about the history of the first steam locomotive hoping whatever new she learns she could use it to not only advance the railroad plans she set into play but also assist her new friends she made.
Not too long ago, she and her friends were caught in the middle of a deadly conflict between two warring factions only for them to help the heroes win an epic battle. Her new friend, named Optimus Prime, assured her that while the enemy will come back one day, they will be on call to help should danger arise.
She sighed as she hoped this moment of peace would help ease her of any problems on her mind. But that moment was short lived as she turned the page of her book to see a picture of a dark tunnel. She noticed the picture had what looked like a light in the dark tunnel. At first she paid no mind because it was just a picture but then she noticed the light growing bigger and bigger. Twilight went from confused to worried as she felt the book shake in her magical grip. She then dropped it and suddenly a train sprang out of the book and landed right in front of her.
Twilight gasped at the huge paper mache train in her castle only for a figure to jump out of the cab. Twilight went from panicked to annoyed as the figure turned out to be a certain draconequus. “Hello Discord,” Twilight said. “Back from vacation?”
Discord approached Twilight wearing a Train engineer outfit while carrying a suitcase. He grinned as he looked down at her. “Oh yes Twilight, My trip to the fifth dimension was a great one,” he began as he patted her head with his claw. “If only you and your friends joined me instead of laying tracks like a colt playing with those new fangled electric trains.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “I’ll have you know my Railroad project is going fine in fact it was going really fine with the help of-”
“Yeah yeah magic of friendship yadda yadda yadda,” Discord said interrupting her. “So do you know if Fluttershy is home? I know she’s expecting me for our Tuesday Tea.”
Twilight grumbled then an idea popped in her head. “First of all it’s Wednesday. Secondly she is now having tea with two new big friends she made.”
That immediately got Discord’s attention. “New Big Friends?! I’ll show them!” he exclaimed as he suddenly dashed out of the castle.
Twilight grinned as she knew what Discord would encounter would not only be big but more than meets the eye.
Discord raced up to Fluttershy’s house. He turned his mouth into a woodpecker's beak and then started pecking the door like an actual Woodpecker. After a few seconds he stopped and peaked through a hole in the door. She was expecting to see Fluttershy inside but he couldn’t see anyone. He then heard giggling and peered around the corner of the cottage. His eyes snapped wide at the sight before him.
There sitting in the backyard was Fluttershy sitting at a table giggling. Sitting across from her on the ground was a tall purple robot with a single yellow optic. “And that’s how I taught the Sharkticons to dance,” said the purple bot.
“Oh my Shockwave I never knew you would have a way with animals,” Fluttershy marveled.
“They’re not entirely different from us,” Shockwave said. “They just have a different way of thinking. Sharkticons can be violent if you're not careful or thinking logically. Starscream learned that the hard way.”
“Oh? What happened?” Fluttershy asked.
“Let’s just say he wouldn’t stop speaking in a high pitch for days after his experience,” Shockwave replied.
“Excuse me!? What is going on here?” Discord asked as he stomped out.
Fluttershy sprang up from her seat and flew straight to Discord hugging him. “Discord, you’re back! How was your trip to the fifth dimension?”
“Oh it was lovely until I came back here to find you sharing tea with that… Monstrosity,” he said, staring at Shockwave.
“Excuse me?” Shockwave said as he got up from his sitting position, towering over Discord.
“Now Discord don’t be rude,” Fluttershy said sternly. “This is Shockwave.”
“So you’re Discord,” Shockwave began. “I remember you from my time studying this world. The chaos master who takes joy in causing mischief that defies all logic.”
“Wait, how much has Fluttershy told you about me?” Discord asked confused.
“Oh he’s actually been watching this world for centuries. After helping Scootaloo with her flying disability and being betrayed by his kind he’s now a friend.”
“Geez Louise, first I missed the Storm King attack and now I’m missing you befriending a giant? What else have I missed?”
“Well, you’ve missed out meeting the Autobots who were at war with the Decepticons,” Fluttershy said.
“Which were my previous kind,” Shockwave added. “You also missed an epic battle that occurred on the railway.”
“And a huge party to celebrate our new friends the Autobots,” Finished Fluttershy.
Discord starred in utter disbelief. After a moment he sighed. “Well this has taught me one big lesson. I am not going on vacation again.”
Then to his surprise both Fluttershy and Shockwave started laughing, much to his annoyance. “Hey wait, I was told you have two big friends, where's the other guy?”
Suddenly Discord felt something breathe down his neck. He turned to see a large robot dinosaur staring down at him with what he assumed was hunger. “AH!”
His legs became wheels and he sped off. Shockwave watched him dashed away and looked towards Fluttershy who was patting Grimlock, who was actually looking chipper and not hungry. “What’s wrong with him?” he asked.
”He’s probably just intimidated by Grimlock.” She said before focusing her attention on the Dinobot. “But I know you’re a good boy. Yes you are. Yes you are.” Cooed Fluttershy as she continued giving Grimlock affection.
Autobot Ark
Many of the Autobots were working in the ark while others were out exploring Equestria. Optimus was running diagnostics on a computer when he heard the sounds of hooves on the ground he turned to see his good friend Twilight Sparkle trotting up. With her was a unicorn that was dark yellow and had red and yellow mane. “Twilight Sparkle, it’s good to see you again. Who is this?”
“Remember when I told you about me having connections in another world with advanced technology?” the alicorn asked.
Optimus nodded before letting Twilight continue. “This is my friend Sunset Shimmer. She was originally born here but has been living amongst the other world and wants to share the technology of that world with you.”
Some Autobots turned to the conversation with curiosity. Wheeljack stood up from his seat and approached. “But we have all the advanced technology we have. What can you offer?” he asked.
“Well, I'm actually offering you all new vehicle forms,” Sunset said.
“Come again?” Wheeljack asked with a raised brow.
“With these new vehicle forms I have you can go anywhere and not rely on rails, sure these may not be compatible with dirt but to be honest, that’s hardly an issue to some,” Sunset explained.
“But some of us have part time jobs on the railroad, like patrolling for Decepticons,” said Prowl.
“Not to mention no one here is capable of triple changing,” added Hoist.
“Then we shall consider our train forms as work uniforms and we can rescan should the need arise,” suggested Optimus. “Go on, show us what we can utilize.”
Sunset’s horn glowed and after a moment a holographic 3d model appeared in the air. It rotated like it was on a turntable. “This is what humans call a Semi Truck or an eighteen wheeler.”
Optimus stared at the vehicle for a moment. “Oh yes, this will do,” he said as his eyes projected a beam that scanned the image then suddenly Optimus began transforming. His locomotive firebox door became hidden behind two large windows and a grill. His metal train wheels became big rubber tires. After a few seconds there in the ark stood a big red and blue cabover truck. Even the huge cab compartment became what looked like a trailer.
Sunset starred as one word came to her mind. “Woah. Hey wait a minute, where did the trailer come from?”
“That’s a long story,” Optimus said before he transformed back into robot mode, his new vehicle now a part of his body. “How many do you have?”
“I say more than enough for your crew,” said Sunset as she conjured up more holographic machines of different types.
The Autobots approached and started going over selections. Prowl turned to sunset as he pointed to a black and white police car. “Is this what the other world would use for law enforcement?”
Sunset nodded before Prowl scanned and became a police car. He tested out his siren and lights. “Impressive,” he said.
“So how many Autobots are on this planet?” Sunset asked Twilight.
“Last I counted about twenty or so,” said Twilight. “But there might be more coming.”
“I’m going to be making more trips here aren't I?” Sunset asked. Twilight nodded.
Sunset Shrugged. “Eh, I’m sure Flash Sentry won’t mind if I borrow his car magazines.”
Decepticon cave base
All was quiet in the new base of the Decepticon fortress as a signal came up on a supercomputer. Starscream turned to a throne that had a still damaged Megatron who hadn't fully recovered from the Autobot attack. “Lord Megatron there seems to be an energon signature outside of Equestria soils, albeit corrupted somehow.”
Megatron sighed before speaking. “Send a team of five and investigate with caution. It could be an Autobot trick.”
“I doubt it, these scanners are crudely built but Autobots can’t disguise their signals. Activating our new Groundbridge now,” Starscream said as he typed something a green portal opened.
Changeling Guard Outpost
Starscream, Slipstream, Soundwave, Astro train, and Dirge walked through the portal only to see what looked like a destroyed guard tower and camp with unconscious life forms on the ground. “What are these things?” asked Slipstream.
“According to Shockwave’s research, these are changelings. Capable of shapeshifting powers,” Soundwave explained.
Suddenly they heard the sounds of heavy metal footsteps. The Decepticons aimed their weapons in the direction of the sound and there emerging from behind a rock was a strange looking robot. “You there! Identify yourself!” Starscream ordered.
The black robot stopped and raised her head that looked like that of a pony. Her bright green eyes glowed with maliciousness. “Oh don’t mind me. Can’t a girl have a little fun?”
The Decepticons just stared at the strange looking robot. “You’re no Decepticon,” Starscream said.
“She ain’t no Autobot either,” said Slipstream who still had her weapons raised at her.
“Oh please you wouldn’t hit a potential ally, would you?” said the robot.
“Potential ally?” asked Dirge.
“Yes from what I understand we have a similar enemy. I request an audience with your leader.”
“Are you referring to Lord Megatron?” asked Soundwave.
“If that's his name. I have something that could benefit the both of us,” she said.
Starscream grinned and gestured to the portal. “Follow us then.”
After they left a changeling drone attempted to get back up and limp away. “Got to inform King Thorax.”
Decepticon cave base
“Starscream! What is this abomination? And why have you bought it here?” asked Megatron, annoyed that his second in command bought what couldn’t be identified as an Autobot or a Decepticon.
The black robot bowed. “I am Chrysalis. Former queen to the Changeling hive.”
“I’ve heard of changelings but you don’t look anything like them,” said Megatron.
“Oh please don’t judge a book by its cover after all…” Chrysalis then opened her chest to reveal her actual head fused with wires and hoses on her neck. “It’s what's on the inside that counts.”
The Decepticons in the room gaped at the sight. “I think I’m going to be sick,” said Thrust.
Megatron barely reacted instead stared intently at Chrysalis as she closed her chest. Then Lockdown remembered something. “You’re the thief who took Shockwave’s cyberfusion experiment.” He then raised a tool from a nearby table. ”Please my liege allow me to take back what is rightfully ours.”
Megatron raised his hand ordering Lockdown to stand down. Chrysalis chuckled as she spoke again. “I have something that can give you an easy advantage over these so called Autobots.”
“And what pray tell would that be?” Megatron asked.
“Can any of your soldiers transform like this?” Chrysalis asked before she erupted into green flames only for them to become a clone of Slipstream. “I can be anyone as long as they're female. This body has its limits,” she said in a perfect imitation of Slipstream’s voice
Megatron grinned. “How very interesting. What do you ask for in exchange for your services?”
“Merely a spot on the team. A place at the table one would say,” Chrysalis grinned. “And a perfect opportunity to get back at those ponies who took everything from me”
Megatron was silent for a long moment until he spoke up again. “Consider this a trial run. There are no female autobots on this planet now but when the time comes, you will follow through on my own plans to infiltrate their base. Do you understand?”
Chrysalis bowed again. “Of course… Lord Megatron.”