Gravity Hurts
The Omega Delta, an Autobot shuttle lost to the mists of time, glides effortlessly through Transwarp space in an attempt to carry its crew, the Maximals, back home to Cybertron. Granted Maximals were smaller than Autobots, the shuttle was still small and didn’t grant much privacy. Of course that doesn’t matter much when you’re on your way home right?
That was Rattrap’s reasoning anyway. The rodent themed maximal didn’t mind in the least that he could practically hear the positronic impulses of his five other teammates, in a matter of hours he’d be at O’Malley’s sitting at his favorite stool. Rattrap looked at his right hand and wondered how the waitressbots would react to his new Transmetal form.
“Hey Rattrap. Wat’cha thinking about?”
Rattrap looked up to see Cheetor, the youngest Maximal of the team. “Eeh, I was just thinkin bout gettin back home, ya know the usual.” Rattrap did recognize that Cheetor had grown a lot through the Beast Wars, but he still saw him as the kid he first met so long ago, so out of habit he omitted the crude details. “How ‘bout you kid? Got any plans for when we arrive?”
“Well, after we turn Megatron over to the Maximal Elders, I guess I’ll check on some of my old friends at the M.C.S.F.”
“Oh right, Megs. Ya know I almost forgot about our new hood ornament.”
“Yeah, he’s been quiet for a while now.” The Werecat’s eyes opened wider. “You don’t think he’s going to try something?”
“In transwarp? Even Inferno wouldn’t be so reckless.”
Cheetor considered this, “I guess so.” Cheetor sat down in the closest chair.
Rattrap looked at the other shuttle occupants. Rhinox, their lead scientist and mechanic, sat at the ship’s controls guiding their own personal arc back home. Optimus Primal, the team’s leader, sat just behind him. The big ape was reading a data track, maybe he was comparing the covenant of primus with the rest of their adventures. On the side opposite Cheetor and Rattrap were Silverbolt and Blackarachnia, the team couple. Blackarachnia was taping away at the console in front of her while Silverbolt, her ever vigilant Knight in shining armor, was in sleep mode.
Rattrap decided Dogboy there had the right idea and drifted off himself.
Strapped onto the outer hull of the Omega Delta was the former leader of the Predacons, Megatron. “How humiliating is this? Not only did I fail to kill Optimus Prime, let alone the rest of the Autobots, but I lost all of my troops and now I’m stuck to the back of this shuttle with nary a shred of energon to my name.”
The red demon stared off into the transwarp space, thousands of colors passing before his eyes. One color stuck out to him, it was a sort of translucent midnight blue. It wasn’t what color it was, but that it was moving against the flow of colors.
Megatron first thought it was an optical illusion, or his data processor playing tricks on him. But the longer he observed the thing; he realized it was moving of its own volition and it was coming closer.
The mist like substance slithered like an alien amoeba up to Megatron. When it got mere inches from his face, Megatron felt something from the mist. Somehow he knew the feeling, one he knew very well. The two of them seemed to have a subconscious telepathic conversation. No clear thoughts were exchanged, but somehow both knew the other suffered defeat at the hands of inferior beings. Both came to an understanding and the sentient color phased its way into the shuttle. Megatron smiled a wicked and fear inducing smile, “yeesssss.”
The entity wormed its way around the inner workings of the vessel until it came upon the retrofitted Transwarp drive. There it entered the device and made some alterations of its own.
“This can’t be right.” Rhinox half muttered.
“What is it?” Optimus asked as he leaned forward to see over the rhino’s shoulder.
“It’s the Transwarp space around us, it’s fluctuating.”
Cheetor turned his attention to the front. “I take it that’s no good.”
It was Blackarachnia that answered him. “If it doesn’t stabilize, we could hit the wall and our atoms will be scattered across space-time.” As she said this the she spider elbowed her partner to alert him of the danger facing the crew.
Cheetor did the same for Rattrap.
“Are we there yet?” The rat asked groggily.
“Not quite.”
“Rhinox, can you fix it?” Optimus placed a hand on his old friends shoulder.
“If someone doesn’t mind flying this thing, I can tap into a terminal to diagnose the transwarp drive.”
Cheetor rose up and walked to the helm. “Say no more Rhinox, I got’cha covered.” He took the helm as Rhinox headed to the terminal Blackarachnia was previously working at.
“Blackarachnia, If you would check the transwarp drive itself.”
“I’m on it” Both she and Silverbolt headed to the back. Once Blackarachnia had removed the panel covering the drive she handed it off to the fuzor. Once she got to the transwarp drive she saw a dark translucent mist surrounding it.
Silverbolt leaned over to see. “What is that?”
“Either the problem or the reaction, Rattrap get me a laser cutter.”
Rattrap pounded his fist on the panel designated for tools; it flipped open displaying the various tools within. Rattrap grabbed what looked like a small cordless drill without the bit.
“Catch.”
Blackarachnia caught the gizmo and set it on its lowest setting. She fired the narrow beam into the blue mist, which merely absorbed the beam.
“Let’s try a higher setting.” She turned the dial to half full power and attempted to cut through the darkness again. This time the mist traveled through the beam and caused the laser to surge with power.
“Gah!” Blackarachnia tossed the fried laser and held her scorched hand.
“Blackarachnia!” Silverbolt tried to get her to let him see her hand. “Are you alright.”
“I’m fine Fido, it’s only a mesh wound.” She reluctantly uncurled her fingers to show the superficial burn. “Suffice it to say, we should avoid all physical contact with that stuff.”
It was now that the shuttle really began to shake.
“Hey Spots, do you mind not jostling about?”
Cheetor answered from the front, “The distortions are getting worse, I don’t know how long I can keep this up.”
Optimus turned to Rhinox. “Do you have anything yet?”
“There’s nothing wrong with the drive, but it isn’t receiving any commands from the main computer.”
“Can it be fixed?”
Another jolt of motion nearly sent the cybertronians flying. “Without Access to the drive. . . . there’s nothing to be done.”
Another tumble of the ship came with a sound similar to throwing a stone into a blender.
The only one to speak was Rattrap. “In other words, we really are going to die.”
The last things that happened in the last ten second of the Omega Delta’s existence were; Rattrap falling back into his chair crestfallen, Rhinox hanging his head, Silverbolt and Blackarachnia finding solace in each other’s arms, Cheetor straining against the controls to clear the next wave, and Optimus Primal standing firm to stare into the eyes of death.
The craft hit the final wave of the transwarp space and was torn apart, and every single atom scattered to every dimension through all time.
Twilight Sparkle woke up with a start. The library was still dark, perhaps just after midnight. From her bed she looked out the window to the dark sky. Movement came from past the foot of the bed.
“Twilight? What’s going on?”
In the star light the purple unicorn could just make out the silhouette of the equally purple baby dragon.
“Sorry Spike I just had a bad dream, go back to sleep.”
The dragon didn’t bother asking about the dream as he fell backwards into his basket bed and was out like a light. Twilight continued to look out the window, going over the events of the dream again and again. In the sky she noticed one star shined brighter than the rest.
“Twilight? Are you listening.”
Twilight was jerked out of her deep thought. “Sorry Rarity, I’ve been preoccupied with a dream I had last night.” She was currently in the upper room of Rarity’s boutique helping her with historic costumes.
The seamstress took pause in her work. “It’s not the one where all of your books have the wrong cover again?”
“No, but that one gets me every time.”
Rarity placed a pin in the dress she was currently working on. “Would you like to talk about it?”
“It’s hard to describe. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen. There were six. . . . creatures in a large metal room.”
“What did they look like?”
“Well, they stood on two legs and had arms.”
“So like minotaurs?”
“No, not really, they looked like they had different animal parts attached to them, some even were completely metal.”
“Wow, that’s interesting. What happened to these. . . “colorful” characters?”
Twilight hesitated remembering the dream’s outcome. “Apparently the room they were in was some kind of ship or something. They were traveling on something called a ‘Transwarp’, but something went wrong with it and they crashed.”
“Oh dear, that sounds awful.”
“It wasn’t pleasant to watch either.” Rarity watched as Twilight’s face seemed to wilt. Rarity walked to her friend’s side and placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder.
“Don’t dwell on it darling, it was only a dream. Try to take you mind off it, worrying about it will only make you ill.” She looked once more at her friend’s face which unfortunately wasn’t reassured. “At least take a look over my work. It needs to be as accurate as possible for the upcoming ‘Ballad of Starswirl’ in Canterlot.”
Twilight perked up slightly. “It wouldn’t hurt.” She trotted towards the dress in progress, but as she approached the dress the room grew darker and darker. “Uh Rarity, I can’t see the dress if you turn the lights out. Rarity?”
Twilight looked about the room but it was pitch black and her friend was nowhere to be seen or heard. Then there was a loud noise and before her a being of green and brown spun into existence. It was one of the creatures from her dream. It spoke to her.
“What’s new pussycat?” He spoke to her in an aged earthy voice.
“Wha-What are you? What’s going on?” Twilight backed up slightly.
It didn’t answer, instead it pulled something out of its chest. It was an orb pulsing with energy. He held it out for her to see.
Twilight leaned in closer and stared wide eyed into the sphere. “What is that?”
The being held it higher “Yup, the very thing which makes us what we are. Every Cybertron, Maximal or Predacon has one, and each is different.” He then raised it higher and let it float away. He continued “When a spark goes online, there’s great joy.” As he said this a multitude of different colored sparks flew about the darkness.
Just as the being had said this, Twilight felt a warmth within her as she gazed at the sight. She couldn’t help but smile.
However the light of the first spark went out. “When one is extinguished, the universe weeps.” The being lowered his head and everything was dark once more.
Twilight stood in silence, speechless until she was shaken out of her stupor.
“Twilight? Twilight!?” Rarity shook Twilight in a panic. When Twilight awoke Rarity’s panicked face relaxed to one of relief. “Oh thank goodness, are you alright?”
“Yes Rarity I’m fine. Why, what happened?”
“You spaced out for a little bit. You were just standing there completely unresponsive.”
“I think I just had a vision.” She turned to her friend. “One of the creatures from my dream spoke to me.”
“Twilight forgive me in saying this but I think you should go home and rest.” Twilight gave her a confused look. “Your dream really seems to be bothering you, more than you know.” She placed a hoof on Twilight’s face and gently turned her head toward one of the room’s mirrors.
There were tears streaming down her face, how had she not noticed? She remembered the beings words ‘When one is extinguished, the universe weeps.’ She then let out a small sigh. “Perhaps you’re right, I just need some sleep. Perhaps I’ll be able to help you with the costumes tomorrow. I’ll see you later.”
“Farewell Twilight.”
And with that she left the boutique back to the library.
Unfortunately for Twilight, the dream recurred every night, every time witnessing the deaths of these strange creatures, every time waking up and seeing a star grow bright in the sky. As the days following the nights went on the world around her seemed to get more and more gray.
It had only been about a week since Twilight began having the dream, and now the normally lively and colorful town of Ponyville had now become a village of depression. One by one the residence had begun to succumb to a sadness and lethargy of unknown origin. By the evening of the seventh day Twilight called a meeting with her friends, the bearers of the elements of harmony. Rarity the beautiful seamstress, Fluttershy the timid animal caretaker, Pinkie Pie the eccentric party pony, Applejack the headstrong farmer and Rainbow Dash a rough and tough dare devil.
The six of them sat around the round table in the foyer of the library.
“Alright girls I think you all know why I’ve called you here.”
Rainbow Dash was the first to reply. “Uh yeah, because you told us when you asked us to come here.”
“Oh yes right, well as you all know there is something wrong with the town and surrounding area. Everyone has become depressed and no one seems to know why.”
“Oh ah know, Big Mac hasn’t had the heart to plow the field at all. We just got the new plow too.”
“None of my regular customers have come by lately.”
“Yeah, I’ve tried throwing every kind of party I know of, but no one that comes, if they come at all, cheers up at all. Even the balloons wilted from all of the frumpiness, The Balloons!”
“I-it’s not just Ponies but the animals have been lethargic. Poor little Angel can’t even manage a single hop.”
“Whatever is happening it’s affecting the weather too. Nothing but gray clouds all over, and they aren’t even making it rain. I haven’t been able to get a single one to move at all.”
After hearing each of the girls statement Twilight spoke again. “But what about you? Have you felt sad or anything.”
The five contemplated this. “Now that ya mention it, I feel fine.” Applejack stated bluntly. They rest agreed that they felt fine, except for their concern for those affected.
“But what about you?” Rarity asked Twilight with concern, “You haven’t exactly been yourself lately.”
“I’ve been having the same dream for seven nights-”
“Wait, what dream?” Rainbow Dash interrupted.
Twilight went on to tell the rest of her friends what she had seen, the creatures, their deaths, as well as the vision of sparks. “The last thing he said was, ‘When one is extinguished, the universe weeps.’ I believe that is the key to what is happening.”
Fluttershy was the next to speak. “You believe your dream is connected to what’s happening in town?”
“I don’t believe it’s a dream at all. Something is communicating with me, calling out for help, our help. Their deaths are causing an ambient effect on Ponyville, perhaps even Equestria. Subconsciously we feel sorrow when they die, and if it keeps happening every night, Ponies may start losing the will to live.”
“And how are we supposed to help them exactly?” Dash interjected once more.
“With the Elements of Harmony of course.” Twilight Said matter-of-factlly. The five just stared back at the purple unicorn.
“Can we do that?” Rarity questioned. “We’ve never used the elements to save anyone, not in a direct sense anyway.”
“The Elements have to be the answer; they’re the only things that separate us from everyone else, which is why we aren’t depressed. Plus I don’t know anything else that can reach the stars.”
“The stars? Oh, oh, can the elements form a rocket?!” Pinkie asked randomly.
Dash ignored this outburst. “Why the stars?”
“Well not all of the stars, just one. The final piece of the puzzle is a star that always appears after I awaken from the dream. If I’m right, when we fire the elements at the star we will keep these beings from crashing and everything will be right as rain.”
“And if you’re wrong Sugar Cube?”
“Then we will be out of options and Ponyville will sink further and further into depression.” Twilight answered uncomfortably.
There was a moment of silence to let the gravity of the situation to sink in. “Ah suppose it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.” The rest nodded in agreement. “When will the star appear again?”
“Sometime after midnight.”
“What?” Dash Blurted. “It’s nine thirty. Canterlot is hours away and we need to be where we can see the sky, the clouds aren't exactly moving now. We don’t have enough time for all of that.”
“I’m two steps ahead of you, I have already sent a letter to Princess Celestia and have explained our situation, and she has agreed to send the elements to us so all we have to do is climb the mountain we climbed that one time we dealt with the sleeping dragon. It will be high enough to avoid the clouds and we should be receiving the elements soon enough.”
Unfortunately Twilight was off by an hour. For it was an hour later that there was a knock on the door, a slow pitiful knock, but a knock all the same. Twilight opened the door and just on the other side was one of Celestia’s royal Pegasus guards. Though normally wearing a stoic face, clad in radiant armor with a pure white coat, but now he was crestfallen, his armor tarnished and his coat turned gray. Upon his back rested a treasure box, balanced between his wings.
To raise his spirits Twilight greeted him warmly. “Hello Cicero, it’s good to see you again.”
The guard merely stared back at her with half opened eyes. “I guess so, don’t know why though. I brought the... the… the things.” He turned so twilight was facing his right side and let the box slide off his right wing. The box almost fell to the ground until Twilight grabbed it with her telekinesis. Cicero then turned and walked away into the night.
Once he was out of sight Twilight turned to her friends. “We have to fix this tonight.”
It was closing in on midnight when they climbed high enough to breach the cloud layer. Well only four of them climbed whereas Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had flown to their destination.
“All right, it’s time to prepare.” Twilight levitated the box she was carrying off of her back and opened it. Inside were five necklaces and a tiara, each was encrusted with a gemstone that represented each of the ponies. Using her telekinesis, Twilight placed each necklace on her friends and placed the tiara upon her own head. “Now all we have to do is wait.”
Several minutes had passed and the star had yet to show. While Twilight remained vigilant watching for the star, Applejack and Rainbow Dash had begun a tournament of pony Ro-Sham-Bo ‘Hoof-Wing-Horn’, and meanwhile Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy stargazed.
After tying once more with Applejack, Dash walked up to Twilight.“So it’s half past midnight and well, there’s no star.” Twilight didn’t answer. “Hey, maybe it’s over, they probably managed to save themsel-“
“There it is!” Twilight sprung to her hooves and pointed to the newest star in the sky increasing in brightness. The rest of the group stumbled upright and all gazed at the celestial object. “Now use the elements!”
They all Focused on the star and the elements glowed with their respective colors. In an instant a burst of prismatic energy surged from the gem stones. The beam traveled higher and higher until it reached its target. Once the two energies collided they exploded in a powerful wave of spectral energy, ripping throughout the air and countryside beneath. When the wave reached the girls they were almost knocked off balance and the brightness forced their eyes shut. Once they could open their eyes again they saw that the clouds below had been cleared out and the dullness had begun to recede.
Twilight turned to the others. “Well done girls, I can’t say for sure, but I think everything’s going to be alright.”
Pinkie Pie spoke up. “Uh, I’m not so sure about that.”
“Why is that Pinkie?”
“My tail’s twitching.”
The rest of the girls went wide eyed. “Then that means…” They all turned to look where the star was, but now saw a ball of flames headed straight for them. “RUN!”
All six of them scattered in different directions. The fireball crashed into the side of the mountain, shattering most of the top portion of the mountain causing an avalanche. To avoid being crushed Twilight and Rarity tag-teamed using their telekinesis to move the falling rocks away from themselves and their friends. Pinkie pie and Applejack made their way down the mountain avoiding debris using their foresight and agility respectively. Rainbow Dash had to fly Fluttershy out due to her wings locking up out of sheer terror.
Once all were clear of the rock-slide they turned to see the ruins of the mountain. Embedded in the rubble was what appeared to be a large bronze craft of some sort, it was still glowing hot from the whole ordeal.
“What do we do.” Fluttershy asked Twilight.
Twilight just stared at the craft. “Let’s wait and see.”