//------------------------------// // The Price of War // Story: The Transformers My Little Pony Crossover 2 // by TFCrossoverFan //------------------------------// Chapter 6 The Autobots and ponies did not stop during their retreat from Canterlot. They had temporarily slowed down to pick up a few brave escapees when they passed through Ponyville, but they kept their pace. Before they entered the Everfree Forest, Fluttershy's animals (who had been missing since the Decepticons took over) joined the group. As they weaved through the trees, the Autobots took care to not leave an obvious trail for the Decepticons to follow. "Just where exactly are we going?!" Twilight asked Goldbug. "We have a base deep in the woods," Goldbug responded, "We should be there soon!" After a few more minutes of making their way through the woods, the group finally came upon the doors to the base. Optimus touched the wall, and the doors opened. The Autobots and ponies quickly entered the base. Once everyone was inside, Grimlock grabbed both of the doors and closed them shut. They had made it. Optimus looked around. The ponies had collapsed to the ground in exhaustion from the run. Most were panting heavily. Others were crying. And a few simply sat in silence, taking in what just happened. He looked to his Autobots. Four of them; Jazz, Warpath, Powerglide, and Beachcomber; were left behind in the battle. Optimus sighed heavily. Overhead, deeper in the base, he could hear the Aerialbots and Skyfire landing in the hanger. He noticed motion coming from the halls. Entering the main room came the few who Optimus had told to stay behind and guard the base: Spike Witwicky, Perceptor, the Protectobots, and Wheelie. Spike frowned, Perceptor crossed his arms and sighed, Wheelie looked shocked, and the Protectobots immediately began first aid on those who had made it. Celestia approached Optimus. "Optimus…" "We failed you, Celestia. I failed you." "Do not say that. You saved my ponies, and you have brought hope for a rebellion against Galvatron!" "Perhaps. Who among you followers are currently with us?" "Myself, Luna, General Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Derpy, Lyra, Bon Bon, Dr. Whooves, Vinyl, Spike, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Big Macintosh, one dozen of the Canterlot guard, and, somehow; I don't know why don't ask; a few of our pets." "Hmm, I was hoping that we had managed to save more of them." "I agree. And what of your Autobots? Many of them here we have not yet met." Optimus straightened his position. "Autobots! Line up!" He cried out. The Autobots did as Optimus commanded and lined up against the cave wall. "Citizens of Equestria, may I have your attention please. Now many of you already know who we are. We are the Autobots, your friends, while those who enslaved you are the Decepticons, our enemies." The ponies present nodded. All of them had played a part in some way during the first Autobot/ Decepticon incident. "Now some of us you already know. I; Optimus Prime, Goldbug; whom you once knew as Bumblebee, Perceptor, Cliffjumper, Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop. You all also know Jazz, Powerglide, Warpath, and Beachcomber. However, I am sorry to say that during the recent battle, the Decepticons got them. I fear for their lives, and I wish I could have done more." The ponies let out nervous gasps and began murmuring amongst themselves. The concept of being uncertain of a friend's fate, several friends, in this case, and during a war, was not a welcome feeling. "But there are new friends you must meet as well. I would like you all to say hello to Ultra Magnus, Hot Rod, Wheelie, Arcee, Blaster, Kup, and Springer, Blurr, and Spike." Spike (the dragon) stepped forward. "Hold up. His name is Spike too?" Spike (the human) crossed his arms. "Yeah? What of it?" "But my name's Spike too. That might complicate things." "Hmm, yeah, that's true. Tell you what, how about you guys just call me Witwicky from now on?" "Witwicky? Sure, I guess." "Now that we have that matter dealt with," Optimus said, "We can continue with our introductions." He motioned to the Protectobots. "These are the Protectobots. Their names are Hot Spot, First Aid, Groove, Blades, and Streetwise. Now, where are- ah. There they are." The flying Autobots had entered the room. "Meet Skyfire. Also, say hello to the Aerialbots: Silverbolt, Slingshot, Fireflight, Air Raid, and Skydive." "Thank you for giving us a proper introduction, Optimus," Celestia said, "But, I have two questions." "Hm?" "How did you know of our plight? And how did you build this base?" "The answers to those questions are rather curious, Princess Celestia." "How so?" "They share the same answer." "Really?" "We found out about the Decepticons' activities via an anonymous message. We have no clues or ideas for as to who sent it." "An anonymous message?" "Yes. And when we did come to Equestria, we immediately picked up a strange signal that led us here to this base." "Wait Optimus, you mean to say that you and the Autobots did not create this formation, but someone, or something else did to fit your needs for a base?" "Yes." Celestia put a hoof to her chin in thought. "Then that means…" "That someone is helping us. Somebody- as I said we do not know who- went out of their way to alert us to your predicament, and create an entire base for us." "Is there a possibility that our unseen ally is here, in Equestria?" Luna asked. "I would bet my life on it." Optimus replied. "Look, I'm just as interested in finding out who our mystery friend is," Ultra Magnus interrupted, "But we can't deal with that right now. We have bigger issues." Optimus nodded. "You're right. We must keep focused. If we are to hold out, we will need to be well provisioned. Perceptor, did you happen upon any food stores while we were gone?" Perceptor gave Optimus a slick smile. "Down in the lower levels, I found a room containing enough food for the ponies and energon for us to last a month. Whoever our mystery friend is, they were thinking ahead." "Anything else?" "You will never believe this. Bottom floor. We have a fully functional war room." "…What?" "That's right. We have electricity, a computer containing all of Teletraan 1's data, a full size meeting table-" "Wait, go back. Did you just say… Teletraan 1?" "Yes, Optimus. The fully functional computer I found downstairs contains all of the original Teletraan's data files." "Everything?" "Everything." "How?" "We'll find that out when we meet our mystery ally." Optimus rubbed his forehead with his fingers in frustration. This day brought forth problem after problem. He did not want problems, he wanted solutions. No more problems. Then, it happened. "Hey, where's Ratchet?" Pinkie asked. Optimus and the Autobots froze in place. "And Ironhide?" Applejack said. "And Sideswipe?" Rainbow said. "And Sunstreaker?" Rarity said. "And Prowl?" Twilight asked. "In fact, where is everyone else? Where's Wheeljack and Mirage? Hoist, Grapple, and Tracks?" The Autobots stayed still, staring at the ground, solemn, grim expressions on their faces. "Optimus?" Celestia asked in a concerned voice. Optimus looked to Perceptor. "You said the computer you found contains everything?" "Everything." Perceptor responded. As Perceptor went down the hall, he motioned for the others to follow him. The ponies did not understand what was happening, but the Autobots did. They knew very well. They progressed down the dimly lit halls, going deeper and deeper into the cave. They reached the bottom. A door similar to the entrance of the base was before them. Perceptor opened it, revealing a large room about half the size of the main room. In the center of the room was a rectangular stone table, and at the back wall was a computer with a large screen. Perceptor walked up to the computer, and began pressing various buttons. "Watch." He said to the ponies. Not that he needed to. The ponies were mesmerized by the computer, confounded by the word making window box before them. "Is that compu-whatchamacallit gonna tell us where Ratchet and the other Autobots are?" Pinkie innocently asked. Perceptor briefly stopped, trying to think up a proper response. "Yes," Optimus answered, "Yes it will." Perceptor found the file he was looking for, and clicked on it. The data showed itself. Perceptor stood aside, looked to the ponies, and pointed at the screen. The ponies, curious, stared up at the screen. They read the data. Then they read it again. And again. And again. And again… Their hearts skipped a beat. AUTOBOT: STATUS RATCHET: OFFLINE IRONHIDE: OFFLINE PROWL: OFFLINE SIDESWIPE: OFFLINE SUNSTREAKER: OFFLINE WHEELJACK: OFFLINE MIRAGE: OFFLINE TRACKS: OFFLINE HOIST: OFFLINE GRAPPLE: OFFLINE There were many other names on the list, but those ten names were the ones the ponies stayed focused on. Twilight looked to Optimus. "What… what does "offline" mean?" Optimus did not answer. He turned his head, unable to look her in the eyes. Twilight's eyes widened, and began to water. One by one, the ponies each slowly began to realize the truth. However, Pinkie still did not understand. "Offline… that means, uh, they're asleep, right?" Pinkie said. "W-where's Ratchet?" Optimus kneeled down to her. "Pinkie Pie, please, you must understand." "Where is Ratchet!?" "He's gone." "…What?" "I am sorry." "B-but-" "Two years ago, the Decepticons launched a full scale assault on us. They killed many of us. So many of us…" Pinkie's hair deflated. Her legs began to tremble, and she collapsed on the ground, crying. Her forelegs were crossed over face. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity rushed to her side, trying to comfort her. "It's alright sugarcube," Applejack said in her most reassuring tone, "It'll be alright…" Pinkie mumbled something. "What was that?" "He promised…" "Huh?" "He… PROMISED!" Pinkie suddenly stood up. Her friends jumped back in surprise. "HE PROMISED! HE PINKIE PROMISED THAT HE WOULD COME BACK! THEY PINKIE PROMISED THAT THEY WOULD COME BACK! AND NOBODY BREAKS a… pinkie… promise…" She began crying again. Suddenly, a blur zipped out of the room. "What was that?!" Kup said. "It's Rainbow Dash! She's left!" Twilight responded. "But why?" Fluttershy timidly asked. "I think I know why," Applejack said. Everyone looked to her. "She's gonna take on the Cons by herself for payback." "We have to stop her!" Optimus said. "She'll be killed! Autobots, roll out!" "Wait, Prime!" Ultra Magnus said. "We can't all just go out at once! We need to send in a small, covert team." "But who do we send!?" "We will go," Hot Spot said, "We know how to not draw attention to ourselves, are good in a firefight, and if we find Ms. Dash injured, we will heal her." "Go! Quickly!" Elsewhere… Rainbow Dash shot straight out of the hanger of the Autobots' base, tears streaking from her eyes. Her friends from long ago, dead. Almost all of them, dead. Killed by the Decepticons. But she would avenge them. 'Even if it's the last thing I ever do…' Elsewhere… Ramjet, Thrust, and Dirge stood sentry on a mountain cliff. Thrust was picking at his joints. "Grr… I still have ash in my hard to reach places." "Enough whining," Ramjet ordered, "Just get that scrap out of you and be done with it. Galvatron put us on lookout duty, so if we see any of the Autobots or escapee ponies, we slag 'em." "I'm itching for a little payback." Dirge said as he checked his blasters. He looked out to the horizon. "Hey! What's that?" A ways off, a blue object was flying at high speeds. The three conehead Seekers zoomed their optics in on the flying object. "It's that rainbow one," Ramjet said, "Get her." Elsewhere… Rainbow Dash was deciding where she should strike first. Canterlot was too well defended, Ponyville was practically barren of Cons, and Cloudsdale- Lasers zoomed past her. "What the?" She looked back. The Decepticons Ramjet, Thrust, and Dirge were on her tail, firing at her. She expertly maneuvered around their shots, staying ahead of them. Then, for the briefest second, Ramjet caught up to her, transformed into his robot form, and hit her. Rainbow Dash lost her bearings and began falling to the ground. She got herself together just as she was one hundred feet from landing. She flapped her wings, and quickly decreased in speed. However, she still crashed. Rainbow Dash skidded into the earth, and came to a stop. Her body felt sore, she could barely move. She looked up. The Seekers were coming straight at her at full speed, with Ramjet in the lead, his nose cone aimed right at her. 'They're gonna crush me!' Ramjet was a mere fifty feet from Rainbow Dash. Then, from Rainbow Dash's right, a missile hit Ramjet. The Seeker spun to her left and crashed, just barely missing her. A fourth new jet suddenly appeared, and shot down Dirge. The new jet was fired upon by Thrust. The two jets had a brief dogfight, but Thrust was shot down when the new mystery jet pulled back and got behind Thrust. 'Who is this guy?' Rainbow Dash asked herself. With all three of the Seekers down, Rainbow Dash's savior turned and flew towards her. The jet spun upwards, transformed into its robot form, and landed right in front of her. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened in horror. She knew this Cybertronian. "No…" The Cybertronian looked down upon her and smiled. "What a treat! You and me, alone…"