//------------------------------// // Ashes to Ashes // Story: Transformers: Equestria's Darkest Hour // by JDPrime22 //------------------------------// -CHAPTER V: ASHES TO ASHES- "NO EVIL SHALL STAND IN MY WAY." -Metroplex INTEL: Hidden beneath the streets and amongst the buildings of Iacon lies Metroplex. One of the ancient titans of Cybertron, Metroplex is awakened by Optimus Prime to defend Cybertron as an Autobot. His size requires a vast amount of Energon, which limits the amount of time Metroplex can stay in robot mode. ____________________ Twilight opened her eyes but still felt herself breathing. She never felt death because it never came to her. Twilight looked down to still see Spike clutching her tummy. The sound of splattering came from above. Bruticus put his foot down and lifted up his hand, his palm tracing his head until he found the wet substance. He looked at his hand and found little traces of white frosting. Another splat caused the combined Decepticon to look down and see a pink pony standing on her back hooves with two massive cakes in each hoof. “Pinkie Pie?” Twilight gasped when she saw her energetic friend throwing several pastries at the mighty death-bringer. “Take this and that! I’m assaulting you with cake!” Pinkie screamed and chucked several more of her delicious delicacies at the beast. Bruticus held up his hands in an attempt to stop the substance from getting in his op- A cake landed right in between his optics, blinding him. “I’M BLIND! CAN’T SEE…A THING!!!” Bruticus screamed and flung his fists in all directions hopefully trying to hit something. While Bruticus began swinging his fists, Pinkie Pie galloped over and gave Twilight and Spike a massive hug, nearly cracking their spines. “UGH! Pinkie…I…can’t…breathe!” Twilight gasped as Pinkie suddenly released her slightly blushing. “Oh…sorry hee, hee.” Pinkie giggled. Twilight and Spike both continued to shake in fear, their eyes wide and locked on the Decepticon. Bruticus wiped his optics and looked all over the ground. This caused the unicorn to gasp and scramble to her hooves. She nearly touched noses with Pinkie as she screamed in her face. “Pinkie Pie, Bruticus is trying to kill me! And if you’re with me then he’s certainly gonna kill you too!” As Twilight screamed that, it caused the pink mare’s eyes to water up as her body began to quiver like a shaking leaf. “Pinkie Pie, we have to find the others and get outta here!” The pink mare nodded and faced the long burning road behind Twilight. She put on a face of pure determination and faced her friend. “Let’s do this.” Pinkie grunted and took off down the road as fast as her hooves could carry her. “Pinkie Pie, wait!” Twilight screamed with Spike still clutching her back as she took off after her friend. Twilight cringed when Spike’s sharp talons dug into her skin…but that didn’t matter…she had to find her friends. “OHHHH this way!” Pinkie screamed and made a sharp left. Twilight followed the pink blur as they arrived to another portion of Ponyville. What remained of it that is. Twilight looked left and right and saw nothing but burning buildings and rising pillars of smoke. The fear of being burnt to death kicked in as Twilight let tears fall on the ground. She looked up and saw nothing in the sky. No stars. No moon. No sky. Nothing but clouds of ash and debris filled the dark orange skies. “Everypony, run! It’s coming this way!” Twilight came back to the real world and looked left to see Bruticus crush an entire house with his gigantic foot. His head was following her…never loosing eye contact. Twilight screamed and galloped even faster while Spike struggled to hold on. Bruticus growled in frustration as he stomped after the tiny unicorn. Several ponies flew or ran away as this giant beast crushed anything in his path of destruction. His feet crushed wooden stands, houses, and even Princess Celestia’s statue. “STOP RUNNING!” Bruticus yelled and used his flame thrower all over the ground. He heard the screams of several ponies…but not the one he was looking for and SO wanted revenge on. His optics scanned the crowd of ponies fleeing for their lives. “SCRAP! I LOST SIGHT OF THE PURPLE ONE!” ____________________ Rarity slept humbly on her soft mattress. Her blankets gave her a warm feeling as she dreamt about Canterlot and all its magnificent glory. She wore an eye shade that was designed with jewels along with a night gown to cover her tired body. It felt glorious. She was in such a deep sleep that she didn’t even hear her door open loudly and the clopping of hooves running up her stairs and into her room. “RARITY, WAKE UP!!!” Twilight shouted and looked out her window. The dark orange glow filled the entire room as Twilight pushed back the curtains. Rarity didn’t wake up. Pinkie Pie jumped on her bed and lifted her shoulders up. “WAKE UP, DARNIT!” Pinkie then repeatedly slapped Rarity across the face several times. Twilight and Spike both gasped to see Pinkie acting this way. Then again, if the apocalypse was going on outside, strange things do happen to some ponies. Rarity STILL didn’t wake up with the red marks across her cheeks. Pinkie threw her head down on the pillow and jumped off the bed. Twilight rubbed her chin and suddenly got an idea. She levitated a blue gem from her working table and dropped it on the ground. Rarity shot up from her bed and screamed, “Who dares to touch my precious gems!?” Rarity took off her shade as her eyes adjusted to the bright orange glow that filled her room. She saw both Pinkie and Twilight with Spike on Twilight’s back. They were both covered in ash and dirt. “NO! What are you doing in my room at this late of hour? And WHY are you so filthy?!” Rarity screamed with her eyes red with anger. “You’re ruining the carpet!” Twilight stepped forward, her eyes filled with fear. “Rarity, we have to get outta here! We’re going to find the rest of the girls but we need you!” Rarity stuck her hoof in the air and screamed, “What could you possibly need me for in the middle of the night?!” Both mares along with Spike pointed at the window. The white unicorn scoffed and tumbled out of her bed. She approached the window with her gown rubbing against the floor. When she arrived to the window, she screamed loud enough to pierce each pony’s eardrums. For what lay before her…was pure horridness. Her home was burning. Ponyville lay in ruins while a massive creature stomped through the middle of it, swatting its hands and spreading more fire to the wooden houses. Several screams came from outside that caused the mare to back away with tears staining her face. “I-I-Is that a-a-a D-D-D-D-De-De-!” Rarity stuttered while Twilight stepped in. “A Decepticon.” Rarity fainted on the floor while Twilight just groaned. Pinkie giggled until it turned into grunts when Twilight levitated the unconscious unicorn on Pinkie’s back. “We have to get outta here.” Twilight muttered and turned towards the door. It was wide open and a tired filly stepped inside with a cat by her side. Sweetie Belle looked around the room and saw her sister being carried by Pinkie Pie. She saw Twilight with Spike on her back. And she saw the raging fires coming from the window. Opal hissed when Twilight approached the little unicorn. “Let me guess,” Sweetie Belle groaned looking at her fainted sister, “Rarity saw the fire outside and passed out.” “Yep.” Pinkie smiled with glee. Twilight approached the filly and said, “Follow us, Sweetie Belle; we got to get to safety.” “Why, what’s goin’ on?” Sweetie asked as Twilight and Pinkie trotted right past her with Rarity’s tail dragging on the ground. Twilight faced the filly again and sighed, “I know this might be a little hard for you but….the Decepticons are back.” Sweetie just stood there with a blank expression while Opal just glared at the violet unicorn. She just shrugged and followed Twilight and Pinkie down the stairs. The filly looked up with tired eyes and asked, “So where we goin’?” Twilight sighed again with her hoof pressed against the door. “We have to find Rainbow Dash.” ____________________ Twilight Sparkle led the way while Pinkie trailed behind her. Spike carried Opal who kept scratching him as he ran down the dirt road with Sweetie Belle close to him. Rarity was still passed out on Pinkie’s back who was obviously struggling. Pinkie wiped a beat of sweat from her head and stopped. She panted, “Can we….stop…and rest a while?” Twilight turned towards Pinkie with a look of fear still present. She saw Spike with Opal scratching him and Sweetie Belle right next to the baby dragon, her tiny chest rising and falling at a fast pace. Maybe it was a good idea to rest. “Ummm….over here, everypony!” Twilight shouted and galloped at the front of a house that wasn’t burnt down. The others followed and hid close to the house. Pinkie collapsed to the ground in a pool of sweat. Rarity fell off her back as she lay unconscious on the ground. Spike set down Opal and rubbed his sore spots. Sweetie Belle sat on her rump and quivered when the ashes hit her back. Twilight took this time to really see the wreckage. The ashes were still falling at a slow pace while fire and smoke kept rising into the orange colored clouds above. The screams of several ponies still reached her ears as Twilight shuddered in fear. There were many times she felt like this. Kind of like the times she was on Cybertron or when the Autobots first came to Equestria. The feeling of fear. A moment of silence fell when Spike was the one to break it. “What are we gonna do, Twilight?” Spike asked with his voice shaking. Twilight looked around and sighed deeply before answering. “We have to find Rainbow Dash and then we need to-” “LOOK OUT BELOW!!!” Twilight and the others backed away when a blue cloud of dust hit the ground right in front of them. After it cleared, Twilight and Pinkie looked forward to see their old friend Rainbow Dash. Her feathers were out of place as her mane was REALLY messed up. Her tail was singed at the tips with trails of smoke rising from it. Her face was covered in soot but that didn’t stop a smile from spreading on her face. “Dashie!” Pinkie screamed and hugged her Pegasus friend. Twilight did the same as did Spike. When Rainbow broke the hug her smile quickly faded and a frown was present. “Twilight,” Rainbow said a little too loud, “I know where Applejack is! I just told her to get Fluttershy so we could all find you!” Twilight’s smile faded as she asked, “Then where’s Applejack and Fluttershy?” “They’re near Town Hall!” Rainbow shouted. Suddenly, a deep laughter was heard passing through the air as each mare including the baby dragon to flinch in surprise. “KEEP YELLIN’!!! COME OUT COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE! I DON’T WANNA HURT YA…MUCH! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!” A massive explosion followed with several screams of ponies from all directions. Loud footsteps were getting nearer as Twilight leaned in close to Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow, we all have to be quiet. Bruticus is out there just itching to squash us. Go back to Applejack and Fluttershy, we’ll catch up.” Twilight whispered. Rainbow nodded but suddenly turned her head back and gently nudged something on her back. Twilight, Pinkie, Spike, and Sweetie all looked back to see a terrified Scootaloo lying on Rainbow Dash’s back. Her eyes were darting back and forth as she shook like a leaf on Rainbow’s back. Sweetie Belle gasped and moved closer. “Scootaloo….are you okay?” Sweetie Belle as her eyes began to burn, tears threatening to form. The fearful little Pegasus said nothing and simply whimpered as Rainbow Dash nuzzled the top of her head. Rainbow turned back to Twilight, the unicorn caught something falling down Dash’s cheek and hitting the ground. “I…I gotta take Scoots back to her home.” Rainbow said with her voice shaking. Twilight nodded and watched as Rainbow patted Scootaloo on the head. “Alright, kid, let’s go find your parents.” With that, Rainbow Dash spread her wings and took to the skies with Scootaloo clinging to her neck. Twilight watched her closest friend sailed through the smoky skies until she was gone. The sounds of stomping followed by more screaming caught the unicorn’s attention. “Come on, everypony, we gotta get to Town Hall.” ____________________ Applejack had convinced the frightened Pegasus to actually come out of her home to get to Ponyville as fast as possible. But Fluttershy, being how she is, caught the signs of fire and screaming coming from the town and refused. So Applejack literally had to drag her ALL the way to Town Hall where Rainbow Dash told them to stay. “Ya wanna be brave, don’t ya, Fluttershy?!” Applejack yelled and spit Fluttershy’s tail out of her mouth when they had reached Town Hall. The ashes hit Applejack’s hat as she flicked them off. Fluttershy had both her hooves covered over her eyes and her body quivered every time she heard another explosion. “I wanna be brave in my closet at home!” Fluttershy wailed as tears began to fall from her eyes. Just being in this total war-zone was terrifying for the Pegasus. Applejack sighed and pulled Fluttershy closer to her as she held her tight. She whispered calming words into her ears that calmed down the butter Pegasus only slightly. “What’s happening, Applejack?” Fluttershy asked as a tear rolled down her cheek. Applejack looked at the ground and muttered, “Ah don’t know….but Rainbow wanted us ta come here. Apparently, Twilight an' the others are gonna meet us here.” As if on cue, a loud scream was heard coming from down the road. The mares brought their attention to the road to see Twilight, Pinkie (carrying Rarity), Spike (carrying Opal), and Sweetie Belle all screaming and heading right for them. Applejack faced the road. Her eyes went wide as her breathing began to increase. She took a step back. She took another. “No…please no this can’t be true!” Applejack screamed as Bruticus stepped over several buildings while chasing Twilight and the others. How this was possible certainly didn’t make any sense. She and her friends watched with their own eyes that ALL the Decepticons left Equestria forever. How the hay was Bruticus in Ponyville?! “Applejack, run!” The farm mare brought her attention off the lumbering Decepticon and onto her friends. They were really close now. It was as if she was going to tackle- Twilight tackled Applejack to the ground as both mares tumbled a few feet before resting on one another. Pinkie collapsed again as Fluttershy backed when Spike and Sweetie Belle came running forward, both of them panting profusely. Rarity’s unconscious body fell on the dirt as Opal kept hissing and slashing at Spike. Applejack looked up to see Twilight get off of her and help her up. The two mares looked at each other until a loud roar of frustration was heard. They all looked to see Bruticus slash about, the Pegasi of Ponyville were obscuring his vision. This brought that same feeling of fear inside each of them. Applejack faced Twilight and screamed, “Twi, what the hay is going on here?!” Twilight turned towards Applejack and sobbed quietly. Her sobbing turned into full blown crying as she placed her hooves on Applejack’s shoulders. She sniffled and choked out, “There back! The Decepticons are back!” “YOU ARE CORRECT, MY LITTLE PONY!” Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Spike, and Sweetie Belle all turned to see Bruticus swat the last Pegasi to the ground before walking towards them. The ground rumbled with an intense fear that each pony including Spike could feel. In Bruticus’ right hand was a long tower with a bell on it. Fluttershy gasped and managed to squeak out in fear. “Th-That’s Ponyville T-Tower.” Fluttershy shook in horror as Bruticus reared his right hand back and chucked the massive tower into Town Hall. A massive explosion followed with the collapse of Town Hall into nothing but boards and dust. Applejack picked her hat off the ground; the tears had already been falling along with the hundreds of ashes. “Oh mah stars, Town Hall is gone!” “Celestia help us.” Twilight cried and watched the remainder of Town Hall fall to the ground in a blazing fire. Her eyes were burning, everypony’s was. From the intense flames to the horror of war together it caused each of them to cry out loud. Their cries joined along the hundreds of others as Ponyville burned to the ground. “This can’t be happening!” Fluttershy cried with her hooves drenched in tears. But it WAS happening. The Decepticons were back. And the strongest one of all just destroyed their home town of Ponyville. The burning in the skies along with falling ashes meant nothing to the equines. They just wanted to have some peace for once. Now they finally knew….that they could never have peace. The Decepticons will never leave their planet alone. And now it was all over. Two large explosions caused each pony and dragon to look up and see the horrible Bruticus. His armor was literally burning with fire raging off of him. His red optics scowled down at the little specs of dust in his path of death and destruction. “YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW LONG I’VE WAITED TO DO THIS!” Bruticus yelled and lifted up his foot. Small pieces of dirt and debris fell on the ponies and the dragon as his foot was lifted above them. “I’M GONNA LOVE THE SOUND OF YOU CRUNCHING UNDER MY FEET!” “You’ll be sorry, punk!” Bruticus put his foot down and turned around…only to be pelted right between the optics by that familiar blue blur. The combined Decepticon took a step back and shook his head, as if trying to locate where the Pegasus had gone. Instead he received even more hits along his chest and back. Rainbow Dash zoomed around and around the Decepticon attacking her home. No one does that without a fight! So she pelted and bucked Bruticus all over his body just like last time. But something else happened…Bruticus had expected this attack. He reached forward and grabbed Rainbow straight in the air. Everypony gasped as did Rainbow. Her lungs were failing as Bruticus squeezed with absolutely no strength whatsoever. He could crush this thing with a little snap of his fingers. Instead, he wanted to have some fun. He chucked the blue pony to the ground as she tumbled into a large fire pit. Rainbow screamed and fell on the other side. Her wings was singed and burnt, disabling her ability to fly. “Rainbow Dash!” The mares screamed as Bruticus slowly approached the little equine lying before him. Her back pressed against the ground as she slowly lifted up her head to see those horrible red eyes slowly make his way towards her. In panic, Rainbow began to crawl away but never taking her eyes off the monster threatening to simply step on her and get it over with. So why didn’t he? Fear began to kick in as Dash crawled away her hardest, but it just wasn’t enough. She stopped moving and looked up to see Bruticus staring down at her, his fist clenching and utterly threatening to smash her. “YOU CAN’T GET AWAY NOW! NOTHING CAN SAVE YOU THIS TIME, PONY! YOU MAY HAVE GOTTEN A FEW LUCKY HITS ON ME LAST TIME, BUT YOU’LL NEVER GET TO HIT AGAIN WHEN I’M DONE WITH YOU!!!” Bruticus lifted his fist in the glowing orange skies and brought it down on the tiny winged pony. Rainbow shut her eyes and heard her friends scream. Her ear twitched…..it twitched again…. She opened her eyes to see Bruticus with his fist only inches away from her face. He brought it back and looked around. Her ear twitched. Rainbow looked all around as did Bruticus. Both of them had heard something….and it was coming closer. “WHAT IN THE NAME OF-?” “RAAAAAAWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Rainbow Dash spun her head around to see an entire cottage explode and a massive, glowing red, metal covered, steam-breathing, stubby-armed, long-tailed, monster run right towards her! No…it wasn’t running towards her…it was running straight for- “SCRAP!” Bruticus screamed when the beast rammed his gut causing the Decepticon to back away, his hands clutching his abdomen in pain. Rainbow Dash breathed in the dirt and ash. Her lungs were filled with it causing her to cough it out. But that didn’t matter to her. Her attention and her eyes were locked on the strange creature standing directly above her. The massive legs stood at her sides while the tail swished back and forth over her head. The sky blue Pegasus gasped when it took a few steps forward….revealing the glowing red Autobot symbol on its head. “G-Grimlock?” The Dinobot leader stomped at the ground. His tiny arms were raised as his head glared at the humongous Decepticon a few feet away from him. His growl spread across the entire area as Bruticus finally realized who it was. Bruticus chuckled evilly and cracked his knuckles, never taking his optics off the Autobot monster. Grimlock did the same as steam built up in his mouth, the long streams escaping through his razor sharp teeth. “LET’S TUSSLE, YOU STUPID DINOBOT.” Bruticus growled and clenched his fists. Grimlock got lower while his optics burned with hunger. Meanwhile, the equines including Spike were dumbstruck. How in Equestria did they all get here?! They knew for certain that they all left and swore never to return so that peace could remain in Equestria. Something happened….that they had to find out. Before any of them could react, Grimlock charged. Bruticus expected this and brought both his hands forward, catching Grimlock’s jaws before they could come down on his neck. He forced the Dinobot’s jaws open and looked inside of his mouth. Grimlock breathed fire all over Bruticus’ face as it got close, causing the combiner to jerk his head back and deliver and uppercut to the robotic dinosaur. While Bruticus’ face was burning, Grimlock reared down and rammed his head directly into Bruticus’ abdomen. The combiner took a step back and brought up his knee, colliding perfectly to Grimlock’s chin. Grimlock roared in pain as Bruticus brought his fist down right on his head. Grimlock fell on his chest and groggily looked up to see the Decepticon smash his foot against his dino head. The Dinobot growled in anger and swiped his tail across the dirt. Bruticus’ legs collapsed as his entire body fell with a massive tremor spreading through the burning town. Bruticus looked up; his optics grew wide when Grimlock brought his jaws straight down on his head. Bruticus screamed in anger and punched the Dinobot in the face repeatedly in hopes of getting it off of him. Grimlock refused to let go and bit down even harder. He then lifted up the combiner and literally dragged him across the dirt until he flung him to the ground. Bruticus forced himself to get back up. He looked behind him and nearly caught the Dinobot from lunging at him. The Decepticon colossus luckily caught Grimlock’s jaws before he could bring them down. He learned from his mistake and punched the Dinobot in the face. Grimlock growled and shook his head. Bruticus brought his hand down and forcefully held Grimlock’s head in place. The Dinobot slashed about until Bruticus’ grip was broken….thus allowing Grimlock to bite down on Bruticus’ right arm. Bruticus screamed in pain when the mighty Dinobot reared back and ripped his entire arm off. Grimlock flung the severed body part into the nearest building. The cottage fell apart in flames as Blast Off landed inside. Now the combiner was in trouble. He lost his right arm and a pissed off dinosaur was attacking his wounded form. Just when things couldn’t possibly get any worse… Well what do you know. Several explosions caught the equines’ attention as they all turned to face the edge of a large group of cottages. The cottages exploded as two larger Autobots ran forward and transformed in mid-air. From the ponies’ old knowledge, the first one was Slug as he reared his head down with the spikes ramming into Bruticus’ leg. The second was no doubt the flyer of the team. Swoop flew down and screeched in the air as he shot several lasers on Bruticus’ back. The Dinobots were back. As Slug rammed into Bruticus’ left leg, the Decepticon bellowed in anger and pain as his entire leg flew off and tumbled on the ground several meters away. Brawl transformed and lay on the ground unconscious. Bruticus’ fell to the ground, his leg and arm gone as Grimlock breathed fire all over his chest and head. The great Decepticon felt something he never felt before: fear. Fear of death as a new sound entered his hearing processors. Twilight Sparkle’s eyes grew wide. A tear slipped down her cheek as she saw him. But not a tear of sadness…a tear of joy. Optimus Prime led the way as several other Autobots drove behind him. Fluttershy saw the yellow box on wheels and smiled. Applejack’s smile grew back when she saw the red vehicle drive right past her. Pinkie gasped with tears in her eyes when she saw the white dragster rev straight towards the Decepticon. Rarity was unconscious and Rainbow Dash got back to her friends, her smile was not present….she just wore an expressionless face. Optimus transformed and fired several shots from his path blaster at the colossus. Ironhide, Jazz, Cliffjumper, Warpath, Bumblebee, Hound, Jetfire, Silverbolt, Air Raid, Fireflight, Skydive, Slingshot, Wheeljack, Ratchet, Perceptor, Blaster, and Sideswipe transformed as well and demolished what remained of the injured Decepticon. Several explosions spread across the combiner’s body as Optimus finished it. Grimlock let down his tail and watched as Optimus Prime ran forward and climbed up. Optimus ran on top of Grimlock’s back and jumped off his head; he landed on Bruticus’ neck and shot him directly in the optics. “NOOOOO!!!!” Bruticus screamed as the rest of his body fell apart. Onslaught was the first to go as he landed right on his head. Vortex landed with a hard thud before laying the ground, not moving a circuit. Swindle fell back and tried to crawl away, only to be stopped by Warpath as the Autobot pointed his weapon directly in Swindle’s visor. Optimus landed on his feet and looked back. Grimlock transformed back into robot form as did Slug and Swoop. The Autobots walked forward with Optimus while Warpath and Ironhide pushed Swindle in front of them. “Prime, we got a live one!” Warpath yelled and kicked Swindle in the back. “As have I.” Optimus bent down and gripped Onslaught’s neck. The Combaticon clawed at Optimus’ powerful grasp on him, but it was hopeless as Prime narrowed his optics directly in Onslaught’s visor. Optimus heard the Combaticon leader speak. “Kill me…do it.” Onslaught growled and clawed Optimus Prime’s hand. Optimus blinked and thought about it. He had the life of another in his grip; he could easily snap his neck with his mighty strength….but he was taught better. Optimus shook his head and tossed Onslaught on the ground. The Combaticon looked back to see Optimus put his path blaster away. “Get out of my sight.” Optimus Prime growled. Onslaught looked around and saw Swindle struggling against Warpath’s grasp on him. He looked left and saw Vortex barely getting up. He then felt himself being lifted up. Brawl helped up his commander as Onslaught brushed himself off. The Combaticon leader looked past Optimus and saw Blast Off getting out of the fire slightly limping. “Combaticons, retreat!” Onslaught yelled before transforming and leaving what remained of Ponyville. Brawl did the same as did Vortex. The tank left the smoldering ashes of the once life-filled town as the helicopter flew past the smoke and debris. Blast Off struggled to change form as he flew away from the town and into the nearest forest. Warpath pushed Swindle away, the Combaticon growled as he changed form and drove away. The Decepticons were gone….leaving only the Autobots in the war-torn town. Optimus looked around and saw everything. Like REALLY saw everything. He never felt so guilty before in his life. Several hundred ashes were raining from the burning orange skies, the ashes were formed when the smoke and fire rose into the air, polluting it and giving no life to this beautiful town. This was the art of the apocalypse….crafted by Unicron himself. “Optimus,” Jazz poked Prime’s shoulder, “look….it’s them.” Optimus turned around. There he saw them….his old friends. Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Spike, Sweetie Belle, and Rarity…who was passed out. They were staring at them…all with massive eyes filled with tears. It had been several months….possibly longer in this world ever since Optimus Prime had seen their beautiful faces or bright smiles, well they weren’t smiling. It felt good. To know that Optimus had missed each of them dearly and now he was finally reunited. But it also felt bad. He had sworn never to return to this peaceful land and now look at it. Ponyville was gone because of THEM. None of this wouldn’t have happened if they didn’t just stop Megatron from stealing Omega Supreme in the first place. And he could see from the tears and frightened expressions from the ponies including Spike that this was not a happy welcome. Twilight stood back up and watched the towering aliens all come together. Grimlock crossed his arms and stood by the leader’s right side. Bumblebee let his arms fall down as he stood on Prime’s left side. And the Autobot leader lowered his arms and looked down at her. A loud cough was followed by a whiny sound. “Ohhhh nooo…my night gown is ruined from all this dirt!” Rarity cried and looked around, “What did I miss?” Her blue eyes fell on the massive giants surrounding them while ashes fell and smoke rose. “Obviously I missed a lot.” Twilight smiled and turned back towards the Autobot leader. He nodded and Twilight swore she could see him smile under that faceplate. After several months…Twilight had almost forgotten his powerful and stern voice. “It is glorious to see you all again.” “Optimus…Prime…” Twilight muttered in astonishment. ____________________ “Starscream, where are we going?!” Megatron screamed as Soundwave and Motormaster lifted him over a rock in their path. “Somewhere to heal you, Megatron.” Starscream snickered from the front of the large group of Decepticons. Megatron didn’t like the way Starscream had said that, but he didn’t really care about that, he needed to be repaired immediately. It had been a successful journey. Starscream had located the missing Decepticons perfectly. Sharpshot, Hardshell, Kickback, Ramjet, Thrust, Dirge, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Barricade, and the Combaticons were found with the only the Combaticons to be injured. Onslaught walked next to Megatron as the Decepticon leader forced his head to look over. “Onslaught, what has happened to you and your team?” Onslaught turned towards his master and answered, “You remember that place called Ponyville?” Megatron nodded. “We burnt it to the ground.” Megatron chuckled before coughing up more Energon. Vortex took notice of this and shouted to Starscream in the front of the pack, “Hey Starscream, where is this place anyway?” Starscream answered without even turning back. “Somewhere truly special for our leader.” They walked for several more minutes before they had finally arrived. Megatron could’ve sworn he heard Starscream muttering words of delight as they had reached a large open area with a cliff at the end of their journey. “What is this abomination?!” Megatron screamed and pushed Soundwave and Motormaster off of him. He shoved Starscream away as he looked down the large cliff. Several sharp rocks were at the bottom as there was also a tiny river going straight down it. “Why have you taken us here, Starscream? I don’t see any possible way you can heal me here!” Megatron screamed as he clutched his chest in pain. A quick cocking of a weapon was heard as were there several gasps from the Decepticons. Megatron turned around. His optics grew wide as did his mouth when he saw Starscream’s nucleon charge rifle pointed right at his chest. Starscream wore the biggest grin ever. “I see a quick way we can permanently heal you, Megatron!” Starscream shouted and bumped the end of the rifle at Megatron’s chest, pushing the leader at the edge of the deep cliff. The Decepticons didn’t do a thing…none of them moved a circuit and simply stared at this event transpiring. Megatron frowned and shouted right in Starscream’s face, he didn’t even care about the pain soaring throughout his body. “Starscream, put that weapon down this instant and I might let you live!” Starscream shook his head and nudged the rifle closer to Megatron’s chest, threatening to shoot at any second. “I’ve had it with your scrap, Megatron! No one treats Starscream like common filth on your foot!” Megatron began to get worried when he saw that look in Starscream’s optics. He wasn’t afraid. He was serious about this. He was serious about shooting him and ending his life right now. Megatron felt….afraid. Starscream chuckled and moved closer; Megatron’s feet were at the edge of the cliff at the moment the Sky Commander spoke with obvious sarcasm, “Oh how it truly pains me to do this, oh mighty Megatron.” Megatron lifted up his hand and screamed, “Wait! NO! I still function!” “Wanna bet?!” A loud bang echoed through the chill night air. Each Decepticon took a step back. Starscream’s right arm jerked back from the force of the rifle. Megatron’s optics grew wide when his entire chest along with his back exploded in a bright fury. The bullet went straight through his chest with a plentiful of Energon blasting out of Megatron’s back. His balance was gone. Megatron fell back into the cliff. “STAAAARRRSCReeeeaaaammmmm!!!!” Megatron screamed as he landed with a loud crash. Starscream smiled with pure victory. He put his charge rifle away and wiped his hands before turning back to his fellow Decepticons. Their optics were wide with horror at what had just happened. Megatron was gone….for good. “Well,” Starscream began, “as Megatron has just….fallen.” He chuckled at that and placed a hand on his chest, “I, Starscream, am your leader now!” He walked closer to the Decepticons, his smile never broken as he continued, “You will all obey me! And anyone who defies me OR tries to do anything drastic…” Starscream looked over to Soundwave completely remembering what he had done. Soundwave remembered clearly. It was he who resurrected Megatron back on Cybertron. Starscream finished by swatting his hands, “Will die!” No one spoke out. Starscream smiled and faced the cliff again. For one last time, he turned away. “Decepticons, follow me!” And with that, Starscream transformed and took off into the night sky. They all stood there for a while before transforming themselves and leaving the Everfree Forest. Soundwave stood alone. His visor stared completely blank at the cliff. He could still see the liquid Energon of his fallen master drip at the edge of it. After what felt like an eternity, Soundwave left his loyalty behind and followed the rest of the Decepticons. Megatron would want him to do that. It was a sad day for the Decepticons. ____________________ Megatron breathed in and out several times. His body ached. His optics cracked. His death was imminent. Nothing could save him or even help him for that matter. All he could hear was Starscream’s wicked laughter over and over again. If he ever got out of this…the first thing he would do was kill Starscream. He regretted never doing it in the first place. Megatron had seen Starscream always wanting power and glory. His hunger was strong, but Megatron was stronger. That’s why Starscream waited so long. It was so clear now. Starscream was waiting for the perfect moment to finish off Megatron when he didn’t see it coming…and he definitely didn’t see it. Starscream had always tried to take command when the opportunity was close. Back on Cybertron…those memories returned. ‘I am the leader of the Decepticons from here on out!’ ‘I, Starscream, am your leader now!’ ‘Who are you to defy me?!’ ‘No one addresses the leader of the Decepticons in such a manner!’ ‘The reign of Starscream has begun!’ Megatron coughed up more Energon. His optics were fuzzy and going dark. All he saw was the bright moon in the sky followed by several blinking stars. He never wanted to die this way….his destiny would NOT end here! As Megatron felt his life slipping away, he heard a soft hiss and barely moved his head to see several beady blue dots coming for him. He felt them climbing on top of him, but he didn’t care right now. The last thing the once-leader of the Decepticons saw….were those blue eyes and dark faces surrounding his vision. Then all was black.