//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Transformers Prime: Ponies in Disguise // by RavageXeno //------------------------------// “WHAT BY PRIMUS WAS THAT THING!!!” Starscream screamed from where he hugged the top of one of the pillars. His breaths coming in short ragged intervals that matched his jagged wing beats. “Oh. So THATS why you’re called Star-SCREAM.” Rainbow said laughing, whilst landing after she tried - and failed - to hunt down the ‘messenger’. “Now Rainbow! Don’t be so harsh to him, he has a valid point. What was that horrid monstrosity?” Rarity said as she made her way over to Fluttershy who was crouched on the floor shaking. “We call them ‘Insecticons’. As you saw they are made up of thousands of flies, and can merge into any form,” said Brisingr in a deep powerful voice, as he made his way over to Scar and his younger brother Draco. “They look a lot different from the Insecticons we have back home,” Arcee said, to Bumblebee as they tried to not get in any pony’s way. Twilight rushed over to help Scar who was just starting to get back on his hooves with the aid of his lieutenants. “Scar I’m so, so, so sorry for your loss,” Twilight said trying to console him. Though he seemed far from upset, merely only glaring at his sister’s unmoving body before moving away and down off the raised platform to stand slightly closer to the door. “Great! How are we supposed to get home now?” Starscream asked, still hugging the top of the pillar. “She was supposed to be our ticket out of this accursed dimension.” “Starscream! How could you be so cold?” Rarity said, looking away from him and lifting up her hoof. “Starscream gets... grouchy when he’s upset,” Arcee said, walking over and putting her hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. “Aren’t you just the cutest thing ever.” “What?” everypony in the room said, looking towards where Pinkie was sat facing the wall. Even Starscream was intrigued and had flown down from the top of the pillar and his imagined safety. “Look at my awesome new pet guys,” Pinke said, spinning around and showing everybody a seemingly empty sealed jam jar. What was inside the jar at first seemed to be a small cloud, but it soon morphed itself into a small pony and began tapping on the glass. “Pinkie, I don’t think you can keep it,” Twilight said, looking at the contents of the jar with disdain. “I’m gonna call you Bob!” Pinkie said, hugging the jar to her chest. Everypony sighed and the Insecticon - newly named Bob - sat down and started banging it’s head against the glass. “So, what do we do-” Rainbow said, before another strange pony burst through the throne room doors. Before anypony could see who the newcomer was - mainly due to the blinding light streaming in through the doors behind the newcomer - Scar rugby-tackled them. They rolled a few feet before ending up as a hugging pile of grey coats, black, red, and blue hair and armour. “If you ever do that again, I swear that I’ll kill you myself,” Scar said laughing, but slightly muffled from the pile of pony that was out on the bridge. Everypony was crowding around the door trying to find out who the new pony was, except for Brisingr and Draco who just chuckled softly to each other. Eventually the ball of hugs managed to untangle and become two separate - but extremely similar - ponies. "What? I don't understand. Who is she?" Rainbow asked, pointing at the pony standing next to Scar. She was the same size as him, with the same colour coat, and identical coloured eyes. Their manes and tails were the same, except that she had blue where he had red. They also had the same necklace, except that her crystal was red. She also had a thick jagged scar going down the right side of her neck, running from the back of her jaw to just above the necklace. Her cutie mark was of two interlocking gears - one inside the other - with a purple crystal going through the middle of them. The crystal looked similar to the crystal in Scar’s cutie mark, but was angled the opposite way. After comparing the crystals in their cutie marks to the crystals in their coat of arms, Starscream noticed that they were the same crystals, just crossed over each other. "You've already been introduced Rainbow. This is my sister," Scar said as the pair walked back into the throne room, past the group of confused ponies. Which didn’t include Pinkie - and Lazerbeak, as she was more interested in Bob and he was taunting Bob inspecting how Insecticons functioned in this world. “Sorry about all this. But Nightshade thought something might happen like this,” the newly resurrected Haunt said, as she made her way with her brother to the bottom of the raised platform. “So we implemented safety measures. Also something did come up, in the city, which meant I wasn’t in the castle.” “Nightshade thought? She probably planned it!” Scar said, turning on his sister. “You know she’s a-” he said before a stern look from his sister silenced him. “*Ahem* different.” She then walked up to the still form in front of the throne with a smug expression on her face. Their family must be completely crazy, thought Starscream as he watched things unfurl. “Though that still doesn’t explain how you managed... this,” Arcee said, gesturing to the cloaked still form at Haunt’s feet. “Because I’m guessing that this isn’t normal for your world,” she said looking to Rarity for confirmation, to which she shook her head. “Well it’s quite simple really,” Haunt said grabbing the cloak in her purple magical aura and pulling it gently off. Instead of Haunt lying on the ground, a golden pony lay there, who seemed to be made out of metal, as the flames danced and flickered over it’s body. “This is one of my robots.” “So, Nightshade was right,” Rarity said as they got their first glance at it. It was in the general shape of a normal pony, but though it was much smaller, as it had no need for most of the organs ponies had. It’s legs showed this feature most prominently, and made it’s hooves look slightly too large. Like a normal pony it had ears and a mouth, but the mane was in a fixed position going along the back of it’s head and was also made out of metal, and looked similar to a Royal Guard’s crest on it’s helmet. The tail was similarly made out of metal, but was in segments so it had some - if limited - movement. It’s eyes were dark and unmoving, showing that the machine had no life. Also giving away the fact that the robot had no life was the gaping hole in the front of it’s chest. A reminder to the ponies present of what should have happened to Haunt. In the hole was the frayed and misshapen remains of it’s internal wiring, which every so often let off a series of blue sparks. Which lowered in frequency the longer it was dead and the very last remnants of it’s life force dissipated. Around the hole the once golden bodywork was dull and scorched. “Okay, that explains something, but how did you turn up so quickly if you were in the city?” Twilight asked, inquisitive about what other inventions would have allowed her to get here so fast. “Well that’s simple. I flew here,” Haunt said, whilst waiting for the last few sparks to die out wrapping the robot in the cloak and placing it on her back. To which Twilight countered with something about her chariot, though Starscream wasn’t really paying attention. As he was currently more interested in inspecting the robot. Until his view was obstructed by something. “No I flew here using these,” Haunt said as she unfurled her wings, which brought Starscream’s attention back to the conversation. And made all of the mane six who were in the room gasp. “He didn’t show you did he?” *sigh* “You should stop hiding who you are. And I’m gonna burn that cape,” she continued, turning to her brother and unclipping his cape with her magic and draping it over his back. Like his twin he also had wings. “You’re Alicorns?” Rarity asked, lifting a hoof to her head whilst swaying slightly from side to side. Arcee, Bumblebee and Starscream just stood there looking between the ponies and hoping that somepony would explain why that was important. “But how?” “Magic,” Haunt replied, to which her twin sighed. “Possibly because our parents were a pegasus and a unicorn?” Scar said, shrugging his shoulders then flying up to his sister. “Or we’re a freak accident,” Haunt said making her way to the doors whilst trying not to drop the robot. “I shall see you later I need to get this guy home,” she continued before leaving. Before anybody could say anything she was across the bridge and gone. “I’m sure you’re all tired from your journey, Brisingr and Draco will escort you to your rooms,” Scar said before his lieutenants led them out of the room. “We shall continue discussing things over dinner this afternoon.” “So, what’s the significance of an alicorn?” Arcee said as she sat on the bed, watching Starscream fly in circles around the room where she was staying. They were in the main tower, a few levels above the main entrance. Arcee was sharing with Rarity in a room that was connected by a small door to the room where Bumblebee and Starscream were staying. Both rooms had two lush king size beds with bedside tables, two wardrobes and a large window looking out over the city. Across the hallway Rainbow and Pinkie were sharing, whilst Twilight and Fluttershy were sharing the room connected to hers. Laserbeak was meant to be staying with Fluttershy, but he was currently perched on Arcee’s bed and Bumblebee was sat next to her. Starscream, after deciding that practice would make perfect, was proving the theory right. After knocking three paintings off the wall, colliding with the small chandelier that was in the center of the room a few times and breaking two vases. “They are rare normally royalty, and generally have more power than normal unicorns do, or certain abilities that other unicorns don’t have,” Rarity explained whilst also watching with trepidation as Starscream veered closer than was safe to the window. “Darling, why don’t you save the flying lessons for when you are outside and can’t damage anything valuable?” “Like he hasn’t already?” Arcee said, before Starscream got the hint and landed ungracefully, on the floor. When he started glaring evilly at her, she decided to change the conversation. “So how did Megatron get you here? Last we heard was that you had gone solo.” “I... I don’t want to talk about it,” he said, averting his eyes and shuffling slowly towards the door. To which Bumblebee narrowed his eyes and beeped a few tones. “Yeah, you must be right Bee. He offered you your old position back. Didn’t he?” Arcee said, stopping Starscream in his tracks and making his wings droop. “No. Maybe.” “Ha. So after it failed with the Autobots,” she said pointing to her and Bumblebee, “you crawled back to the Decepticons. To grovel at Megatrons feet.” By this point she had got off the bed and was standing in front of Starscream, and even though he was taller. Due to him crouching slightly, she was able to look into his cold plotting eyes. She smiled, and after understanding the situation he copied her. She was toying with him. Shaking off his previous composure he stood up straight and flapped his wings a few times. “Well it doesn’t matter now anyway,” he said while sitting on the bed where Arcee was a few moments ago. “We are never getting out of this dimension at this rate, and I will never get my position back.” “Don’t worry about that,” Arcee said standing in front of Starscream, “I sent a message to Optimus. He will get us out of the dimension if we can’t find our way out.” “Well that’s good for you I suppose,” Starscream said getting bored of sitting in one place and jumping off the bed. “But what about me?” “Optimus wouldn’t leave you here,” Arcee said sitting back down in her spot where Starscream was sat. “He’s Optimus.” The Autobot base was devoid of life, Human or Cybertronian. The only noise located within emanated from the Autobot’s computer. A consistent beeping alerting the Autobots that their computer was damaged and would be inoperable until repaired. When it was fixed the beeping would be switched for a less insistent tone signifying an unread message. Which would have only started up a few minutes ago. Urgent message from Arcee. The four words were meant to be flashing boldly on the screen. Waiting impatiently for somebody to notice them and listen to the message. But Optimus and Bulkhead were out on a mission and Ratchet was in a store cupboard trying to find parts to fix the broken computer. Remnants of the Scraplet infestation which had been fine until a power surge which had been caused by Bulkhead and Miko’s guitar. The dining room, like the rest of the castle was ragged and slightly war-torn. The chandelier was adorned with cobwebs and most of the candles were merely stubs, dwarfed by the past elegance of history. The room was hidden deep within the castle’s depths and had no windows, the candles dotted around the room were just enough to fill it with dancing light. Multiple tapestries and paintings lined the walls, depicting a number of scenes from forgotten history. The city in it’s infancy when it was merely a small fishing port, the city at the height of it’s golden glory, portraits of their family throughout the ages. One of which was covered by a dusty curtain. They were sat at an old ornate table, which seem to have been scorched at sometime during its long life. Scar was at the head of the table, with his sister opposite him. On his left going down the table sat Rarity, Rainbow, Nightshade, Pinkie and then finally Twilight. On his right going down the table sat Fluttershy, Bumblebee, Starscream and then Arcee, which left an empty seat at the end which Laserbeak was perched on. Brisingr and Draco had fetched them for dinner a few hours after they had been shown to their rooms. They had been served their meal, with Starscream actually being able to use the cutlery for once, and sat through it making idle chat. Waiting until afterwards to discuss the matter which had brought them all here. “So, I’ve heard that you came here after portals?” Haunt said addressing the entire table after finishing her conversation with Twilight. Starscream had heard them talking throughout the entire meal, which was a stark contrast to Nightshade who was sat opposite him and had hardly said anything throughout the entire meal. “So that you can get these four home.” Nods and murmurs of agreement followed her statement around the table. For the first time since arriving in this planet, Starscream felt optimistic about being able to find their way home. He attributed this feeling to him being an Autocon. “We have a device, which is hidden in the depths of the Hollow Shades forest which controls these portals,” Haunt said whilst softly tapping her hooves on the table. “It was a gift from an old friend a long time ago.” “So you can help us get home?” Arcee asked, getting straight to the heart of the matter and wishing for a straight answer. Starscream would have asked the same thing, but things usually turned in the favour of the Autobots, so he was letting her lead. Unless her destination was avenging Cliffjumper, then he would lead, in a direction really far away and really quickly. “Unfortunately no,” Scar said, looking down at the table and away from the accusing glares that he knew were being directed his way. Which were combined with gasps of confusion, even Bob - who was sat on the table in his jar after being kept safely in Pinkies mane for the duration of the meal - turned into three floating question marks. Though his owner wasn’t paying much attention to the conversation. Starscream had watched her and Rainbow throughout the entire meal try and provoke a reaction from Nightshade, though they hadn’t yet succeeded. All of their jokes which had, at times, made a certain grey pegasus fall unceremoniously off of his chair with laughter. But Nightshade hadn’t so much as smiled in response. Starscream was planning on keeping a wary eye on them throughout the remainder of their stay at the table. So that he would be able to find somewhere to hide if things started exploding. Luckily, Pinkie’s attention was brought back to the present at the confusing news. However she had a cheerful grin on her face, making Starscream think that she knew what was going to happen, or was about to throw cake at everypony in the room. “The technology needed to control the device hasn’t been built yet,” Haunt said, drawing the attention off of her brother. “And we are currently unable to create it at the moment.” “What!” Rainbow exclaimed stamping her front hooves onto the table and flying slightly above her chair. “You can build robots but not the items needed for this?” “Why ever not?” Rarity said trying to lower the volume of the situation before somepony did something drastic. Fluttershy was hiding under the table from the sudden outburst and Starscream wasn’t far from following her as he was cowering on his chair. Rainbow flew over to Fluttershy and comforted her until she rejoined them at the table before returning to her chair, muttering small hints of an apology. “It’s not that we are unable to build it,” Haunt said, whilst tracing the line of her scar forlornly. “It’s that we can’t build it.” “What my sister is trying to say,” Scar said, interrupting the murmurs of confusion before they could begin. “Is that because of the war, we can’t build the equipment needed.” “Oh, so you can’t divert your resources away from the conflict?” Twilight said, looking between the two twins for confirmation. “Nearly,” Nightshade responded, “one of the reasons we are fighting this war is to keep the device away from our enemy.” “Oh, and what’s the more awesome reason?” Rainbow asked, perking up in her seat, and looking to Starscream as if she was expecting a really awesome answer. As she kept repeating that word throughout the time he had been in this dimension. “She was a terrible mother,” Scar and Haunt said together. “Wha...?” was the only response that Rainbow was able to produce. “Queen Olethron Strika - as she now calls herself - was, once upon a time the one we called our mother.” Scar said looking at the ponies for their shocked reactions. “Before greed and jealousy corrupted her. We exiled her to the Badlands, where she found an army. Which you got a small taster of earlier today.” “So anypony got any questions?”, Haunt asked, with a small grin at the ponies’ puzzled looks. Starscream, still very iffy on the organics’ concepts of family, considered asking what a mother was (as he only knew that they were important somehow), before his thoughts were interrupted by a different question. “I thought Chrysalis was from the Badlands,” Rarity asked breaking the silence of the room. “I thought Chrysalis was from Switzerland,” Pinkie exclaimed, looking pleased with herself. Though nobody looked pleased with her attempt at lightening the mood, as nopony was laughing. Except one. A strange combination of laughter and hissing was coming from Nightshade, emanating from behind her hoof which she had now placed in front of her mouth. “Ha ha hss “Aha ha hss “Aha ha hhss” *hiccup* “Ha ha hss” *hiccup* This order continued, with each hiccup becoming more severe than her last, though at least they were slowing down in frequency. But as the hiccups started to seem to be coming to an end, something else started happening. how can she be a transformer? Starscream thought as he watched the pony in front of him. *Hiccup* Princess Luna was sat in front of him. *Hiccup* Then Princess Celestia was there. *hiccup* Then the pony who had sold them muffins. *hiccup* Then a pony he had never seen before, a black unicorn with a purple mane. *hiccup* This pattern continued for a few minutes until Starscream was looking into his own red eyes, when her hiccups seemed to have come to an end. He turned his head on it’s side and his ‘clone’ copied him. Starscream did a few movements - all of which were copied - until he stood up and leaned across the table and placed his hooves on it. His ‘clone’ copied him for a moment until it brought up it’s hoof and slapped him. Knocking him off balance and back into his seat. Rubbing the side of his face he watched - along with the other ponies at the table, including the slightly disinterested Twins - as Nightshade grabbed her glass of water which was in front of her and gulped it down. At the same time green fire ‘burned’ away her disguise. Revealing a completely different pony, though Starscream could hardly make out her new form in the darkened room, as some of her hiccups had blown out a few candles. “Aha... ha... hi?” Nightshade said as all the ponies were staring at her. Frozen in place, including Pinkie whose jaw had hit the table. Though after a few moments she picked up her jaw and shook her head. “SHE’S A CHANGELING!” Pinkie exclaimed, jumping onto the table and pointing an accusing hoof at Nightshade.