//------------------------------// // Interrogation // Story: My Little Pony: Grimlock is King // by Flanagan //------------------------------// “Are you sure that this will hold him?” Twilight asked looking to the titan bound in crystal and steel. “He nearly broke through Celestia’s barrier when he transformed.” “Prince Shining Armor commissioned the finest steel and crystal forgers to create those chains your highness.” One of the many blacksmiths said, “And we’ve had some of the most powerful unicorns in all of Equestria enchant it to insure that it wouldn’t break.” “I’m aware of that, I read the work order.” Twilight said looking back to the blacksmith, “but he’s shown us that his physical strength is far beyond anything that we have ever thought to be possible.” “He won’t be going anywhere.” The blacksmith said with a smile, “I assure you of that.” Twilight nodded as the blacksmith returned to his station, leaving Twilight alone to stare in awe at the monster that singlehandedly saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives. He had also severally injured two dozen guards nearly killed both her mentor and her brother. Twilight whipped away a tear from her eyes as she tried to forget the latter of the two facts, she just didn’t know what to make of Grimlock. He showed heroism beyond anything she thought possible, even the willingness to fight and possibly die for beings that he had just met, but he also showed a primal rage and hatred that terrified her beyond anything that she had ever faced. Was he a Hero or monster? Was he Equestria’s greatest ally or most dangerous threat? The questions just kept swirling in her head until the doors to the dungeon opened and a bright light shined inside. Twilight looked to the light and saw the dark outlines of nine ponies, ponies that Twilight knew well. The first of them that came to her side was the one that had sent the letter, the one who was like the big sister she never had, Princess Cadence. “So THIS is the beast that my husband had to contend with…” she said looking Grimlock up and down. “He seems very imposing.” “You haven’t seen him when he’s angry.” Twilight replied shaking her head, “That is more terrifying that Changelings, Sombra and Nightmare Moon combined.” Twilight’s eyes suddenly fell on Princess Luna, whose frown was more than disapproving of the mention of her alter ego. Twilight quickly looked away, ashamed that she was inconsiderate enough to even think about such a thing in her presence. The former foal-sitter noticed the change in Twilight’s body language, but before she could make an attempt to console her, a flash of the entire light spectrum drove the two apart. “Still think he’s on our side?” Rainbow asked with a confidant smile while she nudged Twilight’s shoulder. “At least these crystal ponies have the right idea.” “I still don’t know Rainbow.” Twilight sighed, still trying to shake of the shame of her previous comment. “If he was bad then why did he try to stop the castle from falling? If he was evil I doubt he wouldn’t have even cared.” “He’s already said that he doesn’t care about us.” Rainbow said staring daggers at Grimlock, “We all heard him say it.” “I know Rainbow…” Twilight said lowering her head, “But what about the Ursa attack? He could’ve easily done nothing, he could’ve even helped them, but he fought them AND kept the fight away from the townsfolk… and then there was yesterday… none of us saw what he ran after and my brother said that there were more like him…” Twilight looked back up to the subject their conversation, “What if he fought the ones that actually attacked the Crystal Empire in the first place? What if he was protecting us from them?” “What ifs aside, he still needs to answer for what he has done.” Shining Armor said, limping over to his sister. “Two dozen guard ponies injured eleven of them possibly on their death beds and seven of those have burn wounds inflicted by you. How do you plea?” Grimlock didn’t respond he just looked down to the group of ponies for a few seconds before returning his gaze to the opposite wall. Shining Armor retaliated by throwing a red hot metal rod towards Grimlock’s head, but before it could hit him it was enveloped in a golden glow. Shining Armor turned around to see Princess Celestia looking at him with a look of disapproval that only a mother could have for her son. “I don’t think that that is how you should treat a guest.” She said calmly, placing the rod back in the blacksmith’s forge. “Guest?!” Shining yelled, “YOU THINK HE’S A GUEST?! Need I remind you that he AND his friends destroyed the entire kingdom? All but a few of the guard is dead and nearly a quarter of the population is either dead or missing! And you expect me to treat him like a guest?!” “He wasn’t a part of the raiders you speak of.” Celestia replied, maintaining her calm, “He was in Ponyville helping in the reconstruction effort.” “Well you could’ve told us that!” Shining roared, “Why didn’t you send a letter or something?! You could’ve avoided this whole thing! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!” A dead silence fell onto the ponies they couldn’t believe what they had just heard. Shining Armor, the once proud and honorable Capitan of the Guard, had just told the ruler of ponykind that she was at fault for the desolation of the Crystal Empire. Princess Luna shuttered, she knew that her sister had a temper that could melt diamonds hidden behind calm demeanor and that was just the insult to say to unleash it. Princess Celestia remained calm however, though her wings did ruffle a bit at the accusation. “S-should we leave sister?” Princess Luna asked, motioning for the others to make their way to the door. “No.” Princess Celestia responded, sounding more like an order than a reply. “I want all of you to hear what I am about to say…” Princess Celestia loomed over Shining Armor with a glare that made him drop his anger and replace it with fear, but instead of giving him a proper tongue lashing she simply looked over to her niece. The other ponies scattered, leaving Princess Cadence to fend for herself against her aunt. Frozen and trying to think of what to do she was completely unprepared for what Celestia did next. “Cadie…” Celestia said in the sweetest of tones, “could you answer a question for me?” “Oh… of course!” She answered quickly, unsure off what else to say. “What would you like me to answer?” “It’s a rather simple question Cadence.” Celestia replied, casting her gaze back to Shining Armor, “Where do you receive my letters?” “What?” “Where do you receive my letters?” Celestia repeated, not taking her eyes of him. “Well, whenever you send me a royal decree or even just a personal letter I receive them personally.” Cadence answered, not knowing where her aunt was going with the question. “That’s correct.” Celestia responded, “And where does Shining Armor receive HIS letters from me?” “The same way I receive them…” Cadence answered, putting two and two together, “I normally give them to him the moment they are received.” “Again you are correct…” Celestia said taking a seat, but not still staring down Shining Armor. “Now where were you when you sent ME that letter about the attack?” “In the castle, we had just gathered as many subjects as we could before he…” Cadence’s eyes widened, realizing what Shining Armor had done, “he magically sealed us in… nothing could’ve come in or out of the castle…” “Again you are correct…” Princess Celestia replied nodding her head. “Even if I would have sent a letter… it would’ve been impossible for you to receive it and given the off chance that you DID receive such a letter, Shining Armor would’ve been too busy on the front lines protecting you and your ponies to take notice of it.” Princess Celestia then stood up and made her way to Shining Armor, but instead of stopping him and making him apologize, she completely ignored him. Instead she walked passed him, her sister and the others to stop in front of Grimlock. “No pony is at fault here, what is to blame is an incapability to communicate because of standard military precautions.” She said shaking her head, “But that does not exempt the fact that Grimlock attacked and nearly killed ponies, including my nephew-in-law.” “So, what do you propose we do?” Shining Armor asked, shooting a quick glare at Grimlock. “It’s actually quite simple…” Princess Celestia said looking back to him. “All we need-“ “-is to tell me about this ‘Grimlock’ that I keep hearing so much about.” Queen Chrysalis said dragging her hoof across Swindle’s chest. “I want to know everything there is to know about him.” “I already told you insect!” Swindle roared, trying to free himself, “He’s an Autobot! That’s all you need to know!” “Well… isn’t THAT a shame.” Chrysalis replied with puppy eyes, “And I thought we were becoming friends… too bad, I was thinking that I could loosen you up a bit too.” Chrysalis walked off towards a table on the opposite side of the room, but little to her knowledge, Swindle actually felt slack in his bindings, but his training kicked in the second before he tried anything. He knew by the chatter of the smaller ones that she held the title of Queen; even if it were an honorary title it still meant that she held importance in their society. If he waited long enough he could possibly get it to where she wouldn’t be so watched over, he could easily take her hostage and burn rubber until he found the other Combaticons, that is, if they were still alive. “Swindle?” Chrysalis asked breaking him of his train of thought. “It’s Swindle right? I’ve tried to be a hospitable guest to you but you just-“ “H-how?” “I beg your pardon?” “My name…” Swindle answered, “HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?!” “And I thought I was the one asking the questions.” Chrysalis giggled turning back to face her captive, “But if you must know, you fell into our hive two days ago… you made quite a mess out of the slower changelings I might add, but that being said you talk when your unconscious…” “Is that how you know about Grimlock?” Swindle asked, feeling even more slack in his bindings. “I never knew I thought about him THAT much.” “Well it’s never my place to judge ones orientations.” Chrysalis replied shifting items on the table around, “But no… you failed to mention my current interest.” “Then how do you-“ “I have spies everywhere Swindle.” She interrupted, “It’s not hard to gather information when you need it here… as they always say ‘loose lips deflate blimps’.” The guards left their queen’s side as her horn began to glow, casting a dim light over the table she was working at. Swindle had no idea what she was planning, but since her guards left he decided that he wasn’t going to stay around long enough to find out. “There’s a saying like that on the planet I came from.” Swindle said with a smile clinching his fists. “Oh?” Chrysalis said, not paying much attention to him, “Well I guess it’s a small world.” “Try galaxy…” Swindle said with a smile, “Oh… and about loose things…” Swindle’s pistons kicked into high gear as he activated his thrusters in an attempt to grab his captor, but with his prize inches out of his reach his restraints went taught with a vengeance. The vines pulled hard on Swindle, forcing him to slam into the ground so hard energon spewed out of his mouth, but that was only the beginning. He desperately clung to the earth, but the vines were far too strong, lifting him into the air with ease, they slammed him back to the ground again and again until every last ounce of fight in him was gone. Broken and coughing up energon, the vines returned him to his starting place, prompting Chrysalis to finally turn around. “Oh I’m terribly sorry Swindle…” She said with a dark smile, “I suppose I should have told you that the entity that has you in its control doesn’t appreciate sudden movements. Changelings are too small for it to notice, but your bulky enough for it to know what you’re doing… No offence.” Chrysalis’s horn began to glow yet again, but this time it levitated a strange object to her side. Swindle weakly looked over to the item, but in his current state he couldn’t register it before she hid the item behind her back. “Now, now Swindle, I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise for you.” She giggled, playfully trotting over to her prisoner, “But you shouldn’t worry, I don’t think it’ll hurt… well… actually… I don’t think it’ll kill you would probably be more accurate…” “Grimlock, please…” Celestia beaconed, “Tell us who they were.” Her plea fell on deaf ears, they had been trying for hours to get him to talk, but his silence was the only answer they could ever get. Luna had also tried her hoof at getting Grimlock to talk, but the closest she had gotten was a glance that lasted for longer than ten seconds, which was actually the best that any of them could do. “It would be wise for you to tell us, Grimlock.” Luna said stepping forward again. “You may need our help.” “Help?” Grimlock questioned, “Me not need puny pony help…” At that moment Grimlock barely flicked his wrists, snapping the crystal and the magic that enchanted them. Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash and the remaining guard prepared for a fight, but with a quick glance from the princesses they stood down. Turning their attention back to Grimlock they expected his sword raised and ready for a fight, but instead they saw him standing there, his massive shadow casting all of them in darkness. “Ponies can’t hold Grimlock,” he said kneeling so he could get closer to them, “Me only stay in chains to make ponies feel better. Me could break them anytime me wanted to.” “But you didn’t.” Celestia answered, “You didn’t because you were concerned for our safety.” “No.” Grimlock answered rising to his feet. “Grimlock not care much for the weak, but Decepticons-“ “Decepticons?” Celestia asked, her interest peeked, “What are Decepticons?” Grimlock froze before clinching his fists in anger. He had foolishly mentioned the name of his foe and now the little ponies wanted to know more. Turning towards the door to make a quick exit, he felt something brush across his wrist. He looked down to see the cowboy pony’s lasso attempting to ensnare his hand, but before the rope became taught he wrapped his other hand around the rope and pulled, bringing the pony with it. Applejack’s friends tried to grab her, but Grimlock had pulled too quickly, she was already face to faceplate with him. They along with shining Armor, Cadence and the reluctant princesses readied themselves for the fight of their lives. But much to their disbelief and ones utter disappointment, Grimlock gently lowered her on his now open palm. “You very stupid pony.” He growled staring her down, “You know nothing can hold Grimlock.” “I wasn’t tryin’ ta hold ya down.” She replied staring right back at him, “I just want ya ta tell the truth.” “Truth?” “Yes… the TRUTH.” Applejack replied with a nod, “I want ya ta tell us ‘bout those Decpta-thingys… and if that ‘Starscreech’ feller one of ‘um…” “Grimlock has said enough.” He replied, placing Applejack on the floor. “Now Grimlock leave.” “HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, appearing in front of him in an instant. “What are you planning on doing now, huh? You planning on finding your pals and-“ “What you say, rainbow pony?” Grimlock growled clinching his fists. Twilight and the others looked to Grimlock in fear as Rainbow hovered just a few feet away from his face plate. They had seen him mad, but never like this. He wasn’t mad because something hit him or because something was annoying him, granted that have partially been a factor because of Rainbow’s constant pestering, whatever she had said to him insulted him so deeply that they could already see his body pulse a faint red. “P-princess…” Fluttershy whimpered slowly backing herself behind Celestia. “Don’t be afraid Fluttershy.” She replied calmly, nodding to her sister to make sure she knew what to do if it went any further downhill. “Twilight I need you to be ready as well.” “Ready for what?” she asked. Twilight had been so fixated on Rainbow and Grimlock that she didn’t really know what was going on, but with a quick nod of the princess’s head Twilight knew exactly what she was talking about. No pony wanted another Ponyville incident, and by the looks of their dimly glowing horns they weren’t about to let history repeat itself. “I asked you…” Rainbow replied with a twisted smile unlike anything the ponies had seen, “If you were going to run away and meet up with your friends and-“ “THEY NOT GRIMLOCK’S FRIENDS!” Grimlock roared trapping Rainbow in his grip as he slammed his fist into the wall. The sound of stone shattering against metal was the straw that broke the camel’s back. In a matter of seconds Grimlock was completely engulfed in golden, sapphire and pink magic. In his rage he tried to fight the forces that held him, but it wasn’t much use, whatever was held him back was doing a good job. For moment he came to his senses and in that moment he realized something, he had felt this before. When it first happened he had just had his first encountered the ponies, but he was so enraged that he couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening. Now that he was mostly aware his sensors could process what was happening to him. The readings showed the amount of energon exposure began to spike from their usually low levels to a level similar to what he experienced when he realized that the giant building he was holding was made of pure energon. Turning to see the origins of such a spike he saw that the pretty ponies and Twilight’s horns were glowing furiously, the sight was enough for him to jerk enough to release Rainbow unharmed. Those not involved in holding the beast down rushed to Rainbow’s side, afraid that she was injured or worse. Those who held him down however, their faces were a mix of dread and fury, Luna was even bearing teeth. Grimlock’s body still pulsed red, but any attempt to move was quickly suppressed by their magic. They didn’t know that he was in a slight state of shock. “P-pretty… Ponies…” he said, the red pulse becoming less frequent. “No Grimlock.” Princess Celestia said in a commanding tone, “This is the last straw, I’m sorry but I can’t let you roam free anymore, you are too dangerous to-“ A thundering sound of an explosion came from behind Grimlock, soon followed by those who rushed to Rainbow’s aid landing on the ground at the feet of the princesses. They looked to the explosions epicenter to see a lone pony standing there, Rainbow Dash, her head lowered to the ground in a seemingly weakened state. “R-Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked in shock, “Are you-“ “Enough you pathetic excuse for royalty.” Rainbow growled shooting a glare at twilight that would send chills down even a cockatrice’s spine. “I will not address trash like you.” “T-that voice…” Celestia said in horror as her horn stopped glowing, “It…it can’t be…” “Oh it can ‘Princess’…” Rainbow replied with a fanged smile. “Where there is hatred and fear I can always survive… but I don’t believe that I will be able to say the same for you…” A smoke-like aura surrounded Rainbow Dash as her body began to heave and contort unnaturally. “This body is no longer of use to me…” Rainbow said while a black liquid began to pour out of her mouth, a lone tear escaped her eye before they completely rolled back into her head. The second the liquid stopped pouring from her lips Rainbow hit the ground in a lifeless thud. “RAINBOW!” Twilight cried, making an attempt to run to her friend, but the steady hooves of both Celestia and Luna held her back. “So much anger… so much hate…” the liquid said, “So… delicious…” At that moment the liquid shot up into the smoke intertwining with it to take the form of something that hadn’t been seen in over a year. It had dagger-like fangs, a glowing red horn and finally two distinct green eyes spewing purple smoke, the shadowy face looked to the ponies still standing and let out a deep, sinister laugh. “No need to fret my little ponies…” he said still cackling, “The shadow… has… ARRIVED!”