//------------------------------//
// Darkness Rising 
// Story: The Throne of Tirek 
// by drunkenpandaren 
//------------------------------//

"Faster, you fools! We need to get this Energon to Shockwave before the end of the solar cycle. Work harder!"

Starscream was not pleased, but when was he ever? With news that the Grimstone Canyon mine had been compromised by those miserable ponies and their Night Princess no less, he had been in a foul mood ever since then.

And to make matters worse, this little project they were working on required the use of the one substance that Starscream would prefer to get away from as far as possible from: Dark Energon.

Like light and dark, Equestria had its secrets and dark history all to itself, and Dark Energon was the lifeblood of the fallen god Unicron, the antithesis to Primus whose spark beat at the core of Cybertron. Oh Cybertron, how he missed it. But with the ponies and Autobots controlling the space bridge, he was forced to live on this ridiculously too-colourful world.

He supposed he could be in worse places, he reflected as his troops dug for Dark Energon in the depths of a abandoned ruin in the cold northern tundra. He could be on that Earth planet with all of those noisy monkeys and their ridiculous prattle. Knock Out would have been even MORE insufferable if he had access to a more flashy Alt-Mode. The traitor.

"Sir, we've found something," reported in one of the Vehicons, bringing Starscream's attention to it. "You should come take a look at it."

"It's probably just another one of those insufferable pony statues we keep finding, just dig more!" exclaimed Starscream grumpily.

"It's very important," replied the Vehicon soldier, and Starscream raised a brow at the tone. Most Vehicons had personalities, true, but this one was practically ordering, no, insisting he come take a look at it. Must have spooked the troops.

"Very well, I'll come and look at it. But if this starts clawing at my face I will hold you personally responsible for it!"

Grumpily he marched over towards the pit and stared into the black seething mess that was uncovered. "What in the Pit is this?" demanded Starscream seconds before the screaming began.

=====

The Throne of Tirek

=====

Ponyville, Present Day

"That will be seven bits for the whole lot, dear," said Mrs. Cake as Lyra licked her lips at the pile of cupcakes that was presented to her in the two stacked boxes. "Are you getting some for your friends?"

"Oh yeah, a friend of mine asked me to pick up a bunch of them and I'm sharing them around the offic--er, around the party."

"Did someone say party?" inquired Pinkie Pie, sticking her head out of the back room. "And I'm not throwing it?"

Lyra cringed. "NO! It's not really a party, more like just friends getting together and bringing cupcakes and stuff, really it's not a huge thing, Pinkie."

"Ooh ooh, is it a party-party or a not-party? Or is it a party-squared?"

"More just like the office-getting-together party. It's my turn to bring in the baked goods this morning."

"Oh, that's right, dear, you work in an office when you're not playing at a concert, is that right?" inquired Mrs. Cake. "Good for you. Is Bon Bon going to be there?"

"No, she's with the Doctor, er, John today. Not Whooves, another Doctor. Doctor... John. Yeah." Lyra grinned weakly at her own lame joke. "Well I gotta go I uh..."

YOU GOTTA FIGHT! FOR YOUR RIGHT! TO PAARRRRRRTTYYYY!

Lyra fumbled at her jacket pocket, and pulled out her cell phone, wincing at the volume of the ringtone as the Cakes and Pinkie looked at the small cell phone in surprise. Bringing it to her ear she hissed, "Who turned on Ringtone Number 6?"

"Sorry Lyra," replied the voice on the other end and she snapped to attention. "But this is a priority one call from UNIT. Gather up the Elements of Harmony and meet at the usual pick up area for ground-bridging in half an hour."

"Yes, ma'am," replied Lyra, snapping the cell phone shut. "Sorry, this is important."

"Was that a phone? I never saw a phone that small before! It's really tiny and it had the coolest ring to it! Like--!" Pinkie was silenced by a hoof over the mouth as Lyra held her hoof there.

"Pinkie, this is important. Can you do something for me? I need you to gather the girls... and probably Spike too, and meet me at the edge of Whitetail Woods precisely in half an hour. Can you do that? This is deadly important. You're the faster of the two of us."

Pinkie nodded, her head moving like a bobble.

"Good." Removing her hoof, she checked the clock on the wall. "Go, you need to get moving. Half an hour, don't be late."

"Okie dokie loki!" And with that, Pinkie was off like a shot.

Lyra sighed as she pocketed her cell phone and levitated her cupcakes. Mrs. Cake looked on in concern. "Was that... in regards to them Lyra?" she asked quietly, remembering the events of that day.

"Yeah it was. Or it could be much worse. That call was from the Brig's daughter, the one in command of UNIT right now. You remember Kate Lethbridge-Stiffhoof don't you?" inquired Lyra.

Mrs. Cake smiled, nodding in reply. "I remember Kate, and the Old Brig. He once came to the shop, with the most interesting man, the Professor. I was a much younger filly back then, but it was before the incident with the metal not-ponies."

"Bugbears," remarked Lyra and the pair shared a light smile. "I'll keep the girls out of trouble, don't worry. I've got it all well in hand."

"... What are hands?"

=====

"Check, check and check," replied Spike as Twilight finished the day's checklist. "That's everything up till three-thirty today, Twilight."

"Good. That will give me time to go over my notes on this book I've read about the recent migratory patterns of Bugbears," replied Twilight, ruffling her wings. "Now if only..."

"TWILIGHT!" Popping out of the bookcase and startling Spike, Pinkie Pie wiggled her way out of the shelves.

"Pinkie! Look what you did, you scared Spike! Why didn't you use the door?" exclaimed Twilight as Spike hyperventilated on the floor. Twilight levitated him a paper bag.

"Oh, I was going to, but I decided against it. Lyra said you and Spike and the girls have to come right away! I already got the rest of them, and we're meeting in front of Whitetail Woods!"

"Pinkie I have things to do! I don't have time for a party, sorry. You'll just have to tell Lyra--"

"Twilight, it's really important," said Pinkie, cutting her off with her tone. Pinkie was never this serious sounding. "Lyra got a call while at the shop today. A CALL."

"I'm not following you," said Twilight. "Why would getting a phone call be of any trouble?"

"Maybe it was a date?" offered Spike helpfully.

"It sounded really important. She called the speaker ma'am and everything! I think Lyra's a SPY. Or at least super important," said Pinkie.

"Oh please, she's just a musician with a human fascination! What could she possibly be hiding?" scoffed Twilight as she got her things together. "I'm certain while it could be important, we're getting worked up over nothing."

20 Minutes Later...

"Or not, as the case might be," said Twilight as she stared up in awe at the massive complex within Canterlot, the high ceilings and incredible structure built for life bigger than they were. The huge robot, for what else could it be, at the side arguing with a couple of pony technicians. A yellow robot standing there, arms at his sides with a slender feminine one with an amused smile.

Her friends, try as they might couldn't stop gawking at the sheer size of the room as well, and the banks of flashing lights and loud noises. The Royal Guard, mixed members of the Dusk and Day together. Creatures with domed heads and bipedal hands and legs – humans, Twilight recalled. And Lyra grinned as she swept her hoof forward.

"Welcome, girls, to the most classified place in the world. This is UNIT, the Unicorn Intelligence Team, a joint base that works with RID and HEAT, two divisions of Autobot Security. Those stand for Robots In Disguise and uh... actually, I forget what HEAT stands for. Anyhow it's all very hush-hush."

"This place it's... Bigger than what we expected," said Rarity in dazed voice.

"Ah'll say," stated Applejack, noting a couple of humans walk by. "And humans too! Ah didn't realize they were here as well!"

"Space-bridge accident sent a couple of Autobots and ponies to Earth a couple of years ago and, well, that's not important," replied Lyra. "This way, I want you to meet a few people. Follow me, girls."

"What do you make of all of this?" inquired Rarity of Twilight as Pinkie bounced ahead. "All of... this?"

"I dunno. You'd think Princess Celestia would tell me about this, but she didn't..." Twilight sighed. "I... I don't know if..."

"I'm sure she had a good reason for it," said Fluttershy softly, giving her a smile. "After all, Lyra seems to have this well in hoof."

"I guess you're right."

Stopping in front of the big map, Lyra paused and gestured to the two massive robots. "Girls, these are our two Autobot veterans and two of our best friends. Arcee and Bumblebee."

"Hi," said Arcee and Bumblebee chuckled.

"Welcome to UNIT. It's good to finally actually talk to the ponies who saved our nation a few times." said Bumblebee, kneeling down to talk to them.

"Our nation?" inquired Rarity. "Darling, I'm certain I hadn't noticed giant robots around before until now."

"We've been on Equestria for about five years now undercover," replied Arcee. "We, like many ponies, humans, and other species regard it as our home. Our second home away from home. Is that so weird?"

"Ah shucks, naw, it isn't. You find your kin where you can get it, right ya'll?" laughed Applejack. The others nodded.

"Yeah and that would probably explain why sometimes I see carriages running around without a driver," remarked Rainbow Dash thoughtfully.

"I'll say. That hillside is a magnet for those," added Spike.

Tensions broken and the awkwardness of the first introductions out of the way, a pair of ponies stepped up, one very familiar, one not so familiar. Twilight's eyes lit up. "Princess Celestia!"

"Twilight Sparkle, how good it is to finally share this with you," said the Princess, giving her a warm smile. "Everypony, I'd like to introduce you to General Kate Lethbridge-Stiffhoof. She's the head of operations here at UNIT and a trusted friend of mine."

The older mare smiled at the assembled guests. "Charmed I'm sure," replied the mare in a Trottingham accent. "Now then, since we're all assembled, let's get started. If you'll all look over at our map here."

Gathering around the huge table, the map activated as a blinking light appeared and zoomed in. "The Crystal Empire?" inquired Twilight curiously. "What's going on, Princess?"

"I'm afraid Princess Cadance has reported unusual activity in the northern tundra. A group of Bugbears have been spotted by the scouts we have in the Royal Guard."

"Oh my, Bugbears aren't very friendly," remarked Fluttershy softly. "But maybe they can be reasoned with?"

"You have to understand something: Bugbear is a codeword for something much larger than ourselves." said Lyra finally. She tapped a terminal as a larger creature appeared, its metal claws unsheathed in the light. Fluttershy squeaked and ducked behind the table in fear.

"That's no bear," she whimpered.

"Correct. Bugbear is a codeword for Vehicon activity. This is a Vehicon, a mass produced robotic soldier, often used for things such as labour and mining." said the Princess, shaking her head. "They have taken to disguising themselves with false skins and furs, and even as Timberwolves, as not to arouse suspicion."

"It also has an added effect of cloaking them from our long range scanners," put in Bumblebee. "Which is surprising because if the 'Cons weren't in such a rush, apparently, they would have been disguised."

"Which makes this even worse considering they were obviously digging for something. Energon," said Arcee. Further elaborating, she added, "Energon is a crystal, when refined makes fuel for our bodies and is a valuable resource for Autobots and Decepticons to live. Your world like so many others were seeded with it millions of years ago, before the first ponies were even born."

"So they're basically mining out food for your people," summarized Twilight.

"A past-time that would be common among the dragons, I'd imagine," added Rarity, giving the image of the Energon crystal a once over. "Though the things I could do with that crystal...!"

"Moving on, it appears that the mining team found something. Something we'd hope to kept buried," said the Princess, zooming in on the site which was a circular set of ruins. "A ancient power that Luna and I buried long ago might still be there, if only for the speed the Decepticons fled the scene."

"What kind of ancient power?" asked Pinkie. "It's not a good kind is it...?"

"No, it's a terrible one. Do you all remember the legend of Tirek, my little ponies?" said Celestia.

At this, Fluttershy squeaked and dove under the table. Rainbow Dash sighed and went to pull her out. "Sorry, she's been terrified of that fairy tale since she was a filly. Get out of there, Fluttershy!"

"It is no mere legend," said Kate, causing Fluttershy to whimper, "I knew it!" "While Tirek himself is gone, long ago, he opened a gateway to a darker power, and from it mined a power that he forged into the Rainbow of Darkness."

"The Rainbow of Darkness. They said that they could only be combated with the Rainbow of Light," said Twilight. "Princess, what happened back then?"

"It's a long tale, and I will tell you all now, if you will listen," said the Princess. "Come, let us adjourn to a quieter area of the castle."

=====

The palace servants were good about what they did, keeping the food supplied as two Autobots and a herd of ponies entered the big meeting room. Fluttershy had been coaxed out of hiding and was trying to look up at Bumblebee through her long mane. "Um... excuse me, but can I ask you something, sir?"

"Mmm? What is it?" replied Bumblebee.

"Well... it's just that.... you don't look like a bee, and your name is Bumblebee. I was just wondering... why did you have the name Bumblebee?"

Bumblebee chuckled. "Actually our names are equivalent to Equestrian language. Cybertronian names have a bit of crossover between things found on both Equestria and Earth, due to its long histories with both planets in many dimensions. My coloring is sort of like a bumblebee, with the black and yellow though. So I don't mind being named Bumblebee, or Bee for short."

Fluttershy nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Thank you. I didn't know if you were half-bee or not, so I didn't want to offend you by offering honey."

"No harm done. Let's catch up with the others then."

Once inside the room, the ponies assembled around the comfortable table as the Princess took up the head. "The tale of Tirek is one we pass down in our lives from generation to generation as a reminder of what could have been," began Celestia. "But before that golden age of Equestria began, there was a shining city, known as the Crystal Kingdom..."

=====

Crystal Kingdom, 1500 years ago...

Luna paced relentlessly, trying not to keep her anxiety down as Celestia smiled at her. "Luna, you should really calm down a little," said Celestia. "You will worry yourself sick."

"How can we calm ourselves?" demanded Luna. "We have been planning this meeting ahead for many a week. With Discord defeated, peace is returning to the valley and we cannot afford to rest."

"There will be plenty of time to relax, and now is the time for it," soothed Celestia as she sipped her tea. "Sit down, have some coffee."

"You know what that concoction from beyond our lands does to me," replied Luna testily. "We would rather have the tea, thank you."

"Then sit, and wait. Prince Sombra is newly minted, appointed for the time being as regent lord of the Crystal Empire. Discord's rule was hard on us all, and we need to stay focused."

Luna took a bracing sip of tea and sighed. "We grant you that you are right, dear sister."

"I do know I'm right."

Soon, the doors opened and a page clad in the colors of the Empire cleared his throat. "Begging your pardon my lieges, but the Prince awaits."

"Well, here we go. Showtime," stated Celestia, Luna giving her a look. "What, too flashy?"

"You picked up some bad influences from him didn't you?"

"No, never," tittered Celestia as she followed the page who pretended to hear nothing.

Opening the doors, he announced in a loud booming voice, "Announcing Their Royal Highnesses, The Sun And the Moon, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!"

"Oooh, we need to learn how to do that," whispered Luna, suitably impressed.

Sitting at the throne was a pony dressed in regal finery, a young handsome stallion with a smile on his face. He bowed politely in response to their bows. "The Sun and Moon, thank you for joining us here today," he said grandly. "Please, make yourselves at home."

"Your hospitality is nothing short of generous, my prince," said Celestia with a warm smile.

"And your food is excellent. These pears are much to be delighted," added Luna.

Sombra laughed. "These delights are a trifle to accommodate such beauty. Let me introduce you to the pony who made it all worth it. Tirek?"

From the side of the room, a pair of curtains swept open as Celestia's eyes widened in surprise and Luna's jaw dropped. What stood there was an impossibility; the lower body of a pony, but the upper body of a hairless ape. His face was chiselled as if from stone with his sombre expression, but it quickly turned into a smile as he bowed, coming into the light.

"Allow me to introduce my right hoof man, Tirek, who has come from a faraway land to my court."

"The pleasure is all mine," replied Tirek in a voice that simultaneously sent shivers up both princesses' spines and soothed it at once.

"Tirek is the last of his tribe. The last of the mythical race of Centaurs. How blessed is my court to have him here. Why, crystal mining production has tripled since he has arrived, and our people are as happy as ever!" laughed Sombra. "Now please, let the party begin!"

"You are too kind, my prince." As Celestia sat, Luna quickly settled beside her sister, only to find Tirek's eyes on her for a brief moment before the festivities began.

To Be Continued...