//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Pain // Story: Ocean Bound Colossus // by Seth Typofather //------------------------------// More voices, this will not do. For once he gets a good statis nap and it gets interrupted by…more talking horses. Right... this world is full of them. Groaning Starscream lifted his body from the bed, the wet rag dropping to his lap. What the Allspark was he even doing here? He shouldn’t be taking pity from some worthless organics, then again, it did feel nice to be treated for once. “I see you’re better already! Oh that’s great!” A pink pony with a hairstyle resembling that of the powdered sugar clouds humans call cotton candy and bright blue eyes stared back cheerfully into his. “That means we can throw you a welcome to Ponyville PARTY!” She screamed with giddiness, another talking equine who this time irritated him to no end already. Pretty much like Cyclonus only less insane and more happy to the point of hyperactive. But the word did stick, party? Was it something those humans threw for a special occasion, with cake and all that slag? The only parties he’s ever been to was his own integration into the Decepticon forces back when Megatron spoke with words and not war, what was there to celebrate about someone joining a town? Glaring back at her blue eyes with his orange ones he placed a hoof on her face and pushed her away. “I don’t do parties.” Starscream simply replied with a bemused stare as the pink pony shook herself off then bounded back up to his face, this time even more surprised than she met him. “DON’T DO PARTIES?! Oh you must have never had a party in your life! Not even birthday parties? That is the most super saddest thing Iv’e heard!” Her mane slightly deflating at the thought of somepony who lived a lifetime without a single party. “Nuh-uh, you’re gonna come to this party, I won’t stop until you get your first super party EVER!” She proclaimed, holding up a hoof like some sort of dramatic school play for what humans called Shakespeare. “What's your name, dare I ask…?” “Pinkie Pie!” The pink pony replied with an ear to ear grin that made an audible squeaky sound, he could either laugh at the name, or spew bolts and motor oil all over the bed. What Starscream did was get up, and head towards the door, hiding his squirming lips about to burst into laughter. “I’ll… I’ll just go buy a home uh… scrap…” No money, of course they used an entirely different currency most likely. And to get a home in this rock was about the best idea to blend in he has had thus far, maybe one with a basement so he can relay signals to Tidal Wave in privacy. A hoof placed itself on Starscream’s shoulder, his wing dropped off from how loose it was. Cover blown! Abort, abort! “AHHHHH! Oh my gosh I’m so sorry! I didn’t know you had prosthetics!” Panicked Pinkie. “Lemme get that for you!” Grabbing the wing she attempted to jam it back in before Fluttershy came back. “Ow! That’s not how- AH!” Either she was too nice or too stupid, it didn’t matter either way because the pain was unbearable. “Wrong way!” “DON’T WORRY IT’LL ALL BE OVER SOON!” ——— Head held low and grumbling the cybernetic pegasus trotted towards Sugarcube Corner, apparently as some sort of invitation to live with them for a while until he finds a ‘job’. He had no other choice, since the wing incident at the kind pegasus’ cottage he had this bandage he was forced to wear to dull the pain until his self repairs are done, though it did sting with a surge of connected electronics with every step. Not to mention suspicion was already high against him being new to the town, what did catch his wandering eyes was this giant castle made of crystals. It was practically leaking energon, no, it was made of energon. But for some reasons the citizens mention magic, you mean that protoform stuff that magicians taught at birthday parties? The area he was at looked…off…far more off than the usual houses or trees turned into houses. A gingerbread house, of course. Rolling his eyes in annoyance Starscream trotted closer to the door, a note stuck on it. Dear Shooting Star, come to the castle. It’s a surprise! It was marked with a heart and cursive writing that spelled out ‘Pinkie Pie’. Groaning for having to walk a little more, especially in this organic disguise which caused him considerable pain Starscream calculated the quickest route. He wish dot be able to simply transform and stride, but of course, public area and the mission. His mission. The building before him blew him away, it was massive up close and the energon scalings were off the chart. Just being near it fed him enough to make a trip to base and back until he either got bored or attacked, too powerful for Megatron’s filthy servos. Something seemed a little off, energon usually had no taste, in fact it was actually quite bitter from his knowledge. This tasted…good? Fresh and undisturbed. Taking a small intake of air and exhaling confidently he pushed a hoof against the door, it swung open quite easily for a giant door. Trotting inside his hooves echoed through the giant dark lobby, it was completely empty. “Slag…” Starscream muttered to himself, turning around to see the door closed. “What the?” A light lowered from the ceiling, it was a disco ball made of crystals that began to spin and illuminate the lobby. It was full to the brim with all sorts of ponies of all colours and sizes. “WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!” A large crowd cheered, causing the confused Decepticon to fall on on his haunches. His processor couldn’t take it, first being treated for an injury now he was welcomed already. This had to be some sort of pathetic dream! This was almost too easy! "Side-plan... pretend to party to get in their good spirits to earn their trust so they won't bother me." He whispered to himself. ——— Hours had gone by, but no transmission, this was getting troublesome. Tapping a large finger on his steel throne the leader of the Decepticons patiently awaited a signal from either Starscream or most hopefully, Tidal Wave. “How long does it usually take for someone to take over a planet not infested with puny Autobots with a death machine? A rock full of talking equines no less.” He grumbled, slamming his fist on the arm rest. “That’s it, I’m alerting them myself.” “But sir! We just need to fix the wire connection before you can send any transmissions for good!” Cyclonus called out from under the controls, holding a wrench and a few wire cutters. “Then you’ll do.” Growled Megatron, grabbing his minion by the propellor and jamming him between the wires. It worked for now, save for the amount of screaming coming from below. “Come in Tidal Wave, do you read me?” A loud snoring replaced what was usually grovelling. “This is no time for a stasis nap you bolt brained buffoon!” Just more snoring. Looks like Starscream was his only hope of a response. “Come in, soldier.” Megatron growled. “Yes?” “Oh good, you’re still awake.” Replied the Decepticon leader, gritting his teeth in a fake smile. “Pardon me when I say what is taking so long?” He growled, trying his best to not yell in rage. “The organics on this planet are smarter than you think, but don’t worry. I have everything under control, they already accepted me as one of them. So just sit back and be patient ‘mighty’ Megatron.” Starscream said with a smirk, even in his pony disguise this irritated Megatron, actually it made him even more annoyed. “Energon like this takes time to get your servos on, I’ll be back with Tidal Wave within a few…Earth weeks.” “Unacceptable! I order you to gather it and bring it now!” He roared. “Aren’t we whiny?” Laughed the cybernetic pegasus as the transmission cut off, Cyclonus crawling out covered in wires. That was the last straw. “STARSCREEAAAAM!” Stomping inadvertently on the crawling Decepticon’s head at his feet who yelped in pain. “Thank you Megatron…” Cyclonus weakly replied before going into stasis lock from the pain. “Remember to tell him to continue repairs when he wakes up,” Ordered Megatron to Demolisher who for the whole time was paralysed with fear at watching his leader’s cruelty. “understood?” He sternly asked, looming over his soldier. “Y-Yes, sir!”