//------------------------------// // Discovery, Part 3 // Story: Transformers: Equus // by LordLycaon //------------------------------// Bumblebee had been through a great many things in his relatively short life. He had seen his homeworld devastated by weapons of mass destruction, witnessed fellow Autobots torn apart by merciless Decepticon troopers, by Primus, he once even had to collapse several buildings on top of a 'Con the size of one of the buildings he had seen in this city that these ponies called Canterlot. None of that could have ever prepared him for Twilight Sparkle. "Is 'Autobots' short for something? What's Cybertron like? Is it in this galaxy or another one entirely? What sort of government did you have before your war against the Decepticons? How do you choose your leaders? What manner of religions do you have, if any? Is it polytheistic, monotheistic, or do you not have religion on your world?" Twilight's questions came at a lightyear per second, one after the other. It got to the point where he was actually silently praying to Primus that she would stop. He answered to the best of his ability, of course, but a little part of him died when she just came up with new questions. Until she four magical words that made him mentally scream with immature glee. "All right, last question," she said as she wrote down several notes. I remember Optimus Prime mentioned something about 'impersonating machines.' Would you mind elaborating on that?" "Sure. But it'd be a lot easier just to show you." When Twilight gave him a curious look, Bumblebee stood from his sitting position. Suddenly, his body began shifting, parts moving around and sliding into various new points on his form. In that one second of transformation, he also made a peculiar sound that piqued the young alicorn's curiosity further. By the time it was over, Bumblebee resembled a large, metallic carriage of some kind, with a color scheme that matched Bumblebee's. He could've easily passed for a new model of horse-drawn carriage. A luxury model, maybe. He could probably fit herself and the other princesses inside comfortably, if a bit snug. "It's a trait that most Cybertronian creatures share," Bumblebee said in his alternate form, his voice sounding as though it was coming through a radio. "We usually have one alternate form, most often a vehicle of some kind. This form I'm in is a courier car, modified for stealth reconnaissance and scouting." "Courier car?" Twilight parroted. "So you were a messenger before the war?" At the question, Bumblebee transformed back into his original bipedal form, a sorrowful look in his eyes. "Not exactly," he said sullenly. "I... I never saw Cybertron before the war. I was born in the later years, just about eighteen years before we began construction on the Ark." Twilight raised a hoof to her mouth, shocked to near speechlessness. She couldn't imagine what it must be like for him, to have been born to a world at war. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." She trailed off, unsure of what to say; unsure of what she could say. "It's okay," he assured her. "Besides, I—" There was a sudden beep, and Bumblebee raised his hand to where an organic being's right ear would be, touching the side of his head with two fingers. "Autobots," announced the voice of Optimus Prime, "report back to the Ark at once. Teletraan-1 has detected something of extreme interest. Bumblebee, bring the princesses and their associates. I believe they will want to see this as well." Bumblebee nodded and removed his hand from his head. "You heard him," the young scout stated simply. "Let's go get your friends." "Wait a minute. That was Optimus's voice." Bumblebee could already see where this was going. "Radio communications built into our audio receptors. It lets us communicate over large distances." He then motioned for her to follow. "Come on. It's best not to keep a Prime waiting." -o- Ratchet didn't like the idea of sharing this information with non-Autobots. It didn't sit right with him. How could they be sure that these 'ponies' could be trusted? Sure, they seemed open enough, but he didn't like it one bit. One look to Optimus, however, made him stifle his concerns. "What is this all about?" asked Princess Luna. She seemed to be rather on the fence regarding the Autobots. Once again, Ratchet faced Optimus, who merely nodded. Sighing, Ratchet brought up the readings again. "Teletraan-1, the Ark's onboard computer system, has discovered an enormous energy signature near your world's north pole. We believe the source to be a massive deposit of Energon." "Energon?" Celestia inquired. Optimus nodded. "It is the fuel and lifeblood of all Cybertronian life," explained the Autobot leader. "Upon learning of this discovery, I had Ratchet run a planetary scan of your world. This planet you call Equus appears to be rich in Energon." "Hold on a minute," Rainbow Dash demanded, flying up to Optimus's face with a skeptical look in her eyes. "If that Ener-whatever is some kinda alien fuel or something, then why is it here and not on Cyberdon or whatever?" "Cybertron," Ratchet corrected indignantly. "And if you must know, it's likely that this world is one of many that were used during the war to hide stockpiles of Energon from enemy forces. Both Autobots and Decepticons alike utilized the tactic to keep the other side from getting their hands on their stock.” That seemed to be enough for the cyan mare for now, as she descended closer to the ground, hovering by her friends. Twilight stepped forward and said, “Perhaps we can help somehow. We’re natives, and thus, have greater knowledge of the planet than you do. Besides, if we know what Energon looks like, we could help you find more.” The Autobots looked to each other silently. Arcee shook her head. She didn’t want the ponies getting too close to the matter, it seemed. Ratchet wholeheartedly agreed. Bulkhead only shrugged, unsure, while Bumblebee merely looked to Optimus, who considered the young alicorn’s proposal. It made sense, he assumed. The ponies would know the lay of the land far better. And besides, this world seemed relatively out of the way, most likely the reason why Energon had been stored here in the first place. He soon nodded. “We will submit to your judgment on the matter of this world’s geography.” He turned to a slightly annoyed Ratchet. “Do you have the coordinates?” “Of course,” the medic answered quickly. “Thankfully, however, you won’t have to walk.” He motioned for everyone to follow, and led the way through the Ark and into a chamber that had some kind of arch at the end of it. There were several consoles nearby, with a large lever just waiting to be pulled. “You didn’t,” Arcee said with astonishment as she realized what Ratchet had planned. “Oh, I did.” “Oh, did what, did what?” Pinkie Pie asked as she bounced on her hooves excitedly. Ratchet ignored the pink mare and made for the consoles, where he tapped a few buttons and headed for the lever. “Coordinates locked in,” he said dramatically. He pulled the lever, and something happened that made all the ponies’ jaws drop. The arch lit up, lights spiraling around its outside for a brief moment it began to hum loudly. Within the arch came a bright, green light, white in the center, with the occasional flicker of blue sparking out. “Say hello to the ground bridge,” Ratchet declared with a hint of pride in his voice. “The Ark’s original onboard space bridge was heavily damaged during our escape from Cybertron, but I was able to repair it. However, it can only reach locations on this planet. Any further than the opposite side of the world would put serious strain on the bridge.” He felt a hand on his shoulder, and faced Optimus Prime, who nodded his approval. “Your work never ceases to amaze, old friend.” Prime then turned to the other Autobots and the ponies. “Get ready to move out. This is strictly reconnaissance. As for our new allies, I recommend caution. Raw Energon can sometimes be extremely volatile. Also, bridging can be an odd feeling your first time going. Most organic races experience slight nausea and tend to feel as though their skeletal structures are vibrating. I am uncertain if you will feel the same symptoms, but it is very likely.” “Thanks for the heads-up,” Applejack stated, “but I reckon we’ll be fine. We’ve all been through way worse than feelin’ a might sick.” Optimus nodded and turned to enter the ground bridge, followed by the other Autobots, excluding Ratchet. Once their bodies touched it, they vanished like mist. Twilight eagerly made a mental note to ask Ratchet about Cybertronian technology the first chance she got. Just as she was about to head for the bridge portal, she stopped and turned to Celestia and Luna. “Are you coming?” she asked. “I’m afraid not,” the Solar Princess replied. “Luna and I must both remain in Canterlot. As exciting as all of this is, we still have duties that need to be seen to.” She smiled warmly, giggling slightly. “I do hope that you make some exciting discoveries on this little expedition with our new friends.” Twilight nodded with a grateful and excited smile, then made for the bridge portal with her friends following suit. The instant she came through it, however, she regretted it. Sudden cold stung her whole body, the rapid change in positioning throwing her completely off balance, making her feel as though she were about to puke out her entire digestive tract, stomach and all. Her friends didn’t seem to fare much better. Even Pinkie Pie looked more than little woozy, and she spent half her time spinning like a top. Rarity made a belching sound that sounded like the kind that foreshadowed vomit. Worst of all, Optimus had been right about the skeletal vibrations. She felt like her skeleton was breakdancing inside her head, trying to get free of her skin. It was anything but pleasant. The Autobots patiently waited for the ponies recover their senses and adjust to the climate, which took a few minutes. After another few moments, the group scanned the area. They were surrounded by white, the land blanketed in icy snow. The ponies identified the location as the Frozen North, a land of snow and blizzards with only one safe haven from the cold. “Over there!” Bumblebee exclaimed suddenly, pointing to massive mound of crystals that appeared free of snow. “There’s the Energon!” Twilight beamed at first, thrilled to be able to see an alien energy source. Then, her eyes widened, as did those of her friends. Directly ahead of them was none other than- “The Crystal Empire,” Fluttershy muttered in bafflement. “The what?” Bulkhead asked in confusion. “That’s the Crystal Empire!” Twilight exclaimed in shock, awe, slight fear, and an astounding level of nervousness. “This can’t be right. Ratchet must’ve sent us to the wrong location!” Optimus Prime stared at Twilight, surprise evident in his expression, then looked the Empire. He activated his comm-link. “Ratchet, are you sure you sent us to the right coordinates?” “Of course I did,” the medic replied. “You sure, Doc?” Bulkhead asked. “‘Cause Twilight says we’re looking at a city, not an Energon deposit.” “What? But I…” Ratchet trailed off, going silent for several moments before speaking again. “Great Primus… Optimus, I just ran a scan of the area. There are a multitude of life forms within that… city, and all of them but three match up with Energon signatures, and are blending with the Energon around them. That city is the Energon deposit, and its citizens are practically living Energon themselves.” “Wait, how is that possible?” Rarity asked. “The crystal ponies aren’t living batteries!” Both Twilight and Optimus shared a look. In almost an instant, they came to the same conclusion. “They evolved around the Energon,” Twilight spoke, her tone a combination of excitement at such a monumental discovery and fear of what the Autobots might do with this new information. “They what?” Pinkie asked with her head tilted in confusion. “It stands to reason that these ‘crystal ponies,’ as you call them,” Optimus began to elaborate, “developed over the generations to become similar to the energy given off by Energon, becoming similar to the very crystals that make up their home.” “Okay,” Arcee said slowly. “So, now what? We can’t just go in there and ask them to give us some of their buildings.” Twilight stepped forward. “Maybe my friends and I can help you here. I’m friends with Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire, and her husband is my brother. I’m sure I can talk them into negotiating something with—” “Hold a minute,” came Ratchet’s voice. “Optimus, I’m picking up another energy signature. Airborne, heading for the position of the Energon city, and… by the Allspark.” “Ratchet, what is it?” Prime asked, though sounded just as much like a demand. “Optimus… it’s the Nemesis.” The Autobots’ eyes widened. “Ah, scrap,” Arcee cursed. “N-Nemesis?” Fluttershy stammered. “The Decepticon fleet’s flagship,” Bulkhead explained. “Captained by none other than the leader of the ‘Cons himself.” “Megatron,” Optimus said, his voice lace with ill omen. Twilight’s eyes went wide. Bumblebee had told her enough about the Decepticons to know for a fact that they were bad news. The fact that even Optimus seemed reluctant was a testament to that. “If the Decepticons are here, then we have to get to the Crystal Empire and warn Cadance and Shining Armor!” “Agreed.” The last Prime turned to his comrades. “Bumblebee, Arcee, Bulkhead, form a perimeter around the city and keep an eye out for the Decepticons. If any of you find anything, alert the others at once. Remember to stay out of sight of civilians. I will go into the city with Twilight and the others warn its leaders of this imminent threat.” The Autobots saluted, then transformed, Bumblebee into the form he had taken as a demonstration to Twilight, Arcee into a smaller machine with only two wheels, probably something meant for infiltration, while Bulkhead became a large, imposing machine as big as a small house and looked as though it could plow through anything and everything in its path. The ponies, save for Twilight stared with gaping jaws. “What—” Applejack began. “I’ll explain it later,” Twilight assured her friends. “For now, our priority is to warn Cadance and Shining about the Decepticons.” She turned to Optimus. “Let’s go.” Optimus nodded. “Autobots, roll out!” With that, he transformed as well, becoming a machine as big as Bulkhead’s alternate form, but with a slimmer rear the same color as his legs, the main body of the machine matching his torso’s color. The other Autobots immediately darted for the city, splitting up to form a perimeter while staying just outside the view of the native ponies. -o- It was another beautiful day in the Crystal Empire. The sun shone brightly in the sky, which didn't have a single cloud obstructing its view. It was a wonderful, peaceful, quiet day. And it was painfully slow. Cadance groaned, boredom enveloping her. Nothing exciting had really happened recently. The only thing she had to do was - she shuddered - paperwork. Celestia had warned her about the bane of every leader's existence when she first became a princess, but she hadn't taken her adopted aunt seriously regarding the matter. She just thought the Solar Princess had been exaggerating. She was not. Cadance gave a sigh of relief whenever she finished a stack of torture, only to grumble expletives under her breath when presented with even more. She swore that if something interesting didn’t happen within the next five minutes, she was going to go stir crazy and make her own fun. The doors to her throne room opened, and one of her guards, the Equestrian representative Flash Sentry, walked in. He looked unsettled for some reason. “Uh… Your Highness?” “Yes?” “Princess Twilight Sparkle is here with her friends and, er… another guest.” “Twilight?” Cadance perked up with a grin. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let her in!” Flash swallowed. “Uh… see, there’s a problem with that, Princess. Her guest is… well… he’s… rather large. He won’t fit through the doors.” ‘Won’t fit?’ That was odd. The doors to the palace were designed so that even the tallest minotaurs could walk through them easily. “What do you mean he won’t fit?” “It’s… easier just to show you, Your Highness.” -o- Flash was indeed correct. It was far simpler for Cadance to see it than for it to be explained in words. Still, it was extremely difficult for the Crystal Princess to process, even seeing it in person. Shining Armor was there, too, and he shared in his wife’s awestruck confusion and slack-jawed speechlessness. “Optimus,” Twilight said to the towering machine standing to her right, “this is my brother Shining Armor, and his wife, and my oldest friend, Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire. Cadance, Shining, this-” she motioned to the one she called Optimus “-is Optimus Prime, the leader of a race of machine people called the Autobots.” “It is an honor to meet you both,” said Optimus Prime, who gave a respectful nod to the both of them. “Though I wish the circumstances could have been better.” Cadance shook her head, trying to rid herself of her shock. “Wh-what do you mean ‘circumstances?’” “We have recently discovered that your city is composed not of simple crystals, as you believe,” Prime answered in a deep, solemn tone, “but of Energon.” “Energon is like their fuel,” Twilight explained. Optimus nodded. “And I fear that our enemies, the Decepticons, have found both us Autobots and your city. They will likely destroy or enslave your people, and claim this city as the first of likely many Energon mines that they will form on this planet.” “And to make things worse,” said Rainbow Dash, who zoomed up to the royal couple, “they think that the big boss of those Deca-whatever guys is coming with the rest of them.” “Question,” said Shining. “How do we know you’re telling the truth? How do we know you’re not a threat, too?” Twilight rolled her eyes. “Shining, if Optimus and the other Autobots were a threat, then the Crystal Heart’s barrier wouldn’t have let them through.” “Crystal Heart?” Optimus asked with a raised eyebrow. Cadance motioned to said relic, which floated in the center of the palace courtyard. “It’s an ancient and powerful artifact that keeps the Empire safe those who would seek to do harm to us. It’s not perfect, I’ll admit, but it’s done its job well enough so far. It should protect us from your enemies, too.” Prime considered that in silence for a few moments before firmly shaking his head. “There is no barrier in this universe powerful enough to keep Megatron and his Decepticons from his goals forever. They will find a way through eventually.” “Then we’ll fight them if they do,” Shining replied adamantly. “Ya mean fight an army o’ guys like him?” Applejack inquired skeptically, waving a hoof at Optimus. Shining eyed the metal titan for several moments. He then shook his head. “A fair point, but regardless, we can’t just sit back and let these Decepticons have their way with our city.” “They will not,” Optimus said in complete agreement. “As long as Energon flows through my veins, the Decepticons will not claim even a single building or life from your city. On this, you have my word.” A beeping sound emanated from Optimus’s head, and he raised two fingers to where an ear would be. “Optimus,” said the voice of Arcee, “I have good news and bad news. I have a visual of the Nemesis.” She didn’t say anything else. “Understood, Arcee. Transmit your coordinates to the others and hold your position. We’ll be there shortly.” He lowered his hand from his head. “I must go. My team and I will hold the Decepticons as long as possible. I suggest you evacuate as many of your people from the city as you can.” “Hold on a minute!” Shining hollered. “Who were you just talking to? What team?” “I’ll explain later,” Twilight answered before Optimus had a chance to. “Listen, all you need to know is that Optimus and his team are the good guys, and they’re going to do their best to keep the Crystal Empire safe from harm.” "But—" "Shiny, please." Twilight's expression was a pleading one, quietly begging her brother to give them a chance. He resisted with all his might, he truly did. "Fine," he groaned in defeat. He faced Optimus Prime. "I'd better not regret this." "You will not," he assured them all before transforming, much to the shock of all but Twilight and her friends. Cadance, after a much-needed shaking of her head, faced Twilight, an unsure look in her eyes. “So, what now?” The younger princess hung her head and gave weak shrug. She truly had no idea what to do next. She was smart, but she was no soldier. She knew plenty of combat spells, sure, but they were strictly for self-defense, not all-out combat with sentient metal behemoths. Only one idea came to mind for her. “We wait.”