//------------------------------// // Glass Skies // Story: Through The Looking Glass // by Darkryt Orbinautz //------------------------------// The roar of jet engines whistled throughout the sky over the forest. Two Decepticon jets transformed into their robot modes and landed by Shockwave, who was busy dismissing a Decepticon solider. “Keep looking. We've got to find the ideal location somewhere.” Shockwave instructed. As the Decepticon nodded and left, Shockwave turned his attention to the new arrivals. “What is it?” “Commander Shockwave, we think we've found a suitable area that will have minimal ecological impact.” The Decepticon saluted. “We've checked the area thoroughly. The local wildlife does not appear to require it.” “Excellent.” Shockwave turned to other Decepticons and motioned for them to stop what they were doing and come over to him. “Onward, men. Time for us to proceed to the next phase ...” Sideways walked into the castle foyer, fetched in by one of Celestia's servants. “You wanted to see me, Queen Celestia?” “Sideways!” Celestia exclaimed, her frustration with him clear. “There you are. I want you to explain a few things to me. Yesterday, we reactivated the Decepticons … at your suggestion, in order to have hostages to trade for Pinkie Pie. Yet, the Decepticons escaped. But not only did the Decepticons escape, but Pinkie Pie was returned to us safe and sound … by you.” Celestia paced around him as she spoke before stopping and glaring at him. “You can't tell me that's a coincidence?” “Oh, pfft, please.” Sideways scoffed. “It's not my fault you didn't know how to deactivate their weapons, is it? Honestly! If I didn't know better, I'd say you were looking for someone to blame. And If you want to blame someone, why not Rodimus?” “Excuse me?” Rodmus did not care for Sideways passing the blame to him. “You better watch your mouth, boy.” “Rodimus is acting leader of the Autobots.” Sideways said. “He should have done more to teach you about Cybertronian anatomy before you went to the ship!” “Why, youse -” “And what about Twilight Sparkle?” Sideways went on, ignoring Rodimus' curling his hand into a fist. “She's probably the pony who knows more about Cybertronian anatomy than any other pony. Yet, you didn't take her into the ship. Why?” Celestia grimaced. “I … felt confident in my own abilities.” “Uh-huh. And where did that overconfidence take you?” “You raise a fair point, Sideways.” Celestia admitted. “However, this still does nothing to clear your name of these suspected manipulations. What do you have to say for yourself?” “I say, fair enough. But before you ban me from the castle or send me to the moon or whatever, you might want to keep me around. Because … I know a little secret.” “What kind of secret?” “An object of immense power, one not even your beloved Star Swirl was aware of. Hidden right here on Equestria … somewhere.” Celestia should have been suspicious of his wording. How could Sideways have known about Star Swirl? He was from a thousand years ago! And the mention of banishment to the moon also should have raised an alarm – Celestia hadn't told anypony about her habit of doing so. But she leaned in, curious. She got tunnel vision. Her hunger for power overrode her inclination to distrust Sideways. “What is this object? Where is it hidden?” “Hmm ...” If Sideways had lips, he would probably be pursing them. "I don't know. How can I be sure you can be trusted with an object of such power? That you would do what I want from you in exchange? That you were worthy of the knowing this secret of forgotten knowledge?" Celestia gave a blank stare and blinked. She narrowed her eyes and glared at him, a crackle of electricity forming at the base of her horn and traveling upwards towards the tip. A beam of lightning fired from Celestia's horn at Sideways. Sideways stepped to the side, avoiding the spell with ease. The spell kept going and detonating into and creating a tiny crater in the wall. "Temper, temper." Sideways chided. "You will tell me this secret, now." Celestia demanded, her horn still covered in blue arcs of lightning. "Nah." Sideways said. I don't think I will. Not right now, at least. Unless ... you gave me an apology." "An apology?" Celestia was bewildered beyond words. "You just tried to shoot me with a lightning bolt! I demand an apology." "I am the Queen of Equestria! I am the supreme matriarch of this land! I am not going to give you an apology just because you 'demand' one!" Sideways threw his hands in the air. "Fine." He crossed his arms and turned his nose up. "Then I guess we're at an impasse. No apology, no secret." Sideways turned and walked out of the building. Celestia was about ready to explode. “Oooh! That arrogant little … how dare he talk to me in such a manner!” She was enraged at Sideways' subtle defiance and casual dismissal of her, but she could do nothing to stop or scold him. She wanted to know about this artifact which he knew of but she didn't. After she gleaned that information from him, though … she would be all too happy to do away with him. A Guard soon came in. “Queen Celestia?” “What is it?” “Our scout parties have found something we thought would be of interest to you. Somepony has a built a dam in the woods.” “A dam?” Celestia questioned. “Without my notice? Without my express permission? Who would do such a thing? Who would defy my authority so openly?” Twilight Sparkle stroked her chin. “Let's see … it couldn't be Starscream and his band of travelers … they don't have the resources for it …” Celestia pulled her neck tall and pouted. Today was not shaping to be a day in her favor. “Twilight Sparkle, get me your brother.” Twilight nodded. She left the room and returned with her brother, clad in purple armor. Shining Armor saluted, taking off his helmet, “How may I serve you, Your Majesty?” “Gather your men.” Celestia instructed him. “Go to the forest and investigate this … dam. Arrest everyone there you find involved. And do not hesitate to execute them all to make an example out of them, should you deem it necessary. This affront to my authority cannot be allowed to stand.” Shining Armor nodded to show his understanding and put his helmet back on. “Understood.” Shining Armor and his men traveled into the forest where their scouts reported the dam was. Their information was accurate, as Shining Armor was surprised and puzzled to see a huge, hydroelectric dam in the middle of the forest, built to take advantage of the waterfall it was positioned next to. And for some reason, it was a golden color. Shining Armor speculated it was an elaborate flourish added by the builders, a royal gold color to liven up what would be otherwise dull building. Shining Armor looked to his troops, who were as confused as he was. He led his men to the top of the dam and cleared his throat. “Attention, Decepticons!” Shining Armor shouted. “We know you're in there. We know it's you who built this dam. You're all under arrest. If you want my advice, your best option is to surrender and come along quietly!” “Decepticons, sir?” “Who else could it be?” Shining Armor received no reply. “I don't think they're going to answer you, sir.” A solider spoke up. “That doesn't seem to be the Decepticons' style.” Shining Armor affixed him with a glare. “I can see that, solider. But I still have to offer them the chance.” Shining Armor motioned for his men to follow him. He led them onto the bridge of the dam, where one of them stepped on a panel which sunk into the stone as his touch with an audible sliding noise. Shining Armor turned around to glare at him for disrupting the relative peace of their movement. “Sorry, sir.” “It's fine, just be more careful where you step next time ...” Shining Armor said before noticing the panel the solider had stepped on. “Wait … that's not a natural loosening of the stone ...” Shining Armor had thought it was merely the plaster of the panel hadn't been applied in the correct way, but the panel was sunk, depressed into the ground an inch beneath the ones surrounding it. “Almost like a … pressure plate.” Shining Armor's eyes widened as he realized this could only mean one thing. They had activated a trap. “You want our surrender?” A voice – Blitzwing's – asked over some kind of speaker. “Here it is!” Panels all across the bridge opened and rearranged themselves, where various guns and weapons unfolded, rising from hinged platforms in the ground and taking aim at Shining Armor's troops. “W-what is all that?” A solider questioned, unfamiliar with the Cybertronian weaponry. Shining Armor couldn't answer him, too busy trying to dodge an explosive blast which landed right in front of him, the blast wave knocking him and his soldiers off their hooves. “It's Cybertronian artillery. We don't have a chance against that many guns.” Shining Armor said. “RETREAT! FALL BACK! RUN AWAY! ALL THOSE OTHER CODE WORDS!” Shining Armor's squadron turned tail and fled from the dam as fast they could, their tails waving in the wind as they tried to avoid the Cybertronian bombardment of bullets and explosive shells. Elsewhere in the forest, Starscream rested on a tree for support as he and the Decepticons contemplated their situation. “We lost Pinkie Pie ...” Starscream counted on his fingers the setbacks they had experienced. “What are we going to do about Sideways?” Cliffjumper asked. “I do not know.” Starscream began pacing. “He's made it clear at this point he intends to antagonize us. I know we're in Equestria, a land of magic, but there's something not … natural about him. The way he seems to just … fade and dematerialize from reality. How do you fight an enemy like that? Who can just appear and disappear at will, and doesn't seem affected by the material world around him?” “I wish Megatron were here.” Soundwave said. “He would know what to do.” “I won't lie, at this point, I would settle for having Megatronus here …” Starscream said. “Megatron-us?” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. Clffjumper was as confused she was. “Who's Megatronus?” “Megatronus was a mentor to Megatron, both before and during the early days of the war. He liked to call himself “The Fallen” for reasons he was never particularly clear on. He fought with us during the early days of the war on Cybertron, but we later lost track of him. We considered him MIA at first, before presuming him deceased.” Starscream rubbed his chin. “Call me crazy, but I always got the feeling there was more than meets the eye to that bot ...” Starscream's attention was drawn by the sound of gunfire ringing out from somewhere in the woods. “What was that?” Chrysalis asked. “I don't know, but we better go check it out.” Starscream said. “What?” Chrysalis put a confused hoof to her head. “Now, granted, I'm no survival expert, but we wouldn't want to run away from whatever is causing gunfire instead of toward it?” “You really are no survival expert.” Side Swipe said. “Sure, let's just hide in a hole somewhere and leave ourselves to wonder who's firing weapons and whether or not they're going to come for us, instead of checking it out and determining whether or not they pose a threat to us!” “All right. You've made your point. There's no need to be rude about it ...” Chrysalis muttered. Starscream and the other Decepticons tracked the gunfire to its source. The weapons stopped discharging after a while, but Soundwave was able to calculate their position to them and let them continue searching. Arriving at what Soundwave had concluded was the source of origin for the noise, the Decepticons were surprised to find an odd dam built inside of the forest. “What's a dam doing all the way out here?” Chrysalis asked. “It's like building a dam in the middle of nowhere. Who does it benefit? What do you gain?” Starscream scanned the area. “I'm not seeing any weapons. Soundwave, are you sure this is where the noise came from?” “Positive, my man! My understanding of vibration and grooves wouldn't steer us wrong.” “All right ...” Starscream said. “Proceed with caution, everyone. We don't know what we're talking into here.” Starscream proceeded to guide his forces onto the bridge of the dam, his arm blades tensed up and ready to deploy at a moment's notice. He moved slowly, going one small step at a time. “Hey, everybody!” Starscream deployed his blades when a voice from a speaker spoke up, startling the rest of his team. “Starscream's back!” Ahead of Starscream's group, two panels lifted up on the dam, opening and unfolding like the door to a cellar. A mechanical lift rose up from the now-empty hole on the ground, carrying up Shockwave from inside the dam. “Shockwave?” “Starscream!” Shockwave stepped off the lift, arms spread wide as if expecting a hug from an old friend. “It is good to see you, my friend.” “You as well.” “You know each other?” Chrysalis asked. “Yes.” Starscream embraced Shockwave with a hug. “This is Shockwave, a fellow Decepticon. In more … ideal situations, the Decepticons send him to alien worlds to act as an ambassador.” “Mind you, I can still put up a fight.” Shockwave said. “How did you escape?” Starscream asked. “The last time I saw you, you were a lifeless husk on board the Nemesis ship. I would have thought for sure the Autobots would smelted you for scrap parts by now.” “This creature – Celestia – came and somehow reactivated us.” Shockwave answered. “She claimed to have disabled our weapons systems, and that we would have little choice but to serve her. Suffice to say, we called her bluff and we blasted our way to freedom.” “That makes sense.” Side Swipe said. “I can see Celestia being arrogant enough to think she could put both Autobots and Decepticons under her control, can't you?” Starscream nodded. “Shockwave, what's all … this?” He gestured to the dam. “After we made our escape, my first order of business was to find a way to supply the Decepticons with Energon. After some scouting, we were able to choose this location as a place where we could build a dam without dramatically affecting the local wildlife. Let me assure you, this site has been chosen for minimal ecological interference. With its hydroelectric power, it provides a needed source of Energon. Feel free to walk about at your leisure.” “Well … ain't that dandy.” Side Swipe said. “I'm glad you're here, Starscream.” Shockwave began to walk away from them. “I will need your help if we are to win the war.” “The war?” Starscream asked. “Yes.” Shockwave said. “It is my intent to use this dam and use the Energon it generates to continually resupply. We have already armed the dam with some automatic defenses, with Blitzwing in charge. If we hold this position and use the dam to generation Energon, we can starve the Autobots out of their Energon reserves and win the war by default when they can no longer refuel themselves. Now, come. I need you to discuss strategy with me.” “Shockwave … the war has changed.” Starscream said. “I'm not saying your plan isn't a good one. On Cybertron, it would have been great. But we're on Equestria now, and the Autobots … the Autobots have the locals – unicorns – on their side. With their magic, the unicorns can provide an Energon substitute for the Autobots which will last as the unicorns have something to nourish themselves with.” “Oh?” Shockwave asked. Starscream nodded. “I wouldn't tell you this if it weren't true. This plan of yours to wait out their energy reserves … it's only going to end in a perpetual stalemate.” Shockwave looked crushed. “I … see. Thank you, Starscream. That will be all. The other Decepticons are inside the dam, should you wish to visit them.” He proceeded to walk away from them, keeping his head low and his voice quiet. “Is he … going to be okay?” Chrysalis asked. “I'm sensing a lot of negative emotion from him.” “He'll be fine.” Starscream said. “Shockwave likes to make himself useful, and it's clear he had some strong faith this plan was going to work, so for him to be told that it won't … couldn't been easy to hear. In fact, he'll probably still need some convincing before he accepts that it won't, but he'll come around.” Starscream smiled to assure Chrysalis. "Celestiaaaa!" Sideways called for her in a singsong tone of voice, grating on Celestia's nerves with both his tone and his familiarity – he was not on a first name basis with her by any means. Celestia, as she approached, wanted to say to him, 'What is it, you magnesium moron?', but in the interest of her self-interest and her sense of professionalism, she was able to restrain herself to the first three words. “What is it?” “I'm ready to talk about the artifact now." Celestia's eyes widened. She beamed a rare smile and stood, ready to listen. “Yes?” "That is, if you apologize.” "I am not going to apologize." "Fine." Sideways made a flippant wave of his hand. "We have an understanding. You know the rules. No apology, no secret, no artifact." "For the last time, I am not -" Celestia stopped herself. She brought a hoof over her forehead, recognizing if she wanted the artifact Sideways was offering, she was going to swallow her pride and ... apologize to him. She took in a deep breath. She gulped, in her gulp might as well have been all her pride, dignity and self-respect. "I'm ... sorry, Sideways." "For?" Sideways asked. Celestia continued to facehoof. "For ... losing my temper and ... trying to hit you with a lightning bolt." "Good, good. And?" Sideways asked. Celestia wanted to slam her face into the nearest wall, fed up as she was with Sideways. "And what?" "You know, being mean and unpleasant to be around?" Celestia growled at him, her horn lighting up again as her wings flared out. "Okay!" Sideways raised his hands in surrender. "For the sake of our alliance, I take it back. That's good enough. "Sideways nodded. "I'm impressed, Celestia. With all your pride, that must have been painful for you to do." "You have no idea." "Very well. I accept your apology." You'd better. Celestia thought. "So ... will you tell me of the artifact, then?" Celestia smiled sweetly, trying to get Sideways to lower his guard. “Okay.” Sideways said, looking around the room as if he was dragging her into a conspiracy. “It's called the Cyber Planet Key. It's been here on Equestria for a long time. Now, I've been looking for it for awhile, but I've figured now was the best time to start telling others about it.” “And what makes you figure that?” Celestia asked. “Why couldn't you have found it yourself sooner?” “Well … you're here, back from foreign lands! Now I have you and the Autobots to help me search.” Sideways said in a sweet tone. Celestia chuckled, keeping up a polite facade. “Well, I can't deny having me as your ally is a great boon. Now, tell me … what does this Cyber Planet Key do?” “Whatever you want! You name it.” Sideways snapped his fingers for emphasis. “It's a vessel of pure energy, made by ancient Transformers from a bygone age. It could be used for any number of things. Powering machinery, amplifying magic. Heck, with the Key in your possession, you could even move worlds!” Celestia placed a hoof on her chin, contemplating this. Such an artifact would be a desirable object to her, but … “And will I be allowed to take possession of this Cyber Planet Key? You did say you had been looking for it yourself for quite some time ...” “Don't worry!” Sideways said. “You can have it as soon as I'm done with it. I just need to use it for one thing. One itsy-bitsy, teensy-weensy tiny thing really. After that, it's all yours.” “Very well.” Celestia said. “Where do we start?” “If you want my advice …” Sideways said. I really don't. Celestia thought. “I'd start with looking around that dam your troops found.” “The dam?” Celestia questioned. “Yes. The dam the Decepticos built? You don't think they built it all by themselves, do you?” Sideways cupped his chin. “Okay, maybe they did. They probably did. But still, that dam would be a perfect place to hide a Cyber Planet Key if you found one, and powering a dam would be a great way to utilize it too! I'd send a squad of Autobots to investigate the surrounding area, see if they can find any clues as to where the Key's might be hidden, and whether or not the Decepticons got there first.” “I will send a squad at once.” “Perfect. Great. Nice talking to you! Ciao!" Sideways waved at her and departed the building. Celestia smiled and waved at him until he was out of sight. Celestia turned to Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight Sparkle.” “Yes, Your Majesty?” “Now that I know of this Cyber Planet Key ...” Celestia said. “I feel no further inclination to listen to anymore of Sideways' babble. I have no further use for him. With his suggestions regarding Pinkie and the Decepticons, has given me cause enough to distrust him, and I want no more trouble from him. I want you to find me an agent capable of … terminating him.” Twilight smiled deviously, rubbing her hooves together. “I know just the bot for the job!” Celestia and Twilight were not the only ones plotting. Once outside the castle, Sideways muttered to himself. “Oh, gee.” Sideways said. “I hope the Autobots who investigate the dam don't blab and gossip somewhere the Decepticons can oh-so-conveniently overhear them and accidentally let them know about the Cyber Planet Key! That would be a such a shame … hahahaha.” Sideways laughed softly before disappearing in a cloud of static. An Autobot team, headed by Rodimus, arrived at and set out searching the area around the dam. They were observed by Sideways, who hid himself in the trees, keeping an eye to make sure they said what he wanted them to say … and give them a little nudge if they didn't. On the dam itself, Shockwave and Blitzwing were making rounds when Blitzwing noticed the Autobot team, made from a mixture of Autobots and Celestia's Royal Guardsmen. “Look. Seems like we've got company.” Bltizwing pointed the team out to Shockwave. Shockwave observed them. “Get down.” Shockwave instructed Blitzwing. “They don't seem to have noticed us yet.” He and Blitzwing both crouched down and listened in on the conversation the Autobots were having. “We haven't found anything yet.” one Autobot complained . “This is pointless. How do we know Sideways isn't just sending us on a wild goose chase, huh?” “We don't.” Rodimus answered. “But if this Cyber Planet Key thing is real, and if it's as powerful as Sideways says it is, then I say we want to find it! So keep lookin'!” Rodimus barked at his men. “Oi, and make sure youse stay clear of the dam, eh? If what Shinin' Armor says is true, they've set up some pretty mean turrets to defend themselves.” “Cyber Planet Key?” Blitzwing looked to Shockwave. “What's that?” “I do not know.” Shockwave looked to Blitzwing before looking back at the Autobots. “But if the Autobots want to find it, and if they think it's powerful, then I say it's in our best interests to make sure they don't get their hands on it.” Blitzwing nodded. The two them continued watching the Autobots in silence, waiting for them to get too close. One of the Royal Guard ponies got separated from the group. Making sure not to wander near the dam, he moved further into a patch of trees to look for clues to Key's location. “Hmm ...” As he stood there between a bunch of dark trees in a dim-lit forest, he began to reconsidering wandering off by himself. The thought occurred to him too late to make any difference. Starscream jumped out from the trees and snatched the Guard up in his hands like a bird of prey. The world spun for the Guard while Starscream used his arm to pin against a tree. “What do you know about Sideways?” Starscream asked. “Wha-what?” The terrified Guard stammered. “What kind of information do you have on Sideways?” Starscream asked. “Who is he? Who does he work for? What is he? I want to know everything you know about him.” “Hey.” Starscream turned to see the voice. He grimaced upon seeing it was Sideways. Sideways twirled his sword before slashing Starscream in the shoulder, causing him to drop the Guard. The Guard didn't question his good fortune and ran from the Cybertronians as fast he could. “Didn't your motherboard teach you to not ask questions beyond your station?” Sideways asked. “My motherboard taught me to appreciate my sense of curiosity.” Starscream said. “I still want answers. Who are you? What are you?” “What I am is beyond your understanding.” Sideways said. "It's very complicated, and I don't feel like explaining all of it to you right now." “Oh, I don't know.” Starscream smirked. “I'm a scientist. I'm a pretty smart guy. Try me. I can figure it out.” “Nice try, but you're still not getting anything out from me.” Sideways said. Starscream reacted quickly. He learned from the last time he tried to engage Sideways; melee combat wasn't going to work. He raised his arm-cannon and blasted Sideways in the shoulder. Sideways grumbled and staggered, smoke billowing from his shoulder. “Oh? You want to fight me? Because I'll give you a fight.” “Yes.” Starscream deployed an arm-blade. “Yes, I do.” Sideways growled and leaped at Starscream, slashing at him with his swords. Starscream matched him blow-for-blow, ending in a blade lock with the two of them pushing their swords against each other, each attempting to use sheer force to shatter the edge of their opponent's weapons. “I had hoped only to capture one of the Guard or an Autobot to interrogate about you … but this works even better.” Starscream said. “Come on out, everyone!” Side Swipe, Chrysalis, and Cliffjumper jumped out from the bushes, having laid in wait to help capture a Guard. But they were going to do one better; they were going to beat Sideways. Side Swipe took the initiative first, running and charging at Sideways with swords raised high. Sideways only had the one weapon; he couldn't block both Starscream's blasts and Side Swipe's swords at the same time, or so Side Swipe figured. While menacing Starscream with his blade in one hand, Sideways raised up his other arm towards Side Swipe. Side Swipe forgot to take into account Sideways' shield. Side Swipe's swords clanged against a dense wall of metal between him and his target. Cliffjumper had a different approach. He pulled out his gun and took aim, careful not to graze Starscream with his shot. With a precision normally reserved for snipers, Cliffjumper hit Sideways in the chest without the bullet even coming close to Starscream. Sideways staggered back, clutching at his chest. This emboldened Starscream; despite his unnatural abilities to fade into static, Sideways did have physical form. He could be hurt. Taking advantage of this discovery, Starscream jumped forward and slashed his sword across Sideways' chest. Starscream slashed at him again, and again a third time before Sideways grabbed hold of Starscream's sword with his bare hands. Using the sword as leverage, Sideways lifted Starscream off his feet and tossed him aside. Chrysalis scrambled to get out of the way of Starscream's trajectory, and hit Sideways with a blast of magic. Sideways raised his shield to defend himself, but Side Swipe came up from behind and ran his sword through Sideways' back. Such literal backstabbing tactics would be frowned upon by most Decepticons, but Side Swipe had been raised as an Autobot. “Arg!” Sideways reached over his back and grabbed Side Swipe. Sideways lifted Side Swipe up over his shoulders and tossed the ex-Autobot to the ground. Before Sideways could press his advantage against Side Swipe, Starscream recovered and opened fire with his arm-cannon. While Sideways was recovering from the blast, Starscream charged at him and attempted to use his swords on Sideways. Sideways blocked Starscream's sword with his shield and kicked Starscream in the stomach, pushing him away. “All right!” Sideways said. “Clearly, I've underestimated you. I'm going to need a little something extra to deal with you ...” “What are you talking about?” Starscream said. Sideways was enveloped in a glow of golden energy. He began to levitate, floating off the ground. “CYBER KEY POWER!” Sideways lifted his shield up to the sky. Starscream though the whole display ridiculous, until the energy swirling around Sideways' body converged into a single beam and shot up into the sky, causing a distortion of space which made it appear as though a storm were approaching. A golden beam of energy shot back down from the heavens, which entered into a open cavity on Sideways' shield. Two golden-colored bladed protrusion unfolded from the sides of the shield. Sideways, still floating off the ground, charged at Starscream, aiming to puree with his new shield spikes. Starscream rolled out of the way, but he was still perplexed by this development. “What is this?” Starscream asked. “Don't you know?” Sideways said. “Didn't they teach you anything in Cybertronian history class? There's a Cyber Planet Key here on this planet! And as long as there's a Cyber Planet Key on the planet, I - and only I - can call to it and access its power and get an upgrade to my systems in the form of a Cyber Key!" "Really?" Starscream asked, cupping his chin. "Really." Sideways said, glaring at Starscream. "Only you can access the Cyber Planet Key? No one else?" Starscream asked. "That's right." "So what if I told you ... we had access to the Cyber Planet Key as well?" Sideways stepped back and flinched. "Ah-ha!" Starscream pointed. "You hesitated. And you know what that tells me? That tells me it's possible for someone else to access the Cyber Planet Key, or otherwise you would have nothing to worry about, since you are the only one ... aren't you?" Starscream smirked, knowing with certainty he had figured out Sideways' deception. "That's some very good detective work, Starscream." Sideways raised his shield. "However, it won't do you much good. I am still confident in my ability to kill all of you before you have the chance to figure it out for yourselves." Sideways came back for another pass. He turned around and once again charged on Starscream, still aiming to gore him with the shield-spikes. Starscream stood close to the bushes. He grimaced, not sure how to deal with Sideways' power. “Um, Starscream?” Starscream looked down and was not pleased to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon hiding in the bushes. “Diamond Tiara! What are you doing here? It's not safe!” “I know. I'm sorry.” Diamond Tiara said. “Silver Spoon and I were just going to stay hidden until the bad guys went away, but we saw how much trouble you're having and decided to speak up.” “Sideways said if you call out to the Cyber Planet Key, it'll answer, right?” Silver Spoon said. “Yes. So?” “So … call out to the Key!” Silver Spoon said. “What?” “Starscream, they're right!” Chrysalis said. “If you could call out to the Key, you could get a – what he did call it? - Cyber Key Power of your own.” “I doubt it's that simple.” “You just have to have faith. You just have to believe, Starscream.” “Yeah!” Diamond Tiara said. “Believe! Believe!” This soon evolved into a chorus of Diamond Tiara, Chrysalis, and Silver Spoon chanting “Believe! Believe! Believe!” “All right. Believe. Have faith in myself. Believe in the Key.” Starscream took in a deep breath.”Here goes nothing … sigh… this is ridiculous.” Starscream raised his fist to the air, and announced, in a flat, dull, uninspired voice, “Cyber Key Power.” “Ah, come on!” Silver Spoon said. “Don't just say like that. Shout it like you mean it, like Sideways did!” Starscream wasn't expecting it to work. So when he felt an odd surge of energy swell in his systems, with a purple aura surrounding him and lifting him into the air, it was a pleasant surprise. “Whoo!” Starscream exclaimed. The aura around mimicked Sideways' aura, swirling around his body before launching into the air. A beam of light of the same color answered his call, descending and entering the side of his right wing. The blade he had deployed from the wing retracted back into his arm, only to deploy again a moment later. Only … it wasn't a blade anymore. The Key had turned into a long, large cannon with a orb-shaped near its base. “Well, that's new.” Starscream remarked. He aimed the new cannon at Sideways and fired. Sideways held up his shield to defend himself. Even with his shield taking most of the blast, the shot from Starscream's new cannon still sent him flying. Starscream smiled, quite satisfied with his new cannon's power. He fired two more times, right into Sideways' chest, blowing a hole in and sending Sideways flying with each shot. “Well, if Starscream can do it, I don't see any reason why we can't.” Cliffjumper said. “That's the spirit!” Diamond Tiara encouraged. She and the other girls resumed their chanting. “Believe! Believe! Believe in yourselves!” “Hmph.” Side Swipe huffed. “I guess it's worth a try. Though I don't think it's quite as belief-based as you're making it seem, Diamond Tiara.” Side Swipe and Cliffjumper both raised their fists to the air. In unison, they declared “Cyber Key Power!” Their efforts were rewarded. Cliffjumper was wrapped in a red aura while Side Swipe was given a teal one. Their auras did the same as Starscream and Sideways' before them. When the Cyber Keys arrived, they entered into Cliffjumper's and Side Swipe's back. Side Swipe gained shoulder-mounted rocket launchers which he didn't have previously, while a huge weapon assembly unfolded from Cliffjumper's back, with a large cannon raised over his head, almost as if the top half of a tank was strapped to his back. It was heavy enough to make Cliffjumper hunch. “Cliff, if you don't mind me saying, you look like a weaponized turtle.” “I feel like a weaponized turtle.” Disregarding their amphibian comparisons, Side Swipe and Cliffjumper proceeded to open fire on Sideways. With Starscream's cannon, Side Swipe's rocket launchers, and Cliffjumper's turret all blasting him, the combined firepower was almost too much for Sideways to bear. Sideways crossed his arms and attempted to endure the hits. “THAT'S ENOUGH!” Sideways shouted, infuriated. His blades glowed with golden light, and he spun around, creating a ring of yellow energy around him. The ring expanded and radiated outwards, turning into a pulse of energy which hit Starscream, Side Swipe, Cliffjumper, and Chrysalis. The energy pulse lifted them into the air and held them there, where Starscream was upset to realize he couldn't move. Sideways had paralyzed them. “Obviously, the Cyber Key still isn't quite enough to deal with you pests.” Sideways said through heavy breaths. Everyone could tell he was starting to lose the fight, and he wasn't handling the idea of losing well. “I'm going to need a home field advantage!” Sideways snapped his fingers. The ground beneath their feet began disappearing, fading out of view. As did the trees, and the forest, and the sky, and Shockwave's dam in the distance. To Diamond Tiara's and Silver Spoon's perception, it was as if they had all disappeared. “Where did they go?” To Starscream's and the other's perceptions, the experience was much different. Sideways had teleported them to some kind of space dimension. Beneath their feet, they could see stars, and all around them, they could see the universe. Stars, planets, foreign solar systems were all around them as far as the eye could see. Yet, they weren't in outer space. They still felt a sense of gravity, a sense of solid ground beneath their feet. “Where are we?” Chrysalis asked. “I'm not sure.” Starscream cupped his chin as he observed his surroundings. “It seems to be some kind of … space dimension. Possibly of Sideways' own making.” “Uh, Starscream?” Cliffjumper tapped Starscream's shoulder. “You might want to look at this.” “Hmm?” Starscream turned to face whatever it was Cliffjumper was showing him. What he saw enraged him to no end. “Hmm?” Megatron was there. Megatron was present, and he seemed just as surprised and cofnused to see them as they were to see him. “Starscream!” Megatron exclaimed. “No.” Starscream unsheathed his left arm-blade. “Nice try, Sideways, but you already pulled this trick once. Did you really think I'd fall for it a second time?” “What?” Megatron asked. “I've been haunted by image of Megatron in my sleep. I see him in my nightmares and in my dreams. I have had enough visions of Megatron's ghost for one lifetime.” Starscream said. He screamed a battle cry and sprinted at the imposter Megatron, jumping into the air with his blade raised high. “DIE, IMPOSTER!” Megatron held his hand out. “STARSCREAM, WAIT!” Without Chrysalis or Starscream around to guide them, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon decided to head back to Ponyville. Even they couldn't get through the force field and had to sit outside, it was nice to return to their hometowm and reminisce of happier times. They sat on their haunches, no movement around except the occasional pulsations of the force field. “I miss home.” Diamond Tiara said. “Me too.” Silver Spoon placed a hoof on Diamond Tiara's shoulder. “Hey!” Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle pulled up from the other side of the force field, Scootaloo riding her scooter with the metal shield they found carried on it. “There you are.” Apple Bloom said. “I was wondering where our favorite victims went.” Scootaloo said. Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes. “Give it up, girls. You can't do anything to us without going through the force field, and once you do that, you can't get back in without Twilight or somepony to help you. Do you really want to bully us so bad that you're willing to risk being cut off from home?” “What? Why … grr!” Scootaloo growled, not pleased at this barrier between her and her former victims. “Well, maybe we can't come over there and physically touch you, but that doesn't we can't still make fun of you!” “Yeah!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle agreed. Before their bullying could get far, a flash of light appeared behind the force field with them. Twilight Sparkle had teleportd into their midst. “Sorry, girls.” Twilight grabbed the shield from off Scootaloo's vehicle. “But I'm going to liberate you of your little toy “shield.”” “Hey!” Scootaloo protested. “I”m sorry, but it's for an important mission from Princess Celestia.” Twilight said. “I'll get Applejack to buy you something to replace it.” Twilight Sparkle disappeared and teleported herself elsewhere. “Ha!” Silver Spoon pointed at Scootaloo from the other side of the force field and laughed. “Now who's the victim, huh?” “Silver Spoon.” Diamond Tiara tapped her friend for her attention. “Look.” “What?” Silver Spoon looked to where Diamond Tiara was pointing. Her eyes widened and she grimaced as she saw Twilight Sparkle galloping towards a cave on the outskirts of town, separated from town by a river full of rocks. “We should follow her.” Diamond Tiara said. “Follow Twilight Sparkle? Are you crazy? If she sees us, she'll send us to a dungeon! Or to Celestia!” “We owe it to the Decepticons to find out what she's up to.” Diamond Tiara said. Silver Spoon, despite her instinct for survival and self-preservation, which directly translated into avoiding Twilight Sparkle, couldn't argue Diamond Tiara's point. So they followed Twilight Sparkle's path. Making their way over the water and avoiding the rocks in the river, they walked slowly and quietly to avoid drawing Twilight's attention. Or so they hoped. They came to a stop in front of the cave. Gulping in fear, they nodded to each other to assure themselves this was something they wanted to go through with it. They entered the cave. At first, they didn't find anything, but as they walked further into the cave, evidence of Twilight Sparkle's involvement appeared. Machines had been set up. Electronic devices and boxes were lying around. Power cords were spread throughout the cave. But for what purpose? Going further into the cave, Silver Spoon saw Twilight Sparkle first. She grabbed Diamond Tiara and pulled her behind a rock to hide. From behind the rock, they watched Twilight Sparkle. Diamond Tiara let out a loud, sharp gasp when she saw what Twilight Sparkle was doing. Lying there on an upturned plank of wood, with wires and plugs and tubes coming off his body and compensating for his missing limbs, was a figure Diamond Tiara recognized. The stubs of where his arms once attached had huge holes in them. His body was covered in cracks. One of his yellow, hate-filled optics was dilated, and a huge tube was plugged into the bottom of his torso, making it appear as though his spine was visible. But despite all the crack, all the damage, the wear and tear and the life-support systems he was hooked up to affecting his appearance, Diamond Tiara recognized him. Diamond Tiara recognized the face of Optimus Prime. “There you go.” Twilight Sparkle said to Optimus as she used magic to affix the “shield,” in reality Optimus Prime's faceplate, over his mouth. “Don't worry, Oppie.” Twilight rubbed her hoof in circles on his cheek before giving him a kiss. “You'll be better soon. I promise.” Twilight Sparkle left, going deeper into the cave. Diamond Tiara guessed it was to retrieved some tool she had left elsewhere, or write in a log or something. “Oh, this is bad.” Diamond Tiara stepped out from behind the rock. “This is really, really bad!” “Why?” Silver Spoon asked. “Do you know who that is?” Diamond Tiara asked, pointing to Optimus Prime. “Uh, no?” Silver Spoon said. “A little enlightenment for those of us who didn't make immediate friends with the Decepticons?” “That's Optimus Prime! He's only, like, one of the most hateful and psychotic Autobots ever!” Diamond Tiara exclaimed. “Twilight's trying to bring him back. She must have scavenged his remains from their river that he fell into and brought them here.” It occurred to Diamond Tiara this explained why Twilight had set her operation in a cave next to a river – it made it easier to recover Optimus' parts if she could send them downstream by boat to her improvised medical center. “We need to do something. We need –we need to tell somebody. Shockwave. The Stunticons, someone!” “Okay, okay, calm down.” Silver Spoon put her hooves on her friend. “I get that this is serious, but you'll be no good to anyone if you have a anxiety attack.” “Right. Right.” Diamond Tiara took in a deep breath. Right as Silver Spoon was getting her to calm down, they heard a noise. A creak. A groan of metal. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon looked up and saw Optimus' head had moved. His dilated yellow optic casts its hateful gaze on them. “Twilight ...” Optimus wheezed out in a weak, almost pitiful raspy voice. “Intruders … intruders …” “We need to get out of here!” Diamond Tiara exclaimed. She and Silver Spoon made a dash for the exit, only to smack right into somepony's legs. The two of them fell backwards onto their haunches. They rubbed their heads as they regained their bearings. They lost all hope when they looked up and saw Twilight Sparkle looking down on them. “What are you two doing here?” Twilight Sparkle asked. Diamond Tiara gulped. She suspected she wouldn't leave this cave alive ...