//------------------------------// // Recruitment Drive // Story: Transformares (Not So) Animated // by neorenamon //------------------------------// by neoreanamon "Hmm, your train form seems adequate for getting us close to Canterlot and the Palace Gardens," said Megatron as they rode the rails, "But it won't do for once we have to leave the rails behind. You need an alternate vehicle mode that's going to fit in, which means it's going to have to be steam powered. It seems that most other vehicle forms are strictly powered by the muscles of an organic beast of burden." "This sure isn't Cybertron," mused Astrotrain. "No, it's not." "It seems that other than this magic, most forms of energy haven't even been tapped yet." "And we aren't going to stay here long enough to wait for them to discover them." "I wish I could be more assistance in your quest for the AllSpark fragments," mused Nightmaretron. "I wasn't expecting you to be all that useful in that search anyways." "Master," said Lugnut, "She is surely a transformer now. Perhaps she can help us." "What do you mean?" "Once we find a fragment, perhaps her magic can integrate with her spark, and then we can track the fragments the way the autohuman can track the fragments with that key of hers." "That... is certainly an interesting idea. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long before we recover at least one fragment." "If it aided you, then I am surely willing to try. There's not much else I can give you if you're going to leave once I'm ruling and you've found those fragments that you're searching for." Then Astrotrain's whistle blew a few times in a row rather loudly. "What is it now, Astrotrain?" "I'm just telling the train I've detected ahead to take a side rail and get out of our way, Lord Megatron. Of course, I'd surely win any collision with such a crude and primitive machine." "If we were just going to conquer this world for ourselves, I would agree. But we are trying to keep a low profile. Keep the unneeded destruction to a minimum." "As you command, Megatron." He glanced at the sidetracked train as they passed it. Ponie faces were looking at the engine with no cars attached as they rode the rails by them. "One day soon, those ponies shall be by vassals and subjects." "And I shall use the AllSpark to return to Cybertron and conquer it for myself." "Even though we are from different cultures, it seems we aren't so different after all." "Perhaps after we conquer our respective worlds, we might well forge an alliance that benefits both of us." "I shall keep my mind open to such possibilities," she replied, "but even if we revive Discord, he's not going to be easy to control." "How so?" "He considers himself a god of chaos. A master manipulator who does as he pleases, and pretty much as he pleases alone." "Oh, I think between us, we can convince him his continued well being rides on his cooperation with us." "I hope so," she mused, "It would be a shame if I had to split control of Equestria with the likes of him." "Be careful of which allies and flunkies you choose. One day, they might just betray you for their own interests." "I know that. After all, I'm deposing my own older sister. But thanks for the advice anyways." "I shall surely never betray you, Lord Megatron," chimed in Lugnut. "Yes, you are one of my most loyal soldiers," he replied as he looked at him, "and when Cybertron falls, you shall surely get a fitting reward." "I shall continue to function if only for the glorious day you rule as befitting you, Master." "He does overdo the flank kissing just a bit too much?" "But unlike Starscream, I know he means it." "Starscream?" she asked as she cocked her head. "That's a long story. Perhaps another time." ... The Autobots and Autoponies crested a hill and looked down into a small clearing. "Is that all a shack?" asked Apple Buster. "I thought you said nopony came back from these woods," commented Rare Seeker. "Well I never said nopony couldn't live here," Rainbow Bolt replied, "I just said they just don't come back." "Well what pony would want to live in a dreadful dirty place like this?" "Perhaps they just want to live away from rules?" asked Twilight Prime. "Ah reckon only varmints and criminal types would want that." "Not everyone who wants to live on their own terms is a nut or criminal, Apple Buster." "Well... I dunno... maybe ya is right." "I don't see any signs of a fire," replied Rainbow Bolt, "Maybe nopony is home?" "Since we're going that way, we should stop by and check. They might just have some valuable information about this area," replied Twilight. "That sounds like a good idea," agreed Optimus Prime. "It might be best if we changed to pony form and went down there ourselves. That way, we won't spook anypony who might be living there." "Very well. We shall stay back here and monitor the situation." So the Autoponies changed back to their pony modes and made their way down to the shack while they looked for anypony moving around the area, or inside the shack. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, the two most outdoor oriented ponies, led the way for the others. "Now let's make sure it's safe before we..." said Twilight, "PINKIE?!" Pinkie Pie had already rushed up to the front door and knocked on it before anypony could stop her. A moment passed before the door opened, and they saw a really old pony who appeared to be at least as old as Granny Smith. His hide, mane, tail and even his eyes appeared to be old and gray. If he had a cutie mark, they couldn't see it under his denim coveralls. "Hello?" he asked, "Who are you? What do you want?" "HI!" she said, "I'm Pinkie Pie! We're looking for the Elements of Harmony!!" "What makes ya think I know anything?" "It doesn't hurt to ask." "Well, I guess it don't at that." "So..." she asked, "Know anything, old timer?" "I have something that might help ya," he replied, "but you'll have to trade me for it." "We don't know what you need?" asked Rarity as she walked up beside Pinkie, "Other than Pinkie's candy, we don't have any food or water." "Oh, I don't need nuthin like that." "What do you need?" "I've been searching this area for 10 whole years lookin for big shiny gems!" he replied with enthusiasm. "Have you found any?" "Nuthin worth writin home for," he grumbled, "an I can't go back home until I git some bigguns." "So you want to trade gems for... whatever you want to trade?" "That's right, missy." "I think I might have some gems to trade," she replied. "Don't ya need those fer ya dresses?" asked Applejack. "Oh... I'm sure I'll find some more," she answered as she pulled a hoof-full of larger gems from her saddlebags. "Those are purdy!" he replied, "I'll be glad ta trade ya!" She gave over the gems as he smiled, pocketed them and said, "I'll be right back with tha thing!" He vanished inside for minutes as they waited for him to return. Then he finally returned with a rolled up scroll. "Here ya go, fillies," he replied, "Good luck with that. Personally, I never really found a need fer it mahself." He then stepped back and closed the door. Rarity unrolled the scroll and looked at it as the other looked over her shoulders. "You got ripped off," said Rainbow Dash, "It's just a bunch of scribbles!" "No," replied Twilight, "I think it's a map. A map of the Everfree Forest. I think the X marks must be where he already looked for gems and failed." "Like I said, it's useless scribbles." "He looked almost everywhere," replied Rarity. "But in the upper middle part of the map," said Twilight, "He's marked ruins. I think that might just be the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters. That may well be the place that we can find the Elements of Harmony. It was really generous of you to help us get that map, Rarity." "Oh it's nothing, dahling."