//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: Transformers Prime: A Brave New World // by The Carolean //------------------------------// Celestia’s eyes fluttered open. She yawned, stretching out her massive body, cracking her limbs, and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Suddenly, she grimaced, feeling the condensed sweat and gunk on her coat from the last few days. On cue, her horn ignited with golden magic, slowly lifting the sun out of the sea of darkness in which it rest. The beams of light shot through the forest like arrows, revealing Optimus behind her in truck form. “Good morning Celestia,” Optimus greeted. “Good morning Optimus,” she responded as she opened one of his doors. Using her magic, she lifted her equipment from his chassis, laying it down on the ground. As she examined the surrounding area, she locked her gaze on the lake they’d camped by. She stared longingly at the water, it's clear, cool liquid calling to her like a siren. “Optimus, I think I’ll take a bath before we go, that is, if you have no objections,” she said. Prime changed forms, outstretching his own mechanical limbs. “I believe that would be wise. In fact, I would like to join you,” he answered. “Really?” she asked. He nodded. “The dirt and muck I’ve accumulated on my body is hard on gears and pistons,” he explained. Celestia smiled, shedding her royal garb and making a mad dash for the water. Optimus calmly followed, smiling warmly as he watched her frolic in the water. At first, she only pranced around ankle deep, but then she went up to her shoulders, ducking her head under, only to pull it up suddenly, shaking her whole body as she did so. Prime, on the other hand, calmly and slowly walked into the water, until he too was shoulder deep. Celestia swam over to him, a mischievous look in her eyes. Using her wing, she splashed his face with water, before quickly swimming away. Prime chuckled and grinned as he decided to play along. With one swift sweep of his arm, he created a sizable wave, which completely engulfed the alicorn. She quickly resurfaced, giggling as she continued to bathe. Satisfied he’d demonstrated who was boss, Prime sank below the surface, focused on cleaning the sand and dirt from his body. No sooner had his head gone underwater than had Celestia felt something brush against her back hoof. Something very organic, and very scaly. She quickly plunged her head into the water, searching for what she might have felt, though the water obscured her vision. After a few moments more, she removed her head from the water, confident it must have only been a fish. Suddenly, she felt the same thing on the side of her leg, realizing it was much bigger than a mere fish. She again submerged her head, this time using a spell to let her see under water, only to find herself engulfed by darkness. Without warning, the creatures she’d felt before wrapped its legs around hers, pulling her down into the depths. She began to panic, thrashing and struggling violently. Whatever had been placed around her head had an air bubble inside it, allowing her to breathe as she fought. Despite her incredible strength, the creature was nearly as strong as she; whenever she’d get close to kicking it off, it would merely tighten around her again. Desperate, she fired a single, long magic bolt into the air, piercing whatever was being held over her head, and boiling the water around her. Optimus saw a sudden bright flash of light reflect off of his shoulder plate. He turned to see Celestia, bubbles spewing from her muzzle, struggling with a scaly form. Without a moment's hesitation, he sprang into action, grabbing Celestia and whatever she was wrestling with, and bringing them to the surface. Celestia gasped as they reached the surface, panting as she fought against the creature. Optimus lay the mass down on the shore, immediately pulling on Celestia assailant. Even with his Cybertronian strength, he found it difficult to pry the beast from the pony, though not impossible. He clutched the creature in his hands, examining it as it wriggled. For an organic, the creature was big. Though he was holding it above the ground, Prime needed to use two hands just to keep it from wriggling free. The animal was covered in a thick caprice, with twelve legs. “Bombshell, Kickback, scatter!” it cried. Optimus snapped back to reality as he suddenly felt something slam into his shoulder-blade. His eyes widened as the other impact caused him to fall, only now realizing there were three creatures. He fell flat on his face, throwing sand into the air as his body made a loud thud. Before he could stand, a pair of shadows loomed over his shoulder. The insectoid creatures stood above him, brandishing primitive spears. Instinctively, Prime drew his own blade, splintering the weapons in one swift motion. The pair of creatures recoiled, raising their wooden shields, though they would have done nothing if Prime had decided to end it. Suddenly, what seemed like a hundred spears flew towards Optimus from every direction. He raised his arms, sliding on his battle mask as the projectiles reached him. Whatever had thrown them was extremely strong, as the spears managed scratch his paint. Once the barrage concluded, he lowered his arms, finding both Celestia and himself surrounded by more of these creatures. Optimus spread his legs apart, clutching his fists as he prepared to fight. He quickly learned what the wooden apparatuses were used for as he watched the snakes load spears into them. They launched another volley, each missile whistling as it sailed towards Prime. Before they could reach their target, each projectile was enveloped in a golden glow. Without warning, they all burst into flame, reduced to ash and a red hot metal head. "Changelings," Celestia whispered under her breath. “You know of these creatures?” Optimus asked. “Yes. They are an insect-like race that feeds on love. They tried to invade Canterlot once, but Twilight, her brother, and my niece drove them back,” she explained. “That was Queen Chrysalis' doing, not ours,” one of the Changelings commented. Celestia’s eyes widened in shock. “You!” she shouted. “You were the one who spoke to me in the forest.” “Yes, and it seems you didn’t take my warning,” it said. “Warning?” Prime asked. "I warned her about you, monster!" another changeling shouted, before it turned to the first. "Why are we even wasting our breath? We should be destroying that thing now, before it calls the others!" Prime’s eyes narrowed. The sun gleamed off the edge of his sword. The nicks the lamia had put in his paint only served to make him look more intimidating, as though the thousands of battles suddenly made themselves known. “Please, must this end in violence?” Celestia pleaded. The third changeling scoffed. “As though this monster is capable of anything else” it said, it’s voice deeper than the first, though it was definitely feminine. “Is that what you think of me?” Optimus questioned. He closed his eyes, sighing loudly through his mask. His blade retracted back into his arm, and he knelt to the ground, placing his hands on the back of his head. “Very well.” The changelings exchanged a confused look. The warriors slowly inched towards Prime, shields raised and spears pointed at the Cybertronian. Once they were close enough to touch him, they exchanged another glance. “Something the matter?” Optimus asked, grinning slightly under his mask. “Silence demon!” the second creature shouted. Another warrior came forward carrying a length of rope, tieing it around Optimus’ arms. He stood, standing and putting his arms back in front of him, his eyes still closed. “What will become of my companion?” he asked again. The two apparent leaders exchanged a glace, then looked at Celestia. “She is free to leave if she wishes, or come with us, so that we may escort her back to Equestria once we’ve dealt with you,” the first changeling said. Celestia scanned the Changeling, then looked to Optimus for a sign. He refused to give her one, merely keeping his eyes closed. “You did just try to drown me," she pointed out. The two shapeshifters smiled awkwardly at each other, the larger one scratching her lower neck. "We're sorry about that, we were only trying to get you away from the Demon," the third changeling told her. "All things considered, it was a poor plan," second added. "Well then, since I have no idea where exactly I am, I guess I’m coming with you,” Celestia said as she trotted forward, joining the group. “My name is Shrapnel, the chancellor of the Free-Love Enclave, and these are my general, Bombshell, and my scoutsmaster, Kickback,” the less feminine changeling said. Shrapnel looked pretty standard for a changeling, save for the long scar across her chest. Bombshell was larger than her companions, and clad in navy blue armor and decorated in scars. Kickback was slightly smaller than the other companion, and painted dark green and brown. “My name is Prin-er, Celestia,” the alicorn told them. Shrapnel extended her hole ridden hoof, allowing Celestia to shake it with her hoof. The caravan set out, marching back into the forest, spears as still trained on Optimus. The trek took them deeper and deeper into the Everfree, so deep that Celestia wondered if she was the first pony to tread upon this ground. Eventually, she began to notice a change in the scenery as they neared their destination. Large gashes scared the forest, creating a series of glaring eyesores. Elsewhere, patches of scorched earth and craters dotted the land. Fallen and splintered trees and thrown spears littered the trail, forcing Celestia and the changelings to take flight for brief spans. "What happened here?" Celestia asked Kickback. "Creatures like your friend came. They ravaged our land, killed half of us. They said something about 'good target practice.' We only killed three of them," Kickback told the alicorn, his tone so cold it sent chills up her spine. After more walking, they arrived at a large wooden gate. Though it was taller than Optimus, Celestia knew both Prime and herself have could splintered it with little effort. Delia waved to a sentry on the wall, who called down to others below him. The gate quickly opened, revealing a sorry sight. Ruins of once great stonework dotted the camp, most of them smashed to pieces or overgrown with vines and moss. As the warriors marched Prime through the village, changelings stopped in their tracks, peering out of their crude huts or stopping by the dirt to catch a glimpse of the captive. Finally, they reached a large stone structure, barely able to fit Prime inside, with a massive iron gate. One of the changeling's guard poked Prime in the back. Optimus understood, calmly stepping into the cell as another pair of soldiers closed the gate behind him. Shrapnel smiled, nodding as she looked over her captive, before turning to her changelings. "Members of the Free-Love enclave, what should we do with our captive?” she shouted. The village erupted in cheer. The triumphant warriors shook their weapons in the air, chanting “Kill! Kill! Kill!” “Wait!” a single voice called out. Celestia stepped forward, wings outstretched, shielding standing in front of Prime as if protecting him. “Does he not receive a trial? Surly executing him without a trial would be a gross miscarriage of justice.” Bombshell, Shrapnel, and Kickback exchanged a look, then laughed in unison. “Trial? What need have we for a trial?” Bombshell questioned. “He is not something like you or me.” She paused, strode past Celestia and looking at Prime through the gate. “He does not eat, he does not sleep, he does not breath,” She reached a hoof towards him, but fear pulled it back at the last second. “I doubt he even feels love.” “No, you’re wrong,” Celestia interjected. she trotted up to Eudora, staring her in the eyes. “He’s not the monster you make him out to be. He’s kind, courageous, and gentle.” She paused, turning to the rest of the changelings. “I can not only that prove Optimus had nothing to do with the ones who attacked you so many years ago, but that he is fighting the descendants of those who did, if you give me a chance!” she shouted to the masses. “Tell me, pony, why do you defend this...thing?” the chansellor asked. “Because he is my friend,” she answered without hesitation. The changeling glanced at her subjects around her, then back at the princess. “It is true our ancient kings and queens tried individuals for their crimes before punishing them, but you wish to defend him, you will require witnesses. Where will you find these?” Shrapnel asked. “As a matter of fact, I have two witnesses not far from here. If you give me until morning, I can find them,” she told her. The two leaders exchanged another look. “Very well. You have until tomorrow. This ‘Optimus’ will be held within the village until then,” the shrapnel “Fortunately, that’s all the time I need,” Celestia said smugly.