Twilight Sparkle sat alone in her office. Her hooves rested on the desk as Celestia's words pounded into her ears. She considered the situation. Did Galloway care enough for a hostage situation to mean anything to him? Twilight also couldn’t get the news report of the man in Wyoming who'd been kicked down by a Vehicon – a Vehicon acting under her orders.
Twilight placed her head on her desk, bringing her hooves over her face. With a sigh, she made her decision. She pressed a hoof to her earpiece.
"Attention, Imperials forces in Wyoming." Twilight said. "This is your leader speaking. After careful consideration, we're abandoning the 49-State Plan. All Imperial forces are to withdraw from Wyoming at once and relinquish control of the area, effective immediately. We can't risk any more incidents like the one we had recently."
A voice came through. "Understood, sir. We'll begin packing up right away."
Twilight shifted com channels. "Combaticons, cease all operations and return to base immediately. We are no longer pursuing the 49-State Plan."
"What?" Onslaught balked. "We were making good progress. We were about to meet the mayor for negotiations."
"I know," Twilight said. "It's unfortunate, but necessary. Report to base."
Twilight heard a grumble and a mutter assuring her orders would be obeyed before the line hung up.
Twilight looked down at an empty spot on her desk. "What do I do now? That was my best plan … hmm?" Twilight glanced up to see Magnum poking his face through the door.
"I hope you will forgive me for interrupting," Magnum said. "May I come in?"
Twilight nodded. "Have a seat." She looked around the room. "I'm pretty sure I put some Autobot-size folding chairs in here somewhere ..."
"Thank you, Commander, but that won't be necessary," Magnum said as he walked into the room. "So, making the decision to pull our forces from Wyoming, I take it?"
"Overheard that, huh?" Twilight closed her eyes and lowered her head. "Yes, I have. What about it?"
Magnum made a broody glare at the floor. "Twilight Sparkle, you knew taking over Wyoming would be controversial, did you not?"
"I did."
"You knew fighting Galloway wasn't going to be easy."
"I did."
"You knew it would require you to make tough decisions with undesirable consequences, didn't you?"
"I did. What's your point, Magnum?"
"The point is, as a leader of war, we cannot afford to have you commit to one course of action only to back out when your conscience gets the better of you." Magnum said. "You need to decide how far you are willing to go to achieve your ends, Twilight Sparkle. You need to know where your line in the sand is. Optimus knew where his was. As did Megatron. Granted, Megatron's was so off the sand it was lying at the bottom of the seabed, so to speak, but he knew where it was. Do you?"
"Then I would urge you to fix that. Quickly, before it becomes a problem." Magnum spoke tersely but Twilight knew he meant well. It wouldn't be good for anyone if she decided was going too far or not far enough. But how far was too far?
Shaking her head, Twilight got up from her desk and joined Magnum in the hall as he was leaving her office. She could go for a walk to clear her head. As they arrived in the main lobby, they were observed by Smokescreen.
The young Autobot drummed his chin.
"Wow. Everyone's looking so down," Smokescreen said. "What could we do about that?"
Smokescreen snapped his fingers, getting an idea. "Hey! If I could get your attention, everyone?"
Smokescreen's request was granted. All eyes fell on him.
"I couldn't help but notice everyone looks really sad. Which I understand. I mean, I get it – we don't have a lot to be happy about. But it hit me; what do I do when I'm sad? I go talk to someone." Smokescreen explained. "So, I was thinking … we should have a building where we can go, and you know, blow some steam. Talk about what's bothering us."
"Hmm." Twilight cupped her chin. "A place where we can for counseling would be a good idea … what would we make it, though? A gazebo? A cafe?"
"I know!" Rarity raised a hoof. "How about a church? It would give us a place to meet, where we could talk, or think, or pray, not to mention a number of other useful things."
"Ugh." Twilight rolled her eyes. "Rarity, I am so sick of hearing about how you found religion -"
"Hang on," a Vehicon spoke up. "I think a church is a good idea."
"Who would be a church for, though?" Another Vehicon said. "Celestia?"
"No. It should be to Optimus Prime. He's just as much, if not more than a god than Celestia."
"What? No. Optimus isn't a god."
"Oh, and Celestia is?"
"Optimus Prime never controlled the orbit of a sun."
"You don't know that! A lot can happen in four million years."
"Yeah, okay. But how?"
"I don't know. Maybe – maybe there was an ancient civilization which used a machine to power its artificial sun and Optimus had to take control of it for some reason."
"Do you realize how stupid that sounds?"
"EVERYPONY!"
The squabble between the Vehicons was silenced by the unexpected scream from Susan, who galloped into the room, panting and out of breath.
"Excuse me?" A Vehicon crossed its arms. "Do I look like a pony to you?"
"Sorry. Old habit." Susan sputtered out. "Alarm – just heard – demons. Mirror!"
"Susan," Twilight said. "Susan!" Twilight grabbed Susan by the shoulders and shook her. Twilight continued to provide supportive physical contact. "Calm down. Take a deep breath in … and out. Good. Now, what's the problem?"
Susan took a deep breath. "There are demons attacking the Canterlot High School area!"
"An acting police force is happy to report the riots across Cybertron are dying down, thanks to the news of an election. The riots sprung up because of a division between Cybertronians whether to continue to allow the presence of organics on Cybertron, as well as the use of Shockwave's Changelings Batteries, the morality of which has been questioned since they first went on-line."
A mugshot of Shockwave with the text "WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN" underneath appeared on the screen.
"The most likely reason for the riots are dying down is because the people know they can use the vote for their position; those who want the organics to stay will vote for Metalhawk, those who want them to go will vote for Galvatron. This may be a single-issue elections, folks. In the meantime, a compromise has been reached allowing organics to stay for, at least now. More questions arise concerning the monetary cost of making Cybertronian an organic-friendly world and whether we even should given the circulating rumors of "Operation: Patriotism" and the radical response by the "Imperials" on Earth …"
Prowl clicked a remote at the T.V screen, turning it off. "Operation: Patriotism isn't a rumor."
"What are you gonna do?." Chromedome said he shifted through a futuristic hologram display of the news. "If the news media wants to downplay the situation by passing it off as a 'rumor,' well … whatever keeps the public happy, right?"
"You do not trust our fellow Cybertronians to accurately report the news?" Metalhawk asked.
"Metalhawk, in mine and Prowl's business, you don't trust anyone. Isn't that right, Prowl?"
"Yes." Prowl glared at Metalhawk.
"Don't look at me like that." Metalhawk said. "This is a public cafe." Metalhawk gestured to a patron in the corner of the restaurant. "In fact, I think the fellow with the mug of stirred Energon would like if you turned the T.V back on."
Prowl clicked the button, letting the television play it's inaccurate, people-pleasing drivel. He tossed the remote over his shoulder, somehow landing it on a table. "I suppose, Metalhawk, you'll be happy to know we'll be supporting you in the race."
Metalhawk and Chromedome were surprised by this. "Er, you will?"
"We will?"
"Yes." Prowl approached Metalhawk with a smile and patted him on the shoulder. "We'll do everything in our power to see to it you win this election."
"Er, thank you." Metalhawk shared with Prowl an uneasy handshake. "I must say, Prowl, I'm … surprised you would choose me as your candidate."
"Don't be." Prowl said before walking out, snapping his fingers for Chromedome to come along. Chromedome flipped a glowing energy-based coin onto the cafe's desk before heading out with the holographic news projector.
"Er, Prowl, my dear?" Chromedome said. "When were you planning to tell me we were supporting Metalhawk … and why?"
"Just now, when I just did." Prowl said. "To answer your second question, it's because Metalhawk is a known variable. He can be predicted. He can be reasoned with and he's open to suggestions on how to better bring about his goal of a peaceful, post-war Cybertron."
"He can be controlled." Chromedome looked through the cafe's windows at Metalhawk, who was still staring at the television.
"Now you're getting it." Prowl said with a smile. "He thinks removing any factional badges from our present will help our future. Wouldn't it be something if he … forgot to include the Autobots in that list?"
"Wouldn't it be." Chromedome said.
Prowl developed an itch and reached up to scratch his neck. "Hmm. Chromedome, you still have ultraviolet lights installed in your fingertips, don't you?"
"Never leave home without them." The tips of Chromedome's fingers cast out short sprays of light. "Can't be too careful when you're in the business of wiping memories."
"Yes, quite." Prowl turned around. "Aim them at the back of my head, please."
Chromedome did as asked. The light touched Prowl's head and revealed an otherwise invisible series of scratches and scrapes which curled and overlapped on his scalp.
"Oh dear. The evidence is clear; those are the scratches from my needles." Chromedome said. "Someone's tampered with your memories."
Prowl had an immediate reaction to this news. "Quick, aim the light at your head." Chromedome did so, and the same scratches were present. "Someone or something has alternated both our memories … but why?"
Chromedome's tiny holographic newspaper begin beeping in an urgent, rapid tone. An all-red hologram appeared with the Cybertronian text for "BREAKING NEWS" written on it. Below was a fuzzy picture of a Cybertronian, trying not be seen by hiding behind a skyscraper.
Prowl read through the newspaper. "Eyewitness report of Starscream sighted near New York City on Earth." Prowl examined the photo carefully. Accounting for some distortion, the fuzzy picture, and the possibility Starscream had modified himself, the picture could be a snapshot of the famous Decepticon.
Prowl was more than a little intrigued. "What do you think, Chromedome? Should we pay a visit to New York City?"
"Would it even matter to you if I said no?"
"Truthfully? … No."
"Well … let's go, then."
The same news broadcast played on the screen Galvatron was watching, hiding in a hidden location with Blackout, Chrysalis, and their yellow-eyed master.
"Bah." Galvatron scowled at the news. "Curse these gullible masses." He walked away from the screen. "If they would simply see reason ..." Galvatron tapped the end of his cannon to a poster on the wall. "To remove the organics ..."
"Now, now, Galvatron," their master said. "You can't blame them for wanting to make new friends, can you? Even if those friends are disgusting, slimy organics. No offense, Queen Chrysalis."
"None taken." Chrysalis said. "We Changelings take pride in our slimy appearance. You can't be too upset, Galvatron. This is what you rescued me for, isn't it?"
"Yes." Galvatron smiled, looking at the poster. "In exchange for your servitude, I will continue to sabotage the Changeling Batteries and provide you the means for an army. You will take the Changelings, infiltrate the Earthen and Equestrian governments, and convince them to withdraw from Cybertron, leaving our planet – my planet … pure again. Devoid of organic muck and slime."
Blackout stepped forward. "I did not hear anything in there regarding returning the Decepticons to glory. This is not what I was promised when I was recruited into your little … cabal."
The master came out from the shadows and placed a hand on Blackout's shoulder. "Patience, Blackout, patience. Everyone in my cabal has been promised something in exchange for their loyalty. I have every intention of delivering on each and every one."
Blackout looked at him. "Tell me, what would you do if the promise for one member would conflict with the promise for another?"
The master sidled up further to Blackout. "Why don't you let me worry about that while you focus on what Cybertron will be like when the Decepticons control it?"
"Hmm ..." Blackout was appealed to think about how a Decepticon-dominated Cybertron would appear, but at the same time, he made note of how the master had avoided answering his question
In the Crystal Empire, a Space Bridge opened up, from which Twilight's Imperials marched through, this time with all of Team Prime, Magnum, and the Wreckers. Assembled in the streets of the palace were the Royal Guard, Shining Armor, and Princess Celestia. The Guard, seeing the Imperials, tensed up and drew their spears.
"You again." Shining Armor scraped his hoof. "What do you want?"
"We're here for the demons." Twilight answered with her distorted voice.
"Well, so are we." Shining Armor said. "We've got this covered, so why don't you just turn around and -"
Celestia put a leg in front of Shining Armor. She shook her head at him, disapproving of his words. "War Princess." Celestia said. "Would you be interested in another truce to deal with these demons?"
Twilight raised her masked head up. "I thought you'd never ask."
Celestia directed the Guards to clear a path for Twilight's forces. "This way, Imperials, into the castle where the mirror is." The Imperials marched ahead, following Twilight's lead. Twilight nodded her head in respect to Celestia as she passed by.
When the Imperials were far enough, Shining Armor voiced his displeasure. "Princess, I don't like this. How many times are going to let Twiley walk by without capturing her? The Americans have her group as wanted criminals."
Celestia gave him an intrigued stare. "Oh? Well, Shining Armor, if you wish to arrest your own sister for the glory of a far-off alien species who we are only serving to avoid the risk of a nuclear missile threat against Equestria … be my guest." She pointed her hoof at Twilight.
"I ..." Shining Armor was speechless. He hung his head. "Point taken."
Celestia and Shining Armor joined Twilight's forces inside the castle. Twilight had stopped to regard a box hanging from the ceiling by a chain. It was a large and vertical crate cast from iron. Blue power lines traveled up and down, the same kind of lines which could be found on some Cybertronians and their buildings.
"What is this?" Twilight pointed to the box.
"No idea." Shining Armor stood up beside her. "It just showed up one day. We haven't been able to figure what it's made of or what's inside. We've tried everything we could think of. Crowbars, skeleton keys ... whenever we think we have figured out, it shifts. Like it's changing its own locks. It's the perfect lockbox."
The mysterious crate proved Shining Armor's boast by splitting into several smaller boxes, all connected by lead tubing, and rearranging itself into a different shape and size. The only constant was a small black panel on the side, which remained stationary.
"See?"
"Hmm." Twilight tilted her head, curiosity roused. "Definitely Cybertronian in origin …"
"Um, excuse me?" Susan poked Twilight's shoulder. "I'm sure this mystery box is fascinating, but I'd like everyone to remember that MY HOME IS BEING INVADED BY DEMONS."
"Right. Sorry. Imperials, through the mirror!"
The combined forces of Shining Armor's Guard and Twilight's Imperials went marching through the mirror.
When they appeared on the other side, they were taken aback by the site of the destruction and carnage around. Windows were shattered. Cars were crashed. Trees were broken and set aflame. Legions of the She-Demon hordes circled the skies, some of them landing in the form of meteors before hypnotizing unfortunate fleeing humans with their demonic eyes and turning them into brainwashed zombies. But the most surprising part was when the leader appeared and addressed them.
Celestia let out a gasp, which was by itself a surprise, given the Princess' usual calm demeanor.
"Hello, Princess Celestia."
A few paces ahead of them, Sunset Shimmer and her friends, transformed into She-Demons themselves, descended from the sky and put their clawed feet on the ground. For Twilight, it was eerie to see an alternate version of herself … transformed into a horrible, clawed demon.
"Sunset Shimmer?" Celestia sounded on the brink of tears. "The She-Demons … made you one of them?"
Sunset responded with an arrogant laugh. "Oh hohoho! No. They didn't make me one of them. I did this to myself. I summoned them. You see, I'm their leader."
While the business with the demons was happening at Canterlot High, in New York City on Earth, a Space Bridge manifested. Prowl and Chromedome hopped out before the Bridge disappeared. The first thing Prowl noticed was a gathering of humans and Americons, along with an odd, stray Morbot done up in red colors.
"What's this here?" Prowl asked, strolling up to them.
"This is none of your business," a human answered him.
Prowl examined him. "I've heard of you. You … you're ..."
"Harold Attinger." The human said. "Now if you don't mind, we are in the middle of an op which you are compromising every second you're here."
"Oh?" Prowl said. "Perhaps we could help."
"Help?" Galloway's voice came from Attinger's phone. "We don't need your help, Autobot. We have all the Cybertronian help we need."
Attinger grumbled and sighed. "Mister Galloway … I signed on for your Operation: Patriotism project a few years ago because you led me to believe it was what was best for my country. Now tell me, were you lying to me?"
"Er, no," Galloway said.
"Then let me make the calls for my job while you make the calls for yours." Attinger hung up the phone and pocketed it. "Now, you were offering to help?"
"Yes" Prowl said. "It sounds like you have a problem, and we believe the known criminal Starscream is active in the area. And if there's a problem in same area as Starscream, there's a good bet the two of them are correlated."
"We have good intel suggesting there are multiple Decepticons planning on attacking this area." Attinger said. "We're here to hold them off.
"My partner and I can be of assistance to you, then. We're not too bad in a fight. Let us help you, Harold."
Attinger gave Prowl one of the coldest, hardest stares Prowl had ever seen. Prowl had to admit, it was impressive coming from a human. "Only my friends call me Harold. I have the Americons and the Morbot here to deal with the Decepticons. We don't need your help, and I don't want you interfering." Attinger snapped his fingers and pointed. "So why don't you and your partner transform and hit the road." Attinger walked off.
Prowl huffed. Ignoring Attinger's suggestion, he regarded the Morbot. The Morbot stared back, unblinking and silent. Prowl turned to a nearby Americon. "You … how do you stand turning your back on your Cybertronian brothers? To do the bidding of these entitled humans?"
"Not all of us Decepticons were born killers." The Americon said. "A planet the size of Cybertron, you think that many of us are all sadist and psychopaths? No, no." He shook his head. "Some of us were just working bots. Labor, construction… we had homes. We had families. Then the Decepticons came. They threatened us to join them, or they would find and kill our families. Then, once we had joined? They found our families and threatened to kill us if they didn't join. So if any one of us tried to leave, all of our family would die."
"That's… effective." Prowl said.
Chromedome chided him. "Prowl! That's not what you're supposed to say."
"And horrifying!" Prowl tacked on. "Effective and horrifying! My apologizes, I'm not used to this… feeling I'm having. It's weird, all fluffy and like I should be crying."
"Uh, is it… empathy?" Chromedome said.
"That's the one."
The Americon sighed. "Of course. You Autobots wouldn't understand. None of you were drafted by the barrel of a gun, were you? No, you had a choice." The Americon's resentment bled through his voice. "For those of us with families, we did what we did so we could survive. When Optimus … when Megatron died, it was a like a spell over our eyes was broken, and we realized the killers we had let ourselves become. So after the war is over, when Galloway comes up to us offering amnesty if we serve as his police, how can we say no? If we could serve people … if we could protect them … if we could save as many lives as we had taken, well, maybe … just maybe we could die peacefully, knowing we'd did our best to make amends."
"The promise of redemption is a powerful thing." Chromedome said.
Prowl scoffed, skeptical of the Vehicon's story. A roar from above kept him from speaking.
The gathered Cybertronians looked up to see Deathsaurus, flying high above the city lines while a flock of Forged Vehicons flew around him.
"Decepticons!" Deathsaurus roared. "Today will be a good day. Today we will reclaim what it is ours and take our rightful place as rulers of the universe!"
Attigner wasn't not one to hesitate. He pulled his gun and shot at Deathsaurus. The bullets were from a standard-issue handgun, so they did little to Deathsaurus other than annoy him.
"You have to admit. He has gumption." Chromedome said of Attinger.
Deathsaurus glanced at Attinger and snapped his fingers. An Insecticon came rolling from the sky like a boulder, landing in front of Attinger. The shockwave of the impact knocked Attinger onto his back. The Insecticon shrieked, raising its claw to end Attinger's life, when a blue gel splashed onto it. The Insecticon was confused before the gel electrocuted him, knocking him off-line and bringing him down.
"My specialty weapon." Prowl gestured to his gun as he walked to Attinger. "The one I swear by. Sends out an adhesive gel with static electricity stored inside, giving my suspects a shock so I can bring them up."
Attinger got up and adjusted his shirt. Attinger knew he would be noting more than a pincushion for the Insecticon if not for Prowl. "Prowl … after some careful thought, I've decided to be more open to the idea of inter-agency cooperation."
"Glad to hear it." Prowl smirked. He gazed up at the small army of Vehicons floating ahead.
"All right, people!" Attinger turned back to his soldiers. "Prowl is working with us now. You take orders from the same way you do, but if they contradict, mine take priority, understand?"
"The first priority should be saving lives." Prowl said.
Attinger snapped his fingers. "You'll split up in two groups. One group will take instruction from Prowl. The rest of you, you're with me. The enemy is up in the air." Attinger snapped his fingers. "Go get them."
About half of the assembled Americons converted into vehicle modes and flew up to meet their Forged enemies. A series of dogfights ensued, each side delivering laser fire to the other. A stray laser hit and chopped off the corner of a building, making Prowl realize something.
"Has this area been evacuated?"
"Not yet." Attinger said. "I sent out a call telling them to standby for an evacuation order. All they need is to hear the word."
"Chromedome, you and the Americons go through the city and tell the citizens to take cover." Prowl said. "You." He pointed at the Morbot.
The Morbot wasn't interested in taking orders from Prowl. It ignored him and flew up, meeting Deathsaurus and engaging the wannabe Decepticon Lord in a fist fight, smashing Deathsaurus over the head before punching him in the chest. Deathsaurus grappled with the Morbot, trying to shake him off.
"Attinger." Prowl said. "Do we have a plan to beat them?"
"No." Attinger said. "Not anything more complex than 'keep them from destroying the city.'"
"FORWARD!" Deathsaurus shouted. "We must reach the harbor, Decepticons! We must!"
"The harbor?" Prowl wondered. "What's in the harbor that they could want?"
Prowl and Attinger shared an epiphany.
"Trypticon's remains." They said in unison.
"Deathsaurus must want to retrieve Trypticon, revive him, and use him as a weapon for consquest." Attinger said.
"Yes. Say, how is mining out the chunks of Trypticon going without the Autobots helping you out?" Prowl asked with a smug smirk, earning an irritated glare from Attinger.
Prowl moved on. "But now that we know his plans, we can come up with something to foil them."
"Sunset … how … why?" Celestia asked while Twilight rushed Sunset, getting into a grapple with Sunset's ebony black form. Celestia was too blindsided to fight, Twilight could tell, so she made sure Sunset focused on fighting her. Despite Twilight's mask, Sunset knew it was Twilight Sparkle fighting her. Who else would be so focused on protecting Celestia?
Sunset chuckled. "Why? I'll tell you why. Because I've been planning this for eighteen years. For as long I've been stuck here, I've been planning to take over Equestria. I wanted power. I wanted glory. I wanted to go through that mirror the first time you showed it to me, but you said no. So, I taught myself summoning spells so I could summon demons and make an army."
"You ..." Celestia said. "You weren't ready."
"Wait, Celestia showed you the mirror?" Twilight asked.
"Yes." Sunset said. "What, she didn't show you when you were young too?"
"No. She didn't." Twilight glared at Celestia.
"Really? Wow. I cannot believe she made you a Princess instead of me!"
"I ..." Celestia said. "Twilight Sparkle, please believe what I say ... after what happened with Sunset Shimmer … when she left I showed her the mirror, I was afraid if I showed it to you, you would do the same thing."
"Why start all this now?" Twilight asked. "Why go through with this? The mirror was working. You could have come to Celestia. You could have talked things over."
"Why? Because of you … you." Sunset growled at Twilight. "You have everything I ever wanted. You had the adoration of everypony. Everypony loved you. Everypony respected you. Princess Celestia … replaced me with you!"
Celestia's ears perked up, and she at last recovered from her shell-shock. "I never meant for Twilight Sparkle to replace you, Sunset Shimmer. I love Twilight Sparkle dearly, but no pony would ever take the place you had in my heart."
"You had love!" Twilight shouted. "You had the respect of your community! The people here, at Canterlot High … they all loved you!"
Sunset laughed. "Oh, they were all just pawns. I made myself a pillar of the community so when I made my move to take over Equestria, they wouldn't suspect a thing until it was too late."
"You know, Twilight Sparkle, I should be thanking you. My original plan was to summon a few of the demons and have one of them steal the Element of Magic. See, once the Element was in my grasp, I would use its magic to brainwash all the humans here into my army. We would rush Equestria, and their human forms would freak out and intimidate the Equestrian forces. So imagine my surprise when the demon comes back through the mirror with the wrong Element." Sunset glared over her shoulder at a She-Demon.
"But then you show up." Sunset went on. "You with your Autobots, and I learned the Equestrians had seen humans already, so that wouldn't work. So I changed plans. I taught myself bigger and badder summoning spells and waited for the Secretariat Comet to arrive."
"The Secretariat Comet?"
"The Comet is a phenomenon that happens on both this and the other Equestria every so many years." Sunset said. "When it flies by, all Equestrian magic is enhanced to extreme levels." Sunset pointed a finger upwards and Twilight saw there was indeed a comet streaking through the reddened sky. "With it enhancing my magic, I was able to summon hundreds of the She-Demons, other types of demons, and turn myself and my friends into demons as well."
"Do Principal Celestia and Selene know about this?" Twilight asked.
"Know about it? They're part of it! As is Flash Sentry." Sunset smiled.
"Hello!" Flash Sentry appeared and waved his claw. He taken the form of a centaur, with yellow skin and legs while his teeth were now fangs.
"Hi, Honey." Sunset waved at her beau. "Amazing what you could do to someone's mind after a few years of making them love you. When I brought them in on the plan, they couldn't bring themselves to say no. Not to me, their darling little Sunset Shimmer."
"You ..." Twilight stammered. "You're sick, taking advantage of their love like that."
"Wait." Celestia said. "You said the Secretariat Comet enhances all Equestrian magic?"
"Yes." Sunset Shimmer said. "Why? Do I need to repeat myself?"
"If the Comet affects all Equestrian magic ..." Celestia's horn lit up. "That would include Twilight Sparkle and I as well."
Sunset's eyes shrunk as she realized what this means. It means she would not only be fighting Twilight Sparkle and Celestia, two Princess ponies who were already well-versed in magic … she would be fighting them while their magic was enhanced. Twilight realized it, too, firing a powerful blast from horn and blowing Sunset away. Celestia flew up and joined in the brawl between her students.
"Wreckers!" Ultra Magnus shouted "Time to live up to your names … and wreck 'em."
"Hey, guys!" Flash Sentry waved at them. "Listen, before we start, I want you to know … this isn't personal. I'm just doing what Sunset asked."
"Oh?" Ultra Magnus said. He flexed fingers at Flash, daring him to approach. "Why don't you come over and we'll make it personal."
Flash growled. "It would be nice if you'd surrendered right about now, but I can see that's not gonna happen." Flash Sentry roared and bared his claws, charging at them.
Ultra Magnus burst out laughing. "Oh, man … for someone named "Flash," you're not too bright, are you?"
"Huh?" Flash skidded to a halt. "What did you mean?"
Ultra Magnus answered Flash via swinging his hammer around and smashing it into Flash, sending his centaur body flying in the air. Ultra Magnus thought Flash Sentry resembled a golf ball. "FORE! Maybe next time you'll think to transform into a demon with wings, moron!" Ultra Magnus flicked his hammer, changing it to its boomstick form, and begun firing away at the She-Demon hordes.
Twilight and Sunset noticed Flash's flying body. With Sunset distracted by the sight of her boyfriend's flight, Twilight charged forward, slamming her metal frame into Sunset's body and dragging her to the ground. Twilight pinned Sunset's shoulders.
"Give up, Sunset Shimmer!" Twilight shouted. "The advanced Cybertronian technology on my side is more than your demons can handle!"
"Ah, but you're forgetting something!" Twilight's doppelganger Twyla called out. "I am an alternate version of you, which means, aside from unicorn magic, I have most of your knowledge and skills, including mechanical aptitude."
Twilight turned towards Twyla. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Twyla pulled out a silver cylinder from her pocket.
Ultra Magnus' optics widened, recognizing the device for what it was. "E.M.P! TAKE COVER!"
Ultra Magnus, the Wreckers, and Team Prime turned around and jumped for the nearest cover. Twyla threw the device to the ground. It exploded and release a wave of cracking blue energy which passed over everything in its radius. Every Imperial trooper wearing exo-suits, including Twilight, collapsed to the ground. The suits relied on electricity for full function, including their weight-lifting hydraulics, and without those hydraulic systems active, the weight of the suit was too much for most wearers. The suits became useless and immovable; they were as good as iron tombs.
When Twilight collapsed on top of her, Sunset smirked at her victory. She pushed Twilight off and onto the ground before flying up to resume her fight with Celestia. Sunset could tell Celestia wasn't happy.
"Aw, what's the matter, Princess?" Sunset asked. "Upset I put your prize pupil in the ground?" Celestia didn't appreciate Sunset's catty remarks and powered up her horn. Celestia charged at Sunset, but Roxanne and Rachel body-slammed Celestia from either side, knocking Celestia off-course.
"Ugh." Bangs echoed from Twilight's exo-suit. She tried to buck and punch her way out, but the suit wouldn't budge. "Why didn't I design a non-electrical emergency unlock?" Twilight asked herself. "That seems like a serious design oversight." Twilight looked at the battlefield through her visor.
I have to get back out there … Twilight thought. Wait, maybe if I ...
Twilight shut her eyes and concentrated. It took some effort, but she managed to teleport herself out from the exo-suit and onto the grass. She aimed at Sunset Shimmer and charged her horn.
"Wait."
There was a human solider, stuck lying on the ground inside his inactive exo-suit.
"Hey! Before you go, could you get me out of here?"
“Huh? Oh, sure,” Twilight walked over to her troop and banged on the suit. Thankfully, the emergency lock on it worked, unlike on hers, and she helped the soldier up to his feet.
“Thanks,” he said.
“No problem,” Twilight said. “Get down!”
A fireball streaked towards them. Twilight hit the ground, but the projectile hit the soldier and knocked him flat, smoke billowing from his chest.
Twilight reached over, placing a hoof on his chest. Burnt badly, but still had a pulse.
She heard an explosion behind her. She looked up to see Celestia struggling against Sunset and her minions. Twilight grimaced and bit her lip. She didn’t want to leave him until she was sure he’d survive, but Celestia needed her help.
“Hey,” he placed a hand on Twilight, “go to her, Commander. I’ll be good here for awhile.”
“Are you sure?” Twilight asked.
“Yes. Go, go!” he shooed her away.
"Stay here, okay? You're in no condition to fight,” Twilight said.
“Gee, you think? I’ll go find some cover…” he got to his feet and stumbled over to behind a building.
With him hidden away, Twilight threw herself back into the fray, galloping towards Celestia’s aid.
Arcee saw Twilight running about. Thanks to Ultra Magnus' warning, she and the other Autobots were far enough from the E.M.P to not get knocked out, though it did still hit them and give them some minor headaches.
"That E.M.P hit all of us," Arcee said. "There are probably more of them in the same situation who are compromised. We need to end this, and fast, before these demons figure it out and start preying on the troops who trying to get out of their bum exo-suits.”
"How?" Smokescreen asked, taking a potshot at a She-Demon. "Sunset's got us outnumbered."
"Hmm." Arcee stood up and looked to the sky. There, off in the distance, the colossal figure of Fortress Maximus still stood, as if he were a sentinel watching the town. "Wha – why is Fortress Maximus still here and not on the other side of the mirror where he belongs?"
"Have you seen the size of him?" Smokescreen said. "You wanna try to tow him through that tiny mirror? Be my guest."
"Beep?" Bumblebee said. "Beep beep beep?”
“The weapons Soundwave and Starscream dug up from Fort Max? Yeah, Honestly, Bumblebee, they’re kinda of hard to forget." Arcee quipped. A She-Demon swooped at her, whom Arcee dispatched by slicing its stomach with her arm-blade.
"Beep beep beep," Bumblebee said. "Beep beep be-beep click wheeeooop." Bumblebee cupped his chin.
"See if Fortress Maximus has more weapons in there we could use, yeah… yeah!” Smokescreen added. “And we might be able to get Fortress Maximus to activate and destroy the Comet. That should reduce Sunset's and the demons' powers and make it a more even fight."
Bulkhead scoffed. "Yeah, forget it, you two. None of us know where Snowdrop went after what happened with Megatron, and we don't know if any of us could pass whatever weird test."
Arcee looked at Bulkhead. "Bulkhead, you’re usually our forward tip. Care to test yourself on Fortress Maximus?"
“Why do I always get the suicide missions?” Bulkhead asked.
"Because you’re a Wrecker? And don’t forget. We still have troops who are practically sitting ducks inside those suits." Arcee said. “I’d like to wrap this up before those demons catch onto the number of motionless bodies on the ground.”
"Pardon me, but I couldn't help overhearing your dilemma." Ultra Magnus walked over. As causal as one would swat a fly, he fired his boomstick over his shoulder, taking out multiple She-Demons with one explosion. "Magnum, the Wreckers and I will work on getting them out of the line of fire. We'll see if Shining Armor and the Guard can help too. You go on ahead to Fortress Maximus and see if you can dig up anything worthwhile."
Arcee nodded. She and Magnus exchanged salutes before Arcee turned back to her teammates. "Team Prime … let's roll out."
She and the others converted to vehicle mode and tore up the roadway as they raced to reach the Fortress while Celestia's and Twilight's duel with Sunset Shimmer and her friends continued overhead.
They were making good progress to their destination. Fortress Maximus' legs were coming in sight when a four-headed scaly creature lumbered out from behind a house.
"What the?" The Autobots swerved and stopped.
"What's an Equestrian hydra doing here?" Smokescreen asked.
"Probably another of those demons Sunset Shimmer mentioned." Bumblebee explained.
"However it got here, it's in our way." Arcee revved up. "Autobots, take it down." The Autobots followed Arcee's lead and accelerated towards the hydra. Arcee jumped onto Bumblebee's car roof, using him as a ramp to launch herself into the air and towards the hydra. Reverting to robot mode, Arcee delivered a flying kick to one of the hydra's head. Before the hydra could shake her off, Arcee flipped over and wrapped her arms tight around its neck.
The other Autobots borrowed Arcee's idea, using the momentum from their tires to get an increase in height as they jumped and landed on the hydra's necks – a plague of metallic fleas to it. Bulkhead and Bumblebee each picked a head and clung to the neck, beating on their necks to subdue it. Smokescreen was more for Arcee's train of thought, aiming to land a kick on the head. The last hydra head proved smarter, as it opened its jaw and caught Smokescreen's leg within its teeth.
"Hey!" Bulkhead climbed from one neck to the other. "Let him go!" He pounded on the hydra's neck with his maces until its jaw unhinged and dropped Smokescreen.
Arcee primed her arm-blade, aiming at the beast's neck to slit its throat. "I'd hate to do this to an animal, but ..."
"Beep beep." Bumblebee reached out, getting her to stop. "Beep beep beep beep whir."
"The hydra is an animal... unlike the She-Demons?" Arcee asked. Fine, I'll bite... so that would mean, all we all we have to do is convince we're more trouble than we're worth and it will leave us alone! Smart thinking, Bumblebee. I'll try anything once. What do you think we should do?"
"Beep beepp beep beep." Bumblebee stood up on the hydra's back. He, Arcee, and Bulkhead jumped off its back, converting to vehicle mode and landing on their tires. Smokescreen converted and drove around to the back of it.
"Smokescreen, get over here!"
"I know what I'm doing, Arcee! Just trust me on this one." Smokescreen got to the hydra's tail and transformed into robot mode. He grabbed the hydra's tail and lifted it up.
Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead all pedaled backward, putting some distance between themselves and the hydra. The hydra saw them leaving and roared at them. The Autobots skidded their tires and launched themselves forward, their bodies hitting the side of the hydra as if they were missiles. At the exact moment they made contact, Smokescreen tugged on the tail, sending the hydra toppling over onto its side.
Bulkhead transformed and went up to the hydra. He pounded his mace into its leg, causing it to wince and whine. The hydra struggled up to its feet, and, limping from Bulkhead's attack, turned and walked away.
"Well, that settles that." Arcee said. She turned to the pillar serving as Fortress Maximus' legs. "Looks like we're here. Anyone remember we got in the first time?"
"I think there's an elevator in his foot." Smokescreen paused. "Wow. That's a sentence I never thought I'd say ..." Smokescreen led the group to the front of Fortress Maximus's foot and found the door to the elevator. Pressing a button to open the door, he went in first.
"So how do we find the weapons in here?" Bulkhead asked as the door shut behind them. "This place is huge."
"I have an idea." Smokescreen pressed the elevator buttons. The elevator lifted them up to the chest area of the building, to the main control room, where the control chair and Cerebros were located.
"Cerebros." Smokescreen said, stepping out from the elevator and walking across the bridge.
"Greetings. My name is Cerebros. I am part of the interface -"
"Interface, yeah, yeah, we know all that." Smokescreen cut him off. "Do you remember Soundwave and Starscream? They found weapons being stored in Fortress Maximus when he was still pretending to be a temple. What we need to know is … are there more weapons like that, and can you give them to us?"
Cerebros remained silent, almost as if he didn't know how to answer.
"Cerebros, listen." Smokescreen said. "I know the Ancients put a bunch of rules and regulations in you so it wouldn't be easy to gain access to your weapons. But please, you have to believe me when I say it's for a good cause. We're trying to protect people. Can't you hear what's going on outside? There are demons everywhere!"
Cerebros continued his silence. Smokescreen was about to give up and turn around when he spoke.
"I … can make the weapons available to you." Cerebros said. The entire building shook as a wall peeled up and pulled up, as if it were on a string. The wall from the next floor down rose up to take its place before rising, and the wall-replacing process continued until there was wall with a large weapons rack showing, with paintings of Cybertronians using the same weapons hoisted onto the racks.
"Awesome." Smokescreen said. "Thank you, Cerebros."
"I ..." Arcee said. "Can't believe that worked."
Smokescreen gestured to the wall, proud of himself. "Pick a weapon, everyone." The Autobots walked up to the wall. There were only seven weapons and two armors to choose from.
"Whoa." Bulkhead reached up and grabbed a polearm. He twirled it around some. "Jackie would love this!"
"But is the weapon you wish to use?" Cerebros asked, unprovoked.
Bulkhead held out the spear before him. He looked at the wall and saw what appeared to be a shield with a buzzsaw embedded into the end of it. His eyes grew wide. "Oh yeah." Placing the spear back, Bulkhead grabbed the shield. "This one was made for me."
"Wish all of us could have it that easy." Bumblebee searched through the weapons, his finger passing over a drill – which Bumblebee found unwieldy – and a huge gun which appeared to double as a rocket engine. "Ah!" Bumblebee said at last, finding two Cybertronian bows. He picked them both up and tossed the larger one to Arcee. "Here, Arcee. Try that one for size."
"Huh." Arcee twisted the bow around, getting familiar with its shape. It had a long arch and two barrels attached by steel cable. "What is this, some weird … bow … gun mix?"
"That is the Echohawk Bow." Cerebrous said.
"I guess that leaves me." Smokescreen said. He didn't take as long as the others, reaching up to grab a gun which came with a net and an aesthetically-matched armor mesh.
Bulkhead regarded his weapon. "Are we sure we want to do this? We saw what these things did to Starscream and Soundwave. If they change us … there may be no changing back."
A whistle followed by an explosion echoed from outside. No doubt from a She-Demon tossing a fireball.
"We're wasting time." Arcee said. "It's now or never." She pressed the button on the Echohawk Bow, and the others did the same. The weapons shot out a series of cables which wrapped and coiled around them, forming cocoons. The sounds of heavy machinery could be heard from inside as the weapons made their changes and modifications to them. When they finished, the cocoons retracted, revealing their new forms.
Smokescreen did not change much, though his colors were changed from silver to blue with yellow racing stripes. Arcee's changes were to have much of her blue body replaced with colors of gray, pink, and shiny aqua. Pronounced ridges surrounded her cheeks and the pink crest on her was curvier and pointed. Fin-like protrusions extended from the back of her legs. The result made Smokescreen think of a mermaid.
Bumblebee's colors were inverted, with his primary color being black with yellow stripes. His head gained a crest and his eyes owlish, similar to Grimwing's. Sharp ridges and spikes covered his whole body. If he turned to vehicle mode, his grille would have sharp edges pointing to cut people with. His shoulders holstered spare ammunition for his weapon, which attached to his arm.
"Bulkhead?" Smokescreen laughed. "Man, you look ridiculous!" Bulkhead's changes were to have orange and bronze painted all over him, in addition to a lighter shade of green. Tusks protruded from the vehicle grille in his chest and a "hood" was over his head, which now had a blue visor and two horns sticking out from it.
"Hey ..." Smokescreen turned back to the wall. They were paintings of ancient Cybertronians, using the weapons to fight what appeared to be Predacons. "That looks like Predaking."
"This mural you see before is of the ancient Cybertronians who hunted down the Predacon beasts to protect themselves and their villages." Cerebros said.
"What do you want to bet Shockwave's Predaking used the CNA of this one?" Arcee said.
"Ninety-nine to one." Bulkhead said.
"It sounds as if you are speaking of clones." Cerebros said. "Please, do not use these clones to measure the beasts you see pictured here. They might not be accurate to the original's personality."
"Hey ..." Smokescreen placed a hand on the wall. "We have a new look. We should get a new name. I mean, it's not much of "Team Prime" anymore without Prime around, right?"
The Autobots winced.
"Ooh. Too soon?"
"Way too soon." Arcee said. "What are you thinking?"
"Well, they're hunting beasts with these weapons, right?" Smokescreen said. "So I was thinking we could call oursevles … Beast Hunters!"
Arcee blinked. "Yeaaaaaaaaah … no."
"Aw." Bulkhead said. "I kinda like it."
"Come on." Bumblebee gestured to the elevator. "We've spent too long here already. We need to get back to the others." Arcee and Bulkhead followed Bumblebee's lead, but Arcee stopped when she realized Smokescreen wasn't behind.
"Smokescreen? You coming?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll be right there." Smokescreen walked up to Cerebros. "I want to try something."
"Smokescreen, we discussed this. We don't have time to test ourselves-"
"Go on without me." Smokescreen waved his hand. "I'll catch up." Arcee fumed, but she realized she wasn't going to get through to him and joined the elevator with the others.
"Hey again, Cerebros."
Cerebro's optics showed some signs of emotion, dragging towards Smokescreen. "I have given you the weapons. What else do we want?"
"Nothing. Well, no, not nothing. A favor. I want to ask a favor." Smokescreen said. "Listen, I know humans aren't perfect. I know Sunset Shimmer and her friends set a bad example. But listen to me, the humans here, in this alternate Equestria? Well, they're just like the ones on Earth. They're not perfect, but they're good people. Good people who being threatened by the She-Demons and who need help. You can help, Cerebros. You can get Fortress Maximus -"
“‘Get’? You imply I am able to coerce him,” Cerebros said. “We are more entwined than a simple master and servant relationship.”
"Yeah, okay. That doesn't change anything. You can still help. There's a comet flying overhead giving the She-Demons' power. If you take Fortress Maximus' weapons, you can blow it out of the sky and weaken them, so it's easier for us to take them down. So please … can you help us?"
"My programming forbids to take my action on my own."
Smokescreen stomped his foot, which echoed in the empty chamber. "So overcome your programming!" Smokescreen sighed and shook his head. "Forget it. I should have known this was never going to work ..." Smokescreen turned to the elevator, but he stopped. "Wait. You've been stuck in this alternate dimension for Primus knows how long. Who had the time to teach you about Cutie Marks?"
Smokescreen thought was he hallucinating, because it sounded as though Cerebros let out a chuckle.
"It was … a thousand years ago, if not more, when my Space Bridge teleported me here to keep my weapons out of the hands of Decepticons." Cerebros said. "I assumed the form of a temple and watched the … Equestria-humans, Equestria girls, if you will, build and grow and age and die for centuries. Their lives, unlike ours, are so frail and fleeting. After years of watching them, of learning their ways, of housing them, however unwitting they were to my presence … I suppose I have grown attached to them." Cerebros' head tilted up, almost wistful.
Smokescreen had no idea how to respond to that, so he raced to the elevator. "Guys?" Smokescreen dialed his comm. "I'm ready to leave. Where did you go?"
"We're at the top." Arcee answered.
"What are you doing there? Oh, I get it. Higher ground so we can see what's going on." Smokescreen smiled. "Good idea."
Smokescreen used the elevator to join them on the roof. They surveyed the destruction and the hordes of demons flying through the skies.
"Got to admit." Arcee drew the string on her bow. "I'm much more comfortable with a sniper rifle than a bow."
A She-Demon noticed the four Autobots on Fortress Maximus' shoulders. She screeched and swooped at them, claws bared. Arcee did the natural thing and fired her bow, sending two metallic bolts into the demon's stomach which poked out her back. An electric arc traveled from one arrowhead to the other, charging up and electrocuting the demon.
"Then again ..." Arcee admired the bow's results as the She-Demon fell to the ground.
"Hey." Bulkhead observed his weapon. "Didn't Starscream's weapon come with a name and instructions?"
"We'll figure them out as we go." Arcee said. "We need to get back to the battle." Arcee took a deep breath and turned to see Smokescreen wearing a stupid.
"Go on." Smokescreen said. "Say it. You know you want to."
Arcee sighed. She pointed her finger. "Beast Hunters, roll out!" She, Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Smokescreen begin the trek down the side of Fortress Maximus, scaling down the body. She-Demons noticed them and attempted to attack them, only to be dispatched with ease by Bumblebee's and Arcee's arrows.
Reaching the ground, the Beast Hunters transformed to vehicle mode and rolled towards where the main battle was happening.
"Whoooa!" Arcee yelled as she went much faster than she intended. She swerved and skidded to a halt. "I didn't realize this new body came up with a speed boost! Heck, I bet I could give Rainbow Dash a run for her money!"
The Autobots continued on, much more cautious to be careful with their new vehicle modes after Arcee came close to crashing.
Finding a dense pack of demons gathered, the Autobots shifted between modes and readied their weapons. The demons noticed them and charged.
Bumblebee and Arcee fired arrow bolt after arrow bolt. Something they noticed about their weapons was Bumblebee's arrows appeared to be superheated, as the blood from the injured demons boiled as it leaked from the wound before it was cauterized and sealed up. Arcee's arrows delivered electric shocks, but only when she had her target with two of them – a single arrow didn't have enough charge by itself.
Bulkhead banged and pounded on his buzzsaw. "Come on … do something fancy like Arcee's arrows!" Bulkhead got his wish, as the saw part begin spinning at several hundred revolutions-per-minute, faster than even his advanced Cybertronians could process. Gushes of flame spewed from the sawblade and formed around Bulkhead in a protective bubble. A She-Demon lobbed a fireball, which hit the fiery sphere and did nothing.
The She-Demon frowned and scoffed. "So much for fighting fire with fire." She tried to ram Bulkhead with her body, but the heat from the shield was so intense even she was repelled.
"Whoa." Smokescreen said. "Did Bulkhead's fire shield just push back a demon? Like, a bonafide fire-and-brimstone demon from alternate-universe Pony Hell? Shouldn't that be impossible?"
"Those Ancients sure knew how to cook up an fireball." Bulkhead smirked, emboldened by this discovery. "Alright, guys. Stay behind me and my wall of flame." Bulkhead marched forward, the sight of his spinning fiery vortex scaring some of the demons.
"What? Hey!" Smokescreen lost his grip on his weapon and swung it. It released dark clouds around which shrouded him and clouded his vision. He couldn't see himself. "Wait a minute ..."
A few seconds later, two She-Demons running away from Bulkhead were shocked and uncomprehending when the cut of an axe wound appeared in one's side and electrocuted her. The same thing soon happened to the other.
The black clouds appeared and dispersed, making Smokescreen visible again. He swung his weapon and threw it in the air before catching it again. "So this thing works as both a net launcher, an electric axe, and it does that!"
"Smokescreen," Arcee squinted to see Smokescreen through Bulkhead's flame wheel and Smokescreen's own clouds, "are you teleporting or turning invisible?"
"Uh, turning invisible, I think."
"Then you should stay invisible, if you can," Arcee said. "There's no need to let the enemy see you unless that invisibility of yours has a time limit on it."
"Let me see." Smokescreen swung his axe through the air and disappeared into nothingness. "Nope! There's no time limit."
Arcee was surprised when Smokescreen materialized in front of her, blood leaking from his axe.
"You know they have a minotaur in this army?" Smokescreen said. "Like, not an Equestrian minotaur, but an actual Earthen minotaur with a forked tongue and everything?"
A loud, ratcheting, clanking came from nowhere, as if chains had been dropped.
Arcee tensed up and drew up the string on her bow. "What was that?"
Smokescreen, looking up to the sky, smiled. "That … was Fortress Maximus overcoming his programming."
The other Autobots lifted their gazes to the sky. There, in the distance, hatches on Fortress Maximus's shoulders were coming undone, sliding away to reveal huge, tapering cannons. On the sides of his shoulders, grates were dropping down to unveil a series of missile launchers.
Red laser sights emitted from the cannons and scanned the sky. They circled around and around until they captured and identified the Secretariat Comet. The laser followed the Comet, trying to figure out its trajectory.
Fortress Maximus fired. The thundering boom from the cannons could be heard for miles. Cybertronian and demon alike reached for their pained eyes. The missiles flew off their launchers, seeking the Comet to destroy it.
However far away from the planet it, the Comet still wasn't far enough. The heavy bust of Fortress Maximus' artillery hit it, shattering it into a thousand pieces which fell down and either burnt up in the atmosphere or went on their own path through space, adding themselves to the cosmic dust.
The effect on the magic in the area was immediate and effective. Several She-Demons fell to the ground as they felt themselves weaken. Some of the larger, more powerful demons disappeared, the magical spells needed to bring them here no longer effective without the Secretariat Comet's enhancements. Some of the enslaved local humans woke up from their trance and rallied together to mob the She-Demons who stripped them of their free will.
Sunset Shimmer, looking up at the Comet's destruction, was aghast. "Twilight Sparkle, you … your "noble" Aubotos just DESTROYED a beautiful natural phenomena!"
"Yeah, sure. Beautiful natural phenomenon that was powering an army of demons. Oh no! What a tough, terrible decision I had to make!" Twilight expressed.
Sunset growled at Twilight's sarcasm. "Hold on. It was enhancing your magic and Celestia's magic! So doesn't removing it just send us back to where we started?"
"Perhaps, but it’ll weaken your army and let the Autobots overtake them,". She swerved her flight path to the left to avoid Sunset swiping at her claw. "Say, Sunset Shimmer, can I ask you something? It's been bothering me. Didn't we apologize and make up after the business with Megatron? Didn't you forgive me?"
"I forgave you for some things," Sunset said. "But not everything."
"I would have forgiven you for everything," Twilight said. "But then you went and did … this!" She gestured to the She-Demon legions circling the skies.
"Plus, you know, I had been preparing this for years. What was I supposed, decide not to go through with it because I apologized to the pony who replaced me?"
"Yes!" Twilight said. "Sunset Shimmer, I have to make some difficult choices, but I did them, and I went through with them, because they were the right thing to do. And if I can do it, you can, too."
"Sunset Shimmer, I will say it as many times as I have to; I never meant to replace you." Celestia said, ducking to avoid a fireball.
Twilight put some distance between her and Sunset Shimmer. After dodging a fireball from Flurrie, she panted and wiped the sweat off her brow. "I don't know about you, Princess, but I'm not sure I can keep this up."
"We may not have to." Celestia said. "I believe I can still reach her."
Twilight balked. "Um, Princess, you have seen the hordes of demons flying around, haven't you?"
Celestia nodded, leaving Twilight more confused as Celestia flew up to meet Sunset Shimmer's gaze.
"Sunset Shimmer, what is this really about?"
"I told you." Sunset Shimmer said. "It's about you making Twilight Sparkle a Princess instead of me!"
Celestia shook her head. "I don't believe you. I was there when you apologized to Twilight Sparkle. Perhaps you're an exceptionally actress and liar, but you sounded sincere to me. So it’s jealousy that drives you?"
Sunset was taken aback. "W-what?"
"Twilight Sparkle has everything you wanted, everything you craved … yet couldn't get. You wanted power. You wanted to be a Princess with all your heart, and Twilight … had all of that handed to her."
"S-shut up!" Sunset aimed her claws at Celestia.
"Oh dear, I have a touched a nerve? I am close to the truth, Sunset Shimmer?"
"Shut up, you- you hag!" Sunset shouted. "You don't know anything about me!"
"I know you were good with magic," Celestia said.. "I know you had certain expectations which were never met, and I know there's more going on here than you're letting on. You say you want love, but you have love. You had Principal Celeste, and Twyla and Flurrie and Flash Sentry. So what is it you really want, Sunset? Tell me what it is, and I shall see if I can give it to you."
Sunset teared up. Celestia was closer to the truth than Sunset could bring herself to admit. "When you came through that mirror … when I saw you, with Twilight Sparkle … it was like you were replacing me. It was like … what we had wasn't special or unique anymore. I thought – I thought that belonged to us. I thought … you didn't love me anymore. You loved her. You loved Twilight."
Celestia chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"Twilight Sparkle … in private, said several of the same things about you when she saw you with me.
See? You're not so different."
"That's a lie!" Sunset said. "I'm nothing like Twilight! You love Twilight … and not me."
"Sunset Shimmer … are you really so consumed your jealousy and envy you can't believe there's enough room in my heart for both of you? Are you so blinded by your rage you're willing to throw away all you've done here just to get back at me? Look at all you accomplished here. The people loved you. Celeste adored you. I know that. Sunset, please … it doesn't have to be this way."
"Shut up!" Sunset's tears were dripping down her cheeks. "I'll blast you! A fireball right into your face!"
Celestia was not intimidated by this and flew closer to Sunset.
"Yes, I love Twilight Sparkle … but I loved you, too. I was so proud of what you accomplished during your short time under my tutelage. But at the same time, I was afraid of what I saw in you. A darkness inside only hungry for power and not friendship or love. But It's not too late, Sunset Shimmer. You can still turn this around. Perhaps if I had been less afraid … if I had indulged you more, loved you more ..."
Celestia touched a hoof to Sunset Shimmer's claw.
"You wouldn't be here now, like this, with that darkness fully matured."
Sunset Shimmer sniffled and cried. The fires in her claws burnt out. She and Celestia both descended on the ground, Sunset dropping to her knees.
"That was all I wanted ..." Sunset Shimmer admitted, her voice breaking up. "For you to say you loved me … for you to say you were PROUD of me." She hugged Celestia's leg, crying and begging for forgiveness in her own silent way.
Celestia cupped Sunset Shimmer's chin and lifted her head up. "I do love you I was proud of you. And I want to be proud of you again. But please, you need to stop this now, before anyone else is hurt."
Sunset snuffled and sniffled, looking up at Celestia. "R-really? Do … do you think you would … forgive me for all of this?"
"Yes."
Sunset looked behind Celestia to Twilight, who joined them on the ground, as if looking to Twilight for confirmation of Celestia's words. Twilight gave her a nod.
Sunset cuddled her head into Celestia's leg, giving her a hug. Ashes and smokes came off her body as she willed her demon form away, turning herself back into a normal-looking human girl. She looked up at Celestia. "I'm sorry. I just … I had been planning this for years, but then you showed up again, and I remembered what it was like when you loved. Between you and Twilight, I had … so many conflicting emotions. I was joyful, bitter, jealous, and happy … and it was just easier to be angry … to take my demon army and lash out. Like a child."
Twilight Sparkle walked up to join them. Celestia gave Twilight a smile before turning back to Sunset. "We can put that all behind us now."
Sunset Shimmer was surprised when Twilight leaned forward and gave her a hug.
"But … why?" Sunset asked, bewildered Twilight would hug her after all she'd done.
Twilight pulled away. "I told you I would forgive you for everything."
Sunset stood up. She and Twilight looked to Sunset Shimmer's friends, who stopped fighting and joined them on the ground, albeit still in their demon forms. Sunset looked to Twilight as if asking for permission. Twilight nodded and gave Sunset Shimmer a gentle shove. "Go on."
Sunset walked to her expectant friends. She chuckled at the awkwardness of the situation, rubbing the back of her neck.
"I know we'd been planning this for awhile, but … what do you say, girls?" Sunset asked. "How about we turn this around and call the whole thing off?"
To the surprise of all assembled, Flurrie walked up to Sunset Shimmer and slashed her across the stomach, knocking Sunset down as she clutched her bleeding wounds.
"No." Flurrie said. "You said it yourself, Sunset Shimmer. You've been planning this for years with us. I'm not going to back down now just because you and Celestia decided to kiss and makeup while Twilight gave you a pat on the back!"
Twilight and Celestia looked at each other with wide-eyed expressions.
"O … kay. I did not see that coming." Twilight said. "I … no, seriously, if somepony had come up to me and said "Flurrie is going to betray Sunset Shimmer," I would have told them they were crazy. And yet, here we are."
"I'll take this over." Flurrie flexed her claws. "You might be too sappy to go through with taking over Equestria, Sunset, but I'm not."
"Hey!" Patrica put her hands on her hips. "What makes you think you get to the be leader of the outfit?"
"Well, I'm the prettiest, for one." Flurrie quipped. "Why? Who did you have in mind?"
"I think Twyla should be the one to succede Sunset Shimmer." Patricia pushed Twyla to the front, where she and Flurrie could meet. Flurrie raised her eyebrow, questioning if Twyla was really going to challenge her bid for leadership.
"Oh, uh." Twyla chuckled, shrinking under Flurrie's intimidating glare. "If Sunset Shimmer wants us to stand down, don't you think we should -"
"Wait up a moment." Rachel said. She and Roxanne stood by Flurrie's side. "I think Flurrie should lead."
"Ah think Twyla should lead." Applejack's counterpart Abigail said. She and Patricia readied their claws. Rachel and Roxanne readied theirs.
"So, three on three, is it?" Flurrie asked. A rhetorical question, as she and the girls on her side lunged at the girls on Twyla's side and the brawl begin. They bit, clawed, and threw fireballs at each other.
Celestia looked to Twilight. "We should do something."
"Hang on. Let me call the Autobots." Twilight pressed her earpiece. "Attention, Imperials. Be advised; Sunset Shimmer has stood down, but Flurrie is attempting to take leadership of the demons and continue Sunset's plan of taking over Equestria."
"What?" Ultra Magnus batted a She-Demon away with his hammer, not believing what he was hearing come through on his comm. "Are you kidding me? Are you honestly trying to tell me that an alternate universe version of Fluttershy, one of the sweetest, kindest meekest creatures I have met across the known universe, is actually cut from the same cloth as Starscream?"
Magnus rubbed his temples as he contemplated how ludicrous this turn of events was. He turned to his adjacent Wrecker. "Do you remember the war? The simple days where we just shot at Decepticons and they shot back? It was a simpler time. Oh, those were the days."
"Hey." Smokescreen appeared behind Magnus, startling him.
"Sorry we're late." Bulkhead lifted an unconscious She-Demon by her neck. "As you can see, traffic was terrible." He tossed the She-Demon.
"I see you four have gotten some makeovers." Ultra Magnus said. He held out a hand to keep Smokescreen from talking. "Fill me in later. Right now we need to converge on Flurrie."
The impromptu civil war between the Sunset Shimmer's carried on until Sunset Shimmer forced herself to her feet. Clutching her wounded stomach, she limped towards the fight, rebuking Twilight's efforts to help her stand.
"STOP!"
The girls did, stopping to look at Sunset.
"Flurrie ..." Sunset's eye twitched as she fought off the pain. "This fighting is unnecessary. I'll challenge you for leadership of the demons. If I win, we dismiss the demons and go back on with our lives. You win, well … you can do whatever you want with them."
Flurrie pushed off the other girls and untangled herself from the crowd of bodies. "Challenge accepted."
Sunset Shimmer willed herself to turn back into the form of a coal-black demoness. The transformation did nothing to heal her wounds, which pleased Flurrie; she could use Sunset's weakness to her advantage.
With a psychotic grin, Flurrie lunged forward and slashed Sunset's stomach again. Sunset staggered backward, but was able to launch a fireball from her claws at Flurrie before Flurrie could go in for another swipe.
"I've been waiting for this for so long." Flurrie charged at Sunset, who caught Flurrie's arms and grappled with her. "I've been hiding my true nature, my true self, waiting for the day I could show you – show all of you – who I really was inside."
"A violent, horrible, unrepentant sadist?" Sunset asked.
Flurrie smiled. "Yes." She took a swipe across Sunset Shimmer's chest before grabbing Sunset, lifting Sunset's body over her head, and throwing her to the ground. "Ha! I win!"
"You didn't win." Sunset whimpered, even though her body was sore all over and she couldn't bring herself to stand. "Just because you knocked me to the ground once doesn't mean you've -"
Flurrie shut Sunset Shimmer up by pressing her talon onto Sunset's neck, pushing her face into the asphalt. "You were saying?"
"Hooray for you, Flurrie. You won. You're leader of the She-Demons. Unfortunately for you, the Autobots don't legally recognize your authority."
"What?" Flurrie turned to see a row of Autobots lined up with their weapons aimed at her. "Oh no."
Two arrows pierced Flurrie's stomach, followed by a net being launched on top of her. Both the arrows and the net electrocuted her, and their combined wattage was so intense Flurrie couldn't maintain her transformation into a demon, reverting back to a normal human girl.
"Go ahead." Ultra Magnus aimed his blaster at the other girls, shifting targets to make it clear he would blow up any of them if they moved. "Make a move. Make my day."
The girls put their hands in the air and got on their knees. As her demon form faded away into embers once more, Twilight helped Sunset Shimmer to her feet.
"If it was a fair fight … if I hadn't been injured, I would have won." Sunset Shimmer said. She looked to Twilight, doubtful of herself. "Wouldn't I?"
"She does fight dirty." Twilight said of Flurrie.
Sunset let out a deep sigh. "I guess I have a lot of making up to do …" Sunset looked to the sky at the She-Demons still swooping around. "Starting with dismissing these." Sunset's hand glowed with green fire. One by one, the She-Demons begin disappearing in puffs of smoke."
"I'll make amends, Twilight Sparkle. I promise. To you, to Celestia, to Celeste … to everyone."
"I know you will." Twilight said with a smile. "I have faith in you."
"Heh. That's more than I can say for myself … would you stay awhile, Twilight? I have something I want to show you ..."
Sometime later, it had been arranged for the local police to come pick Flurrie up and transport her to prison in an armored van. Flurrie had been tied up, bound, and gagged, with Celestia and Twilight casting enchantments so she couldn't perform magic while in the van and giving the police the means to suppress her magic once she was at the maximum-security prison.
"I still can't believe it ..." Sunset Shimmer said. "All this time, Flurrie of all people was hiding a dark and vicious side of herself."
Twilight put a hoof on Sunset Shimmer's shoulder. "I guess you know never know somepony completely."
"Heh. Ha ha ha. That's funny, see, because of what I did with the whole "demonic legion" thing, right?" Sunset Shimmer laughed. "Ha ha ha ha ow." Sunset winced, clutching at the bandages around her waist while her arm was in a sling. "Sorry. It's just … laughing hurts right now."
"I understand." Twilight assured her. "Now, there was something you said you wanted to show me?"
"Oh, right." Sunset nodded. "We need to go to my house." Sunset Shimmer led Twilight there. Celestia followed.
"Wait here." Sunset told Twilight before rushing into her house.
"Sunset Shimmer, should you really be running with all those bandages on you?" Twilight asked.
"Let her be, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia said.
Sunset Shimmer ran back out of the house, carrying a dusty, dirty, beat-up feather quill in her hand. "Here, Twilight Sparkle. I want you to have this."
Twilight Sparkle took the quill.
Celestia chuckled. "Twilight Sparkle, do you realize the significance of this quill?"
"No. Should I?"
"This quill, if I'm not mistaken, is the very same quill I first gave to Sunset Shimmer when I took her as a student all those years ago." Celestia said. "Am I right?"
Sunset Shimmer gave a bashful smile. "Yeah ..."
"What?" Twilight said. "Oh, no, no! I couldn't take this! It's clearly precious to you."
"I know." Sunset said. "That's why I want you to have it. It means a lot to me you would still be willing to be my friend after – after everything I've done. That quill … is a reminder to you that, from now on. no matter what, I'll cherish our friendship." Sunset Shimmer said. "And after today, there's no more secrets between us, is there, Twilight? No more lies or half-truths. We know everything about each other, don't we?"
Twilight chuckled. "Well, actually … if you want to know everything, you might like to know I'm running a terrorist -"
Celestia interrupted Twilight a hoof to the back. "I am sure Sunset Shimmer can wait until after the dust settles to learn about that, can't you?"
Sunset nodded.
"Oh, and I'll get Rafael to set you up with an inter-dimensional interface. That way, whenever you need help, know I'm just a phone call away."
"Really?" Sunset Shimmer said. "You can do that?"
Twilight nodded. "Yup! It's amazing what you can do with Cybertronian tech." Twilight kicked a hoof. "So, um … what are you going to do about, you know, Rachel and Roxanne and Abigail and so on? Because you know, they did try to go through with the plan for taking over Equestria."
"I'm still figuring that out, Twilight." Sunset looked at the ground. "I'm still figuring a lot of things out."
"Commander, sir!" An Imperialcon intruded on them. "I understand I'm likely interrupting a tender a moment, but I thought you'd be interested now we're just now receiving reports of the Forged attacking New York City on Earth through the mirror."
"What?" Twilight balked.
"Who are … the Forged?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
"No time to explain!" Twilight galloped off, barking orders to the Imperialcon. "Regroup all of our forces. Get those exo-suits back online and get everyone to head through the mirror. From there, we'll Space Bridge to the city."
Prowl and Attinger stood on the New York City docks, watching the Vehicon on Americon dogfight in the air.
"You remember the plan we came up with?" Prowl asked.
"Do you?" Attinger shot back. "But perhaps the better question is, do I trust you to stick with it?"
"You shouldn't."
"And you shouldn't trust me either."
Prowl smirked. "Well, I guess that makes us even, then. Go find you a place to hide." Attinger nodded and scampered off.
Prowl cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted. "HEY, DEATHSAURUS! WE HAVE WHAT YOU WANT!"
Deathsaurus heard Prowl's shout and glared at him, right to be suspicious of the truthfulness of Prowl's word. Deathsaurus pointed a jet and snapped his fingers, directing it to take care of Prowl. The jet broke away from the pact and nosedived towards Prowl. Upon seeing it was different from the other Vehicons, Prowl grimaced.
Starscream revealed himself to be the jet, transforming in mid-air and landing on the docks with graceful poise.
"Starscream." Prowl said.
"Yes. Do I know you?" Starscream tapped his chin. He snapped his fingers. "I know. Prowl. If memory serves, you were Optimus' ..." Starscream chuckled. "Secret Police."
Prowl nodded. "If my memory serves, the last anyone heard of you, you were being held prisoner and tortured … by a tiny, little, sparkly pony."
"You dare-" Starscream growled and shrieked, reaching out his claws. He became aware of his outburst and cleared his throat. Prowl was trying to goad him, bruise his ego, and make him lose control. Well, it wasn't going to work. "Ahem. Don't underestimate the ponies, Prowl. They're like any animal … quite vicious when cornered. Especially not Twilight Sparkle."
Prowl stifled back laughter. "Really? The tiny, little ponies … are these big, bad, nasty animals? Hahaha!"
"Oh, dear." Starscream reached over his back and pulled out his Thunder Talon. "Prowl, I don't think anyone has told you of their long list of accomplishments against the Decepticons and others."
Prowl crossed his arms. "Really?"
"Oh yes, really. For starters, they drove the Decepticons off from Equestria without Autobot help, I might add. Fluttershy, the darling thing, killed Airachnid. Princess Celestia came this close to killing Optimus Prime once, and let us not forget about Fluttershy's horde of Insecticons, loyal to her and no one else."
Prowl's vision went blank. "Are you telling me Fluttershy, one of the softest, sweetest beings I ever laid optics on, went and killed one of the Decepticon's nastiest comers?"
"Oh yes." Starscream. "Drove shards of Energon straight through her optics to her cranial module. If secondary sources can be believed, she was torn up about for weeks. And later still, Rarity blew up both Hardshell and Airachnid's zombified corpse!"
"I ..." Prowl shook his head. "For some reason, Starscream, I don't believe you."
"You can believe whatever you wish." Starscream said, his Thunder Talon snapping. "But mark my words; don't make the mistake I did and make an enemy of Twilight Sparkle. She is a determined opponent."
"I'll keep that in mind." Prowl said. "But for now, Starscream, you're under arrest for violations of the Pax Cybertronian, not to mention more crimes than I care to count."
"You want to arrest me?" Starscream brandished the Talon. "Then go ahead, officer. Arrest me."
Prowl produced two shoulder-mounted rocket launchers and fired them. Starscream ducked under one missile and deflected the other with the talon, letting the explosive projectiles hit the docks and explode, giving Starscream ample cover of smoke and ash to reach up and snatch Prowl in the Thunder Talon's grip.
"AAAGH!" Prowl screamed as the Thunder Talon crunched his midsection, electrocuting him.
"I'd hate to leave you, but I have to run." Starscream gloated, sprinting in a direction away from Prowl. Prowl noticed Starscream was moving faster on his legs, as if he'd been training for a track race.
Prowl attempted to chase after him, but his body moved slow and sluggish. As if he was running through jell-o.
Why can I barely move? Prowl thought to himself before figuring out Starscream's strange weapon had something to do with it. Prowl could still access his armaments though, firing another missile at Starscream as he fled.
Starscream stopped and held up his weapon. It generated a red forcefield around him, crackling with red energy. The missile hit the forcefield and did nothing to Starscream himself.
Still using his the speed he robbed from Prowl, Starscream sprinted back towards Prowl and snapped him in the Talon's claw again. Using the Talon, Starscream lifted Prowl and squeezed on the handle, deploying the claw deeper into Prowl's body, crunching his armor. Chuckling to himself, amused at Prowl's suffering and screaming, Starscream tossed Prowl into a stack of nearby shipping crates.
The crates fell down, Prowl landing on top of their pile.
Starscream walked up to him. "Oh, I do so wonder if anyone will miss you when you're gone. Optimus Prime's little secret spy…" Starscream placed the Talon's claw around Prowl's chin, lifting him up to meet Starscream's gaze. "How many people even know you exist?"
Prowl groaned, rubbing his head. He still had the strength to yell "NOW!"
From behind another stack of crates, Chromedome jumped out with a blaster in his hand. Starscream was ready for him, whipping around and catching Chromedome in the Thunder Talon. Chromedome was forced to drop his gun as the Starscream applied pressure to the Talon, crushing Chromedome's armor and draining him of his speed the same way as Prowl.
"Ah, yes." Starscream said. "The old 'hide your partner until the last minute truck.' How … oh, what's the word I'm looking for? Predictable, that's it."
Starscream tossed Chromedome into the mess of crates with Prowl.
There, Chromedome's first thought, superseding anything else, was to reach for and take Prowl's hand.
"I know we've had some disagreements, but I'm with you, Prowl." Chromedome said. "Until the end of the line."
"What?" Starscream questioned. He laughed at them. "Oh, I see … you're more than just partners. You're Conjunx Endura, aren't you?"
Chromedome nodded.
"Well then ..."
Starscream made a brimming psychotic, snapping the Thunder Talon's claw and approaching them as he prepared to end their lives. To add in the special extra dash of cruelty, he would make one of them watch while he beat, tortured, and killed the other.
"Til death do you part!" Starscream cackled, raising the Thunder Talon up, aiming its claw straight at Prowl's chest. Prowl and Chromedome were only spared by the whistle and roar of moving parts as the Morbot was flung and landed onto the harbor. It was on the losing end of its match with Deathsaurus.
Deathsaurus appeared, landing atop one of the post used for tying ships to the harbor. "Well, Starscream, what are you waiting for? Kill them both! Do it now!"
"I was about to before you interrupted me!" Starscream clenched his fist and growled. He grimaced and raised the Talon up again.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, what now?" Starscream buried his face in his palm. "Yes?" He saw a human with his hands behind his back, walking up to Deathsaurus as if he were a pedestrian rather than a Decepticon warlord.
"What is it, human?" Deathsaurus asked. "Speak quickly and wisely. My friend here wishes to kill these Autobots, and then we'll kill you."
Attinger smirked and laughed. "I don't think so. My name is Harold Attinger, and I'm the human who's going to stop you."
"What?" Deathsaurus was amused. "And how do you propose to do that?"
"With this." Attinger revealed what he was holding behind his back – "With this." Attinger revealed what he was holding behind his back – a rope. He tugged on the rope, and from a hidden spot, a gun - Prowl’s gun, with a rope tied around the trigger so Attinger could pull it - went off, firing a shot of electrostatic gel onto Deathsaurus’s face, electrocuting him and toppling him over.
"AAH!" Deathsaurus shouted, finding he couldn't move. "Decepticons, retreat! Your leader has fallen!"
"What?" Starscream shook his head. "We were winning! You beat your opponent and I was about to execute two Autobots!"
"Starscream, as you can see, I've clearly been mortally injured." Deathsaurus said, overestimating his injuries. "An army is nothing without its head. Now retreat!"
"They got a lucky shot on you!" Starscream shook his fists. "We should be pressing our advantage, killing our enemies, and getting what we came here for!"
"Don't argue with your superior officer, Starscream. Now RETREAT!" Two Vehicons, transforming from vehicle mode to pick up their master Deathsaurus. They transformed to vehicle mode, carrying Deathsaurus between their wings and ferried him to safety.
Starscream grit his teeth. "Grrrrr! You're a fool, Deathsaurus! You say I'm a coward who runs away, but you run away yourself after a tiny little static shock! HYPOCRITE!"
Starscream turned back to Prowl and Chromedome. For the third and final time, he raised the Thunder Talon.
With Deathsaurus ordering a retreat, the Americons were free to reach the harbor and aim their blasters at Starscream, preventing him from going through with his plan to kill Prowl and Chromedome.
Starscream aimed his Thunder Talon and tried to bring it down on Chromedome’s head, but the Americons opened fire, barraging him with blasts and pushing him off Chromedome and Prowl.
"Oh, If it weren't for Deathsaurus' incompetence, I would be able to kill you all right now!" Starscream said. He fired a rocket at a Americon to cover his escape, jumped up, transformed to jet mode, and flew after his acting boss.
"Well ..." Prowl struggled to get free of the crates. He and Chromedome helped each other. "Starscream beating you wasn't part of my plan, but overall, I'd say it was a success."
"Still. That was amazing," Chromedome said. "How did you know Deathsaurus would retreat as soon we got a single shot in on him?"
"Simple deduction," Prowl said. "In our line of work, Chromedome, you keep tabs on everybody. I knew, from reading Deathsaurus' file, his ego wouldn't allow him to continue a fight where he got a scratch." Prowl turned to Attinger. The odd Morbot regained its bearings, pushing itself up. It shared a glare with Prowl before flying up and away.
"I'll take my gun back, Mister Attinger, if you don't mind." Prowl said. Attinger relinquished the gun to its proper owner.
"Unfortunately, Prowl, with the threat to my city gone, I see no need to continue our … inter-agency cooperation any longer." Attinger said. "So I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"Fair enough." Prowl said. "Listen, Attinger … we may look incomparable on the outside, but we're not so different."
Attinger chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "You think you can compare me … to you?"
"Yes. We're both agents who do whatever is necessary to protect our homes. Sometimes even if means skirting the law a little. We both put ourselves in charge of the nasty, underhanded jobs no one else wants to do, but have got to be done. We're both patriots who are loyal to our leaders and our countries. Our main interest ... is in protecting the interests of those countries." Prowl's smiled faded. "Unfortunately for you, as long as you work for Galloway, the interest of your country conflicts with the interest of my country."
Prowl pulled out a device with a red button on.
"If you'll take the time to feel around your body, you'll discover a micro-bomb located on the back of your neck. I took the liberty of planting it there when I gave you my gun for our plan to fend off Deathsaurus. I press this button and the bomb blows up, taking you with it."
"You might not want to do that." Attinger said with a smirk. He reached into his coat and pulled out similar to the one Prowl had, but smaller. "See, I thought you might pull a trick like that, so if you'll feel around your body, you'll find a small square-shaped bomb on your right elbow. In it should be just enough explosive powder to cause an explosion big enough to blow off your arm and your head." Attinger smiled. "So, it would seem we're in a bit of a dead heat."
Prowl smiled back. "Huh. I'm impressed. It's been a long, long time since someone was able to match wits with me. You're an interesting human, Mister Attinger. I look forward to playing more games with you."
Prowl, in a show of good faith, tossed his detonator to the ground and stomped it to pieces. Prowl motioned for Chromedome and himself to leave.
"Prowl?"
Prowl looked over his shoulder at Attinger.
"Please." Attinger threw his detonator to the ground and stomped it to pieces. "Call me Harold. Like my friends do." Attinger snapped his fingers. "All right, people, we're done here." He and the Americons left.
"Aww." Chromedome cooed at Prowl. "You like him, don't you? Looks like someone's made a friend … in your own special little way."
A Space Bridge opened up. Twilight Sparkle, now in full Imperial armor, jumped out, accompanied by a smattering of Imperialcons.
"We're here for the Forged." Twilight Sparkle announced. "Where are they?"
"You just missed them." Prowl said. "Harold and I already took care of them."
"Harold?" Twilight asked. "As in … Harold Attinger, Galloway's attack dog?"
"Yeah, that's the one." Prowl said.
"Prowl!" Twilight was aghast. "How could you? Working with Attinger – with the enemy?"
"Twilight Sparkle, I do what I think is best at the moment to achieve my goals. If that means working with your enemies, then so be it."
"I suppose I could respect, but Attinger? With the Americons? You -you are undermining what trying to work for an Autobot and Equestrian-friendly Earth!"
Prowl had it with Twilight's nagging and lost his temper. "NEWSFLASH, TWILIGHT SPARKLE: I DON'T ANSWER TO YOU!" Prowl took in a deep breath and calmed down. "My loyalty … is to Optimus Prime alone."
"Optimus Prime is dead."
"Then you can SEE how that leaves me in a bit of a predicament!"
After a long time spent glaring at each other, Prowl and Twilight turned and went their separate ways.
Deathsaurus and the Forged retreated to an abandoned military hangar – a temporary base. Starscream was taken into the building and surrounded by a crowd of Forged Decepticons while Deathsaurus delivered his evaluation of Starscream.
"I'm impressed, Starscream." Deathsaurus said, pacing in circles around Starscream. "You were quite an effective fighter today and you didn't even try to flee once. In fact, you came this close to killing two Autobots!"
"No thanks to you." Starscream muttered.
Deathsaurus heard his comment, as the next thing he said was bit more passive-agressive. "I would like to let you, Shockwave, and Soundwave joined the Forged … but there's just one problem. You still need to take the initiation ritual." Deathsaurus produced a handheld drill and offered it to Starscream. "You need to drill your optic to prove your dedication to the cause … or you can try to talk Fearswoop into accepting your argument for why you'll be loyal enough you don't need to prove your dedication. I doubt you'll pull that off, though."
"Hmm."
"What do you say, Starscream?" Deathsaurus asked. "Drill your own optic out, and you, Shockwave, and Soundwave can all join." Deathsaurus turned to the crowd. "What do you think, folks? Will Starscream take one for his team, or he will try to save his own hide?"
There boos, cheers, and jeers from the crowd.
"Silence! I am not the Starscream you knew." Starscream swiped the drill from Deathsaurus' hand. "I am a changed mech. A new mech. I am no longer a cowardly schemer. I do not need your clean, efficient tool to prove my dedication to the Decepticon cause."
Starscream tossed the drill aside.
The other Decepticons, Deathsaurus included, were all in awe as Starscream lifted one of his claws, drove the claw right into his socket, and ripped his own optic out. The wires connecting it to the inside of his head were stretched out and visible before they snapped and disconnected. Starscream threw his disconnected optic to the floor, where he stomped on it until it was a pile of loose parts … all without showing a hint of any pain.
It was now Starscream understood the point of the optic-removal ritual. It was to show their faith. Their blind faith, making it a physical concept in addition to a spiritual one.
They were all taken aback, but none so much as Deathsaurus. Closing a gaping, slack jaw, Deathsaurus grabbed Starscream's arm and lifted it into the air. "Let's hear it for Starscream, the newest member of the Forged!"
Starscream was trying to move past caring for petty things such as glory and fame, but as the Forged Decepticons cheered his name and applauded, he couldn't help but bask in the adulation of the crowd.
At Canterlot High, construction workers did their job, trying to rebuild in the wake of the She-Demon attack.
Celeste guided Sunset Shimmer through the city, keeping a hand on her back. Sunset Shimmer needed the company, as the residents weren’t sure how to react to what happened, considering how many people it seemed had been in on the plan, and nobody seemed to be in any big hurry to call the authorities on her, and while “Assault” and “Destruction of property” seemed sensible, no one really knew what criminal charge “summoning an army of demons” would qualify as. But while they didn’t call the cops, they wouldn’t so much as give her the time of day, either, huffing and turning away when she approached them.
Sunset Shimmer sighed. "I guess I still have a lot of work to do, huh, Principal Celeste?"
"Yes, you do." Celeste said. "But it's all right. I have faith you'll make it up to me and everyone else."
"R-really?" Sunset said. "So – so you're not mad at me?"
"Mad? No! I'm hurt you used me as a pawn and disappointed you emotionally manipulated me, but I'm not mad." She said all this with the
smile on her face not quivering once.
"I'm disappointed as well," Selene said. "You should have gone through with your plan."
Celeste glared at her sister. "Hush, Selene."
Sunset sighed. "No, it's all right. Let her be mad ..." Sunset Shimmer kept walking, never stopping to think. Never stopping to stop and smell the roses or observe her surroundings.
If she had, she might have noticed the green mist swirling around the people's feet.
Inside a cafeteria, three girls, all wearing black sweaters and ruby necklaces, exalted in the feeling of so many people with so much anger and hatred towards Sunset Shimmer.
"Do you feel that, girls?" one of them asked. "All that apathy? All that delicious negative emotion boiling beneath the surface? With this much to go around, we'll have no trouble getting our powers back … and making everyone in this pathetic little world adore us."
"Heh," one of the other girls snickered. "Sunset Shimmer could be useful."
Unbeknownst to the girls inside the cafeteria, outside was a van. Colored like a news station van to blend in and appear inconspicuous, in truth it housed an agent of chaos. He spied on the town, and unlike Sunset Shimmer, noticed the green mist.
"Comrade Venom," the agent said, showing his superior officer the girls' and their strange green mist through a video phone. "Are you seeing this?"
"Hmm, yes," the man addressed as Venom said from the screen. "When I sent you here with the M.A.S.S Device, I was expecting to find more lost COBRA agents like the Baroness and Mindbender … but whatever it those girls are doing, it could prove useful. Find out more about it and report your findings back to me."
At the Rainbow Principality, Twilight Sparkle retreated to her office, studying the box on her desk. There was a knock.
"Come in."
Susan opened the door. She came inside and kicked it shut behind. "Um, hi, Commander." Susan said.
"Hello, Susan." Twilight's eyes never shifted from the box. "Can I help you with something?"
"Um, well, it's just that … after today, I wanted to thank you."
"Thank me?" Twilight lifted her gaze from the box. "For what?"
"For giving me a chance," Susan said. "For inviting me to join the Imperials. After Sunset Shimmer made me switch places with her all those years ago, and you talked me down from killing her that one time, I didn't know what I was going to do with myself." Susan explained. "But the Imperials changed. It offered me something nopony else could give me. A chance. The chance to do something, to make a difference in the world. Thanks to the Imperials, I'm doing something that matters. Thanks to the Imperials, I can be someone … I can make myself more than just Sunset Shimmer's unwitting victim. And for that, I will never be able to thank you enough." Susan bowed.
"Oh, um." Twilight didn't know how to react. "You're welcome?"
"I know Magnum's been giving you lectures," Susan rolled her eyes, "so I figured you could stand to hear some good things about the Imperials. Say, what do you have there?"
"Oh, nothing." Twilight said. "It's just the box my friends and I got from the Tree of Harmony when we had to give up our Elements of Harmony. I've been trying to figure out, but I'm not getting anywhere."
"Maybe you should take a break?" Susan suggested.
"Yeah … maybe." Twilight pushed herself away from the desk, only to rush back towards. "Or maybe I need to study it even more."
Susan rolled her eyes.
Twilight narrowed her eyes at the box. She noticed she left Sunset Shimmer's quill lying on her desk. "Oh, how did that get there? I must have been moving things around and forgot to find a place for it ..." She reached over to pick up the quill with her hoof, but she knocked the box over on top of it. "Oops."
Something strange happened when the box touched the quill. The box glowed with magical light, as did the quill, Both lifted themselves into the air, where the quill begin shifting and shaping, contorting and contracting.
"What-what's happening?" Twilight put her hooves up, bracing herself.
"I think … it's transforming?" Susan said. She was half-right; the quill lacked the chee-choo-chee-chink noise associated with Cybertronians. But the quill was changing, shifting in size, shape, and color until it became a golden key. The key's handle was bent and twisted into the rough shape of the six-pointed star which represented the Element of Magic.
The key levitated, inserting itself into a keyhole on the box. The magical glow faded away and the box levitated itself onto the desk.
Twilight, not sure what to make of this, looked at Susan.