On Equestria, Celestia, accompanied by Shining Armor, returned to the area of the Tree of Harmony and its anti-magic field. The green barrier mounted over the area was pulsing and sparking, electric arcs traveling across the barrier as it began to fizzle out.
Celestia gave the barrier a worried look, fearful of the Plunderseeds getting out again. Her worries were quelled when she heard the roar of engines overhead.
Celestia and Shining Armor looked up to see three Imperial-colored Vehicons flying into the area, carrying a crate which was hoisted to their bodies by a thick, black cable.
The three Imperialcons descended, lowering the crate down to the ground. The Vehicons transformed, disconnecting the cable from their bodies.
"Here it is," one of the Vehicons said, gesturing to the crate. "Your shipment of anti-magic bombs."
"They're really more anti-magic field generators, aren't they?" one of the other Vehicons said, observing the green magical field.
The first Vehicon shrugged. "Let me get this for you, Princess." He clasped the edge of the crate and cracked the top, lifting the lid up and off the crate.
"Thank you … Dingbat, was it?" Celestia walked towards the crate and flew up, peeking her head to make sure the crate had what she was promised. Satisfied by the presence of metal discs inside, she nodded. "Everything looks to be in order."
The Vehicon scratched the back of his head. "Gee, Princess Celestia, I didn't know we were on a first-name basis ..."
"Why not?" Celestia asked. "You routinely bring me the anti-magic equipment I need to contain the Plunderseeds, and you're quite pleasant to talk to."
"Uh, because they're working for a criminal organization which openly admits to being terrorist in nature?" Shining Armor suggested.
"Shining Armor, these Vehicons merely sighed up with the organization who they thought would fight for what they believe in, no different than you or any of the Guards who serve under you." Celestia said. "Isn't that right?"
"Right."
"See?" Celestia asked. "You're not so different from them, are you?"
"I'm nothing like them," Shining Armor said, crossing his front legs.
"Yeah," one of the Vehicons said. "Unlike you, we can actually complete the missions we're assigned!"
"Wingnut! The Princess is being nice to us. Don't be rude." Dingbat struck Wingnut on the neck.
"I appreciate you bringing me these devices," Celestia said. "Make no mistake of that. But is it at all possible I could get the Elements of Harmony returned to Equestria where they belong?"
The Vehicons looked to each other with uneasy glances.
"The, uh, War Princess ..."
"Please," Celestia said. "We know it is Twilight Sparkle behind that mask. Her identity is safe with us."
Dingbat nodded. "Twilight Sparkle promises that she'll bring them back as soon as she's done with them."
"And … when will that be?" Celestia asked.
The Vehicons gave Celestia apologetic looks. Which was impressive, given they had visors for faces. They turned to leave, though they turned back and gave Celestia one last sympathetic look before transforming and flying away, exiting the scene by a mid-air Space Bridge materializing for them.
Celestia began to work on installing the new anti-magic generators.
"Shining Armor?" Celestia said as she levitated the generators into their place. "Today is the day of the Pink Moon Celebration. Our Earth liaison, Galloway and his friends, have been invited to join us to experience our culture. But there is something you should understand."
"Okay." Shining Armor said. "What do you need me to do?"
"While they are here, under no circumstances are we to tell Galloway that we know Twilight Sparkle is the War Princess."
"What? But ... Princess ... isn't she a criminal?"
"Perhaps, but she is still my friend and your sister. I expect you to respect my decision, Shining Armor."
Shining Armor nodded. "I … understand, Princess." Shining Armor turned and walked away, respecting the Princess' decision, but troubled by her choices and the secrets he was forced to keep.
Celestia turned away from Shining Armor, looking up to the sky with concern.
And truth be told, I think she's right about everything. Now if I could just muster up the courage to say so out loud ... perhaps to Galloway's face.
Celestia shook her head. But the safety and lives of my subjects are not mine to gamble with.
Celestia made one final adjustment to the anti-magic generators before activating them. With an internal sigh, she turned and joined Shining Armor.
"Huh?" Twilight glanced around, finding herself in a white void. "Where am I?"
"Hello, Twilight Sparkle."
"Princess Luna?" Twilight asked, finding the darker of the two Princesses standing next to her. "What are you doing here? Wait ... I can guess. Celestia asked you to use your powers as Princess of the Night to go into my dreams and see what next moves I'm planning, didn't she?"
Luna somberly nodded. "We are afraid so, Twilight Sparkle. Tis true. So ... what are you planning to do next?"
"Sorry, that information is classified, and you don't have properly security clearance." Twilight glared at her.
"Twilight Sparkle, do not be foolish. As Princess, it is our duty to protect our subjects, even from our subjects!"
Luna tensed up. There was a screeching pained roar.
"What was that?"
"I don't know," Twilight said.
"Now that we look around ... this does seem more barren than we would expect of a dream from somepony of your intellect, Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle?" Luna asked, Twilight's attention being turned to the side.
Twilight had found the source of the noise. Lumbering towards them was some bizarre Optimus-like person, resembling Optimus Prime, but also somehow ... not in a way neither Twilight or Luna could put their hoof on, even ignoring how he was entirely green, liquid coming off him as if he was melting, lacking Optimus' distinct shoulder pauldrons.
"Run, Twilight Sparkle!" Luna said, running up the zombie and charging up her horn. "We will -"
The creature let out another roar. It waved its hand, and a gust of wind blew in from behind it, tearing Luna from her footing and sending her hurtling into the distance.
Twilight watched Luna fly away before turning to the creature. "Who ... or what are you?"
The creature opened its mouth to speak, a hiss erupting as it parted its lips.
"Helll ..."
"Hell?" Twilight asked. "What does that mean?"
"Hellll ..."
"Hell? Human Hell? Pony Hell? Nordic Mythology Hel? What? What is that you want? I'm sorry, I don't understand!"
The creature hissed and lumbered towards Twilight, reaching out a hand, its voice raspy, ragged and tired as it spoke.
"HEELLLPP ..."
Twilight's eyes shot open. She had woken up.
Twilight sat upright on her bed, pulling her covers up to her chest. She nervously fiddled with her blanket, perturbed by the dream she just had. What did it mean? If nothing else ... it gave her a newfound appreciation for the importance of a consonant.
"Well?" Celestia asked, going up to Luna's bed. "Did you discover if Twilight has any plans to attack the Pink Moon Faire?"
"Ugh ..." Luna groaned. She rolled out of her bed. "We did not, sister. And Iwe found most troubling. Whilst we were in Twilight Sparkle's dream, we sensed ... a presence. There was something there besides Twilight Sparkle and myself. we know not what it was, but it seemed ... pained, somehow, and it hath the power to oust me from her dream."
"Oust you from a dream?" Celestia asked in surprise. "What in the universe would be capable of such a thing?"
"We do not know. But we worry for Twilight Sparkle's safety, as whatever it is, it has an interest in her ..." Luna looked out to the window, where morning was still rising in the sky.
At the Imperial base, Twilight Sparkle was in the war room, going over some battle plans.
Jack appeared in the doorway. The door being open, Jack knocked on the wall. "Can I come in?"
Twilight made no motion to show she'd heard him.
Jack walked in anyway and cleared his throat. "Well. Twilight, I … I just wanted to say I'm sorry for letting future me into the base. It was irresponsible of me, and foolish, and it nearly cost someone's life. I won't forget that." Jack braced a fist against his chest. He turned and walked out the door.
"Don't be sorry, Jack."
Jack turned his head to face Twilight, who had lifted her head up at last.
"It wasn't really your fault, was it? He hacked the Bridge, didn't it."
Jack smiled and gave a sad chuckle. "Yeah..."
Twilight followed him out of the room and into the main hall.
"Listen up, everypony! I have some announcements to make."
After making sure she had everyone's attention, Twilight continued.
"First, I am on the lookout for reinforcements."
"Reinforcements?" Flutttershy asked. "Twilight, how many soldiers do you need? You have plenty already!"
"I need as many as it takes to get the job done. A little extra never hurt anypony, did it?" Twilight asked. "I lost two-hundred men when the traumatized portion of the human regiment moved to the civilian district. I lost them to my own peace-driven tolerant policies. As a leader of war, I cannot afford that kind of loss."
"I might know a few guys," Lockdown said. "Ammonites. Real nice guys, very professional. Fellow mercenaries, like me. Pay them enough, and they'll do any job you need."
"Look into it." Twilight ordered him, pointing at him. "Some unscrupulous types would be good. After all, that's part of the reason we recruited Decepticons. We wouldn't want to lose a major victory because some of us were too noble to take the shot, would we?"
Lockdown smiled, which creeped Arcee out. "I'll see what I can do."
"Second, today is a very special day," Twilight said. "Today, on Equestria, is the day of the Pink Moon Celebration. One night a year, the Princesses use their magic to turn the moon pink for reasons lost to time. It's a very big event, with foreign ambassadors being invited, and ponies coming in from all over Equestria and beyond. And I hear rumor Celestia will be inviting the humans and Cybertronians this year ..."
"Where are you going with this, Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"All those people, gathered together in one place ..." Twilight said. "It would be a pretty good place to make a statement, wouldn't it?"
"W-what do you mean by that, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.
Magnum stepped forward.
"She means, if Celestia and Galloway are going to call us terrorists for fighting for what's right ..." Magnum clenched a fist. "Then by gum, let's be terrorists."
"If fighting for what we believe in is wrong, I don't want to be right," Twilight said. "Who's with me?"
There were cheers throughout the room, former Royal Guard, Decepticons, Autobots, and U.S Military raising their arms to show they would join Twilight's mission.
"Let's get started, people," Twilight said. "We need to be ready to put a plan in motion by tonight!" Twilight began directing soldiers and units to stations to prepare supplies and get ready.
“Ugh,” Galvatron groaned, rolling his optics as he followed Metalhawk and Lazerback into the hall. “Must we do this, Metalhawk? It seems so … dreary.”
“Yes, yes, of course!” Metalhawk said, waving his hand and encouraging Galvatron and Lazerback to come towards. “This will be a vital part of maintaining good relationships with other species! You do want to make a good presidential run, don't you? I will go regardless of whether or not you two do, and how will that reflect on you?”
Galvatron and Lazerback looked to each other.
“He has a point,” Lazerback said, his words hissing through his fangs and forked tongue.
Metalhawk pushed a button on a computer, causing a screen to project from the terminal.
“Cybertronians!” Metalhawk announced, raising his hands up while making sure Galvatron and Lazerback could be seen in the projection. “I have an announcement to make! I, Metalhawk, and my competition for Cybertron's placeholder presidency, Galvatron and Lazerback, will be going to the upcoming Pink Moon Celebration on Equestria! This will be an excellent opportunity to study and learn about the many diverse cultures on Equestria, and as you should know, knowing their culture allows to get know our intergalactic allies better. As potential future leaders of Cybertron, it is important that we utilize this chance to learn more and understand our interplanetary friends on Equestria ...”
Metalhawk's voice trailed off.
Somewhere, hidden deep inside a cave, Bludgeon watched the projection of Metalhawk's screen as he rambled on and on about how important and polite it was for Cybertronians to attend the Pink Moon Celebration.
“The Pink Moon Celebration, hmm?” Bludgeon said, rubbing his chin. He turned off the projection and walked inside the cave. “Sounds like the perfect opportunity to make a statement … and show the galactic community at large – and those Imperials in particular – that Mayhem is not just some nuisance, but a serious threat and a force to be reckoned with!”
Later on Equestria, The Pink Moon Celebration was set up. Stalls were standing, vendors were hawking wares, hidden attractions were brought in covered in tarps, marked with labels warning consumers not to touch them, as they were fragile, and a truck pulled up dragging three interlocked trailers behind it.
"Oh boy," Ultra Magnus muttered from his hiding place.
"What?" Twilight asked through the comm.
"You see these guys standing next to Galvatron there? I recognize some of them. In fact, I think one of them owes me money. But they're all Technoists."
"Technoists?"
"Yeah. Galvatron's been very popular with them. They have a specific belief system, that Cybertronian life is superior."
"And, judging from your tone, I'm going to guess they think all other forms of life are inferior," Twilight said.
"And deserved to be dominated and ruled by Cybertronians, yes. Though can you blame them for the first part? We can transform, fly, combine, make our arms into cannons ..."
"Hmm."
"Uh, not that I'm apologizing for them, sir," Magnus added, "they are bigoted scum and deserved to be destroyed."
"That's what I like to hear," Twilight said.
Walking up to a vendor selling cotton candy, Twilight Sparkle watched from afar with a glare as Princess Celestia showed Galloway and Lazerback around the fair. Metalhawk, Galvatron, Stinger and Attinger were present, but it was the first two whose presences upset Twilight the most.
How could she, Twilight wondered, how could the Princess disgrace and spit on the Autobots, on Team Prime, like this? To not only watch and do nothing as Galloway's shadow operatives took the Autobots' new Earth-based home away from them and be threatened to either conform to Galloway's ludicrous standards or be labeled criminals, and to accept Galloway's presence, condoning his unjustified actions?
It sickened Twilight. She was distracted from glaring at Celestia by a familiar greeting.
“Hey, Twiley!”
Shining Armor walked up to her, waving and smiling at her. He took a seat beside, sitting his haunches down on the grass.
“Hey, B.B.B.F.F.” Twilight said, happy to see him even if they were at odds.
“What have you been up to? Enjoying the fair?” Shining Armor asked. He noticed Celestia talking with Galloway. “Oh, I see. Upset Celestia is talking to Galloway, huh?”
“Yes.” Twilight answered. “Look at them. I mean, just look at them! It'd be one thing for Celestia to simply let him visit, but she's going up there and giving him a tour himself!” Twilight angrily waved her hoof. “Galloway doesn't deserve to be in the same room as Celestia, much less be given a tour by her … or at least that's what I would say, if recent events didn't make me question her judgment.” Twilight hardened her glare at them.
“Ha ha ha.” Shining Armor laughed nervously, putting a hoof behind his neck. “Okay … wow. Yeah.” Shining Armor looked away from Twilight. He scraped his hoof.
“Hey, Twiley?” Shining Armor asked. “You being here … you're not … planning something, are you?”
“Huh?” Twilight asked, her eyes averting from Shining Armor when she realized what he meant.
“Twiley … please. Just say no and we can forget I said anything.” Shining Armor said. “Ponies are happy here. They can enjoy themselves. Please … don't ruin that.”
“I'm sorry, Shining Armor.” Twilight Sparkle said. “I can't give you an answer to the question, and even if I could, it would be stupid of me to tell you whether I was or was not planning something.”
“Twiley, please.” Shining Armor reached a hoof over to Twilight, but she rebuked him, slapping his hoof away without even turning to look at him.
“I'm sorry, Shining Armor. But if is the price I have to pay to get on the road to justice, then so be it.”
“Price … justice!?” Shining Armor stammered. He pointed to a family of three ponies buying ice cream for their little one. “What about their price, Twiley? Look at them! They're having a good time! What's the price they have to pay for your little crusade?”
“Little crusade!?”
Shining Armor ignored her and continued on. “You may have signed up for the Autobots to go and get shot at and exploded at, but they didn't! They didn't agree to risk their lives and put themselves at danger for anypony, for any reason! They came here to have a good time! What do their decisions count for, huh, Twiley? Nothing?”
“I ...” Twilight stammered, mouth agape. She didn't know what to say. Shining Armor had made a point which she couldn't refute with her usual anti-Galloway propaganda.
Shining Armor shook his head and walked away from her. “Forget it. Just … forget it. Between the -the swears and your hardness, you've changed too much. You're not Twiley.”
“What!?”
“My little sister left Equestria to go Earth three years ago.” Shining Armor said. “And some … pony-shaped … Autobot … THING came back in her place.”
Shining Armor walked away from her.
Twilight Sparkle watched him leave with her mouth hanging open. She couldn't believe what Shining Armor had said to her.
After a moment, she shook her head and regained her composure, closing her mouth up and adopting a serious expression. She wouldn't be talked down. She would not be talked out of her operation. And when she felt doubting creeping in, she reminded herself of the time at the wedding, where she was right …
And everyone else was wrong.
Who is this?" Celestia asked, giving a puzzled look at Stinger. "A new friend?"
"Yes, this is Stinger." Galloway said proudly, patting Stinger's leg. "Some friends of mine have been working on him."
"Hmm." Galvatron narrowed his eyes at the red bot. "An unfit knockoff. How flattering."
"Ahem. Yes, anyway." Celestia cleared her throat, trying to redirect attention back to her before a fight broke out. “As you can see,” Celestia said to Galloway, gesturing her hoof out at the fair, “The Pink Moon Celebration invites all kinds of ponies and visitors. We have plenty of attractions for you to amuse yourself with, and a wide variety of food from all over Equestria and even beyond for you to try. Few events allow a pony to taste as much flavor as all of Equestria has to offer as the Pink Moon Celebration.”
Galloway nodded. “Yes, yes, I see. Tell me something, Princess. Why is it called the Pink Moon Celebration?”
“Because it is to celebrate when the moon turns pink.” Celestia said.
“Granted. But why does it turn pink?”
“That is a very good question, Mister President!” Celestia said with the excited tone of a schoolteacher answering the question of an insightful young student. “It's something my sister Luna does every year. No pony is really sure why, but the most common theory is that it's to remember a lost love of her's from hundreds of years ago.”
Galloway shrugged. “Makes about as much sense as anything you ponies do ...”
Celestia glared at him, not appreciating his comment. She turned and notice some tall ponies approaching her and was eager for the chance to have a distraction before she lost her temper with Galloway. “Ah! The ambassadors from Saddle Arabia!”
“Saddle Arabia?” Galloway raised an eyebrow. “Like … like Saudi Arabia? What?”
Celestia bowed to the ambassadors, a pair of brown and pink ponies. “How can I help you gentleponies today?”
The female ambassador looked to the male. “Princess, we wish to talk to you about … certain friendships you've made.”
“Of course!” Celestia said. “I am always happy to talk about any friendship of mine. After all, in order to understand magic, you must understand friendship.”
“You misunderstand,” the male ambassador said. “We do not wish to learn about friendship. Rather, we wanted to discuss your alliance with the, how do you say it? Cybertronians.”
“What about them?”
“We do not think continued relationships with them is the best course of action for Equestria's future,” the female ambassador said.
“They're large. They're dangerous. They're warlike. They have weapons which could reduce towns to ashes in a matter of minutes … we truly think Equestria would be a better place without them, a safer place if we were to at least restrict their access, if nothing else.”
“Ah, my good sir,” Celestia said. “The best way to defend against a Cybertronian, is to have a Cybertronian willing to fight for you around. That's something Galloway understands, isn't it?” She patted Galloway on the back with just enough force to be uncomfortable. “I assure you, Equestria is safer from Decepticons with Autobots than without.”
“That's another thing,” the male ambassador said. “It would seem, in conversation, that “Equestria” is used to refer both to your country, and to the planet. Tell me, does that not seem … arrogant to you? Imagine if conversation around Earth used “America” to represent the entire planet. It's misleading, is it not?”
“True. Come back with a better name for the planet, and I'll be happy to use it,” Celestia said with a bit of cheek.
“We have another concern,” the female ambassador said. “It would also seem that the Autobots are on better, closer terms to Equestria and the Crystal Empire than to any other land on the planet. There's plenty of Cybertech in your kingdom to go around, but in Saddle Arabia? There's nothing. No Space Bridges, no automated defense systems, nothing. What's to prevent Equestria from using that tech and declaring itself a superpower?”
Celestia nodded. “I acknowledge your concerns and will address them. I'll be happy to share the technology with you.”
“We do not want it shared,” the male ambassador hissed. “We want it gone.”
The Saddle Arabian ambassadors turned and left, ending the conversation on that note.
Celestia's wings slumped down, and Galloway flashed a smirk.
“I guess Equestria – the planet - isn't quite as idyllic and pacifist as it might first seem, huh?” Galloway said.
“No,” Celestia said. “No, it would appear not.”
“You know,” Galloway said. “That reminds me of the Cold War on Earth. Ever heard about it? Once it finally ended, all the sides agreed to dismantle their weapons. Disarmament, they called it.”
“See?” Celestia said, hooking a leg around Galloway's neck and bringing him close. “We humans and Equestrians,we're not so different, are we?”
“I … suppose not.” Galloway grunted, grabbing Celestia's leg and pushing himself out from it.
A trio of ponies walked by.
“Oh!” Celestia said excitedly. “Apploosians! Excuse me?” Celestia waved at them. “You're from Apploosa, aren't you? Would you mind going up to the Saddle Arabians and explaining them that making friends with the Cybertronians isn't a bad thing?”
“Why should we?” One of the ponies said. “The way I see it, there ain't nothing good for us in keeping them around.”
“Yeah!” Another said. “We don't need any of their fancy technology. They ain't got nothing to offer us. We do our own work, by hoof!”
“Apploosa can fend for itself! And so can Equestria.” The ponies glared at Celestia as they walked by.
“That didn't go at all like I expected to.” Celestia said.
“Sometimes these things happen.” Galloway said.
Celestia perked her head up, noticing another group of ponies. They were led by a pink mare who had a blue streak in her purple mane, and each of them had a Cutie Mark in the shape of a black equal sign.
She walked up to them. “Excuse me? I don't think I've seen you before.”
“I imagine not.” The pink mare said. “I'm Starlight Glimmer. You must be Princess Celestia.”
Celestia giggled. “Guilty as charged. Where are you from?”
“Oh, we come from a little village way over on the other side of the mountains.” Starlight pointed to the horizon. “News about the Pink Moon Celebration made its way to us, and we decided to come to take a look. After all, it's not every year you get to see aliens!” Starlight and the others stared intensely as an unaffiliated Vehicon walked by.
Celestia laughed. “They are quite a sight when you see them for the first time, aren't they? Say … I can't help but notice that you five all have the same Cutie Mark.”
“Well, yes.” Starlight said. “We believe Cutie Marks promote inequality by making some better than others. So we all took oaths and used magic to rid ourselves of our Marks, so that nopony in our village was unfairly better than anypony else at anything, and we all had equal chance to compete.”
“I see.” Celestia said, nodding. “Fascinating. You meet so many interesting ponies at the fair.”
“And one day,” Starlight said, shaking her hoof, “we'll spread our message across all of Equestria, and everypony will join us in giving up their marks!”
“I'm not sure about that. But it's good to pursue goals.” Celestia said. She looked to Galloway. “You see, Galloway? I find their ways strange and unfamiliar. But just because their ways are different and foreign, that doesn't mean I have to put them on a leash for my safety!”
Galloway adjusted his glasses. “Princess, are you implying something?”
“Why, no!” Celestia said. “I'm not implying anything! Wherever did you get that idea?”
“Princess Celestia.” Attinger spoke up. “If you have something to say, then just say it.”
Celestia disregarded Attinger, her focus drawing in on a human. Starlight Glimmer waved goodbye as she and her group left, while Celestia went to go approach the strange yet familiar woman.
“Hello?” Celestia asked.
The woman turned around. “Hello! I'm Celeste.” She extended a hand towards Celestia.
“Ah.” Celestia shook Celeste's hand with her hoof. “You must be my human doppelganger from the other side of the mirror.”
“Yes, that's me.” Celeste said.
“Wha- human doppelganger? Mirror?” Galloway said. “How come I haven't heard about this?”
Celestia looked at him. “Really? Neither Twilight nor Optimus told you about the mirror leading to alternate version of Equestria? Huh.”
“So that's … Cybertron, Equestria, and now an alternate Equestria?” Attinger said, counting on his fingers. “We're never going to be able to pass regulations for all of those places.”
“So don't.” Celestia said coldly.
“I'm sorry about not trying you sooner, Princess.” Celeste held up her phone. “I was on the phone with my new boyfriend Jason.”
“Jason?” Celestia asked. She rubbed her hoof. “Jason … Jason.” She looked up. “I don't know of any pony whose name would 'humanize' into Jason.”
“Well, maybe if you hear him, you'll figure it out. Say hello, Jason.” Celeste held the phone up to Celestia.
There was silence from the other end. Celestia perked her ear up, thinking maybe she hadn't heard him.
“Hello.” Jason said quickly through the phone.
“Oh, Jason.” Celeste rolled her eyes, putting the phone in her hands. “Always so quiet. Let me just say goodbye, and you and I can hang out, Princess. I bet we could learn a lot from each other.”
While Celeste turned and resumed talking on her phone, an elderly man with grayed hair tried to approach Celestia.
“E-excuse me?” the man asked. “I was wondering if -if maybe I could talk to the Princess?”
Celestia twirled her neck around to him, while Attinger silently glared at the man. Whatever he had hoped to talk about, Attinger's glare was enough to scare the man away.
“M-maybe later,” the man said.
“As you wish,” Celestia said. “I will be happy to grant you an audience, whenever you are ready.”
Twilight Sparkle walked around, Shining Armor's words still stinging. Looking down at the ground as she walked, her mood was brightened considerably when she stumbled upon Snowdrop.
“Snowdrop!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Twilight?” Snowdrop said, peeking her head up.
“Hey there, ya silly filly!” Twilight ran her hoof through Snowdrop's head. “How are you?”
“Oh, I'm fine.” Snowdrop said. “I'm really glad I got the chance to go on an adventure with you and your friends. Sure, it was scary, but I learned to stand up for myself!”
“Thatta girl.” Twilight expressed her approval. She put a hoof to her chin, having a thought.
Say, perhaps we could recruit Snowdrop into the Imperials and have her use Fortress Maximus for us.
Elsewhere at the fair, Rainbow Dash was walking around, trying to play it cool and not let slip out the fact she was here to carry out a destructive operation.
“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo exclaimed, running up to her idol.
“Hey there, squirt.” Dash greeted Scootaloo by roughing up the filly's mane. “How's it going?”
“Pretty good.” Scootaloo said. “I've been missing you lately. You never seem to be around anymore. Where have you been?”
“I've been -” Rainbow Dash halted, realizing she couldn't tell Scootaloo she'd been part of an organization that the majority of relevant governments considered criminals. “Uh, you know. Doing stuff.”
“Exciting stuff, I bet!” Scootaloo said. “Awesome stuff. Cool stuff. Rainbow Dash stuff!”
“Uh, yeah, yeah, sure.” Rainbow Dash nodded.
“Do you think you'll be less busy any time soon?” Scootaloo asked. “I miss hanging out with you ...”
It pained Rainbow Dash to look at Scootaloo's hopeful face. It pained her even more to answer.
“No. I don't think I will.” Scootaloo's wings sagged. “Sorry, kiddo. Maybe after all of this stuff blows over we can hang out again.”
“Okay!” Scootaloo's wings perked up. She gave Rainbow Dash a hug and went on her way.
Rainbow Dash made sure Scootaloo had left the area, then grimaced as began to hyperventilate. “Twilight! Twilight!” Rainbow Dash galloped around the fair until she found Twilight Sparkle by Magnum's hiding place.
“Ah, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said. “You have excellent timing.”
“Twilight, we gotta call it off.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Call what off?”
“All of it.” Rainbow Dash swiped her hooves through the air. “The mission. The attack. We can't attack here! Scootaloo is here! There are foals here, Twilight! Foals! We can't 'make a statement' while there are foals!”
Twilight slapped Rainbow Dash across the cheek and grabbed her by the neck, pulling her forward. “Pull it together, solider. Remember your training and your mission.”
“But … but ...”
“No buts.” Twilight snapped, raising up a reprimanding hoof. “You're an excellent marksman, aren't you? No foal is going to get hurt on my watch, understand?” Rainbow Dash. “Good. Now that you're here, what do you two think of trying to recruit Snowdrop in the Imperials so she can command Fortress Maximus for us?”
“Really?” Magnum asked. “First you dismiss Rainbow Dash's valid concern, and you want to recruit a foal? You want to recruit a child soldier?”
“Well, I … when you put it that way ...” Twilight stammered, letting go of Rainbow Dash.
“It's worse than a child soldier, even.” Magnum said. “It'd be like a child nuclear bomb. We'd be training her and molding her to use power on a scale she couldn't possibly grasp at her age. Do we really so cold and callous as to use a child as a living weapon? Are we no better than Decepticons?”
“I ...” Twilight said. She closed her eyes. “You're right. It was a stupid idea. It's wrong. I should feel bad I even thought of it. No Snowdrop.” Twilight affirmed to herself. “No Fortress Maximus.” She turned and looked at Rainbow Dash. “Get into position. We'll be making our move soon.”
Rainbow Dash nodded and scampered to take her place.
“Roll out.” Twilight muttered ironically under her breath.
Elsewhere, again, Attinger sat down on a rock. Celestia found him, walking up to him and sitting down next to him.
“You didn't have to scare that man off.” Celestia said.
“Actually, yes I did.” Attinger said. “He was about to share information with you in violation of a contract.”
“Hmm. And how do you know this?” Celestia asked.
“Because I know that man.” Attinger said. “He used to work with some of my associates.”
“Hmm.”
There was a pause.
“Tell me something, Attinger.” Celestia said. “Indulge me, if you will. Have you always been like this? So angry? So stern and focused?”
Attinger turned to her. He took his glasses off, chuckling.
“No, actually.” Attinger said. “I didn't always used to be such a … stick in the mud. I was a child once, too, you know.” Both he and Celestia shared a laugh.
“My job ...” Attinger said. “Is a very dangerous job. And an important one. It's hard work, keeping my country safe from threats. You ponies don't know how good you've got it. When you have a major attack, it's usually with magic, and can usually be fixed with magic. But us? When we have an attack, there are explosions, poisons, guns, people willing to kill themselves for their beliefs. When we have an attack, we're scrambling to keep it under control, to keep citizens out of harm's way. When we have an attack … people die. And it's not always clear where it's coming from. It could be our enemies. It could be one of own, having gone off his rocker and thinking that there's something wrong with the world he can only fix with violence.”
“And sometimes ...” Attinger went on. “Sometimes the only way I can keep my country safe is by doing something … unpleasant for the greater good. So you can see, Princess, how, after a few years of doing this, I might have become a little jaded.”
“I certainly can.” Celestia said. “Have you ever considered stopping?”
“I assume you by that you mean what we humans call 'retiring'.” Attinger said. “No, no I haven't. I have to do it. It has to be me.”
“Says who?”
“Says me.” Attinger said. “Only I have the skills necessary for a man of my position and function to keep threats at bay. It would take years to train someone else to reach the level of skill that I have.”
“Have you thought about taking on an apprentice?”
Attinger smiled and chuckled. “You know … that might not be a bad idea.” He looked up. “It might relieve the loneliness. I'm a single man, Princess. When I go home at night, there's nobody waiting for me there at the house. No wife to cook dinner for me after a hard day's work. No son to play catch with ...”
“Why not?” Celestia said.
“Because.” Attinger snapped. “Being near me is dangerous. The company I keep, the work I do. I lie to myself a hundred times a day, every time I look in the mirror in the morning, just to keep the guilt from gnawing at me. 'It was necessary, I did what I had to do, I did it for my country' and so on and son. If I can't be honest with myself, how could I be true to my wife? The things I've seen, the sheer depravity I know people are capable of, the wretches that I know walk on my world … how can I bring a child into this world, knowing the things that I do? Having looked into the heart of man and seen hate and fear like I have?”
Attinger looked at the ground.
“But I could put all that aside ...I think I would like a child, you know?”
“What you would name it?”
Attinger thought about it.
“Kimberly.” Attinger said. “It if was a girl. Christopher if it was a boy.”
“Hmm.” Celestia gave him a smile, but it was an empty smile.
“You live a sad and miserable life, don't you, Harold?”
Attinger looked up at her.
“Yes.”
Attinger got up and walked away without another word.
Celestia looked around. “Hydia!” She saw Hydia making her way towards the fair, accompanied by a hooded figure. Celestia stood and went to say hello. “I'm so glad you could make it to the fair!”
“Wha? Oh, yes. The fair. It's quite good.” Hydia said, seeming nervous. “Quite good ...”
Celestia furrowed her brow, noticing Hydia's hooded companion. “Who is your friend here? I feel as if … I know him from somewhere.”
“You, uh, must be mistaken.” Hydia's friend said. “I am fairly certain we have never met.”
“No.” Celestia narrowed her eyes at him, leaning her neck towards him. “No, I'm quite certain I've seen you before. I just can't … quite place my hoof on it.”
Hydia's friend took a step backwards. Celestia stepped forward to follow him.
“Ladies and gentlecolts!” An announcer spoke, his voice amplified. “Now presenting, Big Macintosh and the Ponytones!”
The announcement distracted Celestia long enough for Hydia and her friend to slip away. Having not seen where they went, Celestia went to go see the band perform, taking a seat beside Galloway in the audience.
The band performed and played their song. When they finished, the crowd gave a round of roaring applause, Celestia included.
“So, this is what pony music sounds like?” Galloway asked.
“Yes.” Celestia answered. “You don't think they put on a good show?”
“I didn't say that.” Galloway said. “But it does take some … getting used to.”
“Thank you, everypony! Thank you very much.” Big Macintosh said, talking into the mike. “How about an encore?”
The crowd roared and whooped for the idea, but they gradually fell silent when Crosshairs appeared, most of them unnerved by the Autobot's causual manner as he walked up to the stage, clapping in a way which was almost patronizing.
“Bravo, bravo!” Crosshairs said, clapping. “Good show, mates, good show. Sorry I'm gonna have to cut you short there, lads.”
“Hey.” Galloway said, recognizing him. “Aren't you-”
“One of those Imperials?”
Crosshairs whipped out a device much like the bombing phone Dreadwing used to use, only silver and green colors which matched Crosshairs' paint.
“Yes, yes I am, mate.”
Crosshairs pushed a button on the phone. Big Macintosh and the Ponytones were flung off the stage as a bomb went off behind them, a pillar of fire bursting through the back half of the stage.The Ponytones went to go get cover, while the audience panicked, screaming and running to get to safety.
All through the fair, Imperials revealed themselves. The tarps carrying the 'fragile attractions' were shook off by Predaking and Grimlock in their beast modes, each of them blowing plumes of flame into the air. The truck carrying the interlinked trailers converted, paint splashing around on his body as Magnum assumed his robot mode, whipping out a hand held weapon and firing into the air. The trailers opened up, and trios of aerial Vehicons hopped out from each one, readying their arm-cannons, shooting at signs and aiming menacingly at fleeing fairgoers, but never once firing on them.
“Ponies, please!” Celestia shouted. “Don't panic! That's what they want! Please, try to get to safety in an orderly fashion! Let any Guards of Americons you see help you!”
“Oh, they'll be quite all right, luv.” Crosshairs crossed his arms. “We'll wait until everyone who isn't a fighter is clear before continuing on.”
Galloway and Celestia glared at him.
“What do you want?”
"What do we want, Princess? We want the same thing we've always wanted."
The War Princess and another team of Imperialcons rocketed down from the sky, landing with style and finesse on the destroyed, burning stage.
"Justice." The War Princess said. "Equality now!" She pumped her hoof in the air.
"Equality?" Metalhawk scoffed, standing up. "Is that what this is about? Justice?"
"Yes." The War Princess hissed.
"Is it?" Metalhawk asked, pointing an accusing finger at Twilight. "You say you want justice, but all you're doing is propagating conflict! You're reinforcing everything that was wrong about the Autobot-Deception war, creating an "us verses them" dynamic! You recruit ponies and humans under the guise of equality?"
"The Autobots Imperial is an equal-opportunity employer. These ponies and humans have joined us to fight for what they believe, for what they think it is right. We recruited them because they agreed with us."
"Maybe." Metalhawk said. "Or maybe turning to non-Cybertronian people was the only you could recruit enough soliders for this - this ghost war, this permanent revolution of yours. Have you even once stopped to think that by attacking people, taking over states, and blowing things up, you're proving the very criticisms some have levied against you?"
The War Princess stepped back, a bit shaken by Metalhawk's words.
"No." Magnum said. "We are defeating the criticisms we intended to defeat - the ones that say that humans, ponies, and Autobots can't work together in harmony. Even it if for the express purpose of being as disharmonious as possible."
"And you, Princess." The War Princess said, recovering by turning her attention to Celestia. "I always knew you were a peaceful type. But this? This?" The Princess pointed at Galloway and Lazerback. "Allowing them here? Have you no shame? This human piece of filth is - well, filth. But this Predacon! He destroyed the Autobots' base!"
"You're mistaken." Lazerback said. "That was a different red Predacon."
The War Princess glared at him, and one could tell she was barely holding back her fury. Quivering in anger, she turned back to the Princess.
"I knew you were peaceful, Celestia ... but I didn't think you were spineless." The War Princess said. "Galloway has caused us nothing but trouble."
"Galloway has acted in what he thinks is best for his people." Celestia said.
"No he hasn't!" The War Princess snapped. "He's acted in what's best for his own selfish gain! By condoning his actions, you're betraying your own ideals!"
"I can either be true to my personal beliefs, or do what is best for Equestria. I cannot do both."
The War Princess glared at Celestia.
"We could take them."
"That is exactly the point!" Celestia snapped. "We could take the humans on in a fight! Easily! With our magic, we could disable most of their weapons while they were still putting on their armor! We could blow away their cities with hails and thunderstorms by fleets of pegasi! We are, point for them, able to match or outmatch them in every measurable, concieveable way! And that is why they fear us. That is why we must do everything we can not to provoke them, for if we do ... if we are forced to defend ourselves and show just how capable of being dangerous we Equestrians when we put our minds to ... our relationship will never recover, as the damage we would inflict on their homes, their planet would be ... catastrophic."
Everyone was silent for a moment, until Attinger adjusted his glasses and spoke.
"Thank you, Princess Celestia. That was ... well said."
The War Princess turned away from Celestia. She walked across the stage, turning her attention on Galloway next. "You should be aware ... you should ALL be aware ... I have something called the Omega Lock under my control. It's a massive, ancient Cybertronian device capable of cyberforming entire landscapes, turning them into copies of Cybertron. All I have to do is push a button ... and I could all the planets in Earth's solar system into little mini-Cybertrons. I could destroy planets."
Twilight froze up in her armor, repeating her words as she realized the weight of them.
"I can ... destroy ... planets."
Planets. Entire planets. Gone in an instant. The sum and total of a celestial body, completely and utterly destroyed, utterly consumed by the spreading influence of the Omega Lock's beam ... at the touch of her hoof. All she had to do was give radio to her team and give the word to fire.
She realized the impliactions of having and using such a device. By what right did she, a lone pony, have to decide whether an entire planet lives or dies? How could she decide to use a weapon on the sheer scale of the Omega Lock? Could she justifiy killing everything on the planet? The people, the plants, the animals? The entire ecosystem, down to the last microscopic bacteria?
"You know ..." Attinger said. "In all my years, I have never seen a terrorist freeze up mid-threat like that."
The War Princess shook her head.
"Enough of this!" She waved her ironclad hoof. "I did not come here to make threats. I came here to make a statement." She walked menacingly around the stage.
Celestia walked up to the stage. She flexed her wings and floated onto the stage, her horn shimmering. She positioned herself in front of the War Princess and took a fighting stance. The War Princess's shimmered in response, the glowing magenta aura of her horn set against Celestia's golden light.
"Twilight, please." Celestia whispered. "Don't do this."
"I have to." Twilight whispered back. “If I don't, who will? Someone has to defend Equestria from Galloway and fight Galloway's hold on America and Earth. If you're unable – or unwilling- to do both, then I'll have to pick up the slack and do one for you.”
And so they reared their hooves in anticipation of the combat. Their horns hummed with magical energy. This would be the ultimate duel. Princess vs Princess. Student versus master. Human sycophant versus Cybertronian patriot.
But it was not to be. An explosion rocked the stage, causing them to fall on their hooves.
“What was that?”
"Oh ho ho! Well, isn't this a surprise!"
Bludgeon emerged from the smoke, clapping his hands.
"You Imperials decided to attack the same place and time as I did! What are the odds?"
A hail of bullets blazed through the ground, shredding the grass and cutting up dirt. Starscream, Deathsaurus and Forged troops came down from the sky.
"Ah-ha!" Starscream announced, dramatically pointing a finger. "Princess Celestia, we The Forged are here to - wait." Starscream noticed Bludgeon. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm attacking the Pink Moon fair! What are you doing here?" Bludgeon asked.
"We were attacking the Pink Moon Celebration! Go get your own fair!" Starscream pointed over his shoulder as if implying Bludgeon was a hitchhiker in need of a ride.
"You go get your own fair! I was here first!"
"No you weren't!" The War Princess snapped. "I was here first!"
Starscream looked around the area, taking note and counting the Imperials and Bludgeon's group.
"You're not really ... you're not seriously telling me that we all decided to attack the Pink Moon Celebration AT THE SAME PLACE AND TIME!?"
Fire spewed around the sky, accompanied by the deep loud roars of dragons.
"What now?" Starscream asked, placing a hand over his face.
A bizarre Predacon appeared and swooped in from above, looking identical to Predaking, but with a Crystal Pony's translucent coat, and a dark red and gold coat. He and fellow Crystal Predacons perched on the ground and transformed into robot modes.
"Equestrians!" The red Predacon said. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dragotron, leader of the Crystal Predacons. I am here at your celebration today to demonstrate the strength and power of my Predacons."
"See?" Lazerback pointed at Dragotron. "He's a red Predacon and leading the Crystal Predacons. He must be the one you were thinking of, War Princess."
"No he's not!" The War Princess snapped, glaring at Lazerback. "It was you! I know it was you!"
Dragotron gritted his teeth. "You doubt my claim of leadership? I will prove it to you." Dragotron snapped his fingers. "Goradora! Come hither!"
A quintet of Dragotron's Predacons marched to the front of their group. They roared before transforming, shifting their bodies around and interlinking, connecting themselves in ways which made any watching organics cringe. They had never seen bodies bend in such a manner before. The Predacons opened up ports to allow their teammates' bodies to enter and connect, and the full form of Goradora soon rose up.
"Oh man!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, filled with panic at the sight of Goradora. She remembered well what he did to Omega-One. "What do we do?"
"Worry not." The War Princess assured her. "I prepared for this."
"You did?"
"Well, of course! There was a reason I went out of my way to recruit the Combaticons. You didn't think I just courted their favor for no reason, did you?"
"Well, having a combiner around is a pretty big advantage ..." Rainbow Dash said.
"Combaticons!" Twilight Sparkle shouted. "It's your time to shine! Take center stage!"
Onslaught and the Combaticons rolled up from behind the stage, their engines revving and their tires growling. The Combaticons drove towards Goradora, lining up and connecting with each other along the way. Metal hummed and creaked and screamed and groaned as Bruticus was formed. Bruticus shook his shoulders and worked out some kinks in his arms which got from not being formed in some time and stared down Goradora.
"Bruticus online. Target: Goradora."
"He sounds smarter." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well, I may have persuaded Onslaught to let me make a few adjustments so more of his tactical mind was retained in the combination." Twilight whispered.
"You can do that?" Dash expressed with surprise.
"GORADORA ... RIP BRUTICUS!"
"BRUTICUS SMASH!"
Goradora took a swing at Bruticus, launching his dragon-headed arm at the Decepticon. Bruticus blocked the punch with his arm before swatting Goradora's arm away, and counterattacking by slugging Goradora across the face. Goradora stumbled backwards, the earth shaking with his every step.
"Set up a perimeter around those two." The War Princess ordered. "Keep their fight contained. Make sure it doesn't travel far and cause a lot of collateral damage. Some of you go help Bruticus. Bruticus may be able to rival Goradora in sheer power, but I'm not sure he can outmatch Goradora by himself."
Imperialcons nodded. They fanned out, spreading across the fairgrounds in a circle around Goradora and Bruticus, priming their arm-cannons. Their weapons wouldn't be much more than peashooters against the combiners' armor, but it would irritate them enough to discourage them from straying too far from the perimeter of their designated arena
Predaking, seeking and identifying a place he could throw his weight around to the best effect, assumed his robot mode and jumped in front of Dragotron, preparing to take him on. He clenched his fists, but was taken back when he got a good, close-up look at Dragotron and saw the visual similarities.
"What ... are you?" Predaking asked.
"I'm you, but perfected." Dragotron bragged as he and Predaking walked in circles around each other. "I was made with your CNA. A perfect clone of you, with all of your abilities, all of your combat prowess ... but none of that ... ugh ... cumbersome honor of yours." Dragotron groaned, rolling his optics.
"My honor separates me and makes me more than a mindless beast ... such as yourself." Predaking said.
Dragotron laughed. "Is that really what you believe - oof!" Dragotron quit laughing when Predaking let out a combat roar and charged him, Predaking wrapping his arms around Dragotron and pushing him back. Dragotron growled and punched Predaking, knocking him off his body. Dragotron reared up to throw another punch, but Predaking recovered fast and clocked Dragotron across the face.
Magnum jumped off the stage, firing his blaster at Bludgeon. Bludgeon whipped out his katana, twirling and using the blade to deflect Magnum's laser blasts. Magnum charged at Bludgeon, holstering his blaster. Magnum jumped up, curling his arm around Bludgeon's sword and connecting a fist to Bludgeon's skull face.
Pinkie Pie wheeled out her Party Cannon and aimed it at Bludgeon. "Party Cannon away!"
"Ha! You really think that's going to hurt me?" Bludgeon asked.
"Don't underestimate it, Bludgeon." Starscream said. "You might laugh at the Party Cannon, but fighting can be surprisingly difficult when you have cake all up in your servos."
Pinkie Pie fired, and frosting and batter splashed all over Bludgeon, seeping into his sword arm. Bludgeon's eyes widened when he found he couldn't raise his sword.
"I can - barely move my arm!"
"I tried to warn you!" Starscream complained, tensing his claws. He sighed and turned away as Magnum came up behind Bludgeon and smacked him on the back of the head, making Bludgeon drop to his knees.
Elsewhere, Fractyl unsteadily aimed his arm-rockets at his various enemies. Forged and Imperial troopers charged at each other, shooting blasters and unsheathing blades, ignoring Fractyl.
Fractyl gasped, jumpy and jittery. He had never been in a live combat experience before, and it was overwhelming him. He spun his arm around and was startled to see Heavy Load among the Forged soldiers.
"Heavy Load?"
"Fractyl?" Heavy Load asked. "What are you doing?"
"I'm ..." Fractly coughed and cleared his throat. "I'm with the Imperials."
"The Imperials? I'm with the Forged." Heavy Load said. "That makes us enemies now."
Fractyl's optics widened as he took this in. He raised up his shaking arm, hesitating to fire.
Heavy Load didn't hesitate, aiming his blaster square Fractyl's head. "I've been waiting for a good excuse to bash your nerdy head in."
As Heavy Load's blaster was humming and preparing to expel an energy blast, Drift came up from the side like a warrior of the knight, taking out his sword and slashing Heavy Load across the chest, making Heavy Load fall to his knees, grunting in pain.
"Don't worry, Fractyl." Drift said, giving Fractyl. "I've got your back." Drift positioned himself in front of Fractyl, raising and posing his swords.
"Uh ... uh ..." Fractyl stammered, alternating between looking down at Heavy Load on the ground and up at Drift.
Drift twirled his sword, batting away a stray blast. "Lay down cover fire for me!"
"Uh, uh, right, got it!" Fractyl raised up his arms and fired his rockets at random directions, too panicked to aim properly. His rockets hit the ground and detonated, blowing up clouds of smoke and fire which served as effective cover for Drift.
"Good work, solider, good work." Drift said, maneuvering within the airborne embers and the pillars of smoke.
"R-really?" Fractyl said. Emboldened by Drift's praise, Fractyl calmed down and aimed his rockets with more care, firing another volley at strategic positions.
Celestia ran through the war zone, trying to find some good cover from which she could fire spells safely. She was powerful, true, and could likely shrug off most of the weapons flying around, but that was hardly reason for her to ignore basic tactical thinking.
She found herself a good place under an upturned vendor stall. As her eyes scanned the area for a good opening to open fire, Celestia was surprised when the man from earlier crawled up to her under the same cover, his arms over his head.
"What are you doing here?" Celestia asked him. "You should be getting to safety!"
"I know." The man said. "But I figured I'm not going to have another chance to talk to you. Listen ..." The man spoke while explosions boomed and rockets whistled all around them. "My name is Drake. I know about the ship. About the U.S Mystery you found."
Celestia, forgetting herself and the battle for a moment, jumped towards him. "You do?"
The man nodded. "That terrorist cell wasn't the first time Scorponok had dealings with humans. 60 years ago, he appeared to a select group of people with ... special interests and offered them a deal. Their services for him and the Decepticon Empire in exchange for Cybertronian Transwarp technology. They all kept it secret from even the highest up in our government. They put the Transwarp tech into a space shuttle and sent it out for a test run. When the Transwarp drive malfunctioned and the crew couldn't make contact with our base, Scorponok cut his losses and fled. We never heard from him again ... until recently."
Celestia stared at him. "How do you know all this?"
"Because, like the rest of Dylan Gould's board of executives, my grandfather was one of the men involved with Scorponok's project." Drake said. "We all inherited our illegal, secret dealings with Decepticons from our forefathers. I tried to leave and put it all behind me. But when you discovered the U.S Mystery, I had an attack of conscience. I thought ... I thought you deserved the real reason why that ship was on your planet. Why it had Cybertronian technology."
"You've done a good deed by telling me all this." Celestia said. "I can see you are troubled, so please believe when I tell you that I can see you a good man."
Drake smiled, and Celestia reached a hoof towards his shoulder.
Neither of them were expecting for a bullet to fly by and pierce Drake's chest, striking him straight in the heart, sending out a spray of blood all over the place, some of which splashed onto Celestia's chest and muzzle, painting it carmine, the blood dripping off Celestia's chin. Drake's body fell forward, his face hitting the dirt.
Celestia stood there in shock, her mouth hanging agape. She had never experienced something like this. She had never witnessed an assassination, much less one close to spill blood on her. Recovering her mental state, she turned her head to the side in search of the shooter.
She saw a man in a suit fleeing the scene. She couldn't make out much detail, but she could see short dark hair on which she recognized as belonging to one of Attinger's men.
"Hmm."
Celestia didn't know why the agent didn't try to shoot her as well. Perhaps because shooting her, an alien diplomat, would draw a lot attention to their shadow organization than one of their own men. One thing was for sure. She was going to regard Gould and Attinger with renewed suspicion after this. She made a note not to leave them alone when she was around.
Assuming they all made it out of this war zone in one piece.
Dragotron and Predaking traded blows, each of them clocking and socking each other, pushing the other back, but never gaining much ground.
"Predaking, let me tell you about a lesson I learned and still struggle with ..."
"Huh?" Predaking raised a brow.
An obsidian fist came blazing in and blindsided Dragotron, throwing him back. Dragotron regained his balance and roared, preparing to charge at Grimlock and Predaking. He let out a grunt when something grabbed him from behind, and Grimwing lifted Dragotron up over his head. Grimwing turned and hurled Dragotron, sending him crashing into some vendor stands which were crushed under his weight.
Grimlock appeared beside Predaking and held up a finger.
"You don't have to go it alone."
"Hrm." Predaking nodded in acknowledgement. The lesson done, Predaking, Grimlock, and Grimwing approached Dragotron.
Dragotron grunted and shook his head to get the wooden planks off. He grimaced his teeth, seeing Grimlock, Predaking and Grimwing looming over him, Grimlock pounding his fist into his palm, Grimwing with his arms crossed and Predaking baring his teeth.
"Rraaaah!" Showing he would not be intimated, Dragotron rose and roared defiantly. Grimwing pointed his arm and launched Blackbeak at Dragotron, and the avian Mini-Con quickly set about clawing at Dragotron's optics, screeching and squawking.
Twilight looked around the battlefield, taking potshots with her armor's weaponry where she could. So far, she had managed to shoot down some of Bludgeon's lunatics, and a few Vehicons working for Starscream and Deathsaurus. She was in the middle of aiming another shot when a green projectile the size of a pony bombed the stage floor next to her.
"Gah!" Twilight exclaimed as the projectile revealed itself to be a Changeling, rearing up and hissing at her. She shot it with her blaster, knocking it away. She looked up and saw the skies turning black with buzzing insects as Changelings swarmed the area.
"Chrysalis." Twilight growled as the Changeling Queen revealed herself.
"Oh ho ho ho!" Chrysalis laughed, fluttering up in the sky. "I had no idea so many Cybertronians would be here at once! There are quite a lot of you, aren't? Listen well. You may be big, but I am confident I can defeat all of you. And do you know why? Because you ... are devied. Whereas my Changelings and I, are united. Each one responds only to my will. Each one obeys my every command. And that is why ... we will defeat you today."
Unseen through the carnage, no one noticed Galvatron give a slight smirk at the Changelings' arrival.
"You want me to take her out?" Crosshairs asked Twilight, aiming up a pistol at Chrysalis.
Twilight had a long pause.
"No."
"No?" Crosshairs said. He adjusted his aim. "You sure? I can get a clear shot, put a slug right through her squishy bug brain."
"No, no. Hold your fire." Twilight said. "I have an idea."
Galloping off the stage, the War Princess activated her jets and flew up in the air. She made her way over to Bludgeon, Deathsaurus, and Starscream.
"Hey, Decepticons!" The War Princess shouted. "You see those Changelings filling up the sky right now?"
"Yes." Deathsaurus responded. "What about them?"
"Well, they think they can beat all of you." The War Princess. "You, the proud, powerful, and not to mention technologically-advanced, Decepticons."
"Do they now?" Bludgeon asked, raising his head up while jumping and avoiding Magnum. "We'll just see about that!"
"Yeah." The War Princess said. "And don't you all hate the Changeling Batteries? Hate having Cybertron relying on filthy organics for power and fuel? Wouldn't it great if you could kill a bunch of Changelings, and make the Batteries unfeasible?"
"Yeah!" Deathsaurus said. "It would be great! Shockwave made a mistake creating those things!"
"Then please." Shockwave said, stepping forward. "Allow me to correct my mistake." Shockwave aimed his arm-cannon, charged up a blast, and fired into the swarm, taking out several Changelings with one shot.
"No!" Starscream shouted. "Don't you see what's going on here? Don't you realize what she's doing? She's playing off your mutual hatred of organics to get to you unite against a common enemy!"
Deathsaurus glared at Starscream.
"Well, it's working!"
"Yes." Bludgeon said. "I'd quite like to gut a few of those Changelings ..."
"Don't fall for her manipulation!" Starscream shouted, flailing his arms around in a panic.
Deathsaurus frowned and backhanded Starscream across the face, making him stumble. Starscream rubbed at his sore chin while Deathsaurus gave the order to his men to change their fire.
"Fire, men! Get those Changelings insects!"
The Forged troops stopped fighting their opponents and redirected their blasters at the sky. They fired a barrage of energy blasts, making Changelings drop like flies.
"Remember, this will only work if we all work together!" The War Princess said.
"Ugh." Bludgeon rolled his optics. "Don't tell me you're about to push all that friendship nonsense on us? Regardless ... FIRE!" Bludgeon pointed his sword skyward, and his soldiers got the hint, taking up arms against the Changelings and shooting at them. On the War Princess' signal, The Imperials joined in, firing and blasting away at the Changelings.
"Uh, uh, ah!" Chrysalis grunted in fear, avoiding bullets and blasts as her forces came under attack from Forged, Imperial, and Bludgeon's troops alike. There was no way her Changelings could compete with that much firepower concentrated on them. While the Cybertronian factions were divided and attacking each other, it would have been easy for them, but united? They didn't stand a chance.
"Retreat!" Chrysalis sounded the alarm. She and her Changelings turned back, fleeing the scene.
Galvatron scowled while Starscream seethed, his claws tensing up.
Dragotron gritted his teeth as he was the recipient of an all-out assault courtesy of Predaking, Grimlock and Grimwing, enduring a flurry of punches from each one, bouncing Dragotron between them like a ping-pong ball. A ping-pong ball between paddles that each had fists on them.
"What's the matter, Dragotron?" Grimlock taunted him. "Three opponents at once too much for you?" Grimlock slugged Dragotron across the cheek.
Dragotron wiped some of the Energon leaking down his chin and flashing a devious grin. "You may have me cornered, but you will not get me or my forces to retreat this way."
"He's right." Predaking said, watching as a Crystal Predacon flew overhead, pouring its fire-breath over the land. "Excuse me, friends." Predaking turned and left them.
Grimlock and Grimwing looked to each other. Grimlock shrugged and happily went back to beating on Dragotron.
"War Princess!" Predaking shouted, jumping on to the stage. "I need you to open me a Space Bridge to the Rust Sea on Cybertron."
"The Rust Sea? Now? In the middle of all this? Are you sure?"
"Trust me, Princess." Predaking said.
"Okay ..." The War Princess touched her comm. "Imperials, one Space Bridge from my position to the Rust Sea."
"Understood."
A Space Bridge swirled open by them.
"Leave the Bridge open until my return." Predaking said. He walked into the Bridge and disappeared.
Twilight walked in front of the Bridge, watching the vast emptiness of the portal as it energies swirled around. Some minutes passed without any sight of Predaking, and she began to grew worried.
She needn't have been concerned, as Predaking came roaring out of the bridge in dragon mode, his wings spread out and his maw breathing fire. Twilight watch his tail whip behind as he flew past her at brake-neck speed.
Twilight turned back to the Bridge. Why did Predaking want it open?
Her answer came in the form of a horde of Predacons rushing out from the Bridge, their wings fanned out and their jaws breathing fire. Predaking's Predacons spread out over the area, flying up to engage Dragotron's knock-offs.
Dragotron watched in awe as each one of his soldiers were paired off against their parent template. The originals proved their mettle, snouts growling, claws reared up, fireballs flying and spiked tails whipping, easily fighting their clones to a standstill. Dragotron turned his attention back to Grimlock, Predaking, and Grimwing and growled.
"You gotta admit." Grimlock said. "It's something to hit you back with."
"Raarrr!" Dragotron roared and prepared a fist, only for Predaking to punch him in the face and punch his lights o ut.
"Well." Deathsaurus threw his blaster over his shoulder, observing the horde of newly-arrived Predacons. "I don't know about you, men, but I'd say this op was a bust."
"Yeah." Bludgeon said. "I came here to cause a boom and make some racket, not contribute to this disorganized mess. I never signed up for dragons. I'm out." Bludgeon gestured his hand at his troops, ordering them to retreat.
"Fall back!" Deathsaurus shouted, turning and walking away from the fair. Starscream stood there with his mouth hanging before regaining his senses and growling, reluctantly following after Deathsaurus.
While the splinter Decepticon factions retreated, Ultra Magnus, Bulkhead and Wheeljack were having trouble giving Bruticus much, if any help.
Bruticus converted the helicopter blades on his arm into a rotating shield/saw fusion weapon and attempted to slam it into Goradora's chest. Goradora snatched his claws around Bruticus' arm and held it back, keeping the blades from making contact. On the ground, Ultra Magnus hammered away at Goradora's legs, Bulkhead pressed his Dragon Grinder and Wheeljack used his swords. The damage they were doing was so negligible, Goradora ignored them, paying no attention to them.
"This is pointless!" Wheeljack complained. "We may as well be painting him, for all he cares!"
"Oh, I don't know." Bulkhead said. "My Dragon Grinder seems to be doing a decent job." He pointed to a scratched running across Goradora's leg. A thin, faint scratch.
"Hang on." Ultra Magnus said. He heaved the Magnus Hammer in his hand. "I got an idea. This way." Ultra Magnus led the Wreckers from the warring gestalts.
"Give me a boost." Ultra Magnus said. Bulkhead looked at Wheeljack in confusion. Wheeljack shrugged.
"Now, you two!" Ultra Magnus snapped.
Bulkhead and Wheeljack got down and set their hands out on the ground. Ultra Magnus placed his feet on their palms, and the two Wreckers lifted their leader up.
"And a one, and a two ... and ... launch!"
Wheeljack and Bulkhead lifted Ultra Magnus into the air, hurling him into the sky. Ultra Magnus performed a roll, twirling his hammer.
"Let's call this maneuver ... 'Lighting From The Heavens'!"
Ultra Magnus pointed his hammer down at Goradora and activated the Magnus Hammer, shooting a bolt of lightning at Goradora's head. The thunderbolt struck dead on-target, electrocuting Goradora and all his systems, trails of smoke coming off Goradora's singed body. With Goradora weakened by the thunderbolt, Bruticus had no problem winding up and delivering a hay-maker to Goradora's face and knocking him out. Goradora toppled backwards, the ground shaking on his impact.
Dragotron came to, pushing himself up just in time to watch Goradora fall. He got to his feet and glared at Predaking's team.
"Well?" Grimlock crossed his arms. "We took out your big bad combiner. What else you got?"
Dragotron growled and shook his fists. He prepared to continue the fight, but a golden beam struck him in the optic, shattering it. He saw Celestia looking smug with her horn shining.
"Graaah!" Dragotron growled. "This isn't over!" He turned around and fled, his wings waving behind him before he reverted into beast mode and flying away. His Predacons spread their wings and followed after him.
Celestia and Galloway shared glares with the War Princess. The fair was destroyed, in smoking ruins and burning. A Space Bridge opened up, and the Imperials retreated. After the battle, the Americons were in no position to stop them.
Returned to the Principality, Fractyl and the other Imperials set about unpacking their gear.
"We did it," Fractyl said to himself. "We did a good job, r-right guys?" Fractyl looked nervously around for some expression of approval.
"Fractyl?" Fractyl looked down at Twilight Sparkle staring up at him, helmet off. "Could I talk to you for a moment?"
"S-sure." Fractyl replied. "What about?"
"What happened out there?" Twilight asked, waving a displeased hoof. "You completely froze up!"
"I'm sorry." Fractyl crossed his arms and stared at the floor. "I'm just - I'm not used to being in combat situations."
"I understand that." Twilight said. "But when you're in the thick of things, when you're surrounded by chaos and carnage all around, we can't afford to have you to freeze up. You can't be afraid to pull the trigger. Thankfully, we avoided any incidents this time, but what if you had a team counting on you? Things could have gone very wrong, and we can't have that. If you can't fight ... maybe you should consider resigning."
Fractyl nodded. He saluted. "Understood, Princess Twilight. I- I promise it won't happen again. I'll think about what you said and ... consider if I should resign."
Twilight nodded. "Good." She brought her head down and walked into another room.
Fractyl put a finger on his chin.
"Hey."
Drift came up and put a hand on Fractyl's shoulder. Fractyl turned towards him, and Drift wrapped a comforting arm around Fractyl's shoulders.
"I heard you and Twilight talking." Drift said.
"I know." Fractyl looked at the ground. "I should probably resign."
"What? No." Drift said. "You shouldn't resign. Sure, you need a few kinks ironed out, a few rough spots polished, but ... I see potential in you." Drift pointed a positive finger at Fractyl's face. "With a little training, and maybe a little less self-negativity ... you could do great things, Fractyl."
Fractyl wrapped his arms around himself. "Thank you, Drift, but I'm not sure I can believe that. When I saw Heavy Load out there ... when I said my former classmate, I ... I didn't know what to do."
"Hey, listen." Drift said, bringing Fractyl in close. "I know what it's like to be fighting your former friends. Really, I do. I know it can be difficult. To one day, suddenly be gunning down the same people you were drinking and toasting with the next ... but sometimes, that's just the path that fate leads for us. Come on." Drift let go out of Fractyl and began walking. "Follow me. I know a few things about this. I'll give you some special training and help you get over it."
"You can do that?" Fractyl followed Drift. "Oh, Drift, I don't know how to thank you."
"You can thank me by promising that the next time you see Heavy Load ... you'll shoot first."
Fractyl nodded.
Twilight Sparkle, having retired to her office after lecturing Fractyl, rested her hoof on the wall, her eyes staring intently at the floor.
Magnum entered into the room. "Something wrong, commander?"
"No." Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes. "It's nothing. It's just ..." Twilight Sparkle turned to Magnum.
"We went out to the Pink Moon Celebration to make a statement. I sent us out there to say something. And now that it's all said and done ... I can't help but wonder, what did we say? What did we prove?"
Magnum was silent for a minute as he thought about this question.
"We proved we wouldn't be deterred." Magnum said. "We showed Galloway and the others we wouldn't stop until we get what we want ... or until they exterminate every last one of us."
Twilight Sparkle smiled, comforted by his answer. Even if it did describe the valid possibility they could all die before they won.
"Thank you, Magnum. Dismissed."
Magnum nodded and left the room, flipping off the light.
Out in the desert, the Forged regrouped, making note of their loss today while their leaders disagreed.
"You shouldn't have listened to the Imperials, Deathsaurus." Starscream complained. "If we had just seized the advantage, if we had played our cards right ... we could have come out of this with something. A hostage. A prisoner to interrogate. A weapon, something. But no, you had to fall for the Imperial leader playing on your hatred of organics!"
"So?" Deathsaurus said. "I thought you hated organics, Starscream!"
"Oh, they're not my favorites, sure." Starscream said. "But over time, I've come to appreciate how they be quite ... useful, if the situation allows for it. You, however, would rather act on your prejudice then take the time to consider the strategical significant of your maneuver!"
"Don't look at me like that." Deathsaurus said. "They were thousands of those Changeling bugs. Add that to the Imperials, Bludgeon, and those Crystal Predacons ... we were outnumbered. No, we were safer allying with the others when the opportunity arose."
"Safer?" Starscream fumed and stomped his foot. "That's what matters to you? Being safe? I'm beginning to lose patience with you, Deathsaurus. Your tactics are unsound, you keep retreating instead of fighting ... you know ..." Starscream rubbed his chin. "I think the reason my patience is wearing so thin with you is because you remind me of myself. I think you're just a little bit too much like me. The old me."
"What?" Deathsaurus' jaw dropped. "How dare you, sir! I am nothing like you!"
Deathsaurus attempted to strike Starscream, but Starscream caught Deathsaurus' fist in his claw.
"I have learned many things from Megatron during my time with him." Starscream said, unmoved by the panic flashing in Deathsaurus' eyes as Starscream took a complete hold of his arm. "For example, I learned that sometimes one must carry out a physical reminder to those around you. If I were Megatron ..." Starscream tightened his grip on Deathsaurus' hand. "I would take your arm off for this and not allow you to replace it. At least not for a month. But thankfully for you, I am not Megatron."
Starscream squeezed Deathsaurus' head. He squeezed and squeezed, getting tighter and tighter until two of Deathsaurus' fingers were squeezed off their joins, popping out from Deathsaurus' hand.
Starscream let go of Deathsaurus' hand and grabbed the disembodied fingers.
Deathsaurus barely seemed to register Starscream's words, too shocked by the sudden removal of his fingers.
"You there." Starscream pointed to a Vehicon. "Find someone to reattach these for Deathsaurus." Starscream tossed the fingers at the Vehicon, who fumbled to catch them.
Starscream pointed a finger at Deathsaurus.
"Let that be a lesson to you, Deathsaurus. Don't raise a hand against me again."
Starscream turned and left, crossing his hands behind his back, leaving a catatonic Deathsaurus alone.
Starscream went outside. The cold desert wind blew through, blowing a cloud of sand onto Starscream, but he didn't mind.
Starscream walked further out and turned his gaze to the stars, admiring the clear desert night sky.
Shockwave stepped out of the base and saw Starscream staring up into space. "Starscream?"
"You know, Shockwave ..." Starscream said. "We attacked the Pink Moon Celebration today to make a statement. And now that it's over and done, I can't help but wonder ... what did we really say with that attack? With attacking, only to be played like a fiddle by the Imperials and used against the Changelings like tools?"
Shockwave looked aside, unsure how to answer. He turned back to Starscream. "What did we say, Starscream?"
Starscream blinked his single optic and lowered his head.
"Nothing worth saying. That's for damn sure," Starscream said before turning around and walking back inside with Shockwave.
At Gould Enterprises, Gould sat down on a comfortable recliner, waiting for Attinger to enter the room, which he soon did.
"All right, Gould." Attinger said, his expression showing his disgust for Gould's luxurious lifestyle. "I'm here. What did you want?"
"Come." Gould stood up off the recliner. "There's someone I want you to meet. A buddy of mine."
Gould let Attinger into another room, a smaller room, with dimmer lights. Attinger looked around, suspicious.
A Space Bridge portal materialized in the center of the room, and a Vehicon stepped out.
Gould put his hands together and bowed.
"Gould?" Attinger asked. He pointed at the Vehicon, who wasn't sporting the colors of Galloway's Americons. "This isn't one of ours. Who is this?"
"This is a servant of a dear friend of mine." Gould said. "You see, this isn't my fist rodeo with Cybertronians, Attinger. A long time ago, a Decepticon named Scorponok sought out my father for his resources and expertise in a project. My grandfather passed the secret down through the family, and I inherited the family business. How else did you think I had the know-how to build Stinger? Of course, Scorponok's death was a bit of a setback, but we still have a good thing going."
Attinger stared at Gould in disgust. "Do you mean to tell me that you've known aliens have existed long before the rest of the world had any idea about the Autobots or Equestrians?"
"Yup." Gould said. "That's business, Attinger. You keep secrets to maintain an edge over the competition."
"You disgust me." Attinger said, filled with patriotic scorn at Gould for keeping this secret for selfish reasons.
"I can live with that." Gould said. He turned to the Vehicon. "What's the news, my man?"
"Good news, Mister Gould." The Vehicon said. "I found a potential ally on Equestria. A team of one ... Doctor Cabelleron and Ahuziotl. Apparently, they've been running a very successful and lucrative Energon drug trade underground, with access to a few mines."
"Perfect." Gould clapped his hands. "Could always use more Energon, right, Attinger?"
"Sure." Attinger walked out of the room. The idea of allying with a ... a drug dealer made him absolutely nauseous and sick to his stomach.
"Galloway told me that this operation ... that Gould, the 'Americons' ... they would all be for the betterment of our country. Of our world." Attinger said to himself. "So, why then, do I felt doubt creeping?"
Attinger rested his hand on the wall to support himself. "Why do I feel so ... disgusted? Why am I having to work with conspiracies and drug dealers? Why do I feel ... as though I'm not only improving anything, but making the world worse?"
On Cybertron, Metalhawk adjusted a screen. Positioning it so it would capture his face, he turned the power on and sat down.
"My fellow Cybertronians," Metalhawk said. "We have been witness to a grave injustice today. The Autobots Imperial, under the guise of 'justice', launched an unprovoked attack against the people of Equestria, sabotaging their Pink Moon Celebration and destroying its associated fair. I realize the Great War was a long and brutal period of history, and the idea of it ending is still taking some getting used, and that the Autobots were frequently the more noble party, but we must not allow the fact they use the Autobot badge to let us overlook the Imperials' transgressions and tactics. Let us not forget, the Autobots were still warmongers, however well-intentioned. I urge you, my fellow Cybertronians. Let go of the past and discard your badges. Remove your affiliations. Only by renouncing the factions of yesterday can we look forward to a brighter tomorrow ..."
Metalhawk continued his speech, his transmission being broadcast all across Cybertron on several frequences and channels, some of which Metalhawk may not have intended for his transmission to be on.
For out in a deep portion space, far away from any civilized planet, picking up Metalhawk's transmission, was the marauder starship the Tidal Wave.
"Ha." The ship's captain, Thundertron laughed, watching Metalhawk's transmission. "Let go of the past, you say? Forgive you?"
Thundertron stood up and walked around the bridge of his ship.
"You destroyed my planet. Your war ravaged it to its core. Your war annilated my home, and what's worse ... my planet - the entire planet - was nothing more than collateral damage to you. For that reason ..."
Thundertron pulled out his sword and ran it through the screen, ending the transmission and cracking the screen.
"I will never forgive you. Star Seekers!" Thundertron shouted, pulling his sword out from the screen.
"Aw, did you have to do that, captain?" One of the Star Seekers asked. "Those things are expensive, you know."
"Never mind that now." Thundertron said. He held out his sword as he gave his orders. "Track down where that signal was broadcast from and set a course for that location. We may finally be able to exact our long-due revenge on the Cybertronians. Every last one of them will pay."
The crew nodded and began their work to track the signal.
On Equestria, Hydia paced around, waiting for her friend to come forward.
"Hydia," her cloaked friend hissed, stepping out from behind some bushes he'd been using to hide. "You promised you would keep me safe and hidden."
"I did," Hydia said. "And that is exactly what I have done. Celestia doesn't know you're out, does she?"
"No," the cloaked figure said. "But still ... that was awfully close."
"Indeed." Hydia said. "And it is unfortunate that you couldn't find any magic to drain at the Pink Moon Celebration ..."
"There will be other times." The cloaked figure said. "And soon, some day, a day that inches ever closer with each passing morning ... "
The figured removed its hood, showing a dark red simian face with a strong chin and a thin tuft of hair on its chin, two nubs of horns on its head.
"Equestria will once again know the fear and dread inspired by the name of Lord Tirek!"
At another place, out in the vast, starry depths of space ... at planet Cybertron, another time ...
Inside the iron catacombs of Kaon, there was a trio of prisoners being tortured and interrogated for information. Lightning Dust, the disgraced Wonderbolt cadet, took in heavy breaths, chained to a table, blood pooling around her from the series of triple claw marks all around her body.
"P-please ..." Lightning Dust begged. "No more ... no more!" She wriggled and flailed.
A canine face leered at her.
"No more, Steeljaw ... please." Lightning Dust said.
"You know the deal, Lighting Dust." Steeljaw said, raising up a tri-bladed claw. "Tell me what the Autobots were doing in that tower, and I make the pain ... stop."
"Okay." Lightning Dust gulped and nodded. "Okay, I'll tell you."
"Lighting Dust ..." Ahuiztol groaned. "No ... don't."
"What were they doing, Lighting Dust?" Steeljaw asked.
"They were ... trying to send someone back in time." Lightning Dust said. "To change the past ... to change history so - so things would be different now."
"Who did they send?" Steeljaw asked.
"Jack," Lightning Dust said. "Jack Darby."
"Good," Steeljaw said. "You did very good, Lighting Dust." Steeljaw raised up his claw, the blades gleaming in the light.
"You ..." Lightning Dust said. "You said you'd make the pain stop!"
"I did." Steeljaw said. "I never said how. Don't worry, Lightning Dust ... soon you won't feel a thing."
Ahuiztol and A.K Yearling closed their eyes and looked away.
Steeljaw brought the claw down on Lightning Dust, stabbing it straight through Lighting Dust's chest and stomach, lodging them in so far the blades protruded from the underside of the table. Lightning Dust groaned, her eyes going wide and her body twitching before giving one final death kneel, her eyes rolling up into her skull.
Steeljaw yanked the blade out, its edges dripping with blood.
"Don't blame me, Lighting Dust," Steeljaw said. "After all, you sold your comrades out. What kind of a teammate are you?"
Steeljaw walked towards the door, where his soldiers Fracture and Thunderhoof were waiting.
"Now what do we with them?" Fracture asked, gesturing his head at the other two prisoners.
Steeljaw turned and looked at Ahuizotl and Yearling.
"Do what you will," Steeljaw said, walking up the steps. "We don't need them anymore. Do as you like."
"Sweet." Fracture rubbed his hands together, looking forward to inflict some pointless cruelty on the two prisoners.
"Hey." Thunderhoof said. "Where are you going, Steelie?"
"Me?" Steeljaw asked, turning back to them. "I'm going to go see if Lord Megatron can hook us up with a time machine."