RARITY'S NIGHTMARE
THE DRIVE BACK TO PONYVILLE WAS QUIET. OPTIMUS'S STORY WAS STILL fresh in the minds of the ponies, particularly Twilight Sparkle. The way Optimus told it, the flow of the events that played out, it was so dreadful, so horrible, so sad. Two friends-brothers, even-caught on opposite sides of a war, leading their respective armies? In a way, it reminded her of the story of Nightmare Moon and how Princess Celestia was forced to seal her own sister inside the moon for one thousand years.
Optimus spoke, snapping Twilight back to reality.
"You seem very quiet, Twilight Sparkle. Is something wrong?"
"I was just thinking about your story," Twilight replied. "It's kind of a sad tale when you think about it."
"Yes it is."
"Optimus, when Princess Celestia's sister Nightmare Moon-or rather, Princess Luna-freed herself after a thousand years' imprisonment in the moon, and after we purged the evil out of her with the Elements of Harmony, the two of them quickly made amends and forgave each other. Have you ever tried to make amends with Megatron?"
"Many times," Optimus replied. "Many times I've pleaded with Megatron-and all other Decepticons-to stray from their dark path and move towards peace. And every time, my plea falls on deaf ears. We have been at war for so long I doubt any of us will change."
"But it's possible, right?"
"Being an Autobot or a Decepticon is a choice. And for the most part, once a Cybertronian has made that choice, there is no going back on it." They continued driving along in silence for a moment. "You mentioned Elements of Harmony. What exactly are they?"
"The Elements of Harmony are magical relics," Twilight said. There are six in total, each one representing a different attribute: Honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty, and magic. For the longest time, only the first five were known to exist, until Nightmare Moon's return, when we discovered the Sixth Element."
"And that is how you purged the evil from Princess Luna?" Optimus guessed.
"That's right," Twilight replied. "And that wasn't the only time. When Discord, the spirit of chaos, was accidentally released from his stone prison, he threw Equestria into, well, chaos, turned us all against one another, but with a little reassurance from Princess Celestia and the Elements of Harmony, we turned Discord to stone again. Everything's been normal since. Well, as normal as it can be for us, of course."
"Until today, that is."
"Yeah, until today. Never imagined we'd get caught up in an alien war." As she talked, she found herself nodding off. She shook her head, waking herself up. "Wow. Guess the events of the day really took it out of me."
"We're all a little tired," Optimus said. "Today has been more...taxing than most."
"Tell me about it." She curled up on the seat, resting her head on her front legs, and closed her eyes.
It was rare that Pinkie Pie wasn't talking up a storm, but for once, she was quiet. She'd never been this quiet, it wasn't natural for her. She looked around at Applejack, Rarity, and Raf. Applejack was staring down at Bumblebee's floor; Rarity had her gaze turned to the scenery outside the window; and Raf was staring straight ahead. No one said a word, not for a long time.
"So, Raf," Pinkie said, finally breaking the silence. "Who's the biggest party animal in your world?"
"Huh? Oh, well, I don't really know," Raf replied. Bumblebee let out a series of beeps and whistles. "I'd hardly call Miko a 'party animal', more like an adrenaline junkie."
"Hold on there," Applejack said. "All I heard Bumblebee say was 'beep beep beep whistle beep'. How the heck can you understand that?"
"I don't know, I just can," Raf replied. "Maybe it's because Bumblebee's the first one to actually listen to me."
"What do you mean?" Rarity asked.
Raf reached into his pocket and took out his cell phone. He flipped it open and turned it so the ponies could look at it. "This is my family. Big, huh?"
"I'll say," Applejack said. "'Course, it still ain't as big as mine."
"Yeah, well, sometimes I can scream at the top of my lungs," Raf said as he put his phone away, "and still no one will hear me. But Bumblebee's different. He's the first person to actually give me his ear when I need to talk to him." Bumblebee gave a quick burst of beeps and whirs. "It's just a figure of speech, Bumblebee."
"So, why's he only talk like 'beepity-beepity-beep-beep-bee-'?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Optimus's story about the war, you remember it?"
"How could we forget?" Rarity asked. She shuddered.
"Well, Bumblebee got captured by the Decepticons one day and was tortured for information," Raf explained. "Megatron ended up crushing his voice box. By the time the Autobots found him, he was on the verge of death. They tried to fix him, but his voice box was pretty much irreplacable. That's why he doesn't talk like everyone else."
"Oh dear," Rarity breathed. Bumblebee let out three beeps and a whir. "Translation, please?"
"He says, that both him and you are lucky to be alive," Raf said. "If it weren't for the Autobots, neither of you would be here right now."
Optimus's voice came over the radio. "Autobots, we're going to drop the equines off at their dwellings, and then meet up to discuss our next move."
"Go it, Prime," Arcee said.
"Sure thing, Optimus," Bulkhead replied.
"Fine," Ratchet said.
Bumblebee gave a few beeps in acknowlegment.
"That's fine by me," Applejack said as she stretched. "Big Mac's probably wondering just what I've been doing all day. Was supposed to help him pick apples."
"And I've still got to get ready for the Cakes' anniversary party," Pinkie Pie said. "How about you, Rarity?"
"I just want to forget any of this ever happened," Rarity replied, not taking her eyes off the scenery. She wanted to forget it all, to leave it behind her.
But the image of Megatron's demonic face wouldn't leave her mind.
"You're taking us home?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Shouldn't we go back and take on the Decepticons again?"
"Forget it, Dashie," Bulkhead said. "Too dangerous. You've seen what they can do. The last thing we want is one of you getting killed by them."
"Oh, please. I took out a whole group of them," Rainbow Dash proudly said.
"How'd you do that?" Miko asked.
"A Sonic Rainboom. It's where a Pegasus gets going so fast, a sonic boom and rainbow happen at the same time. And I'm the only Pegasus who's ever done one."
"So, whose place is closer?" Bulkhead asked.
"I think Fluttershy's," Rainbow Dash replied. She looked over to Fluttershy, who had fallen asleep. "Hey, Fluttershy, wake up." She nudged Fluttershy, waking her up.
"Huh?"
"Bulkhead's taking you home first, then me."
"Oh. Okay."
"Okay? That's it? Aren't you wondering what the Autobots are going to do about the Decepticons?"
"Not really."
"Well, she's no fun," Miko said.
"Well," Flutershy said. "You see, it's just, um...The Decepticons are just so mean and scary. And what happened to Rarity, it's just..." Her voice trailed off.
"You're still scared, aren't you, Fluttershy?" Bulkhead asked. "It's okay, I understand. This isn't exactly something that happens here everyday. Just let us Autobots handle it."
"But Bulkhead, this is our world," Rainbow Dash said. "Don't you think we should do something to help?"
"Well, I, uh..." Bulkhead's voice caught in his throat. Rainbow Dash was right, this was their world; he, the other Autobots, and the humans were strangers in this strange land. They had gotten the Equestrians involved in their war. Why not let them help out in some way?
"I'll talk to Optimus, see what he says."
Rainbow Dash slumped down in the seat and looked out the window.
"Everything okay, Jack?" Arcee asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm okay," Jack replied. "I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"About this place getting involved in your war with the Decepticons. Looking around, it seems pretty peaceful."
"Sometimes, the most innocent and peaceful places and people can get caught up in something they don't want to," Arcee said. "I feel sorry for this place, too, but we're here now, and so are the Decepticons, and until we go back, we're going to have to fight them here. That's the reality of war, you go where it takes you. It brought us to Earth, now it's brought us to Equestria."
"Yeah, I guess so."
Arcee sped up to drive alongside Optimus. "Once the horses have been dropped off, where should we meet up?"
"I'll be taking Twilight home, so we will meet up there," Optimus replied.
"Okay. See you then," Arcee said, and she sped off.
It was already evening by the time the Autobots met up outside the Ponyville Library, a hollowed out tree where Twilight lived. The sun was going down behind the western mountains, and the first stars had begun to sparkle in the sky. Nighttime wasn't too far away.
Optimus opened his door, letting Twilight climb out. She'd been off her legs for so long they were stiff. The door to the library swung open, and Spike hurried out, throwing his small arms around Twilight.
"Twilight, you're okay! What about Rarity?"
"She's fine, Spike. Bumblebee already took her home."
The humans climbed out of their respective Autobots as the 'Bots began to transform into their Robot Forms. Spike couldn't help but stare in awe and disbelief, his eyes following them as they stood up.
"I still can't get over just how big they are." He pointed to Optimus. "Especially you."
"You should see Megatron," Miko said.
"Who?"
"Trust me," Twilight said. "You don't want to know." She shuddered.
"Oh. He's that bad, huh?"
"You have no idea," Jack said. He turned to Optimus. "So, what's next?"
"We've got to go back and hit Megatron now," Bulkhead said, slamming his fist into his palm. "Before he goes for the Energon."
"Knowing Megatron, he will try to wait us out," Optimus said. "See who makes the first move. In a day or two, when nothing has happened, he will start gathering the Energon. And when he does, we'll follow him to the Energon field and put a stop to his terrorism."
"So we're going to play his game, wait?" Arcee asked.
"That's correct, Arcee." He gestured towards Twilight. "And it will give us time to get acquainted with our new allies."
"Optimus, with all due respect," Ratchet said, "the equines are smaller than the humans. It will be much easier for them to get underfoot, and besides, while the humans have proved helpful, what help will the ponies be?"
"They know this world much better than we do, Ratchet. They can help us navigate the landscape."
"I guess you're right, Optimus," Twilight said. She yawned. "Wow, this has been one draining day. If you don't mind, I'm gonna go get some sleep."
"We should all get some rest," Optimus said. "The events of the day have drained our energy. We need to conserve what energy we have left if we are to stop the Decepticons."
"Where, exactly?" Fowler asked. "I haven't seen any garages in this place."
"You can just hang out here," Spike said. "You don't mind, do you, Twilight? Twilight?" He looked back inside, but Twilight had already fallen asleep, flopping down on her bed. "Well, she's out like a light. But I don't think she'd mind if you guys spent the night here."
"Sounds good to me," Arcee said.
"Very well," Optimus said. "We'll stay here for the night. But in Vehicle Form." He transformed back into a big rig. The other Autobots followed suit, transforming back into a sports car, a motorcycle, an SUV, and an ambulance. "Tomorrow, we learn the terrain. It may be helpful in a future battle."
"We'd better get some sleep too," June said. She looked to the kids. "Especially you three. You look like you've had one heck of a day."
"We sure have," Miko replied as she walked over to Bulkhead. "Coming in, Bulk!" She opened the driver's side door and climbed inside.
"I'll see you in the morning," Raf said. He headed over to Bumblebee, who opened his door as Raf got close. "Thanks, 'Bee." Bumblebee beeped a reply. "Yeah, good night to you too."
"How about it, Jack?" Arcee asked. "Gonna catch some shut eye?"
"No offense, Arcee," Jack said. "But it's kind of hard to sleep comfortably on a motorcycle." He stretched and yawned. "I'll be with Optimus."
"Me too," June said, following her son.
"Well, Doc, looks like it's just you and me," Fowler said as he approached Ratchet.
"Great," Ratchet mumbled. Still, he opened his door and let Fowler climb inside.
"Just to warn you, Ratchet, I tend to snore a bit."
Rarity rolled left and right, tossed and turned, but still, she couldn't get to sleep, not with the images still fresh in her mind. She could still hear Megatron's voice, still feel the pain of the electric prod and the cortical psychic patch; she could still smell her skin getting hot under the prod, still saw Megatron's shark-like demonic face. Try as she might, she couldn't forget any of it.
The events of the day played through her mind over and over again, like a record on a turntable. In her mind, she was constantly reliving the torture the Decepticons put her through; the electric prod, the cortical psychic patch, the threats made by Megatron and Knock Out; she still remembered Soundwave's blank face, still remembered the feeling of Megatron's cold fingers on her flesh.
"No. No, get out. Get out of my head. Stop remembering these horrible things!"
It didn't matter what she did, didn't matter how hard she tried-the memories, the images, they were here to stay.
The images flowed through her head like a river, the events of the day going past her mind's eye, as did a scenario, a scenario about what would have happened had the Autobots not arrived.
"You really dont' know what this is, do you?" Megatron asked. "Energon, a powerful element, the fuel and lifeblood of all Cybertronians, Autobot and Decepticon alike. I know you found these small crystals somewhere, so tell me!"
"I will not," Rarity hissed. "You would only use the gems for your own evil purposes."
Megatron took the electric prod from the other Decepticon in the room. "You won't talk? Very well." He pressed the tip of the prod against Rarity's belly, sending a wave of pain throughout her entire body. Once, twice, several times he zapped her, until she was just barely conscious, barely clinging to life.
"I'll give you one more opportunity to tell me where the Energon is, my little pony, and then, I assure you, the pain will stop." He pressed the tips of his cold, metallic fingers against Rarity's neck. "Once Death's cold embrace takes you."
"You...you're pure evil," Rarity spat. "Even if I knew the exact place I found those jewels, I still would never tell you. You evil, vile, revolting beast!"
"Defiant to the end, aren't you? Well, if you won't talk, then you're of no use to me." He pulled his arm back, straightening his fingers, and thrust his hand towards her, his fingers melting through her fur, her flesh, puncturing her insides, her blood staining the floor, the pain killing her, no-
No-
"NO!"
Rarity sat up and snapped her eyes open. She looked around; she was still in her bedroom, still in her bed, still in Ponyville, and still alive. Her entire body was shaking with fear, her fur drenched with sweat, her mane sticking to her forehead.
She looked down at her hooves, which, like the rest of her body, were shaking.
So...horrible.
She buried her face into her pillow and let the tears flow.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I REALIZE THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF CHAPTER 6, SPIKE IS WITH THE AUTOBOTS, AND AFTER THAT, HE'S NOWHERE TO BE SEEN UNTIL THIS CHAPTER. THAT'S AN IDIOT MOMENT ON MY PART, I'D FORGOTTEN I'D WRITTEN HIM INTO THAT MOMENT UNTIL AFTER I UPLOADED THAT CHAPTER, WHICH IS WHY HE SEEMINGLY ENDS UP BACK IN PONYVILLE WITH NO EXPLANATION. I'LL TRY TO PREVENT THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO LIE, IT'S INEVITABLE THAT A MISTAKE LIKE THAT WILL HAPPEN, AND I APOLOGIZE AHEAD OF TIME IF I MAKE ANOTHER ONE LIKE THAT AGAIN.
WITH THAT SAID, I HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING THIS! KEEP READING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
