Life in Allspark Wells

Part 17; Aanslag

All Apple Bloom could feel was the cold rain pouring down on her. 'Wait a minute.' She thought to herself. 'Shouldn't we be, you know, bein' torn apart by that wolf.' After all, the last thing the former farm girl remembered seeing before she closed her eyes was the gray wolf leaping towards her and Dream Wave.

Opening her eyes, Apple Bloom saw that the gray wolf was laying motionless in front of her as the other two wolves fled back into the darkness. Turning to Dream Wave, the burgundy haired girl began to chuckle as she remarked, "Heh heh. Looks like we got lucky." Dream Wave couldn't help but laugh along as tears continued to drip from her eyes. Pointing to the deceased wolf, the red-haired girl remarked, "Must have been struck by lightning!"

Looking over to the wolf's corpse, Apple Bloom noticed that the body wasn't smoking or fried. Instead, it was simply as doused in rainwater as both girls were. The only thing that didn't seem to add up was the fact that there seemed to be a small hole on the right side of its head, right behind the eye.

At that moment, a vaguely familiar voice called out, "Vries! Moenie beweeg nie!" Out of the depths of darkness emerged a man wielding what looked like a bolt action rifle. As he approached the two girls, Apple Bloom could make out more of his appearance. This man had dark blue skin and black hair. He was wearing a khaki shirt and pants, black boots, and had piercing red eyes. All of this, combined with his bolt action rifle, sent a cold shiver down both girls' spines.

Resting his rifle down as he pulled back the bolt, the dark blue man asked, "Who ore you? Whet ore you doin' here?" Apple Bloom took a mental not of his unique accent, having never heard anything like it before. 'Ah swear though…' She thought to herself. 'Ah've seen this guy before.'

Sighing, the dark blue man continued, "Again. Who ore you? And whet ore you doin' here?" Collecting herself, the former farm girl replied, "Uh…. Mah name is Apple Bloom, and this is Dream Wave." The moment he heard this, the man lit up as he said, "Apple Bloom? Wag 'n minuut….." Snapping his fingers, he lit up as he continued, "That's it! You're one of Ironhide's girls!"

Curious, Apple Bloom nervously replied, "Uh… yeah. He's mah uncle." The man let out a chuckle as he remarked, "Well then, perhaps you remember me frum the history fair a few months beck!" The moment he mentioned the history fair, Apple Bloom realized just where she remembered who the man standing before her was.

"Onslaught?" The former farm girl asked. "You're Onslaught, right? The guy in that gray uniform from the history fair!"

Nodding, Onslaught replied, "The very same." He then furrowed his brow as he continued, "But thet doesn't onswer my question. Whet the hell are you two doin' out here?" Dream Wave tried to force herself up as she explained, "Well, we're stuck out here on stupid retreat, and I just happened to fall down here and break my legs." Apple Bloom then added, "Ah came down to try and help her, and our teacher came down too, but once we heard those wolves, he…." Starting to tear up a bit, she continued, "He just up and left us."

Sighing to himself, Onslaught angrily muttered, "Damnit! We were told the park would be clear this weekend!" Before Apple Bloom or Dream Wave could inquire on this statement further, the sound of a wolf's howl caught everyone off guard. As the two girls embraced each other in fear, Onslaught readied his weapon, aiming it into the darkness as he stepped backwards towards his new charges.

Turning his head around to face the girls, Onslaught asked, "Con you two be ready to move?" Apple Bloom shook her head as she replied, "Her legs are broken! She can't move!" The dark blue man sighed as he replied, "Alright. Con you carry her? If any more of those diere come back, I wonna be able to keep you two aloive." The former farm girl nodded as she turned to Dream Wave and scooped her up in her arms.

Once Dream Wave was secure, Apple Bloom turned back to Onslaught as she said, "Lead the way sir." Nodding, the blue man slung his rifle on his back as he replied, "Follow me, and stay quiet." The former farm girl turned her head to Dream Wave and asked, "You ready?" The red-haired girl replied, "Anything to get out of this rain."

With that, Onslaught began to lead the two girls away to safety.

After a few minutes of walking in the dark, Dream Wave asked, "How do you know where we're going?" Keeping his eyes focused on the surrounding brush, Onslaught explained, "The boeke and I come up every year for boar culling. I know this brush loike the back of my hand." He then held his hand out and looked down at it as he quipped, "Huh. That's new."

"Boar cullin'?" Apple Bloom asked. "What's boar cullin'?" Onslaught gestured to his rifle as he replied, "Too many boars up here wrecking the plece. There's a bounty of about 40 bucks a head, so every year, my boeke and I come up here to help with the problem." He then let out a chuckle as he added, "We usually get at least foive, one for each of us. This year, we've gotten about eight so far."

Taking this in, Dream Wave replied, "My dad used to go boar hunting. Stopped after he got a concussion about three years ago." Onslaught nodded as he remarked, "I don't blame him. Dikgat pups con put up quite a fight. Heh, reminds me of the time oi…."

"Mr. Onslaught?" Apple Bloom interrupted. As the dark blue man stopped in his tracks, the former farm girl continued, "Ah hate to come off as rude, but you don't sound like you did back at the history fair." Onslaught paused for a few moments, leading Apple Bloom to worry that she'd made a mistake by asking him that question. Thankfully for her, he explained, "Yeah that, the boeke and oi just put those accents on for the demonstration." He then quickly swapped to a more recognizable accent as he added, "'Sides, speakin' like this is a bit more appropriate for a demonstration like that…." He then returned to his normal voice with a blunt, "Then sounding loike this."

Apple Bloom began to think about what Onslaught said, but was herself interrupted by Dream Wave saying, "Guys, can we get a move on please? My legs are killing me." Onslaught nodded as he replied, "Yeah, we've wasted enough toime already." Nodding, the former farm girl straightened herself and readjusted Dream Wave as she replied, "Lead the way sir."

Several Minutes Later

As the group approached what looked like a dirt trail, Onslaught raised his hand at a right angle, signaling for Apple Bloom to stop. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a flashlight as he whispered, "Keep quoiet." The blue man then pointed the flashlight at something in the distance and repeatedly flashed it on and off, as if he were flashing a telegram. Curious, Apple Bloom whispered back, "What are you doin'?"

The former farm girl received her answer when, out from the darkness, a light flashed back the same pattern that Onslaught had done. Letting out a sigh of relief, the blue man said, "Alroight. Looks loike Brawl's on toime." He then turned to the two girls as he said, "Just a heads up, he's got quoite a temper."

Dream Wave simply replied, "I'd deal with a hundred wolves just to get out of this rain." Apple Bloom then added, "Same here." Nodding, Onslaught allowed a small smirk to form on his lips as he said, "Very well." He then motioned his hand forward, signaling for the group to advance.

No sooner had they resumed their trek than Apple Bloom could make out the shape of a parked four-wheel drive sitting on the trail. Turning to face Onslaught, the former farm girl asked, "Isn't there supposed to be someone else here? Who was flashin' that light?"

The moment she said this, another man emerged from the darkness. He had dark green skin, yellow eyes, black hair, and was dressed in a similar khaki outfit. The only differences in his outfit were the fact that he wore shorts instead of pants and wore a brown slouch hat with the left side pinned to the side. Looking at this man, Apple Bloom thought to herself, 'Yup, that's Brawl. Ah remember him from the history fair as well."

Approaching the group, Brawl jovially greeted his friend with, "Crikey! I heard that gunshot and then everything went silent! What the hell happened?" Apple Bloom couldn't help but think, 'Guess Brawl has a different accent in real life too. Kinda sounds like Wreck-Gar, but a bit different.' She was distracted from her recollection by Dream Wave asking, "I don't want to interrupt, but can you please set me in the back of that jeep?" Apple Bloom nodded and replied, "Sure thing."

As Apple Bloom rested her friend in the back of the jeep, she heard Onslaught say, "Oi heard those girls screamin' and surrounded by wolves. Turns out they're here because of some school retreat." He then paused for a minute as he added, "Oi think it's you know who." The moment he finished saying this, the former farm girl could see Brawl clenching his fists as he began to visibly tremble with rage. Onslaught immediately rested his hands on his friend's shoulders as he warned, "Don't troy anything stupid. Oi don't want you getting in a pointless foitght."

Shaking his head, Brawl responded, "That's a fair dinkum." He then added, "But if I find the wanker, I won't hesitate." Onslaught replied with a blunt, "Then you're staying at the forward camp 'till…." He paused for a moment before whispering something into the green man's ear. Brawl nodded as he replied, "I can hardly wait."

The two men then made their way to the jeep, with Brawl getting into the driver's seat and Onslaught getting into the passenger's seat. The blue man turned to Apple Bloom and nudged to the seat behind him as he invited her, "Get in kid. Unless you'd rether stay here and meet any more wolves." The former farm girl gave a small smile as she nodded and jumped into the back of the jeep.

Sitting down next to Dream Wave, Apple Bloom asked, "Where we goin'?" Onslaught turned his head to face the young girl as he replied, "We've got a camp aboot a short trek from here. Hopefully we con get your legs looked at." He then pointed to Dream Wave's legs as he added, "Last thing we need is your legs healin' incorrectly."

As the two girls took this in, Brawl revved up the jeep's engine as he called out, "Hold on to your lugnuts kids! It's gonna be a bumpy ride!" Sure enough, the moment the jeep began to move, Apple Bloom could feel herself bump up and down as the vehicle began to move down the trail. Despite the bumpy ride, the fact that she was in a somewhat comfortable position hit the former farm girl and she began to drift off to sleep.

Before she could fully fall asleep, Apple Bloom was distracted by Onslaught calling out, "Wake up girly. We're here." The former farm girl opened her eyes to see that the jeep had parked next to a surprisingly large gray-green tent propped up by a stream. In front of the tent was a large firepit, albeit extinguished on account of the rainstorm. Turning her head, Apple Bloom found that they'd parked right behind another jeep, this one full having its rear end covered by a tarp. Motioning to the jeep, Onslaught warned, "Oi'd avoid that if you heve a poor gag reflex."

As Brawl turned the jeep off, Onslaught rose up from his seat as he said, "Noow then, let's get you two oot of the rain and get those legs looked et." He then pointed at Dream Wave as he ordered, "Brawl! Kry haar in die tent!" The green man rolled his eyes as he replied, "I'm gonna assume that means to take 'er inside." Turning to Dream Wave, Brawl scooped her ups as he said, "Come on now lovely."

Climbing out of the jeep, Apple Bloom asked, "So, who else is up here?" As he slung his weapon across his back, Onslaught replied, "There's us, and three others. Blast Off, Swindle, and Vortex." He added, "Oi think you know Swindle from the fair, but this'll be the first toime you've met the others." Before Apple Bloom could say anything, her stomach let out a loud rumble as Brawl quipped, "Sounds like someone could go for some pork."

Apple Bloom couldn't help but nod as she admitted, "Yeah, Ah haven't eaten more than a morsel since yesterday." Onslaught solemnly sighed as he reassured her, "Don't worry. Oi'm sure we've got something for you. Noow, follow me."

Inside the Tent

Entering the large tent, Apple Bloom couldn't help but appreciate just how massive it was. There was a communal table in the center, five foldable bunks, several boxes that the former farm girl figured contained weapons and ammunition, and even a small table with papers and writing utensils. But what really caught her attention were the three men who were already inside the tent.

One was a familiar man with dark mustard skin, black hair, and purple eyes lying on one of the beds as he sang, "And that's not bloody surprising man, 'cause we're a bunch of arrogant bastards, who hate….". The other was a man with dark purple skin, brown hair, and was seated at the table, reading a book. The final man was gray man with red eyes, blue hair, and was polishing his bolt action rifle. All in all, the group reminded Apple Bloom less of a group of hunters and more like a gang of mercenaries.

Onslaught entered the tent as he called out, "Hoesit boys?" The purple man immediately stood up from the table and began to reply, "There you are sir. I was starting to wonder when you were going to get back." Apple Bloom couldn't help but think to herself, "That guy sounds kinda like Wreck-Gar. Must be English."

As Brawl brought Dream Wave into the tent and made his way to the beds, the purple man asked, "Sir, why are there two children here?" Onslaught sighed as he replied, "Because thet good for nothin' munkey brought more kids up here." Apple Bloom then added, "And mah friend broke her legs and we were attacked by wolves!"

The purple man groaned, "For the love of…. I'd love to give that bastard damn good thrashing!" Brawl immediately spoke up with, "Get in line Blast Off!" The gray man added, "Oh, please. Compost again? That prick will never learn."

Onslaught immediately raised his hands as he commanded, "Thet'll do it boeke!" As the others turned to him, the blue man continued, "Alroight, we've got a kid with two broken legs. Swindle, Vortex, get her legs set." He then turned to Blast Off as he continued, "Blast Off, keep an eye on Apple Bloom here." Turning to Brawl, Onslaught continued, "Brawl, go outside and vent." Turning to everyone else, he finished with, "Oi gotta make a few phone colls. Let's roll!"

The four other adults nodded as they attended to their tasks. Swindle and Vortex made their way to Dream Wave and began to inspect her legs, Onslaught stepped to the far corner of the tent as he pulled out a cell phone, and Brawl took a deep breath before stepping outside as Blast Off turned to Apple Bloom and invited her, "Sit down girl. You look like half starved."

Nodding, the former farm girl made her way to the table as Blast Off walked over to a crate and began to forage through it as he asked, "You're not a vegetarian, are you?" Shaking her head, Apple Bloom replied, "Right now, Ah'd eat anythin'." Pulling something out of the crate, Blast Off presented the former farm girl with a plate of what looked thick slices of bacon as he replied, "Hope you don't mind salted pork. Made from this year's catch."

Taking a bite from one of the slices of salted pork, Apple Bloom felt every ounce of restraint in her evaporate as she shoved the morsel into her mouth. Swallowing her mouthful, she reached for another piece, only to stop and turned to Blast Off as she asked, "May Ah have another piece sir?" The purple man let out a gentle chuckle as he replied, "Eat up girl. I've got a feeling you need it more than any of us."

Before Apple Bloom could take another bite, she was caught off guard by the sound of Brawl's voice screaming out in what she could only describe as uncontrollable rage. He shouted, "Grrreeeaaaaaggggghhhhhh," shaking the former farm girl to the bone. Seeing the young girl recoil in fear, Blast Off reassured her, "Don't worry about Brawl. He's a decent chap, but he's got a wee temper problem."

Apple Bloom couldn't help but laugh as she took this in. "Heh heh. He's got a temper problem." She then pointed to Dream Wave, Swindle and Vortex as she continued, "Ah'm in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a bunch of guys with guns, mah friend broke her legs, Ah was almost eaten by wolves, and AH…." The former farm girl devolved into a fit of manic laughter as she began to feel tears dripping from her eyes.

Catching her breath, Apple Bloom apologized, "Sorry about that, AH just… Ah can't process this." Walking up to her, Blast Off patted her on the back as he reassured her, "It's alright girl." When she looked him in the eyes, the purple man explained, "I mean, it's not alright that any of this is happening, but it's alright that you're feeling the way you do."

At that moment, Onslaught walked up to the two as he said, "Hey Apple Bloom! Oi've got someone who wents to speak with you!" He then handed his cell phone to the former farm girl, who accepted the small device. Bringing the phone up to her ear, she asked, "Uh… Hello?"

On the other end of the line, Apple Bloom could hear Ironhide's voice frantically ask, "You alright there kid?"

The moment she heard her uncle's voice, Apple Bloom felt her eyes water as she asked, "Uncle Ironhide?" The old soldier's voice gently reassured her, "It's me kid. I'm here." As the former farm girl began to sob, Ironhide's voice seemed to be directed at someone else as he shouted, "Ratchet! Get your shit together! We need to get moving five minutes ago!" He then reassured his daughter, "Listen, Ratchet and I are heading there now. I know Onslaught and his friends can be intimidating, but I trust them."

Starting to give in to her emotions, Apple Bloom could only tearfully blabber out, "This has been a nightmare. Ah wanna go home!" Ironhide's voice reassured her, "I know kid. Just stay there, I'll be there as soon as I can. Look, we're getting the van ready, so I gotta hang up. I love you." Managing to regain a fraction of her composure, The former farm girl replied, "Alright, Ah love you too."

Handing the cell phone back to Onslaught, Apple Bloom began to cry again as the weight of everything she'd been through hit her. She was starving, tired, she'd been abandoned by Mr. Compost, and she'd nearly been eaten by wolves. Now, the former farm girl was holed up in a tent with five men she only vaguely knew as she waited for her uncle to come.

The former farm girl was distracted from her breakdown when she heard Onslaught saying, "Yeh, she's alroight. There's another girl here with broken legs…. Vortex and Swindle are troying to set her legs now…... Having that old fort here might help too." The phone then went quiet, leading the blue man to remark, "Must have hung up."

Turning to Apple Bloom, Onslaught told her, "Oi'm taking a jeep to the park entrance to meet Ironhide. Oi'll be back with him and Ratchet, alroight?" The burgundy haired girl nodded as she replied, "Ok." Smirking, the blue man turned to his friends as he informed them, "Oi'm off to get Ironhide and that old fart Ratchet. Be back in a bit."

Once Onslaught was gone, Swindle spoke up with a blunt, "Man, I can't believe that shithead Compost brought more kids up here." Vortex nodded as he replied, "Damn boyo ought to have learned to stop comin' up here by now." Hearing the two adults talk, Apple Bloom asked, "So you have history with Mr. Compost?"

From behind her, Apple Bloom heard Brawl's voice call out, "Aye. The stupid drongo always brings kids up here this time of year." As the former farm girl turned around to face him, she found the green man completely soaked as he continued, "Why, a few years back, we had to save his stupid arse when his little camp got caught up in a flash flood." Vortex chuckled as he added, "Do I ever. Onslaught wanted to leave him to die, but those kids were in danger, and we couldn't get them out of danger without saving his stupid monkey face."

Apple Bloom couldn't help but giggle as she replied, "Wow. Ah never knew he was that reckless." She then drifted her eyes over to Dream Wave as she asked, "Is she alright?" Turning to face her, Swindle reassured the young girl, "She's fine. I think she just passed out or something."

Blast Off spoke up with, "What happens now? Sure, the boss has gone to get Ironhide, but after that?" Brawl cracked his knuckles as he offered, "How about we go and give that drongo a dam good thrashing?" Swindle raised his hands as he replied, "Tempting as that is, we'd be getting a one-way ticket to the slammer, and I don't want to give up my profitable business over that dickhead."

As the four adults squabbled with themselves, Apple Bloom thought to herself, 'Ah think Ah'll leave that sort of talk to the professionals.' After all, there was still some salt pork left, and she was still rather hungry.

Some Time Later

Sitting next to the sleeping Dream Wave, Apple Bloom watched her friend as she slept. Across the tent, Brawl and Vortex were arm wrestling as Swindle called out, "Step right up folks. Place your bets and see who wins." Blast Off simply rolled his eyes as he remarked, "This isn't a casino Swindle. We're just passing the time until Onslaught gets back.

At that moment, everyone heard the sound of a jeep pulling up as Blast Off continued, "Well, speak of the demon." Apple Bloom lit up as she heard thought, 'Is it really them?' After all, it hadn't been that long since Onslaught left to wait for them, right?"

She received her answer when Ironhide, clad in a faded green poncho, burst into the tent, his face frantic and nervous as he asked, "Apple Bloom? You in here?" Staring at her uncle, the former farm girl found herself overcome with relief as she felt her eyes water up again. 'Ah can't believe it.' She thought to herself. 'He came.'

Running up to her uncle, Apple Bloom threw herself into him as she wrapped her arms around him in a massive hug and began to cry. Hugging his daughter back, Ironhide reassured her, "It's alright kid. I'm here." Sniffling, Apple Bloom replied, "Uncle Ironhide, this weekend….. It's sucked." The old soldier smiled as he reassured her, "I heard."

From behind him, Ratchet entered the tent, a duffle bag and crutches slung across his bag as he said, "I do hate to interrupt, but it seems I have a patient." Releasing her uncle, Apple Bloom pointed to the back of the tent as she explained, "Dream Wave is back there. Ah think she's out by now." The old medic nodded as he said, "Ok then. I'll start immediately."

As Ratchet made his way towards Dream Wave, Onslaught entered the tent, flanked by a small robot with two binocular eyes and retractable wheels in his feet. The blue man pointed to his guest as he remarked, "Oi take it this little guy is Wheeljack's handywerk?" Looking up to him, Wheelie remarked, "I like your accent. Where are you from?" The blue man simply muttered, "Transvaal."

Apple Bloom, on the other hand, ran up to her friend as she asked, "Wheelie? What are you doin' here?" As she picked him up, Wheelie replied, "Well, I heard you were in trouble and, I calculated the odds I could help vs the odds I was doing something stupid and…." The former farm girl interrupted with a gentle, "And you went ahead and did it anyway?"

Instead, Wheelie held his head low and looked down as he replied, "And it's my fault you're here anyway."

As Apple Bloom set the small robot down, Wheelie continued, "I helped give you the idea of recycling weapons to help the environment. If I hadn't, you wouldn't be in this mess." Feeling her heart melt, the former farm girl held her hand under Wheelie's chin (or at least approximate of a chin) as she reassured him, "Oh Wheelie, it's not your fault." As the small robot looked up to her, Apple Bloom continued, "Ah should have known better than to…."

It was at this moment that Apple Bloom realized she knew who was responsible. Feeling her free hand clench into a fist, the former farm girl growled, "It's Mr. Compost's fault. He…. He…."

Ironhide immediately rested a hand on his daughter's shoulder as he said, "We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now, you look like you need some rest." Apple Bloom turned to her uncle as she asked, "We're not goin' home?" The family patriarch nodded as he replied, "For starters, Ratchet wants to make sure your friend's legs are properly set." He then turned to face his friend, who was busy applying a splint to Dream Wave's leg.

As Apple Bloom took this in, Ironhide continued, "And you also need some rest. You've had a very eventful day, and I… I just want to make sure you're safe." He then sighed as he finished with, "I don't want you to get hurt."

Feeling her eyes water up again, the burgundy haired girl nodded as she asked, "Will you be here in the morning?" Ironhide nodded as he reassured her, "I'm not leaving your side kid." Apple Bloom smiled as she replied, "Thank you Uncle Ironhide." She then let out a wide yawn as she said, "Ah guess Ah am a bit tired."

Onslaught then joined the three as he informed them, "We've got some bunks for you. Not exactly luxurious, but they ought to be enough for one noight." Apple Bloom nodded as she replied, "Thanks." She then made her way to one of the empty bunks as Wheelie reassured her, "Don't worry! We'll be up all night to keep you safe." The former farm girl giggled as she quipped, "If you ain't mah knight in shinin' armor."

Laying down on the bunk, Apple Bloom looked her uncle in the eyes one last time as she said, "See you in the knight Uncle Ironhide. Love you." Ironhide nodded as he replied, "Love you too kid." With that, she let out a final yawn before drifting off to sleep.

The Next Morning

Blinking her eyes as she stirred back to the land of the living, Apple Bloom rose up from the bunk as she stretched her arms. Letting out a loud yawn, the former farm girl was pleasantly surprised to see Ironhide leaning against the tent pillar as he chatted with Onslaught and Brawl about something While Wheelie sat on the table, swinging his legs as he talked to a now awake Dream Wave.

Standing up, Apple Bloom made her way to the table as she greeted, "Ah see you two are gettin' along well." The red-haired artist nodded as she replied, "This little guy is so cute. I gotta make a sketch of him when we get out of here." Wheelie squealed as he added, "Thank you kindly." He then asked, "Wait, what's a sketch again?"

Sitting down next to her friend, Apple Bloom asked, "How're your legs?" Dream Wave sighed as she replied, "Kinda numb. I think that Ratchet guy gave me something to dull the pain." She then revealed one of her legs, covered in a cast as she continued, "He even gave me some crutches to help get me to the jeep." Dream Wave then asked, "Sleep Well?"

Apple Bloom sighed as she replied, "Pretty much. At least Ah didn't have any nightmares." Dream Wave nodded as she replied, "Same here. Slept like a baby." Wheelie then raised his hand as he added, "I didn't sleep at all. I was busy watching you two." When the two girls turned to him, the small robot quickly added, "Well, that and occasionally chatting with these lovely chaps here."

The former farm girl patted Wheelie on the head as she said, "Thanks for commin'. Ah appreciate the gesture." The small robot lit up as he happily replied, "You're welcome. We gotta stick together, you know?" Apple Bloom pulled him into a hug as she replied, "Yeah, we do."

At that moment, Ironhide and Onslaught made their way up to the two girls as the former asked, "You two doing alright?" As Apple Bloom and Dream Wave nodded, the blue man informed them, "Blast Off and Vortex heve gone and informed the park rangers about that little monkey." Ironhide then added, "And I called Ultra Magnus and caught him up to speed regarding what happened. When we get to the park entrance, it's gonna be quite the party."

Dream Wave asked, "Will my dad be there?" Ironhide nodded as he reassured her, "He will be." He then turned to Apple Bloom as he added, "Mr. Compost and the others should be having a "little chat" with the rangers right about now, so they'll bring him to the park entrance when we get there." The former farm girl gulped as she asked, "You think he'll fail me for… you know…"

Onslaught interrupted her as he bluntly added, "Efter what you two went through, Oi'd say he can suck a great big…." Ironhide raised a finger to the blue man's lips as he interrupted with, "The point is, none of us give a shit what he thinks." Apple Bloom could only let out a gentle chuckle as she replied, "You know what? Neither do Ah."

As everyone chatted, Brawl entered the tent as he said, "Alright boys, I think it's time we get a move on." Onslaught turned to his friend as he replied, "Oi'm the one whew gives orders here, so Oi'll say when we're moving out." He then raised his hand and circled his finger as he said, "Goed seuns, ko mons rol uit." Apple Bloom helped Dream Wave up to her feet as Ratchet warned, "Careful now. Don't put too much pressure on either leg." The red-haired girl replied, "I know, I know."

After everyone exited the tent, Apple Bloom noticed the gray skies above her. 'Heh. So much for a sunny day.' The former farm girl thought to herself. As she and Ratchet helped Dream Wave into one of the jeeps, Brawl called out, "Don't worry about space boys. Swindle and I already butchered the dead hogs while you blokes were watchin' the girls." Ironhide took a deep breath as he quipped, "That explains the stench."

Soon, everyone was in one of the jeeps. Apple Bloom, Wheelie, Dream Wave, Ironhide, and Onslaught sat in the first jeep while Brawl, Ratchet, Swindle, Vortex, and Blast Off were cramped into the other one. Turning to face the others, the blue leader called out, "Everyone ready?" Apple Bloom replied, "Ah'm ready to get the hell out of here."

Revving up his jeep, Onslaught called out, "Very well! Voorspelers!"

Yellow-Steel Park Entrance

As the two jeeps made their way towards the visitor center, Apple Bloom noticed that there was a crowd gathered in front of it. Noticing the crowd, Apple Bloom turned to her uncle as she remarked, "Looks like you weren't lyin' about it bein' a party." Ironhide nodded as he replied, "Yeah. I kinda decided to go all out with this."

Once the jeeps were parked, a man with dark red skin and red-orange hair ran up to the group as he called out, "Dream Wave!" The red-haired artist lit up as she replied, "Dad? Dad!" As she tried to climb out of the jeep, Dream Wave's father pulled her into a hug as he tearfully said, "I'm so glad you're safe."

While Dream Wave embraced her father, Apple Bloom was swarmed by several bodies as Chromia and Sideswipe pulled her out of the jeep and hugged her as the pale biker said, "There you are!" Caught off guard, the former farm girl asked, "What are y'all doin' here?" Chromia explained, "We came to bring you home sweetheart."

From behind the group, Apple Bloom noticed Tender Taps, Marble Pie, Double Shuffle, Rattrap, and Pastel Goth running up to her as her boyfriend desperately asked, "Are you alright? Please tell me you're alright!" Pastel then spoke up with a firm, "Back off everyone! Give cowgirl some room to breathe!"

Caught off guard by her friends' presence, Apple Bloom asked, "What are y'all doin' here?" Rattrap answered with a blunt, "We're here for you!" Sideswipe then added, "Wheeljack called everyone right after Ironhide and Ratchet left." Marble then said, "I guess we kinda figured you'd like some friendly faces."

Feeling her eyes water for the umpteenth time that day, Apple Bloom pulled everyone into a group hug.

At that moment, Blast Off called out, "Here they come!" Turning to see who it was, Apple Bloom saw a group of park rangers escorting Mr. Compost and the rest of the students towards them. 'That no good, miserable little….' the former farm girl thought to herself as she growled and began to stomp towards him. She was stopped by Ironhide, who held his arm in front of her as he warned, "Let us handle this kid."

As Mr. Compost and his group walked up to everyone else, Dream Wave's father ran up to the man and, before anyone else could react, tackled him to the ground and began punching him in the face as he screamed, "YOU FUCKING BASTARD! I'LL BREAK YOUR FUCKING LEGS!" As the park rangers pulled him off of the sickly green teacher, Mr. Compost asked, "Sheesh, what's his problem?"

While the teacher recomposed himself, Windshear and the other students joined Apple Bloom as the former called out, "There you are! We were so worried!" The gray boy added, "Yeah! We packed both your and Dream Wave's stuff so it wouldn't get lost." Smiling, Apple Bloom replied, "Thanks everyone."

At that moment, Mr. Compost made his way up to the group as he scolded, "Well, look what we have here." Hearing his voice, Apple Bloom found herself consumed by an intense anger she'd never felt before. She'd never felt this kind of rage at anyone before. 'Not even Applejack made me feel like this.' The former farm girl thought to herself. Rolling his eyes, Mr. Compost continued, "I see you not only spent the night with complete strangers, but you forced the retreat to end early. I hope you're satisfied with yourself." Taking a deep breath, Apple Bloom said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Ah hate you!"

As everyone took this in, Apple Bloom continued, "You dragged us out here, you tried to scold Dream Wave for gettin' her legs broken, you abandoned us to those wolves…. You left us…." Unable to hold herself back, the former farm girl exclaimed, "YOU LEFT US TO DIE! AH HATE YOU! AH HATE YOU! AH HATE YOU!"

Shaking his head in disappointment, Mr. Compost replied, "Perhaps that explains the dead wolf I found when I came back." He then glared his pupil in the eyes as he added, "Clearly you don't appreciate the environment. Maybe another semester with me will fix that."

As Apple Bloom glared her teacher in the eyes, Ironhide and Chromia stomped up to Mr. Compost as the former sergeant began to swing his fist. However, his wife interrupted him as she gently said, "Uh uh uh. Ladies first." Before Apple Bloom could contemplate what her aunt meant, she slammed her knee into Compost's "ball bearings." As the scruffy teacher fell to his knees, Chromia declared, "That's for Dream Wave." She then threw her fist into his cheek, sending him crashing to the ground as she finished, "And that's for Apple Bloom."

Satisfied, Chromia walked off as she said, "I think I made my point." As Mr. Compost laid on the ground and recoiled in pain, Ironhide remarked, "You know, I don't think I could've put it better myself." He then turned to the sickly green teacher as he warned, "If you ever go near my daughter again, I'll make you wish you never set foot out of that forest, you got it?" Rising back to his feet, Mr. Compost furiously replied, "You think you can threaten a teacher soldier boy?"

At that moment, a man's voice rang out, "You can forget about that Compost!" Turning to see who it was, Apple Bloom, Ironhide, and everyone else saw a man with white skin, blue hair, piercing blue eyes, and wearing a red shirt, blue tie, khaki pants and dark red shoes. As he approached her, Mr. Compost nervously asked, "Mr. Magnus?"

Grabbing Mr. Compost by his shirt collar, Ultra Magnus calmly yet angrily told him, "I received a phone call from Ironhide last night about what's happened. Two broken legs, a wolf attack…." He was interrupted by Windshear calling out, "And I had an allergic reaction despite saying I couldn't eat raspberries!"

Taking a deep breath, Ultra Magnus returned his focus to Mr. Compost as he coldly informed him, "I've heard enough. Compost, you're fired! Don't bother coming back to the school, I'll have your personal affects sent to you." He then pulled the scruffy teacher up to his face as he warned, "And if you ever go anywhere near Iacon High again, I'll have you arrested for trespassing!" He then threw Mr. Compost to the ground as he angrily asked, "Do I make myself clear?"

While Ultra Magnus and Mr. Compost argued, Apple Bloom turned to Ironhide as she asked, "Uncle Ironhide? Can we go home now?" The family patriarch nodded as he answered, "Yeah. Let's go home."

As she made her way towards her friends, the former farm girl noticed Onslaught chatting with his friends. Making her way up to him, Apple Bloom said, "Mr. Onslaught, thanks for everythin'. The blue man replied with a warm, "No problem. Oi couldn't let you get eaten." Resting a hand on her shoulder, Onslaught bade her, "Sterkte meisie." Apple Bloom nodded as she replied, "Thanks."

As Apple Bloom rejoined her friends and family, she took one last look at Mr. Compost, who was now being approached by two police officers. Smiling at the sight of her hated teacher getting his comeuppance, the burgundy haired girl remarked, "Ah hope Ah never have to see him again." Wheelie spoke up with, "Same here, and I've only just met the bastard." Chromia then warned, "Watch the language young man… er… Bot."

Letting out a loud yawn, Apple Bloom said, "Ah hate to ruin the mood, but Ah think Ah'd like a little peace and quiet." Tender Taps nodded as he replied, "Ok. Hopefully we can hang out this week." The former farm girl smiled as she replied, "Ah'd like that." She then gave her boyfriend a quick hug, one which he happily replied.

Walking up to his daughter, Ironhide asked, "Ready to go home kid?" Smiling, Apple Bloom replied, "Yeah." With that, everyone began to make their way to their cars and return home.

All while Onslaught and his gang eyed Mr. Compost as the former mumbled to himself, "Ons gaan daai baster 'n les leer."