Chapter Text
Inside the bright, bustling mall, warmth and laughter filled the space. The girls had claimed a large table in the food court, trays overflowing with fries, milkshakes, noodles and just about every kind of fast food imaginable. The faint sound of pop music mixed with the chatter of shoppers as they relaxed after a long week.
Sunset leaned back in her chair with a satisfied sigh, "Sometimes I think the best kind of magic in this world is greasy food and good company."
Rainbow snorted, "You said it! Though I still say the chili dogs here are the real deal."
Fluttershy giggled softly while Pinkie juggled a tower of cupcakes on a tray, "Don't forget frosting~!" she sang.
Across from them sat their guest, Starlight Glimmer, freshly arrived from the pony world. The violet girl hummed delightfully as she drank from her fruit smoothie, "This is delicious!"
"Knew you would like it." Twilight said with a smile, sitting down with her sandwich plate and soda, "So, tell us more about your job! A school counselor at the School of Friendship definitely sounds interesting."
Starlight chuckled bashfully, "It's rewarding, that's for sure. I get to help young ponies and other creatures— work through their problems, understand friendship lessons and discover what makes them unique." she took a sip of her smoothie, looking thoughtful, "Every day brings a new challenge. Some days I'm helping a changeling overcome anxiety, other days I'm mediating a griffon-dragon argument about territory rights."
Applejack let out a low whistle, "Sounds like a heap more excitin' than dealin' with high school drama here."
Rarity nodded elegantly, "Still, it must be so fulfilling, darling. Surely guiding others toward understanding themselves isn't simple at all, now is it?"
Starlight shrugged, "I try my best. Though sometimes I miss just hanging out with friends like this. It's... nice. Calming, even." she said lowly, her finger circling the edge of the cup, "Everyone is just so busy and stressed nowadays we barely have time to say a simple 'Hi!' to one another."
The ember girl looked at Starlight, then glanced at Fluttershy, Rainbow and Pinkie, each of them wearing the same hesitant, almost guilty look. Starlight noticed their exchanged glances and tilted her head, "What? You're all looking at me like I just sprouted a second horn."
Fluttershy smiled nervously, "Oh, um... it's nothing really. It's just... you've been working so hard back in Equestria, helping every creature with their problems. You must be exhausted."
Rainbow leaned back in her chair, trying to sound casual but failing to hide her concern, "Yeah, counseling a bunch of students who can literally breathe fire? That's gotta be, like, next-level stressful."
Pinkie nodded rapidly, "Yuh-huh! And the best cure for stress is friends and fun! Oh, and maybe churros. Churros help too!"
That got a laugh from the violet girl but Sunset could still see the faint tension in her friend's shoulders. She placed her elbows on the table, her expression softening, "Maybe you shouldn't rush back just yet."
Starlight blinked, surprised, "What do you mean?"
"You've done so much for everypony back home. And I think it's time you do something for yourself for a change. Like... stay here for a few days? Relax, hang out with us. You could use a break and... well, we'd love to have you around longer."
"But what about—" Rainbow started but Rarity's heel found its mark under the table, a quick, pointed tap that was more warning than punishment, but still enough to make the colorful girl jolt, "Ow!" she hissed, clutching her leg and shooting the fashionista a glare, "Seriously?!" she whispered through gritted teeth.
While Rarity smoothly changed the subject, Starlight's attention was quickly swept away by her enthusiasm. Taking advantage of the distraction, Twilight leaned closer to Sunset, her voice dropping to a whisper, "Are you sure this is a good idea? Having her stay here for several days... while the 'Cons are still around?"
Sunset's smile faltered just a bit, keeping her gaze on Starlight to make sure she doesn't hear, "I've been thinking about that too... but it's fine. I'm sure she won't find out anything. Not unless we tell her."
"I just—" Twilight hesitated, glancing over her shoulder as if the word Decepticon itself could draw unwanted attention, "You know how unpredictable things can get. What if there's another incident? What if one of them shows up near town again?"
"Then we'll handle it, like we always do." Sunset said firmly, "Besides, the team has everything under control. Optimus promised there wouldn't be any conflicts for a long while. And as for Starlight... she deserves a break from all the chaos back home. She doesn't have to know about the chaos here."
"I know you trust Optimus. I do too. But keeping secrets from Starlight? Isn't that a little... dangerous? You know how curious she gets."
"Trust me, I've seen her curiosity in action. But I'll make sure she stays out of trouble. The last thing we need is her accidentally walking into the scrapyard and seeing a twenty-foot-tall alien robot polishing their armor."
After a few more seconds of chatter, Starlight grinned and clapped her hands together, "Alright then! I'm sure the students will survive without me for a few days. What's the worst that could happen?"
Pinkie instantly cheered, throwing both arms in the air, "Yay! Starlight's staying for a mini-vacation!"
The table erupted in laughter once more. Starlight, catching her breath, looked at the rest, "Just a small question," she said, her tone polite but tinged with genuine curiosity, "Wheree... exactly will I be staying tonight?"
With that question, Applejack finally leaned forward, "Well, sugarcube, bet the best place for ya would be the farm. Plenty of beds, quiet corners if ya need 'em and the animals might even keep ya company. We'll make sure yer comfortable and there's always somethin' good to eat, too."
Starlight's face softened, "That sounds perfect." she answered, a genuine smile spreading across her face, "I really appreciate it."
There was a brief, comfortable pause as the girls smiled back, sharing the unspoken feeling that they were all glad to have her here. Then Starlight shook her hands lightly, shifting her gaze around the table, "But enough about me!" she exclaimed, her tone brightening, "I've been talking long enough— now I want to hear more about you girls. What's been going on in your world lately? You know, besides the all... magic stuff."
The sudden attention caught them off guard and the table fell into an awkward silence. Rainbow shifted in her seat, scratching the back of her neck, while Fluttershy avoided eye contact, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of her tray. Pinkie tapped her fingers on the table but didn't speak and even Rarity adjusted her hair with slightly stiff fingers.
Sunset exchanged a brief, guilty glance with Twilight. They both knew exactly why the room felt so heavy. After all, what had they been doing lately? Saving the city from giant robots. Fighting Decepticons. How could they possibly explain any of that without turning their casual dinner into something resembling a military briefing?
Twilight finally cleared her throat, trying to break the silence, "Well... um, it's been fairly normal, mostly. Homework, clubs... you know, typical high school responsibilities."
"Bunch of concerts and uh— running around town, doing... things." Rainbow forced a grin.
Starlight raised an eyebrow, "Things?"
Sunset let out a small, nervous laugh, "It's... been pretty boring these past few months. Nothing too exciting to talk about."
Fluttershy glanced at Starlight with a sheepish expression, "Y-yeah, I guess... we've mostly just been trying to keep up with school and... little projects."
Starlight chuckled softly, her curiosity undimmed but her expression warm, "I see."
Twilight, however, was clearly feeling the weight of the clock. She cleared her throat, the sound slightly louder than intended, "Gosh— look at the time!" she said, glancing at her phone with a faint furrow of concern, "It's getting late. We should probably start heading out soon."
Sunset caught her subtle cue, sensing the unease in her friend's voice. Then, she offered a reassuring smile to Starlight, "We don't want you getting too tired on your first night here. The drive to the farm will be quick and then you can settle in properly."
"Oh! Of course. I wouldn't want to keep you all up either." Starlight replied with genuine thoughtfulness as she got up, "Lead the way!"
Outside the mall windows, the night was deepening, the city lights reflecting off slick pavement. The mall's glow faded behind them as the girls stepped into the open, laughter echoing softly through the parking lot.
Lined up neatly near the curb were several vehicles, polished and gleaming faintly under the lights.
"Wow!" Starlight breathed, her eyes widening as she took in the strange sight, "These carriages are nothing like the ones back home."
Rainbow and Pinkie nearly choked on a laugh.
She circled one of the colorful automobile, inspecting it curiously, "They're so shiny and smooth! ...Wait—" she squinted, looking toward the front where she expected a harness or a team of stallions, "Who's supposed to pull this thing?"
Sunset couldn't help but let out a chuckle. She walked over to Starlight, "These are called cars. They don't need to be pulled, they move on their own. You'll see what I mean in a second."
The purple girl paused, clearly fascinated, "They move by themselves? Huh... guess I really have to learn more about humans and their inventions."
Applejack opened the passenger door of Bulkhead, who was currently doing an excellent job pretending to be just a normal vehicle, and waved Starlight over, "C'mon, sugarcube. You'll be ridin' with me. Ah'll show ya how it works."
When the two girls finally climbed inside, the engine roared softly to life, its vibrations running through the seats. The headlights flickered once, then shone steadily, bathing the parking lot in a pale glow.
Just outside, Sunset leaned down to the open passenger-side window, resting one arm against the frame, "Have a nice ride and get some rest, okay? We'll come by tomorrow, probably around lunch, to check in and show you around town."
Starlight returned the smile, her earlier nervousness softening into genuine affection, "Thanks, Sunset. And thank you all for letting me stay. I promise I won't be any trouble."
"Don't ya worry none." Applejack said, "We're happy to have ya. You'll fit right in."
From the nearby vehicles, the others waved. Pinkie jumped up and down enthusiastically as Rainbow called out, "Don't let her bore you with cow stories!" earning herself a playful glare from the farmer.
"Ah heard that, Dash!" Applejack shot back.
Sunset chuckled, stepping back as she gave the side of the green car a light pat, an almost affectionate gesture. As Bulkhead eased out of the parking lot, the others watched his taillights shrink into the distance, their glow disappearing along the road. Sunset folded her arms, exhaling through her nose as the last light vanished. Then, from behind her, came a low, unmistakably offended grumble.
"Carriages?!" Knock Out's repeated with indignation, "You've got to be kidding me..."
The whole squad laughed at the reaction. Sunset turned, biting back a smile as she approached him, "Easy there, Knock Out." she said lightly, "She's new to this world. You can't expect her to know the difference between a car and a cart."
From beside him, Smokescreen's engine purred to life with an amused rumble, "Hey, at least she didn't call you a hay wagon." he teased, "Still— yeah, I'm with you. My ego's gonna need an oil change after that one."
Sunset chuckled softly, walking between the two vehicles, "You'll live."
Before Knock Out could retort, Optimus calmly spoke up, "Starlight Glimmer is not familiar with our world or its technology. Her words carried no ill intent."
Arcee's cool, even-toned voice joined in, her engine humming softly beside Twilight, "Maybe if you didn't spend half your time polishing yourself, you wouldn't take it so personally."
That earned snorts from Rainbow and Sideswipe, "Hey, if he wants to worry about his looks, let him." added the younger red mech, "Someone's got to be the 'before' picture when I'm around."
Knock Out gasped, "I beg your pardon?!"
"Alright, alright." Bumblebee said finally, "That's enough showing off for one night. We don't want to attract attention."
"Agreed." the Prime answered, "It would be unwise to linger. The humans' curiosity is easily stirred and we are safest unseen."
Sunset nodded, "Right. Let's roll out quietly. We'll meet at the base tomorrow morning."
Sideswipe's headlights flashed in acknowledgment, "Copy that. But I call shotgun on the next mission. Been cooped up too long."
"You always call shotgun." Arcee muttered.
"Goodnigth guys!!" Pinkie waved her hand before getting in Smokescreen's alt-mode, "Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite!"
One by one, the girls got into their respective cars, the sound of doors closing echoing softly in the empty lot. A chorus of goodbyes and cheerful honks followed as the convoy began to roll out.
The mall lights dimmed behind them, leaving only the faint shimmer of headlights cutting through the night.