It was a pretty standard day in Tartarus. All the imprisoned monsters were drained of life and were either sleeping or just lying in their cages waiting for their next meal. Even their three-headed guard dog Cerberus were pretty much bored to death and even the return of a recently escaped prisoner didn't create much excitement. As for the prisoner himself, he was still in deep thought since his return and hadn't made a single sound during that time.
All in all, nothing extraordinary was happening in the prison reserved for the most dangerous villains in Equestria and for most of the ponies throughout the land, that would be pretty good sign. Little did they know, however, that it was not going to be the case for today.
It was just a few minutes before noon that an enormous portal opened in the middle of the prison and all the inmates let out extremely loud shrieks. Well, except for Tirek who just looked at the portal with slightly widened eyes. However, his eyes widened even further and the rest of the inmates let out even louder shrieks when a giant purple robot came out of the portal and the portal itself closed as soon as he out of it. He had a sleek body, a wide chest, a laser cannon for a left arm, and a single purple optic.
He looked around Tartarus for a bit, observing the state of the prison and the condition of the inmates who were utterly terrified of him. He was just about to be finished with observations when he sensed a presence behind him and turned around to see Cerberus glaring at him. He also stared at the creature for about five seconds before reloading his cannon and firing at all three of its heads.
After shooting three times at each head, he ceased firing and watched as Cerberus ran away and cowered behind a rock. This gave him the opportunity to get closer to the trembling dog and speak for the first time since his arrival.
"Sit!"
Cerberus did as he asked.
"Good. Now, remain in this position until I say otherwise. Understand?"
All three heads nodded in fear and the robot's cannon turned into a regular arm. Then, he started walking away from Cerberus and pressed his right arm a few times before speaking to it.
"Shockwave's Research Log Entry #2012. The portable Space Bridge Generator works adequately. While it did not quite teleport me to the coordinates I entered, the fact that it did teleport me to somewhere is most promising. After a few more calibrations, it will certainly work without any glitches. From what I can gather, I conclude that I am currently located inside a prison that houses various strange-looking creatures guarded by another creature with an equally strange appearance. It tried to intimidate me and would certainly have attacked me if I had not brought a weapon as a precaution. It only required me to fire nine shots to make the creature submit to my will and considering that its job is to prevent the other creatures from escaping, I can safely assume that they are much weaker. Furthermore, the most logical reason for their imprisonment is harming the natives of this planet, meaning that I have arrived at a significantly primitive world. Of course, I need further evidence to support this theory. Then, I can report my results to Lord Megatron and finish my work on the portable Space Bridge Generator. In order to gather evidence, however, I must find the way out of this prison, which is quite taxing due to the prison itself being very challenging to navigate. Perhaps it would have been easier if I had thought of bringing a..."
Just then, he spotted Tirek's cell.
"Hmmm. It seems that one of the inmates is imprisoned in a cage distant from the others. That must be the section of the prison reserved for solitary confinement, which means that this prisoner has done truly terrible things to the planet's residents. Perhaps, I do not need to get out of here after all. I can simply interrogate this creature and gather information regarding both the planet and the ways in which he tormented it."
His left arm turned into a cannon again and he began to approach Tirek, who was extremely perplexed by the recent turn of events. Most of all, he was puzzled by how quickly this mechanical being was able to defeat Cerberus and make him obey its commands. As Shockwave finally reached his cell, however, he decided that it would be best if he kept these questions to himself for now and focus on the ones that the robot will ask him.
"Greetings, prisoner. I am Shockwave of Cybertron. I require from you information regarding this planet and its inhabitants."
"Cybertron, huh? Where exactly is that?"
"That is none of your business."
"Why not? I might wish to pay it a visit some time after you free me."
"Why would I do that?"
"Because I feel like I'll only give you that kind of information if you set me free."
"You are in no condition to make demands."
"Why not? I wish to get out of here, you have the means to make my wish come true, and once you do that I'll tell you everything you want to know. So, like it or not, we need each other. I see no problem in making a deal that will benefit us both."
At that moment, Shockwave pulled out his weapon and aimed it towards Tirek.
"What are you doing?!"
"You are incorrect. I do not need you. I can simply order your guard to show me the way out of here and find the information I seek outside. Of course, that would be the more difficult option, but I welcome a good challenge. You, on the other hand, will not live to see the end of this day."
"WAIT! I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything you want to know! I swear!"
"Really? And why were you so resistant to giving me information the first time I asked?"
Tirek's expression changed from frightened to furious at that point.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's that humongous cannon pointed DIRECTLY AT MY FACE?! I'm normally very calm during threats on my life but right now, they really tick me off! The only thing that matters to me these days is getting out of here and then, getting revenge from those who took my freedom in the first place. Do you think I can do either of these things if someone like you blew my head off right now?!"
Shockwave thought about this for a few seconds before his weapon turned back into his left arm again.
"Your argument is logical."
"Wait. What?"
"You have made a logical argument about your motivations and because of my respect for that, I shall spare your miserable life."
Tirek wiped some sweat away from his forehead and let out a deep sigh.
"That's a relief."
"Now then, give me all the information I require before I reconsider my decision."
For the next few hours, Tirek told Shockwave about pretty much everything there is to know about Equestria. He included information regarding different pony types and settlements, how magic is used to control everything, how the rulers Princess Celestia and Princess Luna maintain order and balance throughout the land, and how his actions resulted in him being imprisoned in Tartarus twice.
Shockwave listened to him with great interest, took note of every single bit of information that came out of his mouth and analyzed them while he spoke. When Tirek finally reached the end of his story, Shockwave came to the conclusion that this was, indeed, a planet worth conquering. He planned to present the knowledge he gathered to Lord Megatron and see whether or not he agreed with his plans for conquest. If Megatron accepted his proposition and invaded the planet, Shockwave would continue to support him and remain as his first lieutenant in charge of all scientific endeavors. However, if Megatron could not see the logic in taking over this world and exploiting its resources, then Shockwave would leave the Decepticons and carry out this plan himself. He already had ideas for a new invention that would extract magic from a pony, and convert it into a new and more powerful version of Energon. Of course, leaving the Decepticons would cause Megatron and his forces to hunt him down and annihilate him for treachery, but Shockwave also had a plan to extinguish Megatron's spark once and for all. He had been developing this plan for years and was planning to execute it should his goals ever clashed with that of the other Decepticons. If he was forced to conquer Equestria himself, then this plan would finally be employed.
As soon as Tirek finished story, Shockwave stood up (he was listening to Tirek while sitting down).
"Thank you, Lord Tirek. You have given me much to consider and I shall use the information you provided to good use."
As turned around and started to walk away, a sinister grin appeared on Tirek's face.
"Wait. Aren't you going to set me free?"
Shockwave instantly stopped and turned around to face him.
"That was not part of our agreement and even if I did, it would lead to your undoing."
Tirek's facial expression turned from smug to confused.
"What are you talking about?
Shockwave walked closer to his cage.
"I have one last bit of information to ask from you. How exactly are you planning to exact revenge on these 'Elements of Harmony' upon your escape from this place?"
As he came to a stop just a handful of inches away from the cage, Tirek had become really annoyed.
"What do you mean how I'll get my revenge? I'm going to steal their magic, of course! And as soon as I'm done with them, I'll steal magic from every single remaining pony in Equestria and turn their home into a pile of ash!"
"But you already tried to do that twice and the outcome of both instances was you getting imprisoned here."
"But the last time they defeated me, it was because of some out-of-nowhere power they found in the bottom of a chasm! I'm pretty sure they won't find something like that the next time we meet."
"Your strategy is still flawed. No matter how many times you steal their power and use it against them, they will always find another way to bring you down. Do you know why?"
Tirek was about to say something harsh but stopped himself at the last second. He tried to find an answer to Shockwave's question for a handful of seconds before finally giving up.
"Alright, what is the reason exactly?"
"When you attempt to take a civilization's freedom away or destroy their land, their resistance to you is inevitable. Through their rebellious thoughts and imaginations, they think of ways to defeat you and this leads to your downfall. However, if you conquer their land with great speed and efficiency, and destroy any hope of rebellion with extreme force; then you can thrive until the end of your time. "
"So, you're saying I should become their ruler instead of their destroyer."
"It is the only logical path you can follow if you wish to punish those who locked you up here and not meet the same fate a third time. Besides, I am certain that you will have no problem using extreme force to crush rebellions once you acquire some amount of magic. Now, what do you say? Will you take your revenge according my suggestion or stick to your flawed strategy?"
Tirek thought very hard before answering.
"Well, your suggestion does seem effective. However, ruling over ponies sounds extremely boring and not very fitting to my style. I think I'll stick to my original plan."
"Then, your freedom will not be granted by me."
"What? But this is the perfect time for me to strike! They're still recovering from my previous attack and will be completely unprepared for another one this soon!"
"Perhaps. But unless you strike according to a strategy as logical as the one I suggested, your return to this cage will be much sooner than that."
Tirek let out a loud groan.
"WHAT IS WITH YOU AND LOGIC?! It's like you're obsessed with basing every idea you come up with around logic! WHY IS THAT?!"
"Because, I must."
Tirek once again became confused.
"You must? So, were you built in this way or something?"
"Not exactly. Let's just say, I learned a long time ago when I was close to becoming offline that logic was the only beneficial path to follow. So, I reprogrammed my thought processor in order to base all my thoughts and decisions around the concept of logic. Soon after that, a civil war broke out between two factions of my race and when I learned that the faction opposing the one I initially joined had a more logical cause, I defected."
"Wow. That's what I call dedication. Do you think it worked?"
"I have been this way for eons, I never even came close to becoming offline since then, and I am the chief scientist of my current faction. What do you think?"
"Don't be so sure. You never know what the future may have in store for you."
"On the contrary, I know virtually every single possible outcome in the near future and how to prepare for each of them."
"Really? And what exactly are these outcomes in the near future?"
"All you need to know is that I will be visiting this planet again either by myself or alongside my comrades and when that happens, your plans for vengeance will be as insignificant as a speck of dust."
Tirek's eyes widened and a worried expression appeared on his face.
"Your comrades... are coming here?"
"If they approve my plans for conquering your world, yes. But if they refuse to see the logic in it, then I shall do it myself and trust me when I say that while my fellow Decepticons take prisoners for slavery, I take prisoners for experimentation and butchery. I hope you think of a logical strategy soon, for it might be difficult to take your revenge in a world dominated by either me or Megatron. Farewell and good day."
As he turned around and began walking away from the cage, Tirek had become both terrified and furious.
"Wait just a minute! If you were planning to take over Equestria in the first place, then why did you suggest that I do the same?!"
Shockwave stopped walking but answered without turning around.
"You cannot imagine how I much I wish to end your pathetic existence right now. I almost decided to do it when you insisted that I set you free but then, I came up with the idea of destroying you during a competition of conquering the planet and tried to lead you down that path. Besides, eliminating you while you were imprisoned would be dishonorable and illogical. We are both warriors and it is only logical for us to meet in a battlefield."
"But... but I refused to become a conqueror and chose to stick to my original plan!"
"Yes and therefore, made the competition that much easier."
At that moment, Tirek's eyes widened as much as it possibly could and as Shockwave went further away from the cage, he started shouting.
"FOOL! YOU THINK YOU CAN ACTUALLY DEFEAT ME IN A BATTLE?! I HOPE I NEVER SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN, BECAUSE IF I DO, YOU WILL REGRET THE DAY YOU WERE BUILT! DO YOU HEAR ME?!"
As he continued to shout, Shockwave kept walking until he came near Cerberus, who was struggling to remain in his sitting position.
"Stand up and shut him up."
Cerberus instantly got up, ran towards the cage, and growled so intensely that Tirek had no choice but to stop shouting and cower. Shockwave then pulled out a small device, did a few adjustments to its circuitry, and activated it; opening a portal exactly like the one that brought him here in the first place. He stepped though it and the portal closed as soon as he went out of sight.
Author's Note
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!
Here are a couple of announcements:
1) The next story will be about the Lord of Apokalips coming to Equestria.
2) Shockwave WILL return in a sequel story.
3) I'm currently developing several stories featuring multiple Transformers characters.
