//------------------------------// // Part 1 // Story: LOGICAL EVIL // by CROSSOVER KING //------------------------------// 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."