ON CYBERTRON
As Team Athenia and Team Equestria followed Jazz to the entrance of the Metroplex, the Equestrians looked around them and saw many other buildings, monuments, and Autobot citizens with amazement. The more they continued gazing at Cybertron’s borders and its glory, the more surprised they became. Discord put his 3D glasses on as he too was awestruck at what he saw. “(Whistles) Now talk about alien city life!” he exclaimed.
“Here we are, y’all! This way!” Jazz notified. After he motioned for them to follow him, Team Athenia transformed back to their robot modes and walked side by side with Team Equestria.
“Wow... this place is so... amazing...” Twilight muttered. “(Gasp) I wonder if they have any books or any other sources of information! Like a library!”
“You’re always that excited for research, huh?” Spike chuckled.
“So, Jazzy fellow, where might this Ultra Magnus be?” Discord asked.
“He should be right in the High Council room,” Jazz replied. “He has been expecting Rodimus and his team to report back to him.”
“In light of everything that has happened to us, we have a lot to explain,” Hot Shot added. He then had a nervous expression on his face. “I’m kinda nervous he’ll be mad at us for not contacting him earlier.”
“Don’t worry, Hot Shot. Ultra Magnus may not get mad, but a certain... bot will definitely be upset.” Rodimus said, making an annoyed look on his face. The other Autobots likewise groaned in annoyance.
“Uh... who exactly are you referring to?” Starlight curiously asked.
“You will see, Starlight,” Ironhide replied.
As both teams and Jazz entered the council room, there sat four Autobots on their respective seats: the first one was the tallest of them all and had a blue and white color scheme. He held a large hammer with his servo, had a serious frown, and had the Autobot Elite Guard insignia on his chest. The second bot was a bit smaller but with broad shoulders and a large chin. The third was an elderly bot with a red color scheme, and the fourth was likewise red but with a cannon-like accessory on his shoulder and a yellow visor.
Jazz and Team Athenia stood before the High Council and saluted. “Ultra Magnus, Sir! Team Athenia is here!” Jazz said. The Equestrians stood there as they gazed at the council members.
“It took you bots long enough to get back to us! Don’t you use your com links anymore?!” Sentinel berated.
“Just as expected...” Red Alert muttered, rolling her optics.
“Rodimus Prime... I am most glad that you and your team have made it out alive. I feared that you were taken offline by the Decepticons, but thank the Allspark that is not true,” Ultra Magnus stoically welcomed. “What happened to you? Why haven’t you reported back to us mega cycles ago?”
Rodimus came forward before replying, “Sir, I and my team were at first ambushed by Team Chaar. They overpowered us the moment we attempted to fight back. However, one of these organics here saved our skit plates. Speaking of which, I would like to introduce to you... Team Equestria.” At that moment, Ultra Magnus looked down and saw the ponies and dragon smiling nervously as they waved. Discord wore a suit with a black tie and smugly grinned at the High Council.
“Hey, hey, everyone! Team Equestria is in the house, baby! Oh yeah, that’s us alright!!” He snapped his fingers to summon an audience applause sound effect in the background.
“Discord!!” the ponies and Spike shouted.
“What? I was just making a big introduction!” Discord said.
Suddenly, Sentinel Prime pointed his finger at the Equestrians. “What in the name of Cybertron are THOSE organics?!”
“Those are the ones who now need our help, Sentinel,” Rodimus replied.
“Absurd! Who gave you permission to bring organics to our planet?! Have you lost your processor, Rodimus?! Those things can infect the entire Elite Guard with their... slime and filth!” Sentinel shouted. The Equestrians gasped at those words.
“Why, who does he think he is?” Luna whispered as she was angered and offended. “That fool is terribly misinformed.”
“So that’s whom you were talking about,” Starlight said.
“Indeed,” Rodimus groaned.
“Excuse me! Ultra Magnus... Sir? (Clears throat) My name is Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship. My friends and I are here to call for your help. One of our own is missing, and we have reason to believe that a Decepticon named Soundwave is the culprit.” Twilight spoke.
Ultra Magnus and Sentinel looked confused as they heard the strange name. “Soundwave? Who the spark is Soundwave? I don’t ever recall hearing or seeing him on Cybertron,” said Sentinel.
“He was one of Megatron’s strongest allies,” replied Luna. “He was one of the invaders that nearly destroyed our kingdom back in Equestria and—“
“Equestria? Is that where you come from?” Ultra Magnus interrupted.
“Yes,” said Luna.
“Hmmm... it appears that the Decepticon forces are now focusing their attacks on other worlds besides our own,” Magnus reasoned. “So apparently Earth isn’t the only organic planet being affected by this. If what you say is true, then we must increase our strategies in high hopes of defeating the Decepticons. Plus, we will investigate this... Soundwave you mentioned.” The Equestrians smiled as hope beamed in their eyes.
“What is the name of this organic you speak of?” Alpha Trion asked.
“His name is Rumble,” replied Thunderlane. “He’s been missing for weeks, and I’m afraid Soundwave will hurt him!!”
“Don’t worry, Thunderlane. We will find him. I promise you,” Rodimus assured, stroking his mane. Thunderlane softly smiled in response.
“Why should we waste our Energon in searching for some random organic? We have more important matters to attend to! And this ‘Soundwave’ is nothing more than a fake name orchestrated by the ‘Cons to scare us!” Sentinel yelled.
“WE SAW HIM OURSELVES!! If we don’t find him now, Rumble will be in danger! Why won’t you believe us?!” Thunderlane angrily shouted, tears dropping from his eyes.
“It seems the organic is telling the truth,” said Perceptor. “Whoever this Soundwave is, he may very well pose a dangerous threat to Cybertron since he was one of Megatron’s fiercest comrades as they said. We cannot be complacent about this, Sentinel Prime.”
“Are you serious?! We’re just gonna—?!”
“Enough, Sentinel!” Ultra Magnus commanded. He then faced the Equestrians with a slight sign of compassion. “Team Equestria, I will permit Rodimus Prime and his team to protect and guide you during this important mission. Soundwave could not only harm your kind but also all of Cybertron if given the opportunity. We may not know what he is capable of, but we know that he might be just as threatening as any other Decepticon. Perceptor, give them the trackers.”
He gave both teams the trackers for their mission. “These trackers will assist you in locating any Decepticon energy signatures you may find. Make sure this Soundwave goes offline... before he does any harm to anyone.” Magnus sternly ordered.
“Sir! Yes, Sir!” Team Athenia saluted.
“Gladly! Soundwave will PAY for capturing my little brother!” Thunderlane growled, slamming his hooves together.
“Working together with the Autobots on a rescue mission? This is GREAT!” Spike shouted. He looked up and saw all the Autobots looking at him puzzled. “Uh, I mean... yes, Sir!”
“It appears that we have quite a difficult task ahead of us,” said Celestia. “I don’t think I've ever been in a rescue mission before.”
“Me neither,” said Luna. “Usually, we spend our days doing our princess duties within the castle, but going out to missions and adventures like this? This is... new.”
“Looks like you need to get out more, Princesses. Isn’t that supposed to be the duty of a leader? I truly wonder what you two do in your spare time...” Ironhide smirked.
“Well... we... uh,” Celestia muttered.
“Come on, team! Let’s go!” Rodimus commanded. The Autobots transformed into their alt modes and allowed the ponies to ride on. They soon left the building.
“Those organics do look very interesting, don't they?” Alpha Trion said.
“Yeah, sure. I’m gonna have to disinfect this entire room!” Sentinel replied.
Jazz shook his head while grinning to himself. “Some things just never change. Anyway, I wish those guys luck.”