As Team Equestria and Team Athenia left the Metroplex, they assembled themselves together in the midst of Iacon City. The Autobots transformed to robot mode before turning to their Equestrian comrades. “These Decepticon trackers will definitely do the trick,” said Rodimus. “However we still need to have a clue where Soundwave may be. If we can at least gain one sign of his presence anywhere in the galaxy, it can lead us directly to him.”
“Hmmm, I was thinking about that other planet Megatron mentioned a couple of times,” said Twilight. “What did he call it again? Oh! Earth! I think Soundwave is there!”
“Earth? That’s another name I’ve never heard of. Did he ever describe what it’s like?” Brawn asked.
“Ehh... no, not exactly,” Twilight replied, scratching her head.
“Discord, do you have an idea where it may be?” Red Alert asked.
“Of course! Ever since Megatron was defeated by our hooves, I attempted to locate those same planets he visited especially since my curiosity got the best of me. Thanks to that portal device from Shockwave, I was able to find Earth in its unique wonder. That’s how I was able to find you in the first place!” Discord explained.
“Really? If that’s the case, then you might be able to guide us to that planet,” suggested Red Alert. “Although our trackers might not function here, they should be capable of detecting Soundwave’s energy signature once we arrive at Earth’s atmosphere.”
“Indeed,” agreed Rodimus. “Discord, teleport us to that planet! Time is of the essence! Whatever Soundwave is planning, we will put a stop to it!”
“Say no more!” Discord grinned. Once he snapped his fingers, both teams disappeared from Cybertron.
OUTSIDE DETROIT
The Decepticons were gathering all the resources and earthly material they could find from various factories around Detroit. Making sure they would not be spotted by the humans, Team Chaar scanned earth-based vehicle forms. Strika scanned an M1 Abrams Tank; Blackout scanned a Pave Low Helicopter; Cyclonus scanned a Fighter Jet; Oil Slick scanned a motorcycle that had a metallic goat’s face on the center; and Spittor begrudgingly scanned a SWAT armored vehicle although he still maintained his bullfrog mode.
Blackout carried the resources with his hook in helicopter mode while Spittor and Cyclonus carried the other materials likewise in their alt modes. “Make haste! We cannot afford to lose these things!” Strika ordered. “Our ultimate triumph over our enemies depends on it!”
“Why are we stealing this primitive technology anyway?” Oil Slick asked.
“Because Lord Soundwave requires all of Detroit’s resources to carry a new weapon that will exterminate all our Autobot enemies,” Strika replied. “If these humans are as dangerous as he says, then we will destroy them all as well! The glory of the Decepticons must not be diminished.”
“Oh great, now you’re starting to sound just like Lugnut,” Oil Slick groaned, face palming himself.
Strika twitched her left optic in irritation. “Will you stop comparing me to Lugnut?! I’m sick and tired of hearing his name over and over!”
“Why? Is it because you used to have a crush on him? Hmm?” Oil Slick smugly smirked. “Did the big guy ever confess his love to you... like lovey-dovey?” Strika then punched Oil Slick in the face.
“SHUT THE FRAG UP!!! Strika angrily bellowed.
“Awwww... look at little Megatron Junior! Gonna cry?” Oil Slick mocked, wickedly smiling.
“I WILL TAKE YOU OFFLINE IF YOU MOCK ME ONE MORE TIME!!” Strika yelled. “And Cybertronians don't cry!”
“Clearly, you need to open up more, Princess. The internet this planet has seems very amusing,” said Oil Slick. “You should try it some time.”
Suddenly, Laserbeak flew over them and loudly screeched at them. Strika and Oil Slick looked up and saw him landing on top of a warehouse’s roof while silently staring at them. They felt slightly intimidated by the bird’s stare. “Sorry, Laserbeak. We were just... uh... having a decent conversation!” Oil Slick nervously grinned.
“Of course... we were doing just that,” Strika played along although she didn’t understand what the bird said.
Laserbeak was still silent for a few more moments before his optics brightened up. He screeched one more time in a normal tone. Oil Slick however seemed to get the message. “Yes, of course, Laserbeak! We won’t fight again. I promise. We will focus on the task at hand.”
Then Laserbeak flew away back to his master. Strika looked back at her comrade with a confused expression. “You understood what he said? How?”
“I have a knack for understanding creatures especially the ones on Cybertron. I dunno... maybe it’s just my gift besides being an expert chemist and in biology.” Oil Slick replied, shrugging.
“Huh... and here I thought Spittor would have that special ability considering that he is... well... you know what I mean.” Strika stuttered.
“(Scoffs) That undereducated lifeform couldn't communicate to a scraplet let alone a Sharkticon! Besides, he knows nothing.” Oil Slick chuckled.
“Yeah. Anyway... let’s get this back to the ship. Lord Soundwave is expecting us,” Strika reminded. They both transformed into their vehicle modes and drove off to their temporary headquarters. They reunited with the other Decepticons as they laid the materials on the ground. Swindle met them with Rumble right next to him.
“This is perfect! Absolutely perfect!” Swindle smiled. “Now we just need to construct these babies and then boom! We will have a perfectly built cannon that will win us billions of upgrades and Energon! (Sighs dreamily) This is what I’m imagining my swimming pool to look like...”
“Cool! So those Autobots won’t stand a chance against it, right?” Rumble smiled.
“Right you are, kiddo! And your daddy is going to be so proud of you! You will learn so much that will be of benefit to you.” Swindle grinned.
“Wait? ‘Daddy’? You think he’s my—?”
“No! I mean—that’s what I’m guessing,” Swindle sheepishly smiled. “That’s what those humans call it, right? Unless my knowledge of human parenthood is faulty...”
Rumble’s mind was suddenly engrossed over the thought of them both being very close and related. He looked at his chassis and Decepticon insignia as he imagined what his potentially new family would be like. “Soundwave can be... my father? That’s just... weird and... fascinating. I might have to talk to him about it!”
“You may be right, Swindle! I’ll go talk to him!” Rumble said, running back to the disguised ship.
“Huh... I guess I may be correct after all.” Swindle said.
Soundwave was just finished building his new minicon within Lockdown’s lab. He looked upon his new creation with his red visor glowing brightly in satisfaction. It was another Decepticon animal much like Laserbeak but was actually a robotic black panther. Its optics glowed red and quickly stood up growling ferociously. He had two little white missiles on either side of his body, and it had a Decepticon insignia on its right side.
“Arise, my new pet. Welcome to the revolution. I am Soundwave, your creator and master!” he declared. “Henceforth, you shall be designated as... Ravage.” The cat softly roared before kneeling before his maker.
“Ravage, transform!” Soundwave commanded.
Ravage did so and transformed into a piano. He played his music with powerful music notes literally appearing and flying everywhere. The music notes then grew sharp blades at their corners and sliced through whatever material they encountered. They flew back into Ravage before he transformed to panther mode.
Laserbeak flew to Ravage with a friendly screech. The latter purred and nuzzled his new companion. “Rumble shall be pleased once he sees this.” Soundwave said.
“Hi, Soundwave!” Rumble called. Soundwave turned around and faced his apprentice who approached him. “I was wondering if I can ask you something.”
“Proceed,” Soundwave nodded.
“Well, Swindle out there got me thinking about something. I was beginning to think... if you were starting to become... my dad.” Rumble hesitantly asked, rubbing the back of his head. An awkward silence filled the room which not even Ravage or Laserbeak could break.
“A father? That reminds me of how Sari Sumdac often addressed that organic she called ‘Dad’. You... look upon me that way?” Soundwave wondered.
“Well... I guess? I mean, you do sound like you know what’s best for me, and I never really knew my dad back in Equestria. So... are you okay with that?” Rumble asked. “Being a family together doing great things... doing what is best for everypony, right?”
Soundwave thought about it for a moment since he never had that kind of connection before. “A father-son relationship? This might solidify my plan if I go along with this. This... is a perfect opportunity.” He extended his open hand to Rumble. “I accept. You shall be... my son.”
Rumble felt like emotionally tearing up, but then he remembered he could not cry anymore due to the Cybertronian biology. Instead, he hugged Soundwave as tight as he could. “Thanks, Dad! This is so awesome!”
“Yes... my son,” Soundwave broke the hug and allowed Rumble to pet Ravage and Laserbeak. Once he was distracted, Soundwave walked away and contacted two Decepticons via com link. “Cyclonus. Blackout. Come to me immediately.”
The two Decepticons entered the second room where Soundwave was waiting for them. They reverently bowed before him. “What is your command, master?” they asked.
“I need you two to enter into Equestria. The ponies of that land are the ones responsible for Megatron’s defeat.” Soundwave revealed. Hearing that revelation made them both shocked and confused.
“The ponies? Who are they?!” Blackout demanded.
“The organics who used that rainbow blast to petrify Megatron and his top lieutenants. Now you know who are the ones responsible for their defeat. This is what they look like...” Soundwave explained before displaying a holographic picture of the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, Discord, Celestia, Luna, and the others.
Then they were furious over the revelation. “THOSE ORGANIC SCUM WILL PAY FOR WHAT THEY DID TO OUR LEADER!” Blackout roared.
“Especially that abomination who took us out earlier and saved those Autobot scum!” Cyclonus added. “Now we shall return the favor.”
“And you both shall,” said Soundwave. “Travel to Equestria and destroy them all.”
Cyclonus grew an evil smile as he raised one of his swords. “With pleasure.” He transformed to Fighter Jet mode and flew off.
“Are you sure about this? That kid of yours might discover our deed and your true intentions.” Blackout warned.
“Rumble doesn’t need to know. As long as he looks upon me as his... ‘Dad’ and knows his place, he will prove his utmost usefulness to me along with the device we shall create,” said Soundwave.
“Hmm, and what if he betrays us or disobeys?” Blackout asked.
“He will fulfill our destiny,” Soundwave stressed. “Once he expires his usefulness and completes his main role of the revolution, I will extinguish him once and for all.”