History ComicBook / MyLittlePonyTransformersFriendshipInDisguise

* ThemeNaming: Probably unintentional, but when Grimlock makes Spike a honorary Dinobot, Spike's name follows the theme of the other Dinobot names (Sludge, Slag, Snarl and Swoop) which all start with the letter "S"

* DeadlyUpgrade: Superion is able to curbstomp the Dinobots (and Smolder) without any problem because Sombra's mind control keeps Superion's mind completely focused on his task, without the typical flaws caused by joining five Transformers into a single Combiner.

* BaitAndSwitch: When Megatron accidentally awakens an ancient evil, it appears to be [[EldritchAbomination Unicron]], complete with his "Destiny...you cannot...destroy...'''my destiny!'''" line from ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie''. Then it turns out to be King Sombra, all to set up a {{Pun}} of him being a ''unicorn'' instead of ''Unicron''.

* FateWorseThanDeath: After being forced out of Scorponok, Sombra's mind is utterly shattered, leaving him in a vegetative state.

** After Megatron is freed and Sombra is beaten, he stands down and agrees to a truce, being a twofold reference. First, this homages "The Return of Optimus Prime" from the original series, where Galvatron agrees to a truce when Prime frees him and everyone else from the HatePlague the villain unleashed. The other series referenced is ''Prime'', where Megatron is freed from the influence of an EldritchAbomination and accepts Prime's famous saying that "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings" by standing down.

* DeadlyUpgrade: Superion is able to curbstomp the Dinobots (and Smolder) without any problem because Sombra's mind control keeps Superion's mind completely focused on his task, without the typical flaws caused by joining five Transformers into a single Combiner.

** Superion stepping on Sludge to the point his eyes pop out in a cartoonish way homages the scene from ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformersTheMovie'' where Devastator did the same thing.

* ClosetFanboy: Frenzy is a fan of Equestrian culture, but he initially hides it so he doesn't get in trouble. Breakdown catches him, leading the cassette to chew him out for wanting a little downtime.

* HazyFaceTurn: After Sombra is bested, the Decepticons stand down and don't go back to fighting the Autobots immediately, and agree to establish a peaceful coexistence with Equestria. Megatron does have some shred of honor, but it's difficult to say if he'll go back to fighting with Prime again, considering how long the war between both sides has lasted. At least the rest of his troops seem more excited about the prospect of a cultural exchange.

* BadassInDistress: Megatron, villainous overlord of a warring faction of alien robots and one of the most feared beings on all of Cybertron, ends up being placed under mind control by King Sombra. This also includes half of the Mane 6, and capable Autobot and Decepticon warriors alike (i.e. Ironhide, the Combaticons, and even ''Superion'').

* BrainwashedAndCrazy: Autobot, Decepticon, and Pony alike end up under King Sombra's thrall, including ''Megatron'' himself!

* RewardedAsATraitorDeserves: Megatron is willing to call a truce after Sombra is defeated but turns on Starscream. This is because in freeing him, he also channeled all his emotions of hoping his attempt would destroy Megatron instead.

** Ratchet designs a device that can channel the pony's power of friendship into a weapon capable of breaking Sombra's control. Unfortunately for him, the unicorn happened to see it in action, and decides he can use that to his advantage.

** The sequel opens up with Breakdown (in his ''[[WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime Prime]]'' design) getting into a little spat with Frenzy, Reflector and his multiple clones guarding the space bridge, Mindwipe and Skullcruncher (in their ''Titans Return'' designs) snagging up creatures from Equestria, Airachnid and Shadow Striker stealing a critical component from Equestria, Spinister and Skytread/Flywheels watching the Wonderbolts exit from the space bridge, and Scourge's Targetmaster partner Fracas locking them up. Later, Sludge and Ratchet are seen in the medical bay, while Hot Rod, [[Anime/TransformersArmada Sureshock]], [[Anime/TransformersCybertron Hot Shot]], Flareup, [[ComicBook/Transformers2019 Gauge and Rubble]] show up to play with Scootaloo. Later still are Jazz, Ironhide, Brawl, Swindle, and Hound amongst Sombra's victims, and even later still do we see both [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars Quickstrike]] and Skids.

* BadassInDistress: Megatron, villainous overlord of a warring faction of alien robots and one of the most feared beings on all of Cybertron, ends up being placed under mind control by King Sombra. This also includes half of the Mane 6, and capable Autobot and Decepticon warriors alike (i.e. Ironhide, the Combaticons).

* CampGay: Knockout, who's confirmed in a relationship with Breakdown, is very stylish and flamboyant as ever.

--> '''Twilight''': Oh, no!
--> '''Fluttershy''': Oh... right... Following them through the portal meant following them... to ''their'' world...

** In the original toyline, the Deluxe Insecticons were multiple vibrant colors. Here, they share the same black-and-yellow color scheme as the original Insecticon trio.

* DidNotThinkThisThrough:

* RewardAsTraitorDeserves: Megatron is willing to call a truce after Sombra is defeated but turns on Starscream. This is because in freeing him, he also channeled all his emotions of hoping his attempt would destroy Megatron instead.

* TeethClenchedTeamwork: Ratchet isn't thrilled to work with Knockout, seeing him as a coward and thief. Knockout isn't exactly happy about it either but willing to go along with Rarity and him. Mostly for any goods to knick but also because Rartiy and he share interests in beautification. Though seeing Breakdown under Sombra's control does motivate him to get serious.

* BeatTheCurseOutOfHim: At the climax of the second volume, Ratchet has worked out how to channel the magic of friendship from the Equestrians while Shockwave developed suits that allow them to [[EquippableAlly transform into weapons]] so the Cybertronians can beat Sombra's mind control out of his victims.

* SequelHook:
** In volume one The Decepticons are defeated and forced back to Cybertron. The Autobots soon follow and destroy the spacebridge to keep the Decepticons from going back to Equestria. It's a total loss for the villains, but Shockwave reveals if they can't return to Equestria, then maybe they can look into bringing some of their magic into their realm. He reveals he pinpointed the source of the magic, showing Megatron an image of Twilight's castle as the comic closes out.
** In part two it's revealed that the [[AbusivePrecursors Quintessons]] were watching the whole time and are now taking an interest in Equestria.

* SequelHook: [[spoiler: The Decepticons are defeated and forced back to Cybertron. The Autobots soon follow and destroy the spacebridge to keep the Decepticons from going back to Equestria. It's a total loss for the villains, but Shockwave reveals if they can't return to Equestria, then maybe they can look into bringing some of their magic into their realm. He reveals he pinpointed the source of the magic, showing Megatron an image of Twilight's castle as the comic closes out.]]

* BackFromTheDead: King Sombra is revived though he claims he wasn't destroyed by Twilight and her friends. Rather his essence was scattered throughout Equestria, reforming into a dark crystal. Twilight blasting the crystal allowed Sombra to restore his body.

* AdaptationalSexuality: Arcee is in a relationship with Greenlight, like with the [[ComicBook/Transformers2019 2019 IDW continuity]].

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Twilight Sparkle fires a random blast at a mysterious crystal, which revives King Sombra.

* TeethClinchedTeamwork: Ratchet isn't thrilled to work with Knockout, seeing him as a coward and thief. Knockout isn't exactly happy about it either but willing to go along with Rarity and him. Mostly for any goods to knick but also because Rartiy and he share interests in beautification. Though seeing Breakdown under Sombra's control does motivate him to get serious.