1
Beast Wars
The Toad Who Would Be Prince
Written by Kenny Rutter
ACT ONE
Fade in.
EXT. – EST. – FOREST LAKE. DAY.
Victoria's going for a brisk swim in the lake. She stands – yes, she's wearing a bathing suit.
VICTORIA
Wow, that was great. The water's clean, the
air's fresh. It's not so bad, being here
in the Civil War.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cheetor – Robot Form – is lounging on a tree branch. Cyberbee's buzzing nearby.
CHEETOR
We've been gone for three days now. Cyberbee,
if I recall correctly, it was you who told
us we'd find some Energon crystals down here
in Georgia, and we still have yet to find even
a sliver.
Cyberbee's not listening.
CYBERBEE
Yeah, sure. Whatever.
CHEETOR
2
Cyberbee, are you even listening?
CYBERBEE
Uh, you're right, of course. I was just
a bit preoccupied with our lovely young
lady down there. I think I'll go check
up on her.
He buzzes away.
CHEETOR
I wouldn't do that if I were you, 'Bee.
You're just gonna get clobbered.
He sniffs; he's smelled something.
CHEETOR
That's not Silverbolt I'm smelling.
He takes off in the direction Cyberbee went.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cyberbee's hovering over a small rock. Cheetor goes ZOOMING past, nothing more than a golden blur.
CYBERBEE
(chuckling)
Cheetor, what happened to your warning?
Back on: Victoria.
She turns around, and lets out a short but loud SCREAM, causing Cheetor to lose his balance on a stepping stone.
CHEETOR
REOWAR! Sheesh, would you not scare me
3
like that? I'm not a peeping tom-cat,
you know.
VICTORIA
It's not because of you, Cheetor.
(points)
It's my clothes. They're gone!
CHEETOR
What?
ANOTHER ANGLE.
A dog is running towards the bushes, Victoria's clothes in its mouth. Someone OS is SFX: WHISTLING.
CHEETOR
Who's whistling?
Fast cut to:
EXT. – FOREST CLEARING. DAY.
A young man wearing a Union uniform is sitting against a tree, a rifle resting against his shoulder. He's got his thumb and index finger in his mouth, whistling.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
The dog comes out of the bushes. It drops the bundle of clothes next to the young man.
LEVI
That's a good boy. So, what'd you bring
me this time?
He picks up the shirt.
LEVI
4
These are clothes, not foodstuffs!
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cheetor and Victoria come out of the bushes. They don't look too happy, understandably.
CHEETOR
REOWARAR!
VICTORIA
Give me back my clothes, you creep!
Levi aims his rifle at the duo.
LEVI
Who are you? You look suspicious!
Cheetor – TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE.
He TRANSFORMS into Robot Form and puts his Quasar cannon against Levi's head.
CHEETOR
Funny. I was just about to say the same thing.
The dog starts growling at him.
VICTORIA
Sit, boy.
Fast cut to:
EXT. – FOREST CLEARING. DAY. SOME TIME LATER.
Levi's hungrily eating a bag of chocolate chip cookies. He gives a few to the dog. Victoria's nearby, watching. Cheetor's lounging on the tree root.
VICTORIA
Wow. You were hungry.
5
She hands him a Gatorade bottle.
VICTORIA
Gatorade?
LEVI
Thank you.
He takes the bottle and quickly starts drinking. He starts choking, but quickly solves that problem.
VICTORIA
It's because you eat and drink too fast.
(to Cheetor)
I've got something in here for you, too.
CHEETOR
No, thanks. I'm not hungry.
VICTORIA
But if you eat it, I don't have to carry it.
CHEETOR
Look. It's not my fault you carry around
so much stuff all the time.
VICTORIA
It's not "stuff". It's homework, and clothes,
and snacks for you and the other Maximals.
CHEETOR
(a sigh)
Why do I even try?
Back on: Levi.
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He crumples the empty bag between his hands.
LEVI
I give you thanks, woman. The "cookies
chocolate chip" were delicious.
VICTORIA
My name is Victoria Taylor. His is Cheetor.
And –
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cyberbee lands on Levi's arm and stings him. Levi swats him away.
VICTORIA
He's Cyberbee.
LEVI
(thinking)
Who are these people? What are these people?
VICTORIA
You said before you were separated from your
unit. And from the look of your uniform, I'd
say you're a Union soldier. I'm curious, are
you down here with General William Sherman?
LEVI
I am not at liberty to reveal the name of
my commanding officer. But my name's Levi
Jackson.
VICTORIA
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(excited)
So, you're related to him? Let me shake
your hand! I'm so glad to meet you!
She hands him a pen and a notepad.
VICTORIA
Can I have your autograph?
LEVI
(hesitant)
Uh….Okay.
VICTORIA
Top line, if you'd be so kind. And your
full name, please?
Levi starts writing.
CHEETOR
Are you okay?
VICTORIA
This guy must be related to Stonewall
Jackson, one of the greatest generals of the
Confederate army. DUH! Didn't you study
Earth's history up there on Cybertron?
LEVI
Well, actually. Just because we share the
same surname does not mean we are related.
Please do not confuse me with him.
8
VICTORIA
But, you do know each other, right?
LEVI
Yeah, and he's a big idiot!
VICTORIA
If you weren't related to Stonewall, you
should have said so before I got so excited!
Well, on the bright side, you are a piece of
living history.
LEVI
I trust you'll excuse me, my friends. An
important mission demands my immediate
attention. Farewell and good luck.
He starts walking away.
CHEETOR
I wouldn't go that way if I were you, pal.
Too late. Levi falls down a small but steep hill, landing HARD on his back.
CHEETOR
I told you, but you wouldn't listen.
VICTORIA
A loser? Yes. But Stonewall Jackson?
I doubt it.
Cut to:
EXT. – INDIAN VILLAGE. DAY.
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Several young women are being led away from the village by Confederate soldiers, towed behind a few horses.
VILLAGER #1
Have they not taken enough young women from
our village already?
VILLAGER #2
Of all the women the pale faces have taken,
none have returned from their compound.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Levi's watching from the bushes.
LEVI
A-ha! So the stories I've heard are true!
Cheetor and Victoria join him.
CHEETOR
Remind me. Why are we following this
clumsy klutz again?
VICTORIA
Because he needs us and we can't leave him
alone.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
One villager whispers to another.
VILLAGER #3
I would not wish for it to be repeated,
but they say the pale faces' chief has been
possessed by some sort of evil demon.
10
CHEETOR
Demon?
VICTORIA
Do you think he's talking about a Predacon?
CHEETOR
I know he is. It's just a question of who.
Cut to:
INT. – FORT. – GENERAL'S QUARTERS. DAY.
A beautiful young woman, Timber Lilly, is serving tea to the fort "general", whose body is wrapped in bandages from head to toe.
"GENERAL"
(Spanish accent)
Do you like this life, senorita?
TIMBER LILLY
Si, senor. I have no regrets.
"GENERAL"
Muy bien.
TIMBER LILLY
If I may, senor?
"GENERAL"
Si?
TIMBER LILLY
The young women, senor, the ones you have so
graciously invited into your compound – might
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I ask where they are?
The "general" angrily crushes his cup in his massive hand.
"GENERAL"
(angrily)
You…May….NOT!
TIMBER LILLY
(frightened)
F – Forgive me, senor! I had no right to ask!
The "general" just walks away, chuckling menacingly.
TIMBER LILLY
(thinking)
I'm afraid. Oh, how I long to return to
the northern tribes.
Fade out.
End Act One.
ACT TWO
Fade in.
EXT. – FORT. NIGHT.
The fort's surrounded by a large wooden wall. Victoria, Cheetor, and Levi just stare at it in wonder.
VICTORIA
Is this the fort?
LEVI
It is. Foreboding, isn't it?
VICTORIA
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And it stinks. Smells like –
CHEETOR
Like a swamp.
(thinking)
But, that's impossible. He died, didn't he?
Cheetor returns to his Beast Form.
CHEETOR
Only one way to find out. Climb on,
Victoria.
VICTORIA
Okay.
She climbs onto his back, and so does Levi.
CHEETOR
Hey!
LEVI
I have business beyond those walls.
CHEETOR
Then get your own ride. I'm not your pack-
bot.
VICTORIA
Just do it, would you?
CHEETOR
You're gonna owe me for this, Victoria.
Hang on, you two.
13
He takes a great leap and clears the wall.
VICTORIA
Sorry about that, Cheetor. Are you okay?
CHEETOR
Well, I'll have to spend a few days in the
R-Chamber fixing my back. Other than that,
I'm fine.
He notices something OS.
CHEETOR
Wait a minute. Look at that.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
A Confederate soldier's resting against a tree, fast asleep. He's surrounded by a purple haze. Then again, so is the entire area.
VICTORIA
So much for military bearing. They're
sleeping on the job.
CYBERBEE
Be careful, Cheetor. Their sleep's induced,
not natural.
CHEETOR
Must have something to do with this haze.
Fast cut to:
INT. – FORT CORRIDORS. NIGHT.
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Levi's running through the corridors, throwing open doors, looking for someone.
LEVI
Timber Lilly! Timber Lilly, where are you?
Timber Lilly, it is I, Levi Jackson, come to
rescue you!
VICTORIA
Should we really be letting him make so
much noise?
CHEETOR
These humans will be out for a while. Besides,
the sooner we find this person, the sooner we
find the Predacon.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Levi throws open another door and sees someone lying on the floor. He rushes over to that someone.
LEVI
Timber Lilly, be strong.
But he's cradling an old man in his arms.
LEVI
What the – ?
VICTORIA
Uh, Levi? I hate to interrupt, but is this
the girl you're looking for?
She's kneeling next to an unconscious Timber Lilly.
15
CYBERBEE
I know how to wake her up.
He buzzes over to her, lands on her arm, and stings her, causing Timber Lilly to wake up and swat him away.
LEVI
Timber Lilly? Are you injured?
TIMBER LILLY
Levi Jackson?
LEVI
Wait. You remember me?
TIMBER LILLY
How could I forget? You were one of the only
few pale faces my father the chief actually
liked. And we were always friends as children.
I remember how you would slip and fall in
horse manure or fall in the river.
LEVI
(sheepishly)
I just…never thought you'd remember a
clumsy oaf like me.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cheetor and Victoria are nearby, listening.
VICTORIA
Hey, Cheetor? You don't suppose he's in love
with that girl, do you?
16
CHEETOR
Hmm. I don't know.
Back on: Timber Lilly.
She starts crying.
TIMBER LILLY
I'm afraid. The general in charge of
this fort – he used to be a kind man.
He treated even us from the tribes as his
equals, and he mandated that every man under
his command do the same. But a few days ago,
he fell into the garden pond and ran a
terrible fever. Since then, he has been
acting strange. He is malevolent, and he
often times speaks in a strange tongue.
LEVI
I know. News of the general's derangement has
reached as far north as the Ontario tribes.
Indeed, it was the wish of your father the
chief that if the northern armies ever came down
to this region, that I rescue you from this
madness.
TIMBER LILLY
My father sent you?
LEVI
17
Even if he hadn't, I still would have
come, even if it meant deserting my unit.
I must return you to your father.
TIMBER LILLY
Levi?
LEVI
Yes?
TIMBER LILLY
Where did you get the dog?
She starts petting the dog on the head.
LEVI
I rescued him.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
The "general" is coming down the hall.
CHEETOR
Sounds like he's finally here. You
ready, Victoria?
He stands and walks towards the general, Victoria close behind.
VICTORIA
Let's do it.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cheetor and the "general" confront each other.
"GENERAL"
I thought I heard something.
18
CHEETOR
Yeah. And it took you long enough to
get here.
He CHARGES.
CHEETOR
Let's see who's behind those bandages!
He SLASHES the "general's" bandages, causing him to recoil.
We finally see his body. It's not human, but Cybertronian. The Predacon insignia is emblazoned on his body. He TRANSFORMS into his Beast Form, a poison-arrow frog.
SPITTOR
(croaks)
VICTORIA
Yuck! It's a frog!
TIMBER LILLY
General!
She faints, but Levi catches her before she falls.
LEVI
I've got you, Timber Lilly.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cheetor and Spittor are facing each other. Cheetor doesn't look too happy to see the frog Predacon.
SPITTOR
Hola, senor Cheetor.
CHEETOR
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Spittor. I thought you were dead.
SPITTOR
Is that any way to greet someone you have
not seen in one hundred years?
CHEETOR
Like it matters. I'll just have to make
sure to finish the job this time. Die,
slagging Predacon! Cheetor, Maximize!
Cheetor – TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE.
He charges and TRANSFORMS into Robot Form, sword ready.
On: Spittor.
He's ready for the Maximal's attack.
SPITTOR
Spittor, Terrorize!
Spittor – TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE.
He, too, TRANSFORMS into Robot Form. He holds out an arm, and a compartment on his wrist opens, revealing what looks like the tip of a fire hose. A blast of purple haze is fired from the hose. It causes Cheetor to fall to the ground, holding his throat, coughing and gagging.
CYBERBEE
(coughing)
Victoria! Toxic fumes! Very dangerous!
VICTORIA
Yeah, I kinda figured that.
(coughs)
20
Back on: Spittor.
He menacingly makes his way towards Levi, who's still protecting Timber Lilly. He aims his rifle at Spittor.
LEVI
Back, monster!
SPITTOR
Comico. As though you can defeat me.
He aims a blaster at Levi.
SPITTOR
Stupid boy.
He FIRES.
Fade out.
End Act Two.
ACT THREE
Fade in.
INT. – FORT. NIGHT.
Spittor FIRES. The blast TEARS through Levi's shoulder. He falls to the floor, holding his shoulder in pain.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Spittor picks up the unconscious Timber Lilly. He flips her over his shoulder and starts running away.
Back on: Levi.
He barely manages to get to his knees, still holding his shoulder. Victoria joins him.
VICTORIA
Levi, are you alright?
21
LEVI
I will be fine. But don't worry about
me. You must rescue Timber Lilly.
Even if I die, she must live.
VICTORIA
Ahh. So you are in love with that girl.
LEVI
You could tell?
VICTORIA
You mean, it was supposed to be a secret?
On: Cheetor.
He follows Spittor until the Predacon BASHES through a wall, then begins running across the rooftops.
CHEETOR
Slag! I'm going ahead! Beast Form!
He returns to his Beast Form and follows Spittor.
CHEETOR
Get back here!
Cut to:
INT. – FORT. – HOLDING CELLS. NIGHT.
Timber Lilly's now awake. She's staring at Spittor in shock. All around them are frog egg sacks, which are filled with the comatose bodies of young women.
SPITTOR
Senorita. You're cute enough to eat.
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ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cheetor BURSTS through a nearby wall, TRANSFORMING as he does.
CHEETOR
Knew I'd find you!
He finally sees what's all around him, as well as what's in front of him.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Spittor's encased Timber Lilly in an egg sack.
SPITTOR
Too late.
(evil chuckle)
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Victoria, supporting Levi on her shoulders, joins them.
VICTORIA
What the – ?
LEVI
You revolting beast!
CYBERBEE
I see what's going on. The young women –
the ones taken from the villages – they're
stuffed in these egg sacks, causing their
natural Energon to come forth, become raw
and stable, and then absorbed.
VICTORIA
You mean, he's going to eat the women?!
23
Levi CHARGES for Spittor with his hunting knife.
LEVI
Over my dead body!
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Spittor gets ready to unleash his toxic fumes.
CHEETOR
Toxic fumes. Watch out!
He takes out his Quasar cannon.
CHEETOR
Let's see if you remember this, you freak!
He FIRES, hitting Spittor and throwing him against a wall. A large hole has been blown into his chest.
VICTORIA
Nice!
LEVI
I never knew Cheetor had that much power!
CHEETOR
Get ready to die. Again.
SPITTOR
No! Yo no para muerto aqui! I need Energon!
An egg sack splits open, and the woman inside is transformed into raw Energon waves, which surround Spittor, healing his wound.
CHEETOR
Tch.
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SPITTOR
Go ahead, Cheetor. Blast me again. I
will only absorb more Energon. Will
it be like this forever? Two Cybertronians
locked in battle until judgment day and
trumpets sound?
He looks OS.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Levi cuts the egg sack holding Timber Lilly open, causing her to fall out. She's covered in slime, but still okay.
LEVI
Can you hear me, Timber Lilly?
TIMBER LILLY
Yes.
She quickly embraces Levi, causing him to blush.
LEVI
Uh – Timber Lilly?
He returns the hug.
LEVI
Now I can die without regret.
SPITTOR
Get away from her, boy!
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cheetor BASHES Spittor in the face with his elbow.
CHEETOR
25
You've got nothing to say.
He KICKS Spittor in the face, causing him to fall against a wall.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Levi again aims his rifle at Spittor, but Spittor doesn't attack. Instead, he speaks, but his voice is different.
SPITTOR
(general's voice)
What – what happened? Please tell me I
did not do this. Oh, how horrible. And
yet, I remember it all.
TIMBER LILLY
That's the general's voice.
SPITTOR
(general's voice)
It was like a nightmare that I couldn't
wake up from. I wanted to stop myself, but
the beast would not allow me to do so.
You there, cat. Please, kill me. I don't
think I can stop myself if the frog takes
over again.
CHEETOR
I wouldn't want to kill a human, but I don't
have any such reservations against killing
Spittor. You want it in the gut –
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He aims his Quasar cannon at Spittor.
CHEETOR
Or do I take the head?
LEVI
Don't, Cheetor!
He gets in between them, shielding Cheetor with his body.
CHEETOR
What the – ? Move it, little man, or I'll
be forced to kill you, too.
LEVI
Please, don't.
CHEETOR
Then get out of my way.
LEVI
I won't. Please, hear me out.
Cheetor thinks about it for a second.
CHEETOR
Fine.
LEVI
I can't allow you to take another life, no
matter how evil he may be. Sure, this
Predacon's a vile beast, but I can't sit back
and let you kill him. I know it's strange
to think like this, with the states at war.
27
But this is the way I feel.
Cheetor puts his Quasar cannon away.
CHEETOR
Okay. You win. Beast Form.
Cheetor – TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE.
He returns to his Beast Form and sits against the wall.
On: Victoria.
She smiles at him, but the smile quickly fades –
As Spittor stands up behind Levi!
SPITTOR
Mucho gracias, mi amigo.
He BLASTS Levi through the shoulder again. Again, Levi falls to the floor. Victoria and Timber Lilly rush to his side.
TIMBER LILLY
Levi!
LEVI
(weakly)
Victoria, get Timber Lilly out of here.
Get her to safety.
Victoria grabs Timber Lilly's arm.
VICTORIA
Let's go. We gotta get out of here.
The girls hurry away.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Spittor stomps past Levi, who grabs his legs, holding him back.
28
LEVI
Stay away from her, you monster.
Spittor easily kicks Levi away.
SPITTOR
Out of my way, boy.
He returns to his Beast Form and hops after the girls.
CHEETOR
Well? Should I kill him now?
LEVI
(weakly)
No…killing.
CHEETOR
I was wrong about you. You wouldn't
make a good Maximal.
Cut to:
INT. – FORT. – CORRIDORS. NIGHT.
Victoria and Timber Lilly are hurrying down the hall as fast as they can.
VICTORIA
Come on, Victoria. Think, girl, think!
CYBERBEE
Spittor's Beast Form is a frog, right?
And frogs don't like heat. So, hit him
with something hot, like boiling water or
boiling oil.
29
VICTORIA
Oh? And where do you suppose I get this
hot water and boiling oil?
ANOTHER ANGLE.
The dog runs past them.
TIMBER LILLY
Levi's dog? When did he join us?
The dog runs down the corridor, just as –
SPITTOR (O. S.)
I'm coming for you, senoritas!
ANOTHER ANGLE.
The dog comes back down the hall, carrying a lit candle in its mouth.
VICTORIA
Fire! Good puppy dog!
She takes the candle from the dog – the flame's not as big as it looked a second ago.
VICTORIA
I guess looks can be deceiving.
SPITTOR
Spittor, Terrorize!
Spittor – TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE.
He TRANSFORMS and instantly FIRES. The blast hits Victoria's backpack, barely missing her. She falls to the floor, the contents of her backpack spilling all over the place.
SPITTOR
30
You're mine.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cheetor LEAPS over Spittor's head, TRANSFORMING into Robot Form as he does. He lands between Spittor and the girls, his sword in hand.
CHEETOR
Victoria, I'm sorry. But mercy's a
luxury we simply can not afford at the
moment.
VICTORIA
(looking around)
Luxury? As in –
She sees a bottle of hairspray nearby. She picks it up.
VICTORIA
Hairspray!
CHEETOR
This is it! The only way!
VICTORIA
Cheetor! Out of the way!
Cheetor looks back at her, sees she's got the fire in front of her hairspray, and moves.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Victoria takes aim, and presses the button. The flame engulfs Spittor, burning him.
SPITTOR
Hot! Hot hot hot hot hot hot hot!
31
He returns to his Beast Form and hops out of a nearby window, landing in a pond before hopping away.
ANOTHER ANGLE.
Cheetor and Victoria look out the window after Spittor.
CHEETOR
Quick thinking, kid.
VICTORIA
Thanks.
On: Levi.
He's limping down the hall towards them, a hand over his shoulder.
LEVI
Cheetor! You've done it! You drove off
the frog monster!
CHEETOR
Not my intention, but yeah.
OS we hear someone SFX: BANGING against the floor. Victoria goes over to where the banging's coming from and lifts open a trap door. An older man climbs out. He's dirty and is in desperate need of a haircut.
GENERAL
Thank you, child.
VICTORIA
You're the real general?
GENERAL
Yes.
32
TIMBER LILLY
I have missed you.
GENERAL
And I, you. Now, where is that frog? I
want to shoot something.
CHEETOR
I don't think you'll be worrying about
him for a while.
Cut to:
EXT. – FOREST CLEARING. MORNING.
Cheetor and Victoria are having a breakfast picnic near a large tree. Levi's nearby, thinking quietly to himself. His arm's now wrapped up in a bandage.
VICTORIA
Come on, Levi. Join us.
CHEETOR
Idiot. You practically went and got
yourself killed just to save the life of
an enemy commander. Not many others would
do that.
Levi's quiet for a second.
LEVI
That's me. Levi Jackson, world's biggest
idiot and fool.
CHEETOR
33
You are an idiot, but you also saved
a lot of lives. Don't go and beat
yourself up about it.
Levi stands up, supporting himself with his rifle.
LEVI
You're right. Well, I'm off to Atlanta.
I have to give General Sherman my report.
He starts walking away.
CHEETOR
I wouldn't go that way if I were –
Too late. Levi falls down that same hill, again landing on his back. Cheetor and Victoria look down at him.
CHEETOR
(a sigh)
You.
VICTORIA
He's hopeless.
And on that note, we:
Fade out.
End Act Three.
Show preview of next episode: "The Not-So-Sweet Smell of Stinkbomb".