Beast Wars

"The Tragic Love Song of Destiny, Part 1"

SEASON 3 PREMIERE

ACT ONE

Fade in.

INT. - EST. - MAXIMAL BASE - CHEETOR'S ROOM. NIGHT.

Cheetor - Robot Form - is sitting on his cot. He turns to look out the window, but doesn't see anything resembling landscape; all he sees is the Ark.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

Cheetor walks over to the window and looks out at the Ark.

CHEETOR

Never expected I'd ever get to see this in my whole life. If only Natalie were alive to see this.

He senses something behind him. He quickly spins around and takes out his sword.

CHEETOR

Who's there?

Someone fades into the room - it's the ghostly form of Natalie.

Back on: Cheetor.

He lowers his sword.

CHEETOR

Natalie? I thought you were still in the Spirit World.

NATALIE

I like to come to the physical world every now and then. How have you been, Cheetor?

CHEETOR

I - I don't know.

He puts his sword away and sits on his cot.

CHEETOR

I guess I've got a lot on my mind. What with moving to this new base and all. Not to mention the anniversary of our meeting coming up. Do you remember how we met, Natalie?

NATALIE

How could I forget? Even though it was almost a hundred years ago - actually, I think it was more 92 years ago.

CHEETOR

To me it might as well have been a few days ago. But whether it's a few days or a few millenia, I'll never forget.

Fade to:

EXT. - FOREST - 100 YEARS AGO. DAY.

The last of the snow on the ground is melting away; it's the beginning of spring.

Cheetor - in his original Beast Form - goes running past a large oak tree. A few seconds later, Bonecrusher - Beast Form - goes running past the same tree.

BONECRUSHER

(panting)

Cheetor! Slow down, buddy.

Back on: Cheetor.

He stops and turns back to Bonecrusher.

CHEETOR

What's the matter, Bonecrusher, can't keep up?

BONECRUSHER

That's easy for you to say; you're a little cat, I'm a big buffalo.

CHEETOR

Well, if you wouldn't eat so much grass all the time, you wouldn't be so big.

BONECRUSHER

Hey, a buffalo has to eat...How much do I have to eat a day?

CHEETOR

Hey, Bonecrusher, here's a new challenge for you, if you're up for it.

BONECRUSHER

What is it?

CHEETOR

Last one to Bunker Hill is Predacon chow!

He turns around and takes off running.

BONECRUSHER

Hey! That's at least forty-five miles away!

CHEETOR

Then I'll be there in about a half hour! See you there, buddy!

BONECRUSHER

That ain't fair! Aw, hayseed.

He starts running.

Cut to:

EXT. - FOREST TRAIL. DAY.

Cheetor's still running. He skids to a stop and sniffs.

CHEETOR

Wait a second. I think I smell Scorponock.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

A young woman - Natalie - falls onto the trail; she's tripped over a tree root. Cheetor quickly hides behind a nearby pine tree as Scorponock joins Natalie on the trail.

CHEETOR

(thinking)

What's he doing attacking that girl?

He sees something glowing on the ground near Natalie - it's an Energon crystal.

CHEETOR

(thinking)

Uh oh. This is trouble.

(speaking; whispering)

Cheetor, Maximize.

Cheetor - TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE.

He TRANSFORMS into his Robot Form and takes out his Quasar Cannon.

Back on: Natalie.

She quickly grabs the Energon crystal in her hand and rolls over onto her back as Scorponock scuttles closer, his claws clacking.

SCORPONOCK

Hand over your crystal, human, and I'll let you live.

NATALIE

No!

Scorponock grabs her wrist in one of his claws; with the other claw, he pries the Energon crystal out of her hand.

NATALIE

My father's crystal!

SCORPONOCK

(chuckles)

Such a magnificent specimen. Megatron will be pleased.

Cheetor steps out from behind the tree and aims his weapon at Scorponock.

CHEETOR

And you'll be slag if you don't drop that crystal, Clawful.

NATALIE

W - what?

Scorponock's free claw starts clicking.

CHEETOR

Clicking makes me twitch. And there's a full charge in this puppy.

Scorponock scuttles over to Natalie, who's trying to back away.

CHEETOR

Ah ah ah. Away from the girl, Plug Ugly.

His comms beep.

BONECRUSHER (V. O.)

(through the radio)

Cheetor, where'd ya go, buddy?

CHEETOR

Easy, Bonecrusher, I'm still here. I got Scorponock cornered.

BONECRUSHER (V. O.)

(through the radio)

Need any help?

CHEETOR

Nah, I got it covered.

He turns his comms off.

Back on: Scorponock.

He raises his stinger tail towards Natalie. Cheetor fires a shot. The blast hits the ground, spraying Scorponock and Natalie with dirt.

CHEETOR

That was just a warning, pal. I told you you were making me twitch.

Tarantulas - Beast Form - lowers down from a tree behind Cheetor on a strand of webbing.

TARANTULAS

And I'll make you scream! Hehehaha!

CHEETOR

Whoa!

He turns towards Tarantulas and starts shooting at him. Tarantulas drops to the ground; Cheetor's shots go high over his head.

Back on: Scorponock.

He's ready to transform.

SCORPONOCK

Scorponock, Terrorize!

Scorponock - TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE.

He TRANSFORMS into his Robot Form and FIRES a missile at Cheetor. Cheetor quickly dives out of the way; the missile ends up hitting Tarantulas instead.

TARANTULAS

(coughing)

Shoot the cat, you idiot!

OVER TO - NATALIE.

She's trying to get away, but she ends up caught in a scuffle between Cheetor and Scorponock; Cheetor's taken out his sword and CHARGES at Scorponock. Scorponock moves out of the way of Cheetor's attack. Cheetor quickly repositions himself and comes at Scorponock again.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

Natalie finally manages to crawl out from the scuffle as Cheetor kicks Scorponock in the side of the head, knocking him to the ground. Cheetor takes out his Quasar Cannon and aims it at Scorponock.

On: Tarantulas.

He TRANSFORMS into his Robot Form, but before he can do anything, Cheetor takes out another blaster and aims it at him.

CHEETOR

Don't even think about it, Eight Eyes.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

Bonecrusher - Beast Form - finally arrives. He's breathing hard, then he sees what's going on.

BONECRUSHER

Well, this ain't lookin' too good.

CHEETOR

Tell me about it. I got myself a little Mexican standoff here.

BONECRUSHER

Well, here. Let me help you.

He CHARGES at Scorponock and SLAMS into him, THROWING him to the ground and knocking the Energon crystal out of his claw. Cheetor drops his Quasar Cannon and catches the crystal.

CHEETOR

Got it. Wait a minute.

His body starts to spark and pop. He quickly drops the crystal; the Energon poisoning stops.

CHEETOR

That was a close one.

He looks over to Tarantulas, just in time to see Tarantulas swinging away on a strand of webbing.

CHEETOR

Oh well. At least the human's safe.

He looks over to Natalie, but she's fainted.

BONECRUSHER

Huh. She fell asleep.

CHEETOR

She's not sleeping; she's in stasis.

He picks up the crystal and quickly slips it into a hip compartment, then picks Natalie up off the ground.

CHEETOR

The Predacons know she has Energon; they'll come back for her, I'm sure.

BONECRUSHER

So why don't we just take her home?

CHEETOR

We don't know where she lives. So we've gotta take her to the next safest place.

BONECRUSHER

Don't say it.

CHEETOR

Maximal Base. Come on.

He TRANSFORMS into his Beast Form; Natalie's now draped over his back, and he slowly starts to walk down the trail.

BONECRUSHER

Oi.

He follows Cheetor, and we:

Fade out.

End Act One.

ACT TWO

Fade in.

INT. - MAXIMAL BASE - CONTROL ROOM. DAY.

Natalie's now lying on the table in the center of the room. Cheetor, Bonecrusher, Bantor, and Air Hammer - all in their Robot Forms - are standing around her.

AIR HAMMER

Um, excuse me. Dude, are you loco in the coco?

CHEETOR

Yeah, Air Hammer, I'm crazy, okay? I'm looney, okay?

BANTOR

But, Cheetor, why?

CHEETOR

Why, Bantor? Oh, I don't know. Because I wanted to redecorate - you know, a couple throw pillows, a young human girl. What do you think?

AIR HAMMER

You don't need to snap at him, dude.

CHEETOR

Yeah, you're right. Sorry, Bantor.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

Optimus Primal - Robot Form - joins them.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

What's going on here?

CHEETOR

Uh...She got attacked by Scorponock and Tarantulas. I had to bring her here.

He reaches into his hip compartment and takes out the Energon crystal. He places it on the table next to Natalie.

CHEETOR

She had this on her.

Optimus rubs his chin in thought.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

I see.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

By now, Dinobot - Beast Form - has joined them.

DINOBOT

What was a human doing with Energon?

BANTOR

It's not surprising, Dinobot. Though I believe the humans have another name for it.

AIR HAMMER

Dudes! The babe's waking up.

On: Natalie.

She slowly opens her eyes.

CHEETOR

Hey there. How you feeling?

Natalie's so startled she rolls off the table. She quickly backs away.

NATALIE

Demon!

She bumps into Dinobot

DINOBOT

We are not demons.

Natalie quickly stands. She reaches into the collar of her blouse and holds out the end of her necklace - there's a cross on the end of the chain.

NATALIE

Stay away! You are demons, demons from hell!

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

Please, my dear, please calm down.

NATALIE

(speaking quickly)

O Father who art in heaven, hallow be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.

RATTRAP

Yup. She's lost it.

BONECRUSHER

Somehow, I knew this would happen.

CHEETOR

Relax, miss. No one is going to hurt you.

RATTRAP

Well, I don't know about him.

He points to Dinobot.

DINOBOT

If I had intended on harming the human, her blood would be staining the floor right now.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

All right, that's enough!

(to Natalie)

I'm sorry if we frighten you. That's not our intent, honestly. Cheetor brought you to us to protect you, you see.

NATALIE

Why should I believe you, beast?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

(sighs)

And this is why we shouldn't have direct contact with humans.

CHEETOR

Sorry, Big Bot. I didn't know what else to do. Look, Miss, um...What did you say your name was, again?

NATALIE

I didn't.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

Then how about this - if you tell us your name, we'll tell you ours; that'll help this situation go by a lot more smoothly, and then we can take you home. Deal?

Natalie thinks about it for a moment.

NATALIE

As you wish, demon.

RATTRAP

For the last time, we ain't - ah, forget it.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

Very well. My name is Optimus Primal, Maximal Commander.

CHEETOR

My name's Cheetor. Glad I could help earlier.

RATTRAP

Why should I tell her who I am? It's not like she cares.

CHEETOR

Just do it, Rat Face.

RATTRAP

Oh, fine. Name's Rattrap.

Natalie turns to Dinobot, who's just baring his teeth at her.

NATALIE

And what about...him?

DINOBOT

My name is Dinobot.

RATTRAP

You want some advice, Missy? Don't trust the lizard.

DINOBOT

I'm more trustworthy than you, rodent.

RATTRAP

This coming from a one-time Pred.

DINOBOT

What?!

NATALIE

If we're taking a consensus, I have to agree with the rat.

BANTOR

Enough! You'll have to forgive them, ma'am. They have been ill at ease for a long time. My name is Bantor. It's a pleasure to meet you.

AIR HAMMER

I'm Air Hammer, the most gnarly Maximal you'll ever meet.

BONECRUSHER

And my name's Bonecrusher.

NATALIE

Bonecrusher?

BONECRUSHER

Yeah, ya know, because I'm a buffalo, and when a buffalo gets a-runnin', he crushes bones.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

And what's your name, dear?

Natalie relaxes a bit.

NATALIE

Natalie. Natalie Watkins.

She spots the Energon crystal on the table.

NATALIE

My Wishing Crystal!

She hurries over to the table and picks up the crystal.

CHEETOR

Oh yeah, THAT'S what you call Energon.

NATALIE

Energon?

BANTOR

The source of our power. It's the reason we are on this planet.

NATALIE

So you really are from another world!

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

Something like that.

NATALIE

But, that is not possible. God made man in his own image.

DINOBOT

Is that right? Then how do you explain us?

RATTRAP

Or the dinosaurs?

NATALIE

Di...no...saurs? I don't know the word.

DINOBOT

That crystal, where did you find it?

NATALIE

I didn't find it anywhere. My father gave it to me on my tenth birthday.

DINOBOT

And where did your father get it?

NATALIE

Why should I tell you, demon?

DINOBOT

Why you -

CHEETOR

Back off, Dinobot!

Cheetor's outburst catches all the other Maximals by surprise.

CHEETOR

Whoa. Where did that come from?

BONECRUSHER

I bet I know, hehe.

CHEETOR

Bonecrusher, don't even go there.

NATALIE

I've had enough of this. Please, I just want to go home.

CHEETOR

I'll take you.

NATALIE

You? No no no. I can't have a...whatever you are take me home.

CHEETOR

Please; it's only fair that I do. After all, I'm the one who brought you here.

(to Optimus)

And I promise I won't let any more humans see me unless the Predacons are attacking. Deal?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL

Deal. And as soon as you drop Natalie off, come right back.

CHEETOR

You got it, Big Bot.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

He walks over to the exit elevator.

CHEETOR

Coming, Natalie?

NATALIE

O - okay.

She joins him on the elevator.

CHEETOR

Going down. Next stop: Ground Floor.

The elevator starts to lower. Natalie loses her balance for a second; she grabs onto Cheetor's arm.

CHEETOR

Hey! Easy. It's alright.

EXT. - MAXIMAL BASE. DAY.

The elevator finishes coming down. Cheetor and Natalie step off.

CHEETOR

Stay close to me, okay? Just in case the Predacons decide to pay us a visit.

Cut to:

EXT. - FOREST. EVENING.

Cheetor - now in his Beast Form - peeks out from behind a bush. He takes a look around before waving Natalie forward with a paw.

CHEETOR

It's clear. Let's go.

Natalie follows him to the treeline. They're on top of a small hill, overlooking a small town.

CHEETOR

That's your hometown, huh?

NATALIE

Yes.

CHEETOR

Okay. You'd better get going. I'm pretty sure your dad's wondering where you got to by now.

NATALIE

Wait. Before I go, I have a question. Where did you come from?

CHEETOR

Cybertron, a planet far from this one. Sorry to shatter your belief, but there is more than just one galaxy. My friends and I, we're the good guys - the Maximals. The ones Bonecrusher and I saved you from are the bad guys - the Predacons. We've been fighting them for, well, a long time.

NATALIE

I suppose I know how you feel. With every passing day it seems like the colonies will go to war with the Empire.

CHEETOR

I've noticed. Listen, don't tell anyone about us, okay? We're not even really supposed to have direct contact with humans. Promise?

NATALIE

No one would believe me. They'd say I'd gone mad.

CHEETOR

Just promise you'll keep us a secret, okay?

NATALIE

Well...All right. No one else shall know.

CHEETOR

Cool. Now go on; I'll keep watch from here, make sure the Predacons don't jump you.

Natalie starts to make her way down the hill. Cheetor watches as she goes.

WIDEN TO SHOW -

Bonecrusher - Beast Form - standing close by. He speaks, startling Cheetor.

BONECRUSHER

Y'know, I used to know this cute little cow on a farm down in Carolina. Name was Sheila. I used to bump into her just so's I could talk to her. 'Course, all she could say was "Moo".

CHEETOR

Bonecrusher, what are you talking about?

BONECRUSHER

I don't know. Hey, listen, wanna go do something fun tonight?

CHEETOR

Fun? Well...Okay, why not. Not like it'll hurt anything.

Cut to:

EXT. - FARM. NIGHT.

Cheetor and Bonecrusher - both in their Beast Forms - are standing on one side of a fence; on the other side is a cow pasture, and it looks like all the cows are sleeping.

CHEETOR

Bonecrusher, I've changed my mind. This is a bad idea.

BONECRUSHER

Shoot, it ain't no bad idea. Cow tippin's fun.

He transforms into his Robot Form and hops the fence before returning to his Beast Form. Cheetor just hops over the fence and hurries to catch up to him.

BONECRUSHER

Now listen - all's you gotta do is walk up to them and give 'em a good push. Here, lemme show ya.

He sneaks over to a sleeping cow. As he does, he transforms into his Robot Form and, using just one hand, pushes it over. The cow lets out a distressed moo as it falls onto its side.

BONECRUSHER

I tell you what, buddy, cows're so stupid. Okay, it's your turn.

CHEETOR

Bonecrusher, I don't know about this. I mean, this is technically vandalism, isn't it?

BONECRUSHER

(chanting)

Cheetor's a chicken! Cheetor's a chicken!

CHEETOR

I'm not a chicken, all right? Let me try one.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

He walks over to a large bull and transforms into his Robot Form. He places both hands against the bull's side and gives it a hard push. The bull doesn't move. Cheetor tries harder, even putting his shoulder into it, but the bull still doesn't move.

After a moment, Cheetor backs away from the bull.

CHEETOR

Forget it, Bonecrusher. I'm just not as strong as you are.

BONECRUSHER

Well, how's 'bout ya try roaring at it?

CHEETOR

Roaring?

BONECRUSHER

Yeah. That's what Dinobot does.

CHEETOR

That I can believe.

BONECRUSHER

And Tigatron. And Bantor.

CHEETOR

What?

BONECRUSHER

Oh yeah. Even Optimus enjoys knocking over a good cow from time to time.

CHEETOR

I don't believe that. Okay, let me try this. Beast Form!

Cheetor - TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE.

He TRANSFORMS into his Beast Form and lets out his loudest ROAR.

CHEETOR

REOWAR!

His roar's loud enough to startle all the cows in the pasture. They all fall over in shock.

Back on: Cheetor and Bonecrusher.

They share an awkward glance before they start laughing.

CHEETOR/BONECRUSHER

(laughing)

FARMER FRANK (O. S.)

Who's there?

CHEETOR

What?

BONECRUSHER

That's Frank.

He turns and runs. Cheetor follows a second later.

CHEETOR

Hey! Wait!

ANOTHER ANGLE.

They LEAP over the fence, and as they run off into the night, we:

Fade out.

End Act Two.

ACT THREE

Fade in.

EXT. - FOREST TRAIL. NIGHT.

Cheetor and Bonecrusher are walking down the trail; they're breathing a little heavy.

BONECRUSHER

Yee-haw! See? I told you it was fun!

CHEETOR

(sarcastically)

Oh yeah, real fun. Except for the fact that I feel like a jerk for knocking over someone's livestock.

BONECRUSHER

So, wanna head back and brag to everyone?

CHEETOR

Actually, I was gonna go and check up on Natalie.

BONECRUSHER

Ooh, you're sweet on her, ain'tcha?

CHEETOR

Get real. I've only known her for a few hours. Besides, it's not like I'm gonna be letting her see me.

BONECRUSHER

(singing)

You're in love with Natalie! You're in love with Natalie!

He stops.

BONECRUSHER

(gasps)

Wait a minute. That's getting involved.

CHEETOR

Shut up, Bonecrusher. I just want to make sure that the Predacons haven't made a move for her Energon again, that's all.

BONECRUSHER

Uh huh.

CHEETOR

Just go back to base.

BONECRUSHER

And tell Optimus you gots yourself a little girlfriend.

CHEETOR

She's not my girlfriend.

BONECRUSHER

But ya gotta admit - she is cute. 'Course, not as cute as Airrazor, but -

CHEETOR

Shut up.

He brushes his way past Bonecrusher.

BONECRUSHER

(thinking)

He ain't foolin' me, he IS sweet on her.

Cut to:

EXT. - TOWN - NATALIE'S HOUSE. NIGHT.

Cheetor's hiding in the alley between two houses. He quickly ducks into the shadows as two men in red British Army uniforms walk past.

CHEETOR

(thinking)

Soldiers of the Empire.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

He makes his way behind the house. There's a window a few feet off the ground; it's closed with a set of shutters.

CHEETOR

(whispering)

Cheetor, Maximize.

Cheetor - TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE.

He TRANSFORMS into his Robot Form and slowly opens the shutters. He peeks in through the window.

There's Natalie, fast asleep on a feather mattress. She's clutching the Energon crystal in one hand.

CHEETOR

(thinking)

Good. She's safe. For now.

He returns to his Beast Form.

CHEETOR

(thinking)

Wait a minute, why am I worried? It's not just because of the Energon...is it?

He shakes his head as he starts to walk away.

CHEETOR

(thinking)

No, that can't be it. I mean, she's a human and I'm a cheetah. It would never work out. Okay, so I'm not a REAL cheetah, but it still doesn't seem right, a human and a Cybertronian in a...romantic...relationship.

He stops walking.

CHEETOR

Bonecrusher's right about one thing, though - she IS cute. No, not just cute. Natalie is the most...beautiful...

A smile spreads across his face.

CHEETOR

Look at me. I bet if Air Hammer were to see this, he'd be laughing.

He looks back at Natalie's house.

CHEETOR

I'll be back maybe tomorrow to check up on you, Natalie. Just don't lose that Energon.

He takes off running.

PAN UP TO -

There's a Cyberbee drone hovering in the air.

Cut to:

INT. - PREDACON BASE - CONTROL ROOM. NIGHT.

Megatron, Inferno, and Scorponock are watching the Cyberbee's footage on a computer screen.

SCORPONOCK

I told you the human female had Energon.

MEGATRON

That's interesting. That's very interesting, yess.

INFERNO

I will take Scarem and Waspinator and retrieve the crystal, and if you so wish, destroy the town, Royalty.

MEGATRON

That won't be necessary, Inferno, noo.

INFERNO

No?

MEGATRON

It's clear that Cheetor is willing to defend that woman, yess. Defend her...to the death. We will wait for the opportune moment.

He clenches his fist.

MEGATRON

And then, when the Energon is ours, the Maximals - and the humans - will die, yess.

Fade to:

EXT. - GRASSY HILL. MORNING.

Natalie's sitting alone on the hill, once again overlooking the town. Some bushes rustle behind her.

NATALIE

I know you're there, Cheetor. You can come on out.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

Cheetor - Beast Form - slowly comes out of the bushes.

NATALIE

Come sit by me.

Cheetor joins her - he's a little reluctant.

NATALIE

You came to visit me last night.

CHEETOR

What makes you say that?

NATALIE

The shutters on my window were open, and there were tracks of a humanoid figure, along with tracks too large to be a normal cat.

CHEETOR

It was that obvious, huh?

NATALIE

You told me you weren't supposed to have direct contact with humans.

CHEETOR

I just wanted to make sure that the Predacons didn't make a move for the Energon cyrstal, that's all.

NATALIE

Is that all?

CHEETOR

Well...Yeah, I suppose I was a bit worried about you. Can you believe that Bonecrusher says I've got a crush on you? That guy's got an active imagination.

NATALIE

Cheetor, I've got a question.

CHEETOR

Hit me.

Natalie stares at him, confused.

CHEETOR

Sorry. What I mean is, ask away.

NATALIE

These crystals you call Energon, which we humans call Wishing Crystals - are they really that important that your devilish counterparts are willing to kill for them?

CHEETOR

Energon is the fuel and lifeblood for all Cybertronians - Maximal and Predacon alike. You've got blood flowing through your veins and arteries, and we've got mech fluid and Energon flowing through our circuits and coils. It's what gives us life, and it powers our weapons and vessels. We Maximals just want to gather enough Energon to get back to our homeworld, but most of it's been destroyed in storms or battles over the millenia.

NATALIE

Millenia? Just how long have you been fighting?

CHEETOR

You may find this hard to believe, but we've been on Earth for over eighty thousand years.

NATALIE

The world is that old?

CHEETOR

The world is over four and a half billion years old. Compared to that, we've only been here for a short amount of time. Since the Maximals and Predacons arrived to this planet, we've seen species come and go, we've seen the first humans stand upright, we've seen the rise of human civilization, and the guy on your necklace - I actually met him.

NATALIE

You've met...Him? What was He like?

CHEETOR

Pretty neat guy. The kids loved this guy. And everything that your book says that he did? Yeah, he did all that. I can't explain half of it. I mean, I can sort of understand feeding a few hundred people with just some fish and half a loaf of bread, but how does someone get strung up on a couple of boards, die, and come back to life three days later?

NATALIE

He was the Son of God, born of a virgin.

CHEETOR

Well, after a while, I just stopped wondering about it. Anyway, back to the Energon. Why do you humans call it Wishing Crystals?

NATALIE

As the story goes, these crystals can make any wish come true. Sir Isaac Newton -

CHEETOR

The guy who got bonked on the head with an apple.

NATALIE

Yes. He was said to have possessed several, and as he was studying alchemy, always wished for the crystals to help him produce the Philosopher's Stone. I'm sure you've heard about that. It's said to turn anything into gold. The King has come out saying that he inherited over three hundred from his predecessor, and the local Indians are always telling stories about its great power and how the...Spirit Animals are always...fighting...for...it.

Realization dawns on her.

NATALIE

You're one of those Spirit Animals!

CHEETOR

Those guys see us as gods. We've tried to explain to them that we're not gods, but they just won't listen.

NATALIE

Well, they say that the Spirit Animals are always fighting over the Wishing Crystals because of their wish granting powers.

CHEETOR

Have they worked? For humans, I mean.

NATALIE

I'm not sure. But I suppose we could try.

CHEETOR

Wait, "we"?

NATALIE

Cheetor, what if - and this is just a thought - what if we used my Wishing Crystal to turn you into a human?

CHEETOR

What?! I've seen Energon do some crazy things, but turning a Cybertronian into a human? That's never happened before!

NATALIE

But what if it worked? You could be a human. Of course, you'd be bound to mortal rules and it may take some time for an immortal like yourself to adjust, but anything is possible, right? I mean, I was raised all my life under Christian teachings, and then you and your friends tell me that there's more to this universe than just the earth. It's worth a try, at least.

CHEETOR

I don't know. How about you use it for a more practical wish, like healing a sick family member, or something.

NATALIE

Yes, you're right. I don't know what I was thinking.

CHEETOR

Believe me, I know what that feels like. I found myself thinking something really weird last night. For a minute, it seemed like what Bonecrusher said about me having a crush was getting to me - don't get me wrong, Natalie, you're pretty, but -

NATALIE

You don't need to say anymore, Cheetor. I understand. Would you like to go for a walk through the woods?

CHEETOR

Nature walk? Sure.

ANOTHER ANGLE.

Natalie heads into the forest. Cheetor follows a second later.

Cut to:

EXT. - FOREST TRAIL. DAY.

Cheetor - still in his Beast Form - is walking next to Natalie.

NATALIE

Ever since I was a child, I've enjoyed walking through the woods.

CHEETOR

I guess you'd have to be a bit more careful now, after what happened yesterday.

He puts a paw out in front of Natalie, stopping her.

CHEETOR

Hold it.

NATALIE

What's wrong?

CHEETOR

Quiet.

He transforms into his Robot Form and takes a few quiet steps forward. As he walks, he takes out his Quasar Cannon.

NATALIE

(whispering)

Is something wrong?

CHEETOR

(whispering)

Just wait there.

He looks around. All he sees are trees.

CHEETOR

Nothing.

He puts his weapon away.

CHEETOR

False alarm. I thought I saw something, that's all. Guess I'm pretty jumpy. Come on, let's head back.

NATALIE

Before we go, Cheetor, there's something I want to do.

CHEETOR

What's that?

ANOTHER ANGLE.

She draws Cheetor in for a hug.

CHEETOR

Natalie, what are you doing?

NATALIE

I never properly thanked you for saving my life yesterday.

CHEETOR

I - it's nothing. Really. It's what I -

He stops talking. He and Natalie lean closer to each other. They kiss, and we:

Fade out.

End Act Three.

End Part 1.

Show preview of next episode: "The Tragic Love Song of Destiny, Part 2".