TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED - Remake Season 1
Episode 8: Monster
In the Autobot base...
"We still have a-lot to learn about Earth customs.", Optimus Prime tells his fellow Autobots. "And the best way to do that is to look and listen to everything that goes on."
"So let's get started.", Bulkhead said using his shoulder pads as a makeshift chair. Prowl picked up the remote control and pressed the "on" switch.
"We got over five thousand channels to monitor here.", Bulkhead said using a rod as a straw for a barrel of oil.
First was the commercial of Super Mega Premium Fuel before going to the main event of two race cars crashing to each other.
"That...", Bulkhead stares slack jawed. "Looks like it hurt." Prowl nods with the same gaping mouth expression and change the channel. An image of a wrestling ring with a man standing at the center appeared on the screen.
"Greetings ladies and gentlemen. Have you ever dreamed of being better? Thinner? Faster? How about stronger? Well, my name is Prometheus Black, and I'm here to tell you that you're dreams can become reality!", Prometheus Black said to the cheering audience. "Just look at these poor losers!" A large computer screen displayed a man and a woman; both were old, fat, and dirty.
"And thanks to my bio-tech, just look at what happened to them a mere two weeks later!" New images appear. The couple had been replaced by a man who was handsome and muscular and a woman who was now thin and beautiful.
"And guess what! I can do the same thing for you! My bio-chemical makeover is safe, customizable to meet any and all your needs, and available to all!", The crowd cheers wildly. "And if there are still any doubts as to the quality of my product, I've arranged for a wrestling match for your entertainment and to solidify my promises."
"What RAM damaged programming impaired bot would agree to be in such a degrading spectacle?", Ratchet growls. "Who in the world would allow themselves to be part of some advertisement? Who I ask you?! Who?!"
Wheeljack looks around and notice a certain yellow bot is missing. "I have a good hunch."
"Reminds me of the Gladiatorial Battles of Kaon, but at least this one doesn't involve killing and weapons.", Skyfire said standing behind Ratchet.
"Representing the machines I give you.", Black waves his hand to the cloaked figure in the corner. "Bumblebee!" Bumblebee rips off the sheet and throw it off the ring.
"Hellooo Detroit!", he greets his "fans" who are now booing. Bumblebee looks at "Coach" Sari who shrugs.
"What?!", Bulkhead spits out some oil.
"That figures," Ratchet sighed.
"And representing the human race, the one; the only...", Black motion to the opposite corner. A withered, bent-over, old man who was only half the size of Sari and have metallic pods attached to his back steps out of the shadows. "Cyrus "The Colossus" Rhodes!"
"That's a human?", Bulkhead asks.
"Must be a new model.", Prowl answers.
"Good luck, and may the better man win.", Black steps out of the ring leaving Bumblebee and the tiny "Colossus" alone.
"Don't worry little guy.", Bumblebee squats down to come face to face with Rhodes. "I'll go easy on ya."
"Don't do me any favors, machine." Cyrus growls. The pods on his back slams down inside of him. His right arm wobble and in an instant went from three inches thick to twelve and now reach the floor. The pods rose and slammed down again. Rhodes' other arm bulge with muscles followed by his torso. With two more injections, the steroids had turn the ninety pound Cyrus into the three hundred pound Colossus who was twice the size of Bumblebee.
"Who's the little guy now?!", Rhodes roars.
"This is gonna hurt.", Bumblebee said nervously. Colossus picks up Bumblebee by the head and throws him at the ropes. The ropes launch Bumblebee back at Rhodes who punch him in the face. Bumblebee could feel his face go inward as he hits the ground. "This is definitely gonna hurt."
"Yeah I'll have a cheese dog.", Fanzone said. The vendor-bot spits out a plate with a steaming hotdog on it. "Ah yeah, that's the stuff."
"Would you like a condiment?", the vendor-bot asks.
"Yeah, I'll have some mustard.", Fanzone answers.
"Please select your condiment."
"I just did."
"Please select your condiment."
"I said I want mustard."
"Please select your condiment."
"Mustard I said! Mustard you incompetent little—", Just then, mustard shoots out of a small gun right into Fanzone's face.
"Would you like a napkin?", The vendor-bot shoot napkins into the air like a machine-gun. Fanzone catches one while it was falling and wipes off his face.
"This is why I hate machines."
"I never could afford any of the more advanced models.", Prometheus Black enters the room and sit down next to Fanzone. He reach over to the bot and turns it off. "But other than that little malfunction, I'm sure you're enjoying the view?"
"Oh yeah, not to mention the VIP parking, hand and foot service, and coupon for free bio-tech makeover.", Fanzone said counting the accommodations on his fingers. "You wouldn't be trying to influence the Detroit police force in anyway would you Mr. Black?"
"Captain I'm shocked and insulted by that accusation. All I want to do is present my product under the perfect conditions. Besides, I believe that you can help me."
"How so?"
"By allowing me to help you of course."
"What are you talking about?", Fanzone raised a brow.
"Picture this, my friend: a super-powered police force. No malfunctioning machines working only on logic and programming. Your men, with my bio-tech, could become the most powerful police force in the United States. The world even! It would render those illegal aliens, the Autobots, obsolete!"
"I don't really like machines, but that Optimus Prime and his team have already been registered. Sides, they do a good job. Even if they destroyed the city."
"Exactly."
"Though they did help clean up in short amount of time."
"But! What if they were to go rogue? Think themselves above the law? You would need men like Colossus to stop them! Captain Fanzone, I implore you, my bio-tech is the future! And you would never need the likes of the Autobots again. The mere mention of your men would scare crooks out of their very pants. Imagine how much could be done with no scum mucking up your streets. You're agreement to upgrade your police force is the simplest and most beneficial thing you could do for this city." Fanzone looked back at the ring. Whether or not he wanted to believe it, Fanzone couldn't deny the results in front of him. Bumblebee, no matter what he did, couldn't even scratch Colossus.
"So...", Prometheus dangles a pen and contract in front of his nose. "Do we have a deal?"
Bumblebee screams as Rhodes tosses him into a pole.
""Maybe you should rethink this.", Sari said as her probe inserts the Allspark Key in Bumblebee's forehead fixing up all the damage. "Instead of fighting him head on, just do what you always do."
Bumblebee stands back up and sees triple. "Which guy is him? The one in the middle or the two on either side?", he groans.
"Just swing at all of 'em!", Sari said. Bumblebee shakes his head again and charge. He swings around Rhodes and activate his stingers. He activates the motorized wheels on the bottom of his legs and skates around Rhodes while stinging at him. Rhodes tries to hit the speedster but is too slow.
"Hold still shorty!", Colossus barks. Bumblebee skids to a halt.
"'Shorty?' That's so wrong! I didn't make fun of your height when you were three feet tall!", Bumblebee shouts.
"I told you to hold STILL!", Rhodes shouts charging at the yellow bot, but Bumblebee slides between Rhodes' legs and delivers a kick to the back head knocking Rhodes' to the ground.
Rhodes' gets back up as the pods on his back injects him with more steroids. Colossus grows to the size of a Bulkhead. He lifts Bumblebee over his head and punches him out of the building.
"Well Mr. Fanzone, I believe this proves my point. Bio-tech is the way of the future.", Prometheus smiles. Colossus gave a glass-shattering roar and leaps the hole he made.
"You might want to revise that last statement.", Fanzone comments.
"Can't… feel… everything…", Bumblebee groans as he lies on solid concrete covered in cracks and leaking fluids.
"I hope you like being a pancake, insect.", Rhodes picks up a dumpster. Bumblebee manages to roll away just as the dumpster slam down into the ground. A driver tried to stop his car, but the brakes were to slow, and his car stopped right in front of Colossus.
"Stupid CAR!", The driver runs out of the car as fast as he could as Rhodes slam his television sized fists onto the roof three times. He yanks off the hood, pull out the engine and throws it at Bumblebee like a basketball. Bumblebee once again manages to dodge.
"Bumblebee!", Sari calls out from inside the building. "Hang on, I've already called Prime!"
Rhodes grab BUmblebee's leg and slams hi into a truck.
"That is if you can hold out long enough.", Sari said with concern.
Rhodes picks up another car and prepare to smash Bumblebee into a pulp. Bumblebee barely leaps away just as the car comes crashing down.
"Stand and fight! What are ya?! Yellow?!", Rhodes taunts.
"Well duh!", Bumblebee retorts.
"Call off your gorilla!", Fanzone demands shaking Black by his collar.
"It's not like he's got an off switch!"
Rhodes picks up a truck and chuck it at Bumblebee. He closes his eyes and prepare himself for the crushing pain. But it never came. He opens his eyes. The truck float mere inches in front of him in a glowing purple field.
"Looks like you're in over your head again kid.", Ratchet said moving the truck away and let it fall safely to the ground.
"What's that supposed to mean?!", Bumblebee snaps.
"We've got bigger problems guys!", Prime interrupts.
"What? Bigger than me?"
"Bumblebee, what are you talking about?", Prime asks as Rhodes charge.
"Time for the big guns!", Bulkhead slams himself into Rhodes' gut and send him flying backwards.
"Oh rub it in why don't ya?!"
"What? What did I say?", Bulkhead asks, which allow Rhodes to kick him off. Bulkhead falls onto a car causing the alarm to go off. The noise cause the pods on Rhode's back to spark and twitter. Skyfire and Wheeljack helps Bulkhead up, while Rhodes grit his teeth and clench his fist in pain. Prowl catches on to the situation and launch his shuriken at the pods short circuiting them. Colossus falls to his knees and shrinks back to his original size.
"Good thinking Prowl!", Optimus compliments. Prowl walks over to Bumblebee and slap him in the back of the head.
"Next time use your head. Find your opponent's weakness and strike there."
"If you can reach it of course.", Bulkhead said poking Bumblebee in the shoulder.
"Oh yeah, I get it. Cuz I'm short!"
"What? I'm just messin with ya little buddy."
"Why's it gotta be 'little buddy'? Why can't it just be 'buddy'?!"
"What's gotten into him?", Ratchet asks Bulkhead carrying Sari's probe.
"Ah he's just sore cuz he came up a little short.", Bulkhead jokes causing everyone, but Bumblebee to laugh.
"Now you're just doing it on purpose!"
"You know, this disaster could've ended in a lot less damage if your police force had been using my steroids.", Black said to Fanzone.
"This disaster could've been avoided if your crony hadn't been using your steroids!", Fanzone retorts.
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'll make it nice and simple.", Fanzone said getting in his face until their noses touch. "Not only am I not signing that contract; I'm getting the mayor to put you out of business. When I get through with you, you won't be able to sell toothpicks!"
"You can't do this to me!" Black grab Fanzone by the collar. Fanzone pushes him away.
"You might as well head over to your little lab and clear out." Fanzone suggest before walking away. "Cuz anything ya don't, we're gonna auction off!"
"This is not over!", Black shouts.
"No, no, no. the chemicals still aren't bonding properly.", Black screams slamming his fist down on the table.
"If I can just—", he sighs. "Perhaps if I increase the acidity." Just then his computer opens a window and Porter C. Powell appear.
"Prometheus.", Powell greets.
"Ah Mr. Powell, just the tycoon I wanted to see. I believe I'm reaching a breakthrough. I've discovered the cause of Rhodes' aggressive behavior and am currently trying to find a way around it. And I'm close. All I need is two more weeks.", Black explains.
"That's good news Prometheus, but unfortunately, I have some news of my own. Your investors are furious. They've decided to cut your funding. The prisons won't even give you test subjects anymore. What's worse is that the police are trying to trace where you got those chemicals. I doubt they'll be happy to hear about the illegal imports."
"Don't worry; I'll soon take care of all those little problems. If you'll just give me a few more days, I'll take care of the investors, money, and even those police investigations."
"I can't take that risk. I've already been discovered as a cohort of yours. The police are on their way."
"WHAT?!"
"It's the only way I could maintain my image."
"You can't do this to me!"
"I'm sorry Prometheus.", Powell said ending the transmission.
"THOSE FOOLS!", Black screams in rage. He was about to smack away the bottles, viles and flasks on the table, until receiving another call only this one is anonymous. Curios Prometheus hit receive.
"Greetings, Prometheus Black!", a shadowed silhouette said. "I have taken great interest in your work and I believe you are the key to my problems."
"And what problems would that be?", Prometheus asks. Data is then being downloaded into his computer.
"A little project of mine. It was meant to be an infiltration and stealth suit, but unfortunately the whole idea is rejected."
"Amazing!", Black said eyeing the data. "Covering a robot with an organic suit, giving them capabilities beyond that of their robot forms! This will prove that bio-tech will surpass machines."
"So do we have a deal?", the silhouette asks. "We'll provide you everything you need."
"I accept your terms, but I must know who partner is.", Black said.
"My apologies.", the silhouette said revealing himself to be a robot. "You may call me Bludgeon."
Later in the morning by the bank...
Police investigators are investigating the large wreckage of police drones.
"These new police drones are suppose to state of the art, yet they are all decimated!", Fanzone shouts, grabbing onto Powell's collar. "And once more you armed them with cannons and missiles!"
"My mistake...", Powell said nervously. "We must've gave you the military model instead of the police model."
Sari's probe flies to the wreckage and looks are the wrecked drones. Many were cut to pieces, while some appears to be melted. The probe picks up a piece coated in green liquid with a tractor beam.
"I'd better show Ratchet.", she said.
"Yup, it's definitely sabotage.", Ratchet said looking at the metal with his telescopic eye piece. "But I've never seen a corrosive like this." He sets the metal down. "I'd like to run a few more tests. It should only take a couple hours."
"That long?", Bumblebee moans.
"His attention span is short too." Bulkhead whispers to Prowl.
"I heard that!"
"Apparently so is his fuse.", Prowl responds.
"Oh, the ninja gets in a good one!", Bulkhead raises his hand which Prowl slap in a high-five.
"Who knew he had it in him?", Ratchet chortle.
"Yeah, aren't you supposed to be the strong, silent type? Emphasis on silent.", Bumblebee frowns.
"Arcee of Optimus.", Acree calls out through the comms.
"I read you, Arcee. Go ahead.", Optimus responds.
Skyfire flies over Lake Erie with Arcee inside looking down at a tanker leaving port.
"I spotted Prometheus Black on a tanker ship. It appears that he is leaving the city.", Arcee said.
"Mr. Black leaving the city after a bank has been robbed?", Optimus asks. "This can't be a coincidence.
"Autobots, Transform and Roll Out!", Prime orders. Everybody transform into their vehicle modes and are now en-route to the port.
Bumper
Optimus transform from his vehicle to robots mode with an Ion Blaster in his hand.
Starscream flies over Earth, transforms to robot mode and lands.
Arcee jumps out of Skyfire and lands on the tanker, as Skyfire leaves to pick up the other Autobots.
"Prometheus Black!", Arcee said. "You're under arrest."
"I'll admit you came sooner than I expected, but you didn't think I plan to leave unprotected.", Black said as he steps aside revealing Rhodes behind him. He activates his steroid pods and grows into Colossus. He picks up a steel beam and swings. Arcee leaps over his head and draws out her swords.
"I've seen Prowl taken you out!", Arcee said as she swings her sword at the pods, but they bounce off. "What?!"
"Boss reinforced that little weak spot.", Cyrus smiles.
"Hang on, Arcee.", Skyfire calls out. "The cavalry is here!"
The Autobots jump out of Skyfire and land onto the tanker, as Skyfire transform into his robot mode.
Suddenly an energy blast fires out from inside the tanker and knocks Bulkhead off the tanker. Skyfire catches him and puts him back on the tanker.
"What the...?", Prowl said.
"That shot is from a High-Voltage Electric Cannon.", Wheeljack said. "But those weapons have been banned."
"Fortunately for me I manage to save this on before it became scrap.", a large skeletal samurai said climbing out from inside the tanker. The samurai then swings his sword at Prowl. Prowl ducks in time.
"Prowl! Get back!", Optimus orders punching the samurai.
"Optimus Prime?!", the samurai said hitting the floor, but gets back up with a flip. He kicks the Ion Blaster out of Prime's hand. "You won't be needing that gun, Prime. I've craved a decent battle for too long to have it sullied by firearms."
The samurai then discard his sword and other weapons off his body. "This is my opportunity to get my revenge on you for exposing my operations to the Elite Guard during our camp days. And what better way to have my revenge than taking you apart with my hands."
Optimus widen his optics on what the samurai said as he recalled the incident. "Bludgeon?"
"Ah, you remember me, despite my new body. Though it was originally taken for a test run, I've grown to love it.", Bludgeon said throwing a punch which Prime blacks.
"But last I heard you were in prison.", Optimus said.
"I broke out during your fifty years of sleep and had to escape to a sector where the Autobots would never travel to.", Bludgeon explains. "but never have I thought I would come to this planet."
"What do you mean?", Optimus asks.
"What's this?", Bludgeon said. "You're a True Prime and you don't know a special connection between Earth and Cybertron? Why don't you asks Onyx Prime for those answers."
Bludgeon jabs his finger to Prime's shoulder. While it did some damage the blow fails to pierce through the armor.
"You've grown quite strong over the years we've last met, but I have mastered the ways of Metallikato. Your weak points are laid out before me like a blueprint.", BLudgeon said.
Optimus draws out his axe and swings it down onto Bludgeon's right shoulder pad destroying it follow by a punch to the chest.
"Not bad, I still have the advantage.", Bludgeon said grabbing onto Optimus' body. "Here is one of the reason why I love this body: highly corrosive acid capable of melting cybertronian metal."
Optimus screams in pain as the acid slowly eats away his body.
Meanwhile the other Autobots are having trouble with Rhodes with the help from Black throwing vials of acid onto the Autobots when Rhodes is in trouble.
"It's no good!", Ratchet said. "Whenever we pin this guy down Prometheus will just throw more of his acid on us."
"How're we supposed to stop him without being melted to slag?!", Bumblebee exclaims ducking down from a tossed metal crate.
"You can't!", Rhodes said lifting up Skyfire and throwing him off the tanker although the effort was in vain as Skyfire activates his boosters taking off to the sky. "That's cheating!"
"I've got you now, machine!", Prometheus said grabbing another vial of acid and throws it to Bulkhead's head.
"No!", Bumblebee screams as he leaps in the way and takes the acid in the side. Bumblebee hits the ground hard grabbing his side in pain.
Suddenly the tanker horn blows loudly. The sound of it drives Rhodes nuts and cause his pods to shoot sparks.
Seeing this Prowl remembers a similar incident during the first battle. "I wonder.", Prowl said activating his sirens to full volume. Colossus clenched his ears trying to block out the sound.
"The frequency must disrupt his techno-organic circuits.", Ratchet said turning on his sirens. Arcee and Wheeljack turns on their car alarm.
The noise was so loud that even Prometheus cover his ears failing to notice his vials are having cracks. Eventually Rhode's pods had enough and shuts down causing Rhodes to shrink unconscious. Prometheus' vials then explodes covering him with his own acid.
"Gah! My eyes!", Black screams rubbing his eyes furiously. He looks at his hand. The flesh was starting to droop in flaps then melt. "HELP!"
Eventually Optimus breaks free from Bludgeon's grip, however the acid still made to damage to Prime.
"What are you waiting for Prime?", Bludgeon said. "Use your Super Mode if you want to beat me."
"I only use it as a last resort.", Optimus said. "Besides I know you well enough to know your weakness."
Optimus moves in and rips out Bludgeon's chest revealing a smaller bot inside a large body suit, much to Optimus' shock and horror.
"Surprise?", Bludgeon asks. "I'm sure you remembered my Pretender Project I proposed to Ultra Magnus. However that pompous twit Sentinel's fear of organic ruined it all."
"Once I'm done with you, I'm coming for Sentinel next!", Bludgeon declares, but then notice Black in trouble screaming for help. "However, I'm afraid such a moment must wait. I have plans with Mr. Black!"
Bludgeon jumps over Optimus, grabs Prometheus Black, jumps off the tanker and dives into the water.
The Autobots gather to where Bludgeon dived.
"Should we go after them?", Skyfire asks.
Optimus activates his scanners, but finds nothing.
"No, that Pretender Shell of Bludgeon's is shielding him from our scanners.", Optimus said. "We have no idea where he'll be. Besides we're pretty much banged up already."
Later in the Autobot base...
"Well, you sure were a big help Bulkhead.", Bumblebee said sarcastically. "Why don't you draw a big bull's eye over that oversize chest plate of yours?"
"Gotta admit kid.", Ratchet said patting Bumblebee on the back. "For a little bot, you've got a great big spark."
"That was a brave thing you did for Bulkhead today.", Prime congratulate. "And I'm pretty sure he owes you an apology."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about messin with ya. I was just havin a little fun.", Bulkhead said.
"Little?", Bumblebee looks at Bulkhead, "Did you just say 'little'?"
"What? No! Well yes. But no I didn't mean—"
"I may be small, but I'm scrappy! And I can run circles around your big old rusty chassy!" Bumblebee jumps onto the table and strike poses he'd seen in Kung-Fu movies. "I've got major skills!"
"He's gonna be impossible to live with.", Sari concludes.
"Definitely.", Ratchet agree while Bumblebee amuse himself with various poses and "Wah, ho, ha!" sounds. Until, of course, he falls off and lands on his chin. Everyone else in the room laughs, except Bumblebee.
"That's not funny!", he yells.
Somewhere in Lake Erie...
Prometheus Black lies on a berth surrounded by other shadow silhouettes. Bludgeon having his shell repaired walks up to him.
"Well, Mr. Black.", Bludgeon starts. "The good news is that the radiation have stabilized your body. Your life is no longer in danger."
"What's the bad news?", Black asks.
"You better bear it.", Bludgeon said turning to one of the silhouettes. "Kill the radiation."
The silhouette shuts off the radiation. Black gets up from his berth and looks at mirror. Instead of a man all Black could see is a muck-man in a special containment suit. Black could only laugh maniacally at the reflection of himself.