The Transformers

Episode 104: Tara

Megatron was sitting on his throne on Charr, savoring his victory. How good it felt to have beaten Optimus Prime and the Autobots on their own fronts. Of course, even if he had killed Prime then and there, tactically, it would still take much longer to reconquer Cybertron. There was no way he was going to accomplish his goal of conquest overnight. He knew from experience that that wasn't possible. He didn't want to regain Cybertron in one fell swoop anyway. It felt good to actually, as he believed humans put it, get under his skin. He knew that his army was stronger than ever, and he had a feeling that Prime knew it too.

Back on Earth, repairs to the damage inflicted on both Autobot City and Metroplex were underway. But right now, that was the last thing on Daniel Witwicky's mind. Today was his first day of school. Arcee was giving him a lift. As he rode in the pink Autobot femme, he asked, "Are you sure you're okay, Arcee? After all, the damage you sustained on Nebulos was pretty bad."

"I'm fine, Daniel," said Arcee. "I guess I should have listened to Hot Rod and not charged Nightracer so blindly."

Daniel smirked. "Yeah. Who'da thunk it? If this were five years ago, it would've been Hot Rod in your place." They both laughed lightly. Despite that (admittedly insulting) analogy, Arcee knew that Daniel was right. Five years ago, it definitely would have been Hot Rod making such a foolish decision.

Arcee pulled up to the school and stopped. As Daniel stepped out, he said, "Thanks for the ride, Arcee. See you later."

"Bye, Daniel," said Arcee as she rode away.

Daniel slowly walked into the school. He was wearing an Oakland Raiders jersey, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes. He looked at his schedule and found his first period class. As he walked into the classroom and sat down, he heard a voice behind him. "Hey, Danny!"

Daniel turned around and saw a black boy dressed in a white t-shirt and black jeans. As they slapped each other high-five, Daniel smiled and said, "What's up, Jimmy?"

"Oh, the same-old, same-old. You still hangin' out with the Autobots?"

"Yeah. I'm sure you heard about the attack that happened last week."

"Yeah," said Jimmy nodding. "That was a pretty tough loss. Rumor has it that Megatron is back."

"That's no rumor," said Daniel. "That's a fact. I mean, I was excited when Optimus Prime came back, but Megatron's a whole other story."

Little did the two boys realize that two rows down, a red-haired girl was listening in on the conversation. She was dressed in a white tank top, black shorts, and black cowboy boots. She frowned as she listened to them talk about the Transformers.

A dark-haired man dressed in a grey suit, obviously the teacher, came into the classroom and said, "Good morning, class. Welcome back. I'll take attendance and then we'll get started." Once role was called, he asked, "Is there anybody I didn't call?" The red-haired girl raised her hand. The teacher pointed to her and said, "Yes, what's your name?"

"Tara James," answered the girl in a Southern accent.*

*She sounds like Rogue from "X-Men: Evolution"

The teacher wrote her name in his book. "Anyone else?" No response. "Alright, then, let's get started."

The first day of school was uneventful. After the final bell, Daniel walked outside to wait for his ride. He was walking toward the sidewalk and looking around for whichever Autobot would pick him up. He wasn't watching where he was going and ended up running into someone. "Oh, I'm so sorry," said Daniel. "Here, let me help you." Instead, Daniel was pushed down. He landed on his butt, looked up, and realized it was the red-haired girl that had been in all of his classes. "Tara?" he asked surprised. "What was that for?"

The fiery redhead frowned and said angrily, "I don't need or want help from anyone who hangs out with those cursed Transformers!" She walked until Daniel saw her get on a motorcycle. As she put on her helmet and rode away, Daniel watched with a look of confusion on his face. He stood up, picked up his stuff, and wondered why she would harbor such resentment.

He was broken out of his reverie when he heard a car horn. It was Jazz, with his music cranked up. As Daniel got in and belted up, Jazz asked, "Hey, Danny-boy, how was your first day of school?"

It took a moment for Daniel to realize that Jazz was talking to him, he was so lost in his thoughts. "Huh? Oh, just a . . . typical school day." They then headed home.

That evening, Daniel was sitting in his room in Autobot City. He was on his computer looking up information about Tara James. "She and her grandfather are living at the apartment complex downtown. But what does she have against Transformers?" he asked himself. His answer then came as some information was displayed onscreen about her past. She was originally from rural Alabama. "No surprise," said Daniel as he thought about her accent. Then he noticed something else. "Parents killed in housefire started by Insecticons," he read aloud. "Optimus Prime was able to save her, but her parents perished." He then ran out of his room and sought the Autobot leader. He had some questions.

"Are you sure it's the same girl?" asked Prime.

Daniel nodded. "Unless the information I just read is forged."

Optimus then turned away and hung his head in shame. "Daniel, I've met humans who've cursed us and called us a threat, but I've never been so ashamed of myself when I heard the words that little girl directed towards me."

His story began. "It was about eight years ago. The Insecticons were eating all their crops. Myself and some of the other Autobots attempted to stop them. Tara and her parents ran inside, figuring they'd be safest from the fight in there. However, Shrapnel noticed this and set fire to their house. While the other Autobots fought the Insecticons and their numerous clones, I ran inside to rescue Tara and her family. I picked up Tara and was about to get her parents when the ceiling collapsed, burying them. I heard their screams. The screams died down pretty quickly. I quickly lifted the debris with my free hand. There they were, their bodies crushed. Tara was screaming for them, thinking maybe they were alright. I wasn't really paying attention, because I knew at that point they were already dead. I picked up their bodies and carried them out of the house as I saw Shrapnel, Bombshell, and Kickback retreating. All of their clones had been destroyed, but that didn't matter. Now, I don't remember what she said when she was screaming for her parents. But I'll never forget what she said to me as Inferno doused what was left of her burning home."

In the past, Optimus looked down in shame as young Tara yelled, "You killed my parents!" She started pounding on his large blue leg and screamed, "You killed them! I hate you! I hate you!"

His story finished, Prime turned back to Daniel. "I've never forgiven myself for what happened that day. That little girl telling me how much she hated me. But of course, you know that we had more immediate concerns after that with the Decepticons taking control of Cybertron."

"But, Prime," protested Daniel, "their deaths weren't your fault."

"I think I know that up here," said Optimus, pointing to his head. He then pointed to his chest, where his heart would be, "But I'm not sure I know it down here."

Daniel nodded, accepting Prime's story. However, little did either one of them realize that Ratbat was recording everything. Satisfied, Ratbat flew away.

Ratbat flew to the moon, where Soundwave was waiting for him. He transformed to tape mode and entered Soundwave's chest compartment. Elsewhere on the moon, Megatron asked Scrapper, "Is our new base finished?"

"Yes, noble leader," answered the Constructicon leader. "This will serve as our staging ground for attacking Earth."

"Excellent," said the Decepticon leader with a smile.

"Megatron." Megatron turned to see his second-in-command approaching.

"What is it, Soundwave?"

"Ratbat has some . . . curious information." He played back Ratbat's findings.

On the tape, Megatron heard Optimus Prime's voice say, "I've never forgiven myself for what happened that day. That little girl telling me how much she hated me."

With the playback finished, Soundwave asked, "Do you remember that day, about eight Earth years ago?"

It took a moment for Megatron to search his memories. But soon, it occurred to him. He smiled evilly. "Yes. I remember that day. So that same girl is living near Autobot City. But I never realized how deeply Prime was affected by it. Well, Optimus Prime, it seems the past is coming back to haunt you. And I intend to make sure you never forget that day or that girl." He then laughed.

The End?