BEAST WARS:
Cybergeddon
"The oldest stories ever to be told can be written in the stars. Tales before life began when gods and titans came to be. Our god was Primus, who created the Crystal to give us life. But Primus had a twin brother, and he was an unspeakable horror: the god of destruction, Unicron. The two brothers fought each other over the rule of Cybertron, and Primus was the victor. As Unicron drifted away through space while life began on our home planet, the legends foretell he will rise again."
Act One
Three years since the fight with the alien Kratos. A small Cybertronian spacecraft is being steered through a red nebula, reaching a planetoid. The craft lands on it and coming out of it is the Predacon leader, Galvatron.
Galvatron: Could this be it?
He walks away from the craft, drawing out his Master Weapon in its arm cannon form, entering the darkness inside the planetoid. Lightning shows the room is filled with gigantic tubes and a heart beating sound in the air. An ominous voice fills the air.
Voice: Well, well…. The leader of the Predacons, but a traitor to another faction.
Galvatron: Whoever you are, show yourself. Come quietly, and we discuss why I had this on my trackers, yeesss.
Voice: My boy, you do not need to make threats. I know what you've been through. We have seen… [as Kratos] …what you've seen and heard… [as Basilo Dragon] …since the very beginning.
As the Predacon leader travels further into the darkness, he is coming closer and closer to where the voice is coming from. He walks over to a chamber with a huge spark glowing bright. Something emerges from the ground that takes the form of a blue-skinned humanoid wearing a black cape with red trimming, a yellow helmet with red markings, and a pair of bull horns jutting upward.
Galvatron: Are you…?
Figure: Yes. I am… Unicron.
Galvatron: [pauses] It wouldn't matter, no. There is just… nothing I would ever want from my god's most hated enemy.
Unicron: I have seen it all. We both know the betrayals from our siblings. You and I are alike. If we work together, we shall get what we both desire. Be my apostle, and you shall be emperor of Cybertron.
Galvatron: [chuckles] Predacons don't serve, we conquer!
Unicron: Then, perhaps, I've misjudged you.
A lightning bolt strikes Galvatron from every corner of the chamber, severely injuring him.
Galvatron: AAAHHHH! No! NO, WAIT! [agonized] If I accept this… what would you… offer…?
Then, the attack stops as Galvatron gasps in exhaustion and looks back at the Cybertronian deity.
Unicron: You seek a planet for your own kind, aren't you? I have a way to make it so.
He raises his hands, which are shown to be decaying, as electricity crackles between his fingers. Suddenly, a pitch black crystal rises up from the ground, and Galvatron looks at it in awe.
All the way in Ottawa, Serena Hansan, now fifteen years old, is standing in a packed city bus. She takes out her phone and types out a text. "Hey mom, just checking in. I'm out of school at 2:45 PM. Miss you and dad. Love Serena."
The bus drops Serena off at 2597 Alta Vista Dr, which is right next to Ridgemont High. She strolls down the sidelines and approaches the main building, just before the bell rings.
At class, Serena is seated on her seat to listen to her astrophysics teacher.
Teacher: Now, what is it we know about a star? We know it's a ball of gas burning billions of miles away, but our sun is a baby star, so how is it born to begin with? Dash?
Dash: It's born from a nebula composed of… a cosmic cloud.
Teacher: Nope. Next?
Another hand goes up, but the teacher stares at a student who clearly is having difficulty focusing on the lecture. Serena has been watching a video of the Maximal and Predacon sightings on YouTube.
Teacher: Miss Hansen?
Serena: Uh… Uh… Yeah, yeah.
She closes the laptop, revealing a diagram of a nebula beside a star.
Serena: The material for a nebula composed of hydrogen, along with helium and other heavier elements.
Teacher: Correct. And Dash? This is actual science, not Fantastic Four propaganda.
The class bursts out in laughter. Dash has turned in his seat and is glaring at Serena. Just then, Serena feels a nodge on her stomach. She looks down to find Moses, her weaponizing otter, hiding in her desk.
Moses: [whispers] Kiddo, can this hurry up? I'm dying in here.
Serena: Shhh.
She shoves Moses back under her desk just before the teacher makes a speech.
Teacher: And class? I want to give you a heads up here. Next week, we'll be having our school prom at around 9 pm sharp. Those of you who have someone in mind, simply do what you can to get him or her, and make it your best moment. But there are rules. No one is to rape anybody afterwards.
[students laugh]
[bell rings]
Teacher: Class dismissed.
A prom banner is hung over the clock on the cafeteria wall, by a student standing on a ladder. Serena is sitting down in her private seat at the corner, and covertly takes Moses out of her school bag.
Serena: You okay, Moses?
Moses: Yeah, sure. I think we'd have to come up with a schedule for our sakes.
Serena: We have. You and the others can't come to school whenever you feel like it. That's what Optimus agreed upon, remember?
Moses: Maybe, but the Predacons could just break in.
Student: Hey, Serena.
Alarmed, Serena shoves Moses back into her back and looks back to find a dark-skinned boy, who called her, coming towards her.
Serena: Oh, Carlos. You startled me there.
Carlos: My bad. You nailed it on that Dash guy.
Serena: It was nothing.
Carlos: No, I mean it. A lot of girls wouldn't have the nerve to outsmart the guy because he has a way of getting even. That took some balls there.
Just then, Carlos gets hit in the back of his head with a football. He whips around to find Dash and a couple of jocks laughing at him.
Dash: Heads up there, Cocky Carlos. [laughs]
Carlos: [angrily] Okay, now you're gonna get it!
Carlos picks out Serena's food and throws it at Dash's face. And then, all the students begin a food fight, but Serena ducks down under the table to avoid it. Suddenly, a whistle is blown to cease the fight and a pretty, dark-skinned girl enters the cafeteria, grabbing everyone's attention.
Girl: That's enough. All of you are to clean up your messes immediately.
Carlos: But Sassy, he started it.
Sassy: I don't care who did what. I'm ending it. And Dash, you're requested to be in the principal's office... alongside your parents.
Dash gulps in shock, knowing he might be in trouble, and he follows Sassy out of the cafeteria. Moses pops his head out of the school bag to see Dash about to leave.
Moses: Oh, look. There's the jerk.
He hocks up a phlegm in his throat, and is about to spit, when Serena covers his mouth before she shakes her head with a glare. Moses is forced to swallow his prize. Serena shoves him back in, and walks over to Carlos.
Serena: Your sister is only doing what's right. She is student body president.
Carlos: Yeah, maybe… but it's odd that we're twins and we think so differently.
Carlos and the rest of the students begin to clean up their mess. But Serena looks up at the prom banner, and she seems troubled about it.
Down at Sparks street in downtown Ottawa, at the end of an alleyway was a beautiful, soulful voice singing "The Way I Feel Inside" by The Zombies. It's coming from a teenage boy named Hogarth Beauregarde.
Hogarth: If I feel that I, could be certain then, I would say the things I want to say to-
All of a sudden, an alarm is triggered from inside a building, and a quad of robbers in masks burst out through the window with bags of money. When Hogarth hid in the corner, a pair of cops arrive at the scene to see the robbers getting a car.
Policeman: Hold it right there!
Robber boss: Go, go, go!
The robbers drive away from the scene, and Hogarth sprints after them, attempting to reach them. A robber stretches his arm out, and grabs hold of the kid before he hoists him up in.
Robber boss: Hogarth! You were supposed to be keeping a lookout!
Hogarth: Sorry, dad.
Robber boss: And where's your mask, boy?
Hogarth quickly reaches in to put on his ski mask to hide his face with the police chasing them.
Driver: [to the boss] Time for the plan, Kerchak.
Kerchak: Carl, keep driving. Jenkins, Boris- smoke 'em.
The two robbers in the back threw canisters of smoke grenades to create a smoke screen, and Jackson veers the vehicle into another direction that leads them straight to Queensway. The robbers cheer for their successful heist, but Hogarth isn't cheering for his lack of interest.
Act Two
All the way at 2801 Traverse Dr near Kaladar Park, the four Maximals, Cheetor, Rattrap, Dinobot and Skydive in their beast modes, are watching a TV broadcast of the police chasing after the robber gang.
Dinobot: Pitiful ingrates. They're supposed to be earning their money through hard, propper business.
Cheetor: Well, not everyone thinks the same way.
Rattrap: Yeah. Good thing there's no crime for rats to go around, eh?
Dinobot: Ha! Vermin of your size are already criminals.
Rattrap: Ah, thanks. Hey! Was that a shot?
Dinobot: Maybe.
Rattrap: Take that back!
Dinobot: Denied!
Rattrap: Take that…
Then, Dinobot punches Rattrap on the face, knocking him down on the floor.
Rattrap: [muffled] …back.
Skydive: Cool it, now. We have to keep a low profile, you know.
Dinobot: Shut your beak. I can't stand this babysitter/guardian role. I'm a soldier. I fought battles, I've led teams.
Cheetor: That was stellar cycles ago. Plus, Serena still needs our guardianship and you make killer cupcakes, remember?
Dinobot: He-he-he, go chase a mouse.
Just then, the door is heard opened, and the Maximals look back to see it is Serena returning home. Moses hops out of her backpack, shaking himself.
Serena: I'm home.
Rattrap: Hey, kid. How's school? Was there a fight? A floggin'?
Moses: There's going to be a prom next week.
Cheetor: [excited] You mean a school dance? Alright, alright! I am all about dancing!
Skydive: Um, Cheetor, I think this prom's about waltzing and delicacy. Good thing because nobody would be in your league.
Dinobot: On top of it all, we mustn't attend to it, or you shall soon be put onto an operating table.
But they notice Serena walking away, obviously sad about something.
Rattrap: Hey, hey, what gives? Aren't you gonna say something else?
Serena: No.
She continues walking down the hall and enters her room, closing the door behind her.
Skydive: I don't get it. Maybe she's, uh… sick?
Moses: I wouldn't think so. If three years of living with you guys hasn't made her sick right now, nothing will.
Rattrap: Maybe she's homesick. I mean, we all know this was part of the plan to relocate her from Lori and Rhys with the Preds targeting her.
Cheetor: But she's only fifteen years old. It's kind of too early to leave them.
The TV screen starts beeping with the Maximal inginia, and Skydive presses a remote button to show the face of Optimus Primal, leader of the Maximals.
Optimus: Optimus to home base one.
Cheetor: Hey, big-bot. Good to hear from ya.
Rattrap: What's the news?
Optimus: Level 3's picked up the signal of another Energon tower. The latest report says it's somewhere in Huangshan, China.
Dinobot: Hmmm. Tell Longhorn to open the spacebridge here. Rattrap and I will deal with this tower.
Optimus: Very well, but the rest of you will have to stay. Galvatron is still viewing Serena until he gets what he wants.
Cheetor & Skydive: Yes, sir!
The screen turns off, and the spacebridge portal opens in the living room, allowing Dinobot and Rattrap to go through before it closes.
In her bedroom, Serena is doing her homework, but she is looking so blue again. Moses goes to her, jumping onto her table to grab her attention.
Moses: What seems to be the problem?
Serena: Nothing, Moses.
Moses: Hey, c'mon, now. No secrets. Just tell your little guardian all about it.
Serena: I… I just don't feel excited for the prom, that's all.
Moses: Well, did you ever feel like you wanna go there?
Serena: Sure, but… every boy thinks I'm funny. Not the kind that makes you laugh, but…. The kind of funny no one would think of addressing. There's no one who would ask me out.
Moses: Well, what about that Carlos kid? He probably doesn't think so. Plus, he's a handsome devil.
Serena: He's handsome alright, but he can be overeactive. I mean, what's going to happen if he finds out about you and the other Maximals?
Moses: Well, I see your point.
Then Cheetor and Skydive, both converting into robot mode, enter the bedroom to join in.
Cheetor: Girl, quit being so negative. You are the bearer of Voltrix, and a part of an age-old legacy since the late 1800s. There's nothing funny about that.
Skydive: As your friends and guardians, we insist you should attend the prom.
Serena: Me?
Moses: No, the prime minister. Of course, you!
Skydive: It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do this. It's part of, what you might say, an educational experience. Like studying various regional cheeses.
Moses: Bobbing for apples, rock-n-roll tunes, playing dunk the monk.
Cheetor: Cool your circuits, guys. Serena, just take my word for it. Life's not a spectator sport. If missing one prom is all you're gonna do, then you may miss a lot more in life as you live it.
Serena: You mean it?
Cheetor: Sure. I missed a lot of things at school, when I got dragged into the first Beast Wars. And look at me now.
Serena: Guys, I appreciate what you're all trying to do, but….
Skydive: Wait, are you….
[phone ringing]
Serena: Hold on. [answers phone] Hello?
Voice: Wassup? It's Tigatron.
Serena: [pleased] Oh, Tigatron.
Tigatron's voice: Yeah, I got a couple of questions for ya. I wanna know I have to go to the side of a building and hear you chattin' to call you at-
Serena: Wait, where are you?
Without an answer through the phone, Serena hears a tapping on the window to find Tigatron standing outside. In a panic, Cheetor rushes over to open the window and let him in.
Cheetor: Tigatron, what are you doing?
Tigatron: What am I doing? I just dropped in to see what y'all doing. I can't help being nosy that there's a prom and girl's not going. You're not shy, are you?
Serena: Shy? No. I'm just… uh….
Tigatron: Yo, bra. It's just a random party. There's nothing to be afraid of.
Serena: Tigatron, this is my first to me. Nobody at school thinks I'm cool. I'll embarrass myself.
Cheetor: Yeah, I've seen that look before. Your mother was the same when she was your age. But I think she wouldn't want you to be this way.
Moses: All and all, what I'm trying to say is, if this Carlos doesn't think you're a funny girl, think that maybe the rest of the kids feel the same way.
Serena: You think so?
Tigatron: Sure. You just gotta trust us. And you don't deny us it. You clear on that?
Serena: [nodding] Yes.
Cheetor: Good. Now, continue your homework and we'll see what we can whip up for supper.
Skydive: Oh, hey. You've got a voicemail. It's your mother.
Skydive hands Serena the phone, putting it on her desk. Serena presses on the button to activate the voicemail from Lori.
Lori: [through speakers] Serena. This is your mother speaking. I want to let you know that we miss you too. Me, your father, and Alexis. I know how much it means to you to call us, but it's for your own good. What I want you to know is you will always count on the people you're accompanied with, all the people who showed friendship, those who you first encountered, and who will stand by your side. Just be our brave girl, and have faith on your-
[static sound]
Skydive: That's the end. Any longer and they'll trace it to you.
Serena: Well, at least I can hear my mother's voice.
Tigatron: Anyway, take our advice, and hers.
The Maximals exit the room as Serena turns back to her homework to continue working on it.
Act Three
All the way in Huangshan, Dinobot and Rattrap are strolling down the mountainside in search on the tower nearby. The two Maximals look around themselves to find out things are silent.
Rattrap: Oh man. We've been here for two minutes, and we haven't seen the tower anywhere.
Dinobot: It's too quiet. This means we may run into an ambush.
Rattrap: [scoffs] I thought this is what you wanted, chopperface. What happened to the "I am a soldier" part?
Dinobot: I said that because that's what I was built for. The war for Cybertron was the only thing I could remember from the beginning.
Rattrap: Hey, the war's over, remember? We're only dealing with rebels that's just-"
Suddenly, a blast of fire blocks their path and Torvo-Octane in his beast mode bursts out of the bush, shoving them both away.
Torvo-Octane: The traitor and the rat. Torvo-Octane, terrorize!
He converts to robot mode and fires his Ener-Ball Launcher, forcing the Maximal duo to take cover and hide under a boulder.
Rattrap: Wish, and you get it, huh? Rattrap, maximize!
Dinobot: Dinobot, maximize!
They both transform to robot mode and fire their firearms to begin a gun fight, echoing through the air. Rattrap taps on his forearm, ejecting a Proton Bomb, and prepares to throw it.
Dinobot: Hold it! Not here when we can start a rockslide.
Rattrap: Oh, the only time you get concerned for bombing.
Then, an energy ball strikes the boulder into pieces, and the Maximals fan out for more cover. Dinobot fires his optic blast, disarming Torvo-Octane of his fun, and they both engage in a sword fight.
Torvo-Octane: You brought shame to the Predacons when you sided with them.
At the other side of the mountain, there's an Energon tower with Terrorsaur operating it. He looks at the screen that has a percentage of Energon extracting from within the rocks. He has his support drone, Dreadwing, perching on his shoulder like a pirate's parrot.
Terrorsaur: Just a few more, and we'll have enough Energon to power the Darksyde's weapons. This is my lucky day.
But then, he feels the ground rumbling. Dreadwing looks back and screeches in alarm with Longhorn charges up to them. Terrorsaur takes flight to evade him, and Longhorn rams into the tower, demolishing it.
Longhorn: Still feeling lucky, Terrorsaur?
Terrorsaur: [screeches angrily]
Terrorsaur raises his arm upward, motioning Dreadwing to convert into his Decapitation Cannon, and fires it along with his Null Ray Machine Gun, attempting to shoot Longhorn.
Longhorn: Longhorn, maximize!
The Maximals transforms and fires his Shoulder-Mounted Ion Gun Turret, simply blowing Terrorsaur out of the sky.
Longhorn: Having two guns isn't the easiest way.
Back with Dinobot, he is still having a sword fight with Torvo-Octane. With his Dragontooth Sword-axe, Torvo-Octane proceeds to try chopping him as Dinobot flips back to avoid, but then the Predacon swung his tail to strike his leg, tripping him over. Dinobot rolls to the left when Torvo-Octane tries to chop him again. With his eyes glowing, Dinobot blasts his optic beams to blow Torvo-Octane a few yards away.
Torvo-Octane: What keeps your confidence to face us?
Dinobot: Galvatron is self-confident.
Torvo-Octane: Self-confident. HA! His lordship speaks for others; you are a traitor!
Terrorsaur: [through comm. link] Torvo-Octane, abort mission. The Energon tower has fallen and Galvatron is on his way now.
Torvo-Octane pauses for a bit, and he looks back at Dinobot with a glare.
Dinobot: One of these days, Torvo-Octane, you will regret the day you pledged for fidelity towards that waste of Cybertronian metal.
Torvo-Octane: I am not as regrettable as you should be. The humans will always suspect a traitor like you in their mits. Beast mode.
He reverts back to his beast mode, and runs down the pathway to leave the area. Once he's gone, Rattrap and Dinobot stand by as Longhorn approaches them downhill.
Longhorn: The tower's down. So, what did I miss?
Rattrap: Well, you just missed Torvo-Octane, but we took care of it.
Dinobot: [growls] You wouldn't do anything until you would bomb this joint.
Rattrap: But I… guess I did shoot him a bit.
Longhorn: Let me contact Level 3 to give them the news.
All the way in Level 3's base, special agent Owen Black is passing around in a computer room with Optimus joining in.
Optimus: Agent Black, any word from Longhorn?
Owen: Not yet. We're still waiting. But we did make some progress on other assignments.
Owen presses a few buttons on the nearby keyboard, and a computer screen shows surveillance of the Predacons Wolfang and Waspinator (in pieces) locked up in cages.
Optimus: You've captured Waspinator and Wolfang?
Owen: Well, Waspinator was all in pieces. All we had to do was go through every marketplace and gather him together. Wolfang stuck out like a sore thumb in the Grand Canyon. But I've been meaning to ask, Prime. How's Serena doing living with your team?
Optimus: Very well. She's adapting to her surrounding area. True is too small for us all, but we're taking turns in safeguarding her, and this weekend should be me and Longhorn's shift.
Owen: Don't you think you could try to find a bigger house for an outpost like your superiors on Cybertron said?
Optimus: We're still working on it, and that's just prime.
Longhorn: [through computer] Longhorn to base, mission accomplished. The tower's out and the sighting was cleared. Nobody noticed us.
Owen: Roger that, big guy. Over and out.
In the director's office, Anthony Snapple is having a phone call with someone.
Anthony: Yes, Mr. President. We just had the area quarantined for…. Pardon me? What transformers are they? Well, according to special agent Black, he says these "Dino-Knights" are sort of organic transformers from the prehistoric times and all. No, I don't think it's that simple, sir. Their origin story is a bit complicated to comprehend. Yes, yes, of course. We're making sure they're not discovered. [pauses] Thank you sir, and I'll be in touch. Goodbye.
Snapple hangs up on the phone, ending his call, and he sits down on his desk to look at the graph on the wall with alien sightings going up the chart. He scratches his chin in thought.
Anthony: Hmmm. How am I going to keep this up?
Act Four
Onboard the Darksyde, the Predacons circle around to stare at the planet down below in thought, waiting for Galvatron to return.
Sharpshot: It has been three cycles since Galvatron left to find this beacon.
Terrorsaur: I, for one, think it may have been a set up. Probably the Maximals' hacker Skydive messing with our scanners.
Ransack: Illogical. Darksyde mainframes highly protective and out of reach.
Terrorsaur: So can the bird.
Torvo-Octane: Galvatron says it's something else. Something far more powerful.
Terrorsaur: Seize your gloating.
Just then, there's a stomping sound from behind. The Predacons look back to see Galvatron entering the chamber.
Galvatron: I believe someone has an objective for my point of view?
Terrorsaur: [nervously] Uh, no. Nothing at all, my liege.
As the Predacons take a bow, Galvatron walks up to his throne and sits on it before he looks at his subordinants.
Galvatron: Now that I have returned, we shall make plans for our conquest, yeesss.
Ransack: Acknowledged. Requirements for the bearer of Voltrix.
Torvo-Octane: I agree. With the Blade of Iacon in her grasp, capturing her would be critical for us all to locate free-ranged Energon deposits.
Coming over are Quake and Ravage with a platter of an Energon cup, and they hand it to Galvatron, who drinks from it.
Quake: Plus, the Maximals are making scrapmetal out of every fighter you set at them. Pretty soon the Darksyde's gonna be standing room only.
Terrorsaur: Perhaps, my liege, we shall let Ransack deal with the transmitters to contact others from outer space.
Galvatron: My army will come. But my time away has given me more… intriguing means of multiplying them. I happened to have this artefact.
Reaching to his side, Galvatron reveals to the Predacon that he carries the black crystal Unicron has given him, and they are all shocked and horrified to see it.
Ravage: Holy shit!
Torvo-Octane: Master… is it really?
Galvatron: Yes, commander. This is the most prominent arfefact in all of Cybertronian history. This is… Black Energon.
Terrorsaur: We have all heard of it. The legends say it originated from the blood of Chaos Bringer, Unicron. They speak of its power turning organics into… pure machinery.
Quake: And it's what made Cybertron into the planet we all know since the two gods fought each other.
Galvatron: We need to be sure it functions well enough, yeesss. I would need some victims to see the results.
Ravage: Say, why don't you just pick some human lowlives and save them the trouble? [chuckles]
Galvatron gets ticked at Ravage and slams his fists on the edges of his throne. Quake and Ravage both hide behind Torvo-Octane for cover, but the Predacon leader thinks for a second.
Galvatron: Humans? Actually…. I always wanted to make them as servant bots for us. Very well, that can be arranged. But first…. Sharpshot, bring me the dead body. Ransack, deploy Cyberbee to find me volunteers. Start with Ottawa, the indicator's home city.
Ransack: As you command, Galvatron. Cyberbee, detach.
Ransack detaches his abdomen, which converts into his support drone Cyberbee, and it flies out of the ship to fly down to Earth.
Down on Earth, Kerchak's gang proceeds their car down the road and to the back of an old garage in the outskirts of the city. They park it there, and roar in cheer for the success.
Kerchak: Good job, boys. Carl made a good choice on the getaway car, Boris held the money long enough, and Jenkins made the right choice with the Scotiabank.
Jenkins: Yes sir, it was an awful choice. But of course, little Hogarth wasn't of much help to us all back there.
Hogarth is standing by at the front entrance looking down with his hands in his pockets. Looking away, Jenkins takes out a mirror to look and gloat at himself in the mirror.
Jenkins: [chuckles] Oooh, lovely.
Kerchak: Give him time, Jenkins. My son will be a part of this band. I can feel it in my bones.
Boris: Yeah, but what if he doesn't, boss? I mean, that is a good question, y'know.
Carl: To be honest, I don't believe he has what it takes.
While the gang was talking, Hogarth takes his leave away from them to go outside the building. Kerchak grabs the money and offers it to his gang.
Kerchak: Here's your cut, boys. So, you're all off duty for the week.
Jenkins: Are you sure? I think we could do more heists.
Kerchak: Too risky. We should always keep a low profile to keep us undiscovered. And besides, Hogarth is going to school tomorrow.
Boris: Oh. Well, maybe he'd need it.
Jenkins: [peeved] Boris, show some attitude. You're a mobster for God's sakes.
Kerchak: Enough! You all may go home. I'll give you a shout when you're needed. Good day.
Kerchak takes his leave to go elsewhere. Jenkins, Carl and Boris all walk in a garage through the opened door, where they begin counting on their cut for the reward money.
Carl: Let's see. Boris gets twenty percent, I get twenty, and Jenkins…. Well… also twenty.
Boris: Um, which is good, right?
Jenkins: Just one day, boys. Soon I will be boss. That Kerchak simply keeps that boy of his because he's too soft to let him go.
Boris: It's only because of his dream of a legacy.
Jenkins: Legacy? HA! Don't make me laugh, Boris. Ever since we had him with us, he's only been a thorn on our side. Remember this one time when he first came here, and he foiled a mission which put me in the hospital for a whole week?
Carl: Yeah. You got mad at him for ramming into you on his bike.
Jenkins: I know he's Kerchak's kid, but nobody puts me in the hospital and gets away with it! He'll just walk away from the gang, and when he does, he's going to get it good.
Unbeknownst to them, Cyberbee is perching on an opened window to spy on the trio. Having enough, it flies away from the junkyard.
Back on the Darksyde, Ransack broadcasts footage on the TV screen plugged into him, and Galvatron watches the whole scene.
Galvatron: Hmmm. They will do, for now at least.
Sharpshot: Here it is, lord Galvatron.
Sharpshot, assisted by Ravage and Quake, brings in a stretcher covered by a blanket and Galvatron removes it to show him something. Maisy Webster, the hillbilly woman he knew from years ago, lying dead on the stretcher.
Galvatron: Maisy Webster. Good thing I requested Kenilworth to get your dead body before they would bury you. I was hoping to use it on the Syndrome, but let's see if the Black Energon can do it better.
Galvatron holds up the Black Energon crystal, tapping it on the dead body's chest. There's a large explosion, causing a pillar of smoke to rise off of the stretcher. The Predacons revert to beast mode for safety. Lightning courses through the red smoke as a scanning beam shines on Galvatron and a raptor skull on the floor. When the smoke evaporates, the body is turned into a black Indoraptor, snarling and growling. The Predacons are stunned to see it, but not their leader.
Galvatron: Aw, yes! Yeesss! It worked! Welcome… Thrashclaw.
The new Predacon snarls as it looks around like a guard dog on all four limbs, and it stands on its hind legs. When it sees Ravage and Quake, it rushes over to chase after them around the room, and it pounces on them both, pinning them both down.
Galvatron: Heel!
By his command, Thrashclaw gets off of the duo and walks over to sit in front of Galvatron.
Quake: Alright. So, it's obedient.
Galvatron: On the contrary, Thrashclaw is still a she. Now, transform.
But Thrashclaw doesn't transform. She just sits down doing nothing. With some thought, Ransack shines a light on her from his optics, scanning the new Predacon.
Ransack: T-cog unidentified in the body. Transformation capabilities not functional.
Terrorsaur: Well, that's disappointing. But we would've known that since humans don't transform like we do.
Sharpshot: Not to worry. I still have some t-cogs from the four fallen Maraudicons stellar cycles ago.
Galvatron: Yes. Sharpshot will get our pet fixed. In the meantime, study on the Black Energon to find a way to replicate it, while Quake and Ravage will go fetch me those three.
Ravage: Sir, just noticing, sir. They're from Earth, what if they can't come?
Quake: Oh, if they can't come? We'll MAKE 'IM!
Ravage: Yeah. That could work.
Act Five
The next morning, Serena is asleep on her bed, until she hears the alarm clock going off and she puts it to snooze. She sat up to yawn, then Serena notices Moses sleeping on her pet, and she pets him which wakes him up.
Serena: Morning, sunshine.
All of a sudden, the door is slammed open and it freaks them both out with the dust clearing out to reveal it was Tigatron with a whistle.
Tigatron: [blows whistle] Up and at him, girl! School is comin' up!
Serena: Tigatron, this is not how you wake people up. It makes them think you're a lunatic.
Tigatron: Say what? Who's a lunatic? I'm Tigatron, for Primus' sake. I'd kick their asses for saying that to me, baby. Anyway, breakfast is ready, so get dressed.
In the kitchen, Optimus is walking across in beast mode with an apron on, and he makes an omelete with pineapple slices inside. Longhorn sticks his head through the window from outside, smelling the flowers nearby. The two look ahead to see Serena all dressed up for school and coming over.
Longhorn: Good morning, child. I was hoping you didn't lose your mind after what Tigatron was getting you through.
Serena sits down on the table, followed by Moses, and begins eating one of Optimus's omeletes.
Serena: I didn't, but Moses did. I mean, who taught him that?
Optimus: Perhaps it would've been our fault, Serena. He's still having our routines in his processor chip. But he'll grow out of it soon.
Longhorn: By the way, we've heard about this prom your school's having next week. Sounds like a splendid idea for you.
Moses: Not likely. The kid thinks no boy would ask her because she lacks the confidence of herself for being different.
Optimus: Is that so? Well, maybe other kids there would feel the same way, but being different isn't always a bad thing.
Serena: You really think so?
Longhorn: Better listen to Optimus. He knows his stuff.
Moses: Hey, the bus is on its way.
Serena: [gasps] I gotta go! Bye!
Finished with her breakfast, she rushes over to put her plate in the sink, grabs her lunchbox and puts it in her school bag before Moses climbs in too. She rushes to the door, closing it behind her, and the Maximals are left in the house.
Optimus: [chuckles] Just like old times when Lori was on our watch.
In class, the students are muddling around the place. Then, Sassy comes over to try and get their attention.
Sassy: Order! Class, order!
Student 1: I'd like some pan fried potatoes.
Student 2: Oh, oh, a slice of strawberry shortcake.
[students laughing]
Sassy: [unamused] That's not funny.
Serena comes running into the class and sits on her desk, panting like she was running. Carlos comes over to her desk.
Carlos: You made it just in time. Say, um… I've been wanting to ask you something.
Serena: Well, what is it?
Teacher: Class is starting now.
On demand, all the students adjourn to their desks and get themselves ready for class.
Teacher: Good morning, everyone. I'd like to tell you all to open up your books and turn to a precise page right away, but… I have some news. Your classmate, Dash Deedle, was expelled yesterday for his bad behavior, so he's going to be homeschooled. On the plus side, we have a new student joining us today, so let's give him a welcoming hand.
The door opens up and Hogarth comes into the classroom. He is looking so nervous with all the students looking at him, and he stands next to the teacher.
Teacher: His name's Hogarth Beauregarde. He is the shy type, and I'm expecting you all to treat him with care. Why don't you take a seat over there?
Hogarth walks across the room and sits right next to Serena, who looks at him with a smile. At the far end, Carlos notices it and he gets suspicious about what's happening there.
Teacher: Now class, let's begin with math.
Later that day, it is recess and all the students are in the yard with a game of soccer playing. Serena is walking around with her backpack in arms, finding a way to let Moses out without being seen.
Moses: [muffled] Are we clear?
Serena: Not yet. Just-
Suddenly, without looking, Hogarth and Serena bump into each other, dropping the backpack on the ground and letting out Moses.
Serena: Oh no.
Hogarth: Sorry. Here, lemme help.
Hogarth helps out Serena with her bag, then he notices Moses, behaving like a normal otter.
Hogarth: Hey, where'd he come from?
Serena: [nervously] Uh… he was found on the road.
Hogarth: That's sad. Good thing nobody ran into him. Um… we were in class, right?
Serena: Yes. I'm Serena. It's nice to meet you, Hogarth.
Serena picks up Moses, holding him in her arms. Hogarth reaches out to Moses, petting him on the head, then the alarmed Moses begins sniffing his hand like crazy.
Hogarth: He-he-he. Cute little guy.
Serena: Yeah. He looks like a baby this way. [giggles] Oh, um…. That sounds silly, doesn't it?
Hogarth: No. I just never looked at it that way before. [chuckles] But why was he in your backpack?
Serena: I was in a hurry, and I….
But then, their moment is broken by Carlos and Sassy who are coming over to them.
Carlos: Hey, you two aren't making out, are ya?
Serena: What? No, Carlos, no. We weren't doing that.
Carlos: Well, what's all this about then?
Sassy: And what is that in your arms?
Serena: It's an otter.
Sassy: Yes, I can see that, but what're pets doing here in school grounds?
Hogarth: Serena said it was rescued. This little guy was found on the road.
Carlos: Okay, so that's good to know. But what I want to know is what would you two be out here doing here together in the first place.
Hogarth: I'm not used to eating a meal in the cafeteria, so I'd just come out here to eat my lunch.
Carlos: [disbelieved] What? It looks to me like you were-
Sassy: Oh, give it a rest. Nobody likes a sour puss, little brother.
Carlos: You're not that much older than me.
Sassy: I'm 327 seconds older, and don't you forget that.
Serena: Anyway, I gotta take this little guy out of here, so bye.
Serena walks away from the threesome to the far end of the field where no one can see her. Once she's in the clear, she puts Moses down and he stands up to face her.
Moses: Me? Like a baby?
Serena: Well, babies are soft and cute. And you have both of those traits.
Moses: Never mind that, listen. That boy who petted me…. He had a scent of him.
Serena: Is it a dog?
Moses: No. It's… Cybertronian.
Serena: [gasps] You mean… Predacons?
Moses: I'm not sure, but there's one thing we can do. We'll go follow him… after school.
Act Six
Later that day, Kerchak is in his garage punching on a punching bag, until he gets interrupted by Hogarth when he pops in.
Hogarth: Yo, dad! Just going out!
Kerchak: Well, don't take too long. I've got a gang coming over.
With Kerchak continuing his punches, Hogarth exits the garage and rides off on his skateboard. Unbeknownst to him, Skydive is flying above him in the air to where he spies on him below.
Skydive: Skydive, maximize.
He transforms to robot mode and activates his comm. link on his wrist.
Skydive: Skydive to Optimus, I've got him on sight. Sending feedback to you.
Serena is at home with the Maximals as Optimus projects a holographic video of Hogarth's footage from his wrist.
Serena: That's Hogarth.
Longhorn: Well, he's a handsome one.
Cheetor: [offended] What am I, scrapmetal?
Optimus: Either way, we need to be sure he has no connections with the Predacons, because that would result in a catastrophe. Trust me, we've seen it.
Skydive: [through comm. link] I'll keep an eye on him.
Optimus: Copy that, Skydive. I'll contact Rattrap and Dinobot to join us. We'll be on our way. Longhorn, stay here and wait for us. If we don't get back, call agent Black to provide us some back up.
Longhorn: Understood. I've still got some more flowers to smell.
Serena: Does this mean I'd have to come too, Optimus?
Optimus: I'm afraid so. Now, let's go.
Going outside, Serena climbs on Cheetor and he dashes off to go through the park, then Optimus walks out through the back door.
Hogarth is still rolling his skateboard to go deep into the trees until he makes a stop at a closed gate. He looks around to make sure the coast is clear. When it is, he climbs over the gate and walks down the road. Serena arrives at the gate with Optimus, Cheetor, Rattrap and Dinobot at her side. Skydive flies down to the ground, reverting to beast mode.
Skydive: Did you see where he went?
Rattrap: Yep. He just went right through here. But what is this?
Serena: I think it's an old mansion's gateway. But nobody's been using these for a long time, so it must be abandoned.
Cheetor: Hey look. There's one, up that hilltop.
Everyone looks through the gate to find an abandoned mansion with a plume of black smoke rising from the chimney. Serena then sees Skydive whimpering on a tree branch.
Serena: Skydive? Well, come on.
Skydive: I can't! I can't go! What if it's haunted?! I don't think I can make it!
Optimus: Settle down. We all don't have to go in at once. If we're going in, we'll have to do ground assaults.
Rattrap: Oh, for bootin' up cold! You don't think Predacons would be there, do you?
Dinobot: I wouldn't recommend that option. As much as I wouldn't agree with this vermin, I don't believe Galvatron would choose a house when he already has a functioning ship.
Optimus: We'll want to make a human factor for an advantage, same as he thought we did. Right now, he'll do whatever it takes to have his way, and that's why we're going in there. Optimus Primal, maximize!
As Optimus transforms, the other Maximals except for Skydive convert to robot mode and ready their weapons.
Skydive: Personally, I'd like the idea to stay and watch. I really think we should fly with that. Only, why don't one of you stay here with me?
Serena: It's okay, really. We'll be right back.
The Maximals climb over the gate and head off to the manor. A swarm of flies fly past Serena, causing her to run faster. As she catches her breath, she has her hand painted red. She finds dead trees all marked with red aerosol paint skulls and crossbones. Moses perches on her shoulder to see what's up.
Serena: What the heck?
Moses: Must a warning.
Rattrap: Hey, Goldilocks. The house is this way.
The team walks up the porch to the front front door. Rattrap slowly and cautiously approaches the door to open it, slowly extends a hand, then he steps back and pushes Optimus forward.
Rattrap: You know, after you. You're the fearless leader.
Optimus: Keep it together, Rattrap.
Optimus opens the door and peeks through the door frame. The team enters through the door one by one into a dimly lit and empty hallway.
Rattrap: Hey, uh… where'd he go?
Cheetor: It's a huge house. He could be anywhere.
Dinobot: Well, I did see a light. I'm going up the stairs.
Dinobot walks up the stairs for investigations. He gets halfway up until he steps on a huge nail. He pauses for a bit, then he yells in pain as he falls down the stairs crashing into a grandfather clock.
Serena: [alarmed] Dinobot, oh my gosh!
Dinobot: The hell!
He gets the clock off of himself and regains his bearings before he shakes his head.
Rattrap: Well, heh-heh! And you'd wonder why you wanted the elevator.
Dinobot: It's not that. I stepped on a nail.
Cheetor sees a door lit with light up ahead, and he rushes over across the hallway, but he slips on a large collection of toy cars, falling down on the floor.
Cheetor: Jumping gyros, what's going on here?!
Serena: He set up traps here?
Optimus: Everyone, stay alert.
Optimus looks up and a paint bucket falls down on his head, knocking him down. And then, the lit candles are blown out, making the hallway completely dark. Scared, Serena embraces Moses for comfort.
Rattrap: Oh, relax, kid. I've got some matches.
As Rattrap tries to light a match, Serena begins sniffing the air.
Serena: Uh… Rattrap? You smell that? It smells like… gas.
The moment Rattrap lights up a match, a huge flame ignites in the air and makes an explosion. Rattrap and Dinobot are both blown to the wall, but Serena had Voltrix, the Blade of Iacon, in sword form to protect her in a force field before the explosion happened. Then, Hogarth comes out through the lit doorway, and he looks shocked to see what's going on.
Hogarth: What's going on here?
Serena: Hogarth. Uh… I was just, um….
Hogarth looks down to find the Maximals down on the ground, but he seems to be relaxed about this.
Hogarth: Are they… Maximals?
Optimus: Yes. I'm their leader, Optimus Primal. But how do you know about us?
Hogarth: Hey guys, you can come out now.
Coming out from the shadows are three animals: a mandrill, a northern flying squirrel and an African penguin. They all convert into robots, revealing themselves to be Cybertronians.
Mandrill: Begging your pardons for all the… traps you've gone through.
Cheetor: [stunned] B'Boom? Is that you?
Mandrill: Oh, aye. I'm still B'Boom.
Rattrap: [yahoos] Hey, we haven't seen you since 9/11.
Serena: You know each other?
B'Boom: I was with Optimus when we first came to Earth.
Cheetor: What about the other two?
Penguin: [girl voice] Who, us? Nice to meet you. My name's Rockhopper.
Squirrel: [girl voice] And I'm Nightglider.
Hogarth: But Serena. You're friends with them?
Serena: Yeah. But… I thought I was the only one.
Rockhopper: So did Hogarth. But what's your involvement with them?
Optimus: Serena is the daughter of Rhys Hansen and Lori Roswell.
Hearing that statement makes the trio gasp in shock.
Nightglider: It's her? Hogarth, why didn't you tell us your classmate was our savior's offspring?
Hogarth: I didn't know that. She never told us anything.
Later that day, Rattrap opens a window to let Skydive into the house. Everyone is gathered together in the library for a talk.
Hogarth: It was about six years ago. When I moved to Ottawa, it was always me and my father with his obnoxious methods of making money. I was skateboarding here for some exploring, and eventually I met these guys, telling me they were stranded here for so long.
Optimus: But B'Boom, if you were stranded, why didn't you contact us?
B'Boom: I tried that, but I was low on Energon. I had to stay in beast mode to journey through the countryside, and I've found Rockhopper and Nightglider going through the same hardships as I have. We were seeking shelter here in Roberts Manor, shortly before we met this poor boy.
Nightglider: But, all and all, we've watched over Hogarth all this time. After a lifetime of watching from the nosebleed seats, he just wanted to go to live a normal, stable life with other kids his age. And we're so proud of him for finally working up the courage to do it at school.
Dinobot: Well, some juveniles would go through misjudgement for various reasons.
Rattrap: You should talk. When's the last time you looked in a mirror?
Dinobot: Well, you broke it!
Rattrap: Oh, a wise guy, eh?
Optimus: Enough. Whatever's worth, I'm glad to know that this young man isn't siding with the Predacons. But has it only been the three of you in this mansion?
Rockhopper: For the last six stellar cycles, yes. But… it does get pretty lonely here for us.
Skydive: And this place is way bigger than the one we're staying in. It's a freakin' bungalow. I know we need to have an outpost, but we're only taking turns in living there, and we're-
B'Boom: Well, there's plenty of room here for all of you. I think more company here would make it a splendid idea.
Optimus: Actually… that can be arranged. We've only got seven in our party, so we can all bunk in here, and I can finally have Rattrap to stop dumping his junk in my quarters.
Cheetor: Rattrap? Again?
Dinobot: Lazy, unreliable vermin!
Rattrap: Hey, c'mon, gimme a break here! I mean, the garbage bin was full.
Serena and Hogarth both walk out the front door for some private time together.
Hogarth: This has got to be one heck of a coincidence, right? I'm actually meeting with the kid of a hero.
Serena: No, stop. It's nothing, really. My mom's just an agent for the government.
Hogarth: Obviously, you don't know. Every Cybertronian knows her. She helped save their home planet when it was abandoned. With her, the Maximals in Washington saved dozens of lives… including my mother. If she was dead, I'd never be born.
Serena: But you know that nobody must ever know about this, okay? The people are just not ready for them. I'm just afraid if anyone finds out about them, everyone would become paranoid, and they would attack them and anyone who stands with them.
Hogarth: Or… only a few of them would, but the rest of us wouldn't be. Not everyone agrees with the same thing.
Then Moses pops his head out of the backside of Serena's shirt, surprising the two of them.
Moses: Right! We all have a different point of view.
Hogarth: Wow, hey! The otter from school… and he talks?
Serena: [laughs nervously] This is Moses, he's Cybertronian too.
Hogarth: Cool.
But then, Hogarth looks into his watch to notice the time.
Hogarth: Oh man, it's getting late. I should get going. Um… should we hang out together?
Serena: Sure. I'd like that. But when can we do it?
Hogarth: Uh… how about tomorrow at eleven?
Serena: Great. See you tomorrow.
Hogarth gets on his skateboard and rolls away from the manor with Serena and Moses staying at the porch.
Moses: It's actually cute.
Serena: Oh. You think? I think he is enough to make a girl's heart throb.
Moses: That's not what I meant. I mean you being with the boy is cute.
Serena: [blushing] What?!
Act Seven
In the evening, Hogarth gets back to the garage where Kerchak is having a gang meeting with a map of the city on the table.
Kerchak: There he is! I got a surprise for you, Hogarth. [laughs]
Hogarth: Well, what's that?
Kerchak: Tell him the plan, Vinnie.
Vinnie: Right. We've been told there's a plane carrying $42 million in gold being delivered to the airport. With the usual guards here and here, but lucky for us, we have a tranq with sniper mechanisms. So, when the guards spot us, the sniper will cover our butts.
Kerchak: And that is gonna be you this time.
Hogarth: What? You want me to shoot?
Kerchak: Yeah. It's non-lethal, so you'd have nothing to worry about. Time my boy had a proper role in the gang, eh?
Hogarth: Hang on. Dad, Paul's always been our gunman.
Kerchak: Paul doesn't mind. Do you, Paul?
Paul: No. No, that's fine.
Kerchak: [chuckles] This will be a piece of cake.
Hogarth: So when exactly is this plane coming in then? Because I've started school, and there's some homework to do, and-
Vinnie: We estimate it to be at around twelve o'clock tomorrow.
Kerchak: Hey, why don't you get on with this homework already? It's Friday after all, and you've got plenty of time.
Kerchak gently pushes Hogarth out of the room. But as he walks away, Hogarth is looking bummed about being unable to deny his father's proposal for another heist.
Elsewhere in downtown Ottawa, Jenkins, Carl and Boris are all drinking beer at an alleyway.
Carl: God. Those bastards know how to par-tay!
Jenkins: You know, I feel like we should get more from all this hard work we've done in Kerchak's gang.
Boris: Yeah, I know. Uh…. What's that?
Jenkins: Maybe a sweet girl or two to get me all wild up. That's what.
[whistles]
The alarmed trio looks to the alley way, and finds the shadow of a woman waving for them. Excited, they walk there to see her, but only to find out it's revealed to be Quake and Ravage using shadow puppets, and they grapple them.
Quake: Gotcha!
Back in Level 3, Owen enters the director's office where he has a conversation with Snapple, who looks concerned about something.
Anthony: Welcome in, Owen. Now listen, this meeting is only regarding the Maximals we've been assisting with.
Owen: Sir, if they did something bad, we've been making sure to take care of collateral damage at a minimum price.
Anthony: It's not that. It's more to the fact about the rules and mandates Level 3's been given with. We all owe the Maximals an undying debt, and they once agreed to serve us under human factors, but I think things would be getting out of hand with them trying to keep a low profile, meaning staying hidden.
Owen: That's what I'm facing as well, director. But the Maximals are like college kids, they go wherever they want to go, and they really think about the consequences. Which is why we established the strike team M.A.R.S. to keep things the way we want the public to know.
Anthony: Perhaps, but I think the low-profile project is getting out of hand with the last twenty years of these sightings.
Snapple activates a screen behind him. News footage from past Maximal and Predacon matters flash on the screen as he speaks.
Anthony: Boulder City.
Terrified citizens. A soldier firing a gun. Rampage smashes into a building and sends a dust cloud to engulf the camera.
Anthony: Washington DC.
The Leviathan fires at the Smithsonian. A helicopter crashes into the Whitehouse and a massive wave from a Predacon corpse, engulfing citizens and the camera.
Anthony: Tokyo.
Terrified citizens, running. The Predacons and Dino-Knights fighting. Tokyo Tower falling over.
Anthony: I know it's not their fault, Owen. But these sightings are becoming a pattern to the rest of the world. For the past ten years, they've operated with unlimited power and with our supervision. That's an arrangement the US government can no longer tolerate.
Owen: Are you giving me a suggestion?
Anthony: Negative. It's only a heads up. You see, the State Department is planning on having the Beast Wars under their supervision instead of ours. They would require us to have Level 3 dissolved and salvaged to them.
Owen: [stunned] What? But this agency's been through thick and thin since it was founded. The Maximals have trusted no one else except for us since I showed up. And they can't trust that secretary. He has an endless line of agendas with hardcore rules.
Anthony: I don't trust him either, but what choice do we have? But I'll tell you what you can do. Simply try to watch over Primal's team until the State Department's cooled off for a bit.
Owen: Director, I gave that assignment to agent Hensan's daughter, but you'd say it's laughable. But… I'll take your word for it.
Anthony: Good to hear. You're dismissed.
Owen stands up and salutes to the director before he walks out of the office.
Act Eight
The trio wake up to find themselves chained together and hanging over a deep well below. The liquid inside emits black steam and smoke. They look ahead to find the Predacons surrounding them.
Galvatron: Good. You're all awake.
Carl: [awed] Hey, you're…. You're the fighting robots from Tokyo.
Galvatron: Ah, yes. So glad to see some of you have heard about us. We are the Predacons, and I'm their leader, Galvatron. I'd trust there wasn't any unpleasantness from all three of you.
Jenkins: Tell us what's going on here!
Boris: If this is about the map to Luke Skywalker, we don't have it!
Terrorsaur: No, that's not it. His lordship has chosen you three for a simple test.
Galvatron: Sharpshot, is it ready?
Sharpshot: Yes, my lord. I also installed the t-cog into Thrashclaw as promised.
Sharpshot departs away to let Thrashclaw walk over to Galvatron, and she transforms into her four-armed robot form with hooks and pincers in place of hands. The trio are stunned to see her.
Boris: Good God!
Galvatron: This is what you've been chosen for, gentlemen. You see, we have an artefact that turns organics into machinery, but we'd need to see if it works on live victims. Are you all willing to make the ultimate sacrifice?
Jenkins: Sacrifice?! No, not the face!
Carl: C'mon, I have a life! A mission, a reason to live!
Galvatron: [to Sharpshot] Okay, drop them, but don't forget their t-cogs.
Sharpshot drops three orb-shaped devices, which are t-cogs, into the well, and he pulls the switch to drop the trio down into the well. Screaming is heard there for a while, then it stops.
Ransack: Organic database ready, Galvatron. Beginning DNA scan.
Ransack plugs himself onto a terminal, showing a variety of animals both alive and extinct. Three are selected, transferred into the well via plugs, and a powerful blast of steam and smoke rises so fast that it spooks the Predacons but not Galvatron.
Galvatron: [cackles] Hoist them up.
Sharpshot pushes the button on the console, hoisting up the victims that are completely covered with black goo. As the goo dissolves, the trio are revealed to be in three separate species: a mosquito, a basilisk lizard, and a blotchy greyish brown Saltasaurus. They start roaring and bellowing for what's happened to them.
Saltasaurus: Carl?
Basilisk: Yeah, I'm Carl, but who are you?
Saltasaurus: Holy shit! Hey, it's me, Boris.
Jenkins, the mosquito, is shocked to find out what he's become. But when he sees his reflection on the wall, he becomes surprised.
Jenkins: I'm a mosquito? Why a mosquito?! Ladies don't love bugs! And I'm actually a female mosquito!
Carl: Hey, I'm a lizard? Oh, that's cool.
Boris: What about me? What am I?
Boris sees his reflection on the wall, but he looks disappointed.
Boris: I'm a Littlefoot.
Sharpshot: You're a Saltasaurus.
Galvatron: Now gentlemen, you would have no reason to fear, nooo. The effects are only harmless, and you may have your chance to be humanoid like the rest of us.
Terrorsaur: Well, most of us.
Jenkins: First of all, I'm pissed that you ruined my gorgeous face without my permission. But if you say there's a way make things better for us, please say it.
Galvatron: I shall. Torvo-Octane, give them a demonstration.
Torvo-Octane: Yes, my lord. Torvo-Octane, terrorize!
He transforms into robot mode, shocking the trio about it.
Carl: Oh. So, I'd just have to say… Carl, terrorize!
On cue, Carl transforms into robot mode with his legs stuck together and balanced on a single wheel.
Carl: What in tar nation?!
Galvatron: And there you have it. New form, new weapons, new opportunities.
Boris: Hmmm… Boris, terrorize.
Boris transforms as well, being a bulking bot with built-in shields on his arms and two cannons on his back.
Jenkins: Well, let's see what I look like. Terrorize.
Jenkins transforms with his robot form, and he looks back at his reflection, and this time he looks pleased.
Jenkins: Lovely. I've still got my looks. Glad to know that hasn't changed.
Carl: Now this is what I can get into! But… I don't think I can handle our boring names with this.
Jenkins: Yes, I agree to that, but what shall we call ourselves? I'm not big on name picking.
Carl: I've got some good ones. I could be… Crazybolt. Because I'm all about speeding and wildness. You can be Jetstorm, and Boris is, um…. Bazooka.
Boris, now called Bazooka, looks at his back-mounted cannons with thought, and he fires them both at Terrorsaur, blowing him to the wall.
Bazooka: [laughs] I like it!
Galvatron: Aw, yes. Welcome, my new… Predacons.
Act Nine
The next morning, Serena wakes up from bed with Moses. They walk out of her room to the kitchen, and see Owen reading a newspaper at the kitchen table.
Owen: Ah. Good morning, sunshine.
Serena: Morning, Owen.
Owen: I'm only here for the weekend, see how you're holding up with you away from your folks.
Serena: Well, things are going okay for me. I just would like to give them a call on how they're doing.
Owen: As much as I would like that, you and I both know we can't let you call your folks with the Predacons being able to track your voice on a global scale and with their ship sky high. However, texting with a different phone and sending letters are always optional, if you're into the old fashion way. Say, any idea where the Maximals are?
Moses: Well, I'm here.
Owen: I mean the big ones. I just received word from Longhorn about finding a new outpost. It can't be nearby, can it?
Serena: Oh, no. It's outside the downtown area, surrounded by trees and stuff, and it's labeled a secret lair.
Owen: Well, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to observe this secret lair. Besides, I can understand the meaning of it, since I happen to be a secret agent and all.
Serena: You've got a point there. But… okay, Owen. Just let me have some breakfast and I can show it to you.
Carlos is outside Serena's house on his bike with a bouquet of flowers in hand. He stops at a tree to set his bike there, and he clears his throat as he strokes his hair, trying to make himself presentable. As he is about to go there, Sassy steps in front of him to stop him.
Carlos: [screams] Jesus, you don't sneak up on people like that.
Sassy: Carlos, what do you think you're doing? I know it's the weekend, but you gotta do your chores today.
Carlos: Can we do this later? This is my big chance to ask Serena for the prom, so don't mess this up.
Sassy: Why don't you call her instead?
Carlos: I did, but she wouldn't answer.
Just then, the two of them see Serena walking out of the house with Owen following her, and Carlos hides behind the tree so he wouldn't be discovered.
Serena: Okay, so the place is called Roberts Manor. It's been empty for almost a century.
Owen: So it would mean that it's a perfect hiding place for them.
Carlos and Sassy both overhear what they're talking about as they watch them getting in Owen's car to drive away.
Sassy: Roberts Manor? Why would she go there?
Carlos: Whatever the reason, I'm still going.
Carlos gets on his bike to follow them, but Sassy gets on the bike to ride along, so he just rolls with it as he bikes away.
Back in the manor, Skydive is flying above the roof to put on a mushroom-shaped device on top, and he wires it to a plug. On the ground, there's a greenhouse with flourishing floras and Longhorn smells them one by one while Optimus and B'Boom lounge on tree branches.
Longhorn: [sighs] Heaven.
Optimus: Hahaha, good to have some wide open spaces. This was a good choice, B'Boom.
B'Boom: Oh, of course. But what I'd like to know is if anyone from the old crew made it this far till the end of the wars.
Longhorn: Sadly, not all of us made it. We lost Ramulus in Boulder City.
Inside the building, the others are cleaning up and setting up their equipment to make the place suitable for them until they finish it.
Dinobot: There. Done. Now, let's see if the simulator works.
Pressing a button on a machine, Dinobot looks to his left to find a hologram of Megatron in his old form from the beginning of the first Beast Wars, snarling at him. Automatic guns on the ceiling are triggered by the appearance and they fired at the hologram before it dissolves.
Rattrap: [chuckles] Now, this is more like it. Turning this whole hallway into a gym, just for us all.
Cheetor: Yeah, but it would also kill our guests if they trigger it without any warning. I think we should move it down to the basement.
At the other side of the hedge, Carlos and Sassy are standing by with the bike locked up at a stop sign, seeking for a way through.
Sassy: Told ya I'd know a shortcut, but why go through all this trouble to just to ask someone out, Carlos?
Carlos: I swore that I will not stop this weekend until I get to ask Serena out for the prom. Now, lemme find a way through.
He finds a hole on that goes through the hedge, and he proceeds to go through it with Sassy following him in. Carlos and Sassy both have a view of Roberts Manor from afar, and they have no sign of Serena anywhere. Taking his chances, Carlos walks over the yard, oblivious to Tigatron sleeping on the ground.
At the front, Owen's car parks on the driveway and Serena comes out with Owen following her to the front. And then, Hogarth rolls over on his skateboard to jump onto the porch. Just then, he gets shocked to see Owen with Serena.
Hogarth: Wassup, Serena?
Owen: Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey! Back up here, son.
Serena: It's alright, Owen. Hogarth's a friend from school. He… knows about the Maximals.
Owen: [stunned] Pardon?
[screaming]
Hogarth: Out back!
The three of them rush over to the back yard where they find out who was screaming. Carlos and Sassy are running for their lives away from Tigatron, and then they trip over a patio table in front of Skydive and Nightglider.
Carlos: Whoa! It's the robots! They're here!
Sassy: Carlos, wait!
But Carlos runs off until he trips over again, and he ends up on someone. He notices he's on Rockhopper's back, but she looks at him curiously.
Rockhopper: Nice to meet you. My name's Rockhopper. Are you with our friend?
Carlos: Friend? What friend?
Rockhopper: His name is Hogarth, and he's a really great guy.
Serena: Carlos? Sassy?
Owen: Oh God, Snapple's not going to like this news.
Hogarth rushes to the yard and in response, Rockhopper throws her rider to turn into her robot form while coming to him.
Rockhopper: Hogarth, you're back! [chuckles]
Serena: What are you two doing here?
Sassy: I was going to ask the same thing. This is private ground, and we just-
Before Sassy could finish, all of the Maximals come circling around her and Carlos, which makes them nervous.
Optimus: Be at ease, children. We mean you know harm.
Serena: Guys, these are my schoolmates. Carlos, and his sister Sassy.
Moses: We've all heard of you both. Serena you're twins, but you think differently.
Carlos: That's just what I said too.
Owen: Kids, I'm special agent Owen Black. I work for the United States government, and I must inform you that making contact with civilians is not so valid here.
Serena: Owen, let me go talk to them and you can deal with the Maximals.
Later on, Owen is in the living room where he begins a conversation with the Maximals.
B'Boom: Hogarth has been on our watch for so long, Mr. Black. Is it against the rules or anything?
Owen: Not likely. In fact, I think Level 3 would benefit the idea of having kids under interspecies foster care. But since we do covert ops, we need to be sure no one else knows about you.
Nightglider: It's been six years, and he hasn't told anyone about us to anyone. I swear it.
Longhorn: Anyway, we've made this mansion into our new outpost. Skydive has already installed a rectifier coil on the rooftop, allowing the base to be atmosphere shielded, and I gave it a protected shield to cover us from Darksyde's scanners. The Predacons won't be able to see us.
Owen: That's good news. But how's this going to work with you guys running the joint like it's Barney and Friends with kids keep coming in?
Optimus: I'm afraid we'd have no choice but to put them under our guard from the Predacons. We cannot run the risk of letting whoever we must protect under enemy hostage, otherwise….
Owen: Say no more, Primal. You don't want guilt to get the best of you.
Meanwhile, Serena is in the attic where she and Hogarth are having a talk with the Krammer twins.
Carlos: Those are the Tokyo robots. The same robots that attacked Tokyo five years ago. How did you both come up with them?
Hogarth: They're not that bad. Serena and I both know that if we tell anyone about them, they would get hurt.
Sassy: Well, I'm not worried. I'm actually stoked. I've always dreamed of meeting them in person.
Carlos: Sassy, don't encourage them. It might curse us.
Serena: Carlos, Hogarth's telling the truth. These bots are the Maximals. They protect and save people. The ones that started the fight, they're the bad guys, and they're called Predacons.
Carlos: What does it matter who's side they're on? Robots are robots. They don't-
Sassy: Carlos, stop! Listen, Serena. What I want to know is how you and Hogarth came face to face with them.
Serena: I met them because my mother was friends with them. She was all alone when she was our age, until they came along. So….
Sassy: So that makes you second generation for interspecies relationships. That must be an amazing legacy for you.
Serena: You think so?
Hogarth: I share Sassy's vision over you. If anyone would be so lucky to be in a legacy like this one… it would be you, Serena.
Serena: [blushing] Stop, you're making me blush.
Carlos looks at the way Serena's smiling for Hogarth, making him jealous.
Carlos: Well, all and all, I think we'd need to discuss the matter of these machines in the house. What if anyone in school finds out about them?
Sassy: They won't, because nobody needs to know. Everything we do here is going to be a secret from now on, and if anyone spills the beans, they're going to be punished. That includes you, Carlos.
Carlos: [sarcastically] Haw, haw, point fingers at me.
[alarm blaring]
The alarm goes off in every room of the manor. The kids rush down the stairs to the living room where Optimus, Owen and Longhorn are monitoring a radar on TV showing a blip.
Longhorn: Predacon signature detected near Grid Zeta.
Owen: Grid Zeta? Where's that?
Longhorn: Macdonald-Cartier. The airport.
Overhearing it, Hogarth widens his eyes in stun. He looks into his eyes to notice the time has passed twelve, much to his shock.
Hogarth: Um… I gotta go now.
Serena: Go? Go where?
Hogarth: I'll come back later, just stay in touch.
Hogarth runs out to the door where he finds Cheetor lying down on the porch, but he gets up by his approach.
Hogarth: Cheetor, are you super fast?
Cheetor: Yeah, sure. I'm what's called the golden rocket, but why?
Hogarth: I need you to drop me off somewhere, and fast.
Cheetor nods in agreement, and Hogarth mounts on his back before the Maximal scout dashes away. Owen and Longhorn go through the door to watch them leave, and Owen takes out his walkie-talkie.
Owen: Scout, hold your ground and get back here with the kid! We don't have time for games. [pauses] Cheetor? Do you read?
Longhorn: No good. We haven't installed the comm. link interface yet. I'm afraid they're on their own for the time being.
Owen: Well, I'll go to the airport. Get a small team there, and drop those kids off home for me.
Owen rushes to his car, igniting the engines and driving off.
Act Ten
At the airport, Kerchak and his gang are sneaking their way to a hangar. Vinnie picks the lock on the side door, unlocking it so they can get in, and they find a huge pile of gold bars stacked nearby.
Vinnie: [awed] Hell yeah.
Kerchak: This is it, boys. Grab what you can, and let's get out of here.
In the meantime, Sharpshot is flying around over the runaways, and he sees a tower nearby.
Sharpshot: This is your captain Sharpshot speaking. The weather forecast is cloudy with a chance of shocks, so flee for your miserable little life. Sharpshot, terrorize!
He transforms and fires his Electrocharge Bow, attacking the airport tower. That blast triggers an alarm all around the airport, causing hysteria. A spacebridge portal opens, letting through Tigatron, Dinobot and Nightglider on the runways.
Nightglider: There's one. Nightglider, maximize!
Tigatron: Tigatron, maximize!
Dinobot: Dinobot, maximize!
The Maximals transform to robot mode, and Dinobot fires his optic laser unprovoked at Sharpshot, stopping him from firing at the tower.
Sharpshot: Good, you're here. Time to see what you can do. [whistles]
On cue of Sharpshot whistling, the new Predacon trio run across the field and stop in their tracks to go face to face with the Maximals.
Tigatron: Three simple drones. Shouldn't be a problem.
Jetstorm: Only three things wrong with that little theory: One, we're not drones, two, we're not simple, and three, problem's my middle name. Jetstorm, terrorize!
Crazybolt: Crazybolt, terrorize!
Bazooka: Bazooka, terrorize!
The trio transform simultaneously, carrying their own firearms: Jetstorm with a Proton Shotgun, Crazybolt with a Pyro Blaster, and Bazooka with only his two cannons. The three Predicons pretty much blow up everything around the Maximals. Tigatron fits his Dual Lava Swords into hoverboard mode so he flies away, while Nightglider scurries off and Dinobot takes cover behind a water truck.
Crazybolt: [laughing maniacally] This is awesome! I can do this all day!
Jetstorm: Lovely. You deal with these pests, I've got a cat to put down.
Jetstorm flies off in the air while Crazybolt rolls off and Bazooka is still blasting at Dinobot's cover.
Dinobot: Dinobot to base, we're under attack by three new Predacons.
Longhorn: [through comm. link] That's not possible. The scanners pick up only one signature.
Cheetor runs over to the fence for the airport as Hogarth dismounts him. Hogarth peers at the battle scene where it's happening, then he discovers his father's truck by the hangar. Alarmed, he runs for it.
Cheetor: Hogarth. Hey, stop!
Hogarth: I can't! My father's down there!
Up in the air, Jetstorm chases after Tigatron. Turning back, Tigatron ignites his welding torches on his wrists, combining them to make a flame-thrower, but Jetstorm avoids every blow as he fires his shotgun at Tigatron, also evading him. Then Jetstorm looks down to find Hogarth going through a hole on the fence, and he smirks as he flies away from Tigatron.
Back in the hangar, Kerchak and his gang have packed up on the gold bars, ready to leave. But then, they get discovered by a pair of policemen, sticking their guns at them.
Kerchak: Where the hell is Hogarth?!
Hogarth is still running to the hangar, until he gets blocked by Jetstorm when he lands in front of him.
Jetstorm: Just look at you, kid. Rushing over to save your old man, whose only interest is you joining the gang.
Hogarth: Do I know…?
Hogarth peers at Jetstorm's face, and he looks shocked to find out who he was.
Hogarth: Jenkins?
Jetstorm: It's Jetstorm now.
Hogarth: What the hell happened to you?
Jetstorm: Something you'll be dead to know about.
Jetstorm is about to attack, but Nightglider swoops down to slash Jetstorm with her Red Sword, knocking him down and saving Hogarth. But then, the two are confronted by the arriving Crazybolt.
Crazybolt: Goin' my way?
Nightglider: Hang on, Hogarth.
As Hogarth holds onto Nightglider, she projects several holographic clones of herself. Crazybolt dashes to attack, but she fazed through them all, which means they escaped, and he crashed onto the hangar wall.
Meanwhile, Dinobot fires his lasers, but Bazooka blocks them with his shielding arms before he fires again. Bazooka keeps firing his cannons until he runs out of ammo. With luck, Dinobot draws his Tail Katana and Raptor Hooks to attack the Predacon, scratching him up.
Bazooka swings his tail to smack Dinobot away, and when he's about to retaliate, Nightglider and Tigatron both throw Jetstorm and Crazybolt at the brute, knocking them all down. The Maximals surround the trio, until they get succumbed by the Energon build-up.
Dinobot: No! Not now!
Hogarth: What's going on?
Tigatron: We've been in robot mode too long. Beast mode!
All three of the Maximal convert back to beast mode, but notice the trio are not suffering the same fate as they did, and they smirk as they crack their knuckles for a pummel. But the moment is broken when they find Level 3 cars and helicopters arriving at the scene.
Jetstorm: You're lucky this was only a test drive. Let's bail outta here. Beast mode.
Converting the beast mode, the trio flee from the scene with a spacebridge portal opening in front of them, and they go through before it vanishes. The agents surround the defeated Maximals, providing cover for them, and Owen comes over to Hogarth.
Owen: Son, what you did was damn reckless.
Hogarth: I'm sorry, but I had to.
Owen: We'll talk about this later. Right now, we gotta get you out of here. Just tell me where you live.
Hogarth: Actually… I have to stop somewhere.