End of Line

Beast Wars Anonymous:

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End of Line, pt. 1
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

BLACK SCREEN

ARACHNID (voice over): They have forgotten what they are. They have forgotten their purpose. They ascend to nothing, losing themselves in a battle fought by countless generations before them. They do not grow, they do not evolve. They must be removed, so that life may go on. Such is the nature of chaos. Such is my nature.

FADE IN. EXTERNAL SHOT: ARACHNID, beast mode, stands out looking over a lush, fertile VALLEY FOREST. He steps down the hill, into the forest, and disappears for a long moment. Slowly, the entire VALLEY seems to decay and collapse.

ARACHNID (voice over): For life to evolve, I must bring death.

DISSOLVE to MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. OPTIMUS PRIMAL, beast mode, steps out of the RECOVERY CHAMBER. CHEETOR and DINOBOT, also in beast mode, stand waiting.

CHEETOR: How you feeling, big-bot?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Like I just went toe-to-toe with Unicron. What's our status?

DINOBOT: All Maximals have endured some damage, myself included. We are all still quite functional, and able to perform our duties.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Glad to hear it. How goes the base repairs?

DINOBOT: Overall, we are behind schedule.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Behind?

CHEETOR (quickly): We got the scanners, shields, and weapons systems back up. We're still missing a few walls here and there.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I suppose it will have to do for now.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL steps out of the chamber, and moves to the hall. CUT TO: HALLWAY. OPTIMUS PRIMAL is quickly followed by CHEETOR and DINOBOT.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: How did the Predacons do?

DINOBOT: Megatron failed in his attempt to destroy Arachnid. They have, however, undoubtedly had enough time to recover their losses.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I suppose we're not any worse for the wear then.

CHEETOR: What's the plan, big-bot? We've got to take out Arachnid somehow.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I know, Cheetor. We'll figure something out.

DINOBOT: While we wait, Arachnid grows in power. We must strike soon, or it will be completely hopeless.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (stunned): He's getting more powerful?

CUT TO: COMMAND CENTER. RHINOX, robot mode, is looking over several consoles, all displaying data about ARACHNID. The door opens, OPTIMUS PRIMAL, DINOBOT, and CHEETOR step in.

CHEETOR (continuing): We've been watching his energy readings. And Airazor's been tailing him.

RHINOX: Every time that Arachnid feeds, he adds what he devours to his own structure. His armor gets denser, and weapons become more powerful.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (sighing): That's Prime. How bad is it?

RHINOX: Airazor just sent back these transmissions.

RHINOX punches up a VIDEO on the viewer displaying the FOREST from before. This time, however, the VIDEO ZOOMS into the FOREST itself. We see ARACHNID, beast mode, begin to devour the matter around him, ingesting the decayed trees and animals around him.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: He poisoned the entire forest.

RHINOX: A biological poison. It seems to rot and weaken all life it touches, to allow Arachnid to absorb anything around him.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: And keep them from escaping.

CHEETOR: Okay, so we keep our distance when we attack him?

RHINOX nods the negative. OPTIMUS PRIMAL steps over and looks over ARACHNID's readings.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (grimly): It's too late for us to attack him alone. We don't have the firepower.

DINOBOT: Neither do the Predacons, then. Which means we must take more drastic measures.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: The Axalon's nuclear core?

RHINOX: It would do the job, but it would also detonate all nearby energon deposits. You and Airazor would be the only ones able to get clear of the explosion, if the energon doesn't erupt in a chain reaction.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (sadly): We'll keep that option open. If we can't save ourselves, we might be able to save the planet.

CHEETOR: What other choices do we have?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Only one from the looks of it. We need to deal with the devil to kill one of his demons.

CUT TO: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. MEGATRON, robot mode, sits impatiently. BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, is busy working at scanners and computers. TARANTULAS, robot mode, steps between two different terminals at random points, taking data from one place and feeding it into another.

MEGATRON: Anything?

TARANTULAS: No. As long as Arachnid remains over the energon deposits, any attempt to use mass-weaponry will destroy this entire region. Either he moves, or we find another way.

MEGATRON: He's not going to move, not yet. He knows that our ship weapons can still destroy him, so he's waiting until he has enough power to face them.

BLACKARACHNIA: Message coming in, Megatron. It's from the Maximals.

MEGATRON: Interesting, yes. Put it on the main viewer.

MEGATRON turns to the main screen, which quickly fills with the image of the OPTIMUS PRIMAL, beast mode. MEGATRON sits back a little, a smirk on his face.

MEGATRON: Well, it is so nice when the neighbors decide to call. We are rather busy at the moment, however. What do you need?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (firm): I want to talk to you about our mutual problem.

MEGATRON: I see. This wouldn't be about Arachnid would it? I assure you we have the matter well in hand.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Oh, so you don't need our help then. Glad to hear it.

MEGATRON (passive): Your help? What did you have in mind?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: A joint attack. Our calculations read that our combined efforts could give us a chance against him. No tricks, no games, just a concerted effort to destroy him.

MEGATRON: Interesting, an alliance with the Maximals. Forgive me if I don't sound too trusting, but I want something more from you.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (annoyed): We don't have time for this.

MEGATRON: Ah, but we do. We both know that Arachnid will move against the Maximals first, your ship weapons are weaker than ours. Therefore, we would be coming to assist you.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: What are your terms, Megatron?

MEGATRON (tersely): The next stasis pod that falls from orbit. No conflicts for it, I merely want it to be another Predacon. Agree to that, and I will dispatch our full might to you immediately.

CUT TO: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. OPTIMUS PRIMAL, beast mode, looks downcast. CHEETOR and DINOBOT, beast mode, exchange worried looks. RHINOX, in robot mode, looks to Optimus expectantly.

CHEETOR: That's a bit much isn't it?

DINOBOT: Allowing Megatron another Predacon would be unwise.

CHEETOR: I don't want another one of our buds turned into a Pred.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I know. Rhinox, what's your opinion?

RHINOX: Megatron's calling the shots Optimus. We don't have a choice.

CHEETOR: Oh man. We can't do it.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We have to Cheetor.

MEGATRON (on viewer): Your decision please?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (reluctantly): Agreed, Megatron.

CUT TO: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. MEGATRON, robot mode, smiles almost warmly. TARANTULAS and BLACKARACHNIA, robot modes, have moved up to next to him.

MEGATRON: Excellent, Optimus. We shall be arriving at the Axalon shortly. Megatron out.

MEGATRON cuts off the viewer, and turns to face TARANTULAS and BLACKARACHNIA.

BLACKARACHNIA: Not bad. Will he keep his word?

TARANTULAS: Optimus always keeps his word.

MEGATRON: Yes. We'll play this to the letter. Arachnid is too powerful to risk any more complications than direct conflict. Gather all the Predacons and have them assemble for transport.

TARANTULAS: We're just going to leave the base behind?

MEGATRON: The base systems are adequate for defense while we are away. Arachnid won't be moving against us here, and Optimus cannot afford to divert the troops away while we attack.

BLACKARACHNIA: Let's just hope we win.

CUT TO: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS, COMMAND CENTER. OPTIMUS PRIMAL , beast mode, terminates the connection to MEGATRON. CHEETOR, beast mode, and RHINOX, robot mode, look downcast as Optimus makes his decision. DINOBOT, beast mode, is visibly angry.

DINOBOT: Fool. We're lucky Megatron didn't ask for all the stasis pods. You could have just handed him victory.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (snapping): What choice do we have, Dinobot? If I didn't agree to it Megatron would have held back until we were already nearly destroyed. Maybe you would have liked it better getting terminated by Arachnid instead?

DINOBOT (hissing): I would rather have the planet destroyed than let Megatron attain a victory.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (angry): That's not your call to make, it's mine. We Maximals have learned how to value life, Dinobot. You need to learn that.

DINOBOT: I understand that, Optimus, but Megatron doesn't. I wonder what games Megatron has in mind when his troops arrive.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We'll deal with them when and if Megatron betrays us. Right now, we need to prepare for their arrival.

RHINOX (grimly): Guess who's coming for dinner.

FADE TO BLACK.

End of Line, pt. 2
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

FADE IN: EXTERNAL of MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. TERRORSAUR and WASPINATOR, beast mode, fly down. MEGATRON, INFERNO, SCORPONOK, BLACKARACHNIA, and TARANTULAS, all in beast mode, come moving swiftly to the base. We PAN OVER, and see OPTIMUS PRIMAL, DINOBOT, and RHINOX, all in robot mode, standing there waiting for them.

MEGATRON: Predacons, Terrorize.

DINOBOT moves for his weapon, but OPTIMUS PRIMAL holds him back. MEGATRON, INFERNO, TARANTULAS, SCORPONOK, and BLACKARACHNIA convert to their robot modes. TERRORSAUR and WASPINATOR swoop around then transform to robot modes.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Airazor is tailing Arachnid about fifty kilometers due north. So far, she hasnt been detected. We need to devise our plan soon. Arachnid's nearly done devouring that forest.

MEGATRON: What, no warm hello? I'm hurt. OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Let's not kid ourselves, Megatron, we both know that after this mess is over we'll go right back to slagging each-other. Let's just get this done with.

MEGATRON: I like that, direct and to the point.

RHINOX: I'll need your data on Arachnid to devise the best attack.

MEGATRON: Of course. Scorponok?

SCORPONOK: Right here, Megatron.

SCORPONOK hands a DATA DISK to MEGATRON, who then hands it off to RHINOX. The two teams of Transformers then continue their discussion. We, however, PAN to the AXALON, into CHEETOR's quarters. CHEETOR and TIGATRON, robot mode, stand together watching the proceedings.

TIGATRON: If only this would be more permanent.

CHEETOR: I'll be surprised if Megatron keeps his word through the battle. I can just see him turning on us just when things are getting bad.

TIGATRON: He has no love of Arachnid. He hates those he sees as traitors more than Maximals.

TIGATRON and CHEETOR move out of the room into the MAIN HALL. POLAR CLAW, robot mode, stands leaning against the wall, his arms folded.

CHEETOR: The Predacons are here. You coming with us?

POLAR CLAW (whispering): No.

CHEETOR: You don't approve either?

POLAR CLAW: I will participate in the battle, as my duty commands, even though I know that the battle will be futile.

CHEETOR: That's it, boost my spirits.

TIGATRON: Why do you feel this way? Even with the Predacons helping us, will Arachnid still be too powerful?

POLAR CLAW: You do not understand your prey. He is no more Cybertron than I am. Weapons will not be enough. It is his essence that threatens this world. That is where you must focus your efforts.

TIGATRON: How?

POLAR CLAW (lowering his head): I cannot answer that. I do not know the correct solution. I only know that this is an incorrect one.

CUT TO: DECAYED FOREST. ARACHNID, beast mode, stands absorbing the energy from his surroundings. AIRAZOR, beast mode, stays well back and above.

AIRAZOR: Base, this is Airazor. Arachnid is done with the forest. I'm going to head back.

AIRAZOR's communicator sends out static. She tries activating it a few times.

COMPUTER: Unable to transmit. Signal is being jammed.

AIRAZOR: Jammed? (dawning) Oh noŠ

ARACHNID turns suddenly, and excretes a WEB which AIRAZOR attempts successfully to avoid. Another WEB is fired, however, and AIRAZOR is trapped. Her bird form struggles as she tries to break out of the trap.

AIRAZOR: Airazor, Maximize.

COMPUTER: Unable to comply. Stasis field draining circuits.

AIRAZOR: Come on, Maximize.

ARACHNID steps forward as AIRAZOR smashes through the rotted trees. AIRAZOR's movements slows as she gets weak. She eventually ceases to struggle, and looks up as ARACHNID moves in to devour her.

CUT TO: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. MEGATRON and OPTIMUS PRIME are in robot mode, in the command center. RHINOX and SCORPONOK, in robot mode, exchange notes, as RHINOX's TERMINAL suddenly beeps up.

RHINOX (shocked): No. Optimus, Arachnid's on the move. He's headed this way.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: What? Where's Airazor?

RHINOX: Her signal's gone. Arachnid's killed her.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (seething): He knew she was there the whole time. Red alert! All Maximals report for battle.

MEGATRON: Predacons, launch to attack.

CUT TO: OPEN PLAINS. ARACHNID, beast mode, rushes quickly along the fields. In front of him, we see OPTIMUS PRIMAL, TERORSAUR, and WASPINATOR, rushing headlong into combat in their beast modes. Behind them, INFERNO, robot mode, leads the first wave of ground forces. TIGATRON, and CHEETOR, beast mode rush forward and TRANSFORM.

ARACHNID: It begins. Arachnid, vehicle mode.

ARACHNID transforms to his mobile attack mode. His TURRET activates and lifts up. We can now see MEGATRON, robot mode, bringing up the rest of the warriors. POLAR CLAW and SCORPONOK, robot mode rush forward, followed by RHINOX, RATTRAP, BLACKARACHNIA, and TARANTULAS, all in robot mode. DINOBOT, in robot mode, passes all of them, rushing headlong into the assault.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (to TERRORSAUR): Keep moving, don't let him get a bead on you.

TERRORSAUR (perturbed): I know how to fight.

TERRORSAUR dives quickly and starts firing at the TURRET. WASPINATOR and OPTIMUS PRIMAL maneuver down as the TURRET begins to return fire. From the ground, INFERNO launches his NAPALM MISSILES, smashing into ARACHNID's fur, igniting it. TIGATRON and CHEETOR back up the attack with their missiles. ARACHNID responds by opening up with his LEG-CANNONS onto INFERNO. INFERNO simply disappears into the ENERGY BLAST, into nothingness.

CHEETOR (panicked): Great Matrix!

TIGATRON: Keep moving, try to knock out those cannons.

TIGATRON and CHEETOR combine their efforts as DINOBOT rushes forward and fires off his EYE BEAM into the LEG-CANNONS. The LEG-CANNONS steam and smolder from the attack as OPTIMUS PRIMAL and WASPINATOR pour firepower into the TURRET. As a part of the TURRET EXPLODES, the LEG-CANNONS fire again. OPTIMUS PRIMAL barely manages to move out of the line of fire. MEGATRON arrives on the battle-scene, flanked by SCORPONOK and TARANTULAS. All three Predacons fire all of their weapons into the still-moving ARACHNID.

MEGATRON: An impressive assortment of weaponry, yes.

TARANTULAS (annoyed): Can we talk about how impressive he is after we destroy him?

MEGATRON: Scorponok, activate your cyber-bee, now.

SCORPONOK: The bee can't do anything, Megatron.

MEGATRON: Have it continuously scan the battle-field. Do not allow it to engage Arachnid. Is that understood? We may need its data later.

SCORPONOK: Understood. Bee away.

SCORPONOK launches the CYBER-BEE, which flies to the outskirts of the battle. Meanwhile, OPTIMUS PRIMAL swoops down again at the turret, which turns and ignores him. RHINOX moves forward, his twin CHAIN-CANNONS firing wildly. The TURRET is severely damaged, by RHINOX bears the brunt of ARACHNID's fury. ARACHNID turns both MACHINE-GUNS, the LEG-CANNONS, and the remaining TURRET-GUN to bear on RHINOX. RATTRAP sees the impending attack, however, and moves in front of him.

RATTRAP: Look out, iron-butt.

RHINOX: Rattrap, no!

As RATTRAP knocks RHINOX out of the way, the LEG-CANNONS fire. RATTRAP is burnt away by the blast of energy as the MACHINE-GUNS pummel RHINOX. RHINOX falls, smoke pouring from him as BLACKARACHNIA and POLAR CLAW, robot modes, run forward to cover him.

RHINOX (weakly): No good. I'm done for. Help Optimus.

BLACKARACHNIA: Come on, Maximal, you're still functioning. Let's do it.

BLACKARACHNIA fires at ARACHNID once again, hatred burning in her eyes, as the giant lumbers near. BLACKARACHNIA continues to fire even as ARACHNID gets within a few meters. Finally, POLAR CLAW, launching his CYBER-BAT to fire at the great beast, grabs BLACKARACHNIA and throws her out of harms way. ARACHNID uses his LEG-CANNON again to destroy RHINOX, leaving behind only a burn mark.

BLACKARACHNIA: Hands off of me, Maximal.

POLAR CLAW (quietly): You must survive. If there's any hope of defeating him, part of it is with you.

BLACKARACHNIA: What are you saying?

POLAR CLAW does not reply, but leaps onto the MACHINE-GUN PLATFORM and begins to tear into it. OPTIMUS PRIMAL lands firmly onto the TURRET, and fires down upon it at point blank range. This blast, along with fire support from WASPINATOR, destroys the remaining TURRET GUN. OPTIMUS PRIMAL is spun wildly from the explosion, however, and lands near MEGATRON.

MEGATRON: Our losses are too severe, we must pull back now to the Axalon.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (catching his breath): Agreed. All forces, pull back. Pull back!

ARACHNID: No. There will be no retreat. I have become weary of you. Your termination is at hand.

ARACHNID transforms again, back to his beast mode. SCORPONOK and TARANTULAS move forward to press their fight, but ARACHNID uses the LEG-CANNONS against to destroy them. As ARACHNID completes his transformation, MEGATRON and OPTIMUS PRIMAL lead the retreat.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Let's move team, now.

MEGATRON (shocked): I cannot move.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: No, the poison.

MEGATRON (weakly): What is happening to me?

MEGATRON falls, his eyes dim. OPTIMUS PRIMAL leaps up, activating his JETS, which die out almost as soon as they start. As OPTIMUS PRIMAL lands again, he collapses. DINOBOT, fires his EYE BEAMS again at the beast, but the beams lose power, and DINOBOT falls. CHEETOR stammers backwards, with TIGATRON following.

CHEETOR (panicked): Let's get of here.

TIGATRON collapses in front of him as ARACHNID merely turns away to begin feeding on OPTIMUS PRIMAL. CHEETOR steps back and nearly falls to his knees. He sees the very ground BLACKEN near him. As the black poison is about to reach him, WASPINATOR, robot mode, grabs him and lifts him away.

CHEETOR (screaming): Big-cat. No!

WASPNIATOR retreats to the top of a nearby hill, safe from the POISON. BLACKARACHNIA and POLAR CLAW are already there, looking out over the remains of the battle. WASPINATOR drops CHEETOR and lands firmly. CHEETOR falls to his knees, fighting back the urge to sob.

On the plains below, ARACHNID, still burning, moves back, then turns and begins to leave.

ARACHNID: Damage severe. They nearly defeated me. But they are no more. I will feed on their homes tomorrow, and then I will feed on this very world.

We look over the battle-site, now completely devoid of life, and FADE TO BLACK.

End of Line, pt. 3
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

ACT III

FADE IN: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. CHEETOR, robot mode, is alone in a dark room. The door slides open, revealing BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, who steps in quietly.

CHEETOR (whispering): What do you want, Predacon?

BLACKARACHNIA: Company?

CHEETOR: No thanks.

BLACKARACHNIA: We're not enemies right now.

CHEETOR: Maybe I just don't want to die with you.

BLACKARACHNIA: Would you have rather died back there?

CHEETOR (quietly): It would have been easier.

BLACKARACHNIA: Some of us enjoy remaining in one piece.

CHEETOR stands, his face unreadable. BLACKARACHNIA crosses her arms and regards him. CHEETOR turns to face her, leveling his eyes at hers.

CHEETOR: You don't care about your friends at all, do you? You're happy that they're all wiped out, so long as you made it out alive.

BLACKARACHNIA: I'm happy to be alive, so you're half right.

CHEETOR: How can you just stand there, not feeling anything?

BLACKARACHNIA: Who says I don't, Maximal?

CHEETOR narrows his eyes and steps out into the hall. He storms into the COMMAND CENTER where POLAR CLAW, robot mode, is waiting. BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, enters in behind him.

CHEETOR: Anything?

POLAR CLAW: Waspinator is scanning over the battle-site. Arachnid has retreated for the time being. Likely restoring energy to devour this base.

CHEETOR: Then what? We go and hide at the Predacon base?

BLACKARACHNIA: We should activate the nuclear device, while we still have a chance to use it.

POLAR CLAW: This and every sector around will be destroyed if we do that.

CHEETOR: As opposed to waiting for Arachnid to do the job for us? Don't you get it yet, that thing has killed about a dozen of us already. You said yourself that he's disrupted the entire planet himself.

POLAR CLAW (lowers head): Optimus said to leave the option open, and I will. I won't exercise that option until all others have been extinguished. I'm not anxious to aid Arachnid in destroying this world.

BLACKARACHNIA: I'm not anxious in getting eaten alive by him, either.

As the debate continues, the MAIN VIEWER suddenly activates. WASPINATOR, robot mode, appears on it.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator find something. Waspinator need spider.

POLAR CLAW: What have you found?

WASPINATOR: Waspinator find cyber-bee. Cyber-bee has encrypted data on it. Waspinator need spider to read it out.

BLACKARACHNIA: Bring it back here, quickly.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator hurry.

WASPINATOR disappears from the viewer a second before it shuts off. CHEETOR steps forward to BLACKARACHNIA.

CHEETOR: Scorponok?

BLACKARACHNIA: Megatron must have ordered Scorponok to record the battle, to collect data on Arachnid.

POLAR CLAW: It may give us an edge.

CUT TO: RHINOX's LAB. BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, is working on the CYBER-BEE, which sparks in protest occasionally. POLAR CLAW, CHEETOR and WASPINATOR, all in robot mode, stand watching expectantly.

POLAR CLAW: Can you get anything?

BLACKARACHNIA: I'm trying, the encryption is pretty good. Looks like Megatron wasn't going to share what he found out.

CHEETOR: That's not surprising.

BLACKARACHNIA: I think I've got it.

The CYBER-BEE stirs a bit as BLACKARACHNIA pulls back from it. Its eyes project a vision on the screen of a mess of double-helixes, followed by numerical data.

CHEETOR: The life codex? From the artefact?

POLAR CLAW (calmly): Not complicated enough.

BLACKARACHNIA: It isn't Arachnid's either. Neither side matches mine.

CHEETOR: You know what your genetics look like?

BLACKARACHNIA: Don't you, Maximal?

POLAR CLAW: This sequence is active, however. It's alive.

CHEETOR steps back, eyes widening has a horrible thought crosses his mind.

CHEETOR: Sentinel, did you catch those sequences?

SENTINEL: Affirmative. Genetic information recorded.

CHEETOR: Are they alive?

SENTINEL: The patterns are in an active state.

CHEETOR (hesitating): Whose patterns are they?

SENTINEL: Recognize Maximal Airazor. Recognize Maximal Dinobot. Recognize Maximal Optimus Primal. Recognize Maximal Rattrap. Recognize Maximal Rhinox. Recognize Predacon Buzz Saw. Recognize Predacon Inferno. Recognize Predacon Insecticon. Recognize Predacon Megatron. Recognize Predacon Scorponok. Recognize Predacon Tarantulas.

CHEETOR gazes at the sequences again. BLACKARACHNIA looks them over with interest, then looks in terror as she understands. POLAR CLAW is the only one who seems undaunted.

CHEETOR: Arachnid hasn't killed them. He's made them a part of himself.

POLAR CLAW: He's devoured their bodies, but has not yet determined a way to devour their essence, their spark.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator confused. What about Buzz Saw? Arachnid kill Buzz Saw, didn't he?

CHEETOR: Buzz Saw is alive. So is Tigatron.

WASPINATOR: Where?

BLACKARACHNIA: Inside Arachnid. Great Matrix, death would have been preferable.

WASPNIATOR (impatient): Buzz Saw alive! Waspinator save Buzz Saw.

POLAR CLAW: We don't know how yet.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator save Buzz Saw. Waspinator save stupid spider. Waspinator destroy Arachnid.

BLACKARACHNIA: No. We can't. If we destroy Arachnid, we kill all of them, even Buzz Saw. Is there any other way?

POLAR CLAW: There is only one way.

BLACKARACHNIA: And what way would that be?

POLAR CLAW (grimly): I must die.

CHEETOR gives POLAR CLAW a shocked looked as WASPINATOR and BLACKARACHNIA look to one another in confusion.

DISSOLVE to MIST. We see a large SPARK floating in the mist, surround a dozen or so lesser SPARKS. The large SPARK ingests a smaller one, the smaller spark is absorbed, and the larger one grows. As we focus on the larger SPARK, we see the visage of ARACHNIA placed over it.

ARACHNID: I devour. I consume. That which will not become a part of me will become one with the great void.

ARACHNID'S SPARK begins to ingest another lesser one, but this one resists.

After a second, ARACHNID gives up.

ARACHNID: Still you resist. You know it is futile. I shall add your essence to my own. Together we shall become stronger.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We'll resist until you are destroyed, Arachnid. So long as one Maximal lives, there is hope.

ARACHNID: Only four Cybertrons remain on this world. Together, they could not terminate me. You have no hope, Optimus Primal. Surrender to me.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Never.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL of FOREST. ARACHNID, in severely damaged beast mode, sets down and injects the ground with his POISON. As the entire FOREST begins to decay from the poison, ARACHNID speaks again.

ARACHNID: You will surrender, Optimus Primal, as will those that follow you. I am eternal. I can wait.

FADE TO BLACK

End of Line, pt. 4
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

ARACHNID (voice over): It is over. The Maximals have been consumed. The Predacons have been consumed. Soon, I shall have their essence and add it to mine. Only four remain to threaten me. Their threat remains minimal, but they shall be dealt with. I am the destroyer, and the creator. I am chaos, and I am supreme.

FADE IN: ARACHNID, beast mode, stands alone over a DESTROYED FOREST. He opens his huge maw, and two smaller creatures spew forth. MOSQ, a mosquito drone, and PINCER, a scorpion drone. The two drones sweep around and trail off.

DISSOLVE TO: MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS, EXTERNAL. CHEETOR and BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, are setting EXPLOSIVE charges all around it.

CHEETOR: I never thought I'd see the day when I was getting ready to destroy my own ship.

BLACKARACHNIA: If it makes you feel any better, Maximal, we'll be rigging up mine to explode in a few hours.

CHEETOR: I'm just fraggin' thrilled.

BLACKARACHNIA: You're never happy, are you?

From above, WASPINATOR, beast mode, comes quickly down. He TRANSFORMS as he lands, and steps to BLACKARACHNIA.

CHEETOR: There. The bombs will go off if the shields get below thirty percent. At that point, this entire sector becomes the next great lake.

BLACKARACHNIA: Hopefully, we won't be here when it happens.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator see Arachnid. Big spider still need lots of repairs. Waspinator attack now?

CHEETOR: We've been over this, we can't attack him. We'll only take him out when he threatens us.

BLACKARACHNIA: You can't save Buzz Saw by destroying him.

WASPINATOR: How do we save Buzz Saw? Waspinator want to rescue him.

CHEETOR: We've all got friends to rescue, Pred. You'll just have to wait until Polar Claw thinks up something.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator not trust Polar Claw. Bear-bot very strange.

BLACKARACHNIA: He didn't explain to you how he was getting our allies out of there, did he?

CHEETOR: No. He's been meditating every since he announced his impending death to us. As if I needed to hear that news.

BLACKARACHNIA: If he's planning to destroy his core in Arachnid, I wish he would just get on with it.

CHEETOR (snapping): That's not funny.

BLACKARACHNIA: Who was joking?

DISSOLVE to INTERNAL of MAXIMAL COMMAND CENTER. POLAR CLAW, robot mode, sits alone in the main chair. Around him, scans of ARACHNID flicker on the viewers.

POLAR CLAW: It's my fault you were created. I knew the danger, and I waited too long. I allowed Insecticon to roam unchecked.

SENTINEL: Scans of surrounding territory do not indicate alien codex presence.

POLAR CLAW: Widen scan.

SENTINEL: Scans at next magnification level can prove inconclusive. Do you wish to proceed?

POLAR CLAW: Yes, continue scanning. Tie into the Predacon scanning systems if that will help.

SENTINEL: Attempting. Scan-link accomplished.

POLAR CLAW (whispering): I should have been more trusting of the Maximals, now their very sparks lie in danger because of me.

SENTINEL: Possible codex remnant located. Sector six. Displaying topographical map on screen.

POLAR CLAW: Can you confirm it?

SENTINEL: Negative. Scan is inconclusive. Readings are similar to those encountered with first use of codex to create Insecticon.

POLAR CLAW: We have our objective then. Sentinel, put yourself on red alert against Arachnid.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL of MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. CHEETOR, robot mode, is lowering the LIFT. As he does, however, he notices that POLAR CLAW, beast mode, is already on it. WASPINATOR and BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, step forward.

POLAR CLAW: We're leaving.

CHEETOR: You mind telling us where we're going?

POLAR CLAW: Sector six. A piece of the codex can be found there.

BLACKARACHNIA: The codex?

POLAR CLAW: You don't remember? It was your army how abused its power to create Insecticon. The codex is a map to the life on this world. With it, one can access the genetic makeup of any life form native to this planet.

WASPINTOR: Big spider not native, big spider is a Transformer.

BLACKARACHNIA: But his organic parts are made with native DNA. If we can access the codex, we might be able to rip apart his organic nature from the inside.

CHEETOR: Yeah, but how are we going to access it? Polar Claw sent out the interface to it weeks ago.

POLAR CLAW: I sent out that interface.

CHEETOR: There are others?

POLAR CLAW: Yes. Now hurry, we must go. Arachnid has surely come to the same conclusion as we have by now.

CUT TO: ROCKY HILLS. A SHARD of the CODEX is lying comfortably in green grass and stones. It glows dimly with the pulse of life. We see MOSQ and PINCER enter from the distance. PINCER stays behind, but MOSQ flies up next to the SHARD itself.

MOSQ: This must be what the master seeks. It is filled with essence. It would make more than a worthy addition to his matrix.

PINCER: It would indeed. Is it possible to remove it?

MOSQ: No. Not for us. We will have to signal master to come to claim it.

PINCER: And if the Cybertrons overhear our transmission?

MOSQ: Master will destroy them.

PINCER: Hold on transmission. The Cybertrons are near.

MOSQ: Quiet, then. We'll take them by surprise, and please master.

A moment passes, and we see WASPINATOR, beast mode, fly over the site. The SHARD glows very brightly at his approach, but fades quickly.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator find stupid rock. Waspinator, terrorize.

WASPINATOR TRANSFORMS and moves to touch the SHARD. The SHARD objects, however, and sends a powerful BOLT into him. WASPINATOR gets knocked to a large rock and falls.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator not like stupid rock. Bear-bot can pick up his rock by himself.

CHEETOR and BLACKARACHNIA both arrive, in beast mode, and step near. BLACKARACHNIA looks over the SHARD with interest as CHEETOR checks on WASPINATOR.

CHEETOR: Didn't seem to like you much.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator popular Predacon. Rock have no taste.

BLACKARACHNIA (surprised): This is the codex?

CHEETOR: Yes. It looks like the one in the cave. Except smaller, and more damaged.

BLACKARACHNIA: Does that mean it won't work?

CHEETOR: We won't know until Polar Claw figures out how to access it.

BLACKARACHNIA (thinking): Do we really want him to do that?

CHEETOR: You don't trust him?

BLACKARACHNIA starts to caress the SHARD, which glows at her presence, but doesn't seem to refuse her as strongly as it did WASPINATOR. She merely gets shocked once and jumps back.

BLACKARACHNIA: No. Besides, think of it. The power of this whole planet in our hands. We could do more than just destroy Arachnid and release our allies. We could birth a whole new race of Transformers.

CHEETOR: Megatron tried that once, didn't he? Look what it got him.

BLACKARACHNIA: We can avoid his mistakes.

CHEETOR: Maybe, with a lot of time and research. Right now, I don't want to take the chance. We're in enough trouble.

MOSQ: More than you know.

PINCER: Attack!

MOSQ launches from his rock and slams his feeder into CHEETOR. WASPINATOR, however, is quick enough to begin shooting at it. Just as MOSQ is about to draw out blood, WASPINATOR's blast knocks the oversized mosquito into a long spin.

CHEETOR: Who are these guys?

BLACKARACHNIA: Arachnid must have built them to get the codex for himself.

WASPINATOR: Bugs not a problem, bugs no match for Waspinator.

At this PINCER sends a SHOCKWAVE into the small group. BLACKARACHNIA and CHEETOR are knocked to the ground, but WASPINATOR leaps above the assault. MOSQ, for his part, maneuvers back around and fires ACID at WASPINATOR. WASPINATOR dodges nimbly but gets a mild burn on his wing.

CHEETOR: "No problem," he says.

BLACKARACHNIA: Shut up and fight.

MOSQ: Yes, fight. Live the thrill of fuel in your lines.

MOSQ maneuvers again, this time down near BLACKARACHNIA, and fires ACID at her. CHEETOR moves quickly, knocking her out of the way, but getting blasted on the front leg by the blast. He winces in pain, but is far from out of the fight.

CHEETOR: Cheetor, Maximize. All right, bugs, you want to play rough, let's play.

CHEETOR TRANSFORMS, followed quickly by BLACKARACHNIA, who opens up on PINCER with her LEG LASERS. PINCER gets hit by the first two, but slams a powerful SHOCKWAVE back into her. BLACKARACHNIA gets knocked back as CHEETOR scrambles to shoot at PINCER.

BLACKARACHNIA (wincing): Nasty attack for such a loser.

CHEETOR: Still, not a problem.

PINCER: No? Try this, then.

PINCER flexes his tail, and a lash of energy washes from it and wraps around CHEETOR. CHEETOR struggles against it but falls hard as his eyes flicker.

PINCER: My sting is attuned to your bio-chemical energy. The toxin I sent into you will drain all your Energon supply in a matter of moments.

BLACKARACHNIA: You forgot me.

BLACKARACHNIA raises her missile and fires at PINCER, but MOSQ has maneuvered again, and bites into her. She falls, succumbing to the same toxin.

MOSQ: My brother and I share the same trick. Very handy for removing unwanted waste. When the master comes, though, you'll both make good meals.

We ZOOM in on CHEETOR and BLACKARACHNIA, and FADE TO BLACK.

End of Line, pt. 5
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

FADE IN: HILLS. CHEETOR, robot mode, is lying painfully on the ground as his own energy betrays him. Near him, BLACKARACHNIA is suffering from the same fade. MOSQ and PINCER stand triumphantly. As they are about to gloat, however, WASPINATOR, robot mode, steps forward, gun raised.

WASPINATOR: Where's Buzz Saw?

MOSQ: What? You still function?

WASPINATOR (darkly): Where is Buzz Saw?

MOSQ (smirking): Consumed by master, fool. Where are you?

WASPINATOR fires, nailing MOSQ easily with the shot. MOSQ stammers and attempts to stand. Pincer moves in to attack, but WASPINATOR immediately turns his gun on him.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator is robot with gun. That's where Waspinator is. Waspinator what to know how to save Buzz Saw. Bugs tell me, or bugs die.

PINCER: You can't kill us. Master will save us.

WASPINATOR growls and fires into PINCER. Not just one shot, but several. Even after PINCER is reduced to slag, WASPINATOR keeps firing. MOSQ attempts to maneuver back, looking in shock at the Predacon flyer.

WASPINATOR (darkly): Tell Waspinator how to save Buzz Saw. Now!

MOSQ (pleading): Master, save me.

WASPINATOR lifts up MOSQ by the needle, and points his gun directly to MOSQ¹s head. MOSQ shakes, but is unable to do anything more than that.

WASPINATOR: Master not here, Waspinator here. Answer Waspinator.

MOSQ: Buzz Saw, is held inside of Arachnid's matrix. They and the others refuse to join master. Master will win eventually.

WASPINATOR: How does Waspinator save Buzz Saw.

MOSQ: One spark must overcome master's. The spark must flourish with life. The spark must join with the codex and take master with him.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator thank you.

WASPINATOR fires his weapon, destroying MOSQ. CHEETOR and BLACKARACHNIA slowly begin to stir as the ENERGY TOXIN disappears from around them.

CHEETOR (weakly): What happened?

WASPINATOR: Waspinator hero. Waspinator save cat-bot and spider.

BLACKARACHNIA: You terminated both of them?

WASPINATOR: Waspinator do what necessary to save Buzz Saw. Spider now help Waspinator with codex.

BLACKARACHNIA: You want the codex?

WASPINATOR: Waspinator save Buzz Saw? Spider going deaf?

As WASPINATOR steps back to the SHARD, POLAR CLAW, beast mode, arrives. CHEETOR's eyes narrow at his approach. BLACKARACHNIA keeps her hand on her missile launcher.

CHEETOR (angrily): Where in Prime where you?

POLAR CLAW (quietly): I was thinking.

CHEETOR: Oh, that's just fine then. We nearly got killed out here.

POLAR CLAW: Unfortunate, I didn't think that Arachnid had yet developed such powers. We must be more on our guard in the hours to come.

CHEETOR steps up to POLAR CLAW, who TRANSFORMS. As POLAR CLAW finishes, however, CHEETOR slugs him, hard. POLAR CLAW is knocked back, but remains standing. CHEETOR levels his weapon at POLAR CLAW.

BLACKARACHNIA: I'm impressed, Maximal.

CHEETOR: Shut up, Arachnia.

POLAR CLAW: Care to explain this?

CHEETOR: I want some answers out of you. You wait forever to help us, and then you hang back your attacks against Arachnid, and now you stand back and think while his pets nearly slag us. Something tells me that you just want that codex for yourself.

POLAR CLAW: I want the codex, true. But I do not want you to come to harm for it.

CHEETOR (angry and slowly): Then what is your problem?

POLAR CLAW: I wish I could explain to you. Perhaps I could explain to Tigatron.

CHEETOR: But you can't, can you? Because he's dead. Because you sat back and let Arachnid kill him. (determined) This is your fault, Polar Claw. All your talk about being there when the balance was upset. Where in Cybertron were you? Too wrapped up in how good you are to talk to us mortals?

POLAR CLAW (stammering): I did not mean to...

CHEETOR: But you did. Come on, Preds, let's get this rock back to the Axalon.

At that CHEETOR stomps over to the codex, and starts to move it. As with BLACKARACHNIA and WASPINATOR, it shocks him. CHEETOR fumes, but POLAR CLAW walks up to the codex and merely lifts it up. The codex glows brightly at his touch, and doesn't resist.

BLACKARACHNIA (whispering): So that's it.

CUT TO: DECAYED FOREST. A HOLOGRAM plays of MOSQ and PINCER battling BLACKARACHNIA and CHEETOR. The video plays until WASPINATOR makes his appearance, then disappears. We PAN TO ARACHNID, beast mode, who has been watching the battle transpire with interest.

ARACHNID: My children. They've defeated my children. These four will prove more troublesome than I had originally envisioned.

ARACHNID starts to move slowly, and heads off into the distance. We CUT TO:

MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. CHEETOR and BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, stand in the COMMAND CENTER. On the table, in front of both of them, lies the SHARD. POLAR CLAW, robot mode, quietly stares out of the main window, overlooking the plain.

BLACKARACHNIA (quietly): He wants this. In his own way, he's just like Arachnid, convinced of his own 'greater destiny'. We should take him out until we figure this thing out.

CHEETOR (whispering): No. He's still one of us.

BLACKARACHNIA (whispering): No, he isn't. He never has been. He's more a piece of that codex than what I'm looking at here.

CHEETOR (grimly): He might be our only hope right now. I can't risk it.

SENTINEL: Analysis of artefact complete.

POLAR CLAW: Is there a match with Arachnid's genetic structure?

SENTINEL: Affirmative. Genetic code is a mixture of three native life forms. Samples for each form were combined to create a match.

BLACKARACHNIA: Well, there's the doorway. Where is the key?

POLAR CLAW: I am the access to the codex.

CHEETOR (smirking): Right.

POLAR CLAW: Now, let me do what must be done.

BLACKARACHNIA raises her missile launcher and levels it at POLAR CLAW. CHEETOR hesitates, but follows suit.

POLAR CLAW: You intend to stop me?

BLACKARACHNIA: You're not after Arachnid. Sure, you'll take him out, but then you'll just take his place, won't you? You would run things here your own way.

POLAR CLAW: Is that how you feel as well, Cheetor?

CHEETOR: I don't know you, but I don't trust you. Stay away from the codex. I'll activate it.

POLAR CLAW: You are not a part of it. It won't accept you.

CHEETOR: I'll take that chance.

CHEETOR moves up to the SHARD and starts to touch it. A mere second before he does, however, the entire AXALON shakes from a BLAST.

SENTINEL: Alert, Arachnid attacking. Shields at ninety percent and holding.

POLAR CLAW: We've got no time. You have to trust me.

BLACKARACHNIA: No.

Another blast rocks the ship. All the viewers in the room light up with ARACHNID's visage. The monster is in vehicle mode, closing fast onto the base. ARACHNID fires his LEG-CANNONS again, and the base rumbles from the assault.

SENTINEL: Shields at eighty percent. Primary weapons range reached, returning fire.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL VIEW. ARACHNID reaches sight of the AXALON, which opens up with its TURRETS. ARACHNID weathers the strain of the attack, returning fire with his own TURRET, fully functional now. ARACHNID begins to convert to his BATTLE STATION mode.

ARACHNID: Now, you shall join your brethren, and become one with me.

CUT TO: MAXIMAL COMMAND CENTER. BLACKARACHNIA flies across the room as a PANEL explodes near her. POLAR CLAW runs over and stands her up, looking to the SHARD. CHEETOR runs over to the SHARD and grabs it firmly. The SHARD glows slightly, but it refuses him, knocking him back with a powerful electric shock.

SENTINEL: Warning, shields at sixty-five percent.

BLACKARACHNIA: The explosives, they're still armed.

CHEETOR (firmly): We can't override them now.

BLACKARACHNIA: Then we've got to leave, now, before we're destroyed.

CHEETOR: There is no place to run to.

SENTINEL: Warning, shields at fifty percent.

POLAR CLAW stands up and moves to the SHARD. CHEETOR moves to stop him, but is knocked down again as another blast rocks the hull of the ship. Equipment begins buckle and fall from the strain. BLACKARACHNIA raises her weapon to attack him, but a major blast throws off her aim and she destroys a VIEWER.

SENTINEL: Warning, shields at thirty percent. Explosive devices activated. Minus sixty seconds until activation.

BLACKARACHNIA (whispering): No. We've got to override!

CHEETOR: There is no override.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL of MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. ZOOM IN on the EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, which activate and begin their countdown. FADE TO BLACK.

End of Line, pt. 6
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

FADE IN: MAXIMAL COMMAND CENTER. CHEETOR and BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, stagger to their feet. POLAR CLAW, robot mode, begins to glow dimly as he accesses the SHARD. BLACKARACHNIA sees this and fires on him. This time, her aim is true, and POLAR CLAW is knocked to the ground.

BLACKARACHNIA: Nice try, Maximal. If I die, you're coming with me.

SENTINEL: Minus thirty seconds.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL of MAXIMAL HEADQUARTERS. WASPINATOR, beast mode, rushes down to the base of the ship, to the EXPLOSIVES. Quickly, he starts to collect the charges, dodging the occasional incoming fire from Arachnid.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator have no time. Waspinator must hurry.

WASPINATOR speeds out of the base and rushes into ARACHNID, battle station mode. ARACHNID maneuvers his TURRET around to face him and starts firing. The LEG CANNONS fire but miss as WASPINATOR makes his attack run.

SENTINEL: Minus five seconds.

WASPINATOR starts throwing the CHARGES at ARACHNID. The first impacts with the TURRET and explodes. The TURRET and its weapons disrupt and explode as WASPINATOR spirals around and throws out the remaining CHARGES. ARACHNID raises his LEG CANNONS to fire at WASPINATOR again, but they are destroyed as the remaining charges go off in a brilliant flash. When the smoke clears, ARACHNID is dormant, its weapons destroyed.

CUT TO: MAXIMAL COMMAND CENTER. CHEETOR and BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode, look out the main viewer with excitement.

BLACKARACHNIA: Yes!

CHEETOR: Way to go Waspinator!

BLACKARACHNIA: The stupid bug did something right.

But, as they begin to celebrate, they see ARACHNID begin to TRANSFORM to his beast mode. CHEETOR turns to BLACKARACHNIA, who gets shot in the back by POLAR CLAW, robot mode. CHEETOR turns and raises his weapon as BLACKARACHNIA falls near him.

POLAR CLAW: I must do this, Cheetor. Forgive me, my friend.

CHEETOR levels and fires once, but misses. POLAR CLAW raises his hand, and CHEETOR's eyes begin to dim and flicker.

COMPUTER (from CHEETOR): Warning, stasis lock imminent.

CHEETOR (weakly): No. You can't.

POLAR CLAW: I must.

POLAR CLAW, now unopposed, lifts up the SHARD. CHEETOR raises his hand to stop him, but falls, too weak from the stasis lock. POLAR CLAW quietly moves to open the hatch. We CUT TO: EXTERNAL. WASPINATOR, robot mode, flies around ARACHNID, firing as he can, as the giant beast reverts to spider mode.

WASPINATOR: Bring back Buzz Saw.

ARACHNID: Fool, you have only delayed your own termination. How I feed upon you is of no consequence. You shall become one with me.

WASPINATOR: Bring back Buzz Saw or Waspinator destroy you.

ARACHNID (laughing): No.

ARACHNID, now completely in beast form, fires of a WEB which envelops WASPINATOR. WASPINATOR struggles within, but his eyes fade as the power leaves him. He falls hard to the ground, and ARACHNID moves to him to feed.

POLAR CLAW (from behind): That's enough, Arachnid.

ARACHNID turns and sees POLAR CLAW, robot mode, standing with the codex overhead. ARACHNID pauses, then starts to move, his eyes ablaze.

ARACHNID: You cannot destroy me. I am a god.

POLAR CLAW: You are an aberration, as am I. We are corruption of this world. We were not meant to be. It is time for us to leave it behind.

ARACHNID: I will destroy you.

POLAR CLAW (quietly): I know you will. Until all are one.

ARACHNID lunges forward, but POLAR CLAW stays on his ground. As ARACHNID bears down, the SHARD comes to full life. The entire area is aglow with power. ARACHNID stammers, and falls as POLAR CLAW, along with the SHARD, disappears to mist.

ARACHNID (stunned): No. I am a god. You cannot destroy me.

From the mist, several PROTOFORM robots solidify. ARACHNID's own body betrays him, his organic forms falling into decay, the deteriorating completely. We see the PROTOFORMS take shape as MEGATRON, robot mode, OPTIMUS PRIMAL, robot mode, and DINOBOT, robot mode. Several other PROTOFORMS begin to form around them.

ARACHNID: I am chaos. You cannot destroy me.

WASPINATOR (darkly): Waspinator chaos enough for one world.

WASPINATOR, weakened, sits up and fires one last time into ARACHNID. This time, without his defenses to protect him, WASPINATOR's shot smashes through the head of the beast. ARACHNID's body falls and collapses. The hulk disintegrates into nothingness, leaving only the Maximals and Predacons, weakened and dazed, lying on the ground below.

PAN OVER: We see MEGATRON, INFERNO, SCORPONOK, TERRORSAUR, and TARATULAS, all in robot mode, begin to stand. Near them, TIGATRON, OPTIMUS PRIMAL, DINOBOT, RHINOX, and RATTRAP, all in robot mode, awaken and rise.

MEGATRON: The beast is destroyed. Waspinator, what happened?

WASPINATOR: Waspinator save Buzz Saw?

We PAN OVER and see two last Predacons. INSECTICON, robot mode, and BUZZ SAW, robot mode. BUZZ SAW rushes over to WASPINATOR, who openly hugs him.

BUZZ SAW (dazed): Buzz Saw need vacation.

INSECTICON quickly converts to beast mode, and steps back to escape. As he tries to back up, however, he runs into CHEETOR, robot mode, standing next to BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode. Both have their heavy weapons drawn.

INSECTICON: No-no. I live again-again. You wouldn't-wouldn't.

CHEETOR: I have a promise to keep.

CHEETOR and BLACKARACHNIA, in unison, open fire. INSECTICON stammers back as the first two hits wreck through his hull. Two angry pair continue to fire. INSECTICON loses his limbs, then his head is blasted off his body. BLACKARACHNIA steps in, pointing her missile launcher at the head to her feet, and fires, obliterating it.

BLACKARACHNIA (relieved): It's over.

DISSOLVE TO COMMAND CENTER. MEGATON, BLACKARACHNIA, OPTIMUS PRIMAL, and CHEETOR, all in robot mode, stand around the center table.

MEGATRON: At this point, the alliance between the Maximals and Predacons is terminated. You fought well, Maximals.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: What happens now?

MEGATRON: We wait for the next stasis pod, yes. After that, I try to conquer the world, and you try to stop me. For now, we rest and recover from our experience.

CHEETOR (disappointed): Just like that?

BLACKARACHNIA: You expected more?

CHEETOR: After all this, just back to our old roles? Just go out and try to kill each-other all the time?

BLACKARACHNIA: We are enemies, cat. If it helps, we're now intimate enemies.

MEGATRON and BLACKARACHNIA steps away to the lift, where INFERNO, robot mode, is waiting. BLACKARACHNIA winks to CHEETOR as they leave the COMMAND CENTER. As they get out of sight, CHEETOR slumps on the table.

CHEETOR: Man. I hoped...

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: We both knew it wouldn't happen. The Predacons don't want peace with us, not yet.

CHEETOR: But we had a common enemy. A purpose.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: A common enemy doesn't make peace, Cheetor. It takes common ground. We haven't found that yet with the Predacons. Someday, I hope, maybe we will.

CHEETOR (sadly): A pretty dream.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL, HILL overlooking the MAXIMAL BASE. MEGATRON and BLACKARACHNIA, beast mode, stand quietly.

MEGATRON: Tarantulas and the others are waiting, Miss Arachnia. We need to recharge. We need to deal with the Maximals another time, yes.

BLACKARACHNIA: I was just thinking.

MEGATRON: Were you? And what were you thinking about?

BLACKARACHNIA (quietly): It doesn't matter, does it?

MEGATRON turns to leave. BLACKARACHNIA watches over the MAXIMAL BASE a few seconds more, then follows as we FADE TO BLACK.

The End