Perfect Imbalance

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Beast Wars and all related belong to Hasbro. The story, its original contents and ideas, and any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used or reprinted without the author's permission.

Author's warning: This particular storyline contains some adult themes. Be assured that they are necessary to the story and are not overdone, but may be offensive to some readers. You have been warned.

1998 Readers' Choice Awards Winner
Most Frightening

Perfect Imbalance, pt. 1
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

ACT I

FADE IN: EXTERNAL SHOT: JUNGLE SCENE. The trees are peaceful for a long, then show a horde of INSECTICON DRONES, beast mode, flying in the eat the trees whole. We PAN OVER and see INSECTION, robot mode, looking over the jungle with a grin.

INSECTICON: Eat my children-children. Your meal will line our hive with more than enough energon-energon. Devour everything-everything.

PAN UP to a cliff side. We see, TIGATRON, RATTRAP, CHEETOR, and OPTIMUS PRIMAL, all in robot mode, looking down disdainfully.

CHEETOR: What are we waiting for, Optimus? Let's go down there and zap some clone-heads.

TIGATRON: We can't, Cheetor. This jungle hasn't seen rain in two months. If we use our energy weapons down there, we'll destroy the very thing that we're trying to save.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Tigatron's right, Cheetor. Besides, if I'm right, we can eliminate the problem by disabling Insecticon himself.

RATTRAP: No problem, but in case you haven't noticed, that big bug is the middle of that mess. How do you suppose we're going to get in there?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL (sighing): I'm still working on that part.

Suddenly, EXPLOSIONS rock the jungle. We PAN OVER and see WASPINATOR, robot mode, and BUZZ SAW, robot mode, rushing into the battle, guns blazing. INSECTICON ducks for cover as his DRONES are slain by the truckloads.

WASPINATOR: Big bad beetle bug not follow orders. Not report in. Waspinator sent to bring back beetle bug.

BUZZ SAW: Buzz Saw don't need reason to shoot. Buzz Saw just want to shoot something.

INSECTICON: Your mouth isn't enough-enough? My children, terrorize-terrorize!

Many of the DRONES convert to robot mode and leap to the air to engage WASPINATOR and BUZZ SAW. The two Predacons start fighting them off valiantly, but are knocked back by the sheer number of DRONES coming at them.

INSECTICON: None shall interfere-interfere.

CHEETOR (smirking): Wrong.

We PAN BACK and see CHEETOR, beast mode, leap onto INSECTICON. The Predacon bug gets knocked down, hard, but fires his crossbow point blank into CHEETOR's hide. The Maximal attacker is sent back reeling from the energy blast as OPTIMUS PRIMAL, RATTRAP, and TIGATRON, robot mode, move in.

TIGATRON: You've disrupted the balance of nature. You're a child of this world, how could you do such a thing?

INSECTICON (not listening): There's that interfering again-again.

INSECTICON starts firing madly as DRONES fly in to protect him. CHEETOR stammers back up as TIGATRON gets blasted hard by INSECTICON's crossbow. TIGATRON falls to one side, smoke pouring from a wound.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Tigatron!

TIGATRON: I've had a lot worse than this, Optimus. I'm still in the fight.

RATTRAP: Yeah, but Insecticon isn't. he's. ahem. bugging out.

INSECTICON: Why bother to stay-stay? I have what I wanted-wanted.

As OPTIMUS PRIMAL moves to launch, he gets stopped by a few DRONES cutting into his leg from out of the ground below. The other Maximals are similarly trapped as DRONES come in from everywhere. RATTRAP and CHEETOR have the best luck in shooting them down and freeing themselves. Meanwhile, however, INSECTICON is clear to getting away.

CUT TO: WASPINATOR and BUZZ SAW, fighting their way, bare-handed, through several DRONES surrounding them. The two PREDACONS both see INSECTICON flying from them, followed by a trail of other DRONES, and start to pursue. Sadly, some of the DRONES cut hard into BUZZ SAW's wings, and the Predacon spins wildly downward.

WASPINATOR (worried): No no. Buzz Saw, get back in control. Waspinator not want to lose bug again.

BUZZ SAW (dazed): Buzz Saw can't correct flight. spinning. all dizzy. Buzz Saw need Waspinator help.

WASPINATOR: Waspinator help.

WASPINATOR dives out of his own DRONE mess and grabs BUZZ SAW. The two Predacons look around for a long moment, and see only the four Maximals. They decide to quickly leave.

CUT TO: RATTRAP and CHEETOR, robot mode, cutting through the last of their DRONES. As they are about to finish them off, the DRONES suddenly freeze up and crumble into dust. OPTIMUS PRIMAL, robot mode, steps forward as TIGATRON, robot mode, limps to the group.

RATTRAP: Yeah, another pointless fight in the middle of nowhere.

CHEETOR: Seemed like the flyers were after him too. What do you suppose is going on?

TIGATRON (worried): This was not supposed to happen. Insecticon should be attune to this world's nature. Instead, he's taking it apart.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Easy, Tigatron. We don't know what the Predacon programming did to him. Still, it does make you wonder. Waspinator and Buzz Saw seemed more interested in hitting Insecticon rather than helping him.

RATTRAP: You think maybe the bug's gone nuts without their help?

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: Maybe. He headed off to the north. Tigatron, you report to base and get repairs. The rest of us will see if we can pick up his trail again.

CHEETOR: No way, big bot. You've got some chunks of you missing too. The rat and I can hound that bug and give you a call when we got something.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: I suppose repairs are in order. (sighs) Get it straight, Cheetor, don't go rushing into battle. Insecticon could have hundreds of drones at his disposal by now. If you see them, call for backup immediately. Airazor and I can get back to you in a few minutes. Understood?

RATTRAP: Don't sweat your circuits, the kid and I can hack it.

OPTIMUS PRIMAL: If you say so, Rattrap. Prime jets, on!

As OPTIMUS PRIMAL flies off, we CUT TO: PREDACON HEADQUARTERS. MEGATRON, robot mode, is sitting in the command chair, watching WASPINATOR and BUZZ SAW, robot mode, return to base, on foot. TARANTULAS and BLACKARACHNIA, beast modes, stand ready.

MEGATRON (resigned): I shouldn't be surprised. They failed again.

TARANTULAS: It would have been a difficult assignment for any of us, never mind those two. You shouldn't be too rough on them.

MEGATRON: Perhaps not, no. Insecticon's drones could have been an asset for us, provide a heavy push for our supremacy against the Maximals. But no, the treacherous bug goes off on his own, creating his own army and stockpiling his own energon supply.

BLACKARACHNIA: No offense, Megatron, but if he was going to attack us, wouldn't he have already tried by now? He has more than enough drones to hit us pretty hard already.

MEGATRON: That's a reassuring statement, Miss Arachnia, no. Still, you are correct. He should have made some hostile intentions against us known by now. But he is up to something, and I need to know what.

CUT TO: JUNGLE. RATTRAP and CHEETOR, beast modes, are moving quickly. RATTRAP struggles to keep up, and is constantly out of breath.

CHEETOR (smiling): Can't keep up with the cat?

RATTRAP: How many rats do you suppose have to work hard to not lose a cat? Slow down, kiddo, for Prime's sake.

CHEETOR: I just want a piece of that Predacon. He singed my fur good. It will take weeks for that hair to grow back right.

RATTRAP: Is that what this is about? A fashion statement? I should have flown back with pin-head.

CHEETOR: Just because you don't take any care of yourself.

RATTRAP (looks around): Quiet kiddo.

CHEETOR: Can't take it, Ratty?

RATTRAP (quietly): Rattrap, Maximize.

CHEETOR: Hey, I was just kidding.

RATTRAP (nervously): Shut up and transform. We've got company.

PAN ABOVE: INFERNO, robot mode, flies overhead, carrying BLACKARACHNIA and SCORPONOK, robot mode, in each hand. SCORPONOK is looking around at the terrain below them. BLACKARACHNIA is deliberately not looking down.

BLACKARACHNIA: I suppose that it's too much to ask to build a plane next time.

INFERNO: Uncomfortable, Princess?

BLACKARACHNIA (annoyed): I've got better things to do than be man-handled at low orbit.

SCORPONOK (smirking): Would you like Inferno to fly up higher?

BLACKARACHNIA: And what did I do to you?

SCORPONOK: I forgot to bring a list. Besides, you should keep your mind on the mission for Megatron.

INFERNO: Yes, the royalty commands us to find Insecticon. He must be nearby.

PAN OVER behind the flying trio. On the horizon, we see a large PYRAMID with an illuminati-style EYE. As the trio first begin to see it, the EYE starts to glow very brightly.

BLACKARACHNIA (near panic): An alien station. Inferno, quickly, get down.

As INFERNO just begins to move, the PYRAMID EYE fires. INFERNO can't get out of the way, but manages to throw SCORPONOK and BLACKARACHNIA aside as the blast smashes into him. INFERNO, broken in several large pieces and burning, gets knocked wildly aside.

PAN DOWN: RATTRAP and CHEETOR step back in shock as the blast appears overhead. RATTRAP looks around nervously as CHEETOR steps forward.

RATTRAP: Don't even think it kiddo. That bug's got some serious firepower.

CHEETOR: We've got to check it out, come on, Rattrap.

RATTRAP: We've got to radio back for support.

CHEETOR: We can't, the energon's too thick here. I'll go on ahead and check it out.

RATTRAP (worried): Don't leave me, kid.

It's too late. CHEETOR rushes off. We follow CHEETOR for a moment through the jungle, as see him as his eyes grow wide. Just as he's about to turn back, something blasts him. We CUT TO: RATTRAP, beast mode, and we hear CHEETOR SCREAM from the distance. His scream is cut abnormally short, and RATTRAP stammers back, fear gripping him.

RATTRAP: No, kiddo. Kiddo.

RATTRAP moves forward, and looks around. He sees heavy blast marks in the trees around him, but there is no sign of CHEETOR anywhere. Finally, however, RATTRAP can see the huge PYRAMID ahead of him through the trees. Around it are dozens of INSECTICON DRONES.

RATTRAP (stunned): Great Primus. Kiddo, what happened to ya?

SCORPONOK: No kiddo here, Maximal.

RATTRAP turns and sees SCOROPONOK, robot mode, eyes ablaze, moving towards him.

SCORPONOK: Just one. angry. Predacon.

ZOOM IN on RATTRAP as we FADE OUT.

END ACT I

1998 Readers' Choice Awards Winner
Most Frightening

Perfect Imbalance, pt. 2
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

ACT II

FADE IN: EXTERNAL SHOT: The PYRAMID. The eye dims slightly, and a port opens up slightly below it. We see several DRONES, beast mode, fly into it. The portal then neatly closes. We CUT TO: Inside. CHEETOR, robot mode, and BLACKARACHNIA, also in robot mode, are shackled to the wall, and are low on energon. We ZOOM IN on CHEETOR as starts to come back on-line.

CHEETOR (tiredly): One day. I'll listen for a change.

BLACKARACHNIA (echoing): Instead of talking to yourself? I doubt it.

CHEETOR: Okay, Pred, what are you up to?

BLACKARACHNIA: Same as you. You might say I'm just hanging around. (sighs) It seems we've found a common foe today, Maximal.

CHEETOR: Right. You're just trying to trick me into giving something up.

BLACKARACHNIA (smirking): You think I would let myself be tied up just to talk to you? Don't flatter yourself.

CHEETOR struggles through the bonds and winces as he hears a strange slurping noise as he moves slightly within it. BLACKARACHNIA moves slightly too, but is unable to break free of the bonds on her.

CHEETOR (disgusted): Gross. Bad enough to be tied up here with you. but in this. What is this stuff?

BLACKARACHNIA: Some sort of mucus. Doesn't the rat make this stuff en masse?

CHEETOR (smirks): Actually. he does. Jeesh, Rattrap. Where are you?

CUT TO: JUNGLE. RATTRAP and SCORPONOK, both in robot mode, are faced off. RATTRAP steps back, then charges the larger opponent. SCORPONOK slams him aside, causing RATTRAP to spin wildly as he TRANSFORMS to beast mode, then back to robot mode to land.

SCORPONOK: What have you done with Blackarachnia?

RATTRAP: What about Cheetor?

SCORPONOK: What about Cheetor?

RATTRAP turns and fires, missing SCORPONOK but igniting a nearby tree. SCORPONOK launches his CYBER-BEE, which flies around RATTRAP and starts firing its MINI-LASERS. As RATTRAP does his best to avoid that attack, however, SCORPONOK pounds him hard with his remaining claw. RATTRAP drops to the ground, clearly at SCORPONOK's mercy.

SCORPONOK (calmly): Now, Maximal.

RATTRAP: Go ahead and do your worst, Pred. I can take whatever you dish out.

SCORPONOK lifts RATTRAP up, but then carefully stands him up. RATTRAP looks stunned a moment, but SCORPONOK merely replaces his CYBER-BEE back onto its moor.

RATTRAP: I don't get it.

SCORPONOK: Look, Maximal. I need you right now. Insecticon's gone rogue against both Maximals and Predacons. His drones must have gotten Blackarachnia. With Inferno out of commission, that means I need help, and you're it.

RATTRAP: Like I'm going to help a Predacon, particularly a dumb one.

SCORPONOK: How's this for dumb? I kill you then go on alone with my mission. Besides, without me, you'll never get the chance to even find your kitty-cat friend.

RATTRAP (sucking in a breath): Like I can trust you.

SCORPONOK: I'm letting you live. What more do you want?

RATTRAP (nodding down): We're gonna die.

CUT TO: PYRAMID. BLACKARACHNIA and CHEETOR, stuck in robot mode, await the arrival of their captor. Finally, INSECTICON and two DRONES enter, all in robot mode. INSECTICON looks over CHEETOR a long moment, who struggles vainly to attack him, then to BLACKARACHNIA, who has the same reaction.

INSECTION: Aren't the spiders supposed to catch the flies-flies?

BLACKARACHNIA (darkly): When I get out of here, bug.

INSECTICON: But you're not getting out of there, are you-are you? My drones are almost as adept in making that adhesive as I am-I am. I doubt even Megatron could break free of it. I suppose that we'll find out soon enough-enough.

CHEETOR: Are all you Predacons whacked or what?

INSECTICON: Chaos, Cheetor-Cheetor. That's what this is about isn't it-it? War, battle, life, death, even this world itself-self. It's all chaos-chaos. Pure and wonderful chaos leading to the void-void.

BLACKARACHNIA: Some are more whacked than others.

INSECTICON: Oh my dear, beautiful, Miss Arachnia-Arachnia. You shouldn't say such things-things. After all, you are about to take part in my greatest creation-creation. You will be the mother of the greatest power on the planet-planet. And it shall bring forth the chaos-chaos. My children will know the true meaning of life-life.

BLACKARACHNIA: You're babbling again. Kill me and be done with it. I would rather hear the Maximal whine to himself than your deluded ranting.

INSECTICON knocks back BLACKARACHNIA head and grabs her chin. She struggles against him, but the bond holds her firmly in place. Almost lovingly, he traces her helmet around where her cheeks would be. BLACKARACHNIA attempts to bite him, her lips dripping her venom.

INSECTICON: My dear spider-spider, you don't die today-today. I want you alive-alive.

BLACKARACHNIA (darkly): Why?

INSECTICON: I need your living tissue, your DNA. Both your protoform matrix and your organic tissue-tissue. And I will fuse it with my own-own, and then I will have my most powerful creation-creation.

BLACKARACHNIA (fearful): My DNA? You mean to-

CHEETOR (seriously): Leave her alone, monster. Not even a Pred would stoop so low.

INSECTICON: I had considered your DNA-DNA, Cheetor. But while your protoform matrix wouldn't have been a problem-problem, I just couldn't mate with your male organic tissue-tissue. Blackarachnia, however-however, doesn't provide me with that problem-problem.

As both CHEETOR and BLACKARACHNIA struggle fiercely, INSECTICON touches his palm to BLACKARACHNIA's forehead. She's stunned for a long moment as ENERGY WAVES pour from him and her into his hand. She hisses but becomes extremely weak, then collapses. INSECTICON backs away, a beastly smile on his face.

CHEETOR (turning away, darkly): You worthless slag. The Preds were right to hunt you down.

INSECTICON (smiling): You act like a Terran-Terran. What do you care-care? She's the enemy-enemy, right?

CHEETOR (narrowing his eyes): If I ever get free. I'll kill you.

INSECTICON: You won't get free-free. I need you here-here, as a bargaining chip-chip. The Maximals will come soon-soon, and you'll keep them from attacking me before my creation is ready-ready.

CHEETOR: I'll be free someday.

INSECTICON smiles and walks off, leaving his two DRONES behind. BLACKARACHNIA stirs at his exit. She is obviously extremely weak from her ordeal, her lighted eyes are very dark, almost off.

CHEETOR: Are. are you alright?

BLACKARACHNIA (quietly, regaining her composure): No.

CHEETOR: I. tried to stop him. I couldn't break free.

BLACKARACHNIA: I know. Thank you, Maximal. It doesn't matter, you're assigning Terran feelings to what he did. Cybertronians are different.

CHEETOR: Not different enough.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL SHOT of PYRAMID. SCORPONOK and RATTRAP, robot modes, managed to get close to the walls without the DRONES noticing them.

SCORPONOK: The DRONES are walking right by us.

RATTRAP: They're too dumb to know a threat unless Insecti-dweeb tells them. They're probably too set on their duties right now to notice us.

SCORPONOK: These ones are. The ones inside are probably programmed for defensive measures. They'll be more difficult to face.

RATTRAP: Assuming we can get inside. The only door I see is several stories up the wall.

SCORPONOK: We climb.

RATTRAP: I knew you were going to say that. If those drone suddenly take notice of us, we've had it.

SCORPONOK: Then climb sneaky.

RATTRAP: How can such a techno-genius like you be such an idiot?

SCOROPNOK: Idiot?

RATTRAP: Yeah, as in dumb. We can't go waltzing into the front door.

SCORPONOK: I'm not dumb.. just nervous. Besides, do you see another way in?

RATTRAP looks over the wall and then back to SCORPONOK, then at the wall again.

RATTRAP: It's a safe bet that the alien weirdoes who put this together protected it against explosives, so blasting's not an option.

SCORPONOK: Acid!

SCORPONOK lets loose a torrent of acid from his tail, barely missing RATTRAP and slamming it into the stone wall. The stone starts to melt away, slowly revealing a hole. RATTRAP smiles, converts to beast mode, and leaps in, followed quickly by SCORPONOK.

SCORPONOK: The control center is probably near the top of the Pyramid.

RATTRAP: Right, so we head there.

SCORPONOK (worked up): No. Enemies many, battle no good.

RATTRAP (frustrated): Will you calm yourself? Where do we go then?

SCORPONOK (taking a breath): To the center of this level. This pyramid's power core must tap into the energon deposits around us. I doubt Insecticon has thought to guard it too heavily. Without that power source, he might even lose control of his drones.

RATTRAP: I've got the demolitions charges to do that job.

SCORPONOK: Good. I'll try to locate Blackarachnia.

RATTRAP: You forgetting something?

SCORPONOK: If Insecticon has your friend as a prisoner, he'll be there as well.

RATTRAP (narrows eyes): Harm any more hairs on his head.

SCOROPNOK: Until this base is destroyed, we are allies, Maximal. That's all I will promise you.

RATTRAP is about to object when three DRONES, beast mode, show up and walk by them. RATTRAP nervously prepares for a fight that doesn't come, but instead watches as the DRONES leave. RATTRAP turns and looks around, noticing that SCORPONOK is also gone.

RATTRAP: Well, Rattrap, time to play the hero.

CUT TO: PYRAMID CONTROL HOUSING. INSECTICON, robot mode, is looking over a small container with glowing goo inside of it. We can barely make the outline of a spider taking shape within. INSECTION smiles over it.

INSECTICON: Yes, my child-child. Already the energies of this pyramid help you grow strong-strong. Soon, you shall bring chaos to this world-world, instilling it with the life it so desperately needs-needs. No more will law and stagnation prevail-prevail. Growth through chaos-chaos. Those who oppose us shall join the void-void.

INSECTICON watches as several of his DRONES, robot mode, move around him, performing their assigned duties. He smiles idly at them.

INSECTICON: Are we not pure-pure? Are we not the one that the bring of chaos commanded-commanded? Did the vortex that brought us to this world not intend for us to bring this world to him-him? His hunger is great-great. The harbinger of destruction-destruction. He who brings life to its full circle waits for me-for me. I hear him, his commands-commands. My children-children, we shall be one with the void soon-soon.

He looks quietly around him again, none of his `children' respond to him.

INSECTICON: Was I wrong-wrong? Blackarachnia's tissue was needed-needed. Isn't the cause the greatest righteousness? Did the minor sin I committed against her make me not pure in your eyes, children-children? Am I a monster to you-you?

INSECTICON again waits for an answer from the DRONES. Again, he gets none, but this time he gets frustrated and slams one hard against a wall with a swift punch. The DRONE crumbles to dust.

INSECTICON (crazed): No! I am pure-pure! The chaos-bringer chose me-me! He chose me! My new child will please him-him. My sin is no sin-sin. It is a mere and necessary indulgence. He will absolve my sin, he will forgive me-forgive me, and make me one with the void-void.

INSECTICON laughs softly at first, then loudly, maniacally.

INSECTICON: Until all are one-one! Until all are one!

We ZOOM OUT above him and FADE TO BLACK.

END ACT II

1998 Readers' Choice Awards Winner
Most Frightening

Perfect Imbalance, pt. 3
by Neale Davidson (neale@iquest.net)

ACT III

FADE IN: PYRAMID INTERIOR. SCORPONOK is stepping carefully through the hallways. He moves to a STAIRCASE, and heads up. As he gets there, however, two DRONES, robot modes, are waiting for him. SCORPONOK slams his claw through one of them, and knees another in its chest. Both crumble to dust with a minimum of effort on SCORPONOK s part.

SCORPONOK: He's overextended himself.

CUT TO: RATTRAP: Beast Mode, walking through more PYRAMID HALLS. The halls are completely vacant except for him and a few doors leading to the interior. RATTRAP moves cautiously, however, knowing to expect trouble everywhere.

RATTRAP: Man, I actually wish there were guards around. This is getting too easy for my taste. It s always to easy right before it gets real hard. This will make me nervous enough to talk to myself.

RATTRAP walks into the ENERGON CHAMBER. His eyes widen as he sees the very life-tube of the PYRAMID. Surrounding it are six DRONES, beast mode. When RATTRAP takes a step inside the CHAMBER, the DRONES start to scurry forward. RATTRAP instinctively backs up, and the DRONES return to their stations, ignoring him.

RATTRAP: Man, if I blast the core from here, all our butts are toast, and I can t even risk a misfired shot. I got to get inside somehow. There's only six of them, and they re stupid. You've been in tighter than this, hero. What would you do in this situation?

RATTRAP looks around, and sees another DRONE, beast mode, moving down the hall near him. RATTRAP considers a moment and moves to the new DRONE. It does nothing at his approach. RATTRAP waves his hand over the drone s face for awhile, and it simply continues to scurry on its merry way.

RATTRAP: When the opposition is really dumb, make them suffer for it.

RATTRAP quickly opens his arm panel, and places a charge onto the DRONE s back. As the DRONE comes across the CHAMBER DOOR, RATTRAP heaves a mighty kick into the DRONE, sending it flying into the DOOR. The other DRONES inside move up to physically attack the invader and bite into it with their pincers.

RATTRAP (smiling): This is too easy.

RATTRAP presses an activation button on his arm, which detonates the charge on the DRONE. All the DRONES go up in a fiery blaze and crumble to dust. RATTRAP peeks into the ENERGON CHAMBER, puts a foot in, decides that it s safe, and heads to the ENERGON CORE.

RATTRAP: Now to make my presence known.

CUT TO: SCORPONOK, robot mode, walks through several more halls until he discovers four more DRONES, robot mode, guarding a doorway. As the DRONES move to attack him, he launches a missile at them. Caught in the tiny explosion, two of the DRONES burn to dust.

The remaining DRONES start physically attacking SCORPONOK, but they are no match for him. SCORPONOK crushes one underfoot, and uses his stinger to pierce the other at the same time. Both DRONES crumble to dust.

CUT TO: PYRAMID COMMAND CENTER. INSECTICON, robot mode, suddenly looks up from his container. He grabs it and places inside of a storage chamber within him, and rushes out.

INSECTICON: My children-children, the temple is under siege-siege. Protect the shrine-shrine, punish those who defile this sacred place-place.

CUT TO: PRISON CHAMBER. BLACKARACHNIA and CHEETOR, still bound in robot mode, are obviously concerned about the commotion surrounding them. They hear a few small explosions, then one large explosion rocks the entire PYRAMID. The ENERGON CORE has been detonated.

CHEETOR (weak smile): Looks like Rattrap s doing his job.

BLACKARACHNIA (weakly, barely function): That finishes it for us, then, Maximal. Not how I saw myself dying. This doesn't fit me.

CHEETOR: At least you die with an enemy, right?

BLACKARACHNIA (smiling): Humor, even now. To die this way, in disgrace, used, and yet you still find humor.

CHEETOR: We all have our faults.

The door finally ruptures, and we see SCORPONOK, robot mode, run in. He is damaged, and burnt. BLACKARACHNIA s spirits lift up somewhat.

SCORPONOK: The base has been detonated, we must leave.

BLACKARACHNIA: As perceptive as ever. For once, I'm actually glad to see you.

SCORPONOK slices through the mucus binding BLACKARACHNIA easily, and she drops a bit to the floor, freed of it. SCORPONOK wastes no more words and heads out the door. BLACKARACHNIA starts to head out after him, but hesitates, then stops. Quietly, she raises her pincer-hand to CHEETOR, and brings it down harshly. The Maximal thinks he s had it, but instead finds himself free of his own bonds.

CHEETOR: What? Why did you

BLACKARACHNIA: We're even, Maximal. Not another word about it. Not get out of here before I regain my senses.

CHEETOR: Right. Cheetor, beast mode.

CHEETOR quickly transforms and rushes out. BLACKARACHNIA soon rushes out of the hall and attempts to catch up with SCORPONOK. The two Predacons turn a corner and BLACKARACHNIA is met with another powerful bolt of energy. SCORPONOK stammers back as INSECTICON, robot mode, moves forward.

INSECTICON: Heathen-heathen! You have defiled this place of worship-worship. I shall slay you where you stand-stand. None shall defile the temple of the chaos-bringer-bringer.

INSECTICON raises his crossbow to fire at SCORPONOK, but the Predacon warrior is in his element now, and opens up with both his missiles and his CYBER-BEE. INSECTICON fires once, hitting SCORPONOK, but our view of that damage is obscured by brilliant flashes of light as INSECTICON loses a leg and arm, which are reduced to ash. The CYBER-BEE bites into INSECTICON, then explodes in place. Heavily damaged now, INSECTICON falls back.

INSECTICON (weakly): My children-children. Come to me-me save me-me.

INSECTICON looks around as some of his remaining DRONES to turn face SCORPONOK, who is struggling to stand up. As the DRONES start to move in, however, they crumble swiftly into dust. INSECTICON gets a panicked look as all other DRONES that he can see crumble around him.

INSECTICON: What-what is happening-happening? My children-children? What have you done-done?

SCORPONOK: Something I cooked up especially for you, traitor. You'll never make another clone. That Cyberbee was designed to terminate those circuits forever.

INSECTICON looks in horror as SCORPONOK raises his weapon to fire again. Fate intercedes, however, and part of the roof caves in, blocking SCORPONOK from his target.

SCORPONOK: Slag, no! I had him.

BLACKARACHNIA (faintly): There s no time. You have to get us out of here.

SCORPONOK nods quietly and picks her up. He looks around for some avenue of escape. As we CUT TO: CHEETOR, beast mode, barreling down hallways, looking around. He nearly runs RATTRAP, robot mode, full over, but skids to a panicked stop near him.

CHEETOR (excitedly happy): Thank the matrix, I knew you wouldn't let me down.

RATTRAP: I'm risking my pink butt an awful lot for an overgrown kitty-cat.

CHEETOR: Can we get out of here now and argue about it later?

RATTRAP: Yeah. You're headed the wrong way, by the way.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL SHOT, PYRAMID. We see CHEETOR, beast mode, and RATTRAP and SCORPONOK, robot modes, running out of the handmade doorway at full speed. SCROPONOK is carrying BLACKARACHNIA. Flames lick their hides as they retreat, and the PYRAMID begins to collapse in on itself.

PULL BACK: Levels of the PYRAMID sink down and shatter into its very core. Finally, when it is completely in ruins, a single ENERGY PULSE comes from the central core and launches into space. When it reaches orbital heights, it opens a PORTAL and disappears into it. The PORTAL closes.

CUT TO: EXTERNAL, JUNGLE SHOT. SCOPONOK, robot mode, is carrying the wounded BLACKARACHNIA, robot mode. CHEETOR and RATTRAP, also in robot mode, stand near them. None have the energy left in them to fight.

CHEETOR: Is it over?

SCORPONOK: No. Insecticon escaped. But for now, things are back to normal.

RATTRAP: Meaning we turn our guns on each-other, right?

SCORPONOK: After rest, probably. We re still enemies.

CHEETOR: Yeah. But now we know that there s something worse out there. Maybe that s the only hope for us, only putting aside our differences when there s something worse.

RATTRAP (sighing): Quit getting so philosophical, kiddo. Everyone makes peace when it comes time to save their butts.

CHEETOR: Yeah? Then explain Cybertron.

RATTRAP looks stunned at the comment, but CHEETOR simply starts to walk away. SCORPONOK takes his cue to leave, and moves off, leaving RATTRAP alone.

RATTRAP: I don't know, Kiddo.

We PAN UP to the night sky, and FADE TO BLACK.

The End