Revival

Beast Wars Anonymous:

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 Note: This story takes place right after episode 9, "Crossing the Rubicon." I have heard many rumors about what stories may develop in the last four episodes of Beast Wars, and I am not saying that this story will happen and that anyone else's story is right or wrong. These are simply my own guesses and imaginative thoughts. The symbol (r) means robot form, (b) means beast mode, and (v) means vehicle mode. I also found the script for "Code of Hero" at Benson Yee's Unofficial Beast Wars Transformers Page.

Revival, pt. 1
by Opal Cat (br.winter@sk.sympatico.ca)

Act 1
FADE IN:

To sheltered area around the Maximal base (early evening); fades into the internal of the base where Op. Optimus, Rhinox, and Cheetor are working at the computers. Fades into the Maximal living quarter hallway. Stops outside of one quarter.

OPEN showing Rattrap's room, which zooms in to Rattrap, who is tossing and turning on his bed. Fades into black, then...

He was having that dream again... it has been the same dream for the past three megacycles... the same battle... the same horror...

~Megatron(r): Let's see, where are we now? I have the Golden Disk. I have the power to change the future. And the only remaining obstacle in my path to unimaginable glory... is yourself. (a mocking laugh from Megatron) Exhausted. Damaged beyond recovery. Defeated.~

~Dinobot(r): Not... just... yet.~

(Dinobot begins to lunge. Megatron aims his blaster...)

REVEAL that Megatron has the Leader Neanderthal pinned by glowing power-bonds behind the boulder, watching then with frightened eyes. Dinobot stops.

~Megatron(r): One more step, and it's raining bits of early anthropoid. Yesss.~

(Dinobot can only growl. Megatron exults.)

~Megatron(r): Oh dear, how positively Maximal of you. You were weakened before you started, Dinobot - weakened by compassion.~

(Megatron raises his blaster to shoot Dinobot - but Dinobot seizes up a broken tree-limb and swings it like a club, knocking the weapon out of Megatron's hands.)

(Dinobot tries desperately to seize the advantage, laying into Megatron with the club. The blows land ferociously - THANGG, THANGGG, THANGGGG! - but Megatron just backhands him away. Dinobot crashes to the ground near a pointed stone.)

~Megatron(r): Really, Dinobot. A stick? Against a Transmetal? I think not.~

~Computer voice from Dinobot's chest: Final warning. Power failing. Jeopardy extreme. Repeat, extreme.~

(Dinobot, against all odds, struggles to his knees, clutching the tree-branch.)

~Megatron(r): Oh please.~

(Megatron picks up blaster)

~Megatron(r): Face it, Dinobot. You're old technology. Obsolete. What can you possibly do?~

~Dinobot(r): Improvise.~

(WHAM! He brings the branch down on the sharped stone, which STICKS in it. Before Megatron's startled eyes, Dinobot LUNGES to his feet, swinging the club with the massive stone head like a war-hammer with every last vestige of strength behind it...

(SMASSH! MEGATRON goes flying backwards. His chest-compartment pops open, the Golden Disk flying out and spinning through the air.

And Dinobot catches it. In show motion and multiple cuts, we see him RAISE it high in the air -- and somehow, summon a last eyeblast that SHATTERS the disk into golden fragments.)

~Dinobot: wordless war-cry.~

(Amidst the zillion golden shards, Dinobot's eyes go dark. In slow motion Dinobot toppled backward and crashes to the ground, the golden fragments showering all around him.)

(The other Maximals APPEAR, TRANSFORMING to Robot Mode and opening fire. Shots rain)

(Zoom In on Megatron. Sparking and furious, getting to his feet as explosions HAMMER around him.)

~Megatron(r): So close! I was SO CLOSSSSE!!!~

(He transforms to Vehicle Mode, lifting skyward in retreat.)

(Dinobot lies dying. Optimus, Rattrap, Cheetor, Silverbolt and Rhinox surround him, in Robot Mode.)

~Cheetor(r): There's gotta be somethin' we can do!~

~Optimus(r): He's gone too far, even for stasis-lock.~

(Dinobot's eyes open slowly. The Maximals swim into focus, above him, gazing down.)

~Optimus(r): Well fought, my friend. You saved the valley. You saved the lives of those who live here, and... of those who are still to come.~

~Dinobot(r): Then... there is nothing to regret.~

(Rattrap clasps Dinobot's hand in his, choking back emotion.)

~Rattrap(r): Like I said. Yer just a blasted slag-spoutin' saurian, but... it's nice t' know where ya stand.~

~Dinobot(r): Preferably upwind of you, vermin.

(drags Rattrap closer as voice weakens)

Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly - the ill deeds, along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest is... silence.

(Dinobot's eyes close, and he's gone. His spark rises up from his exostructure and shimmers skyward, fading.)

(On Rattrap: For a long moment he stays huddled over Dinobot's body, still clutching the motionless hand. Then he stands, drawing himself up to attention - and salutes.)

(The others do likewise.)

~Optimus(r): (choked, but intoning) He lived a warrior... and died a hero. Let his Spark join the Matrix with the greatest of Cybertron.~

Nooo... Dinobot is... gone... and it's all my fault. I could have gotten there sooner and I could have saved him...

"Wha? What happened? Oh man, what a dream!" exclaimed Rattrap. But part of the dream was true. Rattrap still felt guilty about Dinobot dying. He felt like it was all his fault, and that he could have saved him if he had gotten there sooner...

"I haven't gotten any sleep all night. I just wish that I could have gotten there earlier to save Dinobot... he was one of my best pals and..." but Rattrap was cut off in mid sentence by his Comm-link...

"Rattrap, report to the command center immediately." Rattrap just rolled his eyes, and replied sarcastically... "d'what ya want me for now? I better not have to go on night watch again or you may find that you have yourself a very cranky rat in d'mornin'." With that he proceeded to the command center.

FADE IN:

To interior of command center. Optimal Optimus, Cheetor, and Rhinox are still at work on the main computers, while Silverbolt and Blackarachnia are out scouting in sector Alpha.

"Wha'd ya want, fearless lead'a?"

Optimus cringed at that remark. He sort of hated some of Rattrap's stupid nicknames, but they were kind of funny in a weird way. "I wanted to ask you if..."

Rattrap interrupted, knowing exactly what Optimus was going to say. "If I could take the night shift again? I haven't had a rest from the night shift for the past five slaggin' days!"

Optimus thought about this for a nanoclick. It was true that Rattrap hadn't had a break in a long time, but Cheetor was still recovering from the damage he had sustained two days ago in a battle.

"Just this one last time, Rattrap. Then it's Cheetor's turn and you can have a break."

Rattrap shook his head and sighed. "In all the slaggin' uni... All right, all right. I d'must be crazy for doing this... but yeah, I'll take the shift this time."

"Okay. I hope that everything stays this quiet. Tell Silverbolt and Blackarachnia to come in from their patrol, and no sleeping on the job this time, Rattrap."

Rattrap grinned and answered sarcastically - "Wha? Little old me fall asleep on the job? Come on now, Optimus, you'd think d'that I'd do d'at?"

Optimus chuckled softly to himself. "I'm sure you won't, Rattrap, but I just wanted to remind you. See you in the morning."

"Yawnnn... D'this is always da most boring thing in my whole day. Just enough time for a little rat-nap."

Rattrap took one last look at the monitor before falling asleep. If he would have known what was waiting for him in his dreams, he would have stayed awake for a week to avoid it.

FADE IN:

To the inside of the Predacon base. We pass from the main control room where Megatron is working to a back hallway. We enter one of the rooms and see Tarantulas working away at one of his "ingenious" inventions.

"Yes, yes, it is finally complete! Soon Megatron will eat his words about me not being able to defeat him... with this."

Tarantulas pulls out an object that looks like a tiny satellite dish, and proudly holds it up to the light. "Soon, very soon." He laughs his deep cackling laugh and we fade off into black.

FADE IN:

To the valley where Dinobot was killed. Rattrap is surrounded by all six of the Predacons and is trying to fire at them to cause damage - to no avail. He ducks and dives and tries to escape, but there are walls surrounding him on all sides, and Predacons firing all around him.

"Why don't you Preds go pick on someone or somethin' else?" smirked Rattrap. He then fired at Megatron, and the shots went right through him and blasted the rock that was behind him.

"I think not, rodent. Nooo. Instead, I think it would be more fun to roast a rodent and get him off my back. Yesss." With this, all six Predacons began to fire on Rattrap. Rattrap was hit by all of their shots, and screamed because of the excruciating pain.

"Aghhh... d'is is it! I never thought that it would end like d'is. D'where in the pit is Optimus, or Cheetor, or even Depth Charge? Aghhh..." Rattrap dove behind a rock to try and escape the shots, but the rock was blasted to pieces, and the shots began to hit him again.

Just as he was about to go into stasis-lock, a robot hopped down from one of the cliffs. Rattrap recognized him immediately. "Dinobot? I thought you was dead?" exclaimed Rattrap.

Dinobot just snarled at him, and began to fire at the Predacons. Megatron took one blast at Dinobot, which sent him flying. Megatron laughed uncontrollably, and took out his energon knife to finish Dinobot off.

"Nooo! Megatron, don't!" Rattrap ignored all of the damage he had sustained, and ran to engage Megatron. "D'this time, Megatron you will not succeed! I am going to stop you!"

Rattrap ran up to Megatron, who now had one of his feet on Dinobot's chest and was preparing to kill him. "You can't stop me, vermin. Nooo. Before I kill you, I am going to kill your comrade Dinobot. Yesss." Megatron shot one more time at Rattrap, and sent him flying.

"Goodbye Dinobot. Rattrap will be joining you shortly." Megatron then unleashed his energon blade and stabbed Dinobot right in the chest.

"Noah... you slag-suckin reptile! I'll get you back for killing my best friend!" Rattrap ran at Megatron with the last of his strength.

"You're next, vermin. Yesss! Soon you will be joining your comrade."

Megatron stabbed him in the chest, and Rattrap cried out in pain. "Aghhhh..." he cried. "I will look forward to the day when you all die, and go to the pit!" He then whispered, "And I am so sorry that I couldn't save you, Dinobot..."

He felt himself growing weak, and as he closed his eyes, Megatron fired his blaster and his body was torn to bits.

FADE IN:

To the interior of the command center. Rattrap is screaming very loudly, which sends all the other Maximals running to see what was wrong.

"Ahhh... Nooo... Dinobot..!" screamed Rattrap.

"Rattrap? Rattrap, wake up! Come on, Rattrap, stop screaming!" Cheetor had gotten there first and was now trying to wake him up before the other Maximals got there.

"Huh? D'what? I must have dozed off. Why are ya shakin' me, pussy cat?" asked Rattrap.

Rattrap was still trying to sort out the dream in his head. It had been a terrible nightmare! Cheetor was still shaking him, even though he knew Rattrap was already awake. "Will you stop shaking me, kiddo? I'm fine. Just leave me alone!"

Cheetor stopped shaking him, and jumped back in shock because of the tone in Rattrap's voice. "What's your problem, rat-face? I was just trying to wake you up before you made the base cave in because of your screaming. That must have sure been some dream you were havin'."

Rattrap snapped back to reality to see Cheetor standing there with a concerned look on his face. "Yeah, pussy cat, it was. Sorry I snapped at ya, but I just had a really, really bad nightmare." Rattrap sighed. He really didn't feel like talking about it right now. Just then, the other Maximals entered the room.

"What's going on in here? What was all that noise? Cheetor? Rattrap?" Optimus said impatiently.

"Oh, nothing, Optimus," said Cheetor. "Rat-face here just decided to doze off, and make a little noise in his sleep."

Optimus chuckled. With all the noise Rattrap had been making, he thought that someone must have been being killed. "I thought you said you weren't going to doze off again, Rattrap? Since you seem so tired, maybe Cheetor can take over the rest of your shift? What about it, Cheetor?" asked Optimus.

"Sure. I think that rat-face deserves a little R&R. I am fully healed now anyways," said Cheetor.

He frowned after he told Optimus this, because he was concerned about Rattrap. This wasn't the only time this week he had heard Rattrap screaming while he was asleep in his room. He thought that something must be bothering Rattrap, and maybe he should go talk to him about it.

Act 2
FADE IN:

The interior of Rattrap's room. It is now morning and Rattrap is laying on his bed, thinking about all of the dreams he's been having.

"Beep, beep," sounded the computer. "Ya. Who's d'there and whatcha want?

Cheetor was used to this sort of greeting from Rattrap and answered back normally. "Just your neighborhood pussy cat dropping in for a visit."

"Sure. Justa cycle, okay?" Rattrap sighed, then got up to let the kiddo in. He wondered what Cheetor wanted.

Swish. The door opens and Cheetor steps in. He is obviously nervous about something. "Wha'd ya want, kitty cat? I know d'that ya wouldn't d'have visited me unless ya had somthin' important to say."

"I just wanted to ask you one thing - what was that dream about that you had last night? It sounded mighty rough."

Rattrap turned away for a minute, thinking about whether he should tell Cheetor or not. "Uh. I might as well tell ya. I was actually dreaming about Dinobot, as funny as it may seem. I still think that maybe if I would have got to the valley sooner..."

Cheetor interrupted, "that you maybe could have saved him? Don't blame yourself, Rattrap. I used to get thoughts like that when Tigatron and Airazor were killed. I learned that you can't change your past - but try to learn from it."

Rattrap was pretty ticked off at Cheetor. Of course it was his fault. He could have saved him. Dinobot was one of the only friends he ever had (even though he WAS a Pred), and he had let him down. "All right, kid, that's the last time I tell you about one of my dreams," he said angrily. "I need a little fresh air, so if you just excuse me..."

"Oh no, rat-face. I think that you should go talk to Optimus about this and..."

"Ya just listen da me, pussy cat! I can handle myself just fine, so just get out of my way!" Rattrap was furious. How dare he tell him what to do? He just needed a little time to sort things out on his own - and he didn't need fearless leader's help.

He shoved past Cheetor and headed for the elevator.

"Rattrap, come back..." yelled Cheetor.

Rattrap just keep going. He snuck past Rhinox, who was on duty, and headed out the doors. "Rattrap, beast mode," he whispered.

The front doors opened and he zoomed off before Silverbolt and Blackarachnia could yell at him. "Just where do you think you're..." but Silverbolt was cut off by the sound of spinning wheels as Rattrap took off. "Better report this to Optimus, huh, my love?"

Blackarachnia shook her head. Would he ever stop calling her such stupid names, although they were kind of sweet! "Nah. Just leave the rodent alone for a day. I think he just wants a break."

"But, Blackarachnia, we have to tell Optimus that Rattrap left the..."

"Look, bowser-boy. Maybe Rattrap just wants R&R time. Stop being such a goody-goody and let it drop for once."

Silverbolt frowned a little but reluctantly agreed. "Fine. If that's what you think we should do. Besides, Rattrap has helped me out in a few tight situations before, and I think it's about time I paid him back."

"Okay, let's just drop the subject and get back to scanning for Predacons. I mean, if Optimus catches us slacking off, we will be in deep trouble."

"Agreed. I just hope that Rattrap will somehow manage to stay out of trouble." Silverbolt felt like he was betraying Optimus, but decided to ignore his feelings and get back to work.

FADE IN:

To Tarantulas's quarters. He is still cackling to himself, and fussing over his new invention.

"Ahh hahaha. It seems my invention is a success. The test was a success. He is now vulnerable, angry, confused, and disoriented. There are no Maximals around to help you, rodent. The next time you fall asleep, you will be under my control, and then nothing can stop me from destroying Megatron. Yesss. Ahhh hahaha!"

ZOOM OUT:

From the inside of Tarantulas's quarters into Megatron's main viewing computer. Megatron is spying on Tarantulas, using one of his many spy cameras.

"That sniveling spider is up to something. Yesss. Inferno..."

"Yes, royalty?"

"When Tarantulas leaves to wherever he is going, follow him and if he is planning to betray me - destroy him. Got it?"

"Yes, my queen." Inferno then left the Predacon base, heading outside to wait for Tarantulas.

"I really wish he would stop calling me that." Megatron shook his head and looked down at his viewing computer. "What is that spider up to?" he wondered.

FADE IN:

To the Neanderthal valley. It is mid-day in the valley, and it is a calm, still day. Rattrap is slowly patrolling the landscape when he hears rustling in the bushes.

"Who's d'are?" Rattrap whispered. All of a sudden the two Neanderthals (Jack and Una) jump onto Rattrap. He is very surprised. "Whew. It's just you two. I thought that you two might have been sneaky, cunning, gruesome Predacons," teased Rattrap. Una and Jack laughed as Rattrap maximized, and pretending to be Waspinator.

"But Megggatron, why does Wazzpinator alwaysss get boring jobsss? Why does univvverssse hate Wazzpinator?" They both laughed as Rattrap decided he had better return them to their tribe.

Just then more rustling occurred in the brushes. Rattrap looked over to discover the leader of the Neanderthals watching him.

"Well, d'there's ya leader. Ya kids better get along now. See ya later." Rattrap thought how cute those kids were, on the contrary to what he showed Cheetor.

"Come on now, Rattrap. Stop getting so mushy. You're supposed to be angry. That kitty-cat telling me what ta do... ughhh. It just makes me so angry! Come on now, Rattrap, you can't be mad at da kid; he was just trying to help. Ughhh. I just don't know d'what ta think anymore. Maybe I just need some sleep..."

Just as he finished that word he fell asleep. It was a deep, and at first peaceful sleep, until...

Revival, pt. 2
by Opal Cat (br.winter@sk.sympatico.ca)

Act 3
FADE IN:

To the inside of some-sort of an advanced metal police car on the surface of Cybertron.

"Rattrap, report to headquarters immediately!" bellowed his chief over the radio.

"Yeah, just leave it da the chief to call me in when I'm hot on da trail of a robber." He considered just ignoring his chief and trying to catch this master crook, but decided against it - he did not want to get on the chief's bad side again.

"Come in, chief. Returning to base."

"I copy that. Over and out."

He decided to hurry. The chief sounded like he wasn't in a very good mood, and he didn't want to make him even madder.

FADE IN:

To the inside of an office in a Cybertronian police station. The chief is sitting at his desk, working at his computer.

A voice comes over his intercom. "Officer number 22455 is here to see you, boss."

The chief sighed. "Good. Send him right in. It's an emergency... good to see you, 22455. Please sit down."

He sat down and was kind of skeptical as to why his boss had asked for him. "Why did ya want ta see me, boss?"

The chief looked down at his computer. He hung his head as if he had something very important to say. He did. "You are one of the very best police bots and spies on all of Cybertron, number 22455. You know the dangerous crook you have been chasing for the past several months?"

"Of course I do. That guy's slipped out of my grasp so many times that..."

His chief interrupted him. "Well anyway, I just got a report that he's stolen the famous Golden Disk from the High Council."

"What! I never thought that he would be able to pull off a stunt that big. What does this have to do with me?"

Rattrap was very confused and angry. If he would have stopped Megatron before he never would have gotten a hold of the disk and...

"22455? Are you listening? I was just saying Megatron has stolen a ship and we think that he may decide to head out into space. So your job on tracking him is done. I would like to transfer you from policing and spy jobs to... an exploration ship."

"What! How can ya do d'is to me? I was so close to catching that slaggin' crook so many times..."

"That's an order, 22455! You have to obey it. You're stationed to the exploration ship named the Axalon, which is commanded by Optimus Primal, who is named after the great Optimus Prime."

"Aghhh. I guess I have ta go then. How many crew members are there going to be on the ship?" He sighed; he knew he was going to regret this mission.

"Four, including you, piloting the ship. You will be carrying many stasis pods. There will be Optimus, his adopted son, and an older friend of Optimus's on the flight. It leaves today in... three megacycles, so you'd better hurry and get your things packed."

"Three megacycles! That leaves hardly enough time! Well d'then, I guess I'd better get going. Did you notify the Starport yet?" Rattrap was shocked and surprised, and yet still angry for his chief putting him on this flight.

"Yes, they have already been notified. You'd better hurry."

"Ughhh. Someday I swear I'll get that thief back for this... what was his name again... oh ya, Megatron... he would really pay... someday..."

"Ummm. What very interesting memory tracks you have rodent. Ahh hahaha."

Rattrap suddenly found himself in a dark cave, surrounded by a cackling Tarantulas.

"What ya talking about, spidie? How did ya get into my mind?"

"It's my new invention, rodent. And now, rodent, you are going to feel the full force of its power. Ahh hahaha!"

Tarantulas clicked a switch on his satellite-type thingy and it began to attack Rattrap's head, shooting a strong laser beam through it.

"Aghhh. What are ya doin' to me?"

"You will soon find out, but maybe you won't rodent. Oh well. You'll serve my purpose better that way." Tarantulas sent out another wave of laughs as he switched the power on his invention to maximum. Rattrap slowly began to glow until his optics glowed a bright red with a strange yellow flame in it.

"It works. Yess," glowed Tarantulas, trying to do his best impression of Megatron's voice that he could. "Now you will serve me. You are my slave."

"Yes, master." Rattrap was totally spaced-out, just like a zombie.

Tarantulas disappeared from his dream, and that's when Rattrap awoke-- very suddenly...

FADE IN:

To Rattrap, just waking up. It is now late in the afternoon.

"Holy slag! What a dream! I am sure glad d'that d'that wasn't real - or was it?"

Before Rattrap could answer his sentence, he heard a voice whispering in his head. It was loud. It was confident. It was... laughing?

"Well, I'm here to tell you that that was no dream, rodent. Ahhh hahaha. Mindcrusier... activate!"

Rattrap was instantly struck with a surge of power and light. His body glowed from inside to outside like a pure diamond shines in the sunlight. His optics turned an even brighter red than they usually were, and the yellow flame returned, glowing even brighter than before.

"Ahhh. Finally I have a servant that will serve me as loyally as Inferno serves Megatron, but not as stupid. He used to be a spy which means he must have good fighting skills; a taste for revenge because it was Megatron who killed Dinobot; a general hate for Megatron all together. Perfect. Not even Optimus can stop my plans this time! Ahhh hahaha! Rattrap," said Tarantulas.

"Yes, master."

"Your first mission to prove that you are totally loyal to me is to take out that stupid pussy cat. He is in the next sector, nearby. Do you understand?"

"Yes, master. I will carry out your command immediately."

"This is too good to be true," thought Tarantulas. "That rodent will dispose of one Maximal problem, then he'll get rid of old Megatron for me as well. Ahhh hahaha!"

Rattrap then proceeded to attack Cheetor, following Tarantulas orders to the letter.

FADE IN:

To Cheetor teaching the two young Neanderthals, Una and Jack, a lesson.

"Now, Una, Jack, this is called a knife."

"Knnniiffe..." said Una.

"Yes, very good, Una." Cheetor smiled at the two kids. They were fun and exciting to be around, which is why Cheetor hung out with them so often. "And now this is..."

Cheetor was interrupted mid-sentence by Rattrap entering the small clearing. Rattrap didn't seem quite like Rattrap. He looked angry, furious, and even frightening.

"What's your problem there, rat-face?" he asked hotly. He hated to be interrupted while he was teaching. This was a bad decision to make.

"Oh, nothin' much d'there, Cheetor. Just came to destroy ya!"

With this Rattrap opened fire on the unsuspecting Cheetor, and the two helpless Neanderthals. Cheetor grabbed the children, and dove behind a huge boulder just as the chalkboard he was standing beside was shot, and splintered to pieces.

"Cheetor to Optimus... anyone? Can you read me?" Cheetor was frantic. He had no idea why Rattrap had flipped on him.

"Optimus here. What's your situation, Cheetor?"

"Oh, nothing much, Optimus. It's just that the rat has suddenly decided to turn on the cat. Rattrap's totally flipped, and he's shooting at me!"

"Hold on, Cheetor! I'll be there in a couple of cycles."

"Hurry, Optimus! I don't think that I can..."

BLAST! WHAM! A blast had hit Cheetor. It hit his shoulder, and was now badly damaged. "Una, Jack, run!" screamed Cheetor urgently. The kids ran away into the bush as fast as they could, but Rattrap wasn't concerned about them. There was only one target his master had told him to neutralize - Cheetor.

"Prepare to die, kiddo!" screamed Rattrap. He fired a shot at Cheetor. Cheetor tried desperately to move, but found that he couldn't because of his previous damage.

WHAM! "Aghhhh!" screamed Cheetor. He was knocked off-line, and Rattrap moved in for the kill...

"One way trip to da Matrix for ya, kid," smirked Rattrap. He raised his weapon and prepared to fire when...

"I don't think so, Rattrap!"

Rattrap turned around to see Optimus standing there. "Darn. Gotta retreat or I'm scrap. I did fulfill the master's command, though. Maximal Cheetor is off-line. Time for me ta go," he thought.

"Rattrap, beast mode!"

"No, Rattrap, wait..!" But it was too late, all that was left in front of him was a cloud of dust.

FADE IN:

To inside of Maximal base. Cheetor is being repaired by his spark, while Optimus looks on, concerned.

"Oh man, I feel like scrap," Cheetor whispered, weakly. Optimus was very confused. Why would Rattrap turn on Cheetor, especially try to kill him? It just didn't make any sense.

"I wonder what would compel Rattrap to do this? Cheetor, did you notice anything weird about Rattrap when he attacked you?" wondered Rhinox.

"No, there wasn't really anything... wait. His optics were a brighter color... and there was this weird flame glowing in his eyes. Think it means anything, Rhinox?" Cheetor tried to recall anything else he noticed was weird about Rattrap, but couldn't remember anything else.

"Hmmm. The flame could be caused by a mind-controlling device," said Rhinox.

"That's it! It's got to be! How else could they get control of Rattrap, unless..." Cheetor suddenly collapsed back onto the table.

"He's still pretty weak there, Optimus. Took a pretty good hit from Rattrap."

"I just want to know why it wasn't reported to me that Rattrap had left the base. Silverbolt? Blackarachnia?" Optimus crossed his arms, and stared down at the two.

"Uh. It was really my fault, Optimus. I saw Rattrap heading out of the base and I..." Silverbolt was interrupted.

"Oh no, bird-dog. I was the one who told you to ignore him because he looked sort of steamed at the moment. I just thought that he wanted some time alone, Optimus." Blackarachnia lowered her head. She knew the lecture she was about to get.

"You should have told me that he left, but I am glad that you told me the truth. Now we have to think of a way to help Rattrap." Optimus frowned and began to think of a way to help. "If we can't cure Rattrap, we may have to destroy him, before he destroys us." He looked super serious.

Act 4

FADE IN:

To a cave in a rocky area. We zoom into the inside of the cave, which is Tarantulas's secret lair.

VROOM, VROOM came a noise from outside.

"That must be Rattrap back from his test mission," thought Tarantulas. "I hope he succeeded."

The cave door opens and Rattrap transforms to robot mode.

"Rattrap, terrorize!"

"Well, well my servant, how did you mission go?"

"Mission completed, master. Unit Cheetor is deactivated."

"Excellent. Ahhh hahaha. Now it is time for your next mission. Your next mission is to... destroy Megatron, at whatever cost. Now get going, I have more inventions to work on."

Tarantulas laughed to himself. This would be his easiest attempt to get rid of Megatron yet. Yeesss. Ahhh hahaha!

FADE IN:

To Megatron, working at his commanding chair. He is huffing over something. "Blast! Where is that traitor Tarantulas? Yeesss... did you hear anything else, Inferno?"

"No, royalty. I just saw that vermin enter the cave, heard Tarantulas laughing, and then saw the vermin head out again at full speed."

"Hmmm. Quite interesting. Yeesss. I wonder what that spider is planning this time. I'll have to keep my guard up. Yeesss."

"Megatron. Maximal signature detected. Identified as unit Rattrap," beeped Megatron's computer.

"Finally. Yeesss. Inferno, Waspinator, Quickstrike, Dinobot-- come with me. We'll fillet that rat this time. Hahaha."

FADE IN:

To outside of Predacon base. Rattrap is standing right in front of the ship in robot mode. "Come out and fight ya cowardly lizard!" smirked Rattrap.

Megatron, Inferno, Waspinator, Quickstrike, and Dinobot exit the ship and walk right up to Rattrap. They draw their weapons, and prepare to fire. "Your time is up rodent. Yeesss. I know that you are working for Tarantulas, and that will come to a stop now! Predacons, attack!"

Dinobot leads the charge, warming up his eye beams. "Prepare to die, vermin," snarls Dinobot. Dinobot leaps to attack Rattrap, but Rattrap ducks away in plenty of time, leaving Dinobot to land flat on his face.

"Ahhh hahaha. Remember, Rattrap. Megatron killed Dinobot... Megatron cost you your job on Cybertron... Megatron killed Tigatron and Airazor... It is time to get your revenge," whispered Tarantulas through his machine, into Rattrap's mind.

"Ya. He did kill Dinobot. He did make me lose my job. Why that slag suckin'..." Rattrap was so angry that he took one of his demolition charges, clicked to activate it, and placed it on Dinobot. "Bye, bye chopper-face. Have a blast."

Rattrap jumped out of the way just in time. Dinobot exploded to scraps of metal, that even his spark couldn't fix right away.

"One down. Four to go." He laughed crazily and charged right after Inferno and Waspinator. He pulled off his tail whip, and threw it at Waspinator, sending the bot crashing head first into the ground.

"Wazzpinator hate rat-bot." Waspinator then went off-line.

"For the glory of the colony," shouted Inferno. Rattrap took out his hand gun and shot at Inferno's main flight control wires, also sending him crashing to the ground.

"Ahhh..." BOOM! "For the glory of the colony... for the glory... colony..."

"Shut-up ant," Rattrap kicked Inferno's head which silenced him. "Now, for you two," he said, insanely. "Which one of ya wants to die first?"

"You just wait there, varmint. I send you packin' all the way back home."

"I really don't think so."

Rattrap raised his gun and fired several shots at Quickstrike. The first two took off both of his arms, while the second two took off both of his legs, and the third shot blasted him right in the chest. "Aghhh... I'll get you for this, varmint," he said as he went off-line.

"Now Megs, it's just you and me," said Rattrap, smiling.

"Yeesss. I hope you have a good journey to the Matrix, vermin. Yeesss."

"Oh, I don't t'hink so Megatron. Nooo."

Rattrap fired at Megatron through his blaster. Megatron jumped aside and landed hard on the ground. He turned around only to find that Rattrap was gone. "Where is that blasted rodent?" thought Megatron.

"Right here, Megs!" shouted Rattrap.

Rattrap jumped out from behind a rock and used his tail whip to attack Megatron. He stabbed Megatron straight in his chest, causing him to fall down in pain. "Nooo. It can't end like this. It can't. It..."

"Oh, but it can Megatron, but don't worry, I'll make the end quick-- but painful. Aghhh hahaha."

Rattrap raised his gun, and aimed it at Megatron's spark. He was just about to fire when...

ZOOM OUT:

To the area behind Rattrap.

"Rattrap, stop! Don't do it!"

Rattrap turned around to see Optimus, Silverbolt, Blackarachnia, and Depth Charge behind him.

"And why the slag not?" he smirked. Rattrap lowered his gun again, and prepared to fire. Optimus fired his gun knocking the gun out of Rattrap's hands. "Oh I'll get ya back for that." Rattrap thought about running at Optimus and fighting him, but decided against it. He was too big, too powerful for him to handle. Even though his master would be angry, he decided to retreat, and tell him what happened. "Goodbye fearless loser. I'll get ya back the next time we meet. Rattrap, beast mode!" Rattrap took off. He left a cloud of dust behind, and was gone in a flash.

"Rattrap, come back..." Optimus shook his head. Rattrap was really hypnotized. He didn't know how they would ever snap him out of it.

"Well, at least the mouse destroyed some of the Preds," smirked Depth Charge.

"That's the least of our problems right now, Depth Charge. We have to think of a way to catch Rattrap, so we can cure him. Anyone have any ideas?" Optimus looked at everyone else, but they all shook their heads.

"Well there's always one thing that works to catch a rat - a mouse trap, or should I say a rat trap?" grinned Depth Charge.

"That's it! I have an idea. Let's get back to base so I can get it ready." Optimus transformed into vehicle mode and took off for the base.

"Anyone know what he's talking about?" asked a confused Silverbolt.

"Ha. Just don't worry about it, bowser. If Optimus has a plan then I'm guessing it's a really good one. I hope," explained Blackarachnia.

All the Maximals transformed to beast mode, and headed back to the base.

ZOOM IN:

On Megatron, still lying on the ground. "Yeesss... what are you planning indeed, Optimus?" Sizzle. Crack. Megatron's circuits short out and he cringes in pain.

FADE IN:

To inside of Tarantulas's secret lair.

"You what! I told you to destroy Megatron, and you fail! You're just going to have to go back and try again - this time I am coming with you."

Tarantulas was really ticked off. Rattrap had just told him that Optimus had stopped him from destroying Megatron, and wasn't in a very good mood as you can tell.

"Yes master," said Rattrap.

ZOOM IN:

To Tarantulas's computer.

"Tarantulas. Megatron has been detected in Sector Tallories."

"Ahhh hahaha. Good, now is your chance to destroy Megatron. Let's go."

"Yes, master."

Tarantulas and Rattrap left heading for Sector Tallories. They did not know about the trap that was waiting for them...

FADE IN:

To Sector Tallories. Megatron and his minions are working on one of their many inventions, and are deeply involved in their work.

"Waspinator, bring that energon drive over here!" shouted Megatron.

Tarantulas and Rattrap are hiding behind some brushes. They decide to strike.

"Now rodent, attack!" said Tarantulas through his device.

Rattrap raced out from the brushes, and transformed to robot mode. "Be prepared ta lose prune-face! I'm going knock ya into da next century!" Rattrap charged at Megatron, and took a shot at him. His shot went right through him!

"What? How can d'is be?" Rattrap shuddered in disbelief. How could Megatron disappear like that?

Then two shots came out of nowhere, one knocked his weapon out of his hands, the other was a shot of energy bonds. The energy bonds held him in place, and he couldn't move. Tarantulas jumped out of the bushes in disbelief. "What happened? What's going on?" Tarantulas looked all around him, trying to find any sign of the Predacons that had been there, with no luck. Then all of a sudden all of the Optimus, Silverbolt, Blackarachnia, and Depth Charge jumped out of the bushes. They all aimed their weapons on Tarantulas, and fired.

"Aghhh. My device!" yelled Tarantulas. They shot the device out of his hands, and it landed on the ground.

"Game over Tarantulas," said Optimus. He then shot, and destroyed the device.

"No. I will get you back for this Primal, you can bet on it."

Tarantulas transformed to beast mode, and ran off.

ZOOM IN:

On Rattrap as he is shaking. "Hey d'are fearless leader, do you mind gettin' these things offa me? I'm not under Tarantulas control anymore, ya know."

"I know, Rattrap, but maybe we should just keep you that way. It will keep you quiet, and you won't run off again to get into trouble," smirked Optimus. "Did you like our little hologram show Rattrap? You'll have to thank Rhinox when you get back for making the device for you."

"Very funny. By da way, how's Cheetor? The last memory I have is shooting the kitty cat. I want to apologize to 'em." Rattrap shook his head, he couldn't believe he had fallen into one of Tarantulas's traps. That usually only happened to Cheetor, except Tarantulas usually only wanted to eat Cheetor. "Okay. Okay, I'm sorry now please take d'ese things off?" he begged.

"Okay Rattrap - as soon as you get back to the base, you get them off," Optimus smirked.

"Oh, come on now, Optimus let me out!"

Optimus and the others transformed, and headed back to base.

"Come on now? Guys? Wait up!"

Rattrap ran after them. He shook his head and he ran yelling the whole time.

FADE TO:

Black.