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Thrust (Armada)

2010-04-06T23:33:17Z

24.14.76.202:

{{factions|decepticon|unicron}}
{{disambig3|Thrust}}
:''Thrust is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Armada (franchise)|Armada]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Thrust-AR-DVD.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Now a regular on "[[Tom Kenny|Spongebob Squarepants]]"]]
'''Thrust''' is one of [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s higher-ranking Decepticon soldiers (and a total wack job). His occasional [[Mini-Con]] partner is [[Inferno (Armada)|Inferno]], plus sometimes he commands the [[Air Military Mini-Con Team]].

==Fiction==
{{cleanup|September 2009|These Armada articles are vintage 2006 in quality. They lack storylinks and detailed.}}
===''Armada'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Colin Murdoch]] (English), [[Kōji Yusa]] (Japanese), [[Márcio Seixas]] (Portuguese), [[Kai Taschner]] (German)

Thrust was a renowned tactician who joined [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] on [[Earth]] in an attempt to improve his soldiers' relations. He picked his own Mini-Con partner, [[Inferno (Armada)|Inferno]], from among the other Mini-Cons the Decepticons had locked up in the closet. Thrust then concocted a brilliant plant to eliminate [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] by luring the Autobots into a gully with a fake Mini-Con signal. While the Decepticons kept the trapped Autobots under constant fire, Megatron then singled out Optimus, separating him from his men and the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]]. This would have been the end of Optimus if [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], Optimus's second-in-command, hadn't arrived and thrown off Thrust's plans. {{storylink|Tactician|Tactician}} Thrust then devised a new plan both to steal the Skyboom Shield and to destroy Jetfire in revenge for his interference. Thrust lured Jetfire to an area above the ocean where he, [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], the [[Air Military Mini-Con Team]], and the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] attacked the Autobot. Though they'd underestimated Jefire's reluctance to attack Mini-Cons, Thrust's force soon proved to be overwhelming for the Autobot vice-commander. When the other Autobots appeared on a nearby island to assist Jetfire, Megatron led a small attack intent on stealing the Skyboom Shield. But once again, victory was stolen from Thrust by the unforeseen: Optimus warped to Jetfire's location and Powerlinxed with him, allowing him to defeat the Decepticons. Thrust, however, was amused by the new change and said that the war had gotten more interesting. {{storylink|Linkup|Linkup}}

Thrust later told Megatron there was a reason why his plans hadn't worked, besides the unexpected turn of events from the Autobots: The Autobots were inferior to the Decepticons in all aspects except for their ability to work as a team. Megatron took this as a slight against his ability to lead and nearly sliced Thrust apart with the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. Thrust explained that the reason the Decepticons hadn't been working together so well was because there was a lack of unity—all the while looking pointedly at [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]]. Sideways then determined that Thrust was a danger to his plan, so he convinced [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] that Thrust was going to overthrow Megatron and had him attack the tactician. However, Thrust had anticipated such an attempt, and he had Starscream tail Sideways when the mystery 'bot made his report to whomever his leader truly was. Megatron then allowed Thrust to take on Sideways himself. Thrust would have destroyed Sideways if the troublemaker hadn't transformed into a swarm of nanites and flown away. {{storylink|Detection|Detection}} Thrust later participated in a battle with the Autobots over a Mini-Con panel found on a beach. During the fight, an enormous Decepticons battleship called [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] landed in the ocean nearby. After a moment of pointing out Tidal Wave's capabilities, Thrust ordered Tidal Wave to open fire on the Autobots. Tidal Wave kept the Autobots under constant pressure until [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] dove down underneath Tidal Wave and attacked his underbelly. Tidal Wave sank, much to Thrust's consternation. But his confidence was restored when Tidal Wave emerged from the water in robot mode and began to attack the Autobots again. {{storylink|Awakening|Awakening}} Tidal Wave swiftly changed the tide of battle for the Decepticons. Even Jet Optimus proved no match for him. Of course, Thrust did reserve the final blow to Optimus for Megatron and had Tidal Wave combine with the Decepticon leader. During the midair battle, Megatron successfully separated Optimus from Jetfire and left him to plummet to the ocean below. However, the [[Space Mini-Con Team]] appeared and combined to form the [[Requiem Blaster]]. Thrust immediately moved to take the powerful weapon, but Optimus kicked him away and used the Blaster to slow his discent and land safely. With the Requiem Blaster in Optimus's hands, Megatron ordered a retreat. {{storylink|Desperate|Desperate}} Realizing that the Requiem Blaster was the key to the Decepticons' victory, Thrust began using satellites to keep an eye on the Autobots for a chance to steal it. He soon noticed the human kids on a bus with the Space Mini-Con Team. He watched the kids head to an abandoned barn away from the Autobots. Thrust then warped to the farm and attempted to steal the Mini-Cons. However, the kids had set several primitive, but oddly effective, booby traps to detain the Decepticon. Thrust eventually lost his temper and started smashing the barn they were hiding in. But then Optimus Prime appeared and fought Thrust off using his Super Mode. Thrust had no choice but to retreat, swearing that this wasn't over. {{storylink|Runaway|Runaway}} Thrust spotted Hot Shot on his way to fight [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] and decided to follow. When Hot Shot was wandering around in the inferno looking for [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]], Thrust divebombed him and started pelting him with laser blasts. Wheeljack was furious that Thrust interfered with his revenge and shot the Decepticon jet out of the skies. When Wheeljack came to join the rest of the Decepticons, an injured Thrust protested against it on the grounds that Wheeljack was crazy. Megatron dismissed Thrust's protests and welcomed Wheeljack to the Decepticon fold. {{storylink|Past, Part 2|Past, Part 2}}

Thrust conceived another plan that would end with the Requiem Blaster in Megatron's hands, which entailed giving the Star Saber to Starscream. The Decepticons lured the Autobots out into a jungle. There, Starscream started attacking them in the hopes that the Autobots will have to use the Requiem Blaster to fight back. However, none of the Autobots seemed to be using the Requiem Blaster. As Thrust was flying over the battlefield to investigate, Sideways sent him a series of images of the Autobot base and the Space Team Mini-Cons. While Thrust dismissed this a hallucination, he realized that the Mini-Cons that formed the Requiem Blaster were at the Autobot base. He informed Megatron and the Decepticons warped away, leaving Starscream behind. At the Autobot base, Megatron stole the Space Team Mini-Cons from [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] and then used the Requiem Blaster to blast a hole through Smokescreen. However, Smokescreen was steadfast in his resolve to protect the Mini-Cons and limped towards Megatron. Intimidated by his refusal to die, Thrust suggested that the Decepticons leave since they had what they came for, to which Megatron agreed. The Decepticons warped back to their base, leaving Smokescren to grab empty air. {{storylink|Sacrifice|Sacrifice}} At the base, Thrust was enjoying the praise Megatron was giving him for the success for his plan when Starscream stomped in. Bitter and angry for being left behind, Starscream threw Thrust into the wall and hit him with the hilt of the Star Saber. Starscream would have probably done more if Megatron hadn't ordered him to stand down and get himself repaired. Later, Megatron and Thrust were talking about Starscream's shortcoming's as a warrior and his usefullness as a scapegoat. Thrust praised Megatron's ability to be so cold to his own soldiers and joined in his laugh. However, the entire conversation was overheard by Starscream. Infuriated of being considered worthless, Starscream attacked Megatron and Thrust before flying to Earth to join the Autobots, taking the Star Saber with him. {{storylink|Regeneration|Regeneration}} Starscream later returned and he brought the Autobots through the warpgate. When the invasion force entered the throne room, Megatron fired the Requiem Blaster at Starscream, but the rebuilt Smokescreen pushed him out of the way and blocked the blast with the Skyboom Shield, creating a large burst of light. While everyone was blinded by the light, Thrust offered to act as a decoy to cover Megatron's retreat, which Megatron agreed to. However, the Autobots eventually rescued the Decepticons' Mini-Cons and warped back to their base. {{storylink|Rescue|Rescue}}

Angered by Starscream's betrayl and the loss of the Mini-Cons, Megatron took out his frustration on the lunar landscape. The other Decepticons were so interested in watch that Thrust had to remind them that without the Mini-Cons, they had to build the spaceship themselves. The Decepticons went off to work, obviously not caring much for Thrust. Thrust started to get rather irritated from the lack of respect he was getting. But then he heard a creepy laugh and ran out to the scrapyard to see what causing it. Then Sideways appeared and told him that the Requiem Blaster's power is a mere fraction compared to the power it has with the Star Saber and the Skyboom Shield. Recalling [[Linkup|previous]] [[Regeneration|examples]], Thrust realize that the three Mini-Con weapons did have a greater power when they were together. He questioned whether the three weapons could combine, but Sideways had already disappeared. Nevertheless, Thrust was left with the inspiration to obtain the sword and shield to combine them with the gun. Thrust presented his information to Megatron, who was also intrigued. When a new Mini-Con was detected on [[Mars]], Thrust sent Tidal Wave to 'greet' Jetfire and Starscream, who were the only two on the Autobot team who were capable of reaching Mars. Some time later, Tidal Wave reported that he's found both of them and they had the Star Saber, the Skyboom Shield, and the the new Mini-Con. Megatron immediately warped over there with Thrust close behind him. Thrust got there just in time to see the three Mini-Con weapons react to each other and unleash a huge burst of golden energy. The explosion scattered the Decepticons and allowed the Autobots to escape, but it confirmed that the three weapons are far more powerful when used together. {{storylink|Mars|Mars}}

Hated by all the other Decepticons due to his superior attitude, Thrust began to shrink into himself and got more desperate to prove his power.

{{charstubfiction}}

Eventually, Thrust joined [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] with the lure of ultimate power, and managed to steal the three [[Mini-Con]] weapons that were the keys to reactivating [[Unicron]]'s body. Thrust met his demise when he demanded Unicron attack his former master, Galvatron, only to have Unicron act totally unaware of Thrust's presence. Thrust fell into a seam on Unicron's surface which began to tighten and close as Unicron moved, and was crushed to death as Galvatron walked away.

===Dreamwave comic continuity===
====''Armada'' comic====
Thrust was a somewhat cowboy-like entity that served the Decepticons loyally. He was devoted to Megatron, and followed his orders faithfully. Thrust first appeared via [[transwarp]] from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], carrying rocket boosters so the Decepticons could fly to the moon and capture the Mini-Cons stationed there. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 9}} He stayed at the Decepticon base at [[Silver Ridge]], where he failed to help Starscream deal with two Autobot intruders. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 10}}

Later, Thrust was sent to northern Alaska to back up [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]], who was there to retrieve a fallen Mini-Con escape pod. First Thrust took a torch-blast to the face from [[Dune Runner (Armada)|Dune Runner]] of the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team]], who was there to save his allies. Then he was knocked around by Cyclonus, who was feeling the effects of a triple-[[Powerlinx]] with the entire [[Destruction Mini-Con Team]], which began to burn out his circuits and drive him mad with pain. {{storylink|Fire & Ice}} When he finally came to, between Cyclonus' breakdown, the arrival of the Autobots, and [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] using an orbiting [[Solar Scalpel]] to melt the ice that buried the escape pod, Thrust decided maybe he'd better get the heck outta Dodge. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13}}

Later, Thrust followed [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] to a building lot in San Francisco, to investigate a weird [[transwarp]] disturbance. He got there just in time to get shot down by [[Galvatron (G1)|a herald of Unicron]], who was seeking the refugee [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}}

When Megatron left to attack the Autobot base on Earth, Thrust was left behind to guard their [[Silver Ridge]] headquarters. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} He quickly had the crap kicked out of him by the ''other'' heralds of [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}} Not a fatal beating, though, as he was repaired in time to journey back to Cybertron and face the planet-eater. {{storylink|The End}}

====''Energon'' comic====
After the destruction of Unicron and the apparent death of Megatron, Thrust became a security officer in the new peacetime. When Starscream mocked the "rebel" Decepticons under Tidal Wave, his former comrade attempted to state his case that there were other Decepticons willing to fight, until Starscream pointed out that Thrust was happy with his "little sheriff's badge" and [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] never gave the rebellion a second thought. {{storylink|This Evil Reborn}} Later, Thrust joined [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot's]] unit and defended [[Toronto]], [[Canada]] from the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]] [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]] clones when they attacked Earth. When the revenant [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] appeared and decimated the Terrorcons, Thrust tried to rejoin his former leader, but Megatron completely ignored him, warping to his next destination. {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 4}}

===Panini ''Armada'' comics===
Thrust was among the Decepticons who assaulted Mini-Con villages on Cybertron as the war broke out, and he personally captured [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]] and [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]]. He also participated in an attack on the Autobot's main headquarters alongside Starscream and Cyclonus. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 9|Counter-Strike!}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:ArmadaThrust toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Heeheehee... flathead.... boy, I can really dish it out!"]]
*'''Thrust with Inferno''' (Super-Con/Deluxe, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MD-05'''
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles

: Thrust transforms into a dark green [[wikipedia:F-35_Lightning_II|F-35 Lightning II]] fighter jet. In jet mode, he has two pressure-launch missile launchers, and a space to store his Mini-Con partner Inferno in his (Inferno's) truck mode. Aside from his robot mode, he also has an "assault" robot mode, which turns his torso around 180 degrees and extends his winged backpack; attaching a Mini-Con to the [[Powerlinx]] plug on his chest and pushing it up and down causes the backpack to move as a spinning blade.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]].

{{-}}
*'''Thrust and Thunder with Air Military Micron''' (Multi-pack, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:''
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles

: In Japan, Thrust was available both as an individual (well, with Inferno) and in a larger boxed set that also included the [[Air Military Mini-Con Team]]. There are no notable difference between the Japanese and US releases.

{{-}}
*'''Powerlinx Thrust with Powerlinx Inferno''' (Super-Con/Deluxe brown/blue version, 2003)
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles

: Part of the later-series "Powerlinx" line of [[Redeco|redecos]], Powerlinx Thrust got a new color scheme that was a "reversal" of the [[Generation 1]] "[[conehead]]" [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], primarily light brown with dark blue and black accents.

: The packaging for this release, however, showed him in a color scheme more like his [[Thrust (G1)|G1 namesake]], burgundy with black (and some bone-white accents). His coloration was changed to the brown-and-blue too late to change the packaging photography.

: The change was made due to Takara choosing a mostly red color scheme for [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (Demolishor's name in Japan was Ironhide and the color scheme was based on the [[Ironhide (G1)|G1 version of said character]]). Originally Hasbro had different plans for their redeco of Demolishor. But as a result, they changed their plans for Demolishor to match the animation, which was already based on Takara's products. Hasbro then thought there would be too much red on the shelves at the time, so Powerlinx Thrust's coloration was modified, as the figure would not appear on the cartoon. There are some similar colors used between the two versions of the toy, likely due to the quick change in scheme.

{{-}}
[[Image:PL Red Thrust toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The thrust of Spawn.]]
*'''Powerlinx Thrust with Powerlinx Inferno''' (Super-Con/Deluxe 2003)
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles

:Although Hasbro at one point expressed interest in releasing a [[running change]] [[variant]] of Powerlinx Thrust that reflected the originally intended color scheme<ref>http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/default.cfm?page=News/Item&newsid=CFE6708B-D56F-E112-46B6865D4470EE87 Hasbro website Q&A for February 6, 2004]</ref>, they never went through with it, at least not on the North American market. However, ''[[Takara]]'' released red Powerlinx Thrust as a "[[USA Edition]]" in Japan, exclusively available at the Toy's Dream Project members store Toycard, in Hasbro packaging (Takara had previously also released a "USA Edition" version of Powerlinx Thrust in Hasbro's colors, this time exclusively available at Laox stores).

: Curiously enough, Hasbro actually ''did'' produce a small run of red Powerlinx Thrust, but never released it on the North American market. Instead, the toy, in European packaging, popped up in Israel in mid-2004, later followed by sightings in Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. The toy was even found in Australia, but only in stores that also occasionally sell toys imported from other countries, and again in European packaging. Furthermore, some of the European countries saw the toy being sold at instant discount prices, which suggests it was old Hasbro warehouse stock which had never seen a shelf release that was now being cleared out.

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Thrust's demeanor and speech in the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|''Armada'' comics]] are very reminiscent of ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]], to the point of him even using the phrase "What in tarnation?" in one issue. Amusingly, [[Colin Murdoch]] voiced both characters in each respective cartoon series. It is unknown if this was an intentional move on writer [[Simon Furman]]'s part or simply a coincidence.

* Like the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], the ''Armada'' incarnation is portrayed as a braggart. In fact, just before his untimely demise, the angry Galvatron tells Thrust that "You always did like the sound of your own voice."

*Thrust is frequently called derogatory nicknames by his fellow Decepticons, including the notable 'Squidhead' coined by Megatron.

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Thrust/thrust.htm Thrust at TFU.info]

[[Category:Armada characters]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]

Heatwave (Timelines)

2010-02-07T04:31:03Z

24.14.76.202:

{{factions|sgDecepticon}}
:''Heatwave is a heroic [[Decepticon]] from the "[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]" [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Heatwave bio.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Whenever I'm with him, something inside starts to burning...]]
'''Heatwave''' has a unique affinity for machinery. His strange powers allow him to converse—literally—with non-sentient devices, as if they were a fellow 'bot. He can command any machine, all with a simple touch of his hands. The strangeness of this gift doesn't quite register with the quirky, cheerful Heatwave, who perceives those unliving machines as sentient, and casually talks to and about them as if they were his drinking buddies.

Amid the strangeness that is the [[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] universe, this bizarre talent hardly seems out of place, and his heroic [[Decepticon]] allies just shake their heads at his oddities. They're too appreciative of his talent in engineering and problem solving to look too closely at his oddities, or the strange otherworldly aura he gives off despite his strong loyalty to [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]].

Heatwave's gifts are but a hint of a greater destiny that he is unaware of—he is the torso piece of [[Nexus Prime]], created by [[Primus]] at the dawn of time to guard the multiverse's [[Rarified Energon]]. Unlike his four gestalt brethren, Heatwave is unconcerned with finding out about his destiny or his missing memories. He'd rather concentrate on the latest project to grab his attention than think about the past (or his lack thereof).

{{quote|I really don't like talking to your infoweb. I feel like I need a decon wash after every connection.|Heatwave|[[Eye in the Sky]]}}
{{--}}
==Fiction==
===Shattered Glass===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:Heatwave TheDesertHeat.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"Wait, how comes I have a red visor? Aren't I supposed to be one of the good guys?"]]
Heatwave was a member of Megatron's forces when they attacked the [[Ark (SG)|''Ark'']], a ship the [[Autobot]]s built to help them conquer other worlds. {{storylink|Shattered Glass (issue)|Shattered Glass}}

Later, when the ''Ark'' was launched for a second time, Heatwave was among the Decepticons who joined the crew of the ''[[Nemesis (SG)|Nemesis]]'' to pursue and intercept it. [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] ended up being confused by the fact that he didn't remember ever seeing a double of Heatwave in his home universe.

When the ''Nemesis'' was shot down over [[Earth]], Heatwave made use of his abilities to "talk" to the ship's computer, mentally assessing the ship's damage and rerouting some of the systems to gain enough functionality to help [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] evacuate the crew safely. He and [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]] were then the last of the crew to leave in escape pods while Starscream and Cliffjumper remained behind to ensure the ship didn't crash in an occupied area. {{storylink|Do Over}}
[[Image:Desertheat-heatwavevswoodchuck.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"This is what I think of your Youtube video!"]]
After arriving on Earth, Heatwave tracked Soundwave's stasis pod to a [[Wyatt's Roadsideaganza|human tourist attraction]], where he had to dispatch some dangerous "lifeforms" and rescue Soundwave from being one of the attractions. After telling the stasis pod to repair and reformat his comrade, the two set out to gather Soundwave's cassettes that had landed nearby, find the ''Nemesis'', and reunite with the other Decepticons. {{storylink|The Desert Heat!}}

The two eventually ended up coming across [[Professor Arkeville]], [[Sephie Beller|Sephie]], [[Will Hayes|Will]], and [[Rick Ottman|Rick]] busy investigating the ''Nemesis''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crash site. After [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]] frightened and chased the [[human]]s for a bit, Heatwave and Soundwave finally transformed and revealed their true identities. Heatwave convinced the humans that they meant no harm, while [[Frenzy (SG)|Frenzy]] explained their situation. They then all boarded the ''Nemesis'' to meet up with Starscream and Cliffjumper.

Heatwave went along to help out as they worked on locating and reactivating the other Decepticons that had landed on Earth in the pods. When they eventually found out that [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] and the other Autobots had survived their own landing and seized control of the planet's [[Global Orbital Defense Satellite]]s, Heatwave was tapped to locate which military base they were sequestered in. He spoke with various military computers over the [[Internet|infoweb]] until he found [[Burpleson Air Force Base|one that didn't respond]], and thus was likely to have been rendered offline by the Autobots.

While the humans and other Decepticons infiltrated the main part of the base, Heatwave made his way to the satellite transmitter on the base's roof. Once there, he convinced the transmitter to tell the base computer to reopen the base and evacuate everyone, ripping the transmitter from the roof to get clear himself. He then had the controller turn one of the GODSes on the base to destroy it. Finally, he reluctantly used his hands to crush the controller itself—mournfully lamenting that it was a "brave transmitter that knew what had to be done"—which caused the primary GODS to self-destruct. {{storylink|Eye in the Sky}}

When [[Blitzwing (SG)|Blitzwing]] and Will came across the Autobots building a device in the desert, they hid and called for reinforcements. Heatwave arrived first and recognized the device as a [[Stellar Spanner]], explaining it was for long-range transportation without a [[starships|starship]]. He didn't think [[Wheeljack (SG)|Wheeljack]] could get it working, as the "[[Alpha Trion (SG)|Old One]]" was the only being to ever build one, and rumor was that [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] had killed him before he finished it. Blitzwing wasn't reassured, so Heatwave offered to go "talk" to it. Blitzwing warned him to wait for the other Decepticons, but Heatwave was too excited at using his ability on a brand-new device to listen.

Despite Heatwave being large, heavy, and brightly-colored, the Autobots were distracted enough for him to sneak partway over, until he tripped on a crumbling rock. The Autobots, happy at the arrival of a "volunteer test subject", converged on him. He transformed and blasted [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] nearly in half with a missile volley, but Wheeljack and [[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]] trapped his turret between them, immobilizing him. They then forcibly transformed him back to robot mode, tied his hands together, and dragged him into the Spanner. He struggled the whole way, sending Wheeljack flying with a boot to the head, but Goldbug shoved him in regardless.

Heatwave eventually freed his hands, but couldn't "talk" the Spanner into shutting down, so Blitzwing hacked into it himself. Unfortunately, Wheeljack electrocuted him before he could finish doing so, and the Spanner sent Heatwave into space.

Heatwave survived the trip to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] intact, although it was unpleasant and dumped him face-down on the ground. He sent out a call for a rescue, which came in the form of [[Whisper (SG)|Whisper]], who was happy to see him. Heatwave filled Whisper in on the situation back on Earth, then started to follow him to report to Megatron...

...and was overcome with memories of the trip through the Spanner, strangely involving [[Aquarius (SG)|rainbow colors; feelings of joy, compassion, and other pleasant sensations]]; and a message. When Whisper zipped back to tell Heatwave they needed to get a move on, Heatwave shook himself out of his reverie and followed, asking what "Keep on truckin'" meant. {{storylink|Blitzwing Bop}}

[[Image:Heatwave Reunification4.jpg|left|250px|thumb|A rare instance of being drawn actually looking cheerful and friendly...]]
When [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]], [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], and [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]] arrived at the Decepticons' base and explained that they were looking for Heatwave, Megatron sent [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] to fetch him. As he arrived, Megatron referred to him as a "skilled soldier" and said he hoped Heatwave could answer their visitors' questions. But before Heatwave could get a chance to do so, he was shocked by Cyclonus suddenly opening fire on Megatron. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 4}} Heatwave became angry and threatened to "crush the life out of" Cyclonus, though the traitor was led away before Heatwave could carry out his threat.

He then was convinced by the other four Nexus Prime members to attempt to revive Megatron, once they learned he had his own unique powers as well. As they started applying their energies to the body, Heatwave suddenly started experiencing strange sensations and visions along with the others, and exclaimed about being able to "see other worlds". Then he and the others were transported to a strange, white, featureless place.

There they were greeted by Primus, who welcomed them home and gave the now-reunited gestalt a choice: to die, live as they currently were and eventually fade away, or be reborn as what they were meant to be. Heatwave presumably chose along with the others to be "reborn", as Primus then commanded, "Arise, Nexus Prime." {{storylink|Reunification: Part 5}}

After being reborn, Nexus Prime found himself in a battle with [[Omega Doom]]. When Omega shot a missile into Cybertron's sun, Nexus Prime had to follow to repair the sun before it went nova. The part of his mind that was still Heatwave wanted to stay on Cybertron to fight, but was overridden by the [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] and Breakaway parts of him who knew that all of Cybertron would burn unless the sun was healed. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Timelines===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-Heatwave.jpg|right|thumb|330px|A double-headed toy offering smooth lines and a pearly iridescent sheen throughout.]]
*'''Heatwave''' (club freebie, 2009)
:Heatwave is a retool of [[Energon (toyline)|''Energon'']] [[Barricade (Energon)|Barricade]] with a new combiner robot head. Heatwave transforms into a "Stompbox Mobile Missile Deployer" with a rear-mounted (non-firing) missile rack that turns and elevates. He also forms the torso to [[Nexus Prime]] along with [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], and [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]]. He is also capable of combining with any "[[Powerlinx]] Combiner" limb-robot combination thanks to the universal connector points used for the [[Air Team]], [[Destruction Team]] and [[Construction Team]] toys.

:Heatwave has a minor flaw in that the new combiner head is slightly too tall for the space it is supposed to occupy in Heatwave's robot mode. Due to this, the back chunk no longer pegs securely in place. Thankfully, the hinges are strong enough to hold it up anyway.

:This mold, pre-retool, was also used to make ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]].

:As a club freebie, Heatwave came with a membership card with a lenticular image on the front showing an illustration by [[Tom Whalen]] of Heatwave from "[[Eye in the Sky]]"), and Heatwave's [[bio]] on the back.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFCCHeatwave/heatwave.htm More information on Heatwave at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
[[Image:Heatwavebehindmegatron.jpg|right|thumb|250px|It's me! That guy they'll name later!]]
* As mentioned first-thing in the fiction section, Heatwave made his first appearance in the [[Shattered Glass (comic)|"Shattered Glass"]] comic book story. Unnamed, he appeared only in a big crowd scene of Decepticons, just over Megatron's shoulder. His color details were a little different, since those likely hadn't been decided on so early, and it's not known if artist [[Don Figueroa]] was instructed to put him into the panel or if this was his own initiative. Regardless, fans were able to guess the unnamed character's importance by his color scheme and mold choice.

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:Fan Club exclusives]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass characters]]
[[Category:Thirteen original Transformers|Nexus Maximus 01]]

Nexus Prime

2009-12-31T05:32:24Z

24.14.76.202:

{{factions|autobot}}
[[Image:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Insert batteries where?!]]
One of the [[thirteen original Transformers]], '''Nexus Prime''' was created to guard [[Rarified Energon]] by [[Primus]] shortly after he assumed his planet form, and was known for being an honorable and good-natured warrior. However, Nexus Prime, [[Vector Prime]], and [[Alpha Trion]] made a decision to scatter Nexus Prime across the cosmos to conceal the location of the remains of [[Prima]]'s [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword, a weapon that could destroy star systems. Using the blade of the Star Saber, this Transformer was cut into five other robots: [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Heatwave]], who were subsequently lost to the ages.

But the skills of Nexus Prime are needed once again, and now that his components have been called together by Primus, he searches the multiverse for the components to the Star Saber sword, armed with his masterful control over all uses of [[Energon (Energon)|Energon]], and ability to manipulate [[spark]]s.

He is sometimes, unfortunately, known as '''Nexus Maximus'''.
{{--}}
==Fiction==
===''Classics'' & "Shattered Glass"===
[[Image:Clubcombinercarving.jpg|left|200px|thumb|They drew his limbs arranged incorrectly!]]
The [[Caretaker]] told its components that Nexus Prime was "designated a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]", like the other original thirteen. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

When Landquake, Breakaway, Topspin, and Heatwave made an attempt to use their powers to revive the recently-assassinated [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], they were transported—along with a revived Skyfall—to the presence of [[Primus]] in the "afterlife". He gave them a choice of living (or staying dead) as they were, or being reborn as what they were meant to be. After the gestalt members made their deliberations, Primus declared, "The choice is made. Arise, Nexus Prime," as they started the transformation. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 5}}

[[Image:OmegaDoomNexusPrimeGalvatron.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Behold the fingers my toy totally doesn't have!]]

Nexus Prime reformatted the dead Megatron into the powerful Galvatron, investing in him some of the power of the Thirteen. The two exited the Decepticon stronghold to counter [[Omega Doom]]'s offensive, but they were forced to split up when Doom launched a starkilling missile into Cybertron's sun. Though his Decepticon components protested leaving the battle, Nexus Prime knew saving this Cybertron's star system was of more immediate importance. Regardless, he was too late in stopping the missile, and its energies began to destroy the sun. Nexus began to concentrate.

Nexus returned to Cybertron triumphant, having used his own powers to negate those of the starkilling missile, and he made short work of Omega Doom, saving Galvatron in the nick of time. Though there was more on this Cybertron to do, such as finishing [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] once and for all, Nexus Prime knew he had to leave for another universe. After saying goodbye to [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], he entered a portal with [[Aquarius]], trusting fate to bring him to the correct destination. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Cybertron, Classics, and Timelines===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-NexusMaximus.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Remember to use the instructions! You don't want to put something in the wrong hole.]]
*'''Nexus Maximus''' (2009)
:Nexus Maximus is composed of his five team members, with Heatwave forming his central body component. His limbs' [[energon weapon]]s form his hands and feet. Similarly to [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'s "[[Scramble City]]" combiner teams, Nexus Maximus (as well as [[Superion Maximus]], [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]] and [[Constructicon Maximus]]) features universal connection points for the limbs, allowing many different combinations and even swapping of limbs from different teams. His combined form's head was [[retool]]ed to give him a unique one, which is an amalgamation of visual elements of its components' own heads: Skyfall's eyes, Landquake's chin, Breakaway's forehead, Topspin's "hair", and Heatwave's "ears".

:Nexus Maximus is the combined form of the first five [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] freebie toys: Skyfall, Landquake, Breakaway, Topspin, and Heatwave.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFCCNexusMaximus/nexusmaximus.htm More information on Nexus Maximus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}
==Notes==
*[[Fun Publications]] originally submitted the possible names "Prime Nexus" and "Maximus Prime" to [[Hasbro]] for the character (reflecting the fact that the character is a Prime in-fiction), Hasbro rejected these, apparently because they are feeling protective towards the use of the name Prime (despite previously having approved the fiction that already named him a Prime, written by their own [[Forest Lee]]). Hasbro suggested merging the non-Prime segments of the two names instead... oops.
*Apparently neither Hasbro nor Fun Publications did their research when naming Nexus Maximus, because there is another product which shares that name and was, as of [[May 24]], [[2009]], the top Google result (this wiki page has since surpassed it). While it is definitely a "toy", it is most assuredly not intended for ages 5 and up. It's also probably not safe for work, so [http://www.vixencreations.com/store/maximus.html click here] at your own risk. According to the Fun Publications Club panel at [[BotCon 2009]], Hasbro did a search for the name with "safe search" on, causing them to not see... well, ''that''.
*When he finally appeared in person in fiction, his name was given as indeed being Nexus Prime. Which makes much better sense story-wise but deprives us of many cheap and easy joke opportunities. [[Pete Sinclair]] [http://www.transformersclub.com/members/transforum/msgs.cfm?forum=30&msg=116291 posted an image] on the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] forums of [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] blaming the "Nexus Maximus" name on a bad translation by [[Beta Maxx]].
*The debate is still on whether Nexus Maximus constitutes a choking hazard.
*It's hard to say what toyline Nexus Prime is from, as his components are from multiple franchises. How often does that happen?
*Nexus Prime's backstory bears a noticeable similarity to that of [[wikipedia: Voltron|Voltron]].
*Fun Publications stated at BotCon 2009 that the official limb arrangement for Nexus Maximus is that of the configuration in his instructions. With Landquake as the right arm, Topspin as the left arm, Breakaway as the right leg, and Skyfall as the left leg. Why he was depicted in a different arrangement in the caverns around the [[Caretaker]] no one knows.
*Ironically, despite being labeled as an Autobot, a majority of the Transformers that make up Nexus Prime are Decepticons, albeit ones that are [[Landquake (Timelines)|disenchanted by the Decepticon cause]], [[Topspin (Classics)|misled by deceitful leaders]], or [[Heatwave|are with a completely different kind of Decepticons]].

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics characters]]
[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass characters]]
[[Category:Thirteen original Transformers|Nexus Maximus 00]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]

Thrust (Armada)

2009-12-25T02:01:41Z

24.14.76.202:

Thrust (Armada)

2009-12-24T20:59:15Z

24.14.76.202:

Thrust (Armada)

2009-12-24T20:10:43Z

24.14.76.202:

Theodore Galloway

2009-10-22T23:53:01Z

24.14.76.202:

{{disambig2|the irascible politician named Theo|the evil politician named Theo|Theodore Allen}}
:''Theodore Galloway is an orange ball of hate in the [[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]] portion of the [[live-action film series]].

[[Image:Director galloway.jpg|thumb|250px|I hate you so much I got it in ''writing''.]]

Director '''Theodore Galloway<ref>First Name given in [[The Last Prime|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Last Prime]], p16</ref>''' is the [[Wikipedia:National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]] to [[Barack Obama|President Obama]]. A politically territorial bureaucrat, he is opposed to the presence of the [[Autobot]]s, believing that they are the ones who brought the [[Decepticon]]s to Earth. Galloway believes that humanity is advanced enough to defeat the Decepticons alone, without the Autobots' interference.

It's a truly rare human who can make the guys at [[Sector Seven]] look competent.

{{quote|This fool is terribly misinformed.|[[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] expresses his view of Galloway|[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie===
:''Actor:'' [[John Benjamin Hickey]]

[[Image:Tf2009 galloway trailerevolved.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Ironically, ''loves'' [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]].]]

Following the events at [[Shanghai]], Galloway was dispatched to [[Diego Garcia]] as the official liaison to [[NEST]] (something [[Morshower|General Morshower]] was not informed of until after Galloway's arrival, annoying the Chairman). When [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] relayed [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]]'s warning of "[[The Fallen]] shall rise again" in a video conference with Morshower, Galloway cut in to make his presence heard and air some complaints that the White House (or Galloway himself) had with the situation. Galloway pointed out that the Autobots agreed to share intelligence and the [[All Spark]] shard with Humanity, but not weapons technology, and continued to send unvetted transmissions into outer space in an effort to contact other Autobots. Optimus countered that he was well aware of humanity's less than stellar performance in regards to peace, a claim Galloway took issue with considering that the Autobots and Decepticons had destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|their own planet]]. [[William Lennox|Major Lennox]] and [[Robert Epps|Sergeant Epps]] attempted to defend the Autobots, but Galloway made it quite clear he did not give a damn what the soldiers thought. Chairman Morshower had better success in getting Galloway to show some respect by saying that he had found Lennox and Epps beyond reproach, but Galloway informed Morshower that with regards to national security, the President felt no one was above reproach.

Galloway then went over what they knew: [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] was seven miles under water in the [[Laurentian Abyss]], the All Spark was destroyed, and the Decepticons had not left Earth like Optimus had theorized. Galloway concluded that the only reason the Decepticons remained at all was because of the Autobots. Finally, Galloway came to the point of his conversation: he flat out asked Optimus if the Autobots would leave if they were asked to. The [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] replied that they would comply if asked, but asked Galloway to have the President give consideration to a question of his own: what if the Autobots leave, and Galloway was wrong?

However, the video conference had been overheard by [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], who had taken control of the satellite being used to relay the conversation, thus giving Soundwave everything he needed to launch a plan to resurrect Megatron. Soundwave dispatched his [[symbiote]] [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] to retrieve the All Spark shard, an operation which saw the deaths of several soldiers. The incident left relations between the United States and the Autobots quite cool, a situation which can probably be laid at Galloway's feet.

Following Megatron's resurrection and the death of Optimus Prime while trying to protect [[Sam Witwicky]], the Decepticons launched multiple attacks across the world, including destroying the ''U.S.S. Roosevelt.'' The Fallen then made a broadcast revealing the [[Transformer]]s' presence on Earth, demanding that Sam Witwicky be turned over to them, or Earth would be destroyed. Galloway used the broadcast and attacks as an excuse to have NEST shut down and have the Autobots returned to Diego Garcia under heavy guard. Galloway also revealed to Major Lennox that he believed that they should consider turning over the boy to the Decepticons.

However, Witwicky did not take this lying down, looking into what the Decepticons were after. With help from former [[Sector Seven]] head [[Seymour Simmons]], Sam learned that there were ancient Decepticons on Earth. They met one of these [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]] named [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], explained that he had been dispatched by the Fallen to locate the [[Matrix of Leadership]], a device used by the [[Dynasty of Primes]] (of which Optimus was the sole survivor) to activate a [[solar harvester]], devices which could convert the energy of stars into [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], answering Galloway's question of why the Decepticons remained. Sam theorized that the Matrix could be used to resurrect Optimus, and Simmons passed along the information to Lennox and Epps. The two made arrangements with the other NEST soldiers and the pilots of the C-17s returning the Autobots to Diego Garcia to drop them at the tip of the Gulf of Aqaba. However, Galloway accompanied them. Lennox had the pilot fake engine trouble. Galloway began to suspect that Lennox might have something to do with this, and warned that it would the death of his career. However, when the plane banked sharply to the left, he realized there was something wrong, and began to visibly panic as Lennox strapped on his parachute. Lennox tricked the Director into opening the parachute while they were in the plane, pulling him out and removing Galloway as an obstacle.

Successfully managing to not die, Galloway found some locals and tried to ask them where he was, only for them to believe he was saying he was in the United States. Galloway then called General Morshower and demanded to know where he was. Morshower hung up on Galloway without so much as a goodbye. In fact, the only reason Morshower found it noteworthy at was that Galloway was able to contact them through a cell phone whilst they couldn't get NEST's radio signals. Wish you had been a little nicer to the soldiers now, don't you? {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

==Games==
===''Revenge of the Fallen:'' The Game===
====Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC====
:''Voice actor:'' Unknown

=====Decepticon campaign=====

Hoping to learn the location of the last All Spark fragment, [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] targeted NSA Director Galloway for capture. Starscream personally hunted him down in the West Coast canals area, where Galloway was hiding inside one of several buildings owned by the front organization [[Massive Dynamics]]. Upon his capture, Galloway made amusing, though hollow, threats about how his vaunted position and his political contacts would ensure Starscream would be eviscerated, threats that failed to impress Starscream.

A device was implanted into Galloway's cerebral cortex before he was set free, effectively making him a Decepticon puppet. Galloway soon revealed the location of the All Spark fragment, which Ravage retrieved, as well as the location of Megatron's remains. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

=====Autobot campaign=====

After the All Spark fragment was stolen, Soundwave monitored a conversation in which Director Galloway managed to reveal the location of Megatron's remains. This revelation prompted a devastating Decepticon attack on the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] carrier group stationed in the North Atlantic. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)}}

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Galloway, Theodore}}
[[Category: Humans]]
[[Category: Revenge of the Fallen characters]]
[[Category: United States of America]]
[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]

Velocity (episode)

2009-10-10T03:00:19Z

24.14.76.202:

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=TFA Velocity Bumblebee Blurr meet.JPG
|caption="One shall stand, one shall eat dust."
|ep=21
|title="Velocity"
|airdate=[[May 10]], 2008
|written by=[[Len Uhley]]
|directed by= [[Irineo Maramba]] [[Christopher Berkeley]] [[Kenji Itoso]]
|animation studio= [[Mook]]
}}

'''Investigating a mysterious race car, Bumblebee gets involved with an illegal underground street racing circuit, which also captures the attention of the Decepticons.'''

:''German title:'' "'''Schneller als der Wind'''" ("Faster than the Wind")
:''Polish title:'' "'''Prędkość'''" ("Velocity")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:TFA Velocity Prowl Blade.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Yeah, sure, '''this''' oughta help her stay calm.]]

On the highways of Detroit, the [[Autobot]]s are driving under the moonlight, searching for an [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] fragment. As Bumblebee complains about the boring nature of their task, several cars speed past them. Bulkhead recognizes them as racers for ''[[Street Demon]]'', a show he and Sari watch. Calling them amateurs, Bumblebee decides to show off and speeds ahead. As he boasts, a blue racer comes in and rams two drivers off the road. Bumblebee wants to go after him, while Prime says that the drivers need help. Still, Bumblebee pursues, discovering that the car is quite fast. As the Autobots render assistance, Captain Fanzone arrives and arrests the two drivers. Bulkhead is shocked to learn that the Street Demons are on an illegal racing circuit, while Bumblebee rolls up, transforms, and falls down, breathing heavily...somehow.

Back at the plant, Bumblebee thinks that he can beat the blue racer with his turbo boosters. Prime and Ratchet refuse, and Bumblebee shouts that nothing on Earth is faster than him. This train of thought leads Bumblebee to the conclusion that the blue racer is a Decepticon. Prowl points out that the racer was uninterested in the Autobots, and Prime orders Bumblebee not to use the boosters. Meanwhile, Bulkhead comes down on Sari over ''Street Demon'', but Sari says that they're not helping the illegal show in any way, since she's pirating the signal. As Bulkhead laments about how the Autobots need to set a good example, Bumblebee walks in and smooths things over, saying that he'll straighten out Sari. Once Bulkhead is out of [[Sensors|audio sensor]] range, Bumblebee has Sari show him the races. He asks her to track down where the broadcast came from, and with the help of the [[AllSpark Key]], he finds out where they are.

[[Image:TFA Velocity Master Disaster remote.JPG|right|200px|thumb|The universal remote of doom.]]

At an irrigation channel, Bumblebee, having taken his turbo boosters, joins in a training race, finally getting the hang of his boosters. Seeing what is going on, Master Disaster, the host of ''Street Demon'', uses some sort of remote control to send out the blue racer to attack Bumblebee. Finally getting tired of being attacked, Bumblebee transforms into robot mode, causing Master Disaster to call off the attack. Instead, Disaster invites the Autobot to participate in the next race. Bumblebee agrees, on the condition that blue racer is present. As Bumblebee [[rolls out]], Disaster notes that with an Autobot racing, their ratings will triple...and get even higher if said Autobot were to suffer an "accident".

At the plant, Bulkhead brings Sari a cup of hot chocolate, but Bumblebee calls on her cell phone, revealing his misadventure and allowing Bulkhead to learn what is going on. Before he can further <strike>dig his own grave</strike> elaborate, Bumblebee stops short when he sees a plane—Blitzwing. Following the Decepticon, Bumblebee overhears Blitzwing communicate with Megatron about an AllSpark fragment he was tracking. Convinced it involves the blue racer, Bumblebee heads back to the plant. He tells Sari what is going on, only for Bulkhead to come down on Bumblebee for what he's doing. Bumblebee tells him about Blitzwing, the AllSpark fragment, and his suspicions about the blue racer being a Decepticon, insisting that he can only discover the truth if he races. Bulkhead agrees to allow it on the condition that he is brought along as well, but Bumblebee fibs. However, when Sari catches him going out, she forces him to take her...as Bulkhead listens in.

In an interrogation room, Fanzone questions one of the drivers. Using the threat of imprisonment, Fanzone learns that the next race will be at Dix and Vernor, and he intends to get there before the races begins...at which point he walks right into a door.

[[Image:TFA Velocity air chicken.JPG|left|200px|thumb|IT IS BETTER TO FIGHT AND DIE—than live with the knowledge that I ran. We can run?! Let's do that!]]

At the race site, Master Disaster is making the final preparations, when the AllSpark Key glows in the direction of Disaster's truck. Sneaking aboard, she finds the remote, then flees while Disaster announces the two-minute mark. As he reaches for the remote, he discovers what Sari did, forcing Bumblebee and Sari to escape. Thinking the race has started, the other drivers follow. As Bulkhead prepares to roll out and follow them, Blitzwing freezes the Autobot, then flies after the other two. Sari opens the remote and finds the AllSpark fragment, while Bumblebee detects Blitzwing. Seeing the flier, he dives through an arch, which Blitzwing freezes, cutting off the rest of the racers. Failing in his attempts to destroy Bumblebee from above, Blitzwing goes to tank mode, but is buried under rubble when he destroys a bridge support.

[[Image:TFA Velocity Bumblebee Blitzwing Scale.jpg|right|200px|thumb|...kinda one-sided, ain't it?]]

Meanwhile, Bumblebee sees Fanzone's car and tries to reach him. Fanzone is forced to jump into Bumblebee as Blitzwing destroys his car. As Blitzwing continues his strafing, Sari uses the remote to control Blitzwing, but it falls from her hands and out of the car. As they near another bridge, the blue racer crashes through the bridge's retaining wall and plays a game of Midair Chicken with Blitzwing. At first, Blitzwing is prepared to [[Furmanism|fight and die]], but he turns away, crashing first into a building and then into Master Disaster's truck. Bumblebee deposits the two humans on the road, then goes to finish off Blitzwing, despite being vastly outsized and outgunned. Fortunately, the fight has brought them back to where the remote was. However, Blitzwing destroys a bridge above Bumblebee, also freeing Bulkhead. As Blitzwing prepares to deliver the killing blow, Sari uses the remote to control Blitzwing (as well as Bumblebee, who crashes into Bulkhead). Finally, Sari sends Blitzwing into high altitude. As Master Disaster tries to sneak away, Fanzone places him under arrest.

Back at the plant, Prime decides to store the remote in a safe place, while Bumblebee decides to set a better example for Sari—starting by ending her pirated satellite connection. As Sari jokingly warns Bumblebee not to set too good of an example (lest she not recognize him), Bumblebee notices the blue racer speed past the plant. Bumblebee shouts out a "thank you", but is left wondering who the blue racer really is.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (4)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (5)
*[[Blurr (Animated)|Blue Racer]] (6)
|c2=
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (9)
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (voice only) (10)
|c3=
*[[Captain Fanzone]] (7)
*[[Sari Sumdac]] (8)
*[[Master Disaster]] (11)
|c4=
}}

==Quotes==
'''Fanzone''': I've been after them for weeks. They're part of an underground racing circuit. 
'''Bulkhead''': You mean they race in tunnels? 
'''Fanzone''': Underground as in illegal. As in they race in the streets and don't care who gets hurt. 
'''Bulkhead''': That's not what Sari told me. 
'''Optimus''': What purpose does this street race serve? 
'''Fanzone''': Eh, what else? They get a couple a' million pay-per-view customers for their pirate broadcasts, then it's "cha-ching cha-ching", big bucks.
:—Captain Fanzone introduces the Autobots to the seedy world of underground racing.

'''Bumblebee''': Lighten up, Bulkhead. We're supposed to be the ''fun'' bots, remember? 
'''Bulkhead''': Yeah, but we still gotta set a good example. She looks up to us. 
'''Bumblebee''': Hello, she looks up to everybody. 
'''Sari''': HEY!
:—Bumblebee should be more sensitive about [[Scale|size issues]].

'''Random Blizwing''': ''(after seeing both Fanzone's car and Bumblebee in car mode)'' Oh, isn't zat cute? Ze're twins! 
'''Icy Blitzwing''': Readings indicate zat one of zem has ze Allspark fragment. 
'''Hothead Blitzwing''': I WILL DESTROY THEM BOTH!
:-Decepticon process of elimination at work, with an emphasis on 'elmination'.

"Hey...you know that's comin' out of my paycheck."
:—'''Captain Fanzone''' manages to see the down side of being saved after Blitzwing destroyed his car.

''[referring to Bumblebee's vehicle mode]'' 
"How come your interior's so much cleaner than mine?" 
"Hmm, maybe 'cause it's not on fire?"
:—'''Captain Fanzone''' gets zinged by '''Sari'''.

'''Blitzwing (Hothead):''' Why can't I control myself?! 
'''Blitzwing (Random):''' Not zat I ever could! AHAHAHA! 
:—Blitzwing while under the remote's influence.

"Oh, dizzy. Not liking the dizzy."
:—'''Random Blitzwing'''

"Well, that's the trouble with bending the rules—''cough''—they usually snap right back in your face."
:—Lessons in life from '''Captain Fanzone'''

'''Hothead Blitzwing''': Never give up! 
'''Icy Blitzwing''': Never surrender! 
'''Random Blitzwing''': NEVER MIND!! 
''[Blitzwing swerves off into a nearby building]''
:—Blitzwing and the mysterious racer play a game of Chicken.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
* Sari doesn't actually take off her seatbelt when she leaves Bumblebee's driver's seat to investigate Master Disaster's trailer. The whole shoulder-strap just moves with her, then we hear the sound of Bumblebee's door opening then closing.

* In the long overhead shot towards the beginning of the Bumblebee/Blitzwing chase (shortly after a wall of ice blocks the human racers off), Bumblebee does not get smaller as he moves further into the distance.

* When Bumblebee is stuck in some oil, he is unable to speed forward, even with his boosters. Yet, seconds later, he speeds backwards without a problem.

===Continuity errors===
* Hothead [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] demonstrates the ability to function in jet mode, instead of automatically switching to tank mode as he did in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]". His ice missiles are replaced with conventional explosive ones. Or maybe it was just Crazy who was in control at that moment?

*Bumblebee is using rocket boosters similar to the ones in "[[Nanosec (episode)|Nanosec]]," despite the fact they were destroyed and lost. It could be that Isaac Sumdac built him new ones, but given his absence and the fact that the replacements are never touched upon before hand, it is unlikely.

===Transformers references===
*The female racer Ratchet and Prowl help out bears a passing resemblance to [[Kelly]], right down to having an encounter with [[Autobot|talking cars/giant robots]] and being rather luckless, although this appears to be coincidental.

===Real-world references===
* Wondering where Bumblebee came from, Master Disaster invokes the name of [[Detroit]] auto mogul Henry Ford (and also calls Bumblebee a "clown car").

*This episode borrows several plot and thematic elements from the popular street racing film ''[[wikipedia:The_Fast_and_the_Furious|The Fast and the Furious]]''.

*Blitzwing's "Never give up! Never surrender! NEVER MIND!" quote refers to the catchphrase from the [[Dreamworks]] film, ''[[wikipedia:Galaxy_Quest|Galaxy Quest]]''.

*Blitzwing haphazardly fires off multiple missiles in all directions in a style reminiscent of the Valkyrie Fighters from ''[[wikipedia:Macross|Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]''.

*In this episode, Blitzwing's cannons make the familiar "high tension cable twang" normally associated with laser cannons in the ''[[wikipedia:Star_Wars|Star Wars]]'' films.

*The first car that passes Bumblebee at the beginning of the episode resembles the 1999 Nissan Skyline From 2003's ''2 Fast 2 Furious''.

*Some of the scenes in this episode may be construed as parodies of ''[[wikipedia:Speed_Racer|Speed Racer]]''.

===Trivia===
* Fanzone's car explodes. Again. At least we know where he gets the replacements.

* It seems that the Autobots have gained a better culinary understanding than they had in "[[The Return of the Headmaster]]" to the point where they know how heated cocoa powder in milk and hot water can be considered edible.

==External links==
*[http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/video/dlink/index.html?episodeID=8a25c3921fc6a295011fc99b69a4014c "Velocity" streaming video at Cartoon Network] (link functional until 3/03/10)

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Ratchet (Animated)

2009-09-16T23:32:56Z

24.14.76.202:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Ratchet}}
:''Ratchet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:AniRatchetPromoModel.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Rassa-frassa [[Sari Sumdac|KIDS]] with their [[Bumblebee (Animated)|loud music]] and their [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|rocket-powered axes]]...]]
Before the Great Wars, '''Ratchet''' was a civilian mechanic, and one of the best on all of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. But war is [[Pit|hell]], and Ratchet learned that all too well. It left him bitter and cynical. After the war, he got himself placed in a dead end position of repairing [[Space bridge|space bridges]], seeing it as a chance to get away from what he had experienced. And in his experience, "hero" is another word for casualty, because that's what most of the heroes ended up being. Still, he knows one when he sees it, and [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] definitely is one.

His main "weapons" are two electromagnets that can extend from his forearms. With them, he can move metal-based objects, levitate downward from high heights, manipulate or tear apart metallic objects in midair, or create magnetic shields. More recently, he won his [[electromagnetic pulse]] generator back from [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] the bounty hunter, a device capable of knocking out a [[Transformer]].

He enjoys grumbling about almost everything, being sarcastic, and having war flashbacks, just like any old man.

But he's not [[Kup (G1)|Kup]].

Honestly.

{{quote|Young bots—can't live with 'em, can't melt 'em down for spare parts.|Ratchet, grumbling and moaning|"[[Transform and Roll Out]]"}}

{{quote|You're a ''tough'' old model aren't you?|[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] shows his grudging respect|"[[This Is Why I Hate Machines]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Corey Burton]] (English), [[Horst Lampe]] (German), [[Dariusz Stach]] (Polish)

{{note|Events from [[IDW Publishing]] comics are in italics}}
''Millions of years ago, Ratchet arrived at [[Hydrax Plateau]] looking for survivors of a Decepticon chemical attack, which had slaughtered soldiers from both sides. The only survivor was a Decepticon named [[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]]. Against orders, Ratchet tried to save his life. Oil Slick, however, revealed he had the formula for an antidote to the chemical, known to the grunts as "[[Cosmic Rust (disease)|cosmic rust"]], but he lacked the equipment to create it. Ratchet warily agreed to help, and as they worked, tried to learn a little bit more about who was fighting. Once the cure was complete, Ratchet used it on Oil Slick, who promptly revealed he had created the cosmic rust, didn't care if his own soldiers got killed, and infected Ratchet before driving off. However, Ratchet had managed to snag some of the antidote, so he used a little on himself and took the rest back to headquarters for mass production, regretfully realizing he'd learned a little bit about a good deception that day.'' {{storylink|The Arrival issue 3#"'Bots_of_Science"|'Bots of Science}}

[[Image:Ratchetanimatedthrill.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Before the gut.]]
Some time later, Ratchet was sent by [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] on a wartime mission to recover Autobot intelligence officer [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]], who was carrying important security codes in her memory core. Shortly after he found her, the pair were captured by the [[Decepticon]]-affiliated bounty hunter [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]. The hunter made a habit of collecting the powers of defeated enemies as trophies and did so with Ratchet's medical EMP device. Before he could attach it, Arcee was able to pass the device to Ratchet, and she begged him to use it on her to wipe the codes and preserve their safety. In the ensuing skirmish with Lockdown, the device accidentally produced a wider blast, erasing Arcee's entire memory. Ratchet would have flashbacks of the incident for centuries to come. {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}}

At a certain point, Ratchet was ordered by Ultra Magnus to perform open processor surgery on Arcee to retrieve the access codes. As the operation began, Arcee uploaded the codes into Ratchet's processor, so he was conducted to a secret hangar and introduced to Project Omega a.k.a., Omega Supreme. Perceptor, along with Highbrow and Ultra Magnus, explained that Omega was the Autobots' last line of defense against the Decepticons and that the codes that Arcee was carrying were for Omega's activation. Arcee was supposed to be Omega's mentor to imprint upon and take orders from, but now Ratchet had inherited her role. Hearing that Omega had been built with a simple processor in order to carry out his duties with no remorse, Ratchet refused to teach him to be a weapon of mass destruction and instead tried to instruct him to be an Autobot.

Upon winning the Great War against a massive Decepticon onslaught, Omega was damaged extensively and at risk of losing his Spark. Ratchet was able to put him into a modified stasis until he could repair the giant. Before going into stasis, Omega questioned how he could be an Autobot but destroy like a Decepticon. The best assurance Ratchet could offer was, "We do what we must, even though sometimes it doesn't make sense," and he coaxed the giant Autobot to rest. {{storylink|TransWarped}} Ratchet stayed with Omega after he'd been repurposed as a space bridge repair vessel. {{storylink|Endgame, Part I}}

During a routine repair assignment with Optimus Prime's crew, Ratchet was with the group when they found the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]]. His first reaction upon seeing it was to urge the others to throw it through the space bridge. However, events soon overtook them when [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] arrived and tried to claim the AllSpark. The Autobots took their ship through the space bridge, where Prime defeated Megatron, and the crew was forced to go into stasis to avoid injury in a crash-landing on [[Earth]].

Awakening fifty years later, the Autobots went to help battle a renegade nanomachine construct, while Ratchet studied a specimen of the construct on the ship. Learning that it was vulnerable in its command centers, Ratchet sent a kill program to the Autobots to place in the monster. His program worked.

Ratchet had the most difficulty getting used to Earth's customs, as the humans kept interrupting his stasis naps to put parking tickets on him. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}} To make things more complicated, those annoying camera bots followed the Autobots everywhere. Always watching, waiting... {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is}}

To Ratchet's horrified disbelief, Lockdown appeared on Earth and captured Optimus Prime, intending to hand him over to the vengeful remaining Decepticons for the bounty offered against him. The Autobots attempted a rescue, with Ratchet initially absent due to haunting flashbacks over his last encounter with the bounty hunter. He was forced to intervene after Lockdown eliminated [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]], [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]]. Ratchet was able to free his commanding officer and retrieve his EMP device, using it to send Lockdown's ship crashing back to Earth. After reinstalling Prime's stolen gadgets, the veteran finally opened up to the younger soldier. {{storylink|The Thrill of the Hunt}}

When the Decepticons [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]] arrived on Earth, the Autobots were quickly bested by the duo. Prime realized that the AllSpark was no longer safe on the planet and decided that they should leave Earth and return to Cybertron. [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]] was not pleased by this, but Ratchet's response was a gruff, "Grow up". When Optimus asked Sari to help, Ratchet was displeased with the thought of working with a "[[protoform]]", but Optimus silenced them by making it an order. Once aboard the Autobots' ship, Sari accidentally opened an airlock, nearly flooding the hold, then admitted that she had tried to sabotage the ship, not wanting them to leave. In a moment of empathy, Ratchet told her the Autobots didn't want to leave either, but they had to, or else the Decepticons would wipe out the humans, including Sari, and Ratchet couldn't live with himself if that happened. With the help of a now-willing Sari, Ratchet brought the ship's weapons back online, defeating Lugnut and Blitzwing. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

[[Image:Megatron Rising 1 Ratchet Blitzwing Key.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Hey! I'm still using that!]]
After receiving a report on increased Decepticon activity from [[Teletran-1]], Optimus ordered Ratchet to remove the [[AllSpark Key]] from Sari's possession forcibly, as it was no longer safe in the hands of a [[Human|dumb stubby]]. Ratchet was hesitant to take the object from the girl, but followed his superior's orders with a gruff, professional "Yessir." After Sari fled the base in tears, Optimus then told Ratchet to take the Key to the Autobots' ship, under [[Lake Erie]], in order to protect the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] from the Decepticons. Unfortunately, the medibot was intercepted by Blitzwing and Lugnut, who demanded that he hand over the Key. He stoically refused, challenging them to take it from his "cold, offline servo." Icy Blitzwing complied by blasting Ratchet and the surrounding scenery with an ice beam. He switched to Random Blitzwing, made a smart remark, and wrenched the Key (and the arm holding it) from Ratchet.

Despite this handicap, the mechanic was able to break free from his icy prison, report the AllSpark Key's theft to Optimus, single-handedly bring the ship online (pun intended), and still participate later in the [[Megatron Rising - Part 2|final battle]] against [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] and his forces. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

While helping to dispose of garbage in the city, Ratchet's crotchety attitude became such a problem that Optimus asked Sari and Bumblebee to help him work on developing a more positive attitude. His experience in helping a [[Spike Witwicky (Animated)|young]] [[Carly Witwicky (Animated)|couple]] who were in the process of making a protoform did not help with his attitude, and things got even worse when some trash-toting nuisance named [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] came along, spouting that he was an Autobot. Telling the newly sentient [[Transformer]] that he was only good for garbage, Ratchet unwittingly inspired him to deliver garbage to the people of Detroit. Unfortunately, Wreck-Gar also had a sample of [[Sumdac Systems]]' new and improved nanobots, designed to disintegrate garbage. Fearing what the AllSpark-infused nanites might do, Ratchet apologized to Wreck-Gar, saying that the befuddled newcomer could be whatever he wanted, including a hero. Wreck-Gar did become a hero—after he vacuumed up the microbots, they exploded, causing Wreck-Gar to fall into the river. Ratchet assumed he was dead. When [[Porter C. Powell]] said that Ratchet had ruined his presentation, Ratchet forced him and [[Augustus Edsel|Mayor Edsel]] to make a compromise by threatening to have them join Wreck-Gar in the river. They came to an agreement, and Ratchet assumed that the bystanders were cheering for him, leaving him with the assumption that he ''did'' have people skills. {{storylink|Garbage In, Garbage Out}}

When Bulkhead was kidnapped by Megatron, Bumblebee brought Autobot intelligence agent [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] to the plant, who revealed that Megatron was building a space bridge to conquer Cybertron from within. Realizing they'd need more firepower, Prime ordered Ratchet and Sari to get the ship operational. Unfortunately, their efforts failed to get it back online. Running out of time, Ratchet decided that they'd need to perform open [[spark]] surgery. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

After placing the remaining AllSpark fragments in the ship's spark core, Ratchet explained that the ship was once a living Autobot who sacrificed himself to help win the wars. Ratchet's gamble succeeded, and the ship was brought back to life. Getting it to the Decepticons' base, Ratchet and Sari provided enough power (and encouragement) to allow the ship to transform into [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]]. Omega defeated the Decepticons, but sacrificed himself to save the Autobots by being sucked into a blind space bridge portal. Once the Autobots escaped, Ratchet was left to mourn Omega Supreme a second time, but Bulkhead was optimistic that he was still alive, somewhere out in space.

Unfortunately, any effort to locate Omega Supreme was put on hold when Sari noticed that the skin of her right arm had been torn...revealing robotic circuitry underneath! {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

Because Sari was reluctant to submit to a full diagnostic, Ratchet was only allowed to perform the most basic scans on her. He was able to determine that Sari was part basically organic, but with Cybertronian circuitry. Following a period of no contact with Bulkhead and Bumblebee, who had traveled to the mine to salvage space bridge equipment to contact Cybertron, Ratchet went to check up and help them out. What he found was a damaged Bulkhead and no sign of Bumblebee. Bringing Bulkhead back to the plant, he then attempted to repair Bulkhead, only to have Sari's Key overshadow his medical expertise, leaving him feeling unappreciated. Soon afterward, a giant [[rock creature]] was transported to Detroit after Bulkhead tried to bring back a transwarping Bumblebee. Ratchet equipped his EMP generator, which he hadn't used since he won it back from Lockdown, to help his team take down the creature and rescue Bumblebee, only to witness a newly upgraded Sari defeat the monster and save her friend instead. However, the Key's power overwhelmed Sari and caused her robotic systems to go berserk, blowing up everything she touched and even accidentally attacking Bumblebee. Ratchet initially requested Sari's Key to help him save Bumblebee, but discovered it no longer had any power after Prowl retrieved it. Despite the setback, he managed to save Bumblebee from going offline without the Key's aid. When the others failed their attempts to stop Sari from exploding and save Detroit, Ratchet used his EMP generator to subdue her, even though he was unsure what the effects would have on a technorganic.

Afterward, he operated on Sari to subdue the extra AllSpark energy she had stored in her body. When Omega Supreme reappeared on Earth, Ratchet was shocked to discover that his old friend had been taken over by Starscream and Megatron. Forced to take action, Ratchet upgraded Bumblebee's stingers to a more powerful battle-grade mode, even though such a modification was illegal for non-combat bots. When Optimus ordered Ratchet to reverse Sari's operation in order to use her AllSpark energy against Omega Supreme, Ratchet refused and instead aided his teammates directly in the heat of battle. He tried reasoning with Omega to help the titan gain control of his body, but was afraid that he might have to use his EMP on his old friend. Omega was able to fight off Starscream's control long enough to insist that Ratchet use the EMP to let him sleep again, echoing Ratchet's own advice from the last time the medic had put him in stasis. However, despite Ratchet's new resolve, Starscream's Allspark-fragment-powered consciousness rendered him immune to the blast. Once Bumblebee and Optimus planted a plasma dynamic thruster to make Omega transwarp around space randomly, Ratchet saved the pair from falling to their deaths.
{{storylink|TransWarped}}

Later, Ratchet attempted to calibrate Bulkhead's space bridge to locate Omega Supreme. [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] came up to the top of the tower to find Professor Sumdac to complain about the malfunctioning police heli-drones. Said heli-drones suddenly appeared and tried to use 'authorized lethal force' to get rid of Captain Fanzone, much to Ratchet's disinterest. Suddenly, the bridge powered up and sucked in Fanzone. Seeing a potential problem in this turn of events, Ratchet followed him into the bridge and found himself back on Cybertron. He saved Fanzone from being stepped on by [[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] and allowed Fanzone to climb into his ambulence mode.

Ratchet was at first delighted to be back on Cybertron, even though Omega Supreme didn't seem to be there. Though Fanzone wanted to go home, Ratchet decided they should do a more thorough check to be sure. But as long as they were in the neighborhood, they might as well visit [[Maccadum's Old Oil House]]. But when they got there, they found it was 'closed by national security orders'. When Ratchet demanded to know what was going on around here, information was provided by a propaganda-like broadcast depicting Sentinel Prime as the new Magnus and spreading his paranoia regarding Decepticons and organics all over Cybertron, which included the shutting down of 'subversive gathering places' and maintaining a curfew. Ratchet was less than impressed by Sentinel's efforts, particularly since he was taking credit for the Decepticons that Lockdown captured. When [[Tracks (Animated)|some bystander]] freaked out and ran away at the sight of Fanzone, Ratchet grew worried that Cybertron was in worse condition that he remembered.

That's when Sentinel 'Magnus' himself showed up, along with Jazz, Jetfire, and Jetstorm. Ratchet was apparently in big trouble for using illegal Space Bridge travel, being out after curfew, and bringing an organic past quarantine. Ratchet could care less about Sentinel's fear-mongering propaganda and curfew and told him to blow it out his exhaust port. But he pointed out that there was no Space Bridge involved, sorta. When Sentinel said that they picked up a Space Bridge signal, Ratchet deduced the cause: Omega Supreme. With all the transwarp energy he's accumulated, the electrical storm over Cybertron would cause it to give off the same signal as a Space Bridge. Sentinel was dubious about the fact that Omega was floating somewhere over Cybertron... until the clouds parted, revealing Omega floating right over the city. Sentinel then ordered that Ratchet and Fanzone be brought with them.

At the Autobot's Council Chambers, Sentinel proposed that they opened fire on Omega Supreme. Ratchet objected on the grounds that Omega was a fellow Autobot and that transwarp energy that Omega had accumulated would cause an explosion if fired upon big enough to wipe out Cybertron. While the Council deliberated on what action they should take, Ratchet warned that if anyone harmed Omega, they'd answer to him. Sentinel interpreted that as a threat, and therefore treason, and ordered Ratchet's arrest. However, thanks to a timely sneeze from Fanzone, Ratchet was able to escape with him into the abandoned underground tunnel system.

Right after assuring that they'd be safe as 'no one's been down here for a million stellar cycle', they find a door that had been blasted apart. Inside, they found a computer room with fresh oil puddles on the ground and empty oil cans stacked in a corner, all indications that someone's been calling this place home for a while. Ratchet then attempted to use the computer to contact Omega Supreme. But that's when the resident of that room showed up, [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]]! While Ratchet only knew Shockwave through Bumblebee's stories, his [[A Bridge Too Close, Part 2|earlier transmission]], and the report on the attack of Ultra Magnus, Ratchet knew they were about to get real familiar. While fighting, Shockwave revealed that he was planning on stealing the access codes for Omega Supreme so they could control him. Ratchet sternly said that he'd never get them out of him. However, Shockwave wasn't planning to, knowing Ratchet would infect them with a magnetic virus, and planned to take them from the original source. He quickly knocked Ratchet over and made his escape. After getting back up, Ratchet complained that he was getting to old for this.

Fortunately, Fanzone knew where Shockwave would go. Together, Ratchet and Fanzone tracked down [[Rattletrap|a particularly shady bot]] who could get anything to anyone, including access codes to the Cybertron Central Infirmiry. Apparently, he must have sold some to Shockwave earlier and now Ratchet and Fanzone want a copy of their own. They were able to obtain it, thanks to Fanzone's human mucus abilities grossing out Rattletrap. When Ratchet asked how Fanzone knew about Rattletrap, Fanzone replied, "There's one in every town."

Later, Ratchet and Fanzone were trying to get into the Infirmiry, only to find that Rattletrap's access codes were bogus. That's when Jazz, who, according to Fanzone, had tailing them since the tunnels, stepped in and handed Ratchet a working keycard. The duo were then easily able to reach the room housing the comatose Arcee. Only by doing so showed Shockwave where she was. This lead to a chase with Ratchet pushing Arcee's gurney and Shockwave pursuing in his tank mode. Fanzone demanded to know what was going on and Ratchet gave him an abreviated version of how Arcee lost her memory. Ratchet then hid Fanzone and Arcee in a room and went back to fight Shockwave. Unfortunately, during their fight, they busted through a wall into a room where Ultra Magnus was on [[spark support]]. Shockwave decided that while he was there, he'd finished the job and was about to slag Ultra Magnus with his own hammer. Fortunately, Ratchet neutralized the hammer with his EMP generator before using it on Shockwave. This blasted Shockwave into the next room and caused the Magnus Hammer to fall into Ratchet's hands. Just then, Sentinel found Ratchet and stupidly thought he was trying to kill Ultra Magnus. This distraction was just what Shockwave needed to grab Arcee (she was in the room he was blasted into) and fly up to Omega Supreme. Sentinel ordered Jetfire and Jetstorm to fire [[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] at Omega Supreme, who transwarped away just in time.

Later, [[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] repriminded Sentinel for his rash and thoughtless behavior and made it very clear that if it were up to him along, Sentinel wouldn't temporary Magnus for another nanoclick. Rather, the real heroes of the day were Ratchet and Fanzone, though Ratchet didn't feel very heroic for letting Shockwave get away with Arcee. [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] reassured Ratchet that the damage done to Arcee's circuitry was irreversable, which didn't help Ratchet's mood very much. He was about to leave through the Space Bridge the Autobot Council opened for him and Fanzone when Sentinel demanded that he hand over the Magnus Hammer. Ratchet knew better and said he'd return it to its true owner, Ultra Magnus, when he recovers and quickly jumps through the Space Bridge with Fanzone.

Back on Earth, Fanzone loudly complains about his day to Ratchet. Then another malfuctioning heli-drone appeared, which Ratchet promptly destroyed. Fanzone shrugged it off as calling it even. Suddenly, Jazz came through the Space Bridge. Ratchet at first thought he'd been sent to retrieve the Magnus Hammer, but Jazz was really playing hookey on Sentinel, seeing as how he can't agree with Sentinel's management skills.

{{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}}.

Ratchet was sent to the moon with Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Sari to take back Omega Supreme to stop the Lugnut Supreme drones. With advice from Sari, he was able to reactivate Arcee and in turn able to take control of Omega Supreme. After Starscream's plan came into action, he took Omega Supreme in to try and stop the "Starscream Supremes" from self-destructing, successfully taking down one but unable to take down the other. He was present with Optimus Prime on their return to Cybertron with the Decepticon prisoners, holding Prowl's casket with Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Jazz.
{{storylink|Endgame, Part II}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Titan Magazines===
He was the only person to realise the earthquakes plaguing Detroit couldn't be natural as it wasn't on a fault-line. He got to zap the villain responsible, [[Quake-Maker]], once everyone else had done all the hard work. {{storylink|Burnout}}

Ratchet oversaw a mission to Dinobot Island with Sari, Bumblebee and [[Afterburn]], to investigate a Rage virus infection in the Dinobots. Soon after landing, the group were jumped by [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] and Ratchet was soon pinned; luckily, Sari reminded him of the magnetic powers he uses all the time, and he was able to get Snarl off.

The Dinobot had stolen his spare oil thermos in the process though and, wanting to see if Afterburn was really up to joining them, lied to his friends and told them a vital component had been ripped out and ''he was dying''. They risked their lives getting the thermos back on top of curing the Dinobots, and after hearing why they'd been made to do it, Afterburn shook Ratchet's hand for being an emotionally manipulative bastard. {{storylink|Ratchet & Grimlock Are DEAD?|Ratchet & Grimlock Are DEAD?}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:Ratchetanimatedeluxe.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Gut doesn't fold down as well as it used to...]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Hammer, wrench, screwdriver, can opener

: First shipping in Wave 2, Ratchet transforms into a stylized ambulance. In robot mode, his "magnets" are simulated by spring-loaded pieces in the underside of his forearms that flip up through his open hands. He also features a veritable arsenal of fixit tools that attach to the undeployed magnets to simulate him holding them, so you too can experience the glee of having the old coot savagely beat someone with a servo-wrench. These tools can store in his backpack in robot mode, but cannot be stored in his vehicle mode.

: The "war wound" on his left forearm is actually a socket into which one may peg the EMP generator included with the deluxe [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] toy. Early releases of the Ratchet toy had the peg slightly too long, forcing the EMP to pop out of the socket. Later releases (basically most everything beyond the original "test market" release) had a shorter peg, allowing the EMP to clip in just fine.

: The original instruction sheet for this toy has an error in step 5, where it depicted the front wheels as staying immobile (i.e., the visible wheel isn't tinted orange), whereas in fact they are part of the front bumper assembly, and swing back in that step along with the bumper.

: This toy would later be [[redeco]]ed to make [[Ratchet (Animated)#Rescue|Rescue Ratchet]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on Deluxe Ratchet at TFU.info]''

*'''Cybertron Mode Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Accessories'': Defibrillator panels

: Cybertron Mode Ratchet is an entirely new mold based upon his many flashbacks. This toy is a timeline impossibility—his chevron is not cracked and he does not have his gut, but he has his war wound. Fortunately, if you stick in the EMP generator from the Lockdown toy, this can all go away.

: This mold will be [[retool]]ed into [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]].

{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|BumperBattler}}
[[Image:BumperBattlers Ratchet toy.JPG|right|300px|thumb|]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Bumper Battlers, 2008)

: An even ''more'' simplified version of Ratchet, the [[Bumper Battlers]] version also features a spring-loaded transformation from ambulance to robot. However, in this instance, when the front bumper of the ambulance mode is pushed in, the spring-loaded roof/sides of the vehicle flip up to reveal a relief of Ratchet's robot mode (complete with magnet-clamps), as well as activating electronic sound effects.

: Pressing his Autobot sigil activates numerous randomly-selected sound effects and original voice samples, including a very disturbing laugh.

{{-}}{{anchor|McD}}
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (McDonald's Happy Meal Toy, 2008)
**''McNumber'': ??

: A simple version of Ratchet with a very simple transformation sequence, this toy was (naturally) part of the McDonald's ''Transformers Animated'' Happy Meal promotion.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/McRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on McDonald's Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Activator}}
[[Image:Ratchetanimatedactivators.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Grampulance.]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Activators, 2008)

: A smaller, simpler version of Ratchet, the [[Activators]] Ratchet toy has a spring-loaded [[autotransformation]] [[gimmick]] that springs him from ambulance mode to robot mode in one easy step.

: Pre-release samples of the toy (used for the stock photography seen on the packaging and in online solicitations) show Activators Ratchet to have an unbroken right crest on his head, contrary to his [[character model]]. The final released version of the toy has the broken crest as he should.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/ActRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Activators Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Rescue}}
[[Image:Animated-toy_RescueRatchet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Lemony-fresh goodness!]]
*'''Rescue Ratchet''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Hammer, wrench, screwdriver, can opener

: A Target-[[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of Deluxe Ratchet in a yellow and light gray. The photo of the toy on the back of the packaging shows a fairly obvious [[homage]] to the [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie]] incarnation of [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], with bright green instead of yellow and movie-inspired zig-zagged stripes, but the toy-as-released is in yellow, using the same tampos as the original ''Animated'' deluxe. He comes in a set with two [[Legends Class|Legends-class]] figures, [[Prowl (Animated)#RescueRatchet|Prowl]] and [[Starscream (Animated)#RescueRatchet|Starscream]]. He retains all of his original toy's [[Gimmick|gimmickry]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/RescueRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Rescue Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VsSunstorm}}
*'''Sunstorm VS Autobot Ratchet''' (multipack, 2009)

: Activators Ratchet was packaged with Voyager [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] in a Target-exclusive multipack. There are no notable differences between this and the original individual release of the toy.

==Trivia==
* The Autobot medical officer was originally conceived as a female robot named [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]].[http://tformers.com/transformers-interview-transformers-animated/8992/news.html] Even after it was decided to make the character male later in development, he retained the name "Red Alert" until executive producer [[Sam Register]] was able to convince Hasbro that "Ratchet" was a more identifable name for the character. However, Ratchet's final design still carries influences from various [[Red Alert (disambiguation)|Red Alert]] incarnations. In particular, [[Derrick J. Wyatt|Derrick Wyatt]] was inspired by the box art for [[Red Alert (G1)|G1 Red Alert's]] [[Red Alert (G1)|Binaltech Asterisk]] incarnation. [http://community.livejournal.com/tf_animated/271043.html#cutid1"]
* The "war wound" on his left arm (seen in his main picture, above) was briefly gone after "The Thrill of the Hunt", apparently representing the replacement of his arm-mounted EMP generator. However, it has since returned in several instances. The "real world" reason is probably the animators sticking to the original animation model. Within story context, he apparently didn't carry the EMP generator around as standard until "[[TransWarped]]", when Prowl (who borrowed it [[A Fistful of Energon|once before]]) notes that he hadn't "taken it into battle since [he] got it back from Lockdown." It later emerges ''from'' the wound in "[[Endgame, Part II]]".
* There is a potential contradiction between "[[The Thrill of the Hunt]]" and "[['Bots of Science]]", as both stories depict Ratchet's right-hand chevron being broken off - by Lockdown's haymaker in the former and Oil Slick's roundhouse in the latter. This could be a continuity error, or it could be the case that Ratchet had his chevron broken on one occasion, repaired it, and then after it was broken a ''second'' time he allowed it to remain broken. It would certainly appear that the comic story took place before the Lockdown encounter, since Ratchet still has his EMP generator in ''Bots of Science''. Curiously though, Ratchet's chevron is shown to already have some kind of crack or weld-line running across it prior to Oil Slick's kick, which could indicate that it was already on the verge of breaking.
* The toys of ''Animated'' Ratchet, [[Ratchet (G1)|Generation 1 Ratchet]] and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Movie Ratchet]] are caught in a web of cross-referencing [[Redeco|redecos]]:
** In 2008, the original Generation 1 Ratchet mold got a green redeco as "Ratchet Emergency Green" in obvious reference to his yellowy-green [[Ratchet (Movie)|movie cousin]].
** About the same time, two of movie Ratchet's toys got a red and white ambulance redeco as "Rescue Ratchet" to ape [[Ratchet (G1)|Generation 1 Ratchet]].
** ''Animated'' Ratchet, his original design already referencing both predecessors with Generation 1 Ratchet's chevron and coloring and movie Ratchet's squiggly EEG symbol, had a further homage to the latter with a yellow redeco as (another) "Rescue Ratchet". You'd think they'd all be too busy patching up wounded 'bots to get so much personal detailing done.
* He can pinch with his magnet-clamps.
* He has microscope lenses which can be activated in either eye.
* His windshield chest can act as an image projector in robot mode.{{storylink|This Is Why I Hate Machines}}
* Seriously, he's not [[Kup (G1)|Kup]].

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm Ratchet at TFU.info]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Medics]]
[[Category:Elderly Transformers]]
[[Category:Toys with sound]]

Megatron Rising - Part 1

2009-09-16T21:30:32Z

24.14.76.202:

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=MegRisingHeadKey.jpg
|caption=Cyber Key power!
|ep=15
|title="Megatron Rising - Part 1"
|airdate=[[March 29]], 2008
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Irineo Maramba]] [[Ciro Nieli]] [[Kentaro Mizuno]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''Prime begins to doubt his leadership abilities as the Decepticons mobilize for a big invasion of Earth.'''

:''German title:'' "'''Megatrons Auferstehung, Teil 1'''" ("Megatron's Resurrection, Part 1")
:''Polish title:'' "'''Powrót Megatrona, Część 1'''" ("The Return of Megatron, Part 1")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:MegRisingBodyLab.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This is what happens when you don't have proper rust-proofing.]]

[[Detroit]] is in the midst of a blizzard, and as Isaac Sumdac starts to repair Megatron's body he comments that they were fortunate to have found it beforehand, while at the same time praising it for being well-constructed enough to withstand 50 years of exposure to the elements. Megatron silently gloats that Cybertronian technology is more powerful than any force on Earth. The bad weather causes a blackout and forces [[Sumdac Tower]] onto its backup generator; when Sumdac decides this will force a delay in the repairs, Megatron alternates between bluster and sweet-talk to try to get his way, but it's no use. Megatron attempts to call Lugnut again for assistance.

Lugnut and Blitzwing have just finished rebuilding themselves (after some squabbling over the last piece) in a distant forest. Starscream mocks them for in-fighting and reminds them that he is their new chosen and sworn sovereign; his two subjects retort that they serve him only under threat, not by choice. At that moment, Megatron successfully contacts Lugnut, whose newly reverential and respectful attitude both pleases and confuses (''but mostly pleases'') Starscream. When Starscream finds out Lugnut "thinks" he's hearing Megatron, the new leader is infuriated, and in his anger almost exposes that fact that it was himself, and not the Autobots, who defeated Megatron in the first place. Megatron orders Lugnut to retrieve the [[AllSpark Key]] and bring it to him; Starscream then notices that, regardless of the source, Lugnut is indeed being contacted by someone. He orders Lugnut and Blitzwing to obey the strange orders for now, while he himself will track the transmissions to their source and see who is trying to undermine his authority.

As the Decepticons move out, the Autobots' hedquarters computer notices their increased activity. The Autobots are worried about a possible full-scale Decepticon invasion. As if Optimus Prime wasn't stressed enough, Bulkhead and Prowl then take the opportunity to finally tell him about the continued survival of the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]]. Prime is furious that his orders were disobeyed, but decides that given the circumstances they should try to use all resources available—but insists that he will lead the new mission to contact the Dinobots.

[[Image:Megatron Rising Sari key taken.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Try all you want kid, Captain Planet ain't coming.]]

Optimus Prime is especially worried about the AllSpark Key, both because Sari can't protect it, and because she once again is using it as a toy (this time for model-plane dogfighting). When he orders her to turn it over, Sari angrily reminds him that she was chosen for this role by the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] itself. Prime then orders Ratchet to magnetically take the Key from her, and, reluctantly, Ratchet obeys. Sari feels heartbroken and betrayed, and flees the base. An upset Bumblebee defends Sari's role as part of the team, to which Optimus responds that since Bumblebee has been such a poor team performer who makes so many mistakes, he isn't a good character witness. Bumblebee retorts that the Autobots' desperate, seemingly hopeless situation means Optimus isn't a good leader—then he leaves in pursuit of Sari. Prime orders Ratchet to take the Key to the [[Autobot ship (Animated)|Autobot spaceship]] beneath Lake Erie, and they all depart.

Sari walks down the street, dejected and pouting about how untrustworthy the Autobots turned out to be. But she's being watched—by Blackarachnia, who abducts the girl and mockingly praises her for seeing the light. Still hoping to cure herself of her techno-organic body, Blackarachnia attempts to bargain with Sari to hand over the AllSpark Key. They exchange "snappy banter" for a while, which leaves Blackarachnia bored. When Sari again mentions how the Autobots no longer trust her, Blackarachnia tells her more about her own sad past and how only the power of the AllSpark can give her back a normal life. Sari seems moved....

[[Image:Megatron Rising 1 Ratchet Blitzwing Key.jpg|left|200px|thumb|YOINK! AHAHAHAHAHA!]]

En route to the Autobot ship, Ratchet is ambushed by Blitzwing and Lugnut, in a battle about as one-sided as Bambi vs. Godzilla. He seems to challenge Blitzwing to a battle to the finish—but the three-faced robot simply freezes Ratchet solid and cracks off his crystallized arm, taking the AllSpark Key with it.

On Dinobot Island, the Autobots are confronted by the Dinobots who—again—are hostile to trespassers. Prime seemingly worsens the situation, as a stranger with a heavy-handed attitude. When their familiar protector Prowl reveals himself and tries to speak, the Dinobots calm down slightly (though Prime is further frustrated to learn the [[Meltdown (Animated)|extent of his troops' misadventures]] on Dinobot Island). But in the end, the Dinobots refuse to help against the Decepticons, saying they don't want to help any robots—they ''fight'' robots. Optimus points out that the Dinobots are robots themselves, prompting them to begin fighting each other. When Ratchet calls and informs Prime of the AllSpark Key's theft, the Autobots return to the mainland. Bulkhead asks what their next course of action is, and Prime admits he doesn't know, thinking that Bumblebee was right about Prime being unfit for command.

[[Image:Megatron rising 1 Starscream freakout.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bumblebee violated rule number 37 of the good guy code: never interrupt the villain during the monologue.]]

Starscream traces the source of Lugnut's messages back to Sumdac Tower. Blasting his way in, he is shocked to find Megatron alive—but regains his composure at the sight of his former leader dismantled and helpless. The two have an elaborately deceptive conversation about loyalty: Megatron knows Starscream betrayed him, but Starscream doesn't know he knows and wants to [[wikipedia:The Incredibles|monologue]] a bit before delivering the final blow. Meanwhile, Bumblebee's search for Sari leads him to the tower; when he spots Starscream through the wrecked wall, he squeezes himself into an elevator and prepares for a one-on-one battle (after using the classic "cellphone interference" ploy to avoid talking to Optimus). Right when Starscream is finally about to finish Megatron off, Bumblebee charges in, stingers blasting wildly—striking Starscream at full force and causing no damage at all. Starscream effortlessly thrashes Bumblebee, more angry at having his monologue interrupted than anything else. During this diversion, Megatron activates some of the lab machinery, propelling both Starscream and Bumblebee out of the lab and onto the tower roof.

[[Image:Megatron Rising head body connect.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Yep. We're boned.]]

Dr. Sumdac rushes in, hearing the disturbance. At first Megatron keeps up his usual act, warning that the Decepticons will be back soon and that he needs his new body immediately. The doctor agrees, trying to repair it as quickly as possible, while Megatron observes the rooftop action on a viewscreen and tries to electrocute Starscream through a spotlight. Lugnut and Blitzwing arrive, with Lugnut praising his leader, belatedly noticing his damaged state. Seeing Megatron, Blitzwing finally understands that Lugnut wasn't crazy. As Sumdac demands to know who they are, Lugnut forces Sumdac to genuflect to Megatron, revealing that Megatron is a Decepticon, who in turn gloats at the sight and how easily he was able to lie to his captor. Before Sumdac can contemplate the seriousness of what he has done, Lugnut drops him into Megatron's hand to witness what will happen. Blitzwing inserts the AllSpark Key into Megatron's head; its power is now his to command. Megatron quickly (''and beautifully'') repairs himself, using metal from the lab as patch-up material when necessary; in the process he steals Sumdac away to an as-yet-undisclosed location.

[[Image:Megatron Rising Megs entrance.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Sheer awesomeness.]]

Up on the roof, Starscream is about to finish off Bumblebee, and down on the street the Autobots are just arriving to try to help, but all are reduced to staring in horror and disbelief as Megatron blasts up into the sky, an armored colossus.

To be continued...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (8)
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (9)
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] (13)
* [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] (14)
* [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] (15)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (2)
* [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (4)
* [[Lugnut]] (5)
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (6)
* [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (12)

|c3=
* [[Isaac Sumdac]] (1)
* [[Sari Sumdac]] (3)

|c4=
*[[Teletran 1]] ()
}}

==Quotes==
'''Lugnut''': And the universe will rejoice! All hail your grand and glorious return! 
'''Starscream''': Okaaay, what's ''his'' malfunction? 
'''Icy Blitzwing''': Technical glitch. It happens. 
'''Random Blitzwing''': A lot, actually! Ahahahaha! 
'''Lugnut''': It is ''not'' a glitch! It is Megatron, and he commands us to deliver him the Key! 
'''Starscream''': Megatron...?! Did you just say Megatron?! Did he just say ''MEGATRON''?! ''THERE IS NO MEGATRON!'' MEGATRON IS OFFLINE! TERMINATED! I DID IT MYSEL—''saw'' it myself.
:—Starscream is a master of subtlety, truly!

"The fate of the Earth and Cybertron hang in the balance and all I've got in my command are a bunch of undisciplined, insubordinate MALFUNCTIONS!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' has quite the bad temper when he's dissatisfied with his troops.

"What's your damage, Prime? Sari has been helping us since the day we got here. She is a part of this team!" 
"Considering your own history of mistakes, Bumblebee, I wouldn't exactly call you a great character witness." 
"Is that right?! Well let me tell ''you'' something, ''Boss-Bot'': Considering the fact that we're stuck on this planet, outnumbered, with no idea on how we're gonna beat an army of Decepticons ready to fry our circuits at any second, I wouldn't exactly call '''you''' a great leader."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Optimus Prime''' exchange harsh words. Ouch.

'''Hothead Blitzwing''': The Key, Autobot! 
'''Ratchet''': You'll have to pry it from my cold, offline servo. 
''[Blitzwing switches to his icy face, freezes Ratchet, then switches to his random face]'' 
'''Random Blitzwing''': Well, it's not exactly offline, but— ''[Rips off Ratchet's arm]'' —it's certainly cold. Ahahahaha! 
:—Blitzwing cheats by stealing the Key from Ratchet instead of fighting for it.

'''Megatron''': Look what the capacitor dragged in. 
'''Starscream''': Megatron?! Alive? And looking... magnificent, as always. 
'''Megatron''': Starscream. How good it is to be reunited with such a ''devoted'' and ''faithful'' subject in my time of need. 
'''Starscream''': I would have come sooner, o grand and illustrious leader, but naturally we all assumed you perished at the hands of the Autobot scum. What... great... joy to discover you did not. 
'''Megatron''': Yes. Delight is written all over your face.
:— '''Starscream''' was happy because he thought he was fooling Megatron. '''Megatron''' was happy because he ''knew'' he was fooling Starscream. So both were pleased.

"'''YOU INTERRUPTED MY SPEECH!'''"
:—'''Starscream''' seriously freaks out when Bumblebee shoots him.

'''Bumblebee''': *after he and Starscream had been tossed onto the roof of Sumdace Tower by a crane arm* Whoa, someone down there likes me.
:-Nah, [[Megatron (Animated)|someone]] just hates Starscream more.

"We have come for our glorious leader, Megatron!" 
"I am here, Lugnut." 
"Oh, Master, I am not worthy! I am not worthy... What happened to your body?" 
"Long story."
:—'''Lugnut''' and '''Megatron''', reunited at last.

'''Icy Blitzwing''': So you didn't have voices in your head. 
'''Random Blitzwing''': You had a head in your head! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
:- Blitzwing discovers the source of Lugnut's 'dimentia'.

'''Lugnut''': I sweared I would not fail you, oh magnificant one! Victory is at hand and now is the time to crush the Autobots into oblivion! 
'''Issac Sumdac''': What are you talking about? Who are you? 
'''Lugnut''': *forces Issac onto his hands and knees with his servo* On your knees, human scum, and bow before the great and glorious Megatron, Supreme Leader of all Decepticons! 
'''Issac Sumdac''': ''Decepticons?'' But, you told me you were an Autobot. 
'''Megatron''': And I hated every moment of that humiliating charade. But no more... 
'''Issac Sumdac''': What, have I done? 
''(Lugnut puts Issac into Megatron's dismembered right hand)'' 
'''Megatron''': Professor Sumdac, you can't go now. Don't you wish to see the completion of that which you helped create?
:—'''Isaac Sumdac''' finally learns the truth, and from '''Megatron''' himself, with a litle assistance from '''Lugnut'''.

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
* When Bulkhead brings up the Dinobots, Optimus says that they were destroyed, "weren't they?" However, the last time the Dinobots were mentioned was in "[[Survival of the Fittest]]", when Optimus thought the Dinobots were ''missing,'' and also suspected they were involved in the kidnapping of Sari. He has no known reason to think they were ''destroyed.''

* Not so much an error as just an oddity: When Starscream stands over a dangling Bumblebee on the Sumdac Tower rooftop, Megatron sends a power surge through a roof fixture and zaps Starscream. When the scene cuts back to the roof a few minutes later, Bumblebee's back on the roof, which he likely managed while Starscream was stunned, and Screamer's confronting him again. However, with no time given for them to talk or react about the transition, the previous roof scene may as well not have happened.

===Animation errors===
[[Image:Sari's leg.jpg|right|200px|thumb|It's a new fashion trend.]]
* The [[Scale|size of Megatron's head]] fluctuates greatly between scenes, often appearing gigantic even compared to large characters.

* While Prime is shouting at the other 'Bots his insignia starts where it should be, on his shoulder. But as he gestures it seems to rotate around to the underside of his arm.

* When Sari is telling Blackarachnia about the Autobots taking away the AllSpark Key, her right leg is drawn awkwardly... almost as if it's growing out of her skirt. Though this is very likely in order to prevent a [[Teletraan 15|pre-teen panty shot]].

* After Ratchet reports to Prime that he lost the AllSpark Key, his EMP blaster wound briefly disappears as he lowers his arm.

* Starscream's Decepticon insignia is occasionally upside-down.

* Optimus has two lights on each shoulder, when he admits he was out of line and says about repairing friendships, he raises his fist hiding one of these lights, but when his fist goes down, the light he is hiding has vanished.

===Transformers references===
* Prime finally refers to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] by that name.

===Real-world references===
* Ratchet's remark to Blitzwing about prying the AllSpark Key "from his cold, offline servo" is a reference to an [[wikipedia:I'll give you my gun when you take it from my cold, dead hands"|NRA slogan]] made famous in a speech by [[wikipedia:Charlton Heston|Charlton Heston]]. Coincidentally, exactly one week after this episode aired, Heston went up to that grand old shooting range in the sky.

===Trivia===
* The Decepticon symbol on Megatron's body that was so clear [[Nature Calls|last episode]] is nowhere to be seen now. Of course, neither is the chestplate it resided on.

* The R/C Plane Sari was flying resembles a MiG-15 Fighter.

* We learn that Prowl and Bulkhead not only didn't tell Prime that the Dinobots were still around, but also didn't tell him that [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]] was the one behind Sari's kidnapping in "[[Survival of the Fittest]]". So, when they returned with Sari after the events of that episode, they apparently told him ''none'' of the truth. What ''did'' they tell him?

* Apparently, when Optimus is '''really''' ticked off and breathing heavy, his engine audibly revs.

* This is the first episode in which we see an extended transformation sequence for Starscream.

* When Megatron's energized body sends out cables to its detached hand, in which Prof. Sumdac is sitting, the hand grips around Sumdac, then is yanked under the flooring and over to the body, where it opens back up—with Sumdac no longer within it. (Nothing up Megatron's sleeve!)

* At one point during Starscream's transformation, he strongly resembles the Gerwalk mode of the [http://www.new-un-spacy.com/macrossplus/yf-19.htm YF-19 Alpha One] from the anime ''[[wikipedia:Macross Plus|Macross Plus]],'' one of the apparent influences for his alternate mode.

* It appears that Grimlock has gotten over his hatred of [[Car Robots]], but [[Grimlock (G1)|he still hates Optimus Prime]].

*Being in the Great War must have really toughened Ratchet up, as he expresses no pain or shock at the fact that he gets his servo ripped off by [[Blitzwing (Animated)|some mad Decepticon]]. Hardcore.

==External links==
* [http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/video/dlink/index.html?episodeID=8a25c3921fc6a295011fc9874cd600ef "Megatron Rising - Part 1" streaming video at Cartoon Network] (link functional until 3/03/10)

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Megatron Rising - Part 1

2009-09-16T21:29:10Z

24.14.76.202:

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=MegRisingHeadKey.jpg
|caption=Cyber Key power!
|ep=15
|title="Megatron Rising - Part 1"
|airdate=[[March 29]], 2008
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Irineo Maramba]] [[Ciro Nieli]] [[Kentaro Mizuno]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''Prime begins to doubt his leadership abilities as the Decepticons mobilize for a big invasion of Earth.'''

:''German title:'' "'''Megatrons Auferstehung, Teil 1'''" ("Megatron's Resurrection, Part 1")
:''Polish title:'' "'''Powrót Megatrona, Część 1'''" ("The Return of Megatron, Part 1")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:MegRisingBodyLab.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This is what happens when you don't have proper rust-proofing.]]

[[Detroit]] is in the midst of a blizzard, and as Isaac Sumdac starts to repair Megatron's body he comments that they were fortunate to have found it beforehand, while at the same time praising it for being well-constructed enough to withstand 50 years of exposure to the elements. Megatron silently gloats that Cybertronian technology is more powerful than any force on Earth. The bad weather causes a blackout and forces [[Sumdac Tower]] onto its backup generator; when Sumdac decides this will force a delay in the repairs, Megatron alternates between bluster and sweet-talk to try to get his way, but it's no use. Megatron attempts to call Lugnut again for assistance.

Lugnut and Blitzwing have just finished rebuilding themselves (after some squabbling over the last piece) in a distant forest. Starscream mocks them for in-fighting and reminds them that he is their new chosen and sworn sovereign; his two subjects retort that they serve him only under threat, not by choice. At that moment, Megatron successfully contacts Lugnut, whose newly reverential and respectful attitude both pleases and confuses (''but mostly pleases'') Starscream. When Starscream finds out Lugnut "thinks" he's hearing Megatron, the new leader is infuriated, and in his anger almost exposes that fact that it was himself, and not the Autobots, who defeated Megatron in the first place. Megatron orders Lugnut to retrieve the [[AllSpark Key]] and bring it to him; Starscream then notices that, regardless of the source, Lugnut is indeed being contacted by someone. He orders Lugnut and Blitzwing to obey the strange orders for now, while he himself will track the transmissions to their source and see who is trying to undermine his authority.

As the Decepticons move out, the Autobots' hedquarters computer notices their increased activity. The Autobots are worried about a possible full-scale Decepticon invasion. As if Optimus Prime wasn't stressed enough, Bulkhead and Prowl then take the opportunity to finally tell him about the continued survival of the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]]. Prime is furious that his orders were disobeyed, but decides that given the circumstances they should try to use all resources available—but insists that he will lead the new mission to contact the Dinobots.

[[Image:Megatron Rising Sari key taken.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Try all you want kid, Captain Planet ain't coming.]]

Optimus Prime is especially worried about the AllSpark Key, both because Sari can't protect it, and because she once again is using it as a toy (this time for model-plane dogfighting). When he orders her to turn it over, Sari angrily reminds him that she was chosen for this role by the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] itself. Prime then orders Ratchet to magnetically take the Key from her, and, reluctantly, Ratchet obeys. Sari feels heartbroken and betrayed, and flees the base. An upset Bumblebee defends Sari's role as part of the team, to which Optimus responds that since Bumblebee has been such a poor team performer who makes so many mistakes, he isn't a good character witness. Bumblebee retorts that the Autobots' desperate, seemingly hopeless situation means Optimus isn't a good leader—then he leaves in pursuit of Sari. Prime orders Ratchet to take the Key to the [[Autobot ship (Animated)|Autobot spaceship]] beneath Lake Erie, and they all depart.

Sari walks down the street, dejected and pouting about how untrustworthy the Autobots turned out to be. But she's being watched—by Blackarachnia, who abducts the girl and mockingly praises her for seeing the light. Still hoping to cure herself of her techno-organic body, Blackarachnia attempts to bargain with Sari to hand over the AllSpark Key. They exchange "snappy banter" for a while, which leaves Blackarachnia bored. When Sari again mentions how the Autobots no longer trust her, Blackarachnia tells her more about her own sad past and how only the power of the AllSpark can give her back a normal life. Sari seems moved....

[[Image:Megatron Rising 1 Ratchet Blitzwing Key.jpg|left|200px|thumb|YOINK! AHAHAHAHAHA!]]

En route to the Autobot ship, Ratchet is ambushed by Blitzwing and Lugnut, in a battle about as one-sided as Bambi vs. Godzilla. He seems to challenge Blitzwing to a battle to the finish—but the three-faced robot simply freezes Ratchet solid and cracks off his crystallized arm, taking the AllSpark Key with it.

On Dinobot Island, the Autobots are confronted by the Dinobots who—again—are hostile to trespassers. Prime seemingly worsens the situation, as a stranger with a heavy-handed attitude. When their familiar protector Prowl reveals himself and tries to speak, the Dinobots calm down slightly (though Prime is further frustrated to learn the [[Meltdown (Animated)|extent of his troops' misadventures]] on Dinobot Island). But in the end, the Dinobots refuse to help against the Decepticons, saying they don't want to help any robots—they ''fight'' robots. Optimus points out that the Dinobots are robots themselves, prompting them to begin fighting each other. When Ratchet calls and informs Prime of the AllSpark Key's theft, the Autobots return to the mainland. Bulkhead asks what their next course of action is, and Prime admits he doesn't know, thinking that Bumblebee was right about Prime being unfit for command.

[[Image:Megatron rising 1 Starscream freakout.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bumblebee violated rule number 37 of the good guy code: never interrupt the villain during the monologue.]]

Starscream traces the source of Lugnut's messages back to Sumdac Tower. Blasting his way in, he is shocked to find Megatron alive—but regains his composure at the sight of his former leader dismantled and helpless. The two have an elaborately deceptive conversation about loyalty: Megatron knows Starscream betrayed him, but Starscream doesn't know he knows and wants to [[wikipedia:The Incredibles|monologue]] a bit before delivering the final blow. Meanwhile, Bumblebee's search for Sari leads him to the tower; when he spots Starscream through the wrecked wall, he squeezes himself into an elevator and prepares for a one-on-one battle (after using the classic "cellphone interference" ploy to avoid talking to Optimus). Right when Starscream is finally about to finish Megatron off, Bumblebee charges in, stingers blasting wildly—striking Starscream at full force and causing no damage at all. Starscream effortlessly thrashes Bumblebee, more angry at having his monologue interrupted than anything else. During this diversion, Megatron activates some of the lab machinery, propelling both Starscream and Bumblebee out of the lab and onto the tower roof.

[[Image:Megatron Rising head body connect.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Yep. We're boned.]]

Dr. Sumdac rushes in, hearing the disturbance. At first Megatron keeps up his usual act, warning that the Decepticons will be back soon and that he needs his new body immediately. The doctor agrees, trying to repair it as quickly as possible, while Megatron observes the rooftop action on a viewscreen and tries to electrocute Starscream through a spotlight. Lugnut and Blitzwing arrive, with Lugnut praising his leader, belatedly noticing his damaged state. Seeing Megatron, Blitzwing finally understands that Lugnut wasn't crazy. As Sumdac demands to know who they are, Lugnut forces Sumdac to genuflect to Megatron, revealing that Megatron is a Decepticon, who in turn gloats at the sight and how easily he was able to lie to his captor. Before Sumdac can contemplate the seriousness of what he has done, Lugnut drops him into Megatron's hand to witness what will happen. Blitzwing inserts the AllSpark Key into Megatron's head; its power is now his to command. Megatron quickly (''and beautifully'') repairs himself, using metal from the lab as patch-up material when necessary; in the process he steals Sumdac away to an as-yet-undisclosed location.

[[Image:Megatron Rising Megs entrance.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Sheer awesomeness.]]

Up on the roof, Starscream is about to finish off Bumblebee, and down on the street the Autobots are just arriving to try to help, but all are reduced to staring in horror and disbelief as Megatron blasts up into the sky, an armored colossus.

To be continued...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (8)
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (9)
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] (13)
* [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] (14)
* [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] (15)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (2)
* [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (4)
* [[Lugnut]] (5)
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (6)
* [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (12)

|c3=
* [[Isaac Sumdac]] (1)
* [[Sari Sumdac]] (3)

|c4=
*[[Teletran 1]] ()
}}

==Quotes==
'''Lugnut''': And the universe will rejoice! All hail your grand and glorious return! 
'''Starscream''': Okaaay, what's ''his'' malfunction? 
'''Icy Blitzwing''': Technical glitch. It happens. 
'''Random Blitzwing''': A lot, actually! Ahahahaha! 
'''Lugnut''': It is ''not'' a glitch! It is Megatron, and he commands us to deliver him the Key! 
'''Starscream''': Megatron...?! Did you just say Megatron?! Did he just say ''MEGATRON''?! ''THERE IS NO MEGATRON!'' MEGATRON IS OFFLINE! TERMINATED! I DID IT MYSEL—''saw'' it myself.
:—Starscream is a master of subtlety, truly!

"The fate of the Earth and Cybertron hang in the balance and all I've got in my command are a bunch of undisciplined, insubordinate MALFUNCTIONS!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' has quite the bad temper when he's dissatisfied with his troops.

"What's your damage, Prime? Sari has been helping us since the day we got here. She is a part of this team!" 
"Considering your own history of mistakes, Bumblebee, I wouldn't exactly call you a great character witness." 
"Is that right?! Well let me tell ''you'' something, ''Boss-Bot'': Considering the fact that we're stuck on this planet, outnumbered, with no idea on how we're gonna beat an army of Decepticons ready to fry our circuits at any second, I wouldn't exactly call '''you''' a great leader."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Optimus Prime''' exchange harsh words. Ouch.

'''Hothead Blitzwing''': The Key, Autobot! 
'''Ratchet''': You'll have to pry it from my cold, offline servo. 
''[Blitzwing switches to his icy face, freezes Ratchet, then switches to his random face]'' 
'''Random Blitzwing''': Well, it's not exactly offline, but— ''[Rips off Ratchet's arm]'' —it's certainly cold. Ahahahaha! 
:—Blitzwing cheats by stealing the Key from Ratchet instead of fighting for it.

'''Megatron''': Look what the capacitor dragged in. 
'''Starscream''': Megatron?! Alive? And looking... magnificent, as always. 
'''Megatron''': Starscream. How good it is to be reunited with such a ''devoted'' and ''faithful'' subject in my time of need. 
'''Starscream''': I would have come sooner, o grand and illustrious leader, but naturally we all assumed you perished at the hands of the Autobot scum. What... great... joy to discover you did not. 
'''Megatron''': Yes. Delight is written all over your face.
:— '''Starscream''' was happy because he thought he was fooling Megatron. '''Megatron''' was happy because he ''knew'' he was fooling Starscream. So both were pleased.

"'''YOU INTERRUPTED MY SPEECH!'''"
:—'''Starscream''' seriously freaks out when Bumblebee shoots him.

'''Bumblebee''': *after he and Starscream had been tossed onto the roof of Sumdace Tower by a crane arm* Whoa, someone down there likes me.
:-Nah, [[Megatron (Animated)|someone]] just hates Starscream more.

"We have come for our glorious leader, Megatron!" 
"I am here, Lugnut." 
"Oh, Master, I am not worthy! I am not worthy... What happened to your body?" 
"Long story."
:—'''Lugnut''' and '''Megatron''', reunited at last.

'''Icy Blitzwing''': So you didn't have voices in your head.
'''Random Blitzwing''': You had a head in your head! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
:- Blitzwing discovers the source of Lugnut's 'dimentia'.

'''Lugnut''': I sweared I would not fail you, oh magnificant one! Victory is at hand and now is the time to crush the Autobots into oblivion! 
'''Issac Sumdac''': What are you talking about? Who are you? 
'''Lugnut''': *forces Issac onto his hands and knees with his servo* On your knees, human scum, and bow before the great and glorious Megatron, Supreme Leader of all Decepticons! 
'''Issac Sumdac''': ''Decepticons?'' But, you told me you were an Autobot. 
'''Megatron''': And I hated every moment of that humiliating charade. But no more... 
'''Issac Sumdac''': What, have I done? 
''(Lugnut puts Issac into Megatron's dismembered right hand)'' 
'''Megatron''': Professor Sumdac, you can't go now. Don't you wish to see the completion of that which you helped create?
:—'''Isaac Sumdac''' finally learns the truth, and from '''Megatron''' himself, with a litle assistance from '''Lugnut'''.

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
* When Bulkhead brings up the Dinobots, Optimus says that they were destroyed, "weren't they?" However, the last time the Dinobots were mentioned was in "[[Survival of the Fittest]]", when Optimus thought the Dinobots were ''missing,'' and also suspected they were involved in the kidnapping of Sari. He has no known reason to think they were ''destroyed.''

* Not so much an error as just an oddity: When Starscream stands over a dangling Bumblebee on the Sumdac Tower rooftop, Megatron sends a power surge through a roof fixture and zaps Starscream. When the scene cuts back to the roof a few minutes later, Bumblebee's back on the roof, which he likely managed while Starscream was stunned, and Screamer's confronting him again. However, with no time given for them to talk or react about the transition, the previous roof scene may as well not have happened.

===Animation errors===
[[Image:Sari's leg.jpg|right|200px|thumb|It's a new fashion trend.]]
* The [[Scale|size of Megatron's head]] fluctuates greatly between scenes, often appearing gigantic even compared to large characters.

* While Prime is shouting at the other 'Bots his insignia starts where it should be, on his shoulder. But as he gestures it seems to rotate around to the underside of his arm.

* When Sari is telling Blackarachnia about the Autobots taking away the AllSpark Key, her right leg is drawn awkwardly... almost as if it's growing out of her skirt. Though this is very likely in order to prevent a [[Teletraan 15|pre-teen panty shot]].

* After Ratchet reports to Prime that he lost the AllSpark Key, his EMP blaster wound briefly disappears as he lowers his arm.

* Starscream's Decepticon insignia is occasionally upside-down.

* Optimus has two lights on each shoulder, when he admits he was out of line and says about repairing friendships, he raises his fist hiding one of these lights, but when his fist goes down, the light he is hiding has vanished.

===Transformers references===
* Prime finally refers to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] by that name.

===Real-world references===
* Ratchet's remark to Blitzwing about prying the AllSpark Key "from his cold, offline servo" is a reference to an [[wikipedia:I'll give you my gun when you take it from my cold, dead hands"|NRA slogan]] made famous in a speech by [[wikipedia:Charlton Heston|Charlton Heston]]. Coincidentally, exactly one week after this episode aired, Heston went up to that grand old shooting range in the sky.

===Trivia===
* The Decepticon symbol on Megatron's body that was so clear [[Nature Calls|last episode]] is nowhere to be seen now. Of course, neither is the chestplate it resided on.

* The R/C Plane Sari was flying resembles a MiG-15 Fighter.

* We learn that Prowl and Bulkhead not only didn't tell Prime that the Dinobots were still around, but also didn't tell him that [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]] was the one behind Sari's kidnapping in "[[Survival of the Fittest]]". So, when they returned with Sari after the events of that episode, they apparently told him ''none'' of the truth. What ''did'' they tell him?

* Apparently, when Optimus is '''really''' ticked off and breathing heavy, his engine audibly revs.

* This is the first episode in which we see an extended transformation sequence for Starscream.

* When Megatron's energized body sends out cables to its detached hand, in which Prof. Sumdac is sitting, the hand grips around Sumdac, then is yanked under the flooring and over to the body, where it opens back up—with Sumdac no longer within it. (Nothing up Megatron's sleeve!)

* At one point during Starscream's transformation, he strongly resembles the Gerwalk mode of the [http://www.new-un-spacy.com/macrossplus/yf-19.htm YF-19 Alpha One] from the anime ''[[wikipedia:Macross Plus|Macross Plus]],'' one of the apparent influences for his alternate mode.

* It appears that Grimlock has gotten over his hatred of [[Car Robots]], but [[Grimlock (G1)|he still hates Optimus Prime]].

*Being in the Great War must have really toughened Ratchet up, as he expresses no pain or shock at the fact that he gets his servo ripped off by [[Blitzwing (Animated)|some mad Decepticon]]. Hardcore.

==External links==
* [http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/video/dlink/index.html?episodeID=8a25c3921fc6a295011fc9874cd600ef "Megatron Rising - Part 1" streaming video at Cartoon Network] (link functional until 3/03/10)

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Megatron Rising - Part 1

2009-09-16T21:25:55Z

24.14.76.202:

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=MegRisingHeadKey.jpg
|caption=Cyber Key power!
|ep=15
|title="Megatron Rising - Part 1"
|airdate=[[March 29]], 2008
|written by=[[Marsha Griffin]]
|directed by=[[Irineo Maramba]] [[Ciro Nieli]] [[Kentaro Mizuno]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''Prime begins to doubt his leadership abilities as the Decepticons mobilize for a big invasion of Earth.'''

:''German title:'' "'''Megatrons Auferstehung, Teil 1'''" ("Megatron's Resurrection, Part 1")
:''Polish title:'' "'''Powrót Megatrona, Część 1'''" ("The Return of Megatron, Part 1")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:MegRisingBodyLab.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This is what happens when you don't have proper rust-proofing.]]

[[Detroit]] is in the midst of a blizzard, and as Isaac Sumdac starts to repair Megatron's body he comments that they were fortunate to have found it beforehand, while at the same time praising it for being well-constructed enough to withstand 50 years of exposure to the elements. Megatron silently gloats that Cybertronian technology is more powerful than any force on Earth. The bad weather causes a blackout and forces [[Sumdac Tower]] onto its backup generator; when Sumdac decides this will force a delay in the repairs, Megatron alternates between bluster and sweet-talk to try to get his way, but it's no use. Megatron attempts to call Lugnut again for assistance.

Lugnut and Blitzwing have just finished rebuilding themselves (after some squabbling over the last piece) in a distant forest. Starscream mocks them for in-fighting and reminds them that he is their new chosen and sworn sovereign; his two subjects retort that they serve him only under threat, not by choice. At that moment, Megatron successfully contacts Lugnut, whose newly reverential and respectful attitude both pleases and confuses (''but mostly pleases'') Starscream. When Starscream finds out Lugnut "thinks" he's hearing Megatron, the new leader is infuriated, and in his anger almost exposes that fact that it was himself, and not the Autobots, who defeated Megatron in the first place. Megatron orders Lugnut to retrieve the [[AllSpark Key]] and bring it to him; Starscream then notices that, regardless of the source, Lugnut is indeed being contacted by someone. He orders Lugnut and Blitzwing to obey the strange orders for now, while he himself will track the transmissions to their source and see who is trying to undermine his authority.

As the Decepticons move out, the Autobots' hedquarters computer notices their increased activity. The Autobots are worried about a possible full-scale Decepticon invasion. As if Optimus Prime wasn't stressed enough, Bulkhead and Prowl then take the opportunity to finally tell him about the continued survival of the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]]. Prime is furious that his orders were disobeyed, but decides that given the circumstances they should try to use all resources available—but insists that he will lead the new mission to contact the Dinobots.

[[Image:Megatron Rising Sari key taken.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Try all you want kid, Captain Planet ain't coming.]]

Optimus Prime is especially worried about the AllSpark Key, both because Sari can't protect it, and because she once again is using it as a toy (this time for model-plane dogfighting). When he orders her to turn it over, Sari angrily reminds him that she was chosen for this role by the [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] itself. Prime then orders Ratchet to magnetically take the Key from her, and, reluctantly, Ratchet obeys. Sari feels heartbroken and betrayed, and flees the base. An upset Bumblebee defends Sari's role as part of the team, to which Optimus responds that since Bumblebee has been such a poor team performer who makes so many mistakes, he isn't a good character witness. Bumblebee retorts that the Autobots' desperate, seemingly hopeless situation means Optimus isn't a good leader—then he leaves in pursuit of Sari. Prime orders Ratchet to take the Key to the [[Autobot ship (Animated)|Autobot spaceship]] beneath Lake Erie, and they all depart.

Sari walks down the street, dejected and pouting about how untrustworthy the Autobots turned out to be. But she's being watched—by Blackarachnia, who abducts the girl and mockingly praises her for seeing the light. Still hoping to cure herself of her techno-organic body, Blackarachnia attempts to bargain with Sari to hand over the AllSpark Key. They exchange "snappy banter" for a while, which leaves Blackarachnia bored. When Sari again mentions how the Autobots no longer trust her, Blackarachnia tells her more about her own sad past and how only the power of the AllSpark can give her back a normal life. Sari seems moved....

[[Image:Megatron Rising 1 Ratchet Blitzwing Key.jpg|left|200px|thumb|YOINK! AHAHAHAHAHA!]]

En route to the Autobot ship, Ratchet is ambushed by Blitzwing and Lugnut, in a battle about as one-sided as Bambi vs. Godzilla. He seems to challenge Blitzwing to a battle to the finish—but the three-faced robot simply freezes Ratchet solid and cracks off his crystallized arm, taking the AllSpark Key with it.

On Dinobot Island, the Autobots are confronted by the Dinobots who—again—are hostile to trespassers. Prime seemingly worsens the situation, as a stranger with a heavy-handed attitude. When their familiar protector Prowl reveals himself and tries to speak, the Dinobots calm down slightly (though Prime is further frustrated to learn the [[Meltdown (Animated)|extent of his troops' misadventures]] on Dinobot Island). But in the end, the Dinobots refuse to help against the Decepticons, saying they don't want to help any robots—they ''fight'' robots. Optimus points out that the Dinobots are robots themselves, prompting them to begin fighting each other. When Ratchet calls and informs Prime of the AllSpark Key's theft, the Autobots return to the mainland. Bulkhead asks what their next course of action is, and Prime admits he doesn't know, thinking that Bumblebee was right about Prime being unfit for command.

[[Image:Megatron rising 1 Starscream freakout.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bumblebee violated rule number 37 of the good guy code: never interrupt the villain during the monologue.]]

Starscream traces the source of Lugnut's messages back to Sumdac Tower. Blasting his way in, he is shocked to find Megatron alive—but regains his composure at the sight of his former leader dismantled and helpless. The two have an elaborately deceptive conversation about loyalty: Megatron knows Starscream betrayed him, but Starscream doesn't know he knows and wants to [[wikipedia:The Incredibles|monologue]] a bit before delivering the final blow. Meanwhile, Bumblebee's search for Sari leads him to the tower; when he spots Starscream through the wrecked wall, he squeezes himself into an elevator and prepares for a one-on-one battle (after using the classic "cellphone interference" ploy to avoid talking to Optimus). Right when Starscream is finally about to finish Megatron off, Bumblebee charges in, stingers blasting wildly—striking Starscream at full force and causing no damage at all. Starscream effortlessly thrashes Bumblebee, more angry at having his monologue interrupted than anything else. During this diversion, Megatron activates some of the lab machinery, propelling both Starscream and Bumblebee out of the lab and onto the tower roof.

[[Image:Megatron Rising head body connect.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Yep. We're boned.]]

Dr. Sumdac rushes in, hearing the disturbance. At first Megatron keeps up his usual act, warning that the Decepticons will be back soon and that he needs his new body immediately. The doctor agrees, trying to repair it as quickly as possible, while Megatron observes the rooftop action on a viewscreen and tries to electrocute Starscream through a spotlight. Lugnut and Blitzwing arrive, with Lugnut praising his leader, belatedly noticing his damaged state. Seeing Megatron, Blitzwing finally understands that Lugnut wasn't crazy. As Sumdac demands to know who they are, Lugnut forces Sumdac to genuflect to Megatron, revealing that Megatron is a Decepticon, who in turn gloats at the sight and how easily he was able to lie to his captor. Before Sumdac can contemplate the seriousness of what he has done, Lugnut drops him into Megatron's hand to witness what will happen. Blitzwing inserts the AllSpark Key into Megatron's head; its power is now his to command. Megatron quickly (''and beautifully'') repairs himself, using metal from the lab as patch-up material when necessary; in the process he steals Sumdac away to an as-yet-undisclosed location.

[[Image:Megatron Rising Megs entrance.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Sheer awesomeness.]]

Up on the roof, Starscream is about to finish off Bumblebee, and down on the street the Autobots are just arriving to try to help, but all are reduced to staring in horror and disbelief as Megatron blasts up into the sky, an armored colossus.

To be continued...
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (8)
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (9)
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] (13)
* [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] (14)
* [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] (15)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (2)
* [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (4)
* [[Lugnut]] (5)
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (6)
* [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (12)

|c3=
* [[Isaac Sumdac]] (1)
* [[Sari Sumdac]] (3)

|c4=
*[[Teletran 1]] ()
}}

==Quotes==
'''Lugnut''': And the universe will rejoice! All hail your grand and glorious return! 
'''Starscream''': Okaaay, what's ''his'' malfunction? 
'''Icy Blitzwing''': Technical glitch. It happens. 
'''Random Blitzwing''': A lot, actually! Ahahahaha! 
'''Lugnut''': It is ''not'' a glitch! It is Megatron, and he commands us to deliver him the Key! 
'''Starscream''': Megatron...?! Did you just say Megatron?! Did he just say ''MEGATRON''?! ''THERE IS NO MEGATRON!'' MEGATRON IS OFFLINE! TERMINATED! I DID IT MYSEL—''saw'' it myself.
:—Starscream is a master of subtlety, truly!

"The fate of the Earth and Cybertron hang in the balance and all I've got in my command are a bunch of undisciplined, insubordinate MALFUNCTIONS!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' has quite the bad temper when he's dissatisfied with his troops.

"What's your damage, Prime? Sari has been helping us since the day we got here. She is a part of this team!" 
"Considering your own history of mistakes, Bumblebee, I wouldn't exactly call you a great character witness." 
"Is that right?! Well let me tell ''you'' something, ''Boss-Bot'': Considering the fact that we're stuck on this planet, outnumbered, with no idea on how we're gonna beat an army of Decepticons ready to fry our circuits at any second, I wouldn't exactly call '''you''' a great leader."
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Optimus Prime''' exchange harsh words. Ouch.

'''Hothead Blitzwing''': The Key, Autobot! 
'''Ratchet''': You'll have to pry it from my cold, offline servo. 
''[Blitzwing switches to his icy face, freezes Ratchet, then switches to his random face]'' 
'''Random Blitzwing''': Well, it's not exactly offline, but— ''[Rips off Ratchet's arm]'' —it's certainly cold. Ahahahaha! 
:—Blitzwing cheats by stealing the Key from Ratchet instead of fighting for it.

'''Megatron''': Look what the capacitor dragged in. 
'''Starscream''': Megatron?! Alive? And looking... magnificent, as always. 
'''Megatron''': Starscream. How good it is to be reunited with such a ''devoted'' and ''faithful'' subject in my time of need. 
'''Starscream''': I would have come sooner, o grand and illustrious leader, but naturally we all assumed you perished at the hands of the Autobot scum. What... great... joy to discover you did not. 
'''Megatron''': Yes. Delight is written all over your face.
:— '''Starscream''' was happy because he thought he was fooling Megatron. '''Megatron''' was happy because he ''knew'' he was fooling Starscream. So both were pleased.

"'''YOU INTERRUPTED MY SPEECH!'''"
:—'''Starscream''' seriously freaks out when Bumblebee shoots him.

'''Bumblebee''': *after he and Starscream had been tossed onto the roof of Sumdace Tower by a crane arm* Whoa, someone down there likes me.
:-Nah, [[Megatron (Animated)|someone]] just hates Starscream more.

"We have come for our glorious leader, Megatron!" 
"I am here, Lugnut." 
"Oh, Master, I am not worthy! I am not worthy... What happened to your body?" 
"Long story."
:—'''Lugnut''' and '''Megatron''', reunited at last.

'''Icy Blitzwing''': So you didn't have voices in your head.
'''Random Blitzwing''': You had a head in your head! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
:- Blitzwing discovers the source of Lugnut's 'dimentia'.

'''Lugnut''': I sweared I would not fail you, oh magnificant one! Victory is at hand and now is the time to crush the Autobots into oblivion! 
'''Issac Sumdac''': What are you talking about? Who are you? 
'''Lugnut''': *forces Issac onto his hands and knees with his servo* On your knees, human scum, and bow before the great and glorious Megatron, Supreme Leader of all Decepticons! 
'''Issac Sumdac''': ''Decepticons?'' But, you told me you were an Autobot. 
'''Megatron''': And I hated every moment of that humiliating charade. But no more... 
'''Issac Sumdac''': What, have I done? 
*Lugnut puts Issac into Megatron's dismembered right hand* 
'''Megatron''': Professor Sumdac, you can't go now. Don't you wish to see the completion of that which you helped create?
:—'''Isaac Sumdac''' finally learns the truth, and from '''Megatron''' himself, with a litle assistance from '''Lugnut'''.

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
* When Bulkhead brings up the Dinobots, Optimus says that they were destroyed, "weren't they?" However, the last time the Dinobots were mentioned was in "[[Survival of the Fittest]]", when Optimus thought the Dinobots were ''missing,'' and also suspected they were involved in the kidnapping of Sari. He has no known reason to think they were ''destroyed.''

* Not so much an error as just an oddity: When Starscream stands over a dangling Bumblebee on the Sumdac Tower rooftop, Megatron sends a power surge through a roof fixture and zaps Starscream. When the scene cuts back to the roof a few minutes later, Bumblebee's back on the roof, which he likely managed while Starscream was stunned, and Screamer's confronting him again. However, with no time given for them to talk or react about the transition, the previous roof scene may as well not have happened.

===Animation errors===
[[Image:Sari's leg.jpg|right|200px|thumb|It's a new fashion trend.]]
* The [[Scale|size of Megatron's head]] fluctuates greatly between scenes, often appearing gigantic even compared to large characters.

* While Prime is shouting at the other 'Bots his insignia starts where it should be, on his shoulder. But as he gestures it seems to rotate around to the underside of his arm.

* When Sari is telling Blackarachnia about the Autobots taking away the AllSpark Key, her right leg is drawn awkwardly... almost as if it's growing out of her skirt. Though this is very likely in order to prevent a [[Teletraan 15|pre-teen panty shot]].

* After Ratchet reports to Prime that he lost the AllSpark Key, his EMP blaster wound briefly disappears as he lowers his arm.

* Starscream's Decepticon insignia is occasionally upside-down.

* Optimus has two lights on each shoulder, when he admits he was out of line and says about repairing friendships, he raises his fist hiding one of these lights, but when his fist goes down, the light he is hiding has vanished.

===Transformers references===
* Prime finally refers to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] by that name.

===Real-world references===
* Ratchet's remark to Blitzwing about prying the AllSpark Key "from his cold, offline servo" is a reference to an [[wikipedia:I'll give you my gun when you take it from my cold, dead hands"|NRA slogan]] made famous in a speech by [[wikipedia:Charlton Heston|Charlton Heston]]. Coincidentally, exactly one week after this episode aired, Heston went up to that grand old shooting range in the sky.

===Trivia===
* The Decepticon symbol on Megatron's body that was so clear [[Nature Calls|last episode]] is nowhere to be seen now. Of course, neither is the chestplate it resided on.

* The R/C Plane Sari was flying resembles a MiG-15 Fighter.

* We learn that Prowl and Bulkhead not only didn't tell Prime that the Dinobots were still around, but also didn't tell him that [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]] was the one behind Sari's kidnapping in "[[Survival of the Fittest]]". So, when they returned with Sari after the events of that episode, they apparently told him ''none'' of the truth. What ''did'' they tell him?

* Apparently, when Optimus is '''really''' ticked off and breathing heavy, his engine audibly revs.

* This is the first episode in which we see an extended transformation sequence for Starscream.

* When Megatron's energized body sends out cables to its detached hand, in which Prof. Sumdac is sitting, the hand grips around Sumdac, then is yanked under the flooring and over to the body, where it opens back up—with Sumdac no longer within it. (Nothing up Megatron's sleeve!)

* At one point during Starscream's transformation, he strongly resembles the Gerwalk mode of the [http://www.new-un-spacy.com/macrossplus/yf-19.htm YF-19 Alpha One] from the anime ''[[wikipedia:Macross Plus|Macross Plus]],'' one of the apparent influences for his alternate mode.

* It appears that Grimlock has gotten over his hatred of [[Car Robots]], but [[Grimlock (G1)|he still hates Optimus Prime]].

*Being in the Great War must have really toughened Ratchet up, as he expresses no pain or shock at the fact that he gets his servo ripped off by [[Blitzwing (Animated)|some mad Decepticon]]. Hardcore.

==External links==
* [http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/video/dlink/index.html?episodeID=8a25c3921fc6a295011fc9874cd600ef "Megatron Rising - Part 1" streaming video at Cartoon Network] (link functional until 3/03/10)

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Cyclonus (Animated)

2009-09-08T23:47:34Z

24.14.76.202:

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Cyclonus}}
:''Cyclonus is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:TranswarpedCyclonus.jpg|thumb|right|350px|If I cared about anything, it would be that I don't have [[Galvatron (G1)|him]] for a leader. ]]
'''Cyclonus''' is a dark being wrapped in mystery. His origins are unknown, having appeared on [[New Kaon]] at a point beyond the [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|Great War]]'s end. While he has a cold and harsh personality, he is a nihilist, caring for nothing, believing that nothing matters at all, as he insists that [[Dead End (G1)|''the end is near...'']]

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Image:TranswarpedCyclonusAutobots.jpg|thumb|left|150px|I don't care how cool I look.]]

Battling for the control of a [[Space Bridge]] with [[Team Chaar|his team]], Cyclonus strafed [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)| one]] of the Autobots defending the Bridge before using his twin swords to disable [[Ironhide (Animated)|two]] [[Brawn (Animated)|more]] Autobots with the help of [[Oil Slick (Animated)|a team mate]]. Silently accepting [[Strika (Animated)| his leader's]] orders to secure the area, he ignored the stoic defiance of the Autobot he had strafed before, not even watching it get disabled. It didn't matter to him. When the [[Elite Guard]] arrived and he was given the order to retreat, he did so without complaint. It's not like he cared anyway. {{storylink|TransWarped|TransWarped}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
* ''Animated'' Cyclonus was designed by [[Irineo Maramba]].<ref>[http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/12/marty-isenberg-interview.html Marty Isenberg Interview comments section.]</ref>
* Due to the great similarity between this incarnation of Cyclonus and his ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' counterpart, [[Hasbro]] announced that it will not be designing an ''Animated'' version of the toy.
* A comment made by Derrick J. Wyatt seems to suggest that Cyclonus is from the future, which might explain his dismal outlook.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Cartoon-only characters]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]

Three's a Crowd (episode)

2009-08-30T22:11:48Z

24.14.76.202:

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=TFAni Threes a Crowd Constructicons.jpg
|caption=
|ep=33
|title="Three's a Crowd"
|airdate=[[March 21]], 2009
|written by=[[Rich Fogel]]
|directed by= [[Kalvin Lee]] [[Tetsuro Moronuki]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''Bulkhead seeks the help of the Constructicons for a vital construction project, but, thanks to their new leader, the Constructicons have bigger and deadlier plans.'''

==Synopsis==
At [[Sumdac Tower]], [[Isaac Sumdac]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] are spending the night working to construct a new [[space bridge]], although Isaac is a bit distracted by the damaged [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster unit]] sitting in the lab. Bulkhead is eager to get the job done, but Sumdac is tired, having spent the previous night overriding the signal dampeners he created for the [[Decepticon]]s.

Elsewhere in [[Detroit]], the other Autobots are taking advantage of the overridden dampeners, and are on the trail of a Decepticon energy signature at that very moment. Unfortunately, the Decepticon in question turns out to be [[Lugnut]], who doesn't shy away from a fight, and drops out of the sky on the pursuing Autobots, unleashing his "[[Punch of Kill Everything]]".

Back at Sumdac Tower, Sumdac loads the power core for the space bridge onto a forklift, as Bulkhead fits a few [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] fragments into it in order to give it a boost. When Bulkhead reclines against the core, however, the floor beneath them gives out, and the core, the forklift and the Headmaster unit go tumbling down, taking out a few more floors on their way. Luckily, Sumdac is saved from the fall by Bulkhead's wrecking ball, and retires to bed to recover from the shock. Bulkhead examines the damage, and decides that he knows just the experts to help him fix it... but as he departs, at the bottom of the pit, the Headmaster, the forklift, and the power core begin creeping towards each other, as the familiar glow of an AllSpark fragment lights up the darkness...

[[Image:TFAni Threes a Crowd Stop Hitting Yourself.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Stop hitting yourself. Stop hitting yourself. Stop hitting yourself!]]
Across town, [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] are enjoying the "show" at an automotive disassembly plant when Bulkhead, having tracked them down through their energy signatures, arrives to ask them for help. The two [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] refuse to work for the Autobots, until Bulkhead promises to keep the job "off the books". The trio return to Sumdac Tower, and Scrapper begins clearing the debris when suddenly, something grabs the other end of his shovel. The Constructicons reel in the offending item, which turns out to be a forklift... which promptly transforms into a diminutive robot that introduces itself as [[Dirt Boss (Animated)|Dirt Boss]]. Bulkhead realizes that the forklift has fused with the Headmaster unit and the AllSpark fragment, and the perpetually cranky Dirt Boss quickly announces his intention to take charge of the Constructicons. Scrapper is amused by this prospect, but Dirt Boss brings him around to his way of thinking by launching a shell from his forehead which burrows into Scrapper's head and gives the tiny terror control of Scrapper's motor functions. Bulkhead contacts the other Autobots to inform them of the new problem, but they are too busy battling Lugnut to offer any help. Bulkhead is struggling to figure out what to do when Sumdac appears to find out what the commotion is all about. In order to keep his human friend safe from Dirt Boss, Bulkhead introduces Sumdac as his servant, and barks an order at the scientist to get back to work finishing the [[plasmadynamic thruster]] they require. Sumdac, of course, completely fails to understand Bulkhead's ruse, and becomes genuinely afraid of the big Autobot, scampering off in terror to complete his task. With that taken care of, Dirt Boss announces his plan to take back the city that machines like he helped build, by stealing the its oil. That, as it turns out, is a plan Mixmaster and Scrapper can definitely get behind! The Constructicons commence Dirt Boss's plan by hijacking a tanker truck, but when Bulkhead tries to talk them out of it, Mixmaster turns on him and glues him to the road with a pair of cement galoshes. The evil trio proceed to go on a crime spree, stealing oil from all over the city.
The other Autobots, meanwhile, have managed to get a pair of [[stasis cuffs]] on Lugnut, but find themselves lacking in the physical strength necessary to haul his paralyzed body out of the crater his punch had created earlier. The cable they are using to haul the huge Decepticon soon snap, putting them right back where they started.

[[Image:TFAni Threes a Crowd Lugnut Ratchet.jpg|thumb|right|180px|"Oh, glorious Megatron!! I fear that your humble servant has fallen and can't [[rise up]]!!"]]
Back at the Constructicons' plant, Mixmaster and Scrapper celebrate their successful run of heists by enjoying a tipple, but Dirt Boss promptly smacks the barrels from their hands, telling them they didn't steal the oil to drink it. Bulkhead, meanwhile, is snooping on the Constructicons through a nearby window when Professor Sumdac comes running up to him, with the plasmadynamic thruster completed as requested. Bulkhead struggles to make the human understand that he was merely acting before, but when the Constructicons hear the noise outside and come to investigate, Bulkhead has to start acting again and sends Sumdac away. This time, however, Sumdac has grasped Bulkhead's deception, and eavesdrops as Dirt Boss reveals his plan to blow up fossil fuel refinery, thereby giving him control of the largest supply of oil in the city. Bulkhead decides that he cannot let things go any further and attacks the Constructicons, but when his wrecking ball becomes jammed in Mixmaster's arm-cannon, the three Decepticons simply walk off, dragging the helpless Bulkhead behind them. They soon arrive at the refinery, where Bulkhead is able to give Scrapper and Mixmaster pause by asking them where they'll get any oil to drink if they blow up the refinery. With Mixmaster wavering, Dirt Boss takes control of his body, and orders him to finish Bulkhead off. The resulting fight is a bit on the awkward side, given that the two combatants are stuck together, and Bulkhead is able to open a comm channel to the other Autobots, transmitting the noise of the fight to them. Realizing their friend is in trouble, the other Autobots leave Lugnut lying in his crater, and race off to aid Bulkhead in battle.

The fight between Mixmaster and Bulkhead winds up damaging the refinery's main fuel tank, which begins leaking oil everywhere. Dirt Boss proceeds to remove his control shell from Mixmaster, and plants it in Bulkhead instead, intending to use the Autobot to ignite the oil and send the refinery up in flames. Mixmaster is distressed at this prospect, given that he is still stuck to Bulkhead, but neither Dirt Boss nor Scrapper are particularly bothered.

[[Image:Three'saCrowdConstructiconsOilrefinery.jpg|thumb|left|180px|"Ahhh... brotherly love, don't you see."]]
The other Autobots soon arrive at the refinery and nearly run over Professor Sumdac, who quickly brings them up to speed. Suddenly, Bulkhead comes storming towards the Autobots, whirling his wrecking ball (and Mixmaster) as he and Scrapper follow Dirt Boss's command to attack. Luckily, Ratchet is able to magnetically extract Dirt Boss's control shell, and Bulkhead uses some of the spill oil to loosen his wrecking ball and disconnect himself from Mixmaster. He then hurls the Constructicon at Scrapper, but when the two collide, their metal bodies create a spark that sets the refinery ablaze. Worse yet, Scrapper's fist has become lodged in Mixmaster's chest drum, but as the pair struggle to free themselves from each other so they can make themselves scarce, Dirt Boss leaps on Scrapper's head and takes manual control of his body, refusing to let either of them chicken out. The Constructicons wind up on top of the main fuel tank as the Autobots try to fight the fire below, but it soon becomes apparent that the heroes can't stop the tank from blowing. Sumdac suggests using the plasmadynamic thruster to [[transwarp|TransWarp]] the tank away, and Bulkhead reprograms the device to do the job. Bulkhead hurls the thruster onto the top of the tank, and it and the Constructicons are warped away, materializing just off the shores of [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] seconds before the tank explodes.

With the Constructicon threat dealt with, the Autobots return to the crater to take Lugnut back into custody. Unfortunately, someone has beaten them to it: Lugnut has been liberated by [[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]], who ''promises'' he'll ''never'' speak a word of the whole embarrassing affair.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (6)
* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] (13)
* [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] (14)
* [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] (15)
|c2=
* [[Lugnut]] (7)
* [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] (8)
* [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] (9)
* [[Dirt Boss (Animated)|Dirt Boss]] (10)
* [[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] (16)
|c3=
* [[Isaac Sumdac]] (1)
* [[Sparkplug (Animated human)|Sparkplug]] (11)
* [[Captain Fanzone]] (12)
|c4=

}}

==Quotes==
'''Bulkhead''': These AllSpark fragments should give the power core a boost. 
'''Sumdac''': Be careful, Bulkhead! We don't want to overload it. 
'''Bulkhead''': Relax. When it comes to space bridges, I know what I'm doing. 
''[The floor starts to give way beneath them]'' 
'''Bulkhead''': But I'm not so hot at structural integrity!
:—Bulkhead and Sumdac learn that there are flaws with building a giant space bridge in a tower.

''[Scrapper's shovel catches on something]'' 
'''Mixmaster''': Yo Scrap, what was that? 
'''Scrapper''': I don't know Mix. *transforms to robot mode except for shovel* But it's puttin' up a fight. 
''[Mixmaster grabs Scrapper to help him pull his shovel up]'' 
'''Mixmaster''': Hey, easy up on the clutch, then pop it! 
''[Scrapper hauls up Dirt Boss in forklift mode]''
:-Who-ee! The boys back home will never believe this fish story.

'''Scrapper''': *after hauling up a forklift and returning his shovel to robot mode position* What the slag is that? 
''[forklift transforms into Dirt Boss's robot mode in transformation sequence]'' 
'''Bulkhead''': If I had to guess, a forklift, a Headmaster unit, an Allspark fragment, and a whole lot of trouble.
:-Dirt Boss transforms for the first time and Bulkhead makes a very accurate guess.

'''Dirt Boss''': *after transforming for the first time* What are you cogs looking at? You want a piece of me? Try it and you'll be going to the scrapyard in a cracker box. 
'''Bulkhead''': Whoa! Someone's got a big chip on their engine block. 
'''Dirt Boss''': You ever tried working for a livin', tiny? Takin' orders from the man? "Move this! Move that!" Well, forget about that! I'm in charge now! 
'''Scrapper''': *laughs and whispers to Mixmaster* Who stalled and made him boss? 
'''Dirt Boss''': That's ''Dirt Boss'' to you! Ya got a problem with that? *fires cerebro-shell into Scrapper's forehead* 
'''Scrapper''': What? No! Ow! 
'''Dirt Boss''': Ya got a problem? *Scrapper hits himself* Ya got a problem? *Scrapper hits himself* Ya got a problem? *Scrapper hits himself* 
:-Dirt Boss introduces himself and establishes his position on the pecking order. Apparently, he's got good hearing too.

"Tell 'em there's a new boss in town: Dirt Boss!"
:—'''Dirt Boss''', every chance he gets.

"Will you slag that annoying little pipsqueak already?!" 
"Who're you calling "pipsqueak", short stuff?
:—'''Dirt Boss''' and '''Bumblebee''' engage in height cracks.

"Oh, I so don't have time for this."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', in desperate need of some leave.

"Uh, you promise me you will, ahem, never speak of this to Megatron..." 
"Oh, I promise."
:—'''Lugnut''' and '''Ramjet''' engage in epic foreshadowing of something that, sadly, probably won't be brought up again.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
*Bulkhead is shown with the other Autobots as Lugnut crashes to the ground.
*One of the ''[[Detroit Powell Press]]'' editions has a headline typo: "RACKETEERS STRIKES OIL" should read "RACKETEERS STRIKE OIL".
*During Dirt Boss's debut scene, the position of his mouth switches several times from the middle of his face (at the "W" shape) to the bottom, and presumably correct, position.

===Continuity errors===
*When Bulkhead confronts Mixmaster and Scrapper, they speak to Bulkhead as if they remember the events that transpired in "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]", saying that they "don't work for no crankin' Autobots anymore" and referring to Bulkhead as "Bulky". While nothing says they can't have regained those memories by some point, if that's the case, it wasn't shown when this happened.

*More AllSpark fragments are shown in the beginning of the episode, yet all the previously collected pieces the Autobots found were placed into Omega Supreme last season. It's possible the Autobots have found some more since then, off-screen, but it seems an odd thing to omit, plus they would have only had between the end of "[[TransWarped]]" and the start of this episode to do so, which doesn't seem like a long time.

===Transformers references===
[[Image:TFAni Threes a Crowd Sludge Sign.jpg|thumb|right|So cars & trucks ''do'' eat dinosaurs!]]

* At least one Detroit paper is titled the ''Detroit Powell Press''. [[Porter C. Powell]] has corporate investments everywhere, it seems.

* The Headmaster unit was recovered [[TransWarped|last episode]].

* The [[Fossil Fuel]] Oil Company's logo is [[Generation 1]] [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] doing an impression of the [[wikipedia:Sinclair Oil Corporation|Sinclair Oil]] logo.

* This isn't the first series to have [[Space bridge#Generation 1 cartoon|a space bridge in a tower.]]

* Several dockworkers are dressed in the standard Generation 1 cartoon [[Hard hat|costume]].

===Real-world references===
*The ''Detroit Powell Press'' is a reference to a real-life Detroit paper, the ''Detroit Free Press''. Minus the freedom.

*Scrapper and Mixmaster are found drinking heavily in a manufacturing plant that is deconstructing luxury cars piece by piece. Striptease, anyone?

*The climactic scene with Dirt Boss on top of the oil tank is closely based on the ending of the gangster movie ''[[Wikipedia:White Heat|White Heat]]''.

===Trivia===
* The Detroit newspaper business is incredible; within what is apparently a single night of Constructicon rampage, the ''Detroit Powell Press'' puts out three separate editions announcing the new threat. Either that, or the Autobots spend a ''long'' time focusing on hauling Lugnut out of his crater and nothing else. (Though really, it's impressive that newspapers even still ''exist'' in the future...)

*It appears that Lugnut has accepted [[Starscream clone|Starscream's clones]] (or at least Ramjet) as part of the main Decepticon force. Apparently, being Starscream's duplicate is fine as long as you worship the GLORIOUS Megatron.

* What ''exactly'' did Dirt Boss hope to accomplish by climbing up to the top of the oil tank, again?

* An exploding oil tank in the middle of Lake Erie is probably going to be a real mess, isn't it?

* There is also a Decepticon forklift named [[Dirt Boss (ROTF)|Dirt Boss]] in the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|toyline]]. This is supposedly completely coincidental.

* This episode marks the final appearance of Mixmaster.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Three's a Crowd (episode)

2009-08-30T22:06:21Z

24.14.76.202:

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=TFAni Threes a Crowd Constructicons.jpg
|caption=
|ep=33
|title="Three's a Crowd"
|airdate=[[March 21]], 2009
|written by=[[Rich Fogel]]
|directed by= [[Kalvin Lee]] [[Tetsuro Moronuki]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''Bulkhead seeks the help of the Constructicons for a vital construction project, but, thanks to their new leader, the Constructicons have bigger and deadlier plans.'''

==Synopsis==
At [[Sumdac Tower]], [[Isaac Sumdac]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] are spending the night working to construct a new [[space bridge]], although Isaac is a bit distracted by the damaged [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster unit]] sitting in the lab. Bulkhead is eager to get the job done, but Sumdac is tired, having spent the previous night overriding the signal dampeners he created for the [[Decepticon]]s.

Elsewhere in [[Detroit]], the other Autobots are taking advantage of the overridden dampeners, and are on the trail of a Decepticon energy signature at that very moment. Unfortunately, the Decepticon in question turns out to be [[Lugnut]], who doesn't shy away from a fight, and drops out of the sky on the pursuing Autobots, unleashing his "[[Punch of Kill Everything]]".

Back at Sumdac Tower, Sumdac loads the power core for the space bridge onto a forklift, as Bulkhead fits a few [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]] fragments into it in order to give it a boost. When Bulkhead reclines against the core, however, the floor beneath them gives out, and the core, the forklift and the Headmaster unit go tumbling down, taking out a few more floors on their way. Luckily, Sumdac is saved from the fall by Bulkhead's wrecking ball, and retires to bed to recover from the shock. Bulkhead examines the damage, and decides that he knows just the experts to help him fix it... but as he departs, at the bottom of the pit, the Headmaster, the forklift, and the power core begin creeping towards each other, as the familiar glow of an AllSpark fragment lights up the darkness...

[[Image:TFAni Threes a Crowd Stop Hitting Yourself.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Stop hitting yourself. Stop hitting yourself. Stop hitting yourself!]]
Across town, [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] are enjoying the "show" at an automotive disassembly plant when Bulkhead, having tracked them down through their energy signatures, arrives to ask them for help. The two [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] refuse to work for the Autobots, until Bulkhead promises to keep the job "off the books". The trio return to Sumdac Tower, and Scrapper begins clearing the debris when suddenly, something grabs the other end of his shovel. The Constructicons reel in the offending item, which turns out to be a forklift... which promptly transforms into a diminutive robot that introduces itself as [[Dirt Boss (Animated)|Dirt Boss]]. Bulkhead realizes that the forklift has fused with the Headmaster unit and the AllSpark fragment, and the perpetually cranky Dirt Boss quickly announces his intention to take charge of the Constructicons. Scrapper is amused by this prospect, but Dirt Boss brings him around to his way of thinking by launching a shell from his forehead which burrows into Scrapper's head and gives the tiny terror control of Scrapper's motor functions. Bulkhead contacts the other Autobots to inform them of the new problem, but they are too busy battling Lugnut to offer any help. Bulkhead is struggling to figure out what to do when Sumdac appears to find out what the commotion is all about. In order to keep his human friend safe from Dirt Boss, Bulkhead introduces Sumdac as his servant, and barks an order at the scientist to get back to work finishing the [[plasmadynamic thruster]] they require. Sumdac, of course, completely fails to understand Bulkhead's ruse, and becomes genuinely afraid of the big Autobot, scampering off in terror to complete his task. With that taken care of, Dirt Boss announces his plan to take back the city that machines like he helped build, by stealing the its oil. That, as it turns out, is a plan Mixmaster and Scrapper can definitely get behind! The Constructicons commence Dirt Boss's plan by hijacking a tanker truck, but when Bulkhead tries to talk them out of it, Mixmaster turns on him and glues him to the road with a pair of cement galoshes. The evil trio proceed to go on a crime spree, stealing oil from all over the city.
The other Autobots, meanwhile, have managed to get a pair of [[stasis cuffs]] on Lugnut, but find themselves lacking in the physical strength necessary to haul his paralyzed body out of the crater his punch had created earlier. The cable they are using to haul the huge Decepticon soon snap, putting them right back where they started.

[[Image:TFAni Threes a Crowd Lugnut Ratchet.jpg|thumb|right|180px|"Oh, glorious Megatron!! I fear that your humble servant has fallen and can't [[rise up]]!!"]]
Back at the Constructicons' plant, Mixmaster and Scrapper celebrate their successful run of heists by enjoying a tipple, but Dirt Boss promptly smacks the barrels from their hands, telling them they didn't steal the oil to drink it. Bulkhead, meanwhile, is snooping on the Constructicons through a nearby window when Professor Sumdac comes running up to him, with the plasmadynamic thruster completed as requested. Bulkhead struggles to make the human understand that he was merely acting before, but when the Constructicons hear the noise outside and come to investigate, Bulkhead has to start acting again and sends Sumdac away. This time, however, Sumdac has grasped Bulkhead's deception, and eavesdrops as Dirt Boss reveals his plan to blow up fossil fuel refinery, thereby giving him control of the largest supply of oil in the city. Bulkhead decides that he cannot let things go any further and attacks the Constructicons, but when his wrecking ball becomes jammed in Mixmaster's arm-cannon, the three Decepticons simply walk off, dragging the helpless Bulkhead behind them. They soon arrive at the refinery, where Bulkhead is able to give Scrapper and Mixmaster pause by asking them where they'll get any oil to drink if they blow up the refinery. With Mixmaster wavering, Dirt Boss takes control of his body, and orders him to finish Bulkhead off. The resulting fight is a bit on the awkward side, given that the two combatants are stuck together, and Bulkhead is able to open a comm channel to the other Autobots, transmitting the noise of the fight to them. Realizing their friend is in trouble, the other Autobots leave Lugnut lying in his crater, and race off to aid Bulkhead in battle.

The fight between Mixmaster and Bulkhead winds up damaging the refinery's main fuel tank, which begins leaking oil everywhere. Dirt Boss proceeds to remove his control shell from Mixmaster, and plants it in Bulkhead instead, intending to use the Autobot to ignite the oil and send the refinery up in flames. Mixmaster is distressed at this prospect, given that he is still stuck to Bulkhead, but neither Dirt Boss nor Scrapper are particularly bothered.

[[Image:Three'saCrowdConstructiconsOilrefinery.jpg|thumb|left|180px|"Ahhh... brotherly love, don't you see."]]
The other Autobots soon arrive at the refinery and nearly run over Professor Sumdac, who quickly brings them up to speed. Suddenly, Bulkhead comes storming towards the Autobots, whirling his wrecking ball (and Mixmaster) as he and Scrapper follow Dirt Boss's command to attack. Luckily, Ratchet is able to magnetically extract Dirt Boss's control shell, and Bulkhead uses some of the spill oil to loosen his wrecking ball and disconnect himself from Mixmaster. He then hurls the Constructicon at Scrapper, but when the two collide, their metal bodies create a spark that sets the refinery ablaze. Worse yet, Scrapper's fist has become lodged in Mixmaster's chest drum, but as the pair struggle to free themselves from each other so they can make themselves scarce, Dirt Boss leaps on Scrapper's head and takes manual control of his body, refusing to let either of them chicken out. The Constructicons wind up on top of the main fuel tank as the Autobots try to fight the fire below, but it soon becomes apparent that the heroes can't stop the tank from blowing. Sumdac suggests using the plasmadynamic thruster to [[transwarp|TransWarp]] the tank away, and Bulkhead reprograms the device to do the job. Bulkhead hurls the thruster onto the top of the tank, and it and the Constructicons are warped away, materializing just off the shores of [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] seconds before the tank explodes.

With the Constructicon threat dealt with, the Autobots return to the crater to take Lugnut back into custody. Unfortunately, someone has beaten them to it: Lugnut has been liberated by [[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]], who ''promises'' he'll ''never'' speak a word of the whole embarrassing affair.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (6)
* [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] (13)
* [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]] (14)
* [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] (15)
|c2=
* [[Lugnut]] (7)
* [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] (8)
* [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] (9)
* [[Dirt Boss (Animated)|Dirt Boss]] (10)
* [[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] (16)
|c3=
* [[Isaac Sumdac]] (1)
* [[Sparkplug (Animated human)|Sparkplug]] (11)
* [[Captain Fanzone]] (12)
|c4=

}}

==Quotes==
'''Bulkhead''': These AllSpark fragments should give the power core a boost. 
'''Sumdac''': Be careful, Bulkhead! We don't want to overload it. 
'''Bulkhead''': Relax. When it comes to space bridges, I know what I'm doing. 
''[The floor starts to give way beneath them]'' 
'''Bulkhead''': But I'm not so hot at structural integrity!
:—Bulkhead and Sumdac learn that there are flaws with building a giant space bridge in a tower.

''(Scrapper's shovel catches on something)'' 
'''Mixmaster''': Yo Scrap, what was that? 
'''Scrapper''': I don't know Mix. *transforms to robot mode except for shovel* But it's puttin' up a fight. 
''(Mixmaster grabs Scrapper to help him pull his shovel up)'' 
'''Mixmaster''': Hey, easy up on the clutch, then pop it! 
''(Scrapper hauls up Dirt Boss in forklift mode)''
:-Who-ee! The boys back home will never believe this fish story.

'''Scrapper''': *after hauling up a forklift and returning his shovel to robot mode position* What the slag is that? 
''(forklift transforms into Dirt Boss's robot mode in transformation sequence)'' 
'''Bulkhead''': If I had to guess, a forklift, a Headmaster unit, an Allspark fragment, and a whole lot of trouble.
:-Dirt Boss transforms for the first time and Bulkhead makes a very accurate guess.

'''Dirt Boss''': *after transforming for the first time* What are you cogs looking at? You want a piece of me? Try it and you'll be going to the scrapyard in a cracker box. 
'''Bulkhead''': Whoa! Someone's got a big chip on their engine block. 
'''Dirt Boss''': You ever tried working for a livin', tiny? Takin' orders from the man? "Move this! Move that!" Well, forget about that! I'm in charge now! 
'''Scrapper''': *laughs and whispers to Mixmaster* Who stalled and made him boss? 
'''Dirt Boss''': That's ''Dirt Boss'' to you! Ya got a problem with that? *fires cerebro-shell into Scrapper's forehead* 
'''Scrapper''': What? No! Ow! 
'''Dirt Boss''': Ya got a problem? *Scrapper hits himself* Ya got a problem? *Scrapper hits himself* Ya got a problem? *Scrapper hits himself* 
:-Dirt Boss introduces himself and establishes his position on the pecking order. Apparently, he's got good hearing too.

"Tell 'em there's a new boss in town: Dirt Boss!"
:—'''Dirt Boss''', every chance he gets.

"Will you slag that annoying little pipsqueak already?!" 
"Who're you calling "pipsqueak", short stuff?
:—'''Dirt Boss''' and '''Bumblebee''' engage in height cracks.

"Oh, I so don't have time for this."
:—'''Optimus Prime''', in desperate need of some leave.

"Uh, you promise me you will, ahem, never speak of this to Megatron..." 
"Oh, I promise."
:—'''Lugnut''' and '''Ramjet''' engage in epic foreshadowing of something that, sadly, probably won't be brought up again.

==Notes==
===Animation or technical errors===
*Bulkhead is shown with the other Autobots as Lugnut crashes to the ground.
*One of the ''[[Detroit Powell Press]]'' editions has a headline typo: "RACKETEERS STRIKES OIL" should read "RACKETEERS STRIKE OIL".
*During Dirt Boss's debut scene, the position of his mouth switches several times from the middle of his face (at the "W" shape) to the bottom, and presumably correct, position.

===Continuity errors===
*When Bulkhead confronts Mixmaster and Scrapper, they speak to Bulkhead as if they remember the events that transpired in "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]", saying that they "don't work for no crankin' Autobots anymore" and referring to Bulkhead as "Bulky". While nothing says they can't have regained those memories by some point, if that's the case, it wasn't shown when this happened.

*More AllSpark fragments are shown in the beginning of the episode, yet all the previously collected pieces the Autobots found were placed into Omega Supreme last season. It's possible the Autobots have found some more since then, off-screen, but it seems an odd thing to omit, plus they would have only had between the end of "[[TransWarped]]" and the start of this episode to do so, which doesn't seem like a long time.

===Transformers references===
[[Image:TFAni Threes a Crowd Sludge Sign.jpg|thumb|right|So cars & trucks ''do'' eat dinosaurs!]]

* At least one Detroit paper is titled the ''Detroit Powell Press''. [[Porter C. Powell]] has corporate investments everywhere, it seems.

* The Headmaster unit was recovered [[TransWarped|last episode]].

* The [[Fossil Fuel]] Oil Company's logo is [[Generation 1]] [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] doing an impression of the [[wikipedia:Sinclair Oil Corporation|Sinclair Oil]] logo.

* This isn't the first series to have [[Space bridge#Generation 1 cartoon|a space bridge in a tower.]]

* Several dockworkers are dressed in the standard Generation 1 cartoon [[Hard hat|costume]].

===Real-world references===
*The ''Detroit Powell Press'' is a reference to a real-life Detroit paper, the ''Detroit Free Press''. Minus the freedom.

*Scrapper and Mixmaster are found drinking heavily in a manufacturing plant that is deconstructing luxury cars piece by piece. Striptease, anyone?

*The climactic scene with Dirt Boss on top of the oil tank is closely based on the ending of the gangster movie ''[[Wikipedia:White Heat|White Heat]]''.

===Trivia===
* The Detroit newspaper business is incredible; within what is apparently a single night of Constructicon rampage, the ''Detroit Powell Press'' puts out three separate editions announcing the new threat. Either that, or the Autobots spend a ''long'' time focusing on hauling Lugnut out of his crater and nothing else. (Though really, it's impressive that newspapers even still ''exist'' in the future...)

*It appears that Lugnut has accepted [[Starscream clone|Starscream's clones]] (or at least Ramjet) as part of the main Decepticon force. Apparently, being Starscream's duplicate is fine as long as you worship the GLORIOUS Megatron.

* What ''exactly'' did Dirt Boss hope to accomplish by climbing up to the top of the oil tank, again?

* An exploding oil tank in the middle of Lake Erie is probably going to be a real mess, isn't it?

* There is also a Decepticon forklift named [[Dirt Boss (ROTF)|Dirt Boss]] in the ''[[Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|toyline]]. This is supposedly completely coincidental.

* This episode marks the final appearance of Mixmaster.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Bulkhead (Animated)

2009-08-29T01:46:51Z

24.14.76.202:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Bulkhead}}
:''Bulkhead is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:AniBulkheadPromoModel.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] called; he wants his head back.]]
The biggest and strongest of [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]'s crew, '''Bulkhead''' appears to be little more than a big, dumb lummox at first glance. The second and third glances don't do much to improve that impression. Raised on a backwater [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] farm, he joined the Autobot academy to achieve the lofty goal of becoming a lowly [[space bridge]] technician rather than a warrior. He also has an unfortunate tendency to break stuff by accident due to his sheer strength and natural clumsiness. He's wrecked major thoroughfares and toppled skyscrapers in his zeal to be ''helpful''; when he gets angry, he's capable of berserker charges that even the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] have learned to respect and fear. His penchant for being a little too eager to please others and getting a little too emotional at times further leads him to act without thinking. Add in a seeming lack of skills beyond "destruction", and it does not paint a pretty picture.

But despite all these shortcomings, one is hard-pressed to find a bot with a bigger heart, and he has astounding (if sometimes well-hidden) depths. He hates being thought of as the clumsy brute of the team, which has bred a certain amount of careful forethought and cautiousness. He's endlessly loyal to and protective of his friends, especially his best buddy [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and the [[human]] girl [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]], even if their impulsive behavior is sometimes annoying. Since coming to [[Earth]], he has discovered a love of art and the urge to express his true feelings through it. He's not very good at it, but he keeps trying anyways. Perhaps most surprising of all is that he is [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s foremost expert in space bridge technology, even though he may not be able to build one himself without accidentally breaking at least half the components.

{{quote|You guys got it easy. All people want me to do is break stuff. I've got a sensitive side too, you know... but breaking stuff '''is''' kinda fun.|Bulkhead meditates on his lot in life|"[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Bill Fagerbakke]] (English), [[Tilo Schmitz]] (German), [[Ireneusz Załóg]] (Polish)

[[Image:Autobot Cadets.jpg|thumb|left|250px-Autobot Cadets.jpg|Auditions for the new Transformers series are now closed...]]
Bulkhead was originally an energon farmer and attended [[Autobot boot camp]] in order to qualify as a space bridge engineer. It was there that he first met Bumblebee and their trainer, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Minor]]. To begin with, Bumblebee had no interest in being friends with the gentle giant, insulting him with the nickname "mudflap". A friendship blossomed after Bulkhead saved Bumblebee from some "malfunctioning" turrets, dropping a building on Sentinel in the process. In order to prevent Bulkhead from being expelled, 'Bee took the blame, and they both ended up on space bridge detail. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}

[[Image:Ani crew.JPG|250px|thumb|right|ROAD TRIP!!!]]
Eventually, they were placed under [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime's]] command. While repairing a space bridge, the team discovered the long-lost [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]]. However, the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] soon arrived, prompting Bulkhead to mention that he had never seen a Decepticon ship up close. (No one had and lived, as [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] pointed out.) Bulkhead did his best to hang on while the Autobots drove their ship through the space bridge. Coming out of warp, they went headlong toward [[Earth]], and he joined his fellow 'bots in heading into stasis to avoid the impact shock of an unpleasant landing.

After emerging from stasis and his [[reformatting]] into a terrestrial six-wheeled APC, Bulkhead accompanied the other Autobots to investigate a large, cybernetic creature that was menacing the local lifeforms (which they assumed were robots like themselves). Bulkhead requested help from a group of local drones, then noticed [[Sari Sumdac]] trying to take her keycard away from her robot dog, [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]]. Assuming Sari was the pet, Bulkhead greeted her—which promptly sent her running and screaming. Way to make first contact there, big guy.

[[Image:Bulkh alt.JPG|200px|thumb|left|Let's see [[wikipedia:Grave Digger (truck)|Grave Digger]] beat this!]]
After [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] arrived to take the AllSpark, the Autobots engaged him in a fierce game of "Keep-away". At one point, Bulkhead tried to catch the AllSpark, shouting "I got it." Starscream snagged the AllSpark instead, but Bulkhead knocked the [[Seeker (body-type)|Decepticon flier]] out of the air with his wrecking ball, causing him to drop the AllSpark. It's not nice to contradict Bulkhead. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

Later, in Autobot HQ, he said he had some problems, because all humans want from him is to break stuff. After all, he had his sensitive side as well (even if breaking stuff was fun). When [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] attacked the Autobots' base, Bulkhead got in touch with his inner breaker, confirming that smashing stuff IS fun! Megatron had different plans for him, though, and Bulkhead discovered it's not as much fun to BE smashed. After Bulkhead was saved, he tried to catch a [[Pocketbot|tiny machine]] that looked like it might be the culprit. Prime hoped to study it and find out where it came from, but Bulkhead smashed the little critter to pieces when he grabbed it. {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is}}

[[Image:TFA Blast Past Bulkhead Tutor Bot.JPG|250px|thumb|right|The Pizza's ready!]]
After that [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] tried to train Bulkhead to be more subtle in his actions, to assess a situation, choose the right move, then execute it with grace and precision. This didn't meet with any real success, as Bulkhead's antics damaged the base and caused him to fall on Prowl. Moving to an island in Lake Erie, Bulkhead tried again. He knocked down some trees which fell on Prowl. Things actually got worse when Bulkhead tried to use Prowl's methods against the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]], a trio of animatronics run amok. Prowl wisely advised Bulkhead to stop doing what Prowl would do and instead do what Bulkhead himself would do. Bulkhead quickly discovered that his blunt, powerhouse approach had its place and time for proper use, charging and knocking down [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]], hitting [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] out of the air, and throwing [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] into a pit of molten tar. Afterward, the Dinobots were due to be melted down. However, Prowl suspected the Dinobots were actually alive, not mere machines, so he enlisted Bulkhead's help in secretly transporting them from their prison to the deserted island on Lake Erie. There they could live undisturbed and perhaps get themselves under control. Prowl had realized that just because something was big and lumbering and destructive was no reason to give up on it, and Bulkhead knew just what he meant. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

When Bumblebee had his bout with [[Colossus Rhodes]] that escalated into a parking lot brawl, Bulkhead arrived with the others to stop the mad giant and tease Bumblebee about his size. Bulkhead's size proved a liability when he got caught in an opening in [[Sumdac Tower]]'s defense shield, making him a sitting (but not defenseless) duck for an upgraded Rhodes, using his wrecking ball to send the brute flying. When the shield was deactivated he was the first into the tower, scooping up [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]] in his fist... a very bad mistake, since the villain was made of acid. His action gave the other Autobots time to defeat Meltdown, so it turned out okay. {{storylink|Total Meltdown}}

On a shopping trip for Sari's birthday present, Bulkhead worked with Sari to rein in the pesky [[Professor Princess]]. The next day, Sari's birthday party began poorly, as the guests were all children of Sumdac Industries employees, who found Sari too weird for their tastes. The Autobots' arrival made things a little more interesting, but klutzy Bulkhead soon found himself ignored, alongside Sari, as the kids went for rides with the other Autobots (even Ratchet). Bulkhead wanted to give Sari her gift, a xylophone, but was too embarrassed to do so when he saw Dr. Sumdac's gift, a musical robot named [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]]. For the next several days, Sari's attention was drawn away from her friend as she spent her free time plugging her key into the toy to upgrade it. Bulkhead realized that there was something off about Soundwave, but his attempts to prove it just forced a wedge between Sari and himself. Megatron's machinations to increase the split between them didn't help. It turned out the big guy was right on the money, however, as Soundwave was a creation of Megatron's that gained sentience through the key. Soundwave took control of the machines of Detroit and captured Sari. When Bulkhead came to her rescue, Soundwave attempted to convince Bulkhead of the inferiority of humans. For a few minutes, it seemed Bulkhead was on his side, but with a wink to Sari, he punched Soundwave so hard that the Decepticon shattered into his component parts. Sari apologized, and the pair played with Bulkhead's gift, albeit after Sari nearly broke her hand punching Bulkhead's fist. {{storylink|Sound and Fury}}

Soon afterwards, trouble arrived in the form of [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]]. Answering their challenge, the Autobots confronted the pair in a construction yard. Bulkhead charged Lugnut and the two engaged in a grapple, but even Bulkhead's power wasn't enough against the massive Decepticon, who threw him aside. The second round didn't go too well either, as Lugnut never had a chance to fight before the Decepticons were defeated by the Autobot ship's main cannon. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}}

After Sari was abducted by the Dinobots, Prowl and Bulkhead went to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] to investigate. What they found was Meltdown, who damaged Bulkhead to the point of unconsciousness and trapped Prowl and Fanzone (who had been tailing them) underground. Bulkhead spent the rest of the episode out cold until Sari was able to restore him. On the boat ride home, Sari showed she could take care of herself by kicking Bulkhead, who pretended to be hurt and accidentally fell into the ship's hold. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest}}

[[Image:Caged bulkhead.jpg|200px|thumb|left|And now we know how the caged Bulkhead sings...]]
After destroying a good portion of a city block trying to stop a missile impact, Sari suggested to Bulkhead that he explore his more creative talents to show the citizens of Detroit that he wasn't [[Sixshot|an engine of destruction]]. Bulkhead had difficulty making his creations (his paint brushes kept snapping between his fingers) and panicked when he learned that Sari had arranged an art show for him. (Girl has connections.) While lamenting his lot in life, he was knocked out cold by a sudden electrical surge. When he came back online, he found that his body had been stolen. As Bumblebee attempted to help him finish his art pieces in time for the show, the [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster]] used Bulkhead's body to take control of a solar fusion plant, intending to detonate it unless he was paid a hefty ransom. Optimus used the ransom delivery to sneak the Autobots into the plant, where they defeated the Headmaster and reattached Bulkhead to his body...backwards. As the reactor reached critical, Bulkhead came up with a drone that would set the rods back, but the drone melted in the process. Not to be daunted, Bulkhead added it to his art collection, showing the citizens of Detroit his [[Slog|warzone art]] without them even knowing it. {{storylink|Headmaster (episode)|Headmaster}}

When Decepticon energy signals were detected, the Autobots quickly realized that they were outnumbered. Bulkhead mentioned that the Dinobots might be able to help, not aware that Prowl hadn't told Optimus they had moved them to Dinobot Island. Prime was furious and ordered the two to take him there at once. After searching the island, the Autobots found the Dinobots. They were unwilling to help, so the Autobots left, unsure of their next move. When Bumblebee contacted Prime, saying that Starscream was at Sumdac Tower, he ordered him to stand down. When they arrived at the tower, they saw Bumblebee fighting Starscream. Prime dryly noted that disobeying orders was becoming a habit, but Bulkhead wasn't too insulted.
He was too busy being shocked by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] bursting through Sumdac Tower. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

Quickly regain their composure, Bulkhead charged Megatron, only to have his wrecking ball severed and be thrown into a building. After the short battle, Sumdac told them how he had rebuilt Megatron. Bulkhead sounded as if he was about to crush the professor, but Prime told him that it was unimportant. Using excess key energy in Sumdac's equipment, the Autobots repaired themselves, and Prime apologized for his harsh words. Ratchet and Sari came by in the ship, picking up the Autobots, but they were shot down over Dinobot Island. During the subsequent battle, Bulkhead brought down [[Lugnut]]. The zealous Decepticon was stronger than Bulkhead, but as he activated [[Punch of Kill Everything|his punch]], Bulkhead used his wrecking ball to detonate it, sending Lugnut flying. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

While repairing a damaged overpass, Bulkhead became stuck in some cement, but hid it to avoid being embarrassed. He was nearly destroyed when he used outdated, unstable fixative, but was saved by two newly sentient machines named [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] and [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]]. Once they helped him finish the repair work he'd been doing, Bulkhead reluctantly went with them for an oil break, though he wasn't sure it was okay to take it straight from a tanker ship. He WAS sure the rest of the Autobots would like his new friends. The crass construction workers did not impress the other Autobots, however, and things only got worse when a game of flattened-oil-can frisbee severed Sari's pigtails, leading Prime to evict the two. The next day, Bulkhead went looking for his friends, discovering that they had stolen parts for something Megatron was building. When Bulkhead told them that the Decepticons were [[wikipedia:Men in Black (film)|the scum of the universe]], the two went to challenge the Decepticons, without telling Bulkhead where to find them. The other Autobots were concerned that Scrapper and Mixmaster would sell them out, but Bulkhead still defended them. Unfortunately, the newly dubbed [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] ''did'' side with the Decepticons, taking Bumblebee hostage and demanding the AllSpark fragments the Autobots had. Bulkhead gave them the fragments and a cup of oil for the road, but he had spiked the oil with the outdated fixative from the other day. The subsequent explosion scrambled their memory circuits, and Bulkhead drove the amnesiac Transformers away, admitting that he had been wrong to trust them. {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}}

After [[Wasp]] escaped, Bulkhead tagged along with Bumblebee in an attempt to track a leaked signal, but 'Bee's attitude became unbearable, and Bulkhead stormed off. The kindhearted bot couldn't stay away, however, and helped Bumblebee out of a minor scrape. Bumblebee apologised, but Bulkhead shook it off; their friendship had rock-solid foundations. Reconciled, the two headed back to base, having missed a rather conspicuous mine shaft entrance. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}

Bulkhead later made an abstract painting of Sari in the style of Picasso, but the other Autobots' suggestions ended up ruining the painting. He and Sari took a walk to clear his head, and Bumblebee came and genuinely tried to apologize. This went rather poorly, and got even worse when Megatron arrived. He kidnapped Bulkhead and took him to his base. Megatron revealed that [[Shockwave (Animated)|his double agent]] had learned that Bulkhead was Cybertron's top space bridge technician, and forced Bulkhead to help the Decepticons repair a space bridge they had reverse engineered. If Bulkhead refused, Megatron would use a Headmaster unit to steal his body and kill all of Bulkhead's friends, starting with Professor Sumdac. Bulkhead agreed to help, but Professor Sumdac believed that Bulkhead was trying to sabotage the device, and told Bulkhead to let him give the instructions to avoid sounding preposterous. Furious at everyone doubting his skill, Bulkhead actually ''fixed'' the space bridge, allowing Megatron to teleport the Decepticons to an underdefended Cybertron. See Bulkhead, this is why people don't take you seriously. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

During a three-way battle between the Autobots, the Decepticons, and Starscream's [[Starscream clone|clones]], Bulkhead tried to shut down the space bridge, but was locked with [[stasis cuffs]] by a [[Slipstream (Animated)|female clone]]. After Megatron explained his plans and how Bulkhead had helped. the other Autobots expressed confusion at his skills, and Bulkhead explained that he had read all the space bridge schematics on the energon farm. Unfortunately, power problems arose, which Megatron tried to fix with by adding Starscream's AllSpark powered head into the power core. Unfortunately, this caused an overload which Bulkhead theorized would suck up all of Michigan. Fortunately, [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] arrived and allowed himself to be sucked into the portal. When the Autobots escaped, Bulkhead theorized that Omega was merely transported to another section of space, and had hope that he was still alive.
Unfortunately, any effort to locate Omega was put on hold when Sari noticed that the skin of her arm had been torn...revealing robotic circuitry underneath! {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

While Bumblebee and Bulkhead were surprised and concerned about Sari's revealed techno-organic nature, they remained focused on the more immenent problem; namely that their old friend Longarm was really a Decepticon spy. However, because Omega Supreme was transwarped to another part of the galaxy, they no longer had Teletran-1 and thus no way to contact Cybertron. A suggestion from Optimus gave Bulkhead the idea of building their own Space Bridge, seeing as Bulkhead's the Space Bridge genius (a title Bumblebee claims he'll never get used to). Bulkhead theorized that he might be able to put something together if they salvage enough parts. The two of them quickly left to dig any useful parts out of the ruins of the mine, namely the [[plasmadynamic thruster]] (the component that generates the transwarp field) and the recon beacon generator (the component that allows one to lock on a specific area to transwarp to). Bulkhead found the recon beacon generator (after Bumblebee nearly tossed it away) and Bumblebee was about to give him the plasma dynamic thruster when it caught a stray transwarp signal (presumably from Omega Supreme's earlier transwarp) and was sent to another part of the galaxy. When Bulkhead turned around, Bumblebee was gone. Hearing a noise, he investigated, thinking it was his little buddy. But it was actually Henry Masterson who had found both his lost [[Headmaster unit]] and Starscream's discarded body (definitely not little and not Bulkhead's buddy). Masterson then soundly trashed Bulkhead and left him buried under a pile of rocks.

Later, Ratchet found him and brought him back to the plant. Ratchet was about to work on repairing Bulkhead when Sari beat him to it, much to Ratchet's annoyance. When Bumblebee's energy signature could not be found on Earth, Bulkhead realized that he wasn't on Earth. The plasmadynamic thruster must have caught a stray transwarp field and sent Bumblebee to another part of the galaxy. In theory, Bulkhead could retrieve him with the recon beacon generator, provided he could get it working. Ratchet was about to attempt to do so when Sari beat him to the punch again. A little while later, Bulkhead detected a stray transwarp field. Using the recon beacon generator, Bulkhead managed to reel Bumblebee back to Earth, inside the belly of a [[rock creature|giant rock alien]]. The alien, noticably ticked about being exposed to the bright light of the [[sun]], went on a rampage in Detroit. Of course, Bulkhead couldn't just smash the alien with his wrecking balls since Bumblebee was inside it. However, Sari once again provided assistance with her new upgraded form and neatly disposed of the rock alien and rescued Bumblebee. But then her body became overloaded with Allspark energy and started going on an uncontrolable rampage, causing every electronic device she touched to explode. When Bumblebee was stabbed by Sari in an attempt to stop her, Bulkhead, Prowl, and Optimus worked together to remove the Key from her system. However, it's energy had been completed drained into Sari, making both the Key useless and Sari still being unable to control herself. Bulkhead suggested that she tried to hold it in like when she had to go to the 'sleep-room'. Sari attempted this, but this only caused to initiate a self-destruct sequence. Fortunately, Ratchet was able to temporarily shut her down with his EMP generator.

Later, the group was at the plant, mulling over the events of today, including Optimus revealing the Autobots' secret base to Professor Sumdac. When Bumblebee threatened to transwarp again, Bulkhead took the plasmadynamic thruster from Bumblebee's backpack and turned it off. But then Omega Supreme appeared, under the control of Megatron. The group headed for the river to keep Megatron from damaging more of the city. Bulkhead and Bumblebee acted as decoys while Prowl and Optimus worked on free Omega from Megatron's control. Their plan worked, only for Starscream's head, which Megatron was using as a battery, took over Omega's body and toss out Prowl and Optimus. With them unable to get back in and Starscream threatening to transwarp to Cybertron and use Omega to take over it, Bumblebee and Bulkead got the idea of using the plasma dynamic thruster on Omega Supreme. With a little teamwork from them and Optimus Prime, they attached the plasma dynamic thruster to Omega Supreme, causing him to go on an endless and random transwarp cycle throughout the galaxy. However, they still need to find a way to contact Cybertron about Shockwave. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

{{storylink|Three's a Crowd}}

{{storylink|Endgame, Part II}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Titan Magazines===
[[Hasbro|Toy companies]] have made an action figure of him! {{storylink|Crossroads!}}

The Dinobots saved him and the others from [[Starscream clone]]s, which was good. They then didn't leave and Bulkhead's sleeping space was taken up by Grimlock, which was not good. {{storylink|Dino-MIGHT!}}

Later, the Autobots were buried by the villain [[Quake-Maker]]. Bulkhead's great strength freed them from the ground, and then he ''vanished completely'' from the battle. {{storylink|Burnout}}

On his day off, Bulkhead was dragged to a basketball game by Sari, Prowl and [[Afterburn]]. Bulkhead didn't see the point of the game and was being mistaken for a litter bin by the humans. Luckily a demented supervillain attacked Detroit and they had to leave the game - but as a diversionary tactic, the evil [[Crossroads]] blackmailed Detroit into trying to destroy the Autobots! The Autobots saw through this and intercepted the villain at [[Sumdac Tower]], with Bulkhead taking down reprogrammed security drones. After beating the villain, Bulkhead now enjoyed basketball and happily watched the game ''for no reason''. {{storylink|Crossroads!}}

When the Decepticons raided the Autobot base, Bulkhead joined the gang in successfully driving them back out. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Megatron's Revenge}}

When Prowl and Bumblebee decided to have a race to see who was fastest, Bulkhead was eager to join in, much to Bumblebee's mockery. Nevertheless, off Bulkhead went... and, thanks to the other two being distracted by Decepticons, he ''won'' and was officially King of Speed. Optimus and Ratchet lifted him up in a display of victory (their shoulders hurt!). {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|The Race}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:TFAnimated Voyager Bulkhead toy.jpg|300px|thumb|right|And the world wants his kibble to turn into a chair.]]
* '''Bulkhead''' (Voyager, 2008)

:Bulkhead transforms from an armored, six-wheeled military-type van into a robot mode that is a bit on the short side for a Voyager, due to the stout, stocky nature of the character. The toy features two "[[automorph]]"-style gimmicks in its transformation: after flipping down the back doors, pulling down on them retracts a pair of black tabs holding his arms into pace, allowing them to spring forward into position; and moving his chest into place automatically causes a panel to flip over, exposing his head.

:The figure's left arm contains the character's signature gimmick, his wrecking ball. A concealed lever activates a pressure-launch system that fires the ball, which is attached to Bulkhead's arm by a sturdy string. Bulkhead's right arm, meanwhile, features a rather strange gimmick: after straightening the arm at the elbow, pressing the black lever on the upper arm causes Bulkhead's forearm to flip upwards. It ''might'' be an uppercut or some other sort of punch attack, but whatever this feature is supposed to be, it is not mentioned in either the toy's instructions, or on its packaging.

:No, his kibble can't transform into a chair. ''Aww''.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Bulkhead/bulkhead.htm More information on Voyager Bulkhead at TFU.info]

{{-}}{{anchor|Activator}}
[[Image:TFAnimated Activators Bulkhead.jpg|300px|thumb|right|"Whoa, I thought I was super-deformed ''before''..."]]
* '''Bulkhead''' (Activator, 2008)

: [[Activators]] Bulkhead can autotransform from a compressed version of a SWAT military van into his robot form when the middle siren bar is pressed. The vehicle mode lacks the back section's doors and bumper to better accommodate the gimmick, which leaves his robot mode's hands sticking out.

: His kibble is unable to become a chair as well. '''''Awww'''''. Unless you take the back-piece and switch it round and have him sit on it in a kind of... warped way.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/ActBulkhead/bulkhead.htm More information on Activators Bulkhead at TFU.info]

{{-}}{{anchor|Leader}}
[[Image:TFAnimated Leader Bulkhead toy.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Tired of being known as "the big guy with a gentle heart", Bulkhead became more trigger happy than [[Triggerhappy]].]]
* '''Bulkhead''' (Leader, 2008)
**''Accessories'': 4 "air torpedoes"

: This version of Bulkhead is decidedly more heavily armed than others, with the most distinctive additions to his arsenal coming in the form of a double-barreled turret for his vehicle mode, two missile racks (one per arm, each holding two removable "air torpedoes"), and a buzzsaw in his right hand, which spins when a black tab on his forearm is pressed. He ''doesn't'' have a wrecking ball, but his other hand does feature a "grabby" action, allowing you to clench and open his fingers by sliding a tab in his arm.

:Bulkhead is outfitted with a significant array of electronic light and sound gimmicks. Pressing the Autobot insignia on his chest in robot mode causes his head to turn, his mouth to open , as he speaks one of three sound clips—"Sorry, my bad," "You can do it, buddy!", and "Time for the big guns!"—accompanied by flashing yellow lights in his chest, shoulders and eyes. During transformation, when the vehicle mode turret is snapped into or out of place, the classic transformation sound effect plays as his lights flash. In vehicle mode, pressing the Autobot insignia activates a siren noise, which lasts as long as the button is held down and is accompanied by flashing red LEDs that illuminate his vehicle's light bar. Bulkhead also comes packaged with the [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster]] unit, which can fit over the figure's head, altering his sound and changing his yellow lights to red. Once in place, the Headmaster will scream "Ownage! Total ownage!", and all of Bulkhead's lights flash, illuminating the villain's translucent horns. This is the Headmaster's only phrase; pressing Bulkhead's insignia repeats the effects. The Headmaster accessory fits over all other Leader class figures.

: The packaging photography and lineart indicate that Bulkhead's electronic lights shine a more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] blue (well, accurate for his eyes, anyway). The final produced toy has yellow lights instead, because blue LEDs are apparently really expensive.

: ''This'' version of Bulkhead ''can'' [http://kyq.kuiki.net/randompics/tfa/chairhead.jpg transform his kibble into a chair]! Hooray!

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/LeaderBulkhead/bulkhead.htm More information on Leader Bulkhead at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BumperBattler}}
[[Image:BumperBattlers Bulkhead toy.JPG|250px|thumb|right|Bulkhead now knows how [[Han Solo]] feels.]]

* '''Bulkhead''' (Bumper Battler, 2008)

: Bulkhead is part of the second wave of [[Bumper Battlers]]. Pressing on the vehicle mode's front bumper activates electronic noises and pops up the roof, revealing a relief of Bulkhead's robot form. Pressing on the Autobot [[faction symbol]] on the hood activates a randomly-assembled collection of sound effects and voice samples.

: His face is disturbingly goofy.

==Notes==
* Out of the five main Autobot characters, Bulkhead is the only one who doesn't have a Generation 1 counterpart. However, his color and star symbols make him visually somewhat reminiscent of [[Hound (G1)|Hound]].
[[Image:RedBulkhead.jpg|thumb|right|Bulkred. Redhead? [[Big Red]]! Wyatt totally got paid for this.]]
* Bulkhead's design and demeanor likely owe themselves to Crunch from ''[[wikipedia:Mighty Orbots|Mighty Orbots]]'', a series [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] has admitted as being an inspiration.
* [[wikipedia:Patrick Star|Another]] big lug with a [[Bill Fagerbakke|similar]] voice, Bulkhead is best friends with a [[wikipedia:SpongeBob SquarePants (character)|little]] [[Bumblebee (Animated)|yellow guy]]. Obviously this analogy [[Tom Kenny|only goes]] [[Starscream (Animated)|so far]].
* Upon seeing a red [[Prototype|test shot]] of Bulkhead's ''Voyager''-class toy, Derrick J. Wyatt recolored a Bulkhead character model in the test shot's colors—on company time! [http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2007/09/bulkhead-toy.html]
* According to Wyatt, the additional weaponry the Leader-class toy possesses is supposed to represent the alterations the Headmaster would have made if he had possessed the body longer.
* While Bulkhead's Earth form features no continuous tracks, he still has them on his feet, like in his Cybertron form. This is probably an animation error that stayed in the show. The toy's legs are more developed, as the front wheels form the backs of the feet. The leader class toy, though, is show accurate in the sense that flipping out his feet will reveal the tracks.
* After his reformatting into his APC mode, Bulkhead's robot mode [[kibble]] changes from the ''front'' of his vehicle mode (where it forms the scoop of the bulldozer) to the ''back'', where it forms the doors of the truck.
[[Image:Bulkheadchair.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The next step in Transformers evolution is here!]]
* Bulkhead can form his [[kibble]] into a chair. This is awesome.
* Bulkhead has a storage place in his chest which opens in at least two ways, like a drawer and/or like a door.
* Bulkhead's eyes can extend from his face and act as a microscope, as shown in "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]". This is slightly strange, but also awesome.
* For a clumsy "repair bot" with little or no fighting experience, Bulkhead is surprisingly effective on the battlefield. He was almost singlehandedly responsible for defeating the Dinobots in "[[Blast from the Past]]", he proved highly effective against them once again in a rematch in "[[Survival of the Fittest]]", and he defeated the more powerful Lugnut in a one-on-one confrontation in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]". He was also the only character to suspect Soundwave of being evil until it was too late, at which point Bulkhead once again saved the day by defeating him in "[[Sound and Fury]]". He also managed to defeat [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] in [[Endgame, Part II]] — quite a feat, given that Shockwave had handily dispatched ''[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]]'' in the past.
* In spite of the visual differences, it would appear that rather than simply swapping out his hands for his signature wrecking balls, Bulkhead's hands actually transform to ''become'' the wrecking balls. Although most episodes show his hand simply retract and then be replaced by the ball, a few instances show it actually stay in place, blur and change into the ball. Furthermore, in cases where Bulkhead has had the tether-line of his wrecking ball severed, he remains conspicuously handless until the ball is re-attached, such as in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]" and "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* Bulkhead's vehicle mode design was used as the basis for [[Blurr (G1)|Generation 1 Blurr]]'s personal transport in [[Spotlight: Blurr]].
* Bulkhead comes from an [[Energon (franchise)|Energon]] farm? [[Bulkhead (Energon)|Hmmm...]]
* Bulkhead's the only member of the space repair crew who WANTED to work on space bridges, unlike his companions who were bound to it by fate.
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