MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Aligned timeline

2012-02-17T00:17:58Z

66.224.191.162: /* Present day */

As is to be expected when multiple authors and writers are working on a continuity, the '''Aligned timeline''' bears more than a few discrepancies and continuity hiccups. Nevertheless, we here at TFWiki have tried to rectify this as best we can.

{{bigquote|Cybertron, our home. For generations, it has been a peaceful world. Until pride and a lust for power divided us. Now we fight - enemies who were once our brothers.|Optimus Prime|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==In the beginning==

[[Image:OneShallRise1-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Problem, fans?]]

[[Primus]] and [[Unicron]] battle for eons. To try and turn the tide, Primus creates the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} Over the course of the fight, [[Solus Prime]], creates many [[Artifacts of the Primes|weapons and icons of power]] for them to use. At the urging of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]], she creates a [[Requiem Blaster (Prime)|great weapon]] to fight Unicron, although Solus herself worries that this power could corrupt them. The Thirteen vote seven to six to keep the Requiem Blaster and not destroy it. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} Ultimately, the Primes defeat Unicron, and the Chaos Bringer's inert form drifts off into space, where it later forms the core of [[Earth]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} His fossilized blood, spilled in this conflict, becomes known as [[Dark Energon]]. Following the defeat of Unicron, Primus becomes one with the [[Core]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and he gives life to future [[Transformer]]s through the [[AllSpark]], located within the [[Well of All Sparks]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

==Near the beginning of time==

Solus Prime is murdered by Megatronus, causing the first schism in the Primes. (Whether this is before or after the battle with Unicron is unknown.) After Megatronus Prime is defeated, the [[Liege Maximo]] makes his own play for power. He is defeated and flees to another galaxy. After this great battle, [[Nexus Prime]] fragments himself into five robots, each one carrying and guarding a fragment of the [[Cyber Caliber]]. His components are dubbed [[Clocker (Prime)|Clocker]], [[Mainspring]], [[Chaindrive]], [[Cannonspring]], and [[Pinion]]. The fight has lasting repercussions For the Thirteen—Megatronus and the Liege have left the Primes for good, the once idealistic [[Vector Prime]] despairs and leaves the dimension, and Solus Prime is dead. The other nine go their separate ways. [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Alchemist Prime]] remain on Cybertron and start Transformer civilization. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} When it has a good start, Alchemist leaves to hunt down the Liege Maximo. Gradually, the Thirteen Primes are forgotten and pass into the realm of legend. Early generations of [[Protoform|newborn Transformers]] must brave the terrors of the [[Underworld]] to reach the surface, which, over the years, becomes a deeply ingrained custom. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

Meanwhile, far out in space, the forgotten Requiem Blaster gradually accrues a collection of space junk around it. As its gravitational pull increases, more and more drifting shipwrecks and space junk gather around it, eventually forming an artificial planetoid. This artificial planet will later become known as [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

==Age of Wrath==
The [[Quintesson]]s invade Cybertron and interfere with the development of the planet's occupants. The aliens modify the bodies of their new servants to serve their own ends, such as installing cockpits on the bodies of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. This period becomes known as the [[Age of Wrath]]. The Age of Wrath comes to an end when the Quintessons are overthrown by [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], part of the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]]. Under Sentinel's rule, Cybertron enters its [[Golden Age]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

==Golden Age==
The [[Golden Age]] brings sweeping changes to Cybertronian social structure and hierarchy. As only two Primes now remain on Cybertron, Sentinel Prime takes control of government and ushers in a new era for Cybertronian civilization, by instating the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]]. Under his rule, the [[space bridge]] project allows trailblazing Cybertronians to colonize faraway worlds, including [[Gigantion]], [[Velocitron]], [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], and the [[Hub (G2)|Hub]]. The construction of the spaceport on the [[Hydrax Plateau]] begins, and [[Moonbase]]s One and Two are constructed on the [[Mini-Con]] inhabited moons of Cybertron.

[[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station is put into orbit as well, and a crew of Seekers are tasked with defending the Dark Energon stored within, remnants of Unicron's attack on the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The High Council encouraged the gathering and storage of Dark Energon aboard the vessel.

The first [[Cybertronian data cylinder]]s are created, which store the accumulated knowledge of Cybertronian society. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} However, the Golden Age draws to a close as the space bridges begin to fail and other cracks begin to show in Cybertronian civilization. Before long, the space bridge project is abandoned. The Transformers now stranded across the galaxy begin to develop along their own lines, gradually evolving into entirely new breeds of Cybertronian that are well-adapted for life on their new homeworlds. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Some time afterwards, Velocitron's civilization begins to slowly collapse. This is due to a variety of factors; partially because of a slowly dying sun and partially because of resource shortages. As a form of cultural diversion, Velocitron's citizens pay more and more attention to their races, using them as a way to escape from the harsh realities of their life. Velocitronians gradually forget their origins. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

==Era of the caste system==
[[Image:WFCcomicD16.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Gold Plastic Syndrome]] strikes again.]]

In the waning years of the Golden Age, the [[caste system]] is implemented, where civilian guilds oversee and assign newly created Transformers to jobs, and it eventually becomes a major social institution under the urging of Sentinel. Alpha Trion, however, disagrees with many of these changes, and retreats further and further into the [[Hall of Records]], eventually becoming a recluse. Many ancient traditions, such as travelling through the Underworld, are abandoned. These controversial reorganizations do not go unnoticed, though, and many newly born Transformers become dissatisfied with their lot in life, some seeking change. Cybertron's culture and society stagnates greatly as a result; the dynamic architecture and artwork that characterize older eras of society are replaced by dull, drab buildings. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

The city-states of [[Kaon]] and [[Slaughter City]], populated mostly by low-caste miners and workers, soon turn to gladiatorial combat as a way to escape from the drudgery of their lives. The High Council, aware of why the games began, does nothing to stop them. One particularly powerful warrior, an energon miner formerly known as D-16, takes on the name Megatronus in honor of the Prime of the same name, but later shortens it to [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]. Megatron seeks to topple the stifling caste system, and makes his points known, gathering a group of followers that includes fellow gladiator and spymaster [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] and sadistic scientist [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

At the same time, a young data clerk named [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]], monitoring transmissions from across Cybertron, befriends Megatron, and the two of them begin a secret correspondence, encouraged by Alpha Trion. They have intense but friendly debates over the nature of free will and the dangerousness of their ideals, and soon Orion begins training with [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]], learning to fire an ion-cannon and to fashion his arms into an axe and a sword. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

[[Image:OneShallRise3-corresponding.jpg|thumb|right|250px|And so the fangirls leapt to their computers, and produced horrible things.]]

Before long, Orion visits Megatron in person in Kaon. Terrorists, calling themselves "[[Decepticon]]s", begin bombings in Megatron's name, attacking such popular spots as [[Six Lasers Over Cybertron]]. Megatron himself makes his first public announcement on the Grid, stating he is not responsible for the attacks and will bring the perpetrators to justice. Orion follows him up with a speech of his own, and points out that the members of Cybertronian should be free; autonomous robots, or "[[Autobot]]s". In reality, however, Megatron had heard rumors about the bombings and terrorist attacks but did nothing to prevent them. The High Council makes Orion a Prime, and bestows upon him the new name of "Optimus", but Megatron is incensed by the fact that his speech went unnoticed, and kills [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]], a High Council member in the Chamber Hall itself. At Optimus's urging, the two sides retreat for now as to avoid further bloodshed in the Council halls. However, the Council itself begins to fragment; [[Contrail]], [[Ratbat (WFC)|Ratbat]] and [[Drivetrain (WFC)|Drivetrain]] now support the Decepticons's cause. The only option is to wage war—the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]] has begun. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

==Great War==
[[Image:WarforCybertron-OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Yeah, why don't ya come over and say that to my face, tough guy? Bonk!]]

The war takes Cybertron by storm, and before long battle lines are drawn as various city-states declare their allegiances or declare neutrality. The Autobots maintain control of the most important locations on Cybertron, including [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and [[Kalis]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Special operations forces assemble on both sides, such as the [[Wrecker]]s, whose members include [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. Optimus Prime survives an assassination attempt by [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] at the [[Battle of Technar]]. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} At some point, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and her combat partner [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] are captured by the Decepticon [[Airachnid]]. Although Arcee is rescued by [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], they are too late to save Tailgate. {{storylink|Predatory}} Many cities are destroyed utterly in the carnage—[[Crystal City]] is destroyed in the fourth offensive of the war, and [[Praxus]], locked in a stalemate is razed not long afterwards. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Many dangerous weapons, such as the [[Cybonic plague]], are developed by the [[Decepticon Biological Warfare Program]]. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

As the war continues, the Autobots are gradually outnumbered and outgunned, and in an act of desperation they are forced to launch the AllSpark, denying the Decepticons of a method to generate more Transformers. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The data cylinders are also ejected from Cybertron to prevent Decepticons from using the vital knowledge within. {{storylink|T.M.I.}}

Seeking a new edge in the war, Megatron storms Trypticon Station and wrests control of it from [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]], empowering himself and other Decepticons with the Dark Energon stored there. As part of their next strike, the Decepticon-allied Seekers travel deep underneath Cybertron in search of the long-abandoned [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]] beneath the ruins of Crystal City, which will allow the manufacture of new Dark Energon for the Decepticons' use.

Megatron leads a group of Decepticons into Iacon, to find a means of travelling to the very core of Cybertron to spread the Dark Energon. Though Sentinel Prime attempts to stand in his way, he is soon defeated by the vengeful Decepticon—but unbeknownst to Megatron, [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] is reactivated due to these events, and is intent on stopping the Decepticons. The Decepticon forces manage to cripple the Guardian's alternate mode, and Megatron and his troops soon defeat him on ground level. Because of this, the Decepticon leader manages to reach Cybertron's core and corrupt it with Dark Energon—a critical blow against the Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

The Autobots, however, are not yet defeated, and muster a counter-attack to rout the remaining Decepticons from Iacon. Sentinel, now imprisoned in Kaon, is able to send a transmission, and a small group of Autobots, lead by Optimus, soon launch an incursion into the prison to recover him. However, the former Prime perishes just as he's been rescued. The Autobots return the body to Iacon, and Optimus officially comes to accept that he is a Prime and must take up his role as leader. From then on, he fully becomes known as Optimus Prime, the last of the Primes. Optimus' first task as true Prime is to cleanse the infected core. Heading down through Cybertron's inner layers, Optimus finds much of the planet to have been thoroughly infected. The core tells Prime that Cybertron is so greatly corrupted that it will take millions of years of shutdown in order to undo the grievous damage done by Megatron's Dark Energon. Optimus is given the [[Matrix of Leadership]] by the Core, a fragment of [[Prima]]'s powerful sword that contains a portion of Cybertron's spark. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

==Great Exodus==

[[Image:WFCgalactic transports.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

As soon as Prime reaches the surface, he orders that an exodus from Cybertron will take place immediately. Preparations are made to flee the planet, but many ships are shot down by the Trypticon Station before they can make good their escape. Trypticon itself comes to life, thanks to multiple sparks implanted by Shockwave, and Optimus Prime leads his forces in a battle to knock it out of orbit. The ensuing battle results in Trypticon hurtling towards Cybertron's surface. However, Trypticon is not killed, and it transforms into its robot form. After another battle with it, Optimus and his forces regroup at the site of the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', the Autobots' last hope. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

The civil war on Cybertron is won by the Decepticons, but remaining Autobots work to scavenge materials and Energon for the Ark to make their escape. During this time, [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and several other members of the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] are taken captive by Shockwave. Inspired by [[Dinosaurs|alien lifeforms]] he has viewed with the ancient Space Bridge technology, he rebuilds them into powerful berserkers with saurian beast modes, creating the Dinobots. {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame}} {{storylink|Fall of Cybertron}}

Witnessing potential on the [[Earth|planet]] Shockwave discovered, both the Autobots and Decepticons work to complete their ships and beat each other there, as the Decepticons see it as a source of energy ripe for the taking (so they can restore Cybertron to its former glory), while the Autobots see is as a chance to start a new life.{{storylink|Fall of Cybertron}}

The Autobots escape aboard the Ark, allowing them to escape Cybertron and follow the trail left by the AllSpark. They are pursued, however, by Megatron aboard Trypticon, which has transformed into a [[Nemesis (Prime)|spacecraft]]. The two vehicles skirmish as they race for Cybertron's final working space bridge, which explodes, scattering the two vessels across the universe. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Fall of Cybertron}}

As Cybertron begins to shut down, the Wreckers continue to fight against forces commanded by Shockwave for control of the dying planet. Far out in space, Prime and his crew are guided by the Matrix to Velocitron, which is now teetering on the brink of civil war. However, [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], having infiltrated the crew, manages to provoke enough civil unrest among the Velocitronians that [[Ransack (Prime)|Ransack]] and his group of political malcontents attack Override, sparking civil war. The Autobots manage to escape through a space bridge, Optimus having recovered two pieces of the Blades of Time on Velocitron's surface, though he mistakenly believes they are pieces of the Star Saber. The Autobots next travel to Junkion, where they befriend the native Junkions and begin repairs on the Ark. However, Makeshift once again sabotages the repair effort, but is caught. {{storylink|Exiles}}

Meanwhile, Alpha Trion is put under house arrest by Shockwave, but manages to send the Autobot Chaindrive to Optimus with another piece of the Blades of Time.

The ''Nemesis'', following the trail of the Ark, lands on Velocitron and later Junkion. Axer, an ex-Decepticon, recovers the Requiem Blaster from the core of Junkion, causing the demi-planet to tear apart. Prime, meanwhile, manages to contact Vector Prime in his pocket dimension, who also helps to reunite five bots the Autobots have met (Chaindrive among them) into Nexus Prime. A climatic battle takes place on Junkion, with the Autobots triumphant and the Blaster destroyed. However, the Junkions themselves are enslaved by space-pirate expatriate Transformers called the [[Star Seeker]]s and taken to places unknown. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

As Cybertron's conditions steadily deteriorate, it is abandoned by the remaining Autobots, Decepticons and neutral Cybertronians. The war spreads to other worlds, including [[Earth]], which is seeded with energon and becomes the site of multiple large battles. During this period, Skyquake is dispatched to Earth to guard its energon resources. However, most of the Cybertronians there eventually leave or enter stasis lock, leaving Earth abandoned... for the time being.

==Present day==

[[Image:CliffArcee ognpreview.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

Much later, a small group of Autobots and Decepticons return to Earth, unaware of its true nature. The Decepticons begin mining the energon deposits left there with the intention of using it to restore Cybertron. Starscream is tasked by Megatron with recreating space bridge technology, so that the energon can be quickly transferred between planets. After scouring the galaxy on this mission, the Air Commander returns to their home planet with a number of troops to construct a space bridge. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (comic)|Prime}} Optimus Prime's small team of Autobots—Bulkhead, Ratchet, and Bumblebee—secretly ally themselves with the United States government. They are assigned [[William Fowler]] as their liaison, and provided with an abandoned missile silo as a [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]] in exchange for keeping the Decepticon threat contained. A great deal of Cybertronian technology is installed there, including a [[GroundBridge]] of Ratchet's design. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}}

Optimus Prime sends a message into space, calling all Autobots to the new battleground. Arcee and Cliffjumper are both investigating the Decepticon activity on the desolate Cybertron when they receive the message. They hijack Starscream's space bridge to travel to Earth, before destroying it. The Air Commander follows them through, but, after a brief confrontation, the two Autobots are able to join up with [[Team Prime]] and [[scanning|scan]] new terrestrial alternate modes. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (comic)|''Prime'' comic}} Subsequently, Megatron leaves Earth with the intention of gathering a new army. The Decepticons under Starscream avoid conflict with the Autobots, and continue to secretly mine the planet's energon, along with constructing a new space bridge in orbit. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} During his three year journey, meanwhile, Megatron finds a far greater prize than new troops: solidified crystals of Dark Energon. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

At some unspecified time, Optimus Prime sets up a [[Rescue Force Sigma-17|team]] of [[Rescue Bots]] on the small island town of [[Griffin Rock]], Maine, in which they live with a local family to better understand humanity and serve as their protectors. {{storylink|Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots}}

On Earth, hostilities between the Autobots and Decepticons resurface when Cliffjumper is executed by Starscream; later, he is reanimated by Megatron with the power of Dark Energon. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} A series of accidents draws three [[human]]s—[[Jack Darby]], [[Raf Esquivel]], and [[Miko Nakadai]]—into the mayhem. Megatron's plan is to reanimate the thousands of dead Transformers on Cybertron and transport them to Earth via the orbital space bridge, but this is ultimately foiled by the Autobots. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}} Megatron himself is caught in the explosion of the bridge as it is destroyed, but survives thanks to the Dark Energon in his body. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Megatron's wounded form is discovered by Starscream after a failed attempt to bring Skyquake under his control. Starscream attempts to kill him, but Soundwave's presence compels him to put the Decepticon leader in stasis in the ''Nemesis''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s sick bay instead. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Wheeljack, now an interstellar nomad, briefly arrives on Earth, but after a run-in with [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], he leaves. {{storylink|Con Job}}

An encounter with the mysterious human terrorist organization [[MECH]] introduces a second antagonistic party for the Autobots. {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}} [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and his partner [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] arrive on Earth to aid with Megatron's repairs. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Airachnid, too, lands on Earth to rekindle her standing grudge against Arcee and collect some "specimens", but she is stranded on Earth when her ship is destroyed by Jack and Arcee. {{storylink|Predatory}}

Events come to a head when Optimus Prime and Ratchet detect an ancient Autobot distress signal, and come across an abandoned Autobot ship infected with cybonic plague. Optimus is contaminated, and so to find a cure for the sickness Bumblebee and Arcee are forced to infiltrate the ''Nemesis'' and enter Megatron's mind. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} However, Megatron manages to download himself into Bumblebee's consciousness, and by taking control of the Autobot's body he restores his original body with Dark Energon and uploads his mind into it, restoring himself to life. {{storylink|Out of His Head}} Megatron grievously wounds Starscream sometime after this as punishment, but Starscream makes another play for power by reanimating Skyquake's corpse, which ends in failure. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

MECH enters the picture again, first capturing and mutilating Breakdown {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}} and later teaming up with Airachnid to lure Arcee into a trap. {{storylink|Crisscross}} Both of these end in failure for MECH.

After Megatron and Starscream are trapped in the [[energon mine]] due to the actions of the Autobots {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}, Starscream renounces Megatron's command and tries to join the Autobots, but this ends in failure when Starscream lets slip that he killed Cliffjumper. {{storylink|Partners}}. Starscream becomes an independent faction in the war. Ratchet manages to devise a formula for synthetic energon from a retrieved data cylinder, but it ends in failure {{storylink|T.M.I.}} {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}.

[[Image:OneShallRise2-bigdude.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Megatron seeks more power from the Dark Energon, and refers to an ancient prophecy in the [[Covenant of Primus]] that a "rising darkness" will come when the planets in the Solar System align. In reality, the "rising darkness" is Unicron's slumbering form, and the alignment of the planets will create the correct gravitational pull sufficient to awaken him. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}}. As Unicron gradually awakens, the Dark Energon rising from his body causes several natural disasters to occur across the world. Optimus Prime confronts an avatar of Unicron head on, but diplomacy ends in failure when the chaos bringer decides to wipe out the many [[Human|"parasites"]] on his surface. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} After another battle with Unicron, Megatron and the Autobots make a truce, as the Dark Energon in Megatron's system allows him to locate Unicron's spark core and provide the Autobots with a way to destroy him. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} After the six Transformers bridge their way into Unicron, Megatron and Prime attempt to destroy Unicron's spark core with the Matrix of Leadership. The plan works- but Optimus loses many of his memories, believing that he is Orion Pax once again and that Megatron is his friend. Megatron takes him on board the ''Nemesis''... {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

[[Category:Aligned history]]
[[Category:Chronologies]]

Aligned timeline

2012-02-17T00:17:08Z

66.224.191.162: /* Present day */

As is to be expected when multiple authors and writers are working on a continuity, the '''Aligned timeline''' bears more than a few discrepancies and continuity hiccups. Nevertheless, we here at TFWiki have tried to rectify this as best we can.

{{bigquote|Cybertron, our home. For generations, it has been a peaceful world. Until pride and a lust for power divided us. Now we fight - enemies who were once our brothers.|Optimus Prime|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==In the beginning==

[[Image:OneShallRise1-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Problem, fans?]]

[[Primus]] and [[Unicron]] battle for eons. To try and turn the tide, Primus creates the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} Over the course of the fight, [[Solus Prime]], creates many [[Artifacts of the Primes|weapons and icons of power]] for them to use. At the urging of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]], she creates a [[Requiem Blaster (Prime)|great weapon]] to fight Unicron, although Solus herself worries that this power could corrupt them. The Thirteen vote seven to six to keep the Requiem Blaster and not destroy it. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} Ultimately, the Primes defeat Unicron, and the Chaos Bringer's inert form drifts off into space, where it later forms the core of [[Earth]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} His fossilized blood, spilled in this conflict, becomes known as [[Dark Energon]]. Following the defeat of Unicron, Primus becomes one with the [[Core]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and he gives life to future [[Transformer]]s through the [[AllSpark]], located within the [[Well of All Sparks]]. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

==Near the beginning of time==

Solus Prime is murdered by Megatronus, causing the first schism in the Primes. (Whether this is before or after the battle with Unicron is unknown.) After Megatronus Prime is defeated, the [[Liege Maximo]] makes his own play for power. He is defeated and flees to another galaxy. After this great battle, [[Nexus Prime]] fragments himself into five robots, each one carrying and guarding a fragment of the [[Cyber Caliber]]. His components are dubbed [[Clocker (Prime)|Clocker]], [[Mainspring]], [[Chaindrive]], [[Cannonspring]], and [[Pinion]]. The fight has lasting repercussions For the Thirteen—Megatronus and the Liege have left the Primes for good, the once idealistic [[Vector Prime]] despairs and leaves the dimension, and Solus Prime is dead. The other nine go their separate ways. [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Alchemist Prime]] remain on Cybertron and start Transformer civilization. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}} When it has a good start, Alchemist leaves to hunt down the Liege Maximo. Gradually, the Thirteen Primes are forgotten and pass into the realm of legend. Early generations of [[Protoform|newborn Transformers]] must brave the terrors of the [[Underworld]] to reach the surface, which, over the years, becomes a deeply ingrained custom. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

Meanwhile, far out in space, the forgotten Requiem Blaster gradually accrues a collection of space junk around it. As its gravitational pull increases, more and more drifting shipwrecks and space junk gather around it, eventually forming an artificial planetoid. This artificial planet will later become known as [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

==Age of Wrath==
The [[Quintesson]]s invade Cybertron and interfere with the development of the planet's occupants. The aliens modify the bodies of their new servants to serve their own ends, such as installing cockpits on the bodies of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. This period becomes known as the [[Age of Wrath]]. The Age of Wrath comes to an end when the Quintessons are overthrown by [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], part of the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]]. Under Sentinel's rule, Cybertron enters its [[Golden Age]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

==Golden Age==
The [[Golden Age]] brings sweeping changes to Cybertronian social structure and hierarchy. As only two Primes now remain on Cybertron, Sentinel Prime takes control of government and ushers in a new era for Cybertronian civilization, by instating the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]]. Under his rule, the [[space bridge]] project allows trailblazing Cybertronians to colonize faraway worlds, including [[Gigantion]], [[Velocitron]], [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], and the [[Hub (G2)|Hub]]. The construction of the spaceport on the [[Hydrax Plateau]] begins, and [[Moonbase]]s One and Two are constructed on the [[Mini-Con]] inhabited moons of Cybertron.

[[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station is put into orbit as well, and a crew of Seekers are tasked with defending the Dark Energon stored within, remnants of Unicron's attack on the planet. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The High Council encouraged the gathering and storage of Dark Energon aboard the vessel.

The first [[Cybertronian data cylinder]]s are created, which store the accumulated knowledge of Cybertronian society. {{storylink|T.M.I.}} However, the Golden Age draws to a close as the space bridges begin to fail and other cracks begin to show in Cybertronian civilization. Before long, the space bridge project is abandoned. The Transformers now stranded across the galaxy begin to develop along their own lines, gradually evolving into entirely new breeds of Cybertronian that are well-adapted for life on their new homeworlds. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

Some time afterwards, Velocitron's civilization begins to slowly collapse. This is due to a variety of factors; partially because of a slowly dying sun and partially because of resource shortages. As a form of cultural diversion, Velocitron's citizens pay more and more attention to their races, using them as a way to escape from the harsh realities of their life. Velocitronians gradually forget their origins. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

==Era of the caste system==
[[Image:WFCcomicD16.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Gold Plastic Syndrome]] strikes again.]]

In the waning years of the Golden Age, the [[caste system]] is implemented, where civilian guilds oversee and assign newly created Transformers to jobs, and it eventually becomes a major social institution under the urging of Sentinel. Alpha Trion, however, disagrees with many of these changes, and retreats further and further into the [[Hall of Records]], eventually becoming a recluse. Many ancient traditions, such as travelling through the Underworld, are abandoned. These controversial reorganizations do not go unnoticed, though, and many newly born Transformers become dissatisfied with their lot in life, some seeking change. Cybertron's culture and society stagnates greatly as a result; the dynamic architecture and artwork that characterize older eras of society are replaced by dull, drab buildings. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

The city-states of [[Kaon]] and [[Slaughter City]], populated mostly by low-caste miners and workers, soon turn to gladiatorial combat as a way to escape from the drudgery of their lives. The High Council, aware of why the games began, does nothing to stop them. One particularly powerful warrior, an energon miner formerly known as D-16, takes on the name Megatronus in honor of the Prime of the same name, but later shortens it to [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]. Megatron seeks to topple the stifling caste system, and makes his points known, gathering a group of followers that includes fellow gladiator and spymaster [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] and sadistic scientist [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

At the same time, a young data clerk named [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]], monitoring transmissions from across Cybertron, befriends Megatron, and the two of them begin a secret correspondence, encouraged by Alpha Trion. They have intense but friendly debates over the nature of free will and the dangerousness of their ideals, and soon Orion begins training with [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]], learning to fire an ion-cannon and to fashion his arms into an axe and a sword. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

[[Image:OneShallRise3-corresponding.jpg|thumb|right|250px|And so the fangirls leapt to their computers, and produced horrible things.]]

Before long, Orion visits Megatron in person in Kaon. Terrorists, calling themselves "[[Decepticon]]s", begin bombings in Megatron's name, attacking such popular spots as [[Six Lasers Over Cybertron]]. Megatron himself makes his first public announcement on the Grid, stating he is not responsible for the attacks and will bring the perpetrators to justice. Orion follows him up with a speech of his own, and points out that the members of Cybertronian should be free; autonomous robots, or "[[Autobot]]s". In reality, however, Megatron had heard rumors about the bombings and terrorist attacks but did nothing to prevent them. The High Council makes Orion a Prime, and bestows upon him the new name of "Optimus", but Megatron is incensed by the fact that his speech went unnoticed, and kills [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]], a High Council member in the Chamber Hall itself. At Optimus's urging, the two sides retreat for now as to avoid further bloodshed in the Council halls. However, the Council itself begins to fragment; [[Contrail]], [[Ratbat (WFC)|Ratbat]] and [[Drivetrain (WFC)|Drivetrain]] now support the Decepticons's cause. The only option is to wage war—the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]] has begun. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

==Great War==
[[Image:WarforCybertron-OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Yeah, why don't ya come over and say that to my face, tough guy? Bonk!]]

The war takes Cybertron by storm, and before long battle lines are drawn as various city-states declare their allegiances or declare neutrality. The Autobots maintain control of the most important locations on Cybertron, including [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and [[Kalis]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Special operations forces assemble on both sides, such as the [[Wrecker]]s, whose members include [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]], and [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]]. Optimus Prime survives an assassination attempt by [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] at the [[Battle of Technar]]. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} At some point, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] and her combat partner [[Tailgate (Prime)|Tailgate]] are captured by the Decepticon [[Airachnid]]. Although Arcee is rescued by [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], they are too late to save Tailgate. {{storylink|Predatory}} Many cities are destroyed utterly in the carnage—[[Crystal City]] is destroyed in the fourth offensive of the war, and [[Praxus]], locked in a stalemate is razed not long afterwards. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Many dangerous weapons, such as the [[Cybonic plague]], are developed by the [[Decepticon Biological Warfare Program]]. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

As the war continues, the Autobots are gradually outnumbered and outgunned, and in an act of desperation they are forced to launch the AllSpark, denying the Decepticons of a method to generate more Transformers. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The data cylinders are also ejected from Cybertron to prevent Decepticons from using the vital knowledge within. {{storylink|T.M.I.}}

Seeking a new edge in the war, Megatron storms Trypticon Station and wrests control of it from [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]], empowering himself and other Decepticons with the Dark Energon stored there. As part of their next strike, the Decepticon-allied Seekers travel deep underneath Cybertron in search of the long-abandoned [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]] beneath the ruins of Crystal City, which will allow the manufacture of new Dark Energon for the Decepticons' use.

Megatron leads a group of Decepticons into Iacon, to find a means of travelling to the very core of Cybertron to spread the Dark Energon. Though Sentinel Prime attempts to stand in his way, he is soon defeated by the vengeful Decepticon—but unbeknownst to Megatron, [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] is reactivated due to these events, and is intent on stopping the Decepticons. The Decepticon forces manage to cripple the Guardian's alternate mode, and Megatron and his troops soon defeat him on ground level. Because of this, the Decepticon leader manages to reach Cybertron's core and corrupt it with Dark Energon—a critical blow against the Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

The Autobots, however, are not yet defeated, and muster a counter-attack to rout the remaining Decepticons from Iacon. Sentinel, now imprisoned in Kaon, is able to send a transmission, and a small group of Autobots, lead by Optimus, soon launch an incursion into the prison to recover him. However, the former Prime perishes just as he's been rescued. The Autobots return the body to Iacon, and Optimus officially comes to accept that he is a Prime and must take up his role as leader. From then on, he fully becomes known as Optimus Prime, the last of the Primes. Optimus' first task as true Prime is to cleanse the infected core. Heading down through Cybertron's inner layers, Optimus finds much of the planet to have been thoroughly infected. The core tells Prime that Cybertron is so greatly corrupted that it will take millions of years of shutdown in order to undo the grievous damage done by Megatron's Dark Energon. Optimus is given the [[Matrix of Leadership]] by the Core, a fragment of [[Prima]]'s powerful sword that contains a portion of Cybertron's spark. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

==Great Exodus==

[[Image:WFCgalactic transports.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

As soon as Prime reaches the surface, he orders that an exodus from Cybertron will take place immediately. Preparations are made to flee the planet, but many ships are shot down by the Trypticon Station before they can make good their escape. Trypticon itself comes to life, thanks to multiple sparks implanted by Shockwave, and Optimus Prime leads his forces in a battle to knock it out of orbit. The ensuing battle results in Trypticon hurtling towards Cybertron's surface. However, Trypticon is not killed, and it transforms into its robot form. After another battle with it, Optimus and his forces regroup at the site of the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', the Autobots' last hope. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War For Cybertron}}

The civil war on Cybertron is won by the Decepticons, but remaining Autobots work to scavenge materials and Energon for the Ark to make their escape. During this time, [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and several other members of the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] are taken captive by Shockwave. Inspired by [[Dinosaurs|alien lifeforms]] he has viewed with the ancient Space Bridge technology, he rebuilds them into powerful berserkers with saurian beast modes, creating the Dinobots. {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame}} {{storylink|Fall of Cybertron}}

Witnessing potential on the [[Earth|planet]] Shockwave discovered, both the Autobots and Decepticons work to complete their ships and beat each other there, as the Decepticons see it as a source of energy ripe for the taking (so they can restore Cybertron to its former glory), while the Autobots see is as a chance to start a new life.{{storylink|Fall of Cybertron}}

The Autobots escape aboard the Ark, allowing them to escape Cybertron and follow the trail left by the AllSpark. They are pursued, however, by Megatron aboard Trypticon, which has transformed into a [[Nemesis (Prime)|spacecraft]]. The two vehicles skirmish as they race for Cybertron's final working space bridge, which explodes, scattering the two vessels across the universe. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} {{storylink|Fall of Cybertron}}

As Cybertron begins to shut down, the Wreckers continue to fight against forces commanded by Shockwave for control of the dying planet. Far out in space, Prime and his crew are guided by the Matrix to Velocitron, which is now teetering on the brink of civil war. However, [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], having infiltrated the crew, manages to provoke enough civil unrest among the Velocitronians that [[Ransack (Prime)|Ransack]] and his group of political malcontents attack Override, sparking civil war. The Autobots manage to escape through a space bridge, Optimus having recovered two pieces of the Blades of Time on Velocitron's surface, though he mistakenly believes they are pieces of the Star Saber. The Autobots next travel to Junkion, where they befriend the native Junkions and begin repairs on the Ark. However, Makeshift once again sabotages the repair effort, but is caught. {{storylink|Exiles}}

Meanwhile, Alpha Trion is put under house arrest by Shockwave, but manages to send the Autobot Chaindrive to Optimus with another piece of the Blades of Time.

The ''Nemesis'', following the trail of the Ark, lands on Velocitron and later Junkion. Axer, an ex-Decepticon, recovers the Requiem Blaster from the core of Junkion, causing the demi-planet to tear apart. Prime, meanwhile, manages to contact Vector Prime in his pocket dimension, who also helps to reunite five bots the Autobots have met (Chaindrive among them) into Nexus Prime. A climatic battle takes place on Junkion, with the Autobots triumphant and the Blaster destroyed. However, the Junkions themselves are enslaved by space-pirate expatriate Transformers called the [[Star Seeker]]s and taken to places unknown. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

As Cybertron's conditions steadily deteriorate, it is abandoned by the remaining Autobots, Decepticons and neutral Cybertronians. The war spreads to other worlds, including [[Earth]], which is seeded with energon and becomes the site of multiple large battles. During this period, Skyquake is dispatched to Earth to guard its energon resources. However, most of the Cybertronians there eventually leave or enter stasis lock, leaving Earth abandoned... for the time being.

==Present day==

[[Image:CliffArcee ognpreview.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

Much later, a small group of Autobots and Decepticons return to Earth, unaware of its true nature. The Decepticons begin mining the energon deposits left there with the intention of using it to restore Cybertron. Starscream is tasked by Megatron with recreating space bridge technology, so that the energon can be quickly transferred between planets. After scouring the galaxy on this mission, the Air Commander returns to their home planet with a number of troops to construct a space bridge. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (comic)|Prime}} Optimus Prime's small team of Autobots—Arcee, Bulkhead, Ratchet, and Bumblebee—secretly ally themselves with the United States government. They are assigned [[William Fowler]] as their liaison, and provided with an abandoned missile silo as a [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|base]] in exchange for keeping the Decepticon threat contained. A great deal of Cybertronian technology is installed there, including a [[GroundBridge]] of Ratchet's design. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}}

Optimus Prime sends a message into space, calling all Autobots to the new battleground. Arcee and Cliffjumper are both investigating the Decepticon activity on the desolate Cybertron when they receive the message. They hijack Starscream's space bridge to travel to Earth, before destroying it. The Air Commander follows them through, but, after a brief confrontation, the two Autobots are able to join up with [[Team Prime]] and [[scanning|scan]] new terrestrial alternate modes. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (comic)|''Prime'' comic}} Subsequently, Megatron leaves Earth with the intention of gathering a new army. The Decepticons under Starscream avoid conflict with the Autobots, and continue to secretly mine the planet's energon, along with constructing a new space bridge in orbit. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} During his three year journey, meanwhile, Megatron finds a far greater prize than new troops: solidified crystals of Dark Energon. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

At some unspecified time, Optimus Prime sets up a [[Rescue Force Sigma-17|team]] of [[Rescue Bots]] on the small island town of [[Griffin Rock]], Maine, in which they live with a local family to better understand humanity and serve as their protectors. {{storylink|Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots}}

On Earth, hostilities between the Autobots and Decepticons resurface when Cliffjumper is executed by Starscream; later, he is reanimated by Megatron with the power of Dark Energon. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}} A series of accidents draws three [[human]]s—[[Jack Darby]], [[Raf Esquivel]], and [[Miko Nakadai]]—into the mayhem. Megatron's plan is to reanimate the thousands of dead Transformers on Cybertron and transport them to Earth via the orbital space bridge, but this is ultimately foiled by the Autobots. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}} Megatron himself is caught in the explosion of the bridge as it is destroyed, but survives thanks to the Dark Energon in his body. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Megatron's wounded form is discovered by Starscream after a failed attempt to bring Skyquake under his control. Starscream attempts to kill him, but Soundwave's presence compels him to put the Decepticon leader in stasis in the ''Nemesis''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s sick bay instead. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Wheeljack, now an interstellar nomad, briefly arrives on Earth, but after a run-in with [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]], he leaves. {{storylink|Con Job}}

An encounter with the mysterious human terrorist organization [[MECH]] introduces a second antagonistic party for the Autobots. {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}} [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and his partner [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] arrive on Earth to aid with Megatron's repairs. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}} Airachnid, too, lands on Earth to rekindle her standing grudge against Arcee and collect some "specimens", but she is stranded on Earth when her ship is destroyed by Jack and Arcee. {{storylink|Predatory}}

Events come to a head when Optimus Prime and Ratchet detect an ancient Autobot distress signal, and come across an abandoned Autobot ship infected with cybonic plague. Optimus is contaminated, and so to find a cure for the sickness Bumblebee and Arcee are forced to infiltrate the ''Nemesis'' and enter Megatron's mind. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} However, Megatron manages to download himself into Bumblebee's consciousness, and by taking control of the Autobot's body he restores his original body with Dark Energon and uploads his mind into it, restoring himself to life. {{storylink|Out of His Head}} Megatron grievously wounds Starscream sometime after this as punishment, but Starscream makes another play for power by reanimating Skyquake's corpse, which ends in failure. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

MECH enters the picture again, first capturing and mutilating Breakdown {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}} and later teaming up with Airachnid to lure Arcee into a trap. {{storylink|Crisscross}} Both of these end in failure for MECH.

After Megatron and Starscream are trapped in the [[energon mine]] due to the actions of the Autobots {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}, Starscream renounces Megatron's command and tries to join the Autobots, but this ends in failure when Starscream lets slip that he killed Cliffjumper. {{storylink|Partners}}. Starscream becomes an independent faction in the war. Ratchet manages to devise a formula for synthetic energon from a retrieved data cylinder, but it ends in failure {{storylink|T.M.I.}} {{storylink|Stronger, Faster}}.

[[Image:OneShallRise2-bigdude.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Megatron seeks more power from the Dark Energon, and refers to an ancient prophecy in the [[Covenant of Primus]] that a "rising darkness" will come when the planets in the Solar System align. In reality, the "rising darkness" is Unicron's slumbering form, and the alignment of the planets will create the correct gravitational pull sufficient to awaken him. {{storylink|One Shall Fall}}. As Unicron gradually awakens, the Dark Energon rising from his body causes several natural disasters to occur across the world. Optimus Prime confronts an avatar of Unicron head on, but diplomacy ends in failure when the chaos bringer decides to wipe out the many [[Human|"parasites"]] on his surface. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}} After another battle with Unicron, Megatron and the Autobots make a truce, as the Dark Energon in Megatron's system allows him to locate Unicron's spark core and provide the Autobots with a way to destroy him. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} After the six Transformers bridge their way into Unicron, Megatron and Prime attempt to destroy Unicron's spark core with the Matrix of Leadership. The plan works- but Optimus loses many of his memories, believing that he is Orion Pax once again and that Megatron is his friend. Megatron takes him on board the ''Nemesis''... {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

[[Category:Aligned history]]
[[Category:Chronologies]]

Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3

2011-10-13T21:19:52Z

66.224.191.162: /* Featured Characters */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=68
|series2=2010
|ep2=3
|prev2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2
|next2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4
|image=FFOD3 Decepticons Quintesson ship.JPG
|caption=Intimidating, but they can't hit a single 'Bot.
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3"
|production code=#700-88
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|airdate=[[September 3]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''Desperate to destroy the Autobots, the Quintessons make a deal with the Decepticons.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 惑星ゴーの罠 (''Wakusei Goo no Wana'', "The Trap on Planet Goo")
:''German title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 3'''" ("The five Faces of Darkness, Part 3")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:FFOD3 Autobots vacuum.JPG|left|200px|thumb|"I'm Batman, and I can breathe in space."]]
Detonated by the Quintessons, the planet [[Quintessa]] explodes as the Autobots flee. They escape the planet's destruction, but their ship is smashed by a chunk of debris, sending the group hurtling through space. Eventually, Ultra Magnus calculates that they will soon impact an object, but isn't sure if it's a planet or a ship. Rodimus tells him to relax and enjoy the ride.

[[Image:FFOD3 Autobot shuttle boom.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Remember, Wheelie is on this ship.]]

Meanwhile, Cyclonus briefs Galvatron on the recent developments, including the creation of [[Outpost One|a space platform]] to guard [[Earth]]. Intrigued, Galvatron alters course, deciding to punish the [[human]]s for assuming that they could build something to defend themselves against him. Some of the [[Sweep]]s are unnerved by Galvatron's behavior, but Scourge tells them to shut up.

Blurr and Wheelie, carrying Metroplex's [[transformation cog]], arrive in Earth's [[solar system]], and spot Galvatron. They warn [[Outpost One]], but Galvatron destroys the station with ease, then turns his sights on the [[Autobot]]s. Fleeing to the planet [[Jupiter]], the Autobots are forced to abandon ship with Metroplex's cog and end up falling into the upper atmosphere. Galvatron uses his cannon to electrically charge a nearby storm cell, causing a violent and explosive reaction which disrupts the transformation cogs of both Blurr and Wheelie, and ejects them from the planet. The [[Decepticon]]s then depart for [[Chaar]]. Blaster sends warning to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], where [[Marissa Faireborn]] of [[Earth Defense Command]] heads out on a rescue mission.

[[Image:FFOD3 junk collector.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Not Springer's finest hour.]]

Meanwhile, the Quintessons are contemplating how best to celebrate the death of the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]], when they learn that Rodimus has survived. They conclude that they have no choice but to make an alliance with the one group who can help them: the Decepticons.

The Autobots crash land on a bizarre planetoid named [[Goo]]. They soon discover that they can walk in the planet's gum-like surface, but cannot get out. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] points out that even though they're stranded, it could be worse. Predictably, a giant machine arrives and begins sucking up various garbage. Springer is caught and sliced up, and Rodimus is next. Despite Arcee and Kup's pleas, Rodimus stands his ground, letting the machine pull him up; he manages to clog the blades with some of the goo, causing it to crash. [[Deliberata]] is surprised, claiming that the Autobots weren't programmed for self-sacrifice.

On Chaar, the Quintessons approach the Decepticons with an offer of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. The battered Decepticons are at first hesitant, but once [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] samples some energon and lives, the others dogpile on it. The Quintessons make their proposal: in return for unlimited energon, the Decepticons will destroy the Autobots for them. The Decepticons are nervous, saying that they can't take [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in their present condition, but the Quintessons tell them that Rodimus Prime is on Goo with only a small number of Autobots to guard him. Although it's an offer the Decepticons are eager to accept, Blitzwing is suspicious of the Quintessons, finding them familiar. Motormaster decides to have a vote. The yays have it, but Blitzwing decides to remain on Chaar. The Quintessons are pleased, saying that the Decepticons will soon be theirs... again?

[[Image:FFOD3 Quintessons attack.JPG|right|200px|thumb|No wonder it can't shoot straight. There isn't a single straight line on it!]]

From her ship, Faireborn detects metal fragments which were blown all the way to Jupiter's moon of [[Io]]. On the surface of the Jovian moon, Wheelie and Blurr wake up, not realizing that [[Lipole|they aren't alone]]...

Arriving at Chaar, Galvatron is incensed when Blitzwing informs him that the Decepticons left following others, though he doesn't much care who. Galvatron vows to reclaim his rightful place as Decepticon leader.

On Goo, the Autobots are searching for a way to shut off whatever equipment is keeping the goo warm and soft, allowing them to smash their way out. Suddenly, the Quintesson ship arrives, and a fleet of Decepticons emerges, firing at the trapped Autobots.

[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|To be continued...]]

{{-}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (2)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (3)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (4)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (5)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (7)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (8)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (13)
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (14)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (15)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (17)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (18)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (19)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]

|c2=
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (9)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (10)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (11)
* [[Sweep]]s (12)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (20)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (21)
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (22)
* [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (23)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (24)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (25)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (26)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (27)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (28)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (29)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (30)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (31)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (32)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (33)
* [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (34)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (35)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (36)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (37)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (38)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (39)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (40)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (42)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (43)

|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (6)
* [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa Faireborn ]]

|c4=
* [[Deliberata]] (7)
* [[Quintesson]]s (16)
* [[Lipole]] (41)
}}

==Quotes==
"My guidance system is hit! Galvatron, save meeeEEE!" 
"Please meet your end with dignity! I despise whiners!"
:—A '''Sweep''' is left to die by '''Galvatron'''

'''Sweep 1''': This is blowing out my audio sensors. 
'''Sweep 2''': It's torture! 
'''Galvatron''': Hahah, no, no! It's music. The symphony of destruction, and the anthem of agony!
:—Galvatron really needs to see a head doctor.

'''Cyclonus''': Bravo, Galvatron. The Autobots' destruction is assured. 
'''Galvatron''': Assured is not enough. I told you I want their heads, Cyclonus! 
''[moments later]'' 
'''Cyclonus''': Mighty Galvatron... where are the Autobots' heads?! 
'''Galvatron''': ''[whacks him]'' What does it matter? Their destruction is assured!
:—Consistency is not Galvatron's strong suit.

"How pleasant the feeling, to know the Autobots and their Matrix of Leadership have been destroyed." 
"I could watch it over and over again." 
"It is a day so long in coming that I am uncertain how to celebrate it." 
"Perhaps... a quiet chuckle." 
"Very well then. Let us... chuckle."
:—The '''Quintessons''' loved it. It was much better than ''Cats''.

'''Quintesson''': We have not come to kill you. We have come to offer you a proposition. 
'''Dead End''': Uh—Swindle! I think this is your department. 
'''Swindle''': First, see if we can trust 'em. Taste one of the energon cubes.
:—Send the guy named "Swindle" to negotiate. Always a good idea.

"Forget everything I told you about heroism, RUN!"
:—'''Kup''' decides to change his tune when Rodimus Prime nearly faces death by alien garbage truck.

"Well?! Where are they?" 
"You, uh... pose an interesting question, my lord."
:—'''Galvatron''' and '''Cyclonus''' wonder where the Decepticon army went.

"Mark this moment well. For when the Decepticons eliminate the Autobots, they take the first step to their own destruction as well."
:—A '''Quintesson'''

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* The inside of Magnus's mouth is red as he announces the Autobots' trajectory.
* As Galvatron exits the warp gate, the gate's energy is shown streaming out of it. The previous scene showed the energy precisely confined within the gate's boundaries; later portrayals of warp gates would remain consistent with this. It looks like the animators might have conflated a view of Galvatron's passage within the warp gate with a view of space outside it.
* As Blurr decides to try and lose Galvatron around Jupiter, his lip flap is far slower than his rate of speech. In the same scene, Wheelie's voice starts getting higher. Just wait, it'll get worse.
* The first shot of this sequence has Blurr and Wheelie standing around and staring at a blank wall for no apparent reason; there were probably supposed to be controls and view screens there.
* The establishing shot of [[Autobot City]] shows some waterfalls that aren't moving at all. (That makes up for the frozen waterfall that [[The Core|spontaneously unfroze]] last season.)
* The EDC base on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] totally changes shape and size between its two establishing shots.
* When Galvatron transforms to destroy the Autobot shuttle, his arm-mounted cannon flies off of his arm and off-screen... and a new one emerges from his body to replace it in his cannon mode.
* Wheelie takes the transformation cog with him when he ejects from the shuttle, but as he and Blurr fall through the tornado, it's not in either of his hands.
* When Wheelie shoots Galvatron, his Autobot symbol is missing (there's only a red square in its place).
* Improbable viewpoints:
** The Quintessons get a tracking pan view of Rodimus and company floating through space. (Four of the five Aerialbots are missing; only Air Raid is shown.)
* The mouth of the Quintesson reporting the Autobots' trajectory turns gray instead of black for several frames.
* All five of the Aerialbots are supposed to be with Rodimus & company, but only Silverbolt and Air Raid are actually shown.
* It's an AKOM episode, so watch for Grimlock's outdated head design.
* When the Autobots land on Goo, only the skull face of Deliberata is shown arriving. A second later, Kup picks up the same skull face before dropping it back into the goo. Did that one face just fall off?
* Rodimus has his early-casting voice when he says "I don't think it's the welcome wagon". In the same scene, the inside of Magnus's mouth is blue.
* Silverbolt doesn't move his mouth when he says "I'll fly over and see."
* The idea is that the erupting storm blasts Wheelie and Blurr out of Jupiter's atmosphere, but the animation makes it look like they just randomly start flying that way.
* Wheelie says he can't control his transformations, but he doesn't actually transform.
* After having a gray gun last episode, Rodimus is back to the red gun he had in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1|Part 1]].
* Rodimus's lower legs are orange instead of red in the second shot of him and the others firing at the garbage scow.
* Springer's mouth isn't moving when he says, "Maybe I can lift us out of here."
* Springer says "No go!" about his failure to escape from the goo before he's even activated his rotor blades.
* Springer returns to robot mode with no transformation noise.
* As Springer is pulled into the garbage scow, Arcee's helmet is pink on the sides when it should be all white.
* Rodimus's spoiler ridge is yellow instead of orange:
** As he leads the others to try and help Springer.
** During the whole sequence of him bringing down the garbage scow.
* When Rodimus reacts to Springer's destruction, his eyes are black instead of blue.
* Not nearly enough Springer parts come out of the machine to make up the complete Springer.
* "They wanna make a deal with us" is spoken in Swindle's voice, but Blitzwing is shown speaking.
* Astrotrain is missing some details on his back as he dives on the energon cube pile.
* Magnus has a red mouth interior again as he reacts to Rodimus stopping the garbage scow; the underside rim of his helmet is also ''huge''. And gray instead of blue.
* During the same shots, Arcee's backpack is shown in front of her arms (and again, the sides of her helmet are pink).
* The Quintesson Deliberata finally pops up again when he's needed to speak a line, after being absent for the entire preceding sequence. His skull face is properly attached, so, we may never know what was up with the skull face that Kup dropped into the goo.
* As Rodimus asks, "How are we gonna get out of this mess?," Magnus's eyes are only half drawn in.
* The establishing shot of Chaar is pretty clearly Goo, which we just left in the previous scene.
* As Swindle denounces the Quintessons' offer, the top of his torso is purple instead of yellow, and Drag Strip's head is yellow instead of brown.
[[Image:Combaticons bruticus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Decepticons are resorting to animation errors to boost their troop numbers.]]
[[Image:Aerilabotindecepticons.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ah hah, so THAT'S why he isn't on Goo.]]
* The entire next sequence is an infamous continuity and animation FUBAR, as the Decepticons seem to teleport all over the place between shots:
** When the Decepticons react to "Destroy the Autobots", Motormaster is shown with Swindle and Drag Strip. The previous shot ("That means it probably is.) had Wildrider in that spot.
** Onslaught very clearly ''walks'' up to protest the Quintessons' proposal of attacking Cybertron. The next shot is a reaction shot of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], with Onslaught down on his knees, and reacting in protest to his own statement! Swindle is also on his knees behind him, even though he was shown with some Stunticons just a shot before. AKOM cheats some "expressive" motion from the Combaticons by just sliding static drawings of them around on the background. Best of all, [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]—the combined form of the five Combaticons—is standing right behind them! His legs are switched around, and he's the same size as his components.
** In the next shot of the Decepticons, Onslaught is now sitting next to Soundwave and Astrotrain, and Swindle is now behind Dead End.
** [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is the size of [[Octane]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]].
** The first shot of Blitzwing ("They lie!") shows him behind Rumble and Octane, but when we switch to a view from behind him, he's alone.
** In the wide shot as Dead End agrees with the plan, the Autobot [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] is shown sitting with the Decepticons. Same shot: Drag Strip's head is yellow again. Amazingly, this shot actually consistently keeps Blitzwing behind Octane and Rumble. Dead End, Soundwave and Onslaught are also still together, but Astrotrain has vanished from between them, and Rumble is in the space behind Dead End where Swindle should be.
** Yeah. It's bad, even for [[AKOM]].
* When the Quintessons say they must act quickly, one Quintesson is missing the lower half of his face and another is missing altogether, with just a telltale beam of energy where he should be.
* Only three Sweeps arrive on Chaar. The number following Galvatron up to now has been five to six. The Sweep in the rear has gray legs and gray back details, even though his siblings on either side are colored correctly. Subsequent shots show several additional Sweeps.
* Shots of Galvatron and his men flying over Chaar have Sweeps colored quite creatively:
** "We have fallen upon hard times": a Dirge-colored Sweep
** Panning shot: Swindle, Soundwave, and Dirge-colored Sweeps
** "Soon I shall raise the Deceptions": Bombshell, Grimlock, and maybe others.
* The top of Blitzwing's head is purple instead of yellow as he struggles to remember the Quintessons' name.
* Cyclonus's jet windows aren't colored in as Galvatron says "Who cares?"
* Wheelie and Blurr have switched positions from where they crashed; Wheelie was on Blurr's left, but now he's on Blurr's right.
* As he and Blurr awake on Io, Wheelie doesn't have his usual voice. The strained, high-pitched, whiny substitute used instead makes his usual voice sound like sweet music.
* The animation of the [[lipole]]s seems to portray them as giant walking beasts (and ''definitely'' portrays them as glowing and dripping acid from their fangs), with deep-throated snarls and growls. Nothing wrong so far, but next episode they'll be a swarm of tiny, non-glowing, non-acid-dripping, flying, high-pitched-squeaking creatures. Whether the animators misinterpreted the writer's directions in this episode, or the writer himself changed his mind between installments, remains unclear.
* Wheelie's final lines lack the usual processing (which was already not up to snuff in this episode.)
* Right in the middle of the discussion about how to shut off the inescapable goo... Rodimus just walks right out of it!
* Only Air Raid is shown during the final sequence on Goo; the other four Aerialbots are missing (again!)
* Rodimus says "What was that?" in reaction to laser fire that hasn't happened yet.
[[Image:Shockwave5Faces.jpg|thumb|right|200px|My coloring scheme is illogical.]]
* Another infamous cluster follows as the Decepticons pour out of the Quintesson ship and fire on the Autobots:
** The first shot features a light gray [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] with a Blurr-like head bobber (maybe someone at AKOM was reading "[[Decepticon Patrol]]"?) and Shockwave colored like Long Haul.
** The second shot features a clearer shot of Shock Haul, as well as [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], who was reformatted into a Sweep during the Movie. Behind them, Dirge is missing his wings.
** If that doesn't seem so bad, wait until the same sequence continues next time!
* Although both the [[Kid Rhino]] and [[Shout! Factory]] versions of this episode contain the correct unique opening titles for the story (one of only two parts of "Five Faces of Darkness" on DVD that do), the Shout! version incorrectly uses the soundtrack to the standard season three opening as now found on the broadcast masters to all five parts.

===Continuity errors===
* The Autobot ship which looks exactly like Broadside is destroyed in the explosion of Quintessa. Broadside himself shows up alive and well later in the series, so... apparently that wasn't Broadside.
* The Aerialbots are clearly capable of at least limited space flight, as seen both in the previous episode, and the later episode "[[Fight or Flee]]". It therefore seems a bit silly for them to be tumbling helplessly through space.
* Spike is in his civilian clothes when he boards the Autobot ship. When it's destroyed a few seconds later, he's got on a space suit. Even if that ''was'' the first thing he did the instant he set foot on the ship, it sure doesn't look like he'd have ''time'' to change into it.
* The animation shows Marissa pushing a button and saying "On my way!" The next shot shows her ship rocketing off of its launching rail. The net effect is that she seems to have just been sitting there in this angled ship, waiting around for a mission.
* Rodimus is shown standing outside the garbage scow after he brings it down. Considering it came down right on top of him, he should really be ''inside'' it. (Or under it.)
* Kup says to Rodimus, "I've seen a lotta brave Autobots do a lotta brave things in my time, but nothing like that." With all Kup's experience, it's a little hard to swallow that that's the ''bravest'' thing he has ever witnessed.

===ERRORS. OF. ''SCIENCE!''===
* Cyclonus's first line is muffled as if he were communicating by radio to Galvatron. ''Technically'', that's actually correct, since they're in the soundless vacuum of space and should be communicating by radio. But it's inconsistent with every other portrayal of Transformers communicating in space, including the rest of this very scene. Anyway, wouldn't super-advanced space robots have hi-fi communicators that wouldn't sound like walkie-talkies?
* [[Trooper Sullivan]] is shown radioing [[Earth Defense Command]] with a hand-held radio as he's floating through space. The "mouth plate" of his helmet even moves as he does so. Unlike the super-advanced space robots, he does not get a "really talking by radio" pass for this.
* Jupiter's ring appears to be composed of scrap metal (instead of ice.) The planet itself is shown as a dusky orange instead of the banded red, white, brown and tan of the actual planet.
* The Autobot shuttle loops around a gray, homogeneous moon of Jupiter. It's not clear that this ''has'' to be [[Io]], but if it is, it's all wrong. The real moon is orange and red, with black and white splotches, and looks like a pizza. Later, when Wheelie and Blurr are ejected from Jupiter's atmosphere, a distant Io (for sure this time!) is shown looking a lot like post-Movie Cybertron, silvery with spikey buildings poking out into space.
* During the establishing zoom-in toward [[Earth]], two planet-like objects are in the foreground, in close proximity to the other. The smaller one is the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], but there's no real-world body that could be the other one. The reddish color may mean it's supposed to be [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] (which comes into play in the following scene), but it's waaaaay too close to the Moon for that.
* Wow. Who knew that storms on Jupiter were so... ''flammable''?
* There probably isn't life on Io.

===Trivia===
* The sequence on Goo is the inspiration for the last portion of the ''Five Faces of Darkness'' custom title sequence, though in a clever spoiler-avoiding twist, Springer actually ''does'' get free from the goo in the title animation.
* Rodimus refers to Springer with the nickname "Springo". It recurs only once, in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|the next episode]].
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] mentions that the gooey substance on Goo reminds him of stuff he put under his chair in high school. Although this is disgusting, it does raise a valid question: when did Spike ever have time to go to school during the first two seasons?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness (Family Home Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness: Parts 1-5 ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/five_faces_of_darkness_part_3.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]

Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3

2011-10-13T21:19:16Z

66.224.191.162: /* Featured Characters */

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=68
|series2=2010
|ep2=3
|prev2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2
|next2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4
|image=FFOD3 Decepticons Quintesson ship.JPG
|caption=Intimidating, but they can't hit a single 'Bot.
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3"
|production code=#700-88
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|airdate=[[September 3]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
}}
'''Desperate to destroy the Autobots, the Quintessons make a deal with the Decepticons.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 惑星ゴーの罠 (''Wakusei Goo no Wana'', "The Trap on Planet Goo")
:''German title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 3'''" ("The five Faces of Darkness, Part 3")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:FFOD3 Autobots vacuum.JPG|left|200px|thumb|"I'm Batman, and I can breathe in space."]]
Detonated by the Quintessons, the planet [[Quintessa]] explodes as the Autobots flee. They escape the planet's destruction, but their ship is smashed by a chunk of debris, sending the group hurtling through space. Eventually, Ultra Magnus calculates that they will soon impact an object, but isn't sure if it's a planet or a ship. Rodimus tells him to relax and enjoy the ride.

[[Image:FFOD3 Autobot shuttle boom.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Remember, Wheelie is on this ship.]]

Meanwhile, Cyclonus briefs Galvatron on the recent developments, including the creation of [[Outpost One|a space platform]] to guard [[Earth]]. Intrigued, Galvatron alters course, deciding to punish the [[human]]s for assuming that they could build something to defend themselves against him. Some of the [[Sweep]]s are unnerved by Galvatron's behavior, but Scourge tells them to shut up.

Blurr and Wheelie, carrying Metroplex's [[transformation cog]], arrive in Earth's [[solar system]], and spot Galvatron. They warn [[Outpost One]], but Galvatron destroys the station with ease, then turns his sights on the [[Autobot]]s. Fleeing to the planet [[Jupiter]], the Autobots are forced to abandon ship with Metroplex's cog and end up falling into the upper atmosphere. Galvatron uses his cannon to electrically charge a nearby storm cell, causing a violent and explosive reaction which disrupts the transformation cogs of both Blurr and Wheelie, and ejects them from the planet. The [[Decepticon]]s then depart for [[Chaar]]. Blaster sends warning to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], where [[Marissa Faireborn]] of [[Earth Defense Command]] heads out on a rescue mission.

[[Image:FFOD3 junk collector.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Not Springer's finest hour.]]

Meanwhile, the Quintessons are contemplating how best to celebrate the death of the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]], when they learn that Rodimus has survived. They conclude that they have no choice but to make an alliance with the one group who can help them: the Decepticons.

The Autobots crash land on a bizarre planetoid named [[Goo]]. They soon discover that they can walk in the planet's gum-like surface, but cannot get out. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] points out that even though they're stranded, it could be worse. Predictably, a giant machine arrives and begins sucking up various garbage. Springer is caught and sliced up, and Rodimus is next. Despite Arcee and Kup's pleas, Rodimus stands his ground, letting the machine pull him up; he manages to clog the blades with some of the goo, causing it to crash. [[Deliberata]] is surprised, claiming that the Autobots weren't programmed for self-sacrifice.

On Chaar, the Quintessons approach the Decepticons with an offer of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. The battered Decepticons are at first hesitant, but once [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] samples some energon and lives, the others dogpile on it. The Quintessons make their proposal: in return for unlimited energon, the Decepticons will destroy the Autobots for them. The Decepticons are nervous, saying that they can't take [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in their present condition, but the Quintessons tell them that Rodimus Prime is on Goo with only a small number of Autobots to guard him. Although it's an offer the Decepticons are eager to accept, Blitzwing is suspicious of the Quintessons, finding them familiar. Motormaster decides to have a vote. The yays have it, but Blitzwing decides to remain on Chaar. The Quintessons are pleased, saying that the Decepticons will soon be theirs... again?

[[Image:FFOD3 Quintessons attack.JPG|right|200px|thumb|No wonder it can't shoot straight. There isn't a single straight line on it!]]

From her ship, Faireborn detects metal fragments which were blown all the way to Jupiter's moon of [[Io]]. On the surface of the Jovian moon, Wheelie and Blurr wake up, not realizing that [[Lipole|they aren't alone]]...

Arriving at Chaar, Galvatron is incensed when Blitzwing informs him that the Decepticons left following others, though he doesn't much care who. Galvatron vows to reclaim his rightful place as Decepticon leader.

On Goo, the Autobots are searching for a way to shut off whatever equipment is keeping the goo warm and soft, allowing them to smash their way out. Suddenly, the Quintesson ship arrives, and a fleet of Decepticons emerges, firing at the trapped Autobots.

[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|To be continued...]]

{{-}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (2)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (3)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (4)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (5)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (7)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (8)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (13)
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (14)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (15)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (17)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (18)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (19)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]

|c2=
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (9)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (10)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (11)
* [[Sweep]]s (12)
* [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (20)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (21)
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (22)
* [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (23)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (24)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (25)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (26)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (27)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (28)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (29)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (30)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (31)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (32)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (33)
* [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (34)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (35)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (36)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (37)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (38)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (39)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (40)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (42)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (43)

|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (6)
* [[Marissa Faireborn (G1)|Marissa Faireborn ]]

|c4=
* [[Deliberata]] (7)
* [[Quintesson]]s (16)
* [[Lipole]] (41)
}}

==Quotes==
"My guidance system is hit! Galvatron, save meeeEEE!" 
"Please meet your end with dignity! I despise whiners!"
:—A '''Sweep''' is left to die by '''Galvatron'''

'''Sweep 1''': This is blowing out my audio sensors. 
'''Sweep 2''': It's torture! 
'''Galvatron''': Hahah, no, no! It's music. The symphony of destruction, and the anthem of agony!
:—Galvatron really needs to see a head doctor.

'''Cyclonus''': Bravo, Galvatron. The Autobots' destruction is assured. 
'''Galvatron''': Assured is not enough. I told you I want their heads, Cyclonus! 
''[moments later]'' 
'''Cyclonus''': Mighty Galvatron... where are the Autobots' heads?! 
'''Galvatron''': ''[whacks him]'' What does it matter? Their destruction is assured!
:—Consistency is not Galvatron's strong suit.

"How pleasant the feeling, to know the Autobots and their Matrix of Leadership have been destroyed." 
"I could watch it over and over again." 
"It is a day so long in coming that I am uncertain how to celebrate it." 
"Perhaps... a quiet chuckle." 
"Very well then. Let us... chuckle."
:—The '''Quintessons''' loved it. It was much better than ''Cats''.

'''Quintesson''': We have not come to kill you. We have come to offer you a proposition. 
'''Dead End''': Uh—Swindle! I think this is your department. 
'''Swindle''': First, see if we can trust 'em. Taste one of the energon cubes.
:—Send the guy named "Swindle" to negotiate. Always a good idea.

"Forget everything I told you about heroism, RUN!"
:—'''Kup''' decides to change his tune when Rodimus Prime nearly faces death by alien garbage truck.

"Well?! Where are they?" 
"You, uh... pose an interesting question, my lord."
:—'''Galvatron''' and '''Cyclonus''' wonder where the Decepticon army went.

"Mark this moment well. For when the Decepticons eliminate the Autobots, they take the first step to their own destruction as well."
:—A '''Quintesson'''

==Notes==
===Animation or technical glitches===
* The inside of Magnus's mouth is red as he announces the Autobots' trajectory.
* As Galvatron exits the warp gate, the gate's energy is shown streaming out of it. The previous scene showed the energy precisely confined within the gate's boundaries; later portrayals of warp gates would remain consistent with this. It looks like the animators might have conflated a view of Galvatron's passage within the warp gate with a view of space outside it.
* As Blurr decides to try and lose Galvatron around Jupiter, his lip flap is far slower than his rate of speech. In the same scene, Wheelie's voice starts getting higher. Just wait, it'll get worse.
* The first shot of this sequence has Blurr and Wheelie standing around and staring at a blank wall for no apparent reason; there were probably supposed to be controls and view screens there.
* The establishing shot of [[Autobot City]] shows some waterfalls that aren't moving at all. (That makes up for the frozen waterfall that [[The Core|spontaneously unfroze]] last season.)
* The EDC base on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] totally changes shape and size between its two establishing shots.
* When Galvatron transforms to destroy the Autobot shuttle, his arm-mounted cannon flies off of his arm and off-screen... and a new one emerges from his body to replace it in his cannon mode.
* Wheelie takes the transformation cog with him when he ejects from the shuttle, but as he and Blurr fall through the tornado, it's not in either of his hands.
* When Wheelie shoots Galvatron, his Autobot symbol is missing (there's only a red square in its place).
* Improbable viewpoints:
** The Quintessons get a tracking pan view of Rodimus and company floating through space. (Four of the five Aerialbots are missing; only Air Raid is shown.)
* The mouth of the Quintesson reporting the Autobots' trajectory turns gray instead of black for several frames.
* All five of the Aerialbots are supposed to be with Rodimus & company, but only Silverbolt and Air Raid are actually shown.
* It's an AKOM episode, so watch for Grimlock's outdated head design.
* When the Autobots land on Goo, only the skull face of Deliberata is shown arriving. A second later, Kup picks up the same skull face before dropping it back into the goo. Did that one face just fall off?
* Rodimus has his early-casting voice when he says "I don't think it's the welcome wagon". In the same scene, the inside of Magnus's mouth is blue.
* Silverbolt doesn't move his mouth when he says "I'll fly over and see."
* The idea is that the erupting storm blasts Wheelie and Blurr out of Jupiter's atmosphere, but the animation makes it look like they just randomly start flying that way.
* Wheelie says he can't control his transformations, but he doesn't actually transform.
* After having a gray gun last episode, Rodimus is back to the red gun he had in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1|Part 1]].
* Rodimus's lower legs are orange instead of red in the second shot of him and the others firing at the garbage scow.
* Springer's mouth isn't moving when he says, "Maybe I can lift us out of here."
* Springer says "No go!" about his failure to escape from the goo before he's even activated his rotor blades.
* Springer returns to robot mode with no transformation noise.
* As Springer is pulled into the garbage scow, Arcee's helmet is pink on the sides when it should be all white.
* Rodimus's spoiler ridge is yellow instead of orange:
** As he leads the others to try and help Springer.
** During the whole sequence of him bringing down the garbage scow.
* When Rodimus reacts to Springer's destruction, his eyes are black instead of blue.
* Not nearly enough Springer parts come out of the machine to make up the complete Springer.
* "They wanna make a deal with us" is spoken in Swindle's voice, but Blitzwing is shown speaking.
* Astrotrain is missing some details on his back as he dives on the energon cube pile.
* Magnus has a red mouth interior again as he reacts to Rodimus stopping the garbage scow; the underside rim of his helmet is also ''huge''. And gray instead of blue.
* During the same shots, Arcee's backpack is shown in front of her arms (and again, the sides of her helmet are pink).
* The Quintesson Deliberata finally pops up again when he's needed to speak a line, after being absent for the entire preceding sequence. His skull face is properly attached, so, we may never know what was up with the skull face that Kup dropped into the goo.
* As Rodimus asks, "How are we gonna get out of this mess?," Magnus's eyes are only half drawn in.
* The establishing shot of Chaar is pretty clearly Goo, which we just left in the previous scene.
* As Swindle denounces the Quintessons' offer, the top of his torso is purple instead of yellow, and Drag Strip's head is yellow instead of brown.
[[Image:Combaticons bruticus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Decepticons are resorting to animation errors to boost their troop numbers.]]
[[Image:Aerilabotindecepticons.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ah hah, so THAT'S why he isn't on Goo.]]
* The entire next sequence is an infamous continuity and animation FUBAR, as the Decepticons seem to teleport all over the place between shots:
** When the Decepticons react to "Destroy the Autobots", Motormaster is shown with Swindle and Drag Strip. The previous shot ("That means it probably is.) had Wildrider in that spot.
** Onslaught very clearly ''walks'' up to protest the Quintessons' proposal of attacking Cybertron. The next shot is a reaction shot of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], with Onslaught down on his knees, and reacting in protest to his own statement! Swindle is also on his knees behind him, even though he was shown with some Stunticons just a shot before. AKOM cheats some "expressive" motion from the Combaticons by just sliding static drawings of them around on the background. Best of all, [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]—the combined form of the five Combaticons—is standing right behind them! His legs are switched around, and he's the same size as his components.
** In the next shot of the Decepticons, Onslaught is now sitting next to Soundwave and Astrotrain, and Swindle is now behind Dead End.
** [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is the size of [[Octane]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]].
** The first shot of Blitzwing ("They lie!") shows him behind Rumble and Octane, but when we switch to a view from behind him, he's alone.
** In the wide shot as Dead End agrees with the plan, the Autobot [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] is shown sitting with the Decepticons. Same shot: Drag Strip's head is yellow again. Amazingly, this shot actually consistently keeps Blitzwing behind Octane and Rumble. Dead End, Soundwave and Onslaught are also still together, but Astrotrain has vanished from between them, and Rumble is in the space behind Dead End where Swindle should be.
** Yeah. It's bad, even for [[AKOM]].
* When the Quintessons say they must act quickly, one Quintesson is missing the lower half of his face and another is missing altogether, with just a telltale beam of energy where he should be.
* Only three Sweeps arrive on Chaar. The number following Galvatron up to now has been five to six. The Sweep in the rear has gray legs and gray back details, even though his siblings on either side are colored correctly. Subsequent shots show several additional Sweeps.
* Shots of Galvatron and his men flying over Chaar have Sweeps colored quite creatively:
** "We have fallen upon hard times": a Dirge-colored Sweep
** Panning shot: Swindle, Soundwave, and Dirge-colored Sweeps
** "Soon I shall raise the Deceptions": Bombshell, Grimlock, and maybe others.
* The top of Blitzwing's head is purple instead of yellow as he struggles to remember the Quintessons' name.
* Cyclonus's jet windows aren't colored in as Galvatron says "Who cares?"
* Wheelie and Blurr have switched positions from where they crashed; Wheelie was on Blurr's left, but now he's on Blurr's right.
* As he and Blurr awake on Io, Wheelie doesn't have his usual voice. The strained, high-pitched, whiny substitute used instead makes his usual voice sound like sweet music.
* The animation of the [[lipole]]s seems to portray them as giant walking beasts (and ''definitely'' portrays them as glowing and dripping acid from their fangs), with deep-throated snarls and growls. Nothing wrong so far, but next episode they'll be a swarm of tiny, non-glowing, non-acid-dripping, flying, high-pitched-squeaking creatures. Whether the animators misinterpreted the writer's directions in this episode, or the writer himself changed his mind between installments, remains unclear.
* Wheelie's final lines lack the usual processing (which was already not up to snuff in this episode.)
* Right in the middle of the discussion about how to shut off the inescapable goo... Rodimus just walks right out of it!
* Only Air Raid is shown during the final sequence on Goo; the other four Aerialbots are missing (again!)
* Rodimus says "What was that?" in reaction to laser fire that hasn't happened yet.
[[Image:Shockwave5Faces.jpg|thumb|right|200px|My coloring scheme is illogical.]]
* Another infamous cluster follows as the Decepticons pour out of the Quintesson ship and fire on the Autobots:
** The first shot features a light gray [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] with a Blurr-like head bobber (maybe someone at AKOM was reading "[[Decepticon Patrol]]"?) and Shockwave colored like Long Haul.
** The second shot features a clearer shot of Shock Haul, as well as [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], who was reformatted into a Sweep during the Movie. Behind them, Dirge is missing his wings.
** If that doesn't seem so bad, wait until the same sequence continues next time!
* Although both the [[Kid Rhino]] and [[Shout! Factory]] versions of this episode contain the correct unique opening titles for the story (one of only two parts of "Five Faces of Darkness" on DVD that do), the Shout! version incorrectly uses the soundtrack to the standard season three opening as now found on the broadcast masters to all five parts.

===Continuity errors===
* The Autobot ship which looks exactly like Broadside is destroyed in the explosion of Quintessa. Broadside himself shows up alive and well later in the series, so... apparently that wasn't Broadside.
* The Aerialbots are clearly capable of at least limited space flight, as seen both in the previous episode, and the later episode "[[Fight or Flee]]". It therefore seems a bit silly for them to be tumbling helplessly through space.
* Spike is in his civilian clothes when he boards the Autobot ship. When it's destroyed a few seconds later, he's got on a space suit. Even if that ''was'' the first thing he did the instant he set foot on the ship, it sure doesn't look like he'd have ''time'' to change into it.
* The animation shows Marissa pushing a button and saying "On my way!" The next shot shows her ship rocketing off of its launching rail. The net effect is that she seems to have just been sitting there in this angled ship, waiting around for a mission.
* Rodimus is shown standing outside the garbage scow after he brings it down. Considering it came down right on top of him, he should really be ''inside'' it. (Or under it.)
* Kup says to Rodimus, "I've seen a lotta brave Autobots do a lotta brave things in my time, but nothing like that." With all Kup's experience, it's a little hard to swallow that that's the ''bravest'' thing he has ever witnessed.

===ERRORS. OF. ''SCIENCE!''===
* Cyclonus's first line is muffled as if he were communicating by radio to Galvatron. ''Technically'', that's actually correct, since they're in the soundless vacuum of space and should be communicating by radio. But it's inconsistent with every other portrayal of Transformers communicating in space, including the rest of this very scene. Anyway, wouldn't super-advanced space robots have hi-fi communicators that wouldn't sound like walkie-talkies?
* [[Trooper Sullivan]] is shown radioing [[Earth Defense Command]] with a hand-held radio as he's floating through space. The "mouth plate" of his helmet even moves as he does so. Unlike the super-advanced space robots, he does not get a "really talking by radio" pass for this.
* Jupiter's ring appears to be composed of scrap metal (instead of ice.) The planet itself is shown as a dusky orange instead of the banded red, white, brown and tan of the actual planet.
* The Autobot shuttle loops around a gray, homogeneous moon of Jupiter. It's not clear that this ''has'' to be [[Io]], but if it is, it's all wrong. The real moon is orange and red, with black and white splotches, and looks like a pizza. Later, when Wheelie and Blurr are ejected from Jupiter's atmosphere, a distant Io (for sure this time!) is shown looking a lot like post-Movie Cybertron, silvery with spikey buildings poking out into space.
* During the establishing zoom-in toward [[Earth]], two planet-like objects are in the foreground, in close proximity to the other. The smaller one is the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], but there's no real-world body that could be the other one. The reddish color may mean it's supposed to be [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] (which comes into play in the following scene), but it's waaaaay too close to the Moon for that.
* Wow. Who knew that storms on Jupiter were so... ''flammable''?
* There probably isn't life on Io.

===Trivia===
* The sequence on Goo is the inspiration for the last portion of the ''Five Faces of Darkness'' custom title sequence, though in a clever spoiler-avoiding twist, Springer actually ''does'' get free from the goo in the title animation.
* Rodimus refers to Springer with the nickname "Springo". It recurs only once, in [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|the next episode]].
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] mentions that the gooey substance on Goo reminds him of stuff he put under his chair in high school. Although this is disgusting, it does raise a valid question: when did Spike ever have time to go to school during the first two seasons?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness (Family Home Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness: Parts 1-5 ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

==External links==
*[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/five_faces_of_darkness_part_3.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category:Generation 1 episodes]]