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Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future

2009-12-09T05:01:09Z

74.190.195.211: /* Technical/animation glitches */

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=26
|image=Endgame3 title.jpg
|caption=The Beast Era ends here... till [[The Gathering|the]] [[Universe (2003 comic)|comics]] come out.
|title="Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future"
|airdate=[[May 3]], 2000
|written by=[[Bob Skir|Robert N. Skir]]
|directed by=[[William Lau]]
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuty=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''As the last two living Transformers on Cybertron, Optimus Primal and Megatron stage their final battle.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 未来の行方 (''Mirai no Yukue'', "The Fate of the Future")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:BMEndgame3 Optimus Megatron begin fight.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Round one. FIGHT!]]
As [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] lies defeated, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] stands gloating over his nemesis. To add insult to injury, Megatron has taken a new body... Primal's Optimal body, minus the [[Alternate mode|beast mode]]. And, to make it just right, Megatron then adds the [[Spark|sparks]] of the [[Maximal|Maximals]] to the [[spark containment chamber]]. Enraged, Optimus fights back, but Megatron punches him through the wall to the outside of the [[Grand Mal|big floating head]]. Optimus manages to get in a few more shots, but stops sees the sparkless bodies of [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. Megatron takes a moment to rub it in, then attacks.

Primal flees through the city scape, flying a merry little chase, until he reaches a power generator storage area. As Megatron temporarily loses track of his prey, Optimus comes up from behind and destroys several generators. Optimus barely manages to escape the inferno, as Megatron's left arm is thrown out of the flames. After Primal makes a bad pun, Megatron emerges. As Primal jumps into a nearby river, he dives, only to have Megatron follow him in and shot a hole in the ground, causing them to sink into a whirlpool.

As Optimus wakes up, he realizes he is in the [[Vector Sigma Chamber|chamber]] of [[Vector Sigma|the Oracle]]. However, the [[technorganic orchard]] has been completely destroyed. Worse for Primal, he sees [[Rattrap]] and [[Botanica]]'s sparkless bodies, lying on the ground, with their hands streched toward each other. Megatron then arrives, and takes him to the surface.

[[Image:BMEndgame3 Sparks released.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
Heading toward the [[Council Citadel]], Megatron activates a throne built into the Citadel to appear, then opens the spark chamber, absorbing the sparks and preparing to ascend to supplant the [[Allspark|Matrix]] and achieve [[Primus|Godhood]]. As the sparks enter his body, Megatron grows in size. Primal tries to talk, saying that each spark is but a part of the Matrix and that together, they add to its totality. Megatron then activates the [[Key to Vector Sigma]], to be used against the [[organic core]]. However, Megatron cannot fully activate the Oracle, as he and Primal are linked. Megatron then severs the link, and Primal fears that he has failed.

[[Image:The Fall NNNNNOOOOOOO.JPG|left|180px|thumb|So Megatron spends half the episode flying around the planet with Primal and he falls to his death?]]
However, the sparks of his comrades speak to him, inspiring him on. Shooting a beam at Megatron's throne, vines extend and grab Megatron's arms. Primal then tries to push him into the core. However, Megatron grabs hold of Optimus, who merely shoots off Megatron's fingers to sever the vine, allowing them both to fall into the core. As they plummet, Primal bids Megatron farewell. Upon impact with the core, both Optimus and Megatron [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|die]] in a flash of light. From space, a bright light rises, then begins to cover the surface of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

[[Image:Maximals endofBMac.JPG|right|180px|thumb|Isn't this show over yet?!?]]
Waking up, the Maximals find themselves on a technorganic world, which they realize is Cybertron. Rattrap is somewhat worried, then Botanica appears, and he jumps into her arms. As Silverbolt sweeps Blackarachnia off her feet, [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] appears as a tiny, [[technorganic]] wasp, pissed that he's been screwed over again. Then, the Oracle shows [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] a vision of Optimus Primal's spark, flying away, telling him to "transform, and transcend". As it fades, Cheetor mutters that he understands. In the distance, the freed Transformers, their sparks once again in bodies, run over the horizon, ready to assume control of the newly technorganic Cybertron.

[['Til all are one]].

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
* [[Optimus Primal]] (1)
* [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (4)
* [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (5)
* [[Rattrap]] (7)
* [[Botanica]] (8)
* [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (9)
* [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (10)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]|c2=
* [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (2)
* [[Diagnostic Drone|Diagnostic Drones]] (3)
* [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (6)

|h3=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c3=
* [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (11)

}}

==Quotes==
"So, Optimus Primal, it all comes down to you and me. Or should I say, you and ''you''?"
:—'''Megatron''' notes the irony in fighting Optimus with a copy of his own previous body.

"My great ascension is finally complete! '''YEEEEESSSS!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' brings an old catchphrase back into style.

"What are you doing?!" 
"Planting the seeds of the future. We must seek the balance, Megatron. Not only between the organic and the technological, but the balance between eternal enemies. Between you and I!"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Primal'''. One good thing about the last episode, no more Optimus speeches.

"The Great Transformation awaits, Megatron. Prepare to be... reformatted." 
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"
:—'''Optimus Primal''''s and '''Megatron''''s last words. (Until ''Universe'', that is.)

"The menace has passed. Now we can truly be together, dark venom of my heart." 
"Oh, of all the corny..."
:—'''Silverbolt''''s attempt to woo '''Blackarachnia''' almost fails until she realizes that she doesn't care.

[[Image:Wazzpinator.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Still better than being possessed by Starscream.]]
"Waspinator want glory, Waspinator want power! And what does Waspinator get?! (Waspinator gets swatted away by Rattrap) Waspinator never gets what Waspinator wants!
:—'''Poor old Waspinator''', who now is the size of a regular wasp and has Thrust's head.

"At long last. Transform your destiny. Transform and... transcend." 
"I... understand."
:—The '''Oracle''' and '''Cheetor'''

==Notes==
===Technical/animation glitches===
* The freed Transformers that appear at the end of the episode have pretty weird running animations. They are running forward, but their legs are moving as if they're running sideways.
* The first time Megatron uses his jet mode, his spark is colored blue instead of red.

===Continuity errors===
* When Megatron blasts Optimus out of the Spark Chamber room, the deactivated body of Thrust is seen right next to those of Silverbolt and Blackarachnia. The problem with this is that Silverbolt and Blackarachnia were deactivated ''outside'' of the base, whereas Thrust was deactivated by Cheetor inside the anti-gravity engine room in the previous episode. Though that doesn't necessarily preclude the possibility that Megatron's drones moved the empty shells.

===Transformers references===
*While in his vehicle modes, Megatron stores his spark in his cockpit. This is the same place that Primal stored the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] spark during [[Optimal Situation]].
*Megatron uses all of Optimal Optimus's modes (minus his removed beast mode) during this episode, arguably with greater efficiency than Primal did.
*When calling the sparks to him, Megatron says "[[til all are one|let us all become one]]!"

===Other notes===
* "Transform and ''transcend''"? Was that a hint at the [[Transtech|transcendent technomorph]] idea that would have followed had it not been cancelled?
*The Oracle makes contact with Cheetor towards the end of the episode. This is later played on in the comics, where later stories would establish Cheetor as a [[Matrix Templar]] alongside [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]].

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search

2009-12-09T04:42:38Z

74.190.195.211: /* Synopsis */

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=21
|image=Sparkwar2 Optimus hologram primal.jpg
|caption="Wait, if you're Optimus Prime, why do you have a mouth?" "All the better to eat you with, my dear Primal"
|title="Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search"
|airdate=[[March 29]], 2000
|written by=[[Michael Reaves]]
|directed by=[[Gino Nichele]]
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuty=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}

'''The Maximals continue their search for the missing sparks.'''

:''Japanese title:'' 虚像の導き (''Kyozou no Michibiki'', "The Illusion's Guidance")

==Synopsis==
[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s fascist planet is being patrolled by legions of the new drones as the [[Maximal]]s, in beast mode, make their way along the lower levels of the surface. They observe that Megatron is fortifying his position. [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] has a jolting vision of the drifting [[Spark]]s, apparently the [[Vector Sigma|Oracle]] contacting him about the Sparks, which have been moved.

Within the [[Grand Mal|big floating head]], Megatron speaks to his three generals, directing them to locations where the Maximals will be, and instructing them to capture Optimus alive.

[[Image:Sparkwar2 Rattrap generators.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"I nicked this out of Tony Stark's chest."]]
[[Rattrap]] introduces the team to his [[scrambled field generator]] devices, small disks intended to befuddle the Vehicons' sensors. Rattrap's not ''quite'' sure they'll work, but the team figures it's better than nothing. The group tries them out, changing to robot modes... then dives for cover as [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] passes by overhead. But the general doesn't notice them, instead moving to carry out his orders along with [[Strika (BM)|Strika]].

Optimus tells the group that his flashes were of familiar places, and splits them up into three teams to go investigate. Rattrap and [[Botanica]] aren't too happy at being paired up, but the group deploys as ordered.

At the Maximal shell yard just outside processing plant #57, [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] move in. Silverbolt is not interested in taking orders from Cheetor, despite Blackarachnia's assurance that a ''lot'' has changed since they were parted. Obsidian, watching from concealment, prepares his strike force.

As Optimus and [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] walk below the surface, Nightscream finds a familiar claw slash in the wall. Nightscream wants to find [[Noble]], but Primal gently persuades him to take one job at a time. They run into a cave-in around the corner; Op's eyes flash with white light, and, glancing at a floor hatch, he says they're heading down...

Rattrap and Botanica arrive outside the Citadel, still squabbling. Rattrap detects a massive positronic residual charge, but inside they find piles and piles of Spark canisters... empty. They've arrived here too late. They depart, only to be ambushed by Strika. Botanica is chagrined that Rattrap's scramblers didn't work very long; they fall back.

Obsidian observes from high above as the Maximals explore the shell complex. Silverbolt and Cheetor argue over the latter's leadership capabilities, till Obsidian attacks. Surrounded, Silverbolt decides a berserker head-on attack is the only option.

[[Image:Sparkwar2 Maximals over iacon.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
Optimus and Nightscream, meanwhile, have found a stunning ruin below the surface, a great city that was replaced after the great war between the Autobots and the Decepticons, during the Great Upgrade: Iacon. The two apparently trigger a ghostly spector, a holographic tribute to the original Optimus Prime.

Rattrap and Botanica get out of robot mode to escape detection, and duck into a convenient building; Strika drives by without finding them. Rattrap taps his scrambler disk uncertainly, only to get snapped at by Botanica. But Rattrap's attention is suddenly distracted by the contents of the building they're in: holographic pleasure chips. He loads several of said chips into his backpack, then spots some sort of player for the chips just then. He plugs into it, becoming enthralled with a vision of a peaceful metallic world. Just then Strika enters and attacks.

At the shell plant, Silverbolt finally gets blasted back to the ground, and rebuked by Cheetor for his recklessness.

Optimus and Nightscream are about to move on, when the virtual Prime reaches down and scoops Optimus up, bringing him up to face level. From Nightscream's point of view, the hologram disappears, though Optimus continues to float in mid-air. Thrust arrives just then and attacks, but Optimus is seemingly in a trance.

[[Image:Sparkwar2 Rattrap holoenviron.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
Rattrap is still lost in his fantasy world, till Botanica pulls the machine's plug. A blast scatters the Maximals as well as Rattrap's precious chips, which he scrambles to scoop up. He tells Botanica to keep Strika occupied.

As leader, Cheetor decides on a strategic advance to the rear.

Nightscream is dodging cycle drone shots, while Optimus talks with Optimus on some other plane. The Prime hologram tells him that the Oracle lies within him, and he has but to summon it. Primal does so, and is surrounded by a white, Oracle-style hoola-hoop. The hologram of Optimus Prime chuckles... then laughs... a laugh which quickly deepens into that of Megatron, whose face suddenly replaces the figure of Prime.

Strika is posed to deliver a killing blow to Botanica, when Rattrap notices that one of her feet is on the activation pad of the holo-player he was using earlier. He leaps, landing on her shoulders and plugging one of the chips into her head, ensnaring her with the same vision that he was having before. He's pretty pleased with himself; Botanica drags him off.

In the shell yard, Cheetor has a bit of inspiration. The Maximals use a discarded power core to defeat their tormentors, blowing it up in their faces.

Megatron gloats to Optimus; he used the Spark vision to have the Maximals sent off on fools' errands, so Optimus would access the Oracle for his benefit. Megatron has studied and mastered most of the Oracle's secrets, but there's still some pieces missing... till now. And a fast, forceful download commences.

[[Image:Sparkwar2 Megatron primal.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
Megatron gloats again; all the pieces are in place, and now he can complete his ultimate plan for the Sparks. The hologram fades away, and Optimus finds himself in the middle of Nightscream's cycle drone battle.

Nightscream, meanwhile, has been brought down by weight of numbers, when a bolt out of the blue hits his attackers. It's Savage, lumbering onto the scene and prompting the cycle drones into a frantic retreat. Savage morphs to Noble and jogs after them, out of sight. A second later the drones go flying through the air. Optimus recovers, and immediately orders Nightscream to follow him to a rendezvous with the others.

The Maximals are shocked that Megatron has the full power of the Oracle, but Primal tells him that he gave Megatron access to the Oracle on purpose. While Megatron was downloading it, Primal accessed information from ''him'' as well, and learned the location of the Sparks. They have but a short window of opportunity to act, to free the Sparks from the location where they're being held: within the big floating head.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal|Maximals]]|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal]] (3)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (4)
*[[Botanica]] (5)
*[[Rattrap]] (7)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (8)
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (9)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (10)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]|c2=
*[[Copter Drone|Copter Drones]] (1)
*[[Heavy Artillery Drone|Heavy Artillery Drones]] (2)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (11)
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (12)
*[[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (13)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (14)

|c4=
*[[Noble]] (15)

}}
==Quotes==
"No offense, kitten, but I don't take orders from children." 
"Silverbolt, a lot's happened since you've been gone." 
"Not that much."
:—'''Silverbolt''' isn't impressed with Cheetor, despite '''Blackarachnia''' sticking up for him.

"This calls for a strategic advance to the rear." 
"Meaning?" 
"RUN AWAY!"
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Botanica''' encounter Strika.

"Ugh, everyone else gets a partner, I get a flea-ridden travel agent."
:—'''Botanica'''

==Notes==
===Technical or animation errors===
*The head of the Optimus Prime hologram sure looks like Primal's original Beast Wars head, doesn't it (curved antenna, etc)? Also, when it reaches down to pick up Primal, the Optimus Prime head has a mouth. It's gone by the next shot.

===Continuity Errors===
*Error

===Transformers References===
*For the first time in the entire [[Beast Machines (cartoon)|series]], Megatron finishes a sentence with "...yesss." The fandom did rejoice.
*While traveling through the sublevels of Cybertron, Optimus Primal and Nightscream stumble upon the ruins of [[Iacon]].
*After that, they encounter a hologram of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. It needed more [[Peter Cullen]].
*The hologram claimed to be Optimus Prime's "essence, stored here these many years after [[The Final Battle (disambiguation)|The Final Battle]]". Sure, it was a ruse by Megatron, but there had to be enough truth in it to attempt to fool Optimus Primal. It seems likely there was some sort of Final Battle, or a legend of a Final Battle in Beast Era lore where it would be believable that Prime's essence would get stored away afterwards. What was it?
*The Maximals stumble on the remains of more Transformers, reusing [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s character models again.

===Real-World References===
* As the [[Grand Mal|Big Floating Head]] hovers into view, Rattrap mutters "Talk about yer bad moon risin'," in tribute to the classic Credence Clearwater Revival song.

===Other Notes===
* Isn't it odd that Silverbolt ''still'' calls Cheetor "kid" though he's still technically younger? Granted, absolutely everybody in the Beast Era save Nightscream treats Cheetor as a kid (and rightfully so), so perhaps Maximal aging is... complicated?

==External Links==
*Link

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]