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Sky-Byte (RID)

2010-07-21T00:28:16Z

82.19.179.116: /* Robots in Disguise cartoon */

{{factions|predaconrid}}
{{disambig3|Sky-Byte}}
:''Sky-Byte is a [[Predacon (RID)|Predacon]] from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:SkyByteAnime.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Who's the greatest shark around?]]
Deep within '''Sky-Byte''' beats the [[spark]] of a poet, a scholar, a brilliant and cultured military general who can command armies capable of conquering worlds. But without aptitude and patience, that means jack squat, and Sky-Byte lacks both. Still, he soldiers on, for he is driven...by a desperate need for approval. He ''needs'' the blessings of his commander, [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]], quite possibly more than he needs [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. And Megatron, being Megatron, doesn't dole out praise much, so Sky-Byte tries harder and harder, getting more and more desperate.

This drive is the root of all his problems. He's actually quite intelligent and physically powerful, but he pushes himself to extremes to impress his leader. When he's in control of a situation, he's a deadly, effective foe. But as soon as the situation begins to slip even the smallest bit, he starts to panic and usually ends up doing something to mess things up and lose the upper hand, which makes him panic ''more'', so he overreacts, and gets in ''more'' trouble, etc., etc., etc. It doesn't help that while he's ruthless towards [[Autobot|Autobots]], [[human]]s seem quite safe from his ire. Maybe he sees a little something of himself in these underdogs. After all, they developed his new favorite form of expression, the haiku. And they ''do'' seem rather impressed by him...

Sky-Byte is in charge of the Predacon lackeys [[Dark Scream]], [[Gas Skunk]] and [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]], not that they give him any modicum of respect. In fact, they're more likely to try and shuffle the blame for their failures onto the shark, a gambit that's actually moderately successful, since Sky-Byte is so very ''good'' at making things worse for himself. He has a hate-hate relationship with the new [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], especially [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]], whom he sees (rightly) as being a huge threat to his position as Megatron's second-in-command.

:''Poor frustrated shark.''
:''Megatron is a dumbass.''
:''Why do you bother?''

{{quote|Who's the baddest shark around? Who's the smartest shark in town? Sky-Byte, that's me! Who'll drive Scourge into the ground And never let old Megatron down—Sky-Byte, that's me!|Sky-Byte, that's him!}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Gelshark''' (ゲルシャーク ''Gerushāku'')

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Peter Spellos]] (English), [[Konta]] (Japanese)

{{bigquote|Come back, please, little dot! Please don't go away now.... That little red dot meant so, so much to my promising career. I'm just chum. Optimus! Optimus Prime! I'll find you! I'll find you! I swear! You're mine! I'll get you! You're mine! I'm...much better now.|Sky-Byte|"[[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]"}}

[[Image:Explosive Situation Skybyte book.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Finding the O-Parts was no challenge compared to finding Waldo.]]
As Megatron was dressing down the Predacon trio for their latest failure, Sky-Byte suddenly appeared—demonstrating a skill for either invisibility or teleportation that he would never display again. Scoffing at the other Predacons' energy-gathering abilities, Sky-Byte revealed his own plan — to recover a bomb hidden in a red sports car somewhere in [[Metro City]]. He quickly tracked down the sports car in question, startling [[Kelly (RID)|its driver]] as he retrieved the bomb from its trunk. Before he could return to the ''[[Megastar]]'' though, the bomb was taken from him by [[X-Brawn]]. He tried his best to get the bomb back, but just as he was about to get hold of it, [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] blasted it and him into space with a Blizzard Storm. He survived the subsequent explosion, and returned to the ''Megastar'' to recuperate and research human culture. {{storylink|An Explosive Situation}}

[[Image:Spychangers Rescue Skybytegenerator.jpg|thumb|right|200px|If you can't beat em... eat em!]]
After the other Predacons destroyed some goods trains, Sky-Byte came up with a loftier plan to destroy the [[Linear RFG]] bullet train. Though his mission succeeded in blowing up a bridge ahead of the train, [[Team Bullet Train]] saved the Linear RFG, and Sky-Byte was left trying to justify himself to Megatron. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}} When the [[Spy Changer|Spychangers]] intercepted the Predacon trio in the process of stealing the [[Plutonium Energy Generator]], Sky-Byte came to their aid. When the situation seemed unsalvageable, Sky-Byte unleashed a Tsunami Blaster attack on the generator to destroy it, but hit the Spychangers instead. The Predacons took the generator back to the ''Megastar''... only to find it had been switched for a fake. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

{{quote|The cobalt ocean roils 
zephyrs blow cold, 
and another hapless foe is crushed beneath my heel.|Sky-Byte|"[[The Hunt for Black Pyramid]]"}}

[[Image:SecretoftheRuins Sky-Byte with casket.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
While the Megastar was parked on the [[Black Pyramid]] in an attempt to extract power, Sky-Byte and Dark Scream were sent out to protect it against a civilian ship. The Autobots soon came to help the ship, and while fighting underwater, Sky-Byte was able to hold his own against Optimus Prime. Once the ship was righted, Sky-Byte found Prime a much more formidable opponent, and what's worse, the Autobot leader critiqued his poetry. The Predacons beat a hasty retreat. {{storylink|The Hunt for Black Pyramid}} Megatron and the Predacon trio distracted the Autobots while Sky-Byte went to the [[Payuma ruins]] to find information hidden by [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]]. Unfortunately he was spotted by [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and [[Koji Onishi]], who alerted Optimus to the shark's presence. Prime was unable to prevent Sky-Byte making off with a casket containing [[Doctor Onishi's microchip|a microchip]], however once out of the ruins, the Predacon was confronted by [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] and X-Brawn, who blasted him. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

[[Image:SecretWeaponD5 Sky-Byte sticks his face in.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Sky-Byte concocted another plan, to capture Side Burn and use him as bait to draw Prime into a trap. Though it was successful in ensnaring Prime, the rest of the Autobots turned up to rescue their comrades. Sky-Byte later successfully deflected the blame onto Gas Skunk and Dark Scream. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}} The Predacons extracted information from a stolen disk belonging to Dr. Onishi, leading them to believe that the steam engine "[[Grandpa]]" was a weapon of extraordinary power. Megatron sent Sky-Byte and the other Predacons to capture it. Sky-Byte made an unsuccessful attempt to infiltrate the engine via the smoke stack, and the other Predacons didn't have any better luck, though they temporarily gained possession of the steam engine after it had offloaded its passengers. The mission was ultimately a failure. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

[[Image:Skid Z's Choice Skybytecar.jpg|thumb|left|240px]]
After Dark Scream planted a bug in [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]], the Predacons overheard him breaking up with [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]]. Mirage's words moved Sky-Byte to tears. He later suggested that they try and persuade Mirage to defect to their side. Although it seemed for a time that they'd succeeded, even to the point where Sky-Byte showed off the new [[Mega-Laser Cannon]], it was a ruse. Mirage and the Spychangers destroyed the cannon. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}} Sky-Byte tried a similar trick on the rogue Autobot [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] with no success. When the Predacons discovered that the Autobots had entered the [[International Grand Prix]], Sky-Byte cunningly disguised himself as a red racing car and entered as well. After being chatted up by a suspicious Side Burn, Sky-Byte was inadvertently fragged by Megatron in the early moments of the race. Then when he was able to catch up with the Autobots, he was mistakenly blasted by Megatron ''again''. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[Image:Sky-byte_eye.gif|thumb|I spy, with my telescopically enhanced robot eye... a [[The Ultimate Robot Warrior|giant buddha?]]]]
Still believing he could convert an Autobot into a Predacon, Sky-Byte captured new recruit [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]]. After suffering through the other Predacon's attempts to hypnotise the Autobot, he used a special CD to brainwash Tow-Line. Unfortunately it was only partially successful — Tow-Line started towing away the other Autobots, but he took them to the wrong place. By the time Sky-Byte worked out what was happening, the rest of the Autobots were alerted, and promptly battled him into retreat. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}} Investigations into reports of a transforming statue took Sky-Byte to the [[Cave of the Dragon]] in China. Luckily the Autobots were able to save the cave via an elaborate deception involving Prime and Team Bullet Train disguising themselves as a statue and dragon. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}} Despite these indignities, he was still viewed as "sneaky, clever and dangerous" by the Autobots. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

[[Image:Commandos Sky-Byte as Optimus.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Freedom is the right of... LINE!]]
Sky-Byte led a mission to dig up some Autobot [[protoform]]s, and took them to [[McKinley Army Base]] with the other Predacons while Megatron kept the Autobots busy. There, they reformatted the protoforms into the [[Commando]]s. Sky-Byte created [[Movor]] when he fell, aiming the [[stasis pod]]'s scanner at a space shuttle in orbit. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and the [[Decepticon]]s proved much more competent than the Predacons, and Sky-Byte was driven to desperate measures to try and regain his lost status in Megatron's eyes. He and the Predacon trio disguised themselves as Optimus Prime in an attempt to ruin the Decepticons' mission to destroy [[Sherman Dam]]. Though Sky-Byte attempted to gain Megatron's favor by blowing up the dam himself, he was unsuccessful. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Disappointed at the failure, Megatron assigned Sky-Byte and Scourge to guard a location on [[Montrose Island]] while the Predacon trio dug in search of an [[O-Part]]. After Prime showed up with the Spychangers, Sky-Byte took advantage of the chaos in battle to try to slag Scourge. {{storylink|Volcano}} While the Decepticons put another plan into action, they distracted Sky-Byte by getting him and the Predacon trio to mark out a rendezvous location. When the four Predacons finally tried to get in on the action, Sky-Byte barely had time to transform before Movor blasted him from orbit. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[Image:The Fish Test Skybytepose.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Another happy Charles Atlas customer]]
Sky-Byte trashed an oil rig on Megatron's orders, only for Scourge to show up and attack him. After reporting to Megatron, the shark eavesdropped on [[Mega-Octane]] meeting with Prime as a prelude to defection. He continued to spy as the Decepticons attempted to prove themselves sincere to the Autobots, and eventually could stand it no more. Although his attack on the traitors was futile, he inadvertently caused Scourge to expose the entire ruse. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}} Sky-Byte's self-esteem was soon nonexistent (especially after an on-line Fish Personality Test told him he was a jellyfish), and he became desperate to gain Megatron's approval. He and the Predacon trio disguised themselves as Autobots and interfered in a Decepticon mission to raid a storage plant. Unfortunately this went disastrously wrong, resulting in him being chewed out by Megatron. His next attempt to set the real Autobots on the Decepticons went awry when he sent them to the wrong power plant. As he moped on a seaside cliff, the other Predacons talked him into attacking a power plant in an attempt to outdo the Decepticons. When this went badly as well, Sky-Byte took his frustrations out on the computer, only to get electrocuted for his troubles. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

[[Image:Wedge's Short Fuse Skybyteplan.jpg|left|270px|thumb]]
Determined to discredit the Decepticons, Sky-Byte came up with a new plan, having his henchmen attack a diamond mine in the Antarctic to lure the [[Autobot Brothers]] into a trap. When the [[Build Team]] turned up instead, Sky-Byte took [[Wedge]] hostage, and [[Heavy Load (RID)|Heavy Load]] bargained for the young 'bot's return with a disk containing a map of the Autobot [[Global Space Bridge]]. Despite interference from the Decepticons, Sky-Byte and his cohorts used the map to enter the tunnel indicated on the map, only to discover that the disk only contained a map of the sewers. They were subsequently drenched by Optimus Prime's Blizzard Storm. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

[[Image:Skybyte Saves the Day last support breaks.jpg|right|260px|thumb]]
Eventually, to get attention, Sky-Byte led the Predacons in the attempted destruction of the new [[CGA Tower]]. This plan would've worked, except the Autobots, thinking the humans in the tower were the Predacon's hostages, asked what demands he wanted met for their safety. Wanting to seem like he knew what he was doing, Sky-Byte made up a random demand on the spot that by sheer chance was interpreted as a demand for O-Parts. He'd achieved accidental success, only to take out the tower's last support by mistake and be forced to ''stop'' it collapsing so he'd still have his hostages. This single-minded desire to keep the tower up was interpreted by the hostages and TV news crews as the Predacon trying to save them for altruistic reasons, and when the hostages started to cheer him on, Sky-Byte gave his all to keep them safe out of an increasingly genuine desire to save them. ("My hostages need me!") It was only hours after the tower was saved and the Predacons were nursing their damaged backs that they remembered about getting the O-Parts... {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

Some time later, while spying on the Decepticons, this accidental heroism came back to haunt him, as he was pestered by a group of kids led by Koji Onishi, who wanted his autograph. A proud Predacon, Sky-Byte was bewildered by this attention, although he briefly thought of using it as a way to get his haikus published.

[[Image:Forced Fusion Skybytedelusion.jpg|left|200px|thumb|[[Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]], the pilot.]]
Despite all his failures, Sky-Byte was still known to be extremely loyal. As a result, Megatron sent him to get the remaining O-Parts...with Sky Byte unaware he'd been fed false info and was being used by the Decepticons to draw the Autobots into an ambush. Poor Sky-Byte spent ages digging, finding only the detritus of Humanity and [[Rubber Ducky|war surplus]] {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}}, and was still digging long after Megatron thought he'd have stopped. In a stroke of luck, though, this allowed him to notice Optimus Prime was wounded and track him to where he was being repaired. He could now kill Optimus when he was weak and Megatron would reward him! Unfortunately, the Decepticons, Megatron ''and'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] had all tracked him, and poor Sky-Byte was left [[Furmanism|surplus to requirements]] once again. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

Sky-Byte made an attempt to persuade Ultra Magnus to join the Predacon cause. When the Autobot Brothers interceeded, they were promptly captured by the Decepticons, and Ultra Magnus continued to feign interest in Sky-Byte's offer. After extracting the location at which the Autobot Brothers were being held, Ultra Magnus turned on him along with Team Bullet Train. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} He and Megatron joined the Decepticons during another battle with the Autobots, though after Magnus and Prime formed [[Omega Prime]], he quickly ran and hid. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

[[Image:FortressMaximus a delicious cake.jpg|thumb|right|200px|It's a lie!]]
More information extracted from Doctor Onishi led the Decepticons to venture into the subway system under Metro City. Sky-Byte followed them, but soon lost track of his quarry, and instead came upon a giant cake. Though it turned out to be stale (and actually a subway car), he caught up with the Decepticons and continued spying, only to be washed away by a torrent of water. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}}

[[Image:Koji Gets His Wish Skybyteonishi.jpg|230px|thumb|left|Sky-Byte does his best impression of a football team logo.]]
Sky-Byte took Dr. Onishi out of the Predacon base to help search for [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], in an attempt to find it before Scourge. In the process, he ran into Koji, who appealed to him to help rescue his father or at least to pass on a birthday present. The Predacon actually felt bad for Koji and was reduced to a blubbering wreck by the boy's appeal, but was mortified to find Koji didn't believe he was a threatening villain any more. Sky-Byte later became so preoccupied with battle that he tossed Dr. Onishi to Koji, leading the youth to believe Sky-Byte had deliberately rescued his father out of the goodness of his heart. The Autobots believed this too and apologized to Sky-Byte for fighting him (after they'd already blown the tar out of him). {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[Image:PerilfromthePast Sky-Byte run over.jpg|260px|thumb|right]]
When the Autobots and Decepticons set about finding the rest of the O-Parts, Sky-Byte came up with a series of cunning plans, including fake O-Parts, to ensure that he and Slapper would get to them first. Unfortunately the plans all backfired, and a last-ditch attempt to swap the fake O-Parts for the real ones left them all in Autobot hands. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Despite this failure, Megatron allowed Sky-Byte to take part in a mission to the [[Sahara Desert]] to find the artifact that the Autobots were after — the [[Orb of Sigma]]. His attempts to prevent Side Burn escaping with the Orb only resulted in him being run over by both the Autobot Brothers and the Decepticons. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}} With Megatron gone, Sky-Byte and the Predacons found that Scourge was even more unpleasant to work for than their former leader. They attempted to get into Scourge's good graces by snatching [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] from the Autobots and greasing up to the Decepticon. In the following battle for Fortress Maximus, Sky-Byte was delighted by the arrival of his former leader, resurrected as Galvatron. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[Image:Mistaken Identity Skybytesack.jpg|left|200px|thumb]]
During another attempt on Scourge's part to control Fortress Maximus, Sky-Byte watched nervously, as he knew every one of the Decepticon's victories would mean Galvatron ignoring him even more. During the fight after the arrival of the Autobots, Sky-Byte accidentally saved Koji's life and was horrified at the idea Galvatron would find out. {{storylink|The Human Element}} Later on, while talking to himself, he would admit to having a friendship with Koji, though it was nothing to getting into Galvatron's good books, and he still attempted to kidnap the boy to help control Fortress Maximus (being Sky-Byte, he grabbed the wrong person). He accompanied Megatron and Scourge as they attempted to get the boy [[Karl]] to control Maximus. When Scourge finally showed his true colors, turning on Galvatron, Sky-Byte unexpectedly found himself back in Galvatron's good books. His leader tasked him with carrying Scourge's stasis-locked body back with them. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}}

[[Image:Skybyte discovers.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Streetsharks!]]
Galvatron remarked the Predacons had always been trustworthy and gave Sky-Byte command of the Decepticons. Proud to finally be where he belonged again, Sky-Byte even managed to locate the Autobot base by following Koji and led an assault on it. He and the Predacons pursued Optimus Prime into an Autobot trap. The array of Autobot firepower caused him to cower behind rocks, crying for his "blankie". {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}}

[[Image:Skybyte happy at last.jpg|left|200px|thumb|No, not the final scene from Free Willy.]]
During the final battle, Sky-Byte was almost killed when he led the Predacons into the [[Global Space Bridge]] after the Decepticons—not realising Galvatron intended to kill them. Sky-Byte was left on his own {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} and escaped certain death just in time to be ordered to hold off the entire Autobot army. This did not go well for him, oh no.

Following Autobot victory, every Decepticon and Predacon was rounded up to be incarcerated, but the Autobots hadn't captured Sky-Byte. (Whether they'd forgotten about him or he was hiding well is unknown.) He was left to spend the rest of his life on Earth, a fate the other Predacons seemed to view as worse than death, though his own attitude as he swam off into the sunset singing suggests he felt quite differently... {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}
{{-}}

===Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?===
[[Image:UltraMagnustotheRescue_SkyByte_haiku.JPG|right|200px|thumb|Where the heck is the ''rest of him?'']]
Sky-Byte and Scourge were sent on a joint mission, although they did nothing but bicker until Optimus and Ultra Magnus showed up. While Scourge battled them, Sky-Byte took advantage and made off with the goods, leaving Scourge with a haiku to keep him thinking. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

{{-}}

===''TransTech'' comic===
Sky-Byte somehow ended up at [[Axiom Nexus]] and was "processed". {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}}

==Toys==
===Robots in Disguise===
[[Image:RID Sky-Byte Toy.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Love child of Peter Benchley and H.R. Giger.]]
*'''Sky-Byte''' (Mega, 2000/2001)
**''Japanese ID Number'': '''D-005'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher, 2 missiles

:An extensive [[redeco]] of the [[Transmetal|Transmetal 2]] [[Maximal]] [[Cybershark]], Sky-Byte transforms into a large, monstrous, bio-mechanical great white shark. His tail has a gear system that spins the fins like a propeller when a wheel in his side is turned. This system becomes his right arm, forming a spinning claw weapon. He also has a double spring-loaded missile launcher concealed in his shark mouth that also serves as a hand weapon.

:First available as part of the ''Car Robots'' line in Japan, there are no noteworthy differences between the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Predacon/SkyByte/skybyte.htm More information on Sky-Byte at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
*During the Hasbro designers' panel at [[BotCon 2009]], it was stated that if Sky-Byte were to get a toy in the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, its bio would be written as a haiku in homage to his love of poetry.

[[Category:Entertainers]]
[[Category:Poets]]
[[Category:Predacons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]

The Low Road

2010-07-20T18:25:14Z

82.19.179.116: /* Real-world references */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=22
|image=Low Road Rhinox fart.jpg
|caption=AKA "The Low Brow"
|title="The Low Road"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[February 10]], 1997
|written by=[[Bob Forward]]
|directed by=[[J. Falconer]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''Rhinox is infected with a strange energon discharge virus, and if a cure isn't found, he'll destroy the Maximal base as he literally sneezes himself to death.'''

:''French title:'' '''Le Virus''' ("The Virus")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Le Virus'''
:''Japanese title:'' ストップ･ザ･くしゃみ (''Stop the Kushami'', "Stop the Sneezing")
:''Latin-American title:'' '''El Subterráneo'''
:''Italian title:'' '''Il virus''' ("The virus")
:''Brazilian title:'' '''O Caminho Subterrâneo''' ("The Underground Way")

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Low Road Rattrap Dinobot fight.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Objection!"]]
The [[Maximal]]s use their tools to garden, trimming the wild bean vines that have grown around the Maximal base and, as [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] explains, could be exploited by the Predacons. [[Rattrap]] and Dinobot get into a fight. Inside, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] detects [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] coming to attack, but can't activate the [[Sentinel (BW)|Sentinel]] shields because of the two arguing Maximals outside. Rhinox comes down the elevator with his guns ablaze and commands the two to get inside, but they are too busy arguing to obey. Trying to cover his teammates' withdrawal, Rhinox is hit by a strange weapon from [[Tarantulas]]. Dinobot blasts Tarantulas several times, and with the crucial shot fired, the Predacons retreat.

Inside, the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'''s computer reports on the strange effect the device had on Rhinox, giving him a [[Energon discharge virus|disease]] that causes the larger Maximal to "spontaneously discharge energy." Rhinox demonstrates this by hiccuping energy beams around the base, causing much collateral damage. It's decided a counter-virus must be found.

[[Image:Low Road Rattrap Dinobot Taratulas.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hello? You're at gunpoint!]]
Rattrap and Dinobot attempt to trail the injured Tarantulas. The two get into an argument about who is to blame for Rhinox becoming sick, which quickly degenerates into name-calling. Eventually forgetting why they started the argument, the two follow Tarantulas's scent. Running after a glimpse of the Predacon, they fall though a hole and onto a long slide—with a heavy boulder close behind them. But after they land at the bottom of the slide, the boulder actually hits Tarantulas. Rattrap and Dinobot continue bickering as they search through the underground caverns for Tarantulas's lab.

Aboard the ''Axalon'', [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] reveals to [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] that he paired Dinobot and Rattrap together so they could either learn to work together or kill each other. Rhinox is meanwhile kept on a life support system which drains energy from the rest of the (now heavily damaged) Maximal base.

Back at the [[Darksyde|Predacon base]], [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] sends his own forces to reclaim Tarantulas so more of the virus can be developed to use on the rest of the Maximals. They head to his [[Tarantulas's lair|laboratory]] to see if they can locate the missing arachnid there. On Tarantulas's security sensors, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] notices the two wandering Maximals making their way through the caverns towards the hideout.

[[Image:Low Road Optimus Rhinox.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"Hey, handsome. Come here often?"]]
Primal rallies his available soldiers for action against the Predacons to seize the antidote to Rhinox's ailment forcibly. Rhinox attempts to come along with the others, but Primal orders his friend to stay behind and consume some food to help stabilize his systems. Naturally, the first option on Rhinox's menu happens to be the wild beans conveniently surrounding the ''Axalon''.

[[Image:Low Road Megatron countervirus.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Megatron discovers what has been making his beast head go all green.]]
Back in Tarantulas's lair, Blackarachnia discovers where Tarantulas stored the counter-virus. When [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] detects the two Maximals getting closer, the Predacon goons open fire, wildly hoping to hit something, but instead just ruin any chance they have of ambushing their targets. Dinobot tries to use Tarantulas as a hostage, but this tactic doesn't work on Megatron, who has no reservations about abusing his own soldiers. However, the distraction has bought Rattrap (who was supposed to be covering Dinobot) the time to sneak through some tubes to arrive behind the Predacons, leaving him close enough to disarm them quickly.

A nasal energon-expulsion from Rhinox provides a hole for the other Maximals to enter the chamber once they finish posing heroically. Megatron mentions that he alone has the counter-virus that could save Rhinox.

But then Rhinox shoots an incredible energon fart (visible from space) that blows the Predacons far away, giving the Maximals the chance to grab the counter-virus and live happily ever after. Rattrap and Dinobot still bicker like kids, though.

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal|Maximals]]
|c1=
*[[Rattrap]] (1)
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (2)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (3)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (13)
*[[Tigatron]] (14)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]
|c2=
*[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] (6)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (7)
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (8)
*[[Tarantulas]] (9)
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (10)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (12)

}}

==Quotes==
"Excuse me. Are ''you'' implying that the current situation is somehow...''my'' responsibility?!" 
"Well, you did start it...''gearhead''!" 
"I BEG to differ...cheese lips!" 
"Pre-evolved birdbrain!" 
"Eater of garbage!!"
:—'''Dinobot''' and '''Rattrap''' trade insults, part 1

"Sheesh, and they call ''me'' the immature one."
:—'''Cheetor''''s response to above argument

"Wait! I detect a scent! Vile corruption... a whiff of festering putification!" 
"So I ate a limburger sandwich for lunch! I'm a rat, gimme a break!" 
"I've been... uncomfortably aware of your stench for the past hour, ''vermin''. This is something else... something over... THERE!" 
''(Tarantulas suddenly springs out and legs it)'' 
"Oh yeah! He's mine!" 
"Leave battle to the ''warriors'', '''''mouse'''''!!!"
:—'''Dinobot''' and '''Rattrap''' trade insults, part 2

'''Dinobot:''' Unlike you, I do not spend my time scurrying through ''sewers!'' 
'''Rattrap:''' Yeah? Well, a sewer smells better than your breath, bronto-brain! 
'''Dinobot:''' Nnngrrh! You will get used to it WHEN I BITE YOUR USELESS HEAD OFF! 
''(Tarantulas suddenly wakes up)'' 
'''Tarantulas:''' DIIIIE, MAXIMALS! 
'''Dinobot and Rattrap:''' SHUT UP! 
''(They both punch Tarantulas)''
:—Rattrap and Dinobot trade insults, part 3

"So, uh, you got a better plan?" 
"No, but I ''still'' despise the idea of expiring underground. It lacks a...a warrior's nobility." 
"Oh, hey-hey, no sweat, heh heh. 'Cause I ain't lettin' ''nobody'' waste you down here! That's a job I'm reserving for myself!" 
"Oooh, I appreciate your concern, but let me assure you, being shot in the back by a malodorous ''mouse'' would not exactly earn me a seat in Silicon Valhalla!" 
"Awwww, poor baby."
:—'''Rattrap''' and '''Dinobot''' trade insults, part 4

"A bargaining chip should remain in play until the game is over, yesss." 
"Why do you always talk to yourself?" 
"Ah, I simply have a penchant for...''intelligent conversation''."
:—'''Megatron''' ripostes rather well to '''Blackarachnia'''.

''(Dinobot enters, holding Tarantulas)'' 
"Do not fire, Megatron! I have a HOSTAGE!" 
"Why, so you do..." 
''(Megatron shoots Tarantulas)''
:—Hostage negotiations with '''Dinobot''', '''Megatron'''-style

"This is ''certainly'' the most humiliating defeat of my entire career. Yess..."
:—'''Megatron''' after Rhinox defeats the Predacons single...erm, handedly

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* After the boulder hits Tarantulas, it cracks in a most unconvincing way — the cracks appear to be extremely shallow.

===Continuity notes===
*In this episode Blackarachnia mentions that Tarantulas encrypted all the information on his computers, foreshadowing that he has something to hide.

===Continuity errors===
*When Rattrap and Dinobot fall through the trapdoor leading to the underground tunnels, Rattrap's gun is left spinning in mid-air. The next shot is upwards from underground, as they fall, and the gun is not visible. Indeed, when Rattrap lands on Dinobot, the gun doesn't fall on top of them. Later, as they approach Tarantulas' lab, Rattrap has his gun back.

===Real-world references===
[[Image:LowRoad fart.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The same results can be obtained by eating at Taco Bell.]]
* Dinobot refers to a [[Silicon Valhalla]] as some kind of afterlife, dually referencing both [[wikipedia:Valhalla|ancient Norse mythology]] and [[wikipedia:Silicon_Valley|Silicon Valley]] (and at a stretch [[wikipedia:Red_Dwarf|Red Dwarf's]] [[wikipedia:Silicon_Heaven|Silicon Heaven]]).
*Some of the slapstick, particularly temporarily defying gravity, and Rattrap's gun being momentarily left in the air when they do fall, is reminiscent of classic [[wikipedia:Warner_Brothers|Warner Brothers]] cartoons, such as [[wikipedia:Road_Runner_(cartoon)|Road Runner]].
* During one of their squabbles, Rattrap refers to Dinobot as a 'pre-evolved birdbrain', riffing on the recent scientific theory that birds evolved from Dromaeosaurid dinosaurs ("raptors") like Dinobot.
*When the Maximals burst into Tarantulas's lab, Airazor is kneeling at Optimus's feet, with one hand affectionately placed on his leg. Instead of, y'know, ''pointing a gun at the bad guys.'' The shot is a parody of the stereotypical heroic entrance/posturing scene, such as found on the theatrical poster for the original ''[[wikipedia:Star_Wars_Episode_IV:_A_New_Hope|Star Wars]]'' film. Once Rattrap undermines the moment, as evidenced by the musical score, Airazor can be seen standing normally with the other Maximals. All part of the fun, folks.
*When the rhino-fart shakes the globe, the epicenter is clearly in Africa, providing more evidence for the show being set there. In fact, it appears to be in the middle of the Sahara, which would have been less arid in the prehistoric time of the Beast Wars than it is today.
*Rhinox dons a beer-hat style contraption from which to sip his treatment.

===Trivia===
* While turning around to deliver his energon fart, Rhinox's *ahem* anus is clearly visible. Now that's classy.
*The virus which infected Rhinox and which Megatron intended to use to infect the rest of the Maximals was never mentioned again. Can you blame him for washing his hands of the entire affair?
*Rattrap actually does eat garbage<ref>[http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/techspecs/beast-era/1996__Rattrap_(1996a).jpg Tech spec bio].</ref>.
*Farts are funny. Hence, this episode is very funny if you like farts. And who doesn't?
*Episode writer Bob Forward summed up the reaction to the episode thusly: "[...] After 15 Years And A Couple Of Hundred Scripts, [I] Will Be Remembered Forever For A Rhinocerous {{sic}} Fart."<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/70dc1b8dd547cba9 Post on alt.toys.transformers by Bob Forward]</ref>
*For some reason, Tarantulas seems to have one of Waspinator's arms in his lab.

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Starscream's Invulnerability ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 4 ([[Universal]])
;Laserdisc
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Predacon Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes: Volume 4 — The Predacons Advance! ([[Alliance Atlantis]]) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (Alliance Atlantis) — English and French audio. 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[Image:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

==References==
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Low Road}}
[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]

Scourge (episode)

2010-07-12T14:33:41Z

82.19.179.116:

{{disambig3|Scourge}}
{{episode
|series=Cybertron
|ep=44
|series2=Galaxy Force
|ep2=45
|image=Cyb ep44 scourge.jpg
|caption=Must be [[Sweep|Sweeps]] week.
|title="Scourge"
|japanese=大きな星の小さな町
|romaji=Ōki na Hoshi no Chiisa na Machi
|translation=The Large Planet's Little City
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Aichi]], [[We've]], [[Tōkyū Agency]]
|writer=[[Kenji Sugihara]]
|director=[[Matsuo Asami]]
|animation studio=[[GONZO]]
|airdate=[[November 12]], 2005 (Japanese) [[September 20]], 2006 (English)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy cartoon timeline|Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity]]
}}

'''Scourge comes to some tough decisions about himself, with the help of some little friends.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Cyb_ep44_secret_passage.jpg|left|thumb|220px|"No, Mr Hanson, I expect you to die."]]

As [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] descends further into [[Gigantion]]'s depths, he reflects on his past fight with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]]. Recalling Leobreaker's claim that strength is more than just physical, Scourge grows furious, unable to comprehend his meaning, and on a deeper level, fearing that his power may not be enough to save [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]].

On [[Gigantion]], [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] and [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] have found Leobreaker and [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]], left where Scourge beat them, unconscious but not too badly injured. Coby calls the main [[Autobot]] group on [[Lori]]'s communicator, and informs them of the situation, prompting Lori to talk smack about Scourge. [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] reins her in, as they prepare to open the doorway to the next level of the planet. And Optimus is not the only one keeping the troops in line—Bud has been organizing the [[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]] to a mini-army, a feat that impresses [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], and they all troop through the door ahead of the other Autobots. They find reliefs of several small robots on the walls, and recognize them as more Mini-Cons, leaning up against the wall to compare the carvings to their own height. Unfortunately, when Lori joins them and leans on the wall as well, she accidentally triggers a switch that opens up a secret passage and sends Bud and the four Mini-Cons tumbling downward.

Elsewhere, the [[Cybertron Defense Team]] races along a highway to meet up with the other Autobots. When they run across [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] and [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] along the way, they challenge the Decepticon leader to a battle in pursuit of payback for their defeat in their last meeting, but Menasor jumps in the way first.

[[Image:Cyb_ep44_museum_fun.jpg|right|thumb|220px|"Hey, Jolt, could you take a picture?"]]

Back with Prime's group, Metroplex realizes that the legends of the secret Mini-Con passages must be true. Lori insists on going down the passage herself, as she blames herself for the accident, but Optimus claims he is as much to blame for letting them go into the tunnel first, and convinces her that they're better off finding Bud and the others by sticking together. The Autobots wonder where the passage leads, and Metroplex recounts the legend of a city built especially for Mini-Cons...which is, indeed, exactly where Bud and the Mini-Cons have found themselves! [[Six-Speed]] leads them to a museum nearby, and once inside, [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] discovers some history data, which explains that, after the war with [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], the citizens of Gigantion were too big, so the Mini-Cons did all the "detail work" and computer repair, which made them mentally similar to humans. (Uh, yeah. Just... go with us on this, okay?) Bud instantly forgets everything, but Jolt shrugs it off.

Meanwhile, the Cybertron Defense Team triple-team Menasor, who is standing up to their assault pretty well. However, the three attack simultaneously in a [[triangle formation]] with their [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber-Key-enhanced]] attacks, which fells the giant. Galvatron is not impressed, and launches into battle with the trio, but they manage to hold their own, and raise their standing in the Decepticon leader's eyes, even if he does still just shrug off their attacks.

[[Image:Cyb_ep44_raise_your_hand.jpg|left|thumb|220px]]

Im the Mini-Con city, Bud's group have found a playground, and Jolt remarks there's even a tale of an amusement park. The quintet leave to find it, but instead find a rubble-strewn wasteland with fresh claw-marks. Jolt and the Mini-Cons promptly panic, so in order to get them to calm down, Bud fakes a stomachache, causing them all to rush to his aid. They leave to go back to the museum, but literally run into Scourge, who was responsible for the damage they found. Bud has been told by Lori not to be scared of Scourge, and so he is able to have a moderately pleasant conversation with the dragon-bot, who reveals he was impressed by Bud's handling of the Mini-Cons' panic. Bud decides he can teach Scourge to be a leader who ''doesn't'' have to bust a head to make a point, and gets a blackboard and some chalk from... somewhere... to hold a class on the subject. Bud confounds Scourge with some hypothetical situations, telling Scourge that his solutions involving the stronger taking the spoils and the weaker going without are wrong. Scourge objects to Bud's solutions that involve just "making stuff up", which Bud then explains is the entire point: to be a good leader, you have to be a creative thinker, and who said ''he'' couldn't make stuff up? Scourge starts laughing, having had it put to him so plainly and innocently: he realizes he's been locked in his "might makes right" mentality so much it's actually ''weakened'' him.

[[Image:Cyb_ep44_scourge_defeated.jpg|right|thumb|220px]]

The Autobots arrive on the scene, and Scourge challenges them to a duel, much to Bud's confusion, but Lori says it's okay. In an open field during a dramatic sunset, Metroplex goes first, soundly thrashing Scourge without the dragon landing a single blow. But Scourge challenges the next Autobot to step up, Vector Prime. Again, Scourge is bested, but even then, challenges another. [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] steps up, but Optimus says he'll go next instead, and instructs Wing Saber to link up with him. Wing Saber is confused, but Scourge laughs and insists. The two leaders charge at one another, landing blows simultaneously as they pass... and as they pause, back to back... a small wound opens on Prime's shoulder. Scourge laughs, but then, as the sun sets, he topples over backwards, completely immobilized, and admits defeat. The Autobots drive away, with Bud wishing that Scourge could have joined the Autobots. "Maybe someday," Lori tells him... and Scourge... still lying on the ground, staring up the stars, laughs softly to himself.

Elsewhere, Galvatron carries Menasor away from the city in flames, leaving the Cybertron Defense Team to pick themselves up, though he admits to himself they put up a good fight.
{{--}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] (2)
* [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] (4)
* [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] (5)
* [[Wing Saber]] (7)
* [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] (8)
* [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] (9)
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] (10)
* [[Six-Speed]] (11)
* [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] (12)
* [[Drill Bit (Cybertron)|Drill Bit]] (13)
* [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (14)
* [[Vector Prime]] (15)
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (16)
* [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (18)
* [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] (21)

|c2=
* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] (1)
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] (19)
* [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] (20)

|c3=
*[[Lori]] (3)
*[[Coby Hansen]] (6)
*[[Bud Hansen]] (12)
}}

==Quotes==
"Strength is what leads the masses, commands their respect! ''My'' strength united an entire world! Now it seems it's not enough?! '''''Impossible!!''''' Strength will save my world! Strength ''must'' be enough! It ''must'' be! '''''It's all I have!!!'''''"
:—'''Scourge'''

"They said that Scourge was still around here somewhere, so be careful." 
"Pfft, ''right''. ''He'' should look out for ''me''!" 
"Huh? Oh, man! Lori just totally dissed a fire-breathing dragon! ... That's actually pretty awesome!"
:—'''Coby''' and '''Lori'''

"I'm fixin' to use your head as a hood ornament!" 
"Whoah, now ''that's'' some trash-talking!" 
"Straight up!"
:—'''Scattorshot''' and '''Hot Shot'''

"Being lost is what I do best!"
:—'''Bud'''

"And just what's ''that'' supposed to—UUUAGH!!!" 
[''explosion clears''] 
"Aye, that'll do." (faints)
:—'''Menasor'''

"I wish I could use such guile. You brought order out of chaos... and you didn't even have to beat up anyone!"
:—'''Scourge'''

"But if ''you've'' been reborn, and ''I've'' been reborn, then that places us back where we started, doesn't it?"
:—'''Galvatron'''

"This is a duel of honor. Just like in the movies. I think you should be able to understand ''that''."
:—'''Lori'''

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Galaxy Force''===
*''Galaxy Force'' includes a "previously on" segment that summarizes the events of "[[Challenge]]".
*In ''Galaxy Force'', Jolt's explanation for the origin of the Mini-Cons doesn't mention the war with Planet X, instead noting that Mini-Cons were created when the Gigantion Transformers found they couldn't get any ''bigger'', and so some started becoming ''smaller'' instead. The "detail work" explanation is not mentioned (but had been previously brought up in the ''Galaxy Force'' version of "[[Giant]]", so it ''is'' still part of that version of the series), with the even ''more'' vague claim that Mini-Cons are like humans simply because they are "born small"!
*In ''Cybertron'', Bud mentions that his dad always told him that great leaders think outside the box. ''Galaxy Force'' is a bit more specific: his dad actually told him the riddles with which he confounds Scourge, saying that Bud could be a great leader if he could solve them.

===Continuity errors===
* Not so much an error, but... where did the blackboard come from?

===Transformers references===
[[Image:Mini-Releifs.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Later on, they punched holes in the heads for you to put your face through.]]
* Several ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' Mini-Con character models show up in this episode. [[Nightbeat (Armada)|Nightbeat]], [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit (no relation)]], [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], [[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]], and [[Runway]]'s models show up as reliefs on the walls of the hallway, while Runway is also seen in statue form inside the museum (pictured above).
*Jolt refers to the time Red Alert scanned his mind, back in "[[Balance]]".
*Jolt also recalls seeing an amusement park in the Hansens' home movies, waaay back in "[[Collapse]]".
*Galvatron and the Cybertron Defense Team refer back to their previous battles in "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]" and "[[Fury]]".

===Real-world references===
*Metroplex refers to the Mini-Cons as "Wee Folk," an antiquated Celtic term for fairies.

===Trivia===
*This is the second switch Lori accidentally activates on Gigantion, having done so once before in "[[Ambush]]". She's got some luck.
*We get an explanation for the whole "Mini-Con brains work like human brains" thing, but it... doesn't work very well. Essentially, we are asked to believe the unlikely idea that ordinary Transformers are unimaginative beings that have no concept of detailed design or function, but that humans do, and that the Mini-Cons' years of working on the details for the Gigantion Transformers' constructions has given them that ability, thereby making their brains like humans'. It would appear that this was foreshadowed as far back as "[[Haven]]", when the Autobots constructed their base on Earth; Scattorshot was able only to produce a basic design with inefficient layout, but Lori was the one who put her human sense of imagination, detail and function to work and created the finalized, highly efficient design. But that doesn't change the fact that it's hard to believe that Transformers wouldn't be able to construct sufficient buildings or other structures without human or Mini-Con help. After all, how would anything have ever been built on any other planets?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2006 — ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 12 ([[Victor Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]])

[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]

Home Soil

2009-12-25T00:02:48Z

82.19.179.116: /* Synopsis */

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=19
|image=HomeSoil Maximal plant attack.jpg
|title="Home Soil"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[March 15]], 2000
|written by=[[Megeen McLaughlin|Meg McLaughlin]]
|directed by=[[Dennis Heaton]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''A spaceship crash-lands on Cybertron, releasing a tentacled alien monster. The Maximals and Vehicons both rush to take control of the vessel's secrets.'''

:''French title:'' '''Terre Natale''' ("Native Land")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Provenance''' ("Source")
:''Japanese title:'' 植物の反乱 (''Shokubutsu no Hanran'', "The Plant's Rebellion")
:''Spanish title:'' '''Su Tierra Natal'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:HomeSoil Silverbolt shipcrash.jpg|left|thumb|200px|My god, Bones. What have I done.]]
High above the planet of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], a mysterious spaceship and a cluster of asteroids prepare to make planetfall. But the automated space-cannons manage to destroy the asteroids and badly damage the ship, sending it plummeting towards the planet. Flying above the city streets, [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] sends word of the ship to base.

Underground, a worried [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] examines the wilting [[technorganic]] trees and ponders their survival and the future of Cybertron should they die. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] tries to console him, but to no avail. Suddenly, [[Rattrap]] bursts in, telling the [[Maximal]]s about the ship's crash. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] has also found out about the arrival of the ship and orders [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] to destroy any survivors of the crash. Thrust obediently heads towards the site, turning this into a race against time.

[[Image:HomeSoil Maximals head towards crash.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Not running ''away'' from something for once.]]
As the Maximals head towards the crash site, Thrust and his troops whiz by them. Several of the drones peel from the squadron and about-face, turning to fight the Maximals. Transforming into robot mode, the Maximals make short work of the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s, but they have lost time. Primal splits them into three teams: He and Cheetor will travel on the surface, Rattrap and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] will go underground, and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] and [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] will take to the sky.

In the air, Nightscream and Silverbolt destroy a squadron of Aero-Drones, but Nightscream still treats newcomer Silverbolt rudely, even after the latter compliments their teamwork together.

In the sewers of Cybertron, Blackarachnia laments to Rattrap of Silverbolt's lack of affection, even after she freed him from his Jetstorm slave form and reformatted him into his present condor form. However, the conversation is cut short as two [[Vehicon Mole|mole drones]] burst in from the sides. Blackarachnia destroys one and Rattrap commandeers another, and the duo head towards the site much quicker.

On the surface, Cheetor and Primal are surrounded by a group of drones. The two flying Maximals arrive to help them, and together they destroy the drones.

Eventually, the Maximals arrive at the ship. Stepping inside, they discover that the walls are covered with plant matter. They are suddenly attacked by a tentacled plant beast, but when they fight it, it turns tail and heads underground, towards the Oracle and the technorganic orchard. Primal fears that the fast-growing seeds the alien leaves in its wake will contaminate and destroy the orchard.

[[Image:HomeSoil Optimus prebotanica.jpg|left|thumb|200px|So ''that's'' how I defeat the plant monster. Thanks for the tip, paragraph!]]
However, he has a plan: Tapping the power of the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]], he attempts to reformat the monster. Cheetor protests, seeing as only "Cybertronians" can be reformatted, but Primal goes ahead with his idea, and the alien is bathed in a white light. The organic components of the creature begin to merge with the technological, and a technorganic, sentient plant emerges. The creature explains that she too is of Cybertronian descent, and that several years ago, she and her crew embarked on a mission of exploration similar to the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'''s (except without all the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|guns, violence and killing]]). Reaching a [[Regalis V|planet]] covered with aggressive, mobile plants (in other words, "talking trees"), she and her crew took the natives' forms to study them and avoid predation. The plant says that Megatron's attack had "shorted out" both her ship and her higher mental functions, so she was merely acting out of self-preservation.

But the plant-bot is cut short as a phalanx of Tank Drones attack, beginning to ravage the orchard. The newest member of the Maximals takes action, transforming into her robot mode. Shooting one drone with electrical energy, she uses a "chain-lightning" attack, with the energy leaping from one tank to the next, until the deadly circuit is completed and the drones are destroyed.

[[Image:HomeSoil Optimus botanica plant.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Do you still have that baggy I gave you?]]
Examining the poor state of the plants, the robot notes that different plants need different lighting, and she throws a bomb-like device onto the lights currently used. As the light changes, the technorganic plants flourish, and the new Maximal introduces herself as [[Botanica]].

Above, Megatron (encompassed within the [[Grand Mal|big floating head]]) notes the newest arrival and transforms into a "spaceship mode", destroying the remains of Botanica's ship and the rampant plant growth around it.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] (1)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (3)
*[[Rattrap]] (4)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (5)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (6)
*[[Botanica]] (13)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s
|c2=
*[[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] (7)
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (8)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (9)
*[[Sonic Attack Jet|Sonic Attack Jets]] (10)
*[[Vehicon Mole|Mole Drones]] (11)
*[[Tank Drone|Tank Drones]] (12)

}}

==Quotes==
"Don't worry, legs, I know the drill."
:—'''Rattrap''', about to take out a mole drone.

"As we remain static, the organics grow yet stronger. Clearly this infestation must be exterminated once and for all."
:—'''Megatron''' makes with the foreshadowing.

==Notes==
* This is the only episode where Grand Mal Megatron transforms.

===Technical/animation glitches===
*Glitch

===Continuity errors===
*Primal doesn't suffer any weakness post-reformatting, as he did with Nightscream. {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit|Forbidden Fruit}}
*Like Nightscream, Botanica is able to transform to robot mode immediately after being reformatted. Then again, like Nightscream, she was reformatted by Optimus Primal directly, instead of the Oracle, which might be a deciding factor in the new transformation process.
*Rattrap usually transforms into robot mode in order to interface with computers. In this episode, he transforms ''out'' of robot mode to do it.
*It apparently doesn't occur to Optimus to use his jet boosters to reach the downed spacecraft first. Plus, even if they have to stay in Beast Mode, why do they stick together rather than sending Cheetor out on ahead? Or are they seriously suggesting that every Maximal has the same top speed? (This isn't the [[Code of Hero|first time]] this has happened.)
*Why does a Maximal shuttle look exactly like a four million year old Autobot shuttle, instead of, say, the Axalon, one of its contemptories? It also has a very inconsistent size. Botanica fills the exit door when she leaves the ship in the flashback, whereas Rattrap and the other Maximals were tiny against it when trying to break in.
*Apparently Botanica (or at least one of her crew) can change her alt-mode just from receiving information from a DNA scanner, without the need for a CR Chamber.
*So, er, what happened to Botanica's crew then?

===Transformers references===
* NIghtscream wonders aloud if the new arrivials might "spread some sort of virus" while glaring at Silverbolt, a reference to the events of [[A Wolf in the Fold|last episode]].

===Real-world references===
* Nightscream and Silverbolt declare "Do not pass 'Go!' Do not collect $200!", a clear reference to the popular board game [[wikipedia:Monopoly|Monopoly]].
* Nightscream at one point refers to Silverbolt as "Typhoid Mary", a reference to both the previous episode and the infamous real-life carrier of the Typhoid virus.

===Miscellaneous trivia===
* The planet that Botanica and her crew were sent to explore is apparently Planet Jungle from Mainframe Entertainment's other toyline-based cartoon ''[[wikipedia:Shadow_Raiders|Shadow Raiders/War Planets]]''. Whether this is an intentional crossover or simply due to the recycling of backgrounds and animation models for budget reasons is unclear.
* For some reason, Blackarachnia checks herself out after Botanica gets reformatted. Jealous at no longer being the only girl, Legs? (She also has the most over-the-top look of shock on her face imaginable.)

==External links==
*Link

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

Prometheus Unbound

2009-12-21T15:20:52Z

82.19.179.116: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=16
|image=PrometheusUnbound title.jpg
|caption="Oh no. Promotheus." "''Prom'''e'''theus!"
|title="Prometheus Unbound"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[February 23]], 2000
|written by=[[Marv Wolfman]]
|directed by=[[Sebastian Brodin]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''The Maximals infiltrate Megatron's fortress, but are betrayed by their new friend.'''

:''French title:'' '''Prométhée''' ("Prometheus")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Promethéus''' ("Prometheus")
:''Japanese title:'' 怪物のお目覚め (''Kaibutsu no o Mezame'', "The Monster's Awakening")
:''Spanish title:'' '''Prometeo Liberado'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Noble moon.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
A giant Cybertronian moon passes (rumbles, actually) overhead. [[Noble]] howls at it, much to the consternation of the distant [[Maximal]]s—their new friend has run off yet again. [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] blames the team's treatment of the newcomer. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] gently defends their actions as being for Noble's own good. "And ours," [[Rattrap]] adds.

[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] is vaguely unsettled by Noble; Rattrap is freaked out. Nightscream doesn't take this well, and storms off with [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] in pursuit. Rattrap and Blackarachnia note unhappily that Noble is probably heading for "the same place as the last five nights".

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Nightscream Savage bound.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
Noble is furiously banging on the doors to [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s [[Council Citadel|citadel]] when Nightscream and Optimus arrive; he transforms to Savage form when they confront him, then continues trying to claw his way in. A bunch of snaking cables worm out to attack Nightscream when he tries again to stop Savage—and Savage knocks him out of their way. The cables envelope and constrain him, and the Maximals peel him free to find him back in Noble form.

Noble seems confused about how he got there, and says the Maximals should lock him away. But Optimus defends him, saying he saved Nightscream even in his Savage guise. Rattrap isn't buying it. Nightscream nastily puts Rattrap back in his place, saying he knows what it's like to be alone.

As usual, Optimus calms things down, focusing the team on finding the missing Sparks. The group prepares to infiltrate the citadel to look for clues. Noble wants to help, saying he's been drawn here for a reason, but Optimus refuses—they're going to have enough to worry about. Nightscream supports Noble, but Optimus doesn't budge, and Nightscream storms off.

Rattrap plugs in and the doors slide open. Rattrap is restrained from rushing in by Blackarachnia, as Optimus reveals a destructive force field across the entryway. A quick shot to the control panel takes it out. Too easy—this was the trap they were ''meant'' to find. The group enters… and Noble, some distance away, turns and sprints through the doorway. A pursuing Nightscream follows just as it closes.

Optimus is ticked off, but Noble says he couldn't help himself, and seems to be having trouble controlling himself.

As Rattrap begins a search for the security shut-off, Noble takes off running for the control room… and promptly steps on a floor sensor, activating a field of floating mines. The Maximals freeze, but just then Noble's eyes glow red, and he morphs back into Savage, setting off a string of the mines. KaBOOM!

The group groaningly gets to its feet, and Rattrap chews out Nightscream for dragging Noble along. They hear distant roaring, and split up—Nightscream and Optimus hunt for Savage; Rattrap heads for the throne room, with Cheetor and Blackarachnia on backup. As the two groups proceed, both Savage and Noble watch from the shadows.

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Rattrap harness.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Rattrap soon stumbled on Megatron's copy of "Two girls, one cup".]]
Nightscream hears Savage's roaring and takes off after him. Meanwhile, Savage change back to Noble and opens the doors to Megatron's throne room. "Success!" he says blissfully, as he sees Megatron's empty control harness. Noble begins leaping across the floating jigsaw puzzle bridge. He loses his grip on one, falling. Nightscream and Optimus arrive, and go after him.

Rattrap and company arrive a moment later, and stare at the drifting pieces of floating bridge. Cheetor and Blackarachnia go first and offer the less-mobile Rattrap assistance in getting to the harness. He plugs in, and the bridge assembles itself under their feet. Screens of data assemble before Rattrap. He begins searching, but everything's encrypted. Optimus encourages haste as he arrives with Nightscream and Noble—and the latter's gentle meekness abruptly disappears.

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Noble holds rattrap.jpg|right|thumb|200px|After seeing Revenge of the Fallen, Noble took it upon himself to see if Transformers really did have balls of steel.]]
Noble exults in being in the throne room, then spots Rattrap in the harness and immediately morphs to Savage. The Maximals realize he can control his changes. Savage blasts Rattrap out of the harness. Immediately, the bridge deconstructs and alarms go off. Tentacled [[Spark extractor]]s slither out of the walls. The group (including Savage) makes quick work of them, and Rattrap gets back into the harness as Savage morphs back to Noble, standing next to the harness. Rattrap starts to thank him—but Noble yanks him out by the tail and, in a dramatically backlit scene, tosses him away. He enters the harness himself, but nothing happens.

Noble realizes he can't interface while in an organic body. He leaps clear, grabs two Spark extractors, and applies them to… himself. A furiously burning orange Spark emerges, and the body collapses. The Spark enters the control harness, and shoots up the wires as Megatron's voice cackles: "Free… at last. Free at last!"

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Grand Mal awakens.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Megatron forgot to turn down his headlights again.]]
The Maximals charge outside to see the [[Grand Mal|giant Megatron head]] now fully animated. Megatron delightedly explains that "Noble" was just a ruse, his gigantic eyes glowing in synch with his words. Nightscream is crushed. Megatron explains further: "For an eternity, I slaved to free myself from the organic material contaminating my otherwise perfect technological body. I finally succeeded in separating the two, but my Spark remained with the wrong half—the organic half. I knew that the answer to curing myself lay inside my citadel—but as an organic beast, I could never hope to enter it and survive. Which is why I needed ''you''… Nightscream. Naive. Headstrong. And utterly malleable. You proved the perfect pawn… and now in gratitude, I will free ''you'' from your organic bodies."

The big floating head fires a beam into the planet, and all systems come back on-line—including the drone army, which storms to the attack. As the others fight them off, Rattrap opens up a panel, and Optimus orders a retreat. Nobody objects as the badly outnumbered group scurries underground.

The Maximals lament their faux victory. Nightscream is still shattered, and Rattrap offers his sincere sympathy.

Back in the empty citadel, Noble's eye opens, and he stirs with a growl….

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Rattrap]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (3)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (6)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Tank Drone|Tank Drones]] (8)
*[[Sonic Attack Jet|Sonic Attack Jets]] (9)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (10)

|c4=
*[[Noble]] (1)

}}

==Quotes==
"I can't say why, but something about him gives me the creeps." 
"Well, let me see. Is it his eyes? the hair? or maybe it's his little tendancy to keep turning into a giant, wigged-out, flesh-eating ''gila monster''!"
:—'''Blackarachnia''' and '''Rattrap''' on Noble.

"Are we unclear on the concept of 'no'?"
:—'''Optimus Primal'''

"Told you draggin' along the dragon was a mistake, but did you listen? No!"
:—'''Rattrap'''

'''Cheetor:''' "Something's following us." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Aw man, I sure hope it ain't Savage." 
'''Blackarachnia:''' "You better hope it is. Anything else is bound to be worse." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Oh, brighten my day."
:—The good news just keeps coming for Rattrap

"Must be the maid's day off."
:—'''Rattrap''' regarding the state of the citadel

"Hey guys, how do you like the new housecoat?" 
"Frumpy, but functional."
:—'''Rattrap''' tries on Megatron's control harness and '''Blackarachnia''' gives her opinion.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" 
"Past experience?"
:—'''Blackarachnia''' and '''Cheetor'''

"For an eternity, I slaved to free myself from the organic material contaminating my otherwise perfect technological body. I finally succeeded in separating the two, but my Spark remained with the wrong half—the organic half. I knew that the answer to curing myself lay inside my citadel—but as an organic beast, I could never hope to enter it and survive. Which is why I needed you… Nightscream. Naive. Headstrong. And utterly malleable. You proved the perfect pawn." 
"NOOO!" 
"And now in gratitude, I will free you from your organic bodies!" 
:-'''Megatron''' adds insult to injury for '''Nightscream''' and prepares to add further injury to the Maximals.

==Notes==
===Technical or animation errors===
*Glitch

===Continuity errors===
*The Maximals don't revert to their beast forms as usual after being knocked out by the mines.

===Transformers references===
*Rattrap describes Megatron's [[Grand Mal|big floating head]] as a tribute to [[Unicron]].

===Real-world references===
*''Prometheus Unbound'' is the title of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_Unbound_%28Aeschylus%29|an incomplete play] by Aeschylus, which inspired a play [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_Unbound_%28Shelley%29|of the same name] by Percy Shelley. Both concern Prometheus, a character in Greek mythology who stole fire from Mount Olympus and have it to humans; as punishment, he was cast into Hades and tied to a rock, where an eagle ate his liver every day. Megatron in ''Beast Machines'' seems to see himself as a figure akin to Prometheus, bringing the 'gifts' of freedom from organic matter, individuality, and consciousness; as well as technological perfection, to all of Cybertron. Up until now, he has been going to increasing lengths to purge himself of his own organic components, which he sees as a contamination of his mechanical purity; being trapped in a purely organic body as a result thus mirrors Prometheus' torment in Hades. The act of freeing his spark form Noble's body and bringing it to a purely technological existence is compared to Prometheus breaking free from his bond in order to confront Zeus. In Aeschylus' play, Prometheus and Zeus eventually reconcile; in Shelley's, Zeus is cast down, freeing humans and gods from his tyranny. Both of the endings foreshadow [[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|the final episode]].

==External links==
*Link

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]

Prometheus Unbound

2009-12-21T15:20:23Z

82.19.179.116: /* Quotes */

{{episode
|series=BMtoon
|ep=16
|image=PrometheusUnbound title.jpg
|caption="Oh no. Promotheus." "''Prom'''e'''theus!"
|title="Prometheus Unbound"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[February 23]], 2000
|written by=[[Marv Wolfman]]
|directed by=[[Sebastian Brodin]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
}}
'''The Maximals infiltrate Megatron's fortress, but are betrayed by their new friend.'''

:''French title:'' '''Prométhée''' ("Prometheus")
:''French-Canadian title:'' '''Promethéus''' ("Prometheus")
:''Japanese title:'' 怪物のお目覚め (''Kaibutsu no o Mezame'', "The Monster's Awakening")
:''Spanish title:'' '''Prometeo Liberado'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Noble moon.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
A giant Cybertronian moon passes (rumbles, actually) overhead. [[Noble]] howls at it, much to the consternation of the distant [[Maximal]]s—their new friend has run off yet again. [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] blames the team's treatment of the newcomer. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] gently defends their actions as being for Noble's own good. "And ours," [[Rattrap]] adds.

[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] is vaguely unsettled by Noble; Rattrap is freaked out. Nightscream doesn't take this well, and storms off with [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] in pursuit. Rattrap and Blackarachnia note unhappily that Noble is probably heading for "the same place as the last five nights".

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Nightscream Savage bound.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
Noble is furiously banging on the doors to [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s [[Council Citadel|citadel]] when Nightscream and Optimus arrive; he transforms to Savage form when they confront him, then continues trying to claw his way in. A bunch of snaking cables worm out to attack Nightscream when he tries again to stop Savage—and Savage knocks him out of their way. The cables envelope and constrain him, and the Maximals peel him free to find him back in Noble form.

Noble seems confused about how he got there, and says the Maximals should lock him away. But Optimus defends him, saying he saved Nightscream even in his Savage guise. Rattrap isn't buying it. Nightscream nastily puts Rattrap back in his place, saying he knows what it's like to be alone.

As usual, Optimus calms things down, focusing the team on finding the missing Sparks. The group prepares to infiltrate the citadel to look for clues. Noble wants to help, saying he's been drawn here for a reason, but Optimus refuses—they're going to have enough to worry about. Nightscream supports Noble, but Optimus doesn't budge, and Nightscream storms off.

Rattrap plugs in and the doors slide open. Rattrap is restrained from rushing in by Blackarachnia, as Optimus reveals a destructive force field across the entryway. A quick shot to the control panel takes it out. Too easy—this was the trap they were ''meant'' to find. The group enters… and Noble, some distance away, turns and sprints through the doorway. A pursuing Nightscream follows just as it closes.

Optimus is ticked off, but Noble says he couldn't help himself, and seems to be having trouble controlling himself.

As Rattrap begins a search for the security shut-off, Noble takes off running for the control room… and promptly steps on a floor sensor, activating a field of floating mines. The Maximals freeze, but just then Noble's eyes glow red, and he morphs back into Savage, setting off a string of the mines. KaBOOM!

The group groaningly gets to its feet, and Rattrap chews out Nightscream for dragging Noble along. They hear distant roaring, and split up—Nightscream and Optimus hunt for Savage; Rattrap heads for the throne room, with Cheetor and Blackarachnia on backup. As the two groups proceed, both Savage and Noble watch from the shadows.

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Rattrap harness.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Rattrap soon stumbled on Megatron's copy of "Two girls, one cup".]]
Nightscream hears Savage's roaring and takes off after him. Meanwhile, Savage change back to Noble and opens the doors to Megatron's throne room. "Success!" he says blissfully, as he sees Megatron's empty control harness. Noble begins leaping across the floating jigsaw puzzle bridge. He loses his grip on one, falling. Nightscream and Optimus arrive, and go after him.

Rattrap and company arrive a moment later, and stare at the drifting pieces of floating bridge. Cheetor and Blackarachnia go first and offer the less-mobile Rattrap assistance in getting to the harness. He plugs in, and the bridge assembles itself under their feet. Screens of data assemble before Rattrap. He begins searching, but everything's encrypted. Optimus encourages haste as he arrives with Nightscream and Noble—and the latter's gentle meekness abruptly disappears.

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Noble holds rattrap.jpg|right|thumb|200px|After seeing Revenge of the Fallen, Noble took it upon himself to see if Transformers really did have balls of steel.]]
Noble exults in being in the throne room, then spots Rattrap in the harness and immediately morphs to Savage. The Maximals realize he can control his changes. Savage blasts Rattrap out of the harness. Immediately, the bridge deconstructs and alarms go off. Tentacled [[Spark extractor]]s slither out of the walls. The group (including Savage) makes quick work of them, and Rattrap gets back into the harness as Savage morphs back to Noble, standing next to the harness. Rattrap starts to thank him—but Noble yanks him out by the tail and, in a dramatically backlit scene, tosses him away. He enters the harness himself, but nothing happens.

Noble realizes he can't interface while in an organic body. He leaps clear, grabs two Spark extractors, and applies them to… himself. A furiously burning orange Spark emerges, and the body collapses. The Spark enters the control harness, and shoots up the wires as Megatron's voice cackles: "Free… at last. Free at last!"

[[Image:PrometheusUnbound Grand Mal awakens.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Megatron forgot to turn down his headlights again.]]
The Maximals charge outside to see the [[Grand Mal|giant Megatron head]] now fully animated. Megatron delightedly explains that "Noble" was just a ruse, his gigantic eyes glowing in synch with his words. Nightscream is crushed. Megatron explains further: "For an eternity, I slaved to free myself from the organic material contaminating my otherwise perfect technological body. I finally succeeded in separating the two, but my Spark remained with the wrong half—the organic half. I knew that the answer to curing myself lay inside my citadel—but as an organic beast, I could never hope to enter it and survive. Which is why I needed ''you''… Nightscream. Naive. Headstrong. And utterly malleable. You proved the perfect pawn… and now in gratitude, I will free ''you'' from your organic bodies."

The big floating head fires a beam into the planet, and all systems come back on-line—including the drone army, which storms to the attack. As the others fight them off, Rattrap opens up a panel, and Optimus orders a retreat. Nobody objects as the badly outnumbered group scurries underground.

The Maximals lament their faux victory. Nightscream is still shattered, and Rattrap offers his sincere sympathy.

Back in the empty citadel, Noble's eye opens, and he stirs with a growl….

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Rattrap]] (2)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (3)
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] (4)
*[[Optimus Primal]] (5)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (6)

|h2=[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s
|c2=
*[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Tank Drone|Tank Drones]] (8)
*[[Sonic Attack Jet|Sonic Attack Jets]] (9)
*[[Motorcycle Drone|Motorcycle Drones]] (10)

|c4=
*[[Noble]] (1)

}}

==Quotes==
"I can't say why, but something about him gives me the creeps." 
"Well, let me see. Is it his eyes? the hair? or maybe it's his little tendancy to keep turning into a giant, wigged-out, flesh-eating ''gila monster''!"
:—'''Blackarachnia''' and '''Rattrap''' on Noble.

"Are we unclear on the concept of 'no'?"
:—'''Optimus Primal'''

"Told you draggin' along the dragon was a mistake, but did you listen? No!"
:—'''Rattrap'''

'''Cheetor:''' "Something's following us." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Aw man, I sure hope it ain't Savage." 
'''Blackarachnia:''' "You better hope it is. Anything else is bound to be worse." 
'''Rattrap:''' "Oh, brighten my day."
:—The good news just keeps coming for Rattrap

"Must be the maid's day off."
:—'''Rattrap''' regarding the state of the citadel

"Hey guys, how do you like the new housecoat?" 
"Frumpy, but functional."
:—'''Rattrap''' tries on Megatron's control harness and '''Blackarachnia''' gives her opinion.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" 
"Past experience?"
:—'''Blackarachnia''' and '''Cheetor'''

"For an eternity, I slaved to free myself from the organic material contaminating my otherwise perfect technological body. I finally succeeded in separating the two, but my Spark remained with the wrong half—the organic half. I knew that the answer to curing myself lay inside my citadel—but as an organic beast, I could never hope to enter it and survive. Which is why I needed you… Nightscream. Naive. Headstrong. And utterly malleable. You proved the perfect pawn… ." 
"NOOO!" 
"And now in gratitude, I will free you from your organic bodies!" 
:-'''Megatron''' adds insult to injury for '''Nightscream''' and prepares to add further injury to the Maximals.

==Notes==
===Technical or animation errors===
*Glitch

===Continuity errors===
*The Maximals don't revert to their beast forms as usual after being knocked out by the mines.

===Transformers references===
*Rattrap describes Megatron's [[Grand Mal|big floating head]] as a tribute to [[Unicron]].

===Real-world references===
*''Prometheus Unbound'' is the title of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_Unbound_%28Aeschylus%29|an incomplete play] by Aeschylus, which inspired a play [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_Unbound_%28Shelley%29|of the same name] by Percy Shelley. Both concern Prometheus, a character in Greek mythology who stole fire from Mount Olympus and have it to humans; as punishment, he was cast into Hades and tied to a rock, where an eagle ate his liver every day. Megatron in ''Beast Machines'' seems to see himself as a figure akin to Prometheus, bringing the 'gifts' of freedom from organic matter, individuality, and consciousness; as well as technological perfection, to all of Cybertron. Up until now, he has been going to increasing lengths to purge himself of his own organic components, which he sees as a contamination of his mechanical purity; being trapped in a purely organic body as a result thus mirrors Prometheus' torment in Hades. The act of freeing his spark form Noble's body and bringing it to a purely technological existence is compared to Prometheus breaking free from his bond in order to confront Zeus. In Aeschylus' play, Prometheus and Zeus eventually reconcile; in Shelley's, Zeus is cast down, freeing humans and gods from his tyranny. Both of the endings foreshadow [[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future|the final episode]].

==External links==
*Link

[[Category:Beast Machines episodes]]