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Energon cube

2011-04-18T15:26:25Z

92.12.145.224: /* Battle for the Matrix */

{{disambig2|garden-variety cubes of energon|the really big cube of energon|Energon Cube}}

The '''energon cube''' is the safest form of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]], used for transportation and storage.

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
[[Image:EnergonCubesCartoon1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[N.R.G.|NRG]].]]
The energon cubes could be created by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}, who generated the empty cube framework from his similarly-shaped chest; several other Decepticons were able to produce them as well. The [[Autobot]]s were apparently unaware of them until their reawakening on [[Earth]] in 1984, when [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] described them to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prime]] as simply "some kind of cube". (This is a little perplexing in light of the fact that energon cubes were also shown to have existed by the time of Optimus Prime's creation at the end of Cybertron's [[Golden Age]]. {{storylink|War Dawn}}) By 2005, however, the Autobots had begun to use energon cubes for power as well.

Exactly how an energon cube operates is unclear, especially as their framework appears to be some sort of self-sustaining force field with no internal mechanisms. Most frequently, the empty cube is simply attached to or placed near the energy source from which it is to drain power, and the energy in question is automatically converted into liquid energon that fills the cube. Energon cubes have proven able to transform a vast array of resources into energon, including electricity, magma, oil and steam. Energon seems to have a much higher energy potential than carbon-based fuel sources: 1000 barrels of oil are needed to fill a single energon cube, {{storylink|Thief in the Night}} and the electrical energy within the synapses of the human brain are insufficient to generate even a few drops. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}}

The liquid energon within energon cubes is a glowing pink color, although the cubes could also be compressed for easy storage and transport, causing them to take on an iridescent rainbow effect.

===Marvel Comics===
[[Image:Energoncubesrockandrollout.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Energon cubes come in Grande...]]
[[Image:Marvel52 concentratedenergoncubes.jpg|right|200px|thumb|...and Tall!]]
[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] builds an energy converter that's capable of converting both [[oil]] and the sonic energy from a [[Brick Springhorn]] concert into large purple energon cubes. Unfortunately when these cubes are exposed to x-ray energy from Shockwave's weaponry, they detonate in a blinding flash of light. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] invented the [[Geothermal Generator]] which converted the [[Earth]]'s underground heat into energon cubes. {{storylink|Used Autobots}}

'''Concentrated energon cubes''' are a highly valuable form of universally accepted currency among alien cultures. These tiny green non-glowing cubes measure approximately 6 inches (15.2cm) on a side and are easily transportable, as well as being less combustible than normal energon cubes. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
The naturally-occurring energon on prehistoric [[Earth]] appeared only in an unstable, highly-explosive raw [[Energon crystal|crystalline form]]. However, after the [[Planet Buster]] baked Earth's surface, the crystals were all either incinerated or somehow "converted" into more stable cubes. These cubes no longer emitted the dangerous radiation which prompted the Beast Warriors to adopt their beast modes in the first place. They were significantly smaller than Transformers from after the [[Great Upgrade]] and colored blue.

[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] threatened to detonate an energon cube near her head if [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] would not remove the mind-link he had with her. The explosion would have killed them both via the link, so Tarantulas did remove it. {{storylink|Tangled Web}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
Energon cubes are purple. During the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], the Decepticons hoarded them in mass quantities on their battleships. However many centuries of neglect they suffered left them unstable.

They are also apparently delicious ''and'' nutritious to newborn giant spiders. {{storylink|Along Came a Spider}}

Energon becomes unstable if cut in its cube form, which combined with an elevator makes for a handy bomb in tight quarters. It is suggested that one not stare down the shaft while attempting this. {{storylink|Decepticon Air}}

There also exists 'demolition-grade' energon, which appears as palm-sized cubes and utilizes the potentially explosive properties of full-size energon. When used properly, they are very useful in clearing away rubble from Space Bridges. But using them ''in''correctly could lead to a messy accident—say, like the destruction of a small spaceship. {{storylink|Endgame, Part I}}

==Games==
===''War for Cybertron''===
[[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] was capable of producing energon cubes. Both the Autobots and Decepticons used the cubes to regain energy they had lost in the heat of battle. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
===''Battle for the Matrix''===
{{Note|Battle for the Matrix is a simplified retelling of the events of [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]. It can be played from the perspective of either Bumblebee or Optimus Prime.}}
[[Image:Energon battleforthematrix.jpg|thumb|200px|left|[[Sentinel_Prime_(Animated)|Energon-y goodness!]]]]
[[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and/or [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus]] can collect Energon cubes in order to repair themselves. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle for the Matrix}}
{{-}}

==Things that look like energon cubes but aren't==
*[[Personality component]]s for some reason look like small energon cubes. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}
*Refined [[Cybertonium]] looks like a green colored energon cube. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}
*The refined heat resistant alloy developed by [[Jessica Morgan]]'s father resembles yellow colored energon cubes. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

The reason why all share the shape of energon cubes is a mystery that plagues us to this day....

==Toy==
[[Image:EnergonCubeToy1.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Rubik, the Amazing Cube!]]
Energon Cubes were available with Takara's "TF Collection" reissue of the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and the set's [[redeco]], the Collector's Edition [[Insecticon (G1)|Insectron Clone Army]] ([[Shothole]], [[Salvo]] and [[Zaptrap]]) box set released in Japan in 2004.

There were also "energon cube" accessories available with the fast-food kids meal premiums in European McDonald's restaurants. These cubes were little more than a cheap, battery powered gimmick (the battery couldn't be replaced; the triangle-headed screws used by McDonald's are notoriously impossible to remove) that would make sound or light the toy up. The cubes were interchangeable, but not all of them were "compatible", so to speak—Unicron's light-up feature didn't work on the more opaque plastic of the other toys.

==Merchandise==
Released along side the Movie Preview protoform figures, Energon now takes on the delicious form of candy! Held inside clear, plastic containers, the "energon" inside is more or less flavorless balls of condensed sugar with articial colors. The cubes are held together by stickers, depicting scenes from Generation 1. The larger cube, made of 8 smaller ones, can be open and folded, in one direction, until it returns to its original position.

Out of the eight cubes, only two have candy in them. Most of the art on the cube is taken from Dreamwave art by [[Pat Lee|Superstar Funana]], with the exception of two parts that feature art by [[Don Figueroa]].

==Notes==
*Thanks to [[Abdul Fakkadi (G1)|the exalted leader]] of [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] in "[[Thief in the Night]]", we know 1000 barrels of oil makes a single energon cube. This means each cube contains the equivalent power of 42,000 US Gallons of crude oil. If refined into gasoline (with a conservative 30% yield ratio) that much oil would keep [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee's]] Volkswagen alt-mode (with a rough value of 40MPG) going for approximately half a million miles without needing to refuel! That's enough to circumnavigate the [[Earth]] over seventeen times without stopping! No wonder a few cubes of the stuff got [[Megatron (G1)|ol' Megsy]] [[Microbots|drunk off his rocker!]]

===Foreign names===
*''English:'' '''Power pack''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)

[[Category:Animated technology]]
[[Category:Beast Wars technology]]
[[Category:Generation 1 technology]]
[[Category:Power sources]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Substances]]
[[Category:Technology]]

Lazarus

2011-04-16T01:29:03Z

92.12.145.224:

:''Lazarus is a [[human]] from the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave portion]] of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Lazarusdurr.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Dull_surprise|"...huh?"]]]]
'''Lazarus'''. People call '''Adam Rook''' "Lazarus". You should too. He's a rogue government engineer turned arms dealer who likes making smug, self-important, meandering speeches while folding origami.

How he got the scar over his left eye is unknown. Maybe someone got sick of listening to him.

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Engineer Adam Rook was hired in 1997 by US General [[Robert Hallo]] to design and build an army of intelligent shapeshifting robot soldiers. Despite ample resources and staff, each of [[Project Lazarus]]' fifty protoypes was an abject failure. Confronted with these setbacks, Hallo changed course, and took advantage of the recent [[Autobot]]/[[Human]] defeat of the [[Decepticon]]s to experiment upon the deactivated Decepticons. Eventually, Rook succeeded in creating a program to control Transformers—the program allowed specific objectives to be input into the Transformer's central intelligence, suppressing their free will but retaining a level of intelligence sufficient to make independent decisions while carrying out the mission.

In order to acquire the Autobots, Hallo plotted to destroy the ''[[Ark II]]'', a ship carrying the victorious Autobots, their Decepticon prisoners, and several humans back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The plan was successful—the ''Ark II'' exploded, killing its human passengers and depositing the Transformers into the [[Arctic Ocean]], but Rook disappeared, taking the control program with him. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5}}

[[Image:Lazarusfrozen.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Seriously, call him Lazarus. He gets cranky if you don't.]]
Over the next four years, Rook, motivated by greed, adopted the alias 'Lazarus' and built an organization to retrieve and reactivate the slumbering Transformers. {{storylink|Prime Directive Preview}} From a remote base in the [[Northwest Territories]], he succeeded in reviving a number of Transformers, including [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Bluestreak]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]—and his 'deluxe model', [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. He hired them out to a number of tyrants and terrorists, who used them to attack and exterminate their enemies. Often, he would take potential customers on tours of his base, showing them the 'merchandise' (and using his origami skills) to sell them on his services. On one such tour, Lazarus attempted to demonstrate his control program to a terrorist named [[Bishop (G1)|Bishop]], only to find that Subject 6 - Megatron - refused to kneel before him. Explaining it away as a 'minor wrinkle', Lazarus led Bishop away, failing to note that Megatron had switched himself back on... {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1}}

Some time later, Lazarus sent Grimlock, Bumblebee, Soundwave, Starscream, Thundercracker, Rumble, Ravage, and Laserbeak to attack an Arctic [[Smitco Oil Refinery]], as a demonstration to an audience of potential buyers. Once the refinery was destroyed, he proceeded to auction off his Transformers, starting with Megatron. Bidding reached 85 million dollars (and a harem of wives) before Megatron unexpectedly awoke, sending Lazarus' clientele running for their lives. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2}} Megatron devastated the base, freed his fellow Decepticons from Lazarus' control, and chained Lazarus himself up like a dog. The Decepticon leader then used Lazarus as the first test subject for his latest doomsday device, a virus powered by the life-forces of captive Autobots and humans; the virus converted Lazarus' body to lifeless technomatter in a matter of seconds, presumably killing him. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3}} The statue-like corpse of Adam Rook was left as a permanent monument to his arrogance and avarice. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4}}

[[Category:Comic-only characters]]
[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 humans]]

Starscream Heckles Megatron

2011-04-16T01:26:18Z

92.12.145.224: /* Animation errors */

{{episode|
|seriess=[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]] ''animated short''<nowiki></nowiki>
|image=MockMegs-bunny.jpg
|caption=[[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]]? Never heard of him. Why do you ask?
|prev=Career Day
|next=Mime Time
|title="Starscream Heckles Megatron"
|airdate=[[December 23]], 2008 (via Yahoo's Y! Video site)
|written by= [[Marty Isenberg]]
|directed by= Uh...
|animation studio= [[Studio 4°C]]
}}

'''Starscream is not impressed by Megatron's oratory skills.'''

==Synopsis==
Deep within their hidden base, Megatron makes a speech to his fellow [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], with Starscream at his side. However, Starscream begins to make faces behind Megatron's back, giving him "rabbit ears" and the like, silently mocking their leader, and managing to knock it off every time Megatron turns and wonders just what's going on. The other Decepticons remain silent, unwilling to incur Megatron's wrath.

Starscream takes it too far when he turns around and shakes his can at the group, as Megatron rises in the middle of his speech and gives the unaware Starscream a cannon-blast to the derriere.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c2=
* [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] (1)
* [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (2)
* [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (3)
* [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (4)
* [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"And woe betide any who would seek to ''undermine my authority''."
:—'''Megatron''', seconds before blasting Starscream a new exhaust port.

==Notes==
===Continuity errors===
* This short cannot take place within the normal cartoon continuity. It is set in the Decepticons' base in the old mine outside of [[Detroit]], which was established at the beginning of the second season, yet has Starscream among Megatron's crew. Starscream was killed by Megatron in season one, and throughout season two was openly and repeatedly trying to kill Megatron as an outside agitator, having been reanimated by a fragment of the shattered [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]].

* Blackarachnia is also there for the speech. This is ''less'' of a continuity kerfuffle than Starscream's appearance, but still worth noting, since she hadn't been seen among the core Decepticon crew since before they came to Earth.

* Lugnut stays awfully quiet with Starscream openly ridiculing Megatron behind his back, despite numerous past examples of Lugnut flying off the handle at every perceived slight to Megatron's greatness.

* None of this really matters because it's a funny short.

===Animation errors===
[[Image:MockMeg-lackeys.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Not-so-[[dull surprise]]]]
* Blackarachnia, Blitzwing and Lugnut are all drawn at about the same height. Blitzwing should tower over Blackarachnia, and Lugnut is even taller than Blitzwing.

* Blackarachnia's upper chest area (just below her gold collar) is colored gold instead of "light black" as it should be.

===Trivia===
*This short was officially posted to Yahoo's "Y! Video" site as "Mocking Megatron", a special preview for the DVD set.
*The title used on this wiki is the in-house production title of the short, as supplied by [[Derrick J. Wyatt|Derrick Wyatt]].
*Starscream proves that Transformers have [[tongue]]s and [[teeth]] when he makes faces.

==Home video releases==
;DVD
[[Image:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Two ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio.

==External links==
* [http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4172055/11227082 Official Y! Video posting of "Starscream Heckles Megatron"]

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Protoform

2011-04-15T23:56:02Z

92.12.145.224: /* Animated cartoon */

:''Protoforms are part of a Transformer's [[life cycle]] in many Transformers continuities.''

[[Image:Protoforms2.jpg|right|300px|thumb|TeH Nekkid [[Airazor (BW)|AiRrazzer]]!1! L@@K]]

'''Protoforms''' consist of an unspecified, free-flowing, metallic matter layered over basic robotic systems. In many universes, a protoform is the first stage in a [[Transformer]]'s [[life cycle]]. These protoforms only await a life-giving [[spark]] and the alt-form information necessary to transform them into fully functional, living Transformer beings. Often, protoform modes are used to transport Transformers on intergalactic journeys.

Protoforms are transported or stored in [[stasis lock]], in which state they look like smooth, robotic humanoids. When not in stasis lock, protoforms are a roiling mass of liquid metal around their internal frame.<ref>Protoform states seen in "[[The Spark]]".</ref>

In some universes, existing Transformers can place their sparks in a newly created protoform in order to assume a new form, or to recreate their old one. This is one way of rapidly repairing even the most extreme damage, by virtue of totally replacing the body.

:''Japanese name:'' '''Prototype''' (''Beast Wars''), '''Cyberdrone''' (''Car Robots'')

==Fiction==
===''Beast Wars'' cartoon===
[[Image:Stasispod.jpg|right|200px|thumb| Six heroes arrived on the island's shores in canisters...]]
Protoforms are often contained within [[stasis pod]]s and dropped into unexplored worlds. The ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' carried many such stasis pods for exploration reasons, and also [[Rampage (BW)|Protoform X]], a failed attempt to create an immortal spark, which was intended for dumping somewhere barren. When the ship was shot down over prehistoric [[Earth]], [[Optimus Primal]] ordered the protoforms on board ejected into space. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} A while later, when the first stasis pod crashed to the ground, [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] was able to use a laser link to activate the pod's [[DNA scanner]], allowing it to scan for compatible life-forms and reformat the protoform inside into [[Tigatron]]. {{storylink|Fallen Comrades}}

While [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] was in her protoform state, [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] was able to install a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[shell program]], turning her against the [[Maximal]]s. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}} On a later occasion, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] worked frantically to save another protoform and the [[spark]] it contained, ultimately succeeding and bringing forth [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]]. {{storylink|The Spark}} Another attempt on Tarantulas's part to create a third spider Predacon failed when it turned out that the stasis pod had already scanned a life form, and metamorphosed the protoform into [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]. {{storylink|Spider's Game}}

The destruction of the [[Vok]] [[Planet Buster]] knocked the remaining stasis pods out of orbit. Two were damaged on impact, reformatting the protoforms within into [[Fuzor]]s. A third pod found by the Maximals contained a "[[blank]]" — a protoform with no spark. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}} Rhinox was able to bring back Optimus Primal from the dead using the blank protoform. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}} Protoform X also turned up, crashed in a swamp, and was able to be converted into a Predacon by [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Bad Spark}} One protoform was twisted by a badly malfunctioning pod into the being which became known as [[Transmutate (character)|Transmutate]]. {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

A blank protoform was used by Megatron in a grand experiment, the ultimate fruit of which was a [[Transmetal 2]] recreation of [[Dinobot II|Dinobot]]. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 1}}

===''Beast Wars II'' cartoon===
[[Image:Protoforms1.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Pretty spry for globs of pudding]]

[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] warriors, who look like protoforms, were shown moving about the Predacon warship using their own power, though they were not shown to speak or have any kind of personality. After the Predacons had gathered enough information about the machines of [[Gaea]]'s past, they then fed the information into the protoforms via energy waves. The protoforms were then altered into the [[Autoroller|Autorollers]]. {{storylink|White Lion, Run!}}

The atmosphere of the Planet Gaea could have caused the protoforms to rust. {{storylink|The New Forces Arrive!}} Despite this, a protoform was seen on the bridge of the ''[[Galvaburg II]]'' well into their visit to the planet. {{storylink|The Insect Corps Arrive}}

{{Note|Given that the Autorollers were apparently extant veterans, this would be a case similar to that of [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] and [[Tigatron]] in "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", in which an already living Cybertronian had been downloaded into a new protoform body.}}

{{-}}

===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
Autobots (and possibly Predacons) can change into a protoform state during long journeys, presumably to conserve energy. Attributes of an Autobot's original form remain in whatever new form the being takes. For instance, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] retained the ability to detect [[O-Part]]s.

A downside to the protoform process is that it leaves the Autobots vulnerable to tampering. [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] was able to use his [[spark]]'s energy to turn Autobot protoforms into [[Decepticon|malevolent entities]]. {{storylink|The Decepticons}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' comics===
Protoforms are the first step in most (if not all) Transformer life. Convicted criminals are sometimes reduced to Protoform state, such as the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s. {{Storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

===''G.I. Joe vs the Transformers''===
A traditional Cybertronian song features the lines "Protoform/ Protoform/ What will you be?" {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}

===''Cybertron'' cartoon===
Protoforms are the first stage of Transformer life, which is usually followed by [[primary programming]].

===Live-action films===
[[Image:Movie OptimusPrime protoform.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I gotta find some clothes!]]

Protoforms grow and survive by feeding inside [[energon (fuel)|energon]] wombs. ''{{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}'' Protoforms are more than just the first stage of a Transformer's life, they are the "base" form that exists inside each robot. Protoforms are made of an ultra-dense, liquid metal material and are extremely hard to damage.

In the rare case they are not actively practicing their natural proclivity for chameleon-like disguise (usually only when engaged in interstellar travel), Transformers shed their exo-structure and return to their protoform state. This protoform is capable of transforming into its [[transition form]]: an armored, cometary shape capable of interstellar travel. Upon landing on a new world and transforming back into a protoform, the Transformer immediately begins [[trans-scan]]ning for new alternate forms to adopt. When one is chosen, the protoform draws on its own ultra-dense substance and any extraneous matter nearby to generate a new exostructure disguise. ''{{Storylink|Transformers: The Movie Guide}}''

[[Image:ROTF Protoform with weapon.jpg|thumb|left|180px|In Decepticon culture, it is customary for new recruits to fight completely naked.]]
[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s attempts to breed a new army were met with failure because of low energon supplies, and the "[[hatchling]]s", as they were affectionately termed, were dying. When many Decepticons arrived on Earth with [[The Fallen]] to claim the [[Sun]], they did not bother assuming alternate modes, and remained in their protoforms. ''{{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}''

{{Note|"Protoform" is used as a term for the movie continuity Transformers' Cybertronian forms, although this is also a chosen appearance for the [[self-regenerating molecular armor]] formed by the protoform.}}
{{-}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
[[Image:Ani42 protoformblank.jpg|right|thumb|200px|"When I grow up, I wanna be a steam shovel!"]]
Protoforms are created from "proto-matter", mined from Cybertron's [[Sonic Canyons]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} In their pre-life state, they resemble featureless grey mannequins, and are stored in pods that line the walls of the secret [[Matrix Chamber]] hidden in the dojo of their assigned protectors, the venerable Autobot [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]]. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} Customarily, prior to being brought on line, protoforms are placed into "moulds", pre-built robot shells, which their proto-matter expands to fill. {{storylink|Endgame, Part I}} Following this, either the [[AllSpark#Animated|AllSpark]] or the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]] is used to bestow them with a [[spark]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} It is possible, however, to forego the use of a mould and place a spark in a protoform directly. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} The same basic mould can be used for multiple protoforms, leading to [[Retool|similarities]] in [[body-type]] and transformation schemes; the [[65356-9292-346]] type is particularly popular and widely-used. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}} Where humans would describe themselves as being "born", Transformers are "protoformed". Additionally, "protoform" is sometimes used pejoratively in Cybertronian society as a mocking name for the young or inexperienced.

In the closing stages of the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], Cyber-Ninja sensei [[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]] revealed the Matrix Chamber and its legion of protoforms to his student [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], lamenting that while they should be Cybertron's next great generation, they would wind up being used as an army of last resort if [[Project Omega]] failed to bring the war to an end. Subsequently, while Prowl was absent on a quest to commune with the AllSpark, [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]], another former student of Yoketron's, attacked the dojo and stole nearly all of the protoforms for [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Five Servos of Doom}} As luck would have it, Project Omega ''did'' succeed in ending the war, and when the Decepticons were exiled from the planet, they secretly took the stolen protoforms with them. However, without the AllSpark, (which had been launched into space by the Autobots to keep it out of his clutches), Megatron had no means of bringing the protoforms to life, and so they remained in storage aboard the space cruiser ''[[Nemesis (Animated)|Nemesis]]'' for millions of years. {{storylink|Endgame, Part I}}

[[Image:TransWarpedProtoform.jpg|thumb|left|225px|My Meebas live inside this tube, we grow and change with help from you!]]

Some time in the 22nd century, a protoform which had been granted a spark through means unknown, in a highly atypical foetus-like form, somehow materialized on [[Earth]], in the laboratory of human scientist [[Isaac Sumdac]]. When Sumdac touched the protoform, it scanned his DNA, and reconfigured itself into a techno-organic form resembling a human baby. Sumdac "adopted" the strange little creature, naming it [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]], and raising her as his daughter, never telling her of her true origins. {{storylink|TransWarped}}

Eight years after Sumdac found Sari, the quest for the AllSpark brought the Transformers' war to Earth, and Sari and her father became allies of [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]'s Autobots. To forge a power base for himself, treacherous Decepticon lieutenant [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] set up base in the ''Nemesis'' (which he had crashed on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]]), using the protoforms that still remained in its hold to create an army of clones of himself. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}} Starscream himself had previously died, but was being sustained through a sliver of the AllSpark wedged in his forehead, and so by breaking off tiny chips of it, he was able to give his clones—[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]], [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]], [[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]], [[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]], and [[Ramjet (Animated)| Ramjet]]—the spark of life. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

Later, Megatron followed Starscream's example, using three protoforms and three AllSpark fragments to create giant cross-breed clones of [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] and [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]], the [[Lugnut Supreme]]s. While Megatron readied his new war machines, Starscream—who had by this point spent a protracted period of time as a decapitated head—used a protoform to create a new body for himself, but it didn't last long: to prevent Starscream from betraying him again, Megatron destroyed his new body, and all the remaining protoforms, save three. {{storylink|Endgame, Part I}} These three protoforms were then recovered by Optimus Prime's Autobots during their battle with the Lugnut Supremes. Sari believed that she was originally one of the protoforms who had been aboard the Nemesis, but her unusual shape and form while in protoform state, and the unanswered question of how she wound up in her father's lab, left the matter lacking in a definitive resolution. {{storylink|Endgame, Part II}}

===''Prime''===
Protoforms were created by the [[AllSpark]] in the [[Well of All Sparks]]. In the past protoforms would escape from the [[Underworld]] to the Cybertronian surface, but in the era of the [[caste system]] they would be taught to transform, assume their most natural alternate mode and be put to work. Protoforms remained the standard name for one's [[robot mode]]. ''{{storylink|Exodus: The Official History of the War for Cybertron}}''

==Toys==
Toys representing transitional protoform modes have been made for several characters from the [[Movie (franchise)|live-action Movie]] universe:
===Transformers (2007)===
[[Image:Movie ProtoformOptimusPrime toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Munkytruck feet!]]
*'''Protoform [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2007), later [[Redeco|redecorated]] as Protoform Optimus Prime Fusion Cluster Edition. This form is usually Optimus Prime's pre-Earth body in [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Transformers'' movie prequel comics.

*'''Protoform [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]''' (Deluxe, 2007), later redecorated as Protoform Starscream Fusion Cluster Edition. This form is usually Starscream's pre-Earth body in IDW's ''Transformers'' movie prequel comics.

* '''Trans Scanning [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]''' (2008)
* '''Trans Scanning Optimus Prime''' (2008)

:Both Trans-Scanning Bumblebee and Optimus Prime feature a highly articulated protoform robot mode that can transform into its comet-like transition mode. Snap-on armour based on their Earth robot and vehicle modes represent the characters after they have trans-scanned vehicles.

===Robot Heroes===
*[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] [[Jazz (Movie)|Protoform Autobot Jazz]] vs. [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]]

==Notes==
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s Cybertronian form depicted in ''Transformers'' [[Movie (franchise)|Movie]] comics and toys greatly resembles a protoform, presumably because it was Hasbro's only reference for an alien Autobot appearance.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Beast Wars]]
[[Category:Beast Wars II]]
[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise]]